bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Antibacterial effect of verjuice against food-borne pathogens
Authors: Öncül Nilgün , Karabiyikli Şeniz
Published: September 2019

Purpose

Nowadays, natural products are preferred for food safety and preservation due to the demand of consumers. The industrial methods which have been in use for a long period of time have had an adverse impact on organoleptic properties of foods or on human health. The purpose of this paper is to investigate the antibacterial effects of unripe grape products on natural and inoculated micro-flora of lettuce as an alternative functional and natural antibacterial agent for consumers and food industry.

Design/methodology/approach

The antibacterial effects of products on initial micro-flora of lettuce were detected. The lettuce samples were treated with products for different treatment times (0, 5 and 10 min). The antibacterial effects of products against inoculated micro-flora on lettuce were obtained. Lettuce samples were separately inoculated with food-borne pathogens (~4 log CFU/g) and treated with products for the same treatment periods.

Findings

Unripe grape products decreased the initial micro-flora by approximately 1 log CFU/g in 5 min. Unripe grape products dramatically inhibited the inoculatedE. colion lettuce samples right after the treatment. Majority of the unripe grape products decreased the number ofS. TyphimuriumandL. monocytogenesto an undetectable level in 5 min.S. aureuswas the most resistant microorganism among the tested cultures. It was concluded based on the conspicuous results on the inhibition ofE. coli,S. TyphimuriumandL. monocytogenesthat unripe grape products can be considered as natural antimicrobial agents for food safety.

Originality/value

This study is also valuable since it enables thein situtesting of the potential usage of unripe grape products against food-borne pathogens.
Financial risk reporting practices: systematic literature review and research agenda
Authors: Khandelwal Chandni , Kumar Satish , Verma Deepak , Pratap Singh Harsh
Published: September 2019

Purpose

This paper aims to review the status of literature on financial risk reporting practices (FRRP) for the purpose of synthesizing mounting literature to suggest the relevant risk reporting measure across the globe.

Design/methodology/approach

Using a systematic literature review method, a total of 61 articles from 42 referred journals and international conferences published from 2000 to 2018 are reviewed.

Findings

It has been found that despite the growing attention on and importance of corporate risk disclosure, academic literature on corporate risk disclosure is limited. Also, research linking risk disclosure with governance mechanisms is rare. Scrutiny of the literature on corporate risk disclosure shows that most of the researchers have focused on the limited or single period to examine the risk disclosure practices, determinants and corporate performance. The limitation of these studies is that with single period data analysis generalization of findings is limited. Findings of longitudinal studies are more reliable, and in extant literature, only a few studies have used data of more than a single period.

Originality/value

This paper contains a comprehensive listing of publications on financial risk reporting and corporate disclosure and its classification according to various attributes. The paper will be useful to researchers, finance professionals and others concerned with risk reporting to understand the importance of risk disclosure.
Cluster identification
Authors: Manzini Reinaldo Belickas , Luiz Di Serio Carlos
Published: September 2019

Purpose

This paper aims to contribute to the approaches based on traditional industry concentration statistics for identifying clusters by complementing them with the techniques of exploratory spatial data analysis (ESDA).

Design/methodology/approach

Using a sample with 34,500 observations retrieved from the social information annual report released by Brazil Ministry of Labor and Employment, the methodology was designed to make a comparison between the application of industry concentration statistics and ESDA statistics.

Findings

As the results show, the geographic distribution measures proved to be fundamental for longitudinal studies on regional dynamics and industrial agglomerations, and the local indicator of spatial association statistic tends to overcome the limitation of the industry concentration approach.

Research limitations/implications

In the period considered, due to economic, structural and circumstantial questions, activities linked to the transformation industry have been losing ground in the value creation process in Brazil. In this sense, the study of other industries may generate other types of insights that should be considered in the process of regional development.

Originality/value

This paper offers a critical analysis of empirical approaches and methodological advances with an emphasis on the treatment of special effects: spatial dependence, spatial heterogeneity and spatial scale. However, the regional dynamic presents a temporal dimension and a spatial dimension. The role of space has increasingly attracted attention in the analysis of economic changes. This work has identified opportunities for incorporating spatial effects in regional analysis over time.
Determinants of firm’s propensity to patent its inventions
Authors: Chandrashekar Deepak , M.H. Bala Subrahmanya
Published: September 2019

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to ascertain the factors that influence the decision of a firm in a cluster to patent its inventions.

Design/methodology/approach

This study adopts a stratified random sampling technique to choose 101 sample firms from the identified population of firms in a cluster. Further, it uses the primary data collection method to collect data from sample firms through semi-structured questionnaires and in-depth interviews with the top level management of the sample firms. Furthermore, it carries out binary logistic regression analysis to primarily examine the influence of capability and willingness factors of a firm on the propensity of a firm to patent its inventions.

