bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The Fiscal Response to the Global Crisis
Authors: D'Souza Errol
Published: January 2017

India's banks had no direct exposure to the subprime mortgage assets. Yet India was affected by the global financial crisis as its economy has significantly integrated with the global economy in the recent past in terms of the globalization of trade and financial integration. The global crisis resulted in a reversal of capital flows to India and a slump in the demand for its exports. This caused a deceleration in growth and the policy response was a fiscal and monetary stimulus that resulted in the fiscal deficit being the highest since 1993–94, the revenue deficit that is the largest ever in India's history, and an aggressive reduction in monetary policy rates. The massive government borrowing programme has resulted in a hardening of the yield on government securities which adversely affects aggregate output. As financial markets have factored in a lack of commitment to fiscal correction, the intentions of the fiscal stimulus have been impeded. The fiscal stimulus lacks sustainability, states Errol D'Souza.
Economic Slowdown and the Indian Corporate Sector
Authors: Paranjape Avinash
Published: January 2017

In the face of the complexities created by the turbulence, volatility, and uncertainty in the global economy, the Indian corporate sector finds itself in a state of flux. Avinash Paranjape sees the impact of the global crisis on the Indian industry as a contagion effect, being in the form of a slowdown. From the study emerge four distinct patterns of the effect of the slowdown on Indian firms. While the firms exposed to foreign currency have become victims of volatility, those in the IT-related services faced export blues. The firms in the financial and real estate sectors experienced the burst bubble syndrome, whereas the acquirers faced multiple financial issues. Despite the prevalence of pockets of weakness, in general, the author finds the Indian banks, financial institutions, and the corporate sector as strong and less exposed to the vagaries of the global recession
Edging Past Sixty: Towards a Strategic Stock-taking of the Republic
Authors: Kumar Saurabh
Published: January 2017

This essay, addressed to the intelligentsia of the country, on the one hand, and the nation's political class, on the other, makes a case for a ‘National Dialogue’ for taking stock of the record of the post-independence Indian State, yet a work-in-progress in many ways, in a forward-looking perspective by bringing together three key constituencies of the national polity: political activists (and others from civil society, business, commerce, and media circles) working at the grassroots level apex level State functionaries expert observer-media analyst-academic-scholar ‘commentariat’.

Such a deliberation can, drawing lessons from experience, throw up an agenda for structural reform that goes beyond mere governance issues and identify (people-centred) pathways for rendering the institutions of the Republic more functional and efficacious in translating its elegantly egalitarian founding vision, enabling an environment of opportunity, into reality more substantially and substantively.

It could make an exploration, in other words, of possibilities of corrective intervention at the base of the ‘structure strategy processes behaviour outcome’ (performance determinant) model posited in organizational theory and ‘strategic management’ literature, extrapolated to a State setting. And, in the process, attempt an eclectic revisiting of the grand Nehruvian poser about a structural-strategic stance seeking (to craft) a “just State by just means”, albeit more from an efficacy (i.e. ‘raison d'etat’) standpoint now (in the light of experience). With fine-tuning of the apparatus of the Republic for maintenance of socio-political stability in the country in the face of new mega-trends in the global politico-diplomatic arena — international terrorism, the emerging binding constraint of global warming, the global turn to neo-liberalism sans serious striving for equitable global governance mechanisms and other challenges stemming from the global geo-political and geo-economic dynamics — as the critical consideration.

The (radical or other) reform options examined would need to build upon the gains of firm grounding of political pluralism and constitutionalism, and flowering and deepening of democracy — on the social emancipation and political empowerment fronts, above all � made in the first six decades, while bracing up for the future: the challenge of conceptualizing (structural) change conducive for ‘coherent synergizing’ of the institutions of the State and spawning of an alternative politics evocative of the transformative ethos of the early post-independence years.
A Study of Wealth Effects of Takeover Announcements in India on Target Company Shareholders
Authors: Mallikarjunappa T , Nayak Panduranga
Published: January 2017

The business strategy of inorganic growth is carried out by companies by resorting to actions which prominently include mergers, takeovers, and strategic alliances. There is a rapid growth of both mergers and takeovers in India subsequent to the economic liberalization. The companies consider takeover activity as the quickest means of corporate growth to enhance their size and face the domestic and global competition.

In spite of several decades of vast research, researchers have not come to the final conclusion on the wealth effect of announcements of takeovers on the shareholders of participating companies. While some studies justify takeover as a socially productive activity which creates value for the shareholders, others provide contrary evidences to show that they destroy value for the shareholders. In India, only some studies have analysed the impact of M&A announcements on the stock return performance of companies involved and there is lack of evidences on wealth effects on shareholders. Therefore, this paper assesses the impact of takeover announcement on the stock price performance of target companies by taking a sample of 227 companies which received takeover bids during 1998–2007. The stock price reaction is examined for a period of 61 days surrounding the bid announcement day employing standard market model. BSE- 200 index is used as a proxy for the market. The regression co-efficient and the constant terms are estimated over a period of 250 days (-280 to -31) and the statistical significance of the results of the study is determined by non-standardized and standardized abnormal return methods. Both raw returns and log returns are examined.

