bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Laminar dispersion at low and high Peclet numbers in finite-length patterned microtubes
Authors: Adrover Alessandra , Cerbelli Stefano
Published: June 2017

Laminar dispersion of solutes in finite-length patterned microtubes is investigated at values of the Reynolds number below unity. Dispersion is strongly influenced by axial flow variations caused by patterns of periodic pillars and gaps in the flow direction. We focus on the Cassie-Baxter state, where the gaps are filled with air pockets, therefore enforcing free-slip boundary conditions at the flat liquid-air interface. The analysis of dispersion is approached by considering the temporal moments of solute concentration. Based on this approach, we investigate the dispersion properties in a wide range of values of the Peclet number, thus gaining insight into how the patterned structure of the microtube influences both the Taylor-Aris and the convection-dominated dispersion regimes. Numerical results for the velocity field and for the moment hierarchy are obtained by means of finite element method solution of the corresponding transport equations. We show that for different patterned geometries, in a range of Peclet values spanning up to six decades, the dispersion features in a patterned microtube are equivalent to those of a microtube characterized by a uniform slip velocity equal to the wall-average velocity of the patterned case. This suggests that two patterned micropipes with different geometry yet characterized by the same flow rate and average wall velocity will exhibit the same dispersion features as well as the same macroscopic pressure drop.
Fast x-ray detector system with simultaneous measurement of timing and energy for a single photon
Authors: Masuda T. , Okubo S. , Hara H. , Hiraki T. , Kitao S. , Miyamoto Y. , Okai K. , Ozaki R. , Sasao N. , Seto M. , Uetake S. , Yamaguchi A. , Yoda Y. , Yoshimi A. , Yoshimura K.
Published: June 2017

We developed a fast X-ray detector system for nuclear resonant scattering (NRS) experiments. Our system employs silicon avalanche photo-diode (Si-APD) as a fast X-ray sensor. The system is able to acquire both timing and energy of a single X-ray photon simultaneously in a high rate condition, 106 counts per second for one Si-APD. The performance of the system was investigated in SPring-8, a synchrotron radiation facility in Japan. Good time resolution of 120 ps (FWHM) was achieved with a slight tail distribution in the time spectrum by a level of 10−9 at 1 ns apart from the peak. Using this system, we successfully observed the NRS from the 26.27-keV level of mercury-201, which has a half-life of 630(50) ps. We also demonstrated the reduction of background events caused by radioactive decays in a radioactive sample by discriminating photon energy.
Application of the Fokker-Planck molecular mixing model to turbulent scalar mixing using moment methods
Authors: Madadi-Kandjani E. , Fox R. O. , Passalacqua A.
Published: June 2017

An extended quadrature method of moments using the β kernel density function (β-EQMOM) is used to approximate solutions to the evolution equation for univariate and bivariate composition probability distribution functions (PDFs) of a passive scalar for binary and ternary mixing. The key element of interest is the molecular mixing term, which is described using the Fokker–Planck (FP) molecular mixing model. The direct numerical simulations (DNSs) of Eswaran and Pope [“Direct numerical simulations of the turbulent mixing of a passive scalar,” Phys. Fluids 31, 506 (1988)] and the amplitude mapping closure (AMC) of Pope [“Mapping closures for turbulent mixing and reaction,” Theor. Comput. Fluid Dyn. 2, 255 (1991)] are taken as reference solutions to establish the accuracy of the FP model in the case of binary mixing. The DNSs of Juneja and Pope [“A DNS study of turbulent mixing of two passive scalars,” Phys. Fluids 8, 2161 (1996)] are used to validate the results obtained for ternary mixing. Simulations are performed with both the conditional scalar dissipation rate (CSDR) proposed by Fox [Computational Methods for Turbulent Reacting Flows (Cambridge University Press, 2003)] and the CSDR from AMC, with the scalar dissipation rate provided as input and obtained from the DNS. Using scalar moments up to fourth order, the ability of the FP model to capture the evolution of the shape of the PDF, important in turbulent mixing problems, is demonstrated. Compared to the widely used assumed β-PDF model [S. S. Girimaji, “Assumed β-pdf model for turbulent mixing: Validation and extension to multiple scalar mixing,” Combust. Sci. Technol. 78, 177 (1991)], the β-EQMOM solution to the FP model more accurately describes the initial mixing process with a relatively small increase in computational cost.
Effect of defect-induced carrier scattering on the thermoelectric power of graphene
Authors: Anno Yuki , Takeuchi Masato , Matsuoka Masaya , Takei Kuniharu , Akita Seiji , Arie Takayuki
Published: June 2017

