bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Influence of layer thickness on sliding wear of multifunctional tribological coatings
Authors: Lara Luciano Castro , Costa Henara , de Mello José Daniel Biasoli 
Published: July 2015

Purpose
– This paper aims to analyse the influence of the thickness of different layers [diamond-like-carbon (DLC) and chromium nitride (CrN)] on the sliding wear behaviour of a multifunctional coating on AISI 1020 substrates. When small and cheap components need to be manufactured in large scale, they are often produced using soft metals, such as unhardened low carbon steels and pure iron.

Design/methodology/approach
– Two families, one with thicker films and the other with thinner films, were deposited onto a soft carbon steel substrate by plasma-enhanced chemical vapour deposition (PECVD). Reciprocating linear tests with incremental loading assessed the durability of the coatings. In addition, friction coefficient and wear rates of both specimens and counterbodies were measured at a constant load.

Findings
– Thinner layers presented lower sliding wear rates (four-five times lower) for both specimens and counterbodies, less spalling and protective tribolayers on the wear tracks.

Originality/value
– Although multilayered CrN–DLC coatings on relatively hard substrates such as HSS and cemented carbide tools are already a proven technology, much less is known about its deposition on a much softer substrate such as low carbon steel. In previous works, we have analysed the influence of layer thickness on hardness and scratch resistance of the same coatings. This paper presents results for their performance under wear sliding conditions using an original approach (three-dimensional triboscopic maps) for two distinct configurations (increasing load and constant load).
Tightness testing of rotary ferromagnetic fluid seal working in water environment
Authors: Szczech Marcin , Horak Wojciech 
Published: July 2015

Purpose
– The purpose of this publication is to determine the influence of selected factors on the durability and the tightness of ferrofluid seals working in water environments. Ferromagnetic fluid (FF) seals are one of the most common applications of magnetic fluid. New applications can be developed by extending the capabilities of these seals in fluid environments, especially in water.

Design/methodology/approach
– Tests were performed using ferrofluids with differing physical properties like density, dynamic viscosity and saturation magnetization. Working conditions, such as water pressure and peripheral speed, were taken into account.

Findings
– A mathematical description which allows the selection of an appropriate ferrofluid and the determination of the operating parameters of an FF seal was developed.

Originality/value
– This study concerns the influence of peripheral speed, water pressure and magnetic fluid properties on seal tightness.
Jojoba modified polymers as performance modifiers additives for engine oil
Authors: Ahmed Nehal S. , Nassar Amal M. , Nasser Rabab M. 
Published: July 2015

Purpose
– The purpose of this paper is to prepare novel types of copolymers and terpolymers depending on jojoba, and using them as additives for lubricating oil.

Design/methodology/approach
– Copolymerization of 1 mole of jojoba with 2 moles of vinyl acetate and copolymerization of 1 mole of jojoba with 2 moles of vinyl pyrrolidone were carried out. Then, two series of terpolymers were prepared by reacting (jojoba: vinyl acetate: alkylacrylate) and (jojoba: vinyl pyrrolidone: alkylacrylate), using free radical chain addition polymerization. Elucidation of the prepared polymers was carried out by using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, proton nuclear magnetic resonance and gel permeation chromatography, for determination of weight average molecular weight. The thermal stability of the prepared polymers was determined. The prepared polymers were evaluated as viscosity index improvers and pour point depressants for lubricating oil.

Findings
– It was found that the viscosity index increases with increasing the alkyl chain length of alkylacrylate. The effect of the monomer type was studied, and it was found that the polymers depending on vinyl acetate have great effect as viscosity index improvers and pour point depressants for lubricating oil.

