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Omnichannel grocery retailers can fulfill online orders by allowing consumers to collect their orders at the retailers’ stores (click and collect or “CC” fulfillment) or have their orders delivered...

Objective To assess seizure control and tolerability of eslicarbazepine acetate (ESL) as adjunctive therapy to one baseline antiepileptic drug (AED), in adults with partial-onset seizures (POS) with or without secondary generalization. Methods Multicenter, non-interventional, prospective cohort study conducted between March 2012 and September 2014 at 12 neurology departments in Portugal. Adults with POS not controlled with one AED who had initiated ESL as adjunctive treatment were enrolled. Retention rate was defined at the final visit (Vfinal) 6-9 months of follow-up. Proportion of responders, seizure-free, changes in seizure frequency were evaluated using patients' diaries. Clinical Global Impression of Change (CGI-C) and Clinical Global Impression of Severity (CGI-S) were assessed by the neurologist. Results Fifty-two patients (48.1% male) were included with mean age 41.5±13.3 years. Mean epilepsy duration was 18.5±14.8 years; mean seizure frequency in the four previous weeks to baseline was 7.5±12.7. At Vfinal, retention rate was 73.0%; responder rate and seizure-free rates were 71.1% and 39.5%, respectively. The median relative reduction in seizure frequency between baseline and Vfinal was 82.2%. A reduction in epilepsy severity (CGI-S) was observed in 42.1%. According to CGI-C, 73.6% patients had their epilepsy “much improved” or “very much improved”. Twelve patients (23.1%) had at least one adverse event (AE), two (3.9%) had one serious AE, and five (9.6%) discontinued due to AE. Conclusions Eslicarbazepine acetate showed good retention rates, elicited a significant reduction in seizure frequency, and was well tolerated when used in the clinical practice.

Summary Objectives The aim of this study was to determine the effects of using neutral players and different task conditions in 1 vs. 1 small-sided games (SSG) on amateur soccer players’ heart rate responses and distance coverage. Equipment and methods Ten amateurs’ soccer players (26.4 ± 5.3 years old, 8.0 ± 3.2 years of practice) from a Portuguese regional league participated in this within-subject repeated measures study. The heart rate responses, distance coverage, speed and acceleration were recorded by using heart rate monitors with GPS throughout all SSG. Results Two-way MANOVA results revealed that neutral players ( F = 43.6; P = 0.001; η p 2 = 0.017 ; Power = 1.00; small effect size) and task conditions ( F = 84.7; P = 0.001; η p 2 = 0.038 ; Power = 1.00; small effect size) had significant main effects and small practical effects on heart rate responses and distance coverage. It was concluded that, in very small-sided game, the use of neutral players increased the heart rate responses and distance coverage.

ENTREVISTA COM O POETA, ESCRITOR DE PROSA DE FICÇÃO, ENSAÍSTA E PROFESSOR HELDER MACEDO (POR ANA CRISTINA JOAQUIM E RUI DANIEL NASCIMENTO SOUSA).

The study of teammates’ interaction on team sports has been growing in the last few years. Nevertheless, no specific software has been developed so far to do this in a user-friendly manner. Therefore, the aim of this study was to introduce a software called the Performance Analysis Tool that allows the user to quickly record the teammates’ interaction and automatically generate the outputs in adjacency matrices that can then be imported by social network analysis software such as SocNetV. Moreover, it was also the aim of this study to process the data in a real-life scenario, thus the seven matches of the German national soccer team in the FIFA World Cup 2014 were used to test the software and then compute the network metrics. A dataset of 3032 passes between teammates in seven soccer matches was generated with the Performance Analysis Tool software, which permitted a study of the network structure. The analysis of variance of centrality metrics between different tactical positions was made. The two-way multivariate analysis of variance revealed that the strategic position ([Formula: see text]; F = 24.394; p = 0.001; [Formula: see text]; large effect size) had significant main effects on the centrality measures. No statistical differences were found in the phase of competition ([Formula: see text]; F = 0.097; p = 0.907; [Formula: see text]; very small effect size). The network approach revealed that the German national soccer team based their attacking process on positional attacks and not in counter-attack, and the midfielders were the prominent players followed by the central defenders. The Performance Analysis Tool software allowed the user to quickly identify the teammates’ interactions and extract the network data for process and analysis.

This study develops a methodology for assisting service providers in the choice of the service channels (e.g. physical facilities, the Internet, phone) to employ to support the delivery to customers of the several stages of a service process (from information search to after-sales). We build on the principles of the service concept, service blueprinting and quality function deployment (QFD) to develop a stepwise procedure for: (i) translating customer requirements into a corresponding service concept across distinct service process stages; and (ii) specify the channels that support customer interaction at each stage. Based on the QFD logic, the multi-channel deployment methodology employs a number of matrices that consider the way channel choices fit with the intended service concept, considering both the customer and the provider perspectives, thus aligning ‘the voice of the customer’ with the ‘voice of the provider’.

