bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Environmental pressures and eco-innovation in manufacturing SMEs: the mediating effect of environmental capabilities
Authors: Mady Khalid , Abdul Halim Muhammad Abi Sofian , Omar Khatijah , Battour Mohamed , Abdelkareem Reda Shaker
Published: April 2023

Purpose

Although environmental pressures have been covered in great detail in prior literature as the drivers of eco-innovation, there remains inconsistency in the empirical results concerning the effects of these pressures on eco-innovation behaviour. Hence, this paper aims to investigate the impact of environmental pressures, namely, regulatory pressure, green demand and competitive pressure, on eco-innovation among manufacturing SMEs. Moreover, it examined the mediating role of environmental capabilities on the environmental pressure–eco-innovation relationship.

Design/methodology/approach

Quantitative data were collected using an online self-reported questionnaire survey to test the hypothesised model. A total of 183 valid questionnaires were collected from managers and owners of manufacturing SMEs in Egypt.

Findings

The results of the data analysis using the Smart-PLS software package revealed that among environmental pressures, only green demand had a direct effect on eco-innovation. In addition, environmental capabilities only mediated the effect of competitive pressure on eco-innovation.

Originality/value

This study has been one of the few addressing the issue of how the drivers of eco-innovation interact. It has also provided the managers and owners of SMEs and policymakers with practical implications.
The effects of debt liquidity risk on firms' growth rate
Authors: Liu Zilong , Liang Hongyan , Liu Chang
Published: April 2023

Purpose

In theory, the impact of debt liquidity risk (DLR) on the firm's future growth is ambiguous. This study aims to examine the empirical relationship between the DLR and firms' growth rate using annual data for USA companies from 1976 to 2020.

Design/methodology/approach

Given the longitudinal nature of the data, the author uses OLS (ordinary least squares) regression methodology with fixed effects to control for unobserved characteristics that might affect the dependent variable. Instrument variable regression is also used to address the potential endogeneity problem.

Findings

The results show that firms having higher DLR, as proxied by more short-term debt, experience lower growth rate. An increase in firms' short-term debt decreases the firms' future growth rate as evidenced by lower assets, revenue and employee growth rate. Moreover, the authors' results show that small firms or firms with more investment opportunities grow fast if the firms take higher DLR. Finally, cyclical firms with higher DLR exhibit lower growth rate during the credit tighten period. The authors' results hold for both the pre-zero lower bound (ZLB) era and ZLB period.

Originality/value

To the authors' best knowledge, this is one of the earliest studies to carefully examine the effects of DLR on firms' growth rate. While prior research finds that firms with higher growth potential, measured by market-to-book (MTB) ratio, use more short-term debt, the authors' research directly addresses whether DLR affects firms' future growth rate. The authors’ findings also help explain why firms with high growth potential use more short-term debt.
Helping middle-aged and elderly short-video creators attract followers: a mixed-methods study on Douyin users
Authors: Wang Changyu , Yan Jin , Huang Lijing , Cao Ningyue
Published: April 2023

Purpose

Drawing on information foraging theory and the SERVQUAL model, this study built a research model to investigate the roles of middle-aged and elderly short-video creators' online attributes in attracting short-video viewers to be their followers.

Design/methodology/approach

Taking Douyin (a famous short-video platform in China) as an example, this study used a sequential triangulation mixed-methods approach (quantitative → qualitative) to examine the proposed model by investigating both creators and viewers.

Findings

Viewers who clicked the “like” button for the middle-aged and elderly creators' videos are more likely to follow the creators. Viewers will believe that middle-aged and elderly creators who received more likes are more popular. Thus, middle-aged and elderly creators with more likes usually have more followers. Viewers usually believe that middle-aged and elderly creators who more frequently publish professional and high-quality videos have invested more effort and who have official verification also have a high level of authority and are recognized by the platform. Thus, middle-aged and elderly creators with more professional videos and verification usually have more followers. Moreover, verification, the number of videos and the professionalism of videos can enhance the transformation of viewers who liked middle-aged and elderly creators' videos into their followers, and thus strengthen the positive relationship between the number of likes and the number of followers; however, the number of bio words will have an opposite effect.

Practical implications

These findings have implications for platform managers, middle-aged and elderly creators and the brands aiming to develop a “silver economy” by attracting more followers.

Originality/value

This study researches short-video platforms by using a mixed-methods approach to develop an understanding of viewers' decision-making when following middle-aged and elderly creators based on information foraging theory and the SERVQUAL model from the perspectives of both short-video creators and viewers.
Factors affecting consumer attitude and loyalty: evidence from a Philippine chain of fast-food restaurants’ smart retailing technology
Authors: Lacap Jean Paolo Gomez , Plaza Melody Narisma , Caballero Jamielene , dela Cruz Maricar
Published: April 2023

Purpose

This study aims to explore the influence of perceived value, enjoyment and novelty of fast-food chains’ smart retailing technology (SRT) on Filipino consumers’ attitude and loyalty.

