bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Investigating the influence of information complexity on construction quality: a systems thinking approach
Authors: Naveed Faizan , Khan Khurram Iqbal Ahmad
Published: April 2021

Purpose

This paper investigates the causative relation between information complexity and construction quality. The objectives are to identify the challenges faced in the communication of information and data on construction projects and determine how these barriers influence quality performance of a project.

Design/methodology/approach

Limitations in the literature on information seeking, coupled with the utilization of Theory of Motivated Information Management as a response led to the development of research problem statement. Through comprehensive review of literature published between the years 2005–2019, the paper first identified barriers of information communication in the industry and key performance indicators of construction quality, followed by content analyses to rank and screen out the least important variables. This paved the way for quantitative and qualitative analyses through 180 structured questionnaires and 11 expert opinion sessions that respectively led to the use of systems thinking approach to establish causality.

Findings

The study finds ineffective communication, unclear details, changes in contract, information delays, unpleasant relationships between stakeholders and project complexity as the most critical factors causing information complexity in a construction project. These factors cause a reduction in quality performance of a project through increased rework and decreased implementation of total quality management.

Practical implications

The study will assist project managers to diagnose quality-related issues in their projects, trace them back to the challenges and barriers of information communication and then make policy/strategic interventions to reduce such issues through improved information flow.

Originality/value

Majority of the studies in this field of work have identified the effects of ineffective information flow on overall project performance, but very few have focused specifically on the quality of construction projects.
Impact of organizational decentralization degree on job satisfaction and job performance: a hierarchical linear model analysis for construction projects
Authors: Sun Jun , Wang Cynthia Changxin , Yang Zhiling , Yu Tianshu , Li Jintao , Xiong Xiaoqian
Published: April 2021

Purpose

Modern construction projects are increasingly complex and rely heavily on multi-discipline collaboration, and this leads to a more and more decentralized project-based structure widely adopted in the construction industry. While job satisfaction (JS) and job performance (JP) have been heavily studied previously, few considered the impact of organizational structure and none investigated the relationship between the organizational decentralization degree with JS and JP. This research aims to fill this research gap and investigate the impacts of organizational decentralization degree on JS and JP and facilitate a better project management practice for large-scale construction projects.

Design/methodology/approach

This research firstly establishes four hypotheses based on the literature review on general project-based organizations, then the hypotheses are tested by a survey covering 25 large complex construction projects in China. A hierarchical linear model analysis was carried out to analyze the survey data and to study the relationships between organizational decentralization degree, job satisfaction and job performance.

Findings

Analysis results show that projects' employees' JS and JP are positively correlated with the construction project organizations' decentralization degree, respectively. The decentralization degree has a higher impact on JS than on JP. Employees' JP is positively correlated with their JS, and a higher decentralization degree leads to a more significant positive impact that JS puts on JP.

Originality/value

The findings are new evidence of how construction organization structure and its decentralization degree can affect project employees' JS and JP. This research provides valuable guidance for the industry's management practice and is particularly important for large, complex and highly decentralized construction projects.
Developing project evaluation models for smart sustainable practices implementation in construction projects: a comparative study between Nigeria and Hong Kong
Authors: Olawumi Timothy O. , Chan Daniel W.M.
Published: April 2021

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to identify the key facilitating factors for smart sustainable practices (SSP) and develop a project evaluation model (PEM) for SSP implementation in Nigeria and Hong Kong. SSP is coined from the integration of digital technologies such as Building Information Modelling (BIM) to facilitate sustainability practices.

Design/methodology/approach

The study employed a quantitative research design approach using empirical questionnaire surveys to solicit the opinions of 69 and 97 construction practitioners in Nigeria and Hong Kong. Purposive and snowball sampling techniques were used to identify the potential survey respondents. The fuzzy synthetic evaluation technique was used to develop the PEMs.

Findings

The findings revealed that adequate technical expertise of the SSP processes is critical in enhancing its implementation in Hong Kong and Nigeria; as well as the provision of training programs for specialists in smart and sustainable initiatives. Meanwhile, the study's findings advocated that for an SSP-enabled construction project, its project performance is mainly influenced by the client's satisfaction level and the early involvement of the project teams.

Research limitations/implications

The study's results are limited to the Nigeria and Hong Kong construction industries.

Practical implications

Construction stakeholders such as the clients, developers, contractors can utilize the PEMs to determine and track SSP initiatives implementation in building projects in a reliable and practical way.

