bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Axions and superfluidity in Weyl semimetals
Authors: Mottola Emil , Sadofyev Andrey V. , Stergiou Andreas
Published: April 2024

An effective field theory (EFT) for dynamical axions in Weyl semimetals (WSMs) is presented. A pseudoscalar axion excitation is predicted in WSMs at sufficiently low temperatures, independently of the strength of the Weyl fermion self-coupling. For strong fermion self-coupling the axion is the gapless Goldstone boson of chiral U(1)ch spontaneous symmetry breaking. For weak fermion self-coupling an axion is also generated at nonzero chiral density for Weyl nodes displaced in energy, as a gapless collective mode of correlated fermion pair excitations of the Fermi surface. This is an explicit example of the extension of Goldstone's theorem to symmetry breaking by the axial anomaly itself. In both cases, the axion is a chiral density wave or phason mode of the superfluid state of the WSM, and the Weyl fermions form a chiral condensate 〈ψ¯ψ〉 at low temperatures. In the presence of an applied magnetic field, the axion mode becomes gapped, in analogy to the Anderson–Higgs mechanism in a superconductor. 't Hooft anomaly matching from ultraviolet to infrared scales is directly verified in the EFT approach. WSMs thus provide an interesting quantum system in which superfluid, non-Fermi liquid behavior, and a dynamical axion are predicted to follow directly from the axial anomaly in a consistent EFT that may be tested experimentally.

Published by the American Physical Society
2024
Ne21
energy levels approaching the
α
-particle threshold
Authors: Angus C. , Frost-Schenk J. , Laird A. M. , Adsley P. , Longland R. , Barton C. J. , Diget C. Aa. , Marshall C. , Portillo Chaves F. , Setoodehnia K.
Published: April 2024

Nuclei around Ne20 exhibit an interplay of different excitations caused by different aspects of nuclear structure, including single-particle and multiparticle configurations and collective rotations. One-nucleon transfer reactions selectively probe single-particle structures in these nuclei. These nuclei are also important to astrophysics, with a number of important reactions proceeding through this mass region.

Energy levels approaching the α-particle threshold in Ne21 are of importance to nuclear structure. The Ne20(d,p)Ne21 reaction was measured and the corresponding spectroscopic nuclear information was extracted.

States in Ne21 were populated using the Ne20(d,p)Ne21 reaction in forward kinematics. Protons were identified in the Triangle Universities Nuclear Laboratory (TUNL) Enge split-pole spectrograph and angular distributions were extracted. Spin-party assignments were made and neutron partial widths were determined based on distorted-wave Born approximation (DWBA) analysis.

Several new energy levels were observed at energies of 7176, 7235, 7250, and 7337 keV, and spin-parities are reported which generally agree with previous results where literature was available. Spin and parity assignments are reported for several energy levels along with estimated neutron widths for those states above the neutron threshold (Sn=6761keV).

Results from this study are placed in context with a review of the available literature on all known states in this energy region of Ne21.

Published by the American Physical Society2024
Extracting transition generalized parton distributions from hard exclusive pion-nucleon scattering
Authors: Qiu Jian-Wei , Yu Zhite
Published: April 2024

We study the extraction of transition generalized parton distributions (GPDs) from production of two back-to-back high transverse momentum photons (γγ) and a massive pair of leptons (ℓ+ℓ−) in hard exclusive pion-nucleon scattering. We argue that the exclusive scattering amplitude of both processes could be factorized into nonperturbative pion distribution amplitude and nucleon transition GPDs that are convoluted with perturbatively calculable short-distance matching coefficients. We demonstrate that the exclusive diphoton production not only is complementary to the Drell-Yan-type dilepton production for extracting the GPDs but also provides enhanced sensitivities for extracting the parton momentum fraction x dependence of the GPDs. We show that both exclusive observables are physically measurable at the J-PARC and AMBER experiment energies. If the target nucleon can be polarized, corresponding spin asymmetries can offer additional sensitivities for extracting transition GPDs.

Published by the American Physical Society
2024
Study of topological quantities of lattice QCD with a modified Wasserstein generative adversarial network
Authors: Gao Lin , Ying Heping , Zhang Jianbo
Published: April 2024

We propose a modified Wasserstein generative adversarial network (M-WGAN) to study the distribution of the topological charge in lattice QCD based on Monte Carlo simulations. We construct new generator and discriminator in M-WGAN to support the generation of high-quality distribution. Our results show that the M-WGAN scheme of machine learning should be helpful for us to calculate efficiently the 1D distribution of topological charge compared with the method by the Monte Carlo simulation alone.

Published by the American Physical Society
2024
Freeze-in at stronger coupling
Authors: Cosme Catarina , Costa Francesco , Lebedev Oleg
Published: April 2024

The predictivity of many nonthermal dark matter (DM) models is marred by the gravitational production background. Nevertheless, if the reheating temperature TR is low, the gravitationally produced relics can be diluted. We study the freeze-in dark matter production mechanism at temperatures below the dark matter mass. In this case, the coupling to the thermal bath has to be significant to account for the observed dark matter relic density. As a result, the direct DM detection experiments already probe such freeze-in models, excluding significant parts of parameter space.

