Basic Research Research Articles

Influencing factors and realization paths for smart community construction in China.

The analysis of influencing factors serves as the cornerstone for the research on smart community construction. Drawing upon both field research and extensive literature study, this paper explores the influencing factors of China's smart community construction and its effective paths by taking 52 national pilot zones for community governance and service innovation in China as examples. In the constructed analytical framework of influencing factors, elements such as economic development, capital investment, information infrastructure, community governance, public support system, and smart platform are included. By the use of the qualitative comparative analysis (QCA) method, the results of the study show that community governance, public support system, and smart platform are necessary conditions for smart community construction, while economic development, capital investment and information infrastructure play a leading role in the four combined paths. Finally, this study provides a new perspective for theoretical research, a reference forgovernmental departments to make decisions, and experience for the construction of smart communities in other developing countries.

Approach to Spirocyclohexadienes via Visible Light‐Mediated ipso‐Cyclization of Amino Acid Derivatives with N‐(2‐Phenyl)benzoyl Groups

AbstractSpirocycles are important structural motifs, found in natural and pharmaceutical compounds, which have attracted considerable interest in modern drug discovery research. Herein, we describe the development of a visible light‐mediated ipso‐cyclization of amino acid derivatives with N‐(2‐phenyl)benzoyl groups, allowing easy access to a variety of spirocyclohexadienes. The addition of water was found to be beneficial in promoting the reaction progress. Investigation of the substrate scope revealed that incorporating an electron‐donating moiety at the 3′‐position of the biphenyl group resulted in a more favorable outcome for spirocycle formation.

Electrochemical Oxidation of Small Molecules for Energy‐Saving Hydrogen Production

AbstractElectrochemical water splitting is a promising technique for the production of high‐purity hydrogen. Substituting the slow anodic oxygen evolution reaction with an oxidation reaction that is thermodynamically more favorable enables the energy‐efficient production of hydrogen. Moreover, this approach facilitates the degradation of environmental pollutants and synthesis of value‐added chemicals through the rational selection of small molecules as substrates. Strategies for small‐molecule selection and electrocatalyst design are critical to electrocatalytic performance, with a focus on achieving a high current density, selectivity, Faradaic efficiency, and operational durability. This perspective discusses the key factors required for further advancement, including technoeconomic analysis, new reactor system design, meeting the requirements of industrial applications, bridging the gap between fundamental research and practical applications, and product detection and separation. This perspective aims to advance the development of hybrid water electrolysis applications.

The Future Metaverse of Digital Journalism

The scope of digital journalism is expanding rapidly due to the development of internet tools and digital technologies. In particular, in the future of digital journalism development, one of the main areas of research coming into theory and practice is the term and concept of "metaverse", which is considered a new branch of digital journalism. We have written this article based on theoretical research on new media concepts, computer technology, and augmented reality with a new perspective on the "future of digital journalism". The wide range of possibilities for accessing metaverse virtual reality environments and technology has reached a level even higher than that for immersive journalism, and some researchers and media organizations have confirmed that this is the new future of digital journalism.

Network pharmacology, molecular docking, and dynamics analyses to predict the antiviral activity of ginger constituents against coronavirus infection.

