bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Research and development reporting and stock performance: evidence from China
Authors: Bai Shuming , Koong Kai S. , Wang Yanni
Published: January 2023

Purpose

China adopted its new Accounting Standards for Business Enterprises No. 6 in 2007, which substantially converges with the International Financial Reporting Standards. It stipulates that firms operating in China shall capitalize development costs provided specific criteria have been met. This paper aims to examine the effects of the new accounting policies of R&D on the value-relevance and stock performance of 36,299 Chinese firms-years from 2007 to 2020.

Design/methodology/approach

A comprehensive multi-stage analysis was conducted. Multiple linear regressions were performed on the pooled cross-sectional time-series total R&D, capitalized expenditures, expensed costs and other key financial factors to test for the effects of R&D on the stock prices, contemporaneous stock returns and subsequent stock returns for the full sample, capitalizer sample and expenser sample, respectively.

Findings

First, majority of Chinese firms (about 80% of those reported) elect to adopt expensing R&D approach, while about 20% deploys capitalization treatment. Second, key attributes such as size, profitability, leverage and R&D intensity are highly associated with capitalization propensity. Third, current capitalization affects the contemporaneous stock prices and stock returns (priced-in) with yearly volatility. Finally, intertemporal association exists between firms’ expensing costs and subsequent returns due to a delayed reaction.

Originality/value

As the world largest emerging economy, the results show that research and development information adds value, and capitalizers outperforms expensers in the area of stock performance. This strategy works irrespectively of economic development stage or capital market maturity. The findings call for more capitalization.
Learning value of video tutorials in online learning communities
Authors: Steils Nadia
Published: January 2023

Purpose

Vlogging constitutes a potential advertising channel for branded products. This paper aims to investigate the role and antecedents of the learning value, i.e. substantive (vs nonsubstantive) information processing, in consumers’ purchase behavior online.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors used a mixed-methods approach including qualitative data from 25 interviews, and two quantitative studies (a field study on 4,560 members of a vlogging learning community and a replication survey on 118 participants in a different context).

Findings

The results highlight the predominant role played by perceived learning due to the characteristics of the online environment. The authors further identify the components of vlog tutorials’ learning value. The findings distinguish structured from destructured learning content depending on consumers’ level of expertise.

Practical implications

The findings recommend developing the learning value for consumers. Managers should provide micro learning unit tutorials for expert consumers and complete structured learning units for novices based on core and additional learning components.

Originality/value

In contrast with traditional entertainment videos, tutorials provide added learning value that affects purchase behaviors to a greater extent. The results present in learning components that are recommended when developing learning tutorials.
Evolution, roots and influence of the rural entrepreneurship literature: a bibliometric account
Authors: Masoomi Ehsan , Rezaei-Moghaddam Kurosh , Teixeira Aurora Castro
Published: January 2023

Purpose

This paper aims to investigate the evolution, roots and influence of the rural entrepreneurship literature.

Design/methodology/approach

Using a bibliometric exercise, the analysis starts with investigation of studies on entrepreneurship and gathering all (772) articles on rural entrepreneurship (from 1981 to 2020) found in both Scopus and Web of Science up to 15 August 2020. Citation analysis of the references/citations of 755 articles are listed in the abstract database, generating a citation database involving 46,432 references/citations. This paper considers 635 (out of the 772) articles on rural entrepreneurship (i.e. articles cited in one or more studies), generating a database of 10,767 studies influenced by the rural entrepreneurship literature.

Findings

This study discovers that the relative importance of rural entrepreneurship within the entrepreneurship literature has increased in the last few years, but rural entrepreneurship remains a European concern; the most frequently addressed topics include growth and development, institutional frameworks and governance and rurality, with theory building being rather understudied. Most of the studies on rural entrepreneurship are empirical, involving mainly qualitative analyses and targeting high income countries; rural entrepreneurship is rooted in the fields of economics and entrepreneurship and is relatively self-referential.

Originality/value

This study provides a comprehensive and updated investigation of evolution of the rural entrepreneurship literature. The assessment of the literature’s scientific roots of rural entrepreneurship had not yet been tackled before. To the best of the author’s knowledge this study can be considered as the first effort for identifying the scientific influence of the rural entrepreneurship literature.
How to win the succession race: empirical analysis of Palestinian family businesses
Authors: Habash Nojoud , Baidoun Samir
Published: January 2023

Purpose

Family businesses (FBs) have a high rate of extinction through generations; hence, it is crucial for their owners to give succession planning top priority. In light of this, the study aims to determine the key factors that significantly influence effective succession.

Design/methodology/approach

This study illuminates the crucial factors of effective succession among Palestinian FBs (PFBs) by relying on the relay race model. A self-administered questionnaire used to gather the data; partial least squares structural equation modeling was used to analyze the data obtained from 282 participants based on the two-step approach to evaluate structural equation models. In the first analysis stage, measurement items’ validity and reliability were tested. Convergent and discriminant validity tests for the measurement (outer) model were performed. The square root of average variance extracted (AVE) and the correlation between latent constructs were compared to evaluate the discriminant validity. The structural (inner) model and hypotheses were tested in the second analysis stage. The research model’s hypotheses relations were predicted using the coefficient of determination (R2).

