bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Correction: Synchrotron-based X-ray spectromicroscopy and electron paramagnetic resonance spectroscopy to investigate the redox properties of lead chromate pigments under the effect of visible light
Authors: Monico Letizia , Janssens Koen , Cotte Marine , Romani Aldo , Sorace Lorenzo , Grazia Chiara , Brunetti Brunetto Giovanni , Miliani Costanza
Published: August 2015

Correction for ‘Synchrotron-based X-ray spectromicroscopy and electron paramagnetic resonance spectroscopy to investigate the redox properties of lead chromate pigments under the effect of visible light’ by Letizia Monico et al., J. Anal. At. Spectrom., 2015, 30, 1500–1510.
Reconstructing and analysing cellular states, space and time from gene expression profiles of many cells and single cells
Authors: Francesconi Mirko , Lehner Ben
Published: August 2015

Gene expression profiling is a fast, cheap and standardised analysis that provides a high dimensional measurement of the state of a biological sample, including of single cells. Computational methods to reconstruct the composition of samples and spatial and temporal information from expression profiles are described, as well as how they can be used to describe the effects of genetic variation.
Synthesis and DFT studies of an antitumor active spiro-oxindole
Authors: Girgis Adel S. , Mabied Ahmed F. , Stawinski Jacek , Hegazy Lamees , George Riham F. , Farag Hanaa , Shalaby ElSayed M. , Farag I. S. Ahmed
Published: August 2015

DFT studies of an anti-proliferative active spiro-oxindole against diverse tumor cell lines were reported.
Synthesis of hierarchical porous δ-MnO2nanoboxes as an efficient catalyst for rechargeable Li–O2batteries
Authors: Zhang Jian , Luan Yanping , Lyu Zhiyang , Wang Liangjun , Xu Leilei , Yuan Kaidi , Pan Feng , Lai Min , Liu Zhaolin , Chen Wei
Published: August 2015

Hierarchical porous δ-MnO2nanoboxes as a catalyst with an extremely large surface area endows Li–O2batteries with reduced overpotential, improved rate performance and excellent cycle stability.
Well-defined hollow nanochanneled-silica nanospheres prepared with the aid of sacrificial copolymer nanospheres and surfactant nanocylinders
Authors: Kim Young Yong , Hwang Bora , Song Sungjin , Ree Brian J. , Kim Yongjin , Cho Seo Yeon , Heo Kyuyoung , Kwon Yong Ku , Ree Moonhor
Published: August 2015

A new approach for synthesizing well-defined hollow nanochanneled-silica nanosphere particles is demonstrated, and the structural details are provided.
Graphitic carbon nitride nanosheet@metal–organic framework core–shell nanoparticles for photo-chemo combination therapy
Authors: Chen Rui , Zhang Jinfeng , Wang Yu , Chen Xianfeng , Zapien J. Antonio , Lee Chun-Sing
Published: August 2015

The core–shell nanoparticles are constructed by encapsulating the g-C3N4 nanosheet into ZIF-8 shells for dual-color fluorescence imaging and combined photo-chemo therapy.
NMR study on the interaction of the conserved CREX ‘stem–loop’ in the Hepatitis E virus genome with a naphthyridine-based ligand
Authors: Dyubankova N. , Froeyen M. , Abramov M. , Mattelaer H. P. , Herdewijn P. , Lescrinier E.
Published: August 2015

A 2-amino-1,8-naphthyridine derivative that is described to bind single guanine bulges in RNA–DNA and RNA–RNA duplexes was synthesized and its interaction with the single G bulge in the conserved CREX of the Hepatitis E Virus (HEV) genome was explored by NMR and molecular modeling.
Substrate-controlled product-selectivity in the reaction of the Bestmann–Ohira reagent with N-unprotected isatin-derived olefins
Authors: Gupta Ashis Kumar , Ahamad Shakir , Gupta Ekta , Kant Ruchir , Mohanan Kishor
Published: August 2015

A mild and efficient reaction of the Bestmann–Ohira reagent withN-unprotected isatin-derived olefins has been developed for the selective synthesis of spiro-phosphonylpyrazoline-oxindoles and phosphonylpyrazoloquinazolinones.
Antibacterial amphiphiles based on ε-polylysine: synthesis, mechanism of action, and cytotoxicity
Authors: Dai Xiaomei , An Jinxia , Wang Yanan , Wu Zhongming , Zhao Yu , Guo Qianqian , Zhang Xinge , Li Chaoxing
Published: August 2015

To combat antibiotic-resistant bacteria, an amphiphile based on ε-polylysine was synthesized via an alkylation reaction. The positively charged amphiphile could adsorb bacterial membranes, disrupt them and subsequently kill the bacteria.
Hybrid composite of nitrogen functionalized graphene–polyaniline electrode for high performance supercapacitor
Authors: Umashankar M. , Palaniappan S.
Published: August 2015

