bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Evidence for recruitment-mediated decline in an Eastern box turtle (Terrapene carolina carolina) population based on a 30-year capture-recapture data set from Maryland
Authors: Royle J. Andrew , Quinlan Michael M. , Swarth Christopher W.
Published: August 2024

The Eastern box turtle (Terrapene carolina carolina) population at the Jug Bay Wetlands Sanctuary, Lothian, MD has been monitored continuously for 29 years (1995-2023). We used open population capture-recapture models (Jolly-Seber) to estimate annual population size, survival probability, and recruitment rate. The model allows for unknown sex of individuals and includes information on individuals found dead. Our analysis documents a long-term decline of approximately 67% in box turtle population size at the Sanctuary over this nearly three-decade period. We estimate annual survival for both males and females, which does not show a systematic increase or decrease over time, averaging about 0.90 (95% CI: 0.86, 0.93) for females and 0.97 (95% CI: 0.94, 0.98) for males. Conversely, per-capita recruitment shows a marked decline over the first 15 years of the record, suggesting that population declines may be due to reduced recruitment. Conservation efforts for the species could benefit from a formal population viability analysis to understand the relative effects of survival and recruitment on changes in population size for this long-lived species.
Weak-inertial effects on destabilized receding contact lines
Authors: Varma Akhil
Published: August 2024

It is known that, beyond a critical speed, the straight contact line of a partially -wetting liquid destabilizes into a corner. One of the earliest theoretical works exploring this phenomenon [Limat and Stone, ] elicited a self-similar conical structure of the interface in the viscous regime. However, noting that inertia is not expected to be negligible at contact line speeds close to and beyond the critical value for many common liquids, we provide the leading-order inertial correction to their solution. In particular, we find the self-similar corrections to the interface shape as well as the flow field, and also determine their scaling with the capillary number. We find that inertia invariably modifies the interface into a cusplike shape with an increased film thickness. Furthermore, when incorporating contact line dynamics into the model, resulting in a narrowing of the corner as the contact line speed increases, we still observe an overall increase in the inertial contribution with speed despite the increased confinement.

Published by the American Physical Society
2024
Fidelity-dissipation relations in quantum gates
Authors: Van Vu Tan , Kuwahara Tomotaka , Saito Keiji
Published: August 2024

Accurate quantum computing relies on the precision of quantum gates. However, quantum gates in practice are generally affected by dissipative environments, which can significantly reduce their fidelity. In this paper, we elucidate the fundamental relations between the average fidelity of generic quantum gates and the dissipation that occurs during the computing processes. Considering scenarios in which a quantum gate is subject to Markovian environments, we rigorously derive fidelity-dissipation relations that hold for arbitrary operational times. Intriguingly, when the quantum gate undergoes thermal relaxation, the result can be used as a valuable tool for estimating dissipation through experimentally measurable fidelity, without requiring detailed knowledge of the dissipative structure. For the case of arbitrary environments, we uncover a trade-off relation between the average fidelity and energy dissipation, implying that these quantities cannot be large simultaneously. Our results unveil the computational limitations imposed by thermodynamics, shedding light on the profound connection between thermodynamics and quantum computing.

Published by the American Physical Society
2024
Chaotic roots of the modular multiplication dynamical system in Shor's algorithm
Authors: Patoary Abu Musa , Vikram Amit , Shou Laura , Galitski Victor
Published: August 2024

Shor's factoring algorithm, believed to provide an exponential speedup over classical computation, relies on finding the period of an exactly periodic quantum modular multiplication operator. This exact periodicity is the hallmark of an integrable system, which is paradoxical from the viewpoint of quantum chaos, given that the classical limit of the modular multiplication operator is a highly chaotic system that occupies the “maximally random” Bernoulli level of the classical ergodic hierarchy. In this work, we approach this apparent paradox from a quantum dynamical systems viewpoint, and consider whether signatures of ergodicity and chaos may indeed be encoded in such an “integrable” quantization of a chaotic system. We show that Shor's modular multiplication operator, in specific cases, can be written as a superposition of quantized A-baker's maps exhibiting more typical signatures of quantum chaos and ergodicity. This work suggests that the integrability of Shor's modular multiplication operator may stem from the interference of other “chaotic” quantizations of the same family of maps, and paves the way for deeper studies on the interplay of integrability, ergodicity, and chaos in and via quantum algorithms.

