bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Suppression of electron overflow and efficiency droop in N-polar GaN green light emitting diodes
Authors: Akyol F. , Nath D. N. , Krishnamoorthy S. , Park P. S. , Rajan S.
Published: March 2012

In this letter, we experimentally demonstrate direct correlation between efficiency droop and carrier overflow in InGaN/GaN green light emitting diodes (LEDs). Further, we demonstrate flat external quantum efficiency curve up to 400 A/cm2 in a plasma assisted molecular beam epitaxy grown N-polar double quantum well LED without electron blocking layers. This is achieved by exploring the superior properties of reverse polarization field of N-face polarity, such as effective carrier injection and higher potential barriers against carrier overflow mechanism. The LEDs were found to operate with a low (∼2.3 V) turn-on voltage.
Effect of microstrain on the magnetism and magnetocaloric properties of MnAs0.97P0.03
Authors: Sun N. K. , Liu F. , Gao Y. B. , Cai Z. Q. , Du B. S. , Xu S. N. , Si P. Z.
Published: March 2012

In the compound MnAs0.97P0.03, prepared by mechanical milling, a large microstrain of 0.68%, calculated by quantitative x-ray diffraction analysis, induces a recoverable helimagnetic state at low temperatures and suppresses the temperature/field-induced orthorhombic-hexagonal phase transition. This leads to a remarkable reduction of both the thermal and the magnetic hysteresis at the Curie temperature, TC. Around the helimagnetic-ferromagnetic transition temperature and at TC, a large inverse magnetocaloric effect (MCE) with magnetic entropy change ΔSm of 5.6 J/kg K at 208 K and a normal MCE with ΔSm of −4.4 J/kg K at 253 K for a 5 T field change are observed. After annealing, MnAs0.97P0.03 exhibits a large MCE near room temperature with ΔSm of ∼14 J/kg K for a field change from 0 to 5 T.
Determining factor of effective work function in metal/bi-layer high-k gate stack structure studied by photoemission spectroscopy
Authors: Toyoda S. , Kumigashira H. , Oshima M. , Sugaya H. , Morita H.
Published: March 2012

We have demonstrated the determining factor of effective work function in TiN/HfO2/Al2O3/SiO2 gate stack structures by photoemission spectroscopy with synchrotron radiation. Difference in depth profiles indicate that the Si layer inserted at the HfO2/Al2O3 interface suppresses diffusion of Al atoms into the HfO2 layer after annealing, resulting in keeping magnitude of the high-k/SiO2 interface dipole. However, it is found that the increase of the effective work function cannot be explained only by the interface dipole model. We suggest that oxidation of the TiN metal electrode due to oxygen diffusion from the HfO2 layer is one of the most important factors.
Controlling dopant profiles in hyperdoped silicon by modifying dopant evaporation rates during pulsed laser melting
Authors: Recht Daniel , Sullivan Joseph T. , Reedy Robert , Buonassisi Tonio , Aziz Michael J.
Published: March 2012

We describe a method to control the sub-surface dopant profile in “hyperdoped” silicon fabricated by ion implantation and pulsed laser melting. Dipping silicon ion implanted with sulfur into hydrofluoric acid prior to nanosecond pulsed laser melting leads to a tenfold increase in the rate of sulfur evaporation from the surface of the melt. This results in an 80% reduction of the near-surface dopant concentration, effectively embedding the hyperdoped region in a layer up to 180 nm beneath the surface. This method should facilitate the development of blocked impurity band devices.
Mitofusin 2 (Mfn2) links mitochondrial and endoplasmic reticulum function with insulin signaling and is essential for normal glucose homeostasis
Authors: Sebastián David , Hernández-Alvarez María Isabel , Segalés Jessica , Sorianello Eleonora , Muñoz Juan Pablo , Sala David , Waget Aurélie , Liesa Marc , Paz José C. , Gopalacharyulu Peddinti , Orešič Matej , Pich Sara , Burcelin Rémy , Palacín Manuel , Zorzano Antonio
Published: March 2012

Mitochondria are dynamic organelles that play a key role in energy conversion. Optimal mitochondrial function is ensured by a quality-control system tightly coupled to fusion and fission. In this connection, mitofusin 2 (Mfn2) participates in mitochondrial fusion and undergoes repression in muscle from obese or type 2 diabetic patients. Here, we provide in vivo evidence that Mfn2 plays an essential role in metabolic homeostasis. Liver-specific ablation of Mfn2 in mice led to numerous metabolic abnormalities, characterized by glucose intolerance and enhanced hepatic gluconeogenesis. Mfn2 deficiency impaired insulin signaling in liver and muscle. Furthermore, Mfn2 deficiency was associated with endoplasmic reticulum stress, enhanced hydrogen peroxide concentration, altered reactive oxygen species handling, and active JNK. Chemical chaperones or the antioxidant
N
-acetylcysteine ameliorated glucose tolerance and insulin signaling in liver-specific Mfn2 KO mice. This study provides an important description of a unique unexpected role of Mfn2 coordinating mitochondria and endoplasmic reticulum function, leading to modulation of insulin signaling and glucose homeostasis in vivo.
Targeted deletion of thioesterase superfamily member 1 promotes energy expenditure and protects against obesity and insulin resistance
Authors: Zhang Yongzhao , Li Yingxia , Niepel Michele W. , Kawano Yuki , Han Shuxin , Liu Sihao , Marsili Alessandro , Larsen P. Reed , Lee Chih-Hao , Cohen David E.
Published: March 2012

