bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The structural importance of less abundant species in Prince William Sound food web
Authors: Scotti Marco , Jordán Ferenc
Published: April 2016

Rarity of species is often considered to set priorities for biodiversity conservation. Less abundant species are expected to be at higher risk of extinction and make significant contribution to food web functioning. However, the relationship between species abundance and position in food webs is still unclear. Here we tested possible correlations between species abundance and structural position in Prince William Sound food web. Species abundance was inferred from biomass data and structural position was characterized by 13 centrality indices.

We found that less abundant species have higher trophic positions and display more generalist feeding strategies. However, positive correlations link most of the centrality indices to population size. Thus, being locally rare translates into more peripheral food web positions and implies marginal roles in the spread of indirect effects. Species characterized by largest population size are responsible for the transfer of largest amounts of biomass and regulate the transmission of indirect effects. Less abundant species are of marginal structural importance and are exposed to impacts mediated by larger populations. In Prince William Sound ecosystem, rarity is associated with critical food web positions and does not simply reflect a marginal contribution to biodiversity.

We suggest that knowing the food web position of rare species might help to formulate more effective, system-level solutions for their conservation, rather than simply focusing on the direct treatment of symptoms.
Some problems of Erdős on the sum-of-divisors function
Authors: Pollack Paul , Pomerance Carl
Published: April 2016

Let

σ
(
n
)

\sigma (n)

denote the sum of all of the positive divisors of

n
n

, and let

s
(
n
)
=
σ
(
n
)
−
n

s(n) = \sigma (n)-n

denote the sum of the proper divisors of

n
n

. The functions

σ
(
⋅
)

\sigma (\cdot )

and

s
(
⋅
)

s(\cdot )

were favorite subjects of investigation by the late Paul Erdős. Here we revisit three themes from Erdős’s work on these functions. First, we improve the upper and lower bounds for the counting function of numbers

n
n

with

n
n

deficient but

s
(
n
)

s(n)

abundant, or vice versa. Second, we describe a heuristic argument suggesting the precise asymptotic density of

n
n

not in the range of the function

s
(
⋅
)

s(\cdot )

; these are the so-called nonaliquot numbers. Finally, we prove new results on the distribution of friendly

k
k

-sets, where a friendly

k
k

-set is a collection of

k
k

distinct integers which share the same value of

σ
(
n
)

n

\frac {\sigma (n)}{n}

.
ProbOnto: ontology and knowledge base of probability distributions
Authors: Swat Maciej J. , Grenon Pierre , Wimalaratne Sarala
Published: April 2016

Motivation: Probability distributions play a central role in mathematical and statistical modelling. The encoding, annotation and exchange of such models could be greatly simplified by a resource providing a common reference for the definition of probability distributions. Although some resources exist, no suitably detailed and complex ontology exists nor any database allowing programmatic access.

Results: ProbOnto, is an ontology-based knowledge base of probability distributions, featuring more than 80 uni- and multivariate distributions with their defining functions, characteristics, relationships and re-parameterization formulas. It can be used for model annotation and facilitates the encoding of distribution-based models, related functions and quantities.

Availability and Implementation:  http://probonto.org

Contact:  mjswat@ebi.ac.uk

Supplementary information:  Supplementary data are available at Bioinformatics online.
Interstellar chemical differentiation across grain sizes
Authors: Ge J. X. , He J. H. , Li Aigen
Published: April 2016

In this work, we investigate the effects of ion accretion and size-dependent dust temperatures on the abundances of both gas-phase and grain-surface species. While past work has assumed a constant areal density for icy species, we show that this assumption is invalid and the chemical differentiation over grain sizes is significant. We use a gas–grain chemical code to demonstrate this numerically for two typical interstellar conditions: a dark cloud (DC) and a cold neutral medium (CNM). It is shown that, although the grain-size distribution variation (but with the total grain surface area unchanged) has little effect on the gas-phase abundances, it can alter the abundances of some surface species by up to ∼2–4 orders of magnitude. The areal densities of ice species are larger on smaller grains in the DC model as a consequence of ion accretion. However, the surface areal density evolution tracks are more complex in the CNM model due to the combined effects of ion accretion and dust temperature variation. The surface areal density differences between the smallest ( ∼ 0.01 μm) and the biggest ( ∼ 0.2 μm) grains can reach ∼1 and ∼5 orders of magnitude in the DC and CNM models, respectively.
Petri Net-Based Graphical and Computational Modelling of Biological Systems
Authors: Livigni Alessandra , O’Hara Laura , Polak Marta E. , Angus Tim , Smith Lee B. , Freeman Tom C.
Published: April 2016

