bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
How knowledge and technology relate in creating value
Authors: Ippolito Adelaide , Zoccoli Paola 
Published: July 2010

PurposeThe aim of this paper is to investigate the importance of managing outsourcing without allowing learning skills to become atrophied, but instead ensuring that the transfer of functions to external agents (by outsourcing) can actually be a source of new learning. From an organizational learning perspective, the issues addressed fall within the sphere of corporate strategy and play a critical role in value creation. Hypotheses are presented concerning the role of management, its leadership styles and its ability to trigger mechanisms of new knowledge creation with a consequent impact on value creation, even when production processes are performed by third parties.Design/methodology/approachThe paper's investigation is based on a positivist[1] philosophy, and follows a socio‐economic and knowledge‐based approach. The method used to verify the hypotheses involved a process of hands‐on research, with bank executives being asked to complete a structured questionnaire.FindingsFrom the survey it emerged that in order to create value and allow the outsourcing output to be incorporated in a process of continual improvement of resources, a correct management of the relationship with the outsourcing service provider is most efficacious if the output is treated as shared, disseminated and incorporated knowledge. It was found that, in the presence of democratic styles, knowledge becomes learning and generates the maximum benefit in terms of distinctive resources.Originality/valueThis paper argues that it is possible to outline a procedure in which particular importance is given to control and leadership, which are the basis for dissemination and learning outcome.
The United Kingdom's Companies Act of 2006 and the capital asset pricing model
Authors: Paulo S. 
Published: July 2010

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to consider the attainment of the corporate objective of the UK Companies Act of 2006 Section 172(1) from the perspective of financial valuations that are reliant on the cost of capital. The cost of capital plays an important role in many of the models and propositions that are routinely used for financial valuation and decision making.Design/methodology/approachFrom the perspective of financial valuations that are used to guide decision making that is in accordance with the corporate objective of the UK Companies Act of 2006 Section 172(1), managers and directors require a valid, reliable, and interpretable cost of capital. The theory, models, and propositions of financial management, whether they be investment, financing, or distributions (Sections 829‐853) decisions, are dependent on the cost of capital. This paper has three main tasks. First, the relevant sections of UK corporate statute with regard to the corporate objective need to be identified and presented. Second, a brief review of the function and role of the cost of capital for the valuations upon which investment, financing, and dividend decisions are based, is undertaken to ensure that the role and function of this key financial metric is clearly recognized. Third, since the capital asset pricing model (CAPM) is so widely and exclusively used, often without recourse to other approaches to calculation of the cost of capital, an update of CAPM empirical evidence is undertaken to affirm the 2004 findings and subsequent recommendations by Fama and French that the CAPM is not an acceptable way of calculating the cost of capital.FindingsIt is doubtful whether directors, who use an empirically invalid and unreliable valuation model such as the CAPM to calculate the cost of capital, will be able to meaningfully and purposefully make decisions consistent with the “enlightened shareholder value”. Managers and directors need to use approaches to the cost of capital that are valid and can be empirically verified.Practical implicationsThis paper recommends that directors of public companies who make decisions using financial valuations that embody the cost of capital should ensure that models other than the CAPM are used; otherwise, they may find it difficult unable to defend challenges to their statutory duty of attaining the corporate objective.Originality/valueAn update of CAPM empirical evidence is undertaken to affirm the findings and subsequent recommendations by Fama and French (2004) that the CAPM is not an acceptable way of calculating the cost of capital.
The state of e‐commerce laws in India: a review of Information Technology Act
Authors: Sumanjeet  
Published: July 2010

