bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Resolving power imbalances in construction payment using blockchain smart contracts
Authors: Wu Liupengfei , Lu Weisheng , Chen Chen 
Published: November 2023

PurposeThis research aims to develop a blockchain smart contract–enabled framework to resolve power imbalance problems in construction payment.Design/methodology/approachThis research adopts a design science research method to develop the blockchain smart contract–enabled framework. The authors then develop a prototype system. Finally, the authors evaluate its performance in solving power imbalance-induced payment problems.FindingsThe results show that the prototype system can resolve power imbalance problems in construction payment by allowing project participants to make transparent and decentralized decisions that are self-enforceable by blockchain smart contracts.Research limitations/implicationsThis study provides theoretical explanations for how blockchain smart contracts can resolve power imbalances in construction payment; based on that, it proposes a novel blockchain smart contract–enabled method to rebalance the power of stakeholders in construction payment. Thus, it contributes to the body of knowledge on blockchain technology and construction payment.Practical implicationsThis study moves beyond a conceptual framework and develops a practical blockchain smart contract system for resolving power imbalances in construction payment, strengthening construction project members' confidence in using blockchain technology.Social implicationsThe proposed blockchain smart contract–enabled solution helps mitigate negative social impacts associated with late payment and non-payment. Furthermore, the research maximizes trust among participants in payment processes to inspire collaborative culture in the construction industry.Originality/valueThis paper introduces a novel blockchain smart contract integrated method, allowing project stakeholders to resolve power imbalance problems in construction payment through decentralized decision-making.
Improving the analysis of the judiciary performance - the use of data mining techniques to assess the timeliness of civil trials
Authors: Pernici Barbara , Bono Carlo Alberto , Piro Ludovica , Del Treste Mattia , Vecchi Giancarlo 
Published: November 2023

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to show how data mining techniques can improve the performance management of the judiciary, helping judges in steering position with specific and timely measures. It explores different approaches to analyse the length of trials, based on the case of an Italian judicial office.Design/methodology/approachThe paper presents a temporal analysis to compare the timeliness of trials, using data and process mining approaches with the support of a specific software to represent graphically the results. Data were gathered directly from the office data base, improving precision and the opportunity to monitor specific phases of the trials.FindingsThe results highlight the progress that can be reached using data mining approaches to develop performance analyses helping courts to correct inefficiencies and to manage the personnel distribution, overcoming the critical comments arisen against traditional KPI (Raine, 2000). The work proposes a methodology to analyse cases deriving from different juridical matters useful to set up a performance monitoring system that could be diffused to different courts.Research limitations/implicationsThe limitations of the research regard the analysis of a selected, limited number of cases in terms of judicial matters.Practical implicationsData mining techniques can improve the performance management processes in providing more accurate feedback to the judicial offices leaders and increasing the organisational learning.Social implicationsThe performance of the judiciary is one of the relevant issues that emerged in the recent decade in the field of public sector reforms. Several reasons explain this interest, which has gone beyond the specific legal disciplines to involve public policy, management, economics and ICT studies.Originality/valueConsidering the literature on the judiciary (Visser et al., 2019; Di Martino et al., 2021; Troisi and Alfano, 2023) the contribution differs as both the methodological approach and the predictive analysis considers the intrinsic differences that define cases belonging to different juridical matters performing a cross-sectional analysis, with a specific focus of process variants.
Does financial inclusion spur CO2 emissions? The marginal effects of financial sustainability
Authors: Adeneye Yusuf , Rasheed Shahida , Ooi Say Keat 
Published: November 2023

PurposeThis study aims to examine the relationship between financial inclusion, CO2 emissions and financial sustainability across 17 African countries.Design/methodology/approachData were sourced from the World Development Indicators for the period 2004-2021. The study performs the principal component analysis, panel fixed effects model and quantile regression estimations to investigate the relationship between financial inclusion, CO2 emissions and financial sustainability.FindingsThe study finds that an increase in automated teller machine (ATM) penetration rate, savings and credits increases CO2 emissions. Findings also reveal that financial sustainability reduces financial inclusion, with significant negative effects on the conditional mean of CO2 emissions and the conditional distribution of CO2 emissions across quantiles.Originality/valueThis study is beneficial for policymakers, particularly in the age of digitalization and drive for low-carbon emissions, to develop green credits for energy players and investors to take up renewable and green energy projects characterized by high levels of carbon storage and carbon capture. Further, the banking sector’s credits and liquid assets should be used to finance alternative banking energy-related equipment and services, such as solar photovoltaic wireless ATMs, and fewer bank branches.
How and when psychological capital enhances well-being at work: evidence from the Tunisian healthcare professionals
Authors: Nasria Amir , Gara Bach Ouerdian Emna 
Published: November 2023