Mammalian acyl-CoA thioesterases (Acots) catalyze the hydrolysis of fatty acyl-CoAs to form free fatty acids plus CoA, but their metabolic functions remain undefined. Thioesterase superfamily member 1 (Them1; synonyms Acot11, StarD14, and brown fat inducible thioesterase) is a long-chain fatty acyl-CoA thioesterase that is highly expressed in brown adipose tissue and is regulated by both ambient temperature and food consumption. Here we show that
Them1
−/−
mice were resistant to diet-induced obesity despite greater food consumption.
Them1
−/−
mice exhibited increased O
2
consumption and heat production, which were accompanied by increased rates of fatty acid oxidation in brown adipose tissue and up-regulation of genes that promote energy expenditure.
Them1
−/−
mice were also protected against diet-induced inflammation in white adipose tissue, as well as hepatic steatosis, and demonstrated improved glucose homeostasis. The absence of Them1 expression in vivo and in cell culture led to markedly attenuated diet- or chemically induced endoplasmic reticulum stress responses, providing a mechanism by which Them1 deficiency protects against insulin resistance and lipid deposition. Taken together, these data suggest that Them1 functions to decrease energy consumption and conserve calories. In the setting of nutritional excess, the overproduction of free fatty acids by Them1 provokes insulin resistance that is associated with inflammation and endoplasmic reticulum stress.
Statistical mechanics for natural flocks of birds
Authors: Bialek William , Cavagna Andrea , Giardina Irene , Mora Thierry , Silvestri Edmondo , Viale Massimiliano , Walczak Aleksandra M.
Published: March 2012

Flocking is a typical example of emergent collective behavior, where interactions between individuals produce collective patterns on the large scale. Here we show how a quantitative microscopic theory for directional ordering in a flock can be derived directly from field data. We construct the minimally structured (maximum entropy) model consistent with experimental correlations in large flocks of starlings. The maximum entropy model shows that local, pairwise interactions between birds are sufficient to correctly predict the propagation of order throughout entire flocks of starlings, with no free parameters. We also find that the number of interacting neighbors is independent of flock density, confirming that interactions are ruled by topological rather than metric distance. Finally, by comparing flocks of different sizes, the model correctly accounts for the observed scale invariance of long-range correlations among the fluctuations in flight direction.
Using sketch-map coordinates to analyze and bias molecular dynamics simulations
Authors: Tribello Gareth A. , Ceriotti Michele , Parrinello Michele
Published: March 2012

When examining complex problems, such as the folding of proteins, coarse grained descriptions of the system drive our investigation and help us to rationalize the results. Oftentimes collective variables (CVs), derived through some chemical intuition about the process of interest, serve this purpose. Because finding these CVs is the most difficult part of any investigation, we recently developed a dimensionality reduction algorithm, sketch-map, that can be used to build a low-dimensional map of a phase space of high-dimensionality. In this paper we discuss how these machine-generated CVs can be used to accelerate the exploration of phase space and to reconstruct free-energy landscapes. To do so, we develop a formalism in which high-dimensional configurations are no longer represented by low-dimensional position vectors. Instead, for each configuration we calculate a probability distribution, which has a domain that encompasses the entirety of the low-dimensional space. To construct a biasing potential, we exploit an analogy with metadynamics and use the trajectory to adaptively construct a repulsive, history-dependent bias from the distributions that correspond to the previously visited configurations. This potential forces the system to explore more of phase space by making it desirable to adopt configurations whose distributions do not overlap with the bias. We apply this algorithm to a small model protein and succeed in reproducing the free-energy surface that we obtain from a parallel tempering calculation.
BioQ: tracing experimental origins in public genomic databases using a novel data provenance model
Authors: Saccone Scott F. , Quan Jiaxi , Jones Peter L.
Published: March 2012

Motivation: Public genomic databases, which are often used to guide genetic studies of human disease, are now being applied to genomic medicine through in silico integrative genomics. These databases, however, often lack tools for systematically determining the experimental origins of the data.

Results: We introduce a new data provenance model that we have implemented in a public web application, BioQ, for assessing the reliability of the data by systematically tracing its experimental origins to the original subjects and biologics. BioQ allows investigators to both visualize data provenance as well as explore individual elements of experimental process flow using precise tools for detailed data exploration and documentation. It includes a number of human genetic variation databases such as the HapMap and 1000 Genomes projects.

