bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Chiral conformity emerges from the least-time free energy consumption
Authors: Annila Arto
Published: April 2023

The prevalence of chirally pure biological polymers is often assumed to stem from some slight preference for one chiral form at the origin of life. Likewise, the predominance of matter over antimatter is presumed to follow from some subtle bias for matter at the dawn of the universe. However, rather than being imposed from the start, handedness standards in societies emerged to make things work. Since work is the universal measure of transferred energy, it is reasoned that standards at all scales and scopes emerge to consume free energy. Free energy minimization, equal to entropy maximization, turns out to be the second law of thermodynamics when derived from statistical physics of open systems. This many-body theory is based on the atomistic axiom that everything comprises the same fundamental elements known as quanta of action; hence, everything follows the same law. According to the thermodynamic principle, the flows of energy
naturally select
standard structures over less-fit functional forms to consume free energy in the least time. Thermodynamics making no distinction between animate and inanimate renders the question of life’s handedness meaningless and deems the search for an intrinsic difference between matter and antimatter pointless.
Symmetry–simplicity, broken symmetry–complexity
Authors: Krakauer David C.
Published: April 2023

Complex phenomena are made possible when: (i) fundamental physical symmetries are broken and (ii) from the set of broken symmetries historically selected ground states are applied to performing mechanical work and storing adaptive information. Over the course of several decades Philip Anderson enumerated several key principles that can follow from broken symmetry in complex systems. These include emergence, frustrated random functions, autonomy and generalized rigidity. I describe these as the four Anderson Principles all of which are preconditions for the emergence of evolved function. I summarize these ideas and discuss briefly recent extensions that engage with the related concept of functional symmetry breaking, inclusive of information, computation and causality.
As without, so within: how the brain's temporo-spatial alignment to the environment shapes consciousness
Authors: Northoff Georg , Klar Philipp , Bein Magnus , Safron Adam
Published: April 2023

Consciousness is constituted by a structure that includes contents as foreground and the environment as background. This structural relation between the experiential foreground and background presupposes a relationship between the brain and the environment, often neglected in theories of consciousness. The temporo-spatial theory of consciousness addresses the brain–environment relation by a concept labelled ‘temporo-spatial alignment’. Briefly, temporo-spatial alignment refers to the brain's neuronal activity's interaction with and adaption to interoceptive bodily and exteroceptive environmental stimuli, including their symmetry as key for consciousness. Combining theory and empirical data, this article attempts to demonstrate the yet unclear neuro-phenomenal mechanisms of temporo-spatial alignment. First, we suggest three neuronal layers of the brain's temporo-spatial alignment to the environment. These neuronal layers span across a continuum from longer to shorter timescales. (i) The background layer comprises longer and more powerful timescales mediating topographic-dynamic similarities between different subjects' brains. (ii) The intermediate layer includes a mixture of medium-scaled timescales allowing for stochastic matching between environmental inputs and neuronal activity through the brain's intrinsic neuronal timescales and temporal receptive windows. (iii) The foreground layer comprises shorter and less powerful timescales for neuronal entrainment of stimuli temporal onset through neuronal phase shifting and resetting. Second, we elaborate on how the three neuronal layers of temporo-spatial alignment correspond to their respective phenomenal layers of consciousness. (i) The inter-subjectively shared contextual background of consciousness. (ii) An intermediate layer that mediates the relationship between different contents of consciousness. (iii) A foreground layer that includes specific fast-changing contents of consciousness. Overall, temporo-spatial alignment may provide a mechanism whose different neuronal layers modulate corresponding phenomenal layers of consciousness. Temporo-spatial alignment can provide a bridging principle for linking physical-energetic (free energy), dynamic (symmetry), neuronal (three layers of distinct time–space scales) and phenomenal (form featured by background–intermediate–foreground) mechanisms of consciousness.
Symmetry and complexity in object-centric deep active inference models
Authors: Ferraro Stefano , Van de Maele Toon , Verbelen Tim , Dhoedt Bart
Published: April 2023

Humans perceive and interact with hundreds of objects every day. In doing so, they need to employ mental models of these objects and often exploit symmetries in the object’s shape and appearance in order to learn generalizable and transferable skills. Active inference is a first principles approach to understanding and modelling sentient agents. It states that agents entertain a generative model of their environment, and learn and act by minimizing an upper bound on their surprisal, i.e. their free energy. The free energy decomposes into an accuracy and complexity term, meaning that agents favour the least complex model that can accurately explain their sensory observations. In this paper, we investigate how inherent symmetries of particular objects also emerge as symmetries in the latent state space of the generative model learnt under deep active inference. In particular, we focus on object-centric representations, which are trained from pixels to predict novel object views as the agent moves its viewpoint. First, we investigate the relation between model complexity and symmetry exploitation in the state space. Second, we do a principal component analysis to demonstrate how the model encodes the principal axis of symmetry of the object in the latent space. Finally, we also demonstrate how more symmetrical representations can be exploited for better generalization in the context of manipulation.
Neuromodulatory control of complex adaptive dynamics in the brain
Authors: Shine James M.
Published: April 2023

