bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
31° South: Dietary niche of an arid-zone endemic passerine
Authors: Ribeiro Ângela M. , Smit Ben , Gilbert M. Thomas P. 
Published: December 2018

ABSTRACTBalancing energy budgets is thought to be challenging for birds living in arid ecosystems because food supplies are low and unpredictable, and climatic conditions extreme. Thus, to ensure they obtain sufficient energy to fuel daily energetic budgets, birds may need to adjust their diets and become less selective (generalist) as conditions become harsher. To test this hypothesis, we used DNA metabarcoding to characterize both the prey availability and the dietary content of several conspecific populations of a semi- and arid-endemic insectivorous bird, the Karoo-scrub-robin (Cercotrichas coryphaeus) across a climatic gradient. Our results showed that Coleoptera, Hymenoptera, Orthoptera, and Lepidoptera were the main prey. When accounting for their presence as available prey, Coleoptera and Hymenoptera were preferred in all regions, whereas robins avoided Orthoptera and Lepidoptera in all but the most arid region. Although the different populations live in regions that vary with regards to productivity and thermoregulatory demands, we found that the dietary niche breadth (Bs) of the three populations was intermediate to low, and did not differ significantly. As a whole, our findings show that regardless of environmental harshness these insectivores have similar dietary niches, suggesting that large dietary plasticity is fundamental for their survival in energy-depauperated ecosystems.
Combinations of low-level and high-level neural processes can account for distinct patterns of context-dependent choice
Authors: Spitmaan Mehran , Horno Oihane , Chu Emily , Soltani Alireza 
Published: December 2018

AbstractContext effects have been explained by either high-level cognitive processes or low-level neural adjustments but not their combination. It is currently unclear how these processes interact to shape individuals’ responses to context. Here, we used a large cohort of human subjects in experiments involving choice between two or three gambles in order to study the dependence of context effects on neural adaptation and individuals’ risk attitudes. We found no evidence that neural adaptation on long timescales (~100 trials) contributes to context effects. However, we identified two groups of subjects with distinct patterns of responses to decoys, both of which depended on individuals’ risk aversion. Subjects in the first group exhibited strong, consistent decoy effects and became more risk averse due to decoy presentation. In contrast, subjects in the second group did not show consistent decoy effects and became more risk seeking. The degree of change in risk aversion due to decoy presentation was positively correlated with the initial degrees of risk aversion. To explain these results and reveal underlying neural mechanisms, we developed a new model that incorporates both low- and high-level processes to fit individuals’ choice behavior. We found that observed decoy effects can be explained by a combination of adjustments in neural representations and competitive weighting of reward attributes, both of which depend on risk aversion but in opposite directions. Altogether, our results demonstrate how a combination of low- and high-level processes shapes multi-attribute choice, modulates overall risk preference, and explains distinct behavioral phenotypes.Significance statementA large body of experimental work has illustrated that the introduction of a new, and often irrelevant, option can influence preference among the existing options, a phenomenon referred to as context or decoy effects. Although context effects have been explained by high-level cognitive processes—such as comparisons and competitions between attributes—or low-level adjustments of neural representations, it is unclear how these processes interact to shape individuals’ responses to context. Here, we show that both high-level cognitive processes and low-level neural adjustments shift risk preference during choice between multiple options but in opposite directions. Moreover, we demonstrate that a combination of these processes can account for distinct patterns of context effects in human subjects.
Patient attitudes toward physicians
Authors: Shareef Mahmud Akhter , Dwivedi Yogesh K. , Archer Norm , Rahman Mohammad Mahboob 
Published: December 2018

PurposeStakeholders affiliated with healthcare services should understand patient attitudes and criteria that are involved in selecting a personal physician. The purpose of this paper is to identify the factors that are significant to patients in selecting or deselecting physicians as providers of healthcare services.Design/methodology/approachThe research structure was set to theorize the physician selection criteria (PSC) model into two phases. The first phase developed a conceptual model as revealed from healthcare consumer perceptions. The second phase was designed to test and validate the model through cause–effect statistical analysis underpinned by theoretical explanations through an empirical study.FindingsThrough an empirical study of benchmarking perceptions of people from 15 different countries, qualitative PSC were gathered and used to formulate an initial PSC model. Based on the proposed model, a validity test was conducted, and finally, the PSC model was developed, resulting in several interesting and self-explanatory outcomes.Research limitations/implicationsThe model was tested in only one (relatively cosmopolitan) city. For proper generalization, it should be tested in countries with differing healthcare service systems.Practical implicationsThe results of this study are interesting, important and have potential values to academics and medical professionals. The study provides strong evidence that a physician’s external approach to patients is the most significant issue for patients seeking medical services. This does not refer to basic medical services, but rather the treatment process, where the physician’s behavior and positive attitude has the strongest effect on the patient’s decision to choose one physician over others.Originality/valueFinal PSC model has identified some significant theoretical explanations for academics and professional justifications for practitioners.
Effect of tilt angle on the multi-pipe channel with sinusoidal/curved walls – numerical modelling based on finite volume method
Authors: Hooshmand Payam , Bahrami Mohammad , Bagheri Navid , Jamshidian Meysam , Hasani Malekshah Emad 
Published: December 2018

