bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Ocean acidification alters the response of intertidal snails to a key sea star predator
Authors: Jellison Brittany M. , Ninokawa Aaron T. , Hill Tessa M. , Sanford Eric , Gaylord Brian
Published: June 2016

Organism-level effects of ocean acidification (OA) are well recognized. Less understood are OA's consequences for ecological species interactions. Here, we examine a behaviourally mediated predator–prey interaction within the rocky intertidal zone of the temperate eastern Pacific Ocean, using it as a model system to explore OA's capacity to impair invertebrate anti-predator behaviours more broadly. Our system involves the iconic sea star predator,
Pisaster ochraceus
, that elicits flee responses in numerous gastropod prey. We examine, in particular, the capacity for OA-associated reductions in pH to alter flight behaviours of the black turban snail,
Tegula funebralis
, an often-abundant and well-studied grazer in the system. We assess interactions between these species at 16 discrete levels of pH, quantifying the full functional response of
Tegula
under present and near-future OA conditions. Results demonstrate the disruption of snail anti-predator behaviours at low pH, with decreases in the time individuals spend in refuge locations. We also show that fluctuations in pH, including those typical of rock pools inhabited by snails, do not materially change outcomes, implying little capacity for episodically benign pH conditions to aid behavioural recovery. Together, these findings suggest a strong potential for OA to induce cascading community-level shifts within this long-studied ecosystem.
Varapp: A reactive web-application for variants filtering
Authors: Delafontaine Julien , Masselot Alexandre , Liechti Robin , Kuznetsov Dmitry , Xenarios Ioannis , Pradervand Sylvain
Published: June 2016

Summary: Varapp is an open-source web application to filter variants from large sets of exome data stored in a relational database. Varapp offers a reactive graphical user interface, very fast data pro-cessing, security and facility to save, reproduce and shareresults. Typically, a few seconds suffice to apply non-trivial filters to a set of half a million variants and extract a handful of potential clinically relevant targets. Varapp implements different scenarios for Mendelian diseases (dominant, recessive, de novo, X-linked, andcompound heterozygous), and allows searching for variants in genes or chro-mosomal regions of interest.

Availability: The application is made of a Javascript front-end and a Python back-end. Its source code is hosted at https://github.com/varapp. A demo version isavailable at https://varapp-demo.vital-it.ch. The full documentation can be found at https://varapp-demo.vital-it.ch/docs.

Contact:sylvain.pradervand@chuv.ch
FastGT: an alignment-free method for calling common SNVs directly from raw sequencing reads
Authors: Pajuste Fanny-Dhelia , Kaplinski Lauris , Möls Märt , Puurand Tarmo , Lepamets Maarja , Remm Maido
Published: June 2016

We have developed a computational method that counts the frequencies of uniquek-mers in FASTQ-formatted genome data and uses this information to infer the genotypes of known variants. FastGT can detect the variants in a 30x genome in less than 1 hour using ordinary low-cost server hardware. The overall concordance with the genotypes of two Illumina “Platinum” genomes1is 99.96%, and the concordance with the genotypes of the Illumina HumanOmniExpress is 99.82%. Our method providesk-mer database that can be used for the simultaneous genotyping of approximately 30 million single nucleotide variants (SNVs), including >23,000 SNVs from Y chromosome. The source code of FastGT software is available at GitHub (https://github.com/bioinfo-ut/GenomeTester4/).
Frequency analysis for modulation-enhanced powder diffraction
Authors: Chernyshov Dmitry , Dyadkin Vadim , van Beek Wouter , Urakawa Atsushi
Published: June 2016

Periodic modulation of external conditions on a crystalline sample with a consequent analysis of periodic diffraction response has been recently proposed as a tool to enhance experimental sensitivity for minor structural changes. Here the intensity distributions for both a linear and nonlinear structural response induced by a symmetric and periodic stimulus are analysed. The analysis is further extended for powder diffraction when an external perturbation changes not only the intensity of Bragg lines but also their positions. The derived results should serve as a basis for a quantitative modelling of modulation-enhanced diffraction data measured in real conditions.
Visualizing the Bohr effect in hemoglobin: neutron structure of equine cyanomethemoglobin in the R state and comparison with human deoxyhemoglobin in the T state
Authors: Dajnowicz Steven , Seaver Sean , Hanson B. Leif , Fisher S. Zoë , Langan Paul , Kovalevsky Andrey Y. , Mueser Timothy C.
Published: June 2016

