bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Parents' Awareness and Perceptions of Sport Specialization and Injury Prevention Recommendations
Authors: Bell David R. , Post Eric G. , Trigsted Stephanie M. , Schaefer Daniel A. , McGuine Timothy A. , Brooks Margaret Alison
Published: August 2018

Objective:

To conduct a survey of parents to determine their knowledge of sport volume recommendations and examine their perceptions toward sport specialization.

Design:

Cross-sectional survey.

Setting:

Youth sport athletic tournaments, competitions, and practices.

Patients or Other Participants:

Parents (n = 1000, 614 women, age: 44.5 ± 6.7 years) of youth athletes completed the survey. Parents had to have a child between 10 and 18 years of age who participated in organized sport in the previous 12 months.

Interventions:

The survey was anonymous and consisted of yes/no and Likert-scale questions and consisted of background of parent and child and perceptions and knowledge of safe sport recommendations. An expert panel validated the survey.

Main Outcome Measures:

Data were summarized by frequencies, proportions (%), and mean values and SDs, when appropriate. Chi-square analyses were used to determine if parent sex influenced distributions.

Results:

Over 80% of parents had no knowledge of sport volume recommendations regarding h/wk (84.5%), mo/yr (82.2%), or simultaneous participation in multiple leagues (89.9%). Twenty-four percent of parents considered it appropriate to participate in multiple leagues in the same sport, whereas 60.5% considered it appropriate to participate in multiple leagues of a different sport. Thirty-four percent of parents indicated that they were concerned about the risk of injury in youth sports. Although 55% of parents considered sport specialization a problem in youth sports, only 43.3% thought that year-round sport participation increased the chances of sustaining an overuse injury. Female parents were more likely to be concerned about injury and believe that year-round sport participation results in overuse injury compared with men.

Conclusions:

Recommendations associated with youth sport participation are not well known. However, parents are concerned about the risk of injury and consider sport specialization a problem.
A Microbial Signature of Psychological Distress in Irritable Bowel Syndrome
Authors: Peter Johannes , Fournier Camille , Durdevic Marija , Knoblich Lukas , Keip Bettina , Dejaco Clemens , Trauner Michael , Moser Gabriele
Published: August 2018

Objective

Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is associated with alterations along the brain-gut-microbiota axis. Previous studies have suggested a parallel segregation of microbial features and psychological burden in IBS. This study aimed at exploring the microbial correlates of psychological distress in patients with IBS.

Methods

Forty-eight patients with IBS (Rome III criteria, M (SD) age = 42 (15) years, 35 female, 25 diarrhea-dominant, 5 constipation-dominant, and 18 alternating-type IBS) were assessed for psychological and clinical variables with validated questionnaires, fecal samples underwent microbial 16S rRNA analyses (regions V1–2). Microbial analyses comprised examination of alpha and beta diversity, correlational analyses of bacterial abundance and comparisons among subgroups defined by thresholds of psychological and IBS symptom variables, and machine learning to identify bacterial patterns corresponding with psychological distress.

Results

Thirty-one patients (65%) showed elevated psychological distress, 22 (31%) anxiety, and 10 depression (21%). Microbial beta diversity was significantly associated with distress and depression (q = .036 each, q values are p values false discovery rate–corrected for multiple testing). Depression was negatively associated with Lachnospiraceae abundance (Spearman's ρ = −0.58, q = .018). Patients exceeding thresholds of distress, anxiety, depression, and stress perception showed significantly higher abundances of Proteobacteria (q = .020–.036). Patients with anxiety were characterized by elevated Bacteroidaceae (q = .036). A signature of 148 unclassified species accounting for 3.9% of total bacterial abundance co-varied systematically with the presence of psychological distress.

Conclusions

Psychological variables significantly segregated gut microbial features, underscoring the role of brain-gut-microbiota interaction in IBS. A microbial signature corresponding with psychological distress was identified.

Clinical Trial Registration

ClinicalTrials.gov identifier NCT02536131, retrospectively registered.
Domain-general enhancements of metacognitive ability through adaptive training
Authors: Carpenter Jason , Sherman Maxine T. , Kievit Rogier A. , Seth Anil K. , Lau Hakwan , Fleming Stephen M.
Published: August 2018