PurposeThis study investigates how and when psychological capital (PsyCap) enhances well-being at work (WBW). Drawing on the job demands-resources (JD-R) model and the conservation of resource (COR) theory, an integrated model attempts to identify the relationship between PsyCap and employees' workplace well-being, mediated through work engagement (WE). Furthermore, the authors seek to understand how coaching-based leadership (CBL) moderates the relationship above.Design/methodology/approachData were obtained from healthcare professionals who worked during the COVID-19 pandemic crisis in Tunisian hospitals. An online survey was distributed anonymously. A total of 449 questionnaires were included in the analysis. The PROCESS macro for SPSS (models 4 and 7) was employed to analyze the data.FindingsThe findings revealed that PsyCap significantly relates to WBW; and WE and CBL act as a mediating mechanism and a boundary condition, respectively. The collective effect of PsyCap, WE and CBL on WBW was also confirmed based on moderated mediation analysis.Practical implicationsThis study gives HR managers insights into the importance of developing workers' PsyCap to promote their WBW. The findings also suggest that healthcare managers and leaders who aim to promote well-being should act as coaches.Originality/valueThis study extends research on WBW and sheds light on essential mechanisms and boundary conditions under which PsyCap promotes workplace well-being.
Negative and positive contamination in secondhand fashion consumption: does culture matter?
Authors: Kim Naeun Lauren , Jin Byoungho Ellie , Kim Terry Haekyung 
Published: November 2023

PurposeDespite the growing popularity of online secondhand platforms globally, there is a lack of studies exploring how consumers worldwide perceive contamination and the use of secondhand goods differently according to the culture. Based on the consumer contamination theory, this study aims to investigate the cultural differences of South Koreans and Americans by examining three variables (e.g. transaction type, ownership duration and physical attractiveness) related to consumers' perception of contamination and purchase intentions for a secondhand apparel item.Design/methodology/approachData were collected from 422 US and South Korean female consumers who were assigned to an experimental scenario, and their secondhand purchase intentions and perceived contamination were compared through independent t-tests and moderated regression analyses.FindingsConsumers' purchase intentions increased, and perceived contamination decreased when the transaction type was business-to-consumer (vs consumer-to-consumer), when the item had been owned for a shorter period of time and when the item was sold by an attractive seller. Such effect was more pronounced for South Korean consumers than the US consumers in the negative contamination contexts (i.e. transaction type, ownership duration), but not in the positive contamination context (i.e. attractiveness).Originality/valueThe findings of the study add to the literature on consumer contamination theory through an examination of several negative and positive contamination factors in retail contexts and highlight the role of culture as a critical moderator.
Unraveling real-time mobile connectivity paradox and emotional ambivalence: a quasi-experimental design from a multi-source perspective
Authors: Sui Yubing , Luqman Adeel , Unhale Manish , Schiavone Francesco , Cuomo Maria Teresa 
Published: November 2023

PurposeThis study develops and validates a theoretical model of real-time mobile connectivity, examining how employees' perceptions of their relationship with supervisors influence their emotional experiences. Through quasi-experiments, the authors investigate the behavioral patterns and emotional responses associated with real-time mobile connectivity in organizations, with a focus on messaging apps that indicate message read status. Specifically, they explore how supervisors' attentiveness or inattentiveness in mobile connectivity impacts emotional ambivalence (anxiety and pride) among subordinates. Additionally, they examine the downstream effects of this emotional ambivalence on employees' workplace thriving and job performance across various dimensions.Design/methodology/approachTo address the paradox of real-time mobile connectivity, a quasi-experimental design involving 320 team members from 46 teams was implemented. Multi-level structural equation modeling was employed to analyze within-person variance and evaluate the proposed hypotheses.FindingsThe findings indicate that employees who do not receive timely indications from their supervisors are more likely to experience elevated levels of anxiety, while those who receive prompt indications experience a sense of pride. Moreover, the indirect effects of the real-time mobile connectivity paradox on employee performance, mediated by anxiety (negatively) and pride (positively), are fully explained through workplace thriving.Research limitations/implicationsThis study provides insights into the emotional ambivalence experienced in the workplace due to real-time mobile connectivity, highlighting its implications for organizational competitiveness. Integrating resource conservation theory and cognitive appraisal theory of emotion, the study explores the mediating role of workplace thriving and the impact on employee performance through pride and anxiety. Generalizability requires considering organizational settings and cultural contexts while acknowledging limitations such as a focus on messaging apps and specific samples. Future research should explore these dynamics in diverse contexts and identify additional factors influencing the relationship between real-time mobile connectivity and employee outcomes.Practical implicationsThis study provides valuable insights for managers regarding the significance of message indications, as their attentiveness can elicit emotional reactions from employees that subsequently impact workplace thriving and job performance.Originality/valueThis study pioneers the exploration of the paradox of real-time mobile connectivity in the workplace, uncovering the discrete emotions experienced by employees. Furthermore, it elucidates the subsequent opposing effects on workplace thriving and job performance, contributing to the existing literature and knowledge in this area.
Beyond the bin: overcoming the intention–behavior gap in zero-waste living
Authors: Sajid Muhammed , Zakkariya K.A. , Ertz Myriam 
Published: November 2023

