bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
The impact of business ethics on ESG engagement and the effect on corporate financial performance: evidence from family firms
Authors: Gangi Francesco , Daniele Lucia Michela , Varrone Nicola , Coscia Maria , D'Angelo Eugenio 
Published: May 2024

PurposeThe increasing relevance of environmental, social and governance (ESG) engagement has attracted interest in its drivers and effects on business outcomes under different organizational settings. By focusing on family firms (FFs), we deepen both the role of business ethics as a predictor of enhanced ESG engagement and the link with improved corporate financial performance (CFP). In this way, we aim to provide new insights into the impact of business ethics and ESG engagement on FFs competitiveness.Design/methodology/approachBased on a worldwide panel of 335 FFs covering the 2002–2020 time horizon, this study adopts a two-stage Heckman model (1979) to empirically address two research questions: (RQ1) Do business ethics predict greater ESG engagement in FFs? (RQ2) Does ESG engagement positively affect the corporate financial performance (CFP) of FFs?FindingsThe results of the current study are twofold. First, we demonstrate that an ethical approach to business drives greater ESG engagement. Second, we show that higher levels of ESG engagement lead to improved financial performance in FFs.Originality/valueOur study contributes to filling the knowledge gaps regarding the drivers and effects of ESG engagement in FFs. On the one hand, we demonstrate the positive connection between dimensions that have their own identity, such as business ethics and ESG constructs. On the other hand, by shedding light on the impact of ESG engagement on improved CFP, we contribute to solving the trade-off between economic and noneconomic FF goals.
Navigating paradoxes: building a sustainable strategy for an integrated ESG corporate governance
Authors: Annesi Nora , Battaglia Massimo , Ceglia Ilenia , Mercuri Francesco 
Published: May 2024

PurposeOrganisations are confronted with the challenge of navigating various pressures arising from activities that shape environmental and social impacts, which stakeholders find significant. This research endeavours to ascertain a process facilitating the analysis and seamless integration of sustainability into corporate strategy. The goal is to establish an “integrated” ESG governance framework adept at effectively managing institutional pressures.Design/methodology/approachThis research employs an action research approach, focusing on a leading company within the sugar industry. The investigation delves into the relationship dynamics associated with business issues through a process that engages, either directly or indirectly, board members, top managers, as well as industrial and commercial customers, along with final consumers.FindingsThe formulation of a sustainability strategy serves as a guiding framework for the Board of Directors in effectively navigating tensions arising from environmental, social and economic pressures.Research limitations/implicationsThe research contributes to bridging the realms of business governance and institutional theory (viewed under a paradoxical lens). On a managerial level, the study introduces a structured process aimed at seamlessly integrating sustainability objectives into governance, aligning with international ESG guidelines (OECD, 2023; WEF, 2020).Originality/valueThe originality of this research lies in crafting a sustainability strategy by the BoD that takes into account the impact of governance and responds to the demands of strategic stakeholders.
Organizational effectiveness: the role of culture and work engagement
Authors: Naqshbandi M. Muzamil , Farhana Said Thuraya , Hisa Adilah 
Published: May 2024

PurposeThis study aims to examine the impact of learning organizational culture on organizational effectiveness. The study also explores the role of employee work engagement as the intervening mechanism in the learning organizational culture-organizational effectiveness association.Design/methodology/approachThe data were collected from middle and top managers using the survey approach from the manufacturing and services sectors in India. Structural equation modeling and fuzzy-set qualitative comparative analysis (fsQCA) were used to analyze the data.FindingsWe found that organizational effectiveness is positively affected by learning organizational culture and that employee work engagement mediates this relationship. Our findings provide an essential building block in the research of learning organizational culture, work engagement and organizational effectiveness.Originality/valueThis study establishes linkages among the variables of interest by examining the impact of a learning organizational culture and work engagement on organizational effectiveness. It augments the existing literature on organizational effectiveness by elucidating the role of a learning organizational culture and work engagement as critical enablers of organizational effectiveness. Additionally, the study furnishes empirical evidence demonstrating the mediating role of work engagement in the relationship between a learning organizational culture and organizational effectiveness.
Using the learning organization questionnaire in combination with latent profile analysis: an example on how to identify latent classes in an organization to improve learning potential
Authors: Tapak Leili , Hamidi Yadollah , Toosi Zahra 
Published: May 2024