Originality/value
– The polymerization of jojoba as different copolymers and terpolymers was carried out. The great influence of the prepared additives on modification of the viscosity properties and pour point of the oil was observed.
Financing government budget deficit as a liquidity risk mitigation tool for Islamic Banks
Authors: Boumediene Aniss 
Published: July 2015

Purpose– The purpose of the paper is to construct a framework constituting a link between Islamic banks’ excess liquidity and states’ financing needs, in an Islamic way.evel0.Design/methodology/approach– The framework, constituting a linkage between Islamic banks’ funding capacity and governments’ financing needs, is constructed using a money market approach. Later on, the volatility of existing sovereignSukukis compared to corporateSukuk, using generalized autoregressive conditional heteroskedasticity (GARCH) (1, 1) model, to assess the stability of the secondary market for Islamic government securities.Findings– The volatility is weak for theSukukstudied; this means that there is stability of the secondary market forSukuk(sovereign and corporate).Originality/value– This is the first paper that presents a framework dealing directly with Muslim states’ budget deficit and debt. The framework includes Islamic banks, public companies, the central bank, Ministry of Finance and the government.
Hearing muted voices: the crystallization approach to critical and reflexive child-centric consumer research
Authors: Cody Kevina 
Published: July 2015

Purpose– This paper aims to offer both a practical and reflective stance on a longitudinal multi-method interpretive consumer research project carried out with tween girls.Design/methodology/approach– This multi-layered approach to data collection, involving qualitative diaries, accompanied shopping trips, e-collages and in-depth interviews, addresses the need, as articulated by Morrow and Richards (1996, p. 96) to “move away from the narrow focus of socialization and child development” toward a research approach that prioritizes children’s own experiences of their lives as children, thereby reconsidering the richness of children’s voices.Findings– In line with those whose work seeks to privilege children’s knowledge of the world they inhabit while also emphasizing the need, as in the case of adult “doing” to place that existence within its broader social context (Russell and Tyler, 2005, p. 227), diaries, in-depth interviews, shopping trips, e-collages and researcher diaries were used to access the world of these social neophytes as they mediate their social worlds through the ever pervasive prism of consumer culture. The light and shade of their worlds cannot be captured by adult-oriented perspectives on research which assume that young consumers are incompetent, worthy of debate merely to ascertain levelness of agency or of interest merely to quantify degrees of participation in and comprehension of the semiotic markers of our consumer society.Research limitations/implications– Only female consumers were involved in this study which underlines the need to engage with both genders when it comes to researching young consumers.Practical implications– This paper offers a tangible contribution to the movement of research toward understanding young consumers’ worlds through engagement with multi-layered discourses and representations.Originality/value– This multi-layered, multi-method research project acknowledges the enthralling complexity of these young consumers’ social worlds, giving a richness and immediacy to their accounts of the compelling intimacy between young adolescent identity and the marketplace.
Exploration of brand sacralization among the young adult consumers in the context of emerging Asian market
Authors: Sarkar Juhi Gahlot , Sarkar Abhigyan , Ponnam Abhilash 
Published: July 2015

Purpose
– The purpose of this paper was to uncover various factors that make the young consumers in emerging Asian market devotees of brands and sacrilize brands giving rise to a phenomenon called brand sacralization where the individual consumer considers brand as sacred as religion. Another objective of this research was to investigate the acculturation process taking place among the young adult consumers in emerging Asian market.

Design/methodology/approach
– Based on prior literature review, the concept of brand sacralization has been defined to bring theoretical sensitivity. Grounded theory method has been used to collect, analyze and interpret the data collected through semi-structured depth interviews.

Findings
– Data analysis reveals various underlying dimensions of brand sacralization and various actionable antecedents and consequence of brand sacralization.

Originality/value
– Value of the article lies in developing a grounded theory framework for brand sacralization that can guide the marketers doing business in emerging markets to build a strong brand that the consumers would sacralize.
Trial of labour in twin pregnancies: a retrospective cohort study
Authors: de Castro H , Haas J , Schiff E , Sivan E , Yinon Y , Barzilay E 
Published: July 2015

