bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Adopting global virtual engineering teams in AEC Projects
Authors: Hosseini M.Reza , Chileshe Nicholas , Zuo Jian , Baroudi Bassam 
Published: March 2015

Purpose– This study aims to present an integrated conceptual model in order to highlight the major aspects of diffusion of innovations in the architecture, engineering and construction (AEC) context. To this end, a critical review of literature is conducted, accompanied by synthesising the findings of previous studies. The driving force behind this study is stemmed from the fragmentation of literature on innovation diffusion, and paucity of research on diffusion of Global Virtual Engineering Teams (GVETs) as the platform for many technological innovations in relevant literature. Thus, the present study is intended to facilitate filling the gap in GVETs literature. That is, the proposed model will offer a foundation for academia for grounding studies on any innovation including GVETs in the literature on innovation diffusion in the AEC context.Design/methodology/approach– This paper draws upon the qualitative meta-analysis approach encompassing a critical review of the relevant literature. To this end, the review builds upon studies found within 15 prestigious journals in AEC. The domain of this review was confined to areas described as “innovation”, “innovation diffusion” and “innovation adoption”, along with keywords used within a broad review of recently published GVETs literature. The rigour of review is augmented by incorporating 35 authoritative works from other disciplines published in 21 well-known journals in the manufacturing, business and management fields. Moreover, the study deploys the peer-debriefing approach through conducting unstructured interviews with five Australian scholars to verify a model presenting an aggregated summary of previous studies.Findings– The key findings of the study include the following items: synthesising the fragmented studies on innovation diffusion in the AEC context. In doing so, a model capturing the major aspects affecting diffusion of an innovation in AEC projects is presented; providing a foundation to address the drawbacks of previous studies within the sphere of GVETs, based on the developed model.Research limitations/implications– The developed model was only enhanced using a small sample size of academics, as such not empirically validated.Originality/value– As possibly, the first literature review of innovation in the AEC context, this paper contributes to the sphere by sensitising the AEC body of knowledge on innovation diffusion as a concise conceptual model, albeit verified through the peer-debriefing approach. This study will also further establish the research field in AEC on GVETs along with other methods reliant on virtual working such as building information modelling (BIM) through providing an expanded foundation for future inquiries and creation of knowledge.
Trends: cyborg games
Authors: Yeoman Ian , McMahon‐Beattie Una 
Published: March 2015

Purpose
Wearable technologies are a near future concept and cyborgs are in fact reality. The authors’ proposition is how cyborgisation could and will occur. The paper aims to discuss this issue.

Design/methodology/approach
The approach used by this paper is a general review.

Findings
The authors explain how the line between humans and technology is becoming more and more blurred as this trends paper explores the concepts of singularity and cyborgs as a future state highlighting the world's first cyborg games.

Originality/value
The paper contributes to our understanding that science fiction is fiction to some but reality to others depending on a person's cognition and insight.
Investigating scenario planning – a European tourism perspective
Authors: Postma Albert 
Published: March 2015

Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to discuss the scenario planning approach developed and used by the European Tourism Futures Institute (ETFI).

Design/methodology/approach
This paper contains the following sections: mission and aims of the research group; epistemological and methodological positioning, conceptual framework and research lines for an applied scenario planning approach.

Findings
This paper highlights the research methodology of the scenario planning group of the European Tourism Research Institute. It provides insight in the research foundations of the scenario planning approach in a tourism context and ETFI's conceptual framework for scenario planning.

Originality/value
The paper provides an insight to how Europe's first tourism futures research centre developed and uses a conceptual framework for scenario planning thus demonstrating best practice success.
The future of hotel rating
Authors: Hensens Wouter 
Published: March 2015

Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to provide an insight in the future of hotel rating. It reviews the impact of social media, technology that provides integration of data for the consumer and the hotels, and the way that rating bodies may respond to the changing environment on how hotels are selected and reviewed.

Design/methodology/approach
By reviewing current trends, practices and technological possibilities, the impact of online reviews on conventional hotel rating systems is projected into the future.

Findings
The paper predicts a full integration of conventional rating systems with online guest reviews from the different guest review platforms leading to greater transparency for the consumer and better positioning opportunities for innovative hotels. It is further predicted that those conventional rating systems that do not seek integration and alignment will see a continued drop in hotel participation and will cease to exist.

