bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
A data envelopment analysis (DEA) model for building energy benchmarking
Authors: Ashuri Baabak , Wang Jun , Shahandashti Mohsen , Baek Minsoo 
Published: April 2019

Purpose
Building energy benchmarking is required for adopting an energy certification scheme, promoting energy efficiency and reducing energy consumption. It demonstrates the current level of energy consumption, the value of potential energy improvement and the prospects for additional savings. This paper aims to create a new data envelopment analysis (DEA) model that overcomes the limitations of existing models for building energy benchmarking.

Design/methodology/approach
Data preparation: the findings of the literature search and subject matter experts’ inputs are used to construct the DEA model. Particularly, it is ensured that the included variables would not violate the fundamental assumption of DEA modeling, DEA convexity axiom. New DEA formulation: controllable and non-controllable variables, e.g. weather conditions, are differentiated in the new formulation. A new approach is used to identify outliers to avoid skewing the efficiency scores for the rest of the buildings under consideration. Efficiency analysis: three distinct efficiencies are computed and analyzed in benchmarking building energy: overall, pure technical, and scale efficiency.

Findings
The proposed DEA approach is successfully applied to a data set provided by a utility management and energy services company that is active in the multifamily housing industry. Building characteristics and energy consumption of 124 multifamily properties in 15 different states in the USA are found in the data set. Buildings in this data set are benchmarked using the new DEA energy benchmarking formulation. Building energy benchmarking is also conducted in a time series manner showing how a particular building performs across the period of 12 months compared with its peers.

Originality/value
The proposed research contributes to the body of knowledge in building energy benchmarking through developing a new outlier detection method to mitigate the impact of super-efficient and super-inefficient buildings on skewing the efficiency scores of the other buildings; avoiding ratio variables in the DEA formulation to adhere to the convexity assumption that existing DEA methods do not follow; and distinguishing between controllable and non-controllable variables in the DEA formulation. This research contributes to the state of practice through providing a new energy benchmarking tool for facility managers and building owners that strive to relatively rank the energy-efficiency of their properties and identify low-performing properties as investment targets to enhance energy efficiency.
Realism and rhetoric in the evaluation of a new care model
Authors: Grimwood Tom 
Published: April 2019

Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to discuss the methodological challenges to evaluating one of the 50 vanguard sites of the new care model (NCM) programme for integrated care in England, and make the case for a modified realist approach to this kind of evaluation.

Design/methodology/approach
The paper considers three challenges to evaluating the NCM in this particular vanguard: complexity, strategy and rhetoric. It reflects on how the realist approach negotiates these philosophical challenges to delivering integrated care, in order to provide contextualised accounts of who a programme works for, in what context, and why.

Findings
The paper argues that, in the case of this particular vanguard site, the tangible benefit of the realist approach was not in providing a firm epistemological basis for evaluation, but rather in drawing out and articulating the ontological rhetoric of such large-scale transformation programmes. By understanding the work of the NCM less as an objective “system”, and more as a dynamic form of persuasion, aimed at securing the “adherence of minds” (Perelman and Olbrechts-Tyteca, 2008, p. 8) in multiple audiences, the paper suggests that realist evaluation can be used to address both the systematic issues and localised successes the NCMs encountered.

Originality/value
The paper identifies a number of aspects of new models of integrated care for evaluators to consider. It offers ways of negotiating the challenges to conventional outcome-focused evaluation, by drawing attention to the need for contextualised, time-situated and audience-sensitive value of NCMs.
Evaluating the dimensionality of an instrument for measuring the factors affecting academic performance of international business students in project management modules
Authors: Yousef Darwish Abdulrahamn 
Published: April 2019

Purpose
This study aims to evaluate the dimensionality of an instrument developed by Lebcir et al. to measure the impact of teaching style, English language and communication skills and assessment methods on the academic performance of international business students in project management modules.