Findings

As they draw attention from existing and future founders and incumbents of FBs that successfully complete a succession process within the Palestinian setting, the findings offer a deeper understanding of the primary familial succession factors. Where it is important to place a focus, among other things, on familial bonding and trust placed in the next generation, as well as on next generation’s credentials and capabilities, financial and operational performance of FBs, next generations desire to join the business beside the job satisfaction and the financial returns they will earn. Additionally, findings show that the size of the FB and generation, as well as the incumbent’s age and education, have positive impact on the incumbents’ willingness to step down.

Originality/value

The value of this study comes from the following: first, to the best of the authors’ knowledge, it is the first that conduct a quantitative analysis on succession factors, the thing that adds value to the PFBs literature. Second, this study adheres to its own willingness scale, as it aims to analyze other success factors that PFBs are not fully aware of, particularly, family bonding and trust, the qualifications and capabilities of the next generation, plus financial and operational performance of the FB.
The adoption of codes of ethics in family businesses: theoretical profiles and empirical evaluation
Authors: D'Allura Giorgia Maria , Calabrò Andrea , Santangelo Marco
Published: January 2023

Purpose

The aim of this paper is to theorize on and empirically extend the understanding of the adoption of codes of ethics within the context of family firms. The authors contend that in family firms the adoption of code of ethics is a process emerging from social interaction.

Design/methodology/approach

Through a multiple case study design the authors analyze family firms that have not yet adopted a code of ethics and untangle the process that could potentially lead to that choice.

Findings

The authors’ main finding suggests that the institutional context impacts on the adoption of codes of ethics. Furthermore, in first generation the adoption of codes of ethics is hindered by the presence of the founder and the existence of strong family ties. In subsequent generations as founder centrality is reduced the owning-family considers more the possibility to adopt such codes to preserve the family's reputation in the local community.

Research limitations/implications

First multiple views also from external stakeholders could be added; second, an international perspective using cross-country cases could add more nuances on how cultural and institutional aspects shape the adoption of codes of ethics differently across national contexts.

Practical implications

The authors’ findings inform family business owners on the importance of adopting code of ethics to support the formalization of the family value system.

Originality/value

The authors advance the debate on codes of ethics in family firms by disentangling the process through which those codes may be adopted to institutionalize and formalize the family values, history and tradition.
An integrated Industry 4.0-Sustainable Lean Six Sigma framework to improve supply chain performance: a decision support study from COVID-19 lessons
Authors: Rana Jaypalsinh Ambalal , Jani Suketu Y.
Published: January 2023

Purpose

The COVID-19 pandemic era has severely hampered the economy over the globe. However, the manufacturing organizations across all the countries have struggled heavily, as they were among the least who worked on online mode. The organizations are adopting various innovative quality methodologies to improve their performance. In this regard, they are adopting the Sustainable Lean Six Sigma (SLSS) concept and Industry 4.0 technologies to develop products at a faster rate. The use of Industry 4.0 technologies may reduce material movement and supply chain disruptions with the help of smart intelligent systems. There is a strong synergy between SLSS and Industry 4.0 technologies, resulting in an integrated approach for adoption. This study aims to develop a framework that practitioners can use to adopt Industry 4.0-SLSS practices effectively.

Design/methodology/approach

This study portrays 31 Industry 4.0-SLSS practices and 22 performance metrics identified through a literature review to improve the manufacturing supply chain performance. To compute the weights of these practices, the Robust Best–Worst Method (RBWM) is used. The Pythagorean fuzzy combined compromise solution (PF-CoCoSo) method is used to rank performance metrics.

Findings

According to the RBWM results, “Process Development Practices (PDP)” are first among the major criteria, followed by “Organizational Management Practices (OMP)” at second, “Technology Adoption Practices (TAP)” at third, “Strategy Management Practices (SMP)” at fourth and “Executive Management Practices (EMP)” at fifth, whereas the PF-CoCoSo method resulted in the performance metric “On time product delivery” ranking first.

Research limitations/implications

The identified practices have the potential to significantly improve the performance of the manufacturing supply chain. Practices that encourage a sustainable manufacturing supply chain and the usage of emerging technology will benefit organizational effectiveness. Managers can assess performance using prioritized performance metrics.

Originality/value

During the COVID-19 pandemic era, this is one of the unique attempts to provide a framework to improve the manufacturing supply chain performance. This study integrates and identifies Industry 4.0-SLSS practices and performance metrics for enhancing overall performance.
The entrepreneurial journey in Vietnam's public relations industry: the motivation, the role and the challenges
Authors: Ly-Le Tuong-Minh
Published: January 2023

Purpose

With the growing importance of small and medium entreprises (SMEs), especially in Asia Pacific, the demand for research on these topics continues to grow. This study examines the growth challenges faced by Vietnamese entrepreneurs by exploring the founders' challenges, decisions and motivations during their company's growth stage. The study aims to expand the body of knowledge about entrepreneurship in an emerging Asian market, Vietnam, as well as to give practical advice to entrepreneurs and businesspeople in Vietnam.

