bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Compositional Analysis of Cutin in Maize Leaves
Authors: Bourgault Richard , Molina Isabel
Published: August 2024

The cuticle is a lipid barrier that covers the air-exposed surfaces of plants. It consists of waxes and cutin, a cell wall–attached lipid polyester of oxygenated fatty acids and glycerol. Unlike waxes, cutin is insoluble in organic solvents, and its composition is typically studied by chemical depolymerization followed by monomer analysis by gas chromatography (GC). Here, we describe a method for the chemical depolymerization of cutin in maize leaves and subsequent compositional analysis of the constituent lipid monomers. The method has been adapted from protocols for cutin analysis developed forArabidopsis, by both optimizing the amount of leaf tissue used and including a data analysis process specific to the monomers present in maize cutin. The approach uses base-catalyzed transmethylation, which produces fatty acid methyl esters, and silylation, which gives trimethylsilyl ether derivatives of hydroxyl groups for gas chromatographic analysis. For monomer identification, a few representative samples are first analyzed by GC–mass spectrometry (GC-MS). This is then followed by analysis of all replicates by gas chromatography coupled to a flame ionization detector (GC-FID) for monomer quantification, because the flame ionization detector provides a linear response over a wide mass range, is relatively simple to operate, and is more cost-effective to maintain compared to mass spectrometry detectors. Although the protocol bypasses time-consuming cuticle isolation steps by using whole-leaf samples, this means that a fraction of the compounds in the chromatographic profiles do not derive from cutin. Accordingly, we discuss some considerations for the interpretation of the resulting depolymerization products. Our protocol offers specific guidance on preparing maize leaf samples, ensuring reproducible results, and enabling the detection of subtle variations in cutin monomer composition among plant genotypes or developmental stages.
Lattice QCD determination of the normalization of the leading-twist photon distribution amplitude and susceptibility of the quark condensate
Authors: Bacchio S. , Bečirević D. , Gagliardi G. , Sanfilippo F.
Published: August 2024

The normalization of the leading-twist photon distribution amplitude (DA), fγ⊥, is an important ingredient in the study of exclusive processes involving the photon emission by means of QCD sum-rules. In this paper we determine the up-, down- and strange-quark contribution to fγ⊥ by exploiting its relation to the zero-momentum two-point correlation function of the electromagnetic current Jemμ and the electric component of the tensor current Tμν. To that end we employ the gauge ensembles obtained by using Nf=2+1+1 Wilson-Clover twisted-mass quark flavors, generated by the Extended Twisted Mass (ETM) Collaboration, and after adding all sources of systematic uncertainties, we obtain a total error of 1.5% and 3.5%, respectively, for the light- (u and d) and strange-quark contribution to fγ⊥(2  GeV) in the MS¯ scheme, thus improving their accuracy by a factor of 2.3 and 2.8, respectively. For the strange-quark contribution fγ,s⊥(2  GeV), we observe a discrepancy with respect to previous lattice calculations. By combining our result with the world average lattice value of the chiral condensate, we obtain for the susceptibility of the quark condensate χdMS¯(2  GeV)≃χuMS¯(2  GeV)=2.17(12)  GeV−2.

Published by the American Physical Society
2024
Dilaton forbidden dark matter
Authors: Appelquist Thomas , Ingoldby James , Piai Maurizio
Published: August 2024

Dilaton effective field theory (dEFT) describes the long distance behavior of certain confining, near-conformal gauge theories that have been studied via lattice computation. Pseudo-Nambu- Goldstone bosons (pNGBs), emerging from the breaking of approximate, continuous, internal symmetries, are coupled to an additional scalar particle, the dilaton, arising from the spontaneous breaking of approximate scale invariance. This effective theory has been employed to study possible extensions of the standard model. In this paper, we propose a complementary role for dEFT, as a description of the dark matter of the Universe, with the pNGBs identified as the dark matter particles. We show that this theory provides a natural implementation of the “forbidden” dark matter mechanism, and we identify regions of parameter space for which the thermal history of dEFT yields the measured dark matter relic density.

Published by the American Physical Society
2024
Boundary-induced phase in epitaxial iron layers
Authors: Ravensburg Anna L. , Werwiński Mirosław , Rychły-Gruszecka Justyna , Snarski-Adamski Justyn , Elsukova Anna , Persson Per O. Å. , Rusz Ján , Brucas Rimantas , Hjörvarsson Björgvin , Svedlindh Peter , Pálsson Gunnar K. , Kapaklis Vassilios
Published: August 2024

We report on the discovery of a boundary-induced body-centered tetragonal iron phase in thin films deposited on MgAl2O4 (001) substrates. We present evidence for this phase using detailed x-ray analysis and density functional theory calculations. A lower magnetic moment and a rotation of the easy magnetization direction are observed, as compared with body-centered cubic iron. Our findings expand the range of known crystal and magnetic phases of iron, providing valuable insights for the development of heterostructure devices using ultrathin iron layers.

