bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Performance of cactus mucilage and brown seaweed extract as a steel corrosion inhibitor in chloride contaminated alkaline media
Authors: Hernández Eddisson Francisco , Cano-Barrita Prisciliano Felipe de Jesus , León-Martínez Frank Manuel , Torres-Acosta Andres Antonio
Published: July 2017

Purpose

This paper aims to present experimental results related to the performance of cactus mucilage (CM) and brown seaweed extracts (SEs) to inhibit reinforcing steel bar (rebar) corrosion in saturated calcium hydroxide alkaline solutions (pH = 12.5).

Design/methodology/approach

Electrochemical cells were prepared using CM solutions at 0.5, 1 and 1.38 per cent concentration (w/v), SE solutions at 0.5, 1, 1.38, 2 and 3 per cent concentration (w/v), sodium alginate at 1 per cent concentration (w/v) and calcium nitrite at 11.3 per cent (v/v). Each cell contained six deformed reinforcing steel bars of 9.5 mm nominal diameter. The experiments were performed at 23 ± 2°C in two stages. The first stage was aimed at stabilizing the rebar until passivation was reached. The second stage included adding NaCl in six steps from 0.5 to 16 g/L. Half-cell potential, linear polarization resistance and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy measurements were monitored during both stages.

Findings

The electrochemical test results indicated that both additions reduce the corrosion rate of rebars and pitting in an alkaline media with chloride ions (16 g/L NaCl). Electrochemical impedance spectroscopy results for rebars in natural-added solutions showed higher charge transfer resistance and double layer capacitance values, indicative of the formation of a second interface between the rebar and the electrolyte.

Research limitations/implications

The information obtained was for alkaline solutions only. Further investigation is performed using concrete as the alkaline electrolyte.

Practical implications

CM and SE may be suitable low-cost corrosion inhibitors for steel in concrete.

Social implications

The use of botanical or algae products for this application will encourage people to consider its production for this particular application. Also, the possible harvest in an environmental friendly way will diminish in the future the use of biohazards and toxic inhibitors.

Originality/value

This investigation is a continuation of a one presented in 2007, which uses only nopal mucilage. This new investigation corroborates what was concluded in the early investigation and incorporates a new natural by product, algae, as a possible corrosion inhibitor product.
Corrosion problems in the oil country tubular goods and their mitigation – a review
Authors: Cao Shan , He Faqing , Gao Jinwei
Published: July 2017

Purpose

Important reserves of oil and gas, which are left to be discovered and produced, are mainly concentrated in challenging locations and under severe conditions such as high pressure (HP)/high temperature (HT). The presence of aggressive environments including H2S, CO2and chlorides plus HP/HT causes a series of corrosion problems, which cost the oil industry billions of dollars a year. Thus, there is an increasing challenge for tubes (i.e. oil country tubular goods, for short, OCTG) used in producing oil and gas. The purpose of this study is to summarize different kinds of corrosion problems and their mitigation, to more efficiently protect OCTG from corrosion.

Design/methodology/approach

To effectively select proper mitigation methods, the mechanism of corrosion must be understood, which can be classified into four categories: sweet corrosion, sour corrosion, galvanic corrosion and microbiologically induced corrosion. Also, the effects of environmental and material factors on the corrosion rate are presented. Subsequently, current technology of mitigating these corrosion problems has been discussed, including the development of materials, application of chemical inhibitors and application of protective layers.

Findings

It is stressed that limits exist for each individual mitigation method; therefore, a careful balance between economic life of OCTG and safety in operation is required.

Originality/value

The main purpose of this essay is to give a brief review and detailed introduction and analysis about those technologies.
Effectiveness of Si contents in the steel composition on the corrosion performance of galvanized steel
Authors: Abdel Hamid Zeinab , Abd El Rehim Sayed , Ibrahim Moustafa
Published: July 2017

Purpose

The purpose of this work was to investigate the effect of Si content of steel substrate on the performance of the hot-dip galvanized layer. Moreover, the structure of the galvanized layers and the corrosion performance of the galvanized steel in 3.5 per cent NaCl solution have been studied.

Design/methodology/approach

The galvanized layer has been formed by the hot-dip technique, and the influence of silicon content in the steel composition on the corrosion performance of the galvanized steel was estimated. The surface morphologies and chemical compositions of the coated layers were assessed using scanning electron microscopy and energy-dispersive X-ray analysis, respectively. Potentiodynamic polarization Tafel lines and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) tests were used to evaluate the corrosion resistance of the galvanized steel in 3.5 per cent NaCl solution.