Originality/value
Little research has been done on the relation between online guest reviews and conventional hotel rating systems. The paper presents new insights into how current and future trends influence the way in which consumers select hotels and how this influences the way that hotels are rated.
An approach to task-oriented knowledge recommendation based on multi-granularity fuzzy linguistic method
Authors: Li Ming , Yuan Mengyue , Xu Yingcheng 
Published: March 2015

Purpose– In organizations, knowledge intensive activities are mainly task oriented. Finding relevant completed tasks to the new task and providing task-related knowledge to workers facilitate the knowledge reuse. However, relevant tasks are not easily found in the huge amount of completed tasks. The purpose of this paper is to assist the worker to find the required knowledge for the task at hand by reusing the knowledge related to relevant competed tasks.Design/methodology/approach– First, the task profile is constructed. Relevant degrees to categories which tasks to are derived by multi-granularity fuzzy linguistic method. The stages of completed tasks are identified by the modified KNN method. Second, similar completed tasks on categories are retrieved and then the relevant tasks are selected from the retrieved similar tasks by multi-granularity fuzzy linguistic method. Third, the worker’s current task stage is derived by calculating the similarity between the rated knowledge and the knowledge in the stage of completed tasks. Finally, the knowledge is recommend based on stage relevance, relevance of the completed tasks and importance of the knowledge.Findings– The proposed method helps the worker find the knowledge related to the task at hand by finding and reusing the completed tasks. The experimental results show that the proposed method performs well and can fulfill the worker’s’ knowledge needs. The use of the linguistic term set with preferred granularities instead of precise numbers facilitates the expression of the opinions. The recommendation stage by stage makes the knowledge recommended more precisely. The obtained linguistic weight of the knowledge makes the recommended results understood more easily than the numerical values.Research limitations/implications– In the study, the authors just focus on the codified knowledge recommendation. However, there is another kind of knowledge named tacit knowledge, which exists in the mind of the experts. The constructing and updating of the expert profile can be investigated. Meanwhile, the new recommendation method which considers more factors also needs to be studied further.Practical implications– The paper includes implications for the development of the knowledge management system. The proposed approach can be applied as a tool of knowledge sharing. It facilitates the finding of the knowledge that is related to the task at hand.Originality/value– The paper provides new ways to find the relevant tasks and the related knowledge to the task at hand. Meanwhile, the new method to recommend the knowledge stage by stage is also proposed. It expands the research in the knowledge sharing and knowledge recommendation.
New information in continuous disclosure
Authors: Russell Mark 
Published: March 2015

Purpose
– This paper aims to examine the price-sensitivity of information under capital market disclosure regulation, the Australian continuous disclosure regulation (CDR).

Design/methodology/approach
– The study tests the information content of continuous disclosures and identifies the firm characteristics that condition the price-sensitivity of information under CDR.

Findings
– The study provides evidence that continuous firm disclosures are significantly associated with stock price adjustment to information. Further results are consistent with firm disclosure and its information content being determined by the economics of the firm.

Practical implications
– The findings of the study support the introduction of ongoing and continuous disclosure regimes in a number of capital markets, and assist firms and regulators model the price-sensitivity of information under CDR.

Originality/value
– The study highlights the sources of an informed market, and contributes to our understanding of the conditions under which the CDR reveals unexpected information. The results provide evidence of an association between firm disclosure and stock price synchronicity, consistent with managerial incentives to disclose information.
Health science students’ perception about research training programs offered in Saudi universities
Authors: Al Kuwaiti Ahmed , Subbarayalu Arun Vijay 
Published: March 2015

Purpose– The purpose of this paper was to examine the perceptions of students of health sciences on research training programs offered at Saudi universities.Design/methodology/approach– A cross-sectional survey design was adopted to capture the perceptions of health science students about research training programs offered at selected Saudi universities. A criterion-based sampling technique was adopted, and accordingly, 630 students were selected to participate in the study. A pre-tested questionnaire tool titled, “Students Attitude towards Research (SAR) questionnaire ”, was used to capture student responses on a five-point Likert scale with respect to three dimensions, namely, extent of research activities offered in their college, involvement of faculty in research and the infrastructural facilities offered by the college for research. The students’ attitudes with respect to various components of research training programs were analyzed using mean and cumulative percentage of students satisfied with the training. Multivariate analysis of variance (MANOVA) was used to study whether there is any significant difference in attitudes among the students belonging to four health science programs of the seven selected universities.Findings– The results of this study demonstrate that only less than 50 per cent of the students from the selected health science colleges are satisfied with the existing research training programs. There are significant differences in the students’ attitude toward research training programs offered in seven selected Saudi universities.Originality/value– This is the first Saudi Arabia-based study that provides an alarming signal to educational-policy planners on students’ perceptions and attitudes toward research training programs offered in Saudi higher education institutions.
Dissolution kinetics of copper in lead-free liquid solders
Authors: Faizan Mohammad 
Published: March 2015

Purpose
– The purpose of this paper was to develop a physics-based mathematical model to estimate the amount of substrate metal lost during the wet soldering process.

