Cross-Functional Integration and New Product Performance: An Empirical Analysis and Findings

Although cross-functional integration is often considered an important element in a successful new product development program, a great deal of variance exists in extant literature regarding how integration is defined and implemented and how relevant studies are conducted. The authors attempt to bring clarity to a diverse set of 25 studies that investigate cross-functional integration by empirically analyzing 146 correlations between integration and aspects of new product success. The authors examine the impact of 12 potential moderators that affect the integration–success link using meta-analysis techniques. The findings indicate that though cross-functional integration may indeed have a direct impact on success, the combination of integration with other variables may be of greater importance. Furthermore, because most of the nine variables that significantly affect the integration–success relationship are either managerially controlled or industry specific, the findings imply that firms should design cross-functional structures to maximize their effectiveness. Other variables that affect the integration–success relationship reflect researchers’ methodological decisions, suggesting that care should be taken when designing and interpreting the results of such studies. The authors discuss the implications of these findings and directions for further research

HEAT TRANSFER AND FLOW FRICTION CHARACTERISTICS OF SOLAR WATER HEATER WITH INSERTED BAFFEL INSIDE TUBE

ABSTRACT Experimental investigation of friction factor and heat transfer characteristics of thermosyphone solar water heater with flat plate solar collector fitted with full length baffle of 10cm pitch have been presented. The flow regime is laminar for this study with the Reynolds number range 124 to 258. The experimental data obtained were compared with those obtained from plain tube data. The effects of full length baffle inside the tube on heat transfer and friction factor were presented. The heat transfer coefficient enhancement for baffle creates is higher than that of plain tube for a given Reynolds number. The use of baffle created improved the performance of thermosyphone solar water heater

Recent advancements in CRISPR/Cas technology for accelerated crop improvement

The likelihood of reduced agricultural production due to highly turbulent climatic conditions increases as the global population expands. The second paradigm of stress-resilient crops with enhanced tolerance and increased productivity against various stresses is paramount to support global production and consumption equilibrium. Although traditional breeding approaches have substantially increased crop production and yield, effective strategies are anticipated to restore crop productivity even further in meeting the world’s increasing food demands. CRISPR/Cas, which originated in prokaryotes, has surfaced as a coveted genome editing tool in recent decades, reshaping plant molecular biology in unprecedented ways and paving the way for engineering stress-tolerant crops. CRISPR/Cas is distinguished by its efficiency, high target specificity, and modularity, enables precise genetic modification of crop plants, allowing for the creation of allelic variations in the germplasm and the development of novel and more productive agricultural practices. Additionally, a slew of advanced biotechnologies premised on the CRISPR/Cas methodologies have augmented fundamental research and plant synthetic biology toolkits. Here, we describe gene editing tools, including CRISPR/Cas and its imitative tools, such as base and prime editing, multiplex genome editing, chromosome engineering followed by their implications in crop genetic improvement. Further, we comprehensively discuss the latest developments of CRISPR/Cas technology including CRISPR-mediated gene drive, tissue-specific genome editing, dCas9 mediated epigenetic modification and programmed self-elimination of transgenes in plants. Finally, we highlight the applicability and scope of advanced CRISPR-based techniques in crop genetic improvement

AstroSat detection of Lyman continuum emission from a z = 1.42 galaxy

Large scale structure and cosmolog

Flying to Quality: Cultural Influences on Online Reviews

Customers increasingly consult opinions expressed online before making their final decisions. However, inherent factors such as culture may moderate the criteria and the weights individuals use to form their expectations and evaluations. Therefore, not all opinions expressed online match customers’ personal preferences, neither can firms use this information to deduce general conclusions. Our study explores this issue in the context of airline services using Hofstede’s framework as a theoretical anchor. We gauge the effect of each dimension as well as that of cultural distance between the passenger and the airline on the overall satisfaction with the flight as well as specific service factors. Using topic modeling, we also capture the effect of culture on review text and identify factors that are not captured by conventional rating scales. Our results provide significant insights for airline managers about service factors that affect more passengers from specific cultures leading to higher satisfaction/dissatisfaction

Knowledge Management and Franchise Systems

Knowledge management is generally recognized as a resource for sustainable competitive advantage. Many organizations have approached knowledge management through the use of information technology. However, results are mixed, primarily because (1) information is merely one aspect of knowledge management, (2) some types of knowledge are difficult to transfer effectively and (3) the structure and culture of organizations may inhibit knowledge transfer. in this study, we examine knowledge management in a franchising context because franchisors and franchisees are independent entities linked together in a contractual (some even use the word hybrid) relationship. In addition, the \u27product or service\u27 offered by a franchise organization is an outcome of knowledge resources and the success of a franchise system depends on how well the parties involved in a franchise system leverage their knowledge resource. Specifically, we explicate types of knowledge, discuss the differences between traditional and network franchise organizations and develop a framework for knowledge management in franchise systems. (C) 2008 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved

Flattening of hill by blasting in densely populated area for construction of an international Airport at Navi Mumbai, India.