Findings

The paper corroborates from the results of the binary logit model that invention capacity has a significant positive impact on a firm’s propensity to obtain patents. In addition, the absorptive capacity of a firm above a certain threshold is likely to have a significant positive influence on the decision of a firm to patent its inventions. On the one hand, between the two motivator factors conventional motivators and strategy related motivators, conventional motivator factor has a significant positive influence on a firm’s propensity to obtain patents. On the other hand, both the de-motivator factors (time, market and cost constraints and procedural issues) have a significant negative influence on a firm’s propensity to patent its inventions.

Originality/value

This paper makes a key contribution to the existing literature by empirically validating the influence of capability of a firm in terms of its invention and absorptive capacities, and willingness of a firm constituting motivator and de-motivator factors, on the decision of a firm to obtain patents, in the context of a firm in a high-tech manufacturing cluster in a developing economy.
Bilingual lexical extraction based on word alignment for improving corpus search
Authors: Andonovski Jelena , Šandrih Branislava , Kitanović Olivera
Published: September 2019

Purpose

This paper aims to describe the structure of an aligned Serbian-German literary corpus (SrpNemKor) contained in a digital library Bibliša. The goal of the research was to create a benchmark Serbian-German annotated corpus searchable with various query expansions.

Design/methodology/approach

The presented research is particularly focused on the enhancement of bilingual search queries in a full-text search of aligned SrpNemKor collection. The enhancement is based on using existing lexical resources such as Serbian morphological electronic dictionaries and the bilingual lexical database Termi.

Findings

For the purpose of this research, the lexical database Termi is enriched with a bilingual list of German-Serbian translated pairs of lexical units. The list of correct translation pairs was extracted from SrpNemKor, evaluated and integrated into Termi. Also, Serbian morphological e-dictionaries are updated with new entries extracted from the Serbian part of the corpus.

Originality/value

A bilingual search of SrpNemKor in Bibliša is available within the user-friendly platform. The enriched database Termi enables semantic enhancement and refinement of user’s search query based on synonyms both in Serbian and German at a very high level. Serbian morphological e-dictionaries facilitate the morphological expansion of search queries in Serbian, thereby enabling the analysis of concepts and concept structures by identifying terms assigned to the concept, and by establishing relations between terms in Serbian and German which makes Bibliša a valuable Web tool that can support research and analysis of SrpNemKor.
Auckland libraries as a multicultural bridge in New Zealand
Authors: Lin Wei Xia , Boamah Eric
Published: September 2019

Purpose

The purpose of this research is to explore how immigrant library users view Auckland Libraries as a multicultural bridge in New Zealand. The research explored the various factors keeping different cultures apart in the New Zealand socio cultural systems and to find out the gaps in the provision of multicultural services in Auckland public libraries. The study also discusses the specific roles Auckland public libraries play in the development of multiculturalism in New Zealand from the perspective of immigrant users.

Design/methodology/approach

The study uses a qualitative research approach. Semi-structured interviews conducted with 15 participants including five library staff members and ten users of the Auckland library. Thematic analysis (qualitative data analysis, where data is grouped into themes) was used for data analysis.

Findings

Participants perceive that the Auckland Library had an advantage over other citizen service institutions in the development and services of multiculturalism in New Zealand. The participants understand that language, cultural background, beliefs and values are some of the causes of gaps between different ethnic groups, and only by learning from each other can groups enhance mutual understanding between them. The services and programs Auckland Library offer to immigrant enable various interactions among different cultural groups and enhance learning from one another to facilitate their integration into the New Zealand society. The findings show that Auckland public libraries have some gaps in multicultural services. In particular, there are more than 200 different ethnicities in Auckland, but the Auckland library's website does not have the function of a multilingual search tab service, lacks a multicultural book collection and some of the existing collections of books are of low quality, low literary value and so on. The study suggests that these issues need to be improved.

Research limitations/implications

This was small-scale research involving the perspectives of only 15 participants. Nevertheless, the findings provide constructive insight into the development of multicultural services in Auckland libraries that can serve as a useful basis for a broader exploration of more immigrant groups in Auckland and New Zealand as a whole.

Practical implications

The results of this research will provide valuable information for the Auckland libraries to have a better plan for multicultural services in the future. The findings will also serve as a reference for improving multicultural services in the Auckland libraries.

