bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Experimental demonstration of ultra-compact directional couplers based on silicon hybrid plasmonic waveguides
Authors: Lou Fei , Wang Zhechao , Dai Daoxin , Thylen Lars , Wosinski Lech
Published: June 2012

Hybrid plasmonic waveguides and directional couplers have been experimentally demonstrated. Using a direct measurement method, the propagation loss of a 170 nm wide waveguide is measured to be 0.08 dB/μm at 1550 nm when the thickness of low-index region is 56 nm. Ultra-compact directional couplers based on such hybrid plasmonic waveguides are demonstrated with gaps of 140 nm, 185 nm, 235 nm, and 290 nm. The corresponding coupling lengths measured are 1.55 μm, 2.2 μm, 3.2 μm, and 4.8 μm, respectively, which are in very good agreement with the simulations. These ultra-compact devices can be potentially used in future ultra-dense photonic integrated circuits.
A solid-state refrigerator based on the electrocaloric effect
Authors: Jia Yanbing , Sungtaek Ju Y.
Published: June 2012

The electrocaloric effect offers an attractive alternative to the Peltier effect for compact high-efficiency solid-state refrigeration. We report an implementation and experimental characterization of a continuous electrocaloric refrigeration cycle where we use switchable liquid-based thermal interfaces to achieve reliable high-contrast thermal switching between an electrocaloric material and a heat source/sink. The experimentally measured temporal temperature profiles of a cooling load agree well with transient heat transfer modeling results. Our work experimentally validates the feasibility of electrocaloric refrigeration and motivates further applied research on device development.
Light exposure dependence of field-effect mobility of pentacene thin films deposited on very thin polyimide photo-alignment layers
Authors: Sakamoto Kenji , Ueno Junichi , Yonezawa Takamitsu , Yasuda Takeshi , Miki Kazushi
Published: June 2012

We report the anisotropic field-effect hole mobility of 30 nm-thick pentacene films deposited on 1.6 nm-thick polyimide photo-alignment layers with different in-plane anisotropy. To induce different in-plane anisotropy, the light exposure was varied up to 16 J/cm2. In this light exposure range, the long molecular axis of pentacene was standing with respect to the substrate surface (c*-axis oriented “thin film phase”), and the pentacene molecular plane was oriented on average parallel to the average alignment direction of the underlying polyimide backbone structures. For light exposures of 6 and 11 J/cm2, the field-effect mobility for the current flow direction parallel (perpendicular) to the alignment direction of pentacene molecular plane was enhanced (suppressed) compared to that of the pentacene film deposited on non-aligned polyimide film. This field-effect mobility enhancement shows a positive effect of the in-plane alignment control of pentacene molecules. However, the field-effect mobility decreased at a light exposure of 16 J/cm2, even though the in-plane orientation order of the pentacene molecular plane slightly increased. The causes for the mobility enhancement at 6 and 11 J/cm2 and the mobility decrease at 16 J/cm2 were discussed.
Analysis of electronic carrier traps in Cr-SrTiO3-based charge trap flash memory devices
Authors: Seo Yujeong , Yeong Song Min , Park Soyun , Geun Kim Tae
Published: June 2012

We investigated the deep-level traps formed in Cr-SrTiO3/Si3N4/SiO2 structures deposited on n-type Si by deep-level transient spectroscopy (DLTS). Three electron traps, with averaged activation energies of 0.24, 0.28, and 0.53 eV, were observed below the conduction band minimum of Si. Different behaviors in the dependence of DLTS on both filling bias and pulse confirm that the traps originate as the Si3N4 bulk trap, the Si3N4/SiO2 interfacial trap, and the Si/SiO2 interfacial trap. We also demonstrate that a specific point defect is the source of memory behavior in Cr-SrTiO3-based fusion-type charge trap flash (CTF) memory devices.
Enhancement of anisotropic magnetoresistance in MgO/NiFe/MgO trilayers via NiFe nanoparticles in MgO layers
Authors: Huangfu Jiashun , Zhao Chongjun , Zhang Jingyan , Li Baohe , Yu Guanghua
Published: June 2012

MgO/NiFe/MgO trilayers, the new development in highly sensitive anisotropic magnetoresistance (AMR) sensor film materials, exhibit severely reduced magnetoresistance ratios at small NiFe thicknesses. By inserting ultrathin NiFe(І) layers into the top and bottom MgO layers of MgO/NiFe/MgO trilayers, films with a structure of MgO/NiFe(І)/MgO/NiFe/MgO/NiFe(І)/MgO were designed and synthesized. The AMR value can be significantly enhanced for thin NiFe films due to the improved specular reflections of electrons at both NiFe/MgO interfaces. For a thin NiFe film with the structure of MgO/NiFe(І)(1.5 nm)/MgO/NiFe(5 nm)/MgO/NiFe(І)(1.5 nm)/MgO, the AMR value was greatly enhanced to as high as 2.71%, an increase of 37% over MgO/NiFe(5 nm)/MgO film.
Coherently coupled ZnO and VO2 interface studied by photoluminescence and electrical transport across a phase transition
Authors: Srivastava Amar , Herng T. S. , Saha Surajit , Nina Bao , Annadi A. , Naomi N. , Liu Z. Q. , Dhar S. , Ariando  , Ding J. , Venkatesan T.
Published: June 2012

