bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
An insight into the signaling role of Sharia status: a case from an emerging IPO market
Authors: Albada Ali
Published: August 2024

Purpose

This study aims to examine the potential of Sharia status as ex ante information to signal the quality of an issuing firm by improving the decision-making process of potential investors when assessing initial public offerings (IPOs) in an environment where information asymmetry is pronounced. Potential investors face challenges in evaluating and determining the true value of IPO issues, which inherently influences their decision-making. Consequently, this results in pronounced price fluctuations in IPO shares, leading to higher underpricing.

Design/methodology/approach

This study uses a sample of 350 IPOs listed on the Kuala Lumpur Stock Exchange (KLSE) between 2004 and 2021 to examine the signaling role of Sharia-compliance status. A three-model approach is used to ensure that the study's objectives are met. The first model investigates the effect of Sharia status on underpricing to determine whether the main beneficiary of such a signal is the investor or the issuer. The second model examines the effect of Sharia status on investor demand to determine if such a signal influences prospective investors' investment decision-making processes. The third model inspects the effect of Sharia status on investor divergence of beliefs to measure the signal's ability to reduce information asymmetry within the Malaysian IPO market.

Findings

The Malaysian IPO market relies heavily on the fixed-price mechanism, which exacerbates high information asymmetry, affecting potential investors' behavior, asset price formation and return generation on the first day of listing. The study results indicate that Sharia status does not have any signaling role in the Malaysian IPO market. This is because investors in the Malaysian market are driven by ex ante information that helps unveil relevant information that leads to capital gains. Furthermore, most new issues in the Malaysian IPO market fall under Sharia status, diluting the relevance of such information for prospective investors in determining profitable investments.

Practical implications

The findings highlight the challenges faced by issuing firms in estimating market demand due to limited premarket insights and the difficulties prospective investors face in identifying the quality of issuing firms. Efforts to provide more information on investor demand can reduce uncertainty and facilitate more informed decision-making.

Originality/value

This research stands as one of the pioneering efforts to provide an empirical explanation of the potential signaling influence of Sharia status in an emerging IPO market.
Generation Z’s intention to use digital fashion items in the Metaverse
Authors: Milanesi Matilde , Monteverde Giulia , Runfola Andrea , Kursan Milaković Ivana , Guercini Simone
Published: August 2024

Purpose

Fashion companies have been among the first to ride the new trend and develop projects for the Metaverse, considering Generation Z (Gen Z) as a relevant target. The paper aims to investigate Gen Z consumers’ intention to use digital fashion items in the Metaverse.

Design/methodology/approach

The study relies on the technology acceptance model (TAM). The authors include specific aspects of the Metaverse: the user-avatar identification and the development of an alternative identity; fashion innovativeness is discussed as a moderator variable. The model is tested on Gen Z consumers, with 329 survey responses collected in 2022 and analyzed using structural equation modeling (SEM).

Findings

The paper shows that the two external and explanatory variables the authors added, i.e. user-avatar identification and alternative identity, positively and directly impact the individual attitude to use digital fashion items in the Metaverse. Moreover, according to the proposed research model, the moderating effect concerning fashion innovativeness has positive and negative consequences.

Originality/value

Using TAM, the authors explored consumers’ perceptions (perceived usefulness and ease of use), attitudes and intentions regarding the new technology context (digital fashion in the Metaverse). This study enriched TAM with new consumer marketing constructs (user-avatar identification and alternative identity) and their relationships with consumers’ intention to use digital fashion items in the Metaverse. This study also contributed to TAM by exploring the relevance of moderating the effects of consumer fashion innovativeness on consumers’ intentions and attitudes in the novel context of digital fashion in the Metaverse. The paper contributes to the academic debate by focusing on the individual and personal sphere of the consumer moving in the Metaverse digital environment. The marketing-focused study develops research on Gen Z consumers to provide new insights and possible opportunities for marketers in the Metaverse.
How to build trust in answers given by Generative AI for specific and vague financial questions
Authors: Zarifis Alex , Cheng Xusen
Published: August 2024

Purpose

Generative artificial intelligence (GenAI) has progressed in its ability and has seen explosive growth in adoption. However, the consumer’s perspective on its use, particularly in specific scenarios such as financial advice, is unclear. This research develops a model of how to build trust in the advice given by GenAI when answering financial questions.

Design/methodology/approach

The model is tested with survey data using structural equation modelling (SEM) and multi-group analysis (MGA). The MGA compares two scenarios, one where the consumer makes a specific question and one where a vague question is made.

Findings

This research identifies that building trust for consumers is different when they ask a specific financial question in comparison to a vague one. Humanness has a different effect in the two scenarios. When a financial question is specific, human-like interaction does not strengthen trust, while (1) when a question is vague, humanness builds trust. The four ways to build trust in both scenarios are (2) human oversight and being in the loop, (3) transparency and control, (4) accuracy and usefulness and finally (5) ease of use and support.

