Positive Role Research Articles

Windows of opportunity, strategic cognition and enterprise digital transformation

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to discuss how enterprises can effectively perceive and use the digital opportunities brought about by digital technologies and dynamic environments and how they can enhance their capabilities to realize digital transformation and adapt to the development of the digital economy era. Design/methodology/approach Based on the windows of opportunity theory and strategic cognition theory, this paper conducts an empirical analysis of the questionnaire data of 268 enterprises and discusses the influence of external windows of opportunity and internal windows of opportunity on the digital transformation of enterprises, as well as the action mechanism of strategic cognition and entrepreneurship. Findings The results show that both the external windows of opportunity and the internal windows of opportunity have significant positive effects on the digital transformation of enterprises. Strategic cognition plays a partial mediating role in the external windows of opportunity and the internal windows of opportunity influencing the enterprise digital transformation process. Entrepreneurship plays a positive regulatory role in the process of external windows of opportunity and internal windows of opportunity influencing strategic cognition. Originality/value This paper deepens the relationship between internal and external windows of opportunity and enterprise digital transformation and contributes a new theoretical cognition. This paper integrates the strategic cognition theory to clarify the complex process mechanism of digital transformation using external situational opportunities and internal capabilities. This paper introduces entrepreneurship into the path mechanism of digital transformation and expands the characteristics of the study of digital transformation antecedents to the individual level within the enterprise.

Integrating the bright and dark sides of temporal leadership on employees’ thriving at work

PurposeDrawing on conservation of resources theory, this study aims to examine the relationship between temporal leadership (TL) and employees’ thriving at work (TW) by focusing on the positive mediating role of perception of work-goal progress (PWP), the negative mediating roles of job-based psychological ownership (JPO) and the moderating role of synchrony preference (SP).Design/methodology/approachWe employed a dedicated data collection platform called Credamo for two waves of online questionnaires in China between March 2022 and April 2022. A total of 326 questionnaires were collected and analyzed to test the hypotheses.Findings(1) TL directly and positively affects TW. (2) TL indirectly and positively affects TW via PWP. (3) TL indirectly and negatively affects TW via JPO. (4) SP positively moderates the positive mediating effect of PWP on the relationship between TL and TW. (5) SP negatively moderates the negative mediating effect of JPO on the relationship between TL and TW.Practical implicationsSupervisors in organizations ought to discreetly practice TL and try to maximize the positive role of PWP and minimize the negative role of JPO.Originality/valueThe findings simultaneously discuss the effects of TL on TW from dark and bright perspectives. The influence of interaction between contextual and individual features on TW is also specified.

Directors' and officers' liability insurance and minority shareholders' participation in corporate governance

AbstractThis study empirically investigates the influence of directors' and officers' liability insurance (D&O insurance) on minority shareholders' participation in corporate governance. Using a sample from Chinese A‐share listed companies between 2011 and 2018, we find that D&O insurance can significantly decrease the participation of minority shareholders, and this conclusion remains valid after robustness checks. The mechanism analysis demonstrates that D&O insurance plays a positive role in diminishing minority shareholders' participation through the enhancement of firm performance. Further analyses suggest that the negative association between D&O insurance and minority shareholders' participation is more pronounced in firms with weaker corporate governance practices. These findings provide evidence for the supervisory governance role of D&O insurance, suggesting China should consider encouraging listed companies to purchase D&O insurance for the protection of minority shareholders.

Unraveling the role of external social support in coping with negative workplace gossip

The positive role of organizational and supervisor support for employees who are coping with being targets of negative workplace gossip has been established. However, to extend understanding of how external social support works in the context of workplace gossip, we investigated social support from family and friends and gender as joint moderators of the relationship between gossip and task performance of the targeted employees. A longitudinal twowave survey research design was utilized. The sample consisted of 231 supervisor–subordinate dyads employed by five large companies in China. Hierarchical regression analyses were conducted, and we uncovered a negative association between negative workplace gossip and task performance. Furthermore, the results demonstrated that external social support had an amplifying effect on the relationship between negative workplace gossip and the task performance of targeted male employees, whereas external social support had a mitigating effect for targeted female employees. This study practically guides managers to address negative workplace gossip more effectively with a consideration of gender differences, and theoretically expands understanding of the impact of social support and its interaction with gender in the context of negative workplace gossip.

