bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Mitochondria-ER contacts in reactive astrocytes coordinate local perivascular domains to promote vascular remodelling
Authors: Goebel Jana , Engelhardt Esther , Pelzer Patric , Sakthivelu Vignesh , Jahn Hannah M. , Jevtic Milica , Folz-Donahue Kat , Kukat Christian , Schauss Astrid , Frese Christian K. , Giavalisco Patrick , Ghanem Alexander , Conzelmann Karl-Klaus , Motori Elisa , Bergami Matteo
Published: June 2019

Astrocytes have emerged for playing important roles in brain tissue repair, however the underlying mechanisms remain poorly understood. We show that acute injury and blood-brain barrier disruption trigger the formation of a prominent mitochondrial-enriched compartment in astrocytic end-feet which enables vascular remodeling. Integrated imaging approaches revealed that this mitochondrial clustering is part of an adaptive response regulated by fusion dynamics. Astrocyte-specific conditional deletion of Mitofusin 2 (Mfn2) suppressed perivascular mitochondrial clustering and disrupted mitochondria-ER contact sites. Functionally, two-photon imaging experiments showed that these structural changes were mirrored by impaired mitochondrial Ca2+ uptake leading to abnormal cytosolic transients within end-feet in vivo. At the tissue level, a compromised vascular complexity in the lesioned area was restored by boosting mitochondrial-ER perivascular tethering in MFN2-deficient astrocytes. These data unmask a crucial role for mitochondrial dynamics in coordinating astrocytic local domains and have important implications for repairing the injured brain.
Administering Anesthesia to Mice, Rats, and Hamsters
Authors: Greenfield Edward A.
Published: June 2019

Anesthesia is used to sedate animals during injections or during operations where unexpected or rapid movements would endanger the animal. Inhalant anesthetics are often the most appropriate choice to achieve anesthesia that meets the clinical and humane needs without interfering with the scientific goals of the research protocol. Isoflurane (i.e., halogenated ether)—the preferred inhalant anesthetic for small animals—is administered either by placing the animals in a closed container permeated with a mixture of isoflurane and oxygen vapor, or by using a mask (for larger animals). The depth of anesthesia is easy to assess and to control. Animals sedated by isoflurane can be handled for injections or simple operations.
Polymerase Chain Reaction
Authors: Green Michael R. , Sambrook Joseph
Published: June 2019

The polymerase chain reaction (PCR) underlies almost all of modern molecular cloning. Using PCR, a defined target sequence that occurs once within a DNA of high complexity and large size—an entire mammalian genome, for example—can be rapidly and selectively amplified in a quasi-exponential chain reaction that generates millions of copies. The reaction is simple to set up, cheap, and undemanding, the only requirement being some knowledge of the nucleotide sequences of the target. In addition to its simplicity, PCR is robust, speedy, flexible, and sensitive.
Chinese consumer trust and preferences for organic labels from different regions
Authors: Chen Mo , Wang Yiqin , Yin Shijiu , Hu Wuyang , Han Fei
Published: June 2019

Purpose

The organic food sold in China can bear organic labels from different countries/regions. The purpose of this paper is to assess the trust and preferences of consumers for tomatoes carrying these different labels.

Design/methodology/approach

The data came from real choice experiments conducted in Shandong Province, China. A mixed logit model was used to analyze consumer willingness to pay (WTP).

Findings

Results indicated that, among the four organic labels considered in this study, the highest WTP was expressed for organic label from the European Union, followed by Hong Kong’s organic label, Japanese organic label and, lastly, by the Chinese mainland organic label. Consumer trust has a positive effect on their WTPs for the four organic labels. Providing consumers with information on organic can significantly lift their WTPs, and reduce the gaps between WTPs for different organic labels.

Originality/value

This research is of academic value and of value to food suppliers. International food marketers are recommended to equip their products with proper organic labels and initiate additional consumer education.
Phenolic profile of three wild edible mushroom extracts from Ordu, Turkey and their antioxidant properties, enzyme inhibitory activities
Authors: Çol Ayvaz Melek , Aksu Figen , Kır Filiz
Published: June 2019

Purpose

Mushrooms have always been treasured and appreciated, thanks to their nutritional as well as medicinal properties. The purpose of this paper is to reveal these properties such as antioxidant activities and enzyme inhibition potentials of three mushroom species from Ordu, Turkey. Furthermore, phenolic profiles which are believed to be source of these properties are investigated.

Design/methodology/approach

The assays followed to determine total phenolic, flavonoid and antioxidant contents, antioxidative and enzyme inhibition activities are spectrophotometric methods. Phenolic profiles of mushroom samples were investigated by using the HPLC system.

