bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Plant telomere biology: The green solution to the end-replication problem
Authors: Shakirov Eugene V , Chen Julian J -L , Shippen Dorothy E
Published: April 2022

Telomere maintenance is a fundamental cellular process conserved across all eukaryotic lineages. Although plants and animals diverged over 1.5 billion years ago, lessons learned from plants continue to push the boundaries of science, revealing detailed molecular mechanisms in telomere biology with broad implications for human health, aging biology, and stress responses. Recent studies of plant telomeres have unveiled unexpected divergence in telomere sequence and architecture, and the proteins that engage telomeric DNA and telomerase. The discovery of telomerase RNA components in the plant kingdom and some algae groups revealed new insight into the divergent evolution and the universal core of telomerase across major eukaryotic kingdoms. In addition, resources cataloging the abundant natural variation in Arabidopsis thaliana, maize (Zea mays), and other plants are providing unparalleled opportunities to understand the genetic networks that govern telomere length polymorphism and, as a result, are uncovering unanticipated crosstalk between telomeres, environmental factors, organismal fitness, and plant physiology. Here we recap current advances in plant telomere biology and put this field in perspective relative to telomere and telomerase research in other eukaryotic lineages.
Recalibrating the Police to Focus on Victims Using Police Records
Authors: Lay William , Ariel Barak , Harinam Vincent
Published: April 2022

While criminology and policing studies focus primarily on offenders and their behaviours, there has been an increasing focus on victims and victimology. In this paper, we argue that practitioners and scholars alike can benefit from shifting their focus on police records towards victims. Observing data on victims can lead to greater police efficiencies, particularly in the area of prevention. We review some of the arguments for such a change, then explore evidence on 380,169 victims in Kent, UK, during a 6-year period, to illustrate how to achieve new and feasible targets by focusing on a victim rather than an offender as the unit of analysis. Finally, we explore policy implications, in terms of harm reduction, prevention of repeat victimization, and triaging opportunities.
Reclassification of previously diagnosed GPA patients using the 2022 ACR/EULAR classification criteria
Authors: Pyo Jung Yoon , Ahn Sung Soo , Song Jason Jungsik , Park Yong-Beom , Lee Sang-Won
Published: April 2022

Objectives

This study applied the 2022 criteria for granulomatosis with polyangiitis (GPA) proposed by the ACR and EULAR (the 2022 ACR/EULAR criteria) to Korean patients with previously diagnosed GPA to investigate the number of patients who could be reclassified as having GPA.

Methods

Sixty-five patients with GPA, who met the 2012 revised International Chapel Hill Consensus Conference Nomenclature of Vasculitides and the 2007 European Medicines Agency algorithm for GPA, were included in this study. They were reclassified based on the 2022 ACR/EULAR criteria.

Results

Of the 65 patients, 48 patients (73.8%) were reclassified as having GPA. A patient could not be reclassified as having GPA if the patient did not have a total score of 5 despite granulomas on biopsy or clear GPA surrogate markers. Among the 17 patients unclassified as having GPA, 16 patients were reclassified as having MPA and one as having unclassifiable vasculitis, and furthermore, 94.1% of them harboured MPO-ANCA (or perinuclear (P)-ANCA).

Conclusion

The concordance rate between the 2022 ACR/EULAR criteria for GPA and the previous criteria in patients with previously diagnosed GPA was 73.8%. Although the 2022 ACR/EULAR criteria are the product of the most advanced methodologic process, it should be noted that there were some consequences of distorting the CHCC definition, and further discussion is required, especially with respect to the weightage of the items.
Japan’s Foreign Aid Policy: Has It Changed? Thirty Years of ODA Charters
Authors: HOSHIRO Hiroyuki
Published: April 2022

Nearly 30 years have passed since the government of Japan unveiled its first Official Development Assistance Charter. Although it sets forth fundamental guidelines for the government’s foreign aid policy, previous studies have downplayed the influence of the ODA Charter. By contrast, this study argues that the ODA Charter changed Japan’s aid allocation behavior in relation to a number of issues. First, regarding military matters: since the introduction of the 1992 ODA Charter, testing of weapons of mass destruction by developing nations, as well as military expenditures for conventional weaponry by developing nations outside of Asia, have had a negative effect on aid from Japan. Non-military cooperation with military personnel was newly introduced as a principle in the 2015 Development Cooperation Charter, and that type of cooperation increased from 2015 on, a clear indication of the influence of the Charter. Foreign aid designed to serve Japan’s own interests was first discussed in the 2003 Charter, and the proportion of that type of aid has since increased. The aims of avoiding military force and returning economic benefits to Japan, which have long had strong domestic support in postwar Japan, were seamlessly incorporated into the ODA Charter. By contrast, the aims of promoting democratization and protecting the vulnerable—international norms for foreign aid, imported from abroad—are duly set forth in the ODA Charter, which ostensibly guides Japan’s foreign aid policy, but they have had no impact on its actual aid allocation behavior.
Russian life-time private foundations: breakthrough in local succession planning alternatives
Authors: Alimirzoev Sergei , Aleshchev Ilya
Published: April 2022