Results of the study show that target company shareholders experience substantial and statistically significant cumulative average abnormal returns (CAARs) of 27-37 percent — 37 percent when raw returns are employed and 27 percent when log returns are employed. The conclusions remain unchanged irrespective of the testing procedure used (i.e., non-standardized or standardized abnormal returns method) and even for several shorter event window periods within a broader event window of 61 days. The results for target companies are consistent with the evidence of extant research that major benefits from M&As accrue to target company shareholders.

The practical implication of the study is that there is a large and significantly positive wealth effect on the target company shareholders in response to the announcement of takeovers. Takeovers offer an opportunity to shareholders of target companies and general investors to make profits both in the period before and after the announcement of the takeover bid.
Differentiating Adopters and Non-adopters of Smart Cards: Comparative Analysis of Public, Private and Foreign Sector Banks in India
Authors: Kaur Kamalpreet , Kaur Mandeep
Published: January 2017

Progressive development in the field of information technology (IT) has brought in remarkable changes in the products as well as methods of payment and settlement system in the banking sector. In India, various types of payment systems are functioning apart from the traditional payment systems where the instruments are physically exchanged and settled manually. Smart cards are a new form of retail payment instrument, installed to facilitate retail transactions through electronic means. In 1999, the Reserve Bank of India issued guidelines to the banks regarding introduction and usage of smart cards.

Smart cards are currently being issued by several banks in India which have tied up with Financial Information Network and Operations Ltd. (FINO). The IDBI bank has introduced its smart card called MoneySmart; Corporation Bank has issued CorpSmart; and Bank of India has issued its e-purse cards. PNB, SBI, ABN Amro, ICICI Bank, Bank of Baroda and some other banks have also launched smart card-based banking solutions (Kaur & Kaur, 2008).

The main objective of this study is to identify the factors that may vary between the adopters and the non-adopters of smart cards in Indian banks. Banks that have adopted the cards may have different characteristics from those that have not yet adopted the cards. In other words, with the exploration of various characteristics of the banks, the study tries to differentiate between the adopter and non-adopter categories of the banks regarding smart cards with respect to their profitability, size, competitive advantage, efficiency, asset quality, financing pattern, diversification, cost of operations, etc.

The empirical results evidently reveal that the banks providing smart cards differ in their characteristics from that of the banks that have not yet adopted it. It shows that the banks that adopted smart cards are larger in size, more efficient, pay lesser wages, and have more industry advantage and thus, in terms of some characteristics, outperform the non-adopter banks.
R&D Spending and the Rewards to Human Capital in India's IT Sector
Authors: Majumdar Sumit K
Published: January 2017

Firms organize heterogeneous resources developed to create capabilities sustaining the provision of services or the production of output, and they engage in research and development (R&D) activities. R&D is an extremely human capital-intensive effort and the intangible assets are embodied in human capital. Firms engaging in R&D activities also devote attention to human capital issues and may be progressive in human relations and compensation policies. Such progressive firms would have a higher wage share, signalling financial commitment to people assets. That is the expectation. Paradoxically, R&D spending is discretionary, held low in priorities, and is the first expenditure cut in a downturn. Not much is known of this relationship in spite of it being an important relationship in contemporary theories of economic growth and corporate development.

This article examines the links between the R&D spending of Indian information technology and software sector firms and their wage share. The extent of a firm's wage share measures the share of a firm's product accruing to its human capital pool. When a firm's wage share is larger, the quantum of value generated by its activities used to reward employees is larger. The relationship between R&D spending and wage share captures an important aspect of the behaviour, related to wealth sharing, of innovative versus not so innovative firms.

The information technology and software sector is critical in India's growth. Its presence has had domestic consequences in terms of employment and exports. The dynamic R&D spending and wage share relationship is examined for a large panel of firms in the Indian information technology and software industry from the period 2000-01 to 2005-06. Whether India technology and software firms' employees benefit from their own firms' practices is an important issue in engendering the future performance of the information technology and software sector.

The results show that the firm R&D spending and wage share relationship is negative and significant. A short-term cost minimizing approach, where firms compete by balancing expenditures, so that an increase in one type of expenditure by firms is counterbalanced by a decline in another type of expenditure, rather than a long-term oriented dynamic capabilities enhancement approach, best describes Indian information technology and software firms' behaviour. The negative relationship noted in this analysis does not augur well for Indian firms' efforts to develop into globally competitive firms, as rewards to human capital are not forthcoming for activities related to R&D efforts.
MNC CSR in Emerging Economy Conflict Zones– A Case Study of HUL's North-East Operations in India
Authors: Jayakumar Tulsi
Published: January 2017

For multinational corporations (MNCs) operating in emerging markets, the fast-growing wealth represents a tremendous opportunity. At the same time, these emerging markets also present a huge challenge to the MNCs due to underdeveloped institutional environment, weak public governance, widespread bribery and corruption, and lack of regulatory legislations and rules, public transparency, and respect for human rights.

