bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Catalytic Redundancies and Conformational Plasticity Drives Selectivity and Promiscuity in Quorum Quenching Lactonases
Authors: Corbella Marina , Bravo Joe , Demkiv Andrey O. , Calixto Ana Rita , Sompiyachoke Kitty , Bergonzi Celine , Elias Mikael H. , Kamerlin Shina Caroline Lynn
Published: May 2024

Several enzymes from the metallo-β-lactamase-like family of lactonases (MLLs) degradeN-acyl-L-homoserine lactones (AHLs). In doing so, they play a role in a microbial communication system, quorum sensing, which contributes to pathogenicity and biofilm formation. There is currently great interest in designing quorum quenching (QQ) enzymes that can interfere with this communication and be used in a range of industrial and biomedical applications. However, tailoring these enzymes for specific targets requires a thorough understanding of their mechanisms and the physicochemical properties that determine their substrate specificities. We present here a detailed biochemical, computational, and structural study of the MLL GcL, which is highly proficient, thermostable, and has broad substrate specificity. Strikingly, we show that GcL does not only accept a broad range of substrates but is also capable of utilizing different reaction mechanisms that are differentially used in function of the substrate structure or the remodeling of the active siteviamutations. Comparison of GcL to other lactonases such as AiiA and AaL demonstrates similar mechanistic promiscuity, suggesting this is a shared feature across lactonases in this enzyme family. Mechanistic promiscuity has previously been observed in the lactonase/paraoxonase PON1, as well as with protein tyrosine phosphatases that operateviaa dual general-acid mechanism. The apparent prevalence of this phenomenon is significant from both a biochemical and an engineering perspective: in addition to optimizing for specific substrates, it is possible to optimize for specific mechanisms, opening new doors not just for the design of novel quorum quenching enzymes, but also of other mechanistically promiscuous enzymes.
A prefrontal cortex-lateral hypothalamus circuit controls stress-driven food intake
Authors: Supiot L.F. , Benschop A.A.C. , Nicolson A.S.J. , Haak R. , Wolterink-Donselaar I.G. , Luijendijk M.C.M. , Adan R.A.H , Poorthuis R.B. , Meye F.J.
Published: May 2024

Stress can drive excessive intake of palatable high-caloric food. The medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC) is implicated in this, but through unknown downstream circuits and mechanisms. Here we show, in mice, that the projection from the mPFC to the lateral hypothalamus (LHA) is a critical substrate for stress-driven fat intake. We show that optogenetic stimulation of the mPFC-LHA increases fat intake under naïve conditions. Usingin vivoelectrophysiology and ensemble tagging, we demonstrate that the mPFC-LHA network acutely responds to social stress. Combining patch clamp and optogenetics, we show that after social stress plasticity occurs specifically at mPFC synapses onto LHA glutamatergic (but not GABAergic) neurons. Such stress primes the efficacy with which optogenetic stimulation of mPFC-LHA pathways drives fat intake, while chemogenetic inhibition of this network specifically blocks stress-driven increased fat intake. Our findings identify the mPFC as a top-down regulator of distinct LHA feeding networks, necessary for stress-eating behavior.
Accelerated molecular vibrational decay and suppressed electronic nonlinearities in plasmonic cavities through coherent Raman scattering
Authors: Jakob Lukas A. , Deacon William M. , Arul Rakesh , de Nijs Bart , Mueller Niclas S. , Baumberg Jeremy J.
Published: May 2024

Molecular vibrations and their dynamics are of outstanding importance for electronic and thermal transport in nanoscale devices as well as for molecular catalysis. The vibrational dynamics of <100 molecules are studied through three-color time-resolved coherent anti-Stokes Raman spectroscopy using plasmonic nanoantennas. This isolates molecular signals from four-wave mixing (FWM) while using exceptionally low nanowatt powers to avoid molecular damage via single-photon lock-in detection. FWM is found to be strongly suppressed in nanometer-wide plasmonic gaps compared to plasmonic nanoparticles. Simultaneous time-resolved incoherent anti-Stokes Raman spectroscopy allows us to separate the contributions of vibrational population decay (T1) and dephasing (T2). With increasing illumination intensity, the ultrafast vibrational dephasing rates of biphenyl-4-thiol molecules are accelerated at least tenfold, while phonon population decay rates remain constant. The extreme plasmonic field enhancement within nanogaps opens up prospects for measuring single-molecule vibrationally coupled dynamics and diverse molecular optomechanics phenomena.

Published by the American Physical Society
2024
Molecular pentaquarks with hidden charm and double strangeness
Authors: Roca L. , Song J. , Oset E.
Published: May 2024

We analyze theoretically the coupled-channel meson-baryon interaction with global flavor c¯cssn and c¯csss, where mesons are pseudoscalars or vectors, and baryons have JP=1/2+ or 3/2+. The aim is to explore whether the nonlinear dynamics inherent in the unitarization process within coupled channels can dynamically generate double- and triple-strange pentaquark-type states (Pcss and Pcsss, respectively), for which there is no experimental evidence to date. We evaluate the s-wave scattering matrix by implementing unitarity in coupled channels, using potential kernels obtained from t-channel vector meson exchange. The required PPV and VVV vertices are obtained from Lagrangians derived through appropriate extensions of the local hidden gauge symmetry approach to the charm sector, while capitalizing on the symmetry of the spin and flavor wave function to evaluate the BBV vertex. We find four different poles in the double strange sector, some of them degenerate in spin. For the triple-strange channel, we find the meson-baryon interaction insufficient to generate a bound or resonance state through the unitary coupled-channel dynamics.

