bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The policy influence on the development of entrepreneurship in higher education
Authors: Hägg Gustav , Schölin Tobias
Published: July 2018

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to describe and analyze the foundation of higher education policies that have promoted entrepreneurship in Sweden since the mid-1990s.

Design/methodology/approach

To do this, the authors use Bacchi’s (1999) “What’s the problem?” approach. A central assumption of which is that perceptions of a problem affect how its solution looks. Bacchi’s approach is described as a type of discourse analysis.

Findings

The authors show that problem definition within policies regarding the role and importance of entrepreneurship within higher education has explicitly been directed toward equipping individuals to develop action-orientated skills in the field of entrepreneurship. The equipment of action-oriented skills has implicitly been directed to individuals’ personal initiatives to meet explicit social and collective problems, fueling a neoliberal development and fostering an enterprising culture. The authors also show how policy creates a discourse, which may be characterized as “useful, unreflective citizens.”

Research limitations/implications

The study addresses the implicit steering that is being exercised through policies. This steering needs to be questioned and problematized in order to avoid blindly following the implied course of action.

Originality/value

The study contributes to current understanding of how entrepreneurship in higher education is both governed explicitly and implicitly, by policy, through the creation of new norms in society.
Positioning in prospective secondary English teachers’ annotations of teaching videos
Authors: Sherry Michael B. , Messier-Jones Lauriann M. , Morales Joanelle
Published: July 2018

Purpose

English education researchers have used video annotation to connect theory to practice and to encourage prospective secondary English teachers (PSETs) to reflectively evaluate their own and others’ teaching. This study aimed to examine whether and how PSETs’ annotations of their own and others’ teaching videos reveal (dis)connections between visions of English teaching valued in methods courses and those practiced in local school field placements.

Design/methodology/approach

Examination of 538 annotations on 18 lesson videos – recorded in a university teaching-methods course and in local secondary classrooms by 12 PSETs in a rural, northeastern US teacher-preparation program – revealed what kinds of practices PSETs evaluated and with whom they identified (student or teacher) as they made those evaluations.

Findings

Annotations from two PSETs illustrate a trend in the larger data sets: PSETs’ annotations expressed pedagogical values that differed and sometimes conflicted according to their identification with the role of student or of teacher. PSETs’ preferences as students were often superseded by visions of what one must do/be in the secondary English classroom.

Research limitations/implications

This study identifies tensions among PSETs’ annotations that corresponded to their identifications with the role of student or of teacher but does not explore whether and how they reconciled these tensions, or how they might affect student learning. Future research might explore how PSETs negotiate contradictions in their pedagogical preferences as they annotate their own and others’ teaching videos.

Practical implications

English teacher educators who use video-based methods might attend to whether and how such assignments/activities position PSETs as students or as teachers in viewing teaching videos.

Originality/value

PSETs may value different and even conflicting pedagogical practices, regardless of setting and despite their own experiences, based on their identifications with the role of student or of teacher. These identifications may allow them to compartmentalize visions of teaching that might otherwise come into productive conflict.
The significance of reflective conversations for adolescent writers
Authors: Vetter Amy , Meacham Mark
Published: July 2018

Purpose

For writing instruction, reflection has been an essential tool. Typically, educators ask students to reflect in a structured written, individual format. Less explored is the role that small and whole group reflective conversations have in fostering students’ understandings about writing. The purpose of this paper is to explore several conversations from a young writers’ camp to examine how three high school students engaged in four different kinds of reflective talk during the writing process.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper draws from a larger qualitative study about how campers constructed and enacted their writer identities in a two-week young writers’ camp. Five researchers observed, video/audio recorded, engaged in interviews and collected artifacts with 58 campers for ten consecutive days. Qualitative analysis was used to examine how young writers (Grades 9-12) engaged in reflective talk to develop understandings about writing.

Findings

Data illustrated that students engaged in four types of reflective talk: prospective, reflective-in-action, introspective and retrospective. The paper provides one example for each kind of reflective conversation and provides analysis related to how those conversations shaped campers’ understandings about writing.

Originality/value

This paper illustrated how adolescent writers used prospective, reflective-in action, introspective and retrospective talk during conversations to tell their stories of learning about writing, a topic less studied in the field. This work offers insight into teaching students how to have such reflective conversations so that they are productive and supportive during writing practices.
Impact of reinforcing fabric thread count on cation exchange membrane properties
Authors: Stránská Eliška , Neděla David , Křivčík Jan , Weinertová Kristýna , Václavíková Natália
Published: July 2018

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to examine the impact of thread count in polyester reinforcing fabric on heterogeneous cation exchange membrane mechanical properties and electrochemical performance.

Design/methodology/approach

Seven polyester fabrics differing in thread count were used for membrane manufacture and mechanical properties such as ultimate force or ultimate strain of all fabrics and membranes were determined. Electrochemical and physical properties of produced membranes were evaluated as well.