The thermoelectric properties of graphene are strongly related to the defect density, and as such, these can be used to investigate carrier scattering. In this study, the defect density was controlled by the use of oxygen plasma treatment. Oxygen plasma introduces structural defects into graphene, initially introducing sp3 defects that transform into vacancy-type defects with further exposure, as indicated by XPS analysis, and these transitions cause substantial changes in both the electrical and thermoelectric properties of graphene. In this work, we estimate the effects of both defect density and species, analyzed by Raman spectroscopy, on the thermoelectric power of graphene, and find that the maximum thermoelectric power decreases with increasing defect density. We also find, from Ioffe's semiclassical approximation, that at the lower defect densities, phonons are the predominant source of carrier scattering, while at higher defect densities, the scattering is mainly caused by charged impurities, which corresponds to a change in defect population from the sp3-type to vacancies.
Principle of topography-directed inkjet printing for functional micro-tracks in flexible substrates
Authors: Keum Chang-Min , Lee In-Ho , Park Hea-Lim , Kim Chiwoo , Lüssem Björn , Choi Jong Sun , Lee Sin-Doo
Published: June 2017

We present a general principle of topography-directed (TD) inkjet printing for functional micro-tracks embedded in a flexible elastomer substrate. The essential features of the TD inkjet printing in a micro-structured substrate with periodic grooves and ridges are described in terms of the topographic parameters for the transformation from a single droplet to a filament or an edge-disjoint pattern of ink in the groove. Silver ink, being widely used for producing conductive wires by conventional inkjet printing, is utilized as a testbed in our study. The underlying mechanisms for the spreading and drying processes of ink drops under the topographic compartment can be understood in a two-dimensional parameter space of the aspect ratio of the groove and the contact angle of ink on the substrate. The wetting morphologies of ink droplets are described in an analytical model where the Laplace pressure and the mean curvature at the vapor/ink interface are taken into account. The first principle of the TD inkjet printing would be applicable for constructing a variety of functional micro-tracks with high pattern fidelity from different classes of solutions such as conducting polymers, organic semiconductors, and colloidal nanoparticles.
Very large scale motions and PM10 concentration in a high-Re boundary layer
Authors: Wang Guohua , Zheng Xiaojing , Tao Jianjun
Published: June 2017

In this letter, the concentration of particles with size less than 10 μm (PM10) and flow velocities are measured synchronously at different heights in a sand storm, a high-Reynolds number multi-phase turbulent boundary layer. It is revealed that the low-speed very large scale motions (VLSMs) are recurrent with a frequency dominating the streamwise velocity power spectra and modulate the streamwise distribution of PM10 concentration. In the logarithmic layer, the low-speed VLSMs correspond to weak shear stress on the bottom surface and hence decrease the PM10 upward flux. In the higher region, the high-speed VLSMs enhance both the streamwise and the upward transportation of PM10 because of the positive correlation between the velocity and the particle concentration perturbations.
Effects of micro-water on decomposition of the environment-friendly insulating medium C5F10O
Authors: Xiao Song , Li Yi , Zhang Xiaoxing , Tian Shuangshuang , Deng Zaitao , Tang Ju
Published: June 2017

SF6 is widely used in all kinds of high-voltage electrical equipment because of its excellent insulation and arc-extinguishing performance. However, this compound leads to serious greenhouse effect, which harms the environment. Many research institutions are now actively in search of SF6 alternative gas. C5F10O has attracted much attention as an alternative gas with low global warming potential (GWP) and excellent dielectric strength. In this paper, we analyzed the possible decomposition paths of C5F10O under micro-water environment through density functional theory. We also evaluated the ionization parameters and toxicity of the decomposition products. The results show that OH• and H• produced by H2O exhibited a catalytic effect on the decomposition of C5F10O. CF4, C2F6, C3F6, C3F8, C4F10, C5F12, C6F14, C3F7COH, C3F7OH, CF3COH, C3F7H, and CF3OH were produced in the micro-water environment. Based on molecular configuration calculation, the ionization parameters of these products were inferior to perfluorocarbons, such as C3F8, leading to reduced insulation performance of the system. Moreover, CF2O and HF are hazardous to human health and equipment safety. Results will provide a basis for further study of the insulation characteristic of the C5F10O gas mixture under micro-water condition to guide the formulation of their relevant international standards prior to engineering applications.
Understanding growth and development of three short-season grain legumes for improved adaptation in semi-arid Eastern Kenya
Authors: Sennhenn A. , Njarui D. M. G. , Maass B. L. , Whitbread A. M.
Published: June 2017

Short-season grain legumes play an important role in smallholder farming systems as source of food and to improve soil fertility through nitrogen fixation. However, it is not clearly understood how these diverse legumes contribute to the resilience of such systems in semi-arid environments. We describe the growth, development and resource-use efficiency (focusing on radiation, RUE) of three promising short-season grain legumes: common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.), cowpea (Vigna unguiculata (L.) Walp.) and lablab (Lablab purpureus (L.) Sweet). Two field experiments were conducted during the short rains of 2012–13 and 2013–14 in Eastern Kenya. In the first experiment, the legumes were grown at three plant densities (low, medium, high); in the second experiment, they were subjected to three water regimes (rainfed, partly irrigated, fully irrigated). Phenological development was monitored and biomass accumulation, leaf area index and fractional radiation interception were measured repeatedly during growth; grain yield was measured at maturity. Harvest index and RUE were calculated from these data. Common bean had the shortest growing period (70 days), the most compact growth habit and relatively high RUE but limited grain yield (1000–1900 kg ha–1), thereby proving more suitable for cultivation in areas with restricted cropping windows or in intercropping systems. Cowpea had a longer growing period (90 days) and a spreading growth habit leading to high light interception and outstanding grain yields under optimal conditions (1400–3050 kg ha–1). Lablab showed stable RUE values (0.76–0.92 g MJ–1), was relatively unaffected by limited water availability and had a comparatively long growing period (100 days). Lablab grain yields of ~1200–2350 kg ha–1 were obtained across all water regimes, indicating a high potential to cushion climatic variability. Planting density strongly influenced the production success of cowpea and lablab, with high plant densities leading to vigorous growth habit with low podset establishment. Such information on temporal and spatial differences in growth, development and resource-use efficiency is highly valuable for crop-modelling applications and for designing more resilient farming systems with short-season grain legumes.
Temperatures for seedling emergence of tropical perennial grasses
Authors: Egan M. K. , Boschma S. P. , Harden S. , Harris C. A. , Edwards C.
Published: June 2017