A high performance supercapacitor was obtained with an electrode composed of a hybrid material of nitrogen-functionalized graphene with polyaniline.
Effects of synthetic chalcone derivatives on oxidised palmitoyl arachidonoyl phosphorylcholine-induced proinflammatory chemokines production
Authors: Sock-Jin Lim , Kumolosasi Endang , Azmi Norazrina , Bukhari Syed Nasir Abbas , Jasamai Malina , Fauzi Norsyahida Mohd
Published: August 2015

Oxidised 1-palmitoyl-2-arachidonoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphorylcholine (OxPAPC) induces the production of proinflammatory chemokines has been widely studied for its role in vascular inflammation.
Electrochemical detection of mercury using biosynthesized hydroxyapatite nanoparticles modified glassy carbon electrodes without preconcentration
Authors: Kanchana P. , Sudhan N. , Anandhakumar S. , Mathiyarasu J. , Manisankar P. , Sekar C.
Published: August 2015

An electrochemical method for the determination of trace levels of mercury(ii) ions using Aloe vera (Av) assisted hydroxyapatite (HA) nanoparticles modified glassy carbon electrode (GCE) by square wave voltammetry is described for the first time.
Properties and structures of β-glucuronidases with different transformation types of glycyrrhizin
Authors: Wang Xiaoyan , Liu Yanli , Wang Chao , Feng Xudong , Li Chun
Published: August 2015

Substrate recognition mechanisms of three fungi β-glucuronidases with different types of GL hydrolysis were analyzed.
Mesoporous titanium dioxide coating on gold modified silica nanotubes: a tube-in-tube titanium nanostructure for visible-light photocatalysts
Authors: Li Xinzhe , Fang Yiyun , Hu Yiping , Huo Hongfei , Zhao Shiling , Long Xuefeng , Ma Jiantai , Li Rong
Published: August 2015

A novel tube-in-tube structured titanium dioxide (TiO2) based visible-light photocatalyst with non-metal doping and plasmonic metal decoration was fabricated and characterized.
A novel non-enzymatic amperometric glucose sensor based on a hollow Pt–Ni alloy nanotube array electrode with enhanced sensitivity
Authors: Sun Yanli , Yang Hongyan , Yu Xiaohui , Meng Haowen , Xu Xinhua
Published: August 2015

A non-enzymatic electrode is proposed as a glucose sensor based on Pt-replaced Ni nanowires which are prepared by constant current electro-deposition within the anodic alumina membrane and galvanic replacement reaction.
Effective tuning of the electronic and photophysical properties of tetrathiafulvalene pyrroles via aromatic heterocycle annulation
Authors: Park Jung Su , Kim Jihae , Kim Yong-Hoon , Sessler Jonathan L.
Published: August 2015

The electronic and optical properties of tetrathiafulvalene-pyrrole may be systematically tuned through aromatic heterocycle-annulation.
Framboidal ABC triblock copolymer vesicles: a new class of efficient Pickering emulsifier
Authors: Mable C. J. , Warren N. J. , Thompson K. L. , Mykhaylyk O. O. , Armes S. P.
Published: August 2015

Framboidal triblock copolymer vesicles prepared via RAFT-mediated PISA are characterized by SAXS and TEM; a Pickering emulsifier adsorption efficiency of up to 94% is obtained for a mean globule size of 45 nm.
A phosphorus/N-doped carbon nanofiber composite as an anode material for sodium-ion batteries
Authors: Ruan Boyang , Wang Jun , Shi Dongqi , Xu Yanfei , Chou Shulei , Liu Huakun , Wang Jiazhao
Published: August 2015

Sodium-ion batteries (SIBs) have been attracting intensive attention at present as the most promising alternative to lithium-ion batteries in large-scale electrical energy storage applications, due to the low-cost and natural abundance of sodium.
Synergistic integration of thermocatalysis and photocatalysis on black defective (BiO)2CO3 microspheres
Authors: Dong Fan , Xiong Ting , Sun Yanjuan , Huang Hongwei , Wu Zhongbiao
Published: August 2015

A novel environmental catalyst, black defective (BiO)2CO3 microspheres with efficient performance, was prepared by a vacuum heat treatment method.
Fish scale inspired design of underwater superoleophobic microcone arrays by sucrose solution assisted femtosecond laser irradiation for multifunctional liquid manipulation
Authors: Li Guoqiang , Lu Yang , Wu Peichao , Zhang Zhen , Li Jiawen , Zhu Wulin , Hu Yanlei , Wu Dong , Chu Jiaru
Published: August 2015

The preparation of superhydrophilic/superoleophilic/underwater superoleophobic surfaces is inspired by natural surfaces such as fish scales possessing hierarchical micro/nanostructures.
Biomass-derived high-performance tungsten-based electrocatalysts on graphene for hydrogen evolution
Authors: Meng Fanke , Hu Enyuan , Zhang Lihua , Sasaki Kotaro , Muckerman James T. , Fujita Etsuko
Published: August 2015

Biomass-derived WSoy0.7GnP1.0, a composite of WC, W2C and WN on graphene, is a highly active and stable HER catalyst.
Thin film properties of tetracyanoquinodimethane (TCNQ) with novel templating effects
Authors: Tseng Hsiang-Han , Serri Michele , Harrison Nicholas M. , Heutz Sandrine
Published: August 2015

