bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Preparation and characterization of palm oil in water microemulsion for application in the food industry
Authors: Fatehi Parichehr , Baba Ahmad Salihin , Eh suk Vicit Rizal , Misran Misni 
Published: July 2020

PurposeRed palm oil contains both tocopherol (∼30%) and tocotrienol (∼70%) with the latter having better antioxidant potency than the former by a factor of 60 times. The microemulsion is one of the most suitable carriers to protect this vitamin E from environmental stress due to food processing and storage. However, the instability of microemulsion might limit the presentation of vitamin E in the food industry. In the present study, we demonstrated the preparation of microemulsions from different ratios of palm oil and Span 60 to achieve potential carrier formulations for vitamin E delivery.Design/methodology/approachThe microemulsions with the different ratios of palm oil and water (o/w) and Span 60 were prepared by using homogenization technique, incubated and observed at 45.0 ± 0.1 °C, room temperature (25 °C ± 0.1) or 8.0 ± 0.1 °C. The microemulsion formed was analyzed by Fourier transforms infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy to observe the molecular composition and the functional groups in the employed oil and emulsifier. Back-scattered dynamic light scattering (DLS) method was employed to determine the stability of microemulsion by measuring the average particle size and polydispersity index (PDI). The zeta potential values of microemulsion were measured by Shape Zeta sizer Nano ZS. The shape and dynamic properties of the microemulsion were observed by Leica optical polarizing microscope (OPM). The creaming, sedimentation, the ratio of aqueous separation and clarification of the microemulsions were evaluated visually whereas the changes in pH were determined using pH meter.FindingsThe morphological study showed the presence of spherical-shaped particles. The average particle size was found to be the smallest in the presence of 7% Span 60 in the 70/30 (o/w) formulation, and the zeta potential was less than −30 mV for most of the formulations. The most stable pH (the least amount of changes in the pH at room temperature) prevailed for 7% Span 60. Accelerated stability test showed that formulations 30:70 and 50:50 (o/w), in the presence of 5% and 7% Span 60, were the most stable throughout the incubation period.Originality/valueThe palm oil in water microemulsion in the presence of 7% Span 60 has the potential to be further developed as a delivery system for hydrophobic nutrients such as vitamin E, proteins or peptides and antioxidants in the food and beverage industry.
Solving the mystery about the factors conditioning higher education students' assessment: Finland versus Spain
Authors: Camacho-Miñano María-del-Mar , del Campo Cristina , Urquía-Grande Elena , Pascual-Ezama David , Akpinar Murat , Rivero Carlos 
Published: July 2020

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is twofold: first, to compare the assessment in two subjects of the Business Administration Degree between Finland and Spain and, second, to test whether there are factors such as gender, age, subject, students’ motivation, or preferences that may have an impact on the assessment.Design/methodology/approachA survey was designed for students enrolled in Statistics and Financial Accounting subjects in the two universities, and multivariate statistical analysis were run.FindingsFirst, coursework marks are higher than the final examination marks. In both universities and subjects, learning is enhanced by student involvement in coursework activities that are directly related to the learning outcomes. Second, there are differences in assessment by culture, gender, and type of subject. Finnish students are more used to work in teams and apply varied teaching resources than Spanish students.Research limitations/implicationsThe sample size and the analyses are from two subjects in two universities. More similar studies are needed to generalize the findings.Practical implicationsThere are several implications for Higher Education. First, university policymakers should design training courses on the good implementation of new assessment processes and criteria in order to align learning objectives and assessment criteria. Second, teachers from different countries should openly discuss their manner of assessment and promote creativity and innovation in their methodologies to assess learning outcomes. Third, students should engage with deeper learning and competence development in subjects. This will contribute to their future employability.Originality/valueOur findings not only question the concept of assessment validity and the compulsory relationship between assessment and learning but also provide suggestions to improve assessment criteria.
Female directors and agency costs: evidence from Chinese listed firms
Authors: Ain Qurat Ul , Yuan Xianghui , Javaid Hafiz Mustansar , Usman Muhammad , Haris Muhammad 
Published: July 2020

