bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Tangential Versus Segmental Portomesenteric Venous Resection During Pancreatoduodenectomy for Pancreatic Cancer
Authors: Stoop Thomas F. , Molnár Adrienne , Seelen Leonard W.F. , Sugawara Toshitaka , Scheepens Jacobien C.M. , Ali Mahsoem , Javed Ammar A. , Halimi Asif , Oba Atsushi , Groot Koerkamp Bas , Andersson Bodil , Williamsson Caroline , Wolfgang Christopher L. , Ban Daisuke , Sparrelid Ernesto , Daams Freek , Kazemier Geert , van Santvoort Hjalmar C. , Rompen Ingmar F. , Molenaar I. Quintus , Habib Joseph R. , Beuk Lysanne P.M. , Geerdink Niek J. , de Wilde Roeland F. , Busch Olivier R. , Swartling Oskar , Bereza-Carlson Paulina , Ghorbani Poya , Kruize Reeve L. , Schulick Richard D. , Franco Salvador Rodriguez , Miyata Tatsunori , Franklin Oskar , Inoue Yosuke , Besselink Marc G. , Del Chiaro Marco ,   for the International Collaborative Group on Locally Advanced Pancreatic Cancer
Published: January 2025

Objective:

To investigate whether tangential versus segmental portomesenteric venous resection (PVR) impacts surgical and oncological outcome in patients undergoing pancreatoduodenectomy for pancreatic cancer with portomesenteric vein (PMV) involvement.

Summary Background Data:

Current comparative studies on tangential versus segmental PVR as part of pancreatoduodenectomy for pancreatic cancer include all degrees of PMV involvement, including cases where tangential PVR may not be a feasible approach, limiting the clinical applicability.

Methods:

International retrospective study in 10 centers from 5 countries, including all consecutive patients after pancreatoduodenectomy with PVR for pancreatic cancer with ≤180° PMV involvement on cross-sectional imaging at diagnosis (2014-2020). Cox and logistic regression analyses were performed to investigate the association of tangential versus segmental PVR with overall survival (OS) from surgery, recurrence-free survival (RFS), locoregional recurrence, and in-hospital/30-day major morbidity, adjusting for potential confounders.

Results:

Overall, 357 patients who underwent pancreatoduodenectomy with PVR were included (42% tangential PVR, 58% segmental PVR). The adjusted risk for in-hospital/30-day major morbidity was 23% (95%CI, 17-32) after tangential and 23% (95%CI, 17-30) after segmental PVR (P=0.98). After adjusting for confounders, PVR type was not associated with OS (HR=0.94 [95%CI, 0.69-1.30]), RFS (HR=0.94 [95% CI, 0.69 to 1.28), and locoregional recurrence (OR=0.76 [95%CI, 0.40-1.46]).

Conclusions:

In patients undergoing pancreatoduodenectomy for pancreatic cancer with ≤180° PMV involvement, the type of PVR (i.e., tangential vs. segmental) was not associated with differences in surgical and oncological outcome. This suggest that if both procedures are technically feasible, surgeons can choose the type of PVR based on their preference.
Predictors of Sentinel Lymph Node Biopsy in Thin Melanoma: Understanding the Impact of the American Joint Commission on Cancer 8th Edition Staging System
Authors: Donica Walter RF , Stephens Kyle R , Philips Prejesh , McMasters Kelly M , Egger Michael E
Published: January 2025

BACKGROUND:

The definition of T1b cutaneous melanoma was changed in the 8th edition of the AJCC staging system based on survival differences but not risk of sentinel lymph node (SLN) metastases. We sought to evaluate changes in SLN biopsy (SLNB) use and rates of positive SLNB in response to updated staging criteria, and to evaluate the incidence of high-risk features in T1a melanoma in whom SLNB is now recommended.

STUDY DESIGN:

The 2021 National Cancer Database Melanoma PUF was used to obtain SLNB utilization and positivity rates in T1 (thin) melanoma (thickness ≤1.0mm) from 2012 to 2021. Rates were compared between AJCC 7th (2012-2017) and 8th editions (2018-2021). Factors associated with SLNB use in non-ulcerated T1 melanoma were evaluated. The presence of high-risk feature in T1a melanoma were identified and SLN positivity rates were reviewed.

RESULTS:

A total of 136,966 cases were included with 76,485 (55.8%) cases diagnosed under the AJCC 7th edition era (2021-2017). The overall proportion of patients with thin melanoma undergoing SLNB was relatively stable over the time periods, roughly 30%. In the AJCC 8th edition era, the overall SLNB positivity rate slightly increased from 4.5% to 6.6% (p < 0.001). There was increased SLNB use in melanoma with a thickness of 0.8 to 1.0mm (T1b: OR 2.53 [95% CI 2.31-2.78]) and decreased use when thickness was less than 0.8mm (T1a: OR 0.80 [0.76-0.85]). Rates of SLNB positivity increased in both thickness groups over time.

