bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
To Bayes or Not to Bayes? A Comparison of Two Classes of Models of Information Aggregation
Authors: Budescu David V. , Yu Hsiu-Ting
Published: December 2006

We model the aggregation process used by individual decision makers (DMs) who obtain probabilistic information from multiple, possibly nonindependent, sources. We distinguish between two qualitatively different aggregation approaches: compromising, by averaging the advisors’ opinions, and combining the forecasts according to a naïve implementation of Bayes rule that assumes conditional independence between advisors. The DMs in our studies received forecasts from two or three advisors who had access to multiple diagnostic cues, and made a large number of decisions. Our data are unusually rich in many respects since the studies involve natural sampling of cues with various levels of dependence and various patterns of information overlap. This provides an excellent opportunity to compare the quality of these models. Overall, the DMs’ judgments were closest to the averaging model but, clearly, they did not rely exclusively on this model. The DMs’ aggregates were more in line with the naïve Bayes rule when the advisors provided extreme forecasts were highly consistent with each other, and induced high levels of confidence. On the other hand, when the advisors disagreed with each other, the DMs were less confident and their aggregates were predicted well by a simple averaging rule.
Budget-Constrained, Capacitated Hub Location to Maximize Expected Demand Coverage in Fixed-Wireless Telecommunication Networks
Authors: Bollapragada Ramesh , Li Yanjun , Rao Uday S.
Published: December 2006

This paper presents a quantitative model for telecommunication network installation by companies in the broadband-access business, specialized to the fixed-wireless case. Under stochastic demand modeled using scenarios, we maximize the expected demand coverage subject to a budget constraint on hub installation, and technological constraints on demand coverage by installed hubs. There are multiple hub types, differing in costs and capacities. We present a practical greedy heuristic based on the budgeted maximum-coverage problem and analyze its worst-case performance. For special cases with a single hub type or a single demand scenario, we show that a guarantee of 1 − 1/e or 63.2% applies to our greedy heuristic. For the general case we develop a data-dependent performance guarantee. Through computational experiments, we show that the greedy heuristic’s empirical performance is, on average, within 2% of the optimal expected demand coverage.
Discrepancy-Based Additive Bounding Procedures
Authors: Lodi Andrea , Milano Michela , Rousseau Louis-Martin
Published: December 2006

We model portions of the search tree via so-called search constraints. We focus on a particular kind of search constraint, the k-discrepancy constraint appearing in discrepancy-based search. The property that a node has an associated discrepancy k can be modeled (and enforced) through a linear constraint. Our key result is the exploitation of the k-discrepancy constraint to improve the bound given by any relaxation of a combinatorial optimization problem through the additive bounding technique (Fischetti and Toth 1989). We show how this simple idea can be effectively exploited to tighten relaxations in CP solvers and speed up the proof of optimality by performing a large variety of computational experiments on test problems involving the AllDifferent constraint. In this view, the additive bounding technique represents a non-trivial link between search and bound. Moreover, such a technique is general because it does not depend on either the AllDifferent constraint or the discrepancy search technique.
A Major Appliance Manufacturer Rethinks Its Inventory Policies for Service Vehicles
Authors: Gorman Michael F. , Ahire Sanjay
Published: December 2006

A major appliance manufacturer needed to effectively manage $7 million in inventories of repair and replacement parts housed in more than 1,300 service vehicles used for warranty repairs. The manufacturer wanted to optimize the inventories while ensuring that its technicians carried the parts they needed to repair customers’ appliances on the first visit. Typically, service vehicles carry only 400 of the 70,000 parts stocked centrally. Thus, the appropriate composition of vehicle stock is essential to attain acceptable levels of service and costs. We developed and applied an intuitive, efficient, effective, and easy-to-implement heuristic solution to this vehicle-stocking problem and found that the firm could trim more than $3 million per year from its warranty repair costs and increase its first-visit repair rate from 86 percent to 90 percent. The results of a pilot study supported these findings, and we estimated a payback of less than two years on full-scale implementation. The manufacturer is implementing these improved vehicle-stocking policies across its national network.
Investment Analysis and Budget Allocation at Catholic Relief Services
Authors: Gamvros Ioannis , Nidel Richard , Raghavan S.
Published: December 2006

Catholic Relief Services, a not-for-profit agency that funds development programs and humanitarian relief efforts throughout the world, faces a challenging budget-allocation problem annually. We developed a mathematical model and a spreadsheet tool that allocates available funds based on the impact these investments will have in different countries. The model ensures a fair allocation to countries in need that is consistent with the agency’s priorities and is simple enough for managers to understand. The agency is using the tool to plan its spending and considers it a success that has greatly improved the planning process.
Designing the Response to an Anthrax Attack
Authors: Whitworth Mark H.
Published: December 2006

