bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Revisiting service quality through the lens of experience-centric services
Authors: Beltagui Ahmad , Candi Marina 
Published: February 2018

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to revisit prevailing notions of service quality by developing and testing a model of service quality for experience-centric services.Design/methodology/approachBy problematizing the service quality literature, a model is developed to capture impacts of outcome-achievement, instrumental performance and expressive performance on customer loyalty. A multi-group structural equation model is tested to establish the moderating effect of perceived service character – utilitarian or hedonic.FindingsOutcome-achievement mediates the direct relationships between instrumental and expressive performance, respectively, and loyalty; the strength of these relationships is moderated by perceived service character.Research limitations/implicationsEmotional design to improve the experience is effective provided the expected outcome is achieved. However, for services that customers perceive as experience-centric, the outcome may be somewhat ambiguously defined and expressive performance is valued more highly than instrumental performance.Practical implicationsUnderstanding customers’ perception of a service – whether customers seek value related to outcomes or emotions – is crucial when selecting appropriate measures of service quality and performance. Creating a good experience is generally beneficial, but it must be designed according to the character of the service in question.Originality/valueThe research presents empirical evidence on how service experience contributes to customer loyalty by testing a model of service quality that is suited to experience-centric services. Furthermore, it identifies the importance of understanding service character when designing and managing services.
Does value matter? An examination of the impact of knowledge value on firm performance and the moderating role of knowledge breadth
Authors: Fallatah Mahmoud Ibrahim 
Published: February 2018

Purpose
The purpose of the study is to examine the relationship between the value of created knowledge and financial performance. It also assesses how knowledge breadth moderates the aforementioned relationship.

Design/methodology/approach
Focusing on the US biotechnology industry, the study matches patents data from the National Bureau of Economic Research and the United States Patent and Trademark Office with firms’ data from COMPUSTAT. Generalized least squares estimation is used as an analytical technique, and random-effects models are used to evaluate effects of the independent variables based on both within- and between-organization variances.

Findings
The findings reveal that biotechnological firms that create knowledge of higher values are likely to have higher financial performance than those creating knowledge of less value. Moreover, knowledge breadth is shown to positively moderate the relationship between knowledge value and firm performance.

Research limitations/implications
Some of the limitations include not controlling for more firm-related and environmental factors that might have influenced firm performance.

Practical implications
The study provides evidence that the quality of knowledge should be significantly considered when creating new knowledge. That is, managers should prioritize the creation of highly valuable knowledge, even if it occasionally results in creating fewer numbers of patents. The paper also suggests that creating valuable knowledge that is broad and flexible should be an important objective for managers as it provides more opportunities to generate future rents.

Originality/value
The study emphasizes how the value of created knowledge impacts the financial performance of firms. It also illustrates how knowledge breadth moderates that relationship. The paper contributes to a stream of research that links knowledge management abilities and firm performance.
The mediating role of trust in stimulating the relationship between transformational leadership and knowledge sharing processes
Authors: Le Phong Ba , Lei Hui 
Published: February 2018

PurposeThis paper aims to investigate the influence of transformational leadership (TL) and two aspects of trust (trust in a leader and trust among members, including two versions of each: “disclosure” and “reliance”) on knowledge collecting (KC) and knowledge donating (KD).Design/methodology/approachStructural equation modelling was used to test the effects of TL and aspects of trust on knowledge sharing (KS) processes using data collected from 336 participants at 35 large service firms.FindingsThe results showed that reliance-based trust in a leader (LR), disclosure-based trust in a leader (LD), reliance-based trust among members (MR) and disclosure-based trust among members (MD) act as mediators in the relationship between TL and KS processes. LR and MR have more significant effects on KD, whereas LD, MD and TL have more significant effects on KC.Research limitations/implicationsFuture research could examine how personal characteristics (e.g. education level and working experiences) moderate the relationships between TL and KS processes.Practical implicationsFrom a practical perspective, the paper provides directors/managers an increased understanding of paths to success in KC and KD.Originality/valueThis paper provides theoretical initiatives on building employee trust and improving KS in the field of knowledge management. From a managerial perspective, this study identifies necessary factors for encouraging and promoting KS processes within an organization.
Analysis of Class Characteristics of Reciprocating Saws,
Authors: Berger Jacqueline M. , Pokines James T. , Moore Tara L. 
Published: February 2018

