bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Orientation of non-spherical particles in an axisymmetric random flow
Authors: Vincenzi Dario
Published: March 2013

The dynamics of non-spherical rigid particles immersed in an axisymmetric random flow is studied analytically. The motion of the particles is described by Jeffery’s equation; the random flow is Gaussian and has short correlation time. The stationary probability density function of orientations is calculated exactly. Four regimes are identified depending on the statistical anisotropy of the flow and on the geometrical shape of the particle. If $\boldsymbol{\lambda} $ is the axis of symmetry of the flow, the four regimes are: rotation about $\boldsymbol{\lambda} $, tumbling motion between $\boldsymbol{\lambda} $ and $- \boldsymbol{\lambda} $, combination of rotation and tumbling, and preferential alignment with a direction oblique to $\boldsymbol{\lambda} $.
Characterization of two unrelated satellite DNA families in the Colorado potato beetleLeptinotarsa decemlineata(Coleoptera, Chrysomelidae)
Authors: Lorite Pedro , Torres M. Isabel , Palomeque Teresa
Published: March 2013

The Colorado potato beetle (Leptinotarsa decemlineata, family Chrysomelidae), a phytophagous insect, which feeds preferably on potatoes, constitutes a serious pest of this crop and causes extensive damage to tomatoes and eggplants. It has a remarkable ability to develop resistance quickly against insecticides and shows a diversified and flexible life history. Consequently, the control of this pest has become difficult, requiring the development of new alternative biotechnology-based strategies. Such strategies require a thorough knowledge of the beetle's genome, including the repetitive DNA. Satellite DNA (stDNA), composed of long arrays of tandemly arranged repeat units, constitutes the major component of heterochromatin and is located mainly in centromeric and telomeric chromosomal regions. We have studied two different unrelated satellite-DNA families of which the consensus sequences were 295 and 109 bp in length, named LEDE-I and LEDE-II, respectively. Both were AT-rich (70.8% and 71.6%, respectively). Predictive models of sequence-dependent DNA bending and the study of electrophoretic mobility on non-denaturing polyacrylamide gels have shown that the DNA was curved in both satellite-DNA families. Among other features, the chromosome localization of both stDNAs has been studied.In situhybridization performed on meiotic and mitotic nuclei showed chromosomes, including the X chromosome, with zero, one, or two stDNAs. In recent years, it has been proposed that the repetitive DNA may play a key role in biological diversification processes. This is the first molecular and cytogenetic study conducted onL. decemlineatarepetitive DNA and specifically on stDNA, which is one of the important constituents of eukaryotic genomes.
IS DEEP SOWING BENEFICIAL FOR DRY SEASON CROPPING WITHOUT IRRIGATION ON SANDY SOIL WITH SHALLOW WATER TABLE?
Authors: BUAKUM B. , LIMPINUNTANA V. , VORASOOT N. , PANNANGPETCH K. , BELL R. W.
Published: March 2013

Deep sowing (15 cm) on sands in the dry season is a practice used in post-rice sowing of legumes without irrigation, designed to increase moisture access for germination, growth and crops yield. However, with such deep sowing there can be a penalty for emergence and growth if there is abundant water stored in the upper soil profile during the growing season. Hence, there is a need to define the soil water regimes under which deep sowing is advantageous for different legumes. To investigate the adaptation of legume crop species to deep sowing, we studied their emergence, growth and yield on three deep soils (3–16% clay) with shallow water tables during two years in northeast Thailand. At site 1 and 2, peanut, cowpea, mungbean and soybean were sown shallow (~5 cm) or deep (~15 cm). At site 3, only cowpea and peanut were shallow or deep sown. Shallow water tables maintained soil water content (0–15 cm) above permanent wilting point throughout the growing season. Deep sowing of all legumes delayed emergence by 3–7 days at all locations. Shoot dry weight of legumes after deep sowing was mostly similar or lower than weight after shallow sowing. Yield and harvest index of legumes did not differ meaningfully among sowing depths. Therefore, deep sowing was not beneficial for dry season cropping without irrigation when there was a shallow water table and sufficient water for crop growth throughout soil profiles in the growing season. Taken together with previous studies, we conclude that shallow rather than deep sowing of legumes was preferred when the soil water content at 0–15-cm depth remained higher than permanent wilting point throughout the growing season due to shallow water table.
Fine structure of Metchnikovella incurvata Caullery and Mesnil 1914 (microsporidia), a hyperparasite of gregarines Polyrhabdina sp. from the polychaete Pygospio elegans
Authors: SOKOLOVA Y. Y. , PASKEROVA G. G. , ROTARI Y. M. , NASSONOVA E. S. , SMIRNOV A. V.
Published: March 2013