Published by the American Physical Society
2024
Non-Hermitian momentum operator for the particle in a box
Authors: Kim Seyong , Rothkopf Alexander
Published: August 2024

We construct a discrete non-Hermitian momentum operator, which implements faithfully the non-self-adjoint nature of momentum for a particle in a box. Its eigenfunctions are strictly limited to the interior of the box in the continuum limit, with the quarter wave as first nontrivial eigenstate. We show how to construct the corresponding Hermitian Hamiltonian for the infinite well as a concrete example to realize unitary dynamics. The resulting Hilbert space can be decomposed into a physical and unphysical subspace, which are mutually orthogonal. The physical subspace in the continuum limit reproduces that of the continuum theory and we give numerical evidence that the correct probability distributions for momentum and energy are recovered.

Published by the American Physical Society
2024
Preserving system activity while controlling epidemic spreading in adaptive temporal networks
Authors: Mancastroppa Marco , Vezzani Alessandro , Colizza Vittoria , Burioni Raffaella
Published: August 2024

Human behavior strongly influences the spread of infectious diseases: understanding the interplay between epidemic dynamics and adaptive behaviors is essential to improve response strategies to epidemics, with the goal of containing the epidemic while preserving a sufficient level of operativeness in the population. Through activity-driven temporal networks, we formulate a general framework which models a wide range of adaptive behaviors and mitigation strategies, observed in real populations. We analytically derive the conditions for a widespread diffusion of epidemics in the presence of arbitrary adaptive behaviors, highlighting the crucial role of correlations between agents behavior in the infected and in the susceptible state. We focus on the effects of sick leave, comparing the effectiveness of different strategies in reducing the impact of the epidemic and preserving the system operativeness. We show the critical relevance of heterogeneity in individual behavior: in homogeneous networks, all sick-leave strategies are equivalent and poorly effective, while in heterogeneous networks, strategies targeting the most vulnerable nodes are able to effectively mitigate the epidemic, also avoiding a deterioration in system activity and maintaining a low level of absenteeism. Interestingly, with targeted strategies both the minimum of population activity and the maximum of absenteeism anticipate the infection peak, which is effectively flattened and delayed, so that full operativeness is almost restored when the infection peak arrives. We also provide realistic estimates of the model parameters for influenza-like illness, thereby suggesting strategies for managing epidemics and absenteeism in realistic populations.

Published by the American Physical Society
2024
High-dimensional maximum-entropy phase space tomography using normalizing flows
Authors: Hoover Austin , Wong Jonathan C.
Published: August 2024

Particle accelerators generate charged-particle beams with tailored distributions in six-dimensional position-momentum space (phase space). Knowledge of the phase space distribution enables model-based beam optimization and control. In the absence of direct measurements, the distribution must be tomographically reconstructed from its projections. In this paper, we highlight that such problems can be severely underdetermined and that entropy maximization is the most conservative solution strategy. We leverage —invertible generative models—to extend maximum-entropy tomography to six-dimensional phase space and perform numerical experiments to validate the model's performance. Our numerical experiments demonstrate consistency with exact two-dimensional maximum-entropy solutions and the ability to fit complicated six-dimensional distributions to large measurement sets in reasonable time.

Published by the American Physical Society
2024
Geometric frustration and pairing-order transition in confined bacterial vortices
Authors: Beppu Kazusa , Matsuura Kaito , Maeda Yusuke T.
Published: August 2024

Dense systems of active matter exhibit highly dynamic collective motion characterized by intermingled vortices, referred to as active turbulence. The interaction between these vortices is key to controlling turbulent dynamics, and a promising approach for revealing the rules governing their interaction is geometric confinement. In this study, we investigate the vortex-pairing patterns in confined bacterial suspensions as a model frustrated system in which a perfect antiferromagnetic state is prohibited. We find that three-body vortex interactions exhibit anomalous pairing-order transition from corotational vortex pairing to counterrotating patterns with frustration. Although an active matter system is in nonequilibrium, our theory based on bending energy accounts for significant features, including pattern transition and a shift of the transition point in frustrated systems. Moreover, the interplay between the chirality in collective motion and frustration in vortex pairing creates a collective rotational flow under the broad geometric conditions of a confined space. Our results show that frustrated vortex patterning promotes a geometric approach for arranging active turbulence in microfluidic systems.

Published by the American Physical Society
2024
Moiré patterns of space-filling curves
Authors: Voss Henning U. , Ballon Douglas J.
Published: August 2024

It is shown on the examples of Moore and Gosper curves that two spatially shifted or twisted, preasymptotic space-filling curves can produce large-scale superstructures akin to moiré patterns. To study physical phenomena emerging from these patterns, a geometrical coupling coefficient based on the Neumann integral is introduced. It is found that moiré patterns appear most defined at the peaks of those coefficients. A physical interpretation of these coefficients as a measure for inductive coupling between radiofrequency resonators leads to a design principle for strongly overlapping resonators with vanishing mutual inductance, which might be interesting for applications in MRI. These findings are demonstrated in graphical, numerical, and physical experiments.

