bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Intrinsic conductivity of carbon nanotubes and graphene sheets having a realistic geometry
Authors: Vargas–Lara Fernando , Hassan Ahmed M. , Garboczi Edward J. , Douglas Jack F.
Published: November 2015

The addition of carbon nanotubes (CNTs) and graphene sheets (GSs) into polymeric materials can greatly enhance the conductivity and alter the electromagnetic response of the resulting nanocomposite material. The extent of these property modifications strongly depends on the structural parameters describing the CNTs and GSs, such as their shape and size, as well as their degree of particle dispersion within the polymeric matrix. To model these property modifications in the dilute particle regime, we determine the leading transport virial coefficients describing the conductivity of CNT and GS composites using a combination of molecular dynamics, path-integral, and finite-element calculations. This approach allows for the treatment of the general situation in which the ratio between the conductivity of the nanoparticles and the polymer matrix is arbitrary so that insulating, semi-conductive, and conductive particles can be treated within a unified framework. We first generate ensembles of CNTs and GSs in the form of self-avoiding worm-like cylinders and perfectly flat and random sheet polymeric structures by using molecular dynamics simulation to model the geometrical shapes of these complex-shaped carbonaceous nanoparticles. We then use path-integral and finite element methods to calculate the electric and magnetic polarizability tensors (αE, αM) of the CNT and GS nanoparticles. These properties determine the conductivity virial coefficient σ in the conductive and insulating particle limits, which are required to estimate σ in the general case in which the conductivity contrast Δ between the nanoparticle and the polymer matrix is arbitrary. Finally, we propose approximate relationships for αE and αM that should be useful in materials design and characterization applications.
Admittance–voltage profiling of AlxGa1−xN/GaN heterostructures: Frequency dependence of capacitance and conductance
Authors: Köhler K. , Pletschen W. , Godejohann B. , Müller S. , Menner H. P. , Ambacher O.
Published: November 2015

Admittance–voltage profiling of AlxGa1−xN/GaN heterostructures was used to determine the frequency dependent capacitance and conductance of FET devices in the frequency range from 50 Hz to 1 MHz. The nominally undoped low pressure metal-organic vapor-phase epitaxy structures were grown with an Al-content of 30%. An additional 1 nm thick AlN interlayer was placed in one structure before the Al0.3Ga0.7N layer growth. For frequencies below 108 Hz it is convenient to use equivalent circuits to represent electric or dielectric properties of a material, a method widely used, for example, in impedance spectroscopy. We want to emphasize the relation between frequency dependent admittance–voltage profiling and the corresponding equivalent circuits to the complex dielectric function. Debye and Drude models are used for the description of the frequency dependent admittance profiles in a range of depletion onset of the two-dimensional electron gas. Capacitance- and conductance-frequency profiles are fitted in the entire measured range by combining both models. Based on our results, we see contributions to the two-dimensional electron gas for our samples from surface states (80%) as well as from background doping in the Al0.3Ga0.7N barriers (20%). The specific resistance of the layers below the gate is above 105 Ω cm for both samples and increases with increasing negative bias, i.e., the layers below the gate are essentially depleted. We propose that the resistance due to free charge carriers, determined by the Drude model, is located between gate and drain and, because of the AlN interlayer, the resistance is lowered by a factor of about 30 if compared to the sample without an AlN layer.
Band alignment and chemical bonding at the GaAs/Al2O3 interface: A hybrid functional study
Authors: Colleoni Davide , Miceli Giacomo , Pasquarello Alfredo
Published: November 2015

The band alignment at the interface between GaAs and amorphous Al2O3 is studied through the use of hybrid functionals. For the oxide component, a disordered model is generated through density-functional molecular dynamics. The achieved structure shows good agreement with the experimental characterization. The potential line-up across the interface is obtained for two atomistic GaAs/Al2O3 interface models, which differ by the GaAs substrate termination. The calculated valence band offset amounts to 3.9 eV for an interface characterized by the occurrence of Ga–O bonds as dominant chemical bonding, favoring the high-energy side in the range of experimental values (2.6–3.8 eV). The effect of As antisite and As–As dimer defects on the band alignment is shown to be negligible.
A direct evidence of allocating yellow luminescence band in undoped GaN by two-wavelength excited photoluminescence
Authors: Julkarnain M. , Fukuda T. , Kamata N. , Arakawa Y.
Published: November 2015

The behavior of below-gap luminescence of undoped GaN grown by MOCVD has been studied by the scheme of two-wavelength-excited photoluminescence. The emission intensity of shallow donor to valence band transition (IOX) increased while intensities of donor-acceptor pair transition and the Yellow Luminescence band (YLB) decreased after the irradiation of a below-gap excitation source of 1.17 eV. The conventional energy schemes and recombination models have been considered to explain our experimental result but only one model in which YLB is the transition of a shallow donor to a deep state placed at ∼1 eV above the valence band maximum satisfies our result. The defect related parameters that give a qualitative insight in the samples have been evaluated by systematically solving the rate equations and fitting the result with the experiment.
Manipulating bubbles with secondary Bjerknes forces
Authors: Lanoy Maxime , Derec Caroline , Tourin Arnaud , Leroy Valentin
Published: November 2015