Published by the American Physical Society
2024
Quark and proton anomalous magnetic moments in confining models
Authors: Mena C. , Palhares L. F.
Published: May 2024

We compute the one-loop quark-photon vertex and the quark magnetic moment in three different models with an infrared-modified gluon propagator, namely: the massive (Curci-Ferrari-like) model, the Gribov-Zwanziger model, and the refined Gribov-Zwanziger model. We show results for the F2 form factor and analyze the role played by the mass parameters associated with the confined gluon in these models. Using the framework of the constituent quark model, we further construct the observable proton magnetic moment including the effects of quantum chromodynamics (QCD) interactions generated by the different confining models. Our results show that there is no qualitative observable difference stemming from the presence of complex-conjugated poles. On the other hand, quantitative differences between the various confining models can be sizable, so that observable constraints would in principle be possible, provided one has sufficient information about the constituent quark mass and the QCD running coupling.

Published by the American Physical Society
2024
Photon quantum kinetic equations and collective modes in an axion background
Authors: Comadran Marc , Manuel Cristina
Published: May 2024

We develop a quantum kinetic theory for photons in the presence of an axion background and in the collisioness limit. In deriving the classical regime of our quantum kinetic equations, we observe that they capture well-known features of axion electrodynamics. By projecting the Wigner function onto a polarization basis, relating the Wigner matrix function with the Stokes parameters, we establish the dispersion relations and transport equations for each polarization space component. Additionally, we investigate how the axion background affects the dispersion relations of photon collective modes within an electron-positron plasma at equilibrium temperature T. While the plasmon remains unaffected, we find that the axion background breaks the degeneracy of transverse collective modes at order egaγT(∂a), where e represents the electron charge, gaγ denotes the photon-axion coupling, and ∂a represents the scale associated with variations in the axion field.

Published by the American Physical Society
2024
First detailed calculation of atmospheric neutrino foregrounds to the diffuse supernova neutrino background in Super-Kamiokande
Authors: Zhou Bei , Beacom John F.
Published: May 2024

The diffuse supernova neutrino background (DSNB)—a probe of the core-collapse mechanism and the cosmic star-formation history—has not been detected, but its discovery may be imminent. A significant obstacle for DSNB detection in Super-Kamiokande (Super-K) is detector backgrounds, especially due to atmospheric neutrinos (more precisely, these are foregrounds), which are not sufficiently understood. We perform the first detailed theoretical calculations of these foregrounds in the range 16–90 MeV in detected electron energy, taking into account several physical and detector effects, quantifying uncertainties, and comparing our predictions to the 15.9 live time years of pre-gadolinium data from Super-K stages I–IV. We show that our modeling reasonably reproduces this low-energy data as well as the usual high-energy atmospheric-neutrino data. To accelerate progress on detecting the DSNB, we outline key actions to be taken in future theoretical and experimental work. In a forthcoming paper, we use our modeling to detail how low-energy atmospheric-neutrino events register in Super-K and suggest new cuts to reduce their impact.

Published by the American Physical Society
2024
Wormholes inside stars and black holes
Authors: Nojiri Shin’ichi , Odintsov S. D. , Folomeev Vladimir
Published: May 2024

We construct models of two exotic objects: (i) a wormhole whose throat is hidden by a stellar object like a neutron star; and (ii) a wormhole inside a black hole. We work within Einstein’s gravity coupled to two scalar fields with a specific choice of the scalar field Lagrangian. In general, the model contains ghosts, but they are eliminated using the constraints given by the Lagrange multiplier fields. The constraints are a generalization of the mimetic constraint, where nondynamical dark matter effectively appears. As a result, in our model, instead of the nondynamical dark matter, nondynamical exotic matter like a phantom effectively arises. For the mixed wormhole-plus-star system, we find the corresponding mass-radius relation and show that it is possible to get characteristics comparable to those of ordinary neutron stars. For the wormhole inside the black hole, we find an extremal limit where the radius of the throat coincides with the radius of the event horizon and demonstrate that the Hawking temperature vanishes in this limit.

