bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Dynamical quantum phase transitions following a noisy quench
Authors: Jafari R. , Langari A. , Eggert S. , Johannesson Henrik
Published: May 2024

We study how time-dependent energy fluctuations impact the dynamical quantum phase transitions (DQPTs) following a noisy ramped quench of the transverse magnetic field in a quantum Ising chain. By numerically solving the stochastic Schrödinger equation of the mode-decoupled fermionic Hamiltonian of the problem, we identify two generic scenarios: Depending on the amplitude of the noise and the rate of the ramp, the expected periodic sequence of noiseless DQPTs may either be uniformly shifted in time or else replaced by a disarray of closely spaced DQPTs. Guided by an exact noise master equation, we trace the phenomenon to the interplay between noise-induced excitations which accumulate during the quench and the near-adiabatic dynamics of the massive modes of the system. Our analysis generalizes to any one-dimensional fermionic two-band model subject to a noisy quench.

Published by the American Physical Society
2024
D0
meson production in
pp
collisions at large
Qs2
Authors: Lima Yuri N. , Giannini André V. , Gonçalves Victor P.
Published: May 2024

The impact of the nonlinear effects in the QCD on the observables is directly related to the magnitude of the saturation scale Qs, which is predicted to increase with the energy, rapidity, and multiplicity. In this paper, we investigate the D0 meson production in pp collisions at forward rapidities and/or high multiplicities considering the color glass condensate (CGC) formalism and the solutions of the running coupling Balitsky-Kovchegov equation. The contributions of gluon- and charm-initiated processes are taken into account, and a comparison with the current LHCb data is performed. The impact of an intrinsic charm component in the proton’s wave function is also estimated. Predictions for the self-normalized yields of D0 mesons as a function of the multiplicity of coproduced charged hadrons are presented, considering pp collisions at s=13  TeV and different values of the meson rapidity. A comparison with the predictions for the kaon and isolated photon production is performed. Our results indicate that a future experimental analysis of the D0 meson production at forward rapidities and high multiplicities can be useful to probe the CGC formalism and to disentangle the contribution of initial—and final—state effects.

Published by the American Physical Society
2024
Combining resonant and tail-based anomaly detection
Authors: Bickendorf Gerrit , Drees Manuel , Kasieczka Gregor , Krause Claudius , Shih David
Published: May 2024

In many well-motivated models of the electroweak scale, cascade decays of new particles can result in highly boosted hadronic resonances (e.g., Z/W/h). This can make these models rich and promising targets for recently developed resonant anomaly detection methods powered by modern machine learning. We demonstrate this using the state-of-the-art classifying anomalies through outer density estimation () method applied to supersymmetry scenarios with gluino pair production. We show that , despite being model agnostic, is nevertheless competitive with dedicated cut-based searches, while simultaneously covering a much wider region of parameter space. The gluino events also populate the tails of the missing energy and HT distributions, making this a novel combination of resonant and tail-based anomaly detection.

Published by the American Physical Society
2024
Effects of tensor spin polarization on the chiral restoration and deconfinement phase transitions
Authors: Bao Yan-Ru , Feng Sheng-Qin
Published: May 2024

Effects of tensor spin polarization (TSP) on the chiral restoration and deconfinement phase transitions are studied in Polyakov loop extended Nambu–Jona-Lasinio (PNJL) model. For chiral phase transition, the higher the polarized degree of quark-antiquark pairs under the strong magnetic field, the higher the phase transition temperature. The TSP corrects the position of the critical end point. The small impact of TSP on the phase transition temperature is found for the deconfinement phase transition. On the other hand, we divide the phase space into three ranges based on the phase diagram obtained from the PNJL model: the confinement phase with chiral symmetry broken, the deconfinement phase with restored chiral symmetry, and the confinement phase with restored chiral symmetry (quarkyonic phase). It is found that TSP has only a very small effect on the anisotropic pressure in the deconfined phase with chiral symmetry restored and the quarkyonic phase, but it has a very strong effect on the anisotropic pressure in the confined phase with chiral symmetry broken. This is because TSP is closely related to chiral symmetry. The restoration of chiral symmetry means the dissociation of spin polarization condensate.

Published by the American Physical Society
2024
Once-in-a-lifetime encounter models for neutrino media: From coherent oscillations to flavor equilibration
Authors: Kost Anson , Johns Lucas , Duan Huaiyu
Published: May 2024

Collective neutrino oscillations are typically studied using the lowest-order quantum kinetic equation, also known as the mean-field approximation. However, some recent quantum many-body simulations suggest that quantum entanglement among neutrinos may be important and may result in flavor equilibration of the neutrino gas. In this work, we develop new quantum models for neutrino gases in which any pair of neutrinos can interact at most once in their lifetimes. A key parameter of our models is γ=μΔz, where μ is the neutrino coupling strength, which is proportional to the neutrino density, and Δz is the duration over which a pair of neutrinos can interact each time. Our models reduce to the mean-field approach in the limit γ→0 and achieve flavor equilibration in time t≫(γμ)−1. These models demonstrate the emergence of coherent flavor oscillations from the particle perspective and may help elucidate the role of quantum entanglement in collective neutrino oscillations.

