bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Performance improvement of direct torque controlled interior mounted permanent magnet drives by employing a linear combination of current and voltage based flux observers
Authors: Koc Mikail , Sun Tianfu , Wang Jiabin
Published: May 2016

Flux observers in direct torque controlled (DTC) motor drives are of paramount importance as the drives rely on estimated variables for feedback control. It is well‐known that current‐based (CB) estimations are advantageous at low speeds, whereas voltage‐based (VB) estimations are more accurate at high speeds. Hence, a large number of state‐of‐the‐art DTC drives utilise closed‐loop flux observers in which the CB and VB estimations become dominant at low and high speeds, respectively. However, it has been discovered that the performance and current waveforms with the closed‐loop observers significantly deteriorate at low speeds since the residual error of the VB estimation causes current distortions. In addition, these observers have non‐linear flux transition trajectory resulting in reduced accuracy during transitions. To improve the low speed performance and achieve the linear transition, an alternative combination of the two estimations is proposed. Experimental results on a 10 kW interior mounted permanent magnet machine drive designed for electric vehicle traction applications validate significant improvements on the drive performance.
On the virtualisation of the satellite segment
Authors: Abdellatif Slim , Berthou P. , Bernard Julien , Medjiah Samir , Gelard Patrick
Published: May 2016

For years, satellite virtual network operators (VNOs) are a major player in the satellite communication market landscape. Typically, they repackage services leased from satellite network operators (SNOs) to provide their customers with added‐value end‐to‐end services. However, the level of control and visibility that satellite VNOs have on their purchased services (and underlying resources) is limited mainly because of SNOs’ protective/conservative policies and the closed nature of satellite devices. From the satellite VNO perspective, this refrains the development of novel services and complicates the provision process of the services they offer. The concept of full virtualisation of satellite hubs that enables enhancing the level of control and visibility exposed to satellite VNOs is proposed and elaborated. Analysis of the opportunities brought by this proposal is presented as well as insights on how it can be implemented.
Effect of mullite synthesis methods on the spark plasma sintering behaviour and mechanical properties
Authors: Rajaei Hosein , Mobasherpour Iman , Farvizi Mohammad , Zakeri Mohammad
Published: May 2016

To understand the role of mullite powder synthesis method on the microstructural aspects and mechanical properties of the consolidated samples, this powder was prepared with two methods including sol–gel technique and direct reaction of alumina and kaolin (A–K mullite). The microstructural studies showed that the particle size of mullite powders synthesised with sol–gel method is lower than the mullite prepared from direct reaction. The spark plasma sintering (SPS) method was used for the consolidation of the samples. The scanning electron microscopy/energy‐dispersive X‐ray analysis showed that the samples prepared from sol–gel powder after the SPS process contain lower porosity and better compositional homogeneity compared with A–K mullite sample consolidated in a similar condition. The bending and hardness (H) tests results confirmed the better performance of sol–gel samples which is attributed to its lower porosity and better microstructural homogeneity.
Thermally induced oxidative growth of copper oxide nanowire on dendritic micropowder and reductive conversion to copper nanowire
Authors: Mirza Gheitaghy Amir , Tabatabaei Seyyede Shahrzad , Saffari Hamid , Zhang Guo Qi
Published: May 2016

Copper nanowires (NWs) were constructed on a dendritic copper powder precursor by a facile thermal oxidation–reduction method. First, copper oxide NWs were grown from high purity dendritic copper powder by thermal oxidation at 500°C. Next, these oxide NWs were reduced to copper NWs under a hydrogen ﬂow at two different temperatures of 220 and 500°C. Oxide NW diameters distribution was in the range of 50–105 nm with length ranging from 1 to 5 µm while copper NWs were shorter and wider. A time‐dependent study of oxide NWs growth was carried out. The morphology, composition and crystal structure of the resulting products were characterised by X‐ray diffraction and scanning electron microscope. The results indicated that the final product of oxidation process was dispersed cupric oxide (CuO) NW whose density and length increased with time. Furthermore, it was observed that as the reduction temperature increased, the copper NW melted and adhered to the powder surface.
Analysis of symmetry breaking configurations in metal nanocavities: Identification of resonances for generating high-order magnetic modes and multiple tunable magnetic-electric Fano resonances
Authors: Wang Liancheng , Liu Zhiqiang , Yi Xiaoyan , Zhang Yiyun , Li Hongjian , Li Jinmin , Wang Guohong
Published: May 2016

A systematic investigation of the effects of symmetry breaking and the generation of Fano resonances in metal nanocavities is still lacking. In this work, we investigate the plasmonic properties of ring/disk silver nanocavities of various symmetry-breaking configurations. We find that multiple higher-order magnetic modes can be excited and that the quadrupole (Q) mode can even become dominant in a weakly asymmetric split ring. Magnetic-electric Fano resonances in weakly split-ring/disk nanocavities can be adjusted by tuning geometric parameters, such as the angle of the split, the width of the ring, the diameter of the ring, the center offset, and the number of superradiant antenna disks. The potential use of these multiple modes of ring/disk-based nanocavities in biosensing is evaluated by calculating the figure of merit and the contrast ratio. Our results correlate the various symmetry-breaking configurations with their plasmonic properties. The results will aid in the design of metal nanocavities for plasmonic applications.
Nonlinear density excitations in a magnetorotating relativistic plasma with warm ions and non-Maxwellian electrons
Authors: Ahmad Ali , Masood W.
Published: May 2016