Russia’s first attempt in 2018 to introduce a structure suitable for holding private assets and transferring business assets across generations, the post-mortem private foundation, was not very successful, as not a single foundation of this type was established due to its complicated creation procedure and drafting flaws in the legislation. Now, with effect of March 2022, a new form of private foundation has been introduced, which can be created during the settlor's lifetime. The authors analyze the key features of this new structure, its benefits and challenges for settlors and beneficiaries that the Russian legal system will soon have to face, when this new type of private foundation will start being implemented.
Gut Microbiome in Anesthesiology and Pain Medicine
Authors: Minerbi Amir , Shen Shiqian
Published: April 2022

The gut microbiome plays critical roles in human health and disease. Recent studies suggest it may also be associated with chronic pain and postoperative pain outcomes. In animal models, the composition of the gut microbiome changes after general anesthesia and affects the host response to medications, including anesthetics and opioids. In humans, the gut microbiome is associated with the development of postoperative pain and neurocognitive disorders. Additionally, the composition of the gut microbiome has been associated with pain conditions including visceral pain, nociplastic pain, complex regional pain syndrome, and headaches, partly through altered concentration of circulating bacterial-derived metabolites. Furthermore, animal studies demonstrate the critical role of the gut microbiome in neuropathic pain via immunomodulatory mechanisms. This article reviews basic concepts of the human gut microbiome and its interactions with the host and provide a comprehensive overview of the evidence linking the gut microbiome to anesthesiology, critical care, and pain medicine.
An Innovative Approach to Remote Electronic Health Onboarding Record Education Amid a Global Pandemic
Authors: Brown Amanda , Patel Reena , Edmister Kathy , Gemberling Trisha , Griffin Erica , Kuehn Stacy , Larson Mary , Meyer Jennifer , Skeens Micah , Sunderland Stephanie
Published: April 2022

The COVID-19 pandemic required social and physical distancing to reduce the spread of disease. The reduction in meeting sizes made it difficult to offer traditional in-person EHR training to new and transferring employees. This paper aims to share how one nurse educator team used an innovative approach to transition traditional EHR onboarding education to synchronous remote learning during the global pandemic. Participants in the remote learning course (n = 94) were compared with those who had previously completed the traditional course (n = 110). Postcourse evaluations for each group were comparable. Remote learning participants found the technology conducive to training and reported higher scores for locating and reviewing patient information than those in the traditional course. Providing remote EHR education is comparable with traditional classroom education. Remote learning provided a safe, effective way to onboard new staff during the pandemic.
Single cell profiling of functionally cured Chronic Hepatitis B patients reveals the emergence of activated innate and an altered adaptive immune response in the intra-hepatic environment
Authors: Narmada Balakrishnan Chakrapani , Khakpoor Atefeh , Shirgaonkar Niranjan , Narayanan Sriram , Kim Aw Pauline Poh , Singh Malay , Ong Kok Haur , Owino Collins Oduor , Ng Jane Wei Ting , Yew Hui Chuing , Binte Mohamed Nasir Nu Soibah , Au Veonice Bijin , Sng Reina , Kaliaperumal Nivashini , Khine Htet Htet Toe Wai , Ng Hui Xin , Chia Su Li , Seah Cindy Xin Yi , Alnawaz Myra HJ , Wai Chris Lee Yoon , Tay Amy Yuh Ling , Yu Weimiao , Connolly John Edward , Periyasamy Giridharan , Lim Seng Gee , Dasgupta Ramanuj
Published: April 2022

Hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) loss or functional cure (FC), is considered the desirable therapeutic outcome for chronic hepatitis B (CHB) patients. However, the immuno-pathological biomarkers and underlying mechanisms remain unclear. Here we present a comprehensive single cell-transcriptomic atlas together with immune-phenotyping of disease-associated cell states (DACS) isolated from intra-hepatic tissue and matched PBMCs of either CHB or FC patients. We find that the intra-hepatic environment displays specific cell identities and molecular signatures that are distinct from PBMCs. FC is associated with emergence of an altered adaptive immune response marked by CD4 cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CD4-CTLs), and an activated innate response represented by liver-resident natural killer (LR-NK) cells. Overall, these findings provide novel insights into immuno-pathological cell states associated with FC that could serve as prognostic biomarkers.
ZW sex-chromosome evolution and contagious parthenogenesis in Artemia brine shrimp
Authors: Elkrewi Marwan , Khauratovich Uladzislava , Toups Melissa A. , Bett Vincent Kiplangat , Mrnjavac Andrea , Macon Ariana , Fraisse Christelle , Sax Luca , Huylmans Ann Kathrin , Hontoria Francisco , Vicoso Beatriz
Published: April 2022