AbstractCriminal dismemberment is accomplished using a variety of tools and frequently used to dispose or facilitate the transport of human remains in an attempt to hinder forensic investigation. The present research examined features that may differentiate cuts made in bone by various commercially available reciprocating saw blades. The partial limbs of adult white‐tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) were used as a proxy for human remains and were cut using five reciprocating saw blades and a hand‐powered hacksaw. The resulting false start and complete kerfs were examined macroscopically and microscopically. Kerf characteristics in which significant differences (p ≤ 0.05) between reciprocating blades were noted including minimum kerf width, kerf false start shape, presence of cut surface drift and harmonics, exit chipping size, and striation regularity. Interblade differences generally reflect class characteristics previously established for hand‐powered blades. The present research may aid in the identification of reciprocating saw use in forensic contexts.
Effects of ivabradine on endothelial function, aortic properties and ventricular‐arterial coupling in chronic systolic heart failure patients
Authors: Bonadei Ivano , Sciatti Edoardo , Vizzardi Enrico , Fabbricatore Davide , Pagnoni Mattia , Rossi Laura , Carubelli Valentina , Lombardi Carlo M , Metra Marco 
Published: February 2018

SummaryAimHeart rate (HR) is an important prognostic factor in patients affected by chronic heart failure (CHF); ivabradine has been demonstrated to significantly reduce nonfatal myocardial infarction and hospitalization rate for acute heart failure and to improve left ventricular (LV) reverse remodeling, quality of life, exercise capacity, and arterial elastance (Ea) in these patients. We aimed at evaluating the short‐term effects of ivabradine on ventricular‐arterial coupling (VAC), aortic stiffness, and endothelial function in stable patients with CHF.MethodsWe evaluated 30 consecutive CHF patients (LVEF≤ 35%, NYHA class II) with sinus rhythm and HR ≥ 70 bpm on optimized pharmacological therapy. All of them underwent both transthoracic echocardiogram to assess aortic elastic properties (aortic distensibility, AD; aortic stiffness index, ASI; systolic aortic strain, SAS) and VAC, and peripheral arterial tonometry to measure endothelial function. Therapy with ivabradine 5 mg bid was added and each patient was evaluated with the same examinations after 4 months.ResultsAt the baseline, 73% of patients had impaired VAC and 63% endothelial dysfunction. After 4 months, there was a significant improvement in the VAC value (ΔVAC −0.10 ± 0.18, P = .021), mainly linked to Ea (ΔEa −0.40 ± 0.23 mm Hg/mL; P = .003). All the parameters of aortic elasticity underwent significant improvement (ΔAD 1.82 ± 1.43 cm² × dyn−¹, P = .004; ΔASI −4.73 ± 6.07, P = .033; ΔSAS −7.98 ± 4.37%, P = .003). Lastly, we also noted a significant improvement of endothelial function (Δ RHI 0.35 ± 0.35; P < .001). At follow‐up 40% of patients had impaired VAC (P = .018) and 33% endothelial dysfunction (P = .038).ConclusionIn patients with CHF adding ivabradine on top to the standard optimized medical therapy, when indicated, seems to improve endothelial function, aortic properties, and VAC.
The Impact of the Bullwhip Effect on Sales and Earnings Prediction Using Order Backlog
Authors: Chang Hsihui , Chen Jengfang , Hsu Shu‐Wei , Mashruwala Raj 
Published: February 2018

