bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
CoEulerian graphs
Authors: Farrell Matthew , Levine Lionel
Published: December 2015

We suggest a measure of “Eulerianness” of a finite directed graph and define a class of “coEulerian” graphs. These are the graphs whose Laplacian lattice is as large as possible. As an application, we address a question in chip-firing posed by Björner, Lovász, and Shor in 1991, who asked for “a characterization of those digraphs and initial chip configurations that guarantee finite termination.” Björner and Lovász gave an exponential time algorithm in 1992. We show that this can be improved to linear time if the graph is coEulerian, and that the problem is

NP

\textsf {NP}

-complete for general directed multigraphs.
Realizing spaces as classifying spaces
Authors: Lupton Gregory , Smith Samuel
Published: December 2015

Which spaces occur as a classifying space for fibrations with a given fibre? We address this question in the context of rational homotopy theory. We construct an infinite family of finite complexes realized (up to rational homotopy) as classifying spaces. We also give several non-realization results, including the following: the rational homotopy types of

C

P
2

\mathbb {C} P^2

and

S
4

S^4

are not realized as the classifying space of any simply connected, rational space with finite-dimensional homotopy groups.
A cabling formula for the 𝜈⁺ invariant
Authors: Wu Zhongtao
Published: December 2015

We prove a cabling formula for the concordance invariant

ν
+

\nu ^+

, defined by the author and Hom in a previous work. This gives rise to a simple and effective four-ball genus bound for many cable knots.
(Volume) density property of a family of complex manifolds including the Koras-Russell cubic threefold
Authors: Leuenberger Matthias
Published: December 2015

We present modified versions of existing criteria for the density property and the volume density property of complex manifolds. We apply these methods to show the (volume) density property for a family of manifolds given by

x
2

y
=
a
(

z
¯

)
+
x
b
(

z
¯

)

x^2y=a(\bar z) + xb(\bar z)

with

z
¯

=
(

z
0

,
…
,

z
n

)
∈

C

n
+
1

\bar z =(z_0,\ldots ,z_n)\in \mathbb {C}^{n+1}

and holomorphic volume form

d

x

/

x
2

∧

d

z
0

∧
…
∧

d

z
n

\mathrm {d} x/x^2\wedge \mathrm {d} z_0\wedge \ldots \wedge \mathrm {d} z_n

. The key step is to show that in certain cases transitivity of the action of (volume preserving) holomorphic automorphisms implies the (volume) density property, and then to give sufficient conditions for the transitivity of this action. In particular, we show that the Koras-Russell cubic threefold

{

x
2

y
+
x
+

z
0
2

+

z
1
3

=
0
}

\lbrace x^2y + x + z_0^2 + z_1^3=0\rbrace

has the density property and the volume density property.
A family of tests for irreducibility of polynomials
Authors: Weintraub Steven
Published: December 2015

We combine a simple observation about factorization of polynomials with some previous work to obtain a family of irreducibility tests, which we then illustrate.
Isolated point theorems for uniform algebras on two- and three-manifolds
Authors: Ghosh Swarup
Published: December 2015

In 1957, Andrew Gleason conjectured that if

A
A

is a uniform algebra on its maximal ideal space

X
X

and every point of

X
X

is a one-point Gleason part for

A
A

, then

A
A

must contain all continuous functions on

X
X

. However, in 1968, Brian Cole produced a counterexample to disprove Gleason’s conjecture. In this paper, we establish that Gleason’s conjecture still holds for two important classes of uniform algebras considered by John Anderson, Alexander Izzo and John Wermer in connection with the peak point conjecture. In fact, we prove stronger results by weakening the hypothesis of Gleason’s conjecture for those two classes of uniform algebras.
The length of the shortest closed geodesic in a closed Riemannian 3-manifold with nonnegative Ricci curvature
Authors: Barbosa Ezequiel , Wei Yong
Published: December 2015

In this note we discuss the problem of finding an upper bound on the length of the shortest closed geodesic in a closed Riemannian 3-manifold in terms of the volume. More precisely, we show that there exists a positive universal constant

C
C

such that, for every Riemannian 3-manifold

(

M
3

,
g
)

(M^3,g)

with

R
i

c
g

≥
0

Ric_g\geq 0

, at least one of the following assertions holds: (i).

S
y

s
g

(
M
)
≤
C
V
o

l
g

(
M

)

1
3

Sys_g(M)\leq C Vol_g(M)^{\frac 13}

, where

S
y

s
g

(
M
)

Sys_g(M)

denotes the length of the shortest closed geodesic in

M
3

M^3

; (ii).

