bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Activity-based pricing in small and medium-sized restaurants. Evidence from the Italian context
Authors: Raucci Domenico , Lepore Dominique , Sabatiello Rossella 
Published: August 2020

Purpose
This paper aims to present an extension of price sensitive measurement (PSM) combined with activity-based costing (ABC) for supporting activity-based pricing approaches in the small and medium-sized restaurants.

Design/methodology/approach
The joint model of PSM and ABC is applied to the fixed menu pricing analysis of a typical medium-small Italian restaurant.

Findings
The outcomes confirm the potential of the activity-based pricing approach for supporting pricing decision-making in the small and medium-sized restaurants. However, the complexity of the model for these contexts suggests testing simplified versions of ABC, proposed for other sectors, to exploit integration with PSM. Further, the authors find evidence of the need to further investigate the role of informal conditions, characterizing small-medium enterprises, which may play for the successful implementation of the approach proposed.

Originality/value
There is no analysis using the suggested approach for supporting menu pricing in medium-small restaurants. This case study contributes to the literature on activity-based pricing for small and medium-sized restaurants, based on the ABC approaches.
SOSTAUGA project: reduction of water consumption and evaluation of potential uses for endogenous resources
Authors: Torrijos Verónica , Soto Manuel , Calvo Dopico Domingo 
Published: August 2020

Purpose
The University of A Coruña (UDC) elaborated the SOSTAUGA project, aiming to reach a higher sustainable level of its water management. SOSTAUGA defined four priority points of action: the restoration of the natural courses on the campus; the adoption of an ecological sanitation model; the sustainable management of urban runoff; and the reduction of water consumption in university facilities and activities. This paper aims to present the methodology, the actions and the results related to the reduction of water consumption and the potential for the use of endogenous resources.

Design/methodology/approach
The agents involved were the senior management of the centres, the committees of the Green Campus, the scholarship students and the Office for the Environment. Several actions have been experienced: audit of water consumption in sanitary services; flow reduction in washbasin taps by means of valve adjustment (and repair of the valves when necessary); replacement of tap aerators with other more eco-efficient ones; replacement of faucets; introduction of dual-flush (DF) in cisterns; and information to users (eco-label).

Findings
Water audit reached 68% of the total number of washbasins and tanks in the UDC. Efficient aerator installation covered 16% of taps and valve adjustment covered the further 33.5% and provided flow reduction of 42%. Another 20% of valve units required repair. The current situation in toilets combines tankless flush valves and cisterns with single flush mechanisms. The introduction of DF mechanisms was assessed and proposed. The cost of these actions was very low, as evidenced by the investment return period while showing a high potential for user awareness.

Originality/value
Both from the environmental (water saving) and from the economic and social points of view, this study shows that similar projects aimed at the efficient and rational use of water are applicable to the universities and other public and private schools, with potentially positive results on sustainability and people awareness.
PLS–SEM in business promotion strategies. A multigroup analysis of mobile coupon users using MICOM
Authors: Carranza Rocío , Díaz Estrella , Martín-Consuegra David , Fernández-Ferrín Pilar 
Published: August 2020

PurposeThe development of Information Systems (IS) and Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) is offering new opportunities for businesses to implement promotion strategies focused on customer attraction and retention. In this sense, mobile coupon usage has increased as a promotion tool, especially in the fast-food sector. However, the use by consumers of these coupons is not homogeneous and it is conditioned by prior experience. Thus, this study aimed to examine variations between Fast Food Restaurant (FFR) customers based on their prior experiences with the use of mobile coupon (expert vs novice users).Design/methodology/approachA sample of 400 fast-food customers was collected using a structured questionnaire. In order to compare the proposed relationships between expert and novice users, a multigroup approach was applied through new, recently proposed evaluation procedures designed for PLS–SEM.FindingsThe results show that the two groups of consumers (expert vs novice users) have notable differences regarding the relationship between perceived ease of use and perceived usefulness. This relationship was the strongest in both groups. However, there are no differences found in other aspects considered as antecedents to mobile coupons usage, for instance, usage intention and attitude.Practical implicationsThis work emphasises the importance of considering differences based on experience between mobile coupon users. Ease of use, perceived consumer utility and increased mobile coupons in apps can be the key to driving effective business strategies based on promotional tactics by FFRs. Likewise, this study can help other researchers in their empirical applications of PLS–SEM analysis.Originality/valueThis study is the first to provide an in-depth analysis of differences based on users' experience with mobile coupons at FFRs. It is innovative in its introduction of the consumer's coupon proneness variable.
The inefficiency of Vietnamese prawn-rice rotational crops: a slacks-based data envelopment analysis
Authors: Pham Thi Anh Ngoc , Loc Ho Huu , Tran Dung Duc , Quan Nguyen Hong 
Published: August 2020

