bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A lifetime of mental health treatments for people with schizophrenia: update and narrative review
Authors: DeLisi Lynn E.
Published: March 2024

Purpose of review

To provide a summary of the most up-to-date thoughts about treatment for schizophrenia at different stages of illness.

Recent findings

The use of Coordinated Specialty Care clinics has arisen as the standard for early on in the treatment of psychosis, providing the notion that recovery is possible. New medications that do not depend on postsynaptic dopamine receptor blockade are soon becoming available.

A focus should be made by clinicians to personalize treatment plans for each patient who has the possibility of being diagnosed with a primary psychosis and the plan should be to predict outcomes based on biological markers that include genetic vulnerability, early psychosocial combined with pharmacological treatments as needed and then a plan to determine or maintain treatments going forward into the future. It is important to individualize treatment by stage of illness, as well as characteristics of the individual patient. Research is ongoing to advance knowledge for interventions at each stage from the premorbid period through to chronicity.
Decoding Continuous Character-based Language from Non-invasive Brain Recordings
Authors: Zhang Cenyuan , Zheng Xiaoqing , Yin Ruicheng , Geng Shujie , Xu Jianhan , Gao Xuan , Lv Changze , Ling Zixuan , Huang Xuanjing , Cao Miao , Feng Jianfeng
Published: March 2024

Deciphering natural language from brain activity through non-invasive devices remains a formidable challenge. Previous non-invasive decoders either require multiple experiments with identical stimuli to pinpoint cortical regions and enhance signal-to-noise ratios in brain activity, or they are limited to discerning basic linguistic elements such as letters and words. We propose a novel approach to decoding continuous language from single-trial non-invasive fMRI recordings, in which a three-dimensional convolutional network augmented with information bottleneck is developed to automatically identify responsive voxels to stimuli, and a character-based decoder is designed for the semantic reconstruction of continuous language characterized by inherent character structures. The resulting decoder can produce intelligible textual sequences that faithfully capture the meaning of perceived speech both within and across subjects, while existing decoders exhibit significantly inferior performance in cross-subject contexts. The ability to decode continuous language from single trials across subjects demonstrates the promising applications of non-invasive language brain-computer interfaces in both healthcare and neuroscience.
CADTAD: CAncer Driver Topologically Associated Domains identify oncogenic and tumor suppressive lncRNAs
Authors: Rao Ziyan , Zhang Min , Huang Shaodong , Wu Chenyang , Zhou Yuheng , Zhang Weijie , Lin Xia , Zhao Dongyu
Published: March 2024

Cancer lncRNAs have been identified by both experimental and in silico methods. However, the current approaches for mining cancer lncRNAs are not sufficient and accurate. To deeply discover them, we focus on the core cancer driver lncRNAs (CDLs) which directly interact with cancer driver protein-coding genes. We investigated various aspects of cancer-related lncRNAs (CRLs), including their genomic locations, expression patterns, and their direct interactions with cancer driver protein-coding genes. We found that most CRLs located in cancer driver topologically associated domains (CDTs). Moreover, some CRLs showed a high tendency for co-expression and binding sites with cancer driver protein-coding genes. Utilizing these distinctive characteristics and integrating >4000 multi-omics data, we developed a pipeline CADTAD to unearth conserved candidate CDLs in pan-cancer, including 256 oncogenic lncRNAs, 177 tumor suppressive lncRNAs, and 75 dual-function lncRNAs, as well as some specific candidate CDLs in three individual cancer types and validated their cancer-related characteristics. Importantly, the function of 10 putative CDLs in prostate cancer was subsequently validated through cell studies. In light of these findings, our study offers a new perspective from the 3D genome to study the roles of lncRNAs in cancer. Furthermore, we provide a valuable set of potential lncRNAs that could deepen our understanding of the oncogenic mechanism of CDLs.
Sub-clinical glutamate receptor antagonist combinations prevent progressive demyelination
Authors: Mitchener Verity F. , Bulman Chris , Mellor Alexander , Bhatt Nishita , Alghamdi Badrah Saeed , Nash Jackie , Proctor Rhianon , Smith Nancy , Newman Abbie , Nwabiakam Victoria , Stone Gideon , Morgan Daniel , Woznica Waldemar , Harper Glenn , Valentino Mario , Pérez-Samartín Alberto , Perez-Cerdá Fernando , Matute Carlos , Fern Robert
Published: March 2024