Gas bubbles in a sound field are submitted to a radiative force, known as the secondary Bjerknes force. We propose an original experimental setup that allows us to investigate in detail this force between two bubbles, as a function of the sonication frequency, as well as the bubbles radii and distance. We report the observation of both attractive and, more interestingly, repulsive Bjerknes force, when the two bubbles are driven in antiphase. Our experiments show the importance of taking multiple scatterings into account, which leads to a strong acoustic coupling of the bubbles when their radii are similar. Our setup demonstrates the accuracy of secondary Bjerknes forces for attracting or repealing a bubble, and could lead to new acoustic tools for noncontact manipulation in microfluidic devices.
The probabilistic distribution of metal whisker lengths
Authors: Niraula D. , Karpov V. G.
Published: November 2015

Significant reliability concerns in multiple industries are related to metal whiskers, which are random high aspect ratio filaments growing on metal surfaces and causing shorts in electronic packages. We derive a closed form expression for the probabilistic distribution of metal whisker lengths. Our consideration is based on the electrostatic theory of metal whiskers, according to which whisker growth is interrupted when its tip enters a random local “dead region” of a weak electric field. Here, we use the approximation neglecting the possibility of thermally activated escapes from the “dead regions,” which is later justified. We predict a one-parameter distribution with a peak at a length that depends on the metal surface charge density and surface tension. In the intermediate range, it fits well the log-normal distribution used in the experimental studies, although it decays more rapidly in the range of very long whiskers. In addition, our theory quantitatively explains how the typical whisker concentration is much lower than that of surface grains. Finally, it predicts the stop-and-go phenomenon for some of the whiskers growth.
Passivation of oxide traps and interface states in GaAs metal-oxide-semiconductor capacitor by LaTaON passivation layer and fluorine incorporation
Authors: Liu L. N. , Choi H. W. , Xu J. P. , Lai P. T.
Published: November 2015

GaAs metal-oxide-semiconductor capacitor with TaYON/LaTaON gate-oxide stack and fluorine-plasma treatment is fabricated and compared with its counterparts without the LaTaON passivation interlayer or the fluorine treatment. Experimental results show that the sample exhibits better characteristics: low interface-state density (8 × 1011 cm−2/eV), small flatband voltage (0.69 V), good capacitance-voltage behavior, small frequency dispersion, and small gate leakage current (6.35 × 10−6 A/cm2 at Vfb + 1 V). These should be attributed to the suppressed growth of unstable Ga and As oxides on the GaAs surface during gate-oxide annealing by the LaTaON interlayer and fluorine incorporation, and the passivating effects of fluorine atoms on the acceptor-like interface and near-interface traps.
Enhanced electrical activation in In-implanted Ge by C co-doping
Authors: Feng R. , Kremer F. , Sprouster D. J. , Mirzaei S. , Decoster S. , Glover C. J. , Medling S. A. , Pereira L. M. C. , Russo S. P. , Ridgway M. C.
Published: November 2015

At high dopant concentrations in Ge, electrically activating all implanted dopants is a major obstacle in the fulfillment of high-performance Ge-channel complementary metal oxide semiconductor devices. In this letter, we demonstrate a significant increase in the electrically-active dopant fraction in In-implanted Ge by co-doping with the isovalent element C. Electrical measurements have been correlated with x-ray absorption spectroscopy and transmission electron microscopy results in addition to density functional theory simulations. With C + In co-doping, the electrically active fraction was doubled and tripled at In concentrations of 0.2 and 0.7 at. %, respectively. This marked improvement was the result of C-In pair formation such that In-induced strain in the Ge lattice was reduced while the precipitation of In and the formation of In-V clusters were both suppressed.
Real-time observation of dynamic process of oxygen vacancy migration in cerium oxides under electric field
Authors: Li Xiaomin , Qi Kuo , Sun Muhua , Huang Qianming , Xu Zhi , Wang Wenlong , Bai Xuedong
Published: November 2015

The dynamic process of oxygen vacancy migration driven by the external electric field is directly observed at atomic scale in the cerium oxides (CeO2) thin film by in-situ transmission electron microscopy method. When a bias voltage of a proper value is applied across the CeO2 film, the oxygen vacancies are formed near the interface of CeO2/anode, followed by their migration along the direction of the external electric field. The structural modulation occurs in the [110] zone axis due to the ordering of oxygen vacancies. The migration of oxygen vacancies results in the reversible structural transformation, i.e., releasing and storing oxygen processes in CeO2, which is of great significance for the ionic and electronic applications of the cerium oxides materials, such as oxygen pump, gas sensor, resistive random access memory, etc.
Phonon bottleneck in p-type Ge/Si quantum dots
Authors: Yakimov A. I. , Kirienko V. V. , Armbrister V. A. , Bloshkin A. A. , Dvurechenskii A. V.
Published: November 2015

