bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Acceptability of pre-exposure prophylaxis and associated factors among HIV-negative young men in Kagwara fishing community- Serere district: a cross-sectional study
Authors: Omoding Alex , Opito Ronald , Oboth Paul , Okello Francis , Matovu Joseph KB
Published: January 2025

Background

Despite the potential efficacy of Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP) in reducing HIV risk among at-risk populations, PrEP acceptability remains strikingly varied across populations. We assessed PrEP acceptability and associated factors among at-risk HIV-negative young men in Kagwara fishing community, Serere district.

Methods

A cross-sectional quantitative study design was used. Data were collected among 409 at-risk HIV-negative young men aged 15-24 years living in Kagwara fishing community, between August and October 2023. Quantitative data were collected on socio-demographic characteristics, sexual-risk behaviors, knowledge, attitudes, and practices regarding PrEP acceptability. PrEP acceptability was defined as the proportion of young men accepting to use PrEP out of those interviewed, based on six constructs adopted from acceptability framework. Data analyzed using Stata version 15.0 statistical software. Summary statistics computed and presented as tables, frequencies and proportions. Bivariate analysis was conducted using penalized logistic regression to identify independent factors associated with PrEP acceptability. All factors that had p<0.10 at the bivariate analysis and suspected confounders were entered into the final logistic regression model. All factors with p<0.05 were significantly associated with the primary outcome.

Results

Of 409 respondents, average age was 21.8(SD=1.9) years. Majority, (97.8%, n=393) had unprotected penetrative sex while 84.6% (n=346) did not know HIV status of their partners. PrEP acceptability was high at 93.6% (n=383) as majority of the participants accepted to use PrEP based on the six constructs of acceptability. At multivariable level, the factors associated with PrEP acceptability were; perceived risk of getting HIV infection, adjusted odds ratio (aOR)(95%CI)=4.23(1.05, 17.04), knowing the partner’s HIV status, aOR (95%CI) = 0.25 (0.07, 0.88), feeling embarrassed to ask for PrEP from the facility, aOR (95%CI) = 0.12 (0.04, 0.39), and having concern of stigma associated with use of PrEP, aOR = 0.13 (95% CI, 0.04-0.41).

Conclusion

We found a high level of PrEP acceptability among at-risk HIV-negative young men in Kagwara fishing community. Improving access to PrEP services among at-risk young men in the fishing communities may increase PrEP uptake in this population and across similar settings.
Heart rate fragmentation improves general anesthesia state classification using machine learning
Authors: Fauchereau Clément , Carimalo Fanny , Merienne Axelle , Laffon Marc , Godat Emmanuel , Aude Jean-Christophe
Published: January 2025

Accurate assessment of consciousness during general anesthesia is crucial for optimizing anesthetic dosage and patient safety. Current electroencephalogram-based monitoring devices can be inaccurate or unreliable in specific surgical contexts (e.g. cephalic procedures). This study investigated the feasibility of using electrocardiogram (ECG) features and machine learning to differentiate between awake and anesthetized states. A cohort of 48 patients undergoing surgery under general anesthesia at the Tours hospital was recruited. ECG-derived features were extracted, including spectral power, heart rate variability and complexity metrics, as well as heart rate fragmentation indices (HRF). These features were augmented by a range of physiological variables. The aim was to evaluate a number of machine learning algorithms in order to identify the most appropriate method for classifying the awake and anesthetized states. The gradient boosting algorithm achieved the highest accuracy (0.84). Notably, HRF metrics exhibited the strongest predictive power across all models tested. The generalizability of this ECG-based approach was further assessed using public datasets (VitalDB, Fantasia, and MIT-BIH Polysomnographic), achieving accuracies above 0.80. This study provides evidence that ECG-based classification methods can effectively distinguish awake from anesthetized states, with HRF indices playing a pivotal role in this classification.

Author summary

General anesthesia monitoring is critical for optimizing patient safety and outcomes. While electroencephalogram (EEG)-based systems are commonly used, they have limitations in accuracy and applicability, particularly in cases where EEG electrodes placement is challenging or impossible, such as during cephalic surgeries or when patients have forehead skin lesions. Here, a novel approach using electrocardiogram (ECG) signals and machine learning techniques was used to differentiate between awake and anesthetized states during surgery. A total of 48 patients undergoing surgical procedures under general anaesthesia at the Tours hospital were selected for inclusion in the study. This investigation focused on heart rate fragmentation indices, metrics designed for assessing biological versus chronological age, derived from ECG recordings. The gradient boosting algorithm demonstrates performance comparable to leading methods reported in the literature for this classification task. Importantly, model generalizability was confirm through successful application to publicly available datasets. This article highlights the potential of ECG signals as an alternative source for deriving depth of anesthesia indices, offering increased versatility in clinical settings where EEG monitoring is challenging or contraindicated.
Lack of evidence for obesity paradox in patients with cardiovascular diseases: A UK BioBank cohort study
Authors: Yu Wenhao , Fan Bingbing , Yang Lin , Si Shucheng , Chen Wei , Zhang Tao , Xue Fuzhong , Li Shengxu
Published: January 2025

Background

Obesity paradox, a phenomenon that obesity seems to be associated with reduced risk of mortality in patients with established cardiovascular disease (CVD), has been controversial. We aimed to use Mendelian randomization to examine the causal relationship between obesity measures and CVD mortality in patients with known CVD in the UK BioBank study cohort.