Originality/value

This research contributes to a better understanding of the consumer’s perspective when using GenAI for financial questions and highlights the importance of understanding GenAI in specific contexts from specific stakeholders.
Signposting services in the UK: enhanced support or service diversion for people with health and social care needs: a rapid realist synthesis
Authors: Cantrell Anna , Booth Andrew , Chambers Duncan
Published: August 2024

Purpose

In the UK signposting services can be developed as enhanced support for people with health and social care needs or service diversion to help primary and urgent care services manage their workload. This review considers these two conflicting purposes.

Design/methodology/approach

The review used a realist approach, initial searches to identify theory; we then selected 22 publications and extracted programme theories, from which we developed questions from three viewpoints: the service user, the front-line service provider and the commissioner. A rich sample of studies were found from purposive searching. To optimise the applicability of synthesis findings predominantly UK studies were included.

Findings

Users value signposting service that understand their needs, suggest a range of options and summarise potential actions. People with complex health and social care needs generally require extended time/input from signposting services. Front-line providers require initial and ongoing training, support/supervision, good knowledge of available services/resources and the ability to match users to them and a flexible response. Commissioned signposting services in England are diverse making evaluation difficult.

Originality/value

Meaningful evaluation of signposting services requires greater clarity around roles and service expectations. Signposting services alone fulfil the needs of a small number of users due to the unreconciled tension between efficient (transactional) service provision and effective (relational) service provision. This is underpinned by competing narratives of whether signposting represents diversion of inappropriate demand from primary care and other urgent care services or improved quality of care through a joined-up response encompassing health, social care and community/voluntary services.
Impact of boundary-spanning search on firm innovation performance: a strategic knowledge integration perspective
Authors: Li Xiaoli , Peng Zihan , Li Kun
Published: August 2024

Purpose

This study aims to explore the mechanism of boundary-spanning search on firm’s innovation performance under environmental dynamics from the perspective of strategic knowledge integration.

Design/methodology/approach

A survey was conducted among Chinese firm managers and R&D personnel, resulting in the collection of 315 valid samples. Hierarchical regression analysis was mainly adopted to demonstrate the hypothesized relationships, while the Sobel test and bootstrap method were used to further validate the mediating effects.

Findings

The results demonstrate that boundary-spanning search in different dimensions is a critical factor in the improvement of firm innovation performance (FIP). Two types of strategic knowledge integration are the main factors causing FIP and mediate the influence of boundary-spanning search on FIP. Furthermore, environmental dynamics moderate the relationship among boundary-spanning search, strategic knowledge integration and FIP.

Practical implications

Managers need to strengthen the boundary-spanning search for market and technical knowledge, which will promote firm innovative performance. Managers also need to implement strategic knowledge integration, which specifically includes using planned strategic knowledge integration to compensate for knowledge deficiencies, thereby achieving predetermined objectives; and using emergent strategic knowledge integration to update their understanding of internal and external environments, and to reset strategic objectives. In dynamic environments, managers should emphasize strategic knowledge management activities more.

Originality/value

From a strategic management perspective, this study categorizes strategic knowledge integration into planned and emergent forms. By applying the logic of knowledge acquisition, integration and creation, it explores how boundary-spanning search affects FIP through strategic knowledge integration as the intermediary and the boundary conditions of environmental dynamics. This not only provides a deeper understanding of the nature and effects of boundary-spanning research but also enhances the theory of strategic knowledge management.
Mental health during the COVID-19 pandemic compared to the years before – a cohort study on sports students
Authors: Lüdemann Jonas , Kleinert Jens
Published: August 2024

Purpose

Within the student population, students who study sport at the university level represent a special cohort struggling with specific academic and developmental challenges. Therefore, it is reasonable to assume that sports students are particularly affected by the COVID-19 pandemic in terms of their mental health. The aim of this study is to examine whether mental health (i.e. depression and well-being) among sports students changed during the COVID-19 pandemic compared to the data before the COVID-19 pandemic.

Design/methodology/approach

The current study compared 907 German sports students before the COVID-19 pandemic to 1,124 German sports students during the COVID-19 pandemic (55.7% BA students, 13.3% MA students and 29.4% PE students). Mental health was assessed with the Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-2) (risk for depression) and the well-being index (WHO-5). To identify students at risk, a cut-off score of = 3 (PHQ-2) or of = 12 (WHO-5) was used.

Findings

The results show that across all study programs, the risk for depression was significantly higher and well-being was significantly lower during the COVID-19 pandemic compared to the pre-pandemic period. Moreover, remarkably more sports students were at high risk for depression (11.1% vs 38.3%) or showed strongly decreased well-being (24.6% vs 57.3%) during the COVID-19 pandemic compared to the pre-pandemic period.

Originality/value

The results are comparable to those of other fields of study that do not involve physical activity. Implications for further research, for sports students’ mental health practice and for mental health professionals are discussed. It remains to be examined to what extent this impairment also has an impact on the further psychological development of the students after the pandemic.
Green manufacturing, supply chain alertness, supply chain preparedness and manufacturing performance in a developing economy
Authors: Opoku Richard Kofi
Published: August 2024

Purpose

This research analyses the linkages between green manufacturing (GM) and manufacturing performance (MP) dimensions comprising sustainable performance (SuP) (economic [EcP], social [SP] and environmental [ENP]) and operational performance (OP) with supply chain alertness (SCAL) and supply chain preparedness (SCP) as mediators.