Design/methodology/approach
Data were collected from two independent samples drawn from the United Arab Emirates (UAE); the first sample consisted of 581 undergraduate business students from a public higher education institution, while the second sample consisted of 188 undergraduate business students from a private higher education institution. Confirmatory factor and principal component analyses were employed; additionally, Cronbach’s alpha was used to test the internal consistency of the instrument.

Findings
The results showed that for both samples, the validity of measurement of all three factors by Lebcir and colleagues instrument was not confirmed. Therefore, caution should be taken when using this instrument, at least in Arab settings.

Research limitations/implications
The present study has a number of limitations. The statistical techniques used in the present study might not be sufficient to judge the validity of Lebcir et al.’s (2008) instrument. For example, test-retest technique could be used to test the reliability of this instrument. This study has a number of implications, one of which is that those administrators who intend to use the recommendations of research works based on the three factors of Lebcir et al.’s (2008) instrument in Arab settings should be cautious, as such recommendations might be misleading in such settings.

Originality/value
The present study is the first attempt to validate Lebcir et al.’s instrument in an Arab setting.
Leadership and the significance of formalized organizational structures
Authors: Langhof Jan Gunter , Güldenberg Stefan 
Published: April 2019

Purpose
Management literature commonly suggests authoritarian leadership (AL) as the ideal leadership style during crises and extreme situations. This study aims to question this view, exploring servant leadership (SL) as an alternative.

Design/methodology/approach
In the field of leadership research, surveys and interviews are the most dominant research methods. In light of this dominance, this paper draws on a rather unorthodox research approach: a historical examination.

Findings
The elaborations in this paper suggest that SL exerts a higher influence on followers than AL, when organizational structures are absent or disregarded. Consequently, the higher influence of SL implies a lower need for regulations and directives within organizations.

Practical implications
Bureaucracy and red tape can be reduced. Particularly in situations of crises, SL’s relatively reduced reliance on formalized organizational structures can be advantageous to leaders.

Originality/value
The relationship among leadership (SL and AL) and formalized organizational structures is elaborated and illustrated in a historical examination.
Antidiabetic effect of milk fermented using intestinal probiotics
Authors: Widodo Widodo , Harsita Pradiptya Ayu , Sukarno Ari Surya , Nurrochmad Arief 
Published: April 2019

Purpose
Diabetes is a chronic metabolic disease that accounted for 6 per cent of total Indonesian deaths in 2016. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the ability of milk fermented using intestinal origin Lactobacillus casei strains to alleviate hyperglycemia in rats.

Design/methodology/approach
L. casei strains AP and AG were previously isolated and identified from feces of breastfed Indonesian infants (<1 month-old) and confirmed to be probiotics in vitro. These strains were used as bacterial starters to ferment milk, and the fermented product was fed to 25 diabetic rats for 15 days; metformin was used as a positive control. Blood glucose concentration, lipid profiles and total lactic acid bacteria counts were analyzed before and after treatment.

Findings
The results showed that feeding rats with milk fermented using L. casei strain AP decreased blood glucose concentration from 172.4 ± 2.1 to 147.2 ± 6.0 mg/dL (p < 0.05), whereas metformin reduced blood glucose concentration from 173.5 ± 6.5 to 124.2 ± 16.9 mg/dL (p < 0.05). Feeding milk fermented either L. casei AP or AG decreased low density lipoprotein but increased high density lipoprotein levels (p < 0.05).

Research limitations/implications
This research finding is expected to increase the development of fermented dairy products as functional food, solutions for the prevention of hyperglycemia diseases which have a higher risk to occur on humans.

Practical implications
Further study is needed to examine the effect of L. casei AP-fermented milk on humans with hyperglycemia.

Social implications
This research finding is expected to increase the development of fermented dairy products as functional food.

