bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Nonlinear hybrid simulation of internal kink with beam ion effects in DIII-D
Authors: Shen Wei , Fu G. Y. , Tobias Benjamin , Van Zeeland Michael , Wang Feng , Sheng Zheng-Mao
Published: April 2015

In DIII-D sawteething plasmas, long-lived (1,1) kink modes are often observed between sawtooth crashes. The saturated kink modes have two distinct frequencies. The mode with higher frequency transits to a fishbone-like mode with sufficient on-axis neutral beam power. In this work, hybrid simulations with the global kinetic-magnetohydrodynamic (MHD) hybrid code M3D-K have been carried out to investigate the linear stability and nonlinear dynamics of the n = 1 mode with effects of energetic beam ions for a typical DIII-D discharge where both saturated kink mode and fishbone were observed. Linear simulation results show that the n = 1 internal kink mode is unstable in MHD limit. However, with kinetic effects of beam ions, a fishbone-like mode is excited with mode frequency about a few kHz depending on beam pressure profile. The mode frequency is higher at higher beam power and/or narrower radial profile consistent with the experimental observation. Nonlinear simulations have been performed to investigate mode saturation as well as energetic particle transport. The nonlinear MHD simulations show that the unstable kink mode becomes a saturated kink mode after a sawtooth crash. With beam ion effects, the fishbone-like mode can also transit to a saturated kink mode with a small but finite mode frequency. These results are consistent with the experimental observation of saturated kink mode between sawtooth crashes.
Cavitation in a swollen elastomer constrained by a non-swellable shell
Authors: Wang Huiming , Cai Shengqiang
Published: April 2015

A small cavity inside a swollen elastomer may grow or shrink, depending on the external stresses applied onto the elastomer, surrounding humidity, and boundary constraints of the elastomer. In this article, we study the variation of the size of a small cavity inside a swollen elastomer when environmental humidity changes. In the model, the surface of the swollen elastomer is coated by a non-swellable but permeable elastomer shell. Our analysis shows that the cavity shrinks with the increase of humidity, while the cavity grows with the decrease of humidity. Interestingly, with the decrease of the humidity, the cavity grows slowly and continuously first; when the humidity is lower than a critical value, the cavity may grow discontinuously, jumping from a small one to a big one, which is analogous to first-order phase transition. In this paper, we explore the effects of initial swelling ratio and the boundary constraint of the swollen elastomer on its cavitation behavior.
Gate-modulated conductance of few-layer WSe2 field-effect transistors in the subgap regime: Schottky barrier transistor and subgap impurity states
Authors: Wang Junjie , Rhodes Daniel , Feng Simin , Nguyen Minh An T. , Watanabe K. , Taniguchi T. , Mallouk Thomas E. , Terrones Mauricio , Balicas Luis , Zhu J.
Published: April 2015

Two key subjects stand out in the pursuit of semiconductor research: material quality and contact technology. The fledging field of atomically thin transition metal dichalcogenides (TMDCs) faces a number of challenges in both efforts. This work attempts to establish a connection between the two by examining the gate-dependent conductance of few-layer (1-5L) WSe2 field effect devices. Measurements and modeling of the subgap regime reveal Schottky barrier transistor behavior. We show that transmission through the contact barrier is dominated by thermionic field emission (TFE) at room temperature, despite the lack of intentional doping. The TFE process arises due to a large number of subgap impurity states, the presence of which also leads to high mobility edge carrier densities. The density of states of such impurity states is self-consistently determined to be approximately 1–2 × 1013/cm2/eV in our devices. We demonstrate that substrate is unlikely to be a major source of the impurity states and suspect that lattice defects within the material itself are primarily responsible. Our experiments provide key information to advance the quality and understanding of TMDC materials and electrical devices.
Design and experimental tests of a dual-servo piezoelectric nanopositioning stage for rotary motion
Authors: Li Jianping , Zhou Xiaoqin , Zhao Hongwei , Shao Mingkun , Fan Zunqiang , Liu Hui
Published: April 2015

A dual-servo nanopositioning stage for high-accuracy rotary motion is presented in this article. A piezoelectric actuator is employed to achieve both the coarse motion and fine motion. By the coarse motion and fine motion, the designed dual-servo nanopositioning stage can obtain large-range rotary motion and high resolution simultaneously. The configuration and motion principle of the dual-servo nanopositioning stage were illustrated and discussed. A prototype was fabricated to test the working performance and the results demonstrate that the maximum speed of the presented dual-servo nanopositioning stage is 32 000 μrad/s and the rotary resolution is about 1.54 μrad. The working performance confirms the feasibility of the dual-servo nanopositioning stage.
Impact of dispersants on relaxivities of magnetite contrast agents
Authors: Ma Ji , Cheng Lingchao , Chen Kezheng
Published: April 2015

