A two component jet model for the X-ray afterglow flat segment in short GRB 051221A

In the double neutron star merger or neutron star-black hole merger model for short GRBs, the outflow launched might be mildly magnetized and neutron rich. The magnetized neutron-rich outflow will be accelerated by the magnetic and thermal pressure and may form a two component jet finally, as suggested by Vlahakis, Peng & K\"{o}nigl (2003). We show in this work that such a two component jet model could well reproduce the multi-wavelength afterglow lightcurves, in particular the X-ray flat segment, of short GRB 051221A. In this model, the central engine need not to be active much longer than the prompt $\gamma-$ray emission.Comment: 11 pages, 2 figure; Accepted for publication by ApJ

Effect and Compensation of Timing Jitter in Through-Wall Human Indication via Impulse Through-Wall Radar

Impulse through-wall radar (TWR) is considered as one of preferred choices for through-wall human indication due to its good penetration and high range resolution. Large bandwidth available for impulse TWR results in high range resolution, but also brings an atypical adversity issue not substantial in narrowband radars — high timing jitter effect, caused by the non-ideal sampling clock at the receiver. The fact that impulse TWR employs very narrow pulses makes little jitter inaccuracy large enough to destroy the signal correlation property and then degrade clutter suppression performance. In this paper, we focus on the timing jitter impact on clutter suppression in through-wall human indication via impulse TWR. We setup a simple timing jitter model and propose a criterion namely average range profile (ARP) contrast is to evaluate the jitter level. To combat timing jitter, we also develop an effective compensation method based on local ARP contrast maximization. The proposed method can be implemented pulse by pulse followed by exponential average background subtraction algorithm to mitigate clutters. Through-wall experiments demonstrate that the proposed method can dramatically improve through-wall human indication performance

Customers' need for uniqueness theory versus brand congruence theory: the impact on satisfaction with social network sites

Social media brands may experience a lack of competitiveness and attraction due to the silent negative increase of customers' need for uniqueness (NFU). This is the result of a tension between the theory of brand congruence, that most brands endeavor to establish with their customers, and the theory of consumers' NFU, that many consumers aim to fulfill, that has not been previously examined. Whilst the theory of brand congruence states that consumers have a favorable attitude towards brands that greatly match their self-concept (brand similarity), the theory of uniqueness, when brand similarity is shared with others, generates avoidance of similarities with others, leading to a reduction in engagement and satisfaction. Social media platforms including Facebook are at risk from customers' NFU which significantly reduces users' satisfaction, hence reducing the attractiveness and usage of Facebook. To examine this, the paper identifies the paradox of similarity in relation to both theories and examines the relationship between consumers' socialization within Social Network Sites (SNSs), brand similarity, consumers' need for uniqueness, and consumers' satisfaction with the SNS. The conceptual model was tested using data from 341 consumers in the US. The findings show that whilst satisfaction with the SNS is enhanced by brand similarity and friend liking, it is undermined by customers' need for uniqueness. Implications for online brand communities and SNSs (Facebook) are discussed and guidance for future research is provided

A multi-level study of entrepreneurial characteristics, IPR, and the degree of internationalization

An emerging topic in strategic entrepreneurial research is how institutional influences impact on entrepreneurial internationalization behavior. This paper sets out to undertake a multilevel study regarding the impact of home country IPR on the relationships among entrepreneurial self-efficacy, entrepreneurial opportunity perception, risk tolerance, and the degree of internationalization. Through a combination of the dynamic capability perspective and entrepreneurial bricolage theory, we propose a model that underpins the role of home country institutional influence, in particular, IPR during the internationalization of new ventures. Using a sample of 91 countries, we empirically test the model via multi-level logistic regression analysis controlling micro as well as macro variables such as personal education level, gender, household income, purchasing power per capita, and GDP growth rate. Our findings suggest that higher IPR protection mechanism in the home country will strengthen the positive relationships between entrepreneurial self-efficacy and the degree of internationalization, entrepreneurial risk tolerance and the degree of internationalization. However, although the findings support the positive relationship between entrepreneurial opportunity perception and the degree of internationalization, the moderating effect of IPR protection in the home country is not supported for such relationship. Our study contributes to the literature by extending entrepreneurial bricolage theory and dynamic capability approach into international entrepreneurship research. We advance the understanding of how the protection of intellectual property in home country influences the internationalization efforts into new ventures taking consideration of the personal-level characteristics of entrepreneurs