AbstractRecent work in the supply chain literature suggests that the variance in orders placed with suppliers will be larger than that of sales to buyers. This distortion in demand information increases as it is passed along the supply chain from customers to upstream suppliers and has been referred to as “the bullwhip effect.” In this paper, we argue that the bullwhip effect reduces the ability of order backlog to predict future sales and earnings for upstream suppliers. Results obtained from our empirical analysis support this proposition. We find that the impact of bullwhip on the predictive ability of order backlog is further accentuated in firms with longer operating cycles. Market intermediaries such as financial analysts, on average, are unable to fully account for differences in the predictive ability of order backlog. However, analysts belonging to employers that follow all firms in a vertical supply chain do a better job of understanding the impact of bullwhip on the predictive ability of order backlog. In additional tests, we find that the bullwhip effect also impedes the ability of inventory components to predict future sales and earnings.
“m2b” package in r: Deriving multiple variables from movement data to predict behavioural states with random forests
Authors: Thiebault Andréa , Dubroca Laurent , Mullers Ralf H.E. , Tremblay Yann , Pistorius Pierre A. 
Published: February 2018

Abstract

The behaviour of individuals affect their distributions and is therefore fundamental in determining ecological patterns. While, the direct observation of behaviour is often limited due to logistical constraints, collection of movement data has been greatly facilitated through the development of bio‐logging. Movement data obtained through tracking instrumentation may potentially constitute a relevant proxy to infer behaviour.

To infer behaviour from movement data is a key focus within the “movement ecology” discipline. Statistical learning constitutes a number of methods that can be used to assess the link between given variables from a fully informed training dataset and then predict the values on a non‐informed variable. We chose the random forest algorithm for its high prediction accuracy and its ease of implementation. The strength of random forest partly lies in its ability to handle a very large number of variables. Our methodology is accordingly based on the derivation of multiple predictor variables from movement data over various temporal scales, to capture as much information as possible from changes and variations in movement.

The methodology is described in four steps, using examples on foraging seabirds and fishing vessels for illustration. The models showed very high prediction accuracy (92%–97%), thereby confirming the influence of behaviour on movement decisions and demonstrating the ability to derive multiple variables from movement data to predict behaviour with random forests.

The codes developed for this methodology are published in the “m2b” (Movement to Behaviour) r package, available at https://CRAN.R-project.org/package=m2b. They can be used and adapted to datasets where movement was sampled from a wide range of taxa, sampling schemes or tracking devices. Observations are needed for a subset of the data, but once the model is trained, it can be used on any dataset with similar movement data.
Ageism and Sexism in the 2016 United States Presidential Election
Authors: Lytle Ashley , Macdonald Jamie , Dyar Christina , Levy Sheri R. 
Published: February 2018

AbstractThe 2016 U.S. Presidential Election provided a unique opportunity to examine how ageism and sexism may impact attitudes (perceived presidential qualities and endorsement of positive and negative age stereotypes) toward Hillary Clinton and Donald Trump. Community participants (N= 875) indicated their attitudes and voting intentions 3 weeks before the election. Endorsement of positive and negative age stereotypes and perceived presidential qualities for Clinton and Trump varied based on participants’ attitudes toward women, political stance (conservative/liberal), and demographic characteristics (racial/ethnic identification, education, gender identification). Individuals who perceived sexism to be more prevalent and perceived women as more competent in general had more positive attitudes toward Clinton, in contrast, only perceptions of lower prevalence of sexism (and not competence of women) predicted attitudes toward Trump. Individuals who perceived sexism as less prevalent viewed Clinton as less presidential and endorsed stronger negative age stereotypes for Clinton, while they viewed Trump as more presidential and endorsed stronger positive and weaker negative age stereotypes for Trump. Our findings suggest that both ageism and sexism present barriers for qualified women when pursuing positions of power. Implications for future research are discussed.
Feasibility of a novel tacking method of securing mesh in transabdominal preperitoneal inguinal hernia repair: Secure tacking against recurrence
Authors: Nagahisa Yoshio , Kawashima Ryuju , Matsumoto Ryu , Harada Masaki , Hashida Kazuki , Okabe Michio , Kawamoto Kazuyuki 
Published: February 2018