Published by the American Physical Society
2024
Asymmetric reheating via inverse symmetry breaking
Authors: Ireland Aurora , Koren Seth
Published: May 2024

Asymmetric reheating is a generic requirement for models of dark sectors with light species, but its implementation is usually in tension with unique phenomenologies otherwise possible in compelling theories containing dark copies of the Standard Model. We present a simple module to implement asymmetric reheating during a Z2-breaking phase above some critical temperature. This reinvigorates the possibility of an exactly degenerate mirror sector and the striking phenomenology of composite particles oscillating into their mirror counterparts.

Published by the American Physical Society
2024
Categorical-symmetry resolved entanglement in conformal field theory
Authors: Saura-Bastida P. , Das A. , Sierra G. , Molina-Vilaplana J.
Published: May 2024

We propose a symmetry resolution of entanglement for categorical noninvertible symmetries (CaT-SREE) in (1+1)-dimensional conformal field theories. The definition parallels that of grouplike invertible symmetries, employing the concept of symmetric boundary states with respect to a categorical symmetry. Our examination extends to rational conformal field theories, where the behavior of CaT-SREE mirrors that of grouplike invertible symmetries. We find that CaT-SREE can be defined if there is no obstruction to gauging the categorical symmetry, as happens in the case of grouplike symmetries. We also provide instances of the breakdown of entanglement equipartition at the next-to-leading order in the cutoff expansion. Our findings shed light on how the interplay between conformal boundary conditions and categorical symmetries lead to specific patterns in the entanglement entropy.

Published by the American Physical Society
2024
Calabi-Yau four-, five-, sixfolds as
Pwn
hypersurfaces: Machine learning, approximation, and generation
Authors: Hirst Edward , Gherardini Tancredi Schettini
Published: May 2024

Calabi-Yau fourfolds may be constructed as hypersurfaces in weighted projective spaces of complex dimension five defined via weight systems of six weights. In this work, neural networks were implemented to learn the Calabi-Yau Hodge numbers from the weight systems, where gradient saliency and symbolic regression then inspired a truncation of the Landau-Ginzburg model formula for the Hodge numbers of any dimensional Calabi-Yau constructed in this way. The approximation always provides a tight lower bound, is shown to be dramatically quicker to compute (with computation times reduced by up to 4 orders of magnitude), and gives remarkably accurate results for systems with large weights. Additionally, complementary datasets of weight systems satisfying the necessary but insufficient conditions for transversality were constructed, including considerations of the interior point, reflexivity, and intradivisibility properties, overall producing a classification of this weight system landscape, further confirmed with machine learning methods. Using the knowledge of this classification and the properties of the presented approximation, a novel dataset of transverse weight systems consisting of seven weights was generated for a sum of weights ≤200, producing a new database of Calabi-Yau fivefolds, with their respective topological properties computed. Furthermore, an equivalent database of candidate Calabi-Yau sixfolds was generated with approximated Hodge numbers.

Published by the American Physical Society
2024
Optimizing quantum-enhanced Bayesian multiparameter estimation of phase and noise in practical sensors
Authors: Belliardo Federico , Cimini Valeria , Polino Emanuele , Hoch Francesco , Piccirillo Bruno , Spagnolo Nicolò , Giovannetti Vittorio , Sciarrino Fabio
Published: May 2024

Achieving quantum-enhanced performances when measuring unknown quantities requires developing suitable methodologies for practical scenarios, which include noise and the availability of a limited amount of resources. Here, we report on the optimization of substandard quantum limit Bayesian multiparameter estimation in a scenario where a subset of the parameters describes unavoidable noise processes in an experimental photonic sensor. We explore how the optimization of the estimation changes depending on which parameters are either of interest or are treated as nuisance ones. Our results show that optimizing the multiparameter approach in noisy apparata represents a significant tool to fully exploit the potential of practical sensors operating beyond the standard quantum limit for broad resources range.

