bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Modeling research of initial atmospheric corrosion of Q235 carbon steel based on electrical resistance probe
Authors: Li Zhuolin , Fu Dongmei , Pei Zibo
Published: April 2021

Purpose

This paper aims to discover the mathematical model for Q235 carbon steel corrosion date acquired in the initial stage of atmospheric corrosion using electrical resistance probe.

Design/methodology/approach

In this paper, mathematical approaches are used to construct a classification model for atmospheric environmental elements and material corrosion rates.

Findings

Results of the experiment show that the corrosion data can be converted into corrosion depth for calculating corrosion rate to obtain corrosion kinetics model and conform corrosion acceleration phase. Combined with corresponding atmospheric environmental elements, a real time grade subdivision model for corrosion rate can be constructed.

Originality/value

These mathematical models constructed by real time corrosion data can be well used to research the characteristics about initial atmospheric corrosion of Q235 carbon steel.
Education online in lockdown: limits and possibilities. The vision of families in Spain
Authors: Díez-Gutiérrez Enrique-Javier , Gajardo Espinoza Katherine
Published: April 2021

Purpose

March 14, 2020, marked the beginning of an unexpected state of emergency in Spain due to the impact of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). From that moment on, the educational system had to adapt so that millions of students could continue their education at home. Through a descriptive study, the reality and perceptions that Spanish families have about the educational actions that took place during the compulsory lockdown of the Spanish population is presented.

Design/methodology/approach

3,400 representatives of family units from 17 autonomous communities answered a survey, the data were analyzed using descriptive and frequency statistics.

Findings

Relevant conclusions were drawn from the results. Despite the efforts of the authorities, the economic, cultural, social and digital divides leave many households without access to the fundamental right of education; families value the support of technologies but consider that they should not replace the face-to-face education that is necessary for the development process of minors; it is necessary to adapt the school content for a future postpandemic, discriminating the expendable from the essential in the school curriculum; priority must be given to the integral well-being of people in educational policies and also to the most vulnerable ones.

Originality/value

The study allows progress in the analysis of educational policy proposals in the face of future crisis.
Entity influence and interactive relationship: the use of social media by publishing-related entities
Authors: Yang Yanni , Zhang Yue , Xiang An-Ling
Published: April 2021

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to explore factors influencing social media usage effectiveness of publishing-related entities and discuss the differences between publishing-related individuals and organizations in their usage of social media and the differences between commercial organizations and public service organizations (such as libraries).

Design/methodology/approach

This paper studied 546 publishing-related entities’ accounts on the leading Chinese social media and built a theoretical model for the usage of social media by publishing-related entities. Furthermore, it examined the influencing factors from two aspects: power of influence of an entity (entity influence) and the relational interaction of a publishing-related entity with its audience (interactive relationship).

Findings

The study found that for publishing-related individual users of social media, entity influence has a greater positive effect on the effectiveness of social media usage than on the effect of interactive relationship. For publishing-related commercial organizations, the entity influence and interactive relationship have equal impacts on the effectiveness of social media usage. It is also found that interactive relationship has a stronger positive effect on the usage effectiveness of social media, especially for publishing-related public service organizations.

Originality/value

This research fills the gap in the research of comparative analysis in the understanding of social media usage by individuals and organizations related to publishing activities. Moreover, it has tried to propose a theoretical model that can help promote the effectiveness of social media usages by various publishing-related entities and their business strategies.
Twitter dialogue: an analysis of Pakistani politicians’ information sharing
Authors: Batool Syeda Hina , Ahmed Wasim , Mahmood Khalid , Saeed Henna
Published: April 2021

Purpose

The use of Twitter by political parties and politicians has been well studied in developed countries. However, there is a lack of empirical work, which has examined the use of Twitter in developing countries. This study aims to explore the information-sharing patterns of Pakistani politicians through Twitter accounts during the pre-election campaign of 2018.

Design/methodology/approach

Data of three weeks of the official party accounts and the politicians running for prime minister were analysed. The mixed-methods approach has been used to analyse quantitative and qualitative data retrieved through Twitonomy.

Findings

It was found that the most active Twitter account belonged to the winning party. The prominent Twitter account functions were a call to vote, promotional Tweets, promises and Tweeting about party developments. The present study provides evidence that there is a difference between the Tweeting behaviour of established and emerging parties. The emerging party heavily posted about changing traditional norms/culture/practices.

Practical implications

The study contributed to existing knowledge and has practical implications for politicians, citizens and social media planners.

Originality/value

The present study was designed carefully and based on empirical research. The study is unique in its nature to fill the research and knowledge gap by adding a variety of Twitter functions used by politicians.
Shock and volatility spillovers between oil and emerging seven stock markets
Authors: Khurshid Muzammil , Kirkulak-Uludag Berna
Published: April 2021

Purpose

This study aims to examine the volatility spillover effects between oil and stock returns in the emerging seven economies.