A growth-cabinet study was conducted to determine the optimum temperature range for seedling emergence of seven tropical grasses commonly sown in the frost-prone, summer-dominant rainfall region of inland northern New South Wales. The grasses were Bothriochloa bladhii subsp. glabra (forest bluegrass) cv. Swann, Bothriochloa insculpta (creeping bluegrass) cv. Bisset, Chloris gayana (Rhodes grass) cv. Katambora, Digitaria eriantha (digit grass) cv. Premier, Panicum coloratum var. makarikariense (makarikari grass) cv. Bambatsi, and Megathyrsus maximus (panic) cvv. Gatton and Megamax 059. Six constant temperatures were used, ranging from 10°C to 35°C in 5°C increments. Katambora Rhodes grass was the only grass to emerge at 10°C; seedlings of all grasses emerged at temperatures >10°C. Optimal temperature range for emergence varied between species, falling into three groups: low (Bisset creeping bluegrass 16−22°C); intermediate (Premier digit grass 21−32°C, Swann forest bluegrass 23−31°C, Megamax 059 panic 23−35°C, Gatton panic 24−32°C); and high (Bambatsi makarikari grass 24−35°C, Katambora Rhodes grass 24−35°C). The temperature range at which 50% of optimum emergence occurred was 12−14°C for Katambora Rhodes grass, Bisset creeping blue and Premier digit, and 17−18°C for the panic grasses, Swann forest bluegrass and Bambatsi makarikari grass. These temperatures provide options for sowing earlier in spring or later in summer–autumn and may assist development of sowing time options in new environments and provide insight into competition between species.
Attitudes to sexual health in the United States: results from a national survey of youth aged 15–25 years
Authors: Hogben Matthew , Harper Christopher , Habel Melissa A. , Brookmeyer Kathryn , Friedman Allison
Published: June 2017

Background
Several common global definitions of sexual health refer to physical, emotional and social well-being, with respect to sexuality, and also to the need for this well-being to be reflected for all individuals in relationships. How well sexual health definitions fit US youths’ attitudes to sexual health, and associations between these attitudes, sexual behaviours and sexual health care were assessed. Methods: In total, 4017 youth aged between 15 and 25 years via an online survey panel, weighted to be representative of the US population, were surveyed. Respondents reported their attitudes towards seven dimensions of sexual health that we abstracted from existing global definitions (emotional fulfillment, social connectedness, spirituality, overall pleasure, physical intimacy, mental fulfillment, reciprocal benefits). Respondents also reported on sexual health-related discussions with partners, sexual behaviours, and their use of sexual health care. Outcomes through weighted frequency estimates and ordinal regression models were reported. Results: Youth generally construed all seven dimensions as important to sexual health, with the emotional dimension rated most favourably. Attitudes to the dimensions of overall pleasure, physical intimacy and spirituality were most consistently related to sexual health discussions and behaviours. The behaviours most consistently related to sexual health attitudes were going for a sexual health check-up, discussing birth control/pregnancy and discussing risk before sex without a condom. Conclusions: Youth construal of sexual health fits well with global sexual health definitions. Attitudes to dimensions of sexual health were related to some sexual health-related behaviours, especially healthcare use and complex discussions.
Perception of tones in Mandarin and Dutch adult listeners
Authors: Liu Liquan , Chen Ao , Kager René
Published: June 2017

This paper examines the nature of categorical perception (CP) effects in Mandarin and Dutch adult listeners through identification and discrimination tasks using lexical tonal contrasts and through the CP index analysis. In identification tasks, Mandarin listeners identify tones in accordance with their native tonal categories whereas Dutch listeners do so based on acoustic properties. In discrimination tasks, Dutch listeners outperform Mandarin listeners especially in tonal steps on the continuum falling within the Mandarin tonal category boundary, whereas Mandarin listeners display high sensitivity in discrimination of stimuli falling across the native boundary. The CP index analysis shows a higher degree of CP in Mandarin (categorical perception) than in Dutch (psycho-acoustic perception) listeners.
Corpus-based methods for Comparative Translation and Interpreting Studies
Authors: Calzada Pérez María
Published: June 2017