Findings

The highest phenolic content was found forLactarius deliciosus. Pyrogallol was the major phenolics in all three samples. Total phenolic content values supported that finding. But, total flavonoid content was the maximum forCantharellus cibarius. The magnitude of the antioxidant activities revealed by the different tests varied between species. Furthermore, inhibition potential degrees on acetylcholinesterase, butrylcholinesterase, tyrosinase and urease activities were worth mentioning.Lactarius pyrogalushad anti-tyrosinase activity with a 26.229 percent inhibition rate. IC50values for urease inhibition effect of mushroom samples were in the range of 0.37–0.90 mg/mL.

Originality/value

Enzyme inhibitory potentials forL. pyrogaluswas revealed first time. On the other hand, studies on anti-tyrosinase activity of mushrooms are very rare, while almost no studies have been conducted on anti-urease activity. So, the results of present study are very valuable. Thus, the obtained data not only increase the ecological importance of the region but also provide significant contributions to the literature in terms of new sources rich in antioxidants.
Parents’ and kids’ eating away from home cognitions
Authors: Eck Kaitlyn M. , Delaney Colleen , Olfert Melissa D. , Hagedorn Rebecca L. , Leary Miriam P. , Santella Madison E. , Clark Rashel L. , Famodu Oluremi A. , Shelnutt Karla P. , Byrd-Bredbenner Carol
Published: June 2019

Purpose

Eating away from home frequency is increasing and is linked with numerous adverse health outcomes. The purpose of this paper is to inform the development of health promotion materials for improving eating away from home behaviors by elucidating related parent and child cognitions.

Design/methodology/approach

Parents (n=37) and children (n=35; ages 6–11 years) participated in focus group discussions, based on social cognitive theory. Data were content analyzed to detect themes.

Findings

Many parents were concerned about what children ate away from home, however, others were less concerned because these occasions were infrequent. Lack of time and busy schedules were the most common barriers to eating fewer meals away from home. The greatest barrier to ensuring children ate healthfully away from home was parents were not present to monitor children’s intake. To overcome this, parents supervised what kids packed for lunch, provided caregivers instruction on foods to provide, and taught kids to make healthy choices. Kids understood that frequently eating away from home resulted in less healthful behaviors. Barriers for kids to eat healthy when away from home were tempting foods and eating in places with easy access to less healthy food. Kids reported they could take responsibility by requesting healthy foods and asking parents to help them eat healthfully away from home by providing healthy options and guidance.

Originality/value

This study is one of the first to qualitatively analyze parent and child eating away from home cognitions. It provides insights for tailoring nutrition education interventions to be more responsive to these audiences’ needs.
Off-farm income and food expenditure of rural households in China
Authors: Liu Yuying , Renwick Alan , Fu Xinhong
Published: June 2019

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to examine the impact of off-farm income on food expenditure, using survey data of 493 rural households from Gansu, Henan and Shandong provinces in China.

Design/methodology/approach

A two-stage least squares estimator is used to jointly estimate the determinants of off-farm income and the direct impact of off-farm income on food expenditure while controlling for the endogeneity issue associated with off-farm income variable.

Findings

The empirical results show that gender, education of household head, household size, farm size, the presence of children, smartphone use and asset ownership mainly determine off-farm income, and the off-farm income affects food expenditure of rural households significantly. In particular, the results show that a 1,000 yuan increase in per capita off-farm income increases per capita food expenditure by 61 yuan. Further estimations reveal that off-farm income has a larger effect on food expenditure of high-income rural households relative to their low-income counterparts.

Originality/value

Although poverty implications of off-farm income have been well documented, few studies have analysed the effects of off-farm income on food expenditure of rural households. To the best of the authors’ knowledge, there are no studies on this issue that focus on rural China. Therefore, the present study attempts to provide a first insight into the association between off-farm income and food expenditure of rural households in China, with the aim of providing useful evidence for policymakers in their efforts to reduce rural and urban food consumption gap and further increase social welfare.
Nutritional knowledge, attitude, and use of food labels among Indian adults with multiple chronic conditions
Authors: Limbu Yam B. , McKinley Christopher , Gautam Rajesh K. , Ahirwar Ajay K. , Dubey Pragya , Jayachandran C.
Published: June 2019

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to examine the indirect effects of nutritional knowledge and attitude toward food label use on food label use through self-efficacy and trust, as well as whether gender moderates this relationship.

Design/methodology/approach

A sample of Indian adults with multiple chronic conditions was surveyed about their nutritional knowledge, attitude, self-efficacy and use of food labels. Hypotheses were tested using Hayes’s (2013) PROCESS macro for SPSS.

Findings

The results show that nutritional knowledge and attitude toward food label use positively predict food label use through self-efficacy and trust. However, these mediation effects are moderated by gender such that the indirect relationship is stronger among men than women.

