bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Diversity‐multiplexing tradeoff of opportunistic relay system with multiple‐antenna destination
Authors: Luo Sheng , Li Qiang , Hu Yongxu , Teh Kah Chan
Published: July 2014

In this study, the authors investigate the diversity‐multiplexing tradeoff (DMT) of a wireless system in which user equipments (UEs) are equipped with only one antenna while the destination has multiple antennas. Each UE is assisted by M half‐duplex cooperative users serving as relay nodes. They combine the opportunistic relaying scheme and the cooperative spatial multiplexing (C‐SM) scheme to produce an opportunistic C‐SM (OC‐SM) scheme. The fraction of time allocated to the source–relay link and the relay–destination link is treated as a design parameter to minimise the outage probability of the system. At high signal‐to‐noise ratio regime, the optimal time allocated factor is obtained in a closed‐form expression through DMT analysis. Based on the DMT result of the proposed OC‐SM scheme, an adaptive OC‐SM (AOC‐SM) approach in which the system can switch between different C‐SM models adaptively based on the rate transmitted is proposed. To reduce the complexity of the relay nodes, an AOC‐SM scheme with relay selection (SAOC‐SM) in which a constant number of relay nodes is selected from the set of relay nodes that have successfully decoded the source message is investigated. The DMT results of the SAOC‐SM scheme and the AOC‐SM scheme are obtained and compared.
A Critical Analysis of Decision Support Systems Research Revisited: The Rise of Design Science
Authors: Arnott David , Pervan Graham
Published: July 2014

In 2005 the Journal of Information Technology article ‘A critical analysis of decision support systems research’ analyzed 1020 decision support systems (DSS) articles from 1990 to 2003. Since 2003 business intelligence (BI) and business analytics have gained popularity in practice. In theory and research the period since 2003 has seen a change in the decision-making theory orthodoxy and the codification and acceptance of design science. To investigate the changes in the DSS field, a number of expectations were derived from previous literature analyses. These expectations were assessed using bibliometric content analysis. The article sample to 2010 now includes 1466 articles from 16 journals. The analysis of the expectations yields mixed results for the DSS field. On the negative side, there has been an overall decline in DSS publishing, the relevance of DSS research published in journals to IT professionals has declined, and the rigor of DSS research designs has not improved. On the positive side, there has been improvement in relevance to managers, grant funding of DSS research has increased, there has been a positive shift in judgment and decision-making foundations, BI publishing has increased, and group support systems publishing has reduced to a more balanced level. An important result from the analysis of the last 7 years of DSS research is the significant increase in DSS design-science research (DSR) to almost half of published articles. It is clear from the analysis that DSS is undergoing a transition from a field based on statistical hypothesis testing and conceptual studies to one where DSR is the most popular method.
Theoretical study of line and boundary tension in adsorbed colloid-polymer mixtures
Authors: Koning Jesper , Vandecan Yves , Indekeu Joseph
Published: July 2014

An extended theoretical study of interface potentials in adsorbed colloid-polymer mixtures is performed. To describe the colloid-polymer mixture near a hard wall, a simple Cahn-Nakanishi-Fisher free-energy functional is used. The bulk phase behaviour and the substrate-adsorbate interaction are modelled by the free-volume theory for ideal polymers with polymer-to-colloid size ratios q = 0.6 and q = 1. The interface potentials are constructed with help from a Fisher-Jin crossing constraint. By manipulating the crossing density, a complete interface potential can be obtained from natural, single-crossing, profiles. The line tension in the partial wetting regime and the boundary tension along prewetting are computed from the interface potentials. The line tensions are of either sign, and descending with increasing contact angle. The line tension takes a positive value of 10−14–10−12 N near a first-order wetting transition, passes through zero and decreases to minus 10−14–10−12 N away from the first-order transition. The calculations of the boundary tension along prewetting yield values increasing from zero at the prewetting critical point up to the value of the line tension at first-order wetting.
Size-dependent vibronic coupling in α-Fe2O3
Authors: O'Neal K. R. , Patete J. M. , Chen P. , Holinsworth B. S. , Smith J. M. , Lee N. , Cheong S.-W. , Wong Stanislaus S. , Marques C. , Aronson M. C. , Musfeldt J. L.
Published: July 2014

We report the discovery of finite length scale effects on vibronic coupling in nanoscale α-Fe2O3 as measured by the behavior of vibronically activated d-d on-site excitations of Fe3+ as a function of size and shape. An oscillator strength analysis reveals that the frequency of the coupled symmetry-breaking phonon changes with size, a crossover that we analyze in terms of increasing three-dimensional character to the displacement pattern. These findings demonstrate the flexibility of mixing processes in confined systems and suggest a strategy for both enhancing and controlling charge-lattice interactions in other materials.
Role of the crystallization substrate on the photoluminescence properties of organo-lead mixed halides perovskites
Authors: De Bastiani Michele , D’Innocenzo Valerio , Stranks Samuel D. , Snaith Henry J. , Petrozza Annamaria
Published: July 2014

