bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Consequences of Stocking Headwater Impoundments on Native Populations of Brook Trout in Tributaries
Authors: Humston Robert , Bezold Kelly A. , Adkins Nathaniel D. , Elsey Ryan J. , Huss Jessica , Meekins Brent A. , Cabe Paul R. , King Timothy L. 
Published: March 2012

Abstract
Understanding the impact of hatchery supplementation on the genetics of wild fish populations is important for designing and evaluating ecologically sound stocking practices. For species such as brook trout Salvelinus fontinalis, which are a high priority for conservation and restoration in their native range, understanding the potential impacts of stocking on the functional diversity of wild populations is critical. We sought to determine whether brook trout stocked in low-order reservoirs colonize impoundment feeder streams and if they naturally reproduce and interbreed with established native populations in these tributaries. Analysis of microsatellite DNA allowed us to distinguish hatchery-origin brook trout and putative native strains among tributaries of three stocked reservoirs and one unstocked stream. Hatchery-origin fish were found in tributaries of all stocked reservoirs, mixed with native populations; none were found in an unstocked reference stream that supported wild brook trout. Age-1 brook trout genetically matching a known hatchery strain were found in tributaries of stocked reservoirs, although none of this age were stocked, suggesting that stocked trout have successfully reproduced in these streams. Assignment tests indicated that 4 of the 98 brook trout collected from mixed stocked–native streams were probably hybrids (∼4.1%; 95% confidence interval = 1.3–10.0%). These results suggest that to date the direct impacts of stocking on the genetics of these native populations have been limited but that indirect impacts through competition or similar interactions may still be occurring.
Received January 24, 2011; accepted October 13, 2011
Modeling of mesencephalic locomotor region for Nao humanoid robot
Authors: Shahbazi Hamed , Jamshidi Kamal , Hasan Monadjemi Amir 
Published: March 2012

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to model a motor region named the mesencephalic locomotors region (MLR) which is located in the end part of the brain and first part of the spinal cord. This model will be used for a Nao soccer player humanoid robot. It consists of three main parts: High Level Decision Unit (HLDU), MLR‐Learner and the CPG layer. The authors focus on a special type of decision making named curvilinear walking.Design/methodology/approachThe authors' model is based on stimulation of some programmable central pattern generators (PCPGs) to generate curvilinear bipedal walking patterns. PCPGs are made from adaptive Hopfs oscillators. High level decision, i.e. curvilinear bipedal walking, will be formulated as a policy gradient learning problem over some free parameters of the robot CPG controller.FindingsThe paper provides a basic model for generating different types of motions in humanoid robots using only simple stimulation of a CPG layer. A suitable and fast curvilinear walk has been achieved on a Nao humanoid robot, which is similar to human ordinary walking. This model can be extended and used in other types of humanoid.Research limitations/implicationsThe authors' work is limited to a special type of biped locomotion. Different types of other motions are encouraged to be tested and evaluated by this model.Practical implicationsThe paper introduces a bio‐inspired model of skill learning for humanoid robots. It is used for curvilinear bipedal walking pattern, which is a beneficial movement in soccer‐playing Nao robots in Robocup competitions.Originality/valueThe paper uses a new biological motor concept in artificial humanoid robots, which is the mesencephalic locomotor region.
Technology business incubators and industrial development: resource‐based view
Authors: Somsuk Nisakorn , Wonglimpiyarat Jarunee , Laosirihongthong Tritos 
Published: March 2012

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to determine enabling factors influencing the success of technology business incubators (TBIs) with respect to existing and acquired resources, and describe how these enabling factors have been implemented in practice.Design/methodology/approachThe potential enabling factors were identified based on the literature review through the lens of the resource‐based view (RBV) perspective. The Q‐sort method was then applied to classify those factors according to the experts' opinions, for evoking group consensus on the classifications. Finally, a Thailand science park incubator was taken as a case to illustrate the applicability of the findings.FindingsThe strategic resources and their categories which can be considered as TBIs' enabling factors were found through the RBV theory. They are important to TBIs' success and improvement of technology‐based SMEs' competitive advantage.Research limitations/implicationsBecause of the lack of international comparisons and the experts' panel selection bias, attempts to generalize the findings should be made with caution.Practical implicationsThe findings have been formulated into a set of comprehensive recommendations for all stakeholders (mainly public policy makers), which will help to enhance the development of business incubation in Thailand.Originality/valueThe paper presents an approach to determine enabling factors influencing the successful TBIs, coming from the RBV perspective.
Education and fertility: an investigation into Italian families
Authors: Aldieri Luigi , Paolo Vinci Concetto 
Published: March 2012