CONCLUSIONS:

After implementation of the AJCC 8th edition staging criteria, surgeons have become more selective in SLNB use with a resulting increase in SLNB positivity rate. Fewer SLNBs in T1a and more SLNBs in non-ulcerated T1b are being performed.
Time to start taking time seriously: how to investigate unexpected biological rhythms within infectious disease research
Authors: Edgar Rachel S. , O'Donnell Aidan J. , Xiaodong Zhuang Alan , Reece Sarah E.
Published: January 2025

The discovery of rhythmicity in host and pathogen activities dates back to the Hippocratic era, but the causes and consequences of these biological rhythms have remained poorly understood. Rhythms in infection phenotypes or traits are observed across taxonomically diverse hosts and pathogens, suggesting general evolutionary principles. Understanding these principles may enable rhythms to be leveraged in manners that improve drug and vaccine efficacy or disrupt pathogen timekeeping to reduce virulence and transmission. Explaining and exploiting rhythms in infections require an integrative and multidisciplinary approach, which is a hallmark of research within chronobiology. Many researchers are welcomed into chronobiology from other fields after observing an unexpected rhythm or time-of-day effect in their data. Such findings can launch a rich new research topic, but engaging with the concepts, approaches and dogma in a new discipline can be daunting. Fortunately, chronobiology has well-developed frameworks for interrogating rhythms that can be readily applied in novel contexts. Here, we provide a ‘how to’ guide for exploring unexpected daily rhythms in infectious disease research. We outline how to establish: whether the rhythm is circadian, to what extent the host and pathogen are responsible, the relevance for host–pathogen interactions, and how to explore therapeutic potential.

This article is part of the Theo Murphy meeting issue ‘Circadian rhythms in infection and immunity’.
Phenotypic and fitness consequences of plasticity in the rhythmic replication of malaria parasites
Authors: Holland Jacob G. , O'Donnell Aidan J. , Herbert-Mainero Alejandra , Reece Sarah E.
Published: January 2025

The environments that parasites experience within hosts change dramatically over 24 h. How rhythms shape host–parasite–vector interactions is poorly understood owing to the challenges of disentangling the roles of rhythms of multiple interacting species in the context of the complex lifecycles of parasites. Using canonical circadian clock-disrupted hosts, we probe the limits of flexibility in the rhythmic replication of malaria (
Plasmodium
) parasites and quantify the consequences for fitness proxies of both parasite and host. We reveal that parasites alter the duration of their replication rhythm to resonate with host rhythms that have short (21 h) daily T-cycles as accurately as when infecting hosts with 24 h cycles, but appear less capable of extending their replication rhythm in hosts with long (27 h) cycles. Despite matching the period of short T-cycle hosts, parasites are unable to lock to the correct phase, likely leading to lower within-host productivity and a reduction in transmission potential. However, parasites in long T-cycle hosts do not experience substantial fitness costs. Furthermore, T-cycle duration does not affect disease severity in clock-disrupted hosts. Understanding the rhythmic replication of malaria parasites offers the opportunity to interfere with parasite timing to improve health and reduce transmission.

This article is part of the Theo Murphy meeting issue issue ‘Circadian rhythms in infection and immunity’.
Chronic CRYPTOCHROME deficiency enhances cell-intrinsic antiviral defences
Authors: Major-Styles Christine T. , Munns Jack , Zeng Aiwei , Vanden Oever Michael , O'Neill John S. , Edgar Rachel S.
Published: January 2025

The within-host environment changes over circadian time and influences the replication and severity of viruses. Genetic knockout of the circadian transcription factors CRYPTOCHROME 1 and CRYPTOCHROME 2 (
CRY1
−/−
/
CRY2
−/−
; CKO) leads to altered protein homeostasis and chronic activation of the integrated stress response (ISR). The adaptive ISR signalling pathways help restore cellular homeostasis by downregulating protein synthesis in response to endoplasmic reticulum overloading or viral infections. By quantitative mass spectrometry analysis, we reveal that many viral recognition proteins and type I interferon (IFN) effectors are significantly upregulated in lung fibroblast cells from CKO mice compared with wild-type (WT) mice. This basal ‘antiviral state’ restricts the growth of influenza A virus and is governed by the interaction between proteotoxic stress response pathways and constitutive type I IFN signalling. CKO proteome composition and type I IFN signature were partially phenocopied upon sustained depletion of CRYPTOCHROME (CRY) proteins using a small-molecule CRY degrader, with modest differential gene expression consistent with differences seen between CKO and WT cells. Our results highlight the crosstalk between circadian rhythms, cell-intrinsic antiviral defences and protein homeostasis, providing a tractable molecular model to investigate the interface of these key contributors to human health and disease.

