bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
DELAY-DEPENDENT ROBUST H∞ CONTROL FOR SINGULAR SYSTEMS WITH MULTIPLE DELAYS
Authors: ZHU SHUQIAN , ZHANG CHENGHUI , LIU XINZHI , LI ZHENBO 
Published: July 2009

AbstractThis paper studies the problem of delay-dependent robust H∞ control for singular systems with multiple delays. Based on a Lyapunov–Krasovskii functional approach, an improved delay-dependent bounded real lemma (BRL) for singular time-delay systems is established without using any of the model transformations and bounding techniques on the cross product terms. Then, by applying the obtained BRL, a delay-dependent condition for the existence of a robust state feedback controller, which guarantees that the closed-loop system is regular, impulse free, robustly stable and satisfies a prescribed H∞ performance index, is proposed in terms of a nonlinear matrix inequality. The explicit expression for the H∞ controller is designed by using linear matrix inequalities and the cone complementarity iterative linearization algorithm. Numerical examples are also given to illustrate the effectiveness of the proposed method.
Manipulation of the microbiota of mass-reared Mediterranean fruit flies Ceratitis capitata (Diptera: Tephritidae) improves sterile male sexual performance
Authors: Ami Eyal Ben , Yuval Boaz , Jurkevitch Edouard 
Published: July 2009

Abstract
The sterile insect technique (SIT) is a method of biological control whereby millions of factory reared sterile male insects are released into the field. This technique is commonly used to combat the Mediterranean fruit fly (Ceratitis capitata, Diptera: Tephritidae). Sterile medfly males are less competent in attracting and mating with wild females, a property commonly linked to the irradiation process responsible for the sterilization. As bacteria are important partners in the fly's life cycle, we used molecular analytical methods to study the community structure of the gut microbiota in irradiated male medflies. We find that the sterilizing irradiation procedure affects the gut bacterial community structure of the Mediterranean fruit fly. Although the Enterobacteriaceae family remains the dominant bacterial group present in the gut, the levels of Klebsiella species decreases significantly in the days after sterilization. In addition, we detected substantial differences in some bacterial species between the mass rearing strain Vienna 8 and the wild strain. Most notable among these are the increased levels of the potentially pathogenic species Pseudomonas in the industrial strain. Testing the hypothesis that regenerating the original microbiota community could result in enhanced competitiveness of the sterile flies, we found that the addition of the bacterial species Klebsiella oxytoca to the postirradiation diet enables colonization of these bacteria in the gut while resulting in decreased levels of the Pseudomonas sp. Feeding on diets containing bacteria significantly improved sterile male performance in copulatory tests. Further studies will determine the feasibility of bacterial amelioration in SIT operations.
Diversity of aerobic and anaerobic ammonia-oxidizing bacteria in marine sponges
Authors: Mohamed Naglaa M , Saito Keiko , Tal Yossi , Hill Russell T 
Published: July 2009

Abstract
Aerobic ammonia-oxidizing bacteria (AAOB) are known to have an important function in the marine nitrogen cycle. Anaerobic ammonium oxidation (anammox) carried out by some members of Planctomycetales is also an important process in marine ecosystems. Ammonia-monooxygenase gene (amoA) fragments were amplified to investigate the potential for nitrification and the diversity of the AAOB in two marine sponges Ircinia strobilina and Mycale laxissima. All of the AmoA sequences obtained from the two sponges clustered with the AmoA sequences of the Betaproteobacteria Nitrosospira spp. To investigate the anaerobic ammonia-oxidizing bacteria (AnAOB) in sponges, 16S rRNA gene fragments of Planctomycetales and anammox bacteria were also amplified with specific primers, and clone libraries were constructed. The Planctomycetales diversity detected in the two sponges was different. The Planctomycetales community in M. laxissima was affiliated with Pirellula, Planctomyces and anammox bacteria, while all of the I. strobilina Planctomycetales clones were solely affiliated with the candidate phylum ‘Poribacteria’. Interestingly, sequences related to anammox genera were recovered only from M. laxissima. This is the first report of anammox bacteria in marine sponges. It is intriguing to find AAOB and AnAOB in M. laxissima, but the nature of their interaction with the sponge host and with each other remains unclear. This work further supports the potential of sponge-associated microorganisms for nitrification and sheds light on anammox as a new aspect of the nitrogen cycle in marine sponges.
THE POPULATION OF VISCOSITY- AND GRAVITATIONAL WAVE-DRIVEN SUPERMASSIVE BLACK HOLE BINARIES AMONG LUMINOUS ACTIVE GALACTIC NUCLEI
Authors: Haiman Zoltán , Kocsis Bence , Menou Kristen 
Published: July 2009

