bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Recombinant expression, purification, and antifungal activity of the novel antimicrobial peptide TaW662
Authors: Wang Chen , Yang Baoyi , Yang Yanlin , Kang Lu , Liu Fujiao , Wang Zhiwen , Feng Deshun
Published: April 2024

Blumeria graminisf. sp.tritici(Bgt) is a significant wheat fungal pathogen, posing threats to both yield and quality. Antimicrobial peptides, with their broad-spectrum activities, hold promise in combatingBgt-induced wheat fungal diseases.In this study, we identifiedTaW662, an antifungal peptide gene sourced from the wheat-Thinopyrum intermediumdisomic alien addition line SN6306. Through third-generation transcriptome sequencing, we obtained the full-length transcript ofTaW662. Notably,TaW662exhibited upregulated expression in response to powdery mildew infection in SN6306. Subcellular localization analysis revealed TaW662’s extracellular secretion, suggesting its role in defense mechanisms. Additionally, the TaW662 protein was expressed inEscherichia coli, and the purified protein could inhibit the growth ofBgt in vitro. Utilizing the online alphafold2 server, we predicted the three-dimensional structure of TaW662, aiding in understanding its fungicidal mechanisms. Analysis of TaW662’s physicochemical properties further supported its potential efficacy as a fungicide againstBgt. In conclusion, TaW662 emerges as a promising candidate for combatingBgt-induced wheat fungal diseases, warranting further exploration for agricultural disease management strategies.

Highlights

TaW662, a secreted protein homologous toTaWIR1, is induced in wheat byBlumeria graminisf. sp.tritici(Bgt).

The expression pattern ofTaW662in wheat under induced byBgtwas analysed using RNA-Seq technology.

The three-dimensional structure of TaW662 was predicted using AlphaFold2.

The growth ofBgtis inhibited by recombinant TaW662.
QTL Mapping for Pod Quality and Yield Traits in Snap Bean (Phaseolus vulgarisL.)
Authors: Njau Serah Nyawira , Parker Travis A. , Duitama Jorge , Gepts Paul , Arunga Edith Esther
Published: April 2024

Pod quality and yield traits in snap bean (Phaseolus vulgarisL.) influence consumer preferences, crop adoption by farmers, and the ability of the product to be commercially competitive locally and globally. The objective of the study was to identify the quantitative trait loci (QTL) for pod quality and yield traits in a snap × dry bean recombinant inbred line (RIL) population. A total of 184 F6RILs derived from a cross between Vanilla (snap bean) and MCM5001 (dry bean) were grown in three field sites in Kenya and one greenhouse environment in Davis, CA, USA. They were genotyped at 5,951 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs), and composite interval mapping was conducted to identify QTL for 16 pod quality and yield traits, including pod wall fiber, pod string, pod size, and harvest metrics. A combined total of 44 QTL were identified in field and greenhouse trials. The QTL for pod quality were identified on chromosomes Pv01, Pv02, Pv03, Pv04, Pv06, and Pv07, and for pod yield were identified on Pv08. Co-localization of QTL was observed for pod quality and yield traits. Some identified QTL overlapped with previously mapped QTL for pod quality and yield traits, with several others identified as novel. The identified QTL can be used in future marker-assisted selection in snap bean.
Importance of the semimetallic state for the quantum Hall effect in
HfTe5
Authors: Piva M. M. , Wawrzyńczak R. , Kumar Nitesh , Kutelak L. O. , Lombardi G. A. , dos Reis R. D. , Felser C. , Nicklas M.
Published: April 2024

At ambient pressure, HfTe5 is a material at the boundary between a weak and a strong topological phase, which can be tuned by changes in its crystalline structure or by the application of high magnetic fields. It exhibits a Lifshitz transition upon cooling, and three-dimensional (3D) quantum Hall effect (QHE) plateaus can be observed at low temperatures. Here, we have investigated the electrical transport properties of HfTe5 under hydrostatic pressure up to 3 GPa. We find a pressure-induced crossover from a semimetallic phase at low pressures to an insulating phase at about 1.5 GPa. Our data suggest the presence of a pressure-induced Lifshitz transition at low temperatures within the insulating phase around 2 GPa. The quasi-3D QHE is confined to the low-pressure region in the semimetallic phase. This reveals the importance of the semimetallic ground state for the emergence of the QHE in HfTe5 and thus favors a scenario based on a low carrier density metal in the quantum limit for the observed signatures of the quasiquantized 3D QHE.