How is the massive dimensionality and complexity of the microscopic constituents of the nervous system brought under sufficiently tight control so as to coordinate adaptive behaviour? A powerful means for striking this balance is to poise neurons close to the critical point of a phase transition, at which a small change in neuronal excitability can manifest a nonlinear augmentation in neuronal activity. How the brain could mediate this critical transition is a key open question in neuroscience. Here, I propose that the different arms of the ascending arousal system provide the brain with a diverse set of heterogeneous control parameters that can be used to modulate the excitability and receptivity of target neurons—in other words, to act as control parameters for mediating critical neuronal order. Through a series of worked examples, I demonstrate how the neuromodulatory arousal system can interact with the inherent topological complexity of neuronal subsystems in the brain to mediate complex adaptive behaviour.
Reflections on the asymmetry of causation
Authors: Ismael Jenann
Published: April 2023

The most immediately salient asymmetry in our experience of the world is the asymmetry of causation. In the last few decades, two developments have shed new light on the asymmetry of causation: clarity in the foundations of statistical mechanics, and the development of the interventionist conception of causation. In this paper, we ask what is the status of the causal arrow, assuming a thermodynamic gradient and the interventionist account of causation? We find that there is an objective asymmetry rooted in the thermodynamic gradient that underwrites the causal asymmetry: along a thermodynamic gradient, interventionist causal pathways—scaffolded intervention-supporting probabilistic relationships between variables—will propagate influence into the future, but not into the past. The reason is that the present macrostate of the world, in the presence of a low entropy boundary condition, will screen off probabilistic correlations to the past. The asymmetry, however, emerges only under the macroscopic coarse-graining and that raises the question of whether the arrow is simply an artefact of the macroscopic lenses through which we see the world. The question is sharpened and an answer proposed.
Mixed anhydrides at the intersection between peptide and RNA autocatalytic sets: evolution of biological coding
Authors: Kauffman S. A. , Lehman N.
Published: April 2023

We present a scenario for the origin of biological coding, a semiotic relationship between chemical information stored in one location that links to chemical information stored in a separate location. Coding originated from cooperation between two, originally separate, collectively autocatalytic sets (CASs), one for nucleic acids and one for peptides. Upon interaction, a series of RNA folding-directed processes led to their joint cooperativity. The aminoacyl adenylate was the first covalent association made by these two CASs and solidified their interdependence, and is a palimpsest of this era, a relic of the original semiotic relationship between RNA and proteins. Coding was driven by selection pressure to eliminate waste in CASs. Eventually a 1 : 1 relationship between single amino acids and short RNA pieces was established, i.e. the ‘genetic code’. The two classes of aaRS enzymes are remnants of the complementary information in two RNA strands, as postulated by Rodin and Ohno. Every stage in the evolution of coding was driven by the downward selection on the components of a system to satisfy the Kantian whole. Coding was engendered because there were two chemically distinct classes of polymers needed for open-ended evolution; systems with only one polymer cannot exhibit this characteristic. Coding is thus synonymous with life as we know it.
Crystal structure of bis[4-(allyloxy)-N′-(but-2-en-1-ylidene)benzohydrazidato]nickel(II)
Authors: Khan Sultana Shakila , Howlader Md. Belayet Hossain , Sheikh Md. Chanmiya , Miyatake Ryuta , Zangrando Ennio
Published: April 2023

In the title complex, [Ni(C14H15N2O2)2], the nickel(II) atom exhibits a square-planar coordination geometry, being coordinated by two negatively charged N,O chelating ligands in a trans configuration, with the metal located on a crystallographic center of symmetry. The X-ray structural characterization showed the complex to be disordered over two orientations with refined occupancies of 0.898 (2) and 0.102 (2). The whole molecule is close to planar, the five- and six-membered rings subtending a dihedral angle of 7.5 (2)°. The crystal packing is supported by C—H...π and C—H...O interactions that form a di-periodic layered network.
Individuals with intellectual disabilities experiences of the therapeutic relationship
Authors: Parker Sarah , Ward Tony , Baldwin Amelia
Published: April 2023

Purpose

This research aimed to explore individuals with intellectual disabilities (ID) experiences of the therapeutic relationship.

Design/methodology/approach

Six individuals with ID were recruited who were currently having 1:1 therapy. Semi-structured interviews focused on their experiences of the therapeutic relationship.

Findings

Using interpretative phenomenological analysis, six personal experiential themes were identified. These were labelled as a person-centred experience, the importance of adaptions, “I feel like I know you”, a secure base is offered, change does occur and an overlap of subjective experience. The results indicate that participants’ accounts of their experiences indicated that the relationship was important to them. This research also demonstrated that the benefits and value of involving individuals with ID in qualitative research.

