bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
The impact of IFRS 8 on disclosure practices of Jordanian listed companies
Authors: Mardini Ghassan H. , Crawford Louise , Power David M. 
Published: February 2012

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to compare the segmental information disclosures of Jordanian companies under IFRS 8 for 2009 with disclosures under IAS 14R for 2008.Design/methodology/approachA sample of 109 Jordanian companies is used in this research. A disclosure index checklist was constructed to assess the segmental information provided by the sample companies. In particular, the checklist collected information about: the number of segments reported; the number and type of segmental items published; the geographic segment definitions (areas) used; and the identity of the chief operating decision maker (CODM).FindingsThe results suggest that segmental disclosures under IFRS 8 have increased compared to the information published under IAS 14R. There is an increase in the number of companies disclosing segmental information while the number of business and geographic segments for which information is provided rose under IFRS 8. Items required under the previous standard (IAS 14R) are still being provided in 2009, and the new segmental information required (if reviewed by the CODM) under IFRS 8 is also disclosed. As a result, the total number of segmental items disclosed increased. Moreover, a majority of companies identified the CODM as the chief executive officer.Research limitations/implicationsThis research highlights that the introduction of IFRS 8 has been associated with more Jordanian companies now disclosing segmental information. However, factors other than IFRS 8 may have contributed to the increased disclosure; these are not considered in the current paper.Originality/valueThis research shows that IFRS 8 compliance amongst Jordanian first market companies has resulted in an increase in the number of segments and items per segment disclosed.
Employer responsive provision: workforce development through work‐based learning
Authors: White Tracey 
Published: February 2012

PurposeThe purpose of this paper, from a work‐based learning practitioner perspective, is to present an insight into some of the challenges, benefits and impacts associated with workforce development and employer responsive provision (ERP). The focus is learning, which is designed to meet an organization's needs and intended for groups of learners to develop their skills, whilst bringing tangible benefits to their organization.Design/methodology/approachFocusing upon experiences of managing an employer engagement, action research project, which worked with over 40, small and medium‐sized enterprises and more recently working with three major corporate organisations, this paper provides a personal perspective of engaging with organizations. It draws upon primary data from personal experiences and action research of working with employers and learners, and secondary data, such as the Higher Education Impact Study (2008) and the Higher Education Regional Development Agency's Skills for Growth report (2009). After setting the context, this paper will consider ERP and its challenges, in terms of organizational needs meeting academic tradition. This is supported with case study anecdotes, before a consideration of the impacts and benefits of ERP from an organizational perspective.FindingsThis paper provides insights into effective ERP and the elements needed to support its success. With probable continued growth in ERP, it is imperative that HEIs with ERP strategies understand the associated challenges and benefits. It suggests that in order to promote sustainable ERP activity, HEIs will need to consider a more strategic approach concerning the staff engaging in ERP activities.Practical implicationsFrom a work‐based learning practitioner perspective, this paper presents an insight into some of the challenges, benefits and impacts associated with workforce development and employer responsive provision (ERP).Originality/valueThis paper draws together current thinking on ERP with practice‐based application and understanding in order to inform and develop practice. It offers practical insights and experiences which build upon various bodies of literature to present identified elements necessary for successful engagement with employers. As the literature around ERP at present is fairly small, this paper offers a valuable insight into successful practice, building usable models for people working in this field.
Can work‐based learning programmes help companies to become learning organisations?
Authors: Ions Kevin , Minton Ann 
Published: February 2012

