bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
The knowledge absorptive capacity to improve the cooperation and innovation in the firm
Authors: Saiz Lourdes , Pérez Miguel David , Manzanedo del Campo Miguel Ángel 
Published: April 2018

Purpose: The purpose of this paper is to study the absorptive capacity types in the knowledge management literature and aims to understand how companies can strength their contexts of cooperation in order to innovate.Design/methodology/approach: A balanced panel of 1,220 firms that respond to the Survey of Business Strategies for a three-year period was used, which represents a total of 3,660 observations. Findings: The justification of absorptive capacity typology for an innovation efficiency process. The influence of the potential and realized absorptive capacity on new products is significant and causes effects on internal research and development in diverse way. The impact of the joint ventures, suppliers’ cooperation and customers’ cooperation are significant on absorptive capacity.Research limitations/implications: It would be interesting to extend the research to another innovation metrics as new organizational methods, new processes, new designs or new methods in the use of sales channels.Practical implications: The agreement of cooperation activities constitutes an important decision for the firm’s innovation. Companies must be conscious that while suppliers and customers’ cooperation are relevant cooperation actions to increase the internal research and development, joint ventures and customers’ cooperation are significant to the growth of the new products.Social implications: The types of absorptive capacity and internal research and development serve as mediating mechanisms between cooperative activities and innovative performance.Originality/value: This paper advances the literature on absorptive capacity by showing how firms use their positions of technological vigilance and management to form their capabilities, and subsequently, to enhance innovation outcomes. This study considers it is necessary to analyze the typology of the absorptive capacity that can allow managers to understand an innovation efficiency process in the cooperation context and make better decisions. The confluence of cooperation activities, absorptive capacity and organizational objectives in internal research and development obtain higher innovative results.
Best practices in road transport: An exploratory study
Authors: Fernández Vázquez-Noguerol Mar , González-Boubeta Iván , Domínguez-Caamaño Pablo , Prado-Prado J. Carlos 
Published: April 2018

Purpose: Road transport aspects are becoming increasingly important due to their high impact on economic, environmental and social sustainability. Considering the triple bottom line approach, best practices play a fundamental role within organisations. The purpose of this paper is to analyse several sustainable initiatives in road transport adopted by companies.Design/methodology/approach: The findings were developed and evaluated based on empirical data captured through a survey of 98 professionals involved in logistics and transport activities. Additionally, key literature on transport initiatives was reviewed to supplement the framework for the implementation of best practices in road transport.Findings: The exploratory study shows the importance of each best practice and determines the level of implementation of each initiative, comparing the results among different dealers (retailers, wholesalers, carriers and manufacturers), type of transport fleet and companies’ revenues.Research limitations/implications: The sample of 98 companies was based on simple search filters and the group is not wholly representative of all sectors. Respondents were mainly managers from Spain involved in logistics and transport activities. Surveyed companies included manufacturing, retailers, wholesalers and third-party logistics providers.Practical implications: The most common best practices in road transport are identified, including initiatives related to: efficiency, reusability, safety, optimization, emissions, waste and recycling. Initiatives that influence road transport are ranked by their degree of implementation in the companies analysed. Social implications: Implementation of some of these best practices may help lessen negative impacts of road transport on society and the environment.Originality/value: The study results indicate which practices are most frequently used and their level of implementation depending on companies’ roles in the supply chain, revenues and types of transport fleet. By implementing the proposed best practices, companies will adopt sustainable behaviors to improve their transport performance.
Identification of reverse logistics decision types from mathematical models
Authors: Cortés Pellicer Pascual , Alarcón Valero Faustino 
Published: April 2018

Purpose: The increase in social awareness, politics and environmental regulation, the scarcity of raw materials and the desired “green” image, are some of the reasons that lead companies to decide for implement processes of Reverse Logistics (RL). At the time when incorporate new RL processes as key business processes, new and important decisions need to be made. Identification and knowledge of these decisions, including the information available and the implications for the company or supply chain, will be fundamental for decision-makers to achieve the best results. In the present work, the main types of RL decisions are identified.Design/methodology/approach: This paper is based on the analysis of mathematical models designed as tools to aid decision making in the field of RL. Once the types of interest work to be analyzed are defined, those studies that really deal about the object of study are searched and analyzed. The decision variables that are taken at work are identified and grouped according to the type of decision and, finally, are showed the main types of decisions used in mathematical models developed in the field of RL. Findings: The principal conclusion of the research is that the most commonly addressed decisions with mathematical models in the field of RL are those related to the network’s configuration, followed by tactical/operative decisions such as the selections of product’s treatments to realize and the policy of returns or prices, among other decisions.Originality/value: The identification of the main decisions types of the reverse logistics will allow the managers of these processes to know and understand them better, while offer an integrated vision of them, favoring the achievement of better results.
Implementation of disability policy framework in Namibia: A qualitative study
Authors: Shumba Tonderai W. , Moodley Indres 
Published: April 2018

