bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Epigenetic trajectory predicts development of clinical rheumatoid arthritis in anti-citrullinated protein antibody positive individuals: Targeting Immune Responses for Prevention of Rheumatoid Arthritis (TIP-RA)
Authors: Prideaux E. Barton , Boyle David L. , Choi Eunice , Buckner Jane H. , Robinson William H. , Holers V. Michael , Deane Kevin D. , Firestein Gary S. , Wang Wei
Published: October 2024

The presence of anti-citrullinated protein antibodies (ACPAs) in the absence of clinically-apparent inflammatory arthritis (IA) identifies individuals “at-risk” for developing future clinical rheumatoid arthritis (RA). However, it is unclear why some ACPA+ individuals convert to clinical RA while others do not. We explored the possibility that epigenetic remodeling is part of the trajectory from an at-risk state to clinical disease. Cross-sectional differential methylation analysis at baseline revealed DMLs that distinguish the Pre-RA methylome from ACPA+ Non-converters. Genes overlapping these DMLs correspond to aberrant NOTCH signaling and DNA repair pathways in B cells. Longitudinal analysis showed that ACPA-Control and ACPA+ Non-converter methylomes are relatively constant. In contrast, the Pre-RA methylome remodeled along a dynamic “RA methylome trajectory” characterized by epigenetic changes in active regulatory elements. Machine learning revealed individual loci predictive of RA conversion. DNA methylation is a dynamic process in ACPA+ individuals at-risk for developing RA that later transition to clinical disease. In contrast, non-converters and controls have stable methylomes. The accumulation of epigenetic marks over time prior to conversion to clinical RA conforms to pathways that are associated with immunity and can be used to identify potential pathogenic pathways for therapeutic targeting and/or use as prognostic biomarkers.
Semisynthetic Phage Display Library Construction: Design and Synthesis of Diversified Single-Chain Variable Fragments and Generation of Primary Libraries
Authors: Almagro Juan C. , Pohl Mary Ann
Published: October 2024

Display of antibody fragments on the surface of M13 filamentous bacteriophages is a well-established approach for the identification of antibodies binding to a target of interest. Here, we describe the first of a three-step method to construct Antibody Libraries for Therapeutic Antibody Discovery (ALTHEA) Libraries. The three-step method involves (1) primary library (PL) construction, (2) filtered library construction, and (3) secondary library construction. The first step, described here, entails design, synthesis, and cloning of four PLs. These PLs are designed with specific properties amenable to therapeutic antibody development using one universal variable heavy (VH) scaffold and four distinct variable light (VL) scaffolds. The scaffolds are diversified in positions that bind both protein and peptide targets identified in antibody–antigen complexes of known structure using the amino acid frequencies found in those positions in known human antibody sequences, avoiding residues that may lead to developability liabilities. The diversified scaffolds are combined with 90 synthetic neutral HCDR3 sequences designed with developable human diversity genes (IGHD) and joining heavy genes (IGHJ) in germline configuration, and assembled as single-chain variable fragments (scFvs) in a VL–linker–VHorientation. The four designed PLs are synthesized using trinucleotide phosphoramidites (TRIMs) and cloned independently into a phagemid vector for M13 pIII display. Quality control of the cloning of the four PLs is also described, which involves sequencing scFvs in each library.
Semisynthetic Phage Display Library Construction: Generation of Filtered Libraries
Authors: Almagro Juan C. , Pohl Mary Ann
Published: October 2024

Display of antibody fragments on the surface of M13 filamentous bacteriophages is a well-established approach for the identification of antibodies binding to a target of interest. Here, we describe the second of a three-step method to construct Antibody Libraries for Therapeutic Antibody Discovery (ALTHEA) Gold Plus Libraries. The three-step method involves (1) primary library (PL) construction, (2) filtered library (FL) construction, and (3) secondary library construction. The second step, described here, involves display of the PLs as single-chain variable fragment (scFv) fusions to protein pIII of the M13 phage, as well as heat shock treatment and subsequent selection of well-folded and thermostable scFvs via protein L binding, whereas unstable and defective scFvs are removed by washing steps and centrifugation. The quality of the filtration process is assessed by sequencing clones chosen at random from the FLs. These libraries, enriched with thermostable antibodies, are then ready to be used for the third and final step of the process: generation of secondary libraries.
Maize Abiotic Stress Treatments in Controlled Environments
Authors: Murphy Katherine M. , Casto Anna L. , Chavez Leonardo , Lima Leonardo W. , Quiñones Alejandra , Gehan Malia A. , Hirsch Cory D.
Published: October 2024

