bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The impact of earnings volatility, environmental uncertainty and COVID-19 pandemic on accounting comparability in an emerging economy
Authors: Arianpoor Arash , Esmailzadeh Asali Farideh
Published: April 2023

Purpose

The present study investigated the impact of earnings volatility and environmental uncertainty on accounting comparability in an emerging economy and the moderating role of COVID-19 pandemic for the companies listed on Tehran Stock Exchange (TSE).

Design/methodology/approach

The data about 181 companies during 2014–2021 were examined. In this study, accounting comparability was predicted for the firms' accounting systems and the coefficient estimates were calculated. The present study used the coefficient of variation of sales to capture sales volatility as the primary environmental uncertainty measure.

Findings

The results showed that both the earnings volatility and environmental uncertainty have a significant negative effect on accounting comparability, and that COVID-19 significantly increases the negative impact of earnings volatility and environmental uncertainty on accounting comparability. The hypothesis testing based on robust, GLS, GMM, GLM, OLS regressions and t+1 test confirmed these results.

Originality/value

The present study aimed to develop knowledge-providing benefits for companies about the accounting comparability and managing more efficient decisions. The present findings help investors to understand and evaluate the performance of firms more accurately especially in earnings volatility and environmental uncertainty conditions and in the wake of a pandemic crisis such as COVID-19.
Leveraging (in)formal early-mover and diligent-follower advantage mechanisms to attain international niche market leadership: insights from Basque “hidden champions”
Authors: Kamp Bart , Ruiz de Apodaca Iñigo
Published: April 2023

Purpose

This paper aims to study whether international niche market leaders (INMLs) gained their leading position as early mover or diligent follower, and assess whether they leveraged hard or soft forms of technological, supply pre-emption and customer lock-in advantage mechanisms.

Design/methodology/approach

Empirical material stems from qualitative and quantitative data on a sample of 20 niche companies from the Basque Country (Spain) that operate in business to business markets.

Findings

The sample predominantly followed an early entrant strategy and applied soft measures to reach niche market leadership.

Research limitations/implications

Findings imply that early entering fosters conquering leadership in niche markets, that pioneer advantage is easier to sustain in niches than in mainstream markets, and that soft measures are more effective in niche markets than in larger markets. A limitation to our findings is that they follow from explorative research on a sample of firms from a reduced geographic setting.

Practical implications

Hidden champions and INMLs can be important sources of technological progress and economic value for the localities that host them. Therefore, despite their traditional low profile and the fact that they are not always the largest firms around, policymakers may want to pay more attention to this type of companies.

Originality/value

Tot he best of the authors’ knowledge, this is the first paper to research entry timing and its outcome for market leadership with regard to niche players or hidden champions-type of firms. It introduces an original taxonomy to operationalize and distinguish between hard and soft measures to leverage advantage mechanisms related to market entry timing.
Stock market prediction, COVID-19 pandemic and neural networks: an SCG algorithm application
Authors: Goel Himanshu , Som Bhupender Kumar
Published: April 2023

Purpose

This study aims to predict the Indian stock market (Nifty 50) by employing macroeconomic variables as input variables identified from the literature for two sub periods, i.e. the pre-coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) (June 2011–February 2020) and during the COVID-19 (March 2020–June 2021).

Design/methodology/approach

Secondary data on macroeconomic variables and Nifty 50 index spanning a period of last ten years starting from 2011 to 2021 have been from various government and regulatory websites. Also, an artificial neural network (ANN) model was trained with the scaled conjugate gradient algorithm for predicting the National Stock exchange's (NSE) flagship index Nifty 50.

Findings

The findings of the study reveal that Scaled Conjugate Gradient (SCG) algorithm achieved 96.99% accuracy in predicting the Indian stock market in the pre-COVID-19 scenario. On the contrary, the proposed ANN model achieved 99.85% accuracy in during the COVID-19 period. The findings of this study have implications for investors, portfolio managers, domestic and foreign institution investors, etc.

Originality/value

The novelty of this study lies in the fact that are hardly any studies that forecasts the Indian stock market using artificial neural networks in the pre and during COVID-19 periods.
How digital transformation helps enterprises achieve high-quality development? Empirical evidence from Chinese listed companies
Authors: Wu Ye , Li Haohui , Luo Ruiyu , Yu Yubing
Published: April 2023

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to explore how digital transformation helps enterprises achieve high-quality development, including the mediating mechanism of information transparency, innovation capacity and financial stability, the moderating role of financing constraints and government subsidies, and the heterogeneous effects of property rights, size and growth.

Design/methodology/approach

This study conducts two-way fixed-effect model using 780 samples of China's Shanghai-Shenzhen A-share listed companies from 2012 to 2019.