Neutron crystallography provides direct visual evidence of the atomic positions of deuterium-exchanged H atoms, enabling the accurate determination of the protonation/deuteration state of hydrated biomolecules. Comparison of two neutron structures of hemoglobins, human deoxyhemoglobin (T state) and equine cyanomethemoglobin (R state), offers a direct observation of histidine residues that are likely to contribute to the Bohr effect. Previous studies have shown that the T-state N-terminal and C-terminal salt bridges appear to have a partial instead of a primary overall contribution. Four conserved histidine residues [αHis72(EF1), αHis103(G10), αHis89(FG1), αHis112(G19) and βHis97(FG4)] can become protonated/deuterated from the R to the T state, while two histidine residues [αHis20(B1) and βHis117(G19)] can lose a proton/deuteron. αHis103(G10), located in the α1:β1dimer interface, appears to be a Bohr group that undergoes structural changes: in the R state it is singly protonated/deuterated and hydrogen-bonded through a water network to βAsn108(G10) and in the T state it is doubly protonated/deuterated with the network uncoupled. The very long-term H/D exchange of the amide protons identifies regions that are accessible to exchange as well as regions that are impermeable to exchange. The liganded relaxed state (R state) has comparable levels of exchange (17.1% non-exchanged) compared with the deoxy tense state (T state; 11.8% non-exchanged). Interestingly, the regions of non-exchanged protons shift from the tetramer interfaces in the T-state interface (α1:β2and α2:β1) to the cores of the individual monomers and to the dimer interfaces (α1:β1and α2:β2) in the R state. The comparison of regions of stability in the two states allows a visualization of the conservation of fold energy necessary for ligand binding and release.
Agricultural credit and technical efficiency in Ghana: is there a nexus?
Authors: Abdallah Abdul-Hanan
Published: June 2016

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to examine the impact of agricultural credit on technical efficiency of Ghanaian maize farmers using a unique dataset drawn from the database of Sub-Saharan Africa’s intensification of food crops agriculture (Afrint II) in 2008 period.

Design/methodology/approach

– In this study, a two-stage estimation procedure is employed to determine impact of agricultural credit on technical efficiency of Ghanaian maize farmers. The first stage utilized probit model while the second stage utilized stochastic frontier approach to estimate impact of credit on technical efficiency of Ghanaian maize farmers.

Findings

– The study found that farmers are producing below the frontier with average technical efficiency of 47 percent. Policy variables such as credit access; education, extension access and farm size played a stronger role in technical efficiency. Agricultural credit in particular increased technical efficiency by 3.8 percent.

Research limitations/implications

– The results should not be extended to the impact of agricultural credit on economic efficiency since the allocative efficiency component is not considered in this study. Also, caution should be taken in the interpretation of these results because the data could not permit the incorporation of all variables that might affect technical efficiency.

Originality/value

– The originality of the paper and its contribution to existing literature largely lies from the use of a unique dataset to find evidence of the impact of credit on efficiency in Ghana.
The impact of the Food Safety and Modernization Act on firm value
Authors: Johnson Mark Steven , Lawson Tolani
Published: June 2016

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to determine the impact of the passage and signing of P.L. 111-353, the Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA), on the market value of agribusiness firms.

Design/methodology/approach

– The authors conduct an event study of the shareholder value effects of FSMA. The short-window analyses estimate the three-, five-, and seven-day market responses to three key event dates: passage by the House, passage by the Senate, and the signing of FSMA by President Obama. The long-window analyses examine a time period that encompasses the three informational events, as well as the 30 months after the signing of FSMA. To control for the effects of market-wide fluctuations, the authors use two alternative models of the returns generating process to calculate abnormal returns, the Capital Asset Pricing Model (CAPM) and the Fama-French three-factor model.

Findings

– The short-window analyses show no evidence of a significant reaction to the passage of FSMA by the House or the Senate, but evidence of a significant negative reaction to the signing of FSMA by President Obama. The long window results which span the of passage by House, passage by the Senate and signing by the President indicate a decline in the average market value of agribusiness firms on the order of – 10 percent over the period. Additionally, the authors find some evidence that this effect is not evenly spread out across different types of agribusiness firms (wholesale, grocery, and processing).

Originality/value

– The study is the first to examine the impact of P.L.111-353 on the market value of agribusiness firms.
Connecting real learning with social media ROI
Authors: Crumpton Michael A. , White Philip B.
Published: June 2016

Purpose

This case study aims to outline the activities related to a project to create a foundation for the libraries’ social media activities and determine return on investment and value added for the efforts.

Design/methodology/approach

This case study describes the actions taken and the information tracked in establishing social media presence with recommendation for a sustainable program.

Findings

Social media adds value to libraries’ organizational personality, but it also incurs cost and effort that should be strategically managed.

