Harnessing the power of generations through participative strategy:a study on Malaysia Small Family Firms

Small family firms (SFFs) in Malaysia, exemplars of economic development, skillfully balance family legacy preservation with entrepreneurial spirit to navigate generational challenges. In a context marked by paternalism, conservatism, and collectivism, these firms exhibit diverse array of familial dynamics and firm performance (FP) outcome. This study, employing hierarchical regression analysis and interactive plot diagrams on a sample of 112 Malaysian SFFs, thoroughly investigated the impact of entrepreneurial orientation (EO) and participative strategy (PS) on FP, with a special focus on the moderating role of generational involvement (GI). The findings reveal that GI positively affects both EO and FP, particularly when PS is integrated, effectively mitigating conflicts and paternalistic tendencies in multi-generational settings. The study underscores the importance of PS in leveraging intergenerational knowledge (i.e. familiness), converting innovative opportunities (i.e. EO) into significant performance enhancements. This insight is invaluable for SFFs in similar cultural contexts, advocating for the strategic use of PS and GI to optimize entrepreneurial success. The research contributes significantly to understanding the intricate interplay between EO, PS, and GI in SFFs, particularly in culturally distinct environments like Malaysia.</p

Testing the Taguchi method to design and analyze integrated disease management strategies, for the control of late blight (Phytophthora infestans) on potato

BACKGROUNDIdentifying robust integrated pest management (IPM) strategies requires the testing of multiple factors at the same time and assessing their combined effects e.g., on disease control. This makes field-based experiments large, resource intensive and expensive. Hence, there are limits to the number of treatment combinations that can be practically tested under field conditions. Taguchi approach to design of experiments (DOE) or the Taguchi approach is commonly employed to enhance the quality of industrial products. It uses smaller experiments than classical DOE but its applicability to late blight research, and agricultural research, has not been widely evaluated.RESULTSTwo existing datasets, following the same protocol and investigating the effectiveness of different IPM treatments to control late blight, caused by Phytophthora infestans, on potato, were used to test the Taguchi approach. Disease severity was quantified as area under the disease progress curve (AUDPC). The method could accurately predict the performance of a cultivar and fungicide-based integrated disease management strategy from a small dataset and identified cultivar as a key factor for disease control. Linear regression demonstrated a strong and statistically significant relationship between AUDPC values collected during the original experiments and the predicted disease severity values generated using the Taguchi method.CONCLUSIONSThe Taguchi approach can accurately predict disease severity, with predicted values similar to those collected during the original experiments. Moreover, associated analyses identified the most effective treatment combinations and the factors that exert the greatest influence on disease control. The relevance of this approach when designing and interpreting IPM strategies is discussed

High-harmonic generation from subwavelength silicon films

Recent years have witnessed significant developments in the study of nonlinear properties of various materials at the nanoscale. Often, experimental results on harmonic generation are reported without the benefit of suitable theoretical models that allow assessment of conversion efficiencies compared to the material’s intrinsic properties. Here, we report experimental observations ofeven and odd harmonics up to the 7th, generated from asuspended subwavelength silicon film resonant in the UVrange at 210 nm, the current limit of our detection system,using peak power densities of order 3 TW/cm2. We also highlight the time-varying properties of the dielectric functionof silicon, which exhibits large changes under intense illumination. We explain the experimental data with a timedomain, hydrodynamic-Maxwell approach broadly applicable to most optical materials. Our approach accounts simultaneously for surface and magnetic nonlinearities that generate even optical harmonics, as well as linear and nonlinearmaterial dispersions beyond the third order to account forodd optical harmonics, plasma formation, and a phase locking mechanism that makes the generation of high harmonics possible deep into the UV range, where semiconductorslike silicon start operating in a metallic regime

Metasurface-Enabled Cascaded Multispectral Polarization Structures Along the Longitudinal Direction

