bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Aether-electromagnetic theory and the Casimir effect
Authors: de Farias K. E. L. , Anacleto M. A. , Passos E. , Brevik Iver , Mota Herondy , Santos João R. L.
Published: June 2024

In this study, we explore the impact of an additional dimension, as proposed in Kaluza-Klein’s theory, on the Casimir effect within the context of Lorentz invariance violation (LIV), which is represented by the “aether field.” We demonstrate that the Casimir energy is directly influenced by the presence of the fifth dimension, as well as by the aether parameter. Consequently, the force between the plates is also subject to variations of these parameters. Furthermore, we examine constraints on both the size of the extra dimension and the aether field parameter based on experimental data. The LIV parameter can provide insights into addressing the size-related challenges in Kaluza-Klein’s theory and offers a mean to establish an upper limit on the size of the extra dimension. This helps to rationalize the difficulties associated with its detection in current experiments.

Published by the American Physical Society
2024
New derivation of the amplitude of asymptotic oscillatory tails of weakly delocalized solitons
Authors: Fodor Gyula , Forgács Péter , Mushtaq Muneeb
Published: June 2024

The computation of the amplitude, α, of asymptotic standing wave tails of weakly delocalized, stationary solutions in a fifth-order Korteweg–de Vries equation is revisited. Assuming the coefficient of the fifth order derivative term, ε2≪1, a new derivation of the “beyond all orders in ε” amplitude, α, is presented. It is shown by asymptotic matching techniques, extended to higher orders in ε, that the value of α can be obtained from the asymmetry at the center of the unique solution exponentially decaying in one direction. This observation, complemented by some fundamental results of Hammersley and Mazzarino [], not only sheds new light on the computation of α but also greatly facilitates its numerical determination to a remarkable precision for so small values of ε, which are beyond the capabilities of standard numerical methods.

Published by the American Physical Society
2024
Emergent 1-form symmetries
Authors: Cherman Aleksey , Jacobson Theodore
Published: June 2024

We explore the necessary conditions for 1-form symmetries to emerge in the long-distance limit when they are explicitly broken at short distances. A minimal requirement is that there exist operators which become topological at long distances and that these operators have nontrivial correlation functions. These criteria are obeyed when the would-be emergent symmetry is spontaneously broken, or is involved in ’t Hooft anomalies. On the other hand, confinement, i.e. a phase with unbroken 1-form symmetry, is nearly incompatible with the emergence of 1-form symmetries. We comment on some implications of our results for QCD as well as the idea of Higgs-confinement continuity.

Published by the American Physical Society
2024
Scaling results for charged sectors of near conformal QCD
Authors: Bersini Jahmall , D’Alise Alessandra , Gambardella Clelia , Sannino Francesco
Published: June 2024

We provide the leading near conformal corrections on a cylinder to the scaling dimension of the lowest-lying fixed isospin charge Q operators defined at the lower boundary of the quantum chromodynamics conformal window, Δ˜Q=Δ˜Q*+(mσ4πν)2QΔ3B1+(mπ(θ)4πν)4Q23(1−γ)B2+O(mσ4,mπ8,mσ2mπ4). Here, Δ˜Q/r is the classical ground state energy of the theory on R×Sr3 at fixed isospin charge while Δ˜Q* is the scaling dimension at the leading order in the large charge expansion. In the conformal limit mσ=mπ=0, the state-operator correspondence implies Δ˜Q=Δ˜Q*. The near-conformal corrections are expressed in powers of the dilaton and pion masses in units of the chiral symmetry breaking scale 4πν with the θ-angle dependence encoded directly in the pion mass. The characteristic Q-scaling is dictated by the quark mass operator anomalous dimension γ and the one characterizing the dilaton potential Δ. The coefficients Bi with i=1,2 depend on the geometry of the cylinder and properties of the nearby conformal field theory.

Published by the American Physical Society
2024
Active control of the free surface of a rivulet of a nematic liquid crystal with an electric field
Authors: Bhadwal Akhshay S. , Cousins Joseph R. L. , Mottram Nigel J. , Wilson Stephen K. , Duffy Brian R. , Sage Ian C. , Brown Carl V.
Published: June 2024

Active control of a rivulet of a nematic liquid crystal is achieved by local modification of the effective viscosity with an applied electric field. Specifically, using the nematic 5CB, control of the free surface of the rivulet is achieved through manipulation of the effective viscosity induced by the competition of moments due to viscous shear stress alignment and electric field alignment. The experimentally observed dependencies of the rivulet height on the volume flux and the strength of the applied electric field are successfully captured by a theoretical model based on the Ericksen-Leslie equations.

Published by the American Physical Society
2024
Wrapping: an artistic device used in the integration of corporate reporting
Authors: Sabelfeld Lana , Dumay John , Czarniawska Barbara
Published: June 2024

Purpose

This study explores the integration of corporate reporting by Mitsubishi, a large Japanese company, using a culturally sensitive narrative that combines and reconciles Japanese and Western corporate values in one story.