Findings

It was found that with increasing weft density ultimate force became greater in the case of fabric and membrane as well. The impact of weft density on ultimate strain was not confirmed but changes in swelling ability mainly in width direction were observed. The assumption of worse electrochemical properties of membranes reinforced by fabric with lower open area was also validated and these membranes exhibited higher areal resistance.

Originality/value

Gained information is a useful tool in design process of new ion exchange membrane types with improved mechanical and swelling properties.
The effect of weave pattern on the thermal properties of woven fabrics
Authors: Asayesh Azita , Talaei Mehraneh , Maroufi Mohammad
Published: July 2018

Purpose

Fabric structural parameters play an important role on the thermal comfort of clothing. The purpose of this paper is to investigate the effect of weave pattern and also the length of warp float in each weave pattern on the thermal properties of woven fabrics.

Design/methodology/approach

Cotton woven fabrics with 23 different weave patterns were produced with identical linear densities of warp and weft yarns as well as constant warp and weft nominal densities. Thereafter, their thermal properties were studied.

Findings

Statistical analysis demonstrated that the weave pattern significantly influences on the thermal properties of woven fabrics. Plain fabric exhibited the lowest thermal resistance and the highest thermal conductivity, and hopsack 2/2(4) weave fabric demonstrated the highest thermal resistance and the lowest thermal conductivity. Moreover, except hopsack (4) weave fabric, in all weave patterns, the length of warp float had a significant effect on the thermal characteristics of the fabrics, as increasing the warp float led to increase in the thermal resistance of the fabrics.

Originality/value

Weave pattern as one of the structural parameters of the fabric has a determinant role on the thermal properties of fabric and subsequently, the comfort of clothing produced from it. Owing to the lack of investigation in this area, this research considers the effect of weave pattern and the length of warp float in each weave pattern on the thermal properties of woven fabrics.
Technological intensity and innovation capability in industrial firms
Authors: Zawislak Paulo Antônio , Fracasso Edi Madalena , Tello-Gamarra Jorge
Published: July 2018

Purpose

Over time, technological intensity has been used as a proxy for innovation capability of firms in an industrial sector. However, not only firms belonging to the stratum of high technological intensity are able to innovate. Therefore, this study aims to explore a potential association between technological intensity and innovation capability in firms from different industrial sectors, using the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD)’s classification and the components of innovation capability proposed by Zawislak et al. (2012, 2013).

Design/methodology/approach

The authors conducted an exploratory research with four case studies focusing on the innovation capability of Brazilian firms.

Findings

The results show that the four firms, each belonging to one stratum of technological intensity, have innovation capability, and the differences regarding this feature can be explained by the balance and development of all firms’ capabilities (technological, operational, managerial and transactional).

Originality/value

In the literature, studies that relate technological intensity and innovation capability are scarce. Therefore, the originality of this research is to relate these two concepts. The most important is that firms can be innovative regardless of their stratum of technological intensity, which shows the importance of other capabilities to ensure the innovation’s success.
Guest preferences for service recovery procedures: conjoint analysis
Authors: Lee Seung Hyun
Published: July 2018

Purpose

The ongoing challenge for hospitality firms is not to avoid service failures completely but rather to find effective ways of recovering from them. The purpose of this paper is to adopt conjoint analysis to examine guest preferences for service recovery actions that are taken simultaneously and the effect of such actions in the context of hotels in order to seek answers to the following research questions: what type of compensation bundle is most preferred by guests? and How effective are compensations in terms of recovery satisfaction, especially with regard to subsequent behavioral intentions?

Design/methodology/approach

In order to study guest preferences for compensation, choice-based conjoint (CBC) experiments were used. The CBC survey method involves presenting respondents with several hypothetical scenarios that include numerous combinations of compensation attributes. The survey sample was recruited through web-based panels run by a marketing firm. The online survey was designed and built in the Sawtooth Software platform. Conjoint analysis was carried out.

Findings

The conjoint analysis results show that among the different compensation attributes, consumers preferred discounts the most, followed by corrective actions and loyalty points. Among the discount levels, consumers favored “free one night certificate for a future stay” over “100 percent off one night’s room bill.” Regarding loyalty points, consumers desire more points than fewer points. In terms of correction levels, consumers appear to desire an “upgrade to a suite” over just moving to another room or having the original room cleaned. Moreover, consumers prefer that service recovery be handled by upper-level management.

Research limitations/implications

Several limitations should be discussed. For example, the type of service failure studied was limited to a booked room not being clean upon check-in. Different types and magnitudes of service failures may result in a different set of preferences for compensation bundles. In addition, the compensation attributes and levels were limited in scope even though they were obtained from interviews with managers at midsize hotels. Other attributes and attribute levels can be included in future studies.

Originality/value

Although an abundant number of studies have been done regarding service failure and recovery, the extent to which service recovery needs to be carried out before it translates into actual recovery remains unanswered. Using conjoint analysis, the study identified exactly which bundle of compensation items was most preferred by guests.
Works councils and employer attitudes toward the incentive effects of HRM practices
Authors: Jirjahn Uwe
Published: July 2018

Purpose

A growing number of econometric examinations show that works councils substantially shape the personnel policy of firms in Germany. Firms with works councils make greater use of various human resource management (HRM) practices. This gives rise to the question of whether employers view the shaping of personnel policy positively or negatively. Against this background, the purpose of this paper is to examine the influence of works councils on employer attitudes toward HRM practices.