We have investigated the photoluminescence and electrical properties of a coherently coupled interface consisting of a ZnO layer grown on top of an oriented VO2 layer on sapphire across the phase transition of VO2. The band edge and defect luminescence of the ZnO overlayer exhibit hysteresis in opposite directions induced by the phase transition of VO2. Concomitantly the phase transition of VO2 was seen to induce defects in the ZnO layer. Such coherently coupled interfaces could be of use in characterizing the stability of a variety of interfaces in situ and also for novel device application.
A hybrid superconductor-normal metal electron trap as a photon detector
Authors: Lotkhov S. V. , Zorin A. B.
Published: June 2012

A single-electron trap built with two superconductor-insulator-normal metal tunnel junctions and coupled to a readout SINIS-type single-electron transistor A (SET A) was studied in a photon detection regime. As a source of photon irradiation, we used an operating second SINIS-type SET B positioned in the vicinity of the trap. In the experiment, the average hold time of the trap was found to be critically dependent on the voltage across SET B. Starting in a certain voltage range, a photon-assisted electron escape was observed at a rate roughly proportional to the emission rate of the photons with energies exceeding the superconducting gap of S-electrodes in the trap. The discussed mechanism of photon emission and detection is of interest for low-temperature noise spectrometry, and it can be of relevance for the ampere standard based on hybrid SINIS turnstiles.
1/f noise suppression of giant magnetoresistive sensors with vertical motion flux modulation
Authors: Hu Jiafei , Pan Mengchun , Tian Wugang , Chen Dixiang , Zhao Jianqiang , Luo Feilu
Published: June 2012

The 1/f resistance noise is one of the main noise sources of giant magnetoresistive sensors, which will cause intrinsic detection limit at low frequency. To suppress this noise, a vertical motion flux modulation (VMFM) scheme with high efficiency and simple structures is proposed. And the electrical coupling effect is investigated with an equivalent circuit model. We found that the electrical coupling disturbance can be suppressed by improving the symmetry of VMFM sensors. The modulation efficiency of VMFM sensors has reached 18.8%, which is higher than most prototype sensors with other flux modulation schemes.
Design of a new linear generator for wave energy conversion based on analytical and numerical analyses
Authors: Calado M. R. A. , Godinho P. M. C. , Mariano S. J. P. S.
Published: June 2012

This paper addresses the problem of the sea wave energy conversion. The power delivery at low speeds is one of the barriers imposed by the irregular movement of sea waves, requiring the use of electric machines that can produce large amounts of force to compensate the low speeds of that motion. The main concern is the proposal of a new linear switched reluctance generator. The proposed generator has high power density, robustness, and easy modeling and construction. Its analytical design and optimization based on finite element method are presented. Results and design challenges are discussed.
Zener tunneling between Landau orbits in two-dimensional electron Corbino rings
Authors: Bykov A. A. , Dmitriev D. V. , Marchishin I. V. , Byrnes S. , Vitkalov S. A.
Published: June 2012

Current induced oscillations of differential conductivity of two-dimension electrons, placed in quantizing magnetic fields, are observed in GaAs quantum wells in Corbino geometry. The oscillations are periodic in the square of the inverse magnetic field and occur in Corbino rings with a width which is much lesser than the radius of the rings. The conductance oscillations are described by Zener tunneling between Landau orbits in the absence of the Hall electric field.
Spatial diagnostics of the laser induced lithium fluoride plasma
Authors: Baig M. A. , Qamar Aisha , Fareed M. A. , Anwar-ul-Haq M. , Ali Raheel
Published: June 2012

We present spatial characteristics of the lithium fluoride plasma generated by the fundamental and second harmonic of a Nd:YAG laser. The plume emission has been recorded spatially using five spectrometers covering the spectral region from 200 nm to 720 nm. The electron density is measured from the Stark broadened line profile of the line at 610.37 nm, whereas the plasma temperature has been determined using the Boltzmann plot method including all the observed spectral lines of lithium. Both the plasma parameters; electron density and plasma temperature decrease with the increase of the distance from the target surface. The thermal conduction towards the target, the radiative cooling of the plasma, and the conversion of thermal energy into kinetic energy are the main mechanisms responsible for the spatially decrease of the plasma parameters.
The role of sound-symbolic forms in Motion event descriptions
Authors: Toratani Kiyoko
Published: June 2012