Eurasian brine shrimp (genusArtemia) have closely related sexual and asexual lineages of parthenogenetic females, which produce rare males at low frequencies. Although they are known to have ZW chromosomes, these are not well characterized, and it is unclear whether they are shared across the clade. Furthermore, the underlying genetic architecture of the transmission of asexuality, which can occur when rare males mate with closely related sexual females, is not well understood. We produced a chromosome-level assembly for the Eurasian speciesA. sinicaand characterized in detail the pair of sex chromosomes of this species. We combined this with short-read genomic data for the sexual speciesA. sp. Kazakhstanand several lineages ofA. parthenogenetica,allowing us to perform a first in-depth characterization of sex-chromosome evolution across the genus. We identified a small differentiated region of the ZW pair that is shared by all sexual and asexual lineages, supporting the shared ancestry of the sex chromosomes. We also inferred that recombination suppression has spread to larger sections of the chromosome independently in the American and Eurasian lineages. Finally, we took advantage of a rare male, which we backcrossed to sexual females, to explore the genetic basis of asexuality. Our results suggest that parthenogenesis may be partly controlled by a locus on the Z chromosome, highlighting the interplay between sex determination and asexuality.
Crystal structure of the PX domain of Vps17p from Saccharomyces cerevisiae
Authors: Obita Takayuki , Inaka Koji , Kohda Daisuke , Maita Nobuo
Published: April 2022

The structure determination of the PX (phox homology) domain of the Saccharomyces cerevisiae Vps17p protein presented a challenging case for molecular replacement because it has noncrystallographic symmetry close to a crystallographic axis. The combination of diffraction-quality crystals grown under microgravity on the International Space Station and a highly accurate template structure predicted by AlphaFold2 provided the key to successful crystal structure determination. Although the structure of the Vps17p PX domain is seen in many PX domains, no basic residues are found around the canonical phosphatidylinositol phosphate (PtdIns-P) binding site, suggesting an inability to bind PtdIns-P molecules.
The structure of sustainability marketing research: a bibliometric review and directions for future research
Authors: Bhattacharyya Jishnu
Published: April 2022

Purpose

Sustainability principles have been practiced and researched in marketing for nearly five decades, but the challenges we face today are still significant. This context defines the purpose of this paper, which is to find, synthesize and critically evaluate the existing literature on marketing in a sustainability context from 1969 to 2019. The ultimate aim is to provide a unified body of literature on sustainability marketing and classify the extant literature.

Design/methodology/approach

The relevant articles from selected journals were identified and manually verified using the Scopus database. The SPAR- 4- SLR protocol provides the framework for the methodology. In total, 749 articles were eligible for inclusion in the study.

Findings

The research findings are presented in the form of article categorization into 11 thematic categories. The thematic categories outlined previous studies' trend and contribution characteristics under the individual category, illustrating their implications.

Practical implications

The literature review aids in understanding the current state of research and piques researchers' interest in sustainability marketing. The findings of the study will be a valuable resource for future scholars, managers and policymakers.

Originality/value

This study contributes to the existing literature by providing valuable insights from previous research on the research trend in sustainability marketing and by providing a recommendation for future research avenues. After a long hiatus, this is the most up-to-date comprehensive article, providing a general overview of research trends.
Markov chain pavement deterioration prediction models for local street networks
Authors: Salman Baris , Gursoy Burak
Published: April 2022

Purpose

Pavement deterioration prediction models play a crucial role in determining maintenance strategies and future funding needs. While deterioration prediction models have been studied extensively in the past, applications of these models to local street networks have been limited. This study aims to address this gap by sharing the results of network level deterioration prediction models developed at a local level.

Design/methodology/approach

Network level pavement deterioration prediction models are developed using Markov chains for the local street network in Syracuse, New York, based on pavement condition rating data collected over a 15-year time period. Transition probability matrices are generated by calculating the percentage of street sections that transition from one state to another within one duty cycle. Bootstrap sampling with replacement is used to numerically generate 95% confidence intervals around the transition probability values.

Findings

The overall local street network is divided into three cohorts based on street type (i.e. avenues, streets and roads) and two cohorts based on pavement type. All cohorts demonstrated very similar deterioration trends, indicating the existence of a fast-paced deterioration mechanism for the local street network of Syracuse.

Originality/value

This study contributes to the body of knowledge in deterioration modeling of local street networks, especially in the absence of key predictor variables. Furthermore, this study introduces the use of bootstrap sampling with replacement method in generating confidence intervals for transition probability values.
Restarting MSMEs and start-ups post COVID-19: a grounded theory approach to identify success factors to tackle changed business landscape
Authors: Varma Deepkumar , Dutta Pankaj
Published: April 2022

Purpose

Small businesses and start-ups have started to reopen post coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) lockdowns but are facing numerous challenges mainly due to changed customer preferences and the need to fine-tune the business models. This research aims to identify the important aspects that start-ups need to focus on, as they weather the COVID-19 pandemic storm.

