bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Anomalous transport in the H-mode pedestal of Alcator C-Mod discharges
Authors: Pankin A.Y. , Hughes J.W. , Greenwald M.J. , Kritz A.H. , Rafiq T.
Published: September 2016

Anomalous transport in the H-mode pedestal region of five Alcator C-Mod discharges, representing a collisionality scan is analyzed. The understanding of anomalous transport in the pedestal region is important for the development of a comprehensive model for the H-mode pedestal slope. In this research, a possible role of the drift resistive inertial ballooning modes (Rafiq et al 2010 Phys. Plasmas
17 082511) in the edge of Alcator C-Mod discharges is analyzed. The stability analysis, carried out using the TRANSP code, indicates that the DRIBM modes are strongly unstable in Alcator C-Mod discharges with large electron collisionality. An improved interpretive analysis of H-mode pedestal experimental data is carried out utilizing the additive flux minimization technique (Pankin et al 2013 Phys. Plasmas
20 102501) together with the guiding-center neoclassical kinetic XGC0 code. The neoclassical and neutral physics are simulated in the XGC0 code and the anomalous fluxes are computed using the additive flux minimization technique. The anomalous fluxes are reconstructed and compared with each other for the collisionality scan Alcator C-Mod discharges. It is found that the electron thermal anomalous diffusivities at the pedestal top increase with the electron collisionality. This dependence can also point to the drift resistive inertial ballooning modes as the modes that drive the anomalous transport in the plasma edge of highly collisional discharges.
Non-linear modeling of the plasma response to RMPs in ASDEX Upgrade
Authors: Orain F. , Hölzl M. , Viezzer E. , Dunne M. , Bécoulet M. , Cahyna P. , Huijsmans G.T.A. , Morales J. , Willensdorfer M. , Suttrop W. , Kirk A. , Pamela S. , Günter S. , Lackner K. , Strumberger E. , Lessig A.
Published: September 2016

The plasma response to resonant magnetic perturbations (RMPs) in ASDEX Upgrade is modeled with the non-linear resistive MHD code JOREK, using input profiles that match those of the experiments as closely as possible. The RMP configuration for which edge localized modes are best mitigated in experiments is related to the largest edge kink response observed near the X-point in modeling. On the edge resonant surfaces q  =  m/n, the coupling between the kink component (m  >  nq) and the m resonant component is found to induce the amplification of the resonant magnetic perturbation. The ergodicity and the 3D-displacement near the X-point induced by the resonant amplification can only partly explain the density pumpout observed in experiments.
Selected transport studies of a tokamak-based DEMO fusion reactor
Authors: Fable E. , Wenninger R. , Kemp R.
Published: September 2016

As a next-step in the tokamak-based fusion programme, the DEMO fusion reactor is foreseen to produce relevant output electricity, in the order of  ∼500 MW delivered to the network. The scenarios that are being presently investigated consist of a pulsed device, called DEMO1, and a steady-state device, called DEMO2. In this work, which is focused on the pulsed device DEMO1, scenarios are studied from the point of view of core transport, to assess plasma performance and limitations due to core microinstabilities. The role of radiated power, aspect ratio, and height of temperature pedestal are assessed as they impact both core energy and particle transport. Open issues in this framework are also discussed.
H-mode plasmas at very low aspect ratio on the Pegasus Toroidal Experiment
Authors: Thome K.E. , Bongard M.W. , Barr J.L. , Bodner G.M. , Burke M.G. , Fonck R.J. , Kriete D.M. , Perry J.M. , Reusch J.A. , Schlossberg D.J.
Published: September 2016

H-mode is obtained at

A
∼
1.2

in the Pegasus Toroidal Experiment via Ohmic heating, high-field-side fueling, and low edge recycling in both limited and diverted magnetic topologies. These H-mode plasmas show the formation of edge current and pressure pedestals and a doubling of the energy confinement time to

H

98
y
,
2

∼
1

. The L–H power threshold

P

LH

increases with density, and there is no

P

LH

minimum observed in the attainable density space. The power threshold is equivalent in limited and diverted plasmas, consistent with the FM3 model. However, the measured

P

LH

is

∼

15

 
 
×

higher than that predicted by conventional International Tokamak Physics Activity (ITPA) scalings, and

P

LH

/

P

ITPA
08

increases as

A
→
1

. Small ELMs are present at low input power

P

IN

∼

P

LH

, with toroidal mode number

n
⩽
4

. At

P

IN

≫

P

LH

, they transition to large ELMs with intermediate

5
<
n
<
15

. The dominant-

n

component of a large ELM grows exponentially, while other components evolve nonlinearly and can damp prior to the crash. Direct measurements of the current profile in the pedestal region show that both ELM types exhibit a generation of a current-hole, followed by a pedestal recovery. Large ELMs are shown to further expel a current-carrying filament. Small ELM suppression via injection of low levels of helical current into the edge plasma region is also indicated.
BASIC: BCR assembly from single cells
Authors: Canzar Stefan , Neu Karlynn E , Tang Qingming , Wilson Patrick C , Khan Aly A
Published: September 2016

Motivation

The B-cell receptor enables individual B cells to identify diverse antigens, including bacterial and viral proteins. While advances in RNA-sequencing (RNA-seq) have enabled high throughput profiling of transcript expression in single cells, the unique task of assembling the full-length heavy and light chain sequences from single cell RNA-seq (scRNA-seq) in B cells has been largely unstudied.