This article is part of the Theo Murphy meeting issue ‘Circadian rhythms in infection and immunity’.
Genotypic and Phenotypic screening of agriculturally based antimicrobial resistant E. coli.
Authors: Marshall Hayley , O'Cathail Colman , Kelly Katie , Hardwick Jessica , Tötemeyer Sabine , Blanchard Adam Mark
Published: January 2025

Antimicrobial resistance is undoubtedly one of the most significant threats to human health. Whilst finding alternative antimicrobials proves valuable, understanding how resistance is spread remains a necessity. The link between antimicrobial resistance in agriculture and the effect on human medicine is unclear, however the contribution and dissemination of resistance should not be overlooked. Escherichia coli (E. coli) are of particular concern for human health as the most common Gram-negative pathogen and are often used as a representative indicator of antimicrobial resistance. Sheep hold a unique role in agriculture, as large numbers are often transported between multiple farms to make use of seasonal grazing. We present a robust analysis of multi-antimicrobial resistance profiles, using short read metagenomics and long read sequencing, to identify plasmid borne resistance as well as chromosomal and mutational resistances. The analysis of these data highlighted putative plasmids in 85% of the isolates with putative plasmid borne resistance genes against the most commonly used antimicrobials, such as streptomycin, tetracycline, sulphonamide, licosamide, betalactam, macrolide, kanamycin, fosfomycin, chloramphenicaol, cephalosporin and aminoglycoside.
Gut Competition Dynamics of Live Bacterial Therapeutics Are Shaped by Microbiome Complexity, Diet, and Therapeutic Transgenes
Authors: Siguenza Nicole , Bailey Sharyl , Sadegi Mohammad , Gootin Hanna , Tiu Maria , Price Jeffrey D. , Ramer-Tait Amanda , Zarrinpar Amir
Published: January 2025

Competitive exclusion is conventionally believed to prevent the establishment of a secondary strain of the same bacterial species in the gut microbiome, raising concerns for the deployment of live bacterial therapeutics (LBTs), especially if the bacterial chassis is a strain native to the gut. In this study, we investigated factors influencing competition dynamics in the murine gut using isogenic nativeEscherichia colistrains. We found that competition outcomes are context-dependent, modulated by microbiome complexity, LBT transgene expression, intestinal inflammation, and host diet. Furthermore, we demonstrated that native LBTs can establish long-term engraftment in the gut alongside a parental strain, with transgene-associated fitness effects influencing competition. We identified various interventions, including strategic dosing and dietary modulation, that significantly enhanced LBT colonization levels by 2 to 3 orders of magnitude. These insights provide a framework for optimizing LBT engraftment and efficacy, supporting their potential translation for human therapeutic applications.
Field-hybridization acoustic tweezers
Authors: Wang Qing , Chen Shuhan , Zhou Jia , Riaud Antoine
Published: January 2025

Precise control of individual particles is crucial for biomedical diagnostics, i.e., single-cell analysis and drug delivery. Acoustic tweezers have shown promise as a precise method for capturing microscale objects, but the spatial selectivity remains challenging to achieve with traditional electroacoustic transducers. An alternative to traditional ultrasound generation is to use photoacoustic conversion from laser pulses, allowing easy customization of acoustic field using optical light patterns, but this approach suffers from low efficiency of photoacoustic conversion. Here, we propose a field-hybridization technique to combine a hologram-generated photoacoustic field with a high-power featureless electroacoustic field. Theoretical and experimental validation show that while the force remains limited to the low pN range, the hybridization amplifies the photoacoustic radiation force by a factor of 80. By adjusting phase difference between electroacoustic and photoacoustic sources, the direction of particle motion can be reversed. The maximum trapping force is reached within 40 μm from the laser spot, which suggests that the method could enable highly precise and selective manipulation.

Published by the American Physical Society
2025
Local diagnostic program for unitary evolution in general spacetimes
Authors: Choi Ka Hei , Hofmann Stefan , Schneider Marc
Published: January 2025

We present a local framework for investigating nonunitary evolution groups pertinent to effective field theories in general semiclassical spacetimes. Our approach is based on a rigorous local stability analysis of the algebra of observables and solely employs geometric concepts in the functional representation of quantum field theory. In this representation, it is possible to construct infinitely many self-adjoint extensions of the canonical momentum field at the kinematic level, and by the usual functional calculus arguments this holds for the Hamiltonian, as well. However, these self-adjoint domains have only the trivial wave functional in common with the solution space of the functional Schrödinger equation. This is related to the existence of boundaries in configuration field space which can be penetrated by the probability flux, causing probability to leak into regions in configuration field space that require a more fundamental description. As a consequence the evolution admits no unitary representation. Instead, in the absence of ghosts, the evolution is represented by contractive semigroups in the semiclassical approximation. This allows us to quantify the unitarity loss and, in turn, to assess the quality of the semiclassical approximation. We perform numerical experiments based on our formal investigations to determine regions in cosmological spacetimes where the semiclassical approximation breaks down for free quantum fields.

Published by the American Physical Society
2025
Exogenous–Endogenous Surfactant Interaction Yields Heterogeneous Spreading in Complex Branching Networks
Authors: Mcnair Richard , Temprano-Coleto Fernando , Peaudecerf François J. , Gibou Frédéric , Luzzatto-Fegiz Paolo , Jensen Oliver E. , Landel Julien R.
Published: January 2025

Experiments have shown that surfactant introduced to a liquid-filled maze can find the solution path. We reveal how the maze-solving dynamics arise from interactions between the added surfactant and endogenous surfactant present at the liquid surface. We simulate the dynamics using a nonlinear model solved with a discrete mimetic scheme on a graph. Endogenous surfactant transforms local spreading into a nonlocal problem with an omniscient view of the maze geometry, key to the maze-solving dynamics. Our results offer insight into surfactant-driven transport in complex networks such as lung airways.