Design/methodology/approach

We use an analytical framework drawing on insights borrowed from narratology and the notion of wrapping – the traditional art of packaging as communication.

Findings

We find that Mitsubishi is a survivor company that uses different corporate reporting frameworks during its reporting journey to construct a bespoke narrative of its value creation and cultural values. It emplots narratives to convey a story presenting the impression that Mitsubishi is a Japanese corporation but is compatible with Western neo-liberal ideology, making bad news palatable to its stakeholders and instilling confidence in the future.

Research limitations/implications

Wrapping is a culturally sensitive form of impression management used in the integration of corporate reporting. Therefore, rather than assuming that companies blatantly manipulate their image in corporate reports, we suggest that future research should focus on how narratives are constructed and made sense of, situating them in the context of local culture and traditions.

Practical implications

The findings should interest scholars, report preparers, policymakers, and the IFRS, considering the recent release of the IFRS Sustainability Disclosure Standards designed to reduce the so-called alphabet soup of corporate reporting. By following Mitsubishi’s journey, we learn how and why the notion of integrated reporting was adopted and integrated with other reporting frameworks to create narratives that together convey a story of a global corporation compliant with Western neoliberal ideology. It highlights how Mitsubishi used integrated reporting to tell its story rather than as a rigid reporting framework, and the same fate may apply to the new IFRS Sustainability Reporting Standards that now include integrated reporting.

Originality/value

The study offers a new perspective on corporate reporting, showing how the local societal discourses of cultural heritage and modernity can shape the journey of the integration of corporate reporting over time.
Investigating the interplay of organizational social capital, university image and perceived employability on career satisfaction of information technology professionals
Authors: Agnihotri Shikha , Shiva Atul , Kalia Prateek
Published: June 2024

Purpose

This study aims to examine the relationship between organizational social capital, university image, perceived employability and career satisfaction of information technology (IT) professionals. It also aims to investigate the moderating effects of diverse age groups of IT professionals on the antecedents and consequences of career satisfaction.

Design/methodology/approach

Variance-based partial least square structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM) technique was used to analyze a dataset of 412 responses from IT professionals. The predictive relevance of career satisfaction was estimated through PLS predict, and the relative importance of determinants was analyzed through importance-performance map analysis (IPMA). PLS Multi-group analysis (PLS-MGA) and measurement invariance of composites (MICOM) were used to estimate the moderating effects of age groups.

Findings

The findings of this study indicate that university image is perceived as the crucial factor for career satisfaction by IT professionals followed by perceived employability and organizational social capital. Gender was found to be a positive predictor of career satisfaction. PLS-MGA results indicate that organizational social capital is a prominent predictor of career satisfaction for middle-aged professionals as compared to young professionals as the latter consider university image to be more important.

Originality/value

This is the first study to examine the relationship between organizational social capital, university image, perceived employability, and career satisfaction of IT professionals in a developing country context.
Are blood donors satisfied with their donation experience? An evaluation based on the stages of blood donation in Cameroon
Authors: Njianga Mbeyap Benjamin , Nda'chi Deffo Rodrigue , Fomba Kamga Benjamin
Published: June 2024

Purpose

In Cameroon's blood banks, the shortage of blood bags is difficult to overcome because of the lack of donor loyalty and the complexity of recruiting new donors. This study explores the possibility of retaining donors and turning them into prospectors by analysing their satisfaction.

Design/methodology/approach

A Servqual questionnaire was administered to a sample of 109 donors obtained by voluntary sampling. We used customer satisfaction to determine the satisfaction score and the tetraclass model to analyse the contribution of the elements to satisfaction.

Findings

Our results show that the blood donor satisfaction score is low (60.33%) compared with the norm (80%). The post-donation follow-up stage is the factor with the greatest influence on improving blood donor satisfaction. The elements that require particular attention in the supervision of blood donors are the snacking and blood-taking stages, because they have a strong capacity to worsen donor satisfaction when they are badly perceived by donors.

Originality/value

The study focuses on aspects specific to the Cameroonian situation and sheds a unique light on blood donor satisfaction in this context, while offering a general understanding of this issue on an international scale.
Lubricating properties of thymol-based deep eutectic solvents
Authors: Li Ting , Zhang Zhipeng , Wang Junhai , Yan Tingting , Wang Rui , Li Xinran , Zhang Lixiu , Wei Xiaoyi
Published: June 2024

Purpose

This study aims to prepare thymol-based deep eutectic solvents (DESs) and use them as lubricates for friction and wear tests to simulate the wear conditions of hybrid bearings.

Design/methodology/approach

Through the characterization and analysis of the morphology of wear scars and the elemental composition of friction films, the tribological behavior and wear mechanism of sample materials as lubricants were investigated and the anti-wear mechanism of thymol-based DESs was discussed.