Particle size is normally thought to be a major factor to evaluate MRI performance of contrast agents in biological systems. In this regard, three size-relevant regimes, including motional averaging regime, static dephasing regime, and echo-limited regime, have been well developed. In this study, we find the dispersant, which is often used as the subordinate additive in MRI measurements, is another key factor that determines the application of these three regimes in real systems. Our results show that the identically sized particle systems can separately exhibit static dephasing and echo-limited behaviors merely by altering the dispersants in aqueous solution.
Super-diffusion in sheared suspensions
Authors: Souzy Mathieu , Yin Xiaolong , Villermaux Emmanuel , Abid Chérifa , Metzger Bloen
Published: April 2015

We investigate the dispersion of a layer of dye initially applied at the outer wall of a cylindrical Couette-cell into a sheared suspension of non-Brownian spherical particles. The process is directly visualized and quantified at the particle scale. A “rolling-coating” mechanism is found to convectively transport the dye at a constant rate directly from the wall towards the bulk. The fluid velocity fluctuations, u′, measured with particle image velocimetry, and the imposed shear-rate, γ̇, are used to define a diffusion coefficient, D∝〈u′u′〉/γ̇, which is found to increase linearly with the distance from the wall. A solution of the transport equation accounting for this inhomogeneous stirring field describes quantitatively the concentration profiles measured experimentally. It exhibits a super-diffusive character, a consequence of the increase of the stirring strength with distance from the wall. Movies are available with the online version of the paper.
Compact model for organic thin-film transistor with Gaussian density of states
Authors: Wang Long , Lu Nianduan , Li Ling , Ji Zhuoyu , Banerjee Writam , Liu Ming
Published: April 2015

Developing a compact model for organic thin-film transistors (OTFTs) would be significant for designing organic circuits. Contrasting the traditional silicon transistors, OTFTs are theorized using hopping transport and a Gaussian density of states. In this work, we present a new compact model for OTFTs by introducing hopping transport theory, a Gaussian density of states, and a physical mobility model. Our compact model is completely based on surface potential and its simulations do not require any threshold voltage. Simulations based on this model agree well with experimental data.
High-performance giant magnetoresistive sensorics on flexible Si membranes
Authors: Pérez Nicolás , Melzer Michael , Makarov Denys , Ueberschär Olaf , Ecke Ramona , Schulz Stefan E. , Schmidt Oliver G.
Published: April 2015

We fabricate high-performance giant magnetoresistive (GMR) sensorics on Si wafers, which are subsequently thinned down to 100 μm or 50 μm to realize mechanically flexible sensing elements. The performance of the GMR sensors upon bending is determined by the thickness of the Si membrane. Thus, bending radii down to 15.5 mm and 6.8 mm are achieved for the devices on 100 μm and 50 μm Si supports, respectively. The GMR magnitude remains unchanged at the level of (15.3 ± 0.4)% independent of the support thickness and bending radius. However, a progressive broadening of the GMR curve is observed associated with the magnetostriction of the containing Ni81Fe19 alloy, which is induced by the tensile bending strain generated on the surface of the Si membrane. An effective magnetostriction value of λs = 1.7 × 10−6 is estimated for the GMR stack. Cyclic bending experiments showed excellent reproducibility of the GMR curves during 100 bending cycles.
Effect of magnetic field configuration on the multiply charged ion and plume characteristics in Hall thruster plasmas
Authors: Kim Holak , Lim Youbong , Choe Wonho , Park Sanghoo , Seon Jongho
Published: April 2015

Multiply charged ions and plume characteristics in Hall thruster plasmas are investigated with regard to magnetic field configuration. Differences in the plume shape and the fraction of ions with different charge states are demonstrated by the counter-current and co-current magnetic field configurations, respectively. The significantly larger number of multiply charged and higher charge state ions including Xe4+ are observed in the co-current configuration than in the counter-current configuration. The large fraction of multiply charged ions and high ion currents in this experiment may be related to the strong electron confinement, which is due to the strong magnetic mirror effect in the co-current magnetic field configuration.
Development of Fish Passage in China
Authors: Shi Xiaotao , Kynard Boyd , Liu Defu , Qiao Ye , Chen Qiuwen
Published: April 2015

China began to develop fish passage at hydroelectric dams in the 1960s, but few were implemented until the 2000s, when a federal law was passed in 2002 that required fish passage at new hydroelectric dams that block fish migrations. Because of this regulation, in the past 10 years, about 40 fish passage facilities have been or are being built. Even though fish scientists and hydraulic engineers are enthusiastic to develop fish passage, progress is limited mainly because of (1) the lack of an accepted and enforced process to plan, design, and evaluate fish passage; (2) the lack of knowledge on migratory fish life history movement, behavior, and swimming ability; and (3) the failure of fish biologists and engineers to work together as a fish passage team. Future development should focus on the following: educating agency staff, fish biologists, and the public on the importance of river connectivity and migratory fish conservation using fishways; improving regulations; and setting national standards that require scientific evaluation of all fishways. We also suggest consideration of the following: a reward system, basic fish biological research, national fish passage research and development centers, and collaboration by Chinese engineers and biologists with foreign fish passage expertise.