The metacognitive ability to introspect about self-performance varies substantially across individuals. Given that effective monitoring of performance is deemed important for effective behavioural control, intervening to improve metacognition may have widespread benefits, for example in educational and clinical settings. However, it is unknown whether and how metacognition can be systematically improved through training independently of task performance, or whether metacognitive improvements generalize across different task domains. Across 8 sessions, here we provided feedback to two groups of participants in a perceptual discrimination task: an experimental group (N = 29) received feedback on their metacognitive judgments, while an active control group (N = 32) received feedback on their decision performance only. Relative to the control group, adaptive training led to increases in metacognitive calibration (as assessed by Brier scores) which generalized both to untrained stimuli and an untrained task (recognition memory). Leveraging signal detection modeling we found that metacognitive improvements were driven both by changes in metacognitive efficiency (meta-d’/d’) and confidence level, and that later increases in metacognitive efficiency were positively mediated by earlier shifts in confidence. Our results reveal a striking malleability of introspection and indicate the potential for a domain-general enhancement of metacognitive abilities.
MIC-MAC: High-throughput analysis of three-dimensional microglia morphology in mammalian brains
Authors: Salamanca Luis , Mechawar Naguib , Murai Keith K. , Balling Rudi , Bouvier David S. , Skupin Alexander
Published: August 2018

Microglia, the resident immune cells of the brain, exhibit complex and diverse phenotypes depending on their physiological context including brain regions and disease states. While single-cell RNA-sequencing has recently resolved this heterogeneity, it does not capture tissue and intercellular mechanisms. Our complementary imaging-based approach enables automatic 3D-morphology characterization and classification of thousands of individual microglia in situ and revealed species- and disease-specific morphological phenotypes in mouse and human brain samples.
GRaphical footprint based Alignment-Free method (GRAFree) for reconstructing evolutionary Traits in Large-Scale Genomic Features
Authors: Mahapatra Aritra , Mukherjee Jayanta
Published: August 2018

abstract

In our study, we attempt to extract novel features from mitochondrial genomic sequences reflecting their evolutionary traits by our proposed method GRAFree (GRaphical footprint based Alignment-Free method). These features are used to build a phylogenetic tree given a set of species from insect, fish, bird, and mammal. A novel distance measure in the feature space is proposed for the purpose of reflecting the proximity of these species in the evolutionary processes. The distance function is found to be a metric. We have proposed a three step technique to select a feature vector from the feature space. We have carried out variations of these selected feature vectors for generating multiple hypothesis of these trees and finally we used a consensus based tree merging algorithm to obtain the phylogeny. Experimentations were carried out with 157 species covering four different classes such as, Insecta, Actinopterygii, Aves, and Mammalia. We also introduce a measure of quality of the inferred tree especially when the reference tree is not present. The performance of the output tree can be measured at each clade by considering the presence of each species at the corresponding clade. GRAFree can be applied on any graphical representation of genome to reconstruct the phylogenetic tree. We apply our proposed distance function on the selected feature vectors for three naive methods of graphical representation of genome. The inferred tree reflects some accepted evolutionary traits with a high bootstrap support. This concludes that our proposed distance function can be applied to capture the evolutionary relationships of a large number of both close and distance species using graphical methods.
Hydraulic control of embryo size, tissue shape and cell fate
Authors: Chan Chii Jou , Costanzo Maria , Ruiz-Herrero Teresa , Mönke Gregor , Petrie Ryan J. , Mahadevan L. , Hiiragi Takashi
Published: August 2018

Size control is fundamental in tissue development and homeostasis1,2. While the role of cell proliferation in this process has been widely studied3, the mechanisms of organ size control and how it impacts cell fates remain elusive. Here, we use mouse blastocyst development as a model to unravel a key role of fluid-filled lumen in embryonic size control and cell fate specification. We find that during blastocyst expansion, there is a two-fold increase in the pressure of the lumen that translates into a concomitant increase in the cortical tension of trophectoderm (TE) cells lining the lumen. Increased cortical tension leads to vinculin mechanosensing and maturation of the functional tight junctions, thereby establishing a positive feedback loop to accommodate lumenal growth. However, when the cortical tension reaches a critical threshold, cell-cell adhesion cannot be sustained, and mitotic entry leads to a rupture of TE epithelium, fluid leakage and collapse of the blastocyst cavity. A simple theory of hydraulically-gated oscillations that integrates these feedback interactions recapitulates the evolution of cavity size and predicts the scaling of embryonic size with the tissue volume. Our theory further predicts that reduced cortical tension or disrupted tight junctions, and increased tissue stiffness lead to smaller embryonic size. These predictions are verified experimentally by embryological, pharmacological and genetic manipulations of the embryos. Remarkably, these changes to lumenal size, without a change in the tissue volume, lead to alteration of tissue architecture and cell fate. Overall, our study reveals how lumenal pressure and tissue mechanics control embryonic size at the tissue scale, that in turn couples to cell position and fate at the cellular scale.
Spatial and temporal locomotor learning in mouse cerebellum
Authors: Darmohray Dana M. , Jacobs Jovin R. , Marques Hugo G. , Carey Megan R.
Published: August 2018

