Contributions in Merlin

Conventional magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is useful for assessing morphological changes but not for assessing deformations inside homogeneous structures (M. D. Abrà moff, A. P. Van Gils, G. H. Jansen, & M. P. Mourits, 2000). Since no intrinsic contrast can be imaged for distinguishing heterogeneous patterns of muscle contraction, morphological changes along the length of the extraocular muscles (EOMs) are not macroscopically detectable. However, an imaging method that is able to directly encode motion could give evidence about the dynamics of the inhomogeneous deformation of the EOMs. Thus, we developed a method for acquiring motion-encoded MRI images of the EOMs during eye movements. Seven healthy subjects gazed at a horizontal sinusoidally oscillating target. A small surface coil was placed in front of the right orbit. The contracting and relaxing horizontal rectus muscles and the noncontracting optic nerve were reliably tracked. The differential contractility of the EOMs could be distinguished from the third time frame on (=140 ms from the beginning of the right to left eye movement lasting 1 s). The muscle belly of the contracting medial rectus muscle could be distinguished from the posterior and the anterior segment from the sixth time frame on (=350 ms). In conclusion, motion-encoded MRI resolved the heterogeneous contraction of moving EOM segments in healthy subjects without using physical markers.

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Intermediate Probability is the natural extension of the author's Fundamental Probability. It details several highly important topics, from standard ones such as order statistics, multivariate normal, and convergence concepts, to more advanced ones which are usually not addressed at this mathematical level, or have never previously appeared in textbook form. The author adopts a computational approach throughout, allowing the reader to directly implement the methods, thus greatly enhancing the learning experience and clearly illustrating the applicability, strengths, and weaknesses of the theory.

To simultaneously account for the properties of interest-rate term structure and foreign exchange rates within an arbitrage-free framework, we propose a multi-currency quadratic model with an (m+n) factor structure. The m factors model the term structure of interest rates in both countries. The n factors capture the portion of the exchange rate movement that is independent of the term structure of either country. We estimate a series of multi-currency quadratic models using U.S. and Japanese LIBOR and swap rates and the exchange rate between the two countries.

This article advocates a program of standard instrumentation in organization studies to improve the way knowledge is managed in the discipline. The construct ‘knowledge management’ is discussed, and the role of this construct in the theory of the firm is briefly reviewed. Then two problems of knowledge management in organization studies are identified—construct de-objectification and the difficulty of cumulating knowledge across empirical studies. The role of instrumentation in natural science is described, and it is argued that standard instrumentation in natural science helps moderate the problems of construct de-objectification and barriers to cross-study accumulation of knowledge. The possibility of implementing a program of standard instrumentation in organization studies is then discussed. It is maintained that standardized instrumentation for measuring organization studies constructs would help alleviate the knowledge management problems just mentioned. Advantages and disadvantages of the standard instrumentation program are reviewed, and the conclusion emphasizes the potential contribution of the program.

In this rejoinder to Priem and Mowday, the author amplifies and critiques some of their ideas on the proliferation of special issues in management journals. The author interprets special issues as vertical integration moves by journal editors operating in a context of perceived resource scarcity. He also argues that the proliferation of special issues is contributing to the fragmentation of the organization studies discipline, thus contradicting Priem's notion of a command economy of ideas via special issue and Mowday's sanguine view of special issues. The author offers suggestions for future research on the causes and consequences of the proliferation of special issues in management journals.

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