Class Rudimicrosporea Sprague 1977, with its single family Metchnikovellidae, comprises hyperparasites of gregarines from the guts of marine invertebrates. Metchnikovellids remain poorly studied in spite of their significance to the evolutionary history of microsporidia; their ultrastructure and life cycles require further investigation. Here we present results of the light- and electron-microscopy study of Metchnikovella incurvata Caulleri and Mesnil 1914, isolated from lecudinid gregarines, parasitizing polychaetes Pygospio elegans in the White Sea littoral zone, and yet described only on the light-microscopic level. The life cycle of this microsporidium includes 2 sporogonies: free (FS) and sac-bound (SBS). In FS, sporonts develop into multinuclear cells (sporogonial plasmodia), which generate sporoblasts and free spores residing in direct contact with the host cytoplasm. Electron microscopy revealed their metchnikovellidean structure: a horseshoe-shaped nucleus, short manubrium perpendicular to the long axis of the spore, and a polar cap in a separate membrane container. Merogony was not observed. The earliest stages of SBS were chains of binucleate cells. They underwent a series of nuclear and cell divisions, produced extracellular envelopes, and split into boomerang-shaped spore sacs, containing up to 16 spores each. Ultrastructure and sizes of sac-bounded spores were similar to those of free-living ones. An amended diagnosis of M. incurvata is provided.
IRREDUCIBLE QUASIORDERS OF MONOUNARY ALGEBRAS
Authors: JAKUBÍKOVÁ-STUDENOVSKÁ DANICA , PÖSCHEL REINHARD , RADELECZKI SÁNDOR
Published: March 2013

Rooted monounary algebras can be considered as an algebraic counterpart of directed rooted trees. We work towards a characterization of the lattice of compatible quasiorders by describing its join- and meet-irreducible elements. We introduce the limit$\cB _\infty $of all$d$-dimensional Boolean cubes$\Two ^d$as a monounary algebra; then the natural order on$\Two ^d$is meet-irreducible. Our main result is that any completely meet-irreducible quasiorder of a rooted algebra is a homomorphic preimage of the natural partial order (or its inverse) of a suitable subalgebra of$\cB _\infty $. For a partial order, it is known that complete meet-irreducibility means that the corresponding partially ordered structure is subdirectly irreducible. For a rooted monounary algebra it is shown that this property implies that the unary operation has finitely many nontrivial kernel classes and its graph is a binary tree.
Some legal challenges posed by remote attack
Authors: Boothby William
Published: March 2013

Attacking from a distance is nothing new, but with the advent of certain new technologies, attacks can be undertaken in which the attacker remains very remote from the scene where force will be employed. This article analyses the legal issues raised by attacks employing, respectively, remotely piloted vehicles, autonomous attack technologies, and cyber capabilities. It considers targeting law principles and rules, including distinction, discrimination, proportionality, and the precautions rules, observes that they all apply to remote attack and proceeds to explore the challenges that arise from implementing the legal requirements. Due note is taken of states’ legal obligation to review new weapons, methods and means of warfare, an obligation that reinforces the view that existing law will provide the prism through which these new attack technologies must be evaluated by states. The article then discusses how notions of liability apply in relation to remote attack, and considers whether it is depersonalization rather than remoteness in attack that is the critical legal issue.
Marine vessel classification based on passive sonar data: the cepstrum‐based approach
Authors: Das Arnab , Kumar Arun , Bahl Rajendar
Published: March 2013

Marine vessel classification is complicated by the variability in the radiated signal of the marine vessel because of changing machinery configuration for the same class of vessels. Further, the radiated signal of the marine vessel propagating towards a distant receiver undergoes random fluctuations in phase, amplitude and frequency. The ambient noise at the receiver will further complicate the authors’ classification problem. The shallow underwater channel, in particular, where these classification systems are more likely to operate presents the most challenges because of severe time‐varying multi‐path. Cepstral approaches are proposed in this study, including cepstral features and average cepstral features to augment existing feature sets that are mostly based on spectral analysis. Analytical studies have been supported by simulation experiments and tests on real ship recorded data. The cepstral features with cepstral liftering process is able to significantly reduce the multipath distortion effects of shallow underwater channel whereas the average cepstral feature is able to notably reduce the time‐varying channel effects.
Approach for near‐real‐time prediction of ionospheric delay using Klobuchar‐like coefficients for Indian region
Authors: Shukla Ashish Kumar , Das Saurabh , Shukla Atul P. , Palsule Vilas S.
Published: March 2013

Currently, global positioning system (GPS) satellites transmit the Klobuchar coefficients to estimate ionospheric delay for the single‐frequency users. These coefficients are broadcast to the users on the basis of seasonal ionospheric variations and average solar flux. In low‐latitude Indian region, prediction of the delay using these coefficient is not accurate because of complex behaviour of the ionospheric. In this study, new Klobuchar‐like cofficients are generated using regional total electron content data collected from the 18 stations in Indian. Using these coefficients, a novel approach for near‐real‐time prediction of the ionospheric delay (for every 5 min) is proposed. This approach provides the opportunity to generate the Klobuchar‐like coefficients using shorter data sets (1 day) rather than using long‐term statistics of several years, as done in the generation of GPS broadcast Klobuchar coefficients. Performance of the prediction is evaluated for the geomagnetic quiet (Ap index <50) and severely disturbed (Ap index >300) days of 2005 and 2007. Prediction accuracy is significantly improved using the single‐frequency users of the Regional Navigational Satellite Systems, such as the proposed Indian Regional Navigation Satellite System.
Global Navigation Satellite System ambiguity decorrelation through diagonal elements precomputing and ordering method
Authors: Yanxin Yao , Fan Ding
Published: March 2013