We study the effect of quantum dot size on the mid-infrared photo- and dark current, photoconductive gain, and hole capture probability in ten-period p-type Ge/Si quantum dot heterostructures. The dot dimensions are varied by changing the Ge coverage and the growth temperature during molecular beam epitaxy of Ge/Si(001) system in the Stranski-Krastanov growth mode. In all samples, we observed the general tendency: with decreasing the size of the dots, the dark current and hole capture probability are reduced, while the photoconductive gain and photoresponse are enhanced. Suppression of the hole capture probability in small-sized quantum dots is attributed to a quenched electron-phonon scattering due to phonon bottleneck.
An amorphous phase formation at palladium / silicon oxide (Pd/SiOx) interface through electron irradiation - electronic excitation process
Authors: Nagase Takeshi , Yamashita Ryo , Yabuuchi Atsushi , Lee Jung-Goo
Published: November 2015

A Pd-Si amorphous phase was formed at a palladium/silicon oxide (Pd/SiOx) interface at room temperature by electron irradiation at acceleration voltages ranging between 25 kV and 200 kV. Solid-state amorphization was stimulated without the electron knock-on effects. The total dose required for the solid-state amorphization decreases with decreasing acceleration voltage. This is the first report on electron irradiation induced metallic amorphous formation caused by the electronic excitation at metal/silicon oxide interface.
Computational analysis of metallic nanowire-elastomer nanocomposite based strain sensors
Authors: Lee Sangryun , Amjadi Morteza , Pugno Nicola , Park Inkyu , Ryu Seunghwa
Published: November 2015

Possessing a strong piezoresistivity, nanocomposites of metal nanowires and elastomer have been studied extensively for its use in highly flexible, stretchable, and sensitive sensors. In this work, we analyze the working mechanism and performance of a nanocomposite based stretchable strain sensor by calculating the conductivity of the nanowire percolation network as a function of strain. We reveal that the nonlinear piezoresistivity is attributed to the topological change of percolation network, which leads to a bottleneck in the electric path. We find that, due to enhanced percolation, the linearity of the sensor improves with increasing aspect ratio or volume fraction of the nanowires at the expense of decreasing gauge factor. In addition, we show that a wide range of gauge factors (from negative to positive) can be obtained by changing the orientation distribution of nanowires. Our study suggests a way to intelligently design nanocomposite-based piezoresistive sensors for flexible and wearable devices.
Strain effect on electronic structure and thermoelectric properties of orthorhombic SnSe: A first principles study
Authors: Cuong Do Duc , Rhim S. H. , Lee Joo-Hyong , Hong Soon Cheol
Published: November 2015

Strain effect on thermoelectricity of orthorhombic SnSe is studied using density function theory. The Seebeck coefficients are obtained by solving Boltzmann Transport equation (BTE) with interpolated band energies. As expected from the crystal structure, calculated Seebeck coefficients are highly anisotropic, and agree well with experiment. Changes in the Seebeck coefficients are presented, when strain is applied along b and c direction with strength from -3% to +3%, where influence by band gaps and band dispersions are significant. Moreover, for compressive strains, the sign change of Seebeck coefficients at particular direction suggests that the bipolar transport is possible for SnSe.
Active substrate integrated terahertz waveguide using periodic graphene stack
Authors: Dong Yanfei , Liu Peiguo , Yu Dingwang , Yi Bo , Li Gaosheng
Published: November 2015

The transmission properties of a substrate integrated waveguide (SIW) based on periodic graphene stacks have been theoretically investigated in the terahertz (THz) region. The effects of the dielectric-graphene-dielectric structure of the stack on the propagation properties are shown to be significant and different from the conventional active SIW based on active components. By varying the graphene chemical potential, the cut-off frequency of the proposed waveguide can be dynamically tuned from 3 to 3.7 THz. Moreover, the tunable waveguide displays low leakage loss and single-mode propagation with −120 dB stop-band attenuation. These primary results are very promising for THz integration devices and SIW-based systems.
Colonisation patterns of supralittoral arthropods in naturally stranded wrack debris on Atlantic sandy beaches of Brazil and Spain
Authors: Ruiz-Delgado M. Carmen , Vieira Jenyffer Vierheller , Reyes-Martínez M. José , Borzone Carlos Alberto , Outerelo Raimundo , Sánchez-Moyano Juan Emilio , García-García Francisco José
Published: November 2015