Published by the American Physical Society
2024
Higgs quadruplet impact on
W
mass shift, dark matter, and LHC signatures
Authors: Chowdhury Talal Ahmed , Ezzat Kareem , Khalil Shaaban , Ma Ernest , Nanda Dibyendu
Published: April 2024

The addition of a Higgs quadruplet to the standard model (SM) of quarks and leptons would shift the W-boson mass upward. It could also facilitate the production of dark matter through the conventional thermal freeze-out scenario via Yukawa interaction with the Higgs quadruplet or freeze-in production from the decay of SM Higgs. We investigate the same-sign lepton smoking gun signature of the double-charged scalar component of the quadruplet Higgs at the LHC.

Published by the American Physical Society
2024
Neutrinos for TeV neutralinos
Authors: Rott Carsten , Sandick Pearl , Sheff Ben
Published: April 2024

One of the most well-founded candidates for dark matter remains a split-supersymmetry (SUSY) model with a Higgsino- or winolike lightest superpartner and the grander SUSY model providing answers for the hierarchy problem and grand unified theory scale unification. The relatively heavy scalar superpartners imply such models would not yet be seen at collider experiments, and mixing-suppressed couplings place such models outside the reach of current direct detection experiments. As such particles annihilate fairly readily to electroweak bosons, a significant neutrino signal can arise near the Galactic Center that may be visible to dedicated searches at current and future neutrino telescopes.

Published by the American Physical Society
2024
Recursive structure of Baikov representations: The top-down reduction with intersection theory
Authors: Jiang Xuhang , Lian Ming , Yang Li Lin
Published: April 2024

Following our previous study of the recursive structure of Baikov representations, we discuss its application in the integration-by-parts reduction of Feynman integrals. We combine the top-down reduction approach with the recursive structure, which can greatly simplify the calculation for each sector in many cases. We introduce a new concept called the top-sector irreducible scalar product reduction, which generalizes the maximal-cut reduction by retaining the subsector information. After subtracting the top-sector components, we provide a general method to transform the remaining integrand explicitly to subsectors, such that the reduction procedure can be carried out recursively. In this work, we use the intersection theory to demonstrate our method, although it can be applied to any implementation of the integration-by-parts reduction.

Published by the American Physical Society
2024
Loss of coherence and coherence protection from a graviton bath
Authors: Toroš Marko , Mazumdar Anupam , Bose Sougato
Published: April 2024

We consider a quantum harmonic oscillator coupled with a graviton bath. We discuss the loss of coherence in the matter sector due to the matter-graviton vertex interaction, which leads to a loss of coherence provided that the matter-wave system is allowed to gravitons by the kinematics. Working in the quantum-field-theory framework, we obtain a master equation by tracing away the gravitational field at the leading order ∼O(G) and ∼O(c−2). We find that the decoherence rate is proportional to the cube of the harmonic trapping frequency and vanishes for a free particle, as expected for a system without a mass quadrupole. Furthermore, our quantum model of graviton emission recovers the known classical formula for gravitational radiation from a classical harmonic oscillator for coherent states with a large occupation number. In addition, we find that the quantum harmonic oscillator eventually settles in a steady state with of the ground and first excited states. While classical emission of gravitational waves would make the harmonic system loose all of its energy, our quantum field theory model does not allow the number states |1⟩ and |0⟩ to decay via graviton emission. In particular, the superposition of number states 12[|0⟩+|1⟩] is a steady state and never decoheres.

Published by the American Physical Society
2024
Krylov complexity is not a measure of distance between states or operators
Authors: Aguilar-Gutierrez Sergio E. , Rolph Andrew
Published: April 2024

We ask whether Krylov complexity is mutually compatible with the circuit and Nielsen definitions of complexity. We show that the Krylov complexities between three states fail to satisfy the triangle inequality and so cannot be a measure of distance: there is no possible metric for which Krylov complexity is the length of the shortest path to the target state or operator. We show this explicitly in the simplest example, a single qubit, and in general.