We have fabricated CH3NH3PbI3−xClx perovskite thin films crystallized in situ on substrates of different natures (e.g., porosity, wettability) and investigated their photoluminescence properties. We observe that the crystallization time and thin film structure are strongly influenced by the chemical nature and porosity of the substrate. Moreover, we find that the mesoporous scaffold can tune the emissive properties of the semiconducting compound both in terms of spectral region and dynamics. In particular, perovskite crystallites grown in the nanometre size porous scaffold present a shorter-living and blue-shifted emission with respect to the perovskite crystals which are free to grow without any constraints.
Design of a magnetic shielding system for the time of flight enhanced diagnostics neutron spectrometer at Experimental Advanced Superconducting Tokamak
Authors: Cui Z. Q. , Chen Z. J. , Xie X. F. , Peng X. Y. , Hu Z. M. , Du T. F. , Ge L. J. , Zhang X. , Yuan X. , Xia Z. W. , Hu L. Q. , Zhong G. Q. , Lin S. Y. , Wan B. N. , Fan T. S. , Chen J. X. , Li X. Q. , Zhang G. H.
Published: July 2014

The novel neutron spectrometer TOFED (Time of Flight Enhanced Diagnostics), comprising 90 individual photomultiplier tubes coupled with 85 plastic scintillation detectors through light guides, has been constructed and installed at Experimental Advanced Superconducting Tokamak. A dedicated magnetic shielding system has been constructed for TOFED, and is designed to guarantee the normal operation of photomultiplier tubes in the stray magnetic field leaking from the tokamak device. Experimental measurements and numerical simulations carried out employing the finite element method are combined to optimize the design of the magnetic shielding system. The system allows detectors to work properly in an external magnetic field of 200 G.
Development of a ten inch manipulators-based, flexible, broadband two-crystal spectrometer
Authors: Steel A. B. , Dunn J. , Emig J. , Beiersdorfer P. , Brown G. V. , Shepherd R. , Marley E. V. , Hoarty D. J.
Published: July 2014

We have developed and implemented a broadband X-ray spectrometer with a variable energy range for use at the Atomic Weapons Establishment's Orion Laser. The spectrometer covers an energy bandwidth of ∼1–2 keV using two independently mounted, movable Bragg diffraction crystals. Using combinations of cesium hydrogen pthlate, ammonium dihydrogen phosphate, and pentaerythritol crystals, spectra covering the 1.4–2.5, 1.85–3.15, or 3.55–5.1 keV energy bands have been measured. Image plate is used for detection owing to its high dynamic range. Background signals caused by high energy X-rays and particles commonly produced in high energy laser experiments are reduced by a series of tantalum baffles and filters installed between the source and crystal and also between the crystals and detector.
Cooling-field dependence of exchange bias effect in La0.45Sr0.55MnO3 nanoparticles
Authors: Rostamnejadi A. , Venkatesan M. , Kameli P. , Salamati H. , Coey J. M. D.
Published: July 2014

Magnetic properties of 16 nm La0.45Sr0.55MnO3 nanoparticles exhibit superparamagnetic blocking at 160 K with a ferromagnetic moment appearing in the antiferromagnetic state. The exchange interaction at the interface between canted ferromagnetic and antiferromagnetic regions within the nanoparticles leads to exchange bias, but the loop shift, coercivity, and remanence asymmetry all decrease strongly with increasing cooling field above 1 T unlike a conventional ferromagnetic/antiferromagnetic exchange bias system. The observations imply a magnetization process involving coalescence of canted ferromagnetic clusters with increasing field, which reduces the interface area with the antiferromagnetic matrix.
Computational prediction of two-dimensional group-IV mono-chalcogenides
Authors: Singh Arunima K. , Hennig Richard G.
Published: July 2014

Density functional calculations determine the structure, stability, and electronic properties of two-dimensional materials in the family of group-IV monochalcogenides, MX (M = Ge, Sn, Pb; X = O, S, Se, Te). Calculations with a van der Waals functional show that the two-dimensional IV-VI compounds are most stable in either a highly distorted NaCl-type structure or a single-layer litharge type tetragonal structure. Their formation energies are comparable to single-layer MoS2, indicating the ease of mechanical exfoliation from their layered bulk structures. The phonon spectra confirm their dynamical stability. Using the hybrid HSE06 functional, we find that these materials are semiconductors with bandgaps that are generally larger than for their bulk counterparts due to quantum confinement. The band edge alignments of monolayer group IV-VI materials reveal several type-I and type-II heterostructures, suited for optoelectronics and solar energy conversion.
Magnetic vortex evolution in self-assembled La0.7Sr0.3MnO3 nanoislands under in-plane magnetic field
Authors: Zabaleta J. , Jaafar M. , Asenjo A. , Agramunt-Puig S. , Del-Valle N. , Navau C. , Sanchez A. , Puig T. , Obradors X. , Mestres N.
Published: July 2014