This article discusses the role played by sound-symbolic forms (SSFs) in Motion event descriptions, focusing on the case of mimetics — SSFs — in Japanese. An examination of literary texts shows that mimetics occur not only as the secondary element to another Co-event specifying form but also as the sole Co-event specifying element of the clause. As the latter, mimetics express Manner, Concomitance and Concurrent Result, i.e., three out of the eight relations a Co-event can have with the main Motion event (Talmy, 2000). This limited capability suggests that they are not the principal Co-event specifying form of Japanese. Nevertheless, they play an important role in Motion event descriptions as they: (i) supply indispensable lexical semantic information, being laden with rich meanings (e.g., rate in Manner) that parallel Basque movement imitatives (Ibarretxe-Antuñano, 2006); (ii) add nuances to a scene by combining with a diverse range of verbs/predicates, going beyond oft-cited collocational pairs such as yotiyoti aruku [toddling walk] ‘toddle’.
Arabidopsis NRT1.5 Is Another Essential Component in the Regulation of Nitrate Reallocation and Stress Tolerance
Authors: Chen Chun-Zhu , Lv Xin-Fang , Li Jian-Yong , Yi Hong-Ying , Gong Ji-Ming
Published: June 2012

Nitrate reallocation to plant roots occurs frequently under adverse conditions and was recently characterized to be actively regulated by Nitrate Transporter1.8 (NRT1.8) in Arabidopsis (Arabidopsis thaliana) and implicated as a common response to stresses. However, the underlying mechanisms remain largely to be determined. In this study, characterization of NRT1.5, a xylem nitrate-loading transporter, showed that the mRNA level of NRT1.5 is down-regulated by salt, drought, and cadmium treatments. Functional disruption of NRT1.5 enhanced tolerance to salt, drought, and cadmium stresses. Further analyses showed that nitrate, as well as Na+ and Cd2+ levels, were significantly increased in nrt1.5 roots. Important genes including Na  +/H  +  exchanger1, Salt overly sensitive1, Pyrroline-5-carboxylate synthase1, Responsive to desiccation29A, Phytochelatin synthase1, and NRT1.8 in stress response pathways are steadily up-regulated in nrt1.5 mutant plants. Interestingly, altered accumulation of metabolites, including proline and malondialdehyde, was also observed in nrt1.5 plants. These data suggest that NRT1.5 is involved in nitrate allocation to roots and the consequent tolerance to several stresses, in a mechanism probably shared with NRT1.8.
Great leaders lead great teams
Authors: McHale Nicola
Published: June 2012

Purpose

Considers why transformational leadership is important and why leaders should develop a leadership personality to make a difference.

Design/methodology/approach

Describes how a leader can differentiate himself or herself and explains how to release the true leader within.

Findings

Highlights the importance of using a strengths‐based approach to motivate and inspire the team. Highlights the importance of courage and integrity.

Practical implications

Warns leaders against trying to be something they are not, destroying the trust in a team and failing to achieve targets.

Social implications

Looks at the impact of transformational leadership outside the workplace – particularly in the family.

Originality/value

Concentrates on the simple things that can help to make a good leader.
When migrating stars fail to shine
Authors: Burkus David
Published: June 2012

Purpose

Explores the myth of talent portability and offers implications for human resources.

Design/methodology/approach

Summarizes the research on whether star performance can be maintained when performers move to new firms.

Findings

Advances the view that performance is largely dependent upon organizational context and, as such, does not transfer to new firms as well as is hoped.

Practical implications

Reasons that organizations should focus on developing talent internally while also taking steps to retain that talent.

Social implications

Reveals how organizations – and so, indirectly, society as a whole – can benefit to the maximum from their top talent.

Originality/value

Contends that organizations should abandon recruiting as a primary strategy for acquiring talent. Shows human‐resource managers how to leverage this research to develop and retain talent.
Maximizing talent management through the cloud
Authors: Corsello Jason
Published: June 2012

Purpose

Argues that cloud computing will have a vital role to play in the effective management of organizational talent and human resources over the next decade.

Design/methodology/approach

Draws on personal knowledge of the latest developments in information technology and experience of planning, developing, delivering and supporting applications and technology platforms that help organizations to manage their human resources. Identifies potential pitfalls in the adoption of cloud computing and provides advice on how to ensure that the organization secures the best solution for its needs.

Findings

Reveals that cloud computing will enable organizations and individuals to automate and standardize key processes, as well as gain access to and generate a greater volume of timely and useful information, thus helping to maximize the organization's talent‐management strategy in a cost‐effective manner.

Practical implications

Argues that when an organization uses an integrated suite of talent‐management applications, hosted in the application provider's “cloud”, it benefits from more frequently updated, high quality and flexible functionality. It also saves the organization the cost and effort associated with maintaining the hardware and software necessary to run the applications and store the data in‐house.

Social implications

Demonstrates how opportunities to develop skills and careers can be improved through the use of new technologies.

Originality/value

Draws on the author's breadth of skill and experience to demonstrate how cloud computing can be used to improve the practice of talent management.
Corporate intranets place information on the dashboard
Authors: Denton D. Keith
Published: June 2012

Purpose

Discusses how to use an intranet to gain a true picture about what is going on in an organization.

