bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Reflections on the Dixon seminar: the development of marketing thought and theory
Authors: Shaw Eric H. 
Published: January 2011

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to provide an overview of the doctoral seminar in the history of marketing thought and theory taught by Donald F. Dixon.Design/methodology/approachThe approach is an historical narrative based on the author's personal recollections of the historical context of the seminar, how it was organized and conducted, along with a sample class discussion of the first lesson in marketing systems.FindingsDixon was indisputably a maverick who worked far outside the marketing mainstream. Consequently, he had a truly unique historical systems framework for understanding and teaching the history of marketing thought.Originality/valueBecause of its uniqueness, the Dixon seminar offers novel insights into teaching the history of marketing thought and the development of marketing theory.
Farmer‐buyer relationships in China: the effects of contracts, trust and market environment
Authors: Zhang Xiaoyong , Hu Dinghuan 
Published: January 2011

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is first, to develop constructs to measure three important concepts in the supply chain literature: contracts, trust and market environment, in the Chinese context and to further investigate the relationships amongst these three concepts based on the formulated hypothesis.Design/methodology/approachThe research methodology has strictly followed the recommended scale development procedures, which include specifying each constructs, item generation, data collection, reliability and validity test, and finally test hypothesis. The primary data were collected in October 2008 in Hubei Province, China. Both exploratory factor analysis and confirmatory factor analysis are applied to assess the reliability and validity of the three constructs.FindingsIn total, 22 items were retained to measure six dimensions for the three core concepts: contract (marketing and production), trust (reliability and benevolence), and market environments (diversity and volatility). Second, the finding supported this argument that contracts and trust functions as complements. Furthermore, a positive relationship between environmental uncertainty and the use of contractual governance was found.Research limitations/implicationsThe measurement model for environmental volatility is less satisfied. More research should be carried out on the measurement of market environment in the future.Originality/valueThis paper identifies and validates key constructs underlying supply chain management research: contract, trust and market environment, in a Chinese context. These measurable concepts could be applied in similar settings to further investigate small‐scale farmer's position along the supply chain.
A DEA‐model evaluation of the efficiency of peasant household credit investigation system in rural credit cooperatives
Authors: Xiong Xueping , Tian Jie , Ruan Hongxin 
Published: January 2011

PurposeAs a major agricultural province in central China, Hubei Province mainly carries out the peasant household credit investigation system through rural credit cooperatives (RCCs). The purpose of this paper is to evaluate the efficiency of the peasant household credit investigation system in Hubei RCCs and provide some evidence and ideas to the formulation of relevant policies.Design/methodology/approachFirst, this paper briefly reviews the related literature of the efficiency in credit investigation system; second, the paper gives a brief description of the data envelopment analysis (DEA) model and designs the indicators for efficiency evaluation; third, the paper accounts data sources and processing methods; and finally, the paper performs the empirical analysis and draws a conclusion.FindingsThe paper finds that the efficiency of the resource allocation in both regions is unoptimistic, the general efficiency is somewhat low, and it shows the trend of declination. The efficiency of pure technology in two regions represents the adverse trend. Every year's average scale efficiency in both regions is higher than the pure technology efficiency.Originality/valueThe main contributions of this paper include the first use of DEA model to practically evaluate the efficiency of credit investigation system based on 54 samples of RCCs in Hubei Province and the horizontal and vertical comparisons of the results. The conclusions of this paper not only make the efficiency of credit investigation system in the province's 54 credit cooperatives comparable but also has a great application value to the actual decision‐making departments in formulating credit policies, and each credit cooperative in further building the credit investigation system according to its own conditions. Moreover, it has certain reference value to other similar studies.
Decomposition of agricultural labor productivity growth and its regional disparity in China
Authors: Xin Xiangfei , Qin Fu 
Published: January 2011