Pattern analysis is a well-established topic in team sports performance analysis, and is usually centered on the analysis of passing sequences. Taking a Bayesian approach to the study of these interactions, this work presents novel entropy mathematical models for Markov chain-based pattern analysis in team sports networks, with Relative Transition Entropy and Network Transition Entropy applied to both passing and reception patterns. To demonstrate their applicability, these mathematical models were used in a case study in football&mdash, the 2016/2017 Champions League Final, where both teams were analyzed. The results show that the winning team, Real Madrid, presented greater values for both individual and team transition entropies, which indicate that greater levels of unpredictability may bring teams closer to victory. In conclusion, these metrics may provide information to game analysts, allowing them to provide coaches with accurate and timely information about the key players of the game.

Xanthomonas arboricola pv. juglandis (Xaj) is the etiological agent of walnut (Juglans regia L.) bacterial blight (WBB), and has been associated to other walnut emerging diseases, namely brown apical necrosis (BAN) and vertical oozing canker (VOC), altogether severely affecting the walnut production worldwide. Despite the research efforts carried out to disclose Xaj genetic diversity, reliable molecular methods for rapid identification of Xaj isolates and culture-independent detection of Xaj in infected plant samples are still missing. In this work, we propose nine novel specific DNA markers (XAJ1 to XAJ9) selected by dedicated in silico approaches to identify Xaj isolates and detect these bacteria in infected plant material. To confirm the efficacy and specificity of these markers, dot blot hybridization was carried out across a large set of xanthomonads. This analysis, which confirmed the pathovar specificity of these markers, allowed to identify four broad-range markers (XAJ1, XAJ4, XAJ6, and XAJ8) and five narrow-range markers (XAJ2, XAJ3, XAJ5, XAJ7, and XAJ9), originating 12 hybridization patterns (HP1 to HP12). No evident relatedness was observed between these hybridization patterns and the geographic origin from which the isolates were obtained. Interestingly, four isolates that clustered together according the gyrB phylogenetic analysis (CPBF 1507, 1508, 1514, and 1522) presented the same hybridization pattern (HP11), suggesting that these nine markers might be informative to rapidly discriminate and identify different Xaj lineages. Taking into account that a culture-independent detection of Xaj in plant material has never been described, a multiplex PCR was optimized using markers XAJ1, XAJ6, and XAJ8. This triplex PCR, besides confirming the dot blot data for each of the 52 Xaj, was able to detect Xaj in field infected walnut leaves and fruits. Altogether, these nine Xaj-specific markers allow conciliating the specificity of DNA-detection assays with typing resolution, contributing to rapid detection and identification of potential emergent and acutely virulent Xaj genotypes, infer their distribution, disclose the presence of this phytopathogen on potential alternative host species and improve phytosanitary control.

Os atos de violência doméstica e a sua resolução legal implicam, em grande parte, a utilização da linguagem. Um dos instrumentos utilizados na denúncia de casos de violência doméstica em Portugal são as Fichas de Avaliação de Risco - um conjunto de 20 perguntas colocadas à vítima pelo/a agente policial ou judicial responsável pela denúncia. Este artigo apresenta uma análise linguística forense destas perguntas, revelando que as mesmas apresentam problemas linguísticos que podem prejudicar a sua ecácia, revelando problemas de ordem sintática, semântica, lexical/terminológica e pragmático-discursiva capazes de suscitar problemas de interpretação pela vítima, bem como das respetivas respostas pelos agentes - e, assim, uma avaliação inadequada do nível de risco, podendo, por conseguinte, pôr em causa a segurança da vítima. Domestic violence and its legal processing involve language to a large extent. In Portugal, one of the resources used to handle accusations of domestic violence is the Risk assessment forms (Fichas de Avaliação de Risco) - a set of 20 questions asked by the police or legal ocer to the victim. This article presents the results of a forensic linguistic analysis of these questions. The analysis shows that these questions have several linguistic problems that may hamper the eectiveness of the risk assessment forms at the level of syntax, semantics, lexis/terminology and pragmatics/discourse. Consequently, the victim may misinterpret the questions, and their answer can in turn be misinterpreted by the ocers. The level of risk for the victim can, as a result, be wrongly assessed and eventually jeopardise the victim's safety.

