bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Spatio-temporal networks: reachability, centrality and robustness
Authors: Williams Matthew J. , Musolesi Mirco
Published: June 2016

Recent advances in spatial and temporal networks have enabled researchers to more-accurately describe many real-world systems such as urban transport networks. In this paper, we study the response of real-world spatio-temporal networks to random error and systematic attack, taking a unified view of their spatial and temporal performance. We propose a model of spatio-temporal paths in time-varying spatially embedded networks which captures the property that, as in many real-world systems, interaction between nodes is non-instantaneous and governed by the space in which they are embedded. Through numerical experiments on three real-world urban transport systems, we study the effect of node failure on a network's topological, temporal and spatial structure. We also demonstrate the broader applicability of this framework to three other classes of network. To identify weaknesses specific to the behaviour of a spatio-temporal system, we introduce centrality measures that evaluate the importance of a node as a structural bridge and its role in supporting spatio-temporally efficient flows through the network. This exposes the complex nature of fragility in a spatio-temporal system, showing that there is a variety of failure modes when a network is subject to systematic attacks.
Winter wren populations show adaptation to local climate
Authors: Morrison Catriona A. , Robinson Robert A. , Pearce-Higgins James W.
Published: June 2016

Most studies of evolutionary responses to climate change have focused on phenological responses to warming, and provide only weak evidence for evolutionary adaptation. This could be because phenological changes are more weakly linked to fitness than more direct mechanisms of climate change impacts, such as selective mortality during extreme weather events which have immediate fitness consequences for the individuals involved. Studies examining these other mechanisms may be more likely to show evidence for evolutionary adaptation. To test this, we quantify regional population responses of a small resident passerine (winter wrenTroglodytes troglodytes) to a measure of winter severity (number of frost days). Annual population growth rate was consistently negatively correlated with this measure, but the point at which different populations achieved stability (λ = 1) varied across regions and was closely correlated with the historic average number of frost days, providing strong evidence for local adaptation. Despite this, regional variation in abundance remained negatively related to the regional mean number of winter frost days, potentially as a result of a time-lag in the rate of evolutionary response to climate change. As expected from Bergmann's rule, individual wrens were heavier in colder regions, suggesting that local adaptation may be mediated through body size. However, there was no evidence for selective mortality of small individuals in cold years, with annual variation in mean body size uncorrelated with the number of winter frost days, so the extent to which local adaptation occurs through changes in body size, or another mechanism remains uncertain.
Herbivore space use influences coral reef recovery
Authors: Eynaud Yoan , McNamara Dylan E. , Sandin Stuart A.
Published: June 2016

Herbivores play an important role in marine communities. On coral reefs, the diversity and unique feeding behaviours found within this functional group can have a comparably diverse set of impacts in structuring the benthic community. Here, using a spatially explicit model of herbivore foraging, we explore how the spatial pattern of grazing behaviours impacts the recovery of a reef ecosystem, considering movements at two temporal scales—short term (e.g. daily foraging patterns) and longer term (e.g. monthly movements across the landscape). Model simulations suggest that
more spatially constrained herbivores
are more effective at conferring recovery capability by providing a favourable environment to coral recruitment and growth. Results also show that the composition of food available to the herbivore community is linked directly to the pattern of space use by herbivores. To date, most studies of variability among the impacts of herbivore species have considered the diversity of feeding modes and mouthparts. Our work provides a complementary view of spatial patterns of foraging, revealing that variation in movement behaviours alone can affect patterns of benthic change, and thus broadens our view of realized links between herbivore diversity and reef recovery.
Eulerian formulation of elastic rods
Authors: Huynen Alexandre , Detournay Emmanuel , Denoël Vincent
Published: June 2016

In numerous biological, medical and engineering applications, elastic rods are constrained to deform inside or around tube-like surfaces. To solve efficiently this class of problems, the equations governing the deflection of elastic rods are reformulated within the Eulerian framework of this generic tubular constraint defined as a perfectly stiff normal ringed surface. This reformulation hinges on describing the rod-deformed configuration by means of its relative position with respect to a reference curve, defined as the axis or spine curve of the constraint, and on restating the rod local equilibrium in terms of the curvilinear coordinate parametrizing this curve. Associated with a segmentation strategy, which partitions the global problem into a sequence of rod segments either in continuous contact with the constraint or free of contact (except for their extremities), this re-parametrization not only trivializes the detection of new contacts but also transforms these free boundary problems into classic two-points boundary-value problems and suppresses the isoperimetric constraints resulting from the imposition of the rod position at the extremities of each rod segment.
Role of hydrogen in volatile behaviour of defects in SiO
2
-based electronic devices
Authors: Wimmer Yannick , El-Sayed Al-Moatasem , Gös Wolfgang , Grasser Tibor , Shluger Alexander L.
Published: June 2016