Multiple sclerosis (MS) affects almost 3 million people globally who suffer demyelination as a series of relapses and remissions that tend towards progressive deterioration over time. The proximate cause is auto-immune attack by the adaptive immune system; therapies directed against this are effective during the relapsing-remitting phase but are less effective or ineffective during progression where other injury mechanisms may be significant. LPS- and cuprizone-induced experimental demyelination share features of progressive demyelination in MS but the underlying mechanisms are not well understood. We show here that these demyelination models can be reproducedex vivousing short protocols, revealing that combined antagonism of two types of glutamate receptor, NMDA and AMPA, using clinically approved antagonists at sub-clinical doses, can protect against these forms of demyelination. Combined low dose therapy was subsequently shown to be effectivein vivoagainst dietary cuprizone and experimental autoimmune-encephalomyelitis (EAE) models of demyelination and, in particular, protected the smaller myelinated axons that are the main substrate of the function loss in progressive MS.
Differential seasonal effects of ephemeral legumes in response to moisture-nitrogen coupling in the deserts of northwestern China
Authors: Xiao Yuxin , Song Boyi , Li Jinqiu , Galip Nargiza , Yang Ao , Zhang Xinyu , Zhuang Weiwei
Published: March 2024

Desert ecosystems are ecosystems limited by both nitrogen and moisture, while legumes, as an important source of nitrogen in desert ecosystems, are extremely sensitive to respond to moisture and nitrogen changes. In order to reveal the growth and physiological metabolic processes of desert legumes in response to moisture and nitrogen changes. In this study, two dominant ephemeral legumes,Trigonella arcuataC. A. Mey. andAstragalus arpilobusKar. & Kir. were selected from the Gurbantunggut Desert through a controlled experiment in greenhouse pots: four moisture treatment levels were established: W1(soil moisture content of 5 %), W2(soil moisture content of 7 %), W3( 9 % soil moisture content), W4(11 % soil moisture content) and three N treatment levels: N1(0 mmol/L15NH415NO3), N2(18 mmol/L15NH415NO3), N3(72 mmol/L15NH415NO3), and we conducted a15N tracking experiment for the pot treatments throughout the growing season. The results showed that: (1) moisture and nitrogen treatments had similar patterns on above-ground and below-ground as well as total fresh weight, plant height and basal diameter, Chla, Chlb and Chla+b of the two legumes, all of which were greatest in the W3N3 treatment and smallest in the W4N1 treatment, but the growth characteristics and chlorophyll parameters had cumulative differences over the growing season. (2) When subjected to severe moisture and nitrogen stresses, the 2 plants would increase the physiological levels of stress tolerance in vivo to enhance cellular resistance, with the osmoregulatory substance content being the most sensitive in response to moisture, and the cell membrane and antioxidant enzyme systems being the most sensitive in response to nitrogen stress. (3) The adaptive characteristics of physiological metabolic processes in plants to seasonal changes, in which growth characteristics, cell membrane and antioxidant enzyme content accumulation showed: rapid growth period < maximum biomass period, while chlorophyll content and osmoregulatory substance content accumulation content accumulation showed: rapid growth period > maximum biomass period. In general, drought can hinder nitrogen uptake and transport, while sufficient moisture can accelerate the nutrient metabolism process of plants, and there is a nutrient dilution effect once the moisture is in excess, but in the nitrogen starvation state, the moisture factor has almost no effect on plants, therefore, the moisture-nitrogen coupling effect is more reflective of the physiological response characteristics of the plants when they encountered the adversity stress, and the degree of accumulation is different in different growing seasons, and the plants in the The differences in different growing seasons reflect the changes in photosynthetic intensity and energy demand.
Inflammasome-Inhibiting Nanoligomers are Neuroprotective Against Space-Induced Pathology in Healthy and Diseased 3D Human Motor and Pre-Frontal Cortex Brain Organoids
Authors: Sharma Sadhana , Gilberto Vincenzo S. , Rask Jon , Chatterjee Anushree , Nagpal Prashant
Published: March 2024

Microgravity and space environment has been linked to deficits in neuromuscular and cognitive capabilities, hypothesized to occur due to accelerated aging and neurodegeneration in space. While the specific mechanisms are still being investigated, spaceflight-associated neuropathology is an important health risk to space astronauts and tourists, and is being actively investigated for the development of appropriate countermeasures. However, such space-induced neuropathology offers an opportunity for accelerated screening of therapeutic targets and lead molecules for treating neurodegenerative diseases. Here we show, a proof-of-concept high-throughput target screening (on Earth), target validation, and mitigation of microgravity-induced neuropathology using our Nanoligomer™ platform, onboard the 43-day SpaceX CRS-29 mission to the International Space Station (ISS). First, comparing 3D healthy and diseased pre-frontal cortex (PFC, for cognition) and motor neuron (MN, for neuromuscular function) organoids, we assessed space-induced pathology using biomarkers relevant to Alzheimer’s Disease (AD), Frontotemporal Dementia (FTD), and Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS). Both healthy and diseased PFC and MN organoids showed significantly enhanced neurodegeneration in space, as measured through relevant disease biomarkers, when compared to their respective Earth controls. Second, we tested the top two lead molecules, NI112 which targeted NF-κB, and NI113 that targeted IL-6. We observed that these Nanoligomers significantly mitigate the AD, FTD, and ALS relevant biomarkers like amyloid beta-42 (Aβ42), phosphorylated Tau (pTau), Kallikrein (KLK-6), Tar DNA-binding protein 43 (TDP-43), and others. Moreover, the 43-day Nanoligomer treatment of these brain organoids did not appear to cause any observable toxicity or safety issues in the target organoid tissue, suggesting good tolerability for these molecules in the brain at physiologically relevant doses. Together, these results show significant potential for both the development and translation of NI112 and NI113 molecules as potential neuroprotective countermeasures for safer space travel, and demonstrate the usefulness of the space environment for rapid, high-throughput screening of targets and lead molecules for clinical translation. We assert that the use of microgravity in drug development and screening may ultimately benefit millions of patients suffering from debilitating neurodegenerative diseases on Earth.
The effect of corticosterone on the acquisition of Pavlovian conditioned approach behavior is dependent on sex and vendor
Authors: Turfe Alexandra , Westbrook Sara R. , Lopez Sofia A. , Chang Stephen E. , Flagel Shelly B.
Published: March 2024