Originality/value
Oral administration of L. casei AP-fermented milk reduced hyperglycemia in rats similar to metformin. Further study is needed to examine the effect of L. casei AP-fermented milk on humans with hyperglycemia.
Energy drinks: health effects and consumer safety
Authors: Kaur Jaspreet , Kumar Vikas , Goyal Ankit , Tanwar Beenu , Gat Yogesh , Prasad Rasane , Suri Sheenam 
Published: April 2019

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to explore the health effects and safety aspects regarding the consumption of energy drink (ED).Design/methodology/approachA wide variety of publications was identified through electronic databases (ScienceDirect, PubMed, SciELO, Google Scholar, Link springer and ResearchGate) on the basis of different keyword such as composition, market status, consumption pattern, health effects, consequences and policies related to ED consumption.FindingsOwing to its popularity, various brands of EDs have been introduced in the market along with a wide variety of modifications to attract the consumers of all age groups. EDs comprise majorly active ingredients such as caffeine, taurine, guarana, L-carnitine and glucoronolactone, ginseng and sweeteners. EDs are well known to have good taste, enhance energy levels, physical alertness and performance, but they also pose risk of certain health hazards, i.e. caffeine intoxication. Because of this, different policies have been formulated by various regulatory bodies of respective countries regarding the composition, labelling, distribution and sale of EDs.Originality/valueThis review will provide a brief overview of composition, market status, consumption pattern, health effects, consequences and policies related to ED consumption.
Effect of hybridization on properties of hemp-carbon fibre-reinforced hybrid polymer composites using experimental and finite element analysis
Authors: Ramesh M. , Deepa C. , Arpitha G.R. , Gopinath V. 
Published: April 2019

Purpose
In the recent years, the industries show interest in natural and synthetic fibre-reinforced hybrid composites due to weight reduction and environmental reasons. The purpose of this experimental study is to investigate the properties of the hybrid composites fabricated by using carbon, untreated and alkaline-treated hemp fibres.

Design/methodology/approach
The composites were tested for strengths under tensile, flexural, impact and shear loadings, and the water absorption characteristics were also observed. The finite element analysis (FEA) was carried out to analyse the elastic behaviour of the composites and predict the strength by using ANSYS 15.0.

Findings
From the experimental results, it is observed that the hybrid composites can withstand the maximum tensile strength of 61.4 MPa, flexural strength of 122.4 MPa, impact strength of 4.2 J/mm2 and shear strength of 25.5 MPa. From the FEA results, it is found that the maximum stress during tensile, flexural and impact loading is 47.5, 2.1 and 1.03 MPa, respectively.

Originality/value
The results of the untreated and alkaline-treated hemp-carbon fibre composites were compared and found that the alkaline-treated composites perform better in terms of mechanical properties. Then, the ANSYS-predicted values were compared with the experimental results, and it was found that there is a high correlation occurs between the untreated and alkali-treated hemp-carbon fibre composites. The internal structure of the broken surfaces of the composite samples was analysed using a scanning electron microscopy (SEM) analysis.
Performance comparison of coated carbide tool under different cooling/lubrication environments during face milling of Inconel-625 and Stainless Steel 304
Authors: Singh Pragat , Dureja J.S. , Singh Harwinder , Bhatti Manpreet S. 
Published: April 2019

