bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Comparative study of core values of excellence models vis‐à‐vis human values
Authors: Talwar Balvir 
Published: November 2009

PurposeThis paper sets out to present a comparative study of the core values of 16 excellence models vis‐à‐vis human values enshrined in ancient religious philosophies and identified by social scientists as a spiritual way of working.Design/methodology/approachContemporary excellence models (EMs) are considered as role models to attain success, and thus it is appropriate to review the effectiveness of their core values. The core values of 16 EMs are identified through a literature review and are studied comparatively. Further, common human values enshrined in various religious philosophies and also advocated by research as success strategies are identified for the comparative study.FindingsThe paper identifies and compares the core values of 16 contemporary excellence models. By and large, the focus of core values in EMs is similar. However, the Deming Prize has a uniqueness and different focus in comparison with other models. Some of the common values are customer focus, continuous learning, innovation and improvement, employee involvement and development, partnership development, systems, process‐based management, agility, and social responsibility. Human values emphasise the purity of the means and their adoption enhances stakeholders' loyalty. Core values will become more effective if they emanate from human values.Research limitations/implicationsThe comparative study provides a new perspective for the integration of business values of EMs with human values. It may be useful for the custodians, the GEM council, researchers and practitioners to enhance their understanding of values and their impact in enhancing sustainable growth and prosperity.Practical implicationsThe study is expected to help in a review of national business excellence strategies worldwide. The integration of excellence models with human values by model custodians and corporate leadership will lead to an exponential growth in business and prosperity for all stakeholders.Originality/valueThe study is a part of original research work at the Indian Institute of Technology, Roorkee, India by the author after long experience in the implementation of excellence initiatives in industry. The paper is one of the few comprehensive studies of excellence models and focuses on the integration of learning to attain sustainable growth and prosperity in a competitive environment.
Accounting harmonization and the value‐relevance of dirty surplus accounting flows
Authors: Roberts Clare , Wang Yue 
Published: November 2009

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to examine the effects of institutional factors and the European Union (EU) accounting harmonization on the value‐relevance and comparability of dirty surplus accounting flows (DSFs) in the member countries throughout the period 1993 to 2002.Design/methodology/approachThe returns‐earnings models and fixed‐effect operating income growth models are used to examine the differences in the incremental and relative relevance of DSFs between countries which have a piecemeal system of regulation with significant input from the profession and/or market participants, and the code law countries with the government being the most important institution with regard to accounting regulation. Moreover, the relevance of DSFs in the three sub‐periods is compared, each reflecting quite distinct attitudes in the EU towards international accounting harmonization.FindingsDSFs are incrementally relevant in Denmark, Finland, Ireland, Sweden and the UK, where equity market plays an important role in the country's financing system; and in comparison to comprehensive income, reported income is a dominant measure of performance in most European countries, with the exception of the five afore‐mentioned countries. There is also evidence that cross country differences in the value‐relevance and predictability of DSFs decrease in the later years of this sample period.Research limitations/implicationsFuture research focusing upon the specific accounting changes made by companies in the EU is needed for a better understanding of the relative importance of stock market integration and standard setting changes in explaining the characteristics of DSFs.Practical implicationsThe results indicate that the convergence in the reporting of DSFs over time is driven by global capital market integration, and more importantly, the accounting harmonization activities carried out via self‐regulation with significant input from the profession and/or market participants at national level.Originality/valueThe paper seeks to explore, firstly, the extent to which differences in the reporting of DSFs across the EU may be explained by institutional differences. Secondly, it explores whether or not differences across the countries have decreased in three phases of the EU harmonization process.
Capital structure and firm characteristics: an empirical analysis from Egypt
Authors: Omran Mohammad M. , Pointon John 
Published: November 2009

PurposeThe aim of this paper is to investigate differences in capital structures across industries in Egypt paying particular attention to: corporate characteristics, such as liquidity, asset structure, growth, and size; fiscal characteristics, namely, the application of differential corporate tax rates; and stock market activity.Design/methodology/approachComparisons are made between the four main industrial sectors: food, heavy industries, contracting and services. For each industry four aspects of capital structure are assessed. Firms are also classified according to whether their shares are actively traded on the Egyptian stock market. Multiple regressions are run to test a range of hypotheses. ANOVA and multiple comparison procedures are also employed.FindingsAcross Egyptian firms, higher business risks do not generally result in lower levels of long‐term capital structure. The contracting sector is significantly different from food, heavy industries and services in its determinants of its short‐term financing and interest ratios. The sector also has a higher level of debt, and so a hypothesised tax‐induced higher debt level for the services sector, which has the highest corporate tax rate, is rejected. Asset‐backing is particularly important in heavy industries, and in non‐actively traded firms. Size and growth are positively related to short‐term financing in heavy industries and services.Originality/valueThe value lies in the comprehensiveness of the study, covering both short‐ and long‐term capital structures across industries, both income measures and capital indebtedness, and distinctions according to whether the shares are actively traded or not.
Before they were famous: music‐based tourism and a musician's hometown roots
Authors: Leaver David , Schmidt Ruth A. 
Published: November 2009

