bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Computer‐supported G2G collaboration for public policy and decision‐making
Authors: Karacapilidis Nikos , Loukis Euripides , Dimopoulos Stavros 
Published: January 2007

PurposeThis paper investigates whether and how G2G collaboration for policy and decision‐making can be effectively supported by an appropriately developed information system.Design/methodology/approachThe research method adopted in this paper follows the “Design Science Paradigm”, which has been extensively used in information systems research.FindingsAs resulted from the case study described in this paper, the proposed system has significant potential for supporting G2G collaboration for policy and decision‐making. It can support the collaborative understanding of social problems and needs, and the development of alternative actions or solutions for them. In addition, it can support the collaborative development of detailed action plans for the selected alternative(s). During the implementation of these actions, the system can be used for the collaborative monitoring of them, the identification of implementation problems and issues, and the development of alternatives for managing them. Finally, it can be also used for the collaborative evaluation of these actions by the involved public organizations, as well as the citizens and groups who are their recipients.Practical implicationsEnhanced public policy and decision‐making through the use of the proposed web‐based system.Originality/valueThe main contribution of this paper lies in the development of a web‐based system for supporting the G2G collaboration required for public policy and decision‐making in the public administration, as well as the creation, leveraging and utilization of the relevant knowledge. The proposed system allows for distributed, synchronous or asynchronous, G2G collaboration and aims at aiding the involved public organizations by providing them a series of argumentation, decision‐making and knowledge management features.
A multidimensional framework for SME e‐business progression
Authors: Alonso Mendo Fernando , Fitzgerald Guy 
Published: January 2007

PurposeThis paper sets out to critique the applicability of e‐commerce staged models in explaining the progression of small and medium‐sized businesses (SMEs) in their use of internet technologies. The premise of this study is that examining the evolution of web sites over time gives us insights into actual evolving strategies and motivations behind internet investments.Design/methodology/approachAn alternative multidimensional framework is proposed that combines three different dimensions of organizational change (process, content, and drivers). The content or categories of the dimensions are defined and justified. A study of 192 web sites and their evolution is described. This helps to demonstrate the relevance and applicability of the dimensions of the framework.FindingsThe study describes the different approaches (monitoring, content analysis and case studies) and the characteristics of changes on these web sites. It was found that the main evolution strategies were “content updates” and “dormant sites”. In addition, the majority of companies seem to have evolved their web sites to refresh the image and change navigation protocols and not to add transactional e‐commerce features.Practical implicationsThe proposed framework is argued to be useful to academics, providing multiple perspectives, enabling more insightful study of SMEs' e‐business adoption and progression, and avoiding over‐simple a priori theory, e.g. staged models. The framework is also argued to be useful for SME managers seeking to make the most of their limited resources in this context.Originality/valueThe paper provides a multidimensional framework which is new and comprehensive. It also provides some research findings using the framework relating to a pilot study of 192 SME web sites. Little prior research has been carried out on the evolution of SMEs' web sites, in terms of the type of drivers, the features that have been incorporated over time, and how they have changed.
An empirical investigation of the prevalence of spyware in internet shareware and freeware distributions
Authors: Kucera Kyle , Plaisent Michel , Bernard Prosper , Maguiraga Lassana 
Published: January 2007

PurposeSpyware is a controversial software technology that allows the surreptitious collection of personal information from computers linked to the internet. The purpose of this study was to determine the prevalence of spyware in internet shareware and freeware and to investigate the personal information collected.Design/methodology/approachThe methodology was a two‐phase, multi‐case study. The first phase determined that five of the 50 most popular pieces of Windows®‐based freeware and shareware available to internet users from CNETDownload.com were suspected of containing spyware: these were included as data sources for phase two. The purpose of phase two was to confirm the existence of spyware and to identify the types and frequencies of any personal data transmissions. For this phase, data were collected and analyzed utilizing a passive network monitor program to examine packets of data transmitted from a personal computer to external destinations on the internet.FindingsThe findings confirmed the existence and use of spyware in three of five suspected cases. However, the data indicated that there was a low occurrence of spyware and that these programs have the capability to collect numerous types of personal data. The main limitation is that these results are based on a snapshot of data obtained during five days.Practical implicationsThe study has practical implications for internet users, who should be aware that spyware exists and understand its potential threat. Spyware developers should provide the user with an effective removal tool. Finally, marketers are cautioned that spyware might alienate customers.Originality/valueThis paper confirms the potential for misuse of these programs.
The advent of open source unionism?
Authors: Freeman Richard B. 
Published: January 2007

