bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Enhancing customer relationships with retail service brands
Authors: So Kevin Kam Fung , King Ceridwyn , Sparks Beverley Ann , Wang Ying 
Published: April 2016

Purpose
– The concept of customer engagement (CE) has emerged as an important indicator of customer-brand relationship strength. However, limited research exists to provide insight into how CE enhances the effectiveness of building such a relationship in retail services. The purpose of this paper is to extend the current understanding of CE through examination of its role in the development of customer-brand relationship quality.

Design/methodology/approach
– To test the hypotheses contained in the proposed conceptual model, the authors used a quantitative method that included a survey questionnaire to measure customers’ perceptions with respect to the constructs of interest. Specifically, two studies were conducted in Australia. Study 1 was intended to empirically test the theoretical relationships among the constructs, while Study 2 aimed to replicate the proposed model with a different sample to enhance external validity.

Findings
– In two separate studies, the results of a structural model show that the emerging concept of CE plays a significant role in building customer-brand relationship quality and, subsequently, customer loyalty toward the retail brand.

Research limitations/implications
– This study focusses on retail store brands only and used a cross-sectional design, which does not involve examination of cause-and-effect relationships.

Practical implications
– From a practical point of view, the findings suggest that marketers should actively embrace strategies to foster CE to enhance brand relationship quality, and ultimately, forming a loyal customer-brand relationship.

Originality/value
– The study makes an original contribution to the retail services literature by empirically demonstrating the relevance of CE in both customer relationship management as well as brand management.
Service guarantee as a recovery strategy
Authors: Crisafulli Benedetta , Singh Jaywant 
Published: April 2016

Purpose
– When a service fails, the guarantee policy of the firm can be employed as a recovery strategy. The terms of the guarantee determine the amount of payout and the ease of invoking the policy. The guarantee terms can, therefore, influence customer perceptions of recovery fairness and inferences about the firm’s intentions to provide fair recovery. The purpose of this paper is to examine the impact of guarantee terms on customer perceptions of justice, motive inferences, and repatronage intentions.

Design/methodology/approach
– A between-subjects experiment was conducted in parcel delivery services.

Findings
– Customer perceptions of justice vary across guarantee payout levels. Payout in the form of a discount does not restore justice perceptions, and leads to inferences that the firm offered the guarantee to maximize its profits. Conversely, full refund restores justice. Full refund plus discount is perceived as undeserved, and does not enhance justice perceptions. A moderately easy-to-invoke guarantee is perceived as fair, when it includes full refund. Inferences of negative firm’s motives, however, diminish perceived fairness of easy-to-invoke guarantees.

Research limitations/implications
– Future research could examine the interaction of guarantee scope with payout and ease of invocation, and how types of motives differentially impact justice perceptions.

Practical implications
– Full refund can enhance justice perceptions, whereas discount is perceived as unfair. Firms should offer full refund as guarantee payout, but refrain from offering a discount. Flexibility should be embedded in guarantee invocation procedures.

Originality/value
– This study demonstrates that service guarantees employed as recovery strategies signal justice and the firm’s motives.
Engaged customers as job resources or demands for frontline employees?
Authors: Verleye Katrien , Gemmel Paul , Rangarajan Deva 
Published: April 2016

PurposeThis paper proposes and empirically tests a theoretical model on how different customer engagement behaviors (CEBs), such as giving feedback and helping other customers, affect the role stress–job strain relationship among frontline employees.Design/methodology/approachDrawing from the job demands-resources model, this paper hypothesizes that some CEBs weaken the role stress–job strain relationship among frontline employees, whereas the opposite holds for other CEBs. To test these hypotheses, the study involved a survey among 279 frontline employees in 20 nursing home teams in Belgium.FindingsThe results reveal that the impact of role stress on job strain is stronger when frontline employees notice more helping behaviors among customers and weaker when frontline employees receive more customer feedback or notice that customers spread positive word of mouth about the nursing home.Originality/valueThis research contributes to the customer engagement and frontline employee literature by showing that CEBs can act as both job demands and job resources for frontline employees.
RFID in US hospitals: an exploratory investigation of technology adoption
Authors: Dey Asoke , Vijayaraman B.S. , Choi Jeong Hoon 
Published: April 2016

