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Industry 4.0 (I4.0) Based Virtual Organization Model for the Coordination of Sustainable Textile Supply Chain
Get PDFThe lack of attention on the forward and backward supply chain issues, i.e., the transparency between supply chain agents, information sharing, resource deployment, workforce knowledge, waste reduction, cost efficiency, and resource management are the major problems of textile supply chain. The coordination of forward and backward supply chain becomes difficult due to the players\u27 self-interest and firmographics. It becomes much complicated when we consider the triple bottom line of sustainability (TBLS) in the supply chain. Therefore, in this paper, we propose an Industry 4.0 (I4.0) based virtual organization model for the coordination of the forward and backward supply chain. The results obtained through virtual organization model are also compared with the centralized supply chain and traditional cost-sharing contract. The results reveal that virtual organization model can perform better than the price only contract and it will be help firms in achieving greater sustainability with respect to traditional contract mechanisms
When Failure is Neither Fatal nor Final: Understanding Re-internationalization Processes
Get PDFRe-internationalization, or firms’ re-entry into international operations after completely withdrawing from initial international business failures, is a neglected phenomenon in international business research. This research develops theoretical underpinnings for understanding re-internationalization processes through an inductive theory-building approach using case studies of four Indian firms from diverse industries. We examine various aspects of firms’ initial internationalization, including the learning and experiences gained during such activities, the role of networks and relationships, valences in organizational commitment to internationalization during the exit and time-out periods, and the significance of dynamic capabilities that facilitate successful re-internationalization of firms. Our theorizing is relevant for scholars seeking a better understanding of the re-internationalization processes and for practitioners seeking insights for decision-making related to internationalization strategies. Our findings also have implications for policymakers responsible for designing subventions and incentives for both internationalization and re-internationalization
Impacts of Human Development and Salt Marsh Characteristics on Variation in the Growth and Reproduction of Spartina alterniflora
Get PDFThis study focused on how human development may impact salt marshes using the common native species Spartina alterniflora as an indicator. Salt marshes are vital coastal ecosystems that help protect against major flooding and can filter pollutants from the water. Like many environments, salt marshes have been impacted by human development in many ways, from construction of cities and roadways to pollution from industrial facilities and equipment. The salt marshes that once dominated many coastlines along the North American Atlantic coast have been destroyed or reduced in size dramatically with the extensive development that has occurred along these shores. Three local salt marshes in the New Haven, CT, area were selected for this study based on their level of human development in the surrounding area, including the highly developed Long Wharf area in New Haven harbor, the relatively less impacted Sandy Point at the mouth of New Haven harbor, and a marsh in Branford which is located within a low human impact coastal landscape. At each marsh, Spartina alterniflora was the dominant species in the low marsh where samples were taken. At each site, samples of the stems and inflorescences of Spartina alterniflora were sampled along a transect and processed to determine their sizes and wet and dry weights. These were then compared to assess differences among the marshes relative to the impact gradient. Results indicated that although plant characteristics were statistically different among each site, there were no clear relationships to the impact gradient as it appeared that Spartina alterniflora was being impacted differently by the surrounding development and natural environment conditions
An Investigation of the Effect of Temperature and Humidity on the Formation of Antemortem Root Banding
Get PDFMicroscopical hair analysis has become a controversial practice within forensic science primarily due to issues related to interpretation, and specifically overstating the significance of an association. The validity of microscopical hair comparisons has suffered from intense scrutiny by the forensic community, with one criticism being a paucity of peer reviewed research. An often-unrecognized aspect of microscopical hair analysis is its use in providing reconstructive information based on identifiable features. One example of this is postmortem root band or PMRB. PMRB is the formation of a band slightly above the root bulb and below the skin surface on the hair of cadavers. PMRB can be used as a tool to determine the presence of a cadaver at a crime scene, corroborate witness and suspect testimonies, and create a rough estimate of post mortem interval. The formation of PMRB is still a minimally researched topic with forensic hair analysts slowly investigating the formation of this root band. However, an even smaller amount of research focuses on antemortem root banding (AMRB), which is the formation of a root band in hair that has been sampled from living people. This AMRB is formed from environmental conditions with factors that are poorly understood. In this study, hairs were sampled (pulled) from voluntary individuals and analyzed with microscopic techniques before and after being subjected to various humidity, water, and temperature conditions. This experiment was completed in two phases, with the initial phase centered around the comparison of hairs in three conditions. These conditions were room temperature, body temperature with no added humidity, and a high temperature with high humidity. The second phase of this experiment focused on the comparison of hairs in room temperature conditions, high temperature and high humidity conditions, room temperature with added water conditions, and room temperature with added soapy water conditions. The results of this study indicate a need for further testing of AMRB formation in different environmental conditions
Pro Softball Fan Segments: A Two-Step Cluster Analysis
No full textNiche sports such as women\u27s professional sport leagues face many challenges to developing and expanding their fan base. Understanding sport fans, segmenting consumer bases and targeting them effectively can assist in both developing the fan base and competing for investments like sponsorships and media rights. The purpose of this study was to explore consumer segments of the National Pro Fastpitch (NPF), a niche softball league, by identifying demographic and psychographic characteristics of the segments and developing a persona for each segment
A Holistic Framework of Strategies and Best Practices for Telehealth Service Design and Implementation