Film properties and new templating behaviours in strong electron acceptor TCNQ.
Calcium modulation of exocytosis-linked plasma membrane potential oscillations in INS-1 832/13 cells
Authors: Gerencser Akos A. , Mulder Hindrik , Nicholls David G.
Published: August 2015

In the presence of high glucose or pyruvate, INS-1 832/13 insulinoma cells undergo stochastic oscillations in plasma membrane potential (Δψp) leading to associated fluctuations in cytosolic free Ca2+ concentration ([Ca2+]c). Oscillations are not driven by upstream metabolic fluctuations, but rather by autonomous ionic mechanisms, the details of which are unclear. We have investigated the nature of the oscillator, with simultaneous fluorescence monitoring of Δψp, [Ca2+]c and exocytosis at single-cell resolution, combined with analysis of the occurrence, frequency and amplitude of Δψp oscillations. Oscillations were closely coupled to exocytosis, indicated by coincident synaptopHluorin fluorescence enhancement. L-type Ca2+ channel inhibitors enhanced Δψp and [Ca2+]c oscillation frequency in the presence of pyruvate, but abolished the sustained [Ca2+]c response following KCl depolarization. The L-type Ca2+ channel inhibitor isradipine did not inhibit oscillation-linked exocytosis. The T-type Ca2+ channel inhibitor NNC 55-0396 inhibited Δψp and [Ca2+]c oscillations, implying that T-type Ca2+ channels trigger oscillations and consequent exocytosis. Since distinct ion channels operate in oscillating and non-oscillating cells, quantitative analysis of Δψp and [Ca2+]c oscillations in a β-cell population may help to improve our understanding of the link between metabolism and insulin secretion.
Application of flexible flat panel display technology to wearable biomedical devices
Authors: Smith J. , Bawolek E. , Lee Y.K. , O'Brien B. , Marrs M. , Howard E. , Strnad M. , Blain Christen J. , Goryll M.
Published: August 2015

How the application of commercial (thin film) flat panel display technology, used in the production of flexible displays and flexible digital X‐ray detectors, can also be applied to reduce the manufacturing cost of wearable biomedical devices, as well as potentially improve their diagnostic functionality, is explored. As a technology platform to evaluate the presented new concept, a prototype photoplethysmograph biosensor using a flexible organic light‐emitting diode display and pin photodiode (thin film) sensor technology for optical heart rate monitoring is developed.
Relation between magnetization and Faraday angles produced by ultrafast spin-flip processes within the three-level Λ-type system
Authors: Hinschberger Y. , Lavoine J. P.
Published: August 2015

Ultrafast magneto-optical (MO) experiments constitute a powerful tool to explore the magnetization dynamics of diverse materials. Over the last decade, there have been many theoretical and experimental developments on this subject. However, the relation between the magnetization dynamics and the transient MO response still remains unclear. In this work, we calculate the magnetization of a material, as well as the magneto-optical rotation and ellipticity angles measured in a single-beam experiment. Then, we compare the magnetization to the MO response. The magnetic material is modeled by a three-level Λ-type system, which represents a simple model to describe MO effects induced by an ultrafast laser pulse. Our calculations use the density matrix formalism, while the dynamics of the system is obtained by solving the Lindblad equation taking into account population relaxation and dephasing processes. Furthermore, we consider the Faraday rotation of the optical waves that simultaneously causes spin-flip. We show that the Faraday angles remain proportional to the magnetization only if the system has reached the equilibrium-state, and that this proportionality is directly related to the population and coherence decay rates. For the non-equilibrium situation, the previous proportionality relation is no longer valid. We show that our model is able to interpret some recent experimental results obtained in a single-pulse experiment. We further show that, after a critical pulse duration, the decrease of the ellipticity as a function of the absorbed energy is a characteristic of the system.
Formation of strain-induced quantum dots in gated semiconductor nanostructures
Authors: Thorbeck Ted , Zimmerman Neil M.
Published: August 2015

A long-standing mystery in the field of semiconductor quantum dots (QDs) is: Why are there so many unintentional dots (also known as disorder dots) which are neither expected nor controllable. It is typically assumed that these unintentional dots are due to charged defects, however the frequency and predictability of the location of the unintentional QDs suggests there might be additional mechanisms causing the unintentional QDs besides charged defects. We show that the typical strains in a semiconductor nanostructure from metal gates are large enough to create strain-induced quantum dots. We simulate a commonly used QD device architecture, metal gates on bulk silicon, and show the formation of strain-induced QDs. The strain-induced QD can be eliminated by replacing the metal gates with poly-silicon gates. Thus strain can be as important as electrostatics to QD device operation operation.
The Schottky barrier modulation at PtSi/Si interface by strain and structural deformation
Authors: Srivastava Pooja , Shin Mincheol , Lee Kwang-Ryeol , Mizuseki Hiroshi , Kim Seungchul
Published: August 2015