Cues in the environment become predictors of biologically relevant stimuli, such as food, through associative learning. These cues can not only act as predictors but can also be attributed with incentive motivational value and gain control over behavior. When a cue is imbued with incentive salience, it attains the ability to elicit maladaptive behaviors characteristic of psychopathology. We can capture the propensity to attribute incentive salience to a reward cue in rats using a Pavlovian conditioned approach paradigm, in which the presentation of a discrete lever-cue is followed by the delivery of a food reward. Upon learning the cue-reward relationship, some rats, termed sign-trackers, develop a conditioned response directed towards the lever-cue; whereas others, termed goal-trackers, approach the food cup upon lever-cue presentation. Here, we assessed the effects of systemic corticosterone (CORT) on the acquisition and expression of sign- and goal-tracking behaviors in male and female rats, while examining the role of the vendor (Charles River or Taconic) from which the rats originated in these effects. Male and female rats from Charles River had a greater tendency to sign-track than those from Taconic. Administration of CORT enhanced the acquisition of sign-tracking behavior in males from Charles River and females from both vendors. Conversely, administration of CORT had no effect on the expression of the conditioned response. These findings demonstrate a role for CORT in cue-reward learning and suggest that inherent tendencies towards sign- or goal-tracking may interact with this physiological mediator of motivated behavior.

Highlights

Male and female rats from Charles River exhibit more sign-tracking relative to those from Taconic.

Corticosterone increases the acquisition of sign-tracking in male rats from Charles River.

Corticosterone increases the acquisition of sign-tracking in female rats, regardless of vendor.

There is no effect of corticosterone on the expression of sign-tracking behavior in either male or female rats.
Quantum dot coupled to a suspended-beam mechanical resonator: From the unresolved- to the resolved-sideband regime
Authors: Spinnler Clemens , Nguyen Giang N. , Wang Ying , Erbe Marcel , Javadi Alisa , Zhai Liang , Scholz Sven , Wieck Andreas D. , Ludwig Arne , Lodahl Peter , Midolo Leonardo , Warburton Richard J.
Published: March 2024

We present experiments in which self-assembled InAs quantum dots are coupled to a thin, suspended-beam GaAs resonator. The quantum dots are driven resonantly and the resonance fluorescence is detected. The narrow quantum dot linewidths, just a factor of 3 larger than the transform limit, result in a high sensitivity to the mechanical motion. We show that one quantum dot couples to eight mechanical modes spanning a frequency range from 30 to 600 MHz: one quantum dot provides an extensive characterization of the mechanical resonator. The coupling spans the unresolved-sideband to the resolved-sideband regimes. Finally, we present the first detection of thermally driven phonon sidebands (at 4.2 K) in the resonance-fluoresence spectrum.

Published by the American Physical Society
2024
Mononuclear binding and catalytic activity of europium(III) and gadolinium(III) at the active site of the model metalloenzyme phosphotriesterase
Authors: Breeze Callum W. , Nakano Yuji , Campbell Eleanor C. , Frkic Rebecca L. , Lupton David W. , Jackson Colin J.
Published: March 2024

Lanthanide ions have ideal chemical properties for catalysis, such as hard Lewis acidity, fast ligand-exchange kinetics, high coordination-number preferences and low geometric requirements for coordination. As a result, many small-molecule lanthanide catalysts have been described in the literature. Yet, despite the ability of enzymes to catalyse highly stereoselective reactions under gentle conditions, very few lanthanoenzymes have been investigated. In this work, the mononuclear binding of europium(III) and gadolinium(III) to the active site of a mutant of the model enzyme phosphotriesterase are described using X-ray crystallography at 1.78 and 1.61 Å resolution, respectively. It is also shown that despite coordinating a single non-natural metal cation, the PTE-R18 mutant is still able to maintain esterase activity.
Critical success factors for cost overrun minimization in public construction projects in developing countries: the case of Ghana
Authors: Nuako Francis , Ghansah Frank Ato , Adusei Thomas
Published: March 2024

Purpose

It is widely accepted that one criterion for determining if a construction project is successful is whether it is completed within the expected budget. There have been advancements in the management of building projects throughout time but cost overruns remain a key concern in the construction sector internationally, particularly in emerging economies such as Ghana. This study aims to answer the question, “What are the critical success factors (CSFs) that can assist reduce cost overruns in public sector infrastructure projects in the Ghanaian construction industry?”