Methods

A total of 58,278 participants with CVD were included. Polygenic risk scores (PRSs) for body mass index (BMI), body fat percentage (BF%), and waist to hip ration adjusted for BMI (WHRadjBMI) were used as instrumental variables. The following sensitivity analyses were performed: 1) using a representative variant rs1558902 in the fat mass and obesity associated gene as an instrumental variable, 2) by sex, and 3) by disease type.

Results

A total of 2203 patients died of CVD causes during a median follow-up period of 8.9 years. BMI in the overweight and class-I obesity range was associated with reduced mortality, with class-II or more severe obesity associated with increased mortality; however, there was a linear trend toward increased mortality with increasing BF% and WHRadjBMI. There was no clear indication that increased obesity-PRSs were associated with reduced risk of CVD mortality among individuals with known CVD. Sensitivity analyses using rs1558902 as an instrumental variable, by sex, and by disease type showed similar results.

Conclusion

Increased obesity does not show a protective effect in patients with CVD. Previously reported obesity paradox in observational studies may be a result of confounding or other biases, which needs further investigation.
Are ant-plant mutualisms stronger at lower latitudes? A case study using the castor plant in the Indian subcontinent
Authors: Nathan Pooja , Shahid Arshyaan , Datta Anoushka , Gowda Vinita , Frederickson Megan E.
Published: January 2025

The Biotic Interactions Hypothesis (BIH) predicts that species interactions will intensify from the poles to the tropics. We studied the ant-plant defensive interaction mediated by extrafloral nectaries (EFNs) in the castor bean plant,Ricinus communis,across a ∼21° latitudinal gradient in its naturalized range in India. Among our study sites, we found that the ant-EFN mutualism in castor bean gets stronger from sub-tropical to tropical latitudes. Investment in mutualism by plants and visitation by ants increased from higher to lower latitudes. Further, latitude significantly explained ant community composition. However, contrary to the predictions of the BIH, standing herbivory increased with latitude, perhaps because plants invest less in biotic defence at higher latitudes. To our knowledge, our study is the first to test for the patterns predicted by the BIH for an ant-plant interaction in the Paleotropics. Results from our study can also help inform sustainable pest control practices forR. communissince India is the world’s largest producer of castor oil.
Optimising synthetic cystic fibrosis sputum media for growth of non-typeableHaemophilus influenzae
Authors: Do Carmo Silva Phoebe , Hill Darryl , Harrison Freya
Published: January 2025

Non-typeableHaemophilus influenzae(NTHi) is an early pathogen isolated from the lungs of children with cystic fibrosis (CF). However, its role in the progression of CF lung infection is poorly understood. Additionally, whether it forms biofilms in the lungs of people with CF is an open question. The development of synthetic cystic fibrosis sputum media has given key insights into the microbiology of later CF pathogens,Pseudomonas aeruginosaandStaphylococcus aureus, through replicating the chemical composition of CF sputum. However, growth of NTHi in these media has not previously been reported. We show that NTHi grows poorly in three variants of synthetic cystic fibrosis sputum media commonly used to inducein vivo-like growth ofP. aeruginosaandS. aureus(SCFM1, SCFM2 and SCFM3). The addition of NAD and hemin to SCFM1 and SCFM2 promoted the planktonic growth and biofilm formation of both laboratory and clinical NTHi isolates, and we were able to develop a modified variant of SCFM2 that allows culture of NTHis. We show that NTHi cannot be identified in an establishedex-vivomodel of CF infection, which uses SCFM and porcine bronchiolar tissue. This may in part be due to the presence of endogenous bacteria on the pig lung tissue which outcompete NTHi, but the lack of selective agar to isolate NTHi from endogenous bacteria, and the fact that NTHi is an exclusively human pathogen, make it hard to conclude that this is the case. Through spiking modified SCFM2 with filter sterilized lung homogenate, biofilm growth of clinical NTHi isolates was enhanced. Our results highlight that there are crucial components present in the lung tissue which NTHi require for growth, that are not present in any published variant of SCFM from the Palmer et al. 2007 lineage. Our results may inform future modifications to SCFM recipes to truly mimic the environment of CF lung sputum, and thus, to facilitate study of a wide range of CF pathogens.