Design/methodology/approach

Details the rise of internet technology, examines its applications in human‐resource management and considers practical examples from Hewlett‐Packard, Claremont Technology, Xantera Parks and Resorts, KeyCorp, Sandia National Labs, Cisco Systems, JC Penney, TeamScape, Middlesex Health System and MindSpring Enterprises.

Findings

Describes how intranets can be used to continually provide real‐time feedback on what is going on with an individual's or group's performance and make it possible to give feedback in a matter of minutes, not weeks.

Practical implications

Explains how intranets can be used to improve the overall management process and to facilitate collaboration among widely dispersed work groups.

Social implications

Describes a tool which, by improving the performance of individuals and organizations, can ultimately benefit society as a whole.

Originality/value

Gives numerous case examples of the successful use of intranet technology in organizations.
Interview with Samuel Culbert, author of Get Rid of the Performance Review!
Authors: by Gareth Bell Interview
Published: June 2012

Purpose

The purpose of this article is to provide an interview with award‐winning author Professor Samuel Culbert.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper provides an interview with Samuel Culbert, author of get Rid of the Performance Review!

Findings

In the interview, Culbert discusses the illogical nature of performance reviews, and proposes an alternative discursive and collaborative approach.

Originality/value

Culbert puts forward his concept of the performance preview, and opines on the role the HR function can play in creating more open boss‐subordinate relationships.
Participatory issues in fisheries governance in Europe
Authors: Pita Cristina , Chuenpagdee Ratana , Pierce Graham J.
Published: June 2012

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to describe the fisheries governance system in the European Union (EU) and review fishers’ participation in the decision‐making process in the EU.

Design/methodology/approach

The study was based on a variety of sources, such as review of the literature, including scientific articles and reports, and data collected by the Coastal Transects Analysis Model (CTAM) online decision support tool.

Findings

The review reveals major improvements in involving fishers in the decision‐making process in Europe, but participation and empowerment are still generally lacking.

Social implications

The lack of fisher participation in the decision‐making process leads to limited acceptance of management measures which in turn results in management objectives not being met, with negative effects on environmental, economic and social sustainability.

Originality/value

The paper provides a review of participation in the EU decision‐making process. The results could give management bodies an insight into the failures of participation and point to possible ways forward.
Sustainable coastal zones? A matter of “sense and sensibility”
Authors: Rosário Bastos Maria , Alveirinho Dias João , Dias Ana Cristina , Dias Pereira Silvia , Vieira de Oliveira Nanci , Antonieta Rodrigues Maria
Published: June 2012

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to perform a comparative analysis between Aveiro's Lagoon (Portugal) and Sepetiba Bay (Brazil), in order to understand the similarities and differences between these two coastal zones, in terms of human occupation.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper is supported by works (papers and scientific projects being developed) produced in Portugal and Brazil, by researchers from different areas of expertise.

Findings

These two coastal zones have a similar geomorphologic evolution, due to the fact that both appeared because of a sandy spit, which started to grow and separated these areas from the sea, converting them into sheltered coasts. It was because they are protected that these two study cases early became targets for human occupation. The anthropic impacts in the systems were sustainable until the middle of the twentieth century. Since then, however, the economic development options, based first in industry and second in tourism exploration, have compromised the natural healthy balance.

Practical implications

This paper could be a contribution to a scientific support for political decisions on the coastal zone management (namely in these studied areas).

Social implications

The paper provides and increases the knowledge of the coastal zones’ evolution and occupation – from a multidisciplinary perspective – produced and made available to scientists, local politicians, students and local populations.

Originality/value

The paper provides a truly interdisciplinary approach, which allows a better understanding of the evolution of these two systems, discussing the causes and consequences of human activities in both coastal areas.
Promoting sustainable aquaculture
Authors: Fernandes Borges Pena Seixas Sónia Isabel , Bostock John , Eleftheriou Margaret
Published: June 2012

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to review a number of recent initiatives to promote sustainable aquaculture development through improvements to education and training capacity, and innovations in the use of eLearning.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors share their experience in these initiatives and demonstrate how e‐learning has been developed in specific cases to better serve the needs of the aquaculture sector, while addressing the pedagogical issues of distance learning and finding the best use of new internet‐based technologies.

Findings

These examples show how to respond to the needs of adult learners who may have a substantially different learner profile to typical campus students and have a more diverse range of needs and background knowledge. Greater focus is needed on defining, enhancing and accrediting knowledge and skills acquired informally and “on the job”, so as to develop more effective formal education interventions.

Practical implications

Adults engaging with job‐related education are not empty vessels requiring to be filled with the correct mix of knowledge and skills by teachers who know all the answers. They are active learners seeking a supportive and enabling structure involving access to appropriate resources, engagement with fellow learners and more expert practitioners, and appropriate challenges and rewards to maximise effort and achievement.

