bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Graphene radio frequency devices on flexible substrate
Authors: Zhu Wenjuan , Farmer Damon B. , Jenkins Keith A. , Ek Bruce , Oida Satoshi , Li Xuesong , Bucchignano Jim , Dawes Simon , Duch Elizabeth A. , Avouris Phaedon
Published: June 2013

Graphene is a very promising candidate for applications in flexible electronics due to its high carrier mobility and mechanical flexibility. In this paper, we present results on graphene RF devices fabricated on polyimide substrates with cutoff frequencies as high as 10 GHz. Excellent channel mobility and current saturation are observed in graphene long channel devices on polyimide. Graphene devices on polyimide also show very good temperature stability from 4.4 K to 400 K and excellent mechanical flexibility up to a bending radius of 1 mm. These demonstrated properties make graphene an excellent candidate for flexible wireless applications.
Inelastic deformation in shocked sapphire single crystals
Authors: Fuller H. D. , Winey J. M. , Gupta Y. M.
Published: June 2013

To gain insight into orientation-dependent inelastic deformation of shocked sapphire (α-Al2O3) single crystals, resolved shear stresses, applicable for various dislocation slip and twinning systems, were determined for shock compression along different crystal orientations. Results from our anisotropic wave propagation analysis provide an explanation for why the measured elastic limit of shocked r-cut sapphire is lower, compared to c-cut and a-cut sapphire: Shock wave compression of r-cut sapphire favors activation of basal slip and basal twinning. In contrast, shock wave compression of c-cut and a-cut sapphire favors rhombohedral twinning and prismatic slip, respectively. Also, basal slip and/or basal twinning may be important for understanding why r-cut sapphire shocked beyond the elastic limit loses optical transparency gradually, when compared to c-cut and a-cut sapphire.
Micro-Raman investigations of InN-GaN core-shell nanowires on Si (111) substrate
Authors: Sangeetha P. , Jeganathan K. , Ramakrishnan V.
Published: June 2013

The electron-phonon interactions in InN-GaN core-shell nanowires grown by plasma assisted- molecular beam epitaxy (MBE) on Si (111) substrate have been analysed using micro-Raman spectroscopic technique with the excitation wavelength of 633, 488 and 325 nm. The Raman scattering at 633 nm reveals the characteristic E2 (high) and A1 (LO) phonon mode of InN core at 490 and 590 cm−1 respectively and E2 (high) phonon mode of GaN shell at 573 cm−1. The free carrier concentration of InN core is found to be low in the order ∼ 1016 cm−3 due to the screening of charge carriers by thin GaN shell. Diameter of InN core evaluated using the spatial correlation model is consistent with the transmission electron microscopic measurement of ∼15 nm. The phonon-life time of core-shell nanowire structure is estimated to be ∼0.4 ps. The micro-Raman mapping and its corresponding localised spectra for 325 nm excitation exhibit intense E2 (high) phonon mode of GaN shell at 573 cm−1 as the decrease of laser interaction length and the signal intensity is quenched at the voids due to high spacing of NWs.
Nlrp4g is an oocyte-specific gene but is not required for oocyte maturation in the mouse
Authors: Peng Hui , Zhang Wenchang , Xiao Tianfang , Zhang Yong
Published: June 2013

The Nlrp gene family contains 20 members and plays a pivotal role in the innate immune and reproductive systems in the mouse. The aim of the present study was to analyse the Nlrp4g gene expression pattern, protein distribution and function in mouse oocyte maturation. Quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction and in situ hybridisation were performed on Nlrp4g mRNA. Western blotting, immunohistochemistry and immunofluorescence were used to assess expression at the protein level. Confocal and immunogold electron microscopy analyses and RNA interference approach were used to determine the location of the NLRP4G protein and inhibit Nlrp4g function specifically in mouse germinal vesicle oocytes, respectively. Nlrp4g transcripts and proteins (~85 kDa) are specifically expressed in mouse ovaries, restricted to the oocytes at various follicular stages and decline with oocyte aging. There is a marked decline in transcript levels in preimplantation embryos before zygotic genome activation, but the protein remains present through to the blastocyst stage. Confocal microscopy demonstrated that this protein is localised in the cytoplasm. Immunogold electron microscopy further confirmed that NLRP4G protein was present in the cytosol rather than in oocyte cytoplasmic organelles. Furthermore, knockdown of Nlrp4g in germinal vesicle oocytes did not affect oocyte maturation. These results provide the first evidence that Nlrp4g is an oocyte-specific gene but dispensable for oocyte maturation, suggesting that this gene may play roles in mouse oogenesis and/or preimplantation development.
Powering up with indirect reciprocity in a large-scale field experiment
Authors: Yoeli Erez , Hoffman Moshe , Rand David G. , Nowak Martin A.
Published: June 2013