Design/methodology/approach

Purposive sampling was used in identifying the respondents (N = 343). The participants were composed of consumers of the leading fast-food chains in the Philippines, where SRT using self-service ordering kiosks is being implemented. The hypotheses were explored using partial least squares path modeling, and predictive-causal was the study’s research design.

Findings

The results reveal that, among the factors, perceived enjoyment substantially contributes to the formation of favorable consumers’ attitude toward SRT. Moreover, perceived value was found to have a moderate effect on attitude while perceived novelty showed small impact. In terms of consumers’ attitude and loyalty, the two variables were found to have large positive and significant relationship. The moderation analysis shows that consumers’ attitude toward SRT has medium indirect effect on the relationship between perceived enjoyment and loyalty, while there is small indirect influence on the links between perceived value and loyalty, and between perceived novelty and loyalty.

Originality/value

As more and more fast-food establishments are adopting the use of SRT via self-ordering kiosks, the present study is the only study in the Philippine context that explores how perceived value, enjoyment and novelty affect consumers’ attitude and loyalty.
Exploring usage, expected benefits and perceived usefulness of social media in travel agencies: an empirical investigation in Italy
Authors: Splendiani Simone , Dini Mauro , Rivetti Francesca , Pencarelli Tonino
Published: April 2023

Purpose

The purpose of the present study is to investigate travel agencies' social media usage and its perceived effectiveness by small- and micro-Italian travel agencies; the pre-pandemic period is compared to the forecasts for the post-Covid-19 period and different characteristics of firms and entrepreneurs are considered. Furthermore, the study analyses the expected benefits in terms of marketing objectives, such as improving brand image and/or personalizing the offer.

Design/methodology/approach

The research was developed through a questionnaire administered electronically to travel agents (282 respondents). The resulting data was analyzed by applying the McNemar test, a pairwise t-test and the multivariate analysis of variance.

Findings

The results show that social media are strategically significant for travel agents, even though their adoption is influenced by different agency aims; the perceived effectiveness results are diversified according to varying agency typologies.

Research limitations/implications

The two main limitations of the study are its focus on the Italian context only and the missing consideration of the consumer's point of view. The latter prevents an exhaustive assessment of future trends regarding the use of social media in the client–agency relationship.

Originality/value

The study, which focuses on a little debated topic concerning the relationship between social media and SMEs, organically explores various dimensions related to the adoption of social media by small agencies, also considering the impact of the Covid-19 on the perception of travel agents. As a further element of originality, the research takes into consideration the main social platforms separately rather than the set of tools as a whole.
Conceptualizing the Mechanisms of Social Determinants of Health: A Heuristic Framework to Inform Future Directions for Mitigation
Authors: THIMM‐KAISER MARCO , BENZEKRI ADAM , GUILAMO‐RAMOS VINCENT
Published: April 2023

Policy Points

A large body of scientific work examines the mechanisms through which social determinants of health (SDOH) shape health inequities. However, the nuances described in the literature are infrequently reflected in the applied frameworks that inform health policy and programming.

We synthesize extant SDOH research into a heuristic framework that provides policymakers, practitioners, and researchers with a customizable template for conceptualizing and operationalizing key mechanisms that represent intervention opportunities for mitigating the impact of harmful SDOH.

In light of scarce existing SDOH mitigation strategies, the framework addresses an important research‐to‐practice translation gap and missed opportunity for advancing health equity.

Context

The reduction of health inequities is a broad and interdisciplinary endeavor with implications for policy, research, and practice. Health inequities are most often understood as associated with the social determinants of health (SDOH). However, policy and programmatic frameworks for mitigation often rely on broad SDOH domains, without sufficient attention to the operating mechanisms, and effective SDOH mitigation strategies remain scarce. To expand the cadre of effective SDOH mitigation strategies, a practical, heuristic framework for policymakers, practitioners, and researchers is needed that serves as a roadmap for conceptualizing and targeting the key mechanisms of SDOH influence.

Methods

We conduct a critical review of the extant conceptual and empirical SDOH literature to identify unifying principles of SDOH mechanisms and to synthesize an integrated framework for conceptualizing such mechanisms.

Findings

We highlight eight unifying principles of SDOH mechanisms that emerge from landmark SDOH research. Building on these principles, we introduce and apply a conceptual model that synthesizes key SDOH mechanisms into one organizing, heuristic framework that provides policymakers, practitioners, and researchers with a customizable template for conceptualizing and operationalizing the key SDOH mechanisms that represent intervention opportunities to maximize potential impact for mitigating a given health inequity.

Conclusions

Our synthesis of the extant SDOH research into a heuristic framework addresses a scarcity of peer‐reviewed organizing frameworks of SDOH mechanisms designed to inform practice. The framework represents a practical tool to facilitate the translation of scholarly SDOH work into evidence‐based and targeted policy and programming. Such tools designed to close the research‐to‐practice translation gap for effective SDOH mitigation are sorely needed, given that health inequities in the United States and in many other parts of the world have widened over the past two decades.
International multi‐stakeholder consensus statement on clinical trial integrity
Authors: Khan Khalid Saeed ,   Cairo Consensus Group on Research Integrity
Published: April 2023

Objective

To prepare a set of statements for randomised clinical trials (RCT) integrity through an international multi‐stakeholder consensus.