Purpose
This paper aims to investigate the two-dimensional numerical modeling of fluid flow and heat transfer in a fluid channel.

Design/methodology/approach
The channel is filled with the CuO-water nanofluid. The KKL model is used to estimate the dynamic viscosity and considering Brownian motion. On the other hand, the influence of CuO nanoparticles’ shapes on the heat transfer rate is taken account in the simulations. The channel is included with several active pipes with hot and cold temperatures. Furthermore, the external curved and sinusoidal walls have cold and hot temperatures, respectively.

Findings
Three different tilt angles are considered with similar boundary and operating conditions. The Rayleigh numbers, solid volume fraction of CuO nanoparticles in the pure water and the tilt angles are the governing parameters. Different cases studies, such as streamlines, heat transfer rate, local and total entropy generation and heatlines, are analysed under influences of these governing parameters.

Originality/value
The originality of this work is investigation of fluid flow, heat transfer and entropy generation within a nanofluid filled channel using FVM.
The impact of innovation strategies on the relationship between supplier integration and operational performance
Authors: Duhaylongsod Jose Benedicto , De Giovanni Pietro 
Published: December 2018

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to investigate whether implementing certain innovation strategies and adopting a portfolio of innovations improve the relationship between supplier integration (SI) and operational performance (OP).Design/methodology/approachThe authors test several research hypotheses by using a data set of 173 firms. Data were collected by interviewing managers, presidents and directors, from ten European countries and across nine different industries. The authors use structural equation modeling to estimate the relationships between SI and OP. The authors apply multi-group analysis to test the effects of certain innovation strategies and a portfolio of innovations on these relationships.FindingsThe authors show that SI improves internal OP but has no direct effect on external OP. The latter can only be improved through well-performing internal operations. The adoption of an incremental product innovation strategy improves the relationship between internal and external OP and leads to more effective SI. Other types of innovations do not help in improving the impact of SI on OP. Finally, the adoption of a portfolio of innovations does not enhance the influence of SI on OP. Thus, firms should focus on a small number of innovations rather than expanding their innovation portfolio to improve the effectiveness of SI on OP.Practical implicationsWhen firms aim to improve the impact of SI on OP, they should concentrate on incremental product innovations. Other strategies obtained by combining process, incremental and radical innovations are not adequate for that purpose. An expanded portfolio of innovations does not improve the effect of supplier innovation on OP.Originality/valueThis research suggests how the impact of SI on OP can be improved by adopting certain innovation strategies and without diversifying the portfolio of innovation projects.
Performance indicators of public private partnership in Bangladesh
Authors: Hossain Mohammad , Guest Ross , Smith Christine 
Published: December 2018

Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to develop weights of key performance areas (KPAs) and performance indicators for public private partnerships (PPPs) in Bangladesh. Since a variety of PPP arrangements is observable, different performance measurement approaches exist in the literature. However, analysing the relative importance of indicators influencing the performance score of particular projects using the perspective of developing countries remains unexplored.

Design/methodology/approach
The authors’ method involves application of the analytical hierarchy process (AHP) to develop weights for eight KPAs for which 41 contributing performance indicators have been developed. In total, 68 respondents (62 per cent of the PPP practitioners in Bangladesh) participated in a structured questionnaire survey and their judgements have been found to be consistent, using consistency ratios, a geometric consistency index and one-way ANOVA test.

Findings
“Feasibility analysis”, “life cycle evaluation and monitoring” and “optimal risk allocation” are the most significant performance indicators in Bangladesh. “Financing” is the most important KPA, followed by “planning and initiation” and “transparency and accountability”. Interestingly, unlike the cost, time and quality measures of the public sector comparator analysis used in most developed countries, a different set of indicators and KPAs are found dominant.

Research limitations/implications
This suggests that performance indicators and their weights may differ for developing countries. Future research could usefully focus on testing this model in different countries and applying it to derive performance scores for individual PPPs.