Design/methodology/approach

In this study, the Granger causality test and vector autoregression-generalized autoregressive conditional heteroskedasticity approach to analyze the volatility spillover from 1995 to 2019 were used. The findings provide evidence of significant volatility spillover between oil and Brazil, China, India, Indonesia, Mexico, Russia and Turkey (E7) stock markets.

Findings

All emerging seven stock markets exhibit positive and low constant conditional correlations with oil assets. The magnitude of the correlation changes in respond to the country’s net position in the crude oil market. While a relatively high level of correlation exists between oil and the stock markets of net oil-exporting countries, a relatively low level of correlation exists between oil and the stock markets of net oil-importing countries.

Originality/value

The findings suggest that oil asset improves the risk-adjusted performance of a well-diversified portfolio of stocks. However, investors should invest a larger portion of their portfolios in E7 stock markets than in oil.
Multiple sclerosis patients and e-health system in Saudi Arabia
Authors: Alshamrani Foziah , Alnajashi Hind
Published: April 2021

Purpose

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a chronic autoimmune neurological disease. Disease-modifying therapies (DMTs) are mainstay lifelong treatment with no immediate benefits observed. Adherence to treatment is necessary, however, non-adherence is common problem in MS patients. This paper aims to evaluate patient-related factors and satisfactions affecting medication adherence in Saudi MS patients and their rights to discontinue them against medical advice.

Design/methodology/approach

In total, 409 patients diagnosed with MS, using self-administered DMT (oral and injectable), were randomly enrolled in a cross-sectional study. Electronic questionnaire was used in data collection.

Findings

Most participants (71.1%) did not know about their MS type. Average age of participants when diagnosed with MS was 27.9 ± 8 years (range 7–69), mean disease duration was 8.1 ± 6.6. Most patients received injectable therapy 363 (88%). Overall adherence in our sample was 67%. Age of participants and duration of disease had no impact on treatment adherence. No significant differences found between genders, educational level, marital status, and smoking in relation to treatment adherence. Route of administration did not reach statistical significance despite a higher percentage of adherence reported in patients on oral DMT [33% (n = 15)] versus injectable therapy [29% (n = 104)]. Conversely, there was significant difference between adherent and non-adherent patients according to anxiety (p = 0.002) and family history of MS (p = 0.011).

Originality/value

The results revealed that the age of the participants and the duration of the disease had no impact on adherence to treatment.
The impacts of supply chain finance initiatives on firm risk: evidence from service providers listed in the US
Authors: Lam Hugo K.S. , Zhan Yuanzhu
Published: April 2021

Purpose

This study empirically investigates how supply chain finance (SCF) initiatives together with different firm capabilities and resources (i.e. information technology (IT) capability, operational slack and political connections) affect the financial risk of service providers.

Design/methodology/approach

This study collects secondary longitudinal data to test for a direct impact of SCF initiatives on service providers' financial risk. It further investigates the moderating effects of the service provider's IT capability, operational slack and political connections. Additional tests and analytical strategies are performed to ensure the robustness of the results.

Findings

The findings indicate that SCF initiatives help service providers mitigate financial risk. The risk reduction is greater for service providers with higher IT capability, operational slack and political connections, but the last factor applies only to multinational corporations, not domestic companies.

Research limitations/implications

The data used in this research is limited to SCF service providers publicly listed in the United States, which may restrict the generalisability of the findings. Nonetheless, the research urges scholars to focus more on the financial risk implications of SCF in different market contexts.

Practical implications

This study encourages service providers to embrace the power of SCF initiatives for mitigating financial risk and allows them to evaluate their SCF investments in light of different firm capabilities and resources.

Originality/value

This is the first study investigating the impacts of SCF initiatives and various firm capabilities and resources on service providers' financial risk. The empirical findings provide important implications for future research and practices.
QUALITY PAPERA new rapid and robust multi-factorial screening for low-percentile use-rate accelerated reliability analysis
Authors: Besseris George , Tsarouhas Panagiotis
Published: April 2021

Purpose

The study aims to provide a quick-and-robust multifactorial screening technique for early detection of statistically significant effects that could influence a product's life-time performance.

Design/methodology/approach

The proposed method takes advantage of saturated fractional factorial designs for organizing the lifetime dataset collection process. Small censored lifetime data are fitted to the Kaplan–Meier model. Low-percentile lifetime behavior that is derived from the fitted model is used to screen for strong effects. A robust surrogate profiler is employed to furnish the predictions.

