bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Metabolic Syndrome Among Asian Indians in the United States
Authors: Savadatti Sanghamitra S. , Bell Erin M. , Gates Margaret A. , Hosler Akiko S. , Yucel Recai M. , Misra Ranjita
Published: February 2018

Introduction:

Metabolic syndrome (MetS), a clustering of cardiometabolic risk factors of type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease, disproportionately affects Asian Indians (AIs). We examined prevalence of MetS using 3 ethnicity-specific MetS criteria among immigrant AIs in the United States. We also examined associations between MetS and health promotion behaviors.

Objective:

To present MetS prevalence estimates by the 3 ethnicity-specific criteria and investigate differences in health promotion behaviors among AIs with and without MetS to highlight the critical need for lifestyle modification strategies for this population.

Design:

We analyzed data from a national cross-sectional study of 1037 AIs in the United States (2004-2006). We used the consensus criteria, International Diabetes Federation criteria, and modified criteria to estimate MetS prevalence. The Health Promotion Lifestyle Profile II scale measured health promotion behaviors. Bioclinical data (fasting blood glucose, triglyceride levels) were collected. Directed acyclic graphs and Likelihood Ratio Test assisted with model selection. Multiple imputation inference incorporated uncertainty due to missing data and made use of all available data. Adjusted multivariable logistic regression analysis tested for associations.

Results:

Out of all participants, 40.3% met the consensus criteria, 34.8% met the International Diabetes Federation criteria, and 52.5% met the modified criteria. We found no statistically significant associations between engagement in health promotion measures and the prevalence of MetS and its criteria.

Conclusion:

Our study confirmed the high prevalence of MetS in the immigrant AI population in the United States. Our results showed that AIs with MetS did not exhibit an increased level of engagement in health promotion behaviors. We recommend continued refining of criteria for diagnosis and culturally suitable, age-appropriate strategies to increase engagement in healthier lifestyles among this high-risk population.
Hemodynamic Assessment with SPY-Indocyanine Green Angiography in Expansion Period: A Study for Expansion Capsule Pressure Optimization
Authors: Guo Jihan , Gao Yashan , Li Haizhou , Wang Zhichao , Zan Tao , Li Qingfeng
Published: February 2018

Tissue expansion-related severe complication exists, and the poor blood supply is one of the causes. After decades of negative correlation between capsule pressure and blood flow was verified, the widely recognized expansion capsule pressure is still absent. A prospective randomized controlled trial was performed to explore the optimal expanding capsule pressure. Thirty subjects were randomly divided into 5 groups, received a weekly expanding on 60-, 70-, 80-, 90-, and 100-mm Hg capsule pressure, respectively. All patients achieved 8-week follow-up; hemodynamic assessment by SPY-indocyanine green (ICG) angiography was taken every 2 weeks. Standardized indexes from SPY-ICG angiography were used to assess the blood supply, in which the ratio of ingress rate and the ingress rate of normal skin (IR/NIR) reflects the arterial perfusion level, and the ratio of Engress Rate and IR (ER/IR) indicates the venous reflux level. The expansion-related adverse events during the trial were recorded. The IR/NIR and the ER/IR are both obviously negatively correlated to the capsule pressure of tissue expander (P ≤ 0.05, the ER/IR's correlation coefficient = −0.453; the IR/NIR's correlation coefficient = −0.482). The post-expansion IR/NIR increased significantly after 8 weeks of expansion (P ≤ 0.05) in 90-mm Hg group. And the post-expansion ER/IR was significantly elevated (P ≤ 0.05) in 80 and 90-mmHg groups. There were 2 expansion-related complications reported in 100-mm Hg group, whereas no complication occurred in 4 other lower groups. SPY-ICG angiography is an objective measurement for tissue expansion hemodynamic monitoring. The expanding capsule pressure of 80 to 90 mm Hg is a reasonable upper limit.
Parotid Mucoepidermoid Carcinoma Mimicking a Large Mucocele
Authors: Ata Nurdoğan , Ünverdi Hatice
Published: February 2018

Mucoepidermoid carcinoma is a malign tumor involving the parotid gland and minor salivary glands. Parotid pure cystic mucoepidermoid carcinoma can also masquerade mucocele, and hence, histopathological examination is crucial to distinguish the 2. Herein, the authors report a patient of mucoepidermoid carcinoma presenting as an asymptomatic mucocele-like cystic parotid mass. A 69-year-old female presented with cystic parotid mass; her examination findings and diagnostic imaging were consistent with that of mucocele. Histological examination revealed mucoepidermoid carcinoma. This case indicates that parotid mucocele-like cysts should be included in the differential diagnosis of malign salivary gland tumors.
Total Lower Lip Reconstruction With Functional Gracilis Free Muscle Flap
Authors: Cakmak Mehmet Akif , Cinal Hakan , Barin Ensar Zafer , Sakat Muhammed Sedat , Karaduman Harun , Tan Onder
Published: February 2018

Free flaps based on static slings principles cannot provide esthetic and functional outcomes at a desired level in total or close to total lip loss. Therefore, dynamic methods have become a current issue in recent years and especially the idea of functional gracilis free muscle flap has been suggested. In this study, we present a case of a successful total lower lip repair with this flap.