M
3

M^3

is diffeomorphic to

S

3

\mathbb {S}^3

and there exists a closed minimal surface

Σ
0

\Sigma _0

embedded in

M
3

M^3

, with index 1, and

A
g

(

Σ
0

)
≤
C
V
o

l
g

(
M

)

2
3

A_g(\Sigma _0)\leq C Vol_g(M)^{\frac {2}{3}}

. This gives a partial answer to the problem proposed in Gromov’s paper written in 1983.
Hypercyclicity of composition operators in Stein manifolds
Authors: Zajac Sylwester
Published: December 2015

We characterize hypercyclic composition operators

C
φ

:
f
↦
f
∘
φ

C_\varphi :f\mapsto f\circ \varphi

on the space of holomorphic functions on a connected Stein manifold

Ω
\Omega

with

φ
\varphi

being a holomorphic self-map of

Ω
\Omega

.

In turns out that in the case when all balls with respect to the Carathéodory pseudodistance are relatively compact in

Ω
\Omega

, a much simpler characterization may be obtained (many natural classes of domains in

C

N

\mathbb {C}^N

satisfy this condition). Moreover, we show that in such a class of manifolds, as well as in simply connected and infinitely connected planar domains, hypercyclicity of

C
φ

C_\varphi

implies its hereditary hypercyclicity with respect to the full sequence of natural numbers.
Understanding self and others: from origins to disorders
Authors: Catmur Caroline , Cross Emily S. , Over Harriet
Published: December 2015

In order to interpret and engage with the social world, individuals must understand how they relate to others. Self–other understanding forms the backbone of social cognition and is a central concept explored by research into basic processes such as action perception and empathy, as well as research on more sophisticated social behaviours such as cooperation and intergroup interaction. This theme issue integrates the latest research into self–other understanding from evolutionary biology, anthropology, psychology, neuroscience and psychiatry. By gathering perspectives from a diverse range of disciplines, the contributions showcase ways in which research in these areas both informs and is informed by approaches spanning the biological and social sciences, thus deepening our understanding of how we relate to others in a social world.
Why developmental psychology is incomplete without comparative and cross-cultural perspectives
Authors: Nielsen Mark , Haun Daniel
Published: December 2015

As a discipline, developmental psychology has a long history of relying on animal models and data collected among distinct cultural groups to enrich and inform theories of the ways social and cognitive processes unfold through the lifespan. However, approaches that draw together developmental, cross-cultural and comparative perspectives remain rare. The need for such an approach is reflected in the papers by Heyes (2015Phil. Trans. R. Soc. B371, 20150069. (doi:10.1098/rstb.2015.0069)), Schmelz & Call (2015Phil. Trans. R. Soc. B371, 20150067. (doi:10.1098/rstb.2015.0067)) and Keller (2015Phil. Trans. R. Soc. B371, 20150070. (doi:10.1098/rstb.2015.0070)) in this theme issue. Here, we incorporate these papers into a review of recent research endeavours covering a range of core aspects of social cognition, including social learning, cooperation and collaboration, prosociality, and theory of mind. In so doing, we aim to highlight how input from comparative and cross-cultural empiricism has altered our perspectives of human development and, in particular, led to a deeper understanding of the evolution of the human cultural mind.
The role of self–other distinction in understanding others' mental and emotional states: neurocognitive mechanisms in children and adults
Authors: Steinbeis Nikolaus
Published: December 2015

Social interactions come with the fundamental problem of trying to understand others' mental and affective states while under the overpowering influence of one's own concurrent thoughts and feelings. The ability to distinguish between simultaneous representations of others' current experiences as well as our own is crucial to navigate our complex social environments successfully. The developmental building blocks of this ability and how this is given rise to by functional and structural brain development remains poorly understood. In this review, I outline some of the key findings on the role of self–other distinction in understanding others' mental as well as emotional states in children and adults. I will begin by clarifying the crucial role for self–other distinction in avoiding egocentric attributions of one's own cognitive as well as affective states to others in adults and outline the underlying neural circuitry in overcoming such egocentricity. This will provide the basis for a discussion of the emergence of self–other distinction in early childhood as well as developmental changes therein throughout childhood and into adulthood. I will demonstrate that self–other distinction of cognitive and emotional states is already dissociable early in development. Concomitantly, I will show that processes of self–other distinction in cognitive and affective domains rely on adjacent but distinct neural circuitry each with unique connectivity profiles, presumably related to the nature of the distinction that needs to be made.
Social cognitive impairment and autism: what are we trying to explain?
Authors: Leekam Susan
Published: December 2015

Early psychological theories of autism explained the clinical features of this condition in terms of perceptual and sensory processing impairments. The arrival of domain-specific social cognitive theories changed this focus, postulating a ‘primary’ and specific psychological impairment of social cognition. Across the years, evidence has been growing in support of social cognitive and social attention explanations in autism. However, there has also been evidence for general non-social cognitive impairments in representational understanding, attention allocation and sensory processing. Here, I review recent findings and consider the case for the specificity and primacy of the social cognitive impairment, proposing that we should focus more explicitly on clinically valid features for insights on the integration of ‘social’ and ‘non-social’ cognition.
Structural corroboration of two important building blocks of the anticancer drug eribulin mesylate through two-dimensional NMR and single-crystal X-ray diffraction studies
Authors: Pullela Srinivas Venkata , Acharya Vinod , Reddy Nagarjuna , Harlikar Jayvant , Kulkarni Amar , Chavan Rakesh , Yadav Ajay , Manna Shuvendu , Ghosh Angshuman
Published: December 2015