Findings

The methodology is tested on a difficult published case study that involves the eleven-factor screening of an industrial-grade thermostat. The tested thermostat units are use-rate accelerated to expedite the information collection process. The solution that is provided by this new method suggests as many as two active effects at the first decile of the data which improves over a solution provided from more classical methods.

Research limitations/implications

To benchmark the predicted solution with other competing approaches, the results showcase the critical first decile part of the dataset. Moreover, prediction capability is demonstrated for the use-rate acceleration condition.

Practical implications

The technique might be applicable to projects where the early reliability improvement is studied for complex industrial products.

Originality/value

The proposed methodology offers a range of features that aim to make the product reliability profiling process faster and more robust while managing to be less susceptible to assumptions often encountered in classical multi-parameter treatments.
Evolving a bi-objective optimization model for an after sales supply chain in presence of information asymmetry and service level requirement
Authors: Goswami Mohit , Daultani Yash , Tripathi Atul
Published: April 2021

Purpose

Optimization of resources related to man, money, manpower and those related to organization is critical in context of after-sales supply chains. Many times, organizational objectives in terms of resource optimization and providing superior customer experience might be conflicting, however.

Design/methodology/approach

One such instance is when customers expect near 100% service level in which case the organizational costs to meet such high service level goes up significantly. To this end, in this research a novel bi-objective optimization model has been evolved for a typical after-sales service supply chain network constituted of the manufacturer, the retailer and the customer. The first objective function pertains to maximization of the manufacturer's and the retailer's profit. The second objective function is related to the minimization of tardiness of order fulfilment (by the retailer) for the customer.

Findings

Employing a small problem instance, the authors generate a number of findings related to service level and information asymmetry. In particular, the authors observe that achieving best possible manufacturer-retailer profit and at the same time 100% service level is a mathematical impossibility. Furthermore, reducing information asymmetry between the customer and the retailer (as opposed to reducing information asymmetry between the retailer and the manufacturer) actually yields higher profits for the manufacturer-retailer pair.

Originality/value

This research describes the mathematical structure of a three-tier after-sales supply chain wherein information quality and service level requirements are key constraints. Furthermore, the study evolves the bi-objective optimization model as a formulation that can drive the operational decisions of manufacturers and retailers who are part of such after-sales service supply chains.
A proposal of recommendation function for element fill-in-Blank problems in java programming learning assistant system
Authors: Wint Su Sandy , Funabiki Nobuo
Published: April 2021

Purpose

To advance Java programming educations, the authors have developed a Web-based Java programming learning assistant system (JPLAS). It offers the element fill-in-blank problem (EFP) for novice students to study Java grammar and basic programming skills by filling in the missing elements in a source code. An EFP instance can be generated by selecting an appropriate code, and applying the blank element selection algorithm. As it is expected to cover broad grammar topics, a number of EFP instances have been generated. This paper aims to propose a recommendation function to guide a student solving the proper EFP instances among them.

Design/methodology/approach

This function considers the difficulty level of the EFP instance and the grammar topics that have been correctly answered by the student, and is implemented at the offline answering function of JPLAS using JavaScript so that students can use it even without the Internet connections.

Findings

To evaluate the effectiveness of the proposal, 85 EFP instances are prepared to cover various grammar topics, and are assigned to a total of 92 students in two universities in Myanmar and Indonesia to solve them using the recommendation function. Their solution results confirmed the effectiveness of the proposal.

Originality/value

The concept of the difficulty level for an EFP instance is newly defined for the proper recommendation, and the accuracy in terms of the average numbers of answer submission times among the students is verified.
The nexus between financial literacy and entrepreneurial success among young entrepreneurs from a low-income community in Cape Town: a mixed-method analysis
Authors: Munyuki Tinashe , Jonah Coretta Maame Panyin
Published: April 2021

Purpose

This paper aims to explore the association between financial literacy and entrepreneurial success among young entrepreneurs within an economically disadvantaged community in Cape Town, South Africa.

Design/methodology/approach

The mixed-method approach was adopted for the study. In-depth interviews were used in collecting the qualitative data while structured interviews using questionnaires were administered in collecting the quantitative data. The participants for the study were strictly young entrepreneurs.

Findings

The study found that entrepreneurs understood the concept of financial literacy and this was corroborated by their financial literacy average score of 59.03, which is above the national financial literacy average score of 54.00. The study further revealed that a positive association exists between financial literacy and entrepreneurial success. Hence, high levels of financial literacy result in increased business success.

Research limitations/implications

The sample size of the study was relatively small, for which reason, a mixed-method approach was adopted to strengthen the research findings. The research also considered only one disadvantaged community in South Africa (Khayelitsha).