Design/methodology/approach
– A mathematically rigorous model depicting the actual physics of the substrate/solder interaction and dissolution has been proposed to simulate the dissolution of the substrate metal in the liquid lead-free solder. The basic mass diffusion equation with the implementation of interface reaction kinetics was solved numerically using the finite volume approach. The moving interface was tracked by utilizing the coordinate transformation technique.

Findings
– It was observed that the process of metal dissolution in the liquid solder was governed by two important parameters, viz., interface kinetics and long-range diffusion in the liquid solder. Non-equilibrium behavior was observed in the early stage of the process. The early stage of the dissolution process was seen as governed by interface kinetics, while diffusion became the rate-controlling mechanism at the later phase of soldering.

Practical implications
– Substrate dissolution can be accurately estimated for a particular substrate–solder combination and for the given process conditions. This early estimation will help in ensuring the reliability and health of the solder joint.

Originality/value
– A model based on actual physics is proposed, and interface reaction kinetics has been introduced to capture the actual behavior of the process. The model will serve as the basis for two- and three-dimensional analysis, including the formation of an intermetallic compound in the solder joint.
Advancement in microstructure and mechanical properties of lanthanum-doped tin-silver-copper lead free solders by optimizing the lanthanum doping concentration
Authors: Ali Bakhtiar 
Published: March 2015

Purpose
– The purpose of this paper is to analyze the effect of lanthanum (La) doping on the microstructure and mechanical properties of tin-silver-copper (SAC) alloys and to find out an optimum La doping concentration upon which the best set of the desirable properties can be possible. SAC tertiary Pb-free solders are thought to be the best substitutes for Pb-based solders but have limitations due to their coarse microstructure.

Design/methodology/approach
– Three samples with varied La concentrations were synthesized from pure metals. SAC with various concentrations of doped La were studied in detail. Scanning electron microscopy images were studied and were further analyzed by the ImageJ software to measure the average intermetallic compounds (IMCs) size. Optical microscopy was used to study the grains. MTS tensile machine was used determine out the mechanical properties. All the analysis was done before and after thermal aging. Finally, an optimum La doping concentration was found.

Findings
– By doping a suitable concentration of La in SAC, the average IMCs size as well as grain size was greatly reduced. Yield stress and tensile strength were quite improved as a result. Unlike previous studies, ductility was not lowered. Impact toughness was seen to be significantly improved. Finally, an optimum La doping concentration was found to be 0.3 per cent by weight, as beyond this, ductility drops rapidly.

Originality/value
– The optimum La doping concentration in SAC resulted in a much refined microstructure and a very good set of the desirable properties, including yield stress, tensile strength, ductility, impact toughness and expectedly creep and fatigue resistances, for the first time.
Habitat context influences nitrogen removal by restored oyster reefs
Authors: Smyth Ashley R. , Piehler Michael F. , Grabowski Jonathan H. 
Published: March 2015

Summary

Like many ecosystem functions in marine and terrestrial environments, nutrient processing varies dramatically over small spatial scales, making efforts to apply findings within and across ecosystems challenging. In estuaries, information on the influence of habitat context on sediment nutrient cycling is lacking even though this is an important estuarine function with high societal value.

We collected triplicate intact sediment cores from restored oyster reefs located in different habitat contexts (adjacent to salt marshes, seagrass beds and mudflats), as well as salt marshes, seagrass beds and mudflats without reefs (controls). Sediment denitrification and fluxes of dissolved inorganic nitrogen were measured under ambient and experimentally elevated water column nitrate levels.

Under ambient nitrate, oyster reefs enhanced sediment denitrification by 18–275% over the controls, with highest rates of denitrification in the mudflat context. With experimentally elevated nitrate, the rate of denitrification was higher for oyster reefs compared to the controls in all contexts. This suggests that oyster reefs prime sediments to denitrify nitrate pulses by providing a labile carbon source for denitrifying bacteria.

There was a weak positive relationship between oyster density and denitrification under ambient nitrate concentrations and a positive relationship with denitrification that became negative beyond ∼2400 individuals m−2 with elevated nitrate concentrations. The effect of the oyster reef on sediment denitrification was most pronounced in the mudflat context, due to the absence of other structured habitats and higher oyster density, compared to the other two habitat contexts investigated.

The consistency of denitrification efficiency across the habitats and lack of difference between habitats with reefs and those without (controls) suggest oyster‐mediated denitrification is an effective sink for nitrogen in coastal systems.

