bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A high-flux high-order harmonic source
Authors: Rudawski P. , Heyl C. M. , Brizuela F. , Schwenke J. , Persson A. , Mansten E. , Rakowski R. , Rading L. , Campi F. , Kim B. , Johnsson P. , L’Huillier A.
Published: July 2013

We develop and implement an experimental strategy for the generation of high-energy high-order harmonics (HHG) in gases for studies of nonlinear processes in the soft x-ray region. We generate high-order harmonics by focusing a high energy Ti:Sapphire laser into a gas cell filled with argon or neon. The energy per pulse is optimized by an automated control of the multiple parameters that influence the generation process. This optimization procedure allows us to obtain energies per pulse and harmonic order as high as 200 nJ in argon and 20 nJ in neon, with good spatial properties, using a loose focusing geometry (\documentclass[12pt]{minimal}\begin{document}$f_\# \approx 400$\end{document}f#≈400) and a 20 mm long medium. We also theoretically examine the macroscopic conditions for absorption-limited conversion efficiency and optimization of the HHG pulse energy for high-energy laser systems.
Two-dimensional to three-dimensional tunneling in InAs/AlSb/GaSb quantum well heterojunctions
Authors: Zeng Yuping , Kuo Chien-I , Kapadia Rehan , Hsu Ching-Yi , Javey Ali , Hu Chenming
Published: July 2013

We examine room temperature band-to-band tunneling in 2D InAs/3D GaSb heterostructures. Specifically, multi-subband, gate-controlled negative differential resistance is observed in InAs/AlSb/GaSb junctions. Due to spatial confinement in the 10 nm-thick InAs layer, tunneling contributions from two distinct subbands are observed as sharp steps in the current-voltage characteristics. It is shown that the relative position of the steps can be controlled via external gate bias. Additionally, the extracted separation in the subband energy agrees well with the calculated values. This is the first demonstration of a gate controlled tunneling diode with multiple subband contributions.
Strong magnetization damping induced by Ag nanostructures in Ag/NiFe/Ag trilayers
Authors: Ley Domínguez D. , da Silva G. L. , Rodríguez-Suárez R. L. , Rezende S. M. , Azevedo A.
Published: July 2013

Ferromagnetic resonance has been used to investigate the magnetization relaxation in trilayers of Ag(t)/NiFe(10 nm)/Ag(t), sputter deposited on Si(001) where the thickness of the Ag layer varied from 0 nm to 24 nm. In the first stages of formation, the Ag layers form islands that work as mold to imprint defects or inhomogeneities on the NiFe film surface. The magnetic inhomogeneities and defects imprinted on the surface of the NiFe film act as extrinsic sources of magnetization relaxation in addition to the intrinsic Gilbert damping mechanism. Weak inhomogeneities are associated to the two-magnon scattering source and the strong inhomogeneities are associated to the fluctuations of the local magnetization. By adding the three different sources of magnetization damping, we were able to explain the azimuthal dependence of the ferromagnetic resonance linewidth.
Hydrodynamic corrections to contact resonance atomic force microscopy measurements of viscoelastic loss tangent
Authors: Tung Ryan C. , Killgore Jason P. , Hurley Donna C.
Published: July 2013

We present a method to improve accuracy in measurements of nanoscale viscoelastic material properties with contact resonance atomic force microscope methods. Through the use of the two-dimensional hydrodynamic function, we obtain a more precise estimate of the fluid damping experienced by the cantilever-sample system in contact resonance experiments, leading to more accurate values for the tip-sample damping and related material properties. Specifically, we consider the damping and added mass effects generated by both the proximity of the cantilever to the sample surface and the frequency dependence on the hydrodynamic loading of the system. The theoretical correction method is implemented on experimental contact resonance measurements. The measurements are taken on a thin polystyrene film and are used to determine the viscoelastic loss tangent, tan δ, of the material. The magnitude of the corrections become significant on materials with low tan δ (<0.1) and are especially important for measurements made with the first flexural mode of vibration.
Absolute cross sections for O2 dication production by electron impact
Authors: Sigaud L. , Ferreira Natalia , Montenegro E. C.
Published: July 2013

Direct detection of homonuclear diatomic dications using mass spectrometry has the intrinsic inability to distinguish between fragments with the same mass-to-charge ratio, as is the case of the oxygen molecule. In this work, absolute cross sections for the double ionization of the homoisotopic 16O2 molecule by electron impact, in the 30–400 eV energy range, is reported for the first time, and show significant discrepancies with previous results, obtained with the heteroisotopic 16O17O. The measurements suggest that \documentclass[12pt]{minimal}\begin{document}${\rm O}_{2}^{++}$\end{document}O2++ is mainly produced through post-collisional Auger-like deexcitation.
Study of strain propagation in laser irradiated silicon crystal by time-resolved diffraction of K-α x-ray probe of different photon energies
Authors: Arora V. , Bagchi S. , Gupta M. , Chakera J. A. , Gupta A. , Naik P. A. , Chaddah P. , Gupta P. D.
Published: July 2013