A defining aspect of human cooperation is the use of sophisticated indirect reciprocity. We observe others, talk about others, and act accordingly. We help those who help others, and we cooperate expecting that others will cooperate in return. Indirect reciprocity is based on reputation, which spreads by communication. A crucial aspect of indirect reciprocity is observability: reputation effects can support cooperation as long as peoples’ actions can be observed by others. In evolutionary models of indirect reciprocity, natural selection favors cooperation when observability is sufficiently high. Complimenting this theoretical work are experiments where observability promotes cooperation among small groups playing games in the laboratory. Until now, however, there has been little evidence of observability’s power to promote large-scale cooperation in real world settings. Here we provide such evidence using a field study involving 2413 subjects. We collaborated with a utility company to study participation in a program designed to prevent blackouts. We show that observability triples participation in this public goods game. The effect is over four times larger than offering a $25 monetary incentive, the company’s previous policy. Furthermore, as predicted by indirect reciprocity, we provide evidence that reputational concerns are driving our observability effect. In sum, we show how indirect reciprocity can be harnessed to increase cooperation in a relevant, real-world public goods game.
Learning where to look for a hidden target
Authors: Chukoskie Leanne , Snider Joseph , Mozer Michael C. , Krauzlis Richard J. , Sejnowski Terrence J.
Published: June 2013

Survival depends on successfully foraging for food, for which evolution has selected diverse behaviors in different species. Humans forage not only for food, but also for information. We decide where to look over 170,000 times per day, approximately three times per wakeful second. The frequency of these saccadic eye movements belies the complexity underlying each individual choice. Experience factors into the choice of where to look and can be invoked to rapidly redirect gaze in a context and task-appropriate manner. However, remarkably little is known about how individuals learn to direct their gaze given the current context and task. We designed a task in which participants search a novel scene for a target whose location was drawn stochastically on each trial from a fixed prior distribution. The target was invisible on a blank screen, and the participants were rewarded when they fixated the hidden target location. In just a few trials, participants rapidly found the hidden targets by looking near previously rewarded locations and avoiding previously unrewarded locations. Learning trajectories were well characterized by a simple reinforcement-learning (RL) model that maintained and continually updated a reward map of locations. The RL model made further predictions concerning sensitivity to recent experience that were confirmed by the data. The asymptotic performance of both the participants and the RL model approached optimal performance characterized by an ideal-observer theory. These two complementary levels of explanation show how experience in a novel environment drives visual search in humans and may extend to other forms of search such as animal foraging.
MammalianExo1encodes both structural and catalytic functions that play distinct roles in essential biological processes
Authors: Schaetzlein Sonja , Chahwan Richard , Avdievich Elena , Roa Sergio , Wei Kaichun , Eoff Robert L. , Sellers Rani S. , Clark Alan B. , Kunkel Thomas A. , Scharff Matthew D. , Edelmann Winfried
Published: June 2013

Significance

Exonuclease1 (EXO1) is involved in a variety of DNA repair pathways and is implicated in multiple biological processes. To determine the contribution of the enzymatic and structural functions of EXO1 in these processes, we compared mice with catalytically inactive EXO1-knockin and complete EXO1-knockout mutations. We found that the catalytic function of EXO1 is essential for the DNA damage response, double-strand break repair, chromosomal stability, and tumor suppression, whereas EXO1’s structural role alone is critical for mismatch repair, antibody diversification, and meiosis. Our study reveals differential requirements for both EXO1 functions in DNA repair and tumorigenesis in vivo.
Who are the self‐publishers?
Authors: BAVERSTOCK Alison , STEINITZ Jackie
Published: June 2013

This paper describes new research into the motivations, demographics, processes, and outcomes of self‐publishing authors of books. The findings challenge traditionally held notions about self‐publishing being a process undertaken by the untalented, as a last resort. The cohort studied emerges as highly educated, often well informed about the publishing process, and generally very positive about the self‐publishing experience. As the number of people self‐publishing continues to grow and associated technology progresses, a number of fundamental implications for stakeholders in both the non‐fiction and fiction publishing business pipelines are noted. With disintermediation now widespread, there will be increased pressure on the traditional industry to adapt its business models and focus on adding value. At the same time, opportunities in publishing services can be identified and the role of the author is significantly enhanced. Parallels between the cultures and processes of academic and self‐publishing authors are discussed; these will set the scene for future research.
Evolutionary rewiring: a modified prokaryotic gene-regulatory pathway in chloroplasts
Authors: Puthiyaveetil Sujith , Ibrahim Iskander M. , Allen John F.
Published: June 2013