Originality/value

This case study was conducted in the authors’ home institution.
A hybrid method for the calculation of the inductances of coils with and without deformed turns
Authors: Li Hua , Rucker Wolfgang
Published: June 2016

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to present an accurate and efficient hybrid method for the calculation of the inductance of a coil and its inductance change due to deformed turns using numerical methods.

Design/methodology/approach

– The paper opted for finite element method coupled with analytical method (FCA) to accurately calculate the inductance of a coil, which is used as reference value. An algorithm with a power function is presented to approximate the partial inductance matrix with the purpose of obtaining the percentage change of the inductance due to deformed turns by using the partial element equivalent circuit (PEEC) with an approximated model and an optimization process. The presented method is successfully validated by the numerical results.

Findings

– The paper provides a systematic investigation of the inductance of an arbitrary shaped coil and shows how to accurately and efficiently evaluate the inductance change of a coil due to its deformed turns. It suggests that the inductance of a coil can be accurately calculated by using FCA and its percentage change due to deformed turns can be efficiently calculated by using the PEEC_Approximation.

Research limitations/implications

– As this research is for the magnetostatics, the skin- and proximity-effects have not been taken into account.

Practical implications

– The paper includes implication for the worst-case analysis of the coil’s inductance due to mechanical damage or manufacturing tolerance.

Originality/value

– This paper fulfills an identified need to study how the inductance change of a coil can be obtained accurately and efficiently.
Magnetic and infrared thermography methods in detection of antipersonnel landmines
Authors: Szymanik Barbara , Woloszyn Miroslaw
Published: June 2016

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to present two methods of detection for landmines with minimal metal content.

Design/methodology/approach

– First, two methods of landmine detection are presented: magnetic and infrared with microwave heating. For each method the numerical algorithm of an object’s position and properties determination are presented. Furthermore, the experimental results of several landmines detection using both methods are presented.

Findings

– It is possible to detect the landmines with minimal metal content using both magnetic and infrared methods. It is also possible to determine the detected objects’ exact position and properties using developed numerical algorithms.

Originality/value

– The idea of using the magnetic method to detect the plastic landmines is, to the best knowledge of the authors, new. For both methods, the numerical algorithms of objects’ parameters determination are original.
Co-production in chronic care: exploitation and empowerment
Authors: Essén Anna , Värlander Sara Winterstorm , Liljedal Karina T.
Published: June 2016

Purpose

Many scholars have urged firms to empower consumers to become co-producers, arguing that this empowerment leads to a win-win situation that benefits consumers and providers alike. However, critical voices have emphasised that co-production is a way to exploit rather than empower consumers and hence represents a win–lose idea that benefits providers only. Regrettably, these polarised positions remain disconnected and lack empirical investigation. The aim of the present study is to move the debate beyond this stalemate by integrating these perspectives using an empirical study to explore enabling and constraining implications of the attempts to “empower” consumers.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper is based on a qualitative empirical study of an internationally unique example of a long-term co-production process in rheumatology care. Data were collected using both focused interviews and observations.

Findings

The study indicates that both the optimistic and the critical perspectives of co-production are valid and the implications of “empowering” consumers are two-edged.

Research Limitations/implications

The study highlights the need to zoom in and analyse how empowering and disempowering mechanisms relate to specific aspects of particular co-production processes rather than to co-production as a general phenomenon.

Practical Implications

The empirical data illustrate the feasibility of employing patients in everyday healthcare production through simple means while raising numerous issues related to, for example, traditional healthcare roles and process design.

Originality/value

The present study of a unique, long-term co-production illustrates how both perspectives of co-production are valid.
Open versus selective customer loyalty programmes
Authors: Esmark Carol L. , Noble Stephanie M. , Bell John E.
Published: June 2016

Purpose

This paper aims to examine the impact of an open loyalty programme (anyone can join) versus a selective programme (requirements must be met) to show what types of loyalty programmes are most effective. In-group identification, gratitude, stage of relationship and visibility are additionally examined.

Design/methodology/approach

Two studies use experimental methodology to initially test the relationships. A third study uses survey and panel data.

Findings

Open programmes lead to more in-group identification, while selective programmes lead to higher levels of gratitude, especially in mature stages. Visible programmes lead to more in-group identification. Industry differences are presented.

Research limitations/implications

The first two studies use a student sample (although Study 3 uses penal data). The research is limited to the variables examined. The findings add to theory by showing differences between open and selective loyalty programmes.

Practical implications

The findings show how different retailer offerings change the value and experience to the customer leading to loyalty intentions. Loyalty programme designers can tailor their programme structure to fit their customers and overall strategy. The findings also shed light on the strategic importance of tiered loyalty programmes.