Charge capture and emission by point defects in gate oxides of metal–oxide–semiconductor field-effect transistors (MOSFETs) strongly affect reliability and performance of electronic devices. Recent advances in experimental techniques used for probing defect properties have led to new insights into their characteristics. In particular, these experimental data show a repeated dis- and reappearance (the so-called
volatility
) of the defect-related signals. We use multiscale modelling to explain the charge capture and emission as well as defect volatility in amorphous SiO
2
gate dielectrics. We first briefly discuss the recent experimental results and use a multiphonon charge capture model to describe the charge-trapping behaviour of defects in silicon-based MOSFETs. We then link this model to
ab initio
calculations that investigate the three most promising defect candidates. Statistical distributions of defect characteristics obtained from
ab initio
calculations in amorphous SiO
2
are compared with the experimentally measured statistical properties of charge traps. This allows us to suggest an atomistic mechanism to explain the experimentally observed volatile behaviour of defects. We conclude that the hydroxyl-E′ centre is a promising candidate to explain all the observed features, including defect volatility.
The surprising dynamics of a chain on a pulley: lift off and snapping
Authors: Brun P.-T. , Audoly Basile , Goriely Alain , Vella Dominic
Published: June 2016

The motion of weights attached to a chain or string moving on a frictionless pulley is a classic problem of introductory physics used to understand the relationship between force and acceleration. Here, we consider the dynamics of the chain when one of the weights is removed and, thus, one end is pulled with constant acceleration. This simple change has dramatic consequences for the ensuing motion: at a finite time, the chain ‘lifts off’ from the pulley, and the free end subsequently accelerates
faster
than the end that is pulled. Eventually, the chain undergoes a dramatic reversal of curvature reminiscent of the crack or snap, of a whip. We combine experiments, numerical simulations and theoretical arguments to explain key aspects of this dynamical problem.
The Newtonian potential and the demagnetizing factors of the general ellipsoid
Authors: Di Fratta Giovanni
Published: June 2016

The objective of this paper is to present a modern and concise new derivation for the explicit expression of the interior and exterior Newtonian potential generated by homogeneous ellipsoidal domains in

R

N

(with
N
≥3). The very short argument is essentially based on the application of Reynold's transport theorem in connection with the Green–Stokes integral representation formula for smooth functions on bounded domains of

R

N

, which permits to reduce the
N
-dimensional problem to a one-dimensional one. Owing to its physical relevance, a separate section is devoted to the the derivation of the
demagnetizing factors
of the general ellipsoid which are one of the most fundamental quantities in ferromagnetism.
A circular inclusion with inhomogeneous non-slip imperfect interface in harmonic materials
Authors: McArthur D. R. , Sudak L. J.
Published: June 2016

In this work, a rigorous study is presented for the problem associated with a circular inclusion embedded in an infinite matrix in finite plane elastostatics where both the inclusion and matrix are comprised a harmonic material. The inclusion/matrix boundary is treated as a circumferentially inhomogeneous imperfect interface that is described by a linear spring-type imperfect interface model where in the tangential direction, the interface parameter is infinite in magnitude and in the normal direction, the interface parameter is finite in magnitude (the so-called non-slip interface condition). Through the repeated use of the technique of analytic continuation, the boundary value problem for four analytic functions is reduced to solve a single first-order linear ordinary differential equation with variable coefficients for a single analytic function defined within the inclusion. The unknown coefficients of said function are then found via various analyticity requirements. The method is illustrated, using a specific example of a particular class of inhomogeneous non-slip imperfect interface. The results from these calculations are then contrasted with the results from the homogeneous imperfect interface. These comparisons indicate that the circumferential variation of interface damage has a pronounced effect on the average boundary stress.
The role of coccolithophore calcification in bioengineering their environment
Authors: Flynn Kevin J. , Clark Darren R. , Wheeler Glen
Published: June 2016