China comenzó a desarrollar pasadizos para peces en presas hidroeléctricas en la década de 1960, pero pocas fueron implementadas hasta la década del 2000, cuando una ley federal se aprobó en 2002 en la que se establece como requisito construir pasadizos para peces en aquellas hidroeléctricas que interrumpieran la migración de estos. En virtud de esta regulación, en los últimos 10 años, cerca de 40 pasadizos se han construido o se están construyendo. A pesar de que ictiólogos e ingenieros hidráulicos son entusiastas de los pasadizos para peces, el progreso está limitado por 1) la falta de un proceso que permita planear, diseñar y evaluar los pasadizos para peces; 2) la falta de conocimiento de la historia de vida de los peces migratorios, movimientos, conducta y habilidad de natación; y 3) la ineficiencia con la que biólogos de peces e ingenieros colaboran como equipo para establecer pasadizos. Los retos a futuro debieran enfocarse en lo siguiente: educar al personal de las agencias de gobierno, ictiólogos y público en general acerca de la importancia de la conectividad en los ríos y la conservación de peces migratorios mediante pasadizos, mejorar las regulaciones existentes y crear estándares nacionales que requieran de la evaluación científica de todos los pasadizos. También se sugiere considerar lo siguiente: un sistema de recompensas, investigación de la biología básica de los peces, establecimientos de centro nacionales y de desarrollo de investigación sobre pasadizos para peces, y la colaboración de ingenieros y biólogos de China con expertos foráneos en pasadizos para peces.
“A Tale of Two Václavs”: Rhetorical History and the Concept of “Return” in Post-Communist Czech Leadership
Authors: Barney Timothy
Published: April 2015

This article examines the ways by which former Czech president Václav Havel and former Czech Prime Minister Václav Klaus approached their rhetorical roles in the postcommunist climate of a splintering Czechoslovakia. The main argument revolves around how Klaus and Havel divergently employed national memory to make historical arguments about the Czech past and how these symbols could be marshaled to navigate the uncertain waters of postsocialism. Ultimately, Klaus employs a rhetorical strategy of “rupture” with the Czech communist past, while Havel attempts a strategy of “repair.” The tensions between such rhetorical strategies evidence the ways in which Czech intellectuals-turned-public officials vied for the position of chief public historian and national storyteller for the Czech nation.
Rhetorical Crossings of 1989: Communist Space, Arguments by Definition, and Discourse of National Identity Twenty-Five Years Later
Authors: Marin Noemi
Published: April 2015

The Romanian political scene at the end of 1989 calls for a critical rhetorical perspective to understand how totalitarian politics clash with revolutionary changes and how communist space, so ambitiously crafted to cover an entire country’s public sphere, influences, if at all, a free(d) discourse on national unity. Examining official discourse on the cusp of revolutionary changes in Romania, in December 1989, this study argues that the concept of rhetorical space along with the enthymematic argument by definition of “we the nation” capture rhetoric in action, showing complex discursive crossings that legitimize the relationship between rhetoric and history at such times. Thus, the relationship between rhetorical space and the “we the nation” political argument, when applied to Romanian political discourse of 1989, reveals challenges that continue to feature the unsettledness of postcommunist discourse twenty-five years later.
Fecundity of silver-phase eels (Anguilla anguilla) from different habitat types and geographic locations
Authors: MacNamara Ruairí , McCarthy T. Kieran , Wickström Håkan , Clevestam Patrik D.
Published: April 2015

The reproductive ecology of European eel (Anguilla anguilla) is poorly understood, though information on life-history traits such as fecundity is necessary for appropriate management of this critically endangered species. During the growth period of the life cycle, yellow-phase eels can be resident in different habitat types (e.g. salinity ranging from freshwater to marine) over a wide geographic distribution. Consequently, maturing silver-phase eels migrating back to the oceanic spawning grounds can display considerable variation in certain life-history traits depending on their habitat and/or geographic origin. Few fecundity estimates are available from wild A. anguilla, and no investigation of the effects of habitat type (i.e. salinity) or geographic location on variation in fecundity has been undertaken. To assess the former, we examined silver-phase eels which had predominantly been resident in freshwater (Lake Mälaren, Sweden) or brackish (Baltic Sea) habitats. Despite Lake Mälaren eels generally being larger, there was no difference in the fecundity–body size relationship between these salinity zones. Second, we determined if fecundity differed between silver-phase eels sampled from different geographic locations: Lake Mälaren and the Baltic Sea outlet in Sweden, the River Shannon in Ireland (northwest Europe) and Vistonis Lake in Greece (eastern Mediterranean). Our results showed that silver-phase eels from Sweden (Lake Mälaren and Baltic Sea outlet) and Greece were significantly more fecund at a given body size than those from Ireland. Spawner models and conservation policies should therefore take account of eel geographic origin in particular when incorporating this life-history parameter.
Multipartite quantum correlations and local recoverability
Authors: Wilde Mark M.
Published: April 2015