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to examine innovative union use of the internet in the 2000s and to see whether the major union innovations in the USA and UK mark the advent of “open source” union structures.Design/methodology/approachReviews two important innovations,www.workingamerica.organdwww.unionreps.org.ukExamines how they may fit with the open source union design.FindingsBoth the AFL‐CIO and US union efforts to develop open source union forms and the TUC and UK union efforts to improve services to workers and members through the internet mark the advent of the open source union form. The two countries have different approaches to this innovation, which reflect the differing problems faced by unions in the USA and UK. In both countries, unions will have to find the appropriate mix of on‐line and off‐line activities to create stable open source organizations.Originality/valueNo other paper has examined union use of the internet in terms of creating the new open source union form.
Academia, the G8 and other misfortunes: notes on two journeys
Authors: Böhm Steffen , Cairns George 
Published: January 2007

PurposeAims to discuss the relationship between the recent G8 summit of 2005, held at Gleneagles, Scotland, and events occurring around the same time in the world of academe and in the global media.Design/methodology/approachDraws upon personal experience and interpretation in order to raise issues for critical discussion and reflection, in relation to the impact and effectiveness of resistance movements within academe, activist counter‐movements, and in society at large.FindingsIt is argued that high‐profile media presentations of “big wins” and of major change to “first world” policy in relation to “third world” poverty and development mask a situation of no real change to structural factors of global economics and political power, and that this is an area which should be addressed by the academic community.Originality/valueDiscusses issues of contemporary relevance, and seeks to stimulate further debate and discourse in the academic arena.
Editorial introduction: the value and scope of the financing decision process
Authors: Michayluk David , Zurbruegg Ralf 
Published: January 2007

PurposeThis paper introduces readers to the International Journal of Managerial Finance, highlighting its value and scope to the academic and professional community.Design/methodology/approachThis paper provides opinions of the editors on the nature and context of Managerial Finance as a research field.FindingsManagerial Finance incorporates a broad number of subjects and the journal will provide a forum for the timely dissemination of research material in this area.Research limitations/implicationsThe International Journal of Managerial Finance will actively promote research in the area of managerial finance and support, through conferences and special issues, the growth and interest in researching the financial decision‐making process.Practical implicationsResearch in the area of managerial finance will benefit from a journal committed to enhancing and developing research and professional know‐how for managing financial decisions.Originality/valueThis introduction provides a synopsis of what the International Journal of Managerial Finance is interested in publishing as well as how it intends to support researchers in this area.
Honest EPS: a measure of GAAP earnings relative to pro forma earnings
Authors: Coté Douglas E. , Qi Rong 
Published: January 2007

PurposeThis study empirically examines whether there is an anomalous factor return to a stock's Honest EPS.Design/methodology/approachHonest EPS captures any large discrepancy between a company's primary earnings per share and the company's Pro‐forma earnings per share, normalized by price. Pro‐forma earnings issued in a company's press release have become a pejorative word to investors and the financial media alike.FindingsHonest EPS is rigorously tested for the top 1,000 largest market capitalization stocks and the broader top 3,000 largest market capitalization stocks from 1987 through 2002. It was rebalanced monthly, quarterly, semi‐annually, and annually. We show a portfolio long the highest or top decile Honest EPS and short the most negative or bottom decile in which Honest EPS produced significant excess return with a commensurate high information ratio.Practical implicationsInvestors can use this simple formula for Honest EPS to identify companies that are abusing pro‐forma quarterly reporting to inflate their earnings relative to primary earnings reported to the S.E.C. according to generally accepted accounting principles.Originality/valueAn investor can choose to punish the worst Honest EPS companies by short selling their stock, reward the best Honest EPS companies by buying their stock long, or add this as a risk to be aware of in their stock selection.
Underpricing, share retention, and the IPO aftermarket liquidity
Authors: Li Mingsheng , Xiaofan Zheng Steven , Melancon Melissa V. 
Published: January 2007