Coccolithophorids are enigmatic plankton that produce calcium carbonate coccoliths, which over geological time have buried atmospheric CO
2
into limestone, changing both the atmosphere and geology of the Earth. However, the role of coccoliths for the proliferation of these organisms remains unclear; suggestions include roles in anti-predation, enhanced photosynthesis and sun-screening. Here we test the hypothesis that calcification stabilizes the pH of the seawater proximate to the organisms, providing a level of acidification countering the detrimental basification that occurs during net photosynthesis. Such bioengineering provides a more stable pH environment for growth and fits the empirical evidence for changes in rates of calcification under different environmental conditions. Under this scenario, simulations suggest that the optimal production ratio of inorganic to organic particulate C (PIC : POC
prod
) will be lower (by approx. 20%) with ocean acidification and that overproduction of coccoliths in a future acidified ocean, where pH buffering is weaker, presents a risk to calcifying cells.
Bioarchitecture: bioinspired art and architecture—a perspective
Authors: Ripley Renee L. , Bhushan Bharat
Published: June 2016

Art and architecture can be an obvious choice to pair with science though historically this has not always been the case. This paper is an attempt to interact across disciplines, define a new genre, bioarchitecture, and present opportunities for further research, collaboration and professional cooperation. Biomimetics, or the copying of living nature, is a field that is highly interdisciplinary, involving the understanding of biological functions, structures and principles of various objects found in nature by scientists. Biomimetics can lead to biologically inspired design, adaptation or derivation from living nature. As applied to engineering, bioinspiration is a more appropriate term, involving interpretation, rather than direct copying. Art involves the creation of discrete visual objects intended by their creators to be appreciated by others. Architecture is a design practice that makes a theoretical argument and contributes to the discourse of the discipline. Bioarchitecture is a blending of art/architecture and biomimetics/bioinspiration, and incorporates a bioinspired design from the outset in all parts of the work at all scales. Herein, we examine various attempts to date of art and architecture to incorporate bioinspired design into their practice, and provide an outlook and provocation to encourage collaboration among scientists and designers, with the aim of achieving bioarchitecture.

This article is part of the themed issue ‘Bioinspired hierarchically structured surfaces for green science’.
Durable superoleophobic polypropylene surfaces
Authors: Brown Philip S. , Bhushan Bharat
Published: June 2016

Polypropylene (PP) is a popular plastic material used in consumer packaging. It would be desirable if such plastic containers were liquid repellent and not so easily fouled by their contents. Existing examples of superoleophobic surfaces typically rely on poorly adhered coatings or delicate surface structures, resulting in poor mechanical durability. Here, we report a facile method for creating superoleophobic PP surfaces via incorporation of nanoparticles (NPs) into the polymer surface. A solvent–NP–PP mixture was spin coated at high temperature to achieve the necessary roughness. Such surfaces were further functionalized with fluorosilane to result in a durable, super-repellent surface. They were also found to exhibit some repellency towards shampoos. This method of incorporating NPs into polymer surfaces could also prove useful in improving the anti-bacterial, mechanical and liquid-repellent properties of plastic devices.

This article is part of the themed issue ‘Bioinspired hierarchically structured surfaces for green science’.
VEB-1 extended-spectrum β-lactamase-producing multidrug-resistant Proteus mirabilis sepsis outbreak in a neonatal intensive care unit in India: clinical and diagnostic implications
Authors: Jain Sarika , Gaind Rajni , Kothari Charu , Sehgal Rachna , Shamweel A. , Thukral S. S. , Chellani Harish K.
Published: June 2016

Introduction:

Extended-spectrum β-lactamase (ESBL)-producing Enterobacteriaceae, multidrug-resistant (MDR) pathogens, are increasingly implicated in nosocomial outbreaksworldwide, particularly in neonatal intensive care units (NICUs). Proteus mirabilis is an uncommon nosocomial pathogen causing sepsis in neonates.

Case Presentation:

We report an outbreak of ESBL-positive MDR P. mirabilis sepsis involving five babies within 10 days in a NICU, which was promptly detected and managed. The aim of this study was to characterize the molecular mechanism of resistance to third-generation cephalosporins (3GCs) in the bacteria. Surveillance cultures were collected from health-care personnel (hand swabs, urine) and the surrounding patient-care environment. Ribotyping was performed to determine the clonality of the strain. Thirteen P. mirabilis were recovered from the blood cultures of the five babies and surveillance cultures. Twelve isolates were positive for the VEB-1 ESBL type, and were susceptible only to ciprofloxacin and carbapenems. There was an unusual phenotypic synergy observed between the 3GCs and imipenem/cefoxitin. The source of infection was traced to a contaminated multidose vial. The outbreak was associated with a high mortality (80 %). A change of empirical antibiotic policy to ciprofloxacin, with strict infection control measures, brought the outbreak to an abrupt end.

