bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Effective training methods for fostering exceptional service employees
Authors: Luo Ching-Ching , Wang Yi-Chieh , Tai Yang-Fei 
Published: November 2019

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to examine the essential abilities service employees need to deliver an exceptional service that delights customers and to identify effective methods to train exceptional service employees.Design/methodology/approachThe authors conducted in-depth interviews with seven senior butlers and three human resource managers from four of the most renowned five-star hotels in Taiwan. Interviews with the two groups of participants provided good triangulation and allowed us to gain different perspectives and to obtain a more holistic understanding of the research topic.FindingsThis study systematically organized the essential abilities required to deliver delightful service into three hierarchical levels: professionalism, the ability to respond to customers’ emotions and hidden needs and build bonds with them, and the ability to deliver one-stop service. The authors propose that the most effective training method is to develop a customer-oriented service climate. Such an environment will enable service employees to be naturally molded into exceptional service personnel. Several training methods are identified to build a customer-oriented service environment within a company.Research limitations/implicationsThis study focused on the staff of five-star hotels. The proposed service standards and abilities may only be applicable to high-end service providers. Furthermore, this study used only a qualitative research method (in-depth interviews) to develop a preliminary training model to foster outstanding service employees. This model can be further verified using a quantitative method and a larger number of participants in a future study.Originality/valueThis research provides contributions to the literature on delightful service and human resources management.
The productivity of GCC Islamic and conventional banks after Basel III announcement
Authors: Alsharif Mohammad , Nassir Annuar Md. , Kamarudin Fakarudin , Zariyawati M.A. 
Published: November 2019

Purpose
This study aims to analyse Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Islamic and conventional banks’ productivity and to investigate the impact of Basel III on their productivity change. This study is conducted on 73 GCC banks (45 conventional and 28 Islamic) over the period of 2005-2015.

Design/methodology/approach
This study uses the data envelopment analysis-type Malmquist productivity change index and its component indexes to obtain a deep insight into the source of productivity change.

Findings
The results show that Islamic banks are less productive than their conventional counterparts. Also, the results indicate that Basel III accord has impeded the GCC banks’ productivity and this negative effect is larger on Islamic banks. However, there is scale efficiency progress in the past years that offsets the production frontier deterioration, which leads to stagnation in total productivity change for both banks.

Originality/value
This study differs from the previous GCC banks’ productivity studies in several ways. Firstly, it covers a recent period that includes major events such as the global crisis and focuses on the influence of Basel III accord on GCC banks’ productivity. Secondly, as opposed to the previous studies, this study will estimate the GCC banks’ productivity index and its components based on separate frontiers for Islamic and conventional banks that will ensure the homogeneity in the sample and the robustness of the results. Thirdly, this study uses a combination of parametric and non-parametric tests to confirm and check the robustness of the findings. Lastly, to the best of the knowledge of the authors, this is the first study that tries to analyse the GCC banking sector productivity around the new Basel III announcement.
A multilevel analysis of factors related to business robbery clearance rates in a large city in Texas
Authors: Cooke Eric M. , Zhang Yan 
Published: November 2019

Purpose
Business victimization is a serious and pervasive issue within the USA. According to recent estimates, roughly 2,058,194 businesses are victimized each year. Of those, approximately 33 percent of business victimization cases are solved. Taken together, it is important for research to examine factors that influence business victimization clearance. The purpose of this paper is to examine how broken windows enforcement, social disorganization, community and police organizational factors influence business robbery clearance using data from Houston, Texas over a two-year period from 2010 to 2012.

Design/methodology/approach
Using a hierarchical linear modeling strategy, the current study found no effect of broken windows tactics, social disorganization elements and various organizational, and community characteristics on business robbery clearance.

Findings
Significant effects were found for a number of incident and offense characteristics including gang involvement, business type, type of weapon used in the crime, the number of business entities in an area, and racial populous.