Originality/value

Although other studies have looked at immigrants’ behavior and perception on various issues in New Zealand, this study is the first to look at how different immigrant groups percept Auckland libraries as a multicultural bridge to help integrate them.
Efficiency wage, unemployment and tourism development: a theoretical analysis
Authors: Gupta Manash Ranjan , Dutta Priya Brata
Published: September 2019

Purpose

International tourism has experienced a substantial growth during the second half of twentieth century. Tourism development can contribute substantially to the reduction of poverty problem by creating new employment opportunities. The purpose of this paper is to analyse the effect of tourism development on unemployment problem using an efficiency wage framework.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors developed a two-sector two-factor static competitive general equilibrium model of a less-developed open economy called South with an imported traded goods sector and with a non-traded tourism service sector, and with two factors, capital and labour. Labour is measured in efficiency unit; there exists unemployment in the labour market which is explained by the efficiency wage hypothesis. The authors also consider extensions of the basic model by introducing an exportable traded goods sector as well as sector-specific capital in the tourism sector.

Findings

The authors show that, with perfect intersectoral mobility of capital and with only one traded good, tourism development in South lowers unemployment rate and raises national income. However, this tourism development neither affects unemployment rate nor national income in South, in the mobile-capital model when there are two traded goods. When tourism sector uses sector-specific capital but capital is mobile between two traded goods sectors, tourism development keeps the unemployment rate unchanged but raises national income in South.

Originality/value

There exists a lot of debate about economic benefits of tourism development in a less-developed economy. A few works analyse the economic effects of tourism without developing formal models. However, no existing work analyses the effect on unemployment in an efficiency wage model. Although Harris–Todaro model is of relevance to explain unemployment in low-income countries, efficiency wage models are relevant for middle-income countries.
Time, money, or convenience: what determines Chinese consumers’ continuance usage intention and behavior of using tourism mobile apps?
Authors: Xu Feng , Huang Songshan (Sam) , Li Shuaishuai
Published: September 2019

Purpose

This study aims to examine the effects of three aspects of perceived advantage (i.e. time-saving, money-saving and convenience) on Chinese consumers’ continuance usage intention and behavior of using tourism mobile applications (apps) in the context of Chinese society and culture.

Design/methodology/approach

Survey data were collected at 20 key tourist attractions in Jinan, China from tourists who visit the attractions. Structural equation modeling was applied to test the hypothetical model.

Findings

Empirical findings revealed that time-saving directly affected consumers’ continuance usage intention but did not influence user behavior; on the contrary, money-saving had a direct effect on user behavior, but not on intention. Convenience was found to affect both intention and behavior and had a much stronger total effect on user behavior than time-saving and money-saving.

Research limitations/implications

The study findings offer insights into the further development of tourism mobile apps. While money-saving can be an effective marketing offer for user adoption of tourism mobile apps, tourism mobile apps operators should further tap into the value of time and convenience in designing and developing tourism mobile apps.

Originality/value

The study expands on practical knowledge of Chinese consumers’ behavior toward using tourism apps.
Characterization of elastic-plastic corner deformation and stress fields
Authors: Yusoff Norwahida , Yusof Feizal
Published: September 2019

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to present the characteristics of elastic-plastic deformation and stress fields at the intersection of a crack front and the free surface of a three-dimensional body, referred to as corner fields.

Design/methodology/approach

The structures of elastic-plastic corner deformation field were assessed experimentally by looking at the corner border displacement and strain fields on the surface of a compact tension (CT) specimen using digital image correlation method. For assessment and verification purposes, the results were compared with the fields predicted through finite element analysis. The latter method was used further to assess the corner stress field.

Findings

The characteristics of displacement, strain and stress fields in the vicinity of a corner vertex in a finite geometry CT specimen in a strain hardening condition are independent of load and geometry. One of the distinctive features that becomes evident in this study is that the stress state at the corner vertex atθ=0° is a simple uniaxial tension.

Originality/value

This paper provides some insights on the structure of elastic-plastic corner fields that could optimistically be served as a fundamental framework towards the development of analytical solutions for elastic-plastic corner fields.
Experimental investigation for the effect of fiber on the mechanical properties of light-weight concrete under dry and wet conditions
Authors: Nejati Faezeh , Edalatpanah S.A.
Published: September 2019

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to investigate the effect of steel and carbon fibers on the mechanical properties of light concrete in terms of tension strength, compressive strength and elastic modulus under completely dry and wet conditions.

Design/methodology/approach

In this study, the lightweight concrete made of Light Expanded Clay Aggregate (LECA) as coarse aggregate and sand as fine aggregate was used. To achieve a compressive strength of at least 20 MPa, microsilica was used 10 percent by weight of cement. In order to compensate for the reduction of tension strength of concrete, steel and carbon fibers were used with three volume ratio of 0.5, 1 and 1.5 percent in concrete. The results of concrete specimens were studied at the age of 7, 28, 42 and 90 days under controlled dry and wet conditions.