Published by the American Physical Society
2024
Weak localization at arbitrary disorder strength in systems with generic spin-dependent fields
Authors: Hijano Alberto , Ilić Stefan , Bergeret F. Sebastián
Published: April 2024

We present a theory of weak localization (WL) in the presence of generic spin-dependent fields, including any type of spin-orbit coupling, Zeeman fields, and nonhomogeneous magnetic textures. We go beyond the usual diffusive approximation, considering systems with short-range disorder of arbitrary strength and obtain a compact expression for the weak localization (WL) correction to the conductivity in terms of the singlet-triplet polarization operator in momentum space. The latter can be directly related to the solution of the quasiclassical Eilenberger equation for superconducting systems. This formulation presents an intuitive framework to explore how the interplay of various spin-dependent fields drives weak (anti) localization. We apply our results to study in-plane magnetoconductivity in systems with spin-orbit coupling and in newly discovered altermagnets. Our results enable straightforward calculation of the WL conductivity at arbitrary disorder strength, which can be particularly useful for interpreting experiments on high-mobility samples.

Published by the American Physical Society
2024
Inelastic Decay from Integrability
Authors: Burshtein Amir , Goldstein Moshe
Published: April 2024

A hallmark of integrable systems is the purely elastic scattering of their excitations. Such systems possess an extensive number of locally conserved charges, leading to the conservation of the number of scattered excitations, as well as their set of individual momenta. In this work, we show that inelastic decay can nevertheless be observed in circuit-QED realizations of integrable boundary models. We consider the scattering of microwave photons off impurities in superconducting circuits implementing the boundary sine-Gordon and Kondo models, which are both integrable. We show that not only is inelastic decay possible for the microwave photons, in spite of integrability, and due to a nonlinear relation between them and the elastically scattered excitations, but also that integrability in fact provides powerful analytical tools allowing us to obtain exact expressions for response functions describing the inelastic decay. Using the framework of form factors, we calculate the total inelastic decay rate and elastic phase shift of the microwave photons, extracted from a two-point response function. We then go beyond linear response and obtain the exact energy-resolved inelastic decay spectrum, using a novel method to evaluate form-factor expansions of three-point response functions, which could prove useful in other applications of integrable quantum field theories. Our results could be relevant to several recent photon-splitting experiments and, in particular, to recent experimental works that provide evidence for the elusive Schmid-Bulgadaev dissipative quantum phase transition.

Published by the American Physical Society
2024
Qubit-Efficient Randomized Quantum Algorithms for Linear Algebra
Authors: Wang Samson , McArdle Sam , Berta Mario
Published: April 2024

We propose a class of randomized quantum algorithms for the task of sampling from matrix functions, without the use of quantum block encodings or any other coherent oracle access to the matrix elements. As such, our use of qubits is purely algorithmic and no additional qubits are required for quantum data structures. Our algorithms start from a classical data structure in which the matrix of interest is specified in the Pauli basis. For N×N Hermitian matrices, the space cost is log﻿(N)+1 qubits and, depending on the structure of the matrices, the gate complexity can be comparable to state-of-the-art methods that use quantum data structures of up to size O(N2), when considering equivalent end-to-end problems. Within our framework, we present a quantum linear system solver that allows one to sample properties of the solution vector, as well as algorithms for sampling properties of ground states and Gibbs states of Hamiltonians. As a concrete application, we combine these subroutines to present a scheme for calculating Green’s functions of quantum many-body systems.

Published by the American Physical Society
2024
Permissible domain walls in monoclinic ferroelectrics. Part II. The case of MC
phases
Authors: Biran Ido , Gorfman Semën
Published: April 2024

Monoclinic ferroelectric phases are prevalent in various functional materials, most notably mixed-ion perovskite oxides. These phases can manifest as regularly ordered long-range crystallographic structures or as macroscopic averages of the self-assembled tetragonal/rhombohedral nanodomains. The structural and physical properties of monoclinic ferroelectric phases play a pivotal role when exploring the interplay between ferroelectricity, ferroelasticity, giant piezoelectricity and multiferroicity in crystals, ceramics and epitaxial thin films. However, the complex nature of this subject presents challenges, particularly in deciphering the microstructures of monoclinic domains. In Paper I [Biran & Gorfman (2024). Acta Cryst. A80, 112–128] the geometrical principles governing the connection of domain microstructures formed by pairing MAB
type monoclinic domains were elucidated. Specifically, a catalog was established of `permissible domain walls', where `permissible', as originally introduced by Fousek & Janovec [J. Appl. Phys. (1969), 40, 135–142], denotes a mismatch-free connection between two monoclinic domains along the corresponding domain wall. The present article continues the prior work by elaborating on the formalisms of permissible domain walls to describe domain microstructures formed by pairing the MC
type monoclinic domains. Similarly to Paper I, 84 permissible domain walls are presented for MC
type domains. Each permissible domain wall is characterized by Miller indices, the transformation matrix between the crystallographic basis vectors of the domains and, crucially, the expected separation of Bragg peaks diffracted from the matched pair of domains. All these parameters are provided in an analytical form for easy and intuitive interpretation of the results. Additionally, 2D illustrations are provided for selected instances of permissible domain walls. The findings can prove valuable for various domain-related calculations, investigations involving X-ray diffraction for domain analysis and the description of domain-related physical properties.
Bond topology of chain, ribbon and tube silicates. Part II. Geometrical analysis of infinite 1D arrangements of (TO4)
n− tetrahedra
Authors: Day Maxwell Christopher , Hawthorne Frank Christopher , Rostami Ali
Published: April 2024