PurposeRadio-frequency identification (RFID) systems are transforming hospital operations by improving care and reducing costs. However, hospital managers have some concerns about adopting RFID technologies. These are cost, return on investment, privacy and other technology issues. This study examines RFID adoption in health-care industry based on the Technology-Organization-Environment framework. This paper aims to demonstrate how US hospitals are adopting RFID technologies and make recommendations, using empirical data.Design/methodology/approachAn online survey was sent to Chief Information Officers and the top information technology (IT) executives of US acute care hospitals to determine the extent to which hospitals have implemented RFID technologies including the reasons, concerns and applications of RFID technologies, and the antecedents of RFID adoption in hospitals.FindingsThe study found that a high percentage of respondents have adopted or are considering adopting RFID technology as a new management tool. Organizational and technological factors have strong positive influence on adoption, whereas environmental factors do not significantly affect the adoption decisions. The main reasons for implementing RFID technology are improved hospital operations, including inventory management, asset control, workflow and patient flow. Some of the concerns are cost of RFID tags and cost associated with implementation.Research limitations/implicationsThis study is limited to a small sample (n= 86) of US hospitals. This study should continue to be replicated in the future, as adoption of RFID technologies matures in the health-care sector.Originality/valueThis study informs health-care managers on the challenges and opportunities of RFID by identifying motivations, barriers and issues related to RFID adoption. The findings of this study will expand the emerging literature and provide direction to academicians for further research in technology adoption.
Physico-chemical Study on the Surface Properties of Physically and Chemically Treated Wool Fibre
Authors: Kan C.W. , Chan K. , Yuen C.W.M. , Mtao M.H. 
Published: April 2016

The wool scales present on the fibre surface give rise to certain unwanted effects in textile wet processing, for example, felting and poor wettability. In the past, the removal of scale was done either through physical/chemical degradation of the scales or by deposition of
polymer on the scales. In modern treatments, a combination of both methods are usually carried out. Because the deposition of polymer on the fibre surface depends greatly on the surface characteristics of the fibre, therefore, the surface properties of modified fibres are important factors for polymer application. On the other hand, the modified surface may also result in improved wettability of the fibre. The present paper investigated the surface physico-chemical properties of wool fibres subjected to different surface modification treatments.
In this paper, Soxhlet extracted (dichloromethane extracted) wool fibres (21 J..lm diameter) were modified by potassium permanganate / salt treatment, sodium metabisulphite
treatment and plasma treatments (oxygen, nitrogen, 25% hydrogen and 750% nitrogen gas mixture). The study of wool fibre surface physico-chemical properties included contact angle measurement with different solvents, critical surface tension, surface free energy and saturated adsorption value. Experimental analysis showed that these properties were imQroved after the surface modification treatments, and the results were calculated quantitatively and discussed.
A Study of Start-up Marks of Woven Fabrics
Authors: W. A. Wimalaweera , Yee Lan Tang 
Published: April 2016

Start-up marks are very disturbing fabric faults, especially relevant to modern high performance looms, which occur when a loom is restarted after stoppages. As weaving machine stoppages are unavoidable, start-up marks remain to be a major quality problem in woven fabrics. This paper deals with an experimental investigation carried out to study the effect of different weaving parameters on start-up marks.
Experiments were carried out to investigate the effect of factors such as machine stoppage time, weft sett, warp yam tension, weave pattern, weft material and machine stop position on start-up marks. Variation of pick spacing at the stop position was taken as a measure of the severity of start-up marks. The variation in pick spacing in the start-up marks originating under different weaving conditions were graphically illustrated. The results are discussed to explain how different weaving conditions and settings affect variation in pick spacing and thus cause start-up marks of different severity. The effect of relaxation of warp and fabric on pick space variation in start-up marks is also discussed. The findings of this work are compared with the results obtained by other researchers.
Theoretical Investigation of Heat and Moisture Transfer through Porous Textile Materials
Authors: She F.H. , Kong L.X. 
Published: April 2016