Published by the American Physical Society
2024
Exploring light dark matter with the Migdal effect in hydrogen-doped liquid xenon
Authors: Bell Nicole F. , Cox Peter , Dolan Matthew J. , Newstead Jayden L. , Ritter Alexander C.
Published: May 2024

An ongoing challenge in dark matter direct detection is to improve the sensitivity to light dark matter in the MeV–GeV mass range. One proposal is to dope a liquid noble-element direct-detection experiment with a lighter element such as hydrogen. This has the advantage of enabling larger recoil energies compared to scattering on a heavy target, while leveraging existing detector technologies. Direct-detection experiments can also extend their reach to lower masses by exploiting the Migdal effect, where a nuclear recoil leads to electronic ionization or excitation. In this work, we combine these ideas to study the sensitivity of a hydrogen-doped LZ experiment (HydroX) and a future large-scale experiment such as XLZD. We find that HydroX could have sensitivity to dark matter masses below 10 MeV for both spin-independent and spin-dependent scattering, with XLZD extending that reach to lower cross sections. Notably, this technique substantially enhances the sensitivity of direct detection to spin-dependent proton scattering, well beyond the reach of any current experiments.

Published by the American Physical Society
2024
Disparities in access to U.S. quantum information education
Authors: Meyer Josephine C. , Passante Gina , Wilcox Bethany
Published: May 2024

Driven in large part by the National Quantum Initiative Act of 2018, quantum information science (QIS) coursework and degree programs are rapidly spreading across U.S. institutions. Yet prior work suggests that access to quantum workforce education is unequally distributed, disproportionately benefiting students at private research-focused institutions whose student bodies are unrepresentative of U.S. higher education as a whole. We use regression analysis to analyze the distribution of QIS coursework across 456 institutions of higher learning as of Fall 2022, identifying statistically significant disparities across institutions in particular along the axes of institution classification, funding, and geographic distribution suggesting today’s QIS education programs are largely failing to reach low-income and rural students. We also conduct a brief analysis of the distribution of emerging dedicated QIS degree programs, discovering much the same trends. We conclude with a discussion of implications for educators, policymakers, and education researchers including specific policy recommendations to direct investments in QIS education to schools serving low-income and rural students, leverage existing grassroots diversity and inclusion initiatives that have arisen within the quantum community, and update and modernize procedures for collecting QIS educational data to better track these trends.

Published by the American Physical Society
2024
Optical Shubnikov–de Haas oscillations in two-dimensional electron systems
Authors: Savchenko M. L. , Gospodarič J. , Shuvaev A. , Dmitriev I. A. , Dziom V. , Dobretsova A. A. , Mikhailov N. N. , Kvon Z. D. , Pimenov A.
Published: May 2024

We report on dynamic Shubnikov–de Haas (SdH) oscillations that are measured in the optical response, subterahertz transmittance of two-dimensional systems, and reveal two distinct types of oscillation nodes: “universal” nodes at integer ratios of radiation and cyclotron frequencies and “tunable” nodes at positions sensitive to all parameters of the structure. The nodes in both real and imaginary parts of the measured complex transmittance are analyzed using a dynamic version of the static Lifshitz-Kosevich formula. These results demonstrate that the node structure of the dynamic SdH oscillations provides an all-optical access to quantization- and interaction-induced renormalization effects, in addition to parameters one can obtain from the static SdH oscillations.

Published by the American Physical Society
2024
Correlation dimension of natural language in a statistical manifold
Authors: Du Xin , Tanaka-Ishii Kumiko
Published: May 2024

The correlation dimension of natural language is measured by applying the Grassberger-Procaccia algorithm to high-dimensional sequences produced by a large-scale language model. This method, previously studied only in a Euclidean space, is reformulated in a statistical manifold via the Fisher-Rao distance. Language exhibits a multifractal, with global self-similarity and a universal dimension around 6.5, which is smaller than those of simple discrete random sequences and larger than that of a Barabási-Albert process. Long memory is the key to producing self-similarity. Our method is applicable to any probabilistic model of real-world discrete sequences, and we show an application to music data.

Published by the American Physical Society
2024
Speed of sound in methane under conditions of planetary interiors
Authors: White Thomas G. , Poole Hannah , McBride Emma E. , Oliver Matthew , Descamps Adrien , Fletcher Luke B. , Angermeier W. Alex , Allen Cameron H. , Appel Karen , Condamine Florian P. , Curry Chandra B. , Dallari Francesco , Funk Stefan , Galtier Eric , Gamboa Eliseo J. , Gauthier Maxence , Graham Peter , Goede Sebastian , Haden Daniel , Kim Jongjin B. , Lee Hae Ja , Ofori-Okai Benjamin K. , Richardson Scott , Rigby Alex , Schoenwaelder Christopher , Sun Peihao , Witte Bastian L. , Tschentscher Thomas , Zastrau Ulf , Nagler Bob , Hastings J. B. , Monaco Giulio , Gericke Dirk O. , Glenzer Siegfried H. , Gregori Gianluca
Published: May 2024

We present direct observations of acoustic waves in warm dense matter. We analyze wave-number- and energy-resolved x-ray spectra taken from warm dense methane created by laser heating a cryogenic liquid jet. X-ray diffraction and inelastic free-electron scattering yield sample conditions of 0.3±0.1 eV and 0.8±0.1 g/cm−3, corresponding to a pressure of ∼13 GPa. Inelastic x-ray scattering was used to observe the collective oscillations of the ions. With a highly improved energy resolution of ∼50 meV, we could clearly distinguish the Brillouin peaks from the quasielastic Rayleigh feature. Data at different wave numbers were utilized to derive a sound speed of 5.9±0.5 km/s, marking a high-temperature data point for methane and demonstrating consistency with Birch's law in this parameter regime.