Originality/value

To the best of the authors’ knowledge, exploring the therapeutic relationship from the perspective of individuals with ID has not been previously explored in the literature. This research highlights considerations for therapists working with this population to help them facilitate positive therapeutic outcomes.
Halcyon and on and on: an exploratory study of online collections of computer games
Authors: Cross Keenan
Published: April 2023

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to survey the landscape of online collections of digital games.

Design/methodology/approach

First, the study identifies existing sites hosting collections and criteria that make a collection valuable for research, then it reports on sites that fit the criteria and analyzes trends.

Findings

Most sites provide simple binary downloads, but some choose encapsulation. Common metadata terms consistently include genre, year of release and publisher. Most sites claim the right to provide their collections as “abandonware,” but remove games if they are asked to.

Research limitations/implications

This study was conducted using a very limited subcategory of digital games, which could be expanded in other studies. Future research may require a multilingual team to account for collections based in non–English-speaking countries. Direct communication with sites’ management may be valuable in the future as well, but was not conducted in this study.

Practical implications

The study identifies practices that have developed organically in this field without any guiding standards. Understanding these may aid in Humanities research into digital games, as well as potential collection development in the future.

Social implications

Digital games are increasingly important as cultural artifacts, and there is a growing effort to preserve them for the future, but there are no standards for collecting and providing them. Understanding how this is currently done can help in providing access into the future for both casual and analytical use.

Originality/value

While game preservation is a growing and active field of research, no study has been published in recent years on this particular subject. It will be valuable for the development of future collections and for research using current ones.
IFRS 9 and earnings management: the case of European commercial banks
Authors: Nnadi Matthias , Keskudee Atis , Amaewhule Wey
Published: April 2023

Purpose

This paper examines the impact of International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) 9 on earnings management (EM) using data from 2011 to 2019 of 100 commercial banks in Europe.

Design/methodology/approach

Using data from 2011 to 2019 of 100 commercial banks in Europe, the authors conducted several empirical investigations to test the mediating role of IFRS 9 on earnings manipulation through loan loss provision (LLP) by banks.

Findings

The result shows that the new accounting standards (IFRS 9) significantly affect the way banks report LLP. This paper provides evidence that non-listed banks in the EU engage in EM through LLP following IFRS 9 but experience less volatility of net income following the adoption. The findings indicate that such behaviour by banks cannot be suppressed by level of audit quality; suggesting that an improvement in accounting standards might not always guarantee accounting quality.

Originality/value

This finding has some policy implications; and regulators will need to identify additional tools to regulate or supervise EM behaviour.
Linking customer mistreatment to employees’ helping behaviour: a self-efficacy perspective of autonomous and dependent helping
Authors: Wu Haibo , Chen Mengsang , Wang Xiaohui
Published: April 2023

Purpose

Drawing on the self-cognitive theory, this study aims to propose a conceptual model that links customer mistreatment with different types of helping behaviors through the self-efficacy mechanism.

Design/methodology/approach

The empirical analysis made use of the original data of three hotels located in southern China. The authors tested the hypotheses with a three-wave survey of a sample of 430 frontline workers in 95 groups.

Findings

Customer mistreatment may reduce employees’ self-efficacy, which has both positive and negative effects depending on the type of helping. Moreover, the coworkers’ supporting climate buffered the influence of self-efficacy on autonomous and dependent helping.

Originality/value

The authors resolve the ambiguity surrounding customer mistreatment-helping and self-efficacy-helping relations. Thus, the authors extend the knowledge on the influence of customer mistreatment and self-efficacy on helping behaviors by establishing that both positive and negative effects may exist depending on the type of helping. Moreover, this study identifies the predictive role of self-efficacy in autonomous and dependent helping.
Does value co-creation matter? Assessing consumer responses in the sharing economy
Authors: Nadeem Waqar , Salo Jari
Published: April 2023

Purpose

The sharing economy has evolved as a result of the diffusion of information and communication technology and facilitates collaborative consumption and production otherwise known as value co-creation. The present research aims to explore the consumer responses to value co-creation in sharing economy such as satisfaction, brand preference and enduring buyer–platform relationships, amid consumer's CSR concerns.

Design/methodology/approach

Drawing on the sharing economy and value co-creation literature and rooted in the stimulus-organism-response framework, an online panel data provider was employed to recruit 393 actual sharing economy consumers from the United States. Empirical analyses are performed using structural equation modeling through Amos, version.27.

Findings

Findings confirm that value co-creation intentions contribute to consumers' satisfaction, brand preference and sustainable social relationships in the sharing economy. As expected, heightened concerns of corporate social responsibility (CSR) led to decreased consumer satisfaction with the sharing economy platform.

