bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Projecting futuristic scenarios for Indian Railway Security System (IRSS) using fuzzy dominance and contingency planning
Authors: Srivastava Anoop , Gaur Sant Kumar , Swami Sanjeev , Banwet Devinder Kumar 
Published: December 2017

Purpose
Physical security has remained an important reason for, and the consequence of, societal living. In recent times, the threat potential and the risks of loss and damage due to criminal activities have increased substantially. In Indian Railways, it is being increasingly felt that efficient security management is inevitable for the development and sustainability of desired state of affairs. The purpose of this paper is to address the broad goal of achieving optimal strategies for minimizing security threats to Indian Railway Security System (IRSS).

Design/methodology/approach
The authors use two forecasting techniques, namely, Delphi technique and Harva method, whose joint approach allows the authors to use both quantifiable (Delphi technique) and linguistic (Harva method) data. The choice of the two approaches provides a multi-method approach to the research problem.

Findings
Predicted trend toward the expected scenario in 2020 has more or less matched with the actual developments for improvement in security scenario of Indian Railways. The positive indications are that there is an improving trend, which is expected to lead to a much better state of affairs with certain inputs.

Research limitations/implications
The joint approach of Delphi technique and Harva method is a multi-method example of original research work in the railway security, which can also be implemented in other security settings, such as aviation or marine security. A replication of the exercise closer to the target date will throw light on the exact state of affairs in the area of railway security in India.

Practical implications
An outcome in consonance with the present exercise has been the implementation of the policy developed on the basis of the forecasts. Policy efforts initiated in the recent past have been consistent with the features discussed in the study. From the above indicators, it can be inferred that some of the policy initiatives taken are in line with the trend status as predicted by the Delphi exercise.

Social implications
Security has been considered as an important reason, as well as a consequence, of living in a society. It has been perceived as the condition of being protected against danger or loss, and also refers to the freedom from exposure to danger (protection), implying a feeling of assurance against danger. Research work in this area, thus, has strong social welfare implications. This is particularly so as the area of security gained importance, not only in India, but also across the world.

Originality/value
The present study is the first of its kind in the area of railway security using systems approach. The approach used is quite generic and can also be implemented in other security settings, such as aviation or marine security.
Lean-Kaizen implementation
Authors: Kumar Sunil , Dhingra Ashwani , Singh Bhim 
Published: December 2017

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to present a road map to implement Lean-Kaizen concept using value stream mapping (VSM) to identify hidden continuous improvement opportunities in a small and medium-sized enterprise (SME) located at the non-capital region of India.Design/methodology/approachFrom the collected data, a current state map was prepared that indicated the current operating situation of selected SME. The takt time was calculated and those processes which attained higher cycle time (C/T) than takt time were identified. The continuous flow processing was achieved by adjusting C/T of each process and supermarket pull system was developed to control the production at the workstations. Finally, a future state map was developed that served as a guide for future lean activities. Few problems were identified to realize the future state. The “5-why” analysis was used for identifying root causes of these problems and Kaizen events were proposed as solutions. In this case study, one Kaizen event was identified in which brainstorming technique was used to control the variation caused by unorthodox fixture design for clamping and de-clamping of case product and thus eliminated non-value-added activities performed by the operator on a milling machine.FindingsBefore and after implementation of value stream map, the data obtained were analyzed and eliminated rework time, reduced inventory level, reduced lead time and C/T, improved productivity and product quality are presented as finding. Lean-Kaizen provides a better chance for every individual of the industry to have a hand in achieving organization’s goals to attain continuous progress in productivity and quality of the product. Even good understanding of the concept of lean tools and techniques by SMEs, the employee willingness and motivation to identify and eliminate wastes are found feeble.Originality/valueThis study is among best practices to identify hidden improvement opportunities in the regular production of the product to increase productivity and improve quality using value stream map. The research paper gives useful understandings to the lean implementers, Kaizen identifiers, consultants and researchers.
SWOT analysis of Jamaican academic libraries in higher education
Authors: Harris Sasekea Yoneka 
Published: December 2017

Purpose
Academic libraries do not operate in a vacuum; they must co-exist with change and competition on all levels. In order to succeed, they must know their internal strengths in order to take advantage of opportunities, whilst avoiding threats and addressing weaknesses. A SWOT analysis of Jamaican academic libraries can yield strategic insights for academic library praxis in Jamaica, the Caribbean, and the globe. The paper aims to discuss these issues.

Design/methodology/approach
Survey and discussion group were engaged for the five local academic libraries in higher education in Jamaica.

Findings
Human resources and support are the most recurrent themes in the reported strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats.

