Orientation Propensity Research Articles

중소기업의 기술역량이 수출성과에 미치는 영향: 학습지향성과 위험감수성의 조절효과를 중심으로

중소기업의 기술역량이 수출성과에 미치는 영향: 학습지향성과 위험감수성의 조절효과를 중심으로

Strategic orientation, CSR and operational performance: Mediation and moderation effects in the Polish food-manufacturing industry

The aim of the study is to investigate relationships between strategic orientation (SO), involvement in corporate social responsibility (CSR) and operational performance (OP). It tests the proposition that SO is not linked with OP directly but through CSR serving as the mediator. In addition, SO is hypothesized to moderate the association between CSR and OP. The research involves a representative cross-sectional survey of 400 managers of SMEs operating in the Polish food manufacturing industry. Statistical methods include confirmatory factor analysis with AMOS 24 and multiple linear regression using SPSS 24.The study reveals a complete mediation effect by CSR of the links from three aspects of SO to OP. Specifically, aggressiveness, proactiveness and defensiveness are positively associated with CSR, while analysis, future orientation and risk propensity show no relationship. Also, aggressiveness moderates the link from CSR to OP, so that firms with higher aggressiveness display a stronger connection between CSR and OP.The outcomes suggest that part of the positive effects of CSR may come from more general strategic stances and attitudes. Moreover, it seems that certain aspects of strategic orientation might be more effective when implemented in an organizational environment with strong CSR values. In particular, strategies based on aggressiveness and proactiveness appear to be more effective when complemented by heightened social sensitivity.This research validates the role of CSR as a viable managerial approach contributing to greater operational performance of companies. This could help build a stronger case to promote socially responsible business practices not only through its beneficial social impacts but also due to its effects on firms’ performance. To the author’s knowledge, this is the first research focused on associations between SO, CSR and OP, using a large, representative sample of SMEs.

The A2V mutation as a new tool for hindering A\u03b2 aggregation: A neutron and x-ray diffraction study

We have described a novel C-to-T mutation in the APP gene that corresponds to an alanine to valine substitution at position 673 in APP (A673V), or position 2 of the amyloid-β (Aβ) sequence. This mutation is associated with the early onset of AD-type dementia in homozygous individuals, whereas it has a protective effect in the heterozygous state. Correspondingly, we observed differences in the aggregation properties of the wild-type and mutated Aβ peptides and their mixture. We have carried out neutron diffraction (ND) and x-ray diffraction (XRD) experiments on magnetically-oriented fibers of Aβ1-28WT and its variant Aβ1-28A2V. The orientation propensity was higher for Aβ1-28A2V suggesting that it promotes the formation of fibrillar assemblies. The diffraction patterns by Aβ1-28WT and Aβ1-28A2V assemblies differed in shape and position of the equatorial reflections, suggesting that the two peptides adopt distinct lateral packing of the diffracting units. The diffraction patterns from a mixture of the two peptides differed from those of the single components, indicating the presence of structural interference during assembly and orientation. The lowest orientation propensity was observed for a mixture of Aβ1-28WT and a short N-terminal fragment, Aβ1-6A2V, which supports a role of Aβ’s N-terminal domain in amyloid fibril formation.

Precursor ultrasonic effect on grain structure development of AA6061-T6 friction stir weld

Specific locations in horizontal cross-sections of AA6061-T6 weld nuggets, prepared with and without precursor ultrasonic vibrations in friction stir welding, were orientation imaged using electron back scattered diffraction and compared. With ultrasonic vibrations, grains exhibited higher orientation propensity along (101) and (111) and higher grain refinement at middle of weld nugget. Misorientation analysis was conducted using a novel approach where grains with misorientation >45°, <5° and between 15 and 45° were considered as completely recrystallized, under-recrystallized and moderately recrystallized, respectively. The analysis quantitatively showed that higher fractions of completely recrystallized and under-recrystallized grains coexisted in the middle locations where the ultrasonic effect on grain refinement was maximum. A normalized factor revealed that trends of ultrasonic effect on complete recrystallization and grain refinement of nugget are similar, suggesting that ultrasonic induced complete recrystallization is the reason for higher grain refinement. Microtexture was C+B/B− mixture with the C component weakening and B component roughly strengthening down the depth. Microtexture variations are more intensified in the middle locations with ultrasonic vibrations, causing increase in anisotropy, contrary to reported anisotropy loss in transverse locations. Scope of the observed variations in anisotropy and recrystallization towards improvement of process effectiveness and weld mechanical properties are discussed.

