bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Domiciliary care and migrant domestic workers: grasping the new institutional landscape
Authors: Abrantes Manuel 
Published: September 2014

Purpose– This paper addresses the nexus of domiciliary care demand and vulnerable migrant women recruited as domestic workers, focusing on the role of two types of organizations operating at the meso-level: commercial companies and nongovernmental organizations. The purpose of this paper is to identify the ways in which these organizations seek to change the dynamics of paid domestic work and explore how they attempt to shape the voice of domestic workers and their employers.Design/methodology/approach– An actor-based approach is applied to the metropolitan area of Lisbon, a relevant setting for empirical research given local developments in the realms of care, employment, migration, and public policy. Qualitative case study techniques of data collection and analysis are adopted. The analysis is based on institutional records and open-ended interviews with managers of commercial companies and activists of nongovernmental organizations. Background contributions are drawn from interviews with domestic workers, private employers, and privileged informants.Findings– Data from fieldwork demonstrate that the organizations under examination offer a significant and innovative contribution to raise and shape the voice of both paid domestic workers and their employers. More than introducing a radical perspective on the nature or content of domestic work, these organizations are engaged in stimulating a more efficient and sustainable organization of paid care in private households.Research limitations/implications– Given the novelty of the approach, the present analytical endeavour is chiefly exploratory and much of the regulatory interactions and behavioural patterns remains in the penumbra. Suggestions for future research include a more systematic and detailed scrutiny of the role of organizations, as well as the incorporation of other institutional actors such as state bodies and charitable organizations active in this field.Social implications– The findings show that commercial companies and nongovernmental organizations may become increasingly influential in the negotiation of working conditions for domestic workers while they remain highly experimental collective actors. The policy recommendation is to incorporate them as privileged subjects and actors in the public debate about the topical nexus of care crisis and migrant domestic labour. From the standpoint of social policy, the marketization of care provision is still lacking this crucial step: empowering representative bodies and fostering dialogue between them.Originality/value– The original emphasis on a meso-level of analysis and the choice of empirical qualitative examination – against a normative landscape of public regulation at the top and individualized actors down below – furthers the understanding of the topic and paves the way to promising developments in both scholarly research and policy debate.
The adoption of technological innovations in a B2B context: an empirical study on the higher education industry in Egypt
Authors: Mohamed Samir Hussein Rania , Mourad Maha 
Published: September 2014

Purpose– This paper aims to examine the factors that affect the adoption of technological innovations in a service industry, like the higher education industry. Specifically, the use of Web-based technology (WEBCT/blackboard) by faculty and administrators in universities in Egypt in the delivery of educational material and communication with students and peers is the focus of this study.Design/methodology/approach– A distinctive business-to-business (B2B) model is developed drawing on Rogers’ innovation adoption model, the resource-based view of the firm, as well as theoretical and empirical foundations in previous innovation adoption literature. The model is testified drawing on the results of empirical work in the form of a large survey conducted on 200 faculty and administrators in two different universities in Egypt. Structural equation modeling is used to test the research model.Findings– In addition to the attributes of the innovation, all university-based factors as well as one service provider factor, namely, need for interaction, were identified to have a significant influence on the adoption of technological innovations in the higher education industry.Originality/value– This paper attempts to enhance current understanding of the adoption of innovations in an important industry like the higher education industry. Empirical results shed light on influential factors when adopting technological innovations by faculty and administrators in the higher education industry. This is the first empirical study of this type to be conducted in the Middle East.
Risk capital constraints to innovation in services
Authors: Freel Mark , J. Robson Paul , Jack Sarah 
Published: September 2014

Purpose
– This paper aims to understand the factors associated with perceptions of venture capital as a barrier to innovation in an important subset of knowledge-intensive service firms – technology-based business services. A general and longstanding neglect of services in studies of innovation and a common focus of innovation studies on the availability of, and demand for, risk capital has been noted.

Design/methodology/approach
– In exploring these issues, the authors draw on survey data collected from 264 technology-based service firms located in Scotland and Northern England. The data are subjected to bivariate and multivariate statistical analyses to help explore the extent of demand-side risk capital concerns.

Findings
– It was found that smaller, faster growing and R&D-intensive firms perception greater equity barriers. Moreover, firms who are relatively happy about the managerial competencies available to them, but who identify deficiencies in marketing skills and the availability of external debt finance (which may say something broadly about their financial neediness), are shown to be “needy”.