Conclusion:

This is believed to be the first report of a nosocomial outbreak of VEB-1 ESBL-producing P. mirabilis sepsis in neonates from India. The present report of infection due to VEB-1-producing P. mirabilis, an uncommon pathogen for an epidemic in a neonatal unit, highlights the growing significance of such Gram-negative bacteria as a cause of infections in newborns. Epidemic spread in a neonatal unit of an ESBL-producing Proteus species, which also had an intrinsically reduced susceptibility to imipenem, and resistance to colistin and tigecycline, can be a threatening situation and can result in high neonatal mortality unless recognized and controlled in a timely manner.
Consensus or deadlock? Consequences of simple behavioral rules for coordination in group decisions
Authors: McCreery Helen F. , Correll Nikolaus , Breed Michael D. , Flaxman Samuel
Published: June 2016

Coordinated collective behaviors often emerge from simple rules governing the interactions of individuals in groups. We model mechanisms of coordination among ants during cooperative transport, a challenging task that requires a consensus on travel direction. Decisions required for cooperative transport differ from other, well-studied consensus decisions because groups often deadlock, with individuals trying to move in opposing directions, and cooperative transport groups are often relatively small. Small groups may be more affected by individual nonconformity. Using deterministic and stochastic models, we investigate behavioral factors that affect deadlock duration. Our goal is to determine whether groups following simple behavioral rules can reach a consensus using minimal information. We define and investigate multiple types of behavioral rules that govern individual behavior and also differ in the information available. We find that if individuals more readily give up when they are going against the majority, groups rapidly break deadlocks. This occurs through positive and negative feedbacks that are implemented in our model via a single mechanism. We also find that to quickly reach a consensus, groups must have either a shared bias, high sensitivity to group behavior, or finely tuned persistence. While inspired by ants, our results are generalizable to other collective decisions with deadlocks, and demonstrate that groups of behaviorally simple individuals with no memory and extremely limited information can break symmetry and reach a consensus in a decision between two equal options
Psip1/p52 regulates distalHoxagenes through activation of lncRNA Hottip
Authors: Pradeepa Madapura M , Taylor Gillian , Grimes Graeme R , Wood Andrew J , Bickmore Wendy A
Published: June 2016

Long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) have been implicated in various biological functions including regulation of gene expression, X-inactivation, imprinting, cell proliferation and differentiation. However, the functionality of lncRNAs is not clearly understood and conflicting conclusions have often been reached when comparing different methods to investigate them. Moreover, little is known about the upstream regulation of lncRNAs. Here we show that a transcriptional co activator – PC4 and SF2 interacting protein (Psip1)/p52, which is involved in linking transcription to RNA processing, regulates the expression of the lncRNAHottip. Using complementary approaches – knockdown, Cas9 mediated lncRNA deletion, analysis of lncRNA binding by Chromatin isolation by RNA purification (ChIRP) - we demonstrate that Hottip binds to the 5’ Hoxa genes located in cis, which leads to their upregulation. Moreover, the synthetic activation ofHottipis sufficient to induce the expression ofpolycomb repressedHoxgenes in mouse embryonic stem cells (mESCs).
Mathematical modeling of induction surface hardening
Authors: Barglik Jerzy
Published: June 2016

Purpose

– As far as the author knows the modeling of induction surface hardening is still a challenge. The purpose of this paper is to present both mathematical models of continuous and simultaneous hardening processes and exemplary results of computations and measurements. The upper critical temperature Ac3 is determined from the Time Temperature Austenization diagram for investigated steel.

Design/methodology/approach

– Computation of coupled electromagnetic, thermal and hardness fields is based on the finite element methods, while the hardness distribution is determined by means of experimental dependence derived from the continuous cooling temperature diagram for investigated steel.

Findings

– The presented results may be used as a theoretical background for design of inductor-sprayer systems in continual and simultaneous arrangements and a proper selection of their electromagnetic and thermal parameters.

Research limitations/implications

– The both models reached a quite good accuracy validated by the experiments. Next work in the field should be aimed at further improvement of numerical models in order to shorten the computation time.

Practical implications

– The results may be used for designing induction hardening systems and proper selection of field current and cooling parameters.

Originality/value

– Complete mathematical and numerical models for continuous and simultaneous surface induction hardening including dual frequency induction heating of gear wheels. Experimental validation of achieved results. Taking into account dependence of the upper critical temperature Ac3 on speed of heating.
Automatic defect recognition for pulsed terahertz inspection of basalt fiber reinforced composites
Authors: Lopato Przemyslaw
Published: June 2016

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to present a system for automatic recognition of defects detected in non-conductive polymer composites using pulsed terahertz imaging.

