Understanding the implications of Belt and Road Initiative for sustainable supply chains: An environmental perspective

Ali, I ORCiD: 0000-0002-8912-5760Purpose – This research aims to explore the potential impacts of the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) on sustainable supply chains. Design/methodology/approach – This study employs twenty qualitative interviews with supply chain managers located on the BRI lane from Asian countries. Findings – Findings revealed that if not managed properly, BRI can pose a serious threats to sustainable supply chains from environmental perspective. The findings also revealed additional properties which lead to the emergence of these perspective. Research limitations/implications – The findings of this study may not be generalizable to a broader population. Second, this study explores supply chain managers’ interpretations from Asian countries only. Practical implications – Supply chain firms can use the findings from this study to understand the implications of BRI for sustainable supply chains. Particularly, firms can understand how the BRI may harm the organization’s sustainable supply chains from the environmental perspective. Originality/value – This is, perhaps, the first study which provides empirical evidence concerning the potential impacts of BRI on the management of sustainable supply chains

The tangled web: Psychopathic personality, vulnerability and victim selection

Brooks, NS ORCiD: 0000-0003-1784-099XThis chapter will explore the tendency of psychopathic individuals to deceive others, exploit vulnerability and target victims in pursuit of self-gain, examining the implications of this behaviour in the workplace. The evidence relating to the varied mechanisms that provide psychopaths with the ammunition to coerce, abuse and deceive is presented, based on both empirical studies and case reports

General and specific perceptions of procedural justice: Factors associated with perceptions of police and court responses to domestic and family violence

Improving criminal justice responses to domestic and family violence is a key focus within many policy and practice reforms. The efficacy of police and court responses to domestic and family violence is central because of the role of police as first responders and courts in issuing protection orders, imposing sanctions and ensuring perpetrator cooperation and accountability. To promote compliance and satisfaction with criminal justice outcomes, a large body of research points to the role of procedural justice. This study draws on survey and administrative data from an Australian jurisdiction to examine perceptions of procedural justice in specific domestic and family violence-related encounters. Findings and implications for policy and practice are discussed

How does strength of ties influence project performance in Chinese megaprojects? A conflict-based perspective

Zhao, X ORCiD: 0000-0003-0153-5173Purpose - This study aims to investigate how the strength of ties (i.e. strong ties and weak ties) in megaproject networks influences project performance in terms of types of conflicts. Design/methodology/approach - A questionnaire survey was undertaken with professionals in Chinese megaprojects and 445 valid responses were received. A conflict-based theoretical model was developed and tested with structural equation modeling. Findings - The results indicated that task conflict had a constructive effect on project performance, whereas relationship conflict and process conflict had destructive effects. Both strong and weak ties positively affected project performance, and that weak ties exerted greater effects on performance. The introduction of conflicts significantly weakened the effect of strong ties on project performance. Strong ties indirectly affected project performance via task conflict and relationship conflict, whereas weak ties affected performance only through task conflict. Task conflict had a constructive effect on project performance, whereas relationship conflict and process conflict had destructive impact. Research limitations/implications - This study identified the positive effect of strength of ties on project performance as well as the constructive and destructive roles of conflicts. Furthermore, the findings provided evidence that strength of ties and conflicts were critical factors for project performance. While, there are still limitations. There are other attributes of megaproject networks, such as network nodes’ characteristics and network structure, which may influence conflicts and project performance. Future research would be conducted to explore the role of these variables. Meanwhile, because different types of conflicts may mutually transform under certain conditions, future research would also address this issue in megaprojects. Practical implications - As for the management strategies, project stakeholders should know the existence of project networks, exactly assess their resource endowment, especially their external and internal relationship network. In accordance with changes of the project network, stakeholders should share knowledge and learn techniques about how to respond to relationship disturbances, thus reducing relationship conflict and process conflict. Furthermore, stakeholders should place an emphasis on fostering and reinforcing communication and trust, thus effectively resolving task conflict, ambiguity and uncertainty engendered from network ties in a megaproject network. Originality/value - The main contribution of this study is threefold. First, this study will enrich the literature on strength of ties by accentuating the roles of conflicts in megaproject context. Second, this study contributes to the theoretical development of a conceptual model for explaining the interrelationships among strength of ties, conflicts and project performance. Third, this study will respond to the call “which dimension, i.e. strong ties or weak ties, is more influential” by exploring the direct and indirect effects of strength of ties on project performance.Associated Grant:National Natural Science Foundation of ChinaAssociated Grant Code:7197201