Design/methodology/approach

Using data from manufacturing establishments, multivariate and recursive multivariate models are applied to estimate the determinants of employer attitudes toward HRM practices.

Findings

The incidence of a works council increases the probability of positive employer attitudes toward the incentive effects of performance pay, profit sharing, promotions, further training and worker involvement in decision making. However, it decreases the probability of positive employer attitudes toward high wages. The results suggest that works councils play a redistribution role in wages and a collective voice role in the other HRM practices.

Originality/value

The study complements examinations focusing on the influence of works councils on the formal presence of HRM practices. There are two potential limitations of focusing solely on formal HRM practices. First, the formal presence of a practice does not necessarily mean that the practice is effectively used. Second, a firm may informally use HRM practices even though the practices have not been formally adopted. The study provides insights into the question of whether or not works councils influence employers’ support for the various practices. This support can be important for the effective use of the practices, regardless of whether they are of formal or informal nature.
Making HRM curriculum relevant – a hypothetical practitioners’ guide
Authors: Benuyenah Vic , Boukareva Bistra
Published: July 2018

Purpose

Despite business schools teaching human resources management (HRM) for several decades, the skill set of graduates today fails to match the requirements of the industry. Although some attempt has been made to make the HRM curricula relevant, in most cases, a large gap exists between the subject, its assessment and the industry demands. The purpose of this paper is to illustrate the changing trends in the field of HR and present ideas that will guide modern HRM curriculum development.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper draws on professional experience of the authors in teaching and developing HR curricula as well as literature illustrations from work-based learning.

Findings

To achieve relevancy, HR curricula need to focus more on professional work-based skills that are pertinent to the contemporary workplace and re-structure exam formats to be in line with skills required in the HR profession.

Research limitations/implications

There is an opportunity to test the ideas expressed in this paper empirically; this can normally be done through a triad focus group including employers, students and teachers.

Originality/value

The paper is predicated on the mismatch between the teaching and assessment of some HR subjects and the needs of the contemporary HR profession.
Linking ethical leadership and moral voice
Authors: Afsar Bilal , Shahjehan Asad
Published: July 2018

Purpose

The study of ethical leadership has emerged as an important topic for understanding the effects of leadership in organizations. Theoretically, there is a relationship between ethical leadership and followers’ ethical behaviors but empirically, little attention has been given. The purpose of this paper is to examine how ethical leadership relates to employee’s moral voice through trust in the leader, leader−follower value congruence and moral efficacy.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors used a time-lagged research design, collecting multi-source data from 364 employees and their immediate supervisors, working in construction companies in Pakistan.

Findings

On the basis of an interactional approach, this study found that there was an interaction between ethical leadership, trust in the leader and leader−follower value congruence that affected moral voice, such that ethical leadership had the strongest positive relationship with moral voice when both trust and leader−follower value congruence were higher; and moral efficacy mediated the effect that this three-way interaction between ethical leadership, trust in the leader and leader−follower value congruence had on moral voice.

Originality/value

This is one of the first studies to examine the role of ethical leadership in promoting employees’ voice behavior using a time-lagged research design, particularly in construction industry.
A multiple attribute decision making approach in evaluating employee care strategies of corporate social responsibility
Authors: Liu Jau Yang , Shiue William , Chen Fu Hsiang , Huang Ai Ting
Published: July 2018

Purpose

Corporate social responsibility has gradually become an essential enterprise responsibility under stakeholders’ expectations. Employee care strategies involve both qualitative and quantitative factors and are receiving special attention with the advent of the information age. In previous studies, a company’s policy of employee care may not fit with the needs of the employees. Consequently, the purpose of this paper is to investigate enterprises’ employee care from the employee’s perspective by adopting a hybrid multiple attribute decision making (MADM) model.

Design/methodology/approach

This study is based on 159 interviews with senior employees and/or department managers using a survey questionnaire. This study uses the MADM model to conduct the analysis. First, this research study used Decision-Making Trial and Evaluation Laboratory (DEMATEL) to construct an influential network relations map of the 4 dimensions and 13 criteria of employee care. Second, this study uses DEMATEL-based Analytic Network Process to conduct a weight analysis for each dimension and criterion. Third, this study uses VIKOR to calculate employees’ level of satisfaction as well as the gap from the “aspired level.”

Findings

The results of the study revealed the critical factors influencing employee care and proposed a systematic plan to be used as a reference for improvement. The improvement sequence revealed the following order: Equal employment opportunities→Good industrial relations and benefits→Responsibility to train and educate employees→Occupational health and safety. The empirical results showed there was still 35 percent room for improvement in the enterprises’ implementation policy of employee care.