Published by the American Physical Society
2024
Enumeration and Representation Theory of Spin Space Groups
Authors: Chen Xiaobing , Ren Jun , Zhu Yanzhou , Yu Yutong , Zhang Ao , Liu Pengfei , Li Jiayu , Liu Yuntian , Li Caiheng , Liu Qihang
Published: August 2024

Fundamental physical properties, such as phase transitions, electronic structures, and spin excitations, in all magnetic ordered materials, were ultimately believed to rely on the symmetry theory of magnetic space groups. Recently, it has come to light that a more comprehensive group, known as the spin space group (SSG), which combines separate spin and spatial operations, is necessary to fully characterize the geometry and underlying properties of magnetic ordered materials. However, the basic theory of SSG has seldom been developed. In this work, we present a systematic study of the enumeration and the representation theory of the SSG. Starting from the 230 crystallographic space groups and finite translation groups with a maximum order of eight, we establish an extensive collection of over 100 000 SSGs under a four-index nomenclature as well as international notation. We then identify inequivalent SSGs specifically applicable to collinear, coplanar, and noncoplanar magnetic configurations. To facilitate the identification of the SSG, we develop an online program that can determine the SSG symmetries of any magnetic ordered crystal. Moreover, we derive the irreducible corepresentations of the little group in momentum space within the SSG framework. Finally, we illustrate the SSG symmetries and physical effects beyond the framework of magnetic space groups through several representative material examples, including a candidate altermagnet RuO2, spiral spin polarization in the coplanar antiferromagnet CeAuAl3, and geometric Hall effect in the noncoplanar antiferromagnet CoNb3S6. Our work advances the field of group theory in describing magnetic ordered materials, opening up avenues for deeper comprehension and further exploration of emergent phenomena in magnetic materials.

Published by the American Physical Society
2024
Enumeration of Spin-Space Groups: Toward a Complete Description of Symmetries of Magnetic Orders
Authors: Jiang Yi , Song Ziyin , Zhu Tiannian , Fang Zhong , Weng Hongming , Liu Zheng-Xin , Yang Jian , Fang Chen
Published: August 2024

Symmetries of three-dimensional periodic scalar fields are described by 230 space groups (SGs). Symmetries of three-dimensional periodic (pseudo)vector fields, however, are described by the spin-space groups (SSGs), which were initially used to describe the symmetries of magnetic orders. In SSGs, the real-space and spin degrees of freedom are unlocked in the sense that an operation could have different spatial and spin rotations. SSGs give a complete symmetry description of magnetic structures and have natural applications in the band theory of itinerary electrons in magnetically ordered systems with weak spin-orbit coupling. , a concept raised recently that belongs to the symmetry-compensated collinear magnetic orders but has nonrelativistic spin plitting, is well described by SSGs. Because of the vast number and complicated group structures, SSGs have not yet been systematically enumerated. In this work, we exhaust SSGs based on the invariant subgroups of SGs, with spin operations constructed from three-dimensional (3D) real representations of the quotient groups for the invariant subgroups. For collinear and coplanar magnetic orders, the spin operations can be reduced into lower-dimensional real representations. As the number of SSGs is infinite, we consider only SSGs that describe magnetic unit cells up to 12 times crystal unit cells. We obtain 157 289 noncoplanar, 24 788 coplanar-noncollinear, and 1421 collinear SSGs. The enumerated SSGs are stored in an online database with a user-friendly interface. We develop an algorithm to identify SSGs for realistic materials and find SSGs for 1626 magnetic materials. We also discuss several potential applications of SSGs, including the representation theory, topological states protected by SSGs, structures of spin textures, and refinement of magnetic neutron diffraction patterns using SSGs. Our results serve as a solid starting point for further studies of symmetry and topology in magnetically ordered materials.

Published by the American Physical Society
2024
Revisiting the ‘magic condition’ on the basis of the Takagi–Taupin theory
Authors: Wang Yu-Hang , Li Ming , Kang Le , Jia Quan-Jie
Published: August 2024

A numerical framework based on the integral solution of the Takagi–Taupin equations has been developed for cylindrically bent Laue crystals. On the basis of this framework, diffraction geometries that satisfy the `magic condition' have been studied from the perspective of dynamical theory. The numerical findings indicate that, in certain diffraction geometries, the focusing behaviour of cylindrically bent Laue crystals will be notably influenced by dynamical effects and the foci of different energies will not converge as predicted by the `magic condition', which is derived from geometric optics theory. These dynamical effects are further explained through a direct numerical analysis of the influence function.
Pushing the limits of accessible length scales via a modified Porod analysis in small-angle neutron scattering on ordered systems
Authors: Brems Xaver Simon , Mühlbauer Sebastian , Cubitt Robert
Published: August 2024

