bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Reducing transportation emissions
Authors: Pålsson Henrik , Johansson Ola
Published: March 2016

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to examine the intention of companies to reduce transportation emissions by 2020 and the barriers and the discriminating factors that affect the reduction.

Design/methodology/approach

– A literature review identified potential logistical and technical actions and their barriers, and discriminating factors for reducing transportation emissions. A survey of freight transport-intensive industries in Sweden examined the effects of, intention for implementation of and barriers to 12 actions to reduce CO2emissions from freight transportation. In total, 172 logistics managers responded, representing a response rate of 40.3 per cent.

Findings

– Logistics service providers (LSPs) and freight owners are likely to reduce a considerable amount of CO2emissions from freight transportation by 2020 using a combination of actions. The lowest level of confidence was for reducing CO2emissions by changing logistics structures, while there was greater confidence by means of operational changes. The actions have few barriers, but there is often a combination of barriers to overcome. Three discriminating factors influence the intention of a firm to reduce transportation emissions: perceived potential, company size and LSP/freight owner. The industrial sector of a freight owner has minor influence. Companies that are particularly likely to reduce emissions are LSPs, large companies, and those that perceive a large reduction potential.

Research limitations/implications

– Logistical and technical barriers appear to hinder companies from implementing actions, while organisational barriers and external prerequisites do not. Barriers cannot be used to predict companies’ intentions to reduce transportation emissions. The authors examined the impact of three discriminating factors on reduction of transportation emissions. The research is based on perceptions of well-informed managers and on companies in Sweden.

Practical implications

– The findings can be used by managers to identify firms for benchmarking initiatives and emissions-reducing strategies.

Originality/value

– The study provides insights into intended CO2reductions in transportation by 2020. It presents new knowledge regarding barriers and discriminating factors for implementing actions to reduce transportation emissions.
Suitability of performance indicators and benchmarking practices in UK universities
Authors: Tee Kong Fah
Published: March 2016

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to provide a common framework for benchmarking practices used in higher education.

Design/methodology/approach

– An electronic questionnaire survey was distributed to senior management team and senior administrators among the top 200 UK universities in the world.

Findings

– A review of the current practices of benchmarking among the universities in the UK is presented and the types of performance indicators adopted within universities in relation to research, teaching and administration are outlined.

Originality/value

– The suitability of performance indicators adopted in the current national and international rankings is also investigated. Opinions of respondents on important factors for successful benchmarking are also compiled and analysed.
Harmonization and differences in CSR reporting of US and German companies
Authors: Einwiller Sabine , Ruppel Christopher , Schnauber Alexandra
Published: March 2016

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to extend the theoretical discussion and empirical evidence on harmonization as well as differences in CSR reporting, and to dismantle inconsistencies owing to the idiosyncratic methods applied in previous studies. While institutional and cultural differences suggest country-of-origin effects, the proliferation of global standards for CSR reporting is expected to promote harmonization.

Design/methodology/approach

– Based on a literature review hypotheses concerning harmonization and country-of-origin effects were derived. Reports were content analyzed using the software Leximancer. Harmonization effects were examined by comparing reports of companies that adhered to the standards by the Global Reporting Initiative (GRI) and UN Global Compact and those that did not declare to do so. Country-of-origin effects were explored by comparing reports of German and US multinational enterprises (MNEs).

Findings

– The study reveals that there are comparatively greater similarities between reports issued by MNEs that adhere to global standards, especially GRI. Results also reveal some country-of-origin effects. While German MNEs report more on environmental issues, US MNEs have a stronger focus on society, especially the community.

Originality/value

– The study contributes to the limited evidence for harmonization in CSR reporting due to the adherence to global reporting standards. Because comparability is important for many stakeholders addressed by the reports the findings are valuable for stakeholder management, but also for the initiatives who aim to enhance transparency and comparability.
We knew it all along! Using cognitive science to explain how andragogy works
Authors: Hagen Marcia , Park Sunyoung
Published: March 2016

Purpose

– This paper aims to link recent findings in cognitive neuroscience to better understand how andragogically informed instructional practices impact cognition and learning.

Design/methodology/approach

– The research questions guiding the study is in what ways can the recent findings in cognitive neuroscience help to inform adult education theory, including andragogy in particular, to deepen our understanding of how andragogical instructional principles and practices can improve learning? We adopted Torraco’s (2005) integrative literature review approach of providing enough details regarding the selection of the literature and the identification and verification of emerged themes of main ideas.

Findings

– The core assumptions of andragogy (self-direction, prior experience, readiness to learn and immediacy of application) have a connection to the neural networks related to memory and cognition.

Research limitations/implications

– First, this study provides fundamental foundations for combining cognitive neuroscience and adult learning to illuminate how cognitive neuroscience contributes physiologically to adult learning. Second, the findings in cognitive neuroscience related to the four assumptions for andragogy help to provide scientific explanations and interpretations for adult learning theories influencing human resource development (HRD), such as self-directed learning, experiential learning and role theory.

