bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
A flexible sand coating (Conniflex) for the protection of conifer seedlings against damage by the pine weevil Hylobius abietis
Authors: Nordlander Göran , Nordenhem Henrik , Hellqvist Claes 
Published: September 2008

Abstract1 A new method for the physical protection of conifer seedlings against feeding damage by Hylobius abietis (L.), is described and evaluated in field trials in Swedish forest plantations.2 The lower 60% of the stem of the seedling is protected by the Conniflex coating, consisting of fine sand (grain size = 0.2 mm) embedded in an acrylate dispersion that remains flexible after drying.3 Seedlings are treated in the nursery by a large‐scale application procedure involving four steps: (i) spraying the seedlings with water; (ii) application of fixative to the lower sections of the stems, (iii) application of fine sand to the fixative; and (iv) drying of the fixative.4 A field experiment over three seasons demonstrated a significant increase in survival for coated seedlings compared with untreated seedlings. The survival rate increased from 29% to 97% for Scots pine and from 26% to 86% for Norway spruce. Coating the lower 30% of the stem (instead of 60%) provided inferior protection, resulting in only 64% survival in spruce.5 Field trials in 11 commercial plantation areas indicated that the Conniflex sand coating was as effective in protecting seedlings as treatment with the insecticide imidacloprid.6 The new method of coating conifer seedlings with fine sand provides an effective and environmentally sound alternative to insecticide treatment.
Cue salience and infant perseverative reaching: tests of the dynamic field theory
Authors: Clearfield Melissa W. , Dineva Evelina , Smith Linda B. , Diedrich Frederick J. , Thelen Esther 
Published: September 2008

Abstract Skilled behavior requires a balance between previously successful behaviors and new behaviors appropriate to the present context. We describe a dynamic field model for understanding this balance in infant perseverative reaching. The model predictions are tested with regard to the interaction of two aspects of the typical perseverative reaching task: the visual cue indicating the target and the memory demand created by the delay imposed between cueing and reaching. The memory demand was manipulated by imposing either a 0‐ or a 3‐second delay, and the salience of the cue to reach was systematically varied. Infants demonstrated fewer perseverative errors at 0‐delay versus 3‐second delay based on the cue salience, such that a more salient visual cue was necessary to overcome a longer delay. These results have important implications for understanding both the basic perceptual‐motor processes that produce reaching in infants and skilled flexible behavior in general.
Visual Comparison of Hierarchically Organized Data
Authors: Holten Danny , Van Wijk Jarke J. 
Published: September 2008

AbstractWe provide a novel visualization method for the comparison of hierarchically organized data. Our technique visualizes a pair of hierarchies that are to be compared and simultaneously depicts how these hierarchies are related by explicitly visualizing the relations between matching subhierarchies. Elements that are unique to each hierarchy are shown, as well as the way in which hierarchy elements are relocated, split or joined. The relations between hierarchy elements are visualized using Hierarchical Edge Bundles (HEBs). HEBs reduce visual clutter, they visually emphasize the aforementioned splits, joins, and relocations of subhierarchies, and they provide an intuitive way in which users can interact with the relations. The focus throughout this paper is on the comparison of different versions of hierarchically organized software systems, but the technique is applicable to other kinds of hierarchical data as well. Various data sets of actual software systems are used to show how our technique can be employed to easily spot splits, joins, and relocations of elements, how sorting both hierarchies with respect to each other facilitates comparison tasks, and how user interaction is supported.
Code Flows: Visualizing Structural Evolution of Source Code
Authors: Telea Alexandru , Auber David 
Published: September 2008

AbstractUnderstanding detailed changes done to source code is of great importance in software maintenance. We present Code Flows, a method to visualize the evolution of source code geared to the understanding of fine and mid‐level scale changes across several file versions. We enhance an existing visual metaphor to depict software structure changes with techniques that emphasize both following unchanged code as well as detecting and highlighting important events such as code drift, splits, merges, insertions and deletions. The method is illustrated with the analysis of a real‐world C++ code system.
Raycasting of Light Field Galleries from Volumetric Data
Authors: Rezk‐Salama C. , Todt S. , Kolb A. 
Published: September 2008

AbstractThe paper describes a technique to generate high‐quality light field representations from volumetric data. We show how light field galleries can be created to give unexperienced audiences access to interactive high‐quality volume renditions. The proposed light field representation is lightweight with respect to storage and bandwidth capacity and is thus ideal as exchange format for visualization results, especially for web galleries.The approach expands an existing sphere‐hemisphere parameterization for the light field with per‐pixel depth. High‐quality paraboloid maps from volumetric data are generated using GPU‐based ray‐casting or slicing approaches. Different layers, such as isosurfaces, but not restricted to, can be generated independently and composited in real time. This allows the user to interactively explore the model and to change visibility parameters at run‐time.
Centrality Based Visualization of Small World Graphs
Authors: Van Ham F. , Wattenberg M. 
Published: September 2008

