The Generic Ecosystem and Innovation Patterns of the Digital Transformation in the Financial Industry

The emergence of financial technology companies (Fintechs) through the easy access of digital technologies is transforming the entire financial industry, heralding a new era of business models. With digital technologies like mobile payments, robo advisors, and distributed ledgers or blockchain, Fintechs are challenging the prevailing position of traditional financial institutions. However, literature does not provide a structured overview of the digital transformation in the financial industry, including inter- organizational innovation patterns. By analyzing 792 Fintechs, this paper visualizes the 22 generic roles and value streams within the financial ecosystem using the e3- value method. Moreover, we identify and discuss seven inter-organizational innovation patterns of the digital transformation in the financial industry. We contribute to literature by examining digital transformation in the financial industry from an inter- organizational perspective. Practitioners may apply the model to position themselves and to identify disruptive actors or potential business opportunities. We also analyze the influence of blockchain technology

Poly[3-methyl­pyridinium [(μ2-di­hydrogen phosphito)bis­(μ3-hydrogen phosphito)dizinc]]

Peer reviewe

Endogenous biosynthesis of n-3 long-chain PUFA in Atlantic salmon

A more efficient utilisation of marine derived sources of dietary omega-3 long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids (n-3 LC PUFA) in cultured Atlantic salmon could, amongst other strategies, be facilitated by nutritional strategies that maximise endogenous n-3 LC PUFA synthesis. The objective of the current study was to quantify the extent of n-3 LC PUFA biosynthesis and the resultant effect on fillet nutritional quality in large, market size Atlantic salmon. Four diets were manufactured providing altered levels of dietary omega-3 substrate, namely 18:3n-3, and end-products, namely, 20:5n-3 and 22:6n-3. After 283 days of feeding, fish grew to in excess of 3000g and no differences in growth performance or biometrical parameters were recorded. An analysis of fatty acid composition and in vivo metabolism revealed that post-smolt Atlantic salmon have the potential to endogenously produce n-3 LC PUFA when provided with a substantial amount of dietary omega-3 substrate. Moreover, the extent of endogenous production resulted in fillet levels of n-3 LC PUFA comparable to fish fed a diet with added fish oil. Another major finding was that the presence of abundant dietary omega-3 substrate with the addition of dietary omega-3 end-product (i.e. fish oil) had a positive effect on final fillet levels of n-3 LC PUFA. This was likely the result of the preferential β-oxidation of dietary C18 n-3 PUFA resulting in an apparent conservation of n-3 LC PUFA from catabolism. Ultimately, this study highlights the potential for endogenous synthesis of n-3 LC PUFA to, at least partially, support a substantial reduction, in the amount of dietary fish oil in diets for market sized Atlantic salmon reared in seawater

An evaluation of section 1 of the Offensive Behaviour at Football and Threatening Communications (Scotland) Act 2012

A mixed methods evaluation of a legislation introduced by the Scottish Government to tackle sectarian and other offensive behaviours at regulated fotoball matche

Altered levels of shorter vs long-chain omega-3 fatty acids in commercial diets for market-sized Atlantic salmon reared in seawater – Effects on fatty acid composition, metabolism and product quality

There is a growing trend of ‘replacing’ long-chain omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acid (n-3 LC PUFA) rich oils with C18 shorter-chain omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acid rich oils in Atlantic salmon aquafeed formulations. n-3 LC PUFA, including 20:5n-3 and 22:6n-3, play contrasting physiological roles and are metabolised differently in comparison to C18 PUFA. Accordingly, the present study recorded the effect of replacing n-3 LC PUFA rich dietary fish oil with C18 n-3 PUFA rich camelina oil at two inclusion levels in commercial-like diets fed to market-sized Atlantic salmon. This assessment was achieved by an analysis of industry relevant production parameters including growth performance, fatty acid composition and metabolism, nutrient digestibility and consumer acceptance (liking and attribute analysis of fillet). The trial was conducted over the final 150 days of an on-farm grow-out period in seawater. The dietary replacement of n-3 LC PUFA with C18 n-3 PUFA resulted in a significant decrease in fillet n-3 LC PUFA and a poorer growth performance. However, in the absence of fish oil, the inclusion of camelina oil at high levels (40%) contributed to an improved n-6/n-3 ratio and partially ameliorated low dietary n-3 LC PUFA by providing added substrate for endogenous n-3 LC PUFA synthesis in comparison to a 20% camelina oil inclusion. Furthermore, consumer acceptance of Atlantic salmon was unaffected by the dietary addition of camelina oil

The impact of dietary protein: lipid ratio on growth performance, fatty acid metabolism, product quality and waste output in Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar)

