bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Development of an undulator with a variable magnetic field profile
Authors: Tanaka Takashi , Kida Yuichiro , Kinjo Ryota , Togashi Tadashi , Tomizawa Hiromitsu , Hashimoto Satoshi , Miyamoto Shuji , Okabe Sumiyuki , Tanaka Yoshihito
Published: February 2021

An undulator generating a magnetic field whose longitudinal profile is arbitrarily varied has been developed, which is one of the key components in a number of proposed new concepts in free-electron lasers. The undulator is composed of magnet modules, each of which corresponds to a single undulator period, and is driven by a linear actuator to change the magnetic gap independently. To relax the requirement on the actuator, the mechanical load on each module due to magnetic force acting from opponent and adjacent modules is reduced by means of two kinds of spring systems. The performance of the constructed undulator has been successfully demonstrated by magnetic measurement and characterization of synchrotron radiation.
Experimenting with game-based learning in preservice teacher education
Authors: Johnson Lindy L. , Kim Grace MyHyun
Published: February 2021

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to examine the use of game-based learning for approximations of practice within a critical, project-based (CPB) clinical experience for preservice teachers (PSTs). Within the clinical experience, secondary English Language Arts PSTs practiced modeling argumentative thinking through playing a board game,Race to the White House, with ninth-grade students.

Design/methodology/approach

Data collection took place at a public high school in the mid-Atlantic region of the USA. A variety of data was collected including written reflections by PSTs about their experiences leading the game play, audio recordings of the small group game play and a transcript of a whole-class 30-min post-game discussion with the PSTs and classroom teacher. To analyze the data, patterns of discourse were identified.

Findings

The game-based learning activity provided an accessible structure for PSTs to model their own argumentative thinking, presented opportunities for PSTs to elicit and interpret students’ thinking to support students’ practice in constructing an argument and created a playful context for PSTs to encourage students to produce arguments and critique the argumentation work of others.

Research limitations/implications

Game-based learning within CPB clinical experiences has the potential to bring students, PSTs, inservice teachers and teacher educators together to experiment with how to help PSTs practice engaging with students in different ways than a traditional teacher-to-student dynamic.

Originality/value

Game design and game play within CPB clinical experiences has the potential to bring students, PSTs, inservice teachers and teacher educators together to experiment with how to make teaching and learning a more social and collaborative process.
Islam, Arab women's entrepreneurship and the construal of success
Authors: Tlaiss Hayfaa A. , McAdam Maura
Published: February 2021

Purpose

The aim of this paper is to explore how Arab Muslim women entrepreneurs construe success, their identity as successful and the influence of Islam on these construals in the country-specific context of Lebanon.

Design/methodology/approach

To achieve our aim, a qualitative interpretative methodology, drawing upon 25 in-depth, semi-structured interviews with Muslim women entrepreneurs was adopted.

Findings

Equipped with Islamic feminism, Arab women entrepreneurs experienced Islam as a malleable resource. Islam allowed them to construe success and their identity as successful at the juncture of their lived experiences as business owners, Muslims of good character and standing and Arab females. Ultimately, Islam unfolded as a dynamic religion that supports women's agency in a landscape dominated by deeply entrenched patriarchal societal and cultural norms and gender-based restrictions.

Originality/value

First, we contribute to research on the effect of Islam on entrepreneurship by demonstrating the influence of Islam on women's identity construction as successful and their construals of success. Second, we contribute to research on how entrepreneurs construe success beyond situating their construals of success in opposing camps of either objective or subjective success. Third, we contribute to research on identity construction and identity work by demonstrating how Muslim women entrepreneurs' identity as successful is construed at the intersection of their personal and social identities.
Modified total interpretive structural modelling of innovation implementation antecedents
Authors: Singh Shiwangi , Dhir Sanjay
Published: February 2021

Purpose

The paper aims to identify, analyse and develop a model for measuring the inter-relationship and interaction among the antecedents influencing innovation implementation. The extant literature has not widely studied the interactions and inter-relationships among the antecedents of innovation implementation. To fill this gap, the paper develops a hierarchical relationship framework between the identified antecedents of innovation implementation.

Design/methodology/approach

The study follows mixed method-based approach using two methodologies: modified total interpretive structural modelling (m-TISM) and MICMAC (Matriced’ Impacts Croisés Multiplication Appliquée á un Classement) analysis. m-TISM is used for the purpose of establishing the hierarchical relationship among the antecedents. MICMAC analysis is used to study the driver-dependent relationship. To identify the antecedents of innovation implementation, the paper follows a systematic search method found in the review articles. The article search was performed across different databases including Google Scholar, Web of Science, EBSCO and Scopus.