We show, using density functional theory (DFT) calculations, that the Schottky barrier height (SBH) at the PtSi/Si interface can be lowered by uniaxial strain applied not only on Si but also on PtSi. The strain was applied to the (001) direction of Si and PtSi, which is normal for the interface. The SBH of the hole is lowered by 0.08 eV under 2% of tensile strain on Si and by 0.09 eV under 4 % of compressive strain on PtSi. Because the SBH at PtSi/Si contact is approximately 0.2 eV, this amount of reduction can significantly lower the resistance of the PtSi/Si contact; thus applying uniaxial strain on both PtSi and Si possibly enhances the performance of Schottky barrier field effect transistors. Theoretical models of SB formation and conventional structure model are evaluated. It is found that Pt penetration into Si stabilizes the interface and lowers the SBH by approximately 0.1 eV from the bulk-terminated interface model, which implies that conventionally used bulk-terminated interface models have significant errors. Among the theoretical models of SB formation, the model of strong Fermi level pining adequately explains the electron transfer phenomena and SBH, but it has limited ability to explain SBH changes induced by changes of interface structure.
Effects of thinning on soil respiration and microbial respiration of forest floor and soil in an oak (Quercus frainetto) forest
Authors: Akburak Serdar , Makineci Ender
Published: August 2015

The effects of tree thinning on soil respiration and microbial respiration in a Hungarian oak (Quercus frainetto Ten.) forest were examined over a 2-year period (2010–12). Tree density was reduced to 50% of the basal area. The research focus was on the main factors influencing the soil respiration (RS) and microbial respiration in the forest floor (RFFM) and in the soil (RSM): soil temperature, moisture, carbon (C), nitrogen (N), and pH; groundcover biomass (GC); forest floor mass, carbon and nitrogen; and fine root biomass. RS was measured twice monthly with the soda-lime method, and the incubation method was used to measure RSM and RFFM separately. The results were evaluated annually and over the 2-year research period. Correlation and stepwise regression analyses were used for statistical evaluation.
Annual mean RS was significantly higher in thinned plots (1.92 g C m–2 day–1) than in the control plots (1.79 g C m–2 day–1). Over the 2-year research period, RS was higher in the thinned plots, and had linear correlations with GC, soil temperature and fine root biomass. GC was found to be the main factor that determined RS.
The control plots had significantly higher RSM in first year, whereas the thinned plots had significantly higher RSM in second year; no significant difference was found over the 2-year research period. RFFM was significantly higher in the control plots than in the thinned plots, by 84% in the second year and by 34% over the 2-year study period. RSM had a linear correlation with soil N content and soil pH, whereas RFFM had linear correlations with C concentration and the C : N ratio of the forest floor in the thinned plots.
Effects of Ranolazine on Exercise Capacity, Right Ventricular Indices, and Hemodynamic Characteristics in Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension: A Pilot Study
Authors: Khan Sadiya S. , Cuttica Michael J. , Beussink‐Nelson Lauren , Kozyleva Anastasia , Sanchez Cynthia , Mkrdichian Hamorabi , Selvaraj Senthil , Dematte Jane E. , Lee Daniel C. , Shah Sanjiv J.
Published: August 2015

Ranolazine, a late inward sodium current and fatty acid oxidation inhibitor, may improve right ventricular (RV) function in pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH); however, the safety and efficacy of ranolazine in humans with PAH is unknown. Therefore, we sought to (1) determine whether ranolazine is safe and well tolerated in PAH and (2) explore ranolazine's effect on symptoms, exercise capacity, RV structure and function, and hemodynamic characteristics. We therefore conducted a 3‐month, prospective, open‐label pilot study involving patients with symptomatic PAH (n = 11) and echocardiographic evidence of RV dysfunction. We evaluated the safety and tolerability of ranolazine and compared symptoms, exercise capacity, exercise bicycle echocardiographic parameters, and invasive hemodynamic parameters between baseline and 3 months of ranolazine therapy using paired t tests. Of the 11 patients enrolled, one discontinued ranolazine therapy due to a drug‐drug interaction after 3 days of therapy. All 10 of the remaining patients continued therapy for 3 months, and 8 (80%) of 10 completed all study tests. After 3 months, ranolazine administration was safe and associated with improvement in functional class (P = 0.0013), reduction in RV size (P = 0.015), improved RV function (improvement in RV strain during exercise at 3 months; P = 0.037), and a trend toward improved exercise time and exercise watts on bicycle echocardiography (P = 0.06 and 0.01, respectively). Ranolazine was not associated with improvement in invasive hemodynamic parameters. In conclusion, in a pilot study involving PAH, ranolazine therapy was safe and well tolerated, and it resulted in improvement in symptoms and echocardiographic parameters of RV structure and function but did not alter invasive hemodynamic parameters.
Quick Tips on Recognizing Cutaneous Manifestations of Systemic Disease
Authors: Cittadino Jennifer
Published: August 2015

Although many skin manifestations are isolated to a dermatological disorder, some skin manifestations can be related to a deeper, more systemic issue. The skin is related to other body systems and functions. The importance of being able to recognize these dermatological manifestations and associate them with potential systemic disease can be a critical diagnostic tool for the practitioner. Sometimes, these skin manifestations can be the first sign of an internal disease. Although challenging, recognition, prompt diagnosis, and treatment can alter the course of a life-threatening illness.
The Pain Experience of Patients Hospitalized With Inflammatory Bowel Disease
Authors: Bernhofer Esther I. , Masina V. Maria , Sorrell Jeanne , Modic Mary Beth
Published: August 2015