Confinement enhances dispersion in nanoparticle-polymer blend films.

Polymer nanocomposites constitute an important class of materials whose properties depend on the state of dispersion of the nanoparticles in the polymer matrix. Here we report the first observations of confinement-induced enhancement of dispersion in nanoparticle-polymer blend films. Systematic variation in the dispersion of nanoparticles with confinement for various compositions and matrix polymer chain dimensions has been observed. For fixed composition, strong reduction in glass transition temperature, Tg, is observed with decreasing blend-film thickness. The enhanced dispersion occurs without altering the polymer-particle interactions and seems to be driven by enhanced matrix-chain orientation propensity and a tendency to minimize the density gradients within the matrix. This implies the existence of two different mechanisms in polymer nanocomposites, which determines their state of dispersion and glass transition.

Influence of intermolecular interactions of electron donating small molecules on their molecular packing and performance in organic electronic devices

Intermolecular interactions have a critical role in determining the molecular packing and orientation of conjugated polymers and organic molecules, leading to significant changes in their electrical and optical properties. Herein, we investigated the effects of intermolecular interactions of electron-donating small molecules on their structural, optical, and electrical properties, as well as on their performance in organic field-effect transistors (OFETs) and organic photovoltaics (OPVs). A series of dithienosilole-based small molecule donors were synthesized by introducing different terminal groups of ester and amide groups combined with three different versions of alkyl side chains. In comparison to dithienosilole-based small molecules with ester terminal groups, those with amide terminal groups exhibit strong intermolecular interaction by hydrogen bonding in a non-destructive manner. In addition, in order to control the intermolecular distance during assembly and thus fine-tune the interaction between the small molecule donors, three different alkyl side chains (i.e., n-octyl, n-decyl, and 2-ethylhexyl chains) were introduced into both small molecules with amide and ester terminal groups. The molecular packing and orientation of the small molecule donors were dramatically changed upon modifying the terminal groups and the alkyl side chains, as evidenced by grazing incidence X-ray scattering (GIXS) measurements. This feature significantly affected the electrical properties of the small molecules in OFETs. The trends in the activation energies for charge transport and the hole mobilities in OFETs were consistent with the molecular ordering and orientation propensity. In addition, the nano-scale morphology of small molecules blended with [6,6]-phenyl-C61-butyric acid methyl ester (PCBM) was also influenced by the intermolecular interaction of small molecule donors. Power conversion efficiencies of more than 4.3% in OPVs were obtained from dithienosilole-based small molecules with ester terminal groups and linear side chains due to the optimized intermolecular interaction and morphology of the active layer.

The role of the anterior lateral eyes in the vision-based behaviour of jumping spiders

Jumping spiders, or salticids, sample their environment using a combination of two types of eyes. The forward-facing pair of 'principal' eyes have narrow fields of view, but exceptional spatial resolution, while the two or three pairs of 'secondary' eyes have wide fields of view and function especially well as motion analysers. Motion detected by the secondary eyes may elicit an orienting response, whereupon the object of interest is examined further using the high-acuity principal eyes. The anterior lateral (AL) eyes are particularly interesting, as they are the only forward-facing pair of secondary eyes. In this study, we aimed to determine characteristics of stimuli that elicit orienting responses mediated by the AL eyes. After covering all eyes except the AL eyes, we measured orienting responses to dot stimuli that varied in size and contrast, and moved at different speeds. We found that all stimulus parameters had significant effects on orientation propensity. When tethered flies were used as prey, we found that visual information from the AL eyes alone was sufficient to elicit stalking behaviour. These results suggest that, in terms of overall visual processing, the relevance of spatial vision in the AL eyes has been underestimated in the literature. Our results also show that female spiders are significantly more responsive than males. We found that hunger caused similar increases in orientation propensity in the two sexes, but females responded more often than males both when sated and when hungry. A higher propensity by females to orient toward moving objects may be related to females tending to experience higher nutritional demands than males.