Originality/value

The examination of how a customer enters a loyalty programme is not in current literature. The research shows how loyalty intentions are impacted by design of the programme, including how a customer signs up for a programme. The mechanisms through which the relationship works increase the understanding of loyalty programme effectiveness.
The future of Russian science through the prism of public policy
Authors: Gershman Mikhail , Kuznetsova Tatiana
Published: June 2016

Purpose

During the past decade, Russian federal authorities have tried to build an effective national innovation system, strongly emphasizing a well-functioning science sector. The purpose of this paper is to look at future developments of Russian science from the perspective of recent policies and their perceptions by Russian scientists. Special emphasis is placed on the so-called “efficient contracts” policy for researchers which should make the remuneration system of public R&D organisations more competitive.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper examines the results of an extensive survey of almost 1,500 Russian scientists and managers at universities and public research organisations conducted by the authors in 2013 and recent statistical data and policy documents.

Findings

The paper concludes that some of the ambitious science and technology goals set by the government will be hard to achieve in the next decade. The scientific landscape is likely to experience certain structural changes but will probably face many of the existing problems. Improvements in overall R&D performance will largely depend on how well the “efficient contracts” policy is implemented.

Originality/value

The future development of Russian science is discussed based on major recent policy documents and the opinions of Russian scientists. The findings might be important for policy makers not only in Russia but other countries as well.
Reliability-based fracture analysis with uncertainty on material degradation
Authors: Astaraki Sohrab
Published: June 2016

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to quantify uncertainty design parameters of long service usage material and including their effects explicitly in analysis of fracture toughness for evaluation of reliability indexes.

Design/methodology/approach

– In this paper structural reliability algorithm was incorporated into comprehensive finite element software. In this algorithm, the limit state function and relative gradient of uncertainty parameters has been determined using finite element model.

Findings

– Results from this paper show that the effect of material degradation due to long service usage on the Young’s modulus for corroded samples and non-corroded samples are approximately 5 and 2.5 percent below the handbook value, respectively. The uncertainty in Young’s modulus is small, the randomness is unsymmetrical, and the dispersion is more above the mean than below the mean. The failure probability increases with the increasing uncertainty of Young’s modulus, and can be much larger than the probabilities calculated for a deterministic elasticity.

Originality/value

– Reliable structural analysis of aging aircraft is crucial of safe operation.
The sustainability and political agency of social cooperatives in Italy during the great recession
Authors: Riva Egidio , Garavaglia Emma
Published: June 2016

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to investigate the extent to which social cooperatives in Italy followed and managed to preserve their core values and principles while withstanding multiple pressures during the great recession. Attention is paid to two key issues. First, the concept of political agency is used to understand whether social cooperatives have been sensitive and committed to their role as key political players in the sustainable development of the community in which they operate. A further issue addressed is the impact of the post-2008 crisis on the quality of work and employment in social cooperatives.

Design/methodology/approach

– This paper adopts a mixed-method social research approach. It integrates quantitative analysis of administrative data on business life cycle drawn from the Italian business registers with empirical evidence collected via in-depth interviews and focus groups on a sample of managers of social cooperatives and representatives of social cooperative associations and consortia.

Findings

– Findings suggest that the great recession and welfare state retrenchment have worsened the quality of work and employment. Nonetheless, evidence produced through qualitative research also shows that social cooperatives have proved to be well suited to displaying political agency and acting as a key political player at local level.

Research limitations/implications

– Results of field research are not generalizable.

Originality/value

– Comparatively higher resilience of cooperatives, which is very much attributable to their specific rationale and mission, may come at a cost. The literature has largely missed investigating this cost, which can also be measured in terms of consistency with core values. Indeed, the sustainability of cooperatives relates to economic indicators, such as employment and economic performance, but also to the social, cultural and political dimension of the enterprise. In this regard, this paper investigates the extent to which, during the post-2008 crisis, cooperative enterprises managed to preserve the quality of work and employment and play a political role in the welfare system.
Thailand tourism forecasting based on a hybrid of discrete wavelet decomposition and NARX neural network
Authors: Kummong Ratree , Supratid Siriporn
Published: June 2016

Purpose

– Accurate forecast of tourist arrivals is crucial for Thailand since the tourism industry is a major economic factor of the country. However, a nonstationarity, normally consisted in nonlinear tourism time series can seriously ruin the forecasting computation. The purpose of this paper is to propose a hybrid forecasting method, namely discrete wavelet decomposition (DWD)-NARX, which combines DWD and the nonlinear autoregressive neural network with exogenous input (NARX) to cope with such nonstationarity, as a consequence, improve the effectiveness of the demand-side management activities.

