Dan D. Micu, Levente Czumbil, Georgios C. Christoforidis, Andrei Ceclan and Denisa Şteţ
The purpose of this paper is to make a study of electromagnetic interference between electrical power lines and nearby underground metallic pipelines.
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to make a study of electromagnetic interference between electrical power lines and nearby underground metallic pipelines.
Design/methodology/approach
The equivalent electrical circuit of the studied electromagnetic interference problem between electrical power lines and nearby metallic pipelines is created and solved using a loop currents technique based on a hybrid method. The used circuit solving technique was implemented in a software application developed by the authors.
Findings
The authors have identified the influence of phase sequence on induced voltage level in an underground pipeline for a double circuit electrical power line. Also the effect of different normal operation and phase to earth fault currents have been revealed.
Practical implications
The study has been made through a research project with the Romanian gas transportation company, in order to find the proper protection techniques for underground metallic pipelines.
Originality/value
The paper reveals the influence of some electrical and geometrical parameters that have not been studied in detail previously.
Details
Keywords
Laura Darabant, Mihaela Cretu, Radu V. Ciupa, Dan D. Micu and Denisa Stet
The purpose of this paper is to estimate the electrical field induced in the spinal cord and nearby area during lumbar magnetic stimulation.
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to estimate the electrical field induced in the spinal cord and nearby area during lumbar magnetic stimulation.
Design/methodology/approach
The spinal cord is modelled as a continuous cylinder, while the vertebral column is also represented by a concentric interrupted cylinder. The coil used for magnetic stimulation is a figure of eight, whose centre is placed above T12‐L1 vertebras. The electrical field is induced and its derivative is computed using the finite difference method.
Findings
Preliminary results suggest that magnetic stimulation may be able to induce a sufficiently intense electric field inside the spinal cord, leading to the direct activation of spinal nerve roots.
Practical implications
If the spinal cord can be stimulated directly by magnetic stimulation, this technique can facilitate functional motor activities, including standing and stepping in paralyzed people, in a non‐invasive way.
Originality/value
The authors revealed the fact that functional magnetic stimulation can be applied to the spinal cord, and should be further investigated as an alternative to invasive techniques such as electrical stimulation.
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Daniele Desideri, Alvise Maschio, Dan Doru Micu and Olivia Ramona Miron
The aim of the work was to obtain an auxiliary instrument able to give the magnetic configuration of a magnetron sputtering device for operation with targets, magnetic and non…
Abstract
Purpose
The aim of the work was to obtain an auxiliary instrument able to give the magnetic configuration of a magnetron sputtering device for operation with targets, magnetic and non magnetic, with different heights, starting from a device with no detailed information of the source.
Design/methodology/approach
An inverse problem has been dealt with. A 2D numerical analysis has been performed, which utilizes as a starting point a model identified with a simple analytical procedure based on measurements.
Findings
A satisfactory equivalent model has been identified, and validated in several different conditions.
Originality/value
The proposed approach can be applied when no detailed information of the source is available, in the case of a cathode without a ferromagnetic yoke.
Details
Keywords
Mihaela Cretu and Dan Doru Micu
– The purpose of this paper is to evaluate the response of the spinal cord, the transmembrane potential, during lumbar magnetic stimulation, using a figure of eight coil.
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to evaluate the response of the spinal cord, the transmembrane potential, during lumbar magnetic stimulation, using a figure of eight coil.
Design/methodology/approach
In order to obtain a precise stimulation of the spinal cord and not the nearby nervous fibres, the coil from the electric circuit of the magnetic stimulator is optimized. The new proposed design is based on the turns’ placement inside the coil, the number of turns required to produce activation. Once the coil configuration is established, the paper addresses other issues that need to be solved: reducing power consumption (the low efficiency of power transfer from the coil to the tissue is a major drawback) and reducing coil heating.
Findings
The traditional commercial coils, used for magnetic stimulation in some preliminary experiments, had proved their inability to specifically stimulate the target tissue, without activating the surrounding areas and the low efficiency of power transfer from the coil to the nervous tissue. A more realistic modelling of the stimulating coil, based on the distribution of turns inside the coil can lead to directly stimulation of the spinal cord, during lumbar magnetic stimulation.
Practical implications
If the electrical circuit of the magnetic stimulator is improved, the direct stimulation of the spinal cord is obtained; so, this technique could facilitate functional motor activities, including standing and stepping in paralyzed people, without requiring implantation of electrodes like in electrical stimulation.