Findings

The findings demonstrate that because of the formation of a fluid lubrication film and excellent kinematic viscosity, the lubrication effect of the prepared DES is improved by about 50% compared to the base lubricating oil. The prepared [Ch]Cl-thymol DES has a better anti-friction and lubrication effect than citric-thymol, EG-thymol and urea-thymol DESs, with an average friction coefficient of about 0.04.

Originality/value

In this work, the friction reduction properties of thymol-based DESs were studied as lubricants for the first time, and the lubrication mechanism of sample materials was investigated.
Perceptions of offender motives, opportunities and willingness for financial crime: an empirical analysis of survey responses in six nations
Authors: Abdullah Azwan , Gottschalk Petter , Gupta Chander Mohan , Kamaei Maryam , Stadler William , Urzică Andreea-Luciana
Published: June 2024

Purpose

This study aims to identify perceptions of financial crime among students in six different countries.

Design/methodology/approach

Survey research was conducted among students in India, Iran, Malaysia, Norway, Romania and the USA to compare the ranking of perceptions.

Findings

The following three propositions for financial crime had most agreement among respondents: lack of oversight and guardianship, legitimate access to resources and heroic offender status.

Research limitations/implications

Scholars involved in various countries conducted survey research at different points in time with little knowledge of each other’s survey populations and response rates.

Practical implications

Crime convenience and, thus, attractiveness can be addressed by focusing on propositions finding the strongest agreement in the surveys.

Social implications

Agreement and lack of agreement indicate priorities in fighting financial crime.

Originality/value

The diversity of nations involved in survey research makes this study interesting.
Digital product development team external knowledge processes and ambidexterity: a multi-mediation analysis of the absorptive capacity framework
Authors: Erhan Trihadi Pudiawan , Japutra Arnold , Van Doorn Sebastiaan
Published: June 2024

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to examine the mechanisms of absorptive capacity (ACAP) in the specific context of digital product development teams. More precisely, it explores the process of internalizing and utilizing external knowledge from sources outside the team to promote the development of innovative ambidexterity.

Design/methodology/approach

The study employs the ACAP framework and directs specific attention to the concept of knowledge assimilation, encompassing comprehension, documentation and dissemination. Seventy-five employees of one of Indonesia’s largest commercial banks were surveyed about two initiatives they participated in. To this end, 12 research hypotheses are formulated, tested and analyzed using structural equation modeling.

Findings

Knowledge comprehension, documentation and dissemination are found to mediate between knowledge acquisition and knowledge exploitation. At the same time, the relationship between knowledge acquisition and knowledge transformation is mediated by knowledge comprehension and dissemination, but not documentation. The authors also found that knowledge transformation positively mediates between knowledge comprehension and dissemination on the one hand and ambidexterity on the other hand. Importantly, knowledge exploitation negatively mediates between knowledge comprehension and documentation on the one hand and ambidexterity on the other hand.

Originality/value

This study contributes to the existing body of knowledge by offering nuanced insights into the interplay of knowledge assimilation processes within ACAP, particularly in the context of digital product development. The identification of mediating factors and their impacts on ambidexterity provides valuable implications for both theory and practice in this domain.
Moving to subscriptions: service growth through business model innovation in consumer and business markets
Authors: Nansubuga Brenda , Kowalkowski Christian
Published: June 2024

Purpose

Subscription offerings are being hailed as the next service growth engine for companies in both business-to-consumer (B2C) and business-to-business (B2B) markets. The study analyzes how a manufacturing firm can develop and implement a scalable service-based subscription business model for B2C and B2B customers alongside its existing product-centric model.

Design/methodology/approach

A longitudinal case study is conducted, drawing on 25 in-depth interviews with company executives and dealers in key European markets.

Findings

The study outlines an iterative process model for subscription business model innovation. It reveals key events and decisions taken in developing, implementing, and scaling the new business model and how internal and external tensions involving intermediaries arose and were mitigated during the four stages of the process.

Research limitations/implications

The findings highlight the dynamics of business model innovation processes and underscore the importance of organizational learning, collaborative relationships with channel partners, and strategic talent acquisition during business model innovation.

Practical implications

The findings suggest how product-centric firms can implement new service business models alongside existing product models and what this means for partner and customer journey management.

Originality/value

While servitization research predominantly concerns B2B manufacturers, B2C research focuses on digital subscription contexts. The study bridges this divide by investigating the move to subscriptions in both markets.
Multilevel modelling, location and property valuations: an application to the Italian residential market
Authors: Lisi Gaetano , Ghiraldo Erika , Nardelli Davide
Published: June 2024

Purpose

The use of statistical methods in the field of real estate appraisals presents a trade-off between the efficiency of the estimates (that would require the use of sophisticate econometric models) and the ease of the economic interpretation of the outcomes (that characterises the hedonic pricing models). This paper shows that multilevel modelling (MLM) can represent a suitable solution to this trade-off.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper uses the so-called “multilevel modelling” (henceforth MLM). MLM can represent a further step forward in the use of statistical methods in property appraisals. MLM is easy to implement and the MLM estimates have a clear economic meaning. Furthermore, MLM provides more efficient estimates of hedonic prices (the prices of housing attributes) with respect to standard hedonic pricing models. Finally, MLM is particularly suitable for the housing market analysis, where the feature “location” plays a key role.