Published by the American Physical Society
2024
Quantum metric of non-Hermitian Su-Schrieffer-Heeger systems
Authors: Chen Ye Chao , Vleeshouwers W. L. , Heatley S. , Gritsev V. , Morais Smith C.
Published: May 2024

Topological insulators have been studied intensively over the last decades. Earlier research focused on Hermitian Hamiltonians, but recently, peculiar and interesting properties were found by introducing non-Hermiticity. In this work, we apply a quantum geometric approach to various Hermitian and non-Hermitian versions of the Su-Schrieffer-Heeger (SSH) model. We find that this method allows one to correctly identify different topological phases and topological phase transitions for all SSH models, but only when using the metric tensor containing both left and right eigenvectors. Whereas the quantum geometry of Hermitian systems is Riemannian, introducing non-Hermiticity leads to pseudo-Riemannian and complex geometries, thus significantly generalizing from the quantum geometries studied thus far. One remarkable example of this is the mathematical agreement between topological phase transition curves and lightlike paths in general relativity, suggesting a possibility of simulating space-time in non-Hermitian systems. We find that the metric in non-Hermitian phases degenerates in such a way that it effectively reduces the dimensionality of the quantum geometry by one. This implies that within linear response theory, one can perturb the system by a particular change of parameters while maintaining a zero excitation rate.

Published by the American Physical Society
2024
Authenticity in small businesses: exploring the consequences of brand authenticity
Authors: Lu Shiwen , Ahn Jiseon
Published: May 2024

Purpose

Although small businesses are important to the economy, few studies have examined how the small restaurant experience influences customer behavior. Thus, the purpose of this study is to develop a model and examine the influence of small restaurant attributes (i.e. authenticity) on customers’ positive attitudes and behavior.

Design/methodology/approach

Using 181 responses from customers of small restaurants, this study examines how the dimensions of authenticity (i.e. continuity, credibility, integrity, and symbolism) affect customers’ positive behavioral intentions through emotional attachment.

Findings

The results of partial least squared–structural equation modeling demonstrate that customer perceptions of symbolism, credibility, and integrity in their experience at a small restaurant influence their attachment, which in turn influences both their word of mouth and revisit intentions. However, continuity has no significant effect on customers’ emotional attachment to service providers. Also, the effects of authenticity on customer behavior vary across demographic categories.

Originality/value

With increasing competition in the small business context, service providers seek to understand how to create positive customer patronization behavior. This study provides guidelines for small business owners who are developing marketing strategies.
Building a wisdom community through femtoring/mentoring: Latinx faculty and students at a Hispanic-serving institution
Authors: Contreras Aguirre Hilda Cecilia
Published: May 2024

Purpose

The purpose is to gain insight into the benefits of mentoring and using femtoring as an inclusive approach for minoritized and underrepresented students and faculty, who are often challenged in feeling welcomed, included and valued at higher education institutions.

Design/methodology/approach

This study used a qualitative inquiry design, in which focus groups, interviews and participant testimonios were collected throughout spring and fall 2022. Testimonio and plática (dialogue) techniques were employed to allow participants to describe their journeys in college and as members of the femtoring/mentoring program.

Findings

Undergraduate students as mentees/femtees enjoyed finding a place and space to develop meaningful and positive relationships with other students and Latinx faculty. Faculty and graduate students as femtors/mentors perceived their relationships with students as enriching and energizing, practicing values like transparency, honesty and care.

Research limitations/implications

The study included participants of a specific mentoring program whose experiences and opinions might differ from others. Additionally, persons from other minority groups could experience inequities and unfair practices in college in different ways and find other forms of support.

Practical implications

Hispanic-serving institutions (HSIs) must create programs that promote student–faculty community and collaboration. It is also critical to inform international faculty about Latinx students’ characteristics and needs. Training sessions for graduate students and faculty in leadership and mentoring at HSIs are equally significant in fostering an inclusive and supportive educational environment.

Originality/value

This paper contributes to the literature on mentoring practices to support Latinx students in their college journeys and prepare faculty of color for their mentoring and coaching roles. Femtoring and communities of wisdom concepts were applied to a specific femtoring/mentoring program.
Archetypes of influential users in social question-answering sites
Authors: Chen Miaomiao , Chua Alton Y.K. , An Lu
Published: May 2024

Purpose

This paper seeks to address the following two research questions. RQ1: What are the influential user archetypes in the social question-answering (SQA) community? RQ2: To what extent does user feedback affect influential users in changing from one archetype to another?

Design/methodology/approach

Based on a sample of 13,840 influential users drawn from the Covid-19 community on Zhihu, the archetypes of influential users were derived from their ongoing participation behavior in the community using the Gaussian mixture model. Additionally, user feedback characteristics such as relevance and volume from 222,965 commenters who contributed 546,344 comments were analyzed using the multinomial logistic regression model to investigate the archetype change of influential users.

Findings

Findings suggest that influential users could be clustered into three distinctive archetypes: touch-and-go influential users, proactive influential users and super influential users. Moreover, feedback variables have various impacts on the influential user archetype change, including a shift toward creating higher-quality content and fostering increased interaction, a shift toward generating lower-quality content and decreased interaction but improved speed and having mixed effects due to differences in information processing among these archetypes.