This paper describes our submission to the SemEval 2019 Hyperpartisan News Detection task. Our system aims for a linguistics-based document classification from a minimal set of interpretable features, while maintaining good performance. To this goal, we follow a feature-based approach and perform several experiments with different machine learning classifiers. Additionally, we explore feature importances and distributions among the two classes. On the main task, our model achieved an accuracy of 71.7%, which was improved after the task’s end to 72.9%. We also participate on the meta-learning sub-task, for classifying documents with the binary classifications of all submitted systems as input, achieving an accuracy of 89.9%.

Energy savings/efficiency and environmental sustainability in building construction are motivating the development of new masonry products with these concerns in the last decade. This paper describes the development of a new masonry wall with improved thermal and mechanical behavior, made under the scope of a national/Portuguese research project. One of the main challenges of this project was to conciliate/maximize the thermal resistance of the wall without significantly impairing its mechanical strength. Since the blocks have the most important/influential role in the behavior of the masonry walls, the work performed was focused on the development of a new block with limited width (250 mm), however with improved thermal insulation and enough mechanical strength. An experimental campaign, involving factory productions, lab tests and numerical/optimization simulations, was made to support/validate the thermal/mechanical characteristics of the new block, including masonry assemblies made with these blocks. Several mixtures of lightweight concrete, with dry densities between 700 to 1100 kg/m3, and different proposals for the internal geometry of the block were developed in order to achieve the best possible thermal/mechanical behavior for the block. The final solution obtained was a vertical perforated block with an optimized internal geometry, made with an open structure lightweight concrete with dry density (near 800 kg/m3) and low thermal conductivity. The results obtained from lab tests and numerical simulations demonstrated that this new block has a high potential to constitute masonry walls with improved thermal behavior and enough mechanical strength. However, some adjustments are still needed, highlighting a better stabilization of the concrete thermal/mechanical properties after being submitted to the manufacturing/casting process of the blocks (vibration/compression).

Partitions walls can be damaged and crack when affected by the deformation of structural elements during their use in buildings. Masonry is the most common solution used for partitions. However, giving their brittle behavior, construction provisions to avoid cracking may have to be evaluated and implemented in these walls. In this paper, a numerical study was conducted to evaluate the susceptibility of cracking of traditional Portuguese masonry partitions affected by vertical deformations of concrete slabs during serviceability conditions (with and without creep effects). Two different modeling approaches were used: simulation of a concrete structure interacting with the unreinforced masonry partitions constructed with lateral or top movement joints, and another simulation of isolated masonry deep beams constructed with and without reinforcements. The most common construction solutions used in Portuguese buildings for structural systems, partition walls and reinforcement techniques (reinforcement of mortar bed joints and mortar coatings) were used in these simulations. To simulate the behavior of masonry panels, a non-linear model calibrated with experimental results was used, a linear elastic model was assumed for the concrete structure and an elastic-plastic model was used for the steel reinforcements. The effect of creep in the masonry and concrete was calculated according to European standard calculation methodologies. The results obtained demonstrated that the use of reinforcement techniques can be a solution to increase the strength and deformation of these walls in order to avoid cracking, as well as the use of movement joints and a proper control of structural deformations. Some recommendations are suggested.

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to examine the relationship between product customization and servitization strategies, specifically the relationship between product customization strategy intensity and degree of servitization (offering of basic and/or advanced services) and the moderating role of product customization strategy alignment on that relationship. Design/methodology/approach The authors develop and test hypotheses through partial least squares path modeling to analyze data from the Sixth International Manufacturing Strategy Survey, involving 931 manufacturers in 22 countries. Findings The results indicate that customization strategy intensity is positively associated with the offering of basic and advanced services; these relationships are not moderated by customization strategy alignment. Practical implications Manufacturers pursuing product customization strategies may be especially well positioned to servitize, even those with misalignment in strategic choices. Paradoxically, while manufacturers of standard products might look at servitization as an attractive strategy to differentiate their value proposition, they appear to be less servitized than manufacturers pursuing product customization. Originality/value This is one of the first studies to examine how manufacturing strategy choices (intensity and alignment) influence the adoption of servitization strategies. The study introduces manufacturing strategy as a contingency factor that influences the adoption of servitization, answering calls for the study of servitization contingencies.