In a 78-year-old female patient who was diagnosed with squamous cell carcinoma involving the entire lower lip, bilateral modified radical neck dissection and full-thickness total resection with 1 cm surgical margin so as to include both commissures of the tumor were performed and then a free gracilis muscle flap was transferred from the same side. After microvascular anastomoses, the motor nerve of the flap was coapted to the marginal mandibular branch of the fascial nerve. The entire intra- and extraoral surfaces of the flap were covered with a partial-thickness skin graft which was taken from the right thigh. There was no any intra- or early postoperative complication. The skin graft and flap survived without any problem.

In the controls of the patient who was followed-up for 8 postoperative months, it was observed that the gracilis muscle flap was well-adapted to its place, gained a very good tonus, its volume reduced over time and reached to ideal dimensions, and the overlying skin graft provided a good color and texture match with the surrounding tissues. The motor activity of the muscle was monitored with the Tinel's test. The speech and facial expressions of the patient were very clear. Despite the patient has an edentulous mandible and was not using prosthesis, her feeding with fluid and solid foods was free of problems, oral competence was highly sufficient, and there was no any drooling. Esthetic appearance was very good and intraoral vestibular depth was sufficient. The mouth opening was 3 cm. When comparing with upper orbicularis oculi muscle on the electroneuromyography (ENMG) ordered at the 8th month, a similar nerve conduction time (3.3 versus 3.8 ms) and contraction amplitude (0.5 versus 0.4 mV) values were obtained from the gracilis muscle. Follow-up of the patient is still continued with no tumor recurrence observed during this period.

Being the real dynamic flap and its tonus of the functional gracillis free muscle flap in opposite to the static methods provides a significant superiority over the other options in terms of oral functions; moreover, the overlying skin graft presents a very good color and texture harmony aesthetically. This method is a candidate to be an exclusive surgical technique in the repair of total or close to total lip losses in the future.
Crushed Cartilage: A Rescue Procedure in Rhinoplasty
Authors: Boccieri Armando , Marianetti Tito M. , Pascali Michele
Published: February 2018

While the use of crushed cartilage is now universally recognized as a valid procedure in rhinoplasty to mask irregularities and eliminate slight deficits, there is still no consensus as to the optimal degree of crushing and the rate of graft resorption over time. With a view to casting light on these 2 important aspects and providing some guidelines, the authors present a study of 123 patients subjected to grafts of cartilage with different degrees of crushing in the different areas of the nasal pyramid: upper third (45 patients), middle third (40), and lower third (38). The degree of crushing was medium for 95 patients and high for 28 who presented thinner and less elastic skin. Comparison of the performance over time of the cartilage grafts inserted in the same areas but with different degrees of crushing provides important indications as regard the best way of preparing the material. The results proved satisfactory with improvements for all of the 95 patients subjected to grafts of moderately crushed cartilage. The initial defect was instead still present, albeit with some partial improvement, at a distance of 12 months in 17 of the 28 patients where highly crushed cartilage was used. The study suggests that a moderate degree of crushing offers better results as regard flexibility and stability over time.
Distinct encoding of decision confidence in human medial prefrontal cortex
Authors: Bang Dan , Fleming Stephen M.
Published: February 2018

Our confidence in a choice and the evidence pertaining to a choice appear to be inseparable. An emerging computational consensus is, however, that the brain should maintain separate estimates of these quantities for adaptive behavioural control. Here we devised a psychophysical task to decouple confidence in a perceptual decision from both the reliability of sensory evidence and the relation of such evidence with respect to a choice boundary. Using human fMRI, we found that an area in medial prefrontal cortex (perigenual anterior cingulate cortex, pgACC) tracked expected performance, an aggregate signature of decision confidence, whereas neural areas previously proposed to encode decision confidence instead tracked sensory reliability (posterior parietal cortex and ventral striatum) or boundary distance (pre-supplementary motor area). Supporting that information encoded by pgACC is central to a subjective sense of decision confidence, we show that pgACC activity does not simply co-vary with expected performance but is also linked to within-subject and between-subject variation in explicit confidence estimates. Our study is consistent with the proposal that the brain maintains choice-dependent and choice-independent estimates of certainty, and sheds light on why dysfunctional confidence often emerges following prefrontal lesions and/or degeneration.