PurposeThe idea of the learning organisation as an aspiration for a continuous process of learning has become widely accepted by many organisations. The purpose of this paper is to examine whether demand‐led higher education work‐based learning programmes can help nurture a supportive culture of learning and continuous improvement that helps companies to become learning organisations.Design/methodology/approachAn analysis of students’ work‐based negotiated projects was undertaken to determine the extent to which their projects facilitated organisational learning. The analysis was carried out using an organisational learning checklist, developed through reference to the literature and research on organisational learning and learning organisations.FindingsThe study highlights the fact that although work‐based learning programmes can facilitate some aspects of organisational learning, the principles of organisational learning are not necessarily embedded in work‐based programme design.Research limitations/implicationsAlthough the results cannot be considered generalisable because they are based on a single case, further analysis of a greater range of work‐based learning programmes could establish external validity of the findings. Further research could include the development of an organisational learning taxonomy or action research to develop a work‐based programme that embeds organisational learning principles.Practical implicationsThe principles of organisational learning should be considered when designing work‐based learning programmes.Originality/valueThe study highlights the importance of considering organisational learning when designing demand‐led, higher education work‐based learning programmes and outlines a method for analysing the extent to which existing programmes embed organisational learning principles.
Down the rabbit‐hole
Authors: Iredale Alison 
Published: February 2012

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to explore the ideas of John Dewey on experience and experiential learning. The context is that of trainee teachers participating in a higher education (HE) through in‐service initial teacher training (ITT) for the Lifelong Learning sector in the UK.Design/methodology/approachThe paper uses recent practitioner research conducted with trainee teachers to explore and contextualise Deweyan ideas and practices around notions of experience and experiential learning. The research methodology is qualitative, interpretive and, reflexive. What is actively sought, and welcomed are examples of congruence, dissonance, conflation and confusion in relation to several theoretical perspectives, one of which is Dewey's ideas on experience and experiential learning.FindingsIt is argued that initial teacher training should be broad based and situated, rather than focused on mastery or competency, in order to counteract the funnelled and routinised nature of much of current teaching practice in the sector.Research limitations/implicationsTrainee teachers participate in classroom practice by developing firstly a situated understanding of the concepts and principles surrounding teacher knowledge; secondly strategies for using these in a future situation and thereby assimilating, accommodating and negotiating shared beliefs, identities and values from the practices of a situated community. These are interpreted by Ottesen as knowledge and experience of concepts as taught, derived from knowledge and experience of practice as applied.Originality/valueThis research suggests that increasingly, given the heavily regulated nature of the lifelong learning workplace, trainee teachers have a limited “fund”, or repertoire of experiences through which to sift for appropriate strategies to employ in a specific situation, leaving their capacity to reflect fairly fruitless without the help of others.
Academic excellence as selection criteria among Malaysian employers
Authors: Hashim Junaidah 
Published: February 2012

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to examine whether or not performance of employees is determined by merit of their academic excellence, which is measured by cumulative grade point average (CGPA). This paper thus attempts to measure the variables that could possibly influence employees’ performance, such as job satisfaction, motivation and involvement in co‐curriculum activities.Design/methodology/approachAn adapted version of the questionnaire used by Sarmiento et al. was utilised to assess the perceived performance of employees. Ability construct was measured in terms of employee academic qualification and skills. A 13‐item scale based on Porter was used to measure motivation. A 14‐item scale based on Hackman and Oldham's Job Diagnostic Survey was used to measure job satisfaction. In total, 340 respondents from 87 companies participated in this study.FindingsThe findings revealed that there is a weak relationship between employees’ performance with CGPA. The findings also revealed that there is a weak relationship between employees’ performance and their job satisfaction, motivation and ability.Research limitations/implicationsIt would be meaningful for future research if actual performance appraisal report could be obtained.Practical implicationsCompany policy makers need to provide a wider employment opportunity to everyone and not merely to candidates based on merit of their academic excellence. Many graduates may be missing out on employment opportunities while they may be the right candidates.Originality/valueThis paper illustrates that academic excellence, which is the main selection criterion used by most employers, is not a determinant of employees’ performance.
Plant diversity and community structure of Wadi Gimal protected area, Red Sea Coast of Egypt
Authors: Galal Tarek M. , Fahmy Ahmed G. 
Published: February 2012