Practical implications

Food marketers and government agencies engaged in nutrition education campaigns should aim to increase patients’ confidence in comprehending food label information.

Social implications

Since food labels can be a valuable tool to help patients with chronic diseases to make informed decisions about their diet and lifestyle, regulators may consider mandating nutritional labels on foods to help them improve their food or dietary choices.

Originality/value

This study uniquely applies Fisher and Fisher’s (1992) information–motivation–behavioral skills model as a theoretical framework to examine the influence of nutrition knowledge and attitude toward food label use on food label usage of Indian patients with multiple chronic diseases.
Classes of food additives in food products sold in Mauritius
Authors: Etwaroo Dhamawatee Harnarun , Goburdhun Dayawatee , Ruggoo Arvind
Published: June 2019

Purpose

Food additives are a group of substances added deliberately to foods to improve their organoleptic properties and stability, extend their shelf life and retain their nutritional value. The purpose of this paper is to identify the most frequently used classes of food additives and the food categories which contain the highest number of classes of additives.

Design/methodology/approach

A market survey was carried out in hypermarkets and shops where the original labels of 629 food products (195 local and 434 imported) were examined for presence of food additives. Principal component analysis (PCA) was used to explore the association between food category and classes of additives, and a χ2 test was performed to establish any association between product origin and the number of classes of food additives.

Findings

In sum, 75 per cent of food samples surveyed contained at least one class of food additive. The food categories which contained the highest number of classes of food additives across the group were: snacks (12 classes), biscuits and cakes (11 classes), fish products (11 classes) and soft drinks (10 classes). The most common classes of additive used were acidity regulator, colour and preservative. χ2 test revealed a significant association (χ2 = 8.28, p < 0.05) between the origin and number of classes of food additives, and the PCA showed that biscuits were associated with raising agent, candies and snacks with colour, fruit drinks and soft drinks with acidity regulator, mayonnaise with thickener and meat products with preservative.

Research limitations/implications

The food products were sourced only from retailers selling labelled food products.

Originality/value

This novel study provides a basis for determining compliance of food products to the National Food Regulations.
Image needs on social Q&A sites: a comparison of Zhihu and Baidu Zhidao
Authors: Deng Shengli , Zhao Anqi , Huang Ruhua , Zhao Haiping
Published: June 2019

Purpose

This study aims to examine why users search for images, how users describe their image needs and what the images are used for by analysing questions obtained from two Chinese social Q&A sites, Zhihu and Baidu Zhidao.

Design/methodology/approach

A total of 1,402 image questions were collected from Zhihu and Baidu Zhidao. Both quantitative analysis and qualitative content analysis were performed to identify user image needs and the potential differences on the two social Q&A sites.

Findings

Question-asker’s intention varies in different platforms. Zhihu users asked questions mainly aiming at a promotion of subsequent discussion, whereas users of Baidu Zhidao often did so to seek information. Syntactic attributes were not frequently used in both two sites. Zhihu users were more likely to express subjective evaluations on images (concept, emotion, theme and style) in their questions than users of Baidu Zhidao. In contrast, questions from Baidu Zhidao showed a tendency to more frequently include descriptive metadata (rights, format, size, quality and authenticity) and semantic attributes (generic activity, specific people, fashion and text) of the images than questions from Zhihu. Learning was an important use on social Q&A sites, especially on Baidu Zhidao. In addition, the images were primarily used to trigger emotion or served a persuasive purpose in Zhihu.

Practical implications

This study contributes to a better understanding of user image search behaviour, and the findings could be used to develop better image services on social Q&A sites. Meanwhile, the image attributes extracted from the questions are conducive to the improvement of image retrieval systems.

Originality/value

This study explored the features of image needs on social Q&A sites, especially considering image use specified in the question. The difference of image needs between two Chinese social Q&A sites (Zhihu and Baidu Zhidao) was identified.
Graduates’ skills and employability: the view of students from different European countries
Authors: Pereira Elisabeth T. , Vilas-Boas Madalena , Rebelo Cátia C.
Published: June 2019

Purpose

In the last decade, graduates’ employability has assumed a central role in scholars’ concerns. This was mainly due the high rate of recent graduates’ unemployment in some European countries, as well as the Bologna Process reform of the European higher education system and the new Europe Strategy 2020. The purpose of this paper, driven by the increasing need to improve graduates’ skills and employability, is to identify a set of skills that students consider important to achieve success in their own field of study and another set of skills, which they perceive to lack the most.

Design/methodology/approach

To achieve the main goal of this study, based on the methodology supported by literature review, a questionnaire was applied to students from five different European universities.

Findings

The main results allowed the authors to infer that, on the one hand, the European students of the universities included in the study consider communication, thinking and interpersonal skills as the most important skills to get a job in their own field of study; and on the other hand, personal, interpersonal and entrepreneurial skills are the skills lacked by students. These set of skills are quite similar and even overlapping, which makes this a significant inference that needs to be accounted by higher education institutions (HEIs).