The effect of mesenchymal stem cells administration on DNA repair gene expressions in critically ill COVID-19 patients: prospective controlled study

When the studies are evaluated, immunomodulatory effect of MSCs, administration in critically ill patients, obstacle situations in use and side effects, pulmonary fibrosis prevention, which stem cells and their products, regeneration effect, administration route, and dosage are listed under the main heading like. The effect of MSC administration on DNA repair genes in COVID-19 infection is unknown. Our aim is to determine the effect of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) therapy applied in critically ill patients with coronavirus infection on DNA repair pathways and genes associated with those pathways. Patients (n = 30) divided into two equal groups. Group-1: Patients in a critically ill condition, Group-2: Patients in critically ill condition and transplanted MSCs. The mechanism was investigated in eleven genes of five different pathways; Base excision repair: PARP1, Nucleotide excision repair (NER): RAD23B and ERCC1, Homologous recombinational repair (HR): ATM, RAD51, RAD52 and WRN, Mismatch repair (MMR): MLH1, MSH2, and MSH6, Direct reversal repair pathway: MGMT. It was found that MSCs application had a significant effect on 6 genes located in 3 different DNA damage response pathways. These are NER pathway genes; RAD23 and ERCC1, HR pathway genes; ATM and RAD51, MMR pathway genes; MSH2 and MSH6 (p < 0.05). Two main points were shown. First, as a result of cellular damage in critical patients with COVID-19, DNA damage occurs and then DNA repair pathways and genes are activated in reaction to this situation. Second, administration of MSC to patients with COVID-19 infection plays a positive role by increasing the expression of DNA repair genes located in DNA damage pathways.

The study of supply chain finance on enterprise risk bearing ability

In the context of the continuous development of the digital economy, studying the role of supply chain finance in mitigating supply chain risks and enhancing enterprise risk-bearing capacity is of great significance for promoting sustainable development. This study uses data from 2007 to 2019 as samples to empirically analyze the impact of supply chain finance on enterprise risk-bearing capacity. The research results show that supply chain finance plays a positive role in improving enterprise risk-bearing capacity. Mechanism tests reveal that supply chain finance functions through alleviating financing constraints and enhancing innovation capabilities in influencing enterprise risk-bearing. Further exploratory research finds that the influence of supply chain finance on enterprise risk-bearing is more pronounced in state-owned enterprises, while executive incentives do not show significant differences. These findings highlight the important role of supply chain finance in mitigating supply chain risks and enhancing enterprise risk-bearing capacity, providing valuable insights for sustainable development.

Digitalization transformation and enterprise green innovation: empirical evidence from Chinese listed companies

Green innovation is an essential strategy for businesses to gain a competitive edge and attain long-term sustainable growth. It does, however, often run into money problems. The rapid advancement of digital technology provides organizations with potent tools to get external resources through digital transformation, surmount resource obstacles, and promote environmentally-friendly innovation. The impact mechanism, however, necessitates additional elucidation. This article analyzes the data of Chinese A-share listed firms from 2012 to 2022, using resource dependence theory and stakeholder theory. This study examines how digital transformation affects the ability of organizations to innovate in environmentally friendly ways by focusing on the acquisition of external resources. Research has shown that digital transformation may significantly improve the quantity and quality of green innovation in businesses. Moreover, the findings of the intermediate impact study indicate that digital transformation has the potential to enhance the green innovation capacity of businesses by improving their environmental, social, and governance (ESG) standards. Concurrently, we noticed that the level of openness in disclosing environmental information by corporations and the quality of partnerships between the government and enterprises play a positive role in influencing the effects of digital transformation on the ability to innovate in environmentally friendly ways. Based on the findings of our research, we provide fresh perspectives and policy suggestions to assist business managers and governments in fostering environmentally-friendly innovation in enterprises.

