bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Successes And Failures Of Bio-Fuels Promotion In The Czech Republic
Authors: Bruhová-Foltýnová Hana , Máca Vojtěch
Published: November 2023

Bio-fuels are increasingly gaining attention, both positive and negative, in various respects. In the European Union (EU) context, three main benefits of biofuel promotion are usually mentioned: contribution to CO2 emission reduction, increased security of supply, and promotion of the European agricultural sector (non-food production). Moreover, it is often emphasized that bio-fuels are one of the few options available for substituting fossil-originating transport fuels. On the other hand, there is a growing concern about impacts of bio-fuel production on availability of food mainly in less developed countries, threats to indigenous natural ecosystems and overall environmental performance in terms of carbon dioxide emissions avoided.
Energy tax: how far is it from idea to practice? Lessons learned from the experience in china
Authors: Qin Tianbao
Published: November 2023

Energy is the material basis of the development of human society and a major theme of sustainable development. Furthermore, energy is limited, while demand on energy is unlimited. Today, the increasing demand for energy has led to the progressive emergence of an international energy crisis. How to solve the energy crisis has become a common concern among all nations of the world. One viable option that has been considered as part of this solution is the levying of an energy tax to effectively limit the overuse of limited energy resources.

The introduction of an energy tax has been discussed for many years in China. The benefi ts of an energy tax (and a fuel tax, in particular) include: increasing energy effi ciency, facilitating clean energy resources, protecting the environment, and promoting the development of a new type of alternative energy automobile industry. As early as 1994, China had considered implementing such an energy tax in the form of a ‘fuel tax’ in place of the existing toll charge. At that time, relevant departments brought a formal motion to levy the fuel tax. In 1997, the National People’s Congress (NPC) enacted the Highway Law, which proposed to impose a ‘fuel surcharge’ in place of a ‘toll charge’. On 31 October 1999, the NPC passed the fi rst amendment of the Highway Law, which revised the ‘fuel surcharge’ to the ‘fuel tax’, and the NPC authorized the State Council to promulgate the implementing rules of the fuel tax. This means that the fuel tax has been recognized formally as a legal term rather than as an academic concept.
Marlborough, Wiltshire—Roots
Authors: Loadman John , James Francis
Published: November 2023

The pre-history of the Hancock dynasty of artists, craftsmen, and scientists in London in the nineteenth century began in the wake of a local disaster in a small market town in Wiltshire—the Great Fire of Marlborough of 28 April 1653. It was probably this disaster that brought the family to that town to take part in its rebuilding.
The Eros Strand in Wisdom
Authors: Kingsmill Slg Edmée
Published: November 2023

The ascription following the title to Solomonic authorship: ’ăšer lišlōmō = ‘which belongs to Solomon’, or ‘eby/to/for Solomon’, is now generally, and probably correctly, taken to be an editorial addition on the basis of its use of the relative particle ’ăšer in contrast to the rest of the book in which only the proclitic form, še, is found. But, unlike two other evident additions of the form lišlōmō to the headings of Psalms 72 and 127, which are lacking in a number of manuscripts and old translations, there is no external evidence that the superscription to the Song was ever lacking, which suggests that the addition was made at an early stage of the Song’fs transmission.
Mega-Cities, Urbanization, And Public Transport: A Perspective On Developing Countries
Authors: Majocchi Alberto
Published: November 2023

To a great extent, economic growth in recent years has been supported by a process of urbanization. People move from rural to urban areas in pursuit of higher wages and new employment opportunities, hoping to improve their financial situation. But this does not always mean an improvement in their living conditions since in large cities the cost of living is higher, many newcomers have to live in peripheral slums, the poor and congested road networks make it difficult to reach the city centres where most of the jobs are located, and the level of pollution is high, endangering the health of old people and infants in particular.
Environmentally Related Taxes In The Context Of High Energy Prices: Challenges And Prospects For The Developing And Emerging Ecoonomies of Asia
Authors: Ashiabor Hope
Published: November 2023

Environmentally related taxes (ERTs) are one of the suite of instruments designed to correct environmental externalities generated by market failures.2 Their environmental impact stems primarily from the effect they have on relative consumer and producer prices of environmentally related goods and services, in conjunction with the relevant price elasticities.
Traffic and congestion management in italian urban areas: is pricing manoeuvring?
Authors: Panella Giorgio , Zatti Andrea
Published: November 2023

The transport sector represents one of the main driving forces at the origin of notable pressures on local and global environment. Road transport, in particular, accounts for more than 90 per cent of total external costs imposed by transport on society and shows, with respect to other sectoral dynamics, a continuously growing trend, which is hardly consistent with sustainable development patterns. If recent trends are not modified in the medium–long run, this could be the cause, above all, of great problems associated with binding targets on greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions on the one hand, and with more local diseconomies like congestion, accidents, air pollution, noise, land-take, fragmentation, and visual intrusion on the other.
Rising To The Occasion: How Transportation Green Taxes Could Yield Double Dividends For Montreal And The Province Of Quebec
Authors: Lefebvre Jean-François , Tanguay Georges A , Junca-Adenot Florence
Published: November 2023