ABSTRACT
Supermassive black hole binaries (SMBHBs) in galactic nuclei are thought to be a common by-product of major galaxy mergers. We use simple disk models for the circumbinary gas and for the binary–disk interaction to follow the orbital decay of SMBHBs with a range of total masses (M) and mass ratios (q), through physically distinct regions of the disk, until gravitational waves (GWs) take over their evolution. Prior to the GW-driven phase, the viscous decay is generically in the stalled “secondary-dominated” regime. SMBHBs spend a non-negligible fraction of a fiducial time of 107 yr at orbital periods between days ≲t
orb≲ yr, and we argue that they may be sufficiently common to be detectable, provided they are luminous during these stages. A dedicated optical or X-ray survey could identify coalescing SMBHBs statistically, as a population of periodically variable quasars, whose abundance obeys the scaling N
var ∝ t
α
var within a range of periods around t
var∼ tens of weeks. SMBHBs with M ≲ 107 M
☉, with 0.5 ≲ α ≲ 1.5, would probe the physics of viscous orbital decay, whereas the detection of a population of higher-mass binaries, with α = 8/3, would confirm that their decay is driven by GWs. The lowest-mass SMBHBs (M ≲ 105–6 M
☉) enter the GW-driven regime at short orbital periods, when they are already in the frequency band of the Laser Interferometric Space Antenna (LISA). While viscous processes are negligible in the last few years of coalescence, they could reduce the amplitude of any unresolved background due to near-stationary LISA sources. We discuss modest constraints on the SMBHB population already available from existing data, and the sensitivity and sky coverage requirements for a detection in future surveys. SMBHBs may also be identified from velocity shifts in their spectra; we discuss the expected abundance of SMBHBs as a function of their orbital velocity.
WPP-Domain Proteins Mimic the Activity of the HSC70-1 Chaperone in Preventing Mistargeting of RanGAP1-Anchoring Protein WIT1
Authors: Brkljacic Jelena , Zhao Qiao , Meier Iris 
Published: July 2009

Abstract
Arabidopsis (Arabidopsis thaliana) tryptophan-proline-proline (WPP)-domain proteins, WPP1 and WPP2, are plant-unique, nuclear envelope-associated proteins of unknown function. They have sequence similarity to the nuclear envelope-targeting domain of plant RanGAP1, the GTPase activating protein of the small GTPase Ran. WPP domain-interacting tail-anchored protein 1 (WIT1) and WIT2 are two Arabidopsis proteins containing a coiled-coil domain and a C-terminal predicted transmembrane domain. They are required for RanGAP1 association with the nuclear envelope in root tips. Here, we show that WIT1 also binds WPP1 and WPP2 in planta, we identify the chaperone heat shock cognate protein 70-1 (HSC70-1) as in vivo interaction partner of WPP1 and WPP2, and we show that HSC70-1 interacts in planta with WIT1. WIT1 and green fluorescent protein (GFP)-WIT1 are targeted to the nuclear envelope in Arabidopsis. In contrast, GFP-WIT1 forms large cytoplasmic aggregates when overexpressed transiently in Nicotiana benthamiana leaf epidermis cells. Coexpression of HSC70-1 significantly reduces GFP-WIT1 aggregation and permits association of most GFP-WIT1 with the nuclear envelope. Significantly, WPP1 and WPP2 show the same activity. A WPP1 mutant with reduced affinity for GFP-WIT1 fails to decrease its aggregation. While the WPP-domain proteins act on a region of WIT1 containing the coiled-coil domain, HSC70-1 additionally acts on the C-terminal transmembrane domain. Taken together, our data suggest that both HSC70-1 and the WPP-domain proteins play a role in facilitating WIT1 nuclear envelope targeting, which is, to our knowledge, the first described in planta activity for the WPP-domain proteins.
The impact of down‐zoning on land values
Authors: Gottlieb Paul D. , Adelaja Adesoji 
Published: July 2009