Linear and nonlinear electrostatic ion acoustic waves in a weakly relativistic magnetorotating plasma in the presence of non-Maxwellian electrons and warm ions have been examined. The system under consideration has yielded two solutions, namely, the fast and slow acoustic modes which have been observed to depend on the streaming velocity, ion to electron temperature ratio, and the nonthermality parameter of the non-Maxwellian electrons. Using the multiple time scale analysis, we have derived the three dimensional nonlinear Zakharov–Kuznetsov equation and also presented its solution. Both compressive and rarefactive solitary structures have been found in consonance with the satellite observations. It has been observed that although the linear dispersion relation gives both fast and slow ion acoustic waves, the solitary structures form only for the fast acoustic mode. The dependence of the characteristics of the solitary structures on several plasma parameters has also been explored. The present investigation may be beneficial to understanding the rotating plasma environments such as those found in the planetary magnetospheres of Saturn and Jupiter.
Hysteresis of liquid adsorption in porous media by coarse-grained Monte Carlo with direct experimental validation
Authors: Zeidman Benjamin D. , Lu Ning , Wu David T.
Published: May 2016

The effects of path-dependent wetting and drying manifest themselves in many types of physical systems, including nanomaterials, biological systems, and porous media such as soil. It is desirable to better understand how these hysteretic macroscopic properties result from a complex interplay between gasses, liquids, and solids at the pore scale. Coarse-Grained Monte Carlo (CGMC) is an appealing approach to model these phenomena in complex pore spaces, including ones determined experimentally. We present two-dimensional CGMC simulations of wetting and drying in two systems with pore spaces determined by sections from micro X-ray computed tomography: a system of randomly distributed spheres and a system of Ottawa sand. Results for the phase distribution, water uptake, and matric suction when corrected for extending to three dimensions show excellent agreement with experimental measurements on the same systems. This supports the hypothesis that CGMC can generate metastable configurations representative of experimental hysteresis and can also be used to predict hysteretic constitutive properties of particular experimental systems, given pore space images.
Atomic orbital-based SOS-MP2 with tensor hypercontraction. I. GPU-based tensor construction and exploiting sparsity
Authors: Song Chenchen , Martínez Todd J.
Published: May 2016

We present a tensor hypercontracted (THC) scaled opposite spin second order Møller-Plesset perturbation theory (SOS-MP2) method. By using THC, we reduce the formal scaling of SOS-MP2 with respect to molecular size from quartic to cubic. We achieve further efficiency by exploiting sparsity in the atomic orbitals and using graphical processing units (GPUs) to accelerate integral construction and matrix multiplication. The practical scaling of GPU-accelerated atomic orbital-based THC-SOS-MP2 calculations is found to be N2.6 for reference data sets of water clusters and alanine polypeptides containing up to 1600 basis functions. The errors in correlation energy with respect to density-fitting-SOS-MP2 are less than 0.5 kcal/mol for all systems tested (up to 162 atoms).
Transitions in genetic toggle switches driven by dynamic disorder in rate coefficients
Authors: Chen Hang , Thill Peter , Cao Jianshu
Published: May 2016

In biochemical systems, intrinsic noise may drive the system switch from one stable state to another. We investigate how kinetic switching between stable states in a bistable network is influenced by dynamic disorder, i.e., fluctuations in the rate coefficients. Using the geometric minimum action method, we first investigate the optimal transition paths and the corresponding minimum actions based on a genetic toggle switch model in which reaction coefficients draw from a discrete probability distribution. For the continuous probability distribution of the rate coefficient, we then consider two models of dynamic disorder in which reaction coefficients undergo different stochastic processes with the same stationary distribution. In one, the kinetic parameters follow a discrete Markov process and in the other they follow continuous Langevin dynamics. We find that regulation of the parameters modulating the dynamic disorder, as has been demonstrated to occur through allosteric control in bistable networks in the immune system, can be crucial in shaping the statistics of optimal transition paths, transition probabilities, and the stationary probability distribution of the network.
Optical spectroscopy of molecular junctions: Nonequilibrium Green’s functions perspective
Authors: Gao Yi , Galperin Michael
Published: May 2016

We consider optical spectroscopy of molecular junctions from the quantum transport perspective when radiation field is quantized and optical response of the system is simulated as photon flux. Using exact expressions for photon and electronic fluxes derived within the nonequilibrium Green function (NEGF) methodology and utilizing fourth order diagrammatic perturbation theory (PT) in molecular coupling to radiation field, we perform simulations employing realistic parameters. Results of the simulations are compared to the bare PT which is usually employed in studies on nonlinear optical spectroscopy to classify optical processes. We show that the bare PT violates conservation laws, while flux conserving NEGF formulation mixes optical processes.
Influence of driven current on resistive tearing mode in Tokamaks
Authors: Wang S. , Ma Z. W. , Zhang W.
Published: May 2016