COVID-19 is a global pandemic that caused a dramatic loss of human life worldwide, leading to accelerated research for antiviral drug discovery. Herbal medicine is one of the most commonly used alternative medicine for the prevention and treatment of many conditions including respiratory system diseases. In this study, a computational pipeline was employed, including network pharmacology, molecular docking simulations, and molecular dynamics simulations, to analyze the common phytochemicals of ginger rhizomes and identify candidate constituents as viral inhibitors. Furthermore, experimental assays were performed to analyze the volatile and non-volatile compounds of ginger and to assess the antiviral activity of ginger oil and hydroalcoholic extract. Network pharmacology analysis showed that ginger compounds target human genes that are involved in related cellular processes to the viral infection. Docking analysis highlighted five pungent compounds and zingiberenol as potential inhibitors for the main protease (Mpro), spike receptor-binding domain (RBD), and human angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2). Then, (6)-gingerdiacetate was selected for molecular dynamics (MD) simulations as it exhibited the best binding interactions and free energies over the three target proteins. Trajectories analysis of the three complexes showed that RBD and ACE2 complexes with the ligand preserved similar patterns of root mean square deviation (RMSD) and radius of gyration (Rg) values to their respective native structures. Finally, experimental validation of the ginger hydroalcoholic extract confirmed the existence of (6)-gingerdiacetate and revealed the strong antiviral activity of the hydroalcoholic extract with IC of 2.727 . Our study provides insights into the potential antiviral activity of (6)-gingerdiacetate that may enhance the host immune response and block RBD binding to ACE2, thereby, inhibiting SARS-CoV-2 infection.

Correlation between Earnings Management Behavior and Corporate Performance Based on ESG Rating

The purpose of this study is to deeply explore how ESG (Environmental, Social and Governance) rating affects the earnings management behavior of enterprises, and further analyze the impact of this behavior on corporate performance. By constructing theoretical framework and research hypothesis, this paper makes an empirical analysis of the correlation between ESG rating, earnings management and corporate performance by using multiple linear regression model. The results show that enterprises with high ESG rating often show more standardized earnings management behavior, which has a significant positive impact on corporate performance. This discovery provides a new idea for enterprises to improve their performance, and also provides an important reference for investors to evaluate the value of enterprises. This study not only enriches the theoretical system of the relationship between ESG rating and earnings management, but also provides useful guidance for enterprise management practice and investment decision.

Potential molecular patterns for tuberculosis susceptibility in diabetic patients with poor glycaemic control: a pilot study.

Type 2 diabetes (DM2) is an increasingly prevalent disease that challenges tuberculosis (TB) control strategies worldwide. It is significant that DM2 patients with poor glycemic control (PDM2) are prone to developing tuberculosis. Furthermore, elucidating the molecular mechanisms that govern this susceptibility is imperative to address this problem. Therefore, a pilot transcriptomic study was performed. Human blood samples from healthy controls (CTRL, HbA1c < 6.5%), tuberculosis (TB), comorbidity TB-DM2, DM2 (HbA1c 6.5-8.9%), and PDM2 (HbA1c > 10%) groups (n = 4 each) were analyzed by differential expression using microarrays. We use a network strategy to identify potential molecular patterns linking the differentially expressed genes (DEGs) specific for TB-DM2 and PDM2 (p-value < 0.05, fold change > 2). We define OSM, PRKCD, and SOCS3 as key regulatory genes (KRGs) that modulate the immune system and related pathways. RT-qPCR assays confirmed upregulation of OSM, PRKCD, and SOCS3 genes (p < 0.05) in TB-DM2 patients (n = 18) compared to CTRL, DM2, PDM2, or TB groups (n = 17, 19, 15, and 9, respectively). Furthermore, OSM, PRKCD, and SOCS3 were associated with PDM2 susceptibility pathways toward TB-DM2 and formed a putative protein-protein interaction confirmed in STRING. Our results reveal potential molecular patterns where OSM, PRKCD, and SOCS3 are KRGs underlying the compromised immune response and susceptibility of patients with PDM2 to develop tuberculosis. Therefore, this work paved the way for fundamental research of new molecular targets in TB-DM2. Addressing their cellular implications, and the impact on the diagnosis, treatment, and clinical management of TB-DM2 could help improve the strategy to end tuberculosis for this vulnerable population.

