bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
VirTect: a computational method for detecting virus species from RNA-Seq and its application in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma
Authors: Khan Atlas , Liu Qian , Chen Xuelian , Zeng Yunjing , Stucky Andres , Sedghizadeh Parish P. , Adelpour Daniel , Zhang Xi , Wang Kai , Zhong Jiang F.
Published: February 2018

Next generation sequencing (NGS) provides an opportunity to detect viral species from RNA-seq data on human tissues, but existing computational approaches do not perform optimally on clinical samples. We developed a bioinformatics method called VirTect for detecting viruses in neoplastic human tissues using RNA-seq data. Here, we used VirTect to analyze RNA-seq data from 363 HNSCC (head and neck squamous cell carcinoma) patients and identified 22 HPV-induced HNSCCs. These predictions were validated by manual review of pathology reports on histopathologic specimens. Compared to two existing prediction methods, VirusFinder and VirusSeq, VirTect demonstrated superior performance with many fewer false positives and false negatives. The majority of HPV carcinogenesis studies thus far have been performed on cervical cancer and generalized to HNSCC. Our results suggest that HPV-induced HNSCC involves unique mechanisms of carcinogenesis, so understanding these molecular mechanisms will have a significant impact on therapeutic approaches and outcomes. In summary, VirTect can be an effective solution for the detection of viruses with NGS data, and can facilitate the clinicopathologic characterization of various types of cancers with broad applications for oncology.

Significance Statement

We developed a new bioinformatics tool, and reported the new inside of HPV carcinogenesis mechanism in HPV-induced head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC). This novel bioin-formatics tool and the new knowledge of HPV-induced HNSCC will facilitate the development of target therapies for treating HNSCC.
The role of different nonspecific interactions and halogen contacts in the crystal structure organization of 5-chloroisatoic anhydride
Authors: Pogoda Dorota , Matera-Witkiewicz Agnieszka , Listowski Marcin , Janczak Jan , Videnova-Adrabinska Veneta
Published: February 2018

The crystal structure of 6-chloro-2,4-dihydro-1H-3,1-benzoxazine-2,4-dione (5-chloroisatoic anhydride), C8H4ClNO3, has been determined and analysed in terms of connectivity and packing patterns. The compound crystallizes in the noncentrosymmetric space groupPna21with one molecule in the asymmetric unit. The role of different weak interactions is discussed with respect to three-dimensional network organization. Molecules are extended into one-dimensional helical arrangements, making use of N—H...O hydrogen bonds and π–π interactions. The helices are further organized into monolayersviaweak C—H...O and lone pair–π interactions, and the monolayers are packed into a noncentrosymmetric three-dimensional architecture by C—Cl...π interactions and C—H...Cl and Cl...Cl contacts. A Hirshfeld surface (HS) analysis was carried out and two-dimensional (2D) fingerprint plots were generated to visualize the intermolecular interactions and to provide quantitative data for their relative contributions. In addition, tests of the antimicrobial activity andin vitrocytotoxity effects against fitoblast L929 were performed and are discussed.
Numerical simulation of flow field in the Invar alloy laser–MIG hybrid welding pool based on different heat source models
Authors: Zhan Xiaohong , Zhang Qi , Wang Qibing , Chen Jie , Liu Hongbing , Wei Yanhong
Published: February 2018

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to establish a three-dimensional flow field model of the Invar alloy laser–metal inert gas (laser–MIG) hybrid welding process to investigate the influence of different heat sources between different layers and to analyze the flow field based on the two different heat source models for the multilayer welding.

Design/methodology/approach

The Invar steel plates with 19.5 mm thickness are welded into three layers’ seam using the hybrid laser–MIG welding technology. The flow field based on different heat source models is studied and then used to investigate the influence of different heat sources in different layers during the laser–MIG hybrid welding process. The simulation results of flow field using two different heat source models are compared with experiments.

Findings

The flow field simulations results show that using the Gaussian rotating body heat source model to simulate the temperature field is more consistent with the experiment of the hybrid laser–MIG welding where its flow field between different layers better reflects the characteristics of the hybrid laser–MIG welding.

Originality/value

The findings will be useful in the study of a variety of thick-plate laser–MIG hybrid welding process fluid flows.
Effect of work of adhesion on deep bed filtration process
Authors: Przekop Rafał , Jackiewicz-Zagórska Anna , Woźniak Michał , Gradoń Leon
Published: February 2018

Purpose

The purpose of this work was to study the influence of particles and fiber material properties on the deposition efficiency. Collection of aerosol particles in the particular steps of their production, and purification of the air at the workplace and the atmospheric environment requires the efficient method of separation of particulate matter from the carrier gas. There are many papers published in the past years in which the deposition of particles on fibrous collectors is considered. Most of them assume that collisions between particles and collector surfaces are 100% effective.

