bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Harnessing digital power for relevance: status of digital transformation in selected university libraries in Uganda
Authors: Nakaziba Sarah , Ngulube Patrick
Published: January 2024

Purpose

This study aims to assess the extent to which Uganda university libraries have implemented digital transformation technologies and to determine the facilitators and barriers affecting the implementation of digital transformation in selected university libraries in Uganda.

Design/methodology/approach

This study used a convergent parallel mixed methods design. It was conducted in six selected university libraries in Uganda, which were in three private and three public universities. The study sample included 103 librarians with a minimum qualification of a bachelor’s degree and six library directors.

Findings

The findings indicated that there was an average (n = 37, 48.7%) implementation of digital transformation in the selected university libraries in Uganda. Some of the barriers hindering digital transformation included inadequate funding, lack of awareness of digital technologies, inadequate ICT skills, insufficient ICT infrastructure and limited staff among others. There is a need for library management to provide support in the form of funds, policies and human resources to implement such digital transformation.

Research limitations/implications

The criteria for choosing universities were those that have been around for at least 10 years. The reason for this was that it was assumed that these universities would have well-established staff development programmes and procedures as well as be likely to have incorporated technology into their services, including libraries. This study’s limitations stem from the fact that this criterion for selection might not apply to all Ugandan university libraries, particularly those that are less than 10 years old and may not have been well represented in this study.

Originality/value

The magnitude of the problem of digital transformation in university libraries in Uganda is unclear because of the limited research available in the Uganda library and information science field. This study presents the status of digital transformation in Uganda university libraries.
Shearling: tackling competition
Authors: Ghosh Dastidar Surajit , Das Manoj , Priyadarshini Shabnam
Published: January 2024

Learning outcomes

After completion of the case study, students will be able to analyze the marketing mix strategy of a firm, discuss the importance of a generic strategy to gain a competitive advantage, analyze the basis of consumer segmentation in furniture and highlight the importance of positioning in influencing the overall marketing mix strategy of a firm.

Case overview/synopsis

It was April 18, 2022. Puneet Singh Seehra (Seehra), the owner and director of Shearling Skins Private Limited (Shearling), was visibly worried as he was looking at the recent sales report. Shearling was in the business of manufacturing premium-quality furniture for corporate clients. Seehra was happy about the growth of his company. However, he was lately concerned about the declining sales figures. Some important questions were troubling Seehra. Was competition eating into his business? How could he differentiate Shearling from competition? What was the right marketing strategy for a market dominated by unorganized competitors and a few major players? His head spinning, he leaned back on his chair as he looked out of his office window.

Complexity academic level

The case study can be taught in a graduate-level course in marketing or strategy.

Supplementary materials

Teaching notes are available for educators only.

Subject code

CSS: 8 Marketing
Rimagined upcycling
Authors: Sharma Aasha Jayant
Published: January 2024

Learning outcomes

Upon completion of the case study, the students will be able to apply business upscaling strategies to an upcycling social enterprise that is embracing a circular economy approach by using the Ansoff growth matrix; to analyze strategies for transition to circularity using the butterfly diagram tool for both business and personal use; to indulge in upcycling exercises for a used product of their choice, not only unleashing their creative potential but also contributing to an idea that might get them to win a contest; to analyze different operational problems and efficiency opportunities that arise when a company takes on social and environmental causes as a business opportunity; and to strategize how a social enterprise can be sustained and made for-profit by applying business strategies.

Case overview/synopsis

This case study covers the concepts of upcycling under the gamut of circular economy, a concept that has become more of a strategy to sustain and survive in today’s world. This case is about Rimagined, an upcycling company that could be a model for circular ideas and upcycling of stuff. This case study narrates the growth and the challenges faced in upcycling and encourages students to ideate a new design for any upcycling item of their choice. This case will also make students strategize the expansion plan for Rimagined. Shailaja Rangarajan is the protagonist of this case study who started this social enterprise to make a difference and do her bit. Sustaining a social enterprise requires business acumen and risk-bearing capacities like any other business. Rangarajan was facing the dilemma of expansion and was trying out several feasible options. Rimagined had been unable to attract investors because their expectations of quick returns could not be immediately fulfilled. Investors focused more on waste management as an industry and not on upcycling as a separate area of work.

Complexity academic level

This case study is suitable for students of MBA or executive MBA level. Specifically, this case study can be used in business strategies and circular economy courses.

Supplementary materials

Teaching notes are available for educators only.

Subject code

CSS 4: Environmental management.
Digital transformation and innovation ambidexterity: perspectives on accumulation and resilience effects
Authors: Li Xingong , Li Xiaokai , Ding Sheng
Published: January 2024

Purpose

Digital transformation (DT) is among the vital factors contributing to innovation ambidexterity, especially for advanced manufacturing firms (AMFs). However, the empirical studies on the relationship between DT and innovation ambidexterity in AMFs from the perspective of knowledge management are inadequate. Therefore, this study aims to systematically analyze the impact of DT on innovation ambidexterity and its mechanism of action.

