bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Minimization of peak stresses with the shape derivative
Authors: Baumann Phillip , Sturm Kevin
Published: July 2024

This article is concerned with the minimization of peak stresses occurring in linear elasticity. We propose to minimize the maximal von Mises stress of the elastic body. This leads to a non-smooth shape functional. We derive the shape derivative and associate it with the Clarke sub-differential. Using a steepest descent algorithm, we present numerical simulations. We compare our results to the usual

p

-norm regularization and show that our algorithm performs better in the presented tests.

This article is part of the theme issue ‘Non-smooth variational problems with applications in mechanics’.
Sensing, feeling and regulating: investigating the association of focal brain damage with voluntary respiratory and motor control
Authors: Bischoff Henrik , Kovach Christopher , Kumar Sukbhinder , Bruss Joel , Tranel Daniel , Khalsa Sahib S.
Published: July 2024

Breathing is a complex, vital function that can be modulated to influence physical and mental well-being. However, the role of cortical and subcortical brain regions in voluntary control of human respiration is underexplored. Here we investigated the influence of damage to human frontal, temporal or limbic regions on the sensation and regulation of breathing patterns. Participants performed a respiratory regulation task across regular and irregular frequencies ranging from 6 to 60 breaths per minute (bpm), with a counterbalanced hand motor control task. Interoceptive and affective states induced by each condition were assessed via questionnaire, and autonomic signals were indexed via skin conductance. Participants with focal lesions to the bilateral frontal lobe, right insula/basal ganglia and left medial temporal lobe showed reduced performance relative to individually matched healthy comparisons during the breathing and motor tasks. They also reported significantly higher anxiety during the 60 bpm regular and irregular breathing trials, with anxiety correlating with difficulty in rapid breathing specifically within this group. This study demonstrates that damage to frontal, temporal or limbic regions is associated with abnormal voluntary respiratory and motor regulation and tachypnoea-related anxiety, highlighting the role of the forebrain in affective and motor responses during breathing.

This article is part of the theme issue ‘Sensing and feeling: an integrative approach to sensory processing and emotional experience’.
Misophonia reactions in the general population are correlated with strong emotional reactions to other everyday sensory–emotional experiences
Authors: Mednicoff Solena D. , Barashy Sivan , Vollweiler David J. , Benning Stephen D. , Snyder Joel S. , Hannon Erin E.
Published: July 2024

Misophonic experiences are common in the general population, and they may shed light on everyday emotional reactions to multi-modal stimuli. We performed an online study of a non-clinical sample to understand the extent to which adults who have misophonic reactions are generally reactive to a range of audio-visual emotion-inducing stimuli. We also hypothesized that musicality might be predictive of one's emotional reactions to these stimuli because music is an activity that involves strong connections between sensory processing and meaningful emotional experiences. Participants completed self-report scales of misophonia and musicality. They also watched videos meant to induce misophonia, autonomous sensory meridian response (ASMR) and musical chills, and were asked to click a button whenever they had any emotional reaction to the video. They also rated the emotional valence and arousal of each video. Reactions to misophonia videos were predicted by reactions to ASMR and chills videos, which could indicate that the frequency with which individuals experience emotional responses varies similarly across both negative and positive emotional contexts. Musicality scores were not correlated with measures of misophonia. These findings could reflect a general phenotype of stronger emotional reactivity to meaningful sensory inputs.

This article is part of the theme issue ‘Sensing and feeling: an integrative approach to sensory processing and emotional experience’.
Reorienting psychological science
Authors: McGann Marek
Published: July 2024

Psychological phenomena occur across a wide range of scales, ranging from small, quick events of neurology and biology, to broader, more prolonged unfoldings typical of extended cultural practices. Although theories deployed by psychologists of different stripes have tended to incorporate these different scales, this is typically done in a manner that is implicit, and often unsystematic. That is, typical psychological research is conducted in a manner that is ‘scale-blind’. In this article, I explore some of the historical and more recent recognition of this scale-blindness and place it in the context of recent work on the concept and implications of scale. I conclude by elucidating some of the important ways in which behaviour settings theory, and the researchers who developed it, are explicit and disciplined in their approach to scale, and how such scale-aware work promises practical value in improving scientific practice.

This article is part of the theme issue ‘People, places, things, and communities: expanding behaviour settings theory in the twenty-first century’.
Running away from the marshmallow: the relevance of behaviour settings for a situated science of self-control
Authors: Kalis Annemarie , Pascoe Josephine , Segundo Ortin Miguel
Published: July 2024

The behaviour settings approach was introduced as a means to study the variability of human beings’ behaviour outside the lab. More recently, it has been argued that it also provides a fruitful avenue for developing situated accounts of cognition. This article will provide a proof of concept for the latter suggestion, focusing on the science of self-control. Self-control is the ability of individuals to pursue goals they value in the face of conflicting motivations. The hypothesis we bring forward is that this ability should be understood as a set of skills by which individuals modulate their relation to their environment, more specifically the behaviour settings they inhabit. With this conception of self-control in hand, we will take a critical look at well-known experiments involving delayed gratification tasks and propose concrete suggestions on how to improve them. This will bring us to the conclusion that the behaviour settings framework might have a valuable role to play in developing a situated science of self-control.