Originality/value

The implementation of employee care has become an important issue for corporations since it helps to sustain and to increase an enterprise’s competitiveness in the business environment. However, the extant literature on employee care comes from enterprises’ perspectives instead of from employees’ perspectives. This research investigates the key factors of employee care and successfully shows MADM to be an effective model for the planning and implementation of corporate social responsibilities’ employee care from the perspective of employees.
Detention or diversion? The influence of training and education on school police officer discretion
Authors: Bolger Philip Colin , Kremser Jonathan , Walker Haley
Published: July 2018

Purpose

The growing concern about school violence and security has led to a dramatic increase in the number of police officers working in schools. This increase has been accompanied by a focus on the training of school-based law enforcement, the discretion that they exercise when interacting with youth, and the concern that these factors may lead to more youths facing arrest and formal processing by the juvenile and criminal justice system. What is not well understood is whether or not having formal school resource officer (SRO) training or higher education impacts the officer’s decision making when responding to an incident involving a student. The paper aims to discuss these issues.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper uses survey data from school police officers within the USA (n=179) to examine the officer’s preferred post-incident method of disciplining the youth, from the most punitive and formal approach of suspension or referral to juvenile authorities, to the less punitive and informal approach such as diversion or warn and release.

Findings

Overall, the study found that officers who have received formal SRO training were more likely to prefer a formal resolution to the incidents, and more highly educated officers tended to favor less punitive and informal responses.

Originality/value

These findings question the current state of the effectiveness of SRO training at using diversionary tactics for conflict resolution in a school setting.
Officer views in contracting, merger, and hybrid agencies
Authors: Wilson Jeremy M. , Gruenewald Jeff , Grammich Clifford A.
Published: July 2018

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to assess officer perceptions of consolidation of law enforcement agencies under three specific models: contracting, merger and a hybrid of regionalization and contracting.

Design/methodology/approach

A survey was administered to 139 officers employed by four agencies using one of the models of interest. The survey asked officers their views on consolidation and how it has affected organizational and employment characteristics.

Findings

Officers generally support consolidation, but views vary by agency type. Officers in the contracting agencies, for example, generally viewed consolidation as less cost effective than officers in other agencies viewed it, but were more likely to say crime decreased and job security and workload improved after consolidation. Officers in the hybrid agency were less positive about changes in some employment and organizational characteristics.

Research limitations/implications

The sample size and response rates are low, and no comparison to other agencies is available, but the examination offers new information and lessons.

Practical implications

Communities considering police consolidation must consider a specific model and how to communicate changes to officers. This research illuminates officer perspectives on each.

Originality/value

This is the first investigation of views of shared services by specific model of consolidation. Such work is particularly valuable given increased interest in consolidation in recent years.
Organizational correlates of police deviance
Authors: Huff Jessica , White Michael D. , Decker Scott H.
Published: July 2018

Purpose

Many examinations of police misconduct involve case study methodologies applied to a single agency, or a handful of agencies. Consequently, there is little evidence regarding the types of misconduct across agencies, or the impact of department-level characteristics on the nature and prevalence of officer deviance. The purpose of this paper is to address this research gap using statewide data of over 1,500 charges of police misconduct filed with the Arizona Peace Officer Standards and Training Board (AZPOST) from 2000 to 2011.

Design/methodology/approach

This study examines variation in the prevalence and forms of misconduct across 100+ agencies based on agency type and size. Difference scores were calculated for every agency in the state to determine whether an agency’s level of misconduct was proportionate to the number of officers employed by that agency. AZPOST data were supplemented with Law Enforcement Management and Statistics data to identify organizational correlates of misconduct in agencies generating disproportionately low and high levels of misconduct.

Findings

Results identify variation in officer misconduct across different types of agencies. Tribal agencies generally experience higher rates of domestic violence and drug/alcohol-related incidents. Smaller agencies have more misconduct allegations involving supervisors. Organizational characteristics including pre-hiring screening, accountability mechanisms and community relationships are associated with lower levels of agency misconduct.

Originality/value

The use of AZPOST data enables a statewide examination of misconduct while accounting for organizational context. This study identifies organizational features that might serve to protect agencies against disproportionate rates of officer misbehavior.
ACI‐1 beta‐lactamase is widespread across human gut microbiomes in Negativicutes due to transposons harboured by tailed prophages
Authors: Rands Chris M. , Starikova Elizaveta V. , Brüssow Harald , Kriventseva Evgenia V. , Govorun Vadim M. , Zdobnov Evgeny M
Published: July 2018