Findings

The results showed that the addition of steel and carbon fibers to the concrete mixture would reduce the drop in slump. Also, the use of steel and carbon fibers plays a significant role in increasing the tension strength of the specimens. Furthermore, the highest increase in tension strength of steel and carbon fiber samples was 83.3 and 50 percent, respectively, than the non-fibrous specimen when evaluated at 90 days of age. Moreover, the steel and carbon fiber increased the water absorption of the samples. Adding steel and carbon fibers to a lightweight concretes mixture containing LECA aggregates plays a significant role in increasing the modulus of elasticity of the samples. The highest increase in the elastic modulus of steel and carbon fibers was 18.9 and 35.4 percent, respectively, than the non-fibrous specimen at 28 days of age.

Originality/value

In this paper, the authors investigated the mechanical properties of steel fiber and carbon reinforced concrete. Also, according to the conditions of storage of samples and the age of concrete (day), the experiments were carried out on samples.
Is there a gender effect on wine choice in Portugal? – A qualitative approach
Authors: Ferreira Carla , Lourenço-Gomes Lina , Pinto Lígia M. Costa , Silva Ana Patrícia
Published: September 2019

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to analyze the existence and influence of gender effects on wine choice, specifically whether women and men seek the same cues in wine labelling.

Design/methodology/approach

Five focus groups, involving 45 regular wine consumers (22 women and 23 men) from four Portuguese wine regions of origin, were conducted. Sessions included two projective techniques. To gather more information, participants were asked to fill a short questionnaire, relating purchasing and consumption habits, knowledge and socioeconomic characteristics. Qualitative data were transcribed verbatim and content analysis was used.

Findings

Women frequently associate wine to the context of consumption; while men frequently associate wine to convivial and sensorial pleasure. Region of origin and prior knowledge experience seem to be the two main reasons for men to choose a wine; while, women seem to rely more on wine brand and previous experience. Front label information (region of origin, awards and region illustration) seems to be more important for women, while the back label descriptors (grape variety, world heritage site and wine history) are more relevant for men. The typography (font size) and information type were identified as negative aspects of the back label.

Practical implications

Understanding how men and women looking for information on a wine bottle can help marketers communicate with specific market segments. This paper provides insights to design marketing campaigns regarding product customization at the level of label information and design.

Originality/value

The present research contributes to current literature on wine consumer behaviour, exploring behavioural differences, perceptions and motivations by gender. In particular, the relevance of wine cues for choice decision is explored. The evidence of focus groups combined with projective techniques is complemented with data collected through a questionnaire.
Towards quality consumption
Authors: Hlédik Erika , Harsányi Dávid
Published: September 2019

Purpose

Hungarian wine culture has been developing steadily over the past decades. The number of wineries offering quality wine is growing as consumer interest in quality consumption increases. The purpose of this paper is to study the segmentation of the Hungarian wine consumers based on their purchase habits and preferences to identify how this shift towards quality consumption is represented in these segments.

Design/methodology/approach

An online survey was conducted in Hungary. Nearly 28,000 consumers filled in the questionnaire. The TwoStep Cluster analysis could handle the large database and variables measured on different measurement scales.

Findings

The growing interest towards quality wine in the market is reflected in the study’s segmentation results. The large sample size made it possible to identify a special Hungarian wine consumer group, which has different buying habits than traditional wine consumer segments. Four segments were evolved: ordinary wine consumers, unsophisticated wine consumers, wealthy wine-experts and open-minded consumers. The last two segments seem to be the most valuable groups for high-quality wine producers.

Originality/value

The sample size allowed a relatively novel segmentation, whereby the preferences and purchasing habits of smaller, high-quality wine consumer groups became measurable.
Fabrication of curved overhanging thin-walled structure with robotic wire and arc additive manufacturing (RWAAM)
Authors: Li Yifeng , Qin Xunpeng , Wu Qiang , Hu Zeqi , Shao Tan
Published: September 2019

Purpose

Robotic wire and arc additive manufacturing (RWAAM) is becoming more and more popular for its capability of fabricating metallic parts with complicated structure. To unlock the potential of 6-DOF industrial robots and improve the power of additive manufacturing, this paper aims to present a method to fabricate curved overhanging thin-walled parts free from turn table and support structures.

Design/methodology/approach

Five groups of straight inclined thin-walled parts with different angles were fabricated with the torch aligned with the inclination angle using RWAAM, and the angle precision was verified by recording the growth of each layer in both horizontal and vertical directions; furthermore, the experimental phenomena was explained with the force model of the molten pool and the forming characteristics was investigated. Based on the results above, an algorithm for fabricating curved overhanging thin-walled part was presented and validated.

Findings

The force model and forming characteristics during the RWAAM process were investigated. Based on the result, the influence of the torch orientation on the weld pool flow was used to control the pool flow, then a practical algorithm for fabricating curved overhanging thin-walled part was proposed and validated.