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to investigate the nature of music‐based tourism in the context of the childhood locations of music icons from the 1950s and 1960s. The Beatles, Bob Dylan, Buddy Holly and Elvis Presley are selected and fieldwork is carried out in Hibbing, Liverpool, Lubbock, Memphis and Tupelo.Design/methodology/approachA normative approach is chosen using existing work on music‐based tourism as a backdrop. Key informant interviews are the main sources of primary data with a snowball technique used to gain access. Content and theme analysis is used.FindingsMusic‐based tourism is emotion driven with ideas of pilgrimage, nostalgia and heritage centring on sites of production of music; birth and death of individual artists; and places which shaped their early history. The demographic base of this market segment is widening to include both “baby‐boomers” and younger visitors for whom these music icons have become part of pop culture. It is important to recognise the sensitivities of these visitors and authenticity is a key factor.Originality/valueThis study is of interest to managers involved in promoting tourism and the marketing of place. It provides detail from major cities such as Liverpool to small towns such as Hibbing, Minnesota with a population of 18,000.
Can patients at high risk for significant colorectal neoplasms and having normal quantitative faecal occult blood test postpone elective colonoscopy?
Authors: HAZAZI R. , ROZEN P. , LESHNO M. , LEVI Z. , SAMUEL Z. , WAKED A. , VILKIN A. , MAOZ E. , BIRKENFELD S. , NIV Y. 
Published: November 2009

Aliment Pharmacol Ther 31, 523–533SummaryBackground  Common reasons for elective screening and surveillance colonoscopy, at predetermined intervals, are family or personal history of colorectal cancer (CRC) or advanced adenoma (AAP). Quantified, human haemoglobin (Hb)‐specific, immunochemical faecal occult blood tests (I‐FOBT) detect bleeding.Aim  To determine I‐FOBT sensitivity for CRC or AAP before elective colonoscopy in patients at high‐risk of cancer or advanced adenoma.Methods  Prospective double‐blind study of 1000 ambulatory asymptomatic high‐risk patients (555 family history of CRC, 445 surveillance for past neoplasm), who prepared three I‐FOBTs before elective colonoscopy. I‐FOBTs quantified as ngHb/mL of buffer by OC‐MICRO instrument and results ≥50 ngHb/mL considered positive.Results  At colonoscopy, eight patients had CRC, 64 others had AAP. Sensitivity for CRC and/or AAP was the highest, 65.3% (95% CI 54.3, 76.3), when any of the three I‐FOBTs was ≥50 ngHb (15.4%), with specificity of 87.5% (95% CI 86.4, 90.5) identifying all CRCs and 62% of AAPs.Conclusions  All cancers or an AAP were detected every third I‐FOBT‐positive colonoscopy (47/154), so colonoscopy was potentially not needed at this time in 84.6% (846 patients). I‐FOBT screening might provide effective supervision of high‐risk patients, delaying unnecessary elective colonoscopies. This favourable evaluation needs confirmation and cost–benefit study by risk‐group.
Complement activation on platelets correlates with a decrease in circulating immature platelets in patients with immune thrombocytopenic purpura
Authors: Peerschke Ellinor I. B. , Andemariam Biree , Yin Wei , Bussel James B. 
Published: November 2009

SummaryThe role of the complement system in immune thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP) is not well defined. We examined plasma from 79 patients with ITP, 50 healthy volunteers, and 25 patients with non‐immune mediated thrombocytopenia, to investigate their complement activation/fixation capacity (CAC) on immobilized heterologous platelets. Enhanced CAC was found in 46 plasma samples (59%) from patients with ITP, but no samples from patients with non‐immune mediated thrombocytopenia. Plasma from healthy volunteers was used for comparison. In patients with ITP, an enhanced plasma CAC was associated with a decreased circulating absolute immature platelet fraction (A‐IPF) (<15 × 109/l) (P = 0·027) and thrombocytopenia (platelet count < 100 × 109/l) (P = 0·024). The positive predictive value of an enhanced CAC for a low A‐IPF was 93%, with a specificity of 77%. The specificity and positive predictive values increased to 100% when plasma CAC was defined strictly by enhanced C1q and/or C4d deposition on test platelets. Although no statistically significant correlation emerged between CAC and response to different pharmacological therapies, an enhanced response to splenectomy was noted (P < 0·063). Thus, complement fixation may contribute to the thrombocytopenia of ITP by enhancing clearance of opsonized platelets from the circulation, and/or directly damaging platelets and megakaryocytes.
Effects of an exotic invasive macrophyte (tropical signalgrass) on native plant community composition, species richness and functional diversity
Authors: MICHELAN THAÍSA SALA , THOMAZ SIDINEI MAGELA , MORMUL ROGER PAULO , CARVALHO PRISCILLA 
Published: November 2009