Originality/value

This study expands the existing knowledge of influential users and proposes practical approaches to cultivate them further.
Exposition of techno-functional components of intelligent food supply chain: a review and future research agenda
Authors: Sharma Anil Kumar , Srivastava Manoj Kumar , Sharma Ritu
Published: May 2024

Purpose

The new technology aspects of Industry 4.0 (I4.0), such as digital technologies including artificial intelligence (AI), block chain, big data analysis and the internet of things (IoT) as a digital cosmos, have the potential to fundamentally transform the future of business and supply chain management. By augmenting the functional components of the food supply chain (FSC), these technologies can transform it into an intelligent food supply chain (iFSC). The purpose of this study is to identify the I4.0 utilization for FSC to become an iFSC. Additionally, it suggests future research agendas to bridge the academic knowledge gaps.

Design/methodology/approach

This study utilizes the bibliometric analysis methodology to investigate the techno-functional components of iFSC in the context of I4.0. The study followed steps of bibliometric analysis to assess existing components’ knowledge in the area of intelligent food supply chain management. It further reviews the selected articles to explore the need for I4.0 technologies’ adoption as well as its barriers and challenges for iFSC.

Findings

This study examines the integration of emerging technologies in FSC and concludes that the main emphasis is on the adoption of blockchain and internet of things technology. To convert it into iFSC, it should be integrated with I4.0 and AI-driven FSC systems. In addition to traditional responsibilities, emerging technologies are acknowledged that are relatively uncommon but possess significant potential for implementation in FSC. This study further outlines the challenges and barriers to the adoption of new technologies and presents a comprehensive research plan or collection of topics for future investigations on the transition from FSC to iFSC. Utilizing artificial intelligence techniques to enhance performance, decision-making, risk evaluation, real-time safety, and quality analysis, and prioritizing the elimination of barriers for new technologies.

Originality/value

The uniqueness of this study lies in the provision of an up-to-date review of the food supply chain. In doing so, the authors have expanded the current knowledge base on the utilization of all I4.0 technologies in FSC. The review of designated publications yield a distinctive contribution by highlighting hurdles and challenges for iFSC. This information is valuable for operations managers and policymakers to consider.
Reconciling the conflicting goals of privacy protection and competition policy through making platform use data saleable – an institutional perspective on data markets
Authors: Reimers Kai , Guo Xunhua
Published: May 2024

Purpose

It has become increasingly clear that the objectives of privacy and competition policy are in conflict with one another with regard to platform data. While privacy policies aim at limiting the use of platform data for purposes other than those for which the data were collected in order to protect the privacy of platform users, competition policy aims at making such data widely available in order to curb the power of platforms.

Design/methodology/approach

We draw on Commons' Institutional Economics to contrast the current control-based approaches to ensuring the protection as well as the sharing of platform data with an ownership approach. We also propose the novel category of platform use data and contrast this with the dichotomy of personal/non-personal data which underlies current regulatory initiatives.

Findings

We find that current control- and ownership-based approaches are ineffective with regard to their capacity to balance these conflicting objectives and propose an alternative approach which makes platform data saleable. We discuss this approach in view of its capacity to balance the conflicting objectives of privacy and competition policy and its effectiveness in supporting each separately.

Originality/value

Our approach clarifies the fundamental difference between data markets and other concepts such as data exchanges.
An empirical examination of financial performance and distress profiles during COVID-19: the case of fishery and food production firms in Vietnam
Authors: Dao Binh Thi Thanh , Coenders Germa , Lai Phuong Hoai , Dam Trang Thi Thu , Trinh Huong Thi
Published: May 2024

Purpose

Financial ratios are often used to classify firms into different clusters of financial performance. This study aims to classify firms using financial ratios with advanced techniques and identify the transition matrix of firms moving clusters during the COVID-19 period.

Design/methodology/approach

This study uses compositional data (CoDa) analysis based on existing clustering methods with transformed data by weighted logarithms of financial ratios. The data include 66 listed firms in Vietnam’s food and beverage and fishery sectors over a three-year period from 2019 to 2021, including the COVID-19 period.

Findings

These firms can be classified into three clusters of distinctive characteristics, which can serve as benchmarks for solvency and profitability. The results also show the migration from one cluster to another during the COVID-19 pandemic, allowing for the calculation of the transition probability or the transition matrix.

Practical implications

The findings indicate three distinct clusters (good, average and below-average firm performance) that can help financial analysts, accountants, investors and other strategic decision-makers in making informed choices.

Originality/value

Clustering firms with their financial ratios often suffer from various limitations, such as ratio choices, skewed distributions, outliers and redundancy. This study is motivated by a weighted CoDa approach that addresses these issues. This method can be extended to classify firms in multiple sectors or other emerging markets.
Sarcasm detection in hotel reviews: a multimodal deep learning approach
Authors: Liu Yang , Chi Maomao , Sun Qiong
Published: May 2024

Purpose

This study aims to detect consumer sarcasm through inconsistencies in sentiment features between text and images of hotel reviews.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper proposes a model for sarcasm detection based on multimodal deep learning using reviews of three hotel brands collected from two travel platforms, which can identify emotional inconsistencies within a modality and across modalities. Text-image interaction information is explored using graph neural networks (GNN) to detect essential clues in sarcasm sentiment.