Published by the American Physical Society
2024
Tunable Inductive Coupler for High-Fidelity Gates Between Fluxonium Qubits
Authors: Zhang Helin , Ding Chunyang , Weiss D.K. , Huang Ziwen , Ma Yuwei , Guinn Charles , Sussman Sara , Chitta Sai Pavan , Chen Danyang , Houck Andrew A. , Koch Jens , Schuster David I.
Published: May 2024

The fluxonium qubit is a promising candidate for quantum computation due to its long coherence times and large anharmonicity. We present a tunable coupler that realizes strong inductive coupling between two heavy-fluxonium qubits, each with approximately 50-MHz frequencies and approximately 5-GHz anharmonicities. The coupler enables the qubits to have a large tuning range of XX coupling strengths (−35 to 75 MHz). The ZZ coupling strength is

<

3

kHz across the entire coupler bias range and <100 Hz at the coupler off position. These qualities lead to fast high-fidelity single- and two-qubit gates. By driving at the difference frequency of the two qubits, we realize a iSWAP gate in 258 ns with fidelity 99.72%, and by driving at the sum frequency of the two qubits, we achieve a bSWAP gate in 102 ns with fidelity 99.91%. This latter gate is only five qubit Larmor periods in length. We run cross-entropy benchmarking for over 20 consecutive hours and measure stable gate fidelities, with bSWAP drift (2σ) <0.02% and iSWAP drift <0.08%.

Published by the American Physical Society
2024
A novel predefined performance barrier function based adaptive sliding mode control method for RLV under mismatched disturbance
Authors: Wang Mingze , Yang Yuhe , Bai Yuliang
Published: May 2024

Purpose

This paper aims to present a novel adaptive sliding mode control (ASMC) method based on the predefined performance barrier function for reusable launch vehicle under attitude constraints and mismatched disturbances.

Design/methodology/approach

A novel ASMC based on barrier function is adopted to deal with matched and mismatched disturbances. The upper bounds of the disturbances are not required to be known in advance. Meanwhile, a predefined performance function (PPF) with prescribed convergence time is used to adjust the boundary of the barrier function. The transient performance, including the overshoot, convergence rate and settling time, as well as the steady-state performance of the attitude tracking error are retained in the predetermined region under the barrier function and PPF. The stability of the proposed control method is analyzed via Lyapunov method.

Findings

In contrast to conventional adaptive back-stepping methods, the proposed method is comparatively simple and effective which does not need to disassemble the control system into multiple first-order systems. The proposed barrier function based on PPF can adjust not only the switching gain in an adaptive way but also the convergence time and steady-state error. And the efficiency of the proposed method is illustrated by conducting numerical simulations.

Originality/value

A novel barrier function based ASMC method is proposed to fit in the amplitude of the mismatched and matched disturbances. The transient and steady-state performance of attitude tracking error can be selected as prior control parameters.
Toward a framework for the design of fair shared open spaces case study: Effat University, Jeddah
Authors: Nasreldin Rania , Ibrahim Asmaa
Published: May 2024

Purpose

This research aims to shed light on the utilization of open spaces at Effat University through a gender lens. By eliminating gender segregation, the study seeks to examine how these spaces are equitably shared between genders, while also delving into the realm of gender sensitive urban design (GSUD). Furthermore, the research strives to gain valuable insights into the experiences of female students in open spaces to propose a framework for the design of fair shared open spaces.

Design/methodology/approach

To achieve these objectives, a multi-faceted approach was adopted. First, the research started by reviewing the literature about gender sensitive urban design and inclusive urban design to conclude the indicators examine how open spaces are shared fairly between both genders; second, an online questionnaire was administered to gather comprehensive data. Third, meticulous observations were conducted, involving the study, analysis and mapping of students' activities using maps and photos. Lastly, a walk shop was organized, with a focus group comprising of female participants. The collected data was then analyzed using SPSS descriptive statistics and the Pearson product-moment correlation coefficient, enabling the identification of key patterns and evaluating female students' satisfaction levels.

Findings

The findings unearth a distinctive perspective on the perception and needs of females within a unique subset of open spaces, referred to as “campus open spaces,” in the context of a gender sensitive urban design. This exploration provides valuable insights into the intricacies of gender dynamics within public spaces, contributing to a more inclusive and equitable environment for all individuals at Effat University, framework shows some of significant indicators that effect on other indicators strongly as sense of safety and security and the diversity of activities that increase visiting rates, sense of belonging.

