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Carbon plays an important role in controlling the mechanical properties of steels. In this study, the effect of different states of carbon―solute carbon, fine transgranular cementite, or coarse intergranular cementite―on the fatigue properties of Fe-0.017mass%C alloy was investigated. Transmission electron microscopy was used to examine the dislocation structure. Rigorous X-ray line profile analysis was conducted to evaluate the change in dislocation density, dislocation arrangement, and dislocation character as a function of the state of carbon. The fatigue limit ratio (fatigue strength/ultimate tensile strength) under the constant stress amplitude conditions was the highest for the solute carbon specimen, followed by the transgranular cementite and intergranular cementite specimens. The solute carbon specimen exhibited a prominent vein dislocation structure, whereas the transgranular cementite and intergranular cementite specimens showed tangled and cellular dislocation structures, respectively. X-ray line profile analysis revealed that the vein structure presumably consisted of a bunch of edge dislocations, whereas the cell structure mostly consisted of screw dislocations. The fractured surface of the solute carbon specimen showed large asperity and no clear striations, whereas the transgranular and intergranular cementite specimens revealed clear striations. Moreover, large cracks were observed along the striations, presumably owing to the existence of cementite.

Experiments were performed to investigate the tensile deformation characteristics of a Cu-2.5 wt% Ni-0.55 wt% Si alloy containing trace elements of Zn, Sn and Mg, processed by high-pressure torsion (HPT) under an applied pressure of 5 GPa for 10 revolutions, and then peak-aged or over-aged at 300 °C. The grain size of the HPT-processed (H) alloy was refined to 70 nm. The peak-aged (PA) alloy exhibited a higher tensile strength σ u of over 1 GPa than the H alloy. The over-aged (OA) alloy exhibited a lower value of σ u than not only the PA but the H alloy. The PA and the OA alloy revealed unique tensile deformation properties: an extremely small local elongation of 0.1% for the PA alloy, a very small uniform elongation of 0.2% for the OA alloy, and a sudden drop of tensile stress immediately after necking initiation for the OA alloy. The small local and uniform elongation for the PA and OA alloy were explained on the basis of intergranular fracture after and before necking initiation during tension. The stress drop was caused by the rapid propagation of intergranular fracture from the surface of necking part to the interior. Intergranular segregation of Sn promoted by aging at 300 °C resulted in the intergranular fracture of the PA and OA alloy.

Driven by the possibilities of the Internet of Things (IoT), global information and communication technology (ICT) firms have taken significant steps forward in recent years. The Internet provides extraordinary services to people while promoting a free culture. However, such services cannot be captured through gross domestic product (GDP) data that measure revenue. Consequently, advancement of the Internet leads to increasing dependency on uncaptured GDP (added value providing people utility and happiness beyond economic value) and ICT price decreases. Against such circumstances, global ICT firms are quickly embracing digital solutions for new competitiveness that urge them to restructure their business model toward digital business strategies. Aiming at demonstrating this hypothetical view, this paper attempts to explore new approach for analyzing such dynamism and examines some optimal solutions that are co-evolving with it. An empirical analysis of digital business solutions in 500 global ICT firms over the period 2005–2016 was conducted with special attention to their specific features. It was identified that research and development–intensive firms have fallen into a trap in ICT advancement, resulting in a decline in their marginal productivity of ICT that could be due to increasing dependency on uncaptured GDP. As a result, these firms are endeavoring to harness soft innovation resources and activate a self-propagating function that induces functionality development sublimating sophisticated digital business strategies, such as: • Shifting from software to network (e.g., Apple and Google), • Merging network and real (e.g., Amazon's merging of e-commerce and brick-and-mortal retail), • Shifting from commodity to culture (e.g., Facebook and Samsung). All can be considered as soft value addition in response to uncaptured GDP. This analysis explores new insights for ICT firms in their transformative strategies toward an IoT-based society.

The deformation mode of some titanium (Ti) alloys differs from that of pure Ti due to alloying elements in the α-phase. Herein, we investigated all possible slip modes in pure Ti and the effects of Al and V solutes as typical additive elements on the dislocation motion in α-Ti alloys using density functional theory (DFT) calculations. The stacking fault (SF) energy calculations indicated that both Al and V solutes reduce the SF energy in the basal plane. In contrast, Al solute increases the SF energy in the prismatic plane, making the slip motion in different planes more comparable. DFT calculations were subsequently carried out to simulate dislocation core structures. The energy landscape of the transition between all possible dislocation core structures and the barriers for dislocation glide in various slip planes clarified the nature of dislocation motion in pure Ti; i) the energy of prismatic core is higher than the most stable pyramidal core, and thereby dislocations need to overcome the energy barrier of the cross-slip (22.8 meV/b) when they move in the prismatic plane, ii) the energy difference between the prismatic and basal cores is higher (127 meV/b), that indicates the basal slip does not activate, iii) however, the Peierls barrier for motion in the basal plane is not as high (16 meV/b) once the dislocation exists stably in the basal plane. Direct calculations for the dislocation core around solutes revealed that both Al and V solutes facilitate dislocation motion in the basal plane by reducing the energy difference between the prismatic and basal cores. Thus, the effect of solutes characterizes the difference in the deformation mode of pure Ti and α-Ti alloys.