Published by the American Physical Society
2024
Experimental Limits on Solar Reflected Dark Matter with a New Approach on Accelerated-Dark-Matter–Electron Analysis in Semiconductors
Authors: Zhang Z. Y. , Yang L. T. , Yue Q. , Kang K. J. , Li Y. J. , An H. P. , C. Greeshma , Chang J. P. , Chen Y. H. , Cheng J. P. , Dai W. H. , Deng Z. , Fang C. H. , Geng X. P. , Gong H. , Guo Q. J. , Guo T. , Guo X. Y. , He L. , He S. M. , Hu J. W. , Huang H. X. , Huang T. C. , Jiang L. , Karmakar S. , Li H. B. , Li H. Y. , Li J. M. , Li J. , Li Q. Y. , Li R. M. J. , Li X. Q. , Li Y. L. , Liang Y. F. , Liao B. , Lin F. K. , Lin S. T. , Liu J. X. , Liu S. K. , Liu Y. D. , Liu Y. , Liu Y. Y. , Ma H. , Mao Y. C. , Nie Q. Y. , Ning J. H. , Pan H. , Qi N. C. , Ren J. , Ruan X. C. , Singh M. K. , Sun T. X. , Tang C. J. , Tian Y. , Wang G. F. , Wang J. Z. , Wang L. , Wang Q. , Wang Y. F. , Wang Y. X. , Wong H. T. , Wu S. Y. , Wu Y. C. , Xing H. Y. , Xu R. , Xu Y. , Xue T. , Yan Y. L. , Yi N. , Yu C. X. , Yu H. J. , Yue J. F. , Zeng M. , Zeng Z. , Zhang B. T. , Zhang F. S. , Zhang L. , Zhang Z. H. , Zhao J. Z. , Zhao K. K. , Zhao M. G. , Zhou J. F. , Zhou Z. Y. , Zhu J. J. ,   CDEX Collaboration
Published: April 2024

Recently a dark matter–electron (DM–electron) paradigm has drawn much attention. Models beyond the standard halo model describing DM accelerated by high energy celestial bodies are under intense examination as well. In this Letter, a velocity components analysis (VCA) method dedicated to swift analysis of accelerated DM–electron interactions via semiconductor detectors is proposed and the first HPGe detector-based accelerated DM–electron analysis is realized. Utilizing the method, the first germanium based constraint on sub-GeV solar reflected DM–electron interaction is presented with the 205.4  kg·day dataset from the CDEX-10 experiment. In the heavy mediator scenario, our result excels in the mass range of 5–15  keV/c2, achieving a 3 orders of magnitude improvement comparing with previous semiconductor experiments. In the light mediator scenario, the strongest laboratory constraint for DM lighter than 0.1  MeV/c2 is presented. The result proves the feasibility and demonstrates the vast potential of the VCA technique in future accelerated DM–electron analyses with semiconductor detectors.

Published by the American Physical Society
2024
Active jamming at criticality
Authors: Anand Shalabh K. , Lee Chiu Fan , Bertrand Thibault
Published: April 2024

Jamming is ubiquitous in disordered systems, but the critical behavior of jammed solids subjected to active forces or thermal fluctuations remains elusive. In particular, while passive athermal jamming remains mean-field-like in two and three dimensions, diverse active matter systems exhibit anomalous scaling behavior in all physical dimensions. It is therefore natural to ask whether activity leads to anomalous scaling in jammed systems. Here, we use numerical and analytical methods to study systems of active, soft, frictionless spheres in two dimensions, and elucidate the universal scaling behavior that relates the excess coordination, active forces or temperature, and pressure close to the athermal jammed point. We show that active forces and thermal effects around the critical jammed state can again be captured by a mean-field picture, thus highlighting the distinct and crucial role of amorphous structure in active matter systems.

Published by the American Physical Society
2024
What makes viewers loyal toward streamers? A relationship building perspective and the gender difference
Authors: Li Yingxia , Kamal Basha Norazlyn , Ng Siew Imm , Lin Qiaoling
Published: April 2024

Purpose

Cultivating loyal customers is a pressing concern for streamers. The present study investigates how to build interpersonal relationships with streamers and whether different interpersonal relationship factors lead to repurchase intention and WOM intention in live streaming commerce. The moderating effect of gender is also examined.

Design/methodology/approach

A self-administered questionnaire was completed by 429 live streaming commerce users in mainland China. Partial least squares structural equation modeling was used to test the research hypotheses.

Findings

The results indicate that all four streamer attributes (expertise, authenticity, attractiveness, and homophily) have a positive influence on swift guanxi, and swift guanxi is effective in predicting both calculative commitment and affective commitment. In addition, all interpersonal relationship factors (swift guanxi, calculative commitment, and affective commitment) significantly affect repurchase intentions, with only affective commitment being linked to WOM intention. Also, the moderating role of gender was confirmed in expertise – swift guanxi, attractiveness – swift guanxi, cognitive commitment – repurchase intention and affective commitment – repurchase intention linkages.

Originality/value

This paper contributes to the live streaming commerce literature by integrating swift guanxi, calculative commitment, and affective commitment to understand the repurchase intention and WOM intention from the relationship-building process perspective. In addition, this paper enriches the source credibility and source attractiveness models by identifying gender boundaries on the effectiveness of these models in predicting swift guanxi.
An AcciMap approach to analyse the Chinese melamine milk scandal
Authors: Soon-Sinclair Jan Mei , Nayak Rounaq , Manning Louise
Published: April 2024

Purpose

The 2008 Chinese melamine milk scandal resulted in six reported fatalities and affected around 300,000 children, of whom 54,000 were hospitalised. Previous studies have used linear approaches to examine the root causes of the melamine milk scandal.

Design/methodology/approach

In the present study, we applied a systems approach to the melamine milk scandal to identify the complex systems-level failures across the supply chain leading to the incident and why food fraud incidents such as this occurred in the dairy sector. Additionally, systemic failures associated with food fraud vulnerability factors were considered (i.e. opportunities, motivation and control measures).