Originality/value
An application of AHP in determining weights of the performance indicators represents a major contribution to the literature on PPP performance measurement in the developing countries including Bangladesh.
Methodology for application of Maynard Operation Sequence Technique (MOST) for time-driven activity-based costing (TDABC)
Authors: Ganorkar Ashwin Bhimrao , Lakhe Ramesh R. , Agrawal Kamalkishor N. 
Published: December 2018

Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to present a procedure to implement time-driven activity-based costing (TDABC) using Maynard Operation Sequence Technique (MOST). In this paper three research questions are addressed: How can MOST be used to frame time equations? How can MOST be used for the improvement of productivity? How can TDABC cost information be used?

Design/methodology/approach
Case study research was performed at a manufacturing industry. Data have been collected for overhead distribution. The overhead cost was distributed on activity. Time equations are framed using MOST. Cost of activity is assigned to the product using time equations.

Findings
The proposed system simplifies the process of implementation of TDABC using MOST. This system not only determines the cost but also identifies the area where cost is consumed. It also identifies opportunity for productivity improvement.

Research limitations/implications
The case study was conducted in a manufacturing industry. The proposed methodology is suitable for manufacturing industry where standard work procedure is adapted.

Practical implications
The study explains the implementation of TDABC using MOST using a case study and results are meticulously discussed from a management point of view for appropriate decision making.

Originality/value
Besides the articles published so far dealing with the implementation of TDABC, no research was found on the implementation of TDABC using MOST.
Bootstrapped operating efficiency in container ports: a case study in Spain and Portugal
Authors: Gil Ropero Antonio , Turias Dominguez Ignacio , Cerbán Jiménez Maria del Mar 
Published: December 2018

Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to evaluate the functioning of the main Spanish and Portuguese containers ports to observe if they are operating below their production capabilities.

Design/methodology/approach
To achieve the above-mentioned objective, one possible method is to calculate the data envelopment analysis (DEA) efficiency, and the scale efficiency (SE) of targets, and in order to consider the variability across different samples, a bootstrap scheme has been applied.

Findings
The results showed that the DEA bootstrap-based approach can not only select a suitable unit which accords with a port’s actual input capabilities, but also provides a more accurate result. The bootstrapped results indicate that all ports do not need to develop future investments to expand port infrastructure.

Practical implications
The proposed DEA bootstrap-based approach provides useful implications in the robust measurement of port efficiency considering different samples. The study proves the usefulness of this approach as a decision-making tool in port efficiency.

Originality/value
This study is one of the first studies to apply bootstrap to measure port efficiency under the background of the Spain and Portugal case. In the first stage, two models of DEA have been used to obtain the pure technical, and the technical and SE, and both the input-oriented options: constant return scale and variable return scale. In the second stage, the bootstrap method has been applied in order to determine efficiency rankings of Iberian Peninsula container ports taking into consideration different samples. Confidence interval estimates of efficiency for each port are reported. This paper provides useful insights into the application of a DEA bootstrap-based approach as a modeling tool to aid decision making in measuring port efficiency.
Engaging m-commerce adopters in India
Authors: Pandey Shweta , Chawla Deepak 
Published: December 2018

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to identify the impact of factors derived from the unified theory of user acceptance of technology (performance expectancy, effort expectancy, social influence, facilitating conditions, age, gender) and of those drawn from literature (perceived risk, perceived enjoyment and innovativeness) on the adoption of m-commerce in India. It also suggests implications of these for the consumer behavior theory practitioners and marketers.Design/methodology/approachData were collected using an online survey from 321 respondents, split into two groups (high and low adoption level users) based on the usage scores of the four categories of m-commerce- location-based, transaction-based, entertainment and content delivery. Logistic regression technique was used to identify the prominent factors among the nine identified influencers to understand the differences between the two groups.FindingsThe findings of this paper are sample biasness, self-reported m-commerce adoption level, limited m-commerce categories and specific context.Research limitations/implicationsExcept the two factors of performance expectancy and facilitating conditions, all other variables discriminate between low and high adoption levels of m-commerce services in India. Social influence, perceived enjoyment and innovativeness were the three main factors that were found to have the most significant impact on the discrimination levels of m-commerce service users in India. Further, it was found that women and the younger generation users of m-commerce showed a greater propensity for adopting m-commerce practices.Practical implicationsMarketers need to focus on key factors like social influence, perceived enjoyment, perceived risk and effort expectancy to persuade the young and innovative consumer target groups increase their adoption of m-commerce services.Originality/valueThis is the first study of its kind to explore factors that distinguish users with low and high levels of m-commerce adoption, by taking into consideration all four categories of m-commerce (transaction-based, content delivery, location-based and entertainment). In doing so, it highlights the need for marketers to focus on factors beyond facilitating conditions and performance expectancy, to enhance the adoption of m-commerce practices.
The research of human individual’s conformity behavior in emergency situations
Authors: Chen Min 
Published: December 2018