The influence of driven current on the m/n=2/1 resistive tearing mode is studied systematically using a three-dimensional toroidal magnetohydrodynamic code. A uniform driven current with Gaussian distribution in the radial direction is imposed around the unperturbed rational surface. It is found that the driven current can locally modify the profiles of the current and safety factor, such that the tearing mode becomes linearly stable. The stabilizing effect increases with the increase of the driven current Icd or the decrease of its width δcd, unless an excessively large driven current reverses the magnetic shear near the rational surface and drives other instabilities such as double or triple tearing modes. The stabilizing effect can be negligible or becomes reversed if the maximum driven current density is not at the unperturbed rational surface.
Ambipolar radial electric field generated by anomalous transport induced by magnetic perturbations
Authors: Chen Dunqiang , Zhu Siqiang , Zhang Debing , Wang Shaojie
Published: May 2016

The anomalous particle transport induced by magnetic perturbations in a tokamak is investigated. The correlation between the radial position and the kinetic energy of electrons, DrK=−eErDrr, is predicted theoretically and is verified by simulations in the presence of a mean radial electric field. This correlation leads to a radial particle flux produced by the radial electric field. The ambipolar radial electric field can thus be predicted by using the ambipolarity condition Γri=Γre.
Communication: Distinguishing between short-time non-Fickian diffusion and long-time Fickian diffusion for a random walk on a crowded lattice
Authors: Ellery Adam J. , Baker Ruth E. , Simpson Matthew J.
Published: May 2016

The motion of cells and molecules through biological environments is often hindered by the presence of other cells and molecules. A common approach to modeling this kind of hindered transport is to examine the mean squared displacement (MSD) of a motile tracer particle in a lattice-based stochastic random walk in which some lattice sites are occupied by obstacles. Unfortunately, stochastic models can be computationally expensive to analyze because we must average over a large ensemble of identically prepared realizations to obtain meaningful results. To overcome this limitation we describe an exact method for analyzing a lattice-based model of the motion of an agent moving through a crowded environment. Using our approach we calculate the exact MSD of the motile agent. Our analysis confirms the existence of a transition period where, at first, the MSD does not follow a power law with time. However, after a sufficiently long period of time, the MSD increases in proportion to time. This latter phase corresponds to Fickian diffusion with a reduced diffusivity owing to the presence of the obstacles. Our main result is to provide a mathematically motivated, reproducible, and objective estimate of the amount of time required for the transport to become Fickian. Our new method to calculate this crossover time does not rely on stochastic simulations.
Dietary choice and grazing behaviour of sheep on spatially arranged pasture systems. 2. Wether lamb growth and carcass weight at slaughter
Authors: Raeside M. C. , Robertson M. , Nie Z. N. , Partington D. L. , Jacobs J. L. , Behrendt R.
Published: May 2016

Dry matter production and nutritive characteristics of the pasture feedbase during autumn are key drivers of profitability in Australia’s prime lamb systems. An experiment was conducted to test the hypothesis that offering lambs dietary choice through spatially separated combinations of perennial ryegrass (Lolium perenne L.), plantain (Plantago lanceolata L.) and/or lucerne (Medicago sativa L.) improves the post-weaning liveweight gain, condition score (CS), pre- and post-slaughter carcass characteristics and reduces the internal parasite burdens of wether lambs finished to a slaughter weight over autumn, relative to lambs offered no dietary choice. The experiment tested seven treatments, replicated four times in a randomised complete block design with plot sizes of 1 ± 0.1 ha. The treatments were: 100% perennial ryegrass (PR), 100% plantain (PL), 100% lucerne (LU), 50 : 50 perennial ryegrass/plantain (PR + PL), 50 : 50 perennial ryegrass/lucerne (PR + LU), 50 : 50 plantain/lucerne (PL + LU) and 33 : 33 : 33 perennial ryegrass/plantain/lucerne (PR + PL + LU). Plots were grazed by weaned lambs between March and June 2011. The lambs had been born between 3 August and 7 September 2010 and were derived from either Coopworth composite dams joined to Coopworth maternal sires or from Merino dams (Toland or Centreplus bloodlines) joined to Border Leicester sires. Backgrounding the lambs on a pasture system that contained lucerne during the lactation to weaning period increased (P < 0.05) liveweight at slaughter by 8% and hot carcass weight by 10%, relative to lambs backgrounded on perennial ryegrass. Finishing lambs on the LU treatment between weaning and slaughter increased (P < 0.05) liveweight at slaughter by 11%, CS at slaughter by 0.3 units, hot carcass weight by 16%, carcass CFAT (measured over the loin) by 2.5 mm, carcass eye muscle depth by 1.1 mm and carcass GRFAT (total tissue depth at 11/12th rib, 11 cm from mid line) by 3.8 mm, relative to lambs finished on the PR treatment. Finishing lambs on LU + PR, LU + PL or LU + PR + PL did not (P > 0.05) improve any of the measured parameters, relative to finishing lambs on the LU treatment. The PL and PR treatments did not differ (P > 0.05) in liveweight at slaughter, CS at slaughter or carcass characteristics, but the PL treatment had lower (P < 0.05) liveweight gain than the PR treatment during the first 2 weeks of the experiment (39 g/day vs 330 g/day), which was later partially compensated for. Our hypothesis has not been supported given that the use of spatially arranged mixes resulted in no improvement in liveweight gain, CS, carcass characteristics or internal parasite burdens relative to the comparable single species sward.
Contribution of phase durations to canola (Brassica napus L.) grain yields in the High Rainfall Zone of southern Australia
Authors: Riffkin Penny , Christy Brendan , O'Leary Garry , Partington Debra
Published: May 2016