As revealed by Tapscott in his best-seller The Digital Economy published in 1994, the Internet has dramatically changed the way of conducting business and our daily lives. Further advancement of digital innovation, including cloud, mobile services, and artificial intelligence, has augmented this change significantly and provided us with extraordinary services and welfare never anticipated before. However, contrary to such an accomplishment, productivity in industrialized countries now confronts an apparent decline raising the question of a possible productivity paradox in the digital economy. The limitations of gross domestic product (GDP) statistics in measuring the advancement of the digital economy have become an important subject. While this mismatch is an old problem rooted in the dynamics of product innovations, since mismatch brought about by information and communication technology (ICT) is very strong, finding a solution to this critical issue has become highly crucial in the digital economy. Based on an intensive review of preceding studies and empirical analyses of national, industrial and individual behaviors in the digital economy, this paper attempted to draw a perspective on this critical issue. By means of an analysis of co-evolution among a shift in people's preferences from economic functionality to supra-functionality beyond economic value, the advancement of ICT and paradigm change to uncaptured GDP, a solution to this critical issue was investigated. New insights for measuring the digital economy were explored which provide insight into integration of national accounts with product-oriented micro-analysis efforts.

金沢大学理工研究域機械工学系, Strain-rate and temperature dependences of deformation behavior of ultrafine-grained (UFGed) AZ61Mg alloy were examined. For this purpose, AZ61Mg alloy specimens were subjected to multi-directional forging (MDFing) under decreasing temperature conditions to have various grain sizes. The average grain sizes attained by MDFing to 1, 3, 6 and 9 passes were approximately 8, 2, 0.5 and 0.3 μm, respectively. A superior balance of the mechanical properties of strength and ductility at room temperature was achieved by MDFing to three passes and over. The strain-rate sensitivity of mechanical properties of the MDFed specimens increased with decreasing grain size. The specimens with grain sizes of 0.5 and 0.3 μm (0.5 or 0.3 specimen) exhibited stronger strain-rate and temperature dependences of total elongation than those with grain sizes of 8 and 2 μm (8 or 2 specimen). This can be partially ascribed to grain-boundary sliding, since an AFM observation revealed the occurrence of room-temperature grain-boundary sliding in the 0.3 specimen. The activation volume V* for the 8, 2 and 0.5 specimen increased with increasing temperature, while the 0.3 specimen exhibited an inverse temperature dependence of V*. This suggests a change in deformation mechanism with decreasing grain size as well as the occurrence of grain-boundary sliding. © 2017 The Minerals, Metals & Materials Society and ASM International, Embargo Period 12 months, The final publication is available at www.springerlink.com/article/10.1007/s11661-017-4303-7

This paper attempts to explore a new insight to both industrialized and growing economies by demonstrating a digital-driven creative disruption in the forest-based bioeconomy which is beginning to replace its conventional and narrow concept of a forest-blinded economy. Notwithstanding the potential broad cross-sectoral benefits to both industrialized and growing economies, natural environments and locality constraints and the incessant challenge of distance have impeded balanced development of this economy. However, driven by digital solutions the economy has taken big steps forward in recent years. Digitalization has enabled real-time end-to-end supply chain visibility, improved delivery accuracy, stock level optimization and alignment with demand planning. These have led to digital ecosystem collaboration and a transparency crossover industrialized and growing economies worldwide. Thus, creative disruptive platform has emerged by embracing digital solutions. By means of an empirical analysis focusing on the noteworthy business activities at the forefront of both upstream and downstream of the chain, this paper demonstrates a transforming stream observed in the forefront of a forest-based bioeconomy chain. This research thus explores a new insight common to both industrialized and growing economies in constructing a creative disruption platform by embracing digital solutions.

To clarify whether excessive accumulation of total non-structural carbohydrate (TNC) causes down-regulation of photosynthesis in Raphanus sativus, we manipulated sink-source balance to alter TNC levels in source leaves and examined its effects on photosynthetic characteristics, whole-plant biomass allocation and anatomical characteristics of leaves and petioles. Comet and Leafy varieties with large and small hypocotyls were reciprocally grafted to change hypocotyl sink strength. They were grown at high or low nitrogen (N) availability and at elevated or ambient CO2. Maximum photosynthetic rate, which was highly correlated with Rubisco and leaf N contents, was hardly correlated with TNC across the grafting combinations and growth conditions. Biomass allocation to petioles and hypocotyls and accumulation of TNC in each organ were significantly higher at low N. TNC and structural carbohydrates such as cellulose and hemicellulose were higher and the proportion of intercellular air space in source leaves was lower at low N and elevated CO2. We conclude that excess TNC does not cause severe down-regulation of photosynthesis, and cell walls and petioles are also major carbohydrate sinks responding to changes in sink-source and carbon-nitrogen balances, which contribute to alleviating further accumulation of TNC to avoid its negative effects in source leaves.

“Plant factory with artificial lighting” (PFAL) refers to a plant production facility that can achieve mass production of vegetables year round in a controlled environment. However, the high-density planting pattern in PFALs causes low light conditions in the lower canopy, leading to leaf senescence in the outer leaves and thus to reductions in plant yields. In the present study, the effect of supplemental upward lighting underneath the plants on photosynthetic characteristics and plant yield was examined in lettuce, in comparison with supplemental downward lighting from above the plants at the same light intensity. Supplemental upward lighting increased the curvature factor of the photosynthetic response to light from above the plants. Moreover, supplemental upward lighting significantly enhanced the lettuce yield by retarding the senescence of the outer leaves. Here, we propose a novel cultivation system with a combination of downward lighting and supplemental upward lighting that can effectively increase plant growth and yield in PFALs.