PurposeThe purpose of this paper (including three studies) is to investigate the idea that individuals in an emergency situation experience significantly a higher level of emotional activation, lower performance of task, and change in decision making, escaping behavior and conformity as compared to being in a non-emergency situation. It is also suggested that the level of emotional activation mediates the association between situation and the performance of task.Design/methodology/approachStudy 1 was an experimental study with 43 university students and revealed that different situations induced different levels of emotional activation and they are positively and significantly related. Study 2 was a further exploration of study 1, in which 49 participants were asked to watch a recomposed video telling a reasonable story about escaping from the emergency and complete several tasks associated with two kinds of situations (non-emergency vs emergency). In study 3, 168 participants, randomly assigned to three groups, were asked to work on judgment tasks with different numbers of options.FindingsResults revealed that individuals in an emergency situation experience significantly lower performance of task and higher conformity tendency than in a non-emergency situation. Also, the causal effect of the situation on the performance of task is mediated by the level of emotional activation. Moreover, results found that the performance of task is also a mediator between the level of emotional activation and conformity. Result showed that the number of choices is negatively related to conformity, and performance is a mediator between the number of choices and conformity.Originality/valueThis paper suggested that the level of emotional activation mediates the association between situation and the performance of task.
Multi-response optimization in environment friendly turning of AISI 304 austenitic stainless steel
Authors: Singh Talwinder , Dureja J.S. , Dogra Manu , Bhatti Manpreet S. 
Published: December 2018

Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to investigate the influence of turning parameters such as cutting speed, feed rate and depth of cut on tool flank wear and machined surface quality of AISI 304 stainless steel during environment friendly turning under nanofluid minimum quantity lubrication (NMQL) conditions using PVD-coated carbide cutting inserts.

Design/methodology/approach
Turning experiments are conducted as per the central composite rotatable design under the response surface methodology. ANOVA and regression analysis are employed to examine significant cutting parameters and develop mathematical models for VB (tool flank wear) and Ra (surface roughness). Multi-response desirability optimization approach is used to investigate optimum turning parameters for simultaneously minimizing VB and Ra.

Findings
Optimal input turning parameters are observed as follows: cutting speed: 168.06 m/min., feed rate: 0.06 mm/rev. and depth of cut: 0.25 mm with predicted optimal output response factors: VB: 106.864 µm and Ra: 0.571 µm at the 0.753 desirability level. ANOVA test reveals depth of cut and cutting speed-feed rate interaction as statistically significant factors influencing tool flank wear, whereas cutting speed is a dominating factor affecting surface roughness. Confirmation tests show 5.70 and 3.71 percent error between predicted and experimental examined values of VB and Ra, respectively.

Research limitations/implications
AISI 304 is a highly consumed grade of stainless steel in aerospace components, chemical equipment, nuclear industry, pressure vessels, food processing equipment, paper industry, etc. However, AISI 304 stainless steel is considered as a difficult-to-cut material because of its high strength, rapid work hardening and low heat conductivity. This leads to lesser tool life and poor surface finish. Consequently, the optimization of machining parameters is necessary to minimize tool wear and surface roughness. The results obtained in this research can be used as turning database for the above-mentioned industries for attaining a better machined surface quality and tool performance under environment friendly machining conditions.

Practical implications
Turning of AISI 304 stainless steel under NMQL conditions results in environment friendly machining process by maintaining a dry, healthy, clean and pollution free working area.

Originality/value
Machining of AISI 304 stainless steel under vegetable oil-based NMQL conditions has not been investigated previously.
Telling tales: unlocking the potential of AAC technologies
Authors: Waller Annalu 
Published: December 2018

AbstractAugmentative and alternative communication (AAC) has been transformed by the social media revolution made possible by the emergence of mobile technology. The cumbersome dedicated devices of the 1970s have evolved into a burgeoning AAC app industry. However, the limited use and abandonment of AAC technologies remains high. Unlocking the untapped potential of technology requires a paradigm shift in the design of AAC technologies by building systems that minimize the cognitive load placed on users, adapting to their individual physical and language needs. Telling Tales shares insights and stories of how the combination of user‐centred design, interdisciplinary research and the application of intelligent computing is providing a vision of future generations of AAC technologies.