This article is part of the theme issue ‘People, places, things and communities: expanding behaviour settings theory in the twenty-first century’.
Whole-genome sequence of a novel lytic bacteriophage infecting Clavibacter michiganensis subsp. michiganensis from Turkey
Authors: Bekircan Eski Duygu , Gencer Donus , Darcan Cihan
Published: July 2024

Clavibacter michiganensis subsp. michiganensis (Cmm) is an important plant-pathogenic bacterium that causes canker and wilt diseases. Biological control of the disease with bacteriophages is an alternative to conventional methods. In this study, Phage33 infecting Cmm was characterized based on morphological and genomic properties. Morphological characteristics such as shape and size were investigated using electron microscopy. The whole genome was sequenced using the Illumina Novaseq 6000 platform and the sequence was assembled and annotated. VICTOR and VIRIDIC were used for determining the phylogeny and comparing viral genomes, respectively. Electron microscopy showed that Phage33 has an icosahedral head with a diameter of ~55 nm and a long, thin, non-contractile tail ~169 nm in length. The genome of Phage33 is 56 324 bp in size, has a GC content of 62.49 % and encodes 67 open reading frames. Thirty-seven ORFs showed high homology to functionally annotated bacteriophage proteins in the NCBI database. The remaining 30 ORFs were identified as hypothetical with unknown functions. The genome contains no antimicrobial resistance, no lysogenicity and no virulence signatures, suggesting that it is a suitable candidate for biocontrol agents. The results of a blastn search showed similarity to the previously reported Xylella phage Sano, with an average nucleotide sequence identity of 92.37 % and query coverage of 91 %. This result was verified using VICTOR and VIRIDIC analysis, and suggests that Phage33 is a new member of the genus Sanovirus under the class Caudoviricetes.
Directed fMRI-based Functional Connectivity Estimation using Physics-Informed Neural Networks
Authors: Sotero Roberto C. , Sanchez-Bornot Jose M.
Published: July 2024

Estimating directed functional connectivity (dFC) within the brain is crucial for comprehending neural interactions. However, conventional methodologies encounter constraints in accuracy, scalability, and interpretation. The method presented here harnesses Physics-Informed Neural Networks (PINNs) to amalgamate the governing physical principles of brain dynamics, thereby improving dFC estimation from resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging (rsfMRI) data. In particular, during the training phase, we derive the input weights from a long-short term memory (LSTM) network, which, within our framework, represent the influence of all other brain areas on the specific region under consideration. These input weights are then integrated into the nonlinear differential equation that models the rsfMRI time series within the specific brain area. Through the training of the PINN model, we simultaneously estimate, for each brain area, the biophysical parameters of the model, including the dFC parameters from all the remaining areas. We applied this methodology to both autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and neurotypical data, revealing significant sex-specific differences in connectivity patterns. These findings underscore the potential of PINNs in advancing our understanding of neural dynamics and emphasize the significance of directionality in brain connectivity research.
Effects of robotic gait rehabilitation with Lokomat ® in vascular hemiplegia: a single-center retrospective observational study
Authors: Michel-Sayeg Constance , Injeyan Soizic , Ropero Xavier , Arkoun Olivier , De Mil Rémy , Peskine Anne
Published: July 2024

Introduction

Gait rehabilitation after a stroke is a major concern in physical medicine and rehabilitation. Since 2007, « Le Normandy» rehabilitation center is equipped with robotic assisted gait training named “Lokomat”; vascular hemiplegic patients benefit from it. This study was conducted to investigate the effect of Lokomat on the walking performance of hemiplegic patients after a stroke and to identify the influence of certain factors.

Methods

This was a retrospective, observational study conducted at « Le Normandy » rehabilitation center in Granville, France. All adult patients hospitalized between 2007 and 2018 for a first stroke within the last six months who completed a full Lokomat program were included. Medical data were collected : sex, age, type of stroke, time since the onset, modified Functional Ambulation Category (mFAC), date of stroke and results of the six minutes walking test (6MWT) before and after rehabilitation. The outcome was the difference between the 6MWT before and after the rehabilitation to determine the evolution of the walking capacity and factors associated with a gain.