Validation of orientation propensities in electron-impact excitation oflead

The atomic orientation J⊥+generated by polarized-electron impact excitation of Pb(6p2)3P0 → (6p7s)3P1is studied experimentally using the electron–photon coincidence technique.For the decay transition (6p7s)3P1 → (6p2)3P2,the connection between the polarization components of theemitted photons and the coherence parameters J⊥+,Pl+,γ,h is given.J⊥+shows a significant dependence on the spin projection of the incidentelectrons with an energy of 6 eV. The experimental results are comparedwith theoretical predictions from a semi-relativistic Breit–PauliR-matrixmodel and the relativistic distorted-wave approximation and are interpreted withregard to well-established orientation propensity rules. The experimental datashow, in agreement with the calculation and the prediction made by asemi-classical trajectory model, that the propensity rules hold for the excitation ofthe relatively heavy lead atom.

Orientation propensities in spin-resolved electron-impact excitation ofmercury

The atomic orientation J⊥+generated by polarized-electron impact excitation of Hg (6s2)1S0 →(6s6p)3P1 is studied using the electron–photon coincidence technique. J⊥+ shows asignificant dependence on the spin projection of the incident electrons. Experimentalresults are compared with theoretical predictions employing a semi-relativistic five-stateR-matrix(close-coupling) description and the relativistic distorted-wave approximation.The experimental data show, in qualitative agreement with the calculations, thatthe well established orientation propensity rules for light atoms are apparentlyviolated if the electron spin is initially down with respect to the scattering plane.The applicability of the propensity rules to electron-impact excitation of heavyatoms is analysed. The observed apparent violation is attributed to a quantummechanical interference caused by ‘intermediate coupling’ within the excited state.A re-evaluation of the data supports the validity of the orientation propensityrules.

Spin-dependent orientation propensities revealed in polarized-electron-polarized-photon coincidence studies.

The density matrix parametrization of collisionally excited atomic ensembles is generalized to account for a projectile spin. The elements are related to the ``generalized Stokes parameters'' of Andersen and Bartschat [J. Phys. B 27, 3189 (1994)], determined in scattered-projectile--polarized-photon coincidence experiments after impact excitation by spin-polarized electrons. The well-established orientation propensity rule for unpolarized electron beam experiments is not valid for spin-resolved collisions.

Orientation propensity for states populated by electron capture in B3+/He collisions

The orientation of the (1s22p)2P excited state of the doubly charged B2+ ions, resulting from electron capture in collisions of triply charged B3+ ions with He, is investigated theoretically. The collision dynamics are described using a quasi-molecular adiabatic representation of the system and calculations are carried out in the range of ion energies from 0.3 to 1.5 keV. Our results, which are in excellent agreement with experiment, confirm the strong propensity for orientation of the 2P state at small scattering angles. The main contributing factors responsible for the orientation are carefully analysed.

Observation of orientation propensity for electron capture in multiply-charged-ion-atom collisions.

We have measured the circular polarization of photons emitted after electron capture into the B{sup 2+}(1{ital s}{sup 2}2{ital p}) state in B{sup 3+}(1{ital s}{sup 2})+He(1{ital s}{sup 2}) collisions in a planar scattering experiment, using the polarized-photon--scattered-ion coincidence technique. The energy is 1.5--12 keV and scattering angles {theta} are less than 1.5{degree}. For large impact parameters a {ital strong} {ital propensity} {ital for} {ital orientation} is observed, with the sense of electron orbiting in the {ital same} direction as the rotation of the internuclear axis being favored by more than a factor of 2 compared to the opposite orientation. This is in qualitative agreement with recent theoretical predictions.