In Part I of this series, all topologically possible 1-periodic infinite graphs (chain graphs) representing chains of tetrahedra with up to 6–8 vertices (tetrahedra) per repeat unit were generated. This paper examines possible restraints on embedding these chain graphs into Euclidean space such that they are compatible with the metrics of chains of tetrahedra in observed crystal structures. Chain-silicate minerals with T = Si4+ (plus P5+, V5+, As5+, Al3+, Fe3+, B3+, Be2+, Zn2+ and Mg2+) have a grand nearest-neighbour 〈T–T〉 distance of 3.06±0.15 Å and a minimum T...T separation of 3.71 Å between non-nearest-neighbour tetrahedra, and in order for embedded chain graphs (called unit-distance graphs) to be possible atomic arrangements in crystals, they must conform to these metrics, a process termed equalization. It is shown that equalization of all acyclic chain graphs is possible in 2D and 3D, and that equalization of most cyclic chain graphs is possible in 3D but not necessarily in 2D. All unique ways in which non-isomorphic vertices may be moved are designated modes of geometric modification. If a mode (m) is applied to an equalized unit-distance graph such that a new geometrically distinct unit-distance graph is produced without changing the lengths of any edges, the mode is designated as valid (m
v); if a new geometrically distinct unit-distance graph cannot be produced, the mode is invalid (m
i). The parameters m
v and m
i are used to define ranges of rigidity of the unit-distance graphs, and are related to the edge-to-vertex ratio, e/n, of the parent chain graph. The program GraphT–T was developed to embed any chain graph into Euclidean space subject to the metric restraints on T–T and T...T. Embedding a selection of chain graphs with differing e/n ratios shows that the principal reason why many topologically possible chains cannot occur in crystal structures is due to violation of the requirement that T...T > 3.71 Å. Such a restraint becomes increasingly restrictive as e/n increases and indicates why chains with stoichiometry TO<2.5 do not occur in crystal structures.
A critical conceptual framework for understanding career development in linguistically diverse individual and organizational contexts
Authors: Stojanović Maja , Robinson Petra A.
Published: April 2024

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to explore issues pertaining to monolingual ideology in the United States and the challenges in terms of career identity and development for multilingual individuals.

Design/methodology/approach

This conceptual paper provides a discussion of the relevant literature pertaining to linguistic diversity, language ideologies, career identity and career development, and offers a critical conceptual framework for understanding career development in linguistically diverse, multilingual contexts.

Findings

Based on a critical review of literature, this paper proposes a conceptual framework which can be used to address linguistic issues that may otherwise encourage discrimination and inequity in the workplace.

Originality/value

This paper addresses the gap in career development literature by proposing a critical conceptual framework that integrates language as an important element of one’s career identity.
Shear and normal stresses of electroosmotic magnetized physiological nanofluid on curved artery with moderate Reynolds number: application on electroshock therapy
Authors: Alsemiry Reima Daher , Abo Elkhair Rabea E. , Alarabi Taghreed H. , Alharbi Sana Abdulkream , Allogmany Reem , Elsaid Essam M.
Published: April 2024

Purpose

Studying the shear stress and pressure resulting on the walls of blood vessels, especially during high-pressure cases, which may lead to the explosion or rupture of these vessels, can also lead to the death of many patients. Therefore, it was necessary to try to control the shear and normal stresses on these veins through nanoparticles in the presence of some external forces, such as exposure to some electromagnetic shocks, to reduce the risk of high pressure and stress on those blood vessels. This study aims to examines the shear and normal stresses of electroosmotic-magnetized Sutterby Buongiorno’s nanofluid in a symmetric peristaltic channel with a moderate Reynolds number and curvature. The production of thermal radiation is also considered. Sutterby nanofluids equations of motion, energy equation, nanoparticles concentration, induced magnetic field and electric potential are calculated without approximation using small and long wavelengths with moderate Reynolds numbers.

Design/methodology/approach

The Adomian decomposition method solves the nonlinear partial differential equations with related boundary conditions. Graphs and tables show flow features and biophysical factors like shear and normal stresses.

Findings

This study found that when curvature and a moderate Reynolds number are present, the non-Newtonian Sutterby fluid raises shear stress across all domains due to velocity decay, resulting in high shear stress. Additionally, modest mobility increases shear stress across all channel domains. The Sutterby parameter causes fluid motion resistance, which results in low energy generation and a decrease in the temperature distribution.

Originality/value

Equations of motion, energy equation, nanoparticle concentration, induced magnetic field and electric potential for Sutterby nano-fluids are obtained without any approximation i.e. the authors take small and long wavelengths and also moderate Reynolds numbers.
A physics-driven and machine learning-based digital twinning approach to transient thermal systems
Authors: Di Meglio Armando , Massarotti Nicola , Nithiarasu Perumal
Published: April 2024

Purpose

In this study, the authors propose a novel digital twinning approach specifically designed for controlling transient thermal systems. The purpose of this study is to harness the combined power of deep learning (DL) and physics-based methods (PBM) to create an active virtual replica of the physical system.