Mineral processing of low-grade ores requires high processing flow rates. Pre-concentration is a clever technological solution for this challenge because the rejection of barren rock, in the early stages of the processing flowsheet, leads to increasing the head grade of the concentration plant and reducing the corresponding input flow rate. As pre-concentration at crushing sizes depends on the ore texture and consequently, it relies on the achieved mineral liberation degree, a straightforward methodology to assess quantitative mineralogical data of the ore macro-texture, based on image analysis, was developed. For the purpose, photos of hand samples collected at the mine site were converted into a digital image representative of the ore macro-texture. Then, a random comminution algorithm simulating a coarse crushing stage, to generate particles in size range 19.3/6.7 mm was applied. The surface grade of each particle was calculated by pixel counting, allowing for the computation of the Grade Histograms (wt%) and then for the construction of ultimate upgrading descriptors, which has been proved to be a useful tool to assess pre-concentration feasibility and the separation efficiency. This methodology was applied to a Li-Mica lepidolite ore from Alvarroes deposit (Portugal) by simulating several separation scenarios. The separation efficiency of an optical sorting separation was also assessed using the proposed methodology. Furthermore, the influence of mineral liberation at different size ranges on the global separation efficiency was predicted. This paper intends to underline the importance of quantitative mineralogical data in the study of the pre-concentration process. Data acquisition must be improved, taking advantage of the more accurate and faster systems, such as the modern multispectral analytical devices and ore sorting technologies.

Martin-Lopez, A, Mendes, RS, and Castillo-Rodriguez, A. Internal and external loads in training week before the competition in U19 high-level soccer players. J Strength Cond Res 35(6): 1766-1772, 2021-Nowadays, the information about the load in training sessions (TRs) and the relationship of these TRs with official competition are necessary to gain the sport success in soccer. The aim of this study was to quantify the different loads in TRs according to days before the competition (P-4, P-2, and P-1) on soccer players U19 based on their playing position and their sport success. Twenty-four male Spanish high-level players (age: 16.5 ± 0.5 years; height: 1.69 ± 0.04 m; and body mass: 63.0 ± 6.3 kg) participated in the study. They were grouped according to their playing position: external defenders, internal defenders (ID), external midfielders, internal midfielders (IM), and forwards (FO). To conduct the study, global positioning system technology was used, and a 1-way analysis of variance and Pearson correlation were performed. The main results revealed that the highest physical and physiological responses in the TRs were shown by ID, IM, and players without sport success (p < 0.05), and during P-2. In addition, sport success is predicted by the mean heart rate (R2 = 0.33; p < 0.001). As conclusion, players covering central positions in the playing field performed higher physical and physiological demands than players covering exterior or forward positions. Furthermore, physical and physiological responses during the TRs P-2 may be similar to the responses produced in competition match and are notably different depending on the sport success of the soccer player.

Liberation assessment is a big challenge in mineral processing and its characterization is crucial to design the separation process. The development of automated image analysis methods allowed for the possibility of obtaining mineralogical data to quantify the liberation of the valuable minerals on a particle basis. The Mineral Distribution by liberation degree acquired by the QEMSCAN® system could be converted into Mass Distribution to obtain the Grade histogram (wt%). This Grade histogram (wt%) allows for the simulation of successive separations at different cut-off grades by accumulating the mass of each grade fraction to obtain the yield and the respective mineral recovery, conducting to the calculation of another upgrading line - the Ultimate Upgrading which could be graphically represented in a Mayer diagram along with the traditional Ideal Upgrading and No Upgrading lines. Ultimate Upgrading defines the technical limit of any separation process in accordance with the ore liberation degree. Subsequently, data of real separation (such as yield and metal recovery) can be graphically compared with the Ultimate Upgrading, assessing the separation performance; it is also possible to evaluate if better results would be obtained by re-adjusting parameters of the separator or if the degree of liberation should be increased. In the scope of the H2020 FAME project, this methodology was applied in two case studies, to evaluate the efficiency of gravity separation. Based on the results, the lack of liberation and the technical inefficiency of the separation were graphically identified on the Mayer diagram.

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to identify similarities and differences between qualitative-based and quantitative-based research, and to present recommendations for designing and conducting the research so that the possibilities of publishing it in leading Operations Management (OM) journals are improved. Design/methodology/approach The paper takes its outset in contributions made at the 2016 European Operations Management Association Young Scholars Workshop. The theme of the workshop was “Designing and developing research projects in Operations Management – from concept to publication.” Taking the perspectives of the case researcher, the survey researcher and the editor/reviewer, the authors present and discuss the views on and experiences with designing research for publication. Findings The authors identify a number of recommendations that researchers should use when designing, conducting, and presenting their research for publication. The recommendations include the need to clearly and concisely establish relevance, account for choice of methodology as well as the operationalization, sampling, analytical, and validation methods used, and demonstrate the contribution of the paper in the discussion section. Furthermore, the authors draw attention to the importance of developing a publication strategy as early as possible. Other important aspects include the title of the paper, keywords selection, and rejection criteria. Finally, the authors stress the importance of “total quality management” in designing and executing OM research. Originality/value Going beyond the standard author guidelines found at journal web sites, the authors present a collection of viewpoints, which are based on the authors’ experiences as reviewers, editors, and evaluators of OM research projects and their designs.