Summary1. The issue of freshwater species being threatened by invasion has become central in conservation biology because inland waters exhibit the highest species richness per unit area, but apparently have the highest extinctions rates on the planet.2. In this article, we evaluated the effects of an exotic, invasive aquatic grass (Urochloa subquadripara– tropical signalgrass) on the diversity and assemblage composition of native macrophytes in four Neotropical water bodies (two reservoirs and two lakes). Species cover was assessed in quadrats, and plant biomass was measured in further quadrats, located in sites where tropical signalgrass dominated (D quadrats) and sites where it was not dominant or entirely absent (ND quadrats). The effects of tropical signalgrass on macrophyte species richness, Shannon diversity and number of macrophyte life forms (a surrogate of functional richness) were assessed through regressions, and composition was assessed with a DCA. The effects of tropical signalgrass biomass on the likelihood of occurrence of specific macrophyte life forms were assessed through logistic regression.3. Tropical signalgrass had a negative effect on macrophyte richness and Shannon and functional diversity, and also influenced assemblage composition. Emergent, rooted with floating stems and rooted submersed species were negatively affected by tropical signalgrass, while the occurrence of free‐floating species was positively affected.4. Our results suggest that competition with emergent species and reduction of underwater radiation, which reduces the number of submersed species, counteract facilitation of free‐floating species, contributing to a decrease in plant diversity. In addition, homogenisation of plant assemblages shows that tropical signalgrass reduces the beta diversity in the macrophyte community.5. Although our results were obtained at fine spatial scales, they are cause for concern because macrophytes are an important part of freshwater diversity.
Microclimatic buffering and resource‐based habitat in a glacial relict butterfly: significance for conservation under climate change
Authors: TURLURE CAMILLE , CHOUTT JULIE , BAGUETTE MICHEL , VAN DYCK HANS 
Published: November 2009

AbstractIn contrast to several organisms that have already shown range shifts to the north as a response to climate change, southern populations of relict species are trapped in isolated altitudinal habitats. Therefore, there is a growing interest to better understand their habitat use, with particular attention to the thermal aspects and associated significance for their habitat management. We address this issue by a study of larval habitat use relative to vegetation structure and microclimate in a glacial relict butterfly of peat bog ecosystems, using a functional, resource‐based habitat approach. We analysed caterpillar presence and density relative to vegetation composition (reflecting gradients of humidity, temperature, and natural succession of the peat bog) and to the availability and quality of thermal refuges for caterpillars (i.e., structures provided by Sphagnum hummocks). We also tested caterpillar survival rates under different temperature and humidity treatments. We found that (1) Boloria aquilonaris was a specialist butterfly of early successional stages with very humid zones of peat bog, (2) the lack of Sphagnum hummocks reduced larval habitat suitability, and hence the population density, and (3) a reduction of the thermal buffering ability of Sphagnum hummocks was observed in less humid, degraded parts, or late‐successional stages of peat bog. A larval rearing experiment showed a significant impact of temperature on caterpillar survival; survival being higher at lower temperature. Our field and laboratory results support the idea that the thermal environment exploited by caterpillars should be considered as a functional resource and included in a population‐specific habitat definition. Appropriate management of the peat bog habitat of this glacial relict species should not exclusively focus on the larval and adult feeding resources, but also on the quality of thermal refuges provided by Sphagnum hummocks in humid zones of the peat bog, especially in the current critical context of climate warming.
Water temperature and stratification depth independently shift cardinal events during plankton spring succession
Authors: BERGER STELLA A. , DIEHL SEBASTIAN , STIBOR HERWIG , TROMMER GABRIELE , RUHENSTROTH MIRIAM 
Published: November 2009