Originality/value
To date, few studies have examined factors that influence clearance rates for business robberies. Thus, the current study adds to and extends upon the literature in theoretically relevant ways by exploring how broken windows policing, social disorganization and various community/police organizational variables influence business robbery clearances in a large city.
Protecting children from internet pornography? A critical assessment of statutory age verification and its enforcement in the UK
Authors: Yar Majid 
Published: November 2019

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to critically assess the newly created regulatory and policing regime for age-restricting access to pornography in the UK.Design/methodology/approachIt examines the pivotal legislation, policy and strategy documents, consultation submissions and interventions from a range of stakeholders such as children’s charities, content providers and privacy advocates.FindingsEven before its implementation, the regulatory regime betrays serious flaws and shortcomings in its framing and configuration. These difficulties include its inability to significantly curtail minors’ access to online pornography and risks of privacy violations and associated harms to legitimate users’ interests.Research limitations/implicationsRemedial measures are available so as to address some of the problems identified. However, it is argued that ultimately the attempt to prohibit minors from accessing such content is set to fail, and that alternative approaches – such as better equipping children through education to cope with explicit materials online – need to be given greater prominence.Originality/valueThis paper provides the first criminological policy analysis of this latest attempt to regulate and police online behaviour, and offers an important critical response to such efforts.
Reflections on the reporting of fraud in Australia
Authors: Cross Cassandra 
Published: November 2019

Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to reflect on the reporting of cybercrime in Australia, specifically the reporting of fraud.

Design/methodology/approach
Using an evaluation of the (former) Australian Cybercrime Online Reporting Network (ACORN), this paper provides a commentary on the report findings, including both positive and negative aspects of the reporting mechanism.

Findings
The paper focuses on three key challenges that were identified in the evaluation: victim satisfaction; quality of data; and unintended consequences. Each of these topics is outlined and located within a broader context to better understand the evaluation findings.

Research limitations/implications
This viewpoint paper is a commentary based upon an evaluation of ACORN which itself has several limitations of its methodology. Despite this, the evaluation provides important insights into the challenges that currently exist with the online reporting of fraud offences both in Australia, and worldwide.

Practical implications
This paper emphasises the structural and systemic issues that exist for the reporting of fraud in Australia. It therefore warns against placing blame exclusively on police agencies as responsible for these results. Instead, it advocates the need for society to take a more coordinated and collaborative approach to the policing of fraud, which includes law enforcement, government and industry partners.

Social implications
The paper documents some of the underlying reasons for additional trauma and harm experienced by victims of fraud in their efforts to report their incident and receive what they perceive to be an appropriate criminal justice response. These must be acknowledged in order to make the required change.

Originality/value
This paper is a commentary and reflection on the current way in which fraud is reported in Australia. It points to a need to rethink this approach in some key areas. It highlights the critical need for an education campaign to dispel some of the myths that exist in relation to realistic police responses to fraud, and also calls for the need to consider alternatives to the exclusively online system currently in operation, as well as larger questions about notions of justice and appropriate responses to fraud victims.
Will MiFID II tame the investment services industry of the Baltic Tigers?
Authors: Huettinger Maik , Krašauskaitė Agnė 
Published: November 2019

Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to assess the impact of the markets in financial instruments directive II (MiFID II) on investment services in the Baltic states.

Design/methodology/approach
The authors take an exploratory, qualitative approach, based on data conducted from interviews with nine investment industry professionals using the laddering technique. The pool of experts was selected using the purposeful sampling method, and experts must have had a minimum of five years investment experience in the Baltics, working familiarity with MiFID II, and a university education in the fields of finance or economics.

Findings
The strict requirements of MiFID II reduce the range of available investment products and services for customers in the Baltics. Also, the profitability of Baltic investment companies decreased due to high compliance costs and bans on inducements. The results indicate that this may lead to increased barriers to entry and mergers and acquisitions for small investment companies.

