Investments in big data analytics and firm performance: an empirical investigation of direct and mediating effects

Big data has recently been recognised as one of the most important areas of future technology. It has attracted the attention of many industries, since it has the potential to provide companies with high business value. This paper examines the forms of business value that companies can create from big data analytics investments, the direct impacts it has on the financial performance of a firm, and the mediating effects of market performance and customer satisfaction. Drawing on the resource-based view theory, this study demonstrates that the business value achieved from investments in big data analytics leads to advantages in terms of the financial performance of a firm. The results offer evidence of the existence of a customer satisfaction mediation effect and of the absence of a market performance mediation effect. Theoretical and practical implications are discussed at the end of the paper.     

Development of the hybrid sulfur cycle for use with concentrated solar heat. I. Conceptual design

A detailed conceptual design of a solar hybrid sulfur (HyS) cycle is proposed. Numerous design tradeoffs, including process operating conditions and strategies, methods of integration with solar energy sources, and solar design options were considered. A baseline design was selected, and process flowsheets were developed. Pinch analyses were performed to establish the limiting energy efficiency. Detailed material and energy balances were completed, and a full stream table prepared. Design assumptions include use of: location in the southwest US desert, falling particle concentrated solar receiver, indirect heat transfer via pressurized helium, continuous operation with thermal energy storage, liquid-fed electrolyzer with PBI membrane, and bayonet-type acid decomposer. Thermochemical cycle efficiency for the HyS process was estimated to be 35.0%, LHV basis. The solar-to-hydrogen (STH) energy conversion ratio was 16.9%. This exceeds the Year 2015 DOE STCH target of STH >10%, and shows promise for meeting the Year 2020 target of 20%.     

Biocompatible Magnetic Micro- and Nanodevices: Fabrication of FePt Nanopropellers and Cell Transfection

The application of nanoparticles for drug or gene delivery promises benefits in the form of single-cell-specific therapeutic and diagnostic capabilities. Many methods of cell transfection rely on unspecific means to increase the transport of genetic material into cells. Targeted transport is in principle possible with magnetically propelled micromotors, which allow responsive nanoscale actuation and delivery. However, many commonly used magnetic materials (e.g., Ni and Co) are not biocompatible, possess weak magnetic remanence (Fe₃O₄), or cannot be implemented in nanofabrication schemes (NdFeB). Here, it is demonstrated that co-depositing iron (Fe) and platinum (Pt) followed by one single annealing step, without the need for solution processing, yields ferromagnetic FePt nanomotors that are noncytotoxic, biocompatible, and possess a remanence and magnetization that rival those of permanent NdFeB micromagnets. Active cell targeting and magnetic transfection of lung carcinoma cells are demonstrated using gradient-free rotating millitesla fields to drive the FePt nanopropellers. The carcinoma cells express enhanced green fluorescent protein after internalization and cell viability is unaffected by the presence of the FePt nanopropellers. The results establish FePt, prepared in the L1₀ phase, as a promising magnetic material for biomedical applications with superior magnetic performance, especially for micro- and nanodevices.     

Behavior of austempered ductile iron (ADI) grinding using different MQL dilutions and CBN wheels with low and high friability

This work aimed to study the application of minimum quantity of lubricant (MQL) with the addition of water, respecting the proportions 1:0, 1:5, 1:10, and     

Influence of wind–waves energy transfer on the impulsive hydrodynamic loads acting on offshore wind turbines

This paper draws some preliminary considerations about the direct wind effects on the kinematics and dynamics of steep extreme waves propagating near offshore wind turbines. Most of the hydrodynamic load models currently employed in designing offshore wind turbines take into account only indirectly the role of the wind. In fact, once the sea severity upon a certain wind speed is established, the sea state is fully determined by means of the significant wave height and the peak spectral period. In contrast, recent experimental results show that the local wind strongly influences the evolution of steep waves. A wind–waves energy transfer model is here implemented in a fully nonlinear potential flow model for wave-propagation. First, the laboratory experimental evidences about the influence of the wind on the propagation of steep waves are confirmed numerically by simulating the 2D propagation of a Gaussian wave packet. Second, real environmental conditions are reproduced in the near field of an offshore wind turbine using linear–nonlinear potential flow models within a novel coupling strategy. Different wind-wave relative speeds are simulated attempting to quantify the influence of the wind on the wave propagation. Although a reliable evaluation of this influence is still an open issue, the importance of some physical parameters, such as the duration of the energy transfer, is highlighted.     

Wastewater disinfection with PAA and UV combined treatment: a pilot plant study

This study is part of a larger research project on Advanced Treatments for wastewater reuse in agriculture. Because of Italy's strict microbiological limits on unrestricted wastewater reuse in agriculture (2 MPN/100ml Total Coliforms), a very high degree of disinfection is necessary.The objective of this study is to proceed in validating, with a pilot plant experimentation, previous laboratory results on the disinfection efficacy of the synergic combined treatment between ultraviolet irradiation (UV) and peracetic acid (PAA). The research has been carried out through a 5 month on-site experimental study in a pilot plant, considering four different solutions: PAA addition, UV irradiation, addition of PAA upstream the UV device (PAA+UV) and addition of PAA downstream the UV device (UV+PAA). In the investigated experimental conditions (2-8 ppm of PAA with 10-30 min contact time; 100-300 mJ/cm(2) UV), it has been impossible to meet the microbiological limits through an exclusive use of UV irradiation or PAA. The disinfection efficacy enhances by using the UV+PAA treatment, but a much higher efficacy gain occurs by using the PAA+UV treatment. In this latter case, the higher efficiency is recognized as being brought about by the formation of free radicals due to the photolysis of the PAA when in presence of the UV rays. A preliminary cost analysis has been carried out in order to highlight the more economically advantageous solution which guarantees compliance to the strict limits.     

Municipal-treated wastewater reuse for plant nurseries irrigation

Results of an experiment aimed at assessing the possibility of reusing reclaimed wastewater for nursery ornamental plants are presented. Tests were carried out in Pistoia (Italy). A pilot plant for tertiary treatment (filtration and peracetic acid + UV disinfection) of the local wastewater treatment plant (WWTP) effluent was set up. An experimental plot with six containerized ornamental species was irrigated with the tertiary effluent and growth and physiological parameters were monitored. A control plot irrigated with fertigated water (nutrient-enriched groundwater) was also set up in order to compare the plants response to different kinds of irrigation water. The refinery treatment by filtration and disinfection with Peracetic Acid (PAA) and UV together was very effective in bacteria removal. The value of 2 MPN of Total Coliforms in 100 ml set by Italian law (until June 2003) for unrestricted irrigation was constantly satisfied. Agronomic results indicate no major limitations to the use of a tertiary effluent as an irrigation source in an ornamental plant nursery. The nutrient content of the tertiary effluent was able to maintain good plant growth as well as fertigated water for most of the tested species.