bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Cold melting of beryllium: Atomistic view on Z-machine experiments
Authors: Dremov V. V. , Rykounov A. A. , Sapozhnikov F. A. , Karavaev A. V. , Yakovlev S. V. , Ionov G. V. , Ryzhkov M. V.
Published: July 2015

Analysis of phase diagram of beryllium at high pressures and temperatures obtained as a result of ab initio calculations and large scale classical molecular dynamics simulations of beryllium shock loading have shown that the so called cold melting takes place when shock wave propagates through polycrystalline samples. Comparison of ab initio calculation results on sound speed along the Hugoniot with experimental data obtained on Z-machine also evidences for possible manifestation of the cold melting. The last may explain the discrepancy between atomistic simulations and experimental data on the onset of the melting on the Hugoniot.
Application of quasi-degenerate perturbation theory to the calculation of rotational energy levels of methane vibrational polyads
Authors: Cassam-Chenaï P. , Rousseau G. , Ilmane A. , Bouret Y. , Rey M.
Published: July 2015

In previous works, we have introduced an alternative perturbation scheme to find approximate solutions of the spectral problem for the rotation-vibration molecular Hamiltonian. An important feature of our approach is that the zero order Hamiltonian is the direct product of a purely vibrational Hamiltonian with the identity on the rotational degrees of freedom. The convergence of our method for the methane vibrational ground state was very satisfactory and our predictions were quantitative. In the present article, we provide further details on the implementation of the method in the degenerate and quasi-degenerate cases. The quasi-degenerate version of the method is tested on excited polyads of methane, and the results are assessed with respect to a variational treatment. The optimal choice of the size of quasi-degenerate spaces is determined by a trade-off between speed of convergence of the perturbation series and the computational effort to obtain the effective super-Hamiltonian.
Hydrokinetic energy harvesting using tethered undersea kites
Authors: Olinger David J. , Wang Yao
Published: July 2015

In this work an emerging hydrokinetic energy technology, Tethered UnderSea Kites (TUSK), is studied. One TUSK concept uses an axial-flow turbine mounted on a rigid underwater kite to extract power from an ocean current or tidal flow. A second concept removes the turbine from the kite, and instead generates power by transmitting hydrodynamic forces on the kite through the flexible underwater tether to a generator on a floating buoy. TUSK systems have potential advantages, mainly the TUSK systems should be able to extract more power from an ocean current or tidal flow than a same-sized fixed marine turbine. This is possible because TUSK kites can move in cross-current motions at velocities significantly higher than the current velocity to increase power output compared to same sized marine turbines. Maximum theoretical power output is estimated for TUSK systems, and detailed comparisons of key performance parameters between TUSK and conventional marine turbines are made. Initial design considerations for TUSK system components are discussed including the underwater kite, buoyancy systems, the floating buoy and mooring system, underwater kite tether, the mounted turbine, and required control systems. Governing equations of motion to study the dynamics of the kite and tether in a TUSK system are developed, and a baseline simulation is studied to estimate kite trajectories, kite pitch, roll and yaw dynamics, power output, kite aerodynamic forces, and tether tensions. The issue of cavitation in TUSK systems at turbine blade tips and on the kite airfoil is studied. Standard cavitation theory is applied to TUSK systems to identify critical cavitation curves as a function of kite operation depth, kite lift-to-drag ratio, and turbine airfoil minimum pressure coefficient.
Solid state photon upconversion utilizing thermally activated delayed fluorescence molecules as triplet sensitizer
Authors: Wu Tony C. , Congreve Daniel N. , Baldo Marc A.
Published: July 2015

The ability to upconvert light is useful for a range of applications, from biological imaging to solar cells. But modern technologies have struggled to upconvert incoherent incident light at low intensities. Here, we report solid state photon upconversion employing triplet-triplet exciton annihilation in an organic semiconductor, sensitized by a thermally activated-delayed fluorescence (TADF) dye. Compared to conventional phosphorescent sensitizers, the TADF dye maximizes the wavelength shift in upconversion due to its small singlet-triplet splitting. The efficiency of energy transfer from the TADF dye is 9.1%, and the conversion yield of sensitizer exciton pairs to singlet excitons in the annihilator is 1.1%. Our results demonstrate upconversion in solid state geometries and with non-heavy metal-based sensitizer materials.
Alternating current-driven graphene superlattices: Kinks, dissipative solitons, dynamic chaotization
Authors: Kryuchkov S. V. , Kukhar' E. I.
Published: July 2015