Design/methodology/approach

For the purpose of this work, the lattice Boltzmann model was used to describe fluid dynamics, whereas the solid particles motion was modeled by the Brownian dynamics. The interactions between particles and surfaces were modeled using an energy-balanced oscillatory model.

Findings

The results show significant impact of material properties on filter performance.

Practical implications

Obtained results may provide useful information for the proper design of a filtration process and the production of filters with long service life.

Originality/value

In addition, the results presented in this work show that some assumptions of the classical filtration theory lead to an overestimation of deposition efficiency.
Environmental liability and global commons: a critical study
Authors: Nigar Meher
Published: February 2018

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to give an outline of existing laws that regulate each area of the Commons. With specific reference to the growing international concern for the protection of the global commons, this paper aims to re-examine to what extent present legal regime for global commons is successful. Finally, it proceeds with some way outs and suggestions that may, if adopted, play significant role to protect common areas from environmental damage.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper is purely analytical. Analytical approach has been applied to proceed with the write-up which is basically based on the review of primary and secondary literature studies including books, scholarly articles and laws. Internet-browsing is being used for collection of most recent literature on the subject. Relevant case studies in this regard are evaluated.

Findings

Transboundary damage is a practical and contextual matter requiring concrete rules and principles, both procedural and substantive. Here, priority is to establish minimum standards of conduct for such activities that affect the environment of global commons, at the national and international level. An expertly designed treaty with balanced contents, which are strong enough to hold the state parties liable for their activities and, at the same time, motivating enough to be bound by obligation by ratification, is to be adopted.

Originality/value

This paper is original in calling for the full participation of all states, rich and poor, to address damage to global commons effectively and efficiently.
Does legitimacy matter in whistleblowing intentions?
Authors: Mbago Musa , Mpeera Ntayi Joseph , Mutebi Henry
Published: February 2018

Purpose

The purpose of the study is to examine the role of legitimacy in forming whistleblowing behavior in Ugandan procuring and disposing entities (PDEs).

Design/methodology/approach

This study has adopted both a quantitative and qualitative cross-sectional research design to collect data from a sample of 97 out of the population of 129 PDEs in Kampala, which are regulated by the Public Procurement and Disposal of Assets Authority.

Findings

This paper finds that improvement in the perception of public servants about the appropriateness of the Whistleblowers Act and its enforcers can increase on the reporting of unethical practices in public procurement.

Research limitations/implications

This study has used a cross-sectional survey data. The causal relationships between variables are possibly obscured; as data from all participants are collected at the same point of time, perceptions go on changing over time. Therefore, further studies should use a longitudinal approach. Second, there are no constructs for legitimacy in public procurement and those from law are domesticated.

Practical implications

There should be a promotion of legitimacy of the Whistleblowers Act and the enforcement agencies of the Act. The government should devise means for the public servants to have an obligation to obey the holders of authority, to trust and have confidence in them and to enforce the Whistleblowers Act in an ethical and normative framework.

Originality/value

This study reveals the whistleblowing intentions and behavior of public servants in PDEs. This study would help the Government of Uganda to make the Whistleblowing Act legitimate and its enforcers to increase on the reporting of unethical practices in public procurement.
Trade versus riba in the Qurʾān with a critique of the role of bank-saving
Authors: Choudhury Masudul Alam , Rahman Asmak A.B. , Hasan Abul
Published: February 2018

Purpose

This paper aims to explain the dynamics of the inner inter-variable functional relations of trade versus oppositely coterminous variables of interest rates as shadow rates of interest. Such an explanation of trade versus riba relations has not been covered in the literature on Islamic economics and finance. Furthermore, the consequences of understanding the trade vs riba rule in relation to the bank-saving function remains absent in the literature. This problem as an important one between trade-interest rate and bank-savings interrelationship is studied. An empirical explanation is given besides the analytical explanation. This paper therefore presents an original and substantive topic to study.

Design/methodology/approach

The avoidance of usury and financial interest have equivalent injunction in the Qur’an by the riba rule. To attain and implement the riba-avoidance rule, it is necessary to understand this rule in terms of its adverse relationship; and contrarily by the positively complementary interrelationship between trade, money, finance and the real economy under the impact of the riba rule. In explaining such inter-causal relationships, certain analytical matters stand out as key points. These are studied in the light of the Islamic methodological basis of the ontological law of participatory oneness as monotheistic unity of knowledge and its impact on the understanding of the trade versus riba and bank-savings rule.