Results

We included 235 patients. The median gain on the 6MWT was 18 meters (p<0,01). Two factors were significantly associated with the 6MWT gain : rehabilitation phase and severity of stroke. The median gain was 21.22 meters (95% CI [1.86 ; 44.93]) for patients in early rehabilitation phase versus late rehabilitation phase. The median gain was 34.22 meters (95% CI [16.20 ; 74.69]) for ambulatory patients at the onset compared to non-ambulatory patient. There were no significant difference of median gain between men and women (3.22 meters 95% CI [−11.86 ; 19.48]), between ischemic and hemorrhagic strokes (1.67 meters 95% CI [−10.59 ; 17.03]) and between the post-2016 and pre-2016 periods (6.22 meters 95% CI [−7.99 ; 32.78]). There was a decrease of 0.56 meters (95% CI [−0.99 ; 0.16]) per year at the 6MWT, and this result was not significant.

Conclusion

There was a significant improvement in the 6MWT after robotic rehabilitation by Lokomat. This improvement was greater in patients in early rehabilitation phase and when the patient was initially ambulatory.
Progression of Carotid Intima-Media Thickness in Children of the Cardiovascular Comorbidity in Children with Chronic Kidney Disease Study (4C Study) – Risk Factors and Impact of Blood Pressure Dynamics
Authors: Doyon Anke , Hofstetter Jonas , Bayazit Aysun Karabay , Azukaitis Karolis , Niemirska Ana , Civilibal Mahmut , Kaplan Bulut Ipek , Duzova Ali , Oguz Berna , Ranchin Bruno , Shroff Rukshana , Bilginer Yelda , Caliskan Salim , Paripovic Dusan , Candan Cengiz , Yilmaz Alev , Harambat Jerome , Özçakar Z. Birsin , Lugani Francesca , Alpay Harika , Tschumi Sibylle , Yilmaz Ebru , Drozdz Dorota , Tabel Yilmaz , Özcelik Gül , Caldas Afonso Alberto , Yavascan Onder , Melk Anette , Querfeld Uwe , Schaefer Franz ,   the 4C Study Consortium
Published: July 2024

Rationale

The progression of cardiovascular disease (CVD) in children with chronic kidney disease (CKD) is not well understood.

Objective

To investigate carotid intima-media thickness (cIMT) as a surrogate marker for CVD in 670 patients of the 4C Study (The Cardiovascular Comorbidity in Children with CKD Study), aged 6 - 17 years, with CKD stage 3-5 at baseline. Patients were observed for a period of up to 8 years.

Methods and Results

A linear mixed model was employed to analyse the longitudinal course of cIMT standard deviation score (SDS) and associated clinical risk factors. The association between cIMT SDS change rate and systolic and diastolic BP SDS change rate per year was investigated. cIMT SDS increased significantly during the prospective observation period, with the slope of increase attenuating over time. Younger, taller and female patients were at an elevated risk for elevated cIMT SDS. Further risk factors included diastolic blood pressure and serum albumin for all patients, albuminuria in progressive CKD, and serum phosphate in stable CKD. Diastolic blood pressure SDS decreased and its effect on cIMT SDS attenuated over time. The yearly diastolic and systolic blood pressure change rates were associated with the cIMT SDS change rate within the first 4.5 years. This indicates a progressive change in cIMT with increasing blood pressure over time, and a decrease in cIMT with lowering of blood pressure.

Conclusions

The results demonstrate a progressive increase in cIMT over time in children with CKD, with traditional risk factors such as albuminuria, serum phosphate and blood pressure as relevant predictive factors for cIMT SDS. The association of cIMT SDS progression with blood pressure dynamics suggests potential benefits of blood pressure control in children with CKD. Our findings indicate that cIMT may serve as a surrogate parameter for future clinical trials in children.
Simple calculations of direct impact for the initial assessment of the value of primary HIV prevention interventions
Authors: Garnett Geoff P. , Herbeck Josha T. , Akullian Adam
Published: July 2024

Introduction

Over the course of the HIV pandemic prevention and treatment interventions have reduced HIV incidence but there is still scope for new prevention tools to further control HIV. Studies of the transmission dynamics and cost effectiveness of HIV prevention tools are often done using detailed complex models but there is a role for simpler earlier analyses.

Methods

Equations are defined to calculate the cost effectiveness, budget impact, and epidemiological impact of HIV prevention interventions including equations allowing for multiple interventions and heterogeneity in risk across populations. An efficiency ratio of primary HIV prevention and IV treatment as prevention is defined.

Results

As HIV incidence declines the number needed to treat to prevent one HIV infection increases. The cost effectiveness of HIV is driven by incidence, along with efficacy, duration, and costs of the intervention. The budget impact is driven by cost, size of the population and coverage achieved, and impact is determined by the effective coverage of interventions. Heterogeneity in risk could in theory allow for targeting primary HIV prevention but current screening tools do not appear to sufficiently differentiate risk in populations where they have been applied.

Discussion

Simple calculations provide a tool to readily assess the cost-effectiveness, impact, and budget impact of HIV prevention interventions and can include heterogeneities in risk of HIV acquisition. These calculations provide rough initial estimates that can be compared with more sophisticated transmission dynamic and health economic models.