The possibility of the solitary electromagnetic wave formation in graphene superlattice subjected to the electromagnetic radiation is discussed. The chaotic behavior of the electron subsystem in graphene superlattice is studied by Melnikov method. Dynamic chaos of electrons is shown to appear for certain intervals of frequencies of incident electromagnetic radiation. The frequency dependence of the radiation critical amplitude which determines the bound of chaos appearance is investigated. The values of radiation frequency at which the critical amplitude increases indefinitely were found.
Experimental and theoretical study of polarized photoluminescence caused by anisotropic strain relaxation in nonpolar a-plane textured ZnO grown by a low-pressure chemical vapor deposition
Authors: Lai Chih-Ming , Huang Yu-En , Kou Kuang-Yang , Chen Chien-Hsun , Tu Li-Wei , Feng Shih-Wei
Published: July 2015

Anisotropic strain relaxation and the resulting degree of polarization of photoluminescence (PL) in nonpolar a-plane textured ZnO are experimentally and theoretically studied. A thicker nonpolar a-plane textured ZnO film enhances the anisotropic in-plane strain relaxation, resulting in a larger degree of polarization of PL and better sample quality. Anisotropic in-plane strains, sample quality, and degree of polarization of PL in nonpolar a-plane ZnO are consequences of the degree of anisotropic in-plane strain relaxation. By the k·p perturbation approach, simulation results of the variation of the degree of polarization for the electronic transition upon anisotropic in-plane strain relaxation agree with experimental results.
Enhanced luminescence in Eu-doped ZnO nanocrystalline films
Authors: Suzuki Keigo , Murayama Koji , Tanaka Nobuhiko
Published: July 2015

We found an enhancement of Eu3+ emissions in Eu-doped ZnO nanocrystalline films fabricated by microemulsion method. The Eu3+ emission intensities were increased by reducing annealing temperatures from 633 K to 533 K. One possible explanation for this phenomenon is that the size reduction enhances the energy transfer from ZnO nanoparticles to Eu3+ ions. Also, the shift of the charge-transfer band into the low-energy side of the absorption edge is found to be crucial, which seems to expedite the energy transfer from O atoms to Eu3+ ions. These findings will be useful for the material design of Eu-doped ZnO phosphors.
Spray pyrolysis growth of a high figure of merit, nano-crystalline, p-type transparent conducting material at low temperature
Authors: Farrell L. , Norton E. , O'Dowd B. J. , Caffrey D. , Shvets I. V. , Fleischer K.
Published: July 2015

In this letter, we demonstrate a low temperature (≈345 °C) growth method for Cu deficient CuCrO2 performed by spray pyrolysis using metal-organic precursors and a simple air blast nozzle. Smooth films were grown on glass substrates with a highest conductivity of 12 S/cm. The most conductive samples retain transparencies above 55% resulting in a figure of merit as high as 350 μS, which is the best performing p-type transparent conducting material grown by solution methods to date. Remarkably, despite the nano-crystallinity of the films, properties comparable with crystalline CuCrO2 are observed. No postannealing of the films is required in contrast to previous reports on crystalline material. The low processing temperature of this method means that the material can be deposited on flexible substrates. As this is a solution based technique, it is more attractive to industry as physical vapour deposition methods are slow and costly in comparison.
Preparation and Electrochemical Performance of V2O3-C Dual-Layer Coated LiFePO4 by Carbothermic Reduction of V2O5
Authors: Wei You-liang , Xiang Hong-fa
Published: July 2015

The V2O3-C dual-layer coated LiFePO4 cathode materials with excellent rate capability and cycling stability were prepared by carbothermic reduction of V2O5. X-ray powder diffraction, elemental analyzer, high resolution transmission electron microscopy and Raman spectra revealed that the V2O3 phase co-existed with carbon in the coating layer of LiFePO4 particles and the carbon content reduced without graphitization degree changing after the carbothermic reduction of V2O5. The electrochemical measurement results indicated that small amounts of V2O3 improved rate capability and cycling stability at elevated temperature of LiFePO4/C cathode materials. The V2O3-C dual-layer coated LiFePO4 composite with 1wt% vanadium oxide delivered an initial specific capacity of 167 mAh/g at 0.2 C and 129 mAh/g at 5 C as well as excellent cycling stability. Even at elevated temperature of 55 °C, the specific capacity of 151 mAh/g was achieved at 1 C without capacity fading after 100 cycles.
Assessing Responses of Fish to Habitat Enhancement in Barrenlands Streams of the Northwest Territories
Authors: Cahill Christopher L. , Erwin Andrea C. , Howland Kimberly L. , Hulsman Mark F. , Lunn Brianne D. , Noddin Fred , Tonn William M. , Baki Abul Basar , Courtice Gregory , Zhu David Z.
Published: July 2015