Stable and efficient locomotion requires precise coordination of whole-body movements. Learned changes in interlimb coordination can be induced by exposure to a split-belt treadmill that imposes different speeds under each side of the body. Here we show that mice adapt to split-belt walking in a way that is remarkably similar to humans, suggesting that this form of locomotor learning is highly conserved across vertebrates. Like human learning, mouse locomotor adaptation is specific to measures of interlimb coordination, has spatial and temporal components that adapt at different rates, and is highly context-specific. Using a variety of approaches, we demonstrate that split-belt adaptation in mice specifically depends on intermediate cerebellum, but is insensitive to large lesions of cerebral cortex. Finally, cell-type specific chemogenetics combined with quantitative behavioral analysis reveal distinct neural circuit mechanisms underlying spatialvs. temporal components of locomotor adaptation.
X-ray structure analysis of symmetrically substituted 1,1′-diformylruthenocene
Authors: Anzaldo Bertin , Sharma Pankaj , Lara Ochoa Francisco , Villamizar C. Claudia P. , Gutiérrez Pérez René
Published: August 2018

1,1′-Diformylruthenocene, [Ru(C6H5O)2], crystallizes in the orthorhombic system in the P212121 space group at room temperature. There are two crystallographically independent molecules in the asymmetric unit. The cyclopentadienyl rings have eclipsed configuration. The molecules self-assemble in a two-dimensional structure by C—H...O and C—H...π interactions with cisoid relative orientations of the two formyl groups. The crystal studied was refined as an inversion twin.
Crystal structure of tebipenem pivoxil
Authors: Tang Chao , Cai Li , Liu Shuai , Zheng Zhiwei , Li Gen , Chen Jianli , Sui Qiang
Published: August 2018

The molecular structure of the first orally active carbapenem antibacterial agent, tebipenem pivoxil (systematic name: (2,2-dimethylpropanoyloxy)methyl (4R,5S,6S)-3-{[1-(4,5-dihydro-1,3-thiazol-2-yl)azetidin-3-yl]sulfanyl}-6-[(1R)-1-hydroxyethyl]-4-methyl-7-oxo-1-azabicyclo[3.2.0]hept-2-ene-2-carboxylate), C22H31N3O6S2, has been determined and the configurations of the four chiral centers validated. The title compound crystallizes in the triclinic space group P1 with one molecule in the unit cell. Three out of the four rings adopt planar conformations while the thiazolinyl ring adopts an enveloped conformation. In the crystal, O—H...N hydrogen bonds link the molecules into chains along [1\overline{1}0].
Hirshfeld surface analysis and crystal structure of 7-methoxy-5-methyl-2-phenyl-11,12-dihydro-5,11-methano-1,2,4-triazolo[1,5-c][1,3,5]benzoxadiazocine
Authors: Gumus Mustafa Kemal , Kansiz Sevgi , Dege Necmi , Kalibabchuk Valentina A.
Published: August 2018

The title compound, C19H18N4O2, crystallizes with two independent molecules in the asymmetric unit. The triazole ring is inclined to the benzene rings by 9.63 (13) and 87.37 (12)° in one molecule, and by 4.46 (13) and 86.15 (11)° in the other. In the crystal, classical N—H...N hydrogen bonds, weak C—H...O hydrogen bonds and weak C—H...π interactions link the molecules into a three-dimensional supramolecular network. Hirshfeld surface analysis and two-dimensional fingerprint plots were used to investigate the intermolecular interactions present in the crystal, indicating that the most important contributions for the crystal packing are from H...H (51.4%), H...C/C...H (26.7%), H...O/O...H (8.9%) and H...N/N...H (8%) interactions.
Analysis of electromagnetic phenomena in modulated flux synchronous generator
Authors: Jedryczka Cezary , Szelag Wojciech , Gwozdz Michal Jan , Krystkowiak Michal
Published: August 2018

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to present the electromagnetic phenomena in permanent magnet synchronous generator (PMSG) suited for wind turbines with uniquely designed system of two windings. The machine’s windings allow for application of a reliable and low-cost power electronic converter.

Design/methodology/approach

The 2D field-circuit model has been developed and used in comparative analysis between reference design PMSG with concentrated three-phase winding and two-windings PMSG to facilitate application of a low-cost and reliable AC/DC power electronic converter. The paper focuses on comparison of radial force density, core losses and torque waveforms in the proposed and reference machine with sinusoidal load currents.

Findings

The usefulness of the proposed approach for analysis of the two-winding PMSG performance by means of the field-circuit model has been proved. The obtained results show practically no drop off of performance of proposed machine in relation to reference PMSG. Moreover, it has been shown that both machines are characterized by the same level of radial force density. Therefore, the lower cost and reliable power electronic converts can be applied in the wind power energy systems (WPES) by slightly more complex design of the stator winding.