Findings

48 contributory factors of influence were identified and grouped across six sociotechnical levels across the Chinese dairy system, from government to equipment and surroundings. Lack of vertical integration (processes and communication) contributed to the failure. When viewed from a broader perspective, the melamine milk scandal can be linked to a series of human errors and organisational issues associated with government bodies, the dairy supply chain, individual organisations and management decisions and individual actions of staff or processes.

Practical implications

This approach is of value to policymakers and the industry as it supports public health investigations of food fraud incidents and proactive food safety management.

Originality/value

To the best of our knowledge, this is the first study to analyse a food safety or fraud incident using the AcciMap approach and the food fraud vulnerability assessment (FFVA) technique. AcciMap analysis is applied to both unintentional and intentional aspects of the incident.
Brazilian Stagflation
Authors: Murphy Daniel
Published: April 2024

Alexandre Tombini, the governor of the Central Bank of Brazil, faced a difficult situation in July 2015. Inflation was in the double digits, well above the target rate of 4.5%, and unemployment had increased from around 4.5% a year prior to nearly 8%. Any actions Tombini took to control inflation would most likely exacerbate unemployment, at least in the short run. To further complicate matters, Tombini's office was not independent of the executive branch of Brazil's government, and Tombini faced the possibility that any of his actions that were not aligned with the priorities of the current administration could cost him his job.

This case follows classes on fiscal and monetary policy in normal times and is the first class in a sequence on macroeconomic challenges–in this case, stagflation–high inflation and high unemployment. Students are pushed to consider why macroeconomic stabilization involves such acute and unpleasant tradeoffs during episodes of high inflation and unemployment. Students use the IS/LM AD/AS model as a reference.
Jerome Powell: Navigating a New Course?
Authors: Murphy Daniel
Published: April 2024

In February 2018, Jerome Powell had taken over as chair of the FOMC. At first glance, the macroeconomic conditions inherited by Powell appeared favorable for continued stability: unemployment and inflation were low, and the economy had been steadily growing for nearly a decade. Yet despite the appearance of stability, the economy faced significant risks that required the Federal Reserve's attention. Was an uptick in inflation imminent, and if so, should Powell raise rates to limit any inflationary pressure? Or was the economy still operating below capacity, and if so, should the Federal Reserve take a more accommodative stance? To gain perspective, Powell needed to look back at the past fifty years of monetary policy in the United States.
Emerging market multinationals’ embeddedness in Global South countries: an empirical study of Chinese MNEs in Peru
Authors: Mazé Dominique , Alcaraz Jorge , Buitrago R. Ricardo E.
Published: April 2024

Purpose

This paper aims to investigate how emerging market multinational enterprises (EMNEs) are integrating and expanding into other emerging market host countries, focusing on Chinese mining companies in Peru.

Design/methodology/approach

Adopting a qualitative approach, an in-depth analysis of two Chinese state-owned enterprises’ strategies was conducted, building on stakeholder theory and the business ecosystem perspective.

Findings

This study reveals a reliance on high-level political lobbying rather than localized engagement strategies. However, findings point to increasing grassroots resistance among local stakeholders, undermining EMNEs’ bargaining power.

Originality/value

This paper argues for a paradigm shift toward inclusive, cooperative “translocal governance” approaches as empowered communities gain voice. Key contributions include advancing theoretical understanding of changing stakeholder relationships and power configurations in emerging countries, underscoring the rising significance of microlevel sociocultural embeddedness for MNE success and highlighting practical imperatives for EMNEs to embark on rapid localization strategies in Latin America. By elucidating multilayered integration realities in Peru, this interdisciplinary study yields contextualized insights and enriches perspective on the conditions and pathways for EMNEs to build sustainability in Global South emerging market environments.
Discretionary HR practices and happiness at work (HAW): a sequential mediation model of perceived organizational support and meaning of work
Authors: Hamid Zeeshan , Kundi Yasir Mansoor
Published: April 2024

Purpose

This paper aims to explore the mechanisms by which employees’ happiness at work (HAW) can be promoted. Drawing on the social exchange theory (SET), this study examined the relationships among discretionary human resource (HR) practices, perceived organizational support (POS), meaning of work (MOW) and HAW.

Design/methodology/approach

A three-path mediation model was developed to test the proposed relationships. The data were collected from Pakistani business professionals (n = 361), and hypotheses were tested using the PROCESS macro for SPSS .

Findings

The results suggest that POS mediates the relationship between discretionary HR practices and HAW. Also, MOW mediated the relationship between discretionary HR practices and HAW. Hence, both POS and MOW were found to be independent mediators. Further, the data provided support for the serial mediation of POS and MOW in the relationship between discretionary HR practices and HAW.

Practical implications

This research provides insights to organizations and their management on how discretionary HR practices can enhance employees’ POS, MOW and HAW.