Findings

The results proved that adhere, compact and continuous coatings were formed with steel containing 0.56 Wt.% Si, while cracks and overly thick coatings were obtained with steel containing 1.46 Wt.% Si. Tafel plots illustrated that the corrosion rate of galvanized steel containing 0.08 and 0.56 Wt.% Si was lower than that of the galvanized steel containing 1.46 Wt.% Si. Also, the results of the EIS reveal that the impedance of the galvanized steel containing 0.08 and 0.56 Wt.% Si was the highest and the lowest, respectively, with the steel containing 1.46 Wt.% Si.

Social implications

Generally, in industry steels containing high amounts of silicon (0.15-0.25 Wt.%) can be galvanized satisfactory either by controlling the temperature (440°C) or adding Ni to the galvanized bath. The low temperature reduces the coating thickness; nickel amount must be controlled to prevent the formation of higher amounts of dross. This study proved that high Si steel of up to 0.56 Wt.% can be galvanized at 460°C without adding Ni to the galvanized bath and form adhere, compact, free cracks and have good corrosion resistance. Consequently, a social benefit can be associated with galvanizing high Si steel, leading to an increase in the cost of the process.

Originality/value

The results presented in this work are an insight into understanding the hot-dip galvanizing of high Si steel. The corrosion resistance of galvanized steel containing 0.56 Wt.% Si alloys has been considered as a promising behavior. In this work, a consistent assessment of the results was achieved on the laboratory scale.
Chickens, aprons, markets, and cans
Authors: Marsh Emily
Published: July 2017

Purpose

This paper describes how the content management system (CMS) Omeka supports the representation and presentation of the National Agricultural Library’s (NAL’s) digital exhibits, including some observations on its strengths and weaknesses. It also looks at Omeka’s major features through a theoretical lens of exhibit orientation that provides another way to assess it as a digital content tool.

Design/methodology/approach

The case study method was selected to review four comparable exhibits from the same institution. The Omeka software was evaluated through a lens of exhibit design that includes two orientations (object vs information) and multiple goals (object identification and display, engagement, interpretation and education).

Findings

Omeka is a valuable tool for digital exhibits because of its strength in knowledge representation through a standard metadata scheme, the ability to group items that have some aspect in common such as author or topic, and its support of narrative exhibits incorporating text and images. Omeka needs some additional support, however, to fulfill more complex goals such as user engagement, object interpretation and user education.

Originality/value

The paper grounds the examination of Omeka within a theoretical framework of exhibit orientation that enriches its observations and conclusions.
Is cybersecurity eating internet governance? Causes and consequences of alternative framings
Authors: Mueller Milton
Published: July 2017

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to clarify the relationship between cybersecurity governance and internet governance and to explore the effects of the current tendency for cybersecurity-related discourse to dominate and change the way we approach the established problems of internet governance.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper demonstrates the centrality of internet connectivity to any definition of cyberspace and to cybersecurity, which clarifies the way internet governance and cybersecurity governance are interdependent. Drawing on classic notions of a security dilemma, the paper also argues for distinguishing between national cybersecurity and societal cybersecurity.

Findings

Major structural features of the governance problem in cybersecurity and internet governance are analogous. Joint production of internet services and cybersecurity makes them heavily interdependent. This means that cybersecurity governance and internet governance models need to be compatible, and the approach we take to one will influence how we approach the other.

Originality/value

The interdependence of cybersecurity governance and internet governance has not been carefully examined before, and the relationship is not well understood. These two strands of thinking about cyberspace governance have not been properly connected. This paper bridges the gap and makes policymakers more aware of the potential tensions between a cybersecurity perspective and an internet governance perspective.
A cuckoo search optimisation-based Grey prediction model for thermal error compensation on CNC machine tools
Authors: Abdulshahed Ali M. , Longstaff Andrew P. , Fletcher Simon
Published: July 2017

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to produce an intelligent technique for modelling machine tool errors caused by the thermal distortion of Computer Numerical Control (CNC) machine tools. A new metaheuristic method, the cuckoo search (CS) algorithm, based on the life of a bird family is proposed to optimize the GMC(1, N) coefficients. It is then used to predict thermal error on a small vertical milling centre based on selected sensors.

Design/methodology/approach

A Grey model with convolution integral GMC(1, N) is used to design a thermal prediction model. To enhance the accuracy of the proposed model, the generation coefficients of GMC(1, N) are optimized using a new metaheuristic method, called the CS algorithm.

Findings

The results demonstrate good agreement between the experimental and predicted thermal error. It can therefore be concluded that it is possible to optimize a Grey model using the CS algorithm, which can be used to predict the thermal error of a CNC machine tool.