Findings

The results show that digital transformation can effectively improve the total factor productivity (TFP) of enterprises through the triple channels of information transparency, innovation capability and financial stability. Meanwhile, financing constraints significantly inhibited the contribution of digital transformation to TFP, while government subsidies significantly increased the contribution of digital transformation to TFP. In addition, state-owned enterprises (SOEs), large enterprises and high-growth enterprises are more able to achieve high-quality development by increasing their digital transformation.

Practical implications

In the process of implementing digital transformation, companies should actively improve information transparency, financial stability and innovation capabilities, and choose differentiated paths based on intrinsic characteristics such as property rights, scale and growth. At the same time, the government should actively improve not only the digital institutional environment but also the financial policy and credit system.

Originality/value

This study enriches the theoretical research framework of digital transformation and high-quality development by identifying the channel mechanisms and boundary conditions through which digital transformation affects high-quality development and expands the consequences of digital transformation and the antecedents of high-quality development.
Do different types of vocational education and training programmes influence earnings? Recent evidence from India
Authors: Vincent Andrea , Rajasekhar Durgam
Published: April 2023

Purpose

Indian government initiated several skill development policies and different types of vocational education and training (VET). Yet the participation in skill education is low because of poor labour market outcomes. This paper aims to calculate returns to skill education to understand the type of training that will have better labour market outcomes.

Design/methodology/approach

In this paper nationally representative data from the periodic labour force survey (PLFS), collected by the national sample survey office for 2017–2018, are used to estimate the returns to formal and non-formal VET obtained (after different levels of general education) with the help of Heckman's two-stage method.

Findings

Nearly 8% of the working-age population has received some form of VET (mostly non-formal), generating poor returns. For the overall population, formal on-job training (OJT) and full-time VET influence wage positively and significantly. Full-time VET obtained after secondary and below levels of education generates positive returns, whereas part-time VET is profitable only to those without formal education. At the graduate level, technical education obtained along with VET is associated with better wages.

Originality/value

In India where a considerable proportion of the workforce is employed in the informal sector, different types of skill training like full-time, part-time and OJT influence labour market outcomes. This finding has policy implication for countries with large informal sector and calls for further research in such countries.
Actually existing vitality rights: resisting neoliberal affects at a video game design camp
Authors: Robinson Bradley , Wright William Terrell
Published: April 2023

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to demonstrate the power of affective pedagogies and playful literacies to resist neoliberal framings of video game play and design in educational contexts.

Design/methodology/approach

Focusing on the Giga-Games Camp, a video game design camp for adolescents, the authors mobilize different methodological impulses across a number of different registers, using interview data to trace institutional arcs, focal frames from a GoPro camera to see vitality in action and descriptions of platform events to follow these lines through the shift to online instruction brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Findings

The authors narrate three transversal movements of the Giga-Games Camp to reveal how play-centered pedagogies can challenge the neoliberal tendency to assimilate young people’s video gaming practices as a vehicle for future-proof science, technology, engineering and mathematics learning.

Originality/value

The authors offer the concept ofactually existing vitality rightsto describe how attending seriously to vitality in learning spaces will often manifest organically in very real strategies to reimagine and restructure preexisting, neoliberally sedimented uses of space, institutional configurations and constellations of sociopolitical power.
Uncertainty avoidance and acceptance of the digital payment systems: a partial least squares-structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM) approach
Authors: Alkhwaldi Abeer F. , Al-Qudah Anas Ali , Al-Hattami Hamood Mohammed , Al-Okaily Manaf , Al-Adwan Ahmad Samed , Abu-Salih Bilal
Published: April 2023

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to investigate the determinants that likely influence the intention of using digital payment systems such as the Jordan Mobile Payment (JoMoPay) system among public sector employees in Jordan. To achieve the purpose of the current study, the authors developed a new research model based on the extended unified theory of acceptance and use of technology (UTAUT2), with one of Hofstede’s cross-cultural dimension scales [uncertainty avoidance (UA)] to provide a further understanding of the JoMoPay system acceptance in Jordan.

Design/methodology/approach

A partial least squares-structural equation modeling approach was used to analyze the data collected by self-administration from the 270 employees working in the Jordanian public sector located in Amman city, the capital city of Jordan. Because most main public sectors are located in Amman and because of the cost and time considerations, the current study applied a non-probability sampling with the purposive sampling technique.

Findings

The empirical results reveal that the evident drivers of behavioral intention to use the JoMoPay system are significantly and positively influenced by social influence, UA, performance expectancy, price value and effort expectancy; therefore, the H1, H2, H3, H5 and H6 were supported. Conversely, the results show no significant relationship between facilitating conditions and the behavioral intention to use the JoMoPay system, and hence, the related hypothesis (H4) was not supported.

Practical implications

The results of this study provide beneficial information to the Central Bank of Jordan and other service providers in Jordan about employee intentions to adopt JoMoPay system and increase decision-makers’ knowledge on factors that have an important impact in UTAUT2 model.