Originality/value

The findings show that discretionary HR practices are associated with employees’ HAW. In addition, two mediators (POS and MOW) were found to serially mediate the aforesaid relationships. These findings are novel, as no prior research has used this nascent methodological approach to deepen our understanding by examining the associations between discretionary HR practices, POS, MOW and employees’ HAW.
Introducing a novel decision support system to enhance performance in infrastructure sanitation projects within the construction industry
Authors: Shided Keniwe Mahmoud Sabry , Ali Ali Hassan , Abdelaal Mostafa Ali , Yassin Ahmed Mohamed , Kineber Ahmed Farouk , Nosier Ibrahim Abdel-Rashid , El Monayeri Ola Diaa , Elsayad Mohamed Ashraf
Published: April 2024

Purpose

This study focused on exploring the performance factors (PFs) that impact Infrastructure Sanitation Projects (ISSPs) in the construction sector. The aim was twofold: firstly, to identify these crucial PFs and secondly, to develop a robust performance model capable of effectively measuring and assessing the intricate interdependencies and correlations within ISSPs. By achieving these objectives, the study aimed to provide valuable insights into and tools for enhancing the efficiency and effectiveness of sanitation projects in the construction industry.

Design/methodology/approach

To achieve the study's aim, the methodology for identifying the PFs for ISSPs involved several steps: extensive literature review, interviews with Egyptian industry experts, a questionnaire survey targeting industry practitioners and an analysis using the Relative Importance Index (RII), Pareto principle and analytic network process (ANP). The RII ranked factor importance,  and Pareto identified the top 20% for ANP, which determined connections and interdependencies among these factors.

Findings

The literature review identified 36 PFs, and an additional 13 were uncovered during interviews. The highest-ranked PF is PF5, while PF19 is the lowest-ranked. Pareto principle selected 11 PFs, representing the top 20% of factors. The ANP model produced an application for measuring ISSP effectiveness, validated through two case studies. Application results were 92.25% and 91.48%, compared to actual results of 95.77% and 97.37%, indicating its effectiveness and accuracy, respectively.

Originality/value

This study addresses a significant knowledge gap by identifying the critical PFs that influence ISSPs within the construction industry. Subsequently, it constructs a novel performance model, resulting in the development of a practical computer application aimed at measuring and evaluating the performance of these projects.
Children’s sensory involvement and parents' purchase decision: the mediating role of parents' attitude
Authors: Talaie HamidReza
Published: April 2024

Purpose

Children’s sensory involvement refers to the degree to which children engage their senses, such as sight, touch, taste, smell and hearing, in their interactions with the environment. In the context of parents' purchase decisions, children’s sensory involvement pertains to how children's sensory involvement influences the purchasing decisions made by their parents. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of children's sensory involvement on parents’ purchase decisions considering the mediating role of the parent’s attitude.

Design/methodology/approach

In this study, a structured questionnaire survey was conducted with parents of children aged 7–12 in Isfahan, Iran. The sample consisted of 210 parents, aimed at elucidating the relationship between variables. Structural equation modeling (SEM) was employed to analyze the relationship between variables.

Findings

Results showed a significant relationship between children’s sensory involvement and parents’ purchase decisions, children’s sensory involvement and parents’ attitudes and parents’ attitudes and purchase decisions. It was concluded that children’s sensory involvement could indirectly influence the parents’ purchase decisions considering the mediating role of parents' attitudes.

Originality/value

In today's business landscape, it is imperative for organizations to discern the multitude of factors influencing consumers' purchasing decisions. Among these, family dynamics play a substantial role, with children often exerting a strong influence on their parents' buying choices. Despite the acknowledged importance of this dynamic in existing literature, the specific impact of children's sensory involvement on parental purchasing decisions remains largely unexplored. Therefore, this paper aims to fill this gap in the literature by shedding light on the role of children's sensory involvement in shaping parental buying behaviors.
Doing great by doing good: organizational Pao culture and its CSR effect
Authors: Wang Shunlin , Zheng Wenzhi , Hou Zhiyang , Goh Mark , Wu Yenchun Jim
Published: April 2024

Purpose

This paper explores the mechanism of organizational Pao culture in an Oriental cultural context and its impact on CSR implementation and outcomes.

Design/methodology/approach

Three short cases are presented to reveal how the traditional Chinese Pao culture influences CSR implementation and outcomes in Chinese firms.

Findings

The findings suggest that the traditional Chinese Pao culture is the driver behind the value orientation of the norms of passing on favors and doing good deeds will be rewarded. Knowing this can help leaders in such organizations to incentivize member participation in building organizational Pao culture.

Practical implications

Through the collaborative construction of the core of Pao culture and external evaluation standards of corporate social responsibility, enterprises can thus achieve the dual goals of self-development and social benefits.

Social implications

Enterprises and managers can be encouraged to draw management wisdom from the essence of cultural norms, so as to achieve the goal of realizing the interests of all CSR participants.