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to critically examine the Indian IT Act 2000 and IT (Amendment) Act 2008 in the light of e‐commerce perspective to identify the present status of e‐commerce laws in India.Design/methodology/approachThe paper presents a critical reflection on the current e‐commerce laws in India. The paper is based on the Indian IT Act 2000 and IT (Amendment) Act 2008. The paper presents critical content analysis of various provisions of IT Act in e‐commerce prespective. The paper also highlights legal issues arising from e‐commerce.FindingsThere are many important issues which are critical for the success of e‐commerce that have not been covered or properly addressed by IT Act. The paper reveals that the present IT Act is weak on various fronts and in the absence of sound legal framework e‐commerce cannot create a success story in India. Indian Government must appreciate that for safe and secure business environment on cyberspace, a sound legal framework is needed. This paper suggests that there is strong need to introduce separate laws for e‐commerce in India.Practical implicationsThe paper identified various loopholes/problems/weakness of existing e‐commerce laws in India. These issues should be addressed by Goverment of India to protect the interests of Indian software industries, BPO sector and other stakeholders.Originality/valueThe issue identified in the paper is somewhat new, timely and interesting, taking into consideration its importance to economic development in emerging economies such as India.
Reconciling the conflicting needs for flexibility and certainty
Authors: Zhuang Lee 
Published: July 2010

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to review the existing literature concerning expatriates on overseas assignments. Based on an exploratory study examining the experiences of independent expatriates (IEs) in China, this paper seeks to add to the currently limited understanding of IEs by focusing on the particular issue of IE staff turnover in the Sino‐foreign Higher Education sector.Design/methodology/approachUsing the “Snowball” technique, a questionnaire survey is carried out electronically with 48 completed questionnaires received, representing 18 nationalities residing in 12 countries. A supplementary case study is also conducted on three Chinese institutions offering UK programmes.FindingsThis paper presents findings suggesting that IEs in China are more likely to move between jobs in different organisations within a shorter space of time than their counterparts in other countries. Possible contributing factors include the IEs' initial expectations, their experiences in the early stage of relocation, their ability to adapt to the local culture, and contractual arrangements. This paper also suggests that to reconcile the IEs' individual need for flexibility and their employing organisations' need for certainty and continuity, employers should consider taking a number of practical steps, such as language and culture training, shadowing and maintaining accurate written records.Originality/valueThis paper is relevant to any Chinese organisation that is relatively inexperienced in employing expatriate staff.
Thermoanaerobacteriaceae oxidize acetate in methanogenic rice field soil at 50°C
Authors: Liu Fanghua , Conrad Ralf 
Published: July 2010

SummaryRice field soils contain a thermophilic microbial community. Incubation of Italian rice field soil at 50°C resulted in transient accumulation of acetate, but the microorganisms responsible for methane production from acetate are unknown. Without addition of exogenous acetate, the δ13C of CH4 and CO2 indicated that CH4 was exclusively produced by hydrogenotrophic methanogenesis. When exogenous acetate was added, acetoclastic methanogenesis apparently also operated. Nevertheless, addition of [2‐13C]acetate (99% 13C) resulted in the production not only of 13C‐labelled CH4 but also of CO2, which contained up to 27% 13C, demonstrating that the methyl group of acetate was also oxidized. Part of the 13C‐labelled acetate was also converted to propionate which contained up to 14% 13C. The microorganisms capable of assimilating acetate at 50°C were targeted by stable isotope probing (SIP) of ribosomal RNA and rRNA genes using [U‐13C] acetate. Using quantitative PCR, 13C‐labelled bacterial ribosomal RNA and DNA was detected after 21 and 32 days of incubation with [U‐13C]acetate respectively. In the heavy fractions of the 13C treatment, terminal restriction fragments (T‐RFs) of 140, 120 and 171 bp length predominated. Cloning and sequencing of 16S rRNA showed that these T‐RFs were affiliated with the bacterial genera Thermacetogenium and Symbiobacterium and with members of the Thermoanaerobacteriaceae. Similar experiments targeting archaeal RNA and DNA showed that Methanocellales were the dominant methanogens being consistent with the operation of syntrophic bacterial acetate oxidation coupled to hydrogenotrophic methanogenesis. After 17 days, however, Methanosarcinacea increasingly contributed to the synthesis of rRNA from [U‐13C]acetate indicating that acetoclastic methanogens were also active in methanogenic Italian rice field soil under thermal conditions.
New readers start here
Authors: Wasserstein Ron , Dougherty Martin 
Published: July 2010