Social implications

The results of this study enable policymakers to understand the important factors that will enhance savings, investments and living standards, create job opportunities as well as reduce the poverty, the paper money printing cost, risks of money transportation cost and the risk of human errors.

Originality/value

The outcomes obtained will help both practitioners and researchers elucidate and understand the situation of digital payment systems acceptance among Jordanian public sector employees, as well as help them formulate plans to expedite the adoption process of digital payment systems in the case of UA.
Investigating the effects of institutional distance and experience on acquisition performance across emerging markets
Authors: Goetz Martin A. , Morschett Dirk
Published: April 2023

Purpose

This study combines institutional and organizational learning perspectives to investigate the impact of institutional distance and institution-specific cross-border acquisition experience in emerging markets on cross-border acquisition performance.

Design/methodology/approach

The sample consists of 874 transactions involving targets across 37 emerging markets by 484 different acquirers from 45 developed and emerging markets. The authors decompose institutional distance and acquisition experience along their cultural, administrative, geographic and economic dimensions.

Findings

The authors find that cultural, administrative and geographic distance have a negative impact on acquisition performance. In contrast, economic distance does not appear detrimental to acquisition performance across markets. The study provides evidence that a company may apply learnings from previous transactions in similar cultural and economic emerging market environments to elevate the likelihood of a successful acquisition.

Originality/value

This study offers a more fine-grained perspective of the distance concept by decomposing the concepts of institutional distance and acquisition experience along different institutional dimensions. The research across 37 emerging markets sheds light on which of the similarities and differences between these markets are relevant concerning acquisition experience and performance.
Aspects driving customers' intention to use automated purchasing processes
Authors: Selter Jan-Lukas , Fota Anne , Wagner Katja , Schramm-Klein Hanna
Published: April 2023

Purpose

Smart devices like fully automated smart refrigerators can simplify customers' shopping processes. However, despite the advantages, such as saving time and effort, these devices are rarely used in private households. Therefore, this study aims to investigate the influence of various aspects on the usage intention of automated purchase processes and how these can be established in the long term.

Design/methodology/approach

For examining the given topic, an online experiment was conducted in which the experimental factors automation (not given vs given) and product type (utilitarian vs hedonic) were systematically manipulated.

Findings

The findings show a decreasing usage intention for automated shopping processes and no significant results for the utilitarian and hedonic product types. In addition, trust and behavioural control mediate the effect of automation on usage intention, and this effect is further moderated by inherent novelty seeking.

Originality/value

The study investigates the usage intention of automated buying processes in a business-to-consumer retail context and highlights the importance of trust and behavioural control. Retailers offering automated buying processes should further focus on customers that seek novelty. In general, this study offers new insights into establishing automated buying processes in the long term.
Experimental study on shear performance of CFRP-strengthened RC beams with geopolymer adhesive
Authors: Liu Jinliang , Su Xincheng
Published: April 2023

Purpose

The effects of carbon fiber reinforced polymer (CFRP) reinforcement form, adhesive type and pre-crack width on failure mode, shear capacity, deflection response, CFRP strain response and crack patterns of strengthened specimens were investigated.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper presents a geopolymer adhesive that matches the performance requirements of CFRP adhesive, which is applied to pre-cracked beams reinforced with CFRP strips.

Findings

For specimens with varying structural properties, two failure modes, the CFRP-concrete interface substrate failure and the fracture failure of CFRP, are observed. Moreover, the shear capacity, ultimate deflection and bending stiffness of the U-shaped CFRP-strengthened beams are enhanced in comparison to the complete-wrapping CFRP-strengthened beams. With an increase in pre-crack width, the increase in shear capacity of RC beams shear-strengthened with CFRP strips is less than that of non-cracked beams, resulting in a limited influence on the stiffness of CFRP-strengthened beams. The comparison of experimental results showed that the proposed finite element model (FEM) effectively evaluated the mechanical characteristics of CFRP-strengthened RC beams.

Originality/value

Taking into consideration the reinforcement effect and the concept of environmental protection, the geopolymer adhesive reinforcement scheme is preferable to applying epoxy resin to the CFRP-strengthened RC beams.
Examining motivations and challenges of black wine entrepreneurs using the push–pull theory of entrepreneurship
Authors: Bell Monique , Thach Liz , Fang Fiona
Published: April 2023

Purpose

The two major entrepreneurial motivations of being “pushed” or “pulled” to start a business have been frequently explored in the entrepreneurship literature. In the global wine industry, thousands of small entrepreneurial wine businesses are flourishing, but few have been started by Black entrepreneurs. What is missing from the research is an exploration of the motivations of these entrepreneurs and what the industry can do to encourage the entrance of more minority entrepreneurs. The purpose of this study is to apply push–pull theory to better understand the motivations and challenges of what prompts Black entrepreneurs to start and succeed in the wine industry.

