106 research outputs found

    Where spirituality and religion meet gender and sexuality:Toward a research agenda for intersectional marketing theory

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    During a roundtable discussion at the 2022 GENMAC Conference, a group of researchers specializing in religiosity and spiritual consumption, using examples from their own fieldwork, reflected on how (i) researchers’ subject positioning—including their gender and sexuality—shape fieldwork in multifaceted manners; (ii) investigations of religious/spiritual fields would benefit from a heightened sensitivity to issues of gender and sexuality; and (iii) greater sensitivity to aspects of religion and/or spirituality can help gender and sexuality scholars better understand consumers and markets. Based on the above, in this commentary paper, we call for intersectional reflexivity, attention to vulnerability and discomfort during fieldwork, and critical sensitivity to the religious “context of context” during theorization. Furthermore, we argue that specific spiritual/religious imaginaries can foster new research approaches that can contribute to more nuanced fieldwork and theorization in marketing and consumer research.</p

    Where spirituality and religion meet gender and sexuality::Towards a research agenda for intersectional marketing theory

    Get PDF
    During a roundtable discussion at the 2022 GENMAC Conference, a group of researchers specializing in religiosity and spiritual consumption, using examples from their own fieldwork, reflected on how (i) researchers’ subject positioning—including their gender and sexuality—shape fieldwork in multifaceted manners; (ii) investigations of religious/spiritual fields would benefit from a heightened sensitivity to issues of gender and sexuality; and (iii) greater sensitivity to aspects of religion and/or spirituality can help gender and sexuality scholars better understand consumers and markets. Based on the above, in this commentary paper, we call for intersectional reflexivity, attention to vulnerability and discomfort during fieldwork, and critical sensitivity to the religious “context of context” during theorization. Furthermore, we argue that specific spiritual/religious imaginaries can foster new research approaches that can contribute to more nuanced fieldwork and theorization in marketing and consumer research.</p

    Liquid-state NMR analysis of nanocelluloses

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    Recent developments in ionic liquid electrolytes for cellulose or biomass dissolution has also allowed for high-resolution 1H and 13C NMR on very high molecular weight cellulose. This permits the development of advanced liquid-state quantitative NMR methods for characterization of unsubstituted and low degree of substitution celluloses, for example, surface-modified nanocelluloses, which are insoluble in all molecular solvents. As such, we present the use of the tetrabutylphosphonium acetate ([P4444][OAc]):DMSO-d6 electrolyte in the 1D and 2D NMR characterization of poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA)-grafted cellulose nanocrystals (CNCs). PMMA-g-CNCs was chosen as a difficult model to study, to illustrate the potential of the technique. The chemical shift range of [P4444][OAc] is completely upfield of the cellulose backbone signals, avoiding signal overlap. In addition, application of diffusion-editing for 1H and HSQC was shown to be effective in the discrimination between PMMA polymer graft resonances and those from low molecular weight components arising from the solvent system. The bulk ratio of methyl methacrylate monomer to anhydroglucose unit was determined using a combination of HSQC and quantitative 13C NMR. After detachment and recovery of the PMMA grafts, through methanolysis, DOSY NMR was used to determine the average self-diffusion coefficient and, hence, molecular weight of the grafts compared to self-diffusion coefficients for PMMA GPC standards. This finally led to a calculation of both graft length and graft density using liquid-state NMR techniques. In addition, it was possible to discriminate between triads and tetrads, associated with PMMA tacticity, of the PMMA still attached to the CNCs (before methanolysis). CNC reducing end and sulfate half ester resonances, from sulfuric acid hydrolysis, were also assignable. Furthermore, other biopolymers, such as hemicelluloses and proteins (silk and wool), were found to be soluble in the electrolyte media, allowing for wider application of this method beyond just cellulose analytics.Peer reviewe

    Practice effects on the modified Concept Shifting Task (mCST): A convenient assessment for treatment effects on prefrontal cognitive function

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    <p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Trail-making tests, such as the Concept Shifting Task (CST), can be used to test the effects of treatment on cognitive performance over time in various neuropsychological disorders. However, cognitive performance in such experimental designs might improve as a result of the practice obtained during repeated testing rather than the treatment itself. The current study investigated if practice affects the accuracy and duration of performance on the repeatedly administered Concept Shifting Task modified to make it resistant to practice (mCST). The mCST was administered to 54 healthy participants twice a day, before and after a short break, for eight days. Results. The ANOVA and meta-analysis showed that there was no improvement in the mCST accuracy on the last vs. the first trial (Hedges' <it>g </it>= .14, <it>p </it>= .221) or within the session (after vs. before the break on all days; <it>g </it>= .01, <it>p </it>= .922). However, the participants performed the task faster on the last vs. the first trial (<it>g </it>= -.75, <it>p </it>< .001) and after vs. before the break on all days (<it>g </it>= -.12, <it>p </it>= .002). Conclusions. Repeated administration of the mCST does not affect the accuracy of performance on the test. However, practice might contribute to faster performance on the mCST over time and within each session.</p

    Nanocellulose as a natural source for groundbreaking applications in materials science: Todays state

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    Nanocelluloses are natural materials with at least one dimension in the nano-scale. They combine important cellulose properties with the features of nanomaterials and open new horizons for materials science and its applications. The field of nanocellulose materials is subdivided into three domains: biotechnologically produced bacterial nanocellulose hydrogels, mechanically delaminated cellulose nanofibers, and hydrolytically extracted cellulose nanocrystals. This review article describes todays state regarding the production, structural details, physicochemical properties, and innovative applications of these nanocelluloses. Promising technical applications including gels/foams, thickeners/stabilizers as well as reinforcing agents have been proposed and research from last five years indicates new potential for groundbreaking innovations in the areas of cosmetic products, wound dressings, drug carriers, medical implants, tissue engineering, food and composites. The current state of worldwide commercialization and the challenge of reducing nanocellulose production costs are also discussed.Dana Kralisch and Dagmar Fischer gratefully acknowledge the Free State of Thuringia and the European Social Fund (2016 FGR 0045) for funding. Dagmar Fischer would like to thank Yvette Pötzinger and Berit Karl for the excellent editorial support. Dieter Klemm, Friederike Kramer and Katrin Petzold-Welcke are grateful for the support by the Federal Ministry of Economic Affairs and Energy, ZIM (KF2748903MF4 and KF2386003MF3). Thanks are due to the employees of Jenpolymer Materials Ltd. & Co. KG and the Polymet Jena Association, especially Priv.-Doz. Dr. Wolfgang Fried, and Prof. Dr. Raimund W. Kinne, Experimental Rheumatology Unit, Department of Orthopedics, Jena University Hospital, Germany as well as to Dr. Detlef Gorski and Elke Langhammer, SuraChemicals GmbH, Jena, Germany for effective and helpful cooperation and stimulating interaction. Dieter Klemm and Friederike Kramer would like to thank Katharina Horn for the excellent editorial support. Miguel Gama acknowledges the funding from QREN (“Quadro de ReferĂȘncia EstratĂ©gica Nacional”) through the BioTecNorte operation (NORTE-01-0145-FEDER-000004) funded by the European Regional Development Fund under the scope of Norte2020-Programa Operacional Regional do Norte. Tom Lindström acknowledges RISE Bioeconomy for support and permission to publish. Emily Cranston and Stephanie Kedzior are thankful for funding from the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada (NSERC) in the form of a Discovery Grant (RGPIN 402329) and PGSD graduate student scholarship, as well as support from the Faculty of Engineering at McMaster University.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio
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