Originality/value

In the research carried out in this study, with the students of five different European universities affected by the economic crisis of 2007/2008, the needed skills perceived by students to obtain employment in their own field of study were identified, along with the skills which they perceived to lack the most. The obtained findings contribute to shed light on the important issue of supporting HEIs regarding the skills that should be imparted in the curricula of their courses and workshops, in order to help the students to succeed in the current and potential competitive labour market.
The effects of using ceiling fans on human thermal comfort in a three-dimensional room with centralized heating including an occupant
Authors: Ashoori Mahdi , Sheikhzadeh Ghanbarali , Sadripour Soroush
Published: June 2019

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to analyze the effect of using a ceiling fan with central heating system in the winter on thermal comfort and heat transfer rate in a three-dimensional numerically.

Design/methodology/approach

The geometry had certain dimensions, and an occupant was modeled to be in the room. In models which were used, the flow was turbulent, and turbulence models were used for simulating turbulence. Between all the models, k-ε model had best matching.

Findings

Results show that using the ceiling fan during the winter had an efficient and considerable effect on improving the thermal comfort and energy saving inside buildings. By the use of ceiling fan, the effective room temperature has increased by 2.5°C. Furthermore, results show that by using ceiling fan in the winter, the predicted mean vote and the predicted percentage dissatisfied indexes improved. At the end, the case Room 11-0.05-15 with temperature of 87°C for radiator and normal fan velocity of o.25m/s were the optimal model that caused the complete thermal comfort and reduced energy consumption up to 28 per cent.

Originality/value

In the present study, the effects of using the ceiling fans on human comfort condition and heat transfer field during the winter (heating system) are studied. Following are the goals for all models: getting the appropriate temperature for radiator so that thermal comfort condition can be applied at the height of 75 cm of the room, velocity for fan so that air speed can be 0.25m/s at the height of 2 m or lower of the room and position to place the fan.
Revisiting information security risk management challenges: a practice perspective
Authors: Bergström Erik , Lundgren Martin , Ericson Åsa
Published: June 2019

Purpose

The study aims to revisit six previously defined challenges in information security risk management to provide insights into new challenges based on current practices.

Design/methodology/approach

The study is based on an empirical study consisting of in-depth interviews with representatives from public sector organisations. The data were analysed by applying a practice-based view, i.e. the lens of knowing (or knowings). The results were validated by an expert panel.

Findings

Managerial and organisational concerns that go beyond a technical perspective have been found, which affect the ongoing social build-up of knowledge in everyday information security work..

Research limitations/implications

The study has delimitation as it consists of data from four public sector organisations, i.e. statistical analyses have not been in focus, while implying a better understanding of what and why certain actions are practised in their security work.

Practical implications

The new challenges that have been identified offer a refined set of actionable advice to practitioners, which, for example, can support cost-efficient decisions and avoid unnecessary security trade-offs.

Originality/value

Information security is increasingly relevant for organisations, yet little is still known about how related risks are handled in practice. Recent studies have indicated a gap between the espoused and the actual actions. Insights from actual, situated enactment of practice can advise on process adaption and suggest more fit approaches.
Contrasting cybersecurity implementation frameworks (CIF) from three countries
Authors: Dedeke Adenekan , Masterson Katherine
Published: June 2019

Purpose

This paper aims to explore the evolution of a trend in which countries are developing or adopting cybersecurity implementation frameworks that are intended to be used nationally. This paper contrasts the cybersecurity frameworks that have been developed in three countries, namely, Australia, UK and USA.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper uses literature review and qualitative document analysis for the study. The paper developed and used an assessment matrix as its coding protocol. The contents of the three cybersecurity frameworks were then scored to capture the degree to which they covered the themes/items of the cybersecurity assessment matrix.

Findings

The analysis found that the three cybersecurity frameworks are oriented toward the risk management approach. However, the frameworks also had notable differences with regard to the security domains that they cover. For example, one of the frameworks did not offer guidelines with regard to what to do to respond to attacks or to plan for recovery.

Originality/value

The results of this study are beneficial to policymakers in the three countries targeted, as they are able to gain insights about how their cybersecurity frameworks compares to those of the other two countries. Such knowledge would be useful as decision-makers take steps to improve their existing frameworks. The results of this study are also beneficial to executives who have branches in all three countries. In such cases, security professionals could deploy the most comprehensive framework across all three countries and then extend the deployment in each location to meet country-specific requirements.
Impacts of increased house advantages on reel slots
Authors: Lucas Anthony F.
Published: June 2019

Purpose

This study aims to examine how differences in the casino advantage (i.e. price) of otherwise identical slot machines affect their revenue production, when the price is hidden from the players. The study aims to identify the ability of players to recognize differences in the concealed prices of paired machines, over time. Both items are paramount to slot revenue optimization.