From an ecosystem perspective, wrack debris represents a key element for the maintenance of biodiversity and functioning of sandy beaches. Here, we characterised the colonisation patterns of supralittoral assemblages associated with wrack accumulations (seaweed and mangrove propagules) on multiple Atlantic sandy beaches (southern Brazil and south-western Spain). By using a manipulative field experiment, we sought to determine the temporal changes of the density, diversity and the structure of the whole community during the colonisation of wrack debris, and whether the colonisation patterns in response to the stranding of natural wrack debris were different on local (between beaches) and regional (between Atlantic regions) scales. Our results showed increases in density and diversity during the first 3 days after the stranding of seaweeds and mangrove-propagules debris. Moreover, wrack debris was promptly invaded by a wide range of species (i.e. talitrids, dipterans, coleopterans and spiders), although the colonisation pattern was slower in southern Brazil (16-day period) than in south-western Spain (3-day period). Wrack-debris characteristics (e.g. amount, degradation and composition) combined with biological strategies (e.g. trophic guilds and mobility) of supralittoral species could explain the different colonisation patterns in each Atlantic region. The temporal changes of wrack-associated fauna can have potential effects on the wrack-derived process and food-web structure on sandy beaches.
Attentional effects on orientation judgements are dependent on memory consolidation processes
Authors: Haskell Christie , Anderson Britt
Published: November 2015

Are the effects of memory and attention on perception synergistic, antagonistic, or independent? Tested separately, memory and attention have been shown to affect the accuracy of orientation judgements. When multiple stimuli are presented sequentially versus simultaneously, error variance is reduced. When a target is validly cued, precision is increased. What if they are manipulated together? We combined memory and attention manipulations in an orientation judgement task to answer this question. Two circular gratings were presented sequentially or simultaneously. On some trials a brief luminance cue preceded the stimuli. Participants were cued to report the orientation of one of the two gratings by rotating a response grating. We replicated the finding that error variance is reduced on sequential trials. Critically, we found interacting effects of memory and attention. Valid cueing reduced the median, absolute error only when two stimuli appeared together and improved it to the level of performance on uncued sequential trials, whereas invalid cueing always increased error. This effect was not mediated by cue predictiveness; however, predictive cues reduced the standard deviation of the error distribution, whereas nonpredictive cues reduced “guessing”. Our results suggest that, when the demand on memory is greater than a single stimulus, attention is a bottom-up process that prioritizes stimuli for consolidation. Thus attention and memory are synergistic.
The propositional basis of cue-controlled reward seeking
Authors: Seabrooke Tina , Hogarth Lee , Mitchell Chris J.
Published: November 2015

Two experiments examined the role of propositional and automatic (ideomotor) processes in cue-elicited responding for rewarding outcomes (beer and chocolate). In a training phase, participants earned either chocolate or beer points by making one of two button-press responses. Rewards were indicated by the presentation of chocolate and beer pictures. On test, each trial began with a picture of beer or chocolate, or a blank screen, and choice of the beer versus chocolate response was assessed in the presence of these three pictures. Participants tended to choose the beer and chocolate response in the presence of the beer and chocolate pictures, respectively. In Experiment 1, instructions signalling that the pictures did not indicate which response would be rewarded significantly reduced the priming effect. In Experiment 2, instructions indicating that the pictures signified which response would not be rewarded resulted in a reversed priming effect. Finally, in both experiments, the priming effect correlated with self-reported beliefs that the cues signalled which response was more likely to be reinforced. These results suggest that cue-elicited response selection is mediated by a propositional belief regarding the efficacy of the response–outcome relationship, rather than an automatic ideomotor mechanism.
A bacterial type III secretion-based protein delivery tool for broad applications in cell biology
Authors: Ittig Simon J. , Schmutz Christoph , Kasper Christoph A. , Amstutz Marlise , Schmidt Alexander , Sauteur Loïc , Vigano M. Alessandra , Low Shyan Huey , Affolter Markus , Cornelis Guy R. , Nigg Erich A. , Arrieumerlou Cécile
Published: November 2015

Methods enabling the delivery of proteins into eukaryotic cells are essential to address protein functions. Here we propose broad applications to cell biology for a protein delivery tool based on bacterial type III secretion (T3S). We show that bacterial, viral, and human proteins, fused to the N-terminal fragment of the Yersinia enterocolitica T3S substrate YopE, are effectively delivered into target cells in a fast and controllable manner via the injectisome of extracellular bacteria. This method enables functional interaction studies by the simultaneous injection of multiple proteins and allows the targeting of proteins to different subcellular locations by use of nanobody-fusion proteins. After delivery, proteins can be freed from the YopE fragment by a T3S-translocated viral protease or fusion to ubiquitin and cleavage by endogenous ubiquitin proteases. Finally, we show that this delivery tool is suitable to inject proteins in living animals and combine it with phosphoproteomics to characterize the systems-level impact of proapoptotic human truncated BID on the cellular network.
The Numb/p53 circuitry couples replicative self-renewal and tumor suppression in mammary epithelial cells
Authors: Tosoni Daniela , Zecchini Silvia , Coazzoli Marco , Colaluca Ivan , Mazzarol Giovanni , Rubio Alicia , Caccia Michele , Villa Emanuele , Zilian Olav , Di Fiore Pier Paolo , Pece Salvatore
Published: November 2015