Data Summary

The authors confirm that all supporting data, code and protocols have been provided within the article or through supplementary data files. All raw data has been uploaded to FigShare (https://doi.org/10.6084/m9.figshare.28175300.v1).
Abundant and active acetogens enhance the carbon dioxide sink of Blue Carbon ecosystems
Authors: Rodriguez Karen , Ricci Francesco , Ni Gaofeng , Iram Naima , Palfreyman Robin , Gonzalez-Garcia Ricardo A. , Heffernan James , Greening Chris , Adame Maria Fernanda , Marcellin Esteban
Published: January 2025

Blue Carbon ecosystems, which include all tidal wetlands, mitigate climate change by capturing and storing carbon dioxide (CO2) from the atmosphere. Most carbon fixation in these systems is thought to be driven by plant and microbial photosynthesis, whereas chemosynthetic processes are assumed to play a minor role. However, these ecosystems often contain anoxic environments ideal for chemosynthetic microbes such as acetogens. Here, we show that acetogens are abundant and active mediators of carbon sequestration in tidal wetland soils by pairing gene-and genome-resolved metagenomic analysis with isolation and analysis of gas-fermenting acetogens in bioreactors. Metagenomic profiling revealed that diverse microbes can mediate carbon fixation, primarily through the Calvin-Benson-Bassham cycle and Wood-Ljungdahl pathways. These include various bacteria and archaea capable of reductive acetogenesis. On this basis, we grew bacterial enrichment cultures from tidal wetland soils using the gases hydrogen and CO2as the sole energy and carbon sources. Bioreactor analysis revealed that these enrichments are dominated by clostridial acetogens that grow rapidly by converting CO2into acetate and other products. Collectively, these results reveal Blue Carbon ecosystems harbour communities that can exclusively subsist by using CO2as their sole electron acceptor and for carbon fixation, thereby providing evidence of a novel carbon sink pathway within these ecosystems beyond the known mechanisms of photosynthetic carbon fixation and soil sequestration. Additionally, the discovery and isolation of these chemosynthetic communities provide opportunities for developing further mechanisms of CO2removal through industrial gas fermentation.
Structure-function analysis of Factor Seven Activating Protease (FSAP) by in-silico methods and its expression in insect cells.
Authors: Kandanur Sai Priya , Coban Abdulbaki , Lange Andreas , Kemena Carsten , Logendran Aumkar , Dalhus Bjorn , Emsley Jonas , Kanse Sandip M
Published: January 2025

Factor VII Activating Protease (FSAP) is a circulating serine protease in blood and is likely to be involved in regulating hemostasis and inflammatory processes in stroke. The zymogen form of FSAP (Pro-FSAP) is activated by charged molecules, including heparin and histones. Here, we tested the feasibility of FSAP expression in insect cells and analyzed its structure and evolution with in-silico methods. The expression of full-length (FL) FSAP and the serine protease domain (SPD) was very low, and this was slightly improved with the protease-inactivating mutant. The remainder of the protein, comprising the heavy chain (HC), was expressed at high levels and demonstrated binding to pro-FSAP activators, histones, and heparin. Since FL-FSAP was not satisfactorily expressible for structural studies, the AlphaFold structure was used for molecular dynamics simulations and in-silico docking studies with pro-FSAP activators. AlphaFold predicts a globular structure for the EGF, kringle and the trypsin domain as well as a disordered N-terminal region (NTR). Docking studies suggested that the EGF-3 domain interacts with heparin and the NTR with histones. Very likely, this disturbs the globular fold of the enzyme to expose the activation site and promotes autocatalytic activation. FSAP evolved in its current domain configuration in jawed vertebrates about 500 million years ago suggesting an important and conserved function. The insights from these studies will facilitate the expression of recombinant FSAP as well as enable a deeper understanding of its structure and biological functions in the context of stroke.
Identification of ER:melanosome membrane contact sites in the retinal pigment epithelium
Authors: Burgoyne T. , Doncheva D. , Eden E.R.
Published: January 2025

The retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) forms a monolayer of cells at the blood:retina interface that plays important roles for photoreceptor renewal and function and is central to retinal health. RPE pigment is provided by melanin-containing melanosomes which offer protection against light and oxidative stress. Melanosome migration into the apical processes of the RPE following light onset is thought to contribute to preventing retinal degeneration with age, though the mechanism is not yet clear. Melanosomes are transported along microtubules to the apical surface where they are transferred to actin filaments within the apical processes. Melanosomes are lysosome-related organelles derived from endosomes and endosome transport along microtubules is heavily influenced by the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) through ER:endosome contact sites. Here we describe extensive connection between the ER and melanosomes in the RPE. We further show, in skin melanocytes, that the ER forms contact sites with all stages of melanosome maturation, but ER contact is reduced as melanosomes mature. Finally, we identify tripartite contact sites between the ER, melanosomes and mitochondria in both RPE tissue and cellular models, suggesting that the ER may influence melanosome biogenesis, maturation and interaction with mitochondria.
A chemical genomic screen identifies novel genetic interactors of the methylation-dependentde novo pathwayof phosphatidylcholine biosynthesis inSaccharomyces cerevisiae
Authors: Maliva Amanda , Riekhof Wayne R.
Published: January 2025