Bowing is an uncommon pathology that can affect marble stone cladding of building facades. It is characterized by a large and permanent deflexion and degradation of strength of the stone slabs that can cause them to fall from the facades. On the other hand, the wind pressure effects on the building facades may also cause stability problems. Therefore, stone cladding in these conditions presents a high risk of fracture and collapse that needs to be evaluated. This work describes a case study regarding an evaluation of the resistance/stability of a marble stone cladding of a building facade affected by bowing and submitted to wind pressures. This evaluation was performed through numerical simulations and experimental tests to characterize the mechanical properties of the marble stone. The results obtained demonstrated stability problems in some stone slabs due its large dimensions and loss of resistance due to aging and bowing effects.

Network analysis can provide a new set of important information about players and teams’ behaviour throughout a match. Despite their pertinence, football analysis using network metrics is limited. Therefore, the aim of this study was to analyse the goals scored and goals conceded by a single team during a full season using network methods. Thirty-six games were analysed and from these the data about players’ connectivity in actions preceding 46 goals scored and 15 goals conceded were collected. The results showed that the most used players during the plays that resulted in the goals scored were forward players in the forward regions, mainly in the penalty area. The lateral defenders and midfield players were the players that mostly initiated the attacking plays that resulted in the goals scored. In sum, it was possible to conclude that network metrics can provide a new visualization and understanding of team-members’ behaviour, as well as characterize some patterns of play giving sport’s analysts information complementary to the traditional notational analysis.

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to propose that the effectiveness of organizational design-manufacturing integration (ODMI) practices is contingent upon the degree of complexity of the manufacturing environment. The paper submits that the level of use of ODMI ought to match the level of complexity of the manufacturing environment. The paper puts forward the hypothesis that when a misfit occurs between ODMI and complexity (high use of ODMI practices in low complexity environments or low use of ODMI practices in high complexity environments) manufacturing operational performance declines. Design/methodology/approach The paper tests the hypothesis based on a survey database of 725 manufacturers from 21 countries. The measurement model was assessed with confirmatory factor analysis and the hypothesis was tested with linear regression. Findings A misfit between the level of ODMI use (job rotation and co-location) and manufacturing complexity (product and process complexity) has a negative effect on manufacturing operational performance dimensions of quality, delivery and flexibility. Post hoc analyses also suggest that firms that operate in different environments in what concerns the rate of change in process technologies suffer differentiated negative impacts of ODMI-complexity misfit. Research limitations/implications Future studies could extend this research to other dimensions of design-manufacturing integration, such as technological practices. Practical implications Manufacturers with high levels of complexity should invest strongly in ODMI practices. However, manufacturers with low levels of complexity should invest in these practices with caution since the expected payoffs may not outweigh the effort. Originality/value The study assesses fit as a simultaneous set of contingency factors, applying profile-deviation analysis to ODMI and operational performance relationships. By focusing on plant-level manufacturing complexity, this study complements existing studies of product development complexity which tend to focus on project-level complexity.

The aim of this study was to determine the effects of different formats and task conditions in small-sided conditioned games (SSCG) on young soccer players’ heart rate responses and time-motion profiles. Ten young male soccer players (age: 14.6 ± 0.8 years old; and years of practice: 4 ± 1.2) from a regional league were tested. Each player played in two different formats namely 1 versus 1 with another 1 neutral player (i.e., 1v1+1) and 2 versus 2 with another 1 neutral player (i.e., 2v2+1), and three task conditions (T1 – no goal, T2 – no goal but endline, T3 – goal. Each SSCG lasted for 3 minutes with 3 minutes of passive recovery between SSCG. The heart rate responses, distance coverage, speed and acceleration were recorded throughout all SSCG. Results show that the format (F(4,5403) = 509.025; p-value = 0.001; = 0.274; Power = 1.000; moderate effect size) and task conditions (F(8,10808) = 33.714; p-value = 0.001; = 0.024; Power = 1.000; small effect size) were both significant factors on performance variables. The different formats and task conditions used in this study enable coaches to carry out a more specific training, helping them to understand the real effects of each variable on players’ performance. Resumen El objetivo de este estudio fue determinar los efectos de diferentes variantes y condiciones en juegos con espacios reducidos (SSCG) en relación a las respuestas de frecuencia cardíaca en jóvenes jugadores de fútbol y los perfiles de tiempo-movimiento. Se analizaron diez jóvenes jugadores de fútbol de sexo masculino (edad: 14,6 ± 0,8 años; años de práctica: 4 ± 1,2). Los jugadores participaban en una liga de nivel regional. Cada jugador participó en dos juegos reducidos diferentes, 1 contra 1 con 1 jugador-comodín (es decir, 1v1+1), 2 contra 2 con 1 jugador-comodín (2v2+1), y tres condiciones en la tarea (T1: sin objetivo, T2: sin portería, pero hay que atravesar una línea final, T3: con portería). Cada SSCG tuvo una duración de 3 minutos con 3 minutos de recuperación pasiva entre SSCG. Las respuestas de la frecuencia cardiaca, la distancia recorrida, la velocidad y la aceleración se registraron a lo largo de todos los SSCG. Los resultados muestran que el tipo de juego (F(4,5403) = 509,025; p-value = 0,001; = 0,274; Power = 1.000; con un tamaño del efecto moderado) y las tareas analizadas (F(8,10808) = 33.714; p-value = 0.001; = 0,024; Power = 1,000; con un tamaño del efecto pequeño) fueron factores significativos en las variables de rendimiento. Los diferentes juegos reducidos y las condiciones de las tareas utilizadas en este estudio permiten a los entrenadores diseñar entrenamientos más específicos, ayudándoles a comprender los efectos reales de cada variable sobre el rendimiento de los jugadores.