Pain is personal, subjective, and best treated when the patient's experience is fully understood. Hospitalization contributes to the physical and psychological complications of acute and chronic pain experienced by patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). The purpose of this qualitative phenomenological study was to develop an understanding of the unique experience of pain in hospitalized patients with an admitting diagnosis of IBD and related care or surgery. Following institutional review board approval, purposeful sampling was used to recruit 16 patients (11 female, 5 male, mean age 41.8 years) from two 36-bed colorectal units of a large academic medical center in the Midwest. Individual, audio-recorded interviews were conducted by a researcher at each participant's bedside. Recordings and transcripts were systematically reviewed by the research team using Van Manen's approach to qualitative analysis. Subsequently, 5 major themes were identified among the data: feeling discredited and misunderstood, desire to dispel the stigma, frustration with constant pain, need for caregiver knowledge and understanding, and nurse as connector between patient and physician. Hospitalized patients with IBD have common issues with pain care. Nurses caring for them can provide better pain management when they understand these issues/themes. Further research into the themes discovered here is recommended.
Werner syndrome helicase modulates G4 DNA-dependent transcription and opposes mechanistically distinct senescence-associated gene expression programs
Authors: Tang Weiliang , Robles Ana I. , Beyer Richard P. , Gray Lucas T. , Nguyen Giang Hong , Oshima Junko , Maizels Nancy , Harris Curtis C. , Monnat Raymond J.
Published: August 2015

Werner syndrome (WS) is a prototypic heritable adult human progeroid syndrome in which signs of premature aging are associated with genetic instability and an elevated risk of specific types of cancer. We have quantified mRNA and microRNA (miRNA) expression in WS patient fibroblasts, and in WRN-depleted fibroblasts. Genes down-regulated in WS patient fibroblasts were highly enriched in G-quadruplex (G4) DNA motifs. The strength, location and strand specificity of this association provide strong experimental evidence that G4 motifs or motif-dependent G-quadruplexes are bound by WRN in human cells to modulate gene expression. The expression of many miRNAs was perturbed by loss of WRN function. WRN depletion altered the expression of >500 miRNAs. miRNAs linked to cell signaling, genome stability assurance and tumorigenesis were among the small number of these miRNAs that were persistently altered in WS patient fibroblasts. An unexpected and highly distinct finding in WS cells was the coordinate over-expression of nearly all cytoplasmic tRNA synthetases and their associated AIMP proteins. Our results provide new insight into WS pathogenesis, and identify therapeutically accessible mechanisms that may drive disease pathogenesis in WS and in the general population.
Infinitely Long Branches and an Informal Test of Common Ancestry
Authors: de Oliveira Martins Leonardo , Posada David
Published: August 2015

The evidence for universal common ancestry (UCA) is vast and persuasive, and a phylogenetic test was proposed for quantifying its odds against independently originated sequences based on the comparison between one and several trees [1]. This test was successfully applied to a well-supported homologous sequence alignment, being however criticized once simulations showed that even alignments without any phylogenetic structure could mislead its conclusions [2]. Despite claims to the contrary [3], we believe that the counterexample successfully showed a drawback of the test, of relying on good alignments.

Here we present a simplified version of this counterexample, which can be interpreted as a tree with arbitrarily long branches, and where the test again fails. We also present another simulation showing circumstances whereby any sufficiently similar alignment will favor UCA irrespective of the true independent origins for the sequences. We therefore conclude that the test should not be trusted unless convergence has already been ruled out a priori. Finally, we present a class of frequentist tests that perform better than the purportedly formal UCA test.
Towards achieving a fully intelligent robotic arc welding: a review
Authors: Ogbemhe John , Mpofu Khumbulani
Published: August 2015

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to review the progress made in arc welding automation using trajectory planning, seam tracking and control methodologies.

Design/methodology/approach

– This paper discusses key issues in trajectory planning towards achieving full automation of arc welding robots. The identified issues in trajectory planning are real-time control, optimization methods, seam tracking and control methodologies. Recent research is considered and brief conclusions are drawn.

Findings

– The major difficulty towards realizing a fully intelligent robotic arc welding system remains an optimal blend and good understanding of trajectory planning, seam tracking and advanced control methodologies. An intelligent trajectory tracking ability is strongly required in robotic arc welding, due to the positional errors caused by several disturbances that prevent the development of quality welds. An exciting prospect will be the creation of an effective hybrid optimization technique which is expected to lead to new scientific knowledge by combining robotic systems with artificial intelligence.

Originality/value

– This paper illustrates the vital role played by optimization methods for trajectory design in arc robotic welding automation, especially the non-gradient approaches (those based on certain characteristics and behaviour of biological, molecular, swarm of insects and neurobiological systems). Effective trajectory planning techniques leading to real-time control and sensing systems leading to seam tracking have also been studied.
The integration of contactless static pose recognition and dynamic hand motion tracking control system for industrial human and robot collaboration
Authors: Tang Gilbert , Asif Seemal , Webb Phil
Published: August 2015

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to describe the integration of a gesture control system for industrial collaborative robot. Human and robot collaborative systems can be a viable manufacturing solution, but efficient control and communication are required for operations to be carried out effectively and safely.