AbstractThe present study deals with the analysis of the floristic composition and plant diversity of Wadi Gimal protectorate. Its major aim is to identify community types and environmental factors that affect their growth and distribution. These quantitative data provide rangers with knowledge that is necessary for monitoring and managing plant communities within the protected areas, as well as restoration of vegetation‐depleted habitats. Twenty‐seven stands were selected along the length of Wadi and its tributaries. Thirty‐five species were recorded in Wadi Gimal; with Poaceae as the dominant family and Phanerophytes dominating over other life forms. Saharo‐Arabians were the predominant chorological element. Six vegetation groups were recognized in Wadi Gimal. Zilla spinosa (VG C) which inhabited the Wadi bed had the highest species richness, species turnover, relative evenness and relative concentration of dominance. Capparis sinaica (VG A) which inhabited the mountain slope had the lowest species richness, relative evenness and relative concentration of dominance, while Salvadora persica group had the lowest species turnover. Phoenix dactylifera–Hyphaene thebaica (VG F) which dominated the deltaic part of Wadi, had the highest salinity; whilst Acacia ehrenbergiana (VG E) which dominated the upper‐stream part of the Wadi had the lowest value of salinity.
Efficacy and safety of recombinant human C1‐inhibitor for the treatment of attacks of hereditary angioedema: European open‐label extension study
Authors: Moldovan D. , Reshef A. , Fabiani J. , Kivity S. , Toubi E. , Shlesinger M. , Triggiani M. , Montinaro V. , Cillari E. , Realdi G. , Cancian M. , Visscher S. , Zanichelli A. , Relan A. , Cicardi M. 
Published: February 2012

SummaryBackgroundHereditary angioedema (HAE) owing to C1 inhibitor deficiency is an autosomal dominant disorder, characterized by recurrent, potentially life‐threatening, localized attacks of tissue swelling. Current treatment involves the infusion of C1 inhibitor protein (C1‐INH) isolated from human plasma.ObjectivesThis open‐label extension to a European, Israeli and Argentinean randomized study (NCT00262301) aimed to investigate the efficacy and safety of recombinant human C1 inhibitor (rhC1‐INH) as a first‐line treatment following an HAE attack, together with its effect on subsequent attacks.MethodsAn HAE‐specific visual analogue scale (VAS) 0–100 mm was used by patients to assess the severity of attack at four anatomical locations. Patients were treated with one, single‐vial, fixed‐dose of rhC1‐INH (2100 U), followed by up to two further vials at the investigators discretion. The primary end‐point was the time from first rhC1‐INH injection to first onset of relief of symptoms (≥ 20 mm decrease on VAS). Response to treatment was defined as the onset of relief within 4 h.ResultsA total of 57 patients were treated for 194 HAE attacks. Overall, sustained relief of symptoms was achieved in 87% of rhC1‐INH‐treated patients within 4 h of treatment, with 57% of attacks requiring only one vial of rhC1‐INH. When categorized by successive attacks experienced by individual patients, the response rate to rhC1‐INH treatment was 96%, 83%, 87%, 80% and 80% for attacks 1–5 respectively. Treatment with rhC1‐INH was well tolerated, with no discontinuations owing to treatment‐emergent adverse events and no adverse events relating to immunogenicity.Conclusions and Clinical RelevanceTreatment with rhC1‐INH provides fast‐onset relief for an HAE attack, with a high rate of therapeutic response maintained throughout subsequent attacks.
Comparison of colonization capacity by asexual spores of Heterobasidion species in Norway spruce wood
Authors: Gunulf A. , Rönnberg J. , Berglund M. 
Published: February 2012