Synthesis and applications. Our study indicates that oyster‐mediated denitrification is dependent on the habitat context of the oyster reef, and variation in oyster density and the relative functional redundancy of oyster reefs where other structured habitats exist (e.g. seagrass and salt marshes) may explain this pattern. Efforts to model and predict ecosystem services provided through oyster reef restoration such as the removal of anthropogenically derived nitrogen should incorporate how habitat context influences ecosystem functions.
Prediction of Development of Critical Limb Ischemia in Hemodialysis Patients
Authors: Yoshikawa Hisao , Iijima Raisuke , Hashimoto Go , Hara Hidehiko , Omae Kiyotsugu , Yoshikawa Yumiko , Suzuki Makoto , Nakamura Masato , Sugi Kaoru , Yoshikawa Masao 
Published: March 2015

AbstractHemodialysis (HD) patients with critical limb ischemia (CLI) suffer chronic inflammation and repeated infection, require intervention, and may have a protracted hospital stay. Therefore, early prediction is particularly important for management of CLI in patients with suspected peripheral artery disease. The purpose of this study is to develop a simple score for predicting the incidence of CLI in HD patients with suspected peripheral artery disease. The subjects were 139 asymptomatic patients receiving maintenance HD and with ABI <1.0. Multivariate logistic regression analysis was used to identify factors associated with development of CLI. These factors were subsequently weighted and integrated into a scoring system for the prediction of onset of CLI. Twenty‐five patients had onset of CLI. Five factors selected from the multivariate model were weighted proportionally using their respective odds ratio (OR) for incidence of CLI (history of cerebral vascular disease, OR 6.42 [3 points]; diabetes, OR 3.92 [2 points]; hypoesthesia, OR 4.21 [2 points]; left ventricular ejection fraction <50%, OR 3.89 [2 points]; serum albumin <3.5 g/dL, OR 4.39 [2 points]). Three strata of risk were defined (low risk, 0 to 3 points; intermediate risk, 4 to 6 points; and high risk 7 to 11 points) with excellent prognostic accuracy for progression to CLI using the Kaplan–Meier method. Five factors were identified that increased the risk of progression to CLI in HD patients with suspected peripheral artery disease. A combination of those factors permitted establishment of three risk strata for accurate prediction of onset of CLI.
High infection intensities, but negligible fitness costs, suggest tolerance of gastrointestinal nematodes in a tropical snake
Authors: Mayer Martin , Brown Gregory P. , Zimmermann Barbara , Shine Richard 
Published: March 2015

AbstractWe investigated patterns of prevalence and intensity of gastrointestinal nematode infections in a tropical natricine snake, the keelback (Tropidonophis mairii). Ninety‐eight per cent of keelbacks were infected with Tanqua anomala (Gnathostomidae), with infection intensities of up to 243 worms per snake. Infection with T. anomala caused severe inflammation of stomach mucosa and submucosa at the sites of parasite attachment and encystment. Nonetheless, we did not detect detrimental effects of nematode infection on measures of fitness among wild or captive snakes. Snakes with heavier nematode infections had higher body condition scores than less‐infected individuals. Deworming captive snakes had no measurable effect on their growth rate, body condition or locomotor performance. In combination with an earlier study on blood‐dwelling hepatozoons, our work suggests that keelbacks have a high tolerance to parasites. The ‘fast‐pace’ life history and short lifespan of these snakes may make it beneficial for them to tolerate infection, rather than expend energy on resisting parasite attack.
Statins are associated with a reduced risk of cholangiocarcinoma: a population‐based case–control study
Authors: Peng Yen‐Chun , Lin Cheng‐Li , Hsu Wan‐Yun , Chang Chi‐Sen , Yeh Hong‐Zen , Tung Chun‐Fang , Wu Yuh‐Lin , Sung Fung‐Chang , Kao Chia‐Hung 
Published: March 2015

AimsCholangiocarcinoma (CCA) is the second most common primary liver cancer in the world. Due to the lack of effective treatments, the survival rate of CCA is low and it is usually considered difficult to diagnose early. To date, no effective strategies for the prevention of CCA have been developed. Statins are cholesterol‐lowering agents which possess pleiotropic properties and the use of statins may reduce cancer risk. The aim of the study was to investigate the effect of statin use on the risk of CCA.MethodsWe used nationwide insurance data to perform a case–control study including 3174 CCA patients diagnosed in 2002–2011 and 3174 propensity score matched controls. Odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) were calculated to assess the association between CCA risk and statin use by type of statin and dose.ResultsPatients with CCA were slightly younger than controls with mean ages of 67.4 (SD 12.3) and 68.5 (SD 13.2) years (P = 0.001), respectively, and had less users of statins (22.7 vs. 26.5%, P < 0.001). The overall adjusted OR of statin use associated CCA was 0.80 (95% CI 0.71, 0.90) and lowered for those with longer medications. The OR ranged from 0.65 to 0.77. Stronger dose–response association was seen when using lovastatin.ConclusionsStatin use is associated with reduced risk of CCA and there is a dose–response relationship between the use of statins and risk of CCA.