bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Epistemic and scopal properties of some indefinites
Authors: Ionin Tania
Published: November 2014

This paper experimentally examines the behavior of English
some
indefinites, addressing the following research questions. (i) How do singular
some
indefinites behave with respect to scopal (non-)specificity? (ii) How do singular
some
indefinites pattern with respect to epistemic (non-)specificity? And (iii) Does stress (or lack thereof) on
some
influence the behavior of
some
indefinites with respect to epistemic and/or scopal (non-)specificity, and if so, how? The findings of two experimental studies with adult native English speakers indicate that
some
indefinites take long-distance scope more readily than
a
indefinites, and carry a condition of epistemic non-specificity; stress on
some
is related to both properties. These findings are discussed in light of different theories of indefinite interpretation.
Antonymic prepositions and weak referentiality
Authors: Kiss Tibor , Roch Claudia
Published: November 2014

Analyses that treat determiner omission in terms of weak referentiality have recently been adopted for determinerless PPs. A missing discourse referent is involved in both cases (Farkas & de Swart 2003; Espinal & McNally 2011; de Swart 2012). With regard to the German prepositions
mit
and
ohne,
we will show that the former accepts the determiner omission reluctantly, while determiner omission is almost the rule for the latter. This conclusion is reached through the application of annotation mining to derive multiple factors that influence the omission or realisation of a determiner. We argue that the semantics of the P, the sense of the PP in the context, and lexical influences of the nouns play a major role. As the distributions of
mit
and
ohne
are highly distinct, we conclude that they should not be analysed in a unified way.
Weak referentiality and Russian instrumental nominals
Authors: Bogatyreva Lidia , Espinal M. Teresa
Published: November 2014

This paper focuses on weak instrumental nominals in Russian and it shows their similarities, both from a semantic and a syntactic point of view, with bare predicates in Romance languages, namely Catalan. These nominal expressions are property-denoting expressions that show non-unique reference. We extend the analysis proposed for predicate nominals to other instrumental nominals in Russian: nominal adjuncts, cognate adjuncts, and manner cognate objects. We analyze these bare nominals as objects of an abstract function F which is postulated either subordinate to a light verb, where it projects the property-type attributed to Ninstr, or is adjoined to a verbal predicate, where it is interpreted as introducing a modification of the event predicate.
Telic definites and their prepositions
Authors: Asic Tijana , Corblin Francis
Published: November 2014

This papers accounts for the emergence of telic readings of potentially locative sentences in French and Serbian (corresponding to the English
to go to the swimming pool
). The paper establishes that although deprived of overt marking of definiteness, the nominal of telic sentences of Serbian is interpreted as definite. It is shown that in both languages, telic definites are relational definites that take the human subject as the argument of the
telic qualia
associated to the head noun and that this option is restricted to under-specified spatial prepositions and verbs. A discussion of some very rare cases illustrating different telic constructions in both languages is proposed.
How weak and how definite are Weak Definites?
Authors: Schwarz Florian
Published: November 2014

This paper explores the potential for a unified analysis of Weak Definites and regular definites. I first consider and argue against assimilating Weak Definites to co-varying interpretations of regular definites via general mechanisms. Next, I present a new proposal for analyzing Weak Definites, which sees them as regular definites occurring in verb phrases that denote kinds of events. This has the promise of allowing us to maintain a unified analysis of definites in terms of uniqueness while at the same time capturing the special properties of Weak Definites.
Modified weak definites
Authors: Aguilar-Guevara Ana , Schulpen Maartje
Published: November 2014

Weak definites display restrictions on the kind of modifiers they accept. This paper aims to determine what kind of adjectives can maintain weak readings and why. Following a kind-referring analysis of weak definites, this paper predicts, tests, and corroborates that only adjectives denoting properties of kinds can occur in weak definite configurations.
Functional frames in the interpretation of weak nominals
Authors: Zwarts Joost
Published: November 2014

This paper argues that so-called
weak nominals
, like the definite object in
listen to the radio
and the bare nominal in
watch television
, should be analyzed against the background of
functional frames
, representations of stereotypical use of certain common objects. In this way the compositional semantic analysis of weak nominals can be grounded in the lexical semantics of telic roles and frames that originates from computational linguistics, artificial intelligence, and cognitive psychology.
Basque nominals
Authors: Etxeberria Urtzi
Published: November 2014

The first aim of this paper is to make a thorough description of the use of nominals as well as of the use of the definite determiner in both Souletin (the most eastern dialect of Basque) and Standard Basque (plus the rest of Basque dialects). Then, assuming that Souletin is a previous stage of Standard Basque (cf. Michelena 1964; Camino 2014; cf. also Manterola 2012), the main aim of this paper is to explain how Basque historically moves from a situation in which bare nouns (BNs) are allowed (in some restricted argument positions and only in Souletin) to a situation in which BNs are not allowed in argument position (Standard Basque).
Referential properties of definites and salience spreading
Authors: Schumacher Petra B. , Weiland-Breckle Hanna
Published: November 2014