Sustainable and green removal of arsenic from crude tin via vacuum gasification–directional condensation

In the realm of high–tech industries, Sn has emerged as an indispensable strategic metal. However, the pyrometallurgical refining process of crude Sn is marred by the production of a substantial amount of hazardous solid waste, notably As–Al slag, posing a direct threat to the ecological safety of the production areas. This study delineates a novel process for the removal of As from crude Sn, employing vacuum gasification–directional condensation, corroborated by theoretical calculations and laboratory experimental research. Theoretically, at a system pressure ranging from 1–10 Pa, the initial volatilization temperatures of Sn and As exhibit significant variance. However, the formation of intermetallic compounds can induce Sn volatilization. Experimentally, the condensation temperature for As was predominantly within 331.7–484.7 K. During the vacuum gasification–directional condensation process, the presence of Sn4As3 intermetallic compounds impeded As volatilization. And under optimal conditions, the As content in the Sn product was recorded at 0.0053 %. Inspired from the calculations, a multistage vacuum distillation method was successfully proposed and achieved to remove As from crude tin. Typically, the total material recovery rate is 99.96 %, and the direct rate of Sn is 93.02 %. The total power consumption and emission of this process are better than the corresponding parameters of other treatment processes, which is a promising solution for the cleaning and effective removal of As.

Precision calculation of the entrance length for laminar flow of Bingham fluid between parallel plates with yield number from 0 to 1000

An estimate of the entrance length for a Bingham fluid flowing between parallel plates is needed in engineering applications. The dimensionless entrance length is a function of yield number. The primary objective of this study was to construct plots of dimensionless entrance length vs. yield number that could be used by practitioners for a quick estimation of the entrance length in a Bingham fluid entering between parallel plates, in a range of yield numbers from 0 to 1000. Three well-known calculation methods were used. The methods were found to yield mutually consistent results. A secondary objective of this study was to examine the sensitivity of the calculated entrance length to the value of a dimensionless parameter somewhat arbitrary chosen during the calculations. This parameter specifies the dimensionless value of the unyielded core velocity that is accepted as the core velocity at the end of the entrance region. In all three calculation methods, the entrance length was found to have a noticeable sensitivity to the variation of this parameter. The least sensitive method was the one based on the momentum integral solution. The findings necessitate further, more fundamental research on the entrance length in non-Newtonian fluids.

NSP4 promotes replication of porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus-2

Porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome (PRRS) is one of the most detrimental contagious swine ailments worldwide. Currently, no effective drugs are available for its treatment. Targeting the structural and non-structural proteins (NSP) of the type 2 PRRS virus (PRRSV-2) with small interfering RNA (siRNA) is an effective approach to inhibit PRRSV replication. NSP4, which is highly conserved and possesses 3 C-like serine protease activity (3CLSP), can cleave PRRSV self-proteins, thereby contributing to viral replication. To investigate the mechanism by which NSP4 regulates PRRSV-2 replication and screen for effective siRNA inhibitors of PRRSV-2 replication, the recombinant plasmid pEGFP-C1-NSP4 was constructed, and a control siRNA pair and two siRNA pairs targeting the PRRSV-2 NSP4 gene (shRNA-ctr, shRNA-150, and shRNA-536) were synthesized and cloned into the pSilencer4.1-CMV vector. After 24 h of incubation, Marc-145 cells were transfected with recombinant plasmids, and subsequently infected with different PRRSV-2 (XH-GD, ZQ-GD, GDr180, and JXA1-R). Subsequently, the effects of NSP4 overexpression, shRNA on PRRSV-2 replication were evaluated by assessing cytopathic effects (CPE), TCID50, quantitative real-time PCR (qPCR), immunofluorescence assays (IFA), and Western blotting. The data from these CPE, TCID50, qPCR, and IFA experiments revealed that NSP4 overexpression significantly enhanced PRRSV-2 replication and shRNA targeting NSP4 can inhibit PRRSV-2 replication in Marc-145 cells, indicating that shRNA could serve as candidate molecules for fundamental research on PRRSV-2.