Significance Statement

Recent computational models propose that our sense of confidence in a choice reflects an estimate of the probability that the choice is correct. However, it has proven difficult to experimentally separate decision confidence from its component parts, such as our certainty about perceptual evidence or choice requirements. Here we devised a task to dissociate these quantities and isolate a distinct encoding of decision confidence in the medial prefrontal cortex of the human brain. We show that activity in this area not only tracks expected performance on a task but is also related to both within-subject and between-subject variation in a subjective sense of confidence. Our study illuminates why dysfunctional confidence often emerges following damage to prefrontal cortex.
From the cage to the wild: Introductions of Psittaciformes to Puerto Rico with emphasis on the invasive ecology of the white-winged parakeet
Authors: Falcón L. Wilfredo , Tremblay Raymond L.
Published: February 2018

In this study, we assessed invasions of Psittaciformes in Puerto Rico. We reviewed the literature, public databases, citizen science records, and performed in situ population surveys across the island to determine the historical and current status and distribution of psittacine species. We used count data fromEbirdto determine population trends. For species whose populations were increasing, we modelled their potential distribution using niche modeling techniques. Focusing on the white-winged parakeet(Brotogeris versicolurus), which was considered the most successful psittacine species by the year 2000, we evaluated the population size, calculated growth rates and estimated the breeding proportion in two populations by performing roost counts for four consecutive years. We found a total of 46 Psittaciformes present in Puerto Rico, of which 26% are only present as pets, at least 29 species have been reported in the wild, and of those, there is evidence that at least 12 species are breeding. Our results indicate that most introduced species which have been detected as established still persist, although mostly in localized areas and small populations. Clear evidence of invasiveness was found forB. versicolurusandMyiopsitta monachus, which have greatly expanded their range. Moreover,Psittacara erythrogenysandEupsittacula canicularisalso showed population increase. The niche models predicted suitable areas for the four species, and also indicate the potential for range expansion. Population estimates of the white-winged parakeet during the study period showed a steady increase, and exhibited exponential growth, with geometric mean population growth rates of 1.25 per year. Currently growth rate of the white-winged parakeet does not appear to be limited by any predator, resources or nest availability, and we expect them to continue increasing and expanding their range. We discuss the factors leading to invasion success, assess the potential impacts, and we discuss possible management strategies and research prospects.
An Augmented Aging Process in Brain White Matter in HIV
Authors: Kuhn T. , Kaufmann T. , Doan N.T. , Westlye L.T. , Jones J. , Nunez R.A. , Bookheimer S.Y. , Singer E.J. , Hinkin C.H. , Thames A.D.
Published: February 2018

Objective

HIV infection and aging are both associated with neurodegeneration. However, whether the aging process alone or other factors associated with advanced age account for the progression of neurodegeneration in the aging HIV-positive (HIV+) population remains unclear.

Methods

HIV+ (n=70) and HIV-negative (HIV-, n=34) participants underwent diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) and metrics of microstructural properties were extracted from regions of interest (ROIs). A support vector regression model was trained on two independent datasets of healthy adults across the adult life-span (n=765, Cam-CAN = 588; UiO = 177) to predict participant age from DTI metrics, and applied to the HIV dataset. Predicted brain age gap (BAG) was computed as the difference between predicted age and chronological age, and statistically compared between HIV groups. Regressions assessed the relationship between BAG and HIV severity/medical comorbidities. Finally, correlation analyses tested for associations between BAG and cognitive performance.

Results

BAG was significantly higher in the HIV+ group than the HIV-groupF(1, 103) = 12.408, p = 0.001). HIV RNA viral load was significantly associated with BAG, particularly in older HIV+ individuals (R2= 0.29, F(7, 70) = 2.66, p = 0.021). Further, BAG was negatively correlated with domain-level cognitive function (learning: r = −0.26, p = 0.008; memory: r = −0.21, p = 0.034).

Conclusions

HIV infection is associated with augmented white matter aging, and greater brain aging is associated with worse cognitive performance in multiple domains.
Moonlight: a tool for biological interpretation and driver genes discovery
Authors: Colaprico Antonio , Olsen Catharina , Cava Claudia , Terkelsen Thilde , Silva Tiago C. , Olsen Andrè , Cantini Laura , Bertoli Gloria , Zinovyev Andrei , Barillot Emmanuel , Castiglioni Isabella , Noushmehr Houtan , Papaleo Elena , Bontempi Gianluca
Published: February 2018

