bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Economic theory innovation and China’s development practice
Authors: Huang Taiyan
Published: October 2018

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to promote the theoretical innovation of socialist economics with Chinese characteristics in these areas.

Design/methodology/approach

We must “excavate new materials, discover new problems, propose new ideas, and construct new theories from the practice of China’s reform and development.”

Findings

Giving full play to the government’s role in realizing optimal allocation of resources required for the public economy to better exert its control, influence and guidance, and at least assume the following three responsibilities. The first is to iron out the economic cycle. The second is to lead the industry to upgrade. The third is to ensure national economic security.

Originality/value

Some deep-rooted issues still need to be further studied in order to establish the scientific and practical nature of the socialist economics with Chinese characteristics. For instance, why is the theory of a socialist economy with Chinese characteristics summarized from the development practice in China a scientific theory?
Finite elements simulation of improvised explosively formed projectiles
Authors: Castedo Ricardo , Santos Anastasio Pedro , Yenes José Ignacio , Sanchidrián José Ángel , López Lina María , Segarra Pablo
Published: October 2018

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to investigate the applicability of the LS-DYNA software using a Lagrangian formulation in the jet formation, flight and penetration of improvised explosively formed projectiles (EFPs). Numerical results dealing with different properties of the EFPs have been validated with a significant number of field tests.

Design/methodology/approach

2D and 3D Lagrangian models, using different material definition, are developed to reproduce the field-measured characteristics of copper- and steel-made EFPs: projectile size and velocity. After validation, the model has been extended to analyse the penetration features. Two different plasticity models have been used to describe the steel target, Plastic-Kinematic and Johnson–Cook.

Findings

Despite the difficulty in characterizing a non-industrial artefact, the results show that both Lagrangian models (2D and 3D) are able to simulate the projectile size, velocity and penetration capability with errors less than 10 per cent when using the Johnson–Cook material model for both liner and target.

Practical implications

These data can be used to test the penetration ability of improvised EFP’s against different targets, i.e. light armoured vehicles.

Originality/value

There are no references that address the application of the Lagrangian simulation of non-industrial EFPs and its validation with field tests, including penetration assessment.
Model of the wheel motion state under path constraints based on the Darboux frame in 3D space
Authors: Zhang He , Yang Shaowei , Ma Zhengfeng
Published: October 2018

Purpose

Existing three-dimensional (3D) road-surface models use approximation methods such as a set of discrete triangular patches and cannot accurately describe changes in the geometrically designed elements along the road. This paper aims to construct a 3D road-surface model with combinations of geometric design invariants and apply the proposed model to analyse the state of motion of a wheel’s centre.

Design/methodology/approach

In this paper, the 3D road surface is modelled as a continuous function with combinations of geometric design invariants. By introducing the theories of differential geometries and rigid body dynamics, a wheel-road model wherein a wheel fixed to a Darboux frame moves along a curved road surface is constructed, and the wheel time-dependent properties of the velocity, angular velocity and acceleration at an arbitrary point of the surface are described using road geometry design invariants.

Findings

This paper adopts the Darboux frame to study the instantaneous spin-rolling motion of a wheel. It is found that the magnitudes of the spin-rolling velocity, the acceleration and the geometric invariants of the road surface, including the geodesic curvature, the normal curvature and the geodesic torsion, determine the instantaneous states of motion of a wheel.

Originality/value

This work provides a theoretical foundation for future studies of wheel motion states, such as the relationship between road geometry design invariants and driving safety, vehicle lane changing and other vehicle microbehaviours. New insights are gained in the areas of road safety and vehicles incorporating artificial intelligence.
The impact of a leader’s demographic and professional characteristics on employee motivation
Authors: Campos-García Irene , Zúñiga-Vicente José Ángel
Published: October 2018

Purpose

Building on Upper Echelons Theory and prior research on strategic leadership, the purpose of this paper is to examine the possible effect on employee motivation of two sets of characteristics related to leaders: demographic (gender and age); and professional development (tenure, prior career experience in the organization and training).

Design/methodology/approach

The empirical analysis is based on data from a survey of Spanish educational organizations (secondary schools). The hypotheses are tested using hierarchical multiple regression analysis estimations.

Findings

The results reveal that the characteristics linked to a leader’s professional development have a significant impact on employee (teacher) motivation. Specifically, a long tenure in office has a negative effect, while prior career experience in an organization and continuous training have a positive impact. However, none of the leader’s demographic characteristics considered in the study has a significant impact on teacher motivation.

Practical implications

Several lines of managerial and educational policy action are suggested for improving employee (teacher) motivation, especially in the specific case of the schools considered here.