Originality/value

Regarding the fabrication of curved overhanging thin-walled parts, given the influences of the torch angles on the deposited morphology, porosity formation rate and weld pool flow, the flexibility of 6-DOF industrial robot was fully used to realize instant adjustment of the torch angle. In this paper, the deposition point and torch orientation of each layer of a robotic fabrication path was determined by the contour equation of the curve surface. By adjusting the torch angle, the pool flow was controlled and better forming quality was acquired.
Gesture-based human-robot interface for dual-robot with hybrid sensors
Authors: Zhang Bo , Du Guanglong , Shen Wenming , Li Fang
Published: September 2019

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is the research of a novel gesture-based dual-robot collaborative interaction interface, which achieves the gesture recognition when both hands overlap. This paper designs a hybrid-sensor gesture recognition platform to detect the both-hand data for dual-robot control.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper uses a combination of Leap Motion and PrimeSense in the vertical direction, which detects both-hand data in real time. When there is occlusion between hands, each hand is detected by one of the sensors, and a quaternion-based algorithm is used to realize the conversion of two sensors corresponding to different coordinate systems. When there is no occlusion, the data are fused by a self-adaptive weight fusion algorithm. Then the collision detection algorithm is used to detect the collision between robots to ensure safety. Finally, the data are transmitted to the dual robots.

Findings

This interface is implemented on a dual-robot system consisting of two 6-DOF robots. The dual-robot cooperative experiment indicates that the proposed interface is feasible and effective, and it takes less time to operate and has higher interaction efficiency.

Originality/value

A novel gesture-based dual-robot collaborative interface is proposed. It overcomes the problem of gesture occlusion in two-hand interaction with low computational complexity and low equipment cost. The proposed interface can perform a long-term stable tracking of the two-hand gestures even if there is occlusion between the hands. Meanwhile, it reduces the number of hand reset to reduce the operation time. The proposed interface achieves a natural and safe interaction between the human and the dual robot.
Supply chain issues in SME food sector: a systematic review
Authors: Jose Arun , Shanmugam PrasannaVenkatesan
Published: September 2019

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to investigate the significant supply chain issues in the small and medium-sized enterprise (SME) food industry. The objectives are to identify the major themes and the dynamic evolution of SME food supply chain (FSC) issues, the current research trends, the different modelling approaches used in SME FSC, and the most addressed SME food sector.

Design/methodology/approach

In all, 3,733 published articles from 2002 to 2018 in the Clarivate Analytics Web of Science database were collected, from which 1,091 articles were shortlisted for the review. The authors used bibliographic coupling combined with co-word analysis to identify the historical relations of the research themes that emerged during the periods 2002–2014 and 2002–2018.

Findings

This research identified five major research themes such as production and distribution in alternative food networks, relationship, safety and standards in the FSC, greenhouse gas (GHG) emission impact of the farm food system, traceability and product quality in FSC and asymmetric price transmission in the FSC. Among the identified themes, GHG emission impact of the farm food system and traceability and product quality in the FSC have received increasing attention in recent years. The dairy sector is the most addressed sector (36 per cent), followed by fruits and vegetables (27 per cent), meat and poultry (18 per cent), seafood (10 per cent) and grains and oilseed (8 per cent). It is also identified that the dairy sector has received significant attention in the “GHG Emission impact of farm food system” theme. Similarly, meat and poultry sectors have received much attention in the “Traceability and product quality in the food supply chain” theme. Also, the authors identified that the empirical modelling approaches are the most commonly used solution methodology, followed by the conceptual/qualitative methods in the SME FSC.

Originality/value

This study maps and summarizes the existing knowledge base of supply chain issues in the SME food sector. The results of this review provide the major research areas, most commonly used approaches and food sectors addressed. This study also highlights the research gaps and potential future research direction.
Influence of eWOM information on consumers’ behavioral intentions in mobile social networks
Authors: Abedi Ehsan , Ghorbanzadeh Davood , Rahehagh Atena
Published: September 2019

Purpose

Today, consumers play an active role in creating, generating and distributing the electronic word of mouth (eWOM) independent of marketers. Customer acquisition through referrals and word of mouth (WOM) has thus become an important goal for firms. In addition, mobile social networks have created valuable opportunities for eWOM. People are now able to discuss products and services of brands with their friends and acquaintances. The purpose of this paper is to examine the influence of eWOM information on consumers’ behavioral intentions in mobile social networks.

Design/methodology/approach

This study employed the information adoption model (IAM), theory of reasoned action and social exchange theory to investigate the influence of eWOM information on consumers’ behavioral intentions in mobile social networks. The study used 394 respondents to evaluate the proposed model using SmartPLS software.

Findings

Results show that the quality and credibility of eWOM information has a positive direct effect on perceived information usefulness. Attitude toward eWOM information mediates the influence of perceived information usefulness on information adoption. Also, attitude toward eWOM information has a significant positive influence on behavioral intentions, such as purchase intention and forwarding of eWOM information. However, information adoption does not have any significant relationship with the forwarding of eWOM information.

