bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Effect of the aligned magnetic field on the boundary layer analysis of magnetic-nanofluid over a semi-infinite vertical plate with ferrous nanoparticles
Authors: Ashwinkumar G.P. , Sulochana C. , Samrat S.P. 
Published: April 2018

Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to investigate the momentum, heat and mass transfer characteristics of magnetic-nanofluid flow past a vertical plate embedded in a porous medium filled with ferrous nanoparticles. The analysis is carried out in the presence of pertinent physical parameters such as aligned magnetic field, thermal radiation, chemical reaction, radiation absorption, heat source/sink.

Design/methodology/approach
The flow governing PDEs are transformed into ODEs using appropriate conversions. Further, the set of ODEs is solved analytically using the perturbation technique. The flow quantities such as velocity, thermal and concentration fields are discussed under the influence of above-mentioned pertinent physical parameters with the assistance of graphical depictions. Moreover, the friction factor, local Nusselt and Sherwood number are discussed in tabular form.

Findings
The results indicate that flow and thermal transport phenomenon is more effective in the case of the aligned magnetic field as compared with the transverse magnetic field. Also, the nanoparticle volume fraction plays a vital role in controlling the wall friction and heat transfer performance. The validation of the obtained results is done by comparing them with the results of various numerical techniques, and hence found them in excellent agreement.

Originality/value
In present days, the external magnetic fields are very effective to set the thermal and physical properties of magnetic-nanofluids and regulate the flow and heat transfer characteristics. The strength of the applied magnetic field affects the thermal conductivity of magnetic-nanofluids and makes it aeolotropic. With this incentive, the authors investigated the flow and heat transfer characteristics of electrically conducting magnetic-nanofluids over a vertical surface embedded in a porous medium. The authors discussed the dual nature of ferrous-water nanofluid in the presence of aligned magnetic field and transverse magnetic field cases. The influence of several physical parameters on velocity, thermal and concentration field converses with the succour of graphs.
From social network to firm performance
Authors: Pratono Aluisius Hery 
Published: April 2018

Purpose
The purpose of this study is to develop a structural equation model to explain the complex relationship between social network and firm performance by introducing the mediating role of trust, selling capability and pricing capability.

Design/methodology/approach
The research model with hypothesis development was derived based on the literature. To provide empirical evidence, this study carried out a survey in which the data were equated with a list of questionnaires with a random survey of 380 small and medium enterprises (SMEs) in the Indonesian context.

Findings
This study indicates that the use of social media in management process will not affect the increasing firm performance, unless the firms build trust upon social networks. The social network with trust allows the firms to gain a pricing capability and a selling capability, which brings a positive impact on firm performance. The results also show that the selling and the pricing capabilities become essential following the utilizing the social media, which concerns on trust building.

Research limitations/implications
This study focused on the small-to-medium context, which has conventionally provided an exemplary site for the development of social capital theory but raises issues of generalizability across different contexts.

Practical implications
To the managers, it is advisable to encourage their employees to consciously exploit the selling capability by enhancing the business networks via social media to achieve the firm performance.

Originality/value
This paper contributes to the social capital theory by explaining the mediating role of trust in the complex relationship between social network and firm performance. This study provides evidence that trust plays a pivotal role in social networks, which enable the observed firms to achieve the performance.
The effects of historical satisfaction, provided services characteristics and website dimensions on encounter overall satisfaction
Authors: Laureti Tiziana , Piccarozzi Michela , Aquilani Barbara 
Published: April 2018

Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to study the real role of historical satisfaction (HSat), i.e., satisfaction only deriving from past experiences, excluding the most recent, in B2C service contexts when services are experienced offline, while the actual services are purchased online through the service providers’ website.