Findings

The research results show that the multimodal deep learning model outperforms other baseline models, which can help to understand hotel service evaluation and provide hotel managers with decision-making opinions.

Originality/value

This research can help hoteliers in two ways: detecting service quality and formulating strategies. By selecting reference hotel brands, hoteliers can better assess their level of service quality (optimal resource allocation ensues); therefore, sarcasm detection research is not only beneficial for hotel managers seeking to improve service quality. The multimodal deep learning method introduced in the present study can be replicated in other industries to help travel platforms optimize their products and services.
To do or not to do? A typology of ethical dilemmas in services (TEDS)
Authors: Tsiotsou Rodoula H. , Kabadayi Sertan , Leigh Jennifer , Bayuk Julia , Horton Brent J.
Published: May 2024

Purpose

This paper seeks to deepen and improve our understanding of business ethics in services by developing a typology that reconciles and integrates disparate and often conflicting ideas and viewpoints while providing practical guidance for ethical decision-making.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper examines current theoretical approaches in ethics to provide an understanding of the ethical theories, how they have been applied and how they have evolved in businesses and marketing. It discusses conceptual issues related to ethical dilemmas and the available typologies.

Findings

Based on the axioms of the Triple-A Framework for Ethical Service Research, the Typology of Ethical Dilemmas in Services (TEDS) is proposed. The typology identifies three types of dilemmas based on four dimensions considering all service interactions guided by normative ethics (virtue, deontological and consequentialism).

Practical implications

The proposed DILEMMAS process illustrates the practical application of TEDS.

Originality/value

This paper extends the ethics and services literature by offering a novel theoretical and practical approach to addressing ethical dilemmas. TEDS is authentic, advances our knowledge and applies to all service organizations that aim to manage ethical dilemmas effectively.
Modeling the determinants of HEI students’ continuance intention to use ChatGPT for learning: a stimulus–organism–response approach
Authors: Duong Cong Doanh
Published: May 2024

Purpose

Although previous research has acknowledged the significance of comprehending the initial acceptance and adoption of ChatGPT in educational contexts, there has been relatively little focus on the user’s intention to continue using ChatGPT or its continued usage. Therefore, the current study aims to investigate the students’ continuance intentions to use ChatGPT for learning by adopting the stimulus–organism–response (SOR) model.

Design/methodology/approach

This study has employed the SOR model to investigate how UTAUT factors (such as performance expectancy, facilitating conditions, effort expectancy and social influence) influence the cognitive responses of students (e.g. trust in ChatGPT and attitude towards ChatGPT), subsequently shaping their behavioral outcomes (e.g. the intention to continue using ChatGPT for study). A sample of 392 higher students in Vietnam and the PLS-SEM method was employed to investigate students’ continuance intention to use ChatGPT for learning.

Findings

This study reveals that students’ continuance intention to use ChatGPT for learning was directly affected by their attitude toward ChatGPT and trust in ChatGPT. Meanwhile, their attitude toward ChatGPT was built on effort expectancy, social influence, and facilitating conditions and trust in ChatGPT was developed from effort expectancy and social influence.

Originality/value

By extending the analysis beyond initial acceptance, this research provides valuable insights into the factors that influence the sustained utilization of ChatGPT in an educational environment.
AI technologies for social emotional learning: recent research and future directions
Authors: Sethi Surbhi Seema , Jain Kanishk
Published: May 2024

Purpose

This study aims to explore the potential benefits of integrating Artificial Intelligence (AI) with Social Emotional Learning (SEL) in educational settings.

Design/methodology/approach

A systematic review of emerging AI technologies such as virtual reality, chatbots, sentiment analysis tools, gamification and wearable devices is conducted to assess their applicability in enhancing SEL.

Findings

AI technologies present opportunities for personalized support, increased engagement, empathy development and promotion of well-being within SEL frameworks.

Research limitations/implications

Future research should focus on addressing ethical concerns, fostering interdisciplinary collaborations, conducting longitudinal studies, promoting cultural sensitivity and developing robust ecosystems for AI in SEL.

Originality/value

This study contributes by outlining pathways for leveraging AI to create inclusive and supportive learning environments that nurture students' socio-emotional competencies, preparing them for success in a globally connected world.
Understanding Muslim frontline employees’ perceived religious discrimination and emotional exhaustion
Authors: Chaouali Walid , Haddoud Mohamed Yacine , Mousa Mohamed , Elbaz Ahmed Mohamed , Aloui Narjess , Dekhil Fawzi
Published: May 2024

Purpose

This study aims to investigate the impact of perceived subtle and overt discrimination on employees’ emotional exhaustion, along with potential mitigating factors such as social support, organizational inclusion and religiosity.