Originality/value

To the best of the knowledge, the influences of financial literacy on the success of small and medium enterprises (SMEs) among young entrepreneurs have not been well-explored in economically disadvantaged areas within the South African context. As a result, this study sheds light by assessing the level of financial literacy among young entrepreneurs in economically disadvantaged communities and by determining the relationship between financial literacy and entrepreneurial success. The study further provides recommendations on policy-making to ensure that through successful entrepreneurship, developmental challenges such as unemployment can be reduced.
Multi-criteria decision-making framework for selecting sustainable private partners for housing projects
Authors: Abdullah Abdullah Khalid , Alshibani Adel
Published: April 2021

Purpose

This paper aims to develop a framework for the selection of private partners in the housing industry of Saudi Arabia under the scheme of the partnership between the public and private sectors.

Design/methodology/approach

By investigating criteria from a comprehensive literature review and experts input through surveys, developing further surveys incorporating decision-making methods: analytic hierarchy process (AHP) and multi-attribute utility theory (MAUT) to construct a framework for selection based on weightages and utilities.

Findings

The results identified criteria categorized under four categories: financial (C1), technical (C2), managerial (C3) and safety/environment (C4) and their sub-criteria. The study found that the main criteria were relatively close to each other in importance based on the subjective input of the experts with the technical and safety/environment criteria tying equally with 27% followed by the managerial with 24% and trailed by the financial with 22%.

Research limitations/implications

The study and surveys were conducted for the Saudi market and the experts were within the country.

Originality/value

The study contributes to the Saudi housing initiative which is a part of the 2030 Vision and provides insight to international investors who would be willing to invest in the Saudi market; and to the literature as there is a notable lack of study on public-private partnership in housing in Saudi Arabia.
Formalism in online education
Authors: Serdyukov Peter
Published: April 2021

Purpose

With the rapid transition of education from the traditional, classroom- or campus-based to the online format, there grows a need for not only taking advantage of online technology but also assessing actual and potential effects it can make on the learners, learning, education, and society. One of the risks inherent in online learning is its growing formalization both in the organization of the learning and in its process, which may gravely affect students’ learning, health, cognition, behavior and quality of the learning outcomes. It can also produce serious implications for the society. This article investigates the origins of formalization, its forms and stages, and discusses asynchronous, precision, and automated learning formats from this perspective. Among many issues, the impact of formalization on the learner's development and socialization is considered. The author offers a pragmatic solution for deformalization of online learning.

Design/methodology/approach

Qualitative analysis of contemporary research literature, educational trends and practices.

Findings

It was found that formalism permeates online education in many ways. It is present in asynchronous, precise and automated learning and may produce significant impact on students, their learning, and society.

Research limitations/implications

This is a qualitative research based on the analysis of current research literature and teaching practices.

Practical implications

While formalism in education is an unavoidable evil, its impact must be diminished. Critical analysis and practical recommendations offered may help improve online teaching and learning.

Social implications

Formalism affects both students' socialization in the online learning environment, and patterns of socialization in the society. It also impacts students’ cognition and behaviors. So, counteracting formalism may benefit the society's well-being.

Originality/value

The authors could not find any publications on this topic. So this is an original material which may contribute to improving online teaching and learning.
Fair trade coffee and inclusive globalization: a metamorphosis of institutional entrepreneurship
Authors: Zhu Rong , Sun Sunny Li , Huang Ying
Published: April 2021

Purpose

Initiated by non-governmental organizations (NGOs) over half a century ago, fair trade has successfully evolved from a regional business discourse to a global social movement within international trade. In the matter of fair trade coffee, this global social movement has transformed the traditional coffee trade structure of inequality and unfairness into a conglomerate of international institutions that embrace equity and inclusivity – a metamorphosis that can be attributed to NGOs’ institutional entrepreneurship.

Design/methodology/approach

In this exploratory study, the authors examine the fair trade coffee industry and trace the actions of NGOs along with other stakeholders at the organizational field level, in moving toward an inclusive model of globalization.

Findings

Departing from exploitative globalization, fair trade practices advocate inclusive growth through the promotion and establishment of greater equity for all as well as higher environmental standards in global value chains.

Research limitations/implications

This study contributes to nascent research on inclusive growth by analyzing how fair trade promotes inclusive growth and trade in GVCs. This study also contributes to research on institutional entrepreneurship by examining two enabling conditions – the shift in institutional logics and the peripheral social position of NGOs – that enabled NGOs to serve as institutional entrepreneurs in the initiation phase of institutional entrepreneurship.

Practical implications

Policymakers may encourage collaboration between profit organizations and nonprofit organizations to provide entrepreneurial opportunities for trials, errors, and revisions. The evolution of fair trade coffee provides such an example.

Social implications

The coevolution of NGOs and MNEs has made the globalization of fair trade practices possible. The collaboration between NGOs as institutional entrepreneurs (operating on the community logic) and MNEs as institutional followers (operating on the financial logic) support inclusive globalization and sustain fair trade practices.