Results

We developed a new software tool, BASIC, which allows investigators to use scRNA-seq for assembling BCR sequences at single-cell resolution. To demonstrate the utility of our software, we subjected nearly 200 single human B cells to scRNA-seq, assembled the full-length heavy and the light chains, and experimentally confirmed these results by using single-cell primer-based nested PCRs and Sanger sequencing.

Availability and Implementation

http://ttic.uchicago.edu/∼aakhan/BASIC

Supplementary information

Supplementary data are available at Bioinformatics online.
Pandora’s Post Box: Empire and Information in India, 1854–1914
Authors: Frost Mark R.
Published: September 2016

This essay examines the historical relationship between empire and information in late nineteenth- and early twentieth-century British Asia through a new examination of the imperial post. It argues that the creation of an Indian penny post in 1854 set in motion an information revolution which impacted regionally on literate and illiterate Indian subjects of the British Empire, on Indian publishers, and on colonial administrators. What historians have so far written about Britain’s imperial post has largely presented it as an instrument of modern colonial state-building. When it has merited attention as an engine of social communication it has been mistakenly judged an outright failure. But, as this essay argues, a study of the imperial post reveals Britain’s colonial state, within the wider context of a very illiberal British imperialism in Asia, trying to behave like a liberal one. While its desire for control and surveillance pulled it in one direction, Victorian notions of free trade, which in turn demanded an unrestricted circulation of information, pulled it in another. These contradictory impulses have largely been ignored in a literature more often focused on the authoritarian aspects of British rule after 1850; yet, as this study suggests, they are fundamental to comprehending both the history of the imperial post and the everyday foundations of Britain’s imperial authority in India.
Intensive Care Unit Delirium
Authors: Hayhurst Christina J. , Pandharipande Pratik P. , Hughes Christopher G.
Published: September 2016

This review examines the most recent evidence for the diagnosis, prevention, and treatment of delirium in the ICU.
Percutaneous multiplanar subtrochanteric osteotomy with external fixation for developmental coxa vara (preliminary results)
Authors: Galal Sherif
Published: September 2016

Developmental coxa vara (DCV) develops during early childhood between the age of independent walking and 6 years. The deformity includes a decrease in the neck–shaft angle and femoral retroversion. Recently, good results have been reported using external fixator systems for the correction of proximal femoral deformities secondary to slipped capital femoral epiphysis, Perthes’ disease in children, and percutaneous proximal femoral osteotomy for coxa vara. This preliminary study was performed to evaluate the results of percutaneous subtrochanteric osteotomy in restoring the normal alignment and orientation (radiographic outcome), thereby restoring the normal mechanics of the hip joint, overcoming shortening of the limb, and re-establishing the length–tension relationship of the abductor muscles (functional outcome). During the period between January 2009 and January 2012, a prospective study was conducted involving 30 (33 hips) patients with DCV and a preoperative Hilgenreiner’s epiphyseal angle of 60° or greater on coronal radiographs. Clinical and radiological (anteroposterior radiograph of the pelvis) evaluation of patients was carried out preoperatively and postoperatively until union was achieved and fixator removal was carried out, and then at 6 months and at the final follow-up, with a minimum of 12 and a maximum of 33 months after surgery and an average of 20.8 months. We used the technique described by Sabharwal and colleagues (2005) to perform an acute, opened wedge subtrochanteric valgus-flexion-derotation femoral osteotomy using a percutaneous multiple drill hole technique. A low-profile Ilizarov external fixator was applied in each case. The average operative time (including anesthesia time) was 74 (range 60–130) min. The average time spent in the external fixator until union was 11 (range 7–15) weeks. The average intraoperative blood loss was 35 (range 10–150) ml, and no patient developed hemodynamic instability or required any postoperative blood transfusion. The hospital stay averaged 1.2 (range 1–2) days. Hilgenreiner’s epiphyseal angle preoperatively averaged 70.6° (ranging from 55° to 90°). At 6 months it averaged 40.6° (ranging from 15° to 60°). At final follow-up it averaged 41.16° (ranging from 15° to 60°). Percutaneous subtrochanteric osteotomy with external fixation appears safe and effective in treating multiplanar proximal femoral deformities associated with DCV in children. Level of Evidence: Level IV.
Investigation on the Cutaneous Change Induced by Face-Lifting Monodirectional Barbed Polydioxanone Thread
Authors: Kim Jihee , Zheng Zhenlong , Kim Heesu , Nam Kyung Ae , Chung Kee Yang
Published: September 2016

BACKGROUND

Owing to its potentially greater mechanical force on the implanted tissue, barbed thread is frequently used in face-lifting procedures. However, the long-term durability thereof remains controversial. Moreover, reports on underlying histologic and molecular changes resulting from face-lifting procedures are scarce.

