bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Characterization of plasma chemistry and ion energy in cathodic arc plasma from Ti-Si cathodes of different compositions
Authors: Eriksson A. O. , Zhirkov I. , Dahlqvist M. , Jensen J. , Hultman L. , Rosen J.
Published: April 2013

Arc plasma from Ti-Si compound cathodes with up to 25 at. % Si was characterized in a DC arc system with respect to chemistry and charge-state-resolved ion energy. The plasma ion composition showed a lower Si content, diverging up to 12 at. % compared to the cathode composition, yet concurrently deposited films were in accordance with the cathode stoichiometry. Significant contribution to film growth from neutrals is inferred besides ions, since the contribution from macroparticles, estimated by scanning electron microscopy, cannot alone account for the compositional difference between cathode, plasma, and film. The average ion charge states for Ti and Si were higher than reference data for elemental cathodes. This result is likely related to TiSix phases of higher cohesive energies in the compound cathodes and higher effective electron temperature in plasma formation. The ion energy distributions extended up to ∼200 and ∼130 eV for Ti and Si, respectively, with corresponding average energies of ∼60 and ∼30 eV. These averages were, however, not dependent on Si content in the cathode, except for 25 at. % Si where the average energies were increased up to 72 eV for Ti and 47 eV for Si.
Magnetic anisotropy in strained manganite films and bicrystal junctions
Authors: Demidov V. V. , Ovsyannikov G. A. , Petrzhik A. M. , Borisenko I. V. , Shadrin A. V. , Gunnarsson R.
Published: April 2013

Transport and magnetic properties of La0.67Sr0.33MnO3 (LSMO) manganite thin films and bicrystal junctions were investigated. Epitaxial manganite films were grown on SrTiO3, LaAlO3, NdGaO3 (NGO), and (LaAlO3)0.3 + (Sr2AlTaO6)0.7 substrates, and their magnetic anisotropy were determined by two independent techniques of magnetic resonance spectroscopy. It was demonstrated that by using these techniques, a small (0.3%) anisotropy of crystal structure at the (110) surface plane of the orthorhombic NGO substrate leads to uniaxial magnetic anisotropy of the films in the plane of the substrate at least at the room temperature. It was found that on vicinal NGO substrates, the value of magnetic anisotropy strength can be varied in the range 100–200 Oe at T = 295 K by changing the substrate vicinal angle from 0° to 25°. Measurement of the magnetic anisotropy of manganite bicrystal junction demonstrated the presence of two ferromagnetic spin subsystems for both types of bicrystal boundaries with tilting of basal plane of manganite tilted bicrystal (TB-junction) and with rotation of crystallographic axes (RB-junction) used for comparison. The magnetoresistance of TB-junctions increases with decreasing temperature and the misorientation angle. Variation of bicrystal misorientation angle does not lead to change of misorientation of easy magnetic axes in the film parts forming TB-junction. Analysis of the voltage dependencies of bicrystal junction conductivity show that the low value of the magnetoresistance for the LSMO bicrystal junctions can be caused by two scattering mechanisms. The first one is the spin-flip of spin-polarized carriers due to the strong electron-electron interactions in a disordered layer at the bicrystal boundary at low temperatures and the second one is spin-flip by antiferromagnetic magnons at high temperatures.
High-resolution fiber optic temperature sensors using nonlinear spectral curve fitting technique
Authors: Su Z. H. , Gan J. , Yu Q. K. , Zhang Q. H. , Liu Z. H. , Bao J. M.
Published: April 2013

A generic new data processing method is developed to accurately calculate the absolute optical path difference of a low-finesse Fabry-Perot cavity from its broadband interference fringes. The method combines Fast Fourier Transformation with nonlinear curve fitting of the entire spectrum. Modular functions of LabVIEW are employed for fast implementation of the data processing algorithm. The advantages of this technique are demonstrated through high performance fiber optic temperature sensors consisting of an infrared superluminescent diode and an infrared spectrometer. A high resolution of 0.01 °C is achieved over a large dynamic range from room temperature to 800 °C, limited only by the silica fiber used for the sensor.
Substrate strain manipulation by nanostructure perimeter forces
Authors: Bonera E. , Bollani M. , Chrastina D. , Pezzoli F. , Picco A. , Schmidt O. G. , Terziotti D.
Published: April 2013

Edge forces exerted by epitaxial nanostructures are shown to induce high levels of strain in the substrate. These very high localized forces appear at the perimeter and the resulting strain can be exploited to engineer the functional properties of the substrate. High levels of strain in a Si substrate are induced by SiGe nanostructures, starting from both top-down and bottom-up approaches. Compressive uniaxial strains of up to −0.7% are demonstrated.
Observation of low magnetic field density peaks in helicon plasma
Authors: Barada Kshitish K. , Chattopadhyay P. K. , Ghosh J. , Kumar Sunil , Saxena Y. C.
Published: April 2013