Design/methodology/approach

This exploratory study uses a qualitative methodology of 42 in-depth interviews with US Black winemakers, retailers, and other wine business owners conducted over Zoom. The data were analyzed using Otter software and a thematic coding process for 2,120 pages of rich text.

Findings

Findings included 12 motivation themes and 12 challenges for Black wine entrepreneurs, with more emphasis on “push” versus “pull” motivation factors. Many of these entrepreneurs were “pushed” to participate in the industry to create a more inclusive space for Black wine consumers and to create opportunities for other Black professionals and minorities in the industry. Managerial implications include solutions for more inclusive marketing and workplace culture.

Originality/value

This study contributes to push–pull theory by offering a unique perspective on the motivations of Black wine entrepreneurs, as well as being the first study, to the best of the authors’ knowledge, to focus on this issue.
Does the perceived quality of interdisciplinary research vary between fields?
Authors: Thelwall Mike , Kousha Kayvan , Stuart Emma , Makita Meiko , Abdoli Mahshid , Wilson Paul , Levitt Jonathan M.
Published: April 2023

Purpose

To assess whether interdisciplinary research evaluation scores vary between fields.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors investigate whether published refereed journal articles were scored differently by expert assessors (two per output, agreeing a score and norm referencing) from multiple subject-based Units of Assessment (UoAs) in the REF2021 UK national research assessment exercise. The primary raw data was 8,015 journal articles published 2014–2020 and evaluated by multiple UoAs, and the agreement rates were compared to the estimated agreement rates for articles multiply-evaluated within a single UoA.

Findings

The authors estimated a 53% agreement rate on a four-point quality scale between UoAs for the same article and a within-UoA agreement rate of 70%. This suggests that quality scores vary more between fields than within fields for interdisciplinary research. There were also some hierarchies between fields, in the sense of UoAs that tended to give higher scores for the same article than others.

Research limitations/implications

The results apply to one country and type of research evaluation. The agreement rate percentage estimates are both based on untested assumptions about the extent of cross-checking scores for the same articles in the REF, so the inferences about the agreement rates are tenuous.

Practical implications

The results underline the importance of choosing relevant fields for any type of research evaluation.

Originality/value

This is the first evaluation of the extent to which a careful peer-review exercise generates different scores for the same articles between disciplines.
Blockchain, sport and fan tokens
Authors: Vidal-Tomás David
Published: April 2023

Purpose

This paper provides a thorough examination of Socios.com, a blockchain platform that integrates token sales with the fan experience in the sports industry. The study focuses on three key aspects: the performance, bubble phenomenon and dynamics of fan tokens. The author aims to address important questions that may concern potential supporters and investors. Might sports fans incur financial losses due to their team loyalty? Is the fan token market just a passing trend? Are fan tokens driven by the behaviour of the cryptocurrency market?

Design/methodology/approach

This analysis aims to involve several methodologies. The author evaluates the short- and long-term performance of fan tokens by computing first-day and buy-and-hold (abnormal) returns. The author also employs the Phillips, Shi, and Yu's (PSY) real-time bubble detection method to investigate the presence of bubble phenomenon in the fan token market segment. Finally, the author examines the potential dependences between fan tokens, Chiliz and the cryptocurrency market (represented by the CCi30 index) using both Pearson/Kendall correlations and the wavelet coherence approach.

Findings

The study presents three notable contributions to the existing literature. First, the author demonstrates that investing in fan tokens to support one's favourite sports teams can lead to financial losses, whereas traders can potentially outperform the market by investing in Chiliz. Second, the author states that fan tokens were a short-lived trend, as evidenced by their decline in value after the bubble burst in 2021. Third, the findings indicate that the fan token market was influenced by the cryptocurrency market and Chiliz during periods of market downturns.

Originality/value

To the best of author’s knowledge, this is the first paper to conduct a comprehensive analysis of the performance, bubble phenomenon and dynamics of the token market fan segment, along with the exclusive on-platform currency, Chiliz.
Islamicity indices: an extensive systematic literature review
Authors: AlQashouti Bashayer Merdef , Shirazi Nasim Shah
Published: April 2023

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to conduct a systematic literature review of research conducted in the economic Islamicity (EI) index field, in terms of non-Islamic countries.

Design/methodology/approach

This study thoroughly assessed the literature on the EI index by conducting extensive systematic literature reviews.

Findings

The critical analysis of these indices shows the need for amendments, which can be achieved by improving the Islamicity index seen in non-Islamic countries. This step will help validate the Islamicity index assessment and help Islamic countries develop and strengthen Islamic economic values.

Originality/value

As the first comprehensive literature review in the Islamicity indices domain to the best of the authors’ knowledge, this research may contribute for Islamic country to increase the Islamicity index in terms of economic issue for future research themes.
“I didn’t know I could have a voice”: how Asian American childhood experiences shaped lived identities
Authors: Pedraza Chadrhyn A.A. , Guillaume Rene O.
Published: April 2023

Purpose

The purpose of this study was to gain insight into Asian Americans’ experiences with racism during elementary, middle and high school and how those experiences shape the ways they describe their racial identity.