AbstractCurrent graph drawing algorithms enable the creation of two dimensional node‐link diagrams of huge graphs. However, for graphs with low diameter (of which “small world” graphs are a subset) these techniques begin to break down visually even when the graph has only a few hundred nodes. Typical algorithms produce images where nodes clump together in the center of the screen, making it hard to discern structure and follow paths. This paper describes a solution to this problem, which uses a global edge metric to determine a subset of edges that capture the graph's intrinsic clustering structure. This structure is then used to create an embedding of the graph, after which the remaining edges are added back in. We demonstrate applications of this technique to a number of real world examples.
A Screen Space Quality Method for Data Abstraction
Authors: Johansson J. , Cooper M. 
Published: September 2008

AbstractThe rendering of large data sets can result in cluttered displays and non‐interactive update rates, leading to time consuming analyses. A straightforward solution is to reduce the number of items, thereby producing an abstraction of the data set. For the visual analysis to remain accurate, the graphical representation of the abstraction must preserve the significant features present in the original data. This paper presents a screen space quality method, based on distance transforms, that measures the visual quality of a data abstraction. This screen space measure is shown to better capture significant visual structures in data, compared with data space measures. The presented method is implemented on the GPU, allowing interactive creation of high quality graphical representations of multivariate data sets containing tens of thousands of items.
Ownership Concentration and Corporate Performance: A Causal Analysis with Japanese Panel Data
Authors: Hu Yabei , Izumida Shigemi 
Published: September 2008

ABSTRACTManuscript Type: EmpiricalResearch Question/Issue: This study examines the causal relation between ownership concentration and corporate performance by employing Granger causality tests in panel data models and considering investment and leverage as transmission mechanisms within a simultaneous equation system.Research Findings/Results: Using a panel of manufacturing firms listed on the first section of the Tokyo Stock Exchange from 1980 through 2005, we find that ownership concentration has a significant effect on contemporary and subsequent corporate performance. Specifically, a U‐shaped relation of concentration to performance is consistent with the expropriation effect and monitoring effect of large shareholders. However, the study fails to find that changes in performance are accompanied by changes in ownership concentration due to the relatively illiquid securities market and stable shareholding arrangement in Japan.Theoretical Implications: Extending previous literature, the study sheds light on the endogenous and dynamic nature of the ownership–performance relationship. As exemplified by Japan, the results provide a general understanding for economies with concentrated ownership and further evidence of the international diversity of corporate governance.Practitioner Implications: The study recommends that policy makers and managers increase their awareness of the importance of ownership structure to generate better corporate governance, introduce diversified ownership structure to enhance performance, and adopt market‐oriented reform measures to improve the liquidity and efficiency of the stock market.
Multinational Corporation Codes of Conduct: Governance Tools for Corporate Social Responsibility?
Authors: Bondy Krista , Matten Dirk , Moon Jeremy 
Published: September 2008

ABSTRACTManuscript Type: EmpiricalResearch Issue: We investigate the assumption found in code and corporate social responsibility (CSR) literature that suggests codes are primarily associated with the CSR practices of an organization.Research Findings/Results: A web‐based study of 150 corporations from three different countries indicates there is little empirical support for this link between codes and CSR. Thus, if a corporation has a code, it is more likely used to govern traditional business concerns, such as compliance with third party governance requirements, internal issues such as conflict of interest, bribery and corruption, insider trading, etc. This is consistent across all three countries. Therefore we must be cautious against assuming a link between codes and CSR. Evidence of the different governance contexts is also briefly discussed.Theoretical Implications: Findings are addressed to theoretical debates about the construction of corporate identity, the amoralization of business, and the globalization of management practices.Practical Implications: Stakeholders must be careful in assuming that the presence of a code indicates CSR commitments or behavior. Stakeholders need to look at the content of the code to confirm or deny this assumption, particularly such stakeholders as investors who tend to use the existence of a code as evidence of CSR practices to tick “check the box.”
Does Ownership Structure Affect Performance? Evidence from the Italian Market
Authors: Perrini Francesco , Rossi Ginevra , Rovetta Barbara 
Published: September 2008