Availability and implementation: BioQ is freely available to the public at http://bioq.saclab.net

Contact:  ssaccone@wustl.edu

Supplementary information:  Supplementary data are available at Bioinformatics online.
GRiP: a computational tool to simulate transcription factor binding in prokaryotes
Authors: Zabet Nicolae Radu , Adryan Boris
Published: March 2012

Motivation: Transcription factors (TFs) are proteins that regulate gene activity by binding to specific sites on the DNA. Understanding the way these molecules locate their target site is of great importance in understanding gene regulation. We developed a comprehensive computational model of this process and estimated the model parameters in (N.R.Zabet and B.Adryan, submitted for publication).

Results: GRiP (gene regulation in prokaryotes) is a highly versatile implementation of this model and simulates the search process in a computationally efficient way. This program aims to provide researchers in the field with a flexible and highly customizable simulation framework. Its features include representation of DNA sequence, TFs and the interaction between TFs and the DNA (facilitated diffusion mechanism), or between various TFs (cooperative behaviour). The software will record both information on the dynamics associated with the search process (locations of molecules) and also steady-state results (affinity landscape, occupancy-bias and collision hotspots).

Availability:  http://logic.sysbiol.cam.ac.uk/grip, program and source code

Contact:  n.r.zabet@gen.cam.ac.uk

Supplementary information:  Supplementary data are available at Bioinformatics online.
The use of classification and regression trees to predict the likelihood of seasonal influenza
Authors: Afonso Anna M , Ebell Mark H , Gonzales Ralph , Stein John , Genton Blaise , Senn Nicolas
Published: March 2012

Background

Individual signs and symptoms are of limited value for the diagnosis of influenza.

Objective

To develop a decision tree for the diagnosis of influenza based on a classification and regression tree (CART) analysis.

Methods

Data from two previous similar cohort studies were assembled into a single dataset. The data were randomly divided into a development set (70%) and a validation set (30%). We used CART analysis to develop three models that maximize the number of patients who do not require diagnostic testing prior to treatment decisions. The validation set was used to evaluate overfitting of the model to the training set.

Results

Model 1 has seven terminal nodes based on temperature, the onset of symptoms and the presence of chills, cough and myalgia. Model 2 was a simpler tree with only two splits based on temperature and the presence of chills. Model 3 was developed with temperature as a dichotomous variable (≥38°C) and had only two splits based on the presence of fever and myalgia. The area under the receiver operating characteristic curves (AUROCC) for the development and validation sets, respectively, were 0.82 and 0.80 for Model 1, 0.75 and 0.76 for Model 2 and 0.76 and 0.77 for Model 3. Model 2 classified 67% of patients in the validation group into a high- or low-risk group compared with only 38% for Model 1 and 54% for Model 3.

Conclusions

A simple decision tree (Model 2) classified two-thirds of patients as low or high risk and had an AUROCC of 0.76. After further validation in an independent population, this CART model could support clinical decision making regarding influenza, with low-risk patients requiring no further evaluation for influenza and high-risk patients being candidates for empiric symptomatic or drug therapy.
Aestuariibaculum suncheonense gen. nov., sp. nov., a marine bacterium of the family Flavobacteriaceae isolated from a tidal flat and emended descriptions of the genera Gaetbulibacter and Tamlana
Authors: Jeong Sang Hyeon , Park Moon Su , Jin Hyun Mi , Lee Kangseok , Park Woojun , Jeon Che Ok
Published: March 2012

A Gram-staining-negative, yellow-pigmented, strictly aerobic bacterium, designated strain SC17T, was isolated from sediment of a tidal flat of Suncheon bay in South Korea. Cells were halotolerant, catalase- and oxidase-positive and non-motile rods. Growth of strain SC17T was observed at 5–40 °C (optimum, 25–30 °C), at pH 6.0–8.5 (optimum, pH 7.0) and in the presence of 1–8 % (w/v) NaCl (optimum, 1–2 %). The major cellular fatty acids were iso-C15 : 0, summed feature 3 (comprising C16 : 1ω7c and/or C16 : 1ω6c and/or iso-C15 : 0 2-OH), iso-C17 : 0 3-OH, iso-C15 : 1 G and anteiso-C15 : 0. The polar lipid content consisted of phosphatidylethanolamine and unidentified amino lipids and lipids. The G+C content of the genomic DNA was 46.4 mol% and the only respiratory quinone detected was menaquinone-6 (MK-6). Phylogenetic inference based on 16S rRNA gene sequences showed that strain SC17T formed a distinct phyletic lineage within the family

Flavobacteriaceae

and was most closely related to members of the genera

Gaetbulibacter

and

Tamlana

with 95.0–95.8 % sequence similarity. On the basis of phenotypic and molecular features, strain SC17T represents a novel genus of the family

Flavobacteriaceae

, for which the name Aestuariibaculum suncheonense gen. nov., sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is SC17T ( = KACC 16186T = JCM 17789T). Emended descriptions of the genera