Findings

In this study, eight innovation implementation antecedents are identified. The analysis indicates that competency antecedents such as leader competency and employee competency, having high driving and weak dependence power, are at the lowest level in the hierarchical model, whereas, innovation implementation, having high dependence and low driving power, is at the highest level in the hierarchical model. Strategic resources act as a linkage variable.

Research limitations/implications

Although this study summarizes the extant literature to generalize the findings, the future studies can focus upon statistical validation of model by employing structural equation modelling to generalize the results.

Practical implications

The practitioners must emphasize on antecedents having strong driving power for successful implementation of innovation. The hierarchical model is proposed for implementing innovation successfully that will help organizations to be more competitive, productive and profitable.

Originality/value

In this study, m-TISM and MICMAC-based hierarchical models are proposed for implementing innovation successfully in organizations. It also provides the variables insights such as driver-dependent interrelationship between the identified antecedents.
Teaching an interdisciplinary course in sustainable food systems: science and history meet in “a world that works”
Authors: Blodgett David M. , Feld Marjorie N.
Published: February 2021

Purpose

The sustainability of the global food system hinges on its environmental resiliency and safety, including the health and well-being of its labor force. Single disciplinary courses in liberal arts or science often fail to highlight the overlap between environmental and social vulnerabilities that lead to food insecurity and diminish the sustainability of food systems. This paper aims to present the design and delivery of a successfully co-taught, interdisciplinary module on agricultural labor and sustainable food systems as a case study.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors designed a co-taught module in which they joined each other’s respective history and science class sessions at the undergraduate business college where they teach. Innovating the cross-disciplinary content of food security, immigration status, labor exploitation and pesticide exposure, they approached sustainability from the disciplinary perspectives of labor history and environmental science to show how these elements had both unique and overlapping impacts across food systems levels. Comparisons between pre- and post-module survey responses, alongside assessments of a co-authored exam question, measured the effectiveness of this module is changing students’ perspectives as food consumers and as citizens.

Findings

This module altered students’ understanding and perspectives around issues of food systems sustainability. Assessments indicated that students increased their awareness of agricultural workers at the front end of the food system, during production; students also gained awareness beyond consumption as they came to see the connections between workforce invisibility and ecosystem degradation.

Originality/value

These insights are valuable to educators at all institutional levels who seek to collaborate on sustainability initiatives and teaching, both in the singular, robust modules and in building modules that will lead to the development of entire courses focused on sustainability. The module described here builds on previous demonstrations of the value, significance and effectiveness of cross-disciplinary collaborations; it pioneers the use of the food system as the link between social and environmental sustainability education.
Understanding the factors influencing recycling behavior in college students: the role of interpersonal altruism and environmental concern
Authors: Chao Cheng-Min , Yu Tai-Kuei , Yu Tai-Yi
Published: February 2021

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to develop and empirically test a model that can predict factors affecting student recycling behavior. The theoretical model was based on motivation, place attachment, environmental concern and interpersonal altruism.

Design/methodology/approach

A cross-sectional study was conducted with college students in Taiwan using self-report questionnaires. Of the 800 distributed questionnaires, 523 were completed (response rate of 65.4%) and were analyzed using structural equation modeling. Partial least squares (PLS) were used to test the models and hypotheses.

Findings

The results showed that environmental concern, motivation, interpersonal altruism and place attachment have significant positive effects on recycling behavior and motivation and place attachment have significant positive effects on interpersonal altruism. This research contributes to the existing literature by discriminating between two sorts of motivation: intrinsic and extrinsic. Based on these findings, suggestions for future research and practical implications are presented.

Originality/value

Few studies have linked motivation, interpersonal altruism, environmental concern and place attachment to recycling behavior. Therefore, this study aimed to explore these relationships, specifically as they affect college students’ behavior. This paper anticipates that increased knowledge about recycling behavior could be used to support the wider adoption of recycling practices.
Enablers and barriers in adopting a reablement model of domiciliary care
Authors: King Erin , Young Alys
Published: February 2021

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to explore the effectiveness of reablement as an outcome-focussed commissioning model within the English domiciliary care market from the perspective of two private domiciliary care agency (PDCA) managers/owners within one local authority (LA) in the North West of England. Specifically, it focusses on owner/managers' perceived ability to effect change from a dependency to a reablement model within the English domiciliary care market.

Design/methodology/approach

Qualitative interviews with two contrasting owners/managers of PDCAs within one LA in the North West of England were carried out. Explorative analysis followed a constructionist grounded theory methodology.