Research limitations/implications

This study seeks to address the dearth of research in the field of mobile social networks, especially regarding eWOM information. The study proposes a new model and empirically validates the hypothesized relationships. This research can serve as a stepping-stone for future research in this field.

Practical implications

This research is one of the first studies focusing on the influence of eWOM information, especially in mobile social networks. The research offers comprehensive and empirically validated factors pertaining to eWOM information in mobile social networks. The results of this study may be useful also for practitioners and managers of online companies.

Originality/value

A new eWOM IAM in mobile social networks is proposed based on information characteristics and consumer behavior. The model is validated afterward.
Growing entrepreneurial ecosystems
Authors: Bramwell Allison , Hepburn Nicola , Wolfe David A.
Published: September 2019

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to illustrate experimentation over time in Ontario, Canada with place-based innovation policies to support the development and coordination of entrepreneurial ecosystems on a regional basis across the province.

Design/methodology/approach

Tracing the policy learning process and successive adaptations in program design over time, the authors provide a detailed case study of the evolution of the Ontario Network of Entrepreneurs (ONE) from 2003 to the present.

Findings

The authors find that the program has evolved in response to regular program reviews that include broad input from ecosystem actors operating at multiple levels within the network, and that intermediaries are key facilitators of inter- and intra-ecosystem linkages. However, program complexity and coordination challenges suggest that place-based innovation policies, such as the ONE, should focus specifically on innovation-intensive entrepreneurship.

Research limitations/implications

These findings make three contributions to the theory and practice of place-based innovation policy. First, these policies are by nature experimental because they must be able to flexibly adapt according to policy learning and practitioner input from a wide variety of local contexts. Second, multilevel interactions between provincial policymakers and regional ecosystem actors indicate that place-based innovation policy is neither entirely driven by “top down” policy, nor “bottom up” networks but is rather a complex and variable “hybrid” blend of the two. Finally, publicly funded intermediaries perform essential inter- and intra-ecosystem connective functions but system fragmentation and “mission creep” remain enduring policy challenges.

Originality/value

The paper makes an original contribution to the literature by analyzing the development of entrepreneurial policy support framework and situating the case study in the context of the policy learning process involved in place-based innovation policymaking in North America.
Solving two-dimensional non-linear quadratic integral equations of fractional order via operational matrix method
Authors: Mirzaee Farshid , Alipour Sahar
Published: September 2019

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to develop a new method based on operational matrices of two-dimensional delta functions for solving two-dimensional nonlinear quadratic integral equations (2D-QIEs) of fractional order, numerically.

Design/methodology/approach

For this aim, two-dimensional delta functions are introduced, and their properties are expressed. Then, the fractional operational matrix of integration based on two-dimensional delta functions is calculated for the first time.

Findings

By applying the operational matrices, the main problem would be transformed into a nonlinear system of algebraic equations which can be solved by using Newton's iterative method. Also, a few results related to error estimate and convergence analysis of the proposed method are investigated.

Originality/value

Two numerical examples are presented to show the validity and applicability of the suggested approach. All of the numerical calculation is performed on a personal computer by running some codes written in MATLAB software.
Fabrication and characterization of TiO2 particulate filled agave Americana fiber-reinforced polyester resin composites
Authors: D. Vivekanandan , M. Sakthivel , S. Srinivasa Moorthy , S. Ajith Arul Daniel
Published: September 2019

Purpose

In this study, TiO2 is used to enhance the mechanical properties of the composite material containing agave Americana fiber and polyester resin.

Design/methodology/approach

Agave Americana fiber was first treated with 5% of NaOH, and the composition of treated and untreated fiber was kept constant, whereas the particulate and resin were alternatively used. The handlay method is used to fabricate the composite plates. The morphology of the composites was studied using scanning electron microscopy (SEM).

Findings

The composite was composed of 30% treated agave Americana, 10% of TiO2 particulates and 60% of a polyester resin for better and enhanced mechanical properties.

Practical implications

The composite can be used for aero-structural components, automobile components and other areas where light-weight components are required.

