bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Diagnosis of paired age agreement: a simulation of accuracy and precision effects
Authors: McBride Richard S. 
Published: April 2015

Abstract
In a typical age and growth study, multiple estimates of individual fish age are generated: by readers, methods, etc. These samples of paired data are evaluated with three complementary approaches: (i) tabulate or graph the data to illustrate patterns, (ii) calculate indices of precision to evaluate repeatability, and more recently, (iii) use tests of symmetry to evaluate bias. Herein, I simulated age data to evaluate the diagnostic power of these different approaches in terms of four types of accuracy: (i) no bias between known and estimated age, (ii) bias by adding 1 year to the estimated age, (iii) bias by subtracting 10% from the estimated age, and (iv) both biases together. Precision of estimated ages (standard deviation = 5, 10, and 15% of known age) was varied for each type of bias. Age-bias plots had difficulty detecting bias in ages classes with few (e.g. ≤5) individuals sampled. A Bland–Altman-bubble plot is introduced as an alternative to age-bias plots. In these simulations, the various indices of precision were either not diagnostic (i.e. per cent agreement) or redundant (average per cent error could be predicted from Chang's coefficient of variation). Evans and Hoenig's test and Bowker's test of symmetry performed well in most simulations, but each has specific weaknesses. Bowker's test was superior by having marginally fewer type I error rates; however, it had much worse type II error rates. McNemar's test offered no additional interpretative power in these simulations. All tests of symmetry had difficulty diagnosing bias when precision was low. These simulated results support continued use of all three approaches because they are complementary. Additional simulations would be helpful to confirm that these guidelines are relevant in other representative cases.
Two Distinct Hepatitis C Virus Genotype 1a Clades Have Different Geographical Distribution and Association With Natural Resistance to NS3 Protease Inhibitors
Authors: De Luca Andrea , Di Giambenedetto Simona , Lo Presti Alessandra , Sierra Saleta , Prosperi Mattia , Cella Eleonora , Giovanetti Marta , Torti Carlo , Caudai Cinzia , Vicenti Ilaria , Saladini Francesco , Almi Paolo , Grima Pierfrancesco , Blanc Pierluigi , Fabbiani Massimiliano , Rossetti Barbara , Gagliardini Roberta , Kaiser Rolf , Ciccozzi Massimo , Zazzi Maurizio 
Published: April 2015

AbstractBackground.  Hepatitis C virus (HCV) genotype 1 is the most prevalent worldwide. Subtype 1a, compared with 1b, shows lower response rates and higher propensity to select for drug resistance to NS3 and selected NS5A and nonnucleoside NS5B inhibitors. Two distinct clades of subtype 1a have been described.Methods.  Using Bayesian methodology, we performed a time-scaled phylogeny reconstruction of clade separation and characterized the geographic distribution, phylodynamics, and association with natural resistance variants of NS3 sequences from 362 patients carrying subtype 1a HCV.Results.  All sequences segregated in 2 clearly distinct clades. Clade I showed an earlier origin from the common ancestor compared with clade II. Clade I virus was more prevalent in non-European countries, represented mostly by United States, compared with European (75.7% vs 49.3%; P &lt; .001). The prevalence of the natural NS3 variant Q80K, associated with resistance to the macrocyclic protease inhibitor simeprevir, was detected in 51.6% of clade I and 0% of clade II (P &lt; .001); clade I showed a lower genetic barrier for Q80K, whereas no sign of selective pressure at any protease inhibitor resistance-associated codon was detected.Conclusions.  Hepatitis C virus subtype 1a clades have a clearly different distribution in Europe and the United States, and the natural resistance mutation Q80K is exclusively associated with clade I.
Suzaku observation of X-ray variability in soft state LMC X-1
Authors: Koyama Shu , Yamada Shin'ya , Kubota Aya , Tashiro Makoto S. , Terada Yukikatsu , Makishima Kazuo 
Published: April 2015

Abstract
This paper reports the results of Suzaku observation of the spectral variation of the black hole binary LMC X-1 in the soft state. The observation was carried out in 2009 from July 21 to 24. the obtained net count rate was ∼ 30 counts s−1 in the 0.5–50 keV band with ∼ 10% peak-to-peak flux variation. The time-averaged X-ray spectrum cannot be described by a multi-color disk and single Compton component with its reflection, but requires additional Comptonized emissions. This double Compton component model allows a slightly larger inner radius of the multi-color disk, implying a lower spin parameter. Significant spectral evolution was observed above 8 keV along with a flux decrease on a timescale of ∼ 104–105 s. By spectral fitting, we show that this behavior is well explained by changes in the hard Comptonized emission component in contrast to the maintained disk and soft Comptonized emission.
Un–complicating protein complex prediction
Authors: Koutroumpas Konstantinos , Képès François 
Published: April 2015