Design/methodology/approach

– According to DWD-NARX, wavelet decomposition is executed for efficiently extracting the hidden significant, temporal features contained in the nonstationary time series. Then, each extracted feature set at a particular resolution level along with a relative price as an exogenous input factor are fed into NARX for further forecasting. Finally, the forecasting results are reconstructed. Forecasting performance measures rely on mean absolute percentage error, mean absolute error as well as mean square error. Model overfitting avoidance is also considered.

Findings

– The results indicate the superiority of the DWD-NARX over other efficient related neural forecasters in the cases of high forecasting performance rate as well as competently coping with model overfitting.

Research limitations/implications

– The scope of this study is confined to Thailand tourist arrivals forecast based on short-term projection. To resolve such limitations, future research should aim to apply the generalization capability of DWD-NARX on other domains of managerial time series forecast under long-term projection environment. However, the exogenous input factor is to be empirically revised on domain-by-domain basis.

Originality/value

– Few works have been implemented either to handle the nonstationarity, consisted in nonlinear, unpredictable time series, or to achieve great success on finding an appropriate and effective exogenous forecasting input. This study applies DWD to attain efficient feature extraction; then, utilizes the competent forecaster, NARX. This would comprehensively and specifically deal with the nonstationarity difficulties at once. In addition, this study finds the effectiveness of simply using a relative price, generated based on six top-ranked original tourist countries as an exogenous forecasting input.
A coiling robot for elevator compensation chain
Authors: Shi Xianchuan , Gao Liang , Qian Lei , Cheng Mingya , Jiang Kyle
Published: June 2016

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to develop a coiling robot in the production of coated elevator compensation chains to replace the manual coiling operations and improve the quality of compensation chains.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper introduces both mechanical and servo control system designs of the coiling robot. The structure of two friction wheels stabilizes the conveying speed of compensation chain, so the chain speed matches with the car speed. A centering mechanism pushes the chain to its original position. Seven servo motors are integrated into the system, and they are controlled by a servo control system based on programmable logic controller, positioning controller, analog output block and touch screen.

Findings

The results of the project show that the coiling robot can both greatly reduce the number of workers and the intensity of the work and improve the quality of the chain. The chain lid by the robot is not only neat, but also uniform in its inner stress.

Research limitations/implications

When the output speed of the compensation chain from the rear friction wheel does not match the coiling speed, the coiling operation has to be halted. Then, the operator adjusts the chain speed and restarts the coiling operation.

Practical implications

The coiling robot is proven working. It has been adopted by a leading company manufacturing compensation chains.

Originality/value

This is the first coiling robot which is practically used in a production line of compensation chains. Its design, mechanism and control systems are of great reference values to people.
Survey of the research capacity of clinical psychologists in Ireland
Authors: McHugh Patrick , Corcoran Mark , Byrne Michael
Published: June 2016

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to profile the research activity, research skills and enablers of research of clinical psychologists in the Republic of Ireland.

Design/methodology/approach

– All clinical psychologists working in the Health Service Executive (HSE) or HSE-funded organisations were requested to complete an online survey examining their research capacity. A total of 170 clinical psychologists completed the survey, with an estimated response rate of 20-25 per cent.

Findings

– Within the preceding two years, 60 per cent (n=102) of the clinical psychologists sampled had engaged in research. These research active participants were involved with a median of three projects and the majority spent 10 per cent or less of their work time engaged in research. The weakest research skills of research active and research inactive participants were applying for research funding and publishing research. Research active participants indicated a reliance on their own personal motivation to maintain their research activity and indicated a need for more protected time for research.

Practical implications

– Managers within the health service need to be incentivised to allocate protected work time for research that directly contributes to service provision. Greater collaboration with academic institutions is needed with regard to targeting the research skills development of clinical psychologists, as well as identifying opportunities for collaborative research.

Originality/value

– This is the first survey to profile the research activity and skills of clinical psychologists in the Republic of Ireland and provides an evidence base for future research capacity development.
Exploring the impact of the recovery academy: a qualitative study of Recovery College experiences
Authors: Zabel Elisabeth , Donegan Grace , Lawrence Kate , French Paul
Published: June 2016

Purpose

– Recovery Colleges strive to assist individuals in their journey of recovery and help organisations to become more recovery focused. The evidence base surrounding Recovery Colleges is still in its infancy and further research is required to investigate their effectiveness. The purpose of this paper is to explore the subjective experience of people involved with a Recovery College: “The Recovery Academy” based in Greater Manchester.

Design/methodology/approach

– A qualitative study using data collected from four focus groups of Recovery Academy students who have either lived experience of mental health problems, are health professionals or are family members or carers. The data were analysed using thematic analysis.