Originality/value

A new type of agave Americana fiber with TiO2 and polyester resin composite was fabricated and investigated.
Characterization of Aroma‐Active Compounds, Phenolics, and Antioxidant Properties in Fresh and Fermented Capers (Capparis spinosa) by GC‐MS‐Olfactometry and LC‐DAD‐ESI‐MS/MS
Authors: Sonmezdag Ahmet Salih , Kelebek Hasim , Selli Serkan
Published: September 2019

Caper (Capparis spinosa) is an important food ingredient whose fresh parts, particularly the flower buds, are consumed as a starter with olives, cheese, and nuts, or are used as a component in other foods. It is one of the most popular species of aromatic plants grown in the Mediterranean zone. Fermentation makes the caper edible and affects the overall aroma as well as sensory and nutritional characteristics. This study aimed to evaluate the changes in aroma, aroma‐active, and phenolic compounds of caper as affected by fermentation. Purge and trap method was used for the extraction of the aroma compounds, while gas chromatography‐mass spectrometry olfactometry and Liquid chromatography coupled to diode array detection and electrospray ionization tandem mass spectrometry (LC‐DAD‐ESI‐MS/MS) were employed for the detection of aroma‐active compounds and phenolics, respectively. The results showed that the total amount of aroma compounds decreased drastically (62,616 to 21,471 µg/kg) in fermented sample. Twelve and 10 aroma‐active compounds were detected in fresh and fermented caper buds, respectively, for the first time by the application of aroma extract dilution analysis. Among these compounds, methyl isothiocyanate (flavor dilution [FD] factor = 512) in fresh caper and acetic acid (FD factor = 128) in the fermented caper had the highest FD factor. With regard to the phenolic compounds, a total of 16 components were identified in fresh and fermented capers. As observed in aroma compounds, the total phenolic concentration decreased as a result of fermentation. Two phenolic compounds being kaempferol‐3‐O‐glucosyl‐rhamnosyl‐glucoside and isorhamnetin hexoside were newly identified in caper.

Practical Applications

Capparis spinosa is one of the most popular sources of different secondary metabolites of interest to consumers. The results of the present study showed that the fermentation process of the capers is highly influential on the neutral composition of the sample. The total concentrations of aroma and phenolic compounds were reduced by 66% and 78%, respectively, in response to fermentation process.
Alcohol control policy and changes in alcohol‐related traffic harm
Authors: Rehm Jürgen , Manthey Jakob , Lange Shannon , Badaras Robertas , Zurlyte Ingrida , Passmore Jonathon , Breda João , Ferreira‐Borges Carina , Štelemėkas Mindaugas
Published: September 2019

Aims

To study the impact of alcohol control policy measures (i.e. increases in taxation, restrictions on availability, including minimum purchasing age regulations, legislation on drink driving and advertisement bans) on alcohol‐related traffic harm in Lithuania between January 2004 and February 2019.

Design

Analyses of trend data on the proportion of alcohol‐related collisions and crashes, injury and mortality, adjusting for secular trends, seasonality, periods of alcohol control measure implementation and economic development. Generalized additive mixed models were used. Multiple sensitivity analyses were conducted.

Setting

Lithuania.

Cases

Monthly number of alcohol‐related cases of traffic collisions and crashes, injuries and deaths.

Interventions and comparators

Periods of time during which new alcohol control measures were implemented and/or augmented compared to periods when they were not.

Measurements

Monthly data for 2004 to 2019 from routine statistics of the Lithuanian Road Police Service.

Findings

All indicators decreased consistently and significantly after the implementation of alcohol control measures, including increased taxation, reduction of availability and a ban on advertisement, starting in 2014. On average, each implemented policy measure permanently reduced the proportion of alcohol‐attributable crashes by 0.55% [95% confidence interval (CI) = 0.21–0.90%; P = 0.002], the proportion of alcohol‐attributable injuries by 0.60% (95% CI = 0.24–0.97%; P = 0.001) and the proportion of alcohol‐attributable deaths by 0.13% (95% CI = 0.10–0.15%; P < 0.001).

Conclusions

Alcohol control policy measures, including measures to reduce overall level of alcohol consumption, were associated with a marked decrease in alcohol‐related traffic harm.
Analysis of testosterone pathway genes in dogs (78,XY;SRY‐positive) with ambiguous external genitalia revealed a homozygous animal for 2‐bp deletion causing premature stop codon in HSD17B3
Authors: Krzeminska P. , Nizanski W. , Nowacka‐Woszuk J. , Switonski M.
Published: September 2019