Eribulin mesylate, one of the most synthetically challenging drugs to date, possesses 19 stereocentres in its structure and ascertaining the absolute stereochemistry at every stage of the 64-stage synthesis is crucial. In our quest to synthesize eribulin, we identified two critical building blocks of this molecule, namely 3,4:6,7-di-O-cyclohexylidene-D-glycero-α-L-talo-heptopyranose methanol monosolvate, C19H30O7·CH3OH, and (2R,3R,4R,5S)-5-allyl-2-[(S)-2,3-dihydroxypropyl]-4-[(phenylsulfonyl)methyl]tetrahydrofuran-3-ol, C17H24O6S, for which two-dimensional NMR (2D-NMR) data were not sufficient to prove the absolute configuration. To ensure structural integrity, single-crystal X-ray diffraction data were obtained to confirm the structures. This information provides useful insights into the structural framework of the large eribulin mesylate molecule.
Crystal structure of 4-(4-methoxyphenoxy)benzaldehyde
Authors: Schäfer Andreas , Iovkova-Berends Ljuba , Gilke Stefan , Kossmann Paul , Preut Hans , Hiersemann Martin
Published: December 2015

The title compound, C14H12O3, was synthesizedviathe nucleophilic addition of 4-methoxyphenol to 4-fluorobenzaldehyde. The dihedral angle between the least-squares planes of the benzene rings is 71.52 (3)° and the C—O—C angle at the central O atom is 118.82 (8)°. In the crystal, weak C—H...O hydrogen bonds link the molecules to generate supramolecular layers in thebcplane. The layers are linked by weak C—H...π interactions.
Crystal structure of 2-amino-4-(4-methoxyphenyl)-4H-benzo[g]chromene-3-carbonitrile
Authors: Mague Joel T. , Mohamed Shaaban K. , Akkurt Mehmet , Younes Sabry H. H. , Albayati Mustafa R.
Published: December 2015

In the title compound, C21H16N2O2, the naphthalene fragment is twisted slightly, as indicated by the dihedral angle of 3.2 (2)° between the two six-membered rings. The pendant 4-methoxyphenyl ring makes a dihedral angle of 86.08 (6)° with the central six-membered ring of the 4H-benzo[g]chromene ring system. In the crystal, molecules are linked by pairs of N—H...N hydrogen bonds, forming inversion dimers which are linked into chains propagating in theb-axis direction by N—H...O hydrogen bonds.
Crystal structure of 3-(4-methylphenyl)-1-phenyl-5-[(E)-2-phenylethenyl]-1H-pyrazole
Authors: Adam Farook , Charishma Sharath Poojary , Prabhu Basrur Ramya , Samshuddin Seranthimata , Ameram Nadiah
Published: December 2015

In the title compound, C24H20N2, the dihedral angles between the pyrazole ring and the pendant phenyl, toluoyl and phenylethenyl rings are 41.50 (8), 4.41 (8) and 31.07 (8)°, respectively. In the crystal, inversion dimers linked by a π–π stacking interactions between the phenylethenyl rings are observed [centroid–centroid separation = 3.5857 (9) Å].
Redetermination of the crystal structure of 3,5-dimethylpyrazolium β-octamolybdate tetrahydrate
Authors: Amarante Tatiana R. , Gonçalves Isabel S. , Almeida Paz Filipe A.
Published: December 2015

The title compound, (C5H9N2)4[Mo8O26]·4H2O, was reported previously from a room-temperature data collection from which only the metal atoms could be refined anisotropically [FitzRoyet al.(1989).Inorg. Chim. Acta,157, 187–194]. The current redetermination at 180 (2) K models all the non-H atoms with anisotropic displacement parameters and fully describes the supramolecular N—H...O and O—H...O hydrogen-bonded network connecting the 3,5-dimethylpyrazolium cations, the water molecules of crystallization and the β-octamolybdate anion. All H atoms involved in the three-dimensional hydrogen-bonding network could be located from difference Fourier maps, with the exception of those of one disordered water molecule, firstly seen in this structural report [refined over two distinct locations with site-occupancy factors of 0.65 (2) and 0.35 (2)]. The complete β-octamolybdate anion is generated by a crystallographic inversion centre.
Crystal structure of (Z)-ethyl 2-{5-[(2-benzylidene-3-oxo-2,3-dihydrobenzo[b][1,4]thiazin-4-yl)methyl]-1H-1,2,3-triazol-1-yl}acetate
Authors: Ellouz M. , Sebbar N. K. , Essassi E. M. , Ouzidan Y. , Mague J. T.
Published: December 2015