The cell fate determinant Numb orchestrates tissue morphogenesis and patterning in developmental systems. In the human mammary gland, Numb is a tumor suppressor and regulates p53 levels. However, whether this function is linked to its role in fate determination remains unclear. Here, by exploiting an ex vivo system, we show that at mitosis of purified mammary stem cells (SCs), Numb ensures the asymmetric outcome of self-renewing divisions by partitioning into the progeny that retains the SC identity, where it sustains high p53 activity. Numb also controls progenitor maturation. At this level, Numb loss associates with the epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition and results in differentiation defects and reacquisition of stemness features. The mammary gland of Numb-knockout mice displays an expansion of the SC compartment, associated with morphological alterations and tumorigenicity in orthotopic transplants. This is because of low p53 levels and can be inhibited by restoration of Numb levels or p53 activity, which results in successful SC-targeted treatment.
Optical volume and mass measurements show that mammalian cells swell during mitosis
Authors: Zlotek-Zlotkiewicz Ewa , Monnier Sylvain , Cappello Giovanni , Le Berre Mael , Piel Matthieu
Published: November 2015

The extent, mechanism, and function of cell volume changes during specific cellular events, such as cell migration and cell division, have been poorly studied, mostly because of a lack of adequate techniques. Here we unambiguously report that a large range of mammalian cell types display a significant increase in volume during mitosis (up to 30%). We further show that this increase in volume is tightly linked to the mitotic state of the cell and not to its spread or rounded shape and is independent of the presence of an intact actomyosin cortex. Importantly, this volume increase is not accompanied by an increase in dry mass and thus corresponds to a decrease in cell density. This mitotic swelling might have important consequences for mitotic progression: it might contribute to produce strong pushing forces, allowing mitotic cells to round up; it might also, by lowering cytoplasmic density, contribute to the large change of physicochemical properties observed in mitotic cells.
The multifaceted roles of the HORMA domain in cellular signaling
Authors: Rosenberg Scott C. , Corbett Kevin D.
Published: November 2015

The HORMA domain is a multifunctional protein–protein interaction module found in diverse eukaryotic signaling pathways including the spindle assembly checkpoint, numerous DNA recombination/repair pathways, and the initiation of autophagy. In all of these pathways, HORMA domain proteins occupy key signaling junctures and function through the controlled assembly and disassembly of signaling complexes using a stereotypical “safety belt” peptide interaction mechanism. A recent explosion of structural and functional work has shed new light on these proteins, illustrating how strikingly similar structural mechanisms give rise to radically different functional outcomes in each family of HORMA domain proteins.
How the optic tectum stacks up
Authors: Leslie Mitch
Published: November 2015

Sticky proteins help create distinctive pattern in visual center of the zebrafish brain.
The sparkling Universe: the coherent motions of cosmic voids
Authors: Lambas Diego García , Lares Marcelo , Ceccarelli Laura , Ruiz Andrés N. , Paz Dante J. , Maldonado Victoria E. , Luparello Heliana E.
Published: November 2015

We compute the bulk motions of cosmic voids, using a Λ cold dark matter numerical simulation considering the mean velocities of the dark matter inside the void itself and that of the haloes in the surrounding shell. We find coincident values of these two measures in the range ∼300–400 km s−1, not far from the expected mean peculiar velocities of groups and galaxy clusters. When analysing the distribution of the pairwise relative velocities of voids, we find a remarkable bimodal behaviour consistent with an excess of both systematically approaching and receding voids. We determine that the origin of this bimodality resides in the void large-scale environment, since once voids are classified into void-in-void (R-type) or void-in-cloud (S-type), R-types are found mutually receding away, while S-types approach each other. The magnitude of these systematic relative velocities account for more than 100 km s−1, reaching large coherence lengths of up to 200 h−1 Mpc . We have used samples of voids from the Sloan Digital Sky Survey Data Release 7 and the peculiar velocity field inferred from linear theory, finding fully consistent results with the simulation predictions. Thus, their relative motion suggests a scenario of a sparkling universe, with approaching and receding voids according to their local environment.
Pilot CBT trial for anxiety in alcohol use disorders treatment
Authors: Fielder Andrea Louise , Mikocka-Walus Antonina , McCallum Stacey , Stewart Benjamin , Alvaro Pasquale , Esterman Adrian
Published: November 2015

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to test the effectiveness of a self-directed cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) booklet allowing immediate access to treatment for anxiety during alcohol use disorder (AUD) interventions.