Although transport pricing strategies were proposed almost a century ago, successful implementation of urban road pricing is relatively recent, with the exception of Singapore in 1975. Such strategies are now in place in several Norwegian cities, London, Milan, and Stockholm. The New York scheme, which was aborted because of the refusal of the New York State Legislative Assembly (Democrat majority) to make legislative amendments to allow it, in spite of complete support from the New York mayor (Republican) and some 150 organizations, demonstrated that the idea had crossed from Europe to North America.
Transport Choice, Elasticity, And Distributional Effects Of Fuel Taxes In Kenya
Authors: Mutua John M , Börjesson Martin , Sterner Thomas
Published: November 2023

Energy is a key to economic growth and development as well as improvement of quality of life, and the world energy demand increases tremendously. The major source of energy is currently fossil fuels, which account for about 81 per cent of the world’s total primary energy supply, but also hydroelectricity, nuclear, and biomass are significant sources. Oil use accounted for 43.1 per cent of fuel shares of total final consumption.4 Most of the oil was used in the transport sector. In order to limit the environmental damage of the transport sector, as well as generate income to state budgets, fuel taxation is a widely used measure. Which level of fuel taxation is appropriate is, however, a debatable issue and the taxes vary dramatically across countries. The gasoline tax in Great Britain of £0.50/ litre in 2000 (about US$2.80/US gallon) is the highest amongst industrial countries while the tax level in the United States of about US$0.40/gallon is the lowest.
Sustainable Housing In Australia: Fiscal Incentives And Regulatory Regimes—Current Developments And Policies For The Future
Authors: Blazey Patricia , Gillies Peter
Published: November 2023

Sustainable housing policies are potentially significant in minimizing carbon emissions and other environmental costs. Their fundamental objectives are to reduce energy and water consumption. The technologies for reducing the environmental footprint of domestic housing are well established and are being progressively refined. Established technologies include insulation, on-site power generation through solar and other devices, energy efficiency (such as through low-energy lighting and appliances), minimizing water usage (such as through on-site water storage and the use of dual grey-water systems), the use of renewable and recycled building materials and materials with reduced embedded energy, and waste-water systems.
Australia’S Proposed Emissions Trading Scheme: Aligning Tax Policy With The Goals Of The Cprs
Authors: Black Celeste M
Published: November 2023

The main feature of the Australian government’s response to the challenge of climate change is the proposed establishment of a national emissions trading scheme, to be operational by 2010. The Carbon Pollution Reduction Scheme (‘CPRS’), as described in the recently released discussion paper (the Green Paper), is an emissions-permit scheme based on the cap-and-trade model with additional measures to assist households and businesses to transition to a lowcarbon economy. This paper provides an overview and analysis of the taxation law implications of the CPRS as currently proposed. Given the relatively recent release of the discussion paper, the comments provided here are of a preliminary, though considered, nature and, as government policy is refined and further details of the scheme are released, additional taxation issues may later arise which are not currently apparent.
Symmetry-adapted functions for the point groups
Authors: Bradley C J , Cracknell A P
Published: November 2023

The aim of this chapter is to derive the linear combinations of spherical harmonics that belong to the various rows of the matrix representations of the crystallographic point groups, and to give tables of these functions. Such functions as these have been given the name, by Melvin (1956), of symmetry-adaptedfunctions because they have the correct properties required by the representations under transformation by the group elements. Work on the determination of symmetry-adapted functions has been done by Altmann (1956, I 957), Bell (1954), Bethe (1929), Betts (1959), Callen and Callen (1963), Cohan (1958), Cornwell (1969), Flodmark (1963), Flower, March, and Murray (1960), McIntosh (1960a, 1963), Melvin (1956), Meyer (1954), Nesbet (1961), Schiff (1955, 1956), and von der Lage and Bethe (1947). This chapter follows quite closely the treatment given by Altmann (1957), Altmann and Bradley (1963a, b, 1965), and Altmann and Cracknell (1965). Given a particular matrix representation of a group the problem is to find all possible bases that are symmetry-adapted to that representation. Then any function that can be expanded in terms of spherical harmonics and is to have the transformation properties of a given row of that representation, will include only those linear combinations of spherical harmonics that are symmetry-adapted to have the same transformation properties. We use the term surface harmonic for such a linear combination of spherical harmonics that is symmetry-adapted to one row of a point-group representation.
The representations of a group in terms of the representations of an invariant subgroup
Authors: Bradley C J , Cracknell A P
Published: November 2023