AbstractIdentification of protein complexes from proteomic experiments is crucial to understand not only their function but also the principles of cellular organization. Advances in experimental techniques have enabled the construction of large–scale protein–protein interaction networks, and computational methods have been developed to analyze high–throughput data. In most cases several parameters are introduced that have to be trained before application. But how do we select the parameter values when there are no training data available? How many data do we need to properly train a method. How is the performance of a method affected when we incorrectly select the parameter values? The above questions, although important to determine the applicability of a method, are most of the time over-looked. We highlight the importance of such an analysis by investigating how limited knowledge, in the form of incomplete training data, affects the performance of parametric protein–complex prediction algorithms. Furthermore, we develop a simple non–parametric method that does not rely on the existence of training data and we compare it with the parametric alternatives. Using datasets from yeast and fly we demonstrate that parametric methods trained with limited data provide sub–optimal predictions, while our non–parametric method performs better or is on par with the parametric alternatives. Overall, our analysis questions, at least for the specific problem, whether parametric methods provide significantly better results than non–parametric ones to justify the additional effort for applying them.
A mathematical framework for statistical decision confidence
Authors: Hangya Balázs , Sanders Joshua I. , Kepecs Adam 
Published: April 2015

AbstractDecision confidence is a forecast about the probability that a decision will be correct. Confidence can be framed as an objective mathematical quantity the Bayesian posterior probability, providing a formal definition of statistical decision confidence. Here we use this definition as a starting point to develop a normative statistical framework for decision confidence. We analytically prove interrelations between statistical decision confidence and other observable decision measures. Among these is a counterintuitive property of confidence that the lowest average confidence occurs when classifiers err in the presence of the strongest evidence. These results lay the foundations for a mathematically rigorous treatment of decision confidence that can lead to a common framework for understanding confidence across different research domains, from human behavior to neural representations.
On the Optimal Use of Isotherm Models for the Characterization of Biosorption of Lead Onto Algae
Authors: Brouers F. , Al-Musawi Tariq J. 
Published: April 2015

AbstractIn this study the experimental isotherm data of biosorption of Pb(II) onto algae was modeled using several models. These models are: Langmuir, Hill-Sips, Brouers-Sotolongo, Brouers-Gaspard, and Redlich-Peterson models. The coefficients of each model were determined by non-linear fitting using Mathematica9 program. The maximum Pb(II) removal rate increased with the increase of temperature and reached the maximum value (98%) at the temperature of 40 °C. Even if the R2error quantity is not the unique and always the best measure for nonlinear fitting, the Brouers-Sotolongo model gives in all cases the best fit and is definitely the most suitable one to satisfactorily describe bioisorption of Pb(II) on the algal biomass. In addition, this study shows that a complete set of data is necessary to have a good representation of the isotherm.
Export barriers and business confidence: a quasi-longitudinal examination
Authors: Kahiya Eldrede Tinashe , Dean David L 
Published: April 2015

Purpose– The purpose of this paper is to examine the influence of export barriers at two different points in time, 1995 (t0) and 2010 (t1), respectively. Using “confidence” as a surrogate for affect, the study proposes an inverse relationship between affect and export barrier intensity with the influence of export barriers increasing as exporter confidence subsides.Design/methodology/approach– The study draws two random probabilistic samples (1995/2010) of New Zealand’s SME exporters, from the same working population, using an identical survey instrument. Preliminary analysis combines exploratory factor analysis and confirmatory factor analysis techniques. The research proposition is tested using binary logistic regression.Findings– The results found that the influence of export barriers changes substantially across time. There was support for the proposition in that the 2010 sample of exporters were two to nine times more likely to consider export barriers influential than the 1995 group. Such evidence was particularly strong in the context of logistics and distribution factors, internal resource constraints, trade-related barriers, home market factors and currency and payments obstacles.Practical implications– This research suggests managerial evaluation of the prevailing business atmosphere, as captured by exporter’s confidence, can influence perception of export barriers. Specifically, barriers tend to be evaluated as influential when there is a sense of pessimism within the export sector. Thus over time export barrier influence can be traced to the manager’s evaluation of export prospects as opposed to the frequently researched organizational and internationalization variables.Originality/value– This is the first study to use theory to predict and empirically test the change in export barrier influence across time. While the majority of export barrier research adopts the cognitive or “objective-verifiable” view, the study supports the contention that export barrier influence can also be understood in the context of the emotive or “subjective-moot” perspective. Additionally, export managers should adopt long-term orientation towards exports while policymakers are encouraged (contrary to mainstream research) to move from targeted export support programs to inclusive or mass market approaches.
How perceived institutional pressures impact market orientation
Authors: Zhang Jing , Jiang Yanxin , Shabbir Rizwan , Duan Yanling 
Published: April 2015

Purpose
– Literature has not paid enough attention to the antecedents of market orientation in the context of transitional economy and many authors focus on internal antecedent factors which could be controlled by the organizations. To address the research gaps, the purpose of this paper is to examine the impact of institutional pressures upon market orientation implementation in mainland China.

