bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Grey modeling for thermal spray processing parameter analysis
Authors: Liu Meimei , Zhang Yicha , Dong Wenjie , Yu Zexin , Liu Sifeng , Gomes Samuel , Liao Hanlin , Deng Sihao 
Published: March 2020

PurposeThis paper presents the application of grey modeling for thermal spray processing parameter analysis in less data environment.Design/methodology/approachBased on processing knowledge, key processing parameters of thermal spray process are analyzed and preselected. Then, linear and non-linear grey modeling models are integrated to mine the relationships between different processing parameters.FindingsModel A reveals the linear correlation between the HVOF process parameters and the characterization of particle in-flight with average relative errors of 9.230 percent and 5.483 percent for velocity and temperature.Research limitations/implicationsThe prediction accuracies of coatings properties vary, which means that there exists more complex non-linear relationship between the identified input parameters and coating results, or more unexpected factors (e.g. factors from material side) should be further investigated.Practical implicationsAccording to the modeling case in this paper, method has potential to deal with other diverse modeling problems in different industrial applications where challenge to collecting large quantity of data sets exists.Originality/valueIt is the first time to apply grey modeling for thermal spray processing where complicated relationships among processing parameters exist. The modeling results show reasonable results to experiment and existing processing knowledge.
Numerical investigation on activation energy of chemically reactive heat transfer unsteady flow with multiple slips
Authors: Majeed Aaqib , Amin Noorul , Zeeshan A. , Ellahi R. , Sait Sadiq M. , Vafai K. 
Published: March 2020

PurposeThe purpose of this study is to examine the impact of activation energy with binary chemical reaction for unsteady flow on permeable stretching surface.Design/methodology/approachThe simultaneous effects of multiple slip and magneto-hydrodynamic effects at the boundary are taken into account. The thermal buoyancy parameter and thermal radiation are included in both energy and momentum equations, while expression of activation energy is considered in concentration equation. Three-stage Lobatto IIIa finite difference collocation technique with bvp4c MATLAB package is used to obtained numerical results.FindingsThe influence of key elements (Schmidt number, buoyancy force ratio factor, factor of radiation, magnetic element, unsteadiness factor, suction/injection parameter, Prandtl number, activation energy, chemical reaction rate parameter, heat source and sink parameters, velocity, thermal and concentration slips, porosity parameter and temperature difference parameter) on velocity, temperature and concentration profiles are illustrated pictorially. A detailed discussion is presented to see how the graphical aspects justify the physical prospect.Originality/valueIn the best of author’s knowledge, this work is yet not available in existing literature.
Collective decision-making for developing emergency management capabilities
Authors: Oh Namkyung 
Published: March 2020

PurposeThe purpose of this study is to explore the applicability of analytic hierarchy process (AHP) to collective decision-making of local and state disaster managers for their efficient and effective allocation of limited financial resources.Design/methodology/approachFor the implementation of AHP, this study conducted an AHP survey with state and local disaster managers in post-Katrina Louisiana, the USA.FindingsThe AHP analysis disclosed a preference gap between local and state managers. It also identified frequent interaction with partners, leadership and communication, as the most critical capabilities to develop for effective emergency management.Research limitations/implicationsThis study discussed the value of consistent and careful management of the collaborative relationship. This study is context-specific in disaster type (Hurricane) and locality (Louisiana). Other AHP studies or similar multi-criteria decision-making models should be implemented in different contexts.Originality/valueEven with clear advantages of collective decision-making in the emergency management field, a model for collective decision-making has been rare. This study explored the applicability of AHP to the collective decision-making for the efficient and effective allocation of limited financial resources.
National study of emergency medical services core competencies in Saudi Arabia
Authors: AlShammari Talal , Jennings Paul , Williams Brett 
Published: March 2020

PurposeEmergency medical services (EMS) educational standards in Saudi Arabia have developed at an unprecedented rate, and the rapid pace of development has resulted in a considerable disparity of educational approaches. Therefore, an empirically based core competency framework should be developed. The aim was to utilize exploratory factor analysis (EFA) in the reduction and generation of a theoretical Saudi competency model.Design/methodology/approachA purposive sample was utilized in a national quantitative cross-sectional study design of Saudi Red Crescent Authority (SRCA) healthcare workers. The instrument comprised 41 core competency items rated on a Likert scale. EFA alpha factoring with oblique promax rotation was applied to the 41 items.FindingsA total of 450 EMS healthcare providers participated in the study, of whom 422 (93.8 per cent) were male and 28 (6.2 per cent) female. Of the participants, 230 (60 per cent) were aged 29–39 years and 244 (54.2 per cent) had 5–9 years of experience. An EFA of instrument items generated five factors: professionalism, preparedness, communication, clinical and personal with an eigenvalue > 1, representing 67.5 per cent of total variance. Only variables that had a loading value >0.40 were utilized in the factor solution.Originality/valueThe EFA model Saudi ParamEdic Competency Scale (SPECS) has been identified, with 27 core competency items and five overarching factors. The model has considerable similarities to other medical competency frameworks. However, some aspects are specifically unique to the Saudi EMS context. The SPECS model provides an academic blueprint that can be used by paramedic educational programs to ensure empirical alignment with the needs of the industry and community.
Technology forecast: a case study in Daiken company
Authors: Sartori Rodrigo Vinicius , Reis Dalcio Roberto dos , Bronzeri Marcia , Silva Adriana Queiroz 
Published: March 2020