Antibiotic resistance is increasing among pathogens, and the human microbiome contains a reservoir of antibiotic resistance genes. Acidaminococcus intestini is the first Negativicute bacterium (Gram‐negative Firmicute) shown to be resistant to beta‐lactam antibiotics. Resistance is conferred by the aci1 gene, but its evolutionary history and prevalence remain obscure. We discovered that ACI‐1 proteins are phylogenetically distinct from beta‐lactamases of Gram‐positive Firmicutes and that aci1 occurs in bacteria scattered across the Negativicute clade, suggesting lateral gene transfer. In the reference A. intestini RyC‐MR95 genome, we found transposons residing within a tailed prophage context are likely vehicles for aci1's mobility. We found aci1 in 56 (4.4%) of 1,267 human gut metagenomes, mostly hosted within A. intestini, and, where could be determined, mostly within a consistent mobile element constellation. These samples are from Europe, China and the USA, showing that aci1 is distributed globally. We found that for most Negativicute assemblies with aci1, the prophage observed in A. instestini is absent, but in all cases aci1 is flanked by varying transposons. The chimeric mobile elements we identify here likely have a complex evolutionary history and potentially provide multiple complementary mechanisms for antibiotic resistance gene transfer both within and between cells.
A Tale of Cyclones, Exports and Surplus Forgone in Australia's Protected Banana Industry
Authors: Ko Chia Chiun , Frijters Paul , Foster Gigi
Published: July 2018

This paper examines the welfare loss caused by import restrictions on bananas in Australia, which we argue to be a classic rent‐seeking policy. We propose a new micro‐model of agricultural production under uncertainty and production delays and ask whether, due to cyclones and the timing of planting decisions, Australian banana import restrictions have turned into a form of export promotion. We exploit two cyclones as exogenous supply shocks, and use new data to estimate the price elasticity of demand for bananas in Australia to be around −0.5. We estimate the total welfare loss of Australia's banana import restrictions to be over A$150 million per year, implying a yearly subsidy of more than a quarter of a million dollars per banana grower.
A New Genus of Paleonisciformes from the Early Cretaceous Longjiang Formation in Heilongjiang Province, China
Authors: WANG Xuri , TAN Kai , LU Liwu , LI Tao , CAI Qingqing
Published: July 2018

We report a new genus and species of Paleonisciformes–Cretolepis dongbeiensis gen. et sp. nov., from the Early Cretaceous Longjiang Formation in Qiqihar City, Heilongjiang Province. The new materials can be distinguished from other Paleonisciformes genera by possessing the following characteristics: a sclerotic ring composed of more than five small bones; three pieces of suborbitals; one dermohyomandibular; a jaw hanging apparently inclined anteriorly; long and tall horizontal branch of the preopercular, a short vertical branch, with the angle formed by the two branches slightly higher than 90°; a triangular dorsal fin in the middle point between the pelvic and anal fins. The discovery of Mesozoic Paleonisciformes in northeastern China adds to the biodiversity and geographic distribution of Paleonisciformes.
A New Ootype of Dinosaur Egg (Faveoloolithidae: Duovallumoolithus shangdanensis oogen. et oosp. nov.) from the Late Cretaceous in the Shangdan Basin, Shaanxi Province, China
Authors: ZHENG Tingting , BAI Yi , WANG Qiang , ZHU Xufeng , FANG Kaiyong , YAO Yuan , ZHAO Yongqiang , WANG Xiaolin
Published: July 2018

A new ootype collected from the Upper Cretaceous Lijiacun Formation in the Shangdan Basin, Shaanxi Province is described in this paper. Based on general external shape, size, eggshell thickness and honeycomb‐like eggshell microstructure, eggs are referable to the oofamily Faveoloolithidae. Compared with other members of Faveoloolithidae, specimens described in this paper show special characteristics: adjacent pores are usually separated by two eggshell units between which often develop interspaces; columnar eggshell units are relatively closely arranged in radial view. According to these characteristics, we erect a new oogenus and a new oospecies: Duovallumoolithus shangdanensis oogen. et oosp. nov. The new discovery expands the diversity of Faveoloolithidae.
Geochemical and Mineral Characteristics of Jurassic Volcanic Rocks from ODP Sites 304, 1149, and 801: Implications for Magmatic Evolution in the Northwest Pacific
Authors: CHEN Shuangshuang , LIU Jiaqi , RIOUAL Patrick , GUO Zhengfu
Published: July 2018

The regular variations in magmatic activities along the Northwest Pacific plate have been little studied in spite of their importance. In this contribution, systematic analyses were conducted on tholeiitic basalts from three Ocean Drilling Program sites (Sites 304, 1149, and 801), including the petrographic features, major and trace elements, Nd isotopic compositions, and mineral structure and compositions of whole rocks. Volcanic rocks from Sites 304, 1149, and 801 belong to tholeiites and exhibit depleted light rare earth elements (LREE), large ion lithophile elemental contents (LILE), and relatively depleted Nd isotopic ratios (143Nd/144Nd=0.513139–0.513211), similar to those of normal mid‐ocean ridge basalts (N‐MORB). Comprehensive data on mineral compositions, whole‐rock geochemistry, and geochronology demonstrate that a regular variation trend exists in the north‐south direction along the Northwest Pacific plate. The143Nd/144Nd values (0.513139–0.513211) and trace‐element ratios for whole rocks (Sm/Th=15.35–30.00; Zr/Hf=28.53–35.76; Zr/Y=2.58–3.67; Th/La=0.04–0.06; Th/Y=0.33–0.70), as well as the trace‐element ratios (Zr/Hf, La/Yb, Ti/Zr) of clinopyroxenes from Sites 1149 and 801 tholeiites show larger variations compared to those from Site 304 tholeiites (143Nd/144Nd=0.513185–0.513195; Sm/Th=18.19–20.58; Zr/Hf=31.07–33.26; Zr/Y=2.62–3.03; Th/La=0.05–0.06; Th/Y=0.48–0.57). Mineral zoning textures were obvious in tholeiites from Sites 1149 and 801 but were rarely observed in Site 304. These regular features were likely attributed to the differences in the heterogeneity of the magma source, the process of magmatic evolution, the plate‐spreading rate, and the effective and ineffective mixing.
The Late Triassic I–Type Granites from the Longmu Co–Shuanghu Suture Zone in the interior of Tibetan Plateau, China: Petrogenesis and Implication for Slab Break–Off
Authors: ZHAO Zhen , WU Zhenhan , LU Lu , YU Junqiu , WU Yanjun
Published: July 2018