Integer ambiguity decorrelation has long been an important problem for global navigation satellite system high‐precision relative positioning applications for its effect of deducing search number of candidate integer ambiguities. It is difficult to design a decorrelation method with fine performance. Among those decorrelation methods based on LDLT decomposition, direct‐ordering method (DOM) is the one that follows the principle of ordering diagonal elements of variance–covariance matrix before decorrelation. In the present study, the authors propose a diagonal element precomputing and an ordering method (DEPOM) based on LDLT. DEPOM orders diagonal elements of the matrix according to values after LDLT decomposition, in contrast to DOM according to values before LDLT decomposition. Thus, DEPOM is closer to the aim of arranging the larger diagonal element to the larger row before decomposition. The nodus is to determine elements in decomposed L and D matrices, which constitutes an improved LDLT decomposition method. The above study show that DEPOM has better decorrelation degree and a higher success rate than DOM from the numerical simulation tests. The performance of DEPOM is equivalent to the united ambiguity decorrelation method. However, it is different. DEPOM is a supplement to the integer least‐squares theory. The improved LDLT decomposition is also a new form in the LDLT decomposition family.
Robust non‐homogeneity detection algorithm based on prolate spheroidal wave functions for space‐time adaptive processing
Authors: Yang Xiaopeng , Liu Yongxu , Long Teng
Published: March 2013

The estimated clutter covariance matrix is always corrupted by the interference target signals (outliers) in non‐homogeneous clutter environments, which leads the performance of space‐time adaptive processing (STAP) to be degraded significantly for clutter suppression. Therefore a robust non‐homogeneity detection algorithm by utilising the prolate spheroidal wave functions (PSWF) is proposed to eliminate the outliers from the training samples set in this study, which can estimate the clutter covariance matrix more accurately for STAP. In the proposed method, the basis vectors of PSWF according to the system parameters are first calculated, which can be computed offline and stored in memory beforehand, and then the corresponding clutter covariance matrix is constructed. In the following, the constructed covariance matrix is combined with the generalised inner products (GIP) method to obtain the corresponding statistics. The training samples contaminated by the outliers are eliminated based on the comparison of the statistics and the designated threshold. By analysing the sensitive coefficients and the simulation results, it is found that the proposed method (PSWF‐GIP) can more effectively eliminate the outliers and improve the performance of STAP in non‐homogeneous clutter environments.
Bernoulli filter for joint detection and tracking of an extended object in clutter
Authors: Ristic Branko , Sherrah Jamie
Published: March 2013

The problem is joint detection and tracking of a non‐point or extended moving object, characterised by multiple feature points, which can result in detections. Owing to imperfect detection, only some of the feature points are detected and in addition, false alarms [or clutter] can also be present. Standard tracking techniques assume point objects, that is at most one detection per object, and hence are not adequate for this problem. This study presents a principled theoretical solution in the form of the Bayes filter, referred to as the Bernoulli filter for an extended object. The derivation follows the random set filtering framework introduced by Mahler. The filter is implemented approximately as a particle filter and subsequently applied both to simulated data and a real video sequence.
Mixed-mode instability of a miscible interface due to coupling between Rayleigh-Taylor and double-diffusive convective modes
Authors: Carballido-Landeira J. , Trevelyan P. M. J. , Almarcha C. , De Wit A.
Published: March 2013

In a gravitational field, a horizontal interface between two miscible fluids can be buoyantly unstable because of double diffusive effects or because of a Rayleigh-Taylor instability arising when a denser fluid lies on top of a less dense one. We show here both experimentally and theoretically that, besides such classical buoyancy-driven instabilities, a new mixed mode dynamics exists when these two instabilities act cooperatively. This is the case when the upper denser solution contains a solute A, which diffuses sufficiently faster than a solute B initially in the lower layer to yield non-monotonic density profiles after contact of the two solutions. We derive analytically the conditions for existence of this mixed mode in the (R, δ) parameter plane, where R is the buoyancy ratio between the two solutions and δ is the ratio of diffusion coefficient of the solutes. We find an excellent agreement of these theoretical predictions with experiments performed in Hele-Shaw cells and with numerical simulations.
Post-shock relaxation in crystalline nitromethane
Authors: Rivera-Rivera Luis A. , Sewell Thomas D. , Thompson Donald L.
Published: March 2013