Findings

First, bank-savings cause withdrawal of resource mobilization and thus rupture the positive complementarities between the purpose and objective of the Shari’ah (maqasid-as-shari’ah) variables. Second, to deeply understand the rule of establishing trade versus the practice of riba (financial interest) and the needed theory of complementary inter-variable relationships to enable the relationship of trade versus riba, it is fundamentally necessary to understand the Qur’anic epistemological premise of Tawhidi unity of knowledge as organic unity and its induction in the generality and details of the problems under study.

Originality/value

Such an explanation of trade versus riba relations with the instrument of bank-savings has not been covered in the literature on Islamic economics and finance. It is therefore an original and substantive issue to study.
The investigation of the effects of spiritual values and behaviors on business development and performance of Muslim preneurship
Authors: Mahyarni Mahyarni , Meflinda Astuti , Indrayani Henni
Published: February 2018

Purpose

This paper aims to determine the effect between variables and formulate policies related to Muslim business preneurship in the future.

Design/methodology/approach

Partial least square (PLS) data processing method is used is this study.

Findings

The result shows that Muslim preneurship spiritual values will lead to an increase in Muslim preneurship behaviors in running a business on society and performance on society. Indonesian people realize that Muslim preneurship development at the present time cannot be separated from the development of small- and medium-sized enterprises spread throughout the country.

Originality/value

The PLS method that was applied to determine the effect between variables and formulate policies related to Muslim businesses preneurship in the future. This research location was Riau and West Sumatra, Indonesia, and the variables were spiritual values and behavioral and developmental Muslim business preneurship.
The possible inclusion of legal provisions in Islamic banking and finance
Authors: Modan Carino , Hassan Rusni
Published: February 2018

Purpose

This paper aims to thoroughly examine the extent to which the current legal and regulatory framework is inclusive towards Islamic banking and finance (IBF) practices in the attempts to introduce IBF as a significant component in the Mozambique’s financial system. This is achieved by providing a critical review on the Mozambican current legal and regulatory framework including the court and arbitration system, as well as the country’s financial institutions law and regulations.

Design/methodology/approach

The methodology used in this study is the qualitative approach. The analysis made is based on descriptive and analytical approach whereby the study examined and critically analysed the banking regulations in Mozambique with the purpose of finding the legal gap in the existing legal and regulatory framework that allows the introduction of IBF in the country.

Findings

This study finds that whilst some legal provisions in the current legal and regulatory framework are conflicting with the Sharï’ah principles such as the definition of loans and the concept of interest, there is also a certain number of enabling features that can be immediately explored, including deposits (with no interest), leasing operations, investment funds or venture capital.

Research limitations/implications

At present, to the best of the authors’ knowledge, this is the first attempt ever made to assess the compatibility of the existing Mozambican commercial laws with the Islamic principles hence identifying the challenges that might arise due to the implementation of IBF practices in Mozambique.

Practical implications

This paper has several practical implications in the sense that it helps the financial market authorities in Mozambique to be able to foresee possible inclusion of provisions on Islamic transactions in the country’s existing financial regulations.

Social implications

The contributions of this paper lie in the valuable recommendations made on the insertion of Islamic principles in the current regulatory framework as well as assisting in overcoming some of the conflicting aspects in medium to long term. Mozambique should explore and benefit from the experience and lessons learned by the neighbouring countries that have successfully adopted the IBF practice. It is recommended that the Central Bank should establish a “task force team”, comprising of multi-skilled professionals and experts in Islamic finance from various internal areas ranging from licensing to supervision together with Sharï’ah scholars and representatives from the Muslim Community, to study the required process for adoption of IBF in the country.

Originality/value

There is no other study on IBF in Mozambique, particularly on legal and regulatory aspects.
Establishment of Islamic capital market in jurisdictions with limited Islamic financial services
Authors: Muneeza Aishath
Published: February 2018

Purpose

It is said that to establish an Islamic Capital Market, the first step would be to have a strong Islamic finance industry with numerous institutions offering Islamic financial services. This way it is easy to know that the demand for Islamic capital market would be there and that market will be sophisticated enough to comprehensive the nature of shariah compliant products. Generally, in most of the jurisdictions, this is how the Islamic capital market is created. The purpose of this paper is to understand the establishment of Islamic capital market in Maldives, small island nation where the establishment of Islamic capital market happened when at a time there was only one takaful company and one Islamic bank established.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper is a legal exploratory research that is based on the review of primary and secondary data available on the subject matter.

Findings

It is anticipated that this paper will provide assistance and inspiration to those jurisdictions that aims to create Islamic capital market from scratch.