Published by the American Physical Society
2024
Hybrid Approach to Mitigate Errors in Linear Photonic Bell-State Measurement for Quantum Interconnects
Authors: Asenbeck Beate E. , Kawasaki Akito , Boyer Ambroise , Darras Tom , Urvoy Alban , Furusawa Akira , Laurat Julien
Published: August 2024

Optical quantum information processing relies critically on Bell-state measurement, a ubiquitous operation for quantum communication and computing. Its practical realization involves the interference of optical modes and the detection of a single photon in an indistinguishable manner. Yet, in the absence of efficient photon-number-resolution capabilities, errors arise from multiphoton components, decreasing the overall process fidelity. Here, we introduce a hybrid detection scheme for Bell-state measurement, leveraging both on-off single-photon detection and quadrature conditioning via homodyne detection. We derive explicit fidelities for quantum teleportation and entanglement-swapping processes employing this strategy, demonstrating its efficacy. We also compare with photon-number-resolving detectors and find a strong advantage of the hybrid scheme in a wide range of parameters. This work provides a new tool for linear-optics schemes, with applications to quantum state engineering and quantum interconnects.

Published by the American Physical Society
2024
Building a sustainable career during the initial transition to work: a multiple-stakeholder perspective on proactive behaviors and contextual factors
Authors: Gerritsen Sjoerd , Pak Karen , Darouei Maral , Akkermans Jos , Van der Heijden Beatrice
Published: August 2024

Purpose

The initial transition into work has become less predictable. Therefore, emerging adults should take charge and be proactively engaged in their careers during the preparation stage of the school-to-work transition (STWT). We explored which behaviors emerging adults display during the STWT to foster their happiness, health, and productivity, how various contextual factors enable or hinder these behaviors, and to what extent these behaviors can be considered proactive.

Design/methodology/approach

Taking a qualitative approach, we conducted 44 semi-structured interviews with undergraduate students at an Applied Sciences University in the Netherlands six months before graduation. Additionally, we held nine focus groups (n = 55) and four interviews (n = 6) with contextual stakeholders (i.e. parents, faculty/staff, employers, the board of the university, higher education policymakers, and the Ministry of Education).

Findings

The students mentioned three main behaviors to foster their health, happiness, and productivity, namely, eating healthy food, maintaining social contacts, and reflecting on their motivations. Our analysis shows that, conceptually, none of these behaviors can be considered truly proactive. Moreover, the findings revealed multiple systemic underlying contextual hindrances to portray these behaviors, such as educational system characteristics, which make proactive behaviors less likely.

Originality/value

As the STWT is affected by multiple contexts, adopting a multi-stakeholder perspective is imperative when studying the phenomenon. We adopted the sustainable careers framework as a lens to uncover how emerging adults may build early career sustainability—additionally, we nuance current research on proactivity by concretizing the conceptualization of proactive behaviors.
Post-pandemic motivations for consumers’ e-retailer preference in an emerging market: a qualitative approach
Authors: Roy Robin , Shaikh Ateeque
Published: August 2024

Purpose

This paper aims to explore consumers’ post-pandemic (COVID-19) motivations for an e-retailer preference in an emerging market like India.

Design/methodology/approach

This study applied qualitative methodology to explore the research question, and 44 in-depth interviews were conducted with online consumers. The interviews were transcribed and analysed using open, axial and selective coding strategies.

Findings

This study identified seven post-pandemic motivations for consumers’ e-retailer preference, and the motivations were classified into: utilitarian (remote location and fast delivery, product choice and availability, comparative price and discounts and customer service), hedonic (aesthetics of the e-retailer store) and both utilitarian and hedonic (mobile-friendliness and user interface and interactivity).

Research limitations/implications

Creating knowledge post-pandemic period is essential. This study communicates empirical evidence to suggest consumers are motivated through both utilitarian and hedonic motivation for an e-retailer preference in an emerging market. Furthermore, the researchers are encouraged to collect data from more developing countries and test the proposed e-retailer preference factors.

Practical implications

The study offers new knowledge to online retail managers to understand how emerging market consumers prefer an e-retailer and strive to attract and retain customers in the market.

Originality/value

Past studies have highlighted the importance of consumer online shopping motivations and channel preferences. However, there is limited literature investigating how consumers prefer an e-retailer over other e-retailers for online shopping. This study addresses the gap in the existing retailing literature and offers fresh insights into how consumers prefer an e-retailer post-pandemic from an emerging market context.
The water vapour resistance dynamic measurement of natural and synthetic fibre
Authors: Benltoufa Sofien , Algamdy Hind , Ghith Adel , Fayala Faten , Hes Lubos
Published: August 2024

Purpose

The paper aims to investigate the dynamic measurement of the water vapour resistance. The water vapour diffusion kinetics depends on the fibre’s material. So, water vapour resistance measurement times till the equilibrium steady state can vary in the case of natural fibres compared to synthetic fibres. Devices for determining water vapour resistance according to the ISO 11092 standard allow static values to be measured.

