Thermo Compression of Thermoplastic Agar-Xanthan Gum-Carboxymethyl Cellulose Blend

There is a gap in the literature for the preparation of agar-xanthan gum-carboxymethyl cellulose-based films by thermo compression methods. The present work aims to fill this gap by blending the polysaccharides in a plastograph and preparation of films under high pressure and temperature for a short duration of time. The pivotal aim of this work is also to know the effect of different mixing conditions on the physical, chemical, mechanical and thermal properties of the films. The films are assessed based on results from microscopic, infrared spectroscopic, permeability (WVTR), transmittance, mechanical, rheological and thermogravimetric analysis. The results revealed that the mixing volume and mixing duration had negative effects on the films’ transparency. WVTR was independent of the mixing conditions and ranged between 1078 and 1082 g/m2.d. The mixing RPM and mixing duration had a positive effect on the film tensile strength. The films from the blends mixed at higher RPM for a longer time gave elongation percentage up to 78%. Blending also altered the crystallinity and thermal behavior of the polysaccharides. The blend prepared at 80 RPM for 7 min and pressed at 140 °C showed better percent elongation and light barrier properties.

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Influence of xanthane on carraginan gel syneresis

Vsyo o myase ◽

10.21323/2071-2499-2020-5-53-55 ◽

2020 ◽

pp. 53-55

Author(s):

Tunieva E.K. ◽

◽

Spiridonov K.I. ◽

Keyword(s):

Xanthan Gum ◽

Combined Use ◽

Positive Effect

The combined use of polysaccharide have a positive effect on reducing syneresis of gels. The article presents the results of determining the syneresis of carrageenan gel in the presence of different concentrations of xanthan gum. The dependence of the increase in the syneresis of the carrageenan gel during storage on the dosage of the polysaccharide was revealed. It was found that the use of a mixture of carrageenan: xanthan in a ratio of 1: 1 led to reduce syneresis by more than 70 % in comparison with carrageenan gel without gum.

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Determinants of Corporate Anti-Corruption Disclosure: The Case of the Emerging Economics

Sustainability ◽

10.3390/su13063462 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 13 (6) ◽

pp. 3462

Author(s):

Maider Aldaz Odriozola ◽

Igor Álvarez Etxeberria

Keyword(s):

Empirical Studies ◽

Geographical Area ◽

Control Variable ◽

Emerging Countries ◽

Point Of View ◽

Press Freedom ◽

Negative Effects ◽

Key Factor ◽

Using Data ◽

Positive Effect

Corruption is a key factor that affects countries’ development, with emerging countries being a geographical area in which it tends to generate greater negative effects. However, few empirical studies analyze corruption from the point of view of disclosure by companies in this relevant geographical area. Based on a regression analysis using data from the 96 large companies from 15 emerging countries included in the 2016 International Transparency Report, this paper seeks to understand what determinants affect such disclosure. In that context, this paper provides empirical evidence to understand the factors that influence reporting on anti-corruption mechanisms in an area of high economic importance that has been little studied to date, pointing to the positive effect of press freedom in a country where the company is located and with the industry being the unique control variable that strengthens this relationship.

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Inhibition or Facilitation? Contrasted Inter-Specific Interactions in Sphagnum under Laboratory and Field Conditions

Plants ◽

10.3390/plants9111554 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 9 (11) ◽

pp. 1554

Author(s):

Chao Liu ◽

Zhao-Jun Bu ◽

Azim Mallik ◽

Yong-Da Chen ◽

Xue-Feng Hu ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Field Experiment ◽