In the last two sections of Chapter 3 we gave only a partially complete account of the representation theory of space groups. A number of arguments were presented only in outline, while some statements were left unproved. There were several reasons for presenting the work in this way. First, it was felt that for some readers the account given in Chapter 3 would be sufficient. Indeed, the details of an entirely rigorous account may often distract a reader from a central theme and thereby lose for him in obscurity as much as it gains for him in accuracy. Secondly, the completely rigorous scheme will be found to be valid in a wider group-theoretical context and is of use not only for the classical space groups but in other applications also. It seemed sensible, therefore, to present the complete group theory in a general notation that is not restricted to space groups and is set apart from those particular considerations involved in the last chapter.
Demands for Justice and Demands on Justice: Can Human Rights Practice Survive?
Authors: Polizzi Marc S
Published: November 2023

How has the work of human rights organizations affected global politics? Do these practices achieve justice for those affected by human rights violations? Demands of Justice by Ann Marie Clark explores these questions using novel data from two prominent international nongovernmental organizations: Amnesty International and Oxfam. Her work expounds three effects of these organizations' work in infusing justice into the international system. First, this practice has expanded care and concern from a local level issue into a global neighborhood. Second, increasingly, human rights organizations appeal to growing international law and legal norms in their appeals, which aims to remedy injustice within the confines of practical limitations. Finally, those suffering from human rights violations place demands on nongovernmental organizations, which has changed the conceptualization of human rights beyond civil and political rights and toward broader questions of social justice. My review explores the impact of Clark's work on the field of human rights and recent concerns that human rights are under attack.
America before 1787: A Review Article
Authors: Novak Stéphanie
Published: November 2023

America before 1787: The Unraveling of a Colonial Regime, is the second volume in Jon Elster's trilogy analyzing the processes leading up to the American (1787) and French constitutions (1791). This article explores the toolbox the book provides for social scientists. Based on a study of the American case, the book examines the mental tendencies, mechanisms, and strategies useful for investigating other cases, such as interstate relations within federations or collective mobilization. Among the book's many themes, this article focuses on the tension between freedom of choice, fear, and constraint and the mechanisms by which such tension can be analyzed. Generally speaking, the book reflects a desire to unite history and psychology and is characterized by an original epistemology in the field of contemporary social sciences that cautions social scientists against the temptation to see intentions and strategies where there are none and to formulate predictions despite the indeterminate nature of social behavior. Additionally, in line with Elster's earlier work, the book emphasizes the role of emotions in beliefs and choices and offers tools for examining emotions.
A normative model of brain responses to social scenarios reflects the maturity of children and adolescents’ social–emotional abilities
Authors: Xie Shuqi , Liu Jingjing , Hu Yang , Liu Wenjing , Ma Changminghao , Jin Shuyu , Zhang Lei , Kang Yinzhi , Ding Yue , Zhang Xiaochen , Hu Zhishan , Cheng Wenhong , Yang Zhi
Published: November 2023

The rapid brain maturation in childhood and adolescence accompanies the development of socio-emotional functioning. However, it is unclear how the maturation of the neural activity drives the development of socio-emotional functioning and individual differences. This study aimed to reflect the age dependence of inter-individual differences in brain responses to socio-emotional scenarios and to develop naturalistic imaging indicators to assess the maturity of socio-emotional ability at the individual level. Using three independent naturalistic imaging datasets containing healthy participants (n = 111, 21 and 122), we found and validated that age-modulated inter-individual concordance of brain responses to socio-emotional movies in specific brain regions. The similarity of an individual’s brain response to the average response of older participants was defined as response typicality, which predicted an individual’s emotion regulation strategies in adolescence and theory of mind (ToM) in childhood. Its predictive power was not superseded by age, sex, cognitive performance or executive function. We further showed that the movie’s valence and arousal ratings grounded the response typicality. The findings highlight that forming typical brain response patterns may be a neural phenotype underlying the maturation of socio-emotional ability. The proposed response typicality represents a neuroimaging approach to measure individuals’ maturity of cognitive reappraisal and ToM.
Probing neurodynamics of experienced emotions—a Hitchhiker’s guide to film fMRI
Authors: Morgenroth Elenor , Vilaclara Laura , Muszynski Michal , Gaviria Julian , Vuilleumier Patrik , Van De Ville Dimitri
Published: November 2023