An Empirical Analysis of the Impact of Green Investment on China's Green Development Level: Based on Mediating and Spatial Spillover Effects

This study, based on panel data from 30 provinces in China from 2007 to 2020, employs the Super Efficiency SBM model to measure the green total factor productivity of each province. By constructing mediating effect models and spatial econometric models, it conducts an empirical investigation into the mechanisms and spatial characteristics of how green investments promote China's green development. The results reveal that, at an overall level, green investments play a positive role in influencing China's green development. Regarding the influence pathways, innovative green technology advancements, both in terms of inventions and improvements, are important mediating channels through which green investments promote green development, with inventions having a stronger mediating effect. In terms of regional heterogeneity, green investments significantly promote green development in the eastern and central regions, while their promotion effect in the western regions is less pronounced. Concerning spatial spillover characteristics, green investments not only drive local green development levels but also stimulate the green development in surrounding areas through spatial spillover effects.

Longitudinal Management of Dementia in Primary Care

This Viewpoint describes the positive role that primary care teams can play in the lives of patients with dementia and the families that care for them.

Green transitions for changing behaviour through environmental community engagement at religious schools

The research paper underlines the importance of the environmental commitment of the community, especially in schools and religious institutions, to cultivate a sense of environmental responsibility in students. It advocates for a well-organized, professional educational approach to increase students' environmental awareness. The work highlights the positive role of religious schools in promoting environmental awareness. These are in a position to collaborate with interdisciplinary sustainability committees from a "comprehensive institutional approach" that promotes religious values among students and improves students' environmental awareness.

Zinc-protoporphyrin formation in nitrite-free Parma Ham and its relationship with intrinsic parameters and red color profile of processed hams

A total of 134 fresh hams, assayed for Ferrochelatase (FeCH) activity and ultimate pH (pH48), were processed in compliance with the procedures established for PDO Parma ham and finally, analyzed for salt, moisture, Zinc Protoporphyrin IX (ZnPP), heme, iron and zinc contents, and proteolysis index (PI). The variation in ZnPP content was related to the intrinsic parameters of fresh and matured hams by a Partial Least Square Regression model. The most favorable factors on the formation of ZnPP were total iron content (representative of the initial hemoprotein content), and FeCH activity, demonstrating the main role played by these raw matter-specific predictors in the long matured dry-cured hams. To a lesser extent, zinc content and pH48 were involved with a positive and negative role, respectively. Salt content and PI of matured hams showed an inhibitory and a favorable influence, respectively, toward the ZnPP formation. Principal Component Analysis showed the associations between the sensory red color profile and the physicochemical traits of matured hams. The red color intensity increased in agreement with the red-violet and red-pink hues scores. The formation of a high amount of ZnPP was associated with the increased perception of the red-violet shade, with a lower lightness (L*) and Hue angle (h°). Moisture increase contributed to the shift in color perception to red-pink, while marked progress in PI strengthened the perception of the red-brown shade. ZnPP and final heme favored the red color of matured hams, although a high concentration of these pigments increased in particular the red-violet perception.

A Development of the Teaching Plan on Flower Ball Cheerleading in Physical Education Course to Improve Physical Fitness and Mental Health for Primary School Students