Originality/value

It shall be noted that there are no literature available on this subject about Maldives, and as such, this paper can be starting point to preserve knowledge in this area.
The initiation and operations phase of the litigation funder – class action law firm relationship
Authors: Waye Vicki Catherine
Published: February 2018

Purpose

Drawing on “Strategic Alliance” literature and qualitative research methods, the purpose of this study is to examine the initiation and operations phases of the relationship between Australian litigation funders and class law firms. The initiation phase examines factors such as complementarity between needs and assets compatibility between the funder and the class law firm goals of the alliance trust and alliance structure. The operations phase considers factors such as governance, communication and risk management and accountability. Because of its focus on the fairness of settlement, case law provides limited understanding of the drivers of the class law firm and funder relationship. An “inside look” of how the funder-law firm is initiated and made operational provides a more accurate picture and has important implications for the management of the ethical issues that arise during the course of that relationship.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper is a content analysis and contains qualitative interviews.

Findings

The strategic alliance between class law firms and litigation funders has evolved within an institutional climate that has acknowledged the benefits that the alliance can bring to the conduct of class actions. That same institutional environment has led to an alliance which is informal and transactionally oriented, where each of the parties maintains a demarcation in function. Although they share aspects of the strategic management of class actions, funders continue to be diligent monitors of class law firms, and class law firms continue to advance the legal rights of class members.

Research limitations/implications

It is observed that the size of the sample is small driven by a number of market participants.

Practical implications

The paper confirms that the litigation funder–law firm strategic alliance works well as a result of institutional constraints.

Social implications

Each of the alliance partners was keen to ensure that neither they nor their partner acted in a way which might attract judicial disapproval. Each also believed that they played a positive role in promoting class member interests, albeit that their primary motivation was to earn fees or a commission. The success of the alliance between class law firms and litigation funders has substantially improved access to justice in Australia for small claims holders.

Originality/value

The paper provides insight into a strategic alliance which is formed primarily for the benefit of third parties. This is one of the first papers to consider the litigation funder–law firm relationship through the lens of strategic alliance literature.
What is the value of foreign work experience for young return migrants?
Authors: Kureková Lucia Mýtna , Žilinčíková Zuzana
Published: February 2018

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to understand the value of foreign work experience for young migrants after their return to the home country labour market and their labour market preferences relative to stayers.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors analyse the labour market integration patterns of young return migrants in Slovakia. After reconstructing the life histories of young people from online CVs, a set of regression models investigates the attractiveness, salary expectations and positions of interest to returnees in comparison to stayers.

Findings

Post-accession foreign work experience increases the attractiveness of job candidates. Foreign work experience changes the expectations of returnees with respect to wages and widens their perspective on the location of future work. In the underperforming labour market, migration experience signals to employers a set of skills that differentiate young returnees from young stayers in a positive way.

Research limitations/implications

While the web data are not representative, it allows the authors to study return migration from a perspective that large representative data sets do not allow.

Social implications

Foreign work experience is, in general, an asset for (re)integration into the home labour market, but the higher salary demands of returnees might hinder the process in a less-skilled segment of the labour market.

Originality/value

Return migration is a relatively underresearched area, and knowledge about the perception of returnees among employers and the labour market preferences of returnees is relatively limited. Another contribution lies in the use of online data to analyse return migration from the perspective of both labour demand and supply.
Firm insurance and sickness absence of employees
Authors: Pertold Filip , Westergaard-Nielsen Niels
Published: February 2018

Purpose

In Denmark and several other European countries, firms are obliged to cover the first two weeks of sickness. The insurance scheme is provided by government authority and is designed to help small firms with the financial burden related to sickness absence of their workers. The purpose of this paper is to investigate the effect of firms’ participation in an insurance scheme on the long-term sickness absence of their employees, using administrative records.

Design/methodology/approach

To identify potential moral hazard, the authors use IV approach created by the eligibility threshold, in order to identify the true causal effect of sickness insurance on sickness absence of workers. The authors use the eligibility criterion as an instrument for the participation in the insurance scheme. The authors confirm the presence of moral hazard in insured firms.

Findings

The authors show that sickness absence in insured firms is much more prevalent than in uninsured firms. Sickness spells in insured firms are shorter and the conditional probability to return back to work from sickness is much higher in insured firms.

Practical implications

These results suggest that employees in insured firms are less monitored during the first two weeks and that their sickness is less serious. The authors demonstrate in the paper that the minimum cost of the present insurance scheme is similar to about 1,100 man-years. On top of that comes a substantial cost to more short time sickness.

Originality/value

The authors provide additional evidence on this topic using precise administrative spell data combined with socio-economic data. Compared to previous literature, the authors include duration analysis and identify the presence of moral hazard using a Cox proportional hazard model.
Apprenticeships, mobility and wages an investigation on French data
Authors: Lene Alexandre , Cart Benoit
Published: February 2018

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to estimate the effect of mobility on the apprentices’ wages.