Characterizing genuine multipartite quantum correlations in quantum physical systems has historically been a challenging problem in quantum information theory. More recently, however, thetotal correlationormultipartite informationmeasure has been helpful in accomplishing this goal, especially with the multipartite symmetric quantum (MSQ) discord (Pianiet al.2008Phys. Rev. Lett.100, 090502. (doi:10.1103/PhysRevLett.100.090502)) and the conditional entanglement of multipartite information (CEMI) (Yanget al.2008Phys. Rev. Lett.101, 140501. (doi:10.1103/PhysRevLett.101.140501)). Here, we apply a recent and significant improvement of strong subadditivity of quantum entropy (Fawzi & Renner 2014 (http://arxiv.org/abs/1410.0664)) in order to develop these quantities further. In particular, we prove that the MSQ discord is nearly equal to zero if and only if the multipartite state for which it is evaluated is approximately locally recoverable after performing measurements on each of its systems. Furthermore, we prove that the CEMI is a faithful entanglement measure, i.e. it vanishes if and only if the multipartite state for which it is evaluated is a fully separable state. Along the way, we provide an operational interpretation of the MSQ discord in terms of the partial state distribution protocol, which in turn, as a special case, gives an interpretation for the original discord quantity. Finally, we prove an inequality that could potentially improve upon the Fawzi–Renner inequality in the multipartite context, but it remains an open question to determine whether this is so.
Larger phylogenetic distances in litter mixtures: lower microbial biomass and higher C/N ratios but equal mass loss
Authors: Pan Xu , Berg Matty P. , Butenschoen Olaf , Murray Phil J. , Bartish Igor V. , Cornelissen Johannes H. C. , Dong Ming , Prinzing Andreas
Published: April 2015

Phylogenetic distances of coexisting species differ greatly within plant communities, but their consequences for decomposers and decomposition remain unknown. We hypothesized that large phylogenetic distance of leaf litter mixtures increases differences of their litter traits, which may, in turn, result in increased resource complementarity or decreased resource concentration for decomposers and hence increased or decreased chemical transformation and reduction of litter. We conducted a litter mixture experiment including 12 common temperate tree species (evolutionarily separated by up to 106 Myr), and sampled after seven months, at which average mass loss was more than 50%. We found no effect of increased phylogenetic distance on litter mass loss or on abundance and diversity of invertebrate decomposers. However, phylogenetic distance decreased microbial biomass and increased carbon/nitrogen (C/N) ratios of litter mixtures. Consistently, four litter traits showed (marginally) significant phylogenetic signal and in three of these traits increasing trait difference decreased microbial biomass and increased C/N. We suggest that phylogenetic proximity of litter favours microbial decomposers and chemical transformation of litter owing to a resource concentration effect. This leads to a new hypothesis: closely related plant species occurring in the same niche should promote and profit from increased nutrient availability.
Testing for ancient selection using cross-population allele frequency differentiation
Authors: Racimo Fernando
Published: April 2015

1

A powerful way to detect selection in a population is by modeling local allele frequency changes in a particular region of the genome under scenarios of selection and neutrality, and finding which model is most compatible with the data. Chen et al. [2010] developed a composite likelihood method called XPCLR that uses an outgroup population to detect departures from neutrality which could be compatible with hard or soft sweeps, at linked sites near a beneficial allele. However, this method is most sensitive to recent selection and may miss selective events that happened a long time ago. To overcome this, we developed an extension of XP-CLR that jointly models the behavior of a selected allele in a three-population tree. Our method - called 3P-CLR - outperforms XP-CLR when testing for selection that occurred before two populations split from each other, and can distinguish between those events and events that occurred specifically in each of the populations after the split. We applied our new test to population genomic data from the 1000 Genomes Project, to search for selective sweeps that occurred before the split of Yoruba and Eurasians, but after their split from Neanderthals, and that could have led to the spread of modern-human-specific phenotypes. We also searched for sweep events that occurred in East Asians, Europeans and the ancestors of both populations, after their split from Yoruba. In both cases, we are able to confirm a number of regions identified by previous methods, and find several new candidates for selection in recent and ancient times. For some of these, we also find suggestive functional mutations that may have driven the selective events.
Arabidopsis ROOT PHOTOTROPISM2 Contributes to the Adaptation to High-Intensity Light in Phototropic Responses
Authors: Haga Ken , Tsuchida-Mayama Tomoko , Yamada Mizuki , Sakai Tatsuya
Published: April 2015