Phosphatidylcholine (PtdCho) is the most abundant phospholipid in most eukaryotic cell and organelle membranes, and cells must regulate its synthesis and interorganelle transport to maintain correct membrane compositions and biophysical properties. Our knowledge of genes encoding enzymes of PtdCho biosynthesis is largely complete, and a great deal is understood about their localization and regulation, however our understanding of molecular mechanisms regulating PtdCho biosynthesis and trafficking remains incomplete. To identify genes that show epistatic relationships with the methylation pathway of PtdCho biosynthesis, we performed a chemical-genomic screen of aSaccharomyces cerevisiaegene-deletion mutant collection using a phosphatidylethanolamine (PtdEtn) methyltransferase inhibitor, 2-hydroxyethylhydrazine (HEH). HEH functions by selectively inhibiting the PtdEtn methyltransferase enzymes Pem1p/Cho2p and Pem2p/Opi3p. We demonstrate that the addition of exogenous choline or lyso-phosphatidylcholine can recover HEH-mediated growth inhibition, and used this finding to design a functional-genomic screen to identify genes which, when deleted, render the strain unable to grow when the methylation pathway is partially inhibited. We now report the identification of 410S. cerevisiaegene deletion mutants that exhibit HEH hypersensitivity, and identify among those a core set of 21 genes that are known to epistatically interact with genes encoding enzymes of the PtdEtn methylation pathway. This gene set was enriched in functions relating to glycerolipid and sterol biosynthesis and their regulation, the high-osmolarity glycerol (HOG) pathway, and genes involved in chromatin remodeling and transcriptional regulation. These results demonstrate that PtdCho produced by any one of the Kennedy pathway, methylation pathway, or acyltransferase pathway can maintain necessary cellular PtdCho compositions, but that disruption of any one of these pathways leads to epistatic interactions with non-overlapping subsets of genes, thus providing new insights on the specific functions of these pathways. The design and implementation of this screening strategy establishes HEH as a useful tool for specific inhibition of the methylation pathway in high-throughput functional-gnomic screens, which will facilitate further studies on the synthesis, transport, and function of PtdCho.
Following the Robot’s Lead: Predicting Human and Robot Movement from EEG in a Motor Learning HRI Task
Authors: Chatterjee Tanaya , Guzzo Adrien , Tlaie Alejandro , Papaxanthis Charalambos , Gaveau Jeremie , Dominey Peter Ford
Published: January 2025

Human-robot interaction (HRI) offers unique opportunities to study the neuroscience of human motor control through controlled and reproducible sensory stimuli. In this study, we introduce an innovative neuroscience-HRI framework inspired by the Serial Reaction Time (SRT) task, that combines EEG with a task where a humanoid robot performs preprogrammed movement sequences that are mirrored by a human participant in real time. The use of a humanoid robot ensures precise and repeatable sensory-motor stimuli in the 3D peripersonal space of the participant, providing experimental conditions that may be challenging to replicate with traditional methods. Behavioral performance is assessed by measuring the temporal lag between human and robot movements, which decreases with training, reflecting motor sequence learning. Concurrently, EEG data from the human participant is analyzed to reveal neural correlates of learning and movement dynamics. Event-Related Spectral Perturbations (ERSP) in theta, mu, and beta frequency bands demonstrate distinct patterns associated with rest, fixation, and movement. Furthermore, the ERSP changes over successive trials reflect the progression of sequence learning, highlighting the relationship between neural oscillations and motor learning. A Markov-Switching Linear Regression model further decodes EEG signals to predict movement parameters including both human and robot position and velocity in a time-resolved manner. Our findings highlight the potential of HRI as a robust platform for neuroscience research and underscore the value of EEG-based neural decoding in understanding motor sequence learning. This work suggests further advances for integrating robotics into neuroscience and rehabilitation research.
Exact quantum Fisher matrix results for distributed phases using multiphoton polarization Greenberger-Horne-Zeilinger states
Authors: Wang Jiaxuan , Agarwal Girish S.
Published: January 2025

Recently, distributed sensing has been extensively studied using squeezed states. While this is an excellent development, it is desirable to investigate the use of other quantum probes, such as entangled states of light. In this paper, we focus on distributed sensing, i.e., estimating multiple unknown phases at different spatial nodes using multiphoton polarization-entangled Greenberger-Horne-Zeilinger states distributed across different nodes. We utilize tools of quantum metrology and calculate the quantum Fisher information matrix (QFIM). However, the QFIM turns out to be singular, hindering the determination of quantum Cramér-Rao bounds for the parameters of interest. Recent experiments have contended with a weaker form of the Cramér-Rao bound, which does not require the inversion of the QFIM. It is desirable to understand how relevant these weaker bounds are and how closely they approach the exact Cramér-Rao bounds. We thus analyze the reason for this singularity and, by removing a redundant phase, obtain a nonsingular QFIM, allowing us to derive exact quantum Cramér-Rao bounds. Using the nonsingular QFIM, we show that the arithmetic average of the distributed phases is Heisenberg limited. We demonstrate that quantum metrological bounds can be saturated by projective measurements, enabling us to determine the Fisher information matrix, which is also singular. We then show how this singularity can be resolved.