Background and aim: Cheerleading is an important project in the physical education teaching process of primary schools. Introducing cheerleading into primary school physical education can not only guide students to improve their physical functions but also effectively enrich their spiritual world. It plays an important role in the healthy development of student's physical and mental health. This article analyzes and studies this. Playing its role in improving the physical and mental health of primary school students is the significance of this article. Formulate the "Teaching Plan for Ball Cheerleading in Physical Education Classes" to improve the physical and mental health of primary school students. This is the purpose of this study. Materials and Methods: (1) Experimental sample： Among the 300 students in six classes of the fifth grade of a primary school in Rizhao City, students with the same level of physical fitness and no obvious difference in appearance were selected from low to high scores based on the physical fitness test scores. According to their personal wishes, 15 boys and 15 girls were finally selected as experimental samples. (2) Research instrument：①《National student physical health standard》Ministry of Education of the People's Republic of China.②《Mental Health Rate Scale for Pupil; MHRSP》③Teaching the IOC value is 0.8 and is approved by 5 experts. （3) Statistics: Independent samples t-test, standard deviation. Results: Through the experimental results, it is concluded that the most significant effects of ball cheerleading on the physical fitness of primary school students are one-minute sit-ups, one-minute rope skipping, a 50-meter run, and seated forward bends. The teaching and training process of ball cheerleading has a positive role in promoting students' emotional disorders, social adaptation disorders, behavioral disorders, etc. Flower ball cheerleading has a profound impact on the physical fitness and mental health of primary school students, and plays a good role in promoting the physical production and mental health development of primary school students. Conclusion: The results of this experimental study show that ball cheerleading plays a good role in improving the physical development of primary school students, especially their agility, coordination, explosive power, and core strength. It can provide a strong guarantee for the physical health of primary school students. Ball cheerleading is beneficial to the mental health of primary school students. Ball cheerleading classes can help primary school students learn to regulate their emotions, improve their bad character and moral defects, and help primary school students develop lively and cheerful characters and develop good behaviors. habits, strong social adaptability, and ability to communicate with classmates. This shows that the flower ball cheerleading teaching program constructed in this experiment can be applied to physical education classes for primary school students.

A systematic analysis of ARM genes revealed that GhARM144 regulates the resistance against Verticillium dahliae via interaction with GhOSM34.

Proteins of the armadillo repeat gene family play important roles in plant pathogen response. Here, 169 armadillo (ARM) genes were identified in upland cotton (Gossypium hirsutum). Phylogenetic analysis grouped these into 11 subfamilies, with conserved protein structures within each subfamily. The results signify that the expansion of the gene family occurred via whole genome duplication and dispersed duplication. Expression profiling and network analysis suggest that GhARM144 may regulate cotton resistance to Verticillium dahliae. GhARM144 was upregulated in roots by V. dahliae infection or salicylic acid treatment. This upregulation indicates a negative regulatory role of GhARM144' in the cotton immune responses, potentially by manipulating salicylic acid biosynthesis. Protein interaction studies found that GhARM144 associates with an osmotin-like protein, GhOSM34, at the plasma membrane. Silencing GhOSM34 reduced the resistance to V. dahliae, suggesting it may play a positive regulatory role. The results demonstrate that GhARM144 modulates cotton immunity through interaction with GhOSM34 and salicylic acid signalling. Further study of these proteins may yield insights into disease resistance mechanisms in cotton and other plants.

Longitudinal relations among parent-child relationships, positivity, and teachers-student relationships in Chinese children.

Relationships with parents and teachers are crucial to a child's socialization. However, little is known about the transactional processes between parent-child and teachers-student relationships and their mediating mechanisms. This short-term longitudinal study examined bidirectional relations between positive parent-child and teachers-student relationships, and the potential mediating role of positivity within these relations. There were 3,450 Chinese children (44.8% girls; Mage = 10.93 years) who participated in a four-wave longitudinal study, spaced 6 months apart. The random intercept cross-lagged panel modeling found: (a) both father-child and mother-child relationships directly predicted teachers-student relationships, and vice versa; (b) positivity functioned as a mediator in bidirectional relations between parent-child and teachers-student relationships. These results support a transactional spillover effect between parent-child and teachers-student relationships, suggesting Chinese children may become caught in a virtuous cycle either directly or indirectly via their positivity. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2024 APA, all rights reserved).