Living organisms adapt to changing light environments via mechanisms that enhance photosensitivity under darkness and attenuate photosensitivity under bright light conditions. In hypocotyl phototropism, phototropin1 (phot1) blue light photoreceptors mediate both the pulse light-induced, first positive phototropism and the continuous light-induced, second positive phototropism, suggesting the existence of a mechanism that alters their photosensitivity. Here, we show that light induction of ROOT PHOTOTROPISM2 (RPT2) underlies photosensory adaptation in hypocotyl phototropism of Arabidopsis  thaliana. rpt2 loss-of-function mutants exhibited increased photosensitivity to very low fluence blue light but were insensitive to low fluence blue light. Expression of RPT2 prior to phototropic stimulation in etiolated seedlings reduced photosensitivity during first positive phototropism and accelerated second positive phototropism. Our microscopy and biochemical analyses indicated that blue light irradiation causes dephosphorylation of NONPHOTOTROPIC HYPOCOTYL3 (NPH3) proteins and mediates their release from the plasma membrane. These phenomena correlate closely with the desensitization of phot1 signaling during the transition period from first positive phototropism to second positive phototropism. RPT2 modulated the phosphorylation of NPH3 and promoted reconstruction of the phot1-NPH3 complex on the plasma membrane. We conclude that photosensitivity is increased in the absence of RPT2 and that this results in the desensitization of phot1. Light-mediated induction of RPT2 then reduces the photosensitivity of phot1, which is required for second positive phototropism under bright light conditions.
Fast electron diffraction tomography
Authors: Gemmi Mauro , La Placa Maria G. I. , Galanis Athanassios S. , Rauch Edgar F. , Nicolopoulos Stavros
Published: April 2015

A fast and fully automatic procedure for collecting electron diffraction tomography data is presented. In the case of a very stable goniometer it is demonstrated how, by variation of the tilting speed and the CCD detector parameters, it is possible to obtain fully automatic precession-assisted electron diffraction tomography data collections, rotation electron diffraction tomography data collections or new integrated electron diffraction tomography data collections, in which the missing wedge of the reciprocal space between the patterns is recorded by longer exposures during the crystal tilt. It is shown how automatic data collection of limited tilt range can be used to determine the unit-cell parameters, while data of larger tilt range are suitable to solve the crystal structure ab
initio with direct methods. The crystal structure of monoclinic MgMoO4 has been solved in this way as a test structure. In the case where the goniometer is not stable enough to guarantee a steady position of the crystal over large tilt ranges, an automatic method for tracking the crystal during continuous rotation of the sample is proposed.
Characterization of defects in mono-like silicon for photovoltaic applications using X-ray Bragg diffraction imaging
Authors: Tsoutsouva M. G. , Oliveira V. A. , Baruchel J. , Camel D. , Marie B. , Lafford T. A.
Published: April 2015

Rocking curve imaging (projection and section X-ray topography) has been used to study the generation and propagation of defects at the junctions between and above the seed crystals in mono-like silicon ingots. The images of different kinds of defects such as precipitates, dislocations and twins in the integrated intensity, full width at half-maximum and peak position maps resulting from the experiment have been studied. The qualitative and quantitative information that can be extracted from these maps, in particular the contrast of the images of the various defects, is discussed. These defects have a detrimental effect on solar cell efficiency and their detailed investigation allows clues to be obtained in order to improve the growth process. This work shows that synchrotron X-ray diffraction imaging techniques, because of their high angular resolution (<10−4°) and large field of view (several mm2), constitute a powerful tool for investigating the initial stages of growth of directionally solidified mono-like silicon.
Signature of dislocations and stacking faults of face-centred cubic nanocrystals in coherent X-ray diffraction patterns: a numerical study
Authors: Dupraz Maxime , Beutier Guillaume , Rodney David , Mordehai Dan , Verdier Marc
Published: April 2015

Crystal defects induce strong distortions in diffraction patterns. A single defect alone can yield strong and fine features that are observed in high-resolution diffraction experiments such as coherent X-ray diffraction. The case of face-centred cubic nanocrystals is studied numerically and the signatures of typical defects close to Bragg positions are identified. Crystals of a few tens of nanometres are modelled with realistic atomic potentials and `relaxed' after introduction of well defined defects such as pure screw or edge dislocations, or Frank or prismatic loops. Diffraction patterns calculated in the kinematic approximation reveal various signatures of the defects depending on the Miller indices. They are strongly modified by the dissociation of the dislocations. Selection rules on the Miller indices are provided, to observe the maximum effect of given crystal defects in the initial and relaxed configurations. The effect of several physical and geometrical parameters such as stacking fault energy, crystal shape and defect position are discussed. The method is illustrated on a complex structure resulting from the simulated nanoindentation of a gold nanocrystal.
Calculation of scattering patterns from phase-shifting objects using the Radon transform. Corrigendum
Authors: Treimer W. , Feye-Treimer U.
Published: April 2015

The affiliations for the authors of J. Appl. Cryst. (2011), 44, 1157–1163 are corrected.
The HR manager who proved his worth
Authors: Gopinath Mohan , Abraham Dolphy , Prabhakaran Asha
Published: April 2015

Subject area

Organizational ethics and related issues.

Study level/applicability

Graduate course on Strategic Human Resource Management and specialization courses in Banking.

Case overview

This case details the account of a human resources (HR) manager of a multinational bank in India who “used” his position to bring on board his cronies to secure his position and utilize the inherent powers in the position to further his own ends. The case elaborates how the Manager HR went about his job soon after taking over and the consequences this had on the Indian operations and the morale of officers. The case requires the students to analyze and suggest ways in which this organization can prevent such occurrences in future.