Design/methodology/approach

This study selects 254 listed firms within the ten key areas of “Made in China 2025,” as they occupy a key position in China’s advanced manufacturing system. Based on the knowledge-based view (KBV) and contingency theory, it constructs a model of the influence mechanism of DT on innovation ambidexterity.

Findings

The results show that the DT of AMFs positively influence innovation ambidexterity. External pressure from environmental turbulence enhances the positive relationship between DT and innovation ambidexterity, demonstrating the “resilience effect,” external knowledge search (EKS) and broadening the knowledge base mediating roles between them, highlighting the “accumulation effect.”

Originality/value

By identifying this mediation mechanism of DT and innovation ambidexterity, this study provides new ideas for path research on the KBV. Moreover, this study explores the triggering effect of market environmental turbulence on the DT of firms. It reveals the boundary conditions of DT acting on innovation ambidexterity, expands the research perspective on organizational resilience and enriches the theory of power change.
A review of parametric clothing pattern CAD software methodology
Authors: Lee Ah Lam , Han Hyunsook
Published: January 2024

Purpose

The main issue in the mass customization of apparel products is how to efficiently produce products of various sizes. A parametric pattern-making system is one of the notable ways to rectify this issue, but there is a lack of information on the parametric design itself and its application to the apparel industry. This study compares and analyzes three types of parametric clothing pattern CAD (P-CAD) software currently in use to identify the characteristics of each, and suggest a basic guideline for efficient and adaptable P-CAD software in the apparel industry.

Design/methodology/approach

This study compared three different types of P-CAD software with different characteristics: SuperALPHA: PLUS(as known as YUKA), GRAFIS and Seamly2D. The authors analyzed the types and management methodologies of each software, according to the three essential components that refer to previous studies about parametric design systems: entities, constraints and parameters.

Findings

The results demonstrated the advantages and disadvantages of methodology in terms of three essential components of each software. Based on the results, the authors proposed five strategies for P-CAD development that can be applied to the mass customization of clothing.

Originality/value

This study is meaningful in that it consolidates and organizes information about P-CAD software that has previously been scattered. The framework used in this study has an academic value suggesting guidelines to analyze P-CAD systems.
Policy mechanisms for interlocal service delivery: management perspectives in the USA and Norway
Authors: Janousek Christian L. , Torjesen Dag Olaf , Blair Robert
Published: January 2024

Purpose

This study comparatively examines the collaborative policy mechanisms for interlocal cooperation (ILC) utilized by municipal managers in Nebraska, USA, and Norway. The research addresses differences in ILC, factors of national setting and implications for ILC management in public service delivery.

Design/methodology/approach

Over a seven-year period, the researchers collected data from 16 communities in the two countries to observe perceptions and usages of ILC. Using a policy tools theoretical framework, the authors apply a typology of collaborative mechanisms for comparative analysis.

Findings

The findings suggest that institutional orientations in the USA and Norwegian systems of government affect managerial approaches to collaborative service delivery, namely the operationalization of local governments within federal and unitary structures may influence perceptions toward the formality and specificity of ILC policy mechanisms.

Originality/value

This study offers further understanding of ILC mechanisms for public sector management. Theoretical and practical implications of ILC in a comparative international context of governmental systems for collaboration are explored.
Adaptive decentralized fuzzy compensation control for large optical mirror processing systems
Authors: Jin Zujin , Yin Zixin , Peng Siyang , Liu Yan
Published: January 2024

Purpose

Large optical mirror processing systems (LOMPSs) consist of multiple subrobots, and correlated disturbance terms between these robots often lead to reduced processing accuracy. This abstract introduces a novel approach, the nonlinear subsystem adaptive dispersed fuzzy compensation control (ADFCC) method, aimed at enhancing the precision of LOMPSs.

Design/methodology/approach

The ADFCC model for LOMPS is developed through a nonlinear fuzzy adaptive algorithm. This model incorporates control parameters and disturbance terms (such as those arising from the external environment, friction and correlation) between subsystems to facilitate ADFCC. Error analysis is performed using the subsystem output parameters, and the resulting errors are used as feedback for compensation control.

Findings

Experimental analysis is conducted, specifically under the commonly used concentric circle processing trajectory in LOMPS. This analysis validates the effectiveness of the control model in enhancing processing accuracy.

Originality/value

The ADFCC strategy is demonstrated to significantly improve the accuracy of LOMPS output, offering a promising solution to the problem of correlated disturbances. This work holds the potential to benefit a wide range of practical applications.
Uncovering the dark side of the sharing economy from a provider’s perspective: a bibliometric systematic review
Authors: Wu Sihong , Benson-Rea Maureen
Published: January 2024

Purpose

Despite a growing body of research focusing on the dark side of sharing economy development, arguments are fragmented and incomplete. This study aims to address the gap by integrating existing viewpoints based on a provider’s perspective.