Design/methodology/approach

To achieve this goal, we introduce a deep neural network (DNN) as the digital twin and a Finite Element (FE) model as the physical system. This integrated approach is used to address the challenges of controlling an unsteady heat transfer problem with an integrated feedback loop.

Findings

The results of our study demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed digital twinning approach in regulating the maximum temperature within the system under varying and unsteady heat flux conditions. The DNN, trained on stationary data, plays a crucial role in determining the heat transfer coefficients necessary to maintain temperatures below a defined threshold value, such as the material’s melting point. The system is successfully controlled in 1D, 2D and 3D case studies. However, careful evaluations should be conducted if such a training approach, based on steady-state data, is applied to completely different transient heat transfer problems.

Originality/value

The present work represents one of the first examples of a comprehensive digital twinning approach to transient thermal systems, driven by data. One of the noteworthy features of this approach is its robustness. Adopting a training based on dimensionless data, the approach can seamlessly accommodate changes in thermal capacity and thermal conductivity without the need for retraining.
An LSTM-based hybrid proximal policy optimization spectrum access algorithm in vehicular network
Authors: Kang Lin , Chen Junjie , Wang Jie , Wei Yaqi
Published: April 2024

Purpose

In order to meet the different quality of service (QoS) requirements of vehicle-to-infrastructure (V2I) and multiple vehicle-to-vehicle (V2V) links in vehicle networks, an efficient V2V spectrum access mechanism is proposed in this paper.

Design/methodology/approach

A long-short-term-memory-based multi-agent hybrid proximal policy optimization (LSTM-H-PPO) algorithm is proposed, through which the distributed spectrum access and continuous power control of V2V link are realized.

Findings

Simulation results show that compared with the baseline algorithm, the proposed algorithm has significant advantages in terms of total system capacity, payload delivery success rate of V2V link and convergence speed.

Originality/value

The LSTM layer uses the time sequence information to estimate the accurate system state, which ensures the choice of V2V spectrum access based on local observation effective. The hybrid PPO framework shares training parameters among agents which speeds up the entire training process. The proposed algorithm adopts the mode of centralized training and distributed execution, so that the agent can achieve the optimal spectrum access based on local observation information with less signaling overhead.
Unveiling the nexus between corporate social responsibility (CSR) and employee satisfaction: a comprehensive bibliometric analysis
Authors: Cvetkoska Violeta , Eftimov Ljupcho , Kitanovikj Bojan
Published: April 2024

Purpose

Researchers have tried analysing how the organizations’ practices of doing good can help improve their employees’ satisfaction over the past couple of decades. Employee satisfaction has a complicated relationship with a company’s corporate social responsibility (CSR) activities. Subsequently, the purpose of this paper is to conduct a bibliometric analysis and a literature review to trace the links between CSR and employee satisfaction, summarize and analyse the advances in this field, the knowledge gaps, publishing trends and further directions for future research.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors conducted a bibliometric analysis followed by a literature review of papers indexed in the Scopus database and published between 2000 and 2022. A total of 233 papers were identified, while 152 of them met the inclusion criteria for the analysis.

Findings

The subsequent analysis sheds light on the overlaps and connections between the two phenomena in human resource management (HRM). The authors outline potential avenues for future research and practical insight into how to leverage CSR activities for increasing work satisfaction.

Originality/value

By detailing the different ways CSR and employee satisfaction impact one another, analysing their relations and other supporting constructs, the authors contribute to the academic discourse by synthesizing prevailing literature and introducing practical guides for human resource (HR) professionals, managers and executives to manage turbulent surroundings more effectively, considering the major disruptions post-COVID-19 and the adoption of advanced technologies.
Social influence and the choice of product upgrades: evidence from virtual product adoption in online games
Authors: Huang Qing , Li Xiaoling , Wang Dianwen
Published: April 2024

Purpose

Previous studies on social influence and virtual product adoption have mainly taken users’ purchase behavior as a dichotomous variable (i.e. purchasing or not). Given the prevalence of competing versions (basic vs upgraded) of a virtual product in online communities, this paper investigated the differences in the effect of social influence on users’ adoption of basic and upgraded choices of a virtual product. It also examined how the effect varies with users’ social status and user-level network density.

Design/methodology/approach

A natural experiment was conducted in an online game community. Two competing versions (basic vs upgraded) of a virtual product were provided for in-game purchase while a random set of users selected from 897,765 players received the notification of their friends’ adoption information. A competing-risk model was used to test the hypotheses.

Findings

Social influence exerts a stronger positive effect on users’ adoption of the upgraded virtual product than of the basic virtual product. Middle-status users have the greatest (least) susceptibility to social influence in adopting the upgraded (basic) virtual product than low- and high-status users. User’s network density enhances the effect of social influence on adoption of both virtual products, even more for the upgraded one.