Findings

– Four main themes emerged from discussing experiences of the Recovery Academy and its courses: ethos of the Recovery Academy; personal and organisational impact; value of co-production; and barriers to engagement and impact. The Recovery Academy can have a positive impact on the lives of students who attend the courses and offer benefits to the organisation in which it is run.

Originality/value

– Recovery Colleges are gaining large interest nationally. However, to date there is a paucity of research on Recovery Colleges. This is the first paper to be presented for publication specifically on the Recovery Academy. The findings of this study suggest Recovery Colleges have the potential to positively impact students and facilitate recovery oriented organisational change. The findings can add valuable data to the emerging Recovery College evidence base.
Hopes and sighs: the Swiss Cooperative Storage Facility
Authors: Niederer Ulrich
Published: June 2016

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to present the Swiss Cooperative Storage Facility, a high bay, high density, automated, and oxygen reduced off-site storage facility which serves five research libraries from the German speaking part of Switzerland; it opened in February 2016.

Design/methodology/approach

– It describes the complete process of evaluating and planning this innovative facility.

Findings

– It explains the way the cooperation of the five libraries in highly federalist Switzerland was achieved, what principles guided its organization, and how the libraries prepared their holdings for this off-site storage. It shows the construction as an ecologically driven green building with economical advantages.

Originality/value

– The project seems to be the second automated and oxygen-reduced library storage facility worldwide, after the British Library’s Additional Storage Buildings, and the depth and detail of the evaluation phase is new.
Determinants of perceived success in management consulting
Authors: Bronnenmayer Matias , Wirtz Bernd W. , Göttel Vincent
Published: June 2016

Purpose

This paper aims to conceptualizeperceived management consulting success, derive relevant success factors based on principal-agent theory and the resource-based view as well as investigate the particular factors’ influence. Management consulting has become important for improving the competitiveness of a variety of firms. Surprisingly, there is little empirical evidence clarifying what constitutes a successful management consulting project.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors conduct a survey to empirically investigate the hypotheses. They develop the survey instrument through a literature review, expert interviews, a pre-test and an item-sorting test. To analyze the data from 348 management consultants, the authors apply structural equation modeling. Additionally, they choose a triangulation approach by asking secondary informants about the originally surveyed consultants’ responses.

Findings

Initially, the authors develop the second-order constructperceived management consulting success, consisting of the factorscompliance with budget and schedule,degree of target achievement,profitabilityas well asexpansion and extension. Additionally, they develop an understanding of management consulting’s success factors. In this regard, five of six factors show a significant impact onperceived management consulting success.

Originality/value

According to the results, the factorintensity of collaborationis of highest importance forperceived management consulting success. Further, the factorscommon vision,consultant expertiseandtop management supportshow comparably strong significant influences. Yet, the authors have to reject the hypothesis about trust. This result conveys the complicacy of the consultant–client relationship and shows that building a trustful relationship between both parties is hard to accomplish.
Dyeing of polyamide fibre with cochineal natural dye
Authors: Shams Nateri A. , Dehnavi E. , Hajipour A. , Ekrami E.
Published: June 2016

Purpose

The aim of the paper was to study the effects of mordanting methods on the absorption behaviour of cochineal natural dye on polyamide fibres.

Design/methodology/approach

Iron sulphate and aluminium potassium sulphate salts were used as mordanting agents, and bottom mordanting, meta-mordanting and after mordanting methods were applied in the dyeing of polyamide samples with the cochineal natural dye. Colourimetric evaluations were carried out, and the principal component analysis was used to investigate the spectrophotometric properties of the dyed samples. Fastness properties of the dyed samples were also assessed.

Findings

The obtained results indicate that the method of mordanting has a great effect on the obtained shades, absorption behaviour and fastness properties. Based on the results, it was concluded that polyamide fabrics could be successfully dyed with cochineal and combination of dyeing with different mordanting methods, and different mordanting agents would develop the range of obtainable shades.

Originality/value

The textile and apparel industries have been widely criticised for their role in polluting the environment. So, the use of synthetic dyes has been limited and the use of natural dyes has increased. The literature survey indicates that there have been relatively few works investigating the dyeing of polyamide with cochineal natural dye. This research studies the effects of mordanting methods and mordant types on colourimetric and fastness properties of cochineal-dyed polyamide samples.
Effective identification of paints pigments in hit-and-run cases with confocal Raman microscope
Authors: Lv J.G. , Liu S. , Feng J.M. , Liu Y. , Zhou S.D. , Chen R.
Published: June 2016

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to identify different automotive coatings using Confocal Raman microscope which could hardly be differentiated with Fourier transform infrared microscope (FTIR).