The phenomenon of heat and moisture transport through porous textile media is a natural problem encountered in real life and has been studied over years by many researchers. However, since the flow rate of moisture diffusing through a clothing fabric is too small to be measured directly, the measurement is usually indirect and the interaction between thermal and moisture transport is not considered.
A mathematical model was introduced in this study to describe the moisture migration and thermal transport through porous textile materials to evaluate the thermal clothing comfort and the interaction between heat and moisture transportation. Heat and mass transportation parameters and the distribution of moisture and temperature within porous textiles are mathematically derived based on the energy and moisture conservation equations during the
transportation. In addition, an experimental principle is established to simultaneously measure four moisture and thermal coefficients introduced in this study.
The biophilic city and the quest for paradise
Authors: Young Robert Fredrick 
Published: April 2016

Purpose
This manuscript explores the possibilities for global concepts of paradise to serve a cross-cultural urban environmental discourse. The purpose of this discourse would be to contribute to a more widespread mobilization of support for biophilic urbanism.

Design/methodology/approach
The methodology deployed in the paper draws from original and secondary sources from a variety of regions, cultures and religions surrounding the concept of paradise. These concepts are then compared and contrasted with the discourse of biophilic urban environmental planning.

Findings
The comparison of cross-cultural descriptions of paradise finds strong similarities across cultures. In addition, it finds close, symbolic connection between secular and religious concepts of paradise and the scientific attributes of urban biophilic planning. These connections open the possibility for closer unification between secular and religious discourses in the pursuit of the development of more biophilic urban designs.

Originality/value
The timing of this research is particularly appropriate given the recent encyclical on the environment released by the Vatican. Locating perspectives and imagery that can connect large proportions of the population, for whom spirituality is a centerpiece, with rational scientific perspectives on environmentally sound urbanism will be critical in achieving biophilic cities.
Managing deforestation in a tropical compact city part b: urban ecological approaches to landscape design
Authors: Hwang Yun Hye , Feng Yuanqiu , Tan Puay Yok 
Published: April 2016

Purpose
This study recognizes that a number of socio-ecological impacts will result from current and future secondary forest loss in Singapore. Addressing the gap between ecological design principles and the generation of actionable design strategies, the paper draws a more explicit link between them to guide future attempts to generate design solutions to the issue of secondary forest loss.

Design/methodology/approach
The study identifies actionable and contextualized design strategies from 18 academic design studio projects dealing with threatened secondary forest sites in Singapore and examines the ecological concepts which underpin the design strategies. These design strategies were then mapped to urban ecological principles.

Findings
Fifteen actionable design strategies, aligned with 4 urban ecology principles, were identified for addressing the impacts of secondary forest loss in Singapore.

Originality/value
The paper makes an attempt to bridge theoretical principles and design action, and explicates how the two may be aligned. This helps to close a persistent gap between design projects and the science-based design principles generated in the academe. The paper also highlights the potential of academic design studios as a platform for generating ideas to emergent local problems not yet addressed by conventional practice, and offers a range of ideas to mitigate the impact of secondary forest loss in Singapore.
Monitoring carabid indicators could reveal environmental impacts of genetically modified maize
Authors: Lee Marina S. , Albajes Ramon 
Published: April 2016