Federal, state, and local planners are developing plans for large-scale campaigns to dispense medications in response to bioterrorist attack. The plans must integrate supply chain operations, administrative and clinical processes, and client logistics. The Center for Emergency Response Analytics (CERA) used discrete-event simulation to help one community develop its plan for responding to an anthrax attack. CERA’s simulation models enabled evaluation of candidate points of dispensing (PODs), alternative dispensing processes, staffing plans, and traffic-management strategies. CERA used sensitivity analysis to ensure that the plan was robust—that it would work even if some of the underlying assumptions were wrong. CERA determined how many PODs the community would need, how to staff them, and how to manage client traffic and parking.
Defending Critical Infrastructure
Authors: Brown Gerald , Carlyle Matthew , Salmerón Javier , Wood Kevin
Published: December 2006

We apply new bilevel and trilevel optimization models to make critical infrastructure more resilient against terrorist attacks. Each model features an intelligent attacker (terrorists) and a defender (us), information transparency, and sequential actions by attacker and defender. We illustrate with examples of the US Strategic Petroleum Reserve, the US Border Patrol at Yuma, Arizona, and an electrical transmission system. We conclude by reporting insights gained from the modeling experience and many “red-team” exercises. Each exercise gathers open-source data on a real-world infrastructure system, develops an appropriate bilevel or trilevel model, and uses these to identify vulnerabilities in the system or to plan an optimal defense.
Large-Scale Dispensing for Emergency Response to Bioterrorism and Infectious-Disease Outbreak
Authors: Lee Eva K. , Maheshwary Siddhartha , Mason Jacquelyn , Glisson William
Published: December 2006

We describe RealOpt©, a simulation and decision-support system for planning large-scale emergency dispensing clinics to respond to biological threats and infectious-disease outbreaks. The system allows public-health administrators to investigate clinic-design and staffing scenarios quickly. The system incorporates efficient optimization technology seamlessly interfaced with a simulation module.

The simulation studies we present explore facility-layout and staffing scenarios for an actual anthrax-emergency drill, and we discuss post-event analysis. Using our staff allocation and assignments for the exercise, DeKalb County achieved the highest throughput among all counties that simultaneously conducted the same scale of anthrax drill at various locations. Its labor usage was at or below that of the other counties. The external evaluators commented that DeKalb produced the most efficient floor plan (with no path crossing), the most cost-effective dispensing (lowest labor and throughput value), and the smoothest operations (shortest average wait time, average queue length, and equalized utilization rate). The study proves that even without historical data, the use of our system enables emergency personnel to plan ahead and be able to estimate required labor resources accurately. The exercise also revealed many areas that need attention during the operations planning and design of dispensing centers.

A real-time decision-support system is, therefore, viable through careful design of a stand-alone simulator, coupled with powerful and tailored optimization solvers. The system facilitates analysis of “what-if” scenarios, and serves as an invaluable tool for operational planning and dynamic, on-the-fly reconfigurations of large-scale emergency dispensing clinics. It also allows performing “virtual field exercises” on the decision-support system, offering insight into operations flow and bottlenecks when mass dispensing is required for a region with a large population. Working with emergency-response departments, we will perform additional tuning and development of the system to address different biological attacks and infectious-disease outbreaks, and to ensure its practicality and usability.
Implementing and Evaluating SilverScreener: A Marketing Management Support System for Movie Exhibitors
Authors: Eliashberg Jehoshua , Swami Sanjeev , Weinberg Charles B. , Wierenga Berend
Published: December 2006

Every Monday morning, Pathé Theaters in the Netherlands decides which movies in its cinemas to retain and which to replace. It must choose replacement movies from those available at that time. We implemented the SilverScreener model, a mathematical-programming system [Swami, Eliashberg, and Weinberg 1999] to help Pathé managers make those decisions for one six-screen theater and tested its performance against the performance of two unaided similar multiscreen cinemas. Using Pathé's historical data, managerial judgment, and theater-specific factors, we developed an attendance-forecasting system. While a fully controlled experiment was not possible, the revenues at the theater using the Silver-Screener recommendations were higher than those at the two comparable theaters. Managerial attitudes towards the modeling system improved after implementation of SilverScreener.
A Decision-Support System that Helps Retailers Decide Order Quantities and Markdowns for Fashion Goods
Authors: Mantrala Murali K. , Rao Surya
Published: December 2006

We developed MARK, a stochastic dynamic-programming model-based decision-support system, specifically to help retail-store buyers of fashion goods decide on optimal merchandise order quantities and markdown prices. We implemented MARK as an interactive software program that runs on users' personal computers and can be integrated with the retailers' point-of-sale (POS) and other information systems. As we show in an actual-case illustration, MARK improved profitability and managers' understanding of the decision problems. MARK also provides valuable insights into the interplay between order-quantity and dynamic-pricing decisions. For example, higher markdown percentages do not necessarily mean lower profits.
Thirty Years of Conjoint Analysis: Reflections and Prospects
Authors: Green Paul E. , Krieger Abba M. , Wind Yoram
Published: December 2006

Conjoint analysis is marketers' favorite methodology for finding out how buyers make trade-offs among competing products and suppliers. Conjoint analysts develop and present descriptions of alternative products or services that are prepared from fractional factorial, experimental designs. They use various models to infer buyers' part-worths for attribute levels, and enter the part-worths into buyer-choice simulators to predict how buyers will choose among products and services. Easy-to-use software has been important for applying these models. Thousands of applications of conjoint analysis have been carried out over the past three decades.
Marketing Engineering at BBDO
Authors: Brody Edward I.
Published: December 2006

