bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Off-state electrical breakdown of AlGaN/GaN/Ga(Al)N HEMT heterostructure grown on Si(111)
Authors: Li Shuiming , Zhou Yu , Gao Hongwei , Dai Shujun , Yu Guohao , Sun Qian , Cai Yong , Zhang Baoshun , Liu Sheng , Yang Hui
Published: March 2016

Electrical breakdown characteristics of AlxGa1−xN buffer layers grown on Si(111) are investigated by varying the carbon concentration ([C]: from ∼1016 to 1019 cm−3), Al-composition (x = 0 and 7%), and buffer thickness (from 1.6 to 3.1 μm). A quantitative relationship between the growth conditions and carbon concentration ([C]) is established, which can guide to grow the Ga(Al)N layer with a given [C]. It is found that the carbon incorporation is sensitive to the growth temperature (T) (exponential relationship between [C] and 1/T) and the improvement of breakdown voltage by increasing [C] is observed to be limited when [C] exceeding 1019 cm−3, which is likely due to carbon self-compensation. By increasing the highly resistive (HR) Al0.07Ga0.93N buffer thickness from 1.6 to 3.1 μm, the leakage current is greatly reduced down to 1 μA/mm at a bias voltage of 1000 V.
A comprehensive simulation model of the performance of photochromic films in absorbance-modulation-optical-lithography
Authors: Majumder Apratim , Helms Phillip L. , Andrew Trisha L. , Menon Rajesh
Published: March 2016

Optical lithography is the most prevalent method of fabricating micro-and nano-scale structures in the semiconductor industry due to the fact that patterning using photons is fast, accurate and provides high throughput. However, the resolution of this technique is inherently limited by the physical phenomenon of diffraction. Absorbance-Modulation-Optical Lithography (AMOL), a recently developed technique has been successfully demonstrated to be able to circumvent this diffraction limit. AMOL employs a dual-wavelength exposure system in conjunction with spectrally selective reversible photo-transitions in thin films of photochromic molecules to achieve patterning of features with sizes beyond the far-field diffraction limit. We have developed a finite-element-method based full-electromagnetic-wave solution model that simulates the photo-chemical processes that occur within the thin film of the photochromic molecules under illumination by the exposure and confining wavelengths in AMOL. This model allows us to understand how the material characteristics influence the confinement to sub-diffraction dimensions, of the transmitted point spread function (PSF) of the exposure wavelength inside the recording medium. The model reported here provides the most comprehensive analysis of the AMOL process to-date, and the results show that the most important factors that govern the process, are the polarization of the two beams, the ratio of the intensities of the two wavelengths, the relative absorption coefficients and the concentration of the photochromic species, the thickness of the photochromic layer and the quantum yields of the photoreactions at the two wavelengths. The aim of this work is to elucidate the requirements of AMOL in successfully circumventing the far-field diffraction limit.
Angle-dependent bandgap engineering in gated graphene superlattices
Authors: García-Cervantes H. , Gaggero-Sager L. M. , Sotolongo-Costa O. , Naumis G. G. , Rodríguez-Vargas I.
Published: March 2016

Graphene Superlattices (GSs) have attracted a lot of attention due to its peculiar properties as well as its possible technological implications. Among these characteristics we can mention: the extra Dirac points in the dispersion relation and the highly anisotropic propagation of the charge carriers. However, despite the intense research that is carried out in GSs, so far there is no report about the angular dependence of the Transmission Gap (TG) in GSs. Here, we report the dependence of TG as a function of the angle of the incident Dirac electrons in a rather simple Electrostatic GS (EGS). Our results show that the angular dependence of the TG is intricate, since for moderated angles the dependence is parabolic, while for large angles an exponential dependence is registered. We also find that the TG can be modulated from meV to eV, by changing the structural parameters of the GS. These characteristics open the possibility for an angle-dependent bandgap engineering in graphene.
Random free energy barrier hopping model for ac conduction in chalcogenide glasses
Authors: Murti Ram , Tripathi S. K. , Goyal Navdeep , Prakash Satya
Published: March 2016

The random free energy barrier hopping model is proposed to explain the ac conductivity (σac) of chalcogenide glasses. The Coulomb correlation is consistently accounted for in the polarizability and defect distribution functions and the relaxation time is augmented to include the overlapping of hopping particle wave functions. It is observed that ac and dc conduction in chalcogenides are due to same mechanism and Meyer-Neldel (MN) rule is the consequence of temperature dependence of hopping barriers. The exponential parameter s is calculated and it is found that s is subjected to sample preparation and measurement conditions and its value can be less than or greater than one. The calculated results for a − Se, As2S3, As2Se3 and As2Te3 are found in close agreement with the experimental data. The bipolaron and single polaron hopping contributions dominates at lower and higher temperatures respectively and in addition to high energy optical phonons, low energy optical and high energy acoustic phonons also contribute to the hopping process. The variations of hopping distance with temperature is also studied. The estimated defect number density and static barrier heights are compared with other existing calculations.
Magnetostrictive behaviors of Fe-Al(001) single-crystal films under rotating magnetic fields
Authors: Kawai Tetsuroh , Abe Tatsuya , Ohtake Mitsuru , Futamoto Masaaki
Published: March 2016