PurposeThis study aims to use nanofluid-based minimum quantity lubrication (NMQL) technique to minimize the use of cutting fluids in machining of Inconel-625 and Stainless Steel 304 (SS-304) (Ni-Cr alloys).Design/methodology/approachMachining of Ni-Cr-based alloys is very challenging as these exhibit lower thermal conductivity and rapid work hardening. So, these cannot be machined dry, and a suitable cutting fluid has to be used. To improve the thermal conductivity of cutting fluid, multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) were added to the soybean oil and used with MQL. This study attempts to compare tool wear of coated carbide inserts during face milling of Inconel-625 and SS-304 under dry, flooded and NMQL conditions. The machining performance of both materials, i.e. Inconel-625 and SS-304, has been compared on the basis of tool wear behavior evaluated using scanning electron microscopy-energy dispersive spectroscopy.FindingsThe results indicate higher tool wear and lower tool life during machining of Inconel-625 as compared to SS-304. Machining of Inconel-625 exhibited non-consistent tool wear behavior. The tool failure modes experienced during dry machining are discrete fracture, cracks, etc., which are completely eliminated with the use of NMQL machining. In addition, less adhesion wear and abrasion marks are noticed as compared to dry and flooded machining, thereby enhancing the tool life.Research limitations/implicationsInconel-625 and SS-304 have specific applications in aircraft and aerospace industry, where sculptured surfaces of the turbine blades are machined. The results of current investigation will provide a rich data base for effective machining of both materials under variety of machining conditions.Originality/valueThe literature review indicated that majority of research work on MQL machining has been carried out to explore machining of Ni-Cr alloys such as Inconel 718, Inconel 800, AISI4340, AISI316, AISI1040, AISI430, titanium alloys, hardened steel alloys and Al alloys. Few researchers have explored the suitability of nanofluids and vegetable oil-based cutting fluids in metal cutting operation. However, no literature is available on face milling using nanoparticle-based MQL during machining Inconel-625 and SS-304. Therefore, experimental investigation was conducted to examine the machining performance of NMQL during face milling of Inconel-625 and SS-304 by using soybean oil (vegetable oil) with MWCNTs to achieve ecofriendly machining.
Downregulation of PTPN18 can inhibit proliferation and metastasis and promote apoptosis of endometrial cancer
Authors: Cai Junhong , Huang Sizhe , Yi Yuping , Bao Shan 
Published: April 2019

AbstractEndometrial cancer is one of the chief culprits threatening women's lives. Although numerous epidemiological experiments have been carried out into the aetiology of endometrial cancer, the cause of the disease has been unclear up to now. In recent years, PTPN18, a member of the protein tyrosine phosphatases (PTP) family predicted to be tumour suppressors or oncogenes, has been confirmed to participate in the occurrence and progression of many cancers. Few studies, however, have explained the role in the endometrial cancer. So, it caught our attention to explore if PTPN18 participates in and plays a regulatory role in the proliferation, apoptosis, and metastasis of endometrial cancer. In our results, we found that PTPN18 was overexpressed in endometrial cancer tissue compared to paracancerous tissue by immunohistochemistry. Not only that, silencing of PTPN18 in endometrial cancer cell lines (HEC‐1‐A and HEC‐1‐B) can significantly impair proliferation detected by CCK8 assay and flow cytometry (FCM) analyses and inhibit the metastasis of endometrial cancer cells shown by the scratch test and the Transwell experiment. PTPN18 knockdown can promote the apoptosis of endometrial cancer. In addition, nude mice tumour formation assay confirmed the results in vivo. Although the exact function of PTPN18 in endometrial cancer is unclear, the targeted therapy drugs enhancing PTPN18 may be considered in the future treatment of endometrial carcinoma.
‘Come together?’ Citizens and civil servants dialogue and trust
Authors: Güemes Cecilia , Resina Jorge 
Published: April 2019

AbstractTrust is a key element in the co‐creation of solution for public problems. Working together is a gradual learning exercise that helps to shape emotions and attitudes and to create the foundations of trust. However, little is known about how institutions can promote trust. With the intention of going deeper into the subject, this paper focuses on a local experience in Spain: Madrid Escucha, a City Council initiative aimed at stimulating dialogue between officials and citizens around projects to improve city life. Three are our questions: who participate in these spaces, how the interactions are, and what advances are achieved. Based on qualitative research, empirical findings confirm a biased participation in this kind of scenarios as well as the presence of prejudices on both sides, an interaction characterised by initial idealism followed by discouragement and a possible readjustment, and a final satisfaction with the process even when results are not successful.
Effects of simulated sample sizes on mortality estimates—Protocol for a study in 3 randomised ICU trials
Authors: Kofoed A. , Perner A. , Marker S. , Haase N. , Holst L. B. , Møller M. H. 
Published: April 2019