Originality/value

Drawing on the process model of institutional entrepreneurship, the authors seek to understand the role of NGOs as institutional entrepreneurs in the dynamics of initiating, diffusing and sustaining fair trade coffee practices.
Leaning online education during COVID-19 pandemic – attitudes and perceptions of non-traditional adult learners
Authors: Singh Jitendra , Matthees Barbara , Odetunde AnaLisa
Published: April 2021

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is two-fold: to describe how Lean methodology can be used, during the COVID-19 pandemic, to enhance the learning experience for non-traditional adult learners (NALs) and to explore attitudes and perceptions of students toward the integration of Lean methodology in online classes.

Design/methodology/approach

Qualitative semi-structured interviews were used to collect data for the study. NALs were invited to participate in 60–75 min semi-structured interviews. These interviews allowed researchers to gain an in-depth understanding of a participant’s experience. A six-step thematic analysis framework was used to conduct the data analysis.

Findings

This paper presents a Lean model that can be implemented in an online medium of instruction. The core concepts of Lean methodology: jidoka, just-in-time, customer-centered approach, team involvement and standardization and how these can be used in online learning have been described in-depth. In total, 40 students participated in the semi-structured interviews. Four themes emerged from the data analysis: work-life balance; lack of standardization; learning online classes and connection to the workplace.

Practical implications

These findings could help academic institutions, instructors and course designers as they work on implementing new teaching and learning strategies for NALs.

Originality/value

There is extremely limited evidence on the usage of Lean methods for NALs in a public health crisis. As academic institutions move to the online medium of instruction to contain public health problems, this project can provide important practical tips to instructors.
Study on efficacy of moringa stenopetala seed oil extract for antimicrobial activities on textile materials
Authors: Gebino Gemeda , Ketema Gezu , Fenta Adina , Rotich Gideon Kipchirchir , Debebe Ayalew
Published: April 2021

Purpose

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the extract of Moringa stenopetala seed oil, by organic solvents (methanol and hexane), for its efficacy against microbial activity on cotton fabrics. The selected microbes for the study were two types of bacteria which are Gram-positive (S. aureus) and Gram-negative (E. coli).

Design/methodology/approach

Two types of bacteria, Gram-positive (S. aureus) and Gram-negative (E. coli) were used. The extract was applied on fabrics at a concentration of 5, 10 and 15 g/L using the pad-dry-cure method and antibacterial activities verified by the bacterial-growth reduction method. The treated fabrics were evaluated for antimicrobial activity against the bacteria before and after 15 washing cycles. The extract was examined for molecular structural change using fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and physical properties of the fabric; tensile strength, elongation, air permeability, stiffness and wettability were evaluated.

Findings

Results showed treated fabrics reduces the growth of Gram-positive (S. aureus) and Gram-negative (E. coli) bacteria from 77.6%–100% before wash and 45.8%–85.2% after wash for both extract concentrations. Comparing extracts, hexane extract reduces all bacteria growth than methanol extract for both extract concentrations while S. aureus was more susceptible to antimicrobial agents than E. coli at a lower concentration. As result, the tensile strength and air permeability were relatively lower than untreated ones without affecting the comfort properties of the fabric.

Originality/value

This study indicates that the Moringa stenopetala seed oil extract has a strong antimicrobial activity.
Can overtourism be managed? Destination management factors affecting residents’ irritation and quality of life
Authors: Mihalic Tanja , Kuščer Kir
Published: April 2021

Purpose

This paper aims to present a model to survey if effective destination management can manage (unsustainable) overtourism from the perspective of residents’ quality of life (QOL).

Design/methodology/approach

A constructivist approach, based on factors taken from conceptual overtourism model (Mihalic, 2020), was used to propose an overtourism QOL management model. Relationships among the factors were analysed with a path analyses model with two second-order latent factors. The model was tested in a real setting, the city of Ljubljana.

Findings

The proposed theoretical model is comprised of five factors: positive tourism impacts, negative tourism impacts, irritation with overtourism, residents’ QOL and destination management. Empirical tests confirmed the model. Positive tourism impacts positively affected residents’ QOL via destination management. Negative tourism impacts created overtourism-based resident irritation and negatively impacted their QOL.

Research limitations/implications

The model was limited to one group of sustainable tourism stakeholders: residents of a destination. The sustainability performance of tourism was only assessed based on residents’ QOL.

Practical implications

The proposed model adds to the conceptual knowledge of tourism and may be useful for (sustainable) destination managers to monitor the existence and causes of overtourism and may help to focus efforts to manage the causes of overtourism irritation and improve residents’ QOL.