Design/methodology/approach

Using a French longitudinal survey concerned with young people’s entry into the labor market and their subsequent employment trajectories, this paper estimates the impact of mobility on post-apprenticeship wages correcting for different selection bias.

Findings

Mobility is both voluntary and enforced. It combines imposed selection mechanisms and more active match searching behaviors on the part of apprentices. Apprentices who change employer do not have significant lower starting wages than those who remain in their training firms. Nevertheless, in the medium term, those who defer their moves tend to benefit more from their mobility. Those who move immediately see their wage rising less sharply.

Practical implications

The findings indicate that policy makers should be concerned with job mobility at the end of the apprenticeship contract. Manpower policies should focus on measures that enhance the transferability of accumulated skills and the acquisition of new skills by apprentices.

Originality/value

To the author’ best knowledge, this is the first paper studying the effect of mobility on apprentices’ wages in a dynamic perspective and correcting for the selection of different categories of mobility (immediate vs deferred mobility).
The social benefits of kaizen initiatives in healthcare: an empirical study
Authors: Bortolotti Thomas , Boscari Stefania , Danese Pamela , Medina Suni Hebert Alonso , Rich Nicholas , Romano Pietro
Published: February 2018

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to identify the most influential determinants of healthcare employees’ problem-solving capabilities and attitudes towards kaizen initiatives, and clarify how these determinants are related to social outcomes.

Design/methodology/approach

Drawing on the input-process-outcome framework, applied to kaizen initiatives, the determinants of the input and process factors are embodied in hypotheses concerning the direct effects of input and process factors on social outcomes and the indirect effects of input factors on social outcomes resulting from process factors. The hypotheses are tested through multiple regressions using data from 105 kaizen initiatives drawn from two hospitals.

Findings

Of the 14 determinants investigated, goal clarity, team autonomy, management support, goal difficulty and affective commitment to change (ACC) are the most influential determinants of kaizen capabilities and/or employees’ attitude. Goal clarity, goal difficulty, team autonomy and management support are also found to influence social outcomes directly and/or indirectly through ACC, internal processes and/or an action orientation.

Practical implications

The results support healthcare practitioners to understand how to establish “focused kaizen” actions to leverage specific determinants that positively influence social outcomes.

Originality/value

This study provides an original contribution to the literature concerning effective kaizen initiatives in healthcare operations by empirically testing a comprehensive model of the relationship between kaizen initiative determinants and social outcomes. Unlike previous studies, which are mostly anecdotal or focused on one or few determinants, this research adopts a holistic view, and investigates a pluralist set of determinants on social outcomes through a systematic and quantitative approach.
Top management team international experience and strategic decision-making
Authors: Azam Akbar , Boari Cristina , Bertolotti Fabiola
Published: February 2018

Purpose

This study aims to explore the influence of top management team international experience on international strategic decision-making rationality and, subsequently, its effect on decision effectiveness (decision performance).

Design/methodology/approach

This analysis is based on survey data of small- and medium-sized international Pakistani firms operating in the IT industry.

Findings

Results show that top management team international experience is positively related to international strategic decision-making rationality, and the latter partially mediates the international experience – decision effectiveness relationship.

Research limitations/implications

The study is based on data collected from a single industry and focuses on an international decision that occurred within a time-frame of previous four years.

Practical implications

Findings suggest that international firms, when composing their top management teams, should favor the inclusion of internationally experienced managers.

Originality/value

The study of the influence of international experience on the decision-making process in general and decision-making rationality in particular has been largely neglected in extant literature. This paper highlights one way through which the international experience of the top management team as a whole relates to the effectiveness of international decisions. The paper also advances emergent managerial cognition literature focusing on the top management team and not individual decision makers.
Solid waste management practice in Obafemi Awolowo University Teaching Hospital Complex (OAUTHC), Ile-Ife, Nigeria
Authors: Afolabi Adeniyi Samson , Agbabiaka Hafeez Idowu , Afon Abel Omoniyi , Akinbinu Akinkunle Akintan , Adefisoye Emmanuel Adetayo
Published: February 2018

Purpose

Hospital solid waste may cause serious health hazards and impair the quality of life of the community through transmission of diseases and injury if not properly managed. Therefore, the purpose of this paper is to examine solid waste management practice (SWMP) in Obafemi Awolowo University Teaching Hospital Complex.

Design/methodology/approach

Primary data were collected for this study through interview and questionnaire administration. Systematic sampling technique was used to select 60 students, 13 staffs, 43 cleaners, 8 contractors, and a management staff for questionnaire administration. Data obtained were analyzed using frequency distribution, pictorial analysis, and factor analysis.