Originality/value

This study is one of the first attempts to explore what impact certain leaders’ characteristics have on employee motivation.
Analysis of makeup air in a natural smoke vent system in a tall space using numerical simulation and Schlieren technique
Authors: Shih ChiaYuan , Chen YaoHan , Su ChungHwei , Wang ShiuanCheng , Yang YungChang
Published: October 2018

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to analyze the phenomenon of makeup effect using numerical simulation and model experiments on seven different natural smoke extraction patterns of tall space. Airflow distribution and heat accumulation phenomenon in different cases are compared. The natural smoke exhaust system for tall spaces has many advantages, including low cost, no power and low maintenance cost. It is more advantageous than the mechanical type of exhaust. However, the internal air distribution is complicated since the large span spatial character. Effective and correct verification method is very important for the analysis of flow fields in tall spaces.

Design/methodology/approach

This study used fire dynamics simulator (FDS) software to simulate the fire scene. The model experiments are conducted to determine if the numerical simulation results are reasonable. A single-mirror Schlieren system, including an 838 (H) × 736 mm (W) square concave mirror, as well as the focal length of 3,100 mm was adopted to record the dynamic flow of hot gas. Six smokeless candles were burned in a 1/12.5 model in experiments to record the distribution of inflow, accumulation and outflow of airflow in the space. In addition, the thermocouple lines were mounted in the model for temperature measurement.

Findings

The results of numerical simulation and model experiments have proved that makeup air has a significant effect on the effectiveness of a natural smoke vent system. Larger areas of smoke vents will produce more heat accumulation phenomenon. In this study, the air inlet and vent installed on the same side have a better heat removal effect. Moreover, Schlieren photography technique is proved to be an accurate measurement method to record the dynamic flow of hot air immediately, directly and accurately. The dynamic flow behavior of hot gas in the model has been visualized in this paper.

Originality/value

At present, there is no examination method other than checking the smoke vent area to validate the effectiveness of a natural smoke vent system in Taiwan, as well as no requirements regarding the makeup inlet. The effect of makeup air in generating the effective push-pull phenomenon of airflow has been analyzed. In addition, the post-combustion hot gas distributions were visualized by using Schlieren photography technology in the model space, compared with the FDS simulation result and thermocouple recorded temperature. A verification method in the model experiments is established to determine if the numerical simulation results are reasonable.
A comprehensive review of barriers to a functional
Zakat system in Nigeria
Authors: Saad Ram Al Jaffri , Farouk Abubakar Umar
Published: October 2018

Purpose

Muslims in Nigeria, like in many Muslim-majority countries, are striving to
have a functional Zakat system in search of solutions to the perennial
problem of poverty and its damning consequences. Nevertheless, there are
still unsettled concerns arising from the current and widespread
implementation of dissimilar (diverse) approaches to the Zakat system in
various parts of the country. The purpose of this paper is to review
comprehensively what are the hindrances of a vibrant Zakat system and how
far the identified impediments may affect the system in the Nigerian
context.

Design/methodology/approach

The methodology adopted is the review of extant relevant literature in the
field of scholarly publications.

Findings

The findings of this study revealed that the fragmented implementation of the
Zakat system within the context of the Nigerian democratic system of
government lead to the weak governance with respect to law, administration
and management; lack of a generally accepted fatwa from the Muslims scholars
(Ulamas); absence of Zakat accounting standard; and low compliance behavior
are the major barriers that require the attention of government and other
stakeholders such as the traditional leaders, the accounting regulatory
bodies, the Ulamas, as well as the economic and accounting researchers.

Practical implications

It was recommended that the stakeholders should make concerted efforts toward
ensuring success of the Zakat system for attaining salvation in the
hereafter and for social security, as well as economic prosperity.

Originality/value

The paper is the first paper that comprehensively reviews previous literature
in the Zakat environment on factors that become barriers to implement a
comprehensive Zakat system in Nigeria.
Slurry erosion behavior of plasma sprayed coating on turbine steel
Authors: Kaushal Sarbjeet , Singh Satnam
Published: October 2018

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to study the effect of slurry erosion at different parameters on plasma sprayed Cr3C2coated 13Cr4Ni turbine steel and compare the results of coated steel with bare steel.

Design/methodology/approach

Cr3C2+ 25NiCr coating was successfully developed on 13Cr4Ni turbine steel using plasma spraying method. The slurry erosion test was performed using a simulated erosion testing rig. The commercially available silica sand was used as abrasive media and the effect of concentration (ppm), average particle sizes and rotational speed on the slurry erosion behavior were studied at 300 and 900 impact angles. Developed coatings were characterized by scanning electron microscope, XRD, EDS and micro hardness tests and study of erosion wear.

Findings

Results revealed that three times higher hardness of coatings was obtained because of the hard phases of chromium carbide and nickel carbide, which restricted the abrasive wear in comparison to uncoated steel. Lower abrasive wear was observed at 900 impact angle coupled with lower levels of slurry concentration and rotational speed. Further, it was observed that initially cumulative mass loss rate was high which gets stabilized after the surface become smooth and on exposing for higher periods. Overall results indicated that erosive wear was reduced significantly by the application of developed coating.