Published by the American Physical Society
2025
Mixing angle between
P13
and
P11
states in heavy axial vector mesons within the QCD sum rules framework
Authors: Aliev T. M. , Bilmis S. , Savci M.
Published: January 2025

In this study, we calculate the mixing angles between the axial-vector mesons D1(s1)−D1(s1)′ and B1(s1)−B1(s1)′ using the QCD sum rules approach. Our results are θ1=28.2±0.6°, θ2=26.6±0.6°, θ3=38.6±0.1°, and θ4=38.5±0.1°. These values are in good agreement with the predictions of heavy quark effective theory, particularly for the mixing angle θ=35.3°, and are compatible with several existing results in the literature. The predicted mixing angles can be tested through the analysis of semileptonic decays such as Bc→B1ℓν, Bc→Bs10ℓν, Bs→Ds1ℓν, and Bs→Ds1′ℓν, which can be investigated at experimental facilities such as LHCb and Belle II.

Published by the American Physical Society
2025
Research on safety input behaviour decision of tower crane from a collaborative perspective
Authors: Zhang Shibin , Yang Qiying , Yang Feifei
Published: January 2025

Purpose

As tower cranes are highly dangerous, the problem of insufficient investment in tower safety needs to be solved urgently, and this study aims to solve the problem of insufficient investment in safety caused by the imbalance of interests of tower safety-related subjects and to propose targeted solutions.

Design/methodology/approach

Tower crane rental enterprises, contractors and government departments are selected to construct the game model, calculate the equilibrium point and stability and determine the optimal stabilization strategy. Finally, MATLAB software is used to model and simulate the impact of parameter changes on each party’s choice of strategies.

Findings

(1) The optimal combination of strategies is safety input by tower companies, leasing of qualified towers by contractors and providing non-financial incentives by the government. (2) The degree of synergistic coefficient γ, the level of government penalty coefficient α and the increase in accident probability p positively affect the adoption of proactive safety measures by tower crane leasing enterprises and contractors. (3) Excessive differences in safety costs may lead firms to adopt hostile safety measures.

Originality/value

This paper creatively uses safety input and tower crane leasing enterprises as the perspective and object of research on tower security. The research results are of great significance in guiding the government to formulate regulatory and incentive policies and in promoting enterprises to implement safety input to ensure construction safety collaboratively. It also provides new research cases for promoting the entire special equipment industry to realize adequate and effective safety input.
Customer experience in digital transformation: the influence of intelligent chatbots toward a sustainable market
Authors: Gomes Sofia , Lopes João M. , Trancoso Tiago
Published: January 2025

Purpose

Using artificial intelligence technologies in customer service through chatbots is revolutionizing companies’ commercial practices and business models. This study explores the role of customer experience drivers in using chatbot services in customer engagement and customer behavior intention. The mediating role of customer engagement in the relationship between the customer experience drivers of using chatbots and the customer behavior intention was also explored.

Design/methodology/approach

For this purpose, a sample of 1,319 Portuguese consumers using chatbots in their online purchases was collected. A quantitative methodology was applied with the partial least squares method.

Findings

The results reveal that the customer experience drivers of using the chatbot service directly and positively influence customer engagement but not customer behavior intention. However, there is a positive influence of customer experience drivers on customer behavior intention when mediated by customer engagement.

Originality/value

This study contributes to developing social exchange and resource exchange theories in customer experience. In addition, it allows companies to infer practical implications for obtaining sustainable competitive advantages through implementing chatbot technology.
Unveiling the trajectory of International Journal of Lean Six Sigma: a comprehensive bibliometric review
Authors: Singh Bikram Jit
Published: January 2025

Purpose

This paper aims to conduct an inclusive bibliometric review of the International Journal of Lean Six Sigma (IJLSS) to elucidate the scholarly landscape, growth trends, impact, mappings, couplings, networking and thematic evolution within the field of Lean Six Sigma (LSS) research.

Design/methodology/approach

Using advanced bibliometric techniques, including network analysis and clustering, this study examines the publication output of IJLSS since its inception in 2010. The analysis focuses on identifying key contributors, mapping collaborative networks, tracing thematic evolution and exploring emerging research trends. The study is executed as per the proposed easy-to-understand methodology, containing well-structured nine segments hitting various critical-bibliometrics of IJLSS along with their respective implications.

Findings

The review reveals substantial growth in the publication output of IJLSS, with India emerging as a prominent contributor. Keywords such as “Lean”, “Six Sigma”, “Quality Management”, “Operational Excellence”, “Supply Chain Management”, “Industry 4.0” and “Sustainability” emerge as central themes, reflecting the journal’s focus on process improvement methodologies along with corresponding case studies. Collaborative networks among authors and countries are robust, indicating the global reach of LSS scholarship. Emerging research trends highlight areas of potential future exploration within the field.