MNCs are likely to view foreign direct investment (FDI) in emerging economies as a major component of their cost minimization policies. As such, corporate social responsibility (CSR) initiatives, which are used by MNCs as a key source to gain sustainable competitive advantage in developed countries may get diluted in emerging economies. Such a myopic view may enhance short-term profits, but would not ensure long-term sustainability. Most of the research on CSR has focused on the strategies of companies in the developed world. The literature on MNCs in developing economies and CSR is still embryonic. As CSR becomes increasingly important to MNCs, it is crucial to understand how MNCs' subsidiaries approach CSR in emerging markets so as to realize the challenges MNCs' subsidiaries face in aligning their CSR approach with local practices. The questions of how MNCs' subsidiaries approach CSR in emerging markets and how they adapt to local CSR practices remain largely under-explored. Another area of recent research pertains to MNC CSR in ‘conflict zones’ and their potential.

Can the otherwise mutually conflicting objectives of Corporate Social Responsibility and Corporate Financial Performance be seen going hand in hand in such ‘conflict zones’ Can a cause-effect relationship be posited, especially in such conflict zones, with the success of the latter riding on a satisfactory performance of the former?

This paper analyses the CSR practices followed by HUL in its unit in DoomDooma, Assam in the period 2001–2004, a period which was one of the most tumultuous periods in the history of HUL operation in India. The largest personal care products factory set up in DoomDooma to take advantage of the government's concessions to encourage the region's development, witnessed serious challenges in the form of local bandhs (closures), followed by an attack by the militant group, ULFA. Yet, the productivity contribution of the Assam factory was one of the highest and in fact was responsible for the company's top line growth.

It is suggested that the financial performance was due in no small measure, to the corporate responsibility measures undertaken internally and externally by the company. The former consisted of the measures undertaken vis-a-vis the key stakeholders, viz. employees, consumers, ecosystem, and business partners while the external CR measures were with respect to the specific CSR initiatives undertaken keeping in mind the needs and expectations of the local community. Thus, the company's CR initiatives helped in sustainable growth.
Factors influencing IT Adoption by Bank Employees: An Extended TAM Approach
Authors: Nath Rupanjali , Bhal Kanika T , Kapoor Geetika T
Published: January 2017

The use of Information Technology (IT) in the banking sector has seen a phenomenal growth in India. For its effective use and implementation, employees' acceptance and the consequent use of IT are important. Davis' Technology Acceptance Model (TAM) (1989) explains users' acceptance of electronic systems. By applying the extended TAM approach to this study, the authors aim to uncover various factors that affect the attitude and acceptance of bank employees towards CBS. The TAM model identifies perceived usefulness (PU), and perceived ease of use (PEU) as impacting attitude towards IT and behavioural intention. The model is extended by identifying social influence, computer self-efficacy, and technological facility as factors affecting perceived usefulness and perceived ease of use.

The target respondents for this study were bank employees from the public and private sectors banks (State Bank of India, Union Bank, Bank of India, ICICI Bank, and Axis Bank) situated in the National Capital Territory (NCT) of Delhi.

Measurement items applied in this study were an adaptation of previously validated measures or were developed on the basis of a literature review. Responses were analysed using the 7-point Likert Scale that ranged from (1) ‘strongly disagree’ to (7) ‘strongly agree’. To test the reliability of the measures, a pilot study was conducted with 20 randomly chosen employees and modified scales. Structural equation modelling was used to analyse the data.

Overall, the findings suggest that extended TAM variables positively influence the intention and usage behaviour through PU and PEU. That is, social influence enhances perceived usefulness; and computer self-efficacy and technology facility influence the perceived ease of use. Again, perceived ease of use significantly influences perceived usefulness which in turn has significant effect on behavioural intention and usage behaviour. Social influence of superiors was the prominent determinant of perceived usefulness of the CBS technology. Hence the role of managers as effective communicators is heightened especially in conveying the benefits of using IT and in turn achieving organizational goals.
Comparative Corporate Governance: Beyond ‘Shareholder Value’
Authors: Lee Soo Hee , Michie Jonathan , Oughton Christine
Published: January 2017

