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Effect of rare sugars on physical and sensory properties of doughs and biscuits
Get PDFReplacing sucrose in baked products is challenging because of its unique contribution to texture and sweetness. Rare sugars like allulose and tagatose show potential as substitutes, displaying similar sweetness and acting as bulking agents. Although allulose and tagatose are epimers, it is unknown if they induce different behaviours on dough and biscuit characteristics. This study aimed to compare the impact of allulose and tagatose on thermal, rheological properties of dough, and on physical and sensory characteristics of biscuits. Four formulations were prepared using sucrose, fructose, allulose, and tagatose. Differential scanning calorimetry was performed on wheat flour-sugar solution mixtures, while rheological and texture analyses were performed on doughs. For biscuits, moisture content, water activity, dimensions, colour, texture, and sensory analysis were evaluated. Thermograms indicated that allulose and tagatose delayed the starch gelatinisation temperature (∼82 °C) but to a lesser extent than sucrose (94.5 °C). Doughs with tagatose were approximately 54 % harder than those with sucrose, reflecting in higher complex modulus values during early-heating stages versus fructose, allulose or sucrose. The lower solubility of tagatose led to more system mobility and water interactions with wheat flour polymers, resulting in biscuits with lower spreading (7 mm), hardness (14.3 N) and increased moisture (8.4 %) compared to sucrose biscuits (8.7 mm, 16.9 N, 2.7 %, respectively). Biscuits made with allulose and fructose demonstrated intermediate moisture (∼ 6 %) and diameter (∼ 7.4 mm), a high browning index (∼ 27.3), and texture similar to sucrose biscuits. These results suggest that despite having similar structures, allulose is a better sucrose replacer for biscuits than tagatose
Innovation in family firms: the role of absorptive capacity and knowledge collaboration
Get PDFWhile prior research suggests that family ownership can significantly facilitate sales and innovation, empirical findings often overlook the nuanced differences in innovation inputs between family and non-family firms. We address this gap by examining the extent to which family firms are able to use absorptive capacity by creating knowledge internally and collaborating with external partners to enhance their innovation. Utilizing micro-level data from 9,266 of the most innovative UK firms from 2006 to 2016 we employ a multi-level analysis to examine how different knowledge inputs—such as internal investments in knowledge and external collaborations at the regional and international levels—influence innovation outputs in family and non-family firms. Our findings contribute to the innovation and family business literature by providing a clearer understanding of the innovation dynamics within family firms compared to their non-family counterparts. Additionally, we offer managerial insights and outline policy implications that could foster knowledge transfer in family firms. These recommendations take into account that regional and international knowledge collaboration serves as a boundary condition for family firms to outperform their non-family counterparts
Effects of electricity on the regenerative potential of mesenchymal stromal cells and their secretomes
Get PDFMesenchymal stromal cells (MSCs) are fibroblast-like cells that can be isolated from various adult tissues, including bone marrow and adipose tissue. Known for their regenerative potential, MSCs exert therapeutic effects largely through their secretome, a complex mixture of biomolecules and extracellular vesicles that mediates processes such as tissue repair, immunomodulation, and inflammatory regulation.
This review critically examines how electrical stimulation (ES) can enhance the regenerative effects of MSCs. ES is a technique that applies an electrical field to cells to alter their behaviour through the activation of various signalling pathways and by affecting the composition of the intracellular microenvironment and MSC secretome. Additionally, the integration of biomaterials such as 3D hydrogels and conductive scaffolds, and how they may further amplify these effects is highlighted. By evaluating current ES-based protocols and their effects on diverse paracrine functions, this review provides a comprehensive overview of how ES can maximise the regenerative potential of MSCs
The knowledge spillover theory of entrepreneurship and innovation: taking stock and new directions
Get PDFAbstract
This special issue revisits and extends the Knowledge Spillover Theory of Entrepreneurship (KSTE) and its more recent evolution and application to innovation. Rooted in the idea that knowledge created but unappropriated by incumbents and universities serves as a source for entrepreneurial activity, the theoretical framework emphasizes the critical role of entrepreneurs as conduits of knowledge commercialization. Since Audretsch’s foundational works during 1990s and early 2000, scholars have explored how innovation is driven not only by R&D investment and knowledge collaboration within firms and universities, but also by the entrepreneurial actors who mobilize and transform created knowledge. Recent advances have broadened this perspective, highlighting the role of intrapreneurship and incumbent firms in creating and transferring knowledge and the ecosystem-wide dynamics. This special issue draws on the theoretical and empirical developments of the KSTE&I, identifies synergies between them, and outlines future research pathways
What is the future of regional multinational enterprises?