Originality/value
To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this is the first attempt to research the implications of MiFID II implementation in the Baltic states. The qualitative approach chosen offers a unique opportunity to highlight the critical effects of MiFID II on financial intermediates in smaller geographical markets.
Corrosion and wear analysis of HVOLF sprayed WC-10CO-4Cr coating on geothermal turbine blade
Authors: Kumar Manoj , Upadhyaya Rohit 
Published: November 2019

Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to develop the high pressure high-velocity oxy-liquid fuel sprayed WC-10Co-4Cr coatings on geothermal turbine 9Cr-1Mo steel for protection against wear and corrosion.

Design/methodology/approach
The microstructural characterization of as-deposited and corroded coating was done and presented using X-ray diffraction and scanning electron microscope/energy dispersive spectroscopy analysis.

Findings
The developed coating offered 50 per cent enhanced microhardness (1,200 HV) and 100 per cent enhanced wear resistance, in comparison to bare geothermal turbine steel, respectively. The coating has shown enhanced life in the simulated working conditions (fog test and dip test). This may be because of the high microhardness of the developed coating as per the proven tribological theories.

Originality/value
Coating offered excellent corrosion resistance in the harsher simulated environments to geothermal turbines.
Microbial communities of the Laurentian Great Lakes reflect connectivity and local biogeochemistry
Authors: Paver Sara F. , Newton Ryan J. , Coleman Maureen L. 
Published: November 2019

SummaryThe Laurentian Great Lakes are a vast, interconnected freshwater system spanning strong physicochemical gradients, thus constituting a powerful natural laboratory for addressing fundamental questions about microbial ecology and evolution. We present a comparative analysis of pelagic microbial communities across all five Laurentian Great Lakes, focusing on Bacterial and Archaeal picoplankton characterized via 16S rRNA amplicon sequencing. We collected samples throughout the water column from the major basins of each lake in spring and summer over 2 years. Two oligotypes, classified as LD12 (Alphaproteobacteria) and acI‐B1 (Actinobacteria), were among the most abundant in every sample. At the same time, microbial communities showed distinct patterns with depth during summer stratification. Deep hypolimnion samples were frequently dominated by a Chloroflexi oligotype that reached up to 19% relative abundance. Stratified surface communities differed between the colder, less productive upper lakes (Superior, Michigan, Huron) and warmer, more productive lower lakes (Erie, Ontario), in part due to an Actinobacteria oligotype (acI‐C2) that averaged 7.7% of sequences in the lower lakes but <0.2% in the upper lakes. Together, our findings suggest that both hydrologic connectivity and local selective pressures shape microbial communities in the Great Lakes and establish a framework for future investigations.
Dataset of Digitized RACs and Their Rarity Score Analysis for Strengthening Shoeprint Evidence
Authors: Wiesner Sarena , Shor Yaron , Tsach Tsadok , Kaplan-Damary Naomi , Yekutieli Yoram 
Published: November 2019

AbstractIn recent years, there is a growing demand to fortify the scientific basis of forensic methodology. During 2016, the President’s Council of Advisors on Science and Technology (PCAST) published a report that states there are no appropriate empirical studies that support the foundational validity of footwear analysis to associate shoeprints with particular shoes based on specific identifying marks, which is a basic scientific demand from the field. Furthermore, meaningful databases that can support such studies do not exist. Without such databases, statistical presentation of the comparison results cannot be fulfilled either. In this study, a database of over 13,000 randomly acquired characteristics (RACs) such as scratches, nicks, tears, and holes, as they appear on shoe sole test impressions, from nearly 400 shoe soles was collected semi‐automatically. The location, orientation, and the contour of each RAC were determined for all the RACs on each test impression. The statistical algorithm Statistic Evaluation of Shoeprint Accidentals (SESA) was developed to calculate a score for finding another feature similar to a particular scanned and digitized RAC in the same shape, location, and orientation as the examined one. A correlation was found between the results of SESA and the results of real casework, strengthening our belief in the ability of SESA to assist the expert in reaching a conclusion while performing casework. The score received at the end of the process serves the expert as a guiding number, allowing more objective and accurate results and conclusions.
Phytochemical‐Rich Antioxidant Extracts of Vaccinium Vitis‐idaea L. Leaves Inhibit the Formation of Toxic Maillard Reaction Products in Food Models
Authors: Račkauskienė Ieva , Pukalskas Audrius , Fiore Alberto , Troise Antonio Dario , Venskutonis Petras Rimantas 
Published: November 2019

