Search Results (117)

Cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma (cSCC) is the second most prevalent skin cancer diagnosed worldwide after basal cell carcinoma. CSCC represents a growing global public health challenge due to its higher potential of local invasion, recurrence, and metastasis. Incidence rates of cSCC are projected to increase due to rising exposures to risks factors. Ultraviolet light exposure is the primary cause, and lighter skin pigmentation, immunosuppressive conditions and skin phototype are the primary risk factors. CSCC typically presents as a red, scaly, flat lesion (in situ tumors) or a red, firm, raised lesion with scale or erosion (invasive tumors). Surgical excision remains the standard-of-care for localized cSCC and is often curative. Although, most patients achieve favorable outcomes, a subset of cSCC exhibits a highly aggressive and metastatic phenotype (postoperative recurrence rates are approximately 5%). Addressing the clinical challenge posed by these high-risk cases requires a more comprehensive understanding of the underlying molecular drivers. This review examines the interaction between transglutaminase 2 (TG2) and the G-protein-coupled receptor 56 (GPR56) as a pivotal driver of the aggressive cSCC phenotype. This molecular axis is particularly significant for its role in the maintenance of epidermal cancer stem (ECS) cells, which contribute to tumor progression and therapy resistance. While the definitive link between the TG2-GPR56 complex and systemic metastasis in cSCC is currently being elucidated, significant evidence from analogous malignancies and in vitro keratinocyte models provides a clear mechanistic roadmap for its involvement in tumor invasion. Full article

Kyoho grape, a leading table grape variety in China, is prone to rapid postharvest deterioration due to its soft texture and high respiration rate. Despite the use of low-temperature storage and modified atmosphere packaging (MAP), systematic studies defining the optimal combination of subzero temperature and gas composition for Kyoho grapes remain lacking. This study aimed to fill this gap by evaluating the synergistic effects of subzero temperature and MAP on quality preservation. Results demonstrated that storage at −1 °C most effectively maintained fruit firmness, stem freshness, and key biochemical components. Based on this temperature, a gas composition of 3% O₂, 15% CO₂, and 82% N₂ was identified as the most effective, extending postharvest shelf life to 54 days. Additionally, a kinetic shelf-life prediction model based on firmness changes was developed with relative errors below 10%, demonstrating high accuracy. This study establishes an integrated preservation strategy combining subzero temperature (−1 °C) and optimized MAP (3% O₂, 15% CO₂, 82% N₂) that significantly extends the shelf life of Kyoho grapes, providing a practical solution for enhancing postharvest quality. Full article

Strategic alliances have assumed a pivotal role in the growth and competitiveness of organisations, especially in contexts of rapid technological change and high environmental complexity. Drawing on the Dynamic Capabilities View (DCV), this study aims to analyse the impact of strategic alliance management on technological, marketing, and new product development capabilities, considering the mediating role of dynamic capabilities. This research is based on a sample of 200 Portuguese firms, predominantly SMEs, using Structural Equation Modelling (SEM) to test a conceptual model composed of six hypotheses. The results demonstrate that effective alliance management is positively associated with dynamic capabilities, which in turn function as a pivotal mechanism for integrating and reconfiguring resources. Specifically, the findings reveal that these dynamic capabilities (exploration and exploitation) are fundamental to strengthening marketing and technological skills. Notably, technological capability did not yield a significant direct impact on new-product development, suggesting that in this service-intensive context, marketing capabilities and the overall orchestration of dynamic routines are more critical to innovation success. This research offers empirical evidence of how strategic alliances strengthen the competitiveness of SMEs in peripheral EU economies, highlighting that innovation stems from a configuration of integrative capabilities rather than technological assets alone. Full article

Drawing on data from Chinese A-share listed companies between 2011 and 2020, this paper explores how corporate digital transformation shapes Green Total Factor Productivity (GTFP) and its underlying components. The findings suggest that digital transformation promotes GTFP by enhancing innovation capability and accounting transparency, while simultaneously reducing financing frictions. However, stricter environmental regulation attenuates these positive effects, particularly with respect to Green Technological Efficiency Change (GTEC). Non-state-owned enterprises, industrial firms, and high-carbon emitters can more effectively leverage digital transformation to enhance their GTFP; however, the negative impact of environmental regulations is also more pronounced among these entities. The interaction between digital transformation and GTFP elevates corporate market value, with this value effect primarily stemming from improvements in GTEC. By decomposing GTFP into Green Technological Change (GTC) and GTEC, this study clarifies the operational pathways of digital transformation and environmental regulations, enriching the theoretical framework for green productivity research. It reveals the channel-specific effects of environmental regulations—namely, their primary modulation of digital transformation’s green enabling role through influencing GTEC rather than GTC—and systematically integrates multiple pathways for enhancing green productivity via digital transformation, green innovation, information transparency, and financing mechanisms. This provides mechanistic guidance for corporate green development strategies. The research highlights digital transformation’s pivotal role in advancing corporate green development, offering practical insights for policymakers and business managers in promoting sustainable development and formulating environmental policies. Full article