Design/methodology/approach

Using 274 daily observations, paired-samplest-tests examined whether live performance metrics were affected by the differences in the casino advantage (namely, par) of the paired games. Time-series regression analyses were conducted to understand whether players shifted their play away from the high-par games, over time.

Findings

The results indicated that increased casino advantages produced increased revenue, with no evidence of diminished play on the high-par games.

Practical implications

The results contradicted the inveterate wisdom of the industry by demonstrating that players are not hypersensitive to increased prices/pars, and that such increases can actually lead to increased revenue, despite egregious par gaps.

Originality/value

Added valuable results to a nascent research stream aimed at understanding the effects of obfuscated price/pars. Expanded the gaming literature by increasing the differences in the prices/pars of paired game titles over an increased sample period. Both conditions increased the chances of observing changes in revenue performance, and play migration to the low-par game. Both manipulations have been previously cited as meaningful extensions of the literature.
Lean Six Sigma in higher education institutes: an Irish case study
Authors: O’Reilly Seamus J. , Healy Joe , Murphy Tom , Ó’Dubhghaill Rónán
Published: June 2019

Purpose

This paper aims to contribute to a developing literature on continuous improvement (CI), enabled by Lean Six Sigma (LSS), in higher education institutions (HEIs). It reports on the key learning points arising from the initial steps taken by an Irish university on its CI journey.

Design/methodology/approach

A case study strategy was adopted following a participatory research approach. This approach supports reflexivity and also provides access to all relevant documentation and staff within the case university. Thematic analysis was supported by data reduction and display techniques.

Findings

The introduction of a LSS approach rather than a reliance on lean alone introduced a structured methodology (DMAIC) that supported simplification of a number of administrative processes. A number of specific improvements were achieved including: Cycle time and cost reduction; customer or employee satisfaction; and rework and error reduction. The findings support the importance of the Readiness Factors as identified by Antony (2014), with particular insight into the role of senior and middle management, the impact of training and deployment of expertise.

Research limitations/implications

This paper is based on an ongoing, longitudinal, empirical study of a single case study in Ireland.

Originality/value

This paper tracks the development of CI in a HEI in a longitudinal manner and adds to the emerging the literature in this area. The paper evaluates the role of management at various levels, analyses the use of LSS tools and techniques and evaluated the role of training and capacity building. Implications for Management are shared including: design and role of training programmes, role of champions at various organisational levels, including key functional areas and sustaining momentum.
Understanding consumer motivations in online social brand engagement participation
Authors: Osei-Frimpong Kofi
Published: June 2019

Purpose

Through the lens of self-determination theory (SDT), the purpose of this paper is to examine the influence of autonomous and controlled motivational regulations in driving consumer participation in social brand engagement (SBE) practices. In addition, the moderating effects of cognitive effort and consumer demographic variables (age and gender) are examined.

Design/methodology/approach

The proposed model is tested by employing a quantitative survey design consisting of 832 consumers with prior experience in engaging with brands on social media. The respondents were conveniently interviewed using online questionnaire. The model estimation was done through structural equation modelling with AMOS 23.0.

Findings

The findings indicate that intrinsic, integrated, introjected and external motivational regulations significantly influence consumer participation in SBE activities, whereas identified regulation does not. Furthermore, while age and gender presented mixed interaction effects on the paths examined, cognitive effort does not moderate the influence of autonomous and controlled motivational regulations on SBE participation.

Research limitations/implications

This study employed a cross-sectional survey to explore consumer motivation and cognitive effort in SBE practices. As an exploratory study, the findings may be limited and not conclusive, which could limit the generalisation of the results reported.

Practical implications

This study demonstrates a need for retailing managers to understand customers’ varying intentions or needs in participating in online SBE activities As a result, retail managers need to adopt social media strategies that could elicit interest and curiosity on the part of the customer to excite them to participate in the brand social interactions.

Originality/value

This research contributes to the conceptual understanding of SBE through the application of SDT, and contends that cognitive effort does not moderate consumer participation in SBE practices. Also, the mixed findings resulting from the moderation test of age and gender sheds light on specific types of regulated motivations that are either moderated or not in relation to these demographic variables.
The role of entry nodes in industrial firms’ internationalization: the significance of network structures for value innovation
Authors: Vedel Mette , Servais Per
Published: June 2019

Purpose

The paper explores the links between network structures and internationalization, conceptualized as a process of value innovation. The exploration sets off from the concept of an entry node, i.e. whether network entrance is facilitated by a direct dyadic or an indirect triadic relationship.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper is mainly conceptual, but also presents an empirical cross-border actor constellation which highlights the implications of the study.