Originality/value

This research presents a framework aimed at improving the concept of equitable and inclusive, open spaces, particularly on campuses within significant communities like KSA. The focus is on creating fair shared places that facilitate interaction and cater to the social and cultural needs of students, with a particular emphasis on supporting female students. By enhancing their sense of belonging and addressing their unique requirements, this framework aims to positively impact their academic performance while fostering an inclusive and engaging campus environment.
Properties of films and coatings added of tocopherol for food packaging: tool-based review for systematic reviews and bibliometric analysis
Authors: da Costa Danusa Silva , dos Santos Lucely Nogueira , Ferreira Nelson Rosa , Takeuchi Katiuchia Pereira , Lopes Alessandra Santos
Published: May 2024

Purpose

The aim was not to perform a systematic review but firstly to search in PubMed, Science Direct, Scopus and Web of Science databases on the papers published in the last five years using tools for reviewing the statement of preferred information item for systematic reviews without focusing on a randomized analysis and secondly to perform a bibliometric analysis on the properties of films and coatings added of tocopherol for food packaging.

Design/methodology/approach

On January 24, 2022, information was sought on the properties of films and coatings added of tocopherol for use as food packaging published in PubMed, Science Direct, Scopus and Web of Science databases. Further analysis was performed using bibliometric indicators with the VOSviewer tool.

Findings

The searches returned 33 studies concerning the properties of films and coatings added of tocopherol for food packaging, which were analyzed together for a better understanding of the results. Data analysis using the VOSviewer tool allowed a better visualization and exploration of these words and the development of maps that showed the main links between the publications.

Originality/value

In the area of food science and technology, the development of polymers capable of promoting the extension of the shelf life of food products is sought, so the knowledge of the properties is vital for this research area since combining a biodegradable polymeric material with a natural antioxidant active is of great interest for modern society since they associate environmental preservation with food preservation.
Bearing fault diagnosis of induction machines using VMD-DWT and composite multiscale weighted permutation entropy
Authors: Taibi Ahmed , Touati Said , Aomar Lyes , Ikhlef Nabil
Published: May 2024

Purpose

Bearings play a critical role in the reliable operation of induction machines, and their failure can lead to significant operational challenges and downtime. Detecting and diagnosing these defects is imperative to ensure the longevity of induction machines and preventing costly downtime. The purpose of this paper is to develop a novel approach for diagnosis of bearing faults in induction machine.

Design/methodology/approach

To identify the different fault states of the bearing with accurately and efficiently in this paper, the original bearing vibration signal is first decomposed into several intrinsic mode functions (IMFs) using variational mode decomposition (VMD). The IMFs that contain more noise information are selected using the Pearson correlation coefficient. Subsequently, discrete wavelet transform (DWT) is used to filter the noisy IMFs. Second, the composite multiscale weighted permutation entropy (CMWPE) of each component is calculated to form the features vector. Finally, the features vector is reduced using the locality-sensitive discriminant analysis algorithm, to be fed into the support vector machine model for training and classification.

Findings

The obtained results showed the ability of the VMD_DWT algorithm to reduce the noise of raw vibration signals. It also demonstrated that the proposed method can effectively extract different fault features from vibration signals.

Originality/value

This study suggested a new VMD_DWT method to reduce the noise of the bearing vibration signal. The proposed approach for bearing fault diagnosis of induction machine based on VMD-DWT and CMWPE is highly effective. Its effectiveness has been verified using experimental data.
Multiphysics performance of surrogate models on skewed pole surface-mounted permanent magnet motors
Authors: Ibrahim Issah , Lowther David
Published: May 2024

Purpose

Evaluating the multiphysics performance of an electric motor can be a computationally intensive process, especially where several complex subsystems of the motor are coupled together. For example, evaluating acoustic noise requires the coupling of the electromagnetic, structural and acoustic models of the electric motor. Where skewed poles are considered in the design, the problem becomes a purely three-dimensional (3D) multiphysics problem, which could increase the computational burden astronomically. This study, therefore, aims to introduce surrogate models in the design process to reduce the computational cost associated with solving such 3D-coupled multiphysics problems.

Design/methodology/approach

The procedure involves using the finite element (FE) method to generate a database of several skewed rotor pole surface-mounted permanent magnet synchronous motors and their corresponding electromagnetic, structural and acoustic performances. Then, a surrogate model is fitted to the data to generate mapping functions that could be used in place of the time-consuming FE simulations.

Findings

It was established that the surrogate models showed promising results in predicting the multiphysics performance of skewed pole surface-mounted permanent magnet motors. As such, such models could be used to handle the skewing aspects, which has always been a major design challenge due to the scarcity of simulation tools with stepwise skewing capability.

Originality/value

The main contribution involves the use of surrogate models to replace FE simulations during the design cycle of skewed pole surface-mounted permanent magnet motors without compromising the integrity of the electromagnetic, structural, and acoustic results of the motor.
Hidden stories and the dark side of entrepreneurial commitment
Authors: Gabay-Mariani Laetitia , Bastian Bob , Caputo Andrea , Pappas Nikolaos
Published: May 2024

Purpose

Entrepreneurs are generally considered to be committed in order to strive for highly desirable goals, such as growth or commercial success. However, commitment is a multidimensional concept and may have asymmetric relationships with positive or negative entrepreneurial outcomes. This paper aims to provide a nuanced perspective to show under what conditions commitment may be detrimental for entrepreneurs and lead to overinvestment.