Insilicomodelling of biological pathways is a major endeavour of systems biology. Here we present a methodology for construction of pathway models from the literature and other sources using a biologist-friendly graphical modelling system. The pathway notation scheme, called mEPN, is based on the principles of the process diagrams and Petri nets, and facilitates both the graphical representation of complex systems as well as dynamic simulation of their activity. The protocol is divided into four sections: 1) assembly of the pathway in the yEd software package using the mEPN scheme, 2) conversion of the pathway into a computable format, 3) pathway visualisation andin silicosimulation using the BioLayoutExpress3Dsoftware, 4) optimisation of model parameterisation. This method allows reconstruction of any metabolic, signalling and transcriptional pathway as a means of knowledge management, as well as supporting the systems level modelling of their dynamic activity.
Crystal structure of a nucleoside model for the interstrand cross-link formed by the reaction of 2′-deoxyguanosine and an abasic site in duplex DNA
Authors: Catalano Michael J. , Ruddraraju Kasi Viswanatharaju , Barnes Charles L. , Gates Kent S.
Published: April 2016

The title compound, 9-[(2R,4S,5R)-4-hydroxy-5-(hydroxymethyl)tetrahydrofuran-2-yl]-2-{[(2R,4S,5R)-4-methoxy-5-(methoxymethyl)tetrahydrofuran-2-yl]amino}-1H-purin-6(9H)-one, C17H25N5O7, crystallizes with two independent molecules (AandB) in the asymmetric unit. In the crystal, the guanosine moieties of moleculesAandBare linked by N—H...N and O—H...N hydrogen-bonding interactions, forming ribbons which are stacked to form columns along [100]. These columns are then linked by O—H...O hydrogen bonds between the ribose moieties and numerous C—H...O interactions to complete the three-dimensional structure.
Crystal structure of creatininium 5-(2,4-dinitrophenyl)-1,3-dimethylbarbiturate monohydrate: a potential anticonvulsant agent
Authors: Poornima Devi Ponnusamy , Kalaivani Doraisamyraja
Published: April 2016

In the anion of the title hydrated molecular salt, C4H8N3O+·C12H9N4O7−·H2O [systematic name: 2-amino-1-methyl-4-oxo-4,5-dihydro-1H-imidazol-3-ium 5-(2,4-dinitrophenyl)-1,3-dimethyl-2,6-dioxo-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyrimidin-4-olate monohydrate], the 2,4-dinitrophenyl ring is inclined to the mean plane of the pyrimidine ring [r.m.s. deviation = 0.37 Å] by 43.24 (8)°. The five-membered ring of the creatininium cation (2-amino-1-methyl-4-oxo-4,5-dihydro-1H-imidazol-3-ium) is essentially planar with an r.m.s. deviation of 0.015 Å. In the crystal, the anions and cations are linkedviaN—H...O hydrogen bonds, forming sheets parallel to theabplane. The sheets are linkedviaO—H...O hydrogen bonds involving the water molecule, forming a three-dimensional framework. Within the framework, there are C—H...O hydrogen bonds present. The title molecular salt displays anticonvulsant and hypnotic activities.
Crystal structure of 1,4-bis(3-ammoniopropyl)piperazine-1,4-diium bis[dichromate(VI)]
Authors: Vetrivel S. , Vinoth E. , Mullai R. U. , Aruljothi R. , NizamMohideen M.
Published: April 2016

The asymmetric unit of the organic–inorganic title salt, (C10H28N4)[Cr2O7]2, comprises one half of an 1,4-bis(3-ammoniopropyl)piperazinediium cation (the other half being generated by the application of inversion symmetry) and a dichromate anion. The piperazine ring of the cation adopts a chair conformation, and the two CrO4tetrahedra of the anion are in an almost eclipsed conformation. In the crystal, the cations and anions form a layered arrangement parallel to (001). N—H...O hydrogen bonds between the cations and anions and additional C—H...O interactions lead to the formation of a three-dimensional network structure.
Crystal structure of 3-[(E)-(2-hydroxy-3-methoxybenzylidene)amino]-1-methyl-1-phenylthiourea
Authors: Gangadharan Rajeswari , Muralisankar Mathiyan , Sreekanth Anandaram , Rahman Abdullakutty Anees , Sethusankar K.
Published: April 2016

In the asymmetric unit of the title compound, C16H17N3O2S, there are two independent molecules (AandB), which show anEconformation with respect to the C=N bond. An intramolecular O—H...N hydrogen bond with anS(6) motif stabilizes the molecular structure. The terminal phenyl and benzene rings are almost orthogonal to each other, the dihedral angle being 87.47 (13)° for moleculeAand 89.86 (17)° for moleculeB. In the crystal, weak bifurcated N—H...(O,O) hydrogen bonds link the two independent molecules, forming a supramolecular chain with aC21(14)[R21(5)] motif along thebaxis. A weak C—H...O interaction is also observed in the chain.
Synthesis and crystal structure of Na4Ni7(AsO4)6
Authors: David Rénald
Published: April 2016