Design/methodology/approach

– The integrated system consists of facial recognition, static pose recognition and dynamic hand motion tracking. Each sub-system has been tested in isolation before integration and demonstration of a sample task.

Findings

– It is demonstrated that the combination of multiple gesture control methods can increase its potential applications for industrial robots.

Originality/value

– The novelty of the system is the combination of a dual gesture controls method which allows operators to command an industrial robot by posing hand gestures as well as control the robot motion by moving one of their hands in front of the sensor. A facial verification system is integrated to improve the robustness, reliability and security of the control system which also allows assignment of permission levels to different users.
Experimental verification of workspace and mouth-opening movement of a redundantly actuated humanoid chewing robot
Authors: Wen Haiying , Cong Ming , Wang Guifei
Published: August 2015

Purpose

– This paper aims to verify the workspace and movement performance of a redundantly actuated humanoid chewing robot.

Design/methodology/approach

– A redundantly actuated humanoid chewing robot with 6-PUS linkages and two higher kinematic pairs (HKPs) is introduced. The design of HKPs is specified by mimicking the temporomandibular joint (TMJ) structure obtained through a computed tomography scan of the mastication system. The border movement, mouth-opening trajectory and velocity of subjects’ lower incisor point are measured by using the mandibular kinesiograph. Based on the kinematics, the envelope of the workspace is analyzed. The workspace and mouth-opening movement experiments are carried out. The border movement of the lower incisor point is measured. The mouth-opening trajectory is planned and tested on the chewing robot.

Findings

– Comparing with measurement results of border movement and mouth-opening movement of human, it is shown that the humanoid chewing robot can meet the workspace requirements and is able to perform mouth-opening movement like human-beings.

Practical implications

– The chewing robot is designed to reproduce human jaw movements and application in test of dental components and materials or evaluation of food textural properties.

Originality/value

– The chewing robot is inspired by the mastication system which itself is mechanically redundant because of the TMJ and more muscles than required. The novel spatial redundantly actuated chewing robot is the first of this kind with two HKPs to mimic the human TMJ and is a higher fidelity mechanism.
Does organizational citizenship behavior add value to human interaction with e-services?
Authors: Liao Chien Hsiang
Published: August 2015

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to examine the causal associations among service innovation/improvement, organisational citizenship behaviour (OCB), and the user-perceived value of e-services. The context of service delivery is particularly based on human interaction in e-service encounters.

Design/methodology/approach

– In total, 403 respondents from 53 different service departments were selected in this study. To fit the structure between respondents and departments, this study uses hierarchical linear modelling to examine the research model.

Findings

– The results indicate that service innovation/improvement and the OCB of department staff both positively affect the user-perceived value of e-services. However, the OCB of department staff does not have a moderating effect on the association between service innovation/improvement and the user-perceived value of e-services.

Originality/value

– Prior studies suggest that the OCB of service employees strongly reinforces customer perceptions of service quality and satisfaction. However, this causal association was proven in the context of face-to-face human interactions. This study is a pioneer study in examining the associations between OCB and human interaction with e-services.
Silicon Valley’s Indian diaspora: networking and entrepreneurial success
Authors: Basu Anuradha , Virick Meghna
Published: August 2015

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to examine the factors that influence the success of entrepreneurial ventures started by members of the Indian diaspora in Silicon Valley.

Design/methodology/approach

– It is based on survey data collected from Indian-born high-tech entrepreneurs living in Silicon Valley, and uses Bayesian estimation to test hypotheses aimed at understanding entrepreneurial growth. Specifically, the paper examines the linkages between prior startup experience, participation in diasporic networks, and new venture growth.

Findings

– It finds that entrepreneurs with prior startup experience displayed more active participation in diasporic networks, and were more likely to have co-founders. Active network participation over a length of time was positively related to new venture growth. The findings contribute toward the understanding of the value of startup experience in leveraging social networks, and the relationship between diasporic network participation and entrepreneurship.

Research limitations/implications

– As a cross-sectional study with a single data source, it is subject to concerns about causality and common method variance.

Practical implications

– The results highlight the value of serial entrepreneurship and the potential benefits to immigrant entrepreneurs of participating in diasporic social networks, especially those with a global reach. They also suggest that investors would be better off investing in entrepreneurs who have greater startup experience and participate actively in diasporic networks.

Originality/value

– The paper is based on a very unique sample of Indian-born immigrant high-tech entrepreneurs based in the Silicon Valley. It provides a deeper understanding of the role of diasporic social networks, and their relationship with prior startup experience and entrepreneurial success within that context.
Motherland or home state? Allegiance of the Indian diaspora and its effect on reverse FDI
Authors: Chand Masud
Published: August 2015

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to explore the potential regional preferences of the diaspora and explain how such preferences affect their decision when engaging in reverse Foreign Direct Investment (FDI). Since diasporas often act as conduits for trade and investment, the author is interested in whether these regional preferences affect their choice of destination for FDI.