The magnetic vortex formation at room temperature and its evolution under in-plane magnetic field is studied in chemically grown self-assembled La0.7Sr0.3MnO3 nanoislands of less than 200 nm in width. We use variable field magnetic force microscopy and numerical simulations to confirm that the vortex state is ubiquitous in these square-base pyramid shape epitaxial La0.7Sr0.3MnO3 nanostructures, and that it requires in-plane magnetic fields below 40 kA/m to be annihilated.
Ferroelasticity and spin-state transitions of LaCoO3
Authors: Araki Wakako , Abe Takehiro , Arai Yoshio
Published: July 2014

A uniaxial compression test of polycrystalline lanthanum cobaltite (LCO) was performed to investigate mechanical behavior of LCO in the temperature range of 83–553 K. Prepared by solid-state reaction, the electrical resistivity and the linear expansion coefficient of polycrystalline LCO, measured between 80 and 1273 K, exhibit distinct changes attributed to spin-state transitions of cobalt ions around 100–200 K and 400–600 K, but are relatively constant between 200 and 400 K. The stress-strain curve obtained under uniaxial compression shows strong nonlinearity due to ferroelastic domain switching process between 83 and 553 K. Initial Young's moduli, critical stress, and dissipated energy evaluated from the stress-strain curves decrease by about a half with increasing the temperature, whereas there was no drastic changes even around the spin-state transition temperatures. The initial modulus agrees with the temperature dependence of the apparent Young's modulus measured under low-stress cyclic loading.
Enhancement of minority carrier lifetime of GaInP with lateral composition modulation structure grown by molecular beam epitaxy
Authors: Park K. W. , Park C. Y. , Ravindran Sooraj , Kang S. J. , Hwang H. Y. , Jho Y. D. , Jo Y. R. , Kim B. J. , Lee Y. T.
Published: July 2014

We report the enhancement of the minority carrier lifetime of GaInP with a lateral composition modulated (LCM) structure grown using molecular beam epitaxy (MBE). The structural and optical properties of the grown samples are studied by transmission electron microscopy and photoluminescence, which reveal the formation of vertically aligned bright and dark slabs corresponding to Ga-rich and In-rich GaInP regions, respectively, with good crystal quality. With the decrease of V/III ratio during LCM GaInP growth, it is seen that the band gap of LCM GaInP is reduced, while the PL intensity remains high and is comparable to that of bulk GaInP. We also investigate the minority carrier lifetime of LCM structures made with different flux ratios. It is found that the minority carrier lifetime of LCM GaInP is ∼37 times larger than that of bulk GaInP material, due to the spatial separation of electrons and holes by In-rich and Ga-rich regions of the LCM GaInP, respectively. We further demonstrate that the minority carrier lifetime of the grown LCM GaInP structures can easily be tuned by simply adjusting the V/III flux ratio during MBE growth, providing a simple yet powerful technique to tailor the electrical and optical properties at will. The exceptionally high carrier lifetime and the reduced band gap of LCM GaInP make them a highly attractive candidate for forming the top cell of multi-junction solar cells and can enhance their efficiency, and also make them suitable for other optoelectronics devices, such as photodetectors, where longer carrier lifetime is beneficial.
Triple stack glass-to-glass anodic bonding for optogalvanic spectroscopy cells with electrical feedthroughs
Authors: Daschner R. , Kübler H. , Löw R. , Baur H. , Frühauf N. , Pfau T.
Published: July 2014

We demonstrate the use of an anodic bonding technique for building a vacuum tight vapor cell for the use of Rydberg spectroscopy of alkali atoms with thin film electrodes on the inside of the cell. The cell is fabricated by simultaneous triple stack glass-to-glass anodic bonding at 300 °C. This glue-free, low temperature sealing technique provides the opportunity to include thin film electric feedthroughs. The pressure broadening is only limited by the vapor pressure of rubidium and the lifetime is at least four months with operating temperatures up to 230 °C.
Efficient Schottky-like junction GaAs nanowire photodetector with 9 GHz modulation bandwidth with large active area
Authors: Seyedi M. A. , Yao M. , O'Brien J. , Wang S. Y. , Dapkus P. D.
Published: July 2014

Efficient, low capacitance density GaAs/Indium-Tin-Oxide Schottky-like junction photodetectors with a 50 μm square active are fabricated for operation in the gigahertz range. Modulation bandwidth is experimentally measured up to 10 GHz at various applied reverse biases and optical intensities to explore the effects of photo-generated carrier screening on modulation bandwidth. Last, the bandwidth dependence on applied reverse bias and optical intensity is simulated as a means to quantify average carrier velocities in nanowire material systems.
Lactate promotes plasticity gene expression by potentiating NMDA signaling in neurons
Authors: Yang Jiangyan , Ruchti Evelyne , Petit Jean-Marie , Jourdain Pascal , Grenningloh Gabriele , Allaman Igor , Magistretti Pierre J.
Published: July 2014