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate histologic and molecular changes induced by absorbable, barbed face-lifting thread in an animal model.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Fragments of monofilament, monodirectionally barbed polydioxanone thread were implanted in dorsal skin from 12 guinea pigs. Tissue samples were harvested at 1, 3, and 7 months thereafter. Histopathologic analysis and quantification of Type 1 collagen and transforming growth factor beta 1 (TGF-β1) levels were performed.

RESULTS

Implantation of a single fragment induced fibrous capsule around the thread. Tissue reactions were strongest at 1 month after implantation, showing marked infiltration of inflammatory cells and fibroblasts, which gradually decreased. On molecular analysis, Type 1 collagen and TGF-β1 levels were significantly increased, compared to normal skin, throughout the 7-month study period.

CONCLUSION

Our results suggest that implantation of barbed thread induces strong anchorage to skin tissue. Quantitative analysis of collagen and its downstream signaling molecule TGF-β supports the long-term durability of the thread. Therefore, the authors expect potential beneficial effect for rejuvenation on its clinical application.
Changes in the Dermal Structure during Cultured Epidermal Autograft Engraftment Process
Authors: Hayashi Minoru , Muramatsu Hideyuki , Nakano Minoru , Yamamoto Naoto , Tokunaka Ryohei , Umezawa Kazuya , Hamajima Akito , Araki Natsue , Yoshimoto Shinya
Published: September 2016

Background:

The use of cultured epithelial autografts for the treatment of extensive burn wounds has become popular in recent years. We examined extensive burn wounds in 14 patients by using a combination of autograft and cultured epithelial autografts developed in Japan (JACE).

Methods:

We undertook a skin biopsy at 2, 4, and 6 weeks after transplantation with JACE. By using electron microscopy we observed the engraftment process.

Results:

In transmission electron microscope findings, we recognized the engraftment process of JACE. Keratinocytes matured gradually. Collagen fibers formed thick bundles in the dermis layer. In scanning electron microscope findings, we observed papillary dermis development on the artificial dermis.

Conclusions:

After managing wound bed preparation by using artificial dermis, we were able to recognize the good result of grafting JACE on meshed 6:1 split thickness autografts. This is because the auto dermis from autograft extended under the JACE, binding between JACE, and the dermis became strong.
Recurrence of Stress Urinary Incontinence After Midurethral Sling Revision: A Retrospective Cohort Study
Authors: Shaw Jonathan , Wohlrab Kyle , Rardin Charles
Published: September 2016

Objectives

The primary objective is to determine the relative risk (RR) of reoperation for stress urinary incontinence (SUI) recurrence after midurethral sling (MUS) division or excision. Our secondary objective is to determine the RR of SUI symptom recurrence according to differing techniques of revision.

Methods

This is a retrospective cohort study of all women who underwent surgical revision of an MUS by the Division of Urogynecology at the Women & Infants' Hospital during a 10-year period between October 1, 2004, and October 1, 2014. Sling division technique separates the sling from the urethra enough to permit transection either in the midline or lateral to the urethra. Revision was categorized as excision if a portion or the entirety of the sling was removed. Patients who underwent any operative procedure for SUI after revision were considered to have received reoperation. Subjectively, patients were considered to have postrevision recurrence of SUI if it was reported during routine evaluation/interviews or in the incontinence severity index questionnaire.

Results

There were 102 patients who underwent revision of a type 1 mesh MUS; 45 underwent sling division, and 57 underwent mesh excision. After sling division, 4.4% of the patients underwent reoperation for recurrent SUI compared with 28.1% after sling excision (RR, 0.16; 95% confidence interval, 0.04–0.65). Stress urinary incontinence symptoms recurred in 13% after sling division versus 56% after excision (RR, 0.24; 95% confidence interval, 0.11–0.52).

Conclusions

The choice of technique may be dictated by the clinical scenario, but in situations in which sling division is an option, repeat operations and symptoms of SUI occur less frequently.
Spinocerebellar ataxia type 12: clues to pathogenesis
Authors: Cohen Rachael L. , Margolis Russell L.
Published: September 2016

Purpose of review

Spinocerebellar ataxia type 12 (SCA12) is a rare autosomal dominant neurodegenerative disease characterized by tremor, gait abnormalities, and neuropsychiatric syndromes. The location of the causative CAG/CTG expansion mutation in PPP2R2B, a gene encoding regulatory units of the protein phosphatase 2A, may provide unique insights into the pathogenesis of neurodegeneration.