Design/methodology/approach

The study adopted an inductive, grounded theory approach, using a series of in-depth interviews with public relations agencies' founders in Vietnam.

Findings

The study found that founders in Vietnam's public relations industry are challenge-driven, firmly attached to their founded consulting businesses. These founders appreciate learning and earning opportunities more than company growth or control; thus, they did not demonstrate the growth dilemma usually seen in SME founders.

Practical implications

This study provides guidance to nascent entrepreneurs in Vietnam, especially those in the public relations sector. As founders in this industry usually lack a business management background or experience, understanding what lies ahead in the start-up venture will help them better prepare themselves and avoid failure early in their business.

Originality/value

The study findings challenge the widely-held assumption that all entrepreneurs pursue growth and typically experience the growth versus delegation crisis. The study also contributes by expanding the limited body of knowledge about Vietnamese entrepreneurship, an area that has not been well studied and the Vietnamese public relations agencies.
Employees’ online brand advocacy behaviors as a response to justice and emotion
Authors: Cavdar Aksoy Nilsah , Yazici Nihal , Duzenci Ahmet
Published: January 2023

Purpose

This study aims to focus on the information sharing behavior of employees in the context of online brand advocacy based on the cognition–affection–behavior framework.

Design/methodology/approach

Online surveys were distributed to 840 employees, and the gathered data was analyzed by using structural equation modeling.

Findings

The effects of perceived organizational justice, employee emotions, organizational trust on online brand advocacy and the moderating role of organizational identification were empirically supported in this study. Noteworthy exceptions to these findings included the lack of evidence of the effect of informational justice on emotions, the effect of procedural justice on negative emotion and the effect of negative emotion on online brand advocacy.

Originality/value

This study expands brand activism research by investigating online brand advocacy and the employee context. Moreover, this work also extends online brand advocacy research through the employee points of view.
Cooperative preservation management and the digitisation of journal collections in French higher education libraries
Authors: Niziers Guillaume , Richard Gabrielle
Published: January 2023

Purpose

The study aims to highlight the outputs and issues of cooperative preservation and digitisation of journal collections in French higher education libraries.

Design/methodology/approach

Overview of the French shared preservation initiative for academic journals and of the Persée programme.

Findings

After 18 years of operation of the French shared journal preservation initiative, the Persée digitisation programme represents a new lever for a common policy.

Originality/value

Contributes to the discussion on the complementarity between preservation and digitisation.
The role of technology in supply chain decarbonisation: towards an integrated conceptual framework
Authors: Xu Linqi , Jia Fu , Lin Xiao , Chen Lujie
Published: January 2023

Purpose

This study aims to systematically review the current academic literature on the role of technologies in low-carbon supply chain management (SCM), identify and analyse critical themes and propose an integrated conceptual model.

Design/methodology/approach

A systematic literature review of 48 papers published between 2010 and 2022 was conducted. A conceptual model was advanced.

Findings

Based on the analysis and synthesis of the reviewed papers, this review provides an initial attempt to integrate technology adoption and low-carbon SCM by developing a diffusion of innovation model of technology-enabled low-carbon SCM within the technology–organisation–environment (TOE) framework, in which drivers, enablers and barriers to technology adoption practices are identified. The environmental, economic and social outcomes of adoption practices are also identified.

Originality/value

This study provides a novel and comprehensive roadmap for future research on technology-enabled low-carbon SCM. Furthermore, policy, as well as managerial implications, is presented for policymakers and managers.
The determinants of eco-fashion purchase intention and willingness to pay
Authors: Farzin Milad , Shababi Hooman , Shirchi Sasi Golnoosh , Sadeghi Marzie , Makvandi Rosha
Published: January 2023

Purpose

This study aims to examine the effect of social influence, environmental concerns and altruism on consumer purchase intention of eco-fashion (PIEF). In addition, this study, exploring the essential behavioral outcomes influenced in marketing, seeks to deepen the existing insight in this area.

Design/methodology/approach

To obtain the required data, the authors surveyed a group of people with previous experience in the purchase of eco-friendly apparel. The research hypotheses were tested using the structural equation modeling technique.

Findings

According to the results, social influence had the most significant impact on PIEF. Also, environmental concerns and altruism had a significant effect on PIEF. The results further indicated that eco-fashion purchase intention, in turn, influenced consumer willingness to engage in eWOM and pay a price premium.

Practical implications

The results of the present study guide marketing practitioners for the segmentation of target consumers, as the information on consumers’ natural needs and desires in a socio-cultural context is of significant use to fashion managers to understand their customers deeply. This information also helps them discover better ways of designing their marketing campaigns.