Findings

Bi-directionality implies that value innovation is contingent on the fit between the actors involved in the entry node, not on the fulfilment of the needs of a focal actor. Further, the attractiveness of an entry node depends on network structures, the network positions of the actors in the entry node, the desired outcomes of entry (immersion or reach), and the actual behavior of the actors. The dynamics of transitivity can influence triadic entry nodes. However, transitivity operates differently in business networks than in social networks constituted by inter-personal ties. Therefore, closure of open triadic entry nodes is neither an automatic outcome of strong ties, nor a normatively better outcome.

Research limitations/implications

The theorizing offered by this paper must be further explored in different empirical contexts to assess its practical adequacy. Still, the presented empirical case indicates that the expected attractiveness of entry nodes is closely linked to (in)transitivity.

Originality/value

The paper supports the relevance of expanding from a dyadic to a network perspective in order to capture the dynamics of value innovation in an international setting.
Measuring conduct risk in South African banks
Authors: Hargarter Antje , Van Vuuren Gary
Published: June 2019

Purpose

This paper aims to examine the problem of conduct-risk measurement for banks, using South Africa as an example of a developing market. Conduct risk is a new and complex phenomenon in global financial services and could negatively impact various stakeholders. There are concerns about new regulations and potential misconduct fines affecting profitability and sustainability for banks. While presenting a serious problem, especially in developing markets, with the added challenge of financial inclusion, conduct risk and its measurement have not been researched sufficiently. If the measurement problem could be solved, the management could be facilitated.

Design/methodology/approach

Based on a literature review, existing surveys and new interviews, a best-practice proposal for measuring conduct risk was developed. The approach was exploratory and inductive and added primary insights.

Findings

Measuring concepts like conduct is a global challenge. This aside, South African banking customers are concerned about fraud and safety and administrative service hassles, rather than conduct in the regulatory sense. Best-practice measurement must account for these findings by working with a scoring for behavioural, organisational/procedural and perception indicators and with suggestions for specific surveys.

Research limitations/implications

Analysing the data measured and deciding what action should be taken if conduct risk is detected could be considered for additional research.

Practical implications

South African banks are guided in measuring a difficult and unique concept at a time of regulatory change, stakeholder pressures and limited existing knowledge.

Originality/value

The authors believe this is the first study on a critical and new challenge in banking risk measurement in a developing market.
Exploring the influence of revenue diversification on financial performance in the banking industry
Authors: Asif Rabia , Akhter Waheed
Published: June 2019

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to review the literature related to the influence of revenue diversification on banking sector performance. Further, the determination of the scope and the empirical estimation of the revenue diversification is also the area of investigation to synthesis with future research area.

Design/methodology/approach

The systemic literature review process used by Opoku et al. (2015) is applied. In total, 68 Journal articles are studied after applying specified review protocols. The information gathered from the selected articles is presented and summarized in specified tables and charts formats for easy understanding.

Findings

The comprehensive literature review showed that much of the work in this area is done in the USA and the Asian region. To explore the impact of revenue diversification on banking performance in developing countries is a literature gap. While going through the existing literature, it is clear that researchers have not reached at any conclusion about the exact impact of revenue diversification on banking performance. It is also found that non-interest income ratio and Herfindahl-Hirschman index (HHI) (revenue) index are the most common proxies of revenue diversification. However, other studies also input the HHI (loans) index, number of ATM’s and number of branches as a proxy for diversification.

Research limitations

This systematic literature review is based on specific review protocols, and therefore, it might be possible that some of the important work is not included in it due to time restrictions.

Originality/value

The banking sector has shown tremendous growth in revenue sources in past two decades. Keeping in view the importance of the banking sector within an economy, the dramatic shift of revenue sources and their impact is important to determine that eventually will help to define the future research area. In past research studies, there exists clear disagreement about the possible impact of revenue diversification on banking performance. This systemic literature review is an attempt to draw conclusions about the exact impact of revenue diversification. Therefore, the outcome of the study will be very valuable for both banking practitioners and academicians.
Stated preferences of Taiwanese investors for financial products
Authors: Liu Chun-Wen , Deng Chao
Published: June 2019

Purpose

The popularity of wealth management in Taiwan has unleashed tense competition among financial advisors. Consumers are now more conscious of their financial services purchasing behavior. This paper aims to provide insights into local-specific investors’ characteristics and consumers’ financial product preferences and to introduce a different concept to identify localization-suitable products.

Design/methodology/approach

To understand customers’ preferred products, the paper examines consumers’ financial behavior by analyzing preference characteristics using data collected from Taiwanese investors. The study entailed a questionnaire designed for consumers using the stated preferences method and the multinomial and nested logit models to develop preference models for consumers’ financial products. A statistical test using thet-value, likelihood andρ2to observe investor preference product reactions was also used.