Originality/value

The paper shows that there is substantial social benefit in promoting an innovative and sustainable aquaculture industry that contributes positively to food security and human health. Continued Professional Development involving eLearning and other innovative approaches can make an important contribution throughout the sector.
A comparative evaluation of women's perceptions and importance of sustainability in fish consumption
Authors: Pinto de Moura Ana , Cunha Luís M. , Castro‐Cunha M. , Costa Lima Rui
Published: June 2012

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to explore women's perceptions about the benefits and risks of fish consumption, while exploring differences on their views about wild and farmed fish, considering light fish consumers.

Design/methodology/approach

The methodology adopted is exploratory, using focus group technique, segregating women by education level (higher education versus lower education). A focus group guide was designed, taking into account the following dimensions: attitudes towards fish consumption and perceptions towards farmed fish relative to wild fish, also considering risk perceptions related to farmed versus wild fish.

Findings

This study has shown that fish consumers enjoy the taste of fish and they are strongly convinced that eating fish is healthy. The main reason for their low fish consumption is related to perceive lacking of convenience. Women with higher education levels expressed additional knowledge considering different aquaculture systems and women with lower education levels were convinced that both wild and farmed fish offer benefits and present disadvantages.

Originality/value

The paper shows that attitudes of light fish users are partially similar to heavy fish users considering farmed fish production, with the search for convenience being driven by either perceived lack of time or perceived lack of cookery skills to prepare fish‐based meals.
Enriching adaptation in e‐learning systems through a situation‐aware ontology network
Authors: Marilza Pernas Ana , Diaz Alicia , Motz Regina , Palazzo Moreira de Oliveira José
Published: June 2012

Purpose

The broader adoption of the internet along with web‐based systems has defined a new way of exchanging information. That advance added by the multiplication of mobile devices has required systems to be even more flexible and personalized. Maybe because of that, the traditional teaching‐controlled learning style has given up space to a new way of learning, which is more flexible and adequate to the learners needs. The purpose of this research is to go further into the semantic modeling of adaptive web based learning systems. Particularly, the paper focuses on those learning systems that consider in their definition the awareness of student's context in order to properly react to the student needs.

Design/methodology/approach

In this paper the authors introduce a semantic model of the student context in terms of an ontology network. This semantic model is explored in order to detect the “current situation” of students when they are navigating into e‐learning environments. The final objective is to enrich the adaptation functionality of e‐learning environments, being able to evaluate context data from personal profile, learning domain and technological situation.

Findings

In order to evaluate the semantic model defined, examples of detected situations are shown in accordance to specific e‐learning scenarios.

Originality/value

The paper covers definition of a flexible and modularized model by using ontology networks, which can be easily modified to incorporate new knowledge data, aiding the modeling of concepts from different learning environments.
How do social networks influence learning outcomes? A case study in an industrial setting
Authors: Maglajlic Seid , Helic Denis
Published: June 2012

Purpose

The purpose of this research is to shed light on the impact of implicit social networks to the learning outcome of e‐learning participants in an industrial setting.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper presents a theoretical framework that allows the authors to measure correlation coefficients between the different affiliations that exist in an organization and the final learning outcome. The correlation between learning outcome and the communication intensity in the implicit social network of the e‐learning participants is also observed. For the quantification of the communication intensity and affiliation network position of e‐learning participants, the methods from the graph theory are applied.

Findings

The values of the correlation coefficients between communication intensity and learning outcome show the significance which motivates the authors for further research on engineering of the social networks in the e‐learning environment.

Research limitations/implications

This case study is performed in an industrial setting.

Practical implications

The results of this case study influence the further development of the e‐learning system that has been used in the experimental setup in this paper, especially the user management module. The algorithm for matching the trainees with tutors is in development.

Originality/value

The impact analysis of the influence of the social network position of the learner in e‐learning environment by comparing the test results before taking the e‐learning course and after taking the course (learning outcome) is provided by measurements of the correlations between the social network position and communication intensity of the learner with the learning outcome.
From fatigue to anxiety? Implications for educational design in a Web 2.0 world
Authors: Mathew David
Published: June 2012

Purpose

The purpose of the paper is to recognise that as educators moving into, or already in, a Web 2.0 world, we are likely to experience anxiety, and to explore the implications for educational design in a Web 2.0 world.

Design/methodology/approach

The objectives are achieved as the result of recent successes with the commissioners for two online courses at the University. Both of these commissioners were anxious education developers, but have come around to a way of thinking that includes the potential of web‐based learning (at its most up‐to‐date). In this paper the author presents interviews with both of these commissioners.

Findings

Not only is anxiety understandable for educators, it is an important part of the educational process (as it also is for learners); furthermore, it is a healthy response to a perception of an older (and worn out) version of the internet that is all that we have known up to now. Anxiety has implications for the design of Web 2.0 educational materials; and one argument might be that Web 2.0 is more than a tool for the beginnings of the future of education: it is also, in and of itself, the beginnings of the future of education. It is not only the tool to use, it is something which needs to be understood better itself. Web 1 must be retired. This is one of the ways that a dynamic evolves: the disuse of one model is replaced by the (temporary) overuse of the next model.