Gaetbulibacter

and

Tamlana

are also proposed.
Pedobacter tournemirensis sp. nov., isolated from a fault water sample of a deep Toarcian argillite layer
Authors: Urios Laurent , Intertaglia Laurent , Magot Michel
Published: March 2012

A Gram-negative bacterium, designated TF5-37.2-LB10T, was isolated from subsurface water of the Toarcian geological layer of Tournemire, France. Cells were non-motile straight rods that formed cream to light pink colonies on 10-fold diluted LB agar. Strain TF5-37.2-LB10T contained menaquinone 7 and its major fatty acids were iso-C15 : 0, summed feature 3 (iso-C15 : 0 2-OH and/or C16 : 1ω7c), iso-C17 : 0 3-OH and iso-C17 : 1ω9c. The G+C content of the genomic DNA was 46 mol%. Phylogenetic analysis of the 16S rRNA gene sequence placed strain TF5-37.2-LB10T within the genus

Pedobacter

, family

Sphingobacteriaceae

.

Pedobacter composti

TR6-06T and

Pedobacter oryzae

DSM 19973T were the closest phylogenetic relatives (93.5 and 93.3 % 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity, respectively). On the basis of 16S rRNA gene sequence comparison and physiological and biochemical characteristics, strain TF5-37.2-LB10T represents a novel species of the genus

Pedobacter

, for which the name Pedobacter tournemirensis sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is TF5-37.2-LB10T ( = DSM 23085T = CIP 110085T = MOLA 820T).
Winogradskyella damuponensis sp. nov., isolated from seawater
Authors: Lee Dong-Heon , Cho Sun Ja , Kim Suk Min , Lee Sun Bok
Published: March 2012

A novel bacterium, designated F081-2T, isolated from seawater from Damupo beach in Pohang, Korea, was investigated using a polyphasic taxonomic approach. Cells were yellow-pigmented, strictly aerobic, motile by gliding, Gram-negative-staining and rod-shaped. The temperature, pH and NaCl ranges for growth were 4–35 °C, pH 5.5–9.5 and 1.0–5.0 %, respectively. Phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequences indicated that strain F081-2T belonged to a distinct lineage in the genus

Winogradskyella

of the family

Flavobacteriaceae

, sharing 93.7–98.1 % similarity with recognized members of the genus. Low levels of DNA–DNA relatedness values were found between strain F081-2T and

Winogradskyella eximia

KCTC 12219T (61.1 %),

Winogradskyella thalassocola

KCTC 12221T (47.0 %),

Winogradskyella echinorum

KCTC 22026T (39.3 %),

Winogradskyella rapida

CCUG 56098T (34.3 %) and

Winogradskyella arenosi

JCM 17633T (33.4 %). The major cellular fatty acids were iso-C15 : 0 (25.3 %), iso-C15 : 1 G (14.6 %), iso-C17 : 0 3-OH (9.3 %), anteiso-C15 : 0 (7.8 %) and iso-C15 : 0 3-OH (7.6 %). The polar lipid profile was composed of phosphatidylethanolamine, one unidentified aminolipid, one unidentified phospholipid, one unidentified aminophospholipid and six unidentified lipids. The major respiratory quinone was menaquinone-6 and the DNA G+C content of the strain was 32.3 mol%. On the basis of phenotypic, phylogenetic and genotypic data, strain F081-2T represents a novel species within the genus

Winogradskyella

, for which the name Winogradskyella damuponensis sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is F081-2T ( = KCTC 23552T = JCM 17633T).
Dynamics of vibration isolation system obeying fractional differentiation
Authors: Li Song , Fang Bo , Yang Tianzhi , Zhang Yewei , Tan Lijun , Huang Wenhu
Published: March 2012

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to analyze a new, whole‐spacecraft isolator and its performance of vibration isolation, which has been designed to ensure spacecraft safety at the launching stage.

Design/methodology/approach

The design is based on the analysis of fractional derivative stress‐strain constitutive relationship of viscoelastic materials. First, the authors study the constitutive relationships for viscoelastic solid of the damping materials, then the authors introduce the results obtained to the equations of motion for the damped isolator.

Findings

By performing a series of transformation, the authors obtain the analytical solution of the equations. It is shown that the results compare favourably to the numerical simulations and experiments. In addition, a saturation phenomenon for the first order damping ratio is also discussed.

Practical implications

It is found that the constitutive relationships written in terms of the fractional calculus can be applied in the system function of the whole‐spacecraft vibration isolator. Such relationships, developed previously from a model analysis base, have been shown to be useful tools for engineering analyses.

Originality/value

Some suggestions are given to improve the design of viscoelastic whole‐spacecraft isolators. The establishment of a theoretical basis for the new fractional differential dynamical system enhances their value, as they may now be used with increased reliability of satellite.
The classification of acoustic emission signals of 304 stainless steel during stress corrosion process based on K‐means clustering
Authors: Li Jian , Du Gang , Jiang Chen , Jin Shijiu
Published: March 2012

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to classify and identify the acoustic emission (AE) signals of 304 stainless steel during stress corrosion process.