Design/methodology/approach

This study used a quantitative survey method. The questionnaire was pre-tested by interviewing 15 contractors to ascertain the validity of the content. Factor analysis and multiple regression were adopted to analyze the data.

Findings

This study discovered that the critical factors that can reduce cost overruns in construction projects in Ghana are directly linked to five themes: early contractor involvement in the project planning stage, adequate funding, good project team relations, competent managers/supervisors and project participant incentives/bonuses. This study identifies indestructible, empirically measurable important success criteria for reducing cost overruns in public building projects in Ghana.

Practical implications

When well thought through from the project initiation stage to completion, these critical successes can also be used to deal with damaging economic effects such as allocative inefficiency of scarce resources, further delays, contractual disputes, claims and litigation, project failure and total abandonment.

Originality/value

The uniqueness of this research resides in the fact that it is, to the best of the authors’ knowledge, a first-of-its-kind investigation of the CSFs for reducing cost overruns in public building projects in developing countries.
Bridging the gap: assessing the person-organization fit between BIM education and industry expectations in Australia
Authors: Abu Alieh Lama , Hosseini M. Reza , Martek Igor , Wu Wei , Arashpour Mehrdad
Published: March 2024

Purpose

A lack of suitably qualified Building Information Modelling (BIM) professionals is understood to be a major barrier towards higher uptakes of BIM in the Australian construction industry. In response, Australian universities have tried to integrate the teaching of BIM into construction-related curricula, but with limited success. The acknowledged impediment is the lingering mismatch between what universities offer and what industry actually needs. However, the exact nature of that mismatch has yet to be identified. This study addresses that knowledge gap. It assesses both the current status of BIM competencies among university graduates and explores how BIM education at Australian universities may be improved to deliver BIM work readiness, as required by the industry.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper employed a qualitative research approach, utilizing 17 semi-structured interviews with experts in the Australian BIM industry. The Person-Organization (PO) fit theory, which emphasizes the congruence between individual and organizational characteristics, was utilized as a theoretical framework to examine the compatibility between “demand” and “ability” perspectives. The resulting data were analysed using this theoretical framework to gain insights into the PO fit perspectives in relation to BIM industry practices.

Findings

Findings reveal that graduates are generally competent regarding the use of BIM software. However, employers require much more than software skills, and expect recruits to have the capability to implement BIM as a process according to information management standards. Specifically, graduates are significantly deficient in matters of BIM protocols, collaboration and coordination, information workflows as well as completion and handover procedures.

Originality/value

This study is the first of its kind that bridges the gap between industry expectations and university education, in the Australian context, moving beyond the common discourse in education literature, which is exclusively focused on assessing students’ perceptions about BIM.
The influence of network understanding on value creation in business relationships
Authors: Munksgaard Kristin B. , Abrahamsen Morten H. , Frandsen Kirsten
Published: March 2024

Purpose

This study aims to investigate how companies’ understanding of the business network influences the creation of value in business-to-business relationships. The authors do this by analysing dimensions in actors’ “network pictures” and illustrating how value perception and network understanding influence actors’ mutual effort to create value. Approaching relationship value from the point of actors’ cognitive understanding of their business network has so far been largely overlooked in relationship value research.

Design/methodology/approach

This study applies a qualitative case study methodology whereby dyadic data from a well-established business-to-business relationship is collected from 18 company representatives through personal interviews and group interviews supplemented by participant observations and company data.

Findings

The findings contribute with new insight into how companies’ understanding of their surrounding network influence (facilitates or limits) relationship value creation. The authors find that companies continuously reflect on changes in their networks and the related changes in partners’ value perceptions. Through value articulations, companies seek to explicitly express their value perception. Value reflections and value articulations create a dynamic process formed not only by the individual actor but also through their relationship and engagement in their network environment. This requires companies to develop their networking capabilities.

Research limitations/implications

This paper presents findings, insights and contributions limited to a case study of a particular business relationship within an industrial setting. Although the findings and contributions are valid and in line with the criteria for rigorous qualitative research, the authors advocate and call for additional studies that investigate relationships value creation and address the interplay between actors’ network understanding and their actions and behaviour. One way to approach this would be to test the four propositions derived and presented as part of the present study.

Practical implications

The findings imply that management needs to be aware not only of the value created and delivered to a specific partner but also of how the partner’s understanding of the wider network will influence the value delivering and capturing process.