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to analyze the correlation between the educational level and the number of children in Italy, where a very low fertility rate may be observed.Design/methodology/approachSince the number of children ever born is a count variable, Poisson regression is the suitable statistical procedure used to conduct the empirical analysis. First, the authors estimate the correlation between the female's education and her number of children, and then the authors use also partner's education to take into account the family dimension. Furthermore, in the context of fertility, zero observations might be due either to the choice not to have children, or to the impossibility of becoming a mother. For this reason, the authors adopt also a more appropriate tool, that is a zero‐inflated Poisson regression.FindingsFrom the empirical results, a significant negative correlation may be observed between the level of education and the number of children.Originality/valueThere are other studies in the literature focusing on the correlation between female participation rate and her fertility rate in the Italian case. In those frameworks, the education variable is usually considered as a control variable. The paper's contribution to the literature is twofold: on one hand the authors develop a theoretical model giving an intuition reason of mechanism underlying the fertility behaviour of families; on the other hand, the authors implement more appropriate empirical models to test for this hypothesis, taking education as the main variable.
The measurement of inequality in Fiji's household income distribution
Authors: Gounder Rukmani , Xing Zhongwei 
Published: March 2012

PurposeMeasures of inequality determine the effectiveness of social and economic policies aimed at reducing inequality and to design effective intervention policies. The purpose of this paper is to focus on poverty reduction and welfare improving impacts of reducing income inequality in the case of Fiji. Using Fiji's Household Income and Expenditure Survey 2002‐2003, a comprehensive analysis is used to measure the level of inequality by household income, quintile income distribution, decomposition of inequality by ethnicity and regional groups, and the household income inequality by source of income.Design/methodology/approachSeveral statistical techniques have been applied to investigate the degree of inequality in the household income. These include the Gini coefficient, the Nelson ratio, the concentration index and the Atkinson index. An evaluation by ethnicity, regions and household income sources reflects the level of inequality, and concerns for policies and governance.FindingsThe results show that urban households, in particular, experience greater inequalities, in both positive and normative terms. The Indo‐Fijian households experience greater income inequalities than the Fijian households. Decomposition results for the separate factor income components also indicate major sources of inequality. These findings clearly establish that Fiji still has a long way to go in reducing the income gaps between the rich and the poor in both rural and urban households.Originality/valueThe paper is a first study that estimates various measures of inequality in the case of Fiji. The implication of the empirical findings suggests that Fiji is unlikely to achieve its Millennium Development Goal of halving poverty rate by 2015 due to the large income differentials by ethnicity and in the urban‐rural areas.
Exploring factors affecting the proper use of derivatives
Authors: Bezzina Frank H. , Grima Simon 
Published: March 2012

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to investigate factors that safeguard or hinder the proper use of derivatives, with evidence from active users and controllers of derivatives.Design/methodology/approachAn online panel of 420 users and controllers of derivatives responded to a self‐report questionnaire that was purposely designed for the present study. Exploratory factor analysis was used to guide scale construction and the resulting factor scores were examined overall and across four demographic variables (gender, experience, education, position held with firm).FindingsFactor analysis provided support for the five hypothesised dimensions of proper derivative usage: Risk management controls; Misuse; Expertise; Perception; and Benefits. Summary statistics of the factor scores revealed that the respondents agree that: they are giving proper attention to risk management controls; factors such as greed, politics, inappropriate standards and inadequate controls encourage misuse; they are capable of dealing with derivatives even in complex situations; derivatives are valuable financial instruments; and they are aware of the benefits derivatives provide to firms, when properly handled. However, some respondents reported contrasting views while the respondents' education, position held and experience with derivatives produced a significant impact on the factor scores. The implications of the findings are discussed.Originality/valueThis study provides a better understanding and assessment of five factors that affect the proper use of derivatives and addresses practical recommendations aimed at ensuring that the true values and qualities of the derivative instrument are not obscured.
Through a game darkly: student experiences with the technology of the library research process
Authors: Markey Karen , Leeder Chris , Young Rieh Soo 
Published: March 2012