Design/methodology/approach

The corrosion behavior of a specimen during slow strain rate testing (SSRT) in acidic NaCl solution was studied. The AE signals during the corrosion process were classified based on K‐means cluster algorithms; meanwhile, the characteristics of different AE sources were analyzed.

Findings

The results indicated that the AE characteristics of different AE sources, such as pitting, cracking, and bubble break‐up, differ significantly. The 304 stainless steel was prone to the occurrence of stress corrosion cracking under the SSRT condition in acidic NaCl solution.

Originality/value

The characteristics of different AE sources during corrosion process were gained for the first time, which could be of much help in analyzing and judging the corrosion situation.
Research into the characteristics of furnace tube oxide film in CPT, CT, AVT(R) and AVT(O) water chemistry conditions
Authors: Zhu Zhiping , Zhang Hui , Jing Linlin , Xiong Shuhua , Tan Zhenghui
Published: March 2012

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to research the morphologies of the oxide films formed on the internal surfaces of water wall tubes in a 600 MW furnace at 300° while using CPT, CT, AVT(R) and AVT(O) water chemistry. In these water chemistry conditions, a layer of oxide film spontaneously forms in the furnace wall which could prevent corrosions in boiler water directly contact with the inner tube and reduce the probability of tube perforation.

Design/methodology/approach

The different morphologies, specific functions and distribution in the oxide film were identified by electrochemical workstation, XRD, SEM and EDAX.

Findings

It is concluded that metal surface was rugged and had deep corrosion in CPT. Ions penetrated into the oxides of large particles with gaps and intergranular corrosion occurred in CT conditions. In AVT(R), the oxide film uniformly covered on the metal surface played a protective role, but could be easily washed away by solution. The oxide film formed in AVT(O) was similar to AVT(R), but the difference is that large solid particles of Fe2O3 cover the outermost oxide film, which prevents the oxide film from being taken away by the flowing solution. In consequence, the degree of corrosion sustained by the tube walls is lowest in the case of AVT(O).

Originality/value

The results can provide reference for reducing the high temperature corrosion of metal in the actual operation.
Food for thought: “four Ss with one F”
Authors: Rehber Erkan
Published: March 2012

Purpose

This review aims to reexamine the main issues of the food problem under a new concept coined as “Four Ss with one F”. It aims to provide a stimulus for thinking food problems through a simple formula “Four Ss with one F” for getting the “full” story at a glance.

Design/methodology/approach

This descriptive paper is based on an extensive literature review as well as personal observations gained from previous studies.

Findings

The three Ss, security or insecurity, safety, and sovereignty have been major topics in the public agenda for a long time as food‐related problems. When the basic idea “food for all” is considered, these are not inclusive enough. The fourth concept can be described as shareability. These concepts are not competitive but complementary, even overlapping to some extent. Food sovereignty and shareability can be considered opposing concepts to the available free‐market based approaches in the efforts to bring all people food security and food safety. This revision evidenced that despite the many efforts in this field for several decades, present free market oriented approaches have not led to solutions to the problem of food security and providing safe food to all people, i.e. “food for all”. Hunger does not result from a shortage in the food supply as generally argued. The food problem is related to poverty and the inability to purchase food. It is not possible to solve hunger and nutrition problems and maintain a permanent social peace without equality and justice in income distribution throughout the world in such a way that poor people have enough income to access vital basic food needs.

Originality/value

This paper introduces a new concept in food science as shareability along with considering previous concepts of food, security, safety and sovereignty, all together.
A review of Chinese food safety strategies implemented after several food safety incidents involving export of Chinese aquatic products
Authors: Liu Huanan , Kerr William A. , Hobbs Jill E.
Published: March 2012

Purpose

The rapid transition from a command to market‐based economy in China has required the development of a food safety system for aquatic products where one did not previously exist. The pace of change has meant that food safety systems have struggled to keep up. In 2007 food safety incidents damaged the reputation of aquatic products in export markets. The Chinese Government has moved quickly to strengthen the safety regime for aquatic products. The purpose of this paper is to assess these initiatives in the context of their potential to regain international acceptance of Chinese aquatic products.

Design/methodology/approach

A regulatory assessment approach is used.

Findings

The findings are that increased government oversight alone is not likely to lead to a fully effective food safety system for aquatic products. The development of private sector‐based incentives to encourage investment in food safety is an essential co‐requisite to increased government oversight if China's access to international markets is to be assured.

Originality/value

The value of this study lies in the light it sheds on the efforts of a major player in the international market for aquatic products to improve the efficacy of its food safety system. China's regulatory regimes are often opaque, limiting the ability of those wishing to assess the advisability of importing food products from China.
Tea, coffee and associated lifestyle factors
Authors: Hewlett Paul , Wadsworth Emma
Published: March 2012

Purpose

The aim of this paper is to determine lifestyle factors associated with different drink choices as past research has suggested some differences.

