Trade-offs for conflicting social objectives in the extraction of finite energy resources

Three social objectives figure prominently in the extraction of finite energy resources, namely income maximization, environmental quality, and inter-generational concern. Owing to lack of complementarity, the pursuit of these objectives often results in conflicts. As a result, extraction strategies should be based on the determination of trade-offs between the objectives. The paper deals with the formulation and illustration of a systems model to determine these trade-offs. The recognition of such trade-offs results in a greater conservation of the finite energy resource, and hence could act as an incentive for the development of alternative energy sources.     

Application of regional earthquake mitigation optimization

A linear program was developed to help seismically active communities decide: (1) how much to spend on pre-earthquake mitigation that aims to reduce future losses versus waiting until after an event and paying for reconstruction, and (2) which of the many possible mitigation activities to fund so as to minimize overall risk. The mitigation alternatives considered are structural upgrading policies for groups of buildings. Benefits of mitigation are losses avoided in future earthquakes, including structural, non-structural, contents, and time-related losses, and casualties. The model is intended to be used as a tool to support the public regional mitigation planning process. In realistic applications, the model includes millions of variables, thus requiring a special solution method. This paper focuses on two efficient solution algorithms to solve the model—a Dantzig–Wolfe decomposition algorithm and a greedy heuristic algorithm. A comprehensive numerical study compares the two algorithms in terms of solution quality and solution time. The study shows that, compared to the Dantzig–Wolfe algorithm, the heuristic algorithm is much faster as expected, and provides comparable solution quality.     

Microwave low-noise AlGaAs/InGaAs HBT's with p+-regrownbase contacts

This paper reports low-noise AlGaAs/InGaAs heterojunction bipolar transistors (HBT's) with p⁺-regrown base contacts. To reduce the thermal and shot noises, we have reduced R_B by using a p ⁺-regrown base contact and have reduced τ_B by using a compositionally-graded thin base layer. As a result, F_min values of 0.9, 1.1, 1.2, and 1.6 dB were obtained at 2, 6, 12, and 18 GHz, respectively. These low-noise characteristics of our HBT's show high potential for low-noise application     

Revisiting Ghoshal and Bartlett’s Theory of the Multinational Corporation as an Interorganizational Network

More than 25 years after its appearance, Ghoshal and Bartlett’s seminal paper ‘The Multinational Corporation as an Interorganizational Network’ stands as a widely recognized but insufficiently understood contribution to the international management literature. This paper reviews related literature, celebrates and critically discusses Ghoshal and Bartlett’s work and proposes ways to address its main limitations, which are a lack of a defined set of parameters describing networks and the delineation of network boundaries. We then translate their theory into concrete propositions and thereby bring it closer to empirical testing. Taking a subsidiary-network perspective, we expand the authors’ work by combining network and entrepreneurship literature and theoretically deducting positive effects of networks on subsidiary entrepreneurial orientation. This yields entirely new insights and a more holistic view of the effects of subsidiary networks.     

Individuals’ Innovation Response Behaviour: A Framework of Antecedents and Opportunities for Future Research

Innovation response behaviour is defined as individuals’ novelty‐supporting or novelty‐impeding action when navigating innovation initiatives through the organization. A typology of innovation response behaviour is developed, distinguishing between active and passive modes of conduct for novelty‐supporting and novelty‐impeding behaviour, respectively. The antecedents of innovation response behaviour are delineated based on West and Farr's five‐factor model of individual innovation. Moreover, we argue that within organizational contexts, individuals often fail to implement their ideas due to innovation barriers, perceived as factors that are beyond their control. Based on the theory of planned behaviour, we reveal how these barriers influence individuals’ intentional and exhibited innovation response behaviour. Propositions about proximal and distal antecedents of individuals’ innovation response behaviour are derived. Proposing a research framework to study the organizational process of innovation from an actor‐based perspective, this paper intends to link existing research on individual innovation with the process of innovation at the organizational level, explicitly accounting for the socio‐political dynamics and arising managerial problems associated with successful innovation implementation within organizational realities. Implications for research in innovation management are discussed and avenues for future research outlined.     