Small-angle neutron scattering is a widely used technique to study large-scale structures in bulk samples. The largest accessible length scale in conventional Bragg scattering is determined by the combination of the longest available neutron wavelength and smallest resolvable scattering angle. A method is presented that circumvents this limitation and is able to extract larger length scales from the low-q power-law scattering using a modification of the well known Porod law connecting the scattered intensity of randomly distributed objects to their specific surface area. It is shown that in the special case of a highly aligned domain structure the specific surface area extracted from the modified Porod law can be used to determine specific length scales of the domain structure. The analysis method is applied to study the micrometre-sized domain structure found in the intermediate mixed state of the superconductor niobium. The analysis approach allows the range of accessible length scales to be extended from 1 µm to up to 40 µm using a conventional small-angle neutron scattering setup.
Crossing length scales: X-ray approaches to studying the structure of biological materials
Authors: Grünewald Tilman A. , Liebi Marianne , Birkedal Henrik
Published: August 2024

Biological materials have outstanding properties. With ease, challenging mechanical, optical or electrical properties are realised from comparatively `humble' building blocks. The key strategy to realise these properties is through extensive hierarchical structuring of the material from the millimetre to the nanometre scale in 3D. Though hierarchical structuring in biological materials has long been recognized, the 3D characterization of such structures remains a challenge. To understand the behaviour of materials, multimodal and multi-scale characterization approaches are needed. In this review, we outline current X-ray analysis approaches using the structures of bone and shells as examples. We show how recent advances have aided our understanding of hierarchical structures and their functions, and how these could be exploited for future research directions. We also discuss current roadblocks including radiation damage, data quantity and sample preparation, as well as strategies to address them.
From formulation to structure: 3D electron diffraction for the structure solution of a new indomethacin polymorph from an amorphous solid dispersion
Authors: Leung Helen W. , Copley Royston C. B. , Lampronti Giulio I. , Day Sarah J. , Saunders Lucy K. , Johnstone Duncan N. , Midgley Paul A.
Published: August 2024

3D electron diffraction (3DED) is increasingly employed to determine molecular and crystal structures from micro-crystals. Indomethacin is a well known, marketed, small-molecule non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug with eight known polymorphic forms, of which four structures have been elucidated to date. Using 3DED, we determined the structure of a new ninth polymorph, σ, found within an amorphous solid dispersion, a product formulation sometimes used for active pharmaceutical ingredients with poor aqueous solubility. Subsequently, we found that σ indomethacin can be produced from direct solvent evaporation using dichloromethane. These results demonstrate the relevance of 3DED within drug development to directly probe product formulations.
Decentralisation as a marketing strategy for archival services in Zimbabwe
Authors: Sigauke Oscar , Mutsagondo Samson , Sibanda Munyika
Published: August 2024

Purpose

Archival institutions must make their holdings and services known to the public to ensure increased usage. It is the obligation of archival institutions to adopt strategies to market their services to increase the usage of their holdings. Therefore, this study aims to assess the National Archives of Zimbabwe’s (NAZ) decentralisation drive as a strategy to market its archival services.

Design/methodology/approach

The multiple case study research design, which is interpretive and qualitative, was used for the study. The study used interviews, questionnaires and document review as data collection tools. The collected data were presented, analysed and discussed using the thematic data analysis approach.

Findings

Findings revealed that the NAZ decentralised provincial records centres were actively involved in the marketing of archival services offered by the NAZ. The study also established that the decentralised provincial records centres perform activities such as records surveys, training, oral history, issuance of brochures, guided tours and career guidance, which increase their interactions with communities they serve. The decentralised offices took advantage of these interactions to market archival services offered by the NAZ.

Originality/value

The study illustrated that decentralisation of archival institutions and services to the lower tiers of government is a powerful strategy for the marketing of archival services. Therefore, there is need for archival institutions to adopt or enhance the use of this strategy to increase the usage of archives.
COVID-19 school closures in Latin America: untangling approaches impacting student health and wellbeing
Authors: Torres Irene , Kloft Samantha , Kumar Muskan , Santosh Amita , Pinto-Alvarez Mariana , López-Cevallos Daniel F.
Published: August 2024

Purpose

This study compared approaches to school closures in four Latin American countries (Bolivia, Colombia, Ecuador, Peru), describing the impact on the health and educational wellbeing of school-age children and youth, and evaluating their approaches in regard to continuing education through the pandemic.

Design/methodology/approach

We collected 75 publicly available documents including scientific and gray literature (government documents and news releases), that referred to school closures and their impact on children’s health and wellbeing. We did thematic analyses using open, axial, and selective coding and applied the latest Health Promoting Schools standards and indicators to the findings.

Findings

Results showed that countries followed epidemiological reasons for prioritizing school closures while adopting some policies that abide by Health Promoting School principles. While they emphasized the need to reopen schools so that instruction could continue, school closures were among the longest in the world. The most significant impacts on wellbeing identified in the four countries were related to food security and mental health.