Molecular dynamics simulations of shocked (100)-oriented crystalline nitromethane were carried out to determine the rates of relaxation behind the shock wave. The forces were described by the fully flexible non-reactive Sorescu-Rice-Thompson force field [D. C. Sorescu, B. M. Rice, and D. L. Thompson, J. Phys. Chem. B 104, 8406 (2000)]10.1021/jp000942q. The time scales for local and overall thermal equilibration in the shocked crystal were determined. The molecular center-of-mass and atomic kinetic energy distributions rapidly reach substantially different local temperatures. Several picoseconds are required for the two distributions to converge, corresponding to establishment of thermal equilibrium in the shocked crystal. The decrease of the molecular center-of-mass temperature and the increase of the atomic temperature behind the shock front exhibit essentially exponential dependence on time. Analysis of covalent bond distance distributions ahead of, immediately behind, and well behind the shock front showed that the effective bond stretching potentials are essentially harmonic. Effective force constants for the C–N, C–H, and N–O bonds immediately behind the shock front are larger by factors of 1.6, 2.5, and 2.0, respectively, than in the unshocked crystal; and by factors of 1.2, 2.2, and 1.7, respectively, compared to material sufficiently far behind the shock front to be essentially at thermal equilibrium.
Translocation of short and long polymers through an interacting pore
Authors: Piguet F. , Foster D. P.
Published: March 2013

We perform two-dimensional Langevin dynamics simulations of electric-field driven polymer translocation through an attractive nanopore. We investigate the effect of the location of the attractive region using different pore patterns. This is found to have an impact on both the translocation time as a function of the chain length and on the polymer entry frequency. We qualitatively compare our results to available experimental data.
Molecular field effect passivation: Quinhydrone/methanol treatment of n-Si(100)
Authors: Har-Lavan Rotem , Schreiber Roy , Yaffe Omer , Cahen David
Published: March 2013

The quinhydrone/methanol treatment has been reported to yield outstanding passivation of the H-terminated Si(100) surface. Here, we report on the mechanism of this process by comparing the resulting surface to that of freshly etched H-terminated Si, of Si with chemically grown oxide, and of Si treated with hydroquinone/methanol solution of the same concentration. We find that the benzoquinone moieties of the quinhydrone react with the surface to yield a Si-hydroquinone surface termination, while the methanol molecules bind as well to form methoxy-terminated Si. The slightly negative-charged benzene ring of the hydroquinone acts to repel majority carrier electrons from the surface and inhabits the surface recombination. The higher the ratio of surface-bound hydroquinone to surface-bound methoxy species, the larger the minority carrier life-time measured by microwave photoconductivity. Thus, our results lead us to conclude that this treatment results in field effect passivation; remarkably, this effect is caused by a molecular monolayer alone.
Critical behaviors in double-exchange ferromagnets Pr1−xPbxMnO3
Authors: Ginting Dianta , Nanto Dwi , Zhang Y. D. , Yu S. C. , Phan The-Long
Published: March 2013

Two polycrystalline samples Pr1−xPbxMnO3 (x = 0.1 and 0.2) were prepared by solid-state reaction. Experimental results reveal that all of them undergo a second-order magnetic phase transition. By using the modified Arrott plot method, the critical parameters were obtained to be TC ≈ 150.6 K, β = 0.443 ± 0.027, γ = 1.337 ± 0.042, and δ = 3.99 ± 0.07 for x = 0.01, and TC ≈ 203.8 K, β = 0.468 ± 004, γ = 1.353 ± 0.083, and δ = 3.78 ± 0.02 for x = 0.02. With these critical exponents, the isothermal magnetization data of the samples around TC fall into two branches of a universal function M(H,ε) = |ε|βf±(H/|ε|β+γ), where ε = (T − TC)/TC is the reduced temperature, f+ for T > TC, and f− for T < TC. This proves that the critical parameters determined are reliable, and in good accordance with the scaling hypothesis. Here, the values of β obtained for our samples are located in between those expected for the mean-field theory (β = 0.5) and the Heisenberg model (β = 0.365). Such results demonstrate an existence of ferromagnetic short-range order in Pr1−xPbxMnO3. Notably, the Pb-doping at high contents has a tendency leading to long-range ferromagnetic order. The nature of this phenomenon is explained.
Double-corrugated metamaterial surfaces for broadband microwave absorption
Authors: Pang Yongqiang , Cheng Haifeng , Zhou Yongjiang , Wang Jun
Published: March 2013

Double-corrugated metamaterial surfaces are proposed to achieve broadband absorbers in the microwave region. The principal corrugation having a long period is made of hypo-corrugated metal structures filled with a dielectric medium. It is shown that the incident electromagnetic wave with a certain frequency can be strongly absorbed by the corrugation region where the height is about λ/4, with λ being the corresponding wavelength in the dielectric. Assembling various heights of corrugations together to form a graded corrugation surface can excite many distinct absorption modes and their overlapping with each other results in a broadband absorption. We experimentally demonstrate a broadband metamaterial absorber with more than 80% absorbance in the frequency range of 7.22–18.0 GHz which agrees well with the numerical simulation.
On the mechanism of blistering phenomenon in high temperature H-implanted GaN
Authors: Dadwal U. , Singh R.
Published: March 2013