The Jiangaidarina granitic mass (JM) is an important part of the magmatic belt in Longmu Co–Shuanghu Suture Zone (LSSZ) in the central Tibetan Plateau. An integrated research involving whole–rock geochemistry, zircon LA–ICP–MS U–Pb ages and Hf isotopic compositions was carried out to define the timing, genesis and tectonic setting of the JM. Zircon LA–ICP–MS U–Pb ages have been obtained ranging from 210 to 215 Ma, rather than the Early Jurassic as previously thought. Fifteen granite samples contain hornblendes and show a negative correlation between P2O5and SiO2, indicating that the JM is an I –type granite. All the granites are enriched in LREE relative to HREE, with negative Eu anomalies (Eu/Eu*=0.56–0.81), and have similar trace elements patterns, with depletion of Ba, Nb, Sr and P. These suggest that the JM was fractionated, and this is also proved by the characteristic of negative correlations between oxide elements (TiO2, MgO, FeOt, MnO, CaO) and SiO2. Almost all εHf(t) values of the granites are between −10.3 and −5.8, implying that the JM has a crustal source intimately related with the South Qiangtang Block (SQB), except for one (+10.2), showing a minor contribution from mantle source. Moreover, relatively low Na2O/K2O ratios (0.42–0.93) and high A/CNK values (0.91–1.50) reflect that the JM was predominately derived from the medium–high potassium basaltic crust, interacted with greywacke. Our new geochemical data and geochronological results imply that the Late Triassic magmas were generated in a post–collisional tectonic setting, probably caused by slab break–off of the Longmu Co –Shuanghu Tethyan Ocean (LSTO). This mechanism caused the asthenosphere upwelling, formed extension setting, offered an enormous amount of heat, and provided favorable conditions for emplacement of voluminous felsic magmas. Furthermore, the LSTO could be completely closed during the Middle Triassic, succeed by continental collision and later the slab broke off in the Late Triassic.
Petrology and PGE Abundances of High‐Cr and High‐Al Podiform Chromitites and Peridotites from the Bulqiza Ultramafic Massif, Eastern Mirdita Ophiolite, Albania
Authors: QIU Tian , YANG Jingsui , MILUSHI Ibrahim , WU Weiwei , MEKSHIQI Nezir , XIONG Fahui , ZHANG Cong , SHEN Tingting
Published: July 2018

The Bulqiza ultramafic massif, which is part of the eastern Mirdita ophiolite of northern Albania, is world renowned for its high‐Cr chromitite deposits. High‐Cr chromitites hosted in the mantle section are the crystallized products of boninitic melts in a supra‐subduction zone (SSZ). However, economically important high‐Al chromitites are also present in massive dunite of the mantle‐crust transition zone (MTZ). Chromian‐spinel in the high‐Al chromitites and dunites of the MTZ have much lower Cr# values (100Cr/(Cr+Al)) (47.7–55.1 and 46.5–51.7, respectively) than those in the high‐Cr chromitites (78.2–80.4), harzburgites (72.6–77.9) and mantle dunites (79.4–84.3). The chemical differences in these two types of chromitites are reflected in the behaviors of their platinum‐group elements (PGE). The high‐Cr chromitites are rich in IPGE relative to PPGE with 0.10–0.45 PPGE/IPGE ratios, whereas the high‐Al chromitites have relatively higher PPGE/IPGE ratios between 1.20 and 7.80. The calculated melts in equilibrium with the high‐Cr chromitites are boninitic‐like, and those associated with the high‐Al chromitites are MORB‐like but with hydrous, oxidized and TiO2‐poor features. We propose that the coexistence of both types of chromitites in the Bulqiza ultramafic massif may indicates a change in magma composition from MORB‐like to boninitic‐like in a proto‐forearc setting during subduction initiation.
Genesis of the Weiquan Ag–Polymetallic Deposit in East Tianshan, China: Evidence from Zircon U–Pb Geochronology and C–H–O–S–Pb Isotope Systematics
Authors: DING Hui , GE Wensheng , DONG Lianhui , ZHANG Liangliang , CHEN Xiaodong , LIU Yan , NIE Junjie
Published: July 2018