Findings

For the Italian context, characterised by many “benchmark locations” (small municipalities that share similar geographic, historic, and socioeconomic characteristics), the paper finds that multilevel modelling (MLM) is needed to correctly estimate the hedonic prices also in a micro-area.

Practical implications

MLM allows to further enhance the key role of “location”. Location is indeed used as the “grouping variable” in MLM, instead of being treated as a generic housing attribute in hedonic pricing models. When the benchmark locations are many, therefore, MLM represents a very effective compromise between the estimates’ efficiency and the ease of outcomes’ economic interpretation.

Originality/value

Unlike the related literature that, basically, use MLM to investigate what are the main determinants (levels) of housing prices, this paper uses MLM to make more efficient the estimation of hedonic prices.
A study on abusive supervision – turnover intention relationship: a mediated moderated model of voice behavior and workplace friendship
Authors: Mahmood Athar , Seth Manisha , Srivastava Shalini , Jain A.K. , Laaser Knut
Published: June 2024

Purpose

This study based on the conservation of resources (COR) theory examines the role of employees’ voice behavior in the form of a mediator, linking abusive supervision (AS) and turnover intention. It also investigates the moderating role of workplace friendship in the mediated AS–turnover intention relationship through voice behavior.

Design/methodology/approach

A two-wave data collection method was used to collect data from the 324 respondents employed in various companies with a geographical spread across northern India. The study used PROCESS macro to test the hypothesized model.

Findings

The findings of the study supported the meditated moderation hypothesis suggesting workplace friendship reduces the mediating effect of AS on employees’ intention to exit employment relationships.

Practical implications

The study yields important implications for organizations with respect to developing a disciplinary framework for AS. It focuses on the need for promoting and implementing psychological well-being-related interventions at the workplace for subordinates as well as supervisors, which in turn can help them apply healthy coping strategies in stressful situations and prevent them from indulging in counterproductive work behaviors.

Originality/value

The utilization of COR as a framework to explain the role of voice behavior and workplace friendships with respect to AS is thus far scant.
Green innovation and competitiveness: empirical evidence from Ecuadorian manufacturing
Authors: Padilla-Lozano Carmen Paola , Padilla-Lozano Jodie , Reyes Ortiz Giovanni Efraín , Collazzo Pablo
Published: June 2024

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to explore green innovation and its role in driving competitiveness in Ecuadorian manufacturing firms, focusing on structural equation modelings, which account for more than 90% of the productive units and aggregate national income. The manufacturing sector in Ecuador reports variable growth since the start of the COVID pandemic, drawing more attention from practitioners, regulators and scholars alike, due to its distinctive footprint on people, profit and planet, particularly in the context of developing economies.

Design/methodology/approach

A model with two second-order constructs is developed and tested in a sample of 325 managers from manufacturing firms in Ecuador, using quantitative and cross-section methods.

Findings

After obtaining adjusted and validated metrics, a structural equation model is presented, where the main hypothesis is confirmed, supporting the positive impact of green innovation on competitiveness.

Practical implications

The research provides evidence on how manufacturing firms favoring green innovation in their long-term planning can unlock and sustain competitiveness. Policymakers could then offer incentives for firms to embed sustainable practices, with potential ripple effects along the supply chain, aggregating up competitiveness to industry and national levels.

Originality/value

The study aims to bridge the existing knowledge gap on the interplay of green innovation and competitiveness, claiming that the former significantly influences the latter, in an emerging market context, with incremental gains for all stakeholders, as posited by stakeholder theory.
Interbank systemic risk network in an emerging economy
Authors: Rahman Molla Ramizur , Misra Arun Kumar , Tiwari Aviral Kumar
Published: June 2024

Purpose

Interconnections among banks are an essential feature of the banking system as it helps in an effective payment system and liquidity management. However, it can be a nightmare during a crisis when these interconnections can act as contagion channels. Therefore, it becomes essentially important to identify good links (non-contagious channels) and bad links (contagious channels).

Design/methodology/approach

The article estimated systemic risk using quantile regression through the ΔCoVaR approach. The interconnected phenomenon among banks has been analyzed through Granger causality, and the systemic network properties are evaluated. The authors have developed a fixed effect panel regression model to predict interconnectedness. Profitability-adjusted systemic index is framed to identify good (non-contagious) or bad (contagious) channels. The authors further developed a logit model to find the probability of a link being non-contagious. The study sample includes 36 listed Indian banks for the period 2012 to 2018.

Findings

The study indicated interconnections increased drastically during the Indian non-performing asset crisis. The study highlighted that contagion channels are higher than non-contagious channels for the studied periods. Interbank bad distance dominates good distance, highlighting the systemic importance of banking network. It is also found that network characteristics can act as an indicator of a crisis.