Practical implications

– First, HRD practitioners could use the integrative approach between andragogy and the cognitive neuroscience to reduce the issues of learning activities in generation differences. In addition, cognitive neuroscience research may contribute to improving teaching and instructional techniques.

Originality/value

– The contributions of this study is that it provides an integrative review about why and how anagogical principles work through the lens of cognitive neuroscience. Based on the findings, we suggested a model of adaptive cognitive neuroscience-adult learning structures.
Social trust and use of banking services across households in 28 transitional countries
Authors: Afandi Elvin , Habibov Nazim
Published: March 2016

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to use survey data from a sample of 29,000 households from 28 transitional countries and Turkey to address two main questions: first, is there any effect of social trust on the use of banking services; and second, what are the household-level and country-specific determinants of using banking services in transitional countries.

Design/methodology/approach

– The authors use binary probit models, instrumental variables methods and various econometric specifications to test the hypothesis.

Findings

– The authors found that the higher level of trust in people predicts a greater level in use of banking services by households regardless of the model specifications and econometric adjustments employed. This association appears to be more prominent among less educated respondents and in countries with low levels of legal enforcement. The results also suggest that location, income and wealth of households, along with country income level, legal enforcement and inflation rates strongly affect the decisions made by households regarding their use of banking services. In contrast, the authors found either a very small or non-significant impact with regard to bank ownership structure on the use of banking services across households.

Originality/value

– To the best of the knowledge this is the first study which specifically focusses on social trust and the usage of formal banking services across a large set of transitional countries.
Productivity growth in the winery sector: evidence from Italy and Spain
Authors: Sellers-Rubio Ricardo , Alampi Sottini Veronica , Menghini Silvio
Published: March 2016

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to estimate total productivity change in the winery sector, decomposing it into efficiency change and technical change.

Design/methodology/approach

– The methodology is based on the estimation of the Malmquist productivity index for a sample of Spanish and Italian wineries between 2005 and 2013.

Findings

– The results show very low efficiency levels for the wineries under study. Further, Spanish and Italian wineries show a decrease in their average annual productivity for the period of time analysed.

Practical implications

– The analysis of the efficiency and the productivity of the wineries is crucial to improve their competitiveness and guarantee their survival.

Originality/value

– For the first time, a comparative analysis is carried out with data from two major wine-producing countries.
Strategic winery reputation management – exploring German wine guides
Authors: Dressler Marc
Published: March 2016

Purpose

– Positioning via quality is key for German wineries. The aim of the study was to explore reputational variables (collective and firm reputation) the study as well as limits of reputational effects.

Design/methodology/approach

– A multi-dimensional approach, taking a supplier perspective, accessing multiple sources and evaluating Germany serves to explore exogenous factors on reputation. Descriptive and regression analyses examine individual and collective reputational effects for jury grades as proxy for quality and price as the dependent variables.

Findings

– For collective reputation, region and cooperative memberships strongly matter, whereby region can be a competitive disadvantage and membership shows superior impact. Being a private but managed winery and belonging to a closed quality circle maximizes quality reputation. Strategic grouping has a distinctive effect, not size. Germany specificities and illustration to the obstacles of free-ridership are delivered.

Practical implications

– Strategic management (including location) help to create a reputational profile. Growth should not be motivated by reputation. Different strategies for the wine guides to build reputation can be pursued, but conquering the top league is a challenge, especially in case of negative collective reputation.

Originality/value

– For academia, the value of the study consists mainly in the discovery of the dominance of membership in a quality circle and its impact on collective reputation, and the creative multi-dimensional and multi-source approach. Also, cross-guide analysis is new. Practitioners can tailor a specific strategy vis-Ã -vis guides on the basis of the created transparency.
Review of empirical research on knowledge management practices and firm performance
Authors: Inkinen Henri
Published: March 2016

Purpose

Knowledge management (KM) has emerged as one of the most discussed new management methods. Among the most debated areas in KM has been the association between knowledge and firm performance, but a lack of understanding and consensus still remains as a major issue. This paper aims to address the research gap by reviewing the empirical literature and determining how KM-based managerial and organizational practices are related with firm performance.

Design/methodology/approach

This study followed a systematic review procedure.

Findings

The findings demonstrate that utilization of KM practices is significant driver for innovation. Also, specific leadership characteristics and organizational arrangements are likely to support firm performance through more efficient and effective management of knowledge resources.

Research limitations/implications

This study adds to the discussion on knowledge-based view of the firm by pointing out the key organizational and managerial practices that are associated with firm performance. The results of this study also add structure to the previously scattered discussion on KM practices by synthesizing the relevant literature

Practical implications

Measuring KM performance is characterized by organizational complexity; this study demonstrated that innovation is a likely outcome of utilization of KM practices, but there are numerous other factors that influence the financial performance figures. Also, this study points out that organizations should pay attention to specific KM leadership attributes and organizational arrangements in order to achieve firm performance through KM.