We examined the effectiveness of three fishpasses (two gabion-style pool–weir fishpasses and one nature-like choke-and-pool fishpass) at enhancing connectivity among three small, headwater lakes as part of a fish habitat compensation project in the Barrenlands region of the Northwest Territories. We quantified fish attraction and passage efficiency of fishpasses using PIT antennae, and compared fish use of fishpasses to reference streams using visual and electrofishing surveys for 1 year before and 2 years after their construction. We did not detect, observe, or capture any fish in either of the gabion-style pool–weir fishpasses during the first year after construction, and these two fishpasses were subsequently retrofitted to improve their hydraulic performance. After retrofits were completed, we still did not detect any tagged fish (≥150 mm) migrating through the two fishpasses using PIT telemetry, but identified some small fish moving downstream through these fishpasses during visual and electrofishing surveys. Conversely, we detected tagged Arctic Grayling Thymallus arcticus migrating upstream and downstream through the nature-like choke-and-pool fishpass during both postenhancement years, and also encountered fish throughout this fishpass during visual and electrofishing surveys. Compared with reference streams, gabion-weir fishpasses limited fish movement and use even after modification, whereas the nature-like fishpass successfully facilitated fish movement and use. We recommend against using gabion-style pool–weir fishpasses in Barrenlands headwater lake–stream systems, particularly when stream flow is limited, and suggest future projects aimed at enhancing lake–stream connectivity explore nature-like fishpass designs in an experimental management framework.
A spotlight on chromatin choreography
Authors: Sedwick Caitlin
Published: July 2015

In 1996, Robinett et al. developed a way to visualize chromatin structure and dynamics in living cells.
Pheromone-induced morphogenesis and gradient tracking are dependent on the MAPK Fus3 binding to Gα
Authors: Errede Beverly , Vered Lior , Ford Eintou , Pena Matthew I. , Elston Timothy C.
Published: July 2015

Mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) pathways control many cellular processes, including differentiation and proliferation. These pathways commonly activate MAPK isoforms that have redundant or overlapping function. However, recent studies have revealed circumstances in which MAPK isoforms have specialized, nonoverlapping roles in differentiation. The mechanisms that underlie this specialization are not well understood. To address this question, we sought to establish regulatory mechanisms that are unique to the MAPK Fus3 in pheromone-induced mating and chemotropic fate transitions of the budding yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae. Our investigations reveal a previously unappreciated role for inactive Fus3 as a potent negative regulator of pheromone-induced chemotropism. We show that this inhibitory role is dependent on inactive Fus3 binding to the α-subunit of the heterotrimeric G-protein. Further analysis revealed that the binding of catalytically active Fus3 to the G-protein is required for gradient tracking and serves to suppress cell-to-cell variability between mating and chemotropic fates in a population of pheromone-responding cells.
Workforce Survey of Pediatric Interfacility Transport Systems in the United States
Authors: Tanem Justinn , Triscari David , Chan Melina , Meyer Michael T.
Published: July 2015

Objectives

The interfacility transport of pediatric patients requires a highly skilled and well-trained workforce, of which little is known. The primary study purpose was to characterize the current state of pediatric interfacility transport in the United States including, but not limited to, which team models predominate, what team configurations are used, team training standards, and the use of quality assurance metrics.

Methods

A descriptive and qualitative Web-based survey questionnaire was developed. Potential participants were identified, and 1 survey was completed per team.

Results

In total, 179 teams with pediatric transport capabilities were identified, and 111 responses were recorded (response rate, 62%), of which dedicated teams comprised 77% and unit-based teams comprised 16%. Over 98% reported using a registered nurse as a team member, in comparison to 66% for respiratory therapists and 42% for paramedics. Less than 5% reported utilizing an associate level provider or physician for pediatric transports. The most common team composition was a registered nurse-respiratory therapist combination (30%). Over 55% of the respondents reported performing less than 500 pediatric transports per year. Quality assurance activities were performed by 96% of the respondents.

Conclusions

The team composition and training for interfacility transport of pediatric patients is a complex and not well-characterized process; furthermore, the varying organizational models, team composition, and training requirements for teams have not been previously reported. These results will aid in the future development of team standards for pediatric transport and help guide further improvements in this field.
Clinical Profile and Sex Differences in Brazilian Children and Adolescents Receiving Psychiatric Services in the Emergency Department
Authors: Tonezer Jordana , Muller Thomaz , Rocha Gibsi Possapp , Recondo Rogéria , Nogueira Eduardo Lopes , Spanemberg Lucas
Published: July 2015

Objective

We present a survey of sex differences and socio-demographic and clinical variables in children and adolescents receiving a psychiatric consultation service in an emergency department (ED).

Methods

This observational, retrospective, and cross-sectional study included all records of patients (age, <18 years) who received psychiatric services in an ED in a 4-year period (January 2010 to December 2013).