Maize (Zea mays) is one of the world's most important crops, providing food for humans and livestock and serving as a bioenergy source. Climate change and the resulting abiotic stressors in the field reduce crop yields, threatening food security and the global economy. Water deficit (i.e., drought), heat, and insufficient nutrients (e.g., nitrogen and phosphorus) are major environmental stressors that affect maize yields, and impact growth and development at all stages of the plant life cycle. Understanding the biological processes underlying these responses in maize has the potential to increase yields in the face of abiotic stress. Optimizing individual or combined abiotic stress treatments in controlled environments reduces potential noise in data collection that can be present under less controlled growth conditions. Here, we describe methods and conditions for controlled abiotic stress treatments and associated controls during early vegetative growth of maize, conducted in greenhouses or growth chambers. This includes the environmental conditions, equipment, soil preparation, and intensity and duration of heat, drought, nitrogen deficiency, and phosphorous deficiency. Controlled experiments at early growth stages are informative for future in-field studies that require greater labor and inputs, saving researchers time and growing space, and thus research funds, before testing plants across later stages of development. We suggest that stress treatments be severe enough to result in a measurable phenotype, but not so severe that all plants die prior to sample collection. This protocol is designed to set important standards for replicable research in maize.
Bringing the Peccei-Quinn mechanism down to Earth
Authors: Davoudiasl Hooman , Schnubel Marvin
Published: October 2024

It is conventionally assumed that the physics underlying the Peccei-Quinn (PQ) mechanism for addressing the strong CP problem is at very high energies, orders of magnitude above the weak scale. However, this may not be the case in general and the associated PQ boson ϕ, besides the signature state, i.e., the ultralight axion a, may emerge well below the weak scale. We consider this possibility and examine some of the conditions for its viability. The example model proposed here may also provide the requisite Standard Model Higgs mass parameter, without invoking new scalars above the giga-electron-volt (GeV) scale. The corresponding parameter space can maintain against quantum corrections. This scenario, depending on the choice of parameters, can potentially be constrained by flavor data. We point out that the current mild excess in B+→K+νν¯, reported by the Belle II experiment, could in principle be explained in this setup as B+→K+ϕ and B+→K+a, with both ϕ and a escaping the detector as missing energy. For a sufficiently heavy PQ boson, in the GeV regime (as the preferred explanation of the Belle II excess), one can separate these two contributions, due to the difference in K+ momenta. In this case, the axion may also affect lighter meson, e.g., kaon, decays while ϕ would not be a kinematically allowed final state.

Published by the American Physical Society
2024
Anomalies in covariant fracton theories
Authors: Rovere Davide
Published: October 2024

Covariant (Lorentz invariant) fracton matter, minimally coupled and charged under a symmetric rank two gauge tensor, is considered. The gauge transformations correspond to linearized longitudinal diffeomorphisms. Consistent possible anomalies are computed using the cohomology method. They depend only on the gauge field, treated as a background field, and on the gauge parameter, promoted to an anticommuting scalar ghost field. The problem is phrased in terms of polyforms, whose total degree is the sum of the form degree and of the ghost number. The most general anomaly in two dimensions and in four dimensions is computed, and an anomaly in arbitrary dimensions is individuated. In conclusion, it is shown that a simple higher-derivative scalar field theory is an example of covariant fracton matter.

Published by the American Physical Society
2024
Prospects for Light Dark Matter Searches at Large-Volume Neutrino Detectors
Authors: Dutta Bhaskar , Huang Wei-Chih , Kim Doojin , Newstead Jayden L. , Park Jong-Chul , Ali Iman Shaukat
Published: October 2024

We propose a new approach to search for light dark matter (DM), with keV–GeV mass, via inelastic nucleus scattering at large-volume neutrino detectors such as Borexino, DUNE, Super-K, Hyper-K, and JUNO. The approach uses inelastic nuclear scattering of cosmic-ray boosted DM, enabling a low-background search for DM in these experiments. Large neutrino detectors, with higher thresholds than dark matter detectors, can be used, since the nuclear deexcitation lines are O(10)  MeV. Using a hadrophilic dark-gauge-boson-portal model as a benchmark, we show that the nuclear inelastic channels generally provide better sensitivity than the elastic scattering for a large region of light DM parameter space.

Published by the American Physical Society
2024
New Data-Driven Constraints on the Sign of Gluon Polarization in the Proton
Authors: Hunt-Smith N. T. , Cocuzza C. , Melnitchouk W. , Sato N. , Thomas A. W. , White M. J. ,   JAM Collaboration-Spin PDF Analysis Group
Published: October 2024

Recently, the possible existence of negative gluon helicity Δg has been observed to be compatible with existing empirical constraints, including from jet production in polarized proton-proton collisions at the Relativistic Heavy Ion Collider, and lattice QCD data on polarized gluon Ioffe time distributions. We perform a new global analysis of polarized parton distributions in the proton with new constraints from the high-x region of deep-inelastic scattering (DIS). A dramatic reduction in the quality of the fit for the negative Δg replicas compared to those with positive Δg suggests that the negative Δg solution cannot simultaneously account for high-x polarized DIS data along with lattice and polarized jet data.