Design/methodology/approach

This deductive-quantitative approach embraces the explanatory design. It analyses 285 datasets gathered from structured questionnaires via structural equation modelling.

Findings

The study found that GM, SCAL and SCP significantly improve manufacturing firms' operational and sustainable performance. Also, SCP and SCAL partially mediate the GM-MP correlations among manufacturing firms in Ghana, a developing economy.

Research limitations/implications

The paper is limited to the quantitative methodologies given its relevance in examining causal relationships among constructs. Also, it was conducted within the scope of manufacturing firms in developing economies, specifically Ghana. Despite the limitations, the study's outcomes imply that manufacturing firms can perform well in sustainable and operational aspects if they prioritise green manufacturing practices, supply chain preparedness and alertness.

Practical implications

This research offers new insights into the significant contributions of adopting the GM practice to MP (SuP and OP). Also, it advocates for more investments into GM, SCAL and SCP to ensure sustainability in today's highly disruptive manufacturing environment, leading to superior manufacturing performance. The study provides relevant directions for policymakers, industry players and supply chain practitioners in adopting GM throughout their production processes to attain manufacturing performance targets.

Social implications

By advocating for sustainable manufacturing practices like green, the study contributes to a cleaner environment, resource conservation, and ultimately, a more sustainable future. The shift towards eco-friendly production methods can influence public attitudes towards manufacturing and promote environmentally conscious practices.

Originality/value

The study's originality lies in examining the mediation roles of SCAL and SCP on the GM-MP nexus of manufacturing industries in a developing economy, where environmental sustainability and disruptions along supply chains are becoming major concerns.
Regarding the finance-investment nexus in sub-Saharan Africa: an issue of too little or too much finance?
Authors: Abdulai Mohammed Gbanja , Sekyi Samuel , Brafu-Insaidoo William Gabriel
Published: August 2024

Purpose

This study investigates the finance-investment nexus in sub-Saharan Africa using data from 41 countries spanning the period from 2000 to 2022. The central question addressed is whether there is a “too little” or “too much” finance problem in the region.

Design/methodology/approach

This study employs a system-generalised method of moments (GMM) approach to analyse the association between finance and private investment. Additionally, a dynamic threshold regression model is used to uncover potential nonlinearities in this relationship.

Findings

Initially, the study identifies a negative correlation between increased finance and private investment. However, further analysis using the dynamic threshold regression model reveals a critical threshold level of finance. Specifically, the threshold is found to be 6.52% of domestic credit to the private sector and 23.18% using the financial development index. Below this threshold, finance negatively impacts private investment, while surpassing this threshold leads to positive growth in private investment. These findings indicate an issue of “too little” finance in the finance and private investment nexus in sub-Saharan Africa. The results are robust across different model specifications.

Research limitations/implications

The implications of this study highlight the importance of identifying critical thresholds for financing to enhance investment expenditures in the region.

Originality/value

This study contributes to the literature by uncovering nonlinearities in the finance-investment nexus in sub-Saharan Africa. The identification of critical thresholds provides valuable insights for policymakers, emphasising the need to strengthen the financial sector in countries operating below these thresholds to promote private investment and economic growth.
Design methodology for fused filament fabrication with failure theory: framework, database, design rule, methodology and study of case
Authors: Lopez Taborda Luis Lisandro , Maury Heriberto , Esparragoza Ivan E.
Published: August 2024

Purpose

Additive manufacturing (AM) is growing economically because of its cost-effective design flexibility. However, it faces challenges such as interlaminar weaknesses and reduced strength because of product anisotropy. Therefore, the purpose of this study is to develop a methodology that integrates design for additive manufacturing (AM) principles with fused filament fabrication (FFF) to address these challenges, thereby enhancing product reliability and strength.

Design/methodology/approach

Developed through case analysis and literature review, this methodology focuses on design methodology for AM (DFAM) principles applied to FFF for high mechanical performance applications. A DFAM database is constructed to identify common requirements and establish design rules, validated through a case study.

Findings

Existing DFAM approaches often lack failure theory integration, especially in FFF, emphasizing mechanical characterizations over predictive failure analysis in functional parts. This methodology addresses this gap by enhancing product reliability through failure prediction in high-performance FFF applications.

Originality/value

While some DFAM methods exist for high-performance FFF, they are often specific cases. Existing DFAM methodologies typically apply broadly across AM processes without a specific focus on failure theories in functional parts. This methodology integrates FFF with a failure theory approach to strengthen product reliability in high-performance applications.
Chief Sustainability Officer (CSO) power and sustainability-based compensation for climate change disclosure and carbon performance: is it different for developed and developing nations?
Authors: Toukabri Mohamed
Published: August 2024

Purpose

Companies are increasingly appointing a Chief Sustainability Officer (CSO) to anchor the need to highlight climate change at the senior management level. This study aims to examine how CSO power and sustainability-based compensation influence climate reporting and carbon performance.