We provide a survey of different aspects of definiteness by means of comprehension data collected via event-related brain potential recordings. We present a processing account including differences between definites and indefinites, as well as the contribution of lexical feature specifications, uniqueness, degrees of accessibility and enrichment. We then present new data associated with salience spreading from referential expressions to their supersets. Two core mechanisms emerge in all these studies that reflect the computation of accessibility information on the one hand and updating of discourse structure on the other hand. With the availability of these two processes, the nature and processing consequences of weak definites may be narrowed down and validated in future research.
The rise and fall of double agreement
Authors: Wratil Melani
Published: November 2014

This paper provides a comparative description and diachronic analysis of the syntactically conditioned 1st person plural subject agreement allomorphies that can be observed in the Bavarian varieties Carinthian and Kansas Bukovina Bohemian. It is shown that these occurrences of double agreement have to be analyzed as a result of cognitive selection procedures that operate during language acquisition ensuring the choice of the most specific forms and the most economical structures that are compatible with the Primary Linguistic Data. In Carinthian as well as in Kansas Bukovina Bohemian 1st person plural double agreement emerged from the reanalysis of cliticized 1st person plural subject pronouns as C-oriented agreement markers. But it has taken different developmental paths in the respective varieties. Whereas it has been fully restored after a partial loss in Carinthian, it disappeared almost entirely in Kansas Bukovina Bohemian. In both varieties the individual change of double agreement has brought about not only a specialization of verbal paradigms but also a considerable economization of syntactic derivations and representations.
Gaps and parasitic gaps in Bavarian
Authors: Grewendorf Günther
Published: November 2014

This paper explores a syntactic configuration of Bavarian (“Bavarian extraction” (BE)) in which an XP is extracted from a fronted embedded clause and placed in a position in front of that clause. In addition to the gap in the fronted embedded clause, a further gap may be licensed in this construction that represents a position in the matrix clause. It will be argued that the extracted element remains within the embedded clause and does not target a position in the matrix clause. This analysis raises the question as to how the gap in the matrix clause can be licensed. Comparing this configuration with parasitic gap constructions, I will show that contrary to what has been assumed in the literature, the BE does not involve the occurrence of a parasitic gap (neither in the embedded nor in the matrix clause). I further argue that crucial properties of BE, such as obligatory fronting of the embedded clause, can be accounted for in terms of a theory of phases, where movement is triggered by the need to dislocate elements with unvalued features to the edge of a phase. The curious appearance of a matrix gap that seems to lack a licensing element is analyzed as an instance of topic drop since the gap in the matrix clause shares crucial properties with a dropped pronominal.
The Upper German differential
Authors: Abraham Werner
Published: November 2014

This essay is essentially a list of phenomena taken from the two large dialect areas of what is called Upper German (for German Oberdeutsch, South German (SG henceforth), comprising Austrian and Bavarian dialects as well as High Alemannic). The author himself speaks natively (base and high school) Viennese Austrian and the dialect of the Montafon, Vorarlberg, as samples of these two dialect areas. Although the critical assumptions of micro-linguistics (cf. Poletto 2000; Kayne 2013; Abraham & Leiss 2013) form the bottom seed, no theoretical discussions are entertained as consequences to the empirical data body. Wherever known to me, however, I included the pertinent bibliographical information that leads to advanced and farther reaching conclusions and generalizations particularly in the spirit of Universal grammar.
Linguistic stability and divergence
Authors: Kühl Karoline , Braunmüller Kurt
Published: November 2014

In contrast to the amount of research that has been performed on linguistic

convergence in language contact, this paper focuses on the possibility of linguistic

systems remaining stable, or even diverging, in language contact settings. It

carves out multiple relevant mechanisms and factors that influence linguistic

stability and divergence (e.g. degree and type of multilingual competence, sociolinguistic,

socio-economic and socio-political factors, cognitive mechanisms,

etc.) and gives an account of contact situations where structural divergence and

stability can be observed. Based on these examples, we suggest a classification of

divergence and stability that builds on the assumption that these developments

may take place either due to, or despite, language contact.
Despite or because of intensive contact?
Authors: Hinskens Frans L.
Published: November 2014

The paper opens with a discussion of some key notions; in this connection

a proposal is made to distinguish two different types of hyperdialectism.

Subsequently, a two-pronged hypothesis and a methodological consideration

are presented. Attention will then be paid to four different studies of nonstandard

varieties of present-day Dutch. Three of these concern endogenous

dialects, the fourth one deals with two modern ethnolects; in the presentation

of the dialect studies, the geographical perspective will gradually widen. In all

four studies, attention will focus on instances of variation and change in the

sound components which can be analyzed as divergence. Finally, the findings

from the cases studied will be discussed against the background of the hypothesis.