PurposeThe purpose of this research is to examine whether board gender diversity reduces the agency costs of firms in the context of Chinese listed firms.Design/methodology/approachThis paper uses a large sample of 23,340 firm-year observations of Chinese listed companies during 2004–2017. The authors use ordinary least squares regressions as the primary methodology with a wide range of methods to control for endogeneity and to check robustness, including the fixed-effect method, instrumental variable approach, lagged gender diversity measures, propensity score matching, Blau index, Shannon index and industry-adjusted measures of agency costs.FindingsThe evidence reveals that the participation of female directors in corporate board reduces agency costs, which correlates with conflicts of interest. Moreover, gender-diverse boards are more effective in state-owned enterprises (SOEs), in which agency issues are more severe. Female directors also provide better monitoring roles in more-developed areas. Finally, corporate boards that have a critical mass of female directors have a greater tendency to reduce agency costs as compared to their token participation. Overall, all findings support the validity of agency theory.Practical implicationsThis study shows the economic benefit of female directors in the boardroom by reducing agency costs and by improving firms' governance structure. Regarding the government, which is gradually introducing board gender diversity policies, this study provides valuable pragmatic information for Chinese regulators on this issue.Originality/valueThis study extends the literature by providing evidence that gender diversity in boardroom matters for shareholders' wealth maximization. It provides novel evidence that a critical mass of female directors is more effective in reducing agency costs compared to a single female on the board, and that the effect of gender diversity varies in relation to ownership structure and region.
Status-quo satisfaction and smartwatch adoption: a multi-group analysis
Authors: Ghazali Ezlika M. , Mutum Dilip S. , Pua Michele Hui-Jing , Ramayah T. 
Published: July 2020

PurposeThis study explains and predicts smartwatch adoption trends among non-users of smartwatches based on theories of the diffusion of innovation and inertia. It explores the impact of satisfaction with the status-quo with traditional wristwatches, on attitudes toward smartwatches and intentions to adopt the technology.Design/methodology/approachThe study used PLS-SEM to conduct a multi-group analysis considering high (HSQS) and low (LSQS) status-quo satisfaction groups. The multi-group analysis followed the MICOM procedure, and the software SmartPLS three was used to analyse the data.FindingsThe results suggest that attitudes of the LSQS group were more strongly impacted by perceived ease of use and trialability. Their attitude toward innovation also had a stronger effect on their adoption intention. For the HSQS group, social influence more strongly impacted adoption intention; this group also perceived the disruption associated with an innovation as greater than the LSQS group. Analysis using PLS-Predict indicated that both models have considerable predictive power.Originality/valueMost scholarship on this subject has taken a positive view of the diffusion and adoption of smartwatches. This study considers smartwatches from positive and inhibitory perspectives. In the context of smartwatches, this is the first scholarly attempt at comparing levels of resistance to innovation adoption to consumer satisfaction with the status quo.
Migration (Hijra) to Islamic bank based on push–pull–mooring theory: a services marketing mix perspective
Authors: Hati Sri Rahayu Hijrah , Gayatri Gita , Indraswari Kenny Devita 
Published: July 2020

Purpose
This study aims to examine the interactive effect of the push factor from the conventional bank, the pull factor from the Islamic bank and the internal mooring factor of the customers in influencing the switching behavior of two types of customer account holders, the conventional only and the mixed (conventional and Islamic bank) account holders, from the services marketing mix perspective.

Design/methodology/approach
This study applied an explanatory research design. The data were collected via an online survey from 1,171 Muslim participants; participants consisted of conventional only account holders, Islamic bank only account holders and mixed (conventional and Islamic bank) account holders. The data were mainly analyzed using structural equation modeling.

Findings
Based on the account, the results showed that the three types of customers differ significantly in terms of the effect of the push, pull and mooring factors. The study also showed that the mooring factor, which is internal to the customer, is the most significant factor that inhibits customers from migrating to Islamic banks. The effect was observed for both conventional customers and those who hold mixed accounts.

Research limitations/implications
The study was conducted via an online survey, which reduces the representativeness of the sample. In addition, most respondents were urban dwellers and well educated, which might not represent the banking behaviour of Indonesian Muslim customers in general.

Practical implications
The study implies that to attract the conventional only account holder, Islamic banks should first weaken the mooring factors (the internal characteristics of the customers) that inhibit customers from switching to an Islamic bank.