Published by the American Physical Society
2025
Borromean states in a one-dimensional three-body system
Authors: Schnurrenberger Tobias , Happ Lucas , Efremov Maxim A.
Published: January 2025

We show the existence of Borromean bound states in a one-dimensional quantum three-body system composed of two identical bosons and a distinguishable particle. It is assumed that there is no interaction between the two bosons, while the mass-imbalanced two-body subsystems can be tuned to be either bound or unbound. Within the framework of the Faddeev equations, the three-body spectrum and the corresponding wave functions are computed numerically. In addition, we identify the parameter-space region for the two-body interaction, where the Borromean states occur, evaluate their geometric properties, and investigate their dependence on the mass ratio.

Published by the American Physical Society
2025
Structural studies of hydrated rare earth nitrates within the stereoatomic model of crystal structures
Authors: Savchenkov Anton V. , Kuz'micheva Galina M.
Published: January 2025

All crystal structures containing nitrate ions, water molecules and one of the rare earth (RE) metal atoms (La–Lu, Y, Sc) were extracted from the Inorganic Crystal Structure Database. The composition of the identified compounds is analyzed in terms of the number of coordinated and uncoordinated water molecules and nitrate ions. Among the resulting compounds, several isotypic and morphotropic series are observed. The structures were analyzed within the stereoatomic model of crystal structures. Coordination numbers of RE metals are calculated using the method of intersecting spheres. The variation of RE—O distances is analyzed over the entire series of metal atoms. Coordination modes of both nitrate ions and water molecules are established. Combinatorial topological types of Voronoi–Dirichlet polyhedra of rare earth metal atoms as coordination centers in the studied compounds are calculated.
Assessing Chinese–Egyptian bilateral trade dynamics under the One Belt One Road initiative: augmented gravity model approach
Authors: Abozaied Shady , Elzarka Sara , Abdelbary Islam
Published: January 2025

Purpose

This research paper investigates the economic impact of China’s One Belt, One Road (OBOR) initiative on its historical trade partner, Egypt, within a landscape shaped by global interconnectedness.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper employs an augmented gravity model with a random-effects estimator and robust standard errors to analyze the impact of the OBOR initiative on China–Egypt bilateral trade from 1960 to 2022.

Findings

The findings reveal a significant increase in trade volume following the implementation of OBOR. The model confirms the continued importance of gross domestic product (GDP) and geographic proximity in facilitating trade. Additionally, the research highlights Egypt’s strategic positioning within the OBOR due to its location and existing infrastructure, such as the Suez Canal.

Practical implications

These results offer valuable insights for policymakers and stakeholders seeking to optimize bilateral trade strategies and strengthen economic cooperation under the OBOR framework.

Originality/value

This study contributes to the existing literature by providing a fresh perspective on the impact of OBOR, employing a robust econometric approach and focusing on a specific yet crucial regional trade relationship.
The role of flow angle in mixed convection and vortex-induced vibration of a thermally controlled elastic cylinder
Authors: Esmaeili Mostafa , Fakhri Vayqan Hossein , Rabiee Amir Hossein
Published: January 2025

Purpose

This study aims to investigate the effects of thermal buoyancy and flow incidence angles on mixed convection heat transfer and vortex-induced vibration (VIV) of an elastically mounted circular cylinder. The focus is on understanding how varying these parameters influences the vibration amplitudes in both the x and y directions and the overall heat transfer performance.

Design/methodology/approach

The research involves a numerical simulation of thermal fluid-structure interactions by integrating rigid-body motion equations with heat and fluid flow solvers. The cylinder operates at a lower temperature than the mainstream flow, and flow incidence angles range from 0° (opposing gravity) to 90° (perpendicular to gravity). The methodology is validated by comparing the results with established data on VIV for a cylinder vibrating in one direction under thermal buoyancy effects.

Findings

The study reveals that, without buoyancy (Ri = 0), increasing the flow angle from 0° to 90° decreases the vibration amplitude along the x-direction (Ax) while increasing it along the y-direction (Ay) across various reduced velocities (Ur). When buoyancy effects are introduced (Ri = −1), Ax peaks at specific Ur values depending on the flow angle, with significant variations observed. The maximum increase in Ax at Ri = −1 is over 15 times at Ur = 9 for a 0° angle, and Ay shows a more than 10-fold increase at Ur = 8 for a 30° angle. Additionally, adjusting the flow angle results in up to an 8% increase in the mean Nusselt number at Ri = −1.

Originality/value

This research provides novel insights into the combined effects of flow incidence angles and thermal buoyancy on VIV and heat transfer in an elastically mounted cylinder.
A new fault diagnosis of rolling bearing using RCMPNDE and SSA-PNN
Authors: Liu Bei , Cai Jianhua
Published: January 2025

Purpose

This paper aims to solve the problem that multiscale dispersion entropy (MDE) is prone to information loss in the process of coarse-grain, which makes it difficult to extract bearing fault information comprehensively.