Originality/value

This paper emphasizes the dynamics and outcomes of CSR implementation in the context of the traditional Chinese Pao culture and expands the boundary of CSR research beyond a Western cultural setting.
Sustainable mobility perspectives: exploring the impact of UTAUT2 model on fostering electric vehicle adoption in India
Authors: Shetty Amrutha , Rizwana M.
Published: April 2024

Purpose

The global automobile industry is striving towards a sustainable future. Emerging countries including India are gearing up for the revolution. Considering the key role of customer acceptance in the success of any technological shift, the study endeavors to ascertain the catalysts accelerating the adoption of Electric Two-Wheelers (E2W) in India by leveraging an extended Unified Theory of Acceptance and Use of Technology-2 model. The same would assist Electric Vehicle (EV) stakeholders in directing their efforts toward pivotal aspects having the potential to significantly bolster E2W penetration.

Design/methodology/approach

Data was collected using convenience sampling technique from 1,254 electric two-wheeler owners across four Indian states and analyzed using Structural Equation Modelling.

Findings

Performance Expectancy, Price Value and Hedonic Motivation have a significant influence on purchase intention leading to actual buying behavior. Effort Expectancy, Social Influence, habit value and facilitating conditions were insignificant. Pro-Environmental Approach and Government Support significantly impact adoption intention and behavior respectively in addition to model predictors thus supporting the study’s novelty. Purchase intention proved to influence Actual Buying Behavior. Synergized efforts of EV stakeholders towards performance innovation, cost-effectiveness, improved infrastructure and information diffusion on sustainability and user-friendliness could aid in achieving transition to green mobility.

Originality/value

The study predominantly intends to address the intention–behavior gap related to electric two-wheelers in India. Also, two additional constructs, government support and pro-environmental approach, were incorporated resulting in a novel research framework that aims to test their nuanced ability to impact the model predictors.
Benchmarking the quality improvement strategies of wire arc additive manufacturing process using fuzzy QFD approach
Authors: Madugula Naveen Srinivas , Kumar Yogesh , K.E.K Vimal , Kumar Sujeet
Published: April 2024

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to improve the productivity and quality of the wire arc additive manufacturing process by benchmarking the strategies from the selected six strategies, namely, heat treatment process, inter pass cooling process, inter pass cold rolling process, peening process, friction stir processing and oscillation process.

Design/methodology/approach

To overcome the lack of certainty associated with correlations and relationships in quality functional deployment, fuzzy numbers have been integrated with the quality functional deployment framework. Twenty performance measures have been identified from the literature under five groups, namely, mechanical properties, physical properties, geometrical properties, cost and material properties. Using house of quality weights are allocated to performance measures and groups, relationships are established between performance measures and strategies, and correlations are assigned between strategies. Finally, for each strategy, relative importance, score and crisp values are calculated.

Findings

Inter pass cold rolling process strategy is computed with the highest crisp value of 15.80 which is followed by peening process, heat treatment process, friction stir processing, inter pass cooling process,] and oscillation process strategy.

Originality/value

To the best of the authors’ knowledge, there has been no research in the literature that analyzes the strategies to improve the quality and productivity of the wire arc additive manufacturing process.
Do justice perceptions of performance appraisal practices affect organizational citizenship behavior through affective commitment? Evidence from the information technology industry
Authors: Uraon Ram Shankar , Kumarasamy Ravikumar
Published: April 2024

Purpose

The paper aims to examine the effect of justice perceptions of performance appraisal (JPPA) practices (i.e. distributive, procedural, informational and interpersonal justice) on organizational citizenship behavior (OCB) and affective commitment (AC) and the effect of AC on OCB. Further, it investigates the mediating role of AC in the relationship between JPPA practices and OCB. Moreover, this study examines the moderating effect of job level on the relationship between JPPA practices and OCB.

Design/methodology/approach

The data were collected using a self-reported structured questionnaire. A total of 650 questionnaires were distributed among the employees of 50 information technology (IT) companies in India, and 503 samples were obtained. The conceptual framework was tested using the partial least squares structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM) method, and the moderating effect was tested using process macro.

Findings

The findings of this study reveal that the JPPA practices positively affect OCB and AC and AC affects OCB. Further, AC partially mediates this relationship between JPPA practices and OCB. Furthermore, the direct effect of JPPA practices on OCB happens to be strengthened when the job level decreases, thus confirming the moderating role of job level.

Research limitations/implications

The findings of this study augment the social exchange theory (SET) by suggesting that individuals perceiving justice or fairness in performance appraisal practices are likely to have a greater AC that ultimately engages employees in OCB.

Practical implications

This study will be helpful for human resource practitioners in IT companies who are responsible for the fairness of performance appraisal practices and expect their employees to be emotionally attached to the organization and engaged in OCB.

Originality/value

The study adds to the body of knowledge of how justice in performance appraisal practices links to OCB through AC and moderates by job level in an emerging economy in Asia.
Rigid frameworks or flexible approaches? The debate on employee engagement measurement in organisational contexts
Authors: Conlon Ronan T.
Published: April 2024

Purpose

This strategic commentary aims to examine the benefits and drawbacks of rigid frameworks versus flexible approaches to measuring employee engagement, arguing for a hybrid model that incorporates the best of both to better correspond with organisational subtleties and strategic goals.