An experimental study on the time resolved x-ray diffraction from laser shocked silicon crystal, carried out using a 10 TW Ti:sapphire laser system, is presented. The characteristic Kα x-ray line radiation generated by 45 fs laser produced plasmas of two different target materials (iron and copper) is used as the probe, whereas the stretched pulse of sub-nanosecond duration (pump), derived from the same laser, is used to compress the sample. The use of x-ray probe of different photon energies yields information about the strain over a greater crystal depth. The dynamics of the strain propagation is inferred by monitoring the evolution of rocking curve width of the shocked sample at different time delays between the pump and the probe pulse. The shock velocity deduced from these measurements is ∼106 cm/s, consistent with the sound velocity in bulk silicon. The maximum elastic compression observed is 0.4%, indicating a pressure of 0.8 GPa.
High frequency magnetoimpedance response of stress annealed Co66.3Fe3.7Si12.0B18.0 amorphous alloy ribbons
Authors: Talaat A. , Ipatov M. , Zhukova V. , Zhukov A. P. , González J. , González-Legarreta L. , Prida V. M. , Hernando B.
Published: July 2013

Magnetoimpedance (MI) response of near-zero magnetostriction Co-based amorphous ribbons exhibiting a macroscopic uniaxial magnetic anisotropy induced by stress-annealing (300 MPa at 340, 360, and 400 °C during 1 h) is investigated in a frequency range from 10 MHz up to 1000 MHz. Comparison among MI effect of these stress-annealed ribbons with that previously reported in ribbons with similar composition in as-cast state is discussed. It is remarkable that a more spectacular and defined MI effect is observed in the stress-annealed ribbons owing to the presence of a macroscopic uniaxial transverse magnetic anisotropy developed with the stress annealing which enhances the transverse component of the magnetic susceptibility. The influence of a preceding stress relief before the stress-annealing process on the MI effect is also analyzed.
Spin transport properties of polygonal quantum ring with Rashba spin-orbit coupling
Authors: Tang Han-Zhao , Zhai Li-Xue , Liu Jian-Jun
Published: July 2013

We propose a model to study the spin transport properties of a regular polygonal quantum ring with two leads, which is subjected to Rashba spin-orbit coupling (SOC). The transmission coefficient has been derived analytically using a standard quantum network method. It is found that in the absence of Rashba SOC, there are two conditions for which zero conductances arise when the leads are asymmetrically located, and in this case, the transmitted electron is unpolarized. In the presence of SOC, however, one kind of conductance zero can be lifted by the Rashba SOC, while the other persists. We also study the conductance of spin-polarized carriers. It is found that Rashba SOC can be used as an effective mean for inducing spin flip. In addition, based on our calculations, the device considered may demonstrate the properties of a spin filter.
Fast spatiotemporal correlation spectroscopy to determine protein lateral diffusion laws in live cell membranes
Authors: Di Rienzo Carmine , Gratton Enrico , Beltram Fabio , Cardarelli Francesco
Published: July 2013

Spatial distribution and dynamics of plasma-membrane proteins are thought to be modulated by lipid composition and by the underlying cytoskeleton, which forms transient barriers to diffusion. So far this idea was probed by single-particle tracking of membrane components in which gold particles or antibodies were used to individually monitor the molecules of interest. Unfortunately, the relatively large particles needed for single-particle tracking can in principle alter the very dynamics under study. Here, we use a method that makes it possible to investigate plasma-membrane proteins by means of small molecular labels, specifically single GFP constructs. First, fast imaging of the region of interest on the membrane is performed. For each time delay in the resulting stack of images the average spatial correlation function is calculated. We show that by fitting the series of correlation functions, the actual protein “diffusion law” can be obtained directly from imaging, in the form of a mean-square displacement vs. time-delay plot, with no need for interpretative models. This approach is tested with several simulated 2D diffusion conditions and in live Chinese hamster ovary cells with a GFP-tagged transmembrane transferrin receptor, a well-known benchmark of membrane-skeleton–dependent transiently confined diffusion. This approach does not require extraction of the individual trajectories and can be used also with dim and dense molecules. We argue that it represents a powerful tool for the determination of kinetic and thermodynamic parameters over very wide spatial and temporal scales.
Loss of corepressor PER2 under hypoxia up-regulates OCT1-mediated EMT gene expression and enhances tumor malignancy
Authors: Hwang-Verslues Wendy W. , Chang Po-Hao , Jeng Yung-Ming , Kuo Wen-Hung , Chiang Pei-Hsun , Chang Yi-Cheng , Hsieh Tsung-Han , Su Fang-Yi , Lin Liu-Chen , Abbondante Serena , Yang Cheng-Yuan , Hsu Huan-Ming , Yu Jyh-Cherng , Chang King-Jen , Shew Jin-Yuh , Lee Eva Y.-H. P. , Lee Wen-Hwa
Published: July 2013