Film functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) has gained tremendous popularity in many areas of neuroscience. However, affective neuroscience remains somewhat behind in embracing this approach, even though films lend themselves to study how brain function gives rise to complex, dynamic and multivariate emotions. Here, we discuss the unique capabilities of film fMRI for emotion research, while providing a general guide of conducting such research. We first give a brief overview of emotion theories as these inform important design choices. Next, we discuss films as experimental paradigms for emotion elicitation and address the process of annotating them. We then situate film fMRI in the context of other fMRI approaches, and present an overview of results from extant studies so far with regard to advantages of film fMRI. We also give an overview of state-of-the-art analysis techniques including methods that probe neurodynamics. Finally, we convey limitations of using film fMRI to study emotion. In sum, this review offers a practitioners’ guide to the emerging field of film fMRI and underscores how it can advance affective neuroscience.
Selective Inhibition of mTORC1 Signaling Supports the Development and Maintenance of Pluripotency
Authors: Kim Jin Koo , Villa-Diaz Luis G , Saunders Thomas L , Saul Ruiz P , Timilsina Suraj , Liu Fei , Mishina Yuji , Krebsbach Paul H
Published: November 2023

Insight into the molecular mechanisms governing the development and maintenance of pluripotency is important for understanding early development and the use of stem cells in regenerative medicine. We demonstrate the selective inhibition of mTORC1 signaling is important for developing the inner cell mass (ICM) and the self-renewal of human embryonic stem cells. S6K suppressed the expression and function of pluripotency-related transcription factors (PTFs) OCT4, SOX2, and KLF4 through phosphorylation and ubiquitin proteasome-mediated protein degradation, indicating that S6K inhibition is required for pluripotency. PTFs inhibited mTOR signaling. The phosphorylation of S6 was decreased in PTF-positive cells of the ICM in embryos. Activation of mTORC1 signaling blocked ICM formation and the selective inhibition of S6K by rapamycin increased the ICM size in mouse blastocysts. Thus, selective inhibition of mTORC1 signaling supports the development and maintenance of pluripotency.
Distinct molecular mechanisms contribute to the reduction of melanoma growth and tumor pain after systemic and local depletion of alpha‐Synuclein in mice
Authors: Niederberger Ellen , Möller Moritz , Mungo Eleonora , Hass Michelle , Wilken‐Schmitz Annett , Manderscheid Christine , Möser Christine V. , Geisslinger Gerd
Published: November 2023

Epidemiological studies show a coincidence between Parkinson's disease (PD) and malignant melanoma. It has been suggested that this relationship is due, at least in part, to modulation of alpha‐Synuclein (αSyn/Snca). αSyn oligomers accumulate in PD, which triggers typical PD symptoms, and in malignant melanoma, which increases the proliferation of tumor cells. In addition, αSyn contributes to non‐motor symptoms of PD, including pain. In this study, we investigated the role of αSyn in melanoma growth and melanoma‐induced pain in a mouse model using systemic and local depletion of αSyn. B16BL6 wild‐type as well as αSyn knock‐down melanoma cells were inoculated into the paws of αSyn knock‐out mice and wild‐type mice, respectively. Tumor growth and tumor‐induced pain hypersensitivity were assessed over a period of 21 days. Molecular mechanisms were analyzed by RT‐PCR and Western Blot in tumors, spinal cord, and sciatic nerve. Our results indicate that both global and local ablation of Snca contribute to reduced tumor growth and to a reduction of tumor‐induced mechanical allodynia, though mechanisms contributing to these effects differ. While injection of wild‐type cells in Snca knock‐out mice strongly increased the immune response in the tumor, local Snca knock‐down decreased autophagy mechanisms and the inflammatory reaction in the tumor. In conclusion, a knockdown of αSyn might constitute a promising approach to inhibiting the progression of melanoma and reducing tumor‐induced pain.
Length of Stay Does Not Predict Change in Epilepsy Monitoring Unit Comfort Questionnaire Scores
Authors: Solis Jacqueline , Marshall Jade , Nairon Emerson , Joseph Sonia , Adegbola Maxine , Olson DaiWai M.
Published: November 2023

BACKGROUND:The epilepsy monitoring unit (EMU) is a clinical setting designed to help diagnose and analyze the nature behind a patient's seizures in a hospitalized unit. Patients admitted to an EMU may experience sleep deprivation, withdrawal of antiepileptic medications, and the use of a continuous electroencephalogram. The purpose of this study was to explore change in patient comfort during an EMU admission.METHODS: The Epilepsy Monitoring Unit Comfort Questionnaire (EMUCQ) was used to evaluate the initial stress level of EMU patients on their date of admission versus their fourth day on the unit.RESULTS:The average EMUCQ score from the admission date was 196.6 (26.28), whereas the mean EMUCQ score on the fourth day was 197.8 (24.79). ThePvalue of .802 andtvalue of 0.25 indicated that the scores were not statistically significantly different.CONCLUSION:Although some scores indicated there was a large change between baseline and follow-up, these scores could not be readily attributed to the patient's length of stay in the unit. Future studies should examine the role of specific variables hypothesized to impact comfort in the EMU.
Immunizing hearts: exploring the vaccination frontier in heart failure management
Authors: Shivamadhu Shivani , Jalal Aysha M. , Sandhu Arshbeer S. , Persad Narendra , Satram Christena , Nalajala Navya , Osorio Tapia Lina M. , Vera Emiliano , Sunkara Sree M. , Salazar Esteban F. , Khan Anila , Ehsan Muhammad , Swed Sarya
Published: November 2023