Photosynthetic electron transport regulates chloroplast gene transcription through the action of a bacterial-type sensor kinase known as chloroplast sensor kinase (CSK). CSK represses photosystem I (PS I) gene transcription in PS I light and thus initiates photosystem stoichiometry adjustment. In cyanobacteria and in non-green algae, CSK homologues co-exist with their response regulator partners in canonical bacterial two-component systems. In green algae and plants, however, no response regulator partner of CSK is found. Yeast two-hybrid analysis has revealed interaction of CSK with sigma factor 1 (SIG1) of chloroplast RNA polymerase. Here we present further evidence for the interaction between CSK and SIG1. We also show that CSK interacts with quinone.ArabidopsisSIG1 becomes phosphorylated in PS I light, which then specifically represses transcription of PS I genes. In view of the identical signalling properties of CSK and SIG1 and of their interactions, we suggest that CSK is a SIG1 kinase. We propose that the selective repression of PS I genes arises from the operation of a gene-regulatory phosphoswitch in SIG1. The CSK-SIG1 system represents a novel, rewired chloroplast-signalling pathway created by evolutionary tinkering. This regulatory system supports a proposal for the selection pressure behind the evolutionary stasis of chloroplast genes.
Modeling of multi‐cycle deformation of polymers with various deformation programs
Authors: Drozdov A.D. , Dusunceli N.
Published: June 2013

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to compare mechanical response of polypropylene in multi‐cycle tensile tests with strain‐controlled and mixed deformation programs and to develop constitutive equations that describe quantitatively the experimental data.

Design/methodology/approach

Multi‐cycle tensile tests are performed on isotactic polypropylene with strain‐controlled (oscillations between fixed maximum and minimum strains) and mixed (oscillations between a fixed maximum strain and the zero minimum stress) programs. A constitutive model is derived in cyclic viscoelasticity and viscoplasticity of semicrystalline polymers, and its parameters are found by fitting observations. The effect of damage accumulation of material parameters is analyzed numerically.

Findings

The model predicts accurately mechanical behavior of polypropylene in tests with numbers of cycles strongly exceeding those used to determine its parameters. In the regime of developed damage, material constants in the stress‐strain relations are independent of deformation program.

Originality/value

A novel constitutive model is derived in cyclic viscoelastoplasticity of semicrystalline polymers and comparison of its adjustable parameters is performed for different deformation programs.
Wave propagation in electro‐magneto‐elastic solid plate of polygonal cross‐sections
Authors: Ponnusamy P.
Published: June 2013

Purpose

This paper aims to describe the method for solving vibration problem of electro‐magneto‐elastic plate of polygonal (triangle, square, pentagon and hexagon) cross‐sections using Fourier expansion collocation method (FECM).

Design/methodology/approach

A mathematical model is developed to study the wave propagation in an electro‐magneto‐elastic plate of polygonal cross‐sections using the theory of elasticity. The frequency equations are obtained from the arbitrary cross‐sectional boundary conditions, since the boundary is irregular in shape; it is difficult to satisfy the boundary conditions along the surface of the plate directly. Hence, the FECM is applied along the boundary to satisfy the boundary conditions. The roots of the frequency equations are obtained by using the secant method, applicable for complex roots.

Findings

From the literature survey, it is clear that the free vibration of electro‐magneto‐elastic plate of polygonal cross‐sections have not been analyzed by any of the researchers, also the previous investigations in the vibration problems of electro‐magneto‐elastic plates are based on the traditional circular cross‐sections only. So, in this paper, the wave propagation in electro‐magneto‐elastic plate of polygonal cross‐sections is studied using the FECM. The computed non‐dimensional frequencies are plotted in the form of dispersion curves and their characteristics are discussed.

Originality/value

The researchers have discussed the circular, rectangular, triangular and square cross‐sectional plates by the boundary conditions. In this problem, the author studied the vibrations of polygonal (triangle, square, pentagon and hexagon) cross‐sectional plates using the geometrical relation which is applicable to all the cross‐sections. The problem may be extended to any kinds of cross‐sections by using the proper geometrical relations.
Documenting Essex‐Boy as a local gendered regime
Authors: Smith Robert
Published: June 2013

Purpose

As a social construct, entrepreneurship is portrayed as an unashamedly masculine endeavour. This forms the basis for much feminist research in entrepreneurship. Despite a sustained research effort in the field of gendered entrepreneurship research this polarised viewpoint remains under researched from the perspective of masculinity. Rather than perpetuate the polarity this short article aims to consider the concept of gendered entrepreneurial regimes as an explanatory variable.

Design/methodology/approach

Using documentary analysis techniques this article seeks to document the existence of a particular gendered local regime in the form of “Essex‐Boy culture”.

Findings

The findings although tentative indicate that as a recognised gendered local regime Essex‐Boy identity manifests itself physically at a conceptual, gendered, geographic, community and cultural level. Semiotically it can be expressed as a legitimate business identity, a criminal identity, a celebrity status, a political identity, as parody, caricature and as metaphor. It can be expressed as an ideology, a doxa, class position, a culture or as an initiating dream. It also exists at a narrative level via memoires, biographies, jokes or scripted insult.

Research limitations/implications

Given that this is a preliminary study based on secondary documents there is clearly scope for other studies to be conducted into this interesting phenomenon.