Practical implications

This paper contends that successful educational Web 2.0 will require more balance and pedagogic poise than was shown throughout some of the early days of online education. It will not involve flashing everything all at once, for such an approach can only lead to internet fatigue (and learner boredom). Web 2.0 is about learning from the learner, and answers should be found to the following: What part of the new structure is appreciated? What part is ignored? Why do these things happen? What role does the educator play in his own developmental learning of the tools of his trade? And how does this inform his preparations for the learners' experiences?

Originality/value

The paper explores issues of anxiety from the educators' point of view, and explores how we will respond to inevitable changes in the online learning milieu.
From gatekeeper to friend and back again: embracing the world of the street drug user
Authors: Briggs Daniel
Published: June 2012

Purpose

Ethnographic research with street drug users is becoming increasingly difficult to undertake. In the main, it is perceived as “too risky” and frequently raises practical, ethical and emotional issues for ethnographers, however, this doesn't mean it is impossible. Indeed, one of the most challenging areas is the management of field relations – especially with gatekeepers. The main aim of this article is to provide an account of how gatekeeper field relations are developed and experienced in the context of researching street drug users.

Design/methodology/approach

The article is based on a reflexive account to comment upon the experience of the researcher engaged in ethnographic research.

Findings

The author examines how field relations are influenced by the specific social and structural contexts in which the project took place and makes critical reflections on how these relationships impacted on him – professionally, personally and emotionally.

Originality/value

The article is useful for academics or researchers who are looking to study similar social groups.
A model of successful adaptation to online learning for college‐bound Native American high school students
Authors: Butler Kaler Collier
Published: June 2012

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to examine the conditions for Native American high school students that result in successful adaptation to an online learning environment.

Design/methodology/approach

In total, eight Native American students attending high schools located on Montana Indian reservations, and one urban city, were interviewed. Participants completed online coursework through Montana Digital Academy (MTDA). A theoretical model illustrates the successful adaptation of Native students to online learning.

Findings

Students' learning needs and the online learning environment were congruent. Course offerings at local high schools were limited, resulting in boredom and lack of challenge. Students wanted new and interesting coursework and learning online met those needs. Students worked at their own pace and ability levels and enjoyed the challenge, freedom, and independence resulting from learning online. Students who frequently missed school were easily accommodated.

Practical implications

Students' orientation toward education, such as attitudes toward learning and school, family influences, and interactions with classroom teachers, affected the adaptation process. Participants felt empowered and had more positive expectations for their future as a result of learning online. This was caused by: feelings of independence working without face‐to‐face contact from a teacher; confidence gained when successfully completing assignments; and control felt from being in charge of their own learning.

Originality/value

This paper describes college‐bound Native American high school students' online learning experiences; research on this topic is practically non‐existent. The findings can benefit those who lack understanding of how Native students adapt to an online environment; educators are better equipped to create supports that promote academic success for Native American students.
An insight into Islamic pedagogy at the University of al‐Qarawiyyin
Authors: Hardaker Glenn , Sabki A'ishah Ahmad
Published: June 2012

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to provide an insight into teaching practice of the University of al‐Qarawiyyin, Morocco, with a particular focus on Islamic pedagogy.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors conducted daily participant observations of “teaching circles” over a seven‐month period. The participant observation was achieved from engaging in the daily life of al‐Qarawiyyin and from developing relationships with teachers and students of the university.

Findings

The fieldwork has shown that teaching methods of particular significance are based on the characterising concepts of knowledge and the sacred; and on the development of skills such as orality (both seen as oral transmission from teacher to students and as a traditional mode for transmitting knowledge in the Arab cultures) and memorisation of the sacred text. Islamic pedagogy is understood by the way these aspects are woven together.

Originality/value

The paper demonstrates that what is unique to the Islamic pedagogy of al‐Qarawiyyin is the deep certainty of belief in God and this underpins the oral transmission, thus facilitating memorisation, and the didactic approach towards sacred texts.
A model for assessing consumer perceptions of quality
Authors: Kenyon George , Sen Kabir
Published: June 2012

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to propose a model for linking the dimensions of quality and how customers create their perceptions of quality in the products and services that they purchase. This provides a holistic framework for a better understanding of the various dimensions of product and service quality and their impact on consumer perceptions.

Design/methodology/approach

A holistic framework for the understanding of the various dimensions of product and service quality and their impact on the creation of consumer perceptions is presented. In addition research questions for future investigations are proposed.

Findings

Consumer satisfaction is directly related to how well their expectations for a product or service are met. These expectations are developed from the customers perceptions about the product or service. If the firm wishes to develop new products and services that can create competitive advantage, they must understand how the various product characteristics, or service attributes, effect the creation of consumer perceptions.

Originality/value

This research contributes to the understanding of how consumers create their perceptions and how the various dimensions of product and service quality relate to these properties of perception.
An empirical analysis of corporate insiders' trading performance
Authors: Lei Qin , Rajan Murli , Wang Xuewu
Published: June 2012

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to conduct an empirical analysis of the trading performance of US corporate insiders.