Originality/value

This paper contributes to research by advancing an understanding of how consumers make eco-fashion consumption decisions in purchasing apparel and provides businesses with managerial insights into devising marketing strategies to promote eco-fashion consumption, which facilitates fashion companies’ development of a sustainable fashion supply chain.
Socratic seminar: a transformational approach to vertical and horizontal historical analysis
Authors: Magill Kevin , Harrelson Magill Liz
Published: January 2023

Purpose

The purpose of the study was to explore and articulate how Socratic seminar might be considered more completely as part of justice-focused social studies classroom disciplinary practices.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors reviewed the literature on Socratic seminar and developed a model for its practical use. The authors used the model to demonstrate its use in teaching civil rights history, as an example for implementation.

Findings

Socratic seminar is an instructional method that layers several disciplinary literacy skills within social studies that have the combined potential to create a transformative dialogue within the classroom and communities, especially when leveraged in more complex multi-text ways. Through the seminars, students can better understand what the authors name horizontal historical analysis, the perspective on concurrent social justice movements and vertical curricular analysis or how social justice movements experience continuity and change over time.

Practical implications

The authors provided an accessible model for teachers and students to use Socratic seminars as part of transformational social studies practices.

Social implications

The authors demonstrate how the Socratic seminar model can provide students with the intellectual foundation for considering social action as more critically informed civic agents.

Originality/value

The authors examine and offer a model of how Socratic seminar can engage students in vertical and/or horizontal historical analysis for transformational purposes. Further, the authors identify how Socratic seminar can build the skills and dispositions of social studies, provide space for knowledge creation through critical historical inquiry and help reframe how teachers and students understand learning and human relationships by shifting the classroom power and promoting student agency through dialogue.
The role of trust in tourists’ motivation to participate in co-creation
Authors: Arıca Resat , Kodas Betül , Cobanoglu Cihan , Parvez M. Omar , Ongsakul Viput , Della Corte Valentina
Published: January 2023

Purpose

Intention to re-participate in co-creation (IRCC) is an essential indication of customers to their deal proneness. Therefore, this study aims to focus on the role of trust in the relationship between tourists’ motivation for IRCC activities and the perceived service outputs in the tourism research.

Design/methodology/approach

This study applies a quantitative method approach to achieve perceptions into this unfamiliar phenomenon of IRCC. A total of 305 valid questionnaires were collected from October 10 to October 30, 2020 in Istanbul, then analyzed with covariance-based structural equation modeling using the linear structural relations (LISREL) software package.

Findings

The findings of the study showed that the tourists’ IRCC is categorized under four factors: learning benefit, social interaction benefit, hedonic benefit and financial benefit. In the context of IRCC, organizational trust partially mediates the relationship between tourist intention and deal proneness motivation for IRRC.

Research limitations/implications

The scope of research was limited to domestic tourists visiting Istanbul. Research must be conducted on tourists visiting other destinations and who differ in terms of cultural features to make assessments on a larger scale. Furthermore, when considering that co-creation is the consequence of the collaboration between the business and the customers, researching businesses’ initiatives based on promoting the participation in co-creation will make a contribution both for the managers and to the literature to formalize the co-creation process. In addition, social networks are one of the main platforms where tourists motivation to participate in co-creation, but tourists can both create and destroy value on social media regarding the businesses and touristic experience. In this respect, future research should analyze tourists’ motivation elements that urge them to co-create and co-destroy value on social networks, contributing to understanding and evaluating the co-creation process in all aspects.

Practical implications

In contrast with prior research, this study offers a model that integrates the antecedents and consequences of the IRCC process. In this perception, insight tourist motivational factors to IRCC activities provides a path for tourism businesses to strategically manage their activities. This study mostly uncovers the role of organizational trust positively in effect the re-participation.

Originality/value

IRCC is an issue that should be evaluated with its antecedents and outputs. In the literature, several studies evaluate co-creation outputs but research on antecedents promoting IRCC is limited. In this study, the antecedents (motivation to re-participate) and outputs of co-creation (trust and perceived benefit) are evaluated together.
The prevalence and practice impact of weight bias among New Zealand registered dietitians
Authors: Roy Rajshri , Kaufononga Ana , Yovich Franica , Diversi Tara
Published: January 2023

Aim

This study explored demographics and three characteristics of registered dietitians—optimism, perfectionism, and weight bias and whether they affect three components of dietetics practice—dietetics assessment, dietetics recommendations, and dietitian's perception of the client's success.

Methods

A self‐administered questionnaire was completed by 92 registered dietitians and student dietitians in New Zealand to assess explicit weight bias. [Correction added on 27 January 2023, after first online publication: in the preceding sentence, ‘109 registered dietitians’ has been updated to ‘92 registered dietitians’.] Participants were randomised to receive a case study for a condition unrelated to weight accompanied by a photo of a woman with either a smaller or a larger body. Participants then assessed the client based on data provided, provided recommendations, and rated their perception of the client.

Results

Mean (±SD) scores indicated mild fatphobia (2.63±0.39) in participating dietitians. Dietitians presented with the photo of a larger client assessed the client to have lower health and were more likely to provide unsolicited weight management recommendations. Additionally, dietitians rated the larger client as less receptive and motivated, and less likely to understand the recommendations adequately, with a lower ability to comply with and maintain these recommendations.