Longitudinal train dynamics and vehicle stability in train operations

Cole, CR ORCiD: 0000-0001-8840-7136This chapter has been designed to provide a hands-on guide to both understanding and analysing longitudinal train dynamics. It is specifically focussed on the longitudinal dynamics of heavy-haul trains and adds new insights to previous work by the author [1–4], along with recent modelling work relevant to passenger trains [5]. It is 12 years since the first edition and the draft gear section is now expanded. New to the chapter is material concerning lateral wagon stability in the presence of lateral coupler force components. Passenger comfort and crashworthiness sections are also updated

A structured e-investigation into the prevalence and acceptance of smartphone applications by exercise professionals

Humphries, B ORCiD: 0000-0003-0153-3629; Stanton, R ORCiD: 0000-0002-6684-5087Bromilow, L, Stanton, R, and Humphries, B. A structured e-investigation into the prevalence and acceptance of smartphone applications by exercise professionals. J Strength Cond Res XX(X): 000-000, 2020-The primary purpose of this study was to examine the prevalence and acceptance of smartphone applications by exercise professionals when interacting with clients and patients. A 29-item anonymous online survey was designed, containing separate sections on demographics, smartphone proficiency, benefits and barriers to using smartphones, and use of smartphones in a professional setting. Accredited members of the Australian Strength and Conditioning Association, and Exercise and Sports Science Australia received an information sheet through organizational communication channels, inviting them to participate. Two hundred forty-nine exercise professionals completed the survey, with men (71%; n = 176) accounting for most of the respondents. Proficiency using smartphone applications is predominantly-advanced (37%; n = 92), intermediate (33%; n = 82), or expert (14%; n = 35). Identified strategies to find smartphone applications included personal searches (67%; n = 167) and colleague recommendations (55%; n = 137). Reported benefits include fast access to information (67%; n = 167), saves time for record keeping (56%; n = 141), and allows performance tracking (55%; n = 138). Almost all respondents (92%; n = 229) identified barriers, such as inexperience with using particular applications (42%; n = 105). Almost all respondents (96%; n = 239) reported they would recommend smartphone applications to clients and patients, primarily for self-tracking (53%; n = 132). Smartphone use among exercise professionals is prevalent; however, application and sensor technology are reluctantly underused. Increasing acceptance requires embedding within educational curricula, recognition from professional organizations, and collaboration with, to maximize the potential capabilities of smartphone technology within working environments

Antioxidative properties and macrochemical composition of five commercial mungbean varieties in Australia

Chandra, SS ORCiD: 0000-0002-4257-5860; Johnson, JB ORCiD: 0000-0002-9172-8587; Naiker, M ORCiD: 0000-0002-6844-8325; Power, A ORCiD: 0000-0002-7119-8486Mungbeans are growing in popularity among Australian consumers, driven by theirbeneficial nutritional and phytochemical composition. However, data on theantioxidative, mineral, and phytochemical content of Australian mungbeans at thepoint of consumer purchase remains scarce. Here, five commercial mungbean sam-ples were analysed for total antioxidant capacity, total phenolics, and total mono-meric anthocyanins. Attenuated total reflectance midinfrared spectroscopy wasutilised as a rapid and reliable method of obtaining information about the mac-rochemical composition of the mungbean hulls. Total antioxidant capacity rangedfrom 170 to 570 mg Trolox equivalents per 100 g, total phenolic content from130 to 240 mg gallic acid equivalents per 100 g, and anthocyanin content from 10 to40 mg cyanidin-3-glucoside equivalents per 100 g. There was a significant differencebetween varieties in all measures of antioxidant, phenolic and anthocyanin contents.Using principal component analysis, the midinfrared spectra for the five mungbeanvarieties could be isolated, highlighting the differences in their phytochemical compo-sition. In general, whole Australian mungbeans appear to have the highest antioxi-dant, phenolic, and anthocyanin contents. Midinfrared spectroscopy appears to be avaluable method of obtaining and comparing the macrochemical composition ofmungbeans. This technology is likely to be of increasing use in the future