Recent findings

The first neuropathological examination of a brain from an SCA12 patient revealed both cerebellar and cerebral cortical atrophy, with a noted loss of Purkinje cells and no evidence of polyglutamine aggregates. Molecular investigations have demonstrated considerable complexity of PPP2R2B, which appears to encode at least eight isoforms each with a different N-terminal region. The repeat potentially influences PPP2R2B expression, and is itself included in several splice variants, falling within an open reading frame of at least one of these variants.

The current data suggest at least two nonmutually exclusive hypotheses of SCA12 neurodegeneration. First, the repeat may influence PPP2R2B expression, by altering promoter activity, splicing, or transcript stability. This hypothesis would predict that the mutation changes the regulation of protein phosphatase 2A, with implications for the phosphoproteome. Alternatively, the repeat itself may be expressed and have toxic properties, though perhaps not through polyglutamine tracts. Either hypothesis may provide novel insight into the pathogenesis of neurodegeneration.
Functional interplay between Mediator and TFIIB in preinitiation complex assembly in relation to promoter architecture
Authors: Eychenne Thomas , Novikova Elizaveta , Barrault Marie-Bénédicte , Alibert Olivier , Boschiero Claire , Peixeiro Nuno , Cornu David , Redeker Virginie , Kuras Laurent , Nicolas Pierre , Werner Michel , Soutourina Julie
Published: September 2016

Mediator is a large coregulator complex conserved from yeast to humans and involved in many human diseases, including cancers. Together with general transcription factors, it stimulates preinitiation complex (PIC) formation and activates RNA polymerase II (Pol II) transcription. In this study, we analyzed how Mediator acts in PIC assembly using in vivo, in vitro, and in silico approaches. We revealed an essential function of the Mediator middle module exerted through its Med10 subunit, implicating a key interaction between Mediator and TFIIB. We showed that this Mediator–TFIIB link has a global role on PIC assembly genome-wide. Moreover, the amplitude of Mediator's effect on PIC formation is gene-dependent and is related to the promoter architecture in terms of TATA elements, nucleosome occupancy, and dynamics. This study thus provides mechanistic insights into the coordinated function of Mediator and TFIIB in PIC assembly in different chromatin contexts.
Neuron type-specific miRNA represses two broadly expressed genes to modulate an avoidance behavior in C. elegans
Authors: Drexel Tanja , Mahofsky Katharina , Latham Richard , Zimmer Manuel , Cochella Luisa
Published: September 2016

Two broad gene classes are distinguished within multicellular organisms: cell type-specific genes, which confer particular cellular properties, and ubiquitous genes that support general cellular functions. However, certain so-called ubiquitous genes show functionally relevant cell type-specific repression. How such repression is achieved is poorly understood. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are repressors, many of which are expressed with high cell type specificity. Here we show that mir-791, expressed exclusively in the CO2-sensing neurons in Caenorhabditis elegans, represses two otherwise broadly expressed genes. This repression is necessary for normal neuronal function and behavior of the animals toward CO2. miRNA-mediated repression of broadly transcribed genes is a previously unappreciated strategy for cellular specialization.
5,7-Dichloro-1H-indole-2,3-dione
Authors: Golen James A. , Manke David R.
Published: September 2016

The title compound, C8H3Cl2NO2, has a single molecule in the asymmetric unit that is close to planar, with the non-H atoms having a mean deviation from planarity of 0.035 Å. The molecules dimerize through two N—H...O hydrogen bonds. A weak intermolecular offset π–π interaction is also observed between the five- and six-membered rings, with a centroid–centroid separation of 3.8444 (16) Å.
Performance outcomes of environmental collaboration
Authors: Laari Sini , Solakivi Tomi , Töyli Juuso , Ojala Lauri
Published: September 2016

Purpose

Firms that need to address growing concerns about the environmental impact of their activities could benefit from collaborating internally and externally. The purpose of this paper is to develop and empirically test a theoretical model of the effects of internal and external environmental collaboration with customers on the firm performance of logistics service providers (LSPs).

Design/methodology/approach

Hierarchical multiple regression and generalised linear modelling are utilised to analyse 311 LSPs offering road transport services in Finland. The data set was collected from a Finnish nationwide logistics survey in 2012 and financial reports-based data.

Findings

External environmental collaboration with customers seems to be the most effective way to improve operational and financial performance, while internal environmental collaboration does not yield similar benefits.

Research limitations/implications

Research limitations include the concentrated geographic origin of the respondents and the exclusion of potential indirect effects of environmental collaboration on operational and financial performance through environmental performance.

Practical implications

Managers planning to implement environmental initiatives should extend their focus from internal operations to external partners in the supply chain.