Methods

The consensus was developed via: multi‐country multidisciplinary stakeholder group composition and engagement; evidence synthesis of 55 systematic reviews concerning RCT integrity; anonymised two‐round modified Delphi survey with consensus threshold based on the average percentage of majority opinions; and, a final consensus development meeting. Prospective registrations: (https://osf.io/bhncy, https://osf.io/3ursn).

Results

There were 30 stakeholders representing 15 countries from five continents including triallists, ethicists, methodologists, statisticians, consumer representatives, industry representatives, systematic reviewers, funding body panel members, regulatory experts, authors, journal editors, peer‐reviewers and advisors for resolving integrity concerns. Delphi survey response rate was 86.7% (26/30 stakeholders). There were 111 statements (73 stakeholder‐provided, 46 systematic review‐generated, 8 supported by both) in the initial long list, with eight additional statements provided during the consensus rounds. Through consensus the final set consolidated 81 statements (49 stakeholder‐provided, 41 systematic review‐generated, 9 supported by both). The entire RCT life cycle was covered by the set of statements including general aspects (n = 6), design and approval (n = 11), conduct and monitoring (n = 19), reporting of protocols and findings (n = 20), post‐publication concerns (n = 12), and future research and development (n = 13).

Conclusion

Implementation of this multi‐stakeholder consensus statement is expected to enhance RCT integrity.
Factors Controlling Organic Matter Enrichment in Alkaline Lacustrine Source Rocks: A Case Study of the Late Paleozoic Fengcheng Formation in the Junggar Basin, NW China
Authors: HUANG Renda , JIANG Fujie , HU Tao , CHEN Di , HUANG Liliang , LIU Zheyu , WANG Xiaohao , ZHANG Chenxi , LÜ Jiahao , WU Yuping
Published: April 2023

The late Paleozoic Fengcheng Formation shale (LPF shale) in the Junggar Basin, NW China, is the oldest alkaline source rock discovered in the world, providing a unique perspective with which to explore organic matter (OM) enrichment in alkaline lake environments. Combined with the organic carbon isotope profile and paleoenvironmental proxies, this study reveals that the LPF shale was deposited in an arid climate with high salinity and a strong reducing environment, accompanied by frequent volcanic activity. High TOC values are concentrated in two intervals with frequent fluctuations in OM types. A negative excursion due to changes in sedimentary OM source is found in the δ13Corg profile. The excursion corresponds to the OM enrichment interval and is accompanied by abnormally high values of Sr/Ba and Sr/Cu. This implies that the extreme arid climate has led to high salinity, resulting in strong reducibility and changes in paleontological assemblages, which in turn controlled the differential enrichment of OM. The Fengcheng Fm. high‐quality source rocks are the result of the combined action of climatic events, volcanism, high‐salinity water environment and superior hydrocarbon‐generating organisms. The results provide new insights into the formation conditions of terrestrial alkaline high‐quality source rocks and the factors controlling alkaline OM enrichment.
Assessment of the Greenhouse Gas Footprint and Environmental Impact of CO2 and O2 in situ Uranium Leaching
Authors: YANG Yun , ZUO Jinsong , QIU Wenjie , WU Jichun , QUE Weimin , ZHOU Genmao , LIU Zhengbang , WU Jianfeng
Published: April 2023

Under the new development philosophy of carbon peaking and carbon neutrality, CO2 and O2 in situ leaching (ISL) has been identified as a promising technique for uranium mining in China, not only because it solves carbon dioxide utilization and sequestration, but it also alleviates the environmental burden. However, significant challenges exist in assessment of CO2 footprint and water‐rock interactions, due to complex geochemical processes. Herein this study conducts a three‐dimensional, multicomponent reactive transport model (RTM) of a field‐scale CO2 and O2 ISL process at a typical sandstone‐hosted uranium deposit in Songliao Basin, China. Numerical simulations are performed to provide new insight into quantitative interpretation of the greenhouse gas (CO2) footprint and environmental impact (SO42 –) of the CO2 and O2 ISL, considering the potential chemical reaction network for uranium recovery at the field scale. RTM results demonstrate that the fate of the CO2 could be summarized as injected CO2 dissolution, dissolved CO2 mineralization and storage of CO2 as a gas phase during the CO2 and O2 ISL process. Furthermore, compared to acid ISL, CO2 and O2 ISL has a potentially smaller environmental footprint, with 20% of SO42– concentration in the aquifer. The findings improve our fundamental understanding of carbon utilization in a long‐term CO2 and O2 ISL system and provide important environmental implications when considering complex geochemical processes.
Petrogenesis of the Late Eocene to Early Oligocene Yao'an Shoshonitic Complex, Southeastern Tibet: Partial Melting of an Ancient Continental Lithospheric Mantle beneath the Yangtze Block
Authors: DONG Mengmeng , YANG Tiannan , XUE Chuandong , XIN Di , LIANG Mingjuan , YAN Qinggao
Published: April 2023