Research limitations/implications
This paper focused on local academic libraries in higher education (university level) in Jamaica. A survey of academic libraries at all levels, and using more detailed strategic analytical tools, would be a useful follow up.

Practical implications
This paper provides academic library managers and the national/regional library associations with a situational analysis of Jamaican academic librarianship, which can be used to inform future planning and management of library and information services. Additionally, the findings can inform the Latin America and Caribbean section of international library documents on trends, issues and future position of academic libraries globally.

Originality/value
This paper is of value as it is the first published scholarly documentation on the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats in academic librarianship in Jamaica. In this regard, it makes a useful contribution to the dearth of literature on SWOT analyses of academic libraries per country. It may also represent a starting point for looking at solutions and emerging challenges in a Caribbean academic library environment and should help to focus on the need for continuing innovation.
Blended learning
Authors: Keisling Bruce 
Published: December 2017

PurposeBecause many colleges and universities have growing numbers of students in online and blended programs, libraries should adapt their services and adjust their organizational structures to support them. Students have adopted blended learning programs whether or not the programs are officially designed as blended programs. Libraries need to change their service orientation in response and learn to scale services using available technologies. Scaling services and personnel resources also requires developing a scalable organizational learning culture. The paper aims to discuss these issues.Design/methodology/approachUsing a change in support for online/distance students and organizational restructuring in Ekstrom Library at the University of Louisville as a case study, this paper examines the review process, organizational restructuring, and focus on scaling services that resulted in a new service model.FindingsThis study found that scaling services as applied to IT and business organizations is also valuable as an approach in enhancing library services to online students. Changing user needs must be correlated with available organizational resources and technological solutions to deliver appropriate services. Modifying and building services with a goal of scaling them to appropriate levels will enhance library outcomes.Research limitations/implicationsOther case studies concerned with responding to changing student expectations and scaling services and organizational resources would be useful to add to these findings.Originality/valueThe perspectives and approach described in this case study will be instructive for adapting library services to changing user environments.
Using data to strategically deploy staffing resources
Authors: Williams Michael 
Published: December 2017

Purpose
The environmentally controlled library warehouse stores ten million collection items and its team of staff provides a delivery service to the students and researchers. Statistics show that the demand for the service was much higher than the forecast at the design stage and, as a result, the operationally intensive environment had bottlenecks and backlogs, which were affecting the service-level agreements. It was clear that the staffing levels were inadequate to meet the demand, so there was a need to capture data to enable evidence-based decision making to restructure and supplement staffing. The paper aims to discuss these issues.

Design/methodology/approach
Each of the activities undertaken by staff were observed and timed over extended periods, which resulted in detailed measurements for each elemental task. On the basis of known demand for services, the author was able to extrapolate these measurements to model the demand on services and, therefore, the staffing requirement for a whole year.

Findings
The author was able to provide evidence to show that the levels of staffing were inadequate and two further full-time equivalent staff were required. The data also highlighted specific areas that required higher and lower levels of resourcing than those were currently provided.

Originality/value
The research was motivated by operational need in an environment where meeting service-level agreements is a key performance indicator. The methods can be applied to many library activities and are especially applicable to repetitive or high-intensity tasks. It is equally valuable in library operations where there is a perception that staffing levels are inadequate but it is not clear how additional staffing should be deployed.
Performance auditing in Germany concerning environmental issues
Authors: Weihrich Dietmar 
Published: December 2017

PurposeThis paper aims to provide knowledge concerning performance auditing by examining the implementation in Germany. The text shows how the principles of performance auditing are implemented in Germany. The German approach is special because the international standards are not implemented in Germany, and there are neither any existing scientific studies nor any other literature concerning performance audit in Germany.Design/methodology/approachThe study comprises a general discussion of the goals and boundaries of performance auditing with an environmental perspective based on a literature study. The text also describes the theoretical, legal and methodological background of performance audits in Germany. Findings concerning the status quo of performance auditing in Germany are based on an analysis of audits conducted by public audit institutions. The findings were compared with findings from other current international studies.FindingsThe sample of scrutinized audits conducted by the public audit institutions shows clearly that the provisions of the German Federal Budget Code had been fully implemented. In nearly every study, implications of economy, efficiency and effectiveness have been considered. Hence, even without any references to the international standards, the core principles of performance audit are considered in the audits conducted by the public audit institutions in Germany. The main focus in the audits had been placed on the efficiency and effectiveness. It is also very remarkable how far-reaching the findings of the audits in Germany are. Especially, in terms of scrutinized subsidy directives, the public audit institutions are not reducing their recommendations to the implementation of the granting-process but to the directives itself.Research limitations/implicationsThe paper highlights a sample of studies which is limited in terms of quantity because it focused on audits related to environmental protection.Practical implicationsThe study provides knowledge on how audits are conducted by public audit institutions in Germany. In doing so, it is particularly helpful for people dealing with public audits, especially in the government and the audit institutions.Social implicationsThe paper examines the role of public audit institutions that contribute to a more efficient and an effective deployment of public expenditures. The goal is to avoid wasting public means by using it without causing positive effects. This is the basis for a socially just usage of public means.Originality/valueThe paper contributes to a better understanding of performance auditing in general. As there are no documented scientific studies or other papers concerning the implementation of performance audit in Germany, the paper is of high-innovatory value. The findings are very important to the further development of performance audit. In addition, by depicting the role of public audit institutions in Germany, it allows comparisons to the situation in other countries.
Removal of Cr(VI) from aqueous solutions by using activated carbon supported iron catalysts as efficient adsorbents
Authors: Derdour Karima , Bouchelta Chafia , Khorief Naser-Eddine Amina , Medjram Mohamed Salah , Magri Pierre 
Published: December 2017

Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to focus on the removal of hexavalent chromium [Cr(VI)] from wastewater by using activated carbon-supported Fe catalysts derived from walnut shell prepared using a wetness impregnation process. The different conditions of preparation such as impregnation rate and calcination conditions (temperature and time) were optimized to determine their effects on the catalyst’s characteristics.

Design/methodology/approach
The catalyst samples were characterized using thermogravimetric analysis, scanning electron microscopy and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. The adsorption of Cr(VI) by using using activated carbon supported Fe catalysts derived from walnut shell as an adsorbent and catalyst was investigated under different adsorption conditions. The parameters studied were contact time, adsorbent dose, solution pH and initial concentrations.

Findings
Results showed that higher adsorption capacity and rapid kinetics were obtained when the activated walnut shell was impregnated with Fe at 5 per cent and calcined under N2 flow at 400°C for 2 h. The adsorption isotherms data were analyzed with Langmuir and Freundlich models. The better fit is obtained with the Langmuir model with a maximum adsorption capacity of 29.67 mg/g for Cr(VI) on Fe5-AWS at pH 2.0.

Originality/value
A comparison of two kinetic models shows that the adsorption isotherms system is better described by the pseudo-first-order kinetic model.
Experimental small‐scale flower patches increase species density but not abundance of small urban bees
Authors: Simao Maria‐Carolina M. , Matthijs Jill , Perfecto Ivette 
Published: December 2017

Abstract

Large flower plantings are often used to combat negative effects of habitat loss on pollinators, but whether these floral additions are effective at smaller scales remains unclear, particularly in urban settings.

To test the effectiveness of small‐scale floral additions on enhancing urban bee populations, as well as their impact from 1 year to the next, different quantities of potted sweet alyssum (Lobularia maritima) flowers were placed across sites in Ann Arbor, Michigan for two consecutive years and the resulting Halictid bee visitors were monitored.

Overall, we found the number of flowers added at the local level was significantly and positively correlated with small Halictid bee abundance and species density in an urban landscape. At smaller flower quantities, dynamics were clearly linear, where incremental increases in number of flowers showed significant increases in bee abundance and species density. At larger quantities of floral additions, however, dynamics were nonlinear in that incremental increases in flower quantity had no effect on bee abundance and highly variable effects on bee species density.

When comparing the change in small Halictid bee abundance and species density from 1 year to the next, we found a significant increase in bee species density in the second year of small‐scale floral additions, but no significant difference in bee abundance.

Synthesis and applications. Our results show that small flower plantings can have positive effects on small bee communities in urban systems even over a short period of time and therefore confirm that encouraging citizens to plant flowers can be an effective conservation strategy for certain urban pollinator populations. In addition, our finding that smaller flower plantings may have higher impacts on small pollinators than larger plantings suggests resource managers interested in pollinator conservation should consider spreading multiple, smaller floral plantings across the urban landscape, rather than pooling all resources into one large flower patch.
Blocking transferrin receptor inhibits the growth of lung adenocarcinoma cells in vitro
Authors: Wu Yihe , Xu Jinming , Chen Jinbo , Zou Meirong , Rusidanmu Aizemaiti , Yang Rong 
Published: December 2017