Originality/value

This research is one of the first attempts to focus on performance outcomes with regard to the environmental activities of LSPs. The research provides quantified insights using both self-reported and financial reports-based data.
De-internationalisation
Authors: Trąpczyński Piotr
Published: September 2016

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to critically diagnose the current body of knowledge on de-internationalisation from the perspective of its various antecedents and implications for firms and to identify key research gaps and formulate recommendations for future research.

Design/methodology/approach

Contrary to many reviews of international business literature, this paper adopts a deductive approach by applying theory-driven dimensions of internationalisation to extant research so as to identify key developments and research gaps.

Findings

Among existing studies, attention has been consistently devoted to divestments, reductions of operating modes and foreign market withdrawals, while neglecting other crucial dimensions. Moreover, while financial effects of divestments have been frequently studied, the competitiveness implications of de-internationalisation have widely been neglected.

Research limitations/implications

Further research should consider de-internationalisation phenomena from the viewpoint of several interrelated aspects, as well as shift attention from studying failure to studying optimisation. More attention should be devoted to changes in the organisation of multinational enterprises in line with a changing degree of internationalisation.

Practical implications

The review provides a comprehensive synthesis of extant knowledge on the antecedents, forms and outcomes of de-internationalisation, which is of particular interest for decision-makers responsible for international expansion. This topic has been mostly neglected due to the sensitive character of the underlying decisions. The understanding of the determinants and consequences of de-internationalisation processes can contribute to a more conscious management of foreign operations.

Originality/value

The paper draws on the research paradigm of strategic management research, as well as international business literature, to refine the understanding of de-internationalisation and provide a contribution to this still under-researched area.
Springback analysis of channel cross-sectioned bar of work-hardening materials under torsional loading
Authors: Lal Radha Krishna , Choubey Vikas Kumar , Dwivedi J.P. , Singh V.P.
Published: September 2016

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to deal with the springback problems of channel cross-section bars of linear and non-linear work-hardening materials under torsional loading. Using the deformation theory of plasticity, a numerical scheme based on the finite difference approximation has been proposed. The growth of the elastic-plastic boundary and the resulting stresses while loading, and the springback and the residual stresses after unloading are calculated.

Design/methodology/approach

The numerical method which has been described in this paper for obtaining the solution of elasto-plastic solution can also be used for other sections. The only care that needs to be taken is to decrease the mesh size near points of stress concentration. The advantage of this technique is that it automatically takes care of all plastic zones developing over the section at different loads and gives a solution satisfying the elastic and plastic torsion equations in their respective regions.

Findings

As expected, elastic recovery is found to be more with decreasing values of n and λ. The difference in springback becomes more and more with increasing values of angle of twist. The material will approach an elastic ideally plastic behavior with increasing values of λ and n.

Originality/value

It seems that no attempt has been made to study residual stresses in elasto-plastic torsion of a work-hardening material for a channel cross-section.
A computer-aided articulation learning system for subjects with articulation disorders
Authors: Chen Yeou-Jiunn , Wu Jiunn-Liang
Published: September 2016

Purpose

Articulation errors substantially reduce speech intelligibility and the ease of spoken communication. Moreover, the articulation learning process that speech-language pathologists must provide is time consuming and expensive. The purpose of this paper, to facilitate the articulation learning process, is to develop a computer-aided articulation learning system to help subjects with articulation disorders.

Design/methodology/approach

Facial animations, including lip and tongue animations, are used to convey the manner and place of articulation to the subject. This process improves the effectiveness of articulation learning. An interactive learning system is implemented through pronunciation confusion networks (PCNs) and automatic speech recognition (ASR), which are applied to identify mispronunciations.

Findings

Speech and facial animations are effective for assisting subjects in imitating sounds and developing articulatory ability. PCNs and ASR can be used to automatically identify mispronunciations.

Research limitations/implications

Future research will evaluate the clinical performance of this approach to articulation learning.

Practical implications

The experimental results of this study indicate that it is feasible for clinically implementing a computer-aided articulation learning system in learning articulation.

Originality/value

This study developed a computer-aided articulation learning system to facilitate improving speech production ability in subjects with articulation disorders.
Soret and Dufour effects on double diffusive mixed convection of Newtonian and shear-thinning fluids in a two sided lid-driven cavity
Authors: Kefayati Gholamreza
Published: September 2016

Purpose

The thermal-diffusion (Soret) and the diffusion-thermo (Dufour) effects play a crucial role in double diffusive mixed convection in a lid-driven cavity; but they have not been studied properly by researchers. The purpose of this paper is to investigate effects of Soret and Dufour parameters on double diffusive laminar mixed convection of shear-thinning and Newtonian fluids in a two-sided lid-driven cavity.

Design/methodology/approach

Finite Difference Lattice Boltzmann method (FDLBM) has been applied to solve the complex problem. This study has been conducted for the certain pertinent parameters of Richardson number (Ri=0.00062-1), power-law index (n=0.2-1), Soret parameter (Sr=−5-5) as Dufour number effects have been investigated from Dr=−5 to 5 at Buoyancy ratio of N=1 and Lewis number of Le=5.