Design/methodology/approach

Research uses constructivist grounded theory methodology to analyse data collected through in-depth semi-structured interviews with entrepreneurs and senior employees at start-ups. A conceptual model based on nine categories impacting a start-up’s performance is investigated. Interview memos are thematically analysed to identify repeated ideas, concepts or elements that become apparent.

Findings

Study reveals that employees’ and customers’ safety, prudent cost management and online presence/doorstep services are key for start-ups to succeed today's changed business landscape due to COVID-19.

Practical implications

Findings act as a practical guide for start-ups in setting mechanisms, optimizing operations and fine-tuning strategy to address COVID-19 challenges. Start-ups are advised to evaluate the implications of the three findings on their respective businesses to successfully tackle the challenges posed by COVID-19.

Originality/value

This research, being cognizant of a start-up’s unique characteristics and nuances, takes a fresh approach to identify key aspects that start-ups need to focus on and fine-tune in the wake of COVID-19. The paper enriches scientific research of understanding impact of COVID-19 on organizations by specifically surfacing how start-ups can learn and adapt by knowing how other start-ups are surviving today.
Affective and cognitive factors that hinder the banking relationships of economically vulnerable consumers
Authors: de la Cuesta-González Marta , Fernandez-Olit Beatriz , Orenes-Casanova Isabel , Paredes-Gazquez Juandiego
Published: April 2022

Purpose

The aim of this paper is to explore the affective and cognitive factors that condition banking relationships for economically vulnerable consumers and how these factors contribute to increasing financial difficulties and exclusion. This research, performed on a set of focus groups, bases its findings on a combination of experimental and discourse analysis methods.

Design/methodology/approach

Financial decisions are not rational and can be biased by affective and cognitive factors. Behavioural finance has focused very little on analysing how consumer biases influence relationships with banking institutions. Additionally, these relationships are affected by the digitalization and transformation of banking business. Thus, in the case of economically vulnerable consumers, who are not profitable for the increasingly competitive banking industry and lack financial abilities, their risk of financial exclusion is increasing.

Findings

The results show that distrust and shame lead to financial difficulties in economically vulnerable consumers. Distrust generates problems of access and self-exclusion, while shame generates difficulties of use. This lack of trust makes them more rational when dealing with machines than with people, showing greater banking difficulties for consumers with a “person-suspicious” profile.

Originality/value

This finding can help regulators establish limits on banking behaviour, require banks to incorporate affective and cognitive factors in their convenience tests and detect new variables that can help them improve their insolvency ratios and reputations.
Psychophysiological responses to mobile reading: evidence from frontal EEG signals under a distracting reading environment and different text genres
Authors: Li Yiran , Zhang Liyi , Shiau Wen-Lung , Xu Liyang , Liu Qihua
Published: April 2022

Purpose

Reading represents a basic way by which humans understand the world and acquire knowledge; it is also central to learning and communicating. However, with the rapid development of mobile reading, an individual's cognition of objective facts may be affected by the reading environment and text genre, resulting in limited memorization and understanding of the reading material. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate the influence of the reading environment and text genre on individuals' cognitive activities from the perspective of motivational activation level using evidence from electroencephalography (EEG) signals.

Design/methodology/approach

The study employed a mixed design experiment with two reading environments (quiet and distracting) between subjects, two text genres (entertaining and scientific) within subjects and two reading tasks (memory recall and comprehension) within subjects. There were 50 participants in the experiment, and the data obtained from 44 participants while they read the materials and completed the reading tasks were analyzed.

Findings

The results showed that readers are more positively motivated to read in a quiet reading environment than in a distracting reading environment when facing the memory recall tasks of entertaining genre passages and comprehension tasks of scientific genre passages. Entertaining genres are more likely to arouse readers' reading interest but hinder the memory recall of the content details. While scientific genres are not easy to understand, they are helpful for working memory.

Originality/value

This study not only applies a new technology to mobile reading research in the field of library science and addresses the limitations of self-report data, but also provides suggestions for the further improvement of mobile reading service providers. Additionally, the results may provide useful information for learners with different learning demands.
Strategizing alumni to encounter financial sustainability issue: insights from public higher education institutions of Pakistan
Authors: Nisar Nabeel , Nasruddin Ellisha , Goh Yen Nee
Published: April 2022

Purpose

This practitioner paper intends to explore how Public Higher Education Institutions (PHEIs) in Pakistan could strategize alumni to encounter the financial sustainability challenges and achieve their organizational potential relevant to academic, research and public services.

Design/methodology/approach

Employing a hermeneutic (interpretive) phenomenological approach, this study used interviews and focus group discussion data with 26 alumni from eight different PHEIs in Pakistan to explore their attitudes toward engagement with their institutions.