Design/methodology/approach

Using one of the largest data sets to date, consisting of 18,834 company years through the author’s observations, spanning an 11-year period (2011–2021) in 33 countries. This paper used quantitative methods – specifically, ordinal logistic regression estimation. This paper measures the level of climate change disclosure based on the carbon disclosure leadership methodology. Carbon performance is based on the intensity of carbon emissions (Scope 1, Scope 2), which is a quantitative and relatively more objective measure.

Findings

The results suggest that climate change disclosure continued to increase and the carbon emissions intensity of the companies in this study gradually decreased over the sample period. This paper finds that the presence of the CSO within the top management team has a positive and significant influence on the level of information on climate change of the companies in the sample. This finding confirms the idea that the managerial capacity of CSOs motivates the disclosure of climate change. The empirical results confirm that there are differences in the role that the CSO and sustainability-based compensation play in influencing the quality of climate information disclosure in developed and developing countries.

Originality/value

The recourse on a mixed theoretical framework, which highlights upper echelons theory, argues the understanding of the role of CSOs in explaining the relationship between climate change disclosure–carbon performance relationship. The novelty of the study lies in the approaches adopted to describe the quality of climate change disclosure. To control for endogeneity, this paper uses a difference-in-difference analysis by adding a firm to the Morgan Stanley Capital International index as an exogenous shock.
Cold plasma processing of kiwifruit juice: Effect on physicochemical, nutritional, microstructure, rheological properties and sensory attributes
Authors: Kumar Sitesh , Pipliya Sunil , Srivastav Prem Prakash , Srivastava Brijesh , Battula Satyanarayana Reddy , Sen Ramkrishna
Published: August 2024

This study aimed to compare the untreated, cold plasma (CP)‐optimized (30 kV/5 mm/6.7 min), CP‐extreme (30 kV/2 mm/10 min), and thermally treated (TT) (90 ℃/5 min) kiwifruit juices based on the physicochemical (pH, total soluble solids (TSS), titratable acidity (TA), total color change (ΔE)), physical (particle size and rheology), microstructure (optical microscope), bioactive compounds (polyphenol, ascorbic acid, and sugar compounds), and sensory characteristics of kiwifruit juice. The pH, TSS, and TA were not significantly affected in CP and TT juice, whereas the ΔE (6.52) of TT juice lies in the range of “greatly visible.” The microstructure characteristics of juice significantly changed after CP and thermal treatment. The cell and tissue disruption in CP‐extreme and thermally treated juice was more than CP‐optimized. The particle size of juice decreased irrespective of treatment, but the span value of CP‐optimized juice was the lowest. Further, the CP treatment showed a lower consistency index, apparent viscosity, and pseudoplasticity of juice than the thermal treatment. The CP‐treated juice retained bioactive and nutritional attributes more than thermally treated juice. The CP‐optimized, CP‐extreme, and thermal treatment reduced the sucrose content by 54, 55, and 23%, while the fructose and glucose content were increased by 17, 12, & 93%, and 17, 11 & 99%, respectively. Among the CP‐treated juice, CP‐optimized (71.36 mg/100g) contained a higher amount of ascorbic acid than the CP‐extreme (64.36 mg/100g). Based on the similarity values in the fuzzy logic analysis, the sensory attributes of CP‐optimized treated juice were superior to CP‐extreme and thermal treated.

Practical Application

In this era, non‐thermal processing techniques are trending for retaining the nutrition and stability of juice. The old plasma (CP)‐treated kiwifruit juice had better nutritional, bioactive compounds, and sensory attributes than the thermally treated juice. Further, the CP‐treated juice had higher flowability and lower viscosity, making it ideal for juice processing. The conclusions drawn suggest that CP processing is a better alternative for processing kiwifruit juice than thermal processing.
Evaluation of soybean oil‐wax oleogel as a healthy ingredient for aerogel whipped cream rich in unsaturated fatty acids
Authors: Ma Yongzhe , Baek Chung Hun , Ma Sang Yong , Jung Mun Yhung
Published: August 2024

Aerosol whipped cream, widely used in various foods, relies on solid fats rich in saturated fatty acids (SFAs) for stable gas entrapment. In this study, the potential of oleogels as a healthy fat substitute for formulating aerosol whipped cream was studied. The analysis focused on the effects of different types (beeswax [BW], rice bran wax [RW], and carnauba wax) and the quantities of wax on the properties of the aerosol whipped creams. The BW‐oleogel‐based aerosol whipped cream exhibited the highest foam ability and foam stability. The superior physical properties of the bees wax‐oleogel were attributed to the higher overrun and height stability of its whipped cream compared to RW and carnauba oleogels. The 6% BW‐whipped cream showed significantly higher overrun and cream stability. The 6% BW oleogel whipped cream contained 4.4 times lower SFAs than the dairy milk fat whipped cream. This study represents the first exploration into the feasibility of formulating oleogel‐based aerosol whipped cream using liquid vegetable oil.
Effect of edible coating of gelatin‐sodium alginate with the addition of green tea (Camellia sinensis) extract on the characteristics of star fruit (Averrhoa carambola L.) during storage
Authors: Ulfa Lale Rahmawati , Ningrum Andriati , Supriyadi
Published: August 2024