Significance

The transfer of lactate, a product of aerobic glycolysis, from astrocytes to neurons was recently shown to be necessary for the establishment of long-term memory and for the maintenance of in vivo long-term potentiation. Here, we report that lactate induces the expression of plasticity genes such as Arc, c-Fos, and Zif268 in neurons. The action of lactate is mediated by the modulation of NMDA receptor activity and the downstream Erk1/2 signaling cascade, through a mechanism associated with changes in the cellular redox state. These observations unveil an unexpected role of lactate as a signaling molecule in addition to its role in energy metabolism and open a previously unidentified research avenue for the study of neuronal plasticity and memory.
Elimination of damaged mitochondria through mitophagy reduces mitochondrial oxidative stress and increases tolerance to trichothecenes
Authors: Bin-Umer Mohamed Anwar , McLaughlin John E. , Butterly Matthew S. , McCormick Susan , Tumer Nilgun E.
Published: July 2014

Significance

Despite the importance of trichothecene mycotoxins in food safety and environmental exposure, molecular mechanism of their toxicity is not well-understood and there is a critical gap in our knowledge about cellular protection mechanisms against trichothecenes. To identify cellular functions that provide resistance to trichothecenes, we screened the yeast deletion library for increased sensitivity to trichothecin and identified a vital role for mitochondrial oxidative stress in trichothecene sensitivity and for mitophagy in protecting cells against trichothecenes. Our data show that enhancing degradation of trichothecene-damaged mitochondria by mitophagy reduces mitochondrial oxidative stress and increases cell survival. These results reveal a previously unidentified mechanism against trichothecenes.
Memory B cells contribute to rapid Bcl6 expression by memory follicular helper T cells
Authors: Ise Wataru , Inoue Takeshi , McLachlan James B. , Kometani Kohei , Kubo Masato , Okada Takaharu , Kurosaki Tomohiro
Published: July 2014

Significance

Follicular helper T (T
FH
) cells have emerged as the key cell type required for the formation of germinal centers and subsequent long-lasting antibody responses. It has been demonstrated that T
FH
cells enter the memory pool. However, it is unclear how the generation, survival, or activation of those T
FH
memory cells is regulated. Here we show that B-cell lymphoma 6 (Bcl6), a master regulator of T
FH
generation, is required for maintenance of T
FH
memory cells and subsequent humoral memory. In these recall responses, antigen-specific memory B cells majorly contribute to the quick induction of Bcl6 in T
FH
memory cells. Our results reinforce the importance of cognate interaction between memory T
FH
and memory B cells and give important implications for development of better vaccines.
Economic demand predicts addiction-like behavior and therapeutic efficacy of oxytocin in the rat
Authors: Bentzley Brandon S. , Jhou Thomas C. , Aston-Jones Gary
Published: July 2014

Significance

Cocaine addiction is a major public health problem with no current pharmacotherapy approved by the US Food and Drug Administration. To accelerate discovery of treatments, we developed an animal model based on economics. Economics allows mathematical alignment of animal and human behavior, permitting more confident predictions of efficacy in addicts. Although economic models are strongly associated with addiction severity in humans, they have not yet been shown to be a marker of addiction in rats. In this report, we confirm that economic demand is strongly associated with addiction-like behavior in rats, and can predict the efficacy of a promising addiction therapy. Our findings indicate that this economic approach can be used to accelerate the development of novel addiction therapies.
Anomalously robust valley polarization and valley coherence in bilayer WS
2
Authors: Zhu Bairen , Zeng Hualing , Dai Junfeng , Gong Zhirui , Cui Xiaodong
Published: July 2014

Significance

Coherence of electronic states is crucial for quantum manipulation through light–matter interactions. To achieve coherence in conventional solid-state systems, extreme conditions such as cryogenic temperatures are required, which is a long-term challenge for practical applications. The emerging atomically thin transition metal dichalcogenides provide an unprecedented platform to explore the interplay of quantum states of spin and valley. In this paper, we demonstrate room-temperature valley coherence and valley polarization in bilayer WS
2
with polarization-resolved photoluminescence measurements. The robustness of the valley coherence and valley polarization is understood as the consequence of the coupling of spin, layer, and valley degrees of freedom in bilayer WS
2
. It inspires new perspectives on quantum manipulations in 2D solid-state systems.
Novel approach to numerical measurements of the configurational entropy in supercooled liquids
Authors: Berthier Ludovic , Coslovich Daniele
Published: July 2014

Significance

When liquids are cooled sufficiently fast, they remain trapped in an amorphous metastable state called a “glass.” Due to their highly disordered structure at the microscale, however, glasses are characterized by a large multiplicity of metastable states. The configurational entropy represents a measure of their number and can be estimated in experiments and simulations via different, and sometimes inconsistent, approximations. Here we propose a novel method to compute the configurational entropy in a computer simulation. Compared with other approaches, the proposed numerical scheme allows one to obtain an observable that is conceptually closer to the theoretical definition and at the same time yields results in better agreement with experiments.
Astrocytes contribute to gamma oscillations and recognition memory
Authors: Lee Hosuk Sean , Ghetti Andrea , Pinto-Duarte António , Wang Xin , Dziewczapolski Gustavo , Galimi Francesco , Huitron-Resendiz Salvador , Piña-Crespo Juan C. , Roberts Amanda J. , Verma Inder M. , Sejnowski Terrence J. , Heinemann Stephen F.
Published: July 2014