Design/methodology/approach

– The author developed and pre-tested a questionnaire that was administered in pen and paper as well as online. Totally, 158 professional, managers and entrepreneurs with Indian diasporic background in the USA and Canada participated in the study. Follow-up interviews were conducted with 25 participants.

Findings

– Participants indicated that they did not favor their region of origin over the entire country. However, most of the participants only invested in their region of origin.

Research limitations/implications

– Interviews were based on the original survey questionnaire and did not further probe other issues. The current study should be treated as exploratory in nature and the results should be used as a springboard for future research.

Practical implications

– It would seem that the region of origin was important in the decision to migrate and for reverse FDI, even though cognitively the participants did not recognize it to the same extent. This might point to a mediation effect, which should be investigated in future studies. This paper helps businesses and governments understand the extent to which sub-national regional ties explain the investment motivations of people investing back in their home countries.

Social implications

– Furthermore, the importance of regional ties in the decisions to both invest and migrate point to the importance of studying sub-national cultural and institutional issues rather than treating large multicultural countries such as India as a monolithic bloc.

Originality/value

– The author used network ties theories to investigate and explain the investment behavior of Indian diaspora. While other disciplines (e.g. geography, sociology and economics) might have studied similar phenomena, the author looked and expanded the knowledge from a management perspective.
The ingredients of a success recipe
Authors: Moghaddam Kaveh
Published: August 2015

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to identify the antecedents of successful South Asian opportunity diaspora entrepreneurship. Furthermore, it examines the successful South Asian diaspora opportunity entrepreneurs’ (DOE) interactions with their country of origin and country of residence.

Design/methodology/approach

– With a qualitative approach, this study employs the NVivo software to examine a set of semistructured interviews of eight South Asian diaspora entrepreneurs.

Findings

– The qualitative analysis in this study suggests that a South Asian DOE with a college education, previous industry-related experience, prior startup experience, and a tendency to attribute entrepreneurship talent to training rather than birth exhibits a high-entrepreneurial venture growth rate. Furthermore, the qualitative analysis suggests that a south Asian DOE who emphasizes market analysis, accentuates building the right team of employees, and pursues adventurous choice of financing (i.e. bootstrapping or small bank) exhibits a high-entrepreneurial venture growth rate.

Research limitations/implications

– Due to the small sample and exploratory nature of the study, results may not be generalized. Future research is encouraged to test the robustness of the findings.

Practical implications

– The findings of this qualitative study offer implications for immigrant individuals who might have interest in starting a new business and wonder what the ingredients of a diaspora entrepreneurship success recipe might be.

Originality/value

– This study provides an enhanced understanding of diaspora opportunity entrepreneurship. Furthermore, it contributes to the qualitative approach by offering a novel research design to avoid common problems of researcher bias and mono-method bias.
Methodological issues in group-referenced measurement of Indian culture
Authors: Messner Wolfgang , Schäfer Norbert
Published: August 2015

Purpose

– The cultural dimensions of the Hofstede and Global Leadership and Organizational Behavior Effectiveness (GLOBE) studies are often used to capture cultural differences and operationalize them in academic research, corporate business, and teaching. The purpose of this paper is to investigate if this context is appropriate for the Indian information technology (IT) offshore services industry; that is, if Indian culture can be measured with group-referenced items, averaged, and explained by discrete dimensions.

Design/methodology/approach

– The authors devised items based on the GLOBE study, and conducted empirical research with 291 employees of two services sourcing providers in Pune and Bangalore, India. The authors then scrutinized the data set on item and dimension level using statistical methods, such as interrater agreement, t-test, arithmetic mean, and standard deviation.

Findings

– An interpretation of the analysis posits that cultural assumptions based on dimensions and means are problematic in the context of the Indian IT offshore services industry. The two digit exact values of the GLOBE study (and similarly the ordinal scale by Hofstede) suggest a level of accuracy and absoluteness which could not be replicated in the empirical research. Therefore, one authors should be very careful referring to Indian national culture when conducting intercultural awareness programs and coaching international teams who are engaging with India.

Originality/value

– The GLOBE study omits to report basic statistics of questionnaire development. Through this replication study in India, the authors provide empirical evidence that the construct validity of cultural dimensions and the concept of national/group averages may be flawed.
How “quality” determines customer satisfaction
Authors: Liu Chih-Hsing , Chou Sheng-Fang , Gan Bernard , Tu Jin-Hua
Published: August 2015

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to develop a research framework to explain the relationship between overall restaurant quality and customer satisfaction.

Design/methodology/approach

– To test this model, the authors deploy 48 mystery shoppers to evaluate 496 Taiwanese restaurants. Further, the authors performed two different regression models and performing the Baron and Kenny (1986) procedure to test the hypotheses.

Findings

– This study investigates whether restaurants are susceptible to the quality and level of restaurant service, and the restaurant’s physical atmosphere. Further, this study investigates whether these two constructs are likely to improve customers’ perception of restaurant quality, and whether such a strategy may also lead to customers’ satisfaction and facilities word-of-mouth recommendations.