Design/methodology/approach

Using a sample of entrepreneurs from incubators in France (N = 437), this study employs a configurational perspective, fuzzy-set qualitative comparative analysis (fsQCA), to identify which commitment profiles lead entrepreneurs to overinvest different resources in their entrepreneurial projects.

Findings

The paper exposes combinations of conditions that lead to overinvestment and identifies five different commitment profiles: an “Affective profile”, a “Project committed profile”, a “Profession committed profile”, an “Instrumental profile”, and an “Affective project profile”.

Originality/value

The results show that affective commitment is a necessary condition for entrepreneurs to conduct overinvesting behaviors. This complements previous linear research on the interdependence between affect and commitment in fostering detrimental outcomes for nascent entrepreneurs.
Business acceleration program as city sowers: assessing public funding’s impact on new ventures in an emerging economy
Authors: Rodriguez-Vahos Alejandro , Aparicio Sebastian , Urbano David
Published: May 2024

Purpose

A debate on whether new ventures should be supported with public funding is taking place. Adopting a position on this discussion requires rigorous assessments of implemented programs. However, the few existing efforts have mostly focused on regional cases in developed countries. To fill this gap, this paper aims to measure the effects of a regional acceleration program in a developing country (Medellin, Colombia).

Design/methodology/approach

The economic notion of capabilities is used to frame the analysis of firm characteristics and productivity, which are hypothesized to be heterogeneous within the program. To test these relationships, propensity score matching is used in a sample of 60 treatment and 16,994 control firms.

Findings

This paper finds that treated firms had higher revenue than propensity score-matched controls on average, confirming a positive impact on growth measures. However, such financial growth is mostly observed in service firms rather than other economic sectors.

Research limitations/implications

Further evaluations, with a longer period and using more outcome variables, are suggested in the context of similar publicly funded programs in developing countries.

Originality/value

These findings tip the balance in favor of the literature suggesting supportive programs for high-growth firms as opposed to everyday entrepreneurship. This is an insight, especially under the context of an emerging economy, which has scarce funding to support entrepreneurship.
AI dogs vs. real dogs and human-like robots: clarification, conceptualization, and applications in tourism and hospitality settings
Authors: Lu Yue (Darcy) , Liang Yifeng , Wang Yao-Chin
Published: May 2024

Purpose

This study aims to conceptualize the characteristics of artificial intelligence (AI) dogs while exploring their applications in tourism and hospitality settings.

Design/methodology/approach

The total of 30 in-depth interviews were conducted, and data were analyzed through thematic analysis.

Findings

This study proposed differences between AI dogs and real dogs and human-like robots, core characteristics of AI dogs’ functions, a matrix of appearance and expectation regarding intelligence for AI dogs and human-like robots, the relationship between ethical barriers and task complexity, adoptions of AI dogs in different user segments and practical applications in hospitality and tourism settings, such as restaurants, city tour guides, extended-stay resorts and event organizations.

Research limitations/implications

This research advances the field of tourism and hospitality studies by introducing the new concept of AI dogs and their practical applications. This present study adds new insights into the opportunities and contexts of human–robot interaction in the field of tourism and hospitality.

Originality/value

To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this research is one of the first studies of AI dogs in tourism and hospitality.
Do product offering and service quality affect customer satisfaction in Islamic and conventional banks? Evidence from an oil-based economy
Authors: Zeitun Rami , Anam Ousama Abdulrahman
Published: May 2024

Purpose

This paper aims to investigate the effect of product offering and other service quality (SQ) dimensions on the satisfaction of the customers of both Islamic and conventional banks, using evidence from an oil-based economy that is based on a prolonged SERVQUAL model with 11 dimensions and other statistical analysis methods.

Design/methodology/approach

The data were collected from 461 Islamic and conventional bank customers in Qatar via a survey and several tests were used to test certain hypotheses. Component analysis, factor analysis and gap and ascendency analysis were used in this study. Afterward, a correlation analysis and regression model were used to examine the hypotheses and validate the instruments used.

Findings

The results show that regardless of the type of bank, customers always have greater expectations of the services than they had perceived. A customer’s expectation of the product on offer is the only dimension that is significantly different in relation to the two types of banks. However, reliability, competence, responsiveness, credibility and empathy dimensions are significantly different of the two types of banks in customers’ perception of quality. In addition, the results suggest that both types of banks need to concentrate their efforts on the product offering, competence and courtesy dimensions.

Research limitations/implications

The size of our sample of Islamic and conventional banks is unequally balanced. Future studies might therefore choose an equally balanced sample.

Practical implications

Bank managers in both types of banks need to continue improving the quality of their service including product offering and to adopt advanced methods to enhance customer satisfaction (CS) and reduce the gaps in quality in the dimensions used. Furthermore, managers in both types of banks need to put more emphasis on product offering, competence, courtesy and communication if they wish to improve SQ. Moreover, Islamic banks must guarantee that they possess competent, highly trained personnel who are familiar with Islamic finance products, so as to enhance the quality of service and attract customers.