The title compound, tetrasodium heptanickel hexaarsenate, was obtained by ceramic synthesis and crystallizes in the monoclinic space groupC2/m. The asymmetric unit contains seven Ni atoms of which two have site symmetry 2/mand three site symmetry 2, four As atoms of which two have site symmetrymand two site symmetry 2, three Na atoms of which two have site symmetry 2, and fifteen O atoms of which four have site symmetrym. The structure of Na4Ni7(AsO4)6is made of layers of Ni octahedra and As tetrahedra assembled in sheets parallel to thebcplane. These layers are interconnected by corner-sharing between NiO6octahedra and AsO4tetrahedra. This linkage creates tunnels running along thecaxis in which the Na atoms are located. This arrangement is similar to the one observed in Na4Ni7(PO4)6, but the layers of the two compounds are slightly different because of the disorder of one of the Ni sites in the structure of the title compound.
5-Acetyl-2-{[(1H-benzimidazol-2-yl)methyl]sulfanyl}-4-(4-methoxyphenyl)-6-methylpyridine-3-carbonitrile
Authors: Mague Joel T. , Mohamed Shaaban K. , Akkurt Mehmet , Ahmed Gamal A.-W. , Albayati Mustafa R.
Published: April 2016

In the title compound, C24H20N4O2S, the benzimidiazole moiety is essentially planar within 0.020 (1) Å (r.m.s. deviation = 0.012 Å). Its mean plane makes a dihedral angle of 85.80 (3)° with the plane of the central pyridine ring while the methoxyphenyl ring makes a dihedral angle of 57.28 (4)° with this plane. In the crystal, N—H...N hydrogen bonds form sheets parallel to (010).
1-[6-Chloro-2-(phenanthren-9-yl)quinolin-4-yl]pyrrolidin-2-one
Authors: Raja Rajamani , Kandhasamy Subramani , Narayanan Uma Maheswari , Perumal Paramasivam T. , Dhanapal Ramu
Published: April 2016

In the title compound, C27H19ClN2O, the quinoline system is planar, with a maximum deviation from the mean plane of 0.003 Å for the N atom. This ring makes dihedral angles of 56.64 (5) and 49.26 (2)° with phenanthrene and pyrrolidine rings, respectively. The pyrrolidine ring adopts a twisted conformation. In the crystal, molecules are linkedviaC—H...O hydrogen bonds, forming a two-dimensional network lying parallel to (010).
Passion in hybrid entrepreneurship: the impact of entrepreneurial teams and tenure
Authors: Nordström Carin , Sirén Charlotta Agneta , Thorgren Sara , Wincent Joakim
Published: April 2016

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to draw on the theory of choice overload to examine how entrepreneurial tenure and involvement in entrepreneurial teams influence passion for engaging in entrepreneurship.

Design/methodology/approach

– A survey was administered to 262 Swedish hybrid entrepreneurs, which refers to individuals who engage in entrepreneurship while also maintaining wage work; this arrangement is becoming more and more common in the Nordic economies. Hypotheses proposed associations between the entrepreneurial tenure (the length of engagement in the side business) and entrepreneurial teams (leading the business with one or more team members) with passion for entrepreneurship. Logistic regression was used to test the hypotheses.

Findings

– Results from logistic regression support the hypotheses with three findings: the longer the individual has had the side business, the less likely passion to be the main motive behind entrepreneurship; passion is less likely to be the main motive behind entrepreneurship among those who are part of an entrepreneurial team; and, involvement in an entrepreneurial team strengthens the negative association between entrepreneurial tenure and passion for entrepreneurship.

Research limitations/implications

– The data are limited to the creative sector in Sweden and to the hybrid entrepreneurship context.

Practical implications

– The results support the impact of choice overload and the notions that entrepreneurship passion will decrease the longer the business is up running and if the venturing occurs with another team member. In practice, this means that interventions for re-kindling passion in entrepreneurship should focus on dealing with choice overload under conditions of long-term tenure and team-funded ventures. If entrepreneurs want to maintain high levels of passion, quick and isolated entrepreneurial processes reduce the choice overload that may threaten maintaining a high passion for entrepreneurship.

Originality/value

– This study is the first to apply choice theory to an entrepreneurship context and to find support for possible negative effects of choice overload on passion for entrepreneurship.
Efficiency of glass firms in India: an application of data envelopment analysis
Authors: Kundi Mini , Sharma Seema
Published: April 2016

Purpose

The purpose of the present study is to evaluate the efficiency of glass firms in India.

Design/methodology/approach

Data envelopment analysis (DEA) has been employed to study the technical, scale and super efficiency measures of glass firms in India.

Findings

Major findings of DEA analysis show that 65 percent firms are found to be technically efficient. Returns to scale analysis indicate that five firms are operating at decreasing returns to scale and two firms are exhibiting increasing returns to scale. Further, results show that small– and medium–scale firms are more efficient than large–scale firms. Old firms are more efficient compared to the young firms and foreign-owned firms are technically more efficient compared to the domestic firms.

Practical implications

The results of this study would help the managers to assess their relative efficiency and take corrective measures to efficiently use their resources.