Originality/value
– Studies of venture capital demand are relatively rare. Studies involving innovative service firms are rarer still. Given the prominent role of service firms in advanced economies and the changing perspective of the role of services in innovation, studies of financial constraints to innovation in services are timely. Innovation policy in advanced economies continues to be premised on patterns identified in manufacturing industries. This paper contributes to a broader perspective that views [technology-based] business services as dynamic innovation actors.
Innovative ability and entrepreneurial activity: two factors to enhance “quality of life”
Authors: Nataraajan Rajan , G. Angur Madhukar 
Published: September 2014

Purpose– The purpose of this paper is to investigate the impact of aspects of knowledge economy covered by the Knowledge Economy Index [KEI] and aspects of entrepreneurial activity covered by the Global Entrepreneurship Index [GEI] on quality of life [QOL] in a country.Design/methodology/approach– Data pertaining to KEI, GEI and QOL for different countries were gathered and analyzed through correlation and regression analyses.Findings– The results of the analysis yielded two key findings: First, KEI and GEI have a significant effect on QOL. Second, the Innovation Index (a component of KEI) and the total early stage entrepreneurship (a component of GEI) emerge as key factors that improve QOL.Originality/value– The value of this research lies in the fact that it unearths the two factors in KEI and GEI that actually impact QOL. By establishing and reinforcing the salience of innovative ability and entrepreneurial activity, this research helps long-term planners of an economy to fine-tune their focus.
The relationship between followers’ perceived quality of relationship and preferred leadership style
Authors: Notgrass David 
Published: September 2014

Purpose– Although leaders and followers are both essential elements within the leadership process, there has been limited research regarding followers and their role in the process. The purpose of this paper is to answer specific calls for research in the studies of followership, leadership, and the follower/leader relationship through the examination of the relationship between followers’ perception of quality of relationship with their leaders and followers’ preferred leadership style from their leaders.Design/methodology/approach– The study utilized a quantitative, correlational approach using the LMX-7 questionnaire to measure followers’ perceived quality of relationship with their leader and the MLQ-5x to measure followers’ preferred leadership style from their leader. The test sample was 105 CPA's working in the USA for companies over 1,000 employees in size.Findings– The study determined positive, significant levels of relationship between follower's perceived quality of relationship and follower's preference for transformational leadership style. The study additionally determined that the level of preference for transactional leadership style, at the composite scale level, remained relatively consistent, regardless the quality of relationship.Research limitations/implications– Because of the specific characteristic of the chosen research sample, the research results may not be generalized across other populations. Recommendations for future studies across different samples are identified.Originality/value– This study is unique in that it adds to the body of knowledge of leadership studies through the perspective of the follower.
Predicting invasive species impacts: a community module functional response approach reveals context dependencies
Authors: Paterson Rachel A. , Dick Jaimie T. A. , Pritchard Daniel W. , Ennis Marilyn , Hatcher Melanie J. , Dunn Alison M. 
Published: September 2014

SummaryPredatory functional responses play integral roles in predator–prey dynamics, and their assessment promises greater understanding and prediction of the predatory impacts of invasive species.Other interspecific interactions, however, such as parasitism and higher‐order predation, have the potential to modify predator–prey interactions and thus the predictive capability of the comparative functional response approach.We used a four‐species community module (higher‐order predator; focal native or invasive predators; parasites of focal predators; native prey) to compare the predatory functional responses of nativeGammarus duebeni celticusand invasiveGammarus pulexamphipods towards three invertebrate prey species (Asellus aquaticus,Simuliumspp.,Baetis rhodani), thus, quantifying the context dependencies of parasitism and a higher‐order fish predator on these functional responses.Our functional response experiments demonstrated that the invasive amphipod had a higher predatory impact (lower handling time) on two of three prey species, which reflects patterns of impact observed in the field. The community module also revealed that parasitism had context‐dependent influences, for one prey species, with the potential to further reduce the predatory impact of the invasive amphipod or increase the predatory impact of the native amphipod in the presence of a higher‐order fish predator.Partial consumption of prey was similar for both predators and occurred increasingly in the orderA. aquaticus,Simuliumspp. andB. rhodani. This was associated with increasing prey densities, but showed no context dependencies with parasitism or higher‐order fish predator.This study supports the applicability of comparative functional responses as a tool to predict and assess invasive species impacts incorporating multiple context dependencies.
Spatial patterns of extra‐pair paternity: beyond paternity gains and losses
Authors: Schlicht Lotte , Valcu Mihai , Kempenaers Bart 
Published: September 2014

Summary

Most studies on extra‐pair paternity (EPP) focus either on a specific male's extra‐pair gains or his extra‐pair losses. For an individual bird however, mate choice or mate availability may underlie strong spatial restrictions. Disregarding this spatial aspect may underestimate or mask effects of parameters influencing observed EPP patterns.