Single density peak has been commonly observed in low magnetic field (<100 G) helicon discharges. In this paper, we report the observations of multiple density peaks in low magnetic field (<100 G) helicon discharges produced in the linear helicon plasma device [Barada et al., Rev. Sci. Instrum. 83, 063501 (2012)]. Experiments are carried out using argon gas with m = +1 right helical antenna operating at 13.56 MHz by varying the magnetic field from 0 G to 100 G. The plasma density varies with varying the magnetic field at constant input power and gas pressure and reaches to its peak value at a magnetic field value of ∼25 G. Another peak of smaller magnitude in density has been observed near 50 G. Measurement of amplitude and phase of the axial component of the wave using magnetic probes for two magnetic field values corresponding to the observed density peaks indicated the existence of radial modes. Measured parallel wave number together with the estimated perpendicular wave number suggests oblique mode propagation of helicon waves along the resonance cone boundary for these magnetic field values. Further, the observations of larger floating potential fluctuations measured with Langmuir probes at those magnetic field values indicate that near resonance cone boundary; these electrostatic fluctuations take energy from helicon wave and dump power to the plasma causing density peaks.
Towards a complete parametrization of the ordinary-mode electromagnetic instability in counterstreaming plasmas. II. Ion effects
Authors: Ibscher D. , Schlickeiser R.
Published: April 2013

The linear marginal instability analysis of the ordinary perpendicular mode instability of drifting bi-Maxwellian plasma particle distributions with and without temperature anisotropy is extended by including the modifications of heavier ion species. For general values of the temperature anisotropy, the streaming velocity, and the parallel plasma beta, accurate marginal stability conditions are derived, which enable a better understanding of the interplay of counterstreaming and temperature anisotropy.
Magnetic field generation by surface plasma wave over a rippled metallic surface
Authors: Parashar J.
Published: April 2013

A surface plasma wave propagating over the rippled metallic surface produces static magnetic field via nonlinear coupling of electron velocity with density ripple. The generated magnetic field shows a resonant enhancement at particular values of ripple number. Magnetic field strength is also sensitive to plasma density and decreases at lower plasma densities. The generated magnetic field over a rippled metallic field is larger by an order of magnitude as compared to a planar metallic surface.
Generation of X-points and secondary islands in 2D magnetohydrodynamic turbulence
Authors: Wan Minping , Matthaeus William H. , Servidio Sergio , Oughton Sean
Published: April 2013

We study the time development of the population of X-type critical points in a two-dimensional magnetohydrodynamic model during the early stages of freely decaying turbulence. At sufficiently high magnetic Reynolds number Rem, we find that the number of neutral points increases as Rem3/2, while the rates of reconnection at the most active sites decrease. The distribution of rates remains approximately exponential. We focus in particular on delicate issues of accuracy, which arise in these numerical experiments, in that the proliferation of X-points is also a feature of under-resolved simulations. The “splitting” of neutral points at high Reynolds number appears to be a fundamental feature of the cascade that has important implications for understanding the relationship between reconnection and turbulence, an issue of considerable importance for the Magnetospheric Multiscale and Solar Probe missions as well as observation of reconnection in the solar wind.
X-ray laser resonator for the kilo-electron-volt range
Authors: Chen Jie , Tomov Ivan V. , Er Ali O. , Rentzepis Peter M.
Published: April 2013

We have designed, constructed, and tested an x-ray laser resonator operating in the hard x-ray, keV energy region. This ring x-ray laser cavity is formed by four highly oriented pyrolytic graphite crystals. The crystals are set at the Bragg angles that allow for the complete 360° round trip of the 2.37 Å, 5.23 keV Lα line of neodymium. In addition, we also present experimental data of a similar ring laser resonator that utilizes the Cr Kα, 5.41 keV, x-ray line to propagate through the four mirrors of the cavity. The specific properties of these x-ray laser resonator mirrors, including reflection losses and cavity arrangement, are presented.
The origin of coercivity enhancement in newly prepared high coercivity Dy-free Nd-Fe-B sintered magnets
Authors: Kobayashi Kurima , Urushibata Kimiko , Une Yasuhiro , Sagawa Masato
Published: April 2013

Coercivity enhancement in Nd-Fe-B sintered magnets without substitution of Dy for Nd is an important research target in the field of permanent magnets. Our newly prepared Dy-free Nd-Fe-B sintered magnets with fine crystal grain sizes of approximately 1.9 μm showed high coercivities near 1.6 MA/m. The characteristic magnetization behavior of the magnets that we have not observed previously in other Nd-Fe-B sintered magnets, under applied fields of 1.4–2.4 MA/m, appears to be responsible for the appearance of the high coercivity. In this study, we examine the origin of the characteristic magnetization mechanism and conclude that it was caused by the strong interaction between the domain walls (DWs) and the grain boundaries (GBs). We introduce our novel step method and investigate the characteristic mechanism using the method. This method can assist in clarifying whether the characteristic magnetization mechanism results from the hopping of DWs from one GB to another, and/or by magnetic reversal appearing to be like single-domain grains. The basis of our conclusion, that the latter mechanism (single-domain grain magnetic reversal) occurs in the magnetization, will be explained based mainly on the results obtained by the step method in this paper.
Detection of polar chemical vapors using epitaxial graphene grown on SiC (0001)
Authors: Nagareddy V. K. , Chan H. K. , Hernández S. C. , Wheeler V. D. , Myers-Ward R. L. , Nyakiti L. O. , Eddy C. R. , Walton S. G. , Goss J. P. , Wright N. G. , Gaskill D. K. , Horsfall A. B.
Published: April 2013