Design/methodology/approach

– Parallel pilot randomised controlled trial: 69 individuals in AUD treatment, continued to receive treatment alone (control: n=29) or in addition, a self-directed, four week CBT booklet to manage anxiety (intervention: n=40). Primary outcome measures were changes in state (SAnx) and trait anxiety (TAnx) at four weeks. Secondary outcome measures were changes in adaptive (ACop), maladaptive (MCop) coping and quality of life (QoL, physical (PHQoL), psychological (PSQoL), social (SQoL), environment (EQoL)) at four weeks.

Findings

– Participants had significantly higher SAnx (p
<
0.01) and TAnx (p
<
0.01) baseline scores compared to the general population. There were no statistically significant group changes in SAnx or TAnx (p
>
0.05). Control group allocation predicted improvement in ACop (p
<
0.01), MCop (p
<
0.05), PHQoL (p
<
0.01), PSQoL (p
<
0.05) and SQoL (p
<
0.01); CBT group allocation predicted improvement in EQoL (p=0.05). All effect sizes were small to moderate (Cohen’s d
<
0.50). Percentage of book completion did not determine changes in anxiety, coping or quality of life.

Originality/value

– A four week self-directed CBT booklet did not significantly reduce anxiety during AUD treatment. Larger sample sizes will determine the most suitable treatment delivery mode for this type of CBT.
Core memories in library finance
Authors: Steele Kirstin
Published: November 2015

Purpose

– This paper aims to explore the author
'
s own personal involvement with library finance.

Design/methodology/approach

– This is a viewpoint piece.

Findings

– This piece explores the idea of core memories in relation to library finance.

Originality/value

– This is an autobiographical piece inspired by Pixar
'
s 2015 film Inside Out.
Nudges and decision making: a winning combination
Authors: Hall-Ellis Sylvia D.
Published: November 2015

Purpose

– Evaluating a situation and circumstance to make a decision is an essential managerial skill. Experienced managers can use nudging to influence decisions that subordinate and embed the practice within the institution as a learning organization. Adopting a nudge theory perspective changes the workplace environment, so that individuals make decisions that are helpful to themselves for job satisfaction and professional growth as well as positive for the organization. Research suggests that nudging has positive results that contribute to increased productivity, higher morale and decreased expenses.

Design/methodology/approach

– This is an opinion piece.

Findings

– This is an opinion piece.

Research limitations/implications

– This is not a research article.

Practical implications

– Administrators can use the recommendations in this column.

Social implications

– Administrators can use the recommendations in this column.

Originality/value

– This is an original viewpoint.
Management innovations in a Chinese hotel company: the case of 7 Days Inn
Authors: Qin Yu , Li Bin , Yu Larry
Published: November 2015

Purpose

– This study aims to analyze management innovations developed by a homegrown Chinese hotel company aimed at sustaining its growth and reveals some unorthodox management practices in the lodging industry in China.

Design/methodology/approach

– A theoretical sampling process was used to choose 7 Days Inn as a single case study. Semi-structured in-depth personal interviews of 15 informants with varying responsibilities were conducted to obtain organization-specific insights. Content analysis of the transcripts was performed to analyze interview data. Secondary data and interviews of managers in competing hotels were also used to support the findings.

Findings

– This study identified seven major innovative management practices developed by 7 Days Inn. Most of these innovations arose from the company’s idiosyncratic collective mindset. The company created a different approach to thinking about the basic issues regarding business and management – including managerial roles, mistakes and change – that constituted the cornerstones of its management innovations.

Research limitations/implications

– Owing to the limitations of case method, the findings may not be generalizable to other Chinese hotel companies.

Practical implications

– As little is known about innovative management practices by homegrown hotel companies in China, this study sheds new light on a creative and distinctive management system in the Chinese hotel industry. Introducing management styles that differ significantly from those of Western companies will benefit both management researchers and practitioners.

Originality/value

– This study extends previous findings in management innovation by uncovering indigenous innovation influenced by traditional Chinese cultural values in China’s hospitality industry.
How to make your Facebook posts attractive
Authors: Su Na , Reynolds Dennis , Sun Bixuan
Published: November 2015

Purpose

– This study aims to identify what type of post is most effective in drawing fans to like, comment on or share it, building on the premise that hotels can only benefit when “fans” – customers who “like” them – engage in discussion and interaction on Facebook.

Design/methodology/approach

– In the case of the Super 8 Hotels Facebook fan page, 14 underlying factors related to themes, media, characteristics and time are identified in a content analysis of its posts. Multilevel regression is employed in the study to test the effects of these 14 factors on the number of fans who like, comment on or share a post.

Findings

– Posts about hotel products and attributes diminish the attractiveness to the hotel brand’s Facebook page. The posts that include award and discount information, expressed in a humorous way or end with requests to like tend to be liked more often by fans. Furthermore, posts ending with a question are likely to get more comments, but these questions have a negative influence on the number of likes the post receives. In addition, posts with pictures or involving environment concerns are more likely to be shared by fans.