Originality/value

The developed plasma sprayed coating is very useful to enhance the service life of turbine steel by lowering the effect of slurry erosion.
A simple and rapid calibration methodology for industrial robot based on geometric constraint and two-step error
Authors: Zhang Jiabo , Wang Xibin , Wen Ke , Zhou Yinghao , Yue Yi , Yang Jizhi
Published: October 2018

Purpose

The purpose of this study is the presentation and research of a simple and rapid calibration methodology for industrial robot. Extensive research efforts were devoted to meet the requirements of online compensation, closed-loop feedback control and high-precision machining during the flexible machining process of robot for large-scale cabin.

Design/methodology/approach

A simple and rapid method to design and construct the transformation relation between the base coordinate system of robot and the measurement coordinate system was proposed based on geometric constraint. By establishing the Denavit–Hartenberg model for robot calibration, a method of two-step error for kinematic parameters calibration was put forward, which aided in achievement of step-by-step calibration of angle and distance errors. Furthermore, KUKA robot was considered as the research object, and related experiments were performed based on laser tracker.

Findings

The experimental results demonstrated that the accuracy of the coordinate transformation could reach 0.128 mm, which meets the transformation requirements. Compared to other methods used in this study, the calibration method of two-step error could significantly improve the positioning accuracy of robot up to 0.271 mm.

Originality/value

The methodology based on geometric constraint and two-step error is simple and can rapidly calibrate the kinematic parameters of robot. It also leads to the improvement in the positioning accuracy of robot.
The effects of moral disengagement and organizational ethical climate on insiders’ information security policy violation behavior
Authors: Chen Hao , Chau Patrick Y.K. , Li Wenli
Published: October 2018

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to develop a model that integrates moral disengagement (MD) and organizational ethical climate (OEC) to understand information security policy (ISP) violation behavior in the workplace. This study extends prior work by identifying the moderating mechanisms of the ethical culture of OECs in the relationship between employees’ MD and ISP violation behavior intention.

Design/methodology/approach

By using scenario-based survey data from 433 employees in Chinese enterprises and by applying PLS-based structural equation modeling, the authors test a series of hypotheses.

Findings

Our empirical results highlight that the concept of MD has a significant effect on employees’ intention to violate ISPs. The authors also find that the OEC has a moderating role in the relationship between MD and ISP violation intention: the moderating role of law-and-rule-oriented OEC is significantly negative, but instrumentalism-oriented OEC positively moderates this relationship.

Originality/value

This study contributes to the literature on information security behavior by integrating two ethical theory frameworks MD and OECs into one theoretical model, and it calls attention to how ethical factors at the individual cognition level and organizational climate level work together to influence personal information security behavior. This study provides a new perspective of OEC from which to understand policy violation caused by moral self-regulation failure, and empirically explores its moderating role.
Must have or nice to have
Authors: Mahapatra Sabita , Ramani ATP , Kulkarni Avinash D.
Published: October 2018

Purpose

This paper aims to provide an opportunity to study organization buying behavior, specifically buying and selling in the B2B context. The case demonstrates the need to understand the expectations of the buyer’s decision-making unit and the challenges involved in acquiring and retaining customers based on the articulated value proposition of the product. The case also provides an opportunity to explore the critical issues related to an organization’s buying process, while emphasizing on the importance of customer relationship management and the challenges involved in sales conversion.

Design/methodology/approach

The case is a filed-based study that aims to provide insight on differences between buying and selling in B2B & B2C and an understanding on customer value proposition in B2B buying context.

Findings

The case provides a comprehensive overview on the key role of decision-making units and decision-making process in B2B context.

Originality/value

This is an India-specific field-based case study on B2B selling situation. The case provides a framework on salesperson B2B selling approach, techniques and skills in view of the changing business selling environment in the age of technologically advanced digital world.
Teaching companies how to be entrepreneurial: cultural change at all levels
Authors: Gillin Laurence Murray , Gagliardi Rebecca , Hougaz Laura , Knowles David , Langhammer Michael
Published: October 2018

Purpose

This case study aims to show how a strategic intervention, using an in-house delivered university entrepreneurship education program, cultivates an entrepreneurial mindset and effective innovation culture amongst company staff. The intervention produces a measured change in staff decision making style from analytical to a more intuitive style. Also assessed is the resulting management-style change to the firm’s internal environment, strategic motivation and performance.

Design/methodology/approach

Through a qualitative longitudinal study of Partners and staff in the firm, the authors measure the impact of the selection, integration and performance of in-house entrepreneurship education on firm culture.

Findings

The authors identify organisation factors that inhibit staff entrepreneurial behaviour and by integrating an in-house education intervention, demonstrate unambiguously the resultant effective culture and entrepreneurial mindset.