Design/methodology/approach

This study used a qualitative research design and narrative inquiry strategy. The authors used Chang’s (1993) Asian Critical Race Theory framework to examine participant’s descriptions of experiences with racism during elementary, middle and high school and how these experiences shape how they describe their Asian American racial identity.

Findings

Participants’ narratives revealed a common theme of silencing through two major processes: acceptance of the Asian American identity as an “other” and measuring the Asian American self against the barometers of physical appearance and the model minority stereotype.

Originality/value

This study contributes to the literature on Asian Americans by examining how experiences as a child shape how they have come to perceive their racial identity in relation to their overall self-concept. The authors argue that Asian American experiences have been excluded from discourse on race in education as the model minority and perpetual foreigner stereotypes have allowed for this marginalization.
A review of research on entrepreneurship and crowdfunding: insights from bibliometric analysis
Authors: Kumar Amit , Agrawal Gaurav
Published: April 2023

Purpose

The aim of the study is to examine the role of crowdfunding in entrepreneurial development with the help of a systematic review of the literature and bibliometric analysis.

Design/methodology/approach

The present research employed bibliometric analysis to study collected data from the database. Using proper keywords, data was retrieved from Scopus. With the scaler and analytical method of bibliometric analysis, the research attempts to answer the following questions, including prominent journals, authors, keywords and cluster analysis based on keyword occurrence. The mapping/networking chart is created using the VOSviewer software.

Findings

The result of the study suggests that it is an attractive and emerging phenomenon for academicians. The most papers were published in 2021, Small Business Economics and California Management Review are the most prolific journals, while Vismara S is the most significant author with 4 publications and 488 citations. Short JC, School of Management, Royal Holland and USA collaborate most. Cluster analysis of the study will help the future researcher to broaden the existing literature utilising the distinct topics.

Research limitations/implications

This research aids entrepreneurs, academia, crowdfunding practitioners and policymakers in identifying application areas for crowdfunding. In conclusion, crowdfunding will enhance the entrepreneurial ecosystem.

Originality/value

This study elaborates the significance of crowdfunding in the development of entrepreneurship, using SLR and bibliometric analysis. The study findings identified crowdfunding's usage, applications and potential future research areas, as well as evaluated, reviewed and assessed their significance in entrepreneurial development. The theme-based cluster was determined based on the frequency of occurrence of the keywords.
ChatGPT: a viral data-driven disruption in the information environment
Authors: Frederick Donna Ellen
Published: April 2023

Purpose

This study aims to introduce librarians to ChatGPT and challenge them to think about how it fits into their work and what learning they will need to do in order to stay relevant in the realm of artificial intelligence.

Design/methodology/approach

Popular and scientific media sources were monitored over the course of two months to gather current discussions about the uses of and opinions about ChatGPT. This was analyzed in light of historical developments in education and libraries. Additional sources of information on the topic were described and discussed so that the issue is made relevant to librarians and libraries.

Findings

The potential risks and benefits of ChatGPT are highly relevant for librarians but also currently not fully understood. We are in a very early stage of understanding and using this technology but it does appear to have the possibility of becoming disruptive to libraries as well as many other aspects of life.

Originality/value

ChatGPT-3 has only been publicly available since the end of November 2022. We are just now starting to take a deeper dive into what this technology means for libraries. This paper is one of the early ones that provide librarians with some direction in terms of where to focus their interest and attention in learning about it.
Office level contagion: impact of a non-timely filing by a major busy season client
Authors: Skomra Justyna , Sellers R. Drew , Skomra Piotr Antoni
Published: April 2023

Purpose

This study aims to investigate the busy season contagion effects on other clients of the Big 4 auditor’s local office associated with the non-timely (NT) filing(s) by large accelerated filer (LAF) client(s) of the office. Specifically, the authors examine the influence such events have on the audit quality and timeliness of other clients of that office.

Design/methodology/approach

Using panel data of annual NT filings of LAF clients between 2006 and 2019, the authors apply the ordinary least squares regression technique to model audit reporting lag (ARL) and the logistic regression technique to model the probability of restatements.

Findings

Controlling for audit firm, industry and year-fixed effects, the authors find that a LAF NT filing reduces audit quality and audit timeliness of other clients of the office, as measured by restatement risk and ARL. The impact on ARL is most pronounced on the medium and small clients within the office. The deteriorated audit quality is observed for medium clients.

Research limitations/implications

The results of this study have practical implications for auditors and regulators. They reveal the contagion effect in the auditor’s local office with the NT LAF client. The main limitation of the study is the lack of staffing utilization data to allow for drawing conclusions on causality.