This paper investigates whether intelligent workplace technologies improve firm-level productivity and, if so, under what conditions, with particular attention to their implications for the economic and social sustainability of firms. This investigation occurs in a context where firms increasingly combine automation, artificial intelligence (AI), and work-from-home (WFH) practices to sustain performance under structural shocks such as the COVID-19 pandemic. Despite evidence that firms adopt these technologies jointly and reorganize work accordingly, existing research typically examines them in isolation. We develop a micro-founded, task-based production model in which firms allocate tasks between on-site and remote labor and automated capital in an optimal manner. This model allows both automation technologies and remote work collaboration tools to affect productivity and coordination costs that are central to long-term organizational sustainability. Using firm-level survey data from nearly 4000 large firms across industries and countries (2018–2021), we show that working from home (WFH) exhibits diminishing productivity returns when scaled in isolation, reflecting rising coordination frictions. In contrast, firms that combine WFH with automation and digital collaboration tools experience significantly higher labor productivity growth. These integrated technology systems support sustainable productivity by enabling capital deepening, resilient task reallocation, and more efficient use of labor resources over time. Overall, the findings suggest that productivity gains—and by extension sustainable firm performance—stem from integrated workplace technology systems rather than isolated investments, highlighting the importance of coherent technology strategies for organizing work in the post-pandemic economy. Full article

Foreign direct investment (FDI) has often been cast as a straightforward engine of growth, yet its record across Central and Eastern Europe tells a more tangled story where outcomes hinge on the interplay of education, governance, and the timing of external shocks. This study embeds fixed effects panel econometrics within a systems framework, treating FDI as a subsystem of socio-economic dynamics. Using a long-run panel of eleven economies from 2000 to 2023, the analysis models path dependence and regime shifts through interaction terms and period-specific dummies set against a systems-thinking backdrop. The analysis shows that for the average CEE economy, FDI’s contribution has waxed and waned: it dragged on growth during the early transition years (2000–2007), settled into a neutral role after the global financial crisis, and proved unpredictable in the pandemic era. Romania stands out, however, with a marked “FDI premium” quantified as approximately 0.7 pp of growth per pp of FDI that seems to stem from reinforcing loops between rising tertiary enrolment and productivity spillovers. Mapping these feedbacks brings to light virtuous circles where human capital and resilience make or break the benefits of foreign capital. The policy message is plain: nurture the positive loops through investment in skills and firm linkages, keep institutions nimble enough to adapt, and watch for early warning signs of systemic strain. Full article

Leading agribusiness firms are pivotal to modernizing agricultural supply chains, yet evidence on how digital transformation translates into high-quality development remains fragmented. Using a 2024 sample of 30 Chinese national agribusiness leaders and the technology–organization–environment (TOE) framework, we integrate grey relational analysis with DEMATEL to quantify interdependencies among conditions, and combine fuzzy-set QCA with necessary condition analysis to identify both configurational pathways and binding constraints. The results of the analysis indicate that high-quality development rarely stems from a single driver; it emerges from complementary bundles linking digital technologies and R&D investment with organizational readiness (e.g., talent and governance) under supportive external conditions (e.g., policy incentives and market pressure). The findings provide a configurational explanation of digital upgrading in agribusiness and inform differentiated digital strategies for managers and policymakers. Full article

Forests play a strategic role in global sustainability, and restoration is essential to meet ESG targets. Seedling quality strongly influences reforestation success, but standardized evaluation protocols are often lacking. This study aimed to identify and prioritize critical technical parameters of forest seedlings and determine the highest-priority factor affecting field performance. A total of 100 seedlings of Handroanthus impetiginosus and Sparattosperma leucanthum were evaluated using Quality Function Deployment (QFD), considering reforestation as the client to translate field performance requirements into nursery-level technical parameters. Seedling characteristics were compared to standards based on the literature and nursery best practices. QFD analysis revealed that stem thickness and integrity, absence of borers, well-developed and firm roots, and complete and healthy leaves were the most critical attributes. Hardiness, combining structural robustness, disease resistance, and vigor, emerged as the central factor. Observed non-conformities included disease (15%), stem bifurcations (10%), and substrate deficiencies (12%). These results demonstrate that QFD is an effective tool for systematically identifying and prioritizing seedling attributes. The study provides a structured approach for nursery evaluation and quality control, supporting informed decision-making to enhance the success of forest restoration projects. Full article