AbstractIn deep temperate lakes, the beginning of the growing season is triggered by thermal stratification, which alleviates light limitation of planktonic producers in the surface layer and prevents heat loss to deeper strata. The sequence of subsequent phenological events (phytoplankton spring bloom, grazer peak, clearwater phase) results in part from coupled phytoplankton–grazer interactions. Disentangling the separate, direct effects of correlated climatic drivers (stratification‐dependent underwater light climate vs. water temperature) from their indirect effects mediated through trophic feedbacks is impossible using observational field data, which challenges our understanding of global warming effects on seasonal plankton dynamics. We therefore manipulated water temperature and stratification depth independently in experimental field mesocosms containing ambient microplankton and inocula of the resident grazer Daphnia hyalina. Higher light availability in shallower surface layers accelerated primary production, warming accelerated consumption and growth of Daphnia, and both factors speeded up successional dynamics driven by trophic feedbacks. Specifically, phytoplankton peaked and decreased earlier and Daphnia populations increased and peaked earlier at both shallower stratification and higher temperature. The timing of ciliate dynamics was unrelated to both factors. Volumetric peak densities of phytoplankton, ciliates and Daphnia in the surface layer were also unaffected by temperature but declined with stratification depth in parallel with light availability. The latter relationship vanished, however, when population sizes were integrated over the entire water column. Overall our results suggest that, integrated over the entire water column of a deep lake, surface warming and shallower stratification independently speed up spring successional events, whereas the magnitudes of phytoplankton and zooplankton spring peaks are less sensitive to these factors. Therefore, accelerated dynamics under warming need not lead to a trophic mismatch (given similar grazer inocula at the time of stratification). We emphasize that entire water column dynamics must be studied to estimate global warming effects on lake ecosystems.
TEM characterization of MBE grown CdTe/ZnTe axial nanowires
Authors: DŁUZEWSKI P. , JANIK E. , KRET S. , ZALESZCZYK W. , TANG D. , KARCZEWSKI G. , WOJTOWICZ T. 
Published: November 2009

SummaryCdTe/ZnTe axial nanowires were successfully fabricated by molecular beam epitaxy with the use of Au nano‐catalysts and vapour–liquid–solid growth mechanism. Nanowires had zinc‐blende structure with numerous stacking faults in the bottom ZnTe part and near perfect crystalline structure in the top CdTe part. Energy dispersive X‐ray spectroscopy (EDXS) and lattice fringe spacing analysis revealed nonabrupt nature of hetero−interface, whose width was estimated to be 50–70 nm for the nanowires having a diameter in the range from 40 to 50 nm.
Microstructural changes during creep of CMSX‐4 single crystal Ni base superalloy at 750°C
Authors: DUBIEL B. T. , CZYRSKA‐FILEMONOWICZ A. 
Published: November 2009

SummaryTEM studies of creep tested CMSX‐4 nickel‐base single crystal superalloy were performed to analyse a microstructure evolution during creep at temperature 750°C, and uniaxial tensile stress of 675 MPa. Microstructural analyses were focused mainly on examination of dislocation configurations during primary and secondary creep stages of high temperature deformation. At such low temperature and high stress creep deformation proceed by cutting of γ′ particles by dislocations. It was found that primary creep is initiated by movement of dislocations with Burgers vector a/2 <110> in the γ phase. The second type of dislocations active at primary creep stage are extended dislocation ribbons with overall a<112> Burgers vector, separated by superlattice stacking faults, cutting both the γ and γ′ phases. The movement of the dislocation ribbons is inhibited at secondary creep stage by dislocation networks formed at γ−γ′ interfaces.
Diet affects female mating behaviour in a seed‐feeding beetle
Authors: FOX CHARLES W. , MOYA‐LARAÑO JORDI 
Published: November 2009

Abstract.In species where males provide nuptial gifts, females can improve their nutritional status and thus increase their fecundity by mating when in need of resources. However, mating can be costly, so females should only mate to acquire resources when the need for resources is large, such as when females are nutritionally‐deprived. Two populations of the seed‐feeding beetle Callosobruchus maculatus, a species that produces relatively large nuptial gifts, are used to test whether female nutritional status affects mating behaviour. Female access to water, sugar and yeast are manipulated and the fitness consequences of these manipulations are examined together with the effects of diet on the propensity of nonvirgin females to mate. Access to water has a small but significant effect on mass loss over time, lifespan and fecundity of females, relative to unfed controls. Access to sugar (dissolved in water) improves female fecundity and lifespan above that of hydrated females but access to yeast has no positive effects on female survival or reproduction. Diet has a large effect on both receptivity of nonvirgin females to a male and how quickly they accept that male. Unfed females are both more likely to mate, and accept a mate more quickly, than females provided access to water, which are more likely to mate and accept a mate more quickly than females provided with sugar. This rank order of behaviours matches the order predicted if females increase their mating rate when nutritionally deprived (i.e. it matches the effect of diet on female fitness). The results obtained also suggest that mate choice may be condition‐dependent: females from one population (Burkina Faso) show a preference for large males when well‐fed but not when unfed, although this result is not found in a second population (South India). It is concluded that nutritionally‐deprived females are more receptive to mates than are well‐fed females, consistent with the hypothesis that females ‘forage’ for nuptial gifts, or at least more willingly accept sperm in exchange for nuptial gifts, when they are nutritionally deprived.