Design/methodology/approach

Based on the volume weighted average price (VWAP), the authors propose a metric to measure the trading performance of US corporate insiders: trading alpha. This metric is clean of the contamination effect from insiders' own trades. The authors apply this metric to examine whether insiders can beat the market when they trade.

Findings

It is found that corporate insiders achieve positive trading alpha on both purchases and sales of stocks on average. The existence of a positive trading alpha is robust to controlling for firm, trading and insider characteristics. More importantly, evidence is found for the persistence in corporate insiders' trading performance. Those insiders who traded well in the past continue to trade well over time. Those who well execute in purchases of stocks also perform well in sales.

Originality/value

This paper extends the notion of beating the market from the investment profession to the trading profession. Skyrocketing corporate insider trades provide a natural setting under which to examine the trading performance. The findings that: insiders can beat the market on average when they trade; and there exists persistence in the insiders' trading performance over time and along trading directions are novel and new to the literature. This paper also has bearing on how to evaluate professional traders.
An empirical analysis of dynamic relationship between stock market and bond market based on information shocks
Authors: Chen Qiang , Chen Daolun , Gong YuTing
Published: June 2012

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to empirically analyze the dynamic relationship between stock market and bond market based on the effect of different information shocks.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper decomposes the information of stock market and bond market into public information and private information. The characteristics of response of stock market and bond market to the information shocks are examined by SVAR model and modified BEKK model.

Findings

The study shows that the information shocks in financial market yield not only the effect on linear asset return but also the effect on nonlinear asset volatility. The public information mainly produces a short effect of return while the private information mainly produces a permanent effect on volume. The interactive relation between stock market and bond market is mainly reliant on the effect of the information shock volatility to market return volatility.

Originality/value

The paper empirically analyzes the influence characteristics of different information shocks, which has some reference value not only for deeply understanding the market microstructure but also for improving the construction of various capital markets.
Adherence to pharmacological treatment and specific immunotherapy in allergic rhinitis
Authors: Passalacqua G. , Baiardini I. , Senna G. , Canonica G. W.
Published: June 2012

The term compliance simply indicates how much doses of the prescribed medication are taken, whereas the term adherence implies also an agreement between patient and physician about the therapeutic plan, and it is therefore preferred. Adherence is a main problem in all long‐term treatments. Thus, it represents a problem also in the case of rhinitis, expecially concerning specific immunotherapy that must be assumed continuously for several years. Many factors can affect the adherence, depending on patient, on treatment itself and on the healthcare context, and all those factors usually interact. The adherence measured in controlled trials is usually good, but this does not reflect what happens in real life, where adherence should be preferably measured. There are few data on the adherence in real life for pharmacological treatments of allergic rhinitis (e.g. nasal steroids or antihistamines), whereas more data are available for specific immunotherapy. In this latter case, in real life, adherence seems to be far from optimal, for both sublingual and subcutaneous immunotherapy, although the recent studies agree on the fact that some interventions (i.e. patients’ education, strict follow‐up, regular contacts) could effectively improve the adherence. In this article, the literature concerning the adherence to pharmacological treatments and immunotherapy in allergic rhinitis was searched and reviewed.
The effect of exercise on osteoprotegerin and TNF‐related apoptosis‐inducing ligand in obese patients
Authors: Davenport Colin , Kenny Helena , Ashley David T. , O’Sullivan Eoin P. , Smith Diarmuid , O’Gorman Donal J.
Published: June 2012

Eur J Clin Invest 2012; 42 (11): 1173–1179

Background  Biomarkers of cardiovascular (CV) risk are tests that predict a patient’s risk of future CV events. Recently, two proteins involved in vascular calcification; serum levels of osteoprotegerin (OPG) and tumour necrosis factor–related apoptosis‐inducing ligand (TRAIL) have emerged as potentially useful biomarkers. OPG levels are positively correlated with CV risk, whereas TRAIL levels show a negative correlation. Exercise training is known to reduce risk factors for CV disease by improving metabolism, vascular biology and blood flow. This study examined the effects of a 6‐month exercise training programme on levels of OPG and TRAIL. Pulse wave velocity (PWV) and high‐sensitivity C‐reactive protein (hsCRP) were measured for comparative purposes.

Materials and methods  Overweight and obese patients undertook a 6‐month exercise programme. Patients participated in 4 h of primarily aerobic exercise per week of which 2 h were supervised. At the beginning and end of the programme, anthropometric measurements, PWV and serum levels of OPG, TRAIL and hsCRP were measured.

Results  A total of 21 patients (17 men) aged 55·2 ± 10 years completed the programme. Mean body mass index decreased from 34·1 ± 5·8 to 32·6 ± 5·4 kg/m2 (P < 0·05), while waist circumference decreased from 111·8 ± 12·4 to 109·6 ± 12·8 cm (P < 0·05). PWV decreased from 9·2 to 8·5 m/s (P < 0·02). OPG, TRAIL and hsCRP levels did not change significantly.