Stainless steels were cold rolled to 92% reduction. The microstructure developed in a stable austenitic stainless steel was complicated heterogeneous nanostructure composed of lamellar-twin domains, shear bands and low-angle lamellar boundaries. Cold-rolled duplex stainless steel, however, exhibited more complicated and mixed microstructure where ferritic lamellar and the heterogeneous nanostructure of austenite were alternatively stacked. The heavily cold-rolled stainless steels followed by ageing exhibited marvelous high tensile strength over 2.6 GPa perpendicular to the rolling direction, although around 2 GPa along the rolling direction. Even while such high strength, moderate plastic elongation over 5% was attained.

This paper explores the roles of technological innovations in the growth of Japan’s motor vehicle industry, mainly from technology spillover perspective from the early 2000s to today. An empirical analysis focusing on business performances, R&D investments, and patent applications taking a noteworthy unique case in Japan was attempted. Empirical analyses on the productivity of patent to technology stock, use of exogenous technologies for their own technological innovation on its Automotive Business Unit elucidated that innovation capabilities, incorporation of exogenous technologies, and profit generation makes a virtuous cycle of continuous technological innovation. Furthermore, we found that the range of technology spillovers is not only expanding along with the development of information communication technology but also superposing itself intricately between organizational (industry– firm–business unit) layers.

Given the increasing role of research and development (R&D) in competitive markets in the digital economy while confronting the dilemma between R&D expansion and a productivity decline, transformation of the R&D model has become a crucial subject for global digital leaders. The authors of this paper postulate that neo open innovation harnessing the vigor of external innovation resources which then developed into a new concept of R&D that self-transforms during an R&D process initiated by Amazon by coupling with users. The authors further develop these postulates by proposing the embedding of a growth characteristic identical to biological coupling. An empirical analysis focusing on the forefront endeavors of global bioeconomy firms and also by Amazon was conducted. A notable endeavor toward a circular economy initiated by its global leader UPM- Kymmene Corporation (UPM) demonstrated the significance of a coupling effect with downstream digital commerce leader Amazon. This effect can be attributed to harnessing the function of the growth characteristic identical to biological coupling through co-evolution of the dual coupling of bioeconomy and digitalization and of upstream and downstream operations. This co-evolutionary coupling is expected to provide a novel concept of R&D that grows its function in a self-propagating way during the R&D process. An insightful suggestion supporting to a novel concept of R&D in the digital economy is thus proposed. peerReviewed

Fashion reflects changes in socio-economic and cultural life which, in turn, changes fashion, and apparel boosts such change. Thus, in response to a shift in people’s preferences from economic functionality to supra-functionality beyond an economic value, the fashion industry has been gaining momentum worldwide. In the digital economy, the fashion industry is in the midst of global dynamic change stimulating volatility, velocity, variety and dynamism, which necessitate a digital solution. Digital business leader Amazon has succeeded in constructing an R&D-driven disruptive businesss model. This can be attributed to a virtuous cycle among user-driven innovation, advancement of the Internet, co-emergence of soft innovation resources, and activation of a self-propagating function leading to supra-functionality satisfying user preferences. Given a timely digital solution, the fashion industry reinforces this cycle which, in turn, advances the solution. Thus, broad stakeholder involvement betting on a higher level of R&D expecting the future prospects of the industry can be expected. Based on a co-evolution analysis of the development trajectories of Amazon and the fashion industry, an insightful suggestion paving the way to stakeholder capitalism, essential for global business leaders, is thus provided. peerReviewed

Fashion reflects changes in socio-economic and cultural life which, in turn, changes fashion, and apparel boosts such change. Thus, in response to a shift in people’s preferences from economic functionality to supra-functionality beyond an economic value, the fashion industry has been gaining momentum worldwide. In the digital economy, the fashion industry is in the midst of global dynamic change stimulating volatility, velocity, variety and dynamism, which necessitate a digital solution. Digital business leader Amazon has succeeded in constructing an R&D-driven disruptive businesss model. This can be attributed to a virtuous cycle among user-driven innovation, advancement of the Internet, co-emergence of soft innovation resources, and activation of a self-propagating function leading to supra-functionality satisfying user preferences. Given a timely digital solution, the fashion industry reinforces this cycle which, in turn, advances the solution. Thus, broad stakeholder involvement betting on a higher level of R&D expecting the future prospects of the industry can be expected. Based on a co-evolution analysis of the development trajectories of Amazon and the fashion industry, an insightful suggestion paving the way to stakeholder capitalism, essential for global business leaders, is thus provided.

Amazon was the world's top Research and Development (R&D) firm in 2017. Its R&D investment was double that of 2015, five times that of 2012, and ten times that of 2011. Such a rapid and notable increase in R&D investment has raised the question of a new R&D definition and focus in the digital economy, which Amazon insists includes both “routine or periodic alterations” (traditionally classified as non-R&D) and “significant improvement” (classified as R&D). Using an empirical analysis of Amazon's R&D model as a system, this paper attempts to provide a convincing answer to this question. It has been identified that Amazon, which is based on R&D as a culture, has been promoting companywide experimentation to cause customers obsessed with making purchase decisions. This obsession has enabled Amazon to deploy an architecture for participation that makes the most of digital technologies by harnessing the power of users. Such user-driven innovation has accelerated a dramatic advancement of the Internet that, in turn, has accelerated the co-emergence of soft innovation resources in the marketplace. This emergence has activated a self-propagating function that has induced functionality development, leading to supra-functionality beyond an economic value that satisfies a shift in customers’ preferences. While this system depends on the assimilation capacity of soft innovation resources, Amazon has developed a high level of capacity supported by a rapid and notable increase in R&D investment. The above efforts function in a virtuous cycle leading to the transformation of “routine or periodic alterations” into “significant improvement.” These findings give rise to insightful suggestions regarding a new concept of R&D in neo open innovation in the digital economy. peerReviewed

