bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
What will it take to cure hepatitis B?
Authors: Jeng Wen-Juei , Lok Anna S.F.
Published: March 2023

The current treatment of chronic HBV infection, pegylated interferon-α (pegIFNα) and nucleos(t)ide analog (NA), can suppress HBV replication, reverse liver inflammation and fibrosis and reduce the risks of cirrhosis, HCC, and HBV-related deaths, but relapse is common when the treatment is stopped before HBsAg loss. There have been major efforts to develop a cure for HBV, defined as sustained HBsAg loss after a finite course of therapy. This requires the suppression of HBV replication and viral protein production and the restoration of immune response to HBV. Direct-acting antivirals targeting virus entry, capsid assembly, viral protein production and secretion are in clinical trials. Immune modulatory therapies to stimulate adaptive or innate immunity and/or to remove immune blockade are being tested. NAs are included in most and pegIFNα in some regimens. Despite the combination of 2 or more therapies, HBsAg loss remains rare in part because HbsAg can be derived not only from the covalently closed circular DNA but also from the integrated HBV DNA. Achievement of a functional HBV cure will require therapies to eliminate or silence covalently closed circular DNA and integrated HBV DNA. In addition, assays to differentiate the source of circulating HBsAg and to determine HBV immune recovery, as well as standardization and improvement of assays for HBV RNA and hepatitis B core-related antigen, surrogate markers for covalently closed circular DNA transcription, are needed to accurately assess response and to target treatments according to patient/disease characteristics. Platform trials will allow the comparison of multiple combinations and channel patients with different characteristics to the treatment that is most likely to succeed. Safety is paramount, given the excellent safety profile of NA therapy.
Cell-matrix interactions control biliary organoid polarity, architecture, and differentiation
Authors: Fiorotto Romina , Mariotti Valeria , Taleb Shakila Afroz , Zehra Syeda A. , Nguyen Mytien , Amenduni Mariangela , Strazzabosco Mario
Published: March 2023

Background and Aims:

Cholangiopathies are an important cause of morbidity and mortality. Their pathogenesis and treatment remain unclear in part because of the lack of disease models relevant to humans. Three-dimensional biliary organoids hold great promise; however, the inaccessibility of their apical pole and the presence of extracellular matrix (ECM) limits their application. We hypothesized that signals coming from the extracellular matrix regulate organoids’ 3-dimensional architecture and could be manipulated to generate novel organotypic culture systems.

Approach and Results:

Biliary organoids were generated from human livers and grown embedded into Culturex Basement Membrane Extract as spheroids around an internal lumen (EMB). When removed from the EMC, biliary organoids revert their polarity and expose the apical membrane on the outside (AOOs). Functional, immunohistochemical, and transmission electron microscope studies, along with bulk and single-cell transcriptomic, demonstrate that AOOs are less heterogeneous and show increased biliary differentiation and decreased expression of stem cell features. AOOs transport bile acids and have competent tight junctions. When cocultured with liver pathogenic bacteria (Enterococcus spp.), AOOs secrete a range of proinflammatory chemokines (ie, MCP1, IL8, CCL20, and IP-10). Transcriptomic analysis and treatment with a beta-1-integrin blocking antibody identified beta-1-integrin signaling as a sensor of the cell-extracellular matrix interaction and a determinant of organoid polarity.

Conclusions:

This novel organoid model can be used to study bile transport, interactions with pathobionts, epithelial permeability, cross talk with other liver and immune cell types, and the effect of matrix changes on the biliary epithelium and obtain key insights into the pathobiology of cholangiopathies.
Validation of the Baveno VI criteria to rule out high-risk varices using hepatic shear-wave elastography
Authors: Castro Filho Élio C. , Fernandes Flávia F. , Villela-Nogueira Cristiane , Madeira Eduardo , Barros Fernando , Luz Rodrigo , Pereira Gustavo Henrique , Perazzo Hugo
Published: March 2023

Introduction and objectives

Liver stiffness measurement (LSM) by transient elastography has been validated to predict high-risk varices (HRV). We aimed to evaluate the accuracy of shear-wave elastography (SWE) and platelet count (Baveno VI criteria) to rule out HRV in patients with compensated advanced chronic liver disease (c-ACLD).

Methods

This retrospective study analyzed data of patients with c-ACLD (transient elastography ≥ 10 kPa) submitted to two-dimensional SWE (2D-SWE) (GE-LOGIQ-S8) and/or point SWE (p-SWE) (ElastPQ) who had a gastrointestinal endoscopy within 24 months. HRV definition was a large size and presence of red wale marks or sequelae from previous treatment. Optimal thresholds of SWE systems for HRV were identified. The proportion of spared gastrointestinal endoscopies and missing HRV considering a favorable SWE Baveno VI criteria were assessed.