Based on the “Future Outlook” sections of annual and semi-annual reports from Chinese A-share-listed companies (2011–2024), we construct a novel measure of managerial confidence by quantifying the intertemporal shifts in textual sentiment. Using a sample of 76,923 observations, our analysis reveals that this measure exhibits dynamic predictive power for expected stock returns. Specifically, in the short term, managerial confidence serves as a valid predictor. A long-short portfolio sorted by managerial confidence yields a 7.05% cumulative return spread over the five post-disclosure trading days. Mechanism analysis suggests that this short-term predictability stems from high managerial confidence effectively attracting investor attention. Over the medium term (six months), however, its predictive power hinges on the reliability of the confidence signal: For managers whose historical confidence has aligned with fundamental performance, high confidence predicts positive expected excess returns; for those who are chronically overoptimistic, it becomes an inverse predictor of firm value. These findings indicate that financial markets dynamically assess both the intensity and the reliability of signals within managerial disclosures, offering a new perspective on the predictive power of managerial psychological traits in capital markets. Full article

In recent years, guided by the sustainable development strategy and ecological civilization strategy, the concept of green environmental protection has gradually become popular. Increasingly, enterprises are enhancing their environmental investment practices after recognizing the importance of environmental protection. From the perspective of enterprise groups, improving the environmental investment efficiency of enterprises is of great significance for boosting sustainable development and optimizing resource allocation. Based on a research sample of listed companies in China’s heavy pollution industry from 2003 to 2020, this paper theoretically analyzes the impact of enterprise groups on environmental investment efficiency and the corresponding influence mechanisms. This paper finds that enterprise groups play a significantly positive role in promoting environmental investment efficiency. Further research indicates that this improvement primarily stems from two key aspects: On the one hand, the capital market within the enterprise group effectively alleviates the financing constraints in environmental investment. On the other hand, environmental investment efficiency is improved by optimizing innovation resources. In addition, the study identified two important moderating factors: firm executive characteristics and the degree of regional environmental regulation. This research enriches the existing research results regarding organizational management theory and the environmental investment efficiency of enterprises and provides theoretical and empirical references for promoting sustainable socio-economic development and the green transformation of enterprises. Full article

Background: Post-harvest losses in bananas, particularly due to diseases such as anthracnose and stem-end rot, significantly limit their storage life and marketability. Developing effective and non-toxic treatments to prolong the shelf life of fruits while maintaining quality is crucial inenabling long-distance transport and facilitating exports. Methods: The most popular and commercial banana variety, ‘Grand Naine’, was treated with a proprietary secondary metabolite-based formulation (this refers to a solution containing natural compounds produced by living organisms, which are not directly involved in growth but can influence various biological processes, such as antimicrobial activity) and stored under cold conditions at 13 °C, using vacuum packaging (a method where air is removed from the packaging to reduce spoilage and prolong freshness). Untreated fruits were considered as controls, meaning that they were not subjected to the treatment and served as a baseline for comparison. Shelf life-related parameters such as ethylene production (a plant hormone responsible for triggering fruit ripening), ACC oxidase activity (an enzyme central to ethylene synthesis), respiration rate (the rate at which fruit consumes oxygen and produces carbon dioxide), firmness, total soluble solids (TSS; measures the sugar content in fruit), acidity, and metabolic composition were assessed, including indices of susceptibility to disease. These measurements were taken at regular intervals for both treated and control fruits. Results: Secondary metabolite-treated bananas maintained quality for 45 days, staying free from anthracnose and stem-end rot. Control fruits showed over-ripening and an 11.6% percent disease index (PDI). Treated fruits had lower ethylene production (7.80 μg/kg/s vs. 10.03 μg/kg/s in controls), reduced ACC oxidase activity, and a slower respiration rate, delaying ripening. They also had greater firmness (1.45 kg/cm²), optimal TSS (13.5 °Brix), balanced acidity (0.58%), and increased flavonoid and antioxidant levels compared to controls. Conclusions: Secondary metabolite-based treatment, combined with cold storage and vacuum packaging, extended banana shelf life to 45 days, minimized disease, and preserved fruit quality. This approach substantially reduced post-harvest losses, demonstrating export potential through extended storage. Full article