Practical implications

– The paper provides hotel practitioners with implementable communication tactics to increase their appeal to consumers on Facebook.

Originality/value

– The study represents a new academic area of how to communicate using social media and concludes with practical strategies for hoteliers seeking to utilize Facebook as an effective marketing tool.
Employment support to home-workers: the role of civil society
Authors: Mitra Arup , Kumar Rajnish
Published: November 2015

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to examine the effectiveness of civil society in providing higher levels of employment and earnings compared to what labour contractors usually offer.

Design/methodology/approach

– Based on the primary survey data the authors have estimated econometric models to capture who is likely to join the civil society and whether joining actually improves the earnings.

Findings

– The authors observe that a civil society not necessarily is able to provide employment opportunities on a large scale nor it is able to take a lead role in multiple activities. The binomial logit model is indicative that women from large households with greater domestic burden tend to join the civil society and subsequently their earnings increase. However, the lack of work consignment forces many workers to operate through the contractors. Not necessarily the functioning of a civil society ensures optimal outcomes.

Research limitations/implications

– The survey was conducted on the members of only one civil society.

Practical implications

– For a civil society to be successful active operation and a large scale coverage are important. The government and civil society closely may have to operate in order to reap better outcomes. Otherwise like government failures civil society failures can also be rampant.

Originality/value

– A direct evaluation of civil society participation is done in comparison to those who do operate through the contractors.
Determinants of successful implementation of donor-funded projects in Uganda
Authors: Mujabi Shafic , Otengei Samson Omuudu , Kasekende Francis , Ntayi Joseph Mpeera
Published: November 2015

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to examine, empirically the relationship between organizational rationality, knowledge management (KM), risk management and successful implementation of donor-funded projects in Uganda.

Design/methodology/approach

– Data were obtained from 195 project managers of donor-funded projects both managed within government systems and those outside government using a questionnaire. Zero-order correlation analysis and hierarchical regression analysis were employed to analyze the data.

Findings

– The paper has two major findings: all the predictor variables are positively and significantly related to successful project implementation; and the relationship is strong enough to cause a 23 percent (R²) increase in the explanatory power in the presence of control variables.

Research limitations/implications

– The study focussed on selected donor-funded projects in Uganda and this limited the generalization of the findings. Moreover, there was also limited availability of local empirical literature with respect to implementation and performance of donor-funded projects.

Practical implications

– The results suggest that organizations that embrace organizational rationality, risk management and KM succeed in project implementation.

Originality/value

– There are many studies that investigate the practices adopted by organizations that implement donor-funded projects, however, this is the first study to the authors’ knowledge that examines the relationship between KM, rationality, risk management and successful implementation of donor-funded projects in Uganda.
Solutions for risk data compliance under BCBS 239
Authors: Prorokowski Lukas , Prorokowski Hubert
Published: November 2015

Purpose

– BCBS 239 sets out a challenging standard for risk data processing and reporting. Any bank striving to comply with the principles will be keen to introspect how risk data is organized and what execution capabilities are at their disposal. With this in mind, the current paper advises banks on the growing number of solutions, tools and techniques that can be used to support risk data management frameworks under BCBS 239.

Design/methodology/approach

– This paper, based on a survey with 29 major financial institutions, including G-SIBs and D-SIBs from diversified geographical regions such as North America, Europe and APAC, aims to advise banks and other financial services firms on what is needed to become ready and compliant with BCBS 239. This paper discusses best practice solutions for master data management, data lineage and end user implementations.

Findings

– The primary conclusion of this paper is that banks should not treat BCBS 239 as yet another compliance exercise. The BCBS 239 principles constitute a driving force to restore viability and improve risk governance. In light of the new standards, banks can benefit from making significant progress towards risk data management transformation. This report argues that banks need to invest in a solution that empowers those who use the data to manage risk data. Thus, operational complexities are lifted and no data operations team is needed for proprietary coding of the data. Only then banks will stay abreast of the competition, while becoming fully compliant with the BCBS 239 principles.

Practical implications

– As noted by Prorokowski (2014), “Increasingly zero accountability, imposed, leveraged omnipresent vast endeavors, yielding ongoing understanding […] of the impact of the global financial crisis on the ways data should be treated” sparked off international debates addressing the need for an effective solution to risk data management and reporting.

Originality/value

– This paper discusses the forthcoming regulatory change that will have a significant impact on the banking industry. The Basel Committee on Banking Supervision published its Principles for effective risk data aggregation and risk reporting (BCBS239) in January last year. The document contains 11 principles that Global Systemically Important Banks (G-SIBs) will need to comply with by January 2016. The BCBS 239 principles are regarded as the least known components of the new regulatory reforms. As it transpires, the principles require many banks to undertake a significant amount of technical work and investments in IT infrastructure. Furthermore, BCBS 239 urges financial services firms to review their definitions of the completeness of risk data.
The SEC’s Evolving Scrutiny of Private Equity Firms: KKR Hit with an Unprecedented Enforcement Action for Broken Deal Expense Misallocation
Authors: Callahan Veronica Rendon , Fleishhacker Ellen Kaye , Holton Robert , Kaplan Steven A. , Lavin Kevin , Trager Michael , Sylvester Mark , Vallabhaneni Pratin
Published: November 2015

Purpose

– To explain and analyze SEC charges and settlement with Kohlberg Kravis Roberts
&
Co. (“KKR”) related to misallocation of broken deal expenses.