Results

Eighty patients [36% male, median age = 63 (interquartile range, 57–69) years] were included. The prevalence of HRV was 34% (n = 27/80). The optimal thresholds to predict HRV were 10 kPa and 12 kPa for 2D-SWE and p-SWE, respectively. A favorable 2D-SWE Baveno VI criteria (LSM < 10 kPa and platelets count > 150 × 109/mm3) avoided 19% of gastrointestinal endoscopies without missing HRVs. A favorable p-SWE Baveno VI criteria (LSM < 12 kPa and platelets count > 150 × 109/mm3) spared 20% of gastrointestinal endoscopy without missing HRVs. Using a lower threshold of platelet count (<110 × 109/mm3, expanded Baveno VI), 2D-SWE (<10 kPa) avoided 33% of gastrointestinal endoscopy with 8% of missing HRVs, while p-SWE (<12 kPa) avoided 36% of gastrointestinal endoscopy with 5% of missing HRVs.

Conclusion

LSM by p-SWE or 2D-SWE combined with platelet count (Baveno VI criteria) can spare a considerable number of gastrointestinal endoscopies missing a negligible proportion of HRV.
Relationship between lipid profiles and reduced handgrip strength (dynapenia) in hospitalized patients with cirrhosis
Authors: Cui Binxin , Hui Yangyang , Sun Chao
Published: March 2023

Background

Dynapenia embraces clinical significance and predictive value separated from skeletal muscle loss among cirrhosis. Moreover, alterations in lipid levels may impact muscle function. It has yet to elucidate the relationship between lipid profiles and muscle strength weakness. We sought to explore which lipid metabolism indicator could be useful to identify patients with dynapenia in daily practice.

Methods

A retrospective observational cohort study enrolling 262 cirrhotic patients. Analysis of the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve was performed to determine the discriminatory cutoff for dynapenia. Multivariate logistic regression was conducted to assess the association between total cholesterol (TC) and dynapenia. Also, we established a model based on the classification and regression tree method.

Results

ROC implicated a cutoff of TC ≤ 3.37 mmol/L to identify dynapenia. Patients with TC ≤ 3.37 mmol/L showed significantly lower handgrip strength (HGS; 20.0 vs. 24.7 kg, P = 0.003), lower hemoglobin, lower platelet, lower white blood cell count, lower sodium and higher prothrombin-international normalized ratio. A positive correlation was found between TC and HGS values (r = 0.1860, P = 0.003). TC remained a significant association with dynapenia after controlling for variables including age, sex, BMI, and the presence of ascites. The decision tree incorporating TC, BMI, and age had a sensitivity of 71.4%, specificity of 64.9%, and an area under ROC of 0.681.

Conclusion

TC ≤ 3.37 mmol/L was significantly associated with the presence of dynapenia. Assessing TC may be helpful for identifying dynapenic patients with cirrhosis in the health care or hospital setting.
Postoperative Urinary Retention
Authors: McDermott Colleen D. , Tunitsky-Bitton Elena , Dueñas-Garcia Omar F. , Willis-Gray Marcella G. , Cadish Lauren A. , Edenfield Autumn , Wang Rui , Meriwether Kate , Mueller Elizabeth R.
Published: March 2023

This clinical consensus statement on the management of postoperative (<6 weeks) urinary retention (POUR) reflects statements drafted by content experts from the American Urogynecologic Society’s POUR writing group. The writing group used a modified Delphi process to evaluate statements developed from a structured literature search and assessed for consensus. After the definition of POUR was established, a total of 37 statements were assessed in the following 6 categories: (1) incidence of POUR, (2) medications, (3) patient factors, (4) surgical factors, (5) urodynamic testing, and (6) voiding trials. Of the 37 original statements, 34 reached consensus and 3 were omitted.
Gene therapy using optimized LentiHBBT87Qvector in two patients with transfusion dependent β-thalassemia
Authors: Han Nan , Li Yue , Ouyang Wenjie , Dong Guoyi , Guo Honglian , Chen Yue , Huang Yan , Zeng Xinru , Zou Huilin , He Jiajun , Yao Wenwen , Liu Chao , Liu Sixi
Published: March 2023

Background

Gene therapy is gradually becoming recognized as a possibly curative therapeutic strategy for transfusion-dependent β-thalassemia (TDT). Gene therapy addresses the problem of donor scarcity through the application of autologous hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs), which also can reduce the risks that accompany allogeneic HSC transplantation. When using gene addition strategy, lentiviral vector is critical for the efficacy and safety of β-thalassemia gene therapy. In our preclinical studies, LentiHBBT87Qvector with optimized backbone was developed to efficiently restore β–globin expression in HSCs-derived erythroblasts of TDT patients with minimal risk of tumorigenesis. Here, we presented the clinical trial results of gene therapy using LentiHBBT87Qvector in two TDT patients.