Published by the American Physical Society
2024
Basolateral Mechanics Prevents Rigidity Transition in Epithelial Monolayers
Authors: Rozman Jan , Krajnc Matej , Ziherl Primož
Published: October 2024

The mechanics of epithelial tissues, which is governed by forces generated in various cell regions, is often investigated using two-dimensional models that account for the apically positioned actomyosin structures but neglect basolateral mechanics. We employ a more detailed three-dimensional model to study how lateral surface tensions affect the structure and rigidity of such tissues. We find that cells are apicobasally asymmetric, with one side appearing more ordered than the other depending on target cell apical perimeter. In contrast to the 2D model, which predicts a rigidity transition at large target perimeters, tissues in the 3D model remain solidlike across all parameter space.

Published by the American Physical Society
2024
Duality of spaces and the origin of integral reflection conditions
Authors: Nespolo Massimo
Published: October 2024

The dualism between direct and reciprocal space is at the origin of well known relations between basis vectors in the two spaces. It is shown that when a coordinate system corresponding to a non-primitive unit cell is adopted, this dualism has to be handled with care. In particular, the reciprocal of a non-primitive unit cell is not a unit cell but a region in reciprocal space that does not represent a unit of repetition by translation. The basis vectors do not correspond to reciprocal-space cell lengths, contrary to what is stated even in the core CIF dictionary. The corresponding unit cell is a multiple of this region. The broken correspondence between basis vectors and unit cell is at the origin of the integral reflection conditions.
Animations, videos and 3D models for teaching space-group symmetry
Authors: Bucio Lauro , Moreno-Tovar Rosario , Hernández-Juárez Edilberto , Sandoval-Santiago Andrea S. , Elejalde-Cadena Nerith R. , Bucio Andrés , Falcón-Moreno Moises , Rosales-Chávez Ivonne
Published: October 2024

A series of animations, videos and 3D models that were developed, filmed or built to teach the symmetry properties of crystals are described. At first, these resources were designed for graduate students taking a basic crystallography course, coming from different careers, at the National Autonomous University of Mexico. However, the COVID-19 pandemic had the effect of accelerating the generation of didactic material. Besides our experience with postgraduate students, we have noted that 3D models attract the attention of children, and therefore we believe that these models are particularly useful for teaching children about the assembled arrangements of crystal structures.
Optimizing crucible geometry to improve the quality of AlN crystals by the physical vapor transport method
Authors: Cao Wenhao , Wang Shouzhi , Yu Ruixian , Li Qiubo , Wang Guodong , Zhu Yajun , Wu Yuzhu , Lv Lingshuang , Liu Jingliang , Xu Xiangang , Zhang Lei
Published: October 2024

In the conventional crucible structure for AlN crystal growth by physical vapor transport, owing to the long molecular transport path of Al vapor and the disruption of the gas flow by the presence of a deflector, the Al vapor easily forms polycrystals in the growth domain. The result is increased internal stress in the crystals and increased difficulty in growing large-sized crystals. On this basis, with the help of finite element simulations, a novel crucible structure is designed. This crucible not only optimizes the gas transport but also increases the radial gradient of the AlN crystal surface, making the enhanced growth rate in the central region more obvious. The thermal stresses between the deflector and the crystal are also reduced. High-quality AlN crystals with an FWHM of 79 arcsec were successfully grown with this structure, verifying the accuracy of finite element simulation of the growth of AlN crystals. Our work has important guiding significance for the growth of high-quality AlN crystals.
Mental health, wellbeing and coping strategies of autistic adults during isolation
Authors: Collins Joseph , Metcalfe Dale
Published: October 2024

Purpose

The negative effects of loneliness and isolation on mental health and wellbeing on the neurotypical population are well documented. The purpose of this qualitative study was to explore the effects of isolation on the mental health and wellbeing of autistic adults who were separated from friends and family for an extended period.

Design/methodology/approach

Semi-structured interviews were conducted shortly after the lifting of the third UK lockdown of the Covid-19 pandemic with a sample of 7 people (mean age, 35) formally diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder.

Findings

The study explored effects stemming from the absence of social interaction. Thematic analysis led to the creation of three themes: The first, “Context affects perception of isolation: I’m going to continue on with my life as much as I possibly can” shows a negative impact on wellbeing, perceived through the filter of larger issues resulting from lockdown and the necessity of isolation. The second, “Being alone can be comfortable: Lockdown has been good for me” discusses the mental health benefits of isolation and participants feeling of being “primed” for that isolation. The third, “Challenges from isolation: ‘Changing routine’” explores the changes people made while isolated, with a focus on coping strategies and communication.