Here, we propose a spatially explicit model for investigating the probability of having extra‐pair offspring (EPO) within local networks of breeding pairs. The data set includes all realized and unrealized potential extra‐pair matings. This method is biologically meaningful because it allows (a) considering both members of an extra‐pair mating and their social mates, and (b) direct modelling of the spatial context in which extra‐pair behaviour occurs. The method has the advantage that it can provide inference about the relative contribution of spatial and non‐spatial parameters, and about the relative importance of male and female neighbourhoods.

We apply this method to parentage data from 1025 broods collected over 12 breeding seasons in two independent study populations of blue tits (Cyanistes caeruleus). We investigate a set of predictions based on the EPP literature, namely that EPP depends on male age and body size, breeding density and breeding synchrony. In all analyses, we control for breeding distance, a parameter that is expected to influence EPP even under random mating.

The results show that older and larger males were more likely to sire EPO, but both effects decreased with increasing breeding distance. Local breeding density but not synchrony predicted whether a particular male–female combination had EPO, at least in one of the study areas. Apart from breeding distance, male age had the strongest effect on EPP, followed by a measure of breeding density. The method thus allows a comprehensive assessment of the relative importance of different types of spatial and non‐spatial parameters to explain variation in the occurrence of EPP, while controlling for the fact that individuals that breed further apart are less likely to have EPO.

The proposed approach is not limited to investigate EPP, but can be applied to other behavioural interactions between two individuals, such as dominance, competition and (social) mating.
Spatially explicit bioeconomic model for weed management in cereals: validation and evaluation of management strategies
Authors: González‐Díaz Lucía , Blanco‐Moreno José Manuel , González‐Andújar José Luis 
Published: September 2014

Summary

Spatially explicit weed population models are very useful to explore long‐term weed management scenarios. The economic implications of the management practices have been rarely considered in those models. Their inclusion could enhance weed management decisions.

A bioeconomic spatially explicit model was developed and validated using field data. The model integrated a weed population submodel, a weed–crop competition submodel and an economic analysis. It was employed to evaluate long‐term management strategies to control Lolium rigidum Gaudin, a troublesome weed infesting cereals in Mediterranean climates. A total of eleven individual and integrated management strategies, including cultural and chemical control, were evaluated.

The predicted and observed distributions of population growth rates were similar for the four experimental plots used in the validation. One plot was fully validated with most proposed validation methods, while in the remaining plots, the predicted growth rates, in general, underestimated the observed growth rates.

Our results showed that most individual management programmes were worse at controlling L. rigidum populations than integrated management ones. The programmes integrating cultural control strategies and herbicide at its full rate achieved the best long‐term control. However, other strategies that were not as efficient at decreasing weed densities were more profitable economically, such as herbicide application at full rate. Economic returns were negative in all the strategies simulated. A sensitivity analysis showed that the seed bank and the economic outcomes were especially sensitive to fecundity and to the control exerted by management.

Synthesis and applications. Our results suggest that the use of herbicide and low‐input cultural control methods or full‐dose herbicide applications are the most economically efficient strategies controlling L. rigidum populations. However, cultural control methods are not recommended as the only management strategies. Herbicide applications at full doses are preferable to applications at low doses, producing more successful weed control and, generally, less economic losses. The spatially explicit bioeconomic model developed has proved to be useful evaluating long‐term weed management strategies in dry land cereal agrosystems. This kind of model would enhance weed management decisions for farmers based on an economic as well as an agronomic point of view.
Dynamics of epiphytic macrolichen abundance, diversity and composition in boreal forest
Authors: Bartels Samuel F. , Chen Han Y.H. 
Published: September 2014

Summary

Epiphytic macrolichen lichens are important components of forest ecosystems, but their responses to stand‐replacing fire and multiple successional pathways of the canopy tree layer are poorly understood.

We examined the dynamics of epiphytic macrolichens following wildfire and tested the independent and interactive effects of time since fire and overstorey composition on epiphytic macrolichen abundance, diversity and composition in boreal forests of Canada. Epiphytic macrolichens were sampled in 51 stands of conifer, mixed‐wood and broadleaf overstorey types ranging from 7 to 209 years since fire.

Macrolichen abundance estimated as percentage cover continuously increased with stand age with highest cover in 209‐year‐old stands for all overstorey types. Mixed‐wood and conifer stands had higher macrolichen abundance than broadleaf stands in all age classes except similarly low abundances in stands ≤15 years old for all overstorey types. Species richness of epiphytic macrolichens reached peaks in 98‐ or 146‐year‐old stands. Mixed‐wood stands had higher macrolichen species richness than broadleaf and conifer stands at 98 years old, but not at other age classes. Multivariate analysis indicated that the macrolichen communities were compositionally distinct for all age classes and overstorey types.