Design/methodology/approach

– Provides background, including other similar SEC enforcement actions in relation to private equity and hedge funds; explains the regulatory violations in KKR’s broken deal allocation methodology and related disclosure; draws lessons and makes recommendations for private equity firms concerning the need for compliance and disclosure reviews and the benefits of remediation and cooperation.

Findings

– This enforcement action and other similar ones represents a continuing SEC focus on fee and expense misallocation. It is also relevant to advisers to real estate and hedge fund complexes that face similar allocation issues.

Practical implications

– Private equity firms and other advisers to private investment funds should re-evaluate their fee and expense allocation policies and procedures to be sure that they adhere to current regulatory and investor expectations.

Originality/value

– Practical guidance from experienced securities enforcement and litigation and investment management lawyers.
SEC staff issues money market fund reform frequently asked questions
Authors: Murphy Jack , Carroll Brenden , Cohen Stephen , Katz Joshua , Goldberg Justin
Published: November 2015

Purpose

– To explain the background and details of the responses from the Staff of the Division of Investment Management of the US Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) to certain frequently asked questions (FAQs) regarding the July 23, 2014 amendments to Rule 2a-7 and other rules that govern money market funds under the Investment Company Act of 1940 (1940 Act).

Design/methodology/approach

– In July 2014, the SEC adopted sweeping amendments to Rule 2a-7 and other rules that govern money market funds under the 1940 Act (Amendments). The Amendments (i) require “institutional” money funds to operate with a floating net asset value (NAV), rounded to the fourth decimal place (e.g. $1.0000) and (ii) permit (and, under certain circumstances, require) all money funds to impose a “liquidity fee” (up to 2 per cent) and/or “redemption gate,” once weekly liquidity levels fall below the required regulatory threshold. The article briefly discusses the background and the events leading up to the FAQs and describes key responses from the Staff on a variety of issues.

Findings

– The Amendments set forth sweeping changes to money fund regulation and will have a profound effect on the money fund industry. Although the most significant provisions of the Amendments – the floating NAV requirement and the imposition of liquidity fees and redemption gates – will not go into effect for two years, the changes to the industry will be apparent almost immediately. The FAQs provide clarity on a number of issues that are relevant to the money fund industry.

Practical implications

– Money fund managers and boards of directors should begin assessing the potential impact of the Amendments and develop a schedule to come into compliance.

Originality/value

– Practical guidance from experienced financial services lawyers.
The development and results of the European Mental Health Integration Index (2014)
Authors: Huxley Peter John
Published: November 2015

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to report on the development and results of the Mental Health Inclusion Index.

Design/methodology/approach

– Data gathering and interviews with key policy makers in 30 countries in Europe (the EU28 plus Switzerland and Norway). Data gathered enabled the production of an 18 indicator benchmarking index ranking the 30 countries based on their commitment to integrating people with mental illness.

Findings

– The main findings were: mental illness exacts a substantial human and economic toll on Europe, and there is a substantial treatment gap, especially for people with common mental health problems. Germany’s generous social provision and strong healthcare system put it number one in the Mental Health Integration Index. The UK and Scandinavian states come next. The lowest-scoring countries in the index are from Europe’s south-east, where there is a long history of neglect of mental illness and poorly developed community services. One needs to understand that the leading countries are not the only ones providing examples of best practice in integrating those with mental illness. Employment is the field of greatest concern for people with mental illness, but employment is also the area with the most inconsistent policies across Europe. A distinction can be made between countries whose policies are aspirational and those where implantation is support by substantial and most importantly sustained, resource investment. Europe as a whole is only in the early stages of the journey from institution- to community-based care. Lack of data makes greater understanding of this field difficult, and improvement can only be demonstrated by repeated surveys of this kind, based on more substantial, comprehensive and coherent information.

Research limitations/implications

– Usual caveats about the use of surveys. Missing data due to non-response and poverty of mental health inclusion data in many European countries.

Practical implications

– The author reflects on the findings and considers areas for future action. The main implications are: better services result from substantial, but most importantly, sustained investment; and that employment is most important to people with mental health problems, but is one of the most inconsistent policy areas across Europe.

Social implications

– Supports the need for consistent investment in community mental health services and more consistent employment policies in Europe.

Originality/value

– This survey is the first of its kind in Europe, and was conducted by the Economist Intelligence Unit in London, and sponsored by Janssen.