Latent block models are used for probabilistic biclustering, which is shown to be an effective method for analyzing various relational data sets. However, there has been no statistical test method for determining the row and column cluster numbers of latent block models. Recent studies have constructed statistical-test-based methods for stochastic block models, which assume that the observed matrix is a square symmetric matrix and that the cluster assignments are the same for rows and columns. In this study, we developed a new goodness-of-fit test for latent block models to test whether an observed data matrix fits a given set of row and column cluster numbers, or it consists of more clusters in at least one direction of the row and the column. To construct the test method, we used a result from the random matrix theory for a sample covariance matrix. We experimentally demonstrated the effectiveness of the proposed method by showing the asymptotic behavior of the test statistic and measuring the test accuracy.

This chapter aims to illustrate the potential and significance of forest-based industry to take the lead in the sustainable development of the bio-based economy under digitalization. The digital solutions are transforming the forest-based industry by enabling the real-time end-to-end supply chain visibility, stock level optimization, demand planning, and real-time order status tracking and transparent, speedy, and hassle-free order fulfillment. In addition, increasing diversification corresponds to eco-consciousness, and shift in people’s preferences induces the transformation of forest-based bioeconomy into a digital platform industry. Further, this chapter will highlight the circular economy way of thinking that offers the possibility for the use of material to a more efficient level along with creating new, sustainable business models for many industries. The future of many industries lies in cross-industrial collaboration and creation of new value network based on circular economy as in the industrial ecosystems; the side streams generated in the production of one firm may be the input raw material for others. Based on all of these developments, transformation of forest-based bioeconomy into a digital platform industry can be expected. peerReviewed

While COVID-19 has driven a significant drop in sales, the apparel industry has been undergoing a digital solution-oriented transformation. Preempting its highly profitable potential, Amazon has been expanding its fashion-driven apparel business by developing a series of advanced digital fashions (ADFs). ADFs intensified Amazon's omnichannel dependence based on seamless switching by utilizing its innovative assets. With this development, and in response to the increasing necessity for luxury brands to offer extra channels for a non-contact society, Amazon introduced Luxury Stores, a long-lasting digital platform for luxury fashion, in September 2020. While luxury brands confront “the Internet dilemma,” this conundrum can be solved by synchronizing ADFs, Luxury Stores, and on-demand manufacturing (ODM). Taking Amazon's challenge to realize its long-lasting dreams of selling luxury brands and using ODM, this paper attempts to demonstrate the significance of this approach for exploring new frontiers in business models beyond the current omnichannel approach. An empirical analysis was conducted focusing on the development trajectories of seven ADFs and 34 luxury brands that joined Luxury Stores by the end of the first half of 2021 by using a techno-economic analysis, analogical evidence approach, literature review, and subsequent SWOT analysis. It was demonstrated that by means of timely synchronization of ADFs, Luxury Stores and patented ODM, co-evolution among them can be constructed leading to the emergence of a cloud-based fashion platform that enables on-demand personalization and customization. Consequently, big data on customers, vendors, manufactures, global influencers, and social trends can be collected, which grow and expand Amazon Web Service (AWS). This in turn further accelerates co-evolution among ADFs, Luxury Brands, and ODM. Activated co-evolution further advances cloud-based fashion platforms leading to a virtuous cycle between them. Thus, dual co-evolution of the co-evolution among ADFs, luxury brands, and ODM, and cloud-based fashion platform advancement emerged. This dual-co-evolution leads to a supra-omnichannel approach that enables apparel to grow seamless switching and explore new frontiers beyond current business models. These findings give rise to suggestions for dynamic and resilient strategies toward a non-contact society.

The inhomogeneous strain distribution introduced by the tensile deformation of pearlitic steel was visualized using digital image correlation method, and the morphology of cementite was quantitatively evaluated. The high strain was introduced near the block boundaries. Within the blocks, the strain was inhomogeneously distributed. The ratio (Lcem/Lcol) of cementite length to colony size, which is related to the degree of spheroidization, was well correlated with the average strain within the colonies; spheroidized colonies exhibited a relatively high strain. However, although the Lcem/Lcol values were nearly identical, the values of the introduced strain were largely dispersed in the colonies. Based on the Lcem/Lcol values, the colonies were classified as spheroidized, partially-spheroidized, and lamellar colonies. In majority of the lamellar colonies, the introduced strain was lower than the average strain and tended to be higher in the colonies located near the block boundaries. On the other hand, for the partially-spheroidized colonies, the values of the introduced strain varied considerably and were sufficiently correlated with the Schmid factor (SFLF_min) for slip system, where dislocations can glide long distances without interrupting the cementite plate. Additionally, the difficulty of slip propagation across colony boundaries was found to affect the deformability of the partially-spheroidized colonies. The spheroidized colonies exhibited the highest strain among the three types of colonies and were not correlated with the distance from the block boundary or SFLF_min. Therefore, it was concluded that the degree of spheroidization was the main influence on the deformability of the colonies in the pearlitic steel. Meanwhile, the SFLF_min, distance from the block boundary, and difficulty of slip propagation across the colony boundary sufficiently affected the deformability of the colonies, causing variation in the strain value for colonies with equal Lcem/Lcol values.

