The Left Angular Gyrus Is Causally Involved in Context-dependent Integration and Associative Encoding during Narrative Reading

The role of the left angular gyrus (AG) in language processing remains unclear. In this study, we used TMS to test the hypothesis that the left AG causally supports the processes necessary for context-dependent integration and encoding of information during language processing. We applied on-line TMS over the left AG to disrupt the on-line context-dependent integration during a language reading task, specifically while human participants integrated information between two sequentially presented paragraphs of text (“context” and “target” paragraphs). We assessed the effect of TMS on the left AG by asking participants to retrieve integrated contextual information when given the target condition as cue in a successive memory task. Results from the memory task showed that TMS applied over the left AG during reading impaired the formation of integrated context-target representation. These results provide the first evidence of a causal link between the left AG function, on-line information integration, and associative encoding during language processing.

Towards Modeling Partial Discharge Phenomena and Propagation in Power Networks Using the Transmission-Line Matrix Method

Partial discharge (PD), where high field strengths on power cables cause charge build up and discharge within a dielectric at sites of imperfections or inhomogeneities, can lead to noise issues and potential failure of the dielectric. This paper presents the first stage of a research activity that aims to develop a transmission-line matrix (TLM)-based simulation “workbench” useful to investigate PD events in a transmission line. The proposed approach allows the predicting of the electromagnetic disturbances generated by the PD event, and the analysis of external field coupling, such as from intentional electromagnetic interference or lightning, which can add to the field stresses. The paper is focused on defining the right modeling method to simulate PD phenomena in a transmission line context. The best approach to integrate the PD model with the model of the transmission line, useful to describe the propagation of the conducted and radiated emissions produced by PD, is analyzed. A first workbench is proposed, and the first simulation results are described. The paper concludes with the topics of further research.

Differentiating service quality impact between the online and off-line context: an empirical investigation of a corporate travel agency

PurposeCorporate travel represents a significant source of revenue for the tourism industry. Therefore, the quality of service is essential for maintaining and expanding corporate cliental bases. Despite the importance, the extant literature has yet sufficiently examined corporate travel service quality (SQ) and its impact. To make up for the drawback, this study aims to differentiate the impact of SQ perceptions on customer satisfaction between the online and off-line contexts through an empirical investigation in one of the top five corporate travel agencies in North America.Design/methodology/approachThe well-established SERVQUAL measurement is applied in differentiating the impact of SQ dimensions between the online and off-line context. To empirically test the proposed corporate travel agency (CTA) SQ conceptual model, a set of survey data of “Welcome Back Survey” from HRG (a top five CTA in North America) was examined.FindingsThe study finds that for online services, assurance, responsiveness and empathy affect perceived SQ, whereas for off-line services, assurance, empathy and tangible are the three dimensions of perceived SQ.Research limitations/implicationsBy relying on the existing survey, the off-line context has one less dimension than the online context. Yet as an early effort in differentiating the differences in the impact of SQ between two service contexts, the study offers insightful findings.Practical implicationsThe findings will be helpful for business managers of CTAs to identify the factors that influence SQ in both online booking and off-line booking context. In particular, assurance and empathy are two dimensions that exert a significant impact on customer satisfaction.Originality/valueThis paper is the first to compare the differences of the SQ of online and off-line corporate travel.

Passenger Repurchase Behaviours in the Green Cruise Line Context: Exploring the Role of Quality, Image, and Physical Environment

Little is known about cruise passengers’ post-purchase behaviours and what makes them repurchase eco-friendly cruise trips. This research is an empirical attempt to explore the role of cruise line quality, image, physical environment excellence, satisfaction, and awareness of consequences in determining passenger repurchase intentions in the green cruise line sector. A quantitative method that comprised a structural equation model and an invariance test was used. Our findings revealed that quality, image, and physical environment excellence acted as significant drivers of satisfaction and intention, and cruise line quality had the greatest influence on intention. In addition, satisfaction, which was the most proximal determinant of intention, had a mediating effect. The physical environment excellence and intention relationship was moderated by awareness of consequences. The proposed conceptual framework in general had a sufficient level of prediction power for passenger repurchase intention. Findings of this study can be efficiently used for passenger retention among green cruise line practitioners.

Toyota production system - one example to shipbuilding industry

The shipbuilding system can use the techniques used in the Toyota Production System as an example for its production process. Production should be lean, minimize defects, stop production and reduce or eliminate inventories. Lean production is regarded by many as simply an enhancement of mass production methods, whereas agility implies breaking out of the mass production mould and producing much more highly customized products - where the customer wants them in any quantity. In a product line context, it amounts to striving for economies of scope, rather than economies of scale ideally serving ever smaller niche markets, even quantities of one, without the high cost traditionally associated with customization. A lean company may be thought of as a very productive and cost efficient producer of goods or services.