Originality/value

This seems to be the first study to apply DEA to analyze the efficiency of glass firms in India. No previous study on glass industry seems to have decomposed the measure of overall technical efficiency into its components, namely pure technical efficiency and scale efficiency and no study seems to have examined whether ownership, age and size of a firm are significant for its efficiency. In addition, no earlier study seems to have ranked the glass firms based on their efficiency values. Further, target values of inputs and outputs are demonstrated in this study. Stability of efficiency scores is also checked.
Role of structural equation modeling in scale development
Authors: Farooq Rayees
Published: April 2016

Purpose

The aim of the study was to highlight the role of structural equation modeling in scale development and the problems faced by researchers in developing the scale using Structural Equation Modeling (SEM).

Design/methodology/approach

The study thoroughly reviews and analyses the literature to discuss the role of SEM in scale development. The study was purely based on theoretical perspective.

Findings

The study found that the issues such as multivariate normality, multicollinearity, and methods of estimation are often overlooked by researchers in developing the scale. The study also observed that application and reporting of structural equation modeling in scale development is underdeveloped. The role of EFA and CFA in dimensionality of a construct is equivocal.

Originality/value

The study has covered all the issues of scale development using SEM including EFA, CFA, dimensionality, multivariate normality and Multicollinearity
Managing the humanitarian relief chain: the Uttarakhand disaster issues
Authors: Ganguly Kunal K , Rai Siddharth Shankar
Published: April 2016

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to identify various issues and challenges humanitarian supply chain faces on the ground level. The paper aims at defining the major problems and searching for their possible solutions with the help of available literature and interaction of ground level experience.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors focus on building a theory and propose solutions for the real time problems faced in the disaster environment. To solve its purpose, besides taking the insights from available and relevant literature, paper has followed ground level experience of the concerned people in supply chain as well. Authors have quoted the real time examples and statements in order to make the situation more clear and precise.

Findings

Humanitarian relief supply chain in today’s environment often confronts the challenges such as information availability, inventory management, collaboration, logistics related issues, preparedness etc. The study explores various challenges. After searching roots of these challenges in literature it proposes some considerable solutions which can be further studied for their validity, acceptability and implementation.

Research limitations/implications

The research has considered only the natural disasters and not the manmade ones. It has also taken examples from Indian conditions. However, the conditions in other countries and their practices for the disaster management may vary to certain extent. There are many disasters such as volcanos which do not have a historical record of striking in Indian conditions which confine the authorities to disaster specific practices.

Practical implications

The research initiates further work in this area on various issues explored in the study. There is scope of separate attention on each of the issues discussed. The study will help the humanitarian relief practitioners to understand the insights of disaster situations. It will convince the practitioners and future researchers on focusing and analyzing the proposed frameworks.

Originality/value

The paper presents issues from real time situations at the ground level in humanitarian relief environment. With the help of literature authors have tried to conceptualize these issues and their “can be” solutions.
The survival analysis of initial public offerings in India
Authors: Baluja Garima , Singh Balwinder
Published: April 2016

Purpose

Indian IPO (Initial Public Offer) market has witnessed huge fluctuations in the post-SEBI (Securities Exchange Board of India) era. Although several new issues have entered the market during this period, yet only a few of them have managed to survive well. A lot of researchers have examined the aftermarket performance of such IPOs; however the phenomenon of IPO’s survival has remained a neglected issue in India. Hence, the need arises to investigate the factors behind the success and failure of new issues in the market. The present study attempts to critically analyze the journey of IPOs in terms of their survival in the aftermarket.

Design/methodology/approach

This study examines the survival profile of 3374 IPOs in India from 1992-2011 across the issue, market, and company specific variables using ‘Logistic Regression’ and ‘Survival Analysis’ methodologies.

Findings

The study reveals that IPOs of older firms, backed by reputed lead managers and with high demand are more likely to survive longer, whereas IPOs with high initial returns, higher risk and more delay in listing are less likely to survive longer in the market. Further, it has been found that increase in the size of IPOs accelerates their survival duration whereas high market level as well as high IPO activity decelerates such duration on the exchange. The survival probability and the duration of IPOs are negatively affected in case of agriculture, administration and support activities sectors, whereas positively affected in case of mining, construction, wholesale and retail, accommodation, information and communication, finance and insurance, and others sectors.

Practical implications

The findings of this study have fruitful implication for the issuers, investors, and the regulators as they can evaluate the future prospects of IPOs and can take the rational decisions accordingly.

Originality/value

The study provides new evidences of the influence of certain factors on the subsequent survival of newly listed issues which has not been extensively explored in India.
Effect of knowledge management on growth performance in construction industry
Authors: Abu Bakar Abu Hassan , Yusof Mohamad Nizam , Tufail Muhammad Asim , Virgiyanti Wiwied
Published: April 2016

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to examine the relationship between knowledge management and growth performance of construction companies.

Design/methodology/approach

– In total, 600 questionnaires were sent to selected individuals in grade G7 construction companies. A total of 110 completed questionnaires were returned and deemed usable. The collected data were processed and analysed by partial least-squares (PLS) path modelling with SmartPLS 2.0 software. This technique was selected because it is appropriate for exploratory studies, such as the current one, where hypothesised relationships between variables have not been tested.