Originality/value

An attempt has been made for the first time to apply CS algorithm for calibrating the GMC(1, N) model. The proposed CS-based Grey model has been validated and compared with particle swarm optimization (PSO) based Grey model. Simulations and comparison show that the CS algorithm outperforms PSO and can act as an alternative optmization algorithm for Grey models that can be used for thermal error compensation.
Culture EPC oil and gas project in Vietnam: grounded theory
Authors: Ban Tran Van , Hadikusumo Bonaventura H.W.
Published: July 2017

Purpose

Engineering-procurement-construction (EPC) projects in the oil and gas industry are special projects involving diverse cultures, behaviours and complexity in global business. Among these elements, culture is a crucial factor contributing to project performance. Several studies have been conducted on culture and its impact on project performance, especially in construction. However, studies on the cultural factors affecting EPC projects have not yet been carried out, especially for projects in the oil and gas industry. Thus, this study aims to explore and identify the cultural factors that affect the performance of oil and gas EPC projects in Vietnam.

Design/methodology/approach

In all, 60 people with experience in EPC projects were interviewed for the study. Axial and selective coding were used to build the final grounded theory.

Findings

The research findings show that the main cultural factors affecting the performance of EPC projects are leadership, organisation, planning, communication, human resources, goal and orientation.

Originality/value

This study provides empirical evidence for the importance of cultural factors that affect the success of EPC projects. It can serve as a guide on how to manage EPC projects and how to overcome the cultural difficulties in oil and gas EPC projects in Vietnam.
Exploring the status and effects of balanced scorecard adoption in the non-western context
Authors: Jabeen Fauzia , Behery Mohamed
Published: July 2017

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to explore the status of corporate performance management (PM) in the Middle Eastern context, represented by the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA). In addition, the current study investigates the effects of the adoption of the balanced scorecard (BSC) and aims to explore the impact of the BSC on workplace attitudes and behaviors, as shown by accountability, inspiration, and motivation.

Design/methodology/approach

Due to the limited knowledge about the subject matter and the limited number of companies adopting the BSC in the Middle East, this study has adopted a descriptive approach to verify the significance of the BSC and to explore the causal relationship amongst the performance perspectives and the different dimensions of the BSC. The sample was drawn from five major business sectors in the UAE and KSA.

Findings

The results indicate that the BSC indicators are effective tools to evaluate and reflect on corporate performance. The concept of the BSC is considered good practice in the UAE and the KSA. Because of the concept’s compatibility with the local culture and business practices, it can be used to balance shareholder and stakeholder demands.

Research limitations/implications

One of the main limitations of this study is that the sample is drawn from only two countries from the Middle East and, hence, cannot be generalized.

Originality/value

This study is one of the first attempts to explore the status of the corporate PM systems in a non-western context using a BSC technique created and typically applied in the western world. In addition, this study is considered a valuable attempt at exploring the effects of the adoption of this technique on an organization’s performance.
Trust and being “worthy” – the key to creating wealth
Authors: Caldwell Cam , Ndalamba Ken Kalala
Published: July 2017

Purpose

The purposes of this paper are to present a clear model for understanding trust by integrating the diverse viewpoints in the trust literature and to explain how that model enables individuals and organizations to optimize their ability to create value and sustain competitive advantage.

Design/methodology/approach

This is a conceptual paper that integrates the perspectives of many widely regarded scholars and links trust with value creation in organizations.

Findings

The paper builds on previously established conditions essential to creating trust but suggests that trustworthiness requires an integrative quality which we call “capacity” that enables those who seek to lead to translate trust into action. That integrative quality is the key to effective execution for individuals and organizations.

Originality/value

Trust is widely acknowledged to be both a critical condition for successful organizations but a missing commodity in many leader-follower relationships. The paper offers insights for scholars and practitioners about the importance of leaders earning trust by being worthy of their followers’ commitment and cooperation.
Employee job performance
Authors: Choudhary Neetu , Naqshbandi M. Muzamil , Philip P.J. , Kumar Rajender
Published: July 2017

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to examine the impact of emotion management ability of leaders on employee job performance by highlighting the mediating role of employee perception of job characteristics.

Design/methodology/approach

Hypotheses were developed and tested using multi-source data collected from 65 dyads of heads of department and their subordinates.

Findings

Results show that leaders’ emotion management ability relates positively to employee job performance, and that this relationship is mediated by employees’ perception of job characteristics.