Design/methodology/approach

– On the beginning, non-destructive evaluation of composites using electromagnetic waves in terahertz frequency is shortly introduced. Next automatic defects recognition (ADR) algorithm is proposed, focussing on new features calculation. Dimensionality of features space is reduced by using principal component analysis. Finally, results of basalt fiber reinforced composite materials inspection and identification using artificial neural networks is presented and discussed.

Findings

– It is possible to develop ADR system for non-destructive evaluation of dielectric materials using pulsed terahertz technique. New set of features in time and frequency domains is proposed and verified.

Originality/value

– ADR in non-destructive testing is utilized in case of digital radiography and ultrasonic testing. Terahertz inspection with pulsed excitation is reported as a source of many useful information about the internal structure of the dielectric material. Up to now ADR based on terahertz non-destructive evaluation systems was not utilized.
Marketers are consumers too: integrating consumer-self in potential value creation
Authors: Carrington Michal J. , Neville Benjamin A.
Published: June 2016

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to explore the extent to which a marketer’s own priorities as a consumer infiltrate workplace decision-making and how this contamination influences the creation of potential value for the end consumer. The “black box” of the organisation is opened to investigate potential value creation at an individual/manager level of analysis.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors gathered in-depth qualitative data from amongst marketing managers and directors in the UK, Australia and the USA. The authors theorised these data through boundary theory to develop an integrated producer-as-consumer potential value creation model.

Findings

The paper reveals the dynamic interplay in marketing/production decision-making between the individual’s consumer-self, manager-self and the external interface with the organisation.

Research limitations/implications

The producer-as-consumer potential value creation model illuminates the complex role of the firm and its individual managers in the creation of potential value and identifies contingencies that result in a spectrum of possible potential value creation outcomes. These contributions are positioned within the marketing value creation and co-creation literatures.

Practical implications

Marketing organisations/managers may find this research useful when considering the benefits and drawbacks of integrating managers’ consumer-self insights into workplace decision-making and the creation of potential value for the end consumer.

Originality/value

This paper moves value creation/co-creation theory forward by revealing the dynamic potential value creation process and presenting a fluid representation of producers-as-consumers, at individual manager level. This paper is of interest to academic and marketing practitioner audiences.
Marketing spending, firm visibility, and asymmetric stock returns of corporate social responsibility strengths and concerns
Authors: Oh Hannah , Bae John , Currim Imran S. , Lim Jooseop , Zhang Yu
Published: June 2016

Purpose

This paper aims to focus on the unique goal of understanding how marketing spending, a proxy for firm visibility, moderates the effects of corporate social responsibility (CSR) strengths and concerns on stock returns in the short and long terms. In contrast to the resource-based view (RBV) of the firm, the visibility theory, based on stakeholder awareness and expectations, offers asymmetric predictions on the moderation effects of marketing spending.

Design/methodology/approach

The predictions are tested based on data from KLD, Compustat and Center for Research in Security Prices from 2001-2010 and panel data based regression models.

Findings

Two results support the predictions of the visibility theory over those of the RBV. First, strengths are associated with higher stock returns, for low marketing spending firms, and only in the long term. Second, concerns are associated with lower stock returns, for high marketing spending firms, also only in the long term. A profiling analysis indicates that high marketing spending firms have high R&D spending and are more likely to operate in business-to-customer than business-to-business industries.

Practical implications

The two findings highlight the importance of coordination among chief marketing, sustainability and finance officers investing in CSR and marketing for stock returns, contingent on the firm’s marketing and R&D spending and industry characteristics.

Originality/value

This paper identifies conditions under which CSR is and is not related to stock returns, by uniquely considering three variables omitted in most past studies: marketing spending, CSR strengths and concerns and short- and long-term stock returns, all in the same study.
Exploring the interactions among external reference price, social visibility and purchase motivation in pay-what-you-want pricing
Authors: Roy Rajat , Rabbanee Fazlul K. , Sharma Piyush
Published: June 2016

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to investigate the direct and indirect effects of social visibility (private vs public), purchase motivation (intrinsic vs extrinsic vs altruistic) and external reference price (ERP) (absent vs present) on consumers’ pricing decisions in pay-what-you-want (PWYW) context.

Design/methodology/approach

Two empirical studies with a fitness gym as the research setting were used to test all the hypotheses; first, a lab experiment with undergraduate student participants and, the second, an online experiment with a consumer panel.

Findings

Both studies show that consumers allocate a higher share (RATIO) of their internal reference prices (IRPs) to the prices to be paid (PTP) in PWYW context, in private under intrinsic purchase motivation and in public under extrinsic or altruistic motivation and this effect is more pronounced in the absence of ERP.

Research limitations/implications

Future research may validate and extend the findings of this paper with other product or service categories, different manipulations for the key variables, other research methods such as field experiments and expand our model by including other relevant variables.