Research limitations/implications

This study focused on a particular set of documents, and it may not capture the full spectrum of relevant information in different contexts or regions.

Practical implications

By comparing school closures approaches among four Latin American countries, this study highlights the importance of context-specific interventions. In a post-pandemic era, lessons learned from these experiences should help foster more resilient and inclusive educational systems and explore the paths forward for following the new Health Promoting Schools framework in the region.

Originality/value

Cross-country qualitative analyses on this topic are rare. This study adds to the knowledge base by eliciting lessons for future health education research and policy efforts.
Climate-smart agricultural practices and its implication in Ethiopia: a systematic review
Authors: Tariku Getasew Daru , Kebede Sinkie Alemu
Published: August 2024

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to assess the adoption of climate-smart agriculture (CSA) and its implication on improving the farming household food security status, their resilience and livelihood risk management of farmers.

Design/methodology/approach

This systematic review has followed procedures to accomplish the review, including literature searches, screening studies, data extraction, synthesis and presentation of the data.

Findings

Based on the result of the review, the determinants of CSA adoption can be categorized into five categories, including demographic factors (age, sex, family size, dependency ratio, education), economic factors (land size, household income, livestock ownership), institutional factors (extension services, training access, credit services, farm input, market distance), environmental factors (agroecology, change in precipitation, slope of land) and social factors (cooperatives membership, farmers perception). The result also shows that applying CSA practices has an indispensable role on increasing productivity, food security, income, building resilient livelihoods, minimizing production risk and alleviating poverty. This concluded CSA practice has a multidimensional role in the livelihood of agrarian population like Ethiopia, yet its adoption was constrained by several factors.

Originality/value

This review mainly emphasizes on the most commonly practiced CSA strategies that are examined by different scholars.
Leading with care: how health-promoting leadership drives innovation in the Middle East
Authors: Parahoo Sanjai K.K. , Mumtaz Sabiha , Soltani Ebrahim , Alnuaimi Latifa
Published: August 2024

Purpose

Leveraging the job demands-resources (JD-R) theory, this study proposes and validates a mediation model depicting the impact of health-promoting leadership (HPL) on innovation performance (IP), with the relationship partially mediated by two health-related factors: psychological well-being (PWB) and positive conflict (PC).

Design/methodology/approach

Employing a structured questionnaire developed from validated scales sourced from the existing literature, the study collected data from a sample of 310 employees across various organizations within the service sector of the United Arab Emirates. The dimensionality, reliability, and validity of scales were assessed using exploratory and confirmatory factor analysis. The study’s seven hypotheses were tested through structural equation modeling in AMOS and mediation analysis using the Hayes process model in SPSS.

Findings

Support was found for all seven hypotheses, demonstrating that HPL exerts both a direct and an indirect effect on IP, with PWB and PC serving as partial mediators.

Research limitations/implications

Distinct from the traditional leadership literature, which often views an employee’s psychological health as a personal matter, this study highlights the organizational role in promoting psychological well-being. It also provides significant theoretical contributions to the underexplored area of conflict management within the context of innovation.

Practical implications

By promoting employees' PWB, HPL can optimize human capital within organizations. Additionally, leaders can leverage the potential of PC to foster an environment conducive to innovation, resulting in enhanced organizational performance.

Originality/value

The findings enrich the leadership and IP literature by identifying inter-relationships between the three health related antecedents of IP.
Expectation dissonance: the role of perceived negativity bias in enterprise social media in explaining accountability and support
Authors: van Zoonen Ward , van der Meer Toni , Sivunen Anu
Published: August 2024

Purpose

Enterprise social media (ESM) are expressive spaces where users exchange emotional workplace communication. While some studies have explored how positive emotions may be contagious, little research explored the notion that negative communication may accumulate on enterprise social media. This study explores perceived negativity bias and its correlates in the context of ESM.

Design/methodology/approach

This study relies on survey data collected from 599 employees of a global organization. The response rate was 18.7%. Structural equation modeling was used to test the hypotheses.

Findings

The results contribute to research on ESM by demonstrating that perceived negativity bias is positively related to feelings of accountability and negatively associated with social support. Furthermore, the results indicate that unmet communication expectations on ESM can have implications for perceived social support beyond online contexts and accountability through perceived negativity bias.

Research limitations/implications

The findings demonstrate how employees' unmet expectations about ESM use increase feelings that a digital environment is disproportionately negative, which may create an “unsafe” space for employees and a fear of being held accountable for their contributions. This study highlights how the Expectation-Disconfirmation Theory provides a fruitful framework for studying enterprise social technologies.