Star fruit has a good nutritional value but was very easy to damage. Edible coating can be used to extend the shelf life of star fruit. Green tea had been added to improve the mechanical properties and functional value of edible coating. This study aimed to evaluate the application of edible coating gelatin‐sodium alginate with the addition of green tea to the physicochemical and microbiological characteristics of star fruit. This research was conducted by making edible coating solutions from gelatin, sodium alginate, glycerol, and green tea of various concentrations (0%, 5%, 10%, and 15%). The coating solution was applied to star fruit and stored for 1, 6, and 13 days to determine the effect of coating on the physicochemical and microbiological properties of star fruit. The results showed that adding green tea was not significantly different from the color change of the coating solution. However, there was a change in viscosity and pH along with the concentration of green tea extract (p < 0.05). FTIR analyses indicated that an interaction existed between gelatin‐sodium alginate and green tea extract. The addition of green tea to star fruit with an edible coating of gelatin and sodium alginate could prevent weight loss (25.84%), reduce respiration rate (11.035 mg CO2/kg/h), maintain fruit anatomy, protect against color change, inhibit pH changes (4.22), total titrated acid (0.22%), increase vitamin C (244.55 mg/g), and even reduce damage for up to 13 days of storage. This study indicates that edible coating with the addition of green tea might be effective to retain the quality and extend the storage life star fruit.
Effect of cooking conditions on chickpea flour functionality and its protein physicochemical properties
Authors: Hong Shan , Xiao Ruoshi , Chen Gengjun , Zhu Yi , Garay Antonio , Yang Jun , Xu Yixiang , Li Yonghui
Published: August 2024

Chickpea is an important food legume that usually undergoes various processing treatments to enhance nutritional value and functional properties. This study aimed to investigate the effects of different cooking conditions on physicochemical, structural, and functional properties of chickpea, especially its protein macromolecules. Kabuli chickpea seeds were processed by water cooking at different temperatures (63, 79, 88, and 96°C), followed by evaluating flour solubility, water‐holding capacity (WHC), pasting property, as well as the total protein profile and fractionated protein distributions. Cooking treatments significantly decreased flour solubility (from 39.45 to 25.21 g/100 g flour) and pasting viscosity (peak and final viscosities, from 1081 to 300.5 cP and 1323 to 532 cP, respectively), while increasing WHC (from 0.862 to 1.144 g H2O/g flour) of chickpea flour (p < 0.05). These behaviors were enhanced by increasing cooking temperature. Meanwhile, cooking induced a significant change of chickpea proteins, modifying the albumin‐ and globulin‐like fractions of chickpea protein to display glutelin‐like behavior. The current study provides potential approaches for manipulating chickpea flour functionalities (e.g., solubility, viscosity, and WHC) to address the process and product challenges and favor product innovation.
A ritual building from the Umm an‐Nar settlement, Dahwa 7 in al‐Batinah Plain, Northeast Oman
Authors: Douglas Khaled A. , Al‐Jahwari Nasser S. , Hesein Mohamad A. , de Vreeze Michel
Published: August 2024

This study makes the argument for the presence of a category of small‐sized ritual buildings at the Umm an‐Nar (2700–2000 BC) sites of Dahwa 1 (DH1) and Dahwa 7 (DH7). These buildings are DH1.S20 and DH7.S1. The architectural features and associated finds point to their ritual function. Building DH7.S1 will be the focus while presenting arguments for its ritual role. Besides domestic buildings within a clustered settlement system and a monumental tomb dating to the Umm an‐Nar period, the site might give unique evidence of a form of small buildings that served a ritual purpose. These buildings have no clear parallel in the excavated Umm an‐Nar period settlements so far but adhere to the principles of cultic structures from elsewhere around the Near East that support their interpretation as cultic buildings.
The performance and complications of long peripheral venous catheters: A retrospective single‐centre study
Authors: Krath Julie , Fredskilde Jesper , Christensen Simone Krogh , Baltsen Cecilie Dahl , Valentin Kamilla , Offersen Ryan , Juhl‐Olsen Peter
Published: August 2024

Background

Intravenous therapies are essential for hospitalised patients. The rapid dissemination of portable ultrasound machines has eased ultrasound‐guided intravenous access and facilitated increased use of long peripheral venous catheters (LPCs). This study aimed to evaluate the clinical performance and complications of LPCs.

Methods

Retrospective, observational single‐site study. Data from all consecutively inserted LPCs during a period of 18 months was evaluated. The primary endpoint was the all‐cause incidence rate of catheter removal. Secondary endpoints included specific reasons for the catheter removal and the associations between predefined characteristics of the patients, the infusions and the catheters with catheter failure.

Results

During the period, 751 PVCs were inserted in 457 patients. The reasons for catheter removal were recorded in 563 cases. The overall incidence rate of catheter removal was 95.8/1000 catheter days (95% CI 88.4–103.8). The median dwell time was 8 days (IQR 5–14), and the total dwell time was 6136 days. Catheter failure occurred in 283 (50.3%) cases, of which the most common cause was phlebitis (n = 101, 17.9%). In multivariable analyses, the use of the cephalic vein was significantly associated with both all‐cause catheter failure (p < .001) and catheter failure due to phlebitis (p < .001). In multivariable analyses, vancomycin infusion was not significantly associated with all‐cause catheter failure (HR 1.15 (0.55–2.42), p = .71) or catheter failure due to phlebitis (HR 1.49 (0.49–4.53), p = .49).