Originality/value

The study contributes to the digital sharing economy literature by emphasizing the role of CSR perceptions for building long-term relationships (buyer–platform relationships) where value co-creation is crucial.
Abusive behaviors: long-term forced quarantine and intimate partner violence during Covid-19 outbreak
Authors: Hosain Md Sajjad , Jakia Umma
Published: April 2023

Purpose

As Covid-19 became a pandemic, numerous people were forced to stay at home, leading to increased intimate partner violence (IPV) in many countries, particularly in developing and least-developed ones. This paper aims to highlight the IPV based on 15 different cases formed from the practical evidence of five developing countries.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors interviewed 15 women from five countries who were the victims of IPV during the early periods of Covid-19 outbreak. Due to geographical remoteness, the authors conducted informal telephone interviews to collect the participants' personal experiences. The conversations were recorded with participants' permission; afterwards, the authors summarized participants’ experiences into 15 different cases without revealing their original identities (instead, disguised names were used).

Findings

It was revealed that the women were the primary victims of such violence, particularly from their intimate partners (husbands). In most cases, such IPV, as reported by the interviewees, originated or increased after the pandemic when they were forced to stay at home, losing their partners’ jobs or income sources.

Originality/value

The authors summarized the causes of IPV and put forward a few action recommendations based on the interviewees’ practical experience and existing literature. This paper will open a new window for research investigations on IPV during emergencies such as Covid-19 outbreak.
Fat cats or sociable wolves? Swedish real estate brokers and intrinsic rewards - A quantitative empirical generalization
Authors: Ahlenius Martin , Kågström Jonas
Published: April 2023

Purpose

Intrinsic motivation affects job satisfaction and turnover intention. Still, previous motivational studies among real estate brokers (brokers) have primarily focused on extrinsic rewards, leaving intrinsic rewards/motivation practically unexplored. The purpose of this study is therefore to evaluate the role of both satisfaction with intrinsic rewards (SIR) and satisfaction with extrinsic rewards (SER) on job satisfaction and turnover intention among Swedish brokers.

Design/methodology/approach

This article is a replication, more precisely an empirical generalization and extension, of Mosquera et al.’s (2020) study conducted among brokers in Portugal. Using a sample of 910 Swedish brokers, the study analyzes a conceptual framework and tests hypotheses by using partial least squares (PLS).

Findings

Results indicate that SIR has a very strong impact on job satisfaction, which is not the case in the Portuguese sample. On the other hand, SER does not have an impact on job satisfaction, which is the case in the Portuguese sample. SIR does not have an impact on turnover intention in the Swedish sample, whereas SER does. Job satisfaction has twice the positive impact on turnover intention in the Swedish sample compared to the Portuguese. Furthermore, job satisfaction mediates the relationship between SIR/SER and turnover intention.

Research limitations/implications

Findings of this study extend the existing literature of satisfaction with extrinsic and in particular intrinsic rewards on job satisfaction and turnover intention in the context of the brokerage industry. The most interesting difference between the samples is that Swedish brokers display much higher levels of satisfaction with intrinsic rewards. On the other hand, Swedish brokers appear to be less driven by extrinsic rewards, which is not in line with prior studies within brokerage.

Practical implications

Both managers and students planning to become brokers should consider that SIR has a stronger impact on job satisfaction than SER. What are perceived as intrinsic rewards, however, is highly subjective, which is troublesome from a managerial perspective, even more so as SIR is much harder to influence than SER. Given that intrinsic motivation is primarily a consequence of needs fulfillment, screening of applicants for person-job fit ought to increase job satisfaction and reduce turnover given its focus on the congruence between job demands and worker’s needs, respectively, what a job provides and the worker’s needs.

Originality/value

This study contributes to the brokerage research field by indicating that being a broker differs substantially between countries and that intrinsic rewards matter for Swedish brokers.
Company size, online reviews and customer responses: implications for SMEs in the hospitality field
Authors: Ruiz-Equihua Daniel , Casaló Luis V. , Romero Jaime
Published: April 2023

Purpose

Previous research into online reviews in the hospitality industry has focused mainly on big companies; thus, it is not yet known whether its findings apply also to small and medium enterprises (SMEs), the most abundant in the sector. Focusing on online reviews in the hospitality sector, this study aims to analyse whether firm size moderates the relationship between online review valence and customer responses.

Design/methodology/approach

This study uses a 2 (positive vs negative online review) × 2 (SME vs big company) experimental research design conducted in two hospitality settings, hotels and restaurants.

Findings

The impact of online reviews on customer responses is less intense for smaller hospitality companies.

Originality/value

This study incorporates firm size as a moderator of the relationship between online review valence and customer responses in two hospitality settings, restaurants and hotels.
The reverse logistics resource matrix: a novel classification scheme
Authors: Aryee Raphael , Adaku Ebenezer
Published: April 2023

Purpose

This study presents a resource framework for reverse logistics operations based on widespread literature and industry experience. A common and comprehensive definition of resources that affect the implementation of reverse logistics is still patchy in the extant literature. Hence, a complete scheme, such as this, for the categorisation of resources that affect the implementation of reverse logistics is essential. This provides a useful information for business managers and extends reverse logistics research.