This study aimed to analyze the most prominent players’ positions that contributed to the build of attack in football during FIFA World Cup 2014. The connections among teammates in all matches of t...

This study proposes a computational method to inspect the tactical position of players during the match and a new metric to analyse the defensive pressure made by a soccer team. These metrics only require Cartesian information about the players’ positions on the field. As a case study, three matches played by the same professional soccer team were considered, including variables computed for the half of the match (first half vs second half) and the final score of the game for an analysis of variance of tactical performance, trying to identify the influence of such variables on the collective organisation. The data were collected at 1 Hz and from this process, 9218 instances of useful time were collected. The results revealed that the different kinds of final scores had significant effects on the tactical performance. The comparison between two halves of the match revealed significant differences with a small effect size on tactical performance. In summary, this study showed that these new tactical metrics can be a computational option to increase a coaches’ knowledge about the defensive organisation of soccer teams, giving them the possibility to augment their own perception with metrics that can provide specific information.

This study analyzed the network characteristics of successful and unsuccessful national teams that participated in FIFA World Cup 2014. The relationship between the variables of overall team perfor...

Problem Definition: Omnichannel retailers can fulfill online orders by allowing consumers to have their orders delivered from the retailers’ stores to the consumers’ homes (home fulfillment) or collect the orders at the stores (in-store fulfillment). Because the latter option does not involve costly last-mile deliveries to consumers’ homes, retailers have sought to make it more attractive by waiving the associated in-store fulfillment fees indiscriminately to consumers. We analyze the economic value of this strategy and compare it with that of a strategy we develop based on the use of targeted incentives to induce individual consumers to switch to in-store fulfillment after initially choosing home fulfillment for their orders. Academic/Practical Relevance: We contribute an analysis of the economic value of price incentives involving home and in-store fulfillment options in omnichannel retailing. In so doing, we isolate determinants of consumer preferences between these options and show how retailers can use such preferences to develop pricing strategies to improve the economic value of their fulfillment services. Methodology: We use field data to evaluate the pricing strategies based on econometric models as well as machine-learning and routing algorithms. Results: While the removal of in-store fulfillment fees increases revenues from additional demand, these gains are much lower than the losses caused by (1) the revenue lost from the fees no longer collected and (2) the additional operating costs at the stores necessary to fulfill a higher volume of orders. Conversely, the costs from using targeted incentives are lower (almost 3 times) than the savings in last-mile delivery costs. Managerial Implications: To promote in-store fulfillment as an alternative to home fulfillment, retailers must go beyond incentive strategies that reward consumers indiscriminately, regardless of the value they attach to these fulfillment services. We show how retailers can develop dynamic pricing solutions to generate value in these services.

The aging of brains is an inexorable process marked by a decrease in the overall cognitive performance of individuals and an increased likelihood of neurodegenerative diseases. Whole genome analyses suggest that this process is associated with changes in gene expression that may be of great significance to understand aging phenotypes. However, these analyses average gene expression levels of complex and heterogeneous cell populations subjected to unknown rates of cell death. Thus, it is not clear whether the variation of these averages reflects changes in transcriptional regulation, cell death, or a combination of both variables. Invertebrate models with their small brains, and in particular Drosophila with its arsenal of tools, offer unique advantages to analyze whole brains with single cell resolution to better understand the progression of aging and its phenotypes. Here we discuss the transformative potential of single cell resolution methods to investigate aging of brains and the challenges of this approach.

