bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Leveraging Internet capabilities for international business relationships: a comparison between Australian, Chilean and Taiwanese exporting SMEs
Authors: Mathews Shane , Perks Keith J. , Bianchi Constanza , Chen Hsiu-Li , Glavas Charmaine 
Published: February 2021

PurposeThe purpose of this study is to investigate how Internet capabilities influence international business relationships using the resource-based view and capabilities perspective. Many studies highlight the importance of the Internet in helping smaller firms internationalize. However, few studies actually test how this is happening. The central purpose of this research was to examine and test the impact of Internet capabilities on international information availability, international strategic orientation and international business relationships in a sample of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in Australia, Chile and Taiwan.Design/methodology/approachThe study uses a structural equation modeling process so as to test the Internet capabilities on international business networks. The empirical research is based on an analysis of a sample of internationalizing SMEs in three export-intensive markets in Australia (215), Chile (204) and Taiwan (130) to test a conceptual model.FindingsThe results demonstrate that Internet capabilities have a distinct effect on the development of international business relationships for SMEs in the three countries. That is, Internet capabilities have a positive impact on a firm's international business relationships, but this varies across Australian and Taiwanese and Chilean SMEs.Originality/valueThese studies give empirical validation on the way in which smaller firms are using Internet capabilities for leveraging networks in internationalization and how this varies across countries. The results demonstrate that Internet capabilities have a distinct and positive impact on the development of international business relationships for SMEs in the three countries. However, there are specific differences between countries in how the Internet is being leveraged for the development of international business networks. Something currently not highlighted in the body of knowledge.
Political animosity in cross-border acquisitions: EMNCs’ market and nonmarket strategy in a developed market
Authors: Liou Ru-Shiun , Brown Lee Warren , Hasija Dinesh 
Published: February 2021

PurposeMany multinational corporations that originate from emerging economies (emerging market multinational corporations (EMNCs)) opt for acquiring a target firm in a developed market to expediently upgrade their strategic capabilities. To successfully achieve their strategic goals in the developed markets, EMNCs may use market actions and nonmarket actions to mitigate the potential risk derived from the national political differences between their home emerging economy and host developed economy. This paper aims to extend the legitimacy-based view of political risk to study the influence of political animosity – defined as misalignment of the host-home countries’ national interests – on the EMNCs’ market and nonmarket strategy in a developed market.Design/methodology/approachIn this paper, we examine all EMNCs that made cross-border acquisitions of the USA targets from 2005 to 2011. The final sample consists of 252 acquisitions originating from 25 emerging markets. This paper used Tobit regression analysis to test the direct and moderating hypotheses.FindingsFacing a high level of political animosity between their home country and the host developed economy, EMNCs use a market strategy by acquiring less ownership stake in the developed market, as well as engage in a nonmarket strategy by increasing lobbying activities. In addition, because of the heightened legitimacy concerns of developed market shareholders, cross-listed EMNCs have a greater tendency than non-cross-listed EMNCs to improve their legitimacy through their market and nonmarket strategy.Originality/valueThe current paper sheds light on EMNCs’ international strategy in developed markets by examining both market and nonmarket actions. EMNCs are shown to be strongly motivated to engage in acquisitions in developed markets so they can acquire invaluable strategic resources, such as brands and distribution channels, to compete with the developed market multinationals. A sophisticated ownership strategy and corporate political activities are invaluable for EMNCs to catch up with developed market multinationals.
Disentangling temporal food web dynamics facilitates understanding of ecosystem functioning
Authors: Kortsch Susanne , Frelat Romain , Pecuchet Laurene , Olivier Pierre , Putnis Ivars , Bonsdorff Erik , Ojaveer Henn , Jurgensone Iveta , Strāķe Solvita , Rubene Gunta , Krūze Ēriks , Nordström Marie C. 
Published: February 2021

Abstract

Studying how food web structure and function vary through time represents an opportunity to better comprehend and anticipate ecosystem changes. Yet, temporal studies of highly resolved food web structure are scarce. With few exceptions, most temporal food web studies are either too simplified, preventing a detailed assessment of structural properties or binary, missing the temporal dynamics of energy fluxes among species.

