bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Mesenchymal Cell-Derived Extracellular Vesicles Ameliorate Age-Related Deficits in Working Memory as well as Brain MRI and CSFin vivoBiomarkers of Neurodegeneration in Rhesus Monkeys
Authors: Mackie Evan C. , Cheng Chia-Hsin , Alibrio Maya , Rutledge Christine , Xin Hongqi , Chopp Michael , McCann Ryan , Rosene Douglas L. , Yang Qiong , Zeldich Ella , Medalla Maria , Koo Bang-Bon , Moore Tara L. 
Published: November 2024

AbstractNormal aging in humans and non-human primates is associated with a decline in cognitive functions. Subject-wise differences in cognitive decline can be attributed to different degrees of damage to cortical white matter (WM) which is largely affected by neuroinflammation during aging. Mesenchymal stromal cell-derived extracellular vesicles (MSC-EVs) have recently been identified as a potential immunomodulatory therapeutic for brain damage and Alzheimer’s disease (AD) and related dementias by suppressing neuroinflammation. Here, we evaluated the efficacy of MSC-EVs for slowing or ameliorating cognitive decline during aging in rhesus monkeys, a well-studied model of normal aging that is free of extensive AD pathology. We report that late middle-aged monkeys treated with MSC-EVs every two weeks for 18 months showed improved performance on a task of spatial working memory relative to vehicle control monkeys. In addition, we used diffusion magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and resting state functional MRI to evaluate structural white matter and functional network changes in vivo. Imaging data revealed that MSC-EV treatment preserved prefrontal and temporal WM structural integrity and large-scale functional network connectivity that are correlated with early, increased CSF levels of amyloid beta protein. Amyloid beta levels at 12 months are also correlated with improved cognitive performance at the end of the 18 months of treatment. These findings suggest that MSC-EVs can mitigate age-related cognitive decline by potentially enhancing the CSF clearance of neurodegenerative proteins, which correlates with greater WM integrity and functional brain connectivity.
Adaptive time stepping for the two-time integro-differential Kadanoff-Baym equations
Authors: Blommel Thomas , Gardner David J. , Woodward Carol S. , Gull Emanuel 
Published: November 2024

The nonequilibrium Green's function gives access to one-body observables for quantum systems. Of particular interest are quantities such as density, currents, and absorption spectra which are important for interpreting experimental results in quantum transport and spectroscopy. We present an integration scheme for the Green's function's equations of motion, the Kadanoff-Baym equations (KBE), which is both adaptive in the time integrator step size and method order as well as the history integration order. We analyze the importance of solving the KBE self-consistently and show that adapting the order of history integral evaluation is important for obtaining accurate results. To examine the efficiency of our method, we compare runtimes to a state-of-the-art fixed time step integrator for several test systems and show an order of magnitude speedup at similar levels of accuracy.

Published by the American Physical Society
2024
Asymmetric limit cycles within Lorenz chaos induce anomalous mobility for a memory-driven active particle
Authors: Valani Rahil N. , Dandogbessi Bruno S. 
Published: November 2024

On applying a small bias force, nonequilibrium systems may respond in paradoxical ways such as with giant negative mobility (GNM)—a large net drift opposite to the applied bias, or giant positive mobility (GPM)—an anomalously large drift in the same direction as the applied bias. Such behaviors have been extensively studied in idealized models of externally driven passive inertial particles. Here, we consider a minimal model of a memory-driven active particle inspired from experiments with walking and superwalking droplets, whose equation of motion maps to the celebrated Lorenz system. By adding a small bias force to this Lorenz model for the active particle, we uncover a dynamical mechanism for simultaneous emergence of GNM and GPM in the parameter space. Within the chaotic sea of the parameter space, a symmetric pair of coexisting asymmetric limit cycles separate and migrate under applied bias force, resulting in anomalous transport behaviors that are sensitive to the active particle's memory. Our work highlights a general dynamical mechanism for the emergence of anomalous transport behaviors for active particles described by low-dimensional nonlinear models.

Published by the American Physical Society
2024
Majorana representation for topological edge states of massless Dirac fermion with nonquantized Berry phase
Authors: Pratama F. R. , Nakanishi Takeshi 
Published: November 2024

We study the bulk-boundary correspondences for zigzag ribbons (ZRs) of massless Dirac fermion in the two-dimensional α−T3 lattice. By tuning the hopping parameter α∈[0,1], the α−T3 lattice interpolates between pseudospin S=1/2 (graphene) and S=1 (T3 or dice lattice), for α=0 and 1, respectively, which is followed by a continuous change of the Berry phase from π to 0. The range of existence for edge states in the momentum space is determined by solving tight-binding equations at the boundaries of the ZRs. We find that the transitions of in-gap bands from bulk to edge states in the momentum space do not only occur at the positions of the Dirac cones but also at additional points depending on α∈(0,1). The α−T3 ZRs are mapped onto stub Su-Schrieffer-Heeger chains by performing unitary transformations of the bulk Hamiltonian. The nontrivial topology of the bulk bands is revealed by the Majorana representation of the eigenstates, where the topological invariant is manifested by winding numbers on the complex plane and the Bloch sphere.