Design/methodology/approach

A new fault diagnosis method of rolling bearing using refined composite multiscale peak-to-peak normalized dispersion entropy (RCMPNDE) and sparrow search algorithm optimized probabilistic neural network (SSA-PNN) is proposed. First, coarse-graining employs the peak-to-peak value calculation instead of the segmented mean calculation in the RCMDE algorithm, which can overcome the shortcomings of traditional coarse-graining and highlight the fault characteristics. Then, the influence of the selection of different parameters is reduced through the normalization operation, and the RCMPNDE is formed. Finally, the extracted feature parameters are combined with SSA-PNN for diagnosis recognition to construct the RCMPNDE-SSA-PNN fault diagnosis method.

Findings

The proposed RCMPNDE-SSA-PNN fault diagnosis method is tested on actual data sets and its outcomes have been compared to those generated by methods built upon MDE, RCMDE and PNN. The comparison results showed that the proposed method can extract the fault feature information of rolling bearings more accurately and improve the accuracy of fault classification. The recognition accuracy reached 98.5% under the conditions of this experiment.

Originality/value

The RCMPNDE-SSA-PNN method can obtain more accurate fault diagnosis accuracy and provide a new reliable diagnosis method for rolling bearing fault diagnosis.

Peer review

The peer review history for this article is available at: https://publons.com/publon/10.1108/ILT-09-2024-0332/
Re-examining money, debt and Islamic banking in the USA
Authors: Abdullah Adam
Published: January 2025

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to challenge the view that there is nothing wrong with fiat money, debt and interest or Islamic banking, by re-examining the monetary performance of the USD, analyzing US economic projections of debt at interest and evaluating the contribution of Islamic banking within a financial system that does not recognize the Shari’ah.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper constructs gold and commodity price indices from 1792 to 2023 to re-examining the performance of the USD over the long-term; through library, document and content research, analyzes the impact of debt and interest on the US economy and re-examines whether US institutions are offering genuine Islamic financial alternatives.

Findings

US$1.00 in 1792 is now worth less than US$0.01 in 2023. The monetary balance sheet of the USD is now 97% backed by debt. Within the next 10 years, the USA will be unable to service its debt. There has been no progress in Islamic banking in the USA, with all products involving risk-free debt transactions priced at interest.

Research limitations/implications

By adopting a monetary theory of value, the devaluation of the USD resulted in increased prices due to the debt-based fiat standard and an exponential increase in public debt and interest.

Practical implications

The USD and the US economy are unsustainable in the long term, and US Islamic banks should transform into Islamic investment managers.

Social implications

Muslims should create and preserve wealth through genuine Islamic intermediation based on Islamic partnerships and Islamic social finance.

Originality/value

The US fiat standard is debt organized into currency, which is exponentially increasing and confiscating wealth through inflation and transferring it via interest to the banking system. US Islamic banking products replicate the practices of conventional banks.
Cultural values, business ties and artisan product innovation: mediation analysis of market orientation
Authors: Nguyen Van Dai , Phan Thi Thuc Anh
Published: January 2025

Purpose

The purpose of the current study is to examine how market orientation mediates the impact of business ties and cultural embeddedness of products on product innovation among Vietnamese artisan businesses.

Design/methodology/approach

The institutional logics perspective was applied to provide theoretical framework for hypotheses development and analysis of results. A sample of 214 artisan business owners in Northern Vietnam was created.

Findings

The findings of the current study revealed partial mediation effects of market orientation on the impact of business ties and cultural embeddedness of products on product innovation. On the one hand, the research findings showed that business ties have a direct positive impact on product while cultural embeddedness of products has a direct negative impact on product innovation. On the other hand, market orientation mediates the impacts of both business ties and cultural embeddedness on product innovation.

Research limitations/implications

This study did not consider the factors related to personal attributes (e.g. identity) as well as the broader context beyond the Northern Vietnam. Further, this study did not analyze how generational conflicts affect artisan innovation. That may limit the generalization of the research findings.

Practical implications

This paper offers recommendations for future research, government and managerial practices. Future studies can analyze how level of trust and the identity of business owners affect the extent to which firms innovate their products. Government can provide suitable support for the formation of business networks and culture-based groups to help artisan businesses address challenges facing their product innovation. Finally, artisan business owners can re-organize their business model to innovate product without encountering the resistance of cultural dimensions.

Originality/value

The application of the institutional logics helped further shed light on the impacts of business ties and cultural embeddedness on product innovation among artisan businesses. This field was often hidden in the existing literature under the cover of small businesses. The multilayered relationships between factors improved our understanding of organizational product innovation in a unique context of artisanship.
Modelling risk of sustainable rice supply chain (SRSC) to achieve food security for emerging economies
Authors: Kusrini Novira , Septiyarini Dwi , Rafdinal Wahyu
Published: January 2025

Purpose

Rice is an essential determinant of food security in some developing countries as it has become the state’s staple food. Due to its essential role, rice supplies have been studied over the years. For this reason, it is essential to ensure quantity and quality availability, safety, distribution and affordability from input suppliers, farmers and milling industries to consumers. This study aims to assess and evaluate the relationship between sustainability risk factors for each rice supply chain actor to minimise uncertainty and losses in the supply chain and achieve a sustainable rice supply chain (SRSC).

