Internal Organization Research Articles

A Degraded Finger Vein Image Recovery and Enhancement Algorithm Based on Atmospheric Scattering Theory.

With the development of biometric identification technology, finger vein identification has received more and more widespread attention for its security, efficiency, and stability. However, because of the performance of the current standard finger vein image acquisition device and the complex internal organization of the finger, the acquired images are often heavily degraded and have lost their texture characteristics. This makes the topology of the finger veins inconspicuous or even difficult to distinguish, greatly affecting the identification accuracy. Therefore, this paper proposes a finger vein image recovery and enhancement algorithm using atmospheric scattering theory. Firstly, to normalize the local over-bright and over-dark regions of finger vein images within a certain threshold, the Gamma transform method is improved in this paper to correct and measure the gray value of a given image. Then, we reconstruct the image based on atmospheric scattering theory and design a pixel mutation filter to segment the venous and non-venous contact zones. Finally, the degraded finger vein images are recovered and enhanced by global image gray value normalization. Experiments on SDUMLA-HMT and ZJ-UVM datasets show that our proposed method effectively achieves the recovery and enhancement of degraded finger vein images. The image restoration and enhancement algorithm proposed in this paper performs well in finger vein recognition using traditional methods, machine learning, and deep learning. The recognition accuracy of the processed image is improved by more than 10% compared to the original image.

Biomolecular condensates form spatially inhomogeneous network fluids.

The functions of biomolecular condensates are thought to be influenced by their material properties, and these will be determined by the internal organization of molecules within condensates. However, structural characterizations of condensates are challenging, and rarely reported. Here, we deploy a combination of small angle neutron scattering, fluorescence recovery after photobleaching, and coarse-grained molecular dynamics simulations to provide structural descriptions of model condensates that are formed by macromolecules from nucleolar granular components (GCs). We show that these minimal facsimiles of GCs form condensates that are network fluids featuring spatial inhomogeneities across different length scales that reflect the contributions of distinct protein and peptide domains. The network-like inhomogeneous organization is characterized by a coexistence of liquid- and gas-like macromolecular densities that engenders bimodality of internal molecular dynamics. These insights suggest that condensates formed by multivalent proteins share features with network fluids formed by systems such as patchy or hairy colloids.

Factors Affecting Supply Chain Integration in Omni-Channel Retailing

China’s retail industry has vigorously developed an omni-channel retail strategy in the last few years. However, quantitative research on this development remains relatively scarce. This article addresses this by building a theoretical model of the relationships between internal supply chain integration, external supply chain integration and financial performance in omni-channel retailing and then verifies it by using a structural equation model to analyze 356 omni-channel retailers. The results show that in the case of omni-channel retailers, the supply chain’s internal information integration has a significant positive impact on its external information integration and that the supply chain’s internal process and internal organization integration significantly positively impact its external process and external organization integration. And it also shows the supply chain’s external information integration and external organization integration positively impact omni-channel retailers’ financial performance. However, the supply chain’s external process integration is not found to have the same effect on financial performance. This study addresses a theoretical gap in the research on the impact of supply chain integration on firm performance in omni-channel retailing. In addition, it provides suggestions about how omni-channel strategies can be effectively implemented in China’s retail industry.

Unregulated Flexibility and the Multiplication of Labour: Work in the Chinese Platform Economy

The global labour market is witnessing an increase in non‐standard employment, and China is no exception, albeit with distinct socio‐political dynamics. This research explores the variation of employment relations in China’s platform economy and discusses how the various types of precarious employment are generated and developed in post‐socialist China. Based on interviews with platform company managers and platform food delivery workers in China, this study draws a broader picture of platform work, considering the complex layers of labour practices at the level of platform companies and platform work. The research discusses the various labour arrangements in the ZZ food delivery platform and finds that variation serves to intensify and diversify managerial practices in platform work; at the same time, traditional types of work in platform companies are also undergoing transitions and the boundary between internal and external organisations is increasingly blurred and fluid. Labour relations in the platform economy are characterised by multiplication, and this multiplication is facilitated by the post‐socialist Chinese labour market’s general trend towards precariousness and the state’s tolerant approach to various non‐standard employment types in the era of “the new normal.”

Circadian Disruption as a Risk Factor for Development of Cardiovascular and Metabolic Disorders - From Animal Models to Human Population.