Magnetostrictive behaviors of Fe100−x − Alx(x = 0 − 30 at.%)(001) single-crystal films under rotating magnetic fields are investigated along the two different crystallographic orientations, [100] and [110]. The behaviors of Fe and Fe90Al10 films show bath-tub like waveform along [100], easy magnetization axis, and triangular waveform along [110], hard magnetization axis, with respect to their four-fold magnetic anisotropy. On the other hand, the behaviors of Fe80Al20 film are different from those of Fe or Fe90Al10 film. The output of the film along [100] shows a strong magnetic field dependence. The Fe70Al30 film shows similar magnetostrictive behaviors along both [100] and [110] reflecting its magnetic properties, which are almost same for the both directions. The growth of ordered phase (B2) in Fe80Al20 and Fe70Al30 films is considered to have affected their magnetostrictive behaviors. The Al content dependence on λ100 and λ111 values shows similar tendency to that reported for the bulk samples but the values are slightly different. The Fe90Al10(001) single-crystal film shows a large magnetostriction along [100] under a very small magnetic field of 0.02 kOe, which is comparable to the saturated one, and changes the value abruptly in relation to the angle of applied magnetic field.
Effect of roughness on perpendicular magnetic anisotropy in (Co90Fe10/Pt)n superlattices
Authors: Qiu Jinjun , Meng Zhaoliang , Yang Yi , Ying Ji Feng , Yap Qi Jia , Han Guchang
Published: March 2016

Superlattice [Co90Fe10(0.21)/Pt(0.23)]n (unit in nm) with the repeat cycles n ranging from 3 to 30 were studied. Both effective anisotropy (Keff) and PMA constant (KU) reached a maximum at n=8. When the 3 nm Pt underlayer was deposited at low energy condition, the Keff and KU of (CoFe/Pt)8 are 4.0 and 6.1 Merg/cc, respectively. On the other hand, the Keff and KU increased to 6.8 and 9.7 Merg/cc, respectively, when the Pt underlayer deposited at high energy condition. As the n increases, the surface roughness monotonously increases and d111 inside the superlattice layers increase and relax from bottom to top part. The interface roughness and relaxation in superlattice reduce the PMA considerably.
Fabrication and characterization of magnetically tunable metal-semiconductor schottky diode using barium hexaferrite thin film on gold
Authors: Kaur Jotinder , Sharma Vinay , Sharma Vipul , Veerakumar V. , Kuanr Bijoy K.
Published: March 2016

Barium Hexaferrite (BaM) is an extensively studied magnetic material due to its potential device application. In this paper, we study Schottky junction diodes fabricated using gold and BaM and demonstrate the function of a spintronic device. Gold (50 nm)/silicon substrate was used to grow the BaM thin films (100-150 nm) using pulsed laser deposition. I-V characteristics were measured on the Au/BaM structure sweeping the voltage from ±5 volts. The forward and reverse bias current-voltage curves show diode like rectifying characteristics. The threshold voltage decreases while the output current increases with increase in the applied external magnetic field showing that the I-V characteristics of the BaM based Schottky junction diodes can be tuned by external magnetic field. It is also demonstrated that, the fabricated Schottky diode can be used as a half-wave rectifier, which could operate at high frequencies in the range of 1 MHz compared to the regular p-n junction diodes, which rectify below 10 kHz. In addition, it is found that above 1 MHz, Au/BaM diode can work as a rectifier as well as a capacitor filter, making the average (dc) voltage much larger.
A Novel Self-Assembled Hierarchical-Structured Catalyst for the Diffusion of Macromolecules
Authors: Ding Wei , Wang Dingcong , Zhao Dezhi , Ke Ming
Published: March 2016

A novel self-assembled catalyst, FA-Z30, possessing a mesoporous/macroporous structure is prepared and applied to FCC diesel hydrodesulfurization (HDS). The catalyst has 54 % of the total pore volume lying within 30–60 nm pores, greater than 26 % of the continuous phase. This indicates interconnected pores. N2 adsorption data show a bimodal structure with pores ranging between 30–60 nm and <10 nm. Textural properties of the catalyst show that the pore volume is 0.78 cm g–1 having a specific surface area of 181 m2 g–1 with a most probable pore diameter of 20 nm. The catalyst possesses a low active metal concentration of ~154.9 g L–1 per unit volume and a low bulk density of ~0.50 g cm–3. X-Ray diffraction, high resolution transmission electron microscopy, and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy show improved active metal dispersion with an average MoS2 layered slab number of 3–7, having lengths ranging from 5 to 10 nm. Molybdenum sulfide sulfidity at 75 % is higher than the commercial catalyst, FCB, at 62 %. The activity and stability of HDS and hydrodenitrification (HDN) are improved, as is aromatics saturation (HDAr) reflected by limited coke formation. Average conversion rates of HDS, HDN, and HDAr are 95, 97, and 67 % at 100 h on stream for FA-Z30, respectively, and their respective rates of 6.1, 6.3, and 4.3 % per unit volume of active metal is twice that of the commercial catalyst. The low bulk density of FA-Z30 improves the utilization rate and relative activity of the active metals. FA-Z30 is a promising catalyst for FCC diesel hydrogenation.
Stylistic variation in the intonation of European Portuguese teenagers and adults
Authors: Mata Ana Isabel , Moniz Helena , Batista Fernando
Published: March 2016

