3,766 research outputs found
Anodic formation of self-organized Ti(Nb,Sn) oxide nanotube arrays with tuneable aspect ratio and size distribution
This is the author's version of a work that was accepted for publication in Electrochemistry communications. Changes resulting from the publishing process, such as peer review, editing, corrections, structural formatting, and other quality control mechanisms may not be reflected in this document. Changes may have been made to this work since it was submitted for publication. A definitive version was subsequently published in Electrochemistry communications, [33,(2013)] DOI10.1016/j.elecom.2013.04.023).In the present communication one-step anodization is used to prepare large arrays of self-assembled Ti(Nb,Sn) oxide nanotubes on Ti-Nb-Sn alloy. Tuneable nanoscale geometries (unimodal vs. bimodal size distribution with variable length/diameter ratios) can be controllably achieved by varying the anodization conditions, which are highly desirable for enhanced functionalities in widespread applications
A predictive model of users’ behavior and values of smart energy meters using PLS-SEM
© Springer Nature Switzerland AG 2020. A smart energy metering system is an IoT device that connects several electrical household devices and record, monitor, estimate, control in-house energy consumption in a real-time basis. Although smart energy meters have great capabilities, this technology is still in infancy stages in many developing countries, and little is known about what perceived values are associated with smart meters from residents’ perspectives. Therefore, this research aimed to fill this gap by examining the impact of six different types of perceived values on residents’ intentions to use smart meters in UAE. The study followed a quantitative approach by gathering 266 survey responses which were tested by using Partial Least Squares-Structural Equation Modeling (PLS-SEM). The statistical results genuinely indicated that perceived epistemic values, environmental values, emotional values, and convenience values can significantly impact residents’ intention to use smart meter, whereas social values and monetary values found to have no significant impact on their intentions to use this technology. Theoretical and practical implications are indicated, and directions of future research are specified afterwards
A cross validation of Consumer-Based Brand Equity (CBBE) with Private Labels in Spain
Molinillo,S., Ekinci, Y., Japutra, A. (2014)'A cross validation of Consumer-Based Brand Equity (CBBE) with Private Labels in Spain'. in Martínez-López, Gázquez-Abad, J.C. and Sethuraman, R. J.A. (eds.) Advances in National Brand and Private Label Marketing. Second International Conference, 2015. Springer Proceedings in Business and Economics, pp. 113-125In recent years a number of Consumer-Based Brand Equity (CBBE) models and measurement scales have been introduced in the branding literature. However, examinations of brand equity in Private Labels (PL) are rather limited. This study aims to compare the validity of the two prominent CBBE models those introduced by Yoo and Donthu (2001) and Nam et al. (2011). In order to test the models and make this comparison, the study collected data from 236 respondents who rated private labels in Spain. A list of 30 different fashion and sportswear PL was introduced to respondents. These brands do not make any reference to the retail store in which they are sold. Research findings suggest that the extended CBBE model introduced by Nam et al. (2011) and Ciftci et al. (2014) is more reliable and valid than Yoo and Donthu’s model for assessing PL. Theoretical contributions and managerial implications are discussed.Universidad de Málaga. Campus de Excelencia Internacional Andalucía Tech
Cross-cultural psychometric assessment of an appetite questionnaire for patients with cancer
Objective: To evaluate the psychometric properties, along with
cross-cultural invariance analysis, of the Cancer Appetite and
Symptom Questionnaire (CASQ).
Method: Data from 555 United Kingdom (UK) cancer patients
were used to evaluate the psychometric properties of the CASQ.
Construct validity was assessed through factorial and convergent
validity. We conducted a confirmatory factor analysis using as
indices the chi-square ratio by degrees of freedom (χ2/df), the
comparative fit index (CFI), the goodness of fit index (GFI),
and the root mean square error of approximation (RMSEA).
Convergent validity was estimated by the items’ average
variance extracted (AVE). Reliability was estimated by composite
reliability and internal consistency. Factorial invariance analysis
of the CASQ was evaluated by multigroup analysis (∆χ2) using
the UK and Brazilian samples.
Results: All items showed adequate psychometric sensitivity in
the UK sample. One item was removed and four correlations
were included between errors with an appropriate fit of the model
(χ2/df = 2.674, CFI = 0.966, GFI = 0.964, RMSEA = 0.055).
The reliability of the CASQ was adequate and the convergent
validity was low. The factorial structure of the CASQ differed
across countries, and a lack of measurement invariance for the
two countries was observed (λ: ∆χ2 = 64.008, p < 0.001; i: ∆χ2 =
3515.047, p < 0.001; Res: ∆χ2 = 4452.504, p < 0.001).
