University of Wisconsin–Superior

Abstract Facing uncertain environments, firms have strived to achieve greater supply chain collaboration to leverage the resources and knowledge of their suppliers and customers. The objective of the study is to uncover the nature of supply chain collaboration and explore its impact on firm performance based on a paradigm of collaborative advantage. Reliable and valid instruments of these constructs were developed through rigorous empirical analysis. Data were collected through a Web survey of U.S. manufacturing firms in various industries. The statistical methods used include confirmatory factor analysis and structural equation modeling (i.e., LISREL). The results indicate that supply chain collaboration improves collaborative advantage and indeed has a bottom‐line influence on firm performance, and collaborative advantage is an intermediate variable that enables supply chain partners to achieve synergies and create superior performance. A further analysis of the moderation effect of firm size reveals that collaborative advantage completely mediates the relationship between supply chain collaboration and firm performance for small firms while it partially mediates the relationship for medium and large firms.

Facing intensified global competition, firms strive for greater supply chain collaboration by leveraging the resources and knowledge of key suppliers and valued customers to reduce uncertainty, lower transaction costs, build core competence, capitalise on opportunities for learning and knowledge creation, and improve competitive position. This study examines the nature and characteristics of supply chain collaboration. Through an extensive literature review, it conceptualises supply chain collaboration as seven interconnecting elements: information sharing, goal congruence, decision synchronisation, incentive alignment, resource sharing, collaborative communication, and joint knowledge creation. It develops valid and reliable instruments to measure supply chain collaboration through rigorous empirical and statistical analysis including structured interviews, Q-sort, and a large-scale study. Predictive validity is evaluated by demonstrating a strong and positive relationship between a firm's level of supply chain collaboration and its performance. The definitions and measures that result provide a rich and structured understanding of supply chain design and operation. They also facilitate empirical research and provide analytical consistency that enables greater sharing and comparison of research results.

An understandable, clear overview of the psychology of language, where studying the psychology of language doesn't have to be confusing. In David Carroll's text, a topic that can sometimes seem bewildering to students is presented in a clear, interesting, and engaging style. Using a cognitive approach, Carroll brings the current developments and controversies in psycholinguistics to students in an engaging style and sets them in historical context. The book fills the need for an up-to-date and clearly written treatment of the field.

To respond to the expectations of the industry and business school accreditation bodies, marketing faculty have been making extensive use of group projects in their curricula. A common problem with the use of student groups, however, is that of social loafing. In this study, we identify some easy-to-implement project set-up factors and examine their impact on reducing the incidence of social loafing. We find that the incidence of social loafing increases with the scope of the project and the size of the student group assigned to the project. We also find that having multiple peer evaluations during the course of the project reduces social loafing. We study the impact of social loafing on students' satisfaction with group members' contribution and the perceived fairness of the project grade. Recommendations for reducing social loafing and increasing students' satisfaction with group projects are also discussed.

Given the powerful implications of relationship quality for health and well-being, a central mission of relationship science is explaining why some romantic relationships thrive more than others. This large-scale project used machine learning (i.e., Random Forests) to 1) quantify the extent to which relationship quality is predictable and 2) identify which constructs reliably predict relationship quality. Across 43 dyadic longitudinal datasets from 29 laboratories, the top relationship-specific predictors of relationship quality were perceived-partner commitment, appreciation, sexual satisfaction, perceived-partner satisfaction, and conflict. The top individual-difference predictors were life satisfaction, negative affect, depression, attachment avoidance, and attachment anxiety. Overall, relationship-specific variables predicted up to 45% of variance at baseline, and up to 18% of variance at the end of each study. Individual differences also performed well (21% and 12%, respectively). Actor-reported variables (i.e., own relationship-specific and individual-difference variables) predicted two to four times more variance than partner-reported variables (i.e., the partner's ratings on those variables). Importantly, individual differences and partner reports had no predictive effects beyond actor-reported relationship-specific variables alone. These findings imply that the sum of all individual differences and partner experiences exert their influence on relationship quality via a person's own relationship-specific experiences, and effects due to moderation by individual differences and moderation by partner-reports may be quite small. Finally, relationship-quality change (i.e., increases or decreases in relationship quality over the course of a study) was largely unpredictable from any combination of self-report variables. This collective effort should guide future models of relationships.