Findings

– The findings show a positive relationship between knowledge management and growth performance in construction companies. The results of this study are valuable in establishing a valid and reliable survey instrument, especially for construction companies.

Practical implications

– The results of this study can be can be utilised as a basis for strategic choices by top management, to enable a company to grow. Right decisions are crucial to enable construction companies to remain competitive, and develop in a challenging business environment.

Originality/value

– The paper furthers understanding of how knowledge management influence growth performance in construction industry. This aspect has been little studied both in theoretical and empirical studies.
Intellectual capital and bank productivity in emerging markets: evidence from Ghana
Authors: Alhassan Abdul Latif , Asare Nicholas
Published: April 2016

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to examine the effect of intellectual capital on bank productivity in an emerging market in Africa.

Design/methodology/approach

– The Malmquist productivity index (MPI) is employed to estimate productivity growth of 18 banks in Ghana from 2003 to 2011 while the Value Added Intellectual Coefficient (VAIC) is used to measure bank intellectual capital performance. The panel-corrected standard errors estimation technique is used to estimate a panel regression model with MPI as the dependent variable. Bank market concentration and bank size are controlled for in the regression analysis.

Findings

– The authors find productivity growth to be largely driven by efficiency changes compared to technological changes. The results from the regression analysis indicate that VAIC has a positive effect on the productivity of banks in Ghana. The authors also find human capital efficiency and capital employed efficiency as the components of VAIC that drive productivity growth in the banking industry. Bank size and industry concentration are also identified as significant drivers of productivity in the market.

Practical implications

– The study’s findings support investments in intellectual capital as a means of improving the performance of banks in emerging markets.

Originality/value

– To the best of the knowledge, this is the first study to empirically examine the relationship between intellectual capital and productivity in an emerging banking market in Africa.
Top management team and IPO firms’ acquisition activity
Authors: Mousa Fariss T. , Kim Sang  Kyun , Rutherford Matthew  A.
Published: April 2016

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to explore the role of the top management team (TMT) in determining whether IPO firms in high-tech industry will engage in acquisitions during the post-IPO period.

Design/methodology/approach

– The authors collect IPO and TMT data from firm prospectuses, and acquisition and financial data from Securities Data Company Platinum and Compustat, respectively. Poisson regression analysis is applied to test the effect of TMT characteristics on acquisition activity.

Findings

– Using 135 IPO firms, the authors find evidence that TMT composition directly influences acquisition activity of IPO firms during the post-IPO period. Specifically, the authors find that TMT experience serving as members other firms’ boards and TMT experience in senior level management positions are both positively associated with acquisition activity. TMTs with prior IPO experience and TMTs with longer organizational tenures are negatively associated with acquisition activity.

Originality/value

– This study is among the first to examine the impact of TMT demography on newly public firms’ acquisition activity. In doing so, it adds meaningfully to the understanding of the factors driving such firms’ strategic behavior.
Are competitive reactions changing over time?
Authors: Park Jimi , Yoo Shijin
Published: April 2016

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to answer why the predominant competitive reaction (CR) is non-reactive one in the previous literature by showing that some fluctuations of CR may average out to zero.

Design/methodology/approach

– This research proposes a model for measuring CR volatility to examine whether a firm’s CR differs over time. A rolling-windows time series approach is applied to three different data sets.

Findings

– The results show that firms indeed react to each other, but the types of reactions vary over time, thereby creating a misunderstood “no-reaction” in the literature.

Practical implications

– This study may help understand the gap between academic findings (i.e. no-reaction) and managerial reality (i.e. marketing wars).

Originality/value

– Although a firm’s CR should be understood as a series of managerial actions that may change over time, the extant literature has not considered this temporal variation of CR. This paper provides a systematic review of the empirically based literature and provides insights into the importance of strategic variation in competitive dynamics.
The relationship between workplace ostracism and information exchange
Authors: Gkorezis Panagiotis , Bellou Victoria
Published: April 2016

Purpose

– The detrimental effect of workplace ostracism on core employee and organizational outcomes has received increasing attention. However, very little is known about its impact on group-related outcomes. Given that workplace relationships play a salient role in enhancing employee willingness to share information and knowledge, the purpose of this paper is to examine the link between workplace ostracism and information exchange. In doing so, the authors also highlight the mediating role of a novel construct, namely, self-serving behavior.

Design/methodology/approach

– To test the hypotheses, the authors conducted two studies using both a scenario paradigm (54 students) and a field study (172 working adults).

Findings

– Results indicated that self-serving behavior fully mediates the effect of workplace ostracism on employee information exchange.

Research limitations/implications

– Both studies have limitations that need to be considered. The scenario paradigm lacks realism whereas the cross-sectional nature of the survey cannot infer causality. As regards the latter, data were collected using a single source and thus common method variance may exist.