Comparative Translation and Interpreting Studies (CTIS1) encompasses all research processes resulting from the comparison of theories, products, and practices associated with the tasks performed by translators and interpreters during their work. A specific set of comparative methods and tools are derived from Corpus-based Translation and Interpreting Studies (CTIS2). In an attempt to conduct CTIS1 from a CTIS2 perspective, this article applies (modern diachronic) corpus-based ideas, such as priming theory and corpus tools, to build a comparative methodology and analysis with the European Comparable and Parallel Corpus (ECPC) archive. The article focuses on the notions of difference and similarity to better understand the field.
Globalization, translation, and cultural diversity
Authors: Brisset Annie , Godbout Marielle
Published: June 2017

The share of the economy related to translation activities is growing steadily under the influence of the globalization of exchanges. Today it numbers dozens of billions of which an increasing share belongs to machine translation. Various factors, such as migratory flows or the propagation of mobile telephony, prompt new translation practices in a variety of languages with simultaneous coverage enabled by networks. Nevertheless, is it true as we intuitively believe that translation promotes linguistic and cultural diversity? This article originates from a study conducted for UNESCO’s world report on cultural diversity (2009). This study notably reveals that 75% of all books are translated from three languages with 55% being from English. On a planetary scale, translation is dominated by some twenty languages, primarily European. In the new world economic order, the urgent and paradoxical task is to “rebabelize” the world.
Translation studies communities in Spain and South Korea
Authors: Wang Weili , Li Xiangdong
Published: June 2017

Translation Studies (TS), while being one academic discipline, may develop differently in different regions under the influence of sociocultural contextual factors. TS communities in different societies may have different research foci and standards. However, to date, there has been little empirical research into such regional variations. By piloting a cross-national comparative study of the TS communities in Spain and South Korea, this study aims to identify and map the research foci and standards of the two TS communities, describe and explain real or apparent differences and similarities between them, and ultimately enhance understanding and awareness of possible particularities in different TS communities. Scholarly articles published in 24 international, Spain-based and Korea-based TS journals were systematically analyzed. The contributions of Spain-based and Korea-based scholars were compared diachronically. Results suggest that the two TS communities have differences in research foci, methodology, and authorship, and that over time the differences seem to decrease, potentially attributed to context-specific factors of the two TS communities.
Translator training in Canada and Russia
Authors: Dmitrienko Gleb
Published: June 2017

The purpose of this paper is to shed some light onto contemporary translation didactics as a “virgin” field of applied TS that cannot be successfully developed without a new, multidisciplinary approach that would put forward the specificity of translator training as a distinct, socially valuable practice. We hypothesize that as socially-specific, practice-oriented products of the interaction between the systems of translation and of professional education, translator training programs are dependent on the social perception of translating activity as well as on the degree of its institutionalization as a profession. Given that contemporary translation and interpretation practices, as well as translator training programs, are limited to local manifestations, the social and cultural discrepancies impede any comparativism in this field of applied TS. However, in applying a sociological approach to translator training, we propose a methodological framework for a sociologically-informed comparative analysis that would lift the cultural and institutional barriers that until now have been distorting our vision of translation as a global social practice and have thus prevented us from conducting comparative analysis of a wide variety of translational phenomena as manifested in different locales, conceived in terms of both time and space. In order to illustrate our propositions, we present the reader with a case study of the most prototypical translator training programs in Canada and Russia – countries that, due to the differences in the theoretical, practical and didactic setup of their respective fields of translation and interpretation, offer appropriate support for our comparative methodology.
Kronos: a workflow assembler for genome analytics and informatics
Authors: Taghiyar M. Jafar , Rosner Jamie , Grewal Diljot , Grande Bruno M. , Aniba Radhouane , Grewal Jasleen , Boutros Paul C. , Morin Ryan D. , Bashashati Ali , Shah Sohrab P.
Published: June 2017

Background:

The field of next-generation sequencing informatics has matured to a point where algorithmic advances in sequence alignment and individual feature detection methods have stabilized. Practical and robust implementation of complex analytical workflows (where such tools are structured into “best practices” for automated analysis of next-generation sequencing datasets) still requires significant programming investment and expertise.

Results:

We present Kronos, a software platform for facilitating the development and execution of modular, auditable, and distributable bioinformatics workflows. Kronos obviates the need for explicit coding of workflows by compiling a text configuration file into executable Python applications. Making analysis modules would still require programming. The framework of each workflow includes a run manager to execute the encoded workflows locally (or on a cluster or cloud), parallelize tasks, and log all runtime events. The resulting workflows are highly modular and configurable by construction, facilitating flexible and extensible meta-applications that can be modified easily through configuration file editing. The workflows are fully encoded for ease of distribution and can be instantiated on external systems, a step toward reproducible research and comparative analyses. We introduce a framework for building Kronos components that function as shareable, modular nodes in Kronos workflows.

