bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The 1:1 co-crystal of 2-bromonaphthalene-1,4-dione and 1,8-dihydroxyanthracene-9,10-dione: crystal structure and Hirshfeld surface analysis
Authors: Tonin Marlon D. L. , Garden Simon J. , Jotani Mukesh M. , Wardell Solange M. S. V. , Wardell James L. , Tiekink Edward R. T.
Published: April 2017

The asymmetric unit of the title co-crystal, C10H5BrO2·C14H8O4 [systematic name: 2-bromo-1,4-dihydronaphthalene-1,4-dione–1,8-dihydroxy-9,10-dihydroanthracene-9,10-dione (1/1)], features one molecule of each coformer. The 2-bromonaphthoquinone molecule is almost planar [r.m.s deviation of the 13 non-H atoms = 0.060 Å, with the maximum deviations of 0.093 (1) and 0.099 (1) Å being for the Br atom and a carbonyl-O atom, respectively]. The 1,8-dihydroxyanthraquinone molecule is planar (r.m.s. deviation for the 18 non-H atoms is 0.022 Å) and features two intramolecular hydroxy-O—H...O(carbonyl) hydrogen bonds. Dimeric aggregates of 1,8-dihydroxyanthraquinone molecules assemble through weak intermolecular hydroxy-O—H...O(carbonyl) hydrogen bonds. The molecular packing comprises stacks of molecules of 2-bromonaphthoquinone and dimeric assembles of 1,8-dihydroxyanthraquinone with the shortest π–π contact within a stack of 3.5760 (9) Å occurring between the different rings of 2-bromonaphthoquinone molecules. The analysis of the Hirshfeld surface reveals the importance of the interactions just indicated but, also the contribution of additional C—H...O contacts as well as C=O...π interactions to the molecular packing.
3-Hydroxy-2-phenyl-2,3,3a,7a-tetrahydro-1H,5H-pyrano[3,2-b]pyrrol-5-one: crystal structure and Hirshfeld surface analysis
Authors: Zukerman-Schpector Julio , Moro Angélica V. , Santos Marcelo R. dos , Correia Carlos Roque D. , Jotani Mukesh M. , Tiekink Edward R. T.
Published: April 2017

The title isoaltholactone derivative, C13H13NO3, has an NH group in place of the ether-O atom in the five-membered ring of the natural product. The five-membered ring is twisted about the N—C bond linking it to the six-membered ring, which has a half-chair conformation with the O atom connected to the ether-O atom lying above the plane defined by the remaining atoms. The dihedral angle between the mean planes of the rings comprising the fused-ring system is 75.10 (8)°. In the crystal, hydroxy-O—H...N(amine) hydrogen bonding sustains linear supramolecular chains along the a axis. Chains are linked into a three-dimensional architecture via amine-N—H...π(phenyl) and phenyl-C—H...O(hydroxy) interactions. The influence of the amine-N—H...π(phenyl) contact on the molecular packing is revealed by an analysis of the Hirshfeld surface.
Crystal structure of 2-chloro-1,3-bis(2,6-diisopropylphenyl)-1,3,2-diazaphospholidine 2-oxide
Authors: Veinot Alex J. , Hendsbee Arthur D. , Masuda Jason D.
Published: April 2017

The title compound, C26H38ClN2OP, was synthesized by reacting phosphoryl chloride with N,N′-bis(2,6-diisopropylphenyl)ethane-1,2-diamine in the presence of N-methylmorpholine which acted as an auxilliary base to quench the HCl released as a by-product. The resultant N-heterocyclic phosphine five-membered ring adopts a half-chair conformation and features a tetracoordinate P atom ligated by the chelating diamine [P—N = 1.6348 (14) and 1.6192 (14) Å], one double-bonded O atom [P1—O1 = 1.4652 (12) Å] and one Cl atom [P1—Cl1 = 2.0592 (7) Å]. The sterically hindered 2,6-diisopropylphenyl (Dipp) groups twist away from the central heterocycle, with torsion angles of −75.66 (19) and 83.39 (19)° for the P—N—Car—Car links. A number of intramolecular C—H...N, C—H...O and C—H...Cl close contacts occur. In the crystal, molecules are linked by C—H...O hydrogen bonds to generate [010] chains. C—H...π interactions are also observed.
3-Methyl-5,6-diphenyl-1H-pyrazolo[1,2-a]cinnolin-1-one
Authors: Mayakrishnan Sivakalai , Arun Y. , Maheswari Narayanan Uma
Published: April 2017

