nils-herrmann/clean_scirepeval huggingface dataset:
Testing measurement invariance of composites using partial least squares

Research on international marketing usually involves comparing different groups of respondents. When using structural equation modeling (SEM) group comparisons can be misleading unless researchers establish the invariance of their measures. While methods have been proposed to analyze measurement invariance in common factor models, research lacks an approach in respect of composite models. The purpose of this paper is to present a novel three step procedure to analyze the measurement invariance of composite models (MICOM) when using variance based SEM, such as partial least squares (PLS) path modeling.  A simulation study allows us to assess the suitability of the MICOM procedure to analyze the measurement invariance in PLS applications.  The MICOM procedure appropriately identifies no, partial, and full measurement invariance.  The statistical power of the proposed tests requires further research, and researchers using the MICOM procedure should take potential type II errors into account.  The research presents a novel procedure to assess the measurement invariance in the context of composite models. Researchers in international marketing and other disciplines need to conduct this kind of assessment before undertaking multigroup analyses. They can use MICOM procedure as a standard means to assess the measurement invariance.
Common Beliefs and Reality about Partial Least Squares Comments on Ronkko and Evermann

This article addresses Ronkko and Evermann's criticisms of the partial least squares (PLS) approach to structural equation modeling. We contend that the alleged shortcomings of PLS are not due to problems with the technique, but instead to three problems with Ronkko and Evermann's study: (a) the adherence to the common factor model, (b) a very limited simulation designs, and (c) overstretched generalizations of their findings. Whereas Ronkko and Evermann claim to be dispelling myths about PLS, they have in reality created new myths that we, in turn, debunk. By examining their claims, our article contributes to reestablishing a constructive discussion of the PLS method and its properties. We show that PLS does offer advantages for exploratory research and that it is a viable estimator for composite factor models. This can pose an interesting alternative if the common factor model does not hold. Therefore, we can conclude that PLS should continue to be used as an important statistical tool for management and organizational research, as well as other social science disciplines. Institute for Management Research, Radboud University Nijmegen, Nijmegen, the Netherlands ISEGI, Universidade Nova de Lisboa, Lisbon, Portugal Faculty of Economics and Business, University of Groningen, Groningen, the Netherlands Otto von Guericke University Magdeburg, Magdeburg, Germany University of Newcastle, Callaghan, Australia Hamburg University of Technology, Hamburg, Germany University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria J. Mack Robinson College of Business, Georgia State University, Atlanta, GA, USA Raymond J. Harbert College of Business, Auburn University, Auburn, AL, USA Coles College of Business, Kennesaw State University, Kennesaw, GA, USA Broad College of Business, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI, USA Corresponding Author: Jorg Henseler, Institute for Management Research, Radboud University Nijmegen, Thomas van Aquinostraat 3, 6525 GD Nijmegen, the Netherlands.  2014,  sagepub.com/journalsPermissions.nav DOI: 10.1177/1094428114526928 orm.sagepub.com at KENNESAW STATE UNIV on May 27, 2016 orm.sagepub.com Downloaded from
Testing moderating effects in PLS path models with composite variables
Venue: Ind. Manag. Data Syst.

The purpose of this paper is to explain how to model moderating effects of composites using partial least squares (PLS) path modeling. It provides the methodological underpinning of moderating effects in general and describes the various approaches for forming the interaction term, i.e. the product indicator approach, the two stage approach, and orthogonalization.  The paper discusses the use of standardized vs unstandardized construct scores and introduces spotlight analysis as a useful way to report findings.  Researchers should rely on unstandardized estimates when analyzing moderating effects. Centering or orthogonalization can help improve the interpretability of path coefficients. Practical implications PLS software implementations should facilitate unstandardized estimates.  This paper formulates step by step guidelines for analyzing moderating effects of composites using PLS path modeling. It is the first to propose spotlight analysis for PLS path modeling.
The reinforcing effect of a firm's customer orientation and supply base orientation on performance

Although the merits of maintaining strategic orientations such as customer orientation and supply base orientation have been discussed in the literature, there is relatively little understanding of how these strategic orientations interrelate. Drawing on dynamic capability theory, this study examines how these strategic orientations, through the deployment of their underlying capabilities, are drivers of firm performance. Based on a cross industry sample, the findings indicate that firm's customer orientation and supply base orientation are complementary strategic assets that contribute to superior performance. The findings provide new insights regarding the interplay of different strategic orientations and the importance of capability deployment.
Is co creation really a booster for brand equity? The role of co creation in observer based brand equity (OBBE)

