bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Which technology to which challenge in democratic governance? An approach using design science research
Authors: Anastasiadou Maria , Santos Vitor , Montargil Filipe 
Published: February 2021

Purpose
Information systems (IS) play an important role in contemporary society, but critical questions remain on their potential use and impact on democracy. This study aims to contribute to the discussion on which technology can be adequate to which major challenge of democratic governance, through the identification and pairing of challenges of democratic governance with specific information technologies with the potential to be used in applications related to this challenge. This perspective can be considered positioned in the confluence between IS, political science and public administration.

Design/methodology/approach
Design science research, a research approach in IS, was used. The suggestion of a conceptual framework with pairs of challenges in democratic governance and information technologies was initially developed. In a subsequent phase, this framework was discussed and assessed through interviews with a panel of selected experts in e-government and IS, reaching a revised conceptual framework.

Findings
Results suggest that the conceptual pairing of challenges in democratic governance with IS’s solutions such as artificial intelligence, systems integration or blockchain technologies, for instance, if used in a critical, transparent and accountable way, can play a role in capacitating the delivery of better public services and contribute to encouraging citizen trust and political participation. These results may contribute to open a methodological agenda dedicated to the selection of adequate IS resources to address specific challenges of democratic governance, as well as to help in the development of public policies in the area.

Originality/value
Previous studies on digital government offer important insights on the impact of information and communication technologies-enabled public governance tools for government openness, public service efficiency and user-friendliness, and for citizen political participation and societal mobilization. But the literature still lacks a systematic conceptual framework mapping and assessing the role of distinctive IS instruments in democratic challenge-solving and specifying functional relationships between specific technology and democratic outcomes. This paper aims to contribute to filling this analytical gap.
Ten commandments for successful implementation of Design for Six Sigma
Authors: Gijo E.V. , Bhat Shreeranga , Antony Jiju , Park Sung H. 
Published: February 2021

PurposeThis article aims to provide Design for Six Sigma (DFSS) practitioners, researchers and academicians with Ten Commandments to successfully deploy projects.Design/methodology/approachThe commandments are the brainchild of four authors' experience and expertise for more than 15 years of DFSS deployment in the spectrum of fields as a consultant, researcher, academic and Master Black Belt in Six Sigma and general quality management and engineering disciplines. Thus ascertained commandments were validated and classified through the “Delphi Study” to ensure its applicability.FindingsThe Ten Commandments from authors' perspective include: alignment of DFSS with organisational strategy; top management support and involvement; listening to the voice of the customers (VOC); effective training programme for right project teams; project selection and prioritisation; linking DFSS with ISO international standards; linking DFSS with organisational learning and innovation; linking DFSS with the 4th Industrial Revolution; effective use of DFSS methodology and the integrated tools within the methodology and reward and recognition schemes.Research limitations/implicationsThe commandments presented in this article are the authors' personal experience in different industrial scenarios and settings and demographical locations. The authors are planning to conduct a longitudinal survey to understand further insights of these commandments with the input of several DFSS Black Belts and Master Black Belts, academicians and leading researchers from various countries.Originality/valueAll the organisation's stakeholders can use this article as general guidelines to ensure effective deployment of the DFSS approach.
ISO 9001 standard and their impact on school management and planning and support systems–Comparative study on perception between heads–teachers
Authors: Rodríguez-Mantilla Jesús Miguel , León Carrascosa Víctor , Martínez-Zarzuelo Angélica 
Published: February 2021