Findings

Results indicate that the augmentation of Richardson number causes heat and mass transfer to decrease. The fall of the power-law index declines heat and mass transfer at Ri=0.00062 and 0.01 in various Dufour and Soret parameters. At Ri=1, the heat and mass transfer rise with the increment of power-law index for Dr=0 and Sr=0. The least effect of power-law index on heat and mass transfer among the studied Richardson numbers was observed at Ri=1. The positive Dufour numbers augment the heat transfer gradually as the positive Soret numbers enhance the mass transfer. The Dr=−5 and Sr=−5 provokes the negative average Nusselt and Sherwood numbers, respectively, to be generated. The least magnitude of the average Nusselt and Sherwood numbers were obtained at Dr=−1 and Sr=−1, respectively.

Originality/value

Soret and Dufour effects in double diffusive mixed convection has not been studied in a lid-driven cavity. In addition. this study has been conducted also for shear-thinning fluids.
A Fortran implementation of isogeometric analysis for thin plate problems with the penalty method
Authors: Chang Feng , Wang Weiqiang , Liu Yan , Qu Yanpeng
Published: September 2016

Purpose

As one of the earliest high-level programming languages, Fortran with easy accessibility and computational efficiency is widely used in the engineering field. The purpose of this paper is to present a Fortran implementation of isogeometric analysis (IGA) for thin plate problems.

Design/methodology/approach

IGA based on non-uniform rational B-splines (NURBS) offers exact geometries and is more accurate than finite element analysis (FEA). Unlike the basis functions in FEA, NURBS basis functions are non-interpolated. Hence, the penalty method is used to enforce boundary conditions.

Findings

Several thin plate examples based on the Kirchhoff-Love theory were illustrated to demonstrate the accuracy of the implementation in contrast with analytical solutions, and the efficiency was validated in comparison with another open method.

Originality/value

A Fortran implementation of NURBS-based IGA was developed to solve Kirchhoff-Love plate problems. It easily obtained high-continuity basis functions, which are necessary for Kirchhoff formulation. In comparison with theoretical solutions, the numerical examples demonstrated higher accuracy and faster convergence of the Fortran implementation. The Fortran implementation can well solve the time-consuming problem, and it was validated by the time-consumption comparison with the Matlab implementation. Due to the non-interpolation of NURBS, the penalty method was used to impose boundary conditions. A suggestion of the selection of penalty coefficients was given.
Design-manufacturing integration and manufacturing complexity
Authors: Thomé Antônio Márcio Tavares , Sousa Rui
Published: September 2016

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to propose that the effectiveness of organizational design-manufacturing integration (ODMI) practices is contingent upon the degree of complexity of the manufacturing environment. The paper submits that the level of use of ODMI ought to match the level of complexity of the manufacturing environment. The paper puts forward the hypothesis that when a misfit occurs between ODMI and complexity (high use of ODMI practices in low complexity environments or low use of ODMI practices in high complexity environments) manufacturing operational performance declines.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper tests the hypothesis based on a survey database of 725 manufacturers from 21 countries. The measurement model was assessed with confirmatory factor analysis and the hypothesis was tested with linear regression.

Findings

A misfit between the level of ODMI use (job rotation and co-location) and manufacturing complexity (product and process complexity) has a negative effect on manufacturing operational performance dimensions of quality, delivery and flexibility. Post hoc analyses also suggest that firms that operate in different environments in what concerns the rate of change in process technologies suffer differentiated negative impacts of ODMI-complexity misfit.

Research limitations/implications

Future studies could extend this research to other dimensions of design-manufacturing integration, such as technological practices.

Practical implications

Manufacturers with high levels of complexity should invest strongly in ODMI practices. However, manufacturers with low levels of complexity should invest in these practices with caution since the expected payoffs may not outweigh the effort.

Originality/value

The study assesses fit as a simultaneous set of contingency factors, applying profile-deviation analysis to ODMI and operational performance relationships. By focusing on plant-level manufacturing complexity, this study complements existing studies of product development complexity which tend to focus on project-level complexity.
Exploring quality challenges and the validity of excellence models
Authors: Eriksson Henrik , Gremyr Ida , Bergquist Bjarne , Garvare Rickard , Fundin Anders , Wiklund Håkan , Wester Michael , Sörqvist Lars
Published: September 2016

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to identify and explore important quality-related challenges facing organizations, and investigate how current excellence models incorporate these challenges.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper is based on a Delphi study of Swedish organizations. Forty-nine challenges were generated and ranked according to importance and the ten top-ranked challenges were compared to the principles of four excellence models.

Findings

The excellence models still seem to be relevant since their content matches many of the identified challenges. The Malcolm Baldrige National Quality Award and the Swedish Institute for Quality models were found to have the most comprehensive coverage, while the International Organization for Standardization model had limited coverage.

