bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Multiobjective optimization of the flaxseed mucilage extraction process using normal-boundary intersection approach
Authors: Rocha Mariana Souza , Rocha Luiz Célio Souza , Feijó Marcia Barreto da Silva , Marotta Paula Luiza Limongi dos Santos , Mourão Samanta Cardozo 
Published: April 2021

PurposeThe mucilage of theLinum usitatissimumL. seed (Linseed) is one of the natural mucilages that presents a great potential to provide a food hydrocolloid with potential applications in both food and pharmaceutical industries. To increase the yield and quality of linseed oil during its production process, it is necessary to previously extract its polysaccharides. Because of this, flax mucilage production can be made viable as a byproduct of oil extraction process, which is already a product of high commercial value consolidated in the market. Thus, the purpose of this work is to optimize the mucilage extraction process ofL. usitatissimumL. using the normal-boundary intersection (NBI) multiobjective optimization method.Design/methodology/approachCurrently, the variables of the process of polysaccharide extraction from different sources are optimized using the response surface methodology. However, when the optimal points of the responses are conflicting it is necessary to study the best conditions to achieve a balance between these conflicting objectives (trade-offs) and to explore the available options it is necessary to formulate an optimization problem with multiple objectives. The multiobjective optimization method used in this work was the NBI developed to find uniformly distributed and continuous Pareto optimal solutions for a nonlinear multiobjective problem.FindingsThe optimum extraction point to obtain the maximum fiber concentration in the extracted material was pH 3.81, temperature of 46°C, time of 13.46 h. The maximum extraction yield of flaxseed was pH 6.45, temperature of 65°C, time of 14.41 h. This result confirms the trade-off relationship between the objectives. NBI approach was able to find uniformly distributed Pareto optimal solutions, which allows to analyze the behavior of the trade-off relationship. Thus, the decision-maker can set extraction conditions to achieve desired characteristics in mucilage.Originality/valueThe novelty of this paper is to confirm the existence of a trade-off relationship between the productivity parameter (yield) and the quality parameter (fiber concentration in the extracted material) during the flaxseed mucilage extraction process. The NBI approach was able to find uniformly distributed Pareto optimal solutions, which allows us to analyze the behavior of the trade-off relationship. This allows the decision-making to the extraction conditions according to the desired characteristics of the final product, thus being able to direct the extraction for the best applicability of the mucilage.
Spatial spillover effects of technological innovation on total factor energy efficiency: taking government environment regulations into account for three continents
Authors: Zafar Syed Zeeshan , Zhilin Qiao , Malik Haider , Abu-Rumman Ayman , Al Shraah Ata , Al-Madi Faisal , Alfalah Tasneem Faiez 
Published: April 2021

PurposeThe discussion on energy efficiency has been increasing due to the increasing population, emissions of degradable and harmful pollutants, and clean energy substitutes are being developed in order to manage and control the energy requirements all over the world. Against this backdrop, the factors of technological innovation and environmental regulations have been determined as key indicators for the evaluation of sustainable developments and practices in the energy efficiency evaluation studies.Design/methodology/approachA two-stage analysis process has been configured for evaluation of the energy efficiency. The first stage includes the estimation of the Total factor energy efficiency scores using the data envelopment Multiplier input-oriented methodology, while the second stage includes the exploration of the impact of technological innovation and government environmental regulations on the Total factor energy efficiency scores obtained in the first step through the application of a spatial regression model.FindingsThis paper highlights the link between the need for and impact of energy efficiency innovations and shows that the energy efficiency goal can be fulfilled by incorporating laws on sustainability and incorporating strict regulations that allow for the use of clean energy, low carbon energy technologies.Originality/valueThe present study, furthermore, provides evidence from 15 countries, five from three different continents, i.e. Asia, Europe and Africa so that a cross-country performance of these factors can be evaluated. The main contribution of the present study is the evaluation of the technological innovation on energy efficiency. There have been studies evaluating various factors on the development of energy-efficient practices; however, the focus on the role of technological innovation and governmental regulations has been scarce.
The nexus between dynamic capabilities and competitive firm performance: the mediating role of open innovation
Authors: Pundziene Asta , Nikou Shahrokh , Bouwman Harry 
Published: April 2021