Design/methodology/approach

A total of 50 sub-risk factors for the rice supply chain, divided into four sustainability dimensions, were derived through a literature review. Next, it was identified through interviews with 12 experts in 2 stages: the first stage, reviewing the literature review results, and the second stage, finalising with Pareto analysis. Each stage produces 28 and 21 sub-risk factors. Fuzzy-decision-making trial and evaluation analysis was used to evaluate the relationship between sub-risk factors in the context of SRSC.

Findings

The sub-risk factors that need to be managed to achieve SRSC are climate change risk (floods and rainfall) from the environmental dimension (case group) and operational risk (loss of low-quality results) from the process dimension (impact group). These practical findings provide actionable insights for supply chain actors and contribute to a deeper understanding of the complexities of the rice supply chain.

Research limitations/implications

This study underscores the urgent need for a comprehensive understanding of the risks faced by all actors in the rice supply chain. Such an understanding is crucial for future research and practical applications, and it is the key to ensuring the sustainability and security of the rice supply chain.

Originality/value

To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this is the first comprehensive study in the context of SRSC that evaluates the relationship between risk factors to achieve food security in developing countries.
Positioning mindfulness as psychological capital
Authors: Shahbaz Wahab , Shahid Sehrish
Published: January 2025

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to critically examine the existing literature on workplace mindfulness and suggest positive organizational behavior (POB) scholarship as a suitable domain to understand the scientific and secular nature of mindfulness.

Design/methodology/approach

This conceptual paper is based on the critical analysis of the literature on POB and contemporary mindfulness at work. This paper highlights the limitations of workplace mindfulness in terms of its research and practice. Then, the limitations of workplace mindfulness are analyzed in relation to POB scholarship to suggest a way forward for research and practice.

Findings

The findings imply that contemporary mindfulness meets the inclusion criteria of psychological capital and thus it can be adopted and investigated in the workplace using the POB scholarship.

Practical implications

It suggests implications for research and practice by considering mindfulness as a psychological capital construct in the workplace context.

Originality/value

Mindfulness is an interesting topic for organizational researchers, and many organizations are adopting mindfulness to improve their workplace functioning. In recent years, scholars have highlighted potential ethical issues with the adoption of the spiritual and religious nature of mindfulness for workplace benefits. In this regard, the understanding of the scientific and secular nature of mindfulness is limited in organizational literature. This paper advances the knowledge of the literature on contemporary mindfulness and POB and argues the importance of the inclusion of mindfulness in psychological capital.
Unveiling engagement patterns of Yellowdig users: analysis of learning behaviors in an online undergraduate course
Authors: Faulconer Emily K. , Griffith John
Published: January 2025

Purpose

In online courses, asynchronous discussions are a common course activity that helps build community, explore concepts and provide an opportunity for formative feedback.

Design/methodology/approach

This case study explored engagement patterns in the Yellowdig platform used in an introductory-level chemistry class. Data were examined using Z scores, multiple regression, ANOVA and non-parametric testing to identify the impact of student activity on discussion and summative assignment grades.

Findings

Profiles of learner engagement were identified using the interactive, constructive, active and passive (ICAP) cognitive engagement framework. These profiles can be used as predictors of student performance. Moderately high and moderately low activity groups scored significantly better than low or significantly low activity groups.

Originality/value

This study unveils distinct learner engagement profiles linked to performance outcomes, providing valuable insights for online course design and pedagogical practice.
Unveiling hidden connectedness between cryptocurrency and stock markets in BRICS: a TVP-VAR perspective
Authors: Sindhu Muzammal Ilyas , Windijarto  , Wong Wing-Keung , Maswadi Laila
Published: January 2025

Purpose

The study aimed to determine the static return connectedness between Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa (BRICS) equity markets and crypto assets.

Design/methodology/approach

The study employs the time-varying parameter vector autoregression (TVP-VAR) method to examine the static and dynamic connectedness between crypto assets and the BRICS stock market. The study sample size was segmented into full sample, pre-COVID-19 and post-COVID-19 for in-depth analysis.

Findings

Empirical findings pointed out the significant rise in the total connectedness between both markets in the pre-COVID-19 period. Our result also exhibits a lower level of connectedness during the post-COVID-19 period. During the full sample period, it was found that cryptocurrencies and Indian, Chinese and South African stock markets remained key return transmitters, while Russian and Brazilian stock markets were seen as recipients. Moreover, during the pre-COVID period, cryptocurrencies played the role of return transmitter while the stock markets in BRICS remained recipients of return spillover.

Practical implications

This study contains practical insights for investors and portfolio managers in diversifying their portfolios considering the aforementioned connectivity of both markets, especially during periods of instability.