This paper aims to analyse the general effect of co created products on the brand equity of observers (OBBE) The influence of different implementations of the co creation approach on the OBBE is tested. It is also discussed whether co creation can be a strategic method for companies to positively affect the OBBE in the mass market.  A between subject experiment with a 2 (intensity of integration: democratically voted vs commonly created) x 2 (expert knowledge: no expert knowledge vs expert knowledge) design plus one control group (zero co creation) is conducted for two brands to test the postulated hypotheses.  Co creation can have a weak positive effect on the OBBE. Integration intensity and expertise of integrated consumer also affect the OBBE only marginally.  Further research might investigate whether the initial brand equity has a moderating effect. Also brand image and underlying product category could influence the relation between co creation and the OBBE and would be valuable for future studies. Practical implications Brand managers should aim to convert observers into participants, instead of setting the focus on the presentation of the user designed product to the mass market.  This study is one of the few analyzing the effects of co creation on observers in terms of brand equity. In addition to existing research, the concept of expertise in combination with co creation and its influence on the OBBE is explored.
High intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU) for pancreatic carcinoma: evaluation of feasibility, reduction of tumour volume and pain intensity
Venue: European Radiology

AbstractObjectivesPrognosis of patients with locally advanced pancreatic adenocarcinoma is extremely poor. They often suffer from cancer related pain reducing their quality of life. This prospective observational study aimed to evaluate feasibility, local tumour response, and changes in quality of life and symptoms in Caucasian patients with locally advanced pancreatic cancer treated by ultrasound guided high intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU).MethodsThirteen patients underwent HIFU, five with stage III, eight with stage IV UICC disease. Ten patients received simultaneous palliative chemotherapy. Postinterventional clinical assessment included evaluation of quality of life and symptom changes using standardized questionnaires. CT and MRI follow up evaluated the local tumour response.ResultsHIFU was successfully performed in all patients. Average tumour reduction was 34.2 at 6 weeks and 63.9 at 3 months. Complete or partial relief of cancer related pain was achieved in 10 patients (77 five of whom required less analgesics for pain control. Quality of life was improved revealing increased global health status and alleviated symptoms. HIFU treatment was well tolerated. Eight patients experienced transient abdominal pain directly after HIFU.ConclusionsHIFU ablation of pancreatic carcinoma is a feasible, safe and effective treatment with a crucial benefit in terms of reduction of tumour volume and pain intensity. US guided HIFU is feasible and safe for patients with unresectable pancreatic cancer. HIFU can considerably reduce tumour volume and cancer related pain. Patients treated with HIFU experienced significant and lasting reduction of pain intensity. HIFU has a crucial clinical benefit for patients with pancreatic cancer.
Promoting low rank non convex fraction function penalty for affine matrix rank minimization

Affine matrix rank minimization problem is a fundamental problem with a lot of important applications in many fields. It is well known that this problem is combinatorial and NP hard in general. Therefore, it is important to choose the suitable substitution for this matrix rank minimization problem. In this paper, a promoting low rank non convex fraction function is studied to replace the rank function, and then affine matrix rank minimization problem can be translated into a transformed affine matrix rank minimization problem. An iterative singular value thresholding algorithm is proposed to solve the regularization transformed affine matrix rank minimization problem. Moreover, we proved that the optimal solution to the regularization transformed affine affine matrix rank minimization problem also solves the transformed affine matrix rank minimization problem if the certain condition is satisfied, which is similar to the strong duality theory in the MC/MC framework, and we also proved that the value of the regularization parameter \lambda>0$ can not be chosen too larger which avoid leading to a zero solution. Indeed, there exists \bar{\lambda}>0$ such that the optimal solution of the regularization transformed affine matrix rank minimization problem equals to zero for any \lambda>\bar{\lambda} Numerical experiments on completion of low rank random matrices show that our method performs powerful in finding a low rank matrix and the numerical experiments for the image inpainting problems show that our algorithm has better performances than some state of art methods.
Electro Olfactograms in Humans in Response to Ortho and Retronasal Chemosensory Stimulation
Venue: Chemosensory Perception

AimOrtho and retronasal olfaction represent two aspects of a shared sensory system yet evoke different sensations. The differences between ortho and retronasal olfaction have triggered a number of studies during the past years, which pointed towards a decreased sensitivity to odors presented through the retronasal olfactory pathway. Especially intensity was reported to be lower after retronasal olfactory stimulation. The aim of this study was to investigate how this compares to activation at the level of the olfactory epithelium in humans.MethodsTrigeminal (CO2) and olfactory (H2S, phenylethyl alcohol) stimuli were presented ortho and retronasally. Electro olfactograms (EOG) in response to chemosensory stimulation were recorded in 10 participants (6 women, 4 men, mean age 23.4 years).ResultsTypical EOGs were demonstrable after either orthonasal or retronasal stimulation across the stimulus qualities. Overall, EOG amplitudes to retronasal stimulation were smaller when compared to those to orthonasal stimulation, but a significant difference was obtained only in phenylethyl alcohol (p 0.048).ConclusionsThe present data indicate that the perceptual differences between ortho and retronasal olfaction may start at the level of the olfactory epithelium. The data support the idea that the intensity of physically identical stimuli is lower after retronasal stimulation compared to orthonasal stimulus presentation for both olfactory and trigeminal stimuli.ImplicationsThe current electrophysiological results are in line with reported differences in psychophysical properties of retro and orthonasal stimulations meaning that different sensations are elicit through these two channels although the same molecule is presented.
Robust Constrained Learning based NMPC enabling reliable mobile robot path tracking
Venue: Int. J. Robotics Res.