Findings

Findings revealed how two main factors interacted to effect change from a dependency model to a reablement model of domiciliary care: internal organisational structure and individual emotional investment of the owners/managers. Additionally, fiscal and external organisational systems impact on these drivers, and are perceived to act as potential barriers to the adoption of a reablement model of domiciliary care by PDCAs.

Originality/value

Although based on only two idiographic accounts, the findings shed light on the policy and practice of commissioning models of domiciliary care within England and suggest further studies in this area of practice.
Micro design in inter-organizational hybrid governance: a study on product adaptation, reverse knowledge transfer and integration mechanism
Authors: Khoirunnisa Novi Lailatul , Almahendra Rangga
Published: February 2021

Purpose

This study aims to explore the extent to which inter-organizational hybrid governance manages the micro design for optimum reverse knowledge transfer in the open innovation context. The authors use two essential facets of micro design in hybrid governance: product adaptation and integration mechanism.

Design/methodology/approach

Data for this study were collected from franchisees through structured questionnaires in Indonesia.

Findings

Results indicated that product adaptation has a positive relationship with reverse knowledge transfer. This study also found that the formalization strengthens the relationship between product adaptation and reverse knowledge transfer. However, the socialization does not have a moderation effect.

Research limitations/implications

This research estimates the knowledge transfer from the agent’s side only. Therefore, further research is expected to estimate the reverse knowledge transfer in dyads (from agent and principal) to get a detailed understanding of reverse knowledge transfer.

Practical implications

This study offers guidelines to managers, especially in inter-organizational hybrid governance. The authors suggest reverse knowledge transfer as a form to manage the dispersed knowledge from their agents. Governing institutions should change their view that agents have diverse knowledgebase from experience adapting to local conditions and can improve their open innovation through reverse knowledge transfer. From the results, it is found that giving agents the flexibility to adapt products can boost reverse knowledge transfer to support open innovation.

Originality/value

This study provides an understanding of the utilization of external knowledge sourcing in the context of open innovation from agent to principal in hybrid governance through reverse knowledge transfer, which has thus far been empirically under-researched.
The structure of knowledge management in inter-organisational exchanges for resilient supply chains
Authors: Umar Muhammad , Wilson Mark , Heyl Jeff
Published: February 2021

Purpose

This study aims to build on the extant literature of knowledge management (KM) capabilities, notably infrastructure and processes, and examine how these capabilities influence the resilience of supply chains that experience regular natural disasters.

Design/methodology/approach

A multiple case study approach has been adopted to investigate the role of KM within foods supply chains of two different South Asian regions. This context was selected as these regions are prone to regular natural disruptions and these food supply chains also play a crucial role in the relief process.

Findings

The data shows that supply chain resilience can be enhanced when supply chain members collaborate to generate, share and use knowledge. These KM processes are greatly facilitated by KM infrastructure capabilities. IT advancements, a cohesive collaborative culture and the presence of strong central hubs firms in the network facilitate knowledge generation, knowledge sharing and knowledge utilisation, thus building supply chain resilience. Given the abductive nature of this research, these findings form the most likely associations, but with a degree of uncertainty. Hence, the authors provide propositions for further detailed research in this important area.

Originality/value

This study is one of the few, as far as the authors can tell, that seeks to examine the influence of KM on the resilience of supply chains. Further, uncovering the sub-structure of KM in this context adds to this emerging body of literature.
Fostering exploitative and exploratory innovation through HRM practices and knowledge management capability: the moderating effect of knowledge-centered culture
Authors: Lei Hui , Khamkhoutlavong Mathida , Le Phong Ba
Published: February 2021

Purpose

Given the important role of knowledge resource for organizational innovation, the purpose of this study is to examine the mediating mechanism of knowledge management capability (KMC) and the moderating role of knowledge-centered culture (KCC) in the relationship between human resource management (HRM) and firms’ innovation capabilities.

Design/methodology/approach

Analysis of moment structures and structural equation modeling are applied to examine the correlation among the constructs based on the survey data collected from 135 manufacturing firms.

Findings

The empirical findings reveal that KMC positively mediates the relationship between HRM practices and innovation capability. Especially, KCC of organization significantly fosters the impacts of HRM practices on KMC and aspects of innovation capability, namely, exploitative and exploratory innovation.

Practical implications

Chinese firms should invest in HRM practices and KMC to improve their innovation capabilities. In addition, developing KCC is suitable for Chinese firms to foster the effects of HRM practice on innovation capability.