Social implications

The study has implications for what can be legitimately studied under the rubric of gendered entrepreneurial research.

Originality/value

This study is original in its exclusive use of documentary research/analysis to uncover gendered aspects of an under studied entrepreneurial regime.
A model for effective board governance in Uganda's services sector firms
Authors: Nkundabanyanga Stephen K. , Ahiauzu Augustine , Sejjaaka Samuel K. , Ntayi Joseph M.
Published: June 2013

Purpose

The present study was carried out with the purpose of establishing a model of effective board governance in Uganda's service sector firms.

Design/methodology/approach

This study is cross‐sectional. The analysis was conducted using Analysis of Moment Structures (AMOS) software on a sample of 128 service firms in Uganda. The perceived effective board governance in Uganda was measured by the perceptions of 128 respondents who are managers or directors in each of those service firms. Three confirmatory factor analysis models were tested and fitted.

Findings

The three‐dimensional model of effective board governance in Uganda – consisting of control and meetings’ organization, board activity and effective communication – was determined to be the best fitting model. Evidence in support of relevant theories of board governance was adduced.

Research limitations/implications

Although plenty of literature on corporate governance exists, there is scarce literature on effective board governance conceptualization and this together with imprecise terminology regarding this area may have affected the authors’ conceptualization of the study. The authors’ study was limited to the service sector firms registered and operating in Kampala, Uganda and it is possible that their results are only applicable to this sector in Uganda. Nevertheless, policy makers of Uganda dealing with financial markets, academicians, company directors, company owners and even general readers interested in the area of effective board governance might find this paper handy.

Practical implications

The authors believe that application of their model should improve the quality of board governance in Uganda and can also apply to other sectors of Uganda's firms to help avert the problem of ineffective boards as evidenced by consistent firm failures in Uganda. By improving the quality of board governance, Ugandan boards will demonstrate their relevance in company direction and improvement of company value to the benefit of all stakeholders.

Originality/value

The present study provides one of the few studies that have analysed with confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) using AMOS to test effective board governance measurement model and provides a benchmark for Uganda's service firms yearning to leverage the use of their boards.
Professional learning of teachers through a lesson study process in England
Authors: Ylonen Annamari , Norwich Brahm
Published: June 2013

Purpose

This paper aims to discuss findings from a development and research project using the lesson study (LS) method in England, which had the overall aim of improving learning opportunities for pupils identified as having moderate learning difficulties (MLD). MLD is one of the most prevalent areas of special educational needs in the UK and the project is the first UK attempt to use LS with pupils with identified learning difficulties. The contexts, mechanisms (processes) and outcomes of the lesson studies carried out at the project schools are discussed and analysed.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper outlines and discusses how teachers carried out lesson studies in 14 secondary schools and evaluates the lesson study processes in their school contexts by using both qualitative and quantitative research methods. The methodology uses a realist evaluation approach which links contexts, mechanisms and outcomes in order to develop and test a programme theory.

Findings

The teachers reported positive processes and outcomes of the lesson study experience for themselves and for the pupils with MLD, but outcomes for the schools were more ambiguous. The findings raise issues about the importance of wider support for the LS process in schools for its successful implementation as well as potential difficulties that teachers may face when engaged in the process.

Originality/value

The paper shows how LS methods can be applied to the professional learning of teachers focused on teaching pupils with learning difficulties in ordinary and some special schools. In so doing, it contributes to the developing literature about Lesson Study in the West. The analysis goes beyond the description of LS practice to examine empirically how LS outcomes arise from specific processes in particular contexts. The findings are relevant to teachers, professional developers and researchers with LS interests as well as educators interested in developing inclusive practices for pupils with special educational needs.
Corrosion resistance of water‐cooled rebar quenched in a novel agent
Authors: Wei Fengyu , Hu Fang
Published: June 2013

Purpose

The purpose of the investigation was to research the corrosion resistance of water‐cooled rebar quenched in a novel agent (CQ) named CQ‐cooled rebar.

Design/methodology/approach

Water‐cooled rebar was quenched in CQ about 1 s, then cooled in air. The corrosion resistance of water‐cooled rebar and CQ‐cooled rebar was evaluated by atmospheric exposure (AE) and wet/dry cyclic accelerated corrosion tests (CCT). The electrochemical properties of the two rebar scales were researched using electrochemical tests, and their compositions and structure were examined using XRD, SEM and FT‐IR.

Findings

The corrosion tests showed that the corrosion resistance of CQ‐cooled rebar was better than that of water‐cooled rebar. The electrochemical tests indicated that the CQ‐cooled rebar scale had a higher corrosion potential, a lower corrosion current density and a higher polarization resistance. The thickness of the scale was 56 μm for CQ‐cooled rebar, and 29 μm for water‐cooled rebar. The phase constitution of the two scales comprised Fe2O3, Fe3O4, 2FeO · SiO2 and FeO, but the mass ratio of Fe2O3 and Fe3O4 to 2FeO · SiO2 and FeO, called protective ability index of the scale (PAIS), changed from 0.45 for water‐cooled rebar to 24 for CQ‐cooled rebar.