Research limitations/implications

Cross-sectional data were used to test the hypotheses. Generalizability of the findings is limited as the sample is taken from only one industry in India.

Originality/value

The findings contribute to HRM and leadership literature. The study has implications for jobs that require a high degree of interpersonal interaction with subordinates. Unique value also lies in the context of the study as this study is one of the first to explore the phenomenon in India.
Authentic leadership and the ethic of care
Authors: Atwijuka Sylivia , Caldwell Cam
Published: July 2017

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to describe the relationship between authentic leadership and the ethic of care (EoC) and to propose that leadership is characterized by the commitment of others that is represented by EoC’s moral perspective.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper is a conceptual paper that compares authentic leadership characteristics with the moral and ethical elements of EoC.

Findings

This paper proposes that authentic leadership is closely tied to the commitment of others which characterizes the leader’s moral responsibility and shows how EoC fits with 11 other ethical perspectives in enabling leaders to serve others

Originality/value

The contribution of this paper lies on its focus on the importance of EoC as a guiding moral perspective in the actions of authentic leaders. Although authentic leadership has been written about extensively, very little has been written to link authentic leadership with the EoC.
Research rigor and the gap between academic journals and business practitioners
Authors: Perea Eva , Brady Malcolm
Published: July 2017

Purpose

This paper examines the engagement of business practitioners with academic business research. The purpose of this paper is to assess whether there is a gap between academic research and business people, and, if so, how to bridge this gap.

Design/methodology/approach

Over 150 senior business practitioners were interviewed, in order to capture their views on the usefulness of academic research to them in their roles as practicing managers. Survey questions covered both their current access and reading of business-related publications and what the ideal academic business journal should be, in terms of access and contents.

Findings

Academic journals are not very well known among business professionals. If these professionals could choose, they would like academic journals to be written by experienced business people, to contain business cases and to be accessible on line. Existing academic business journal “repositories,” such as Google Scholar, are not mentioned in the survey results.

Practical implications

The findings indicate that potential solutions to bridge the gap between academic journals and business practitioners should not be complicated to implement, and would greatly help bring these two communities closer, with mutually enriching results.

Originality/value

This paper takes a very pragmatic view of the gap between academic journals and business practitioners, and seeks to assess this gap in terms of how it can be bridged on an everyday basis, rather than take a theoretical approach. It begs for the definition of actionable next steps.
Metaphors of change
Authors: Christensen Louise
Published: July 2017

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to explore how a study of a practice can lay the foundation to describe this very practice whilst transformations of it were taken place. Descriptions of changes to the practice of social work which was observed empirically serve as a starting point for experimenting with how social scientists, though often exploring transformative study objects, can remain focused on describing the object, under study.

Design/methodology/approach

The study was done through circa one year of fieldwork conducted with participant observation in two Danish municipal units offering services to socially marginalized people and interviews with social workers and employees in drug/alcohol treatment and psychiatric units.

Findings

The object of study within social sciences, though changing, is able to be described. Through the theories of “Social Navigation” (Vigh) and “Strategy and Tactics” (de Certeau), the practice of social work can be described as one concrete bounded practice but one which is performed within a transformative/changeable environment that are capable of influencing it. In this case, the experience of a changeable seascape might serve as a metaphor for how study objects change within an environment of change; how they can be viewed as “motion within motion” (Vigh).

Originality/value

Even though fields such as anthropology and organizational studies seem to rid themselves from their objects of study (culture and organization, respectively) and dissociate themselves from descriptions thereof these objects might still be of value to us. Even though the objects of study in postmodern anthropology and organizational studies are defined as unbounded, anti-essential, ephemeral, ever-changing non-objects, this might not be the entire picture. Despite their ever-changing shape, we might still be able to study and describe them if we take their changeable form and environment into account.
The FCA’s new enforcement process – what will work, and what won’t
Authors: James Polly , Jamieson Adam
Published: July 2017

Purpose

To review the FCA’s new enforcement process, drawing on what we believe are the positives and negatives and how the FCA should further improve the enforcement process.

Design/methodology/approach

Breaks down the FCA’s new enforcement process, highlighting the background and stimulus for change, the structural and cultural change, other process changes and our hopes for further reform.

Findings

Prospects have improved for firms/ individuals who are subject to FCA enforcement actions. Defendants who have good defensive arguments to make, but who would previously have felt under pressure to jettison those arguments in order to settle at an early stage and secure a 30 per cent discount will now be subject to a fairer process, weighted less favourably for the regulator.