Research limitations/implications

Generalising results from this single longitudinal case study requires caution. The positive outcome from the in-house education concept can be considered for further evaluation within other organisations.

Practical implications

Using an entrepreneurial health-audit to assess in-firm cultural behaviour enables management to identify factors fostering/inhibiting entrepreneurial activity and devise interventions to cultivate a firm-wide entrepreneurial mindset.

Originality/value

In-house education is not a new concept, but a targeted focus on entrepreneurship applied strategically to a committed firm shows outstanding results. The added-value is in the demonstrated enhancement to effective innovation outcomes.
Implications of collection period variance in the construction industry
Authors: Killingsworth John , Mehany Mohammed Hashem
Published: October 2018

Purpose

Despite economic growth in the construction sector of the USA, profit margins are persistently low. An examination of collection practices of over 400 construction firms revealed a high number of firms with a collection period ratio above 30 days. This study aims to examines the variance between collection period ratio (days in accounts receivables, DAR) and days in accounts payables (DAP) and its correlation with profitability ratios [e.g. gross profit margin (GPM) and net profit margin (NPM)].

Design/methodology/approach

Descriptive statistics were used to observe trends over three years of financial reporting (2013 through 2016), while correlation statistics were used to understand relationship or association between the different financial ratios and the collection period variance (CPV). Respondent firms were stratified by the North American Industry Classification System, company type and revenue size.

Findings

Conventional theory holds that increasing financial expenses because of collections negatively impacts profitability. Therefore, the hypothesis of the study suggested a statistical correlation between the CPV and profitability measures. Results of the study, however, supported the null hypothesis. Reasons for the lack of correlation are considered as well as necessary follow-up studies before rejecting the hypothesis.

Originality/value

No such study was found specific to the construction industry, and as such, this study contributes to better understanding the implications of extensive collection periods. Further, this study contradicts assumptions about the behavior of the construction industry and the causal relationship between extensive collection periods and profitability.
Mapping and visualization: selected examples of international research networks
Authors: Smyrnova-Trybulska Eugenia , Morze Nataliia , Kuzminska Olena , Kommers Piet
Published: October 2018

Purpose

This paper aims to describe the popular trends and methods and ICT tools used for mapping and visualization of scientific domains as a research methodology which is attracting more and more interest from scientific information and science studies professionals. Science mapping or bibliometric mapping is a spatial representation of how disciplines, fields, specialties and individual documents or authors. The researchers analysed Bibexel, Pajek, VOSViewer, programmes used for processing and visualization of bibliographic and bibliometric data, within the framework of the implementation of IRNet research network project and activities and presented several examples of visualisation.

Design/methodology/approach

Among the main indicators of research effectiveness – bibliometric indicators – is a powerful information tool to support the development of science. Practical research methods were prepared using the programs: Bibexel (metadata analyses), program Pajek: graph editing and visualization of the graph structure of co-authorship – using the method of Kamada-Kawai and VOSviewer: a computer program for creating maps based on network data and for visualizing and exploring these maps. The main features of VOSviewer can be summarized for creating maps based on network data, visualizing and exploring maps.

Findings

The cited references and keywords are used to analyse in particular the intellectual base used by the research field or to analyse documents that cite the same references.

Originality/value

The authors of the paper, who are researchers of the European IRNet project and international research network, described and analysed certain bibliographic results of these activities using methods of mapping and visualization of scientific domains.
Systemic corruption and public procurement in developing countries: are there any solutions?
Authors: Williams-Elegbe Sope
Published: October 2018

Purpose

Corruption affects development and quality of life of citizens in affected countries. The increase in anti-corruption measures globally reflects a consensus that corruption is pervasive and costly. Public procurement is one area in which corruption manifests because of the sums of money involved; the asymmetry of information; and the bureaucratic nature of decision-making, which presents opportunities for abuse. In developing countries, procurement corruption is rife because of institutional weaknesses, lack of enforced accountability mechanisms and culture of silence in relation to public sector malfeasance.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper examines procurement corruption in countries with systemic corruption, using Nigeria as a case study, to determine how to reduce public procurement corruption.

Findings

The paper will highlight prevalent corrupt schemes in public procurement in Nigeria, examine the reasons for the failure of state anti-corruption institutions and analyze the kinds of initiatives that reduced procurement corruption and increased accountability in other countries and the utility of adopting such mechanisms in the Nigerian context.
The impact of corruption on analyst coverage
Authors: Hassan Omaima , Giorgioni Gianluigi
Published: October 2018

Purpose

This study aims to investigate the impact of country-level corruption and firms’ anti-bribery policies on analyst coverage. Analyst coverage has been identified as a powerful tool to detect fraud and should equally act as a possible tool to reduce corruption.