The Weiquan Ag–polymetallic deposit is located on the southern margin of the Central Asian Orogenic Belt and in the western segment of the Aqishan–Yamansu arc belt in East Tianshan, northwestern China. Its orebodies, controlled by faults, occur in the lower Carboniferous volcano‐sedimentary rocks of the Yamansu Formation as irregular veins and lenses. Four stages of mineralization have been recognized on the basis of mineral assemblages, ore fabrics, and crosscutting relationships among the ore veins. Stage I is the skarn stage (garnet + pyroxene), Stage II is the retrograde alteration stage (epidote + chlorite + magnetite ± hematite ± actinolite ± quartz), Stage III is the sulfide stage (Ag and Bi minerals + pyrite + chalcopyrite + galena + sphalerite + quartz ± calcite ± tetrahedrite), and Stage IV is the carbonate stage (quartz + calcite ± pyrite). Skarnization, silicification, carbonatization, epidotization, chloritization, sericitization, and actinolitization are the principal types of hydrothermal alteration. LA–ICP–MS U–Pb dating yielded ages of 326.5±4.5 and 298.5±1.5 Ma for zircons from the tuff and diorite porphyry, respectively. Given that the tuff is wall rock and that the orebodies are cut by a late diorite porphyry dike, the ages of the tuff and the diorite porphyry provide lower and upper time limits on the age of ore formation. The δ13C values of the calcite samples range from −2.5‰ to 2.3‰, the δ18OH2O and δDV‐SMOW values of the sulfide stage (Stage III) vary from 1.1‰ to 5.2‰ and −111.7‰ to −66.1‰, respectively, and the δ13C, δ18OH2O and δDV‐SMOW values of calcite in one Stage IV sample are 1.5‰, −0.3‰, and −115.6‰, respectively. Carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen isotopic compositions indicate that the ore‐forming fluids evolved gradually from magmatic to meteoric sources. The δ34SV‐CDT values of the sulfides have a large range from −6.9‰ to 1.4‰, with an average of −2.2‰, indicating a magmatic source, possibly with sedimentary contributions. The 206Pb/204Pb, 207Pb/204Pb, and 208Pb/204Pb ratios of the sulfides are 17.9848–18.2785, 15.5188–15.6536, and 37.8125–38.4650, respectively, and one whole‐rock sample at Weiquan yields 206Pb/204Pb, 207Pb/204Pb, and 208Pb/204Pb ratios of 18.2060, 15.5674, and 38.0511, respectively. Lead isotopic systems suggest that the ore‐forming materials of the Weiquan deposit were derived from a mixed source involving mantle and crustal components. Based on geological features, zircon U–Pb dating, and C–H–O–S–Pb isotopic data, it can be concluded that the Weiquan polymetallic deposit is a skarn type that formed in a tectonic setting spanning a period from subduction to post‐collision. The ore materials were sourced from magmatic ore‐forming fluids that mixed with components derived from host rocks during their ascent, and a gradual mixing with meteoric water took place in the later stages.
Mineralogy, Geochemistry, Fluid Inclusion and Oxygen Isotope Investigations of Epithermal Cu ± Ag Veins of the Khur Area, Lut Block, Eastern Iran
Authors: MOGHADDAM M. Javidi , KARIMPOUR M.H. , NASRABADI K. Ebrahimi , SHAHRI M.R. Haidarian , SHAFAROUDI A. Malekzadeh
Published: July 2018

The Khur metallogenic district is located in a volcanic–plutonic belt in the central Lut Block (central eastern Iran). Mineralization occurs in Middle Eocene andesitic tuff and along four main vein systems trending northwest–southeast (Shurk, Mir‐e‐Khash, Shikasteh Sabz and Ghar‐e‐Kaftar veins). Microscopic studies reveal that the veins contain bornite, chalcocite, pyrite, tennantite together with minor sphalerite and chalcopyrite as hypogene minerals and chalcocite, digenite, covellite, valleriite, malachite, azurite, atacamite, hematite, and goethite as supergene minerals. The ore bodies are accompanied by narrow but intensely developed wall rock alterations of argillization, carbonatization and silicification. Copper content reaches 6.5, 2.4, 4.2 and 5% in Mir‐e‐Khash, Shikasteh Sabz, Ghar‐e‐Kaftar and Shurk, respectively. Microthermometric measurements of quartz‐ and calcite‐hosted fluid inclusions indicate that the mineralization might be derived from a moderately saline hydrothermal fluid at temperatures between 175–316°C. Calculated δ18O values of water in equilibrium with quartz and calcite for Khur veins suggest that the fluid might have had a magmatic source, but the 18O‐depletion was developed through mixing with meteoric water. Copper deposition in Khur veins is believed to have been largely caused by mixing, although wall rock reactions may also have occurred. The Khur veins are classified as volcanic‐subvolcanic hydrothermal‐related vein deposits.
Pore Characteristics of the Fine‐Grained Tight Reservoirs in the Yabulai Basin, Northwestern China
Authors: ZHANG Shaomin , CAO Yingchang , JAHREN Jens , ZHU Rukai , MAO Zhiguo , XI Kelai , MUHAMMAD Kashif , HELLEVANG Helge
Published: July 2018