Cenozoic potassic–ultrapotassic igneous rocks are widespread in the southeastern Tibetan Plateau. Their petrogenesis and magmatic processes remain subject to debate in spite of numerous publications. Almost all of the Cenozoic extrusive and intrusive rocks in the Yao'an area, western Yunnan Province, SW China, are geochemically shoshonitic, collectively termed here the Yao'an Shoshonitic Complex (YSC). The YSC is located in the (south) easternmost part of the ENE–WSW‐trending, ∼550 km‐long and ∼250 km‐wide Cenozoic magmatic zone; the latter separates the orthogonal and oblique collision belts of the India–Eurasia collision orogen. Previously published geochronological and thermochronological data revealed that the rocks of the YSC were emplaced over a short timespan of 34–32 Ma. This and our new data suggest that the primary magma of the YSC likely was formed by partial melting of ancient continental lithospheric mantle beneath the Yangtze Block. This part of the continental lithospheric mantle had likely not been modified by any oceanic subduction. Fractionation crystallization of an Mg‐ and Ca‐bearing mineral and Ti‐Fe oxides during the magmatic evolution probably account for the variable lithologies of the YSC.
Origami activism, inalienable collections, and crumbling concrete: Material engagements with Histories of violence
Authors: Lau‐Ozawa Koji
Published: April 2023

The World War II mass incarceration of Japanese Americans was a traumatic event that had lasting repercussions on multiple communities. Archaeologists have sought to productively pursue community‐based methodologies in studying this period, employing object‐based oral histories, outreach events, and community participation in fieldwork. However, less scholarly attention has looked to the ways in which materials have become central to understanding and mobilizing around the incarceration camp history. Acts of pilgrimage, memorialization, scholarly study, and activism constitute key arenas through which this heritage is participated with, each interacting with materials in different ways. This article discusses three cases of material engagements, from the politics of object ownership to origami activism and their importance in reckoning with this violent past. Materials in these cases are not passive objects but rather spur actions and create new publics. Furthermore, the physical qualities of materials shape both the ways in which they are engaged and the politics that surround their rhetorical deployment.
State of the art: Intrapartum antibiotics in cesarean section, the infant microbiota and allergic diseases
Authors: Moore Jassy , Navarro Severine , McCarthy Kate , Rashid Ridwan B. , Phipps Simon , Amoako Akwasi , Callaway Leonie , Eley Victoria
Published: April 2023

With increasing rates of cesarean section worldwide and international guidelines advising pre‐incision antibiotics, neonatal exposure to pre‐birth antibiotics is higher than ever before. Emerging evidence has raised concern regarding the impact of such antibiotics on the neonatal intestinal microbiota, immune system development and health conditions later in life. This narrative review investigates current protocols for intrapartum prophylactic antibiotics in cesarean section, how this and other factors may affect the neonatal intestinal microbiota and whether intrapartum antibiotics used for cesarean section are linked to the development of allergic disease.
Leveraging technology for pre‐service teachers' well‐being: The effectiveness of a multicomponent positive psychology intervention in pre‐service preschool teachers in Hong Kong
Authors: Datu Jesus Alfonso Daep , Lee Alfred S. Y. , Chung Kevin Kien Hoa
Published: April 2023

Effective teacher training programs entail cultivating not only professional teaching competencies but also promoting psychological strengths. However, there is a lack of investigation into how different modes of delivering psychological interventions influence well‐being outcomes in the teaching profession, such as preschool educators. This study examines the effects of different technologically driven modes of implementing a PROSPER‐based psychological intervention on positivity, relationship, outcome, strengths, purpose, engagement, and resilience. One hundred twenty‐eight pre‐service preschool teachers were randomly assigned to (1) the full intervention (i.e., online workshop and smartphone app); (2) the online workshop; (3) the smartphone app; and (4) the wait‐list control group. The results demonstrated that the online workshop mode yielded the strongest intervention effects on well‐being outcomes: positivity, purpose, engagement, and resilience. Although the smartphone app mode did not significantly improve psychological outcomes, combining this approach with the online workshop format appeared to have positive retention effects on positivity at the Time 3 follow‐up. The findings suggest that the traditional mode of implementing positive psychological interventions could be more effective than the smartphone app‐based mode in bolstering pre‐service teachers' well‐being.
Subclinical minute FLT3‐ITD clone can be detected in clinically FLT3‐ITD‐negative acute myeloid leukaemia at diagnosis
Authors: Yokoyama Shota , Onozawa Masahiro , Yoshida Shota , Miyashita Naoki , Kimura Hiroyuki , Takahashi Shogo , Matsukawa Toshihiro , Goto Hideki , Fujisawa Shinichi , Miki Kosuke , Hidaka Daisuke , Hashiguchi Junichi , Wakasa Kentaro , Ibata Makoto , Takeda Yukari , Shigematsu Akio , Fujimoto Katsuya , Tsutsumi Yutaka , Mori Akio , Ishihara Toshimichi , Kakinoki Yasutaka , Kondo Takeshi , Hashimoto Daigo , Teshima Takanori
Published: April 2023