ObjectiveTo assess the success rate of vaginal delivery among women with twin pregnancies; the Twin Birth Study has shown that vaginal delivery and caesarean section are equally safe for twin delivery but >40% of the planned vaginal delivery group delivered by caesarean section.DesignA retrospective cohort study.SettingA tertiary medical centre.PopulationA total of 2194 women with twin pregnancies not complicated with very low birthweight.MethodsPlanned mode of delivery was documented in the woman's electronic record upon entering the delivery room. Information regarding maternal age at delivery, parity, gestational age, presentation, previous history of caesarean delivery, birthweight and Apgar score was collected from the obstetric electronic charts.Main outcome measuredRate of vaginal twin delivery.ResultsOf the 2194 women included, 1311 twin pregnancies had planned caesarean delivery and 883 underwent a trial of labour. Of the 883 women who underwent a trial of labour, the rate of vaginal delivery was 86.9%, whereas the rates of caesarean delivery and combined vaginal–caesarean delivery were 11.1% and 2.0%, respectively. Presentation of second twin, gestational age and maternal age did affect the chances of success. Nulliparity [odds ratio (OR) 2.38, 95% confidence interval (95% CI) 1.4–4.05], Foley induction of labour (OR 2.33, 95% CI 1.38–3.91) and body mass index >30 kg/m2 (OR 1.76, 95% CI 1.03–3) were independent risk factors for caesarean delivery.ConclusionsThe rate of vaginal delivery among women with twin pregnancies who undergo labour can be high, especially in women who laboured spontaneously and have delivered before.Tweetable abstractThe rate of vaginal delivery of twins can be high, especially in women who have delivered before.
Multiple Information Signals in the Market for Charitable Donations
Authors: Harris Erica E. , Neely Daniel G. 
Published: July 2015

AbstractWe find evidence indicating that donors use third‐party rating information when they donate to U.S. nonprofit organizations (nonprofits). Specifically, using a sample of over 3,800 unique nonprofits rated by the three largest charity rating organizations in 2007, and over 12,000 unrated control nonprofits, we find that rated nonprofits have significantly higher direct donations than unrated charities. We also hypothesize and find that nonprofits with ratings from multiple rating organizations receive incrementally higher levels of donations. In addition, although charities that receive a positive rating have higher levels of donor support than those receiving a negative rating, both positively and negatively rated nonprofits receive a higher level of direct donations than unrated nonprofits. Finally, we find that nonprofits with consistently good ratings receive higher donations than those with mixed or consistently negative ratings, indicating the donor community values consistency across the three rating agencies.
CEO Power, Internal Control Quality, and Audit Committee Effectiveness in Substance Versus in Form
Authors: Lisic Ling Lei , Neal Terry L. , Zhang Ivy Xiying , Zhang Yan 
Published: July 2015

AbstractDuring the past decade, new regulations have been adopted to improve audit committee effectiveness. Prior research has generally provided evidence in support of these regulations and suggests that a more independent and expert audit committee is more effective. We posit that CEO power reduces or even eliminates the improvements in audit committee effectiveness resulting from independent and financially expert committee members. Thus, CEO power may result in an audit committee that appears effective in form but is not in substance. We construct a composite index for CEO power by combining ten CEO characteristics and employ the incidence of internal control weaknesses as a proxy for audit committee monitoring quality. Since all the firms in our sample have completely independent audit committees, we use financial expertise to examine the impact of CEO power on audit committee effectiveness. We find that, when CEO power is low, audit committee financial expertise is negatively associated with the incidence of internal control weaknesses. However, as CEO power increases, this association monotonically weakens. When CEO power reaches a sufficiently high level, this association is no longer negative. The moderating effect of CEO power on audit committee effectiveness is more prominent when the CEO extracts more rents from the firm through insider trading. Our results are not driven by the CEO's involvement in director selection. Our paper suggests that more expert audit committees in form do not automatically translate into more effective monitoring. Rather, the substantive monitoring effectiveness of audit committees is contingent on CEO power.
The Implicit Incentive Effects of Horizontal Monitoring and Team Member Dependence on Individual Performance
Authors: Sedatole Karen L. , Swaney Amy M. , Woods Alexander 
Published: July 2015