Originality/value

The study is the first to differentiate the systemic contagious and non-contagious channels in the interbank network. The uniqueness also lies in developing the normalized systemic index, where systemic risk is adjusted to profitability.
Unlocking the power and future potential of generative AI in government transformation
Authors: Pandey Jitendra Kumar
Published: June 2024

Purpose

This paper aims to investigate whether the implementation of generative artificial intelligence (GAI) impacts government functionality. The study will analyse GAI’s positive attributes across different dimensions to comprehensively understand its value proposition for public organisations. Furthermore, the paper will outline the strategic interventions required to integrate GAI effectively within the organisational context of government transformation.

Design/methodology/approach

This study measures “government functionality” and “GAI implementation” using abstract macro variables as a second-order formative model. It also includes first-order measurable micro-variables to better understand the concept. In addition, the study introduces “organisational context” as a moderating factor to explain the complex dynamics of integrating GAI to improve government functionality. The study proposes a conceptual framework, which was analysed using exploratory data analysis, with primary data collected through questionnaires.

Findings

The study finds a positive correlation between the implementation of GAI and improved government functionality. Furthermore, it found that organisational contextualisation significantly moderates this relationship. All the empirical outcomes align with the prescribed statistical thresholds, concluding that the articulated conceptual framework holds significance.

Research limitations/implications

The study has significant implications for managers, researchers and anyone involved in making, implementing or evaluating decisions related to digital government through GAI. However, the study has limitations, including a limited sample size and contextualisation of the Indian public sector.

Originality/value

The study contributes to existing knowledge by showing that implementing GAI positively correlates with improving government functionality. It further highlights the significance of GAI implementation according to the specific organisational context.
Commitment and trust: fostering socio-economic development through voluntary data exchange between governmental and commercial entities
Authors: Darmenova Aida , Andersen Kim Normann
Published: June 2024

Purpose

This paper aims to present the results of a project deployment on voluntary data exchange between a municipality and commercial entities built on the Commitment-Trust theory. The research also discovers whether data sharing can be a vital instrument to foster city socio-economic development.

Design/methodology/approach

Inspired by the engaged scholarship approach, this research explores the economic and operational results of data integration from two different information sources, the legislation impact and the effects on citizens as final beneficiaries. Over a period of 27 months, the authors observed changes the voluntary data sharing brings in traditional interaction between multiple ecosystems. The impact of positive and negative factors was validated via 12 exit interviews with key stakeholders.

Findings

Voluntary data sharing is driven by parties’ goodwill to improve public services for residents, the organisations gain tremendously much more benefits than they can do separately on their own. When the parties commit to voluntarily share data, this increases trust in each other and the responsibility of each data contributor. This research proposes that the Commitment-Trust theory is well-replicable for the government-to-business relationship.

Originality/value

This research contributes to the current body of knowledge of voluntary data exchange between different ecosystems, especially between a government and its environment. This paper presents a relevant project deployment from an emerging economy and its consequences for a city municipality, businesses and residents.
Incorporating artificial intelligence (AI) into recruitment processes: ethical considerations
Authors: Sýkorová Zuzana , Hague Dana , Dvouletý Ondřej , Procházka David Anthony
Published: June 2024

Purpose

This study aims to explore the implementation of artificial intelligence (AI) into recruitment by considering its potential to maximize the effectiveness of the human resources (HR) processes, challenges associated with the implementation, and ethical concerns.

Design/methodology/approach

A qualitative research approach was used to reach the stated objectives within the context of the small open economy – the Czech Republic. Interviews were conducted with four participants, Czech-based recruiters, each with five or more years of experience in their field. The interviews were conducted in Autumn 2023 within the online platform. The answers were transcribed and thematically analyzed.

Findings

The participants who were interviewed heavily emphasized the importance of the role of the human factor in recruitment, yet several observations and insights were obtained. In particular, some interviewees indicated a possible usage of a chatbot for the first round of the candidates' selection, but they see it as problematic in the final decision on the position fulfilment, where the human factor is not replaceable so far. The key ethical challenges of the broader implementation of AI in the recruitment practices of the respondents remain the risks regarding privacy and data protection, especially the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) legislation.

Originality/value

This article delivers pertinent insights for recruiters on using AI in recruitment, bringing forth a more subtle understanding of the faceted subject of AI-based recruitment.
A fungal‐binding agglutinin in the skin slime of Japanese flounder (Paralichthys olivaceus) is glyceraldehyde 3‐phosphate dehydrogenase
Authors: Tsutsui Shigeyuki , Terashima Mizuki , Nakamura Osamu
Published: June 2024