Salinomycin is a polyether ionophore natural product widely studied for its anticancer stem cell properties and well established anti-coccidial activity. However, its complex structure and tendency to isomerise in solution complicates its mass spectrometric analysis. In this study, a combination of high-resolution accurate mass electrospray sequential mass spectrometry, ion mobility spectrometry and computational modelling was employed to analyse salinomycin and its isomers for the first time. Product ions generated from salinomycin and its isomer in the MSⁿ analysis are distinguished, and detailed fragmentation mechanisms are proposed. The novel application of ion mobility mass spectrometry to separate isomeric salinomycins provides revolutionary insight into the chelation positions of sodium by salinomycin (‘ionoforms’). The cation position has a fundamental effect on the fragmentation routes observed. These observations were supported by Gaussian modelling and collision cross-section calculations. The relationship between collision energy and peak intensity of all identifiable forms of salinomycin and respective product ions was visualised by a 3D energy breakdown graph. Results from this study provided firm grounding for understanding complex structures such as salinomycin. The methodology demonstrated here could be applied to a wide range of natural products and in other drug development or metabolomic studies. Full article

Postharvest losses in onion (Allium cepa L.) bulbs constitute a major economic challenge globally, primarily driven by fungal pathogens and premature sprouting during long-term storage. Addressing these issues with effective preharvest strategies is critical for market stability and supply chain integrity. This study evaluated the effects of two preharvest fungicide strategies, i.e., T1 (dimethomorph + pyraclostrobin) and T2 (metalaxyl + mancozeb + copper oxychloride), on the crop yield, postharvest quality, and sprouting behavior of dried onion bulbs. Both treatments significantly reduced the incidence of foliar disease in the field and improved the crop yield of commercial bulbs compared to the control in two consecutive seasons. T1 achieved the highest yield (~76 and 88 t ha⁻¹ in ‘Mata Hari’ and ’Recas’ onions). During storage at 20 °C for 84 days, in the ‘Mata Hari’ cultivar, the T1 bulbs exhibited the lowest weight loss and respiration rate, the lowest sprouting incidence (1%), and superior firmness retention and higher total soluble solids. In contrast, control bulbs exhibited accelerated weight loss and tissue degradation, with up to 95% sprouting. Pyruvic acid content, an indicator of pungency, was highest in T1 bulbs and increased significantly in sprouted controls, likely due to internal enzymatic activation and tissue senescence. The fungicides indirectly delayed dormancy release by delaying sprouting and internal stem axis formation. Overall, T1 was the most effective strategy for preserving onion quality during storage without using synthetic sprout inhibitors. These findings support the integration of specific fungicide programs into preharvest management to improve onion storability, reduce postharvest losses, and maintain commercial value in intermediate-dormancy dried onion cultivars, such as ‘Mata Hari’. Full article

Do China’s provincial digital-economy policies causally improve firm productivity and manufacturing sustainability? This paper addresses this question using a panel of Chinese manufacturers from 2008 to 2023. We first construct a novel, manually coded index of provincial policy intensity. We then use an instrumental-variable strategy, based on historical post-office density and governors’ STEM backgrounds, to identify causal effects. We find that digital-economy policy has a positive and significant impact on firm-level total factor productivity (TFP). Doubling the cumulative policy stock raises TFP by approximately 3%. This effect is transmitted through four key mechanisms: enhanced innovation quality, tax incentives, targeted digital subsidies, and knowledge spillovers. These channels support sustainable, innovation-led upgrading rather than mere input expansion. We also find the TFP gains are much larger in provinces with strong fiscal capacity and in firms with high digital absorptive capabilities. This paper contributes by providing clear causal evidence of the policy–TFP link and, crucially, by quantifying the four specific mechanisms that translate digital policy into durable, productivity-based sustainability in manufacturing. Full article

As a systematic project, corporate green innovation involves technological, organizational, and environmental dimensions. Therefore, its effective functioning is contingent on guidance from internal leadership. STEM represents an integration of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics education. A STEM CEO is a chief executive officer holding a degree in science, engineering, agriculture, or medicine. However, research on the impact of STEM CEOs on green innovation is limited. Using data from Chinese listed manufacturing firms from 2010 to 2023, panel fixed effects models reveal that STEM CEOs positively influence corporate green innovation. Further analysis indicates that alleviating financing constraints, fostering external collaboration, increasing R&D investment, and improving the efficiency of innovation resource allocation are key pathways through which STEM CEOs enhance green innovation output. Furthermore, this impact is positively moderated by the level of green finance development and the intensity of market competition. Finally, heterogeneity tests demonstrate that these positive effects are more pronounced for firms with high public environmental concern, in non-heavily polluting industries, with strong ESG performance, and in highly competitive industries. These findings underscore the role of STEM leaders in enhancing the output of green innovation systems, offering actionable insights into the interaction between STEM CEOs and the external environment. Full article