Cancer is a complex and heterogeneous disease. It is crucial to identify the key driver genes and their role in cancer mechanisms with attention to different cancer stages, types or subtypes. Cancer driver genes are elusive and their discovery is complicated by the fact that the same gene can play a diverse role in different contexts. Key biological processes, such as cell proliferation and cell death, have been linked to cancer progression. Thus, in principle, they can be exploited to classify the cancer genes and unveil their role. Here, we present a new method, Moonlight, that exploit expression data to classify cancer genes. Moonlight relies on the integration of functional enrichment analysis, gene regulatory networks and upstream regulator analysis from expression data to score the importance of biological cancer-related processes taking into account either the inter- or intra-tumor heterogeneity. We then employed these scores to predict if each gene acts as a tumor suppressor gene (TSG) or as an oncogene (OCG). Our methodology also allow to predict genes with dual role, i.e. the moonlight genes (TSG in one cancer type or stage and OCG in another), as well as to elucidate the underlying biological processes. Availability: https://bioconductor.org/packages/MoonlightR & https://github.com/ibsquare/MoonlightR/
Differences In Neural Activity, But Not Behavior, Across Social Contexts In Guppies, Poecilia Reticulata
Authors: Fischer Eva K. , Westrick Sarah E. , Hartsough Lauren , Hoke Kim L.
Published: February 2018

Animals are continually faced with the challenge of producing context-appropriate social behaviors. In many instances, animals produce unrelated behaviors across contexts. However, in some instances the same behaviors are produced across different social contexts, albeit in response to distinct stimuli and with distinct purposes. We took advantage of behavioral similarities across mating and aggression contexts in guppies, Poecilia reticulata, to understand how patterns of neural induction differ across social contexts when behaviors are nonetheless shared across contexts. While these is growing interest in understanding behavioral mechanisms in guppies, resources are sparse. As part of this study, we developed a neuroanatomical atlas of the guppy brain as a research community resource. Using this atlas, we found that neural activity in the preoptic area reflected social context, whereas individual differences in behavioral motivation paralleled activity in the posterior tuberculum and ventral telencephalon (teleost homologs of the ventral tegmental area and lateral septum, respectively). Our findings suggest independent coding of social salience versus behavioral motivation when behavioral repertoires are shared across social contexts.

Summary statement

Activity in distinct brain regions reflects behavioral context versus social motivation in a in which behavioral repertoires are shared across social contexts (Trinidadian guppies, Poecilia reticulata).
High-energy-resolution diced spherical quartz analyzers for resonant inelastic X-ray scattering
Authors: Said Ayman H. , Gog Thomas , Wieczorek Michael , Huang XianRong , Casa Diego , Kasman Elina , Divan Ralu , Kim Jung Ho
Published: February 2018

A novel diced spherical quartz analyzer for use in resonant inelastic X-ray scattering (RIXS) is introduced, achieving an unprecedented energy resolution of 10.53 meV at the IrL3absorption edge (11.215 keV). In this work the fabrication process and the characterization of the analyzer are presented, and an example of a RIXS spectrum of magnetic excitations in a Sr3Ir2O7sample is shown.
Energy-dependent dead-time correction in digital pulse processors applied to silicon drift detector's X-ray spectra
Authors: Barros Suelen F. , Vanin Vito R. , Malafronte Alexandre A. , Maidana Nora L. , Martins Marcos N.
Published: February 2018

Dead-time effects in X-ray spectra taken with a digital pulse processor and a silicon drift detector were investigated when the number of events at the low-energy end of the spectrum was more than half of the total, at counting rates up to 56 kHz. It was found that dead-time losses in the spectra are energy dependent and an analytical correction for this effect, which takes into account pulse pile-up, is proposed. This and the usual models have been applied to experimental measurements, evaluating the dead-time fraction either from the calculations or using the value given by the detector acquisition system. The energy-dependent dead-time model proposed fits accurately the experimental energy spectra in the range of counting rates explored in this work. A selection chart of the simplest mathematical model able to correct the pulse-height distribution according to counting rate and energy spectrum characteristics is included.
Small businesses’ internationalization
Authors: Pinho Jose Carlos M. , Martins Lurdes , Soares Ana Maria
Published: February 2018

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to examine whether international readiness, including innovation, competition, technology-orientation and opportunity perception, impacts on internationalization of small businesses differently in Asian countries compared to the complete Global Entrepreneurship Monitor (GEM) sample.

Design/methodology/approach

This study uses data from the Adult Population Survey – GEM carried out in 69 countries yielding a cross-country total of 198,339 entrepreneurs. A binomial logit regression model is used to examine the data.

Findings

The results show that there are differences for Asian countries compared to the whole sample regarding innovation-related drivers. In Asian countries, for small businesses, internationalization is less sensitive to product innovation and to opportunities’ perception than for the rest of the countries.

Practical implications

This study has practical relevance as it provides numerous clues regarding the question of how small business (or new ventures) might enhance chances to become successful exporters.

Originality/value

This study addresses an area that is believed to be less studied. The study compares the proposed relationships between two data sub-samples that represent the Asian countries and the complete GEM sample. The paper concludes with a discussion of the main contributions and limitations and suggests future research avenues.
The influence of corporate governance, and sufficiency economy philosophy disclosure on corporate financial performance
Authors: Suttipun Muttanachai
Published: February 2018

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to investigate the nature and level of Sufficiency Economy Philosophy (SEP) disclosure in the annual reports of companies listed in the Stock Exchange of Thailand (SET), to test the influence of corporate governance on SEP disclosure, and to examine the influence of corporate governance, and SEP disclosure on corporate financial performance.