Conclusions

Dietitians and student dietitians in New Zealand may practise in a manner that could be perceived as influenced by negative implicit weight bias, despite the explicit fatphobia scale scores assessing only mild fatphobia. Further research examining the extent of the problem in New Zealand, how it impacts client outcomes, and possible solutions are required.
Impacts of abiotic factors on the fungal communities of ‘Honeycrisp’ apples in Canada
Authors: McLaughlin Michael S. , Yurgel Svetlana N. , Abbasi Pervaiz A. , Prithiviraj Balakrishnan , Ali Shawkat
Published: January 2023

The maintenance of the beneficial plant microbiome to control plant pathogens is an emerging concept of disease management, and necessitates a clear understanding of these microbial communities and the environmental factors that affect their diversity and compositional structure. As such, studies investigating the microbiome of economically significant cultivars within each growing region are necessary to develop adequate disease management strategies. Here, we assessed the relative impacts of growing season, management strategy, and geographical location on the fungal microbiome of ‘Honeycrisp’ apples from seven different orchard locations in the Atlantic Maritime Ecozone for two consecutive growing years. Though apple fruit tissue was dominated by relatively few fungal genera, significant changes in their fungal communities were observed as a result of environmental factors, including shifts in genera with plant‐associated lifestyles (symbionts and pathogens), such as Aureobasidium, Alternaria, Penicillium, Diplodia, and Mycosphaerella. Variation in fungal composition between different tissues of fruit was also observed. We demonstrate that growing season is the most significant factor affecting fungal community structure and diversity of apple fruit, suggesting that future microbiome studies should take place for multiple growing seasons to better represent the host–microbiome of perennial crops under different environmental conditions.
Phenological growth stages of sacred Elaeocarpus ganitrus Roxb. ex G. Don (Rudraksha) using the extended Biologische Bundesanstalt, Bundessortenamt und Chemische Industrie scale
Authors: Kumar Abhishek , Singh Sanjay , Rani Komal , Kumar Prabal , Singh Manish , Bahadur Chand Harish , Kumar Rahul
Published: January 2023

A standard extended Biologische Bundesanstalt, Bundessortenamt und Chemische Industrie (BBCH) scale is developed for an important tree species, that is, Elaeocarpus ganitrus Roxb. ex G. Don (Synonym: Elaeocarpus serratus L.) commonly known as Rudraksha. We propose a detailed description of phenological stages and climatic parameters delineating Rudraksha's major key physiological changes. Phenological factors will aid in developing measures for protecting this endangered ethnobotanical significant tree species. This manuscript proposes a monograph consisting of eight Principal Growth Stages out of 10 BBCH stages with different plant growth stages and their descriptors with specific codes. This study is the first of its kind for Rudraksha, and it will help researchers and biologists gain further insights into this sacred tree and related studies about the behaviour of this plant in changing climatic conditions.
IL‐13, periostin and dipeptidyl‐peptidase‐4 reveal endotype‐phenotype associations in atopic dermatitis
Authors: Maintz Laura , Welchowski Thomas , Herrmann Nadine , Brauer Juliette , Traidl‐Hoffmann Claudia , Havenith Regina , Müller Svenja , Rhyner Claudio , Dreher Anita ,   CK‐CARE study group, Schmid Matthias , Bieber Thomas
Published: January 2023

Background

The heterogeneous (endo)phenotypes of atopic dermatitis (AD) require precision medicine. Currently, systemic therapy is recommended to patients with an Eczema Area and Severity Index (EASI) ≥ 16. Previous studies have demonstrated an improved treatment response to the anti‐interleukin (IL)‐13 antibody tralokinumab in AD subgroups with elevated levels of the IL‐13‐related biomarkers dipeptidyl‐peptidase (DPP)‐4 and periostin.

Methods

Herein, 373 AD patients aged ≥12 years were stratified by IL‐13high, periostinhigh and DPP‐4high endotypes using cross‐sectional data from the ProRaD cohort Bonn. “High” was defined as >80th quantile of 47 non‐atopic controls. We analyzed endotype‐phenotype associations using machine‐learning gradient boosting compared to logistic regression.

Results

Atopic dermatitis severity and eosinophils correlated with IL‐13 and periostin levels. Correlations of IL‐13 with EASI were stronger in patients with increased (rs = 0.482) than with normal (rs = 0.342) periostin levels. We identified eosinophilia >6% and an EASI range of 5.5–17 dependent on the biomarker combination to be associated with increasing probabilities of biomarkerhigh endotypes. Also patients with mild‐to‐low‐moderate severity (EASI < 16) featured increased biomarkers (IL‐13high: 41%, periostinhigh: 48.4%, DPP‐4high: 22.3%). Herthoge sign (adjusted Odds Ratio (aOR) = 1.89, 95% Confidence Interval (CI) [1.14–3.14]) and maternal allergic rhinitis (aOR = 2.79–4.47) increased the probability of an IL‐13high‐endotype, “dirty neck” (aOR = 2.83 [1.32–6.07]), orbital darkening (aOR = 2.43 [1.08–5.50]), keratosis pilaris (aOR = 2.21 [1.1–4.42]) and perleche (aOR = 3.44 [1.72–6.86]) of a DPP‐4high‐endotype.