Conclusions:

The Kronos platform provides a standard framework for developers to implement custom tools, reuse existing tools, and contribute to the community at large. Kronos is shipped with both Docker and Amazon Web Services Machine Images. It is free, open source, and available through the Python Package Index and at https://github.com/jtaghiyar/kronos.
Comparative performance of the BGISEQ-500 vs Illumina HiSeq2500 sequencing platforms for palaeogenomic sequencing
Authors: Mak Sarah Siu Tze , Gopalakrishnan Shyam , Carøe Christian , Geng Chunyu , Liu Shanlin , Sinding Mikkel-Holger S , Kuderna Lukas F K , Zhang Wenwei , Fu Shujin , Vieira Filipe G , Germonpré Mietje , Bocherens Hervé , Fedorov Sergey , Petersen Bent , Sicheritz-Pontén Thomas , Marques-Bonet Tomas , Zhang Guojie , Jiang Hui , Gilbert M Thomas P
Published: June 2017

Ancient DNA research has been revolutionized following development of next-generation sequencing platforms. Although a number of such platforms have been applied to ancient DNA samples, the Illumina series are the dominant choice today, mainly because of high production capacities and short read production. Recently a potentially attractive alternative platform for palaeogenomic data generation has been developed, the BGISEQ-500, whose sequence output are comparable with the Illumina series. In this study, we modified the standard BGISEQ-500 library preparation specifically for use on degraded DNA, then directly compared the sequencing performance and data quality of the BGISEQ-500 to the Illumina HiSeq2500 platform on DNA extracted from 8 historic and ancient dog and wolf samples. The data generated were largely comparable between sequencing platforms, with no statistically significant difference observed for parameters including level (P = 0.371) and average sequence length (P = 0718) of endogenous nuclear DNA, sequence GC content (P = 0.311), double-stranded DNA damage rate (v. 0.309), and sequence clonality (P = 0.093). Small significant differences were found in single-strand DNA damage rate (ΔS; slightly lower for the BGISEQ-500, P = 0.011) and the background rate of difference from the reference genome (Θ; slightly higher for BGISEQ-500, P = 0.012). This may result from the differences in amplification cycles used to polymerase chain reaction–amplify the libraries. A significant difference was also observed in the mitochondrial DNA percentages recovered (P = 0.018), although we believe this is likely a stochastic effect relating to the extremely low levels of mitochondria that were sequenced from 3 of the samples with overall very low levels of endogenous DNA. Although we acknowledge that our analyses were limited to animal material, our observations suggest that the BGISEQ-500 holds the potential to represent a valid and potentially valuable alternative platform for palaeogenomic data generation that is worthy of future exploration by those interested in the sequencing and analysis of degraded DNA.
Two distinct metacommunities characterize the gut microbiota in Crohn's disease patients
Authors: He Qing , Gao Yuan , Jie Zhuye , Yu Xinlei , Laursen Janne Marie , Xiao Liang , Li Ying , Li Lingling , Zhang Faming , Feng Qiang , Li Xiaoping , Yu Jinghong , Liu Chuan , Lan Ping , Yan Ting , Liu Xin , Xu Xun , Yang Huanming , Wang Jian , Madsen Lise , Brix Susanne , Wang Jianping , Kristiansen Karsten , Jia Huijue
Published: June 2017

The inflammatory intestinal disorder Crohn's disease (CD) has become a health challenge worldwide. The gut microbiota closely interacts with the host immune system, but its functional impact in CD is unclear. Except for studies on a small number of CD patients, analyses of the gut microbiota in CD have used 16S rDNA amplicon sequencing. Here we employed metagenomic shotgun sequencing to provide a detailed characterization of the compositional and functional features of the CD microbiota, comprising also unannotated bacteria, and investigated its modulation by exclusive enteral nutrition. Based on signature taxa, CD microbiotas clustered into 2 distinct metacommunities, indicating individual variability in CD microbiome structure. Metacommunity-specific functional shifts in CD showed enrichment in producers of the pro-inflammatory hexa-acylated lipopolysaccharide variant and a reduction in the potential to synthesize short-chain fatty acids. Disruption of ecological networks was evident in CD, coupled with reduction in growth rates of many bacterial species. Short-term exclusive enteral nutrition elicited limited impact on the overall composition of the CD microbiota, although functional changes occurred following treatment. The microbiotas in CD patients can be stratified into 2 distinct metacommunities, with the most severely perturbed metacommunity exhibiting functional potentials that deviate markedly from that of the healthy individuals, with possible implication in relation to CD pathogenesis.
Business intelligence serious game participatory development: lessons from ERPsim for big data
Authors: Labonte-LeMoyne Elise , Leger Pierre-Majorique , Robert Jacques , Babin Gilbert , Charland Patrick , Michon Jean-François
Published: June 2017

Purpose

A major trend in enterprise resource planning software (ERP) is to embed business analytics tools within user-centered roles in enterprise software. This integration allows business users to get better and faster insight to action. As a consequence, it is imperative for business students to learn how to use these new tools to adequately prepare them for new expectations in the industry. The paper aims to discuss these issues.

Design/methodology/approach

In this paper, the authors propose a new serious game, called ERPsim for big data, to enable the learner to acquire abilities at each level of the business analytics learning taxonomy. To maximize the pedagogical impact of the game, participatory design (PD) with professors as co-designers was used during game development.