PurposeThe objective of this study was to evaluate and compare how school heads and teachers perceived the impact of implementing ISO 9001 Standards on the dimensions management and planning and support and recognition.Design/methodology/approachThe study included 2,192 subjects (86.2% teachers and 13.8% heads) belonging to 85 schools in four Spanish autonomous communities (Castilla y León, Community of Madrid, Andalusia and Community of Valencia). We used an instrument made up of 25 items evaluating both dimensions (Cronbach's α = 0.961). We conducted descriptive and differential analyses (applying ANOVA and calculating the effect size) overall and for the assessments by heads and teachers.FindingsResults show a higher impact in small private schools with state subsidies, with 9–11 years of ISO implementation and receiving internal aid or none at all. The impact was medium–high on the management and planning system and medium–low on support and recognition, with heads evaluating at a significantly higher level the impact of ISO 9001 standards on improvement of preparation of classroom timetables, meetings, analysis of staff expectations and recognition of staff achievements.Originality/valueImplementation of quality management systems in education has increased significantly in the last decades, and it is thus necessary to find evidence on how the resulting improvements are generated in schools. This study provides conclusions to the scientific and professional community about how school heads and teachers perceived the impact of implementing ISO 9001 standards on the dimensions management and planning and support and recognition.
Experiential quality, experiential relationship quality and future experiential intentions in the Macau gaming industry
Authors: Wu Hung-Che , Ai Chi-Han , Chang Ya-Yuan , Wang De-Quan , Wu Tsung-Pao 
Published: February 2021

Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to use the Macau gaming industry as a case study to discuss the multifaceted relationships involving experiential quality, experiential relationship quality and future experiential intentions.

Design/methodology/approach
In this study, 566 usable responses were collected from casino gamblers who had gaming experience in one casino of Macau.

Findings
According to the study results, the dimensions of experiential quality (hedonics, involvement, surprise, fun, gambler contact and physical environment) had a positive effect on experiential satisfaction, which in turn led to experiential trust. Both experiential trust and experiential satisfaction positively influenced experiential commitment. Moreover, experiential trust, experiential satisfaction and experiential commitment positively affected future experiential intentions.

Originality/value
The main contribution of this research is that it has added to the body of knowledge about the interplay between the dimensions of experiential quality, the dimension of experiential relationship quality and future experiential intentions, which can be fruitful for the gaming industry.
Skill-enhancing human resource practices and firm performance: the mediating role of innovativeness
Authors: Capelleras Joan-Lluís , Domi Shpresim , Belletti Giovanni 
Published: February 2021

Purpose
The purpose of this study is to investigate the interplay of skill-enhancing human resources (HR) practices, innovativeness and firm performance.

Design/methodology/approach
Data from 211 valid cases were gathered through an online survey and face-to-face interviews with Albanian tourism firms. Structural equation modeling was implemented to test the proposed hypotheses.

Findings
The results suggest that HR training has a positive influence on innovativeness, which in turn affects positively firm performance. Thus, there is a mediation effect of innovativeness in the link between training and performance.

Research limitations/implications
The findings are in line with the strategic perspective on HR management, which suggests that HR practices are likely to indirectly affect firm performance. However, results should be interpreted with caution due to the cross-sectional nature of the data.

Practical implications
HR training practices may help tourism firms to increase their innovation orientation and ultimately improve their performance outcomes.

Originality/value
Investigating the mediation role of innovativeness on the relationship between skill-enhancing HR practices and firm performance within the tourism context is the core contribution.
Comparative Analysis of Chopper-Inverter Performances for Wind Conversion System Connected to Grid
Authors: Laabidi Houda , Jouini Houda , Mami Abdelkader 
Published: February 2021

Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to propose an efficient current control technique based on model predictive control (MPC) for grid-connected wind conversion system. This nonlinear strategy is applied for the chopper circuit and grid-tied inverter and compared with other two conventional schemes; a traditional proportional-integral (PI) and sliding mode controller (SMC) using the same switching frequency.

Design/methodology/approach
Firstly, the MPC scheme uses the mathematical model to predict future behaviors of the controlled converter outputs for possible switching states. After that, the optimal voltage vector is selected by minimizing a cost function, which is defined as a sum of the absolute values of the controlled current errors. Then, the corresponding switching signals are applied to the converter switches in the next sampling period to track correctly the reference current. Thus, the MPC scheme ensures a minimal error between the predicted and reference trajectories of the considered variables.

Findings
The MPC-based algorithm presents several benefits in terms of high accuracy control, reduced DC-link voltage ripples during steady-state operation, faster transient response, lower overshoots and disturbance rejection and acceptable total harmonic distortion.