Design/methodology/approach
The proposed conceptual framework was tested by focusing on a particular travel industry firm which is responsible for providing travel services as well as managing the website where these services are purchased. The study population included customers who had purchased at least two travel tickets during the last 12 months online. In order to reduce possible self-selection bias and to improve the generalizability of the web survey findings, post-stratification was applied. The measurement model was evaluated by using confirmatory factor analyses. The direct and indirect effects of HSat on encounter overall satisfaction (EOS) were analyzed using structural equation modeling.

Findings
The direct effect of HSat on EOS was observed to be higher than its indirect effect through offline service dimensions and website dimensions. It was also observed that offline service dimensions have a direct impact on EOS, while they do not have an indirect impact since the website dimensions do not have a direct effect on EOS.

Research limitations/implications
Historical satisfaction is really important in building EOS for services purchased previously online but experienced offline.

Practical implications
The results could provide managers with useful tools for allocating resources and also build an even higher level of EOS. They also shed light on how HSat molds offline service perception for services sold online.

Originality/value
To the authors’s knowledge, only one empirical paper focused on “historical satisfaction,” while no studies have taken into consideration the fact that service offline dimensions and e-customer satisfaction could be indirectly linked by website quality dimensions, the issue studied in this paper.
Environmental comfort based (ECB) methodology as a tool for preparing Kaizen application in a catering service company
Authors: Jaca Carmen , Ormazabal Marta , Viles Elisabeth , Santos Javier 
Published: April 2018

Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to develop a methodology that is based on the concept of environmental comfort and can serve as a tool that can help companies and employees to implement Kaizen projects. This methodology focuses on the worker’s participation in analyzing and developing improvements related to their workplace.

Design/methodology/approach
This research is focused on the development of a methodology that encourages worker participation in improvement activities, through the analysis of their working conditions. For this purpose, the proposed methodology was developed in accordance with the dimensions of workplace comfort proposed by Vischer. The employees start working on the analysis of problems and their solutions through the logical framework approach, as it is a tool that encourages worker participation and consensus. The developed methodology was applied in a company, with three different groups of people, which enabled the authors to test its utility.

Findings
The findings reveal that the proposed methodology is effective in initiating workers in the path of Kaizen. The employees who applied this methodology were able to propose improvement actions that addressed the problems and opportunities that they had previously detected. Moreover, the questionnaire that was used to validate the methodology and was administered to employees shows that the methodology is useful in preparing them for adopting continuous improvement (CI) programs.

Research limitations/implications
The methodology presented in this paper has been applied and evaluated by a small number of employees. These limitations suggest future research recommendations.

Practical implications
This participatory methodology could be used by different types of companies to initiate employees on the path of CI, even if they are not familiar with improvement programs or methodologies. In addition, its use could improve the capabilities of employees in areas such as participatory analysis, problem identification and proposal of objectives. These capabilities are necessary in any Kaizen project. As a result of the application of this methodology, the companies could obtain a list of areas of improvement related to their work and propose actions to work on.

Originality/value
The paper presents the use of environmental comfort in the workplace as the first step in accomplishing a Kaizen project, with a focus on the employee involvement and consensus.
The best of both worlds? Use of Kaizen and other continuous improvement methodologies within Portuguese ISO 9001 certified organizations
Authors: Fonseca Luis Miguel , Domingues José Pedro 
Published: April 2018