Originality/value

By investigating the different moderated-mediation mechanisms, the paper has significantly contributed to advancing the body of knowledge of innovation theory and providing deeper insights on the correlation between HRM practices and firm’s capability for ambidextrous innovations.
The impact of service category and brand positioning on consumer animosity in the service sector – a social identity signaling perspective
Authors: Fong Cher-Min , Chang Hsing-Hua Stella , Hsieh Pei-Chun , Wang Hui-Wen
Published: February 2021

Purpose

The present research responds to researchers’ calls for more research of consumer animosity on potential boundary conditions (e.g. product categories) and marketing strategies that may mitigate such negative impacts on marketers’ product and/or brand performance, with a special focus on the soft service sector. This paper aims to address the unique characteristics of service internationalization, i.e. cultural embeddedness, hybridized country origins and high consumption visibility, by proposing a social identity signaling model to explain consumer animosity effects in the soft service sector.

Design/methodology/approach

Two surveys (Pretest with 240 participants and Study 1 with 351 participants) and one experiment (Study 2 with 731 participants) were conducted to empirically test our hypotheses in the Japanese-Chinese relationship context.

Findings

The stronger the national/cultural symbolism and social expressiveness, the stronger the consumer avoidance for the service category. Then the consumer culture positioning strategy that can mitigate an offending country’s cultural symbolism can reduce consumer avoidance.

Originality/value

This research introduces two factors that could affect the negative social identity signaling capacity of service categories in the animosity context: the national/cultural symbolism reflecting an offending country and the social expressiveness communicating social identity. In line with the social identity signaling perspective, the present research specifically uses consumer avoidance as the dependent variable to capture the notion that consumers avoid consuming services because they wish to avoid being associated with an offending country that may threaten their in-group social identities.
Exploring how internet services can enhance elderly well-being
Authors: Bianchi Constanza
Published: February 2021

Purpose

This study aims to investigate how Internet services can improve the well-being of elderly consumers. Drawing on transformative service research (TSR) and technology adoption literature, it examines the main challenges for the elderly when adopting Internet services and how they and their family members can co-create value to improve the elderly service inclusion and well-being.

Design/methodology/approach

A qualitative methodology is used to identify challenges, value co-creation behaviors and well-being outcomes of elderly individuals and their family members when using Internet services. The data collection method involved 24 in-depth interviews with consumers over 75 years of age and their family members.

Findings

This research first recognizes specific challenges for the elderly in adopting Internet services related to resistance to technology adoption and health impairments. Second, the findings identify value co-creation behaviors held by elderly consumers of Internet services: learning and formal training, complying with indications and seeking help when they encounter problems with technology. Family members also contribute to elderly well-being through two value co-creation behaviors: helping and supporting elderly relatives with technology and being patient and tolerant when they need support. Finally, these behaviors are found to influence five dimensions of elderly consumers’ well-being: enjoyment, personal growth, mastery, autonomy and social connectedness.

Originality/value

This study addresses a gap in the literature by exploring the value co-creation behaviors of elderly consumers of Internet services and their family members for improving well-being outcomes. Understanding value co-creation and well-being for elderly consumers of Internet services is an emerging and under-researched area in TSR and service inclusion literature.
Organizational rewards and knowledge hiding: task attributes as contingencies
Authors: Zhang Zhen , Min Min
Published: February 2021

Purpose

Although scholars have provided sufficient empirical evidence on the effectiveness of organizational rewards in managing knowledge sharing, little attention has been paid to the relationship between organizational rewards and knowledge hiding. Drawing on self-determination theory (SDT), this study aims to investigate the effects of financial and nonfinancial rewards on employees' knowledge-hiding behavior as well as the moderating role of task attributes.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper examines the hypotheses by conducting a time-lagged survey from a sample of 186 knowledge workers in Chinese high-tech firms.

Findings

The findings of this study reveal that financial rewards are positively associated with knowledge hiding, whereas nonfinancial rewards have a negative effect on knowledge. Moreover, task interdependence significantly moderates the effects of organizational rewards on employees' knowledge-hiding behavior. In addition, the interaction between nonfinancial rewards and task complexity is negatively related to knowledge hiding.

Originality/value

This study is one of the first to investigate the effects of financial rewards and nonfinancial rewards on employees' knowledge-hiding behavior, as well as the moderating roles of task interdependence and task complexity.
Accounting for non-financial matters: technologies of humility as a means for developing critical dialogic accounting and accountability
Authors: Brown Judy , Dillard Jesse
Published: February 2021

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to present an expanded introduction of Jasanoff’s (2003, 2007) work on “technologies of humility” to the accounting literature and to show how it can be useful in developing critical dialogic accountings for non-financial matters.

Design/methodology/approach

Drawing on Jasanoff’s (2003, 2007) distinction between “technologies of hubris” and “technologies of humility”, this study extends prior research on critical dialogic accounting and accountability (CDAA) that seeks to “take pluralism seriously” (Brown, 2009; Dillard and Vinnari, 2019). This study shows how Jasanoff’s work facilitates constructing critical, reflexive approaches to accounting for non-financial matters consistent with agonistics-based CDAA.