AbstractThermal treatment of proteinaceous foods generates heat‐induced Maillard reaction substances including toxic advanced glycation end products (AGEs) and heterocyclic amines (HAs). It is known that plant phenolic compounds may influence Maillard reaction. This study investigated the impact of lingonberry leaf extracts on the formation of Nε‐(carboxymethyl)lysine (CML) and Nε‐(2‐furoylmethyl)‐L‐lysine (furosine) in milk model system and HAs in meat‐protein and meat model systems. In addition, lingonberry leaf extracts obtained by different solvents were characterized by radical scavenging, Folin–Ciocalteu assays and ultrahigh pressure liquid chromatography quadruple‐time‐of flight mass spectrometry (UPLC‐qTOF‐MS). Water extract (WE) stronger suppressed CML than furosine formation in milk model system: CML levels were reduced by nearly 40%. Moreover, quinic acid and catechin, which were abundant in WE, were effective in inhibiting CML and furosine formation. WE and acetone extract (AE) at 10 mg/mL significantly inhibited HAs formation in both model systems. However, higher suppressing effect on HAs formation showed AE, which had lower antioxidant capacity and total phenolic content values than WE. WE contained higher amounts of hydroxycinnamic acids, proanthocyanidins and flavonols, while AE was richer in flavan‐3‐ols and arbutin derivatives. It indicates that the composition of phenolics might be a major factor for explaining different effect of extracts from the same plant on HAs formation. In general, the results suggest that lingonberry leaves is a promising source of phytochemicals for inhibiting toxic Maillard reaction products and enriching foods with plant bioactive compounds.Practical ApplicationThe increased consumption in processed foods has been linked with the increased risks of various diseases, while thermal food processing is required to develop flavor, insure safety, and extend shelf life. Therefore, developing effective technological means for inhibiting the formation of heat‐induced toxic substances is an important task. This study showed a potential of lingonberry leaf extracts containing health beneficial phytochemicals to suppress the formation of toxic Maillard reaction products during heating of milk and meat.
Estimation of multiple male mating frequency using paternity skew: An example from a grey‐sided vole (Myodes rufocanus) population
Authors: Wakabayashi Hiroko , Saitoh Takashi 
Published: November 2019

AbstractMultiple male mating (MMM) causes sperm competition, which may play an important role in the evolution of reproductive traits. The frequency of multiple paternity (MP), where multiple males sire offspring within a single litter, has been used as an index of MMM frequency. However, MP frequency is necessarily lower than MMM frequency. The magnitude of the difference between MMM and MP frequency depends on litter size (LS) and fertilization probability skew (FPS), and this difference may be meaningfully large in animals with small LSs. In this study, we propose a method to estimate MMM frequency using an individual‐based model with three variables (MP frequency, LS and FPS). We incorporated observed paternity skew data to infer a possible range of FPS that cannot be measured in free‐living populations and tested the validity of our method using a data set from a grey‐sided vole (Myodes rufocanus) population and from hypothetical populations. MP was found in 50 out of 215 litters (23.3%) in the grey‐sided vole population, while MMM frequency was estimated in 67 of 215 litters (31.2%), with a certainty range of 59–88 (27.4%–40.9%). The point estimation of MMM frequency was realized, and the certainty range was limited within the practical range. The use of observed paternity skew was very effective at narrowing the certainty range of the estimate. Our method could contribute to a deeper understanding of the ecology of MMM in free‐living populations.
Incidence and risk factors of bradycardia in pediatric patients undergoing intranasal dexmedetomidine sedation
Authors: Lei Huang , Chao Li , Miao Tan , Ya Jun Li , Shen Ling Liu , Yan Ying Pu , Xiao Han Peng , Yun Bo Xu , Xin Tan 
Published: November 2019