Research limitations/implications

Limitations of this study include the reliance on bibliometric data and the exclusion of nonindexed sources. However, the findings offer valuable insights into the scholarly landscape of IJLSS, providing researchers and practitioners with a comprehensive overview of LSS research inclinations and developments.

Originality/value

This paper contributes to the literature by providing a detailed analysis of LSS research published in IJLSS through a unique approach and future directions. The study adds to existing knowledge by mapping collaborative networks, tracing thematic couplings and identifying emerging research clusters within the ever evolving domain of LSS.
Unpacking the effects of moral intensity and cultural values on ethical decision-making
Authors: Bekoe Rita Amoah , Owusu Godfred Mathew Yaw , Korankye Gabriel , Agyekum Donkor Josephine Baaba
Published: January 2025

Purpose

Ethical decisions are generally based on the intensity of the moral issue at stake. While moral intensity has been studied variously, little is known about the link between individual cultural orientations and the importance attached to the characteristics of a moral issue. The purpose of this study is to examine the effect of moral intensity on ethical judgement while evaluating the relationship between an individual’s cultural orientation and moral intensity.

Design/methodology/approach

Data was gathered from 308 tertiary students at a large public university in Ghana by means of self-administered questionnaires. The partial least square-structural equation modelling technique was used to test for the hypothesised relationships in this study.

Findings

The analysis reveals that moral intensity significantly predicts the ethical judgement of individuals. Further, the authors find a significant positive relationship between indulgence, self-restraint, power distance, uncertainty avoidance and masculinity-femininity and moral intensity.

Practical implications

Knowledge on the implications of cultural orientations on moral issues provides educators and trainers the basis for designing and implementing strategies that can help improve the ethical judgement of individuals.

Originality/value

The study introduces a new perspective to the moral intensity literature by highlighting the unique role of individuals’ cultural orientation in ethical decision-making.
The forced sterilisation of Indigenous and racialised Peoples: Origins, nature of abuses, impacts and responses
Authors: Rowlands Sam , Heaslip Vanessa , Felske-Durksen Cassandra , Carranza Ko Ñusta , Albert Gwendolyn , Rich Rebecca , Black Kristin A. , Szilvási Marek
Published: January 2025

Purpose

This paper aims to draw attention to the global infringement of reproductive rights of Indigenous and racialised Peoples.

Design/methodology/approach

Narrative literature review. Description and comparative analysis of examples of forced sterilisation.

Findings

Large-scale sterilisation campaigns were identified in three different regions of the world: North America, Latin America and Europe. Within these, hundreds of thousands of Indigenous and racialised Peoples have been forcibly sterilised as part of state-sponsored procedures, predominantly aimed at women and gestating people. These abuses are continuing in the 21st century and have origins in “racial science” theory. The exact nature of the abuses is identified alongside the long-term health and wellbeing implications. Professional attitudes and behaviours that condoned such practices within healthcare settings are identified. The psychological, social and cultural impact of such practices, including on Indigenous body sovereignty and self-determination, are demonstrated.

Practical implications

These are twofold: firstly to eradicate any future practice of forced sterilisation and secondly to provide reparations to those affected.

Originality/value

The analysis brings together scholarship from Indigenous studies alongside that of health and social sciences.
Quantum technologies in robotics: a preliminary appraisal
Authors: Bogue Rob
Published: January 2025

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to provide details of developments in quantum technologies and consider their potential applications in robotics.

Design/methodology/approach

Following a short introduction, this study first provides an overview of the global quantum technology landscape. It then discusses developments in quantum computing and sensing technologies. Potential applications in robotics are then considered and finally, brief conclusions are drawn.

Findings

Quantum technologies are the topic of a rapidly growing global R&D effort. Quantum computing has the potential to conduct conventional computations far more rapidly than traditional computers and solve complex problems that are presently challenging or impossible. If realised, robotic applications could include enhanced route planning, machine learning and data fusion. Quantum position and magnetic field sensors have the potential to revolutionise navigation systems in airborne, land and marine robots and overcome limitations of GPS and inertial measurement units. Magnetic sensors also have a role in health care in the control of robotic prostheses and exoskeletons and in brain–computer interface techniques. Quantum radar, lidar and imaging systems stand to outperform their conventional counterparts, and applications are anticipated in military and civilian robots. Quantum technologies are still at an early stage of development, and much progress will be made in the future, opening up many further robotic applications.

Originality/value

This study provides an insight into quantum technology developments and their potential applications in robotics.
ESG performance, board diversity and tax avoidance: empirical evidence from the UK
Authors: Elgharbawy Adel , Aladwey Laila Mohamed Alshawadfy
Published: January 2025

Purpose

This paper aims to investigate the effect of ESG performance and board diversity on tax avoidance practices of FTSE350 companies before and after the COVID-19 pandemic from the stakeholder theory perspective.