PurposePrior research has reported the indirect implications of firm's dynamic capabilities on their competitive firm performance. Our attention now turns to open innovation since it has been confirmed to be an influential factor contributing to the superior performance of technological firms. So far there has been little research on assessing the relationship between a firm's dynamic capabilities as an antecedent of the competitive performance of the firm or investigations into the mediating role of open innovation in this relationship.Design/methodology/approachDrawing on the theory of dynamic capabilities, we developed a framework as a way to better understand the role of open innovation, which could then help to better explain the relationship between firms' dynamics capabilities and their competitive firm performance. Based on the empirical data of 465 firms operating in innovative and non-innovative industries, we employed structural equation modelling (SEM) to examine the research hypotheses and the path relationships in the proposed model.FindingsThe SEM analysis revealed that a firm's dynamic capabilities significantly impact its open innovation performance and that open innovation, consequently, impacts the competitive performance of the firm. Moreover, the results show that the path between dynamic capabilities and competitive firm performance is partially mediated through open innovation.Practical implicationsThe findings provide practical implications and draw managerial attention to the importance of: (1) investing in innovation, (2) engaging customers in the innovation process and (3) maintaining innovation management excellence as significant antecedent factors in increasing competitive firm performance.Originality/valueConsidering the lack of empirical research in the literature on the links between dynamic capabilities and open innovation, this paper contributes to the dynamic capabilities and open innovation literature by confirming that open innovation not only mediates the relationship between these two aspects but also strengthens the effect the dynamic capabilities have on competitive firm performance. Besides, due to the significant impact of dynamic capabilities on open innovation, dynamic capabilities might be regarded as an antecedent of open innovation.
In-app advertising: a two-step qualitative comparative analysis to explain clicking behavior
Authors: Mattke Jens , Maier Christian , Reis Lea , Weitzel Tim 
Published: April 2021

Purpose
Individuals only click on a very small fraction of the in-app advertisements (ads) they are exposed to. Despite this fact, organizations spend generously placing in-app ads without theoretical knowledge of how the structure and the semantics of in-app ads influence individuals’ clicking behavior. This study aims to identify how the processing of structural and semantic factors leads to clicking behavior.

Design/methodology/approach
Based on the limited capacity theory, this paper proposes that the sequential processing of structural and semantic factors leads to clicking behavior. To mirror the sequential process, this paper applies a process-oriented configurational approach and performs a two-step qualitative comparative analysis (QCA) using 262 incidents of exposure to in-app ads.

Findings
The results support the proposed sequential processing and show that neither structural nor semantic factors alone lead to clicking behavior. This paper reveals four different paths of sequential processing of in-app ads that lead to clicking behavior. The results show that individuals click on non-animated in-app ads even though these are perceived as irritating or privacy-concerning. When the in-app ads are animated, individuals do only click on them when these are not irritating, privacy-concerning and personalized.

Research limitations/implications
Organizations can use these findings to improve their in-app ads and generate more clicks. This study recommends that organizations place in-app ads in a prominent location, design them similar to the design of the app and use bright colors. The advertising message needs to have new and relevant information in a credible and entertaining way. Depending on the degree of personalization, organizations should use different sizes of the in-app ad and only use animation if it is unlikely that the in-app ad caused irritation or privacy concerns.

Practical implications
Organizations can use these findings to improve their in-app ads and generate more clicks. This paper recommends that organizations place in-app ads in a prominent location, design them similar to the design of the app and with bright colors. The advertising message needs to have new and relevant information in a credible and entertaining way. Depending on the degree of personalization, organizations should use different sizes of the in-app ad and only use animation if it is unlikely that the in-app ad caused irritation or privacy concerns.

Originality/value
From the in-app ad perspective, this study is the first to theoretically develop and empirically show the sequential processing of structural and semantic factors of in-app ads. From the methodological perspective, this study applies an advanced configurational two-step QCA approach, which is capable of analyzing sequential processes and is new to marketing research.
Comparing relationship of quality-satisfaction models: effects of B2B value co-creation
Authors: Sales-Vivó Vicente , Gil-Saura Irene , Gallarza Martina G. 
Published: April 2021

PurposeThis paper addresses both conceptual and empirical value co-creation and relationship quality in a triadic approach for a B2B industrial context by 1) reviewing the relationship quality concept when social and economic satisfaction are addressed separately and 2) testing alternative models of relationship quality and economic satisfaction when value co-creation is introduced.Design/methodology/approachTwo alternative models are developed where relationship quality is conceptualized as a higher-order multi-dimensional construct with three sub-factors: trust, commitment and social satisfaction. Data on the B2B relationship were collected from 77 partaking firms in the Spanish Furniture Market Observatory business panel, covering the manufacturer-retailer and manufacturer-supplier relationships for control and comparison purposes.FindingsUsing PLS-SEM, results reflect that social and economic satisfaction act differently in the B2B relationship. The effect of relationship quality on economic satisfaction is greater when value co-creation is introduced as a mediating variable, although this mediation is partial. Moreover, the mediating effect is greater in the manufacturer-supplier relationship than in the manufacturer-retailer one.Originality/valueThe paper reduces the conceptual gap between value exchanges in B2C and B2B contexts. It also introduces a less-common triadic approach along the supply chain for B2B industrial relationships. Evidence is provided on the importance of social satisfaction as an affective dimension of relationship quality and on the mediating role of value co-creation between relationship quality and economic satisfaction.
A framework for interactive risk assessment in projects: case study of oil and gas megaprojects in presence of sanctions
Authors: Farmahini Farahani Amir , Didehkhani Hosein , Khalili-Damghani Kaveh , Sarfaraz Amir Homayoun , Hajirezaie Mehdi 
Published: April 2021

Purpose
This study aims to investigate the interactive network of risk factors in the construction and preparation project of gas condensate storage tanks in the presence of sanctions.