Originality/value

The proposed 2D field-circuit numerical model makes it possible to analyze the performance of the star-delta winding PMSG dedicated to be loaded by the AC to DC converter specially designed to achieve high reliability and efficiency of the system. Presented comparative studies on generator performance show that proposed modulated synchronous flux generator characterize with the same output torque at given supply current and core losses level like conventional PMSG with sinusoidal load.
Improving transparency in construction management: a visual planning and control model
Authors: Brady Denise Ann , Tzortzopoulos Patricia , Rooke John , Formoso Carlos Torres , Tezel Algan
Published: August 2018

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to discuss a production planning and control model known as the Lean construction management (LCM) model, which applies a number of visual tools in a systematic way to the planning and control process. The application of the visual tools in this way facilitates the flow of information, thus improving transparency between the interfaces of planning, execution and control.

Design/methodology/approach

Design Science research is adopted for this investigation, which analyses the original development of the model and reports on its testing and refinement over different types of projects. The research is divided into three parts, each part focussing on a different stage of development and construction project type.

Findings

The main findings are related to the benefits of visual management in the construction planning and control process, such as maintaining consistency between different planning levels, so that feasible execution plans are created; control becomes more focussed on prevention rather than correction, and creates opportunities for collaborative problem solving. Moreover, the physical display of the visual tools in a discrete planning area on-site encourages a regular exchange between participants on actual work progress as it unfolds, leading to more timely reaction to the problems at hand.

Originality/value

The problem of a lack of transparency in construction planning and control leads to communication issues on-site, poor process orientation and high levels of waste. LCM improves process transparency by making information related to system-wide processes more readily available to project participants. This enables them to foresee problems in a timely manner and to take necessary measures to resolve them or to adapt the process to current circumstances. The LCM model proposes a new way of applying visual tools and controls systematically to improve transparency in construction planning and control.
A methodology to support the adoption of IoT innovation and its application to the Italian bank branch security context
Authors: Ammirato Salvatore , Sofo Francesco , Felicetti Alberto Michele , Raso Cinzia
Published: August 2018

Purpose

The paper examines the conditions under which the adoption of the Internet of Things (IoT) innovation is justified by business purposes. The purpose of this paper is to propose a methodology capable of guiding prudent and successful investment in the IoT. The paper identifies enabling conditions to maximize the success of IoT security innovation adoption projects in Italian banks.

Design/methodology/approach

The methodology proposed is constructed from two key sources: first a literature review and second through impressions gleaned from an informal survey and in-depth interviews with a sample of convenience of six managers of Italian bank security systems. A key purpose of the literature review is to identify enabling conditions for a successful IT innovation adoption project which is then synthesized into an “innovation adoption model” capable of illustrating an IoT adoption decision. Second, the authors identify business process reengineering (BPR) steps required to establishing an appropriate organizational and technical framework to successfully undertake the adoption of the IoT for bank physical security purposes. The resulting methodology refers to a typical BPR project approached from an information system development perspective capable of fusing IoT services with human-based services at best performance values.

Findings

The literature review and proposed BPR framework give indications of possible support for the conclusion that the banking sector is ready for the IoT innovations and transformation of traditional bank branch worksites into smart environments. The tentative nature of these findings give sufficient justification for trialing the IoT for banking physical security by introducing an Intelligent Protection System to manage security management processes. Although the authors do not generalize the findings from examining the Italian banking security system, the literature review and the paucity of studies available encourages us to investigate the use of the IoT for bank physical security more broadly.

Originality/value

Adoption of the IoT represents the third wave of IT-driven competition and introduces a methodology applicable to the security domain which represents, globally, an area that is becoming a domain of major economic and social concern. The IoT adoption model proposed reflects the current state of knowledge in the field and could be extended to other organizational at-risk areas requiring continuity of highly effective protection. The authors are encouraged by the results that indicate a high likelihood of success to trial an IoT introduction to banking security.
Morphological analysis of energy scenarios
Authors: Witt Tobias , Stahlecker Katharina , Geldermann Jutta
Published: August 2018

Purpose

Energy scenarios have long been successfully used to inform decision-making in energy systems planning, with a wide range of different methodological approaches for developing and evaluating them. The purpose of this study is to analyze the existing approaches and classify them with a morphological box.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper builds upon the methodological literature on developing and evaluating energy scenarios and presents a morphological box, which comprises parameters describing the scenario properties, (energy system) model properties, scientific practice and institutional settings of energy scenarios. The newly developed morphological box is applied to four selected energy scenarios of the German energy transition.

Findings

The morphological box is a suitable tool to classify current energy scenarios. The exemplary application also points toward four challenges in the current practice of energy scenario development and evaluation: increasing complexity of decision problems, transparency of the scenario development process, transparency of the decision support process and communication of uncertainty.