PurposeTo test the effects of underpricing and share retention (i.e. the proportion of shares retained by the pre‐initial‐public‐offering (IPO) owners) on IPO aftermarket liquidity.Design/methodology/approachUses both percentage spread and turnover ratio to measure liquidity. The percentage spread is the quoted bid‐ask spread divided by the quoted midpoint and measures the trading cost relative to share price. Turnover ratio is the daily trading volume divided by the number of shares offered and measures the speed of transaction. Both non‐parametric analyses and multiple regressions are conducted to investigate the effects of underpricing and share retention on liquidity.FindingsResults indicate that initial return is positively related to turnover ratio and negatively related to percentage spread. These relations are significant even after controlling for other factors. Also finds that the pre‐IPO owners’ retention rate is positively related to turnover ratio and negatively related to percentage spread. High retention rates attract more trades, provide quality assurance, and improve IPO aftermarket liquidity.Originality/valueThis paper investigates the theoretical links between underpricing and liquidity and provides direct evidence on Booth and Chua's liquidity theory. In addition, this is one of the first empirical studies to analyze the effect of share retention on aftermarket liquidity.
Robust multivariate modeling in finance
Authors: Vaz de Melo Mendes Beatriz , Pereira Câmara Leal Ricardo 
Published: January 2007

PurposeProposes a new covariance matrix robust estimator able to capture the correct orientation of the data and the large unconditional variance caused by occasional high volatility periods.Design/methodology/approachDerives easy‐to‐compute estimates for the center and covariance matrix of a data set. The method finds the correct orientation of the data through a robust estimator and the variances through the classical sample covariance matrix.FindingsSimulation experiments confirm the good performance of the proposed estimator under ε‐contaminated normal models and multivariate t‐distributions.Practical implicationsProvides illustrations of the usefulness of this practical tool for the finance industry, in particular when constructing efficient frontiers. Shows that robust portfolios yield higher cumulative returns and possess more stable weights compositions.Originality/valueIt provides an alternative estimator for the covariance matrix able to find a good fit for the bulk of the data as well as for the extreme observations, which could be plugged in widely used financial tools.
Valuing investment projects with expansion options
Authors: Kish Richard J. , Weng Wenlong 
Published: January 2007

PurposeThis article proposes an evaluation of capital investments that accounts for not only the initial assets, but also any potential growth options.Design/methodology/approachUsing a piecewise linear approximation, a robust valuation technique is demonstrated for analyzing capital investment opportunities containing expansion options in a finite time horizon.FindingsThis process not only recognizes the option‐like characteristics of the initial investment opportunity, but also recognizes the option‐creating characteristics of the investment. This analysis shows that the value of capacity expansion options created by the initial investment has different dynamic characteristics from the assets in place. Although the growth options do not appear in the early investment premium, its impact on the investment decision is embedded in the investment threshold. When the time to expiration is short and the cost to delaying the assets in place is low, this analysis suggests that the initial investment decision might be made by ignoring the growth options.Originality/valueThis real option methodology provides a continuous solution to the optimal investment threshold and is a viable alternative to the traditional finite difference approach.
Food‐dependent exercise‐induced anaphylaxis with a high level of plasma noradrenaline
Authors: KATO Yukihiko , NAGAI Ayako , SAITO Masuyoshi , ITO Tomonobu , KOGA Michiyuki , TSUBOI Ryoji 
Published: January 2007