Background: This study explores some of the experiences of national programme managers, heads of national organisations of persons with disabilities (OPDs) and persons with disabilities in the implementation of the disability policies and legal framework in Namibia.Method: In-depth interviews were conducted with multiple key stakeholders mentioned above. Interviews were digitally recorded and transcribed verbatim. The Community Based Rehabilitation (CBR) matrix (health, education, livelihood, social and empowerment) was utilised to guide the development of themes and subthemes.Results: Twenty-one key informants participated in the study. Participants stated that while Namibia has made significant progress in addressing the medical and social needs of persons with disabilities, further progress can be achieved through better coordination, capacity building, review and updating of policies which allows for the inclusion of personal assistance, access to justice, improving supply chain management for a wide range of assistive devices, mainstreaming HIV prevention and treatment programmes, improved access to sexual reproduction and family planning, improved access to higher education, curricula reviews and effective monitoring and evaluating of the CBR programme.Conclusions: The study revealed key issues that need to be addressed in reviewing the policy and legal framework so that it is responsive to the current needs of persons with disabilities. Further, the CBR programme needs an evaluation tool to assess its effectiveness and efficiency in meeting the needs of persons with disabilities and also to elicit their experiences and satisfaction.
The use of Xbox Kinect™ in a Paediatric Burns Unit
Authors: Lozano Eleonora I. , Potterton Joanne L. 
Published: April 2018

Background: The popularity of video game use in burns rehabilitation has grown because, in addition to facilitating maintenance of range of motion (ROM), the virtual imaging characteristics of these games provide distraction from pain.Objectives: The effect of using Xbox Kinect™ as an adjunct to physiotherapy in a Paediatric Burns Unit (PBU) has not been established. This study aimed to investigate the effect of using the Xbox Kinect™ on outcomes of children in the PBU at Chris Hani Baragwanath Academic Hospital.Methods: This non-equivalent, post-test only control group study took place over a period of 14 months. The control group received standard physiotherapy management and the experimental group received standard physiotherapy management and additional Xbox Kinect™. Outcome measures were ROM, Activities Scale for Kids (ASK©p) and a modified Wong-Baker FACES® enjoyment rating scale. Outcomes were assessed at discharge and then 1 week post-discharge at the usual follow-up appointment.Results: Sixty-six children participated in this study. More than 50% of the burns were because of hot water, followed by flame burns (30%) and electrical burns (12%). The addition of Xbox Kinect™ was effective in achieving higher active ROM (AROM) between discharge and follow-up (p < 0.01). Fun and enjoyment (p < 0.01) was found to be significantly higher in the children who participated in Xbox Kinect™. Total body surface area (TBSA%) (p = 0.03), age (p = 0.05) and AROM (p = 0.04) were significantly associated with ASK©p scores.Conclusion: The use of the Xbox Kinect™ has been shown to be a beneficial and useful adjunct to burns rehabilitation in this paediatric burns population.Clinical implications: Currently, there is limited information and research on interventions for children with burns in South Africa. The addition of Xbox Kinect™ to standard physiotherapy in-patient care was both enjoyable and effective and should be considered where funding is available.
Submandibular lipoblastoma: Case report of a rare tumor in childhood
Authors: El Amine Olfa , Belghith Meyssa , Salhi Hasna , Goucha Aida , Gamoudi Amor 
Published: April 2018

AbstractLipoblastoma is a rare, benign tumor usually occurring in childhood. It is essentially localized in the extremities and trunk, with few cases reported in the neck. We report the case of a 2-year-old girl with a rapidly enlarging, painless neck mass. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) revealed a 3-cm mass in the right submandibular region. Review of literature, diagnostic methods, and genetics of lipomatous tumors are discussed. Complete surgical excision via a lateral cervical approach demonstrated a white soft tissue with an adherent ganglion. Histology and immunohistochemistry confirmed the diagnosis of lipoblastoma. Cervical lipoblastoma is rare, and typically asymptomatic, rarely causing nerve compression or airway obstruction. MRI can help identifying the lipomatous nature of the mass, but the findings can be inconsistent due to variable maturity of fat cells and the mesenchymal content of the tumor. Diagnosis is always based on pathological examination. Further chromosomal analysis is useful in differentiating lipoblastoma from liposarcoma. Complete surgical excision is the recommended treatment.
Ozonolysis of α-phellandrene – Part 2: Compositional analysis of secondary organic aerosol highlights the role of stabilised Criegee intermediates
Authors: Mackenzie-Rae Felix A. , Wallis Helen J. , Rickard Andrew R. , Pereira Kelly L. , Saunders Sandra M. , Wang Xinming , Hamilton Jacqueline F. 
Published: April 2018