Design/methodology/approach

This study conducted a bibliometric analysis using text mining and clustering algorithm techniques to measure the scope of scientific output on this topic and identify the main research themes.

Findings

Through the bibliometric analysis, this study developed an integrative framework based on the platform providers’ internal management issues and external conflicts with consumers, society, government regulations and traditional business. It also identified significant gaps within each research theme and proposed a future research agenda.

Originality/value

Sharing economy development has not yet been fully understood and regulated, leading to unprecedented challenges to existing business systems. The study addresses knowledge gaps and advances the understanding of the dark side of the sharing economy based on the provider’s internal management and interplay with external forces. It offers a roadmap for future research to advance understanding of the “hidden” dark side of the sharing economy.
Introducing a new state-level occupational licensing requirement database
Authors: Norris Conor , Timmons Edward , Kelley Ethan , Carneal Troy
Published: January 2024

Purpose

This paper aims to discuss a new source of data detailing state level occupational licensing requirements for 50 professions.

Design/methodology/approach

This study's research team gathered state level licensing requirements for 50 profession in all 50 states and DC from 2022 to 2023. The authors include the type of regulation, entry requirements like fees, education, training, good moral character provisions and renewal requirements. The authors include Standard Occupational Classification industry codes to allow researchers to merge it with other publicly available data sources. Finally, the authors present descriptive statistics and provide a comparison of licensing requirements for audiologists, an occupation with variation in entry requirements.

Findings

The mean number of the 50 professions licensed in states is 36. On average, these professions require a bachelor's degree, $271 in licensing fees and 26 h of continuing education to renew. For the audiologist profession, there is considerable variation between states in entry requirements like fees and education.

Originality/value

Despite a large body of work on occupational licensing, data limitations still exist. Most analysis focuses on whether a profession is licensed or not. However, there is considerable variation between states for the same profession, providing an avenue for work estimating the effects of specific licensing requirements. A new source of data is introduced and discussed for researchers to use in future analyses of occupational licensing.
Do received remittances cause Dutch disease in developed and developing countries?
Authors: Alshubiri Faris , Fekir Samia , Chikhi Billal
Published: January 2024

Purpose

The present study aimed to examine the effect of received remittance inflows on the price level ratio of the purchasing power parity conversion factor to the market exchange rate in 36 developed and developing countries from 2004 to 2020.

Design/methodology/approach

The panel data conducted a comparative analysis and used panel least squares, regression with Driscoll-Kraay standard errors of fixed effect, random effect, feasible generalised least squares and maximum likelihood robust least squares to overcome the heterogeneity issue. Furthermore, the two-step difference generalised method of moments to overcome the endogeneity issue. Diagnostic tests were used to increase robustness.

Findings

In the studied countries, there was a statistically significant negative relationship between received remittance inflows and the price-level ratio of the purchasing power parity conversion factor to the market exchange rate. This relationship explains why remittance flows depreciate the real exchange rate. The study’s results also indicated that attracting investments can improve the quality of institutions despite high tax rates, leading to low tax revenue.

Originality/value

The current study findings enrich the understanding of policies of how governments should minimise tariff rates on capital imports and introduce export-oriented incentive programmes. The study also revealed that Dutch disease can occur due to differences in the demand structure and manufacturing development policy.
Tenant satisfaction and property reputation of trade centers in Surabaya, Indonesia
Authors: Adi Robby , Njo Anastasia
Published: January 2024

Purpose

Trade centers are operationally run by a property manager as a delegate of the property owner. The dimensions of service quality (SERVQUAL), which include tangibles, assurance, empathy, reliability and responsiveness, are vital to be implemented as the duties of property managers when providing service to tenants to maintain tenant satisfaction and property reputation. This study aims to understand the effects of the SERVQUAL dimensions, the role of property management and the quality of rental value on tenant satisfaction and property reputation.

Design/methodology/approach

The sample was gathered using the purposive sampling technique with the criteria of being a tenant and kiosk owner in trade center properties in Surabaya. Data were gathered using questionnaires, from which 100 respondents were acquired. It was then analyzed using the partial least square structural equation model (SEM) in the SmartPLS 3.0 program to test the hypothesis.

Findings

The results of this study prove that the SERVQUAL dimensions – assurance, empathy and responsiveness – significantly influence tenant satisfaction with the mediating variable of the role of property management. Moreover, the SERVQUAL dimensions – empathy, reliability and responsiveness – significantly influence property reputation with the mediating variable of the role of property management.

Practical implications

Property managers are expected to proactively map out different service measures related to the dimension of satisfaction by conducting service training programs for their employees. In fact, in the post-pandemic period, property managers require new marketing strategies, such as leaseback, to effectively carry out renovations of the trade center’s public facilities and restructure the tenant mix.