Originality/value
The authors introduce several simulation case studies, using PSIM software package, which prove the reliability and effectiveness of the proposed MPC scheme. Therefore, the MPC performances, during dynamic and steady-state condition, are compared with those obtained by a PI regulator and SMC to highlight the improvements, specifically the transfer of smooth power to the grid.
Simulation and experimental investigation of tool wear rate in dry and near-dry EDM process
Authors: Ganachari Vaibhav Sidraya , Chate Uday , Waghmode Laxman , Jadhav Prashant , Mullya Satish 
Published: February 2021

Purpose
Many engineering applications in this era require new age materials; however, some classic alloys like spring steel are still used in critical applications such as aerospace, defense and automobile. To machine spring steel material, there exist various difficulties such as rapid tool wear rate, the rough surface formation of a workpiece and higher power consumption. The purpose of this paper is to address these issues, various approaches in addition to electrical discharge machines (EDM) are used such as dry EDM (DEDM) and near dry EDM (NDEDM).

Design/methodology/approach
This study focuses on these two approaches and their comparative analysis with respect to tool wear during machining of spring steel material. For this study, current, gap voltage, cycle time and dielectric medium pressure are considered input variables. This study shows that the near dry EDM approach yields better results. Hence, the thermo-electrical model for this approach is developed using ANSYS workbench, which is further validated by comparing with experimental results. This thermo-electrical model covers spark radius variation and formation of temperature profile due to electric discharge. Transient thermal analysis is used to simulate the electric discharge machining.

Findings
It is observed from this study that discharge environment parameters such as debris concentration and fluid viscosity largely influences the dielectric fluid pressure value. Experimental results revealed that NDEDM yields better results in comparison with DEDM as it shows a 25% lesser tool wear rate in NDEDM.

Originality/value
The range of predicted results and the experimental results are in close agreement, authenticating the model.
Prior knowledge and social entrepreneurial venture creation: the mediating role of novelty ecosystem
Authors: Nsereko Isa , Mayanja Samuel S. , Balunywa Waswa 
Published: February 2021

PurposeThe purpose of this study is to examine the mediating role of novelty ecosystem in the relationship between prior knowledge and social entrepreneurial venture creation (SEVC) among community-based organizations (CBOs) in Uganda.Design/methodology/approachThe study is cross sectional and quantitative. Data were collected from CBO owner-managers. Mean, standard deviations, correlations and structural equation modeling were conducted to check the relationships among variables.FindingsResults show that both prior knowledge and novelty ecosystem are significantly associated with SEVC. Results further indicate that novelty ecosystem partially mediates the relationship between prior knowledge and SEVC.Research limitations/implicationsThe design was cross sectional in nature, thus limiting monitoring changes in knowledge and its effect on SEVC. The results should be interpreted as they are because there could be some endogeneity biases, which were not detected like measurement errors and failure to identify appropriate instruments.Originality/valueThis study provides an initial empirical evidence on the relationship between prior knowledge, novelty ecosystem and SEVC using evidence from a developing African country – Uganda. Mostly, this provides an initial evidence of the mediation role of novelty ecosystem in the relationship between prior knowledge and SEVC.
Normolipemic xanthomatized Sweet’s syndrome: A variant of Sweet’s syndrome with myelodysplastic syndrome
Authors: Kamimura Anna , Yanagisawa Hiroto , Tsunemi Yuichiro , Kusano Takeru , Arai Eiichi , Tsuchida Tetsuya , Nakamura Koichiro 
Published: February 2021

AbstractWe report a rare case of xanthomatized Sweet's syndrome with myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS) in a patient who presented with erythematous plaques on his chest that were elevated and became yellowish. A diagnosis of MDS with single lineage dysplasia was made during the development of the eruption. Bone marrow biopsy showed an increased number of megakaryoblasts. Histopathologically, there was neutrophil infiltration with leukocytoclasia and the infiltration of xanthomatous cells. Immunohistochemical analysis revealed that the xanthomatized cells were predominantly CD163 positive. We propose that our case of xanthomatized neutrophilic dermatosis is a rare clinicopathological variant of Sweet's syndrome associated with a hematologic disorder.
Surgical feasibility and long‐term outcome of superior vena cava replacement for advanced thymoma in patients undergoing preoperative chemotherapy or chemoradiotherapy
Authors: Yu Zhen , Yu Lei , Yu Tao , Yang Xing‐guo , Zhang Bao‐xun , Du Xin 
Published: February 2021