Conclusion

HIV incidence is declining making primary prevention tools less cost effective. If we require prevention to be more cost effective either we need to target primary prevention tools or they need to be less expensive. Simple equations allow for an exploration of the cost effectiveness of HIV interventions but the sensitivity of results to assumptions needs to be tested by comparison with transmission dynamic models.
Fast polarization switching of undulator radiation up to kilohertz with magnetic field modulation
Authors: Yang Nanrui , Zhao Zhouyu , Li Heting
Published: July 2024

The fast polarization switching of undulator radiation has attracted more and more attention in recent years. In this paper, a new method is proposed for fast polarization switching of undulator radiation by using magnetic field modulation generated from low-current electromagnetic coils. The key point is that we propose to use the coils with a period length of an integral multiple of the undulator period, which can significantly reduce the required coil field. Through fast switching the power of coils, the radiation spectra of two undulators can be rapidly shifted into and out of the bandpass of a monochromator, enabling fast polarization switching for the user beamline. Based on this advantage, this method has strong potential to be implemented in a storage ring and a high switching frequency up to kilohertz can be expected.

Published by the American Physical Society
2024
Flow and rheology of suspensions of two-dimensional cylindrical or anisotropic particles with Navier slip
Authors: Kamal Catherine , Botto Lorenzo
Published: July 2024

Through boundary integral simulations, we investigate, in the creeping flow limit and in the absence of Brownian noise, the effects of Navier slip on the orientational dynamics and effective shear viscosity of a semidilute suspension of two-dimensional particles with either circular or elongated (platelike) shape, interacting only via hydrodynamic and contact forces. We have recently shown that it is theoretically possible for a dilute system of slip platelike particles to display an effective shear viscosity smaller than the viscosity of the suspending fluid. This large viscosity reduction is primarily due to the suppression of the tumbling motion predicted for a no-slip particle and the attainment of a stable orientation. In this paper, we show that the effect of particle-particle interaction at semidilute concentrations is to cause the particles to fluctuate about the stable orientation and, above a threshold solid fraction ccrt, to tumble. As a consequence, a sharp increase in the effective shear viscosity with solid fraction c occurs for c>ccrt. Our results suggest that, for a given particle aspect ratio, there is a value of c that maximizes the reduction in the effective shear viscosity of the suspension.

Published by the American Physical Society
2024
Resonant squeezed light from photonic Cooper pairs
Authors: Timsina Sanker , Hammadia Taha , Milani Sahar Gholami , Júnior Filomeno S. de Aguiar , Brolo Alexandre , de Sousa Rogério
Published: July 2024

Raman scattering of photons into phonons gives rise to entangled photon pairs when the phonon emitted in a Stokes process is coherently absorbed in antiStokes scattering, forming the photonic analog of Cooper pairs. We present a nonperturbative theory for the time evolution of photonic Cooper pairs that treats interacting photons and phonons as a hybrid excitation, the Ramaniton. As the Ramaniton propagates in a waveguide it displays quantum oscillations between photon and phonon occupation, leading to resonant squeezed Stokes-antiStokes light when the phonon occupation becomes equal to zero without recurring back to the photon vacuum. This phenomenon is predicted to generate up to 28 dB of squeezed light even in standard silicon on insulator waveguides.

Published by the American Physical Society
2024
Inferring potential landscapes: A Schrödinger bridge approach to maximum caliber
Authors: Movilla Miangolarra Olga , Eldesoukey Asmaa , Georgiou Tryphon T.
Published: July 2024

Schrödinger bridges have emerged as an enabling framework for unveiling the stochastic dynamics of systems based on marginal observations at different points in time. The terminology “bridge” refers to a probability law that suitably interpolates such marginals. The theory plays a pivotal role in a variety of contemporary developments in machine learning, stochastic control, thermodynamics, and biology, to name a few, impacting disciplines such as single-cell genomics, meteorology, and robotics. In this work, we extend Schrödinger's paradigm of bridges to account for integral constraints along paths, in a way akin to maximum caliber—a maximum entropy principle applied in a dynamic context. The maximum caliber principle has proven useful to infer the dynamics of complex systems, e.g., model gene circuits and protein folding. We unify these two problems via a maximum likelihood formulation to reconcile stochastic dynamics with ensemble-path data. A variety of data types can be encompassed, ranging from distribution moments to average currents along paths. The framework enables inference of time-varying potential landscapes that drive the process. The resulting forces can be interpreted as the optimal control that drives the system in a way that abides by specified integral constraints. This, in turn, relates to a similarly constrained optimal mass transport problem in the zero-noise limit. Analogous results are presented in a discrete-time, discrete-space setting and specialized to steady-state dynamics. We finish by illustrating the practical applicability of the framework through paradigmatic examples, such as that of bit erasure or protein folding. In doing so, we highlight the strengths of the proposed framework, namely, the generality of the theory, its elegant analytical structure, the ease of computation, and the ability to interpret results in terms of system dynamics. This is in contrast to maximum caliber problems where the focus is typically on updating a probability law on paths.