Originality/value

No tool has been developed for evaluating SSP initiatives at the project level in the construction industry. Using case studies of Hong Kong and Nigeria, PEM indices were developed to measure and track SSP implementation in construction projects.
Exploring a comprehensive knowledge map for promoting safety management research in the construction industry
Authors: Wang Liang , Cheng Yiming
Published: April 2021

Purpose

The purpose of this paper was to map the safety management research of construction industry by scientometric analysis, which can predict important highlights and future research directions of safety management research in the construction industry. As an important issue in the construction industry, safety management issues have been researched from different perspectives. Although previous studies make knowledge contributions to the safety management research of construction industry, there are still huge obstacles to distinguish the comprehensive knowledge map of safety management research in the construction industry.

Design/methodology/approach

This study applies three scientometric analysis methods, collaboration network analysis, co-occurrence network analysis and cocitation network analysis, to the safety management research of construction industry. 5,406 articles were retrieved from the core collection database of the Web of Science. CiteSpace was used for constructing a comprehensive analysis framework to analyze and visualize the safety management research of construction industry. According to integrating the analysis results, a knowledge map for the safety management research of construction industry can be constructed.

Findings

The analysis results revealed the academic communities, key research topics and knowledge body of safety management research in the construction industry. The evolution paths of safety management research in the construction industry were divided into three development stages: “construction safety management”, “multi-objective safety management” and “comprehensive safety management”. Five research directions were predicted on the future safety management research of construction industry, including (1) comprehensive assessment indicators system; (2) intelligent safety management; (3) cross-organization collaboration of safety management; (4) multilevel safety behavior perception and (5) comparative analysis of safety climate.

Originality/value

The findings can reveal the overall status of safety management research in the construction industry and represent a high-quality knowledge body of safety management research in the construction industry that accurately reflects the comprehensive knowledge map on the safety management research of construction industry. The findings also predict important highlights and future research directions of safety management research in the construction industry, which will help researchers in the safety management research of construction industry for future collaboration and work.
Dynamic capabilities for digitalisation in the AECO sector – a scientometric review
Authors: Aghimien Douglas , Aigbavboa Clinton Ohis , Oke Ayodeji Emmanuel , Edwards David , Thwala Wellington Didibhuku , Roberts Chris J.
Published: April 2021

Purpose

A scientometric review of extant literature is conducted to define and delineate upon the enabling dynamic capabilities required to engender the digitalisation of organisations operating in the architecture, engineering, construction and operations (AECO) sector. A secondary aim sought to provide direction for future studies and theories to be tested in this novel field of investigation as well as stimulate wider polemic debate amongst industry stakeholders.

Design/methodology/approach

An interpretivist philosophical stance and inductive approach was undertaken in this study, using a grounded theory strategy. Secondary data used was sourced from the Scopus journal database using specific related keywords. VOSviewer was used to prepare co-occurrence maps based on the bibliographic data gathered.

Findings

AECO organisations that seek digitalisation must possess the capability to sense and seize opportunities and threats within the business environment and reconfigure their business processes to best meet their market demand. This can be achieved by improving on attributes relating to industrial management and strategic planning, organisational learning, enterprise resource management and innovative information technology. Future studies should target novel areas such as AECO organisations' ambidexterity and service innovation.

Originality/value

This is the first study to explore the dynamic capabilities of AECO organisations in relation to digitalisation adoption. Therefore, the research serves as a robust theoretical background for signposting AECO organisations who seek to transition to digital solutions in the fourth industrial revolution.
High commitment HRM and burnout of frontline food service employees: a moderated mediation model
Authors: Teo Stephen T.T. , Nguyen Diep , Shafaei Azadeh , Bentley Tim
Published: April 2021

Purpose

Drawing from the Job Demands-Resources (JD-R) framework and Conservation of Resources (COR) theory, the authors’ study examines the impact of high commitment HR management (HCHRM) practices and psychological capital (PsyCap) on job autonomy and job demands in predicting burnout in frontline food service employees.

Design/methodology/approach

A moderated mediation model was developed and tested on 257 Australian workers employed in the food service industry. Hypotheses were tested using structural equation modeling.

Findings

There was support for the mediation effect of HCHRM on burnout, via two sequential mediators: job autonomy and job demands. PsyCap was found to buffer (moderation) the effect of job demands on burnout. Frontline employees also perceived HCHRM to be a “negative signal” that was implemented for the good of management.

Research limitations/implications

The authors are aware of the potential of common method variance due to the cross-sectional research design. Future research should adopt a longitudinal research design or collect data from several sources of informants. As the authors did not find support for the optimistic perspective hypothesis, despite its theoretical and empirical relevance under JD-R and COR perspectives, they call for further research exploring the link between HRM, job design and psychological conditions in promoting employee wellbeing.