The asymmetric unit of the title compound, C24H18N2O, comprises two crystallographically independent molecules (AandB), with slightly different conformations. In each molecule, there is an intramolecular C—H...O hydrogen bond forming anS(6) ring motif. The pyridazine rings of the pyrazolo[1,2-a]cinnoline units have screw-boat conformations. Their mean planes are inclined to the phenyl rings by 83.81 (8) and 74.19 (8)° in moleculeA, and 89.72 (8) and 71.07 (8)° in moleculeB. In the crystal, theAandBmolecules are linked by a pair of C—H...O hydrogen bonds, forming an A–B dimer with anR22(14) ring motif. These dimers are linked by further C—H...O hydrogen bonds, forming ribbons propagating along theb-axis direction. The ribbons are linked by a number of C—H...π interactions, forming a three-dimensional structure.
(E)-N-(1H-Pyrrol-2-ylmethylidene)-2-{[(E)-(1H-pyrrol-2-ylmethylidene)amino]methyl}aniline
Authors: Raghuvarman B. , Gayathri Jayagopi , Selvan Kumar Sangeetha , Sugumar P. , Ponnuswamy M. N.
Published: April 2017

The title salophene-type compound, C17H16N4, crystallizes with two independent molecules (AandB) in the asymmetric unit. Both (pyrrol-2-yl)methanimine groups have an extended conformation, and anEconformation about the C=N bonds. The pyrrole rings are inclined to the aminobenzylamine ring by 43.7 (3) and 78.9 (2)° in moleculeA, and by 46.8 (3) and 79.3 (3)° in moleculeB, while the pyrrole rings are inclined to one another by 58.9 (3) and 59.9 (3)° in moleculesAandB, respectively. In the crystal, molecules are linked by N—H...N hydrogen bonds, forming chains propagating along thea-axis direction. The chains are linked by C—H...π interactions, forming a three-dimensional supramolecular structure.
3-Benzylidene-1′-methyl-4′-phenyldispiro[cyclopentane-1,3′-pyrrolidine-2′,1′′-acenaphthene]-2,2′′-dione
Authors: Varadharajan E. , Ramkumar V. , Scholastica M. V. B. , Augustine Arul Prasad T.
Published: April 2017

In the title compound, C33H27NO2, the pyrrolidine ring adopts an envelope conformation, with the N atom as the flap. The cyclopentanone ring adopts a twisted conformation about the Cs—CH2bond (s = spiro link). The dihedral angle between these rings (all atoms) is 82.02 (15)°. The packing features weak C—H...O interactions.
Inhibiters replacement of chilled water system in nuclear unit
Authors: Xie Jianli , Hu Jiayuan , Lu Jundong , Li Xinmin
Published: April 2017

Purpose

The purpose of this paper was to study the corrosion control of B10 copper-nickel alloy using the LiOH-N2H4 compound inhibitors and to evaluate the feasibility of replacing the original inhibitors (NaNO2-Na2MoO4) with the new ones (LiOH-N2H4) for the chilled water system in a nuclear unit.

Design/methodology/approach

The corrosion resistance performance of B10 copper-nickel alloy was evaluated during the whole replacement process of inhibiters using electrochemical tests and surface analysis techniques.

Findings

The results indicated that the corrosion of B10 copper-nickel alloy could be prevented effectively using LiOH to increase the pH value of solution higher than 10.0 and using N2H4 to consume dissolved oxygen. During the replacement process of inhibitors from NaNO2-Na2MoO4 to LiOH-N2H4, the corrosion resistance performance of B10 copper-nickel alloy had not decreased greatly. The new LiOH-N2H4 inhibitor, which could enhance the compactness of rust, was able to reduce the corrosion rate of rusted B10 metal.

Originality/value

It is feasible and operable to replace the NaNO2-Na2MoO4 inhibitors with the LiOH-N2H4 inhibitors for the corrosion prevention of B10 copper-nickel alloy. The research results can provide guidelines for the inhibitor selection of chilled water system in a nuclear unit.
Structure and corrosion behavior of Al-Co-Ti alloy system
Authors: Debili Mohamed Yacine , Sassane Nacira , Boukhris Noureddine
Published: April 2017

Purpose

This paper aims to investigate ternary Al-Co-Ti alloy system with various Co compositions. Structural characterization of AlxCoy-2Ti2 alloys were performed by means of light microscopy, scanning electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction and electrochemical test. The effect of the addition of 5, 10, 15, 20, 25, 30 per cent Co and 2 per cent Ti on the structural evolution shows that both intermetallic compounds formation and structure morphology are related to corrosion resistance at the as-elaborated state as after subsequent heat treatment at 500°C during short time. According to the microstructural characterizations, the authors can notice that the substitution of Co has an important effect on the corrosion resistance and plays a role for the formation of the passive film.

Design/methodology/approach

The alloys in this study were obtained by a high-frequency induction fusion. Powders from Al, Co and Ti (99.999 per cent) in proportions defined according to the composition aimed of alloy have been used. The total mass of the sample to be elaborated lies between 8 and 10 g. Cold compaction was achieved for mixed powder intended for high fusion frequency (HF). For electrochemical tests, the sample was cut by a diamond wheel to obtain a square section of dimensions 1 cm2. Afterward, this sample was connected with a Cu electrical wire. The last stage is the envelope in an acrylic resin realized in a plastic mold. The used electrolyte is a salt environment of 3.5 per cent NaCl (35 g of NaCl by liter of distilled water at room temperature [25 ± 1°C], aerated and with moderated agitation V = 250 r.min−1). This mold is kept in ambient air for 10 min to allow the resin to solidify.