The present study aims to investigate intonation contours in phrase-final position, in a corpus of spontaneous and prepared unscripted presentations from teenagers (14–15 years old) and adults, collected in a school context. Taking into account the differences between phrasing levels (ToBI breaks 3 and 4), we show that the frequency of low/falling vs. high/rising contours – mainly (H+)L L and (L+)H H – varies across oral presentation types. Adults and teenagers follow distinct strategies, though cross-gender differences are also a source of variation. We interpret these changes as an adaptation effect to the speaking styles specifically required at school, which call for the speaker′s effort to speak clearly and to keep the listeners attention, and ultimately as “intelligibility-oriented” speaking style changes.
The Relation between Prosody and Syntax: The case of different types of Left-Dislocations in Spanish
Authors: Feldhausen Ingo
Published: March 2016

This paper sheds new light on the validity of claims in the syntactic literature concerning the prosody of (a) hanging topic left-dislocations (HTLDs), (b) clitic left-dislocations (CLLDs) and (c) left-dislocations without a resumptive pronoun in Spanish. It is typically assumed that HTLDs but not CLLDs are obligatorily marked by a pause. However, the results of a production experiment show that these constructions have similar intonational patterns. LDs are tonally realized by a rising nuclear configuration and may be followed by a pause (more often in HTLDs than in the other constructions, however). A sharp contrast exists between HTLDs in interrogatives and declaratives; only the former are obligatorily realized with a pause and may have a low edge tone.
Pejoration, normalcy conceptions and generic sentences
Authors: d’Avis Franz
Published: March 2016

Pejorative statements are often based on generic sentences. But what makes generic sentences so suitable for expressing pejoration? This article discusses the relevant properties of generics and their relation to a speaker’s normalcy conceptions (NC), i.e. to what a speaker considers to be normal w.r.t. to the world. What NC and generic sentences have in common is that they allow exceptions. This property is exploited when we use generic sentences for pejoration. In a pejorative statement, the basic pattern – which is indifferent to content – is filled with negative content and we arrive at our negative prejudices, typically expressed by generic sentences.
Pejoration in contact
Authors: Wiese Heike , Polat Nilgin Tanis
Published: March 2016

This paper analyses examples of pejoration in the dynamic multilinguals setting of urban German, and their possible Turkish sources. The focus of our investigation is on pejorative functions of m-reduplication (“Cola Mola”). In addition, we discuss usages of “Scherz”/“Spaß” ‘joke, fun’ in urban German, as well as their Turkish counterpart “şaka”, as markers that cancels the performative force of a preceding utterance and can thus bring about depejoration, the cancellation of initial pejoration. We show that the pejoration involved in our examples is pattern-based rather than linked to individual evaluative elements, and account for this as “constructional pejoration”. Interestingly, the patterns we find here are not exclusively pejorative, but can also support such concepts as amplification, ‘coolness’, and ludic aspects, putting a spotlight on links between pejoration and other cognitive domains. We model these links in a network of systematic conceptual relationships and pragmatic inferences.
Pejoratives in Korean
Authors: Koo Hyun Jung , Rhee Seongha
Published: March 2016

This paper analyzes the patterns of pejoration-marking in Korean. The speaker’s pejorative attitude is realized as diverse morpho-syntactic devices (Koo 2004). The most common devices of pejoration-marking fall under the following six categories classified according to the semantics of the source lexemes and constructions: (i) topographical periphery, (ii) insignificance, (iii) lack of sophistication, (iv) undesirable events/actions/postures, (v) feigned repetition, and (vi) lack of specification. Grammatical categories of these markers encompass prefixes, suffixes, particles, auxiliary verbs, and discourse markers. Of particular interest is the fact that their grammaticalization processes involved diverse conceptual motivations such as metaphor, discursive strategies such as the use of pseudo-quotatives, and socio-cultural motivation involving different uses of linguistic forms depending on the relative statuses of the discourse participants.
Pejorative aspects attributed to hearing people in signed constructed dialogue
Authors: Fischer Renate , Kollien Simon
Published: March 2016

The article presents a study on iconic elements of pejorative discourse in German Sign Language when signers construct hearing people’s interactive behavior towards deaf people. The focus is on a typology of constructed dialogue with special emphasis on code-switching.
From butchers and surgeons to the linguistic method
Authors: Bernárdez Enrique
Published: March 2016

The study of metaphors and blends deals frequently with isolated, acontextualised examples from the English language. Through them certain cognitive processes are said to be identified and such processes are allegedly of universal value and characteristic of the human mind at large. This chapter first examines a well-known metaphor or blend, This surgeon is a butcher! and argues that the analyses based on “solipsistic” individual cases are principally incorrect. A brief review of the need to take into account the aspects left out in mainstream Cognitive Linguistics leads to the identification of a number of methodological flaws in the standard procedures and to the necessary changes to be made.
Chapter 2. Children’s cognitive development after adoption
Authors: Finet Chlöe , Vermeer Harriet J. , Juffer Femmie , Bosmans Guy , Bijttebier Patricia
Published: March 2016