Abstract. The molecular composition of the water-soluble fraction of secondary organic aerosol (SOA) generated from the ozonolysis of α-phellandrene is investigated for the first time using high-pressure liquid chromatography coupled to high-resolution quadrupole–Orbitrap tandem mass spectrometry. In total, 21 prominent products or isomeric product groups were identified using both positive and negative ionisation modes, with potential formation mechanisms discussed. The aerosol was found to be composed primarily of polyfunctional first- and second-generation species containing one or more carbonyl, acid, alcohol and hydroperoxide functionalities, with the products significantly more complex than those proposed from basic gas-phase chemistry in the companion paper (Mackenzie-Rae et al., 2017). Mass spectra show a large number of dimeric products are also formed. Both direct scavenging evidence using formic acid and indirect evidence from double bond equivalency factors suggest the dominant oligomerisation mechanism is the bimolecular reaction of stabilised Criegee intermediates (SCIs) with non-radical ozonolysis products. Saturation vapour concentration estimates suggest monomeric species cannot explain the rapid nucleation burst of fresh aerosol observed in chamber experiments; hence, dimeric species are believed to be responsible for new particle formation, with detected first- and second-generation products driving further particle growth in the system. Ultimately, identification of the major constituents and formation pathways of α-phellandrene SOA leads to a greater understanding of the atmospheric processes and implications of monoterpene emissions and SCIs, especially around eucalypt forests where α-phellandrene is primarily emitted.
The BErkeley Atmospheric CO2 Observation Network: field calibration and evaluation of low-cost air quality sensors
Authors: Kim Jinsol , Shusterman Alexis A. , Lieschke Kaitlyn J. , Newman Catherine , Cohen Ronald C. 
Published: April 2018

Abstract. The newest generation of air quality sensors is small,
low cost, and easy to deploy. These sensors are an attractive option for
developing dense observation networks in support of regulatory activities and
scientific research. They are also of interest for use by individuals to
characterize their home environment and for citizen science. However, these
sensors are difficult to interpret. Although some have an approximately
linear response to the target analyte, that response may vary with time,
temperature, and/or humidity, and the cross-sensitivity to non-target
analytes can be large enough to be confounding. Standard approaches to
calibration that are sufficient to account for these variations require a
quantity of equipment and labor that negates the attractiveness of the
sensors' low cost. Here we describe a novel calibration strategy for a set of
sensors, including CO, NO, NO2, and O3, that makes use of (1) multiple
co-located sensors, (2) a priori knowledge about the chemistry of NO, NO2,
and O3, (3) an estimate of mean emission factors for CO, and (4) the global background of CO. The strategy requires one or more well calibrated
anchor points within the network domain, but it does not require direct
calibration of any of the individual low-cost sensors. The procedure
nonetheless accounts for temperature and drift, in both the sensitivity and
zero offset. We demonstrate this calibration on a subset of the sensors
comprising BEACO2N, a distributed network of approximately 50 sensor
“nodes”, each measuring CO2, CO, NO, NO2, O3 and particulate
matter at 10 s time resolution and approximately 2 km spacing within the
San Francisco Bay Area.
Reconstruction of global gridded monthly sectoral water withdrawals for 1971–2010 and analysis of their spatiotemporal patterns
Authors: Huang Zhongwei , Hejazi Mohamad , Li Xinya , Tang Qiuhong , Vernon Chris , Leng Guoyong , Liu Yaling , Döll Petra , Eisner Stephanie , Gerten Dieter , Hanasaki Naota , Wada Yoshihide 
Published: April 2018