Originality/value

This study suggests that work is not merely a rational endeavor, and that emotions and personal feelings (including negative ones) may shape workplace communication on ESM. We contribute to research on ESM use by using the Expectation-Disconfirmation Theory as a lens to study antecedents and implications of perceived negativity bias.
Inequality and entrepreneurship: future research trends
Authors: Ratten Vanessa
Published: August 2024

Purpose

An increased interest in inequality and entrepreneurship has led to little consensus on how to define inequality from different perspectives based on an emerging economy point of view. This article aims to discuss how the precise nature of inequality differs centered on how it is developing in emerging economies.

Design/methodology/approach

A review of the current literature on inequality, entrepreneurship and emerging economies was conducted to focus on understanding the main factors. This resulted in the identification of six main types of inequality in entrepreneurship (social, digital, economic, cultural, geographic and environmental) and offers specific suggestions for future research.

Findings

Inequality in emerging economies can be differentiated based on type and level of entrepreneurial development as well as integrated into a conceptual framework that integrates different ways to measure the concept.

Originality/value

This paper focuses on different types of inequality in entrepreneurship from an emerging economy point of view that offers a unique way to understand country differences. In addition, theoretical and methodological directions for future research are outlined, which consolidates current research and extending research on inequality, entrepreneurship and emerging economies.
Determinants of online apparel mass customization: a decade in review
Authors: Mathew Simi Maria , Nayak Smitha , Rao Veena
Published: August 2024

Purpose

Mass customization is a production process that allows consumers to customize products from an array of options to suit their preferences and needs and benefit from large-scale production efficiencies. In recent years, several apparel retailers have integrated customization into their online presence. While the benefits of online apparel mass customization (OAMC) are apparent, factors that determine the usage of the process are many. Therefore, it is important to explore these factors and understand the relationships between them and the impact on the intention to use OAMC.

Design/methodology/approach

A review of studies published in the last decade was conducted through the Scopus, Web of Science and JSTOR databases in September 2023. Peer-reviewed research articles published in the English language were included. These studies were carried out in the United States of America, Canada, Korea and China and addressed motivations and antecedents of OAMC technology.

Findings

The data were extracted, and the findings were synthesized. The review process enabled us to examine several theories and determinants of OAMC. The latter were categorized into the following themes: “consumer personality and psychology”, “consumer perceptions”, “consumer behaviour determinants” and “process, experience and product”. The influence of consumer personality traits, psychogenic needs, characteristics and other facilitating conditions emerged through the review.

Originality/value

The purpose of this paper is to study the various determinants of OAMC and thereby provide valuable information to businesses in OAMC domains to improve customized processes, understand consumers' motivations and develop marketing strategies that improve overall satisfaction with OAMC.
Corporate social initiatives and wealth creation for firms-an empirical examination
Authors: Bhaskaran Rajesh Kumar , Sukumaran Sujit K , Abdul Waheed Kareem
Published: August 2024

Purpose

This study aims to examine whether social initiatives adopted by firms lead to improved financial performance. The authors analyse the impact of different elements of social initiatives on wealth creation for firms in terms of operating and market performance.

Design/methodology/approach

The study is based on the social initiative scores of over 4,500 firms collected from Thomson Reuters' ESG database. The study uses two-stage least squares (2SLS) to analyse the relationship between social initiatives and firm performance.

Findings

Profitable, mature, capital intensive and firms with high sales growth rate tend to invest more in social initiatives. Firms with high agency costs invest in social initiatives for workforce efficiency, maintaining human rights and product responsibility. The study documents evidence that social investments are value creating mechanism for firms which leads to improved financial performance in terms of operating and stock market performance. Firms with high dividend intensity invest in social initiatives for workforce welfare and human rights initiatives. Investment in employee well-being and community initiatives results in intangible benefits such as improved stock market valuation.

Practical implications

The research model has not considered the impact of intervening variables to understand the relationship between corporate social performance and corporate financial performance.

Social implications

Firms ought to recognize that social investment is beneficial in terms of value creation of firms as stock market perceive such investments favourably. Firms must focus more on community development initiatives and workforce initiatives for the value creation of firms compared to investments directed towards human rights initiatives and product responsibility initiatives.

Originality/value

This study focusses exclusively on the social dimension of the CSR activities. The authors examine the impact of social welfare scores on firm performance by analysing the valuation effects on scores representing workforce, human rights, community and product responsibility. Moreover, the paper also examines the impact of a new dimension of product responsibility on firm performance. They also focus on both aspects of financial performance in terms of operating performance (proxied by ROE) and the joint impact of both operating and market performance (proxied by Tobin’s Q). This paper contributes to the research on the linkage of social performance to financial performance by observing that firms with high agency cost characteristics tend to invest in social initiatives for work force efficiency, maintaining human rights and product responsibility.
Online training in trauma-informed intervention and care for mental health workers in India during COVID-19 pandemic: a mixed method evaluation study
Authors: Adithy  , de Wit Emma Emily , Halpern Naomi , Bunders-Aelen J.G.F.
Published: August 2024

Purpose

This paper aims to describe a response to the needs of mental health workers (MHWs) in India during COVID-19 pandemic, through an online training program on trauma-informed intervention and care.

