An interactive genetic algorithm approach to MMIC low noise amplifier design using a layered encoding structure

In this paper, an interactive genetic algorithm (IGA) approach is developed to optimize design variables for a monolithic microwave integrated circuit (MMIC) low noise amplifier. A layered encoding structure is employed to the problem representation in genetic algorithm to allow human intervention in the circuit design variable tuning process. The MMIC amplifier design is synthesized using the Agilent Advance Design System (ADS), and the IGA is proposed to tune the design variables in order to meet multiple constraints and objectives such as noise figure, current and simulated power gain. The developed IGA is compared with other optimization techniques from ADS. The results showed that the IGA performs better in achieving most of the involved objectives.

Adult attachment insecurities are associated with obsessive compulsive disorder

Objectives.  Obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD) is one of the most disabling and highly prevalent anxiety disorders (ADs). Current cognitive models of OCD implicate views about the self and world in the maintenance of the disorder. However, little research has focused on issues that may lead to vulnerability to such views. In particular, a person's attachment insecurities (attachment anxiety, avoidance) may be important risk factors increasing the likelihood of such non-adaptive perceptions (Doron & Kyrios, 2005).

Design.  Participants meeting criteria for OCD were compared with cohorts meeting criteria for other ADs and healthy controls on a range of measures including adult attachment, OC symptoms, cognitions, and mood.

Methods.  Diagnosis of the clinical groups was established using the Anxiety Disorders Interview Schedule for DSM-IV (Brown, Di Nardo, & Barlow, 1994). The clinical relevance of attachment insecurities was ascertained by comparing their prevalence in an OCD sample (N= 30), an ADs sample (N= 20), and a community sample (N= 32). Results.  Attachment anxiety was significantly higher in individuals with OCD, even when controlling for depression.

Conclusions.  Addressing attachment anxiety in individuals presenting with OCD may be important for enhancing therapeutic outcomes. However, findings are based on cross-sectional data that preclude conclusions relating to causal influence.

The role of external influences in high involvement purchase behaviour

Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to discover the consumer decision-making style clusters within the context of automobile purchases in Australia. It also examines the differences between consumer decision-making styles in terms of the importance given to external influences, such as importance of dealers, importance of friends/family members, number of cars test driven, time spent researching final decision and importance of information sources (e.g. internet, magazines, TV ads, word of mouth, etc.), prior to making their final purchase decision.

Design/methodology/approach
Data were collected from 209 respondents using self-administered questionnaires. Cluster analysis and ANOVA were employed to identify and analyse the differences between consumer decision-making style clusters. Consumer Styles Inventory (CSI; Sproles and Kendall, 1986) was used to measure respondents’ consumer decision-making styles in relation to automobile purchases.

Findings
Three clusters were identified from the analysis, namely “innovative informed”, “rational confused”, and “traditional habitual”. Significant differences were found between the clusters in terms of the average time they spent with each car dealer, the time they spent on researching final decision and the importance of consulting with family members prior to making their final purchase decision.

Practical implications
The paper found that some consumers rely heavily on friends/families and dealers as the most important sources of information. Other sources of information consumers use include television advertisements, newspapers, billboards and magazines. Based on the findings, marketers should focus on providing similar types of information/messages by using these above-mentioned sources when communicating with this type of consumers. Dealers could be trained to spend time explaining product features and benefits in full with these consumers and their friends and family members whom they are likely to bring along before making the final purchase decision.

Originality/value
The findings of this study have extended the knowledge by determining the impact of external influences on consumer decision-making styles using the CSI in context of specific product which is yet to be known in relation to Australian automobile consumers.

From whence it came: understanding source effects in consumer‑generated advertising

Web 2.0 technologies are empowering consumers to co-produce online brand communications and thereby co-create brand meaning. As both consumers and marketers are increasingly using video-sharing websites to showcase their brand communication efforts, viewers of these ads are inadvertently becoming part of the co-production process as they create context around the ads (in the forms of reviews, comments and ratings). The environment in which such online advertisements are viewed has significant effects on consumer perceptions of the ad message, and ultimately impacts the persuasive properties and efficacy of the ad. This study reports on research conducted to test the source effects of consumer-generated advertising. Schlinger’s Viewer Response Profile (VRP) is used to assess the impact of three source variables: ad creator, ad popularity and motivation for creation of the ad. Findings confirm the importance of popularity ratings on consumer ad evaluation, and also suggest that certain source effects result in consumers being more critical in their evaluation of the ads.