Originality/value

Findings reveal the importance of supporting autistic adults to maintain social contact during and after isolation and contradict research suggesting autistic people are not motivated to seek social interaction.
Testing the effects of personalized recommendation service, filter bubble and big data attitude on continued use of TikTok
Authors: Tan Yuelong , Yoon Sungjoon
Published: October 2024

Purpose

This study attempts to identify the determinant factors for Chinese users’ intention of continuous use of TikTok.

Design/methodology/approach

Drawing on the theoretical background and previous literature, this study proposes the research model followed by research hypotheses. For the purpose of empirical analysis of this study, we conducted a questionnaire survey on current Chinese TikTok platform users. Factor analysis was conducted to verify the reliability and validity of the measurement variables; Confirmatory factor analysis was conducted to ensure that the structural dimensions of the measurement are effective; the analysis results of the structural equation model for hypothesis test.

Findings

The result of the study indicates that the core service traits (entertainment, informativeness and convenience of use) of TikTok all have a positive effect on user engagement and perceived usefulness. In addition, the study found that both personalized recommendation services and filter bubble, which are features of TikTok's service recommendation system, have a positive effect on user engagement and perceived usefulness of TikTok. In addition, it was found that both user engagement and perceived usefulness have a significant positive effect on continuous use intention. Finally, users’ attitude toward big data indicating privacy concern only had a positive moderating effect on the personalized recommendation service but not on filter bubble.

Originality/value

As consumers’ demand for services tailored to their needs and preferences fast increased, it calls for growing concern over the safety of personal data being used by the platforms. Although this paradox over increased user convenience versus privacy protection issue has been persistently recognized, no previous research empirically addressed this issue in the context of social media platforms.
Job crafting in an emerging economy from South Asia: What do we know and where should we be heading?
Authors: Priyanka  , Khera Shikha N. , Suri Pradeep Kumar
Published: October 2024

Purpose

This study aims towards developing a conceptual framework by systematically reviewing the available literature with reference to job crafting under the lens of an emerging economy from South Asia, i.e. India, which is the largest country and the largest economy in the South Asian region.

Design/methodology/approach

The study employs a hybrid methodology of a systematic literature review (SLR) and bibliometric analysis using VOSviewer and Biblioshiny. Bibliometric analysis provides glimpses into the current state of knowledge like-trend of publication, influential authors, collaboration with foreign authors, the major themes and studied topics on job crafting in India etc. Further, a detailed SLR of the selected articles led to the development of the conceptual framework consisting of the enablers and outcomes of job crafting.

Findings

It discusses implications for academia, business and society at large, and also provides valuable insights to policymakers and practitioners paving the way for better adoption, customization and implementation of job crafting initiatives.

Originality/value

Owing to its own unique social, cultural, and economic characteristics, the dynamics of job crafting in India may vary from other countries and regions which can also be reflective of how job crafting operates in South Asia in general. As job crafting was conceptualized and later evolved mostly in the western context, our study assumes greater significance as it is the first study which attempts to systematically review the job crafting literature to understand how job crafting manifests in the Indian context and presents a conceptual framework for the same.
Religion, politics and jingle bells: examining contextual factors influencing the impact of workplace holiday practices
Authors: Tews Michael J. , Michel John W. , Pons Sydney
Published: October 2024

Purpose

While Christmas and the holidays are widely celebrated in society at large in the US, the question arises whether doing so has value in today’s organizations. In this light, the present study examined the relationship of workplace holiday practices with positive affect and emotional engagement, along with some boundary conditions of these relationships. Specifically, this research examined the moderating influences of religious orientation, political orientation and political environment.

Design/methodology/approach

Data were collected at two points in time via an online survey. At time 1, the participant survey included measures of workplace holiday practices, political orientation and demographic characteristics. At time 2 (approximately two weeks afterward), the participant survey included measures of positive affect and emotional engagement.

Findings

Workplace holiday practices were related to both positive affect and emotional engagement. There were slightly stronger effects for the impact of workplace holiday practices among individuals who reside in more conservative (“red”) states in the US on emotional engagement, but not positive affect. Individual political orientation did not moderate the relationships between workplace holiday practices and the outcomes. Counter to expectations, the absence of workplace holiday practices had a stronger negative effect on non-Christians’ emotional engagement than Christians. The interaction between workplace holiday practices and religious orientation with positive affect was nonsignificant.

Research limitations/implications

The data from this research were obtained via a survey methodology. Although data on the independent and dependent variables were obtained at two different points in time, future research could experimentally manipulate features of the work environment related to the celebration of the holidays to more definitively establish cause-and-effect relationships.