Using long‐term, multi‐trophic biomass data coupled with highly resolved information on species feeding relationships, we analysed food web dynamics in the Gulf of Riga (Baltic Sea) over more than three decades (1981–2014). We combined unweighted (topology‐based) and weighted (biomass‐ and flux‐based) food web approaches, first, to unravel how distinct descriptors can highlight differences (or similarities) in food web dynamics through time, and second, to compare temporal dynamics of food web structure and function.

We find that food web descriptors vary substantially and distinctively through time, likely reflecting different underlying ecosystem processes. While node‐ and link‐weighted metrics reflect changes related to alterations in species dominance and fluxes, unweighted metrics are more sensitive to changes in species and link richness. Comparing unweighted, topology‐based metrics and flux‐based functions further indicates that temporal changes in functions cannot be predicted using unweighted food web structure. Rather, information on species population dynamics and weighted, flux‐based networks should be included to better comprehend temporal food web dynamics.

By integrating unweighted, node‐ and link‐weighted metrics, we here demonstrate how different approaches can be used to compare food web structure and function, and identify complementary patterns of change in temporal food web dynamics, which enables a more complete understanding of the ecological processes at play in ecosystems undergoing change.
Western Australia's Local Government Act 25 years on and under review: A qualitative study of local government Chief Executive Officers
Authors: Hirst Tracey M. , Carpini Joseph A. , Timming Andrew R. , Notebaert Lies 
Published: February 2021

AbstractTheLocal Government Act 1995 (WA), which prescribes local governments’ (LGs) powers and responsibilities in Western Australia (WA), is undergoing a major review. This is likely to have significant impact on LGs and the communities they serve. Qualitative data from 43 (31%) WA LG Chief Executive Officers (CEOs) were obtained and analysed to inform the review. Structural issues emerged across three points of conjunction: the interfaces between (i) state–local government, (ii) councillors–CEO and (iii) councillors–community. The state–local government conjuncture related to the perceived need for state government to address harassment towards LGs and staff. The councillors–CEO interface revealed interconnected issues that predisposed these political–administrative branches to conflict. The principle conflict was the statutory requirement for CEOs to report councillors for legislative breaches (whistleblowing) while depending on councillors for their employment. Other interconnected issues related to the recruitment, performance management, and job security of CEOs and the knowledge, skills, and abilities of councillors regarding human resource management. The councillors–community interface related to the lack of role clarity regarding councillors’ responsibilities. Overall, the key concern was the tension at the councillors–CEO interface. Practical recommendations include structural and legislative changes to reconcile identified issues. This research provides useful insights that may improve the functioning of LGs.
Age‐associations in British politics: Implications for the sociology of aging
Authors: Fletcher James Rupert 
Published: February 2021

AbstractDebates regarding the status of age in social analysis are foundational to the sociology of aging, with scholars continually questioning the role of age as a social force. The contemporary politicization of age in British politics sheds useful light on this debate. During the past decade, age has emerged as a potent predictor of political preference in the United Kingdom, encompassing numerous intertwined political economic developments. At face value, the emergence of age as a key political variable substantiates the status of age in social analysis. However, I argue that it is articulations of age‐stratified politics, as much as the associations themselves, that should be of principle concern for the sociology of aging, because such articulations are reformulating age, aging and intergenerational relations. The sociology of aging should, therefore, engage with the contemporary politicization of age as a new answer to foundational debates.
Stability of oil‐in‐water emulsion influenced by the interaction of modified tapioca starch and milk protein
Authors: Thaiwong Numphon , Thaiudom Siwatt 
Published: February 2021