Method

In an ongoing phase 1/2 trial (NCT05745532), auto-HSCs were mobilized from two TDT patients, and then transduced with LentiHBBT87Qvector. The gene-modified auto-HSCs is called HGI-001 injection. After four-day consecutive myeloablative conditioning, these two patients were administrated with HGI-001 injection via intravenous infusion. Medical examinations were performed in the transplantation unit to monitor patients’ status till the patients were clinically stable. Then, 24-month following-up visits are conducted to assess the safety and efficacy of HGI-001 injection. The safety endpoints of this clinical study include the incident and severity of adverse events (AEs); transplant-related mortality or disability events within 100 days post drug product infusion; vector-related replication competent lentivirus (RCL) and clonal variations containing specific viral integration sites; overall survival during this clinical trial. The major efficacy endpoint is the percentage of subjects with average vector copy number (VCN) in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) >0.1, and average expression of exogenous HbAT87Q>2.0g/dL at the 24thmonth after reinfusion of HGI-001 injection

Results

The rapid neutrophil and platelet engraftment successfully happened after reinfusion of HGI-001 injection. The two patients with non-β0/β0genotype have been transfusion-independent for 24 months and 21 months post-treatment. At the last visit, the levels of HbAT87Qare 7.3 and 6.9g/dL, and the levels of total hemoglobin are 9.8 and 10.1 g/dL. After the two subjects stopped transfusions, the iron overload has been alleviated without iron chelation treatment. Most AEs are myeloablative conditioning related, and can be controlled through clinically standard therapeutic managements. No clone dominance related to vector integration nor RCL has been observed.

Conclusion

Gene therapy with optimized LentiHBBT87Qvector (HGI-001 injection) assist two TDT patients become transfusion-independent without serious adverse events related to the product.
“Informative Use of Cycle-Threshold Values to Account for Sampling Variability in Pathogen Detection”
Authors: Nikiforuk Aidan M. , Jassem Agatha N.
Published: March 2023

Nucleic acid amplification tests, like real-time polymerase chain reaction, are widely used for pathogen detection; however, their interpretation rarely accounts for sampling variability. Instead, cycle threshold values are often categorized reducing precision. We describe how pathogen cycle threshold values can be normalized to endogenous host gene expression to correct for sampling variability and compare the validity of this approach to standardization with a standard curve. Normalization serves as a valid alternative to standardization, does not require making a standard curve, increases precision, accounts for sampling variability, and can be easily applied to large clinical or surveillance datasets for informative interpretation.
The Prevalence and Management of Atrial Fibrillation in New Zealand Māori Detected through an Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm Screening Programme
Authors: Sandiford P. , Poppe K. , Grey C , Doughty R. , Chambers E. , Kim K.J. , Hill A. , Bartholomew K.
Published: March 2023

Background

Atrial fibrillation (AF) screening was incorporated into an abdominal aortic aneurysm screening (AAA) programme for New Zealand (NZ) Māori.

Methods

AF screening was performed as an adjunct to AAA screening of Māori men aged 60-74 and women aged 65-74 registered with primary health care practices in Auckland, NZ. Pre-existing AF was determined through coded diagnoses or medications in the participant’s primary care record. Subsequent audit of the record assessed accuracy of pre-screening coding, medication use and clinical follow-up.

Results

Among 1955 people screened, the prevalence of AF was 144 (7.4%), of which 46 (2.4% of the cohort) were patients without AF coded in the medical record. More than half of these were revealed to be known AF but that was not coded. Thus, the true prevalence of newly detected AF was 1.1% (n=21). An additional 48 (2.5%) of the cohort had been coded as AF but were not in AF at the time of screening. Among the 19 at-risk screen-detected people with AF, 10 started appropriate anticoagulation within 6 months. Of the 9 who did not commence anticoagulation, five had a subsequent adverse clinical outcome in the follow-up period, including one with ischaemic stroke; two had contraindications to anticoagulants. Among those with previously diagnosed AF, the proportion receiving anticoagulation rose from 57% pre-screening to 83% at 6 months post-screening (p<0.0001); among new AF the proportion rose from 0% to 53% (p<0.01).

Conclusions

There is a high prevalence of AF in NZ Māori. AF screening is a feasible low-cost adjunct to AAA screening with potential to detect previously undiagnosed AF and reduce ethnic inequities in stroke. It may also prompt better coding and management of previously diagnosed AF. However, effective fail-safe measures are needed to ensure that high-risk newly diagnosed AF is managed according to best practice guidelines.
Urgent Transcatheter Edge-to-Edge Repair for Severe Mitral Regurgitation with Flail Leaflet in Critically Ill Patients
Authors: Perel Nimrod , Amsalem Itshak , Gilad Or , Hitter Rafael , Maller Tomer , Asher Elad , Harari Emanuel , Marmor David , Carasso Shemy , Dvir Danny , Glikson Michael , Shuvy Mony
Published: March 2023

Introduction

Degenerative mitral valve disease (DMR) is a common valvular disorder, and flail leaflet due to ruptured chordae represents an extreme variation of this pathology. Ruptured chordae can present as acute heart failure which requires urgent intervention. Mitral valve surgery is the preferred mode of intervention; however, some patients represent as a significant surgical risk and are often deemed to be inoperable. We aim to characterize patients with ruptured chordae undergoing urgent transcatheter edge-to-edge repair (TEER), and to analyze their clinical and echocardiographic outcomes.