Design/methodology/approach

A four-module online training program was developed. Two modules were aimed to bridge the knowledge gap on trauma for MHWs, so that they could effectively address the associated symptoms of fear and grief. The other two modules aimed to support MHWs’ self-care and create supportive connections among colleagues. In this mixed method evaluation study, needs expressed before the training and lessons derived from the training were collected through questionnaires, focus group discussion and interviews.

Findings

Of the 3,168 MHWs who registered for the training, 534 completed the pre-questionnaire. Of the 125 post-questionnaire records, 38 had watched all four modules. A great need for learning to work with grief and manage the increased workload without burnout was observed. Post-training gains included skills for working with fear and grief, which increased the confidence of MHWs. The importance of self-care was an eye-opener for many.

Social implications

This study indicates a way to equip MHWs to address the trauma that will continue to live in people in the aftermath of crises.

Originality/value

This study examined the challenges MHWs in India faced during the COVID-19 pandemic, revealing a knowledge gap on dealing with this level of trauma. It can contribute to the knowledge on how to support MHWs in such crises.
Navigating the shadows: exports and money laundering dynamics in Bangladesh
Authors: Milon Md Noor Uddin , Zafarullah Habib , Poli Tahmina Akter
Published: August 2024

Purpose

This study aims to analyze the complex dynamics of money laundering (ML) in the export sector of developing countries, with a special focus on Bangladesh. It aims to uncover the strategies and tactics money launderers use to exploit export transactions and understand the vulnerabilities that exist in economies where enforcement agencies neglect the export industry.

Design/methodology/approach

This study examines Bangladesh’s export sector ML using qualitative methods. Customs officers, central bank officers, port authorities and selected exporters were interviewed semi-structured. Document analysis of Bangladesh Bank orders, media and Customs Intelligence and Investigation Directorate reports was also done. Qualitative data patterns were identified using theme analysis.

Findings

The study identifies the most vulnerable export commodities – readymade garments, agricultural items and processed foods – as prime targets for ML. Key methods of laundering include under-invoicing, over-invoicing, misdeclaration and fake documentation. The research highlights the significant risk posed by the improper use of government financial incentives and introduces the “sample shipment” method as a novel laundering tactic. The findings underscore the need for stronger oversight and controls to mitigate these risks.

Research limitations/implications

This research is limited by single-point data because ML is a continual activity. The reliance on case studies from newspaper reports and online platforms introduces a degree of selection bias and the chosen instances may not comprehensively represent the broader landscape of trade-based ML.

Practical implications

The study provides several practical recommendations for policymakers and law enforcement agencies to fortify the export sector against exploitation by money launderers, ensuring greater transparency and accountability in international trade operations.

Social implications

By closing loopholes in the export sector, the research supports the Sustainable Development Goals, particularly Goal 16.4, which aims to reduce illicit financial flows, thereby contributing to poverty eradication and economic stability in developing countries.

Originality/value

Original research results supported by technical analysis are presented in this work. It contributes to the body of knowledge by detailing the adaptive strategies of money launderers and proposing targeted recommendations for enhancing the integrity of the export sector.
Examining the impact of market uncertainty on earnings forecasts: an empirical study from Egypt
Authors: Pasha Rania , Wahba Hayam , Lasheen Hadia Y.
Published: August 2024

Purpose

This paper aims to conduct a comparative analysis of the impact of market uncertainty on the degree of accuracy and bias of analysts' earnings forecasts versus four model-based earnings forecasts.

Design/methodology/approach

The study employs panel regression analysis on a sample of Egyptian listed companies from 2005 to 2022 to examine the impact of market uncertainty on the accuracy and bias of each type of earnings forecast.

Findings

The empirical analysis reveals that market uncertainty significantly affects analysts’ earnings forecast accuracy and bias, while model-based earnings forecasts are less affected. Furthermore, the Earnings Persistence and Residual Income model-based earnings were found to be superior in terms of exhibiting the least susceptibility to the impact of market uncertainty on their forecast accuracy and biasness levels, respectively.

Practical implications

The findings have important implications for stakeholders within the financial realm, including investors, financial analysts, corporate executives and portfolio managers. They emphasize the importance of considering market uncertainty when formulating earnings forecasts, while concurrently highlighting the potential benefits of using alternative forecasting methods.