Findings

The aim of this work is to establish the influence of the addition of Co and Ti on structural change and related corrosion behavior improvement in Al. Particular attention is accorded to Al-15 per cent Co-2 per cent Ti alloy.

Originality/value

Among the studied alloys with different Co contents, a precise composition of 15 per cent Co and 2 per cent Ti appears to have interesting electrochemical characteristics regarding the corrosion potential, the corrosion current and particularly the corrosion rate, which is very small when compared to that of other alloys, as well in the as-solidified state than after heat treatment. This composition is located halfway between the stainless steel 304 and the Al-Fe and Al-Co-Ce alloys.
The influence of temperature on the corrosion inhibition of API 5L X42 pipeline steel in HCl medium by gum arabic
Authors: Bentrah Hamza , Chala Abdelouahad , Djellab Mounir , Rahali Youssouf , Taoui Hicham
Published: April 2017

Purpose

This paper aims to investigate the influence of temperature (25-65°C) on the adsorption and the inhibition efficiency of gum arabic (GA) for the corrosion of API 5L X42 pipeline steel in 1M HCl.

Design/methodology/approach

Inhibition behaviour on steel in HCl has been studied in relation to the concentration of the inhibitor and the temperature using potentiodynamic polarization curves and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy. Thermodynamic parameters of adsorption were calculated from the viewpoint of adsorption theory.

Findings

The results show that at a temperature range from 25 to 65°C, GA was a good inhibitor for API 5L X42 pipeline steel, and its inhibition efficiency was significantly stable. The maximum inhibition efficiency (93 per cent) is obtained at 4 g L−1. In absence and presence of GA, there is almost no change in the corrosion mechanism regardless of the temperature. The adsorption of GA on steel surface is an exothermic process. The adsorption of GA involves physical adsorption.

Practical implications

The use of GA as an eco-friendly corrosion inhibitor is practical for carbon steel in HCl.

Originality/value

The stability of inhibition efficiency of GA at a temperature range from 25 to 65°C could find possible applications in acid pickling, industrial acid cleaning and acid descaling.
Psychological therapies and people who have ID: a report from the Royal College of Psychiatrists and British Psychological Society
Authors: Beail Nigel
Published: April 2017

Purpose

Over a decade ago “Psychotherapy and learning disabilities” was published by the UK Royal College of Psychiatrists. It was decided by the Royal College and British Psychological Society’s faculties for people who have ID to revise and update this report. The paper aims to discuss these issues.

Design/methodology/approach

Experts in the field were invited to make a contribution on their approach covering method, adaptations, service user views and outcomes.

Findings

A great deal has changed in the last decade in terms of service development and research resulting in a much wider range of therapies being made available and there being a growing evidence base.

Research limitations/implications

Further work needs to be carried out to make such information accessible to carers and service users.

Practical implications

The report is a useful resource for professionals involved in the support of the mental health and emotional needs of people who have ID.

Social implications

The report should help expand the range of therapies available to people who have ID who need then so they can live more fulfilling lives.

Originality/value

The report provide extensive coverage of the range of psychological therapies available to people who have ID along with their evidence base.
Psychosis and epilepsy in ring chromosome 20 syndrome
Authors: Shelton Alice , Tromans Samuel Joseph , Bhaumik Sabyasachi , Kiani Reza
Published: April 2017

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to discuss the challenges of assessment and management of psychotic symptoms in a background of intellectual disability (ID) and treatment-resistant epilepsy caused by a genetic syndrome.

Design/methodology/approach

Ring chromosome 20 [r(20)] syndrome is characterised by the triad of severe refractory epilepsy, mild to severe ID and behavioural problems. This paper describes the presentation of r(20) syndrome in a young woman with moderate ID and treatment-resistant epilepsy, who experiences psychotic symptoms at times of improved seizure control.

Findings

There are several diagnostic possibilities for such a presentation, including psychotic symptoms due to adverse effects of anti-epileptic medications and forced normalisation (alternating psychosis).

Originality/value

This paper advocates judicious use of antipsychotic medication to manage psychotic symptoms, as well as involvement of both patient and close family members throughout all stages of care. It is essential to strike a balance between control of epileptic seizures and psychiatric symptoms, providing an optimal benefit to the patients’ quality of life by meeting their complex needs through a multidisciplinary and multi-agency team input.
Feeling down and understanding depression
Authors: Cronin Peter , Peyton Liam , Chaplin Eddie
Published: April 2017

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to offer a perspective on depression and self-help from two experts with lived experience of learning disabilites.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper outlines the authors’ presentation and experiences at the recent Learning Disability Today conference.