Methods

At a referral center for several hospitals across Israel, we screened all patients who underwent TEER. We included patients with DMR with flail leaflet due to ruptured chordae, and categorized them into elective and critically ill groups. We evaluated the echocardiographic, hemodynamic and clinical outcomes of these patients.

Results

The cohort included 49 patients with DMR due to ruptured chordae and flail leaflet, who underwent TEER. Seventeen patients (35%) underwent urgent intervention and 32 patients (65%) underwent an elective procedure. In the urgent group, the average age of the patient was 80.3, with 41.8% being female. Fourteen (82%) received noninvasive ventilation, while three patients (18%) required invasive mechanical ventilation. One patient died due to tamponade, while the other 16 patients all had successful reduction of ≥2 in the MR grade. Left atrial V wave decreased from 41.6 mmHg to 17.9 mmHg (p<0.001), and pulmonic vein flow pattern changed from reversal (68.8%) to a systolic dominant flow in all patients (p=0.001). After the procedure, 78.5% of patients were in New York Heart Association (NYHA) class I or II (p<0.001). There was no significant difference in the overall mortality between the urgent and elective groups, with similar survival rates of 6 months for each group.

Conclusion

TEER can be safe and feasible with favorable hemodynamic, echocardiographic and clinical outcomes in patients undergoing urgent intervention for flail mitral valve disease.

Clinical Perspectives

Mitral transcatheter edge-to-edge repair (TEER) is a proven therapy for patients with chronic mitral regurgitation, however data on patients with acute mitral regurgitation limited. This article focuses on acute TEER intervention and provides further information on the safety, feasibility and effectiveness of TEER in critically ill patients due to flail leaflet.

The clinical finding supports the role of acute TEER intervention in acutely ill patients with acute mitral regurgitation due to ruptured chordae and flail leaflet.
Attribute-based choice model and willingness to pay for industrial services
Authors: Rakesh V.T. , Menon Preetha , Raman Ramakrishnan
Published: March 2023

Purpose

Pricing is widely acknowledged as a market entry challenge for servitising companies. The purpose of this research is to ascertain the attributes that contribute to willingness to pay (WTP) for industrial services and suggest incorporating those attributes to a pricing model.

Design/methodology/approach

Three attributes (Quality of Service, Nearness of Service Provider and Brand Equity of Service Provider) were analyzed at three respective levels to ascertain their importance on WTP. Conventional conjoint analysis (CCA), using an orthogonal design, was the method used. The 346 respondents were decision-makers and top management professionals from various industries.

Findings

Brand Equity emerged as the most significant attribute contributing to WTP, having more than 45% importance – followed by the Quality and Nearness.

Research limitations/implications

The scope of the study is limited to the industries and its Allies. However, the relative importance of the attributes may vary depending on the type of service.

Practical implications

The importance of attributes and their WTP preference helps future researchers create a pricing model involving these attributes. This helps service providers price their services rationally, thus succeeding in servitization.

Social implications

Product life is extended because the manufacturers themselves are servicing it and also help recycle the product with their expertise. Servitization is also helpful for the Indian economy, as it is turning into a manufacturing economy.

Originality/value

This research investigates three attributes that contribute to WTP, in accordance with their level of contribution. It also provides a direction to establish an adequate pricing model for industrial services.
Fractional equivalent circuit model and parameter identification of reactance components in high-frequency operation
Authors: Li Yixuan , Chen Yanfeng , Zhang Bo , Qiu Dongyuan , Xie Fan , Cheng Chao
Published: March 2023

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to find a simpler model for the reactance components in the high-frequency range on the premise of ensuring the accuracy.

Design/methodology/approach

In this paper, based on the fractional calculus theory and the traditional integer-order model, a reactance model suitable for high frequency is constructed, and the mutation cross differential evolution algorithm is used to identify the parameters in the model.

Findings

By comparing the integer-order model, high-frequency fractional-order model and the actual impedance characteristic curve of inductance and capacitance, it is verified that the proposed model can more accurately reflect the high-frequency characteristics of inductance and capacitance. The simulation and experimental results show that the oscillator constructed based on the proposed model can analyze the frequency and output waveform of the oscillator more accurately.

Originality/value

The model proposed in this paper has a simple structure and contains only two parameters to be identified. At the same time, the model has high precision. The fitting errors of impedance curve and phase-frequency characteristic curve are less than 5%. Therefore, the proposed model is helpful to improve the simplicity and accuracy of circuit system analysis and design.
A tree dries from the top: how manager’s knowledge hiding is morally disengaging employees to hide knowledge
Authors: Khan Muhammad Mumtaz , Mubarik Muhammad Shujaat , Ahmed Syed Saad , Islam Tahir
Published: March 2023

Purpose

The purpose of this study was to explicate how leaders’ knowledge hiding results in employees’ knowledge hiding. In addition, the study was intended to explore under what conditions leaders’ knowledge hiding affects employees’ moral disengagement more deleteriously.