PurposeThis paper aims to build a mathematical model to determine the price of an acre of developable land, whether it is part of a large open tract (farm) or a smaller residential parcel that can legally be subdivided. The primary purpose of the model is to explore the effect of various minimum lot‐size regulations on the price of these two types of vacant land. The study also attempts to explain apparently conflicting findings that have recently appeared in empirical studies of “down‐zoning” in the states of Maryland and New Jersey.Design/methodology/approachThe mathematical model of land value is based on principles of asset valuation under uncertainty at various locations within a metropolitan area. The price of an acre of land is modeled as the present value of a stream of indirect utility to homeowners, and economic rents to farmers, developers or landlords, depending on an endogenous date of development. The cases of New Jersey and Maryland are compared using parameterized simulations, with minimum lot size allowed to vary.FindingsThe simulations reconcile earlier empirical studies on Maryland and New Jersey. The observed absence of any price effect of down‐zoning in rural Maryland appears to be caused by the fact that development is not imminent there. In New Jersey, development is imminent virtually everywhere, and a high proportion of today's vacant land value is due to its development potential. This means that down‐zoning will typically lead to dramatic declines in vacant land value in New Jersey.Research limitations/implicationsThe study relies on state averages, so its results should not be applied to particular parcels in Maryland or New Jersey. The study incorporates uncertainty in expected developer profits, but not in future political decisions.Practical implicationsBy clarifying the context in which zoning changes will or will not lead to decline in a landowner's asset value, the study can inform legal and political debates over re‐zonings in the USA. Included in these debates is the claim that some re‐zonings violate the “takings” clause of the USA constitution.Originality/valueThe majority of papers on this subject are empirical, using a hedonic or an appraisal methodology. This paper provides a coherent theoretical model of per‐acre land prices under different levels of zoning restriction. It can be used for simulation or prediction with relatively few input parameters.
Tough times call for collaborative leaders
Authors: Archer David , Cameron Alex 
Published: July 2009

PurposeThis paper aims to discuss the development of collaborative leadership skills to address an identified gap in senior management capability.Design/methodology/approachThis paper is based on research carried out by IPSOS Mori consisting of interviews with 100 directors across the public and private sector.FindingsThe research found that 64 per cent of those questioned identified a gap in collaborative leadership skills and senior levels and this rose to 73 per cent of those who worked for companies with more than 5,000 employees. The paper highlights a key capability for a collaborative leader – the ability to handle conflict in a productive manner.Practical implicationsThe paper analyses five areas of development for a collaborative leader with regard to conflict: understanding your own relationship to conflict; understanding the needs of groups; holding difficult conversations; finding the greater good; and mediating in other people's conflict. In each case it proposes practical steps to help leaders and development professionals handle these issues.Originality/valueInvesting in collaborative leadership capability is a priority for many businesses in these turbulent times. As economic pressures increase, the ability to work efficiently with critical business partners is a necessity. It is all too evident that ineffective collaboration and conflict in business relationships wastes time and money: these days this is something no one can afford. The skills outlined in this paper point the way for training managers to develop key people in their organisations to handle conflict and build effective relationships in tough times and in good.
Action theory and the training and performance application: performance templates
Authors: Lyons Paul 
Published: July 2009

PurposeThis paper sets forth a description and explanation of how action theory serves as the foundation for the training and performance management approach, performance templates (P‐T). In recent years the efficacy of performance templates, given its limitations, has been demonstrated; however, the theory base for the P‐T approach had not been sufficiently developed. This paper aims to examine the content and efficacy of performance templates.Design/methodology/approachThe P‐T method is set forth in detail with some examples. The theoretical bases of the P‐T approach, a training and development partnership among trainers, managers, and employees, are explained in detail.FindingsThe layered features of the action theory of Michael Frese fit very well with the interpersonal and intrapersonal events that make up the creation and use of performance templates. The P‐T method requires considerable mental work and the action theory helps explain the cognitive events that occur.Practical implicationsThe paper sets forth the features of action theory, especially the foundation for metacognitive heuristics, that is, the short‐cut reasoning tools that individuals use to aid decision making. Aside from the application of the P‐T approach, this paper offers trainers a set of examples regarding how the trainer may influence learning by attending to the dynamics of metacognitive heuristics and cognitive style, concepts that have received very little attention in the training literature.Originality/valueAction theory offers many features that help explain the regulation of learning and behavior. The template approach not only adds to the repertoire of training methods, it helps to illuminate the high‐order cognitive functioning that helps individuals regulate their learning and performance.
BVRLA ICFM professional fleet consultant development programme
Authors: Leggett Nora , Snook Jeremy 
Published: July 2009

PurposeThe BVRLA ICFM Professional Fleet Consultant Development Programme, developed in conjunction with the ICFM, is targeted at sales and business development executives within BVRLA member companies. The four‐day training programme equips participants with the skills and knowledge to align their sales role more closely with the demands and responsibilities of the client fleet manager. This paper aims to describe the programme.Design/methodology/approachThe paper describes the tailored approach of the programme.FindingsThe first module covers the principles of fleet management, with a focus on understanding the role and responsibilities of a fleet manager; the principles of asset and risk management; and the influence of a client's stake holders, company culture and market segmentation. It also looks at wider concerns influencing fleet choice, including the environment. The second module covers the delivery of fleet solutions; the various budgetary and taxation considerations; key acquisition and disposal options; supplier management; and the relevant legal and health and safety obligations.Practical implicationsThe new programme, launched in October 2008, has been enthusiastically welcomed by the leasing and fleet management industry, which has seen its customers grow more sophisticated in their business processes and, as a consequence, ever more demanding of their service providers. BVRLA members recognise the value in an industry‐acknowledged qualification that demonstrates both their investment in employee development and their commitment to understanding the needs of their customers. The Professional Fleet Consultant Development Programme course is externally accredited by the Institute of Leadership and Management.Originality/valueThe paper is the first detailed description of the origins, design, delivery of the BVRLA ICFM Professional Fleet Consultant Development Programme.
Historical, practical, and theoretical perspectives on green management
Authors: Pane Haden Stephanie S. , Oyler Jennifer D. , Humphreys John H. 
Published: July 2009