Special attention will be paid to the role the two types of hyperdialectisms

may have played and to a recent proposal by Labov.
Stability in Chinese and Malay heritage languages as a source of divergence
Authors: Aalberse Suzanne , Moro Francesca
Published: November 2014

This article discusses Malay and Chinese heritage languages as spoken in the

Netherlands. Heritage speakers are dominant in another language and use their

heritage language less. Moreover, they have qualitatively and quantitatively

different input from monolinguals. Heritage languages are often described

in terms of change. This article focuses on three types of stability in heritage

speakers: stability in form, based on two case studies on progressive and definite

marking, stability in function, based on a study on classifiers in Mandarin and

Cantonese Chinese, and stability in form and meaning based on a study on the

non-completion of the grammaticalization process of punya. We relate (non)-

change to the influence of the dominant language as well as to more general

effects of bilingualism.
Gender and noun inflection
Authors: Sollid Hilde , Conzett Philipp , Johansen Åse Mette
Published: November 2014

Research has predicted an uncertain future for gender and noun inflection in

Northern Norwegian varieties. Gender is expected to disappear and the noun

inflection system to undergo simplification. The driving force is said to be contact

between Norwegian, a gender language, and Sámi and Kven, non-gender

languages. On the basis of data from the Nordic Dialect Corpus, we argue that

these predictions are not borne out. Gender is a stable category and noun inflection

has divergent patterns. These findings are interpreted in light of the sociohistorical

background of language contact and shift characterising the region.
The Bergen dialect splits in two
Authors: Sandoy Helge , Anderson Ragnhild Lie , Doublet Maria-Rosa
Published: November 2014

An extensive sociolinguistic study in 1978 demonstrated a levelling of the

high- and low-status varieties of the Bergen dialect, and the two centres of Fana

and Bergen within this municipality showed the same linguistic tendencies. A

parallel study of recordings from 2010 reveals that the sociolinguistic variation

within each of the centres have continued decreasing, but the dialect in each of

the two centres develops in different directions in essential features. This dialect

split seems to be an effect of a corresponding long-lasting difference in social

welfare between these two parts of the municipality. Various language attitudes

have been studied without disclosing any obvious explanatory differences.
Diachronic convergence and divergence in differential object marking between Spanish and Portuguese
Authors: Döhla Hans-Jörg
Published: November 2014

Comparing the evolution of differential object marking (DOM) in Spanish

and Portuguese between the 16th and the 20th c. we discover great differences

between the two neighbor languages. Whereas in Spanish we notice a steady

increase and high degree of grammaticalization of DOM, the graph for the

degree of grammaticalization of DOM in Portuguese resembles a standardized

normal Gaussian distribution with its peak in the 17th c. The increase of object

marking until the 17th c. is in consequence of convergence towards Spanish due

to the high prestige of the latter language. From the 18th c. onwards divergence

due to the building of an own national and linguistic identity finally led to the

disappearance of DOM in modern Portuguese.
1. Multilingualism and legal integration in Europe
Authors: Derlén Mattias
Published: November 2014

The multilingual character of European Union law presents a number of legal challenges. This chapter examines one of these challenges, the relationship between multilingualism and legal integration in Europe. It disputes the one-dimensional view of multilingualism as solely an obstacle to legal integration and proposes a wider definition of the dynamics of integration – focusing not only on the horizontal dimension but also on the vertical dimension. The horizontal dimension concerns traditional integration, uniformity of application of Union law, from both a quantitative and qualitative perspective. The vertical dimension concerns the effectiveness of Union law, often emphasised by the Court of Justice. The chapter examines two varieties of multilingual interpretation adopted by the Court of Justice and national courts, and their relationship to legal integration. It concludes that multilingualism can be a challenge as well as an opportunity from an integration perspective.
2. Capturing dynamism in legal terminology
Authors: Peruzzo Katia
Published: November 2014

In the last decade, EU legislators have been devoting increasing attention to victims of crime and their rights. The purpose of this study is to focus on English victim-related terminology and identify cases of terminological dynamism which can cause potential difficulties to legal translators. Although the EU and the national legal systems co-exist in and regulate the same judicial space, the terminology used is not shared by all the systems. The absence of a priori established equivalent terminologies may make it difficult for translators to map legal concepts to the appropriate legal system. The study therefore aims at highlighting the need for resources specifically designed for legal translators and presents MuLex, a legal translation-oriented TKB in which multilingual data are accompanied by conceptual maps underlying intra-linguistic asymmetries and different degrees of cross-linguistic equivalence.
5. Le vocabulaire juridique en sängö
Authors: Diki-Kidiri Marcel
Published: November 2014