Design/methodology/approach

Using random-effect regression analysis on data from 2017 to 2023, the study analyzes ESG scores and various tax avoidance measures pre- and post-COVID-19. A two-stage least squares regression analysis using instrumental variables is used to address endogeneity.

Findings

Results show that gender, age and network diversity reduce tax avoidance, while skill diversity has no effect, and nationality diversity increases it. High ESG scores lower tax avoidance, but higher governance scores increase it. Findings hold across different tax avoidance measures, sectors and pre/post-COVID-19 periods.

Research limitations/implications

Future research should explore the roles of board committees and external governance mechanisms and investigate tax avoidance in small- and medium-sized enterprises.

Practical implications

The findings highlight the need for policymakers to enforce board diversity and promote ESG practices to encourage ethical tax behavior. Companies can reduce tax avoidance and enhance moral standards by prioritizing stakeholder interests.

Social implications

Promoting board diversity enhances social equity, supports ESG practices, aligns corporate actions with societal values and fosters a sustainable business environment.

Originality/value

The paper expands existing research by analyzing the combined effects of board diversity and ESG performance on tax avoidance. It offers recent UK evidence on tax avoidance determinants, emphasizing behavioral changes pre- and post-COVID-19.
Harnessing STARA for enhancing green performance of hospitality industry: green HRM, employees commitment as mediators and psychological climate as moderator
Authors: Hossain Mohammad Imtiaz , Islam Md. Tariqul , Kumar Jeetesh , Jamadar Yasmin
Published: January 2025

Purpose

This study investigates the impact of smart technology, artificial intelligence, robotics and algorithms (STARA) on green performance (GP) in hospitality organisations, the mediating role of green human resource management (GHRM), employees’ green commitment (EGC), and the moderating role of green psychological climate (GPC) in the hospitality industry landscape of Malaysia.

Design/methodology/approach

The study uses a quantitative survey-based, cross-sectional approach. PLS-SEM has been applied to analyse the direct and indirect relationships. Using the non-probability sampling method, a purposive sampling technique was used to collect 240 data points from top- and mid-level managers of five-star hotels in Malaysia.

Findings

This study identified that STARA positively influences green HRM and EGC, impacting green performance. However, STARA does not positively impact GP. Moreover, the study identified a significant mediation effect of EGC and GHRM practices between STARA and GP and a moderation effect of GPC between green HRM and EGC.

Practical implications

The study can provide valuable insights for the government and policymakers to update their policies for sustainable development using high-end technologies. It will also help the relevant stakeholders and think tanks assess the current status and commitment to several sustainable goals.

Originality/value

By integrating the dynamic capability theory (DCT) and the social cognitive theory (SCT), this study proposed a new framework incorporating STARA capabilities with GHRM, GPC and EGC, which is novel in the body of understanding. It provides novel moderated-mediation evidence and bolsters existing insights.
Undoing greenwashing: the roles of greenwashing severity, consumer forgiveness, growth beliefs and apology sincerity
Authors: Paramitha Vina , Tan Ser Zian , Lim Weng Marc
Published: January 2025

Purpose

Amidst growing concerns about environmental sustainability, brands face the challenge of upholding authenticity in their green marketing efforts. While existing research primarily focuses on understanding and preventing greenwashing, there is a critical need to explore its consequences and mitigation strategies. This study aims to investigate the effects of greenwashing across varying levels of severity on consumer forgiveness and brand attitude, with growth beliefs and apology sincerity serving as moderators.

Design/methodology/approach

This study conducted a between-subjects online experiment in two phases: Phase 1 examined the effects of greenwashing severity on brand attitude, mediated by consumer forgiveness and moderated by their growth beliefs, whereas Phase 2 tested the moderating role of apology sincerity.

Findings

This study identifies different types of greenwashing and reveals that higher perceived severity of active greenwashing worsens brand attitude through reduced consumer forgiveness. However, consumers with stronger growth beliefs show greater forgiveness, moderating the negative impact of greenwashing severity. Crucially, a sincere apology effectively mitigates the detrimental effects of greenwashing severity on brand attitude.

Research limitations/implications

This study offers actionable insights for brand managers, highlighting that fostering growth beliefs and offering sincere apologies can mitigate the negative impacts of greenwashing.

Originality/value

This study advances the greenwashing literature by highlighting the negative consequences of greenwashing on consumer forgiveness and brand attitude, and underscoring the role of growth beliefs and apology sincerity as effective mitigation strategies.
A bibliometric review of data factor market: contrasting Chinese and international literature from a governance perspective
Authors: Zhang Xi , Shi Yanwen , Sun Kexin , Wang Qiuren , Zhang Ziyan , Xiao Zhanpeng
Published: January 2025

Purpose

As the pioneer nation to formally integrate data as a factor of production into its national strategy, does China’s research emphasis on data factor market differ from that of other countries? Currently, there is a notable absence of comprehensive comparative analyses addressing this issue. The purpose of this study is to fill this gap by systematically reviewing the development trajectory of research on the data factor market from a governance perspective.