Heart failure (HF) is a widespread clinical condition that affects numerous individuals globally and is a leading cause of hospitalization, particularly in the elderly population. Despite efforts to manage HF using various pharmacological and nonpharmacological interventions, mortality and hospitalization rates remain alarmingly high. Preventive vaccination has emerged as a key measure endorsed by cardiology societies for reducing the morbidity and mortality associated with HF. This study undertakes an extensive review of existing literature to explore the role of vaccination in managing HF, focusing specifically on the immunological pathways involved and potential benefits offered by immunization in this context. This article highlights the role of various vaccines, including influenza, pneumococcal, and COVID-19 vaccines, in reducing HF-related hospitalization, mortality, and overall disease burden. Additionally, this article will delve into specific vaccines that have shown promise in HF management, such as influenza, pneumococcal, and COVID-19 vaccines, along with the rationale for their use, clinical trials, meta-analyses, and real-world data supporting their effectiveness in patients with HF. This article also considers potential challenges and obstacles to widespread vaccination in individuals with HF, which include vaccine hesitancy, accessibility, and adverse events related to vaccines.
The Association Between Dehydration and the Prognosis of Sudden Sensorineural Hearing Loss
Authors: Abe Yasunori , Okada Masahiro , Tanaka Keiko , Toyama Kensuke , Miyamoto Yoshito , Hato Naohito
Published: November 2023

Background:

There is an urgent need to identify undetermined risk factors for sudden sensorineural hearing loss (SSNHL) for the development of effective treatment strategies. SSNHL is likely associated with vascular insufficiency; however, no study has evaluated the relationship between dehydration and SSNHL.

Objective:

This study aimed to investigate the role of dehydration in the development and prognosis of sudden sensorineural hearing loss.

Study Design:

Retrospective case-control study.

Setting:

Secondary referral hospital.

Patients and Interventions:

This was a comparative study that compared dehydration parameters between healthy subjects without SSNHL (n = 94) and patients with SSNHL (n = 94). The study also evaluated the effect of dehydrated conditions on the prognosis of SSNHL.

Main Outcome Measures:

We compared dehydration parameters, such as the blood urea nitrogen-to-creatinine ratio (BUN/Cre) and plasma osmolality (Posm), between matched healthy subjects without SSNHL and patients with SSNHL. To evaluate the effect of dehydrated conditions on the SSNHL prognosis, the SSNHL patients were divided into 2 groups based on the cutoff value obtained from the receiver operating characteristic analysis: hydrated (n = 50; BUN/Cre <21.4) and dehydrated (n = 44; BUN/Cre ≥21.4) groups. Subsequently, the severity and prognosis of SSNHL were analyzed.

Results:

The dehydration parameters, BUN/Cre and Posm, were significantly higher in patients with SSNHL than in healthy subjects. The initial hearing levels and SSNHL grades were worse in the dehydrated group than in the hydrated group. Moreover, a dehydrated condition (BUN/Cre ≥21.4) was associated with a poor SSNHL prognosis in all models of the multiple logistic regression analysis.

Conclusions:

The dehydration parameters of BUN/Cre and Posm were higher in patients with SSNHL than in healthy subjects. Additionally, a dehydrated condition (BUN/Cre ≥21.4) was an independent prognostic factor for SSNHL. Level of evidence: Level 4.
Use of a Digital Conversational Agent for the Management of Overactive Bladder
Authors: Sheyn David , Chakraborty Natalie , Chen Yufan Brandon , Mahajan Sangeeta T. , Hijaz Adonis
Published: November 2023

Importance

Conservative therapy is effective for the treatment of overactive bladder (OAB) but may be limited by accessibility to care.

Objective

The objective of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of a digital conversational agent (CeCe) for the treatment of OAB.

Study Design

This was a prospective observational trial utilizing a digital conversational agent developed by Renalis University Hospitals (Cleveland, Ohio) for the treatment of OAB. Patients were given access to CeCe over an 8-week period and were instructed on how to perform bladder training and pelvic floor exercises and taught about bladder health. The primary outcome was a decrease in the International Consultation on Incontinence—Overactive Bladder Quality-of-Life Questionnaire (ICIQ-OAB-QoL) score from week 1 to week 8. Patients also completed the 36-item Short-Form Health Survey and Generalized Anxiety Disorder Questionnaire at the same intervals and voiding diaries at weeks 1, 4, and 8. A power analysis was performed and determined that a total of 30 patients would be needed to demonstrate a significant difference in symptom scores after use of CeCe with 80% power and an α error of 5%.