Fully reversed tension-compression low-cycle fatigue tests were performed at room temperature (RT) and 77 K on single-slip-oriented pure aluminum single crystals having different Schmid factor (SF) values (0, 0.14 and 0.24) for the cross-slip system under constant plastic shear-strain amplitudes. Cyclic deformation curves showed no stress saturation at RT, regardless of the applied strain amplitude. The cyclic deformation behavior at RT was as follows: initial hardening, softening and secondary hardening in the specimens with non-zero SF, whereas the specimens with SF = 0 exhibited monotonic hardening. However, all the specimens formed and developed the cell structure from the early stage of fatigue. On the other hand, no differences were observed in the cyclic deformation of the three specimens at 77 K. Shear stress amplitudes revealed initial hardening followed by saturation at any shear strain amplitudes applied, and a plateau stress region with a value of 42 MPa appeared in the cyclic stress-strain curve obtained at 77 K. Dislocation structures in the tested specimens were almost identical to those observed in single-slip-oriented pure Cu single crystals fatigued at RT.

A SUS316LN austenitic stainless steel was heavily cold rolled to develop heterogeneous nano (HN)-structure. And the effects of strain rate on the tensile deformation behavior of the HN-structured SUS316LN stainless steel were investigated. For this purpose, changes in lattice defect densities, such as dislocation density and stacking fault probability, during the tensile tests were investigated by means of in-situ X-ray diffraction (XRD) measurements at a synchrotron facility. The strength and elongation to failure simultaneously increased with increasing applied strain rate. The analyses of XRD profiles and microstructural observation revealed that twin fault probability as well as dislocation density and stacking fault probability increased with increasing strain rate. The more enhanced formation of ultra-fine twins by the increase in strain rate led to higher work hardening and resulted in more excellent strength/ductility balance.

Based on a powerful notion that the quality of higher education is crucial for innovation in digital economy and that such quality is subject to a conception of trust in teachers to deliver good education and advancement of information and communication technology (ICT), the dynamism of co-evolution between them was analyzed. Using a unique dataset representing the above system consisting of the rate of trust in teachers providing good education in the context of quality of education and their social status, of the level of higher education and the state of ICT advancement toward digitally-rich learning environments, an empirical numerical analysis of 20 countries was attempted. These countries were classified as advanced, semi-advanced and growing. It was found that while ICT advanced countries have embarked on co-evolution of ICT, higher education and trust, ICT growing countries have not been successful in this due to a vicious cycle between ICT and trust. Finland's educational success can be attributed to co-evolution which corresponds to the emergence of un-captured GDP similarly to the leading edge of an ICT-driven disruptive business model. The paradox of education productivity in ICT growing countries can be attributed to disengagement. It is suggested that steady ICT advancement fully utilizing external resources in digitally-rich learning environments may be essential to ICT growing countries in achieving higher education. On the other hand, continuing transcending innovation to transform learning environments into new digitally-rich learning environments should be maintained in ICT advanced countries. A new approach for constructing the above-described co-evolution in a systematic way was thus explored. peerReviewed

Harnessing the vigor of women’s potential is essential for inclusive economic growth in a digital economy moving toward aging society. This can be a soft engine for sustainable growth substitutable for costly hard investment. While there exists explicit evidence of a virtual cycle between economic growth and gender balance improvement, emerging countries cannot afford to overcome the constraints of low income. Given the foregoing, this paper analyzed possible co-evolution between economic growth, gender balance improvement and digital innovation initiated by information and communication technology (ICT) advancement. Using a unique dataset representing the state of gender balance improvement in the function of economic growth and ICT advancement, an empirical numerical analysis of 44 countries was attempted. These countries were classified as emerging, industrialized and with a specific culture. It was found that while industrialized countries, typically Finland, have realized high performance in co-evolution, emerging countries have been constrained by low ICT advancement, and countries with a specific culture have, notwithstanding their high economic level, also been constrained by a traditional male-dominated culture. Japan is a typical case. Based on these findings, lessons from contrasting trajectories between Finland and Japan for emerging countries were analyzed. It is suggested that advancement of ICT, not only quantitatively but also qualitatively in such a way as constructing a self-propagating system, is crucial for emerging countries. A new practical approach for harnessing the potential resources for sustainable growth was thus explored.

In light of the increasing significance of trust-based higher education towards digitally-rich learning environments, co-evolution dynamism between trust in teachers and higher education enabled by ICT advancement was analyzed. Using the rate of trust in teachers for good education in the Global Teacher Status Index, together with statistics on higher education level and ICT advancement, an empirical numerical analysis of 20 countries was attempted. It was identified that while ICT advanced countries have constructed a co-evolution between ICT, higher education and trust, ICT growing countries have not succeeded due to a vicious cycle between ICT and trust. Finland’s educational success can be attributed to this co-evolution while an education productivity paradox can be attributed to a disengagement. It is suggested that steady ICT advancement by making full utilization of external resources in digitally-rich learning environments can be essential to ICT growing countries for their higher education. A new approach for constructing the foregoing co-evolution in a systematic way was thus explored.