Design/methodology/approach

This study compares the standardised, benchmarking capabilities of inflexible frameworks such as Gallup’s Q12 to the adaptability and customisation potential of flexible approaches. It emphasises the creation and implementation of a hybrid methodology that preserves the integrity of engagement measurement while also incorporating organisational-specific insights.

Findings

Despite their different benefits, rigid frameworks may neglect distinct organisational cultures, whereas completely flexible techniques may suffer with measuring consistency. A hybrid model, which combines core standardised questions and unique items, provides a balanced solution for improving the relevance, actionability and reliability of engagement data across dynamic organisational landscapes.

Originality/value

The discussion culminates with the proposal of a hybrid measurement strategy as a strategic innovation in human resource management. By combining scientific rigour and contextual sensitivity, this model provides a nuanced roadmap for organisations looking to thoroughly understand and effectively negotiate the complexity of employee engagement in an evolving work environment.
An assessment of the role of safety in digital nomads' destination selections
Authors: Akgiş İlhan Öznur , Günay Semra , Ateş Deni̇z , Yaşlı Şen Fatma , Demir Önder
Published: April 2024

Purpose

The safety-related features of destinations affect tourist experiences and consequently influence destination choices. This research investigates the role of spatial profile and safety in the destination choices of digital nomads.

Design/methodology/approach

The study was designed using the multi-research method. To determine the spatial patterns of digital nomads' destination choices, Getis-Ord’s Gi is utilized, and spatial regression techniques are employed to ascertain the role of safety in these choices.

Findings

The main result of the research is that the most visited cities are spatially clustered in Asia, Europe and America. In this regard, digital nomads' destination choices exhibit similarities to those of traditional tourists. However, safety plays a significant role in destination preferences.

Originality/value

The research findings provide valuable insight into the relationship between digital nomads' travel preferences and safety, thereby serving as a significant source of information for destination marketing and management.
The relationship between regional development and digital nomadism
Authors: Ünal Güliz
Published: April 2024

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to reveal the relationship between digital nomadism and regional development.

Design/methodology/approach

In the research, an interpretive approach was used to obtain an in-depth understanding of the relationship between digital nomadism and regional development and to examine a specific issue in more detail.

Findings

Digital nomads are constantly traveling. In this way, they provide income transfer to the places they visit. They positively affect the promotion of the region and contribute to the increase of the human capital of the regions.

Research limitations/implications

Viewed from the development agency perspective as a representative of a regional development agency.

Practical implications

Tips are presented on how the digital nomad theme can be managed in regional development.

Social implications

Regional development does not only include economic development, but also prioritizes the subjective well-being of local residents. For this reason, it has been emphasized that digital nomad arrangements in the name of regional development should not only be perceived as attracting new generation tourists to the region, but will also be a tool for the sociocultural development of local residents.

Originality/value

This study outlines the issue of how digital nomadism has become an alternative tool in the regional development.
Possible link between colonization of the gastrointestinal tract by Citrobacter rodentium in C57BL/6 mice and microbiota composition
Authors: Miki Tsuyoshi , Haneda Takeshi , Okada Nobuhiko , Ito Masahiro
Published: April 2024

Colonization resistance, conferred by the host's microbiota through both direct and indirect protective actions, serves to protect the host from enteric infections. Here, we identified the specific members of the gut microbiota that impact gastrointestinal colonization by Citrobacter rodentium, a murine pathogen causing colonic crypt hyperplasia. The gut colonization levels of C. rodentium in C57BL/6 mice varied among breeding facilities, probably due to differences in microbiota composition. A comprehensive analysis of the microbiota revealed that specific members of the microbiota may influence gut colonization by C. rodentium, thus providing a potential link between the two.
Citizen‐participatory nationwide survey of mountain streamwater chemistry in Japan in 2022: Comparison of nitrate concentrations with the 2003 survey
Authors: Makino Soyoka , Tokuchi Naoko , Akaishi Daisuke , Koyama Lina A. , Komai Yukio , Itaya Yoshimi , Maung Nay Lin , Ishimaru Kanae , Oda Tomoki , Shibata Rei , Numamoto Shinya
Published: April 2024

