Yi Jin, Min Huang, Haoming Lin and Jing Guo
As the virtual reference service (VRS) is becoming a standard service of the digital library, efficient collaboration among virtual reference services is also becoming more and…
Abstract
Purpose
As the virtual reference service (VRS) is becoming a standard service of the digital library, efficient collaboration among virtual reference services is also becoming more and more important for information exchange and sharing. This paper seeks to examine existing collaborative VRS systems with a view to achieving collaboration.
Design/methodology/approach
This paper studies existing collaborative VRS (CVRS) systems and analyzes their structures, methods and functions for achieving collaboration.
Findings
Three collaborative structure models are proposed and basic collaborative methods and collaborative functions are concluded. A CVRS reference model is depicted.
Research limitations/implications
Since the study is not based on an exhaustive list of CVRS systems and technologies are always developing, the collaborative structure models, methods and functions presented in this paper are possibly not complete and may need to be adjusted and amended. There is also urgent work to be done to advance and establish related standards and protocols for CVRS.
Practical implications
The study is intended to help libraries to identify quickly the necessary elements and mechanisms for the design of a proper degree of CVRS or to develop or evaluate VRS systems.
Originality/value
This paper proposes and concludes collaborative structure models, methods, functions and a reference model of CVRS. It should prove helpful for libraries wishing to provide CVRS, as well as for further research on CVRS.
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Yang Zongying, Lin Haoming and Zheng Qiaoying
Introduces the major objectives in establishing the China Education and Research Network (CERNET). Describes the major goals, the topological structure, the organisation of the…
Abstract
Introduces the major objectives in establishing the China Education and Research Network (CERNET). Describes the major goals, the topological structure, the organisation of the network and the application systems of CERNET. It details current applications in library and information services on CERNET.
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The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of perceived corporate hypocrisy on customer mistreatment behaviors within the banking industry and the moderating effects…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of perceived corporate hypocrisy on customer mistreatment behaviors within the banking industry and the moderating effects of customer–company identification (CCI) and brand equity on the hypocrisy-mistreatment behavior relationship.
Design/methodology/approach
Using multistage sampling, 567 South Korean banking service users participated in an online survey. Structural equation modeling (confirmatory factor analysis) and hierarchical regression analysis were used to analyze the data.
Findings
Perceived corporate hypocrisy was positively related to customer mistreatment behaviors. CCI and brand equity differentially moderated the positive relationship between perceived corporate hypocrisy and customer mistreatment behaviors. Specifically, CCI and brand equity strengthened and weakened the positive relationship between perceived corporate hypocrisy and customer mistreatment behaviors, respectively.
Practical implications
Marketers and banking service managers should pay careful attention to customer evaluations of their social activities and communication about the ethical values and actions of their firms. Since CCI and brand equity have contrasting moderating effects on the corporate hypocrisy-aggressive behavior relationship, marketers should devise different strategies to manage the adverse effects of such corporate crises on company-identified and brand-committed customers. For example, managers should focus on customers who actively express their deep sense of disappointment or profound anger in response to corporate hypocrisy (e.g. those with high levels of CCI) because they are likely to exhibit aggressive behaviors toward the company or its employees. Managers need to devise customized relationship-recovery strategies for such customers (e.g. forging a personal connection between the customer and service provider).
Originality/value
The present findings delineate the adverse effects of perceived corporate hypocrisy on customer behaviors and the moderating effect of customer relationship quality on the corporate hypocrisy-mistreatment behavior relationship within the banking industry.
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Ramakrishna Shinagam, Guntaka Ajay, Lokanadham Patta and Anand Siva Gandam
Wind power is the one of best natural resources to meet the demands of electricity in India. In this regard, one of engineering college in Visakhapatnam has procured wind turbine…
Abstract
Purpose
Wind power is the one of best natural resources to meet the demands of electricity in India. In this regard, one of engineering college in Visakhapatnam has procured wind turbine generators of 200 kWp and got these installed on the rooftop of the college buildings for research and power generation. After starting the mills, huge vibrations were experienced by the staff and students in the laboratories and classrooms. So, the purpose of this paper is to carry out vibration and noise studies on wind turbine generator to identify the problem for high vibrations and suggest a novel method for vibration reduction.
Design/methodology/approach
Experimental vibration and natural frequency investigations are carried when wind velocity around 6.0 m/s using frequency analyzer, impact hammer, condenser microphone and accelerometer. An attempt is made to reduce the vibration and noise level of wind turbine generator by inserting a steel coil spring of 300 mm length having 20 turns in series with turnbuckle D shackle assembly, which is used to connect the wind turbine generator to the hook mounted on slab.
Findings
A high vibration velocity of 9.9 mm/s was observed on at base frame of wind turbine generator. The natural frequencies of hook and slab are observed in between 15 to 20 Hz from the natural frequency test. A high noise of 94.67 dBA is observed at a distance of 1 m from the base of wind turbine generator along the rotational axis of rotor. After modification to the baseline, WTG the vibration and noise levels are reduced to 4.8 mm/sec and 77.76 dBA, respectively.