Generation and manipulation of polarization structures have attracted significant interest due to their unusual optical features and extensive applications. Multispectral information can further increase the information capacity of polarization structures. However, generating multiple cascaded multispectral polarization numbers (letters) at multiple planes arranged along light propagation has not been reported. A geometric metasurface is used to experimentally realize eight cascaded multispectral polarization numbers (letters) at predesigned observation planes along the longitudinal direction. The efficacy of this approach is demonstrated by encoding a single polarization number (letter) with two wavelengths and cascading two polarization numbers with orthogonal polarization rotation angles. Different two-color polarization numbers (letters) are generated by controlling the incident wavelength, while their polarization distributions are modulated by controlling the incident linear polarization. This approach integrates two-dimentional (2D) polarization generation, multiple colors, longitudinal control, and cascading design, providing extra degrees of freedom for customized polarization design and enabling small-volume polarization systems for color display, image steganography, and optical encryption.</p

Eight Weeks of High-Intensity Interval Training Alters the Tongue Microbiome and Impacts Nitrate and Nitrite Levels in Previously Sedentary Men

Nitric oxide (*NO) is a key signalling molecule, produced enzymatically via *NO synthases (NOS) or following the stepwise reduction of nitrate to nitrite via oral bacteria. Exercise training upregulates NOS expression and improves systemic health, but its effect on oral health, and more particularly the oral microbiome, has not been investigated. We used an exercise training study design to investigate changes in the tongue dorsum microbiome, and in nitrate and nitrite levels in the saliva, plasma and muscle, before, during and after an exercise training period.Eleven untrained males (age 25 ± 5 years, mass 64.0 ± 11.2 kg, stature 171 ± 6 cm, O2peak 2.25 ± 0.42 l·min−1) underwent 8-weeks of high-intensity interval training (HIIT), followed by 12-weeks of detraining. The tongue dorsum microbiome was examined using Pac-Bio long-read 16S rRNA sequencing. Nitrate and nitrite levels were quantified with high-performance liquid chromatography. Grouped nitrite-producing species did not change between any timepoints. However, HIIT led to changes in the microbiome composition, increasing the relative abundance of some, but not all, nitrite-producing species. These changes included a decrease in the relative abundance of nitrite-producing Rothia and a decrease in Neisseria, alongside changes in 6 other bacteria at the genus level (all p≤0.05). At the species level, the abundance of 9 bacteria increased post-training (all p≤0.05), 5 of which have nitrite-producing capacity, including Rothia mucilaginosa and Streptococcus salivarius. Post-detraining, 6 nitrite-producing species remained elevated relative to baseline. Nitrate increased in plasma (p=0.03) following training. Nitrite increased in the saliva after training (p=0.02) but decreased in plasma (p=0.03) and muscle (p=0.002).High-intensity exercise training increased the abundance of several nitrite-producing bacteria and altered nitrate and nitrite levels in saliva, plasma, and muscle. Post-detraining, several nitrite-producing bacteria remained elevated relative to baseline, but no significant differences were detected in nitrate or nitrite levels. Switching from a sedentary to an active lifestyle alters both the microbiome of the tongue and the bioavailability of nitrate and nitrite, with potential implications for oral and systemic health

More than Noise: Lived Experiences of Autistic People in Real-Life Acoustic Environments

The study of the human response to sound has typically considered the average experiences of young individuals with standard hearing capabilities and sensitivity, and although research on high noise sensitivity and its effects is extensive, practical considerations in acoustics are usually limited to specific facilities. Thus, the acoustical characteristics of daily life environments can constitute an important barrier, for example, to autistic people, who often experience high noise sensitivity. To contribute to an in-depth understanding of the impact of noise sensitivity in real-life scenarios, this study presents the results of interviews with 12 autistic adults living in the UK exploring their lived experiences with sounds, spaces and society. Four themes were developed in the thematic analysis of the interviews: 1) High sound sensitivity affects every aspect of life; 2) Lack of understanding and acceptance - sensory gaslighting; 3) Agency is crucial; 4) Positive impact of music and natural environments. The findings suggest that challenges associated to high noise sensitivity can be the result of a heightened response to sound, but are significantly aggravated by social attitudes to sensory differences and pre-conceptions of what is “normal”. Failing to consider diversity in auditory experiences can have important negative consequences for personal and professional life, financial prospects, health and overall well-being. This study calls to observe these experiences under a human rights lens to guarantee the full participation in society on an equal basis, and to continue the work in aural diversity and auditory accessibility in acoustics and soundscape research and practice