Design/methodology/approach
– Based on multiple case studies of four large B2B manufacturing firms, this paper presents a conceptual framework incorporating three kinds of institutional antecedents of market orientation. Then the developed framework is empirically tested and the impacts of antecedent factors are compared by a fully structured questionnaire survey of 235 Chinese manufacturing firms.

Findings
– The research findings indicate that during the market-oriented organizational change, normative and mimetic institutional pressures are important driving forces. In addition, the significant institutional antecedent factors are pressures arising from strategic partnership, system certification requirements, industry benchmarking, management consultation and intensive competition.

Originality/value
– This research is first of its kind as it probes into institutional antecedents of market orientation among Chinese firms by combining cross-case study and large-scale survey. It contributes greatly to the literature of market orientation and institutional theory, and also provides relevant managerial implications for firms as to how to improve market-orientation degree.
Evaluating customer-perceived service quality in business management education in India
Authors: Choudhury Koushiki 
Published: April 2015

Purpose
– The purpose of this paper is to address the question of service quality in the higher education sector in the business management area, with the research objective to explore the dimensions of service quality and assess performance of higher educational institutes (HEIs) in business management across customer-perceived service quality dimensions.

Design/methodology/approach
– A modified SERVQUAL instrument was used to capture customers’ perceptions of service quality with a sample size of 1,152 customers. Technique for Order Preference by Similarity to Ideal Solution (TOPSIS) was used to holistically evaluate the performance of the HEIs.

Findings
– The current research develops a scale for measuring service quality in the area of business management education and reinforces the fact that service quality is a multidimensional construct. It suggests that customers distinguish four dimensions of service quality in the case of the higher education industry in business management. TOPSIS analysis provides an effective framework for ranking competing HEIs holistically in terms of their overall performance with respect to multiple service quality factors.

Research limitations/implications
– Continued refinement of the scale for measuring service quality in higher education, proposed in this study, is certainly possible based on further research and trends in higher education.

Practical implications
– HEIs are finding themselves in an increasingly integrated competitive market. Consequently they are facing challenges due to the evaluation of the results of the services of education and training that they offer. In competitive environments, student perceptions of quality and their satisfaction level have become very important in order to attract and retain them. Identifying the underlying dimensions of service quality is the first step in the definition and provision of quality service and instilling of a customer-service culture. Having access to how consumers evaluate service quality in the higher educational sector in business management and evaluating the positions of the players in the market on service quality parameters, can help the organization to carry out its mission with more efficiency, aid in strategic planning and contend the initiatives that HEIs managers can take to enhance employees’ skills and attitudes and instill a culture of service excellence.

Originality/value
– The contribution of this research has been in terms of its scale development and modeling methodology. A methodological innovation in this research has been in the use of TOPSIS in the field of customer-perceived service quality in higher education.
Viable strategy configurations and new product development capability and performance
Authors: Racela Olimpia C. 
Published: April 2015

Purpose– The purpose of this paper is to identify firm groups pursuing different configurations of customer-, entrepreneurial-, and information technology (IT) orientation and to compare their new product development (NPD) capability and NPD performance.Design/methodology/approach– Hierarchical cluster analysis was used on the sample of 156 firms on the basis of their mix of customer-, entrepreneurial-, and IT- orientation. Then, analysis of variance was used to compare the groups’ NPD capability (NPDCAP), NPD process efficiency (NPDPROC), new product effectiveness (NPEFF), and new product financial performance (NPPERF).Findings– Of the seven strategy configurations posited, four emerge and two unexpected configurations are revealed. Overall, firms simultaneously pursuing multiple strategic orientations have higher NPDCAP, NPEFF, and NPPERF. Interestingly, all six strategy groups have equally low levels of NPDPROC.Practical implications– To enhance NPDCAP and NPD performance, managers should consider more complex strategy configurations that act in complementary ways, in particular, customer-orientation complemented by either entrepreneurial- and/or IT-orientation. Moreover, more attention is needed to improving NPDPROC, as achieving gains in this area would contribute positively to firm performance.Originality/value– This study presents initial evidence that, at least for firms in Thailand, resources must be configured by pursuing several strategic orientations simultaneously to enhance their dynamic capabilities in NPD, a strategic issue that has not been given much attention in previous literature.
Traceability systems in the Western Australia halal food supply chain
Authors: Poniman Delma , Purchase Sharon , Sneddon Joanne 
Published: April 2015

Purpose
– The purpose of this paper is to explore the emergence and implementation of traceability systems in the Western Australian (WA) Halal food industry. In particular, to understand how individuals in facilitating organizations perceive the Halal idea logic and the benefits that a traceability system can provide to the Halal food processing industry.