This paper serves as an introduction to the special issue on comparative corporate governance as well as providing a critical review of the literature on globalisation, comparative economic organisation and corporate governance systems. Despite the widespread rhetoric of global convergence and market-led institutional reform, we argue that national specificity and societal variance of institutional arrangements are still conspicuously resilient in reality and pertinent to issues of regulation, policy and business strategy. Our discussion focuses on the limitations of agency theory and its primary objective, shareholder value maximisation, on the one hand, and the determinants and consequences of institutional diversity across societies on the other. In particular, we suggest that the integration of the literature on employee participation and innovation systems into comparative institutional analysis will serve as a promising alternative to shareholder-centred theories and policy prescriptions while complementing the arguments based on legal and political origins of national systems. While the contributions to the special issue broadly share the basic tenets of our argument, they also address, in commendable rigour and depth, other issues, such as: trust and social relationships; societal and moral foundations of economic behaviour; institutional transferablity; and corporate control and power relations in society.
Markets, Corporate Governance and Creative Work Systems: the Case of Ferodyn
Authors: Konzelmann Suzanne J.
Published: January 2017

This paper examines the difficulties associated with implementing and maintaining a ‘creative,’ human-resource based work system in a market-based system of corporate governance using the case of Ferodyn.* In response to difficult industry conditions and sagging performance, American-owned Landis* Steel Corporation and Japanese-owned Daiichi* Steel Corporation jointly financed and built Ferodyn, a state-of-the-art high quality steel finishing facility. Although the joint venture was extremely successful in terms of quality, productivity and industrial relations, it came under severe stress from both external and internal pressures. Institutional investor demands for improvements in short run shareholder value ultimately resulted in the sale of Landis to Maxi-metal*, a global steel conglomerate, committed to a strategy of cost minimisation. In effect, the American system of corporate governance and the nature of power relations in the corporation served to weaken both Landis and Daiichi’s ability to support the joint venture and Ferodyn’s ability to survive in a hostile corporate, industry and macro-economic environment.
Employees and Corporate Governance: Is it all Over for Labor?
Authors: Goyer Michel
Published: January 2017

Margaret Blair and Mark Roe, (eds.), Employees and Corporate Governance (Washington, DC: Brookings Institution Press, 1999)

Mary O’ Sullivan, Contests for Corporate Control: Corporate Governance and Economic Performance in the United States and Germany (New York: Oxford University Press, 2000).
The Assessment of Economic Performance of OECD Countries—Factor Analysis and Cluster Analysis
Authors: Wang Peijie
Published: January 2017

This paper studies the economic performance of 19 OECD countries. Eight economic variables are selected to describe the economic performance which are incorporated into two factors afterwards by factor analysis. The relations among the variables and that between factors and variables are analysed. A comparative study is made, based on the factor scores of these 19 countries; and the countries are classified into 5 categories using cluster analysis, according to their similarities in the variables and the extracted factors. The common characteristics of the countries with similar economic performances on the two factors are discussed. The paper presents an outline of the nations’ economic performance during this period. It is quite interesting, as a by-product finding, that the countries sharing the economy similarities also have the geographical communalities.
Labor Market Disputes: A Comment on Albert Rees’ “Fairness in Wage Distribution”
Authors: Block Walter
Published: January 2017

Albert Rees criticizes neo classical labor economics for paying too little attention to fairness and utility function interdependence. As a result, he claims, this theory cannot fully come to grips with wage determination as it actually exists in the real world. The present author takes issue with Rees, and attempts to defend traditional labor economics against his criticisms.
Japanese Corporate Groups, Yesterday and Tomorrow
Authors: Takahashi Eiji
Published: January 2017

One of the secrets of the success of the Japanese economy lies in the reciprocal shareholdings, which could be seen typically in the structure of the horizontal corporate groups. Free from the pressures of the shareholders, the managers could pursue the long term interests of the companies. Today, however, this organisational strength has turned into a disadvantage, which leads eventually to the potential danger of over-borrowing. Therefore the Japanese corporation is now engaged in a process of re-structuring and deregulation to adjust to new realities.
Book Review: Economics of the Family and Family Policies
Authors: Cameron Dr. S.
Published: January 2017

I. Persson & C. Jonung (eds.), Economics of the Family and Family Policies, Routledge, 1997.

M.J. Radin, Contested Commodities, Harvard University Press. 1996.
Sraffa, Wittgenstein and the Nature of Economic Theory
Authors: McLachlan Hugh V. , Swales J.K.
Published: January 2017

Roncaglia has made the fascinating claim that there is a difference between the marginalist school of economists and the economics of Sraffa which is related to the difference between Wittgenstein’s earlier and his later philosophy.

This claim is considered in the light of the commonly held view that Sraffa was influential in producing the change between Wittgenstein’s earlier and later philosophy.

It is shown that the claim is untenable and that the commonly held view is not as easy to support as those who make it lead one to suppose: it is contentious and possibly mistaken.
Small, Attractive, Firm Needs Benign Regulator: The Case of the Personal Introduction Sector
Authors: Cameron Samuel , Collins Alan
Published: January 2017

This paper outlines the basic economic characteristics of the Personal Introduction Sector. Various avenues of regulation are reviewed. The authors conclude that a state monopoly franchise may be the most efficient solution.
Low Frequency Measurement by Synchronized Integrating Method and Influence of Reflecting Object
Authors: Fukuhara H. , Ohkuma T.
Published: January 2017

Concern over noise pollution led to the development of methods for making environmental assessments. At the same time, the need arose for methods to measure low frequency sound and clarify propagation conditions.