Findings

Findings established that solid wastes components generated in the hospital were not segregated in line with the directive of the World Health Organization. The study further established that the factors influencing SWMP accounted for 79.9 percent variance in the following proportion: available storage and collection facilities (30.94 percent), number of patients’ factors (17.86 percent), transportation factor (15.39 percent), human and material resource factors (8.33 percent), and disposal (7.36 percent).

Originality/value

The study therefore concludes that the effectiveness of SWMPs depends on the facilities and equipment, human resources capacity, and frequency of waste collection and disposal.
Modelling the drivers of healthcare waste management in India: a policy perspective
Authors: Chauhan Ankur , Singh Amol
Published: February 2018

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to explore the drivers of healthcare waste management from literature review and field survey and model these drivers for understanding the inter-relationships among the drivers to enhance healthcare waste management in the Indian context.

Design/methodology/approach

In view of the need of the study, the interpretive structural modelling (ISM) method has been applied to model the drivers. The ISM method helps in depicting the relationships among the drivers and filtration of drivers on the basis of their driving and dependence power.

Findings

The findings of the study reveal that the type of a healthcare facility and its management structure, size of a healthcare facility, human resource management of a healthcare facility, healthcare facility’s management monitoring and control, and the effective re-enforcement of government regulation and policy implementation in a healthcare facility play a vital role in the enhancement of HCWM.

Research limitations/implications

The application of the findings of this study would enhance the hospital’s waste management by ultimately leading to a good ambience and satisfied patients and personnels. Additionally, the study would aid in the policy formulation by government and decision making of medical facilities, thereby strengthening HCWM scenario in the country.

Practical implications

The drivers filtered in this study would be useful for ranking the hospitals’ healthcare waste management in a region/country. This ranking may play a vital role in earmarking the hospitals which are managing their healthcare waste according to the guidelines of Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) and Ministry of Environment and Forest (MoEF) of a country. With the help of this study, the problem of inadequate human resource can be effectively addressed for CPCB and MoEF, in India.

Originality/value

Healthcare waste management is a vital issue which needs attention from the management perspective in India. Therefore, an interpretive structural model, i.e. ISM digraph, has been developed which would help in the filtration of drivers and attaining the better healthcare waste management in an economically and timely manner.
A qualitative investigation of e-tail brand affect
Authors: Sarkar Abhigyan , Sarkar Juhi Gahlot , S. Sreejesh , M.R. Anusree
Published: February 2018

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to qualitatively investigate various factors associated with e-tail store brand affect.

Design/methodology/approach

Data were collected by conducting semi-structured depth interviews following a storytelling approach. The data were coded using the grounded theory method.

Findings

Data analysis shows that anticipated service recovery, deal attractiveness and luxury e-tail brand image predict e-tail store brand affect. These predictors play their roles under the moderating influences of specific moderators. The desirable marketing outcomes of e-tail store brand affect are e-tail branded app usage, spreading positive word of mouth and secure attachment style toward e-tailer.

Originality/value

The value of this study lies in developing a grounded theory based causal process model that can provide managerial insights on how to enhance e-tail brand affect.
Performance review: online research guides for theater students
Authors: Furay Julia
Published: February 2018

Purpose

This study aims to assess current academic library services to theater students through an examination of online research guides.

Design/methodology/approach

This study uses a representative sample of 100 universities that offer theater degrees; the library website at each of these institutions is examined for the existence of a theater research guide. Each research guide was analyzed in depth.

Findings

The vast majority of the universities in the sample did create research guides for theater students, though the contents of these guides varied greatly. The study highlights findings including popular databases and journals for theater students, as well as media resources and common subjects for subsections or course guides.

Research limitations/implications

This study only examined a sample of 100 institutions; many theater research guides were not examined for this study. Additionally, analysis of online content is a time-specific endeavor: a guide may look significantly different from one month to the next, though the recommendations in this article might prove useful even if the sites at these institutions have since been updated.

Practical implications

Through an examination of a great number of guides, a few practical suggestions emerge for librarians looking to create theater research guides, such as highlighting playscripts and other print materials and including hyperlocal information (such as university production history).

Originality/value

Though several studies have been performed on research guides in various disciplines, this article is the first on those to theater students.
Tapping government sources for course assignments
Authors: Dubicki Eleonora , Bucks Susan
Published: February 2018

Purpose

This study aims to explore how government sources provide authoritative data that students can utilize to complete academic course assignments. The study measures student use of government materials and suggests that librarians incorporate government resources into information literacy instruction.

Design/methodology/approach

A five-question paper-and-pencil feedback survey was developed by the researchers and completed at the end of the semester by students in several sections of health and social work classes. The survey measured the level and ease of usage of government information/websites. Students also identified US and state government sources they used to complete their assignments.