Design/methodology/approach

In this study to investigate the dynamic of the water vapour resistance, a new parameter named “holding period” was introduced and defined as the time from sample placement on the measuring head until the measuring process begins. The holding period was varied as 0, 30, 60, 90, 120, 180, 240 and 300 s. Wool and cotton knitted fabrics were tested as natural fibres and compared to 100% polyester and 90% polyester/10% elastane as synthetic fibres. Measurements were conducted under both air velocities of 1 and 2 m/s. The experimental test data were statistically analysed based on ANOVA and four-in-one residual plots.

Findings

Statistical analysis of experimental tests shows that the holding period affects water vapour resistance in both air velocities of 1 and 2 m/s and on the measured values in the case of hydrophilic fibres.

Research limitations/implications

The study of the dynamic relative water vapour permeability of natural and synthetic is an important area of interest for future research.

Practical implications

It is recommended to hold the samples on the top of the head measurement before starting the test.

Originality/value

Following the ISO 11092 standard, the static values of the water vapour resistance were measured without considering the dynamic behaviour of the water vapour diffusion through the textile fabrics. This paper fulfils an experimental dynamic measurement of the water vapour resistance.
Intergenerational succession and corporate philanthropy: a stakeholder perspective
Authors: Zhang Lijie , Lin Zhibin , Huang Wei , Djafarova Elmira , Ren Li
Published: August 2024

Purpose

Based on stakeholder theory, this study aims to examine the impact of family firm succession on corporate philanthropy while considering the potential role of the clan cultural context, industry context, and the stage of succession.

Design/methodology/approach

Data were based on a sample of 7,502 firm-year observations from listed family firms in China’s A-share markets between 2007 and 2018. Several Tobit models are used for analysing the data. Difference-in-difference regression method and propensity score matching method are used for robustness tests.

Findings

Family firms undergoing succession tend to spend more on corporate philanthropy compared to non-succession counterparts. This effect is more pronounced among polluting industry firms and weaker in regions with strong clan cultures and after the process of succession is complete.

Originality/value

This study sheds new light on the relationship between inter-generational succession and corporate philanthropy. By considering the moderating effect of the clan cultural context, industry context, and the stage of succession, this study further advances the understanding of the role of corporate philanthropy in managing family firm succession.
Unlocking the power of employee word-of-mouth to recruit young talent within university settings
Authors: Panagiotidou Sofia Α. , Mihail Dimitrios
Published: August 2024

Purpose

Our study, based on signaling and social identity theories, explores how companies develop employer brand strategies through university partnerships and employee-centered practices. We also identify key factors that encourage employees to share positive word-of-mouth, enhancing the company’s appeal to potential and current talents.

Design/methodology/approach

Using Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modeling, we analyzed a sample of 687 employees from various industries in Greece.

Findings

In our research, we highlight the role of employees' affective commitment in generating positive word-of-mouth recommendations for their company, as a desirable employment destination through interactions within their alma mater universities. This commitment, tied to their understanding of the company’s employer brand and their perceptions of its pre-recruitment practices, fosters a positive employer image among potential candidates. Our study confirms that leveraging employees as brand ambassadors enhances a company’s appeal to younger generations.

Practical implications

Companies should prioritize cultivating employees' affective commitment and facilitate interactions between employees and young candidates at their alma mater universities. It is crucial to ensure that employees understand the company’s employer brand both during their experience as candidates and as employees. By understanding the factors influencing employees' willingness to act as brand ambassadors, organizations can strengthen their employer image and attract younger candidates.

Originality/value

Our findings enhance the understanding of employee word-of-mouth dynamics, offering insights to improve pre-recruitment HR practices aimed at attracting students and recent graduates. By emphasizing employees' perceptions and actions regarding their social interactions at alma mater universities and their employer brand awareness, we can add value to employee-centric pre-recruitment strategies. Designed and implemented by employers, these strategies aim to attract emerging talent through universities.
Exploring panic buying as a situational response – the role of fear, media exposure and context-specific paranoia
Authors: Nakić Matej , Koričan Lajtman Mirna , Oblaković Goran
Published: August 2024

Purpose

Drawing on prospect theory, terror management theory, and social influence theories, this study explores the phenomenon of panic buying amid the COVID-19 pandemic, namely its situational antecedents such as fear of COVID-19, increased media exposure to COVID-19-related news, and context-specific paranoia. It offers insight into the situational nature of panic buying, contrary to the purely dispositional/trait conceptualization of irrational spending, usually depicted through the phenomenon of compulsive buying.

Design/methodology/approach

This is a cross-sectional study. An online questionnaire was used for data collection from 621 Croatian citizens. The questionnaire features a series of validated instruments designed to measure compulsive buying, fear of COVID-19, and context-specific paranoia. The media exposure scale (MES) was also specifically developed and empirically tested for the purpose of this research.