The title compound, C22H20N4O3S, features two fused six-membered rings linked to a 1,2,3-triazole ring which is attached to an ethyl acetate group. The heterocycle in the benzothiazine residue has an envelope conformation with the S atom being the flap. The conformation of the ethyl acetate side chain, which is directed to the same side of the molecule as the C6ring of the fused-ring system, may be partially established by a pair of weak intramolecular C—H...O(carbonyl) interactions. The three-dimensional packing is aided by intermolecular C—H...O and C—H...N interactions.
Crystal structure of 5-bromo-1-ethylindoline-2,3-dione
Authors: Kharbach Yassine , Haoudi Amal , Capet Frédéric , Mazzah Ahmed , El Ammari Lahcen
Published: December 2015

The title compound, C10H8BrNO2, crystallizes with two independent molcules (AandB) in the asymmetric unit. In each molecule, the indoline ring system is almost planar, with the largest deviation from the mean plane being 0.016 (2) Å in moleculeAand 0.040 (13) Å in moleculeB. In each molecule, the ethyl group is nearly perpendicular to the indoline ring system with C—C—N—C torsion angles of −94.8 (3) and 93.0 (3)° in moleculesAandB, respectively. In the crystal, the two molecules are inclined to each other, making a dihedral angle of 6.28 (8)°. In the molecular packing, theAandBmolecules are linked by C—H...O hydrogen bonds, forming –A–B–A–B– chains along [01-1]. Parallel chains are linkedviaa weak slipped parallel π–π interaction [inter-centroid distance = 3.6107 (14) Å] and a short Br...O contact [3.183 (2) Å], forming a three-dimensional structure.
Revisiting knowledge sharing from the organizational change perspective
Authors: Park Sunyoung , Kim Eun-Jee
Published: December 2015

Purpose

– The purpose of this study is to identify how knowledge sharing literature has discussed task, structure, technology and people as elements of organizational change and to examine the interactions between the four elements of knowledge sharing.

Design/methodology/approach

– The research questions guiding the study are: How do organizational change elements influence knowledge sharing? and What are the critical elements of organizational change in relation to knowledge sharing? Based on Leavitt’s (1965) organizational change model, 133 articles published between 2000 and 2012 from 13 journals were reviewed and analyzed.

Findings

– The total number of articles covering task, structure, technology and people in knowledge sharing was 49, 79, 49 and 97, respectively. Of all references, 97 articles (72 per cent) discussed the important aspects of people, and 79 articles (59 per cent) emphasized the influential role of organizational structure in knowledge sharing. The highest frequency of interactions (48 articles) was the interaction between structure and people (Interaction 5).

Research limitations/implications

– To capture broader phenomena on knowledge sharing in organizational change, multiple data sources and a variety of journals with a longer timeframe should be collected and a more comprehensive review should be conducted. All perspectives of organizational change were not applied to this study. Theoretically, this study attempted to illuminate how knowledge sharing has been explored through the lens of four elements in organizational change and the interactions between the elements. This study attempted to expand the use of Leavitt’s (1965) model by applying interactive relationships among the elements to knowledge sharing.

Practical implications

– The findings can advance strategic and managerial practice by informing the planning and development of knowledge sharing associated with change in organizations. A key question is how to identify the major component of change which will trigger the other changes in the current architecture of knowledge sharing in their organizations. This study suggests that elements of structure and people, when organization face either planned or unplanned change, are critical for successful knowledge sharing by making the interactive connections with other components of change.

Originality/value

– The contributions of this study are that it provides an integrative review in selected journals of knowledge sharing in terms of organizational change. By examining how knowledge sharing studies have addressed the four change factors and multi component changes, this study explains one change in knowledge sharing leads to multi-component changes. Additional contribution is that it makes connections between knowledge sharing and organizational change.
The Triple P – Positive Parenting Programme: the effectiveness of group Triple P and brief parent discussion group in school settings in Hong Kong
Authors: Chung Selina , Leung Cynthia , Sanders Matthew
Published: December 2015

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to evaluate and compare the effectiveness of two intervention formats of the Positive Parenting Programme (Triple P) – Level 4 Group Triple P (TP) and brief parent discussion group (DI) with the waitlist control group (WL).

Design/methodology/approach

– Participants included 91 Chinese parents with preschool children in Hong Kong from eight preschools, who were randomised into the two intervention conditions (TP and DI) and a waitlist control group (WL). Parent participants completed measures on child behaviours and parenting stress before and after intervention.

Findings

– Results indicated that there was a significant decrease in post-intervention child behavioural problems in the TP group, with a medium effect size when compared to the WL group. There was a decrease in post-intervention child behaviour problems in the DI group, compared with the WL group. No significant difference was found in post-intervention child behaviour problems between the TP group and the DI group.

Practical implications

– The positive results in the present study support the extension of the implementation of Triple P interventions to the preschool setting in Hong Kong. The effectiveness of the brief parent discussion group in reducing parental report of child behaviour problems provides preliminary support for its potential as a universal preventive parenting intervention in the local context.