Originality/value

Trade centers as trading areas experience management limitations because of the prohibition of mass gatherings during the COVID-19 pandemic, resulting in a limited number of onsite trading. Tenants who have entered into a long-term contract experience loss and rely on the aid of property management to survive. The role and quality of service of property management influence tenants’ satisfaction post-COVID-19 pandemic.
Secrecy culture, client importance, and auditor reporting behavior: an international study
Authors: Lam Brian M. , Mo Phyllis Lai Lan , Rahman Md Jahidur
Published: January 2024

Purpose

This study aims to investigate whether auditors compromise their independence for economically important clients in countries with a secrecy culture.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors empirically examine the research question based on a data set of 33 countries for the period from 1995 to 2018. The dependent variable is the auditors’ propensity to issue modified audit opinions, which is a proxy for auditor independence. The authors use relative client size as a proxy for client importance. The authors adopt the Heckman (1979) two-stage model to mitigate the potential endogeneity issue involved in the selection of Big-N auditors.

Findings

Using a large sample of firms and controlling for the firm- and country/region-level factors, this study reveals that both Big-N and non-Big-N auditors are more likely to issue modified audit opinions to clients located in countries with a strong secrecy culture relative to those located in other countries. However, Big-N auditors are more likely to issue modified audit opinions for their economically important clients with a secrecy culture relative to their other clients, while no or weaker evidence is found for non-Big-N auditors. The results are consistent and robust to endogeneity tests and sensitivity analyses.

Originality/value

This study enriches the literature by providing a new perspective on auditor independence that an auditor’s reporting behavior can vary depending on the client’s importance and auditor type, even under the same secrecy culture.
“Finding light in the darkness”: exploring comedy as an intervention for eating disorder recovery
Authors: Declercq Dieter , Kafle Eshika , Peters Jade , Raby Sam , Chawner Dave , Blease James , Foye Una
Published: January 2024

Purpose

Eating disorders (EDs) remain a major health concern, and their incidence has further increased since the COVID-19 pandemic. Given the equally increasing demands on treatments and service provision and the high levels of relapse post-treatment, it is important that research explore novel and innovative interventions that can further support recovery for individuals with EDs. There is growing evidence that arts interventions are beneficial for recovery from EDs. This study aims to evaluate the feasibility of conducting a stand-up comedy course to support ED recovery.

Design/methodology/approach

The study used a qualitative interview study design to evaluate the recovery benefits of participating in stand-up comedy workshops for a pilot group of people in recovery from EDs (n = 10).

Findings

The comedy intervention was well-attended and had high acceptability and feasibility. For most individuals, participating in the course had a positive impact, including promoting personal recovery (PR) outcomes across all five elements of the CHIME framework. Unique assets of the course included providing participants with an opportunity to distance themselves from everyday worries of living with an ED; the opportunity to cognitively reframe situations by making them the object of humour; and providing a safe space to (re-)build a positive sense of self.

Originality/value

This is the first study, to the best of the authors’ knowledge, that evaluates stand-up comedy workshops for ED recovery and further demonstrates the potential of arts interventions and the relevance of PR frameworks in this field.
Do all forms of public attitudes matter for behavioural intentions to adopt solar energy technologies (SET) amongst households?
Authors: Muwanga Robert , Ssekakubo Johnson , Nalweyiso Grace , Aarakit Slyvia , Kusasira Samuel
Published: January 2024

Purpose

This study aims to examine the effect of the different forms of attitudes on the behavioural intentions to adopt solar energy technologies (SETs) in Uganda. Although commonly examined, the effect of attitudes on people’s behavioural intentions to adopt SETs ought to be more distinctively examined to have a clear picture of how each of the identified sets of attitudes influences the adoption of SETs.

Design/methodology/approach

Based on a sample of 360 households from three urban districts in Uganda sampled using a multi-stage sampling technique, data were collected using a self-administrated structured questionnaire. The data were then analysed using partial least square–structural equation model with SmartPLS 3.0 software.

Findings

The study establishes that more specific attitudes affect behavioural intentions to adopt SETs than general pro-technology attitudes. Results reveal that both pro-environment and application-specific attitudes matter for behaviour intentions to adopt SETs amongst households. However, the general pro-technology attitudes are not significantly associated with behavioural intentions to adopt SETs.

Practical implications

The results are important for producers and promoters of solar technology to craft appropriate promotion campaigns intended to increase the acceptance and usage of SETs. This means focussing on creating positive attitudes specific to particular applications and popularising specific uses of solar technologies.