In the High Rainfall Zone (HRZ) of southern Australia, long-season winter canola types have been commercially available only since 2011. Experiments in this region show that these varieties can provide improvements in grain yield over spring types of >20% because of their ability to make better use of the longer growing season. However, within this longer crop duration, the optimum length and timings of the critical growth phases to maximise grain production are unknown. Data from eight field experiments conducted between 2010 and 2014 at Hamilton, in the HRZ of south-western Victoria, were analysed to determine whether different phases within the crop’s life cycle vary in their contribution to grain yield and, if so, how this is influenced by climatic conditions. The dataset provided 536 genotype–environment–management combinations including 60 varieties ranging in total crop duration from 186 to 236 days. Over the 5 years, seasons were highly variable with annual rainfall ranging between 479 and 981 mm and spring rainfall (September–November) between 84 and 199 mm. The range of crop maturity types (i.e. winter and spring types) and environmental conditions provided a wide spread in growth, development and grain yield. The analysis showed a positive association between longer duration from flowering to maturity and grain yield, and showed that the duration was influenced by both environmental and genetic factors. Pre-flowering reserves made an important contribution to grain yield, and remobilisation of reserves from the pre-flowering period was greatest for winter types, presumably due to less favourable conditions for growth during grain-filling. Optimising flowering to produce sufficient pre-flowering reserves for remobilisation while ensuring that environmental conditions post-flowering are such that the grain-filling duration is maximised may provide a strategy to increase yields in this environment.
Furthering the quality agenda in Aboriginal community controlled health services: understanding the relationship between accreditation, continuous quality improvement and national key performance indicator reporting
Authors: Sibthorpe Beverly , Gardner Karen , McAullay Daniel
Published: May 2016

A rapidly expanding interest in quality in the Aboriginal-community-controlled health sector has led to widespread uptake of accreditation using more than one set of standards, a proliferation of continuous quality improvement programs and the introduction of key performance indicators. As yet, there has been no overarching logic that shows how they relate to each other, with consequent confusion within and outside the sector. We map the three approaches to the Framework for Performance Assessment in Primary Health Care, demonstrating their key differences and complementarity. There needs to be greater attention in both policy and practice to the purposes and alignment of the three approaches if they are to embed a system-wide focus that supports quality improvement at the service level.
Assessment of non-target risks from sodium fluoroacetate (1080), para-aminopropiophenone (PAPP) and sodium cyanide (NaCN) for fox-incursion response in Tasmania
Authors: Mallick Stephen , Pauza Matthew , Eason Charles , Mooney Nick , Gaffney Robbie , Harris Stephen
Published: May 2016

Context Access to effective toxicants and delivery systems that target red foxes (Vulpes vulpes) are likely to be required as part of a management strategy in the event of future red fox incursions into Tasmania. Potential toxicants include sodium fluoroacetate (1080), para-aminopropiophenone (PAPP) and sodium cyanide (NaCN). Aims To assess the risk of three toxicants (1080, PAPP and NaCN) to non-target native Tasmanian mammals and birds and domestic dogs and cats. Methods We identified native Tasmanian mammal and bird species that may potentially consume fox baits, by reviewing the ecological traits of native species and by monitoring 180 buried bait stations with video cameras. We also assess the potential risk to non-target species of dying from a single standard dose of each of the three toxicants. Key results Seven native mammal and 20 native bird species have the potential to consume fox bait. All vertebrates would be susceptible to a single dose of NaCN. Consumption of a single fox bait containing 3 mg 1080 may be lethal to five native mammals, three native birds, and the domestic cat (Felis catus) and dog (Canis familiaris). Consumption of a single fox bait containing 226 mg PAPP may be lethal to the spotted-tailed quoll (Dasyurus maculatus) and the domestic cat and dog. Delivery of toxicants via a mechanical ejector would reduce non-target exposure to toxicants. Conclusions It appears that PAPP would provide a useful alternative to 1080 for use in lethal fox control in Tasmania, either in the event of an incursion or in the eradication of an established population. NaCN is not suitable for broadscale use in Tasmania because of the high susceptibility of all vertebrates to this toxicant. Nevertheless, NaCN would be useful in highly restricted areas in the event of an incursion where carcass recovery is important. The use of a mechanical ejector to target delivery of toxicants to red foxes would reduce non-target risks. Implications Our results clarify theoretical non-target risks from any future fox-poisoning programs in Tasmania and highlight the need for further research on the susceptibility of native species to PAPP as a potential alternative to 1080.
Interactions of a fungal lytic polysaccharide monooxygenase with β-glucan substrates and cellobiose dehydrogenase
Authors: Courtade Gaston , Wimmer Reinhard , Røhr Åsmund K. , Preims Marita , Felice Alfons K. G. , Dimarogona Maria , Vaaje-Kolstad Gustav , Sørlie Morten , Sandgren Mats , Ludwig Roland , Eijsink Vincent G. H. , Aachmann Finn Lillelund
Published: May 2016