Originality/value

This study contributes to the growing literature on relationship value creation by outlining a dynamic process where relationship partners reflect upon and articulate value. Such activities are influenced by the partners’ network understanding and form the basis of the mutual relationship value creation effort. The findings also contribute to the network pictures literature by emphasizing insights into the formation of value perceptions through actors’ understanding of their surrounding networks.
The role of employer branding and internal marketing in talent attraction and retention: an applied study in a Portuguese metallurgical industry
Authors: Rodrigues Catarina Gonçalves , Sousa Bruno Barbosa
Published: March 2024

Purpose

This research seeks to understand whether employer branding (EB) and internal marketing (IM) are fundamental to the challenge of attracting and retaining talent and how these strategies can help companies to overcome the difficulties related to the talent shortage, from the perspective of a SME Portuguese metallurgical industry.

Design/methodology/approach

The research resorts to a case study of a qualitative nature, through a semi-structured interview with the head of the human resources (HR) training and development area of the Navarra Group, and quantitative, through surveys to its employees. Based on the literature, a conceptual model was constructed, whose application allowed us to perceive the relationships between the practices of EB and IM; satisfaction, motivation and commitment; attraction and retention.

Findings

The exploratory interview concluded that organizations consider EB and IM essential for an effective talent management strategy. The quantitative results demonstrate that IM and EB practices implemented in the organization contribute to the satisfaction, motivation and involvement of employees, which results in a decrease in the intention to leave. It is also noted that these practices promote an increase in the perception of organizational attractiveness, which represents a positive impact on its ability to attract.

Research limitations/implications

From a theoretical perspective, the research contributes to the development of knowledge about IM, EB and talent management, providing relevant data that can help define the best strategies for attraction and retention, from the point of view of IM and EB.

Originality/value

The research presents preliminary insights that can be an auxiliary tool for HR managers and professionals in the context of industrial SMEs.
The mediating role of employee commitment in the relationship between compensation system and turnover intentions
Authors: Berber Nemanja , Gašić Dimitrije
Published: March 2024

Purpose

The main goal of this study is to determine the role of employee commitment in the relations between the compensation system and turnover intentions of employees in the Republic of Serbia, as well as to investigate whether there is a mediating effect of employee commitment in this relation.

Design/methodology/approach

The primary methodology implemented in the research was data gathering, obtaining theoretical research works on the proposed relations and empirical studies based on the PLS-SEM, analysed by IBM SPSS Statistics and SmartPLS data processing software. The data for the analysis was obtained from a total sample of 764 employees, collected in the Republic of Serbia via an online questionnaire.

Findings

The results indicated a positive statistically significant relationship between the formative construct (compensation system) and reflective construct (commitment), as well as a negative statistically significant relationship between the compensation system and reflective construct (turnover intentions). Employee commitment partially mediates the relationship between the compensation system and turnover intentions of employees.

Originality/value

The study was conducted in Serbia and is thus rooted in the specific national context which is characterized by high power distance and high uncertainty avoidance and more collectivistic society with feminine values more expressed. Most of the previous investigations related to the mentioned constructs were performed in companies from more developed countries, including Western Europe and the United States of America, whereas there has been no such research conducted in Serbia to date. The results portrayed a mismatch between the expected relations regarding the attitudes of employees to the rewards and the proposed national context. Modern companies in Serbia need to follow a modern reward mechanism to build stronger commitment and decrease turnover intentions. Moreover, in most earlier research works, compensation was examined in terms of satisfaction with rewards, while this study was based on questions related to perceptions of employees toward HR compensation practices (“The organization offers me”-type questions), not related to their satisfaction. Further, in the majority of previous research works, the compensation system was examined as a variable in combination with other HR processes (staffing, training and development, career development, employee relations, HR planning, communication, etc.), as a HPWP, while in this case the authors used only the practice of compensation (reward elements and employee performance evaluation) to investigate relations with commitment and turnover intentions.
Investigation of magneto-convection characteristics in a sudden expanding channel with convex surface geometry under thermally developing flow conditions
Authors: Gürsoy Emrehan , Pazarlioğlu Hayati Kadir , Gürdal Mehmet , Gedik Engin , Arslan Kamil , Dağdeviren Abdullah
Published: March 2024

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to analyse the magnetic field effect on Fe3O4/H2O Ferrofluid flowing in a sudden expansion tube, which has specific behaviour in terms of rheology, with convex dimple fins. Because the investigation of flow separation is a prominent application in performance, the effect of magnetic field and convex dimple on the thermo-hydraulic performance of sudden expansion tube are examined, in detail.

Design/methodology/approach

During the solution of the boundary conditions of the sudden expansion tube, finite volume method was used. Analyses have been conducted considering the single-phase solution, steady-state, incompressible fluid and no-slip condition of the wall under forced convection conditions. In the analyses, it has been assumed that the flow was developing thermally and has been fully developed hydrodynamically.