Conclusions  Exercise training reduced PWV but not OPG, TRAIL or hsCRP in this population. These data suggest that while an intervention of this nature improves vascular tone, it does not exert significant effects on serum biomarkers related to atherosclerotic inflammation and calcification.
Seasonal sea ice cover as principal driver of spatial and temporal variation in depth extension and annual production of kelp in Greenland
Authors: Krause‐Jensen Dorte , Marbà Núria , Olesen Birgit , Sejr Mikael K. , Christensen Peter Bondo , Rodrigues João , Renaud Paul E. , Balsby Thorsten J.S. , Rysgaard Søren
Published: June 2012

We studied the depth distribution and production of kelp along the Greenland coast spanning Arctic to sub‐Arctic conditions from 78 ºN to 64 ºN. This covers a wide range of sea ice conditions and water temperatures, with those presently realized in the south likely to move northwards in a warmer future. Kelp forests occurred along the entire latitudinal range, and their depth extension and production increased southwards presumably in response to longer annual ice‐free periods and higher water temperature. The depth limit of 10% kelp cover was 9–14 m at the northernmost sites (77–78 ºN) with only 94–133 ice‐free days per year, but extended to depths of 21–33 m further south (73 ºN–64 ºN) where >160 days per year were ice‐free, and annual production of Saccharina longicruris and S. latissima, measured as the size of the annual blade, ranged up to sevenfold among sites. The duration of the open‐water period, which integrates light and temperature conditions on an annual basis, was the best predictor (relative to summer water temperature) of kelp production along the latitude gradient, explaining up to 92% of the variation in depth extension and 80% of the variation in kelp production. In a decadal time series from a high Arctic site (74 ºN), inter‐annual variation in sea ice cover also explained a major part (up to 47%) of the variation in kelp production. Both spatial and temporal data sets thereby support the prediction that northern kelps will play a larger role in the coastal marine ecosystem in a warmer future as the length of the open‐water period increases. As kelps increase carbon‐flow and habitat diversity, an expansion of kelp forests may exert cascading effects on the coastal Arctic ecosystem.
Impacts of estimated glomerular filtration rate on coronary atherosclerosis and plaque composition before and during statin therapy in patients with normal to mild renal dysfunction: Subanalysis of the TRUTH study
Authors: NOZUE TSUYOSHI , YAMAMOTO SHINGO , TOHYAMA SHINICHI , FUKUI KAZUKI , UMEZAWA SHIGEO , ONISHI YUKO , KUNISHIMA TOMOYUKI , HIBI KIYOSHI , TERASHIMA MITSUYASU , MICHISHITA ICHIRO ,   THE TRUTH INVESTIGATORS
Published: June 2012

Aim:  Renal dysfunction is an independent risk factor for cardiovascular events. However, little is known regarding the impacts of renal dysfunction on coronary atherosclerosis.

Methods:  The effects of 8‐month statin therapy on coronary atherosclerosis were evaluated in the TRUTH study using virtual histology intravascular ultrasound in 164 patients with angina pectoris. We analyzed correlations between the estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) and coronary atherosclerosis before and during statin therapy.

Results:  Baseline eGFR was 64.5 mL/min per 1.73 m2. Serum low‐density lipoprotein cholesterol level decreased significantly from 132 to 85 mg/dL (−35%, P < 0.0001) after 8 months. Weak, but significant, negative correlations were observed between eGFR and external elastic membrane volume (r = −0.228, P = 0.01) and atheroma volume (r = −0.232, P = 0.01) at baseline. The eGFR was also negatively correlated with fibro‐fatty volume (r = −0.254, P = 0.005) and fibrous volume (r = −0.241, P = 0.008) at baseline. Multivariate regression analyses showed that eGFR was a significant independent predictor associated with statin pre‐treatment volume in fibro‐fatty (β = −0.23, P = 0.01) and fibrous (β = −0.203, P = 0.02) components. Furthermore, eGFR was positively correlated with volume change in the fibro‐fatty component during statin therapy (r = 0.215, P = 0.02).

Conclusion:  Decreased eGFR is associated with expanding remodelling and a greater atheroma volume, particularly the fibro‐fatty and fibrous volume before statin therapy in patients with normal to mild renal dysfunction. Reduction of fibro‐fatty volume during statin therapy gradually accelerated with decreasing renal function.
God's Beauty‐in‐Act: An Artful Renewal of Human Imagining
Authors: Garrett Stephen M.
Published: June 2012

This article seeks to contribute to the ongoing renaissance in theological discourse that strives to heed Karl Barth's call to stop perpetuating the gap in our knowledge of God by integrating beauty into our theological discourse. In this way, God's beauty, understood as the fittingness of the incarnate Son's actions in the Spirit to the Father's will that radiates the splendor of God's triune love to the world, is seen to renew human imagining, which is essential not only of human being but also for creative expression and ethical action.