Originality/value

This is the first systematic literature review on KM practices and firm performance. The results increase understanding of efficient and effective management of knowledge resources for organizational benefit.
Place branding as a strategic spatial planning instrument
Authors: Oliveira Eduardo
Published: March 2016

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to critically explore the role of place branding, specifically at the regional scale, as an instrument for the attainment of strategic spatial planning goals. It also aims to contribute to the academic debate on place branding by discussing its relevance and effectiveness in supporting economic and social spatial realignment through civic participation and the shaping of clearly envisioned agreed futures.

Design/methodology/approach

Exploratory in nature, this paper’s theoretical exploration is developed by detailing relevant findings from a case study on the significance of a regional branding initiative, integrated in a wider planning strategy for northern Portugal (NUTS II). In conducting this exploratory research, primary data were gathered through 16 in-depth, semi-structured interviews with key regional actors and organizations with a stake (and expertise) in the region.

Findings

Findings show the key strategic domains in which the region excels. These domains could fuel a potential regional branding initiative. However, the key regional actors interviewed agree that the diverse and fragmented regional assets and the socioeconomic scenario all require and yet hinder regional coordination efforts. In addition, territorial reorganization and the definition of a regional economic model, plus decentralization of decision-making and the establishment of leadership, are imperative for the effectiveness of a regional branding strategy aligned with the ongoing strategic spatial planning initiatives.

Practical implications

Managerial implications of integrating the opinions and perspectives of regional actors into a potential place-branding initiative as strategic spatial planning instrument include improving socio-spatial and spatial-economic condition of the region and envisioning shared futures.

Originality/value

By guiding the thoughts of scholars, practitioners and policymakers towards a strategic spatial planning approach to place branding, the paper contributes to the advancement and maturation of the place-branding field, by lending a more strategic approach and geographical/spatial consciousness to the process of place branding. The paper also sheds light on the challenges and complexity of branding regions, a scale of analysis seldom explored in place-branding literature.
Hitting the right note for child and adolescent mental and emotional wellbeing: a formative qualitative evaluation of Sistema Scotland’s “Big Noise” orchestral programme
Authors: Harkins Christopher , Garnham Lisa , Campbell Aileen , Tannahill Carol
Published: March 2016

Purpose

– Previous research emphasises the need for preventative interventions to reduce mental health problems among disadvantaged children and adolescents. There is however little consensus concerning the delivery and impacts of such interventions particularly non-clinical, arts-based models delivered within community settings. The purpose of this paper is to begin to address this deficit through a qualitative assessment of the short- to medium-term impacts to participants’ mental and emotional wellbeing within Sistema Scotland’s Big Noise orchestral programme.

Design/methodology/approach

– Semi-structured interviews, observation, participant drawing exercise, participatory filmmaking, focus group and analysis of programme engagement were undertaken to examine the mental and emotional wellbeing impacts of the programme which are observable at this early stage of programme delivery and participants’ lives.

Findings

– The qualitative findings indicate that participation in the Big Noise programme enhances participant mental and emotional wellbeing in three ways; first, the happiness and enjoyment of taking part in the programme and orchestra, particularly from music making; second, the security, belonging and relationships fostered through participation; the quality of musician/participant relationship is important here as is programme design which enables support, routine and structure; and third, increased pride, confidence and self-esteem, as a result of acquiring difficult musical skills, receiving regular praise and having frequent opportunities to demonstrate these acquired skills through regular orchestral performances.

Originality/value

– There is little evidence or understanding of community-based, preventative, arts interventions like Big Noise: their delivery, their life-course impacts and their potential contribution to mental health and to addressing social and health inequalities. The causal pathways in the field are under-theorised. These early findings are important as they serve as an important basis from which to consider the programme’s wider and longer term impacts, which will be assessed through an on-going longitudinal, mixed method summative evaluation.
Chemometric modeling to predict retention times for a large set of pesticides or toxicants using hybrid genetic algorithm/multiple linear regression approach
Authors: Amirat Khadidja , Ziani Nadia , Messadi Djelloul
Published: March 2016

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to predict the retention times of 84 pesticides or toxicants.

Design/methodology/approach

– Quantitative structure – retention relationship analysis was performed on a set of 84 pesticides or toxicants using a hybrid approach genetic algorithm/multiple linear regression (GA/MLR).

Findings

– A model with six descriptors was developed using as independent variables. Theoretical descriptors derived from Spartan and Dragon softwares when applying GA/MLR approach.