Recent advances in next‐generation sequencing (NGS) have enabled the detection of subclinical minute FLT3‐ITD. We selected 74 newly diagnosed, cytogenetically normal acute myeloid leukaemia (AML) samples in which FLT3‐ITD was not detected by gel electrophoresis. We sequenced them using NGS and found minute FLT3‐ITDs in 19 cases. We compared cases with clinically relevant FLT3‐ITD (n = 37), cases with minute FLT3‐ITD (n = 19) and cases without detectable FLT3‐ITD (n = 55). Molecular characteristics (location and length) of minute FLT3‐ITD were similar to those of clinically relevant FLT3‐ITD. Survival of cases with minute FLT3‐ITD was similar to that of cases without detectable FLT3‐ITD, whereas the relapse rate within 1 year after onset was significantly higher in cases with minute FLT3‐ITD. We followed 18 relapsed samples of cases with clinically FLT3‐ITD‐negative at diagnosis. Two of 3 cases with minute FLT3‐ITD relapsed with progression to clinically relevant FLT3‐ITD. Two of 15 cases in which FLT3‐ITD was not detected by NGS relapsed with the emergence of minute FLT3‐ITD, and one of them showed progression to clinically relevant FLT3‐ITD at the second relapse. We revealed the clonal dynamics of subclinical minute FLT3‐ITD in clinically FLT3‐ITD‐negative AML. Minute FLT3‐ITD at the initial AML can expand to become a dominant clone at relapse.
Allergic bronchopulmonary aspergillosis in India
Authors: Agarwal Ritesh , Sehgal Inderpaul Singh , Muthu Valliappan , Dhar Raja , Armstrong‐James Darius
Published: April 2023

Allergic bronchopulmonary aspergillosis (ABPA) is a lung disorder caused by immune‐mediated reactions mounted against Aspergillus fumigatus. The disorder most commonly complicates the course of patients with asthma and cystic fibrosis. From its first description in 1952, significant advances have been made in understanding the pathogenesis and the diagnosis and treatment of ABPA. In the last two decades, most research on ABPA has been published from India. The prevalence and clinical presentation may differ in India from that reported elsewhere. Herein, we review the epidemiology, clinical and radiological characteristics, and distinctive features of ABPA in the Indian subcontinent. To support the review, we surveyed pulmonologists nationwide to understand the challenges in diagnosing and managing ABPA. The survey has yielded valuable insights into the practices associated with the diagnosis and management of ABPA in India.
A Recurrent Connectionist Model of Melody Perception: An Exploration Using TRACX2
Authors: Defays Daniel , French Robert M. , Tillmann Barbara
Published: April 2023

Are similar, or even identical, mechanisms used in the computational modeling of speech segmentation, serial image processing, and music processing? We address this question by exploring how TRACX2, a recognition‐based, recursive connectionist autoencoder model of chunking and sequence segmentation, which has successfully simulated speech and serial‐image processing, might be applied to elementary melody perception. The model, a three‐layer autoencoder that recognizes “chunks” of short sequences of intervals that have been frequently encountered on input, is trained on the tone intervals of melodically simple French children's songs. It dynamically incorporates the internal representations of these chunks into new input. Its internal representations cluster in a manner that is consistent with “human‐recognizable” melodic categories. TRACX2 is sensitive to both contour and proximity information in the musical chunks that it encounters in its input. It shows the “end‐of‐word” superiority effect demonstrated by Saffran et al. (1999) for short musical phrases. The overall findings suggest that the recursive autoassociative chunking mechanism, as implemented in TRACX2, may be a general segmentation and chunking mechanism, underlying not only word‐ and image‐chunking, but also elementary melody processing.
Bidirectional associations between psoriasis and migraine: A systematic review and meta‐analysis
Authors: Huang I‐Hsin , Hung Wei‐Kai , Chi Ching‐Chi
Published: April 2023

Background and Objectives

To evaluate the association between psoriasis and migraine.

Patients and Methods

MEDLINE, Embase, and the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials were searched for relevant observational studies from their respective inception to May 1, 2022. A random‐effects model meta‐analysis was performed to calculate the risk estimates quantifying the associations between psoriasis and migraine. We also performed a sensitivity analysis by including only studies with adjusted risk estimates and a subgroup analysis according to the severity of psoriasis.

Results

We included 9 studies with 6,742,075 participants. The meta‐analysis illustrated increased odds for prevalent migraine among patients with psoriasis (pooled OR: 1.69, 95% CI: 1.26–2.28) and increased odds for prevalent psoriasis among those with migraine (OR: 1.88, 95% CI: 1.32–3.67). A subgroup analysis of cohort studies demonstrated an increasingly higher risk of incident migraine in patients with mild psoriasis and severe psoriasis (IRR being 1.37 (95% CI 1.30–1.44) and 1.55 (95% CI 1.29–1.86), respectively).