Design/methodology/approach
– An empirical qualitative approach was employed to examine these issues utilizing in-depth interviews. Thematic analysis was carried out using Leximancer software.

Findings
– Findings suggest that individual’s perception of Halal idea logic is aligned to the roles they perform. These perceptions were impacted by the specific objectives or business interests of each organization. Facilitating organizations also perceive that traceability systems are a strategic tool in the Halal food processing industry.

Practical implications
– The research provides insights into how to improve existing understanding of the Halal idea logic within Halal food business networks and the benefits of implementing traceability systems in Halal food production. Joint activity between firms creates a network effect, where the value created is greater than that which the firms alone can create.

Originality/value
– Though traceability systems have become increasingly popular in the food industry, little research has been undertaken to understand how individuals in facilitating organizations perceive these systems, particularly in the growing Halal food industry. Hence, the study contributes to the literature of traceability studies and the area of change and process adaptation in business relationships in the context of halal food production.
Metachoice for benchmarking: a case study
Authors: Laise Domenico , Marraro Laura , Iazzolino Gianpaolo 
Published: April 2015

Purpose
– In a previous paper the authors emphasized the advantages of multicriteria methodologies to evaluate business performance. The purpose of this paper is to highlight the metachoice problem that always arises in a benchmark multicriteria analysis that can be synthesized as follows: “how to choose an algorithm to choose?”

Design/methodology/approach
– In order to perform a benchmark analysis, a set of criteria must be chosen. In the Balanced Scorecard approach, for example, key performance indicators (KPIs) are grouped in four different perspectives: financial, customer, internal processes and learning and growth. In this paper, the authors focus on multicriteria benchmark analysis applied to KPIs of the financial perspective. The paper considers a set of criteria used in financial statement analysis based on balance sheet, income statement and cash flow statement. A case study is described.

Findings
– The main findings of the paper are when the evaluation of a firm is based on different genuine criteria, a metachoice problem arises: multicriteria ranking algorithms cannot be selected using a multicriteria algorithm; the choice of an algorithm ultimately depends on the subjective preference of the policy maker; and the authors metachoice solution to the benchmarking problem is in accordance with Simon’s satisfacing solution, describing a non-maximizing performance measurement methodology.

Practical implications
– The paper provides several practical implications in all cases in which a ranking has to be assigned to a group of firms based on financial performances. More in general the problem is very relevant when a ranking has to be carried out with respect to a set of projects, a set of strategies, a set of organizational units, etc.

Originality/value
– The adoption of a set of criteria is certainly an advantage to avoid uni-criterial myopic evaluation. However, this also creates some methodological problems. The paper demonstrates the “relativity” (subjectivity) of results of the evaluation process when there are many evaluation criteria, as in a benchmark context. This is a metachoice problem that cannot be solved by using another multicriteria algorithm.
Performance improvement of manufacturing supply chain using back-up supply strategy
Authors: Jaipuria Sanjita , Mahapatra S. S. 
Published: April 2015

Purpose
– The purpose of this paper is to provide a simulation modelling framework to examine the behaviour of a serial make-to-stock (MTS) manufacturing system under the influence of various uncertainties. Further, the study analyses effect of propagation uncertainties from lower to upper stream of supply chain.

Design/methodology/approach
– System dynamics modelling approach has been adopted for modelling and analysing the behaviour of a serial MTS manufacturing system under the influence of different uncertainties such as demand, supplier acquisition rate, raw material (RM) supply lead time, processing time and delay due to machine failure. The backup supply strategy has been proposed to mitigate the adverse effect of the RM supply uncertainty.

Findings
– The effect of variations of various factors on the performance of a MTS manufacturing supply chain in measured through various performance measures like work-in-progress (WIP) inventory, backlog and RM shortage at both manufacturer’s and supplier’s end. The benefit of adopting backup supply strategy under RM supply uncertainty is demonstrated.

Research limitations/implications
– This work is limited to analysis of a serial MTS manufacturing system dealing with a single product having two machines only. The study can be easily extended to a more complex system with multiple machines, lines and products.

Practical implications
– A simple simulation framework has been proposed to analyse the effect of various uncertainties on the performance of a MTS manufacturing system. The managers can simulate complex systems using simulation approaches to generate if-then scenarios to gain insight into practical problems and formulate strategies to mitigate adverse effect of uncertainties at various level of supply chain.

Originality/value
– The study analyses behaviour of MTS manufacturing system under the effect of various uncertainties operating simultaneously in the system. A backup supplier strategy is proposed to improve the service level at the customer’s end through improving service level at the supplier’s end. Similarly, effective strategies can be tested with the proposed simple model to reduce the effect of uncertainty at different levels of the supply chain.