Purpose
Learning organization (LO) concept has received much attention in the last decades. The purpose of an LO is to proactively shape its future by fostering a culture of continuous learning among its members. This approach empowers the organization to adapt, evolve and innovate, aligning with the needs and aspirations of both internal and external stakeholders. As a result, the assessment of an organization’s LO level, whether strong or weak, becomes a matter of significance. This study aims to use Senge’s LO Questionnaire (SLOQ) in conjunction with latent profile analysis (LPA) to identify latent classes within the organization. This approach seeks to enhance the organization‘s learning potential and facilitate its evolution.

Design/methodology/approach
This research was a cross-sectional study conducted at Hamadan University of Medical Sciences, Iran. The statistical population consisted of 451 managers and employees across seven departments based at the university headquarters. The sample included 295 individuals, and data was collected using the SLOQ.

Findings
The LPA has shown an excellent accuracy (97%) in identifying SLOQ cut-off points (three classes of good, moderate and low). Most of the participants are considered as a moderate LO (55.9%), which implies the possibility of improving learning, especially enhancing “common vision” and “systemic thinking.” Also, individuals belonging to the high-class category were more likely to be male and hold associate degree than individuals in other categories.

Research limitations/implications
This study depends on self-report, and different perceptions of questions can cause percept bias. Another limitation is about the nature of this research, which is cross-sectional, which may bring back causality among variables. The other is only three demographic variables have been considered, and it is necessary to pay attention to other influential variables in future studies.

Originality/value
The originality of this study lies in its use of the SLOQ in combination with LPA to identify latent classes in an organization to improve learning potentials.
Rapid evolution of consumptive and non‐consumptive predator effects on prey population densities, bioenergetics and stoichiometry
Authors: Zhang Chao , De Meester Luc , Stoks Robby 
Published: May 2024

Abstract

Predators can strongly influence prey populations not only through consumptive effects (CE) but also through non‐consumptive effects (NCE) imposed by predation risk. Yet, the impact of NCE on bioenergetic and stoichiometric body contents of prey, traits that are shaping life histories, population and food web dynamics, is largely unknown. Moreover, the degree to which NCE can evolve and can drive evolution in prey populations is rarely studied.

A 6‐week outdoor mesocosm experiment with Caged‐Fish (NCE) and Free‐Ranging‐Fish (CE and NCE) treatments was conducted to quantify and compare the effects of CE and NCE on population densities, bioenergetic and stoichiometric body contents of Daphnia magna, a keystone species in freshwater ecosystems. We tested for evolution of CE and NCE by using experimental populations consisting of D. magna clones from two periods of a resurrected natural pond population: a pre‐fish period without fish and a high‐fish period with high predation pressure.

Both Caged‐Fish and Free‐Ranging‐Fish treatments decreased the body size and population densities, especially in Daphnia from the high‐fish period. Only the Free‐Ranging‐Fish treatment affected bioenergetic variables, while both the Caged‐Fish and Free‐Ranging‐Fish treatments shaped body stoichiometry. The effects of CE and NCE were different between both periods indicating their rapid evolution in the natural resurrected population. Both the Caged‐Fish and Free‐Ranging‐Fish treatments changed the clonal frequencies of the experimental Daphnia populations of the pre‐fish as well as the high‐fish period, indicating that not only CE but also NCE induced clonal sorting, hence rapid evolution during the mesocosm experiment in both periods.