Originality/value

Practical guidance from experienced regulatory lawyers who have valuable insight after working within the FCA.
CFTC’s demanding new cooperation guidelines for companies and individuals
Authors: Peace Breon S. , Park Jennifer Kennedy , Bergen Robin M. , Bamberger Nowell D.
Published: July 2017

Purpose

To explain and analyze two Enforcement Advisories that set forth the factors the US Commodity Futures Trading Commission Division of Enforcement may consider in assessing cooperation by companies and individuals in the context of CFTC enforcement proceedings.

Design/methodology/approach

Explains the background, including the 2007 Enforcement Advisory for Companies. Explains the 2017 Enforcement Advisory for Companies and the parallel Enforcement Advisory for Individuals, including policy-based considerations and factors such as the materiality, timeliness, nature, and quality of a company’s cooperation; the value of a company’s cooperation to the Commission’s broader law enforcement interests; and the company’s culpability, culture and other relevant factors. Provides examples of uncooperative conduct. Discusses a broader trend among enforcement authorities in the US and abroad of setting higher cooperation standards.

Findings

The new Advisories make clear that merely complying with requests for information from the CFTC staff will not be sufficient; a company or individual seeking cooperation credit as part of a resolution with the CFTC must go above and beyond its legal obligations in order to qualify for such credit.

Originality/value

Practical guidance from experienced white collar defense, regulatory enforcement, civil litigation and arbitration lawyers.
SEC enforcement actions under exchange act rule 21F-17
Authors: White Thomas W.
Published: July 2017

Purpose

To review recent enforcement actions in which the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) enforced Rule 21F-17(a) under the Securities Exchange Act, which prohibits actions to impede whistleblower communications with the SEC, and to identify changes that entities subject to SEC regulation (including public companies, broker-dealers and investment managers) may wish to consider in their employee separation agreements and other documents that may include confidentiality provisions.

Design/methodology/approach

Examines settled cases since 2015, in which the SEC found that contractual provisions in employee separation agreements and other documents impeded employees from communicating with the SEC staff about possible violations of the securities laws, to identify the types of language that the SEC found to be problematic and the types of provisions that the SEC believes are desirable, if not legally mandated, to protect employee whistleblower rights and avoid impeding communications under Rule 21F-17(a).

Findings

Beginning in 2015, the SEC has actively enforced Rule 21F-17(a), focusing on provisions in separation agreements and other employee-related documents that potentially prevent employees from reporting legal violations to the SEC. The SEC’s efforts have resulted in settled orders involving alleged violations of the rule. The cases generally allege that provisions in employee separation agreements or other documents violated the rule because they prohibited or chilled employee communications with the SEC about possible legal violations.

Practical implications

Entities subject to SEC regulation (including public companies, broker-dealers and investment managers) should review their confidentiality agreements with employees and consider whether changes are warranted to address the SEC’s concerns as identified in the Rule 21F-17(a) cases.

Originality/value

Practical guidance regarding important whistleblower developments from experienced securities lawyer.
SEC publishes important guidance on the Custody Rule, participating affiliate arrangements, robo-advisers, Form PF and certain compliance topics
Authors: Larson Joyce E. , Brown Kara J. , Bell Ivet A.
Published: July 2017

Purpose

To highlight guidance issued by the US Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) for the benefit of investment advisers regarding certain obligations under the Investment Advisers Act of 1940 (Advisers Act) and the rules thereunder.

Design/methodology/approach

Summarizes recent guidance regarding issues related to several challenging Advisers Act requirements, including inadvertent custody and client account transfers under Advisers Act Rule 206(4)-2, the use of participating affiliate arrangements pursuant to the “Unibanco” no-action letters, unique considerations affecting automated advisers (i.e., “robo-advisers”), the top five most frequently identified compliance topics identified in examinations conducted by the SEC’s Office of Compliance Inspections and Examinations (OCIE), and recent guidance regarding the private fund regulatory filing Form PF.

Findings

This guidance may assist advisers in preparing for regulatory examinations and questions from institutional investors. While the recent guidance addresses important topics, the guidance also raises some practical questions.

Originality/value

Practical guidance from experienced securities and financial services lawyers.
MIFID2 – the impact on non-EU fIRMS
Authors: Crown Simon , Gatti Steven F. , Feldman Matthias , Landless Paul
Published: July 2017

Purpose

An update for firms located outside the European Union of the possible extra-territorial impact of certain provisions in the recast Markets in Financial Instruments Directive and Markets in Financial Instruments Regulation (together referred to as “MiFID2”).

Design/methodology/approach

The focus is on the issues that are most likely to have an impact on non-EU firms, including buy/sell side financial institutions and private banks.