Research limitations/implications

Three areas for further research were identified: first, how quality management (QM) can evolve in different contexts that have varying needs in terms of adaptive and explorative capabilities; second, the interfaces of QM and sustainability, and ways to understand how customers and stakeholders can be active contributors to improvements; and third, the roles of the owners and board of directors regarding QM, and how to organize and distribute responsibilities of the QM work.

Practical implications

There are three important challenges that future revisions of excellence models could address: first, making QM a strategic issue for company owners; second, involving customers in the improvement activities; and third, developing processes that are robust yet still easily adaptable.

Originality/value

The Delphi study identified upcoming challenges in the QM area based on input from 188 quality professionals.
Value in the middle: cultivating middle managers in healthcare organizations
Authors: Belasen Alan , Belasen Ariel R.
Published: September 2016

Purpose

Senior executives in healthcare organizations increasingly display preference for a closer handling of operational levels, bypassing middle managers, and de-emphasizing the need to cultivate the next cadre of leaders, creating the potential for leadership and performance gaps. The authors argue that middle managers are a vital resource for healthcare organizations and review the benefits for including them in leadership development and succession planning programs. The paper aims to discuss these issues.

Design/methodology/approach

Current theories and common practices in addition to data collected from government sources (e.g. BLS), business and industry surveys and reports (e.g. Moody’s, Witt/Kieffer, Deloitte, American Hospital Association) are used to classify the roles, skills, and strategic value of middle managers in healthcare organizations.

Findings

The combination of a greater executive span with less hierarchical depth creates a dual effect of devaluing middle management, and a decrease in middle managers’ autonomy. Healthcare middle managers who stay away or lay low further trigger perceptions of low expectations leading to low morale and high levels of stress. Others become hypereffective or develop exit strategies. Major problems are: rising turnover costs; and insufficient attention to succession planning, internal promotion, and leadership development.

Practical implications

The outcomes of this study are useful for management development, particularly at times of change. Practitioners and researchers can have a better understanding of the value of middle managers and their development needs as well as the factors and dynamics that can influence their motivation and affect retention.

Originality/value

Understanding and implementing the ideas developed in this paper by healthcare organizations and other companies can lead to a drastic change in the current perceptions of the importance of middle managers and should lead to long-term retention, well-being, and extrinsic benefits for both the company and its employees.
Customer experience formation in today’s service landscape
Authors: Lipkin Michaela
Published: September 2016

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to review customer experience formation (CXF) by first locating and analyzing how researchers approach CXF in the service literature and the theoretical underpinnings of these approaches, and then assessing which approaches are best suited for understanding, facilitating, and examining CXF in today’s service landscape.

Design/methodology/approach

This study systematically reviews 163 articles published between 1998 and 2015 in the service field.

Findings

This study illustrates how researchers approach CXF on the individual level by applying stimulus- interaction- or sense-making-based perspectives. These reflect researchers’ theoretical underpinnings for how individuals realize the customer experience within environmental, social, and temporal contexts through intermediation. Researchers further apply contextual lenses, including the dyadic and service- or customer-ecosystem lenses, which reflect their theoretical underpinnings for explaining how various actor constellations and contextual boundaries frame individual-level CXF. Finally, this study shows why the sense-making-based perspective, together with a service- or customer-ecosystem lens, is particularly suitable for approaching complex CXF in today’s service settings.

Research limitations/implications

To advance theory, researchers should choose the approaches resonant with their research problem and worldview but also consider that today’s complex service landscape favors holistic and systemic approaches over atomistic and dyadic ones.

Practical implications

This study provides managers with recommendations for understanding, facilitating, and evaluating contemporary CXF.

Originality/value

This study advances the understanding of CXF by systematically reviewing its multiple layers, approaches, and dimensions and the opportunities and challenges of each approach.
Customer response to interactional service experience
Authors: Albrecht Carmen-Maria , Hattula Stefan , Bornemann Torsten , Hoyer Wayne D.
Published: September 2016

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to examine causal attribution in interactional service experiences. The paper investigates how triggers in the environment of a customer-employee interaction influence customer behavioral response to employees’ negative and positive affect. Additionally, it studies the role of sympathy and authenticity as underlying mechanisms of this relationship.

Design/methodology/approach

Two scenario-based experimental designs (N1=162; N2=138) were used. Videotaped scenarios served as stimulus material for the manipulation of two focal variables: the employee’s emotional display as either negative or positive and the availability of an emotion trigger in the interaction environment to convey the attribution dimension of cause uncontrollability. The emotion trigger’s visibility was varied in the two studies. Customer response was captured by buying intentions.

Findings

Customer responses are more favorable for both positive and negative interactional experiences when customers have access to information on cause uncontrollability (i.e. notice triggers in the interaction environment). Analyses reveal that these effects stem from feelings of sympathy for negative experiences and authenticity for positive experiences.