Design/methodology/approach

This study used a negative binomial count regression method on a longitudinal data set of a sample of S&P Global 1200 companies for the years 2010-2015. To control for potential endogeneity bias and improve the reliability of the estimation, both country-level corruption and firms’ anti-bribery policies variables were instrumented.

Findings

After controlling potential endogeneity bias, the results show that the adoption of anti-bribery policies at firm level attracts more analysts to follow a firm. The results for corruption at country level show that analyst coverage increases in less corrupted countries indicating that the costs of corruption exceed its potential benefits. When the variables corruption at country level and anti-bribery policies are interacted, the relationship is positive and highly significant.

Practical implications

Given the potential important role played by anti-corruption measures, firms are encouraged to adopt them to reduce the incidence of corruption and to increase analyst coverage, which will reinforce the benign effect of monitoring.

Originality/value

Although the literature on corruption at the country level is rich, it is geared towards the determinants of corruption in contrast to its consequences, and fewer studies have focused on the impact of corruption at firm level because of data limitations. This paper addresses this gap and contributes to the literature on the consequences of corruption at firm level.
Earnings management: do attendance and changes of audit committee members matter?
Authors: Qamhan Murad Abdulsalam , Che Haat Mohd Hassan , Hashim Hafiza Aishah , Salleh Zalailah
Published: October 2018

Purpose

This paper aims to examine the association between new audit committee characteristics – attendance of audit committee members at meetings and changes of members through the demission or appointment of members of the audit committee during the year – and earnings management. Its objective is to contribute new evidence that extends studies on audit committee characteristics in reducing earnings management.

Design/methodology/approach

The sample comprises 370 observations obtained from the annual reports of 74 companies listed on the Muscat Securities Market for the years 2008-2012. The panel data are analysed using a fixed effects model to validate the hypotheses and model.

Findings

This study finds a negative association between earnings management and members’ attendance at the audit committee meetings. Additionally, there is a positive significant relationship between earnings management and changes to members through demission or appointment.

Originality/value

This study broadens the scope of audit committee characteristics by providing empirical evidence of the relationship between new audit committee characteristics and earnings management and may assist policymakers and regulators in determining ways to enhance audit committee characteristics and improve financial reporting quality.
Does Part II of the PCAOB inspection report provide new information to the market?
Authors: Buslepp William , Jared DeLisle R. , Victoravich Lisa
Published: October 2018

Purpose

Part II of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (PCAOB) inspection report is released only when firms fail to remediate quality control criticisms and is intended to be a public signal of audit quality. The purpose of this paper is to reexamine whether audit clients react to the release of Part II of the PCAOB inspection report as a signal of audit quality.

Design/methodology/approach

This study uses a difference-in-difference regression model to examine the association between the release of Part II of the PCAOB inspection report and an audit firm’s change in market share. A sensitivity analysis is also performed to determine whether the main findings are robust to the timing of the release of the report and type of quality control criticism included in Part II of the inspection report.

Findings

After controlling for the prior year’s changes in market share, the authors find no evidence that clients react to the public release of Part II of the report. In the second part of the study, they examine when clients become aware of the contents of the Part II report prior to its release. Firms with audit performance criticisms experience a decrease in market share following the release of Part I. Firms with firm management criticisms experience a significant decrease in market share following the remediation period and before the public release of Part II.

Practical implications

The results suggest that Part II of the PCAOB inspection report does not provide new information to the market. Clients appear to be aware of the information contained in Part II of the PCAOB inspection report prior to its release. The authors believe that the delay in releasing the Part II report may create an information imbalance, and the PCAOB may want to consider ways to improve the timeliness of the information.

Originality/value

This study questions the generalizability of prior research which finds that Part II of the inspection report provides new information that is valued by the public company audit market as a signal of audit quality. The findings provide new evidence that the contents of Part II and the firm’s ability to remediate the quality control concerns are known to audit clients prior to the public release.
Does a rural location matter for innovative small firms? How rural and urban environmental contexts shape strategies of agri-business innovative small firms
Authors: Deakins David , Bensemann Jo
Published: October 2018

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to present qualitative evidence on strategies undertaken by 34 innovative small firms.

Design/methodology/approach

The sample of innovative firms is solely recruited from the agri-business sector that are located in contrasting environments varying from rural areas with low urban influence to areas with high urban influence and “main” urban or city areas. The authors discuss strategies in the light of a theoretical approach that incorporates a resource-based view, dynamic capabilities (DCs) and social network theory.

Findings

Although there is diversity in strategies across the 34 innovative small firms, irrespective of their “rural” or “urban” environment, qualitative evidence sheds light on differences in the way that strategies are pursued.

Research limitations/implications

The study indicates that small firms in rural environments can be just as innovative as their counterparts in urban environments; however, the authors demonstrate that they adopt different strategies, which have been shaped by their environment, to achieve innovation. The authors use the qualitative evidence to develop the theory of DCs and classify the sample into four clusters which marries the environmental context and innovative DCs.