Design/methodology/approach

By simple random sampling, 235 out of 569 companies in the SET were selected as the study sample. Content analysis by word count was used to explore the nature and level of SEP disclosure in the 2015 annual reports. Descriptive analysis and path analysis were used to analyze the data.

Findings

The results indicated that the average level of SEP disclosure in the 2015 annual reports was 1,235 words. The most common theme of SEP disclosure was morality disclosure following by reasonableness, self-immunity, knowledge, and moderation disclosures. There was a positive significant influence of firm size on level of SEP. Moreover, there was a positive significant influence of the level of SEP, and the size of committee on corporate financial performance.

Originality/value

The findings shed light on the SEP as developed by his Majesty the King Bhumibhol Adulyadej in the Thai setting. The study also endeavored to validate the relevance and applicability of the SEP concept to the sustainable development of the business sector.
Do ambient conditions in offices impact learning?
Authors: Kasuganti Aneetha Rao
Published: February 2018

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to investigate the relationship between satisfaction with ambient conditions and perceptions of situated learning in knowledge-intensive organizations. The paper argues that satisfaction with ambient conditions facilitates situated learning in open office environments.

Design/methodology/approach

A cross-sectional study was conducted on 117 professionals from IT and consultancy companies. Hierarchical linear regression was used to analyze the impact of satisfaction with ambient conditions on perceptions of situated learning.

Findings

Learning that occurs in everyday activities on the job is enhanced by satisfying ambient conditions in the physical environments of open offices.

Originality/value

The paper contributes to literature on organizational learning by examining aspects of the physical environment as antecedents of organizational learning, thereby providing insights for design and management of office environments to maximize employee outcomes.
Influence of Chinese geomancy on facilities operations and maintenance (FOM)
Authors: Low Sui Pheng , Gao Shang , Ang Jun Kai
Published: February 2018

Purpose

There have recently been an increasing number of scientific studies exploring the effectiveness of practising Chinese geomancy or feng shui in the built environment. However, these are rather generic studies focusing mainly on urban planning, architecture and interior design. The impetus for this present research stems from the lack of understanding relating to the practice of feng shui in Facilities Management (FM). Bridging these two disciplines, this study examines the relevance of and relationship between feng shui and FM principles.

Design/methodology/approach

A questionnaire survey was conducted, the results of which affirm the validity of the assimilated relationships between the two disciplines. Interviews with three groups of experts – the feng shui practitioners, facilities managers and feng shui practitioners who are also building professionals – were also conducted to verify the assimilation of the two disciplines with a view to draw new perspectives for better understanding.

Findings

The principles of feng shui and FM were studied, and the validity of the relationships between 15 feng shui principles and three FM activities were examined. The latter relates specifically to building fabric cleaning, routine external site/lot cleaning and road and pavement cleaning. It was found that specific feng shui principles and scenarios appear to influence the three FM activities. The statistical analysis shows that the means of specific feng shui scenarios in relation to FM activities were consistently higher than those of the feng shui principles. The one-sample t-test indicates that all the feng shui principles were significant in affecting the three FM activities.

Research limitations/implications

This study provides a better understanding of the relevance of feng shui principles influencing FM principles. It also revealed the challenges and limitations in bridging the relationships between these two disciplines.

Originality/value

This study is the first investigation to examine the relevance and relationship between feng shui and FM practice. This serves to encourage further research to determine how feng shui design implementation will affect the ease of conducting FM activities. If the relationship is established, as is the case from this study, then the implementation of feng shui principles in building design can be encouraged to positively influence the ease of conducting FM activities downstream in the occupancy stage. This can serve to contribute to the improvement of sustainable building design. It can also contribute to the scientific investigation of feng shui, which has so far been largely overlooked in built environment studies. Such studies can help to demystify and provide logical and scientific interpretations of how feng shui principles actually work.
Concerns among local government facility managers: a Norwegian survey
Authors: Hopland Arnt O. , Kvamsdal Sturla
Published: February 2018

Purpose

This paper aims to investigate which concerns are most important for local government facility managers in Norway.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors analyze a survey dataset covering about two-thirds of all Norwegian local governments and 80 per cent of the Norwegian population. The authors consider both descriptive statistics and results from an ordered probit regression analysis.

Findings

Facility managers are most concerned about weak fiscal conditions and lack of political priority of facility management, and local governments reporting public buildings in good condition generally have fewer and less serious concerns. Further, managers in municipalities with a solid fiscal balance are less concerned both about how tight fiscal conditions and lack of political prioritization affect facility management. Managers in municipalities with a centralized facility management structure are less concerned that the organizational structure of the facility management is sub-optimal. Finally, managers in populous municipalities have less concern about tight fiscal conditions, organizational structure and recruitment issues.