Published by the American Physical Society
2024
Online penetration trajectory planning using blind areas of network radar system for an unmanned combat aerial vehicle
Authors: Ge Jiahao , Xiang Jinwu , Li Daochun 
Published: November 2024

Purpose
A densely distributed network radar system compensates for the disadvantages of sparse radars and poses a significant threat to low-altitude penetration by an unmanned combat aerial vehicle (UCAV). Unlike previous studies, this paper aims to consider radar blind areas and proposes a rapid online method for planning low-altitude penetration paths.

Design/methodology/approach
First, the optimization problem coupling digital elevation map (DEM), radar detection probability model and nonholonomic UCAV kinematic model is established. Second, an online solution framework of penetration path planning is constructed. An intervisibility method and map scaling are proposed to generate a detection probability map (DPM). Through completeness and consistency analysis, an adaptive hybrid A* algorithm with fast local replanning strategy is proposed to search a path that takes into account time-consuming, detection probability under nonholonomic constraints. Finally, three scenarios of multiple known, pop-up and vanished static radars are simulated using C++. The computational performance is compared and analyzed.

Findings
The results showed that the proposed online method can generate low-detection-probability penetration paths within subseconds.

Originality/value
This paper provides a new online method to plan UCAV penetration trajectory in military and academic contexts.
Corporate governance characteristics and involvement in ESG activities: current trends and research directions
Authors: Kumar Anand , King Tatiana , Ranta Mikko 
Published: November 2024

Purpose
This study aims to conduct a comprehensive literature review to examine the relationship between corporate governance characteristics and firms’ engagement in environmental, social and governance (ESG) activities. The review focuses specifically on academic papers published in ranked accounting and finance journals.

Design/methodology/approach
The analysis combines a structured literature review with citation analysis, topic modeling using a machine learning (ML) approach and a manual review of selected articles published between 2000 and 2021.

Findings
This paper contributes to corporate governance and ESG literature by conducting an in-depth review, offering a comprehensive analysis of the existing findings and identifying future research directions. From the reviewed literature, this paper proposes the following thematic areas: board characteristics, ownership structure and their impact on a company’s engagement in ESG activities; CEO characteristics and their influence on a company’s involvement in ESG activities; corporate governance and ESG as sources for transparency and legitimacy; internal and external assurance of a company’s involvement in ESG activities; and gender diversity and a company’s involvement in ESG activities.

Originality/value
The study provides a comprehensive understanding of corporate governance and ESG literature. The innovative combination of methods, including ML and manual techniques, enhances the ability to identify key research topics and uncover research directions in the field. Moving forward, this paper suggests several promising directions for future research, including examining the influence of emerging technologies on ESG reporting and assessing the impact of regulatory changes and context on the link between corporate governance and firms’ involvement in ESG practices.
Crafting brand love: role of perceived brand localness, foreignness, coolness and consumer identities in digital retail banking
Authors: Safeer Asif Ali , Nazir Mehrab 
Published: November 2024

PurposeThis study seeks to examine the effects of perceived brand localness and foreignness on brand love via perceived brand coolness by incorporating the moderating impacts of local and global consumer identities on brand love while controlling the confounding effects of brand familiarity in the context of local and foreign digital retail banks.Design/methodology/approachThis study collected 1,960 online responses (on local and foreign banks) from 980 consumers who often used local and foreign digital retail banking services. The analysis was performed on 1,766 responses through co-variance-based structural equation modeling.FindingsThis study discovered that perceived brand localness and foreignness were essential factors for driving brand love and perceived brand coolness toward local and foreign digital retail banks. However, perceived brand foreignness was a more effective driver than perceived brand localness. Importantly, perceived brand coolness emerged as a key mediator for shaping brand perceptions and love. Additionally, local and global consumer identities were effective moderators and brand familiarity was significant in enhancing brand love for local and foreign digital retail banks.Practical implicationsThis study gives managers essential knowledge about crafting positioning, relationships and segmentation strategies to boost brand love and perceived coolness for local and foreign digital retail banks.Originality/valueThis novel study contributes new insights to the stimulus-organism-response and cultural identity theories by examining consumers’ brand perceptions and their impacts on consumer behavior in digital retail banking.
Supply chain learning and environmental performance: leveraging relational capital and information technology
Authors: Haq Muhammad Zia Ul , Cao Guangming 
Published: November 2024