The circadian clock gene Period2 (
PER2
) has been suggested to be a tumor suppressor. However, detailed mechanistic evidence has not been provided to support this hypothesis. We found that loss of PER2 enhanced invasion and activated expression of epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) genes including
TWIST1
,
SLUG,
and
SNAIL
. This finding was corroborated by clinical observation that PER2 down-regulation was associated with poor prognosis in breast cancer patients. We further demonstrated that PER2 served as a transcriptional corepressor, which recruited polycomb proteins EZH2 and SUZ12 as well as HDAC2 to octamer transcription factor 1 (OCT1) (POU2F1) binding sites of the
TWIST1
and
SLUG
promoters to repress expression of these EMT genes. Hypoxia, a condition commonly observed in tumors, caused PER2 degradation and disrupted the PER2 repressor complex, leading to activation of EMT gene expression. This result was further supported by clinical data showing a significant negative correlation between hypoxia and PER2. Thus, our findings clearly demonstrate the tumor suppression function of PER2 and elucidate a pathway by which hypoxia promotes EMT via degradation of PER2.
Isolated pseudo–RNA-recognition motifs of SR proteins can regulate splicing using a noncanonical mode of RNA recognition
Authors: Cléry Antoine , Sinha Rahul , Anczuków Olga , Corrionero Anna , Moursy Ahmed , Daubner Gerrit M. , Valcárcel Juan , Krainer Adrian R. , Allain Frédéric H.-T.
Published: July 2013

Significance

Serine/arginine (SR) proteins are key regulators of eukaryotic gene expression and have been associated with multiple human diseases including cancers. Several members of this protein family contain a noncanonical RNA recognition motif (RRM), the pseudo-RRM, for which the mode of RNA recognition is unknown. Here, we solved the structure of SRSF1 pseudo-RRM bound to RNA. It reveals the RNA motif recognized and a very unusual mode of interaction, which is conserved for all the SR proteins containing pseudo-RRMs. Finally, we show that the pseudo-RRM in isolation often is sufficient to regulate splicing, and we reveal its mechanism of action.
Biclustering with heterogeneous variance
Authors: Chen Guanhua , Sullivan Patrick F. , Kosorok Michael R.
Published: July 2013

In cancer research, as in all of medicine, it is important to classify patients into etiologically and therapeutically relevant subtypes to improve diagnosis and treatment. One way to do this is to use clustering methods to find subgroups of homogeneous individuals based on genetic profiles together with heuristic clinical analysis. A notable drawback of existing clustering methods is that they ignore the possibility that the variance of gene expression profile measurements can be heterogeneous across subgroups, and methods that do not consider heterogeneity of variance can lead to inaccurate subgroup prediction. Research has shown that hypervariability is a common feature among cancer subtypes. In this paper, we present a statistical approach that can capture both mean and variance structure in genetic data. We demonstrate the strength of our method in both synthetic data and in two cancer data sets. In particular, our method confirms the hypervariability of methylation level in cancer patients, and it detects clearer subgroup patterns in lung cancer data.
Liquid–liquid transition in supercooled water suggested by microsecond simulations
Authors: Li Yaping , Li Jicun , Wang Feng
Published: July 2013

The putative liquid–liquid phase transition in supercooled water has been used to explain many anomalous behaviors of water. However, no direct experimental verification of such a phase transition has been accomplished, and theoretical studies from different simulations contradict each other. We investigated the putative liquid–liquid phase transition using the Water potential from Adaptive Force Matching for Ice and Liquid (WAIL). The simulation reveals a first-order phase transition in the supercooled regime with the critical point at ∼207 K and 50 MPa. Normal water is high-density liquid (HDL). Low-density liquid (LDL) emerges at lower temperatures. The LDL phase has a density only slightly larger than that of the ice-Ih and shows more long-range order than HDL. However, the transformation from LDL to HDL is spontaneous across the first-order phase transition line, suggesting the LDL configuration is not poorly formed nanocrystalline ice. It has been demonstrated in the past that the WAIL potential provides reliable predictions of water properties such as melting temperature and temperature of maximum density. Compared with other simple water potentials, WAIL is not biased by fitting to experimental properties, and simulation with this potential reflects the prediction of a high-quality first-principle potential energy surface.
I Watussi
Authors: Forgacs David
Published: July 2013

The article reflects on the ‘absent connection’ between the fictional Watussi of the Italian hit song of 1963 and the real Tutsi, many of whom had fled Rwanda at that time to escape violence from the ascendant Hutu majority in the last years of Belgian rule. It considers the song's long afterlife and the stubborn persistence, decades later, of comic stereotypes of ‘Africans’ in Italian popular culture despite the growing number of African migrants and their children in Italian society.
Community adaptation to climate change: exploring drought and poverty traps in Gituamba location, Kenya
Authors: Sherwood Amy
Published: July 2013