Building a Theoretical Framework from Weber’s Theory for Legal Scientific Research

Scientific work in the field of legal science in Indonesia often differs from the criteria for empirical scientific research at the level of modern science. The results of thesis and dissertation-level scientific research at law faculties have so far emphasized technical-juridical analysis for the needs of legal practice rather than academic research that criticizes and creates new scientific theories in the field of law. Dogmatic legal analysis, it seems, takes precedence over academic legal analysis that allows researchers to fulfill the critical scientific need for the renewal of legal dogmatics by the development of Society. The framework section is usually narrated without construction in the form of a 'theoretical framework' or 'analytical model' which often shows confusion in legal research. Legal dogmatic research focuses on evaluating the structure (language) of law and legal practice, i.e. how far the elements of the article as evaluation indicators are used with the resolution of the particular legal event being studied. Scholarly legal research often uses theory in presenting the framework for its theses and dissertations, and more than one theory is even related to the various narratives and descriptions of the proposed research. In addition, legal researchers present major frameworks in 'grand theory', 'middle-range theory', and applied theory' for research typically conducted in the field of pure science (pure social and human sciences).

Future proofing a long-term agricultural experiment for decades to come: Relocation and redesign

We took land encroachment for urban development that threatened a 60-year-old field experiment as an opportunity to transport and redesign an entire experiment to more effectively address contemporary challenges. The field experiment comprised long-term pH plots, established for agronomic demonstration in 1961, but used over the years for both applied and fundamental research. We redesigned the experimental layout to add strength to the statistical design through randomisation. Continuation and enrichment of the long-term pH experimental platform lends a unique resource for microbiome research per se. Here we have provided a rationale for why the decision was made to move the soils from the former Woodlands Field pH experiment. Moving soil on the scale of a field experiment requires costs and benefits to be weighed up in that the realisation of the transfer costs and the costs for the ongoing maintenance can outweigh the costs of a new experimental set up or indeed closing the experiment and walking away. It is important to recognise that much of the value is in assets that are not monetary. Considerations include the availability of a site suitable from a biophysical perspective but also considering ownership and future access. The topsoil (0–20 cm to plough depth) was moved to a new location in a similar environment and within the same soil association. The soil was disturbed under very dry conditions and placed back into the earth in the new location within 90 minutes, and thus as near to normal cultivation as possible. Additional plots were added to the experiment that will be amended to the pH treatments in the long-term experiment providing an exciting opportunity to assess how soil microbial communities change over time. Soil samples taken 2 years after the relocation of the soils indicate that the soil pH gradient (4.5–7.5) has been maintained. Safeguarding this long-term resource on soil pH helps us to predict the impacts of changed practice with regard to liming on productivity and also to address wider contemporary and future issues surrounding net zero, food security and soil protection.

Giant Magneto-Optical Effect in van der Waals Room-Temperature Ferromagnet Fe3GaTe2

Abstract The discovery of ferromagnetic two-dimensional (2D) van der Waals (vdWs) materials provides an opportunity to explore intriguing physics and to develop innovative spin electronic devices. However, the main challenge for practical applications of vdWs ferromagnetic crystals lies in the weak intrinsic ferromagnetism and small perpendicular magnetic anisotropy (PMA) above room temperature. Here, we report the intrinsic vdWs ferromagnetic crystal Fe3GaTe2, synthesized by the self-flux method, exhibiting a Curie temperature (T C) of 370 K, a high saturation magnetization of 33.47 emu/g, and a large PMA energy density of approximately 4.17 × 105 J/m3. Furthermore, the magneto-optical effect is systematically investigated in Fe3GaTe2. The doubly degenerate E 2g (Γ) mode reverses the helicity of incident photons, indicating the existence of pseudoangular-momentum (PAM) and chirality. Meanwhile, the non-degenerate non-chiral A 1g(Γ) phonon exhibits a significant magneto-Raman effect under an external out-of-plane magnetic field. These results lay the groundwork for studying phonon chirality and magneto-optical phenomena in 2D magnetic materials, providing the feasibility for further fundamental research and applications in spintronic devices.