Marketing applications were part of the Operations Research Society of America (ORSA) from its beginning in 1953; expectations were optimistic, although a separate College on Marketing was not formed as part of The Institute of Management Science (TIMS) until 1967. It has proven difficult to keep practitioners involved and to get research translated into practice. The BBDO advertising agency began using OR techniques in the 1960s and learned several lessons, such as that an in-house group was needed to build user trust and that models must support decision makers, not try to replace them. The area of new-product introduction was especially challenging and gave rise to our most successful result—the NEWS model. Its application for the introduction of Wrigley's Extra sugar-free gum exemplifies the use of a marketing model by a manufacturer. BBDO has also had success in the areas of established brand modeling and marketing resource allocation. Marketing engineering is a young discipline and can continue to make important contributions if it retains its relation to marketing practice.
DIRECTV: Forecasting Diffusion of a New Technology Prior to Product Launch
Authors: Bass Frank M. , Gordon Kent , Ferguson Teresa L. , Githens Mary Lou
Published: December 2006

We conducted research for planning the launch of a satellite television product, leading to a prelaunch forecast of subscriptions of satellite television over a five-year horizon. The forecast was based on the Bass model. We derived parameters of the model in part from stated-intentions data from potential consumers and in part by guessing by analogy. The 1992 forecast of the adoption and diffusion of satellite television proved to be quite good in comparison with actual subscriptions over the five-year period from 1994 through 1999.
Forecasting Repeat Sales at CDNOW: A Case Study
Authors: Fader Peter S. , Hardie Bruce G. S.
Published: December 2006

We conducted a modeling exercise in conjunction with the online music retailer CDNOW to develop a simple stochastic model of buyer behavior capable of forecasting medium-term aggregate CD purchasing by a cohort of new customers. We modeled weekly sales using a finite mixture of beta-geometric distributions with a separate time-varying component to capture nonstationarity in repeat buying. The resulting model can easily be implemented within a standard spreadsheet environment (for example, Microsoft Excel). It does a good job of describing the underlying sales patterns and produces an excellent medium-term forecast.
Strategic Service Network Design for DHL Hong Kong
Authors: Cheung Waiman , Leung Lawrence C. , Wong Y. M.
Published: December 2006

We developed a two-phase network planning methodology to design a service network for DHL(HK) based on two measures of service performance: service coverage and service reliability. The methodology consists of first using an optimization model to determine a least-cost distribution network, which forms the basis of a simulation model for analyzing the network's operational characteristics. It takes into consideration such design issues as inbound and outbound shipment, equivalent shipment, cutoff time, demand fluctuation, and random behaviors. DHL decision makers can now examine trade-offs between coverage and reliability by adjusting workforce, changing cutoff time, or redesigning the service network.
The Easy Chair: Is OR/MS a Profession?
Authors: Miser Hugh J.
Published: December 2006

This is the last of many contributions Hugh Miser (1917-1999) made to the “Easy chair” column. An editorial in this issue contains a more complete discussion of his contributions to Interfaces and to OR/MS.
Developing and Implementing a Production Planning DSS for CTI Using Structured Modeling
Authors: Gazmuri Pedro , Maturana Sergio
Published: December 2006

We developed and implemented optimization-based decision support systems (OBDSSs) to support production planning at CTI (an appliance-manufacturing firm) using new methodologies and tools based on structured modeling. These tools can reduce the time and cost required to build such systems. We released different versions of these systems, which progressively incorporated new production processes and several other enhancements. Our development strategy included close interaction with CTI's decision makers, a well-structured training program and follow-up, and short response times for releasing new versions of the software. We estimate use of our system increased profits by 13 to 24 percent, depending on the model version applied, an increase of between $3 to $6 million per year.
Underground Planning at Stillwater Mining Company
Authors: Carlyle W. Matthew , Eaves B. Curtis
Published: December 2006

As part of a new expansion effort, Stillwater Mining Company needed a tool for analyzing development and production scenarios in a new area of an underground platinum and palladium mine in Stillwater, Montana. We developed a large mixed-integer programming model that takes as input the planned mine layout, projected ore quality, and projected costs for basic mining activities, and produces as output a near-optimal schedule of activities that maximizes discounted ore revenue over a given planning horizon. We then used this model to evaluate various planning scenarios and make recommendations about development and production in this new area.
Estimating the Economic Benefits of Forward-Engaged Naval Forces
Authors: Looney Robert E. , Schrady David A. , Brown Ronald L.
Published: December 2006