Design/methodology/approach

Data were collected from 321 employees at three different times which were two months apart from each other. Structural equation modeling was used for data analysis.

Findings

The study found leaders’ knowledge hiding to be related to employee moral disengagement. In addition, the study found moral disengagement to affect employees’ knowledge-hiding behavior. Moral disengagement was found to mediate the relationship between leaders’ knowledge hiding and employees’ knowledge hiding. Finally, the study found that employees with high moral identity show more perseverance to preserve their moral engagement when led by knowledge-hiding leaders.

Originality/value

To the best of the authors’ knowledge, the study was first to establish a relationship between a leader’s knowledge hiding and employees’ moral disengagement. The study also established the mediating role of moral disengagement to work as a mediating mechanism linking leaders’ knowledge hiding to employees’ knowledge hiding. Finally, the study found that moral identity moderates the relationship between leaders’ knowledge hiding and employees’ moral disengagement.
Contributing to sustainable development goals (SDGs) in environmental sustainability through public-private investment in energy: empirical evidence from EAGLE economies
Authors: Tabash Mosab I. , Farooq Umar , Anagreh Suhaib , Al-Faryan Mamdouh Abdulaziz Saleh
Published: March 2023

Purpose

This study aims to explore the empirical relationship between public–private investment (PPI) in energy and environmental quality.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors hypothesize that PPI can reduce pollution emissions and test this hypothesis by sampling the 20-year data of emerging and growth-leading economies (EAGLE) and adopting two estimation techniques named panel estimated generalized least square and fully modified ordinary least square models.

Findings

The empirical analysis vows that PPI has an inverse relationship with CO2 emissions, corroborating the sustainable development driving role of PPI. In addition, the empirical outcomes suggest a negative/positive role of energy imports and economic growth. Meanwhile, foreign direct investment is negatively linked with CO2 emissions, corroborating the pollution halo hypothesis in the case of EAGLE. However, financial development shows a positive relationship with CO2 emissions.

Practical implications

This study offers an important policy outlay regarding the pollution mitigation role of PPI in EAGLE. The environmental sustainability in underlying economies can be achieved by enhancing the magnitude of public–private cooperation in energy investment. The empirical analysis supplements cutting-edge empirical evidence regarding PPI as a driver of important sustainable development goal (SDG), i.e. environmental sustainability.

Originality/value

To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this study is the first study that examines how one can achieve an important SDG regarding environmental sustainability through PPI in energy.
A robust and simple collision avoidance approach for pick and place robot applications
Authors: Deniz Cengiz
Published: March 2023

Purpose

The aim of this study is to create a robust and simple collision avoidance approach based on quaternion algebra for vision-based pick and place applications in manufacturing industries, specifically for use with industrial robots and collaborative robots (cobots).

Design/methodology/approach

In this study, an approach based on quaternion algebra is developed to prevent any collision or breakdown during the movements of industrial robots or cobots in vision system included pick and place applications. The algorithm, integrated into the control system, checks for collisions before the robot moves its end effector to the target position during the process flow. In addition, a hand–eye calibration method is presented to easily calibrate the camera and define the geometric relationships between the camera and the robot coordinate systems.

Findings

This approach, specifically designed for vision-based robot/cobot applications, can be used by developers and robot integrator companies to significantly reduce application costs and the project timeline of the pick and place robotics system installation. Furthermore, the approach ensures a safe, robust and highly efficient application for robotics vision applications across all industries, making it an ideal solution for various industries.

Originality/value

The algorithm for this approach, which can be operated in a robot controller or a programmable logic controller, has been tested as real-time in vision-based robotics applications. It can be applied to both existing and new vision-based pick and place projects with industrial robots or collaborative robots with minimal effort, making it a cost-effective and efficient solution for various industries.
A bibliometric analysis of artificial intelligence chatbots in educational contexts
Authors: Lin Yupeng , Yu Zhonggen
Published: March 2023

Purpose

The application of artificial intelligence chatbots is an emerging trend in educational technology studies for its multi-faceted advantages. However, the existing studies rarely take a perspective of educational technology application to evaluate the application of chatbots to educational contexts. This study aims to bridge the research gap by taking an educational perspective to review the existing literature on artificial intelligence chatbots.

Design/methodology/approach

This study combines bibliometric analysis and citation network analysis: a bibliometric analysis through visualization of keyword, authors, organizations and countries and a citation network analysis based on literature clustering.