Globally, many communities are vulnerable to weather-pattern variability. Climate change will act as a threat multiplier by increasing this variability. To combat growing vulnerability, strategies for adaptation must be developed. This study uses interviews and participatory research techniques to examine the effects of a year-long drought on women and poverty dynamics in Gituamba location, Kenya. It concludes that drought has the ability to create poverty traps and produce a poverty of time and energy among women. Some possible adaptation strategies include livelihood diversification, creation of cooperatives, conservation farming, and rehabilitation of communal boreholes.
On intersections of ranges of projections of norm one in Banach spaces
Authors: Rao T.
Published: July 2013

In this short note we are interested in studying Banach spaces in which the range of a projection of norm one whose kernel is of finite dimension is the intersection of ranges of finitely many projections of norm one whose kernels are of dimension one. We show that for a certain class of Banach spaces

X
X

, the natural duality between

X
X

and

X

∗
∗

X^{\ast \ast }

can be exploited when the range of the projection is of finite codimension. We show that if

X
∗

X^\ast

is isometric to

L
1

(
μ
)

L^1(\mu )

, then any central subspace of finite codimension is an intersection of central subspaces of codimension one. These results extend a recent result of Bandyopadhyay and Dutta which was proved for ranges of projections of norm one with finite dimensional kernel in continuous function spaces and unifies some earlier work of Baronti and Papini.
The origin of blueshifted absorption features in the X-ray spectrum of PG 1211+143: outflow or disc
Authors: Gallo L. C. , Fabian A. C.
Published: July 2013

In some radio-quiet active galactic nuclei (AGN), high-energy absorption features in the X-ray spectra have been interpreted as ultrafast outflows (UFOs) – highly ionized material (e.g. Fe xxv and Fe xxvi) ejected at mildly relativistic velocities. In some cases, these outflows can carry energy in excess of the binding energy of the host galaxy. Needless to say, these features demand our attention as they are strong signatures of AGN feedback and will influence galaxy evolution. For the same reason, alternative models need to be discussed and refuted or confirmed. Gallo and Fabian proposed that some of these features could arise from resonance absorption of the reflected spectrum in a layer of ionized material located above and corotating with the accretion disc. Therefore, the absorbing medium would be subjected to similar blurring effects as seen in the disc. A priori, the existence of such plasma above the disc is as plausible as a fast wind. In this work, we highlight the ambiguity by demonstrating that the absorption model can describe the ∼7.6 keV absorption feature (and possibly other features) in the quasar PG 1211+143, an AGN that is often described as a classic example of a UFO. In this model, the 2–10 keV spectrum would be largely reflection dominated (as opposed to power law dominated in the wind models) and the resonance absorption would be originating in a layer between about 6 and 60 gravitational radii. The studies of such features constitute a cornerstone for future X-ray observatories like Astro-H and Athena+. Should our model prove correct, or at least important in some cases, then absorption will provide another diagnostic tool with which to probe the inner accretion flow with future missions.
Viral Co‐infections Are Common and Are Associated With Higher Bacterial Burden in Children With Clostridium difficile Infection
Authors: Feghaly Rana E. El , Stauber Jennifer L. , Tarr Phillip I. , Haslam David B.
Published: July 2013

Clostridium difficile infections in children are increasing. In this cohort study, we enrolled 62 children with diarrhea and C difficile. We performed polymerase chain reaction assays to detect viral agents of gastroenteritis and quantify C difficile burden. Fifteen (24%) children diagnosed as having C difficile infection had a concomitant viral co‐infection. These patients tended to be younger and had a higher C difficile bacterial burden than children with no viral co‐infections (median difference = 565,957 cfu/mL; P = 0.011), but were clinically indistinguishable. The contribution of viral co‐infection to C difficile disease in children warrants future investigation.
Bilateral Nonarteritic Anterior Ischemic Optic Neuropathy
Authors: Hayreh Sohan Singh , Zimmerman M. Bridget
Published: July 2013

Background:

In patients with bilateral sequential nonarteritic anterior ischemic optic neuropathy (NA-AION), previous studies have reported conflicting results on whether or not the visual outcome is similar in the 2 eyes. The authors investigated this issue in 174 consecutive patients with bilateral NA-AION.

Methods:

At the first visit, all patients had a detailed ophthalmic and medical history and comprehensive ophthalmic evaluation. Visual evaluation was performed by recording Snellen visual acuity and visual fields with kinetic perimetry. The same ophthalmic evaluation was performed at each follow-up visit. The data on the difference in visual acuity, which was converted to logarithm of the minimum angle of resolution (logMAR) form, and visual field defects between the first eye and the second eye of each patient at the initial visit and at the final follow-up were analyzed. A similar subgroup analysis was performed on patients treated with systemic corticosteroids.