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to examine the nature of students' library‐research difficulties, especially difficulties rooted in technology, to describe how the BiblioBouts information literacy game helps students overcome these difficulties, and to discuss how BiblioBouts has evolved in order to reduce students' difficulties with the technology of the library‐research process.Design/methodology/approachData collection was multi‐modal involving quantitative instruments such as questionnaires and logs of students' game‐play activity and qualitative involving game diaries that students voluntarily completed after time they played the game, focus group interviews with students who played and did not play the game, and personal interviews with instructors before and after their students played the game.FindingsThe technology underlying the library research process is difficult to use. BiblioBouts helps students overcome their difficulties. BiblioBouts continues to evolve to enable students to reduce their difficulties with this technology.Research limitations/implicationsPlaying BiblioBouts gives students exposure to searching library databases but game play per se does not focus on searching.Practical implicationsStudents benefit from playing BiblioBouts. They gain first‐hand experience and practice with library‐research technologies such as the library portal for database selection, library databases for quality information, and Zotero for citation management. They are exposed to more sources than they would have found on their own and a logical, methodical process for evaluating the sources they find.Social implicationsOnline social gaming has been enlisted to transform library research from a solitary activity into a collaborative activity where students document their research activities and share in the research trail that individual game players leave behind.Originality/valueThe research underlines gaming's effectiveness for teaching incoming undergraduate students information literacy skills and concepts.
Collaboration and personal information management (PIM)
Authors: Fourie Ina 
Published: March 2012

PurposeThis paper aims to explore the potential of personal information management (PIM) and reference management. The contribution focuses on collaboration: the issues that need to be addressed in planning, the human component in collaborative information seeking, and issues for research by librarians.Design/methodology/approachThe paper is written against the background of research from information behaviour, PIM, collaborative information seeking and collaborative work.FindingsThere is growing emphasis on collaboration in information seeking, learning and work. PIM and reference management practices and their supporting software can greatly support this. There are, however, many planning/conceptual issues as well as the human component to recon with.Originality/valueAlthough much has been published on developments in PIM and reference management, there is limited coverage of collaboration and PIM and reference management.
The impact of discontinuity on firms' business relationship behaviour
Authors: Hadjikhani Amjad , Lindh Cecilia , Thilenius Peter 
Published: March 2012

PurposeWith a comparative aim, the purpose of this paper is to challenge the general assumption behind relationship longevity. The question under attention is whether firms' relationship of a discontinuous nature is different from continuous relationships and if so what this diversity entails. In the essay, a conceptual view is developed and tested statistically. The ambition is to add new knowledge to the field of business relationships.Design/methodology/approachThe essay's theoretical foundation rests on relationship theory and employs the four relationship behaviour elements of trust, commitment, cooperation and adaptation. Differences/similarities in the effects among these elements are tested for two types of relationships, i.e. those of continuous and discontinuous exchange, using data from 353 Swedish firms.FindingsThe results show that a firm's behaviour in continuous relationships rests on incremental change, in the sense that the relationship elements of trust, commitment, cooperation and adaptation display sequential and progressive effects. This supports the common notion of a gradual strengthening of the business relationship resulting in longevity. Contrary to this, a firm's behaviour in discontinuous relationships is guided by the level of trust, which thus forms the base for the remaining elements. The absence of incremental change in the relationship behaviour and the pivotal role of trust mean that these relationships are weaker and are faced with interruptions and interference from competitors. Thereby business firms are confronted with different marketing challenges. The differences in the relationship behaviour of the two types signify that the view of relationships indeed needs advancement.Originality/valueFalling from a continuous to a discontinuous business relationship is becoming more common due to reasons such as market crises, business or firm crisis or because of the nature of the businesses as such. While earlier research studied the relationships' continuity and discontinuity separately, this paper enriches the earlier efforts and compares the two types. Understanding the differences between the two types of relationship can enrich the knowledge, not only for researchers but also for business managers.
EXQ: a multiple‐item scale for assessing service experience
Authors: “Phil” Klaus Philipp , Maklan Stan 
Published: March 2012

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to conceptualize, construct, refine and empirically validate a multiple‐item scale for measuring customers' service experience (EXQ).Design/methodology/approachThe authors present exploratory research developing a conceptualization of service experience based on a two‐stage approach: initial item generation through qualitative research, initial purification of these findings through exploratory factor analysis, and validation through the use of confirmatory factor analysis and structural equation modeling.FindingsThe paper conceptualizes and validates the concept of customer/service experience. In total, 19 items in four dimensions of the EXQ scale were identified: product experience, outcome focus, moments‐of‐truth and peace‐of‐mind. These dimensions reflect service experience perceptions. The findings support the conclusion that the service experience has a significant impact on customer satisfaction, loyalty and word‐of‐mouth intentions. The scale demonstrates good psychometric properties based on the variety of reliability and validity tests utilized and builds upon extant research.Practical implicationsThe research provides managers with the dimensions of service experience that influence purchase behavior and provides researchers with a sought‐after conceptualization of service experience.Originality/valueThe authors believe that this is the first empirically founded conceptualization and measurement of the service/customer experience.
Refinement of the technology readiness index scale
Authors: Lin Jiun‐Sheng Chris , Hsieh Pei‐Ling 
Published: March 2012

