Vijay Kothari and Sriram Seshadri
The purpose of this paper is to investigate various extracts of Annona squamosa L (Annonanceae) and Carica papaya L (Caricaceae) seeds for their antioxidant activity, free radical…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to investigate various extracts of Annona squamosa L (Annonanceae) and Carica papaya L (Caricaceae) seeds for their antioxidant activity, free radical scavenging ability, total phenolic and flavonoid contents.
Design/methodology/approach
Samples from both the seeds were prepared by subjecting them to microwave‐assisted extraction. After determining their antioxidant properties and polyphenolic contents, correlation between them was also investigated.
Findings
Highest antioxidant activity (3,179.66 g gallic acid equivalent/g of dry extract) and phenol content were registered by chloroform:methanol extract of C. papaya seeds. Maximum radical scavenging activity (3,201.63 ascorbic acid equivalent antioxidant capacity g/100 g of dry extract) was exerted by water extract of A. squamosa seeds, whereas acetone extract of C. papaya registered highest flavonoid content among all extracts. Polar extracts were found to be better free radical scavengers compared with those less polar. Hexane extracts showed least DPPH radical scavenging activity. Acetone proved efficient in extracting flavonoids, whereas phenols were best extracted in a mixture of chloroform and methanol. Phenolic metabolites seem to be contributing significantly towards antioxidant activity of the C. papaya extracts, but less so in the case of A. squamosa.
Originality/value
There have been few reports on antioxidant activity of non‐edible parts of commonly consumed fruits. The research indicates that seeds may be a promising source of antioxidants, which may have therapeutic implications.
P.C. Sarkar and A.K. Shrivastava
Studies the thermal degradation of lac resin by FT‐IR spectroscopic techniques to determine functional group changes occurring in the degradative process. Compares FT‐IR spectra…
Abstract
Studies the thermal degradation of lac resin by FT‐IR spectroscopic techniques to determine functional group changes occurring in the degradative process. Compares FT‐IR spectra of lac during different stages of thermal degradation; observes no indication of inter‐esterification or dehydration from spectroscopic data, as proposed by earlier workers on the basis of wet chemical methods. Unequivocally concludes that inter‐etherification (dioxolanation) and hydroperoxidation reactions are much more likely to occur during the thermal degradation process.
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Javier Alfonso Rodríguez-Escobar and Javier González-Benito
This paper aims to analyze how information technology (IT) can help explain performance by the purchasing function. In addition to analyzing the direct effect and mediating role…
Abstract
Purpose
This paper aims to analyze how information technology (IT) can help explain performance by the purchasing function. In addition to analyzing the direct effect and mediating role of purchasing practices in the relationship between IT and purchasing performance, as has been considered in previous research, this study investigates the possibility of a moderating effect of IT in the relationships between purchasing practices and purchasing performance.
Design/methodology/approach
The propositions are tested with data from 156 purchasing managers, collected through a survey of members of the Spanish Association of Professionals of Purchasing and Supply Management who work in industrial companies.
Findings
Although IT investments exert a positive effect on the purchasing function, the results show that this effect takes place through the implementation of purchasing practices that in turn improve the results of the purchasing function.
Originality/value
Instead of focusing on a single, specific effect of IT investment in the purchasing function, this paper considers three potential effects (direct, mediated and moderating). Thus, it provides a more comprehensive overview of the topic and a more complete elucidation of the actual effects.
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MengQi (Annie) Ding and Avi Goldfarb
This article reviews the quantitative marketing literature on artificial intelligence (AI) through an economics lens. We apply the framework in Prediction Machines: The Simple…
Abstract
This article reviews the quantitative marketing literature on artificial intelligence (AI) through an economics lens. We apply the framework in Prediction Machines: The Simple Economics of Artificial Intelligence to systematically categorize 96 research papers on AI in marketing academia into five levels of impact, which are prediction, decision, tool, strategy, and society. For each paper, we further identify each individual component of a task, the research question, the AI model used, and the broad decision type. Overall, we find there are fewer marketing papers focusing on strategy and society, and accordingly, we discuss future research opportunities in those areas.
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ZHI‐HUA ZHONG and JAROSLAV MACKERLE
Contact problems are among the most difficult ones in mechanics. Due to its practical importance, the problem has been receiving extensive research work over the years. The finite…
Abstract
Contact problems are among the most difficult ones in mechanics. Due to its practical importance, the problem has been receiving extensive research work over the years. The finite element method has been widely used to solve contact problems with various grades of complexity. Great progress has been made on both theoretical studies and engineering applications. This paper reviews some of the main developments in contact theories and finite element solution techniques for static contact problems. Classical and variational formulations of the problem are first given and then finite element solution techniques are reviewed. Available constraint methods, friction laws and contact searching algorithms are also briefly described. At the end of the paper, a bibliography is included, listing about seven hundred papers which are related to static contact problems and have been published in various journals and conference proceedings from 1976.