Originality/value

– The present study provides novel insights into the outcomes of workplace ostracism and the underlying mechanisms that account for its negative effect. Moreover, it adds to limited current knowledge on self-serving behavior.
The types of overlap as conversational strategies in ‘dispute’, the Iranian live TV program
Authors: Jorfi Leyli , Dowlatabadi Hamid Reza
Published: April 2016

Purpose

This paper is concerned with the use of overlap as a conversational strategy. Specifically, the aim of the researcher is to investigate overlap types and the locations at which they occur in 'dispute', an Iranian live TV program.

Design/methodology/approach

The two hour Iranian live TV program “dispute” was video-taped. 10 minutes of this program was chosen randomly. The distinctive feature of this program was that it occurred naturally and was broadcasted on November 28, 2014. The minutes/seconds in which the technique, overlap, occurred were noted for detailed analysis. Finally, the selected excerpts were transcribed based on Jefferson’s (1983) transcription conventions. These transcriptions which include showing the overlaps, pauses, immediate turn taking, etc are shown in both Farsi and English versions of the data based on Jefferson. The transcribed data, was analyzed for determining instances of overlaps and their function.

Findings

the analysis found four functions for overlap as floor-taking, objection, confirming, and continuing. The last two functions, confirming and continuing, are somewhat similar. This similarity may be due to their similar roles in saving face (i.e. both of them are FSAs). What the present analysis shows, is that ‘continuing’ function has some degrees of ‘confirming’ firstly. Another understanding is drawn from the confirmatory function of overlap and its close relation with backchannel functions. Backchannels are functions in which listeners send signals of agreement (also confirming) and enthusiasm in what is being said by the speaker.

Research limitations/implications

One difficulty was the transcription of overlapped utterances, because in some cases, more than two persons talked simultaneously and it needed to be listened so many times with concentrated and focused attention.

Practical implications

The implications concern three areas of research: communicating with other cultures, media studies, and journalistic English. Most overlaps were as a result of impatience, haste, and the need to be approved of. This kind of behavior may be rooted in cultural matters of Iranians. There are implications, thus, for raising cultural differences matters conducting comparative studies. Issues like word choice, participants’ way of looking and gazes to each other, their pauses, tone, intonation, hedges, etc. may be of interest to delicate journalistic studies.

Originality/value

There are many studies in the field of discourse and conversation analysis which focus specifically on overlaps, but not any one of them focused on a 'dispute', as their data. This study with its focus on a specific type of discourse, that is dispute, is an original one which, to the knowledge of the researcher, has not been carried out in any other study. The results of this study which is the identification of four types of overlaps were also original and not have been encountered elsewhere by the researcher.
Affective registers in qualitative team research: interpreting the self in encounters with the state
Authors: Jakimow Tanya , . Yumasdaleni
Published: April 2016

Purpose

This paper presents an approach to enhance understandings of personhood and self-becoming through an affective reading of field notes and interview transcripts in cross-cultural research teams.

Design/methodology/approach

A research team in Medan, Indonesia, captured the affective and emotive aspects of a research scene in field notes that were subsequently shared. Through prompting and elaboration, researchers were able to reveal the pathways from affect to emotion and thought, and the influence of past affective pedagogies in interpretations of the scene.

Findings

Team research can enhance our interpretations of the ‘self’ by drawing upon the diversity of affective registers of researchers. Paying attention to, and discussing in detail the ways researchers are affected in the field provided analytical insights as to the processes of self-becoming made possible within a particular encounter. These insights also added analytical value in team interpretations of interview transcripts.

Research limitations/implications

Hierarchies within teams, communicating across different languages and the difficulty of sharing personal and embodied responses are barriers to using affective registers in team research.

Originality/value

The authors’ experiences highlight the value of a purposeful strategy to share and interrogate affective responses, and demonstrate that affective registers are an overlooked resource in qualitative research teams.
Both/and: researcher as participant in qualitative inquiry
Authors: Probst Barbara
Published: April 2016

Purpose

Within the conversation about insider/outsider positioning, little has been written about qualitative research when the researcher is also a participant. This article describes a unique situation in which co-researchers (doctoral interns) were also interviewees, inhabiting dual roles within a single study. Its purpose is to examine the potential benefits of this experience for the professional development of new qualitative researchers.

Design/methodology/approach

Reflections of the two co-researchers (doctoral interns) - taken from journals, memos, and team debriefing meetings - are analyzed thematically thematically by the lead researcher. Data extracts are used to illustrate key themes and illuminate cross-cultural comparisons.

Findings

The paper presents three core themes relating to vulnerability, and disclosure. The interns' participant/researcher experience sensitized them to the experience of those whose stories they sought to represent, suggesting that participation may offer a valuable means for developing research skills, just as the experience of personal therapy can help to develop clinical skills in the new therapist.

Practical implications

Despite the limited scope of this paper (i.e., the experience of two doctoral interns), findings suggest that the direct experience of non-dichotomized identity may be a useful way for a new researcher to appreciate the importance of relinquishing role, distance, and presumed authority within a post-modern framework of mutuality and co-construction.