The main objective of this research was to investigate low frequency sound propagation conditions and the problems associated with measurement and analysis. We also studied the characteristics of low frequency sound (below 100 Hz) near reflecting surfaces and developed a technique for positioning the measurement microphones. Additionally we found it necessary to develop a new measurement method we call “the synchronized integral” method.

A theoretically perfect point sound source was needed for the measurements. To satisfy this need, we constructed a source for quantitative investigation and measurements were made at distances up to 100 m from the sound source.

Analysis of the data we collected clarified the following phenomena: −6 dB/-doubling distance (d.d) attenuation is not reached; frequency and microphone height influence attenuation; measurements taken near the ground are most stable; superposition influence occurs at frequencies above 125 Hz.
The Annoyance and Unacceptability of Lower Level Low Frequency Noise
Authors: Broner N. , Leventhall H.G.
Published: January 2017

In a continuing study of the annoyance due to low frequency noise, 75 subjects (21 actual complainants and 54 controls) carried out a magnitude estimation task and rated the annoyance due to lower-level low frequency noise. Previous experience with the magnitude estimation task was found to influence subsequent rating behaviour, and a threshold effect (i.e. a steepening of the psychophysical function as threshold was approached) occurred, which was accounted for by the inclusion of a threshold constant, po, in the psychophysical relationship. The results indicated that no significant difference occurred between the actual complainants and a control group when they rated annoyance in the laboratory. The annoyance growth was described by ψ = k(pA−po)0–694, 55 < OASPL (dB) < 75, 20 < FREQUENCY (Hz) < 90 (where ψ = the subjective annoyance, pA = the A-weighted sound pressure in Pa, and k = a constant). However, the complainants seemed more predisposed to complain or express dissatisfaction and were more likely to rate a given noise as unacceptable. Furthermore, they were more likely to do so for stimuli within the 30–50 Hz frequency range.
Infrasonic Threshold Levels of Physiological Effects
Authors: Landström Ulf , Byström Marianne
Published: January 2017

The investigation was conducted in order to study the correlation between physiological changes and exposure to low levels of infrasound. The exposures were made at two frequencies, 6 Hz and 16 Hz. In order to investigate the correlation with the hearing perception thresholds, the exposures were made at two different levels, 10 dB above the hearing threshold and 10 dB below the hearing threshold. At 6 Hz the level was adjusted to 95 dB(lin) and 115 dB(lin). The corresponding values at 16 Hz were 80 dB(lin) and 100 dB(lin). At levels above the hearing threshold, the exposure was correlated to a reduction in wakefulness. No clear effect was observed at pressure levels below the hearing threshold. The results of the investigation are in accordance with the theory that changes in physiological reactions will not occur at levels below the hearing perception threshold.
Effects of 8 Hour Exposure to 40 Hz and 80 Hz Low Frequency Sound at Intensities below 100 dB(SPL) on the Rota-Rod Treadmill Performance of Guinea Pigs
Authors: Maehara N. , Kishi R. , Sadamoto T. , Harabuchi I. , Yamamura K.
Published: January 2017

Taking fieldwork reports into consideration, an experiment was designed to evaluate the effects of low frequency sound exposure on the vestibular and/or motor coordination of guinea pigs. For 8 hour exposure, 40 Hz at 80 dB(SPL) and 80 Hz at 80 dB(SPL) stimuli, caused significant reductions of the endurance time of the poor performing group on the Rota-Rod Treadmill from 240th to 360th minute and to the 240th minute, respectively. When the intensities were stronger, the changes in the endurance times showed similar patterns to that in the control. In addition, the endurance times at the 480th minute recovered almost to the pre-exposure levels in all conditions of exposure tested.
Annoyance and Low Frequency Noise with Different Slopes of the Frequency Spectrum
Authors: Goldstein M. , Kjellberg A.
Published: January 2017

Twelve subjects matched a band noise (900–1060 Hz) to equal the annoyance of low frequency noises with three different fall-off rates (slopes) of energy above 125 Hz (−3, −6 and −9 dB I octave) at two levels. Furthermore, subjects rated annoyance on a graphic rating scale. According to Bryan (1976) a decreased slope should lead to a lowered annoyance response. This was not confirmed, both the matching and rating data showed that annoyance increased with decreasing slope. The unit dB(A) was found to underestimate and dB(C) to overestimate annoyance especially for the noises with the steeper slope, dB(B), dB(D) and PhondB were found to assess all noises fairly adequately.
Annoyance of Audible Infrasound
Authors: Møller Henrik
Published: January 2017

Contours of equal annoyance were determined for pure tones in the frequency range 4 – 31.5 Hz. The curves show a narrowing of the dynamic range of the ear at low frequencies. The same pattern is seen for equal loudness curves, and the results support the theory that the annoyance of infrasound is closely related to the loudness sensation.