AbstractBackgroundThe aim of this study was to investigate the long‐term outcome of superior vena cava (SVC) replacement after chemotherapy or chemoradiotherapy for advanced thymoma.MethodsThe medical information of patients with advanced thymoma who underwent thymoma resection and SVC replacement in Beijing Tongren Hospital from 2002 to 2017 were reviewed. We compared surgical outcomes, postoperative complications and long‐term prognosis in the chemoradiotherapy + surgery group (CRT + surgery group, 19 cases) and the surgery group (26 cases).ResultsThe operation time (486.05 ± 148.01 vs. 370.77 ± 124.32 min; p = 0.007) and intraoperative blood loss (1400 ml [IQR 1125–2105 ml] vs. 855 ml [IQR 555–1682.5 ml], p = 0.036), poor wound healing (three cases [15.79%] vs. zero cases [0.0%], p = 0.036) in the CRT + surgery group were significantly higher than those of the surgery group. There was no significant difference between the CRT + surgery group and the surgery group in postoperative chest tube drainage time, hospitalization time, postoperative arrhythmia and incidence of pneumonia. Kaplan Meier analysis showed that the recurrence‐free survival (RFS) curves of the CRT + surgery group patients were better than those of the surgery group (p = 0.031). However, overall survival (OS) between the two groups was not significantly different (p = 0.069).ConclusionsThymoma resection and SVC replacement is feasible for patients undergoing preoperative induction chemotherapy or chemoradiotherapy for advanced thymoma. Although patients in the CRT + surgery group had a longer operation time and increased intraoperative bleeding, the RFS rate seemed to be better than that in the surgery group.
Prospective study to validate the clinical utility of DNA diagnosis of peritoneal fluid cytology test in gastric cancer
Authors: Harada Hiroki , Soeno Takafumi , Nishizawa Nobuyuki , Washio Marie , Sakuraya Mikiko , Ushiku Hideki , Niihara Masahiro , Hosoda Kei , Kumamoto Yusuke , Naitoh Takeshi , Sangai Takafumi , Hiki Naoki , Yamashita Keishi 
Published: February 2021

AbstractThe clinical efficacy of DNA cytology test (CY) in gastric cancer (GC) has been retrospectively proposed using cancer‐specific methylation of cysteine dioxygenase type 1 (CDO1). We confirmed the clinical utility of DNA CY in a prospective cohort. Four hundred GC samples were prospectively collected for washing cytology (UMIN000026191), and detection of the DNA methylation of CDO1 was assessed by quantitative methylation‐specific PCR in the sediments. Endpoint was defined as the match rate between conventional CY1 and DNA CY1 (diagnostic sensitivity), and the DNA CY0 rate (diagnostic specificity) in pStage IA. DNA CY1 was detected in 45 cases (12.5%), while CY1 was seen in 31 cases (8.6%) of 361 chemotherapy‐naïve samples, where the sensitivity and specificity of the DNA CY in the peritoneal solutions were 74.2% and 96.5%, respectively. The DNA CY was positive for 3.5/0/4.9/11.4/58.8% in pStage IA/IB/II/III/IV, respectively (P < .01). In the multivariate analysis, DNA CY1 was independently correlated with pathological tumor depth (pT) (P = .0012), female gender (P = .0099), CY1 (P = .0135), P1 (P = .019), and carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) (P = .036). The combination of DNA CY1 and P factor nearly all covered the potential peritoneal dissemination (P1 and/or CY1 and/or DNA CY1) (58/61:95.1%). DNA CY1 had a significantly poorer prognosis than DNA CY0 in GC patients (P < .0001). DNA CY1 detected by CDO1 promoter DNA methylation has a great value to detect minimal residual disease of the peritoneum in GC clinics, representing poor prognosis as a novel single DNA marker.
Effects of testosterone treatment, with and without exercise training, on ambulatory blood pressure in middle‐aged and older men
Authors: Chasland Lauren C. , Green Daniel J. , Schlaich Markus P. , Maiorana Andrew J. , Cooke Brian R. , Cox Kay L. , Naylor Louise H. , Yeap Bu B. 
Published: February 2021

