Social media and performance measurement systems: towards a new model?

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to analyse how social media (SM) influence performance measurement systems (PMS), examining changes in measurement methods, performance indicators and their application. Design/methodology/approach – The framework of the research was constructed to cover the technical component of PMS (measurement methods and indicators) and the use of the information obtained from SM. Empirically, the study is based on a set of case studies in eight companies. Findings – The study findings offer a theoretical and empirical framework to evaluate PMS in the era of SM. It provides a classification of SM metrics, key performance indicators correlated to their use within different departments belonging to eight companies, highlighting the benefits and threats of SM information for PMS. Research limitations/implications – The limitation of this study is the diversity of industries included into the multiple-case study. The authors choose cases with the aim of providing a broader view on the impact of SM on PMS. However, the results show the dependency of use and type of measurement on certain industries, requiring future research focused on specific sectors or PMS aspects. Practical implications – The paper provides a map of SM information measurement methods and use, which allows companies to position themselves and examine PMS evolution. Originality/value – The results of the paper propose a holistic model, employing SM as a new variable in PMS. </jats:sec

Boosting the Power of Na0.44MnO2: Unlocking Its Potential for Aqueous Sodium-Ion Storage through Nanostructuring and Hybridization

We report an effective processing route, combining nanostructure formation and hybridization, to improve the rate performance of the tunnel-structure sodium manganese oxide Na0.44MnO2 (NMO) as a cathode material for aqueous sodium ion storage. We use hydrothermal synthesis to prepare an NMO/CNF (Carbon NanoFiber) hybrid, consisting of uniform oxide nanowires with an average width of 70 nm and length in the range of several tenths of µm. The highly dispersed CNFs impart high conductivity to the NMO/CNF electrode, allowing high-rate performance at a C-rate of up to 20 C, with a delivered capacity of more than half the theoretical value in a 1 M Na2SO4 electrolyte. Moreover, the NMO/CNF hybrid shows good electrochemical stability under several hundred cycles at a high C-rate. However, the NMO nanowire electrodes reveal a lower-than-expected capacity, probably as a result of the tendency of nanowires to form bundles, which prevents direct contact with conductive fibers and induce the under-utilization of active material. With this study, we demonstrate a strong improvement of the otherwise inherently low-rate performance of NMO through oxide nanostructuring and hybridization with carbon fibers, paving the way for further research on NMO-based materials for aqueous sodium ion storage

Mixed Technical and Market Evaluation of Home Automation Netowork for AAL Solutions.

The demographics are experiencing an elderly population growth. One of the main concerns, due to this growth, is the cost of elderly care which is rapidly rising. Ambient Assisted Living (AAL) has been proposed as a solution for independent ageing in place, reducing the care costs and improving the quality of life of the elderly. Alongside with the benefits like tele-care, health monitoring, and assistance in activities of daily living, ambient intelligence in smart homes offers another important service which is home control. The right choice of the home automation (HA) technology is crucial for an effective home control. This is challenging in a dynamic and competitive HA market with several standards and alliances. A long-term investment on an HA solution requires not only technical evaluation but also a market evaluation of existing technologies and an understanding of how it will be shaped in future. In this work we searched for mixed technical and market indicators in order to evaluate HA technologies and base our smart home platform on it

Boosting the Power of Na_0.44MnO₂: Unlocking Its Potential for Aqueous Sodium-Ion Storage through Nanostructuring and Hybridization

We report an effective processing route, combining nanostructure formation and hybridization, to improve the rate performance of the tunnel-structure sodium manganese oxide Na0.44MnO2 (NMO) as a cathode material for aqueous sodium ion storage. We use hydrothermal synthesis to prepare an NMO/CNF (Carbon NanoFiber) hybrid, consisting of uniform oxide nanowires with an average width of 70 nm and length in the range of several tenths of µm. The highly dispersed CNFs impart high conductivity to the NMO/CNF electrode, allowing high-rate performance at a C-rate of up to 20 C, with a delivered capacity of more than half the theoretical value in a 1 M Na2SO4 electrolyte. Moreover, the NMO/CNF hybrid shows good electrochemical stability under several hundred cycles at a high C-rate. However, the NMO nanowire electrodes reveal a lower-than-expected capacity, probably as a result of the tendency of nanowires to form bundles, which prevents direct contact with conductive fibers and induce the under-utilization of active material. With this study, we demonstrate a strong improvement of the otherwise inherently low-rate performance of NMO through oxide nanostructuring and hybridization with carbon fibers, paving the way for further research on NMO-based materials for aqueous sodium ion storage

Whole body cortisol and expression of HSP70, IGF-I and MSTN in early development of sea bass subjected to heat shock

none7Whole body cortisol levels were determined during early larval developmental stages of sea bass (Dicentrarchus labrax) subjected to a heat shock with the aim to investigate the correlation between the stress event and the activation of the hypothalamic–pituitary–interrenal axis. Moreover, the mRNA expression of inducible heat shock protein 70 (HSP70), insulin-like growth factor I (IGF-I) and myostatin (MSTN) was also detected. Whole body cortisol was determined by a radio-immunoassay (RIA) technique whereas the expression of HSP70, IGF-I and MSTN mRNAs was quantified by Real-Time PCR. Cortisol was detectable in all the larvae from hatching but its level increased significantly in larvae submitted to heat shock from 2-day post hatching onwards. An effect of the sole transfer on cortisol levels was detectable at day 10, indicating an increase of the hypothalamic–pituitary–interrenal axis sensitivity from this stage of sea bass development. In animals exposed to heat shock, the expression of inducible HSP70 resulted in a marked increase of mRNA levels already at hatching. This increase was significantly higher from 6 days onwards if compared to controls. Moreover, heat shock resulted in a decrease (although not significant) in IGF-I mRNA expression of stressed larvae if compared to controls. On the contrary, heat shock did not influence the expression of MSTN mRNA in all groups. The results indicate a very early activation of the hypothalamic–pituitary–interrenal axis and in general of the stress response during the development of European sea bass. Moreover, these results suggest the importance of cortisol and inducible HSP70 as bioindicators of stress in aquaculture and confirm the role of IGF-I and MSTN as regulatory factors during development and growth of fish.noneDaniela Bertotto;Carlo Poltronieri;Elena Negrato;Jacopo Richard;Francesco Pascoli;Claudia Simontacchi;Giuseppe RadaelliBertotto, Daniela; Poltronieri, Carlo; Negrato, Elena; Jacopo, Richard; Francesco, Pascoli; Simontacchi, Claudia; Radaelli, Giusepp