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to replicate and refine Parasuraman's 36‐item technology readiness index (TRI) across contexts and cultures to enhance its applicability and generalizability for both researchers and practitioners.Design/methodology/approachBased on psychometric procedures of scale development, four separate research phases, each one building on the previous, are performed using several samples. Measurement invariance analyses are performed across demographics, industries, and cultures to ascertain the stability of the refined versus the original scale.FindingsA refined 16‐item TRI scale demonstrates sound psychometric properties based on findings from various reliability and validity tests, as well as scale replications employing several samples. The four dimensions remain stable across techniques and samples, while the utility of the refined scale increases due to ease of application. Measurement invariance analyses across demographic groups, industries, and cultures provide further support for the superior stability of the refined TRI.Research limitations/implicationsAssessment of TRI across different contexts and cultures enhances validity, utility, and generalizability by reducing the number of items, building a nomological network, and verifying stability.Practical implicationsService firms should pay more attention to measurement of customers' technology readiness. For both researchers and practitioners, the refined 16‐item scale benefits from reduced complexity and enhanced utility of TRI across contexts and cultures. Service managers will find the refined TRI less complicated and easier to apply in customer surveys, which greatly benefits service firms attempting to better understand customers' TR when implementing self‐service technologies.Originality/valueReplication and cross‐validation of new concepts play a valuable role in determining the scope and limit of empirical research findings; they allow researchers to demonstrate how broadly and in what circumstances such concepts can be used. While Parasuraman calls for studies to assess the generalizability of the TRI scale, the current lack of support for TRI's generalizability is an important gap that needs to be addressed. The current study fills that gap, increasing the applicability and generalizability of the TRI scale through refinement, replication and validation across several samples, contexts, and cultures.
Miller's environmental uncertainty scale: an extension to the Arab world
Authors: Elbanna Said , Gherib Jouhaina 
Published: March 2012

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to employ a mixed methods design to assess the applicability, reliability and validity of Miller's scale of environmental uncertainty.Design/methodology/approachUsing 759 questionnaires and eight personal interviews from three countries throughout four phases of scale assessment, the authors re‐operationalized Miller's scale to be more applicable to Arab countries. Phase 1 refines the scale with reference to the new context in which the authors applied it. Phase 2 eliminates poor performing items, using exploratory factor analysis. Phase 3 examines the generalizability of the modified scale in the Arab world. Finally, Phase 4 assesses the criterion‐related validity of the scale.FindingsThe authors' assessment of Miller's scale suggests that several changes in the scale are necessary to be more applicable in Arab countries. The results of the combined sample are consistent with the hypothetical structure of constructs and have four factors: product, competition, government and policies, and economy.Originality/valueThis study paid attention to the conceptualization and operationalization of strategic management research variables. Moreover, examining the Miller's scale in the Arab region could enhance the generalizability of this scale. Finally, the authors' longitudinal research, with its four samples, is another contribution.
Experimental determination of optimum parameters for stainless steel 316L annealed ultrasonic consolidation
Authors: Gonzalez Raelvim , Stucker Brent 
Published: March 2012

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to explore the effect of different parameter configurations of oscillation amplitude, welding speed, and normal force at 478 K (400°F) on the linear welding density of stainless steel 316L annealed utrasonically consolidated (UC) samples, and present an optimum parameter set based upon maximum linear welding density criteria.Design/methodology/approachThe paper describes the application of analysis of variance to different experimental designs in order to compare factor effects and obtain the optimum linear welding density parameter set for the ultrasonic consolidation of stainless steel 316L annealed samples.FindingsThis work includes experimental results at assessing the explained variation due to factor effects on linear welding density, the statistical significance of these factors, and the combination of UC process parameters that maximizes linear welding density in stainless steel 316L annealed samples.Research limitations/implicationsThe paper presents results obtained with a specific UC system, a standard sample configuration, and relatively constant frictional conditions.Originality/valueThis work is a first step towards a reproducible UC of stainless steel 316L foils with high linear welding density.