La terminologie culturelle a été conçue comme une méthode sûre d’appropriation des savoirs par une communauté linguistique. Le cas le plus pertinent où la terminologie culturelle révèle toute sa puissance est celui où des savoirs élaborés dans une autre culture et une autre langue doivent intégrer une culture et une langue cible tout à fait différentes. Dans cette contribution, l’auteur rapporte une expérience d’aménagement de la langue sangö menée dans le cadre de la formation d’interprètes d’audience pour la Cour pénale internationale. Le lexique juridique du sängö a été développé en appliquant la méthode préconisée par la terminologie culturelle. Cette méthode est explicitée ici avec un échantillon des termes traités montrant comment la triple connaissance du domaine, de la langue cible et de la culture cible est nécessaire et mise en œuvre dans l’élaboration des néologismes terminologiques.
6. The translation of legal texts as culturemes
Authors: Kocbek Alenka
Published: November 2014

To fully envisage the overall culture-boundness of legal texts, a targeted translation procedure has to combine insights resulting from work in several disciplines, such as translation studies, sociocognitive and cultural approaches to terminology studies, comparative law and legal linguistics. We suggest viewing legal texts as culturemes, i.e. patterns of communicative behaviour involving both the extra-textual aspect (the legal system/culture underlying the text) and the textual aspects (the textual macro- and microstructure). Within the cultureme model, legal terminology, i.e. concepts and categories specific to a particular legal system, is considered the key textual aspect which functions as a signpost – by marking the text type and the relevant area of law in which it occurs and by contributing to identifying the legal system and the wider legal culture underlying the text. The cultureme model is also applied in producing the target text in which features of the source and target culturemes are combined to best comply with the skopos.
8. The dynamics of terminology in short-term diachrony
Authors: Picton Aurélie
Published: November 2014

This chapter presents a corpus-based methodology to observe the dynamics of terminology in short-term diachrony. This study responds to a request from the French national space agency and illustrates how a practical context offers new perspectives on the diachronic dimension in terminology. The linguistic methodology we propose reveals an original portrayal of knowledge evolution in space technologies: 17 types of evolutions are listed, revealing the heterogeneity and richness of terminology dynamics and offering a descriptive basis to start new subsequent research to complete this approach. This work indeed opens up new paths of methods and discussion to better understand the dynamics of terms, both regarding their nature and the elements that can influence them.
10. The dynamics of accounting terms in a globalized environment
Authors: Fuertes Olivera Pedro A. , Nielsen Sandro
Published: November 2014

European accounting terminology is dynamic as term creation occurs on national, European Union and international levels. English is the lingua franca of accounting, which influences terminologies in other languages, usually through the work of translators, e.g. the translation of existing international accounting standards. The combined influence of these forces is discussed in this chapter that explains the existence of a globalized trend towards a kind of cultural uniformity. This manifests itself in many ways, two of which are: the translation of English multiword accounting terms into Spanish; and the presence of novel metaphors in Spanish accounting. The data used in the discussion are taken from the accounting dictionaries, a collection of online dictionaries in three languages: Danish, English and Spanish.
13. La mesure de la variation terminologique comme indice de l'évolution des connaissances dans un environnement bilingue
Authors: Quirion Jean
Published: November 2014

La dynamique terminologique s’intéresse à l’évolution des termes. Complémentaire, la terminométrie offre une mesure de cette mutation. Par une étude de l’usage en diachronie courte (deux années consécutives) dans un domaine de spécialité, la nanotechnologie, il est démontré que la terminométrie décrit précisément la dynamique des termes en situation multiculturelle, bilingue ou plurilingue. L’apport de la terminométrie à la compréhension de la progression des connaissances dans les textes spécialisés est également établi.
The Identity of the Author of the ‘Statement by an opponent of Cromwell’
Authors: Holmes Clive
Published: November 2014

The Statement has been well known to Cromwell scholars since its publication in the Camden Society volume edited by John Bruce and David Masson in 1875. It is a devastating indictment of Cromwell’s career in the early stages of the civil war. It accuses him of seeking to make the Isle of Ely a stronghold for those who shared his religious prejudices and of organising the army of the Eastern Association as an enclave for religious radicals. Both projects were designed to provide foci for resistance against the Presbyterian religious settlement demanded by the Scots and which was supported, if less aggressively so, by the dominant group in Parliament. But without any ascription of authorship, the Statement has been neglected in discussions by Cromwell’s biographers. In this article I argue that the writer was Lieutenant-Colonel William Dodson, and that his local experience and military service made him a knowledgeable commentator, if not an unprejudiced one, on Cromwell’s activities in the two years following the outbreak of the civil war.
Coronal behavior before the large flare onset
Authors: Imada Shinsuke , Bamba Yumi , Kusano Kanya
Published: November 2014