Published by the American Physical Society
2024
Synthesis, molecular and crystal structure of [(NH2)2CSSC(NH2)2]2[RuBr6]Br2·3H2O
Authors: Rudnitskaya Olga V. , Komarovskikh Milena R. , Pekarskaya Maria G. , Pshenichnyy Daniil S. , Akkurt Mehmet , Khalilov Ali N. , Bhattarai Ajaya , Mamedov Ibrahim G.
Published: July 2024

The title compound, bis[dithiobis(formamidinium)] hexabromidoruthenium dibromide trihydrate, [(NH2)2CSSC(NH2)2]2[RuBr6]Br2·3H2O, crystallizes in the orthorhombic system, space group Cmcm, Z = 4. The [RuBr6]2− anionic complex has an octahedral structure. The Ru—Br distances fall in the range 2.4779 (4)–2.4890 (4) Å. The S—S and C—S distances are 2.0282 (12) and 1.783 (2) Å, respectively. The H2O molecules, Br− ions, and NH2 groups of the cation are linked by hydrogen bonds. The conformation of the cation is consolidated by intramolecular O—H...Br, O—H...O, N—H...Br and N—H...O hydrogen bonds. The [(NH2)2CSSC(NH2)2]2+ cations form a hydrogen-bonded system involving the Br − ions and the water molecules. Two Br − anions form four hydrogen bonds, each with the NH2 groups of two cations, thus linking the cations into a ring. The rings are connected by water molecules, forming N—H...O—H...Br hydrogen bonds.
Capital structure in Latin America: institutional and macroeconomic effects
Authors: Díaz-Rivera Edwind
Published: July 2024

Purpose

This study analyzes the influence of institutional and macroeconomic factors, in addition to firm-level factors, on the capital structure of listed industrial Latin American (LATAM) companies. The objective is to provide empirical evidence on LATAM firms from (1) the perspective of the traditional trade-off and pecking order theories and (2) from approaches that introduce the impact of institutional and macroeconomic factors into the analysis.

Design/methodology/approach

The empirical analysis adopts an econometric methodology using panel data on companies from Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Mexico and Peru from 2008 to 2018.

Findings

The results indicate that, in addition to the firm-level characteristics, the institutional and macroeconomic characteristics of the countries influence the capital structure of LATAM companies.

Research limitations/implications

The study presents some limitations. It is mainly focused on listed companies sourced from only six LATAM countries due to a lack of data. It would be advisable to carry out similar studies with corporate governance factors, family businesses and small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs).

Practical implications

The results can serve as a reference for economic agents and professionals, encouraging them to consider the evolution of institutional and macroeconomic variables when making decisions. Academically, our findings verify the validity of conventional theories and the relevance of incorporating external institutional variables into the capital structure framework.

Originality/value

The importance of this research lies in analyzing the capital structure of companies in a little-explored geographic area, LATAM, including institutional and macroeconomic factors and using the new Orbis database.
Core competencies for digital leadership development: a perspective from the lens of paradox theory
Authors: Shahzad Muhammad Umar
Published: July 2024

Purpose

In an era marked by artificial intelligence (AI), virtual reality (VR) and augmented reality (AR), this study presents a research paradigm centered on nurturing fundamental skills crucial for effective digital leadership in a paradoxical age where leaders are ambitious as well as skeptical for the adoption of such technologies. This study offers a strategic framework to seamlessly integrate diverse technologies into leadership development; the objective is to bridge the divide between theoretical understanding and practical implementation, especially through the lens of paradox theory.

Design/methodology/approach

This conceptual study delineates essential attributes that digital leaders must cultivate, drawing insights from the corpus of literature encompassing leadership, technology and organizational advancement. Synthesizing theoretical perspectives, the study proposes a comprehensive research framework that provides a systematic approach to harnessing the potential of AI, VR and AR to enhance leadership competencies. This conceptual study significantly contributes to paradox theory through method of “theory adaptation” as elaborated in the literature.

Findings

The study unveils a spectrum of foundational proficiencies, including technological acumen, adaptability, strategic acumen, effective communication, collaborative aptitude and ethical acumen, among others. These competencies underscore the multifaceted skill set required of digital leaders. To adeptly traverse the intricate digital terrain, foster innovation and align technological advancements with organizational objectives, these proficiencies are imperative for digital leaders to possess.