PurposeWhile the importance of supply chain learning (SCL) is widely recognized by both academia and industry, the mechanisms through which SCL is developed and its effects on environmental performance remain insufficiently understood. This study conceptualizes and empirically investigates the role of relational capital and information technology (IT) in enhancing SCL and improving environmental performance.Design/methodology/approachDrawing on socio-technical system theory (STS) and a knowledge-based view, this research employs structural equation modeling to test the proposed model, utilizing survey data collected from Chinese manufacturing companies.FindingsThe results demonstrate that relational capital with supplier and customer significantly enhances both supplier and customer learning. While IT does not directly impact supplier and customer learning, it exerts an indirect influence through its positive effect on relational capital. In other words, relational capital mediates the relationship between IT and supplier and customer learning. Additionally, this study finds that both supplier and customer learning enhance environmental performance.Practical implicationsThis study provides actionable insights for managers, emphasizing the importance of relational capital in fostering SCL and improving environmental performance. By understanding these relationships, managers can develop more effective strategies for leveraging SCL as a tool for sustainability.Originality/valueThis study adds to the existing body of knowledge in supply chain management by offering a more nuanced and holistic model to explain how relational capital, IT and SCL interact to influence environmental performance, particularly within the context of Chinese manufacturing companies.
Evaluation of the effectiveness of a diversity and inclusion committee on a psychologically informed planned environment in a UK prison
Authors: Sewell Hannah 
Published: November 2024

Purpose
Psychologically Informed Planned Environments (PIPEs) are designed to support individuals to develop positive relationships. This can be achieved through social activities and engagement with committees. Developing understanding of diversity and inclusion (D&I) continues to be an area of need in criminal justice. A custodial PIPE therefore developed a D&I committee, which included the planning and delivery of community events. This study aims to explore the effectiveness of the committee and events in increasing understanding of protected characteristics, enabling individuals to raise D&I-related issues, developing positive relationships and increasing feelings of safety.

Design/methodology/approach
Eight participants residing on a PIPE engaged in semi-structured interviews to explore their experience of the D&I committee and events. Thematic analysis was used to explore the responses and to identify common themes within the data.

Findings
Four themes were identified: “you’re in a safe environment here”, connectedness, opportunities to learn and grow and “it could be better”. The research indicated that the D&I committee and events support several of the enabling environments standards and provide prisoners with an opportunity to build on their strengths and capabilities, in line with the Good Lives Model (Ward, 2002; Ward and Gannon, 2006), which underpins the ethos of PIPEs (NOMS and DoH, 2012; HMPPS and NHS, 2023).

Practical implications
There is scope for similar committees to be implemented in other psychologically informed environments, which could potentially be extended to other therapeutic environments and “standard wings” within prisons. However, future research should consider the influence of prisoners’ individual characteristics on their experience of such committees and events.

Originality/value
PIPEs provide a unique environment in which various committees can be implemented. A D&I committee has provided the space and opportunity for staff and prisoners to develop their knowledge and understanding and to build positive relationships. This research has evaluated the effectiveness of this and aims to promote the use of such committees in other services.
Analysis of the competitiveness development of China’s marine industry clusters
Authors: Huang Chong , Zhang Shilong , Zhang Hongshuo 
Published: November 2024

PurposeThe purpose of this study is to analyze the current situation of the competitiveness development of China’s marine industrial clusters, reveal the existing problems and challenges, provide theoretical support and practical guidance for improving the competitiveness of China’s marine industrial clusters so as to promote industrial upgrading and high-quality development and help China realize the strategic transformation from a marine power to a marine power.Design/methodology/approachThis report first provides a detailed review of the current development status and existing issues of marine industry clusters in China. Second, it constructs an evaluation index system for the competitiveness development of China’s marine industry clusters and conducts competitiveness analysis and evaluation of typical marine industry clusters in China. Third, it explores the development trends and prospects of typical marine industry clusters in China. Finally, the report proposes countermeasures and suggestions for enhancing the competitiveness of marine industry clusters in China, focusing on resource optimization, cluster structure and cluster efficiency.Findings(1) Significant competitiveness of marine shipbuilding and ocean engineering equipment clusters: Through technological innovation and policy support, the marine shipbuilding and ocean engineering equipment clusters have shown a marked improvement in competitiveness, advancing toward high-quality development despite facing macroeconomic fluctuations. (2) Continuous improvement in marine energy and offshore wind power clusters: The competitiveness of marine energy and offshore wind power clusters has been continuously enhanced under supportive policies. However, there is still a need to optimize resource allocation and strengthen innovation stability to meet market challenges. (3) Strong growth potential of desalination and comprehensive utilization clusters: The desalination and comprehensive utilization clusters demonstrate robust growth potential in technological innovation and regional collaborative development. Future efforts should focus on the application of environmentally friendly and energy-saving technologies to ensure a balance between economic and ecological benefits.Originality/valueBy strengthening the competitiveness of industrial clusters, China can effectively respond to international competition, accelerate the transformation and upgrading of the marine industry and support its transition from a maritime power to a strong maritime nation. Hence, this study will focus on analyzing the competitiveness development of China’s marine industry clusters, identifying existing problems and challenges and providing theoretical support and practical guidance for enhancing the competitiveness of China’s marine industry clusters.
Theoretical rigor of customer experience scales: a systematic review and a roadmap for researchers
Authors: Hollebeek Linda D. , Sarstedt Marko , Menidjel Choukri , Urbonavicius Sigitas , Dikcius Vytautas 
Published: November 2024