ABSTRACTManuscript Type: EmpiricalResearch Question/Issue: This paper aims at exploring the relationship between ownership structure and firm performance in the context of a small European capital market. Further developing existing literature, we acknowledge the multi‐dimensionality of ownership by including both the fraction of shares owned by the five largest shareholders and the fraction of shares owned by management.Research Findings/Results: Using panel data for the period 2000–2003 with respect to the Italian market, we find that the ownership concentration of the five largest shareholders is beneficial to firm valuation. On the contrary, managerial ownership is beneficial only in non‐concentrated firms, suggesting that the controlling owner may use his/her position in the firm to extract private benefits at the expense of the other shareholders by appointing managers that represent its own interest.Theoretical Implications: This study provides empirical support for the agency theory and the managerial entrenchment argument. As such, it suggests new avenues of research for the ownership structure literature willing to reflect the diverging interests of different types of shareholders and to explore both endogeneity and non‐linearity issues.Practical Implications: This study contributes to the recent debate on the effects of government regulations inspired by the Anglo‐Saxon model of corporate governance in the small European countries. In questioning the alleged competitive superiority of the widely held company, our paper also suggests that the existence of good corporate law is not a sufficient condition for the development of a corporate economy resembling the US model.
Mastery, functional disability and perceived health status in patients with multiple sclerosis
Authors: Krokavcova M. , Nagyova I. , Van Dijk J. P. , Rosenberger J. , Gavelova M. , Middel B. , Gdovinova Z. , Groothoff J. W. 
Published: September 2008

Background and purpose:  Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a chronic disease that is difficult to predict and to cope with. Mastery refers to the extent to which patients see themselves as being in control of the forces that affect their lives. It may play an important role in perceived health status and well‐being. The purpose of this study was to clarify whether mastery is associated with functional disability and perceived health status in MS patients and how such an association might function.Methods:  Two hundred and three MS patients completed the Short‐Form‐36 Health Survey as well as the Pearlin–Schooler Mastery Scale. Functional disability was assessed using the Kurtzke Expanded Disability Status Scale. Hierarchical multiple linear regression analyses were performed on the data from two MS age groups: <45 and ≥45 years of age.Results:  Functional disability was negatively associated with perceived physical health status in both age groups and with perceived mental health status in younger age group. Mastery was positively associated with perceived health status in older age group.Discussion:  The findings confirm that mastery might be helpful for older MS patients. Education strategies for MS patients aimed at personal empowerment for the maintaining of physical and mental well‐being may be important.
Nationwide incidence of first stroke and TIA in the Netherlands
Authors: Vaartjes I. , Reitsma J. B. , De Bruin A. , Berger‐van Sijl M. , Bos M. J. , Breteler M. M. B. , Grobbee D. E. , Bots M. L. 
Published: September 2008

Background:  Information on incidence of stroke is important for developing and maintaining public health strategies in primary and secondary prevention. Nationwide data on the incidence of stroke are scarce and absent for the Netherlands.Methods:  New cases of first stroke and stroke subtypes in the Dutch population in 2000 were identified through linkage of national registers and included hospitalized patients for first stroke and out‐of‐hospital deaths from first stroke. The number of non‐fatal, non‐hospitalized stroke patients was estimated based on data from the Rotterdam study, a population based cohort.Results:  We identified 26 556 patients with a first stroke (20 798 hospitalized patients, 5758 out‐of‐hospital deaths). The number of non‐fatal, non‐hospitalized first stroke patients was estimated to be 12 255. Extrapolation of the data to the total Dutch population led to an overall estimate of approximately 41 000 patients with a first stroke. Stroke incidence increased with age and was higher in men than in women, except in the lowest (< 45 years) and highest age group (> 85 years).Conclusions:  The present study provides for the first time incidence estimates of first stroke (hospitalized patients, out‐of hospital deaths and non‐fatal, non‐hospitalized patients) based upon virtually the entire Dutch population.
Prenatal diagnosis of Huntington disease in maternal plasma: direct and indirect study
Authors: Bustamante‐Aragones A. , Trujillo‐Tiebas M. J. , Gallego‐Merlo J. , Rodriguez de Alba M. , Gonzalez‐Gonzalez C. , Cantalapiedra D. , Ayuso C. , Ramos C. 
Published: September 2008

Background and purpose:  The presence of cell‐free fetal DNA in maternal plasma could allow performing a non‐invasive prenatal diagnosis of Huntington disease (HD). The great advantage of this diagnosis is the absence of risk of fetal loss that it entails.Methods:  Maternal plasma from four pregnant women in their first trimester of gestation with a fetus at‐risk was studied. In all the four cases, the father was affected.Results:  The diagnosis was performed both by a direct study of the mutation and an indirect haplotype study. By the direct analysis, three out of the four fetuses could be correctly diagnosed whilst the indirect analysis was only conclusive in one case.Conclusions:  Non‐invasive prenatal diagnosis of HD is possible by the analysis of fetal DNA in maternal plasma. Direct analysis of the mutation has shown higher accuracy than the haplotype analysis except for long expansions. Haplotype analysis would need to be improved for the study of Juvenile‐onset HD. This diagnostic method would be limited to those couples with an affected male however this situation represents 80–90% of the pregnancies at‐risk of HD. Moreover, it could be used as a confirmation test of healthy embryos transferred on pre‐implantation genetic studies of HD.
‘Teamwork’ or ‘Working as a Team’? The Theory and Practice of Top Team Working in UK Higher Education
Authors: Woodfield Steve , Kennie Tom 
Published: September 2008