Findings

The present study focuses on exploring the influence of the magnetic field, nanofluid concentration and convex dimple fins on the thermo-hydraulic performance of sudden expansion tube. The results indicate that the strength of the magnetic field, nanofluid concentration and convex dimple fins have a positive effect on the convective heat transfer in the system.

Originality/value

The authors conducted numerical studies, determining through a literature search that no one had yet investigated enhancing heat transfer on a sudden expansion tube using combinations of magnetic fields, nanofluids and convex dimple fins. The results of the numerical analyses provide valuable information about the improvement of heat transfer and system performance in electronic device cooling and heat exchangers.
More or complex actions? Effects of supply networks on firms' competitive aggressiveness
Authors: Yang Yang S. , Sun Xiaojin , Li Mengge , Yan Tingting
Published: March 2024

Purpose

This study investigates the extent to which a firm’s centrality and autonomy in its supply network are associated with the intensity and complexity of its competitive actions.

Design/methodology/approach

Utilizing social network analysis and dynamic panel data models, this study analyzes a comprehensive panel dataset with 10,802 firm-year observations across various industries between 2011 and 2018 to test the hypotheses.

Findings

Our findings show that a firm’s level of centrality in its supply network has an inverted U-shaped relationship with both competitive intensity and competitive complexity. In addition, the turning points of these two inverted U-shaped relationships differ in that firms with a lower level of centrality tend to compete aggressively by launching more actions within fewer categories, while firms with a higher level of centrality tend to compete aggressively by launching fewer actions that cover a larger range of categories. Finally, we find that a firm’s structural autonomy has a positive relationship with competitive complexity.

Originality/value

This study bridges the gap between the supply chain management literature and strategic management literature and investigates how supply networks shape competitive aggressiveness. In particular, this research investigates how a firm’s structural position in its supply network affects its competitive actions, an important intermediate mechanism for competitive advantage that has been overlooked in the supply chain management literature.
“Hello, this is your AI co-pilot” – operational implications of artificial intelligence chatbots
Authors: Durach Christian F. , Gutierrez Leopoldo
Published: March 2024

Purpose

This editorial for the 6th World Conference on Production and Operations Management (P&OM) 2022 Special Issue delves into the transformative role of advanced artificial intelligence (AI)-driven chatbots in reshaping operations, supply chain management and logistics (OSCM). It aligns with the conference’s theme of exploring the intersection between P&OM and strategy during the Technological Revolution.

Design/methodology/approach

Utilizing a conceptual approach, this paper introduces the “ERI Framework,” a tool designed to evaluate the impact of AI-driven chatbots in three critical operational dimensions: efficiency (E), responsiveness (R) and intelligence (I). This framework is grounded in disruptive debottlenecking theory and real-world applications, offering a novel structure for analysis.

Findings

The conceptual analysis suggests immediate benefits of chatbots in enhancing decision-making and resource allocation, thereby alleviating operational bottlenecks. However, it sees challenges such as workforce adaptation and potential impacts on creativity and sustainability.

Practical implications

The paper suggests that while chatbots present opportunities for optimizing operational processes, organizations must thoughtfully address the emerging challenges to maintain productivity and foster innovation. Strategic implementation and employee training are highlighted as key factors for successful integration.

Originality/value

Bridging the gap between the burgeoning proliferation of chatbots and their practical implications in OSCM, this paper offers a first perspective on the role of AI chatbots in modern business environments. By providing insights into both the benefits and challenges of chatbot integration, it offers a preliminary view essential for academics and practitioners in the digital age.
Management’s tone change in MD&A and tax avoidance
Authors: Wang Yicheng , Wright Brian
Published: March 2024

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to explore how variations in management’s tone within management’s discussion and analysis (MD&A) sections of 10-K reports can serve as an indicator of tax avoidance and highlight the complex relationship between such linguistic shifts and the tax avoidance decisions within firms.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper uses a textual analysis approach to identify linguistic cues in MD&A sections of 10-K filings related to tax avoidance, going beyond traditional quantitative measures. The study uses differences in negative word occurrences in MD&A to measure management’s tone change and examines various measures of tax avoidance. The sample covers the period from 1993 to 2017 and comprises all firms with 10-K filings available on EDGAR, totaling over 30,000 firm-year observations.

Findings

The findings indicate a complementary relationship between tax avoidance and other drivers of firm performance. When firms have more negative management’s tone, they are less willing to engage in tax avoidance and vice versa. The study’s approach with management’s tone change provides a different and statistically significant improvement in model fit for detecting tax avoidance.

Practical implications

This paper provides actionable insights for detecting tax avoidance through the analysis of management’s tone in corporate disclosures, offering a new tool for researchers, investors and tax authorities. It highlights the importance of linguistic cues as indicators of tax avoidance behavior, complementing traditional financial metrics.