Originality/value
This is the first time to study the huge vibrations generated in wind turbine generators installed on the rooftop of the college. Developed a novel methodology to reduce the vibrations by inserting a steel coil springs in turnbuckle D shackle assembly of wind turbine generators. After modification, wind turbine generator are running successfully without any high vibrations.
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Guotai Chi and Bin Meng
The purpose of this paper is to propose a debt rating index system for small industrial enterprises that significantly distinguishes the default state. This debt rating system is…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to propose a debt rating index system for small industrial enterprises that significantly distinguishes the default state. This debt rating system is constructed using the F-test and correlation analysis method, with the small industrial enterprise loans of a Chinese commercial bank as the data sample. This study establishes the weighting principle for the debt scoring model: “the more significant the default state, the larger is the weight.” The debt rating system for small industrial enterprises is constructed based on the standard “the higher the debt rating, the lower is the loss given default.”
Design/methodology/approach
In this study, the authors selected indexes that pass the homogeneity of variance test based on the principle that a greater deviation of the default sample’s mean from the whole sample’s mean leads to greater significance in distinguishing the default samples from the non-default samples. The authors removed correlated indexes based on the results of the correlation analysis and constructed a debt rating index system for small industrial enterprises that included 23 indexes.
Findings
Among the 23 indexes, the weights of 12 quantitative indexes add up to 0.547, while the weights of the remaining 11 qualitative indexes add up to 0.453. That is, in the debt rating of the small industry enterprises, the financial indexes are not capable of reflecting all the debt situations, and the qualitative indexes play a more important role in debt rating. The weights of indexes “X17 Outstanding loans to all assets ratio” and “X59 Date of the enterprise establishment” are 0.146 and 0.133, respectively; both these are greater than 0.1, and the indexes are ranked first and second, respectively. The weights of indexes “X6 EBIT-to- current liabilities ratio,” “X13 Ratio of capital to fixed” and “X78 Legal dispute number” are between 0.07 and 0.09, these indexes are ranked third to fifth. The weights of indexes “X3 Quick ratio” and “X50 Per capital year-end savings balance of Urban and rural residents” are both 0.013, and these are the lowest ranked indexes.
Originality/value
The data of index i are divided into two categories: default and non-default. A greater deviation in the mean of the default sample from that of the whole sample leads to greater deviation from the non-default sample’s mean as well; thus, the index can easily distinguish the default and the non-default samples. Following this line of thought, the authors select indexes that pass the F-test for the debt rating system that identifies whether or not the sample is default. This avoids the disadvantages of the existing research in which the standard for selecting the index has nothing to do with the default state; further, this presents a new way of debt rating. When the correlation coefficient of two indexes is greater than 0.8, the index with the smaller F-value is removed because of its weaker prediction capacity. This avoids the mistake of eliminating an index that has strong ability to distinguish default and non-default samples. The greater the deviation of the default sample’s mean from the whole sample’s mean, the greater is the capability of the index to distinguish the default state. According to this rule, the authors assign a larger weight to the index that exhibits the ability to identify the default state. This is different from the existing index system, which does not take into account the ability to identify the default state.
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Deepti Kaushal and Gurpreet Kalsi
Intestinal mucosa functions as a specialized permeable barrier, facilitating nutrient absorption and safeguarding against external influences. Gut barrier serves as a channel of…
Abstract
Purpose
Intestinal mucosa functions as a specialized permeable barrier, facilitating nutrient absorption and safeguarding against external influences. Gut barrier serves as a channel of communication between gastrointestinal and bodily processes. Research investigations have postulated that enhancing gut barrier through microbiota could potentially enhance overall well-being. Hence, this intervention study was designed to assess whether intervention of microbiota modulators delivers intestinal and extra-intestinal benefits.
Design/methodology/approach
A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial was devised to examine the impact of two doses (1.5 and 3 g) of intervention, comprising prebiotics and vitamins on gut barrier indicators (faecal IgA and calprotectin) and microbiota markers (lactobacilli and bifidobacteria) of healthy human subjects. In addition, cholera vaccine challenge test was conducted to assess the influence of the barrier improvement on the mucosal response to a stressor.
Findings
After two weeks of intervention, prebiotics and vitamins resulted in a significant (p = 0.04) enhancement of faecal IgA levels compared to placebo. This enhancement coincided with an increase in levels of faecal lactobacilli and bifidobacteria. A significant (p < 0.001) reduction in faecal calprotectin levels was observed in both intervention groups at the end of intervention, compared to placebo. Following cholera vaccine challenge, a markedly (p < 0.03) heightened response was documented in intervention groups.
Research limitations/implications
This study illustrated that combination of prebiotics and vitamins could effectively modulate gut barrier and microbiota markers in healthy individuals, which contribute to a good gut health. These findings establish a foundation for delivering optimal bodily functions dwelling from a healthy gut.
Originality/value
This is one of its kind study which has probed into the physiological response with improvement in gut health markers.