bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Trophodynamics and stability of regional scale ecosystems in the Northeast Atlantic
Authors: McGinty Niall , Power Anne Marie , Johnson Mark P. 
Published: February 2012

Abstract
McGinty, N., Power, A. M., and Johnson, M. P. 2012. Trophodynamics and stability of regional scale ecosystems in the Northeast Atlantic. – ICES Journal of Marine Science, 69: 764–775. This study addresses the long-term stability of three trophic groupings in the Northeast Atlantic at regional scales. The most abundant taxa representing phytoplankton, herbivorous copepods, and carnivorous zooplankton were examined from the Continuous Plankton Recorder database. Multivariate control charts using a Bray–Curtis similarity metric were used to assess whether fluctuations within trophic groupings were within or beyond the expected variability. Two evaluation periods were examined: annual changes between 1960 and 1999 (2000–2009 baseline) and recent changes between 2000 and 2009 (1960–1999 baseline). The trends over time in abundance/biomass of trophic levels were region-specific, especially in carnivorous copepods, where abundance did not mirror trends in the overall study area. The stability of phytoplankton was within the expected limits, although not in 2008 and 2009. Higher trophic levels were less stable, perhaps reflecting the added complexity of interactions governing their abundance. In addition, some regions were consistently less stable than others. Correlations in stability between adjacent trophic levels were positive at large marine ecosystem scale but generally non-significant at regional scales. The study suggests that certain regions may be particularly vulnerable to periods of instability in community structure. The benefits of using the control chart method rather than other multivariate measures of plankton dynamics are discussed.
Resource allocation for strategic quality management: a goal programming approach
Authors: Alidrisi Hisham , Mohamed Sherif 
Published: March 2012

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to assist organizations in understanding the nature of quality management from a resource‐based perspective by investigating the relationship between strategies needed to drive quality enhancement, and resources being allocated to support effective strategy implementation. The resource‐based view of TQM elements led this case study research to deal with quality management from a strategic viewpoint, or what is known as Strategic Quality Management (SQM).Design/methodology/approachThe paper employs the analytic network process (ANP) to model the interactions between eight SQM strategies and the three types of resources (human, organisational and technological) needed for effective strategy implementation. The paper then formulates a goal programming (GP) model in order to identify the extent to which each single strategy is inhibited by a lack of (or overloaded by) resources. Using a case study approach, the hybrid ANP‐GP methodology is employed to illustrate the application in the context of enhancing quality in the food‐processing industry.FindingsThe ANP analysis quantitatively differentiates between the amount of resource support each strategy receives and the support it needs. The GP model offers insight on how to re‐allocate resources to minimize identified discrepancies related to how the company utilizes their resources.Originality/valueThis paper argued that practicing QM with the consideration of the firm's strategic need for resources provides better understanding of why quality gurus still disagree on whether soft or hard TQM is more connected to organizational performance. Therefore, rather than focusing on “generalizing” the TQM model, as has traditionally been done in previous attempts, the main contribution of this paper is to propose a methodology that assesses a firm's utilization of resources considering its strategic need for these resources.
Additions to S&P 500 Index: not so informative any more
Authors: Kamal Rashiqa , Lawrence Edward R. , McCabe George , Prakash Arun J. 
Published: March 2012

PurposeThere is empirical evidence that a firm's addition to S&P 500 results in significant abnormal returns and an increase in a stock's liquidity. The purpose of this paper is to argue that changes in the information environment after the year 2000 due to the implementation of Regulation Fair Disclosure (FD), decimalization and Sarbanes Oxley Act, should result in reduced abnormal returns in the post‐2000 period.Design/methodology/approachThe authors compare the abnormal returns and liquidity changes around the announcement day of firm's addition to S&P 500 in the pre‐ and post‐2000 periods. Univariate and multivariate tests are used to control for factors that research shows affect the abnormal returns around additions to S&P 500.FindingsIt is found that the reduction in informational asymmetry in the post‐2000 period has resulted in a significant decrease in the abnormal return on the announcement day of additions to S&P 500 index and changes in the stock's liquidity in the post announcement period are now marginal.Originality/valueExisting literature related to changes in the abnormal returns around additions to S&P 500 does not account for changes in the information environment in the two sub periods, pre‐ and post‐2000. The results may have implications for studies related to additions to S&P 500 where the sample period spans over the two sub periods.
Evaluating value‐at‐risk models before and after the financial crisis of 2008
Authors: Degiannakis Stavros , Floros Christos , Livada Alexandra 
Published: March 2012