BackgroundAn increasing number of trials are stopped earlier than originally planned. It has been suggested that trials stopped pre‐maturely overestimate the treatment effect. With the outlined observational study, we aim to simulate the results of stopping trials before they reach their planned sample size to assess the effects on mortality estimates.Methods and statisticsBased on 3 international, randomised clinical trials (RCTs) in critical care: Scandinavian Starch for Severe Sepsis and Septic Shock (6S) trial, the Transfusion Requirements in Septic Shock (TRISS) trial and the Stress Ulcer Prophylaxis in the Intensive Care Unit (SUP‐ICU) trial, we will estimate relative risks with 95% confidence intervals for the primary outcome 90‐day mortality after the inclusion of each individual patient in each RCT. This will be presented graphically with the primary outcome as a function of the number of included patients.DiscussionThe outlined study will provide important knowledge about the effects of stopping critical care trials early. This may have important implications for patients, relatives, clinicians, researchers, guideline committee members and policy makers.Ethics and disseminationWe will use data from consenting patients enrolled in RCTs approved by the relevant ethical committees; this study requires no further permissions. We will report the results in accordance with the Strengthening the Reporting of Observational Studies in Epidemiology (STROBE) statement and submit the final approved manuscript to a peer‐reviewed journal.
Population status and habitat preference of Soemmerring’s gazelle in Alledeghi Wildlife Reserve, Eastern Ethiopia
Authors: Mamo Mekoya , Gure Abdella , Kebede Fanuel , Abie Kassahun , Asefa Addisu 
Published: April 2019

AbstractThis study was undertaken to determine the current population size, structure and habitat preference of Soemmerring's gazelle [Nanger soemmerringii (Cretzschmar 1828)] in the Alledeghi Wildlife Reserve, NE Ethiopia. Animals were counted, both during dry and wet seasons, along 12 line transects each in three habitat types (grassland, tree‐scattered grassland and bushland) in 2015/16. Habitat type had nonsignificant effect on mean population density of Soemmerring's gazelle, but wet season mean density was significantly higher than dry season mean density. Estimated weighted mean (±95% CI) population density of the species in the reserve was 1.90 (±0.17) and 5.99 (±0.370) individuals/km2 during the dry and wet seasons, respectively. Total population size of the species in the Alledeghi Wildlife Reserve was estimated at 826 ± 77 and 2,562 ± 158 individuals during the dry and wet seasons, respectively. Over half of the total population of Soemmerring's gazelle was represented by adult females during both seasons. Seasonal habitat preference of Soemmerring's gazelle was statistically significant, with greater preference for grassland habitat during wet season and for bushland habitat during dry season. In conclusion, this study has provided valuable data that will be used as a baseline for future population monitoring.
Remotely sensed C3 and C4 grass species aboveground biomass variability in response to seasonal climate and topography
Authors: Shoko Cletah , Mutanga Onisimo , Dube Timothy 
Published: April 2019

AbstractSeasonal climate and topography influence C3 and C4 grass species aboveground biomass (AGB). Climate change further threatens these grasses AGB, thereby compromising their ability to provide ecosystem goods and services. This emphasises the need to monitor their AGB for well‐informed management. New‐generation sensors, with improved resolution capabilities present an opportunity to explore C3 and C4 AGB. This study therefore investigated the response of remotely sensed C3 and C4 grasses AGB to seasonal climate and topography. Overall, the spatial and temporal responses of AGB due to seasonal climate and topography were observed across the study area. For example, in March, a marked increase in C4 AGB was associated with an increase in rainfall, with the highest significant positive relationship (R2 = 0.82, p < 0.005). Elevation had very significant positive relationship (R2 = 0.84; p < 0.005) with C3 and highest negative (R2 = −0.77; p < 0.005) with C4 AGB. During the winter fall, AGB significantly decreased from averages of 2.592 and 1.101 kg/m2 in winter (May), to 0.718 and 0.469 kg/m2 in August, for C3 and C4 grasses, respectively. These findings provide a key step in monitoring rangelands and assessing management practices to boost productivity.