Originality/value

The results clarified the role of CQ‐quenching in improving the corrosion resistance of water‐cooled rebar, which was to generate thick and compact Fe3O4 and Fe2O3 layers over the rebar substrate, and retard the anodic dissolution and cathodic hydrogen evolution reaction.
Property and power in the English countryside: the case of housing
Authors: Somerville Peter
Published: June 2013

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to analyse and reflect on the changing relations of class and power in rural England, with a particular focus on housing.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper reviews the evidence concerning the changing ownership of housing and land in English rural areas, and the problems relating to this.

Findings

The paper finds that, in spite of huge social changes over the course of the 20th century, relations of class and power in rural England have retained the same basic form, based on landownership. The countryside continues to be dominated by landowners, who now include large numbers of nouveaux riches, while the landless (and carless) find it increasingly difficult to access housing, employment and basic services and amenities in rural areas. Landowner dominance is maintained not only by the rule of private property and property markets, but also by a state planning system that is heavily biased towards landowning classes and against the poor.

Research limitations/implications

The paper recognises that the situation varies from one rural area to another, so that solutions to the rural housing problem need, so far as possible, to be locally negotiated. However, for reasons of space, the paper does not go into detail on this issue, apart from a few references to the situation in Lincolnshire.

Originality/value

The paper is original in the way it shows how “old” and “new” gentry, in spite of their differences in terms of “productivism” and “post‐productivism”, have shared class interests and values based on landownership rights. It is also the first to argue that rural gentrification is a form of revanchism – a thesis that has previously been applied only to urban areas. Data that have been previously argued to show the superiority of rural areas, e.g. fewer homeless, higher incomes, etc. can now be explained as effects of revanchism.
Sites suitable for mixed use development in Britain and America
Authors: Laitos Jan G. , Abel Teresa M.
Published: June 2013

Purpose

This paper aims to evaluate the suitability and feasibility of the four most likely urban spaces for mixed use development – brownfields (contaminated lands); greenfields (open, undeveloped areas); greyfields (closed or dying shopping centers and empty parking lots); and redfields (underperforming, foreclosed commercial real estate).

Design/methodology/approach

Literature about and studies of mixed use development projects in America and Britain were reviewed, and so too were specific examples of the four candidate urban spaces. The authors then analyzed which spaces succeeded as mixite and which failed.

Findings

Brownfields are often not successfully transformed into usable mixite; nor are greenfields. The cost and regulatory complication of removing pollution from brownfields is too often prohibitive, and greenfields are too far away from urban core areas. By contrast, greyfields and redfields appear to be far more suitable spaces for mixed use development projects.

Originality/value

Most government policies urging redevelopment projects in America and Great Britain prefer brownfields as the space deemed most suitable for mixite. Contrary to this view, it appears that unpolluted spaces, such as redfields and greyfields, that do not need extensive environmental remediation, are typically better candidates for mixite.
The meaning of home: from theory to practice
Authors: Fox O'Mahony Lorna
Published: June 2013

Purpose

This paper aims to analyse the development and application of the conceptual framework within which housing scholars can think, talk about and advocate for “home”.

Design/methodology/approach

It reflects on the theoretical progress that has been made in embedding a legal concept of home in the last decade, and identifies opportunities for this scholarship to support critical engagement with laws and policies that give content to home meanings.

Findings

A key goal for the concept of home is to help us to think about problems differently, by highlighting important issues flowing from the human relationship with home; with the ways in which the idea of home is present or absent in legal responses to home issues. A focus on home meanings enables us to examine questions which are not always deemed “relevant” to legal proceedings, for example, the human, social and personal costs of displacement and dispossession. The concept of home provides the vocabulary, and the theoretical framework, for articulating these human claims more coherently. It enables us to identify those problems in need of policy attention; to develop a narrative to express them; and to generate support for solving them.

Originality/value

Ten years after the publication of “The meaning of home”, this article reflects on the development of the legal concept of home, and the range of contemporary housing issues to which its applications are both relevant and significant.
Profitability of momentum returns under alternative approaches
Authors: Gupta Kartick , Locke Stuart , Scrimgeour Frank
Published: June 2013

Purpose

The analysis aims to explore how momentum return changes with alternative computational methods and the extent to which the portfolio structure is important in the momentum context.

Design/methodology/approach

The focus reflected in the prior research emphasises the method used by Jegadeesh and Titman and various extensions to test whether momentum returns exist. This study uses alternative methods of buying previous Winners and short‐selling previous Losers to determine if this significantly changes the returns.

Findings

The current study clarifies the impact of several contributory factors that impact upon estimated momentum returns. The large sample of cleaned data upon which this study is based provides a higher degree of confidence that the findings are sound and not just a statistical anomaly.