Originality/value

To the best of the author’s knowledge, this is the first study to investigate the effect of product offering and other dimensions of SQ on CS in both Islamic and conventional banks by using 11 dimensions of SQ. In addition, it provides evidence of gaps in SQ, at the dimensions level, for both types of banks in an oil-based economy. The results of this study are valuable in helping decision-makers and bank managers who wish to raise the level of SQ and improve CS and in validating the results from other countries with a dual financial system.
Conceptualizing digital service: coconstitutive essence and value cocreation dynamics
Authors: Vial Gregory , Grange Camille
Published: May 2024

Purpose

This paper presents a new conceptualization of digital service anchored in a coconstitutive ontology of digital “x” phenomena, illuminating the pivotal role of the digital qualifier in the service context. Our objective is to provide a theoretically grounded conceptualization of digital service and its impact on the nature of the value cocreation process that characterizes digital phenomena.

Design/methodology/approach

Drawing from scholarly works on digital phenomena and fundamental principles of service-dominant logic, this paper delineates the essence of digital service based on the interplay between digitization and digitalization as well as the operational dynamics of generativity and its constitutive dimensions (architecture, community, governance).

Findings

The paper defines digital service as a sociotechnical process of value cocreation, where participants dynamically architect, govern and leverage digital resources. This perspective highlights the organic development of digital service and the prevalence of decentralized control mechanisms. It also underscores how the intersection between generativity’s dimensions—architecture, community and governance—shapes the dynamic evolution and outcomes of digital services.

Originality/value

Our conceptual framework sheds light on our understanding of digital service, offering a foundation to further explore its nature and implications for research and practice, which we illustrate using the case of ChatGPT.
The nexus between epistemic curiosity and innovative work behavior: role of leader-member exchange and work engagement
Authors: Al Bloushi Badreya , Mehmood Khalid , Jabeen Fauzia , Alharmoodi Ahmed
Published: May 2024

Purpose

Drawing upon curiosity drive theory, we examine the effects of epistemic curiosity (EC) on employees' innovative work behavior. Additionally, we explore the potential mediating role of work engagement (WE) and the moderating effects of leader-member exchange (LMX).

Design/methodology/approach

The data were collected from 406 employees employed in public service organizations within the United Arab Emirates. Structural equation modeling was employed as the analytical approach to test the hypotheses.

Findings

The findings of this study indicate that EC is positively related to innovative work behavior. Further, WE mediates the relationship between EC and creative work behavior. Moreover, LMX moderates the indirect effect of WE on the link between EC (interest and deprivation types) and innovative work behavior. The mediating association is stronger when the leader and member’s exchange is high.

Practical implications

This study will assist practitioners of service organizations in focusing their attention on EC to enhance employees' innovative work behavior and achieve optimal performance. Our research extends work on interest and innovative work behavior in an emerging economic context.

Originality/value

Our study suggests that policymakers should embrace the philosophy of curiosity to nurture innovative behavior in the workplace.
Gymnosperms demonstrate patterns of fine‐root trait coordination consistent with the global root economics space
Authors: Langguth Jessica R. , Zadworny Marcin , Andraczek Karl , Lo Marvin , Tran Newton , Patrick Kelsey , Mucha Joanna , Mueller Kevin E. , McCormack M. Luke
Published: May 2024

Gymnosperms encompass a diverse group of mostly woody plants with high ecological and economic value, yet little is known about the scope and organization of fine‐root trait diversity among gymnosperms due to the undersampling of most gymnosperm families and the dominance of angiosperm groups in recent syntheses.

New and existing data were compiled for morphological traits (root diameter, length, tissue density, specific root length [SRL] and specific root area [SRA]), the architectural trait branching ratio, root nitrogen content [N] and mycorrhizal colonization. We used phylogenetic least squares regression and principal component analysis to determine trait–trait relationships and coordination across 66 species, representing 11 of the 12 extant gymnosperm families from boreal, temperate, subtropical and tropical biomes. Finally, we compared the relationship between family divergence time and mean trait values to determine whether evolutionary history structured variation in fine‐root traits within the gymnosperm phylogeny.

Wide variation in gymnosperm root traits could be largely captured by two primary axes of variation defined by SRL and diameter, and root tissue density and root nitrogen, respectively. However, individual root length and SRA each had significant correlations with traits defining both main axes of variation. Neither mycorrhizal colonization nor root branching ratio were closely related to other traits. We did not observe a directional evolution of mean trait values from older to more recently diverged gymnosperm families.