Abstract
This issue of Significance is the first to be published under the new joint arrangement between the Royal Statistical Society and the American Statistical Association. Members of both organisations will receive Significance; we hope that the magazine will prove as pleasurable as before to existing readers, and an enjoyable surprise to new ones. Ron Wasserstein of the ASA and Martin Dougherty of the RSS welcome new readers to Significance.
Physiological value-based efficient usable security solutions for body sensor networks
Authors: Venkatasubramanian Krishna K. , Gupta Sandeep K. S. 
Published: July 2010

A Body Sensor Network (BSN) is a network of economically powered, wireless, wearable, and implanted health monitoring sensors, designed to continually collect and communicate health information from the host they are deployed on. Due to the sensitive nature of the data collected, securing BSNs is important for privacy preservation and protecting the host from bodily harm.
In this article, we present Physiological Value-based Security (PVS), a usable and efficient way of securing intersensor communication schemes for BSNs. The PVS scheme distributes the key used for securing a particular message along with the message itself, by hiding it using physiological values. In this way, it not only eliminates the need for any explicit key distribution, but also reduces the number of keys required at each node to meet all its secure communication requirements.

We further demonstrate the use of the PVS scheme in securing
cluster
topology formation in BSNs. Traditional protocols for cluster formation do not consider security and are therefore susceptible to malicious attacks. We present a PVS-based cluster formation protocol which mitigates these attacks. Performance analysis of the protocol shows that compared to cluster formation protocols secured with non-PVS-based key distribution schemes, it performs efficiently.
Des dieux qui bâillent et qui font bâiller dans la mythologie épique de l’Inde
Authors: Couture André 
Published: July 2010

Souvent relié au sommeil, le bâillement s’est prêté en Inde ancienne aux interprétations les plus diverses. Mais, dans un contexte mythologique où le sommeil de la divinité implique la destruction des mondes, le bâillement annonce souvent un tel bouleversement. Il arrive également qu’on l’utilise en dernier recours comme une arme redoutable pour vaincre un adversaire coriace. Des mythes expliquent l’origine du bâillement soit comme une invention des dieux pour venir à bout du terrible Vrtra, soit comme une force de destruction liée à la fièvre et au dieu Rudra, soit encore comme une force relevant de la déesse Yoganidrā. Même s’il apparaît relativement souvent dans les récits de mythologie hindoue, le bâillement n’a pourtant jamais à ma connaissance été étudié pour lui-même et c’est la tâche que se propose le présent article. Often related to sleep, yawn has been interpreted in a variety of ways in ancient India. But in the mythological context of the epics, yawn often presages the ensuing destruction of worlds which occurs when god Nārāya a falls asleep. Yawn is also employed as a weapon of destruction used by the highest gods and asuras against particularly difficult adversaries. One myth explains the existence of yawn as a creation of the gods used to destroy the terrible Vrtra; a second myth describes yawn as a destructive power linked to the presence of Fever (jvara) and to the god Rudra; a third myth links its power to the goddess Yoganidrā. Despite the fact that it occurs with some frequency in Hindu mythological narratives, yawn has never been studied in its own right, a situation which this paper intends to correct.
The cultic milieu, Nag Hammadi collectors and gnosticism
Authors: Kaler Michael 
Published: July 2010

In this paper, I address the question of the applicability of sociological church/sect/cult typologies to the study of gnosticism, arguing that at least in the case of the Nag Hammadi collection, such typologies are unable to adequately deal with the evidence that we possess. Instead, I will show that Colin Campbell’s idea of a “cultic milieu,” a sort of esoteric underworld from which cult movements and sects arise, is a more helpful model for understanding those responsible for compiling the Nag Hammadi material. Dans ce qui suit, je suggére que les typologies sociologiques religieuses (église/culte/secte) ne sont pas adéquates à illuminer les sources primaires gnostiques que nous possédons, comme celles de Nag Hammadi. Il me semble, par contre, que le concept — développé par le sociologue Colin Campbell — d’un « cultic milieu », est beaucoup plus utile pour notre compréhension des gens qui ont ramassé les textes de Nag Hammadi.
Prophets, policy-makers and advocates: The World Council of Churches and institutional environmental ethics, 1991-2006
Authors: Mcfee Daniel 
Published: July 2010