Results:

At presentation, both initial visual acuity and visual field defects were significantly better in the second eye than in the first eye (P < 0.0001). As a predictor of initial visual acuity in the second eye, the initial logMAR of the first eye only explained 7.0% (R2) of the total variation in the initial logMAR of the second eye. Intraclass correlation (ICC) between the paired eyes was 0.19 (95% confidence interval [CI], 0.04–0.33), indicating poor agreement. The absolute difference in initial visual field grade between the 2 eyes was 0.5 or greater in 78%. The weighted kappa statistic for agreement between visual field defects of the 2 eyes was 0.27 (95% CI, 0.19–0.36), indicating poor agreement. At the final follow-up, a difference in logMAR of at least 0.3 between the paired eyes was found in 38% of the steroid-treated group and 45% of the untreated group. For visual field grade, there was a difference of at least 0.5 in 70% of those who were treated with steroid and in 76% of those not treated. The ICC for logMAR and weighted kappa for visual field grade for the paired eyes was below 0.60 for both the groups. The findings indicated poor agreement between the 2 eyes.

Conclusion:

The results show that in patients with bilateral sequential NA-AION, there are large differences between the visual acuity and visual field findings of paired eyes at initial and final visit, whether or not treated with steroids. It is not possible to predict the visual acuity and visual field grade in the second eye based solely on the first eye.
A greener Greenland? Climatic potential and long-term constraints on future expansions of trees and shrubs
Authors: Normand Signe , Randin Christophe , Ohlemüller Ralf , Bay Christian , Høye Toke T. , Kjær Erik D. , Körner Christian , Lischke Heike , Maiorano Luigi , Paulsen Jens , Pearman Peter B. , Psomas Achilleas , Treier Urs A. , Zimmermann Niklaus E. , Svenning Jens-Christian
Published: July 2013

Warming-induced expansion of trees and shrubs into tundra vegetation will strongly impact Arctic ecosystems. Today, a small subset of the boreal woody flora found during certain Plio-Pleistocene warm periods inhabits Greenland. Whether the twenty-first century warming will induce a re-colonization of a rich woody flora depends on the roles of climate and migration limitations in shaping species ranges. Using potential treeline and climatic niche modelling, we project shifts in areas climatically suitable for tree growth and 56 Greenlandic, North American and European tree and shrub species from the Last Glacial Maximum through the present and into the future. In combination with observed tree plantings, our modelling highlights that a majority of the non-native species find climatically suitable conditions in certain parts of Greenland today, even in areas harbouring no native trees. Analyses of analogous climates indicate that these conditions are widespread outside Greenland, thus increasing the likelihood of woody invasions. Nonetheless, we find a substantial migration lag for Greenland's current and future woody flora. In conclusion, the projected climatic scope for future expansions is strongly limited by dispersal, soil development and other disequilibrium dynamics, with plantings and unintentional seed dispersal by humans having potentially large impacts on spread rates.
Metabolic Interaction between Anthocyanin and Lignin Biosynthesis Is Associated with Peroxidase FaPRX27 in Strawberry Fruit
Authors: Ring Ludwig , Yeh Su-Ying , Hücherig Stephanie , Hoffmann Thomas , Blanco-Portales Rosario , Fouche Mathieu , Villatoro Carmen , Denoyes Béatrice , Monfort Amparo , Caballero José Luis , Muñoz-Blanco Juan , Gershenson Jonathan , Schwab Wilfried
Published: July 2013

Plant phenolics have drawn increasing attention due to their potential nutritional benefits. Although the basic reactions of the phenolics biosynthetic pathways in plants have been intensively analyzed, the regulation of their accumulation and flux through the pathway is not that well established. The aim of this study was to use a strawberry (Fragaria × ananassa) microarray to investigate gene expression patterns associated with the accumulation of phenylpropanoids, flavonoids, and anthocyanins in strawberry fruit. An examination of the transcriptome, coupled with metabolite profiling data from different commercial varieties, was undertaken to identify genes whose expression correlated with altered phenolics composition. Seventeen comparative microarray analyses revealed 15 genes that were differentially (more than 200-fold) expressed in phenolics-rich versus phenolics-poor varieties. The results were validated by heterologous expression of the peroxidase FaPRX27 gene, which showed the highest altered expression level (more than 900-fold). The encoded protein was functionally characterized and is assumed to be involved in lignin formation during strawberry fruit ripening. Quantitative trait locus analysis indicated that the genomic region of FaPRX27 is associated with the fruit color trait. Down-regulation of the CHALCONE SYNTHASE gene and concomitant induction of FaPRX27 expression diverted the flux from anthocyanins to lignin. The results highlight the competition of the different phenolics pathways for their common precursors. The list of the 15 candidates provides new genes that are likely to impact polyphenol accumulation in strawberry fruit and could be used to develop molecular markers to select phenolics-rich germplasm.
Electronic word of mouth
Authors: Ahrens Jan , Coyle James R. , Strahilevitz Michal Ann
Published: July 2013

Purpose

The purpose of this work is to test several incentive strategies for attaining new customers via electronic referrals, or e‐referrals. The paper aims to examine: the roles of both the magnitude of the incentive offered to the sender and the magnitude of the incentive offered to the receiver; and the effect of equity versus inequity of financial incentives for the two parties.