The mechanism of high temperature H-implantation-induced surface blistering in GaN has been presented in this work. The plausible reason for the blistering in the as-implanted state is the increase in H-induced damage. This is contrary to the normal decrease of H-induced damage with the increase in implantation/annealing temperature, so called as the reverse annealing effect. Transmission electron microscopy revealed the formation of a damage band incorporated with large area microcracks lying along {0001} planes in zig-zag manner. These microcracks in an overpressurized state showed two fold overlapping, which resulted in higher damage-induced stress to cause the surface blistering.
A graphene solution to conductivity mismatch: Spin injection from ferromagnetic metal/graphene tunnel contacts into silicon
Authors: van 't Erve O. M. J. , Friedman A. L. , Cobas E. , Li C. H. , Hanbicki A. T. , McCreary K. M. , Robinson J. T. , Jonker B. T.
Published: March 2013

Spin-injection into silicon from a ferromagnetic metal requires a solution to the conductivity mismatch. Oxide tunnel barriers such as MgO, Al2O3, or SiO2 are typically used to solve this problem, but often include defects and must be several monolayers thick to avoid pinholes. At these thicknesses, the overall tunnel-barrier becomes highly resistive, preventing these junctions to be used in devices based on local magnetoresistance. Besides providing a spin dependent interface resistance, these barriers also prevent metal ions from diffusing into silicon, which would severely compromise device performance. Here, we show that we can lower the junction resistance by 2–3 orders of magnitude when using a single layer of graphene as the tunnel barrier rather than SiO2 or Al2O3. Hanle measurements show that the spin lifetime is independent of the tunnel barrier material (graphene, Al2O3, SiO2), demonstrating that the lifetime measured is not dominated by some characteristics of the tunnel barrier. The graphene provides a highly uniform barrier, with well-controlled thickness and minimal defect and trapped charge density, while successfully circumventing the conductivity mismatch between a ferromagnetic metal and Si and preventing metal ion diffusion from the FM contact.
Magnetic field tunable acoustic resonator with ferromagnetic-ferroelectric layered structure
Authors: Polzikova Natalia , Alekseev Sergey , Kotelyanskii Iosif , Raevskiy Alexander , Fetisov Yuri
Published: March 2013

High overtone acoustic resonator with yttrium iron garnet/zinc oxide layered structure was theoretically considered, fabricated, and experimentally investigated. The theory of the resonator, containing an arbitrary number of magnetic and nonmagnetic dielectric/ferroelectric layers, placed in a transverse magnetic field is presented. The simulation shows the possibility to tune the resonant frequency in the range of ±1 MHz by magnetic field. This tuning is due to the resonance magnetoelastic interaction in the saturated ferrite film and the total phase shift of acoustic wave in the structure. The experiment proves the magnetic field influence on resonance frequencies and attenuation of transverse wave with polarization vector quasicollinear with the field direction. The tuning about 0.25 MHz near the acoustic resonant frequency 2 GHz was obtained in the field 260 Oe. This frequency is close to the ferromagnetic resonance frequency in ferrite film, corresponding to the field applied.
Plasmon-like surface states in negative refractive index photonic crystals
Authors: De Tommasi Edoardo , Chiara De Luca Anna , Cabrini Stefano , Rendina Ivo , Romano Silvia , Mocella Vito
Published: March 2013

In this paper, the presence of localized plasmon-like modes at the surface of a silicon two-dimensional photonic crystal slab is demonstrated. In analogy with surface plasmons supported in metals, we observe that, in a photonic crystal metamaterial, the electromagnetic surface waves arise from a negative effective permittivity. The proposed device is dimensioned in order to support surface states in a large spectral window (≃1550–1650 nm). The result opens strategies in light control at the nanoscale, allowing on chip light manipulation in a wide frequency range and avoiding the intrinsic limits of plasmonic structures due to absorption losses in metals.
Multiple paternity in the swamp antechinus (Antechinus minimus)
Authors: Sale M. G. , Kraaijeveld-Smit F. J. L. , Arnould J. P. Y.
Published: March 2013

Multiple paternity within litters or broods occurs across a variety of taxa. In the present study, paternity patterns in the swamp antechinus (Antechinus minimus), a small carnivorous marsupial, were investigated using genetic analyses. Microsatellite data confirmed that, of 10 litters sampled from two habitats, a minimum of eight litters were sired by more than one male. Mating with multiple males may enable female swamp antechinuses to increase offspring viability and to ensure fertilisation.
‘It still leaves me sixty dollars out of pocket’: experiences of diabetes medical care among low-income earners in Perth
Authors: Cuesta-Briand Beatriz , Saggers Sherry , McManus Alexandra
Published: March 2013

Diabetes prevalence is increasing in Australia, and there are stark inequities in prevalence and clinical outcomes experienced by Indigenous people and low socioeconomic groups compared with non-Indigenous and socioeconomically advantaged groups. This paper explores the impact of Indigenous status and socioeconomic disadvantage on the experience of diabetes care in the primary health setting. Data were collected through focus groups and interviews. The sample, comprising 38 participants (Indigenous and non-Indigenous), was recruited from disadvantaged areas in Perth, Australia. Data analysis was mainly deductive and based on a conceptual framework for the relationship between socioeconomic position and diabetes health outcomes. Most participants reported accessing general practitioners regularly; however, evidence of access to dietitians and podiatrists was very limited. Perceived need, cost, lack of information on available services and previous negative experiences influenced health care-seeking behaviour. Complexity and lack of coordination characterised the model of care reported by most participants. In contrast, Indigenous participants accessing an Aboriginal community-controlled health organisation reported a more accessible and coordinated experience of care. Our analysis suggests that Indigenous and socioeconomically disadvantaged people tailor their health care-seeking behaviour to the limitations imposed by their income and disadvantaged circumstances. To reduce inequities in care experiences, diabetes services in primary care need to be accessible and responsive to the needs of such groups in the community.
Mapping national identity narratives in Ukraine
Authors: Korostelina Karina V.
Published: March 2013