Results

Twenty-nine patients completed all data collection. The ICIQ-OAB-QoL scores were significantly different between weeks 1 and 8 (62 [IQR], 49–75) vs 32 [IQR, 24–43]; P < 0.001). Patients also reported a decrease in frequency pretreatment and posttreatment (7 [IQR, 6–10] vs 5 [IQR, 4–7]; P = −0.04), nocturia (2 [IQR, 1–3] vs 1 [IQR, 1–2]; P = 0.03), and urge urinary incontinence (2 [IQR, 1–5] vs 0 [IQR, 0–3]; P = 0.04). Consumption of alcohol decreased from week 1 to week 8 (24 oz [IQR, 12–36 oz) to 14 oz (IQR, 9–22 oz]; P = 0.02).

Conclusion

The use of a digital conversational agent effectively reduced the severity of symptoms and improved quality of life in patients with OAB.
Percolation Theory Used to Design Biomolecular Condensates
Authors: Fan Weiwei
Published: November 2023

Biomolecular condensates formed by liquid-liquid phase separation (LLPS) are crucial for various life activities. Critical phenomena are observed during LLPS in cells andin vitro, but few studies provide quantitative theoretical explanations for them. In this study, we set up a Bethe network model to simulate percolation, which explains LLPS quantitatively and semi-quantitatively. We designed a condensate system to determine the peptide’s affinity to its target protein. Finally, we found that the artificial condensate can modify the catalytic reaction’s efficiency. Thus, we provide a new perspective on understanding biomolecular condensate assembly and lay the foundation for artificially designing biomolecular condensates.
Mapping business process outsourcing and innovation towards a future research
Authors: Hailu Tesfaye , Chebo Abdella Kosa
Published: November 2023

Purpose

To examine the development of research into the relationship between business process outsourcing (BPO) and innovation, a bibliometric methodology utilizing quantitative analytical methodologies was used. With the aid of a visualization analysis of scientific publications, this study also assessed the state of BPO and innovation practices.

Design/methodology/approach

Using the Web of Science database, articles on BPO and innovation that published between 1992 and 2022 were retrieved. Records that had been extracted were examined in terms of publication year, nation, journal, subject area, authors and affiliations with organizations. The research on acupuncture for pain relief was visualized using the VOSviewer application.

Findings

An analysis of 219 original and review papers found that during the past 30 years, the overall number of publications has fluctuated constantly. The London University, the Copenhagen Business School and the London School of Economics were the institutions that produced the most articles in this topic. The three main categories of research that emerged from a network analysis based on the co-occurrence of keywords are innovation, outsourcing and performance.

Practical implications

A BP-innovation model must be created, and BPO must go beyond operational duties to incorporate management-wide shared strategic decisions in order to ensure improved performance of the firms. BPO enables a company's management to share knowledge and expertise about the strategic difficulties of outsourcing. A variety of technological and non-technological resources must also be considered when integrating an information technology (IT) infrastructure into BPO decisions in order to achieve greater performance.

Originality/value

Validity of the paper can be justified by it contribution to the existing knowledge. First, linking BPO and innovation – by integrating the arguments of various academics, the study unifies the disparate components and contentious discussions in the relationship between BPO and innovation. Second, this study highlights a research trend, significant studies, relevant terms and concepts in the real world. Third, the study provides future researchers with a tip for statistically analyzing BPO, particularly in light of innovation.
Reading with love: the potential of critical posthuman reading practices in preservice English education
Authors: Spector Karen , Murray Elizabeth Anne
Published: November 2023

Purpose

Preservice English teachers are expected to use literary theories and criticism to read and respond to literary texts. Over the past century, two of the most common approaches to literary encounters in secondary schools have been New Criticism – particularly the practice of close reading – and Rosenblatt's transactional theory, both of which have been expanded through critical theorizing along the way. Elucidated by data produced in iterative experiments with Frost's “The Road Not Taken,” the authors reconceptualize the reader, the text, and close reading through the critical posthuman theory of reading with love as a generative way of thinking outside of the habitual practices of European humanisms.

Design/methodology/approach

In “thinking with” (Jackson and Mazzei, 2023) desiring-machines, affect, Man and critical posthuman theory, this post qualitative inquiry maps how the “The Road Not Taken” worked when students plugged into it iteratively in processes of reading with love, an affirmative and creative series of experiments with literature.

Findings

This study mapped how respect for authority, the battle of good v evil, individualism and meritocracy operated as desiring-machines that channeled most participants’ initial readings of “The Road Not Taken.” In subsequent experiments with the poem, the authors demonstrate that reading with love as a critical posthuman process of reading invites participants to exceed the logics of recognition and representation, add or invent additional ways of being and relating to the world and thereby produce the possibility to transform a world toward greater inclusivity and equity.