Design/methodology/approach

Caffeinated tea and coffee consuming habits in a South Wales sample were investigated by postal questionnaire. Multiple regression was used to determine odds ratios for demographic, health and lifestyle factors associated with drink patterns. There were 7,979 questionnaire respondents, 58 per cent of whom were female. Their mean age was 45.61 years (SD =18.00, range =16‐97).

Findings

Caffeinated tea/coffee consumption was associated with both alcohol and smoking behaviours. The results also suggested that non‐consumers of caffeinated tea or coffee were not a homogeneous group, as different demographic and lifestyle profiles were identified for: those that did not drink tea or coffee at all; and those that drank only decaffeinated tea or coffee.

Research limitations/implications

Future caffeine research may need to consider whether a broad distinction based on caffeine consumption or non‐consumption alone is always appropriate.

Originality/value

The findings suggest some differences within the caffeinated drink consuming population, including demographic profiles relating to whether consumers drank tea or coffee. They add to the data already available in comparing not only caffeine versus no caffeine, but also characteristics associated with different caffeinated drinks.
An appropriate change strategy for lean success
Authors: Bhasin Sanjay
Published: March 2012

Purpose

British empirical research suggests culture and change have contributed to every lean failure. While prevailing research implies that successful lean implementations lead to a profitable organisation it focuses on the low numbers of successful lean conversions. This paper aims to explore the importance of a suitable change strategy resulting in the likelihood of a triumphant lean implementation.

Design/methodology/approach

Predominantly results from 68 survey questionnaires and seven case studies consisting of both questionnaires and interview schedules were utilised. Subsequently extensive lean audits were carried out in 20 companies as a comprehensive validating exercise.

Findings

The significance of change was evident; a high correlation was found within the audits with successful organizations suggesting that a triumphant implementation requires a systematic and controlled change strategy.

Research limitations/implications

While lean failures are attributable to different causes, the fundamental issues of corporate culture and change are evident. Every company needs to find its own way to implement lean and it should be viewed as a never‐ending journey.

Practical implications

The implementation of lean cannot be taken nonchalantly owing to the investment in terms of time and money. Consequently, if an organization pursues the change strategy suggested the probability of success implementation is improved.

Originality/value

This research undertaken in British manufacturing organisations focused on a bespoke change strategy for lean as there exists a plethora of research focusing on the generic change process.
Behind knowledge transfer
Authors: Trong Tuan Luu
Published: March 2012

Purpose

Through an empirical inquiry into manufacturing joint ventures companies in Vietnam setting, this paper aims to examine the relationships among knowledge sharing and its antecedents such as organisational culture, ethics, and human resources localization.

Design/methodology/approach

An analysis of data returned from a questionnaire survey among middle level managers in these manufacturing joint ventures companies was conducted via analysis of variance and structural equation modelling.

Findings

The study findings display the correspondence between control culture and ethics of justice. Flexibility culture, on the other hand, tends to nurture ethics of care, which in turn positively impact localization of intellectual capital. The influence of intellectual capital localization on knowledge sharing is also discerned.

Originality/value

The study offers insight into the linkage pattern of knowledge sharing and its antecedents, organisational culture, ethics, and human resources localization, in manufacturing joint venture companies in a Vietnam business context.
The context of entrepreneurship education in Ethiopian universities
Authors: Tessema Gerba Dugassa
Published: March 2012

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to explore and evaluate entrepreneurship education in public universities in Ethiopia.

Design/methodology/approach

The study is based on the data obtained from 16 public universities in the country. The undergraduate curriculum of each university was examined to understand the departments in which entrepreneurship course(s) is/are offered. The syllabus for entrepreneurship course was examined to understand the focus areas and objectives of the entrepreneurship education. A questionnaire based on the literature was used to gather information about the background of entrepreneurship instructors, the teaching and evaluation methods employed in entrepreneurship courses.

Findings

The results show that entrepreneurship education is in its early phase of development in Ethiopian public universities. Entrepreneurship education was mainly offered in business schools and agricultural colleges, though recently it started to be included in the curricula of other schools too, mainly technology institutes/colleges. Traditional teaching and evaluation methods are dominant in teaching and assessing entrepreneurship courses in Ethiopian universities. Ethiopian public universities are also characterized by a dearth of entrepreneurship promotion centers.

Research limitations/implications

The study is based on the analysis of curricula and course syllabi and the evaluation of academic staff involved in teaching of entrepreneurship. The study would have been more complete had it included the perception of students.

Practical implications

The findings suggest the need for incorporating entrepreneurship education in all disciplines and the need to further improve the teaching and evaluation methods utilized in the courses. The findings also suggest the need to enhance the capacity of academic staff involved in teaching entrepreneurship.