Since 1991, the absence of the concept of a Ukrainian nation and national identity has led to a controversial, often ambivalent process of identity formation. The aim of this paper is to analyze and map the widely shared concepts about national identity that exist in Ukrainian society after 20 years of independence. Analysis of 43 interviews with Ukrainian political and intellectual elites reveals five different shared narratives: (1) dual identity; (2) being pro-Soviet; (3) a fight for Ukrainian identity; (4) a recognition of Ukrainian identity; and (5) a multicultural-civic concept. Each narrative is characterized by three main features: a coherent structure with strong internal logic and justification of its legitimacy; connection to a specific conception of power and morality; and an opposition to other narratives. All these features lead to the perception of society as a zero-sum game where one narrative must prevail over all others. At the same time, all these features ensure that there can be neither an overwhelming victory of one narrative over others nor a satisfying compromise between them. The results shed light on the complex process of narrative construction of identity and power in newly independent states.
Fatal non-O1, non-O139 Vibrio cholerae septicaemia in a patient with chronic liver disease
Authors: Khan Sadia , Kumar Anil , Meparambu Divya , Thomas Sabu , Harichandran Deepa , Karim Shamsul
Published: March 2013

A 49-year-old male with underlying liver disease presented with fever and signs of sepsis. Non-O1/non-O139Vibrio choleraewas isolated from his blood culture, which was positive for thehlyA andtoxR genes. We report this fatal case of non-O1/non-O139V. cholerasepsis and review the literature on non-O1/non-O139V. choleraesepsis in patients with chronic liver disease.
Fatal sepsis caused by an unusual Klebsiella species that was misidentified by an automated identification system
Authors: Seki Masafumi , Gotoh Kazuyoshi , Nakamura Shota , Akeda Yukihiro , Yoshii Tadashi , Miyaguchi Shinichi , Inohara Hidenori , Horii Toshihiro , Oishi Kazunori , Iida Tetsuya , Tomono Kazunori
Published: March 2013

This is a description of fatal sepsis caused by infection with Klebsiella variicola, which is an isolate genetically related to Klebsiella pneumoniae. The patient’s condition was incorrectly diagnosed as common sepsis caused by K. pneumoniae, which was identified using an automated identification system, but next-generation sequencing and the non-fermentation of adonitol finally identified the cause of sepsis as K. variicola.
SubMICs of penicillin and erythromycin enhance biofilm formation and hydrophobicity of Corynebacterium diphtheriae strains
Authors: Gomes D. L. R. , Peixoto R. S. , Barbosa E. A. B. , Napoleão F. , Sabbadini P. S. , dos Santos K. R. N. , Mattos-Guaraldi A. L. , Hirata R.
Published: March 2013

Subinhibitory concentrations (subMICs) of antibiotics may alter bacterial surface properties and change microbial physiology. This study aimed to investigate the effect of a subMIC (⅛ MIC) of penicillin (PEN) and erythromycin (ERY) on bacterial morphology, haemagglutinating activity, cell-surface hydrophobicity (CSH) and biofilm formation on glass and polystyrene surfaces, as well as the distribution of cell-surface acidic anionic residues of Corynebacterium diphtheriae strains (HC01 tox
− strain; CDC-E8392 and 241 tox
+ strains). All micro-organisms tested were susceptible to PEN and ERY. Growth in the presence of PEN induced bacterial filamentation, whereas subMIC of ERY caused cell-size reduction of strains 241 and CDC-E8392. Adherence to human erythrocytes was reduced after growth in the presence of ERY, while CSH was increased by a subMIC of both antibiotics in bacterial adherence to n-hexadecane assays. Conversely, antibiotic inhibition of biofilm formation was not observed. All strains enhanced biofilm formation on glass after treatment with ERY, while only strain 241 increased glass adherence after cultivation in the presence of PEN. Biofilm production on polystyrene surfaces was improved by ⅛ MIC of ERY. After growth in the presence of both antimicrobial agents, strains 241 and CDC-E8392 exhibited anionic surface charges with focal distribution. In conclusion, subMICs of PEN and ERY modified bacterial surface properties and enhanced not only biofilm formation but also cell-surface hydrophobicity. Antibiotic-induced biofilm formation may contribute to the inconsistent success of antimicrobial therapy for C. diphtheriae infections.
Exploratory case studies on manufacturing decision areas in the job production system
Authors: Choudhari Sanjay C. , Adil Gajendra K. , Ananthakumar Usha
Published: March 2013

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to understand the configuration of a job production system with reference to manufacturing decision areas. The aim is to identify the process specific decisions for job shop and the non‐process specific decisions that are influenced by other contextual factors.