Conclusion

The overall incidence rate of catheter removal was 95.8/1000 catheter days, and the most common causes of catheter failure were phlebitis, infiltration and unintended catheter removal. The use of the cephalic vein was significantly associated with catheter failure in multivariable analyses. We did not find an association between vancomycin infusion and catheter failure in multivariable analyses.
Racial and ethnic disparities in post‐liver transplant outcomes for patients with acute‐on‐chronic liver failure: An analysis of the UNOS database
Authors: Lee David Uihwan , Shaik Mohammed Rifat , Bhowmick Kuntal , Fan Gregory Hongyuan , Schuster Kimberly , Yousaf Abdul , Refaat Mohamed , Shaik Nishat Anjum , Lee Ki Jung , Yang Sarah , Bahadur Aneesh , Urrunaga Nathalie H.
Published: August 2024

Background

The incidence of hospitalisations related to acute‐on‐chronic liver failure (ACLF) is increasing. Liver transplantation (LT) remains the definitive treatment for the condition.

Aim

To evaluate the influence of race and ethnicity on LT outcomes in ACLF.

Methods

We conducted a retrospective analysis utilising LT data from the United Network for Organ Sharing (UNOS) database. White patients served as the control group and patients of other races were compared at each ACLF grade. The primary outcomes assessed were graft failure and all‐cause mortality.

Results

Blacks exhibited a higher all‐cause mortality (Grade 1: aHR 1.36, 95% CI 1.18–1.57, p < 0.001; Grade 2: aHR 1.27, 95% CI 1.08–1.48, p = 0.003; Grade 3: aHR 1.19, 95% CI 1.04–1.37, p = 0.01) and graft failure (Grade 1: aHR 2.05, 95% CI 1.58–2.67, p < 0.001; Grade 2: aHR 1.91, 95% CI 1.43–2.54, p < 0.001; Grade 3: aHR 1.50, 95% CI 1.15–1.96, p = 0.002). Hispanics experienced a lower all‐cause mortality at grades 1 and 3 (Grade 1: aHR 0.83, 95% CI 0.72–0.96, p = 0.01; Grade 3: aHR 0.80, 95% CI 0.70–0.91, p < 0.001) and Asians with severe ACLF demonstrated decreased all‐cause mortality (Grade 3: aHR 0.55, 95% CI 0.42–0.73, p < 0.001).

Conclusion

Black patients experienced the poorest outcomes and Hispanic and Asian patients demonstrated more favourable outcomes compared to Whites.
Low incidence of postoperative infectious complications following laparoscopic distal gastrectomy for locally advanced gastric cancer in older adult patients above 75 years: Propensity score‐matched comparison with open distal gastrectomy
Authors: Morimoto Yosuke , Sakuramoto Shinichi , Sugita Hirofumi , Nishibeppu Keiji , Ebara Gen , Fujita Shohei , Fujihata Shiro , Oya Shuichiro , Miyawaki Yutaka , Sato Hiroshi , Yamashita Keishi
Published: August 2024

Introduction

This study compared the short‐term outcomes of older adult patients with locally advanced gastric cancer who underwent open distal gastrectomy (ODG) with those who underwent laparoscopic distal gastrectomy (LDG) using propensity score matching analysis.

Methods

Overall, 341 consecutive older adult patients aged 75 years with gastric cancer who underwent ODG or LDG between January 2013 and December 2020 were retrospectively assessed. Among them, 121 patients with locally advanced gastric cancer were included. To compare short‐term outcomes, a 1:1 propensity score matching analysis was performed.

Results

After matching, 29 patients were included in both groups. Compared with the ODG group, the LDG group had a longer operative time (mean, 290 vs. 190 min; p < .0001) and lower estimated blood loss (mean, 39 vs. 223 mL; p < .0001). Overall postoperative complications of grade 2 and higher were observed in 2 (6.9%) and 12 (41%) patients in the LDG and ODG groups, respectively (p = .0046). Of these, the LDG group had a significantly lower incidence rate of infectious complications than the ODG group (3.4% vs. 27.6%; p = .025). Furthermore, in multivariate analysis, the laparoscopic approach was an independent protective factor against postoperative complications (p = .029).

Conclusions

LDG is safe and feasible for locally advanced gastric cancer in patients aged ≥75 years. Moreover, it may be a promising alternative to ODG with better short‐term outcomes, including significantly lower incidence rates of postoperative complications.
Emergency department diagnosis and management of acute pulmonary embolism
Authors: Wrenn Jesse O. , Kabrhel Christopher
Published: August 2024

Despite advances in clinical decision support, the diagnosis, prognostic risk stratification, treatment and disposition of emergency department patients with pulmonary embolism remain challenging. The use of diagnostic risk stratification tools and D‐dimer can decrease unnecessary exposure to radiation and intravenous contrast; however, D‐dimer is elevated in many conditions including normal pregnancy, so imaging is often indicated. Once diagnosed, prognostic risk stratification tools can inform treatment decisions across the risk spectrum, including identifying low‐risk patients with pulmonary embolism who can safely be treated at home. For patients requiring hospitalization, alternatives to unfractionated heparin can improve time to therapeutic anticoagulation and reduce treatment‐related bleeding risk.
Prevention and management of venous thrombosis in patients with cirrhosis
Authors: Roberts Lara N. , Thachil Jecko
Published: August 2024