PurposeISO 9001:2015 edition, by adopting modern management and quality approaches, can foster the application of continuous improvement (CI) methodologies. The purpose of this paper is to assess the level of utilization of Kaizen and other CI methodologies within Portuguese ISO 9001 certified organizations, namely, amid organizations that have already implemented ISO 9001:2015.Design/methodology/approachAfter the literature review, a quantitative research, supported on an online survey, was adopted. The survey yielded 309 valid responses (response rate 18 percent) encompassing 71 organizations already certified against ISO 9001:2015 and the remaining 238 against ISO 9001:2008. The results of the statistical analysis performed were reviewed with a focus group of five quality and organizational excellence managers.FindingsThe results show a mildly use of Kaizen, Lean and Six Sigma (SS) by Portuguese ISO 9001 certified organizations, which is increase when compared to previous studies. The sample of organizations that are already certified by ISO 9001:2015 have mean and median levels of customer improvement methodologies adoption (Lean, Kaizen, SS) higher than those that are still certified against ISO 9001:2008. However, the Kruskal-Wallis test showed that these differences are not statistically significant. Concerning the adoption of these methodologies by activity sector, the sample median values seem to suggest that Lean and SS are more commonly adopted in the industry than in the services, but according to the Kruskal-Wallis test these differences are not statistically significant. Checklists, plan-do-check-act cycle and process diagrams, followed by DMAIC, are the quality tools that are most frequently adopted. A high workload due to the transition process for ISO 9001:2015 and the lack of qualified people were suggested as possible explanations for these results by the Expert Focus Group.Research limitations/implicationsThe study is restricted to ISO 9001 certified organizations in Portugal and due to the short time since ISO 9001:2015 implementation it should be considered as having an explanatory nature and subject to future confirmation.Originality/valueThis study on the application of CI methodologies between ISO 9001:2015 and ISO 9001:2008 certified organizations contributes to the Kaizen and CI body of knowledge and provides inputs to the organizations and professionals that aim to successfully apply it.
Less Money, Fewer Donations: The Impact of New South Wales Political Finance Laws on Private Funding of Political Parties
Authors: Anderson Malcolm , Tham Joo‐Cheong , Nwokora Zim , Gauja Anika , Mills Stephen , Miragliotta Narelle 
Published: April 2018

AbstractThe role of money in politics has been a concern internationally with strong calls for stricter regulation of such funds. In Australia, this has resulted in a shift from laissez‐faire to increased regulation. Yet, there has been little research into the impact of this shift. To address this gap, this article examines the impact of four New South Wales political finance laws enacted from 2008 to 2012, which reflect the emergent regulatory approach. Focusing on the total number and value of political donations made to New South Wales political parties, it assesses the effects of the four Acts individually, as well as their overall impact, to test the assumption of legal effectiveness. It finds strong support for two key expectations resulting from the assumption: first, the raft of legislation will reduce the total number and value of political donations to the parties and second, that the 2010 legislation, which imposed caps on political donations and election spending, and substantially increased public funding, would be the most significant of the four Acts in terms of impact due to its scope and depth.
Committee Representation and Medicare Reimbursements—An Examination of the Resource‐Based Relative Value Scale
Authors: Gao Y. Nina 
Published: April 2018

BackgroundThe Resource‐Based Relative Value Scale Update Committee (RUC) submits recommended reimbursement values for physician work (wRVUs) under Medicare Part B. The RUC includes rotating representatives from medical specialties.ObjectiveTo identify changes in physician reimbursements associated with RUC rotating seat representation.Data SourcesRelative Value Scale Update Committee members 1994–2013; Medicare Part B Relative Value Scale 1994–2013; Physician/Supplier Procedure Summary Master File 2007; Part B National Summary Data File 2000–2011.Study DesignI match service and procedure codes to specialties using 2007 Medicare billing data. Subsequently, I model wRVUs as a function of RUC rotating committee representation and level of code specialization.Principal FindingsAn annual RUC rotating seat membership is associated with a statistically significant 3–5 percent increase in Medicare expenditures for codes billed to that specialty. For codes that are performed by a small number of physicians, the association between reimbursement and rotating subspecialty representation is positive, 0.177 (SE = 0.024). For codes that are performed by a large number of physicians, the association is negative, −0.183 (SE = 0.026).ConclusionsRotating representation on the RUC is correlated with overall reimbursement rates. The resulting differential changes may exacerbate existing reimbursement discrepancies between generalist and specialist practitioners.
Analysing Farm‐specific Payments for Norway using the Agrispace Model
Authors: Mittenzwei Klaus , Britz Wolfgang 
Published: April 2018