PurposePrior research has proposed a number of scales measuring the customer experience (CX), which tend to conceptualize and operationalize CX differently, raising potential confusion among researchers (e.g. regarding which scale to use). Addressing this issue, this article conducts a systematic review to inventorize key CX scales and assess their theoretical rigor, with a focus on the identification of potential scale-related drawbacks or risks.Design/methodology/approachDrawing on the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) approach, 104 CX scale development studies published between 1996 and 2024 are identified and analyzed in terms of their respective CX conceptualization, dimensionality, itemization, and adopted theoretical perspective to evaluate their theoretical rigor.FindingsThe findings reveal the existence of five main risks associated with the adoption of specific CX or related scales, including (1) defining experience with explicit reference to other extant constructs, (2) failure to accurately and comprehensively capture the experience, (3) experience-based tautology and theoretical indeterminacy, (4) experience-based composite constructs, and (5) lacking robustness of experience-based conceptual models. Based on these observations, recommendations are offered for scholars to improve the rigor of their adopted, refined, or proposed CX or related scales.Originality/valueThis article assesses the benefits and potential risks inherent in the adoption of particular CX scales, equipping researchers with a CX roadmap.
New insights for the development of efficient DNA vaccines
Authors: Berger Simone , Zeyn Yanira , Wagner Ernst , Bros Matthias 
Published: November 2024

AbstractDespite the great potential of DNA vaccines for a broad range of applications, ranging from prevention of infections, over treatment of autoimmune and allergic diseases to cancer immunotherapies, the implementation of such therapies for clinical treatment is far behind the expectations up to now. The main reason is the poor immunogenicity of DNA vaccines in humans. Consequently, the improvement of the performance of DNA vaccines in vivo is required. This mini‐review provides an overview of the current state of DNA vaccines and the various strategies to enhance the immunogenic potential of DNA vaccines, including (i) the optimization of the DNA construct itself regarding size, nuclear transfer and transcriptional regulation; (ii) the use of appropriate adjuvants; and (iii) improved delivery, for example, by careful choice of the administration route, physical methods such as electroporation and nanomaterials that may allow cell type‐specific targeting. Moreover, combining nanoformulated DNA vaccines with other immunotherapies and prime‐boost strategies may help to enhance success of treatment.
Tend to one's own house: The effect of firm CSR on employee effort
Authors: Douthit Jeremy , Mao Zhiping (Kyle) , Martin Patrick 
Published: November 2024

AbstractWe examine whether a firm's corporate social responsibility (CSR) actions that benefit external parties can cause the firm's employees to reduce their effort. We expect employees will reduce their effort in response to their firm's external CSR actions when they perceive that they are treated poorly by the firm and that the firm's external CSR actions use resources that could have been readily transferred toward improving employee treatment. We expect that, when employees hold both of these perceptions, they will react negatively to the firm's CSR actions due to heightened feelings of unfairness. Results support our expectations and theory. We find that employees respond negatively to CSR only when they perceive that they are treated poorly by their firm and that CSR uses transferable resources. Further, we find these effects are driven by employees' perceptions of the fairness of their firm's actions toward employees. Our study suggests that firms should consider how employees perceive their treatment by the firm and the transferability of the resources used for CSR actions that benefit external parties.
Public enforcement through independent directors
Authors: Li Xiaoxi , Rao Pingui , Yang Yong George , Yue Heng 
Published: November 2024

AbstractWe examine how public enforcement and private enforcement interact to contain self‐dealing activities in emerging markets. Using data from China, we find that firms receiving comment letters concerning related party transactions (RPTs) from stock exchanges significantly reduce their RPTs in subsequent years. We further find that (1) the subsequent reduction in RPTs is more pronounced when independent directors have higher career or reputation concerns and (2) independent directors are more likely to dissent or resign if their firms do not significantly reduce RPTs after receiving RPT comment letters, especially if they have high reputation concerns. Our study sheds light on a within‐firm mechanism through which public enforcement takes effect. Our empirical findings also illustrate how “sunshine enforcement”—maintaining timely transparency of the enforcement process—can significantly enhance the effectiveness of regulatory programs.