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to investigate the input- and output-specific technical inefficiency of Vietnamese prawn-rice rotational crops (PRRC) and to identify the impacts of the socio-economic characteristics of farmers and farms on these technical inefficiencies.Design/methodology/approachThis study first used a Russell-type (input-output) directional distance function to estimate the input- and output-specific technical inefficiency. Second, it applied a bootstrap truncated regression to analyze the factors influencing these technical inefficiencies. Data were gathered through a survey among 94 farmers, from Ben Tre and Kien Giang provinces, the two popular PRRC areas in the Mekong Delta.FindingsResults show that Vietnamese PRRC farmers could reduce the water surface area by 3%, the use of seedlings by 15%, labor by 16%, fertilizers by 26%, and the use of others by 24%, while simultaneously increasing the revenue of farming system by 57% relative to the variable returns to scale (VRS) frontier. Farmers with more years of experience are generally better in managing the use of seedlings and in improvement of revenue. Farmers in Kien Giang province are more efficient in achieving revenue of the PRRC farming system than farmers in Ben Tre province.Research limitations/implicationsOutcomes of this study are useful to identify strategies in minimizing the use of inputs while simultaneously maximizing PRRC production.Originality/valueThis paper relates to the comparison of two mostly different ecological zones, being the dominant production areas of PRRC, in which, Kien Giang represents the western part, while Ben Tre is in the eastern part of the Vietnam’s Mekong Delta. The findings not only expand the current understanding but also suggest various meaningful research questions regarding the development of Vietnamese PRRC under the impacts of climate change. The study also contributes to the literature on examining the input- and output-specific technical inefficiencies and influencing factors.
Elder abuse in Ghana – a qualitative exploratory study
Authors: Malmedal Wenche , Anyan Christiana 
Published: August 2020

Purpose
The aim of this study was to explore how Ghanaian staff in nursing homes and hospitals perceive abuse and neglect of older adults as well as to explore the nature and scope of abuse and neglect of older adults as it exists in Ghana.

Design/methodology/approach
This exploratory study used a qualitative research methodology that sets out to explore staff’s perception of elder abuse in nursing homes and hospitals in Ghana. Five nursing assistants and two caregivers were interviewed in two nursing homes and four nurses were interviewed in one hospital. A semi-structured interview guide was used for data collection.

Findings
The findings showed that elder abuse occurs in both hospitals and nursing homes, which might be attributed to different personal, situational and institutional characteristics as well as cultural and traditional value systems. Various factors at the level of interpersonal relationships contributed to elder abuse. Situational characteristics such as aggressive exchanges between residents and health workers and institutional characteristics such as limited facilities and resources to care for residents are all factors that were implicated in elder abuse. Finally, culture and traditional views, beliefs system and socioeconomic factors seem to be implicated in elder abuse and neglect.