Design/methodology/approach

The research is based on a sample of 359 Muslim employees working in US restaurants. The data are analyzed using fuzzy-set Qualitative Comparative Techniques.

Findings

The results reveal that high/low emotional exhaustion in tourism and hospitality sector is triggered by multiple combinations of high/low levels of subtle and overt discrimination, family and friends support and religiosity. Such findings hold important implications to both theory and practice.

Research limitations/implications

By using fuzzy-set Qualitative Comparative Analysis, this research stands out from studies on discrimination that use conventional statistical methods. It proposes several solutions leading to a single outcome (high/low emotional exhaustion). This new approach contributes to the advancement of theory in this context.

Practical implications

This study shows that there is no single best solution for high/low emotional exhaustion. Stated differently, multiple solutions provide several ways for firms to mitigate employees’ emotional exhaustion.

Originality/value

Religious discrimination in workplaces is increasing at an alarming rate, particularly in customer facing roles, such as the tourism and hospitality industry. This is having detrimental effects on employees from minority groups, often leading to excessive levels of emotional exhaustion. Nonetheless, the extant literature has somewhat understated the consequences of this issue, creating a void that needs to be fulfilled. This study addresses this gap.
CEO regulatory focus and environmental resource scarcity on employee downsizing
Authors: Chiu Sana (Shih‐chi) , Kong Dejun Tony , Celly Nikhil
Published: May 2024

Purpose

This study aims to address the question of why managers make different decisions in employee downsizing when their firms face external threats. Our research intends to shed light on whether and how CEOs' cognition (motivational attributes associated with regulatory focus) influences their decision-making and firms’ strategic actions on downsizing under high resource scarcity in the industry environment.

Design/methodology/approach

We used a longitudinal panel of 5,544 firm-year observations of US firms from 2003 to 2015 to test our conceptual model. The data was obtained from various sources, including corporate earnings call transcripts and archival databases. We used panel logistic regressions with both fixed and random effects in our research design.

Findings

Our results suggest that CEOs' motivational attributes could influence their employee downsizing decisions in response to external threats. We find that CEOs who are more promotion-focused (a stronger drive towards achieving ideals) are less likely to lay off employees during high resource scarcity. Conversely, CEOs with a higher prevention focus (a greater concern for security) do not have a meaningful impact on employee downsizing during periods of external resource scarcity.

Originality/value

Previous research has argued that a significant external threat would diminish individuals' impact on firm strategies and outcomes. Our findings challenge this idea, indicating that CEOs with a stronger drive towards achieving ideals are less inclined to lay off employees when resources are scarce in the environment. This study contributes to behavioral strategy research by providing new insights into how upper echelons’ cognition can influence their decision-making and firms’ employee downsizing.
Diagnostic overshadowing of mental health conditions in UK health care
Authors: Hale Zoe Jane
Published: May 2024

Purpose

Diagnostic overshadowing (DO) may be contributing to the worsening physical health outcomes for people diagnosed with mental health (MH) conditions. DO is a phenomenon researched worldwide, but there has been no systematic review of the evidence for its prevalence in UK health care. This paper aims to add to this body of knowledge, expanding the understanding of what factors are contributing to the poor physical well-being of people with diagnosed MH conditions.

Design/methodology/approach

A systematic search of three databases was conducted and after evaluation, three studies were selected for the review.

Findings

DO was found to have a high prevalence with structural, staffing and patient issues identified through a thematic analysis. Contemporary evidence shows themes identified are still impacting UK health care. Collaborative working across mental and physical health teams, thorough and lengthy assessments, and improved education for physical health care staff have been cited as mitigating factors to this practice.

Originality/value

To the best of the author’s knowledge, this paper is the first review of the evidence for diagnostic overshadowing taking place in UK health care.
How and when does family incivility steer employees towards work delays: implications for HR
Authors: Azeem Muhammad Umer , Haq Inam Ul
Published: May 2024

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to investigate the negative spillover effects of family incivility on employees’ ability to meet their work-related deadlines. Furthermore, we examine emotional exhaustion as a mediator and emotional intelligence as a moderator in this process.

Design/methodology/approach

We test our predictions through a multisource, time-separated data collection involving 161 employee-supervisor dyads working in various hospitality sector organizations in Pakistan – a relatively understudied context where the hospitality industry is struggling.

Findings

The findings of our study indicate that exposure to rude family behavior hinders employees’ ability to complete work tasks on time, as mediated by their emotional exhaustion. However, this harmful process can be curtailed if employees can rely on their emotional intelligence to regulate their own emotions and those of their family members.

Practical implications

The findings of this study provide pertinent insights for HR managers and organizations to help their employees deal with family issues. Moreover, organizations can benefit from introducing training programs that improve employees’ emotional intelligence and increase the likelihood that they do not default on their work deadlines.