Originality/value

Overtourism is a concern for residents of tourism destinations who become irritated by unsustainable tourism impacts on community resources and their QOL. The suggested model is the first to address destination management’s ability to manage unsustainable overtourism.
Tertiary tourism graduate employees and tourism employers’ perceptions on tourism skills and competencies relevant for providing quality tourism services in Kenya
Authors: Kimeto Janet C.
Published: April 2021

Purpose

This paper aims to identify skills and competencies perceived relevant by tourism graduate employees and tourism employers for providing quality tourism services in Kenya.
On recyclability of thermoplastic ABS polymer as fused filament for FDM technique of additive manufacturing
Authors: Chawla Kapil , Singh Rupinder , Singh Jaspreet
Published: April 2021

Purpose

The thermoplastic polymers do not decompose easily due to the presence of long-chain stable polymeric structure, and thus, causes serious effects on the environment. Recycling of these polymer wastes becomes the only solution to minimize their adverse effects on the environment. The purpose of this study was to explore the feasibility of using recycled thermoplastic material as filament for fused deposition modeling technique.

Design/methodology/approach

In this study, the researchers fabricated fused filaments (in-house) for fused deposition modeling (FDM) technique of additive manufacturing from secondary recycled acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS) by using a twin-screw extruder. After measuring the melt flow index of the secondary recycled ABS, the twin-screw extrusion parameters (rpm/speed of the screw, extrusion temperature and load) were varied to predict their influence on the various properties (rheological/mechanical/thermal) of the fabricated filaments. Experimental work was executed as per Taguchi’s L9 orthogonal array.

Findings

Thermal analysis performed to estimate the heat carrying capacity of recycled ABS highlighted that the heat capacity of ABS increases significantly from 0.28 J/g to 3.94 J/g during the heating cycle. The maximum value of peak strength and percentage break elongation for the fused filaments was investigated at 12.5 kg load, 2,250 C extrusion temperature and 70 rpm speed.

Originality/value

The filaments fabricated by recycling the polymeric waste has been successfully used in the FDM machine for the preparation of the three-dimensional printed tensile specimen.
Variation in seed dormancy and germination among populations of Silybum marianum (Asteraceae)
Authors: Monemizadeh Zahra , Ghaderi‐Far Farshid , Sadeghipour Hamid R. , Siahmarguee Asieh , Soltani Elias , Torabi Benjamin , Baskin Carol C.
Published: April 2021

Milk thistle (Silybum marianum) is a medicinal plant; however, lack of consistency in past dormancy studies has hindered propagation of this species from seeds. We tested the germination responses of freshly harvested and after‐ripened (stored for 2 and 7 months; 25°C at 50% relative humidity) seeds from three populations (P1, P2 and P3) in Iran at varying constant or alternating temperatures, with or without GA3 and in light and continuous darkness. No germination occurred in freshly harvested seeds incubated at any condition without GA3 application, indicating that all the seeds were dormant. Seeds from P1 and P2, which developed under relatively dry, warm conditions, germinated over a wider range of temperatures after 2 months of dry storage, indicating type 6 of non‐deep physiological dormancy (PD). Seeds from P3, which developed under relatively wet, cool conditions, incubated at constant temperatures (especially on GA3), exhibited an increase in maximum temperature for germination, indicating type 1 of non‐deep PD. Light improved germination of after‐ripened seeds, and GA3 application substituted for the light requirement for germination. This is the first report that environmental conditions during seed development may be correlated with differences in the type of non‐deep PD. We conclude that milk thistle seeds are positively photoblastic and photodormant and the germination responses of after‐ripened seeds from different populations are different under darkness. Therefore, the impacts of genetic differences and maternal effects on the induction of dormancy during seed development should be considered in attempts to domesticate this medicinal plant.
A fungal sirtuin modulates development and virulence in the insect pathogen, Beauveria bassiana
Authors: Cai Qing , Tian Li , Xie Jia‐Tao , Huang Qiu‐Ying , Feng Ming‐Guang , Keyhani Nemat O.
Published: April 2021