ABSTRACTIngesting certain foods sometimes triggers anaphylaxis when followed by exercise (food‐dependent exercise‐induced anaphylaxis, FDEIA). Specific food‐induced mucocutaneous urticaria may also progress to anaphylaxis (oral allergy syndrome, OAS). A positive skin test and/or radioallergosorbent test (RAST) to the foods suggest involvement of immunoglobulin (Ig)E‐anaphylaxis in both disorders. The triggering foods and initial target organs are usually different in each case. In the present study, a 32‐year‐old male reported dyspnea accompanied by wheals, and symptoms of low blood pressure while walking after eating Chinese noodles and donuts. He also reported uncomfortable sensations in his mouth and throat after ingesting melon. Exercise challenge tests were administered. Serum histamine, plasma adrenaline, noradrenaline and dopamine were measured pre‐ and post‐test. No symptoms were induced by exercise or by the ingestion of any single food item before exercise. However, numerous wheals appeared when exercise followed the combined ingestion of foods. Likewise, the sequence of eating pancakes and then exercising resulted in numerous wheals and anaphylaxis. Olopatadine hydrochloride and ketotifen fumarate completely inhibited this anaphylaxis. The skin prick tests resulted in fruit‐induced erythema and wheals. The results of these tests with wheat, butter and sugar were negative, and no symptoms were induced by the exercise test after ingestion of watermelon, melon or apple. The anaphylactoid symptoms were accompanied by a significant increase of plasma noradrenaline. In this case, not only wheat, but sugar and butter may induce the onset of FDEIA. There was no significant correlation between the intensity of the symptoms and the serum histamine levels in the present case. Noradrenaline may be involved in the onset of FDEIA, since noradrenaline may selectively inhibit T‐helper (Th)1 functions while favoring Th2 responses. The tests showed no cross‐reactivity between the causative foods of OAS and FDEIA, indicating that the mechanisms of onset are different between them.
Lipedematous scalp and lipedematous alopecia: Report of three cases in white adults
Authors: YAŞAR Şirin , MANSUR A. Tülin , GÖKTAY Fatih , SUNGURLU Faik , VARDAR AKER Fügen , ÖZKARA Selvinaz 
Published: January 2007

ABSTRACTLipedematous scalp (LS) and lipedematous alopecia (LA) are rare conditions of unknown etiology characterized by a thick and boggy scalp due to increase in the subcutaneous fat layer. Besides the changes in the texture of skin, varying degrees of hair loss are seen in patients with LA. In this report, we present two cases with LA and one case with LS in white adults. On examination, a boggy and soft swelling of the scalp was detected in all patients. In addition, the patients with LA had alopecic areas over the boggy scalp. Histopathologic examinations of skin biopsy specimens and magnetic resonance imaging of the scalp showed increased thickness of subcutaneous fat tissue in all patients. The exact etiopathogenesis of LA and LS remain unknown. These conditions may be either reactive or compansatory responses versus yet undetected stimuli, or represent a genetic tendency. Both of the these entities have been initially reported mostly in adult black females, however, we believe that LA and LS may well occur in white subjects and may be more widespread and frequently observed than previously supposed.
Ulcerative lichen planus associated with Sjögren's syndrome
Authors: TSUBOI Hiromi , KATSUOKA Kensei 
Published: January 2007

ABSTRACTUlcerative lichen planus is a rare variant of lichen planus that is characterized by ulcerations of the feet and toes that are accompanied by toenail loss. However, the nail, oral mucosa, genital mucosa and the scalp are also sometimes affected by ulcerative lichen planus. Several authors have drawn attention to the association of ulcerative lichen planus and autoimmune diseases. We report a patient who had ulcerative lichen planus, with ulcerative erythema on the soles and palms, nail dystrophy and oral lesions, as well as Sjögren's syndrome; she was successfully treated with etretinate.
Experimental vertical transmission of Macrobrachium rosenbergii nodavirus (MrNV) and extra small virus (XSV) from brooders to progeny in Macrobrachium rosenbergii and Artemia
Authors: Sudhakaran R , Ishaq Ahmed V P , Haribabu P , Mukherjee S C , Sri Widada J , Bonami J R , Sahul Hameed A S 
Published: January 2007