Agglutination of pathogenic microorganisms on the body surface is a significant phenomenon for the prevention of infection. In the present study, we show that an extract of the skin mucus from Japanese flounder (Paralichthys olivaceus) has agglutination activity against the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae. We purified this yeast‐binding protein, which consists of an approximately 35‐kDa homodimer, using affinity chromatography with yeast as a ligand. Multiple internal amino acid sequences of the protein, as determined using liquid chromatography with quadrupole time‐of‐flight tandem mass spectrometry, mapped to flounder glyceraldehyde 3‐phosphate dehydrogenase (GAPDH). An anti‐GAPDH antibody inhibited the yeast agglutination activity in the skin mucus extract and stained agglutinated yeast, indicating that flounder GAPDH could agglutinate yeast. The current study suggests that GAPDH, a well‐known protein as the sixth enzyme in the glycolytic pathway, is a significant player in mucosal immunity in teleosts.
Not just candy: A herbivore‐induced defence‐related plant protein in honeydew enhances natural enemy fitness
Authors: Urbaneja‐Bernat Pablo , Rodriguez‐Saona Cesar , Valero M. Luz , González‐Cabrera Joel , Tena Alejandro
Published: June 2024

Herbivore feeding often increases secondary metabolite production in plants. These herbivore‐induced plant proteins might end up in honeydew excreted by phloem‐feeding insects. This is important because honeydew is one of the most abundant and accessible carbohydrate sources for natural enemies in many agroecosystems and these proteins can thus mediate many tri‐trophic interactions.

Here, we hypothesized that defensive metabolites induced in the phloem by herbivory accumulate in the honeydew excreted by phloem‐feeding insects and, consequently, affect the fitness of the herbivores' natural enemies that feed on it.

We used a tri‐trophic system consisting of citrus plants, the mealybug Planococcus citri and its primary parasitoid Anagyrus vladimiri. First, we assessed A. vladimiri fitness when fed on P. citri honeydew. We then collected honeydew of seven phloem‐feeding insects, including P. citri, and analysed their protein content. Finally, we analysed the effect of superoxide dismutase (SOD), an antioxidant enzyme associated with plant defences that was commonly found in the analysed honeydews, on A. vladimiri fitness.

The fitness of A. vladimiri increased when fed on honeydew compared to a sucrose‐based diet, demonstrating that honeydew can contain compounds that benefit natural enemies. Proteomic analyses showed that defence‐related plant proteins were present in honeydew of seven phloem‐feeding insects analysed. Among these, the enzyme SOD was present in honeydew of all of them. Moreover, the levels of SOD were 10‐fold higher in the phloem of plants infested by P. citri than in that of uninfested plants. SOD was also actively excreted in P. citri honeydew, and we proved that it increases the fecundity of the parasitoid A. vladimiri.

We conclude that enzymatic proteins induced by herbivory in the phloem and involved in plant defence, accumulate in the honeydew excreted by phloem‐feeding insects and, contrary to the current paradigm, at least some of these can have positive effects on the third trophic level.

Read the free Plain Language Summary for this article on the Journal blog.
Similar climate–growth relationships but divergent drought resilience strategies in coexisting Mediterranean shrubs
Authors: Tamudo Elisa , Gazol Antonio , Valeriano Cristina , González Ester , Colangelo Michele , Camarero J. Julio
Published: June 2024

Anticipating future impacts of climate warming and aridification on drylands requires understanding how coexisting woody plant species respond to climate variability. However, we lack knowledge of the growth resilience capacity of Mediterranean shrubs. Do coexisting trees and shrubs differ in their response to climate? Do coexisting shrub species have comparable post‐drought growth resilience?

This study was conducted in two Mediterranean shrublands with sparse trees in semi‐arid north‐eastern Spain. We selected sites situated in formerly agricultural or grassland areas in two regions subjected to semi‐arid Mediterranean climate conditions. We sampled six shrubs' species (Juniperus phoenicea, Juniperus oxycedrus, Pistacia lentiscus, Pistacia terebinthus, Rhamnus lycioides and Rhamnus alaternus) and one tree species (Pinus halepensis) to measure their radial growth and to reconstruct their past growth patterns using dendrochronology. We quantified climate–growth relationships of trees and shrubs, as well as the growth resilience capacity after drought events of the six shrubs.

Growth patterns differed between species but a prevalent trade‐off between growth and longevity was found. Growth responses to climate were comparable between species but differed between sites. Most species responded positively to precipitation and negatively to temperature. The most negative correlations of growth with drought severity were found at the driest Valcuerna site. Shrubs differed in their resilience capacity. Across sites, species were more resistant and resilient in Alcubierre, the wettest site. The shrubs P. terebinthus and R. lycioides were more resistant and resilient than the rest of species, which required longer growth recovery times and accumulated stronger growth reductions, particularly J. phoenicea.