Findings

The results suggest that individuals who exhibited greater fear of COVID-19 while also experiencing increased exposure to COVID-19-related news were more likely to engage in panic buying. This connection has remained significant even after controlling for compulsive buying tendencies, suggesting that panic buying witnessed during the coronavirus pandemic was a situational phenomenon, not strictly dispositional. This establishes the fear of COVID-19 and increased exposure to pandemic-related news content as situational antecedents to panic buying. After controlling for compulsive buying, this paper does not demonstrate a significant connection between context-specific paranoia and panic buying. Furthermore, context-specific paranoia does not mediate the relationship between media exposure to pandemic-related content and panic buying, whereas the fear of COVID-19 significantly mediates the same relationship.

Practical implications

This study recognizes people's panic behavior amid the COVID-19 pandemic as a byproduct of a situational, reactive process – not a psychopathological one. Furthermore, it recognizes media sensationalism and the audience's impaired capacity for rational spending as major risk factors preceding the event of panic buying.

Originality/value

This study proposes a novel conceptual framework of irrational spending amid crises such as COVID-19 pandemic, introducing the differentiation between the situational nature of the phenomenon (panic buying), thereby separating it from its previous dispositional operationalizations (hoarding, compulsive buying).
Adapting to disruption: the impact of agility, absorptive capacity and ambidexterity on supply chain resilience
Authors: Singh Rohit Kumar , Modgil Sachin
Published: August 2024

Purpose

This study aims to explore the key drivers contributing to supply chain resilience, with specific attention on agility, absorptive capacity and ambidexterity. It focuses on the roles of supply chain absorptive capacity (SCAC), supply chain ambidexterity (SCAB), supply chain agility (SCAG) and supply chain flexibility (SCF) in enhancing supply chain resilience (SCR).

Design/methodology/approach

A survey based on a questionnaire with established scales for SCAC, SCAB, SCAG, SCF and SCR was conducted among professionals in various industries within India, receiving 356 responses. Structural equation modeling is used to test the hypothesis.

Findings

The study reveals significant relationships between SCAC, SCAB, SCAG and SCR. SCAC and SCAB are positively correlated with SCAG, which in turn positively influences SCR. Further, SCF directly influences SCR and moderates the relationships between SCAC/SCAB and SCAG, enhancing the agility and resilience of the supply chain. These findings underline the importance of integrating knowledge management, adaptability and flexibility in supply chain strategies to cope with the dynamic business environment.

Originality/value

The uniqueness of this study lies in its integrated investigation of absorptive capacity, ambidexterity, agility and supply chain flexibility, with a specific focus on the moderating role of flexibility. This research is unique in demonstrating how these dynamic capabilities transform disruptions into innovative and growth opportunities for supply chain management.
Behavior of repaired heat-damaged self-compacted concrete slabs with openings using NSM-CFRP strips
Authors: Obaidat Ala Taleb , Obaidat Yasmeen Taleb , Ashteyat Ahmed
Published: August 2024

Purpose

In this experimental investigation, the behavior of strengthened/repaired heat-damaged one-way self-compacted concrete (SCC) slabs with opening utilizing near-surface-mounted-carbon fiber reinforced polymers (NSM-CFRP) strips was explored.

Design/methodology/approach

CFRP strip configurations, number of strips and inclination were all investigated in this study. For three hours, slabs were exposed to temperatures of 23°C and 500°C. Four-point load was applied to control slabs, enhanced slabs and repaired slabs.

Findings

The results indicate that exposing the slabs to high temperatures reduces their load capability. The number of strips and angle of inclination around the slab opening have a considerable impact on the performance of the strengthened and/or repaired slabs, according to the experimental results. The load capacity, toughness and ductility index of a strengthened and/or repaired slab with opening increase as the number of CFRP strips increases by 143.8–150.5%, 137.3–149.9% and 122.3–124.5%, respectively. The use of NSM strips around the opening with zero inclination showed higher load compared to the NSM strips around the opening with other angles.

Originality/value

It is frequently important to construct openings in the slabs for ventilation, electrical supply, and other purposes. Making openings in slabs might affect the structure’s performance since the concrete and reinforcing would be cut off. SCC is a new type of concrete mixture that can fill in all the voids in the formwork with its own weight without the help of external vibration.  As a result, it is necessary to reinforce the slab under flexure and increase the flexural strength of the SCC slab. Therefore, this work investigates the effect of using NSM-CFRP strip  on the behavior of one way SCC slabs that have been heat-damaged.
Blockchain technology adoption and its impact on SME performance: insights for entrepreneurs and policymakers
Authors: Kumar Jitender , Rani Garima , Rani Manju , Rani Vinki
Published: August 2024

Purpose

This study aims to empirically examine and analyze the factors that influence the adoption of blockchain technology, particularly within small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). The study also predicts how adopting blockchain technology may affect SMEs’ market and financial performance.

Design/methodology/approach

The research is grounded in the theoretical frameworks of the “technology–organization–environment (TOE) framework” and the “resource-based view (RBV)” perspective. The researchers collected 407 responses from a survey conducted on SMEs in India. The statistical package for social science, followed by the “partial least square structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM)” technique, was applied for the data analysis.