AbstractIntroductionPostoperative chronic pain is an important outcome of hernia surgery. In laparoscopic hernia surgery, either fixation outside the trapezoid of disaster or no fixation is recommended to avoid postoperative pain. To avoid recurrence are transabdominal preperitoneal (TAPP) hernia repair, the myopectineal orifice must be covered with mesh during TAPP, but lifting or shrinking of the mesh can lead to recurrence. The aim of this study was to evaluate the feasibility of a novel technique for mesh fixation to prevent the mesh from lifting off.MethodsAfter the preperitoneal space was created during TAPP, the anatomy of the lateral cutaneous nerve of the thigh or the femoral branch of the genitofemoral nerve within the trapezoid of disaster was checked. The mesh was tacked at the trapezoid of disaster without nerve injury, and the mesh was fixed with circumferential tacking. We call this procedure secure tacking against recurrence (STAR). We treated 391 adult patients (478 hernias) with TAPP repair; novel tacking was used in some patients (STAR group, 236 hernias). The results of the STAR group were retrospectively compared with those of patients in whom we did not use this novel tacking (conventional group, 242 hernias).ResultsThere was no postoperative chronic pain in either group. There were no cases of hernia recurrence in the STAR group, but there were four cases of hernia recurrence in the conventional group (0% vs 1.7%, P = 0.047). These four recurrences consisted of indirect hernia and mesh lifting on the lateral side.ConclusionThe STAR procedure is feasible and safety as a standard procedure for securing the mesh during TAPP.
Visceral obesity is a significant risk factor for incisional hernia after laparoscopic colorectal surgery: A single‐center review
Authors: Yamamoto Masateru , Takakura Yuji , Ikeda Satoshi , Itamoto Toshiyuki , Urushihara Takashi , Egi Hiroyuki 
Published: February 2018

AbstractIntroductionAlthough laparoscopic surgery uses relatively small incisions, incisional hernia after surgery is not uncommon. However, the incidence of incisional hernia and its risk factors are not well known. The purpose of our study was to investigate risk factors for incisional hernia after laparoscopic colorectal cancer surgery.MethodsThe study group consisted of 212 patients who underwent laparoscopic colorectal cancer surgery at Hiroshima Prefectural Hospital between November 2008 and October 2013. Diagnosis of incisional hernia was performed by postoperative CT. The visceral fat area (VFA) and subcutaneous fat area at the level of the umbilicus were calculated using an image analysis system. For statistical analysis, Fisher's exact test or Student's t‐test were used for univariate analysis, and logistic regression analysis was used for multivariate analysis. The cut‐off value for risk factors was calculated from the receiver–operator curve.ResultsIncisional hernia was observed in 18 patients (8.5%). On univariate analysis, female sex (P = 0.04), older age (P = 0.02), subcutaneous fat area (P < 0.01), VFA (P = 0.02), and BMI >25 kg/m2 (P < 0.01) were significant risk factors for incisional hernia. The predictive cut‐off values were as follows: age, 72 years; subcutaneous fat area, 110 cm2; VFA, 110 cm2; and albumin concentration, 3.9 g/dL. On multivariate analysis, a VFA >110 cm2 (P < 0.01) and female sex (P = 0.01) were retained as independent risk factors for incisional hernia.ConclusionAfter laparoscopic colorectal cancer surgery, a higher VFA and female sex are independent risk factors for incisional hernia.
Effects of aldehyde products of lipid oxidation on the color stability and metmyoglobin reducing ability of bovine Longissimus muscle
Authors: Chen Cheng , Yu Qunli , Han Ling , Zhang Jiaying , Guo Zhaobin 
Published: February 2018