Purpose
This paper aims to describe how the technology forecast process occurs at a technology-based company named Daiken, a Brazilian electronics industry, located in the state of Parana. The study helps to clarify the context that tech-companies in Brazil face when trying to forecast new technologies.

Design/methodology/approach
The paper opted for a case study, in a qualitative and descriptive approach. Primary data were collected through a semi-structured interview and non-participant observation. Secondary data were generated through documentary research.

Findings
Outcomes indicate that, for the studied case, technology forecast practices are adopted in an informal and unsystematic way, best aligned to the nature of competitive intelligence.

Research limitations/implications
Because of the chosen research approach, the results may lack generalizability. Therefore, researchers are encouraged to test the propositions further.

Practical implications
The paper includes implications for the adjustment of technology forecast tools to the reality seen in emergent nations like Brazil.

Originality/value
This paper fulfills an identified need to study how to conduct the technology forecast processes in small and mid-tech-companies in Brazil.
Effects of welding speeds on the microstructural and mechanical properties of AZ91D Mg alloy by friction stir welding
Authors: Kadigithala Nagabhushan Kumar , C Vanitha 
Published: March 2020

PurposeThe main purpose of the present work is to evaluate, the microstructural and mechanical properties of friction stir welded plates of AZ91D magnesium alloy with 3 mm thickness, and to determine the optimum range of welding conditions.Design/methodology/approachMicrostructure and fractographic studies were carried out using scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Vickers micro hardness test was performed to evaluate the hardness profile in the region of the weld area. The phases in the material were confirmed by X-Ray diffraction (XRD) analysis. Transverse tensile tests were conducted using universal testing machine (UTM) to examine the joint strength of the weldments at different parameters.FindingsMetallographic studies revealed that each zone shown different lineaments depending on the mechanical and thermal conditions. Significant improvement in the hardness was observed between the base material and weldments. Transverse tensile test results of weldments had shown almost similar strength that of base material regardless of welding speed. Fractographic examination indicated that the welded specimens failed due to brittle mode fracture. Through these studies it was confirmed that friction stir welding (FSW) can be used for the welding of AZ91D magnesium alloy.Research limitations/implicationsIn the present study, the welding speed varied from 25 mm/min to 75 mm/min, tilt angle varied from 1.5° to 2.5° and constant rotational speed of 500 rpm.Practical implicationsMagnesium and aluminum based alloys which are having high strength and low density, used in automotive and aerospace applications can be successfully joined using FSW technique. The fusion welding defects can be eliminated by adopting this technique.Originality/valueLimited work had been carried out on the FSW of magnesium based alloys over aluminum based alloys. Furthermore, this paper analyses the influence of welding parameters over the microstructural and mechanical properties.
The intellectual contours of corporate social responsibility literature
Authors: Bhattacharyya Som Sekhar , Verma Surabhi 
Published: March 2020

PurposeCorporate Social Responsibility (CSR) deliberated regarding business firms' actions for doing well to society and natural environment. Specifically, CSR has been about firms contributions towards stakeholder management. As world economy has prospered over the last couple of centuries, business firms have had also increased its footprints in social landscape. In such a scenario, the roles and responsibilities of business firms have expanded in society. Over the years, CSR as a domain of research and literature has developed into a very potent and rich field. Presently, CSR literature as a body of knowledge has become substantial. The authors in this literature review study attempts to conceptually map this complex field of CSR literature.Design/methodology/approachThe objective of this literature review study was to present a visual mapping of intellectual structure of CSR in five-dimensions and to identify the subfields of CSR research concluded by co-citation analysis. All the citation research documents which were listed in the Web of Knowledge (WoK) database between 1998 and 2019 were analysed. Multivariate analysis was undertaken for the literature review. The study conducted a sequence of statistical analyses comprising of factor analysis, multidimensional scaling and cluster analysis.FindingsThis literature review research study summarised the contours and status of CSR research by categorizing the CSR literature into five classification factors, namely CSR Drivers CSR, Contextual Grounding of CSR, Historical Legacy of CSR, Strategic CSR and CSR Implementation. Further, based upon the analysis of literature review of extant research in CSR, both the contemporary and imminent CSR-related research themes were also deliberated upon.Research limitations/implicationsThe results were helpful for academic scholars of CSR to comprehend both the gamut and focus of CSR literature over the years (between the years 1998 and 2019). The sequence of analyses involved factor, multidimensional scaling and cluster analysis. CSR literature was categorized into five factors namely- CSR Drivers, Contextual Grounding of CSR, Historical Legacy of CSR, Strategic CSR and CSR Implementation.Originality/valueThis study was one of the first set of studies to review the literature on CSR research articles by using citation, co-citation and social network analysis.
Gender differences and business model experimentation in European SMEs
Authors: Lopez-Nicolas Carolina , Nikou Shahrokh , Molina-Castillo Francisco-Jose , Bouwman Harry 
Published: March 2020