Epitaxial graphene grown on SiC (0001) showed significant changes in electrical resistance upon exposure to polar protic and polar aprotic vapors in the ambient atmosphere. The dipole moment of these chemicals was found to have a strong impact on the magnitude of the sensor response, which increases with increasing dipole moment. Using the combination of low-frequency noise and Hall measurements, we demonstrate that the chemical sensing mechanism in epitaxial graphene is based on fluctuations of the charge carrier density induced by vapor molecules adsorbed on the surface of the graphene.
High sensitivity stretched-abrupt-tapered Mach-Zehnder interferometer with optical attractive force for active microsensing applications
Authors: Chen Nan-Kuang , Yang Tsung-Hsun , Chen Yi-Ning , Guo Tuan , Guan Bai-Ou
Published: April 2013

We demonstrate micro tapered fiber Mach-Zehnder interferometer with one of the two abrupt tapers is stretched and thinned to a diameter of 3.64 μm whereas the other one keeps its diameter of around 45 μm. The stretched and thinned abrupt taper can enlarge the optical path length difference between core and cladding modes to lead to a narrower free spectral range. The significantly exposed evanescent field can generate the optical attractive force to attract microparticles and can even substantially change the properties of external materials through photothermal effect when an optical power of up to 116 mW is launched.
Lasing and longitudinal cavity modes in photo-pumped deep ultraviolet AlGaN heterostructures
Authors: Xie Jinqiao , Mita Seiji , Bryan Zachary , Guo Wei , Hussey Lindsay , Moody Baxter , Schlesser Raoul , Kirste Ronny , Gerhold Michael , Collazo Ramón , Sitar Zlatko
Published: April 2013

To unambiguously distinguish lasing from super luminescence, key elements of lasing such as longitudinal cavity modes with narrow line-width, polarized emission, and elliptically shaped far-field pattern, need to be demonstrated at the same time. Here, we show transverse electric polarized lasing at 280.8 nm and 263.9 nm for AlGaN based multi-quantum-wells and double heterojunction structures fabricated on single crystalline AlN substrates. An elliptically shaped far-field pattern was recorded when pumped above threshold. With cavities shorter than 200 μm, well-defined, equally spaced longitudinal modes with line widths as narrow as 0.014 nm were observed. The low threshold pumping density of 84 kW/cm2 suggests that the electrically pumped sub-300 nm ultraviolet laser diodes are imminent.
Stress granules as crucibles of ALS pathogenesis
Authors: Li Yun R. , King Oliver D. , Shorter James , Gitler Aaron D.
Published: April 2013

Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a fatal human neurodegenerative disease affecting primarily motor neurons. Two RNA-binding proteins, TDP-43 and FUS, aggregate in the degenerating motor neurons of ALS patients, and mutations in the genes encoding these proteins cause some forms of ALS. TDP-43 and FUS and several related RNA-binding proteins harbor aggregation-promoting prion-like domains that allow them to rapidly self-associate. This property is critical for the formation and dynamics of cellular ribonucleoprotein granules, the crucibles of RNA metabolism and homeostasis. Recent work connecting TDP-43 and FUS to stress granules has suggested how this cellular pathway, which involves protein aggregation as part of its normal function, might be coopted during disease pathogenesis.
Major contribution of sarcoplasmic reticulum Ca2+ depletion during long-lasting activation of skeletal muscle
Authors: Robin Gaëlle , Allard Bruno
Published: April 2013

Depolarization of skeletal muscle fibers induces sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR) Ca2+ release and contraction that progressively decline while depolarization is maintained. Voltage-dependent inactivation of SR Ca2+ release channels and SR Ca2+ depletion are the two processes proposed to explain the decline of SR Ca2+ release during long-lasting depolarizations. However, the relative contribution of these processes, especially under physiological conditions of activation, is not clearly established. Using Fura-2 and Fluo-5N to monitor cytosolic and SR Ca2+ changes, respectively, in voltage-controlled mouse muscle fibers, we show that 2-min conditioning depolarizations reduce voltage-activated cytosolic Ca2+ signals with a V1/2 of −53 mV but also induce SR Ca2+ depletion that decreased the releasable pool of Ca2+ with the same voltage sensitivity. In contrast, measurement of SR Ca2+ changes indicated that SR Ca2+ release channels were inactivated after SR had been depleted and in response to much higher depolarizations with a V1/2 of −13 mV. In response to trains of action potentials, cytosolic Ca2+ signals decayed with time, whereas SR Ca2+ changes remained stable over 1-min stimulation, demonstrating that SR Ca2+ depletion is exclusively responsible for the decline of SR Ca2+ release under physiological conditions of excitation. These results suggest that previous studies using steady-state inactivation protocols to investigate the voltage dependence of Ca2+ release inactivation in fact probed the voltage dependence of SR Ca2+ depletion, and that SR Ca2+ depletion is the only process that leads to Ca2+ release decline during continuous stimulation of skeletal muscle.
Comparison of myoplasmic calcium movements during excitation–contraction coupling in frog twitch and mouse fast-twitch muscle fibers
Authors: Hollingworth Stephen , Baylor Stephen M.
Published: April 2013