AbstractThis study examines the implicit incentive effects of horizontal monitoring and team member dependence for individuals working in teams but facing explicit incentives based solely on measures of individual performance. We combine proprietary performance data with survey data for 133 internal auditors. We show that the social influences of relatively high levels of both horizontal monitoring and team member dependence provide implicit incentives that motivate individual performance, making the provision of team rewards unnecessary to ensure individual and team productivity. We conclude that horizontal monitoring and team member dependence are complementary control mechanisms whose effectiveness helps explain the observed practice of organizing work into teams without explicit team‐based rewards.
Variation in hospital caesarean section rates for preterm births
Authors: Bannister‐Tyrrell Melanie , Patterson Jillian A. , Ford Jane B. , Morris Jonathan M. , Nicholl Michael C. , Roberts Christine L. 
Published: July 2015

BackgroundEvidence about optimal mode of delivery for preterm birth is lacking, and there is thought to be considerable variation in practice.ObjectiveTo assess whether variation in hospital preterm caesarean section rates (Robson Classification Group 10) and outcomes are explained by casemix, labour or hospital characteristics.Materials and MethodsPopulation‐based cohort study in NSW, 2007–2011. Births were categorised according to degree of prematurity and hospital service capability: 26–31, 32–33 and 34–36 weeks' gestation. Hospital preterm caesarean rates were investigated using multilevel logistic regression models, progressively adjusting for casemix, labour and hospital factors. The association between hospital caesarean rates, and severe maternal and neonatal morbidity rates was assessed.ResultsAt 26–31 weeks' gestation, the caesarean rate was 55.2% (seven hospitals, range 43.4–58.4%); 50.9% at 32–33 weeks (12 hospitals, 43.4–58.1%); and 36.4% at 34–36 weeks (51 hospitals, 17.4–48.3%). At 26–31 weeks and 32–33 weeks' gestation, 81% and 59% of the variation between hospitals was explained with no hospital significantly different from the state average after adjustment. At 34–36 weeks' gestation, although 59% of the variation was explained, substantial unexplained variation persisted. Hospital caesarean rates were not associated with severe maternal morbidity rates at any gestational age. At 26–31 weeks' gestation, medium and high caesarean rates were associated with higher severe neonatal morbidity rates, but there was no evidence of this association ≥32 weeks.ConclusionBoth casemix and practice differences contributed to the variation in hospital caesarean rates. Low preterm caesarean rates were not associated with worse outcomes.
Protective effect of exogenous nitrite in postoperative ileus
Authors: Cosyns S M R , Shiva S , Lefebvre R A 
Published: July 2015

Background and PurposeAs the pathogenesis of postoperative ileus (POI) involves inflammation and oxidative stress, comparable to ischaemia/reperfusion injury which can be ameliorated with nitrite, we investigated whether nitrite can protect against POI and explored the mechanisms involved.Experimental ApproachWe used intestinal manipulation (IM) of the small intestine to induce POI in C57BL/6J mice. Sodium nitrite (48 nmol) was administered intravenously just before IM. Intestinal transit was assessed using fluorescent imaging. Bethanechol‐stimulated jejunal circular muscle contractions were measured in organ baths. Inflammatory parameters, neutrophil infiltration, inducible NOS (iNOS) activity, reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels, mitochondrial complex I activity and cGMP were measured in the intestinal muscularis.Key ResultsPre‐treatment with nitrite markedly improved the delay in intestinal transit and restored the reduced intestinal contractility observed 24 h following IM. This was accompanied by reduced protein levels of TNF‐α, IL‐6 and the chemokine CCL2, along with reduced iNOS activity and ROS levels. The associated neutrophil influx at 24 h was not influenced by nitrite. IM reduced mitochondrial complex I activity and cGMP levels; treatment with nitrite increased cGMP levels. Pre‐treatment with the NO scavenger carboxy‐PTIO or the soluble guanylyl cyclase inhibitor ODQ abolished nitrite‐induced protective effects.Conclusions and ImplicationsExogenous nitrite deserves further investigation as a possible treatment for POI. Nitrite‐induced protection of POI in mice was dependent on NO and this effect was not related to inhibition of mitochondrial complex I, but did involve activation of soluble guanylyl cyclase.
Research Review: Engaging men: a multi‐level model to support father engagement
Authors: Pfitzner Naomi , Humphreys Cathy , Hegarty Kelsey 
Published: July 2015