Design/methodology/approach
First, this paper determines and weighs the project goals using the stepwise weight assessment ratio analysis method. Then, this study identifies and categorizes the project risks and form the network of the project risk factors based on the weight of the project goals by using interpretive structural modeling and decision-making trial and evaluation laboratory techniques.

Findings
The results of the current work divide the risks of such projects into five financial, technical, managerial and contractual, social and environmental and political categories. The analyzes indicate the complicated risk network and the cause-and-effect interactions between the risks. The findings identify the financial and political risk clusters as the most effective category and select the technical, managerial and contractual and social and environmental risk clusters as the most affected categories. The technical risk has the least important among the others under the sanction conditions.

Originality/value
This paper model the domino effect of the risk factors considering the complicated interactions and the cause-and-effect relations in a network. Moreover, this study discusses the importance of the risk factors in oil and gas megaprojects in the presence of sanctions. Finally, this paper applies the proposed approach to a real case study in the field of gas projects.
From social capital to consumer engagement: the mediating role of consumer e-empowerment
Authors: Mostafa Rania B. 
Published: April 2021

Purpose
This paper fulfills a prominent need to examine some overlooked predictors of consumer engagement in an online setting. This study aims to explore whether and how consumer e-empowerment mediates the influence of social capital (bonding and bridging) on consumer engagement with the Facebook brand page.

Design/methodology/approach
Based on an online questionnaire survey, data obtained from 369 Facebook users were analyzed by using structural equation modeling to empirically examine the proposed framework.

Findings
Results support an influential mediating effect of consumer e-empowerment to the social capital -consumer engagement link. Specifically, the effect of both bridging and bonding social capitals on consumer engagement is partially mediated by consumer e-empowerment.

Research limitations/implications
The social capital notion is powerful for managers, as it indicates significant results for the firm due to investments in social media brand pages. Such social capital transmutes into consumer engagement via consumer e-empowerment. Therefore, this paper provides a guideline for managers when investing in social media sites.

Originality/value
This paper fulfills an identified need to study how social capital may affect consumer engagement. The paper is a leading study in investigating the direct and indirect (via consumer e-empowerment) effects of bonding and bridging social capitals on consumer brand engagement.
Are M&As an opportunity for HR to join the top table? The case of Sanofi’s emerging international strategy
Authors: Bruneau de la Salle Margaux , Thomas Mark 
Published: April 2021

Purpose
One of major preoccupations of human resources (HR) in recent times has been the challenge of proving its value at the “top table.” Mergers and acquisitions (M&As) may offer one potential solution to this problem. M&As are renowned for the key management problems they generate such as diminished employee engagement and morale and increased staff turnover. However, such challenges also offer opportunities. This paper aims to argue that the recent wave of acquisitions in the pharmaceutical industry present HR with the possibility to demonstrate its real strategic value.

Design/methodology/approach
This paper offers an insider–outsider approach to the role of HR in M&As in the pharmaceutical industry. Based on an in-depth study of Sanofi’s emerging M&A strategy, it gives key insights into the reasons for multiple acquisitions and how HR can have a positive impact on value creation.

Findings
The findings demonstrate that the repeated acquisitions of US-based biotech companies made by the French pharmaceutical group Sanofi over the past five years is more than just a coincidence. Rather, it is an unstated strategy to develop within this market. HR can aid senior management in overcoming some of the major cultural challenges, thus demonstrating its real strategic value.

Originality/value
This paper clearly shows how following a specific emerging international strategy of M&As can empower a company through its human resources.
First‐trimester serum BAFF:sFlt‐1 ratio as a candidate early biomarker of spontaneous abortion
Authors: Stohl Hindi E. , Yu Ning , Stohl William 
Published: April 2021