AbstractContextWith age, testosterone (T) and physical activity levels often decline in parallel. The effect of combining T treatment and exercise training on ambulatory blood pressure (ABP) is unclear.ObjectiveTo assess T and exercise effects, alone and in combination, on ABP in men aged 50–70 years, waist circumference ≥ 95 cm and low‐normal serum T (6–14 nmol/L), without organic hypogonadism.DesignA 2 × 2 factorial randomised, placebo‐controlled study.InterventionRandomization to daily transdermal AndroForte5® (Testosterone 5.0%w/v, 100 mg in 2 ml) cream (T), or matching placebo (P) (double‐blind), and to supervised exercise (Ex) or no additional exercise (NEx), for 12 weeks.ResultsAverage 24‐h systolic blood pressure (SBP) increased with T treatment (testosterone*time, p = .035). Average 24‐h SBP increased in T+Ex (T+Ex:+3.0 vs. P+NEx: −3.0 mmHg, p = .026) driven by day‐time changes (T+Ex:+3.5 vs. P+NEx: −3.0 mmHg, p = .026). There was an effect of T for 24‐h average diastolic blood pressure (DBP, testosterone*time, p = .044) driven by the decrease in P+Ex (P+Ex: −3.9 vs. T+NEx: −0.5 mmHg, p = .015). Night‐time DBP was lower with exercise (P+Ex: −4.0 vs. P+NEx: +0.7 mmHg, p = .032). The effect of exercise to lower night‐time DBP was not apparent in the presence of T (T+Ex: −0.4 vs. P+NEx: +0.7 mmHg, p > .05). Ex increased average 24‐h pulse pressure (PP, exercise*time, p = .022), largely during daytime hours (exercise*time, p = .013).ConclusionsThere was a main effect of T to increase 24‐h SBP, primarily seen when T was combined with Ex. Exercise alone decreased 24‐h and night‐time DBP; an effect attenuated by T. BP should be carefully assessed and monitored, when prescribing T treatment to middle‐aged and older men, especially when combined with exercise training.
Peak nasal inspiratory airflow measurements for assessing laryngopharyngeal reflux treatment
Authors: Ceylan Seyit M. , Kanmaz Mahmut A. , Disikirik Ilyas , Karadeniz Pinar G. 
Published: February 2021

AbstractObjectivesTo evaluate the effect of laryngopharyngeal reflux (LPR) and antireflux treatment on peak nasal inspiratory airflow (PNIF).DesignProspective observational study was conducted.SettingTertiary otorhinolaryngology clinic.ParticipantsAdults with LPR and healthy controls.Main outcome measuresPNIF measurements were performed on 60 patients who applied with complaints suggestive of LPR having higher Reflux Symptom Index (RSI) (>13) and Reflux Finding Scores (RFS) scores (>7). Proton pump inhibitor (PPI) treatment was started and PNIF measurements were repeated two months later. A total of 100 patients without any history of LPR and sinonasal disease were included in the study.ResultsA statistically significant increase was observed in PNIF values after proton pump inhibitor treatment. The mean PNIF values of the LPR patients were 133.83 ± 27.99 L/min and 149.92 ± 23.23 L/min before and after treatment, respectively. The mean PNIF value in the control group was 145.0 ± 25.92 L/min. PNIF values were significantly lower in the LPR relative to the control group (P < .05).ConclusionLaryngopharyngeal reflux decreases PNIF. This negative effect on PNIF disappears after antireflux medication. The results of the study indicate that PNIF measurements may be an appropriate method for clinical diagnosis of LPR and evaluation of treatment results.