The interaction effect of acetylated or octenyl succinic acid (OSA) starch and milk protein (skim milk powder: SMP; sodium caseinate: NaC; or whey protein concentrate: WPC) on the stability of oil‐in‐water emulsion with variable fat content was determined. The types of milk protein, starch and fat content in emulsions influenced the creaming index of emulsion. Creaming was found in emulsions containing SMP > WPC > NaC, respectively. The interaction of NaC‐OSA provided the highest emulsion stability. The type of modified starch with whey protein did not affect the creaming, but the fat content did. The results will benefit colloidal and emulsion industrial manufacturers.
Dietary pectic substances enhance gut health by its polycomponent: A review
Authors: Wu Dongmei , Ye Xingqian , Linhardt Robert J. , Liu Xuwei , Zhu Kai , Yu Chengxiao , Ding Tian , Liu Donghong , He Qiaojun , Chen Shiguo 
Published: February 2021

AbstractPectic substances, one of the cell wall polysaccharides, exist widespread in vegetables and fruits. A surge of recent research has revealed that pectic substances can inhibit gut inflammation and relieve inflammatory bowel disease symptoms. However, physiological functions of pectins are strongly structure dependent. Pectic substances are essentially heteropolysaccharides composed of homogalacturonan and rhamnogalacturonan backbones substituted by various neutral sugar sidechains. Subtle changes in the architecture of pectic substances may remarkably influence the nutritional function of gut microbiota and the host homeostasis of immune system. In this context, developing a structure–function understanding of how pectic substances have an impact on an inflammatory bowel is of primary importance for diet therapy and new drugs. Therefore, the present review has summarized the polycomponent nature of pectic substances, the activities of different pectic polymers, the effects of molecular characteristics and the underlying mechanisms of pectic substances. The immunomodulated property of pectic substances depends on not only the chemical composition but also the physical structure characteristics, such as molecular weight (Mw) and chain conformation. The potential mechanisms by which pectic substances exert their protective effects are mainly reversing the disordered gut microbiota, regulating immune cells, enhancing barrier function, and inhibiting pathogen adhesion. The manipulation of pectic substances on gut health is sophisticated, and the link between structural specificity of pectins and selective regulation needs further exploration.
Retrospective validation of a risk stratification tool developed for the management of patients with blunt chest trauma (the STUMBL score)
Authors: Mukerji Saptarshi , Tan Eunicia , May Charlotte , Micanovic Christina , Blakemore Paul , Phelps Kelly , Melville Hannah , Jones Peter 
Published: February 2021

AbstractObjectiveTo assess validity of the STUMBL score in New Zealand for complications of blunt chest trauma without multi‐trauma and immediate life‐threatening injuries.MethodsA multi‐centre, retrospective observational study was carried out in five EDs. Area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUROC) was calculated for all, early and late complications and ethnic sub‐groups. Youden Index generated for each ROC was used to indicate cut scores for risks of complication, ICU admission, prolonged length of stay (LOS) and mortality.ResultsA total of 445 patients were included. AUROC for all complications composite were (0.73, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.68–0.77), mortality (0.92, 95% CI 0.89–0.94), ICU admissions (0.78, 95% CI 0.73–0.81) and prolonged LOS (0.80, 95% CI 0.76–0.83) were calculated. The score performed better in the New Zealand European (Pākehā) sub‐group compared to Māori and Pasifika (AUROC [95% CI]: 0.80 [0.73–0.85], 0.69 [0.56–0.79], 0.66 [0.46–0.82], respectively). Patients with scores >12 were at risk of complications from blunt chest trauma, >15 at risk of prolonged LOS and >18 at risk of ICU admission and mortality.ConclusionsThe STUMBL score at a cut‐off of <12 did not predict all complications sufficiently well to recommend for general use in our population. However, a score >15 predicted prolonged LOS and a score >18 predicted mortality sufficiently to be clinically useful for these outcomes. The score is more accurate in New Zealand Pākehā and needs to be used with caution in Māori and Pasifika populations. A larger prospective validation is required to further assess the score.
Clinical characterization and identification of rare genetic variants in atypical hemolytic uremic syndrome: A Swedish retrospective observational study
Authors: Åkesson Alexander , Martin Myriam , Blom Anna M. , Rossing Maria , Gabrielaite Migle , Zetterberg Eva , Klintman Jenny 
Published: February 2021