Flares are a major explosive event in our solar system. They are often followed by a coronal mass ejection that has the potential to trigger geomagnetic storms. There are various studies aiming to predict when and where the flares are likely to occur. Most of these studies mainly discuss the photospheric and chromospheric activity before the flare onset. In this paper we study the coronal features before the famous large flare occurrence on 2006 December 13. Using the data from Hinode/Extreme ultraviolet Imaging Spectrometer (EIS), X-Ray Telescope (XRT), and Solar and Heliospheric Observatory (SOHO)/Extreme ultraviolet Imaging Telescope (EIT), we discuss the coronal features in the large scale (a few 100″) before the flare onset. Our findings are as follows. (1) The upflows in and around the active region start growing from ∼ 10 to 30 km s−1 a day before the flare. (2) The expanding coronal loops are clearly observed a few hours before the flare. (3) Soft X-ray and extreme ultraviolet intensity are gradually reduced. (4) The upflows are further enhanced after the flare. From these observed signatures, we conclude that the outer part of active region loops with low density was expanding a day before the flare onset, and the inner part with high density was expanding a few hours before the onset.
PRUDENCE, MORALITY, AND THE HUMEAN THEORY OF REASONS
Authors: Lin Eden
Published: November 2014

Humeans about normative reasons claim that there is a reason for you to perform a given action if and only if this would promote the satisfaction of one of your desires. Their view has traditionally been thought to have the revisionary implication that an agent can sometimes lack any reason to do what morality or prudence requires. Recently, however, Mark Schroeder has denied this. If he is right, then the Humean theory accords better with common sense than it has been thought to. I argue that Schroeder is mistaken, even if welfare (and thus prudence) is understood in terms of the satisfaction of one's desires: any Humean must concede that one can sometimes lack any reason to act morally or prudently. I also identify a novel variant on Humeanism that could perhaps avoid its revisionary implications about prudence (but not morality) if desire satisfactionism is the correct theory of welfare.
Three novel lineages of ‘Candidatus Liberibacter africanus’ associated with native rutaceous hosts of Trioza erytreae in South Africa
Authors: Roberts Ronel , Steenkamp Emma T. , Pietersen Gerhard
Published: November 2014

Greening disease of citrus in South Africa is associated with ‘Candidatus Liberibacter africanus’ (Laf), a phloem-limited bacterium vectored by the sap-sucking insect Trioza erytreae (Triozidae). Despite the implementation of control strategies, this disease remains problematic, suggesting the existence of reservoir hosts to Laf. The current study aimed to identify such hosts. Samples from 234 trees of Clausena anisata, 289 trees of Vepris lanceolata and 231 trees of Zanthoxylum capense were collected throughout the natural distribution of these trees in South Africa. Total DNA was extracted from samples and tested for the presence of liberibacters by a generic Liberibacter TaqMan real-time PCR assay. Liberibacters present in positive samples were characterized by amplifying and sequencing rplJ, omp and 16S rRNA gene regions. The identity of tree host species from which liberibacter sequences were obtained was verified by sequencing host rbcL genes. Of the trees tested, 33 specimens of Clausena, 17 specimens of Vepris and 10 specimens of Zanthoxylum tested positive for liberibacter. None of the samples contained typical citrus-infecting Laf sequences. Phylogenetic analysis of 16S rRNA gene sequences indicated that the liberibacters obtained from Vepris and Clausena had 16S rRNA gene sequences identical to that of ‘Candidatus Liberibacter africanus subsp. capensis’ (LafC), whereas those from Zanthoxylum species grouped separately. Phylogenetic analysis of the rplJ and omp gene regions revealed unique clusters for liberibacters associated with each tree species. We propose the following names for these novel liberibacters: ‘Candidatus Liberibacter africanus subsp. clausenae’ (LafCl), ‘Candidatus Liberibacter africanus subsp. vepridis’ (LafV) and ‘Candidatus Liberibacter africanus subsp. zanthoxyli’ (LafZ). This study did not find any natural hosts of Laf associated with greening of citrus. While native citrus relatives were shown to be infected with Laf-related liberibacters, nucleotide sequence data suggest that these are not alternative sources of Laf to citrus orchards, per se.
Crystal structure of bis[1,3,4,5-tetramethyl-1H-imidazole-2(3H)-thione-κS]chloridocopper(I)
Authors: Flörke Ulrich , Ahmida Aziza , Egold Hans , Henkel Gerald
Published: November 2014

The molecular structure of the title compound, [CuCl(C7H12N2S)2], shows a slightly distorted trigonal–planar coordination geometry of the Cu atom. The Cu—Cl bond measures 2.2287 (9) Å, and the two Cu—S bonds are significantly different from each other, with values of 2.2270 (10) and 2.2662 (10) Å. Also, the S—Cu—Cl angles differ, with values of 113.80 (4) and 124.42 (4)°, while the S—Cu—S angle is 121.51 (4)°. The two imidazole rings are almost parallel, making a dihedral angle of 2.1 (2)°. In the crystal, the shortest C—H...Cl interactions stabilize a three-dimensional network with molecules linked into centrosymmetric dimers that are stacked along theb-axis direction.
Crystal structure of a one-dimensional helical-type silver(I) coordination polymer:catena-poly[[silver(I)-μ-N-(pyridin-4-ylmethyl)pyridine-3-amine-κ2N:N′] nitrate dimethyl sulfoxide disolvate]
Authors: Moon Bokhee , Jeon Youngeun , Moon Suk-Hee , Park Ki-Min
Published: November 2014