Expected learning outcomes

The primary learning objective is to help the student understand the significance of organizational ethics values and react to issues arising from dealing with unethical practices. It will also make them aware of what can happen if systems are deliberately flouted and reporting protocol relating to information flows are ignored. Specifically, it will help them to select the right people, who are aware of the culture of the organization and what this culture implies in terms of working ethically. Communicate the working standards expected of its employees, especially newly trained ones. Analyze the challenges an employee can face when he or she tries to do things in the organization which are not ethical. Evaluate the different ways in which errant employees should be handled.

Supplementary materials

Teaching notes are available for educators only. Please contact your library to gain login details or email support@emeraldinsight.com to request teaching notes.
An empirical investigation of service recovery in e-retailing
Authors: Zhang Min , Dai Xujing , He Zhen
Published: April 2015

Purpose

– E-retailing grows rapidly in recent years. The majority of previous research on e-retailing service recovery has been mainly focussed on the customers’ perspective. The purpose of this paper is to examine service recovery from the operations management perspective of the e-retailing industry in order to investigate the impact of an integrated service recovery system on e-retailers’ capability improvement and market performance.

Design/methodology/approach

– Empirical data consists of a sample of 256 employees from a leading e-retailer in China. Structural Equation Model was used to verify the relationship between the integrated recovery system and employees’ job satisfaction and organizational citizenship behavior (OCB) as well as e-retailers’ capability improvement and market performance.

Findings

– The empirical results reveal that e-retailers need to pay attention to establishing an integrated recovery system. The system can facilitate employee job satisfaction and OCB, ultimately the e-retailer’s market performance. However, the relationships between job satisfaction and OCB as well as market performance are found to be low in the context of e-retailing in China.

Originality/value

– This research contributes to the effectiveness of an integrated service recovery system in the context of e-retailing and the important role played by employees during recovery process.
Metagenomic analysis for the microbial consortium of anaerobic CO oxidizers
Authors: Guo Ying , Xu Jingliang , Yuan Zhenhong , Li Xiekun , Zhou Weizheng , Xu Huijuan , Liang Cuiyi , Zhang Yu , Zhuang Xinshu
Published: April 2015

Metagenomics analysis has been applied to identify the dominant anaerobic microbial consortium of the carbon monoxide (CO) oxidizers in anaerobic sludge. Reads from the hypervariable V6 region in the bacterial 16s rDNA were aligned and finally clustered into operational taxonomic units (OTUs). The OTUs from different stages in anaerobic CO condition were classified. Alphaproteobacteria, clostridia, betaproteobacteria and actinobacteria were the most abundant groups, while alphaproteobacteria, betaproteobacteria and actinobacteria were variable groups. CO consumption and production efficiency of the microbial consortium were studied. Semi‐continuous trials showed that these anaerobic CO oxidizers formed a stable microbial community, and the CO conversion rate was at over 84%, with the highest CO consumption activity of 28.9 mmol CO/g VSS●day and methane production activity at 7.6 mmol CH4/g VSS●day during six cycles.
Anti‐predator behaviour in a procellariid seabird: Wedge‐tailed shearwaters do not respond to the odour of introduced ship rats
Authors: Gérard A. , Jourdan H. , Millon A. , Vidal E.
Published: April 2015

Seabirds are particularly vulnerable to introduced alien mammalian predators, especially invasive rats, which are the main contributors to seabird extinction and endangerment in many places worldwide. However, this appears context‐dependent because, paradoxically, cases of apparent long‐term coexistence between rats and some species of seabird have been reported for centuries, in various locations. Among seabirds, procellariiforms are known to have developed a range of olfactory‐driven behaviours, such as partner recognition and homing. Olfaction could be an effective means of recognizing and thereafter avoiding invasive predators. However, the role of olfaction in predation risk assessment has not yet been examined in any procellariiform. Here, we investigated, through a Y‐maze experiment, whether the wedge‐tailed shearwater (Puffinus pacificus) avoided the odour of one of the most damaging alien predators on islands, the ship rat (Rattus rattus). The experiment was conducted in different ecological contexts on three neighbouring islets off New Caledonia having different communities of invasive rats. Contrary to our expectations, the wedge‐tailed shearwater either did not detect or did not avoid the odour of the ship rat, despite about 175 years of coexistence between rats and shearwaters in New Caledonia. These findings highlight the need for further investigations (across species, across sites) into the factors underpinning the paradox between high vulnerability and the surprising long‐term coexistence between procellariid seabirds and alien invasive rats.
Maternal folic acid supplementation trends 2009–2013
Authors: McKeating Aoife , Farren Maria , Cawley Shona , Daly Niamh , McCartney Daniel , Turner Michael J.
Published: April 2015

Objective

We analyzed trends in folic acid supplementation among women booking for antenatal care between 2009 and 2013.

Design

Prospective observational study.

Setting

Large university teaching hospital.

Population

We included all women who delivered an infant ≥500 g from 1 January 2009 to 31 December 2013.

Methods

Body mass index was calculated using early pregnancy weight and height measured at first antenatal visits. Sociodemographic and clinical data were gathered prospectively. Multivariate logistic regression analyses were applied to determine the correlates of periconceptional folic acid supplementation.