Originality/value

To our knowledge, the influence of market uncertainty on analysts' earnings forecast accuracy and bias in the MENA region, particularly in the Egyptian market, remains unexplored in existing research. Additionally, this paper contributes to the existing literature by pinpointing the forecasting method, specifically distinguishing between analysts-based and model-based approaches, whose predictive quality is less adversely impacted by market uncertainty in an emerging market.
Faculty perspectives on accreditation, academic freedom and quality learning in private higher education institutes: empirical evidence
Authors: Ashraf Mohammad Ali , Ratan Sarker Rafij Ahmed , Amir Tanzila , Joarder Mohd Hasanur Raihan , Osman Abu Rashed
Published: August 2024

Purpose

This study aims to investigate the effects of standardization, accreditation process on academic freedom and quality learning in higher education institutes (HEIs). In addition, this study explores the mediating effects of academic freedom between standardization, accreditation and learning.

Design/methodology/approach

To attain the objective, the study uses the theory of self-determination as its theoretical underpinning. The smart PLS-SEM technique is applied for analyzing data.

Findings

The results indicate that the accreditation process has a significant negative influence on faculty academic freedom and quality of learning in the sampled HEIs. There is also a significant mediating effect of academic freedom.

Research limitations/implications

There are a few limitations in this study. First, the study considers the faculty members only as respondents. Second, this study only considers the faculty members of private universities as respondents. In the future, public HEIs could also be included in similar studies. Finally, this research has been done in the context of a developing country.

Practical implications

The findings of the study have pervasive implications for the authorities in HEIs. The authorities of HEIs might capitalize on this evidence in formulating the appropriate policy for their HEIs.

Social implications

As the accreditation process weakens academic freedom and quality learning, accreditation should not be viewed as an institutional development and quality assurance tool. Rather, accreditation ought to allow for amplifying faculty voices, empowering faculty and protecting their rights.

Originality/value

Quantitative analysis on the subject addressed in the current study is scarce. Therefore, this research can be considered valuable for stakeholders of HEIs.
Inhibition of Salmonella typhimurium infection in mice fed with live or heat‐killed Lactiplantibacillus plantarum MWFLp‐182
Authors: Liu Jia , Sun Peng , Jin Zihan , Nie Hui , Mu Guangqing , Wu Xiaomeng
Published: August 2024

The effects of both live and heat‐killed states of Lactiplantibacillus plantarum MWFLp‐182 (L. plantarum MWFLp‐182) isolated from the faeces of long‐lived humans on preventing and relieving Salmonella infection were studied. Evaluation methods included RT‐qPCR measurement of inflammatory factors, histopathological analysis and non‐targeted metabolomics. The results showed that L. plantarum MWFLp‐182 in both states improved body weight loss, organ swelling and ileocolon pathological damage. They also protected against Salmonella infection by regulating key KEGG enrichment pathways and the expression levels of TNF‐a and IL‐6. It is worth noting that the function of live bacteria was better than that of heat‐killed bacteria.
A Systematic Review of Thriving at Work: A Bibliometric Analysis and Organizational Research Agenda
Authors: Liang Yuan , Wu Tung‐Ju , Zhang Ziqiong , Wang Yushu
Published: August 2024

Thriving at work has gained considerable research attention over the past decades. This study aimed to systematically unpack the knowledge of the past, present, and future of thriving at work by using bibliometric analysis. Following the PRISMA protocol, this study assesses 281 peer‐reviewed papers published between 2005 and 2024. Results are as follows: (1) We identify the prominent authors, significant publications, top countries, leading affiliations, and journals in thriving at work. (2) Six clusters (i.e., work–family enrichment, career commitment, servant leadership, challenge stressors, job satisfaction, and psychological capital) are identified based on the keywords that map the emergent core themes via content analysis. (3) Based on the job demands–resources model, we map a detailed framework of thriving at work about its antecedents, moderators, and outcomes. (4) We propose prospective directions for future research using the TCCM (Theory, Context, Characteristics, Method) framework.
Improving cellular therapy operations through pre‐harvest measurement of peripheral CD34‐positive cell counts in allogeneic stem cell harvest
Authors: Kurosawa Shuhei , Haraguchi Kyoko , Honma Yunoka , Kawai Fuyuko , Ishiwada Moemi , Iimura Ryoko , Watanabe Rei , Ishibashi Sayuri , Sakuma Kae , Narishima Kiyomi , Nishimura Misako , Toya Takashi , Shimizu Hiroaki , Najima Yuho , Kobayashi Takeshi , Doki Noriko , Okuyama Yoshiki
Published: August 2024

Introduction

Previously, our institution measured peripheral blood CD34 cell counts both pre‐ and post‐peripheral blood stem cell harvest (PBSCH), with both samples analyzed simultaneously post‐PBSCH. Since 2021, we have measured pre‐CD34 cell counts during PBSCH, adjusting the processed blood volume based on these results. We retrospectively evaluated how this change impacted cellular therapy.