Originality/value

– A six parameter linear model developed by GA/MLR, with R² of 90.54, Q² of 88.15 and S of 0.0381 in Log value. Several validation techniques, including leave-many-out cross-validation, randomization test, and validation through the test set, illustrated the reliability of the proposed model. All of the descriptors involved can be directly calculated from the molecular structure of the compounds, thus the proposed model is predictive and could be used to estimate the retention times of pesticides or toxicants.
An Engineering Approach for Assessment of Fabric Filterability
Authors: El-Hadidy A. , Fadel A. , Fadel H.
Published: March 2016

Multilayer technical fabrics are an important part of fibrous filters used in raw water filtration systems. The implementation of the filtration process depends on the structure of the fabric system, water particle deposition mechanisms and water flow conditions. This paper discusses, in terms of theoretical models, the results of an investigation on the flow resistance and efficiency of raw water filtration at the initial stage, in which the dispersed phase consists of liquid particles, through a multilayer technical fabric system with different structural parameters.

The research results indicate the functional dependence of filtering properties on thestructural parameters of the fibres studied (primarily, fabric packing density coefficient,fabric tightness, and raw water flow parameters, such as the water flow rate (time)). The results of the research on multilayer technical fabrics with particular focus on the analysis of pore fraction distribution may be of crucial importance in forecasting the use of multilayer technical fabrics as filtering media for raw water filtration processing, considering that the conditions are sufficient
Effect of Test Methods on Apparent Moisture Vapour Transmission of P/V and P/C Fabrics
Authors: Das Subhasis , Kothari V. K.
Published: March 2016

The moisture vapour permeability properties of a series of almost similar polyesterviscose (P/V) and polyester-cotton (P/C) blended fabrics are investigated. The water vapour transport rate greatly differs depending on the principle of the test methods, even when other parameters are nearly identical, such as air permeability, areal density, porosity and thickness. The water absorption characteristics of fibre seem to be the most important in determining the overall water vapour transport rate. Substitution of polyester for viscose and cotton in P/V and P/C blended fabrics respectively, reduces the water transport rate of the fabrics in a long term method. It is found that the P/C blended fabrics show greater water vapour transport than the corresponding P/V fabrics when a long term test method is used; however, the P/V fabrics show relatively higher water vapour permeability than the P/C fabrics when short duration tests are carried out by using the Permetest and moisture vapour transmission rate (MVTR) cell methods
Combining Dynamic Foot Scanning and Additive Manufacturing for the Production of Insoles: a Case Study
Authors: Salles André S. , Gyi Diane E. , Schmeltzpfenning Timo
Published: March 2016

The development of an insole that is representative of the foot's dynamic nature is crucial for good fit as well as comfort and performance. Additive manufacturing (AM) has the potential to allow the production of such insoles because of its tool-less capabilities and the ability to directly manufacture from CAD models at no extra cost. Research therefore has been undertaken to explore a process of foot capture by using a dynamic scanner for the design and manufacture of insoles using AM. The feet of four individuals were dynamically and statically scanned and from these data, four insole designs were developed for each person. The designs were: footprint, dynamic, average and static. The results indicated that the personalisation process is complex, mainly due to the need to identify and select the point cloud(s) from a large number of frames and manipulate them accordingly, presenting challenges in the design phase. The data from this study have demonstrated that combining dynamic scanning and AM technology is feasible for developing personalised insoles. While traditional footwear/insole is based on static data, this study can be considered as a starting point for the development of personalised insoles by using dynamic scanning and AM.
Instrumented Insoles for Designing and Evaluating Footwear
Authors: Paulick Peyton E. , Pham Amy L. , Bachman Mark
Published: March 2016

Foot injury and foot related disorders can cause pain, deformity, fatigue, headaches, and exacerbation of foot injury. While these disorders can be caused by a variety of factors, the design of footwear can be an important prevention to further injury or discomfort. While fashion is a high priority to many when selecting footwear, careful and rational design of shoes can help to prevent (or reduce) the onset of many foot disorders and health problems. Instrumented shoes or insoles can be greatly useful for characterizing the forces and biomechanical response to shoe designs. Such devices can be developed as non-obtrusive sensing systems for measuring pressure at various locations in the foot as well as acceleration of the toe and heel during regular, everyday activity. Instrumented insoles reveal much about the biomechanical response of a subject to the specific design of the shoe. Such instrumentation can have great utility in assisting shoe designers with the development of footwear that promotes human well-being and health.
A One-step Process for the Modification of Wool Fibers with Titanate Tetrabutyl by Low Temperature Hydrothermal Method
Authors: Zhang Hui , Yang Zhenwei , Zhang Xingtao
Published: March 2016

In this paper, wool fibers are modified with titanate tetrabutyl by coating and grafting titanium dioxide (TiO2) nanoparticles under low temperature hydrothermal conditions. Field emission scanning electron microscopy, energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction, transmission electron microscopy, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, thermal gravimetric analysis and diffuse reflectance spectroscopy are used as the characterization techniques. It is found that anatase TiO2 nanocrystals with crystal sizes smaller than 10 nm can be synthesized and simultaneously grafted onto fiber surfaces. In comparison with pristine wool fibers, the thermal stability for the TiO2-coated wool fibers is slightly changed. The ability to block ultraviolet radiation is improved. The volume density is slightly increased. The tensile properties are enhanced, while the crimp properties worsened. A photocatalytic degradation process of methylene blue dye and a decoloration rocess of chlorophyll are developed.
Synthesis and Application of Novel Reactive Disperse Dye Based on Tetrahydrobenzo[b] Thiophene Moiety
Authors: Mohamed F. A. , Mohareb R. M.
Published: March 2016