AbstractNorway maintains a complex system of activity or type specific coupled payments which account for a large share of farm income. Most of the payment rates are negatively related to farm size and are higher in remote areas compared to central regions. We present and use a newly developed recursive‐dynamic multi‐commodity model (Agrispace) with CES production functions depicting regional farm clusters derived from the full farm population. Using this model, we simulate impacts of current and alternative subsidy policies on production, prices, input use, income and farm structural change. Mapping cluster results to each farm along with behavioural rules allows estimation of individual profits and farm exits. Our results indicate that, in the short run, the current policy regime seems to support the policy objective of maintaining a variety of farms in all parts of Norway. In the long run, farm structural change is less affected by a policy reform that leaves total support levels unchanged.
Biogenic selenium nanoparticles synthesized by Stenotrophomonas maltophilia SeITE02 loose antibacterial and antibiofilm efficacy as a result of the progressive alteration of their organic coating layer
Authors: Cremonini Eleonora , Boaretti Marzia , Vandecandelaere Ilse , Zonaro Emanuele , Coenye Tom , Lleo Maria M. , Lampis Silvia , Vallini Giovanni 
Published: April 2018

SummaryIncreasing emergence of drug‐resistant microorganisms poses a great concern to clinicians; thus, new active products are urgently required to treat a number of infectious disease cases. Different metallic and metalloid nanoparticles have so far been reported as possessing antimicrobial properties and proposed as a possible alternative therapy against resistant pathogenic microorganisms. In this study, selenium nanoparticles (SeNPs) synthesized by the environmental bacterial isolate Stenotrophomonas maltophilia SeITE02 were shown to exert a clear antimicrobial and antibiofilm activity against different pathogenic bacteria, either reference strains or clinical isolates. Antimicrobial and antibiofilm capacity seems to be strictly linked to the organic cap surrounding biogenic nanoparticles, although the actual role played by this coating layer in the biocidal action remains still undefined. Nevertheless, evidence has been gained that the progressive loss in protein and carbohydrate content of the organic cap determines a decrease in nanoparticle stability. This leads to an alteration of size and electrical properties of SeNPs along with a gradual attenuation of their antibacterial efficacy. Denaturation of the coating layer was proved even to have a negative effect on the antibiofilm activity of these nanoparticles. The pronounced antimicrobial efficacy of biogenic SeNPs compared to the denatured ones can – in first instance – be associated with their smaller dimensions. This study showed that the native organic coating layer of biogenic SeNPs functions in avoiding aggregation and maintaining electrostatic stability of the nanoparticles, thus allowing them to maintain efficient antimicrobial and antibiofilm capabilities.
HiMAP: Robust phylogenomics from highly multiplexed amplicon sequencing
Authors: Dupuis Julian R. , Bremer Forest T. , Kauwe Angela , San Jose Michael , Leblanc Luc , Rubinoff Daniel , Geib Scott M. 
Published: April 2018

AbstractHigh‐throughput sequencing has fundamentally changed how molecular phylogenetic data sets are assembled, and phylogenomic data sets commonly contain 50‐ to 100‐fold more loci than those generated using traditional Sanger sequencing‐based approaches. Here, we demonstrate a new approach for building phylogenomic data sets using single‐tube, highly multiplexed amplicon sequencing, which we name HiMAP (highly multiplexed amplicon‐based phylogenomics) and present bioinformatic pipelines for locus selection based on genomic and transcriptomic data resources and postsequencing consensus calling and alignment. This method is inexpensive and amenable to sequencing a large number (hundreds) of taxa simultaneously and requires minimal hands‐on time at the bench (<1/2 day), and data analysis can be accomplished without the need for read mapping or assembly. We demonstrate this approach by sequencing 878 amplicons in single reactions for 82 species of tephritid fruit flies across seven genera (384 individuals), including some of the most economically important agricultural insect pests. The resulting filtered data set (>150,000‐bp concatenated alignment, ~20% missing character sites across all individuals and amplicons) contained >40,000 phylogenetically informative characters, and although some discordance was observed between analyses, it provided unparalleled resolution of many phylogenetic relationships in this group. Most notably, we found high support for the generic status of Zeugodacus and the sister relationship between Dacus and Zeugodacus. We discuss HiMAP, with regard to its molecular and bioinformatic strengths, and the insight the resulting data set provides into relationships of this diverse insect group.
Science Diplomacy within Sustainable Development: A SIDS Perspective
Authors: Elizabeth Thompson H. 
Published: April 2018