Originality/value

The study highlighted the importance of the TVP-VAR method in analyzing the static and dynamic connectedness of returns between cryptocurrencies and BRICS stock markets in different periods, including pre- and post-COVID-19. It further pragmatized the dynamic roles of cryptocurrencies as transmitters of returns and the BRICS stock markets as receivers where investors and policymakers can navigate market uncertainties.
An integrated framework for behavioural change to reduce gender gaps in leadership
Authors: Sil Nairitee , Lenka Usha
Published: January 2025

Purpose

Gender inequality in leadership is a pervasive issue worldwide. Women continue to experience significant social, organization and individual challenges in their professional advancement, reflecting the severity of gender bias. Thus, this paper aims to address these challenges through an integrated framework of actionable, multi-layered strategies.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper draws from established literature on individual behaviours, motivation appeals and organizational justice to propose an integrated framework of strategies to address gender disparities in leadership that can be effectively adapted across sectors.

Findings

The paper highlights that gender disparity in leadership is deeply entrenched and persistent, despite increased acceptance of women in professional roles, growing societal awareness about gender bias and multiple legislative measures. Hence, inclusion strategies should go beyond mere policy implementation and encompass a blend of rational, motivational and ethical approaches to bring long-term sustainability, acceptance and endorsement of gender inclusion.

Originality/value

This paper introduces a unique integrated framework of strategies by integrating various approaches for inclusion of women in leadership roles.
Effects of information technology and knowledge management capabilities on organizational innovation: the mediating role of organizational agility
Authors: Panda Sukanya
Published: January 2025

Purpose

This study aims to investigate how information technology and knowledge management capabilities (ITCs and KMCs) impact organizational innovation (OI) through organizational agility (OA) (in terms of adaptive and entrepreneurial agilities; AA and EA).

Design/methodology/approach

Data are collected from IT and bank managers working in Indian banking sector through a matched-pair field survey. The analysis is performed using AMOS-25, a covariance-based structural equation modeling approach.

Findings

The findings are twofold. First, ITC and KMC are essential to realizing augmented OA (in terms of AA and EA). However, AA (fostering incremental innovation) contributes more than EA (fostering radical innovation) to attain OI. Second, although KMC is not directly impacting OI, its indirect effect via AA is obtained. It indicates that in Indian banking firms, KMC is still in the infancy level and not fully entrenched in corporate strategies; hence, may not necessarily enhance OI.

Originality/value

Although extant literature focuses on the impact of ITC and KMC (studied in separate research) on agility and performance, it pays very scant attention to the ITC–KMC–OA–OI linkages. There is a lack of research regarding the joint effects of ITC and KMC on OA and OI, specifically, there exists no research highlighting the indirect effect of OA on the ITC–KMC–OI relationships. The two pivotal concepts “the necessity of KM practices fully ingrained in the organizational innovative culture” and “critical focus on incremental innovation more than radical innovation practices,” substantiate the novelty of this research.
What drives ostracised knowledge hiding? Negative work place gossips and neuroticism perspective
Authors: Hameed Filza , Shaheen Sadia , Younas Amjad
Published: January 2025

Purpose

Considering the significance of knowledge with respect to the current economic era, this study exclusively focuses on perceived negative workplace gossips (NWG) and knowledge-hiding behavior through a self-evaluation perspective. Further, this study also aims to explore the mediating role of workplace ostracism and moderating role of neuroticism in the relationship between perceived NWGs and knowledge hiding behavior (KHB).

Design/methodology/approach

Relying on the self-verification theory, data were collected from 323 employees working in the largest public sector universities of Punjab, Pakistan. Data were collected in three-time lags to overcome common method bias and social desirability issues. PROCESS macro bootstrap method were used to confirm the proposed model and hypothesis investigation.

Findings

The findings of the study revealed that perceived NWGs increase KHB. Additionally, workplace ostracism mediates the relationship between perceived NWGs and KHB. The findings of the study also suggest neuroticism moderates the relationship between workplace ostracism and KHBs.

Originality/value

Based on the self-evaluation concept, this research provides new insight by linking NWGs and KHB, especially from gossipee’s (target’s) perspective in the Pakistani cultural context. By examining the mediating role of workplace ostracism and the moderating role of neuroticism, this research responds to a recent call to explore more mechanisms between NWG and KHB. Finally, this research offers significant implications to managers and organizations that how and when their work environment can limit the impact of NWG.
Design and performances analysis of a PEM fuel cell for green hydrogen vehicles
Authors: Khadhraoui Ahmed , Adnen Cherif
Published: January 2025

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to present a new approach of a hydrogen-based green energy supply system intended for powering electric vehicles using fuel cells (FCs) and suitable for sustainable urban automobile transportations.

Design/methodology/approach

To resolve the problems with current electric vehicles, which are cost, autonomy and charging infrastructure, the authors have developed in this study a new prototype which uses an autonomous hydrogen production system, embedded in the vehicle and assisted by a photovoltaic source and ion-lithium batteries. The on-board produced hydrogen is then used by a reversible FC (PEMFC) to generate electricity to power the vehicle engine.

Findings

The obtained results demonstrated that the FC could provide approximately 70% of the required current once the vehicle was in motion, with the remaining 30% supplied by the battery. The carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions were reduced of 98%.

Research limitations/implications

A most vehicles use an internal combustion engine causing serious air pollution and the inability to meet new clean energy standards with zero CO2 emissions. In this same context, hybrid vehicles produce at least 80 g of CO2 every km, which is much higher than the Kyoto, Copenhagen and Paris COP21 policies.