Originality/value

To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this is the first study to document the contagion effect of NT filings of LAF clients conducted at the auditor’s local office level.
Structural and fatigue analysis of car wheel rims with carbon fibre composites
Authors: Poodipeddi SVKSV Krishna Kiran , Singampalli Amarthya , Rayala Lalith Sai Madhav , Ravula Surya Sudarsan Naveen
Published: April 2023

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to follow up on the structural and fatigue analysis of car wheel rims with carbon fibre composites in order to ensure the vehicular safety. The wheel is an essential element of the vehicle suspension system that supports the static and dynamic loads encountered during its motion. The rim provides a firm base to hold the tire and supports the wheel, and it is also one of the load-bearing elements in the entire automobile as the car's weight and occupants' weight act upon it. The wheel rim should be strong enough to withstand the load with such a background, ensuring vehicle safety, comfort and performance. The dimensions, shape, structure and material of the rim are crucial factors for studying vehicle handling characteristics that demand automobile designers' concern.

Design/methodology/approach

In the present study, solid models of three different wheel rims, namely, R-1, R-2 and R-3, designed for three different cars, are modelled in SOLIDWORKS. Different carbon composite materials of polyetheretherketone (PEEK), namely, PEEK 90 HMF 40, PEEK 450 CA 30, PEEK 450 GL 40 and carbon fibre reinforced polymer-unidirectional (CFRP-UD) are used as rim materials for conducting the structural and fatigue analysis using ANSYS Workbench.

Findings

The results thus obtained in the analyses are used to identify the better carbon fibre composite material for the wheel rim such that it gives better structural properties and less fatigue. The R-3 model rim has shown better structural properties and less fatigue with PEEK 90 HMF 40 material.

Originality/value

The carbon composite materials used in this study have shown promissory results that can be used as an alternative for aluminium, steel and other regular materials.
The association between undetected small‐for‐gestational age and abnormal admission cardiotocography: A registry‐based study
Authors: Gyllencreutz Erika , Varli Ingela Hulthén , Johansson Kari , Lindqvist Pelle G. , Holzmann Malin
Published: April 2023

Objective

To assess the association between undetected small‐for‐gestational age (SGA) fetuses and abnormal admission cardiotocography (admCTG) in a low‐risk population.

Design

An observational study.

Setting

Four hospitals in Stockholm‐Gotland, Sweden.

Sample

A cohort of 127 461 deliveries between 1 February 2012 and 15 June 2020.

Methods

This cohort was linked to the Swedish Neonatal Quality Register. Pregnancies were designated as high or low risk at the time of admission to the labour ward according to pre‐defined risk measures. SGA was defined as a birthweight at or below the tenth centile and at or below the third centile for gestational age.

Main outcome measures

The main outcome was the proportion of undetected SGA by admCTG (normal or abnormal). The secondary outcome was a composite severe adverse neonatal outcome for fetuses born less than 6 hours after admission (Apgar score <4 at 5 minutes, hypoxic–ischaemic encephalopathy grade of 2–3, neonatal seizures and neonatal death).

Results

The rate of abnormal admCTG was 4.9%. The proportion of SGA at or below the tenth centile was higher in the abnormal admCTG group than in the normal admCTG group, 18.6% versus 9.7% (odds ratio 2.1, 95% CI 1.9–2.3).

Abnormal admCTG and SGA (≤10th) was associated with a more than 20‐fold increased risk of an adverse outcome compared with normal admCTG and non‐SGA (adjusted odds ratio 23.7, 95% CI 9.8–57.3). The latter had a risk of 1/2000 of an adverse outcome.

Conclusions

In this low‐risk population, undetected SGA fetuses were more prone to having abnormal admCTG and had a substantially higher risk of severe adverse neonatal outcomes.
Transcatheter CT arteriography‐guided irreversible electroporation of locally advanced pancreatic adenocarcinoma: A pictorial essay
Authors: Geboers Bart , van der Lei Susan , Kloppenborg Louiza TE , Boon Rianne M , Timmer Florentine EF , Puijk Robbert S , de Vries Jan JJ , Scheffer Hester J , Meijerink Martijn R
Published: April 2023

Visibility of the tumour and its surroundings during the ablative procedure is crucial for optimal treatment planning, needle placement, ablation zone coverage and postprocedural control. The use of transcatheter CT arteriography providing real‐time image guidance has proven to be of additional value for thermal liver ablation. The general advantages of the technique could be of value for other indications and ablation techniques as well, especially when requiring multiple needle placements in the vicinity of precarious vascular structures. This pictorial essay presents six clinical cases that illustrate transcatheter CT arteriography guidance during the treatment of locally advanced pancreatic cancer with irreversible electroporation. The illustrations highlight the technique's ability to improve visibility of vascular structures and the advantage of real‐time monitoring and treatment of intraprocedural vascular complications. The use of transcatheter CT arteriography can support the interventionalist with respect to periprocedural safety and accuracy of electrode placement for pancreatic irreversible electroporation.
Two types of abdominal pain as the initial presentation of Takayasu arteritis: A case report
Authors: Cáceres Medina José Luis , Gamboa Meza Alan , Hernández Padilla Isaí Eduardo
Published: April 2023

Background

Takayasu arteritis (TA) is a chronic inflammatory arteritis affecting large vessels, predominantly the aorta and its main branches. Diagnosis is usually delayed in most patients owing to the absence of typical clinical manifestations in the acute phase until the development of substantial arterial symptoms. The purpose of this case report is to describe abdominal pain being an uncommon symptom in TA.