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to provide a comprehensive definition of green management. In the quest to systematically develop an inclusive definition, it seeks to take an exploratory approach to investigate the existing literature on green management from three different perspectives: first, tracing the history of how this concept emerged over time; second, considering the practices in which green organizations actually engage, focusing specifically on one company that has been recognized and honored for its extraordinary efforts toward sustainability; and third, reviewing the current developments in critical theory related to environmental issues and business.Design/methodology/approachThis exploratory review of the literature uses a tripartite approach to forge a sound definition and conceptualization of the term green management. Exploration of green management from the three angles mentioned revealed some commonalities and consistencies in the terminology and concepts. Factors common to the three perspectives were included in the proposed definition of green management.FindingsThe ultimate product of the review is a comprehensive definition of green management. The identification of several commonalities using a tripartite approach lends support to the proposed definition and indicates to both researchers and practitioners that certain factors should not be ignored when attempting to study or practice green management.Originality/valueTo the authors' knowledge, green management has never been collectively reviewed from these three perspectives and the systematic approach resulted in a comprehensive definition that can help coordinate future research efforts around a common conceptualization.
The world is one and all things are in it
Authors: Agatiello Osvaldo R. 
Published: July 2009

PurposeThis paper aims to suggest that a more ambitious and structured ethical approach for environmental decision making is essential at this point of maturity of public and private management.Design/methodology/approachThe paper reflects on the fact that the citizen‐consumer of our time views the environment as an integral part of collective well being and as a repository of public goods. Echoing authoritative sources that mull over, adopt and advocate for environmental conventions, agreements, regulations, guidelines, standards and good practices for countries, country groupings, industries, organizations and even households, the paper proposes specific steps to address the ethical queries concerned.FindingsCalls for an integrated agenda for the global commons, based on a global policymaking mechanism, especially a global law and a global economic and financial system, keep proliferating, with the tacit understanding that higher ethical standards are of the essence. This implies that in matters environmental having the science, the economics and the politics right are necessary but not sufficient conditions to address questions that may fundamentally and irreversibly affect our present, our future and generations to come; and that entrepreneurs, corporate agents and public authorities need to deal with environmental conservation and management with resort to an ethical mode of reasoning and decision making as well.Originality/valueUnlike a few decades ago, sound environmental conservation and management nowadays are largely viewed not only as public priorities, but also as moral imperatives. The paper calls for an unprecedented step further – to step up the ethical conversation about the environment and to embed the mechanism in the policymaking and compliance process, including through ethical audits.
Assessing the greenness effort for European firms
Authors: Yu Vincent , Ting Hsiu‐I , Jim Wu Yen‐Chun 
Published: July 2009

PurposeThe purpose of this study is twofold: first, to explore whether a linkage between environmental effects and financial performance exists; and second, to investigate whether firms displaying more environmental effort show a more significantly positive relationship between environmental performance and financial performance than those displaying less green effort.Design/methodology/approachThe study adopts correlation analysis of a sample comprising of 51 European companies from 14 industries across 15 countries to investigate the possible relationship between firm environmental performance (including three measures: sustainable value, sustainable value margin, and return to cost ratio) and financial performance.FindingsThe paper does not find a positive relationship between firm environmental performance and financial performance. Both the Pearson correlations and Spearman's rho are statistically insignificant for both the full sample and the carbon‐intensive sectors. When the lag effect on firm financial performance is considered, the result remains the same. The result suggests that corporate good guys in Europe do not necessarily reap the rewards of their green effort.Research limitations/implicationsFuture research may investigate the relationship between firm environmental efforts and financial performance across industries with different technologies and product life cycles, or industries with similar pollutions/emissions or usage pattern of natural resources, such as the petroleum industry and the transportation industry.Practical implicationsAlthough it was not possible to find a positive association between environmental performance and financial performance, still, being perceived as a green company may improve a company's image and reputation, thus attracting more talented workers and green‐conscious customers.Originality/valueThe paper provides a new perspective on the relationship between firm environmental performance and financial performance in monetary terms by taking a broader view at the environmental outcomes. While past studies only measure firm environmental performance based on damaging impacts to the environment, the research also considers the efficiency of resource use by the firm.