Findings

This study shows a clear shift in institutional strategies between the developing and developed economies regarding the importance and value given to alumni and engagement practices employed.

Practical implications

This study recommends that PHEIs in Pakistan can enjoy alumni engagement benefits to strengthen their organizational standing, provided they view alumni as a valuable entity and observe a proactive approach to engage alumni in a manner that may reflect the mutually beneficial and trustworthy relationship. Further, it would help institutions attain long-term financial sustainability, which is threatened by state-funding cuts and, more recently, COVID-19 pandemic-led recession.

Originality/value

Scholarship shows that institutions in the developed economies have built a strong bond with their alumni to seek their support. However, the voices of institutions from the developing economies have not been heard yet. In this regard, this study appears to highlight the current alumni engagement practices and how institutions could improve on them to strategize alumni for a sustainable future.
Do self-esteem and ethical leadership dampens Machiavellianism–effectiveness relationship: a parallel mediation approach
Authors: Srivastava Shalini , Pathak Deepti , Singh Lata Bajpai , Verma Shalini
Published: April 2022

Purpose

The present paper intends to study the relationship between Machiavellianism and effectiveness. It investigates the parallel mediating effects of self-esteem and ethical leadership on Machiavellianism and leader effectiveness.

Design/methodology/approach

The study was administered to 260 managers from the banking sector. Statistical tools, like descriptive statistics, Pearson product moment correlation, reliability analysis, validity analysis and parallel-mediated regression analysis, were used to analyze the data. Drawing from the conservation of resource (COR) theory, a parallel mediation model was empirically tested.

Findings

The study found a negative association between Machiavellianism and leader effectiveness, and the parallel mediating impact of self-esteem and ethical leadership reduced the impact of Machiavellianism on leader effectiveness.

Practical implications

The work suggests that the banking sector leaders can adapt ethical behaviors to create positive leader–member relations contributing to increased organizational efficiency and productivity.

Originality/value

The unique contribution of the study includes determining the mediating roles of self-esteem and ethical leadership, especially in the Indian context. Despite the availability of past studies on the constructs, the studies on the parallel mediating relationship between Machiavellianism and effectiveness was limited.
Leadership development programs in the context of diversity management: evidence from Poland
Authors: Majczyk Julita
Published: April 2022

Purpose

The aim of this study is to examine leadership development programs in the context of diversity and inclusion and from the perspective of their owners.

Design/methodology/approach

The core of the qualitative study was the 26 in-depth interviews that were conducted. The participants were selected purposefully. The data analysis was based on reflexive thematic analysis.

Findings

The analysis resulted in three themes. (1) “Policy” encompasses thoughts and an understanding of common diversity activities at the organizational level. Anti-discrimination, diversity, inclusion, tolerance, equality, cognition, acceptance and equal opportunity were factors in this narrative. (2) “Inclusion in the role” deals with the perception of diversity in terms of program recruitment. In this context, inclusion is defined by socially acceptable criteria of non-exclusion. (3) “Leadership development” represents the justification for addressing diversity and diversity activities. The findings suggest that the perception of an organization as homogeneous provides an argument for not addressing the diversity connoted with problems and inequities.

Research limitations/implications

Qualitative research does not aim to generalize but to identify conceptual threads. Only the perspective of LDPs' managers was adopted. The selection of the purposive sample was guided by the criterion of active management of LDPs, to obtain as much information as possible about nurturing leaders.

Originality/value

The research findings expand knowledge on the perception of the role of diversity and indicate the benefits of diversity discussed in leadership training interventions. The study may become a starting point for capitalizing on leadership development in sustainable development.
The diverse coworking landscape and implications for commercial real estate provision: lessons from individual preferences and practice
Authors: Clifton Nick , Reuschke Darja
Published: April 2022

Purpose

Coworking (shared flexible working spaces) grew exponentially before the COVID-19 pandemic. The crisis led to spaces closing but demand is likely to increase as homeworking/remote working levels remain permanently higher post-pandemic. Previous studies largely focused on ‘satisfied customers’ – freelancers and entrepreneurs in the urban core; but these are a poor guide to future preferences given an increasingly diverse set of potential users. Understanding these preferences is of significant value to future providers, investors and real estate operators.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors employ a mixed-methods approach, observing self-organised coworking sessions and online platforms, and a questionnaire of the coworking networks/groups. The authors address the research questions: i) how do individuals' make decisions about how and where to engage in shared working and ii) do they consider locational characteristics (beyond accessibility) and social and physical (environmental) aspects of coworking?

Findings

Proximity to home is a key result. Participants are mostly local and seek community, with a strong emphasis on effective work routines. Results stress the importance placed on social factors and in-space amenities, but affordability is also important. Coworkers experiencing both informal groups and organised spaces rate the informal experience as significantly more beneficial.