Findings

Jasanoff’s four proposed focal points for developing new analytical tools for accounting for non-financial matters and promoting participatory governance – framing, vulnerability, distribution and learning – are argued to be useful in conceptualising possible CDAA technologies. These aspects are all currently ignored or downplayed in conventional approaches to accounting for non-financial matters, limiting accounting’s ability to promote more socially just and ecologically sustainable societies.

Originality/value

The authors introduce Jasanoff’s work on technologies of humility to show how CDAA, informed by Jasanoff’s proposed focal points, can help to expose controversial issues that powerful interests prefer to obscure, to surface the normative foundations of technocratic analytic methods, to address the need for plural perspectives and social learning and to bring all these aspects “into the dynamics of democratic debate” (Jasanoff, 2003, p. 240). As such, they provide criteria for constructing accounting technology consistent with agonistics-based CDAA.
Understanding inclusion in the retail industry: incorporating the majority perspective
Authors: Cassell Catherine , Watson Kathryn , Ford Jacqueline , Kele Juliet
Published: February 2021

Purpose

The aim of this paper is to move away from the focus upon the drivers of diversity to consider the drivers of inclusion in the workplace. The research outlined addresses this by considering the views of all employees, not just those who would be considered members of minority groups.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper draws on an extensive set of case study data from a range of methodological sources. The case study is of a major high street retailer.

Findings

Findings focus upon what leads to employees feeling included in the workplace. In addressing this we explore both the drivers of, and barriers to, inclusion. We argue that inclusion is complex and that individuals may feel included by some aspects of organisational culture whilst simultaneously feeling excluded by others.

Practical implications

The implications of our results for HR practitioners are that organisations need to pay attention to general HR policies as ways of enhancing inclusion, for example development practices, but also pay attention to the different needs of diverse groups.

Originality/value

The paper is original in that in recognising that equality, diversity and inclusion are all closely related, we demonstrate that an understanding of the effectiveness of diversity strategies needs to be fundamentally informed by a consideration of inclusion which can only occur through an engagement with employee's understandings of organisational culture and their place or otherwise within it. Without this employee engagement, many well-intentioned diversity initiatives may go awry. Moreover, the value of the research is that it demonstrates that in order to be successful an inclusion strategy needs to embrace both minority and majority perspectives.
Long‐term community dynamics in vascular epiphytes on Annona glabra along the shoreline of Barro Colorado Island, Panama
Authors: Einzmann Helena J. R. , Weichgrebe Letizia , Zotz Gerhard
Published: February 2021

Despite the ecological importance of vascular epiphytes in the tropics, even basic information on the processes that form epiphyte communities is scarce. This is partially due to an almost complete lack of long‐term studies.

Here, we present data that were collected in three consecutive censuses over 21 years in a monospecific host tree system that is about 100 years old and interpret them in an empirical and a metapopulation/metacommunity framework.

We documented an ongoing increase in abundance and diversity at the level of the entire system (metacommunity) and at the level of communities (all epiphytes growing on individual Annona glabra tree stands). This was also reflected at the population level; >2/3 of the species showed positive population growth rates. Similarly, colonisation of empty Annona trees was still ongoing, with the most abundant species being also the first to colonise empty trees. The community composition of colonised trees became more similar with time. In all three censuses, habitat size of epiphytes explained much of the variation in species richness among stands (groups of trees with individual trees within 25 m of each other) and overall abundant species tended to be more abundant at the stand scale. The species frequency distribution was unimodal, regardless of whether considering all stands or only stands with very large epiphyte communities, indicating that the metacommunity still has not reached an equilibrium phase. Similarly consistent in both census intervals, population growth rates decreased with increasing population size with substantial asynchrony among populations.

Synthesis. In contrast to a typical herbaceous plant community, this epiphyte metacommunity is still expanding after one century of development. Our study shows that previously reported short‐term patterns of epiphyte community dynamics hold true in the long term. It remains to be shown, however, whether results from this monospecific host tree system are really representative for epiphyte community dynamics in more diverse tropical forests.
Andromonoecy in Solanum lycocarpum A. St. ‐Hil. (Solanaceae): Floral attributes, visitors and variation in sexual expression over time
Authors: Marcelo Vanessa G. , de Brito Vinícius L. G. , Vallejo‐Marín Mario , Consolaro Hélder
Published: February 2021