Findings

Educational applications of chatbots are still rising in post-COVID-19 learning environments. Popular research issues on this topic include technological advancements, students’ perception of chatbots and effectiveness of chatbots in different educational contexts. Originating from similar technological and theoretical foundations, chatbots are primarily applied to language education, educational services (such as information counseling and automated grading), health-care education and medical training. Diversifying application contexts demonstrate specific purposes for using chatbots in education but are confronted with some common challenges. Multi-faceted factors can influence the effectiveness and acceptance of chatbots in education. This study provides an extended framework to facilitate extending artificial intelligence chatbot applications in education.

Research limitations/implications

The authors have to acknowledge that this study is subjected to some limitations. First, the literature search was based on the core collection on Web of Science, which did not include some existing studies. Second, this bibliometric analysis only included studies published in English. Third, due to the limitation in technological expertise, the authors could not comprehensively interpret the implications of some studies reporting technological advancements. However, this study intended to establish its research significance by summarizing and evaluating the effectiveness of artificial intelligence chatbots from an educational perspective.

Originality/value

This study identifies the publication trends of artificial intelligence chatbots in educational contexts. It bridges the research gap caused by previous neglection of treating educational contexts as an interconnected whole which can demonstrate its characteristics. It identifies the major application contexts of artificial intelligence chatbots in education and encouraged further extending of applications. It also proposes an extended framework to consider that covers three critical components of technological integration in education when future researchers and instructors apply artificial intelligence chatbots to new educational contexts.
COVID-19, livestock supply chains and livelihoods in India: a review of impacts and implications
Authors: Verma Gautami , Singla Naresh , Singh Sukhpal
Published: March 2023

Purpose

The global outbreak of COVID-19 and its subsequent varied impacts on different economic activities necessitate to examine its disruptions and impacts on livestock sector in India due to its recently surging potential as an unrivaled alternative to boost farmer’s income.

Design/methodology/approach

The studies for review were identified through search in different databases using relevant keywords. Only full text papers written in English language were reviewed. The review was organized and streamlined using Covidence software.

Findings

Analysis of the literature reveals adverse effects of COVID-19 on functioning of input and output stages of livestock supply chains. This has resulted in upstream and downstream economic losses that affect livelihoods of the producers.

Research limitations/implications

Scale of unprecedented crisis due to COVID-19 pandemic requires creative policy decisions to make livestock production systems robust, resilient and sustainable. Organized production systems are required to integrate with livestock-tech startups to modernize their supply chains, whereas local supply chains are required to reorient with government’s intervention in terms of developing on-farm production and postproduction processing facilities.

Originality/value

Although there exist some evidence on COVID-19-related impacts on livestock sector of India, but an integrated review of evidence on COVID-19 related disruptions at all the stages (from input supply to marketing) of livestock supply chains was missing.
Now that everyone else has panicked, well… I have to panic: regulatory focus predicts panic buying during COVID-19
Authors: Ross Guy Moshe
Published: March 2023

Purpose

The purpose of this paper was to identify social and behavioral factors responsible for panic buying during global pandemics such as COVID-19.

Design/methodology/approach

According to regulatory focus theory, behavior of individuals is regulated by two motivational systems – prevention and promotion. Prevention-focused behavior is motivated by security and safety needs and is associated with a strategic preference for vigilant means of goal pursuit. Prevention-focused vigilance is reflected in unwillingness to take risks and low ability to cope with uncertain environments and changing conditions. Promotion-focused behavior is motivated by growth and self-development needs and is associated with a strategic preference for eager means of goal pursuit. Promotion-focused eagerness is reflected in willingness to take risks and high ability to cope with uncertainty and change. Two studies tested the notion that panic buying during public health crises such as COVID-19 is related to the strength of the prevention system, perceived scarcity of products, perceived threat of the disease, age and gender.

Findings

Study 1 showed that the higher the perceived scarcity of products, the higher was the probability that panic buying would set in. Yet, different patterns emerged for men and women. Among women, the stronger the prevention focus, the stronger was the effect. Among men, by contrast, the stronger the prevention focus, the weaker was the effect. Study 2 showed that the higher the perceived threat of the disease, the higher was the probability that panic buying would occur. However, different patterns were observed with age. Among older adults, the stronger the prevention focus, the stronger was the effect. Among young adults, by contrast, the stronger the prevention focus, the weaker was the effect.

Research limitations/implications

Implications to address erratic consumer behavior during future pandemics are discussed.

Originality/value

By applying the theory of regulatory focus to consumer marketing, this research helps to identify marketing strategies to manage panic buying and develop contingency plans that address erratic consumer behavior during future pandemics.
Community and environment disclosures and IPO long-run share price performance
Authors: Abbas Yasir Abdullah , Ahmad-Zaluki Nurwati A. , Mehmood Waqas
Published: March 2023

Purpose

This paper aims to examine the relationship between the community and environment disclosures and the long-run share price performance of Malaysian initial public offering (IPO) companies.

Design/methodology/approach

This study used secondary data through the content analysis of the annual reports and DataStream of 115 sampled IPOs listed on Bursa Malaysia from 2007 to 2015. The present study incorporated weighted least squares and quantile least squares to evaluate the relationship between the community and environment disclosures and IPO performance.