Design/methodology/approach

A case study research approach is used in the present paper to investigate the decisions of five manufacturing companies that satisfy the characteristics of job production system. Data are collected from case company's products, order winners and choices made in manufacturing decision areas. The paper uses within case and cross‐case analysis to identify various patterns in the data, with a view to meeting the required research objectives.

Findings

The present paper identifies a number of decisions specific to job shop. Further, many non‐process specific decisions are seen to be influenced by competitive priorities (order winner), strategic orientation of manufacturing (stages in H‐W model), top management and size of the company. After the study of the case companies, it is also observed that the companies employing a job production system may have high product complexity.

Practical implications

The findings derived from this research would facilitate practitioners in understanding both process specific and non‐process specific decisions for the job production system. The observation that the job shops can also use progressive practices, the same as other shops, to gain competitive advantage in the market could be very useful for practicing managers.

Originality/value

This exploratory research contributes to the existing theory in manufacturing decision areas for job production systems.
Extending the production dice game
Authors: Lambrecht Marc , Creemers Stefan , Boute Robert , Leus Roel
Published: March 2013

Purpose

The production dice game is a powerful learning exercise focusing on the impact of variability and dependency on throughput and work‐in‐process inventory of flow lines. This paper seeks to extend the basic dice game along the following lines. First, it will allow operations to take place concurrently as opposed to sequentially, which works better in a classroom setting. Second, it will allow both starvation and blocking of the line. Third, it will consider balanced lines with workstations characterized by different degrees of variability. Finally, it aims to use different sets of dice in order to represent a wide range of variation coefficients of the production line. The obtained insights can be extended to a supply chain context as well. The developed game can be played on‐line and the software is freely downloadable.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper extends the dice game and offers an easy‐to‐use simulation tool.

Findings

The key aspect of students' learning experience is the understanding of the relationship between variability and throughput in an environment with dependent workstations and limited buffers.

Originality/value

A rather complicated research question is transformed into an easy‐to‐use simulation tool that in no time can be used by practitioners and students.
Efficacy of purchasing activities and strategic involvement: an international comparison
Authors: Yang Chen‐Lung , Lin Ru‐Jen , Krumwiede Dennis , Stickel Elizabeth , Sheu Chwen
Published: March 2013

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to examine the effects of purchasing activities and the purchasing function's involvement with corporate strategy on manufacturing competitiveness as it is affected by national differences. In particular, the authors are interested in the research question: do purchasing theories built on samples from mainly North American and Western European countries apply in other countries with different cultural contexts?

Design/methodology/approach

Based on the 511 samples collected from ten countries or two distinct cultural groups (Group 1: Asia; Group 2: Western Europe/USA), the authors tested a purchasing model that is well‐grounded in the literature. Two statistical methods were applied. First, multiple‐group structural equation modeling (SEM) analysis was performed to test the model. The authors then applied regression analysis to examine whether the two country groups differ in their choice and efficacy of purchasing activities and strategic involvement.

Findings

The results suggest that the intensity and efficacy of purchasing activities and strategic involvement vary between the two country groups, Asia and Western Europe/USA. The Western Europe/USA samples adequately fit the purchasing model, but the Asian samples do not. At the item level, the study finds a common set of purchasing activities contributing to manufacturing competitiveness regardless of national differences. The findings suggest that national differences matter in implementing purchasing activities.

Originality/value

This study represents a first attempt at using national culture to explain differences in purchasing activities and strategic involvement.
Enterprise imaging: representing complex multi‐organizational service enterprises
Authors: Mills John , Purchase Valerie C. , Parry Glenn
Published: March 2013

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to present a visualization method developed as a result of an observed need to capture the organizational arrangements of a complex engineering service enterprise. The focal case study is between a public sector client and private sector provider where multiple organizations contribute resource to create value. This visualization can assist client and provider stakeholders to take a holistic perspective of the purpose and management of their enterprise, highlighting the complexity of value co‐creation in service enterprises and the interdependencies between organizational units.

Design/methodology/approach

Development of the Enterprise Image has drawn on research within the service, organizational and individual cognition literatures. Data were obtained from an in‐depth Defence sector case study representing diverse interactions within client and provider communities. The case focused on a fast‐jet aircraft availability contract, where the public sector client outsourced through‐life support activities to a set of private sector providers. Preliminary testing of the validity and utility of the image was conducted by presentations to single and mixed communities of clients and providers involved in value co‐creation.

Findings

The paper proposes a method of pictorially representing a complex alliance, called an “Enterprise Image”. The work provides empirically based insight into the management processes of a complex, multi‐organizational service enterprise, where little or no enterprise level management had been in evidence. The Enterprise Image appeared to have the effect of raising questions and conversations about how the overall enterprise might be managed and how ongoing service improvement might be achieved.

Practical implications

In this research the Enterprise Image was drawn by researchers – ongoing research aims to design a method that helps clients and providers co‐create their own Enterprise Image. From current findings the implication of this research will be to encourage enterprise management of ongoing improvement in multi‐organisational service enterprises.