AbstractThis article focuses on the theory and practice of teamwork in ‘top management teams’ in UK higher education institutions. It is informed by some of the key findings from a recent two‐year research project sponsored by the Leadership Foundation for Higher Education that investigated the different ways in which UK higher education institutions organise their ‘top management’ and ‘senior management’ structures (Kennie and Woodfield, 2008). The authors discuss literature from the corporate and higher education sectors on the meaning of ‘teamwork’ in top teams (e.g. Bensimon and Neumann, 1993; Katzenbach, 1998; Wageman et al., 2008) and relate the findings to the challenges of top level team working in higher education settings. Particular issues discussed include: the terminology related to higher education top teams, areas of decision‐making and time‐management, team orientation and agenda setting, team behaviours and team roles, team performance and evaluation, location, logistical support and resources, and team development. The authors conclude that the challenges of top team working in higher education settings are similar to those found in the corporate sector, albeit nuanced by different organisational cultures, and suggest some key principles to help top teams in higher education institutions improve their ability to work effectively together.
Notional defined contribution pensions with public reserve funds in ageing economies: An application to Japan
Authors: Lu Bei , Mitchell Olivia S. , Piggott John 
Published: September 2008

AbstractSeveral developed and developing countries have recently adopted a notional defined contribution (NDC) approach to old‐age pension reform. The NDC is essentially a non‐pre‐funded defined contribution retirement system, in which contributions are credited with a “rate of return” related to aggregate payroll growth, and individual account accruals are maintained in a book‐keeping system. Payouts are annuitized based on the expected mortality of each succeeding retiring cohort. NDC plans may be identified with appropriately calibrated Pay‐As‐You‐Go plans in demographic equilibrium, but the two paradigms diverge when demographic shift is introduced. This paper investigates the key actuarial and economic implications of alternative NDC rules, with a particular focus on Japan, the world's most rapidly ageing economy. We examine the potential role for pension reserves in transitioning to an NDC system, and we show these can be used to smooth the impact of demographic transition to an older society. Finally, we show that countries such as Japan could elect to use pension reserves accumulated in the past to facilitate the transition to an NDC system.
(A‐)typical and (in‐)secure? Social protection and “non‐standard” forms of employment in Europe
Authors: Buschoff Karin Schulze , Protsch Paula 
Published: September 2008

AbstractAtypical forms of employment (part‐time work, mini‐jobs, fixed‐term contracts and solo self‐employment) have gained in importance overall in recent years in many European countries. They are often part of an irregular career pattern and carry a high risk of unemployment. In a 6‐country comparison (Germany, the United Kingdom, the Netherlands, Italy, Denmark and Poland) we consider whether and in what way national social protection laws cover the various forms of non‐standard employment and the specific risks these entail. Significant variations were found in coverage standards and practices between countries as well as substantial variability within countries in their responses to different types of non‐standard employment. A need for further and improved coordination of both social legislation and tax law is identified.
Magnification rate of objects in a perspective image to fit to our perception
Authors: NAGATA KAZUMI , OSA ATSUSHI , ICHIKAWA MAKOTO , KINOSHITA TAKESHI , MIIKE HIDETOSHI 
Published: September 2008

Abstract:  A landscape photograph may give a different impression from that formed at the real scene, with respect to the size and distance of objects. Researchers have reported that the perceived sizes and distances of objects in a photograph are not identical to those in a real space. In order to develop a method to create a graphic image that is close to our visual impression as seen in the real space, two experiments were conducted. In Experiment 1, we examined how the magnification rate of the perceived size to the object size on the retina varied with the viewing distance (range was from 1 m to 10 m). In Experiment 2, we examined whether transformation based on the magnification rate is effective for creating an image that matches the perceived size of the object at the scene. Our results indicate that the magnification rate is useful for transforming the perspective image to match our perception of the objects regardless of the viewing distance.
Effect of goal difficulty and feedback seeking on goal attainment and learning1
Authors: YANAGIZAWA SAORI 
Published: September 2008

Abstract:  This field study investigated the effect of goal difficulty and feedback seeking on goal attainment and learning in Management by Objectives (MBO) programs. Participants (n = 105) described the degree of their goal difficulty. After 6 months, they answered a questionnaire that inquired about the frequency of the feedback‐seeking and the degree of learning during the 6‐month period. Data about the extent of goal attainment were obtained from the participants’ immediate supervisors. The results indicated that goal difficulty and the frequency of feedback seeking were positively related to the degree of goal attainment and learning.