Originality/value
To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this is the first study that explores elder abuse and neglect in Ghanaian nursing homes and hospitals.
Inclusion values, practices and intellectual capital predicting organizational outcomes
Authors: Chung Beth G. , Dean Michelle A. , Ehrhart Karen Holcombe 
Published: August 2020

PurposeThis study examines whether inclusion values predict organizational outcomes through mediating effects of inclusive HR practices and investigates whether intellectual (human and social) capital serves as a contingency variable in moderating the relationship between practices and outcomes.Design/methodology/approachOrganizational-level data were collected from 79 senior-level executives. Hypotheses were examined via regression analyses and the product-of-coefficients approach was used to test for indirect and conditional indirect effects.FindingsThis study found a positive relationship between inclusion values and inclusive HR practices and between inclusive HR practices and organization-level outcomes. Inclusive HR practices mediated the relationship between values and outcomes and intellectual capital moderated the relationship between practices and outcomes, such that inclusive HR practices played a greater role in augmenting outcomes for organizations with lower intellectual capital.Practical implicationsAlignment of inclusion values and inclusive HR practices is important for organizational effectiveness, and inclusive HR practices are likely to play a particularly important role when an organization is relatively weak in intellectual capital.Originality/valueThis paper broadens the inclusion literature by using a macro-level lens to understand how organizational inclusion values and practices may relate to organizational outcomes. It also shows the importance of intellectual capital as a contextual variable in the inclusion practice to outcome relationship.
Accelerating microbial iron cycling promotes re‐cementation of surface crusts in iron ore regions
Authors: Gagen Emma J. , Levett Alan , Paz Anat , Bostelmann Heike , Valadares Rafael Borges da Silva , Bitencourt José Augusto Pires , Gastauer Markus , Nunes Gisele Lopes , Oliveira Guilherme , Vasconcelos Paulo M. , Tyson Gene W. , Southam Gordon 
Published: August 2020

SummaryAccelerating microbial iron cycling is an innovative environmentally responsible strategy for mine remediation. In the present study, we extend the application of microbial iron cycling in environmental remediation, to include biocementation for the aggregation and stabilization of mine wastes. Microbial iron reduction was promoted monthly for 10 months in crushed canga (a by‐product from iron ore mining, dominated by crystalline iron oxides) in 1 m3 containers. Ferrous iron concentrations reached 445 ppm in treatments and diverse lineages of the candidate phyla radiation dominated pore waters, implicating them in fermentation and/or metal cycling in this system. After a 6‐month evaporation period, iron‐rich cements had formed between grains and 20‐cm aggregates were recoverable from treatments throughout the 1‐m depth profile, while material from untreated and water‐only controls remained unconsolidated. Canga‐adapted plants seeded into one of the treatments germinated and grew well. Therefore, application of this geobiotechnology offers promise for stabilization of mine wastes, as well as re‐formation of surface crusts that underpin unique and threatened plant ecosystems in iron ore regions.
Potential prescribing omissions may have no influence on cause of death in care‐dependent older adults with percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy tube
Authors: Hattori Yukari , Abe Takayuki , Kojima Taro , Hamada Shota , Ogawa Sumito , Ura Nobuyuki , Akishita Masahiro 
Published: August 2020

AimStudies of medication use in patients with a percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy (PEG) tube have not been conducted adequately. The aim of this study was to describe medication use of care‐dependent older adults with PEG and evaluate whether potential prescribing omissions (PPO) would affect the cause of death or acute illness.MethodsIn a geriatric long‐term care hospital, 116 inpatients aged ≥65 years with insertion of a PEG tube because of dysphagia were enrolled and followed for 2 years: 2016–2018. The patients were divided into two groups, i.e., group A (who died between 2016 and 2018) and group B (who continued to be hospitalized in 2018). Clinical data and prescribed medications were recorded. Logistic regression models were conducted to assess the associations between survival and variables: age, gender, serum albumin level, serum creatinine level, body mass index (BMI), number of drugs and PPO.ResultsThe patients' mean age was 85.3 ± 10.2 years, 57.8% were women and the mean number of drugs was 6.8 ± 3.5. Medications for managing symptoms, such as constipation and gastrointestinal symptoms, were commonly prescribed. The most common PPO medications were antiplatelet agents and anticoagulants. On logistic regression analysis, PPO had no influence on the cause of death or acute illness. Lower age, higher serum albumin level and body mass index were associated with survival in both univariate and multivariate models.ConclusionsPolypharmacy was prevalent in patients with PEG. Given the finding that PPO had no influence on health outcome, rational deprescribing could be warranted. Geriatr Gerontol Int 2020; 20: 961–966.
Measurement of laryngeal elevation time using a flexible surface stretch sensor
Authors: Hanaie Kaoru , Yamamoto Akio , Umehara Ken , Bessho Yusuke , Nakamoto Hiroyuki , Nakayama Kimiko , Sawada Kaku , Osawa Satoshi , Ogasawara Takeshi , Tsuneishi Syuichi , Wakasugi Yoko , Ishikawa Akira 
Published: August 2020