Conclusions

A substantial proportion of patients with EASI < 16 featured high biomarker levels suggesting systemic impact of skin inflammation already below the current cut‐off for systemic therapy. Our findings facilitate the identification of patients with distinct endotypes potentially linked to response to IL‐13‐targeted therapy.
Maternal human papillomavirus infection during pregnancy and preterm delivery: A mother–child cohort study in Norway and Sweden
Authors: Wiik Johanna , Værnesbranden Magdalena R. , Jonassen Christine M. , Staff Anne Cathrine , Carlsen Karin C. L. , Granum Berit , Haugen Guttorm , Hedlin Gunilla , Hilde Katarina , Jacobsson Bo , Nilsson Staffan , Nordlund Björn , Rangberg Anbjørg , Rehbinder Eva Maria , Sengpiel Verena , Skjerven Håvard , Sundet Birgitte K. , Söderhäll Cilla , Vettukattil Riyas , Sjøborg Katrine
Published: January 2023

Introduction

Human papillomavirus (HPV) infection is common in women of reproductive age. Infection and inflammation are leading causes for preterm delivery (PTD), but the role of HPV infection in PTD and prelabor rupture of membranes (PROM) is unclear. We aimed to explore whether HPV infection during pregnancy in general, and high‐risk‐HPV (HR‐HPV) infection specifically, increased the risk of PTD, preterm prelabor rupture of membranes (PPROM), PROM at term, and/or chorioamnionitis.

Material and Methods

In pregnant women, who were participating in a prospective multicenter cohort study from a general population in Norway and Sweden (PreventADALL, ClinicalTrials.gov NCT02449850), HPV DNA was analyzed in available urine samples at mid‐gestation (16–22 weeks) and at delivery, and in the placenta after delivery with Seegene Anyplex II HPV28 PCR assay. The risk of PTD, PPROM, PROM, and chorioamnionitis was analyzed using unadjusted and adjusted logistic regression analyses for any 28 HPV genotypes, including 12 HR‐HPV genotypes, compared with HPV‐negative women. Further, subgroups of HPV (low‐risk/possibly HR‐HPV, HR‐HPV‐non‐16 and HR‐HPV‐16), persistence of HR‐HPV from mid‐gestation to delivery, HR‐HPV‐viral load, and presence of multiple HPV infections were analyzed for the obstetric outcomes. Samples for HPV analyses were available from 950 women with singleton pregnancies (mean age 32 years) at mid‐gestation and in 753 also at delivery.

Results

At mid‐gestation, 40% of women were positive for any HPV and 24% for HR‐HPV. Of the 950 included women, 23 had PTD (2.4%), nine had PPROM (0.9%), and six had chorioamnionitis (0.6%). Of the term pregnancies, 25% involved PROM. The frequency of PTD was higher in HR‐HPV‐positive women (8/231, 3.5%) than in HPV‐negative women (13/573, 2.3%) at mid‐gestation, but the association was not statistically significant (odds ratio 1.55; 95% confidence interval 0.63–3.78). Neither any HPV nor subgroups of HPV at mid‐gestation or delivery, nor persistence of HR‐HPV was significantly associated with increased risk for PTD, PPROM, PROM, or chorioamnionitis. No HPV DNA was detected in placentas of women with PTD, PPROM or chorioamnionitis.

Conclusions

HPV infection during pregnancy was not significantly associated with increased risk for PTD, PPROM, PROM, or chorioamnionitis among women from a general population with a low incidence of adverse obstetric outcomes.
A relational approach to Indo‐Pacific strategies: South Korea's role in a networked regional architecture
Authors: Yeo Andrew , Chung Kuyoun
Published: January 2023

How do regional actors perceive South Korea's role in the Indo‐Pacific? Using South Korea as a reference point, this introductory paper to the Special Issue adopts the analogy of “network structures” to examine how the network of Indo‐Pacific relations shapes actors' perceptions and interactions with other states in the region. South Korea's relationship with other actors in the Indo‐Pacific is not just a function of bilateral relations. It is influenced by the larger strategic environment and the dynamic relationships that exist among network actors. By analyzing the Indo‐Pacific strategies of several states comparatively, we aim to better understand South Korea's role and place within the broader regional strategic network. We advocate a relational approach to understanding regional dynamics in the Indo‐Pacific that moves past traditional international relations paradigms.
Characterization of myeloproliferative neoplasms in the paediatric and young adult population
Authors: Harris Zoey , Kaizer Hannah , Wei Aria , Karantanos Theodoros , Williams Donna M. , Chaturvedi Shruti , Jain Tania , Resar Linda , Moliterno Alison R. , Braunstein Evan M.
Published: January 2023