AbstractWhile there is a growing body of work on using fatherhood as an opportunity to engage men in strategies to prevent child maltreatment and further acts of domestic violence, there is limited research on engaging fathers in strategies to prevent domestic violence from occurring. To fill this gap in the literature, this paper explores existing father engagement frameworks used in child and family services and supports a multi‐level model of father engagement for domestic violence primary prevention. Drawing together evidence about father engagement from a range of studies, including the more general parenting literature, we describe factors that influence father engagement based on an analysis of the literature. These factors include accessibility, staff attitudes and behaviours, programme marketing and the format of service provision.
Pedometer‐determined physical activity level and change in arterial stiffness in Type 2 diabetes over 4 years
Authors: Jennersjö P. , Ludvigsson J. , Länne T. , Nystrom F. H. , Östgren C. J. 
Published: July 2015

AbstractAimTo explore prospectively the correlation between the level of pedometer‐determined physical activity at the start of the study and the change in pulse wave velocity from baseline to 4 years later in people with Type 2 diabetes.MethodsWe analysed data from 135 men and 53 women with Type 2 diabetes, aged 54–66 years. Physical activity was measured with waist‐mounted pedometers on 3 consecutive days and the numbers of steps/day at baseline were classified into four groups: <5000 steps/day, 5000–7499 steps/day, 7500–9999 steps/day and ≥10 000 steps/day. Pulse wave velocity was measured using applanation tonometry over the carotid and femoral arteries at baseline and after 4 years.ResultsThe mean (±sd; range) number of steps/day was 8022 (±3765; 956–20 921). The participants with the lowest level of physical activity had a more pronounced increase in the change in pulse wave velocity compared with the participants with the highest. When change in pulse wave velocity was analysed as a continuous variable and adjusted for sex, age, diabetes duration, HbA1c, BMI, systolic blood pressure, pulse wave velocity at baseline, β‐blocker use, statin use, unemployment, smoking and diabetes medication, the number of steps/day at baseline was significantly associated with a less steep increase in change in pulse wave velocity (P=0.005). Every 1000 extra steps at baseline corresponded to a lower increase in change in pulse wave velocity of 0.103 m/s.ConclusionsWe found that a high level of pedometer‐determined physical activity was associated with a slower progression of arterial stiffness over 4 years in middle‐aged people with Type 2 diabetes.
Lesions of the paraventricular nucleus of the thalamus differentially affect sign‐ and goal‐tracking conditioned responses
Authors: Haight Joshua L. , Fraser Kurt M. , Akil Huda , Flagel Shelly B. 
Published: July 2015

AbstractRecently, evidence has emerged suggesting a role for the paraventricular nucleus of the thalamus (PVT) in the processing of reward‐associated cues. However, the specific role of the PVT in these processes has yet to be elucidated. Here we use an animal model that captures individual variation in response to discrete reward‐associated cues to further assess the role of the PVT in stimulus–reward learning. When rats are exposed to a Pavlovian conditioning paradigm, wherein a discrete cue predicts food reward, two distinct conditioned responses emerge. Some rats, termed sign‐trackers, approach and manipulate the cue, whereas others, termed goal‐trackers, approach the location of reward delivery upon cue presentation. For both sign‐ and goal‐trackers the cue is a predictor, but only for sign‐trackers is it also an incentive stimulus. We investigated the role of the PVT in the acquisition and expression of these conditioned responses using an excitotoxic lesion. Results indicate that PVT lesions prior to acquisition amplify the differences between phenotypes – increasing sign‐tracking and attenuating goal‐tracking behavior. Lesions of the PVT after rats had acquired their respective conditioned responses also attenuated the expression of the goal‐tracking response, and increased the sign‐tracking response, but did so selectively in goal‐trackers. These results suggest that the PVT acts to suppress the attribution of incentive salience to reward cues, as disruption of the functional activity within this structure enhances the tendency to sign‐track.