This paper presents a Robust Constrained Learning based Nonlinear Model Predictive Control (RC LB NMPC) algorithm for path tracking in off road terrain. For mobile robots, constraints may represent solid obstacles or localization limits. As a result, constraint satisfaction is required for safety. Constraint satisfaction is typically guaranteed through the use of accurate, a priori models or robust control. However, accurate models are generally not available for off road operation. Furthermore, robust controllers are often conservative, since model uncertainty is not updated online. In this work our goal is to use learning to generate low uncertainty, non parametric models in situ. Based on these models, the predictive controller computes both linear and angular velocities in real time, such that the robot drives at or near its capabilities while respecting path and localization constraints. Localization for the controller is provided by an on board, vision based mapping and navigation system enabling operation in large scale, off road environments. The paper presents experimental results, including over 5 km of travel by a 900 kg skid steered robot at speeds of up to 2.0 m/s. The result is a robust, learning controller that provides safe, conservative control during initial trials when model uncertainty is high and converges to high performance, optimal control during later trials when model uncertainty is reduced with experience.
Universal Artifacts: A New Approach to Business Process Management (BPM) Systems
Venue: TMIS

In most BPM systems (a.k.a. workflow systems) the data for process execution is scattered across databases for enterprise, auxiliary local data stores within the BPM systems, and even file systems (e.g. specification of process models) The interleaving nature of data management and BP execution and the lack of a coherent conceptual data model for all data needed for execution make it hard for (1) providing Business Process as a Service (BPaaS) and (2) effective support for collaboration between business processes. The primary reason is that an enormous effort is required for maintaining both the engines and the data for the client applications. In particular, different modeling languages and different BPM systems make process interoperation one of the toughest challenges. In this article, we formulate a concept of a "universal artifact," which extends artifact centric models by capturing all needed data for a process instance throughout its execution. A framework called SeGA based on universal artifacts is developed to support separation of data and BP execution, a key principle for BPM systems. We demonstrate in this article that SeGA is versatile enough to fully facilitate not only executions of individual processes (to support BPaaS) but also various collaboration models. Moreover, SeGA reduces the complexity in runtime management including runtime querying, constraints enforcement, and dynamic modification upon collaboration across possibly different BPM systems.
Credibilistic mean entropy models for multi period portfolio selection with multi choice aspiration levels
Venue: Inf. Sci.

We propose new multi criteria credibilistic multi period portfolio selection models.We use multiple aspiration levels using both the discrete choices and interval values.We use credibilistic entropy of the fuzzy returns to measure the portfolio risk.We include the liquidity, cardinality, and diversification constraints in the models.We use a fuzzy multi choice goal programming method to obtain the trade off solutions. This paper deals with fuzzy multi objective multi period portfolio selection problems. The major criteria used for portfolio selection and rebalancing are wealth, risk, transaction cost, liquidity, and number of assets held in the portfolio. Considering that entropy as a measure of risk does not rely on any particular type of symmetric membership functions of the asset returns and can be computed from the nonmetric data as well, the portfolio risk is quantified using credibilistic entropy of the fuzzy returns. Furthermore, we use multi choice aspiration levels for the financial goals to better suit the human perceptions such as "the more the better" or "the less the better" regarding return and risk. Two credibility based fuzzy optimization models are developed using both the discrete choices and interval ranges for the multi choice aspiration levels of each financial goal. To obtain efficient investment strategies for the entire investment horizon, we use a fuzzy credibilistic programming approach with multi choice goal programming embedded in it. A real world empirical application with data set from an Indian stock market is presented to demonstrate usefulness of the proposed models and the solution approach for multi period portfolio selection problem in fuzzy environment.
Mean Semi Entropy Models of Fuzzy Portfolio Selection
Venue: IEEE Transactions on Fuzzy Systems