Originality/value

The study provides an alternative approach to the general representation of the attitudes–intentions relationships by examining the differences in the attitudes developed towards the different aspects of these technologies as a substantial source of variations in adoption behaviour, which is rarely addressed.
N‐acetyl‐β‐hexosaminidase activity is important for chitooligosaccharide metabolism and biofilm formation in Burkholderia pseudomallei
Authors: Moran Clare L. , Debowski Aleksandra , Vrielink Alice , Stubbs Keith , Sarkar‐Tyson Mitali
Published: January 2024

Burkholderia pseudomallei is a saprophytic Gram‐negative bacillus that can cause the disease melioidosis. Although B. pseudomallei is a recognised member of terrestrial soil microbiomes, little is known about its contribution to the saprophytic degradation of polysaccharides within its niche. For example, while chitin is predicted to be abundant within terrestrial soils the chitinolytic capacity of B. pseudomallei is yet to be defined. This study identifies and characterises a putative glycoside hydrolase, bpsl0500, which is expressed by B. pseudomallei K96243. Recombinant BPSL0500 was found to exhibit activity against substrate analogues and GlcNAc disaccharides relevant to chitinolytic N‐acetyl‐β‐d‐hexosaminidases. In B. pseudomallei, bpsl0500 was found to be essential for both N‐acetyl‐β‐d‐hexosaminidase activity and chitooligosaccharide metabolism. Furthermore, bpsl0500 was also observed to significantly affect biofilm deposition. These observations led to the identification of BPSL0500 activity against model disaccharide linkages that are present in biofilm exopolysaccharides, a feature that has not yet been described for chitinolytic enzymes. The results in this study indicate that chitinolytic N‐acetyl‐β‐d‐hexosaminidases like bpsl0500 may facilitate biofilm disruption as well as chitin assimilation, providing dual functionality for saprophytic bacteria such as B. pseudomallei within the competitive soil microbiome.
Empirical assessment of methane emissions, socioeconomic factors, and infant mortality in Europe
Authors: Adeleye Bosede Ngozi , Tiwari Aviral Kumar
Published: January 2024

The 2030 United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) Target 3.9 aims to “reduce the number of deaths and illnesses from hazardous chemicals and air, water and soil pollution and contamination.” Methane belongs to the class of greenhouse gases and it is a harmful ambient atmospheric pollutant with adverse effects on human health. Hence, this paper aligns with SDG 3 and 11 to analyze the impact of methane emissions on infant mortality rate in Europe. Using an unbalanced panel data on 53 European countries from 1990 to 2018, we probe if the impact differs by union membership. Consistent findings from static and dynamic panel data techniques reveal that: methane emissions exhibit mortality‐inducing properties on the full sample, European Union (EU) and non‐EU countries by 0.041%, 0.037%, and 0.047%, respectively; EU countries show lower mortality rates relative to non‐EU countries by −0.164%; and mortality rate is persistent. Additional sensitivity checks by including nitrous oxide as a regressor indicates that it picks up the mortality effects of methane emissions due to collinearity (in the static analysis) but the aggravating impact of methane is upheld in the dynamic model. Likewise, the results are sustained when we control for outliers by excluding Russia (the largest emitter in Europe) and robustness checks using under‐5 mortality rate uphold the mortality‐increasing effect of methane emissions. Based on our empirical investigations, adequate policy recommendations are provided to help in stemming the harmful effects of methane emissions on the environment such that it reduces its adverse effect on infant mortality rate in Europe. These outcomes enrich the health economics and child health literature, and policy recommendations are discussed.
Bankruptcy Resolution: Misery or Strategy
Authors: Gupta Jairaj , Barzotto Mariachiara , De Moura André Aroldo Freitas
Published: January 2024

Contrary to conventional wisdom, this study reports a positive relationship between large US firms' leverage levels and their likelihood of emerging from Chapter 11 bankruptcy. In anticipation of a favourable court outcome, which allows them to emerge from bankruptcy with reduced debt, firms tend to increase their leverage levels in the years preceding the bankruptcy filing year. This suggests strategic abuse of bankruptcy courts and creditors. Test results suggest that firms start acting strategically up to four years before filing for bankruptcy so that they can emerge with a reduced debt burden at the cost of creditors. Additionally, our study also contributes to the corporate bankruptcy literature by exploring a set of factors (related to the firm, judicial, case, geographic, and macroeconomic characteristics) explaining the likelihood of firms emerging from bankruptcy, and proposing a parsimonious multivariate model that best predicts the likelihood of surviving Chapter 11 bankruptcy.
Differential distribution of intermediate filament proteins in the bovine and ovine tongues
Authors: Çelenk Fatma , Saruhan Berna Güney , Sağsöz Hakan
Published: January 2024