Practical implications

Burnout is one of the most common and critical health issues faced by frontline food service employees. Food service organizations have to strategize their management practices to reduce employees' experience with burnout by implementing high commitment enhancing HR practices and developing employees' PsyCap.

Originality/value

This study provided a better understanding of how (macro) HCHRM practices as an organizational resource reduce burnout of frontline food service employees via two (micro) mediators: job autonomy and job demands. PsyCap is an important personal resource that lessens burnout, consistent with the COR theory. These findings contribute to the literature on strategic HRM and its relationship to employee wellbeing.
Automation, AI and the Future of Work in India
Authors: Hammer Anita , Karmakar Suparna
Published: April 2021

Purpose

This research contributes to current debates on automation and the future of work, a much-hyped but under researched area, in emerging economies through a particular focus on India. It assesses the national strategy on artificial intelligence and explores the impact of automation on the Indian labour market, work and employment to inform policy.

Design/methodology/approach

The article critically assesses the National Strategy on AI, promulgated by NITI Aayog (a national policy think tank), supported by the government of India and top industry associations, through a sectoral analysis. The key dimensions of the national strategy are examined against scholarship on the political economy of work in India to better understand the possible impact of automation on work.

Findings

The study shows that technology is not free from the wider dynamics that surround the world of work. The adoption of new technologies is likely to occur in niches in the manufacturing and services sectors, while its impact on employment and the labour market more broadly, and in addressing societal inequalities will be limited. The national strategy, however, does not take into account the nature of capital accumulation and structural inequalities that stem from a large informal economy and surplus labour context with limited upskilling opportunities. This raises doubts about the effectiveness of the current policy.

Research limitations/implications

The critical assessment of new technologies and work has two implications: first, it underscores the need for situated analyses of social and material relations of work in formulating and assessing strategies and policies; second, it highlights the necessity of qualitative workplace studies that examine the relationship between technology and the future of work.

Practical implications

The article assesses an influential state policy in a key aspect of future of work–automation.

Social implications

The policy assessed in this study would have significant social and economic outcomes for labour, work and employment in India. The study highlights the limitations of the state policy in addressing key labour market dimensions and work and employment relations in its formulation and implementation.

Originality/value

This study is the first to examine the impact of automation on work and employment in India. It provides a critical intervention in current debates on future of work from the point of view of an important emerging economy defined by labour surplus and a large informal economy.
What to do when the robots come? Non-formal education in jobs affected by automation
Authors: Koster Sierdjan , Brunori Claudia
Published: April 2021

Purpose

Ongoing automation processes may render a fair share of the existing jobs redundant or change their nature. This begs the question to what extent employees affected invest in training in order to strengthen their labour market position in times of uncertainty. Given the different national labour market regimes and institutions, there may be an important geographical dimension to the opportunities to cope with the challenges set by automation. The purpose of this study is to address both issues.

Design/methodology/approach

Using data from the 2016 European labour Force Survey, the authors estimate with logit and multi-level regression analyses how the automation risk of a worker's job is associated with the propensity of following non-formal education/training. The authors allow this relationship to vary across European countries.

Findings

The results show that employees in jobs vulnerable to automation invest relatively little in training. Also, there are significant differences across Europe in both the provision of training in general and the effect of automation on training provision.

Originality/value

While there is quite a lot of research on the structural labour market effects of automation, relatively little is known about the actions that employees take to deal with the uncertainty they are faced with. This article aims to contribute to our understanding of such mechanisms underlying the structural macro-level labour-market dynamics.
Creating a sustainable model for stroke system change
Authors: Linkewich Elizabeth , Sharp Shelley , Richardson Denyse , McKellar Jocelyne
Published: April 2021

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to develop an infrastructure and leadership capacity for a sustainable approach to collaborative change in a complex health-care system.

Design/methodology/approach

An infrastructure for system change and a mechanism to build capacity for change leadership was developed. This involved (1) using a community of a practice model to create a change community, (2) developing an iterative engagement and change process and (3) integrating collaborative change leadership skills and knowledge development within the process. Change leadership was evaluated using Wenger's phases of value creation.

Findings

A change community of 62 members across 19 organizations codeveloped a change process that aligns with Cooperrider's 4D Cycle. The change community demonstrated application of change leadership learnings throughout the change process.

Originality/value

A tailored approach was required to support sustainable transformational change in the Toronto stroke system. This novel methodology provides a framework for broader application to systems change in other complex systems that support both local and system-wide ownership of the work.
Making sense of business analytics in project selection and prioritisation: insights from the start-up trenches
Authors: Zamani Efpraxia D. , Griva Anastasia , Spanaki Konstantina , O'Raghallaigh Paidi , Sammon David
Published: April 2021

Purpose

The study aims to provide insights in the sensemaking process and the use of business analytics (BA) for project selection and prioritisation in start-up settings. A major focus is on the various ways start-ups can understand their data through the analytical process of sensemaking.