Originality/value

In addition to the uniqueness of this experience of inhabiting dual roles within the research process, the interns’ different cultural backgrounds – and their different responses – suggests that cultural notions of position, authority, and relationship need to be taken into account in the professional development of new qualitative researchers.
Examination of the grieving processes of suicide survivors
Authors: Van Der Pol Sarah , Pehrsson Dale-Elizabeth
Published: April 2016

Purpose

This research project serves to provide a foundation for understanding the pertinent issues of survivors of loved ones who have committed suicide.

Design/methodology/approach

This study examined the literature, as well as the experiences of individuals who had loved ones commit suicide, through three in-depth interviews.

Findings

Our research results support the notion that counselors must attend to these nuances in their treatment planning and subsequent interventions.

Research limitations/implications

Limitations of this study include a small sample size and additional research on this topic is needed to provide further clarification.

Originality/value

The value of this research is to provide clarification of the experiences of suicide survivors and give recommendations to counselors.
Spectral Measurement and Data Processing of Textile Surface Reflection
Authors: Sun Yinlong
Published: April 2016

This paper reports a study on reflection measurement of a textile surface. The measurement was made involving spatial directions and wavelength. To integrate a spectral detector with a setup for different lighting and viewing directions, the method of fixed sample normal is proposed. In this method, the sample's surface normal is fixed and various lighting and viewing directions are obtained by relocating the source and detector. A visualization system was developed to help explore the measured data. The system allows the user to select a measured data point to display simultaneously the spectrum and its associated color and angle information. Finally, a new interpolation method based on space partition was proposed. Given an interpolation point P, the space is subdivided into subspaces and the data point closest to P in each subspace is selected. This generates a set of points and tetrahedrons, and if any tetrahedron contains P, it will be used for the interpolation based on the barycentric coordinates. This study is useful for multiple applications such as realistic image synthesis, verification of reflection models, and investigation of the relationships between textile appearances and the underlying physical parameters.
Textronic Model of Clothing Considering Changes in Its Thermoinsulating Properties
Authors: Frydrysiak Michał , Ziegler Stefan , Gniotek Krzysztof
Published: April 2016

This work presents a model of the human – clothing system and describes the mechanisms of heat exchange. The first stage of the investigation focused on the elaboration of a homeostasis model, i.e. the human’s thermoregulation mechanism. This was the basis for further detailed considerations of the phenomenon of heat exchange between the human’s skin and the textronics clothing layer positioned directly to the skin, which means that clothing with a complex internal structure but of uniform functional properties was considered. The detailed recognition of the phenomena and processes, which occur between the particular elements of the clothing system, will enable the design of more complex and detailed textronics models for further investigations. This work also presents quality-models of the objects considered (human and textiles), especially those concerned with the thermoregulation properties of humans and textiles being in contact with the human's skin. We assume that textronics elements implemented into textile structures may cause some consequences, such as local temperature changes which may influence the users.
Dyeing Properties to Wool Fabrics of Catechu Dye Purified by Micro-Filtration Membrane
Authors: Hou Xiuliang , Wei Li , Zhang Xinlong , Wu Huihui , Zhou Qicheng , Wang Shan-yuan
Published: April 2016

Catechu liquor, which is deep brown-red in color, was purified with a micro-filtration membrane and the stability of catechu dye to different levels of temperatures and pH were investigated in this paper. The effects of the dyeing conditions on color characteristic values and color fastnesses of the dyed wool fabrics were also investigated. The results show that the liquor of catechu dye is stable at pH values of 3-7 and its color changes to a deeper brown-red when its pH value is above 8. The preferable dyeing conditions for wool fabric with refined powder catechu dye are as follows: dyeing temperature of 100±C, pH value of 6.5 for the dye bath and catechu dye of 1-4% (o.w.f).

The dyed wool fabric has good color fastnesses to washing, alkali perspiration and dry rubbing. However, its color fastness rating to wet rubbing is poor, ranging from 2-3. Further research will be needed on this aspect.
A Study on Traditional Techniques of Hand Braiding in China
Authors: Wang Li Bing
Published: April 2016

According to unearthed materials of braids, hand braiding originate in the last stage of the Old Stone Age China and has a history of over 7000 years, which remains a unique handicraft in our society. In terms of the arrangement of yarns, braiding can be categorized into two kinds of techniques: double system braiding and single system. In ancient China, most braids were made by double system braiding. The technique of single system braiding was at its peak of development in the Zhou dynasty. Around the Han dynasty, diagonal braiding and twist braiding were in fashion, and a complex braiding technique of the combining of the two types of braiding was invented. Since the Shang dynasty, the application of braiding has been limited to narrow fabrics, shaped products, and some special trimmings, such as knots.