Practical implications

This research highlights the value of celebrating Christmas and the holidays. In this light, organizations should not underestimate the potential value of such celebratory activity in promoting employee goodwill. At the same time, organizations must be cognizant that some individuals may value the celebration of Christmas and the holidays more so than others.

Originality/value

This research provides a framework for further research on workplace holiday practices and identifies theories that can be used in future research to explore the mechanisms that influence how and under what conditions workplace holiday practices impact employees’ experiences at work.
Impact of state tuition guarantee policy on enrollment in public universities
Authors: Coulibaly Ibrahima , Asirvatham Jebaraj
Published: October 2024

Purpose

This study estimates the effect of the Truth-in-Tuition policy on the enrollment of first-year students, minority students and all students (total enrollment) in Illinois universities.

Design/methodology/approach

Econometric models yield robust estimates using state- and time-fixed effects. This research uses the nonparametric Difference-in-Difference (DID) method. Variation in the starting of the Truth-in-Tuition policy across the Midwestern states is used as a natural experiment.

Findings

Results demonstrate that the Truth-in-Tuition policy helped increase freshman enrollment but did not significantly impact minority enrollment. This policy, however, shows a much larger drop in total enrollment in Illinois universities.

Originality/value

A comparison between regionally competing institutions under different policy regimes was not analyzed earlier.
Recent evidence on rates and factors influencing smoking behaviours after release from smoke-free prisons: a scoping review
Authors: Brown Ashley , Woods-Brown Clair , Angus Kathryn , McMeekin Nicola , Hunt Kate , Demou Evangelia
Published: October 2024

Purpose

Smoke-free prison policies have been introduced in some countries, in part to address very high levels of tobacco use in people in prison. However, relapse rates post-release remain high. This papers aims to improve understanding of post-release smoking and/or vaping behaviour is necessary to inform support for a priority population.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors searched health, social science and criminal justice databases for studies about smoking/vaping behaviours among people released from smoke-free prisons. Studies were included if they reported primary data and were published between January 2017 and March 2024 in English; the population was adults/young people (16 yr+) imprisoned or formerly imprisoned, in prisons with comprehensive smoke-free policies; and at least one of the following was reported: pre-release intention to smoke, vape or remain abstinent post-release; smoking/vaping behaviour post-release and factors influencing smoking/vaping behaviour; attempts to quit again following post-release smoking/vaping relapse.

Findings

Nine studies met our criteria. The evidence base is small and mainly from the USA or Australia. Evidence continues to suggest that most people resume smoking after leaving a smoke-free prison. No new interventions have been successful in reducing relapse rates. No studies report on vaping post-release, although two studies report on perceived factors affecting smoking relapse post-release from prisons allowing vaping.

Research limitations/implications

Given very high rates of relapse, there remains a significant need to better understand what approaches are feasible and acceptable for reducing return to smoking post-release.

Originality/value

This review updates the limited evidence on smoking behaviours after leaving a smoke-free prison.
Improving group problem solving through awareness of members’ problem-solving preferences
Authors: Franken José C.M. , van Dun Desirée H. , Wilderom Celeste P.M.
Published: October 2024

Purpose

Many groups in organisations are unsuccessful in problem solving. However, the principle of continuous improvement necessitates that organisations refine their employees’ problem-solving skills. In this mixed-method, field-based lab experiment, we explored the impact of a treatment to enhance the quality of group problem-solving processes.

Design/methodology/approach

We focused on the structured problem-solving process in Kaizen Events by differentiating six consecutive phases. About 16 Kaizen Event groups (101 members) participated in a field-based lab experiment that used a lean simulation game to establish a group problem-solving context. Data were collected via video, surveys and group interviews. We examined if a high-quality process is strengthened through group members’ elevated awareness of problem-solving preferences. About 11 groups received a treatment of tailor-made individual feedback to increase awareness of their problem-solving preferences. Additionally, we repeated the experiment in five control groups, where member preferences were not shared.

Findings

In the treatment groups, where problem-solving preferences had been shared, we observed a clear improvement in Kaizen Event process quality and higher problem-solving self-efficacy levels. Moreover, their self-reported Kaizen Event behaviour had changed. Within the control groups, the participants also reported that their problem-solving self-efficacy had improved, but this did not have a positive impact on the quality of the objectively measured Kaizen Event process.

Originality/value

By combining insights from operations management and organisational behaviour, we demonstrate that the structured Kaizen Event problem-solving process improves when group members’ individual problem-solving preferences are shared. We thus add an individual-level variable to the extant models of Kaizen Event success factors. Our results provide fresh insights into how to improve the continuous improvement process within organisations. Kaizen Event stakeholders and their facilitators are offered guidance on how to increase one’s awareness of own and others’ problem-solving preferences in group-based problem-solving events.
A social cognitive theory of customer value co-creation behavior: evidence from healthcare
Authors: Hasan Md Moynul , Chang Yu , Lim Weng Marc , Kalam Abul , Shamim Amjad
Published: October 2024

Purpose

Customer value co-creation behavior is promising but undertheorized. To bridge this gap, this study examines the viability of a social cognitive theory positing that customers' value co-creation behavior is shaped by their co-creation experience, self-efficacy, and engagement.