Results

Two hundred fifty-nine records of children and adolescents were located. The mean age of the participants was 14.19 years, and most subjects were female (59.5%) and had private health insurance (83.7%). Most participants (87.4%) were accompanied by their parents. The main complaints were suicide attempts (21.8%) and psychomotor agitation/aggressiveness (21.8%). Unipolar depression (37.8%) and adjustment, reactive, and anxiety disorders (13.7%) were the most prevalent diagnoses. Most patients received an indication of psychiatric hospitalization (51.7%). Females had more suicide attempts than males (28.3% vs 12.4%) and less psychomotor agitation/aggressiveness than males (15.5% vs 31.4%). Females also exhibited more unipolar depression (47.6% vs 23.5%), fewer psychotic disorders (4.2% vs 16.3%), and substance use/misuse (1.4% vs 13.3%) than males. Males needed more psychiatric medication during evaluation (37.9% vs 19.2%).

Conclusions

This survey of the profile of pediatric patients evaluated by a psychiatric service in an ED in Brazil was the first of its kind. The large percentage of patients referred for hospitalization highlights the importance of specialized psychiatry care for this age group in this facility, which is a common entry point for mental health care.
Investigating the Evolutionary Importance of Denisovan Introgressions in Papua New Guineans and Australians
Authors: Hu Ya , Ding Qiliang , Wang Yi , Xu Shuhua , He Yungang , Wang Minxian , Wang Jiucun , Jin Li
Published: July 2015

Previous research reported that Papua New Guineans (PNG) and Australians contain introgressions from Denisovans. Here we present a genome-wide analysis of Denisovan introgressions in PNG and Australians. We firstly developed a two-phase method to detect Denisovan introgressions from whole-genome sequencing data. This method has relatively high detection power (79.74%) and low false positive rate (2.44%) based on simulations. Using this method, we identified 1.34 Gb of Denisovan introgressions from sixteen PNG and four Australian genomes, in which we identified 38,877 Denisovan introgressive alleles (DIAs). We found that 78 Denisovan introgressions were under positive selection. Genes located in the 78 introgressions are related to evolutionarily important functions, such as spermatogenesis, fertilization, cold acclimation, circadian rhythm, development of brain, neural tube, face, and olfactory pit, immunity, etc. We also found that 121 DIAs are missense. Genes harboring the 121 missense DIAs are also related to evolutionarily important functions, such as female pregnancy, development of face, lung, heart, skin, nervous system, and male gonad, visual and smell perception, response to heat, pain, hypoxia, and UV, lipid transport, metabolism, blood coagulation, wound healing, aging, etc. Taken together, this study suggests that Denisovan introgressions in PNG and Australians are evolutionarily important, and may help PNG and Australians in local adaptation. In this study, we also proposed a method that could efficiently identify archaic hominin introgressions in modern non-African genomes.
A plug-and-measure diagnostic tool for flux, resolution and beam size of a soft X-ray beamline
Authors: Wei Ching-Hsuan , Lin Hong-Cheu , Lin Shang-Wei , Yuh Jih-Young
Published: July 2015

A compact multi-functional diagnostic tool has been installed for commissioning beamlines at the Taiwan Light Source. For a photon beam, the instrument can measure the photon flux, energy resolution and beam size, consecutively with a photodiode or gold mesh, a windowless gas cell and a movable fluorescence screen viewport. Two gratings with ruling densities of 350 and 1000 lines mm−1and dispersing photons of energies from 80 to 1200 eV were calibrated with a photon flux of 1011 photon s−1at slit openings of 50 µm × 50 µm; a maximum resolving power of greater than 10000 was certified with an absorption spectra of gaseous samples. Pressure differences over four orders of magnitude were achieved between the ion chamber and the flux measurement chamber with a single capillary differential pumping stage. A sequence of beam profiles was measured by moving continuously in the vicinity of the nominal focal positions. This tool is useful in commissioning or trouble-shooting at most beamlines in a synchrotron facility.
Corporate communications from the CEO’s perspective
Authors: Zerfass Ansgar , Sherzada Muschda
Published: July 2015

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to explore the perceptions and expectations of chief executive officers (CEOs) and executive board members concerning: the relevance of public opinion and contribution of communication performance to organizational success, the communicative role of top executives and their interaction with professional communicators, the objectives and values of corporate communications, and the importance of various disciplines and instruments.

Design/methodology/approach

– A quantitative survey was conducted among top executives of listed and private companies operating in the largest European country, Germany (n=602).

Findings

– The study identifies a traditional mindset: top executives focus on primary stakeholders (customers, employees) instead of secondary stakeholders (politicians, activists), they value mass media higher than social media, and they rate speaking more important than listening. Moreover, communication professionals are not always the first choice when CEOs and board members reflect on the topics at hand. Advanced visions of strategic communication developed in academia and practice have not yet arrived in many boardrooms.

Research limitations/implications

– The sample is not representative for all CEOs in corporations and it is limited to one country.

Originality/value

– While the performance of corporate communications depends heavily on the perceptions, beliefs, and expectations that top executives hold towards communication and its contribution to organizational goal, little is known about this. Most knowledge is based on qualitative interviews and small-scale samples. This study provides an overview of previous insights and takes a broader empirical approach.
Color effects in print advertising: a research update (1985-2012)
Authors: Panigyrakis George G. , Kyrousi Antigone G.
Published: July 2015

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to review the literature published since 1985 regarding color effects in advertising and at setting an agenda for future research.