Single twitch fibers from frog leg muscles were isolated by dissection and micro-injected with furaptra, a rapidly responding fluorescent Ca2+ indicator. Indicator resting fluorescence (FR) and the change evoked by an action potential (ΔF) were measured at long sarcomere length (16°C); ΔF/FR was scaled to units of ΔfCaD, the change in fraction of the indicator in the Ca2+-bound form. ΔfCaD was simulated with a multicompartment model of the underlying myoplasmic Ca2+ movements, and the results were compared with previous measurements and analyses in mouse fast-twitch fibers. In frog fibers, sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR) Ca2+ release evoked by an action potential appears to be the sum of two components. The time course of the first component is similar to that of the entire Ca2+ release waveform in mouse fibers, whereas that of the second component is severalfold slower; the fractional release amounts are ∼0.8 (first component) and ∼0.2 (second component). Similar results were obtained in frog simulations with a modified model that permitted competition between Mg2+ and Ca2+ for occupancy of the regulatory sites on troponin. An anatomical basis for two release components in frog fibers is the presence of both junctional and parajunctional SR Ca2+ release channels (ryanodine receptors [RyRs]), whereas mouse fibers (usually) have only junctional RyRs. Also, frog fibers have two RyR isoforms, RyRα and RyRβ, whereas the mouse fibers (usually) have only one, RyR1. Our simulations suggest that the second release component in frog fibers functions to supply extra Ca2+ to activate troponin, which, in mouse fibers, is not needed because of the more favorable location of their triadic junctions (near the middle of the thin filament). We speculate that, in general, parajunctional RyRs permit increased myofilament activation in fibers whose triadic junctions are located at the z-line.
Nicotiana benthamiana Calreticulin 3a Is Required for the Ethylene-Mediated Production of Phytoalexins and Disease Resistance Against Oomycete Pathogen Phytophthora infestans
Authors: Matsukawa Mizuki , Shibata Yusuke , Ohtsu Mina , Mizutani Aki , Mori Hitoshi , Wang Ping , Ojika Makoto , Kawakita Kazuhito , Takemoto Daigo
Published: April 2013

Mature Nicotiana benthamiana shows strong resistance to the potato late blight pathogen Phytophthora infestans. By screening using virus-induced random gene silencing, we isolated a gene for plant-specific calreticulin NbCRT3a as a required gene for resistance of N. benthamiana against P. infestans. NbCRT3a encodes an endoplasmic reticulum quality-control (ERQC) chaperone for the maturation of glycoproteins, including glycosylated cell-surface receptors. NbCRT3a-silenced plants showed no detectable growth defects but resistance to P. infestans was significantly compromised. Defense responses induced by the treatment with INF1 (a secretory protein of P. infestans), such as production of reactive oxygen species and accumulation of phytoalexins, were suppressed in NbCRT3a-silenced N. benthamiana. Expression of an ethylene-regulated gene for phytoalexin biosynthesis, NbEAS, was reduced in NbCRT3a-silenced plants, whereas the expression of salicylic acid–regulated NbPR-1a was not affected. Consistently, induction of ethylene production by INF1 was suppressed in NbCRT3a-silenced plants. Resistance reactions induced by a hyphal wall components elicitor prepared from P. infestans were also impaired in NbCRT3a-silenced plants. However, cell death induced by active mitogen-activated protein kinase kinase (NbMEK2DD) was not affected by the silencing of NbCRT3a. Thus, NbCRT3a is required for the initiation of resistance reactions of N. benthamiana in response to elicitor molecules derived from P. infestans.
Survival factor NFIL3 restricts FOXO-induced gene expression in cancer
Authors: Keniry Megan , Pires Maira M. , Mense Sarah , Lefebvre Celine , Gan Boyi , Justiano Karen , Lau Ying-Ka Ingar , Hopkins Ben , Hodakoski Cindy , Koujak Susan , Toole Joseph , Fenton Franklyn , Calahan Ashley , Califano Andrea , DePinho Ronald A. , Maurer Matt , Parsons Ramon
Published: April 2013