Findings

Government information can become a critical resource for a life-long learning experience when introduced to students early in their academic careers in freshmen seminars or introductory courses. Government information can be utilized as an authoritative source for research assignments. In addition, students anticipate using government information as they enter their professional careers. Librarians and faculty can work in tandem to build students’ government information literacy skills.

Research limitations/implications

While this study focuses on health and social work, use of online government information by other disciplines should be further investigated.

Social implications

The findings will be useful for integrating government information into information literacy sessions. Improved familiarity of government information creates more informed professionals and citizens.

Originality/value

This study adds to the body of literature on government literacy. Recommendations are offered on familiarizing users with government sources and improving access to documents via multiple library access points.
Investigating the performance of powder mixed electric discharge machining of Nimonic 75 by using different tool materials
Authors: S. Ramesh , M.P. Jenarthanan
Published: February 2018

Purpose

This study aims to focus on experimenting the performance of aluminum (Al) powder mixed electric discharge machining (PMEDM) of two different materials viz plastic mould die steel (AISI P20) and nickel-based super alloy (Nimonic 75). This experimental study also focuses on using three different tool materials such as copper, brass and tungsten to analyze their influence on the process output. These materials find many uses in industrial as well as aerospace applications. The performance measures considered in this work are material removal rate (MRR), tool wear rate (TWR) and surface roughness (SR).

Design/methodology/approach

The experimental design used in this work is based on Taguchi’s L18 orthogonal array. Besides considering work and tool material as one of the process variables, other process variables are peak current (Ip), pulse on time (Ton) and concentration of powder (Cp). The analysis of variance (ANOVA) is performed on the experimental data to determine the significant variables that influence the output.

Findings

It is found that copper produced maximum MRR and brass tool exhibited higher TWR. However, the surface finish of the machined work piece was very much improved by using the brass tool. Though the performance of tungsten tool lies between the above two tool materials, it showed very little wear during EDM with or without the addition of Al powder.

Originality/value

The experimental investigation of PMEDM of nickel-based super alloy (Nimonic 75) has not been attempted before. Besides that, the study on the influence of tungsten tool on the performance of EDM is also very limited.
A sliding mode controller-based STATCOM for voltage profile improvement of micro-grids
Authors: Pati Swagat , Mohanty Kanungo Barada , Kar Sanjeeb Kumar
Published: February 2018

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to evaluate the suitability and robustness of sliding mode controller (SMC) for maintaining flat voltage profile at the load bus of two different micro-grid systems using STATCOM.

Design/methodology/approach

Two micro-grid systems are dynamically modelled and simulated using MATLAB/Simulink. The first micro-grid has a single diesel engine-driven synchronous generator. The second micro-grid has one diesel engine-driven synchronous generator and a doubly fed induction generator-based wind energy conversion system. The STATCOM is connected to the load bus in both the micro-grids. SMC is used for the control of STATCOM for voltage profile improvement of micro-grid. The performance of SMC-based STATCOM is analysed and compared with the performance of conventional PI controller-based STATCOM.

Findings

The SMCs are more suited for STATCOM control as these are more immune to load disturbances even with the presence of wind energy generators. The voltage deviations and the steady state errors in voltage are less with SMC. Although SMC introduces a bit of steady state error in the dc link voltage of the STATCOM, it is much less than the settling limit of 2 per cent, which is quite acceptable. SMC proves to be better than conventional PI controllers in both the proposed models of micro-grid.

Originality/value

Design of a robust first-order SMC for a STATCOM is used for voltage profile improvement in two different micro-grid systems.
Two dimensions define the variation of fine root traits across plant communities under the joint influence of ecological succession and annual mowing
Authors: Erktan Amandine , Roumet Catherine , Bouchet Diane , Stokes Alexia , Pailler François , Munoz François
Published: February 2018

Quantifying the variation in community‐level fine root (<2 mm) traits along ecological gradients or in response to disturbances is essential to unravel the mechanisms of plant community assembly, but available surveys are scarce. Whether fine root traits covary along a one‐dimensional economic spectrum, as previously shown for leaves, is highly debated.

We measured six fine root traits at the community level along a 69‐year succession, with or without annual mowing, offering a unique design of two nested disturbances. We examined whether (1) there is variation and covariation in community‐level fine root traits along the succession and in response to mowing and (2) morphological root traits mirrored analogous leaf traits (using previously acquired data).

Early‐successional communities were herbaceous‐dominated (48 ± 6% in <10‐year‐old plots) and possessed fine roots with high specific root length (SRL), low root dry matter content (RDMC) and low root carbon concentration (RCC), while later successional communities were dominated by woody species (56 ± 9% in >40‐year‐old plots) and possessed opposite trait values. Root nitrogen concentration (RNC) did not vary across communities along the succession. The trait values at community level were not affected by mowing, except for a reduction in root mass density.