In preparing for the 1997 quadrennial defense review, US Navy leaders asked us if we could quantify the economic benefits of forward-engaged naval forces and communicate them to policy makers. Until this point, the only evidence of such benefits was anecdotal. Forward-engaged naval forces are US-based ships deployed to such areas as the Mediterranean Sea, the Persian Gulf, or the western Pacific Ocean. Forward engagement affords the opportunity to work with regional states in shaping the international security environment and also enables rapid response to unexpected crises. Using a methodology based on oil-futures prices, we estimated the economic benefits of crisis response by forward-engaged naval forces for the 1990 Iraqi invasion of Kuwait. We showed that the economic benefits to the United States and its trading partners are conservatively in the tens of billions of dollars.
SDHTOOL: Planning Survivable and Cost-Effective SDH Networks at Chunghwa Telecom
Authors: Shyur Ching-Chir , Wen Ue-Pyng
Published: December 2006

SDHTOOL, a decision-support system developed by Chunghwa Telecom Co., Ltd. (CHT), applies heuristics to plan synchronous digital hierarchy (SDH) network architecture and evolution. Planning SDH networks is complex and must be done quickly because of keen competition and rapid changes in telecommunications. A flexible, easy-to-use, state-of-the-art planning tool is needed. SDHTOOL simplifies the planning process, selecting the most appropriate network architecture in terms of cost and survivability. It helps planners to achieve global optimization, ensuring that networks meet service and protection objectives economically and maintain compatibility between new and old equipment during the transition. Compared to conventional labor-intensive planning, SDHTOOL reduces planning time and cuts costs 15 to 33 percent.
Linking Operations Management Students Directly to the Real World
Authors: Ahire Sanjay L.
Published: December 2006

Linking business students in operations management (OM) directly to real-world operations improvement experiences in manufacturing and service organizations resulted in 70 OM student field projects during the academic year 1998-1999 at Indiana University South Bend. The projects helped client organizations to identify strategies to improve quality, flexibility, and speed of operations, streamline processes, enhance customer satisfaction, reduce costs, and improve profits. Students gained valuable professional experience. The supervising faculty member and the institution enhanced their professional and community participation. The shared experiences should stimulate business schools and industries to implement this totally integrative experiential approach to OM course instruction.
Optimal Design of a Data-Offload Network
Authors: Shortle John F. , Dietz Dennis C. , Katz Paul A. , Williamson Craig B. , Koehler James R. , Elcan Amie J.
Published: December 2006

Internet traffic causes much congestion on the public switched-telephone network. One way to relieve congestion is to transfer (or offload) Internet calls to a separate data network. We developed an integer programming model that optimizes the locations and capacities of the offload equipment to transfer data traffic at minimum cost. We employed an interactive tool based on the model to design and expand metropolitan data-offload networks. This saves Qwest an estimated $1.5 million over manual designs and reduces expected call blocking by 25 percent.
Practice Abstract
Authors: Keefer Donald L. , Beccue Phil
Published: December 2006

Practice Abstracts carries short reports of specific current or recent OR/MS projects. Often these reports are based on existing documents, such as internal reports or company newsletters. We hope that these abstracts will be accessible, interesting, and valuable to practitioners in other organizations. Contributions should be sent for evaluation to the editor of “Practice Abstracts,” Donald L. Keefer, Department of Supply Chain Management, Arizona State University, Box 874706, Tempe, Arizona 85287-4706 [don.keefer@asu.edu].
The Value of Decision Analysis at Eastman Kodak Company, 1990-1999
Authors: Clemen Robert T. , Kwit Robert C.
Published: December 2006

Because of the one-time nature of typical decision-analysis projects, organizations often have difficulty identifying and documenting their value. Based on Eastman Kodak Company's records for 1990 to 1999, we estimated that decision analysis contributed around a billion dollars to the organization over this time. The data also reflect the many roles decision analysis can play. Aside from its monetary benefits, it promotes careful thinking about strategies and alternatives, improved understanding and appreciation of risk, and use of systematic decision-making principles.
Simulation of Back-Deck Operations on a Marine Seismic Vessel
Authors: Gavirneni Srinagesh , Hooykaas Carel , Morrice Douglas
Published: December 2006

Marine seismic vessels deploy exploration equipment from their back decks in configurations called streamers. Streamers are kept afloat by towing and extend over many kilometers. Streamer deployment in a new area, called mobilization, is a complex process and typically takes four to five days. This time is considered part of the operational overhead and is not billed to the clients. Since revenues are measured in tens of thousands of dollars per day, reducing deployment times directly affects profit. We developed a discrete-event simulation model of back-deck operations to better understand and improve deployment times. Our study led to a new mobilization procedure for deploying two streamers simultaneously, yielding a 30 percent improvement in deployment times. The model also allowed us to answer what-if questions about back-deck operations and has led directly to new equipment designs for the latest generation of marine seismic vessels.
Understanding the Impact of Collaboration Software on Product Design and Development
Authors: Banker Rajiv D. , Bardhan Indranil , Asdemir Ozer
Published: December 2006