Venous thromboembolism (VTE), particularly portal vein thrombosis, is common in patients with cirrhosis. Misconceptions around the increased bleeding risk in this patient group may lead to delayed and/or inadequate anticoagulation. This nutshell review focusses on the approach to management including the role of direct oral anticoagulants in the treatment of VTE in patients with cirrhosis.
Immigrant labour, rural economies, and the question of housing
Authors: Bragg Bronwyn
Published: August 2024

There is a renewed interest in policy initiatives that aim to ruralize and regionalize immigration in Canada. These efforts are visible through temporary foreign worker programs linked to Provincial Nominee Programs, as well as the increase in the number of refugee resettlement programs in smaller communities. Against this backdrop, cities in Canada are experiencing a housing crisis. There is a tacit assumption that immigrants in smaller and more rural settings will fare better with respect to housing. This paper examines the assumptions underpinning efforts to ruralize and regionalize immigration—namely that immigrants to smaller centres will find more affordable and available housing. By presenting two case studies of small towns that have successfully leveraged immigration to meet their labour market needs, this paper demonstrates that housing remains a critical issue for newcomers, even outside of large urban centres. Further, the paper argues that discussions about housing need to be linked to broader policy conversations about immigration and labour, especially in contexts where transnational corporations leverage immigration and temporary labour programs to secure their workforce, without parallel investments in infrastructure and housing.
CCL5/CCR5/CYP1A1 pathway prompts liver cancer cells to survive in the combination of targeted and immunological therapies
Authors: Wang Yafei , Gao Biao , Jiao Tianyu , Zhang Wenwen , Shi Huizhong , Jiang Hao , Li Xuerui , Li Junfeng , Ge Xinlan , Pan Ke , Li Chonghui , Mao Guankun , Lu Shichun
Published: August 2024

Combination therapy of anti‐programmed cell death protein‐1 (PD‐1) antibodies and tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) has significantly improved the prognosis for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), but many patients still have unsatisfactory outcomes. CD8 T cells are known to exert a pivotal function in the immune response against tumors. Nevertheless, most CD8 T cells in HCC tissues are in a state of exhaustion, losing the cytotoxic activity against malignant cells. Cytokines, mainly secreted by immune cells, play an important role in the occurrence and development of tumors. Here, we demonstrated the changes in exhausted CD8T cells during combination therapy by single‐cell RNA sequencing (scRNA‐seq) analysis on tumor samples before and after treatment. Combination therapy exerted a substantial impact on the exhausted CD8T cells, particularly in terms of cytokine expression. CCL5 was the most abundantly expressed cytokine in CD8T cells and exhausted CD8T cells, and its expression increased further after treatment. Subsequently, we discovered the CCL5/CCR5/CYP1A1 pathway through RNA sequencing (RNA‐seq) on CCL5‐stimulated Huh7 cells and verified through a series of experiments that this pathway can mediate the resistance of liver cancer cells to lenvatinib. Tissue experiments showed that after combination therapy, the CCL5/CCR5/CYP1A1 pathway was activated, which can benefit the residual tumor cells to survive treatment. Tumor‐bearing mouse experiments demonstrated that bergamottin (BGM), a competitive inhibitor of CYP1A1, can enhance the efficacy of both lenvatinib and combination therapy. Our research revealed one mechanism by which hepatoma cells can survive the combination therapy, providing a theoretical basis for the refined treatment of HCC.
Innovative approaches to financial analytics education: Kolb's theory in SEC IPO analysis
Authors: Olsen David H.
Published: August 2024

This study presents an innovative educational approach, integrating David A. Kolb's Experiential Learning Theory (ELT) into financial analytics education, with a focus on the analysis of Initial Public Offerings (IPOs) via the SEC's EDGAR database. Through the application of ELT, this article explores the effective melding of experiential learning methodologies with advanced analytical tools such as Python, SQL, and various data analytics platforms. The teaching exercise outlined emphasizes the importance of hands‐on activities—ranging from data scraping and analysis of SEC filings to conducting sentiment analysis—aimed at fostering not only technical proficiency among students but also enhancing their critical thinking and ethical decision‐making skills. By detailing the execution and outcomes of utilizing ELT in the context of financial analytics, this work contributes to the discourse on modern finance education, advocating for a model that prepares students for the challenges of an increasingly complex and ethical finance industry. This approach underscores the need for educational practices that are both theoretically robust and practically relevant, ensuring students are well‐equipped for dynamic roles within the finance sector.
Where Now for Visible Unity?
Authors: Heckel Ulrich
Published: August 2024