Findings

This paper offered a robust research framework for blockchain technology adoption in which one of the two proposed technological factors (relative advantage), one organizational factor (top management support) and two environmental factors (competitive pressure and market dynamics) significantly influence blockchain technology adoption. Similarly, there is a substantial association between blockchain technology adoption and both market and financial performance. More specifically, the complexity and perceived investment cost have been recognized as barriers to SMEs adopting blockchain technology.

Research limitations/implications

The primary focus of this research lies in examining the adoption of blockchain technology among SMEs in India. Consequently, there exists an opportunity to broaden the scope of this study to include various other countries. Such an expansion holds the potential to yield more precise and comprehensive results, enabling a comparative analysis across diverse international contexts.

Practical implications

The outcomes have practical significance for SMEs as they navigate their strategies for adopting blockchain technology. Moreover, policymakers and practitioners can use these findings to enact specific measures targeting barriers, fostering the adoption of blockchain in Indian SMEs and creating a more supportive environment for technological integration and growth.

Originality/value

This study introduces a novel theoretical framework focusing on the impact of blockchain adoption on SMEs. Its distinctive contribution lies in investigating the mediating role of blockchain adoption in the relationship between market and financial performance, specifically within emerging economies. By addressing this gap, the study enhances the understanding of how blockchain adoption shapes SME performance in evolving economic landscapes.
The significance of ethnomathematics learning: a cross-cultural perspectives between Indonesian and Thailand educators
Authors: Payadnya I Putu Ade Andre , Wulandari I Gusti Ayu Putu Arya , Puspadewi Kadek Rahayu , Saelee Sompob
Published: August 2024

Purpose

Ethnomathematics can help understand math concepts but is challenging in countries like Indonesia and Thailand due to its complexity. This study explores how math educators in these countries view integrating ethnomathematics into teaching. The purpose of this study is to see its importance in helping students understand and apply math concepts in different cultural settings. By looking at educators’ opinions, the study seeks strategies to effectively use ethnomathematics in education.

Design/methodology/approach

The research used a mixed-methods approach with questionnaires and interviews to gather data from 138 Indonesian and 145 Thai educators, including lecturers, teachers and preservice teachers. Quantitative data were analyzed using descriptive statistics to classify responses. Qualitative data analysis involves reducing, presenting, concluding and validating data to ensure accuracy. This approach aimed to provide a complete understanding of educators’ views on ethnomathematics.

Findings

The quantitative results showed strong support among Indonesian educators (average score 4.77) for integrating cultural elements in math education. Thai educators were slightly less enthusiastic (average score 4.57), but still positive. Interviews revealed unique cross-cultural perspectives and emphasized the need for theoretical and practical applications of ethnomathematics in the classroom. This perspective highlights the importance of social context and interaction in learning and calls for innovative teaching methods that use students’ cultural backgrounds.

Originality/value

This study offers new insights into how Indonesian and Thai educators view ethnomathematics, considering their cultural contexts. It underscores the importance of adapting teaching approaches to fit each country’s cultural characteristics, showing the close link between ethnomathematics and cultural development.
Finding “the center point”: decolonial and indigenous methodologies in education historical research
Authors: Oxendine Christy L.
Published: August 2024

Purpose

This paper centers a decolonial and Indigenous methodological approaches to educational history research. This research offers how Decolonizing Methodologies: Research and Indigenous Peoples by Linda Tuhiwai Smith impacts one education historian’s scholarship alongside conversations of historiography concerning the Lumbee people and how their education history becomes contextual and reclaimed through decolonial and Indigenous methodological approaches.

Design/methodology/approach

Leaning on epistemological questioning and historical research with decolonial and Indigenous methodologies to provide a needed approach to historical education analysis.

Findings

This research demonstrates how history and epistemology work together to decolonize educational histories by understanding the impacts of settler colonization and recenters histories with Indigenous (Lumbee) voices.

Originality/value

This approach to qualitative historical research provides space for Indigenous epistemology and decolonial and Indigenous methodological approaches to education history that critically examines history told from a European/Western epistemological lens as a way forward to center Indigenous communities.
How Islamic work ethics predict work engagement: a double mediation model
Authors: Tarab Sheema
Published: August 2024

Purpose

Positive work attributes and moral behaviors are vital for creative organizations, their people and sustainable work systems. The twofold purpose of this study is first, to describe the concept and importance of work ethics in the light of Quranic verses, and second, to examine the link that explains how Islamic work ethics (IWE) predicts work engagement in an individual. A dual mediation path is identified and tested.

Design/methodology/approach

Data were collected using a cross-sectional design, and a sample of 373 health-care employees provided empirical evidence for the conceptualized model.

Findings

Results showed full mediation for both mediators, meaning individuals demonstrating higher IWE have strong cognitive and emotional resources that help them to immerse in work constructively. Data was analyzed using SPSS V.16. Implications and future directions are further discussed.