Design/methodology/approach

This is a comparative case study of two start-ups that use BA in their projects. The authors follow an interpretive approach and draw from the constructivist grounded theory method (GTM) for the purpose of data analysis, whereby the theory of sensemaking functions as the sensitising device that supports the interpretation of the data.

Findings

The key findings lie within the scope of project selection and prioritisation, where the sensemaking process is implicitly influenced by each start-up's strategy and business model. BA helps start-ups notice changes within their internal and external environment and focus their attention on the more critical questions along the lines of their processes, operations and business model. However, BA alone cannot support decision-making around less structured problems such as project selection and prioritisation, where intuitive judgement and personal opinion are still heavily used.

Originality/value

This study extends the research on BA applied in organisations as tools for business development. Specifically, the authors draw on the literature of BA tools in support of project management from multiple perspectives. The perspectives include but are not limited to project assessment and prioritisation. The authors view the decision-making process and the path from insight to value, as a sensemaking process, where data become part of the sensemaking roadmap and BA helps start-ups navigate the decision-making process.
Capacity building for the documentation and conservation of Latin American cultural heritage: making technology accessible and sustainable
Authors: Reina Ortiz Miquel , Santana Quintero Mario , Vernaza Clemencia , Ramírez Patricia , Montejo Gaitán Fernando , Segura Escobar Juana
Published: April 2021

Purpose

The purpose of this contribution is to demonstrate the importance of interdisciplinary collaboration in integrating advanced and emerging digital techniques in the appropriate and sustainable documentation of heritage sites in Latin America. Existing collaboration between the Universidad del Externado de Colombia, the Colombian Institute of Anthropology and History and the Carleton Immersive Media Studio of Carleton University in Ottawa (Canada) have been sued to demonstrate the importance of this approach. The described collaboration allowed a team of students, researchers, government experts and educators to document selected pilot areas of the remarkable UNESCO World Heritage Sites of National Archeological Park of Tierradentro (UNESCO, 1995) and San Agustín Archaeological Park (UNESCO, 1995). The sophisticated digital recording techniques described, such as 3D scanning, aerial and ground photogrammetry techniques, were used to capture the site's current physical condition, emphasizing the pressing need to conserve the threatened mural paintings (Tierraadentro) and carved rock phases (San Agustin). This contribution also underlines the importance of developing the training of emerging professionals from Colombia in adopting these techniques to make their documentation more accurate, reliable and sustainable in the long term. The project's conclusions demonstrate that it is crucial to integrate emerging documentation techniques into the sustainable approach to conservation of these two important UNESCO World Heritage Sites.

Design/methodology/approach

The approach presented in this contribution makes technology more accessible to the conservation specialist in Latin America. It provides a comprehensive capacity building program that involves teaching about theory and practice, using two important UNESCO World Heritage Sites located in Colombia. It is also relevant to the interdisciplinary and institutional collaboration between two universities in the North/South areas of the continent and a government institution that effectively collaborates to provide training to emerging professionals.

Findings

The contribution summarizes the opportunities and limitations of adopting technology to make the documentation process for conservation more sustainable in low-income economies and provides a framework to implement future strategies in South America.

Originality/value

The paper raises a discussion on how the concept of sustainability of adopting new technologies in the context of Latin American countries can assist in optimizing the conservation of decorated surfaces in important UNESCO World Heritage Sites by involving capacity building of emerging professionals.
The role of customer engagement in cultivating relationships with automotive Facebook brand pages
Authors: de Silva Thanuka Mahesha
Published: April 2021

Purpose

The study aims to provide a theoretical framework of how information, entertainment and social interaction value associated with automotive Facebook brand pages (FBPs) in Sri Lanka influence customer engagement behaviors (CEBs), and further, how CEB is likely to result in FBP-specific relationship outcomes.

Design/methodology/approach

A printed questionnaire was used to collect the data from a convenience sample of 374 undergraduate Facebook users in Sri Lanka, and data were analyzed using structural equation modeling (SEM) with AMOS 21.0.

Findings

The findings highlighted that information, entertainment and social interaction value positively influenced CEBs in automotive FBPs in Sri Lanka. Moreover, results showed that CEB had a positive influence on FBP trust, FBP commitment and FBP loyalty. Additionally, information value was found to positively influence FBP loyalty, while social interaction value had a positive influence on FBP trust and FBP commitment.