Findings

The paper shares some things we can do to help our mental wellbeing.

Originality/value

This paper offers the view of two people with learning disabilities lived experience of depression. The paper also offers and insight into some of the strategies they use to manage and encourage positive mental health.
Segmenting beyond behavioural intentions
Authors: Kruger Martinette , Saayman Melville
Published: April 2017

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to determine whether a music festival leads to additional intangible benefits such as the appreciation of the specific music genre and music tourism. This was done by using visitors’ behavioural intentions related to these benefits as a tool for market segmentation.

Design/methodology/approach

The research followed a quantitative approach by conducting a visitor survey at an international jazz festival in South Africa.

Findings

The results showed that visitors’ post-festival behavioural intentions are a useful market segmentation tool. This approach revealed three distinct market segments with different levels of post-festival behavioural intentions (high, medium, and low). The results further showed that music festivals have the potential to create benefits beyond the festival itself or the host destination in the form of music tourism and the appreciation of a music genre. However, influencing visitors’ behavioural intentions can only be achieved by a thorough understanding of the characteristics of the market.

Originality/value

This research applied an innovative market segmentation approach that showed the post-festival behavioural intentions of different visitor segments at a music festival. The findings confirm that music festivals can have far-reaching benefits that can contribute to their legacy.
Social media for environmental sustainability awareness in higher education
Authors: Hamid Suraya , Ijab Mohamad Taha , Sulaiman Hidayah , Md. Anwar Rina , Norman Azah Anir
Published: April 2017

Purpose

The explosion of social media use such as Facebook among higher education students is deemed to have great potential in widely disseminating environmental sustainability awareness. The paper aims to capture, summarise, synthesise and comment on the role of social media to garner interest of students and staff on environmental sustainability issues.

Design/methodology/approach

Systematic literature review technique is adopted, and three selected online databases were searched for relevant papers for review. Specific data were extracted from each paper, and the discussion section was based on the developed research questions.

Findings

Higher education needs to fully leverage the ubiquity of social media to extend how environmental sustainability is viewed by the students and staff. Sustainability practices conducted at the university level such as recycling, reduction of electricity and water consumptions and paper reduction in classroom and used to engage students on environmental matters. For staff, social media can be leveraged as to convey the university policy and assist in their quest to become full-fledged green universities.

Research limitations/implications

Some of the limitations of this research include the lack of keyword search using synonyms or related terms equivalent to the term “awareness”, lack of forward and backward searches, and the papers were searched until end of 2013 only. Future research needs to take advantage of the current limitations to investigate this topic and be empirically supported by theories using quantitative, qualitative or mixed-method-based research. Future studies could also develop relevant frameworks to propose an effective use of social media for creating environmental sustainability awareness in higher education.

Practical implications

Propagations of environmental sustainability awareness in higher education would be more effective with the use of social media.

Social implications

In principle, the increase of environmental awareness level would increase the students’ good behavioural conduct on environmental sustainability.

Originality/value

While the broad topic of environmental sustainability in higher education is widely discussed, the role of social media in shaping environmental sustainability awareness is still under researched. This situation provides a significant potential for exploration by sustainability researchers to craft their investigation on the effective role of social media in creating environmental awareness in higher education.
Transition communities and the glass ceiling of environmental sustainability policies at three universities
Authors: Pardellas Santiago Miguel , Meira Cartea Pablo , Iglesias da Cunha Lucía
Published: April 2017

Purpose

This paper deals with the experiences of three European universities that have implemented transition initiatives, using the Transition Network’s methodology to promote their sustainability plans. The Transition Communities’ model for change is presented from a socio-educational perspective as an effective methodology for encouraging university environmental sustainability processes. In this context, the purpose of this paper was to analyze Transition Communities at universities using an environmental–educational approach in three different scenarios: the Universidade de Santiago de Compostela (USC), the University of Edinburgh (UEd) and the Universidade do Minho (UMinho).

Design/methodology/approach

The authors engaged in a comparative analysis of multiple case studies in the Transition “phenomenon”, looking for convergences and divergences among them.

Findings

The comparative analysis revealed three very different scenarios, which ironically shared an absence of explicit theoretical–methodological references in the design, execution and evaluation of the educational actions that were implemented. Examination of the impact and continuity of these initiatives uncovered the existence of a “glass ceiling” in university environmental sustainability strategies. Even the innovative Transition methodology was unable to subvert the established academic, corporate, organizational and cultural structures and dynamics that perpetuate unsustainability.

Originality/value

This study was carried out from an innovative perspective with few precedents in the Transition context. The authors’ educational–environmental approach provides insight for articulating educational strategies for environmental sustainability at universities and for constructing a Transition model for education.
Drupal, TEI and XML: How to prototype a digital humanities tool?
Authors: Di Monte Lauren , Serafin Mike
Published: April 2017

Purpose

This paper aims to take seriously the import accorded to the interface within the digital humanities. It will probe some of the possibilities and limits of the computer interface as a reading and research tool by unpacking theoretical and practical aspects of interface design.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors wanted to see if they could design a tool that would meet three interrelated goals: the first was to develop a digital tool that would enable scholarship rather than mere publishing. Next, they wanted to build an interface that would acknowledge the situatedness of reading and meaning-making practices.