Findings

The results show a positive and significant relationship between the extent and quality of community disclosures and IPO performance; while the extent and quality of environment disclosures have a negative and positive relationship, respectively, with IPO performance. These results suggest that community and environmental activities can be considered an effort to enhance Malaysian IPOs.

Practical implications

These results suggest that Malaysian IPO companies should be involved consistently in corporate social responsibility disclosure, i.e. community and environmental activities, as they have a significant impact on the performance of Malaysian IPOs. The findings can facilitate financial institutions and regulatory agencies in driving companies to be more responsible regarding community and environmental disclosures.

Originality/value

To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this study provides new insights into the relationship between the community and environment disclosures and the performance of Malaysian IPO companies.
Black doctoral women’s socialization experiences in agricultural science and education departments
Authors: Cropps Torrie A.
Published: March 2023

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to examine how intersecting oppressed identities shape the socialization experiences of Black women doctoral candidates in agricultural disciplines at historically white institutions. This paper addresses a gap in literature examining the experiences of Black women within the context of higher agricultural sciences education.

Design/methodology/approach

This study uses narrative inquiry to examine the experiences of five Black women doctoral candidates through a set of three interviews per participant.

Findings

Three themes regarding participants’ socialization experiences were identified. Themes are presented according to its site of socialization: lack of trust in advising relationships, departmental belonging and negative interactions with department faculty and isolation and exclusion at conferences.

Originality/value

This study adds to the small body of research on Black women in higher agricultural sciences education. Further, this study contributes to the larger body of socialization research and the minimal research on socialization for marginalized populations in higher agricultural sciences education.
How international students affect inbound tourism? Empirical evidence from 269 cities in China
Authors: Li Guangqin , Pu Kangyun
Published: March 2023

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to investigate the correlation and mechanism between international students and inbound tourism.

Design/methodology/approach

Taking 269 prefecture-level cities in China as a sample, bringing international students and inbound tourism into the same analytical framework, the paper applies the fixed-effects model, instrumental variables model and mediating effects model to investigate the impact of international students on inbound tourism.

Findings

International students significantly contribute to the increase in inbound tourists and tourism revenue in China, which remain valid after a series of robustness tests. When the relocation data of Chinese urban universities and faculties in the 1950s are used as an instrumental variable for the potential endogenous problems of international students, the results are still valid. Heterogeneity research shows that the impact of international students on inbound tourism has heterogeneous effects in different regions. In addition, the mechanism analysis shows that international students promote China’s inbound tourism mainly through two channels: the economic growth effect and the human capital effect.

Research limitations/implications

This paper provides evidence of the correlation between international students and inbound tourism in developing countries. However, as the data for the study are all from China, caution should be taken when applying the findings of this paper to other regions.

Practical implications

This paper provides evidence on the causal relationship between international students and inbound tourism in developing countries. However, as the data for the study are all from China, caution should be taken when applying the findings of this paper to other regions.

Social implications

This paper creatively finds out the instrumental variables of international students with academic education to deal with the potential endogenous problems, and then identifies the causal relationship between international students and inbound tourism.

Originality/value

This paper creatively finds out the instrumental variables of international students to deal with the potential endogenous problems and then identifies the correlation between international students and inbound tourism.
Did the FASB Codification Reduce the Complexity of Applying U.S. GAAP?
Authors: Binz Oliver , Hills Robert , Kubic Matthew
Published: March 2023

We examine whether the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) Codification made it easier for preparers and auditors to locate relevant accounting guidance. We find that areas of U.S. GAAP with more dispersed and voluminous guidance before the Codification experience a larger post‐Codification reduction in restatements. We find a similar decline in SEC comment letter questions referencing areas of U.S. GAAP with more dispersed and voluminous pre‐Codification guidance. Our results suggest that before the Codification, preparers and auditors had difficulty in locating the appropriate accounting guidance and that the Codification mitigated this difficulty.
Business strategy, cash holdings, and dividend payouts
Authors: Houqe Muhammad Nurul , Monem Reza M. , van Zijl Tony
Published: March 2023

Business strategy's impact on firm cash holdings and dividend payouts has largely remained unexplored. We identify a fundamental and direct link between a firm's business strategy and its cash holdings and dividend payouts. Analysing two large samples of data on US firms over the period 1992–2017, we find strong evidence that prospectors (defenders) are likely to hold more (less) cash and pay less (more) dividends than other firms. Further analysis suggests that prospectors pay dividends less frequently than do defenders. The results are robust to a battery of robustness checks and additional analysis. Overall, the results suggest that identifying a firm's business strategy significantly helps to understand a firm's cash holdings and dividend payout decisions.
“Research shows”: Authoritative discourse in dual language bilingual education across two school districts
Authors: Menard‐Warwick Julia , Palmer Deborah K.
Published: March 2023