This chapter provides an overview of research on the cognitive development of adopted children, focusing on IQ scores, school achievement and executive functioning. Because of the deprivation many adoptees experience prior to adoption, it might be expected that their cognitive development is at higher risk compared to non-adopted children. However, the question arises whether children who experience a more nurturing and more stimulating environment after early deprivation show a catch-up in development. In this chapter, research on three different types of ‘atypical’ rearing conditions is discussed, that is institutional care, foster care and adoptive families. We first present the results of longitudinal studies, or ‘natural’ experiments, in which the development of internationally adopted children is studied over several years. Second, we discuss outcomes of an experimental study (the Bucharest Early Intervention Project), that studied the effects of placement in foster care on children’s development. Finally, a series of meta-analyses (comparing adoptees with their environmental peers and with peers who were left behind) is presented in which the effects of adoption on cognitive development are examined. In sum, the studies reported in this chapter provide support for the notion that adoption is a positive intervention fostering the cognitive development of adoptees.
Jim Kadonaga: Exploring transcription and chromatin
Authors: Sedwick Caitlin
Published: March 2016

Kadonaga studies the RNA polymerase II core promoter and chromatin assembly.
Old knowledge and new technologies allow rapid development of model organisms
Authors: Cook Charles E. , Chenevert Janet , Larsson Tomas A. , Arendt Detlev , Houliston Evelyn , Lénárt Péter
Published: March 2016

Until recently the set of “model” species used commonly for cell biology was limited to a small number of well-understood organisms, and developing a new model was prohibitively expensive or time-consuming. With the current rapid advances in technology, in particular low-cost high-throughput sequencing, it is now possible to develop molecular resources fairly rapidly. Wider sampling of biological diversity can only accelerate progress in addressing cellular mechanisms and shed light on how they are adapted to varied physiological contexts. Here we illustrate how historical knowledge and new technologies can reveal the potential of nonconventional organisms, and we suggest guidelines for selecting new experimental models. We also present examples of nonstandard marine metazoan model species that have made important contributions to our understanding of biological processes.
Monoclinic sphere packings. I. Invariant, univariant and bivariant lattice complexes
Authors: Sowa Heidrun , Fischer Werner
Published: March 2016

All homogeneous sphere packings were derived that refer to the two invariant, the four univariant and the three bivariant lattice complexes belonging to the monoclinic crystal system. In total, sphere packings of 29 types have been found. Only for five types is the maximal inherent symmetry of their sphere packings monoclinic whereas the inherent symmetry is orthorhombic for nine types, tetragonal for five types, hexagonal for six types and cubic for four types.
Exploring decision making style as a predictor of team effectiveness
Authors: Verma Neha , Rangnekar Santosh N , Barua Mukesh Kumar
Published: March 2016

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to perform organizational team effectiveness analysis and to find out whether decision-making style (DMS) has any association with team effectiveness. Which style most significantly affects the team effectiveness and how this predictive association can be used to improve existing teams as well as to build new effective teams?

Design/methodology/approach

– The sample includes 231 sample responses of executives from Indian Manufacturing Organizations from both public and private sectors. Two standardized questionnaires are used for data collection. Mainly, SPSS v20.0 was used for data analysis and hypotheses testing. AMOS v20.0 was used for testing the research model based on the supported hypotheses.

Findings

– Rational DMS is mostly endorsed by the Indian executives. Not all DMSs but rational and avoidant styles independently and interactively are the significant predictors of team effectiveness.

Research limitations/implications

– The survey method of data collection, cross-sectional research design and consideration of particular DMSs and team effectiveness frameworks are the main limitations of this study. Theoretical as well as practical implications are vested in the results.

Practical implications

– The study bears significant practical implications for the respondents, practitioners, professionals and academicians in the field of team working. Management development and training activities may be directed based on the findings.

Social implications

– The study suggests socially acceptable and practicable decision-making behaviors in organizations. It highlights suggestions for improving team effectiveness (TE). Hence, certain social implications are also there.

Originality/value

– The edge in this research over the previous studies is that earlier scholars, who examined member traits’ impact on TE, did not considered DMS as a predictor of TE. Certain researchers appealed for diagnosing the standard variable to measure the member style. This research is, therefore, unique in its kind as it is a pioneering effort to study the DMS in relation to team effectiveness. The focus on sample of Indian manufacturing executives also bears importance. Moreover, unlike other researches, it focuses on DMS rather than the decision-making process itself.
Public private partnerships and value creation: the role of relationship dynamics
Authors: Panda Debadutta Kumar
Published: March 2016

Purpose

– The purpose of this study is to investigate on what is value and value creation in Public–private partnerships (PPPs)? How coordination and trust among project partners is created in PPPs? In which way coordination and trust among project partners are related to organizational governance and success? How risk management is related to the success or failure of PPP project implementation? How organizational attributes can influence the PPP project implementation?