Practical implications

There are implications for the real estate element of future provision and funding models.

Originality/value

The authors contribute to the understanding of coworking preferences/motivations through addressing methodological limitations of previous studies. Rather than surveying individuals in coworking spaces, the authors study individuals who engage in coworking in various forms which will reflect the diverse (users, spaces, locations) demands for future coworking.
Time-frequency analysis of the comovement between wheat and equity markets
Authors: Ben Amar Amine , Bouattour Mondher , Carlotti Jean-Etienne
Published: April 2022

Purpose

This study aims to investigate the time-frequency comovement between wheat futures traded on three US markets (Chicago Board of Trade (CBOT), Kansas City Board of Trade (KCBOT) and Minneapolis Grain Exchange (MGE)) at different maturities and a global equity index.

Design/methodology/approach

As they allow to trace transitional shifts over time and across different frequency bands, this paper relies on continuous wavelet tools to investigate the time-frequency comovement among wheat and global stock markets.

Findings

The results show an increase in wheat futures prices at all maturities and a weak integration level within each wheat market during the subprime crisis. Moreover, the wavelet power spectra maps show high wheat and equity price volatility at different time scales and for various subperiods. Furthermore, the continuous wavelet coherence highlights time-frequency-varying comovements between the markets considered, which become particularly high during times of crisis.

Practical implications

The results provide market participants with a better understanding of the nature as well as the magnitude of the relationship between the global financial market and different wheat markets at different maturities and during tranquil and crisis periods. Indeed, from investors' perspective it is important to understand how markets are segmented or integrated during tranquil and crisis periods in order to better assess risks, diversify portfolios and implement more effective hedging strategies. As for regulators, a better understanding of the level of integration of different markets would further help refine macroprudential policies, and thus strengthen financial stability and resilience.

Originality/value

This paper enriches the existing literature by investigating the time-frequency comovement between wheat and a global equity market. Indeed, the dynamics between stock and wheat markets across different nearest to maturities have not been widely explored by previous studies.
Self-legitimacy of police officers in Slovenia
Authors: Hacin Rok , Meško Gorazd
Published: April 2022

Purpose

In recent years, several studies on self-legitimacy of police officers were conducted; however, few have tested the unstable nature of legitimacy in different time periods. This paper aims to focus on the self-legitimacy of police officers and its impact on pro-organizational behavior in 2013 and 2016.

Design/methodology/approach

The study took place in eight regional police directorates in Slovenia. The number of participants amounted to 529 police officers in 2013 and 478 police officers in 2016 that have completed a paper and pencil survey that was pretested using a convenience sample of police officers studying as part-time undergraduate students.

Findings

Overall findings revealed organizational commitment as the strongest predictor of self-legitimacy of police officers in Slovenia. The invariance of the “core variables” and their influence on the self-legitimacy of police officers in different time periods was confirmed. Their perception of individual legitimacy, organizational commitment, education and years of service influenced pro-organizational behaviors of police officers.

Research limitations/implications

Limitations of the study can be seen in the sincerity of participating police officers and the nature of self-legitimacy, which operates differently in different societies.

Practical implications

The results could be used for the improvement of policing in a young democratic country.

Social implications

Legitimacy, procedural justice and other components of policing in a democratic society need to be tested globally, especially in young democracies. This study is an example of an ongoing, follow-up endeavor of researchers and the national police to reflect upon the development of policing.

Originality/value

The paper has confirmed the invariance of relations with colleagues, supervisors' procedural justice and audience legitimacy on the self-legitimacy in different time periods and societies.
China's railway train speed, density and weight in developing
Authors: Jiang Bo , Tian Changhai , Deng Jiehang , Zhu Zitong
Published: April 2022

Purpose

This study aims to analyze the development direction of train speed, density and weight in China.

Design/methodology/approach

The development of China's railway in the past 40 years can be divided into 3 stages. At the stage of potential tapping and capacity expansion, it is important to improve the train weight and density by upgrading the existing lines, and improving transportation capacity rapidly. At the stage of railway speed increase, the first priority is to increase train speed, reduce the travel time of passenger train, and synchronously take into account the increase of train density and weight. At the stage of developing high-speed railway, train speed, density and weight are co-developing on demand.

Findings

The train speed of high-speed railway will be 400 km h−1, the interval time of train tracking will be 3 min, and the traffic density will be more than 190 pairs per day. The running speed of high-speed freight EMU will reach 200 km h−1 and above. The maximum speed of passenger train on mixed passenger and freight railway can reach 200 km h−1. The minimum interval time of train tracking can be compressed to 5 min. The freight train weight of 850 m series arrival-departure track railway can be increased to 4,500–5,000 t and that of 1,050 m series to 5,500–6,400 t. EMU trains should gradually replace ordinary passenger trains to improve the quality of railway passenger service. Small formation trains will operate more in intercity railway, suburban railway and short-distance passenger transportation.