Get PDFThis Perspective examines current research on regional multinational enterprises (RMNEs) and proposes directions for future studies. We briefly report on the results of the cluster analysis and identify five main themes of RMNE research within international business scholarship. We then propose an ambitious agenda for new RMNE studies. These studies should prioritize four critical, grand challenges facing all large MNEs today, namely digital transformation, geopolitical instability, climate change impact mitigation and sustainability, and the broader need for resilience to large-scale disruptions. We formulate twelve research questions related to these four areas. We argue that adopting a regional perspective in the realm of MNE strategy, structure, and organizational practices to address the four challenges above is critical to the effective functioning of large, internationally operating companies and warrants continued, dedicated research within the field of international business strategy
Five research themes of knowledge spillover theory of entrepreneurship: an analysis of 30 years of research
Get PDFIn the past 30 years, the Knowledge Spillover Theory of Entrepreneurship (KSTE) has emerged as a prominent explanation of how knowledge created by incumbent firms leads to knowledge commercialization and new firm formation. This study systematically reviews 130 key contributions and offers an understanding of the KSTE's role in shaping other fields of science. Our analysis identifies five distinct research themes influenced by KSTE, namely, open innovation, economic geography, knowledge transfer, academia, and international business. Moreover, these themes are interrelated and feature a range of prominent research fields, such as family business, knowledge transfer, innovation, knowledge management, and entrepreneurial ecosystems. Based on these literature themes, we develop a multi-level approach for a more nuanced understanding of the KSTE. We then explain the interrelated nature of these themes and discuss future research directions
The role of reward certainty and incidental emotion in encouraging pro-environmental behaviors
Get PDFRewards are effective promotional tools for promoting desirable behaviors, strengthening engagement, and incentivizing pro-environmental actions. Integrating expectancy theory and the appraisal tendency framework, this research investigated the interplay of reward certainty and incidental emotions on pro-environmental behaviors. While previous research primarily focused on integral emotions directly linked to the consumption context, this study makes a unique contribution by analyzing the impact of incidental emotions, which are developed from a separate and unconnected situation, but still influence customer choices. The three experimental studies provided convergent empirical evidence that certain rewards significantly strengthen individuals’ outcome expectancy and pro-environmental intentions, particularly when incidental fear (compared with hope) is induced. Theoretically, this research bridged the gaps in prior research by examining the interaction of reward certainty and incidental emotions. Practically, businesses and policymakers are suggested to leverage certain rewards and fear-inducing stimuli to promote sustainable behaviors effectively
Sovereign credit rating downgrades and Growth-at-Risk
Get PDFThis paper examines whether sovereign credit rating changes are linked to increased future macroeconomic downside risks based on the Growth-at-Risk framework by Adrian et al. (2019). Our findings reveal that downgrades significantly increase tail risk by lowering the 5th percentile of four-quarters ahead GDP growth by 2.95 percentage points, whereas upgrades yield a smaller and inconsistent effect of 0.45 percentage points. Standard panel OLS results show a reduced impact of 1.11 percentage points on GDP growth following a downgrade, underscoring the importance of examining effects beyond the mean. Further analysis reveals an asymmetrical impact across quantiles and time horizons, with speculative-grade countries particularly vulnerable to downgrades. Downgrades from all major agencies affect tail risk, with Fitch having the largest negative impact, while only Moody’s upgrades have a significant effect. Moreover, our empirical evidence suggests that the effect of credit rating downgrades is, at least partially mitigated, by the adoption of post-GFC regulatory reforms, aligning with these policies’ aim to reduce reliance on CRAs and enhance financial stability. Lastly, our analysis identifies investment and sovereign bond spreads as key channels through which downgrades affect macroeconomic outcomes, however, only the latter is significantly associated with downside risks to GDP growth. Robustness tests that include endogeneity checks, additional controls, alternative CRA data and quantile regression methodology, confirm our findings
The long-term impact of the Roman occupation on infant and maternal health in Britain
No full textBioarchaeological research has highlighted the importance of studying mother-infant relationships,
demonstrating that the Developmental Origins of Health and Disease (DOHaD) hypothesis can provide
unique insight into pass stress events. Studies propose that experiences within approximately the first
1000 days after conception can influence long-term health, longevity, and genetic markers as the
developing body responds to the surrounding environment and makes predictive adaptations
accordingly. Non-adult skeletons provide a record of early life experiences, while adults reflect
survivorship. Yet, studies traditionally analyse non-adult or adult health, with few examining the two
in tandem to detect a multi-generational health impact. By viewing this relationship as interlinked, a
unique insight into the long-term consequences of stress events can be ascertained.
To explore this, a total of 444 non-adults aged below 3.5 years (encapsulating experiences during the
first 1000 days after conception and early life) and 277 adult females of childbearing age (18-45 years
old) from Iron Age and Romano-British sites were analysed (dating from BCE 4th century to 4
th century
CE). Iron Age communities from across England were compared to rural and urban Roman sites located
in the south and central belt. This encapsulated a transition between regional Iron Age societies to a
Roman occupied province; a period marked by cultural and socioeconomic upheaval, making it ideal
to view long-term health impact.
Health was assessed through palaeopathological analysis and metrics (encapsulating growth faltering
and obstetric hazards). Results showed significantly higher rates of physiological stress and other
indicators of poor health in non-adults (n=112/222, 50.5%; χ
2=30.2 p<0.01, d.f.=2) and females
(n=112/159, 70.4%; X
2=46.4, p<0.01, d.f.=2) living under Roman rule, compared to pre-contact
individuals from Iron Age Britain (non-adults: n=40/150, 26.7%; females: n=44/115, 38.3%). This
implies the health of communities was negatively impacted. Common changes observed included
dental enamel hypoplasia, non-specific infection, metabolic conditions, growth faltering and pelvic
morphology.
This research demonstrates that the Roman occupation of Britain had a long-lasting negative impact
on the health of the non-adults and adult females generations later
Challenges and benefits of combining textual analysis and ethnographic methods to explore educational contexts, texts, and practices
No full textThis case study is based on original research adopting a textographic research approach. Textography
combines both textual analysis and ethnography to investigate the texts, context, and practices of a
specific discourse community. Textography can include ethnographic methods including but not limited
to observations, documentary evidence, and/or interviews. Textography can also include texts including but not limited to contextual texts featured in the linguistic landscape, accessible texts in the virtual
and physical context, or widely available texts, e.g., textbooks and journal articles; historical texts from
local or public archives; routine writing, such as correspondence or diaries; and even student assessments, such as essays and presentations. Before embarking on textography, researchers must reflect
upon microethical considerations, such as trustworthiness and researcher positionality; macroethical
considerations, such as ethical approval and context access; and practical considerations, such as
data collection, i.e., textual and ethnographic data. Textography has been used in mainly educational
contexts but can be used in a variety of contexts to explore potential collaboration, support, and/or
membership of another community