Practical implications

The research is important from a practitioner perspective as details of momentum return are presented for each country using different methods, providing information regarding the most profitable country in which to invest and whether the momentum return is sustainable under different formative approaches.

Originality/value

One of the important contributions of this study is a detailed empirical analysis, presenting results in a global context rather than on a single country basis.
Dividend investing performance and explanations: a practitioner perspective
Authors: Clemens Michael
Published: June 2013

Purpose

The purpose of this research is to investigate the risk and return characteristics of dividend investing compared to a passive “market” approach and provide probable explanations for any differences in return and risk.

Design/methodology/approach

The research design is a standard time series analysis of two different data sets containing information about return for “dividend portfolios” and the “market portfolio”.

Findings

Investing in high dividend‐paying firms earns abnormal returns in a long short‐strategy in the USA and in world indices, confirming earlier studies. Different overlapping strategies and agency theory are used to provide explanations for the dividend strategy's persistence.

Research limitations/implications

While the US findings were significant at conventional levels, the results using the world indices had significance levels that were slightly below the usual academic cut off but may be acceptable to practitioners.

Practical implications

Seemingly anomalous findings should disappear once reported, yet the high dividend‐paying strategy continues to persist and this article provides some explanations relating to the value strategy, beta puzzle and agency theory.

Social implications

Paying dividends may be socially responsible since it is explained as a way of deploying free cash flow in an efficient manner rather than wasting money through overpriced acquisitions or buybacks of overpriced shares.

Originality/value

By using different databases, earlier research is confirmed and also found to be robust across different time periods. The contribution of this paper is to link the value premium, the beta puzzle and agency issues of free cash flows together to explain the outperformance and persistence of dividend investing from a practitioner viewpoint.
Performance assessment of an e‐learning software system for sustainability
Authors: Mahmood Tariq , Hafeez Khalid
Published: June 2013

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to assess the performance of an e‐learning software system to ensure its teaching and learning quality, contextual relevance and longer operational life to achieve economies of scale.

Design/methodology/approach

A Goal‐Question‐Metric (GQM) paradigm along with the ISO 9126 quality characteristics is proposed to assess performance of an in‐house e‐learning software system in terms of its functionality, usability, efficiency and effectiveness. The e‐learning software system was designed and implemented for teaching staff of developing countries attending the T&L “train the trainer” course at the Colombo Plan Staff College (CPSC), Manila, Philippines. The data were collected from the participants from 20 countries who attended the program over a period of three years.

Findings

The approach was very effective for assessing and evaluating various functions of the web‐based teaching and learning software system and assessing its suitability in teaching and learning, and interaction among the users. The findings were utilized to further improve the management and quality of the training program.

Research limitations/implications

Commitment and participation of stakeholders/users is required to appropriately define the assessment goals, generate underlying questions that define those goals, and identify the metrics that provide answers to those questions. The research has limitations similar to any other questionnaire based subjective data collection method, much relying upon the respondent judgments. Therefore, a sound mechanism for data collection, validation and analysis needs to be employed to ensure internal consistency and accuracy.

Social implications

Many e‐learning software systems are accessed across the globe and are utilized by a number of institutions simultaneously while crossing over national and geographical boundaries. Therefore, performance assessment based on different ethical and social values and language barriers, to meet the clientele requirements belonging to different social backgrounds, is essential. Also this research provides many guidelines to reduce the customization requirements for different nationalities, and therefore, makes overall implementation of the learning management system more efficient and cost effective.

Originality/value

Due to the generic nature of GQM approach, this framework can be applied to undertake performance assessment of an in‐house built, web‐based teaching and learning system using the selected ISO 9126 quality characteristics to ensure the appropriateness, longevity and sustainability of the learning system.
Innovation and imitation effects' dynamics in technology adoption
Authors: Lee Sang‐Gun , Trimi Silvana , Kim Changsoo
Published: June 2013

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to investigate longitudinal patterns of ICT and non‐ICT products' adoption over life cycles.

Design/methodology/approach

The Bass diffusion model is used to discern distinctive changes in users' adoption behavior due to the innovation and the imitation effects.

Findings

The innovation effect is more influential for innovators and opinion leaders than it is for all adopters. However, it diminishes as time passes. Conversely, the imitation effect becomes a more powerful factor for the early majority, late majority and laggards. The imitation effect in the ICT industry is greater than that in the non‐ICT industry, revealing the high network effect in ICT diffusion.

Research limitations/implications

Mobile phones are not the representative of all ICTs as the automobiles also do not represent all utility products. More ICT and conventional products need to be included and compared for greater generalization of the results from different countries.

Practical implications

By identifying the strong innovation effect of a new product at the early stage of its adoption, and the social network effect in the acceleration of the adoption speed through massive numbers of imitating consumers, this research reveals the ever shrinking product life cycle and therefore the importance of continuous disruptive innovation as a competitive strategy for organizations.