Originality/value

The research can provide new connotations and requirements of railway train speed, density and weight in the new railway stage.
Detection of butt weld of laser-MIG hybrid welding of thin-walled profile for high-speed train
Authors: Zhou Qingxiang , Liu Fang , Li Jingming , Li Jiankui , Zhang Shuangnan , Cai Guixi
Published: April 2022

Purpose

This study aims to solve the problem of weld quality inspection, for the aluminum alloy profile welding structure of high-speed train body has complex internal shape and thin plate thickness (2–4 mm), the conventional nondestructive testing method of weld quality is difficult to implement.

Design/methodology/approach

In order to solve this problem, the ultrasonic creeping wave detection technology was proposed. The impact of the profile structure on the creeping wave detection was studied by designing profile structural test blocks and artificial simulation defect test blocks. The detection technology was used to test the actual welded test blocks, and compared with the results of X-ray test and destructive test (tensile test) to verify the accuracy of the ultrasonic creeping wave test results.

Findings

It is indicated that that X-ray has better effect on the inspection of porosities and incomplete penetration defects. However, due to special detection method and protection, the detection speed is slow, which cannot meet the requirements of field inspection of the welding structure of aluminum alloy thin-walled profile for high-speed train body. It can be used as an auxiliary detection method for a small number of sampling inspection. The ultrasonic creeping wave can be used to detect the incomplete penetration welds with the equivalent of 0.25 mm or more, the results of creeping wave detection correspond well with the actual incomplete penetration defects.

Originality/value

The results show that creeping wave detection results correspond well with the actual non-penetration defects and can be used for welding quality inspection of aluminum alloy thin-wall profile composite welding joints. It is recommended to use the echo amplitude of the 10 mm × 0.2 mm × 0.5 mm notch as the criterion for weld qualification.
Rail fastener defect inspection method for multi railways based on machine vision
Authors: Liu Junbo , Huang Yaping , Wang Shengchun , Zhao Xinxin , Zou Qi , Zhang Xingyuan
Published: April 2022

Purpose

This research aims to improve the performance of rail fastener defect inspection method for multi railways, to effectively ensure the safety of railway operation.

Design/methodology/approach

Firstly, a fastener region location method based on online learning strategy was proposed, which can locate fastener regions according to the prior knowledge of track image and template matching method. Online learning strategy is used to update the template library dynamically, so that the method not only can locate fastener regions in the track images of multi railways, but also can automatically collect and annotate fastener samples. Secondly, a fastener defect recognition method based on deep convolutional neural network was proposed. The structure of recognition network was designed according to the smaller size and the relatively single content of the fastener region. The data augmentation method based on the sample random sorting strategy is adopted to reduce the impact of the imbalance of sample size on recognition performance.

Findings

Test verification of the proposed method is conducted based on the rail fastener datasets of multi railways. Specifically, fastener location module has achieved an average detection rate of 99.36%, and fastener defect recognition module has achieved an average precision of 96.82%.

Originality/value

The proposed method can accurately locate fastener regions and identify fastener defect in the track images of different railways, which has high reliability and strong adaptability to multi railways.
Irregular forest structures originating after fire: An opportunity to promote alternatives to even‐aged management in boreal forests
Authors: Martin Maxence , Leduc Alain , Fenton Nicole J. , Montoro Girona Miguel , Bergeron Yves , Valeria Osvaldo
Published: April 2022

Even‐aged silviculture based on short‐rotation clearcuts had severely altered boreal forests. Silvicultural alternatives (e.g. continuous cover or retention forestry) have the potential to restore and protect the habitats and functions of boreal forests. These alternatives are however often restricted to structurally complex old‐growth forest, which are particularly threatened by anthropogenic disturbances. Increasing the use of alternatives to even‐aged silviculture in early‐successional stands could help recruit more structurally complex forests, with characteristics closer to the old‐growth. In this article, we therefore evaluate the potential for silvicultural alternatives to even‐aged management in boreal forests that burned less than a century ago.

We analysed 1085 field plots in a 243,000 km2area situated in the boreal forest of eastern Canada. These plots burned 30–100 years before the survey and had not been subjected to previous or subsequent anthropogenic disturbance; they hence represent young primary forests. The main patterns of tree diameter distribution variation within the plots were identified usingk‐means clustering. Stand structure, tree species composition and environmental variables that most explained the differences among the clusters were identified with a random forest model, and then compared using Kruskal–Wallis and Fisher's exact tests.

The majority (>75%) of the plots presented an irregular structure of stem diameters (i.e. non‐normally distributed, with many small diameter trees). The understorey was generally dominated by black spruce (Picea mariana[Mill.] BSP), a shade‐tolerant species. Irregular structures were observed in both forests of high and low productivity, implying that different processes (e.g. early regeneration, variable tree growth) can lead to observed early irregular structure. Regular structures were generally characterized by a higher productivity and abundance in hardwood species compared to the irregular structures.