Intermediate filaments constitute the most heterogeneous class among the major classes of cytoskeletal proteins of mammalian cells. The 40 or more intermediate filament proteins have been classified into five types which show very specific rules of expression in specialized cell types. This study aimed to investigate the immunohistochemical distribution of cytokeratins (CKs) 8, 18, and 19 as well as the intermediate filaments vimentin, laminin, and desmin in bovine and ovine tongues. Immunohistochemical staining was performed for CKs 8, 18, 19, vimentin, laminin, and desmin. Our results revealed similar immunostaining intensity and distribution among various CKs, contrasting with distinct patterns for vimentin, laminin, and desmin. Immunoreactions were primarily localized in serous acini and ductal epithelium for cytokeratins, while vimentin and laminin were evident in connective tissue, endothelium, serous acini, and desmin in striated and smooth muscles. This study highlighted the absence of CKs 8, 18, 19, vimentin, and desmin in the lingual epithelium of bovine and ovine tongues. These findings enabled the classification of epithelial cells based on their specific cytokeratin patterns. Furthermore, vimentin was identified in mesodermal tissues and organs, desmin in muscle tissue, and laminin played crucial roles in basement membrane formation, nerve tissue regeneration, innervation of epithelial taste buds, and tissue separation and connection. Our findings provide essential insights into intermediate filament dynamics at the cellular and tissue levels. They serve as a foundation for future studies using systematic molecular biological techniques in this field.
Determining optimal ALT cut‐off values for predicting significant hepatic histological changes in patients with normal ALT in the grey zone of chronic hepatitis B virus infection
Authors: Kang Na‐Ling , Wu Lu‐Ying , Zheng Qi , Yu Xue‐Ping , Hu Ai‐Rong , Guo Yue , Li Huan , Ye Xiang‐Yang , Ruan Qing‐Fa , Lu Zhong‐Hua , Wu Ling , Jin Wen , Liu Yu‐Rui , Pan Chen , Liu Shan‐Shan , Zhang Ji‐Ming , Jiang Jia‐Ji , Zeng Da‐Wu
Published: January 2024

Background and Aims

We aimed to define gender‐specific, optimal alanine aminotransferase (ALT) cut‐off values for the prediction of significant liver histological changes (SLHC) in Chinese patients with grey zone (GZ) chronic hepatitis B (CHB) and normal ALT.

Methods

In a retrospective study, we included 1101 consecutive patients with GZ CHB and normal ALT assigned to training or internal validation cohorts. We included an independent cohort of 842 patients for external validation. We performed receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve, smoothed curve fitting, and threshold effect analyses to determine optimal ALT cut‐off values. Area under the curve (AUC) values were calculated to assess their predictive performance.

Results

A proportion of 79.3% of patients with GZ CHB and normal ALT (≤40 U/L) had SLHC. ROC curve analysis initially identified optimal ALT cut‐off values of 29 U/L (male) and 22 U/L (female). After smoothed curve fitting and threshold effect analyses, new optimal cut‐off values were 27 U/L for males and 24 U/L for females. AUCs for these values were 0.836 (male) and 0.833 (female) in the internal validation cohort, and 0.849 (male) and 0.844 (female) in the external validation cohort. The accuracy and discriminative ability of the newly defined ALT cut‐off values were greater than those of the current recommendations.

Conclusion

This study established novel optimal ALT cut‐off values for more precise prediction of SLHC among Chinese patients with GZ CHB and normal ALT levels. This may help identify individuals who will benefit from timely antiviral therapy.
Beyond painted pottery: a longue durée story of ceramic technology in prehistoric Northwest China
Authors: Anke Hein , Ole Stilborg
Published: January 2024

This paper presents a study of ceramics from Northwest China from the Neolithic and Bronze Age (c. 3300–600 BCE), providing insights into variations in human–ceramic interactions over time and space. Based on macroscopic and petrographic analysis of ceramics from 10 sites, this paper shows that there is much more complexity in ceramic technology than previously thought. It identifies a development from a bi‐modal distinction between painted fine ware and rusticated coarse wares shared among communities across Northwest China to strongly localised ceramic traditions with new fabrics, vessel shapes, and decorations, some of them potentially of outside origin, reflecting considerable societal change.
Emotions, norms, and consequences as the forces of good and evil: An investigation on sales professionals
Authors: Yıldırım Mücahid , Özdemir Şuayıp
Published: January 2024

Traditionally, the consequences of employees' behavior (teleology) and the norms attributed to the behavior (deontology) have been two familiar determinants of ethical decision making (EDM). More recently, emotions have also gained considerable attention for their ability to affect EDM. Marketing ethics literature overlooks how emotions are related with norms and consequences. Hence, this study investigates how normative, consequentialist, and emotional factors interactively influence EDM in a sales ethics context. Using scenarios with a 2 × 2 between‐groups factorial design, we collected data online from 303 sales professionals. Then we used independent samples t tests and hierarchical regression models to analyze the hypothesized relationships. Results indicate that violation of and obedience to deontological norms stimulate negative and positive anticipated emotions, respectively, leading to stronger EDM. However, to a lesser extent, when violation of and obedience to deontological norms do not stimulate anticipated emotions, those emotions lead to weaker EDM. Moreover, consequences do not stimulate any anticipated emotions. Instead, consequences moderate the relationship between anticipated emotions and EDM. In addition, deontological and teleological evaluations mediate the relationship between anticipated emotions and EDM. These findings highlight the importance of considering the interplay between normative, consequentialist, and emotional factors in the formation of ethical judgments and intentions. The article discusses the implications of these results for sales professionals and organizations and suggests future research directions.
Socially responsible purchasing (SRP) in the supply chain industry: Meanings and influences
Authors: Ogunyemi Titilayo , Adegbite Emmanuel , Nakpodia Franklin , Yekini Kemi , Ayios Angela
Published: January 2024