Depending on the circumstance, FOXO (Forkhead O) (FOXO1, FOXO3, and FOXO4) transcription factors activate the expression of markedly different sets of genes to produce different phenotypic effects. For example, distinct FOXO-regulated transcriptional programs stimulate cell death or enhance organism life span. To gain insight into how FOXOs select specific genes for regulation, we performed a screen for genes that modify FOXO activation of TRAIL, a death receptor ligand capable of inducing extrinsic apoptosis. We discovered that the bZIP transcriptional repressor NFIL3 (nuclear factor interleukin 3-regulated) hindered FOXO transcription factor access to chromatin at the TRAIL promoter by binding to nearby DNA and recruiting histone deacetylase-2 (HDAC2) to reduce histone acetylation. In the same manner, NFIL3 repressed expression of certain FOXO targets—e.g., FAS, GADD45α (growth arrest and DNA damage-inducible, α), and GADD45β—but not others. NFIL3, which we found to be overexpressed in different cancers, supported tumor cell survival largely through repression of TRAIL and antagonized hydrogen peroxide-induced cell death. Moreover, its expression in cancer was associated with lower patient survival. Therefore, NFIL3 alters cancer cell behavior and FOXO function by acting on chromatin to restrict the menu of FOXO target genes. Targeting of NFIL3 could be of therapeutic benefit for cancer patients.
Let-7 represses Nr6a1 and a mid-gestation developmental program in adult fibroblasts
Authors: Gurtan Allan M. , Ravi Arvind , Rahl Peter B. , Bosson Andrew D. , JnBaptiste Courtney K. , Bhutkar Arjun , Whittaker Charles A. , Young Richard A. , Sharp Phillip A.
Published: April 2013

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are critical to proliferation, differentiation, and development. Here, we characterize gene expression in murine Dicer-null adult mesenchymal stem cell lines, a fibroblast cell type. Loss of Dicer leads to derepression of let-7 targets at levels that exceed 10-fold to 100-fold with increases in transcription. Direct and indirect targets of this miRNA belong to a mid-gestation embryonic program that encompasses known oncofetal genes as well as oncogenes not previously associated with an embryonic state. Surprisingly, this mid-gestation program represents a distinct period that occurs between the pluripotent state of the inner cell mass at embryonic day 3.5 (E3.5) and the induction of let-7 upon differentiation at E10.5. Within this mid-gestation program, we characterize the let-7 target Nr6a1, an embryonic transcriptional repressor that regulates gene expression in adult fibroblasts following miRNA loss. In total, let-7 is required for the continual suppression of embryonic gene expression in adult cells, a mechanism that may underlie its tumor-suppressive function.
In Vivo Packaging of Triacylglycerols Enhances Arabidopsis Leaf Biomass and Energy Density
Authors: Winichayakul Somrutai , Scott Richard William , Roldan Marissa , Hatier Jean-Hugues Bertrand , Livingston Sam , Cookson Ruth , Curran Amy Christina , Roberts Nicholas John
Published: April 2013

Our dependency on reduced carbon for energy has led to a rapid increase in the search for sustainable alternatives and a call to focus on energy densification and increasing biomass yields. In this study, we generated a uniquely stabilized plant structural protein (cysteine [Cys]-oleosin) that encapsulates triacylglycerol (TAG). When coexpressed with diacylglycerol O-acyltransferase (DGAT1) in Arabidopsis (Arabidopsis thaliana), we observed a 24% increase in the carbon dioxide (CO2) assimilation rate per unit of leaf area and a 50% increase in leaf biomass as well as approximately 2-, 3-, and 5-fold increases in the fatty acid content of the mature leaves, senescing leaves, and roots, respectively. We propose that the coexpression led to the formation of enduring lipid droplets that prevented the futile cycle of TAG biosynthesis/lipolysis and instead created a sustained demand for de novo lipid biosynthesis, which in turn elevated CO2 recycling in the chloroplast. Fatty acid profile analysis indicated that the formation of TAG involved acyl cycling in Arabidopsis leaves and roots. We also demonstrate that the combination of Cys-oleosin and DGAT1 resulted in the highest accumulation of fatty acids in the model single-cell eukaryote, Saccharomyces cerevisiae. Our results support the notion that the prevention of lipolysis is vital to enabling TAG accumulation in vegetative tissues and confirm the earlier speculation that elevating fatty acid biosynthesis in the leaf would lead to an increase in CO2 assimilation. The Cys-oleosins have applications in biofuels, animal feed, and human nutrition as well as in providing a tool for investigating fatty acid biosynthesis and catabolism.
Preparedness of schools in the Province of Jeddah to deal with earthquakes risks
Authors: Momani Naill M. , Salmi Asad
Published: April 2013

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to measure the willingness of general education schools (governmental and private) in the Mecca region to deal with the threat of earthquakes through the identification of the preparedness of school buildings, the differences in the willingness of schools, and examine the relationship between the exposure to previous crises and readiness for future crises.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors used a survey method to explore and determine the readiness range of schools by distributing a questionnaire to school principals. The questionnaire measures the readiness range of the institutions to counter earthquake threat through six main fields which were developed based on Federal Emergency Management Agency Resources (www.fema.gov) and were used in developing an earthquake consequences model (Al Momani), namely: previous emergencies measures, previous earthquake experience measures, earthquake mitigation measures, earthquake preparedness measures, earthquake response measures and earthquake recovery measures.