Design/methodology/approach

The study consisted of a large‐scale field experiment conducted with 45,000 members of an online mall. The participants were divided into eight conditions in an incomplete two‐factor 4×4 between‐subjects design, where not every combination of incentive magnitudes was utilized and the magnitude of the incentive offered the receiver and sender varied in size such that sometimes rewards were equal, sometimes receivers of the e‐referral had larger rewards, and sometimes senders of the e‐referral s received more. Dependent measures included the number of e‐referrals sent, the number of those e‐referrals that lead to a new customer registering, and the number of new registrants that converted to buyers from completing a purchase.

Findings

The results demonstrate that both the magnitude of financial incentives, and the relative magnitude of the incentives for the senders and receivers both influence e‐referral rates. Specifically, it was found that offering higher incentives to senders and receivers led to an increase in referral invitations sent, new member sign‐ups and new buyers. It was also found that the disparity between incentives offered to senders and receivers affected e‐referral rates and that inequity should favor the sender to enhance results.

Originality/value

This paper offers marketers valuable insights as to how different combinations of financial incentives to receivers and senders can affect e‐referral rates. The findings suggest that potential referrers respond not only to referral incentives but also to the disparity between their incentives and the receivers' incentives.
The influence of cold mercerization on comfort properties of summer cotton fabrics
Authors: Ayatollahi Pegah , Asghar Alamdar‐Yazdi Ali , Javad Sarraf‐Shirazi Mohammad
Published: July 2013

Purpose

Mercerization is one of the finishing treatments that often are used to improve the dye uptake properties and increase cotton fabrics' luster. Since comfort is a necessity of clothing and customers desire it more than ever, the finishing treatments that improve some properties of the fabric should not reduce clothing comfort. The aim of this paper was to investigate the effect of cold mercerization on the comfort properties of cotton fabrics.

Design/methodology/approach

A total of 15 woven fabric samples in different structures were randomly chosen. The samples were divided into two groups: the finished fabrics (i.e. those which were run through singing, desizing, and bleaching processes) and the mercerized fabrics (i.e. samples which underwent the singing, desizing, bleaching and mercerizing processes). The mechanical and thermo‐physiological comfort properties of these two groups were evaluated and results were compared.

Findings

The results showed that bending rigidity, shearing rigidity, air permeability, water vapour transmission and thermal resistance increased by cold mercerization. Moreover, frictional restraint, extensibility and wicking decreased. In other words, mercerization can improve some comfort properties of cotton fabrics and weaken the others.

Originality/value

The current literatures don't consider the effect of mercerization on the clothing comfort. The present work intends to evaluate the effect of cold mercerization on the mechanical (tactile) and thermo‐physiological comfort properties of cotton fabrics which are used as summer clothing.
Toward advanced three‐dimensional modeling of garment prototype from draping technique
Authors: Tao Xuyuan , Bruniaux Pascal
Published: July 2013

Purpose

The study in this article aims to focus on a novel design concept of virtual 3D garment which is realized with the help of traditional patternmaking methodology and the CAD softwares in order to directly conceive the virtual clothing on a mannequin morphotype in cyberspace in consideration of the ease allowance between the body shape and the garment.

Design/methodology/approach

The method of acquisition of 3D human body was explained at first. Then the process of creation of garment 3D model associated with the draping technique was presented. The superposition of patterns from the 3D modeling and the traditional method used in industries was done in order to visualize the right results. At last, the dynamic validation of the garment was carried out in order to analyze the fitting results of try‐on simulation.

Findings

The 3D modeling technique method based on the draping technique shows that the garment fits perfectly to the body shape of the wearer.

Social implications

For the ready‐to‐wear manufacture, this method can be also involved on the parametric mannequin in order to reduce the lifetime of development by eliminating the process of pattern grading in the future.

Originality/value

The originality of this article comes from the combination of the traditional draping technique with the advanced CAD softwares in consideration of the fitting and draping of the garment. This concept is used not only in the context of mass customized product but also in mass production for the ready‐to‐wear apparel industries. The patterns are directly adjusted in 3D and can immediately be tried on in 3D simulation. As a result, the process in 2D patternmaking design can be eliminated.
Thermomechanical analysis of vehicles gray iron brake discs
Authors: Belhocine Ali , Bouchetara Mostefa
Published: July 2013

Purpose

The main purpose of this study is to analyse the thermomechanical behavior of the dry contact between the brake disc and pads during the braking phase.

Design/methodology/approach

The simulation strategy is based on computer code ANSYS11. The modeling of transient temperature in the disc is actually used to identify the factor of geometric design of the disc to install the ventilation system in vehicles. The thermal‐structural analysis is then used coupling to determine the deformation and the Von Mises stress established in the disc, the contact pressure distribution in pads.

Findings

The analysis results showed that temperature field and stress field in the process of braking phase were fully coupled.

Originality/value

The results are satisfactory when compared with those of the specialized literature.
Automation in action at the latest PackExpo show
Authors: Bloss Richard
Published: July 2013

Purpose

This paper aims to provide a review of the most recent PackExpo show in Chicago with emphasis on the new automation innovations and applications on display.