Originality/value

The morphological box of energy scenarios helps researchers soundly document and present their methodological approaches for energy scenario development and evaluation. It also facilitates the work of analysts who want to classify, interpret and compare energy scenarios from a methodological perspective. Finally, it supports the identification of gaps between current practice and the methodological literature on energy scenarios, leading to the development of new types of energy scenarios.
The nexus between early release of inmates and juvenile recidivism
Authors: Adekeye Deborah Shade , Emmanuel Paul
Published: August 2018

Purpose

Delinquency as well as juvenile recidivism cuts across all nations in the world with its negative consequences on individuals, social and economic phases of life. Despite various interventions, strategies, the rate of recidivism has been on the increase. This calls for concern and a need to find a solution to the menace. The purpose of this paper is to investigate the nexus between early release of inmates and juvenile recidivism using Barnawa Borstal Training Institute, Kaduna, as case study and to identify other pre-disposing factors that contribute to juvenile recidivism in the society.

Design/methodology/approach

The study adopted a survey research design and used the questionnaire as the main instrument of data collection. The sample for the study consisted of 210 juvenile inmates from the Institute. Simple percentile and frequency distribution were used to analyze the data collected from the juvenile, while χ2 was used to test the only hypothesis formulated for the study. The χ2 result (

χ

c

2

=1.409; df=3; α level=0.05;

χ

t

2

=7.815) showed that there is no significant relationship between early release and juvenile recidivism, and rather lack of proper reformation, stigmatization and lack of parental care are some of the important factors causing juvenile recidivism in Nigeria.

Findings

Based on the findings, it was recommended that government should, through the Borstal homes all over the country, ensure proper and adequate rehabilitation of inmates and provide adequate public enlightment for the safe and total re-absorption of inmates without stigmatization.

Research limitations/implications

The major limitation of the work is the fact that the Borstal Institute in Kaduna has only male inmates, so there is no opportunity to consider the effect of gender on juvenile recidivism.

Practical implications

The practical implications is that the result of this study can be added to the field of criminal justice in Nigeria. The result also bring to the fore the fact that rehabilitation and success rate of re-integration of juvenile delinquents back into the society is everybody’s business.

Social implications

The social implication of the study is that the study will go a long way in assisting policy makers in government and the prison authority to design and implement policies that will bring about proper reformation and rehabilitation of inmates.

Originality/value

The research was carried out among juvenile delinquents, some of who have been in and out of the Borstal home many times. So the researchers were able to collect first-hand information from the delinquents that serve as the respondents for this research. Moreover, the research setting was located in the northern part of Nigeria, whereas some of the earlier studies were carried out in the southern part of the country.
Preparation and tribological properties of MoS2/graphite composite coatings modified by La2O3
Authors: Qiu Ming , Zhang Rui , Li Yingchun , Du Hui , Pang Xiao Xu
Published: August 2018

Purpose

The MoS2/graphite composite coatings modified by La2O3 through spraying technique were successfully prepared on the inner rings of spherical plain bearings. As a comparison, unmodified coatings were also prepared. This paper aims to study the La-modified MoS2/graphite composite coating experimentally and improve the tribological performance of self-lubricating spherical plain bearings.

Design/methodology/approach

The performance of La2O3 toward the friction coefficient, temperature rise and wear rate of the coatings was studied by a self-made tribo-tester under different swing cycles. And the texture, surface morphology and element composition of the coatings were characterized by scanning electron microscope, energy dispersive spectroscopy and X-ray diffractometry.

Findings

The additives La2O3 refined the coatings’ microstructure and improved the tribological properties of the coatings. The oxidation of Mo + 4 to Mo + 6 was effectively inhibited. And the amount of abrasive grains, peeling pits and local cracks on the coatings surface decreased and homogeneous lubricating films formed, which were attributed to the existence of La2O3. The wear mechanisms of unmodified coatings were severe abrasive wear, adhesive wear and delamination wear. However, it exhibited superior wear resistance of the La-modified coatings to unmodified coatings, presenting slight abrasive wear and adhesive wear. The service life of bearings was prolonged under the protection of the modified coatings.

Originality/value

The paper proposed a new modified MoS2/Graphite composite coating for the self-lubricating spherical plain bearings. The investigation on the friction, wear and temperature increase behaviors and the wear mechanisms of the coatings are beneficial to prolonging the service life of the self-lubricating spherical plain bearings.
Detection of foreign particles in lubrication oil with a microfluidic chip
Authors: Wu Yu
Published: August 2018

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to help understand the mathematical model of inductive sensor and to improve the sensitivity of nonferrous metal particle detection.

Design/methodology/approach

The expression of impedance change is established, while the distribution regularities of the magnetic field inside and outside the metal particle are obtained based on the Maxwell equations in complex forms, the analytic solution of the electromagnetic field is obtained and the experiment validation is implemented.