Design method and seismic vulnerability of bridges using UHPC-NSC composite pier

The focus of this investigation is the application of ultra-high-performance concrete (UHPC) and normal strength concrete (NSC) in constructing composite piers. The UHPC-NSC composite pier, comprising the external UHPC jacket and internal NSC, demonstrates a marked enhancement in both load-bearing capacity and control of seismic damage. However, the lack of suitable seismic design methodologies presents a significant barrier to the practical application of the composite pier. Drawing on extensive experimental and theoretical research, this paper proposes an optimization formula that determines the diameter of the composite pier and the thickness of the UHPC jacket. This formula aims to maximize the use of UHPC material, manage the damage, and equalize sectional moment resistance with the original reinforced concrete section. Utilizing the proposed design approach, UHPC-NSC composite piers were implemented in a typical continuous beam bridge. Seismic vulnerability analyses were conducted to quantitatively substantiate the performance of the composite pier following the aforementioned design approach. The analysis affirmed that the composite pier effectively reduced the exceeding probability of all damage levels under small and moderate earthquakes, and extensive damage level under strong earthquakes.

Observation of the spin Hall effect of light by a single-photon detector.

We use a single-photon detector to detect the spin Hall effect of light (SHEL) of a quasi-single-photon beam obtained in this Letter. The physics of the spin Hall effect and its quantum weak measurement method with a dimensionless pointer are elucidated through particle number representation. Our weak measurement scheme obviates the necessity of high-resolution single-photon array detectors. Consequently, we have successfully observed the spin Hall effect within a 20 ns temporal window using a position-resolution-independent single-photon detector with remarkably low-noise levels. The weak measurement of the dimensionless pointer presented in this Letter boosts both the detection accuracy and the response speed of the photonics spin Hall effect, thereby contributing significantly to fundamental theoretical research in spin photonics and precise measurements of physical property parameters.

A typology of AI-based tasks for the HR function

Purpose This paper aims to elucidate the keys transformations of human resources (HR) tasks amid the age of artificial intelligence (AI). Design/methodology/approach This paper synthesizes recent theoretical and empirical research on the topic of AI and human resource management to establish a typology of AI-based HR tasks. Findings HR jobs will revolve around three types of tasks in the age of AI: mechanical, thinking and feeling. Originality/value AI radically changes HR function and it becomes essential for organizations to clearly define the purpose of using AI, its role and the context of its use in tasks. Strategic value of the HR function will lie in its future reorientation toward feeling tasks. HR managers need to possess the knowledge, skills and abilities to adapt to these tasks and ensure the responsible use of AI.

Second-generation involvement and the digitalisation of family firms: evidence from China

ABSTRACT This study aims to examine the impact of second-generation involvement on the digitalisation of family firms. Through theoretical and empirical research on Chinese listed family firms, we investigate the complex relationship between second-generation involvement and the digital transformation process. The findings reveal that the involvement of second-generation members hinders digital transformation to a certain extent, with managerial risk preference playing an intermediary role in this relationship. Second-generation involvement has a stronger inhibitory effect on digitalisation in smaller firms and firms within industries with lower levels of competition. Additionally, the moderating role of ownership concentration and institutional investor shareholding on the relationship between second-generation involvement and digital transformation is explored. The results indicate that ownership concentration and institutional investor shareholding can alleviate the negative impact of second-generation involvement on the digitalisation of family firms. This study enriches socioemotional wealth theory by examining the family firm’s digitalisation and provides practical guidance to promote their digitalisation.

Construction and application of economic resilience evaluation model for megacities.