Design/methodology/approach

This study systematically identified, and validated with the help of reverse logistics experts, the resources that affect the implementation of reverse logistics.

Findings

The result is a classification scheme, termed as “reverse logistics resource matrix” (RLRM). This matrix offers a holistic overview of the resources that affect the implementation of reverse logistics for both scholars and practitioners.

Originality/value

To best of the researchers' knowledge, the RLRM is the first attempt to comprehensively structure the resources that affect the implementation of reverse logistics in an integrated framework.
The culturo-techno-contextual approach and students' understanding of computer science education in a developing economy
Authors: Abdulhadi Mariyam , Awaah Fred , Agbanimu Deborah , Ekwam Emmanuel Okyere , Heloo Emmanuella Sefiamor
Published: April 2023

Purpose

The lecture method has been compared with teaching methods such as flip learning, cooperative learning and simulations to establish which holds the key to students' understanding of concepts. What is bereft in the education literature is its comparative efficiency with the culturo-techno contextual approach (CTCA) in the teaching of computer science education.

Design/methodology/approach

This study adopted the quasi-experimental design to determine the efficacy of the CTCA in breaking difficulties related to the study of spreadsheets as a difficult concept in the Nigerian computer science education curriculum. Junior high school students studying computer science education participated in the study. The control group had 30 students, with 35 students in the experimental group. The experimental group was taught using CTCA, while the control group used the lecture method. The spread sheet achievement test, which had 40 items on spreadsheet, was used to collect data.

Findings

The results showed that the experimental group significantly outperformed the control group [F (1,60) = 41.89; p < 0.05]. The findings showed the potential of CTCA in improving students' performance in spreadsheets in the computer science education curriculum.

Originality/value

The originality of this study is hinged on its ground-breaking test of the CTCA to the study of the spreadsheet. The findings of this study indicate its efficacy in improving students' understanding of spreadsheet and computer science education.
School library reading support for students with dyslexia: a qualitative study in the digital age
Authors: Li Qingyu , Wong Jenny , Chiu Dickson K.W.
Published: April 2023

Purpose

This paper investigates school library services in the digital age for students with dyslexia and explores the impact of current library services on students’ learning.

Design/methodology/approach

A qualitative study with semi-structured interviews was designed according to the LAFE (Look and listen, Assistance and accessibility, Format and fit, and Environment) framework for learners with dyslexia and the 5E instructional model and conducted with 11 school librarians.

Findings

Results indicated that participants lacked knowledge of dyslexia for appropriate library services. Awareness, IT skills, school administration, funding and parental attitudes would influence the library’s tailored services to dyslexic children, despite the rich resources in these participants’ libraries, including paperbacks, digital resources and electronic devices. Adaptations are necessary to provide accessible services, especially by applying digital technologies, and school libraries can positively impact students’ reading interests, promote knowledge inquiry and strengthen information literacy skills.

Originality/value

While students with dyslexia spend significant time in schools, limited studies focus on school library services in the digital age, especially in Asia. This study fills the gap by systematically exploring the issue with the 5E instructional model.
A framework for transitioning brand trust to brand love
Authors: Marmat Geeta
Published: April 2023

Purpose

This study aims to propose a conceptual framework for transition of brand trust to brand love in an uncertain market situation, from the perspective of cognitive-emotion theory (CET).

Design/methodology/approach

Since brand anthropomorphism is successfully established in branding research, this study takes cognitive characteristics of brand trust and emotional characteristic of brand love from extant literature to develop a conceptual framework for transformation of brand trust (cognition) into brand love (emotion). This study situates the relationship in the context of market uncertainty due to the COVID-19 pandemic. It focuses in the development of the conceptual framework by taking cognitive components of brand trust and brand behavioural characteristics as moderator, in uncertain market situation.

Findings

Findings suggest that transition of brand trust (cognition) to brand love (emotion) is possible in uncertain situation, and brand behavioural characteristics moderate this relationship. Brand behavioural characteristics are brand innovativeness, brand ethicality, brand empathy, brand expertise and brand agility, which have the potential to further strengthen the relationship in the given situation.

Research limitations/implications

This research proposes a conceptual model and propositions that add a rich understanding to the relationship of brand trust and brand love, which requires empirical testing in any brand category context. Through a richer understanding of conditions and the underlying psychological mechanism, researchers and marketers, brand managers, policymakers and so forth can gain insights that aid strategic decision-making. Trusted brands can leverage on the situation by highlighting unique behavioural characteristics to establish a strong and sustainable long-term relationship.