Prior research suggests that supply chain collaboration has enabled companies to compete more efficiently in a global economy. We investigate a class of collaboration software for product design and development called collaborative product commerce (CPC). Drawing on prior research in media richness theory and organizational science, we develop a theoretical framework to study the impact of CPC on product development. Based on data collected from 71 firms, we test our research hypotheses on the impact of CPC on product design quality, design cycle time, and development cost. We find that CPC implementation is associated with greater collaboration among product design teams. This collaboration has a significant, positive impact on product quality and reduces cycle time and product development cost. Further analyses reveal that CPC implementation is associated with substantial cost savings that can be attributed to improvements in product design quality, design turnaround time, greater design reuse, and lower product design documentation and rework costs.
A Reply to “A Comment on ‘Is Having More Channels Really Better? A Model of Competition Among Commercial Television Broadcasters’ ”
Authors: Liu Yong , Putler Daniel S. , Weinberg Charles B.
Published: December 2006

Liu et al. [Liu, Y., D. S. Putler, C. B. Weinberg. 2004. Is having more channels really better? A model of competition among commercial television broadcasters. Marketing Sci. 23(1) 120–133] examine the television broadcast industry using a model in which profit-maximizing broadcasters seek to gain viewers by choosing the type of program to offer and by spending money to set program quality, allowing broadcasters to sell access to those viewers (through inserted advertisements) at a fixed rate per viewer. Wu and Chou [Wu, C., S. Chou. 2006. Commentary on “Is having more channels really better? A model of competition among commercial television broadcasters”. Marketing Sci. 25(5) 541–545] argue that the duopoly result for a certain range of the cost parameter in Liu et al. is not a pure strategy Nash equilibrium. They further propose some modifications to the original model to restore Liu et al.’s results.

In this reply, we demonstrate how a single strategy, not included in the strategy space of the Liu et al. duopoly model leads to the difference between our analysis and that of Wu and Chou. While we had intended to rule out this strategy, the text was not entirely clear on this issue; Wu and Chou’s comment provides an opportunity to clarify the situation. We provide both empirical and theoretical support for excluding this strategy, which allows us to focus on the more plausible competitive situations in television broadcasting. We also reply to Wu and Chou’s other comments on several issues, such as the relative importance of program type versus quality.
Expression of Alpha 7 Nicotinic Acetylcholine Receptors by Bipolar, Amacrine, and Ganglion Cells of the Rabbit Retina
Authors: Dmitrieva Nina A. , Strang Christianne E. , Keyser Kent T.
Published: December 2006

Cholinergic agents affect the light responses of many ganglion cells (GCs) in the mammalian retina by activating nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (nAChRs). Whereas retinal neurons that express β2 subunit-containing nAChRs have been characterized in the rabbit retina, expression patterns of other nAChR subtypes remain unclear. Therefore, we evaluated the expression of α7 nAChRs in retinal neurons by means of single-, double-, and triple-label immunohistochemistry. Our data demonstrate that, in the rabbit retina, several types of bipolar cells, amacrine cells, and cells in the GC layer express α7 nAChRs. At least three different populations of cone bipolar cells exhibited α7 labeling, whereas glycine-immunoreactive amacrine cells comprised the majority of α7-positive amacrine cells. Some GABAergic amacrine cells also displayed α7 immunoreactivity; α7 labeling was never detected in rod bipolar cells or rod amacrine cells (All amacrine cells). Our data suggest that activation of α7 nAChRs by acetylcholine (ACh) or choline may affect glutamate release from several types of cone bipolar cells, modulating GC responses. ACh-induced excitation of inhibitory amacrine cells might cause either inhibition or disinhibition of other amacrine and GC circuits. Finally, ACh may act on α7 nAChRs expressed by GCs themselves.
Expression Profiles of Mouse Kell, XK, and XPLAC mRNA
Authors: Lee Soohee , Sha Quan , Wu Xu , Calenda Giulia , Peng Jianbin
Published: December 2006

Kell and XK are related because in red cells they exist as a disulfide-bonded complex. Kell is an endothelin-3-converting enzyme, and XK is predicted to be a transporter. Absence of XK, which is accompanied by reduced Kell on red cells, results in acanthocytosis and late-onset forms of central nervous system and neuromuscular abnormalities that characterize the McLeod syndrome. In this study, expression of mouse XK, XPLAC, a homolog of XK, and Kell were compared by in situ hybridization histochemistry (ISHH) and RT-PCR. ISHH showed that Kell and XK are coexpressed in erythroid tissues. ISHH detected XK, but not Kell, mRNA in testis, but RT-PCR indicated that both Kell and XK are coexpressed. XK, but not Kell, was significantly expressed in brain, spinal cord, small intestine, heart, stomach, bladder, and kidney. ISHH did not detect XK in skeletal muscle but RT-PCR did. In brain, XK was predominantly expressed in neuronal rather than in supportive cells. By contrast, XPLAC was predominantly expressed in the thymus. Coexpression of Kell and XK in erythroid tissues and the different expressions in non-erythroid tissues suggest that XK may have a complementary hematological function with Kell and a separate role in other tissues.
Rhythm in Music: What is it? Who has it? And Why?
Authors: Bispham John
Published: December 2006