Design/methodology/approach

Using healthcare as a case, a stratified random sample comprising 600 patients from 40 hospitals across eight metropolitan cities in an emerging economy was acquired and analyzed using co-variance-based structural equation modeling (CB-SEM).

Findings

Customers' co-creation experience has a positive impact on their co-creation self-efficacy, co-creation engagement, and value co-creation behavior. While co-creation self-efficacy and engagement have no direct influence on value co-creation behavior, they do serve as mediators between co-creation experience and value co-creation behavior, suggesting that when customers are provided with a co-creation experience, it enhances their co-creation self-efficacy and engagement, ultimately fostering value co-creation behavior.

Originality/value

A theory of customer value co-creation behavior is established.
The impact of corruption and Islamicity on bank stability and profitability: assessing the moderating effect in dual banking systems
Authors: Akbar Syed Waqar , Ur Rehman Ajid , Ijaz Muhammad Shahzad
Published: October 2024

Purpose

This paper aims to examine the impact of corruption on bank stability and bank profitability separately for Islamic banks as well as conventional banks. Moreover, it also investigates whether the existence of Islamicity and corruption in the environment can moderate the Islamic banks-stability and Islamic banks-profitability relationships.

Design/methodology/approach

Sample of the study consists 136 banks comprising 70 Islamic and 66 conventional banks over the period 2015–2021 from nine countries with dual banking systems. Panel data fixed effect estimator with year effects is used to estimate the results.

Findings

Results of the study show that Islamicity is positively and corruption is negatively related to bank stability as well as bank profitability. Further, it is found that the effect of corruption is significantly different between Islamic and conventional banks, wherein conventional banks are more adversely affected than Islamic banks. However, an insignificant difference between Islamic and conventional banks is observed in the case of Islamicity.

Practical implications

The study provides theoretical and practical implications. On theoretical side, the study presents Islamicity as more reliable measure of religiosity based on Islamic values that can help in control of corruption by moderating corruption-bank stability nexus especially in dual banking economies which have high share of Muslim population. On practical side, the study recommends policy and operational measures for mitigating corruption aiming bank stability.

Originality/value

The results of this study contribute to the corruption-finance, religion-finance and dual banking literature. This study suggests that regulators and bank management must consider corruption and Islamicity while formulating their policies for better bank performance/stability.
Social media use and mistrust in authority: an examination of Kohlberg’s moral development model
Authors: Bulmash Ben
Published: October 2024

Purpose

The study explores how social media impacts institutional trust through the lens of Kohlberg’s stages of moral development. Specifically, this study aims to understand how moral relativism and moral intuitionism can moderate the relationship between social media use and perception of social authorities.

Design/methodology/approach

The study analyzes a large data set from the World Values Survey, covering responses from approximately 52,000 individuals across 45 countries between 2017 and 2022. Multiple regression analyses were conducted to test for interactions between social media use and stages of moral development on trust in social institutions.

Findings

The study finds that different stages of moral development significantly moderate the relationship between social media use and institutional trust. Specifically, higher moral development buffers the negative effect of social media use on trust in three main social institutions: law enforcement, parliament and the legal system. In contrast, individuals with higher levels of moral relativism and moral intuitionism are more susceptible to the negative influence of social media on institutional trust.

Research limitations/implications

The study relies on self-reported data from the World Values Survey, which may introduce response biases. In addition, while the large-scale data set offers insights into correlations, it does not allow for conclusive causal inferences.

Originality/value

This research contributes to understanding technology’s impact on modern societies by highlighting the role of individual moral development in shaping perceptions of key social institutions. The study uniquely integrates Kohlberg’s moral development theory with the influence of social media, offering a novel perspective on how personal moral systems can moderate the effect of digital media use.
Development of China’s digital economy: path, advantages and problems
Authors: Ouyang Rihui , Jing Wenjun , Liu Zhongyuan , Tang Aidi
Published: October 2024

Purpose

China has fully capitalized on the opportunities presented by the latest wave of technological revolution and industrial transformation, paving the way for a path with Chinese characteristics in the development of the digital economy. This paper analyzes the development of China’s digital economy, outlining its path, advantages and challenges. It aims to provide insights into how China capitalized on technological and industrial transformation to foster a digital economy with distinct Chinese characteristics.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper adopts a descriptive analytical approach to outline the evolution of China’s digital economy through various stages of development. It highlights the pivotal role of market demand, the intricate government-market relations and technological advancements in shaping this evolution. The approach also identifies key factors that have contributed significantly to China’s success in digital economy development.