The lifestyle of human society is drifting apart from the natural environmental cycles that have influenced it since its inception. These cycles were fundamental in structuring the daily lives of people in the pre-industrial era, whether they were seasonal or daily. Factors that disrupt the regularity of human behaviour and its alignment with solar cycles, such as late night activities accompanied with food intake, greatly disturb the internal temporal organization in the body. This is believed to contribute to the rise of the so-called diseases of civilization. In this review, we discuss the connection between misalignment in daily (circadian) regulation and its impact on health, with a focus on cardiovascular and metabolic disorders. Our aim is to review selected relevant research findings from laboratory and human studies to assess the extent of evidence for causality between circadian clock disruption and pathology. Keywords: Circadian clock, Chronodisruption, Metabolism, Cardiovascular disorders, Spontaneously hypertensive rat, Human, Social jetlag, Chronotype.

Right up their street? News media framing of the protest activities of far-right movement parties

AbstractFar-right parties have increasingly emphasised their movement-like characteristics as a novel mobilisation strategy. Existing studies of these so-called ‘far-right movement parties’ have concentrated on their internal organisation and communications to understand how they mediate between a movement and party identity through their own actions. Yet research is lacking on how this identity is constructed and presented by the news media: a crucial interface between institutional politics and public opinion. This paper pursues this enquiry with a comparative analysis of the newspaper coverage of two prominent cases—the German AfD and UKIP—and asks how coverage of their increasing involvement in protests has varied cross-nationally and evolved over time. The analysis reveals the relative salience of the protest activities of the far-right, along with the associated social movement actors, issues and frames used in the reporting. It shows that far-right party protest receives a low level of attention and tends to be accompanied by delegitimising framing, particularly when associated (extremist) movements are also present. In both cases analysed, a critical juncture generated increasing attention to far-right party protest, but also more delegitimising frames. The study provides new insights into the structures and processes which influence how the media has responded to the new far-right ‘movement party’ form in Europe, with implications for our understanding of contemporary far-right mobilisation strategies.

Structure and assembly of the α-carboxysome in the marine cyanobacterium Prochlorococcus.

Carboxysomes are bacterial microcompartments that encapsulate the enzymes RuBisCO and carbonic anhydrase in a proteinaceous shell to enhance the efficiency of photosynthetic carbon fixation. The self-assembly principles of the intact carboxysome remain elusive. Here we purified α-carboxysomes from Prochlorococcus and examined their intact structures using single-particle cryo-electron microscopy to solve the basic principles of their shell construction and internal RuBisCO organization. The 4.2 Å icosahedral-like shell structure reveals 24 CsoS1 hexamers on each facet and one CsoS4A pentamer at each vertex. RuBisCOs are organized into three concentric layers within the shell, consisting of 72, 32 and up to 4 RuBisCOs at the outer, middle and inner layers, respectively. We uniquely show how full-length and shorter forms of the scaffolding protein CsoS2 bind to the inner surface of the shell via repetitive motifs in the middle and C-terminal regions. Combined with previous reports, we propose a concomitant 'outside-in' assembly principle of α-carboxysomes: the inner surface of the self-assembled shell is reinforced by the middle and C-terminal motifs of the scaffolding protein, while the free N-terminal motifs cluster to recruit RuBisCO in concentric, three-layered spherical arrangements. These new insights into the coordinated assembly of α-carboxysomes may guide the rational design and repurposing of carboxysome structures for improving plant photosynthetic efficiency.

Perspectives on International Conflict: Analyzing the Causes and Containment of Wars

This paper provides a comprehensive survey and analysis of perspectives on international conflict, focusing on the causes and containment of wars. The study delves into the concept of the "security dilemma" and the paradoxical nature of the contemporary international system, as identified by Herbert Butterfield. It explores various theoretical responses to the question of war causation, categorizing them into psychological, sociological, and political theories. Each perspective attributes the causes of war to different factors, such as human nature, the internal organization of states, and the anarchical nature of the international system. The paper critically evaluates the relevance and limitations of each perspective, highlighting the interconnectedness of these causal factors in understanding the complexities of international conflicts. Moreover, it emphasizes the evolving role of military power and diplomacy in conflict management, considering the impact of modern military technology and the growing emphasis on conflict avoidance and prevention strategies. The study concludes by emphasizing the need for a multifaceted approach to conflict management, integrating diplomatic, economic, and psychological instruments of power, to effectively contain and resolve international conflicts in the global society.