Originality/value

The distinctiveness of this study lies in its all-encompassing approach to digital leadership development by offering a paradoxical perspective and hence making a contribution to the body of knowledge for paradox theory. By amalgamating AI, VR and AR into a cohesive framework, the study enhances the comprehension of how these technologies collaboratively nurture leaders capable of cultivating organizational triumph in the digital age. This proposed paradigm serves as a bridge between cutting-edge digital technology usage and leadership proficiency paradox, furnishing pragmatic insights to benefit both academic researchers and industry practitioners.
Effectiveness of femvertising communications on social media: how brand promises and motive attributions impact brand equity and endorsement outcomes
Authors: Rudeloff Christian , Bruns Joke
Published: July 2024

Purpose

With the growing importance of conscientious branding, companies are increasingly adopting messages of female empowerment in their social media communications. However, this is not without risk, as stakeholders may be suspicious of femwashing. Therefore, companies need to develop appropriate messaging strategies to increase the effectiveness of their femvertising communications.

Design/methodology/approach

A between-subjects 3 × 1 online experiment was conducted to examine the influence of different messaging strategies (symbolic, philanthropic and explicit brand promises) and respective stakeholders' attributions of a company’s femvertising motives on brand equity and endorsement outcomes.

Findings

The results show that philanthropic and explicit brand promises have more positive effects on brand equity and endorsement outcomes than symbolic brand promises. In addition, motive attributions towards the firm’s femvertising messages were found to moderate the influence of message strategies on endorsement outcomes.

Originality/value

Previous research on the effects of femvertising has been inclined towards short-term performance factors like purchase intentions. This study contributes to the literature by examining its impacts on more strategic intangible assets such as brand equity. Furthermore, while prior studies on femvertising effects have so far focused primarily on the influence of recipients’ characteristics and less on the side of the communicators, this study illuminates the potential of different messaging strategies for effective femvertising communicating.
Organizational compassion, employees' mental health, commitment and engagement in the context of COVID-19: a serial mediation analysis
Authors: Baluku Martin Mabunda , Kizito Simon , Balikoowa Richard , Namale Betty
Published: July 2024

Purpose

The study examines the effects of organizational compassion during the COVID-19 pandemic on teachers' mental health and, consequently, their commitment and work engagement. The study tests a serial mediation model for the effects of organizational compassion on employee engagement via mental health and the three components of organizational commitment.

Design/methodology/approach

A cross-sectional sample (N = 436) completed an online questionnaire towards the end of the prolonged lockdown of schools in Uganda (2021–2022). Serial mediation analysis in PROCESS Macro was employed to test the hypotheses.

Findings

As hypothesized, organizational compassion was significantly related to teachers' mental health, the three components of organizational commitment, and employee engagement. A double mediation path of the effects of organizational compassion on employee engagement via mental health and affective commitment was significant.

Practical implications

The findings highlight how organizational compassion benefits employees’ psychological health and work attitudes and behavior. The findings draw attention to the need to design compassion practices that boost the emotional value of organizational compassion to the individual over the economic and normative value.

Originality/value

The study contributes to the literature on organizational compassion outcomes by focusing on employee engagement and the underlying mediating mechanisms. The study is also one of the few that has examined the effects of organizational compassion on the three components of organizational commitment.
Joint venture offer: should Agastya accept or decline?
Authors: Tripathy Trilochan , Sahu Benudhar , Madhok Neeti
Published: July 2024

Learning outcomes

This case study is designed to enable students to understand the demand for flexible containment products in India, understand the need for a joint venture (JV) with an international company, assess Agastya Inventions Private Limited’s (AIPL) cost and benefits of acceptance of the JV offer, evaluate the growth possibilities in the Indian biogas sector, and conduct the valuation of AIPL for its better positioning during the JV deal.

Case overview/synopsis

The case study is about the dilemma faced by Prantik Sinha, co-founder and director of Indian company AIPL, to accept or decline a JV offer from a French industrial conglomerate Serge Ferrari Group SA (SFG). AIPL is a leading manufacturer and trader of biogas storage tanks, water storage tanks, airlifting bags, floating boom barriers, trash floating boom barriers and inflatable swimming pools. The company adopts business-to-business and direct-to-customer business models. It develops products as per clients’ specifications and their exact requirements. In 2022, SFG proposed collaborating with AIPL to market its biogas digesters in India and abroad. As per the partnership deal, AIPL needed to split its biogas digester portfolio and sell it to the proposed JV for a specific one-time value. Sinha believed that the JV was an opportunity to scale the business globally and would likely shape the company’s future. However, he was in a quandary about making a final decision on accepting the JV offer because biogas digesters remained the company’s highest revenue-generating product portfolio. It was against this backdrop, what would Sinha do to accomplish his business objective and protect the interest of the company? The case study highlights Sinha’s commitment to nurture and expand AIPL’s business in India and beyond. It provides ample scope for students to analyze the pros and cons of AIPL’s JV initiative with SFG and suggest whether the company can leverage this offer for business growth.

Complexity academic level

This case study is meant for MBA-level students as part of their strategic management and financial management curriculum.

Supplementary materials

Teaching notes are available for educators only.