Originality/value

The authors reconceptualize the categories of “the reader” and “the text” from Rosenblatt’s transactional theory within practices of reading with love, which they situate within a critical posthuman theory. They eschew separating efferent and aesthetic reading stances while also recuperating practices of “close reading,” historically associated with the New Critics, by demonstrating the generativity of critically valenced “close reading” within a Deleuzian process of reading with love.
The relationship between women and racial minority employees/managers and financial performance
Authors: Smith Katherine Taken , De Leon John A.
Published: November 2023

Purpose

Diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) have become prioritized goals of business, such as hiring more women and racial minorities. This study adds to the body of research regarding the value of diversity in organizations by examining the relationship between diversity at the workforce level and the financial performance of the organization. The empirical results of prior research have provided mixed results, finding mainly positive, but also negative, and nonsignificant relationships (Sharma et al., 2020; Vlas et al., 2022). The purpose of this study is to examine the current employment status of women and racial minorities in top US companies, then analyze if a correlation exists between a company’s profit margin and its percentage of women and racial minority employees and managers.

Design/methodology/approach

This study examined the top 200 companies in the Fortune 500 companies; these are the largest companies by revenue in the USA. Companies were ranked according to each variable (% of women employees, % of racial minority employees, % of women managers and % of racial minority managers) and then divided into equal quartiles. The mean profit margin for the top quartile was compared with the mean profit margin for the bottom quartile. T-tests were used to determine whether significant differences in profit margin exist between companies. This methodology of comparing top and bottom quartiles was developed in prior studies.

Findings

Fortune 200 companies have an average of 40% women and also 40% racial minorities in their workforce. Both women and racial minorities account for a smaller percentage of managers. Women account for 34% of managers, while racial minorities account for 29%. There is a significant positive relationship between profit margin and two of the variables. Companies with 45% or more women managers have a significantly higher profit margin than companies with the lowest percentages of women managers. Companies with 48% or more racial minority employees have a significantly higher profit margin than companies with the lowest percentages of racial minority employees. These findings are in-line with the existing body of research that has found mixed impacts of diversity on firm performance (cf. Hoobler et al., 2018; Leung et al., 2022) and draws attention to the need to consider the impact of gender and racial diversity on firms at various management levels within the firm to better understand the impact that increasing diversity has on firm performance (cf. Curado et al., 2022).

Originality/value

This paper adds to the body of knowledge by assessing the current status of women and racial minorities in top US companies and, then, analyzing if a correlation exists between a company’s profit margin and the number of women and racial minority employees and managers. Findings provide companies with further incentive to maintain DEI as a prioritized goal.
Graduate employability skills of business students: the moderating role of reflective practices
Authors: Asiedu Esther , Malcalm Ebenezer , Boakye Afia Nyarko , Amoah Cornelius Kwarkoh Kwarkoh
Published: November 2023

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to examine the moderating effect of the reflective practice of business students on how it helps to develop their employability skills through various university strategies.

Design/methodology/approach

The study employed a simple random sample to select undergraduate level 400 students from the Universities under study (the University of Ghana, University of Professional Studies Ghana, Lancaster University Ghana and Webster University Ghana). Only final-year students with an informed judgement on the reflective practice and various institutional practices to acquire graduate employability skills were participated. The independent variables of the study are institutional strategies (curriculum design, extra curriculum, work-integrated learning, career development centre, university collaboration with the industry, student engagement, internship job placement), the moderator is the reflective practice and the dependent variable of the study is graduate employability.

Findings

The study found that the moderation role of reflective practice had a significant effect on institutional strategies (extracurriculum, career development centre, university collaboration with the industry, student engagement and internship job placement) and graduate employability.

Research limitations/implications

The study was limited to only undergraduate business students from four universities ignoring other disciplines and postgraduate students.

Practical implications

The practical implication is that reflective practice must be an integral tool for various universities if they want students to use their strategies to sharpen their employability skills.

Social implications

The social implications of the study emphasise the reflective practice of graduate students in universities. This implies that firms and other institutions must consider reflective practice for the maximum output of their employees.

Originality/value

The concept of employability is a bit complex as it concerns many stakeholders of the educational process; the students, academic staff, employers, policymakers and higher education; the private sector; and the government. Although examining students' employability development skills is of great importance, students' reflective practice tends to be overlooked in most studies. Therefore, the focus of this study examines how the reflective practice of graduate students promotes employability through the various university strategies, which had not been considered.
Supply chain carbon transparency to consumers via blockchain: does the truth hurt?
Authors: Zhu Qingyun , Duan Yanji , Sarkis Joseph
Published: November 2023

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to determine if blockchain-supported carbon offset information provision and shipping options with different cost and environmental footprint implications impact consumer perceptions toward retailers and logistics service providers. Blockchain and carbon neutrality, each can be expensive to adopt and complex to manage, thus getting the “truth” on decarbonization may require additional costs for consumers.