BackgroundTransferrin receptor (TfR) is expressed in most lung cancers and is an indicator of poor prognosis in certain groups of patients. In this study, we blocked cell surface TfR to inhibit lung adenocarcinoma (LAC) cell growth in vitro and investigated the associated molecular mechanisms to determine a potential therapeutic target in human LAC.MethodsRNA interference and antibody blocking techniques were used to block the function of TfR in LAC cells, and cell proliferation assays were used to detect the results. Affymetrix microarray analysis was conducted using H1299 cells in which TfR was blocked with an antibody to investigate the molecular mechanisms involved.ResultsThe cell proliferation assay demonstrated that H1299 cell proliferation was significantly inhibited after small interfering RNA knockdown or blocking of TfR. Mechanistic studies found that 100 genes were altered more than two‐fold after TfR was blocked and that blocking TfR was accompanied by decreased expression of the oncogene KRAS.ConclusionOur data provide evidence that blocking TfR could significantly inhibit LAC proliferation by targeting the oncogene KRAS; therefore, TfR may be a therapeutic target for LAC. In addition, our results suggest a new method for blocking the signal from the oncogene KRAS by targeting TfR in LAC.
Investigating the Relationships Between Alcohol Consumption, Cannabis Use, and Circulating Cytokines: A Preliminary Analysis
Authors: Karoly Hollis C. , Bidwell L. Cinnamon , Mueller Raeghan L. , Hutchison Kent E. 
Published: December 2017

BackgroundIn recent years, human and animal studies have converged to support altered inflammatory signaling as a molecular mechanism underlying the pathophysiology of alcohol use disorders (AUDs). Alcohol binds to receptors on immune cells, triggering signaling pathways that produce pro‐inflammatory cytokines. Chronic inflammation is associated with tissue damage, which may contribute to negative effects of AUD. Conversely, cannabis is associated with decreased inflammatory signaling, and animal studies suggest that cannabinoids may impact alcohol‐induced inflammation. Thus, the impact of cannabis on inflammation in AUDs in humans warrants examination.MethodsWe explored the relationship between self‐reported alcohol and cannabis use and circulating levels of the pro‐inflammatory cytokines interleukin 6 (IL‐6), IL‐8, and IL‐1β in the blood. Among 66 regular drinkers (mean age = 30.08), we examined circulating cytokines and administered questionnaires assessing alcohol consumption and days of cannabis use over the past 90 days. We examined whether alcohol consumption, cannabis use, and gender were associated with changes in circulating cytokines, and whether there was a significant interaction between alcohol and cannabis use predicting blood levels of circulating cytokines.ResultsA positive association between alcohol and IL‐6 emerged. We also observed a negative association between cannabis and IL‐1β. Follow‐up moderation analyses indicated a cannabis by alcohol interaction predicting circulating IL‐6, such that cannabis nonusers showed a stronger relationship between alcohol and IL‐6 compared to cannabis users.ConclusionsThese preliminary findings suggest that cannabinoid compounds may serve to mitigate inflammation associated with alcohol use. In addition, the present results provide data to inform future investigations, with the goal of ultimately leveraging knowledge of the role of inflammation in AUDs to develop more effective treatments focused on novel immune targets.
Neurodevelopmental origins of abnormal cortical morphology in dissociative identity disorder
Authors: Reinders A. A. T. S. , Chalavi S. , Schlumpf Y. R. , Vissia E. M. , Nijenhuis E. R. S. , Jäncke L. , Veltman D. J. , Ecker C. 
Published: December 2017

ObjectiveTo examine the two constitutes of cortical volume (CV), that is, cortical thickness (CT) and surface area (SA), in individuals with dissociative identity disorder (DID) with the view of gaining important novel insights into the underlying neurobiological mechanisms mediating DID.MethodsThis study included 32 female patients with DID and 43 matched healthy controls. Between‐group differences in CV, thickness, and SA, the degree of spatial overlap between differences in CT and SA, and their relative contribution to differences in regional CV were assessed using a novel spatially unbiased vertex‐wise approach. Whole‐brain correlation analyses were performed between measures of cortical anatomy and dissociative symptoms and traumatization.ResultsIndividuals with DID differed from controls in CV, CT, and SA, with significantly decreased CT in the insula, anterior cingulate, and parietal regions and reduced cortical SA in temporal and orbitofrontal cortices. Abnormalities in CT and SA shared only about 3% of all significantly different cerebral surface locations and involved distinct contributions to the abnormality of CV in DID. Significant negative associations between abnormal brain morphology (SA and CV) and dissociative symptoms and early childhood traumatization (0 and 3 years of age) were found.ConclusionsIn DID, neuroanatomical areas with decreased CT and SA are in different locations in the brain. As CT and SA have distinct genetic and developmental origins, our findings may indicate that different neurobiological mechanisms and environmental factors impact on cortical morphology in DID, such as early childhood traumatization.