Subject code

CSS 1: Accounting and finance
Is the future of work hybrid? Examining motivations and expectations related to working from home in knowledge workers' lived experiences
Authors: Boyraz Maggie , Gilbert Rosemarie
Published: July 2024

Purpose

This study explores the topic of remote work and the changing motivations to working from home after the COVID-19 pandemic-induced exposure to working from home. It examines the effects of that forced work from home (WFH) experience on subsequent motivations for continuing part or all of that changed mode of working. In this study, the authors examine the perspective of front-line knowledge workers regarding the motivation to WFH based on their lived experiences.

Design/methodology/approach

Self-determination theory (SDT) provided the theoretical basis for the study (Ryan and Deci, 2000, 2017). The authors employed semi-structured individual and group interviews (with 28 participants) and explored the following questions: How has the competence aspect of motivation to WFH changed due to the shift that occurred during the pandemic? How has the relatedness aspect of motivation to WFH changed due to the shift that occurred during the pandemic? How has the autonomy aspect of motivation to WFH changed due to the shift that transpired during the pandemic?

Findings

The findings show that there was a change from an extrinsic motivation based on external factors to one that is more intrinsic, or internal, in nature for knowledge workers who experienced the switch to working from home during the COVID-19 pandemic. The study makes an important contribution by developing a theoretical model based on SDT (Ryan and Deci, 2000, 2017) in the context of WFH. In the first phase (Phase 1), workers experienced many transitional challenges due to the suddenness and intensiveness of the shift. However, over time workers adapted and adjusted (we refer to this as Phase 2 in our model). Ultimately, all three aspects of SDT – competence, relatedness and autonomy – increased motivation to work from home. However, we also found some factors that act as demotivators to knowledge workers for embracing remote work such as those involving career advancement and the expectation of voice. Despite these moderating factors, the overall progression toward the desire to WFH, at least on a hybrid basis, has continued after adjusting to the forced experience of telecommuting during the pandemic.

Originality/value

The contribution of this study is to disaggregate the short-term effects of the sudden transition, to the longer-term effects after adaption and adjustment occurred, and to connect that to a new perspective on work by employees. It does this by extending SDT to the context of motivation regarding work from home. The COVID-19 pandemic provided experience of and opportunities for telework to more employees and changed many of their expectations and motivations. By looking at front-line knowledge workers’ expectations and motivations related to home-based work, we can better understand the increased demand by workers for hybrid work schedules.
Achieving sustainable development goals for mental health and gender equality through work-life balance and emotional intelligence
Authors: Begum Ghausia Taj
Published: July 2024

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to investigate the relationship between work-life balance and the mental health of Indian managers and to explore the moderating role of emotional intelligence (EI) and gender.

Design/methodology/approach

Work-life balance scale (Hayman 2005), Mental Health Inventory (Viet and Ware, 1983) and EI scale (Wong and Law, 2002) were administered to 202 (102 males and 100 females) Indian managers. Based on the Conservation of Resource theory, a theoretical model has been designed and hypotheses were tested by descriptive, correlation and moderation analysis.

Findings

The results of this study indicated that work-life balance is positively correlated with psychological well-being and mental health, while negatively correlated with the psychological distress of managers. EI has emerged as a potential moderator that positively influences the relationship between work-life balance and the mental health of managers. At the same time, gender did not show any moderating effect.

Research limitations/implications

This research has theoretical, practical as well as social implications.

Practical implications

This study is aligned with SDG 3 and SDG 5 of the UN Sustainable Development Goals 2023. This paper provides valuable inputs in promoting mental health at the workplace and formulating gender-neutral work-life balance policies and programs in Indian organizations.

Social implications

This study is aligned with SDG 3 (Health and well-being) and SDG 5 (Gender equality) of the UN Sustainable Development Goals 2023.

Originality/value

This study is an empirical research paper backed by a sound theoretical framework, which addresses the work-life balance and mental health issues of managers and highlights the positive role of EI in managing their personal and professional lives in a low gender-egalitarian Indian work–family culture.
Unraveling the dynamics of password manager adoption: a deeper dive into critical factors
Authors: Tian Xiaoguang
Published: July 2024

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to comprehensively explore the password manager adoption landscape, delving into crucial factors such as performance, trust, social influence, self-efficacy, risk perception, security concerns, enjoyment and facilitating conditions. It also aims to contribute meaningful insights to security product research and practice.

Design/methodology/approach

A survey was used to investigate the characteristics of adoption intention for password managers. In total, 156 participants from a public university located in the Midwest region of the USA voluntarily completed the survey. Partial least squares structural equation modeling was used to estimate and validate causal relationships and the proposed research model.