The aim of this study was to compare the genomic features and clinical outcomes between paediatric and young adult patients (PAYA, <40 years) and older adults (OA, ≥40 years) with myeloproliferative neoplasms (MPN) to gain insight into pathogenesis, disease prognosis and management. Of 630 MPN patients, 171 (27%) were PAYA with an average age at diagnosis of 31 years. Females were more prevalent in PAYA than OA (71% vs 58%; p = 0.002), and PAYA more frequently presented with essential thrombocytosis (ET) at diagnosis (67% vs 39%; p < 0.001). The presence of a JAK2 somatic mutation was higher in OA (80.4% vs 64.3%; p < 0.001), while a CALR mutation or lack of any traditional driver mutation was more common in PAYA (20.5% vs 10.5%; p = 0.001, 8.8% vs 3.7%; p = 0.01 respectively). Venous thrombosis was more common in PAYA compared to OA (19.8% vs 10.7%; p = 0.002). PAYA had a higher prevalence of familial MPN and familial cancer predisposition, and two PAYA patients harboured pathogenic germline JAK2 lesions. PAYA demonstrated longer survival from diagnosis than OA (median not reached vs 13 years), while disease transformation was less frequent (19.3% vs 37.9%).
The global financial crisis and protectionism: Substitution from tariffs to non‐tariff measures
Authors: Heo Inae , Choi Bo‐Young
Published: January 2023

This study empirically investigates the relationships between tariffs and non‐tariff measures before and after the global financial crisis (GFC). The panel analysis is based on traded products of 70 countries from 1997 to 2015. For developed countries, we find that tariffs and non‐tariff measures were complementary before the crisis, but they became substitutional afterward. We do not find such shift for developing countries. We also run the analysis by income levels and by types of products and observe differential effects of the GFC on the relationship between the two trade policies.
Is antenatal or early‐life vitamin D associated with eczema or food allergy in childhood? A systematic review
Authors: Zeng Rong , Li Yusi , Shen Songying , Qiu Xiu , Chang Chia‐Lun , Koplin Jennifer J. , Perrett Kirsten P. , Dharmage Shyamali C. , Lodge Caroline J. , Lowe Adrian J.
Published: January 2023

Objective

To summarise the associations between antenatal or early‐life blood vitamin D and the development of eczema/food allergy in childhood.

Design

A systematic review and meta‐analyses were conducted to synthesize the published literature. Two reviewers independently performed the study selection and data extraction on Covidence. We assessed the risk of bias for observational studies by using the Newcastle‐Ottawa Scale and the Cochrane Risk of Bias tool for clinical trials. The certainty of the evidence was assessed using Grading of Recommendations, Assessment, Development and Evaluations (GRADE).

Data sources

We systematically searched PubMed and Embase from inception and April 2022.

Eligibility criteria

Human studies that investigated prospective associations between antenatal or early‐life blood vitamin D levels, dietary intake or supplementation and childhood eczema/food allergy.

Results

Forty‐three articles including six randomised controlled trials (RCTs) were included. Four RCTs of vitamin D supplementation during pregnancy showed no evidence of an effect on the incidence of eczema (pooled odds ratio [OR] = 0.85; 0.67–1.08, I2 = 6.7%, n = 2074). Three RCTs reported null associations between supplementation in pregnancy/infancy and food allergy. From six cohort studies, increasing cord blood vitamin D levels were associated with reduced prevalence of eczema at/close to age one (OR per 10 nmol/L increase = 0.89; 0.84–0.94, I2 = 0%, 2025 participants). We found no evidence of an association between maternal antenatal or infant vitamin D level or dietary intake and the development of food allergy or eczema in offspring.

Conclusions

We found an association between higher vitamin D levels in cord blood and reduced risk of eczema in cohort studies. Further trials with maternal and infant supplementation are needed to confirm if vitamin D supplementation can effectively prevent eczema or food allergy in childhood.

Systematic review registration

PROSPERO, No. CRD42013005559.
What drives local communities' attitudes toward the protected area? Insights from Bardia National Park, Nepal
Authors: Shahi Kabindra , Khanal Gopal , Jha Rohit Raj , Bhusal Prabin , Silwal Thakur
Published: January 2023

Understanding the local communities' attitudes toward protected areas (PAs) is critical to PA management planning. However, what socio‐economic and demographic factors drive their attitude remains poorly studied. We interviewed 135 residents in three villages in the buffer zone of Bardia National Park, Nepal, to assess their perceived benefits and costs of the PA. We found that perceived benefits are skewed toward wealthy and influential people, whereas costs associated with wildlife‐caused damage (i.e., crop raiding) are borne disproportionately by poor people. The Tobit regression model showed that wealthy and educated residents who obtained direct tourism benefits from the park were significantly more likely to hold positive attitudes toward the PA. On the flip side, residents who had experienced conflict with park administration (park staff and military guards) and incurred a higher amount of crop loss in the recent past were likely to have negative attitudes. Our results showed that negative attitudes largely stemmed from park staff and military guards' behavior and inefficient service delivery from the national park office. In light of these findings, we suggest the park administration develop mechanisms to ensure efficient service delivery and pragmatic handling of community grievances concerning law enforcement and wildlife damage compensation. We also recommend directing park benefits to less educated and poor households and those suffering property losses from wildlife to improve park‐people relationships.
Recommendations for reporting measures of diagnostic accuracy
Authors: Vrbin Colleen M.
Published: January 2023