This chapter presents a framework to guide managers in the development of servitization strategies, namely, in what concerns capability development and the offering of different types of services (basic and advanced) over time. We propose that an effective servitization trajectory consists of (i) a balanced growth of basic and advanced services over time, using the former as a platform for selling the latter and (ii) building appropriate capabilities over time, recognizing that basic and advanced services require different types of capabilities. The framework was empirically validated with data from a survey of 931 manufacturers from different countries.

Purpose Multichannel (MC) service providers have been adopting a wide diversity of front-office service delivery models, i.e. different ways of employing channels to support the delivery of the service activities that involve customer interaction. Despite this, we are still faced with a paucity of concepts to understand the myriad of possible choices. The purpose of this paper is to develop a theoretical framework and basic design architectures to provide a structured understanding of the diversity of operational design choices for MC front-office service delivery models, their efficacy implications, and how they fit with the provider’s service strategy. Design/methodology/approach The study employs the analytical conceptual approach. The authors logically develop the architectures based on the operations management theory and provide corresponding empirical illustrations based on secondary sources, direct observation, and case studies. Findings The authors propose two theoretically meaningful dimensions to characterize and distinguish between delivery models (channel redundancy and channel span) and put forward four anchor architectures for such models: generalist, parallel, constricted, and centralized. The authors identify the operational efficacy implications (effectiveness and efficiency) of the different architectures, and develop a set of propositions and design principles for selecting appropriate architectures. Research limitations/implications Future research should develop empirical measures for the dimensions underlying the architectures. Originality/value The study extends existing service process classifications by capturing the MC traits of front-office processes. The authors offer design principles to assist firms in selecting architectures that are aligned with their service strategy. The framework and architectures provide seminal concepts to support a wealth of future empirical studies.

Experimental testing of masonry is a difficult, expensive and time consuming process, involving the use of large facilities and a significant number of samples to achieve representative results. On the contrary, computer simulations are practical tools that avoid most of the previous disadvantages. However, such tools are based on experimental evidences and demand experimental results to be validated. These aspects motivated the development of strategies based on numerical models and experimental tests. However, numerical sensitivity analyses based on this approach to predict the behaviour of masonry are not easily found or developed. The main objective of this work is to perform a sensitivity analysis by using computer simulations of laboratory tests to predict the compressive behaviour of unreinforced concrete masonry made from materials with different mechanical properties and geometrical layouts. A three dimensional micro-modelling with continuous finite elements and an elastic–plastic damage constitutive model were used to simulate the masonry behaviour. This numerical model was previously calibrated and validated through experimental data obtained from a small number of laboratory tests. The results obtained showed accuracy and a good agreement with the known aspects of the compressive behaviour of masonry, demonstrating the ability to perform numerical sensitivity analyses with few laboratory resources.

PBL in Engineering Education: International Perspectives on Curriculum Change presents diverse views on the implementation of PBL from across the globe. The purpose is to exemplify curriculum changes in engineering education. Drivers for change, implementation descriptions, challenges and future perspectives are addressed. Cases of PBL models are presented from Singapore, Malaysia, Tunisia, Portugal, Spain and the USA. These cases are stories of thriving success that can be an inspiration for those who aim to implement PBL and change their engineering education practices. In the examples presented, the change processes imply a transformation of vision and values of what learning should be, triggering a transition from traditional learning to PBL. In this sense, PBL is also a learning philosophy and different drivers, facing diverse challenges and involving different actors, trigger its implementation. This book gathers experiences, practices and models, through which is given a grasp of the complexity, multidimensional, systemic and dynamic nature of change processes. Anette Kolmos, director of Aalborg PBL Centre, leads off the book by presenting different strategies to curriculum change, addressing three main strategies of curriculum change, allowing the identification of three types of institutions depending on the type of strategy used. Following chapters describe each of the PBL cases based upon how they implement the seven components of PBL: (i) objectives and knowledge; (ii) types of problems, projects and lectures; (iii) progression, size and duration; (iv) students' learning; (v) academic staff and facilitation; (vi) space and organization; and (vii) assessment and evolution. The book concludes with a chapter summarizing all chapters and providing an holistic perspective of change processes.