Design/methodology/approach

In this study, the authors used Citespace software to conduct bibliometric analyses on a corpus of 1,304 international publications and 1,249 Chinese publications. These analyses encompassed various dimensions, including publication quantity and trend analysis, cocitation analysis and keyword cooccurrence analysis, while also facilitating a comparative examination of research disparities between Chinese and international literature.

Findings

There are significant differences between Chinese and international data factor market studies in terms of governance environment, governance entities, governance technology and governance mechanism. The authors strongly advocate the promotion of cross-border research collaboration to advance the research and application of data factor market governance.

Originality/value

The authors have innovatively proposed a framework for data factor market governance. Building upon this framework, the authors conducted a comprehensive comparative analysis of research disparities between Chinese and international literature, thereby unveiling emerging research trends in the field of data factor market.
Competition between global professional service firms and local audit firms in China: a strategic action field perspective
Authors: Mihret Dessalegn Getie , Lu Wei , Ji Xu-Dong
Published: January 2025

Purpose

This study aims to examine competition between global professional service firms (GPSFs) and Chinese local audit firms (LAFs) over the past four decades, explaining the process and outcomes of this competition in relation to shifting economic policy priorities.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors analysed pertinent documents and media reports through the lens of strategic action field (SAF). The authors interpret the dynamics of the competition against the background of the shifting framing of Chinese economic policies.

Findings

The authors find that frame alignment with the state’s priorities in China enabled GPSFs and LAFs to secure stronger market positions relative to each other in different episodes of the Chinese policy landscape. The Chinese state’s marketisation reforms conditioned the outcome of the competition between GPSFs and LAFs. Initially, GPSFs gained access to the Chinese accounting field and achieved a strong market position by leveraging China’s “open-door” policy. This situation was reversed when China’s economic policy shifted to “going global” because Chinese LAFs pursued internationalisation framing thereby aligning with the state’s priority of internationalising the economy.

Originality/value

Using the lens of SAF, this study offers theorised insights into how transnational competition in the accounting field plays out in a non-Western state setting.
Oak Wilt Disease May Reduce the Initial Decay Rate of Dead Quercus serrata Stems by Altering Fungal Communities in the Wood
Authors: Fukasawa Yu , Kimura Satsuki , Kominami Yuji , Takagi Masahiro , Matsukura Kimiyo , Makoto Kobayashi , Suzuki Satoshi N. , Takemoto Shuhei , Tanaka Nobuaki , Jomura Mayuko , Kadowaki Kohmei , Ushio Masayuki , Kinuura Haruo , Yamashita Satoshi
Published: January 2025

Oak wilt causes severe dieback of Quercus serrata, a dominant tree species in the lowlands across Japan. This study evaluated the effects of oak wilt on the wood‐inhabiting fungal community and the decay rate of deadwood using a field monitoring experiment. We analysed the fungal metabarcoding community from 1200 wood samples obtained from 120 experimental logs from three forest sites at five different time points during the initial 1.5 years of the experiment. Death due to wilt significantly influenced the fungal community composition and reduced fungal diversity, likely due to the dominance of a limited number of species. The operational taxonomic unit richness, occurrence frequency, and DNA copy number of white rot fungi were also enhanced on the logs killed by wilt, depending on the sites. Structural equation modelling suggested that the wilt‐initiated changes in the fungal community reduced the decay rate of oak logs. Temperature and wood moisture also affected the fungal community and log decomposition. These results suggest that, in addition to the direct effect of climate, oak wilt indirectly affects log decomposition by structuring the fungal community. Continuous monitoring is essential to evaluate the longer‐term effects of oak wilt on the fungal decomposition of wood.
Hourly Asymmetric Multifractality and Dynamic Efficiency in Cryptocurrency Markets: The Effects of COVID‐19 and Russia–Ukraine Tension
Authors: Mensi Walid , Nekhili Ramzi , Vo Xuan Vinh , Kang Sang Hoon
Published: January 2025

This paper examines the hourly downward/upward multifractality and dynamic efficiency of four cryptocurrencies—Bitcoin (BTC), Ethereum (ETH), Ripple (XRP), and Litecoin (LTC)— before and during the COVID‐19 pandemic, and during the Russia–Ukraine tension. Using the asymmetric multifractal detrended fluctuation analysis method, the results show significant asymmetric multifractality in all series, which intensifies for BTC only throughout the COVID‐19 crisis and narrows for ETH, XRP, and LTC. Moreover, we show that cryptocurrency markets are more inefficient during the upward (downward) trend and before (during) the COVID‐19 crisis. LTC is the least inefficient market pre COVID‐19, whereas XRP is the least inefficient during the pandemic crisis. The results show evidence of excessive asymmetric multifractality for all four crypto markets. Before the COVID‐19 crisis, positive values of excess asymmetry in multifractality have been identified for BTC and LTC markets, whereas the excess asymmetry values were negative for ETH and XRP markets. BTC and ETH markets showed wider multifractality fluctuations compared to LTC and XRP, indicating a stronger reaction to the war's impact.