AbstractComplement‐mediated atypical hemolytic uremic syndrome (aHUS) is an ultra‐rare renal disease primarily caused by genetic alterations in complement proteins. The genetic work‐up required for confirmation of diagnosis is complicated and not always logistically accessible. The aim of the present study was to apply a diagnostic scheme compliant with the American College of Medical Genetics and Genomics guidelines to investigate the prevalence of complement‐mediated aHUS among subjects formerly included in a retrospective cohort of clinically suspected aHUS. Clinical outcomes and genetic correlations to complement analyses were assessed. Subjects were investigated with medical record reviewing, inquiries, and laboratory analyses composed of whole genome sequencing; enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assays for factor I, factor H, and factor H‐specific antibodies; nephelometry for complement components three of four; flow cytometry for CD46 surface expression and immunoblotting for the presence of factor H‐related protein 1. In total, 45% (n = 60/134) of the subjects were deceased at the time of study. Twenty of the eligible subjects consented to study participation. Based on genetic sequencing and clinical characteristics, six were categorized as definite/highly suspected complement‐mediated aHUS, 10 as non‐complement‐mediated aHUS and four as having an HUS‐like phenotype. In the complement‐mediated aHUS group, two subjects had not received an aHUS diagnosis during the routine clinical management. Disease‐contributing/likely disease‐contributing genetic variants were identified in five subjects, including a novel missense variant in the complement factor H gene (c.3450A>G, p.I1150M). This study illustrates the risk for misdiagnosis in the management of patients with complement‐mediated aHUS and the importance of a comprehensive assessment of both phenotype and genotype to reach a diagnosis.
High‐efficiency production of bisabolene from waste cooking oil by metabolically engineered Yarrowia lipolytica
Authors: Zhao Yakun , Zhu Kun , Li Jian , Zhao Yu , Li Shenglong , Zhang Cuiying , Xiao Dongguang , Yu Aiqun 
Published: February 2021

SummaryThe natural plant product bisabolene serves as a precursor for the production of a wide range of industrially relevant chemicals. However, the low abundance of bisabolene in plants renders its isolation from plant sources non‐economically viable. Therefore, creation of microbial cell factories for bisabolene production supported by synthetic biology and metabolic engineering strategies presents a more competitive and environmentally sustainable method for industrial production of bisabolene. In this proof‐of‐principle study, for the first time, we engineered the oleaginous yeast Yarrowia lipolytica to produce α‐bisabolene, β‐bisabolene and γ‐bisabolene through heterologous expression of the α‐bisabolene synthase from Abies grandis, the β‐bisabolene synthase gene from Zingiber officinale and the γ‐bisabolene synthase gene from Helianthus annuus respectively. Subsequently, two metabolic engineering approaches, including overexpression of the endogenous mevalonate pathway genes and introduction of heterologous multidrug efflux transporters, were employed in order to improve bisabolene production. Furthermore, the fermentation conditions were optimized to maximize bisabolene production by the engineered Y. lipolytica strains from glucose. Finally, we explored the potential of the engineered Y. lipolytica strains for bisabolene production from the waste cooking oil. To our knowledge, this is the first report of bisabolene production in Y. lipolytica using metabolic engineering strategies. These findings provide valuable insights into the engineering of Y. lipolytica for a higher‐level production of bisabolene and its utilization in converting waste cooking oil into various industrially valuable products.
RADSex: A computational workflow to study sex determination using restriction site‐associated DNA sequencing data
Authors: Feron Romain , Pan Qiaowei , Wen Ming , Imarazene Boudjema , Jouanno Elodie , Anderson Jennifer , Herpin Amaury , Journot Laurent , Parrinello Hugues , Klopp Christophe , Kottler Verena A. , Roco Alvaro S. , Du Kang , Kneitz Susanne , Adolfi Mateus , Wilson Catherine A. , McCluskey Braedan , Amores Angel , Desvignes Thomas , Goetz Frederick W. , Takanashi Ato , Kawaguchi Mari , Detrich Harry William , Oliveira Marcos A. , Nóbrega Rafael H. , Sakamoto Takashi , Nakamoto Masatoshi , Wargelius Anna , Karlsen Ørjan , Wang Zhongwei , Stöck Matthias , Waterhouse Robert M. , Braasch Ingo , Postlethwait John H. , Schartl Manfred , Guiguen Yann 
Published: February 2021