STUDY DESIGN: This is a retrospective long-term clinical and roentgenographic review of 50 patients who underwent anterior discectomy and fusion for painful cervical disc disease. The patients were reviewed by the senior author. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the long-term effectiveness of anterior cervical discectomy and fusion and identify clinical and roentgenographic factors that may increase the chances of recurrent problems. SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA: Many studies have demonstrated the initial effectiveness of this procedure; however, there are no previously published reports that include the results of a 21-year follow-up period. METHODS: Office charts and hospital records were used to obtain information about diagnosis, surgery, and complications. On follow-up examination, all patients were interviewed and examined, and roentgenograms were obtained. RESULTS: Forty-eight patients had initial pain relief, and of these, 32 remained pain-free an average of 21 years after surgery. Sixteen had recurrent pain an average of 7.2 years after surgery. Eight of these required surgery for disc disease at an adjacent level. The abrupt onset of pain was the only clinical or roentgenographic factor that correlated with recurrent pain. CONCLUSION: Anterior cervical discectomy and fusion yield excellent initial results. However, patients must be cautioned that recurrent symptoms can occur, and, in a small percentage of patients, the symptoms may be severe enough to require additional surgery.

Based upon current research needs indicated from recent literature reviews, this integrative review concentrates on two of the perceived major impediments to integrating science and mathematics: The lack of evidence to support integration and the lack of a definition for integration. Using mixed methodology, this review found quantitative evidence favoring integration from a meta‐analysis of 31 studies of student achievement, qualitative evidence revealing the existence of multiple forms of integration, and historical evidence of publishing patterns from across the 20th century. The forms of integration were identified and defined; differential effects were identified both between forms and between science and mathematics when the forms were analyzed by effect size. Additional research implications and suggestions for future research were also identified.

Abstract In recent years, many researchers have attempted to determine the mechanisms of how corporate social responsibility (CSR) brings financial benefits to a firm. However, many chief financial officers (CFOs) throughout the world are uncertain about the strategic value of CSR, and no consensus has been reached on defining how CSR creates value. Drawing on signaling theory, we explore the effects of the multidimensional construct of CSR on organizational performance by examining the relationships among CSR, corporate reputation, customer satisfaction, and organizational attractiveness from the perspectives of both customers as well as job seekers. Consistent with the European Commission's view, CSR is defined as having three components: CSR for employees, CSR for customers, and CSR for social public welfare. Data are collected through an online survey of a convenient sample of 500 individuals from different organizations in China. Results indicate that corporate reputation plays a mediating role in the relationship between CSR and customer satisfaction and that between CSR and organizational attractiveness. Further, the impact mechanisms of the three components of CSR are different. For CSR for employees, both cognitive and affective reputation work as mediators, with the former playing a bigger mediating role than the latter. For CSR for customers, only cognitive reputation works as a mediator, whereas for CSR for social public welfare, only affective reputation works as a mediator. This study's findings show that the abovementioned relationships are more complex than previous studies have revealed. These insights provide guidelines for firms to better adjust their CSR strategies to improve customer satisfaction and organizational attractiveness.

SUMMARY In this paper a test of fit for exponentiality based on the estimated Kullback-Leibler information is proposed. The procedure is applicable when the exponential parameter is or is not specified under the null hypothesis. The test uses the Vasicek entropy estimate, so to compute it a ‘window size’ m must first be fixed. A procedure for choosing m for various sample sizes is proposed and corresponding critical values are computed by Monte Carlo simulations. The use of the proposed test is shown in an illustrative example. Also, by means of Monte Carlo simulations, the power of the proposed test under various alternatives is compared with that of other standard tests. The results are impressive and the proposed test, almost always, has higher power than that of the other tests considered.

Abstract One of the most prominent unexplained phenomena observed in the Marcellus and some other shale plays is the concentration of dissolved salts in produced waters after hydraulic stimulation. In this paper, we present both geochemical and lithologic laboratory and field data to address the salt question. Is salt being dissolved from the shale, or are deep saline aquifers being breached during hydraulic fracturing? What evidence do we have to support or refute either theory? To address these questions, over 100 flowback analyses were collected over 18 months from both the southwestern and northeastern regions of the Marcellus Shale play. These data incorporate both cation and anion water analyses in either a full or partial determination of the cation and anion balance. Detailed inorganic geochemical and mineralogical analyses of shale samples were integrated to help determine the presence or absence of physical evidence of minerals that may be the root cause for high salinity. If present in the shale, is halite dissolution desirable from a formation stimulation perspective? If so, is this gain a worthwhile trade when balanced against the costs of returned load water handling and reuse or disposal? This paper provides interpretations at both the regional and local scales to try to explain basinal variations observed in the data. It discusses implications of the phenomenon of high saline frac flowback fluids, along with methods being used to mitigate environmental problems associated with the post-frac flowback water geochemistry.