Annoyance ratings of 1/3 octave noise did not deviate from ratings of pure tones with the same sound pressure level. Combinations of audio and infrasonic noise were in general given a rating close to or slightly above the rating of the most annoying of the individual noise conditions.

For infrasound the proposed G1-weighting curve is shown to give values that correlate well with subjective annoyance rating. Values obtained with the G2-curve do not correlate as well. Low audio frequencies are not covered by the G-curves, and it is shown that these are insufficiently covered by the A-curve. Further research is needed in this area.
An Investigation into the Microstructure of the Low Frequency Auditory Threshold and of the Loudness Function in the near Threshold Region
Authors: Frost Graham P.
Published: January 2017

The minimum audible field (MAF) is the sound pressure level at the threshold of audibility. The MAF threshold contour clearly demonstrates the variations in sensitivity of the auditory system with frequency. This frequency dependent sensitivity is also apparent at higher intensities, the importance of which is demonstrated by the extensive use of the dB(A) weighting in noise measurements. The sparse data available on low frequency auditory thresholds, and on the subjective effects of low level low frequency noise in the threshold region, indicated that a study of low frequency thresholds and near threshold equal loudness contours would fill a significant gap in the understanding of sound perception in this frequency range. This investigation demonstrates the existence of wide variations in individual sensitivity to low frequency sound. The diversity in auditory response to low frequencies between individuals should therefore be a prime consideration in low frequency noise control.
Annoyance Due to Environmental Low Frequency Noise and Source Location — A Case Study
Authors: Vasudevan R.N. , Leventhall H.G.
Published: January 2017

This case study shows that objective criteria usually based solely on the dB(A) scale are not adequate in evaluating the annoyance due to low frequency noise. Levels which are often low enough to discount the likelihood of a noise nuisance, however, were found to be subjectively annoying. The field study reported here demonstrates that the complainant's annoyance response was due more to the unpleasant nature of the low frequency noise than to its actual level. Positive location of a distant industrial source with the aid of a specially designed three element microphone array provided much needed relief to the complainant.
Hearing Thresholds and Equal Loudness Contours in Free Field at Frequencies below 1 kHz
Authors: Watanabe Toshio , Moller Henrik
Published: January 2017

Hearing thresholds for pure sinusoidal tones were determined in a free field at frequencies from 25 Hz to 1 kHz. Contours of equal loudness were determined at the same frequencies at loudness levels from 20 phon to 80 phon in steps of 20 phon. 12 subjects participated.

The psychometric method used for the threshold determinations was the method of limits. The deviations from minimum audible field values given in ISO/R226 were small (3 dB at most frequencies).

For the measurement of equal loudness the reference was a 1 kHz tone, and other tones were compared to that. The psychometric method was the method of limits. The resulting equal loundess contours were positioned at much higher levels than those of ISO/R226. Similar results have recently been reported by others. At low loudness levels the results were in good agreement with the curves obtained by Fletcher and Munson, but at high loudness levels they were also above their curves.

Some of the points of equal loudness were also determined by a maximum likelihood estimation method. The results differed slightly from those obtained by the method of limits.
Burning Oil Fields as a Source of Infrasonic Waves
Authors: Waldemark Karina , Liszka Ludwik
Published: January 2017

Burning oil fields in the Persian Gulf may be considered as an intense source of infrasonic waves. In this paper propagation of these waves to high latitudes is discussed. Methods for sensitive detection of such a distant source are presented. Infrasonic data from two Swedish infrasonic stations, recording at 2 Hz (Lulea (65.7N, 22.5E) and Lycksele (64.6N, 18.7E) during the periods: February 6-March 14, 1991 and June 7–13, 1991) are examined in order to demonstrate the reception of these long distance infrasonic waves.
Transmission of Vibration to the Hand
Authors: Sörensson A. , Lundström R.
Published: January 2017

The transmission of vibration from a handle to twelve test points located on the volar side of the hands of five females and five males was determined with laser technique for non-contact measurement of vibration. The excitation level was almost constant (0.01 m/srms) within the frequency range of 12.5 to 1250 Hz. The grip force exerted by the subjects was 10 N.

