bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Amoebicidal Action of Licorice-Derived Compounds: Mechanisms and Effects AgainstAcanthamoeba castellanii
Authors: Chen Lijun , Dong Dai , Jing Wenwen , Zhou Qingtong , Feng Meng , Cheng Xunjia 
Published: February 2025

ABSTRACTBackgroundAcanthamoebais a widely distributed unicellular eukaryotic organism, causingAcanthamoebakeratitis, granulomatous amoebic encephalitis and chronic infectious ulcers. At present, there are no effective drugs available for treatingAcanthamoebainfections, highlighting the urgent need for the development of novel anti-Acanthamoebatherapies.PurposeThis study aims to investigate the inhibitory effect of licorice onA. castellaniitrophozoites growth and elucidate its molecular mechanisms.MethodsThe effect of licorice on trophozoite viability was assessed employing the CellTiter-Glo assay, while the viability of cells was evaluated via CCK-8 assay. Apoptotic cells were identified through Hoechst 33,342/PI double staining and caspase-3 detection. ROS level was measured via flow cytometry utilising DCFH-DA. Mitochondrial dysfunction was analysed with JC-1 and mtSOX Deep Red staining. RNA sequencing and RT-qPCR analysis were conducted to investigate the potential anti-Acanthamoebamechanism.ResultsOur results showed that isoliquiritigenin (ISL) and glabridin (GLA) effectively inhibitedA. castellaniitrophozoite growthin vitrodose-and time-dependently. ISL and GLA induced several apoptosis features, including Hoechst/PI-positive staining and increased caspase-3 expression. ISL and GLA increased intracellular ROS production, decreased SOD expression and mitochondrial membrane potential and enhanced mitochondrial ROS generation. ISL and GLA effectively prevent host cells fromA. castellaniitrophozoites invasion. RNA sequencing indicated that ISL may modulate the NAD+metabolic process, while GLA may influence the sterol metabolic process. ISL reduced the NAD+/NADH ratio, while GLA lowered the levels of 7-dehydrocholesterol inA. castellaniitrophozoites.ConclusionThese findings suggest that ISL and GLA may serve as the active components of licorice for treatingA. castellaniitrophozoites. Our findings suggest that ISL suppresses trophozoites by regulating NAD+metabolism, while GLA inhibits trophozoites through the regulation of sterol metabolism.Abstract Figure
Large inverse Faraday effect for Rydberg states of free atoms and isolated donors in semiconductors
Authors: Wong Patrick J. , Khaymovich Ivan M. , Aeppli Gabriel , Balatsky Alexander V. 
Published: February 2025

We report on the induction of magnetization in Rydberg systems by means of the inverse Faraday effect and propose the appearance of the effect in two such systems: Rydberg atoms proper and shallow dopants in semiconductors. Rydberg atoms are characterized by a large orbital radius. This large radius gives such excited states a large angular moment, which when driven with circularly polarized light translates to a large effective magnetic field Beff. We calculate this effect to generate effective magnetic fields of O(1µT)×(ω1THz)−1(I10Wcm−2)n4 in the Rydberg states of atoms such as Rb and Cs for off-resonant photon beams with frequency ω and intensity I expressed in units of the denominators and n the principal quantum number. Additionally, terahertz spectroscopy of phosphorus-doped silicon reveals a large cross section for excitation of shallow dopants to Rydberg-like states, which even for small n have the potential to be driven similarly with circularly polarized light to produce an even larger magnetization. Our theoretical calculations estimate Beff as O(102T) for Si:P with a beam intensity of 108Wcm−2.

Published by the American Physical Society
2025
The spatial impact of digitalization on carbon emission intensity in agricultural production: empirical evidence from rural China
Authors: Zhao Liping , Rao Xi , Hu Die 
Published: February 2025