PurposeThe zero-waste lifestyle (ZWL) is considered a reasonable step towards controlling waste generation and minimizing the consequences of human activities on the environment. The main aim of this study is to examine the behavioral antecedents of ZWL.Design/methodology/approachThe study draws on the theoretical underpinnings of the theory of planned behavior (TPB) and the norm activation model (NAM) to develop a conceptual framework to understand the antecedents to ZWL. A cross-sectional survey among 349 randomly-selected consumers provided data analyzed with the partial least square-structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM) methodology.FindingsThe results demonstrate that personal norms, attitude, subjective norms and perceived behavioral control positively influenced the intention to adopt ZWL. Additionally, the study showed that the awareness of consequences influenced personal norms, attitudes and subjective norms. However, the study identified an intention–behavior gap in adopting ZWL.Originality/valueThis study serves as a pioneering exploration of the behavioral factors that impact the adoption of ZWL. Additionally, the paper endeavors to elucidate the underlying reasons behind the intention–behavior gap within this particular context. Consequently, the study offers substantial theoretical and practical implications aimed at promoting and fostering greater adoption of ZWL practices.
A clinical and biologic review of congenital melanocytic nevi
Authors: Tan Songtao , Hu Haoyue , Xin Xin , Wu Di 
Published: November 2023

AbstractCongenital melanocytic nevi (CMN) are the result of aberrations in the mitogen‐activated protein kinase signal transduction pathway caused by postzygotic somatic mutations. The estimated incidence of newborns with CMN is 1%–2%. The main complications of CMN include proliferative nodules, melanomas, and neurocutaneous melanosis, and the latter two are the most troublesome issues to address. Treatments are primarily taken into account for aesthetic purposes and the reduction of melanoma risk. Due to the much lower incidence of malignant transformation observed in recent studies than in previous data, clinical management paradigms for CMN patients have gradually shifted towards conservative observation and close monitoring. Surgery and lasers are still the main treatments, and targeted therapy may be a promising strategy to help manage complications. With the increase in awareness of mental health, increasing focus has been placed on the quality of life (QoL) and psychological issues of both CMN patients and their parents. Recent studies have revealed that families coping with CMN might endure intense pressure, a major loss in QoL, and psychological problems after diagnosis and during treatment. Here, we sought to present an overview of genetic basis, complications, treatments, and psychological issues related to CMN and hope to provide better management for patients with CMN.
Comparative genomics reveals the dynamic evolutionary history of cement protein genes of barnacles from intertidal to deep‐sea hydrothermal vents
Authors: Lee Won‐Kyung , Chan Benny K. K. , Kim Jae‐Yoon , Ju Se‐Jong , Kim Se‐Joo 
Published: November 2023

AbstractThoracican barnacles are a diverse group of marine organisms for which the availability of genome assemblies is currently limited. In this study, we sequenced the genomes of two neolepadoid species (Ashinkailepas kermadecensis, Imbricaverruca yamaguchii) from hydrothermal vents, in addition to two intertidal species. Genome sizes ranged from 481 to 1054 Mb, with repetitive sequence contents of 21.2% to 50.7%. Concordance rates of orthologs and heterozygosity rates were between 82.4% and 91.7% and between 1.0% and 2.1%, respectively, indicating high genetic diversity and heterozygosity. Based on phylogenomic analyses, we revised the nomenclature of cement genes encoding cement proteins that are not homologous to any known proteins. The major cement gene, CP100A, was found in all thoracican species, including vent‐associated neolepadoids, and was hypothesised to be essential for thoracican settlement. Duplicated genes, CP100B and CP100C, were found only in balanids, suggesting potential functional redundancy or acquisition of new functions associated with the calcareous base. An ancestor of CP52 genes was duplicated dynamically among lepadids, pollicipedids with multiple copies on a single scaffold, and balanids with multiple sequential repeats of the conserved regions, but no CP52 genes were found in neolepadoids, providing insights into cement gene evolution among thoracican lineages. This study enhances our understanding of the adhesion mechanisms of thoracicans in underwater environments. The newly sequenced genomes provide opportunities for studying their evolution and ecology, shedding light on their adaptation to diverse marine environments, and contributing to our knowledge of barnacle biology with valuable genomic resources for further studies in this field.
Genomic evolution of island birds from the view of the Swinhoe's pheasant (Lophura swinhoii)
Authors: Xu Xiao , Wang Chen , Xu Chunzhong , Yuan Jiaqing , Wang Guiqiang , Wu Yajiang , Huang Chen , Jing Haohao , Yang Peng , Xu Lulu , Peng Shiming , Shan Fen , Xia Xiaochao , Jin Fuyuan , Hou Fanghui , Wang Jinhong , Mi Da , Ren Yandong , Liu Yang , Irwin David M. , Li Xuejuan , Chen Wu , Li Gang 
Published: November 2023