O presente artigo trata da problemática das desigualdades educacionais, com longa tradição na sociologia da educação, e sobre a presença de estudantes de origem popular no ensino superior. O eixo central da análise contempla as desigualdades de acesso e de permanência no ensino superior. Os resultados apresentados estão apoiados em uma pesquisa, com duas fontes principais de informação: de natureza quantitativa, apoiada nas estatísticas dos candidatos inscritos no exame de acesso à universidade; em dados mais aprofundados, obtidos em entrevistas com 27 estudantes. A discussão do trabalho permite mostrar as contradições entre uma maior demanda da população pela elevação do nível escolar e as políticas de acesso e de permanência no sistema de ensino superior brasileiro.

Despite the importance and size of Lake Superior, little is known regarding the biogeochemical cycling or distribution of mercury within its waters. We present the results from two research cruises on total Hg (HgT) and methylmercury (MeHg) distributions in aqueous and particulate phases, and in offshore sediments. Open waters of Lake Superior are similar in HgT content to Lakes Michigan and Ontario (sub-ng L(-1)), whereas MeHg was only 1% of HgT. Seasonality in aqueous HgT distribution was observed, most likely from tributary inputs during Spring snowmelt. Suspended particles were enriched in MeHg relative to water and surficial sediments, suggesting enhanced particle partitioning followed by demethylation in the water column and in surface sediments. Distribution coefficients for mercury in surficial sediments were lower than those in suspended material, likely due to remineralization. Preliminary estimates of mass balance indicate that air-water exchange processes such as evasion and wet deposition dominate the HgT budget, due to the basin's relatively small watershed area relative to lake area. In contrast, methylmercury cycling within Lake Superior is influenced more strongly by watershed sources, as well as by sedimentary sources and photodemethylation. The Hg cycle in Lake Superior is unique in that it is more similar in many aspects to that in marine systems than in small lakes, where management data for freshwaters typically originates.

Abstract The pantropical genus Begonia is the sixth–largest genus of flowering plants, including 1870 species. The sections of Begonia are used frequently as analogues to genera in other families but, despite their taxonomic utility, few of the current sections have been examined in the light of molecular phylogenetic analyses. We present herein the largest, most representative phylogeny of Begonia published to date and a subsequent provisional sectional classification of the genus. We utilised three plastid markers for 574 species and 809 accessions of Begonia and used Hillebrandia as an outgroup to produce a dated phylogeny. The relationships between some species and sections are poorly resolved, but many sections and deeper nodes receive strong support. We recognise 70 sections of Begonia including 5 new sections: Astrothrix, Ephemera, Jackia, Kollmannia, and Stellandrae; 4 sections are reinstated from synonymy: Australes, Exalabegonia, Latistigma and Pereira; and 5 sections are newly synonymised. The new sectional classification is discussed with reference to identifying characters and previous classifications.

Environmental context Microplastics are a new source of toxic compounds in marine and freshwater environments. This research documents the discovery of microplastic fibres in the seawater column and the chemical analysis of associated toxic chemicals in microplastic marine debris. Microplastic pollution is pervasive and hazardous. Abstract Initial studies of floating plastic debris in the oceans dealt with macroscopic particles. This research found microscale plastic present as well. Chemical analysis of sorbed materials revealed toxic materials associated with the microparticles. Seawater and plastic fragment samples were collected in September 2007 in the North Pacific Central Gyre. Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons and polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) were detected by mass spectrometry in extracts from the plastic fragments. Net concentrations of PCBs ranged from 1 to 223 ng g–1 plastic. The most common synthetic polymers were found to be polypropylene and polyethylene. Microscopic plastic fibres and particles were also discovered in the seawater samples and examined by scanning electron microscopy. Analysis of filtered seawater samples also revealed toxic materials in concentrations lower than found on the plastic particles.

Abstract Standard 10 d toxicity tests were conducted with freshwater benthic invertebrates using sediments containing a range of concentrations of polycylic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) The assays were performed both under normal laboratory fluorescent light and ultraviolet (UV) light, which mimicked wavelengths present in sunlight, at about 10% of ambient solar intensity In sediments with elevated PAH concentrations, tests conducted with UV light resulted in significantly greater mortality of Hyalella azteca (amphipods) and Lumbriculus variegatus (oligochaetes) than tests performed under otherwise comparable conditions with fluorescent light There also was increased mortality of these two species, relative to controls, when surviving organisms from the 10-d exposures to the PAH contaminated sediments were placed in clean water under UV light for 2 h These results suggest that the organisms accumulated PAHs from the test sediments, which were subsequently photoactivated by UV light to excited states more toxic than the ground state molecules The phenomenon of photoactivation has been examined for pelagic species exposed to PAHs, but not for benthic organisms exposed to sediment-associated PAHs Our results suggest that failure to consider photoactivation of PAHs by sunlight could result in sediment toxicity test methods or criteria that are underprotective of benthic organisms