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to investigate determinants of regional disparities in China's agricultural labor productivity growth.Design/methodology/approachThis paper first decomposes the regional disparity in China's agricultural productivity growth into its components: technical change, efficiency change and input accumulation per worker. The convergence test is also used to analyze the determinants of regional disparity.FindingsThe paper finds that during 1987 and 2005, although the growth of China's agricultural labor productivity mainly depended on the accumulation of inputs, technical changes contributed more to regional disparities in agricultural productivity growth.Originality/valueThis paper, which studies the determinants of regional disparities in China's agricultural labor productivity growth, contributes to a better understanding of China's agricultural growth and how to reduce the regional inequality. It is indicated that improving efficiency to promote total factor productivity growth is important for agricultural labor productivity growth for the three regions – Eastern, Central and Western – of China. The increase in inputs for Western China, and the improvement in technical change for Central and Western China are significant aspects to promote the growth of agricultural productivity and narrow the gap with Eastern China.
Urban consumers' attitudes towards the safety of milk powder after the melamine scandal in 2008 and the factors influencing the attitudes
Authors: Zhou Yingheng , Wang Erpeng 
Published: January 2011

PurposeThis paper aims to analyze the factors that influence urban consumers' attitudes towards food safety after the melamine scandal.Design/methodology/approachBased on the research about the attitudes of urban consumers in Nanjing towards the safety of milk powder after the melamine scandal in 2008, this paper adopts the ordered logit model to test which factors significantly influence consumers' attitudes.FindingsThe findings suggest that: first, there is a common concern among consumers about the safety of milk powder after the melamine scandal; second, according to the research, the concern is in inverse relation to the level of educational attainment, consumers' awareness of food safety incidents and their opinion of governments' action after the incident. Moreover, those who always have a concern about the safety of the alternatives to milk powder are more easily affected.Originality/valueDifferent from other researches, the paper focuses on consumers' attitudes towards food safety by studying a specific case, namely the melamine scandal.
Voluntary disclosure and risk in an emerging market
Authors: Hassan Omaima A.G. , Giorgioni Gianluigi , Romilly Peter , Power David M. 
Published: January 2011

PurposeThis paper seeks to examine the association between corporate voluntary disclosure and systematic (market or beta) risk for a sample of Egyptian listed companies.Design/methodology/approachUsing panel data analysis, beta is regressed on the level of voluntary disclosure and the following control variables: dividend payout, asset growth, gearing, firm size and book‐to‐market ratio.FindingsThe results generally show a negative relationship between voluntary disclosure level and beta, consistent with predictions of a differential information model and theories about the economic consequences of increased disclosure. The results are dependent on the specification of the model and the market index used to estimate beta, suggesting a need for further research on the link between risk and voluntary disclosure in the context of emerging markets.Practical implicationsThe main implication of these results is that more voluntary information about listed companies seems preferable to less in order to reduce the perceived riskiness of a company. This should act as an incentive for listed companies to enhance public disclosure.Originality/valueThis is one of the first studies to explore the economic consequences of increased disclosure in an emerging capital market using panel data analysis. Another distinctive feature is that market betas are estimated using different measures to obtain greater confidence in the overall conclusions.
Privatisation and electricity sector reforms in Brazil: accounting perspective
Authors: de Araújo Wanderley Cláudio , Cullen John , Tsamenyi Mathew 
Published: January 2011

PurposeThe paper seeks to examine the evolution of regulatory accounting within the context of the Brazilian electricity sector reforms. The paper traces the process of the reforms and the development of the regulatory accounting system.Design/methodology/approachThe paper is based on data collected from various documents including those published by the regulator (such as laws, resolutions and technical notes), as well as information from distribution companies and other government agencies.FindingsIt is found that regulatory accounting played different roles under the different electricity sector reforms implemented in Brazil. For example, regulatory accounting was minimally used during the first reform, and this brought a range of problems of implementation and consolidation of the electricity sector model. However, regulatory accounting played an essential role in the regulatory framework under the second reform, and this in part contributed to addressing some of the problems of the sector.Originality/valueThis is the first study that describes and explains the Brazilian electricity sector reforms by analysing the so‐called core issues in regulatory accounting and tariff review process. The paper contributes to the literature by providing a broader picture of the interconnection between regulatory accounting and the regulator's objectives.
A story about IAS/IFRS implementation in Romania
Authors: Albu Nadia , Nicolae Albu Cătălin , Bunea Ştefan , Artemisa Calu Daniela , Mădălina Girbina Maria 
Published: January 2011