Significance

Copper-dependent lytic polysaccharide monooxygenases (LPMOs) are key players in the enzymatic conversion of biomass. LPMOs catalyze oxidative cleavage of glycosidic bonds in a process involving molecular oxygen and an electron donor, such as cellobiose dehydrogenase (CDH). Using protein NMR and isothermal titration calorimetry we have studied the interactions between a fungal LPMO and three soluble substrates and CDH. The results reveal which areas on the LPMO surface interact with the varying substrates and unambiguously show that both the substrate and CDH bind to a region that is centered around the copper site. The data presented here suggest that electron transfer occurs before substrate binding, providing important new leads for understanding the reaction mechanism of LPMOs.
Evaluating the suitability of mathematical thinking problems for senior high‐school students by including mathematical sense making and global planning
Authors: van Velzen Joke H.
Published: May 2016

The mathematics curriculum often provides for relatively few mathematical thinking problems or non‐routine problems that focus on a deepening of understanding mathematical concepts and the problem‐solving process. To develop such problems, methods are required to evaluate their suitability. The purpose of this preliminary study was to find such an evaluation method by including mathematical sense making and global planning. Eighteen 11th‐grade high‐school students, divided into three groups of three pairs, solved six mathematical thinking problems that included the finding of a numeric solution and the writing of mathematical texts and arguments. Content analysis of the students’ solution procedures provided for three kinds of hierarchically ordered mathematical sense‐making categories. The results showed the expected statistically significant difference between the kinds of problems, though only mathematical sense making enabled the exclusion of the routine problem. The implications for practice are discussed.
Executive Function and Intelligence in the Resolution of Temporary Syntactic Ambiguity: An Individual Differences Investigation
Authors: Engelhardt Paul E. , Nigg Joel T. , Ferreira Fernanda
Published: May 2016

In the current study, we examined the role of intelligence and executive functions in the resolution of temporary syntactic ambiguity using an individual differences approach. Data were collected from 174 adolescents and adults who completed a battery of cognitive tests as well as a sentence comprehension task. The critical items for the comprehension task consisted of object/subject garden paths (e.g., While Anna dressed the baby that was small and cute played in the crib), and participants answered a comprehension question (e.g., Did Anna dress the baby?) following each one. Previous studies have shown that garden-path misinterpretations tend to persist into final interpretations. Results showed that both intelligence and processing speed interacted with ambiguity. Individuals with higher intelligence and faster processing were more likely to answer the comprehension questions correctly and, specifically, following ambiguous as opposed to unambiguous sentences. Inhibition produced a marginal effect, but the variance in inhibition was largely shared with intelligence. Conclusions focus on the role of individual differences in cognitive ability and their impact on syntactic ambiguity resolution.
Generic semistability for reductive group actions
Authors: Bac Dao Phuong , Hyeon Donghoon
Published: May 2016

We prove that given a reductive algebraic group

G
G

and a rational representation

ρ
:
G
→

G
L

(
V
)

\rho : G \to \mathrm {GL}(V)

defined over an algebraically closed field of characteristic

0
0

,

v
∈
V

v \in V

is generically semistable, i.e.,

0
∉

T
.
v

¯

0 \not \in \overline {T.v}

for a general maximal torus

T
T

if and only if

v
v

is semistable with respect to the induced action of the center of

G
G

. The proof is obtained through a detailed description of the relation between the state polytope with respect to the maximal torus

T
T

of

G
G

and the state polytope with respect to

T
∩
[
G
,
G
]

T \cap [G,G]

. We also consider the case of solvable groups and prove that the generic semistability implies the center semistability but not the other way around.
Novel metrics to measure coverage in whole exome sequencing datasets reveal local and global non-uniformity
Authors: Wang Qingyu , Shashikant Cooduvalli S. , Jensen Matthew , Altman Naomi S. , Girirajan Santhosh
Published: May 2016

Whole Exome Sequencing (WES) is a powerful clinical diagnostic tool for discovering the genetic basis of many diseases. A major shortcoming of WES is uneven coverage of sequence reads over the exome targets contributing to many low coverage regions, which hinders accurate variant calling. In this study, we devised two novel metrics, Cohort Coverage Sparseness (CCS) and Unevenness (UE) Scores for a detailed assessment of the distribution of coverage of sequence reads. Employing these metrics we revealed non-uniformity of coverage and low coverage regions in the WES data generated by three different platforms. This non-uniformity of coverage is both local (coverage of a given exon across different platforms) and global (coverage of all exons across the genome in the given platform). The low coverage regions encompassing functionally important genes were often associated with high GC content, repeat elements and segmental duplications. While a majority of the problems associated with WES are due to the limitations of the capture methods, further refinements in WES technologies have the potential to enhance its clinical applications.
Walking a mile in their shoes: user workarounds in a SAP environment
Authors: Drum Dawna M. , Pernsteiner Aimee J. , Revak Adam
Published: May 2016

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to examine workarounds from the perspective of the users of the system, focusing on the outcomes of workarounds and their effect on the quality of accounting information.