Originality/value

The study proposes a framework for relationship building in automotive FBPs by integrating values that drive CEBs and the FBP-specific relationship outcomes of CEBs. As such, the novelty of this paper is that it focuses on building customer relationships with the FBP, instead of the brand in the context of automotive FBPs in a developing country, Sri Lanka. Further, this study proposes some additional linkages between the constructs apart from testing the antecedents and FBP-specific relationship outcomes of CEBs.

Peer review

The peer review history for this article is available at: https://publons.com/publon/10.1108/OIR-11-2019-0352
The determinants of food security in Sudan: the case of Kassala state
Authors: Mohamed Nour Samia Satti Osman , Abdalla Eltayeb Mohamedain
Published: April 2021

Purpose

This paper aims to discuss the determinants of food security in Kassala state using the measurement of Household Food Insecurity Access Scale (HFIAS). We use the measurement of HFIAS and use new primary data from a food security household survey in Kassala state (2019).

Design/methodology/approach

This paper focuses on the determinants of food security in Kassala state using the measurement of Household Food Insecurity Access Scale (HFIAS), using new primary data from a food security household survey in Kassala state (2019) and using the multinomial logistic regression analysis and both ordered logit and ordered probit regression to examine the determinants of food security.

Findings

Our results are in support of our hypothesis that the significant determinants of household food insecurity are family-owned production (that negatively affects the probabilities of household being food insecure), household income (that negatively affects HFIAS). We observe that the effects of family-owned production on household food insecurity are particularly significant in the case of mildly and moderately food insecurity. We explain that the other factors that affect the household food insecurity include improvement in the level of agricultural services, marketing, banking services and road characteristics that reduce HFIAS. We find a gender gap related to food security in the sense that male-headed households produce more food compared to female-headed households and also families headed by males are more likely food secure. Therefore, the major policy implication from our results is the importance of increasing households income and enhancing family own production of food to eliminate food insecurity.

Originality/value

This paper provides a significant contribution to the Sudanese and international literature because it discusses the determinants of food security in Kassala state. Different from the two other accompanying papers that focused on the incidence of food security in Kassala state using the measurement of Household Food Insecurity Access Scale (HFIAS) and the determinants of production of food and consumption of food in Kassala state, this paper focuses on the determinants of food security in Kassala state using the measurement of HFIAS and using new primary data from a food security household survey in Kassala state (2019). We fill the gap in the Sudanese literature because we provide a more interesting analysis of the determinants of food security in Kassala state. Our analysis is useful from policy perspective since we provide useful policy recommendations to enhance food security through agricultural development in Kassala state.
Healthcare professionals' perspectives on the role of dietitians within multidisciplinary head and neck cancer teams: A qualitative multi‐site study
Authors: Hazzard Emily , Walton Karen , McMahon Anne‐Therese , Milosavljevic Marianna , Tapsell Linda C
Published: April 2021

Aim

Evidence‐based guidelines provide recommendations on how dietitians should work with patients with head and neck cancer for best outcomes. Research with healthcare professionals from head and neck cancer teams would provide insight into how these recommendations are implemented in practice. Therefore, the aim of this study was to explore how the role of the dietitian is perceived and enacted in different head and neck cancer teams from the perspective of healthcare professionals.

Methods

This qualitative study recruited radiation oncologists, nurses, dietitians and speech pathologists from four different head and neck cancer teams in Australia and the United States. Data were collected via semi‐structured interviews and analysed using a grounded‐theory approach.

Results

Seventeen radiation oncologists, 12 nurses, 11 dietitians and six speech pathologists participated. Perceptions on the role of dietitians were summarised by the category: “Providing expertise in nutritional care: A core role in head and neck cancer.” Five categories summarised perceptions of factors that can influence how the role of the dietitian is enacted in practice: “having experience in head and neck cancer”; “initiating nutritional care plans and the role of doctors and nurses”; “clinic structuring”; “an evolving culture in healthcare services” and “the presence of evidence‐based guidelines.”

Conclusions

While dietitians can be perceived to be the experts in nutritional care, several factors influence how their role is enacted in head and neck cancer teams. Further research on patient nutritional outcomes and on clinic structures that best use dietetic expertise is required to strengthen recommendations on how dietitians should work with head and neck cancer patients internationally.
Seasonal surveillance of mosquitoes in three different habitats in Gyeongbuk Province, Republic of Korea, 2017–2019
Authors: Lee JaeSeok , Moon KyungHwan , Kim YeongHo , Jeon Ji Hyang , Park Ye eun , Kim Young Ho
Published: April 2021