This article explores human rhythmic abilities and behaviors within a framework of evolutionary theory highlighting the need for research in this area to be grounded upon solid psychologically valid definitions of rhythm. A wide-ranging cross-species comparison of rhythmic or quasi-rhythmic behaviors is presented with a view to exploring possible homologies and homoplasies to rhythm in human music. Sustained musical pulse and period correction mechanisms are put forward as human-specific and music-specific traits. Finally hypotheses as to why these abilities may have been selected for—and uniquely selected for—in the course of human evolution are explored.
Ambiguity in Tempo Perception: What Draws Listeners to Different Metrical Levels?
Authors: McKinney Martin F. , Moelants Dirk
Published: December 2006

The distribution of listeners’ perceived tempi across large collections of music has been modeled previously by a resonance function with a peak near the “preferred tempo” of 120 beats per minute (BPM) [Van Noorden and Moelants, J. New Music Res., 28, 43–66]. Here, through a series of experiments in which listeners were asked to tap to the most salient pulse of musical excerpts,we examined distributions of tapped tempi from single musical excerpts to see if the global resonance of preferred tempo is dependent on musical content. Results show that for some musical excerpts, the distribution of perceived tempi conforms to the global resonant form in that metrical levels with tempi near 120 BPM were perceived as most salient, while for other excerpts the most saliently perceived tempo sat well above or below 120 BPM. We then used a model, which quantifies relative strengths of periodicities in the audio signal, to demonstrate that deviations from the “preferred tempo” can be partially explained by dynamic rhythmic accents drawing listeners to tempi away from the resonance.
Ensemble Musicians’ Synchronization With Conductors’ Gestures: An Automated Feature-Extraction Analysis
Authors: Luck Geoff , Toiviainen Petri
Published: December 2006

Previous work suggests that the perception of a visual beat in conductors’ gestures is related to certain physical characteristics of the movements they produce, most notably to periods of negative acceleration, and low position in the vertical axis. These findings are based on studies that have presented participants with somewhat simple gestures, and in which participants have been required to simply tap in time with the beat. Thus, it is not clear how generalizable these findings are to real-world conducting situations, in which a conductor uses considerably more complex gestures to direct an ensemble of musicians playing actual instruments. The aims of the present study were to examine the features of conductors’ gestures with which ensemble musicians synchronize their performance in an ecologically valid setting and to develop automatic feature extraction methods for the analysis of audio and movement data. An optical motion capture system was used to record the gestures of an expert conductor directing an ensemble of expert musicians over a 20-minute period. A simultaneous audio recording of the performance of the ensemble was also made and synchronized with the motion capture data. Four short excerpts were selected for analysis, two in which the conductor communicated the beat with high clarity, and two in which the beat was communicated with low clarity. Twelve movement variables were computationally extracted from the movement data and cross-correlated with the pulse of the ensemble’s performance, the latter based on the spectral flux of the audio signal. Results of the analysis indicated that the ensemble’s performance tended to be most highly synchronized with periods of maximal deceleration along the trajectory, followed by periods of high vertical velocity (a higher correlation than deceleration but a longer delay).
Processing of Rhythmic and Melodic Gestaltsâ€”An ERP Study
Authors: Neuhaus Christiane , Knӧsche Thomas R.
Published: December 2006

In two experiments with event-related potentials (ERPs), we investigated the formation of auditory Gestalts. For this purpose, we used tone sequences of different structure. In the first experiment, we contrasted a rhythmic section to a section with random time values, each embedded in rhythmically irregular context. In the second experiment, melodies were contrasted to randomized sequences. Nonmusicians either had to detect the rhythmic pattern or to memorize short tone excerpts. Random versions in both experiments evoked a significant increase in the amplitude of P1 and P2. Randomized rhythm sections also evoked a late sustained negative potential. The enlarged P1 and P2 for random sequences might reflect stronger integration effort, as the predictability of tone progression was low. Thus, already at the early stage of encoding, sequence processing might be top-down-driven. The late negativity for rhythmically random sections is possibly task-related, reflecting expectancy violation in terms of regularity, since a metrical grid of beats could not be established. The memorizing of tone excerpts did not evoke a late neural correlate. (169)
Phenotypic and genetic parameters and responses in temperament of silver fox cubs in a selection experiment for confident behaviour
Authors: KENTTÄMIES H. , NIKKILÄ M. , MIETTINEN M.
Published: December 2006

A selection experiment for more confident silver foxes was arranged to find out possibilities to obtain selection response in confidence. Variation in aggressiveness and ease of capture was also studied. Fixed factors affecting the traits were studied using WSYS program. Covariances for breeding values were estimated with REML and multitrait animal models using VCE4 and Pest programs. It appeared that males were more confident than females. Cubs born in small litters tended to be more confident, less aggressive and easier to capture compared to those born in greater litters. Cubs of one-year-old dams seemed to be more confident and easier compared to those of older dams. Moderate estimate of heritability was obtained for confidence (h2 = 0.22). During three years of selection, genetic response of 0.13 points was achieved in confidence in selection line compared to control line. A higher selection differential existed in males than females. Predicted response of 0.21 points was slightly higher than the estimated one. No heritability was observed in aggressiveness, while a low one existed in ease of capture (h2 = 0.07). No association between confidence and the other behaviour traits were found.;
Effect of concentrate feeding strategy on the performance of dairy cows fed total mixed rations
Authors: KHALILI H. , MÄNTYSAARI P. , SARIOLA J.
Published: December 2006