Design/methodology/approach

– This study was conducted using qualitative research method. In all, 3 Indian PPPs were selected in the first phase, and then, 26 respondents were randomly chosen from the selected PPPs. One-to-one personal discussion was conducted with each respondents using predetermined set of questions. The responses were transcribed, and similar ideas were clustered together across the thematic research questions and themes. Subsequently, interlinking of themes and ideas was done through inductive reasoning and represented in the form of a causal relationship.

Findings

– The study found that the importance of trust and confidence among project partners; organizational attributes (system, structure and style, process) of partner organizations; and the risk reduction and control in the PPP project company have influenced the relationship dynamics among project partners.

Originality/value

– This study encourages future researchers to empirically test the possibility of existence of mediating and moderating effects in the link between value creation and contract management in PPPs. A structural framework was derived, which is expected to provide momentum for theoretical exploration and empirical verification.
Is it social marketing? The benchmarks meet the social marketing indicator
Authors: Wettstein Dominic , Suggs L. Suzanne
Published: March 2016

Purpose

– This paper aims to describe the comparison of two tools in assessing social marketing campaigns.

Design/methodology/approach

– Using data collected from the campaign planners of 31 alcohol misuse prevention campaigns, two tools were compared; the Social Marketing Indicator (SMI) and Andreasen’s Benchmark Criteria.

Findings

– In the case of the benchmarks, 26 per cent of the campaigns fulfilled four or more criteria and no criterion was fulfilled by more than 70 per cent. The main differences between current practices and social marketing are the often-missing segmentation and an explicit exchange. The SMI found a lower degree of resemblance between current practices and social marketing. In this case, the major differences lie in the use of behavioral theory and the absence of an exchange.

Research limitations/implications

– The SMI allows a more precise description of an intervention. This represents an advantage, as a campaign’s resemblance to social marketing can be reported by directly pointing out the process steps that make the difference. This is important for understanding the research evidence base in social marketing.

Practical implications

– Although the benchmark criteria are based on a conceptual approach, the SMI is built around a core procedure. The SMI can thus help program planners from the onset of a project to make sure they do social marketing as it is defined.

Originality/value

– This is the first empirical test comparing a new tool against the well-established, frequently critiqued, Benchmark Criteria, in gauging “social marketing” practice in health campaigns.
Instilling affective commitment: insights on what makes knowledge workers want to stay
Authors: Jayasingam Sharmila , Govindasamy Muhiniswari , Garib Singh Sharan Kaur
Published: March 2016

Purpose

– This study aims to examine factors that may influence affective organizational commitment among knowledge workers. The five final factors considered in this study include knowledge-sharing culture, autonomy, workplace value identity, promotion practices and, finally, management support. Gender was included as the moderator for the aforementioned relationships.

Design/methodology/approach

– A sample of 522 knowledge workers from manufacturing, retail and service sector anonymously completed a structured questionnaire that included measures of the variables of this study. Hierarchical regression was used to test the hypotheses.

Findings

– The findings provide evidence on the possible factors that organizations need to focus on and improvise to ensure the “want to remain in the organization” sentiment is enhanced among knowledge workers. Workplace value identity and knowledge-sharing culture were identified as the pertinent factors in influencing affective commitment. Gender was found to moderate the relationship between unfair promotion practice, knowledge-sharing culture and affective commitment.

Research limitations/implications

– One obvious limitation is that the sample of this study is sourced from a pool of knowledge workers. This limits our ability to conduct a comparative analysis with non-knowledge workers. Hence, future research could expand the model of this study to compare these relationships among knowledge and non-knowledge worker.

Practical implications

– Understanding the impact of these factors in a knowledge-based context helps firms prioritize and focus on important factors that can improve the level of affective commitment among knowledge workers. Doing so facilitates knowledge retention and prevents loss of knowledge.

Originality/value

– From a knowledge-based view, this paper identified factors that play an important role in retaining knowledge workers through enhanced affective commitment. With the changing workforce, the findings of this study show how knowledge-sharing culture and achievement orientation dominate affective commitment in a knowledge-based context.
Development of a financial literacy model for university students
Authors: Potrich Ani Caroline Grigion , Vieira Kelmara Mendes , Mendes-Da-Silva Wesley
Published: March 2016

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to build and compare models that assess university students’ financial literacy. Financial literacy, understood as the mastery of a set of knowledge, attitudes and behaviors, has assumed a fundamental role in allowing and enabling people to make responsible decisions as they strive to attain financial wellbeing. To this end, models that integrate financial knowledge, behavior and attitude are integrated. The models are subsequently estimated, and many comparative tests are performed.

Design/methodology/approach

– The study investigated a random sample of 534 university students attending public and private universities in southern Brazil. The choice of scale was based on consideration of the best adjustment for the Brazilian context, appropriate translation and content validation. For an analysis of the collected data, structural equation modeling was employed using two strategies.

Findings

– The findings indicate that, in the model estimation stage, the scales for behavior and attitude have been reduced. Among all of the models estimated, the best adjusted model indicates that financial knowledge and financial attitude have positive impacts on financial behavior.