PurposeThis study investigates the relationship between digitalization and agricultural carbon intensity from 2006 to 2021.Design/methodology/approachUtilizing panel data from 30 provinces in China from 2006 to 2021, this study employs a threshold and a spatial Durbin model to investigate the relationship between digitalization and agricultural carbon intensity. In addition, a heterogeneity analysis was conducted to understand variations across regions.FindingsThe study used threshold models and spatial Durbin models to reveal that in agricultural production, digitalization can significantly reduce the carbon emission intensity of planting and livestock production. Through the threshold effect, it was found that the effectiveness of digitization in curbing emissions varies by region and is influenced by the level of urbanization, with the inhibitory effect being: western > central > eastern. In addition, through spatial analysis, it was found that the impact of digitalization on carbon emission intensity has significant spatial effects, presenting a “high-high” and “low-low” clustering pattern. Moreover, through the Durbin model, digitization exhibits a significant negative spatial impact on the planting industry, and the development of the local digitalization can significantly reduce the carbon emission intensity of the planting industry in neighboring areas. There is a significant positive spatial effect on livestock production, and the development of local digitalization will, to some extent, increase the carbon emission intensity of livestock production in neighboring areas. This study underscores the critical importance of digitalization in reducing agricultural carbon emissions and highlights the necessity for tailored digital strategies that consider regional characteristics and urbanization levels.Practical implicationsThis study shows the critical importance of digitalization in reducing agricultural carbon emissions and highlights the necessity for tailored digital strategies that consider regional characteristics and urbanization levels.Originality/valueThis paper pioneers the investigation of the spatial impact of digitalization on agricultural carbon emissions using provincial-level panel data and classifies agriculture into planting and livestock production. This study contributes to the literature by filling the research gap and enhancing our understanding of the relationship between digitalization and environmental sustainability in rural areas.
Trabajo con dignidad: the struggle for workplace dignity in the US agricultural fields
Authors: Sanchez Mabel 
Published: February 2025

PurposeActs of recognition are recommended by management literature to mitigate workplace indignities. This article critically examines common acts of recognition and highlights the specific implications these have on Latinx farmworkers in the United States, an understudied population in the management literature.Design/methodology/approachDue to the vulnerability of Latinx farmworkers, the study employed a culturally relevant method called plática to facilitate intimate conversations with 12 farmworkers. In addition to interviews, the researcher engaged in participant observation by joining farmworkers in protests and working alongside them in the fields. Data analysis followed an interpretivist approach, coding interview transcripts to identify emerging themes.FindingsThe results of this qualitative study provide researchers and practitioners with insight into the difficulties managers face in addressing workplace dignity. Critically, this research sheds light on the specific issues the Latinx farmworkers face in the US and the practical dangers of implementing acts of recognition to remediate workplace indignities.Originality/valueThis article is the first to examine remediated dignity in the context of US agricultural fields with Latinx farmworkers.
Strategic contraction: Haidilao path through the pandemic
Authors: Rafiq Muhammad , Xiuqing Duan 
Published: February 2025

Learning outcomes
The objective of this study is to grasp the strategic decisions made by Haidilao during the COVID-19 pandemic and the effect on its business performance. It seeks to evaluate the company’s adaptability and resilience, understand the significance of effective regional management and draw lessons for businesses operating in crisis situations.

Case overview/synopsis
This case study provides an in-depth analysis of the strategic decisions made by Haidilao in the face of rapid expansion and COVID-19’s impact. It scrutinizes Haidilao’s shift from expansion to contraction, the execution of the “Woodpecker Project,” and the reinstatement of a regional management system.

Complexity academic level
This case study is suitable for MBA courses.

Supplementary materials
Teaching notes are available for educators only.

Subject code
CSS11: Strategy.
Unraveling the mechanisms of AI system aversion among customer-contact employees: a perspective from advice response theory
Authors: Yang Yong , Li Yue , Zhao Xinyuan , Law Rob , Song Hongjin 
Published: February 2025

Purpose
Based on the advice response theory perspective, this study aims to investigate the effects of human managers and artificial intelligence (AI) systems on customer-contact employees’ aversion to AI systems in the hospitality industry. It examined the mediating role of advice content characteristics (efficacy, feasibility and implementation limitations) and advice delivery (facework and comprehensibility) on customer-contact employees’ aversion to AI systems.

Design/methodology/approach
Two scenario-based experiments were conducted (Nexperiment 1 = 499 and Nexperiment 2 = 300). Experiment 1 compared the effects of different advisor types (human managers vs AI systems) on employees’ aversion to AI systems. Experiment 2 investigated the mediating role of advice content characteristics (efficacy, feasibility and implementation limitations) and advice delivery (facework and comprehensibility).

Findings
The results showed employees tended to prioritize advice from human managers over output from AI systems. Moreover, advice content characteristics (efficacy, feasibility and implementation limitations) and advice delivery (facework and comprehensibility) played mediating roles in the relationship between advisor type characteristics and employees’ aversion to AI systems.

Practical implications
These findings contribute to the understanding of AI system aversion and provide theoretical insights into management practices involving customer-contact employees who interact with AI technology in the hospitality industry.

Originality/value
The primary contribution of this study is that it enriches the literature on employee aversion to AI systems by exploring the dual mediators (advice content characteristics and advice delivery) through which advisor type characteristics affect AI system aversion.
The shadow of authority: a thematic exploration of tyrannical leadership among research scholars through the lens of Gioia methodology
Authors: Saikrishna M.B 
Published: February 2025

Purpose
This paper aims to describe the phenomenon of tyrannical leadership in the academic setting, emphasizing the research scholars. It seeks to understand how research scholars experience and perceive tyrannical leadership, its effects on their scholarly output and well-being, and coping strategies.