Vibration at frequencies below 40 Hz was in general transmitted to all test points without any noticeable attenuation.-Far higher frequencies and for test points adjacent to the wrist the transmission of vibration decreased with the frequency (5 dB/octave). For test points on the nails of the middle finger and thumb the un-attenuated frequency range was extended up to about 500 Hz. For other test points a more complicated pattern was observed and in the frequency range of 40–160 Hz, vibration was seen to be either fully transmitted or even amplified Only small and unclear differences in vibration transmission between females and males were observed.
Ground Vibration Boom from High-Speed Trains
Authors: Krylov V.V.
Published: January 2017

A brief review is given of the recent theoretical investigations into generation of ground vibrations by high-speed trains carried out at the Nottingham Trent University. One of the most interesting results of these investigations was the prediction of a ground vibration boom from high-speed trains which may occur when train speeds exceed the velocity of Rayleigh surface waves in the ground. The existence of a ground vibration boom has been recently confirmed experimentally on the newly opened high-speed railway line in Sweden for train speeds of only 160 km/h. The observed very large increase of generated ground vibrations implies that this phenomenon should be taken into account by designers and operators of high-speed railways.
High-surface-area activated red mud for efficient removal of methylene blue from wastewater
Authors: Hu Zhong-Pan , Gao Ze-Min , Liu Xinying , Yuan Zhong-Yong
Published: January 2017

Red mud was activated by a digestion–precipitation method, resulting in a mesostructure with high surface area, and the activated red mud was further used as the adsorbent for methylene blue removal. The physicochemical properties of the resultant samples were characterized by X-ray diffraction, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, thermogravimetry analysis, and nitrogen sorption techniques. Batch studies were measured to investigate the influence factors including adsorbent dosage, contact time, pH, and initial concentration. It was revealed that the activated red mud was highly efficient for removal of methylene blue. Adsorption experiments were found to be better achieved in faintly acidic and alkaline conditions, where the adsorption capacity of activated red mud and activated red mud-200 reached 232 and 274 mg/g at pH 7.0, respectively. Langmuir, Freundlich, Temkin isotherms, and pseudo-second-order kinetic model fitted the experimental data well, demonstrating an electrostatic interaction mechanism.
Hg selective adsorption on polypropylene-based hollow fiber grafted with polyacrylamide
Authors: Liu Changkun , Jia Jizhen , Liu Ji’an , Liang Xiaoyan
Published: January 2017

A novel polypropylene hollow fiber membrane with a new function of selective adsorption of mercury ions in aqueous solutions was successfully prepared. The surface of the polypropylene hollow fiber membrane was initially modified with polydopamine by surface polymerization, and subsequently grafted with polyacrylamide (PAM) polymer brush via the surface initiated atom transfer radical polymerization (SI-ATRP) technique (thereafter named as PP-PAM). This study investigated the adsorption performance of Hg(II) ions by PP-PAM and the effect of various influencing factors on Hg(II) ion adsorption. The experiment indicated that the Hg(II) adsorption capacity of the PP-PAM increased with the increase of the pH, and the Hg(II) adsorption kinetics was consistent with the pseudo-second-order kinetic model. The adsorption isotherm followed the Langmuir model, with the maximum adsorption capacity calculated to be 0.854 mmol/g for Hg(II) ions. The adsorption study in multi-component system indicated that PP-PAM preferentially adsorbs Hg(II) over Pb(II) ions, with significant adsorption capacity difference of the two heavy metal ions. This study provided an efficient method for the preparation of the adsorptive polypropylene hollow fiber membrane, which expands its application for the selective removal of heavy metal ions.
On the Formation of COS from H2S and CO2 in the Presence of Zeolite/Salt Compounds
Authors: Lutz Wolfgang , Seidel Andreas , Boddenberg Bruno
Published: January 2017

A gaseous mixture of hydrogen sulphide and carbon dioxide (20% H2S, 80% CO2) was brought into contact at 25°C with NaY and NaX zeolites in an as-synthesized form as well as after modification by the inclusion of salts (NaCl, NaBr) in the small cages of the aluminosilicate framework and ion exchange with aqueous CaCl2 solution. At small contact times (5 h), the degree of conversion of H2S according to the reaction H2S + CO2 → COS + H2O by the various samples was found to follow the sequence NaY/NaCl ≈ NaY/NaBr ≈ NaX/NaCl(CaCl2) < NaY « NaX/NaCl ≈ NaX. Long-term runs with NaY and NaY/NaBr revealed that the latter zeolite retained a very low level of H2S conversion for contact times as long as 250 h. It is concluded that such low H2S conversion requires the absence of low-coordinated sodium cations in the supercages or their replacement by calcium ions, and blocking of the β-cages with salt anions.
An intervention case study of a bilingual child with phonological disorder
Authors: Holm Alison , Dodd Barbara
Published: January 2017

A bilingual Punjabi-English-speaking child, whose speech was characterized by inconsistent errors in both languages, participated in an intervention programme. A core vocabulary therapy approach was used targeting consistency of production. The accuracy and intelligibility of the child’s speech improved in both languages, even though therapy had only been provided in English. The results of the study contrast with a previous study targeting consistent phonological errors in a bilingual child. While the results of single case studies should be interpreted with caution, the findings suggest that phonological therapy targeting the deficit underlying speech disorder is effective in remediating the errors in both of the child’s languages. However, therapy simply correcting specific surface speech patterns is only effective in the language targeted in therapy. These data have theoretical implications regarding the nature of phonological disorders, and the separateness of bilingual children’s phonological systems. There are also clinical implications regarding intervention for bilingual children with disordered speech.
Assessing the communication skills of children with cerebral palsy: does speech intelligibility make a difference?
Authors: Pennington Lindsay
Published: January 2017