PurposeThis study aims to investigate in‐depth, and explain the issues related to, the implementation of IAS/IFRS in an emergent country that recently adhered to the European Union, i.e. Romania.Design/methodology/approachAn institutional and structuration theory perspective is used to discuss two stages of IAS/IFRS implementation in Romania. Both primary (11 in‐depth semi‐structured interviews conducted with key actors involved in financial reporting) and secondary data (accounting regulations after the fall of communism, with respect to the implementation of IAS/IFRS) were collected for the purpose of the paper.FindingsIt was found that the two stages of IAS/IFRS implementation had different outcomes, with a more profound and qualitative impact of the second phase. The first step was a result of coercive external forces, that is, the influence of the World Bank. Given the lack of other factors to favor the change process, it is argued that the actual implementation of IAS in that period was very limited. Even though the second step meant a reduction in scope to only listed companies in consolidated accounts and financial institutions, it is argued that it was accompanied by a change process more significant than in the previous period.Originality/valueThe paper investigates the inter‐play between institutions, routines and politics in the Romanian context and highlights the complexity of accounting change in an emerging country.
Efficacy of plasmapheresis for the treatment of severe toxic epidermal necrolysis: Is cytokine expression analysis useful in predicting its therapeutic efficacy?
Authors: NARITA Yoko M. , HIRAHARA Kazuhisa , MIZUKAWA Yoshiko , KANO Yoko , SHIOHARA Tetsuo 
Published: February 2011

AbstractToxic epidermal necrolysis (TEN) is a life‐threatening, drug‐induced disorder characterized by severe epidermal injury. Although there is no standard therapeutic intervention in TEN, plasmapheresis (PP) is being used increasingly to treat extremely ill TEN patients. In addition to conventional PP, double‐filtration PP (DFPP) has been recently used for severe and refractory TEN. In this review, we focus on the clinical usefulness of PP by both demonstrating three cases of TEN refractory to conventional therapies, who were successfully treated with conventional PP or DFPP, and evaluating its therapeutic efficiency. We also provide evidence to suggest the mechanisms of action of PP by investigating the correlation between disease intensity and serum cytokine levels before and after treatment with PP or DFPP in these patients with TEN. At present, PP is a much more effective option for treatment of severe and/or recalcitrant TEN than any other treatment, such as pulsed corticosteroids and i.v. immunoglobulin.
Caecal transcriptome analysis of colonized and non‐colonized chickens within two genetic lines that differ in caecal colonization by Campylobacter jejuni
Authors: Li X. Y. , Swaggerty C. L. , Kogut M. H. , Chiang H. I. , Wang Y. , Genovese K. J. , He H. , Pevzner I. Y. , Zhou H. J. 
Published: February 2011

SummaryCampylobacter jejuni is one of the most common causes of human bacterial enteritis worldwide. The molecular mechanisms of the host responses of chickens to C. jejuni colonization are not well understood. We have previously found differences in C. jejuni colonization at 7‐days post‐inoculation (pi) between two genetic broiler lines. However, within each line, not all birds were colonized by C. jejuni (27.5% colonized in line A, and 70% in line B). Therefore, the objective of the present experiments was to further define the differences in host gene expression between colonized and non‐colonized chickens within each genetic line. RNA isolated from ceca of colonized and non‐colonized birds within each line was applied to a chicken 44K Agilent microarray for the pair comparison. There were differences in the mechanisms of host resistant to C. jejuni colonization between line A and line B. Ten times more differentially expressed genes were observed between colonized and non‐colonized chickens within line B than those within line A. Our study supports the fact that the MAPK pathway is important in host response to C. jejuni colonization in line B, but not in line A. The data indicate that inhibition of small GTPase‐mediated signal transduction could enhance the resistance of chickens to C. jejuni colonization and that the tumour necrosis factor receptor superfamily genes play important roles in determining C. jejuni non‐colonization in broilers.
Shaping ability and cleaning effectiveness of Mtwo versus coated and uncoated EasyShape instruments in severely curved root canals of extracted teeth
Authors: Bürklein S. , Hiller C. , Huda M. , Schäfer E. 
Published: January 2011