Originality/value
The authors underlined that the spinal cord stimulation can be achieved by magnetic stimulation, only if the parameters of the stimulator circuit are optimized. Therefore an original and realistic modelling of the inductive coil was proposed based on number and turns’ distribution within the coil. The coil is designed so that reducing the excessive heating makes it difficult in obtaining a more frequent repetition of stimulus.
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Keywords
Denisa Şteţ, Dan Doru Micu, Levente Czumbil, Laura Darabant and Andrei Ceclan
The purpose of this paper is to compute the values of induced voltages and currents in an underground gas pipeline, which shares the same right of way with a high voltage power…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to compute the values of induced voltages and currents in an underground gas pipeline, which shares the same right of way with a high voltage power line (HVPL) in unbalanced phase currents regime, in order to detect the possibility of the AC corrosion occurring in the pipeline.
Design/methodology/approach
The analysis of the induced voltages in metallic structures (gas pipeline) was done using a professional analysis and modeling software which uses the electromagnetic field method.
Findings
It was shown that during fault conditions, large currents and voltages are induced on the pipelines, which may pose a threat to operating personnel and equipment. Induced voltages also occur in cases of unbalanced phase currents of the HVPL, which may pose a threat voltage that could lead to damages of the underground gas pipeline due to corrosion phenomena.
Practical implications
Because the electromagnetic field approach involves complicated analytical expression and introduces serious computational difficulties, among which matrix of coefficients representing the set of simultaneous linear equations, the use of professional analysis and modeling software is justified.
Originality/value
The paper reveals that even in unbalanced phase currents regime of the HVPL, the nearby metallic structures that share the same right of way with the transmission line are in danger of degradation because of the induced voltages, whose values exceed the values imposed by regulation.
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Fatemeh Ehsani and Monireh Hosseini
Taking the perfect perspective of customers' satisfaction, this paper aims to investigate the elements affecting customer satisfaction in business-to-consumer (B2C) online…
Abstract
Purpose
Taking the perfect perspective of customers' satisfaction, this paper aims to investigate the elements affecting customer satisfaction in business-to-consumer (B2C) online retailing stores, which are divided into five non-monetary dimensions: trust, order fulfillment, website construction, excitement and interaction.
Design/methodology/approach
Due to distinguishing the suitability of the data, the authors used exploratory factor analysis (EFA). Next, the authors utilized confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) to check their validity. Then, the authors applied Cronbach's alpha to check the reliability of the elements. After that, the authors combined these five elements with structural equation modeling (SEM) to make a model. The authors also performed Friedman tests to prioritize the elements.
Findings
The results indicate that each element is undeniably significant and has an extraordinary impact on customers' satisfaction evaluation. Therefore, system providers and electronic retailers need to consider them on their websites to achieve marketing goals in the competitive online environments.
Originality/value
Electronic commerce has resulted in an essential change in B2C marketing, especially in the electronic retailing industry. Online suppliers need to satisfy their customers to receive competitive advantages and increase their income. The purpose of this study is to research the elements affecting customers' satisfaction in B2C online retailing stores.
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Keywords
Caroline Lacroix, Lova Rajaobelina and Anik St-Onge
This article proposes two studies to demonstrate the impact of three dimensions of perceived experiential advertising – cognitive/affective/sensory advertising, relate advertising…
Abstract
Purpose
This article proposes two studies to demonstrate the impact of three dimensions of perceived experiential advertising – cognitive/affective/sensory advertising, relate advertising and behavioural advertising – on consumer behaviour (brand credibility, affective commitment and emotions) in the banking sector.
Design/methodology/approach
For study 1, a total of 506 online panellists of a recognized Canadian research firm were asked to evaluate a local bank advertisement using an online self-reported questionnaire. For study 2, a total of 65 Canadian respondents recruited through Facebook and Google adverts were asked to watch two video advertisements (one more experiential and the other less experiential). After viewing the advertisements on a computer equipped with FaceReader software by Noldus, participants completed a short online questionnaire.
Findings
Using structural equations modelling, the first study shows that brand credibility explains the positive impact of perceived cognitive/affective/sensory advertising (complementary mediation) and perceived behavioural advertising (indirect mediation only) on affective commitment. The second study illustrates that the cognitive/affective/sensory dimension is more important for experiential advertising than experiential advertising. Employing FaceReader facial expression recognition software results indicate that the bank advertisement with a higher score of perceived cognitive/affective/sensory advertising produces a higher level of happiness among respondents.