Double system braiding was directly responsible for the development of machine weaving. Loop braiding and crook braiding are similar to modern knitting and crocheting in many aspects. The scope of braiding application has now diminished, but its technical and cultural significance remains.
Electrospun Chitosan Based Nanofibers
Authors: Martinová Lenka , Lubasová Daniela
Published: April 2016

The new electrospinning technology NanospiderTM, offering a real potential for industrial production of nanofibers, is used for the preparation of nanofiber sheets from aqueous solutions of polymer blends. The nanofiber sheets are prepared from a mixture of chitosan and polyethylenoxide (PEO) and using the novel continual electrospinning process (Jirsak et al., 2005, www.nanospider.cz) affords a network with typical fiber diameters that are less than 500 nm. Effects of solvents, molecular weight of both polymers, monovalent salt, surfactant and composition of chitosan blend on electrospinning are also studied.

The optimal conditions for electrospinning by the NanospiderTM technology, including applied high voltage, distance between both electrodes, air temperature and air humidity, are also found. The crosslinking of the nanofiber sheet is achieved by heat treatment. The morphology of electrospun fibers is observed by using a scanning electron microscope (SEM). Chitosan in the nanofiber sheets format has a great potential to be widely used in various applications derived from its biocompatibility and biodegradability.
Comparison of Mechanical Properties of Various Types of Carbon Nanotubes in Polypropylene Fiber
Authors: Katiyar Priyanka , Sreekumar T V , Mukhopadhyay Kingsuk , Srivastava Anurag , Bhasker Rao K U
Published: April 2016

Textile fibers reinforced with carbon nanotubes (CNT) show significant improvement in mechanical properties. Being lightweight and stronger than ordinary textile grade fibers, they can be used for different reinforcement applications. This paper reports a study on the comparison of the mechanical properties of composite fibers made of polypropylene (PP) and CNT obtained from different sources. A single walled nanotube from Carbolex USA, mutiwalled nanotubes from Iljin, Korea and DMSRDE Kanpur are used for the study. The composite fibers are made in two varieties viz. 0.5wt% and 1wt% concentration of CNT. It is observed that the mechanical properties, such as tenacity and modulus, increased with increased concentrations of the CNT irrespective of the brand and nature of the synthesis. The composite fibers made of multi walled CNT produced by DMSRDE give the best results in terms of spinnability and mechanical properties. The tenacity of the DMSRDE fibers is as high as ∼9gpd and modulus as high as 114gpd.
Competitive Analysis of Niche Product Supply Chains
Authors: Allen Reece , Parrish Erin , Cassill Nancy L. , Oxenham William , Jones Michelle R.
Published: April 2016

Companies are pursuing niche markets to combat competitive pressures from low-cost producers of textiles and apparel. These small, customer-need centered markets provide economic competitiveness opportunities through increased market share and profitability (Parrish, 2003).

To further understand niche marketing strategies and expand the Parrish Niche Strategy Model (2003), competitive analyses are conducted using secondary data. The analyses covered companies in each sector (fiber/yarn, textile, apparel, and retail) of the supply chain.

The purpose of the analyses is to understand competitive positions and strategies of companies competing with niche products in the bottomweight market. This market is chosen because it represents a significant consumption market in the United States where domestic textile manufacturers still have a presence. The results indicate that growth rates are higher for downstream companies, although a larger number of upstream companies are privately held. Companies in all sectors of the supply chain are found to be utilizing supply chain and brand management strategies.
Organizational Mindfulness and the Development of Information Technology for Logistics Operations: The Experience of an Apparel Company
Authors: Wong Christina W.Y. , Lai Kee-hung
Published: April 2016

With ten years of apparel retailing operations and thirty years of franchising experience for clothing merchandise, Apparel Retailer and Franchiser1 (ARF) has evolved into one of the largest apparel companies in the Asia Pacific region. A factor contributing to the success of ARF is its extensive use of information technology (IT) to enhance the productivity and service performance of its logistics operations.

Based upon the Institutional Theory and organizational mindfulness perspectives using case study research methodology, we examine the institutional pressures faced by ARF with respect to its IT development, and explore how ARF resolves the institutional pressures in the course of developing IT applications for managing its apparel supply chain. Our study generates useful theoretical and practical insights into how apparel firms can better manage institutional pressures with mindful information technology management (ITM) to improve logistics operations. The case experience provides a supply chain management reference on technological adoption in the apparel industry.
Fashion Adoption Categories: A New Investigation of Personality Facets and Demographics
Authors: Johnson Tricia Widner
Published: April 2016

This study investigates personality facets and demographics as predictors of the following fashion adoption categories: fashion innovation, fashion opinion leadership, and fashion opinion seeking. Everett Rogers’ ideal types and the Five Factor Model are the theoretical frameworks applied in the study. Data are collected via a mailed questionnaire returned by 285 participants in the United States. Regression results demonstrated that income is a significant positive predictor for fashion innovativeness.

Additional findings showed that gender as well as the personality facets of actions and achievement striving are significant predictors for fashion opinion leading. Age, gender, education, and the personality facet of deliberation are significant predictors for fashion opinion seeking. In the present study, there is no overlap among the variables found to be significant predictors of fashion innovation, fashion opinion leading, and fashion opinion seeking. The results imply that neither personality nor demographics are the common characteristics between any two of the three adoption categories. Implications for future research on fashion adoption categories are discussed.