AbstractWhite tail disease (WTD) is a serious problem in hatcheries and nursery ponds of Macrobrachium rosenbergii in India. Experiments were carried out to determine the possibility of vertical transmission of M. rosenbergii nodavirus (MrNV) and extra small virus (XSV) in M. rosenbergii and Artemia. Prawn broodstock inoculated with MrNV and XSV by oral or immersion challenge survived without any clinical signs of WTD. The brooders spawned 5–7 days after inoculation and the eggs hatched. The survival rate of larvae gradually decreased, and 100% mortality was observed at the post‐larvae (PL) stage. Whitish muscle, the typical sign of WTD, was seen in advanced larval developmental stages. The ovarian tissue and fertilized eggs were found to be positive for MrNV/XSV by reverse transcriptase‐polymerase chain reaction (RT‐PCR) whereas the larval stages showed positive by RT nested PCR (nRT‐PCR). In Artemia, reproductive cysts and nauplii derived from challenged brooders were normal and survival rates were within the expected range for normal rearing conditions. The reproductive cysts were found to be positive for MrNV/XSV by RT‐PCR whereas the nauplii showed MrNV/XSV‐positive by nRT‐PCR. The PL of M. rosenbergii fed nauplii derived from challenged Artemia brooders died at 9 days post‐inoculum with clinical signs of WTD.
Detection of the bacterium Flavobacterium psychrophilum from a natural infection in rainbow trout, Oncorhynchus mykiss (Walbaum), using formalin‐fixed, wax‐embedded fish tissues
Authors: Crumlish M , Diab A M , George S , Ferguson H W 
Published: January 2007

AbstractThe bacterial pathogen Flavobacterium psychrophilum was successfully identified from formalin‐fixed, wax‐embedded tissue blocks of infected rainbow trout heart and spleen tissues, using a polymerase chain reaction (PCR)‐based assay. Filamentous bacteria were observed in haematoxylin and eosin and Giemsa‐stained sections but no bacteria were recovered from the diseased fish using standard bacteriology isolation techniques. All infected fish had histopathological evidence of myocarditis or rainbow trout fry syndrome. Immunohistochemistry was attempted using three different anti‐F. psychrophilum sera but the results were inconclusive, and an alternative molecular approach was therefore attempted. This paper describes the use of a PCR‐based assay to help identify bacteria present in formalin‐fixed, wax‐embedded tissue samples. This is the first time that this technique has been used for the detection of fish bacteria from diagnostic samples.
The pathology of the early stages of the crustacean parasite, Lernaeocera branchialis (L.), on Atlantic cod, Gadus morhua L.
Authors: Smith J L , Wootten R , Sommerville C 
Published: January 2007

Abstract Lernaeocera branchialis is a penellid copepod, the adults of which are commonly found on gadoids in the North Atlantic and North Sea. L. branchialis has a severe negative impact on wild gadoids and is a potentially serious pathogen of farmed cod, Gadus morhua. This paper describes an experimental infection by cohabiting the intermediate host, the flounder, Platichthys flesus, heavily infected with juvenile stages of L. branchialis, with hatchery‐reared cod in order to study the pathology of the early stages of infection of the final host. Early stages of L. branchialis induce extensive local gill hyperplasia, large intravascular thrombus formation and a moderate cellular immune response in the cardiac and branchial tissues of G. morhua. The parasite appears to migrate within the lumen of the afferent branchial artery, ventral aorta and in turn, that of the bulbus arteriosus. These findings are consistent with the presence of a haematophagous, voluminous and rapidly invasive parasite.