Mosquitoes were collected biweekly from March to November for 3 years (2017–2019) in three different habitats, including a migratory bird refuge, cowshed, and an urban area. Among a total of 22,783 female mosquitoes comprising six genera and 13 species collected for 3 years, Aedes vexans nipponii (56.08%) was the dominant species, followed by Culex pipiens complex (14.26%), Anopheles spp. (11.57%), Culex orientalis (6.90%), Aedes albopictus (4.66%), Armigeres subalbatus (4.06%), and Culex tritaeniorhynchus (1.41%); the remaining six species comprised only 1.1% of all mosquito species collected. In the three habitats, 70.42% of mosquitoes were collected in the migratory bird refuge, whereas 10.68% and 18.90% were investigated in the cowshed and urban areas, respectively. The dominant species were Ae. vexans nipponii in the migratory bird refuge, Anopheles spp. in the cowshed, and Cx. pipiens complex in the urban area. The seasonal distribution of mosquitoes showed that most were obtained between May and September, with bimodal peaks in the third week of June and third week of August. Meteorological analysis revealed a high correlation between temperature and mosquito abundance. In the flavivirus detection analysis, no virus‐transmitting infectious diseases were amplified by PCR, but the Chaoyang virus was found in Ae. vexans nipponii. Considering that global warming is a major risk factor for the spread of vector‐borne diseases and that mosquito has been a fatal vector of infectious disease, our study of surveillance and analysis of seasonal/environmental mosquito population dynamics are essential for public health.
The complex relationship between metabolic syndrome and sweeteners
Authors: Gómez‐Fernández Andrea R. , Santacruz Arlette , Jacobo‐Velázquez Daniel A.
Published: April 2021

Metabolic syndrome is a multifactorial disorder originating from central obesity through a high caloric intake and a sedentary lifestyle. Metabolic syndrome increases the risk of type 2 diabetes (T2D) disease, converting it to one of the costliest chronic diseases, which reduces life quality. A strategy proposed by the food industry to reduce this problem is the generation of low‐caloric products using sweeteners, which are compounds that can substitute sucrose, given their sweet taste. For many years, it was assumed that sweeteners did not have a relevant interaction in metabolism. However, recent studies have demonstrated that sweeteners interact either with metabolism or with gut microbiota, in which sweet‐taste receptors play an essential role. This review presents an overview of the industrial application of most commonly consumed sweeteners. In addition, the interaction of sweeteners within the body, including their absorption, distribution, metabolism, gut microbiota metabolism, and excretion is also reviewed. Furthermore, the complex relationship between metabolic syndrome and sweeteners is also discussed, presenting results from in vivo and clinical trials. Findings from this review indicate that, in order to formulate sugar‐free or noncaloric food products for the metabolic syndrome market, several factors need to be considered, including the dose, proportions, human metabolism, and interaction of sweeteners with gut microbiota and sweet‐taste receptors. More clinical studies, including the metabolic syndrome, are needed to better understand the interaction of sweeteners with the human body, as well as their possible effect on the generation of dysbiosis.
Structural characterization and functional properties of CNPP, a byproduct formed during CPP preparation
Authors: Ren Li‐kun , Guo Qing‐qi , Yang Yang , Liu Xiao‐fei , Guan Hua‐nan , Chen Feng‐lian , Bian Xin , Zhang Xiu‐min , Zhang Na
Published: April 2021

Casein nonphosphopeptide (CNPP), a byproduct formed during the preparation of casein phosphopeptide (CPP), is often discarded on a large scale. Although our previous studies have demonstrated the ameliorative effect of CNPP on muscle wasting disorders, its structure–function mechanism is still unclear. Therefore, considering the great influence of structural characteristics on function, this study aims to explain the potential mechanism by characterizing the physicochemical and functional properties of CNPP. The results of structural characterization indicated that CNPP was of low molecular weight and composed of the complete range of amino acids; it was particularly rich in leucine. Compared with casein, CNPP had a lower molecular size and total/free sulfhydryl content (reduced 2.44 and 2.02 µmol/g in CNPP, respectively). Additionally, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopic analysis revealed that enzymatic hydrolysis caused protein unfolding, and the content of β‐turns and random coils reached 50.20% and 10.67%, respectively. Fluorescence‐dependent detection of CNPP indicated a reduction of spectral intensity and the occurrence of a red shift. The changes in the structure of CNPP significantly affected its functional characteristics. CNPP has better solubility, foaming, and digestion properties than those of casein and whey protein. Specifically, the foam stability and emulsification properties decreased in the order of casein > CNPP > whey protein. The present study can provide a substantial basis for future application of CNPP as a functional ingredient against sarcopenia.
Cultivating Evidence‐Based Pathways for Cannabis Product Development: Implications for Consumer Protection†
Authors: Walton Aubree L. , Kellis Kaimee , Tankersley William E. , Patel Rikinkumar S.
Published: April 2021