Chromatin transitions are mediated in part by acetylation/deacetylation post‐translational modifications of histones. Histone deacetylases, e.g. sirtuins (Sir‐proteins), repress transcription via promotion of heterochromatin formation. Here, we characterize the Sir2 class III histone deacetylase (BbSir2) in the environmentally and economically important fungal insect pathogen, Beauveria bassiana. BbSir2 is shown to contribute to the deacetylation of lysine residues on H3 and H4 histones. Targeted gene knockout of BbSir2 resulted in impaired asexual development, reduced abilities to utilize various carbon/nitrogen sources, reduced tolerance to oxidative, heat, and UV stress, and attenuated virulence. ΔBbSir2 cells showed disrupted cell cycle development and abnormal hyphal septation patterns. Proteomic protein acetylation analyses of wild type and ΔBbSir2 cells revealed the differential abundance of 462 proteins and altered (hyper‐ or hypo‐) acetylation of 436 lysine residues on 350 proteins. Bioinformatic analyses revealed enrichment in pathways involved in carbon/nitrogen metabolism, cell cycle control and cell rescue, defence and mitochondrial functioning. Critical targets involved in virulence included LysM effector proteins and a benzoquinone oxidoreductase implicated in detoxification of cuticular compounds. These data indicate broad effects of BbSir2 on fungal development and stress response, with identification of discrete targets that can account for the observed (decreased) virulence phenotype.
Micropearls and other intracellular inclusions of amorphous calcium carbonate: an unsuspected biomineralization capacity shared by diverse microorganisms
Authors: Segovia‐Campos Inés , Martignier Agathe , Filella Montserrat , Jaquet Jean‐Michel , Ariztegui Daniel
Published: April 2021

An unsuspected biomineralization process, which produces intracellular inclusions of amorphous calcium carbonate (ACC), was recently discovered in unicellular eukaryotes. These mineral inclusions, calledmicropearls, can be highly enriched with other alkaline‐earth metals (AEM) such as Sr and Ba. Similar intracellular inclusions of ACC have also been observed in prokaryotic organisms. These comparable biomineralization processes involving phylogenetically distant microorganisms are not entirely understood yet. This review gives a broad vision of the topic in order to establish a basis for discussion on the possible molecular processes behind the formation of the inclusions, their physiological role, the impact of these microorganisms on the geochemical cycles of AEM and their evolutionary relationship. Finally, some insights are provided to guide future research.
Robotic‐assisted surgery for rectal cancer with situs inversus totalis: A case report
Authors: Kasai Shunsuke , Hino Hitoshi , Shiomi Akio , Kagawa Hiroyasu , Manabe Shoichi , Yamaoka Yusuke , Kato Shunichiro , Hanaoka Marie , Kinugasa Yusuke
Published: April 2021

We present a very rare case of rectal cancer in a patient with situs inversus totalis (SIT), which is a complete transposition of the thoracic and abdominal viscera. A woman in her 60s visited a local hospital reporting bloody stool and was diagnosed with upper rectal cancer and SIT. We made careful preoperative preparations for the congenital anomaly, and robotic‐assisted high anterior resection with D3 lymph node dissection was performed. Although we adopted an unusual six‐port placement, the operation was performed safely and efficiently without any adverse events. The patient recovered uneventfully. The pathological specimen was classified as pT3N2bM0 with negative resection margins. Robotic‐assisted surgery is advantageous for rectal cancer treatment even when anatomical abnormalities make the surgical procedure more difficult.
Quantification of accuracy in field‐based land cover maps: A new method to separate different components
Authors: Haga Hannah E. E. S. , Nilsen Anne B. , Ullerud Heidrun A. , Bryn Anders
Published: April 2021

Aim

Many thematic land cover maps, such as maps of vegetation types, are based on field inventories. Studies show inconsistencies among field workers in such maps, explained by inter‐observer variation in classification and/or spatial delineation of polygons. In this study, we have tested a new method to assess the accuracy of these two components independently.

Location

Four study sites dominated by different ecosystems in southeast Norway.

Methods

We have used a vegetation‐based land cover classification system adapted to a map scale of 1:5,000. First, a consensus map, a map that can be considered an approximation of a flawless map, was established. Secondly, the consensus map was adapted to test the accuracy of classification and polygon delineation independently. We used 10 field workers to generate a consensus map, and 14 new field workers (in pairs) to test the accuracy (n = 7).

Results

The results show that the accuracy of polygon delineation is lower than that of land cover classification. This is in contrast with previous studies, but previous research designs have not enabled a separation of the two accuracy components.

Conclusion

We recommend strengthening the training and harmonization of field workers in general, and increasing the emphasis on polygon delineation.
“A healthy outside starts from the inside”: A matter of sustainable consumption behavior in Italy and Pakistan
Authors: Ishaq Muhammad Ishtiaq , Sarwar Huma , Ahmed Roheel
Published: April 2021