Findings

That the impact of MiFID2 will be felt far beyond the EU, particularly in relation to product governance, inducements and dealing commission, trading obligations, position limits for commodity derivatives and the new regime for accessing EU markets.

Practical implications

Non-EU firms need to assess their interaction with EU clients, counterparties and markets to identify the likely impact of MiFID2. Relevant interaction could include: manufacturing and distribution of financial instruments; the provision of investment research and dealing services to EU clients and trading in instruments which are admitted to trading on EU markets.

Originality/value

This article will be of interest to “third-country” firms, located outside the EU, but with a European connection, either in terms of European counterparties, investors or accessing European markets.
Investment recommendations under the Market Abuse Regulation (MAR) – operative guidelines issued by the Italian Securities and Exchange Commission (CONSOB)
Authors: Parola Lorenzo , Falco Francesco
Published: July 2017

Purpose

Analysis of the guidelines on investment recommendations (“Guidelines”) issued by the Italian Securities and Exchange Commission (“CONSOB”) on the application of the EU Regulation No. 596/2014, the Market Abuse Regulation (“MAR”).

Design/methodology/approach

This article focuses on the Guidelines issued with the aim to facilitate the identification of unlawful conducts of firms and individuals disseminating investment recommendations on financial instruments or issuers. In particular, the definition of investment recommendations as per MAR, the duties of persons providing such information and also the investigative powers conferred to CONSOB in order to prevent the dissemination of false or misleading information to the public are examined in detail.

Findings

The Guidelines are an important interpretative tool for firms and individuals providing investment recommendations on financial instruments or issuers. They further determine the duties deriving from MAR and the investigative powers attributed to CONSOB.

Originality/value

This article provides useful information on MAR and practical guidance on the applicability of this regulation to persons and firms providing investment recommendations on financial instruments or issuers.
Telepresence robotics in an academic library
Authors: Guth LuMarie , Vander Meer Patricia
Published: July 2017

Purpose

Librarians are working with telepresence robotics for various uses, particularly as a communication method inhabiting a space between video chat and face-to-face interactions. The library at (Blinded University) partnered with the (Blinded Laboratory) to showcase this emerging technology in a high-traffic setting utilized by students of every level and major. The purpose of this paper is to discuss patron reactions to this technology exhibition in the library, beta testing of a telepresence robot in various public services tasks, and library employee attitudes toward this unfamiliar technology before and after one-on-one training.

Design/methodology/approach

The project gathered data through three studies. In study 1, feedback forms were filled out by patrons who interacted with or piloted the robot. In study 2, observations by the librarians piloting the robot for various public services activities were recorded in a log. In study 3, employees were invited to complete a pretest designed to solicit perceptions and attitudes regarding the use of the robot, become trained in navigating the robot, and complete a posttest for comparison purposes. Results were analyzed to find trends and highlight perceived uses for the technology.

Findings

Patrons and library employees gave positive feedback regarding the novelty of the technology and appreciated its remote communication capability. Trialed uses of the technology for public services yielded positive results when the TR was used for public relations, such as at special events or in greeting tours, and yielded less positive results when used for reference purposes. Library employees comfort with and perceived utility of the robot grew consistently across departments, levels of experience and employment types after a personal training session.

Originality/value

Although libraries in recent years have surveyed users regarding TR technology, this paper captures quantitative and qualitative data from a library employee training study regarding perception of the technology. Exploration of the public services uses and library employee acceptance of TR technology is valuable to those contemplating expending time and resources in similar endeavors.
Fake news: belief in post-truth
Authors: Rochlin Nick
Published: July 2017

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to illustrate that the current efforts to combat the epidemic of fake news – compiling lists of fake news sites, flagging stories as having been disputed as “fake,” downloading plug-ins to detect fake news – show a fundamental misunderstanding of the issue.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper explores the plummeting believability ratings in conventional news outlets, as well as current efforts to combat fake news. These concepts are situated in the post-truth era, in which news is upsold on the notion of belief and opinion.

Findings

This paper finds that, in combination with a general mistrust of all news, a fundamental flaw in the system of clicks-as-reward allows fake news and other clickbait to gain unobstructed virality.

Originality/value

Fake news is a widely discussed topic right now. As this is primarily an issue of information literacy, library and information professionals need to understand, discuss, and address this issue as one that is directly related to the profession.
A market testing method based on crowd funding
Authors: Sheldon Robert Charles , Kupp Martin
Published: July 2017

Purpose

This paper provides a tool for managers to overcome a common paradox in situations of innovation. The paradox occurs when the commercial viability of ideas for new products and services is unknown, making managers loath to invest scarce resources in developing them for fear that they will lose them if the idea is a non-starter. The result is that ideas sit on the shelf, idle and untested. This paper provides a low-cost, intuitive method for determining if a new idea has sufficient commercial potential to warrant investing in its development, thereby resolving the paradox.