Findings

The research-oriented design approach to interface design has shown us how valuable it is to combine research and practice when thinking through issues in the digital humanities. Engaging in such a design project provides the unique opportunity to bring together theoretical concepts relating interface design with robust tools like XML mark-up and Drupal modules.

Originality/value

There is literature on the subject of transformation of print documents to electronic text (Hayles, 2003) and the representation of text within a computer (Sperberg-McQueen, 1991); this project attempts to build a prototype of what these theories might look like.
Bridging the gap: integrating the library into Moodle learning management system a study
Authors: Kampa Raj Kishor
Published: April 2017

Purpose

This paper aims to study how a library can be best integrated into eLearning platform, thereby making it easier for both the instructors and students to search the library resources with ease. Further, it explores the perceived usefulness of library integration in the eLearning platform and ease of access of library resources and services through the integrated system by students.

Design/methodology/approach

The study has adopted quantitative research design to garner the perceptions of students towards library integration system in eLearning and its perceived usefulness of integration. In total, 156 responses were collected from both first-year and second-year students of the institute. Collected data were analysed using descriptive statistics and ANOVA.

Findings

The author argues that by integrating library in Moodle LMS, the library plays a more significant role in the eLearning environment, especially in facilitating access to electronic resources to the students. Research findings suggest that respondents had positive perceptions towards the library integration in eLearning.

Practical implications

This paper offers technical strategies for integrating library in learning management system (LMS), thereby strengthening relation with faculties, increasing relevance with students and improving visibility of library.

Originality/value

In the eLearning environment, this paper will be of immense value for the librarians who are looking for establishing their presence in LMS.
The effects of regulatory focus and mixed valence imagery and analytical attributes on product decisions
Authors: Roy Rajat
Published: April 2017

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to investigate the effects of regulatory focus (promotion vs prevention) and mixed valence attributes (positive imagery and negative analytical vs negative imagery and positive analytical) on consumers’ evaluation and purchase intention for a product.

Design/methodology/approach

A pre-test followed by a single between subject’s experiment was conducted to test the major hypotheses in the study.

Findings

Results show that promotion (prevention) focus prefers the product when it is described in terms of positive imagery but negative analytical (positive analytical but negative imagery) attributes in terms of both evaluation and purchase intention.

Research limitations/implications

Future research may validate and extend the current findings with other product or service categories, and study the underlying processes that guide decision making.

Practical implications

Findings from this study will help managers devise a range of marketing strategies in the areas of advertising, segmentation and product positioning.

Originality/value

The current research is novel as it addresses lack of research that engages imagery and analytical attributes with different valences, and fills in a gap as to how regulatory focus will rely on imagery (analytical) attributes with different valences while making product decisions.
Experiential value: a review and future research directions
Authors: Varshneya Geetika , Das Gopal , Khare Arpita
Published: April 2017

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to review the academic literature on the experiential value to appreciate the developments in the area in the last decade; propose a conceptual framework delineating the determinants and outcomes of experiential value and provide future research directions based on the insights.

Design/methodology/approach

A range of online databases were searched to review and select the papers related to experiential value. The full text of each of the papers was taken as a unit of analysis. The classification and coding of all the selected papers was performed manually by two independent researchers.

Findings

The analysis led to the classification of the experiential value literature broadly into five categories, i.e. conceptualization, measurement, antecedents, outcomes and applications. The findings indicated that the experiential value delineates across cultures, store formats, channels and product categories. The proposed framework depicting antecedents and outcomes could form a basis for future studies. The study unveiled several other useful findings as discussed in the paper.

Research limitations/implications

The findings may be generalized only to the selected online databases for the given time period in the experiential value domain. The study identified several potential avenues for future research.

Practical implications

The present study may help the academicians and practitioners to comprehend the current state of literature. The bibliography may be considered as a ready reference for contemplating future research in the area.

Originality/value

The extant literature revealed that no study so far has captured a literature review in the area of experiential value. Thus, this could be seen as a unique and significant contribution to the literature.
Salesperson’s spirituality: impact on customer orientation and adaptability
Authors: Chawla Vaibhav , Guda Sridhar
Published: April 2017

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to use the perspective of ego to investigate the spirituality of a salesperson and its influence on customer orientation and adaptive selling behavior. Meaningful work is proposed as a mediator.

Design/methodology/approach

Cross-sectional data were collected from 218 insurance salespeople in India. Bootstrap with SEM was used to test mediation.

Findings

The paper finds that there is full mediation through meaningful work on both the outcome behaviors.