No full textTelehealth refers to the use of electronic media to support a broad range of remote services such as patient care, education, and monitoring. Drawing upon the “design thinking” framework, a holistic approach to telehealth service design would be one that takes into consideration the multiple, interdependent dimensions of telehealth services, including processes, user-experience, and sustainability. The information technology infrastructure library (ITIL) is a well-known framework of best practices in IT service management. However, as a stand-alone resource, it is limited in being able to provide a meaningful set of strategies for telehealth service design and implementation for clinicians and healthcare leaders. The ITIL framework emanated from an industry-based approach to developing best practices for IT service management. This paper takes an organizational theory-based approach to identifying strategies for telehealth service design and implementation. These strategies are then integrated with practices put forth by the ITIL framework, to develop a “holistic framework” of strategies and best practices for telehealth service design and implementation, intended to be meaningful to clinicians, healthcare leaders, and IT service managers alike. The primary purpose of this paper is to integrate theory-based “design thinking” and “consolidated framework for implementation research (CFIR)” frameworks, with the existing industry-based ITIL framework, to develop a holistic framework of strategies and best practices for telehealth service design and implementation. A supplemental purpose is to apply the holistic framework to cases of success and failure in telehealth services, to discuss implications for practice and future research
The Role of Gender and Self-Silencing in the Relationship between Adverse Childhood Experiences and Juvenile Delinquency
No full textThe relationship between adverse childhood experiences and the juvenile justice involvement is a well-studied area. Many studies have found that ACEs are related to an increase a child’s involvement in the juvenile justice system, as well as their risk of reoffending. However, a subject that has not been investigated as thoroughly is how other factors may explain or moderate this relationship. This study examined the relationship between ACEs and self-reported juvenile justice involvement for 672 adults. Selfsilencing, or denying one’s trauma, was examined as a potential mediator between this relationship and gender was examined as a potential moderating factor. Results revealed a positive relationship between ACEs and juvenile justice involvement for all participants. Additionally, for females (but not males), the relationship between ACE scores and juvenile justice involvement had an indirect effect through self-silencing, such that higher ACE scores were related to higher self-silencing scores, which was related to more juvenile justice involvement. Implications and suggestions for future research are discussed
Palatal Rugae Pattern Classification and Complementary Odontological Methods for Forensic Human Identification
Get PDFIdentifying humans is an integral part of the field of forensic science, as it intertwines many forensic disciplines, including anthropology, pathology, and odontology. Generally, the most widely accepted methods of human identification include DNA analysis, fingerprint analysis, and dental comparisons, which have been used by forensic scientists for over a century; however, rugoscopy, or the study of palatal rugae patterns, is emerging as a division of forensic science that has the potential to be used as a method of forensic human identification. Palatal rugae are asymmetrical ridges on the hard palate of the mouth that previous studies have suggested possess individualizing properties in humans.
In this research, patterns of palatal rugae were enhanced and classified to individualize them and create a classification system and enhancement template. Using seventy-six (76) total images of palatal rugae patterns -- sixty (60) dental casting images and sixteen (16) intraoral images -- Adobe Lightroom Classic and Photoshop were utilized to apply a series of photo enhancements to increase the detail of the palatal rugae patterns in each image. Additionally, the Santos method and Ambers/Brumit/Filipe method were used to classify and assign each image a rugoscopic identity (RI) or palatal rugae classification to assess individuality. Subsequently, the Palatal Rugae Identification System (PRIS) database was proposed to include both antemortem and postmortem images, classified by a forensic odontologist according to the Ambers/Brumit/Filipe method with the suggested photo enhancements applied. It may be concluded that palatal rugae patterns can be used for forensic human identification in place of or in tandem with existing odontological methods
Forensic Palynology: A Quantitative Pollen Analysis of the Face and Hands in October for Crime Investigation
No full textContinuous advancement of palynology-based scientific techniques and development of novel forensic tools have the potential to improve investigative approaches and outcomes in forensic criminal investigations. One such forensic tool has the potential to create new leads in criminal cases through analysis and comparison of pollen assemblages, taken from either individuals or locations of question. Investigators can use this technique in criminal investigations to narrow down suspect polls by elimination or confirmation of evidence. Despite the potential pollen analysis holds for forensic investigations and crime scene reconstruction, this field of study is underdeveloped compared to other approaches. Due to the lack of available training for forensic palynologists and limited funding, the amount of information surrounding this technique is not enough to consistently prove its worth in court. The purpose of this study is to determine optimal locations for pollen sample collection, constrained to the face and hands, which yields the greatest number of pollen grains. This is achieved by counting the pollen grain accumulations on four locations on the face and two locations on the hands. Seven subjects were swabbed at six locations at which pollen grains were counted with the aid of a compound light microscope and visualized using Dino-Lite technology. Statistical analysis using a one-way ANOVA test followed by Tukey’s Honestly Significant Differences test were used to compare the mean pollen counts collected both within and between each sample location. Nostril swabs resulted in yielding the highest mean count of pollen grains while sub-nail swabs yielded the lowest mean count
Analyzing Methods to Mock the Ingestion of Controlled Substances within a Hair Strand Utilizing LIBS Technology
Get PDFThe analysis of controlled substance metabolites within the hair strand have been relied on within the scientific community, particularly in regard to Forensic Science and Criminal Justice practices. A common conflict when analyzing a strand, however, involves manipulation of one’s hair, be it through bleach and dyes or detox shampoos. Therefore, research must be conducted to determine how these manipulation efforts affect the concentrations detectable when it comes to lab analyses. This would allow for clarification within data analysis and potentially prove purposeful intent to cover up the ingestion of a controlled substance. In order to research these manipulation effects on concentrations recovered, a method to mock the ingestion of a controlled substance must first be established. This research will attempt to conquer both aspects, first, by determining if liquid or gaseous exposure to a controlled substance can mock its ingestion within a hair strand. Second, by determining how factors such as UV light, a high salt concentration, bleach, detox shampoos, and heat exposure affect the concentrations of Albuterol detectable through Laser induced breakdown spectroscopy (LIBS). The findings will aid in future lab research