Design/methodology/approach

– Recent publications (1985-2012) regarding the effects of color in advertising on consumers’ attention, memory and emotional responses are reviewed and discussed.

Findings

– The review reveals that the effects of color on attention, emotion and memory still remain largely unknown, mainly due to the inherent complexity of the subject and lack of systematic research. At the same time, promising research venues and challenges for the future are identified in the form of research questions.

Originality/value

– The key potential contribution of this paper stems from the identification of promising research questions and challenges for investigating the role of color in advertising.
Grey modeling based on the transformation of Aarc cot x+B function
Authors: Zhang Jun , Ran Mengfei , Han Guodong , Yao Guiping
Published: July 2015

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to utilize the proposed function transformation to make the original data series meet the properties of smooth ratio being lessen and stepwise ratio deviation being reduced, so that to improve the accuracy of grey forecasting model.

Design/methodology/approach

– According to the characteristics of anti-cotangent functional graph variation, the theory of functional transformation and grey system modeling, the authors proposed a grey model based on the transformation of Aarc cot x+B function.

Findings

– The calculated result of practical example shows that the proposed method is both valid on improving fitting effectiveness and forecasting accuracy.

Practical implications

– The proposed method in this paper can effectively improve the accuracy of forecasting of high-growth original data series (derivative of data series is not only greater than 1 but also increasing).

Originality/value

– The paper succeeds in providing an effective function transformation to make the smooth ratio and stepwise ratio deviation reduced significantly.
Access and mobilization of network resources and competitive advantage in hotels
Authors: Casanueva Cristobal , Gallego Angeles , Revilla Maria Angeles
Published: July 2015

Purpose

– This paper aims to advance a model that will explain how hotel firms access and mobilize external resources. Hotel operators and firms need to complement their internal resources with external resources, which they can access through their personal and organizational ties, so as to compete and to achieve success.

Design/methodology/approach

– A framework is proposed, on the basis of the resource-based view and network theory, to explain the process of access and mobilization of available external resources thanks to the professional and social ties of the managers of hotel firms.

Findings

– This framework distinguishes between access to network resources and their mobilization. This paper introduces network resource mobilization capability as an adaptive capability of managers and employees that can improve hotel firm performance. Previous experience and contextual factors such as the type of property and the management style all influence the nature of this capability.

Practical implications

– This work proposes a repertory of relevant resources in hotels and the preparation of an instrument to measure access to those resources and their mobilization through social capital. It also proposes the need to develop a new dynamic capability: the capability to mobilize network resources in hotel firms through their managers. Finally, it proposes that social capital is a valuable resource for both hotel firms and their managers.

Originality/value

– This theoretical approach makes a key distinction between access to and mobilization of network resources, which leads to a better understanding of the potential of the individual social capital of hotel managers. Network resource mobilization capability is introduced as an adaptive capability of managers.
A conceptual model of consumers’ online tourism confusion
Authors: Lu Allan Cheng Chieh , Gursoy Dogan
Published: July 2015

Purpose

– This study aims to develop a conceptual model demonstrating the antecedents and outcomes of consumers’ online tourism information confusion.

Design/methodology/approach

– A deductive approach was utilized to propose eight variables as antecedents of online confusion and five confusion reduction strategies as outcomes of consumers’ online tourism confusion. The underlying mechanisms in which these variables might lead to consumers’ online tourism information confusion are elaborated using elaboration likelihood model (ELM) (Petty and Cacioppo, 1986) as the major theoretical underpinning.

Findings

– The model indicates that consumers could experience overload, similarity and ambiguity confusion when the information acquired is too much, too similar and/or too vague. In addition, as suggested by the ELM (Petty and Cacioppo, 1986), online users who are low in learning orientation, price consciousness, cognition need and Internet experience and high in ambiguity tolerance are more likely to experience confusion because of their lower motivation/ability to process external stimuli.

Research limitations/implications

– One limitation of this study is the lack of empirical test of the proposed model. Another limitation is that only five individual characteristics that might make online consumers prone to confusion were included. Other variables related to individual differences that could influence confusion should be explored as well.

Practical implications

– This paper provides valuable implications for online tourism marketers to address consumers’ confusion during information search process. Five individual characteristics proposed as important antecedents of consumers’ confusion can be utilized by online tourism marketers to develop customized online communication strategies for different segments.