Synthesis. Despite their unique evolutionary history, gymnosperms display a root economic space similar to that identified in angiosperms, likely reflecting common constraints on plants adapting to diverse environments in both groups. These findings provide greater confidence that patterns observed in broad syntheses justly capture patterns of trait diversity among multiple, distinct lineages. Additionally, independence between root architecture and other traits may support greater diversity in below‐ground resource acquisition strategies. Unlike angiosperms, there were no clear trends towards increasingly thin roots over evolutionary time, possibly because of lower diversification rates or unique biogeographic history among gymnosperms, though additional observations are needed to more richly test evolutionary trends among gymnosperms.
Elemental localization in inflorescences of the hyperaccumulators Noccaea praecox and Noccaea caerulescens (Brassicaceae)
Authors: Jakovljević Ksenija , Mišljenović Tomica , Brueckner Dennis , Jacquet Julien , Michaudel Gabrielle , van der Ent Antony
Published: May 2024

Noccaea praecox and Noccaea caerulescens (Brassicaceae) are nickel and zinc hyperaccumulators, native to Europe. To date, most studies have focused on metal accumulation in the leaves, whereas the distribution of metals in the inflorescences of hyperaccumulator plants remains largely unexplored, but of great interest in the context of adaptation to fertility and (insect) pollination. Samples of N. praecox from an ultramafic site and N. caerulescens from an industrially contaminated site were used for synchrotron‐based micro‐X‐ray fluorescence (μXRF) analysis. The results showed that nickel and zinc in the flowers of N. praecox are mainly distributed in the receptacle, ovary, and anthers, but at different concentrations. Similar results were found in N. caerulescens, with the greatest accumulation in the receptacle and ovary, especially in the walls, however at lower levels in the anthers. Although the leaves of N. praecox and N. caerulescens are the main deposition sites for nickel and zinc, significant concentrations of these elements were deposited in the flowers, especially in the pistils and anthers, indicating possible negative effects on fertility and pollinator species.
Lower body bone fractures have high mortality rates and poor prognosis in the patients with hemodialysis
Authors: Yoshikawa Kazuhiko , Kishi Takuya , Takamori Ayako , Kitajima Akira , Goto Taku , Nakayama Shiki , Yamanouchi Kohei , Takagi Kuniyasu , Hirooka Yoshitaka , Fujimoto Kazuma , Nagata Naoya , Nagata Ouya , Kuroki Fumihiro , Fukuda Nobuyoshi , Akiyoshi Yuichiro , Yamamoto Takuaki
Published: May 2024

Introduction

The objective of the current study was to investigate the association between lower body bone fractures occurring during maintenance hemodialysis and prognosis.

Methods

This study included 151 hemodialysis patients at the dialysis center of our hospital as of December 2017, and data were systematically gathered from medical records over a period of 5 years, concluding in December 2022.

Results

Fourteen patients, 3.0 per 100 person‐years, in 151 hemodialysis patients suffered from lower body bone fractures. The ratio of males was significantly lower, and age was significantly higher in the lower body bone fracture group than in the no lower body bone fracture group. Duration of hemodialysis prior to entry into this study was significantly shorter in the lower body bone fracture group than in the no lower body bone fracture group. Serum albumin was significantly lower and alkaline phosphatase was significantly higher in the lower body bone fracture group than in the no lower body bone fracture group. Mortality rate was significantly higher in the lower body bone fracture group (85.7%) compared to no lower body bone fracture group (28.5%) (p = 0.01). Kaplan–Meier survival curves for mortality showed that lower body bone fracture group had poor prognosis compared to no lower body bone fracture group. Multivariable‐adjusted odds ratio for mortality were significantly higher for cases with lower body bone fractures.

Conclusion

Lower body bone fractures have high mortality rates and poor prognosis in the patients with hemodialysis.
Integration of Indigenous Research Methodologies, Traditional Ecological Knowledge and molecular scatology in an assessment of mesocarnivore presence, diet and habitat use on Yurok Ancestral Lands
Authors: Ramos Seafha C. , Culver Melanie
Published: May 2024

Partnerships between Tribes and researchers in wildlife monitoring and application of Traditional Ecological Knowledge (TEK) have taken a variety of forms, and some scholars have noted a need for culturally sensitive approaches. Guided by Indigenous Research Methodologies, this research is coupled with Yurok TEK, or hlkelonah 'ue‐megetohl (‘to take care of the earth’), enabling an applied, culturally sensitive approach in partnership with the Yurok Tribe. We present results from a molecular scatology study of wildlife within the ancestral territory of the Yurok Tribe. Scats were collected opportunistically on road transects. All samples (N = 132) were analysed via DNA barcoding and results matched to documented 'Oohl 'we‐toh (Yurok language) names to determine the depositor species (N = 8). Though there were four focal mesocarnivore species in our study, only bobcat (Chmuuek; Lynx rufus) and gray fox (Wergers; Urocyon cinereoargenteus) were detected as depositor species. Post hoc analyses were conducted to explore distribution, habitat use and selection in a use‐availability context, and food habits of these two species. We found almost complete separation of bobcat and gray fox use of transects, as well as indication of partitioning of vegetation cover types and food. We demonstrate an integrated framework of Western and Indigenous sciences that allows the Indigenous researcher to transcend structured academic disciplinary boundaries. Our approach can be modified for partnerships between Tribes, agencies, academics and students for wildlife monitoring in broader geographic regions in various research applications.