Ethyl 2-diazo-4, 5, 6, 7-tetrahydrobenzo[b] thiophene-3-carboxylate is reacted with malononitrile to give a hydrazone derivative. The latter product is reacted with 1-diazobenzene-4-β-sulphatoethylsulphone (PABSES) to give a disperse dye. The dye is synthesised by diazotisation and coupling reactions. First, it is synthesised with the chromophoric moiety of ethyl 2-hydrazomalononitrilo-4,5,6,7-tetrahydrobenzo[b] thiopheen- 3-carboxylate and coupled with diazonium salts that have the aforementioned reactive groups, thus yielding the new target reactive. The synthesised dye is applied onto wool, polyester and wool-polyester (blend) fabrics under typical exhaust dyeing conditions and their dyeing properties are investigated. The structure of this dye is characterised and confirmed by melting point, elemental analysis, infrared, ultraviolet-visible spectroscopy (UV/VIS) and nuclear magnetic resonance (1H-NMR) data. The dyeing of polyester, wool and polyester/wool blend fabrics with a reactive disperse dye gives very good build up and fastness properties by using a nonionic vinylsulphone (VS) derivative, which increases the substantivity of the dye towards wool fabric. Maximum exhaustion as well as total fixation efficiency by using a sulfatoethylsulfone (SES)-based dye on wool fabric is achieved at a neutral pH of 7. This feature of the dye structure significantly improves the union dyeing of wool/polyester blend fabrics with very good build up and fastness properties.
Bio-washing of Pigment Dyed Denim with Laccases
Authors: Montazer M. , Sadeghian V.
Published: March 2016

Nowadays, pigment dyeing is one of the most interesting methods that is applied to make specific designs on denim and fashionable garments. Here, in this research, the bio-washing of pigment dyed denim has been considered with laccases. The desizing and bleaching of denim samples are first carried out and they are subsequently dyed with two types of pigments (Bemacol Blue GF and Ricoprint OSD Serie Blue) through the exhaustion method. The pigment dyed samples are then washed with various laccase concentrations, with and without the use of pumice stones. Color changes, bending and wrinkle recovery are examined. Furthermore, the surface morphology of the products is verified by a scanning electron microscope (SEM) and a Projectina microscope. The samples washed with laccases and pumice stones show higher dye stripping compared with those without the use of pumice stones. The bending properties of the samples treated by pumice stones show desirable results compared with the laccases, but this caused intense damage to the samples. Also, desirable results have been achieved by using laccases in the washing process. Treatment with laccases helps to obtain brilliant samples with decreased staining on the samples with a pocket and also lowers pigment discharge in the effluent.
Spraying Colloidal Nano TiO2 and Cross-linkable Polysiloxane onto Acrylic Carpet for Self-cleaning
Authors: Nazari Ali , Torabian Shahab , Montazer Majid , Moghadam Mohammad Bameni , Shahvaziyan Mohammad
Published: March 2016

In this study, self-cleaning properties are introduced to acrylic carpet through a simple method of spraying nano titanium dioxide (NTO) onto the carpet surface. A cross-linkable polysiloxane (PS) softener is also applied to enhance the washing durability, self-cleaning properties and handle softness. The self-cleaning properties of the acrylic carpet are investigated by using Solophenyl Red GBL as a synthetic dye and black mulberry as a natural dye to stain the carpet. The PS and NTO concentrations and the type of ultra violet (UV) irradiation are designed based on the statistical approach of a central composite design (CCD). UV irradiation is used under the form of daylight for 16 h, UV-A (400 W) for 1 h and UV-C (20 W) for 3 h. The photocatalytic decolorization values (ΔE*) of the treated carpet are measured and the optimized models are presented. The PS is capable of stabilizing the NTO particles on the surface of the acrylic carpet and helps to increase the washing durability. Also, the NTO particles can effectively photodegrade both the Solophenyl Red GBL and black mulberry dyes which act as the two coloring stains.
Abrasion Measurement of Spun Yarns by Image Analysis and Artificial Intelligence Techniques
Authors: Semnani D.
Published: March 2016