Originality/value

The paper contributes to the literature by using management’s tone change as a time-varying factor to explain tax avoidance behavior. It uncovers a larger set of linguistic cues in MD&A that can be used to detect tax avoidance. This research provides a complementary approach to traditional quantitative tax avoidance measures and offers insights into the overall relationship between tax avoidance and firm performance, going beyond one-dimensional measures typically used in prior literature.
Serious games for mental health promotion in adolescents with chronic diseases: a scoping review
Authors: Wu Yi , Long Tianxue , Huang Jing , Zhang Yiyun , Zhang Qi , Zhang Jiaxin , Li Mingzi
Published: March 2024

Purpose

This study aims to synthesize the existing serious games designed to promote mental health in adolescents with chronic illnesses.

Design/methodology/approach

This study conducted a review following the guidelines of Joanna Briggs Institute and Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic reviews and Meta-Analyses extension for Scoping Reviews. Searches were conducted in databases PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, Cochrane Library, cumulative index to nursing and allied health literature, PsycINFO, China national knowledge infrastructure Wanfang, VIP Database for Chinese Technical Periodicals and SinoMed from inception to February 12, 2023.

Findings

A total of 14 studies (describing 14 serious games) for improving the mental health of adolescents with chronic diseases were included. Of all the included games, 12 were not described as adopting any theoretical framework or model. The main diseases applicable to serious games are cancer, type 1 diabetes and autism spectrum disorder. For interventional studies, more than half of the study types were feasibility or pilot trials. Furthermore, the dosage of serious games also differs in each experiment. For the game elements, most game elements were in the category “reward and punishment features” (n = 50) and last was “social features” (n = 4).

Originality/value

Adolescence is a critical period in a person’s physical and mental development throughout life. Diagnosed with chronic diseases during this period will cause great trauma to the adolescents and their families. Serious game interventions have been developed and applied to promote the psychological health field of healthy adolescents. To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this study is the first to scope review the serious game of promoting mental health in the population of adolescents with chronically ill. At the same time, the current study also extracted and qualitatively analyzed the elements of the serious game.
Brazilian Jiu Jitsu and wellbeing: an inductive thematic analysis exploring how BJJ can increase subjective wellbeing
Authors: Morris Ben , Bone Andrew
Published: March 2024

Purpose

This study aims to assess the sociopsychological impact that Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu’s (BJJ) can have on the subjective wellbeing of practitioners.

Design/methodology/approach

Data was collected through face-to-face semi-structured interviews (N = 8) and were analysed using thematic analysis by taking an inductive approach.

Findings

Improvements in the wellbeing of practitioners can be made via focusing on specific known constructs which have previously shown to increase subjective wellbeing. They included the development of mental toughness, progression towards meaningful goals and/or healthy habits and behaviours and the forming and maintaining of positive social relationships.

Research limitations/implications

The present work demonstrates the psychological benefits of BJJ practice on several psychological wellbeing targets, albeit in a modest sample size.

Practical implications

The heightened emphasis on mental wellbeing in the general population has added increasing pressure on mental health services (Steptoe et al., 2015; Diener et al., 2018; Johnson et al., 2018; Wicking & Dean 2020). Therefore, it is of theoretical and practical advantage to explore novel ways to help individuals with both their mental health and wellbeing.

Originality/value

The present study seeks to add to an emerging field of research which proposes that intentional activities such as BJJ can be integrated alongside traditional approaches to therapy in their promise to help those recovering from mental health issues.
Augmented reality in marketing: a close look at the current landscape and future possibilities
Authors: Javeed Syed , Rasool Gowhar , Pathania Anjali
Published: March 2024

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to consolidate the fragmented research on augmented reality (AR) as a marketing tool and provide a comprehensive understanding of its possible marketing applications.

Design/methodology/approach

The study conducted a systematic review and bibliometric analysis of 103 papers on AR-marketing to identify the most prevalent topics and conceptual frameworks. Performance analysis and science mapping were utilized to examine the key marketing domains influenced by AR.

Findings

The analysis revealed that AR has had the biggest impact on marketing domains such as consumer acceptability, customer interactivity, retail, and destination marketing.

Practical implications

The results of this study provide organizations with insights into the current state of AR-marketing, enabling them to successfully use AR to improve their marketing strategies. Furthermore, the study highlights potential areas for further research and development in AR for marketing.

Originality/value

This research offers a valuable, comprehensive overview of AR’s role in marketing by systematically reviewing and analyzing the existing literature. The findings open doors for organizations and researchers to explore AR’s potential applications in marketing strategies and future research opportunities.
Tree and mycorrhizal fungal diversity drive intraspecific and intraindividual trait variation in temperate forests: Evidence from a tree diversity experiment
Authors: Castro Sánchez‐Bermejo Pablo , Monjau Tilo , Goldmann Kezia , Ferlian Olga , Eisenhauer Nico , Bruelheide Helge , Ma Zeqing , Haider Sylvia
Published: March 2024

The study of tree species coexistence is crucial to understand the assembly of forest communities. In this context, trees adjust their traits in response to the interactions with other trees and, specifically, as a result of the competition for resources. Further, mycorrhizal fungal diversity and associations are important drivers of ecosystem functioning in forests, but their role as drivers of intraspecific trait variation has been disregarded. Here, we studied intraspecific trait variation of trees in response to tree and mycorrhizal fungal diversity.