AbstractIsland endemic birds account for the majority of extinct vertebrates in the past few centuries. To date, the evolutionary characteristics of island endemic bird's is poorly known. In this research, we de novo assembled a high‐quality chromosome‐level reference genome for the Swinhoe's pheasant, which is a typical endemic island bird. Results of collinearity tests suggest rapid ancient chromosome rearrangement that may have contributed to the initial species radiation within Phasianidae, and a role for the insertions of CR1 transposable elements in rearranging chromosomes in Phasianidae. During the evolution of the Swinhoe's pheasant, natural selection positively selected genes involved in fecundity and body size functions, at both the species and population levels, which reflect genetic variation associated with island adaptation. We further tested for variation in population genomic traits between the Swinhoe's pheasant and its phylogenetically closely related mainland relative the silver pheasant, and found higher levels of genetic drift and inbreeding in the Swinhoe's pheasant genome. Divergent demographic histories of insular and mainland bird species during the last glacial period may reflect the differing impact of insular and continental climates on the evolution of species. Our research interprets the natural history and population genetic characteristics of the insular endemic bird the Swinhoe's pheasant, at a genome‐wide scale, provides a broader perspective on insular speciation, and adaptive evolution and contributes to the genetic conservation of island endemic birds.
Courts, climate litigation and the evolution of earth system law
Authors: Kotzé Louis J. , Mayer Benoit , van Asselt Harro , Setzer Joana , Biermann Frank , Celis Nicolas , Adelman Sam , Lewis Bridget , Kennedy Amanda , Arling Helen , Peters Birgit 
Published: November 2023

AbstractNumerous scientific reports have evidenced the transformation of the earth system due to human activities. These changes – captured under the term ‘Anthropocene’ – require a new perspective on global law and policy. The concept of ‘earth system law’ situates law in an earth system context and offers a new perspective to interrogate the role of law in governing planetary challenges such as climate change. The discourse on earth system law has not yet fully recognised courts as actors that could shape climate governance, while climate litigation discourse has insufficiently considered aspects of earth system law. We posit that courts play an increasingly influential climate governance role and that they need to be recognised as Anthropocene institutions within the earth system law paradigm. Drawing on a set of prominent climate cases, we discuss five inter‐related domains that are relevant for earth system law and where the potential influence of courts can be discerned: establishing accountability, redefining power relations, remedying vulnerabilities and injustices, increasing the reach and impact of international climate law and applying climate science to adjudicate legal disputes. We suggest that their innovative work in these domains could provide a basis for positioning courts as planetary climate governance actors.
Extracellular vesicles—Mediators of opioid use disorder?
Authors: Morris Daniel C. , Zacharek Alex , Zhang Zheng G. , Chopp Michael 
Published: November 2023

AbstractOpioid use disorder (OUD) is a growing health emergency in the United States leading to an epidemic of overdose deaths. OUD is recognized as an addictive brain disorder resulting in psychological, cognitive and behavioural dysfunction. These observed clinical dysfunctions are a result of cellular changes that occur in the brain. Derangements in inflammation, neurogenesis and synaptic plasticity are observed in the brains of OUD patients. The mechanisms of these derangements are unclear; however, extracellular vesicles (EVs), membrane bound particles containing protein, nucleotides and lipids are currently being investigated as agents that invoke these cellular changes. The primary function of EVs is to facilitate intercellular communication by transfer of cargo (protein, nucleotides and lipids) between cells; however, changes in this cargo have been observed in models of OUD suggesting that EVs may be agents promoting the observed cellular derangements. This review summarizes evidence that altered cargo of EVs, specifically protein and miRNA, in models of OUD promote impairments in neurons, astrocytes and microglial cells. These findings support the premise that opioids alter EVs to detrimentally affect neuro‐cellular function resulting in the observed addictive, psychological and neurocognitive deficits in OUD patients.