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to focus on the performance of three alternative value‐at‐risk (VaR) models to provide suitable estimates for measuring and forecasting market risk. The data sample consists of five international developed and emerging stock market indices over the time period from 2004 to 2008. The main research question is related to the performance of widely‐accepted and simplified approaches to estimate VaR before and after the financial crisis.Design/methodology/approachVaR is estimated using daily data from the UK (FTSE 100), Germany (DAX30), the USA (S&P500), Turkey (ISE National 100) and Greece (GRAGENL). Methods adopted to calculate VaR are: EWMA of Riskmetrics; classic GARCH(1,1) model of conditional variance assuming a conditional normally distributed returns; and asymmetric GARCH with skewed Student‐t distributed standardized innovations.FindingsThe paper provides evidence that the tools of quantitative finance may achieve their objective. The results indicate that the widely accepted and simplified ARCH framework seems to provide satisfactory forecasts of VaR, not only for the pre‐2008 period of the financial crisis but also for the period of high volatility of stock market returns. Thus, the blame for financial crisis should not be cast upon quantitative techniques, used to measure and forecast market risk, alone.Practical implicationsKnowledge of modern risk management techniques is required to resolve the next financial crisis. The next crisis can be avoided only when financial risk managers acquire the necessary quantitative skills to measure uncertainty and understand risk.Originality/valueThe main contribution of this paper is that it provides evidence that widely accepted/used methods give reliable VaR estimates and forecasts for periods of financial turbulence (financial crises).
Chatbots in the library: is it time?
Authors: Allison DeeAnn 
Published: March 2012

PurposeThis paper aims to describe a pilot at the University of Nebraska‐Lincoln for a chatbot that answers questions about the library and library resources.Design/methodology/approachThe chatbot was developed using a SQL database to store the question and answers using artificial intelligence mark‐up language metadata. The user interface was built using PHP, adapted from Program‐O. The open source PHP program was modified to support better display and the launching of URLs within the chatbot screen. Database content was created by “mining” library websites for information, and analyzing chat logs.FindingsThe chatbot answers questions from a variety of users from around the world. It has attracted an unexpected number of social chatters, which required some additional metadata to accommodate personal chatting and to guide questions back to the intent of the project. The majority of questions are directional or factual questions that Pixel can handle. The database proved to be practical to build and revise as library resources and personnel changed.Practical implicationsThe chatbot provides a 24 hour, seven day a week service that is consistent, can be enhanced as resources, services, or staff change, and provides a playful interface that engages users. It replaces complicated navigation systems and scrolling through search results with more targeted answers, and has the ability to refer questions to librarians.Originality/valueAlthough chatbots have been around for several decades, there is a scarcity of reports in published library literature about their use in libraries.
eBook readers: user satisfaction and usability issues
Authors: Richardson John V. , Mahmood Khalid 
Published: March 2012

PurposeThis article aims to present a comprehensive evaluation of user satisfaction and usability concerns related to five of the leading eBook readers including: the Amazon Kindle; the Apple iPad MB292LL/A; Barnes & Noble's Nook BNRV100; Borders' kobo reader N647‐BUS‐S; and the Sony Digital Reader PRs‐950.Design/methodology/approachThis study is based on a survey of 81 information studies graduate students, who responded about their ownership of specific readers, their likes and dislikes as well as perceived issues. Additionally, interested respondents were asked to volunteer for an ethnographic journaling study which allowed eight prospective users to live with each of the five eBook readers for a weekend or longer.FindingsThe authors found that the Kindle is the most popular, but regardless of reader the respondents disliked the poor navigation and inability to loan titles in their collection. In addition, the respondents also liked the portability of the readers as well as the ability to have multiple books on a single reader. However, they also identified a major issue: notably, the licensing of titles versus outright ownership. In contrast to some other published reports, the respondents did not value non‐Roman script support or color display.Originality/valueOne of the first comprehensive surveys to analyze the top five eBook readers for user satisfaction and to identify usability concerns.
Metallic part fabrication using selective inhibition sintering (SIS)
Authors: Khoshnevis Behrokh , Yoozbashizadeh Mahdi , Chen Yong 
Published: March 2012