We found covariation of fine root traits across communities along two dimensions: the first dimension (60% of total variation) represented changes in root foraging capacity (related to SRL) and resource conservation (related to RDMC, RCC, mean root diameter), whereas the second dimension (17%–20% of the variation) represented variations in RNC, potentially related to root respiration and metabolism.

Specific root length and specific leaf area were correlated regardless of the mowing regime, but there was no analogous relationship between leaf dry matter content and RDMC in mown communities, showing a decoupling in the investment in tissue density above‐ and below‐ground.

Synthesis. Our study demonstrates coordinated variations of community‐level fine root traits along a succession gradient and provides evidence that fine root traits covaried along two dimensions, regardless of mowing regime. The relationship between leaf dry matter content and root dry matter content observed in unmown communities was modified by mowing, reflecting an uncoupled response to mowing.
Fluid Evolution and Ore‐forming Processes of the Jiama Cu Deposit, Tibet: Evidence from Fluid Inclusions
Authors: YAO Xiaofeng , LIU Jiajun , TANG Juxing , ZHENG Wenbao , ZHANG Zhi
Published: February 2018

The Jiama deposit is a large copper deposit in Tibet. Mineralization occurs in three different host rocks: skarn, hornfels and porphyry. A detailed fluid inclusion study was conducted for veins in the different host rocks to investigate the relationship between fluid evolution and ore‐forming processes. Based on examination of cores from 36 drill holes, three types of veins (A, B and D) were identified in the porphyries, four types (I, II, III and IV) in the skarn, and three (a, b and c) in the hornfels. The crosscutting relationships of the veins and that of the host rocks suggest two hydrothermal stages, one early and one late stage. Fluid inclusions indicate that the Jiama hydrothermal fluid system underwent at least two episodes of fluid boiling. The first boiling event occurred during the early hydrothermal stage, as recorded by fluid inclusions hosted in type A veins in the porphyries, type a veins in the hornfels, and wollastonite in the skarns. This fluid boiling event was associated with relatively weak mineralization. The second boiling event occurred in the late hydrothermal stage, as determined from fluid inclusions hosted in type B and D veins in the porphyries, type I to IV veins in the skarns, and type b and c veins in the hornfels. This late boiling event, together with mixing with meteoric water, was responsible for more than 90% of the metal accumulation in the deposit. The first boiling only occurred in the central part of the deposit and the second boiling event took place across an entire interlayered structural zone between hornfels and marble. A spatial zoning of ore‐elements is evident, and appears to be related to different migration pathways and precipitation temperatures of Cu, Mo, Pb, Zn, Au and Ag.
Zircon U‐Pb age, Trace Element, and Hf Isotopic Compositions of Nordmarkite in the Lizhuang Rare Earth Element Deposit in the Western Margin of the Yangtze Block
Authors: ZHOU Jiayun , TAN Hongqi , GONG Daxin , ZHU Zhimin , LUO Liping
Published: February 2018

The Mianning–Dechang (MD) rare earth element (REE) belt, located in the northern Kangdian axis (KDA) in the western margin of the Yangtze platform, is one of the most economically significant REE mineral belts in China. REE mineralization is associated with Himalayan carbonatite–alkaline complexes. The Lizhuang nordmarkite occurred in the northern part of the MD REE belt. The majority of zircons from the Lizhuang nordmarkite are characterized by pronounced positive Ce yet slightly negative Eu anomalies and high U/Yb. Moreover, all zircons have stable Hf isotopic compositions with initial 176Hf/177Hf ratios ranging from 0.282739 to 0.282808 and an average value of 0.282773. The negative Lu/Hf and positive εHf(t) range from −0.98 to −0.94 (average value of −0.96) and from −0.56 to 1.89 (the majority is positive, with an average of 0.66), respectively. These characteristics indicate that the rock is derived from an enriched mantle and subducted material. LA‐ICP‐MS analysis of the zircons from the intrusion yields a weighted mean 206Pb/238U age of 28.57±0.61Ma. During this period, the tectonic activity in the KDA is not plate subduction but an intraplate tectonic exhibiting fold–thrust and strike–slip behaviors in the western marginal zone of the Yangtze platform (WMYB). We suggest the possibility of an existing eastward old slab subduction under WMYB combined with a regional tectonic evolution. The Lizhuang nordmarkite may be derived from an enriched mantle beneath the western part of the Yangtze craton, which originated from the remelting of the Tethys subducting slab, because of the Himalayan strike–slip that formed a special type of REE deposit called strike–slip‐type REE deposits.