Previously, to evaluate the abrasion of spun yarns, ASTM standard D1379-64 (1970) was applied and valid until 1975. After that, much research work has been carried out to study the abrasion resistance of yarns by using different methods. Recently, new methods based on image processing techniques have been developed. In this research, first, to calculate the abrasion indexes for an image of yarns that are wrapped side by side, the inputs for a back propagation neural network are provided and abrasion destruction indexes are the output. The training of the net is done with data from model images. Moreover, the network has been tested with those model images. To design the model images, attempts are made to simulate various types of defects which are made by abrasion on the body of yarn. After that, groups of spun and filament yarns are tested with both a standard and the new intelligent method and the results are compared. The results prove that trained neural nets have the ability to evaluate the images of yarns trained to the net before; in addition, they can evaluate the images which are inserted into the net for the first time.
Performance Evaluation of Silicone-polyurethane Finished Jute / Cotton Union Fabric for Apparel End Uses
Authors: Prathiba Devi R. , Sasikala L. , Rathinamoorthy R. , Moses Dr. J. Jeyakodi
Published: March 2016

The effect of enzyme treatments with consecutive softening by the use of silicone – polyurethane on low stress mechanical properties and hand values of jute/cotton union fabric have been studied on the Kawabata evaluation system (KES). The results indicate that the enzyme treated, silicone – polyurethane finished fabric has significant (p<0.05) improvement in tensile resilience, fabric extensibility, compressional resistance and friction co efficient, whereas fabric thickness, linearity of tensile, surface roughness, bending and shear rigidity and their hysteresis are reduced compared to the untreated fabric. Under the Kawabata system, the Koshi (stiffness) value of the finished fabric is decreased by 1-9%. Numeri (smoothness) and Fukurami (fullness and softness) values are increased by 11-20% and 3-4% respectively compared to the untreated fabric. The variation in primary hand values are significant (p<0.05). The total hand value (THV) is also increased by 6% and 44% for the case of 40/60 and 50/50 jute/cotton union fabrics, respectively. This study confirms the possible usage of jute/cotton fabric in the apparel segment.
Prediction and Control of Wrinkles on Fabric Via Wavelet Analysis and Neural Networks
Authors: Semnani Dariush , Sheikhzadehand Mohammad , Shahanaghi Ata , Hadjianfar Mehdi
Published: March 2016

To produce wrinkled fabrics, wrinkles are randomly formed without any means of control. There are many research that aim to enhance the surface of fabric in appearance, but there has not been any work carried out to produce wrinkles by using yarn features. The aim of the present research is to produce controlled and custom-made wrinkled fabrics. Wrinkled fabric samples have been produced with high shrinkage polyester-cotton made of intermingled hybrid yarns. Wrinkled weaves have been predicted by using wavelet analysis on sample fabrics and multi-layer perceptron neural networks. The designed network has been trained based on sample patterns and determined a weft insertion plan for producing wrinkles with an acceptable accuracy
Study of Relationship Between Take Down Tension and Production / Min of Single Jersey Mayer & Cie Circular Knitting Machine
Authors: Saha Joykrisna , shil Chandan Kumer , Nizam Md. Eanamul Haque
Published: March 2016

Our project work is performed on take-down tension and production/min of a Mayer and Cie machine. The main output of this paper is that with increase in production, the take-down tension is also increased. In this project work we have established a relationship between take-down tension and production/min. When we divide the production/min by 0.038, we obtain the take down tension of the Mayer and Cie machine against the different production parameters of a full feeder lycra single jersey fabric.
Is volunteering for everyone? Volunteering opportunities for young ex-offenders
Authors: Kirby Amy
Published: March 2016

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to explore volunteering opportunities for young adults with criminal records (“young ex-offenders”).

Design/methodology/approach

– The study was conducted primarily in one London borough. It involved mapping volunteering opportunities for young ex-offenders and conducting in-depth interviews with young ex-offenders and practitioners from volunteer-involving organisations (VIOs) and resettlement organisations.

Findings

– Several perceived benefits of volunteering for young ex-offenders were identified; particularly in relation to “softer” outcomes such as building confidence, learning new skills and developing a routine. Perceived challenges focused on whether or not organisations were able to provide volunteers with adequate levels of support; concerns about levels of engagement among volunteers and confusion over safeguarding procedures, particularly in relation to the obtaining of Disclosure and Barring Checks.

Originality/value

– This paper offers practical insight into the scope of volunteering for young ex-offenders which may be of use to VIOs and resettlement organisations interested in providing such opportunities to young ex-offenders.
Hypoxia enhances tenocyte differentiation of adipose‐derived mesenchymal stem cells by inducing hypoxia‐inducible factor‐1α in a co‐culture system
Authors: Yu Yang , Zhou Yulong , Cheng Tao , Lu Xiaolang , Yu Kehe , Zhou Yifei , Hong Jianjun , Chen Ying
Published: March 2016

Objectives

Tissue engineering is a promising approach for repair of tendon injuries. Adipose‐derived mesenchymal stem cells (ADMSCs) have gained increasing research interest for their potential in improving healing and regeneration of injured tendons. The present study aimed to investigate effects of O2 tension and potential signalling pathways on AMDSC differentiation into tenocytes, in an indirect co‐culture system.