Originality/value

Models and representations for understanding the delivery of value are mostly provider and product focused, despite the recognition in a servitised environment of the complex interactions with client organizations. This paper presents a methodology for visually representing value co‐creation in complex service enterprises where the service includes significant client resource involvement.
The influence of R&D partnerships on innovation in manufacturing firms
Authors: Azadegan Arash , Napshin Stuart , Oke Adegoke
Published: March 2013

Purpose

The aim of this paper is to investigate how a manufacturer's relationship with firms operating in different institutional logics can facilitate or hinder the outcomes of research partnerships.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper tests the study hypotheses based on a survey of 345 Chinese manufacturers.

Findings

Results reveal that a manufacturer's partnerships with private firms and government institutions are both directly related to the manufacturer's innovation performance. However, the effectiveness of the research partnerships depends on the different institutional logics within which these organizations operate.

Research limitations/implications

This study used a binary variable to capture the existence or absence of the partnership types examined implying that this variable does not capture the quantity of R&D relationships the firm is engaged in or the time period of such engagements.

Practical implications

It is important for management to take into account the joint effect of both the firm and its partner's underlying institutional logics in establishing partnership relationships since the juxtaposition of different institutional logics can affect the outcomes of the relationship.

Originality/value

This research draws from institutional theory to contribute to knowledge in the area of innovation by emphasizing the importance of the overarching institutional logic on the effectiveness of different types of innovation‐driven research partnerships.
Differences in outsourcing strategies between firms in emerging and in developed markets
Authors: Größler Andreas , Timenes Laugen Bjørge , Arkader Rebecca , Fleury Afonso
Published: March 2013

Purpose

The vast majority of literature relating to operations management originates from studies in developed markets. Emerging markets are increasingly important in global business. With this in mind, the purpose of this paper is to analyze differences in outsourcing strategies between manufacturing firms from emerging markets and from developed markets.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper is based on statistical analyses of a large data set of manufacturing firms obtained from the International Manufacturing Strategy Survey (IMSS).

Findings

The findings suggest that companies that outsource internationally focus on achieving cost benefits, while companies that outsource domestically focus on achieving capacity flexibility. In addition, the reasons to outsource were found to be independent of the location of firms in both emerging and developed markets. However, within the group of firms from emerging markets, strategies seem to differ according to whether firms are domestically owned or are subsidiaries of companies from developed markets.

Practical implications

The decisions of firms to outsource do not differ much whether the firms are located in developed‐ or in emerging‐market economies. Firms outsource domestically when they want to increase their capacity flexibility; they outsource internationally when looking for cost advantages.

Originality/value

The value of the paper is that it illuminates an important contemporary phenomenon based on analyses on data from a large‐scale international survey encompassing firms both in developed and in emerging markets.
The status of total quality management (TQM) in Ghana
Authors: Osei Mensah James , Copuroglu Gorkem , Appiah Fening Fred
Published: March 2013

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to determine the extent of implementation of quality management in Ghana.

Design/methodology/approach

After thoroughly reviewing and reading available literatures in the field of interest, semi‐structured interview questions were prepared. Semi‐structured interview was opted for, in order to obtain in‐depth responses from the respondents. To cater for inter‐lingual differences and inconsistencies, a double translation of the completed interview questions was necessary.

Findings

It was revealed that awareness of quality management is relatively high among the Ghanaian multinational firms that have some degree of expatriate management and they performed fairly well. However, they still trail their international counterparts with similar top management commitment and resource base. On the other hand, the study revealed a low degree of quality awareness among firms owned and managed solely by Ghanaians and their performance, with the exception of long‐established and well‐resourced government enterprises, was poor.

Originality/value

The paper describes an exploratory study. The finding is that quality management practiced by Ghanaian firms (both multinationals and indigenous) is not a total approach and hence the conclusion is that total quality management, by implication, is not yet being practised in Ghana.
Improving processes in financial service organizations: where to begin?
Authors: Lokkerbol Joran , Does Ronald , de Mast Jeroen , Schoonhoven Marit
Published: March 2013

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to create actionable knowledge, thereby supporting and stimulating practitioners to improve processes in the financial services sector.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper is based on a case base of improvement projects in financial service organizations. The data consist of 181 improvement projects of processes in 14 financial service organizations executed between 2004 and 2010. Following the case‐based reasoning approach, based on retrospective analysis of the documentation of these improvement projects, this paper aims to structure this knowledge in a way that supports practitioners in defining improvement projects in their own organizations.

Findings

Identification of eight generic project definition templates, along with their critical to quality flowdowns and operational definitions. An overview of the distribution of improvement projects of each generic template over different departments and the average benefit per project for each department. The generic templates give people with knowledge about the process under improvement the ability to use their knowledge effectively in the form of an improvement project.

Originality/value

Due to increasing international competition, financial service organizations must continuously improve in order to secure a competitive advantage. This paper turns continuous improvement from an abstract concept into something tangible and achievable, by giving practitioners with local knowledge tried and tested templates to identify promising themes for process improvement, and to make effective project definitions.