Main outcome measures

Rates and correlates of folic acid supplementation.

Results

Of 42 362 women, 99.2% (n = 42 042) were suitable for analysis. The mean age was 30.7 years and mean body mass index was 25.6 kg/m2, 40.7% (n = 17 054) were primigravidas and 70.6% (n = 29 741) were Irish‐born. Overall, 43.9% (n = 18 473) took periconceptional (preconceptional and postconceptional) folic acid, 49.4% (n = 20 782) took postconceptional folic acid only, and 6.6% (n = 2787) took no folic acid. The women most likely to take folic acid were those who planned their pregnancy and were >30 years old, non‐obese, Irish‐born and employed professionally. The periconceptional folic acid rate decreased from 45.1% in 2009 to 43.1% in 2013 (p = 0.01). Over five years, periconceptional folic acid supplementation decreased among women who were multiparous (43.8–41.6%, p = 0.02), aged 30–39 years (58.9–55.0%, p < 0.001), Irish‐born (50.1–47.1%, p < 0.001) and obese (38.6–36.9%, p = 0.02).

Conclusion

Overall, the rate of periconceptional folic acid supplementation decreased in the five years 2009–2013, particularly among women who were multiparous, aged 30–39 years, Irish‐born and obese.
Meta‐Analysis of Theory of Mind and Peer Popularity in the Preschool and Early School Years
Authors: Slaughter Virginia , Imuta Kana , Peterson Candida C. , Henry Julie D.
Published: April 2015

It has been argued that children who possess an advanced theory of mind (ToM) are viewed positively by their peers, but the empirical findings are mixed. This meta‐analysis of 20 studies including 2,096 children (aged from 2 years, 8 months to 10 years) revealed a significant overall association (r = .19) indicating that children with higher ToM scores were also more popular in their peer group. The effect did not vary with age. The effect was weaker for boys (r = .12) compared to girls (r = .30). ToM was more strongly associated with popularity (r = .23) than with rejection (r = .13). These findings confirm that ToM development has significant implications for children's peer relationships.
Lateral Bone Window Closing Technique with Poly‐L‐Lactic Acid (PLLA) Membrane in the Augmentation of the Maxillary Sinus without Grafting Material: Evaluation of Bone Healing in a Rabbit Model
Authors: Kusumoto Yuki , Tachikawa Noriko , Munakata Motohiro , Miyahara Takayuki , Kasugai Shohei
Published: April 2015

Background

When augmenting the maxillary sinus without grafting material, the method used to cover the bony window is a subject of debate.

Purpose

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the poly‐L‐lactic acid (PLLA) membrane as closing material of the lateral window in a maxillary sinus augmentation without bone grafting.

Materials and Methods

Augmentation of the maxillary sinus without grafting material and installation of titanium screws that fix the Schneiderian membrane were performed in 18 Japanese male white rabbits. The bony window was covered with a collagen membrane or PLLA membrane or no membrane. The animals were sacrificed at 4 or 8 weeks. New bone volume was calculated radiologically using microcomputed tomography (micro‐CT). The samples were analyzed histologically after toluidine blue staining.

Results

No significant differences were observed in the new bone volume, as measured by micro‐CT. However, histomorphometric analysis demonstrated the superiority of the PLLA membrane in new bone formation compared with the collagen membrane.

Conclusion

The PLLA membrane is a suitable material to be applied for tissue regeneration in this animal model.
Hot executive function following moderate‐to‐late preterm birth: altered delay discounting at 4 years of age
Authors: Hodel Amanda S. , Brumbaugh Jane E. , Morris Alyssa R. , Thomas Kathleen M.
Published: April 2015

Interest in monitoring long‐term neurodevelopmental outcomes of children born moderate‐to‐late preterm (32–36 weeks gestation) is increasing. Moderate‐to‐late preterm birth has a negative impact on academic achievement, which may relate to differential development of executive function (EF). Prior studies reporting deficits in EF in preterm children have almost exclusively assessed EF in affectively neutral contexts in high‐risk preterm children (< 32 weeks gestation). Disrupted function in motivational or emotionally charged contexts (hot EF) following preterm birth remains uninvestigated, despite evidence that preterm children show differential development of neural circuitry subserving hot EF, including reduced orbitofrontal cortex volume. The present study is the first to examine whether low‐risk, healthy children born moderate‐to‐late preterm exhibit impairments in the development of hot EF. Preterm children at age 4.5 years were less likely to choose larger, delayed rewards across all levels of reward magnitude on a delay discounting task using tangible rewards, but performed more similarly to their full‐term peers on a delay aversion task involving abstract rewards and on measures of cool EF. The relationship between gestational age at birth and selection of delayed rewards extended across the entire gestational age range of the sample (32–42 weeks), and remained significant after controlling for intelligence and processing speed. Results imply that there is not a finite cut‐off point at which children are spared from potential long‐term neurodevelopmental effects of PT birth. Further investigation of reward processing and hot EF in individuals with a history of PT birth is warranted given the susceptibility of prefrontal cortex development to early environmental variations.
Why Credit Rating Agencies Exist
Authors: Rhee Robert J.
Published: April 2015