Research limitations/implications

– The results are not generalizable to the wider population; to enable such generalization, different profiles should be researched using a larger sample. In practical terms, the financial behavior of Brazilian university students expresses the ability to establish long-term aims and saving aimed at future acquisitions and unexpected spending. This behavior is directly influenced by basic and advanced questions of financial knowledge and also by the importance attributed to attitude by establishing aims, control of spending and financial reserves.

Originality/value

– This paper describes a pioneer study with respect to modeling financial literacy in Brazil. This topic can be improved as the need for rigorous evaluation of financial literacy grows at the same speed as the creation of more complex financial products.
User difficulties working with a business classification scheme: a case study
Authors: Ifould Peta , Joseph Pauline
Published: March 2016

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to provide a unique perspective into user difficulties working with the functional business classification scheme (BCS) to register, search and retrieve corporate information at the Western Australia Police (WA Police).

Design/methodology/approach

– This paper is a single case study. Questionnaire and interview data were collected and analysed from a sample of ten EDRMS users on their perspectives of working with the BCS. An interpretive analysis methodology was used, and inductive reasoning was used for thematic analysis and sense making of the textual data from the transcripts.

Findings

– Although the research participants were confident working with the BCS, they reported difficulties finding an appropriate folder that matched the information to be classified and deciding where to file the information. Participants reported that the design and structure of the BCS and training were identified as areas needing improvement.

Research limitations/implications

– Paradigm shifts in the record-keeping role from the professional to the user may have some bearing on the difficulties users face when dealing with their record-keeping responsibilities. The participants provided comments and suggestions for how to make the BCS more user-friendly, more meaningful and more aligned to the business processes of the users that are practicable and workable solutions for the records professionals to implement.

Practical implications

– This paper provides a unique user perspective of a BCS, their difficulties working with it and how these difficulties can be resolved in a government organisation.

Originality/value

– This paper provides a unique user perspective of a BCS, their difficulties working with it and how these difficulties can be resolved in a government organisation.
Examining factors affecting the adoption and usage of document workflow management system (DWMS) using the UTAUT model
Authors: Mosweu Olefhile , Bwalya Kelvin , Mutshewa Athulang
Published: March 2016

Purpose

– Public sector organisations in the developing world contexts have hugely invested in procuring information management systems such as the electronic document and records management system (EDRMS). The procurement and implementation of these systems come at a huge cost to taxpayers. Unfortunately, most of these systems remain white elephants due to reluctance by the anticipated users to adopt and use them in their information management endeavours. This study aims to understand Action Officers’ perceptions of, adoption and/or usage of the document workflow management system (DWMS) at the Ministry of Trade and Industry in Botswana. The DWMS is one type of EDRMS.

Design/methodology/approach

– The survey uses a questionnaire distributed in Gaborone, Botswana to gather data on the perceptions of anticipated users of the DWMS. The study used a modified form of UTAUT as a theoretical lens to explore user’s perception on the adoption and use of DWMS at the Ministry of Trade and Industry, Botswana. The population of the study was 68. A total of 53 (86.89 per cent) out of 61 users of DWMS were purposively sampled and responded to the questionnaire. The rest took part in interviews.

Findings

– Negative attitudes to computers, computer anxiety, the complexity of DWMS and its incompatibility to current working practices influences Action and Records Officers’ unwillingness to adopt and use the DWMS.

Research limitations/implications

– This study was limited to the Ministry of Trade and Industry (MTI)’s Department of Corporate Services, so its findings cannot be statistically generalized to the MTI as a whole. Another limitation relates to the secretive nature of staff in some government departments which lead them to provide partial information related to the study. Finally, the additional technology adoption factors discovered from interviews (i.e. computer anxiety, incompatibility of DWMS to current work practices, negative attitudes to system use and complexity of the system) have not been empirically tested to ascertain their validity. This provides an opportunity for a future study to empirically test the said additional factors.

Practical implications

– To mitigate the lower DWMS adoption and usage, robust change management and communication were identified as some of the critical factors that should be considered. The identified factors may be used in drafting a model to aid the implementation of DWMS in Botswana or in a contextually similar environment in the developing world.

Originality/value

– This study provides empirical evidence from an original study.
Procurement records compliance, effective risk management and records management performance
Authors: Tumuhairwe Ronald , Ahimbisibwe Arthur
Published: March 2016

Purpose

– Procurement records are critical for the effective execution of the procurement process and have been applied as tools to measure compliance and performance of Public Procuring and Disposing Entities (PDEs) by the regulating authority in Uganda – the Public Procurement and Disposal of Assets Authority (PPDA). However, the state of records in various Ugandan PDEs depicts poor records management. This situation has adversely affected the effective creation, usage and storage of public procurement records. This compromises the value and importance of records within the procurement process, with most documents being unavailable and unreliable. The purpose of this study is to investigate the relationship between procurement records compliance, effective risk management and records management performance in Ugandan PDEs.

Design/methodology/approach

– The study adopted a quantitative research design and used a cross-sectional survey. The researchers developed a questionnaire on the study constructs of procurement records compliance, effective risk management and records management performance using measurement scales derived from previous empirical studies which were modified to suit the current study.