Conclusions

This meta‐analysis revealed significant bidirectional associations between migraine and psoriasis. Greater severity of psoriasis appears to be associated with a higher risk of developing migraine. Clinicians should evaluate symptoms of migraine in patients with psoriasis and provide proper treatments.
Multivariate evaluation of cold tolerance in domestic and foreign populations for addressing climate mismatch in biological control of Alternanthera philoxeroides in the USA
Authors: Knight Ian A. , Harms Nathan E. , Reddy Angelica M. , Pratt Paul D.
Published: April 2023

Lack of successful biological control of alligatorweed, Alternanthera philoxeroides (Mart.) Griseb. (Amaranthaceae), by Agasicles hygrophila Selman & Vogt (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae) in the USA is an emerging problem as A. philoxeroides expands into temperate climates due to poor cold tolerance of the beetles. Sourcing climatically suited biotypes of biological control agents is traditionally done through foreign exploration into their native range; however, surveying introduced populations may provide a cost‐effective and regulatory‐friendly alternative. To compare foreign biotypes to those established in the USA, two populations of A. hygrophila were collected from the coolest extent of their range in South America, and two populations were collected from stable populations in the southeastern USA. For comparing cold tolerance among introduced populations, eight populations were collected from across a climatic gradient. For all populations, cold tolerance was measured as a function of supercooling point, critical thermal minimum (CTmin), chill coma, and temperature‐dependent survival and development of eggs and larvae. Results of cold‐tolerance measures for North American populations were subjected to principal component analysis (PCA) to reduce dimensionality and detect trends in cold tolerance among populations. For foreign and locally collected A. hygrophila, South American populations were significantly more cold tolerant as measured by CTmin (Δ1.98 °C), chill coma (Δ1.95 °C), larval survival (Δ35.0%), and development time of eggs (24.7% faster) and larvae (17.4% faster) at 15 °C. Comparisons among North American populations found significant differences in cold tolerance across populations; however, results were less consistent than those observed for foreign populations. The first principal component (PC) explained 43.0% of variation in cold‐tolerance metrics and was strongly related to mean temperature of the coldest quarter. The use of a multivariate approach to evaluate and compare cold‐tolerance phenotypes provides strong evidence of local adaptation in introduced populations of A. hygrophila. However, South American populations may still provide the best chance for control of A. philoxeroides in northern infestations.
Distinctive epidemiology and prognosis of de novo and secondary cutaneous angiosarcoma patients
Authors: Ye Junsen , Han Wei , Xu Jin
Published: April 2023

Background

Cutaneous angiosarcoma (cAS) is a rare and not well‐established malignant neoplasm characterized by dismal prognosis. Treatment for cAS remains controversial.

Objective

From 1975 to 2016, a total of 872 patients with cAS (379 secondary cAS [s‐cAS] patients and 493 de novo cAS [dn‐cAS]) patients were identified from the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) database.

Methods

Survival analyses were performed utilizing Kaplan‐Meier curves and Cox proportional hazards regression models.

Results

Both the number of s‐cAS patients and dn‐cAS patients climbed steadily over 42 years. There is a gradual increase in the proportion of s‐cAS among whole cAS patients for each interval, ranging from 0% to 51.2%.Taking into account a combination of Kaplan‐Meier and Cox regression methods, the survival of s‐cAS is similar to dn‐cAS. On multivariate analysis, older age, greater tumor size, primary site located at lower extremity, advanced stage, and no surgery were independent prognostic factors of decreased overall survival (OS) in both the s‐cAS and dn‐cAS groups.

Conclusion

Apparent increase in the number of s‐cAS patients requires further attention. Surgery is still recommended for the treatment of both s‐cAS and dn‐cAS patients, and the requirement for treatment improvement is imperative.
COVID‐19 lockdown policy and national elections: A quasi‐experimental analysis of Ghana's 2020 Election
Authors: Ayifah Rebecca Nana Yaa , Ayifah Emmanuel
Published: April 2023

The COVID‐19 pandemic has undoubtedly had a significant adverse effect on world democracies, especially elections scheduled in 2020. Per constitutional requirements, Ghana's presidential and parliamentary elections were held on 7 December 2020. Using longitudinal national election data, we investigate the effect of the COVID‐19 lockdown policy on the number of registered voters, voter turnout and vote shares of the incumbent and main opposition parties. We took advantage of the partial lockdown that was imposed in some parts of the country and employed the difference‐in‐difference quasi‐experimental method. The results show that the COVID‐19 lockdown had a positive effect on the number of registered voters and a negative effect on voter turnout. In addition, we did not find any incumbency advantage or disadvantage resulting from the COVID‐19 lockdown but the COVID‐19 lockdown had a positive effect on the vote share of the opposition party. These results suggest the need for other voting methods such as early voting, increasing the number of polling stations/voting centres, electronic voting and vote‐by‐mail which involve lesser social interaction and hence may encourage electoral participation during health pandemics.
Impact of agricultural credit disbursement on cereals yield in Odisha
Authors: Mahapatra Bamadev , Jena Diptimayee
Published: April 2023