Our results demonstrate that CE as well as NCE have the potential to change not only the body size and population density but also the bioenergetic and stoichiometric characteristics of prey populations. Moreover, we show that these responses not only evolved in the studied resurrected population, but that CE and NCE also caused differential rapid evolution in a time frame of 6 weeks (ca. four to six generations). As NCE can evolve as well as can drive evolution, they may play an important role in shaping eco‐evolutionary dynamics in predator–prey interactions.
Perpetual banishment: The transcarceral crimmigration case of Mary Masako Akimoto
Authors: Pliley Jessica R. 
Published: May 2024

AbstractThe case of Mary Masako Akimoto illuminates how carceral systems based on immigrant criminalisation, known as crimmigration, intersected with gendered notions of decent and indecent work in 1930s America. Mary Akimoto was deported from the USA in compliance with US anti‐sex trafficking law for the crime of selling sex in a brothel (indecent work). Yet, as part of her rehabilitation or as a requirement of her release in the months and years that followed her initial arrest, she regularly found herself in coerced labour situations engaging in vocations gendered as decent work.
Evaluation of regional variation in racial and ethnic differences in patient experience among Veterans Health Administration primary care users
Authors: Shannon Evan Michael , Jones Kenneth T. , Moy Ernest , Steers W. Neil , Toyama Joy , Washington Donna L. 
Published: May 2024

AbstractObjectiveTo evaluate racial and ethnic differences in patient experience among VA primary care users at the Veterans Integrated Service Network (VISN) level.Data Source and Study SettingWe performed a secondary analysis of the VA Survey of Healthcare Experiences of Patients‐Patient Centered Medical Home for fiscal years 2016–2019.Study DesignWe compared 28 patient experience measures (six each in the domains of access and care coordination, 16 in the domain of person‐centered care) between minoritized racial and ethnic groups (American Indian or Alaska Native [AIAN], Asian, Black, Hispanic, Multi‐Race, Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islander [NHOPI]) and White Veterans. We used weighted logistic regression to test differences between minoritized and White Veterans, controlling for age and gender.Data Collection/Extraction MethodsWe defined meaningful difference as both statistically significant at two‐tailed p < 0.05 with a relative difference ≥10% or ≤−10%. Within VISNs, we included tests of group differences with adequate power to detect meaningful relative differences from a minimum of five comparisons (domain agnostic) per VISN, and separately for a minimum of two for access and care coordination and four for person‐centered care domains. We report differences as disparities/large disparities (relative difference ≥10%/≥ 25%), advantages (experience worse or better, respectively, than White patients), or equivalence.Principal FindingsOur analytic sample included 1,038,212 Veterans (0.6% AIAN, 1.4% Asian, 16.9% Black, 7.4% Hispanic, 0.8% Multi‐Race, 0.8% NHOPI, 67.7% White). Across VISNs, the greatest proportion of comparisons indicated disparities for three of seven eligible VISNs for AIAN, 6/10 for Asian, 3/4 for Multi‐Race, and 2/6 for NHOPI Veterans. The plurality of comparisons indicated advantages or equivalence for 17/18 eligible VISNs for Black and 12/14 for Hispanic Veterans. AIAN, Asian, Multi‐Race, and NHOPI groups had more comparisons indicating disparities by VISN in the access domain than person‐centered care and care coordination.ConclusionsWe found meaningful differences in patient experience measures across VISNs for minoritized compared to White groups, especially for groups with lower population representation.
Improving flow dynamics and storage longevity of a low‐cost phosphorescent fingerprint powder
Authors: Harrington Jodie L. , Gee William J. 
Published: May 2024