Research limitations/implications

The findings will encourage researchers to link various salesperson outcomes such as ethical sales behavior, salesperson service behavior, and so on to spirituality.

Practical implications

The findings can provide some relevant inputs for sales leadership actions aimed at facilitating employees’ spiritual experiences.

Originality/value

This is among the first few studies, as what the authors believe, in the sales literature to find out that spirituality and sales job not only can co-exist, but they do complement each other.
The influence of cultural values on green purchase behaviour
Authors: Nguyen The Ninh , Lobo Antonio , Greenland Steven
Published: April 2017

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to investigate the influence of consumers’ collectivism and long-term orientation (LTO) cultural values on their purchase intention in relation to environment-friendly products.

Design/methodology/approach

This research adopts a hypo-deductive research design. A unique conceptual model was developed by linking cultural values to key determinants of green purchase behaviour. This model was then tested using a quantitative survey of 682 shoppers in popular Vietnamese electrical appliance stores.

Findings

Analysis using structural equation modelling reveals that consumers with greater adherence to collectivism and LTO tend to engage in green purchase behaviour owing to their positive environmental attitudes, strong subjective norms and tolerance of inconvenience associated with eco-friendly product purchase. Gender is found to moderate the relationship between the determinants and purchase intention.

Practical implications

Marketers including manufacturers and policymakers must endeavour (change globally) to reduce or eliminate perceived inconvenience associated with green purchases. They should also effectively communicate messages stressing that eco-friendly product purchases are crucial for environmental protection and benefit consumer groups including family, peers and society in the long-run.

Originality/value

This research is the first of its kind which links consumers’ cultural values at a personal level to all the elements of the theory of planned behaviour. This research also extends current knowledge about green purchase behaviour in emerging markets by focussing on Vietnam.
Green brand benefits and their influence on brand loyalty
Authors: Lin Jialing , Lobo Antonio , Leckie Civilai
Published: April 2017

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to investigate the formation of green brand image through customers’ perceptions of the functional and emotional benefits associated with green brands and the influence of green brand image on purchase behavioural response. Additionally, the influence of a moderating variable (green perceived risk) on this formation process is examined.

Design/methodology/approach

Data were collected using an online survey administered to a consumer panel in China. Structural equation modelling was used to test the conceptual model.

Findings

The results demonstrate that the provision of utilitarian benefits and self-expressive benefits directly enhance the brand’s green image. Also, utilitarian benefits and green brand image have direct influences on green brand loyalty. Green perceived risk negatively moderates the relationship between utilitarian benefits and green brand image.

Research limitations/implications

This study extends previous research by examining the development of green brand image and investigating the moderating role of green perceived risk in this process. Also, this study enriches research on green brand and corporate branding by investigating the relationship between green brand image and brand loyalty.

Originality/value

Although previous research has examined how perceived benefits influence the development of corporate brand image, the issue has not been investigated from a green branding perspective. Moreover, the moderating role of green perceived risk in the formation of green brand image has not been explored, despite the concerns relating to greenwash which have been raised in several green brand studies. Finally, green brand image was found to be a strong antecedent of brand loyalty, besides the predominant elements of green trust and green satisfaction.
The importance of aesthetics on customers’ intentions to purchase smartphones
Authors: Toufani Samrand , Stanton John Philip , Chikweche Tendai
Published: April 2017

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to examine how potential purchasers of a personal information, communication and entertainment device such as a smartphone, perceive the aesthetics of such a product. It then examines whether appreciation of the product’s aesthetics influences their purchase intention through different dimensions of perceived value drawn from perceptions of the product’s aesthetics, or whether there is a direct relationship from aesthetics to purchase intention.

Design/methodology/approach

Mixed methods consisting of two focus groups, a pilot and large online surveys were used for instrument confirmation and data collection. Data were analysed and hypotheses were tested using partial least squares structural equation modelling techniques.

Findings

Aesthetics’ primary effect on purchase intention is not direct, but rather indirect through perceived social and to a lesser extent, perceived emotional value while the importance of aesthetics on perceived functional value is far less. There was also support for a formative approach in the construction of an aesthetics scale with the identification of four different latent factors of aesthetics.

Research limitations/implications

This study is product specific but should be extendable to the product category. The possibility of other variables affecting the aesthetic appreciation of a product also needs consideration.

Practical implications

The study provides managers with insights on how aesthetics can be used to strengthen purchase intention in terms of both product development and promotional strategies. Aesthetics’ appeal to social and emotional perceived values, rather than functional value, provides guidance on how to use aesthetics in promotional campaigns.

Originality/value

Despite the richness of the literature on aesthetics, only a limited number of studies have researched the factors influencing aesthetic appreciation of a product and the effect on purchase intention. This research expands knowledge in the area thereby providing new insights on the influence of aesthetics on marketing.
Expectations and realities in welfare technologies
Authors: Bygstad Bendik , Lanestedt Gjermund
Published: April 2017

Purpose

The paper aims to add knowledge on the status of the welfare technology field. Politicians in mature economies expect welfare technologies – especially digital technologies – to contribute to bridging the gap between an increasing number of elderly and a shrinking work force. Theoretically, the paper deals with welfare technologies in a digital infrastructure perspective.