AbstractProblemImmunologic, angiogenic, and anti‐angiogenic factors are associated with spontaneous abortion (SAB). B cell–activating factor (BAFF), a proliferation‐inducing ligand (APRIL), placental growth factor (PlGF), and soluble fms‐like tyrosine kinase‐1 (sFlt‐1) may play a role in SAB and may serve singly or in combination as an early biomarker of SAB.Method of StudyIn this prospective observational study, serum sFlt‐1, PIGF, BAFF, and APRIL levels were measured in the first trimester of pregnancy in a medically diverse group of women and in non‐pregnant controls. Associations and discriminative values of first‐trimester sFlt‐1, PIGF, BAFF, and APRIL levels and the corresponding APRIL:BAFF, BAFF:sFlt‐1, and sFlt‐1:PlGF ratios with development of SAB were tested.ResultsMedian serum BAFF level was lower (p = .007) and median serum sFlt‐1 level was higher (p < .001), in the first trimester of pregnancy than in non‐pregnant controls. SAB developed in 27 of the pregnant women (11.3%), and first‐trimester levels of BAFF (but not APRIL) and sFlt‐1 (but not PIGF) were associated with SAB. Using optimal cutoffs determined through receiver operating characteristics curves, the best discriminator of SAB was the serum BAFF:sFlt‐1 ratio, specifically among non‐nulliparous women and women with prior SAB.ConclusionFirst‐trimester serum BAFF:sFlt‐1 ratio is a candidate indicator/predictor of SAB among non‐nulliparous women and women with prior SAB. If validated through additional studies, then early identification of pregnant women at high risk for SAB through this simple blood test would assist in counseling and facilitate clinical trials of therapeutic interventions.
Anterior‐segment optical coherence tomography of filtering blebs in the early postoperative period of ab externo SIBS microshunt implantation with mitomycin C: Morphological analysis and correlation with intraocular pressure reduction
Authors: Ibarz Barberá Marta , Morales Fernández Laura , Tañá Rivero Pedro , Gómez de Liaño Rosario , Teus Miguel A. 
Published: April 2021

AbstractPurposeTo analyse the morphological evolution of filtering blebs with anterior‐segment OCT (AS‐OCT) and its correlation with intraocular pressure after ab externo SIBS microshunt implantation with mitomycin C (MMC) during a 3‐month follow‐up period.MethodsTwenty‐eight filtering blebs of 28 patients with open‐angle glaucoma were measured horizontally and vertically in the sub‐Tenon space with AS‐OCT after ab externo SIBS microshunt implantation with MMC. The intraocular pressure (IOP) was monitored simultaneously at each visit. Maturation of and morphological changes in the blebs and correlations with the IOP were recorded.ResultsThe average median preoperative IOP of 20.7 (range, 12–30) mmHg decreased to 8.5 (range, 4–17), 8.9 (range, 5–17), 10.4 (range, 8–16) and 10.9 (range, 9–15) mmHg at 24 hr, 1 week, 1 month and 3 months, respectively (p < 0.001). A multiform morphology on AS‐OCT prevailed at all time points, with a 3.5% rate of a uniform bleb morphology at the first week. The horizontal and vertical diameters of the blebs increased from baseline to the third month. The horizontal expansion (406 ± 127 μm on day 7, p = 0.04, 712 ± 211 μm on day 30, p = 0.02 and 952 ± 218 μm on day 90, p < 0.001) was greater than the vertical expansion (16 ± 18 μm, p = 0.3 on day 1, 63 ± 27 μm, p = 0.02 on day 30 and 137 ± 34 μm, p < 0.001 on day 90) without correlation with the IOP (r = −0.3, p = 0.2).ConclusionAnterior‐segment OCT (AS‐OCT) of the filtering blebs formed after ab externo SIBS microshunt implantation showed progressive horizontal and vertical expansion of the blebs in the sub‐Tenon space, with a significant peak at the first month not significantly correlated with the decrease in the IOP.
Parameter inference for a stochastic kinetic model of expanded polyglutamine proteins
Authors: Fisher H. F. , Boys R. J. , Gillespie C. S. , Proctor C. J. , Golightly A. 
Published: April 2021

AbstractThe presence of protein aggregates in cells is a known feature of many human age‐related diseases, such as Huntington's disease. Simulations using fixed parameter values in a model of the dynamic evolution of expanded polyglutaime (PolyQ) proteins in cells have been used to gain a better understanding of the biological system. However, there is considerable uncertainty about the values of some of the parameters governing the system. Currently, appropriate values are chosen by ad hoc attempts to tune the parameters so that the model output matches experimental data. The problem is further complicated by the fact that the data only offer a partial insight into the underlying biological process: the data consist only of the proportions of cell death and of cells with inclusion bodies at a few time points, corrupted by measurement error. Developing inference procedures to estimate the model parameters in this scenario is a significant task. The model probabilities corresponding to the observed proportions cannot be evaluated exactly, and so they are estimated within the inference algorithm by repeatedly simulating realizations from the model. In general such an approach is computationally very expensive, and we therefore construct Gaussian process emulators for the key quantities and reformulate our algorithm around these fast stochastic approximations. We conclude by highlighting appropriate values of the model parameters leading to new insights into the underlying biological processes.