Design/methodology/approach

Raman spectroscopy was used to provide extra vibration information to infrared spectroscopy. Paints preparation was not necessary, and only 30 s was needed for each sample in an optimised method. Paints were first analysed by FTIR and then compared with Raman microscope.

Findings

Raman microscope was used to address the lack of ability of FTIR in discriminating four groups of paints in same colours. This study indicated that Raman microscopy is especially effective in sensing pigments and could successfully identify all pigments in the paints.

Research limitations/implications

The two instruments in combination produce accurate results than when used individually, especially in complex and multi-layered paints analysis.

Practical implications

The method proved to be fast, accurate and non-destructive, and it could be easily applied to real cases.

Originality/value

With this method, scientists could discriminate some coating types which were hard to be discriminated by other techniques.
Hispanics and public libraries
Authors: Yoo-Lee EunYoung , Rhodes Tamara , Peterson Gabriel M.
Published: June 2016

Purpose

The fastest-growing and the largest minority group in the USA, Hispanics are known to have low health literacy because of their limited English proficiency (LEP) and other socio-economic and cultural factors. This paper aims to examine the health information-seeking behaviors of Hispanics in the e-health environment and their use of public libraries as a health information source/service.

Design/methodology/approach

An interviewer-administered survey was conducted using a semi-structured instrument. The questionnaires inquired about Hispanics’ health information needs, source use and source preference; use of the library for health information needs; and their perceptions and satisfaction about the library’s consumer health information services. A total of 26 Hispanics were recruited from a Hispanic community organization, a public library and an ethnic grocery store in North Carolina.

Findings

The majority of the participants are foreign born (92.3 per cent) and non-English speakers (84.6 per cent). The internet was the most frequently used source, followed by friends/family, doctors and TV. Eighty-one per cent of the participants were internet users, and most of them (71 per cent) used the internet at home. Only 23 per cent visited a public library to search the internet for health information. Some barriers to using a public library mentioned by the participants include lack of time to visit a library, lack of skills in using the library materials, transportation, LEP, lack of eligibility for a library card, etc.

Social implications

The findings will be useful for libraries and state/federal health services to evaluate and develop library services suitable for the Hispanics’ consumer health information needs.

Originality/value

This study is one of a few studies that use an empirical study of a low health literacy ethnic population to examine the possible roles of public libraries in enhancing health literacy.
A librarian’s role in media effects health literacy
Authors: Kavanaugh Jill R. , Lavallee Kristelle , Rudd Rima
Published: June 2016

Purpose

This paper aims to assess a pediatric media health effects’ toolkit from a health literacy perspective. A secondary aim is to highlight the collaborative role of an embedded librarian.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors assessed ten items from the toolkit in several formats (text, survey and video) using the following health literacy assessment tools: the Simple Measure of Gobbledygook, the Suitability Assessment of Materials, the Patient Education Materials Assessment Tool for Printed Materials and the Patient Education Materials Assessment Tool for Audio/Visual Materials.

Findings

Both the toolkit’s readability scores and understandability scores provided a deeper understanding of where improvements to the toolkit need to be made. The review process also highlighted issues with the assessment tools themselves that prevent them from providing a complete analysis of each materials’ readability and suitability.

Research limitations/implications

This initial assessment of the toolkit will serve as the backbone for additional formative research, revisions and pilot tests, which will be conducted for the toolkit to become a viable, available and usable tool for pediatricians and health-care providers. The insight gleaned from this study serves as an example, for other institutions across fields, of the importance of having professionals, such as librarians, become well-versed in health literacy and offer guidance and insight for the development of health-focused patient materials.

Originality/value

This project provides further insight into the evolving role of the embedded librarian. As gatekeepers of information with the responsibility of vetting sources, informing the creation of content, and developing resources, the integration of health literacy knowledge is imperative for librarians to further the work of their institutions and aid in the progression of their field.
Improving health literacy: health sciences library case studies
Authors: Shipman Jean P. , Lake Erica , Weber Alice I.
Published: June 2016

Purpose

University of Utah has created various partnerships to improve health literacy and health outcomes among patient populations, employees and community members. Health sciences librarians have been key members of these partnerships. This paper aims to describe and share several of these partnerships, including training programs, research efforts and advocacy initiatives, to encourage others to engage in similar activities.

Design/methodology/approach

Case studies include outreach projects and partnerships to foster health literacy and promote healthy living such as: highly visible information resource provision and associated outreach for patients and families; community health fairs; research on providing point-of-need information for vulnerable community populations; health literacy awareness and resources for professionals; health literacy education for interprofessional students; and a competition for interprofessional students to create health videos to address a variety of topics in multiple languages.