Findings

The study finds that investors are sensitive to the rate of return on investments and performance changes in foreign currency, stock and mutual funds. An elasticity analysis and prediction of the market share among interactive products show that stock and mutual funds are strongly related and the rate of return on stock undoubtedly influences the market.

Originality/value

The stated preference method and inclusion of risk appetite improve our understanding of consumer choice and investors’ financial product preferences and characteristics. The results provide suitable localization product suggestions for financial institutions to help them understand their customers’ behaviors better. This paper’s results are also useful in the context of smart financial services such as financial robot technology.
Changing perspectives on terrestrial nitrogen cycling: The importance of weathering and evolved resource‐use traits for understanding ecosystem responses to global change
Authors: Wooliver Rachel , Pellegrini Adam F. A. , Waring Bonnie , Houlton Benjamin Z. , Averill Colin , Schimel Joshua , Hedin Lars O. , Bailey Joseph K. , Schweitzer Jennifer A.
Published: June 2019

Our understanding of terrestrial nitrogen (N) cycling is changing as new processes are uncovered, including the sources, turnover and losses of N from ecosystems.

We integrate recent insights into an updated N‐cycling framework and discuss how a new understanding integrates eco‐evolutionary dynamics with nutrient cycling. These insights include (a) the significance of rock weathering as a biologically meaningful N source to plants and microbes; (b) the lack of consistent N limitation of organic matter decomposition by soil microbes; (c) species‐specific variation in plant N limitation; and (d) how fire effects on soil N shift with ecosystem properties.

Using an eco‐evolutionary framework and revised knowledge of N cycling, we describe how (a) rock N weathering could have contributed more strongly to gradients in soil N availability than previously recognized, (b) evolution and co‐evolution of plant and soil microbial resource‐use traits underlie whether decomposition and production are N‐limited, and (c) the effects of fire on soil N pools are mediated by composition of plant species and time‐scale.

Our revised framework of N cycling provides a way forward for improving biogeochemical models to more accurately estimate rates of plant production and decomposition, and total soil N.

A freePlain Language Summarycan be found within the Supporting Information of this article.
Finding likeness: Neural plasticity and ritual experience
Authors: TURNER ROBERT
Published: June 2019

To efficiently survive, living creatures require some means of recording their experiences, predicting future experiences on the firm basis of such recordings and deciding on actions that help survival and reproduction. For us humans, this is provided by our very large brains. Our brains are adaptable; indeed, we never use the same brain twice. There are two main mechanisms: reversible synaptic plasticity and the irreversible myelination of axons. Culture can be seen as the store of world knowledge, tacit and explicit, that individuals must acquire to facilitate decision‐making by defining their range of options and to become acceptable social persons. Such knowledge is encoded, in ways not yet fully understood, in the pattern of our brain’s connections. In rites of passage, one’s social identity is transformed, entailing a significant modification of this pattern. Liminal status, brought about by entrainment with the ritual’s powerfully affective actions, appears to remove the cultural feedbacks that maintained one’s former social identity and enables durable modification to brain connections by means of a greater myelination of existing pathways and myelination of previously unused pathways. Such changes might be empirically observable using non‐invasive MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) techniques. The shared intense experience during the liminal period encourages a sense of likeness among participants, which is embedded in their brains by shared patterns of durable connections.
Development of a PCR High‐Resolution Melt Assay for Artemisia absinthium (Wormwood) and a Triplex Assay with Two Additional “Unregulated Legal High” Species Datura stramonium (Jimson Weed) and Merremia tuberosa (Hawaiian Woodrose),
Authors: Kiesel Brianna D. , Elkins Kelly M.
Published: June 2019

Artemisia absinthium (wormwood), a common ingredient in absinthe, contains the compound thujone, which is unregulated by the U.S. Drug Enforcement Agency. Thujone can cause an “unregulated legal high” in higher concentrations. The European Union limits thujone from Artemisia species to 35 mg/kg while the U.S. Food and Drug Administration requires less than 10 ppm to be “thujone‐free.” However, individuals can smoke or ingest A. absinthium in different forms. This study developed a polymerase chain reaction (PCR) high‐resolution melt (HRM) assay to detect and identify A. absinthium based on primer specificity, sensitivity, repeatability, and robustness. A triplex assay was performed with three “unregulated legal high” species: Datura stramonium, Merremia tuberosa, and A. absinthium; the PCR HRM assay detected and identified each plant at melt temperatures 77.42 ± 0.20°C, 83.88 ± 0.22°C, and 87.77 ± 0.15°C, respectively. The primer set developed distinguished A. absinthium from a variety of plant species and was successfully triplexed.
Exploring the intention‐behavior gap in the technology acceptance model: A mixed‐methods study in the context of foreign‐language teaching in China
Authors: Liu Haixia , Wang Lina , Koehler Matthew J.
Published: June 2019