Originality/value

This research contributes to the social influence and product adoption literature by disentangling the different effects of social influence on basic and upgraded versions of a virtual product. It also identifies the boundary conditions that social influence works for each version of the virtual product.
Mapping of organizational deviance research during the last two decades: a bibliometric approach
Authors: Abas Basit
Published: April 2024

Purpose

The objective of this study was to conduct a bibliometric analysis of the existing literature on organizational deviance to assess how far this concept has progressed since its introduction in the domain of organizational behavior.

Design/methodology/approach

This study employs bibliometric methodologies (citation analysis, co-citation analysis and co-occurrence of author keywords) using VOSviewer. The Scopus database was used, as it is the largest database of scholarly literature.

Findings

The findings indicate the character and direction of organizational research over the past two decades. Organizational deviance due to psychological contract breach, organizational deviance in the context of organizational cynicism and organizational deviance in the context of psychological capital are the three major themes in the literature on organizational deviance. In addition, the study highlights the most significant authors, journals, institutions and nations in the field of value co-creation research as well as potential future research areas in this area.

Research limitations/implications

The use of a single database and the inability to contextualize the citation structure of papers revealed by the review are limitations of this study.

Originality/value

This study examines the structure of the literature on organizational deviance and charts the field's evolution over time.
Role of labor market dynamics in influencing global female labor force participation
Authors: Saha Tanaya , Singh Prakash
Published: April 2024

Purpose

The global non-attainment of the Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 5 indicates the issue of rising gender inequality. Educated women shying away from the labor force is worsening it. The labor market dynamics might shape the female labor force participation (FLFP). The present study recommends a policy framework by analyzing this dynamism across 125 countries over 1990–2020.

Design/methodology/approach

The Two-step System Generalized Method of Moments is used to address endogeneity bias. Dynamism in policy environment is captured by relaxing the Ceteris Paribus condition in the empirical model.

Findings

Results show that the moderation of labor market factors has increased with the attainment of Secondary and Tertiary Education. Results also highlight that these factors promote FLFP through prospective opportunities but also hinder female participation through employer’s discrimination despite educational attainment.

Originality/value

Studies have examined the role of education on FLFP. However, prior research has not investigated the role of labor market factors in influencing the impact of education on FLFP. The consideration of these factors will help in addressing the global policy lacuna by recommending a policy framework for enhancing FLFP through internalization of the externalities exerted by the labor market factors, and thereby, help the countries attaining the SDG 5 objectives.
Creating financial inclusion in “Belt and Road” countries in Europe, Asia and Africa: regulation, technology and financial literacy
Authors: Song Xiaoling , Qin Xuan , Feng XiaoMeng
Published: April 2024

Purpose

This study aims to comparatively measure the impact factors of financial inclusion and their spillover effects for Belt and Road countries using panel data from 57 countries in 2011, 2014, 2017 and 2021 and relevant indicators from three dimensions: availability, usage and quality to construct a digital empowerment index of financial inclusion.

Design/methodology/approach

A spatial Durbin panel model is constructed to empirically test the impact mechanism of financial inclusion under digital empowerment.

Findings

Results reveal that improving a country’s quality of regulation, technology and residents’ financial literacy significantly contributes to the development of its financial inclusion, while improving its neighboring countries’ financial literacy also boosts its financial inclusion development. This study provides theoretical support for evaluating the development level of inclusive finance in “Belt and Road” countries, promoting the development of inclusive finance and alleviating the problem of financial exclusion.

Originality/value

This study is original as it creates a research paradigm for “Belt and Road” countries, enabling systematic testing and comparative analysis of inclusive finance development. It incorporates traditional and digital services, evaluating them based on sharing, fairness, convenience and specific group benefits. An inclusive financial index is constructed using the coefficient of variation and arithmetic weighted average methods. Additionally, it introduces a more rational analysis approach for the influence mechanism and spatial effect, using an economic geography nested matrix and spatial Durbin model to explore spatial effects in inclusive finance.
The emergence of the new globalization: the approach of the evolutionary structural triptych
Authors: Vlados Charis , Chatzinikolaou Dimos
Published: April 2024

Purpose

This study aims to analyze the emergence of a new structural configuration of globalization, with the 2008 global financial crisis serving as the first symptom of this change. By introducing the “Evolutionary Structural Triptych” (EST), this research seeks to understand the basic components of the new evolutionary trajectory of global capitalism post-2008. The study places emphasis on its interdependent and coevolving economic, political and technological dynamic facets.

Design/methodology/approach

This research introduces the EST framework, critically contrasting it with conventional understandings in international political economy (IPE) to provide a comprehensive and structured analysis of global developments after 2008. It traces the phases of global capitalism since Second World War, examines the central dynamic dimensions during each evolutionary phase, identifies the basic patterns and delves into the foundational elements of the emerging era of globalization.