Bürklein S, Hiller C, Huda M, Schäfer E. Shaping ability and cleaning effectiveness of Mtwo versus coated and uncoated EasyShape instruments in severely curved root canals of extracted teeth. International Endodontic Journal, 44, 447–457, 2011.AbstractAim  To compare the cleaning effectiveness and shaping ability of Mtwo, PVD‐coated and uncoated EasyShape nickel–titanium rotary instruments during the preparation of curved root canals in extracted human teeth.Methodology  A total of 60 root canals of mandibular and maxillary molars with curvatures ranging between 25° and 35° were divided into three groups of 20 canals. Based on radiographs taken prior to instrumentation with the initial instrument inserted into the canal, the groups were balanced with respect to the angle and the radius of canal curvature. Canals were prepared using a low‐torque control motor according the single‐length technique. Using pre‐ and post‐instrumentation radiographs, straightening of the canal curvatures was determined with a computer image analysis program. Preparation time, changes of working length and instrument failures were also recorded. These data were analysed statistically using ANOVA and Student–Newman–Keuls test. The amounts of debris and smear layer were quantified on the basis of a numerical evaluation scale. The data established for scoring the debris and the smear layer were recorded separately and analysed statistically using the Kruskal–Wallis test.Results  During preparation, one coated and two uncoated EasyShape files fractured. Completely clean root canals were never observed. All instruments maintained the original canal curvature well with no significant differences between the different instruments (P > 0.05). Instrumentation with Mtwo files was significantly faster than with the two other instruments (P < 0.05). For debris removal Mtwo instruments achieved significantly better results (P < 0.001) than the two EasyShape instruments. The use of coated EasyShape files resulted in significantly less debris compared to instrumentation with uncoated EasyShape instruments (P < 0.05). The results for remaining smear layer were similar and not significantly different for the coronal, middle and apical third of the canals (P > 0.05) but in summary significantly less smear layer was observed following instrumentation with Mtwo (P < 0.01).Conclusions  Under the conditions of this study, all instruments maintained the original canal curvature well. The use of Mtwo instruments resulted in good canal cleanliness. PVD‐coating of EasyShape instruments had no impact on their shaping ability but improved their cleaning effectiveness.
The effect of the elastic modulus of endodontic posts on static load failure
Authors: Stewardson D. A. , Shortall A. C. , Marquis P. M. 
Published: January 2011

Stewardson DA, Shortall AC, Marquis PM. The effect of the elastic modulus of endodontic posts on static load failure. International Endodontic Journal, 44, 458–468, 2011.AbstractAim  To compare posts of different flexibility using static load testing. Hypotheses tested were (1) the flexural modulus of endodontic posts does not show a linear relationship with failure load and (2) the flexural modulus of endodontic posts does not show an association with failure mode.Methodology  Thirty 2 mm diameter rods of a glass fibre material Aesthetiplus (A), a carbon fibre Composipost (C) and stainless steel (S) were cemented into 90 roots of extracted human teeth using resin cement. Composite resin cores were added and the roots embedded in self‐curing acrylic resin. Samples were loaded at 90° in a universal testing machine until failure. Failure loads and fracture levels were compared using one‐way anova and post‐hoc Scheffé tests. Proportions of different failure modes were compared with Chi square tests (α = 0.05).Results  Mean failure loads – MPa (SD) were A – 278.69 (85.79), C – 258.86 (82.05), S – 347.37 (74.50). There was no significant difference in the mean failure load of roots containing the FRC posts (P = 0.639), but it was significantly greater for steel post samples (P < 0.01). The mean level of fracture among the groups was not significantly different (P = 0.879). No root fractures were ‘favourable’. Significantly more root fractures and fewer core fractures occurred for group A than for groups C or S (P < 0.01).Conclusion  The elastic modulus of an endodontic post does not appear to be a principal factor influencing load at failure or mode of failure of post‐restored teeth.
Bacterial leakage in root canals filled with conventional and MTA‐based sealers
Authors: Oliveira A. C. M. , Tanomaru J. M. G. , Faria‐Junior N. , Tanomaru‐Filho M. 
Published: January 2011