Originality/value

The paper offers insights on which concerns are most important among local government facility managers and how these concerns vary with local government characteristics. These insights are valuable in the ongoing debate over best facility management practice and in facility management policy work.
Forecasting US Army enlistment contract production in complex geographical marketing areas
Authors: McDonald Joshua L. , White Edward D. , Hill Raymond R. , Pardo Christian
Published: February 2018

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to demonstrate an improved method for forecasting the US Army recruiting.

Design/methodology/approach

Time series methods, regression modeling, principle components and marketing research are included in this paper.

Findings

This paper found the unique ability of multiple statistical methods applied to a forecasting context to consider the effects of inputs that are controlled to some degree by a decision maker.

Research limitations/implications

This work will successfully inform the US Army recruiting leadership on how this improved methodology will improve their recruitment process.

Practical implications

Improved US Army analytical technique for forecasting recruiting goals..

Originality/value

This work culls data from open sources, using a zip-code-based classification method to develop more comprehensive forecasting methods with which US Army recruiting leaders can better establish recruiting goals.
Identifying students at risk in academics
Authors: Haupt Adam Christian , Alt Jonathan , Buttrey Samuel
Published: February 2018

Purpose

This paper aims to use a data-driven approach to identify the factors and metrics that provide the best indicators of academic attrition in the Korean language program at the Defense Language Institute Foreign Language Center.

Design methodology approach

This research develops logistic regression models to aid in the identification of at-risk students in the Defense Language Institute’s Korean language school.

Findings

The results from this research demonstrates that this methodology can detect significant factors and metrics that identify students at-risk. Additionally, this research shows that school policy changes can be detected using logistic regression models and stepwise regression.

Originality value

This research represents a real-world application of logistic regression modeling methods applied to the problem of identifying at-risk students for the purpose of academic intervention or other negative outcomes. By using logistic regression, the authors are able to gain a greater understanding of the problem and identify statistically significant predictors of student attrition that they believe can be converted into meaningful policy change.
The fuzzy in evaluation of concrete structure engineering
Authors: Wang Le
Published: February 2018

Purpose

During the service condition of residential constructions with concrete structure, the influence of inside and exterior factors will result in different degrees of harm to concrete engineering. Therefore, it is very necessary to continue engineering work toward the concrete structure. Therefore, the purpose of this study is to evaluate the influence of the factors on the comprehensive performance of the concrete structure engineering.

Design/methodology/approach

Applying a mathematics method to establish the comprehensive evaluation model of the concrete structure engineering performance, qualitative and quantitative methods were adopted for reinforced concrete structural performance analysis.

Findings

The key to a safe construction project is to require all bidders to submit a written safety plan with their bids. The instruction to bidders must include guidelines for an acceptable safety plan and state clearly that the substance of the safety plan will be reviewed, and its adequacy will be a determining factor in who shall be selected as the contractor.

Originality/value

Based on the characteristics of concrete structure, applying the analytic hierarchy process to evaluate the concrete structure engineering comprehensive performance, an evaluation index system was built. The research combines quantitative method with qualitative method evaluation was made.
Supervisor workplace gossip and its impact on employees
Authors: Kuo Chien-Chih , Wu Chih-Ying , Lin Chia-Wu
Published: February 2018

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to explore the role of supervisor gossip in the workplace. This paper proposes a hypothetical model in which supervisor gossip has an effect on leader-member exchange (LMX), in turn resulting in perceived supervisor ostracism among subordinates.

Design/methodology/approach

A dyadic research design was applied to collect data from Taiwanese employees. Supervisors participated in a survey containing measures of supervisor gossip and control variables, whereas subordinates responded to a questionnaire on LMX, perceived supervisor ostracism, and control variables.

Findings

The results indicated that positive supervisor gossip significantly affected LMX. Furthermore, healthy LMX reduced subordinates’ perceptions of supervisor ostracism.

Research limitations/implications

All participants were recruited in Taiwan, which is a limitation for generalising the research findings. Future studies should investigate multiple societies of various cultural profiles.

Practical implications

To improve the quality of the supervisor-subordinate relationship, supervisors should adopt a positive informal communication style, and organisations should provide supervisors with information regarding the implications of workplace gossip, illustrating the substantial benefits of positive gossip and the potential drawbacks of negative gossip.

Originality/value

The present study highlighted the role of supervisor workplace gossip in the field of leadership and empirically investigated the impact of supervisor gossip on subordinates’ reactions.
Multilevel moderation analysis of change perception on change commitment
Authors: Yu Ming-Chu , Lee Meng-Hsiu
Published: February 2018

Purpose

In implementing evolutionary or revolutionary change, considering people-related issues is critical. Based on the shared mental model (SMM) and occupational stress theory, the purpose of this paper is to clarify the relationship between change perception and change commitment by investigating the moderating effect of organizational-level SMM and individual-level work stress.