Originality/value

This research supports the relevance of causal attribution research on interactional service experiences, which have high-profit impact. Moreover, the findings underline the importance of the experience of fact in service interactions and thereby provide a more nuanced view on the discussion of whether service providers should use impression management strategies to engender customer satisfaction even when this behavior is “faked.”
Reliability centered maintenance actions prioritization using fuzzy inference systems
Authors: Awad Mahmoud , As’ad Rami Afif
Published: September 2016

Purpose

Deploying an effective maintenance strategy across an organization stands out as an essential risk mitigation measure that plays a critical role toward improving the reliability and availability of production facilities. The purpose of this paper is to propose a simple, yet well-structured approach toward prioritizing maintenance actions as part of a reliability centered maintenance (RCM) implementation plan, and selecting the most important subset of those actions subject to time and budget constraints.

Design/methodology/approach

A comprehensive RCM actions prioritization methodology is proposed using four criteria: severity, benefit to cost ratio, customer satisfaction, and easiness of action implementation. The method utilizes fuzzy inference system (FIS) to incorporate subject matter experts’ feedback into the decision-making process. The output of the FIS, which takes the form of a numerical weight that assesses the relative importance of each criterion, is then fed into a binary integer program that selects the optimal maintenance actions out of a set of possible actions.

Findings

The implementation of the developed methodology is demonstrated using a real-life example of a hydraulic brake system circuit that is used in construction equipment. The computational results illustrate the validity of the proposed approach and indicate that the selection of which maintenance actions to carry out is impacted by the relative importance (i.e. weight) of the considered criteria.

Originality/value

The work presented in this paper provides the decision makers with a systematic procedure that helps in selecting the most relevant maintenance actions instead of making the selection in a complete ad hoc manner or based merely on subjective opinions.
Property investment decision making by Australian unlisted property funds
Authors: Parker David
Published: September 2016

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to investigate the property investment decision-making process of Australian unlisted property funds.

Design/methodology/approach

Drawing on previous research into property investment decision making by Australian REITs, a normative model of the unlisted property fund investment decision-making process is proposed. Based on exploratory investigation through semi-structured interviews with senior Australian unlisted property fund decision makers, a descriptive model of the property investment decision-making process by Australian unlisted property funds is developed. The normative model and descriptive model are compared and a prescriptive model of the Australian unlisted property fund investment decision-making process proposed.

Findings

A four-stage, 20-step process proposed in the normative model was found to be generally supported by the descriptive model developed, potentially comprising a possible prescriptive model for the Australian unlisted property fund investment decision-making process.

Research limitations/implications

Further research is required to investigate risk-return issues, whether the prescriptive model is generalisable across other property investment decision-making groups or over time and whether it may lead to “good” decisions.

Practical implications

The prescriptive model proposed may contribute consistency and transparency to the decision-making process, if adopted by Australian unlisted property funds, potentially leading to better decisions.

Social implications

Greater consistency and transparency in property investment decision making by Australian unlisted property funds may lead to the optimal allocation of capital and greater investor confidence in the sector.

Originality/value

The findings comprise the first possible prescriptive model of the Australian unlisted property fund investment decision-making process, forming a basis for comparative investigation of that process adopted by other property investment decision-making groups such as Australian REITs and Australian retail property funds.
Internal auditing and assurance of corporate social responsibility reports and disclosures: perspectives of some internal auditors in Ghana
Authors: Simpson Samuel Nana Yaw , Aboagye-Otchere Francis , Lovi Ruby
Published: September 2016

Purpose

This study aims to examine the nature and extent of internal auditors’ (IAs) involvement in corporate social responsibility (CSR) assurance. It also ascertains the capacity building requirements to legitimise the role of IAs as a credible form of providing CSR assurance.

Design/methodology/approach

A qualitative research approach was adopted, where data were collected through semi-structured interview of IAs of companies in Ghana that produce CSR reports.

Findings

Findings suggest that companies appreciate the fact that the internal audit function could provide independent assurance on CSR reports. However, there is limited information on the nature and scope of the assurance procedures. Moreover, most IAs seem to lack the requisite knowledge and skills needed to effectively carry out CSR assurance engagements. These evidences suggest a relatively low level of reliance being placed on CSR assurance services provided internally.

Research limitations/implications

Findings are purely based on the perceptions of IAs. Future studies may include the views of those who appoint IAs (i.e. management).

Practical implications

Findings engender discussions on the need for IAs and regulators of IAs (e.g. the Institute of Internal Auditors), particularly those in developing countries to begin to conscientise practitioners on the changing roles of the IA in the areas of CSR and CSR assurance.

Originality/value

This study is one of the very few studies on CSR assurance from the perspective of IAs and it also based on evidence from an African context. Also, the study provides evidence on the need for a deliberate effort to equip internal audit practitioners to provide at least some minimal assurance on CSR disclosures and reports.