Disparities between federal and state cannabis regulation, coupled with protracted federal enforcement, have facilitated the proliferation of a multi–billion dollar cannabis industry that generally evades compliance with federal consumer protection laws. The Federal Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act (FDCA) established regulatory pathways for the lawful development of products such as food, drugs, and dietary supplements. The FDCA uses a science‐based approach to protect consumers from harmful products, but early inconsistencies between state and federal cannabis regulation prevented and/or discouraged the cannabis industry from complying with FDCA requirements. Cannabis products are promoted as safe and attributed with providing effective therapeutic treatment for numerous medical conditions, yet the claims often lack the rigorous evidence‐based support typically expected by regulators and the medical community. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has announced its expectation that cannabidiol (CBD) products comply with the FDCA and follow a science‐based approach to product development. The FDA is addressing violations involving unsubstantiated CBD health claims and is working to clarify the future regulatory pathway for CBD products. Meanwhile, the state‐approved cannabis market continues to operate, selling numerous products that have circumvented the FDCA consumer protections. This article examines the need for strengthening consumer protections in the cannabis market. We use evidence‐based medicine as a model to address the importance of science‐based product development and to contextualize a science‐based comparison of regulatory pathways for cannabis drugs, food, and dietary supplements.
Comparison of metabolic effects of the progestational androgens dimethandrolone undecanoate and 11β‐MNTDC in healthy men
Authors: Yuen Fiona , Thirumalai Arthi , Fernando Frances A. , Swerdloff Ronald S. , Liu Peter Y. , Pak Youngju , Hull Laura , Bross Rachelle , Blithe Diana L. , Long Jill E. , Page Stephanie T. , Wang Christina
Published: April 2021

Background

Dimethandrolone (DMA) and 11β‐methyl‐19‐nortestosterone (11β‐MNT) are two novel compounds with both androgenic and progestational activity that are under investigation as potential male hormonal contraceptives. Their metabolic effects have never been compared in men.

Objective

Assess for changes in insulin sensitivity and adiponectin and compare the metabolic effects of these two novel androgens.

Materials/Methods

In two clinical trials of DMA undecanoate (DMAU) and 11β‐MNT dodecylcarbonate (11β‐MNTDC), oral prodrugs of DMA and 11β‐MNT, healthy men received drug, or placebo for 28 days. Insulin and adiponectin assays were performed on stored samples. Mixed model analyses were performed to compare the effects of the two drugs. Student's t test, or the non‐parametric Kruskal‐Wallis test as appropriate, was used to evaluate for an effect of active drug versus placebo.

Results

Class effects were seen, with decrease in HDL‐C and SHBG, and increase in weight and hematocrit, with no statistically significant differences between the two compounds. No changes in fasting glucose, fasting insulin, or HOMA‐IR were seen with either compound. There was a slight decrease in adiponectin with DMAU that was not seen with 11β‐MNTDC. An increase in LDL‐C was seen with 11β‐MNTDC but not with DMAU.

Discussion

There were no significant changes in insulin resistance after 28 days of oral administration of these novel androgens despite a mild increase in weight. There may be subtle differences in their metabolic impacts that should be explored in future studies.

Conclusion

Changes in metabolic parameters should be carefully monitored when investigating androgenic compounds.
Governance, locality and legal culture: the rise and fall of the Carolingian advocates of Saint‐Martin of Tours
Authors: McNair Fraser
Published: April 2021

This article examines the office of advocate at the abbey of Saint‐Martin of Tours. It studies what was regionally distinctive about its emergence there in the late ninth century and suggests a reason for the office’s demise in the early tenth century. In doing so, it draws out the important discursive shifts which were part and parcel of both the setting‐up and the fading‐away of Carolingian ‘reform’, suggesting that the changes seen in the advocatial office were ones of mentality first and of administrative change only secondarily.
Æthelstan, Wulfstan and a revised history of tithes in England
Authors: Ivarsen Ingrid
Published: April 2021

The law‐text known as I Æthelstan is commonly accepted as the earliest evidence of a legal obligation to pay tithes in England. As it turns out, it might not be. The extant Old English version of I Æthelstan does indeed legislate for tithe payments. However, this version is an eleventh‐century revision of the original text, probably penned by Archbishop Wulfstan of York (d. 1023). As I will argue in this article, the original version, which survives only as contained in a twelfth‐century translation into Latin, appears to be a call for a one‐off charitable alms payment.
Seminal plasma, and not sperm, induces time and concentration‐dependent neutrophil extracellular trap release in donkeys
Authors: Mateo‐Otero Yentel , Zambrano Fabiola , Catalán Jaime , Sánchez Raúl , Yeste Marc , Miro Jordi , Fernandez‐Fuertes Beatriz
Published: April 2021

Background

In several mammalian species, acute endometritis driven by the recruitment of polymorphonuclear cells (PMN) occurs in response to semen. These PMNs release DNA to form neutrophil extracellular traps (NETs) in cattle, horse and human, leading to sperm entrapment. While there is no evidence of this phenomenon occurring in donkeys, artificial insemination (AI) with frozen‐thawed semen, which results in very poor pregnancy rates, leads to a large PMN recruitment to the uterus.