The asymmetric unit of the title compound, {[Ag(C11H11N3)]NO3·2(CH3)2SO}n, comprises one AgIatom, oneN-(pyridine-4-ylmethyl)pyridine-3-amine ligand, one nitrate anion and two dimethyl sulfoxide molecules. The AgIatoms are bridged by two pyridine N atoms from two symmetry-related ligands, forming a helical chain and adopting a slightly distorted linear coordination geometry [N—Ag—N = 175.37 (8)°]. The helical chain, with a pitch length of 16.7871 (8) Å, propagates along theb-axis direction. In the crystal, symmetry-related right- and left-handed helical chains are alternately arrangedviaAg...Ag interactions [3.4145 (4) Å] and π–π stacking interactions [centroid–centroid distance = 3.650 (2) Å], resulting in the formation of a two-dimensional supramolecular network extending parallel to (100). Weak Ag...O [2.775 (2), 3.169 (4) and 2.690 (2) Å] interactions, as well as several N—H...O and C—H...O hydrogen-bonding interactions, contribute to the stabilization of the crystal structure. Parts of the dimethyl sulfoxide solvent molecule are disordered over two sets of sites in a 0.937 (3):0.063 (3) ratio.
From direct-space discrepancy functions to crystallographic least squares
Authors: Giacovazzo Carmelo
Published: November 2014

Crystallographic least squares are a fundamental tool for crystal structure analysis. In this paper their properties are derived from functions estimating the degree of similarity between two electron-density maps. The new approach leads also to modifications of the standard least-squares procedures, potentially able to improve their efficiency. The role of the scaling factor between observed and model amplitudes is analysed: the concept ofunlocated modelis discussed and its scattering contribution is combined with that arising from thelocated model. Also, the possible use of an ancillary parameter, to be associated with the classical weight related to the variance of the observed amplitudes, is studied. The crystallographic discrepancy factors, basic tools often combined with least-squares procedures in phasing approaches, are analysed. The mathematical approach here described includes, as a special case, the so-called vector refinement, used when accurate estimates of the target phases are available.
Analysis of rapidly synthesized guest-filled porous complexes with synchrotron radiation: practical guidelines for the crystalline sponge method
Authors: Ramadhar Timothy R. , Zheng Shao-Liang , Chen Yu-Sheng , Clardy Jon
Published: November 2014

A detailed set of synthetic and crystallographic guidelines for the crystalline sponge method based upon the analysis of expediently synthesized crystal sponges using third-generation synchrotron radiation are reported. The procedure for the synthesis of the zinc-based metal–organic framework used in initial crystal sponge reports has been modified to yield competent crystals in 3 days instead of 2 weeks. These crystal sponges were tested on some small molecules, with two being unexpectedly difficult cases for analysis with in-house diffractometers in regard to data quality and proper space-group determination. These issues were easily resolved by the use of synchrotron radiation using data-collection times of less than an hour. One of these guests induced a single-crystal-to-single-crystal transformation to create a larger unit cell with over 500 non-H atoms in the asymmetric unit. This led to a non-trivial refinement scenario that afforded the best Flackxabsolute stereochemical determination parameter to date for these systems. The structures did not require the use ofPLATON/SQUEEZEor other solvent-masking programs, and are the highest-quality crystalline sponge systems reported to date where the results are strongly supported by the data. A set of guidelines for the entire crystallographic process were developed through these studies. In particular, the refinement guidelines include strategies to refine the host framework, locate guests and determine occupancies, discussion of the proper use of geometric and anisotropic displacement parameter restraints and constraints, and whether to perform solvent squeezing/masking. The single-crystal-to-single-crystal transformation process for the crystal sponges is also discussed. The presented general guidelines will be invaluable for researchers interested in using the crystalline sponge method at in-house diffraction or synchrotron facilities, will facilitate the collection and analysis of reliable high-quality data, and will allow construction of chemically and physically sensible models for guest structural determination.
Consumer perceptions of own brands: international differences
Authors: Anchor John R. , Kour˘ilová Terezie
Published: November 2014

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to show how relatively little is known about the consumer perceptions of own brands in the newly emerging markets of central and eastern Europe. The paper attempts to fill a gap in knowledge by investigating various aspects of consumer perceptions of Tesco own brands in the Czech Republic.