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Sreekanth Nair, Aarti Jagannathan, Suresh Kudumallige, Channaveerachari Naveen Kumar and Jagadisha Thirthalli
Micro-finance self-help groups empower caregivers to indulge in productive activities based on the local availability of resources to reduce their financial burden. The purpose of…
Abstract
Purpose
Micro-finance self-help groups empower caregivers to indulge in productive activities based on the local availability of resources to reduce their financial burden. The purpose of this paper is to assess the need for and feasibility of initiating micro-finance groups for the caregivers of persons with mental disability in a rural socio-economically backward community of Karnataka, India.
Design/methodology/approach
The design of the study was a cross-sectional survey, with mixed methodology design out of the eight localities where the Mental Health Public Health Centres (PHC) were running successfully in Konandur area, Thirthahalli Taluk, Karnataka, one PHC was selected using simple Random Sampling Design and a 5 kms radius from Konandur town was selected as the area of the survey (190 households). During door-to-door survey, if the family indicated that a particular member is mentally unwell, the GHQ-5 and Symptoms and Others checklist were administered on him/her and the women caregiver was interviewed using qualitative needs assessment schedule and Perceived Social Support Scale.
Findings
Ten persons/households with mental illness (5.26 per cent) were identified in the community. Themes of financial needs, capacity of the caregiver, community resources, need for the microfinance self-help groups, informational needs, social support, burn out, and stigma elicited in the interview were depicted in the form of a conceptual framework to understand the inter-connectedness between the various themes.
Research limitations/implications
This study is the first initiative in the field of micro-finance self-help groups for the persons with mental illness and families. The design of the study was a cross-sectional survey, which is found globally to be the most suited in conducting prevalence studies, as it provides accurate results for future studies as well as it is the first step to obtain accurate baseline values to later plan a prospective follow up study. The study used mixed methodology design. Though the sample size was small, the information collected from the participants in qualitative and quantitative method was triangulated and conceptual frameworks were developed. As this study is one of the first of its kind in the country, the results of this study from the stated sample can be considered as an important pilot for future longitudinal and cross-sectional studies to be planned in the community.
Originality/value
There is hardly any scientific literature which talks about the need for Micro-finance self-help groups for Persons with Disability, especially with person with mental disability. In order to initiate any Micro-finance SHG activities, it is essential to first undertake the need for and feasibility of initiating such micro-finance group activities in any given area. This study will be an important milestone in initiating any self-help group activity for caregivers of persons with mental disability, as it would help us understand the financial needs of the community, based on which a draft proposal to initiate micro-finance self-help group activities can be drawn up.
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Ramkrishna Samanta, Jadab Munda, Sourav Mandal and Mihir Adhikary
Migration appears to be a determinant in health-care utilisation, particularly among the elderly in India. Ageing and migration are essential socio-demographic phenomena in the…
Abstract
Purpose
Migration appears to be a determinant in health-care utilisation, particularly among the elderly in India. Ageing and migration are essential socio-demographic phenomena in the 21st century for developing and developed countries to establish better public health-care policies. This study aims to focus on the status and determinants of health-care utilisation among elderly migrants who have migrated after attaining the age of 45 and above.
Design/methodology/approach
This study used the data from the first wave of the longitudinal ageing study in India (LASI) in 2017–2018. Two outcome variables were used to examine the health-care utilisation, including in-patient and out-patient care. Binary logistic regression was used to explore the predictors of healthcare utilisation in terms of in-patient and out-patient care among the elderly migrant population.
Findings
A total of 82.9% of elderly migrants had visited out-patient care when they were sick, whereas 15.3% have used in-patient care. Enabling factors, such as wealth quintile and health insurance, and need factor, such as chronic disease and self-rated health, were more significant factors influencing the health-care utilisation.
Originality/value
This study contributes to our understanding of older migrants’ health-care utilisation. Focussing on this study’s outcome, policymakers and decision makers may consider improving older migrants’ access to health-care by raising their income level, offering local health insurance and health awareness programs.
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Vinayak Kalluri and Rambabu Kodali
The purpose of this paper is to present a systematic review and analysis of existing research articles on new product development (NPD) published in the 12-year period starting…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to present a systematic review and analysis of existing research articles on new product development (NPD) published in the 12-year period starting from 1998 to 2009.
Design/methodology/approach
To explore the articles related to NPD, four key words namely new product, product design, product development and product innovation were used in combination of title or abstract or keyword of the articles through several knowledge databases. The abstracts of journal papers were read and a decision as to whether article belongs to any NPD research issue or not was made. In total, 1,127 research articles were categorized systematically and then analyzed on various principal NPD information groups.
Findings
Analysis of selected articles led to a certain level of dispersion in the publication of NPD research in different journals. It is found that more attention needs to be on knowledge and creativity management, communication and information transfer in any NPD process.
Originality/value
By observing extended literature from authors reviewing articles from various journals, growth in research, and variety of topics covered in NPD, a broad systematic multi journal review of NPD literature is clearly overdue. The authors have developed a comprehensive listing of publications on NPD where they have classified the surveyed papers according to various principal NPD information groups like: published year, NPD research stream, type of organization studied (industrial/consumer/service), level of innovation (high/moderate/low), NPD focus on frameworks, performance perspective (success, failure or both), NPD research design (conceptual/empirical and qualitative/quantitative) and NPD relevant best practice element. Based on the classification scheme, the issues were analyzed from the system's perspective and their implications to NPD research.