Originality/value

The current research is an attempt to provide deeper insights from the perspective of CET, into the relationship of brand trust (cognition) and brand love (emotion) by introducing conditions under which a trusted brand becomes a lovable brand in uncertain market situation, thereby adding new knowledge to branding, customer-brand relationship sustainability, in uncertainty literature. The new perspective, that is CET, puts forward a novice view on the advantage of brand love over brand trust that could help in formulating strategic decisions in managing brands in crisis situation.
Experimental study on the fracture behavior variation of the Au stud bump bonding with different high temperature storage times
Authors: Zhang Xiangou , Wang Yuexing , Sun Xiangyu , Deng Zejia , Pu Yingdong , Zhang Ping , Huang Zhiyong , Zhou Quanfeng
Published: April 2023

Purpose

Au stud bump bonding technology is an effective means to realize heterogeneous integration of commercial chips in the 2.5D electronic packaging. The purpose of this paper is to study the long-term reliability of the Au stud bump treated by four different high temperature storage times (200°C for 0, 100, 200 and 300 h).

Design/methodology/approach

The bonding strength and the fracture behavior are investigated by chip shear test. The experiment is further studied by microstructural characterization approaches such as scanning electron microscope, energy dispersive spectrometer and so on.

Findings

It is recognized that there were mainly three typical fracture models during the chip shear test among all the Au stud bump samples treated by high temperature storage. For solder bump before aging, the fracture occurred at the interface between the Cu pad and the Au stud bump. As the aging time increased, the fracture mainly occurred inside the Au stud bump at 200°C for 100 and 200 h. When aging time increased to 300 h, it is found that the fracture transferred to the interface between the Au stud bump and the Al Pad.

Originality/value

In addition, the bonding strength also changed with the high temperature storage time increasing. The bonding strength does not change linearly with the high temperature storage time increasing but decreases first and then increases. The investigation shows that the formation of the intermetallic compounds because of the reaction between the Au and Al atoms plays a key role on the bonding strength and fracture behavior variation.
Effect of CaCO3 and compatibilizer SMA-2025 on the property of CaCO3/PLA/PBAT shape memory composites
Authors: Yu Laiming , Fu Yaqin , Dong Yubing
Published: April 2023

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to improve the mechanical property and processing performance and reduce the cost of the polylacticacid/polybutyleneadipate-co-terephthalate(PLA/PBAT) composites, the calcium carbonate (CaCO3) and compatibilizer styrene-maleicanhydride copolymer (SMA-2025) were added to the PLA/PBAT system, and the effect of CaCO3 and SMA-2025 on the morphology, structure, mechanical property, thermal property, thermalstability and shape memory property of the CaCO3/PLA/PBAT composites were studied and discussed.

Design/methodology/approach

The CaCO3/PLA/PBAT shape memory composites were prepared via melt-blending and hot-pressing methods, and the effect of CaCO3 and SMA-2025 on the property of the composites was investigated via scanning electron microscope, universal testing instrument, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, differential scanning calorimetry, thermogravimetric analysis and DMA, respectively.

Findings

The interface property, mechanical property, thermal stability, shape memory recovery ratios and recovery stresses, and processing performance of the CaCO3/PLA/PBAT shape memory composites were significantly improved by adding of CaCO3 and SMA-2025. Moreover, the CaCO3/PLA/PBAT composites have good blowing film processing performance.

Originality/value

This study will provide a reference for the research, processing and application of the high-performance CaCO3/PLA/PBAT shape memory composites.
A state-of-the-art review on advanced ceramic materials: fabrication, characteristics, applications, and wettability
Authors: Randhawa Kawaljit Singh
Published: April 2023

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to prepare a state-of-the-art review on advanced ceramic materials including their fabrication techniques, characteristics, applications and wettability.

Design/methodology/approach

This review paper presents the various types of advanced ceramic materials according to their compounding elements, fabrication techniques of advanced ceramic powders as well as their consolidation, their characteristics, applications and wetting properties. Hydrophobic/hydrophilic properties of advanced ceramic materials are described in the paper with their state-of-the-art application areas. Optical properties of fine ceramics with their intrinsic characteristics are also presented within. Special focus is given to the brief description of application-based manipulation of wetting properties of advanced ceramics in the paper.

Findings

The study of wetting/hydrophobicity/hydrophilicity of ceramic materials is important by which it can be further modified to achieve the required applications. It also makes some sense that the material should be tested for its wetting properties when it is going to be used in some important applications like biomedical and dental. Also, these advanced ceramics are now often used in the fabrication of filters and membranes to purify liquid/water so the study of wetting characteristics of these materials becomes essential. The optical properties of advanced ceramics are equally making them suitable for many state-of-the-art applications. Dental, medical, imaging and electronics are the few sectors that use advanced ceramics for their optical properties.