This paper presents the results of communication skills assessments for two groups of 20 children who had four-limb cerebral palsy. Group 1 children were unintelligible out of context, group 2 children were intelligible to their parents. The pragmatic functions used by children in conversation with their mothers and during a semi-structured communication skills assessment were compared. Children in group 1 produced more functions of communication in the scripted assessment than in conversation with their mothers. No clear difference was observed for children whose speech was intelligible without contextual cues. The implications for practice are discussed.
Word definition in adolescents as a function of reading proficiency: a research note
Authors: Nippold Marilyn A.
Published: January 2017

The ability to define words with accuracy and precision can enhance the clarity of spoken and written communication in literate contexts. Thirty-six adolescents (mean age = 15;1) were asked to define 16 abstract nouns (e.g. burden, gratitude, friendship) in writing. Students who were strong readers (n = 18) outperformed those who were weak readers (n = 18) in providing definitions that were accurate, precise, and informative, reflecting the essential meaning of a term. Implications for instruction in word definition are offered for speech-language pathologists working collaboratively with classroom teachers.
SME growth trajectories, transitions and board role portfolios: A critical review and integrative model
Authors: Ingley Coral , Khlif Wafa , Karoui Lotfi
Published: January 2017

This article presents a novel framework integrating a dynamic states approach to firm growth and a portfolio perspective of board roles. In our framework, we highlight four typical firm growth states aligned with primary board roles to guide firms effectively through the transitions associated with each state to reach a new equilibrium. The particular contribution of our framework is that it takes small and medium firm (SME) heterogeneity into account while capturing the dynamic nature of these states which are reached along non-linear, non-sequential and non-deterministic transitional pathways, as well as incorporating reverse and counterintuitive trajectories between states.
An Investigation into the Design Parameters of Double Layer Space Frame Grids
Authors: Madi Usama Rustom
Published: January 2017

A parametric study of the various factors affecting the design of double layer space frame grids is presented. This parametric study was conducted with the help of example structures and covered the support arrangement, the grid depth, the grid module and the grid layouts. The intent is to give the designer an idea about the effects of the choice of any of these parameters on the grid's behaviour and design requirements. This information should serve as a means for developing successful preliminary designs and as such reduce the need for many trials before the design is finalised.
Post-Formfinding Determination of Geodesic Lines in Cutting Pattern Design for Membrane Structures
Authors: Meek J. L. , Tan K. Y.
Published: January 2017

This paper describes a numerical procedure for determining geodesies on a surface. The surface is defined by a mesh of planar triangular finite elements. Examples are presented to illustrate the relevance of this procedure in the development of cutting patterns for membrane structures.
The Analytical and Experimental Analyses of a Skeletal Antenna Cluster System for Space Applications
Authors: O'Neill M. , Hollaway L.
Published: January 2017

A new generation of large space structures (LSS), remotely deployed and stationed at geosynchronous equatorial orbit, is currently being considered for use in terrestial communications networks. These skeletal structures, which would be manufactured from high technology thermoplastics composite materials, would include multi-functional large scale platforms on which a variety of reflector assemblies would be attached. A scaled perspex model of a proposed LSS has been constructed and an experimental examination of its modal behaviour in simulated unrestrained conditions has been undertaken. These results have been used to establish the level of agreement it is possible to obtain from natural frequency extractions of the structure modelled using the finite element method. Both impact and sine dwell testing techniques have been applied in determining the modal responses of the model and it has been found that selection of the most appropriate method should be made in consideration of its anticipated modal behaviour. Very good agreement has been found between the frequency characteristics obtained experimentally analytical and frequency extractions for this model, although both methods have been hampered by the presence of the flexible arrays which have been modally active in the frequency ranges of interest. The results of this study have demonstrated that a measure of confidence can be placed on similar parametric studies on large scale unrestrained skeletal structures using the finite element method.
Heterogeneous propagation of spreading depolarizations in the lissencephalic and gyrencephalic brain
Authors: Santos Edgar , Sánchez-Porras Renán , Sakowitz Oliver W , Dreier Jens P , Dahlem Markus A
Published: January 2017

In the recently published article, “Heterogeneous incidence and propagation of spreading depolarizations,” it is shown, in vivo and in vitro, how KCl-induced spreading depolarizations in mouse and rat brains can be highly variable, and that they are not limited, as once thought, to a concentric, isotropic, or homogenous depolarization wave in space or in time. The reported results serve as a link between the different species, and this paper contributes to changing the way in which SD expansion is viewed in the lissencephalic brain. Here, we discuss their results with our previous observations made in the gyrencephalic swine brain, in computer simulations, and in the human brain.