How does business power operate? A framework for its working mechanisms

The global financial crisis of 2008, its following bank bailouts, and associated corporate impunity sparked a renewed interest in the concept of the structural power of business and the question of “who rules?” in capitalist societies. This new wave of scholarship mitigated some of the problems of the original, theory-driven discussions from the 1970s and 1980s. But despite significant advancements in the empirical identification of business power, we lack a unified framework for studying its working mechanisms. So-called hybrid approaches, drawing on instrumental and structural power for their analyses, display high potential for such a unified and easily applicable framework. We build on this hybrid tradition and propose a novel model that integrates instrumental and structural power analysis into a basic framework. With this, we recalibrate the often rigid division between instrumental and structural power forms and emphasize the role of perceptions as key for understanding the dynamics of business power over time. We illustrate this parsimonious framework by an analysis of the plans of the Dutch government to abolish a dividend tax in 2018 that would have benefited a number of large multinationals but collapsed before implementation.

The analysis of modern tools of positioning of the working mechanism road construction ma-chines on building

The task of positioning the working mechanisms CRM at this time is not enough. As a result of the analysis the purpose of research is set, namely: to increase of functioning efficiency mechanisms CRM with working environment using mathematical models and adaptation algorithm in a limited time decision. Such methods of analysis include fractal analysis, neural network method, fuzzy set method, geostatistical data analysis. The element base of positioning systems and benefits of implementation are substantiated. The use of a GPS intensifier makes it possible to predict the work of actuators CRM in real time. The result of the research is algorithm of positioning the working mechanisms CRM: determination of the location of the base CRM in a 3-dimensional coordinate system; filtering measurements; predicting the position of the working mechanism (the algorithm for choosing a solution for the state of the monitored object is based on both the probability of obtaining certain results and their usefulness). The originality lies in the fact that the using modern information and software tools allows to describe the trajectory in the coordinate system of the base machine in accordance with the point measurement, and describe the relationship between changed coordinates, which makes it possible to model and predict the workflow. Proposals for the use of software in positioning systems, which provides adaptive optimization and advantages of introduction of the newest technologies of intellectualization of work processes.

Clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats, a glimpse – impacts in molecular biology, trends and highlights

Clustered Regularly Interspaced Short Palindromic Repeats (CRISPR) is a novel molecular tool. In recent days, it has been highlighted a lot, as the Nobel prize was awarded for this sector in 2020, and also for its recent use in Covid-19 related diagnostics. Otherwise, it is an eminent gene-editing technique applied in diverse medical zones of therapeutics in genetic diseases, hematological diseases, infectious diseases, etc., research related to molecular biology, cancer, hereditary diseases, immune and inflammatory diseases, etc., diagnostics related to infectious diseases like viral hemorrhagic fevers, Covid-19, etc. In this review, its discovery, working mechanisms, challenges while handling the technique, recent advancements, applications, alternatives have been discussed. It is a cheaper, faster technique revolutionizing the medicinal field right now. However, their off-target effects and difficulties in delivery into the desired cells make CRISPR, not easily utilizable. We conclude that further robust research in this field may promise many interesting, useful results.

Ferroelectric Materials Based Coupled Nanogenerators

Innovations in nanogenerator technology foster pervading self-power devices for human use, environmental surveillance, energy transfiguration, intelligent energy storage systems, and wireless networks. Energy harvesting from ubiquitous ambient mechanical, thermal, and solar energies by nanogenerators is the hotspot of the modern electronics research era. Ferroelectric materials, which show spontaneous polarization, are reversible when exposed to the external electric field, and are responsive to external stimuli of strain, heat, and light are promising for modeling nanogenerators. This review demonstrates ferroelectric material-based nanogenerators, practicing the discrete and coupled pyroelectric, piezoelectric, triboelectric, and ferroelectric photovoltaic effects. Their working mechanisms and way of optimizing their performances, exercising the conjunction of effects in a standalone device, and multi-effects coupled nanogenerators are greatly versatile and reliable and encourage resolution in the energy crisis. Additionally, the expectancy of productive lines of future ensuing and propitious application domains are listed.

Separable Magnetic Fe3O4@MoS2 Composite for Adsorption and Piezo-Catalytic Degradation of Dye

Well-designed composite catalysts are of increasing concern due to their improved performance compared to individual components. Herein, we designed and synthesized an Fe3O4@MoS2 composite via a simple hydrothermal method. As for the resultant composite, the MoS2 nanolayers presented a novel piezo-catalytic effect, while the Fe3O4 core provided a magnetic separation property. The structure and properties of Fe3O4@MoS2 were determined by relevant experiments. It was found that Fe3O4@MoS2 exhibited enhanced piezo-catalytic degradation of rhodamine B and good magnetic recovery/recycling features. The kobs for rhodamine B degradation over Fe3O4@MoS2 was 0.019 min−1—a little longer than that over MoS2 (0.013 min−1). Moreover, Fe3O4@MoS2 also showed a favorable ability to adsorb rhodamine B in solution, with a saturation adsorption of 26.8 mg/g. Further studies revealed that piezo-electrons, holes, and superoxide anions were key species in the piezo-catalytic degradation of rhodamine B. Notably, the step where oxygen trapped electrons to produce superoxide anions had a significant impact on the degradation of the dye. This work, not limited to the development of a high-performance MoS2-based piezo-catalyst, is expected to provide new insights into the working mechanisms and process profiles of composite piezo-catalysts.

Body exposure, its forms of delivery and potentially associated working mechanisms: How to move the field forward

Background Body image disturbance (BID) is a hallmark feature of eating disorders (EDs) and has proven to be involved in their etiology and maintenance. Therefore, the targeting of BID in treatment is crucial, and has been incorporated in various treatment manuals. One of the most common techniques in the treatment of BID is body exposure (BE), the confrontation with one’s own body. BE has been found to be effective in individuals with EDs or high body dissatisfaction. However, BE is applied in a multitude of ways, most of which are based on one or a combination of the hypothesized underlying working mechanisms, with no differential effectiveness known so far. Method The aim of this paper is to selectively review the main hypothesized working mechanisms of BE and their translation into therapeutic approaches. Results and Conclusion Specifically, we underline that studies are needed to pinpoint the proposed mechanisms and to develop an empirically informed theoretical model of BE. We provide a framework for future studies in order to identify working mechanisms and increase effectiveness of BE.

Imagery rescripting versus cognitive restructuring for social anxiety: Treatment effects and working mechanisms

Background Negative mental images in social anxiety are often linked to memories of distressing social experiences. Imagery Rescripting (ImRs) has been found to be a promising intervention to target aversive memories, but mechanisms underlying ImRs are largely unknown. The present study aimed (a) to investigate the effects of ImRs compared to cognitive restructuring (CR) on social anxiety symptoms and (b) to extend previous research by examining whether ImRs works by fostering reappraisal of negative emotional self-beliefs. Method Highly socially anxious individuals (N = 77) were randomly allocated to ImRs, CR, or no intervention control (NIC). A speech task was performed at baseline and at 1-week follow-up. Results Only CR significantly reduced social anxiety symptoms from baseline to follow-up. Decreases in negative appraisals and emotional distress in response to the speech task did not differ between conditions. Regarding working mechanisms, ImRs led to stronger increases in positive emotions than CR and NIC. Both CR and ImRs yielded short-term reductions in emotionally anchored idiosyncratic self-beliefs, but CR was superior to ImRs at follow-up. Conclusions The present study provides evidence for the efficacy of a single-session of CR for social anxiety symptoms. As one specific version of ImRs was applied, it is conceivable that other or optimized versions of ImRs might be more effective.