Findings

– The results indicate quantitative evidence of significant positive relationships between procurement records compliance, effective risk management and records management performance. Findings also reveal that procurement records compliance and effective risk management are significant predictors of record management performance. The results also suggest that effective risk management has a stronger influence on records management performance than that on procurement records compliance.

Research limitations/implications

– The study context is sub-Saharan Africa, and the findings are, therefore, limited to that context; they reflect existing knowledge in other contexts. The use of a standard questionnaire limited the ability to collect views about information outside the questions asked. The study was only cross-sectional, and the study variables could not be analyzed over a long time. Common methods bias remains a potential threat; future studies should use different source data.

Practical implications

– Custodians of procurement records, that is, procurement officers, records officers and accounting officers for Ugandan PDEs need to pay special attention to prevailing records laws and policies to minimize risks associated with the poor management of records, as well as improve performance in the management of records creation, storage, retrieval, access and the preservation of vital records.

Originality/value

– The study contributes to an important area which has not been given attention in the context of sub-Saharan Africa, especially Uganda where there is a difficulty of linking the value of records management to business processes due to a lack of quantitative evidence.
Anti‐signal recognition particle antibody‐positive polymyositis in a patient with Sjögren's syndrome showing various types of annular erythema: Positive correlation between the activities of annular erythema and myositis
Authors: Kabuto Miho , Fujimoto Noriki , Hamaguchi Yasuhito , Tanaka Toshihiro
Published: March 2016

Annular erythema with Sjögren's syndrome (AESS) is occasionally found, especially in Asian patients, which is classified into three types. We present a case of Sjögren's syndrome showing various types of AESS with anti‐signal recognition particle antibody‐positive polymyositis. We successfully treated the eruption and myositis with a low dose of prednisolone. Every onset of annular erythema coincided with elevation of serum creatine kinase levels, which suggests the correlation between the activities of annular erythema and polymyositis.
A role for fungi as parasites in the black box of marine trophic interactions
Authors: Richards Thomas A. , Chambouvet Aurélie
Published: March 2016

The role of microbial parasites in aquatic environments remains under‐investigated and likely under‐estimated limiting our understanding of trophic interactions and biogeochemical cycles (Lefèvre et al., ; Worden et al., ). All natural interactions between microbes are difficult to capture and study but those occurring in the open ocean more so, because the scale and the complexity of the system makes repeat sampling a challenge. Lepère and colleagues, by combining a range of cell recovery and detection techniques, have identified parasitic interactions between putative fungi and eukaryotic algae (Lepère et al., ) allowing us to peer into the black box of microbial parasitism in the marine water column.
Is Public Debt a Burden for India?
Authors: Bal Debi Prasad , Rath Badri Narayan
Published: March 2016

In this paper, we investigated whether the government debt caused a burden for India over the period 1970–2013. We achieved this goal using Bohn's (1998) hypothesis in a structuralVARframework. This study did not find evidence to support Bohn's hypothesis in the context of India because no statistically significant relationship between public debt and gross primary deficit was found. Second, this study observed a positive response of interest payments due to the shock of public debt, which is not surprising. Third, a positive shock of public debt was statistically significant and negatively affected developmental expenditure. Similarly, interest payments negatively affected the gross primary deficit. We concluded that public debt in India was not a burden for the country.
Association of season of birth with DNA methylation and allergic disease
Authors: Lockett G. A. , Soto‐Ramírez N. , Ray M. A. , Everson T. M. , Xu C.‐J. , Patil V. K. , Terry W. , Kaushal A. , Rezwan F. I. , Ewart S. L. , Gehring U. , Postma D. S. , Koppelman G. H. , Arshad S. H. , Zhang H. , Karmaus W. , Holloway J. W.
Published: March 2016

Background

Season of birth influences allergy risk; however, the biological mechanisms underlying this observation are unclear. The environment affects DNA methylation, with potentially long‐lasting effects on gene expression and disease. This study examined whether DNA methylation could underlie the association between season of birth and allergy.

Methods

In a subset of 18‐year‐old participants from the Isle of Wight (IoW) birth cohort (n = 367), the risks of birth season on allergic outcomes were estimated. Whole blood epigenome‐wide DNA methylation was measured, and season‐associated CpGs detected using a training‐and‐testing‐based technique. Validation method examined the 8‐year‐old Prevention and Incidence of Asthma and Mite Allergy (PIAMA) cohort. The relationships between DNA methylation, season of birth and allergy were examined. CpGs were analysed in IoW third‐generation cohort newborns.

Results

Autumn birth increased risk of eczema, relative to spring birth. Methylation at 92 CpGs showed association with season of birth in the epigenome‐wide association study. In validation, significantly more CpGs had the same directionality than expected by chance, and four were statistically significant. Season‐associated methylation was enriched among networks relating to development, the cell cycle and apoptosis. Twenty CpGs were nominally associated with allergic outcomes. Two CpGs were marginally on the causal pathway to allergy. Season‐associated methylation was largely absent in newborns, suggesting it arises post‐natally.