This article serves as the third in a series that offers recommendations for optimal data reporting, specifically focusing on the statistical methods most frequently reported in Cytopathology articles. Measures of diagnostic accuracy were among the most commonly reported results in Cytopathology, with sensitivity and/or specificity reported in 32% of the reviewed articles. This article will provide a brief overview of common measures of diagnostic accuracy, including sensitivity, specificity, positive and negative predictive values, positive and negative likelihood ratios, overall diagnostic accuracy, receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve, and area under the curve (AUC). Reporting recommendations for these measures will be reviewed, including the suggestion of providing a 2 × 2 contingency table when possible, or numerator and denominator values for calculations when all values needed for a contingency table are not known, and calculation of ROC and AUC if relevant. Additionally, paired measures should be reported, including sensitivity with specificity, positive with negative predictive values, and positive with negative likelihood ratios. Calculating 95% confidence intervals (CI) for the measures is recommended, with several methods to choose from, including the Wald interval, Wilson interval, Clopper‐Pearson interval, Agresti‐Coull interval, and Bayesian highest posterior density (HPD) interval. Since there are various methods for CI calculations, the author encourages the reader to consult with a trained statistician to identify the most appropriate method based on the data, which should be reported in the methods section of the resulting write‐up.
Learning strategy differentially impacts memory connections in children and adults
Authors: Abolghasem Zahra , Teng Tiffany H.‐T. , Nexha Elida , Zhu Cherrie , Jean Cindy S. , Castrillon Mariana , Che Eric , Di Nallo Eva V. , Schlichting Margaret L.
Published: January 2023

Even once children can accurately remember their experiences, they nevertheless struggle to use those memories in flexible new ways—as in when drawing inferences. However, it remains an open question as to whether the developmental differences observed during both memory formation and inference itself represent a fundamental limitation on children's learning mechanisms, or rather their deployment of suboptimal strategy. Here, 7–9‐year‐old children (N = 154) and young adults (N = 130) first formed strong memories for initial (AB) associations and then engaged in one of three learning strategies as they viewed overlapping (BC) pairs. We found that being told to integrate—combine ABC during learning—both significantly improved children's ability to explicitly relate the indirectly associated A and C items during inference and protected the underlying pair memories from forgetting. However, this finding contrasted with implicit evidence for memory‐to‐memory connections: Adults and children both formed A‐C links prior to any knowledge of an inference test—yet for children, such links were most apparent when they were told to simply encode BC, not integrate. Moreover, the accessibility of such implicit links differed between children and adults, with adults using them to make explicit inferences but children only doing so for well‐established direct AB pairs. These results suggest that while a lack of integration strategy may explain a large share of the developmental differences in explicit inference, children and adults nevertheless differ in both the circumstances under which they connect interrelated memories and their ability to later leverage those links to inform flexible behaviours.

Research Highlights

Children and adults view AB and BC pairs related through a shared item, B. This provides an opportunity for learners to connect A–C in memory.

Being encouraged to integrate ABC during learning boosted performance on an explicit test of A–C connections (children and adults) and protected from forgetting (children).

Children and adults differed in when implicit A–C connections were formed—occurring primarily when told to separately encode BC (children) versus integrate (adults), respectively.

Adults used implicit A–C connections to facilitate explicit judgments, while children did not. Our results suggest developmental differences in the learning conditions promoting memory‐to‐memory connections.
Does intrathecal baclofen therapy decrease the progression of hip displacement in young patients with cerebral palsy?
Authors: Asma Ali , Ulusaloglu Armagan Can , Howard Jason J. , Rogers Kenneth J. , McManus Maura , Miller Freeman , Shrader M. Wade
Published: January 2023

Aim

To evaluate the effects of intrathecal baclofen pump (ITBP) therapy on hip dysplasia in young patients with cerebral palsy (CP).

Method

This was a retrospective cohort series of prospectively collected data. Inclusion criteria were all patients with CP in Gross Motor Function Classification System (GMFCS) levels IV or V who underwent ITBP placement under 8 years old with at least 5 years of follow‐up. Thirty‐four patients were matched to a control group of 71 patients based on GMFCS level, motor type, medical comorbidities, worst hip migration percentage at ITBP placement, age, and Modified Ashworth scale scores. Patients were followed for at least 5 years or until they had hip reconstructive surgery. The primary outcome was the development of hip displacement as measured by the migration percentage at the latest follow‐up or the preoperative migration percentage before hip reconstruction.

Results

The migration percentage at last follow‐up was not statistically different between groups (ITBP: 36.2%, non‐ITBP: 44.4%, p = 0.14). The rates of future preventative, reconstructive, and recurrent hip surgery were not different between groups.

Interpretation

The use of ITBP as an early treatment of spasticity did not alter the natural history of progressive hip displacement in non‐ambulatory patients with CP and hip displacement is likely multifactorial, not solely due to spasticity.