Corporate branding, identity, image and reputation: current and future trends, developments and challenges [Editorial]

Editoria

Research progress on coal mine laser methane sensor

This paper discusses the research progress of low-power technology of laser methane sensors for coal mine. On the basis of environment of coal mines, such as ultra-long-distance transmission and high stability, a series of studies have been carried out. The preliminary results have been achieved in the research of low power consumption, temperature and pressure compensation and reliability design. The technology is applied to various products in coal mines, and achieves high stability and high reliability in products such as laser methane sensor, laser methane detection alarm device, wireless laser methane detection alarm device, and optic fiber multichannel laser methane sensor. Experimental testing and analysis of the characteristics of laser methane sensors, combined with the actual application

Making sense of sensory brand experience: constructing an integrative framework for future research

This study asserts that conceptualising sensory brand experience (SBE) as an independent construct is critical to expanding our understanding of experiences provided by brands. To achieve this goal, a rigorous examination of its foundational knowledge structure underpinning the construct is urgently required. Using co-citation analysis examining 151 SBE-related articles with 4,038 citations over more than two decades (1994–2019), six knowledge fields deemed to have constitutive influence on SBE literature have been identified - atmospherics, product evaluation, sensory marketing, service marketing, experiential marketing and brand experience. Combining the results of a hierarchical cluster analysis and a metric multidimensional scaling analysis, the authors located three fundamental premises: (1) brand settings are arbiters of brand meaning; (2) the intrinsic processing of SBE involves the entrainment of exteroceptive and interoceptive processes; and (3) SBE outcomes are non-representational. At the end of the paper, these findings are organised into an integrative framework, highlighting research concerns and research gaps at the antecedent, processing and outcome stages. In doing so, this paper contributes to the conceptual development of SBE by constructing a doctrinal schema for future research undertakings

Experiencing the sense of the brand: the mining, processing and application of brand data through sensory brand experiences

Purpose - This article aims to develop an integrative framework based on a convergence of embodiment, ecological and phenomenological theoretical perspectives, to explain the multiple processes involved in the consumers’ mining, processing and application of brand-related sensory data through a sensory brand experience. Design/methodology/approach – This research adopts a qualitative method by using face-to-face in-depth interviews (retail managers and customers) and focus group interviews (actual customers) with 34 respondents to investigate sensory brand experiences in the context of Chinese shopping malls. Findings - Results show that the brand data mined through multisensory cues (visual, auditory, olfactory, tactile and taste) in a brand setting are processed internally as sensory brand experiences (involving sensory impressions such as fun, interesting, extraordinary, comforting, caring, innovative, pleasant, appealing, convenient), which influence key variables in customer-brand relationships including customer satisfaction, brand attachment, and customer lovemarks. Originality/value – This study has implications for current theory on experiential marketing, branding, consumer-brand relationships, consumer psychology and customer experience management

An assessment of brand experience knowledge literature: using bibliometric data to identify future research direction

There is wide consensus that the brand experience literature (BEL) suffers from a deficit in conceptual works. This study argues that, for brand experience research to overcome its conceptual insipidity, it must reexamine the core of its intellectual structure to rediscover what ‘an experience provided by brands’ truly implies. The purpose of this paper is to reconceptualize and present a future research framework for research into the concept of brand experience, by identifying both the core and peripheral sources of knowledge of the concept and its association with brand meaning. Through a bibliometric process covering 136 articles published between 2002 and 2018, resulting in a database of 2,698 citations, this brand experience conceptual paper fills a critical research gap by providing the first full-scale bibliometric study to date of the BEL, using a combination of high citation and co-citation metrics. Based on this conceptual reorientation, a matrix for future development is presented, enabling the reader to visualize the scope and breadth of potential brand experience research horizons in areas relating to customer experience, consumer-brand relationship, online brand experience and sensory brand experience. The four approaches listed in the matrix – firm-based, social constructionist, virtuality and embodiment – provide a roadmap for future brand experience research undertakings to explore the rich potential of experience evoked by brands