Drying Characteristics of Moutan Cortex by Rotary Wheel Microwave Vacuum Drying and Its Influence on Quality

To enhance the quality of Moutan Cortex for medicinal purposes, this study was conducted to analyze the impact of rotary microwave vacuum drying on its drying characteristics and overall quality. Experimental variables including drying temperature, rotor speed, and vacuum were examined to evaluate their effects on the microstructure, effective components, and drying properties of Moutan Cortex. The back propagation (BP) neural network was optimized by the northern eagle algorithm (NGO) to predict the moisture ratio throughout the drying process. Results indicated that increasing the drying temperature, vacuum level, and rotation speed led to an acceleration in the drying rate of Moutan Cortex, thereby reducing the drying time. The quality and color of dried products after microwave vacuum drying were superior to those achieved through natural drying. Notably, at the drying temperature of 50 °C, the Moutan Cortex demonstrated the highest total phenol content (451.33 mg/g) and antioxidant capacity (78.95%). With an increase in drying temperature, vacuum, and rotational speed, the polysaccharide showed an upward trend, and the highest value (681.37 mg/g) was obtained at 50 Hz. The highest total flavonoid content (1.08 mg/g) was observed at vacuum of −70 kPa. Optimal conditions for preserving the internal organization and maximizing the contents of gallic acid, paeoni-florin, benzoylpaeoniflorin, and paeonol were identified at a drying temperature of 45 °C, vacuum level of −65 kPa, and rotation rate of 35 Hz. Overall, the study concluded that the microwave vacuum drying of Moutan Cortex can significantly improve its medicinal value, offering valuable insights for the industrial processing of Moutan Cortex.

Multilateral Cooperation in Northeast Asia: Insights from Micro-Regional Cooperation in the Greater Tumen Initiative (GTI)

This paper examines multilateral cooperation in Northeast Asia (NEA) through the Greater Tumen Initiative (GTI) as a case of micro-regional cooperation. Drawing on functionalism and micro-regionalism, it explores how cooperation spillover from nonpolitical to political spheres can be facilitated by considering participant diversity, agenda comprehensiveness, and the complexity of cooperation. There is an overall positive trajectory of change as the GTI actively fosters cooperation spillover by expanding its committees and partnerships. However, in terms of committee activities, although its agendas demonstrate increasing comprehensiveness, participant diversity and collaboration complexity remain low in general. The partnerships are in their nascent stages of cooperation, exhibiting limited spillover, except for the NEA Local Cooperation Committee. Moreover, the challenge in evaluating accomplishments within the framework of the GTI arises from the apparent scarcity of discernible achievements. To revitalize multilateral cooperation, the GTI should enhance actor diversity, emphasizing private sector participation; broaden discussion agendas rather than exclusively focus on specific projects until institutional stability is established in cooperation; and enhance governance mechanisms and foster cooperation among internal organizations, currently vulnerable to disruptions, to ensure progressive and sustained collaborative efforts. Through these enhancements, it is anticipated that tangible outcomes will be uncovered and, ultimately, foster micro-regional multilateral cooperation that can significantly contribute to peace and prosperity in the Northeast Asia region.

Electrical resistivity tomography for the evaluation of Areal Block Proportion (ABP) in bimunits: Modelling and preliminary field validation

The measurement and estimation of the Areal Block Proportion (APB) and of the Linear Block Proportion (LBP) are the basis for the estimation of the Volumetric Block Proportion (VBP), which is a fundamental parameter for the mechanical and technical characterization of bimunits. Existing approaches for ABP estimation are strongly conditioned by availability of accessible outcrops and/or borehole data. To address this problem, we propose a methodology based on non-invasive geoelectrical surveys. We realized numerous numerical simulations of the resistivity field on simplified geological sections across bimunits, characterized by different internal organizations of hard (high resistivity) blocks in a softer clay-rich (low resistivity) matrix, aiming at investigating the relationship between resistivity and ABP. We compared the results of the numerical simulations with real electrical resistivity tomographies (ERTs) acquired in two representative test sites in bimunits, providing a preliminary validation of modelled data. Our findings allowed us to define an equation relating the ABP with the electrical resistivity, which offers the possibility of estimating the ABP through non-destructive geo-electrical surveys, favoring their correlation with outcrop and/or borehole data and supporting their interpretation.

SCIENTIFIC ATTITUDE TO CONSCIOUSNESS AND ITS INFLUENCE ON THE FIELD OF EDUCATION

The article discusses the evolution of the scientific field since the end of the XIX century, when science became not only a system of knowledge, but also a key factor in the development of society. Changes in the social status of science influenced its internal organization, turning it into an important social institution. The article emphasizes the expanding influence of scientific consciousness on public opinion and the need to improve educational systems to popularize scientific knowledge. Next, the author discusses the arguments in favour of a scientific attitude of consciousness related to the representation of natural and social reality, as well as the role of science in the fight against superstition and the spread of humanism. The formation of a scientific attitude of consciousness requires a deep understanding of the history of culture, which allows individuals to critically evaluate information and conclusions and resist traditional attitudes of thinking.