Purpose
By drawing on various theoretical approaches and a gender perspective, this paper aims to examine business model (BM) experimentation as a step towards BM experimentation capabilities as an outcome and, as such, a key antecedent to firm performance.

Design/methodology/approach
In this paper, using a unique data set of 444 European small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), the authors draw on various theoretical perspectives to devise a structural equation model that examines BM experimentation as a step towards business model innovation (BMI) as an outcome and, as such, a key antecedent to firm performance. Potential differences are examined between female-owned and non-female-owned businesses with regard to hypothesized relations.

Findings
Multi-group analysis results reveal that drivers of BM experimentation and the paths linking BM experimentation to overall firm performance are different for female owners in comparison to male owners.

Research limitations/implications
Theoretical and practical implications are various. For SME entrepreneurs, experimenting with their BMs does lead to improved performance.

Practical implications
Theoretical and practical implications are various. For SME entrepreneurs, experimenting with their BMs does lead to improved performance.

Originality/value
Despite the increasing number of papers focussing on the relationship between BM and firm performance, the focus on female entrepreneurship, gender differences and BMI, more specifically the process of BMI as BM experimentation, is relatively rare.
A numerical approach for inventory pre-positioning in emergency management
Authors: Di Pasquale Valentina , Fruggiero Fabio , Iannone Raffaele 
Published: March 2020

PurposeThe increasing number of natural disasters has increased the attention on emergency plans aimed at providing fast support to affected communities. In this context, inventory pre-positioning management, which involves positioning the materials required to meet the affected community's needs early, has been increasingly acknowledged, but many challenges persist. The purpose of the paper is to provide a decision support system for the optimal quantification and location of humanitarian aid, trying to enhance and extend the existing literature on this topic.Design/methodology/approachThe paper develops a numerical model for inventory pre-positioning of humanitarian aid to reduce both emergency response times and costs connected to goods procurement for seismic events. By examining the characteristics of the territory and the affected population, the model defines the optimal stock levels for four basic need items (hygienic sanitary kits, beds, blankets and camp tents) to be pre-allocated in the territory.FindingsThe model was validated using data obtained from the two severe earthquakes that occurred in Italy. The case study showed how the simulated outputs differ from the real case data and the economic benefits of adopting inventory pre-positioning considering the cost reductions (purchase, storage, transport and fulfilment of requirements).Originality/valueThe proposed decision support system allows the pre-positioning of emergency supplies in local areas in order to reduce response times and increase the speed of intervention in the event of seismic events, exploiting the advantages of a simulation model. Numerical and graphical results can easily support improvements in humanitarian logistics, providing those affected with rapid, cost-effective and better-adapted responses.
Officers' perceptions regarding the unexpected effects of body-worn cameras
Authors: Pickering Jordan C. 
Published: March 2020

PurposeThroughout the last decade, a number of empirical studies have assessed the effectiveness of body-worn cameras (BWCs) among law enforcement agencies across the United States. The purpose of this paper is to examine officers' perceptions regarding the impact this technology has had on police-community relations, as well as the working relationship between police and other actors in the criminal justice system (e.g. prosecutors, jurors).Design/methodology/approachThe author conducted focus groups with officers (n = 89) from two local law enforcement agencies in California that had adopted BWCs in recent years. Participating officers discussed advantages and disadvantages they associated with BWCs, as well as how BWCs have impacted their relationship with the public and justice system personnel.FindingsOfficers recognized advantages to using BWCs, including the potential for positive changes in police behavior and the ability to protect officers against false citizen complaints. Officers also identified a number of disadvantages (or consequences) they associate with BWCs, such as the depreciation of credibility behind an officer's word and the impact of video footage on prosecutorial decision-making.Originality/valuePrior studies have gathered officers' perceptions regarding BWCs, but very few have assessed whether and how the use of this technology by law enforcement influences other actors within the criminal justice system. The findings from this study may prompt further empirical consideration regarding BWCs, especially with regard to whether police use of this technology significantly impacts citizens' trust in the police and how their use may impact prosecutorial and juror decision-making.
Assessment of serum biomarkers in patients with plaque psoriasis on secukinumab
Authors: Morita Akimichi , Tani Yumiko , Matsumoto Kazuko , Yamaguchi Masako , Teshima Rie , Ohtsuki Mamitaro 
Published: March 2020