Synthesis and applications. Many boreal forests of eastern Canada progress towards an irregular structure in the decades following the last stand‐replacing fire. A substantial part of these early‐successional forests may be suitable for alternatives to even‐aged silviculture that better maintains habitats and functions of preindustrial boreal forests.
Litter decomposition and nutrient release from monospecific and mixed litters: Comparisons of litter quality, fauna and decomposition site effects
Authors: Yang Kai , Zhu Jiaojun , Zhang Weiwei , Zhang Qian , Lu Deliang , Zhang Yakun , Zheng Xiao , Xu Shuang , Wang G. Geoff
Published: April 2022

Litter decomposition and nutrient release are key processes for soil C and nutrient cycling. However, the relative importance of the effects of litter quality, fauna and decomposition site on litter decomposition remains poorly understood. Moreover, the macronutrient and micronutrient (C, N, P, K, Ca, Mg, Mn, Cu and Zn) release in the decomposition process are even less well‐known.

In this study, we performed 5040 litterbag samplings of monospecific (Larix gmelinii,Acer mono,Quercus mongolicaandJuglans mandshurica) and mixed (Larixwith each broad‐leaved litter) litter treatments using litterbags with three mesh sizes (for different‐sized fauna) in four paired stands of natural secondary forests compared with adjacentLarixplantations in a temperate forest ecosystem in China. Litter decomposition rate and macronutrient and micronutrient release during decomposition were assessed.

We found that variation in litter quality had a considerably greater effect on litter decomposition than fauna and decomposition site. The decomposition constant was significantly related to the initial litter Mg concentration and lignin/P ratio, suggesting the importance of the Mg content and lignin/P ratio in controlling litter decomposition in temperate tree species. We also showed that macrofauna significantly increased monospecific but not mixed litter decomposition. In addition, the decomposition site conditions further influenced monospecific litter decomposition. Furthermore, the litter quality significantly influences N and Mn release in both monospecific and mixed litters. Compared withLarixlitter, the average of N and Mn increased 33.9% and 53.8% in three broad‐leaved litters, and 21.4% and 38.0% in three mixed litters respectively.

Synthesis. Litter quality is a relatively more important factor than fauna and decomposition site for the decomposition of both monospecific and mixed litters when studied at a local scale in temperate forests. Moreover, litter decomposition enhanced in plantation sites with poor soil nutrient status, which has implications for C and nutrient cycling and long‐term below‐ground forest ecosystem functions.
Direct and indirect effects of fire on microbial communities in a pyrodiverse dry‐sclerophyll forest
Authors: Bowd Elle J. , Egidi Eleonora , Lindenmayer David B. , Wardle David A. , Kardol Paul , Cary Geoffrey J. , Foster Claire
Published: April 2022

Fire is one of the predominant drivers of the structural and functional dynamics of forest ecosystems. In recent years, novel fire regimes have posed a major challenge to the management of pyrodiverse forests. While previous research efforts have focused on quantifying the impacts of fire on above‐ground forest biodiversity, how microbial communities respond to fire is less understood, despite their functional significance.

Here, we describe the effects of time since fire, fire frequency and their interaction on soil and leaf litter fungal and bacterial communities from the pyrodiverse, Eucalyptus pilularis forests of south‐eastern Australia. Using structural equation models, we also elucidate how fire can influence these communities both directly and indirectly through biotic–abiotic interactions.

Our results demonstrate that fire is a key driver of litter and soil bacterial and fungal communities, with effects most pronounced for soil fungal communities. Notably, recently burnt forest hosted lower abundances of symbiotic ectomycorrhizal fungi and Acidobacteria in the soil, and basidiomycetous fungi and Actinobacteriota in the litter. Compared with low fire frequencies, high fire frequency increased soil fungal plant pathogens, but reduced Actinobacteriota. The majority of fire effects on microbial communities were mediated by fire‐induced changes in litter and soil abiotic properties. For instance, recent and more frequent fire was associated with reduced soil sulphur, which led to an increase in soil fungal plant pathogens and saprotrophic fungi in these sites. Pathogenic fungi also increased in recently burnt forests that had a low fire frequency, mediated by a decline in litter carbon and an increase in soil pH in these sites.

Synthesis. Our findings indicate that predicted increases in the frequency of fire may select for specific microbial communities directly and indirectly through ecological interactions, which may have functional implications for plants (increase in pathogens, decrease in symbionts), decomposition rates (declines in Actinobacteriota and Acidobacteriota) and carbon storage (decrease in ectomycorrhizal fungi). In the face of predicted shifts in wildfire regimes, which may exacerbate fire‐induced changes in microbial communities, adaptive fire management and monitoring is required to address the potential functional implications of fire‐altered microbial communities.