The genetic background of disorders of sex development (DSD) in dogs with a normal male sex chromosome set (78,XY) is poorly described. In this study, we present for the first time, an analysis of six genes of the testosterone pathway, encoding enzymes (CYP17A1, HSD3B2, HSD17B3, SRD5A2) and transcription factors (NR5A1, AR). The entire coding sequence and flanking regions of the introns, 5′‐UTR and 3′‐UTR were analyzed in five DSD dogs (78,XY, SRY‐positive) with ambiguous external genitalia and in 15 control dogs. A homozygous deletion of 2 bp in exon 2 of HSD17B3 (hydroxysteroid 17‐beta dehydrogenase 3) was found in a Dachshund dog with enlarged clitoris, vulva and abdominal gonads and decreased serum testosterone level. In silico analysis revealed that this deleterious variant causes truncation of the encoded polypeptide (from 306 to 65 amino acids) and deprivation of the active site of the encoded enzyme. Genotyping of 23 control Dachshund dogs showed a normal homozygous genotype. Thus, we assumed that the 2‐bp deletion is the causative variant. Moreover, 24 SNPs (four in CYP17A1, three in HSD3B2, six in HSD17B3, five in SRD5A2, one in AR and five in NR5A1), two intronic indels (one in HSD3B2 and one in SRD5A2) and two microsatellite polymorphisms in exon 1 of AR were found. Six SNPs appeared to be novel. No association with DSD phenotype was observed. Identification of the first case of DSD in domestic animals caused by a deleterious variant of a gene involved in testosterone synthesis showed that these genes are important candidates in such studies.
Characteristics, aetiologies and trends of hepatocellular carcinoma in patients without cirrhosis: a United States multicentre study
Authors: Gawrieh Samer , Dakhoul Lara , Miller Ethan , Scanga Andrew , deLemos Andrew , Kettler Carla , Burney Heather , Liu Hao , Abu‐Sbeih Hamzah , Chalasani Naga , Wattacheril Julia
Published: September 2019

Background

Limited data exist on the burden and features of non‐cirrhotic hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) in the United States.

Aim

To evaluate characteristics, aetiologies, trends and outcomes of non‐cirrhotic HCC from 2000 to 2014 at five large US centres

Methods

Patient, tumour and liver disease aetiology data were collected. The presence of underlying cirrhosis was assessed based on published criteria.

Results

Of 5144 eligible patients with HCC, 11.7% had no underlying cirrhosis. Non‐cirrhotic patients were older (64.1 vs 61.2 years), more frequently females (33.9% vs 20.8%) and less frequently black (8.3% vs 12.4%) (P < .001 for all). Among non‐cirrhotic patients, non‐alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) was the most common liver disease (26.3%), followed by hepatitis C virus (HCV) (12.1%) and hepatitis B virus (HBV) (10%) infections. As of 2014, there was increased percentage of cirrhotic HCC and a decline in non‐cirrhotic HCC mainly due to significant annual increases in cirrhotic HCC due to HCV (0.96% [P < .0001]) and NAFLD (0.66% [P = .003]). Patients with non‐cirrhotic HCC had larger tumours (8.9 vs 5.3 cm), were less frequently within Milan criteria (15% vs 39%), more frequently underwent resection (43.6% vs 8%) (P < .001 for all) and had better overall survival than cirrhotic HCC patients (median 1.8 vs 1.3 years, P = .004).

Conclusions

Nearly 12% of HCCs occurred in patients without underlying cirrhosis. NAFLD was the most common liver disease in these patients. During the study, the frequency of non‐cirrhotic HCC decreased, whereas that of cirrhotic HCC increased. Although non‐cirrhotic patients presented with more advanced HCC, their survival was better.
Bronchodilation induced by PGE2 is impaired in Group III pulmonary hypertension
Authors: Ozen Gulsev , Benyahia Chabha , Mani Salma , Boukais Kamel , Silverstein Adam M. , Bayles Richard , Nelsen Andrew C. , Castier Yves , Danel Claire , Mal Hervé , Clapp Lucie H. , Longrois Dan , Norel Xavier
Published: September 2019

Background and Purpose

In patients with pulmonary hypertension (PH) associated with lung disease and/or hypoxia (Group III), decreased pulmonary vascular tone and tissue hypoxia is therapeutically beneficial. PGE2 and PGI2 induce potent relaxation of human bronchi from non‐PH (control) patients via EP4 and IP receptors, respectively. However, the effects of PGE2/PGI2 and their mimetics on human bronchi from PH patients are unknown. Here, we have compared relaxant effects of several PGI2–mimetics approved for treating PH Group I with several PGE2–mimetics, in bronchial preparations derived from PH Group III and control patients.

Experimental Approach

Relaxation of bronchial muscle was assessed in samples isolated from control and PH Group III patients. Expression of prostanoid receptors was analysed by western blot and real‐time PCR, and endogenous PGE2, PGI2, and cAMP levels were determined by ELISA.

Key Results

Maximal relaxations induced by different EP4 receptor agonists (PGE2, L‐902688, and ONO‐AE1‐329) were decreased in human bronchi from PH patients, compared with controls. However, maximal relaxations produced by PGI2–mimetics (iloprost, treprostinil, and beraprost) were similar for both groups of patients. Both EP4 and IP receptor protein and mRNA expressions were significantly lower in human bronchi from PH patients. cAMP levels significantly correlated with PGI2 but not with PGE2 levels.

Conclusion and Implications

The PGI2–mimetics retained maximal bronchodilation in PH Group III patients, whereas bronchodilation induced by EP4 receptor agonists was decreased. Restoration of EP4 receptor expression in airways of PH Group III patients with respiratory diseases could bring additional therapeutic benefit.