The World Council of Churches (WCC) addresses environmental issues in three modes in its institutional work as a religious non-governmental organization: in the prophetic mode, in the public policy expert mode and in the mode of an advocate. If one is to understand the WCC’s commitment to environmental issues, this three-tiered hermeneutic is necessary so that its complex institutional aims are represented accurately. Moreover, this hermeneutic also aids in sketching the WCC’s larger ethical commitments as a Christian body and as a consultative religious non-governmental organization within the United Nations. This paper affords a more complete vision than many scholars have offered in terms of how religious NGOs approach extraordinarily complex ethical issues in the world today. Le Conseil oecuménique des Églises (COE) s’adresse aux questions environnementales en trois modes dans son travail institutionnel comme organisation non-gouvernementale religieuse : le mode prophétique, le mode d’expert en affaires publiques, et le mode d’un avocat. Si on veut comprendre l’engagement du COE aux problèmes environnementaux, cet herméneutique à trois gradins est necessaire pour que ses objectifs institutionnels complexes soient representés fidèlement. D’ailleurs, cet herméneutique aide aussi à esquisser les engagements moraux plus grands du COE comme organisme chrétien et comme organisation non-gouvernementale religieuse au sein de l’Organisation des nations unies. La communication présente permet une vision plus complète que celles offertes par plusieurs savants en ce qui concerne la manière dans laquelle les ONG religieuses abordent des questions morales extrêmement complexes du monde d’aujourd’hui.
Time spent weekly on theological reflection in pastoral care and counseling: A Canadian ethnographic study
Authors: O'Connor Thomas St. James , Meakes Elizabeth 
Published: July 2010

This qualitative research examines how much time is spent in theological reflection in the praxis of pastoral care and counseling. Seventy-five persons were interviewed from four cultures: chaplains, pastoral counselors, community clergy and seminary students who had completed a congregational internship. Seventy participants were from Christian faith groups with five from Muslim, Unitarian and spiritual faith groups. Individual interviews and focus groups were used. Findings showed that seminarians averaged 7.5 hrs/wk, community clergy 7 hr/wk, chaplains 6 hrs/wk and pastoral counselors 4.2 hrs/wk, with many in the sample not able to specify a time. All affirmed that theological reflection is integrated into everything they do in ministry. In discussion of the data, we observed that the goals of ATS and CAPPE around theological reflection are being met. However, the research suggests that developing the discipline of theological reflection requires a specific time per week along with the practice of writing and obtaining new input. We recommend a minimum of four hrs/wk for formal theological reflection. Limitations and areas for future research are presented. Cette recherche qualitative examine combien d’heures s’est passées en toute réflexion théologique faite aux préoccupations de soin pastoral et de consultation pastorale. On avait tenu des entrevues avec soixante-quinze personnes de quatre cultures différentes: des aumôniers, des conseillers pastoraux, des clergés de la communauté et des étudiants du séminaire qui avaient terminé un stage de travaux pratiques congrégationaiste. Soixante-dix participants sortaient des groupes chrétiens de foi avec cinq qui venaient de la communauté des musulmans, de l’église Unitarien et des groupes spirituels de foi. On avait entrepris des entrevues avec des individus et des groupes de choix. Les résultats avaient indiqué que les séminaristes s’occupaient de leur travaux en moyenne de 7.5 heures par semaine; le clergé de la communauté, 7 heures par semaine; les aumôniers, 6 heures par semaine; et les conseillers pastoraux 4.2 heures par semaine avec beaucoup d’entre eux dans l’échantillon qui n’étaient pas capable d’indiquer des heures précises. Tous les gens avaient affirmé que la réflexion théologique était intégrée dans tout ce qu’ils faisaient dans leur travail pastoral. Dans la discussion des données, nous avons observé que les buts de l’ATS et du CAPPE autour de la réflexion théologique avaient été accomplit. Cependant, la recherche suggère que pour développer la discipline de la réflexion théologique on a besoin d’une période spécifique du temps par semaine pour le faire en plus de la pratique de l’écriture et pour obtenir les nouvelles données. Nous recommandons quatre heures par semaine au minimum pour faire de la réflexion théologique formelle. Des limitations et les secteurs pour la recherche dans l’avenir sont présentés.
Political neoconservatism: A conundrum for Canadian evangelicals
Authors: Patrick Margie 
Published: July 2010