Design/methodology/approach

Interviews were conducted with employees in the accounting functions at two international organizations using SAP for their enterprise system. Results were coded by two experienced researchers and one undergraduate student, and included a categorization of the outcomes of workarounds.

Findings

The most striking result is the difference in views of workarounds between the two organizations. While workarounds are discouraged by the accounting function at both organizations, one seeks out workarounds and enforces standards while the other has not yet achieved process standardization. Not surprisingly, users view the workarounds of others as very detrimental to the quality of accounting information, but view their own workarounds as critical to maintain quality.

Practical implications

Organizations should obtain input from system users to document the extent that workarounds are used within the organization to determine the impact on the quality of their financial reporting.

Originality/value

The focus on outcomes of workarounds is an important shift in the literature, and more work is needed to further refine the categories used in this research, particularly for the effect of workarounds on internal controls and information quality. Additionally, this research surfaced a very strong difference in the actions taken to deal with workarounds, which may be due to organizational cultures.
Impact of B2C e-commerce codes of conduct on sales volume: lessons from the Spanish perspective
Authors: Gallego M. Dolores , Bueno Salvador , López-Jiménez David
Published: May 2016

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to carry out empirical testing of the relationship between corporate image and corporate satisfaction among business-to-consumer (B2C) e-commerce organizations who possess codes of conduct and study their effects on sales volume. The aim is to measure impacts of both corporate image as well as measure corporate satisfaction on online sales volume increases. In addition, the authors have added to the study the product-type dimension as a moderate variable.

Design/methodology/approach

A structural model is developed and empirically tested through survey data obtained from 127 Spanish companies adhering to a code of conduct.

Findings

The results indicate that adhering to a code of conduct has a positive impact on the increase in sales volumes. The paper identified the main reasons for adhering to a code of conduct, such as offering greater trust to potential consumers as well as improving the firm’s image, prestige and increasing quality and security.

Research limitations/implications

Further variables must be identified that would help to determine the impact on organizations adhering to codes of conduct.

Practical implications

This paper highlights how B2C e-commerce codes of conduct help managers achieve better conditions for competiveness. The findings show how adhering to a code of conduct has a positive impact on increased sales volumes. The results indicate that the reasons for adhering to a code of conduct are the following: it offers greater trust to potential consumers, as well as improves the firm’s image and prestige, and increases purchase quality and security.

Originality/value

This paper contributes to the enrichment of knowledge concerning B2C e-commerce codes of conduct developed a pioneering study.
Improving new product development performance by risk management
Authors: Salavati Mehran , Tuyserkani Milad , Mousavi Seyyede Anahita , Falahi Nafiseh , Abdi Farshid
Published: May 2016

Purpose

The principal aim of this study is to investigate the relationship between technological, marketing, organizational and commercialization risk management on new product development (NPD) performance.

Design/methodology/approach

Based on questionnaire, the data were collected from a sample of general automotive industry in Iran. Based on theoretical considerations, a model was proposed and descriptive statistic and hierarchical regression were used to measure the relationship between risk management factors and NPD performance.

Findings

Data analysis revealed that if organization can amplify their knowledge and information about risk and main factors that affect NPD process, not only can they do their work better but can also increase their ability to predict future happenings that affect performance.

Research limitations/implications

First, due to the relatively small sample size, caution should be exercised when interpreting the results. Second, the data were collected from automotive producer in Iran, which may restrict to some extent generalizability of the findings.

Practical implications

The results suggest that managers should consider more attention to risk management. If managers spread the risk management in all aspects of the NPD project, total performance will be increased and it can develop the probability of NPD success. Also organizations should perform great market research due to best commercialization.

Originality/value

Past researches have presented complete information about NPD process. But identifying and considering the effect of the risk management parameters that are connected to the NPD process were the main thrusts to perform the study. In this paper, based on past research about risk management of NPD, the extra aspect of process that can improve total performance of NPD has been examined.
IAS 39, income smoothing, and pro-cyclicality: evidence from Hong Kong banks
Authors: Abdul Adzis Azira , Tripe David W.L. , Dunmore Paul
Published: May 2016

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to investigate the impact of International Accounting Standard 39 (IAS 39) on income-smoothing activities and pro-cyclical behavior through loan loss provisions using a sample of Hong Kong banks.

Design/methodology/approach

Fixed effects estimator is used, and the analysis covers the period from 2000 to 2009.

Findings

The results suggest that Hong Kong banks engage less in income-smoothing activity after they comply with the IAS 39. No evidence supports loan loss provisions of Hong Kong banks exhibiting more pro-cyclical behavior after IAS 39 adoption.

Research limitations/implications

Compliance with IAS 39 should improve the quality of bank financial reporting. The reduction in income-smoothing activities among Hong Kong banks after IAS 39 adoption fairly supports the effectiveness of International Financial Reporting Standard (IFRS) and countries that have yet to comply with IFRS may take action to apply the standards. Bank regulators should take pro-active action in addressing the issue of pro-cyclicality of loan loss provisions, as IAS 39 focuses more on improving the financial information quality, while pro-cyclicality is associated with the economic cycles.