Synthesis. These results highlight the importance of drought as a driver of growth in Mediterranean scrublands. Growth resilience strategies differed between species with junipers being less resilient to drought than other coexisting shrubs. Further research should investigate how this difference in post‐drought resilience is related to functional traits, particularly those related with plant water‐use strategies.
Investigating the link between exhaustion of natural resources and economic complexity in sub‐Saharan Africa
Authors: Kelly Arsene Mouongue , Ketu Isaac , Tchapchet Tchouto Jules‐Eric , Nembot Ndeffo Luc
Published: June 2024

In the context of sub‐Saharan Africa (SSA), characterized by abundant natural resources and persistent challenges in economic growth, this paper explores the effect of economic complexity (EC) on natural resource depletion (NRD) from 1997 to 2017. To this end, the study employs data mainly from the World Development Indicators on 36 SSA countries. Using both the pooled ordinary least squares and the two‐step system generalized method of moments estimation techniques, the results indicate that EC significantly contributes to reducing the exhaustion of natural resources in SSA during the study period. The findings equally suggest that government expenditure on education, as well as gross domestic product per capita, exert a reducing effect on NRD, while energy use, foreign direct investment, and urbanization are vectors of resource exhaustion in the region. The results remain consistent when an alternative measure of EC is applied as well as when different estimation strategies are used. This offers scope for a reminder for proper management policies to be edited and applied regarding these mostly nonrenewable resources.
Reimagining Business and Management as a Force for Good
Authors: McPhail Ken , Kafouros Mario , McKiernan Peter , Cornelius Nelarine
Published: June 2024

The literature has called on business and management scholars to help understand the global challenges we face and to find solutions. The prevailing narratives that have implicitly informed our understanding of business and management knowledge and practice as good need to be reimagined. We question whether our existing theoretical lenses, along with fundamental underlying assumptions about what constitutes labour, value and its creation, and the nature of assets, liabilities and materiality, act as a barrier to advancing business and management practice as a force for good and explore whether we need to go beyond applying existing theory to new research questions. Both Agency Theory and Stakeholder Theory have proven ineffective in aligning social and economic interests, while our disciplinary and publishing customs constrain our imagination and impede conceptions of fundamentally new ways of practising business.  We explore why we need to reimagine business and management; what we mean by reimagining business and management and what it means to be a force for good. We conclude that if the purpose of business needs to be reimagined, business schools will also need to change to be major catalysts in this process.
The microbiome of the lichen Lobaria pulmonaria varies according to climate on a subcontinental scale
Authors: Bogale Anteneh Tamirat , Braun Maria , Bernhardt Jörg , Zühlke Daniela , Schiefelbein Ulf , Bog Manuela , Scheidegger Christoph , Zengerer Veronika , Becher Dörte , Grube Martin , Riedel Katharina , Bengtsson Mia M.
Published: June 2024

The Lobaria pulmonaria holobiont comprises algal, fungal, cyanobacterial and bacterial components. We investigated L. pulmonaria's bacterial microbiome in the adaptation of this ecologically sensitive lichen species to diverse climatic conditions. Our central hypothesis posited that microbiome composition and functionality aligns with subcontinental‐scale (a stretch of ~1100 km) climatic parameters related to temperature and precipitation. We also tested the impact of short‐term weather dynamics, sampling season and algal/fungal genotypes on microbiome variation. Metaproteomics provided insights into compositional and functional changes within the microbiome. Climatic variables explained 41.64% of microbiome variation, surpassing the combined influence of local weather and sampling season at 31.63%. Notably, annual mean temperature and temperature seasonality emerged as significant climatic drivers. Microbiome composition correlated with algal, not fungal genotype, suggesting similar environmental recruitment for the algal partner and microbiome. Differential abundance analyses revealed distinct protein compositions in Sub‐Atlantic Lowland and Alpine regions, indicating differential microbiome responses to contrasting environmental/climatic conditions. Proteins involved in oxidative and cellular stress were notably different. Our findings highlight microbiome plasticity in adapting to stable climates, with limited responsiveness to short‐term fluctuations, offering new insights into climate adaptation in lichen symbiosis.
Metagenomic airborne resistome from urban hot spots through the One Health lens
Authors: Maestre‐Carballa Lucia , Navarro‐López Vicente , Martinez‐Garcia Manuel
Published: June 2024

Human activities are a significant contributor to the spread of antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs), which pose a serious threat to human health. These ARGs can be transmitted through various pathways, including air, within the context of One Health. This study used metagenomics to monitor the resistomes in urban air from two critical locations: a wastewater treatment plant and a hospital, both indoor and outdoor. The presence of cell‐like structures was confirmed through fluorescence microscopy. The metagenomic analysis revealed a wide variety of ARGs and a high diversity of antibiotic‐resistant bacteria in the airborne particles collected. The wastewater treatment plant showed higher relative abundances with 32 ARG hits per Gb and m3, followed by the main entrance of the hospital (indoor) with ≈5 ARG hits per Gb and m3. The hospital entrance exhibited the highest ARG richness, with a total of 152 different ARGs classified into nine categories of antibiotic resistance. Common commensal and pathogenic bacteria carrying ARGs, such as Moraxella, Staphylococcus and Micrococcus, were detected in the indoor airborne particles of the hospital. Interestingly, no ARGs were shared among all the samples analysed, indicating a highly variable dynamic of airborne resistomes. Furthermore, the study found no ARGs in the airborne viral fractions analysed, suggesting that airborne viruses play a negligible role in the dissemination of ARGs.
Employee health and corporate innovation: Evidence from medical cannabis legalisation
Authors: Thompson Linh
Published: June 2024