Species Interactions ◽

Laboratory Experiments ◽

Resource Competition ◽

Specific Interactions ◽

Interaction Type ◽

Negative Effects ◽

Experiment Data ◽

The Stability ◽

Positive Effect

In a natural environment, plants usually interact with their neighbors predominantly through resource competition, allelopathy, and facilitation. The occurrence of the positive effect of allelopathy between peat mosses (Sphagnum L.) is rare, but it has been observed in a field experiment. It is unclear whether the stability of the water table level in peat induces positive vs. negative effects of allelopathy and how that is related to phenolic allelochemical production in Sphagnum. Based on field experiment data, we established a laboratory experiment with three neighborhood treatments to measure inter-specific interactions between Sphagnum angustifolium (Russ.) C. Jens and Sphagnum magellanicum Brid. We found that the two species were strongly suppressed by the allelopathic effects of each other. S. magellanicum allelopathically facilitated S. angustifolium in the field but inhibited it in the laboratory, and relative allelopathy intensity appeared to be positively related to the content of released phenolics. We conclude that the interaction type and intensity between plants are dependent on environmental conditions. The concentration of phenolics alone may not explain the type and relative intensity of allelopathy. Carefully designed combined field and laboratory experiments are necessary to reveal the mechanism of species interactions in natural communities.

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Social capital and national innovation system: a cross-country analysis

Cross Cultural Management An International Journal ◽

10.1108/ccm-10-2013-0154 ◽

2014 ◽

Vol 21 (4) ◽

pp. 453-475 ◽

Cited By ~ 9

Author(s):

Sepehr Ghazinoory ◽

Ali Bitaab ◽

Ardeshir Lohrasbi

Keyword(s):

Social Capital ◽

National Level ◽

Innovation System ◽

Negative Effects ◽

Content Type ◽

Research Findings ◽

Different Dimensions ◽

The Impact ◽

Positive Effect

Purpose – In the last two decades, researchers have paid much attention to the role of cultural values on economic and social development. In particular, the crucial role of different aspects of culture on the development of innovation has been stressed in the literature. Consequently, it is vital to understand how social capital, as a core cultural value, affects the innovation process and the innovative performance at the national level. However, to date, the impact of different dimensions of social capital and innovation has not been properly portrayed or explained. Thus, the purpose of this paper is to investigate the influence of four different dimensions of social capital (institutional and interpersonal, associational life and norms) on two of the main functions of national innovation system (NIS) (entrepreneurship and knowledge creation) based on over 50,000 observations in 34 countries. Design/methodology/approach – In this regard, national-level data from the World Values Survey database was employed to quantify social capital. Entrepreneurship is, in turn, assumed to consist of three sub-indexes and 14 indicators based on the Global Entrepreneurship Index. Knowledge creation is also measured through US Patent Office applications. Also, exploratory factor analysis and structural equation modeling approach were used to build the measurement model and investigate the impact that each factor of social capital had on entrepreneurship and knowledge application, respectively. Measurement and structural models were built and their reliability and validity were tested using various fit indices. Research findings suggest the strong positive effect of institutional trust and networking on entrepreneurship. Also, interpersonal trust and networks were shown to have high influence on knowledge development at the national level. Norms appear to have naïve to medium negative effects on both functions. Findings – Research findings suggest the strong positive effect of institutional trust and networking on entrepreneurship. Also, interpersonal trust and networks were shown to have high influence on knowledge development at the national level. Norms appear to have naïve to medium negative effects on both functions. Originality/value – However, to date, the impact of different dimensions of social capital and innovation has not been properly portrayed or explained.

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Numerical Studies of the Effects of Water Capsules on Self-Healing Efficiency and Mechanical Properties in Cementitious Materials

Advances in Materials Science and Engineering ◽

10.1155/2016/8271214 ◽

2016 ◽

Vol 2016 ◽

pp. 1-10 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Haoliang Huang ◽

Guang Ye

Keyword(s):

Mechanical Properties ◽

Tensile Strength ◽

Elastic Modulus ◽

Cementitious Materials ◽

Self Healing ◽

Negative Effects ◽

Numerical Studies ◽

Healing Efficiency ◽

The Impact ◽

Positive Effect

In this research, self-healing due to further hydration of unhydrated cement particles is taken as an example for investigating the effects of capsules on the self-healing efficiency and mechanical properties of cementitious materials. The efficiency of supply of water by using capsules as a function of capsule dosages and sizes was determined numerically. By knowing the amount of water supplied via capsules, the efficiency of self-healing due to further hydration of unhydrated cement was quantified. In addition, the impact of capsules on mechanical properties was investigated numerically. The amount of released water increases with the dosage of capsules at different slops as the size of capsules varies. Concerning the best efficiency of self-healing, the optimizing size of capsules is 6.5 mm for capsule dosages of 3%, 5%, and 7%, respectively. Both elastic modulus and tensile strength of cementitious materials decrease with the increase of capsule. The decreasing tendency of tensile strength is larger than that of elastic modulus. However, it was found that the increase of positive effect (the capacity of inducing self-healing) of capsules is larger than that of negative effects (decreasing mechanical properties) when the dosage of capsules increases.