Social implications

This study will help to create the best ecological ecosystem with low greenhouse emissions.

Originality/value

This concept offers many advantages, such as increased range, reduced recharge time, increasing the system autonomy and no CO2 emissions, which contribute to reducing air pollution, regulation with CE protocols and moving toward cleaner and more sustainable mobility.
A Familiar Sight: ‘Dutch Type’ and the First Printer of Norwich
Authors: Feakes Rebecca
Published: January 2025

Anthony Solempne, the first printer of Norwich, was among the many Dutch Protestants to flee religious persecution in the Southern Netherlands in the late 1560s and seek refuge in the Northern Provinces, France, and England. Dutch immigrants arrived in such numbers they soon formed around half the population of Norwich, the local inhabitants distinguishing themselves from the ‘otherness’ of these new arrivals by dubbing them ‘Strangers’. Solempne marketed many of his works to this growing community of displaced Dutch refugees through his use of vernacular and possibly his choice of type. This article considers how typography can embody aspects of ‘foreignness’ and familiarity on the printed page. A typographical analysis of Solempne's works forms the foundations for discussions on attributable works and the broader network of Dutch printers in England and the Continent who used a distinctive ‘Dutch type’ that would have been readily familiar to the ‘Strangers’ of Norwich. In doing so, it recognises the potential contribution of typographical studies to our understandings of ‘nationhood’ in northern Europe during the early modern period.
Impact of Laser‐Assisted Hatching on Cognitive and Metabolic Development of Singletons Conceived Through Frozen–Thawed Embryo Transfer: A Matched Cohort Study
Authors: Liu Xin‐Yi , Zhang Chun‐Xi , Chen Jian‐Peng , Liang Qi , Wu Yi‐Qing , Xue Jing‐Lei , Li Ling‐Hui , Xu Qi‐Qi , Zhang Fang‐Hong , Yang Ying‐Zhi , Wang Yue‐Mei , Liu Yi‐Feng , Zhang Dan
Published: January 2025

Objective

This study aimed to examine the impact of laser‐assisted hatching (LAH) on the physical, metabolic, cognitive and behavioural profiles of singletons conceived through frozen–thawed embryo transfer (FET) at the preschool age.

Design

A matched cohort study.

Setting

The reproductive centre of Women's Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine.

Population

Singletons born to couples with infertility who underwent FET cycles with or without LAH treatment from 2016 to 2019 and were followed up till age 4–6 years in 2023.

Methods

Cognitive and behavioural development was evaluated at the preschool age using the Wechsler Preschool and Primary Scale of Intelligence, Fourth Edition (WPPSI‐IV) and the Adaptive Behavior Assessment System, Second Edition (ABAS‐II). Statistical analysis was performed using moderated multiple linear regression.

Main Outcome Measures

The full‐scale intelligence quotient (FSIQ) and general adaptive composite (GAI).

Results

In total, 120 pairs of mother and child were included in the analysis. No significant differences in age, sex, height, weight, body mass index, blood pressure, thyroid function and metabolic indicators were observed between the two groups. After adjusting for demographics and socioeconomic status, LAH singletons showed FSIQ and GAI scores similar to those of non‐LAH singletons.

Conclusions

At 4–6 years of age, the cognitive, metabolic and physical developmental outcomes of preschool children born after LAH treatment were comparable with those of the non‐LAH group, indicating that LAH may be considered a safe assisted reproductive technology method. However, further longer and regular follow‐ups are needed to validate the findings of this study.
Phenotypic analysis of dinotefuran resistance in the brown planthopper, Nilaparvata lugens (Hemiptera: Delphacidae), using the experimental evolution approach
Authors: Fujii Tomohisa , Matsumura Masaya , Sanada‐Morimura Sachiyo
Published: January 2025

Insecticide applications for controlling insect pests drive the rapid phenotypic evolution of resistance traits within populations. In two decades, the brown planthopper, Nilaparvata lugens, has rapidly developed resistance to imidacloprid, a neonicotinoid insecticide, but its resistance to dinotefuran has not developed as quickly. We assume that the genetic mechanism underlying the resistance evolution of N. lugens differs between the imidacloprid‐ and dinotefuran‐resistant phenotypes. Dinotefuran‐resistant strains, collected from a paddy field in Kumamoto in 2013 (Res‐D13) and 2014 (Res‐D14), were subjected to quantitative genetic analysis. The realized heritabilities of dinotefuran resistance were 0.091 (Res‐D13) and 0.084 (Res‐D14) after the 15th generation of selection. Reciprocal cross experiments between Res‐D13 and the susceptible strain (Sus‐strain), and between Res‐D14 and the Sus‐strain, showed that the degree of dominance for dinotefuran resistance ranged from 0.34 to 0.57. Analysis of the F2 population and backcrosses to the parental strains indicated that dinotefuran resistance is a quantitative trait controlled by multiple genes on autosomal chromosomes. We propose that the realized heritability and the mode of inheritance of dinotefuran resistance well explain the slow development of dinotefuran resistance in field N. lugens populations.