Organisations are increasingly expected to respond to societal and environmental issues within their supply chains. The nuances of this expectation necessitate the consideration of the disparities in corporate social responsibility (CSR) practices within supply chains. Drawing on the stakeholder theory, this paper examines the meanings and influences on socially responsible purchasing (SRP) in supply chains. It adopts an interpretivist qualitative methodology, relying on data from semi‐structured, face‐to‐face interviews with practitioners from multi‐national and indigenous organisations in Nigeria. Our findings present a useful understanding of SRP based on the specific endogenous‐level and exogenous‐level influences. In particular, we develop an encompassing scope for SRP's meaning, outlining its key components, clarifying its boundaries and highlighting inconsistencies in its description. Our study provides a fresh understanding of SRP, with attendant contributions to the broad literature on CSR, corporate governance and supply chain management. It also offers insights to managers, purchasers, suppliers, financial analysts and policy‐makers in embedding SRP.
Challenges in care and service provision for older adults with intellectual disabilities and complex age‐related conditions in Ireland
Authors: Sheerin Fintan , Fleming Sandra , May Peter , McCallion Philip , McCarron Mary , Naseer Amara , Lalor Georgia , D'Eath Maureen
Published: January 2024

Background

People with intellectual disabilities are living longer and are increasingly diverse, with health and care needs that are varied and complex. Without changes to funding, services have found it difficult to respond to needs and wishes.

Method

A descriptive mixed methods design study, data were collected through questionnaire, focus groups and individual interviews from intellectual disability service managers, direct care staff and older people with intellectual disabilities and family members.

Results

Continued reticence on the part of some community healthcare providers to treat people with intellectual disability was noted. Although some service innovations were noted, housing, staffing levels, staff mix and the timely provision of equipment were all reported to impact the ability of services to respond to changing needs. Current per‐capita funding practices were reported as unresponsive to growing age‐related complexity and fundamentally unsustainable.

Conclusions

The health inequalities experienced by people with intellectual disabilities are compounded as they age with complex age‐related health needs. There is an urgent need for revision of the service model in Ireland and instigation of flexible and responsive approaches to funding.
Firm information and risk: Evidence from the role of 10‐K report readability
Authors: Cho Sang Jun , Choi Changhwan , Chung Chune Young
Published: January 2024

This study uses the Plain Writing Act of 2010 as an exogenous variation in the readability of 10‐K reports to establish the impact of report improvements on firm risk. We find that better readability significantly decreases total and idiosyncratic risks for US firms experiencing shocks to their readability environment during 2001–2016. The impact is stronger among firms with poorer governance, less external monitoring, and greater product market competition. The results based on supporting the causal impact of readability on firm risk are robust. Our findings suggest that more readable 10‐K reports facilitate investor monitoring, inducing firms to manage risk better.
Curcumin affects apoptosis of colorectal cancer cells through ATF6‐mediated endoplasmic reticulum stress
Authors: Xu Wei , Shen Yu
Published: January 2024

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is the main cause of cancer‐associated death. Herein, we treated SW620 and HT‐29 CRC cells with different curcumin concentrations, followed by treatment with the half maximal inhibitory concentration (IC50) curcumin/endoplasmic reticulum stress (ERS) inhibitor 4‐phenyl butyric acid (4‐PBA)/activating transcription factor 6 (ATF6) interference plasmid (si‐ATF6). We detected cell proliferation/apoptosis, ATF6 cellular localization/nuclear translocation, ion concentration, ATF6 protein/apoptotic protein (Bax/Bcl‐2/Cleaved Caspase‐3) levels, and ERS‐related proteins (glucose‐regulated protein 78 [Grp78]/C/EBP homologous protein [CHOP]). We discovered inhibited cell proliferation/growth, enhanced cell apoptosis/(Bax/Bcl‐2) ratio/Cleaved Caspase‐3 levels/Ca2+ concentration in the cytoplasm/ERS‐related protein (Grp78/CHOP) levels, and activated ERS following treatment with IC50 curcumin. 4‐PBA partially reversed the inhibitory effect of curcumin on SW620 cells by restraining ERS. Curcumin stimulated ATF6 expression and its nuclear translocation to activate ERS. ATF6 silencing partly annulled the inhibitory effect of curcumin on SW620 cells. Our study explored the molecular mechanism of curcumin affecting CRC cell apoptosis through ATF6.
Clinical outcomes following a combined vertical and horizontal alveolar ridge augmentation and two‐stage implant placement using either autogenous tooth roots or autogenous bone blocks
Authors: Schwarz F. , Ramanauskaite A. , Wetzel W. , Mayer S. , Obreja K. , Parvini P.
Published: January 2024

Aim

To assess and compare the short‐term clinical outcomes following a combined vertical and horizontal alveolar ridge augmentation and two‐stage implant placement using either autogenous tooth roots (TR) or autogenous bone blocks (AB).