Originality/value

This study extends the limited existing family incivility research by investigating its spillover effects on employees’ ability to meet work deadlines, a previously unexplored relationship. In addition, we highlight the roles of two pertinent aspects: emotional intelligence and emotional exhaustion.
Daily leader humor and healthcare workers’ next-day helping behaviors: the roles of positive affect and difficulty in maintaining display rules
Authors: Chen Gang , Yang Fu , Yang Qiuling , Wang Li
Published: May 2024

Purpose

The main purpose of our study is to investigate the impact of daily leader humor behaviors on healthcare workers’ daily psychological state and behavioral outcomes.

Design/methodology/approach

Based on the conservation of resources (COR) theory, this study proposes that daily leader humor behaviors are positively related to healthcare workers’ daily positive affect, which in turn affects their next-day helping behaviors towards patients. These predictions hinge on healthcare workers’ difficulty in maintaining display rules. We conducted a lagged experience sampling methodology (ESM) survey of 621 complete daily observations from 93 healthcare workers who work in direct contact with patients at a large public hospital in China across consecutive 10 working days.

Findings

Results of multilevel path analysis demonstrate that daily leader humor behaviors are positively related to healthcare workers’ same-day positive affect, and this positive affect enhances their next-day helping behaviors towards patients. Furthermore, healthcare workers’ higher difficulty in maintaining display rules attenuates the benefits of daily leader humor behaviors.

Originality/value

Building on the COR theory and adopting a diary research design, this study shows daily fluctuations in leader humor behaviors and proposes a mechanism through which daily leader humor behaviors indirectly affect healthcare workers’ next-day helping behaviors. Thus, our study disclosed possible means for healthcare organizations to improve service quality.
Development and evolution of clinical partnerships: K-12 school leaders' perspectives
Authors: Bohannon Kimberly , Connelly Vincent , Bigaj Stephen , Wasielewski Laura M.
Published: May 2024

Purpose

The purpose of this research study was to examine school leaders’ critical perspectives about the nature of their partnerships with K-12 schools and two Educator Preparation Programs (EPP).

Design/methodology/approach

Data were collected through interviews with K-12 school leaders to obtain partners’ critical perspectives about school–EPP partnerships. The interviews were coded thematically and oriented around the central concept of working to represent the interplay of the participants and their collaborators’ perceptions of the nature and dimensions of school–EPP partnerships.

Findings

The analysis resulted in the construction of a mosaic of school leaders’ collective lived experiences using a statewide conceptual framework as a guide. Four themes emerged from our interviews with school partners: (a) the need for dynamic, responsive and synergistic partnerships; (b) the need to monitor and maintain the underlying structure and integrity of the partnership; (c) the culture of interns as colleagues or as visitors; and (d) the need to innovate.

Originality/value

Four themes emerged from our interviews with school partners: (1) the need for dynamic, responsive and synergistic partnerships; (2) the need to monitor and maintain the underlying structure and integrity of partnerships; (3) the culture of interns as colleagues or interns as visitors; and (4) the need to innovate.
Intraguild processes drive space‐use patterns in a large‐bodied marine predator community
Authors: van Zinnicq Bergmann Maurits P. M. , Griffin Lucas P. , Bodey Thomas W. , Guttridge Tristan L. , Aarts Geert , Heithaus Michael R. , Smukall Matthew J. , Papastamatiou Yannis P.
Published: May 2024

Interspecific interactions, including predator–prey, intraguild predation (IGP) and competition, may drive distribution and habitat use of predator communities. However, elucidating the relative importance of these interactions in shaping predator distributions is challenging, especially in marine communities comprising highly mobile species.

We used individual‐based models (IBMs) to predict the habitat distributions of apex predators, intraguild (IG) prey and prey. We then used passive acoustic telemetry to test these predictions in a subtropical marine predator community consisting of eight elasmobranch (i.e. shark and ray) species in Bimini, The Bahamas.

IBMs predicted that prey and IG prey will preferentially select habitats based on safety over resources (food), with stronger selection for safe habitat by smaller prey. Elasmobranch space‐use patterns matched these predictions. Species with predator–prey and asymmetrical IGP (between apex and small mesopredators) interactions showed the clearest spatial separation, followed by asymmetrical IGP among apex and large mesopredators. Competitors showed greater spatial overlap although with finer‐scale differences in microhabitat use.