Findings

The expression of impedance and the analytic solution of the electromagnetic field are obtained. It is shown that the inductance change is more obvious than resistance change for the iron particles, but for copper particles, resistance change is more obvious and the resistance change increases with the frequency. In this work, copper particles (size: 20 µm) are detected at 2 MHz excitation frequency, and the imaginary part of impedance changes without adding any device, which is provided with a prominent guideline for detection of nonferrous particles of size less than 100 µm.

Originality/value

The expression of impedance change is established, the analytic solution of the electromagnetic field is obtained and copper particles (size: 20 µm) are detected at 2 MHz excitation frequency, and the imaginary part of impedance change without adding any device, which is provided with a prominent guideline for detection of nonferrous particles of size less than 100 µm.
Study of the effect of overbased calcium or magnesium sulfonate combinated with thiazole derivatives in rapeseed oil on tribological properties
Authors: Tan Juan , Wang Yanfei , Liu Mouwu , Liu Jing
Published: August 2018

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to study the tribological properties of a thiazole derivatives (T561), overbased alkyl benzene calcium sulfonate (T106A) compounded with T561 and overbased alkyl benzene magnesium sulfonate (T107) compounded with T561 in rapeseed oil (RSO).

Design/methodology/approach

A four-ball machine was used to evaluate the tribological properties of each compound and their combinations with T561 in RSO. Scanning electron microscopy, EDX and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy were applied to analyze the tribofilm formed on the worn surfaces.

Findings

Results of tribotesting demonstrated that synergistic effects exist between the overbased sulfonates, T106A and T107, and the thiazole derivative, T561. The texts of tribofilm indicated that iron sulfide and iron oxides exist in T561 single agent lubricant film and two composite additives lubricant film, and no sulfates were detected. It suggested that the addition of alkyl benzene sulfonate did not hinder the formation of iron sulfides and iron oxides. Meanwhile, CaSO4 (MgSO4) and CaCO3 (MgCO3) were detected on the worn surface of the composite additives, which were not detected on the single agent friction surface.

Originality/value

A tribofilm mainly contains CaSO4 (MgSO4) and CaCO3 (MgCO3) formed on the worn surfaces, which is responsible for excellent extreme pressure and anti-wear properties of the compound agents because of their high melting point and high shear stress.
A conceptualization of suppliers’ and buyers’ abilities in product development
Authors: Bjerhammar Lena , Elbe Jörgen
Published: August 2018

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to present a conceptual framework of specified buyer and supplier abilities which may be apparent in processes when firms wish to develop products where other features than function are important.

Design/methodology/approach

Data were collected through personal interviews with managers at eight major Swedish retail chains. The framework has been developed from an analysis of the data. Three of the cases are presented to illustrate how the framework may be applied.

Findings

The framework contains the concepts specification ability and description ability, which define and specify the demand abilities of the buyer, and the concepts translation ability, interpretation ability and implementation ability, which define and specify the problem-solving abilities of the supplier.

Originality/value

The framework presented here contributes to the business relationship and network literature on product development processes by highlighting and conceptualizing the process between buying firms who have different abilities or even inabilities to specify and explain desired product qualities, and the suppliers who should interpret the demands of these buyers.
Instagram: its influence to psychologically empower women
Authors: Riquelme Hernan Eduardo , Rios Rosa , Al-Thufery Noura
Published: August 2018

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to investigate whether posting on Instagram contributes to empowerment and through what mechanisms.

Design/methodology/approach

A sample of 372 women instagrammers from Kuwait participated in the survey. LISREL 8.2 was used to perform confirmatory factor analysis and structural equation modeling, employing the maximum likelihood estimation method.

Findings

Instagram posts have direct and indirect effects on psychological empowerment. The indirect effect appears through two perceptual mechanisms: sense of self-efficacy and sense of community (SOC). The former provides women with a sense of mastery and control and the latter gives them the perception of belonging to a community that equips individual participants with a collective efficacy. Of the two mechanisms, the SOC plays a more significant role in creating psychological empowerment. Having a sense of virtual community, as opposed to participating in real ones, can act as catalyst in creating empowerment.

Originality/value

This study investigates the impact of a recent new technology, namely, Instagram, in regions where women are marginalized for generations. Instagram is important, because images, photo captions, short texts and hashtags are vital elements of communication in the present day. Furthermore, women are twice as likely to think highly of a brand that makes an empowering ad and are more likely to share, comment and like the ads.
Solutions for counteracting human deception in social engineering attacks
Authors: Campbell Curtis C.
Published: August 2018

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to investigate the top three cybersecurity issues in organizations related to social engineering and aggregate solutions for counteracting human deception in social engineering attacks.

Design/methodology/approach

A total of 20 experts within Information System Security Association participated in a three-round Delphi study for aggregating and condensing expert opinions. Three rounds moved participants toward consensus for solutions to counteract social engineering attacks in organizations.