Findings

Through empirical validation, this study demonstrates that constructs such as social influence, web-specific self-efficacy and perceived risk directly impact trust in password managers. Facilitating conditions and perceived security controls are identified as direct influencers on performance expectancy, deviating from the pathways of the traditional framework. Moreover, the model introduces novel elements crucial for comprehending password manager adoption, including “web-specific self-efficacy” and “perceived security control.”

Originality/value

The paper systematically reviews existing research on password managers, shedding light on crucial factors significantly influencing adoption behavior. By introducing deviations from conventional frameworks and theories, the study emphasizes the innovative nature of its model. It also formulates strategies to catalyze wider adoption and promote effective design of password managers, increasing user engagement rates.
Academia’s engagement with Sustainable Development Goals: status quo and barriers at Great Zimbabwe University
Authors: Chapungu Lazarus , Nhamo Godwell
Published: July 2024

Purpose

This study aims to examine academic staff’s engagement with sustainable development goals (SDGs) in higher education institutions.

Design/methodology/approach

The triangulation, convergence model of the mixed methods research design was adopted as the strategy for inquiry. A total of 56 questionnaires and 25 interviews were used to collect the data, and this was buttressed by document review and use of secondary data obtained from Scival.

Findings

The results show moderate levels of engagement of academic staff with the SDGs. However, SDGs familiarisation is not correlated with the rate of localisation. The lack of funding deflated political will by university management, demotivated academia and shrinking government support are the leading impediments to SDGs localisation.

Research limitations/implications

The results could be improved by using a larger sample size equally distributed across disciplines. Triangulation of academics’ views with those of students and non-academic staff could have improved the understanding of other dynamics involved in the localisation of SDGs by university teaching staff.

Practical implications

The results point towards the need for a university-based framework that interweaves national, institutional, thematic, structural and personal aspects into the SDGs implementation matrix. The underlying determinants of successful localisation of SDGs by academia need to be addressed through a bottom-up approach.

Originality/value

To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this paper is the first attempt in Zimbabwe to exclusively look at University teaching staff’s engagement with SDGs.
Impact of banking subsystem liquidity creation on real economic output
Authors: Mantai Mohammed Mahmoud , Ismail Izlin , Bacha Obiyathulla Ismath
Published: July 2024

Purpose

This study aims to examine the impact of liquidity creation per capita of tri-banking system and dual banking system on real economic output.

Design/methodology/approach

This study applies the feasible generalized least square framework on the data set of 12 countries, 8 with tri-banking system and 4 with dual banking system over the 2013–2022 period.

Findings

The findings show that for countries with tri-banking system, only liquidity creation by full-fledged Islamic Banks (FIBs) and hybrid conventional banks (HCBs) spurs real output, with the impact of HCBs being greater than that of FIBs. Nonetheless, for countries with dual banking system, both FIBs’ and pure CBs’ (PCBs) liquidity creation fosters real output. However, the impact of PCBs is slightly greater. Finally, Granger causality results confirm only the positive impact of the tri-banking system’s liquidity creation on real output.

Practical implications

For countries with tri-banking system, only HCBs’ and FIBs’ liquidity creation spurs real output. However, for countries with dual banking system, liquidity created by both FIBs and PCBs fosters real output. However, only liquidity created by tri-banking system has a unidirectional Granger causality with real output.

Originality/value

To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this is the first study that examines the impact of the banking subsystem liquidity creation on real economic output. Examining the impact of the liquidity created by this banking subsystem on the real economy is important for both regulators and policymakers.
Breathing new life into industrial heritage: the digital era's influence on transforming Safawi cinema into a historical museum
Authors: Al-Zrigat Zaid M.
Published: July 2024

Purpose

This paper aims to identify and evaluate the industrial heritage of the Safawi region, which has suffered from neglect and government dispossession. It proposes strategies for documenting and repurposing the Al-Safawi cinema, advocating for its transformation into a historical museum. Repurposing culturally significant structures as museums offers opportunities to address challenges, preserve heritage, promote sustainable urban development, improve local quality of life, and attract tourists.

Design/methodology/approach

Employing an inductive approach, this research uses qualitative methods, including detailed descriptive analysis, along with contemporary digital documentation tools such as RTC360 Laser Scanning, Digi Cad 3D, Autodesk Revit, AutoCAD, and Photoshop.

Findings

The study demonstrates that converting heritage buildings into museums requires minimal alterations to maintain authenticity and historical integrity. These findings provide valuable insights into architectural considerations that inform decision-making processes for museum projects, contributing to discussions on museum standards, practices, and adaptive reuse within the Jordanian context.

Originality/value

This study stands out for its use of advanced digital tools within the Jordanian context, representing a significant advancement in digital documentation practices. Few studies have explored the Safawi area and its heritage, making this research particularly innovative. By advocating for minimal alterations to preserve authenticity, it sets a valuable precedent for museum projects in the country, enhancing efforts in heritage conservation and cultural enrichment. This initiative highlights the evolving landscape of digital engagement in Jordan and its potential implications for cultural heritage management.