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Working with Industrial Cobots: The Influence of Reliability and Transparency on Perception and Trust

Proceedings of the Human Factors and Ergonomics Society Annual Meeting ◽

10.1177/1071181321651110 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 65 (1) ◽

pp. 77-81

Author(s):

Lina Kluy ◽

Eileen Roesler

Keyword(s):

Study Design ◽

Real Life ◽

Error Rates ◽

Future Research ◽

Negative Effects ◽

Perceived Safety ◽

Fine Grained ◽

Online Study ◽

Human Robot Collaboration ◽

Positive Effect

Industrial human-robot collaboration (HRC) is not yet widely spread but on the rise. This development raises the question about properties collaborative robots (cobots) need, to enable a pleasant and smooth interaction. Therefore, this study investigated the influence of transparency and reliability on perception of and trust towards cobots. A video-enhanced online study with 124 participants was conducted. Transparency was provided through the presentation of differing information, and reliability was manipulated through differing error rates. The results showed a positive effect of transparency on perceived safety and intelligence. Reliability had a positive effect on perceived intelligence, likeability and trust. The effect of reliability on trust was more pronounced for low transparent robots. The results indicate the relevance of carefully selected information to counteract negative effects of failures. Future research should transfer the study design into a real-life experiment with more fine-grained levels of transparency and reliability.

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Inotropic effects of ejection are myocardial properties

AJP Heart and Circulatory Physiology ◽

10.1152/ajpheart.1994.266.3.h1202 ◽

1994 ◽

Vol 266 (3) ◽

pp. H1202-H1213 ◽

Cited By ~ 13

Author(s):

P. P. De Tombe ◽

W. C. Little

Keyword(s):

Systolic Pressure ◽

Left Ventricular ◽

Negative Effects ◽

Inotropic Effects ◽

Contraction Duration ◽

Loading System ◽

Positive Effect ◽

Isolated Rat

Recent studies in isolated and in vivo canine hearts have suggested that the left ventricular end-systolic pressure (LVPes) of ejecting beats is the net result of a balance between positive and negative effects of ejection. At present, it is unknown whether these ejection effects are merely a ventricular chamber property or represent a fundamental myocardial property. Accordingly, we examined the effects of ejection in eight isolated rat cardiac trabeculae at the sarcomere level. We approximated in situ sarcomere shortening patterns using an iterative computer loading system. Six isovolumic contractions were compared with four ejecting contractions. The superfusing solution contained either 0.7 mM Ca2+ or 0.65 mM Sr2+ plus 0.15 mM Ca2+. With Ca2+, simulated LVPes ("LVP"es) of ejecting contractions was significantly lower than isovolumic "LVP"es (-5.3 +/- 5.6%), whereas with Sr2+, ejecting "LVP"es was significantly higher than isovolumic "LVP"es (+4.5 +/- 7.5%). Contraction duration and time to end systole were markedly prolonged in ejecting vs. isovolumic contractions with either Ca2+ or Sr2+. As a consequence, comparison of simulated LVP between ejecting and isovolumic beats throughout the contraction, i.e., at the same simulated LVV and time, revealed only a positive effect of ejection with either Ca2+ (+18.8 +/- 5.5%) or Sr2+ (+23.4 +/-9.3%). We conclude that both positive and negative effects of ejection are basic myocardial properties.

