Counting Components in the Lagrange Multiplier Formulation of Teleparallel Theories

We investigate the Lagrange multiplier formulation of teleparallel theories, including f(T) gravity, in which the connection is not set to zero a priori and compare it with the pure frame theory. We show explicitly that the two formulations are equivalent, in the sense that the dynamical equations have the same content. One consequence is that the manifestly local Lorentz invariant f(T) theory cannot be expected to be free of pathologies, which were previously found to plague f(T) gravity formulated in the usual pure frame approach.Comment: 6 pages, version accepted for publicatio

An RF interference mitigation methodology with potential applications in scheduling

Software tools for interference analysis and mitigation were developed in the Communications Link Analysis and Simulation System (CLASS) environment for: communications performance evaluation; and mission planning. Potential applications are seen in analysis, evaluation, and optimization of user schedules. Tools producing required separation angles and potential interference intervals can be used as an aid to mutual interference mitigation within a scheduling system

A method for interference mitigation in space communications scheduling

Increases in the number of user spacecraft and data rates supported by NASA's Tracking and Data Relay Satellite System (TDRSS) in the S and Ku bands could result in communications conflicts due to mutual interference. A method to mitigate interference while minimizing unnecessary scheduling restrictions on both TDRSS network and user resources, based on consideration of all relevant communications parameters, was developed. The steps of this method calculate required separation angles at TDRS and produce interference intervals, which can be used in the production of schedules free of unacceptable interference. The method can also be used as a basis for analysis, evaluation, and optimization of user schedules with respect to communications performance. Described here are the proposed method and its potential application to scheduling in space communications. Test cases relative to planned missions, including the Earth Observing System, the Space Station Manned Base, and the Space Shuttle are discussed

Exploring the Problem-Finding and Problem-Solving Approach for Designing Organizations

An emerging problem-finding and problem-solving approach suggests that management's discovering problems to solve, opportunities to seize, and challenges to respond to, are vital to organizations. This paper explores the extent to which the problem-finding and problem-solving approach can provide a foundation for joining the capabilities, dynamic capabilities, and governance perspectives as a way to help scholars and practitioners to coherently design organizations from the perspective of design science. The problem-finding and problem-solving approach offers a unit of analysis and a set of behavioral assumptions that enable us to address open questions within the extant literature and to propose new questions in management research.

Leadership Vacillation as a Pattern of CEO Succession: Existence, Antecedents, Boundary Conditions, and Performance Implications

CEO succession is a vital organizational decision because organizational strategy is a reflection of the experiences of a firm\u27s top leader. The dissertation studies CEO succession by exploring its pattern, which reveals a dynamic nature of many succession decisions. One specific succession pattern, leadership vacillation, is observed in a grounded case of PepsiCo. Leadership vacillation occurs when organizations sequentially select their CEOs between output and throughput functions. To explain the existence of leadership vacillation, the study combines organizational vacillation theory (Nickerson and Zenger, 2002) with insights from upper echelons research (Hambrick and Mason, 1984) and studies on expert performance (Bereiter and Scardamalia, 1993). The study argues that some organizations dynamically balance exploration and exploitation by switching leaders between output and throughput functions, thus exhibiting the phenomenon of leadership vacillation. An empirical examination of 200 large, public companies indicates that the phenomenon is common and non-random. In addition, a probit model accounting for sample selection and a modified treatment effect model are employed to correct for two endogeneity problems when assessing antecedents, boundary conditions, and performance implications of leadership vacillation. The empirical analyses provide initial evidence that leadership vacillation is a product of a series of endogenous successor choices, meaning that a departing leader\u27s functional background has an impact on that of a successor. Knowledge of the phenomenon of leadership vacillation, which has not been explored in previous research, contributes to CEO succession studies in specific and to organization and strategy research in general. Finally, the dissertation discusses its limitations and suggests possible future research on leadership vacillation

Trust in mono-ethnic and mixed-ethnic associations in Penang

Investigation into trust has become a topical issue in current social science research. This is, in large part, a result of a perception that trust in institutions has declined markedly in the past two decades. This paper investigates trust in some of Penang&rsquo;s civil associations as a way of measuring the health of social capital in Penang. It focuses on issues of trust and diversity since both are critical issues in Malaysian society in general and civil associations in particular. We began our analysis expecting higher forms of trust among members in the mono-ethnic associations, based on the power of bonding. However, findings from this study tend to suggest that rather than leading to lesser trust and infectiveness, involvement in mixed-ethnic associations have in fact generated higher trust among their members. These findings reveal an interesting corrective to more pessimistic view on the relationship between trust and diversity. Data from this study also provide important insight into how bridging between different people in associations marked by diversity can accentuate trust over and above the levels found in associations were bonding between like types is the dominant characteristic. The data also indicate that for both, mono-ethnic and mixed-ethnic associations, it is the extent of members&rsquo; involvements in their associations that form trust and not vice versa.<br /

DEMAND FOR DIFFERENTIATED VEGETABLES

To obtain a healthier diet, Americans need to consume not only more vegetables, but also a healthier mix of vegetables. Household demands for eight categories of vegetables are investigated, using ACNielsen's Homescan data. A maximum simulated likelihood estimation procedure results in elasticity estimates which are somewhat larger than those obtained from both time-series and cross-section data in the literature. Even these larger elasticities are not large enough to bridge the dietary consumption gap without, and possibly even with, substantial price or food expenditure subsidies. Furthermore, Homescan data do indicate some significant differences in preferences for types of vegetables by household characteristics, such as race and ethnicity. This information could be used in designing more effective public interventions for boosting vegetable consumption in the United States.Food Consumption/Nutrition/Food Safety,