The influence of applied compressive stress on the growth kinetics of ellipsoidal ω-phase precipitates was investigated for a Ti–20 wt%Mo alloy aged at 300 °C. The application of compressive stress accelerated the growth of ω-precipitates when the misfit strain εM of the precipitates along the loading direction is smaller than 0, whereas it did not essentially induce the same effect in cases where εM > 0. The growth of the precipitates was interface-controlled in the case where εM < 0 under a compressive stress of 450–550 MPa. The interface-controlled growth rate increased linearly with increasing compressive stress. The interface-controlled growth rate under a compressive stress was slower than that under the same tensile stress in the case of εM > 0. © 2016 Springer Science+Business Media New York, Embargo Period 12 months

With the understanding that current ICT-driven global development depends on a trend shifting from traditional co-evolution of computer-initiated ICT, captured GDP, and economic functionality to new co-evolution of the Internet, un-captured GDP, and supra-functionality beyond economic value, the following hypothetical view was postulated: The disparity between the world's ICT leader countries with respect to happiness/welfare amidst great stagnation (Finland) or conspicuous economic growth (Singapore) can be attributed to the difference of the state in the above shifting trends. The foregoing hypothetical view was demonstrated on the basis of an empirical analysis measuring dependency on un-captured GDP, which is a key factor identifying the state of the shifting trends. This dependency is based on a comprehensive review of the consequences of three mega-trends that lead to the respective co-evolution and on the review of the development of trajectories relevant to these mega-trends. Noteworthy findings were obtained on the consequences of the development trajectory option, particularly on the shift from traditional co-evolution to new co-evolution resulting in differences in interactive return gain structure. Also significant policy suggestions essential for identifying government/business roles in the context of new innovation stream were received. The importance of transferring government ability in innovation, collaboration and absorption to business was stressed, as this creates a virtuous cycle between “muscular” economic environment development and increase in the “muscularity” of indigenous firms.

Amazon demonstrated a conspicuous increase in R&D and became the world's top R&D firm in 2017 with a skyrocketing increase in market capitalization, making it close to being the world's biggest company. Such a remarkable accomplishment can be attributed to Amazon's institutional systems, which orchestrate techno-financing systems that fuse a unique R&D transformation system and a sophisticated financing system centered on the cash conversion cycle (CCC). These institutional systems support and endorse aggressive investment in R&D that incorporates the characteristics of uncertainty, a long lead time, and successive inflows of very large amounts of funding without interruption. While some of this investment can be endorsed by Amazon's positive business results in terms of a sustained increase in sales and free cash flow, such a large amount of aggressive investment is beyond endorsement. In addition to actual economic performance, investors have been betting on a high level of risky investment with the expectation of Amazon's future success by trusting its R&D-inducing institutional systems. While the former can be considered to be a general reaction to a producer surplus, the latter can be postulated as an investor surplus in which investors bet on overly optimistic future prospects instead of actual accomplishments. This is similar to a consumer surplus in which consumers pay more than the actual market price for attractive goods and services. By introducing a concept of gross market value consisting of a producer surplus and an investor surplus, this paper attempts to elucidate the institutional systems that enable Amazon to invest a very large amount of financing resources in aggressive R&D. An intensive empirical analysis focusing on the development trajectory of Amazon's techno-financing system over the last two decades was conducted, together with comparative analyses of the performance of the big four online service companies, Google, Apple, Facebook, and Amazon (GAFA). It was identified that among GAFA, Amazon demonstrated the highest dependence on an investor surplus, which suggests that investors are betting on the continuation of Amazon's solid growth by means of its aggressive investment in R&D, supported and endorsed by its institutional systems. This idea is supported by the high elasticity of its investor surplus to R&D investment. Noteworthy is that investors incorporate not only shareholders but also broad stakeholders centered on users, and that they expect not only economic value but also supra-functionality beyond such value. A broadly applicable practical approach for measuring an investor surplus and an insightful suggestion highlighting the significance of an investor surplus toward stakeholder capitalism are thus provided.

Driven by digital solutions, the bioeconomy is taking major steps forward in recent years toward achievement of the long-lasting goal of transition from a traditional fossil economy to a bioeconomy-based circular economy. The coupling of digitalization and bioeconomy is leading towards a digitalized bioeconomy that can satisfy the shift in consumers’ preferences for eco-consciousness, which in turn induces coupling of up-down stream operation in the value chain. Thus, the co-evolution of the coupling of digitalization and bioeconomy and of upstream and downstream operations is transforming the forest-based bioeconomy into a digital platform industry. Aiming at addressing this transformation, a model was developed that explains above mentioned dynamism and demonstrated its reliability through an empirical analysis focusing on the development trajectory of UPM (forest-based ecosystem leader in Europe and a world pioneer in the circular economy) over the last quarter century, highlighting its efforts towards planned obsolescence-driven circular economy. It was comprehended that with the advancement of digital innovations, UPM has incorporated a self-propagating function that accelerates digital solution. Furthermore, this self-propagating function was triggered by coupling with a downstream leader, Amazon, in the United States. The dynamism in transforming a forest-based bioeconomy into a digital platform industry is thus clarified, and new insights common to all industries in the digital economy are provided. peerReviewed

A solution to the critical problem of a dilemma between R&D expansion and productivity decline that a majority of information and communication technology (ICT) leaders have been confronting in the digital economy is expected. It can be expected by a spinoff from economic functionality-seeking GDP-based coevolution cycle to supra-functionality beyond an economic value-seeking uncaptured GDP-driven coevolution cycle. However, the transformation dynamism remains a black box. By means of numerical simulations based on empirical analyses of the development trajectories of global ICT leaders, focusing on Amazon and Finland, together with an intensive review of preceding analyses, this paper attempted to elucidate the inside the black box of the above dynamism. By developing a practically applicable numerical approach, inspired attempts to explore a new elucidation frontier were conducted, thereby enabling a new concept of co-evolutionary coupling between two cycles to be postulated. An insightful suggestion regarding possible consequences in the future stemming from the trajectory option was thus provided. peerReviewed