Originality/value

This paper contributes to the scant area of identifying IWE consequences in contemporary organizations and extends the understanding of work engagement by linking it with an affective resource as a potential mediator in the mechanism.
Interfacial IMC growth behavior of Sn-3Ag-3Sb-xIn solder on Cu substrate
Authors: Zhou Jiacheng , Shi Jinglin , Xu Lei , Zhang Fuwen , Wang Zhigang , Hu Qiang , He Huijun
Published: August 2024

Purpose

The reliability of solder joints is closely related to the growth of an intermetallic compound (IMC) layer between the lead-free solder and substrate interface. This paper aims to investigate the growth behavior of the interfacial IMC layer during isothermal aging at 125°C for Sn-3Ag-3Sb-xIn/Cu (x = 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 Wt.%) solder joints with different In contents and commercial Sn-3Ag-0.5Cu/Cu solder joints.

Design/methodology/approach

In this paper, Sn-3Ag-3Sb-xIn/Cu (x = 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 Wt.%) and commercial Sn-3Ag-0.5Cu/Cu solder were prepared for bonding Cu substrate. Then these samples were subjected to isothermal aging for 0, 2, 8, 14, 25 and 45 days. Scanning electron microscopy and transmission electron microscopy were used to analyze the soldering interface reaction and the difference in IMC growth behavior during the isothermal aging process.

Findings

When the concentration of In in the Sn-3Ag-3Sb-xIn/Cu solder joints exceeded 2 Wt.%, a substantial amount of InSb particles were produced. These particles acted as a diffusion barrier, impeding the growth of the IMC layer at the interface. The growth of the Cu3Sn layer during the aging process was strongly correlated with the presence of In. The growth rate of the Cu3Sn layer was significantly reduced when the In concentration exceeded 3 Wt.%.

Originality/value

The addition of In promotes the formation of InSb particles in Sn-3Ag-3Sb-xIn/Cu solder joints. These particles limit the growth of the total IMC layer, while a higher In content also slows the growth of the Cu3Sn layer. This study is significant for designing alloy compositions for new high-reliability solders.
Land use history and landscape forest cover determine tropical forest recovery
Authors: Hordijk Iris , Poorter Lourens , Meave Jorge A. , Bongers Frans , van der Sande Masha T. , López Mendoza Rey David , Jamangapé Romero Pascual , de Jong Johan , Martínez‐Ramos Miguel
Published: August 2024

To conserve biodiversity and combat climate change it is vital to restore forest ecosystems. Natural forest regrowth is a nature‐based solution to restore forests, but it has rarely been evaluated how this is affected by the combination of previous land use intensity and surrounding forest cover, and how this varies between the two main tropical forest types; dry and wet forests.

Thirty‐three plots were established on abandoned agricultural fields in a dry (13 plots) and wet (20 plots) tropical forest in Mexico and monitored 3 years for the following tree community attributes: structure, diversity, regeneration mode, potential symbioses with N fixing bacteria and mycorrhizal fungi. Previous land use intensity was described using interviews, and landscape forest cover and fragmentation within a 1000 m radius surrounding the plots were quantified using satellite images.

Variable importance analyses indicated that land use intensity was more important than forest cover and fragmentation for the state of the tree community attributes after 3 years. This suggests that previous land use impacts the start of succession and leaves important legacies on the vegetation. Land use intensity, forest cover and fragmentation were equally important in determining the change in tree community attributes over time, indicating that both management practices and dispersal shape subsequently community assembly.

A higher land use intensity decreases tree richness recovery, while size of the largest forest patch decreases tree density and connectivity of these patches increases tree density.

The dry forest had a faster increase in tree density recovery compared to the wet forest through a high initial resprouting capacity and abiotically dispersed trees.

Synthesis and applications: Both a higher land use intensity and fragmented forest landscape decreases the speed of forest recovery, indicating that human actions and landscape transformation shape the course of succession. Restoration in fragmented forest landscapes through natural regeneration is more suitable in areas with low previous land use intensity, higher forest connectivity and abiotically dispersed species. Effective restoration should therefore consider both land use history and landscape forest cover and be tailored to local socio‐ecological conditions.
Centimetre scale functional dispersal limitation of freshwater copiotrophs
Authors: Dannenmann Marie , Le Moigne Alizée , Hofer Cyrill , Pernthaler Jakob
Published: August 2024

The freshwater microbiome harbours numerous copiotrophic bacteria that rapidly respond to elevated substrate concentrations. We hypothesized that their high centimetre‐scale beta diversity in lake water translates into pronounced metabolic variability, and that a large fraction of microbial ‘metabolic potential’ originates from point sources such as fragile organic aggregates. Three experiments were conducted in pre‐alpine Lake Zurich over the course of a harmful cyanobacterial bloom: Spatially explicit 9 ml ‘syringe’ samples were collected in situ at centimetre distances along with equally sized ‘mixed’ samples drawn from pre‐homogenized lake water and incubated in BIOLOG EcoPlate substrate arrays. Fewer compounds promoted bacterial growth in the syringe than in the mixed samples, in particular during the pre‐ and late bloom periods. Community analysis of enrichments on three frequently utilized substrates revealed both pronounced heterogeneity and functional redundancy. Bacterial consortia had higher richness in mixed than in syringe samples and differed in composition. Members of the Enterobacter cloacae complex dominated the EcoPlate assemblages during the mid‐bloom period irrespective of treatment or substrate. We conclude that small‐scale functional dispersal limitation among free‐living copiotrophs in lake water reduces local biotransformation potential, and that lacustrine blooms of harmful cyanobacteria can be environmental reservoirs for metabolically versatile potential pathogens.
Using contingent behaviour analysis to estimate benefits from coral reefs in Kume Island, Japan: A Poisson‐inverse Gaussian approach with on‐site correction
Authors: Nohara Katsuhito , Narukawa Masaki , Hibiki Akira
Published: August 2024