Significance

Astrocytes are well placed to modulate neural activity. However, the functions typically attributed to astrocytes are associated with a temporal dimension significantly slower than the timescale of synaptic transmission of neurons. Consequently, it has been assumed that astrocytes do not play a major role in modulating fast neural network dynamics known to underlie cognitive behavior. By creating a transgenic mouse in which vesicular release from astrocytes can be reversibly blocked, we found that astrocytes are necessary for novel object recognition behavior and to maintain functional gamma oscillations both in vitro and in awake-behaving animals. Our findings reveal an unexpected role for astrocytes in neural information processing and cognition.
Culture of the green microalga Botryococcus braunii Showa with LED irradiation eliminating violet light enhances hydrocarbon production and recovery
Authors: Atobe Sueko , Saga Kiyotaka , Maeyama Haruko , Fujiwara Kazuhiro , Okada Shigeru , Imou Kenji
Published: July 2014

The green microalga Botryococcus braunii (B. braunii), race B, was cultured under light-emitting diode (LED) irradiation with and without violet light. This study examined the effect of violet light on hydrocarbon recovery and production in B. braunii. C34 botryococcene hydrocarbons were efficiently extracted by thermal pretreatments at lower temperatures when the alga was cultured without violet light. The hydrocarbon content was also higher (approximately 3%) in samples cultured without violet light. To elucidate the mechanism of effective hydrocarbon recovery and production, we examined structural components of the extracellular matrix (ECM). The amounts of extracellular carotenoids and water-soluble polymers extracted by thermal pretreatment from the ECM were decreased when the alga was cultured without violet light. These results indicate that LED irradiation without violet light is more effective for hydrocarbon recovery and production in B. braunii. Furthermore, structural ECM components are closely involved in hydrocarbon recovery and production in B. braunii.
Complexity: A Very Short Introduction
Authors: Holland John H.
Published: July 2014

From the movement of flocks of birds to the Internet, environmental sustainability, and market regulation, the study and understanding of complex non-linear systems has become highly influential over the last thirty years. Complexity: A Very Short Introduction introduces the key elements and conceptual framework of complexity. From complex physical systems such as fluid flow and the difficulties of predicting weather, to complex adaptive systems such as the highly diverse and interdependent ecosystems of rainforests, it combines simple, well-known examples—Adam Smith’s pin factory, Charles Darwin’s comet orchid, and Herbert Simon’s “watchmaker”—with an account of the approaches, involving agents and urn models, taken by complexity theory.
The use of the direct impact Hopkinson pressure bar technique to describe thermally activated and viscous regimes of metallic materials
Authors: Couque Hervé
Published: July 2014

The influence of strain rate over domains involving the thermal activation and the viscous drag behaviour of the dislocations is discussed. While it is recognized that the Koslky–Hopkinson technique or split Hopkinson pressure bar technique can generate data up to the upper strain-rate limit of the thermal-activated regime, it is necessary to use a direct impact Hopkinson pressure bar technique to access the viscous regime. Data generated with this technique are presented for a series of metals, including steel, nickel, copper and tungsten alloys. The motivation to generate such data is provided through three industrial applications.
The landscape of Chinese open educational resources research
Authors: Xu Ling , Zhang Jingjing , Zheng Qinhua
Published: July 2014

Purpose

– After the official definition of Open Educational Resources (OER) at the Forum on Open Courseware for Higher Education in Developing Countries in 2002, the concept was soon introduced to China and popularised among scholars, practitioners, and educators. After ten years of proliferation, it is important to explore the landscape of Chinese OER research. The paper aims to discuss these issues.

Design/methodology/approach

– This paper adopts social network analysis (SNA) to analyse the network defining the citations of 133 OER journal articles published in China.

Findings

– The findings illustrate that the academic circle of OER in China is small, which leads to restricted innovation. Most publications are produced by researchers working at comprehensive universities and normal universities (teachers colleges).

Research limitations/implications

– In these universities, a number of active OER researchers are emerging, but no OER research team can be identified from their citation networks. Currently, most OER research is still descriptive research, and only few case studies are being to gradually be conducted.

Practical implications

– As the Chinese OER research is still in the initial stage, more research projects in OER need to be explored to construct higher quality and more influential open content to achieve deep openness.

Originality/value

– In the literature, no one has adopted the SNA to analyse the citation network of Chinese OER research.
The grey interval prediction method and its prediction accuracy
Authors: Wang Yinao
Published: July 2014

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to discuss the interval forecasting, prediction interval and its reliability. When the predicted interval and its reliability are construction, the general rule which must satisfy is studied, grey wrapping band forecasting method is perfect.

Design/methodology/approach

– A forecasting method puts forward a process of prediction interval. It also elaborates on the meaning of interval (the probability of the prediction interval including the real value of predicted variable). The general rule is abstracted and summarized by many forecasting cases. The general rule is discussed by axiomatic method.