AbstractThe molecular basis of interleukin (IL)‐17A in driving psoriasis pathogenesis is not fully elucidated yet. To investigate the underlying mechanisms and biomarkers associated with IL‐17A and the role in psoriasis pathogenesis, over 30 serum proteins were evaluated in a study assessing the effectiveness and safety of secukinumab, where treatment was directly switched from cyclosporin A to secukinumab. Serum β‐defensin 2 (BD‐2) levels rapidly and robustly reduced following secukinumab treatment. BD‐2 levels were well‐correlated with Psoriasis Area and Severity Index (PASI) score; changes in BD‐2 levels preceded change in PASI score. Serum BD‐2, an easily measurable protein, can possibly be used as a suitable surrogate biomarker to monitor responses to IL‐17A‐targeted therapies for psoriasis in clinical practice.
Integration of rock physics and seismic inversion for rock typing and flow unit analysis: A case study
Authors: Khadem Benyamin , Saberi Mohammad Reza , Eslahati Mohammad , Arbab Bita 
Published: March 2020

ABSTRACTRock typing and flow unit detection are more challenging in clastic reservoirs with a uniform pore system. An integrated workflow based on well logs, inverted seismic data and rock physics models is proposed and developed to address such challenges. The proposed workflow supplies a plausible reservoir model for further investigation and adds extra information. Then, this workflow has been implemented in order to define different rock types and flow units in an oilfield in the Persian Gulf, where some of these difficulties have been observed. Here, rock physics models have the leading role in our proposed workflow by providing a diagnostic framework in which we successfully differentiate three rock types with variant characteristics on the given wells. Furthermore, permeability and porosity are calculated using the available rock physics models to define several flow units. Then, we extend our investigation to the entire reservoir by means of simultaneous inversion and rock physics models. The outcomes of the study suggest that in sediments with homogeneous pore size distribution, other reservoir properties such as shale content and cementation (which have distinct effects on the elastic domain) can be used to identify rock types and flow units. These reservoir properties have more physical insights for modelling purposes and can be distinguished on seismic cube using proper rock physics models. The results illustrate that the studied reservoir mainly consists of rock type B, which is unconsolidated sands and has the characteristics of a reservoir for subsequent fluid flow unit analysis. In this regard, rock type B has been divided into six fluid units in which the first detected flow unit is considered as the cleanest unit and has the highest reservoir process speed about 4800 to 5000 mD. Here, reservoir quality decreases from flow unit 1 to flow unit 6.
Drivers of amphibian population dynamics and asynchrony at local and regional scales
Authors: Cayuela Hugo , Griffiths Richard A. , Zakaria Nurul , Arntzen Jan W. , Priol Pauline , Léna Jean‐Paul , Besnard Aurélien , Joly Pierre 
Published: March 2020

Abstract

Identifying the drivers of population fluctuations in spatially distinct populations remains a significant challenge for ecologists. Whereas regional climatic factors may generate population synchrony (i.e. the Moran effect), local factors including the level of density dependence may reduce the level of synchrony. Although divergences in the scaling of population synchrony and spatial environmental variation have been observed, the regulatory factors that underlie such mismatches are poorly understood.

Few previous studies have investigated how density‐dependent processes and population‐specific responses to weather variation influence spatial synchrony at both local and regional scales. We addressed this issue in a pond‐breeding amphibian, the great crested newt Triturus cristatus. We used capture–recapture data collected through long‐term surveys in five T. cristatus populations in Western Europe.

In all populations—and subpopulations within metapopulations—population size, annual survival and recruitment fluctuated over time. Likewise, there was considerable variation in these demographic rates between populations and within metapopulations. These fluctuations and variations appear to be context‐dependent and more related to site‐specific characteristics than local or regional climatic drivers. We found a low level of demographic synchrony at both local and regional levels. Weather has weak and spatially variable effects on survival, recruitment and population growth rate. In contrast, density dependence was a common phenomenon (at least for population growth) in almost all populations and subpopulations.

Our findings support the idea that the Moran effect is low in species where the population dynamics more closely depends on local factors (e.g. population density and habitat characteristics) than on large‐scale environmental fluctuation (e.g. regional climatic variation). Such responses may have far‐reaching consequences for the long‐term viability of spatially structured populations and their ability to respond to large‐scale climatic anomalies.