Findings

It is apparent that schools are not prepared to deal with future earthquakes regardless of their types (public vs private) and levels (primary, elementary, secondary) which require establishing a department for disaster and crisis management within the public administration of Education headed by a specialist in disasters and crises management to make sure that current school campus, under construction campus, or leased buildings be prepared to deal with disasters and crises as they occur in non‐hazardous locations, compatible with building codes, and equipped with safety means. It is important to prepare a public emergency plan for disasters and crises and to train school administrators and teachers to prepare contingency plans for disaster management in school. Finally, there is a need to prepare disasters awareness programs benefiting from public and private media, internet, and workshops through utilizing experiences of other developed countries in disasters and crises management especially for schools.

Originality/value

This research could be used to augment the need of developing education system preparedness in Jeddah Province through implementing effective mitigation, preparedness, and response, as well as recovery options.
Damages to school infrastructure and development to disaster prevention education strategy after Typhoon Morakot in Taiwan
Authors: Chen Chien‐Yuan , Lee Wen‐Cheng
Published: April 2013

Purpose

As a result of awareness of the increasing school accidents in recent years and severe damage to school infrastructure by Typhoon Morakot, this paper seeks to discuss the current natural disaster prevention education strategy in Taiwan and investigates the seriously damaged schools from Typhoon Morakot.

Design/methodology/approach

Methods of analysis used in this paper include aerial photo interpretation of landslides and debris flows with the aid of field investigation and spatial rainfall distribution by GIS analysis. Additionally, the reasons attributed to the schools’ damages and disaster prevention education strategies in schools after Morakot are discussed.

Findings

After an overall review of the current disaster prevention education programs, the following items are to be stressed in disaster prevention education as a result of studying the effects of Typhoon Morakot: integration of disaster prevention education into formal school curricula; teacher training for campus disaster prevention education; development of a coalition of campus and community‐based disaster management; and study of the impact of climate change and school vulnerability. School infrastructure safety evaluation and risk assessment, education materials and design activities for psychological recovery after disasters, and the connection of school safety management and community‐based disaster prevention are deemed urgent after Typhoon Morakot in Taiwan.

Originality/value

The current achievements of disaster prevention education in Taiwan include the development of operation and support mechanisms, curricula development and experimental schools selection, development of teacher training program, the popularization of disaster prevention education, the development and use of learning materials, and the determination of an effective assessment mechanism. It is expected that disaster prevention education will become part of the formal school curricula. School safety and vulnerability assessments as a result of climate change and student psychological recovery following disasters are urgent lessons to be implemented after learning from the results of Typhoon Morakot in Taiwan.
Institutional perception and support in emergency management in Ontario, Canada
Authors: Nirupama Niru , Etkin David
Published: April 2013

Purpose

The present study seeks to explore the minds and thoughts of emergency management professionals in Ontario in order to better understand the institution, and engage them in a renewed dialogue with communities, academia and other stakeholders. The intention is to strengthen the institution of emergency management, which is the foundation of disaster mitigation.

Design/methodology/approach

The study is based on interviews conducted with emergency management professionals from the public, private and non‐governmental organization (NGO) sectors in the Province of Ontario, Canada. The questions were a combination of structured and open‐ended questions to elicit rich details on emergency management professionals’ views. Analysis of interview transcriptions highlighted the attitudes and perceptions of the interviewees with respect to themselves, their own organizations, their role in emergency management, and their jurisdictions. The study also provided an opportunity for respondents to provide examples or comments to illustrate their responses. A total of 43 interviews have been analyzed for this paper.

Findings

The research objective of enhancing the understanding of the institution of emergency management through the minds of emergency management professionals in Ontario has been successfully achieved. It is clear that emergency managers and other professionals engaged in consulting, response and humanitarian assistance activities realize their role and responsibilities quite well. The majority of participants felt that politics and a lack of understanding of one anothers’ roles often limit progress. A clear consensus regarding engaging community players in the development of mitigation strategies and resource allocation emerged in this study.

Originality/value

The research conducted is the first of its kind in the province of Ontario in Canada. With the help of personal interviews and survey questionnaire, a better understanding of the emergency management institution and professionals working in this field could be realized.
Tracking a moving target of migration: island perspectives
Authors: Kelman Ilan , Khan Shabana
Published: April 2013

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to explore aspects of migration from islands in the context of disasters including climate change.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper is a conceptual exploration reviewing strengths and limitations of key literature.

Findings

The paper finds that not much work goes into sufficient depth to understand the topic properly. It suggests that truisms should be admitted and the many factors influencing migration should be fully investigated.

Originality/value

The paper examines migration topics from an island perspective.
Improving simulation exercises in Korea for disaster preparedness
Authors: Kim Hakkyong
Published: April 2013

Purpose

– The main purpose of this paper is to explore the current practices of simulation exercises in Korea and to make desirable recommendations for the future of Korean simulations to increase their learning effectiveness.

Design/methodology/approach

– This paper employs a case study strategy, and the data collection methods include documentary research, qualitative interviews, and participation observation. Three representative simulation exercises were observed: the Keungogae Subway Counter Terrorism Exercise 2009, the Safe Korea 2010 Earthquake Exercise, and the Safe Korea 2010 Subway Fire Exercise.