Originality/value
The main contribution of the study is that it simultaneously identifies the push, pull and mooring factors that have the most significant impacts on Muslim customers' switching behavior from a conventional to an Islamic bank.
Analytical study and structural treatment for a thin panel painting
Authors: Mohie Mostafa Attia , Sultan Gilan Mahmoud 
Published: July 2020

Purpose
This paper aims to provide a deeper understanding of the painting techniques, materials used and deterioration phenomena in a thin panel painting. As well as, straightening buckling in a thin panel painting and reinforcement have been used by an auxiliary support system.

Design/methodology/approach
This requires using several scientific and analytical techniques to provide a deeper understanding of the painting techniques, materials used, deterioration phenomena and a greater awareness of how well treatment the panel painting is. Visual observation and multispectral imaging (Visible Ultraviolet-induced luminescence, as well as Ultraviolet reflected and Infrared [IR]), optical Microscopy (OM), handheld X-ray fluorescence spectroscopy (XRF), X-ray diffraction, Fourier transform IR spectroscopy (FTIR) and gas chromatography were used in this case study.

Findings
The analytical study of a thin panel with different methods allowed defining that the thin panel painting consists of plywood panel, ground layer (white lead and animal glue) and painted layer (lead red, cobaltic black, chrome yellow, Venetian red, iron black and white lead and poppy oil). Also, these determined that a convex buckling was the main form of deterioration. The structure treatment was executed by using a wet compress to straighten the thin panel painting and followed by fixing a new special design of the second auxiliary support system on the back of the thin panel painting.

Originality/value
The importance of analytical study to determine the painting techniques, materials used, deterioration phenomena and how well treatment the panel painting is. As well as, using a wet compress to straightening of warping or buckling wooden panel painting. Also, the Plexiglas second auxiliary support system could use to reinforcement the wooden panel and control the wooden panel movements.
The IHRA Definition of Antisemitism: Defining Antisemitism by Erasing Palestinians
Authors: Ruth Gould Rebecca 
Published: July 2020

AbstractThe IHRA definition is one of the most contentious documents in the history of efforts to combat antisemitism. Although it first became well known in the UK as a result of disputes within the Labour Party, the definition reaches well beyond that context, and has been adopted by universities, city councils, and governments. With its intensive focus on the critique of Israel as a marker of antisemitism, the IHRA definition has been heavily implicated in the suppression of Israel‐critical speech in recent years. This article is among the first to adopt a global perspective on the definition—both its history and its content—clarifying the political stakes of this definition and broader paratextual apparatus for a general audience, and provides an explanation of why it should be rejected rather than used to censor Israel‐critical speech.
Cardiac function in gestational diabetes mellitus: A longitudinal study from fetal life to infancy
Authors: Aguilera J , Semmler J , Anzoategui S , Zhang H , Nicolaides KH , Charakida M 
Published: July 2020

ObjectiveTo determine whether cardiac functional and structural changes in fetuses of mothers with gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) persist in the offspring beyond the neonatal period.DesignLongitudinal study.SettingFetal Medicine Unit in a UK teaching hospital.Methods73 women with GDM and 73 women with uncomplicated pregnancy were recruited and fetal cardiac scans were performed at 35–36 weeks' gestation. Repeat echocardiogram was performed in their offspring during infancy.Main outcome measuresFetal and infant cardiac functional and structural changes.ResultsFetuses of mothers with GDM, compared with controls, had more globular right ventricles (sphericity index 0.7, interquartile range [IQR] 0.6/0.7 versus 0.6, IQR 0.5/0.6, P < 0.001) and reduced right global longitudinal systolic strain (−16.4, IQR −18.9/−15.3 versus −18.5, IQR −20.6/−16.8, P = 0.001) and left global longitudinal systolic strain (−20.1, IQR −22.5/−16.9 versus −21.3, IQR −23.5/−19.5), P = 0.021). In the GDM group, compared with controls, in infancy there was higher left ventricular E/e’ (8.7, IQR 7.3/9.7 versus 7.9 IQR, 6.8/8.9 P = 0.011) and lower left ventricular global longitudinal systolic strain (−21.0, IQR −22.5/−19.4 versus −22.3, IQR −23.5/−20.7, P = 0.001) and tricuspid annular plane systolic excursion (13.8, IQR 12.7/16.1 versus 15.2, IQR 13.8/16.8, P = 0.003). These differences remained following multivariable analysis.ConclusionGestational diabetes mellitus is associated with alterations in fetal cardiac function and structure compared with controls and persistent cardiac changes in infancy.Tweetable abstractGestational diabetes mellitus, even when well controlled, is associated with fetal cardiac changes and these persist in infancy.
Q&A in legislative oversight: A framework for analysis
Authors: Maricut‐Akbik Adina 
Published: July 2020