Materials and methods

A total of n = 27 patients (TR/AB: 13/14) exhibiting n = 31 implants (TR/AB: 14/17) were available for the analysis. Each subject had been allocated to a combined vertical and horizontal alveolar ridge augmentation using either (1) healthy TR (e.g., retained wisdom teeth), or (2) monocortical AB harvested from the retromolar area (i.e. external oblique line). Clinical parameters (e.g., bleeding on probing, BOP; probing pocket depth, PD; mucosal recession, MR) were recorded after a follow‐up period of 16.03 ± 4.3 months following implant placement.

Results

The survival rates amounted to 100% in both groups. TR and AB grafted sites were associated with similar changes in mean BOP (8.97 ± 27.73%; 11.90 ± 18.97%), PD (0.53 ± 0.49; 0.47 ± 0.67 mm), and MR (0.03 ± 0.13; 0.0 ± 0.02 mm) values. The incidence of peri‐implant mucositis and peri‐implantitis at the patient level amounted to 15.38% and 0.0% in the TR‐, and 28.57% and 7.14% in the AB group.

Conclusions

Both surgical procedures were associated with peri‐implant tissue health and stability on the short‐term.
An exhibition about a well‐known architect: Challenge or opportunity? Beyond: Tadao Ando and Art
Authors: Ren Guangpei , Park Geuntae
Published: January 2024

This review focuses on one of the most anticipated programs that He Art Museum (HEM) has produced so far, Beyond: Tadao Ando and Art. This is in part because the subject of the exhibition was the architect who designed HEM but, more interestingly, the exhibition focused on the influence of contemporary art on Ando's architectural works, rather than generally introducing architectural projects. Focusing on this perspective, this review explores the challenges and opportunities for exhibitions about well‐known architects, particularly in cases of architects such as Ando, whose distinctive architectural style (allowing people clear opinions of the architect) means it is never easy for curators to develop their own narrative. In this exhibition, connecting Ando with other artists who influenced him became an opportunity to address the challenge while dealing with his architectural languages, including light through traditional media, remained a concern. It has also been found that further work is needed to reveal the relationship between each artist and Ando, which was technically well designed in the space but was not delivering each artist's influence on Ando effectively.
Dopaminergic reinforcement in the motor system: Implications for Parkinson's disease and deep brain stimulation
Authors: Cavallo Alessia , Neumann Wolf‐Julian
Published: January 2024

Millions of people suffer from dopamine‐related disorders spanning disturbances in movement, cognition and emotion. These changes are often attributed to changes in striatal dopamine function. Thus, understanding how dopamine signalling in the striatum and basal ganglia shapes human behaviour is fundamental to advancing the treatment of affected patients. Dopaminergic neurons innervate large‐scale brain networks, and accordingly, many different roles for dopamine signals have been proposed, such as invigoration of movement and tracking of reward contingencies. The canonical circuit architecture of cortico‐striatal loops sparks the question, of whether dopamine signals in the basal ganglia serve an overarching computational principle. Such a holistic understanding of dopamine functioning could provide new insights into symptom generation in psychiatry to neurology. Here, we review the perspective that dopamine could bidirectionally control neural population dynamics, increasing or decreasing their strength and likelihood to reoccur in the future, a process previously termed neural reinforcement. We outline how the basal ganglia pathways could drive strengthening and weakening of circuit dynamics and discuss the implication of this hypothesis on the understanding of motor signs of Parkinson's disease (PD), the most frequent dopaminergic disorder. We propose that loss of dopamine in PD may lead to a pathological brain state where repetition of neural activity leads to weakening and instability, possibly explanatory for the fact that movement in PD deteriorates with repetition. Finally, we speculate on how therapeutic interventions such as deep brain stimulation may be able to reinstate reinforcement signals and thereby improve treatment strategies for PD in the future.
The forest, the cicadas and the holey fluxes: Periodical cicada impacts on soil respiration depends on tree mycorrhizal type
Authors: Beverly Daniel P. , Huenupi Elizabeth , Gandolfo Adrien , Lietzke Clara J. , Ficklin Darren L. , Barnes Mallory L. , Raff Jonathan D. , Novick Kimberly A. , Phillips Richard P.
Published: January 2024

The emergence of billions of periodical cicadas affects plant and animal communities profoundly, yet little is known about cicada impacts on soil carbon fluxes. We investigated the effects of Brood X cicadas (Magicicada septendecim, M. cassinii and M. septendeculain) on soil CO2 fluxes (RS) in three Indiana forests. We hypothesized RS would be sensitive to emergence hole density, with the greatest effects occurring in soils with the lowest ambient fluxes. In support of our hypothesis, RS increased with increasing hole density and greater effects were observed near AM‐associating trees (which expressed lower ambient fluxes) than near EcM‐associating trees. Additionally, RS from emergence holes increased the temperature sensitivity (Q10) of RS by 13%, elevating the Q10 of ecosystem respiration. Brood X cicadas increased annual RS by ca. 2.5%, translating to an additional 717 Gg of CO2 across forested areas. As such, periodical cicadas can have substantial effects on soil processes and biogeochemistry.