Originality/value

The paper makes a contribution to a research gap on the way that the environment can shape management strategies in innovative small firms. It contributes to a limited literature in this area.
Tensile properties of aluminium 4047A built in droplet-based metal printing
Authors: Himmel Benjamin , Rumschoettel Dominik , Volk Wolfram
Published: October 2018

Purpose

Directly printing molten metal droplets on a build platform to create full dense metal parts is a promising additive manufacturing process. This study aims of to analyse the effects of the thermal conditions on the resulting tensile properties of parts made from aluminium 4047A built in droplet-based metal printing.

Design/methodology/approach

A drop-on-demand print head with pneumatic actuation is used to eject droplets on a nickel sheet mounted on the heated build platform. Tensile specimens are machined from cuboid blocks built by successive droplet deposition and tested in a universal testing machine. The ultimate tensile strength, uniform elongation and yield strength are evaluated and presented. Micro-sections are taken from the printed blocks to examine the internal pores and the metal’s microstructure.

Findings

With an increase in the interface temperature the uniform elongation increases from 0.5 to 12%, while the yield strength decreases from 130 to 90 MPa. The ultimate tensile strength increases from 130 MPa to a maximum of 190 MPa at an interface temperature of 530º C and slightly falls for higher interface temperatures. Those values are in the same range as conventionally casted parts of the same alloy. The authors’ hypothesis is that the main effect responsible for the mechanical properties is the wetting of solid material by the liquid droplet and not remelting, as has been reported in literature.

Originality/value

To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this is the first time that mechanical properties of aluminium 4047A built by a droplet-based additive manufacturing process are published for different interface temperatures. It is also the first time that the main effect on mechanical properties is attributed to wetting instead of remelting.
An accidental journey: sha-cha sauce and beef consumption in Tainan since 1949
Authors: Tseng Lin-Yi
Published: October 2018

Purpose

In today’s Taiwan, sha-cha sauce is an indispensable ingredient for beef hot pot and stir-fried dishes. The purpose of this paper contextualizes the history of sha-cha sauce in Tainan, the oldest city in Taiwan, and argues that sha-cha sauce, introduced by Chaoshan immigrants, has contributed to new styles and habits of beef consumption tastes and habits in the post-1949 Tainan and beyond.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper uses documentary materials, oral interviews and diaries to explore the relationship between beef consumption and sha-cha sauce. It begins with an historical overview of Taiwan’s beef consumption during the Japanese colonial era (1895-1945). Then, it focuses on two Chaoshan business enterprises: the Bull-Head, which makes the world’s largest “canned sha-cha sauce,” and the Xiao Haozhou, a Tainan restaurant specializing in sha-cha beef hot pot. Finally, this study analyzes Xinrong Wu, a Tainan gentry whose diary entries from 1933 to 1967 documented the changing dietary habits of beef consumption among Taiwanese.

Findings

The Chaoshan migrants played an important role in introducing the sha-cha sauce to postcolonial Tainan, and this input bolstered the beef consumption among Taiwanese. The production of sha-cha provided a reliable source of income for these migrants in Tainan, and major businesses like the Bull-Head became the international brands of Taiwanese food products.

Research limitations/implications

The study, though limited to Tainan, reveals the symbiosis between popularization of sha-cha sauce and widespread beef consumption in Taiwan.

Practical implications

This study helps researchers examine the connection between Chinese migrations and food culture.

Originality/value

This paper is an original scholarly investigation of the relationship between food diet and Chaoshan migration in postcolonial Tainan.
Ancient DNA: The quest for the best
Authors: Geigl Eva‐Maria , Grange Thierry
Published: October 2018

It is the dream of all researchers working with ancient DNA to identify prior to DNA extraction from bone the specimens or specific zones within them that contain the highest proportion of endogenous DNA. As it impacts the sacrifice of precious ancient specimens and the financial support needed for the analyses, the question is of high importance to the scientific field of palaeogenomics. The “Holy Grail” of palaeogenomics was reached when Cristina Gamba et al. () discovered that it was in the petrosal part of the temporal bone, the densest part of the mammalian skeleton, where DNA is exceptionally well preserved. As a consequence, osteological collections experienced a rush from palaeogenomicists to “harvest” these precious bone parts. In this issue of Molecular Ecology Resources, Alberti et al. () describe the discovery of another promising source of relatively well‐preserved endogenous DNA, that they had identified through computed tomography (CT scans), the outermost layer of cortical bone. These bones being larger and more abundant than petrous bones, this discovery increases markedly the source material for high‐quality palaeogenomic studies and releases the pressure on osteological collections.
Type I interferons differentially modulate maternal host immunity to infection by Listeria monocytogenes and Salmonella enterica serovar Typhimurium during pregnancy
Authors: Agbayani Gerard , Wachholz Kristina , Murphy Shawn P. , Sad Subash , Krishnan Lakshmi
Published: October 2018

Problem

IFN‐alpha receptor deficiency (IFNAR−/−) enhances immunity to Listeria monocytogenes (LM) and Salmonella enterica serovar Typhimurium (ST) in the non‐pregnant state by inhibiting pathogen‐induced immune cell death. However, the roles of IFNAR signaling in modulating immunity to infection during pregnancy are not well understood.