Findings

The key findings reveal that China’s digital economy has grown rapidly, driven by market demand, technological innovation and government support. The “Chinese path” prioritizes consumer internet, leverages scale advantages and emphasizes data-driven development. However, challenges exist in balancing governance systems, endogenous growth and external environments.

Originality/value

This paper offers original insights into the unique development path of China’s digital economy, highlighting its advantages and challenges. It provides valuable insights for other countries seeking to foster their own digital economies, especially in managing government-market relations and leveraging domestic market demand.
A little gratitude goes a long way: how customer gratitude promotes employee customer-oriented organizational citizenship behavior
Authors: Zhang Hui , Zhou Zhiqing E. , Xiao Jian , Liu Yanjun , Shi Yanwei
Published: October 2024

Purpose

Drawing upon affective events theory and regulatory focus theory, the current study examines the relationship between customer gratitude and customer-oriented organizational citizenship behavior (customer-oriented OCB), and the mediating role of positive affect and the moderating role of trait promotion focus.

Design/methodology/approach

Three-wave time-lagged data from 674 nurses nested within 125 department supervisors was collected. Multilevel modeling and Monte Carlo simulation were performed using Mplus 7.1 software to test all hypotheses.

Findings

Customer gratitude was positively associated with nurses’ customer-oriented OCB, and the relationship was mediated by positive affect. Nurse trait promotion focus strengthened the positive relationship between patient gratitude and positive affect, such that the relationship was stronger for those with a higher level of trait promotion focus.

Research limitations/implications

This paper extends research on the effects of customer gratitude by extending our understanding of customer gratitude as a positive workplace event that can potentially promote employees’ positive behaviors toward customers, especially those with a stronger promotion focus.

Originality/value

This study is one of the first to examine the relationship between customer gratitude and employee customer-oriented OCB and uncover potential mechanisms to understand how this relationship unfolds and to whom this relationship is stronger. These findings can inform practices for service organizations.
Organizational purpose and employee motivation: an fsQCA analysis
Authors: Porfírio José António Ferreira , Rodrigues Ricardo , Magalhães Filipa , Carrilho Tiago
Published: October 2024

Purpose

Organizational Purpose (OP) has become increasingly important in the organizational context. This research focuses on how OP can contribute to employee motivation, using personal and institutional OP factors and considering the importance of employee motivation toward organizational success.

Design/methodology/approach

To conduct the research, we selected a branch of a leading multinational company in the chemical sector. Based on data collected through a questionnaire sent out to employees and using fuzzy-set Qualitative Comparative Analysis (fsQCA), we identified combinations of individual and institutional OP factors leading to high (or low) employee motivation.

Findings

The results reveal that individual and institutional OP factors synergistically promote high employee motivation. The employees' contribution to the OP and the integrity of the organization’s leadership are two key motivating factors.

Practical implications

Organizations struggle to develop sustainable competitive advantages in an ever-competitive environment. Focusing on the “why” instead of the “how” may help organizations differentiate and achieve higher employee motivation. This research clarifies how to turn purpose into an asset to improve employee motivation.

Originality/value

The conclusions highlight the need to share the OP through leadership actions and the importance of helping workers recognize the OP and its values, integrate them into their actions and feel how they contribute to its achievement.
Environmental greenwashing in Japan: the roles of corporate governance and assurance
Authors: Frendy  , Oshika Tomoki , Koike Masayuki
Published: October 2024

Purpose

Greenwashing is defined as the overstatement of companies’ environmental disclosures relative to their performance. This paper aims to develop a greenwashing measure, examines its relationship with environmental performance and investigates the mitigating effects of Japanese firm-level corporate governance characteristics (corporate structure, board leadership, foreign share ownership, ratio of independent directors and ratio of directors’ variable compensation) and third-party assurance of environmental information on the extent of greenwashing.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper analyzes a sample of 420 firm-year observations from the period between 2018 and 2019 from Japanese listed companies that responded to the CDP Climate Change survey via probit/logit and multivariate panel data regression models.

Findings

This paper finds that the probability of engaging in greenwashing is negatively associated with environmental performance, which supports the reliability of the study’s greenwashing measure. Japanese firm-level corporate governance characteristics are ineffective at mitigating greenwashing. This paper also finds that assurance carries a significant risk of being exploited by companies involved in greenwashing to increase the degree of their overstatement.

Practical implications

The findings have significant implications for investors, who should increase scrutiny and skepticism of environmental disclosures, particularly from companies with poor environmental track records. Japanese companies should consider strengthening their corporate governance to ensure the effective oversight of environmental disclosure and performance. Regulators and standard setters should implement stricter guidelines for and oversight of environmental information assurance.