Design/methodology/approach

The key data for this research were collected by structured questionnaires from Tesco supermarket customers in the Czech Republic and the UK. Non‐probability quota sampling was used and the sample was stratified according to gender, age and income.

Findings

The results of the research indicate that the general view of Tesco own brands is slightly less positive among Czech than among British customers. However, significant differences emerge when these are examined in terms of income. Increases in income lead to a decrease in the favourability with which own brands are viewed in the Czech Republic – the opposite to the position in the UK. The age of consumers was also found to be significant, although there is no linear trend. No strong correlation was found to exist between gender and any of the characteristics under investigation.

Research limitations/implications

The sample was limited in size (n=100 in each country). In‐depth interviewing would be necessary to assess consumer attitudes further.

Practical implications

The results of the research may help Tesco in relation to its general expansion in central and eastern Europe and its brand building in particular.

Originality/value

The originality of the paper relates to its study of consumer behaviour in one of the emerging markets of central and eastern Europe.
An inquiry into the strategic‐operational role of performance management in local government
Authors: McAdam Rodney , Walker Tim , Hazlett Shirley‐Ann
Published: November 2014

Purpose

The aim of this paper is to investigate the links and relationships between strategy and operations in local government improvement efforts under the umbrella of the Local Government Modernisation Agenda (LGMA) in England. More specifically, it explores the implementation of structured change methods and performance measurement and management initiatives that claim to have a linked strategic and operational focus through to stakeholder impact.

Design/methodology/approach

This research adopts an interpretive multiple case approach (n=5), using in‐depth semi‐structured interviews and focus groups, as well as substantive archive information.

Findings

The structured integration of strategic level policy‐setting and its associated operational level activity in local authorities is often obscure and lacking in cohesiveness. Performance measurement and management at the strategic level is, for the most part, driven by emerging legislation and the need for compliance rather than improving service effectiveness. This has led to discontinuity, delays in implementing policy, and criticism of performance measures from service delivery staff.

Practical implications

There is a need for improved integration across the strategic‐operational divide, which requires improved understanding and translation approaches. Methods adopted from other sectors should be assessed critically and tailored to suit this need rather than adopting an off‐the‐shelf provision.

Originality/value

There is a paucity of in‐depth studies relating to performance measurement and management across the strategic‐operational span in the public sector in general, and local government in particular. Increased understanding in this area is of critical importance in relation to implementing effectively the current and future modernisation and reform initiatives.
A comparative assessment of domestic and international supplier‐customer relationship perceptions
Authors: Rinehart Lloyd M. , Lee Tzong‐Ru , Page Thomas J.
Published: November 2014

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to compare aggregate differences in perceptions of supplier‐customer relationship structures of managers in the USA and Taiwan.

Design/methodology/approach

Two studies used a survey method to assess graduate student perceptions of supplier‐customer relationships. Those graduate students had been responsible for managing business exchange relationships in their previous positions. The surveys were administered at different times in executive MBA classes at a major US university and a major Taiwanese university. An analysis was conducted to understand similarities and differences in relationship perceptions between US managers and Taiwanese managers.

Findings

Differences exist between US and Taiwanese managers' perceptions of their supplier‐customer relationships. This indicates that US managers and Taiwanese managers differentiate among such relationships. However, the application of those differences may be unique to the nature of the business environments in the USA and Taiwan.

Practical implications

Managers should be careful when negotiating between US and Taiwanese firms to insure that they do not make decisions about how they anticipate the other party will view the supplier/customer relationship based on generic cultural assumptions. In addition, Taiwanese managers may be better able to classify their relationships into common groups than US managers, indicating that US managers may be less likely to try to segment their suppliers or customers into different groups for development of interaction and negotiation strategies. In addition, this research demonstrates a critical need for future comparative studies to assess relationship perceptions from other parts of the globe. The lack of similarities between the responses of the US and Taiwanese managers indicates potential differences in supplier/customer relationship perceptions around the world. This becomes critical for improved understanding of how interactions and negotiations (as well as the development of operating strategies by firms) should occur in global exchange.

Originality/value

This research offers initial insight into the importance of understanding relationship perception differences based on global business operations. As the world becomes “flatter,” managers from around the globe will need to understand how those perceptions differ for development of effective negotiating strategies between suppliers and customers.
Consumers, efficiency and e‐travel
Authors: Standing C , Standing S , Vasudavan T
Published: November 2014

The on‐line purchase of travel related products has become an important sector to researchers to study the business success of the Internet. Early indications suggested that the Internet was likely to alter the travel industry from a structural perspective leading to a more consumer responsive environment. In this paper we examine the on‐line travel market and determine where the benefits have been for consumers and where problems still exist. We use theories related to market mechanisms to help assess the impact of the Internet on the travel industry.
Adult safeguarding: early messages from peer reviews
Authors: Humphries Richard
Published: November 2014

Purpose

This report aims to summarise the principal conclusions from the pilot reviews and key learning points to assist the improvement of safeguarding policy and practice.