Originality/value
Both studies provide new insights into perceived experiential advertising and the impact of the latter on consumers. Benefits to scholars and practitioners include an enhanced understanding of advertising effectiveness in the banking sector.
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Gianluigi Guido, Marco Pichierri, Cristian Rizzo, Verdiana Chieffi and George Moschis
The purpose of this study is to review scholarly research on elderly consumers’ information processing and suggest implications for services marketing.
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this study is to review scholarly research on elderly consumers’ information processing and suggest implications for services marketing.
Design/methodology/approach
The review encompasses a five-decade period (1970–2018) of academic research and presents relevant literature in four main areas related to information processing: sensation, attention, interpretation and memory.
Findings
The study illustrates how each of the aforementioned phases of the information processing activity may affect how elderly individuals buy and consume products and services, emphasizing the need for a better comprehension of the elderly to develop effectual marketing strategies.
Originality/value
The study provides readers with detailed state-of-the-art knowledge about older consumers’ information processing, offering a comprehensive review of academic research that companies can use to improve the effectiveness of their marketing efforts that target the elderly market.
Details
Keywords
Iryna Pentina, Mohammadali Zolfagharian and Aurélia Michaud-Trevinal
The objectives of the paper were to develop a theoretical framework of the online shopping experiences (OSE) concept, identify its constituent dimensions and subdimensions, and…
Abstract
Purpose
The objectives of the paper were to develop a theoretical framework of the online shopping experiences (OSE) concept, identify its constituent dimensions and subdimensions, and propose and test a comprehensive measurement scale that would incorporate and reconcile existing fragmented approaches to the phenomenon.
Design/methodology/approach
This paper utilized a mixed-method approach to conceptualize a complex phenomenon of online shopping experiences (OSE). Study 1 employed the grounded theory approach to understand the phenomenon, propose its comprehensive definition and a conceptual model. Study 2 developed and tested a comprehensive OSE measurement scale.
Findings
The study conceptualized OSE as a second-order construct with four mutually-connected constituent dimensions of OSE: practices, context, values and emotions, and their respective 21 subdimensions. It developed and validated a comprehensive scale that is superior to earlier proposed fragmented measures of OSE.
Research limitations/implications
The proposed theoretical framework can serve as a foundation for the OSE research stream and consolidate existing findings by providing a conceptual umbrella for different OSE aspects addressed in earlier research. The OSE measurement scale can be used to assess the impact of each OSE component on satisfaction and loyalty in different shopping situations.
Practical implications
The findings can assist retailers in evaluating usefulness of various tools in eliciting certain experiential effects, devising specific approaches to consumers at different touch points along their dynamic OSEs and developing engagement tactics for various shopping environments.
Originality/value
The study combined qualitative and quantitative approaches to offer a most comprehensive and unifying conceptualization and measurement instrument of OSEs.
Details
Keywords
Laetitia Gabay-Mariani, Bob Bastian, Andrea Caputo and Nikolaos Pappas
Entrepreneurs are generally considered to be committed in order to strive for highly desirable goals, such as growth or commercial success. However, commitment is a…
Abstract
Purpose
Entrepreneurs are generally considered to be committed in order to strive for highly desirable goals, such as growth or commercial success. However, commitment is a multidimensional concept and may have asymmetric relationships with positive or negative entrepreneurial outcomes. This paper aims to provide a nuanced perspective to show under what conditions commitment may be detrimental for entrepreneurs and lead to overinvestment.
Design/methodology/approach
Using a sample of entrepreneurs from incubators in France (N = 437), this study employs a configurational perspective, fuzzy-set qualitative comparative analysis (fsQCA), to identify which commitment profiles lead entrepreneurs to overinvest different resources in their entrepreneurial projects.
Findings
The paper exposes combinations of conditions that lead to overinvestment and identifies five different commitment profiles: an “Affective profile”, a “Project committed profile”, a “Profession committed profile”, an “Instrumental profile”, and an “Affective project profile”.
Originality/value
The results show that affective commitment is a necessary condition for entrepreneurs to conduct overinvesting behaviors. This complements previous linear research on the interdependence between affect and commitment in fostering detrimental outcomes for nascent entrepreneurs.