Findings

This case study presents the PD approach and analyses the efficacy of the proposed new simulation.

Originality/value

The authors conclude by providing recommendations and lessons learned from this approach.
COMFED: the new challenges of diversification
Authors: Dhir Sanjay , Dhir Swati
Published: June 2017

Subject area

COMFED, Bihar State Co-operative Milk Federation Ltd., which involved 6 lakh farmers across India in 2012, was a rural organisation established in 1983 as the implementing agency of Operation Flood programme of dairy development on “Anand” pattern in Bihar. In 1983, COMFED started with just 1,030 cooperatives, which had risen to 11,400 in 2012. Apart from B2C segment of milk and milk products in Bihar and Jharkhand, COMFED’s major revenue source was its B2B business where they sent bulk milk to Kolkata, Manesar and Delhi. They supplied to Amul and Mother Dairy, which were the biggest Indian cooperatives, and allowed them to use their own brand names. In 2012, Mrs Harjot Kaur, the Managing Director of COMFED, aspired to market COMFED products all over India under the “Sudha” brand, with special focus on National Capital Region region. Moreover, Mrs Kaur also wanted to expand COMFED’s geographical reach to other countries such as Bangladesh and Bhutan.

Study level/applicability

Strategic management, Diversification.

Case overview

Mrs Harjot Kaur was the Managing Director of Bihar State Co-operative Milk Federation (COMFED). COMFED is a rural organisation involving 6 lakh farmers. Starting with just 1,030 cooperatives in 1983, the number of cooperatives had risen to 11,400 in 2012. The milk production was 11 lakh litres per day, and the annual turnover in 2011-2012 was Rs 1,503.00 crore, 11 per cent more than that of previous year. Mrs Kaur was committed to serve COMFED customers and realise the dream of having at least one dish of Bihar in the plate of every Indian. Mrs Kaur envisaged COMFED producing 44 lakh litres milk per day from the existing 11 lakh litres per day, covering around 60 per cent villages of the state against the existing 33 per cent in 2013. COMFED was also trying to capture new markets. At present COMFED sent bulk milk to Delhi, Manesar and Kolkata, where it was sold by various dairy cooperatives such as Amul and Mother Dairy under their own brand names. Mrs Kaur aspired to market COMFED milk under the “Sudha” brand all over India. Moreover, Mrs Kaur was also looking to export to other countries such as Bangladesh and Bhutan. As Mrs Kaur was crafting the future path for COMFED, she also realised that above all the external challenges that exist, an internal vice – complacency – was the biggest hurdle her company had to face.

Expected learning outcomes

The case would be helpful for students to understand the concepts of competitive advantage, sustainable competitive advantage, industry structure, general environment, strategic positioning, diversification, internal analysis, external analysis and business level strategy in a strategic management course.

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.

Subject code

CSS 11: Strategy.
Gendered beliefs about glass ceiling in Egypt
Authors: Khedr Wessam
Published: June 2017

Purpose

This paper explores gendered beliefs about the Glass Ceiling (GC) using a new measure, the “Career Pathway Survey” CPS, in an under-researched country, Egypt.

Design/methodology/approach

Data were collected from 438 employees in Egypt. Participants completed the CPS and other demographic and work measures. The CPS tests four GC beliefs: denial, resilience, acceptance and resignation.

Findings

Factor analysis validated the configuration of the four factors of the CPS. Descriptive tests showed the female sample with resignation belief, whereas male sample views their females counterparts as resilient. The chi-squared test showed differences in beliefs with different age groups, education level, marital status, number of children, job contracts, job tenure and managerial levels. Moreover, there are evidences of more intensive GC barriers in male-dominant organizations.

Originality/value

This paper is the first to: re-validate the CPS measure, examine demographic and work factor roles and the CPS, test CPS on a male sample and analyse differences between male and female beliefs according to gender-dominated sectors.
Gender, effort-reward imbalance at work, and burnout
Authors: Devonish Dwayne
Published: June 2017

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to examine gender as a key moderator in the relationship between effort-reward imbalance (ERI) and burnout among employees in Caribbean workplaces.

Design/methodology/approach

Based on a survey sample of 323 employees in a small developing country in the Caribbean, this study tested the hypothesis that the stressor–strain relationship (captured by ERI and burnout) is stronger for women than for men.

Findings

The results revealed that the effect of high effort-low rewards (i.e. ERI) on burnout among females was significantly larger than its effect on burnout for males. In contrast, high effort-high rewards were significantly associated with higher burnout levels for males.

Research limitations/implications

The study used a cross-sectional approach using self-report measures of burnout, effort and rewards.

Practical implications

Management in organisations should ensure that male and female employees’ efforts and contributions at work are appropriately and fairly rewarded as a means of reducing negative effects of ERIs.