Findings

– The prediction interval is categorized into three types. Three axioms that construction predicted interval must satisfy are put forward. Grey wrapping band forecasting method is improved based on the proposed axioms.

Practical implications

– Take the Shanghai composite index as the example, according to the K-line diagram from 4 January 2013 to 9 May 2013, the reliability of predicted rebound height of subsequent two or three trading day does not exceed the upper wrapping curve is 80 per cent. It is significant to understand the forecasting range correctly, build a reasonable range forecasting method and to apply grey wrapping band forecasting method correctly.

Originality/value

– Grey wrapping band forecasting method is improved based on the proposed axioms.
Leadership styles: relationship with conflict management styles
Authors: Saeed Tahir , Almas Shazia , Anis-ul-Haq M. , Niazi GSK
Published: July 2014

Purpose

– The purpose of this study is to examine the relationship between leadership styles and conflict management styles among managers, while handling interpersonal conflict (mangers and subordinates).

Design/methodology/approach

– Middle-level managers (N= 150) from different private sector manufacturing industries were included in the study to seek responses through questionnaire based on instruments for conflict management and leadership styles.

Findings

– Managers who perceived to exhibit more on transformational leadership style adopted integrating and obliging style of conflict management. Those who perceived to exhibit more on transactional style opted for compromising style of conflict management. Whereas, managers perceived to exhibit laissez-faire leadership style adopted avoiding style to manage conflicts with subordinates.

Originality/value

– Despite the universal acceptance of leadership importance in corporate settings, research so far investigated leadership styles as determinants of conflict management styles are population-specific, including nursing managers (Hendel, 2005), university academic staff (Paul, 2006) and healthcare professionals (Saeed, 2008). Furthermore, the findings in the referred studies are not consistent, and this issue seems to be at an exploratory phase that requires further investigation to establish the relationship. Blake and Mouton (1964) and Rahim (1992) tried to measure the strategies in which individuals typically deal with the conflicts. This approach treated conflict styles as individual disposition, stable over time and across situations. It is argued and supported by literature that leadership styles or behaviors remain stable over time and are expected to be significantly related to conflict management styles (Hendel, 2005).
Body weight and labour market outcomes in Post-Soviet Russia
Authors: Huffman Sonya , Rizov Marian
Published: July 2014

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to focus on the impacts of overweight and obesity on the probability of employment, wages, and the incidence of sick-leave days by gender, in Russia, over the transition period, 1994-2005.

Design/methodology/approach

– The authors uses panel data and appropriate instrumental variables techniques to estimate a set of three models.

Findings

– The results show a linear negative effect of body mass index (BMI) on probability of employment for women and positive effect for men. The authors did not find evidence of wage penalty for higher BMI, a result different from findings of several studies on developed market economies. There is also positive impact of BMI on the number of work days missed due to health problems for women.

Originality/value

– The results derived in transition context add evidence to the growing obesity and labour market outcomes literature emphasising the relative importance of the labour supply side compared to the demand side. The policy implications of our study are gender specific.
Operational impact of collaboration and resource specificity: the moderating role of technology context
Authors: N.S. Iyer Karthik
Published: July 2014

Purpose

– The purpose of this research is to enhance understanding of the sources of relational rents in supply chains and the nature of their relationships with performance. Using the relational view framework and contingency perspective, the study develops a model and hypotheses to understand the nature of the relationships of collaboration and resource specificity with operational performance under technology context contingencies.

Design/methodology/approach

– Data for testing the hypothesized relationships in the conceptual model were collected through a survey of managers in the Hoover’s database of manufacturing firms. The survey sample included 115 responses from a wide variety of manufacturing forms.

Findings

– Findings support the conventional wisdom relating collaboration and operational improvements. Notably, technological turbulence has a differential interactive influence on collaboration and resource specificity in predicting operational performance. In the former, the strength of the performance relationship is enhanced, while in the latter, it diminishes. Product complexity enhances the collaboration–operational performance linkage. The results, however, have to be further corroborated by more confirmatory analysis in future research.

Research limitations/implications

– The research findings are not conclusive but of an exploratory initial evidence, as stepwise regression analysis has its limitations. Additionally, while the study specifically focused on demand-side collaboration aspects, supply chain management envelops upstream and internal collaboration as well. Investigating the performance implications and the interactive dynamics among all three partnerships in the supply chains provides a richer understanding of supply chain partnerships. Besides, more comprehensive insights could be obtained by modeling the interactive effects of other factors in the operating context.

Practical implications

– Firms derive performance benefits from close collaboration with downstream partners because the operational enhancements from such relationships have customer service implications. Besides, the results provide a framework to managers for understanding the technology context conditions that may be best suited for leveraging collaborative initiatives and idiosyncratic investments in pursuit of operational performance improvements.