AbstractBackgroundDysphagia is a growing health problem in aging societies. An observational cohort study targeting community‐dwelling populations revealed that 16% of elderly subjects present with dysphagia. There is a need in elderly communities for systematic dysphagia assessment.ObjectiveThis study aimed to verify whether laryngeal elevation in the pharyngeal phase could be measured from the body surface using thin and flexible stretch sensors.MethodsThirty‐two elderly subjects (17 males, 15 females; mean age ± SD: 89.2 ± 6.2 years) with suspected dysphagia underwent a swallowing contrast examination in which seven stretch sensors were attached to the front of the neck. The elongation of the sensors was measured and compared to the laryngeal elevation time values obtained using videofluorography. The sensor signal detected the laryngeal elevation start time, conclusion of the descent of the larynx, and the laryngeal elevation time. The respective laryngeal elevation times obtained using videofluorography and using the sensor were compared using the Bland–Altman method.ResultsThe laryngeal elevation time was 1.34 ± 0.46 s with the stretch sensor and 1.49 ± 0.56 s with videofluorography. There was a significant positive correlation between the duration obtained by both methods (r = .69,P < .0001). A negative additional significant bias of −0.15 s (95% confidence interval −0.30 to −0.03,P = .046) was noted in the laryngeal elevation time from the videofluorography measurement.ConclusionLaryngeal elevation time can be measured non‐invasively from the neck surface using stretch sensors.
Optical-Flow Algorithm for Near-Wake Analysis of Axisymmetric Blunt-Based Body at Low-Speed Conditions
Authors: Tran The Hung , Chen Lin 
Published: August 2020

Abstract
In this study, ability of an optical-flow algorithm in extracting wake structure of axisymmetric model was investigated. The initial data for optical-flow processing were obtained in low-speed conditions by particle image velocimetry method. The Reynolds number based on the model diameter was around ReD = 1.97 × 104 in this study. Both the time-averaged and transient flow characteristics of near-wake flow were illustrated and examined by the optical-flow analysis method proposed. The processing results of optical-flow method showed good agreement with conventional cross-correlation methods. The ability of optical-flow method to extract flow fields was, thereby, confirmed for blunt-based flow at low-speed conditions. This study showed that the antisymmetric flow behavior of the near wake is the dominant type at low-speed conditions. Differing to traditional methods and cross-correlation results, the optical-flow results showed a frequency at around StD = 0.015 of the near wake for the first time, which is connected to vortex shedding behavior of the wake flow.
Dynamic Estimation Method of Effective Active Site on Palladium Methane Oxidation Catalyst in Exhaust Gas of Marine Lean Burn Gas Engine
Authors: Nitta Yoshifuru , Yamasaki Yudai 
Published: August 2020