CK2 Phosphorylation Is Required for Regulation of Syntaxin 1A Activity in Ca2+-Triggered Release in Neuroendocrine Cells

The polybasic juxtamembrane region (5RK) of the plasma membrane neuronal SNARE, syntaxin1A (Syx), was previously shown by us to act as a fusion clamp in PC12 cells, as charge neutralization of 5RK promotes spontaneous and inhibits Ca²⁺-triggered release. Using a Syx-based FRET probe (CSYS), we demonstrated that 5RK is required for a depolarization-induced Ca⁺²-dependent opening (close-to-open transition; CDO) of Syx, which involves the vesicular SNARE synaptobrevin2 and occurs concomitantly with Ca²⁺-triggered release. Here, we investigated the mechanism underlying the CDO requirement for 5RK and identified phosphorylation of Syx at Ser-14 (S14) by casein kinase 2 (CK2) as a crucial molecular determinant. Thus, following biochemical verification that both endogenous Syx and CSYS are constitutively S14 phosphorylated in PC12 cells, dynamic FRET analysis of phospho-null and phospho-mimetic mutants of CSYS and the use of a CK2 inhibitor revealed that the S14 phosphorylation confers the CDO requirement for 5RK. In accord, amperometric analysis of catecholamine release revealed that the phospho-null mutant does not support Ca²⁺-triggered release. These results identify a functionally important CK2 phosphorylation of Syx that is required for the 5RK-regulation of CDO and for concomitant Ca²⁺-triggered release. Further, also spontaneous release, conferred by charge neutralization of 5RK, was abolished in the phospho-null mutant.     

Taxation of a nonrenewable but quasi-infinite energy resource: A two-period framework

This paper deals with the formulation of a resource extraction tax for a resource that is finite yet relatively abundant in its availability. The basis for the formulation is the higher extraction cost imposed on future generations as a result of present extraction. The optimal size of the tax is determined by the trade-off between present losses and future gains.     

Breath hold MR cholangio-pancreatography (MRCP) using long echo train length fast spin echo sequence in combination with surface coil

To test the feasibility of MR cholangio-pancreatography (MRCP) using long echo train length (32) fast spin echo sequence in combination with shoulder surface coil, 20 patients who had had ERCP were examined. Good correlations were acquired between the findings obtained by two modalities in terms of ductal strictures, dilatations and intraductal lesions. MRCP was considered to be an examination of choice in various kinds of pathologies affecting biliary duct as well as pancreatic duct for its non-invasiveness and reasonable image quality.     

Place of the Hokkaido Ainu (northern Japan) among circumpolar and other peoples of the world. A comparison of the frequency variations of discrete cranial traits

Fifteen discrete cranial variations were studied in Ainu and a number of populations from around the world. The major findings, extracted by B-squared distance analysis and Fisher's exact probability test, are as follows: A) The five key traits which distinguish Ainu from the predominant eastern Asians are (1) medial palatine canal, (2) hypoglossal canal bridging, (3) supraorbital foramen, (4) transverse zygomatic suture vestige, and (5) mylohyoid bridging. The frequency of the first trait is comparable to those of Africans, especially Subsaharan Africans, the second and fifth conform to those of the New World peoples, the third is similar to Australians and Subsaharan Africans, and the fourth is the only one aligning the Ainu to Northeast Asians. B) The frequencies of a few wormian bones in Ainu are significantly different from those of many Southeast Asians. The frequencies favour rough clinality from the south to as far north as the arctic area of Northeast Asia in the regions of western Oceania and eastern Asia. The present study confirms that Ainu and Jomon are certainly members of populations originated in Asia but possibly outliers of more predominant Asian populations.     

Flavonoids in Georgian Bee Bread and Bee Pollen

The proposed work aims to study phenol components （flavonoids） of bee bread and pollen obtained in Georgia using the HPLC （high-performance liquid chromatography） method, and to determine the content of biologically active compounds in them. The samples were taken in lmereti region （west Georgia）. After extraction of samples, there were carried out spectral and HPLC analysis of compounds for the sake of qualitative and quantitative research of them. There are studied the flavonoid compounds of bee bread and pollen by using the HPLC methods, and naringin, rutin and quercetin are identified. Their amount counts about 20% of full content of flavonoids. The content of flavonols in bee bread and pollen has been established. It also has been determined that the amount of flavonoids during the storage period of products reduces to 6.17-5.03 g.kg-1.