Findings

Three significant issues: compromised data; ineffective practices; and lack of ongoing education produced three target areas for implementing best practices in countering social engineering attacks. The findings offer counteractions by including education, policies, processes and continuous training in security practices.

Research limitations/implications

Study limitations include lack of prior data on effective social engineering defense. Research implications stem from the psychology of human deception and trust with the ability to detect deception.

Practical implications

Practical implications relate to human judgment in complying with effective security policies and programs and consistent education and training. Future research may include exploring financial, operational and educational costs of implementing social engineering solutions.

Social implications

Social implications apply across all knowledge workers who benefit from technology and are trusted to protect organizational assets and intellectual property.

Originality/value

This study contributes to the field of cybersecurity with a focus on trust and human deception to investigate solutions to counter social engineering attacks. This paper adds to under-represented cybersecurity research regarding effective implementation for social engineering defense.
Humanitarian medical supply chain in disaster response
Authors: Dolinskaya Irina , Besiou Maria , Guerrero-Garcia Sara
Published: August 2018

Purpose

Following a large-scale disaster, medical assistance is a critical component of the emergency response. The paper aims to discuss this issue.

Design/methodology/approach

Academic and practitioner literature is used to develop a framework studying the effectiveness of the humanitarian medical supply chain (HMSC). The framework is validated by using the findings of interviews conducted with experts and the case study of a serious humanitarian medical crisis (Ebola outbreak in 2014).

Findings

The factors affecting the effectiveness of the HMSC are identified.

Research limitations/implications

To get an expert opinion on the major logistical challenges of the medical assistance in emergencies only 11 interviews with practitioners were conducted.

Originality/value

While the existing academic literature discusses the distribution of various supplies needed by the affected population, limited research focuses specifically on studying the HMSC aspect of the response. This paper closes this gap by describing the HMSC in the case of disaster response, and identifying the factors affecting its effectiveness, especially focusing on the factors that are unique to the medical aspect of the humanitarian supply chain.
Measuring procurement performance in Europe
Authors: Flynn Anthony
Published: August 2018

Purpose

The European Commission has begun to measure procurement performance in countries belonging to the European Economic Area (EEA). Performance is understood in terms of practices designed to maximize value for money. The purpose of this paper is to report on the performance measurement system currently in use and what the European Commission’s own data tell us about contemporary procurement practices in EEA countries.

Design/methodology/approach

Secondary data released by the European Commission is used to examine procurement performance across 30 EEA countries.

Findings

The best performing countries are from Scandinavia and the Benelux, along with Ireland, UK and Malta. Average performing countries include France and Germany. Below average performers include Italy, Spain and the former communist countries of Central and Eastern Europe.

Originality/value

The paper highlights significant performance gaps in public procurement between EEA countries.
Sustainability-themed mutual funds: an empirical examination of risk and performance
Authors: Ielasi Federica , Rossolini Monica , Limberti Sara
Published: August 2018

Purpose

This paper aims to analyze the portfolio characteristics and the performance measures of sustainability-themed mutual funds, compared to ethical mutual funds that implement different sustainable and responsible investment strategies.

Design/methodology/approach

The study refers to a European sample of 106 ethical funds and 51 sustainability-themed funds. The monthly performance of each fund is downloaded from Bloomberg for the period from January 1996 to December 2015. By applying a Fama and French (1993) three-factor model, the authors overcome the limits of a capital asset pricing model (CAPM) based-single index model, to compare the performance of the two categories of funds.

Findings

Sustainability-themed funds do not differ significantly from ethical funds in terms of portfolio attributes, except for market capitalization, age and net asset value. Regarding performance measures, the results shows that sustainability-themed funds have a lower underperformance than ethical funds (as measured by Jensen’s alpha), whereas the samples do not differ in terms of market risk (as measured by Beta coefficient). The idiosyncratic risk of sustainability-themed funds is positively influenced by the specific portfolio strategies. The sustainability-themed funds show a higher concentration in the industrial sector and a lower exposure to financial sector than ethical funds; in terms of geographical strategy, they are more global and international oriented; they mainly focus on small caps and value stocks.

Research limitations/implications

The different sustainable and responsible investment strategies can be applied simultaneously and in a growing number of possible combinations. Mutual fund managers can consider thematic approach as an efficient opportunity for reconciling financial performance and economic sustainability. It is demonstrated that sustainability-themed funds adopt a portfolio strategy significantly different from ethical funds and from the environmental, social and governance benchmarks. Mutual fund managers implement a thematic specialization without any negative impact on the funds returns compared to ethical funds; actually, with a proper diversified portfolio, they are able to reduce idiosyncratic risk.