Realizing the significance of agricultural credit and considering millets and rice are the major crops in Odisha, this study proposes to examine the impact of agricultural credit disbursement (crop loan and term loan) on the yield of total cereals, millets and rice for the period 2000–01 to 2019–20. To examine the cointegration relationship among the variables, an autoregressive distributed lag (ARDL) bound F‐test, and to investigate the impact of agricultural credit on yield of total cereals, millets and rice, an ARDL regression modelling framework is employed. The empirical result for the bounding F‐test provides a statistically significant relationship between agricultural credit and yield of total cereals, millets and rice at 1% level, confirming the long‐run equilibrium relationship in the models. The long‐run impact of crop loans positively affects the yield of total cereals and rice, whereas it has no statistically significant effect on the yield of millets. Moreover, the change in term loan negatively affects the yield of total cereals, millets and rice in the long‐run, where the magnitude is higher in the rice yield compared to the yield of millets. However, in the short‐run, both crop and term loans negatively affect the yield of total cereals, millets and rice. Based on the findings of this study, few policy implications have been suggested to reduce the negative consequences of agricultural credit on cereal yields in Odisha.
Using multimedia technology to enhance self‐advocacy of people with intellectual disabilities: Introducing a theoretical framework for ‘Multimedia Advocacy’
Authors: Watts Paul , Kwiatkowska Gosia , Minnion Andy
Published: April 2023

Background

Multimedia Advocacy is the use of digital technology for people with intellectual disabilities as means of developing identities, being heard, connecting to family and care networks and, advocating for change.

Methods

We explore principles and theories that underpin Multimedia Advocacy, mapping disciplinary approaches that have influenced the concept and praxis.

Results

We describe relevant theories from cultural and media studies, personal therapeutic practices, communication, universal design, and systemic adoption of technology. We discuss new ways of achieving person‐centred working with digital technology. We aim to develop a stronger theory/practice dialogue between these disciplines.

Conclusions

The theories described highlight the importance of embedding access and use of digital technology within everyday settings. Long‐term implementation plans and buy‐in from all organisational levels are required for Multimedia Advocacy tools to be embraced by health and social care systems so the voice of an individual is included and genuine person‐centred practice is achieved.
Online Monitoring of Test‐Taking Behavior Based on Item Responses and Response Times
Authors: Han Suhwa , Kang Hyeon‐Ah
Published: April 2023

The study presents multivariate sequential monitoring procedures for examining test‐taking behaviors online. The procedures monitor examinee's responses and response times and signal aberrancy as soon as significant change is identifieddetected in the test‐taking behavior. The study in particular proposes three schemes to track different indicators of a test‐taking mode—the observable manifest variables, latent trait variables, and measurement likelihood. For each procedure, sequential sampling strategies are presented to implement online monitoring. Numerical experimentation based on simulated data suggests that the proposed procedures demonstrate adequate performance. The procedures identified examinees with aberrant behaviors with high detection power and timeliness, while maintaining error rates reasonably small. Experimental application to real data also suggested that the procedures have practical relevance to real assessments. Based on the observations from the experiential analysis, the study discusses implications and guidelines for practical use.
Preliminary evaluation of Kovacs digital occlusal splint in the treatment of temporomandibular disorders: A single‐centre, cross‐sectional study
Authors: Hua Jiangshan , Fan Xingda , Nie Xin , He Dongmei
Published: April 2023

Background

Digital occlusal splint is a novel approach in the treatment of temporomandibular disorders (TMD) and there is a lack of evaluation.

Objective

To introduce Kovacs digital occlusal splint (KDOS) and evaluate its clinical and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) outcomes and influencing factors in the treatment of TMD.

Patients and Methods

Patients diagnosed of TMD by MRI and treated with KDOS from June 2020 to December 2021 were retrospectively reviewed. They were divided into three groups: anterior disc displacement with reduction (ADDwR), anterior disc displacement without reduction (ADDwoR) and ADDwoR + osteoarthritis (ADDwoR + OA). Visual analogue scales (VAS) scores of pain, diet, mandibular function, quality of life (Qol) and maximum interincisal opening were compared before and at least 8 weeks after treatment. Binary logistic regression was used to analyse the influence of four factors including age, gender, Wilkes stage and the severity of symptoms on treatment. MRI was used to evaluate the condylar bone status and disc length after at least 3 months treatment.

Results

One hundred and eighty‐four patients were included in the study. The average age was 30.9 ± 14.2 years and the average follow‐up was 19.8 ± 10.0 weeks. Pain, diet, mandibular function and Qol were all significantly improved after KDOS treatment (p < .05), with the effective rates of 71.6%, 56.4%, 55.3% and 54.1%. Binary logistic regression showed that higher probabilities of improvement were related to the patients with older age, ADD without OA and higher VAS scores before treatment. MRI showed that 94.1% of the condylar bone status remained stable or improved and the disc length was unchanged after treatment.