Economic resilience provides a new perspective for megacities to achieve sustainable development when facing multiple shocks, and its accurate evaluation is an essential prerequisite for optimizing urban governance. There are currently no generally accepted methods for empirical evaluation or measuring economic resilience, and the present study aims to contribute to in both the research field and methodology. The present study sets dimensions and indicators based on economic resilience's theoretical and empirical research and used Decision Making Trial and Evaluation Laboratory (DEMATEL) and Interactive Structural Modeling (ISM) methods to exclude the effect indicators and divide the indicator hierarchy, respectively. Subsequently, the present study conducts model validation using Chinese megacities as a case study. The game theory weighting method, which combines the Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP) and Entropy methods, is used to calculate indicator weights, and the VIKOR (VIseKriterijumska Optimizacija i KOmpromisno Resenje) method is used to evaluate and compare economic resilience of megacities. The research findings indicate that the evaluation model constructed in the present study included 15 indicators (after excluding three effect indicators) divided into four levels. After merging the levels, they correspond to three dimensions: resistance, recoverability, and adaptability. In addition, using Chinese megacities as a case study, the evaluation results found that Beijing, Shanghai, and Shenzhen have high economic resilience, Tianjin and Guangzhou have moderate economic resilience, Chengdu has low economic resilience, and Chongqing has the lowest economic resilience. This result is consistent with previous studies and verifies the model's effectiveness. The present study also found that megacities with lower levels of economic resilience exhibit a more significant upward trend, as well as the highest and higher proportion of economic resilience in Chinese megacities depending on time passes, indicating that megacities' economic resilience is weakening. The evaluation result obtained in the present study is more specific, precise, and focused on depicting the distribution differences and development trends of economic resilience at the urban level.

Visual analysis of trustworthiness studies: based on the Web of Science database

Trustworthiness is the most significant predictor of trust and has a significant impact on people’s levels of trust. Most trustworthiness–related research is empirical, and while it has a long history, it is challenging for academics to get insights that are applicable to their fields of study and to successfully transfer fragmented results into practice. In order to grasp their dynamic development processes through the mapping of network knowledge graphs, this paper is based on the Web of Science database and uses CiteSpace (6.2.R4) software to compile and visualize the 1,463 publications on trustworthy studies over the past 10 years. This paper aims to provide valuable references to theoretical research and the practice of Trustworthiness. The findings demonstrate that: over the past 10 years, trustworthiness-related research has generally increased in volume; trustworthiness research is concentrated in industrialized Europe and America, with American research findings having a bigger global impact; The University of California System, Harvard University, and Yale University are among the high-production institutions; the leading figures are represented by Alexander Todorov, Marco Brambilla, Bastian Jaeger, and others; the core authors are distinguished university scholars; however, the level of cooperation of the core author needs to be improved. The primary journal for publishing research on trustworthiness is the Journal of Personality and Social Psychology and Biology Letters. In addition, the study focuses on three distinct domains, involving social perception, facial clues, and artificial intelligence.

MODELING THE IMPACT OF TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENT AND IMPORTS ON EMPLOYMENT IN RUSSIA

The aim of the paper is to assess the impact of technological development and international trade on the level and structure of employment in Russian regions for the period of 2005-2019. The structure of employment is measured in terms of education level, sectoral specialization, and gender of the employed population. The contribution of the work to the scientific literature is expressed in three aspects. First, we empirically estimate the relationship between imports and employment structure. Second, we attempt to econometrically identify the impact of technological development on several indicators of regional employment. Third, we consider the joint impact of technological development and international trade in the estimated models on employment due to the complementarity of these factors. Based on a systemic generalized method of moments we reveal that technological development has: 1) a positive effect on the share of the employed specializing in mining industry, in the activities of hotels and public catering; 2) a negative impact on the share of the employed with secondary vocational and secondary general education, in agriculture, logistics, health care sectors. In terms of demographic indicators, a similar negative impact of technological development on the employment rate of women and men was obtained. At the same time, with growing total imports in the regions the threat of job losses for the employed with secondary vocational and secondary general education, the urban population, as well as those specializing in healthcare sector increases. Expenditures on fundamental research through the innovative development of regions are a factor in job creation. Technological development and foreign economic openness of the region are associated with greater adaptation of the employed population to competition in international trade and technological development.