AbstractPost market monitoring ofGMcrops is mandatory inEUstates where they are grown commercially. Carabid beetles are very sensitive to environmental changes and may be used as indicators to monitor impacts of transgenic crops. This study aimed to assess which, where and when carabids should be sampled for improved postmarket monitoring.Carabids were pitfall‐trapped in maize fields, field margins, alfalfa and semi‐natural vegetation across three regions ofNE Spain, during 2 years, and three sampling dates.Overall, 9193 carabids of 42 species were identified, aggregated into trophic groups and used for calculating community measures. The best indicator wasPseudoophonus rufipes(DeGeer), satisfying criteria of abundance, relevance, sensitivity, ease of sampling, and sufficient statistical power. The carnivore group should also be monitored as an indicator of biodiversity and invertebrate biological control.The best sampling location was the field margin where carabids are exposed toGMmaize and are abundant enough to require smaller sample sizes to detect population changes.Finally, sampling should concentrate around maize pollen‐shed when carabid abundance is highest.This study provides baseline data and shows that carabids can cost effectively improve detection capacity of postmarket monitoring.
Anatomical study of prefixed versus postfixed brachial plexuses in adult human cadaver
Authors: Guday Edengenet , Bekele Asegedech , Muche Abebe 
Published: April 2016

BackgroundThe brachial plexus is usually formed by the fusion of anterior primary rami of the fifth to eighth cervical and the first thoracic spinal nerves. Variations in the formation of the brachial plexus may occur. Variations in brachial plexus anatomy are important to radiologists, surgeons and anaesthesiologists performing surgical procedures in the neck, axilla and upper limb regions. These variations may lead to deviation from the expected dermatome distribution as well as differences in the motor innervation of muscles of the upper limb. This study is aimed to describe the anatomical variations of brachial plexus in its formation among 20 Ethiopian cadavers.MethodsObservational based study was conducted by using 20 cadavers obtained from the Department of Human Anatomy at University of Gondar, Bahir Dar, Addis Ababa, Hawasa, Hayat Medical College and St Paul Hospital Millennium Medical College. Data analysis was conducted using thematic approaches.ResultsA total of 20 cadavers examined bilaterally for the formation of brachial plexus. Of the 40 sides, 30 sides (75%) were found normal, seven sides (17.5%) prefixed, three sides (7.5%) postfixed and one side of the cadaver lacks cord formation.ConclusionThe brachial plexus formation in most subjects is found to be normal. Among the variants, the numbers of the prefixed brachial plexuses are greater than the postfixed brachial plexuses.
Hydraulic distension of the knee: a novel treatment for arthrofibrosis after total knee replacement (case series)
Authors: Formby Peter M. , Donohue Michael A. , Cannova Christopher J. , Caulfield J. Patrick 
Published: April 2016

BackgroundArthrofibrosis following total knee arthroplasty (TKA) is a common problem, which can be frustrating to both the patient and treating physician and can dramatically compromise post‐operative function. Current treatment options for TKA arthrofibrosis include watchful waiting, injections, physical therapy, manipulation under anaesthesia, arthroscopic/open lysis of adhesions and revision surgery. We present a novel technique to treat acute and chronic stiffness following TKA, which we call hydraulic distension.MethodsA retrospective pre‐ and post‐operative inpatient and outpatient record review of three patients treated with hydraulic distension for arthrofibrosis following TKA at a single institution.ResultsThree patients with a mean age of 74 years (68–78) underwent hydraulic distension of the knee at a mean of 23.4 ± 18.4 months (9 weeks to 36 months) following primary TKA. The mean pre‐distension maximum flexion was 86.7 ± 10.4°, and the mean post‐distension flexion was 110 ± 13.2° (23.3° increase). The patients maintained a mean 110 ± 20° flexion (23.3° increase) at a mean follow‐up of 11.7 months (1 week to 29 months). There were no complications.ConclusionWe present a novel technique for managing arthrofibrosis following TKA that has not been previously reported. This is an effective, safe procedure, with our patients experiencing a mean 23° increased knee flexion at the most recent follow‐up.
Potentially avoidable issues in neurosurgical mortality cases in Australia: identification and improvements
Authors: Gupta Aashray K. , Stewart Sasha K. , Cottell Kimberley , McCulloch Glenn A. J. , Babidge Wendy , Maddern Guy J. 
Published: April 2016