Abstract. Human water withdrawal has increasingly altered the global water cycle in
past decades, yet our understanding of its driving forces and patterns is
limited. Reported historical estimates of sectoral water withdrawals are
often sparse and incomplete, mainly restricted to water withdrawal estimates
available at annual and country scales, due to a lack of observations at seasonal
and local scales. In this study, through collecting and consolidating
various sources of reported data and developing spatial and temporal
statistical downscaling algorithms, we reconstruct a global monthly gridded
(0.5∘) sectoral water withdrawal dataset for the period 1971–2010,
which distinguishes six water use sectors, i.e., irrigation, domestic,
electricity generation (cooling of thermal power plants), livestock, mining,
and manufacturing. Based on the reconstructed dataset, the spatial and
temporal patterns of historical water withdrawal are analyzed. Results show
that total global water withdrawal has increased significantly during 1971–2010,
mainly driven by the increase in irrigation water withdrawal.
Regions with high water withdrawal are those densely populated or with large
irrigated cropland production, e.g., the United States (US), eastern China,
India, and Europe. Seasonally, irrigation water withdrawal in summer for the
major crops contributes a large percentage of total annual irrigation water
withdrawal in mid- and high-latitude regions, and the dominant season of
irrigation water withdrawal is also different across regions. Domestic water
withdrawal is mostly characterized by a summer peak, while water withdrawal
for electricity generation has a winter peak in high-latitude regions and a
summer peak in low-latitude regions. Despite the overall increasing trend,
irrigation in the western US and domestic water withdrawal in western Europe
exhibit a decreasing trend. Our results highlight the distinct spatial
pattern of human water use by sectors at the seasonal and annual timescales. The
reconstructed gridded water withdrawal dataset is open access, and can be
used for examining issues related to water withdrawals at fine spatial,
temporal, and sectoral scales.
Large-scale hydrological model river storage and discharge correction using a satellite altimetry-based discharge product
Authors: Emery Charlotte Marie , Paris Adrien , Biancamaria Sylvain , Boone Aaron , Calmant Stéphane , Garambois Pierre-André , Santos da Silva Joecila 
Published: April 2018

Abstract. Land surface models (LSMs) are widely used to study the continental part of the water cycle. However, even though their accuracy is increasing, inherent model uncertainties can not be avoided. In the meantime, remotely sensed observations of the continental water cycle variables such as soil moisture, lakes and river elevations are more frequent and accurate. Therefore, those two different types of information can be combined, using data assimilation techniques to reduce a model's uncertainties in its state variables or/and in its input parameters. The objective of this study is to present a data assimilation platform that assimilates into the large-scale ISBA-CTRIP LSM a punctual river discharge product, derived from ENVISAT nadir altimeter water elevation measurements and rating curves, over the whole Amazon basin. To deal with the scale difference between the model and the observation, the study also presents an initial development for a localization treatment that allows one to limit the impact of observations to areas close to the observation and in the same hydrological network. This assimilation platform is based on the ensemble Kalman filter and can correct either the CTRIP river water storage or the discharge. Root mean square error (RMSE) compared to gauge discharges is globally reduced until 21 % and at Óbidos, near the outlet, RMSE is reduced by up to 52 % compared to ENVISAT-based discharge. Finally, it is shown that localization improves results along the main tributaries.
Paradigm of Peace, Silly Satire, Text of Terror: Perspectives on Matthew 5:38–48 for Immigrant Populations
Authors: Howard Melanie A. 
Published: April 2018

AbstractGiven the discourse surrounding immigration in the 2016 presidential election, this article inquires how Jesus's teachings regarding nonresistance to evil and love of enemies (Matthew 5:38–48) may look from a Christian immigrant perspective. The article suggests that there are several possibilities. First, the article investigates peace church perspectives on the Sermon. Second, taking a cue from the Sermon's hyperbolic speech, the article explores reading the Sermon as satire. Finally, the article explores this passage as a “text of terror” and concludes that each of these paradigms offer both strengths and drawbacks given the diversity of immigrant experiences.
De la musique à l’architecture : le mystère des pans de verre « ondulatoires » du couvent de la tourette de le corbusier et Xenakis
Authors: Kiourtsoglou Elisavet 
Published: April 2018

Les pans de verre « ondulatoires » du Couvent de la Tourette (1953-1961) — une distribution irrégulière de pans de verre de longueurs graduellement variables — se présentent comme une nouvelle version de l’ancienne analogie entre musique et architecture ; c’est Iannis Xenakis, qui travaillait comme ingénieur et architecte dans l’atelier Le Corbusier, qui les a conçus en faisant appel à ses recherches musicales. Dans cet article, nous proposons une hypothèse pour déchiffrer leur conception et leur rapport avec son travail de compositeur, restés longtemps peu détaillés, en interprétant des éléments tirés des archives.