Breaking cover: Plus-size transgressive dress on YouTube

Non-stigmatizing depictions of plus-size lovers of fashion are not easily found in traditional mass media, but in social media, fat fashion enthusiasts can readily be found. The purpose of this study was to investigate the little-studied phenomenon of plus-size YouTube content creators who make videos about fat fashion. To that end, thirteen individuals who wear plus-size women’s apparel took part in semi-structured interviews. A major theme found in the data analysis was transgression. Interview participants were staunch advocates of breaking discriminatory, unspoken societal rules that constrained them, especially in relation to dress. Three subthemes were found in relation to transgression: visibility, representation and agency. Embracing visibility, as seen in interviewees’ performance of fatness in public and in social media, may help to portray fatness as a human characteristic that is just as ‘normal’ as thinness. Serving as a positive role model to others was also embraced by participants, who hoped to assist their viewers in dealing with the consequences of living in the fatphobic US culture. The interviewees demonstrated and promoted agency through fashion, in marked contrast to their past experiences of being powerless and disparaged because of their size. Through celebration of mainstream, conforming fashion, the fat fashion vloggers are transgressive by joyfully wearing styles which previously were discouraged or often unavailable for plus-size consumers.

The Glycine soja cytochrome P450 gene GsCYP82C4 confers alkaline tolerance by promoting reactive oxygen species scavenging.

Recent studies have demonstrated the crucial role of Cytochrome P450 enzymes (CYPs) in the production of secondary metabolites, phytohormones and antioxidants in plants. However, their functional characterization specifically under alkaline stress remains elusive. CYP82C4 was the key gene screened from a family of wild soybean CYPs in our previous studies. The aim of this present study was to clone the Glycine soja GsCYP82C4 gene and characterize its functions in Arabidopsis and Glycine max. The results showed that the GsCYP82C4 gene displayed a high expression in different plant tissues at mature stages compared to young stages. Further, higher temporal expression of the GsCYP82C4 gene was noted at 6, 12 and 24 h time points after alkali treatment in leaves compared to roots. In addition, overexpression of GsCYP82C4 improved alkaline stress tolerance in Arabidopsis via increased root lengths and fresh biomass and strengthened the antioxidant defense system via a reduction in superoxide radicals in transgenic lines compared to wild type (WT) and atcyp82c4 mutants. Further, the expression levels of stress-related marker genes were up-regulated in GsCYP82C4 OX lines under alkali stress. The functional analysis of GsCYP82C4 overexpression in soybean displayed better hairy root growth, increased fresh weight, higher antioxidant enzyme activities and reduced lipid peroxidation rates in OX lines compared to the soybean WT (K599) line. In total, our study displayed positive roles of GsCYP82C4 overexpression in both Arabidopsis and Glycine max to alleviate alkaline stress via altering expression abundance of stress responsive genes, stronger roots, higher antioxidant enzyme activities as well as reduced rates of lipid peroxidation and superoxide radicals.

Preparation and Performance Study of Titanium‐Based Nanocomposites in Selective Laser Melting: Microstructure Regulation and Optimization of Mechanical Properties

This study focuses on exploring the application of selective laser melting (SLM) technology in the preparation of titanium‐based nanocomposite materials. By introducing 0.5 wt% graphene oxide (GO) and 7.0% nanomolybdenum (Mo) powder, an attempt is made to improve the microstructure and mechanical properties of titanium alloy materials. The experimental results indicate that the microstructure of the titanium‐based nanocomposite material undergoes significant crystal refinement and phase transition behavior, suggesting a positive role of introducing nanoreinforcing phases in crystal structure regulation. Simultaneously, the introduction of GO significantly improves the thermal conductivity of the material, contributing to more uniform energy transfer and temperature distribution, thereby optimizing the process control of laser melting. In terms of mechanical performance, through microhardness and tensile performance tests, the microhardness of TC4–0.5GO–7Mo increases by ≈30.8% compared with pure TC4. This strengthening effect is primarily attributed to the uniform distribution of GO and Mo powder in the matrix, effectively hindering lattice slip and dislocation movement, enhancing the hardness and tensile properties of the material. Through a comprehensive analysis of microstructure and mechanical properties, not only the mapping relationship between the microstructure and mechanical properties of titanium‐based nanocomposite materials is clarified but also the strengthening mechanism is revealed.