We study the effects of employee health on corporate innovation by exploiting staggered medical cannabis legalisation across states from 1995 to 2020. Medical cannabis legalisation increases medical access, thereby significantly influences employee health. Using a difference‐in‐differences empirical design, we find that firms became more innovative after their states legalised medical cannabis use. In particular, we show that firms produced more patents, generated more patents with significant impacts, and attained higher patent value following the passage of bills to legalise medical cannabis. We identify a possible mechanism through which employee health spurs innovation: lower worker turnover. Lower worker turnover encourages firm‐specific human capital investments and facilitates inter‐generational knowledge transfer. Taken together, our findings support the hypotheses that medical cannabis legalisation improves employee health, overall well‐being and their innovative capacities.
Young adults with a history of substance use disorder experienced more negative mental health, social and economic outcomes during the COVID‐19 pandemic period
Authors: Halvorson Max A. , Kuklinski Margaret R. , Bailey Jennifer A. , Caouette Justin D. , Guttmannova Katarina , Rhew Isaac C. , Oesterle Sabrina
Published: June 2024

Background and aims

For young adults, the disruptions brought by the COVID‐19 pandemic to work, social relationships and health‐care probably impacted normative life stage transitions. Disaster research shows that negative effects of these events can persist for years after the acute crisis ends. Pandemic‐related disruptions may have been especially consequential for young adults with a history of substance use disorder (SUD). The current work aimed to measure the broad impact of the COVID‐19 pandemic on young adults with and without a history of SUD.

Design, setting and participants

Data were from a longitudinal panel of n = 4407 young adults across the United States surveyed repeatedly from 2014 to 2019 (aged 19–26 years, pre‐pandemic) and again in 2021 (aged 28 years, mid‐pandemic).

Measurements

We fitted multi‐level models to understand the association between SUD history and pandemic outcomes, controlling for potential confounders (socio‐demographic and health measures). Outcomes included overall life disruption; mental health, social and economic impacts; substance use; and physical health.

Findings

Young adults with a history of SUD reported greater life disruption (standardized β = 0.13–0.15, Ps < 0.015) and negative mental health impacts (standardized β = 0.12–0.14, Ps < 0.012), experienced approximately 20% more work‐related stressors (relative risks = 1.18–1.22, Ps < 0.002) and 50% more home‐related stressors (relative risks = 1.40–1.51, Ps < 0.001), and had two to three times the odds of increased substance use during the pandemic (odds ratios = 2.07–3.23, Ps < 0.001). Findings generally did not differ between those with a recent SUD diagnosis and those in recovery from SUD before the pandemic began.

Conclusions

United States young adults with a history of substance use disorder (SUD) reported more life disruption and greater negative physical and mental health, social and economic impacts during the COVID mid‐pandemic period than young adults with no history of SUD.
Impact of sleep on educational outcome of Indigenous Australian children: A systematic review
Authors: Fatima Khadija , Varela Sharon , Fatima Yaqoot , Lindsay Daniel , Gray Malama , Cairns Alice
Published: June 2024

Introduction

The association between quality sleep and improved cognition is well reported in literature. However, very few studies have been undertaken to evaluate the impact of poor sleep on educational outcomes in Indigenous Australian children.

Objectives

The objective of this review was to explore the association between sleep and educational outcomes of Indigenous children.

Methods

For this systematic review, a literature search covering research articles in academic databases and grey literature sources was conducted to retrieve studies published until March 2022. Eight online e‐databases (PubMed, Ovid MEDLINE, CINAHL, SCOPUS, HealthinfoNet, PsycINFO, Cochrane and Google Scholar) were searched for data extraction and two appraisal tools (NIH and CREATE) were used for quality assessment. Studies that explored any aspect of sleep health in relation to educational/academic outcomes in school going Indigenous Australian children aged 5–18 were included in this study. All review articles and studies that focused on physical/ mental disabilities or parent perceptions of sleep and educational outcomes were excluded. A convergent integrated approach was used to collate and synthesize information.

Results

Only three studies (two cross‐sectional and one longitudinal) met the eligibility criteria out of 574 articles. The sample size ranged from 21–50 of 6 to 13 year old children. A strong relationship was indicated between sleep quantity and educational outcomes, in two of the three studies. One study related the sleep fragmentation/shorter sleep schedules of short sleep class and early risers with poorer reading (B = −30.81 to −37.28, p = 0.006 to 0.023), grammar (B = −39.79 to −47.89, p = 0.012–0.013) and numeracy (B = −37.93 to −50.15, p = 0.003 to 0.022) skills compared with long sleep and normative sleep class whereas another reported no significant relation between sleep and educational outcomes.

Conclusion

The review highlights the need for more research to provide evidence of potentially modifiable factors such as sleep and the impact these may have on academic performance.