This study explored the strength and mechanisms of the intention‐use link in the Technology Acceptance Model (TAM), based on data from a sample of 198 in‐service college‐level foreign‐language teachers in China. Its sequential explanatory research design involved, firstly, a quantitative approach to examine the structural relations among the TAM's variables, using path analysis on survey data; and secondly, qualitative interviews with a purposive sub‐sample of 16 of the same teachers, aimed at identifying potential influences on the intention‐behavior gap in their student‐centered technology use. Analysis of the quantitative data indicated a significant relationship between the teachers' intention to use technology and their teacher‐centered technology use of technology, but a non‐significant relationship between intention to use technology and their student‐centered technology use. The qualitative data revealed that facilitating conditions, prior experience with technology and technological pedagogical content knowledge (TPACK) were the main obstacles to the interviewees' student‐centered technology use. Other factors also played a role in educators' intention‐use gaps, including habit, beliefs in students, Chinese teaching culture and assessment pressure.

Practitioner Notes

What is already known about this topic

TAM has been supported by a multitude of studies.

Previous findings on intention‐behavior linkage in TAM are inconclusive.

Foreign language teachers' student‐centered technology use is limited.

What this paper adds

It conceptualizes two levels of technology use behavior using TAM as framework.

It identifies an intention‐behavior gap in student‐centered technology use.

It explores external and internal constraints to student‐centered technology use.

Implications for practice and/or policy

Educational institutions need to facilitate teachers' student‐centered technology use.

Consistent training on integrating student‐centered technology use with teaching content are in need.
How cluster‐robust inference is changing applied econometrics
Authors: MacKinnon James G.
Published: June 2019

In many fields of economics, and also in other disciplines, it is hard to justify the assumption that the random error terms in regression models are uncorrelated. It seems more plausible to assume that they are correlated within clusters, such as geographical areas or time periods, but uncorrelated across clusters. It has therefore become very popular to use “clustered” standard errors, which are robust against arbitrary patterns of within‐cluster variation and covariation. Conventional methods for inference using clustered standard errors work very well when the model is correct and the data satisfy certain conditions, but they can produce very misleading results in other cases. This paper discusses some of the issues that users of these methods need to be aware of.
Is the Emergence of the “Fresh Prep” Food Service Provider an Entrée into Local Foods?
Authors: Henshaw Thomas L.
Published: June 2019

Dynamic changes in the structure of college and university food service have combined with a heightened public awareness of food to promote the rapid growth of farm to institution programs. This paper analyzes recent trends in food service provider/institution relationships at eight liberal arts colleges in the Great Lakes region, namely a move toward providers that freshly prepare food in house rather than purchasing processed foods. We explore the interplay between institutional and provider demands and ask the question: does the transition to a new fresh prep food service provider open the door for greater inclusion of locally sourced foods? At these institutions we find that the selection of a food service provider only moves an institution's local purchasing fractionally. Greater local sourcing requires institutional motivation, specified purchasing goals, and favorable contract structures. [farm to institution, local foods, higher education, outsourcing, contracts].
The role of university‐industry research centers in embedding foreign subsidiaries: Insights from automotive research and development in Ontario
Authors: Goracinova Elena
Published: June 2019

Regionally embedded foreign subsidiaries have an advantage over disembedded ones. The ability to draw on local knowledge networks to create differentiating capabilities can enhance the subsidiary's influence within the multinational enterprise. A subsidiary's power is shaped by its control over external resources or skills the parent company depends on to develop new products. These local relationships are then used to bargain for further mandates, sometimes in competition with sister subsidiaries. One way in which foreign subsidiaries can deepen their connections with the local context is by collaborating in their innovative efforts with university‐based collaborative research centers (CRCs). I argue that CRCs are not a panacea when it comes to embedding the subsidiaries of foreign multinational enterprises (MNEs). A review of the literature helps identify the subsidiary‐parent relationship and industry‐academia conflicts of interest as obstacles to the development of productive relationships between subsidiaries and academia. I draw on evidence from three Ontario CRCs, with different scientific focus and stakeholders and analyze how these factors shape their behavior. The study shows that long‐term CRCs‐subsidiary relationships can be challenging to establish. This is because subsidiaries remain tightly controlled by their parent companies and cannot get access to the resources necessary to pursue ambitious innovation projects. It is also challenging for subsidiaries to form long‐term relationships with CRC researchers, who prioritize other goals such as training skilled personnel and continuing their research agenda. CRCs where 1) subsidiaries have a strong bargaining position within the MNE, and 2) academic expertise is aligned with industry needs have a greater chance to contribute to future MNE embeddedness.