Regulation of motor vehicle advertising: toward a framework for compliance research

There is concern that certain content within some motor vehicle television advertising may negatively influence the driving attitudes and behaviours of viewers, particularly young people, and hence have a negative impact on road safety. In recognition of this concern, many developed countries have adopted a self-regulatory approach to motor vehicle advertising. The basic elements of self-regulation are a code of practice or guiding principles governing advertising content and the establishment of a process for hearing and adjudicating complaints about alleged breaches of that code. However, as in other areas, the effectiveness of self-regulation is being questioned in that many motor vehicle advertisements in Australia and elsewhere appear non-compliant with self-regulatory codes. Applying lessons from studies of alcohol advertising, this paper first reviews the research assessing the content of motor vehicle advertising. A suggested research framework is then proposed to inform the development of motor vehicle advertising regulatory codes where they do not exist, and to better monitor compliance with codes where they do exist. The research framework suggested includes expert content analysis of ads, the impact of advertising on risk-taking cognitions and decisions in computer-simulated traffic situations, and assessing audience perceptions of, and reactions to, messages in advertisements mapped against regulatory code content. An example of audience reaction research is also presented.

Observation of active sites for oxygen reduction reaction on nitrogen-doped multilayer graphene

Active sites and the catalytic mechanism of nitrogen-doped graphene in an oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) have been extensively studied but are still inconclusive, partly due to the lack of an experimental method that can detect the active sites. It is proposed in this report that the active sites on nitrogen-doped graphene can be determined via the examination of its chemical composition change before and after ORR. Synchrotron-based X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy analyses of three nitrogen-doped multilayer graphene samples reveal that oxygen reduction intermediate OH(ads), which should chemically attach to the active sites, remains on the carbon atoms neighboring pyridinic nitrogen after ORR. In addition, a high amount of the OH(ads) attachment after ORR corresponds to a high catalytic efficiency and vice versa. These pinpoint that the carbon atoms close to pyridinic nitrogen are the main active sites among the different nitrogen doping configurations.

The effectiveness of life-cycle pricing for consumer durables

This quasi-experimental study examines consumer reactions to including projected energy and carbon costs in print ads for a TV, using an online survey of 2566 Australian consumers. This study determines whether consumers' temporal orientation (past vs. future) moderates these reactions. Participants rate ads that include both energy and carbon costs as the most useful for buying a TV and as having higher perceived value. However, this fact does not affect likelihood of purchase. Participants with a high temporal orientation to the past react less favorably to ads that include carbon costs. This study shows that informing consumers about life-cycle costs does not substantially affect purchase decisions for durable goods but affects perceptions of value and usefulness of pricing information in ads.

Interview with Dr Fitra Roman Cahaya

Dr Roman Cahaya is an Indonesian university lecturer who studied at Curtin University in Australia on two occasions, one in 2005-2006 when he completed a Masters degree, and one in 2008-2012 when he obtained a PhD. Both periods of study in Australia were on Australian Development Scholarships. The interview was conducted in English by Dr Jemma Purdey of Deakin University and was recorded on 28 May 2014. This set comprises: an interview recording, a timed summary, and a photograph.

Interview with Dewi Fajarningsih

Dewi Fajarningsih is an Indonesian who studied at The University of Queensland in 2009-2010. She studied on an Australian Development Scholarship (ADS) and completed a Master of Biotechnology. The interview was conducted in Indonesian on 13 May 2014 by Dr. Ahmad Suaedy of the Abdurrahman Wahid Centre for Inter-faith Dialogue and Peace at Universitas Indonesia. This set comprises: an interview recording, a transcript of the interview in Indonesian, a transcript of the interview translated into English, and a photograph.

Interview with Djoko Hartoyo

Djoko Hartoyo is an Indonesian who studied at The University of New South Wales in 2002. He studied on an Australian Development Scholarship (ADS) and completed a Masters of Marine Science. The interview was conducted in English by Dr. Jemma Purdey of Deakin University on 29 April 2014. This set comprises: an interview recording, a timed summary, and a photo.

Interview with Nur Rahmah Hidayati

Nur Rahmah Hidayati is an Indonesian who studied at the University of Wollongong in 2010-2012. She studied on an ADS Scholarship. Despite having studied Nuclear Chemical Engineering while in Indonesia, she shifted to studying Medical Physics during her time in Australia, and completed her Masters degree in this field. The interview was conducted in English by Dr. Jemma Purdey and Prof. David Lowe, both of Deakin University on 28 April 2014. This set comprises: an interview recording, a timed summary and a photo.

Interview with Masdar Hilmy

Masdar Hilmy is an Indonesian who studied at Melbourne University in 2004-2007. He studied on an Australian Development Scholarship (ADS) and completed a PhD in Islamic studies. The interview was conducted in English by Dr. Jemma Purdey of Deakin University and Dr. Ahmad Suaedy of the Abdurrahman Wahid Centre for Inter-faith Dialogue and Peace at Univertas Indonesia on 31 May 2014. This set comprises: an interview recording, a photograph, and a timed summary.