Conclusion

KDOS is effective for the treatment of TMD. Older age, ADD without OA and higher VAS scores before treatment had better results.
Right and left liver lobe biopsies by minilaparoscopy reveal clinically significant sampling error in staging and grading of autoimmune hepatitis
Authors: Johannes Hartl , Malte Wehmeyer , Shaima Alali , Marcial Sebode , Sören Weidemann , Anastasiya Ptashynska , Christina Weiler‐Normann , Christoph Schramm , Willhelm Lohse Ansgar , Till Krech , Jörg Schrader
Published: April 2023

Backgrounds/Aims

Liver diseases may affect the liver heterogeneously, especially in autoimmune hepatitis (AIH). Hence, the aim of this study was to assess the added benefit of double biopsy of both liver lobes during minilaparoscopy in guiding treatment decisions in patients with AIH.

Methods

We identified all patients with AIH or variant syndromes (AIH/PBC and AIH/PSC) at our center, who underwent a double biopsy of both liver lobes via minilaparoscopy between 01/2016 and 12/2020.

Results

A total of 114 patients received a biopsy of both liver lobes (AIH: N = 83, AIH/PBC: N = 26, AIH/PSC: N = 7). Differences in inflammatory activity as assessed by Ishaks's modified hepatitis activity index (mHAI) were observed in 72 (63%) patients. The difference was ≥2/18 points and ≥3/18 points in 32 (28%) and 11 (10%) patients, respectively. Starting or intensification of immunosuppression should be discussed at a mHAI of 4–5, while a mHAI≥6 prompts intensified immunosuppression in most cases. In 19/114 (17%) and 17/114 (15%) patients mHAI ≥4 or ≥6 was found in only one liver lobe, respectively. In ten patients, severe fibrosis (≥F3) was only found in one liver biopsy. Overall, therapeutically relevant histological differences were observed in 39/114 (34%) patients, which had a direct impact on treatment decisions in 24 patients (21%). No major adverse outcome occurred by taking biopsies from both liver lobes.

Conclusions

Obtaining a double biopsy of both liver lobes is a safe procedure during minilaparoscopy that results in more accurate grading and staging and that may impact on treatment decisions in patients with AIH.
The Unbearable Whiteness of Citational Practice in US Medical Anthropology
Authors: Davis Dána‐Ain , Mulla Sameena
Published: April 2023

In this article, we examine the citational practices of US medical anthropology and seek to decenter Western‐centric theory to minimize its theoretical dominance in the field. We call for a robust engagement with a broader variety of texts, genres of evidence, methodologies, and interdisciplinary forms of expertise and epistemology in response to the unbearable whiteness of the citational practices we critique. The practices are unbearable in that they do not support or scaffold the work we need to do as anthropologists. We hope this article invites readers to move in different citational directions to build foundations and epistemologies that support and enrich the capacity for anthropological analysis.
Not Even a Pandemic Makes Them Change Their Family Plans: The Impact of COVID‐19 on Fertility Intentions in Austria
Authors: Buber‐Ennser Isabella , Setz Ingrid , Riederer Bernhard
Published: April 2023

While researchers provided insights on the impact of the pandemic on childbirths, there is limited research on how the aftermath of the pandemic has shaped thoughts about family formation in the medium to long term. Our analysis explores perceived consequences of the pandemic on individuals' family plans. We focus on Austria, a high‐income country, characterized by a history of stable and low fertility and deeply rooted conservative family and work arrangements. Using a large representative survey carried out in fall 2021, we study self‐assessed consequences of the pandemic on family plans among women aged 20–45 years and men aged 20–50 years. Results show that only 7.6 percent of respondents intending (further) children before the pandemic changed their plans due to the pandemic. Women, persons of later reproductive ages, and parents of two or more children were more likely to intend to have less children or to have them later than initially planned. Nevertheless, the mean intended family size has remained almost unchanged since the mid‐1990s. Overall, the long‐term impact of the pandemic on family plans can be expected to be modest in Austria. Not even the pandemic made (most) respondents in Austria change their family plans.
Who speaks? Individual and institutional predictors of CEO activism
Authors: Cook Alison , Glass Christy , Ingersoll Alicia R.
Published: April 2023

Background

CEOs increasingly take public stands on social and political issues tangential to their corporation.s core mission. Emergent research on this phenomenon has explored the prevalence, impacts and risks of increasing CEO activism for firms. However, very little research has explored the individual and institutional factors that motivate CEO activism. This project attempts to refocus this nascent field by exploring the gendered, racial, sexual and organizational factors that motivate leaders to speak out on issues ranging from DEI, gun control, climate change, Black Lives Matter and #MeToo.

Method

To answer our research question ‐ who speaks? ‐ we examined CEOs, companies, and key social issues within the Proquest Newsstand Database. First, we conducted a large exploratory study of random men and women CEOs to determine if gender differences exist. Next, we examined all women CEOs in the Fortune 500 and S&P 500 between 2019–2021 to provide a more thorough and nuanced analysis.

Results

We find that women CEOs are more likely to speak out compared to men CEOs. Further, we find that BIPOC and LGBTQ+ CEOs are more likely to engage in activism compared to other CEOs. We also find that the market value of the firm and the presence of women on the board of directors serve as significant predictors of CEO activism compared to other firms.

Conclusion

We consider the implications of these findings for the appointment, tenure and visibility of historically underrepresented CEOs.