Sexual expression in andromonoecious species—those in which a single individual can bear both staminate and hermaphroditic flowers—may vary among reproductive events in the same plant, among individuals and across populations. This variation influences, in turn, the individual contribution of hermaphroditic plants via male and female fitness functions (i.e., Lloydʼs phenotypic gender). However, temporal variation in sexual expression in andromonoecious species and its relationship with seasonal changes in climatic conditions remain poorly understood. Here we analyze floral attributes, visitors and variation in sexual expression in three populations of Solanum lycocarpum A. St. ‐Hil. Seasonality in the production of floral types, the mating system and floral visitors were also investigated. Hermaphroditic flowers produced more pollen grains, but the pollen of staminate flowers had higher viability. Only hermaphroditic flowers produced fruits, and ovules in staminate flowers were sterile. Solanum lycocarpum is mainly pollinated by large bees with the ability to vibrate flowers. Phenotypic gender varied throughout the year, and the seasonal production of staminate flowers is associated with the local climate. We suggest that the higher and seasonally variable relative abundance of staminate flowers compared to the low and uniform production of hermaphroditic flowers may be explained by (a) the very high energetic costs incurred in producing large fruits, which in turn make hermaphroditic flower production very costly, and (b) the potentially lower energy expenditure of the smaller staminate flowers with reduced pistils and non‐viable ovules that allow them to rapidly respond to climate variability.
Retaliation Effectiveness and Acquisition Performance: The Influence of Managerial Decisions and Industry Context
Authors: Schriber Svante , King David R. , Bauer Florian
Published: February 2021

Despite extensive interest in how acquisitions can increase firm competitiveness, research has given competitive retaliation to acquisitions limited attention. Consistent with process research on managerial decisions during acquisitions, we simultaneously consider the effects of retaliation and internal integration decisions on retaliation effectiveness and acquisition performance. From an international survey in Europe, we demonstrate how managerial integration decisions and the external environment influence retaliation effectiveness to acquisitions and their performance. Specifically, longer integration duration and an open merger and acquisition (M&A) strategy are associated with increased retaliation effectiveness. Meanwhile, a high level of industry M&A activity lowers it. We also confirm that increased retaliation effectiveness is associated with lower acquisition performance. These findings help balance an internal focus in acquisition research, and they clarify the performance implications of acquirer choices that may lead to competitive retaliation effectiveness, as predicted by competitive dynamics research.
What can we Learn from the First Major Statement of Labour’s Economic Policy under Keir Starmer?
Authors: Corry Dan
Published: February 2021

Labour’s Shadow Chancellor, Anneliese Dodds, recently set out the first major exposition of economic policy under leader Keir Starmer. Covering a lot of ground, she gave insights into current Labour thinking on macro and micro policy. Much of the speech was aimed at emphasising the fact that Labour would be ‘responsible’, an attempt to reassure voters as well as markets. But there is plenty of room for radical approaches within this framework, so exactly what this all means for practical policy is still to be determined.
How Is the Audit Market Affected by Characteristics of the Nonaudit Services Market?
Authors: FRIEDMAN HENRY L. , MAHIEUX LUCAS
Published: February 2021

How can features of the markets for audit and nonaudit services (NAS) affect an audit firm's incentives to invest in audit quality, average audit quality, and social welfare? We address these questions in a model focusing on competition in both audit and NAS markets. We show that, when audit and NAS demand are positively correlated, prohibiting auditors from providing NAS to audit clients leads to higher investments in audit quality, but can decrease average audit quality if marginal clients switch to lower quality auditors. The effect on social welfare can be positive or negative, depending on the distribution of clients' service demands. General bans on auditor provision of NAS can, via similar channels, increase or decrease audit quality and social welfare. Overall, our findings suggest a more nuanced view of how regulating an auditor's provision of NAS might affect audit quality and social welfare, and are driven by the effects of multimarket competition on the auditor's incentives to invest in audit quality, rather than previously identified auditor independence or knowledge spillover channels.
Prolamin‐based complexes: Structure design and food‐related applications
Authors: Song Jingru , Sun Cuixia , Gul Khalid , Mata Analucia , Fang Yapeng
Published: February 2021

Prolamins are a group of safe food additives that are biocompatible, biodegradable, and sustainable. Zein, gliadin, kafirin, and hordein are common prolamins that have been extensively studied, particularly as these form colloidal particles because of their amphiphilic properties. Prolamin‐based binary/ternary complexes, which have stable physicochemical properties and superior functionality, are formed by combining prolamins with polysaccharides, polyphenols, water‐soluble proteins, and surfactants. Although the combination of prolamins with other components has received attention, the relationship between the structural design of prolamin‐based complexes and their functionalities remains uncertain. This review discusses the production methods of prolamin‐based complexes, the factors influencing their structural characteristics, and their applications in the food industry. Further studies are needed to elucidate the structure–function relationships between prolamins and other biopolymers, as well as the toxicological effects of these complexes in food.
Colloidal structure of honey and its influence on antibacterial activity
Authors: Brudzynski Katrina , Sjaarda Calvin P.
Published: February 2021