Originality/value

Hong Kong banking industry is unique, as it was among the first IFRS adopters in the East Asia region and it has its own legal framework for developing accounting standards. The results of this study are expected to shed some light on the effects of IAS 39 adoption on income smoothing and pro-cyclicality of banks in the East Asia region, where the accounting cultural value dimensions and institutional structures are different than that of European countries.
Variation at HLA‐DPB1 is associated with dermatomyositis in Chinese population
Authors: Zhang Chang‐E , Li Yang , Wang Zai‐Xing , Gao Jin‐Ping , Zhang Xiao‐Guang , Zuo Xian‐Bo , Sheng Yu‐Jun , Chen Gang , Sun Liang‐Dan , Zhang Xue‐Jun , Xu Jin‐Hua , Yang Sen
Published: May 2016

Dermatomyositis (DM) is a polygenic disorder characterized by inflammation of skeletal muscle and skin. To date, the exact etiopathogenesis of DM remains elusive. To explore the genetic basis of DM, we conducted genome‐wide genotyping analysis of 127 patients and 1566 healthy controls by Illumina Human OmniZhongHua‐8 BeadChips in the Chinese Han population. We investigated whether the three SNP (rs7750458, rs9501251 and rs9500928) at 6p21.32 in the HLA‐DPB1 gene were significantly associated with DM (P < 5 × 10−8) and identified two susceptibility loci at 7q34 (PIP, rs9986765, P = 7.45 × 10−7, odds ratio [OR] = 2.71) and 10q24.2 (CPN1, rs3750716, P = 9.04 × 10−7, OR = 4.39) with suggestive evidence. We imputed 6674 classical human leukocyte antigen (HLA) alleles, amino acids and SNP from the discovery dataset, and stepwise analysis revealed that HLA‐DPB1*17 in class II HLA genes were significantly associated with DM susceptibility. This study represents the first genome‐wide association study (GWAS) of DM in the Chinese Han population. For the first time, HLA‐DPB1 was found to be associated with DM in this population. Moreover, we identified two novel suggestive susceptibility loci (PIP and CPN1) and confirmed four previously reported genes (DMB, DQA1, DQB1 and DRB1) having potential associations with DM in the Chinese Han population. Our GWAS results in this population should provide important information regarding the genetic etiopathogenesis of DM and facilitate the development of new therapies for the treatment of DM and the prevention of DM progression.
Evolutionary Biology in Economics: A Review
Authors: Collins Jason , Baer Boris , Weber Ernst Juerg
Published: May 2016

As human traits and preferences were shaped by natural selection, there is substantial potential for the use of evolutionary biology in economic analysis. In this paper, we review the extent to which evolutionary theory has been incorporated into economic research. We examine work in four areas: the evolution of preferences, the molecular genetic basis of economic traits, the interaction of evolutionary and economic dynamics, and the genetic foundations of economic development. These fields comprise a thriving body of research, but have significant scope for further investigation. In particular, the growing accessibility of low‐cost molecular data will create more opportunities for research on the relationship between molecular genetic information and economic traits.
Understanding Wage Inequality in Australia
Authors: Chatterjee Arpita , Singh Aarti , Stone Tahlee
Published: May 2016

In this paper we document the rise in wage inequality in Australia over the last decade. A key driver of this inequality is unobservable or residual inequality. We decompose residual wage inequality into permanent and transitory components. The estimates of the permanent shock from the first‐difference approach allow us to reconcile life‐cycle wage inequality.
Extravasation Risk Using Ultrasound‐guided Peripheral Intravenous Catheters for Computed Tomography Contrast Administration
Authors: Rupp Jordan D. , Ferre Robinson M. , Boyd Jeremy S. , Dearing Elizabeth , McNaughton Candace D. , Liu Dandan , Jarrell Kelli L. , McWade Conor M. , Self Wesley H.
Published: May 2016

Objective

Ultrasound‐guided intravenous catheter (USGIV) insertion is increasingly being used for administration of intravenous (IV) contrast for computed tomography (CT) scans. The goal of this investigation was to evaluate the risk of contrast extravasation among patients receiving contrast through USGIV catheters.

Methods

A retrospective observational study of adult patients who underwent a contrast‐enhanced CT scan at a tertiary care emergency department during a recent 64‐month period was conducted. The unadjusted prevalence of contrast extravasation was compared between patients with an USGIV and those with a standard peripheral IV inserted without ultrasound. Then, a two‐stage sampling design was used to select a subset of the population for a multivariable logistic regression model evaluating USGIVs as a risk factor for extravasation while adjusting for potential confounders.

Results

In total, 40,143 patients underwent a contrasted CT scan, including 364 (0.9%) who had contrast administered through an USGIV. Unadjusted prevalence of extravasation was 3.6% for contrast administration through USGIVs and 0.3% for standard IVs (relative risk = 13.9, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 7.9 to 24.6). After potential confounders were adjusted for, CT contrast administered through USGIVs was associated with extravasation (adjusted odds ratio = 8.6, 95% CI = 4.6 to 16.2). No patients required surgical management for contrast extravasation; one patient in the standard IV group was admitted for observation due to extravasation.