BackgroundMortality rates are commonly used to evaluate the quality of surgical care; however, a large proportion of surgical deaths are unavoidable. Examination of the potentially avoidable issues in surgical deaths can provide a strong basis for quality improvement. Using data from a well‐established and comprehensive national surgical mortality audit, we sought to identify the most common avoidable factors in neurosurgical deaths, focusing on the lessons that can be learnt.MethodsThis study analysed data from a peer review audit of surgical deaths in Australian hospitals (excluding New South Wales) from 2009 to 2014, focusing on neurosurgery cases with identified areas for improvement in patient management. In the 6% of neurosurgical cases that had clinical incidents, there were 193 clinical events identified. These were first categorized based on the perioperative stage (pre‐, intra‐ or postoperative) followed by thematic analysis within each stage.ResultsThe study found preoperative issues to be the most common (n = 107) followed by postoperative issues (n = 31) and intraoperative issues (n = 29). The most common theme was inadequate assessment (n = 65) followed by poor communication (at any stage of treatment) (n = 26).ConclusionNeurosurgical cases with potentially avoidable mortality constitute a small but important subset. Avoidable contributors to mortality occurred most frequently at the preoperative stage, most commonly relating to inadequate assessment and delays. These findings can inform various stakeholders to improve the quality and safety of surgical care.
4′,6‐dimethoxyisoflavone‐7‐O‐β‐D‐glucopyranoside (wistin) is a peroxisome proliferator‐activated receptor γ (PPARγ) agonist that stimulates adipocyte differentiation
Authors: Sanada Matoki , Hayashi Ryuichi , Imai Yoshimasa , Nakamura Fumiya , Inoue Tomoyo , Ohta Shinji , Kawachi Hiroyuki 
Published: April 2016

AbstractPeroxisome proliferator‐activated receptor γ (PPARγ) is a ligand‐dependent transcription factor that directly activates the expression of adipocyte‐specific genes, and is universally accepted as the master regulator for adipocyte differentiation. Using a PPARγ luciferase reporter assay system, we showed that 4′,6‐dimethoxyisoflavone‐7‐O‐β‐D‐glucopyranoside (wistin) dose‐dependently activates PPARγ. Treatment with wistin enhanced the marker of adipocyte differentiation, such as triglyceride accumulation in 3T3‐L1 cells. Real‐time quantitative polymerase chain reaction showed that wistin increased the expression of PPARγ2 messenger RNA. Moreover, the addition of wistin upregulated the expression of PPARγ‐target genes, aP2 and adiponectin in 3T3‐L1 cells. To our knowledge, wistin is the first isoflavonoid O‐glycoside that exhibits PPARγ agonist activity.
Effect of feeding sweet‐potato condensed distillers solubles on intake and urinary excretion of minerals in Japanese Black steers
Authors: Kamiya Yuko , Kamiya Misturu , Hattori Ikuo , Hayashi Yoshiro , Funaba Masayuki , Matsui Tohru 
Published: April 2016

AbstractFour Japanese Black steers (16 months of age) were assigned to a 4 × 4 Latin square design to investigate the effect of graded levels of sweet‐potato condensed distillers solubles (SCDS) in their diets on intake and urinary excretion of minerals. The four diets consisted of 0%, 10%, 20% and 30% (dry matter (DM) basis) SCDS, with SCDS replacing commercial concentrate (CC). Intake of K, Cl, S, P and Mg increased linearly with increasing SCDS content. Urinary pH increased linearly with increasing dietary SCDS content. SCDS feeding increased urinary K concentrations (linear and quadratic effects). Urinary concentrations of Cl increased linearly with increasing SCDS content. In contrast, urinary concentrations of Mg decreased with increasing SCDS content. Feeding of SCDS did not apparently affect urinary NH3,P, Na or Ca concentrations. These results suggest that high SCDS feeding is not a risk for crystallization of minerals leading to the formation of magnesium‐phosphate type calculi: although SCDS contains large amounts of P and Mg, high SCDS feeding decreased the Mg concentration and did not affect the P concentration in urine. Additionally, high SCDS feeding had no apparent effects on plasma concentrations of Na, K, Cl, Ca or inorganic P.