Little information is available concerning the effects of offering additional concentrates with total mixed ration (TMR) on milk production. The aim of the present study was to compare TMR representing simplified feeding (TMR1) with TMR combined with a decreasing amount of additional concentrate (TMR2C). Finnish Ayrshire cows (39) were housed in a loose housing barn. TMR1 consisted of a mixed ration of grass silage (0.49) and concentrates (0.51). In TMR2C, the same grass silage and concentrate were mixed in a ratio of 55:45. In TMR2C, cows were offered additional concentrates from automatic feeders differing in composition from the concentrate in TMR1 [6.5 kg d-1 (first 100 days, Phase 1), 3.0 kg d-1 (subsequent 50 days, Phase 2) and no concentrate thereafter (Phase 3)]. During the whole experiment (224 days), total consumption of concentrates per cow averaged 2426 kg dry matter (TMR1) and 2414 kg dry matter (TMR2C). There were no significant differences in mean total dry matter, metabolizable energy, crude protein or absorbed amino acid intakes. During Phase 2, total intake of all cows fed TMR2C was one kg lower (P = 0.10) than for cows fed TMR1. This was due to differences in total feed intake of multiparous cows. Average yields (kg d-1) of milk, energy corrected milk, protein, fat and lactose were not significantly different between diets. During Phase 2, primiparous cows tended to produce more energy corrected milk on TMR2C than on TMR1. The results showed that both TMR1 and TMR2C were equal feeding strategies for early lactating cows and cows did not benefit from greater concentrate consumption in early stage of lactation when total consumption of concentrates was similar.;
Replacing grass silage with pea-barley intercrop silage in the feeding of the dairy cow
Authors: PURSIAINEN P. , TUORI M.
Published: December 2006

The effect of replacing wilted grass silage (GS) with pea-barley intercrop silage (PBS) on feed intake, diet digestibility and milk production was studied with 8 multiparous Ayrshire-cows in a replicated 4 × 4 Latin square experiment. Proportion of PBS was 0 (PBS0), 33 (PBS33), 67 (PBS67) or 100 (PBS100) % of silage dry matter (DM). The DM content was 559 and 255 g kg-1 for GS and PBS. Crude protein content was 131 and 170 g kg-1 DM, respectively. Pea-barley silage was more extensively fermented than GS with total fermentation acid content of 120 vs. 12 g kg-1 DM. Silage was fed for ad libitum intake and supplemented with on the average 13 kg concentrate per day. Silage DM intake was 9.2 (PBS0), 9.7 (PBS33), 9.0 (PBS67) and 7.1 (PBS100) kg per day (Pquadr. < 0.05). The energy corrected milk yield [30.3 (PBS0), 29.8 (PBS33), 30.3 (PBS67), 31.3 (PBS100) kg per day] was not significantly affected by the treatment. Milk protein concentration decreased linearly (P < 0.05) in response to feeding PBS. It is concluded that PBS can replace up to two thirds of wilted, moderate quality GS in the feeding of dairy cows because in this experiment pure pea-barley silage reduced silage intake.
Effects of restriction of silage fermentation with formic acid on milk production
Authors: JAAKKOLA S. , RINNE M. , HEIKKILÄ T.
Published: December 2006

The study was conducted to evaluate the effects of silage fermentation quality and type of supplementation on milk production. Thirty two Finnish Ayrshire dairy cows were used in a cyclic change-over experiment with four 21-day experimental periods and 4 × 2 × 2 factorial arrangement of treatments. Silage fermentation was modified with formic acid (FA), which was applied at the rates equivalent to 0 (FA0), 2 (FA2), 4 (FA4) or 6 (FA6) litres t-1 grass of pure formic acid (as 100% FA). Dietary treatments consisted of four silages, a protein supplementation (no supplement or rapeseed meal 1.8 kg d-1) and a glucogenic substrate (no supplement or propylene glycol 225 g d-1). Increasing the application rate of FA restricted silage fermentation curvilinearly, as evidenced by higher concentrations of ammonia N and butyric acid in FA4 than FA2 silage. Similarly the use of FA resulted in curvilinear changes in the silage dry matter intake and milk yield. The highest milk and protein yields were achieved with FA6, while the milk yield with FA2 was higher than with FA4. Interactions were observed between silage type and supplementation. Rapeseed meal increased milk yield irrespective of the extent of silage fermentation, but the magnitude of response was variable. Propylene glycol was most beneficial with restrictively fermented silages FA4 and FA6. In conclusion, restriction of silage fermentation with a high rate of formic acid is beneficial in milk production. Interactions between silage composition and concentrate types suggest that the responses to supplementary feeding depend on silage fermentation characteristics.;
N-Alkoxyamines: Synthesis, Properties, and Applications in Polymer Chemistry, Organic Synthesis, and Materials Science
Authors: Nesvadba Peter
Published: December 2006