Although credit rating agencies exist and are important to the capital markets, there remains a question of why they should exist. Two standard theories are that rating agencies correct a problem of information asymmetry and that theyde factoregulate investments. These theories do not fully answer the question. This paper suggests an alternative explanation. While rating agencies produce little new information, they sort information available in the credit market. This sorting function is needed due to the large volume of information in the credit market. Sorting facilitates better credit analysis and investment selection, but bond investors or a cooperative of them cannot easily replicate this function. Outside of their information intermediary and regulatory roles, rating agencies serve a useful market purpose even if credit ratings inherently provide little new information. This alternative explanation has policy implications for the regulation of the industry.
Dopamine physiology in the basal ganglia of male zebra finches during social stimulation
Authors: Ihle Eva C. , van der Hart Marieke , Jongsma Minke , Tecott Larry H. , Doupe Allison J.
Published: April 2015

Accumulating evidence suggests that dopamine (DA) is involved in altering neural activity and gene expression in a zebra finch cortical–basal ganglia circuit specialized for singing, upon the shift between solitary singing and singing as a part of courtship. Our objective here was to sample changes in the extracellular concentrations of DA in Area X of adult and juvenile birds, to test the hypothesis that DA levels would change similarly during presentation of a socially salient stimulus in both age groups. We used microdialysis to sample the extracellular milieu of Area X in awake, behaving adult and juvenile male zebra finches, and analysed the dialysate using high‐performance liquid chromatography coupled with electrochemical detection. The extracellular levels of DA in Area X increased significantly during both female presentation to adult males and tutor presentation to juvenile males. DA levels were not correlated with the time spent singing. We also reverse‐dialysed Area X with pharmacologic agents that act either on DA systems directly or on norepinephrine, and found that all of these agents significantly increased DA levels (3‐ to 10‐fold) in Area X. These findings suggest that changes in extracellular DA levels can be stimulated similarly by very different social contexts (courtship and interaction with tutor), and influenced potently by dopaminergic and noradrenergic drugs. These results raise the possibility that the arousal level or attentional state of the subject (rather than singing behavior) is the common feature eliciting changes in extracellular DA concentration.
New Methods in Tornado Climatology
Authors: Widen Holly M. , Fricker Tyler , Elsner James B.
Published: April 2015

How climate change might affect tornadoes remains an open scientific question. Climatological studies are often contested due to inconsistencies in the available data. Statistical methods are used to overcome some of the data limitations. A few of these methods including using the proportion of tornadoes occurring on big tornado days, estimating tornado energy from the damage path, and modeling counts spatially are described here. The methods move beyond analyses of occurrences by damage ratings and spatial smoothing. Applications of these and related methods will help grow the nascent field of tornado climatology.
Serum levels of adipocytokines in psoriasis patients receiving tumor necrosis factor‐α inhibitors: results of a retrospective analysis
Authors: Campanati Anna , Ganzetti Giulia , Giuliodori Katia , Marra Maurizio , Bonfigli Annarita , Testa Roberto , Offidani Annamaria
Published: April 2015

Background

Adipocytokines are bioactive molecules that are deeply involved in the occurrence of atherosclerosis, obesity, and autoimmune inflammatory diseases.

Objectives

This study was conducted to evaluate the effects of tumor necrosis factor‐α (TNF‐α) inhibitors on serum levels of adipocytokines in patients with chronic plaque psoriasis.

Methods

Serum levels of adiponectin, resistin, visfatin, leptin, TNF‐α, and interleukin‐6 (IL‐6) were evaluated in sera obtained from 47 patients with psoriasis, both at baseline and after they had received TNF‐α inhibitors for 24 weeks. Equivalent data were obtained for 39 control subjects matched by age, sex, body mass index, waist : hip ratio, geographical origin, Mediterranean dietary habits, and smoking habits.

Results

At baseline, mean serum levels of TNF‐α, IL‐6, leptin, resistin, and visfatin were higher in the psoriasis group than in healthy controls; these differences were statistically significant (P < 0.05). Conversely, mean serum levels of adiponectin were significantly lower in patients with psoriasis than in controls (P < 0.0001). Serum levels of adipocytokines did not linearly correlate with anthropometric indices in psoriasis patients (P > 0.05), except in the case of leptin, for which serum levels were related to waist : hip ratio in both men and women (P < 0.05). After 24 weeks of treatment, although serum levels of proinflammatory adipocytokines were decreased, only that of leptin showed a statistically significant reduction (P = 0.0003). Serum levels of adiponectin, an anti‐inflammatory adipocytokine, were only mildly increased and persisted at a significantly lower level than in healthy controls (P > 0.005).

Conclusions

Patients with psoriasis show an imbalance between pro‐ and anti‐inflammatory adipocytokines, which is reduced but not normalized after administration of TNF‐α inhibitors for 24 weeks. This partial rebalancing seems to be mainly related to a reduction in proinflammatory adipocytokines, rather than an increase in anti‐inflammatory adipocytokines.