In this paper, a concept of fuzzy semientropy is proposed to quantify the downside uncertainty. Several properties of fuzzy semientropy are identified and interpreted. By quantifying the downside risk with the use of semientropy, two mean semi entropy portfolio selection models are formulated, and a fuzzy simulation based genetic algorithm is designed to solve the models to optimality. We carry out comparative analyses among the fuzzy mean entropy models and the fuzzy mean semi entropy models and demonstrate that the mean semi entropy models can significantly improve the dispersion of investment. Several illustrative examples using stock dataset from the real world financial market (China Shanghai Stock Exchange) also show the effectiveness of the models.
Software Defined Industrial Internet of Things in the Context of Industry 4.0
Venue: IEEE Sensors Journal

In recent years, there have been great advances in industrial Internet of Things (IIoT) and its related domains, such as industrial wireless networks (IWNs) big data, and cloud computing. These emerging technologies will bring great opportunities for promoting industrial upgrades and even allow the introduction of the fourth industrial revolution, namely, Industry 4.0. In the context of Industry 4.0, all kinds of intelligent equipment (e.g. industrial robots) supported by wired or wireless networks are widely adopted, and both real time and delayed signals coexist. Therefore, based on the advancement of software defined networks technology, we propose a new concept for industrial environments by introducing software defined IIoT in order to make the network more flexible. In this paper, we analyze the IIoT architecture, including physical layer, IWNs, industrial cloud, and smart terminals, and describe the information interaction among different devices. Then, we propose a software defined IIoT architecture to manage physical devices and provide an interface for information exchange. Subsequently, we discuss the prominent problems and possible solutions for software defined IIoT. Finally, we select an intelligent manufacturing environment as an assessment test bed, and implement the basic experimental analysis. This paper will open a new research direction of IIoT and accelerate the implementation of Industry 4.0.
Bank governance, regulation and risk taking in Ghana

Excessive risk taking could spell doom for the financial market and the economy as a whole as evidenced by the recent global financial crisis of 2007/08. In this study, we document the impact of corporate governance on bank risk taking behaviour whilst accommodating the moderating effect of forms of ownership on the relationship in a regulated environment as banks do not operate in a vacuum. A panel study with data spanning from 2000 to 2013 under the fixed effects model after several model diagnostics and performance of the Hausman specification test was used. We find reserve requirement regulation to significantly influence risk taking positively. We advocate the reversal of the recent increase in the reserve requirement from 9% to 11% and rather recommend an increase in the regulatory capital adequacy ratio from the current 10%
Bank Governance, Regulation and Risk Taking: Evidence from Tunisia

This paper investigates the hypothesis that governance and regulation have a role in reducing bank risk. Our evidences are partially consistent with standard agency theory. Using a sample of Tunisian listed banks between 2000 and 2014, we show that bank risk is, influenced positively by ownership structure and negatively by regulation, which confirm our hypotheses. However, board independence and board size seems to have the opposite expected effect, which is largely inconsistent with findings in the prior literature.
Use of Semi Structured Interviews to Investigate Teacher Perceptions of Student Collaboration

Researchers face interesting challenges while interpreting qualitative data. In this study, the authors report the challenges faced in conducting and interpreting semi structured interviews of English language teachers in a qualitative study. The study was situated with an aim to investigate the strategies that Thai and Singaporean students use while working on collaborative English writing projects. The objective of the teacher interviews was to explore the strategies used by the teachers in encouraging collaborative student work.  Teachers from Thailand and from Singapore were asked questions related to five facets of student collaboration: intrinsic value, perceived value, noise, teacher intervention, and assessment. The interview responses were then used to create a dual perspective and to support data generated from a student survey. This approach helped researchers explore the potential of collaborative learning for sharing the cognitive load of the learning task. This paper reports on the challenges faced, strategies used, and benefits enjoyed while using the tool of semi structured interviews.
Structured interviews examining the burden, coping, self efficacy, and quality of life among family caregivers of persons with dementia in Singapore
Venue: Dementia

Dementia is a global health issue and the effects on caregivers are substantial. The study aimed to examine the associations of burden, coping, self efficacy with quality of life among family caregivers of persons with dementia in Singapore. Structured interviews were conducted in a convenience sample of 84 family caregivers caring and seeking clinical care for the persons with dementia in an outpatient clinic of a public hospital in Singapore. The outcome measures included the Family Burden Interview Schedule, Family Crisis Oriented Personal Evaluation Scale, General Perceived Self Efficacy Scale, and World Health Organization Quality of Life Scale Brief Version. In general, significant correlations were observed between the quality of life scores with coping strategy and family burden scores, but not between the coping strategy and family burden scores. Compared to demographic factors such as caregiver age and household income, psychosocial factors including family burden, coping strategies, and self efficacy demonstrated greater association with quality of life in the participants. However, the dynamics of these associations will change with an increasing population of persons with dementia, decreasing nuclear family size, and predicted changes in family living arrangements for the persons with dementia in future. As such, it necessitates continuous study examining the needs and concerns of family caregivers and the relevance of ongoing interventions specific to caregivers of persons with dementia.