Method of Study

C57BL/6J wild‐type (WT) and IFNAR−/− mice were infected systemically with LM or ST. Bacterial burden in spleen and individual placentas was enumerated at day 3 post‐infection. Immune cell numbers and percentages were quantified in spleen and individual placentas, respectively, through flow cytometry. Cytokine expression in serum, spleen, and individual placentas was measured through cytometric bead array.

Results

IFNAR−/− mice exhibited decreased splenic monocyte numbers in non‐pregnant and pregnant state, and an altered distribution of placental immune cell types in the non‐infected state. IFNAR−/− mice controlled LM infection more effectively than WT mice even during pregnancy. This correlated with enhanced serum IL‐12 expression, despite reduced splenic monocyte numbers relative to WT controls. In contrast, pregnant IFNAR−/− mice unlike their non‐pregnant counterparts exhibited increased susceptibility to ST infection, which was associated with decreased serum IL‐12 expression.

Conclusion

Type I IFN responses differentially impact host resistance to LM and ST infection during pregnancy through modulation of immune cell distribution and cytokine responses.
Day‐7 embryos generate an anti‐inflammatory immune response in peripheral blood immune cells in superovulated cows
Authors: Talukder Anup K. , Rashid Mohammad B. , Takedomi Toshiro , Moriyasu Satoru , Imakawa Kazuhiko , Miyamoto Akio
Published: October 2018

Problem

Recently, we demonstrated both in vitro and in vivo that an immunological crosstalk between Day‐7 embryo and immune cells exists locally in the uterus in cows. The peripheral immune response to early embryos at Day‐7 of pregnancy in cows remains largely unknown. Thus, we aimed to investigate the response of peripheral blood immune cells in the presence of multiple Day‐7 embryos in the uterus in donor cows of embryo transfer program.

Method of study

Superovulated cows were either inseminated (n = 13) at 12‐18 hours post‐estrus or remained without inseminations (n = 6). Blood was collected following insemination (Day‐1) and immediately after uterine flushing (Day‐7). Polymorphonuclear neutrophils (PMNs) and peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) were isolated from whole blood for analysis of gene expression.

Results

Interferon‐stimulated genes (ISGs: ISG15 and OAS1) were increased in both PMNs and PBMCs, with up‐regulation of PTGES and anti‐inflammatory cytokines (TGFB1 and IL10) expressions at Day‐7 of post‐inseminations in cows, when compared to those at Day‐7 in non‐inseminated cows.

Conclusion

The findings indicate that the presence of multiple embryos in the uterus generates an anti‐inflammatory immune response in peripheral blood immune cells at Day‐7 of pregnancy in cows, which might help to accept semi‐allogenic embryo in the uterus.
Territorial Representation and the Opinion–Policy Linkage: Evidence from the European Union
Authors: Wratil Christopher
Published: October 2018

A key feature of federal systems is the representation of subnational units by “territorial representatives” in policymaking at the federal level. How do such arrangements influence the linkage between public opinion and policy outputs? I argue that policymaking under territorial representation should be systematically skewed toward opinion in those states where citizens care about a policy issue and have a uniform view on it. This claim is tested using a novel data set of policy change in the European Union (EU), covering 211 policy issues and 6,506 observations of opinion–policy dyads. Results show that measures weighting opinion across member states by how much national citizens care about an issue are better predictors of policy change than EU‐wide mean opinion. Moreover, congruence between state‐level opinion and EU‐level policy becomes more likely, the more salient and clear‐cut opinion in a member state is. These findings refine our understanding of the opinion–policy linkage under territorial representation.
Stress and Exposure Time on von Willebrand Factor Degradation
Authors: Jhun Choon‐Sik , Siedlecki Christopher , Xu Lichong , Lukic Branka , Newswanger Raymond , Yeager Eric , Reibson John , Cysyk Joshua , Weiss William , Rosenberg Gerson
Published: October 2018