This review describes methods for the synthesis of N-alkoxyamines developed over the past 15 years. Applications of N-alkoxyamines in living radical polymerization, macromolecular chemistry, stabilization of polymers or fluorescence sensing and imaging are discussed and emerging radical
additions and cyclizations mediated by N-alkoxyamines are presented.
Overcoming disciplinary solitude: The archaeology and geology of native copper in Eastern North America
Authors: Levine Mary Ann
Published: December 2006

Although native copper has attracted the scholarly attention of both geologists and archaeologists since the middle of the 19th century, it is only recently that native copper studies have benefited from interdisciplinary research. This history of disciplinary solitude can be traced to the professionalization of the two fields in the early 20th century, an era in which crossdisciplinary communication began to wane. The effects of this phenomena resulted in the development of a model of aboriginal native copper procurement by archaeologists that did not take into account the geological literature, which had long identified numerous—rather than a single—source of native copper in North America. In this article, the author discusses how this disciplinary solitude developed and how it resulted in the creation of a dominant model for native copper procurement that constrained our understanding of aboriginal lifeways for generations. The author also considers how increasing collaboration between geologists and archaeologists since the 1970s has led to the reevaluation of an old model of native copper procurement that has been uncritically accepted by most archaeologists for over a century and a half.© 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
The ironic value of loyalty: Dispute resolution strategies in worker cooperatives and conventional organizations
Authors: Hoffmann Elizabeth A.
Published: December 2006

Employee retention and satisfaction are key concerns for employers. In this article, I explore a variety of worker characteristics that affect how workers respond to troubling events and circumstances in the workplace. I examine how they approach their workplace problems, focusing on the value of their loyalty and how this loyalty might affect their problem‐related decisions. This research suggests that worker loyalty presents an irony for managers, which I call the ironic value of loyalty: workers with greater loyalty are less likely to exit when they encounter workplace problems, decreasing turnover problems, yet when more loyal workers choose to remain at work, they are more likely to raise grievances, either formally or informally, to confront the problems. Thus, worker loyalty appears both to solve and create problems for managers dealing with worker discontent.
Leadership styles and leadership change in human and community service organizations
Authors: Schmid Hillel
Published: December 2006

This article describes and analyzes leadership styles and leadership change in human and community service organizations. Based on the assumption that leadership styles must adapt to changing environments, four case studies of human and community service organizations are presented in an effort to determine the appropriate leadership style for each of the organizations described at different stages of the organizational life cycle. Emphasis is placed on the need to adapt leadership styles to the unique circumstances that prevail in the organization, based on a theoretical model that integrates different perspectives on leadership roles. The main argument is that in order to be effective, leaders must develop awareness of and sensitivity to changing situations and organizational constraints. Specifically, they should know when to adopt a task‐oriented style versus a people‐oriented style and when to adopt an internal versus an external orientation
How does accountability affect mission? The case of a nonprofit serving immigrants and refugees
Authors: Christensen Rachel A. , Ebrahim Alnoor
Published: December 2006

This article examines accountability processes in a nonprofit organization serving immigrants and refugees, with special attention to their impacts on mission‐based activities. The research finds that upward accountability requirements of donors do not necessarily yield improved mission achievement, and practitioners thus have to navigate a complex environment of pressures. We identify a series of strategies that nonprofit executives and staff use to manage the tensions between upward accountability and mission: a prioritization of lateral accountability, staff empowerment through organizational slack, and a tight coupling of evaluation with job tasks. The findings suggest that funders and nonprofits might gain more from investing in internal grantee capacities for lateral communication and coordination than by soliciting more detailed reporting
Interorganizational trust, boundary spanning, and humanitarian relief coordination
Authors: Stephenson Jr. Max , Schnitzer Marcy H.
Published: December 2006

This article examines the frequently cited argument that coordination issues in humanitarian relief can be addressed more effectively with greater centralized authority and argues for a new conceptualization of aid delivery. The former position suggests a hierarchical, top‐down view of the humanitarian relief theater, while this analysis contends that the relief implementation structure may be better conceived as consisting of a network of loosely coupled semiautonomous organizations (Weick, 1976). A network approach allows examination of aid coordination dynamics at multiple levels of analysis: individual (professional and personal), organizational and interorganizational (operational), and strategic (structural/contextual). So viewed, factors that influence relief delivery, including contextual or strategic conditions and organization‐scale concerns, may either encourage or dissuade coordination across institutional boundaries. We argue that trust is a key precondition to coordination and that its extension is in turn conditioned by a number of strategic and operating‐level factors. We concentrate on operational coordination, as strategic concerns are not often open to the control of lone organizational actors. Our analysis rests in part on in‐depth interviews (each consisted of open‐ended questions and lasted an average of ninety to one hundred minutes) with a small sample of experienced international nongovernmental organization relief professionals who were engaged in aid efforts in Kosovo following the 1999 intervention by the North Atlantic Treaty Organization in that region.