Originality/value

The paper provides new theoretical insights into the technology adoption research by using a mathematical modeling methodology using real data. The study provides new insights into the strategic implications of innovation and imitation effects for technology service providers.
Credit risk management pertaining to profit and loss sharing instruments in Islamic banking
Authors: Hafsa Orhan Astrom Zeyneb
Published: June 2013

Purpose

This paper aims to provide a new approach for the credit risk management process of profit and loss sharing instruments in Islamic banks.

Design/methodology/approach

Three credit risk management steps are elaborated for profit and loss sharing instruments.

Findings

First, a new credit risk definition compatible with profit and loss sharing instruments is done. Connected to this definition, possible credit risk factors are identified. Second, in terms of credit risk measurement, a general framework for credit scoring of prospective customer‐agents is drawn. Lastly, three groups of credit risk mitigation tools are suggested.

Research limitations/implications

The paper can be developed further by empirical analyses and case studies.

Originality/value

Even though credit risk is a well‐known and deeply elaborated financial concept in conventional literature, its unique characteristics in terms of profit and loss sharing instruments have not been sufficiently elaborated in Islamic finance literature. This paper is an attempt to fill in this gap.
Synthesis and applications of new bifunctional dyes bis (monochlorotriazine) based on tetrahydrobenzo[b]thiophene moiety
Authors: Mohamed Fatma Ali , Melad Mohareb Rafaat
Published: June 2013

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to synthesise, characterise and find out properties of some new bifunctional dyes bis (monochlorotriazine) using tetrahydrobenzo[b]thiophene systems as the chromophoric moiety, bearing good colour strength, lightfastness, and other favourable properties.

Design/methodology/approach

The novel reactive dyes were prepared, containing bis monochlorotriazine as reactive groups. The dye is synthesised by diazotization and coupling reactions. Firstly the authors synthesised the ethyl 2‐amino 4,5,6,7‐tetrahydrobenzo[b]thiophen‐3‐carboxylate chromophoric moiety compound which in turn underwent diazotization and coupling then diazotized and coupled reaction with either 1‐amino‐8‐naphthol‐3,6‐disulphonic acid (H‐acid) and or 2‐amino‐8‐naphthol‐6‐sulphonic (γ acid) to give the monoazo dye intermediates compounds. The latter products reacted with 2,4,6‐trichloro‐1,3,5‐triazine in 1:1 molar ratio afforded, via nucleophilic displacement when subjected to condensation 2,4,6‐trichloro‐1,3,5‐triazine in 1:1 molar ratio afforded via nucleophilic displacement, which reacted with 1,4‐phenylenediamine in 2:1 molar ratio to give reaction with the 1,4‐phenylenediamine in 2:1 molar ratio, the bisazobifunctional bismonochlorotriazine reactive dyes.bisazo bifunctional bismonochlorotriazine reactive dyes thus yielding the new target reactive. The synthesised dyes were applied onto cotton fabric under the typical exhaust dyeing conditions and their dyeing properties were investigated.

Findings

The results assessed for dyeing indicate high quality dyeing properties However, the homobifunctional (bis MCT) dyes showed higher exhaustion and fixation values, colour yield and fastness properties.

Practical implications

The described method showed the synthesis of bis monochlorotriazines derived from the tetrahydrobenzo[b]thiophene derivative 3 followed by their application towards cotton fabric.

Social implications

Social implications are to prepare new reactive dyes having higher fastness and uses for dyeing cotton which is the commonest fabric use.

Originality/value

In this work, the novel reactive dyes derived from the tetrahydrobenzo[b]thiophene derivative 3 were synthesized and their structures were based on the analytical and spectral data. Such a group of compounds are considered to be excellent reactive dyes with different colour shades.
Telling the privatization story: a study of the president's letter
Authors: Gendron Denis , Breton Gaétan
Published: June 2013

Purpose

This paper aims to explore the use of narrative instruments, mainly storytelling, to sell the privatization of State‐owned enterprises (SOE) to the general public by their CEO.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper uses a semiotic analysis approach. It uses specific semiotic analysis instruments: Greimas' actantial model and Propp‐Bremond function model. These main instruments can be backed on time by other devices. The analysis is centered on the president's letters in the pre‐privatization period of Canadian SOEs.

Findings

The paper finds evidence of the use, by the CEO, of discourse in general and specifically accounting discourse to advocate for the privatization. The paper also finds that the general structure of storytelling in the presidents' letters studied implies the use of narrative instruments to surreptitiously convey specific messages in accordance with the surrounding ideology.

Research limitations/implications

This paper studies only SOE that had been privatized. However, top managers of every SOE are facing the same legitimating problematic. The context is strictly Canadian. Therefore, further research may examine Canadian non‐privatized SOEs or foreign SOE, privatized or not.