Design/methodology/approach

A multilevel and comparative study was conducted to understand the interplay of high-level policies and implementation projects and highlight key issues through comparative analysis of different national approaches. Japan and Norway were the chosen countries because they are both in the forefront in the use of welfare technologies.

Findings

Findings reveal similarities between the two countries, which are echoed in many other countries: although government expectations are high, the field of welfare technology is still in its infancy and only rather simple solutions (such as safety alarms) are widely used. Key differences in innovation strategies for welfare technology in the two countries are highlighted, where Japan seem to be aiming for a vertical integration through large corporations’ solutions, whereas Norway aims for a more open innovation arena through standardization.

Originality/value

From a practical point of view, the two countries have something to learn from each other, but, in particular, both countries are recommended – together with other similar countries – a more platform-oriented approach. Theoretically, it is shown that a successful implementation of welfare technologies should adopt a digital infrastructure approach and exploit the generative mechanisms of this approach.
Determinants of citizens’ mobile apps future use in Chinese local governments
Authors: Reddick Christopher G. , Zheng Yueping
Published: April 2017

Purpose

This paper aims to explore the determinants of citizens’ future use of mobile applications provided by government. Research on citizen-initiated contacts with government has focused on both non-technology and technology related contacts. Existing research, however, has not examined the impact of mobile applications or “apps” on citizen-initiated contacts with government. Furthermore, existing research has not examined satisfaction with mobile government and whether this impacts future use.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors examine future use of mobile apps through an empirical analysis of a public opinion survey of citizen users in four of the largest cities in China (Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou and Shenzhen).

Findings

Using ordered logistic regression analysis, this study found that the strongest predictors of future use were demand and satisfaction with mobile apps. However, there was no wide-scale evidence of socioeconomic status and age impacting mobile apps future use.

Practical implications

The findings in this study contribute to both theory and practice of the determinants of mobile government adoption.

Originality/value

The results challenge the citizen-initiated contact theory, as socioeconomic status was not a major predictor of mobile apps future use in China. The results further indicate that satisfaction was a good predictor of mobile apps future use.
Realizing e-government benefits with minimal capabilities
Authors: Pedersen Keld
Published: April 2017

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to increase our understanding of the requirements for public sector organizations to implement benefits realization practices. The research compares benefits realization practices as suggested by the literature with actual practice with the goal of identifying both insufficiencies in the current literature and challenges in practice that must be overcome to improve the current situation.

Design/methodology/approach

The case study approach is used to study benefits realization across national and local government organizations.

Findings

Five major challenges that are not dealt with by existing literature were identified: benefits realization requires not just organizational capabilities, but also inter-organizational capabilities; coordination of benefits realization across organizational units, local and central government and across internal organizational levels is both essential and very challenging; managing benefits realization includes much more than integrating benefits realization practices in IT projects; different benefits realization practices are needed at central government level, local management level and case worker level; and different uses of technology require different levels of benefits realization capabilities and different practices. The case also illustrates that under certain conditions, organization can actually realize significant improvements with limited benefits realization capabilities: When IT is used not to change but to fully automate processes, the reliance on formal benefits realization practices is decreased.

Research limitations/implications

The findings are based on a single case.

Originality/value

There is only little empirical research studying benefits realization in a public sector context. Furthermore, the research studies benefits realization from an organizational process perspective, and not from the perspective of IT projects.
Forest restoration as a double‐edged sword: the conflict between biodiversity conservation and pest control
Authors: Kärvemo Simon , Björkman Christer , Johansson Therese , Weslien Jan , Hjältén Joakim
Published: April 2017

Forestry has markedly changed a large proportion of the world's boreal forests, often with negative effects on biodiversity. As a result, forest restoration is increasingly implemented to counteract the negative effects. However, restoration measures aimed at mimicking natural disturbance regimes could simultaneously increase the risk of unwanted negative effects, such as damage by forest pest species. This study compares the effect of two restoration methods (prescribed burning and gap‐cutting), on both biodiversity conservation and pest control, to provide a basis for solutions to this potential conflict.

Bark beetles are ideal for studying this conflict, as this group is both species‐rich and contains notorious pest species. We conducted a unique, large‐scale field experiment in which we compared the effect of two different restoration methods on the abundance, species richness and assemblage composition of bark beetles. In addition, we estimated uncontrolled tree mortality by the number of trees that died post‐restoration.

Beetles were divided in two groups, primary and secondary, the former with an ability to kill growing trees. Bark beetle diversity did not differ between treatment groups prior to restoration. However, after restoration, assemblage composition and primary bark beetle abundance differed between the treatments. Furthermore, species richness was higher in burned and gap‐cut stands compared to reference stands.