AbstractLipid oxidation and metmyoglobin (MMb) reduction are popular issues in meat color research. This study evaluated the effects of aldehyde products, particularly 4‐hydroxy‐2‐nonenal (HNE) and hexenal, of lipid oxidation on the oxymyoglobin stability, mitochondrial membrane permeability, MMb reduction ability, electron transport chain‐mediated MMb reduction, and nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide reduced form (NADH)‐dependent MMb reductase activity of bovine Longissimus muscle. The results indicated that HNE and hexenal accelerate the oxidation rate of oxymyoglobin, significantly increase the permeability of the mitochondrial membrane, and inhibit electron transport chain‐mediated MMb reduction. However, HNE and hexenal were found to exert no effect on the activity of NADH‐dependent MMb reductase. Thus, the aldehyde products of lipid oxidation could damage the microstructure of mitochondria and inhibit mitochondria‐mediated MMb reduction, which is disadvantageous in terms of the color stability of fresh bovine Longissimus muscle.
The Development of Empathic Concern in Siblings: A Reciprocal Influence Model
Authors: Jambon Marc , Madigan Sheri , Plamondon André , Daniel Ella , Jenkins Jennifer M. 
Published: February 2018

This study utilized actor–partner interdependence modeling to examine the bidirectional effects of younger (Mage = 18 months) and older siblings (Mage = 48 months) on later empathy development in a large (n = 452 families), diverse (42% immigrant) Canadian sample. Controlling for parenting, demographic characteristics, sibling relationship quality, and within‐child stability in empathic concern, both younger and older siblings’ observed empathic concern uniquely predicted relative increases in the other's empathy over a period of 18 months. The strength of the partner effects did not differ by birth order. Sex composition moderated the younger sibling partner effect, whereas age gap moderated the older sibling partner effect. This study highlights the important role that siblings play in enhancing the development of care and concern for others.
Ejection fraction as a statistical index of left ventricular systolic function: the first full allometric scrutiny of its appropriateness and accuracy
Authors: Lolli Lorenzo , Batterham Alan M , Atkinson Greg 
Published: February 2018

SummaryLeft ventricular ejection fraction (EF) is a ratio that is deemed to accurately normalize stroke volume (SV) to end‐diastolic volume (EDV). Ratios are now well‐recognized for not normalizing the numerator, in this case SV, consistently for the denominator, EDV. We aimed to provide the first allometric‐based scrutiny of the conventional assumptions that underpin the EF ratio. We allometrically modelled untransformed SV and EDV measurements from 112 preclinical heart failure patients in the Multi‐Ethnic Study of Atherosclerosis (MESA), and 864 chronic heart failure patients in the Treatment of Preserved Cardiac Function Heart Failure with an Aldosterone Antagonist (TOPCAT) study. An information‐theoretic approach was adopted to assess the relative quality of twelve candidate models for normalizing SV to EDV. None of the conventional underlying assumptions for accurate ratio normalization, for example an allometric exponent ≈1, were upheld for EF. A two‐parameter power function with normal, heteroscedastic error was the best model for scaling SV to EDV in both samples. The allometric exponent (95% confidence interval) was 0·776 (0·682 to 0·869) in MESA, and 0·860 (0·857 to 0·864) in TOPCAT. EF was inversely correlated with EDV in MESA (r = −0·67, 95% CI: −0·76 to −0·55) and TOPCAT (r = −0·41, 95% CI: −0·46 to −0·35). Consequently, for fundamental statistical reasons, EF was biased low for people with generally larger EDVs, and vice versa. For the first time, we have demonstrated that EF is an inaccurate statistic for scaling SV to EDV, leading to potential biased inferences for research and individual patients.
Educational upgrading, structural change and the task composition of jobs in Europe
Authors: Hardy Wojciech , Keister Roma , Lewandowski Piotr 
Published: February 2018

AbstractWe analyze the changes in the task content of jobs in 24 European countries between 1998 and 2015. We link the O*NET occupational data with the European Union Labour Force Survey (EU‐LFS), and use the methodology of Acemoglu and Autor (). We find that the intensity of non‐routine cognitive tasks grew in all countries, while the intensity of manual tasks declined. Workforce upskilling was the major factor contributing to these developments. The intensity of routine cognitive tasks grew in most Central and Eastern European countries, but it declined in Western European countries. This difference is attributed to the contrasting patterns of structural changes in these groups of countries.