AbstractAn inexpensive, commercially available doped strontium aluminate phosphor with long‐lived afterglow was prepared as a luminescent fingerprint dusting powder suited for challenging, highly patterned substrates; however, prolonged exposure to humidity was found to reduce that powder's affinity for fingermarks. Here, an enhanced preparation for synthesizing that fingerprint dusting powder is presented that prevents powder aggregation and loss of function upon exposure to humid environments. This was achieved by introducing a flow regulator during synthesis: hydrophobic silica SIPERNAT® D10 or SIPERNAT® D17. Increasing the hydrophobicity of the powder prevents aggregation by inhibiting the uptake of water, thereby improving the material's flow dynamics and transfer behavior from brush to fingermark. The angle of repose and flow characteristics made by the modified powders were quantified, with excellent affinity for fingermarks observed, even after being stored under 85% (±5%) humidity for 4 weeks. A preliminary comparison of the performance of the modified hydrophobic powders relative to the unmodified precursor revealed that more of the SIPERNAT® treated powder typically adhered to fingermarks while simultaneously imparting less background development. In addition, fewer clumps of particulate were observed in the developed fingermarks after addition of a hydrophobic flow regulator. This technical report outlines the updated method for synthesizing the fingerprint powder, with summarized flow performance results, and a demonstration of the modified powder's affinity for simulated fingermark evidence.
Structural characterization of Aspalatus linearis polysaccharide and its improving effect on acute alcoholic liver injury
Authors: Zhang Yan , Liu Jia , Xu Shan , Luo Manhong , Yang Shuhan , Yu Siyu 
Published: May 2024

AbstractPolysaccharides from natural sources can regulate the composition of intestinal flora through the “gut‐liver axis” pathway, potentially ameliorating alcoholic liver injury. Aspalathus linearis, also known as rooibos, is one such natural product that has shown promise in this regard. This study looked at the structural properties of A. linearis polysaccharide (ALP) and how well it would work to treat acute alcoholic liver impairment. This study looks at the composition of monosaccharides, functional groups, and molecular weight (Mw) of a newly discovered water‐soluble polysaccharide, named ALP. The polysaccharide is composed of pyranose rings, amide groups, and sulfate groups linked by β‐glycosidic linkage. It has a relative Mw of 4.30 × 103 kDa and is composed of glucose, rhamnose, and some other monosaccharides. The study found that treating mice with the model of acute alcoholic liver disease with ALP could alleviate pathological symptoms, inhibit the release of inflammatory cytokines, and suppress indicators of oxidative stress. Experiments have shown that different doses of ALP can activate the P4502E1/Keap1‐Nrf2‐HO‐1 signaling pathway. The regulation of inflammatory factors and downstream antioxidant enzymes occurs as a result. Based on these data, it is likely that ALP protects the liver via the “gut‐liver axis” pathway by reducing oxidative stress‐related damage, inflammation, and alcohol‐related alterations to the gut microbiome. The results indicate that ALP mitigates injury caused by oxidative stress, inflammatory responses, and changes in the gut microbiota induced by alcohol through the “gut‐liver axis” pathway, which provides protection to the liver. This provides preliminary evidence for the development of related drugs.Practical ApplicationResearchers extracted a polysaccharide from fresh leaves of Auricularia auricula. The polysaccharide was purified and determined to have a predominantly homogeneous molecular weight. An acute alcoholic liver damage mouse model was established, and it was concluded that the polysaccharide could ameliorate liver injury in mice through the “gut‐liver axis” pathway. This novel polysaccharide can be used as an additive to develop functional foods with beneficial effects, which can positively impact the daily maintenance of consumers.
Iceland: Political Developments and Data in 2023
Authors: HARDARSON ÓLAFUR TH. 
Published: May 2024

AbstractIn 2023, we saw increasing instability in Icelandic politics and economy. Increasing tensions could be observed between the three government coalition parties, the Left Greens, the Progressive Party and the Independence Party. While the coalition has been in power since 2017, it includes both the parliamentary party furthest to the left, the left‐socialist Left Greens, and the party furthest to the right, the conservative Independence Party. The government had been united when successfully fighting the COVID‐19 pandemic and was re‐elected in the Althingi elections 2021—a unique success since the bank crash of 2008. But when politics got back to ‘normal’, ideological differences between the coalition parties re‐emerged. High inflation and high interest rates did not help the government. It continued to lose support in the monthly Gallup polls. At the end of the year, only 32 per cent claimed to be government supporters. All government parties lost support. The government losses mainly benefited one of the opposition parties, the Social Democratic Alliance.
Digital phenotyping data and anomaly detection methods to assess changes in mood and anxiety symptoms across a transdiagnostic clinical sample
Authors: Cohen Asher , Naslund John , Lane Erlend , Bhan Anant , Rozatkar Abhijit , Mehta Urvakhsh Meherwan , Vaidyam Aditya , Byun Andrew (Jin Soo) , Barnett Ian , Torous John 
Published: May 2024