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Delayed negative effects of prosocial spending on happiness

Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences ◽

10.1073/pnas.1914324117 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 117 (12) ◽

pp. 6463-6468 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

Armin Falk ◽

Thomas Graeber

Keyword(s):

Prosocial Behavior ◽

Causal Relationship ◽

Human Life ◽

Behavioral Experiment ◽

Negative Effects ◽

Apparent Absence ◽

Prosocial Spending ◽

Short Run ◽

Positive Effect ◽

Random Variation

Does prosocial behavior promote happiness? We test this longstanding hypothesis in a behavioral experiment that extends the scope of previous research. In our Saving a Life paradigm, every participant either saved one human life in expectation by triggering a targeted donation of 350 euros or received an amount of 100 euros. Using a choice paradigm between two binary lotteries with different chances of saving a life, we observed subjects’ intentions at the same time as creating random variation in prosocial outcomes. We repeatedly measured happiness at various delays. Our data weakly replicate the positive effect identified in previous research but only for the very short run. One month later, the sign of the effect reversed, and prosocial behavior led to significantly lower happiness than obtaining the money. Notably, even those subjects who chose prosocially were ultimately happier if they ended up getting the money for themselves. Our findings revealed a more nuanced causal relationship than previously suggested, providing an explanation for the apparent absence of universal prosocial behavior.

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Application of the C-S-H Phase Nucleating Agents to Improve the Performance of Sustainable Concrete Composites Containing Fly Ash for Use in the Precast Concrete Industry

Materials ◽

10.3390/ma14216514 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 14 (21) ◽

pp. 6514

Author(s):

Grzegorz Ludwik Golewski ◽

Bartosz Szostak

Keyword(s):

Fly Ash ◽

Industrial Waste ◽

Precast Concrete ◽

High Strength ◽

Nucleating Agents ◽

Negative Effects ◽

Sustainable Concrete ◽

Wide Range ◽

Time Periods ◽

Positive Effect

Siliceous fly ash (FA) is the main additive to currently produced concretes. The utilization of this industrial waste carries an evident pro-ecological factor. In addition, such actions have a positive effect on the structure and mechanical parameters of mature concrete. Unfortunately, the problem of using FA as a Portland cement replacement is that it significantly reduces the performance of concretes in the early stages of their curing. This limits the possibility of using this type of concrete, e.g., in prefabrication, where it is required to obtain high-strength composites after short periods of curing. In order to minimize these negative effects, this research was undertaken to increase the early strength of concretes with FA through the application of a specifically formulated chemical nano-admixture (NA) in the form of seeds of the C-S-H phase. The NA was used to accelerate the strength growth in concretes. Therefore, this paper presents results of tests of modified concretes both with the addition of FA and with innovative NA. The analyses were carried out based on the results of the macroscopic and microstructural tests in five time periods, i.e., after 4, 8, 12, 24 and 72 h. The results of tests carried out with the use of NA clearly indicate the possibility of using FA in a wide range of management areas in sustainable concrete prefabrication.

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Lagged Effect of Macroeconomic Variables on Stock Returns: A Case of Firm Size

Journal of Independent Studies and Research Management Social Science and Economics ◽

10.31384/jisrmsse/2021.19.1.1 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 19 (1) ◽

Keyword(s):

Stock Returns ◽

Firm Size ◽

Small Firms ◽

Size Group ◽

Negative Effects ◽

Macroeconomic Factors ◽

Large Size ◽

Negative Effect ◽

Positive Effect ◽

Lagged Effect

The evidence of lagged effect regarding firm size between macroeconomic factors and stock returns is found with GARCH model for the UAE firms. More precisely, exchange rate showed a significant effect on stock returns irrespective of size group and lag level. However, a positive effect is observed at lag four and a negative effect is observed on lag five and two for small and large size firms respectively. For majority of the firms in small size, the risk-free rate showed a negative lagged effect on stock returns; however, for the majority of the firms in large size, it showed a positive lagged effect on stock returns. Inflation also showed a significant effect on stock returns on each lag level except for large firms where at lag five it is insignificant. Moreover, as the lags increase from 1- 4 and size from small to large, the negative effect of inflation converts to positive effect on stock returns. The lag effect of real activity showed both positive and negative effects on relatively larger stock returns of small firms than big firms. Money supply showed positive significant effect on stock returns of all firms irrespective of the size group; however, this relationship is even more prominent at lag five. Finally, the oil prices showed a positive effect on stock returns (large size) which further maximizes at lag two; whereas, a negative maximization takes place at lag three. Hence, investors can make informed and effective decisions and UAE policymakers developed effective measures to control and promote macroeconomic growth and stability.

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