Practical implications

Privatization is a political decision, i.e. being decided ultimately by citizens. Therefore, CEOs of SOEs do not have to intervene in the debate using their privileged standpoint. Moreover, they will not do it except if backed by politicians promoting the same interests, although tacitly. Citizens must be aware of the manoeuvres done to orientate them toward the “good” decision.

Originality/value

The paper shows that the apparent objectivity of the financial results can be used to promote political agendas. It says that accounting is not a pure reflection of reality but a language used to promote specific interests. It also shows that accounting is telling stories that are used in other parts of the annual report, such as the president's letter.
Possible association of Neu2 with plasma membrane fraction from mouse thymus exhibited sialidase activity with fetuin at pH 7.0 but not at pH 4.5
Authors: Kijimoto‐Ochiai Shigeko , Doi Naoko , Fujii Miwako , Go Shinji , Kabayama Kazuya , Moriya Setsuko , Miyagi Taeko , Koda Toshiaki
Published: June 2013

Compared to other organs, the mouse thymus exhibits a high level of sialidase activity in both the soluble and crude membrane fractions, as measured at neutral pH using 4MU‐Neu5Ac as a substrate. The main purpose of the present study was to identify the sialidase with a high level of the activity at neutral pH in the crude membrane. Several parameters were analyzed using the soluble (S) fraction, N and D fractions that were obtained by NP‐40 or DOC/NP‐40 solubilization from the thymus crude membrane. The main sialidase activity in the N fraction exhibited almost the same pI as that of soluble Neu2 and 60% of the activity was removed from the membrane by three washes with 10 mM Tris‐buffer, at pH 7.0. The N fraction preferentially hydrolyzed the sialic acid bond of glycoprotein and exhibited sialidase activity with fetuin at pH 7.0 but not at pH 4.5. The same activity was observed in a plasma membrane‐rich fraction. To date, the removal of sialic acid from fetuin at pH 7.0 was reported only with soluble Neu2 and the membrane fraction from Neu2‐transfected COS cells. We analyzed the gene that controls the sialidase activity in the crude membrane fraction at pH 7.0 using SMXA recombinant mice and found that compared with other three genes, Neu2 presented the best correlation with the activity level. We suggest that Neu2 is most likely responsible for the main activity in the N fraction, due to its association with the membrane by an unknown mechanism.
Resilience of soil bacterial community to irrigation with water of different qualities under Mediterranean climate
Authors: Frenk Sammy , Hadar Yitzhak , Minz Dror
Published: June 2013

Limited freshwater (FW) availability due to climate change and increasing global populations is driving agriculture in arid and semi‐arid regions to recycle vast quantities of water for irrigation. However, irrigation with treated wastewater (TWW), which contains dissolved organic matter, salts and microorganisms might alter soil microbial populations, and thus affect soil fertility. We characterized the effects of irrigation with TWW and FW on soil bacterial community composition for three consecutive years. Orchard samples were collected at the end of each of the rainy (winter) and irrigation (summer) season. Community composition, determined by 16S ribosomal DNA amplicon pyrosequencing, was highly similar in soil samples obtained at the end of three consecutive rainy seasons, regardless of irrigation season water quality. However, whereas composition in soil shifted slightly during irrigation seasons by FW irrigation, it was greatly influenced by TWW irrigation. During the irrigation season, a decrease in the relative abundance of Actinobacteria was observed; along with an increase in the relative abundance Gammaproteobacteria within TWW‐irrigated soils. The return to the ‘baseline state’ during the rainy season demonstrates that the soil community is not resistant to anthropogenic impact imposed by irrigation water quality, yet is resilient in long term.
The Prodigal Corporation: an Analysis on the Effectiveness of the ACCC's Immunity Policy for Cartel Conduct
Authors: Gray Anthony , Nguyen Bonnie T. , Wait Andrew
Published: June 2013

We examine the impact of the ACCC's leniency policy (Immunity Policy) on cartel stability. The policy, by reducing the fines of the first cartel members who cooperate with competition authorities, can act to deter collusion. However, we find that care is needed in how a leniency policy is implemented. It is possible that the leniency policy can make collusion easier to sustain than in its absence. Further, the ACCC's Cooperation Policy, which applies to all parties who assist the Commission with an investigation, can act to undermine the effectiveness of the leniency policy.
Life Insurance, Human Capital Accumulation and Economic Growth
Authors: Lu Chen , Yanagihara Mitsuyoshi
Published: June 2013

We compare growth rates in the absence and presence of life insurance using an overlapping generations framework with human capital accumulation to clarify how life insurance contributes to economic growth through the education investment of individuals depending on economic circumstances.

Our results show that, as expected, the growth rate is higher when there is life insurance if the rate of time preference or the productivity of human capital accumulation is sufficiently low and if the income loss induced from lifetime uncertainty is moderate. However, if the income loss is sufficiently large, the growth rate is lower when there is life insurance.