SummaryTwo species of the tree pathogenic fungus Heterobasidion spp. exist in Sweden, Heterobasidion annosum s.s. and Heterobasidion parviporum. Both species are known to infect Norway spruce (Picea abies). The aim of the study was to examine the interspecific competition between H. annosum s.s. and H. parviporum as well as their colonization rate in fresh Norway spruce wood. Equal amount of conidiospores from each species was sprayed together on 30 fresh, previously uninfected, Norway spruce billets. After incubation in a greenhouse, the proportion of Heterobasidion spp. colonies belonging to each species was recorded. Of the 196 colonies isolated from the upper part of billets, 195 were H. parviporum. All isolated colonies further down in the billets were H. parviporum. To study the colonization rate, H. annosum s.s. and H. parviporum were sprayed alone on 30 spruce billets each, incubated and growth recorded both vertically and horizontally. H. parviporum grew further down in the billets (p = 0.008) and covered a larger area (p < 0.001) than H. annosum s.s. While H. annosum s.s. and H. parviporum both infected fresh Norway spruce wood H. parviporum outgrew and outcompeted H. annosum s.s during the early colonization stage.
Changes in Peroxidase Activity and Transcript Level of the MYB1 Gene in Transgenic Tobacco Plants Silenced for the RDR‐1 Gene After Systemic Infection with Potato virus Yo
Authors: Rakhshandehroo Farshad , Behboodi Behrooz Shahsavan , Mohammadi Mojtaba 
Published: February 2012

AbstractRNA‐dependent RNA polymerase (RDR‐1) is known to be induced by salicylic acid and is involved in basal resistance in plants against pathogen infection. Transgenic lines of tobacco plant (Nicotiana tabacum cv. Samsun NN) variably silenced for RDR‐1 gene were assayed for peroxidase (POX) activity following a systemic infection with Potato virus Y strain O (PVYo). Guaiacol‐POX specific activity increased more than twofold in un‐inoculated upper leaves of susceptible tobacco lines silenced for RDR‐1, 30 days after inoculation with PVYo relative to the wild type. The number and intensity of POX isozymes in intercellular fluid of leaves showing systemic symptoms varied among the transgenic lines. Transgenic line R‐5‐1 susceptible to PVYo infection with much lower accumulation of RDR‐1 transcript showed two new POX activity bands compared to R‐14‐1 line that is moderately suppressed for RDR‐1. Using semi‐quantitative RT‐PCR, RDR‐1, MYB1 (transcription factor) and PVYo RNA accumulation levels were assessed. Transgenic lines with a greater degree of susceptibility to the virus infection exhibited lower levels of transcript accumulation for both RDR‐1 and MYB1 genes. These results suggest that down‐regulation of RDR‐1 transcript can lead to an alteration in expression pattern of defence‐related genes such as POX and MYB1 and enhanced accumulation of PVYo in tobacco plants.
PCR‐based Rapid Assay for Discriminative Detection of Latent Infections of Rice Bacterial Blight
Authors: Song Eun‐Sung , Lee Byoung‐Moo , Lee Chang‐Soo , Park Young‐Jin 
Published: February 2012

AbstractA triplex PCR method has been developed for the race‐specific detection of Xanthomonas oryzae pv. oryzae (Xoo), the bacterial blight (BB) pathogen of rice. For this, three primer sets were designed: for specific internal regions of two genes (hpaA and XorII very‐short‐patch‐repair endonuclease) and for a genomic locus derived from an amplified fragment length polymorphism (AFLP) fragment specific for the K3 and K5 races. The sizes of the PCR products when using XOOF/XOOR, XRMF/XRMR and XAF3F/XAF3R primer pairs were 327, 427 bp and 1 kb, respectively, when the assay was applied to detect the pathogen in solution and lesion exudates, and as a template. Amplicons were obtained without the need for any prior processing (e.g. DNA preparation from infected leaf or bacterial cell isolation from the lesion). Furthermore, the pathogen could be quickly detected in the asymptomatic rice leaf 3 days after inoculation and at a distance of 6 cm from the lesion site. This PCR‐based simple and rapid assay will be a useful method for the detection and identification of Xoo as well as for disease forecasting in paddy fields.
Biology, Epidemiology and Management of the Pathogenic Fungus Macrophomina phaseolina (Tassi) Goid with Special Reference to Charcoal Rot of Soybean (Glycine max (L.) Merrill)
Authors: Gupta Girish K. , Sharma Sushil K. , Ramteke Rajkumar 
Published: February 2012