Originality/value

– The study was the first evaluation of the Level-4 Triple P programme in a local school context as well as the first evaluation of effectiveness of the brief parent discussion group in the local context at the time of the study.
Putting your mind at ease: findings from the Mindfulness Ambassador Council programme in Toronto area schools
Authors: Smith-Carrier Tracy , Koffler Theo , Mishna Faye , Wallwork Anna , Daciuk Joanne , Zeger Jasmin
Published: December 2015

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to gain understanding of the benefits and limitations of mindfulness training among secondary school students and teachers in Toronto, Ontario, Canada.

Design/methodology/approach

– Using a case study methodology, the authors analysed programme evaluation forms and conducted thematic analyses of focus groups with Catholic secondary school teachers and students that participated in the Mindfulness Ambassador Council programme.

Findings

– The findings suggest that mindfulness training may provide participants with opportunities for personal growth, specifically in the areas of stress reduction, relaxation, social awareness, self-discovery and relationship building.

Research limitations/implications

– This study confirms existing literature that training in mindfulness practice may be beneficial in strengthening relationships, reducing stress and anxiety and promoting inner well-being and social-emotional learning in youth. To test these findings empirically, future research should examine mindfulness training in schools using a robust randomised controlled trial design.

Practical implications

– Given the current state of research on mindfulness-based interventions specifically with the adolescent population, the study provides useful and timely data on participants
'
experiences with mindfulness training, and discusses how such training can be effectively harnessed within secondary school settings.

Originality/value

– There is growing evidence that the regular practice of mindfulness has myriad psychological, therapeutic and health benefits, and contributes to heightened emotional intelligence and improved performance in a host of activities. Relatively little is known, however, about the effects of mindfulness interventions on child and adolescent populations. The study contributes to the emerging evidence on mindfulness practice with students in school settings.
How standards and modularity can improve humanitarian supply chain responsiveness
Authors: Jahre Marianne , Fabbe-Costes Nathalie
Published: December 2015

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to increase understanding of the use of standards and modularity for improving responsiveness in the humanitarian context.

Design/methodology/approach

– Based on a conceptual framework and a systematic literature review, the authors conducted a longitudinal, explorative case on the Emergency Response Unit (ERU) concept in the International Federation of Red Cross Red Crescent Society (IFRC), focussing particularly on the Health ERU in the Norwegian Red Cross.

Findings

– The authors found that the ERU concept makes use of many types of standards that complement and influence each other, and that the focus on modularity is increasing due to a growing need for responsiveness. Main challenges are trade-offs between autonomy and adaptability to the context resulting in more modularization which may be in danger of breaking the concept.

Research limitations/implications

– Results from this study could be refined by surveying staff involved in all types of ERU deployments. To explore the generalizability of the findings and test the propositions developed, more studies should be conducted.

Practical implications

– The study provides more understanding of the use of standards and modularity for improving responsiveness. Practitioners can use the framework as a check-list to identify potential means for improvements. The case can be used for training, discussions, and reflections. The research feeds into IFRC’s and NORCROSS ongoing work to their global response tools.

Social implications

– The results of the study can support improvements in humanitarian supply chains, thereby providing affected people with cost-efficient, rapid, and better-adapted responses.

Originality/value

– The authors develop a framework for categorization of standards and modularity in the humanitarian context. The authors provide the first empirical study on how humanitarian organizations use standards and modularity to improve responsiveness concluding with a set of propositions on how the concepts are linked.
Hybrid simulation modeling for humanitarian relief chain coordination
Authors: Krejci Caroline C
Published: December 2015

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to present a conceptual framework for a hybrid simulation model that can be used to study the decision making and behaviors of humanitarian logistics actors to determine how/whether certain coordination mechanisms enable better relief chain efficiency and effectiveness over time.

Design/methodology/approach

– The agent-based portion of the model is used to represent human decision making and interactions in a more realistic way than has been done previously, and the discrete-event simulation (DES) portion of the model allows the movement of vehicles, materials, and information throughout a supply network to be represented in a way that allows for dynamic and stochastic behavior.

Findings

– Coordinated efforts by actors in humanitarian logistics operations involve complex interactions and adaptations over time, which can be capture and explored via hybrid agent-based model (ABM)-DES modeling.

Research limitations/implications

– This paper describes a framework for a hybrid ABM-DES model. The actual development and implementation of the model, including input data collection and analysis, model development, experimentation, and output data collection and analysis, will be the subject of future work.

Practical implications

– The hybrid model framework provides other researchers with a starting point for model development.

Social implications

– This paper provides a basis for future modeling and assessment of coordination in humanitarian logistics, an area that is in need of research.