Originality/value

The paper is the first to examine the state of entrepreneurship education in Ethiopian public universities in a detailed way.
Technology transfer in the Italian space industry: organizational issues and determinants
Authors: Verbano Chiara , Venturini Karen
Published: March 2012

Purpose

In today's competitive market, organizations are increasingly aware of the need to exchange the technologies, experience and knowledge they have developed in order to access new markets and revenue streams. They also recognize the need to acquire new technologies and knowledge from the external environment in order to exploit their ideas and create new products. Technology transfer (TT) is defined as the process for the passing and subsequent use of technology, expertise, know‐how or facilities for a purpose not originally intended by the developing organization. Above all, the transfer of space technology is recognized as complex, even though it is increasingly adopted: space technologies can, for example, be adopted for healthcare products, improved waste management and water recovery, as well as by manufacturers. Notwithstanding, few studies have focused on the TT process inside the space sector. The purpose of this paper is to verify which process and what determinants result in the transfer of space technologies to other industrial sectors.

Design/methodology/approach

This study has the final aim of developing the model of a transfer path suitable for the space industry. Specifically, the authors investigated two cases of TT, which have been promoted by an Italian systems integration company and supported by the National Research Council (CNR) and the Italian Space Agency (ASI).

Findings

From an organizational viewpoint, some main differences related to the TT path emerge. Regarding the determinants, the study confirms other studies, i.e. that the most important determinants are the integrability, flexibility and high reliability of the technology, the availability of financial resources, followed by the technological versatility, and the level of R&D competences and knowledge of the receiver organization.

Originality/value

The technological innovation literature has, as yet, paid little attention to the TT process into non‐space areas from the space sector. In order to fill this gap, the paper contributes to broadening the knowledge base on the determinants for TT success in the space sector.
Evaluating the critical determinants for adopting e‐market in Australian small‐and‐medium sized enterprises
Authors: Duan Xiaoxia , Deng Hepu , Corbitt Brian
Published: March 2012

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to present an empirical investigation of the critical determinants for the adoption of e‐market in Australian small‐and‐medium sized enterprises (SMEs) within the technology‐organization‐environment (TOE) framework.

Design/methodology/approach

A conceptual model is proposed for better understanding the adoption of e‐market in Australian SMEs. Structural equation modelling is used for testing and validating the proposed conceptual model based on the survey data collected from Australian SMEs. A logistic regression analysis is conducted for identifying the relationship between the critical determinants and the adoption of e‐market in Australian SMEs.

Findings

A positive relationship is identified between the perceived direct benefit, top management support, external pressure, trust and the adoption of e‐market in Australian SMEs. The top management support emerges as the most critical determinant. The perceived indirect benefit, size and organization readiness, however, do not show a significant influence on the adoption of e‐market in Australian SMEs.

Research limitations/implications

This study focuses on the investigation of the critical determinants in the adoption of e‐market in Australian SMEs. In order to gain an holistic understanding of the e‐market adoption in Australian SMEs, the impact of adopting e‐market on the performance of SMEs should be examined. Furthermore, this study does not distinguish the adoption of e‐market in SMEs between Australian metropolitan and rural areas. SMEs located in rural areas by the nature and location own specific characteristics such as a limited access to resources and less influenced by external pressure. The issues of their concern in the adoption of e‐market might be different from those located in metropolitan areas.

Originality/value

This study contributes to the e‐market adoption research in proposing and validating a research model for the e‐market adoption within the TOE framework, and by highlighting the criticality of the determinants of adopting e‐market in Australian SMEs.
Perceived justice in service recovery and switching intention
Authors: Nikbin Davoud , Ismail Ishak , Marimuthu Malliga , Armesh Hamed
Published: March 2012

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to examine the relationship between distributive, procedural, interpersonal and informational justices on switching intentions.

Design/methodology/approach

Data were gathered on distributive, procedural, interpersonal, informational justices and switching intentions by means of a survey from prepaid mobile subscribers in Malaysia.

Findings

The results show that the effects of procedural justices on switching intentions were stronger than distributive and informational justices. However, the results did not indicate a significant relationship between interpersonal justice and switching intentions.

Research limitations/implications

The paper examines only one service context; consequently, the results cannot be generalized for other services in the industry.

Practical implications

The results of this study are useful for Malaysian marketing practitioners in the overly saturated and highly competitive mobile telecommunication industry.

Originality/value

Unlike previous studies, the paper incorporates a fourth dimension of justice – informational justice – into the service recovery literature. Although prior studies have investigated the relationship between perceived justice and positive behavioral intentions, there is no specific study currently investigating the relationship between perceived justices and negative outcomes.
When is going green good for company image?
Authors: Raska David , Shaw Doris
Published: March 2012

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to examine the conditions under which US consumers, known for their “green” skepticism, are more (less) likely to respond favorably to a firm's environmental initiative in today's marketplace.