AbstractParliamentary questions are an essential tool of legislative oversight. However, the extent to which they are effective in controlling the executive remains underspecified both theoretically and methodologically. This article advances a systematic framework for evaluating the effectiveness of parliamentary questions drawing on principal–agent theory, the public administration literature on accountability and communication research. The framework is called the ‘Q&A approach to legislative oversight’ based on the premise that the study of parliamentary questions (Q) needs to be linked to their respective answers (A) and examined together (Q&A) at the micro‐level as an exchange of claims between legislative and executive actors. Methodologically, the Q&A approach to legislative oversight offers a step‐by‐step guide for qualitative content analysis of Q&A that can be applied to different legislative oversight contexts at different levels of governance. It is argued that the effectiveness of Q&A depends on the strength of the questions asked and the responsiveness of answers provided, which are correspondingly operationalised. To illustrate the merits of the approach, the article includes a systematic case study on the relationship between the European Parliament and the European Central Bank in banking supervision (2013–2018), showing the connection between specific institutional settings and the effectiveness of parliamentary questions.
Susceptibility and interactions between Aedes mosquitoes and Zika viruses
Authors: Zhou Teng‐Fei , Lai Ze‐Tian , Liu Shuang , Zhou Jia‐Yong , Liu Yang , Wu Yang , Xu Ye , Wu Kun , Gu Jin‐Bao , Cheng Gong , Chen Xiao‐Guang 
Published: July 2020

AbstractZika virus disease is caused by Zika virus infection, as transmitted by Aedes spp. mosquitoes. Many of the Zika virus strains isolated from patients display different pathogenicities toward humans. The vector mosquitoes for Zika virus are mainly of the Aedes genus, especially Aedes aegypti and Aedes albopictus. However, susceptibility and interactions between Aedes spp. mosquitoes and Zika viruses remain unclear. In this study, we chose two Zika virus strains (FSS13025 and PRVABC59) with different abilities to infect the primary vector mosquitoes Ae. aegypti and Ae. albopictus. The transcriptomes and small RNA profiles of infected and uninfected mosquitoes were comparatively analyzed, and differentially expressed genes were functionally examined using RNA interference. According to the results, the susceptibility of PRVABC59 was higher than that of FSS13025 in Aedes vector mosquitoes, and Ae. aegypti was more susceptible to Zika virus than was Ae. albopictus. For PRVABC59 infection, specific differential expression profiles correlated with Ae. aegypti and Ae. albopictus, and susceptibility was significantly affected when three targeted genes were successfully knocked down. Compared with PRVABC59, infection of Ae. albopictus with FSS13025 generated more 21‐nt virus small interference RNA. It can be concluded that the susceptibility of vector Aedes spp. mosquitoes to Zika viruses varies and that the interactions between mosquitoes and Zika virus correlate with susceptibility.
Boron modulates the plasma membrane H+‐ATPase activity affecting nutrient uptake of Citrus trees
Authors: Ferreira Guilherme A. , Hippler Franz W. R. , Prado Luis A. dos S. , Rima Janaína A. H. , Boaretto Rodrigo M. , Quaggio José A. , Façanha Arnoldo R. , Mattos‐Jr Dirceu 
Published: July 2020