Methods

Related healthy donors were included and divided into 1‐day and 2‐day harvest cohorts. Donors with CD34 cell counts measured post‐ and during PBSCH were categorized into the previous and current sub‐cohorts, respectively.

Results

Regarding the 1‐day cohort (n = 212), the current sub‐cohort had a significantly shorter average harvest duration (151 [standard deviation, SD = 45.1] vs. 180 [SD = 27.8] minutes, respectively) and higher average infusion rates (87.6% [SD = 21.1] vs. 78.1% [SD = 25.7], respectively) than the previous sub‐cohort.

Conclusion

Adjusting the processed blood volume based on pre‐PBSCH CD34 cell counts measured during the harvest may reduce donor burden and enhance workflow efficiency.
Citrus tristeza virus: A century‐long challenge for the world's citrus industries
Authors: Sun Yongduo , Yokomi Raymond K. , Folimonova Svetlana Y.
Published: August 2024

Citrus tristeza virus (CTV) is a causal agent of diseases that have challenged the global citrus production for more than a century. The disease named ‘tristeza’, which means ‘sadness’ in Portuguese and Spanish, has spread by aphids and vegetative propagation, resulting in costly pandemics that reshaped the world citrus production by forcing the adaption of disease‐tolerant rootstocks. Furthermore, management of the second major CTV‐induced disease, stem pitting, became a unique example of the use of cross‐protection on a large nationwide scale, allowing many citrus growing regions to control the disease that could not be managed through horticultural practices. The information gathered in this review commemorates a hundred years of research on the virus and the respective diseases, which began with classical horticultural approaches and advanced toward the cutting‐edge molecular biology studies. In this regard, it is proper to mention that CTV research greatly benefited from close international collaboration between research institutions and scientists from the affected and nonaffected citrus areas. Moreover, despite the considerable initial losses caused by tristeza, the world's fresh fruit and juice concentrate citrus industries reemerged as highly productive following the research advancements, a situation that changed throughout Florida and Brazil in the past two decades or so with the outbreak of the devastating citrus greening (Huanglongbing) bacterial disease. This review encompasses past and recent advances in the CTV research positioning the citrus‐CTV pathosystem as a pivotal model system for investigating virus interactions with perennial woody hosts. The review will also serve as an updated version of the respective section on CTV in the Description of Plant Viruses that the Association of Applied Biologists manages. We dedicated this review to the 85th Birthday celebration of Prof. Moshe Bar‐Joseph, a world‐renowned plant pathologist whose half‐a‐century‐long career devoted to citrus diseases yielded many important, pioneering discoveries on CTV and other closteroviruses. Many of those are highlighted in this review. Prof. Bar‐Joseph retired from the Volcani Center, Agricultural Research Organization in Israel several years ago, yet he continues to be actively engaged in research and provides his expertise to citrus pathologists around the world in the present days.
The smell of infection: Disease surveillance in insects using volatile organic compounds
Authors: Asiri Ayman , Perkins Sarah E. , Müller Carsten T.
Published: August 2024

Insects play crucial roles in nearly every ecosystem and provide a wide array of ecosystem services. However, both managed and wild insect populations face threats from parasites and pathogens, which require surveillance to mitigate.

Current infectious disease surveillance methods for insects often involve invasive, time‐consuming and occasionally destructive techniques, such as manual inspections and molecular detection.

Volatile organic compound (VOC) surveillance provides a real‐time, accurate and non‐invasive alternative for disease detection and has been well‐established in humans and livestock.

Recent advances in sensor technology now allow for the development of in‐field VOC surveillance devices. This review explores the need for disease surveillance in insects and highlights recent advances of using VOCs for this purpose, focusing on honey bees as an example.

We outline potential applications, challenges and future prospects of using VOCs for insect disease surveillance, providing examples of how this technology could be globally applied to mitigate the impacts of disease in a range of insect systems.
Do Audit Efforts Reduce Stock Price Crash Risk? The Role of Corporate Governance
Authors: Lee Sang Hyuk , Jung Nam Chul
Published: August 2024

This study investigates the Korean audit market, revealing that increased audit efforts correlate with reduced stock price crash risk, suggesting audits bridge the information gap between managers and investors, deterring negative news hoarding. The study also finds that this relationship is stronger in firms with more external directors, institutional investor presence, and financial analyst oversight, highlighting the importance of robust corporate governance. The research implies that in emerging markets, comprehensive audits and strong governance are crucial to protect investors from the adverse effects of stock price crashes.