Design/methodology/approach

The research paper investigates whether the general positive impact derived from the implementation of societal initiatives found by other researchers carries over when specific environmental initiatives are put into operation. The authors test hypotheses related to consumer responses to information about a firm's environmental initiative with varied salience of its public‐ and self‐serving motives. Next, they test how consumer responses are affected by the level of perceived sincerity associated with a firm's environmental initiative. The role of brand commitment is also examined across both studies.

Findings

The results reveal that consumers use a rather skeptical approach when interpreting a firm's environmental initiative and that these responses vary based on the level of brand commitment, as well as how the initiative is presented to them.

Research limitations/implications

The generalizability of results is currently limited to a particular brand with strong brand equity, large market share, and highly experiential service (Starbucks).

Practical implications

The authors provide insights into what marketers and policy makers should consider in the development of environmental initiatives, in order to increase the likelihood of positive consumer responses.

Originality/value

The present research contributes to the development (and application) of more accurate models of consumer responses to a firm's environmental initiative.
Wage differentials between native and immigrant women in Spain
Authors: Nicodemo Catia , Ramos Raul
Published: March 2012

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to quantify the wage gap between native and immigrant women in Spain, taking into account differences in their characteristics and the need to control for common support. If immigrant women are segregated in occupations with few native women, it is important to take this into account to analyse wage differentials between both collectives.

Design/methodology/approach

Microdata from the Continuous Sample of Working Histories (Muestra Continua de Vidas Laborales) on wages and other personal characteristics such as gender, country of origin, and age were used to apply the matching procedure and the decomposition of the wage gap, along the lines of Ñopo, for the analysis of wage differentials between native and immigrant women. The advantage of this procedure is that one can simultaneously estimate the common support and the mean counterfactual wage for the women on the common support (i.e. comparing native and immigrant women with similar observable characteristics). In addition, differences not only at the mean but also along the entire wage distribution can be described.

Findings

The results obtained indicate that, on average, immigrant women earn less than native women in the Spanish labour market. This wage gap is bigger when immigrant women from developing countries are considered, but the authors’ main finding is that an important part of this wage gap is related to differences in common support (i.e. immigrant women are segregated in certain jobs with low wages different from those occupied by native women). If the need to control for common support is neglected, estimates of the wage gap will be biased.

Originality/value

Studying the case of Spain is particularly interesting because it is a country with abundant and recent immigration. Immigrant women account for more than half of the total immigrants in Spain, and unlike other host countries, they come from a highly varied range of countries, with origins as diverse as Latin America, the Maghreb and Eastern Europe. To the authors’ knowledge, no other study has explicitly focused on the analysis of the wage differential of immigrant women in the Spanish labour market by taking into account the need to control for common support. Moreover, published papers illustrating the potentiality of Ñopo's methodology are also very scarce.
Gendered organizations and intersectionality: problems and possibilities
Authors: Acker Joan
Published: March 2012

Purpose

Theorizing that was conceived in the 1970s about gendered processes in organizations helped explain gender inequalities in organizations. This article aims to take the opportunity to re‐examine these processes – including the gendered substructure of organizations, gendered subtext, the gendered logic of organization and the abstract worker from the perspective of the original author in a present‐day context.

Design/methodology/approach

A reflexive approach was used to consider how gender theorizing itself has become more complex as captured in the notion of intersectionality when gender process interacts with other forms of inequality.

Findings

The key finding is the persistence of inequality regimes despite organizational changes, which still make developments in theorizing gender processes relevant.

Originality/value

This article is an opportunity to reflect on the conceptualization and development of one's theorizing over three decades, which has suggested that there are still key questions that demand answers from academics and practitioners who want to challenge these inequality regimes.
Gender subtext revisited
Authors: Benschop Yvonne , Doorewaard Hans
Published: March 2012

Purpose

This paper aims to examine if the notion of gender subtext is still a useful concept to study the implicit processes of gender distinctions in organizations. It also aims to confront the authors' earlier elaboration of the concept of gender subtext with recently developed insights on how organizational processes produce gender at work.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper reviews the literature that was used to develop the notion of gender subtext. Then it turns to the new insights, concepts and theories that should be included in the update of the notion of gender subtext. The discussion focuses on three elements in particular: the entrance of intersectionality, the disappearance of the layered processes and the prevailing persistency of power.

Findings

The paper concludes that the original concept of gender subtext as a power‐based set of arrangements that reproduce gender distinctions can benefit from the recent theorizing on gender in organizations. The new notion genderplus subtext takes the interference of multiple inequalities into account. Gender is one important part, but not the only, or even the most important, form of inequality at work. To understand the dynamic process of (re)production of these inequalities, the paper points to the interplay between structural, cultural, interaction and identity processes in organizations, and to the hybrid power processes of compliance, accommodation, resistance and counter‐resistance.

Practical implications

The authors hope that this updated version may trigger more debate about the reproduction and, more importantly, about change of gender inequalities in organizations.

Originality/value

The paper reconceptualizes gender subtext, bringing a new perspective to the understanding of the power processes that produce or alter complex inequalities in organizations.