This work investigated the pore structure characteristics and reservoir features of the finegrained tight reservoirs in the lower member of the Xinhe Formation (J2x1) in the Xiaohu subsag, Yabulai Basin based on core samples through various techniques. Interbedded silt/fine sandstones and mudstones are developed in the study area. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) images were used to delineate different types of pores, including primary intergranular pores, secondary intergranular and intragranular pores, organic pores and fractures. The pore types were distinguished by pore size, pore area, location and formation process. The pore radii of the fine‐grained rocks range from 1 nm to 1.55 μm, mainly concentrated between 5 and 300 nm by low pressure N2 adsorption and MICP analyses. The pore structure parameters of pore throat size and pore throat sorting coefficient are both positively correlated with porosity, while pore throat sorting coefficient has a negative correlation with permeability. The pore structures of the studied samples are much related to the mineral type and content and grain size, followed by TOC content. In these rocks with relatively low TOC and low maturity, the rigid minerals protect pores with pressure shadow from collapse, and dissolution‐related pores contribute a lot to inorganic porosity. In contrast, these rocks with abundant TOC contain a large number of organic pores. The permeability of the fine‐grained tight reservoir is mainly dominated by larger pore throats, while a large number of small pores (mostly <0.1 μm) contribute considerably to porosity. These results have deepened our understanding of the interbedded fine‐grained tight reservoirs and can be applicable to fine‐grained reservoirs in a similar setting.
Effects of Coal Rank and High Organic Sulfur on the Structure and Optical Properties of Coal‐based Graphene Quantum Dots
Authors: TANG Yuegang , HUAN Xuan , LAN Chunyuan , XU Miaoxin
Published: July 2018

Coal‐based graphene quantum dots (GQDs) were successfully produced via a one‐step chemical synthesis from six different coal ranks, from which two superhigh organic sulfur (SHOS) coals were selected as natural S‐doped carbon sources for the preparation of S‐doped GQDs. The effects of coal properties on coal‐based GQDs were analyzed by means of high‐resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM), X‐ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), ultraviolet‐visible (UV‐Vis) absorption spectroscopy, and fluorescence emission spectra. It was shown that all coal samples can be used to prepare GQDs, which emit blue‐green and blue fluorescence under ultraviolet light. Anthracite‐based GQDs have a hexagonal crystal structure without defects, the largest size, and densely arranged carbon rings in their lamellae; the high‐rank bituminous coal‐based GQDs are relatively reduced in size, with their hexagonal crystal structure being only faintly visible; the low‐rank bituminous coal‐based GQDs are the smallest, with sparse lattice fringes and visible internal defects. As the metamorphism of raw coals increases, the yield decreases and the fluorescence quantum yield (QY) initially increases and then decreases. Additionally, the surface of GQDs that were prepared using high‐rank SHOS coal (high‐rank bituminous coal) preserves rich sulfur content even after strong oxidation, which effectively adjusts the bandgap and improves the fluorescence QY. Thus, high‐rank bituminous coal with SHOS content can be used as a natural S‐doped carbon source to prepare S‐doped GQDs, extending the clean utilization of low‐grade coal.
Tax Reporting Behavior Under Audit Certainty
Authors: Ayers Benjamin C. , Seidman Jeri K. , Towery Erin M.
Published: July 2018

This study uses a confidential data set of firms assigned to the Internal Revenue Service's Coordinated Industry Case (CIC) program to examine the effect of audit certainty on firms' tax reporting behavior. We first model the determinants of assignment to the program. Although the ability and incentive to avoid taxes are related to CIC assignment, we find that the IRS assigns firms primarily based on size and complexity. We then test whether audit certainty has a detectable effect on tax payments. Our results show that tax payments do not change when firms enter the CIC program, suggesting the CIC program does not have higher deterrence or enforcement effects relative to the IRS's standard selection and audit process for large corporations not included in the CIC program. However, supplemental analysis suggests that audit certainty does alter managers' expectations regarding future tax payments. Our paper provides new empirical evidence on the strategic game between the taxpayer and the tax authority and has important implications for tax authorities as they consider the costs and benefits of certain audit programs.
How Important are Dividend Signals in Assessing Earnings Persistence?
Authors: Homburg Carsten , Müller Christian , Nasev Julia
Published: July 2018

We build and test a Bayesian model that shows how investors revise their earnings persistence expectations after dividend announcements. When dividend changes confirm preceding earnings changes, our model predicts inverse u‐shaped investor revisions conditional on the prior expectations for noisy dividend signals. As the dividend signal becomes more informative, our model predicts that investor revisions will become more skewed converging to a monotonically decreasing relation for perfectly informative dividend signals. When dividend changes contradict preceding earnings changes, our model predicts u‐shaped investor revisions. In empirical tests, we find results generally consistent with our model predictions.