Oliveira ACM, Tanomaru JMG, Faria‐Junior N, Tanomaru‐Filho M. Bacterial leakage in root canals filled with conventional and MTA‐based sealers. International Endodontic Journal.AbstractAim  To evaluate bacterial leakage after filling root canals with several endodontic sealers, including MTA‐based materials.Methodology  One hundred and thirty single‐rooted extracted human teeth were randomly divided into experimental groups (n = 15) and two control groups (n = 5). Six root canal sealers were namely: AH Plus (AHP), Sealer 26 (S26), Epiphany SE (ESE), Sealapex (SEL), Active GP (AGP), Endofill (EDF), and two MTA‐based sealers were namely: Endo CPM Sealer (CPM) and MTA‐based sealer (MTAS, MTA Sealer). Teeth in the control groups were either filled with no sealer or made completely impermeable. Root canals were prepared and filled with either gutta‐percha and one of the sealers or with Resilon and Epiphany SE. Teeth were sterilized by ethylene oxide prior to the bacterial leakage experiments using Enterococcus faecalis. Leakage was evaluated every 24 h for 16 weeks. Data were analysed by the Kaplan–Meier, Kruskal–Wallis and Dunn tests at 5% significance.Results  Control groups had either immediate leakage or no leakage. During 120 days, significantly more leaking samples were detected for AGP, CPM and MTAS (P < 0.05). The best sealing ability was observed for AH Plus and Sealapex (P < 0.05).Conclusions  All sealers evaluated allowed bacterial leakage. The MTA‐based sealers had the most leakage.
Integrative analysis of metabolite and transcript abundance during the short‐term response to saline and oxidative stress in the brown alga Ectocarpus siliculosus
Authors: DITTAMI SIMON M. , GRAVOT ANTOINE , RENAULT DAVID , GOULITQUER SOPHIE , EGGERT ANJA , BOUCHEREAU ALAIN , BOYEN CATHERINE , TONON THIERRY 
Published: February 2011

ABSTRACTThe model brown alga Ectocarpus siliculosus undergoes extensive transcriptomic changes in response to abiotic stress, many of them related to primary metabolism and particularly to amino acid biosynthesis and degradation. In this study we seek to improve our knowledge of the mechanisms underlying the stress tolerance of this alga, in particular with regard to compatible osmolytes, by examining the effects of these changes on metabolite concentrations. We performed extensive metabolic profiling (urea, amino acids, sugars, polyols, organic acids, fatty acids) of Ectocarpus samples subjected to short‐term hyposaline, hypersaline and oxidative stress, and integrated the results with previously published transcriptomic data. The most pronounced changes in metabolite concentrations occurred under hypersaline stress: both mannitol and proline were accumulated, but their low final concentrations indicate that, in this stress condition, both compounds are not likely to significantly contribute to osmoregulation at the level of the entire cell. Urea and trehalose were not detected in any of our samples. We also observed a shift in fatty acid composition from n‐3 to n‐6 fatty acids under high salinities, and demonstrated the salt stress‐induced accumulation of small amounts of γ‐aminobutyric acid (GABA). GABA could be synthesized in E. siliculosus through a salt stress‐induced putrescine‐degradation pathway.