AbstractThe fungus Macrophomina phaseolina is a causative agent of diseases in more than 500 plant species. The fungus is primarily soil‐inhabiting but is also seed‐borne in many crops including soybean. It survives in the soil mainly as microsclerotia that germinate repeatedly during the crop‐growing season. Low C : N ratio in the soil and high bulk density as well as high soil moisture content adversely affect the survival of sclerotia. The disease can be managed to some extent by cultural practices, organic amendments, seed treatment and genetic host resistance. The scattered literature on these aspects is reviewed in this paper.
An ecological–economic model on the effects of interactions between escaped farmed and wild salmon (Salmo salar)
Authors: Liu Yajie , Diserud Ola H. , Hindar Kjetil , Skonhoft Anders 
Published: February 2012

AbstractThis study explores the ecological and economic impacts of interactions between escaped farmed and wild Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar, Salmonidae) over generations. An age‐ and stage‐structured bioeconomic model is developed. The biological part of the model includes age‐specific life‐history traits such as survival rates, fecundity and spawning successes for wild and escaped farmed salmon, as well as their hybrids, while the economic part takes account of use and non‐use values of fish stock. The model is simulated under three scenarios using data from the Atlantic salmon fishery and salmon farming in Norway. The social welfare is derived from harvest and wild salmon while the economic benefits of fishing comprise both sea and river fisheries. The results reveal that the wild salmon stock is gradually replaced by salmon with farmed origin, while the total social welfare and economic benefit decline, although not at the same rate as the wild salmon stock.
Geoengineering: Re‐making Climate for Profit or Humanitarian Intervention?
Authors: Jean Buck Holly 
Published: February 2012

ABSTRACT Climate engineering, or geoengineering, refers to large‐scale climate interventions to lower the earth's temperature, either by blocking incoming sunlight or removing carbon dioxide from the biosphere. Regarded as ‘technofixes’ by critics, these strategies have evoked concern that they would extend the shelf life of fossil‐fuel driven socio‐ecological systems for far longer than they otherwise would, or should, endure. A critical reading views geoengineering as a class project that is designed to keep the climate system stable enough for existing production systems to continue operating. This article first examines these concerns, and then goes on to envision a regime driven by humanitarian agendas and concern for vulnerable populations, implemented through international development and aid institutions. The motivations of those who fund research and implement geoengineering techniques are important, as the rationale for developing geoengineering strategies will determine which techniques are pursued, and hence which ecologies are produced. The logic that shapes the geoengineering research process could potentially influence social ecologies centuries from now.
Causes of death in patients with multiple sclerosis and matched referent subjects: a population‐based cohort study
Authors: Lalmohamed A. , Bazelier M. T. , Van Staa T. P. , Uitdehaag B. M. J. , Leufkens H. G. M. , De Boer A. , De Vries F. 
Published: February 2012

Background and purpose:  Multiple sclerosis (MS) has been associated with increased mortality rates. However, influence of lifestyle parameters remains unknown, and inconsistencies exist regarding findings for causes of death.Methods:  We conducted a population‐based cohort study using the General Practice Research Database, Hospital Episode Statistics, and national death certificates (January 2001 through March 2008). To each patient with MS (n = 1270), up to six referent subjects without MS were matched by age, gender, and practice. Cox proportional hazards models were used to estimate mortality rate ratios (HRs).Results:  Patients with MS had a 3.5‐fold increased mortality rate for all‐cause mortality, compared with referent subjects (HR 3.51, 95% CI 2.63–4.69). The rate further increased amongst current smokers (HR 6.72, 95% CI 4.16–10.87) (but not in ex‐smokers) and subjects with a body mass index of <20 kg/m2 (HR 6.67, 95% CI 3.50–12.73). The HR was highest for infectious/respiratory‐related deaths (HR 7.69, 95% CI 4.92–12.02) and was significantly increased for deaths related to cardiovascular diseases (2.4‐fold) and cancer (1.9‐fold), but not for accidents and suicide related deaths.Conclusion:  British patients with MS have a 3.5‐fold increased mortality rate compared with the general population. Smoking and respiratory diseases are major (potentially preventable) factors related to increased mortality rate amongst patients with MS.