BackgroundDexmedetomidine is widely used for non‐invasive pediatric procedural sedation. However, the hemodynamic effects of intravenous dexmedetomidine are a concern. There has been a growing interest in the application of intranasal dexmedetomidine as a sedative in children.ObjectiveTo investigate the incidence of bradycardia in children undergoing intranasal dexmedetomidine sedation and to identify the associated risk factors.MethodsData pertaining to pediatric patients who underwent intranasal dexmedetomidine sedation for non‐invasive investigations at the Kunming Children's Hospital between October 2017 and August 2018 were retrospectively analyzed.ResultsOut of 9984 children who qualified for inclusion, 228 children (2.3%) developed bradycardia. The incidence of bradycardia in the group that received additional dose of dexmedetomidine was higher than that in the group that did not receive additional dose (9.2% vs 16.7%; P = .003). The incidence of bradycardia in males was higher than that in females (2.6% vs 1.8%; P = .007). On multivariate logistic regression, only male gender showed an independent association with the occurrence of bradycardia (odds ratio 1.48; 95% confidence interval 1.11‐1.97; P = .008).ConclusionsThe overall incidence of bradycardia in children after sole use of intranasal dexmedetomidine sedation was 2.3%. Male children showed a 1.48‐fold higher risk of bradycardia. However, the blood pressure of the children who developed bradycardia was within the normal range. Simple wake‐up can effectively manage bradycardia induced by intranasal dexmedetomidine sedation.
Hypervolemia does not cause degradation of the endothelial glycocalyx layer during open hysterectomy performed under sevoflurane or propofol anesthesia
Authors: Nemme Janis , Krizhanovskii Camilla , Ntika Stelia , Sabelnikovs Olegs , Vanags Indulis , Hahn Robert G. 
Published: November 2019

BackgroundFluid‐induced hypervolemia may stimulate the release of natriuretic peptides and cause degradation (shedding) of the endothelial glycocalyx layer. Sevoflurane is believed to protect the glycocalyx, but the importance of using sevoflurane to prevent shedding during routine surgery is unclear.MethodsThe plasma concentrations of brain natriuretic peptide and two biomarkers of glycocalyx shedding, syndecan‐1, and heparan sulfate, were measured in 26 patients randomized to receive general anesthesia with sevoflurane or propofol during open abdominal hysterectomy. The fluid therapy consisted of 25 mL/kg (approximately 2 L) of Ringer´s lactate over 30 minutes. Blood hemoglobin and plasma albumin were used to indicate plasma volume expansion and capillary leakage.ResultsThe plasma concentrations of brain natriuretic peptide and shedding products showed low levels throughout the surgery (median brain natriuretic peptide, 21 ng/L; syndecan‐1, 12.9 ng/mL; and heparan sulfate, 6.5 µg/mL), but the heparan sulfate concentration increased 2 hours post‐operatively (to 17.3 µg/mL, P < .005). No differences were noted between the propofol and sevoflurane groups in any of the measured parameters. Albumin was apparently recruited to the bloodstream during the first 20 minutes, when the intravascular retention of infused fluid was almost 100%. The urine flow was <1 mL/min, despite the vigorous volume loading.ConclusionsNo relevant elevations of brain natriuretic peptide or degradation products of the glycocalyx layer were observed when hypervolemia was induced during open abdominal hysterectomy performed with sevoflurane or propofol anesthesia. Plasma volume expansion from Ringer´s lactate was pronounced.