Materials and methods

Human ADMSCs were co‐cultured under normoxia (20% O2) and also under hypoxia (2% O2). Tenocyte differentiation of AMDSCs and expression of hypoxia‐inducible factor‐1 (HIF‐1α) were analysed by reverse transcription‐PCR, Western blotting and immunohistochemistry. Furthermore, HIF‐1α inhibitor and inducer (FG‐4592) effects on differentiation of AMDSCs were studied using qPCR, immunofluorescence and Western blotting.

Results

Indirect co‐culture with tenocytes increased differentiation of ADMSCs into tenocytes; furthermore, hypoxia further enhanced tenocyte differentiation of AMDSCs, accompanied by increased expression of HIF‐1α. HIF‐1α inhibitor attenuated effects of hypoxia on differentiation of ADMSCs; in contrast, FG‐4592 increased differentiation of ADMSCs under both hypoxia and normoxia.

Conclusions

Taken together, we found that growing ADMSCs under hypoxia, or activating expression of HIF‐1α to be important in differentiation of ADMSCs, which provides a foundation for application of ADMSCs in vivo for tendon regeneration.
Four cases of type 1 diabetes mellitus showing sharp serum transaminase increases and hepatomegaly due to glycogenic hepatopathy
Authors: Ikarashi Yuichi , Kogiso Tomomi , Hashimoto Etsuko , Yamamoto Kuniko , Kodama Kazuhisa , Taniai Makiko , Torii Nobuyuki , Takaike Hiroko , Uchigata Yasuko , Tokushige Katsutoshi
Published: March 2016

Poorly controlled diabetes mellitus (DM) patients sometimes show serum transaminase elevations due to steatohepatitis. However, we experienced four cases with type 1 DM with sharp elevations in serum transaminases that could not be explained by steatohepatitis alone and showed bright liver. They were diagnosed with glycogenic hepatopathy (GH) clinicopathologically. The four patients had a median age of 22.5 years (range, 19–29 years) and 12.5 (4–15)‐year histories of type 1 DM and showed marked increases in serum transaminases (aspartate aminotransferase, 698 U/L [469–2763 U/L]; alanine transaminase, 255 U/L [216–956 U/L]). Diabetes mellitus control was poor and hemoglobin A1c was 12.7% (11–16.5%). Three cases had a past history of diabetic ketoacidosis. Hepatomegaly and hyperdense liver were seen on computed tomography scans. Magnetic resonance imaging showed low intensity in T2‐weighted images. The pathological findings revealed pale and swollen hepatocytes and glycogenated nuclei. The architecture of the liver was preserved, and steatosis and fibrosis were mild. The cytoplasm of hepatocytes stained densely positive with periodic acid–Schiff, and the positive staining disappeared after diastase digestion, suggesting glycogen deposition. No other cause of hepatitis was evident, and the diagnosis was GH. Elevated transaminases improved within 1 month with good glycemic control. Transaminase elevations were observed several times in three cases with poor glycemic control. Glycogenic hepatopathy is rare, but extremely high serum elevations of transaminases are important to identify clinically. Despite showing a good clinical course in general, GH sometimes recurs and requires strict glycemic control. Clinicians should be aware of and recognize GH when dealing with uncontrolled DM patients.
Galectin‐7 in the stratum corneum: a biomarker of the skin barrier function
Authors: Niiyama S. , Yoshino T. , Yasuda C. , Yu X. , Izumi R. , Ishiwatari S. , Matsukuma S. , Mukai H.
Published: March 2016

Objective

Skin barrier disruption often occurs in diseased and damaged skin conditions such as atopic dermatitis (AD). We focused the galectin‐7 protein (Gal‐7) as a biomarker of skin condition and assessed whether the content of Gal‐7 in stratum corneum (scGal‐7) could be used as an indicator of skin barrier disruption and as an index of local skin symptoms in AD patients.

Methods

Alteration of Gal‐7 expression levels in keratinocyte and scGal‐7 contents after barrier disruption by sodium dodecyl sulphate were evaluated in vitro and in vivo, respectively. Correlation between scGal‐7 content and transepidermal water loss (TEWL) was examined in 126 healthy subjects. We performed single measurements of scGal‐7 contents in 34 AD patients and serial measurements of 15 inpatients among them. SC samples were collected by the tape‐stripping method, and scGal‐7 content was determined using enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay.

Results

Gal‐7 expression in keratinocytes increased after barrier disruption. The scGal‐7 content reflected the disruption of the skin barrier. The scGal‐7 contents and TEWL values correlated in healthy subjects. The scGal‐7 level was higher in AD patients than in healthy subjects. The scGal‐7 contents in the cheek and neck of AD patients significantly correlated with the total and local skin lesion severity scores. Serial measurements in the inpatients showed that the scGal‐7 contents in the cheek and neck decreased in tandem with local severity scores in response to treatment.