Originality/value

– Much of the evidence on the rent generation capabilities in supply chain partnerships is still anecdotal and extant empirical research lacks adequate explanation. Another critical shortcoming in extant literature is research on the disentangled interactive influence of operating context factors on the supply chain sources of rent (i.e. capabilities)–performance relationships. The study contributes by addressing these issues.
Visionary leadership and its relationship to organizational effectiveness
Authors: M. Taylor Colette , J. Cornelius Casey , Colvin Kate
Published: July 2014

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to investigate the relationship between visionary leadership and the perception of organizational effectiveness in nonprofit organizations. Leaders with high levels of transformational leadership were predicted to be reported as having more effective organizations.

Design/methodology/approach

– Data from 135 executive organizational leaders and 221 of their subordinates were collected from 52 various nonprofit organizations across USA. Leaders completed measures of leadership behavior and perceived organizational effectiveness, while followers provided ratings of their perspective leaders’ leadership style, organizational effectiveness, and organizational change magnitude.

Findings

– Significant relationships were found between visionary leadership and perceived organizational effectiveness. Regression analysis also showed some significant correlations between high leadership behaviors and perceived organizational effectiveness. Visionary leaders with high leadership skills facilitated the greatest perceived organizational effectiveness in their respective organizations.

Practical implications

– Leaders wishing to improve their organization's effectiveness may wish to adopt a visionary leadership style. Visionary leaders develop practices through executive training and development that would hone their skills to significantly impact organizational effectiveness.

Originality/value

– This paper contributes to the existing literature focussed on the relationship between leadership styles and organizational effectiveness. Different aspects of these variables were tested in order to provide a wider and more comprehensive understanding of the factors affecting nonprofit organizations and their employees.
Reducing air emissions from tanneries with tradable permits
Authors: Ostoich Marco , Zanetto Gabriele
Published: July 2014

Purpose

– Tanneries present heavy environmental impacts due to air emissions. Specific quality objectives are fixed by European Directives concerning air and, in particular, volatile organic compounds. The purpose of this paper is to present a proposal for the management of air emissions with a view to achieve quality standards in the Italy's largest tannery district by means of a tradable emissions permits (TEPs) system.

Design/methodology/approach

– A methodological approach is presented and analysed. The proposed system is based on the “bubble” configuration, which appears to be an effective and feasible application based on the total maximum daily load criterion, supported by the air quality standards or the environmental risk assessment (ERA) procedure.

Findings

– The TEP system favours technological improvements in the reduction of emissions. The system may not provide a solution to the unpleasant odours deriving from the tanneries, but its application supported by ERA will make it possible to define the admissible levels of air pollution and improve the general state of air quality.

Research limitations/implications

– Although the study is not exhaustive and requires further investigation in the economic, legal, administrative and air pollution sectors, it does give the basic elements for a preliminary analysis. The evident lack of experimental data concerning weather and climatic features, intrinsic to exposure assessment, has been pointed out.

Originality/value

– This study proposes a methodological pathway aimed at defining the system of tradable permits by verifying the existence and availability of the necessary data. The proposed TEP system can be extended to other homogeneous industrial districts with an appropriate selection of one or more critical parameters.
Proposed Method for Predicting Pair Matching of Skeletal Elements Allows Too Many False Rejections
Authors: Vickers Sara , Lubinski Patrick M. , Henebry DeLeon Lourdes , Bowen John T.
Published: July 2014

Byrd proposes a method for predicting pair matches in commingled remains to reduce visual comparison. The method compares differences between left and right postcranial element measurements in commingled samples with differences in known pairs from a reference sample using a t‐score approach. We duplicated his protocol using six elements from two samples of known paired elements (n = 854 to 1063) and calculated the number of pairs correctly predicted. Time commitment was estimated by mathematically attempting matches with all left and right elements in these samples. Although the results show an 86% reduction in the number of potential pairs requiring visual matching, we do not recommend the method because (i) the normality assumption for use of a t‐score approach is violated, (ii) no account is made for bilateral asymmetry, and (iii) the high rate of false rejections (up to 22%) undermines its ability to show true incompatibilities for potential pair matches.
Neuroimaging craving: urge intensity matters
Authors: Wilson Stephen J. , Sayette Michael A.
Published: July 2014

Functional neuroimaging has become an increasingly common tool for studying drug craving. Furthermore, functional neuroimaging studies, which have addressed an incredibly diverse array of questions regarding the nature and treatment of craving, have had a substantial impact on theoretical models of addiction. Here, we offer three points related to this sizeable and influential body of research. First, we assert that the craving most investigators seek to study represents not just a desire but a strong desire to use drugs, consistent with prominent theoretical and clinical descriptions of craving. Secondly, we highlight that, despite the clear conceptual and clinical emphasis on craving as an intense desire, brain imaging studies often have been designed explicitly in a way that reduces the ability to generate powerful cravings. We illustrate this point by reviewing the peak urge levels endorsed by participants in functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) studies of cigarette craving in nicotine‐deprived versus non‐deprived smokers. Thirdly, we suggest that brain responses measured during mild states of desire (such as following satiety) differ in fundamental ways from those measured during states of overpowering desire (i.e. craving) to use drugs. We support this position by way of a meta‐analysis revealing that fMRI cue exposure studies using nicotine‐deprived smokers have produced different patterns of brain activation to those using non‐deprived smokers. Regarding brain imaging studies of craving, intensity of the urges matter, and more explicit attention to urge intensity in future work has the potential to yield valuable information about the nature of craving.
Safety evaluation of rabbit eyes on scleral collagen cross‐linking by riboflavin and ultraviolet A
Authors: Wang Mengmeng , Zhang Fengju , Liu Kegao , Zhao Xu
Published: July 2014

Background

To evaluate the safety of the scleral collagen cross‐linking (CXL) transferred from corneal CXL in rabbit eyes using histology and electroretinography (ERG).