Originality/value

The study examined how gender moderated the adverse effects of a popular work-stress model on employee health in a developing country context.
The role of the gender diversity of audit committees in modelling the quality of management earnings forecasts of initial public offers in Malaysia
Authors: Ammer Mohammed Abdullah , Ahmad-Zaluki Nurwati A.
Published: June 2017

Purpose

Presently, one of the major governance issues faced by management and shareholders of organizations is the gender composition of the boards of directors and audit committees. This study aims to examine the impact of gender diversity in audit committees on the accuracy of management earnings forecasts disclosure in initial public offering (IPO) prospectuses.

Design/methodology/approach

The study sample comprises 190 Malaysian companies issuing IPOs that transformed into public companies during the period 2002-2012. Earnings forecasts accuracy (quality) is proxied by absolute forecast error and the study model is developed based on the frameworks of the signalling theory, the agency theory and the resource-dependence theory.

Findings

The study proposes that female directors introduce a set of specific features in the boardroom that serve to improve investor protection and efficient monitoring of management. However, findings reveal an insignificantly positive relationship between gender diversity in audit committees and absolute forecast error, which shows that more female directors in audit committees could translate into more errors and less accuracy in earnings forecasts.

Practical implications

Considering the recent regulatory developments that encourage the number of women on the board of directors, the findings obtained have significant implications for policymakers. The study findings can also be invaluable to investors, investment analysts, market players and researchers.

Originality/value

The composition of the board of directors and audit committees in terms of gender plays a significant role in the promotion of effective corporate governance practices. This study is one of the pioneering studies that examines the advantages of gender diversity in the board of directors. It is also the first study to extend IPO literature by investigating the role of gender diversity in audit committees in the enhancement of accurate management earnings forecasts included in the IPO prospectuses.
A mission of service: social entrepreneur as a servant leader
Authors: Petrovskaya Irina , Mirakyan Araksya
Published: June 2017

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to establish a conceptual link between the research domains of social entrepreneurship and servant leadership by exploring the proposition that social entrepreneurs may have specific leadership attributes that allow classifying them as servant leaders.

Design/methodology/approach

Five servant leadership attributes were identified based on the literature review: altruism, humility, integrity, trust in others and empathy. In an exploratory study, these attributes were examined in a sample of 78 Russian entrepreneurs.

Findings

Survey results indicate that social entrepreneurs indeed differ from traditional ones in four of the perceived servant leadership attributes: altruism, integrity, trust in others and empathy. However, no differences in humility between social and traditional entrepreneurs were found.

Research limitations/implications

The limitations of this study are the sample size and the sampling technique used (targeted and snowball sampling). Another limitation is the nature of the instrument used: servant leadership attributes were measured through a self-assessment questionnaire, making it susceptible to a social desirability bias. The study contributes toward setting a future research agenda for the further studies of both social entrepreneurship and servant leadership.

Originality/value

This paper introduces a conceptual connection between social entrepreneurship and servant leadership. No such study had been reported prior to this research.
Rural entrepreneurship and transformation: the role of learnerships
Authors: Koyana Siphokazi , Mason Roger B.
Published: June 2017

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to investigate the lessons that could be learnt from the first year of implementing the Wholesale and Retail Sector Education and Training Authority’s Rural Development Programme.

Design/methodology/approach

This exploratory, qualitative study involved unemployed people from a rural location in Mpumalanga Province, South Africa. A focus group and in-depth interviews were held with the current learners, the programme manager, the skills training providers, and the royal custodian of the locality.

Findings

While highlighting the factors that enhance success as well as those that impede development, the study found that the learnership contributed significantly to social transformation through rural entrepreneurship. It empowers disadvantaged women and youths to gain access and skills which, if the recommended measures to sustain the programme are implemented, could enable them to grow bigger businesses.

Research limitations/implications

Since this was an exploratory, qualitative study, the limitations of a small, convenience sample need to be overcome by a larger, quantitative study, and a more complete collection of accurate secondary data.

Originality/value

Despite the obvious limitations, this study has contributed to the literature on both rural entrepreneurship and transformation in South Africa. Both are under-researched topics, despite transformation being a socio-political imperative and entrepreneurship, especially in rural areas, being a key to overcoming South Africa’s high unemployment rate.
Reputation management and authenticity
Authors: Sisson Diana C. , Bowen Shannon A.
Published: June 2017

Purpose

Following a report released by the UK Parliament’s Public Accounts Committee, multinational corporations like Starbucks, Google, and Amazon found themselves in a firestorm of criticism for not paying or paying minimal taxes after earning significant profits in the UK for the past three years. Allegations of tax evasion led to a serious crisis for Starbucks in the UK, which played out in a public forum via social media. The researchers explored whether Starbucks’ corporate ethics insulated its reputation from negative media coverage of alleged tax evasion evidenced in its “hijacked” social media “#spreadthecheer” campaign. The paper aims to discuss these issues.

Design/methodology/approach

Using an exploratory case study analysis of news articles, Starbucks’ annual reports, #spreadthecheer Tweets, and David Michelli’s The Starbucks Experience, data collection helped to inform the discussion of authenticity and whether it helped to insulate Starbucks’ reputation during its crisis in the UK.