Originality/value

The analysis is extremely innovative, especially for the thematic sample. During the past 15 years, literature about sustainable and responsible investment has been focused especially on the differences in terms of risk and performance between socially responsible and conventional funds. This paper, starting from the methodology applied in these studies, wants to compare two different types of socially responsible strategies, with a specific focus on sustainability-themed mutual funds, given their exponential growth in the past few years.
Prone to “care”?
Authors: Humbert Anne Laure , Roomi Muhammad Azam
Published: August 2018

Purpose

Little attention has been given specifically to the experience of women social entrepreneurs despite the assumption they are prone to “care”, and even less to their motivations or their self-perception of success. This paper aims to provide an insight into the relationship between motivations and social and economic performance among women social entrepreneurs in ten European Union countries.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper classifies the motivations of women social entrepreneurs, drawing on the results of a survey conducted (n= 380) by the European Women’s Lobby. The paper then examines how these motivations relate to self-perceptions of social and economic performance.

Findings

In addition to being driven by self-interest and prosocial motivations, women social entrepreneurs also seek to develop alternative business models. Where a social mission is central, women are likely to feel successful in meeting their social aim; however, there is a strong negative relationship between self-interested motivations and revenue.

Research limitations/implications

This analysis relies on perceptual and self-reported data; therefore, more objective measures should be considered for further research, possibly combined with a longitudinal design. Another limitation of this paper lies in the non-random sampling strategy used to identify a hard-to-reach population such as women social entrepreneurs.

Practical implications

The findings provide a better understanding of the motivations of women social entrepreneurs. This may be useful in assisting funding or support organisations, as well as social investors, evaluate where to best invest resources. In addition, a more nuanced understanding of motivations among women social entrepreneurs can inform policies aimed at supporting women social entrepreneurs, without necessarily being bound by the expectation to maximise economic and/or social outcomes.

Originality/value

This paper demonstrates the centrality of the social mission for women social entrepreneurs. The results also identify “seeking an alternative business model” as a key motivation among women social entrepreneurs, thereby breaking existing conceptualisations of entrepreneurial motivations on a binary spectrum as either “self-interested” or “prosocial”. The paper also shows that having other than prosocial motivations for becoming a social entrepreneur does not necessarily lead to higher economic revenue.
Effects of In and Sb addition on the thermal and wetting behavior of Sn-3.5Ag solder
Authors: Hasnine Md
Published: August 2018

Purpose

This paper aims to investigate the effect of In and Sb additions on the thermal behavior and wettability of Sn-3.5Ag-xIn-ySb (x = 0, 1.0 and 1.5 Wt.%, y = 0, 1.0, 1.4 and 2.1 Wt.%) solder alloys.

Design/methodology/approach

The thermal behavior of the Pb-free solder alloys was studied using differential scanning calorimetry. Wetting balance experiments were performed in accordance with the IPC standard, IPC-TM-650 and at a temperature of 260°C. Also, a solder spread test was performed on a Cu surface finish using the JIS-Z-3197 solderability standard.

Findings

It is shown that among the selected Sn-3.5Ag-xIn-ySb (x = 0, 1.0 and 1.5 Wt.%, y = 0, 1.0, 1.4 and 2.1 Wt.%) alloys, Sn-3.5Ag-1.5In-1Sb showed the lowest melting point and the lowest undercooling temperature. The best wettability was achieved when the In and Sb contents were approximately 1.5 and 1.0 Wt.%, respectively. The effect of the combined addition of In and Sb on solder spreadability on a Cu substrate was also demonstrated.

Originality/value

It was found that adding approximately 1.5 and 1.0 Wt.% of In and Sb, respectively, in Sn-3.5Ag solder provided the best wetting performance and improved the solder spreadability.
‘Problem Spaces’ and Struggles Over the Right to the City: Challenges of Living Differentially in a Gentrifying Istanbul Neighborhood
Authors: Öz Özlem , Eder Mine
Published: August 2018

Focusing on everyday life and the dynamics of contestations between very different groups thrown together in dangerous proximity in a neighborhood of Istanbul called Tophane, this article contributes to debates on urban transformation, political aspects of gentrification and the right to the city, with a focus on how to live differentially. Amidst rising political tensions and polarization in Turkey, competing economic interests, gentrification pressures and/or ultimate clashes over norms and values have fueled these contestations, which have degenerated into violent encounters. Calling for a re‐evaluation of ‘the right to the city’, we argue that, unless the concept of right to the city is complemented by a commitment to live differentially—that is, by a right to difference—mediating and addressing these contestations will be difficult. Whether clashes over the right to the city and everyday encounters can lead to a new politics committed to resisting urban transformation that pushes the boundaries of urban citizenship, or whether these uncomfortable encounters will continue to escalate, with one group claiming hegemony over space until the neighborhood is finally and fully gentrified, remains very uncertain. But it will, ultimately, be the litmus test of the country's democracy and inclusive citizenship.