Practical implications

– The evidence suggests that the construct of “restaurant service” and “physical atmosphere” are strong determinant of improving customers’ perception of overall quality of restaurant. That is, there is a tendency to innovate when restaurant managers prioritize customers’ satisfaction. Further, managers who believe that service and physical atmosphere issues are top priorities will also improve the overall quality in their restaurants.

Originality/value

– Measuring the relationships between Michelin star evaluation criteria via a large observation sample is rare in the present literature. As far as the authors know, this is the first paper to exam the relationships between Michelin star evaluation criteria.
The resistance to change in implementation of total quality management (TQM) in Iranian schools
Authors: Pourrajab Masoumeh , Basri Ramli , Daud Shaffe Mohd , Asimiran Soaib
Published: August 2015

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to identify the level of resistance to change in implementation of total quality management (TQM) in Iranian schools and investigate the influence of principals’ and teachers’ gender and years of experience on resistance to change.

Design/methodology/approach

– This study presents the results of survey research carried out in Iran. The participants of this study are secondary school principals and teachers. The researchers employed descriptive analysis on data collected. Independent sample t-test was used to determine the difference in resistance to change based on teachers and principals gender, and one-way ANOVA and Kruskal-Wallis H-test were applied to determine the difference in resistance of teachers and principals based on years of experience.

Findings

– The researchers found that the level of resistance to change in Iranian schools is medium; the most important factor for resistance to change is confidence in the status quo. Gender has an effect on resistance to change only for teachers. Years of experience do not have an effect on resistance to change.

Originality/value

– The study identifies some useful points for school’s principals and teachers to implementation of TQM in school.
The moderating effect of motivations on the relationship between obtaining ISO 9001 certification and organizational performance
Authors: Valmohammadi Changiz , Kalantari Mohsen
Published: August 2015

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is threefold, first to investigate if ISO 9001 certified companies in an Iranian province (Kermanshah) perform better than non-certified ISO 9001. Second, what is the main motivation of the manufacturing companies of Kermanshah province on obtaining ISO 9001 certification, i.e., internal or external motivations. And finally, if ISO 9001 certified companies with high scores of internal motivations, show better levels of performance in comparison with certified companies obtaining low scores of internal motivations.

Design/methodology/approach

– A survey questionnaire was distributed to the 350 companies with ISO 9000 certification, and a total of 287 usable responses were returned. Using a structural equation model, this study empirically examines the relationship between ISO 9000 implementation and firm performance, and the moderating role of firm motivation on organizational performance.

Findings

– The results demonstrate that ISO 9001 certified companies show better organizational performance than non-certified ISO 9001 companies and internal motivations play more important role on obtaining ISO 9001 certificate than external motivations. Also ISO 9001 certified companies with high scores of internal motivations show better levels of performance than those ISO 9001 certified companies with low scores of internal motivations.

Research limitations/implications

– The sample is restricted to only a single region and manufacturing, so it would be strongly recommended that data be gathered from various parts of Iran including both manufacturing and service industries. As in this study the data gathered were cross-sectional, it is recommended in order to gain deeper understanding of the cause-and-effect relationship among the variables data to be gathered longitudinally.

Originality/value

– This study represents a first attempt to construct a conceptual framework that integrates the motivations behind implementing ISO 9000 certification, and ISO 9000 performance in the context of Iran and gives a particular focus on the Iran manufacturing companies.
Identification and prioritization of barriers to total quality management implementation in service industry
Authors: Talib Faisal , Rahman Zillur
Published: August 2015

Purpose

– Despite the potential benefits of total quality management (TQM) articulated by quality experts and practitioners, these benefits are not easy to achieve in practice. Many service industries have found difficult to implement TQM successfully. The present study investigates and categorizes the barriers to a successful implementation of TQM program in the service industry. The purpose of this paper is to understand TQM barriers and prioritize their relative importance by ranking them in the service industry.

Design/methodology/approach

– Based on previously published literature on TQM barriers in service industry and after discussions with quality experts, this study utilizes a set of 12 barriers to TQM as identified by the authors of TQM barriers to accomplish the objectives of the present study. The 12 barriers were divided into three categories. These barriers were prioritized and ranked using an analytic hierarchy process (AHP) approach, a multi-criteria decision-making process.

Findings

– In this research, the category “managerial issues” was found to be the most important, followed by “people-oriented issues” and “organizational issues” based on their priority weights. The results have also highlighted that the barrier “lack of communication” was the most significant among all the other barriers. It was followed by “lack of top-management commitment,” “employee’s resistance to change,” and “lack of coordination between departments.” The least significant barrier was “high turnover at management level.”

Practical implications

– The study ranks the barriers, from the most important to the least important, which will allow managers and practitioners in the service industry to decide which barriers they need to pay attention to and work on for a successful implementation of TQM.

Originality/value

– The strength of this study is the development of a comprehensive model for the investigation and prioritization of barriers that the service industry experiences when implementing a TQM program. Presenting TQM barriers in the form of AHP-based model and categorizing barriers is a new effort in the area of TQM.