Mountain streamwater chemistry is an effective indicator of forest condition. In 2022, we conducted a nationwide investigation of mountain streamwater chemistry in Japan, leveraging citizen‐participatory sampling. This approach involved 629 individuals with regular exposure to mountain and natural environments. Although our primary aim was to sample at locations from a 2003 study, we also welcomed samples from new sites. In total, 1414 streamwater samples were collected one time from each forested watershed at the baseflow condition. Our study focused on stream nitrate (NO3−) concentration as a key indicator of anthropogenic nitrogen (N) loading impacts on forests. We compared NO3− concentrations in 2022 with those from 2003 at identical sampling points. After excluding 179 points with evident human‐created features upstream, the mean NO3− concentration in 2022 was 0.328 mg N L−1 (n = 1236). Comparing data from 1088 points sampled in both years, the mean value in 2022 (0.324 mg N L−1) was significantly lower than that in 2003 (0.359 mg N L−1, p < 0.05). Notably, 88.5% of sampling points showed differences within ±0.25 mg N L−1. The spatial distribution pattern of mountain stream NO3− concentrations in 2022 did not consistently align with large cities, industrial areas, or N deposition sources. This unique approach marked the first nationwide participatory survey for collecting mountain streamwater in Japan. Our success in ensuring sample quality through accessible explanations, manuals, and videos demonstrates the potential of citizen science. However, the quantitative evaluation of scientific accuracy remains a forthcoming challenge.
The digital citizenship of children with autism: Challenges, considerations and educational needs of paediatric practitioners
Authors: Mayer Yael , Goldberger Tessa , Di Spirito Nicole , Cohen‐Eilig Mor , Jarus Tal
Published: April 2024

This exploratory study examined paediatric practitioners' challenges and considerations when they support caregivers and children with autism regarding children's screen use. Current research often focuses on the problematic use of screen time among children with autism. No clear strategies or recommendations for clinicians to support the beneficial use of screens exist yet in the field. Participants in the study were 15 experienced paediatric practitioners invited to participate in semistructured interviews that were analysed using summative content analysis. Practitioners expressed the urgent need for accessible and valuable educational resources to guide digital citizenship and screen time use for their clients with autism. This exploratory study provides an initial roadmap for the educational needs of paediatric practitioners supporting positive screen use and digital citizenship of autistic children.
Evaluation of in‐house drug evidence testing by King County Medical Examiner's Office in “real‐time” fatal overdose surveillance
Authors: Harruff Richard C. , Barbour William L. , Yarid Nicole A.
Published: April 2024

With the escalating overdose epidemic, many surveillance efforts have appeared. In 2018, King County Medical Examiner's Office (KCMEO) initiated a fatal overdose surveillance project aimed at expediting death certification and disseminating timely information. In this project, KCMEO investigators collected items of evidence of drug use from overdose death scenes, which were tested by five in‐house methods, four using handheld devices: TruNarc Raman spectrometer, with and without the manufacture's H‐Kit, Rigaku ResQ Raman spectrometer, and MX908 mass spectrometer. The fifth in‐house method used fentanyl‐specific urine test strips. Results from in‐house testing were compared with results from Washington State Patrol (WSP) Materials Analysis Laboratory. From 2019 to 2022, there were 4244 evidence items of drugs and paraphernalia collected from 1777 deaths scenes. A total of 7526 in‐house tests were performed on collected specimens, and 2153 tests were performed by the WSP laboratory using standard analytical methods. The WSP results served as reference standards to calculate performance metrics of the in‐house methods. Sensitivities, specificities, and predictive values ranged from good to poor depending on the method, drug, and evidence type. Certain drugs were often associated with specific evidence types. Acetaminophen was frequently found in combination with fentanyl. Fentanyl test strips gave good scores for detecting fentanyl; otherwise, in‐house methods using handheld devices had poor performance scores with novel drugs and drugs diluted in mixtures. The results showed that in‐house testing of drug evidence has value for medical examiner overdose surveillance, but it is resource intensive, and success depends on collaboration with forensic laboratories.
Single‐nucleus transcriptomics and chromatin accessibility analysis of musk gland development in Chinese forest musk deer (Moschus berezovskii)
Authors: LIU Chenmiao , HONG Tingting , ZHAO Chengcheng , XUE Tao , WANG Shuhui , REN Zhanjun
Published: April 2024

Musk secreted by male forest musk deer (Moschus berezovskii) musk glands is an invaluable component of medicine and perfume. Musk secretion depends on musk gland maturation; however, the mechanism of its development remains elusive. Herein, using single cell multiome ATAC + gene expression coupled with several bioinformatic analyses, a dynamic transcriptional cell atlas of musk gland development was revealed, and key genes and transcription factors affecting its development were determined. Twelve cell types, including two different types of acinar cells (Clusters 0 and 10) were identified. Single‐nucleus RNA and single‐nucleus ATAC sequencing analyses revealed that seven core target genes associated with musk secretion (Hsd17b2, Acacb, Lss, Vapa, Aldh16a1, Aldh7a1, and Sqle) were regulated by 12 core transcription factors (FOXO1, CUX2, RORA, RUNX1, KLF6, MGA, NFIC, FOXO3, ETV5, NR3C1, HSF4, and MITF) during the development of Cluster 0 acinar cells. Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes enrichment showed significant changes in the pathways associated with musk secretion during acinar cell development. Gene set variation analysis also revealed that certain pathways associated with musk secretion were enriched in 6‐year‐old acinar cells. A gene co‐expression network was constructed during acinar cell development to provide a precise understanding of the connections between transcription factors, genes, and pathways. Finally, intercellular communication analysis showed that intercellular communication is involved in musk gland development. This study provides crucial insights into the changes and key factors underlying musk gland development, which serve as valuable resources for studying musk secretion mechanisms and promoting the protection of this endangered species.