AbstractShould science and its products be considered global public goods? An important question that is currently at the heart of multilateral negotiations on sustainable development. There is no doubt that scientific knowledge and its application have benefited billions across the globe. As the multilateral system seeks to implement the new development platform represented by the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), there is increasing acceptance of a distinct role for world‐class scientific knowledge and technological understanding in diplomacy. In this evolution of the interface of science with politics, the work of the scientist is being increasingly brought into the halls of political power to inform policy formulation at national, regional and international levels with the aim of improving the human condition.However, the architecture and outcomes of the interactions between science and diplomacy are not without challenge, particularly in how they connect with political pragmatism. In this article, I aim to draw lessons from two diplomatic contexts in which I have worked. The first, as a Minister and international representative of Barbados, a Small Island Developing State (SIDS); and the second, as Assistant Secretary General of the UN and Executive Coordinator of the 2012 UN Conference on Sustainable Development.
Distribution of the entomopathogenic fungusEntomophaga maimaiga(Entomophthorales:Entomophthoraceae) at the northern edge of its range in Europe
Authors: Zúbrik M. , Špilda I. , Pilarska D. , Hajek A.E. , Takov D. , Nikolov C. , Kunca A. , Pajtík J. , Lukášová K. , Holusa J. 
Published: April 2018

AbstractThe gypsy mothLymantria disparis a serious economic pest in European broadleaf forests. However, the entomopathogenic fungusEntomophaga maimaiga, which has a great potential to regulate gypsy moth numbers, has recently spread in the Central and Eastern European area of the moth's range. In the current study, 39 plots in oak forests in the Slovak Republic and the Czech Republic were monitored forE. maimaigafrom 2014 to 2016. These plots were located along the northern edge of theE. maimaigarange where gypsy moth outbreaks have occurred in the past. The fungus was detected in 16 of the 39 plots. The results thus confirm thatE. maimaigais quite widespread along the northern edge of its range in Europe and can be considered to be established in that area.
SUMO1‐conjugation is altered during normal aging but not by increased amyloid burden
Authors: Stankova Trayana , Piepkorn Lars , Bayer Thomas A. , Jahn Olaf , Tirard Marilyn 
Published: April 2018

SummaryA proper equilibrium of post‐translational protein modifications is essential for normal cell physiology, and alteration in these processes is key in neurodegenerative disorders such as Alzheimer's disease. Recently, for instance, alteration in protein SUMOylation has been linked to amyloid pathology. In this work, we aimed to elucidate the role of protein SUMOylation during aging and increased amyloid burden in vivo using a His6‐HA‐SUMO1 knock‐in mouse in the 5XFAD model of Alzheimer's disease. Interestingly, we did not observe any alteration in the levels of SUMO1‐conjugation related to Alzheimer's disease. SUMO1 conjugates remained localized to neuronal nuclei upon increased amyloid burden and during aging and were not detected in amyloid plaques. Surprisingly however, we observed age‐related alterations in global levels of SUMO1 conjugation and at the level of individual substrates using quantitative proteomic analysis. The identified SUMO1 candidate substrates are dominantly nuclear proteins, mainly involved in RNA processing. Our findings open novel directions of research for studying a functional link between SUMOylation and its role in guarding nuclear functions during aging.