Findings

The analysis reveals three key findings. First, the emerging restructured globalization indicates a need for a new balance in the contemporary world system; however, this balance cannot be achieved within the architecture of the old system. Second, the new era of globalization necessitates a re-equilibrated approach across different dimensions of geopolitical stability, economic development and innovation. This approach should emphasize sustainability, adaptability, resilience and inclusivity and lean toward responsible, open and organic innovation models for a revamped global structure. Third, while many current IPE theories tend to compartmentalize aspects of the new globalization, the EST advocates for a holistic perspective that integrates politics, economics and technology within the framework of global trends. This perspective bridges existing gaps and offers actionable insights for a dynamic and inclusive global future.

Originality/value

The paper presents the EST as a novel analytical instrument in the realm of the modern IPE. This tool uniquely places technology and innovation at the forefront, parallel to economic and political spheres, to comprehend the progression of globalization. In doing so, it highlights the intertwined relationship of these structural dimensions in shaping the future of the subject of the IPE.
Employee moonlighting: a review and research agenda
Authors: Sharma Sarika , Rautela Sonica
Published: April 2024

Purpose

This paper aims to present a literature review on the emerging field of employee moonlighting, which refers to holding more than one job at a time. It also attempts to integrate the literature on employee moonlighting and present the related research themes.

Design/methodology/approach

This is a systematic literature review (SLR) using the basic guidelines of SLR. A search string is designed, and the prominent database is searched. The results are screened based on self-designed inclusion and exclusion criteria. The qualitative analysis of selected 89 research studies uses inductive thematic analysis and proposes a framework.

Findings

The outcome of the present study consists of a conceptual framework, themes and sub-themes related to employee moonlighting, propositions, and the pictorial representation of the overall outcome. The four key themes that emerged are determinants and traits of moonlighting intentions, the impact of moonlighting on employer and employee, policy, and economic implications, respectively.

Originality/value

The study provides insight into the factors that lead to moonlighting intentions and activity. The managers can understand and analyze these factors and can formulate policies to streamline the moonlighting activity with the organizational goals and for the company’s benefit. Academic scholars can adopt some research ideas from the themes and gaps suggested and can work on them in the near future.
Managing circular ecosystems in imperfect contexts – the case of extractive fishing in the Brazilian Amazon region
Authors: Marreiros Barbosa Neuzaí , Hellmeister Pedro Ibrahim , Marotti De Mello Adriana , Braz Antonio Carlos
Published: April 2024

Purpose

This study aims to answer the question of how to structure a circular ecosystem for extractive fishing in the Amazon region. It explores possibilities for implementing a circular ecosystem management model in an imperfect market with low technological availability, high informality and limited public assistance.

Design/methodology/approach

Qualitative approach was adopted for this paper, with a case study on extractive fishing in the state of Amazonas. Data was collected through 35 interviews and direct observation of the processes of collecting, storing and transporting fish on two routes: Tapauá-Manaus and Manacapuru-Manaus.

Findings

Through the data collected, it was possible to observe the importance of an orchestrating agent – such as an association or even a public authority – for the establishment and development of a circular ecosystem for extractive fishing in the region.

Research limitations/implications

The paper makes theoretical contributions by presenting how a circular ecosystem management model could be implemented for an imperfect market in the Global South, as well as contributing to the literature on how the circular economy contributes to mitigate the threat to biodiversity posed by the linear economy.

Practical implications

It contributes to the management practice of structuring circular ecosystems.

Social implications

The role of public authorities and the collective organization of fishermen as orchestrators connecting the network of actors that develop the extractive fishing ecosystem is fundamental, guaranteeing effective social participation in solving local problems.

Originality/value

The idea of circular ecosystems was applied to imperfect contexts, with high informality, weak institutions and bioeconomy, topics still little explored in the literature.
Reducing food loss through sustainable business models and agricultural innovation systems
Authors: Sengupta Subhanjan , Choudhary Sonal , Obayi Raymond , Nayak Rakesh
Published: April 2024

Purpose

This study aims to explore how sustainable business models (SBM) can be developed within agri-innovation systems (AIS) and emphasize an integration of the two with a systemic understanding for reducing food loss and value loss in postharvest agri-food supply chain.

Design/methodology/approach

This study conducted longitudinal qualitative research in a developing country with food loss challenges in the postharvest supply chain. This study collected data through multiple rounds of fieldwork, interviews and focus groups over four years. Thematic analysis and “sensemaking” were used for inductive data analysis to generate rich contextual knowledge by drawing upon the lived realities of the agri-food supply chain actors.

Findings

First, this study finds that the value losses are varied in the supply chain, encompassing production value, intrinsic value, extrinsic value, market value, institutional value and future food value. This happens through two cumulative effects including multiplier losses, where losses in one model cascade into others, amplifying their impact and stacking losses, where the absence of data stacks or infrastructure pools hampers the realisation of food value. Thereafter, this study proposes four strategies for moving from the loss-incurring current business model to a networked SBM for mitigating losses. This emphasises the need to redefine ownership as stewardship, enable formal and informal beneficiary identification, strengthen value addition and build capacities for empowering communities to benefit from networked SBM with AIS initiatives. Finally, this study puts forth ten propositions for future research in aligning AIS with networked SBM.