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to investigate the fundamentals of the selective inhibition sintering (SIS) process for fabricating dense metallic parts.Design/methodology/approachA SIS‐Metal process based on the microscopic mechanical inhibition is developed. In the process, salt solution is printed in the selected area of each powder layer; the salt re‐crystallizes when water evaporates; salt crystals decompose and grow rapidly prior to sintering; the generated salt particles spread between metal powder particles and prevent the fusing of these particles together, hence inhibiting the sintering process in the affected regions.FindingsThe SIS‐Metal process has numerous advantages. An inhibition of sintering mechanism is established for the future development of the technology. Through chemical and visual analysis using STM the mechanism for the inhibition phenomenon has been identified.Research limitations/implicationsOnly bronze powder has been used in the research. Accordingly, the inhibition chemical has been engineered for this material choice. The approach should be feasible for other metals but a proper inhibitor would need to be found for each material choice.Practical implicationsThe only limitation envisioned for the process may be the removal after sintering of inhibited sections in hard‐to reach areas using physical means such as scraping or vibration. Chemical removal of such sections should be possible, however.Originality/valueThe paper illustrates a new additive manufacturing technology for metallic parts fabrication.
Design of a class‐E transcutaneous energy transmitter for an implantable system
Authors: Chaoui Mondher , Perdriau Richard , Ghariani Hamadi , Lahiani Mongi 
Published: March 2012

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to develop a model of the inductive link for implantable systems. The model is suitable for a cochlear implant in which a lateral misalignment and distance coil can be up to 16 mm.Design/methodology/approachThe description of the generation of implantable systems' high‐power, such as a cochlear implant, are powered by transcutaneous inductive power links formed by two coils: the first is a printed spiral coil used in the receiver device and the second is a solenoid coil used in the emitter device. Optimizing the power efficiency of the wireless link is imperative to minimize the size of the external energy source, heating dissipation in the tissue, and interference with other devices. The authors have outlined the theoretical foundation of optimal power transmission efficiency in an inductive link, and combined it with semi‐empirical models to predict parasitic components. The power amplifier itself is a class‐E amplifier optimized in both output voltage and efficiency, and bears an excellent tolerance to misalignments.FindingsTwo Spice‐based electrical models of the coils are achieved. The technique employed during the work is based on polynomial interpolation of the mutual inductance in which coil misalignments are considered as variables. On the other hand, a voltage regulator is studied and simulated by Cadence Analog Artist in the AMS 0.35 μm CMOS technology.Originality/valueThis paper provides a novel and useful method for transmitting power for an implantable system via an inductive link. The procedure of the authors' design is achieved at 10 MHz and the power transmission efficiency is 35 percent, whatever the longitudinal misalignment (up to 16 mm) between both coils.
Export participation and productivity performance of firms in the Indian transport manufacturing
Authors: Sharma Chandan , Mishra Ritesh Kumar 
Published: March 2012

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to investigate the nexus between export participation and productivity performance of transport manufacturing firms in India, for the period 1994‐2006.Design/methodology/approachThe relative performance of exporting vis‐à‐vis non‐exporting firms in the industry is examined by utilizing a semi‐parametric test based on the principle of first order stochastic dominance. Subsequently, the causal relation between export and productivity is tested by mainly focusing on learning‐by‐exporting and self‐selection hypotheses.FindingsThe authors' results suggest that productivity performance of firms does not directly affect the probability of exporting. However, the results do provide some evidence which indicates that good firms self‐select into the export market. Furthermore, it was also found that sunk costs of exporting are the key determinants of probability of exporting in the industry. Finally, the authors tested the effect of exporting on productivity and found that past exporting experience or history has a significant and positive impact on firms' productivity.Practical implicationsIn the light of the findings of this study, it can be suggested that the trade policy in India should focus on encouraging firms to increase export participation. At the same time, the authors' evidence also advocates that the economic policies should also aim on technology enhancement (i.e. more incentive for R&D activities and training) of firms, to help them achieve higher levels of productivity and efficiency, which in turn will increase the probability of their survival in the highly‐competitive international export market.Originality/valueThe paper provides new evidence on the export‐productivity nexus from the Indian manufacturing industry by testing the empirical validity of the learning‐by‐exporting and self‐selection hypotheses, along with the role of sunk costs in export decisions of firms.
Career advancement and gender equity in healthcare management
Authors: LaPierre Tracey A. , Zimmerman Mary K. 
Published: March 2012