Conclusions

This study demonstrates that DNA methylation in adulthood is associated with season of birth, supporting the hypothesis that DNA methylation could mechanistically underlie the effect of season of birth on allergy, although other mechanisms are also likely to be involved.
Current views on the diagnosis and management of hypokalaemia in children
Authors: Zieg Jakub , Gonsorcikova Lucie , Landau Daniel
Published: March 2016

Hypokalaemia is a common electrolyte disorder in children, caused by decreased potassium intake, increased gastrointestinal and urinary losses or transcellular shift. Patients with severe hypokalaemia may suffer from symptoms such as life‐threatening cardiac arrhythmias. The aim of our study was to review the aetiology of hypokalaemia, suggest a diagnostic algorithm and discuss the management of patients with various aetiologies of hypokalaemia.

Conclusion

Understanding the pathophysiology of hypokalaemic states, along with a detailed medical history, physical examination and specific laboratory tests are required for proper diagnosis and appropriate treatment.
Cardiotrophin‐1 decreases intestinal sugar uptake in mice and in Caco‐2 cells
Authors: López‐Yoldi M. , Castilla‐Madrigal R. , Lostao M. P. , Barber A. , Prieto J. , Martínez J. A. , Bustos M. , Moreno‐Aliaga M. J.
Published: March 2016

Aim

Cardiotrophin‐1 (CT‐1) is a member of the IL‐6 family of cytokines with a key role in glucose and lipid metabolism. In the current investigation, we examined the in vivo and in vitro effects of CT‐1 treatment on intestinal sugar absorption in different experimental models.

Methods

rCT‐1 effects on α‐Methyl‐D‐glucoside uptake were assessed in everted intestinal rings from wild‐type and CT‐1−/− mice and in Caco‐2 cells. rCT‐1 actions on SGLT‐1 expression in brush border membrane vesicles and the identification of the potential signalling pathways involved were determined by Western blot.

Results

In vivo administration (0.2 mg kg−1) of rCT‐1 caused a significant decrease on α‐Methyl‐D‐glucoside uptake in everted intestinal rings from wild‐type and CT‐1−/− mice after short‐term and long‐term treatments. Similarly, in vitro treatment (1–50 ng mL−1) with rCT‐1 reduced α‐Methyl‐D‐glucoside uptake in everted intestinal rings. In Caco‐2 cells, rCT‐1 treatment (20 ng mL−1, 1 and 24 h) lowered apical uptake of α‐Methyl‐D‐glucoside in parallel with a decrease on SGLT‐1 protein expression. rCT‐1 promoted the phosphorylation of STAT‐3 after 5 and 15 min treatment, but inhibited the activation by phosphorylation of AMPK after 30 and 60 min. Interestingly, pre‐treatment with the JAK/STAT inhibitor (AG490) and with the AMPK activator (AICAR) reversed the inhibitory effects of rCT‐1 on α‐Methyl‐D‐glucoside uptake. AICAR also prevented the inhibition of SGLT‐1 observed in rCT‐1‐treated cells.

Conclusions

CT‐1 inhibits intestinal sugar absorption by the reduction of SGLT‐1 levels through the AMPK pathway, which could also contribute to explain the hypoglycaemic and anti‐obesity properties of CT‐1.
Effects of static magnetic fields on bone regeneration of implants in the rabbit: micro‐CT, histologic, microarray, and real‐time PCR analyses
Authors: Kim Eun‐Cheol , Leesungbok Richard , Lee Suk‐Won , Hong Ji‐Youn , Ko Eun‐Jin , Ahn Su‐Jin
Published: March 2016

Objectives

The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of static magnetic fields (SMFs) on bone regeneration around titanium implants by μCT, histologic analysis, microarrays, and quantitative real‐time PCR (qRT‐PCR).

Materials and methods

Neodymium magnets provided the source of SMFs, the specimens were grade 5 titanium implants, and the animals were twenty‐seven adult male New Zealand white rabbits. These implants were divided into six groups according to the presence of a magnet and predetermined healing period (1, 4, and 8 weeks). Each group comprised six specimens for μCT (n = 6) and histologic examination, and three specimens (n = 3) for microarrays and qRT‐PCR, yielding a total of 54 specimens.

Results

The μCT data showed that SMFs increased bone volume fraction (bone volume/total volume, BV/TV), trabecular number (Tb.N), and trabecular thickness (Tb.Th). Histologic observation indicated that SMFs promoted new bone formation and direct bony contact with implants. Microarray analysis identified 293 genes upregulated (>twofold) in response to SMFs. The upregulated genes included extracellular matrix (ECM)‐related genes (COL10A1, COL9A1, and COL12A1) and growth factor (GF)‐related genes (CTGF and PDGFD), and the upregulation was confirmed by qRT‐PCR. Gene Ontology (GO) and pathway analysis revealed the involvement of the mitogen‐activated protein kinase (MAPK), Wnt, and PPAR‐gamma signaling pathways in implant healing.

Conclusions

μCT, histology, microarrays, and real‐time PCR indicate that SMFs could be an effective approach to improving bone regeneration around dental implants.