Originality/value

This study contributes to understanding the interplay between AIS and SBM; emphasising the integration of the two to effectively address food loss challenges in the early stages of agri-food supply chains. The identified strategies and research propositions provide implications for researchers and practitioners seeking to accelerate sustainable practices for reducing food loss and waste in agri-food supply chains.
Mind matters: navigating mental health in the workplace
Authors: Williams Andy , Feeney Chelsea
Published: April 2024

Purpose

With mental health issues among the workforce becoming increasingly common, it is imperative that employers and their HR teams are alive to mental health issues and are well equipped to deal with them. This paper sets out to explain these points.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper provides insight for employers into how to deal with mental health issues in the workplace by breaking the topic down into the following sections: mental health-related claims, reasonable adjustments and preventative measures.

Findings

Employees dealing with poor mental health are often less motivated and productive and in more serious cases are more inclined to take periods of long-term sick leave to recover. However, aside from the potentially costly long-term absences and decreased productivity, HR professionals should also take mental health issues seriously because to do otherwise puts the business at risk of discrimination claims from employees suffering with severe and long-term mental health issues. This is why it is important for businesses to treat the mental health of its staff with equal importance to their physical health.

Originality/value

This paper is valuable to HR professionals looking to understand better how they can support their staff in mental health-related issues. The article effectively cuts through the complex legislation to provide clear, practical advice from legal experts.
N6‐methyladenosine methylation on FSCN1 mediated by METTL14/IGF2BP3 contributes to human papillomavirus type 16‐infected cervical squamous cell carcinoma
Authors: Tian Qingqing , Huang Juqing , Zhang Qin , Zhao Jufen
Published: April 2024

Human papillomavirus (HPV) infection has been reported to be associated with N6‐methyladenosine (m6A) modification in cancers. However, the underlying mechanism by which m6A methylation participates in HPV‐related cervical squamous cell carcinoma (CSCC) remains largely unclear. In this study, we observed that m6A regulators methyltransferase like protein (METTL14) and insulin like growth factor 2 mRNA binding protein 3 (IGF2BP3) were upregulated in HPV‐positive CSCC tissues and cell lines, and their high expression predicted poor prognosis for HPV‐infected CSCC patients. Cellular functional experiments verified that HPV16 oncogenes E6/E7 upregulated the expression of METTL14 and IGF2BP3 to promote cell proliferation and epithelial mesenchymal transition of CSCC cells. Next, we found that E6/E7 stabilized fascin actin‐bundling protein 1 (FSCN1) mRNA and elevated FSCN1 expression in CSCC cells through upregulating METTL14/IGF2BP3‐mediated m6A modification, and FSCN1 expression was also validated to be positively associated with worse outcomes of HPV‐positive CSCC patients. Finally, HPV16‐positive CSCC cell lines SiHa and CaSki were transfected with knockdown vector for E6/E7 or METTL14/IGF2BP3 and overexpressing vector for FSCN1, and functional verification experiments were performed through using MTT assay, flow cytometry, wound healing assay and tumour formation assay. Results indicated that knockdown of E6/E7 or METTL14/IGF2BP3 suppressed cell proliferation, migration and tumorigenesis, and accelerated cell apoptosis of HPV‐positive CSCC cells. Their tumour‐suppressive effects were abolished through overexpressing FSCN1. Overall, HPV E6/E7 advanced CSCC development through upregulating METTL14/IGF2BP3‐mediated FSCN1 m6A modification.
The Capital Market Effects of Centralizing Regulated Financial Information
Authors: SRAN GURPAL , TUIJN MARCEL , VOLLON LAUREN
Published: April 2024

We study the capital market effects of information centralization by exploiting the staggered implementation of digital storage and access platforms for regulated financial information (Officially Appointed Mechanisms, or OAMs) in the European Union. We find that the implementation of OAMs results in significant improvements in capital market liquidity, consistent with the notion that OAMs lower investors' processing costs. The findings are more pronounced when processing costs are high to begin with, that is, when firms (1) are small and receive low business press coverage and (2) have high levels of retail ownership. We then identify a mechanism through which centralization facilitates capital market effects: information spillovers. First, we find that liquidity improvements are larger when OAMs have features that easily allow investors to search for peer firm information. Second, liquidity improvements are larger for firms with a high share of industry peers operating on the same OAM and for firms with a high share of small, low‐coverage peers on that OAM. Third, around the annual report release dates of peer firms, focal‐firm liquidity improves and focal‐peer stock return synchronicity increases. Overall, our evidence suggests that, even in a modern information age, information centralization improves capital market liquidity and facilitates the acquisition and use of peer firm information.
Optimization of crystal violet technique for enhanced fingerprint detection on various surfaces
Authors: Gülekçi Yakup , Tülek Ahmet
Published: April 2024