Design/methodology/approach
This study uses a qualitative interpretive phenomenological approach, utilizing the Gioia methodology to explore the experiences of research scholars under tyrannical leadership. Data was collected through semi-structured interviews with 14 research scholars from various disciplines who have experienced tyrannical leadership. The conservation of resources (COR) theory served as the theoretical framework for analysis.

Findings
This study reveals four key dimensions of tyrannical leadership in academia: manifestations of tyrannical leadership, consequences on scholars, institutional and personal responses, and impacts on the future academic landscape. The main issues were stress and social isolation, decreased performance and study results, and potential effects on future employment opportunities. Lack of institutional support and the cultivation of individual ways of dealing with stress were also mentioned.

Originality/value
This study provides original insights into how tyrannical leadership impacts doctoral students’ academic performance, well-being and coping strategies, addressing a significant gap in both leadership and higher education research. It extends the application of COR theory to educational contexts and offers insights that can inform policy changes and improve support systems for early-career researchers in higher education.
Does industry munificence matter? ESG controversies and firm value
Authors: Mendiratta Anita , Kumar Anil 
Published: February 2025

PurposeThe present study explores the effect of environmental, social and governance (ESG) controversies on firm value. Further, the study investigates when industry munificence moderates this association.Design/methodology/approachThe research employs 5,670 firm-year observations from 2012 to 2018 for the United States (US)-based firms from the Refinitiv database. The direct and moderating effects were tested using a fixed effect panel regression model.FindingsThe primary analysis unexpectedly demonstrates that ESG controversies do not affect firm value. On the contrary, ESG controversies decrease firm value when interacting with industry munificence; this interaction effect is both positive and highly significant. We observed that reduced (increased) ESG controversies translate to higher (lower) firm value in industries with high munificence and lower (higher) firm value with low munificence. These results remain consistent with alternative proxies for size and CSR. Conducting sample split analysis over time, we discovered significant results in 2015–2018, indicating stakeholders' awareness has increased over time.Research limitations/implicationsThe findings offer policymakers distinctive perspectives on the moderating role of munificence that impacts companies’ strategic imposition or limitation of ESG controversies to boost their value. Managers can gain valuable insights from the results regarding the importance of munificence in the relationship between ESG controversies and firm value.Originality/valueThis study is the first to examine the moderating effect of industry munificence in the relationship between ESG controversies and firm value for US firms.
Impact of the Russia–Ukraine war on small and medium sector in southeast Asia and China
Authors: Islam Khalid Ul , Pandow Bilal Ahmad 
Published: February 2025

Purpose
This study aims to analyze the stock market reaction of the small and medium sectors in the Southeast Asian countries (SEACs), including China, to the Russia–Ukraine war.

Design/methodology/approach
This study uses the event study methodology to quantify the magnitude and direction of the impact of the Russia–Ukraine war on the performance of small and medium indices of SEACs. Assuming market efficiency, this study uses the market model to capture abnormal returns on the event date and across the event window.

Findings
The Russia–Ukraine war adversely affected most of the sample countries, with a prolonged impact over the 50-day post-event window. In most cases, the study has failed to establish statistical significance for the results. One major reason for the low impact is the proactive role of the governments of the SEACs in mitigating the war’s impact on their respective economies by providing subsidies, exercising price controls and stockpiling.

Originality/value
To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this study is the first to analyze the impact of the Russia–Ukraine war on the small and medium sectors of SEACs, including China. It highlights the importance of geographic proximity and the proportion of bilateral trade in understanding how war and geopolitical tensions affect the stock market performance in other countries in the current global scenario. In addition, this study uses a range of parametric and nonparametric tests that adjust for the cross-country dependence and event-induced volatility to substantiate the statistical significance of the results and this supports the robustness of the results.
Leadership as a philosophical attitude – a qualitative study of reflective practice in everyday working life
Authors: Ellingsen Pål 
Published: February 2025

PurposeThis article explores leadership as a philosophical attitude. The purpose is to get a deeper understanding of leadership in everyday working life.Design/methodology/approachThe article is based on a thematic analysis of 16 qualitative research interviews with leaders of different levels within the Norwegian Labour and Welfare Administration (NAV).FindingsLeadership is not merely a set of skills or a functional role. The study has identified the broader implications of leadership as a philosophical attitude for personal development, motivation and social responsibility; and the relational side of leader’s social mission.Research limitations/implicationsThe study has examined what the interviewees say; it has not observed what they actually do.Practical implicationsLeadership as a philosophical attitude deals with personal dimensions and shows how leaders can adjust their behaviour based on their character traits and the situational demands.Originality/valueThis article bridges theory to practice through the empirical application of philosophical attitudes in leadership practice.
Does audit committee heterogeneity matter in auditor selection?
Authors: Gao Jingyu , Kong Tian , Yang Yuzhu , Hao Lili 
Published: February 2025

Purpose
Although various stakeholder groups frequently advocate and call for greater heterogeneity among directors and managers, it remains unknown whether team heterogeneity can be beneficial for audit committee to exercise the auditor selection functions. This study aims to address this question.