Originality/value

– This paper is one of the few studies that connect the concept of consumers’ confusion to the online tourism field as well as discuss the concept of consumers’ confusion through the integration of information provider and recipients’ perspective.
Consumers’ psychological outcomes linked to the use of an online store’s recommendation system
Authors: Martínez-López Francisco J. , Esteban-Millat Irene , Argila Ana , Rejón-Guardia Francisco
Published: July 2015

Purpose

– Psychological perspective has been omitted or considered a secondary issue by past studies focused on e-commerce recommendation systems (RS). However, this perspective is key to gaining a better understanding of consumer behaviours when these systems are used to support purchasing processes at online stores. The paper aims to discuss these issues.

Design/methodology/approach

– The field study consisted of a simulated online shopping process undertaken by a sample of internet users with a recommender system at a real online store (Pixmania). The authors applied rigorous and detailed exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses to assess the empirical validity of the model.

Findings

– The proposed sequence of psychological outcomes is valid, with the exception of one hypothesized relationship. In particular, satisfaction with an online store’s recommender has a strong influence on a consumer’s willingness to purchase one of the items related to his/her shopping goal. However, this satisfaction has no direct effect on a consumer’s intention to make add-on purchases based on the recommender’s suggestions. On the contrary, the results support the idea that add-on purchases are conditioned by a previous purchase related to the consumer’s initial shopping goal. On the other hand, a consumer’s flow state while shopping improves all his/her psychological outcomes linked to an online store’s recommender. The influence of flow state is particularly interesting when seeking to gain a better understanding of consumers’ unplanned purchases based on the recommender’s suggestions. These findings have important implications for practitioners.

Originality/value

– This paper discusses in detail and empirically test a set of psychological outcomes that emerge when an e-vendor’s recommender is used to assist a consumer’s shopping process. To the best of the knowledge, this is the first attempt that empirically tests most of the hypothesized relationships within an online store’s RS context.
The creation of the climategate hype in blogs and newspapers: mixed methods approach
Authors: Hellsten Iina , Vasileiadou Eleftheria
Published: July 2015

Purpose

– Research into the emergence of a hype requires a mixed methods approach that takes into account both the evolution over time and mutual influences across different types of media. The purpose of this paper is to present a methodological approach to detect an emerging hype in online communications.

Design/methodology/approach

– The paper combines Auto Regressive Integrated Moving Average (ARIMA) time series modelling and semantic co-word networks, and this combination of methods provides a view on the emergence and development of a hype at the level of mutual influences across a heterogeneous set of newspaper and blog data. The subject scope of the paper is the climategate hype. The climategate hype was triggered by the online publication of a set of hacked e-mails belonging to climate researchers at the East Anglia University in November 2009.

Findings

– The main findings show that the climategate hype was initiated in the blogs, and the newspapers were reacting to the blogs. At the level of semantics, the blogs and the newspapers framed the issue from opposite perspectives.

Research limitations/implications

– The combination of methods contributes theoretical insights to how blogs interact with more traditional media on hype generation and methodological insights to internet researchers investigating emergent online hypes. The method calls for further validation.

Practical implications

– Investigating the emergence and evolution of a hype, and the interaction of the two media is relevant for journalists in becoming more reflexive in their practices and the cues from the outside world.

Originality/value

– The paper is novel in its combination of the two specific methods, ARIMA time series modelling and co-word networks and its attempt to identify the media origins of a hype, and especially the interaction between blogs and newspapers.
Understanding e-government research
Authors: Alcaide-Muñoz Laura , Rodríguez Bolívar Manuel Pedro
Published: July 2015

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to consolidate existing knowledge and provide a deeper understanding of e-government research for assisting researchers in the development of their future analyses, identifying trends of research and the methodology used.

Design/methodology/approach

– A bibliometric approach has been used to examine e-government research in periodical publications listed in ISI in the field of information science and library science during the period 2000-2014.

Findings

– The authors found that although e-participation research has increased in the last years, future research should focus on accessibility policies, and on the motives, capabilities and perceptions of disabled and older people to take advantage of e-government initiatives to be involved in the social affairs.

Practical implications

– The study has shown the need to carry out further research into e-participation in order to understand the true dimension of social networks and their involvement in e-democracy. Also, it is highlighted the need for the design and evaluation of tools for automation of the services and to enable citizens to vote in local initiatives.

Originality/value

– This historical assessment allows identification of significant insights and trends related to e-government, and patterns in the published articles and develops a cohesive and comprehensive research agenda to guide researchers worldwide in their quest for a better understanding of e-government.
Job stress, job burnout and safety performance in the Palestinian construction industry
Authors: Enshassi Adnan , El-Rayyes Yasmine , Alkilani Suhair
Published: July 2015

Purpose

– The purposes of this paper are to identify the most significant job-related stressors that influence construction project professionals’ safety, identify the form of stresses and job burnout experienced by construction professionals and investigate the impact of stress and job burnout on safety performance from the perception of construction project professionals in the Gaza Strip construction industry. Construction is characterized as a stressful industry, which influences the safety performance of construction personnel, especially when the stress transfers into burnout.