Findings

– The current practices of simulation exercises in Korea can be categorised into four main themes: top-level commitment and support; repeating training through rehearsals; box seats, ill-structured scenario scripts, and a lack of adaptation; and podium and speech-based debriefing.

Practical implications

– Korean simulation exercises need to allow adaptation and diversion to take place, encouraging communication and discussion between exercise players. Furthermore, ensuing after-action reviews (debriefs) should be a discussion-orientated rather than evaluation-orientated to promote individual and organisational learning. The empirical findings and resulting recommendations of this paper can help Korean exercise planners to change their current flawed practices into evidence-based ones, setting a new direction for an effective simulation exercise model.

Originality/value

– This study is the first empirical research to investigate simulation exercises in Korea and to highlight their problems.
Some realities of resilience: a case-study of Wittenberge
Authors: Lewis James
Published: April 2013

Purpose

– The aim of this paper is to explore community resilience during the short-term stages of recovery of Wittenberge in 1945, surrender in the final months of the Second World War and the commencement for the town of Soviet administration; with comments on longer-term contexts of continued resilience and recovery to the present day. The paper examines origins and current use of the term “resilience” for comparison with its realities that are identified.

Design/methodology/approach

– Translated extracts of a chronology of events in Wittenberge during 1945 (Muchow) are the basis of an exploration of social impacts for a town in wartime of exhaustion, defeat, surrender, political change and impoverishment.

Findings

– Current interpretations of social resilience frequently do not match its reality, largely due to overuse of the word. Resilience is conditioned by circumstances that cannot be assumed, sudden change here being part of the war experience, not a consequence.

Research limitations/implications

– Whereas other research (e.g. Hewitt) has considered the social impact of mass bombing during the second World War, this paper takes the example of a single town in an exposed geographical situation which is described.

Originality/value

– Whereas Second World War military history continues to be repeatedly re-examined, its social impacts are comparatively understated. This paper offers a rare example in English of the experience of a small town in Germany in 1945.
Ethnic differences in perceptions of social responsibility
Authors: Mullins Aaron , Soetanto Robby
Published: April 2013

Purpose

The purpose of this research is to investigate ethnic differences in perceptions of social responsibility, in relation to flooding, for householders, local businesses and policy makers.

Design/methodology/approach

The data were obtained via a questionnaire survey of three communities in Birmingham and one community in South East London, UK. A total of 481 responses were received and used in the statistical analysis. The interpretation of the findings was aided by cognitive mapping to synthesise the data transcripts from 174 responses to the open‐ended questions. Comparisons were made between communities in different locations and with different experience of flooding.

Findings

Ethnic differences consistently exist within the perceptions of householder and business groups within communities (in different locations) which have recent experience of flooding, but not in the policy maker group or in a community without recent flood experience. The finding also suggests three different levels of resilience and their association with different ethnic groups.

Research limitations/implications

Future research should conduct further analysis with equal ethnic representation throughout each community group so that more ethnic groups can be investigated and compared. For a more comprehensive understanding, further investigation should be conducted across different communities in different countries with different environmental hazards.

Practical implications

The findings contribute to the understanding of the influence of demographic factors in disaster management field, and can provide useful knowledge for targeted and tailored strategies of communication of flood information.

Originality/value

The research represents the first attempt to investigate ethnic differences in perceptions of social responsibility of householders, small businesses and policy makers for the community resilience to flooding.
Resource challenges for housing reconstruction:
Authors: Chang‐Richards Yan , Wilkinson Suzanne , Potangaroa Regan , Seville Erica
Published: April 2013

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to identify resourcing challenges that face housing rebuild following the 2009 Victorian “Black Saturday” bushfires in Australia and to examine the impacts of resource shortages on longer term community recovery.

Design/methodology/approach

The research methodology included a longitudinal study which consists of a questionnaire survey, field‐based interviews and observations to track trends evident in the survey.

Findings

A total of 28 months after the bushfires, reconstruction in the worst‐affected area, the Shire of Murrindindi, was proceeding slowly despite the institutions and procedures set up for recovery. This slow reconstruction was due to the unavailability of building resources. Changed Building Standards, increased building markets outside the bushfire zone, lack of economic incentives, combined with home owners’ socio‐economic vulnerabilities, created a chain of impacts on households’ ability to get resources.

Research limitations/implications

The evidence in this paper points to emergent resource issues that impeded recovery progress in the bushfire zone. These issues primarily come from technical decisions on building controls, economic conditions, and risk perceptions of construction professionals. Findings from this longitudinal study will inform the recovery planning of government agencies in future events.

Originality/value

This paper makes the case for a new approach to looking at resourcing problems following a major disaster. This study demonstrates that recovery planning needs to include a resource perspective which explains both impacts of recovery polices on resource availability and impacts of resourcing dynamics on the wider recovery environment.
Brand mergers: examining consumers' responses to name and logo design
Authors: César Machado Joana , Vacas‐de‐Carvalho Leonor , Costa Patrício , Lencastre Paulo
Published: April 2013

Purpose

In the context of a merger, the management of corporate identity – in particular of corporate names and logos – assumes a critical role. This paper aims to explore how name and logo design characteristics, and specifically figurativeness, influence consumer preferences in the context of a brand merger, in the banking sector.