Examining the Impact of House Size on Building Embodied Energy

The effects of buildings on the environment can be reduced with research-based alternative building designs. This study focuses on reducing the building space to lower the overall size of a building as a strategy to reduce the building’s embodied energy. The aim of this study was to investigate the initial embodied energy (IEE) of a residential building that was systematically reduced in size. Using input–output-based hybrid analysis, the IEE for three architecturally distinct four-bedroom residential prototypes (P1, P2, and P3) was calculated. The IEE for P1 (525 m2), P2 (266 m2), and P3 (109 m2) were 3555, 2008, and 1000 GJ, respectively. This indicates a 72% reduction in embodied energy consumption when the largest prototype (P1) was transitioned to the smallest (P3). When analyzing IEE/m2 and IEE/m2/occupant, it becomes apparent that larger spaces tend to have a lower IEE/m2. However, when the occupancy increases, the IEE/m2/occupant decreases by 25–33%. Therefore, considering occupant-centered design for residential buildings, the benefits of a large house are not justifiable. These findings can help inform decisions regarding the optimization of residential spaces to minimize environmental impacts

“At home, I never felt included, I always felt on the outside”: Deaf peoples’ perspectives on how inadequate access to childhood communication influences mental health outcomes

BackgroundThe prevalence of adverse mental health outcomes experienced by deaf adults – members of deaf communities connected through a shared sign language and culture is greater than that faced by their hearing counterparts. In addition to everyday life stressors, deaf people can experience further communication related stressors. For this group, early life communication and language deprivation is a significant contributing factor to subsequent adverse mental health outcomes. This study aimed to understand how deaf people viewed the impact of inadequate access to early life communication on their mental health across their life. Methods: One-on-one semi-structured interviews were undertaken with 16 deaf Australian adults who identified as having mental health challenges. Interviews were conducted in Auslan and inductively coded using thematic analysis. ResultsParticipants attributed various forms of mental ill-health to interactions with people who could not sign, particularly within the family and school environments. Proximal stressors such as language dissonance, identity confusion, cross-cultural code-switching, and distrust were identified by participants. Distal stressors included three themes: bullying, exclusion, and marginalisation and ostracism. These stressors were perceived to be linked to experiences of mental ill health including periods of exhaustion, anger, anxiety, depression and suicidal ideation. Conclusions The study highlights deaf Australians’ perceived negative impacts from proximal and distal communication-related stressors during childhood on mental health outcomes. Addressing communication barriers in childhood through the implementation of interventions and support strategies may help to avoid adverse mental health outcomes for deaf adults

Optimizing cycling skinsuit design through an integrated wind-tunnel and CFD workflow

This paper explores the use of computational fluid dynamics (CFD) in the design of cycling skinsuits with varying surface roughness. Traditional skinsuit design involves a complex and time-consuming process by wind tunnel experiments. CFD could potentially offer an alternative for predicting the performance and designing rider-specific skinsuits, though accurately modelling fabric surface roughness is challenging. The study characterizes skinsuit fabrics based on an equivalent sand-grain roughness height (kS) value derived from drag reduction measurements on cylinders covered with specific fabrics. Three skinsuits, created from these fabrics, are assessed on a full-scale cyclist mannequin. For two of the three suits, the calculated drag area is within 0.6 % of the wind tunnel (WT) results. In the case of the third suit, the deviation with the WT drag area is 1.6 %. The CFD simulations reveal valuable insights, such as the impact of including variable kS values on the location of flow separation, the local distribution of skin friction and pressure drag, and their effects on the near flow field. The agreement between WT and CFD results suggests the potential of CFD for designing aerodynamically optimized skinsuits for individual riders, while further research is recommended to refine and validate this approach