Design/methodology/approach

Experimental modeling is used to address these critical and emergent issues that influence practices across a set of supply chain actors. Three hypotheses relating to the relationship between blockchain-supported carbon offset information and consumer perceptions and intentions associated with the product and supply chain actors are investigated.

Findings

The results show that consumer confidence increases when supply chain carbon offset information has greater reliability, transparency and traceability as supported by blockchain technology. The authors also find that consumers who are provided visibility into various shipping options and the product's journey carbon emissions and offset – from a blockchain-supported system – they are more willing to pay a premium for both the product and shipping options. Blockchain-supported decarbonization information disclosure in the supply chain can lead to organizational legitimacy and financial gains in return.

Originality/value

Understanding consumer action and sustainable consumption is critical for organizations seeking carbon neutrality. Currently, the literature on this understanding from a consumer information provision is not well understood, especially with respect to blockchain-supported information transparency, visibility and reliability. Much of the blockchain literature focuses on the upstream. This study focuses more on consumer-level and downstream supply chain blockchain implications for organizations. The study provides a practical roadmap for considering levels of blockchain information activity and consumer interaction.
Robots addressing agricultural labour shortages and environmental issues
Authors: Bogue Robert
Published: November 2023

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to provide details of recent developments in agricultural robots with an emphasis of those that address labour shortages and environmental issues.

Design/methodology/approach

Following an introduction which highlights some of the challenges facing the agricultural industry, this discusses recent robotic agricultural vehicle developments and the enabling technologies. It then provides examples of terrestrial and airborne robots employed in precision agricultural practices. Finally, brief conclusions are drawn.

Findings

Traditional, labour-intensive and environmentally harmful agricultural practices are not sustainable in the long term, and if food supply is to meet future demand, radical changes will be required. Exploiting recent advances in artificial intelligence (AI), agricultural equipment manufacturers are developing robotic vehicles in response to labour shortages. Precision agricultural practices will mitigate many of the detrimental environmental impacts and can also reduce the reliance on manpower. Weeding robots which reduce or eliminate the use of herbicides have been commercialised by a growing number of companies and again exploit AI techniques. Drones equipped with imaging device are playing an increasingly important role by characterising agricultural and crop conditions, thereby allowing highly targeted agrochemical application.

Originality/value

This illustrates how the agricultural industry is adopting robotic technology in response to the need to increased productivity while mitigating the problems of shortages of labour and environmental degradation.
State ownership, managerial myopia and corporate green transition: evidence from listed companies in China
Authors: Chen Qi-an , Bao Anze
Published: November 2023

Purpose

Green transition is a long-term direction of corporate development that can achieve sustainable corporate development. This study aims to investigate whether state ownership promotes corporate green transition by mitigating managerial myopia and the impact of environmental regulations, internal controls and ownership on this pathway.

Design/methodology/approach

Using data from 2,608 Chinese listed companies for 2010–2019, the authors investigate the relationship between state ownership, managerial myopia and corporate green transition by using fixed-effects and moderated mediation models.

Findings

State ownership can boost green transitions and alleviate managerial myopia. Managerial myopia mediates the relationship between state ownership and corporate green transition. Furthermore, environmental regulations, internal controls and ownership moderate the mediating effects of managerial myopia.

Originality/value

The authors construct a multidimensional green transition index to examine the influence of state ownership on corporate green transition behavior and reveal the underlying mechanism by which state ownership promotes green transition by “mitigating managerial myopia.” This study enriches the literature on state ownership, management myopia and green transition and provides important evidence for the promotion of mixed ownership reforms.
Brokerage performance drivers amongst married working women in an emerging real estate market
Authors: Obi-Aso Nkiruka Evangeline , Ewurum Nonso Izuchukwu , Ewurum Ijeoma Clara
Published: November 2023

Purpose

A perusal of extant literature suggests asymmetric devotions in empirical research that overlooks unique social and industrial dynamics of married working women in highly competitive male-dominated industries. Drawing on the social role theory, the study addressed this asymmetry by proposing a multivariate regression model that examined performance drivers of married female real estate brokers, as mediated by organizational, cognitive and social influences.

Design/methodology/approach

The study employed a descriptive design. A structured electronic questionnaire was used to collect data from a sample of 256 married female brokers who are active on online messaging platforms. Snowball sampling was used to reach the research participants. Collected data were subjected to multivariate regression analysis.

Findings

The results infer that social influences were the most significant drivers of married female brokers in the real estate industry (r = 0.932, p < 0.05, F = 556.581). Significant interventions of diversity management, work-life balance, family support and access to economic opportunities were found.

Practical implications

In acknowledging the societal stereotype and culturally imposed burdens married women face in emerging economies, the study advanced theoretical, practical and policy initiatives for a more inclusive, supportive and learning-oriented work environment.

Originality/value

The novelty of the paper lies in its exposition of the unregulated real estate brokerage market in an emerging economy and the dynamic organizational, cognitive and societal influences of married female brokers.