Design/methodology/approach

This research tested the direct cross-level effect of change perception on change commitment, and the cross-level moderation analysis. The data collected from small and medium-sized enterprises in Taiwan, and sampled 1,201 employees in 267 firms.

Findings

Change perception would relate positively to change commitment. Moreover, the SMM positively moderated the relationship between change perception and change commitment. In addition, a significant negative-moderated relationship is found. There is a positive relationship between change perception and change commitment at low level of work stress. However, there is the opposite effect when work stress is high.

Originality/value

The generally understanding of the employees’ attitudes and behaviors in organizational change, especially to investigate the moderating factors at cross-level analysis is limited. The results provide a basis for successful employees’ change commitment, and the authors propose that both organizational- and individual-level moderating effects need to be considered.
Conceptualizing and validating workplace belongingness scale
Authors: Jena Lalatendu Kesari , Pradhan Sajeet
Published: February 2018

Purpose

Previous studies have treated general belongingness as an aggregated construct that encompasses all belongingness types and have ignored the importance of context specific belongingness. This omission can be attributed to the lack of any context specific instrument to measure belongingness. Thus, the purpose of this paper is to develop and validate a self-report measure of workplace belongingness that will uniquely capture and test individual’s sense of belongingness in organisational context.

Design/methodology/approach

In total, 824 managerial executives working in several Indian MNCs operating in manufacturing and service sectors participated in the study. Data were collected through face-to-face survey and through online questionnaire.

Findings

The 12-item unidimensional scale was revalidated through confirmatory factor analysis after obtaining the results from exploratory factor analysis.

Originality/value

The current study developed and tested a unidimensional workplace belongingness scale that fully captures the essence of an individual’s belongingness in workplace setting.
OIQ or OEQ, which matters more: evidence from China
Authors: Xiao Jianhua , Cao Liu , Zhang Lufang
Published: February 2018

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to compare the contribution of organizational intelligence quotient (OIQ) and organizational emotional quotient (OEQ) for intelligent organizations.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper develops a framework of OIQ and OEQ, based on the structure of intellectual capital (intellectual capital). Then, a specific questionnaire is designed and sent to ten national research institutes in China. Data from nine of them are analyzed as case study samples.

Findings

Data show that intelligent organizations are related with high OIQ as well as high OEQ. In the case of average-intelligent organizations, even if around high-IQ employees, “collective stupidity” caused by the failure of synergy of structural capital is the major gap to be a smart organization, just like a football team grouped by brilliant players always loses due to the dearth of coordination. OEQ, or the synergy between structural capital and human capital, is the critical point to avoid collective stupidity for organizations with intelligent employees.

Research limitations/implications

Research results are based on case study in a particular country. Measurement tools for OIQ and OEQ are in bound of the IC concept.

Practical implications

The paper helps organizations to find out the critical problems causing collective stupidity in a changing environment.

Originality/value

Analogic to human beings’ intelligence, this paper develops a frame of OIQ and OEQ, and compares their contribution to intelligent organization building in a changing environment.
Optimal trade-in and third-party collection authorization strategies under trade-in subsidy policy
Authors: Cao Kaiying , Bo Qiushi , He Yi
Published: February 2018

Purpose

This paper aims to study whether the recycling of a third party competes with the trade-in service of a manufacturer, and explores the optimal trade-in and third-party collection authorization strategies for the manufacturer.

Design/methodology/approach

According to whether to authorize a third party to collect its used products, the manufacturer has two choices: one is not authorization (NA); the other is authorization (A). This paper uses profit-maximization model to investigate the optimal decisions of the manufacturer and the third party under NA and A, respectively, and then explores which choice is better for the manufacturer.

Findings

It is observed that there is a competition between trade-in service and third-party recycling when the durability parameter of the used product is relatively small. Moreover, when the durability parameter of the used product is relatively large, A is always better choice for the manufacturer; otherwise, NA is a better choice except for the case that the unit trade-in subsidy is low and the salvage of the used product is high.

Practical implications

These results provide managerial insights for the manufacturer and the third party to make decisions in the field of recycling.

Originality/value

This paper is among the first papers to study the competition between trade-in program and third party’s collecting program under government’s trade-in subsidy policy. Moreover, this paper presents the conditions under which the manufacturer should authorize or not authorize the third party to collect its used products.
Effect of post deposition annealing and post metallization annealing on electrical and structural characteristics of Pd/Al2O3/6H-SiC MIS capacitors
Authors: E. Papanasam , Kailath Binsu J.
Published: February 2018

Purpose

Al2O3 used as gate dielectric enables exploitation of higher electric field capacity of SiC, improving capacitive coupling and memory retention in flash memories. Passivation of traps at interface and in bulk which causes serious threat is necessary for better performance. The purpose of this paper is to investigate the effect of post-deposition rapid thermal annealing (PDA) and post-metallization annealing (PMA) on the structural and electrical characteristics of Pd/Al2O3/6H-SiC capacitors.