We sampled 3200 leaves from 640 trees belonging to 10 native, deciduous species in a tree diversity experiment in Central Germany. This experiment relies on the combination of gradients of tree richness and mycorrhizal associations. To handle large amounts of leaf samples, we acquired leaf‐level spectral data and used deep learning to predict values for five leaf traits from the leaf economics spectrum (LES): specific leaf area, leaf dry matter content, carbon to nitrogen ratio, carbon content and phosphorus content. For every tree, we calculated the mean value for every trait and two multi‐trait functional indices (functional richness and functional dispersion) based on values for individual leaves. Finally, we used sequencing‐based data to assess the richness of mycorrhizal fungi associated with the trees.

We found that tree and mycorrhizal fungi richness had an effect on different leaf functional traits. Specifically, tree richness positively affected specific leaf area and, additionally, had a negative effect on the functional indicies, which revealed that the phenotypic diversity within the tree crown decreased with tree species richness. In addition, leaf carbon to nitrogen ratio decreased with increasing arbuscular mycorrhizal fungal richness in both arbuscular and ectomycorrhizal tree species. Finally, we did not find differences between arbuscular and ectomycorrhizal trees regarding their location within the LES.

Our results suggest that trees modify their strategy in response to local tree diversity, not only by shifting trait values but also by shifting the variability intraindividually. In addition, higher mycorrhizal fungal diversity does not seem to lead to higher complementarity, but instead, tree and mycorrhizal fungi affect different aspects of leaf traits.

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Investigating the inoculum dynamics of Cladosporium on the surface of raspberry fruits and in the air
Authors: Farwell Lauren Helen , Papp‐Rupar Matevz , Deakin Greg , Magan Naresh , Xu Xiangming
Published: March 2024

Raspberry production is under threat from the emerging fungal pathogenic genus Cladosporium. We used amplicon‐sequencing, coupled with qPCR, to investigate how fruit age, fruit location within a polytunnel, polytunnel location and sampling date affected the fruit epiphytic microbiome. Fruit age was the most important factor impacting the fungal microbiome, followed by sampling date and polytunnel location. In contrast, polytunnel location and fruit age were important factors impacting the bacterial microbiome composition, followed by the sampling date. The within‐tunnel location had a small significant effect on the fungal microbiome and no effect on the bacterial microbiome. As fruit ripened, fungal diversity increased and the bacterial diversity decreased. Cladosporium was the most abundant fungus of the fruit epiphytic microbiome, accounting for nearly 44% of all fungal sequences. Rotorod air samplers were used to study how the concentration of airborne Cladosporium inoculum (quantified by qPCR) varied between location (inside and outside the polytunnel) and time (daytime vs. nighttime). Quantified Cladosporium DNA was significantly higher during the day than the night and inside the polytunnel than the outside. This study demonstrated the dynamic nature of epiphytic raspberry fruit microbiomes and airborne Cladosporium inoculum within polytunnels, which will impact disease risks on raspberry fruit.
Relationship between Natural Fracture and Structural Style and its Implication for Tight Gas Enrichment: A Case Study of Deep Ahe Formation in the Dibei–Tuzi Area, Kuqa Depression
Authors: XIA Lu , XI Kelai , YANG Xianzhang , HAN Zhanghua , XU Zhenping , ZHOU Lu , YU Guoding , WANG Daoshen , WANG Weiyu
Published: March 2024

The deep Lower Jurassic Ahe Formation (J1a) in the Dibei–Tuzi area of the Kuqa Depression has not been extensively explored because of the complex distribution of fractures. A study was conducted to investigate the relationship between the natural fracture distribution and structural style. The J1a fractures in this area were mainly high‐angle shear fractures. A backward thrust structure (BTS) is favorable for gas migration and accumulation, probably because natural fractures are more developed in the middle and upper parts of a thick competent layer. The opposing thrust structure (OTS) was strongly compressed, and the natural fractures in the middle and lower parts of the thick competent layer around the fault were more intense. The vertical fracture distribution in the thick competent layers of an imbricate‐thrust structure (ITS) differs from that of BTS and OTS. The intensity of the fractures in the ITS anticline is similar to that in the BTS. Fracture density in monoclinic strata in a ITS is controlled by faulting. Overall, the structural style controls the configuration of faults and anticlines, and the stress on the competent layers, which significantly affects deep gas reservoir fractures. The enrichment of deep tight sandstone gas is likely controlled by two closely spaced faults and a fault‐related anticline.