The aim of this research is to determine people's motives when purchasing organic food and how these motives are moderated by price sensitivity and ethical concerns in a cross‐cultural setting. A highly structured questionnaire was used to collect the data from 673 Italian and 594 Pakistani consumers, using the convenience sampling technique. Based on the etic research approach, the measurement invariance tests were performed, and data were analyzed using structural equation modeling. The results indicate that environmental concerns and health‐consciousness are significant predictors of subjective norms and purchase attitudes among Italian consumers. Food safety concern proved the strongest predictor of purchase attitude and perceived behavioral control among Pakistani consumers. The results also confirm the moderating role of ethical concerns and price sensitivity in buying organic food in both cultures. In terms of originality, this study fills significant gaps in the literature, particularly regarding the roles of attitude, behavioral control, and subjective norms in consumer buying motives and purchasing intentions in cross‐cultural studies but more importantly, the results validate that consumer concerns across the globe are related to the Sustainability Development Goals and the U.N. 2030 agenda, which aptly provides a blue print for the development and developmental goals and concerns across nations.
Nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide metabolism in the immune response, autoimmunity and inflammageing
Authors: Navarro Maria N. , Gómez de las Heras Manuel M. , Mittelbrunn Maria
Published: April 2021

Metabolism is dynamically regulated to accompany immune cell function, and altered immunometabolism can result in impaired immune responses. Concomitantly, the pharmacological manipulation of metabolic processes offers an opportunity for therapeutic intervention in inflammatory disorders. The nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD+) is a critical metabolic intermediate that serves as enzyme cofactor in redox reactions, and is also used as a co‐substrate by many enzymes such as sirtuins, adenosine diphosphate ribose transferases and synthases. Through these activities, NAD+ metabolism regulates a broad spectrum of cellular functions such as energy metabolism, DNA repair, regulation of the epigenetic landscape and inflammation. Thus, the manipulation of NAD+ availability using pharmacological compounds such as NAD+ precursors can have immune‐modulatory properties in inflammation. Here, we discuss how the NAD+ metabolism contributes to the immune response and inflammatory conditions, with a special focus on multiple sclerosis, inflammatory bowel diseases and inflammageing.

LINKED ARTICLES

This article is part of a themed issue on Inflammation, Repair and Ageing. To view the other articles in this section visit http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/bph.v179.9/issuetoc
Animation of virtual medical system under the background of virtual reality technology
Authors: Li Liang , Li Tingting
Published: April 2021

Virtual reality technology is a technology that uses a variety of scientific technologies such as computer systems, image displays, and sensors to perform human–computer interaction. Since the advent of virtual reality technology, the virtual reality + medical model has been highly expected. At present, three‐dimensional (3D) animation technology can be used in combination with virtual reality technology in medical systems. 3D animation technology can transform the transformed human medical image into a 3D character model, and animate the corresponding bones, and observe the model on the screen and operate the model like real surgery, completing virtual medical content learning, virtual medical skill training, virtual surgery preview. Applying 3D animation technology to virtual reality surgery training can effectively bypass the limitations of traditional surgery training modes, form multiple interactive real‐time effects, and bring a rich perceptual experience to the audience. Based on the above background, the research content of this article is the study of virtual medical system animation under the background of virtual reality technology. This paper analyzes the feasibility of virtual reality technology and 3D animation modeling, and designs a virtual medical system based on this. Finally, through experimental simulations, the results show that the gap h is getting larger and larger after the first approximation, and the gap between the Euler explicit method and the true value is larger, while the implicit method is more stable, and the gap does not increases too quickly with the increase of h. Hence choosing the implicit method to calculate Δt to obtain a larger value will not affect the stability of the solution.
An optimistic outlook on the use of evidence syntheses to inform environmental decision‐making
Authors: Thomas‐Walters Laura , Nyboer Elizabeth A. , Taylor Jessica J. , Rytwinski Trina , Lane John F. , Young Nathan , Bennett Joseph R. , Nguyen Vivian M. , Harron Nathan , Aitken Susan M. , Auld Graeme , Browne David , Jacob Aerin L. , Prior Kent , Smith Paul A. , Smokorowski Karen E. , Alexander Steven M. , Cooke Steven J.
Published: April 2021

Practitioners and policymakers working in environmental arenas make decisions that can have large impacts on ecosystems. Basing such decisions on high‐quality evidence about the effectiveness of different interventions can often maximize the success of policy and management. Accordingly, it is vital to understand how environmental professionals working at the science‐policy interface view and use different types of evidence, including evidence syntheses that collate and summarize available knowledge on a specific topic to save time for decision‐makers. We interviewed 84 senior environmental professionals in Canada working at the science‐policy interface to explore their confidence in, and use of, evidence syntheses within their organizations. Interviewees value evidence syntheses because they increase confidence in decision‐making, particularly for high‐profile or risky decisions. Despite this enthusiasm, the apparent lack of available syntheses for many environmental issues means that use can be limited and tends to be opportunistic. Our research suggests that if relevant, high quality evidence syntheses exist, they are likely to be used and embraced in decision‐making spheres. Therefore, efforts to increase capacity for conducting evidence syntheses within government agencies and/or funding such activities by external bodies have the potential to enable evidence‐based decision‐making.