Design/methodology/approach

Al2O3 film is deposited by ALD; PDA is performed by rapid thermal annealing (RTA) in N2 at 900°C for 1 min and PMA in forming gas for 10 and 40 min. X-ray diffraction (XRD) and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) measurements data are studied in addition to capacitance-voltage (C-V) and current-voltage (I-V) characteristics for the fabricated Pd/Al2O3/SiC capacitors. Conduction mechanism contributing to the gate leakage current is extracted for the entire range of gate electric field.

Findings

RTA forms aluminum silicide at the interface causing an increase in the density of the interface states and gate leakage current for devices with an annealed film, when compared with an as-deposited film. One order improvement in leakage current has been observed for the devices with RTA, after subjecting to PMA for 40 min, compared with those devices for which PMA was carried out for 10 min. Whereas, no improvement in leakage current has been observed for the devices on as-deposited film, even after subjecting to PMA for 40 min. Conduction mechanisms contributing to gate leakage current are extracted for the investigated Al2O3/SiC capacitors and are found to be trapfilled limit process at low-field regions; trapassisted tunneling in the mid-field regions and Fowler–Nordheim (FN) tunneling are dominating in high-field regions.

Originality/value

The effect of PDA and PMA on the structural and electrical characteristics of Pd/Al2O3/SiC capacitors suitable for flash memory applications is investigated in this paper.
Finite element model updating of board-level electronic packages by factorial analysis and modal measurements
Authors: Gharaibeh Mohammad
Published: February 2018

Purpose

One difficultly in building an effective finite element (FE) model of a board-level package is because of complex structure of the printed circuit board (PCB), as it contains copper layers, woven fabrics, plated-through holes and so forth. Therefore, it is often acceptable to obtain equivalent orthotropic material properties and use them in the simulation. This paper aims to provide a research methodology to produce equivalent FE models for board-level electronic packages.

Design/methodology/approach

In this methodology, the FE models’ data were correlated with experimental modal analysis results in terms of natural frequencies and mode shapes. Statistical factorial analysis was used to examine the electronic assembly material properties effect on the structure’s resonant frequencies. The equivalent material properties of the PCB were adjusted using the optimization tool available in ANSYS software for free boundary conditions. The equivalent FE model was then validated for the fixed boundary conditions.

Findings

The resultant FE models were in great match with the measured data in terms of resonant frequencies and mode shapes. The so-developed models can be further used in the analysis of the dynamic response of the electronic packages and solder interconnects.

Originality/value

The current approach provides a sophisticated research methodology to provide high-accuracy FE models of electronic assemblies subjected to vibration. The main value of this approach is to first test the effect of each material property on the package dynamic characteristics before starting the correlation process, then to automate the correlation algorithm using the built-in FE model updating feature available in ANSYS software.
Freeform additive manufacturing by vari-directional vari-dimensional material deposition
Authors: Tsao Che-Chih , Chang Ho-Hsin , Liu Meng-Hao , Chen Ho-Chia , Hsu Yun-Tang , Lin Pei-Ying , Chou Yih-Lin , Chao Ying-Chieh , Shen Yun-Hui , Huang Cheng-Yi , Chan Kai-Chiang , Chen Yi-Hung
Published: February 2018

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to propose and demonstrate a new additive manufacturing approach that breaks the layer-based point scanning limitations to increase fabrication speed, obtain better surface finish, achieve material flexibility and reduce equipment costs.

Design/methodology/approach

The freeform additive manufacturing approach conceptually views a 3D article as an assembly of freeform elements distributed spatially following a flexible 3D assembly structure, which conforms to the surface of the article and physically builds the article by sequentially forming the freeform elements by a vari-directional vari-dimensional capable material deposition mechanism. Vari-directional building along tangential directions of part surface gives surface smoothness. Vari-dimensional deposition maximizes material output to increase build rate wherever allowed and minimizes deposition sizes for resolution whenever needed.

Findings

Process steps based on geometric and data processing considerations were described. Dispensing and forming of basic vari-directional and vari-dimensional freeform elements and basic operations of joining them were developed using thermoplastics. Forming of 3D articles at build rates of 2-5 times the fused deposition modeling (FDM) rate was demonstrated and improvement over ten times was shown to be feasible. FDM compatible operations using 0.7 mm wire depositions from a variable exit-dispensing unit were demonstrated. Preliminary tests of a surface finishing process showed a result of 0.8-1.9 um Ra. Initial results of dispensing wax, tin alloy and steel were also shown.

Originality/value

This is the first time that both vari-directional and vari-dimensional material depositions are combined in a new freeform building method, which has potential impact on the FDM and other additive manufacturing methods.