In civil construction work, where blasting is affianced for excavation, the overall cost effectiveness of the production operations is compatible with drilling and blasting parameters. The blasting operations usually ac-companied with its adverse effect such as blast induced ground vibration, noise/air overpressure, flyrocks, backbreaks etc. Optimization of blast design plays vital role to control the adverse effect of blasting for con-struction and mining industries particularly in sensitive/populated area. Blasting operation of rock mass in-volve the interactions of rock mass with explosives properties, blast geometry and the detonation timings. This paper deals with controlled blasting techniques used for flattening of Ulwe hill by blasting for construction of International airport at Navi Mumbai, India which was surrounded by the populated area and subsequently to determine optimum blast design parameters for blasting at the land development site to achieve desired frag-mentation level i.e. 300 mm to 700 mm for preparation of stable runway foundation with minimum vibration level. Altogether, eighty-five blasts were conducted at different locations/packages of the Navi Mumbai In-ternational Airport (NMIA) construction site in order to flatten the Ulwe hill height from 92 mRL to 8 mRL. In total, 194 blast induced ground vibration data were recorded and analysed, from 85 blasts conducted at different locations/packages within the periphery of NMIA land development site. The study involved design-ing, planning and supervision of the total drilling and blasting operations, suggestions/modifications in blast design parameters, monitoring of blast-induced ground vibrations, noise/air overpressure, quality of explosives and its accessories were tested in regular process to achieve the desired objectives of the project. Rock frag-mentation analyses were carried out for each blast using photo-analysis system and subsequently blast designs were modified to get desired fragment size for land development work. The sequence of detonation, rock movement and stemming ejection during the trial blasts were recorded in each blast

Exploring potential of fortification by garden cress (Lepidium sativum L.) seeds for development of functional foods—A Review

Garden cress (Lepidium sativum L.) belonging to Brassicaceae family is widely grown in India, Europe and US. It has been used as an important medicinal plant since the Vedic era. In Ayurveda, it is considered as hot, bitter, galactogogue and aphrodisiac and claimed to prevent Vata and Kapha. Garden cress seed is good source of essential and non- essential amino acids and they are also used as a novel source of hydrocolloid. Its extract exhibit strong shear-thinning behaviour and is used as a substitute for gum Arabica in the formulation of different products. The garden cress seed oil has a balanced amount of both polyunsaturated fatty acids and monounsaturated fatty acids and is a good source of linolenic acid. It contains natural antioxidants, viz. tocopherols and carotenoids and eugenol that help in preventing cancer and protect the oil from rancidity. Its seed, oil and powder contain significant amount of protein, fat, minerals, fibers and phytochemicals which are incorporated in many functional beverages and foods. A number of clinical trials have been conducted on rats that also support the efficacy of garden cress seeds. The functional properties of Garden cress seeds stimulate us to review its different valuable properties and the fortified products developed by incorporating Garden cress seeds

<span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";mso-bidi-font-family: Mangal;mso-ansi-language:EN-GB;mso-fareast-language:EN-US;mso-bidi-language: HI" lang="EN-GB">Exploring potential of fortification by garden cress (<i>Lepidium sativum </i>L.) seeds for development of functional foods—A Review</span>

167-175<span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family: " times="" new="" roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family:"times="" roman";mso-bidi-font-family:="" mangal;mso-ansi-language:en-gb;mso-fareast-language:en-us;mso-bidi-language:="" hi"="" lang="EN-GB">Garden cress (Lepidium sativum L.) belonging to Brassicaceae family is widely grown in India, Europe and US. It has been used as an important medicinal plant since the Vedic era. In Ayurveda, it is considered as hot, bitter, galactogogue and aphrodisiac and claimed to prevent Vata and <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal">Kapha. Garden cress seed is good source of essential and non- essential amino acids and they are also used as a novel source of hydrocolloid. Its extract exhibit strong shear-thinning behaviour and is used as a substitute for gum Arabica in the formulation of different products. The garden cress seed oil has a balanced amount of both polyunsaturated fatty acids and monounsaturated fatty acids and is a good source of linolenic acid. It contains natural antioxidants, viz. tocopherols and carotenoids and eugenol that help in preventing cancer and protect the oil from rancidity. Its seed, oil and powder contain significant amount of protein, fat, minerals, fibers and phytochemicals which are incorporated in many functional beverages and foods. A number of clinical trials have been conducted on rats that also support the efficacy of garden cress seeds. The functional properties of Garden cress seeds stimulate us to review its different valuable properties and the fortified products developed by incorporating Garden cress seeds.</span

Vaping among youth: reasons, realization and intention to quit

Purpose: Vaping has become a prominent public health problem that has impacted young adults. The purpose of this study is to empirically examine the effects of different intrinsic and extrinsic motivations on young adults’ realization of excessive vaping and their intention to quit vaping. Design/methodology/approach: A survey was used to collect data from 232 young vapers (primarily Generation Z and Millennials) to test the hypothesized relationships using a covariance-based structural equation model. Findings: The findings of this study suggest that “realization of excessive vaping” is negatively associated with “sensation seeking” and positively associated with “deal proneness,” “environmental cues” and “negative repercussion.” The “intention to quit vaping” is negatively associated with “marketing cues” and positively associated with “alternative to smoking” and “environmental cues.” Finally, the “realization of excessive vaping” is positively associated with “intention to quit vaping.” Originality/value: This study takes a two-dimensional approach to understand the complex motivations behind a relatively new addictive behavior – vaping. It contributes to the literature of addictive behavior, social cognitive theory and theory of planned behavior. Further, it has important implications for public policy and the marketing of addictive products to youths