Honey colloidal structure emerges as a new trend in research on honey functions since it became recognized as a major factor altering bioactivity of honey compounds. In honey complex matrix, macromolecules self‐associate to colloidal particles at the critical concentration, driven by honey viscosity. Sequestration of macromolecules into colloids changes their activities and affects honey antibacterial function. This review fills the 80‐year‐old gap in research on honey colloidal structure. It summarizes past and current status of the research on honey colloids and describes physicochemical properties and the mechanisms of colloid formation and their dissociation upon honey dilution. The experimental observations are explained in the context of theoretical background of colloidal science. The functional changes and bioactivity of honey macromolecules bound to colloidal particles are illustrated here by the production of H2O2 by glucose oxidase and the effect they have on antibacterial activity of honey. The changes in the production of H2O2 and antibacterial activity of honey were coordinated with the changes in the aggregation–dissociation states of honey colloidal particles upon dilution. In all cases, these changes were nonlinear, assuming an inverted U‐shaped dose–response curve. At the curve maximum, the production of H2O2 and antibacterial activity reached the peak. The curve maximum signaled the minimum honey concentration required for the phase separation. With phase transition from two‐phase colloidal condense state to dilute state dispersion, the change to opposite effects of dilution on these honey's activities occurred. Thus, the colloidal structure strongly influences bioactivity of honey compounds and affects its antibacterial activity.
Optimization of novel loop‐mediated isothermal amplification with colorimetric image analysis for forensic body fluid identification
Authors: Layne Tiffany , Jackson Kimberly , Scott Anchi , Tanner Nathan A. , Piland Annie , Haverstick Doris M. , Landers James P.
Published: February 2021

Accurate presumptive and confirmatory test use for forensic body fluid identification is essential for gaining contextual information for crime scene investigators. Loop‐mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP) is an ideal method for forensic body fluid identification because it is highly specific and generates multi‐sized amplicon DNA, and successful amplification results can be read out colorimetrically. Here, we show preliminary data on a LAMP method that rapidly identifies body fluids including venous blood, semen, and saliva, based on colorimetric response and image analysis. The method is designed for easy implementation into forensic casework protocols with minimal disruption to DNA analysis. LAMP naturally increases target specificity due to the use of multiple primers for one target and mRNA targets were used for tissue and human specificity. With colorimetric detection as an inherent part of LAMP, samples that are positive or negative for any of the body fluids are readily identified by image capture and analysis, thus eliminating subjectivity. Results show by using the 3D‐printed imaging system specific color ranges can be set for easy determination of body fluids. The resulting color change can be seen in <30 min using a universal temperature and primer concentration for all body fluids. This simple method and imaging system allow for minimal hands‐on time with objective image analysis and presents a pathway for creating a new potential method for forensic body fluid identification.
Intermolecular interaction in the hybrid gel of scallop (Patinopecten yessoensis) male gonad hydrolysates and κ‐carrageenan
Authors: Yan Jia‐Nan , Du Yi‐Nan , Jiang Xin‐Yu , Han Jia‐Run , Pan Jin‐Feng , Wu Hai‐Tao
Published: February 2021

Various bond disrupting agents including NaCl, GuHCl, urea, and SDS were introduced to investigate the intermolecular interactions between scallop (Patinopecten yessoensis) male gonad hydrolysates (SMGHs) and κ‐carrageenan (κ‐C), which were monitored by changes in rheological property, water distribution, conformation characterization and microstructure by using rheometer, low field‐NMR relaxometry, Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, cryo‐scanning electron microscopy (cryo‐SEM), and confocal laser scanning microscopy. The results showed that the bond disrupting agents deteriorated the rheological property of SMGHs/κ‐C in a dose‐dependent manner. Indeed, at the same concentration of 2 M, NaCl deteriorated the SMGHs/κ‐C more obviously than GuHCl and urea. In addition, SMGHs/κ‐C with bond disrupting agents possessed higher relaxation times including T21 and T23, indicating the migration to free water direction of bound and free water. Moreover, the FITR results showed the red‐shift in water regions (amide A and B bands), amide I and II bands, and indicated the breakdown of hydrogen bonds and electrostatic interactions, indicating a disordered structure in SMGHs/κ‐C by various bond disrupting agents. Furthermore, cryo‐SEM results showed the change of SMGHs/κ‐C from a homogeneous network to a looser and ruptured one with larger void spaces, and indicated the disrupted and tattered microstructure of SMGHs/κ‐C by various bond disrupting agents. Additionally, SMGHs/κ‐C as well showed less aggregates stained by RITC by bond disrupting agents. These results suggest that electrostatic interactions would be mainly involved in the maintenance of SMGHs/κ‐C gel network. This study could provide theoretical and methodological basis for hydrogel products with modified gel strength and microstructure by understanding the intermolecular interactions in gel system.