Design/methodology/approach

In‐depth interviews are carried out with exhibitors of automated packaging machinery at the show.

Findings

Automation continues to address an ever‐increasing number of packaging tasks.

Practical implications

Customers may be surprised at the extent to which automation innovations are available and the new applications that are being addressed.

Originality/value

This paper is a review of some of the latest packaging automation innovations and applications that one might have seen if they had been on the exhibition floor at the most recent Chicago PackExpo show.
Demand responsive planning: workload control implementation
Authors: Akillioglu Hakan , Ferreira Joao , Onori Mauro
Published: July 2013

Purpose

Evolvable production systems enable fully reconfiguration capabilities on the shop floor through process‐oriented modularity and multi‐agent‐based distributed control. To be able to benefit architectural and operational characteristics of evolvable systems, there is a need of a new planning approach which links shop floor characteristics and planning operations. This paper seeks to address these issues.

Design/methodology/approach

Evolvable production system has a structured methodology in itself. Consistent to this, a reference planning architecture is developed aiming to achieve agility on planning activities. Besides a workload control method is proposed and implemented as a part of the planning architecture.

Findings

First applications of evolvable systems have been implemented through European research projects. Shop floor working principles and architectural characteristics are consistent to facilitate more agility on planning activities which are framed at a planning reference architecture called demand responsive planning. As an implementation case, an agent‐based workload control method is proposed and implemented. The characteristics of EPS and proposed planning architecture enable continuous and dynamic workload control of the shop floor to be implemented.

Originality/value

This paper presents a new planning model compatible with evolvable production systems targeting to agility to demand on planning and control activities benefiting shop floor enhancements of a fully reconfigurable system which enables to relax constraints imposed from production systems to planning. In addition, a continuous and dynamic workload control method is proposed and implemented.
A virtual reality‐based maintenance time measurement methodology for complex products
Authors: Dong Zhou , Le Kang , Chuan Lv
Published: July 2013

Purpose

Maintainability is a critical design characteristic that shows how well a product can be maintained; maintenance time is a comprehensive parameter of product maintainability design. This paper aims to provide an integrated methodology for complex product maintainability verification and maintenance time prediction using virtual prototypes and humans in a virtual dynamic simulation of the maintenance process.

Design/methodology/approach

An integrated platform for maintainability verification and maintenance time prediction is designed. Decomposition of maintenance tasks, corrective measurement time method, and an impact matrix of maintenance therbligs and time are presented.

Findings

The proposed methodology can efficiently conduct complex product maintainability verification and maintenance time prediction.

Practical implications

Early and effective verification and prediction of the maintainability and maintenance time program can significantly improve the maintainability and availability of a complex product.

Originality/value

A universally applicable method for product maintainability verification and maintenance time prediction is presented.
The legitimacy of absenteeism from work: a nine nation exploratory study
Authors: Addae Helena M. , Johns Gary , Boies Kathleen
Published: July 2013

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to propose a model in which work centrality, locus of control, polychronicity, preference for gender‐role differentiation, and perceived social support were expected to vary between nations and to be associated with general perceptions of absence legitimacy and self‐reported absenteeism.

Design/methodology/approach

Data were collected from 1,535 employees working in ten large multinationals organizations, mostly in the consumer products and technology sectors located in nine countries.

Findings

The explanatory variables differed significantly across countries, as did perceived legitimacy, responses to absence scenarios, and self‐reported absence. The variables of interest, as a package, partially mediated the association between country and one dimension of legitimacy and country and the scenario responses.

Research limitations/implications

Although absenteeism from work is a universal phenomenon, there is very little cross‐cultural research on the subject. This study has implications for filling this critical research gap. Limitations of this research are the use of convenience sampling and self‐reported absence data.

Practical implications

From a practical standpoint, this study demonstrates that organizations which attempt to develop corporate‐wide attendance policies that span national borders should take indigenous norms and expectations concerning absenteeism into consideration. Additionally, in an increasingly mobile global workforce, how does an individual who has been socialized in a nation where absence is generally viewed as a more legitimate behavior behave in a nation where it is viewed as less so?

Originality/value

This study illustrates the value of the legitimacy construct for studying absenteeism, both within and between nations. It also illustrates the value of building models incorporating variables that accommodate both cross‐national variation and individual differences within nations.
A diachronic analysis of HRM transfer: Taiwanese multinationals in the UK
Authors: Chang Yi‐Ying , Smale Adam , Tsang Seng‐Su
Published: July 2013

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to use a diachronic analysis to explore the influence of country of origin effect and country of management effect on the adoption of human resource management (HRM) practices at different stages.

Design/methodology/approach

The methodology starts with an intensive literature review to establish an analytical framework by bringing country of origin and country of management effects on the HRM transfers. By using a longitudinal qualitative research design, a total of 164 interviews from four British subsidiaries of four Taiwanese multinationals were conducted to explore the change over time during the HRM transfer processes over a five‐year period.