The crystal violet (CV) staining technique represents a prevalent approach for the development of latent fingerprints, especially on adhesive tape surfaces. Nevertheless, the technique necessitates intricate formulations to augment its performance. In this investigation, an optimized CV staining protocol was developed, characterized by the absence of residual dye on the target substrates and the capability of facilitating fingerprint visualization under ambient light conditions. Four donors, comprising two males and two females, deposited natural fingerprints on various substrates, including glass microscope slides, aluminum foil, and 115 g glossy coated paper, without any specific guidelines. Fingerprints developed using cyanoacrylate fuming served as benchmarks and were contrasted with those generated through alternative methods: CV, ardrox, rhodamine 6G, powdering, and the optimized CV staining protocol. The fingerprint development experiment was replicated at seven distinct time intervals, encompassing 1 day, 1 week, 1, 3, 6, 9, and 12 months, resulting in a dataset of 420 fingerprints. The evaluation of fingerprint identifiability employed a scoring system established by the Home Office Centre for Applied Science and Technology. The results indicated that the optimized CV staining technique demonstrated superior performance, boasting a 92.9% rate of identifiable fingerprint development in contrast to other employed methodologies. Consequently, this optimized CV staining approach is recommended as an efficient, rapid, and straightforward critical dyeing method, applicable to a wide array of substrates in forensic investigations.
A novel evaluation model of image registration for cone‐beam computed tomography guided lung cancer radiotherapy
Authors: Liu Yimei , Chen Meining , Fang Jianlan , Xiao Liangjie , Liu Songran , Li Qiwen , Qiu Bo , Huang Runda , Zhang Jun , Peng Yinglin
Published: April 2024

Background

The aim of the study was to establish a weighted comprehensive evaluation model (WCEM) of image registration for cone‐beam computed tomography (CBCT) guided lung cancer radiotherapy that considers the geometric accuracy of gross target volume (GTV) and organs at risk (OARs), and assess the registration accuracy of different image registration methods to provide clinical references.

Methods

The planning CT and CBCT images of 20 lung cancer patients were registered using diverse algorithms (bony and grayscale) and regions of interest (target, ipsilateral, and body). We compared the coverage ratio (CR) of the planning target volume (PTVCT) to GTVCBCT, as well as the dice similarity coefficient (DSC) of the GTV and OARs, considering the treatment position across various registration methods. Furthermore, we developed a mathematical model to assess registration results comprehensively. This model was evaluated and validated using CRFs across four automatic registration methods.

Results

The grayscale registration method, coupled with the registration of the ipsilateral structure, exhibited the highest level of automatic registration accuracy, the DSC were 0.87 ± 0.09 (GTV), 0.71 ± 0.09 (esophagus), 0.74 ± 0.09 (spinal cord), and 0.91 ± 0.05 (heart), respectively. Our proposed WCEM proved to be both practical and effective. The results clearly indicated that the grayscale registration method, when applied to the ipsilateral structure, achieved the highest CRF score. The average CRF scores, excellent rates, good rate and qualification rates were 58 ± 26, 40%, 75%, and 85%, respectively.

Conclusions

This study successfully developed a clinically relevant weighted evaluation model for CBCT‐guided lung cancer radiotherapy. Validation confirmed the grayscale method's optimal performance in ipsilateral structure registration.
Respond or not? Analyst recommendation and companies' press releases after adverse events
Authors: Chiu Tiffany , Chiu Victoria , Wang Aiguo , Wang Tawei , Wang Yunsen
Published: April 2024

This study examines whether management responds to adverse events and how the press releases after adverse events are associated with analyst recommendation. Using Securities Exchange Act of 1934 Section 10b lawsuits – manipulative and deceptive practices in securities trading – as the proxy for adverse events, we show that companies do not always address the events. However, by issuing a press release within 2 days after the event, the negative effect of the lawsuit on analyst recommendation is smaller. This study advances our understanding in responding to adverse events and provides practical implications for managers.
The flow‐performance puzzle: Insights from passive and active ETFs
Authors: Yousefi Hamed , Najand Mohammad , Sun Licheng
Published: April 2024

This study examines the relationship between fund flows and subsequent performance, testing the smart money and price pressure hypotheses within the context of passive and active exchange‐traded funds (ETFs). By differentiating between managerial skill and non‐fundamental demand shocks, we uncover a significant positive flow‐performance relationship, challenging traditional attributions solely to investor skill in identifying superior fund management. We further develop a measure of flow shocks to individual stocks by aggregating daily changes in ETF ownership of 5600 stocks. An event study on ETF constituents further disentangles the effects of price pressure from smart money. Through robust analyses, including Fama–French industry portfolios and propensity score matching, our findings suggest a nuanced interaction between investor behaviour and market dynamics, contributing to the discourse on fund flows' impact on performance. This research highlights the complexity of the flow‐performance relationship and its implications for fund management and investment strategies, offering new insights into the mechanisms driving fund performance in the ETF landscape.