Against the background of the Sixth World Conference on Faith and Order, which will take place in 2025 around the theme “Where now for visible unity?” this article explores the marks of visible unity set out in the Gospel of John and the Letter to the Ephesians. The two texts show an astonishing convergence. Following a biblical exegesis, the article concludes that discussions about the visible unity of the church need first to establish the similarities and differences in the understanding of the eucharist. The question of the understanding of ministry must first be clarified in a differentiated way. If the unity of the church consists in the confessional fellowship of believers, then it is not the institutionalized uniformity of the ministerial structure that is decisive, but rather unity in faith in the one shepherd and Lord as head of the church and Saviour of the world. Unity becomes visible above all in common prayer and worship, not only within different traditions as in Ephesus, but even more so when different church traditions celebrate ecumenically.
Advancing anomaly detection in cloud environments with cutting‐edge generative AI for expert systems
Authors: Demirbaga Umit
Published: August 2024

As artificial intelligence (AI) continues to advance, Generative AI emerges as a transformative force, capable of generating novel content and revolutionizing anomaly detection methodologies. This paper presents CloudGEN, a pioneering approach to anomaly detection in cloud environments by leveraging the potential of Generative Adversarial Networks (GANs) and Convolutional Neural Network (CNN). Our research focuses on developing a state‐of‐the‐art Generative AI‐based anomaly detection system, integrating GANs, deep learning techniques, and adversarial training. We explore unsupervised generative modelling, multi‐modal architectures, and transfer learning to enhance expert systems' anomaly detection systems. We illustrate our approach by dissecting anomalies regarding job performance, network behaviour, and resource utilization in cloud computing environments. The experimental results underscore a notable surge in anomaly detection accuracy with significant development of approximately 11%.
Bimodal substrate binding in the active site of the glycosidase BcX
Authors: Saberi Mahin , Chikunova Aleksandra , Ben Bdira Fredj , Cramer‐Blok Anneloes , Timmer Monika , Voskamp Patrick , Ubbink Marcellus
Published: August 2024

Bacillus circulans xylanase (BcX) from the glycoside hydrolase family 11 degrades xylan through a retaining, double‐displacement mechanism. The enzyme is thought to hydrolyze glycosidic bonds in a processive manner and has a large, active site cleft, with six subsites allowing the binding of six xylose units. Such an active site architecture suggests that oligomeric xylose substrates can bind in multiple ways. In the crystal structure of the catalytically inactive variant BcX E78Q, the substrate xylotriose is observed in the active site, as well as bound to the known secondary binding site and a third site on the protein surface. Nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) titrations with xylose oligomers of different lengths yield nonlinear chemical shift trajectories for active site nuclei resonances, indicative of multiple binding orientations for these substrates for which binding and dissociation are in fast exchange on the NMR timescale, exchanging on the micro‐ to millisecond timescale. Active site binding can be modeled with a 2 : 1 model with dissociation constants in the low and high millimolar range. Extensive mutagenesis of active site residues indicates that tight binding occurs in the glycon binding site and is stabilized by Trp9 and the thumb region. Mutations F125A and W71A lead to large structural rearrangements. Binding at the glycon site is sensed throughout the active site, whereas the weak binding mostly affects the aglycon site. The interactions with the two active site locations are largely independent of each other and of binding at the secondary binding site.
Identification of the macrokinetic limiting stage of the oxidation rate of encapsulated green tea catechins
Authors: Dmitrievich Yanovskiy Matvey , Olegovich Lomovskiy Igor
Published: August 2024

Green tea catechins are efficient absorbers of reactive oxygen species in vitro and can also act as in vivo antioxidants. However, low bioavailability and degradation of catechins during storage and digestion are the key limitations for their use, thus being a hindrance for getting the maximum benefit for one's health. To a certain extent, this problem can be solved using encapsulation. This paper focuses on stability of maltodextrin‐encapsulated green tea catechins subjected to thermal treatment in air. A positive effect of encapsulation on the stability of green tea catechins during thermal treatment was shown. Catechi stabilisation is shown to occur due to catechin–polysaccharide interaction; diffusion hindrance has almost no effect on stability of the resulting particles.
Antioxidant activity, structural and physical properties of soy‐based textured vegetable protein with added cannabis leaves as affected by extrusion process
Authors: Jangchud Kamolwan , Kantrong Hataichanok , Tepsongkroh Benjarat , Jangchud Anuvat , Sangchum Khanchat , Prinyawiwatkul Witoon
Published: August 2024

The effects of cannabis leaf powder substituted for defatted soy flour (CP; 0%, 5%, 10% and 15%) and the moisture content of the mixture (MC; 25%, 35% and 45% on a wet basis) on physical properties and antioxidant activities of textured vegetable protein (TVP) prepared using a twin‐screw extruder were studied. Increasing CP and MC decreased expansion, resulting in small air cells within the structure, which, in turn, led to an increased bulk density and decreased water absorption capacity, water holding capacity and water solubility index. After rehydration, TVP with the higher CP and MC levels tended to exhibit higher hardness and cohesiveness. An increase in CP significantly (P < 0.05) enhanced the total phenolic content and antioxidant activity of TVP as determined by DPPH, ABTS and FRAP assays. The preliminary consumer acceptance test indicated that TVP containing less than 10% CP and 25% MC tended to have higher overall liking score, with the texture resembling that of meat.