Design/methodology/approach

A pilot programme of peer reviews of adult safeguarding arrangements was carried out in four English local authorities by Local Government Improvement and Development in 2009‐2010. The pilot programme sought to customise, test and adapt this established peer review methodology to adult safeguarding.

Findings

Key messages from the peer reviews of the adult safeguarding arrangements include: outcomes and experience of people who use services; leadership, strategy and commissioning; service delivery, effective practice and performance and resource management; and working together.

Originality/value

Councils may need to revisit how they develop their safeguarding arrangements in the light of major policy, financial and demographic shifts over the next few years.
The life and times of the boundary spanner
Authors: Williams Paul
Published: November 2014

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to explore, in some depth, the role and nature of boundary spanners – a dedicated cadre of people who operate within collaborative arenas; to identify the particular skills and competencies that they exhibit; and to reflect on the tensions and ambiguities that they face in their everyday work.

Design/methodology/approach

The author presents an analysis of the recent history of UK health and social care in relation to the role “boundary spanners” – a valuable and distinctive class of “actor”, operating within intra‐ and inter‐sectoral collaborative environments, including partnerships, alliances, networks, consortia and forms of integration.

Findings

Boundary spanners have a distinct role to play in managing the highly interdependent and collaborative arenas that are designed to manage health and social care, and they undertake this by deploying a range of competencies, supported by relevant knowledge, experience and personal attributes. The valuable role that boundary spanners play must be reflected in appropriate investment in their training and development.

Originality/value

Reflections are directed towards the training and development of boundary spanners as an important role in health and social care.
Together we are better? Strategic needs assessment as a tool to improve joint working in England
Authors: Ellins Jo , Glasby Jon
Published: November 2014

Purpose

This paper seeks to report the results of a national survey to explore preparations under way by local authorities and primary care trusts (PCT) for the duty to conduct a joint strategic needs assessment (JSNA), key barriers and enablers to this, and the implications for future policy. In particular, the study focuses on JSNA in the context of current and future health and social care partnerships.

Design/methodology/approach

Using Department of Health e‐mail circulation lists, the authors conducted a national survey of all PCT chief executives, directors of adult social services and public health in England (a total of 459 people). A qualitative survey was e‐mailed in February 2008 at the time when health and social care communities were preparing to implement the new duty. All completed surveys were analysed by both authors using thematic content analysis. A grounded approach was taken whereby the thematic framework emerged from initial familiarisation with the data, to which any further themes emerging during the coding process were incorporated.

Findings

Although respondents felt that it was very early days, they had a number of aspirations for JSNA and identified a number of potential impacts and implications. First and foremost, respondents felt that JSNA had scope to raise the profile of the importance of jointly agreed approaches to needs assessment and to partnership working more generally. However, as many respondents pointed out, the extent to which JSNA is able to realise this potential depends on it being seen as a means to an end, rather than an end in itself.

Originality/value

Overall, the impression from this early survey was of a health and social care system taking the new duty seriously and with aspirations in some areas to make JSNA a future driving force for local service changes.
Uniformity or equality? Integration, equity and the challenge of personalisation
Authors: Carr Sarah
Published: November 2014

Purpose

This paper aims to argue that the inflexible administration and funding silos which characterise a health and social care system focused on uniform provision is no longer working, particularly for those who require some support to live independent and fulfilled lives.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper details social care reform policy and the personalisation agenda, particularly self‐directed support and personal budgets. It considers the implications of these developments on personalisation, equity and integration and user‐determined standards and challenges service fragmentation and current commissioning practice.

Findings

Personalisation reforms in adult social care, which are being carried over to health services, are challenging traditional models of uniform or large‐scale care provision. Personalisation means putting people in control of their care and support and giving choices – which in turn means commissioning for local difference and personal preference, as well as bottom‐up pressure for services to integrate in a way that avoids funding or service boundary disputes and ensures individuals can choose and control their support.

Originality/value

It is argued that a focus on equality and fairness now needs to turn to equality of opportunity to exercise choice and control, and to the idea that everyone should expect locally appropriate, good‐quality services and support no matter where they are.
Well‐being: the next revolution in children's services?
Authors: Jordan Bill
Published: November 2014

The concept of ‘well‐being’ is entering into the policy debate on the back of recent research on ‘happiness’ ‐ self‐assessed evaluations of quality of life. It stands for a reassertion of relationships and feelings as central to positive evaluations and against the competitive and consumerist ethos of market individualism. Although the findings of research on well‐being among adults need to be adapted to suit children's situations and perceptions, work on this is in progress. This article presents some of the issues for measuring children's well‐being and for comparing measurements between countries. It also considers the implications for children's services of an approach that re‐values the relational elements in human service work, and argues that coherence between services is as important as the outcomes of interventions with individuals and families.