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to analyze the conditions for career advancement in healthcare management and examine factors that may be impeding gender equity.Design/methodology/approachThe authors assess gender differences in the odds of being promoted to senior management by: analyzing the relative impact of individual, organizational and family level variables in accounting for gender inequity; examining gender differences in experiences of perceived gender discrimination and sexual harassment, as well as attitudes regarding gender equity in senior management; and by exploring gender differences in aspirations for senior management. ANOVA, χ2 and logistic regression were used to analyze data from 685 respondents to the 2006 Gender and Careers in Healthcare Management Survey.FindingsWomen were significantly less likely to be promoted to senior management, even after controlling for individual, organizational and family level characteristics. One third of women healthcare managers in our study reported perceived gender discrimination in the past five years. Less than half of male healthcare managers were supportive of increasing the proportion of women in senior management positions, while over 80 percent of women were. Among those not yet promoted women were significantly less likely than their male peers to aspire to senior management positions.Research limitations/implicationsThe cross‐sectional nature of the data do not allow for the precise testing of the causal direction of observed relationships.Originality/valueObjective and subjective measures of gender equity were evaluated. The authors' broad approach demonstrated that factors restraining gender equity operate on multiple levels and highlights the relative importance of family factors.
Paradigm “wars” as methodenstreit
Authors: Klaes Matthias 
Published: March 2012

PurposeThis paper is concerned with the quantitative/qualitative divide as a particular feature of recent methodological debate in organization research. While substantively this divide is questionable and problematic, it has figured prominently in the so‐called “paradigm wars”. The purpose of this paper is to relate these controversies to a similar debate in economics and draw out the implications of this comparison for the methodological practice of organization research.Design/methodology/approachThe paper takes the form of a conceptual critique.FindingsThe paradigms debate can be interpreted as a twentieth‐century instance of the methodenstreit in nineteenth‐century social science, and is argued to resolve along the faultlines of mainline organizational analysis and its periphery. Further methodological progress in the field requires the abandoning of paradigmatic duality in recognition of methodological plurality as a defining feature of organization research.Originality/valueManagement methodology and economic methodology have largely developed as separate literatures alongside each other, with little cross‐fertilisation. This paper links key issues in management methodology to longstanding debates in economic methodology, thereby making progress towards a shared debate on issues of equal significance to both fields of inquiry.
Deep venous thrombosis and pulmonary embolism secondary to co‐administration of thalidomide and oral corticosteroid in a patient with leprosy
Authors: YAMAGUCHI Sayaka , YAMAMOTO Yuichi , HOSOKAWA Atsushi , HAGIWARA Keisuke , UEZATO Hiroshi , TAKAHASHI Kenzo 
Published: February 2012

AbstractA 58‐year‐old Japanese man with a 2‐year history of multidrug therapy for borderline lepromatous leprosy presented with skin lesions suggestive of erythema nodosum leprosum (ENL) and was treated with an oral corticosteroid. As attempts to taper the oral corticosteroid resulted in the appearance of new lesions, thalidomide was added along with cyclosporin. Two months after the introduction of thalidomide, deep venous thrombosis (DVT) occurred in both legs and anticoagulant therapy was started without cessation of thalidomide. Pulmonary embolism developed 1 month after the appearance of DVT, and these thromboembolic events were believed to be due to thalidomide. This case highlights the need for vigilance against venous thromboembolism when corticosteroid and thalidomide are co‐administrated for the treatment of ENL.
Regulation of a quorum sensing system by stationary phase sigma factor RpoS and their co‐regulation of target genes  in Burkholderia pseudomallei
Authors: Wongtrakoongate Patompon , Tumapa Sarinna , Tungpradabkul Sumalee 
Published: March 2012

ABSTRACT Burkholderia pseudomallei is the causative agent of a fatal disease, melioidosis. However, the mechanisms of pathogenesis and genes involved in its virulence are not understood. In the current study, whether stationary phase and stress response sigma factor RpoS and BpsI‐mediated quorum sensing (QS) system co‐regulate its target genes was investigated. Positive regulation of RpoS on bpsI expression and autoinducer production in stationary phase, but not on fliC and ppk expression, was observed. In contrast, expression of rpoS was not affected by deletion of bpsI. The present results also indicate that production of extracellular protease and siderophore, two QS‐controlled exo products, is regulated via RpoS supporting the previously known inhibitory role of QS on those two factors. Proteomic analysis revealed that expression of 74 protein spots representing 60 genes is controlled by QS. Of those, 45 genes are co‐regulated by both RpoS and QS, and regulation of genes involved in transcription and translation is favored by QS. Taken together, our findings indicate major target genes expression in stationary phase that is influenced by hierarchical control of RpoS over QS. We propose that this regulation may play an important role in the pathogenicity of B. pseudomallei.