Abstract
Lean-burn gas engines have recently attracted attention in the maritime industry, because they can reduce NOx, SOx, and CO2 emissions. However, since methane (CH4) is the main component of natural gas, the slipped methane, which is the unburned methane, likely contributes to global warming. It is thus important to make progress on exhaust after-treatment technologies for lean-burn gas engines. A Palladium (Pd) catalyst for CH4 oxidation is expected to provide a countermeasure for the slipped methane, because it can activate at lower exhaust temperature comparing with platinum. However, a de-activation in higher water (H2O) concentration should be overcome because H2O inhibits CH4 oxidation. This study was performed to investigate the effects of exhaust temperature or gas composition on active Pd catalyst sites to clarify CH4 oxidation performance in the exhaust gas of lean-burn gas engines. The authors developed the method of estimating effective active sites for the Pd catalyst at various exhaust temperatures. The estimation method is based on the assumption that active sites used for CH4 oxidation process can be shared with the active sites used for carbon mono-oxide (CO) oxidation. The molecular of chemisorbed CO on the active sites of the Pd catalyst can provide effective active sites for CH4 oxidation process. This paper introduces experimental results and verifications of the new method, showing that chemisorbed CO volume on a Pd/Al2O3 catalyst is increased with increasing Pd loading in 250–450 °C, simulated as a typical exhaust temperature range of lean-burn gas engines.
Fossilized reproductive modes reveal a protistan affinity of Chitinozoa
Authors: Liang Yan , Hints Olle , Tang Peng , Cai Chenyang , Goldman Daniel , Nõlvak Jaak , Tihelka Erik , Pang Ke , Bernardo Joseph , Wang Wenhui 
Published: August 2020

Abstract
Reproduction is a key aspect of evolution, but the process is rarely preserved in the fossil record. Organisms fortuitously preserved undergoing reproduction provide an exceptional window illuminating the biology of extinct taxa, especially those with unknown phylogenetic position. Here we report exceptional specimens of chitinozoans (enigmatic Paleozoic organic-walled microfossils) preserved as “test-in-test” morphology, which have previously been interpreted as teratological forms. Application of advanced imaging techniques on newly recovered and reexamined Ordovician materials enabled documentation of critical morphological details of the test’s inner ultrastructure for the first time. The results show that the newly observed spongy material and dendritic structure on or inside the chitinozoan test as well as the test wall itself are all made of clustered rounded spherical particles. Morphological details suggest that those specimens represent key stages of new asexual reproductive strategies, hitherto undescribed, which produce either one or several offspring at a time. This observation challenges the prevailing hypothesis that chitinozoans are eggs of cryptic extinct marine metazoans. Instead, it is more plausible that they represent a new isolated group of protists.
Accuracy of PECARN rule for predicting serious bacterial infection in infants with fever without a source
Authors: Velasco Roberto , Gomez Borja , Benito Javier , Mintegi Santiago 
Published: August 2020

ObjectiveTo validate the Febrile Infant Working Group of the Pediatric Emergency Care Applied Research Network (PECARN) clinical prediction rule on an independent cohort of infants with fever without a source (FWS).DesignSecondary analysis of a prospective registry.SettingPaediatric emergency department of a tertiary teaching hospital.PatientsInfants ≤60 days old with FWS between 2007 and 2018.Main outcome measuresPrevalence of serious bacterial infection (SBI) and invasive bacterial infection (IBI) in low-risk infants according to the PECARN rule.ResultsAmong the 1247 infants included, 256 were diagnosed with an SBI (20.5%), including 38 IBIs (3.1%). Overall, 576 infants (46.0%; 95% CI 43.4% to 49.0%) would have been classified as low risk of SBI by the PECARN rule. Of them, 26 had an SBI (4.5%), including 5 with an IBI (2 (0.8%) diagnosed with bacterial meningitis). Sensitivity and specificity of the PECARN rule were 89.8% (95% CI 85.5% to 93.0%) and 55.5% (95% CI 52.4% to 58.6%) for SBI, with an area under the curve of 0.726 (95% CI 0.702 to 0.750). Its sensitivity to identify SBIs was 88.6% (95% CI 82.0% to 92.9%) among infants with a <6-hour history of fever (54.9% of the infants included).ConclusionsThe PECARN clinical rule for identifying SBI performed less well in our population than in the original study. This clinical rule should be applied cautiously in young infants with a short history of fever.