Synthesis and applications. Epiphytic macrolichen abundance continuously increases with time since fire. Our results also show that macrolichen diversity peaks at intermediate stand ages with highest diversity in mixed‐wood stands. Our findings of distinct macrolichen communities supported by each age class and overstorey compositional type suggest that conservation of epiphytic macrolichen diversity would require forest managers to maintain a diverse age structure and overstorey composition in forest landscapes.
Differential responses to artificial selection on oviposition site preferences in Drosophila melanogaster and D. simulans
Authors: Soto Eduardo M. , Betti María I. L. , Hurtado Juan , Hasson Esteban 
Published: September 2014

AbstractThe preference–performance relationship in plant–insect interactions is a central theme in evolutionary ecology. Among many insects, eggs are vulnerable and larvae have limited mobility, making the choice of an appropriate oviposition site one of the most important decisions for a female. We investigated the evolution of oviposition preferences in Drosophila melanogaster Meigen and Drosophila simulans Sturtevant by artificially selecting for the preference for 2 natural resources, grape and quince. The main finding of our study is the differential responses of D. melanogaster and D. simulans. Although preferences evolved in the experimental populations of D. melanogaster, responses were not consistent with the selection regimes applied. In contrast, responses in D. simulans were consistent with expectations, demonstrating that this species has selectable genetic variation for the trait. Furthermore, crosses between D. simulans divergent lines showed that the genetic factors involved in grape preference appear to be largely recessive. In summary, our artificial selection study suggests that D. melanogaster and D. simulans possess different genetic architectures for this trait.
Mathematical modelling of patient flows to predict critical care capacity required following the merger of two district general hospitals into one
Authors: Williams J. , Dumont S. , Parry‐Jones J. , Komenda I. , Griffiths J. , Knight V. 
Published: September 2014

SummaryThere is both medical and political drive to centralise secondary services in larger hospitals throughout the National Health Service. High‐volume services in some areas of care have been shown to achieve better outcomes and efficiencies arising from economies of scale. We sought to produce a mathematical model using the historical critical care demand in two District General Hospitals to determine objectively the requisite critical care capacity in a newly built hospital. We also sought to determine how well the new single unit would be able to meet changes in demand. The intention is that the model should be generic and transferable for those looking to merge and rationalise services on to one site. One of the advantages of mathematical modelling is the ability to interrogate the model to investigate any number of different scenarios; some of these are presented.
Metabolic activation and analgesic effect of flupirtine in healthy subjects, influence of the polymorphic NAT2, UGT1A1 and GSTP1
Authors: Siegmund Werner , Modess Christiane , Scheuch Eberhard , Methling Karen , Keiser Markus , Nassif Ali , Rosskopf Dieter , Bednarski Patrick J. , Borlak Jürgen , Terhaag Bernd 
Published: September 2014

AimsThe rare association of flupirtine with liver injury is most likely caused by reactive quinone diimines and their oxidative formation may be influenced by the activities of N‐acetyltransferases (NAT) that conjugate the less toxic metabolite D13223, and by glucuronosyltransferases (UGT) and glutathione S‐transferases (GST) that generate stable terminal glucuronides and mercapturic acid derivatives, respectively. The influence of genetic polymorphisms of NAT2, UGT1A1 and GSTP1 on generation of the terminal mercapturic acid derivatives and analgesic effects was evaluated to identify potential genetic risk factors for hepatotoxicity of flupirtine.MethodsMetabolic disposition of flupirtine was measured after intravenous administration (100 mg), after swallowing an immediate‐release (IR) tablet (100 mg) and after repeated administration of modified release (MR) tablets (400 mg once daily 8 days) in 36 selected healthy subjects. Analgesic effects were measured using pain models (delayed onset of muscle soreness, electric pain).ResultsFlupirtine IR was rapidly but incompletely absorbed (∼72%). Repeated administration of flupirtine MR showed lower bioavailability (∼60%). Approximately 12% of bioavailable flupirtine IR and 8% of bioavailable flupiritine MR was eliminated as mercapturic acid derivatives into the urine independent of the UGT1A1, NAT2 and GSTP1 genotype. Carriers of variant GSTP1 alleles showed lower bioavailability but increased intestinal secretion of flupirtine and increased efficiency in experimental pain. Flupirtine was not a substrate for ABCB1 and ABCC2.ConclusionsFormation of mercapturic acid derivatives is a major elimination route for flupirtine in man. However, the theoretically toxic pathway is not influenced by the frequent polymorphisms of UGT1A1, NAT2 and GSTP1.