Objectives

To investigate whether donkey semen can trigger NET release (NETosis) and if excessive NETosis occurs in response to frozen‐thawed semen.

Study design

In vitro experiments.

Methods

Jenny PMNs were exposed to jackass fresh or frozen‐thawed semen, isolated sperm or seminal plasma (SP), over the course of three experiments. NET formation in response to different treatments was assessed through manual quantification of stained slides. A one‐way analysis of variance (ANOVA), followed by a post hoc Sidak test, was carried out to determine statistical significance.

Results

NET release occurred in a semen concentration‐ and incubation‐time‐dependent manner. Surprisingly, frozen‐thawed donkey sperm did not increase NETosis rate in comparison with the control (23 ± 2.5% vs. 31 ± 3.7%; P > .05), whereas fresh semen exposure did (78 ± 5.7% vs. 26 ± 3.2%, P < .01). NETosis increased in the presence of SP, regardless of the presence or absence of sperm, in comparison with the control in both fresh (84 ± 5.2% and 77 ± 5.0% vs. 12 ± 2.7%, respectively; P < .01) and frozen (95 ± 2.2% and 94 ± 2.9% vs. 14 ± 3.8%, respectively; P < .01) samples. Moreover, exposure of PMN to viable and motile sperm, in the absence of SP, did not increase NETosis rates (P > .05).

Conclusions

Donkey SP, and not sperm‐intrinsic factors, is able to trigger NETosis in both time‐ and semen concentration‐dependent manner. The physiological relevance of such response against semen in the donkey remains to be elucidated.
Partner Emotional Support and Child Problem Behaviors: The Indirect Role of Harsh Parenting for Young Mothers and Their Children
Authors: Black Caroline F. D.
Published: April 2021

Emotionally supportive partners promote the well‐being of teenage mothers and their children as they navigate sensitive developmental periods. Yet, having focused on young parents’ relationship dissolution, we know very little about benefits of partner supportiveness for the development of children’s psychological adjustment or processes that may explain this association. Using five waves of Fragile Families and Child Well‐being Study data (N = 771) and parallel process latent growth curve modeling, this study tested whether trajectories of partner supportiveness (measured by maternal reports of fathers’ emotional support) directly mitigated trajectories of children’s externalizing and internalizing problem behaviors (measured by maternal reports of problem behaviors) and/or whether such effects were indirectly linked through lower levels of maternal harsh parenting (measured by observational ratings of mother‐child interactions). Results suggest that higher levels of partner supportiveness at birth were associated with child externalizing and internalizing trajectories that started at lower levels and demonstrated slower improvements across time. Lower starting levels of maternal harsh parenting when children were three years old partially explained associations between partner supportiveness at birth and lower levels of child externalizing symptoms at age three. Lessons gleaned from this study are discussed in context of young families’ strengths and applied to practice‐based settings.
Effect of plasma nitriding on high‐cycle fatigue properties and fracture behaviors of GJS700 nodular cast iron under cyclic bending loading
Authors: Aghareb Parast Mohammad Sadegh , Jamalkhani Khameneh Mohammad , Azadi Mohammad , Azadi Mahboobeh , Mahdipanah Mohammad Hadi , Roostaie Saied
Published: April 2021

In this article, the influence of plasma nitriding on the fatigue behavior and fracture mechanisms of the GJS700 nodular cast iron has been investigated. Factors contributing to this influence, which included the microstructure, the phase detection, the surface roughness, and the hardness of the plasma‐nitrided specimens were discussed. Moreover, rotating‐bending high‐cycle fatigue testing was also done on standard samples, and then the field‐emission scanning electron microscopy was also utilized to find the failure mechanism on fracture surfaces. Obtained results demonstrated that the average surface roughness and the Vickers micro‐hardness increased by plasma nitriding, compared to the base material. However, fatigue lifetimes decreased in plasma‐nitrided samples due to the increase in the surface roughness and the formation of a compound layer. On the fracture surface, micro‐cracks, cleavage planes, and fatigue striations were observed. Debonding of the graphite from the matrix in all specimens was a dominant cause of the failure.