Findings

Partnerships and outreach efforts lead to improved awareness by institutional personnel of the importance of health literacy. Research on using health literacy to empower patients and increase patient satisfaction can demonstrate how to lower institutional costs and improve guideline compliance, as well out health outcomes.

Originality/value

Librarians’ instructional skills create personal health educational content for patients and professionals; engaging colleagues to address health literacy lowers health care costs, institutional costs and increases patient compliance and satisfaction.
Case History: Using time‐lapse vertical seismic profiling data to constrain velocity–saturation relations: the Frio brine pilot CO2 injection
Authors: Al Hosni Mohammed , Caspari Eva , Pevzner Roman , Daley Thomas M. , Gurevich Boris
Published: June 2016

CO2 sequestration projects benefit from quantitative assessment of saturation distribution and plume extent for field development and leakage prevention. In this work, we carry out quantitative analysis of time‐lapse seismic by using rock physics and seismic modelling tools. We investigate the suitability of Gassmann's equation for a CO2 sequestration project with 1600 tons of CO2 injected into high‐porosity, brine‐saturated sandstone. We analyze the observed time delays and amplitude changes in a time‐lapse vertical seismic profile dataset. Both reflected and transmitted waves are analyzed qualitatively and quantitatively. To interpret the changes obtained from the vertical seismic profile, we perform a 2.5D elastic, finite‐difference modelling study. The results show a P‐wave velocity reduction of 750 m/s in the proximity of the injection well evident by the first arrivals (travel‐time delays and amplitude change) and reflected wave amplitude changes. These results do not match with our rock physics model using Gassmann's equation predictions even when taking uncertainty in CO2 saturation and grain properties into account. We find that time‐lapse vertical seismic profile data integrated with other information (e.g., core and well log) can be used to constrain the velocity–saturation relation and verify the applicability of theoretical models such as Gassmann's equation with considerable certainty. The study shows that possible nonelastic factors are in play after CO2 injection (e.g., CO2–brine–rock interaction and pressure effect) as Gassmann's equation underestimated the velocity reduction in comparison with field data for all three sets of time‐lapse vertical seismic profile attributes. Our work shows the importance of data integration to validate the applicability of theoretical models such as Gassmann's equation for quantitative analysis of time‐lapse seismic data.
A generalized effective anisotropic poroelastic model for periodically layered media accounting for both Biot's global and interlayer flows
Authors: Milani Marco , Monachesi Leonardo , Sabbione Juan I. , Rubino J. Germán , Holliger Klaus
Published: June 2016

We present a generalized effective poroelastic model for periodically layered media in the mesoscopic scale range, which accounts for both Biot's global and interlayer wave‐induced fluid flow, as well as for the anisotropy associated with the layering. Correspondingly, it correctly predicts the existence of the fast and slow P‐waves as well as quasi and pure S‐waves. The proposed analytical model is validated through comparisons of the P‐wave and S‐wave phase velocity dispersion and attenuation characteristics with those inferred from a one‐dimensional numerical solution of Biot's poroelastic equations of motion. We also compare our model with the classical mesoscopic model of White for a range of scenarios. The results demonstrate that accounting for both wave‐induced fluid flow mechanisms is essential when Biot's global flow prevails at frequencies that are comparable or smaller with respect to those governing interlayer flow. This is likely to be the case in media of high permeability, such as, for example, unconsolidated sediments, clean sandstones, karstic carbonates, or fractured rocks. Conversely, when interlayer flow occurs at smaller frequencies with respect to Biot's global flow, the predictions of this model are in agreement with White's model, which is based on quasi‐static poroelasticity.
Dating the Timeline of House Price Bubbles in Australian Capital Cities
Authors: Shi Shuping , Valadkhani Abbas , Smyth Russell , Vahid Farshid
Published: June 2016

House prices in some Australian capital cities have recently been on the rise to the extent that some describe this as an emerging bubble, but this claim remains formally untested to date. We apply a recently developed time series procedure to detect, and time‐stamp, bubbles in house price to rent ratios in Australian capital cities. The results show a sustained, yet varying, degree of speculative behaviour in all capital cities in the 2000s before the 2008 global financial crisis (GFC) engulfing different housing markets. The onset of these bubbles was soon after the federal government introduced a major change to the capital gains tax law, and all of these bubbles collapsed with or before the GFC. As of January 2016 only Sydney exhibits significant evidence of an exuberant rise in house prices compared to rents. We believe that the method we apply has the potential to be a general early warning indicator to detect housing bubbles in other countries/markets. We provide the programming files to enable researchers to implement this test in other countries.