Findings

Authenticity is key when organizations face a turbulent environment and active publics and stakeholder groups. Findings from this study also suggested proactive reputation management strategies and tactics, grounded in the organization’s corporate culture and transparency, could have diffused some of the uproar from its key publics.

Originality/value

Authentic corporate cultures should align with corporate business practices in order to reduce the potential for crises to occur. It is possible that ethical core values and a strong organizational approach to ethics help to insulate its reputation among publics during a crisis.
Trimming the social body
Authors: Krause-Jensen Jakob
Published: June 2017

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to analyse through ethnographic fieldwork the social and cultural context and (unintended) consequences of introducing a management concept from the private sector (LEAN) into the public sector.

Design/methodology/approach

Ethnographic fieldwork combined with reading of reports and material.

Findings

The major findings are: first, Lean is seen in a cultural context, it is argued that the persuasiveness of Lean depends on building a metaphorical connection between organizational aims and individual experiences and bodily ideals; second, Lean purports to be a win-win game and road to eliminating “waste” through worker participation, empowerment and enthusiasm. The research points to the contrary. Lean was met with scepticism and was seen by the social workers as a waste of time.

Originality/value

As demonstrated in the paper, the vast majority of research published about Lean is hortatory in nature. It is recipe books trying to convince readers of the benefits of introducing Lean. This paper, on the contrary, attempts an open ethnographic exploration of the Lean process and its social and cultural ramifications.
How did I become an abductive ethnographer? Reflections on a research journey
Authors: Le Trividic Harrache Lila
Published: June 2017

Purpose

Drawing on part of a French doctorate research journey, the purpose of this paper is to illustrate how an initial research design gets to be questioned and deconstructed when confronted to fieldwork.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper reflects on the second year of the doctoral project when the theoretical research object that had been built during the first year was confronted to fieldwork, driving the author to reshape the initial research question.

Findings

The paper explains how doing ethnographic work helped the author to deconstruct the author’s own theoretical and epistemological assumptions. The author started to investigate on the uses of pupils’ “mental suffering” in French upper secondary schools and administration in order to understand the labelling process. The author explains how fieldwork, writing and peer-reviewing made the author realise that the author was not focussing on the appropriate categories. Throughout the reflection, the paper highlights the epistemological shift that this journey reveals.

Originality/value

This paper aims to contribute to methodological debates scrutinising the black box of the research process. It aims to be helpful to those experiencing for the first time the chaos of reformulating the research object.
Characterization and Differentiation of Geometric Isomers of 3‐methylfentanyl Analogs by Gas Chromatography/Mass Spectrometry, Liquid Chromatography/Mass Spectrometry, and Nuclear Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy
Authors: Kanamori Tatsuyuki , Iwata Yuko T. , Segawa Hiroki , Yamamuro Tadashi , Kuwayama Kenji , Tsujikawa Kenji , Inoue Hiroyuki
Published: June 2017

The cis and trans isomers of 3‐methylfentanyl and its three analogs were chemically synthesized, and these compounds were characterized and differentiated by gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (GC/MS), liquid chromatography/mass spectrometry (LC/MS), and nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy. The cis and trans isomers of the 3‐methylfentanyl analogs were completely separated by GC/MS. Although the high temperature of the GC injection port caused thermal degradation of β‐hydroxy‐3‐methylfentanyl, the degradation was completely suppressed by trimethylsilyl derivatization. The isomers were also well separated by LC/MS on an octadecylsilyl column with 10 mM ammonium acetate and methanol as the mobile phase. The proton NMR signals were split when the hydrochloride salts of the 3‐methylfentanyl analogs were dissolved in deuterated chloroform because stereoisomers were formed by the coordination of the hydrochloride proton to the nitrogen of the piperidine ring of the 3‐methylfentanyl analogs.
A Hydrologic Drying Bias in Water‐Resource Impact Analyses of Anthropogenic Climate Change
Authors: Milly P.C.D. , Dunne Krista A.
Published: June 2017

For water‐resource planning, sensitivity of freshwater availability to anthropogenic climate change (ACC) often is analyzed with “offline” hydrologic models that use precipitation and potential evapotranspiration (Ep) as inputs. Because Ep is not a climate‐model output, an intermediary model of Ep must be introduced to connect the climate model to the hydrologic model. Several Ep methods are used. The suitability of each can be assessed by noting a credible Ep method for offline analyses should be able to reproduce climate models’ ACC‐driven changes in actual evapotranspiration in regions and seasons of negligible water stress (Ew). We quantified this ability for seven commonly used Ep methods and for a simple proportionality with available energy (“energy‐only” method). With the exception of the energy‐only method, all methods tend to overestimate substantially the increase in Ep associated with ACC. In an offline hydrologic model, the Ep‐change biases produce excessive increases in actual evapotranspiration (E), whether the system experiences water stress or not, and thence strong negative biases in runoff change, as compared to hydrologic fluxes in the driving climate models. The runoff biases are comparable in magnitude to the ACC‐induced runoff changes themselves. These results suggest future hydrologic drying (wetting) trends likely are being systematically and substantially overestimated (underestimated) in many water‐resource impact analyses.