Design/methodology/approach

– The views of a variety of construction professionals operating in Gaza Strip were sought using a questionnaire survey. Project managers, project coordinators and site engineers were targeted. Of the 45 questionnaires distributed, 33 were returned. Data were analyzed using the relative importance index (RII), Pearson correlation and regression analysis that used one-way ANOVA test.

Findings

– Findings revealed that an organizational stressor is the major contributor to physical stress, behavioral stress and job burnout. In addition, the findings showed that construction professionals suffered from emotional stress and invisible burnout. Of significance, the findings revealed that job stresses and job burnout did not affect safety performance in the Gaza Strip construction industry because the first priority for most construction professionals was to maintain permanent employment and, therefore, stresses were often hidden.

Research limitations/implications

– This study is limited by its small sample size. However, the findings represent novel results, which can be taken into consideration by construction organizations.

Practical implications

– The findings may help construction organizations in the Gaza Strip to understand job stressors’ factors, which affect construction project professionals to help minimize or eliminate their impact on safety performance and, hence, improve productivity in construction projects. Furthermore, the study promotes personnel health and safety and enhancement of the quality of work and construction workers’ personal life. The recommendation of this study may also apply to other developing countries.

Originality/value

– The study contributes to the overall body of knowledge relevant to job stress and burnout in the construction industry of developing countries. It draws attention to the interrelationship between stressors, stresses, burnout and safety performance, and it illustrates a new form of burnout that is invisible burnout.
The persistence of distance
Authors: Sherrin Catherine , McAllister Patrick , Nanda Anupam
Published: July 2015

Purpose

– This paper aims to investigate the scale and drivers of cross-border real estate development in Western Europe and Central and Eastern Europe.

Design/methodology/approach

– Placing cross-border real estate development within the framework of foreign direct investment (FDI), conceptual complexities in characterizing the notional real estate developer are emphasized. Drawing upon a transaction database, this paper proxies cross-border real estate development flows with asset sales by developers.

Findings

– Much higher levels of market penetration by international real estate developers are found in the less mature markets of Central and Eastern Europe. Analysis suggests a complex range of determinants with physical distance remaining a consistent barrier to cross-border development flows.

Originality/value

– This analysis adds significant value in terms of understanding cross-border real estate development flows. In this study, a detailed examination of the issues based on a rigorous empirical analysis through gravity modelling is offered. The gravity framework is one of the most confirmed empirical regularities in international economics and commonly applied to trade, FDI, migration, foreign portfolio investmentinter alia. This paper assesses the extent to which it provides useful insights into the pattern of cross-border real estate development flows.
Examining the public policy perspective of CSR implementation in Sub-Saharan Africa
Authors: Samy Martin , Ogiri Henry Itotenaan , Bampton Roberta
Published: July 2015

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to examine the public policy perspective of corporate social responsibility (CSR) implementation in Sub-Saharan Africa. There has been an increase in the number of countries adopting a national policy for CSR practice, particularly in the Western society. Despite the growing awareness about the role of government in CSR promotion, governments in Sub-Saharan Africa are yet to evolve policies that could help promote CSR in the region. As drivers of CSR, governments hold resources, like access to regulated parts of society that makes the inclusion of CSR opportunities relevant to strategic and operational management. From the extant literature, the role of government in defining and shaping the field of CSR is gaining wider acceptability.

Design/methodology/approach

– Using a qualitative research approach, this paper examines the current status of CSR implementation, particularly from the public policy perspective in selected Sub-Saharan African countries. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with policymakers and policy implementers. The study adopted a thematic analysis and developed a rigorous phenomenological design to reveal the insights to CSR policy-making.

Findings

– The findings established that the status of CSR implementation in Sub-Saharan Africa is influenced by absence of national CSR policy, CSR being mainstreamed in government constitution and CSR being a company initiative action to comply with international code of business conduct.

Practical implications

– The results of this study could have policy implications for both executive and MPs of national governments for CSR regulatory policies.

Originality/value

– In most developing countries, including Sub-Saharan African countries, the aforementioned institutional conditions are often an exception. There are both no legal and regulatory frameworks for Multinational Corporation activities and their socio-ecological impact, or such regulations may exist but are not adequately enforced (Rwabizambuga, 2007). This situation, unfortunately, has created a huge reporting gap between what organisations do and what they report regarding CSR. Hence, this original study adds to the body of knowledge for this region by revealing the central issues around the phenomenon.
Role of dystrophic epidermolysis bullosa in anxiety, depression and self‐esteem: A controlled cross‐sectional study
Authors: Fortuna Giulio , Aria Massimo , Cepeda‐Valdes Rodrigo , Garcia‐Garcia Sandra Cecilia , Moreno Trevino Maria Guadalupe , Salas‐Alanís Julio Cesar
Published: July 2015