Originality/value

This review paper includes various advanced ceramic materials according to their compounding elements, different fabrication techniques of powders and their consolidation, their characteristics, various application area and hydrophobic/hydrophilic properties.
The other side of the local government ledger—The association between revenue growth and population growth
Authors: Drew Joseph , Miyazaki Masato , A. Kortt Michael
Published: April 2023

Population growth exerts an impact on both sides of the local government accounting ledger—expenditure and revenue. Despite this fact, the vast scholarly literature on local government finance has been myopically focussed on expenditure functions. This apparent neglect to also consider the revenue side of the ledger is problematic because many regulators across the globe have exhorted local governments to pursue growth according to the assumption that it will promote fiscal health. In this article, we first set out a number of propositions that combine to cast some doubt on the common wisdom dispensed by local government policy‐makers. Following this, we empirically explore the effects of population growth on revenue by making recourse to a comprehensive 10‐year panel of revenue and population data. We conclude our work with some important public policy recommendations arising from the need to mitigate the prima facie surprising results that we obtain.

Points for practitioners

Public policy architects have exhorted local governments to pursue population growth as a way to mitigate financial sustainability problems. However, this advice has been based on assumptions only and not subjected to empirical investigation.

Econometric estimations demonstrate a negative association between unit revenue and population growth which means that the policy advice is likely to exacerbate financial distress.

A number of changes could be made to local government taxation, pricing, and grants that would mitigate the deleterious effects of population growth on financial sustainability.
Founding Team Entrepreneurial Experience, External Financing and Social Enterprise Performance
Authors: Sahasranamam Sreevas , Lall Saurabh , Nicolopoulou Katerina , Shaw Eleanor
Published: April 2023

This paper examines the influence of founding team entrepreneurial experience (for‐profit and non‐profit) on social enterprise performance and also considers the contingent effects of two forms of external financial capital (commercial and philanthropic finance), through the lens of both human capital and institutional logics. Using a global dataset of social enterprises, we find that non‐profit entrepreneurial experience boosts social enterprise performance. Additionally, we find that having a complementary institutional logics (social or commercial) fit between the founding team's human capital and external financial capital is positively associated with social enterprise performance.
Understanding how healthcare providers build consumer trust in the Australian food system: A qualitative study
Authors: Pillen Heath , Withall Liz , Tonkin Emma , Ward Paul R. , Meyer Samantha B. , Henderson Julie , McCullum Dean , Coveney John , Wilson Annabelle M.
Published: April 2023

Aim

This study aimed to identify how dietitians and other healthcare providers work to build trust in food systems in the course of providing dietary education.

Methods

Qualitative semi‐structured interviews were conducted with 15 purposefully sampled dietitians (n = 5), general practitioners (n = 5), and complementary and alternative medicine practitioners (n = 5) within metropolitan South Australia. Interview data were then interpreted using an inductive thematic analysis approach, involving the construction of themes representing trust‐enhancing roles around which beliefs about professional roles, the ‘patient’, and food and health were clustered.

Results

Healthcare providers communicate beliefs regarding (dis)trust in food systems through: (i) responding to patient queries and concerns following a food incident or scare; (ii) helping patients to identify (un)trustworthy elements of food supply systems; and (iii) encouraging consumption of locally produced and minimally processed food. Importantly, the expression of these roles differed according to participant beliefs about food and health (medico‐scientific versus alternative medicine) and their adoption of professional projects that sought to promote medico‐scientific ways of thinking about health and diet or manage the failures of Western medicine.

Conclusion

The development and consolidation of trust‐enhancing roles amongst healthcare providers likely requires disciplinary reflection on professional values and the processes by which practitioners apply these values to understanding food systems.
Current state of dietetic services for inflammatory bowel disease patients in New Zealand: an observational study
Authors: McCarthy Nicky E. , Schultz Michael , Wall Catherine L.
Published: April 2023

Aim

Nutritional therapies for inflammatory bowel disease are increasingly recommended. This study aimed to gain insight from patients, dietitians and gastroenterologists into inflammatory bowel disease dietetic care in New Zealand.

Methods

Mixed‐methods surveys were developed and then distributed online to patients with inflammatory bowel disease and dietitians and gastroenterologists that care for patients with inflammatory bowel disease. Quantitative survey data were analysed using nonparametric statistical tests. Qualitative survey data were analysed using thematic analysis.

Results

Responses were received from 406 inflammatory bowel disease patients, 79 dietitians and 40 gastroenterologists. Half of the patients (52%) had seen a dietitian for nutrition advice. Patients more likely to have seen a dietitian were/had: Crohn's disease (p = 0.001), previous bowel surgery (p < 0.001), younger (p < 0.001) or receiving biologic therapy (p = 0.005). Two‐thirds (66%) of patients found the dietitian advice at least moderately useful. A common theme from patient comments was that dietitians needed better knowledge of inflammatory bowel disease. Almost all (97%) gastroenterologists reported that their inflammatory bowel disease patients ask about nutrition; 57% reported that there were inadequate dietitians to meet patient needs. Over 50% of dietitians saw inflammatory bowel disease patients infrequently and 39% were not confident that their knowledge of the nutritional management of inflammatory bowel disease was current. Dietitians desired greater links with the inflammatory bowel disease multidisciplinary team.