This study examined the impact of threatening information on coping and pain tolerance in a healthy adult sample. Prior to engaging in a Cold Pressor Test (CPT), 121 college students were randomly assigned to one of three conditions: a threat condition in which they read an orienting passage warning them about symptoms and consequences of frostbite (pain as a signal for nociception), a reassurance condition in which they read an orienting passage about the safety of the CPT (pain independent of nociception), or a control condition in which no orienting passage was read before the experimental task. Only 15.6% of participants in the threat group completed the CPT to its 4-minute duration, compared with 55.6% in the reassurance group and 45.2% of those in the control group. Even though groups did not differ on level of reported pain, threatened participants catastrophized more about the pain and reported less use of cognitive coping strategies (reinterpreting pain sensations, ignoring pain, diverting attention away from pain to other experiences, and using coping self-statements) than other respondents. A path analysis indicated that the relation between threat and pain tolerance was fully mediated by catastrophizing and cognitive coping. Together, findings suggest that pain appraised as threatening contributes to a specific pattern of coping responses associated with a reduced capacity to bear pain.

Abstract Cyanobacterial blooms have substantial direct and indirect negative impacts on freshwater ecosystems including releasing toxins, blocking light needed by other organisms, and depleting oxygen. There is growing concern over the potential for climate change to promote cyanobacterial blooms, as the positive effects of increasing lake surface temperature on cyanobacterial growth are well documented in the literature; however, there is increasing evidence that cyanobacterial blooms are also being initiated and persisting in relatively cold‐water temperatures (< 15°C), including ice‐covered conditions. In this work, we provide evidence of freshwater cold‐water cyanobacterial blooms, review abiotic drivers and physiological adaptations leading to these blooms, offer a typology of these lesser‐studied cold‐water cyanobacterial blooms, and discuss their occurrence under changing climate conditions.

Abstract The effects of various chemical manipulations of test water on acute toxicity of silver to fathead minnows (Pimephales promelas) were investigated. Increases in hardness and organic carbon substantially reduced toxicity. Toxicity was also inversely related to pH and alkalinity when these parameters were jointly changed by addition of strong acid or base. The addition of 2 meq/L sodium sulfate had no significant effects, but the addition of 0.2 meq/L sodium chloride increased toxicity, perhaps related to the formation of the dissolved AgCl0 complex. We also evaluated the effects of static versus flow-through test conditions, feeding during exposure, and aging of test solutions before exposure on the acute toxicity of silver to fathead minnows and Daphnia magna. Static conditions and feeding reduced toxicity, likely as a result of accretion of organic carbon. Aging of test solutions had little effect. For both juvenile fathead minnows and D. magna, silver was much less toxic in water from the St. Louis River than in our normal laboratory water, presumably because of the much higher organic carbon content of the river water. This study identified some aspects of test conditions that are important in assessing the risk of silver to aquatic biota, but improved assessments will require information for more conditions, species, and endpoints. More importantly, if toxicity test results are to be extrapolated among waters with different chemistries, adequate characterization of the chemical speciation of silver and a better understanding of the mechanisms of silver toxicity and its relationship to silver speciation and other chemical factors are needed.

Since European settlement, over 50 % of coastal wetlands have been lost in the Laurentian Great Lakes basin, causing growing concern and increased monitoring by government agencies. For over a decade, monitoring efforts have focused on the development of regional and organism-specific measures. To facilitate collaboration and information sharing between public, private, and government agencies throughout the Great Lakes basin, we developed standardized methods and indicators used for assessing wetland condition. Using an ecosystem approach and a stratified random site selection process, birds, anurans, fish, macroinvertebrates, vegetation, and physico-chemical conditions were sampled in coastal wetlands of all five Great Lakes including sites from the United States and Canada. Our primary objective was to implement a standardized basin-wide coastal wetland monitoring program that would be a powerful tool to inform decision-makers on coastal wetland conservation and restoration priorities throughout the Great Lakes basin.

Cladoceran populations in the open waters of Lake Huron declined abruptly in 2003 and have since remained at historically low levels. The two dominant cladocerans, Daphnia mendotae and Bosmina longirostris , have been nearly extirpated from the northern region of the lake and are present in only slightly greater numbers in the south. Average nonpredatory cladoceran biomass in the lake has declined over 90% between 1998–2002 and 2003–2006. In addition, historically unprecedented declines in cyclopoid copepods were seen in the lake in 2005. These changes have occurred against the backdrop of declining nutrient levels in the lake and have coincided closely with declines in the amphipod Diporeia . We speculate that a combination of reduced primary production in the open waters and intensified planktivory due to the continuing disappearance of Diporeia has accounted for the losses in crustacean biomass seen in recent years.