Practical implications

The findings of this paper will help managers understand how individual customers’ purchase motivation and the social visibility in the PWYW setting affect their pricing decisions and how providing external pricing cues may moderate these effects.

Originality/value

Prior research on PWYW shows mixed findings about the direct effects of many variables on consumers’ pricing decisions, but it ignores the differences in consumers’ purchase motivations and offers mixed evidence about the influence of social visibility and ERPs on payment decisions. The authors address all these gaps in this paper.
Post language and user engagement in online content communities
Authors: Noguti Valeria
Published: June 2016

Purpose

This study aims to uncover relationships between content communities post language, such as parts of speech, and user engagement.

Design/methodology/approach

Analyses of almost 12,000 posts from the content community Reddit are undertaken. First, posts’ titles are subjected to electronic classification and subsequent counting of main parts of speech and other language elements. Then, statistical models are built to examine the relationships between these elements and user engagement, controlling for variables identified in previous research.

Findings

The number of adjectives and nouns, adverbs, pronouns, punctuation (exclamation marks, quotation marks and ellipses), question marks, advisory words (should, shall, must and have to) and complexity indicators that appear in content community posts’ titles relate to post popularity (scores: number of favourable minus unfavourable votes) and number of comments. However, these relationships vary according to the category, for example, text-based categories (e.g. Politics and World News) vs image-based ones (e.g. Pictures).

Research limitations/implications

While the relationships uncovered are appealing, this research is correlational, so causality cannot be implied.

Practical implications

Among other implications, companies may tailor their own content community post titles to match the types of language related to higher user engagement in a particular category. Companies may also provide advice to brand ambassadors on how to make better use of language to increase user engagement.

Originality/value

This paper shows that language features add explained variance to models of online engagement variables, providing significant contribution to both language and social media researchers and practitioners.
Futures of science with and for society: towards transformative policy orientations
Authors: van Oost Ellen , Kuhlmann Stefan , Ordóñez-Matamoros Gonzalo , Stegmaier Peter
Published: June 2016

Purpose

How to derive policy implications from five future scenarios of transformed research and innovation (R&I) systems? This paper analyzes methodological and content issues of five future scenarios of transformed R&I systems. The aim of this paper is to provide an outlook on strategic policies capable of facilitating or moderating these transformative changes in R&I practices is discussed in light of overarching intentions to foster “responsible” ambitions (in Europe and beyond, discussed as responsible research and innovation, RRI).

Design/methodology/approach

The paper elaborates a four-step methodology to assess the scenario’s policy implications: first, by articulating the scenario implications for six core dimensions of R&I systems; second, an RRI assessment framework is developed to assess in each scenario opportunities and limitations for transforming R&I systems towards responsibility goals; the third involves a cross-scenario analysis of similarities and differences between the scenarios, allowing the identification of robust policy options that make sense in more than one scenario. The last analytical step includes again the richness of the individual scenario assessments aiming to provide a broader outlook on transformative policy orientations.

Findings

The paper concludes with outlining the contours of a future-responsible R&I system together with some suggestions for transformative policy orientations that aim to govern the R&I system towards such a future, as a source of inspiration and reflection.

Research limitations/implications

The analysis is based on five future scenarios that do not systematically cover future developments external to the R&I system.

Practical Implications

An outlook of strategic policies capable of facilitating or moderating these transformative changes in R&I practices is discussed in light of the overarching European Union goal of encouraging the performance of RRI.

Originality/value

This paper provides inspirational anticipatory strategic intelligence for fostering the responsible ambitions of research with and for society.
Numerical investigations on delaminated Glare under uni-axial tension
Authors: Bhat Sunil , Narayanan S.
Published: June 2016

Purpose

– Since failure of laminated composites by delaminations is common, the purpose of this paper is to present a numerical procedure to check the stability of delaminations in fiber metal laminate (Glare), with different possible damage configurations, under uni-axial tension. Deformation behavior of the laminate is also examined. Influence of the type and the extent of damage, represented by varying sizes and number of delaminations, on delamination driving force and laminate deformation is found.

Design/methodology/approach

– Delaminated Glare is modeled by finite element method. Interface cohesive elements are used to model the delaminations. Finite element results provide the deflection/deformation characteristics of the laminate. Driving forces of delaminations are estimated by J integrals that are numerically obtained over cyclic paths near delamination tips. Laminates with different types of delaminations are also fabricated and externally delaminated for measurement of their interlaminar fracture toughness. The delamination is considered to be stable if its driving force is less than corresponding interlaminar fracture toughness of the laminate.