Learning Objective

The clinical presentation of TA can be non‐specific and can have serious consequences if the diagnosis is delayed, helping the clinicians who can treat with such patients (emergency medicine, cardiologist, or medical personnel).
Differential performance of selected Sudano‐Sahelian plant species for ecological restoration
Authors: Tchida Pascal Blaise , Ngakou Albert , Kesel Raimund , Koehler Hartmut
Published: April 2023

This study compares the performances of six indigenous (Acacia albida, Acacia nilotica, Acacia senegalensis, Balanites aegyptiaca, Tamarindus indica, Ziziphus spina‐christi) and one exotic (Azadirachta indica) tree species for the reforestation of a degraded soil (hardé) in the Far North Region of Cameroon. Seedlings were transplanted from the enviroprotect nursery (Maroua) to Gawel ReviTec (revitalization technology) sites (GW1, GW2) in May 2015. A subset of trees from biosoil plots was monitored at 26, 38 and 50 months after transplantation. Survival rate, height, stem diameter and growth volume were measured and revealed lower values at GW2 than at GW1 in general. A. indica and A. nilotica performed better, with respective survival rates of 78 and 67% at GW1, against lower than 50% at GW2 for all species, the highest (45%) accounting for A. nilotica. Stem diameter (91 and 87 cm), height (318 and 308 cm) and growth volume (33 and 42 m3) were higher for A. nilotica, followed by A. indica (stem diameter: 90 and 83 cm; height: 248 and 278 cm; growth volume: 20 and 20 m3), respectively, at GW1 and GW2. These results suggest A. indica and A. nilotica as the most successful and indicated species for the reforestation of hardé soil.
Croatian mothers were 11 times more likely to give their newborn infants formula in hospital if they had used it for their older children
Authors: Vidović Roguljić Ana , Matas Jakov , Zakarija‐Grković Irena
Published: April 2023

Aim

We determined the prevalence and predictors of formula supplementation for healthy, term newborn infants in hospital.

Methods

A cross‐sectional study was conducted from 1 June to 21 October 2020 among Croatian women who gave birth to healthy newborn infants of ≥37 weeks gestation and birth weight of ≥2500 g at the University Hospital of Split, Croatia. The mothers completed a questionnaire on hospital infant feeding practices and breastfeeding self‐efficacy. Multinomial logistic regression investigated associations between perinatal factors and formula supplementation.

Results

We approached 392 mothers, and 355 (90.6%) were included: 286 (80.6%) said their newborn infant received formula in hospital and it was at their request in 173/286 (60.5%) of cases. The adjusted analyses identified factors associated with increased odd ratios (OR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) for formula supplementation: no previous breastfeeding experience (OR 9.42, 95% CI 3.51–25.28), breastfeeding difficulties in hospital (OR 9.12, 95% CI 3.46–24.09) and older children who received formula during their birth hospitalisation (OR 11.51, 95% CI 4.4–30.1). Mothers were not routinely notified of the risks.

Conclusion

An unacceptably high proportion of healthy newborn infants received formula in hospital.
The ethics of precision health
Authors: Delston J. B.
Published: April 2023

In this paper, I defend an account of the ethics of precision medicine that can explain both its possibilities and limits. Creating a new conceptual and normative model of the ethics of precision health can ensure that good medicine is also excellent and that excellent medicine is also good by providing a resource to scientists and clinicians. First, I propose a new conceptual analysis of precision health. I argue that precision health is defined primarily by targeted medical interventions and not by stratification, as others have asserted. Next, I argue that failure to be adequately responsive to this conceptual analysis explains common ethical abuses in the field. Third, I argue that this conceptual analysis can also pave the way for future research heretofore overlooked. Thus, we can limit abuses in precision health research and care while at the same time opening new avenues to help historically oppressed communities.
Senescent CD8+ T cells acquire NK cell‐like innate functions to promote antitumor immunity
Authors: Kakuda Toshio , Suzuki Junpei , Matsuoka Yuko , Kikugawa Tadahiko , Saika Takashi , Yamashita Masakatsu
Published: April 2023