Design/methodology/approach

The method is based on six marketing mechanisms derived from crowd funding: choosing a target prospect and positioning, creating a prototype, setting a price based on value, locating prospects; getting an address, communicating with prospects; delivering an effective pitch, and measuring results through advance commitments. The method is illustrated using two entrepreneurial cases.

Findings

Managers who use the method can validate ideas in the marketplace quickly and at low cost, obtaining the information they need to justify an investment in the research, planning and analysis required for commercialization.

Originality/value

The paper identifies a common but little discussed obstacle to innovation, the development paradox, and proposes a novel method of overcoming it. Market testing is not new, but most known methods do not solve the development paradox because they require a significant outlay of resources to undertake.
Between continuity and change: The EU's mechanism of differentiated value integration
Authors: OSHRI ODELIA , SHENHAV SHAUL R.
Published: July 2017

How does the European Union integrate new values into the text of its treaties? A growing body of literature indicates that, in the past three decades, new norms and values have entered the EU's discourse, resulting in what is usually termed ‘normative power Europe’. Yet the research and knowledge to‐date about the EU's discursive assimilation of new values and norms is surprisingly poor. As any institutional change, such integration has the potential to undermine the coherence of the EU's identity and thus also its objective to ‘speak with one voice’. This article explores the EU's discursive management of the continuity‐versus‐change imperative by analysing the integration of new values into the text of its treaties. This issue is addressed based on a quantitative content analysis on the full texts of European founding treaties between the 1950s and 2009. Findings show that the distribution of the EU's values in the text is not uniform: while the language of market economy and democracy is pervasive, the values of peace, European identity, rights and social justice are mentioned less frequently and in restricted linguistic environments. To account for the differences in the integration of values into the EU's treaty discourse, the article develops the notion of a discursive mechanism of differentiated value integration (MDVI). This rationale echoes the logic of differentiation in policy implementation employed by the EU. It is claimed here that, applied in the European discursive arena, MDVI allows radically different readings of the same text. This helps the EU to maintain a coherent value identity while at the same time enabling change.
Multilevel Structure of Wheat Starch and Its Relationship to Noodle Eating Qualities
Authors: Li Ming , Dhital Sushil , Wei Yimin
Published: July 2017

Although the processing and eating qualities of noodles are largely related to the quality and quantity of wheat protein (gluten), the importance of starch, a major ingredient of wheat flour, is often overlooked. Recent developments on the multilevel structural model of starch have brought new insights into the role of starch for better processing and noodle eating qualities. With critical analysis and discussion, this review outlines the comprehensive relationships between the multilevel (molecular, crystalline, and granular) starch structure, noodle eating qualities, and related physicochemical properties. Further, the major and minor structural features of wheat starch and their contributions toward noodle quality are summarized and presented as a schematic diagram, which shows the effects of starch structure on cooked noodles. These features provide new insights for the scientific community, as well as industry, into the role of starch, along with gluten, on the quality of noodles.
Influence of Innovative Processing on γ‐Aminobutyric Acid (GABA) Contents in Plant Food Materials
Authors: Poojary Mahesha M. , Dellarosa Nicolò , Roohinejad Shahin , Koubaa Mohamed , Tylewicz Urszula , Gómez‐Galindo Federico , Saraiva Jorge A. , Rosa Marco Dalla , Barba Francisco J.
Published: July 2017

Over the last several decades, γ‐aminobutyric acid (GABA) has attracted much attention due to its diverse physiological implications in plants, animals, and microorganisms. GABA naturally occurs in plant materials and its concentrations may vary considerably, from traces up to μmol/g (dry basis) depending on plant matrix, germination stage, and processing conditions, among other factors. However, due to its important biological activities, considerable interest has been shown by both food and pharmaceutical industries to improve its concentration in plants. Natural and conventional treatments such as mechanical and cold stimulation, anoxia, germination, enzyme treatment, adding exogenous glutamic acid (Glu) or gibberellins, and bacterial fermentation have been shown effective to increase the GABA concentration in several plant materials. However, some of these treatments can modify the nutritional, organoleptic, and/or functional properties of plants. Recent consumer demand for food products which are “healthy,” safe and, having added benefits (nutraceuticals/functional components) has led to explore new ways to improve the content of bioactive compounds while maintaining desirable organoleptic and physicochemical properties. Along this line, nonthermal processing technologies (such as high‐pressure processing, pulsed electric fields, and ultrasound, among others) have been shown as means to induce the biosynthesis and accumulation of GABA in plant foods; and the main findings so far reported are presented in this review. Moreover, the most novel tools for the identification of metabolic response in plant materials based on GABA analysis will be also described.
Potassium Chloride‐Based Salt Substitutes: A Critical Review with a Focus on the Patent Literature
Authors: Cepanec Katica , Vugrinec Sašenka , Cvetković Tanja , Ranilović Jasmina
Published: July 2017