This essay examines the relationship between Canadian evangelicals and political neoconservatism. While some evangelicals support neoconservatism to advance a socially conservative platform, neoconservatism as it developed in Canada is unable to protect the traditional family as evangelicals desire, thereby creating a political conundrum for evangelicals. Dynamics within the evangelical community contribute to the dilemma, for key leaders espouse social and economic commitments that are not neoconservative. The conundrum also demonstrates the degree to which both Canadian neoconservatism and the Canadian “religious right” differ from their American counterparts. La relation entre les chrétiens évangéliques canadiens et le néoconservatisme politique est l’objet de cet article. Les chrétiens évangéliques appuient le néoconservatisme afin de promouvoir un programme social conservateur. Cependant, le néoconservatisme n’arrive pas à protéger la famille traditionnelle, contrairement au souhait des chrétiens évangéliques. Ce paradoxe politique est entretenu par une tension interne de la communauté évangélique, notamment par le fait que certains leaders ont des engagements socio-économiques qui ne cadrent pas avec le néoconservatisme. Ce paradoxe montre en quoi le néoconservatisme canadien et la droite religieuse canadienne diffèrent de leurs vis-à-dis états-uniens.
The Dakota Little People and the Tree-Dweller Dreamers: A matter of respect
Authors: Ruml Mark 
Published: July 2010

While earlier authors tend to stress the malevolent aspects of the Little People, classifying them among the “Divinities of Evil,” a classification system which polarizes “good” and “evil” does not validly reflect the worldview of the Dakota. In this article, oral sources are informally utilized as the written sources, including previously unpublished narratives, are identified and examined in the context of the Dakota worldview. The Dakota phrase mitakuye owasį (“all my relatives”) is used to encapsulate the Dakota worldview and provide the interpretative framework. Alors que plusieurs auteurs accentuent les dimensions maléfiques du Petit Peuple, le classant parmi les « divinités du mal », il appert qu’un système classificatoire basé sur la polarité « bien » et « mal » ne rend pas compte de manière exacte de la vision du monde des Dakota. Dans cet article, des sources orales sont utilisées informellement tandis que des sources écrites, qui incluent des récits inédits, sont identifiées et examinée à partir de la vision du monde des Dakota. L’expression mitakuye owasį (« tous mes parents ») est ici utilisée à deux fins : rendre compte de la vision du monde des Dakota et fournir un cadre d’interprétation.
Simultaneous Detection of Trisomies 13, 18, and 21 with Multiplex Ligation-Dependent Probe Amplification–Based Real-Time PCR
Authors: Guo Qiwei , Zhou Yulin , Wang Xiaobo , Li Qingge 
Published: July 2010

BACKGROUND
Trisomies 13, 18, and 21 account for the majority of chromosomal aneuploidies detected in prenatal diagnosis. Diagnosis of these trisomies relies mainly on karyotype analysis. Several molecular methods have been developed for trisomy detection, but performance or throughput limitations of these methods currently constrain their use in routine testing.

METHODS
We developed multiplex ligation-dependent probe amplification–based real-time PCR (MLPA/rtPCR) to simultaneously detect these 3 trisomy conditions with a single reaction. We applied the method to DNA isolated from 144 blinded clinical samples that included 32 cases of trisomy 21, 11 cases of trisomy 18, 1 case of trisomy 13, and 100 unaffected control samples; results were compared with karyotype analysis.

RESULTS
As judged by the results of the karyotype analysis, MLPA/rtPCR correctly detected all 44 cases of trisomy in the analysis of the blinded clinical samples. The method was able to detect a change in chromosome dosage as low as 1.2-fold.

CONCLUSIONS
This novel PCR-based technology simultaneously identified 3 types of trisomy in a single reaction and accurately detected trisomy with mosaicism, while reducing assay times and costs compared with conventional methods. The MLPA/rtPCR approach may have applicability in noninvasive prenatal diagnosis with maternal blood samples.