Despite the prevailing use of the continuous flow left ventricular assist devices (cf‐LVAD), acquired von Willebrand syndrome (AvWS) associated with cf‐LVAD still remains a major complication. As AvWS is known to be dependent on shear stress (τ) and exposure time (texp), this study examined the degradation of high molecular weight multimers (HMWM) of von Willebrand factor (vWF) in terms of τ and texp. Two custom apparatus, i.e., capillary‐tubing‐type degrader (CTD) and Taylor‐Couette‐type degrader (TCD) were developed for short‐term (0.033 sec ≤ texp ≤ 1.05 s) and long‐term (10 s ≤ texp ≤ 10 min) shear exposures of vWF, respectively. Flow conditions indexed by Reynolds number (Re) for CTD were 14 ≤ Re ≤ 288 with corresponding laminar stress level of 52 ≤  ≤ 1042 dyne/cm2. Flow conditions for TCD were 100 ≤ Re ≤ 2500 with corresponding rotor speed of 180 ≤ o ≤ 4000 RPM and laminar stress level of 50 ≤  ≤ 1114 dyne/cm2. Due to transitional and turbulent flows in TCD at Re > 1117, total stress (i.e., = laminar + turbulent) was also calculated using a computational fluid dynamics (CFD) solver, Converge CFD (Converge Science Inc., Madison, WI, USA). Inhibition of ADAMTS13 with different concentration of EDTA (5 mM and 10 mM) was also performed to investigate the mechanism of cleavage in terms of mechanical and enzymatic aspects. Degradation of HMWM with CTD was negligible at all given testing conditions. Although no degradation of HMWM was observed with TCD at Re < 1117 ( = 1012 dyne/cm2), increase in degradation of HMWM was observed beyond Re of 1117 for all given exposure times. At Re ~ 2500 ( = 3070 dyne/cm2) with texp = 60 s, a severe degradation of HMWM (90.7 ± 3.8%, abnormal) was observed, and almost complete degradation of HMWM (96.1 ± 1.9%, abnormal) was observed with texp = 600 s. The inhibition studies with 5 mM EDTA at Re ~ 2500 showed that loss of HMWM was negligible (<10%, normal) for all given exposure times except for texp = 10 min (39.5 ± 22.3%, borderline‐abnormal). With 10 mM EDTA, no degradation of HMWM was observed (11.1 ± 4.4%, normal) even for texp = 10 min. This study investigated the effect of shear stress and exposure time on the HMWM of vWF in laminar and turbulent flows. The inhibition study by EDTA confirms that degradation of HMWM is initiated by shear‐induced unfolding followed by enzymatic cleavage at given conditions. Determination of magnitude of each mechanism needs further investigation. It is also important to note that the degradation of vWF is highly dependent on turbulence regardless of the time exposed within our testing conditions.
Persistence of Meckel's cartilage in sub‐adult Struthio camelus and Dromaius novaehollandiae
Authors: Crole Martina Rachel , Soley John Thomson
Published: October 2018

This study describes the persistence of an embryonal structure through to sub‐adulthood in the ostrich and emu. Mandibles from sub‐adult ostrich and emu were subjected to special staining, light microscopy and dissected to reveal and describe Meckel's cartilage. Meckel's cartilage, composed of hyaline cartilage, was present within the neurovascular canal of both species. The persistence through to sub‐adulthood of Meckel's cartilage in the ostrich and emu is a feature not previously reported in any other avian species. The proximal end of Meckel's cartilage was ossified in the region of the articular bone and the distal end was ossified in some specimens. Although this structure may ossify at a much later stage in life, the function in young and sub‐adult birds may be to dampen shockwaves along the intramandibular nerve that result from the action of pecking. In the ostrich, the M. pseudotemporalis superficialis tendon inserted onto the supra‐angular bone and Meckel's cartilage. In the emu, a small portion of the tendon was attached to the supra‐angular bone and the main part to Meckel's cartilage. The persistence of Meckel's cartilage in adult lepidosaurs, crocodilians and ratites represents an unusual shared trait between the extant members of the above groups.
Addressing bullying through critical making
Authors: Hughes Janette , Morrison Laura , Mamolo Ami , Laffier Jennifer , de Castell Suzanne
Published: October 2018

This paper explores how maker pedagogies helped middle school students develop transferable competencies, such as creativity, problem solving, self‐directed learning and citizenship skills. We offer an in‐depth look at how purposeful or critical making related to bullying awareness can help struggling students develop positive attitudes related to their roles as contributing members of a classroom community of learners.
The political economy of university education in Canada
Authors: Woolley Frances
Published: October 2018

Universities promise to “[e]nsure students graduate with the knowledge, skills and experience needed to thrive in the workplace and be successful global citizens.” (COU 2017). However, it is not obvious that they deliver upon this promise. The incentives within the university system, such as they are, tend to reward research, reputation‐seeking and keeping students satisfied. Yet the status quo may no longer be sustainable. Demographic change threatens to undermine the present model of university funding. Technological change and other factors have the potential to radically change the demand for university education. Canadian universities need to be able to adapt to new conditions to survive and thrive. This paper outlines the economic and political forces that lead the Canadian university sector to underachieve, especially when it comes to teaching and student learning, identifies pressures on the system and discusses reforms that could alter the incentive structure within the university system.