Practical Application

Scallop (Patinopecten yessoensis) male gonads as a high‐protein part of scallop, is usually discarded during processing despite its edibility. In recent years, scallop male gonads are regarded as good sources to develop protein matrices due to their high protein content and numerous nutrients. In this study, scallop male gonad hydrolysates (SMGHs) were obtained by trypsin‐treated process. The considerable gelation behavior of SMGHs indicated that the SMGHs could be potentially utilized as a novel thickener and additive in production of kamaboko gels, can, sausage and spread with marine flavor.
Effects of high‐molecular‐weight chitosan coating prepared in different solvents on quality of catfish fillets during 6‐month frozen storage
Authors: Karsli Baris , Caglak Emre , Prinyawiwatkul Witoon
Published: February 2021

Effects of high‐molecular‐weight (800 kDa) chitosan coating on quality of catfish fillets were examined during 6‐month frozen (−20 °C) storage. Coating solutions, included distilled water (Control), 800AC1% (1% w/v chitosan in 1% v/v acetic acid), AS3% (3% w/v aspartic acid), and 800AS3% (3% w/v chitosan in 3% w/v aspartic acid). Changes in physicochemical, microbial, and consumer perception of chitosan‐coated catfish fillets during frozen storage were examined. The 800AS3% coating was found to be effective in inhibiting microbial growth, controlling lipid oxidation, reducing drip loss and cooking loss, and retaining color and texture of catfish fillet during frozen storage. After 6‐month frozen storage, the aroma of thawed fillets coated with 800AS3% was accepted by 77.92% of consumers with 66% positive purchase intent. This study demonstrated that a nonpungent aspartic acid, instead of commonly used pungent acetic acid, can be used in preparation of preservative high‐molecular‐weight chitosan coating.

Practical Application

The findings of this study indicated that high‐molecular‐weight chitosan coating showed preservative effects on quality of frozen raw catfish fillets. In our previous study, chitosan (800 kDa) at 1% and 3% concentrations showed antibacterial activity in vitro. The nonpungent aspartic acid can be used as a solvent to dissolve high‐molecular‐weight chitosan instead of the commonly used pungent acetic acid. The most effective coating treatment was 3% w/v chitosan in 3% w/v aspartic acid. This finding would be applicable to other seafood and fish products.
Characteristics of gut microbiota in pigs with different breeds, growth periods and genders
Authors: Wang Cheng , Wei Siyu , Chen Nana , Xiang Yun , Wang Yizhen , Jin Mingliang
Published: February 2021

Gut microbiota plays important roles in host nutrition, metabolism and immunity, and is affected by multiple factors. However, the understandings of the gut microbiota in pigs within different breeds, growth periods and genders from a large cohort remain largely undefined. In the present study, the characteristics of the gut microbiota in 120 pigs of different breeds, growth periods and genders were investigated using the Illumina MiSeq PE300 combined with QIIME2 platform. A total of 7 388 636 raw reads and 16 411 features were obtained. Additionally, the microbial diversity, compositions and phenotypes were described. 66.53% microbiota belonged to the top 10 most abundant genera (pan gut bacteria), and 28 species were commonly identified (core gut bacteria, commonality ≥ 75%) among the pigs. Besides, the correlations within pan and core gut microbiota were firstly investigated. The metagenomic function was predicted by using PICRUSt2. Furthermore, the explanatory effects of the influencing factors suggested that growth period was the greatest contributor to the gut microbiota in pigs. These results expanded our knowledge of mammalian gut microbiota within different influencing factors and microbial‐related biological features in swine, which contributes to improving animal production and assisting animal model research.
Carbon disclosure: a systematic literature review
Authors: Borghei Zahra
Published: February 2021

This systematic review identifies key research fields and emerging research trends in an attempt to address recent growth and fragmentation in the carbon disclosure literature. Firstly, it examines and assesses the fragmented conceptualisations of carbon disclosure. Secondly, this review identifies a pervasive lack of consistency among studies. Thirdly, the findings indicate that carbon disclosure should be more closely linked to climate‐related risk disclosure, as how the company impacts climate change and how climate change is impacting the company remains unclear. This paper highlights opportunities to integrate and expand on existing carbon disclosure knowledge and outlines a research agenda for future studies.