Conclusion

Measurement of scGal‐7 content in tape‐stripped samples was useful for the evaluation of the skin barrier function in dry skin conditions such as AD.
Pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic evaluation of linagliptin for the treatment of type 2 diabetes mellitus, with consideration of Asian patient populations
Authors: Ceriello Antonio , Inagaki Nobuya
Published: March 2016

Our aims were to summarize the clinical pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of the dipeptidyl‐peptidase‐4 inhibitor, linagliptin, and to consider how these characteristics influence its clinical utility. Differences between linagliptin and other dipeptidyl‐peptidase‐4 inhibitors were also considered, in addition to the influence of Asian race on the pharmacology of linagliptin. Linagliptin has a xanthine‐based structure, a difference that might account for some of the pharmacological differences observed with linagliptin versus other dipeptidyl‐peptidase‐4 inhibitors. The long terminal half‐life of linagliptin results from its strong binding to dipeptidyl‐peptidase‐4. Despite this, linagliptin shows a short accumulation half‐life, as a result of saturable, high‐affinity binding to dipeptidyl‐peptidase‐4. The pharmacokinetic characteristics of linagliptin make it suitable for once‐daily dosing in a broad range of patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus. Unlike most other dipeptidyl‐peptidase‐4 inhibitors, linagliptin has a largely non‐renal excretion route, and dose adjustment is not required in patients with renal impairment. Furthermore, linagliptin exposure is not substantially altered in patients with hepatic impairment, and dose adjustment is not necessary for these patients. The 5‐mg dose is also suitable for patients of Asian ethnicity. Linagliptin shows unique pharmacological features within the dipeptidyl‐peptidase‐4 inhibitor class. Although most clinical trials of linagliptin have involved largely Caucasian populations, data on the pharmacokinetic/pharmacodynamic properties of linagliptin show that these features are not substantially altered in Asian populations. The 5‐mg dose of linagliptin is suitable for patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus irrespective of their ethnicity or the presence of renal or hepatic impairment.
Multitargeted combination effects of a triherbal formulation containing ELP against osteoporosis: in vitro evidence
Authors: Ko Chun Hay , Lau Kit Man , Chau Lily , Cheung David Wing Shing , Siu Wing Sum , Wong Hing Lok , Shum Wai Ting , Gao Si , Fung Kwok Pui , Leung Ping Chung , Poon Simon Kar-Sing , Lau Clara Bik San
Published: March 2016

Objectives

An anti-osteoporotic herbal formula ELP containing Epimedii Herba (E), Ligustri Lucidi Fructus (L) and Psoraleae Fructus (P) was studied to investigate the herb–herb interaction (or the possible synergistic effect) among each component and to identify the principal herbs in different modes of action.

Methods

Rat osteoblast-like UMR-106 cells proliferation, rat MSCs-derived osteoblastogenesis and RANKL-induced RAW 264.7 osteoclastogenesis were adopted to investigate the bone-forming activity and bone-degrading activity of the herbal extracts. In the statistical aspect, a modified Tallarida's approach was employed to assess the synergistic effects in herbal combinations.

Key findings

Psoraleae Fructus is the active herb for stimulating osteoblast proliferation, and mild synergy was detected in the pairwise combinations EL, LP and formula ELP. In osteoblastogenesis assay, E and L are the principal herbs for promoting osteoblast differentiation and significant synergy was detected in the pairwise combination EL. For inhibiting osteoclast formation, L is the active herb and significant synergy was detected in the 3-way combination ELP.

Conclusions

The presence of E, L and P is essential for ELP formula as a whole to act against osteoporosis via enhancing bone formation and reducing bone reabsorption. An optimal dosage at 150 μg/ml was proposed for ELP based on our findings.
Development of cyclodextrin hydrogels for vaginal delivery of dehydroepiandrosterone
Authors: Mennini Natascia , Casella Giada , Cirri Marzia , Maestrelli Francesca , Mura Paola
Published: March 2016

Objective

To develop a new vaginal delivery system for a sustained release of dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) in the treatment of postmenopausal symptoms, aimed to overcome the problems of poor bioavailability of the drug related to its very low water solubility.

Methods

Cyclodextrin (CD)-containing hydrogels were developed, combining in a single device the hydrogel controlled release and mucoadhesion properties, and the CD solubilizing power towards DHEA. The effect of different CDs, alone or in mixtures, on the hydrogel technological and mucoadhesion characteristics was investigated. The best formulations were loaded with DHEA and characterized for loading efficiency and release properties.

Key findings

Hydrogels based on HPβCD/γCD (15/10%w/w) or HPβCD/HP γCD (30/20%w/w) combinations proved to be the most effective, giving ovules with the desired mechanical and mucoadhesive properties. Both formulations showed high drug loading efficiency, due to the solubilizing effect of CDs, and provided a sustained in-situ release, with a rate suitably tunable by varying the drug loaded amount and/or the CD combination.

Conclusions

The proposed formulative strategy allowed to develop an intravaginal device with right consistency and elasticity, easy to apply, able to be retained in situ over 8 h, and to provide an effective DHEA loading and a tunable release rate.