A solution to the critical problem of a dilemma between R&D expansion and productivity decline that a majority of information and communication technology (ICT) leaders have been confronting in the digital economy is expected. It can be expected by a spinoff from economic functionality-seeking GDP-based coevolution cycle to supra-functionality beyond an economic value-seeking uncaptured GDP-driven coevolution cycle. However, the transformation dynamism remains a black box. By means of numerical simulations based on empirical analyses of the development trajectories of global ICT leaders, focusing on Amazon and Finland, together with an intensive review of preceding analyses, this paper attempted to elucidate the inside the black box of the above dynamism. By developing a practically applicable numerical approach, inspired attempts to explore a new elucidation frontier were conducted, thereby enabling a new concept of co-evolutionary coupling between two cycles to be postulated. An insightful suggestion regarding possible consequences in the future stemming from the trajectory option was thus provided.

Advancement of the digital economy has transformed the concept of the growth crossover in nations and firms, both concerning input and output. Advanced economies have been confronting a dilemma between input increases and output decreases. Contrary to traditional expectations, excessive increase in input has resulted in a productivity decline in output. A solution to this dilemma can only be expected by harnessing the vigor of soft innovation resources that lead to neo open innovation in the digital economy. This paper attempts to demonstrate this hypothetical view. Based on an empirical analysis of the development trajectories of 140 countries and 500 global ICT firms, dynamism, resulting in bipolarization between a virtuous cycle and a vicious cycle between input increases and productivity enhancement, was discovered. Furthermore, an empirical analysis focusing on the development trajectories of two world ICT leaders, Finland and Singapore, identified a mechanism of neo open innovation that assimilates soft innovation resources into a national production system. This mechanism can substitute for research and development (R&D) and removes structural impediments to growth while providing relief from the increasing burden of R&D investment. The above findings provide insightful suggestions for drafting a roadmap towards neo open innovation in the digital economy. peerReviewed

The Internet has dramatically changed the way we conduct business and our daily lives by provided us with unprecedented services and conveniences. However, contrary to such accomplishments, productivity in industrialized countries is now experiences an apparent decline. This has raised the question of a possible productivity paradox in the digital economy. The limitation of GDP statistics in measuring the advancement of the digital economy has thus become an important subject. This paper analyzed the structural sources of this problem. Utilizing the results of empirical analyses of national, industrial, and individual behavior in the digital economy, solutions to these critical issues were investigated. Based on the two-faced nature of information and communication technology (ICT) and the fact that people's preferences extend beyond economic value, the concept of uncaptured GDP was postulated and spinoff dynamism to a new co-evolution among advancement of the Internet, increasing dependence on uncaptured GDP, and a shift in people's preferences was reviewed. This provided new insight and suggested a transformative direction to address the limitation of using GDP statistics in the digital economy. peerReviewed

While Finland and Singapore have been maintaining world digital leaders position, they demonstrate interlaced contrast: high welfare with low GDP growth in Finland and higher GDP growth with lower welfare in Singapore. This provokes an uncaptured GDP postulate that Finnish wellbeing has developed more than one might conclude by GDP. However, a recent reversal in the GDP growth trend suggests the possibility that uncaptured GDP contributes to remove structural impediments in GDP growth.This paper demonstrates this hypothesis. An empirical analysis elucidating the inside the national accountings and institutional systems revealed that soft innovation resources have substituted for service capital in Finland and created uncaptured GDP which disseminated in tangible capital and removed structural impediments impeding development leading to GDP growth. In addition, this growth enables next generation intellectual property product (IPP) development. An insightful suggestion in overcoming a productivity paradox in the digital economy was thus provided. peerReviewed

Background: Streptococcus gordonii, a pioneer colonizer of dental plaque biofilm, expresses surface protein adhesin SspB by which the bacteria bind to salivary agglutinin (gp340). SspB has extensive homology with PAc, a surface adhesin of Streptococcus mutans. Hence, SspB of S. gordonii competes with PAc of S. mutans for the same niche environment in the salivary pellicles. The aim of this study was to develop anti-adherence agents that enabled us to control cariogenic biofilms by using the streptococcal SspB peptide analog SspB (A4K-A11K). Methods: First, we performed ELISA to determine the S. mutans-saliva interaction and saliva-binding activities of SspB (A4K- A11K). The inhibitory effects of SspB (A4K-A11K) were then evaluated by examining S. mutans adhesion to saliva-coated hydroxyapatite disks (s-HA). To determine peptide interference with biofilm formation, S. mutans biofilms were quantified by counting CFUs on MS agar plates and by measuring the absorbance at 492 nm of safranin-stained biofilms on s-HA. Results: Saliva, particularly salivary gp340 peptide, promoted adherence of S. mutans to polystyrene surfaces. SspB (A4K-A11K) significantly bound to saliva and inhibited the adhesion of S. mutans to s-HA without bactericidal activity. Furthermore, biofilms of S. mutans on s-HA were successfully reduced by pretreatment with SspB (A4K-A11K). Conclusion: SspB (A4K-A11K) peptide competitively blocked S. mutans adhesion to experimental pellicles through SspB-gp340 interaction, thereby inhibiting biofilm formation. These findings will contribute to the control cariogenic biofilms.