Findings

The results provide evidence of the paradox as a result of country of origin effect and country of management effect on the adoption of HRM practices over time.

Research limitations/implications

It is problematic to conclude absolutely regarding the convergence or divergence of HRM practices. This is due to HRM practices being in a constant state of flux between global integration and local adaptation during the transfer process.

Originality/value

This is the first empirical study to examine the impacts of country of origin effect and country of management effect on the HRM transfers from emerging multinationals in the advanced economy from a diachronic perspective.
Noise trading and stock returns: evidence from China
Authors: Hu Changsheng , Wang Yongfeng
Published: July 2013

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to analyze the trading behaviors of retail investors and investigate their impacts on stock returns.

Design/methodology/approach

As retail investors are considered as the main noise traders in the capital market, using the trading records of Chinese retail investors from 2005 to 2009, the authors study their trading preferences and the correlation of their trades. Then, they use a multifactor model to test whether the co‐movement of stock returns could be explained by individual sentiment.

Findings

The authors' results show that the small‐cap stocks are obviously preferred by retail investors. Meanwhile, the net stock demands of retail investors are systematically correlated, even when the effect of market risk is excluded. In the perspective of the net stock demands, the authors use BSI to measure the individual sentiment, finding that individual sentiment plays an important role in the formation of the cross‐section of stock returns. However, the authors' results imply that BSI is a reverse indicator to predict the future returns, which implies that the trading behaviors of retail investors are irrational.

Originality/value

Consistent with behavioral theory, the authors' findings support the viewpoint that stock returns could be affected by the systematic correlated trading of retail investors. To some extent, their findings highlight the need to know more details of individual investors' trading behaviors through which the fluctuations of asset prices can be better understood.
Exploring the moderating influence of product innovativeness on the organizational integration‐new product market success relationship
Authors: Millson Murray R.
Published: July 2013

Purpose

The purpose of this research is to investigate the moderating impact of product innovativeness on the new product market success‐organizational integration relationship. Design/methodology/approach – A mail survey research approach was used that gathered 131 completed survey instruments from NPD managers in the electrical products, medical devices, and the heavy construction equipment industries. Findings – This research confirmed that organizational integration during NPD processes and the innovativeness of new products are associated with new product market success. This study also discovered that product innovativeness does not moderate the organizational integration‐new product market success relationship.

Research limitations/implications

This study's findings may not be generalizable to industries beyond those studied, the studied relationships may change when new product projects are appended to one another, and it may be necessary to take into account several dimensions of product innovativeness to ascertain the relationship between product innovativeness and new product market success.

Practical implications

This study's results imply organizational integration can be increased to increase the market success of new products; new product developers should integrate marketing and R&D during NPD projects; and the innovativeness of new products can be increased without affecting the organizational integration‐new product market success relationship. Originality/value – The investigation of the following research questions contributes to NPD knowledge. How is new product market success related to NPD organizational integration? How is new product market success related to a product's innovativeness? To what extent does the innovativeness of new products moderate the relationship between new product market success and organizational integration?
The onset of bio‐thermal convection induced by a combined effect of gyrotactic and oxytactic microorganisms
Authors: Kuznetsov A.V.
Published: July 2013

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to investigate the stability of a suspension containing both gyrotactic and oxytactic microorganisms for the case when the suspension occupies a horizontal layer of finite depth. The lower boundary of the layer is assumed rigid while at the upper boundary both situations of rigid and stress‐free boundary conditions are considered.

Design/methodology/approach

Linear instability analysis is utilized, and the obtained eigenvalue problem is solved analytically using a one‐term Galerkin method.

Findings

The obtained eigenvalue equation relates three Rayleigh numbers, the traditional thermal Rayleigh number and two bioconvection Rayleigh numbers, for gyrotactic and oxytactic microorganisms.

Research limitations/implications

Only the case of non‐oscillatory instability (which always occurs when heating from the bottom is considered) is analyzed. Further experimental research is needed to elucidate possible interaction between gyrotactic and oxytactic microorganisms. The developed theory is applicable only for dilute suspensions.

Originality/value

This paper extends the traditional theory of bio‐thermal convection to the case when the suspension contains two types of motile microorganisms exhibiting different behaviors.
Can HR leaders excel as company chief executive?
Authors: Rao M.S.
Published: July 2013

Purpose

This paper aims to present a blueprint for HR leaders to excel as chief executives.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper highlights some of the challenges that HR leaders encounter in their quest to succeed as a chief executive.

Findings

The paper emphasizes the need to acquire chief‐executive acumen by developing a particular mindset, toolset and skill set, among other things. It explains the importance of understanding other departments, including marketing, finance, operations, legal, IT and strategy.

Practical implications

The paper stresses the importance of entering into line organizations rather than staff organizations for quick career advancement for HR leaders.

Social implications

The paper illustrates the realities of leadership development, with examples of a wide range of successful leaders.

Originality/value

The paper closes the gap between theory and practice in the quest to become a good chief executive.