High dietary sodium intake (DSI) represents a major health‐related public issue in most countries all over the world. Such a diet can lead to increased risk of hypertension and related cardiovascular diseases. This situation has resulted in important public policies for various salt reduction strategies. One of these is based on the use of salt substitutes or salts with reduced sodium content. Among several options, potassium chloride (KCl) has proved to be a key nutritional ingredient for this purpose. It provides similar properties like common salt (NaCl), but with several unwanted side effects, of which the most important have relatively offensive side tastes: bitter, acrid, and metallic. To successfully formulate KCl‐based salt substitutes, numerous taste‐improving agents and formulation concepts have been used. The field of salt substitutes is mainly described in the patent literature. Since patents are both scientific and legal documents, careful and critical consideration is required when using them as a source of scientific information. This review brings a deep insight into the area of KCl‐based salt substitutes with a focus on the patent literature through the eyes of food science and technology. The most important classes of taste‐improving agents that have been employed in numerous formulation concepts of KCl‐based salt substitutes are nutritionally acceptable mineral salts; food acids, amino acids, and their nutritionally acceptable salts; simple carbohydrates and sugar substitutes; food polymers; umami ingredients; spices, vegetables, and flavors; miscellaneous taste improvers; as well as a plethora of their specific combinations. A critical review of the respective patent literature is given.
An Acceptability Trial of Desiccated Beef Liver and Meat Powder as Potential Fortifiers of Complementary Diets of Young Children in Indonesia
Authors: Duizer Lisa M , Diana Aly , Rathomi Hilmi S. , Luftimas Dimas E , Rahmannia Sofa , Santi Widya , Nugraha Gaga Irawan , Haszard Jill J , Gibson Rosalind S , Houghton Lisa A
Published: July 2017

The addition of desiccated beef liver to infant and young child complementary foods can be used to overcome nutrient deficits, however its acceptability is unknown. We conducted a series of studies to test the acceptability of complementary foods fortified with either powdered beef liver, beef meat, beef liver + meat or placebo among 96 Indonesian children aged 12 to 23 mo. This was achieved by determining liking of a single test food with added study powder, followed by a 2‐wk home trial and focus group discussions to assess liking during repeated consumption of the study powders added to daily meals. The test food with added beef powders were well liked by mothers, with liking scores never falling below neutral on a 7‐point scale. After home use, mothers reported that their children moderately liked their meals with added powder, with scores ranging between 3.3 and 3.5 on a 5‐point scale. With the exception of lower liking for the combination beef liver + meat powder, there were no detectable differences in mothers’ overall perception of child's liking between the placebo and any of the study powders. The low disappearance rate of the study powders during the home trial was a concern, with mothers reporting a strong smell and fishy odor as the major reason why children did not like their meals. Nonetheless, mothers declared they would continue using the powder on account of the nutritional value and perceived health benefits. Strategies are underway to minimize the level of fishy odor in the beef liver powder.
Metal‐based antimicrobial strategies
Authors: Turner Raymond J.
Published: July 2017

Metal based‐antimicrobials have potential for profiling sustainability solutions to infection care and health; with biotechnological applications providing novel compounds. Yet they must be used wisely for sustainable use in human and agricultural health with thoughts towards bioremediation for recovery should be considered.
Estimating the Contribution of Circumstances that Reflect Inequality of Opportunities
Authors: Martinez Arturo , Rampino Tina , Western Mark , Tomaszewski Wojtek , Roque Jude David
Published: July 2017

Until recently, researchers have typically followed an indirect approach to decomposing income inequality into its “fair” and “unfair” components, by examining income mobility. This study contributes to the existing literature by demonstrating the advantages of employing a direct approach, through measuring the contribution of various sources of inequality of opportunities. Based on recent Australian data, we estimate that at least 8 per cent of total income inequality before government transfers and taxes and at least 6 per cent of total income inequality after government transfers and taxes is attributable to factors outside of people's control.