Our study suggests space‐use patterns in elasmobranchs are at least partially driven by interspecific interactions, with stronger spatial separation occurring where interactions include predator–prey relationships or IGP.
Animal‐derived food allergen: A review on the available crystal structure and new insights into structural epitope
Authors: Yang Yang , He Xinrong , Li Fajie , He Shaogui , Liu Meng , Li Mengsi , Xia Fei , Su Wenjin , Liu Guangming
Published: May 2024

Immunoglobulin E (IgE)‐mediated food allergy is a rapidly growing public health problem. The interaction between allergens and IgE is at the core of the allergic response. One of the best ways to understand this interaction is through structural characterization. This review focuses on animal‐derived food allergens, overviews allergen structures determined by X‐ray crystallography, presents an update on IgE conformational epitopes, and explores the structural features of these epitopes. The structural determinants of allergenicity and cross‐reactivity are also discussed. Animal‐derived food allergens are classified into limited protein families according to structural features, with the calcium‐binding protein and actin‐binding protein families dominating. Progress in epitope characterization has provided useful information on the structural properties of the IgE recognition region. The data reveals that epitopes are located in relatively protruding areas with negative surface electrostatic potential. Ligand binding and disulfide bonds are two intrinsic characteristics that influence protein structure and impact allergenicity. Shared structures, local motifs, and shared epitopes are factors that lead to cross‐reactivity. The structural properties of epitope regions and structural determinants of allergenicity and cross‐reactivity may provide directions for the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of food allergies. Experimentally determined structure, especially that of antigen–antibody complexes, remains limited, and the identification of epitopes continues to be a bottleneck in the study of animal‐derived food allergens. A combination of traditional immunological techniques and emerging bioinformatics technology will revolutionize how protein interactions are characterized.
Effects of eugenol on physicochemical properties of sturgeon skin collagen–chitosan composite membrane
Authors: Yan Zi‐heng , Dou Rong‐rong , Wei Fang , Yang Jia‐hua , Cui Shan , Sun Mei‐jun , Kang Chun‐yu , Zhao Chun‐qing
Published: May 2024

In this study, a series of collagen–chitosan–eugenol (CO–CS–Eu) flow‐casting composite films were prepared using collagen from sturgeon skin, chitosan, and eugenol. The physicochemical properties, mechanical properties, microstructure, as well as antioxidant and antimicrobial activities of the composite membranes were investigated by various characterization techniques. The findings revealed that the inclusion of eugenol augmented the thickness of the film, darkened its color, reduced the transparency, and enhanced the ultraviolet light‐blocking capabilities, with the physicochemical properties of the CO–CS–0.25%Eu film being notably favorable. Eugenol generates increasingly intricate matrices that disperse within the system, thereby modifying the optical properties of the material. Furthermore, the tensile strength of the film decreased from 70.97 to 20.32 MPa, indicating that eugenol enhances the fluidity and ductility of the film. Added eugenol also exhibited structural impact by loosening the film cross‐section and decreasing its density. The Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy results revealed the occurrence of several intermolecular interactions among collagen, chitosan, and eugenol. Moreover, the incorporation of eugenol bolstered the antioxidant and antimicrobial capabilities of the composite film. This is primarily attributed to the abundant phenolic/hydroxyl groups present in eugenol, which can react with free radicals by forming phenoxy groups and neutralizing hydroxyl groups. Consequently, inclusion of eugenol substantially enhances the freshness retention performance of the composite film.

Practical Application

● The CO–CS–Eu film utilizes collagen from sturgeon skin, improving the use of sturgeon resources.● Different concentrations of eugenol altered its synergistic effect with chitosan.● The CO–CS–Eu film is composed of natural products with safe and edible properties.
Lactic acid bacteria and yeast co‐fermented milk alleviate cow milk allergy
Authors: Ma Ruida , Miao Na , Li Jing , Xu Yunpeng , Li Xinling , Zhao Jinghong , Mu Guangqing , Zhu Xuemei
Published: May 2024

Cow milk allergy is one of the common food allergies. Our previous study showed that the allergenicity of fermented milk is lower than that of unfermented skimmed milk in vitro, and the antigenicity of β‐lactoglobulin and α‐lactalbumin in fermented milk was decreased by 67.54% and 80.49%, respectively. To confirm its effects in vivo, allergic BALB/C mice model was used to further study the allergenicity of fermented milk. It was found that compared with the skim milk (SM) group, the intragastrically sensitization with fermented milk had no obvious allergic symptoms and the fingers were more stable: lower levels of IgE, IgG, and IgA in serum, lower levels of plasma histamine and mast cell protein‐1, and immune balance of Th1/Th2 and Treg/Th17. At the same time, intragastrically sensitization with fermented milk increased the α diversity of intestinal microbiota and changed the microbiota abundance: the relative abundance of norank‐f‐Muribaculaceae and Staphylococcus significantly decreased, and the abundance of Lachnospiraceae NK4A136 group, Bacteroides, and Turicibacter increased. In addition, fermented milk can also increase the level of short‐chain fatty acids in the intestines of mice. It turns out that fermented milk is much less allergenicity than SM.

Practical Application

Fermentation provides a theoretical foundation for reducing the allergenicity of milk and dairy products, thereby facilitating the production of low‐allergenic dairy products suitable for individuals with milk allergies.