Governance of the circular economy in the canned fish industry: A case study from Spain

Spain is the leading country in production, 305,403 tons in 2022, of canned fish in Europe. Part of its success is because this industry is one of the leading sectors in innovation and technology transfer within the agri-food chain in Spain. At the beginning of the 21st century, its research center created a line of product valorization, the seed of current research on circular economy. This article aims to analyze, from the New Institutional Economics (NIE) approach, the process of institutional change and the evolution of the Spanish canned fish sector. The evolution of the legal framework, as well as the internal organization of the sector and its strategies, have modified the governance relationships, altering the incentives and transaction costs of the industry actors. The results show the existence of two distinct stages, 2007–2015 and 2016–2022. In the first stage, most of the research projects were regional in nature and institutional relations were more limited. In the second stage, the creation of a solid legal framework together with the inauguration of a new research center, the incorporation of new equipment, the increase in the number of partners and the increase in relations with agents in the sector reinforced the implementation of the circular economy in the canning industry. In both periods, the high degree of associationism in the Spanish canned fish industry is key to creating economies of scale, increasing public and private collaborations and participating in research projects.

Principles of integrity and harmonization of architectural and spatial solutions for vertical farms

The paper examines the impact of a group of principles of integrity and harmonization on the architectural design of vertical farms. These objects are an efficient and sustainable approach to an agricultural production. Moreover, vertical farms can be located in urban environments which leads to a need of developing appropriate space-volumetric, compositional, planning, functional, and structural solutions for the harmonious and aesthetic integration of such buildings into the urban structure while preserving their functional efficiency. To address this issue, the authors propose a series of architectural techniques based on the such principles as contextualism, the function-form symbiosis, the identity of structure and form, the harmonization of volumetric-spatial and facade solutions, and the modern technologies implementation. The contextualism principle ensures the context influences vertical farm design decisions regarding height, shape, and siting to either blend into the surroundings or be an architectural dominant. Additionally, this principle assesses impacts on local parameters of insolation and wind. Function-form symbiosis requires simple, rhythmic architectural forms, robust materials and design reflecting both farming itself and the general industrial nature of the building. The identity principle mutually reinforces architectural form and structure according to the vertical farming needs. Height flexibility through open-web or core-and-shell structures provides adaptable and open spaces to support the production. The harmonization of volumetric-spatial and facade solutions creates a relationship between a building's external appearance, internal organization, and functional diversity. It employs typical compositional techniques as well as architectural expressionism conveying functional zones via colour, texture and form. The last principle is represented by implementing adaptive smart facades, renewable energy systems, green walls and roofs.

A semi-automatic method for extracting mitochondrial cristae characteristics from 3D focused ion beam scanning electron microscopy data

Mitochondria are the main suppliers of energy for cells and their bioenergetic function is regulated by mitochondrial dynamics: the constant changes in mitochondria size, shape, and cristae morphology to secure cell homeostasis. Although changes in mitochondrial function are implicated in a wide range of diseases, our understanding is challenged by a lack of reliable ways to extract spatial features from the cristae, the detailed visualization of which requires electron microscopy (EM). Here, we present a semi-automatic method for the segmentation, 3D reconstruction, and shape analysis of mitochondria, cristae, and intracristal spaces based on 2D EM images of the murine hippocampus. We show that our method provides a more accurate characterization of mitochondrial ultrastructure in 3D than common 2D approaches and propose an operational index of mitochondria’s internal organization. With an improved consistency of 3D shape analysis and a decrease in the workload needed for large-scale analysis, we speculate that this tool will help increase our understanding of mitochondrial dynamics in health and disease.

Hot corrosion behavior analysis and diffusion equation construction based on laser wire additive manufacturing GH3039

Laser wire additive manufacturing GH3039 samples with different process parameters are prepared. Then, hot corrosion test (Na2SO4+NaCl at 900 °C) is carried out. High power (5000 w), parallel to the deposition layer interface processing sample has good hot corrosion resistance due to the excellent internal organization. Element diffusion is the main factor affecting the hot corrosion performance. The element diffusion equation based on the multi-reaction interface is established and the degree of hot corrosion reaction can be directly judged. At the same time, the concept of determining the degree of hot corrosion reaction and predicting the trend of reaction by means of sulfides is proposed.