How Service Robots Facilitate User Self-Disclosure: The Roles of Personality, Animacy, and Automated Social Presence

This study investigates whether an extroverted personality of service robots can facilitate user self-disclosure and enhance human–robot intimacy. An experiment of 2 2 between-subjects factorial design was conducted to examine the effects of robot personality (extroverted and introverted) and human personality (extroverted and introverted) on user self-disclosure and intimacy. Sixty-four participants from a university campus were included in this study. We simulated a financial investment scenario in which the participants were required to disclose personal information to a robot acting as an investment advisor. Functional near-infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS) was used to capture participants’ prefrontal cortex (PFC) activity. The results revealed a positive effect of robot extroversion on user self-disclosure and intimacy, and this impact was stronger among extroverted participants than among introverted ones. Additionally, perceived robot extroversion enabled users to regard the robot as more animate, promoting automated social presence and ultimately enhancing self-disclosure and intimacy. According to the fNIRS results, the participants who interacted with an extroverted robot had stronger activation in the medial PFC than those who interacted with an introverted robot. The self-reported and fNIRS results were consistently aligned, demonstrating the positive role of extroversion in service robots. These findings provide theoretical and practical insights into the design of service robots in contexts requiring user disclosure.

Cellular nucleic acid binding protein facilitates cardiac repair after myocardial infarction by activating β-catenin signaling

The regenerative capacity of the adult mammalian heart is limited, while the neonatal heart is an organ with regenerative and proliferative ability. Activating adult cardiomyocytes (CMs) to re-enter the cell cycle is an effective therapeutic method for ischemic heart disease such as myocardial infarction (MI) and heart failure. Here, we aimed to reveal the role and potential mechanisms of cellular nucleic acid binding protein (CNBP) in cardiac regeneration and repair after heart injury. CNBP is highly expressed within 7 days post-birth while decreases significantly with the loss of regenerative ability. In vitro, overexpression of CNBP promoted CM proliferation and survival, whereas knockdown of CNBP inhibited these processes. In vivo, knockdown of CNBP in CMs robustly hindered myocardial regeneration after apical resection in neonatal mice. In adult MI mice, CM-specific CNBP overexpression in the infarct border zone ameliorated myocardial injury in acute stage and facilitated CM proliferation and functional recovery in the long term. Quantitative proteomic analysis with TMT labeling showed that CNBP overexpression promoted the DNA replication, cell cycle progression, and cell division. Mechanically, CNBP overexpression increased the expression of β-catenin and its downstream target genes CCND1 and c-myc; Furthermore, Luciferase reporter and Chromatin immunoprecipitation (ChIP) assays showed that CNBP could directly bind to the β-catenin promoter and promote its transcription. CNBP also upregulated the expression of G1/S-related cell cycle genes CCNE1, CDK2, and CDK4. Collectively, our study reveals the positive role of CNBP in promoting cardiac repair after injury, providing a new therapeutic option for the treatment of MI.

H2S donor S-propargyl-cysteine for skin wound healing improvement via smart transdermal delivery.

Hydrogen sulfide for wound healing has drawn a lot of attention recently. In this research, the S-propargyl-cysteine (SPRC), an endogenous H2S donor, was loaded on carbomerhydrogel, and a copper sheet rat burn model was developed. Pathological changes in rat skin tissue were examined using hematoxylin-eosin (HE) and Masson staining. The immunohistochemistry (IHC) staining was performed to detect the expression of Collagen I (Col I) and Collagen III (Col III). The mRNA levels of interleukin (IL)-6, Col Iα2, Col IIIα1, tissue inhibitors of metalloproteinase (TIMP)-1, matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-9, vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), and transforming growth factor (TGF)-β1 were examined by quantitative real-time chain polymerase reaction. The findings demonstrated that the collagen layer was thicker in the SPRC group during the proliferative phase, SPRC hydrogel promoted VEGF expression. In the late stage of wound healing, the expression of IL-6, TIMP-1, MMP-9, and TGF-β1 was inhibited, and the Col I content was closer to that of normal tissue. These results surface that SPRC hydrogel can promote wound healing and play a positive role in reducing scar formation. Our results imply that SPRC can facilitate wound healing and play a positive role in reducing scar formation.