Findings

– Delaminations are found to be stable in laminates with lower number of delaminations and unstable in laminates with higher number of delaminations. Increase in size of delaminations increases the deformations but reduces the delamination driving force whereas increase in number of delaminations increases both deformations and driving forces. The trends change in case of laminates with symmetrical damage. Shape of delamination is also found to influence the deformations and driving forces. The finite element model is validated.

Research limitations/implications

– There is scope for validating the numerical results reported in the paper by theoretical models.

Practical implications

– Checking the stability of delaminations and their effect on deformation behavior of the laminate helps is assessment of safety and remaining life of the laminate. If failure is predicted, preemptive action is taken by using repair patch ups at identified critical locations in order to avoid failures in service conditions.

Originality/value

– The paper offers the following benefits: use of cohesive zone method that is readily possible in finite element procedures and is relatively simple, fast and reasonably accurate is demonstrated; suitability of using J integrals over paths crossing non-homogeneous and property mismatched material layers is tested; and influence of the type and the extent of damage in the laminate on its deformation behavior and delamination driving forces is found. This type of work has not been reported so far.
Improvement in head blast-protection via the use of polyurea-augmented advanced combat helmet
Authors: Grujicic Mica , Ramaswami S , Snipes Jennifer , Yavari Ramin , Dudt Philip
Published: June 2016

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to optimize the design of the advanced combat helmet (ACH) currently in use, by its designers in order to attain maximum protection against ballistic impacts (fragments, shrapnel, etc.) and hard-surface/head collisions. Since traumatic brain injury experienced by a significant fraction of the soldiers returning from the recent conflicts is associated with their exposure to blast, the ACH should be redesigned in order to provide the necessary level of protection against blast loads. In the present work, augmentations of the ACH for improved blast protections are considered. These augmentations include the use of a polyurea (a nano-segregated elastomeric copolymer)-based ACH external coating/internal lining.

Design/methodology/approach

– To demonstrate the efficacy of this approach, instrumented (unprotected, standard-ACH-protected, and augmented-ACH-protected) head-mannequin blast experiments are carried out. These experimental efforts are complemented with the appropriate combined Eulerian/Lagrangian transient non-linear dynamics computational fluid/solid interaction analysis.

Findings

– The results obtained indicated that: when the extent of peak over-pressure reduction is used as a measure of the blast-mitigation effectiveness, polyurea-based augmentations do not noticeably improve, and sometimes slightly worsen, the performance of the standard ACH; when the extent of specific impulse reduction is used as a measure of the blast-mitigation effectiveness, application of the polyurea external coating to the standard ACH improves the blast-mitigation effectiveness of the helmet, particularly at shorter values of the charge-detonation standoff distance (SOD). At longer SODs, the effects of the polyurea-based ACH augmentations on the blast-mitigation efficacy of the standard ACH are inconclusive; and the use of the standard ACH significantly lowers the accelerations experienced by the skull and the intracranial matter. As far as the polyurea-based augmentations are concerned, only the internal lining at shorter SODs appears to yield additional reductions in the head accelerations.

Originality/value

– To the authors’ knowledge, the present work contains the first report of a combined experimental/computational study addressing the problem of blast-mitigation by polyurea-based augmentation of ACH.
Women’s participations in economic and NGO activities in Bangladesh
Authors: Khan Hafiz T.A. , Rahman Twyeafur
Published: June 2016

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to examine key factors affecting the economic involvement of women in Bangladesh and women’s involvement with non-governmental organisations (NGOs) particularly in microcredit operating in that country.

Design/methodology/approach

– The study uses nationally representative data set. Quantitative analysis was utilised to explore data contained in the Bangladesh Demographic and Health Surveys 2007 and 2011.

Findings

– The findings indicate that age, marital status, number of children living in the household, place of residence, geographical location, education, partner’s education and the wealth index are important factors in enabling women’s involvement in economic activities. In other words, the key findings emerged from the study are first, the low level of women’s economic activities in Bangladesh with a majority involved in farming, agriculture and poultry; second, those women involved in the labour market generally tended to come from poor backgrounds, have very little education, live in the Northwest geographical region and have a large family living in the same house; and finally, age, currently married, having a higher number of children, living in rural areas, from the Northwest region with almost no education and belonging to the poor wealth index quintile are found to be associated more with NGO activities in Bangladesh.