It has been suggested that aging of the immune system (immunosenescence) results in a decline in the acquired immune response, which is associated with an increase in age‐related tumorigenesis. T‐cell senescence plays a critical role in immunosenescence and is involved in the age‐related decline of the immune function, which increases susceptibility to certain cancers. However, it has been shown that CD8+ T cells with the senescent T‐cell phenotype acquire an natural killer (NK) cell‐like function and are involved in tumor elimination. Therefore, the role of senescent CD8+ T cells in tumor immunity remains to be elucidated. In this study, we investigated the role of senescent CD8+ T cells in tumor immunity. In a murine model of transferred with B16 melanoma, lung metastasis was significantly suppressed in aged mice (age ≥30 weeks) in comparison to young mice (age 6–10 weeks). We evaluated the cytotoxic activity of CD8+ T cells in vitro and found that CD8+ T cells from aged mice activated in vitro exhibited increased cytotoxic activity in comparison to those from young mice. We used Menin‐deficient effector T cells as a model for senescent CD8+ T cells and found that cytotoxic activity and the expression of NK receptors were upregulated in Menin‐deficient senescent CD8+ T cells. Furthermore, Menin‐deficient CD8+ T cells can eliminate tumor cells in an antigen‐independent manner. These results suggest that senescent effector CD8+ T cells may contribute to tumor immunity in the elderly by acquiring NK‐like innate immune functions, such as antigen‐independent cytotoxic activity.
Support to caregivers who have received genetic information about neurodevelopmental and psychiatric vulnerability in their young children: A narrative review
Authors: Perlman Polina , Vorstman Jacob , Hoang Ny , Summers Jane , Baribeau Danielle , Cunningham Jessie , Mulsant Benoit H.
Published: April 2023

Diagnosis of pathogenic genetic variants associated with neurodevelopmental and psychiatric disorders (NPDs) is increasingly made early in life. This narrative review focuses on the need for, and provision of, psychological supports following genetic diagnosis. We conducted a literature search of publications on how caregivers are informed about the NPD vulnerability associated with genetic variants, challenges and unmet needs when receiving this information, and whether psychological supports are provided. Given its early recognition, the 22q11.2 deletion has been studied thoroughly for two decades, providing generalizable insights. This literature indicates the complex caregivers' needs related to learning about potential NPD vulnerabilities associated with a genetic variant, include how to communicate the diagnosis, how to identify early signs of NPDs, how to deal with stigma and a lack of medical expertise outside of specialized genetics clinics. With one exception, no publications describe psychotherapeutic support provided to parents. In the absence of support, caregivers struggle with several unmet needs regarding potential longer‐term NPD implications of a genetic diagnosis. The field needs to go beyond explaining genetic diagnoses and associated vulnerabilities, and develop approaches to support caregivers with communicating and managing NPD implications across the child's lifespan.
Diagnostic performance and safety of endoscopic ultrasound‐guided fine‐needle aspiration/biopsy for gallbladder lesions
Authors: Kuraishi Yasuhiro , Hara Kazuo , Haba Shin , Kuwahara Takamichi , Okuno Nozomi , Yanaidani Takafumi , Ishikawa Sho , Yasuda Tsukasa , Yamada Masanori , Fukui Toshitaka , Mizuno Nobumasa
Published: April 2023

Objectives

Endoscopic ultrasound‐guided fine‐needle aspiration and fine‐needle biopsy (EUS‐FNA/FNB) is not fully established as a pathological sampling tool for gallbladder lesions due to limited evidence. We therefore aimed to clarify the effectiveness and safety of this procedure in a large‐population cohort.

Methods

This study retrospectively evaluated the diagnostic yield of EUS‐FNA/FNB for accurately differentiating between benign and malignant gallbladder lesions. Puncture targets included the gallbladder mass, lymph node, and liver mass. Adverse events and factors associated with diagnostic accuracy were analyzed as well.

Results

In 187 patients with gallbladder lesions undergoing EUS‐FNA/FNB, 18 benign lesions and 169 malignant lesions were identified. Overall sampling adequacy was 98% (184/187). The diagnostic accuracy of EUS‐FNA/FNB was 97% (182/187), sensitivity was 97% (164/169), and specificity was 100% (18/18). A single postprocedural complication (minor bleeding) was recorded in one patient. In the 169 cases of malignancy, 203 sites were punctured for pathological sampling of the primary mass (n = 94), lymph node (n = 79), and metastatic liver mass (n = 30). No significant difference was found for diagnostic accuracy among the puncture sites (P = 0.70). In cases having specimens obtained from the primary mass, the accuracy of those targeting liver invasion sites was significantly higher than that of other sites (98% vs. 83%, P < 0.01).

Conclusion

EUS‐FNA/FNB demonstrated clinical usefulness and safety for the pathological diagnosis of gallbladder lesions, with high diagnostic yield and a low incidence of adverse events. Targeting the site of liver infiltration may improve the diagnostic rate of EUS‐FNA/FNB in the primary mass.