Conclusion

Current inflammatory bowel disease dietetic services in New Zealand are inadequate. Standardised care, increased resourcing, dietitian training in inflammatory bowel disease, and stronger links with the multidisciplinary team are suggested to improve services.
Risk factors associated with relapse after methotrexate dose reduction in patients with rheumatoid arthritis receiving golimumab and methotrexate combination therapy
Authors: Kitamura Noboru , Kobayashi Hitomi , Nagasawa Yosuke , Sugiyama Kaita , Tsuzuki Hiroshi , Tanikawa Yutaka , Ikumi Natsumi , Okada Yuito , Takahashi Yasuo , Asai Satoshi , Tamura Naoto , Ogasawara Michihiro , Kawamoto Toshio , Kuwatsuru Ryohei , Tamaki Hiromichi , Kidoguchi Genki , Tateishi Mutsuto , Kimura Makiko , Mochida Yuichi , Harigane Kengo , Shimazaki Takayuki , Koike Takao , Tanimura Kazuhide , Kataoka Hiroshi , Amano Koichi , Yasuoka Hidekata , Takei Masami
Published: April 2023

Aim

To identify risk factors for relapse after methotrexate (MTX) dose reduction in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients receiving golimumab (GLM)/MTX combination therapy.

Method

Data on RA patients ≥20 years old receiving GLM (50 mg) + MTX for ≥6 months were retrospectively collected. MTX dose reduction was defined as a reduction of ≥12 mg from the total dose within 12 weeks of the maximum dose (≥1 mg/wk average). Relapse was defined as Disease Activity Score in 28 joints using C‐reactive protein level (DAS28‐CRP) score ≥3.2 or sustained (≥ twice) increase of ≥0.6 from baseline.

Results

A total of 304 eligible patients were included. Among the MTX‐reduction group (n = 125), 16.8% of patients relapsed. Age, duration from diagnosis to the initiation of GLM, baseline MTX dose, and DAS28‐CRP were comparable between relapse and no‐relapse groups. The adjusted odds ratio (aOR) of relapse after MTX reduction was 4.37 (95% CI 1.16–16.38, P = 0.03) for prior use of non‐steroidal anti‐inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), and the aORs for cardiovascular disease (CVD), gastrointestinal disease and liver disease were 2.36, 2.28, and 3.03, respectively. Compared to the non‐reduction group, the MTX‐reduction group had a higher proportion of patients with CVD (17.6% vs 7.3%, P = 0.02) and a lower proportion of prior use of biologic disease‐modifying antirheumatic drugs (11.2% vs. 24.0%, P = 0.0076).

Conclusion

Attention should be given to RA patients with history of CVD, gastrointestinal disease, liver disease, or prior NSAIDs‐use when considering MTX dose reduction to ensure benefits outweigh the risks of relapse.
Spermatozoa cooled to 5°C one day after collection from porcine commercial semen doses retain sperm functionality with reduced bacterial load
Authors: Gonzalez‐Castro Raul A. , Peña Fernando J. , Herickhoff Lisa A.
Published: April 2023

Background

Commercial porcine semen is stored at 17°C, leading to a reduction of sperm quality and increase of bacterial growth.

Objectives

To evaluate the effect of 5°C storage on porcine sperm functionality cooled one day after collection.

Materials and methods

Semen doses (n = 40) were transported at 17°C and cooled at 5°C one day after collection. Spermatozoa were evaluated at Days 1, 4, and 7 for motility, viability, acrosome integrity, membrane stability, intracellular zinc, oxidative stress, and bacterial growth.

Results

Contaminated semen doses predominantly exhibited Serratia marcescens, with increasing bacterial load during 17°C storage. Under hypothermal storage, negative doses for bacteria growth at Day 1 remained negative, and bacterial load did not increase in bacterial contaminated samples. Motility was significantly reduced through 17°C storage, but at 5°C, motility was only reduced at Day 4. Samples with bacterial growth (35.0%, 14/40) had significantly reduced motility at 17°C, but motility was unaltered at 5°C. Plasma membrane and acrosome integrity without bacterial contamination were unaffected at 17°C, but were significantly reduced at 5°C on Day 7. Plasma membrane and acrosome integrity significantly decreased with bacterial contamination regardless of temperature. High mitochondrial activity in viable spermatozoa without bacteria was not altered by temperature, but was significantly reduced by bacterial contamination at 17°C. Membrane stability was significantly reduced at Day 4, but tended (p = 0.07) to be higher in samples without bacterial growth. Viable spermatozoa exhibiting high zinc were significantly reduced throughout storage regardless of temperature. Oxidative stress levels were not altered, but significantly increased with bacterial contamination at 17°C.

Discussion and conclusion

Porcine spermatozoa cooled to 5°C one day after collection retain functional attributes similar to spermatozoa stored at 17°C, but have a reduced bacterial load. Cooling extended boar semen to 5°C is feasible after transport to avoid modifying semen production.