The association between time-use behaviors and physical and mental well-being in adults: A compositional isotemporal substitution analysis

Vandelanotte, CL ORCiD: 0000-0002-4445-8094Background: Substantial evidence links activity domains with health and well-being; however, research has typically examined time-use behaviors independently, rather than considering daily activity as a 24-hour time-use composition. This study used compositional data analysis to estimate the difference in physical and mental well-being associated with reallocating time between behaviors. Methods: Participants (n = 430; 74% female; 41 [12] y) wore an accelerometer for 7 days and reported their body mass index; health-related quality of life (QoL); and symptoms of depression, anxiety, and stress. Regression models determined whether time-use composition, comprising sleep, sedentary behavior, light physical activity (LPA), and moderate to vigorous physical activity (MVPA), was associated with well-being. Compositional isotemporal substitution models estimated the difference in well-being associated with reallocating time between behaviors. Results: Time-use composition was associated with body mass index and physical health-related QoL. Reallocating time to MVPA from sleep, sedentary behavior, and LPA showed favorable associations with body mass index and physical health-related QoL, whereas reallocations from MVPA to other behaviors showed unfavorable associations. Reallocations from LPA to sedentary behavior were associated with better physical health–related QoL and vice versa. Conclusion: Results reinforce the importance of MVPA for physical health but do not suggest that replacing sedentary behavior with LPA is beneficial for health and well-being.</jats:p

Validity and bias on the online active Australia survey: Activity level and participant factors associated with self-report bias

Vandelanotte, CL ORCiD: 0000-0002-4445-8094BACKGROUND: This study examined the criterion validity of the online Active Australia Survey, using accelerometry as the criterion, and whether self-report bias was related to level of activity, age, sex, education, body mass index and health-related quality of life. METHODS: The online Active Australia Survey was validated against the GENEActiv accelerometer as a direct measure of activity. Participants (n = 344) wore an accelerometer for 7 days, completed the Active Australia Survey, and reported their health and demographic characteristics. A Spearman's rank coefficient examined the association between minutes of moderate-to-vigorous physical activity recorded on the Active Australia Survey and GENEActiv accelerometer. A Bland-Altman plot illustrated self-report bias (the difference between methods). Linear mixed effects modelling was used to examine whether participant factors predicted self-report bias. RESULTS: The association between moderate-to-vigorous physical activity reported on the online Active Australia Survey and accelerometer was significant (rs = .27, p < .001). Participants reported 4 fewer minutes per day on the Active Australia Survey than was recorded by accelerometry (95% limits of agreement -104 - 96 min) but the difference was not significant (t(343) = -1.40, p = .16). Self-report bias was negatively associated with minutes of accelerometer-recorded moderate-to-vigorous physical activity and positively associated with mental health-related quality of life. CONCLUSIONS: The online Active Australia Survey showed limited criterion validity against accelerometry. Self-report bias was related to activity level and mental health-related quality of life. Caution is recommended when interpreting studies using the online Active Australia Survey

Modelling complex series combinations of draft gear springs

Cole, CR ORCiD: 0000-0001-8840-7136; Spiryagin, M ORCiD: 0000-0003-1197-898X; Wu, Q ORCiD: 0000-0001-9407-5617A new approach to wagon connection modelling is proposed that allows each stiffness-damper component of each coupler system to be modelled separately instead of being combined into a single inter-wagon connection. Two passenger draft gear types were modelled and evaluated and compared to single inter-wagon connection modelling. The effect of a very different draft gear characteristic at the locomotive was also introduced by adding a friction type draft gear and a larger free slack. The results show significant differences in the acceleration response from the different modelling approaches for the train with single pack draft gears. The results for the balanced type draft gear were almost unchanged