Coral reefs face a critical crisis worldwide because of rising ocean temperature, excessive use of resources and soil erosion. As reefs have great recreational and tourism value, the degradation of their quality may have a significant effect on tourism. This study employs a contingent behaviour approach to estimate the effect of reef extinction on the recreational demand for Kume Island, Okinawa, Japan. We propose a Poisson‐inverse Gaussian (PIG) model with correction for on‐site sampling issues to derive a more accurate estimate of consumer surplus (CS). The results show that the annual CS per‐person trip is 5898 yen (US$ 49.15 in 2015 currency) according to the random‐effects PIG model.
Effect of ultrafiltration of acid whey at pH 4.6 or 6.5 on whey concentrate composition and resultant powder properties
Authors: Mc Entee Sinead A. , Kelly Alan L. , Lawless Fergal N. , McCarthy Noel A. , Murphy Eoin G.
Published: August 2024

This study investigated the effect of modifying the mineral composition through adjustment of pH prior to ultrafiltration on the functionality of acid whey protein concentrate (WPC; pH 4.6). Increasing pH to 6.5 prior to ultrafiltration produced a concentrate with a significantly higher calcium and phosphorous content, compared to ultrafiltration at pH 4.6. WPC produced at pH 6.5 also had significantly more calcium‐phosphate precipitation following pasteurisation and evaporation and had a higher viscosity at 30% solids (300 s−1, 50°C). In addition, both reconstituted powders (5%, w/w, protein) had strong gelation properties following heat treatment at 90°C; however, the WPC produced at pH 6.5 had a significantly firmer gel strength, but such gels appeared to be more sensitive to breakage at increased frequency and oscillation strain. Overall, the pH prior to UF had a significant impact on the processing of acid whey and final product functionality.
Community interventions in the administration of justice
Authors: Horz Carlo M. , Simpson Hannah K.
Published: August 2024

In theory, the administration of criminal justice is state business: Defendants are arrested, tried, and punished by state agents. In reality, citizens often attempt to intervene in this process—for example, by imposing their own punishments in lieu of, or in addition to, state penalties. We build a game‐theoretic model to investigate how such behavior affects state justice provision. Illustrating our results with examples from, inter alia, the Jim Crow South, we show that community intervention warps both court procedures and the mapping between court attitudes and court decisions: Relative to a baseline without interference, it can lead courts to under‐ or over‐convict, and can disrupt court incentives to use or acquire information at trial. More broadly, the threat of community interference can distort the behavior of all actors in the criminal justice system—and neither courts themselves nor other state actors may be able to mitigate these distortions.
Outcomes in term breech birth according to intended mode of delivery—A Swedish prospective single‐center experience of a dedicated breech birth team
Authors: Yaouzis Olsson Nicolas , Bartfai Emma Debora , Åmark Hanna , Wallström Tove
Published: August 2024

Introduction

The appropriate mode of delivery for breech babies is a topic of ongoing debate. After the publication of the Term Breech Trial in 2000, the proportion of breech babies delivered vaginally in Sweden rapidly dropped to 7% from 26%. In 2015, international guidelines changed to once again recommend offering vaginal breech deliveries in select cases. In 2017, a Swedish hospital established a dedicated Breech Team to provide safe vaginal breech deliveries according to the new guidelines. The aim of this study is to compare neonatal morbidity in the group planned for cesarean breech delivery with the group planned for vaginal breech delivery treated in accordance with the new guidelines. The study adds to the literature by providing insights into the consequences of reintroducing vaginal breech births in a high‐resource health‐care setting.

Material and Methods

A prospective observational study was conducted at Södersjukhuset's maternity ward with 1067 women who gave birth to a single breech fetus at term. Outcomes were compared between the planned vaginal and planned cesarean delivery groups using intention‐to‐treat analysis and multivariate analysis to control for confounders.

Results

Out of the 1067 women, 78.9% were planned for cesarean delivery and 21.1% were planned for vaginal delivery. The planned vaginal group had a significantly greater risk for neonatal morbidity compared to the planned cesarean group (3.1% vs. 0.7%; OR 4.44, 95% CI 1.48–13.34). The risk difference remained significant after controlling for confounders.

Conclusions

Planned vaginal breech delivery was associated with an increased risk of neonatal mortality and short‐term morbidity compared to planned cesarean breech delivery in accordance with the new guidelines. The potential risks and benefits of planned vaginal breech delivery should be carefully weighed against those of planned cesarean delivery.