The psychological aspect in patients with dystrophic epidermolysis bullosa (DEB) is poorly documented. We sought to determine the role of DEB in anxiety, depression and self‐esteem. We conducted a cross‐sectional study, collecting data from 27 DEB patients and 26 healthy individuals. DEB patients and healthy controls completed three different psychometric scales for anxiety and depression and one scale for self‐esteem. DEB patients and healthy controls were homogeneous for age and sex (P > 0.05), but not for employment, marital status and economic level (P < 0.05). Median values of all psychometric battery scales were not statistically significant between DEB patients and healthy controls, except for Goldberg scale for anxiety (P = 0.003) and depression (P = 0.037) and slightly significant for Zung Scale for anxiety (P = 0.048) with no difference between DEB patients with dominant versus recessive form in all scales (P > 0.05). Among DEB patients, only employment showed a significant difference in all scales (P < 0.05) but Hamilton for depression, whereas self‐esteem seemed to be affected by marriage (P = 0.04) and education (P = 0.016). DEB patients apparently are not more anxious and/or depressed and do not have less self‐esteem than healthy individuals.
Estimating dark diversity and species pools: an empirical assessment of two methods
Authors: Lewis Rob J. , Szava‐Kovats Robert , Pärtel Meelis
Published: July 2015

Species absent from a community but with the potential to establish (dark diversity) are an important, yet rarely considered component of habitat‐specific species pools. Quantifying this component remains a challenge as dark diversity cannot be observed directly and must be estimated. Here, we empirically test whether species ecological requirements or species co‐occurrences provide accurate estimates of dark diversity.

We used two spatially nested independent datasets, one comprising 3033 samples of coastal grassland vegetation from 4 m2 and 200 m2 plots from Scotland, UK, and another comprising 780 samples of forest vegetation plots from 30 m2 and 500 m2 plots from Switzerland. Dark diversity for each of the smaller scaled plots was estimated through investigating the degree of (i) similarity in ecological requirements (measured as Ellenberg values); and (ii) co‐occurrence likelihood. Estimates were validated using species from the larger spatial scales. Estimates were further validated using observations from all larger scale plots surrounding a focal assemblage within a 2 km (Scottish grassland) and 10 km (Swiss forest) radius.

The co‐occurrence method was shown to be more accurate resulting in far fewer negative mismatches (i.e. species observed but not predicted), as well as higher proportions of observed and predicted species, relative to the Ellenberg method. Of the species observed in the large‐scale samples, 18% were estimated as part of the smaller scale dark diversity via the co‐occurrence approach relative to 8% for the Ellenberg method for both the Scottish and Swiss data, respectively. These values increased to 67% & 60% and 32% & 35%, respectively, across all observations within a 2 km (Scottish grasslands) and 10 km (Swiss forests) radius.

The study demonstrates that dark diversity for a community can be successfully estimated using readily available data, through exploring species co‐occurrence patterns. This work substantiates that habitat‐specific species pools can be accurately quantified and should prove valuable for understanding underlying community processes and improving our knowledge of the mechanisms governing species co‐existence.
Leader Incentives and Civil War Outcomes
Authors: Prorok Alyssa K.
Published: July 2015

This article examines the influence that rebel and state leaders have on civil war outcomes, arguing that incentives to avoid punishment influence their strategic decision making during war.  Leaders in civil war face punishment from two sources: internal audiences and opponents. I hypothesize that leaders who bear responsibility for involvement in the war have a higher expectation of punishment from both sources following unfavorable war performance, and thus, have incentives to continue the fight in the hope of turning the tide and avoiding the negative consequences of defeat. These incentives, in turn, make leaders who bear responsibility more likely to fight to an extreme outcome and less likely to make concessions to end the war.  These propositions are tested on an original data set identifying all rebel and state leaders in all civil conflict dyads ongoing between 1980 and 2011.  Results support the hypothesized relationships between leader responsibility and war outcomes.
Commitments of Debt: Temporality and the Meanings of Aid Work in a Japanese NGO in Myanmar
Authors: Watanabe Chika
Published: July 2015

The rise of debt as a mechanism of development troubles many scholars and aid practitioners. Contrary to these concerns, however, ethnographic research at a Japanese NGO in Myanmar showed that Japanese and Burmese aid workers found value in moral and monetary debt relations. In this article, I argue that these aid workers viewed indebtedness as a precondition for the making of voluntary actors, willing and committed to aid work. What they problematized was not indebtedness but, rather, competing understandings of the appropriate temporality of a debt's repayment. The fault lines did not appear along cultural or moral‐monetary boundaries; they existed in the ways that people conceptualized voluntary actors as emerging from either long‐term forms of indebted gratitude or sequences of short‐term contractual agreements. While the entrapment of the poor in cycles of debt remains an increasing concern in the world, I here ask how we might understand local aid workers’ professional commitments when they do not question indebtedness as a moral framework.