Originality/value

– The hybrid simulation modeling framework presented in this paper is a novel application of a new modeling methodology to the problem of coordination in humanitarian logistics.
Twenty years of the WTO Appellate Body’s “fragmentation jurisprudence”
Authors: Lang Andrew
Published: December 2015

Purpose

– This paper aims to reflect on the first 20 years of the World Trade Organization (WTO) Appellate Body’s jurisprudence, specifically as it relates to questions of normative fragmentation. It provides an overview of some of the highlights of the WTO’s jurisprudence as it pertains to fragmentation, with particular focus on the use of general public international law in the context of the WTO dispute settlement.

Design/methodology/approach

– The paper adopts a traditional interpretive legal method, applied to the case law of the WTO.

Findings

– The paper suggests that the Appellate Body’s approach has not been driven by the institutional myopia and normative closure of which they are sometimes accused, but rather a judicial sensibility which (rightly or wrongly) valorises the virtues of modesty, caution and self-restraint.

Originality/value

– The paper contributes to the literature on the causes of fragmentation, drawing attention in particular to the importance of international lawyers and tribunals in contributing to fragmentation, not just responding to it. The fragmentation of international law is, in part, the product of ongoing boundary work, and the “fragmentation jurisprudence” of the Appellate Body has predictably involved boundary work of a particularly intense kind.
Changes in the jurisprudence of the WTO Appellate Body during the past twenty years
Authors: Roessler Frieder
Published: December 2015

Purpose

– This paper aims to examine changes in the jurisprudence of the World Trade Organization Appellate Body in three areas of law (judicial economy, the identification of the measure to be examined under Article XX of the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade and other duties and import charges), and concludes that the Appellate Body failed to acknowledge and cogently explain in each of these areas, the changes it made.

Design/methodology/approach

– The paper asks two key questions: what has the Appellate Body done when its own rulings in past cases stood in the way of a legally sound ruling in a new case, and how should it handle such instances in the future?

Findings

– The paper concludes that all changes in jurisprudence reduce predictability, but that predictability suffers even more when the changes are made in disguise because panels and Members then receive confused or conflicting normative signals.

Originality/value

– The paper argues that the Appellate Body should seek consistency of jurisprudence wherever possible. It should handle changes in jurisprudence more transparently and adopt internal procedures that make the need for them less likely.
The value relevance of “too-big-to-fail” guarantees
Authors: Varmaz Armin , Fieberg Christian , Prokop Jörg
Published: December 2015

Purpose

– This paper aims to analyze the impact of conjectural “too-big-to-fail” (TBTF) guarantees on big and small US financial institutions’ stock prices during the 2008-2009 banking crisis.

Design/methodology/approach

– The paper analyzes shocks to stock market investors’ expectations of government aid to banks in distress and respective spillover effects using an event study approach. We focus on three major events in late 2008, namely, the Lehman bankruptcy, the Citigroup bailout and the first announcement of the Capital Purchase Program (CPP) by the US Government.

Findings

– The authors found significant differences in market reactions to the respective events between small and large banks. For both the Lehman and the CPP event, abnormal returns on big banks’ stocks are negative, while small banks’ stocks tend to generate positive abnormal returns. In contrast, large banks strongly outperform small banks in the case of the Citigroup bailout. Results for a control group of non-financial firms indicate that this behavior may be specific to the banking industry. The authors observed significant spillover effects to both competitors and non-competitors of Lehman and Citigroup, and concluded that while the Lehman event shook the widely held belief in an implicit TBTF subsidy to large banks, the TBTF doctrine was reinstated shortly thereafter.

Originality/value

– This paper shows that conjectural TBTF guarantees are priced in by equity investors. While government aid to large banks in distress may prevent negative effects on the stability of the financial system, it may also create negative externalities by putting small banks at a competitive disadvantage. The findings suggest that US and European regulators’ recent policy measures directed at establishing reliable bank resolution schemes should be a step in the right direction to level the playing field for small and large financial institutions.
On the horizon: maker and makerspace events in New York City – MakerCon2015, make education forum, and the NY annual maker faire
Authors: Kesselman Martin , Baldwin Douglass
Published: December 2015

Purpose

– Conference report

Design/methodology/approach

– This paper reports on the Maker and Maker Faire events in September at New York City.

Findings

– The findings include the authors’ impressions of the meetings.

Originality/value

– Original impressions of the conferences.
Modelling energy retrofit investments in the UK housing market
Authors: Adan Hassan , Fuerst Franz
Published: December 2015

Purpose

– Improving the energy efficiency of the existing residential building stock has been identified as a key policy aim in many countries. The purpose of this paper is to review the extant literature on investment decisions in domestic energy efficiency and presents a model that is both grounded in microeconomic theory and empirically tractable.

Design/methodology/approach

– This study develops a modified and extended version of an existing microeconomic model to embed the retrofit investment decision in a residential property market context, taking into account tenants’ willingness to pay and cost-reducing synergies. A simple empirical test of the link between energy efficiency measures and housing market dynamics is then conducted.