Increasing Employee Engagement through Quality of Internal Communication with a Hybrid Method in One of the Largest Trading Companies in Indonesia

A study on employee engagement conducted by HR Exchange Network.com, sponsored by Workday, after more than a year of the pandemic, stated that there are many changes in work patterns, job opportunities and types of work that develop related to internal communication, employee motivation, organization relations, and industrial relations. This research aimed to determine the effect of hybrid internal communication and employee motivation on employee engagement, either directly or indirectly. The other purpose of this research was to see the effect of organization relations and industrial relations on employee engagement. This quantitative research involved 398 employees of PT XWZ as respondents, using SEM PLS as an instrument to test the hypothesis. The results indicated that the internal hybrid communication method has a positive effect on industrial relations (IR) and organization relations (OR). Employee motivation does not have a positive effect on industrial relationships and organizational relationships; however, OR and IR have a positive effect on employee engagement (EE). OR mediates the relationship between hybrid internal communication and EE while IR does not mediate the relationship between employee motivation and EE.
 Keywords: hybrid internal communication, employee motivation, industrial relations, organization relations, employee engagement

The Effect of Internal Organization Factor and Legal Protection on User Intention of Whistleblowing System with Internal Control as Moderation Variable

This research aims to analyze the influence of perceived organizational support, commitment to the organization, locus of control and law enforcement on whistleblowing intentions with internal control as a moderating variable. The sample for this research was the university academic community who live in Semarang, Central Java, Indonesia, totaling 246 people. This study investigates the motivations of university whistleblowers with the notion that as establishments are required to uphold sound governance practices, colleges ought to be free from fraud. Apart from that, research related to whistleblowing and legal protection moderated by internal control systems at universities is still underrepresented in Indonesia, so this moderation model is the originality of this research. The results of this study show that while organizational commitment, organizational support, and law enforcement have little impact on whistleblower intentions, locus of control does. The impact of legal protection on the desire to come out as a whistleblower may be mitigated by the internal control system. However, the impact of organizational commitment, support, and locus of control on the desire to become a whistleblower cannot be mitigated by the internal control system.

The importance of "factory-workshops" in the activities of individual representatives of Lviv architects and sculptors milieu in the 1730s and 1760s.

The purpose of the article is to study the organization and activities of professional associations of Lviv architects and sculptors, known in the sources as "factory(fabryky)-workshops", during the construction and sculptural decoration of sacred and secular buildings in Lviv and outside its borders in the 1730-s – 1760-s. The methodology of the research is based on the principle of objectivity and historicism, a systematic approach to the study of historical-artistic and socio-economic phenomena in their development and interrelationships. The use of methods of analysis and synthesis, problem-thematic, descriptive and historical-chronological approach made it possible to optimally solve the research task. The scientific novelty of the research involves the description of the activity and internal organization of the factory-workshops of Lviv architects and sculptors during the construction and sculptural decoration of objects of a secular and sacred nature, the importance of the factory-workshops of Lviv artists in obtaining profitable orders, as well as in confrontation with the city corporation. Conclusions. In the professional activity of Lviv architects and sculptors, a significant role was played by the process of organizing the most qualified workers around them into professional associations, which are known in the sources as "factory-workshops". Thanks to them, artists got the opportunity to control most of the orders when creating objects of a secular and sacred nature in the city and beyond. This, in turn, caused a confrontation with the city corporation. Free craftsmen managed to win a number of victories over the corporation on a legal basis thanks to the support of influential patrons, magnate families, representatives of the higher clergy, as well as royal privileges that exempted artists from the claims of the corporation and city authorities.

Inner areas matter: A place-sensitive approach for the identification of the Daily Life Spaces in the Italian Abruzzo region

Despite the institutionalization of the issue of inner areas with the National Strategy for Inner Areas (Strategia Nazionale per le Aree Interne, SNAI), a reflection on their spatial organisation is still missing. Our paper aims at filling this gap by providing a methodology for identifying the citizens' Daily Life Spaces (DLS) in the Italian Abruzzo region, which can be used as the spatial unit of analysis of cohesion policies. Their identification results from a multi-step algorithm based on an original definition of central places and on the notions of geographical and organised proximity which consider both citizens’ isochrones and commuting flows. Our methodology is able to provide the internal spatial organisation of both Labour Market Areas and Project Areas and is consistent with a historical perspective. Finally, it questions the SNAI classification, calling for a revision of its methodology of identification.