Design/methodology/approach

This study develops a typology of the alternative corporate identity structures that may be assumed in the context of a brand merger by drawing on a literature review and secondary data, as well as an exploratory study analyzing consumers' preferences regarding alternative branding strategies.

Findings

The results suggest that there is a clear preference for figurative logos. Furthermore, there is evidence that logos may be as important as the company name in a merger situation, in terms of assuring consumers that there remains a connection to the brand's past. The data show that the logo chosen by consumers reflects their aesthetic responses, whereas the selected name reflects their evaluation of the brand's offers or its presence in the market.

Originality/value

The paper uses an innovative research design which gives respondents freedom to choose their preferred solution; hence, the richness of the results is enhanced. The results should guide managers in their evaluation and choices regarding post‐merger branding strategies.
Private label brands: measuring equity across consumer segments
Authors: Cuneo Andres , Lopez Pilar , Jesus Yague Maria
Published: April 2013

Purpose

The aim of this paper is to provide evidence that private label brands (PLB) have the ability to build brand equity as they develop, and to determine whether the capitalization of PLB equity varies across consumer segments and product categories. The paper builds on previous research incorporating consumer‐level factors, showing their relevance as key determinants of PLB choice.

Design/methodology/approach

The brand choice model used is a multinomial logit model (MNL) calibrated with a consumer panel database of two product lines of yoghurt from 8,000 Spanish households for a three‐year period.

Findings

It is shown that PLB have been able to build brand equity throughout their development, across product categories; however, brand equity is capitalized across only some consumer segments. The use of consumer‐level factors to segment the market prior to measuring brand equity is necessary to allow the identification of consumer groups where equity is created.

Practical implications

Findings provide key directions to PLB managers regarding how to determine, approach and leverage the equity of their PLB across different consumer segments and product categories.

Originality/value

Prior research has attempted to measure PLB equity using product/brand factors and market factors, but without considering consumer‐level factors. In this research, consumer‐level factors, specifically consumer demographics, are incorporated into the analysis, and equity is measured across seven different consumer segments for two product lines.
Investigating the role of firm resources and environmental variables in new product commercialization
Authors: Saji K.B. , Shekhar Mishra Shashi
Published: April 2013

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to explain the role of firm resources and environmental variables for pursuing new product commercialization in high‐tech markets.

Design/methodology/approach

The research design employed for the study consisted of both exploratory and descriptive phases. To begin with, a focused literature review was performed to develop a theoretical framework with seven research hypotheses, which was then empirically validated through a carefully executed survey conducted on the products managers of high tech firms.

Findings

The study results have supported six research hypotheses, viz. technology acquisition intent (TAI) to new product commercialization relationship, direct influence of dominant design, market heterogeneity, and network externalities on the firm's TAI relationship. The results of hierarchical regression analysis indicated that the “dominant design to TAI” and the “network externalities to TAI” relationships are significantly moderated by firm resources. However, the “market heterogeneity to TAI” relationship is found to be not moderated by firm resources.

Practical implications

Findings of the study have significant implications to extant product management theory and practice. The study highlights the most important environmental variables in high‐tech markets that act as antecedents to a firm's TAI and the effect of TAI on new product commercialization. Further, the study reveals the differential effects of these antecedent variables across firms owing to the varying levels of resource availability.

Originality/value

The paper reports the significant outcomes of an important study on product management that attempted to establish the linkages across environmental variables, firm resources, and firm's technology strategy in pursuing the new product commercialization.
Discerning product benefits through visual thematic analysis
Authors: Ponnam Abhilash , Dawra Jagrook
Published: April 2013

Purpose

There is a lack of a framework that explicates how to determine the benefits that consumers desire from a product. The purpose of this article is to formulate a scientific procedure for discerning the benefits that consumers seek from a product. The authors term this procedure as visual thematic analysis (VTA). VTA procedure is illustrated through discerning the benefits of mainstream (non‐financial) English newspapers.

Design/methodology/approach

The focus group method was used to collect data. These data were analyzed using visual thematic analysis which involves using multiple investigators and multi‐dimensional scaling techniques in stages.

Findings

A total of 26 newspaper attributes combined to form eight distinct newspaper benefits namely ease of comprehension, journalistic values, critical insights, general news, entertainment, well‐being, classifieds and offers.

Practical implications

Obtained results may be used further: to segment the newspaper market based upon benefits sought, to position newspapers within the desired segment(s) and to fashion product mix in a way that appeals to the targeted segment(s).

Originality/value

This paper proposes a new method called “visual thematic analysis” for data reduction. One such application of VTA is “discerning product benefits” which is discussed in detail. Other applications of this technique that are mentioned in the paper are in the areas of data reduction when researcher confronts small sample size, data reduction of categorical variables and scale development.