Findings

– The empirical data analysis for England indicates that where house prices are low, energy efficiency measures tend to increase the value of a house more in relative terms compared to higher-priced regions. Second, where housing markets are tight, landlords and sellers will be successful even without investing in energy efficiency measures. Third, where wages and incomes are low, the potential gains from energy savings make up a larger proportion of those incomes compared to more affluent regions. This, in turn, acts as a further incentive for an energy retrofit. Finally, the UK government has been operating a subsidy scheme which allows all households below a certain income threshold to have certain energy efficiency measures carried out for free. In regions, where a larger proportion of households are eligible for these subsidies,the authors also expect a larger uptake.

Originality/value

– While the financial metrics of retrofit measures are by now well understood, most of the existing studies tend to view these investments in isolation, not as part of a larger bundle of considerations by landlords and owners of how energy retrofits might influence a property’s rent, price and appreciation rate. In this paper, the authors argue that establishing this link is crucial for a better understanding of the retrofit investment decision.
Characterizing air pollutant emissions for highway construction projects
Authors: Rasdorf William , Lewis Phil , Arocho Ingrid , Hummer Joseph
Published: December 2015

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to characterize the relationships between air pollutant emissions from heavy duty diesel equipment and highway construction project scope, schedule, and budget. Objectives included estimating total project emissions; developing a daily emissions profile; and developing new emissions estimating metrics based on project scope, schedule, and budget.

Design/methodology/approach

– The research approach involved collecting real-world data related to project scope, schedule, and budget from two highway case study projects. The data were used to establish an emissions inventory estimating methodology to calculate total emissions for each case study. The total emissions were normalized based on project size, duration, and cost in order to develop new emissions estimating metrics.

Findings

– The results proved that it is possible to characterize total equipment emissions based on project size, duration, and cost. The new emissions estimating metrics were quantitatively similar for both case studies.

Research limitations/implications

– The results were based on two case study projects. Additional data from more projects is needed to provide more highly refined numerical results.

Practical implications

– This approach enables project planners and managers to assess the environmental impacts of highway projects along with the financial and time impacts.

Social implications

– Construction equipment is a major contributor to the nation’s air pollution problem. Before pollutant emissions can be managed they must first be measured.

Originality/value

– The new emissions estimating metrics are a novel approach to comparing environmental impacts of two or more projects, as well as estimating total emissions for future highway construction projects.
An investigation of indoor air quality, thermal comfort and sick building syndrome symptoms in UK energy efficient homes
Authors: McGill Grainne , Oyedele Lukumon O. , McAllister Keith
Published: December 2015

Purpose

– Concern of the deterioration of indoor environmental quality as a result of energy efficient building design strategies is growing. Apprehensions of the effect of airtight, super insulated envelopes, the reduction of infiltration, and the reliance on mechanical systems to provide adequate ventilation (air supply) is promoting emerging new research in this field. The purpose of this paper is to present the results of an indoor air quality (IAQ) and thermal comfort investigation in UK energy efficient homes, through a case study investigation.

Design/methodology/approach

– The case study dwellings consisted of a row of six new-build homes which utilize mechanical ventilation with heat recovery (MVHR) systems, are built to an average airtightness of 2m3/m2/hr at 50 Pascal’s, and constructed without a central heating system. Physical IAQ measurements and occupant interviews were conducted during the summer and winter months over a 24-hour period, to gain information on occupant activities, perception of the interior environment, building-related health and building use.

Findings

– The results suggest inadequate IAQ and perceived thermal comfort, insufficient use of purge ventilation, presence of fungal growth, significant variances in heating patterns, occurrence of sick building syndrome symptoms and issues with the MVHR system.

Practical implications

– The findings will provide relevant data on the applicability of airtight, mechanically ventilated homes in a UK climate, with particular reference to IAQ.

Originality/value

– IAQ data of this nature is essentially lacking, particularly in the UK context. The findings will aid the development of effective sustainable design strategies that are appropriate to localized climatic conditions and sensitive to the health of building occupants.
Prospects for nature in proposals for urban growth
Authors: Birkeland Janis Lynn
Published: December 2015

Purpose

– Proposals for changing city-nature relationships are currently dominated by geographical approaches about urban form. They arguably lack a sufficient appreciation of design issues and opportunities. The knowledge and skill sets of urban designers and architects could improve the level of debate. The paper aims to discuss these issues.

Design/methodology/approach

– This discussion evaluates two opposing radical proposals for urban growth. These and most other proposals for future human settlements can be located on a densification-dispersal axis. They are reviewed in terms of their ability to address the fundamental social and ecological prerequisites of sustainability.

Findings

– Neither model of urban form is sustainable without a new kind of built environment design that can address rapidly depleting ecological carrying capacity and social equity. Current models of urban growth in green urbanism and design fields would not adequately protect or increase the remaining natural life support system, which should be the foundation for any sustainability plan. These problems need to be resolved by design which can entertain a much broader range of sustainability criteria than formulas.

Research limitations/implications

– Given the broad subject area, there is a diversity of opinion and issues that cannot be adequately represented in a short paper. Therefore, the spotlight is placed on the far ends of this (dispersal-densification) dualism.