Design/methodology/approach
Drawing on a sample of domestically listed nonfinancial A-share firms in China from 2008 to 2022, the authors empirically examine whether and how firm’s audit committee heterogeneity associates with the selection of auditors.

Findings
Firms with higher levels of audit committee heterogeneity are more likely to be associated with lower-quality auditors. Further examination reveals the mediating role of risk-taking: higher levels of heterogeneity are associated with higher levels of risk-taking, influencing firms to employ lower-quality auditors. Moreover, the authors document that increased audit committee heterogeneity is associated with more audit committee meetings and lower audit efficiency, and that hiring lower-quality auditors can influence the market value of firms with high audit committee heterogeneity.

Originality/value
To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this study is the first to examine whether and how audit committee erogeneity associates with the selection of auditors. Moreover, because China is a high-power distance, collectivism-oriented, more relations-based (i.e. guanxi-based) than rules-based society, it is critical to examine the influence of team heterogeneity based on the unique cultural context and transitional nature of China’s business environment.
Prophylactic Effects of Rhamnetin Flavonoid on Indomethacin‐Induced Gastric Ulceration by Modulating HSP 70/Bax, SOD/MDA and TNF‐α/IL‐10
Authors: Mohammed Mohammed T. , Al‐Qaisi Talal Salem , Jabbar Ahmed A. J. , Raouf Mohammed M. H. M. , Ismail Parween AbdulSamad , Mothana Ramzi A. , Fantoukh Omer I. , hassan Rawaz Rizgar , Abdulla Mahmood Ameen , Saleh Musher Ismael , Awad Mohammed 
Published: February 2025

ABSTRACTRhamnetin is a naturally occurring flavonoid compound found in many wild plant species and indigenous fruits. Despite its numerous biological potentials, such as anti‐inflammatory, antioxidant and antimicrobial effects, there is a lack of literature elucidating its gastroprotective action and anticipating molecular mechanism. Natural products can be a good alternative to overcome the side effects and relapses associated with anti‐ulcer drugs. This study aims to elucidate rhamnetin's acute toxicity and gastroprotective effects using the indomethacin ulceration model. Animals were arbitrarily divided into five groups: a negative control group (A) and a positive control group (B), both treated with 1% carboxymethyl cellulose; a reference group (C) receiving 20 mg/kg omeprazole; and low‐dose (D) and high‐dose (E) rhamnetin groups receiving 30 and 60 mg/kg, respectively. After 1 h, rats in Groups B–E were subjected to indomethacin‐induced ulceration. Toxicity evaluations indicated the safety of rhamnetin at doses of up to 400 mg/kg in rats, without any noticeable physiological alterations. Rhamnetin (30 and 60 mg/kg) administered orally 1 h before indomethacin‐induced gastric ulcer ameliorated the stomach lesions and lowered the ulcer index area by 73.81% and 77.87%, respectively. Rhamnetin supplementation ameliorated histopathological alterations and restored gastric barriers, including gastric pH and mucin secretion. Moreover, rhamnetin‐treated rats exhibited increased anti‐apoptotic heat shock protein 70 and decreased Bax protein in stomach tissues. These findings were in line with lowered accumulated MDA, increased superoxide dismutase, catalase and prostaglandin E2 levels, reduced serum inflammatory mediators (TNF‐α and interleukin‐6) and elevated interleukin‐10 cytokines. The outcomes indicate rhamnetin's cicatrising and gastroprotective effects against indomethacin‐mediated ulceration, possibly due to its modulatory actions on oxidative stress, inflammation and apoptotic pathways.
Lessons from the Portuguese Socialists: How Dialogue with the Left can deliver Political and Economic Stability
Authors: Goes Eunice 
Published: February 2025

AbstractThe experiences of Portugal's Socialist Party, which was in power for eight years and was led by António Costa, offer useful lessons to centre‐left governments that seek re‐election. In its first term in office, the Socialist Party governed with the support of the parties of the radical left and was able to deliver visible improvements to living standards and complete a full parliamentary term. However, in the second half of its period in power, the socialists wasted the parliamentary majorities obtained in 2019 and 2022 and faced early elections and a humiliating defeat in 2024. The lessons from this eight‐year period seem clear: a leadership style that prioritises dialogue and cooperation with the left can deliver political stability and electoral victories, but complacency about standards in public life is often punished at the ballot box.