Conclusions

Patients who received contrast for a CT scan through an USGIV had a higher risk of extravasation than those who received contrast through a standard peripheral IV. Clinicians should consider this extravasation risk when weighing the risks and benefits of a contrast‐enhanced CT scan in a patient with USGIV vascular access.
A Different Path for Rural America
Authors: Crabtree John
Published: May 2016

A dominant narrative in the United States posits that rural out‐migration and social decline of rural areas and small towns is inevitable. Although there is evidence of that view, there are also positive signs that point to the vitality of rural America. Although rural areas are losing population, that is partly a statistical artifact, since any rural area that succeeds in growing may be reclassified as an urban area, thus incorrectly seeming to indicate rural decline. This article explores three policy changes that could help to restore the vibrancy of rural and small‐town America: increased support for programs targeted toward rural economic development, setting limits on the ability of large farms to accrue a large share of the insurance subsidies available to farmers, and limiting the ability of vertically integrated hog farms to dissuade new farmers from investing in this traditional method of becoming a farmer.
The Center for Rural Affairs: The First 20 Years
Authors: Ralston Don , Strange Marty
Published: May 2016

The history of the Center for Rural Affairs, a nonprofit advocacy organization in Nebraska, is recounted by two of its founders. The Center began with roots in the anti‐poverty movement in the 1970s. In subsequent years, the Center served as an activist research center that was devoted to serving the interests of the public and small farmers. For example, a Center study showed that center‐pivot irrigation was an initial step toward heavy capitalization of agriculture, a process that increased the debt of farmers and eventually drove many of them into bankruptcy. In other studies, the Center examined specific policies that were indirectly depopulating rural areas by turning farming into an industry. Joining with other groups, the Center fought to keep Nebraska as free as possible from corporate farming. In contrast to organizations that are located in urban areas and analyze rural problems from a distance, the Center is located in a small town in Nebraska, so the staff are personally aware of rural conditions. In addition to describing the research and activism of the Center, this account also provides information about the early obstacles an advocacy group must overcome in terms of funding, building a strong board, and other factors.
International Society of Urological Pathology (ISUP) grading of prostate cancer – An ISUP consensus on contemporary grading
Authors: Egevad Lars , Delahunt Brett , Srigley John R , Samaratunga Hemamali
Published: May 2016

The International Society of Urological Pathology (ISUP) has issued guidelines for the grading of prostate cancer based on a consensus conference held in 2014. The recommendations resulting from the 2014 consensus conference were a further development of 2005 ISUP modified Gleason grading. In the 2014 system, morphological criteria are clarified, including updated definitions of Gleason pattern 4. In addition to the continued reporting of Gleason scores, we also recommend that Gleason scores ≤6, 3 + 4 = 7, 4 + 3 = 7, 8 and 9–10, respectively, be reported as five groups, i.e. ISUP grades 1–5. This new grading system has the dual benefit of predicting patient outcome as well as facilitating patient communication.
Impact of Implementing a Protocol on the Perioperative Management in Patients Treated with Antithrombotics Admitted for Hip Fracture Surgery: an Observational Study
Authors: Iavecchia Luján , Safiya Ahmad , Salat David , Sabaté Mònica , Bosch Montse , Biarnés Alfons , Camps Angels , Castellà Dolors , Lalueza Pilar , Pons Verònica , Teixidor Jordi , Villar Maria M. , Agustí Antònia
Published: May 2016

This study aimed to describe the impact of implementing a protocol on the perioperative management of patients admitted for hip fracture treated with antithrombotics. A protocol was designed based on the recommendations from the American College of Chest Physicians (ACCP). After its implementation (May 2012), information on antithrombotic management was collected from admission to 3 months after surgery in retrospective (October 2011‐March 2012) and prospective (October 2012‐March 2013) cohorts. Patients' thromboembolic risk was classified into high, moderate or low according to the ACCP categories. A total of 113 and 101 cases were included in the retrospective and prospective cohorts, respectively. No differences in age, gender, American Society of Anaesthesiology score or thrombotic risk categories were observed between cohorts. Most patients were treated with aspirin or triflusal (55.1% and 48.1% in each cohort, respectively), clopidogrel (24.5% and 26.6%) or acenocoumarol (16.3% and 20.2%). In moderate to high thromboembolic risk patients, a higher rate of bridging therapy with full doses of enoxaparin (18.5% and 50%, p = 0.04 before and 9.1% and 43.7%, p = 0.02 after surgery) and a lower rate of aspirin discontinuation (76% and 55.3%, p = 0.03) were observed in the prospective cohort. Both cohorts had a similar percentage of cases with bleeding (68.1% and 68.3%) and thrombotic events (11.5% and 13%). No differences in the timing between surgery and the discontinuation or resumption of antithrombotics were noted. After the protocol implementation, aspirin was less often stopped and bridging therapy with therapeutic doses of enoxaparin was used more often. However, interruption and resumption times of antithrombotics remained almost unchanged. In order to achieve these goals, more efforts should be made to implement the protocol in clinical practice.