Originality/value

No empirical study has examined the effectiveness of Japanese corporate governance characteristics and environmental disclosure assurance on the mitigation of greenwashing.
The Nature of Taboo within Cultural Complexes: Theoretical and Clinical Applications1
Authors: Brodersen Elizabeth
Published: October 2024

The symbolic nature of taboo is examined as a container that differentiates developmental stages between the social values order/disorder through a ritual, liminal process of separating order as clean/blessed/safety and disorder as polluted/disassociated/risky. Unconscious/conscious taboos embody that perilous journey across margins in rites of passage and their emotional value and intensity in the form of symptomology varies cross‐culturally. Two clinical cases are presented to illustrate the influence of taboo on obsessive compulsions and anorexia nervosa. Particular attention is given as to whether dirt as disorder/rubbish can be recycled at the margins between safety and risk and value redistributed to the intrapsychic and psychosocial anomalous bits and pieces that are discarded as rubbish.
Fostering Work Engagement: The Effects of Reverse Mentoring and Knowledge Sharing
Authors: Harshani Marage Done Rasika , Jayawardana Ananda Karuna Liyana , Atapattu Atapattu Wijekoon Menike Mayuri
Published: October 2024

Work engagement is crucial for organisational success, yet many organisations struggle with low engagement rates. Previous research hints at a potential link between reverse mentoring and work engagement, prompting a deeper investigation into this relationship. Drawing from the Job Demands‐Resources (JD‐R) framework and Social Exchange Theory (SET), this study examines the impact of reverse mentoring on work engagement, with knowledge sharing as a mediating factor and self‐efficacy and perceived organisational support as moderators. Through a survey of 340 middle managers across 10 multinational corporations in Sri Lanka, the study reveals significant effects between reverse mentoring and work engagement, with knowledge sharing playing a crucial mediating role. Additionally, the study demonstrates the moderating influences of self‐efficacy and perceived organisational support on work engagement and knowledge sharing, thus contributing novel insights to the existing literature in the shade of JD‐R and SET perspectives.
The translation initiation factor eIF2α regulates lipid homeostasis and metabolic aging
Authors: Huang Haipeng , Liao Yilie , Li Ning , Qu Xingfan , Li Chaocan , Hou Jiaqi
Published: October 2024

Aging is usually accompanied by excessive body fat gain, leading to increased susceptibility to comorbidities. This study aimed to explore an unexpected function for the eukaryotic initiation factor‐2α (eIF2α) during aging. Reducing the eIF2α dose led to a reconfiguration of the metabolic equilibrium, promoting catabolism, facilitating lipolysis, and decreasing body fat accumulation while maintaining healthy glucose and lipid metabolism during aging. Specifically, eIF2α enhanced the expression of distinct messenger RNAs encoding mitochondrial electron transport chain proteins at the translation level. The mitochondrial respiration increased in eIF2α heterozygotes, even during aging. Deceleration of translation was demonstrated as a conserved mechanism for promoting longevity across various species. Our findings demonstrated that the restriction of translation by reducing eIF2α expression could fend off multiple tissue damage and improve metabolic homeostasis during aging. Hence, eIF2α was a crucial target for benefiting mammalian aging achieving delayed mammalian aging.
The N6‐methyladenosine landscape of ovarian development and aging highlights the regulation by RNA stability and chromatin state
Authors: Hu Xiujuan , Lu Jiafeng , Ding Chenyue , Li Jincheng , Zou Qinyan , Xia Wenjuan , Qian Chunfeng , Li Hong , Huang Boxian
Published: October 2024

The versatile epigenetic modification known as N6‐methyladenosine (m6A) has been demonstrated to be pivotal in numerous physiological and pathological contexts. Nonetheless, the precise regulatory mechanisms linking m6A to histone modifications and the involvement of transposable elements (TEs) in ovarian development and aging are still not completely understood. First, we discovered that m6A modifications are highly expressed during ovarian aging (OA), with significant contributions from decreased m6A demethylase FTO and overexpressed m6A methyltransferase METTL16. Then, using FTO knockout mouse model and KGN cell line, we also observed that FTO deletion and METTL16 overexpression significantly increased m6A levels. This led to the downregulation of the methyltransferase SUV39H1, resulting in reduced H3K9me3 expression. The downregulation of SUV39H1 and H3K9me3 primarily activated LTR7 and LTR12, subsequently activating ERV1. This resulted in a decrease in cell proliferation, while the levels of apoptosis, cellular aging markers, and autophagy markers significantly increased in OA. In summary, our study offers intriguing insights into the role of m6A in regulating DNA epigenetics, including H3K9me3 and TEs, as well as autophagy, thereby accelerating OA.