Methods

Stress–strain measurement was performed five rabbits 1 week after scleral CXL. Dark‐adapted ERG was repeatedly applied on bilateral eyes of 10 rabbits before, and 1 week, 1 month and 3 months after the CXL operation. Histological analysis, terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase dUTP nick‐end labeling, the measurement of outer nuclear layer thickness and transmission electron microscopy were performed onto 15 rabbits at corresponding time points postoperatively.

Results

The mechanical and biochemical stability of rabbit scleral tissues was statistically increased after the scleral CXL (P = .00). However, the dark‐adapted ERG amplitudes were statistically reduced 1 week, 1 month and 3 months postoperatively (P < 0.05). Compared with the control eyes, apoptotic cells and ultrastructural changes can be found in the retinal layers of scleral cross‐linked eyes.

Conclusions

According to the electrophysiological and histopathological results, the current scleral CXL laboratory technique is not safe enough for the postoperative visual function of rabbit eyes.
Hunger‐dependent and sex‐specific antipredator behaviour of larvae of a size‐dimorphic mosquito
Authors: WORMINGTON JILLIAN D. , JULIANO STEVEN A.
Published: July 2014

1. Modification of behaviours in the presence of predators or predation cues is widespread among animals. The costs of a behavioural change in the presence of predators or predation cues depend on fitness effects of lost feeding opportunities and, especially when organisms are sexually dimorphic in size or timing of maturation, these costs are expected to differ between the sexes.

2. Larval Aedes triseriatus (Say) (Diptera: Culicidae) were used to test the hypothesis that behavioural responses of the sexes to predation cues have been selected differently due to different energy demands.

3. Even in the absence of water‐borne predation cues, hungry females (the larger sex) spent more time browsing than did males, indicating a difference in energy needs.

4. In the presence of predation cues, well‐fed larvae of both sexes reduced their activity more than did hungry larvae, and males shifted away from high‐risk behaviours to a greater degree than did females, providing the first evidence of sex‐specific antipredator behaviour in foraging mosquito larvae.

5. Because sexual size dimorphism is common across taxa, and energetic demands are probably correlated with size dimorphism, this research demonstrates the importance of investigating sex‐specific behaviour and behavioural responses to enemies, and cautions against generalising results between sexes.
The Limits of Learning: Habermas' Social Theory and Religion
Authors: Cooke Maeve
Published: July 2014

Habermas' view that contemporary philosophy and social theory can learn from religious traditions calls for closer consideration. He is correct to hold that religious traditions constitute a reservoir of potentially important meanings that can be critically appropriated without emptying them of their motivating and inspirational power. However, contrary to what he implies, his theory allows for learning from religion only to a very limited degree. This is due to two core elements of his conceptual framework, both of which are key features of his account of postmetaphysical thinking. The first is the requirement of ethical agnosticism; this requires philosophy and social theory to refrain from offering guidance on questions of the good life. The second is his language‐immanent conception of truth in the domain of practical reason; this follows from his rejection of any source of validity beyond human communication in this domain. I make the case for a more robust account of learning from religious traditions and metaphysical worldviews, arguing that for this purpose Habermas must modify his requirement of ethical agnosticism and relinquish his language‐immanent conception of truth.
Interactions among nitrogen fixation and soil phosphorus acquisition strategies in lowland tropical rain forests
Authors: Nasto Megan K. , Alvarez‐Clare Silvia , Lekberg Ylva , Sullivan Benjamin W. , Townsend Alan R. , Cleveland Cory C.
Published: July 2014

Paradoxically, symbiotic dinitrogen (N2) fixers are abundant in nitrogen (N)‐rich, phosphorus (P)‐poor lowland tropical rain forests. One hypothesis to explain this pattern states that N2 fixers have an advantage in acquiring soil P by producing more N‐rich enzymes (phosphatases) that mineralise organic P than non‐N2 fixers. We assessed soil and root phosphatase activity between fixers and non‐fixers in two lowland tropical rain forest sites, but also addressed the hypothesis that arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) colonisation (another P acquisition strategy) is greater on fixers than non‐fixers. Root phosphatase activity and AM colonisation were higher for fixers than non‐fixers, and strong correlations between AM colonisation and N2 fixation at both sites suggest that the N–P interactions mediated by fixers may generally apply across tropical forests. We suggest that phosphatase enzymes and AM fungi enhance the capacity of N2 fixers to acquire soil P, thus contributing to their high abundance in tropical forests.