AbstractBoron (B) affects plasma membrane (PM) integrity and consequently modulates the P‐type PM H+‐ATPase activity creating a driving force for nutrient influx at the root level. Because citrus rootstocks respond differently to B supply, we hypothesised that PM H+‐ATPase activity of varieties contrasting in horticultural traits would affect nutrient uptake by trees. Sweet orange (Citrus sinensis) trees grafted onto Rangpur lime (RL; Citrus limonia) or Swingle citrumelo (SW; Citrus paradisi × Poncirus trifoliata) were grown in nutrition solution with four B concentrations (0 [control concentration], 46, 230 and 460 μM B, as H3BO3) up to 7 days of treatment imposition after plant adaptation into the hydroponic condition. SW exhibited higher B absorption, leaf B and enzyme activity than RL. The highest enzyme activity was achieved with 230 μM of B 1 day after treatment imposition (ATI), whereas B excess impaired the PM H+‐ATPase in all periods evaluated. Absorption of mineral nutrients correlated with PM H+‐ATPase activity, with greater nutrient uptake per root unit in SW compared to RL. Leaf and root nutrient concentrations were equivalent to amounts absorbed and enzyme activity, with greater increments exhibited by trees grafted onto SW compared to RL. Effects of B supply on PM H+‐ATPase activity explain distinct nutrient uptake patterns by trees, what supports fine‐tuning fertilisation guidelines of citrus taking into account rootstock varieties.
Aging and sex: Impact on microglia phagocytosis
Authors: Yanguas‐Casás Natalia , Crespo‐Castrillo Andrea , Arevalo Maria‐Angeles , Garcia‐Segura Luis Miguel 
Published: July 2020

AbstractMicroglia dysfunction and activation are important hallmarks of the aging brain and are concomitant with age‐related neurodegeneration and cognitive decline. Age‐associated changes in microglia migration and phagocytic capacity result in maladaptive responses, chronic neuroinflammation, and worsened outcomes in neurodegenerative disorders. Given the sex bias in the incidence, prevalence, and therapy response of most neurological disorders, we have here examined whether the phagocytic activity of aged microglia is different in males and females. With this aim, the phagocytosis activity of male and female cells was compared in an in vitro aged microglia model and in microglia isolated from adult (5‐month‐old) or aged (18‐month‐old) mice. In both models, the phagocytosis of neural debris increased with aging in male and female cells and was higher in aged female microglia than in aged male cells. However, female aged microglia lost its ability to adapt its phagocytic activity to inflammatory conditions. These findings suggest that microglia phagocytosis of neural debris may represent a previously unexplored neuroprotective characteristic of aged microglia that may contribute to the generation of sex differences in the manifestation of neurodegenerative diseases.
Perioperative versus postoperative chemotherapy for gastric cancer: A propensity score matched analysis
Authors: Kumar Surendra , Seshadri Ramakrishnan Ayloor , Trivadi S. Ganesan , Dhanushkodi Manikandan , Ellusamy Hemanth Raj 
Published: July 2020

AbstractAimIn advanced gastric cancer, chemotherapy, given either perioperatively or as an adjuvant treatment, has been shown to improve survival when compared to surgery alone. However, no trial has compared these two approaches head‐to‐head. Hence, we aimed to compare the short‐ and long‐term outcomes of patients with gastric cancer who received either perioperative chemotherapy or adjuvant chemotherapy.MethodsRetrospective analysis of patients with gastric cancers treated from 2010 to 2016. Using propensity score matching, resected patients who received perioperative chemotherapy were matched for histology, nodal dissection, and extent of surgery with another cohort of patients who received only adjuvant chemotherapy to create two matched groups of 101 patients each—group A (perioperative) and group B (adjuvant)—and the outcomes were compared between them.ResultsThe patient demographics were evenly distributed in the two groups. There was no difference in the median number of chemotherapy cycles delivered (6 vs 6, P = .8) or the grade 3‐4 toxicity (17.2% vs 12.1%, P = .26) in group A and group B, respectively. We could not demonstrate a significant difference in the postoperative mortality (2.6% vs 0%) or overall postoperative complications (23% vs 19%) between groups A and B. The overall recurrence rate (37% vs 42%), 3‐year disease‐free survival rate (51% vs 48%), and 3‐year overall survival rate (53% vs 55%) were not significantly different in group A and group B, respectively.ConclusionsWe were unable to detect a significant difference in the short‐term or long‐term outcomes of patients with gastric cancer undergoing either perioperative or adjuvant chemotherapy.