Originality/value

– This densification-dispersal axis can be transcended by moving from current approaches that close off future options to ones that can expand future options by increasing the public estate and ecological base: the basic prerequisites of sustainability. This is arguably possible, but only with a new design paradigm.
Variations in U.S. Consumers’ Acceptability of Korean Rice Cake, Seolgitteok, with respect to Sensory Attributes and Nonsensory Factors
Authors: Cho Sungeun , Yoon Suk Hoo , Min Jieun , Lee Suji , Tokar Tonya , Lee Sun‐Ok , Seo Han‐Seok
Published: December 2015

Because the Korean rice cake, Seolgitteok, is mainly prepared with rice flour containing no gluten‐protein associated with celiac disease, it can be considered for inclusion in a gluten‐free diet. However, Western consumers may be unlikely to enjoy the plain flavor and chewy texture of Seolgitteok. This study aimed to determine both sensory and nonsensory factors that might affect U.S. consumers’ acceptability of Seolgitteok. A total of 119 U.S. consumers rated 5 Seolgitteok samples, differentiated by descriptive sensory analysis, with respect to hedonic impression and just‐about‐right aspects of sensory attributes. Nonsensory factors such as demographic profile, innovativeness, social representation, sensation‐seeking, and personality traits were also assessed. Addition levels of brown rice flour (0% to 100%) and sugar (5% to 20%) not only enriched flavor, but also lessened chewiness of Seolgitteok, thereby increasing an overall hedonic impression. Moreover, consumer acceptability of Seolgitteok varied with respect to nonsensory factors. Seolgitteok was more appreciated by males, sensation seekers, and individuals constrained by social desirability than by other groups. In conclusion, these findings demonstrate that U.S. consumers’ acceptability of Seolgitteok varies not only by sensory attributes such as rice flavor, sweetness, and chewiness, but also by nonsensory factors such as gender, sensation‐seeking characteristics, and personality traits.
The effect of potential electronic nicotine delivery system regulations on nicotine product selection
Authors: Pesko Michael F. , Kenkel Donald S. , Wang Hua , Hughes Jenna M.
Published: December 2015

Aims

To estimate the effect of potential regulations of electronic nicotine delivery systems (ENDS) among adult smokers, including increasing taxes, reducing flavor availability and adding warning labels communicating various levels of risk.

Design

We performed a discrete choice experiment (DCE) among a national sample of 1200 adult smokers. We examined heterogeneity in policy responses by age, cigarette quitting interest and current ENDS use. Our experiment overlapped January 2015 by design, providing exogenous variation in cigarette quitting interest from New Year resolutions.

Setting

KnowledgePanel, an online panel of recruited respondents.

Participants

A total of 1200 adult smokers from the United States.

Measurements

Hypothetical purchase choice of cigarettes, nicotine replacement therapy and a disposable ENDS.

Findings

Increasing ENDS prices from $3 to $6 was associated with a 13.6 percentage point reduction in ENDS selection (P < 0.001). Restricting flavor availability in ENDS to tobacco and menthol was associated with a 2.1 percentage point reduction in ENDS selection (P < 0.001). The proposed Food and Drug Administration (FDA) warning label was associated with a 1.1 percentage point reduction in ENDS selection (P < 0.05) and the MarkTen warning label with a 5.1 percentage point reduction (P < 0.001). We estimated an ENDS price elasticity of −1.8 (P < 0.001) among adult smokers. Statistically significant interaction terms (P < 0.001) imply that price responsiveness was higher among adult smokers 18–24 years of age, smokers who have vaped over the last month and smokers with above the median quitting interest. Young adult smokers were 3.7 percentage points more likely to choose ENDS when multiple flavors were available than older adults (P < 0.001). Young adult smokers and those with above the median cigarette quitting interest were also more likely to reduce cigarette selection and increase ENDS selection in January 2015 (P < 0.001), potentially in response to New Year's resolutions to quit smoking.

Conclusions

Increased taxes, a proposed US Food and Drug Administration warning label for electronic nicotine delivery systems and a more severe warning label may discourage adult smokers from switching to electronic nicotine delivery systems. Reducing the availability of flavors may reduce ENDS use by young adult smokers.
Connecting the brain of the child from synapses to screen‐based activity
Authors: Lagercrantz Hugo
Published: December 2015

The connectome of the brain is constructed during foetal life by neurogenesis, arborisation of the neurons and synaptogenesis. The optimal neuronal connections are selected by endogenous spontaneous neuronal activity and sensory input from the external world, particularly after birth. The development of the social brain depends on interaction, particularly with the parents. Infants start to imitate adults from birth and soon learn to recognise faces. They also absorb phonemes like magnets, particularly if they are sitting on their mother's lap and she is speaking motherese. External coupling of the brain to TV, DVDs, iPads and smartphones cannot replace this direct multisensory interaction and does not seem to have the same advantageous effects for children under two years of age that it may have for older children.