Conclusion: The CASQ showed adequate psychometric
properties in the UK sample. The ability to estimate loss of
appetite and the presence of symptoms was different between
UK and Brazilian patients
Net versus combinatory effects of firm and industry antecedents of sales growth
This study examines antecedents of sales growth using a two-step mixed-method approach including analyses of net effects and combinatory effects. Based on a sample of 453 respondents from manufacturing and service firms, this article shows how the combination of structural equation modeling (SEM) and fuzzy set Qualitative Comparative Analysis (fsQCA) provides more detailed insights into the causal patterns of factors to explain sales growth. This article contributes to the extant literature by highlighting fsQCA as a useful method to analyze complex causality (specifically combinatory effects of antecedent conditions) and by discussing options regarding how this approach can be used to complement findings from conventional causal data analysis procedures that analyze net effects
Electroless Palladium-Coated Polymer Scaffolds for Electrical Stimulation of Osteoblast-Like Saos-2 Cells
Three-dimensional porous scaffolds offer some advantages over conventional treatments for bone tissue engineering. Amongst all non-bioresorbable scaffolds, biocompatible metallic scaffolds are preferred over ceramic and polymeric scaffolds, as they can be used as electrodes with different electric field intensities (or voltages) for electric stimulation (ES). In the present work we have used a palladium-coated polymeric scaffold, generated by electroless deposition, as a bipolar electrode to electrically stimulate human osteoblast-like Saos-2 cells. Cells grown on palladium-coated polyurethane foams under ES presented higher proliferation than cells grown on foams without ES for up to 14 days. In addition, cells grown in both conditions were well adhered, with a flat appearance and a typical actin cytoskeleton distribution. However, after 28 days in culture, cells without ES were filling the entire structure, while cells under ES appeared rounded and not well adhered, a sign of cell death onset. Regarding osteoblast differentiation, ES seems to enhance the expression of early expressed genes. The results suggest that palladium-coated polyurethane foams may be good candidates for osteoblast scaffolds and demonstrate that ES enhances osteoblast proliferation up to 14 days and upregulate expression genes related to extracellular matrix formation
ZnO Nanosheet-Coated TiZrPdSiNb Alloy as a Piezoelectric Hybrid Material for Self-Stimulating Orthopedic Implants
Altres ajuts: This work has been partially supported by La Caixa Foundation under the Junior Leader Retaining program ( LCF/BQ/PR19/11700010).A Ti-based alloy (Ti45Zr15Pd30Si5Nb5) with already proven excellent mechanical and biocompatibility features has been coated with piezoelectric zinc oxide (ZnO) to induce the electrical self-stimulation of cells. ZnO was grown onto the pristine alloy in two different morphologies: a flat dense film and an array of nanosheets. The effect of the combined material on osteoblasts (electrically stimulable cells) was analyzed in terms of proliferation, cell adhesion, expression of differentiation markers and induction of calcium transients. Although both ZnO structures were biocompatible and did not induce inflammatory response, only the array of ZnO nanosheets was able to induce calcium transients, which improved the proliferation of Saos-2 cells and enhanced the expression of some early differentiation expression genes. The usual motion of the cells imposes strain to the ZnO nanosheets, which, in turn, create local electric fields owing to their piezoelectric character. These electric fields cause the opening of calcium voltage gates and boost cell proliferation and early differentiation. Thus, the modification of the Ti45Zr15Pd30Si5Nb5 surface with an array of ZnO nanosheets endows the alloy with smart characteristics, making it capable of electric self-stimulation
An empirical investigation of Network-Oriented Behaviors in Business-to-Business Markets
This study is concerned with the extent to which network-oriented behaviors directly and/or indirectly affect firm
performance. It argues that a firm's interaction behaviors in relation to an embedded network structure are key
mechanisms that facilitate the development of important organizational capabilities in dealing with business
partners. Such network-oriented behaviors, which are aimed at affecting the position of a company in the
network, are consequently important drivers of firm performance, rather than the network structure alone. We
develop a conceptual model that captures network-oriented behaviors as a driving force of firm performance
in relation to three other key organizational behaviors, i.e., customer-oriented, competitor-oriented and
relationship-oriented behaviors. We test the hypothesized model using a dataset of 354 responses collected
via an on-line questionnaire from UK managers, whose organizations operate in business-to-business markets
in either the manufacturing or services sectors. This study provides four key findings. First, a firm's networkoriented
behaviors positively affect the development of customer-oriented and competitor-oriented behaviors.
Secondly, they also foster relationship coordination with its important business partners within the network.
Thirdly, the effective management of the firm's portfolio of relationships is found to mediate the positive impact
of network-oriented behaviors on firm profitability. Lastly, closeness to end-users amplifies the positive effect of
network-oriented behaviors on relationship portfolio effectiveness
Consumer evaluation of complaint handling in the Dutch health insurance market
<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>How companies deal with complaints is a particularly challenging aspect in managing the quality of their service. In this study we test the direct and relative effects of service quality dimensions on consumer complaint satisfaction evaluations and trust in a company in the Dutch health insurance market.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>A cross-sectional survey design was used. Survey data of 150 members of a Dutch insurance panel who lodged a complaint at their healthcare insurer within the past 12 months were surveyed. The data were collected using a questionnaire containing validated multi-item measures. These measures assess the service quality dimensions consisting of functional quality and technical quality and consumer complaint satisfaction evaluations consisting of complaint satisfaction and overall satisfaction with the company after complaint handling. Respondents' trust in a company after complaint handling was also measured. Using factor analysis, reliability and validity of the measures were assessed. Regression analysis was used to examine the relationships between these variables.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Overall, results confirm the hypothesized direct and relative effects between the service quality dimensions and consumer complaint satisfaction evaluations and trust in the company. No support was found for the effect of technical quality on overall satisfaction with the company. This outcome might be driven by the context of our study; namely, consumers get in touch with a company to resolve a specific problem and therefore might focus more on complaint satisfaction and less on overall satisfaction with the company.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>Overall, the model we present is valid in the context of the Dutch health insurance market. Management is able to increase consumers' complaint satisfaction, overall satisfaction with the company, and trust in the company by improving elements of functional and technical quality. Furthermore, we show that functional and technical quality do not influence consumer satisfaction evaluations and trust in the company to the same extent. Therefore, it is important for managers to be aware of the type of consumer satisfaction they are measuring when evaluating the handling of complaints within their company.</p
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