The number of trees that died post‐restoration was highest on burned sites, whereas no difference was found between gap‐cut and reference stands. The number of dead trees was correlated with the number of primary beetles.

Synthesis and applications. We demonstrate the potential for a conflict between forest restoration for biodiversity conservation and the potential risk for tree mortality caused by forest pests. This is likely to become a problem in many boreal forests; however, our results suggest that this conflict can be moderated by the choice of restoration method. The restoration method gap‐cutting had a similar positive impact on bark beetle species richness as compared to the burning method, but did not as burning, increase tree mortality. Thus, in areas where there is an apparent risk for pest outbreaks, our data suggest that gap‐cutting should be the chosen method to avoid an unwanted increase in tree mortality at the stand level.
NDUFA4L2 protects against ischaemia/reperfusion‐induced cardiomyocyte apoptosis and mitochondrial dysfunction by inhibiting complex I
Authors: Li Jianhua , Bai Caiyan , Guo Junxia , Liang Wanqian , Long Jingning
Published: April 2017

Myocardial ischaemia/reperfusion (I/R) injury may cause the apoptosis of cardiomyocytes as well as mitochondrial dysfunction. The aims of the present study were to investigate whether NADH dehydrogenase 1 alpha subcomplex subunit 4‐like 2 (NDUFA4L2) on myocardial ischaemia‐reperfusion (I/R) injury and the underlying molecular mechanism. The hypoxia‐reperfusion (H/R) model was established in vitro using H9c2 cells to simulate I/R injury. NDUFA4L2 and complex I expression levels were detected using RT‐PCR and western blot. The apoptosis of H9c2 cells was evaluated by flow cytometry and the expression of Bax and Bcl‐2 was detected by western blot. The mitochondrial function was assessed by ATP concentration, mPTP opening and cytochrome c (cyto C) expression. Our data indicated that NDUFA4L2 expression was significantly down‐regulated in myocardial H/R injury. Overexpression of NDUFA4L2 led to a dramatic prevention of H/R‐induced apoptosis accompanied by a decrease in the expression of Bax and an increase in the expression of Bcl‐2. Meanwhile, augmentation of NDUFA4L2 dramatically prevented mitochondrial dysfunction caused by H/R as reflecting in the increased ATP concentration, delayed mPTP opening, as well as down‐regulated cyto C expression. Moreover, complex I activation was heightened and negatively regulated by NDUFA4L2. Silencing complex I conspicuously attenuated cell apoptosis and mitochondrial dysfunction. Taken together, our findings demonstrated that NDUFA4L2 protects against H/R injury by preventing myocardium apoptosis and mitochondrial dysfunction via the complex I, and may be a potential therapeutic approach for attenuating myocardial I/R injury.
Anti‐inflammatory and retinal protective effects of capsaicin on ischaemia‐induced injuries through the release of endogenous somatostatin
Authors: Wang Jun , Tian Wenke , Wang Shuaiwei , Wei Wenqiang , Wu Dongdong , Wang Honggang , Wang Li , Yang Ruisheng , Ji Ailing , Li Yanzhang
Published: April 2017

The mechanisms regarding the retinal protective and anti‐inflammatory effects of capsaicin (CAP) remain unclear. Somatostatin is contained in CAP‐sensitive sensory neurons, including nerve terminals, from which it can be released by capsaicin. The present study provides a novel neurohumoral regulatory mechanism for CAP‐induced‐endogenous somatostatin in a retinal ischaemia‐reperfusion (I/R) mouse model. CAP (0.5 mg/kg) was injected subcutaneously 5 minutes after I/R. A selective somatostatin‐depleting agent, cysteamine, was applied subcutaneously 4 hours before the experiment to examine the effects of endogenous somatostatin. Ischaemia and oxidative stress‐induced inflammatory factors (CXCL10, CXCR3 and NF‐κB p65) were also examined in the present study. The morphometric evaluation showed that the retinal thickness was increased 24 hours after I/R injury and attenuated 7 days after I/R injury. The number of ganglion cells was reduced 7 days after I/R injury. The application of CAP significantly prevented retinal I/R damage. Cysteamine pretreatment reversed the effects of CAP. Inhibition of CXCL10/CXCR3 and NF‐κB (especially in astrocytes and microglia/macrophage) was involved in capsaicin‐induced retinal protection through endogenous somatostatin. CAP has anti‐inflammatory and neuroprotective effects in ischaemia‐induced retinal injuries through endogenous somatostatin. Novel therapeutic remedies for inflammation or neuronal injuries were developed based on the systemic humoral effects related to CAP.
Improving the visibility of women's health
Authors: Thorp John
Published: April 2017

Deputy Editor‐in‐Chief, Dr John Thorp, discusses his top articles from this issue in an audio podcast available at: https://soundcloud.com/bjog/may-editors-choice-2017.