AbstractIntroductionClinical assessment of mood and anxiety change often relies on clinical assessment or self‐reported scales. Using smartphone digital phenotyping data and resulting markers of behavior (e.g., sleep) to augment clinical symptom scores offers a scalable and potentially more valid method to understand changes in patients' state. This paper explores the potential of using a combination of active and passive sensors in the context of smartphone‐based digital phenotyping to assess mood and anxiety changes in two distinct cohorts of patients to assess the preliminary reliability and validity of this digital phenotyping method.MethodsParticipants from two different cohorts, each n = 76, one with diagnoses of depression/anxiety and the other schizophrenia, utilized mindLAMP to collect active data (e.g., surveys on mood/anxiety), along with passive data consisting of smartphone digital phenotyping data (geolocation, accelerometer, and screen state) for at least 1 month. Using anomaly detection algorithms, we assessed if statistical anomalies in the combination of active and passive data could predict changes in mood/anxiety scores as measured via smartphone surveys.ResultsThe anomaly detection model was reliably able to predict symptom change of 4 points or greater for depression as measured by the PHQ‐9 and anxiety as measured for the GAD‐8 for both patient populations, with an area under the ROC curve of 0.65 and 0.80 for each respectively. For both PHQ‐9 and GAD‐7, these AUCs were maintained when predicting significant symptom change at least 7 days in advance. Active data alone predicted around 52% and 75% of the symptom variability for the depression/anxiety and schizophrenia populations respectively.ConclusionThese results indicate the feasibility of anomaly detection for predicting symptom change in transdiagnostic cohorts. These results across different patient groups, different countries, and different sites (India and the US) suggest anomaly detection of smartphone digital phenotyping data may offer a reliable and valid approach to predicting symptom change. Future work should emphasize prospective application of these statistical methods.
Whole‐genome resequencing reveals diversity and selective signals in the Wuxue goat
Authors: Li Chuanqing , Wang Xianglin , Li Haobang , Ahmed Zulfiqar , Luo Yang , Qin Mao , Yang Qiong , Long Zhangcheng , Lei Chuzhao , Yi Kangle 
Published: May 2024

AbstractAnimal genetic resources are crucial for ensuring global food security. However, in recent years, a noticeable decline in the genetic diversity of livestock has occurred worldwide. This decline is pronounced in developing countries, where the management of these resources is insufficient. In the current study, we performed whole genome sequencing for 20 Wuxue (WX) and five Guizhou White (GW) goats. Additionally, we utilized the published genomes of 131 samples representing five different goat breeds from various regions in China. We investigated and compared the genetic diversity and selection signatures of WX goats. Whole genome sequencing analysis of the WX and GW populations yielded 120 425 063 SNPs, which resided primarily in intergenic and intron regions. Population genetic structure revealed that WX exhibited genetic resemblance to GW, Chengdu Brown, and Jintang Black and significant differentiation from the other goat breeds. In addition, three methods (nucleotide diversity, linkage disequilibrium decay, and runs of homozygosity) showed moderate genetic diversity in WX goats. We used nucleotide diversity and composite likelihood ratio methods to identify within‐breed signatures of positive selection in WX goats. A total of 369 genes were identified using both detection methods, including genes related to reproduction (GRID2, ZNF276, TCF25, and SPIRE2), growth (HMGA2 and GJA3), and immunity (IRF3 and SRSF3). Overall, this study explored the adaptability of WX goats, shedding light on their genetic richness and potential to thrive in challenges posed by climatic changes and diseases. Further investigations are warranted to harness these insights to enhance more efficient and sustainable goat breeding initiatives.