AbstractThe study of sex determination and sex chromosome organization in nonmodel species has long been technically challenging, but new sequencing methodologies now enable precise and high‐throughput identification of sex‐specific genomic sequences. In particular, restriction site‐associated DNA sequencing (RAD‐Seq) is being extensively applied to explore sex determination systems in many plant and animal species. However, software specifically designed to search for and visualize sex‐biased markers using RAD‐Seq data is lacking. Here, we present RADSex, a computational analysis workflow designed to study the genetic basis of sex determination using RAD‐Seq data. RADSex is simple to use, requires few computational resources, makes no prior assumptions about the type of sex‐determination system or structure of the sex locus, and offers convenient visualization through a dedicated R package. To demonstrate the functionality of RADSex, we re‐analysed a published data set of Japanese medaka, Oryzias latipes, where we uncovered a previously unknown Y chromosome polymorphism. We then used RADSex to analyse new RAD‐Seq data sets from 15 fish species spanning multiple taxonomic orders. We identified the sex determination system and sex‐specific markers in six of these species, five of which had no known sex‐markers prior to this study. We show that RADSex greatly facilitates the study of sex determination systems in nonmodel species thanks to its speed of analyses, low resource usage, ease of application and visualization options. Furthermore, our analysis of new data sets from 15 species provides new insights on sex determination in fish.
The ‘Third’ UN: Imagining Post‐COVID‐19 Multilateralism
Authors: Carayannis Tatiana , Weiss Thomas G. 
Published: February 2021

AbstractIf the United Nations system is to remain relevant, or even survive, the thinking to re‐imagine and redesign contemporary global governance will come from the Third UN. This article focuses on the ecology of supportive non‐state actors – intellectuals, scholars, consultants, think tanks, NGOs, the for‐profit private sector, and the media – that interacts with the intergovernmental machinery of the First UN and international civil servants of the Second UN to formulate and refine ideas and decision‐making in policy processes. Despite the growth in analyses of non‐state actors in global governance, the ‘other’ or ‘Third’ UN is poorly understood, often ignored, and normally discounted. Some advocate for particular ideas, others help analyze or operationalize their testing and implementation; in any case, many help the UN ‘think’ and have an impact on how we think about the United Nations.
A Singular Opportunity: Setting Standards for Victim Assistance under the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons
Authors: Docherty Bonnie 
Published: February 2021

AbstractWith the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons (TPNW) having entered into force on 22 January 2021, the time has come for states parties to start operationalizing its obligations. The TPNW not only bans nuclear weapons but also includes provisions designed to reduce the ‘unacceptable suffering’ caused by past use and testing. These positive obligations require states parties to assist victims, remediate the contaminated environment, and provide international cooperation and assistance to support those efforts. To inform the work of the TPNW’s First Meeting of States Parties, which will start the implementation process, this commentary proposes strong standards for assisting victims in a nuclear weapons context. The standards draw on the TPNW’s language, humanitarian disarmament’s victim assistance norms, and principles for assisting victims of toxic remnants of war. This commentary addresses the types of harm, types of assistance, framework of shared responsibility, implementation measures, and guiding principles that constitute an effective and feasible assistance program for nuclear weapon victims. Collectively the proposed standards aim to advance the humanitarian purpose of the TPNW.