Social implications

– The findings indicate there are potential barriers that are preventing Bangladeshi women from engaging in the labour market that could reinforce the case for reshaping the government’s labour policies. The study reveals that the recent economic crisis has no significant impact on the women labour force participation as well their involvement in NGO activities in Bangladesh. It is generally understood that enhancing women’s economic participation and NGO activities has a positive impact at family, community and country levels. The study concludes that investing in women, particularly in creating employment opportunities including NGO sectors can help the country as a safeguard even during the economic crisis. It is anticipated that the findings will help policy-makers in enhancing female labour force participation as well as encouraging them to engage in NGO activities in Bangladesh.

Originality/value

– The research paper is original in terms of conceptual framework, research design and statistical analysis.
The business value of cloud computing: the partnering agility perspective
Authors: Liu Sen , Yang Yang , Qu Wen Guang , Liu Yuan
Published: June 2016

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to focus on the value creation potential of cloud computing in inter-firm partnerships. It examines how cloud-based IT infrastructure capabilities in flexibility and integration contribute to partnering agility and, consequently, firm performance. This study also introduces business lifecycle and market turbulence as internal and external context variables, respectively, to investigate the different roles of cloud computing in value creation.

Design/methodology/approach

– A questionnaire was used to collect data from 184 client firms of the largest cloud computing services provider in China (Alibaba Cloud). The theoretical model was tested using PLS analysis.

Findings

– Cloud infrastructure (CI) flexibility has a positive effect on partnering agility, while the effect of CI integration on partnering agility is moderated by business lifecycle and market turbulence.

Research limitations/implications

– The surveyed firms are all Alibaba Cloud clients, which may limit the generalization of the findings.

Practical implications

– The study suggests that besides the cost benefits, the value creation aspect of cloud computing should also be emphasized in research and practice. The study provides a new perspective to understand the business value of cloud computing in inter-firm partnerships.

Originality/value

– The study suggests that the flexibility-related and integration-related features of cloud computing can create value for firms by facilitating inter-firm collaboration in exploiting business opportunities.
Insight from the horsemeat scandal
Authors: Tse Ying Kei , Zhang Minhao , Doherty Bob , Chappell Paul , Garnett Philip
Published: June 2016

Purpose

– Social media has become an important part of daily interpersonal communication in contemporary society. The purpose of this paper is to explore the attitudes of UK consumers by identifying the hidden information in tweets, and provide a framework which can assist industry practitioners in managing social media data.

Design/methodology/approach

– Using a large-scale dataset of tweets relating to the Horsemeat scandal of 2013, a comprehensive data analysis framework, which comprises multidimensional scaling and sentiment analysis, alongside other methods, was applied to explore customers’ opinions.

Findings

– Making jokes in social media was a main trend in the tweets relating to Tesco during the Horsemeat scandal. Consumer sentiments were overall negative and burgers were the most mentioned product in the week-long period after the story broke. The posting of tweets was correlated with the timing of news coverage, which indicates that the traditional media is still crucial to public opinion formation.

Practical implications

– This paper presents a progressive tweet-mining framework that can serve as a tool for academia and practitioners in crisis management. The proposed framework indicates the significant importance of timely categorising the topics, identifying the sentiment of tweets and understanding the changes of consumer opinions over time in a crisis.

Originality/value

– The research presented in this paper is one of the limited social media research to focus on a UK food fraud issue and adds to the limited body of literature investigating consumer social media use from the side of industry practitioners.
Antecedents to effective sales and operations planning
Authors: Swaim James Anthony , Maloni Michael , Bower Patrick , Mello John
Published: June 2016

Purpose

– Sales and Operations Planning (S
&
OP) serves as the essential cross-functional process for organizations to match supply in the form of production, inventory, and procurement with customer demand. Given recent studies revealing that S
&
OP is ineffective for most firms, the purpose of this paper is to investigate the critical antecedents of effective S
&
OP.

Design/methodology/approach

– Drawing on agency theory and stewardship theory, the authors develop and test a conceptual model that includes organizational integration, organizational priorities, standardized processes, and organizational engagement. The authors apply partial least squares structural equation modeling of survey data from S
&
OP practitioners to test the model.

Findings

– The results confirm the relationships among S
&
OP antecedents. Organizational integration positively influences a standardized S
&
OP process, and both the S
&
OP process and prioritization lead to stronger organizational S
&
OP engagement. Ultimately, organizational S
&
OP engagement is positively linked to enhanced operational, market, and profitability outcomes.

Practical implications

– The findings create a strong practical foundation for executing S
&
OP. The results also reveal a formal process for operationalizing the link between organizational integration and firm performance that is espoused but not detailed in existing literature.

Originality/value

– Existing research supports the potential performance impacts of S
&
OP but has yet to validate how to specifically operationalize S
&
OP.