In this article, we synthesize ethnographic data from two studies in US school districts that were implementing dual language bilingual education (DLBE) programs in order to remediate the standardized test scores of students from Spanish‐speaking families. While educators in both districts commonly cited “the research” to justify DLBE implementation, our ethnographic exploration of local research discourse highlights some ideological contradictions within DLBE that are often obscured by advocacy imperatives.
An unusual finding of the Porus trigeminus: Case report with histological findings
Authors: Banerjee Somdeb , Iwanaga Joe , Dumont Aaron S. , Tubbs R. Shane
Published: March 2023

Many anatomical variants can potentially contribute to trigeminal neuralgia. These include compression by the superior cerebellar artery and less commonly, bony compression near the trigeminal cave. Herein, we report the gross and histological findings of a cadaveric specimen found to have a bony roof of the trigeminal cave. During the routine dissection of a male cadaver, an unusual finding of the skull base was observed. Palpation over the porus trigeminus identified a completely ossified roof. The bony spicule was 1.22 cm long and 0.76 mm wide. The trigeminal nerve was noted to have an indented region just below its contact with the ossified roof of the porus trigeminus. No frank nerve degeneration was noted with histological analysis. Normal mature bone tissue was noted surrounded by a sheath of dura mater. Future radiographic research is needed to better elucidate if ossification of the roof of the trigeminal cave is related to clinical symptoms of trigeminal neuralgia (TN). However, physicians should be cognizant of radiographic ossification of the trigeminal cave as a potential cause of TN.
Stochastic convergence analysis of US state economic freedom sub‐components: Evidence from unit root tests for bounded processes
Authors: Payne James E. , Saunoris James W. , Nazlioglu Saban , Karul Cagin
Published: March 2023

This study tests for convergence of the three main sub‐components of economic freedom (government spending, taxation, and labor market freedom) for the 50 US states from 1981 to 2019. In particular, we test for stochastic convergence using unit root tests that account for structural breaks and bounded processes. By controlling for these sources of parameter instability, we find limited evidence in favor of stochastic convergence across the three sub‐components of economic freedom. However, we find more evidence of stochastic convergence with respect to the sub‐components than in the case of the overall economic freedom at the US state level. Our results highlight the distinct nature of the institutional quality across states as represented by government spending, taxation, and labor market freedom.
Secondary spleen in immune thrombocytopenia: Not so accessory after all…
Authors: Kapur Rick , Audia Sylvain
Published: March 2023

Immune thrombocytopenia (ITP) is an autoimmune bleeding disorder characterized by an isolated thrombocytopenia. The pathophysiology is complex but involves platelet‐autoantibodies and/or cytotoxic T cells, with the spleen playing an important regulatory role. Accessory spleen (AcS) may possibly contribute to ITP relapse following splenectomy; however, the microenvironment of AcS has not been directly compared to the main spleen. Pizzi et al. conducted a histological study of adult ITP patients where they compared eight matched AcS to main spleens, and they observed a similar immunological composition in both groups. This supports the possibility of AcS‐mediated ITP relapse post splenectomy.

Commentary on: Pizzi et al. Accessory spleens recapitulate the immune microenvironment of the main spleen in immune thrombocytopenia. Br J Haematol 2023;202:147–152.
Binge‐reading on immune thrombocytopenia: Everything you ever wanted to know
Authors: Kapur Rick , Semple John W.
Published: March 2023

Immune thrombocytopenia (ITP) is a complex clinical and pathophysiological autoimmune disorder and in the past decade, thousands of papers have been published on this topic. To shed light on the global scientific output, Ou et al. performed a comprehensive bibliometric analysis of the ITP literature to clarify the major hotspots and future research directions.

Commentary on: Ou et al. A bibliometric analysis of primary immune thrombocytopenia from 2011 to 2021. Br J Haematol 2023;201:954‐970.
Social movement unionism in Spain's feminized precarious service sector: Criticism, cooperation and competition
Authors: Alcalde‐González Verna , Gálvez‐Mozo Ana , Valenzuela‐Bustos Alan
Published: March 2023

‘Social movement unionism’ (SMU) has been suggested as a suitable strategy for union renewal in Spain, yet the literature on union renewal and SMU has two major shortcomings: (1) a lack of bottom‐up studies, and (2) a lack of dialogue between industrial relations and social movement research. To redress these shortcomings, we make three contributions in this article: first, we provide evidence on the current opportunities for SMU in Spain's feminized precarious service sector; second, we apply a bottom‐up intersectional approach to the study of SMU; and third, we bridge the research on industrial relations and on social movements by adopting a relational framework that looks at both union and non‐union actors as key actors for union renewal. Our results show a landscape of co‐existence, conflict, cooperation and competition between union and non‐union actors, including established unions, radical grassroots unions and emerging forms of collective representation; however, if we are to develop SMU as a strategy for union renewal in post‐Great Recession Spain, then there is still room for promoting deep coalition building between unions and novel forms of worker collectivism, as well as developing intersectional politics to reach non‐traditional membership groups.