A common strategy for aquafeed manufacturers has been the utilisation of relatively large amounts of terrestrial, both animal and plant, oil sources to produce diets with a high energy content. The provision of high fat diets is aimed at promoting the utilisation of energy from lipid, thus increasing the amount of dietary protein used for tissue synthesis. However, in recent years the cost of marine sourced dietary lipids has risen, at the same time, farming operations are under increasing pressure to limit environmental degradation associated with nitrogenous waste effluent. Currently there is limited information available regarding the environmental and economic impacts of an altered dietary protein: lipid ratio in diets for large Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar) reared in seawater, presenting a potential impediment for nutritional based solutions. Accordingly the present study compared two isoenergetic diets with varied protein: lipid ratios via an assessment of growth, fatty acid utilisation, human nutritional quality, nitrogenous waste output and economic considerations. The trial diets were fed to the fish for the final 150 days of an on-farm grow-out period and resulted in minimal differences in fish growth, fatty acid utilisation and fillet quality. A decreased dietary protein: lipid ratio resulted in a more efficient protein utilisation both in terms of digestibility and assimilation into fish and, therefore, nitrogenous waste output was reduced. However, due to small differences in feed utilisation, the cost of fish production was numerically higher

How to select interventions for promoting physical activity in schools? Combining preferences of stakeholders and scientists

Background The failure to scale-up and implement physical activity (PA) interventions in real world contexts, which were previously successful under controlled conditions, may be attributed to the different criteria of stakeholders and scientists in the selection process of available interventions. Therefore, the aim of our study was to investigate and compare the criteria applied by local stakeholders and scientists for selecting amongst suitable school-based PA interventions for implementation. Methods We conducted a three-round repeated survey Delphi study with local stakeholders (n = 7; Bremen, Germany) and international scientific PA experts (n = 6). Independently for both panels, two rounds were utilized to develop a list of criteria and the definitions of criteria, followed by a prioritization of the criteria in the third round. For each panel, a narrative analysis was used to rank-order unique criteria, list the number of scorers for the unique criteria and synthesize criteria into overarching categories. Results The stakeholders developed a list of 53 unique criteria, synthesized into 11 categories with top-ranked criteria being ‘free of costs’, ‘longevity’ and ‘integration into everyday school life’. The scientists listed 35 unique criteria, synthesized into 7 categories with the top-ranked criteria being ‘efficacy’, ‘potential for reach’ and ‘feasibility’. The top ranked unique criteria in the stakeholder panel were distributed over many categories, whereas four out of the top six criteria in the scientist panel were related to ‘evidence’. Conclusions Although stakeholders and scientists identified similar criteria, major differences were disclosed in the prioritization of the criteria. We recommend an early collaboration of stakeholders and scientists in the design, implementation, and evaluation of PA interventions

Cost and performance analysis of physical security systems

CPA - Cost and Performance Analysis - is a prototype integration of existing PC-based cost and performance analysis tools: ACEIT (Automated Cost Estimating Integrated Tools) and ASSESS (Analytic System and Software for Evaluating Safeguards and Security). ACE is an existing DOD PC-based tool that supports cost analysis over the full life cycle of a system; that is, the cost to procure, operate, maintain and retire the system and all of its components. ASSESS is an existing DOE PC-based tool for analysis of performance of physical protection systems. Through CPA, the cost and performance data are collected into Excel workbooks, making the data readily available to analysts and decision makers in both tabular and graphical formats and at both the system and subsystem levels. The structure of the cost spreadsheets incorporates an activity-based approach to cost estimation. Activity-based costing (ABC) is an accounting philosophy used by industry to trace direct and indirect costs to the products or services of a business unit. By tracing costs through security sensors and procedures and then mapping the contributions of the various sensors and procedures to system effectiveness, the CPA architecture can provide security managers with information critical for both operational and strategic decisions. The architecture, features and applications of the CPA prototype are presented. 5 refs., 3 figs

Evaluation of the 5-ethynyl-1,3,3-trimethyl-3H-indole ligand for molecular materials applications

The modification of conjugated organic compounds with organometallic moieties allows the modulation of the electronic and optoelectronic properties of such compounds and lends them to a variety of material applications. The organometallic complexes [M(Cp′)(L)n] (M = Ru or Fe; Cp′ = cyclopentadiene (Cp) or pentamethylcyclopentadiene (Cp*); (L)n = (PPh3)2 or 1,2-bi(diphenylphosphino)ethane (dppe)) and [M(L)n] (M = Ru; (L)n = (dppe)2 or (P(OEt)3)4; or M = Pt; (L)n = (PEt3)2, (PPh3)2 or tricyclohexylphosphine, (PCy3)2) modified with a 5-ethynyl-1,3,3-trimethyl-3H-indole ligand were prepared and characterised by NMR spectroscopy, IR and single-crystal X-ray diffraction. Cyclic voltammetry and IR spectroelectrochemistry of the ruthenium systems showed a single-electron oxidation localised over the M–C≡C–aryl moiety. The N-heteroatom of the indole ligand showed Lewis base properties and was able to extract a proton from a vinylidene intermediate as well as coordinate to CuI. Examples from the wire-like compounds were also studied by single-molecule break junction experiments but molecular junction formation was not observed. This is most likely attributable to the binding characteristics of the substituted terminal indole groups used here to the gold contacts.</jats:p