The effects of applied tensile stress on the growth of ellipsoidal ω phase precipitates have been investigated for a Ti–20wt%Mo alloy aged at 300 °C. The application of tensile stress accelerates the growth of ω-precipitates when the misfit strain εΜ of the precipitates along the loading direction is greater than 0; however, it does not significantly affect the growth of precipitates in cases where εΜ < 0. Whereas the growth of precipitates under no stress or in the case where εΜ < 0 under tensile stress is governed by the diffusion of Mo from the ω/β interface toward the β-Ti matrix, precipitate growth is instead interface-controlled in the case where εΜ > 0 under a tensile stress of 400–550 MPa. The growth velocity of precipitates in the case where εΜ > 0 is proportional to the tensile stress. This result, together with the misfit strain dependence of the growth of precipitates, is discussed on the basis of the interaction energy between the stress acting on an ω-precipitate and its misfit strain. The activation energies for the diffusion-controlled and interface-controlled growth are estimated to be approximately 190 and 130 kJ/mol, respectively. The value of 190 kJ/mol is consistent with the activation energy for volume diffusion of Mo in β-Ti. © 2015 Springer Science+Business Media New York, Embargo Period 12 months after publication

In line with the increasing significance of the acceleration of information technology (IT) advancement and also of harnessing the vigor of emerging economies, IT outsourcing to emerging economies has become global concerns. This enables global companies to enjoy a critical competitive edge by choosing the best option in outsourcing strategy and supplier selection. Consequently, supplier selection criteria have become critical issues for both suppliers and customers. This paper attempts to provide insightful suggestions to these issues. An empirical analysis was conducted taking supplier selection criteria evolvement in global IT outsourcing project focusing on action research in a multinational company. Noteworthy findings include impacts of manager's change, identification of creative moment and weighing of supplier selection criteria.

The majority of countries with advanced information and communication technology (ICT) infrastructure have been experiencing extended stagnation due to an “embedded” trap in ICT advancement. However, certain countries have been able to sustain a high level of ICT- driven global competitiveness. This suggests that in these contexts there is resilience beyond economic value. Finland and Singapore can be considered countries of resilience with respect to ICT-driven global competitiveness because of their continued GDP growth despite the recession. While both countries share significant similarities including institutional strength in ICT, they demonstrate noteworthy disparities in their development trajectories: Singapore is growth-oriented based on captured GDP while Finland seeks happiness by shifting to un-captured GDP. This contrast can be attributed to their distinct co-evolution with their institutional systems characterized by government/business initiatives in ICT usage for economic efficiency and differences in the new economic index referred to as “happiness seeking”. Given the increasing significance of un-captured GDP derived from the dramatic advancement of the Internet, this paper, will use a comparative analysis of ICT-driven development trajectories in six leading countries in the field over the last two decades. This analysis reveals the different option for maintaining economic resilience. A new method for measuring un-captured GDP was developed to assess the consequences and state of un-captured GDP in six countries. Institutional sources leading to this state were analyzed and a source of resilience beyond economic value was conceptualized and articulated.

The effects of tensile stress on the nucleation and growth of ellipsoidal ω phase precipitates have been investigated for a Ti-20wt%Mo alloy aged at 300 °C. Application of a tensile stress promotes not only the nucleation but also the growth of ω precipitates. Estimates of the average misfit strains along the loading and the transverse directions from measurements of the length change reveal the preferential formation of specific ω variants among crystallographicallyequivalent four ones. The average size of the precipitates in the alloy aged under no stress follows initially a parabolic growth law, whereas when aged under a tensile stress of 400 and 450MPa the precipitate size increases linearly with aging time, this fact indicating that while the growth of ω precipitates is governed by diffusion of Mo from the ω/β interface to the β matrix under no stress, precipitate growth is instead interface-controlled under tensile stress.

The dramatic advancement of the Internet has led all nations to an information communication technology (ICT) driven development trajectory. This trajectory has resulted in bi-polarization between ICT growing economies and ICT advanced economies. While the former enjoys a virtuous cycle between ICT advancement and productivity increase, the later has fallen into a trap of a vicious cycle between ICT advancement and productivity decrease. This paper identifies that this trap can be attributed to the two-faced nature of ICT in which advancement of ICT contributes to price increases due to functionality development while dramatic advancement of the Internet has resulted in price decreases due to freebies, easy copying and standardization. Based on an empirical analysis of a customer preference shift from economic functionality to supra-functionality beyond economic value, this paper unveils the increasing conflict between captured GDP and un-captured GDP derived from the Internet advancement which promotes a freer culture, the consumption of which provides utility and happiness but cannot be captured through GDP data that measures revenue. It was demonstrated that this conflict has led to an emerging growing anger of consumers which can be transformed into a springboard for new innovation leading to a trigger of innovation-consumption co-emergence.

The effect of addition of 0.04 or 0.2 mass pct Ti on the mechanical properties of a Cu-2.0 mass pct Ni-0.5 mass pct Si alloy has been investigated. The addition of 0.04 mass pct Ti enhances the strength of the Cu-Ni-Si alloy without reducing its electrical conductivity. This increase in strength is caused by the decrease in inter-precipitate spacing of δ-Ni2Si precipitates. The addition of trace Ti reduces the equilibrium concentration of Ni and Si atoms in the alloy bearing the δ precipitates, resulting in an increase in the volume fraction of δ precipitates and decrease in the inter-precipitate spacing. However, the addition of 0.2 mass pct Ti to the Cu-Ni-Si alloy decreases the strength of the alloy. The reduction in strength is attributed to the decrease in the volume fraction of δ precipitates caused by the reduction in Ni and Si atoms in the Cu matrix resulting from the formation of Ni16Si7Ti6 particles. © 2015 The Minerals, Metals & Materials Society and ASM International