O presente artigo aborda a avaliação da segurança e a definição do consequente reforço de uma estrutura em betão armado, suporte dos troços em balanço do extradorso de uma via pedonal marginal. A referida estrutura, datada da década de 50 do século XX, encontra- -se em serviço pelo que a verificação da segurança estrutural é fundamental em face da substituição do revestimento das lajes com alteração da solução existente. Após uma extensa campanha de inspeção que incluiu a caracterização estrutural e a identificação das patologias presentes, foi efetuada uma avaliação numérica do comportamento estrutural, com base no projeto inicial da estrutura e nos dados recolhidos durante a fase de inspeção. A avaliação da segurança permitiu estabelecer a reserva de capacidade resistente de cada um dos elementos de betão armado existentes e, caso a caso, verificar a necessidade de estudar uma solução de reforço que respeitasse as novas exigências regulamentares. O artigo procurará detalhar o estudo efetuado, assim como apresentar a solução de reforço/reabilitação proposta, enfatizando acerca dos condicionalismos que dominaram a definição da solução final adotada. The present article deals with the safety assessment and the definition of a strengthening solution to a reinforced concrete structure, that supports a cantilever slab that materialize a marginal boardwalk. The aforementioned structure, constructed in the early 50's of the 20th century is in service. For that reason, a structural safety check, due to the modification of the solution implemented in the superficial layer of the slab is fundamental. After a meticulous inspection campaign that included the structural characterization and the identification of both structural and non-structural pathologies, a numerical evaluation of the structural behavior was carried out, based on the original project of the structure and on the data collected during the inspection phase. The safety assessment has made it possible to establish the the reserve of capacity in each existing reinforced concrete elements and, on a case-by-case basis, to verify the need for a strengthening solution that met with the requirements of more recent structural codes. The proposed article will seek to detail the study carried out, presenting the proposed strengthening solution and emphasizing about the constraints that dominated the definition of the final solution.

*e aim of this case study was to apply a set of network metrics inorder to characterize the teammates’ cooperation in a football team. *esemetrics were applied in three levels of analysis: i) micro (individual analysis);ii) meso (players’ contribution for the team); and iii) macro (global interactionof the team). One-single case study match was observed and fromsuch procedure were analysed 131 attacking plays. Results from the macroanalysis showed a moderate heterogeneity between teammates, thus suggestingthe emergence of clusters within the team. *e players with highestconnections with their teammates were the right defender, central defenderfrom the left side, defensive mid+elder, right mid+elder and the forwardplayer. Finally, in the micro analysis was observed that right defender, centraldefender, right mid+elder and the forward can be considered the centroidplayers during attacking plays, thus being the most prominent in theattacking building. In sum, the network metrics allowed to characterize theteammates’ interaction during the attacking plays, providing an importantand di

SMALL-SIDED GAMES ARE USUALLY USED IN SOCCER TRAINING TO DEVELOP ELEMENTS OF PHYSIOLOGICAL, PHYSICAL, TECHNICAL, AND TACTICAL PERFORMANCE. NEVERTHELESS, FEW STUDIES HAVE ATTEMPTED TO ANALYZE THE PHYSIOLOGICAL EFFECTS OR PROVIDE METHODOLOGICAL CONSIDERATIONS FOR TRAINING PERIODIZATION USING S

New tactical metrics have been introduced in the last years to allow an understanding on the collective behaviour behind the results provided by notational analysis. Thus, the aim of this article was to propose a new application developed on MATLAB to understand the territorial domain of teams during the game based on players’ position and using such data analyse sectors with more variability considering the advantage or disadvantage of team players during a single match as proof of concept. As methodological approach, a total of 1508 instants of a 7-a-side soccer game were analysed. The herein proposed MATLAB application allows obtaining the differences between players from Team A and Team B. Moreover, the approximate entropy is used to assess the variability of each of the 12 field sectors. The results show that the sector with higher variability is the central offensive midfield (1.114), closely followed by the central defensive midfield (1.033). A more dynamic rapport of strength within the central sectors may be the explanation for such a higher variability. In conclusion, this study presented a new and effective application to analyse the territorial domain that can be matched with automatic tracking systems to improve their online potential.

The aim of this study was to investigate how a player responds to external constraints (slope and angle) in a golf putting task. The sample consisted of 10 adult male (33.8 ± 11.89 years), right handed and highly skilled golfers (average handicap of 10.82). The participants performed 30 putts at a distance of two meters with 25 degrees to the left of the hole (Angle 1) and 30 putts at a distance of two meters with 25 degrees to the right of the hole (Angle 2), with a constraint imposed by a slope. The data suggests that the performance of the golf putting may be improved if different situations and difficulty degrees are employed and exploited. In that sense, the manipulation of task related constraints forced the appearance of solutions uniquely adjusted to each player. This brings implications to the area of sports coaching and training, considering that the athlete can optimize his performance if he explores different couplings of information-movement, in different levels of complexity.