bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Embedding moderators of customer-brand love for affecting purchase intention of customers in hypermarket brand stores
Authors: Singh Deependra , Bajpai Naval
Published: July 2024

Purpose

This paper aims to illustrate the impact of brand love on customers’ purchase intention in the presence of store aesthetics, store price image and customers’ demographic variables as moderating variables for hypermarket brand stores.

Design/methodology/approach

For achieving the objectives, a survey is conducted on the sample of 515 respondents those are the customers of hypermarket brand stores. The collected sample is analysed through structural equation modelling and moderation analysis by using AMOS.

Findings

The findings indicate various insights in terms of the results of moderation analysis. This study explains a significant moderation of store aesthetics, customers’ age and their local region for the brand love-purchase intention relationship in the research context.

Originality/value

The present study examines relevant moderators for brand love-purchase intention relationship by empirical means for hypermarket brand stores that is an under-explored researched context in Indian context. It adds considerable insights for academics and managerial practices in the arena of customer-brand love and emotional affiliation.
The influence mechanism of women’s entrepreneurial self-identity on entrepreneurial well-being: evidence from China
Authors: Lan Ya , Shi Yongdong , Liu Yu-xiao , Wei Wu
Published: July 2024

Purpose

This study aims to investigate how women’s entrepreneurial self-identity influences their experience of well-being through entrepreneurship.

Design/methodology/approach

This study tested and validated a model using survey data from 210 women entrepreneurs in China. Hierarchical regression and bootstrapping methods were used to test the hypotheses.

Findings

This study finds that women’s entrepreneurial self-identity not only has a direct positive effect on entrepreneurial well-being but also an indirect positive effect on entrepreneurial well-being through the mediating role of entrepreneurial work autonomy and work meaning. Moreover, in mediation analyses, the autonomy and meaning of entrepreneurial work simultaneously mediate the relationship between women’s entrepreneurial self-identity and entrepreneurial well-being, and further play a chain mediating role between the two.

Originality/value

Little is known about how women perceive well-being through entrepreneurship. Moreover, the available literature has mostly overlooked the impact of women’s entrepreneurial self-identity on their entrepreneurial well-being. This study reveals the influence mechanism from the perspectives of identity and self-determination theories, with a focus on women entrepreneurs in China.
Expectations of bank automation: the influence of consumer cognitive schema
Authors: Carretta Alessandro , Cucinelli Doriana , Fattobene Lucrezia , Leonelli Lucia , Schwizer Paola
Published: July 2024

Purpose

This study aims to investigate the drivers of bank automation system performance expectancy compared to that of bank employees. The purpose is to shed light on the role played by consumers' cognitive schema on automation that is the perfect automation schema (PAS).

Design/methodology/approach

A survey was administered to about 500 Italian subjects to measure their PAS; financial knowledge, anxiety, and security; and sociodemographic and socioeconomic variables. Ordered probit regressions and an instrumental variable two-stage least squares regression are run.

Findings

The analyses reveal that cognitive schemas play a crucial role in consumer expectations in banking. Individuals with stronger PAS tend to have more positive expectations about bank automation performance compared to employee performance. Financial anxiety and knowledge positively affect bank automation performance expectancy while women, older people, and financially insecure subjects have poor expectations of automated banking systems.

Originality/value

This study extends the understanding of key consumer characteristics that affect bank automation performance expectancy compared to that of bank employees in services delivery in the Italian context. Moreover, it provides useful results for researchers, practitioners, banking institutions, and regulators.
Adapting lesson study for early-years practitioners
Authors: Foster Colin , Trundley Ruth
Published: July 2024

This viewpoint article considers the challenges of adapting mathematics lesson study for early-years practitioners working in pre-school settings.
Innovators and Transformers Is wasted food just waste? Reconceptualising food loss and waste in operations and supply chain management research and practice
Authors: Trevisan Caterina , Formentini Marco , Pullman Madeleine
Published: July 2024

Purpose

Food waste is generated along the entire agricultural supply chain. From farm overproduction to lack of cold chain infrastructure, waste occurs for multiple reasons and negatively impacts the environment and society while generating economic losses. Although various supply chain actors and institutions have made attempts to reduce it, the activity is often confined to a single farm or to a retailer and charity dyad, without a systematic resolution of the problem. The environment is not only negatively impacted by the reduction of soil, water and biodiversity but also human beings suffer from malnutrition and food insecurity and finally, the entire supply chain faces considerable economic losses. Various supply chain actors have attempted to reduce this waste, but the results are often limited. The purpose of this paper is to consider systematic resolution by proposing a reconceptualisation from an alternative Operations and Supply Chain Management (O&SCM) perspective.

Design/methodology/approach

The proposed paper is problem-based research, which merges the research and industry perspectives derived from the authors’ field experience interviewing different supply chain stakeholders in Italy, the UK, the USA and France with an analysis of O&SCM literature related to food loss and waste.

Findings

In order to address the food waste problem, we propose a new perspective in dealing with food loss and waste through the lens of O&SCM. By reconceptualising O&SCM theories and methods with the unique aspects of food loss and waste and taking into account the multitude of stakeholders involved, we propose five research avenues.

Originality/value

The perspective of O&SCM management is missing when dealing systematically with food loss and waste, as researchers neglect its unique characteristics.
Understanding SMEs’ internationalization through digital platforms: the role of knowledge sharing and consumer education
Authors: Hu Lala , Filipescu Diana A. , Pergelova Albena
Published: July 2024

Purpose

The aim of this study is to understand how digital platforms and context-specific characteristics of China – such as swift guanxi – affect opportunities for small and medium enterprises (SMEs) entering this market.

Design/methodology/approach

This study adopts a qualitative approach based on a multiple-case study of Italian SMEs in the wine industry that have activated international activities in China. Primary data consist of 32 interviews with SMEs’ managers, local consumers and other stakeholders involved in firm internationalization.

Findings

The findings of this study highlight that in SMEs’ internationalization, the process of knowledge/learning on digital platforms takes place in a bidirectional way thanks to the interactions among multiple stakeholders, which activate consumer education and knowledge sharing.

Originality/value

While previous research has emphasized firms' knowledge acquisition in the internationalization process, this study incorporates both the consumer perspective and the firm perspective, along with considering interactions with various stakeholders.
When chatbots fail: exploring user coping following a chatbots-induced service failure
Authors: Zhang Ruby Wenjiao , Liang Xiaoning , Wu Szu-Hsin
Published: July 2024

Purpose

While the proliferation of chatbots allows companies to connect with their customers in a cost- and time-efficient manner, it is not deniable that they quite often fail expectations and may even pose negative impacts on user experience. The purpose of the study is to empirically explore the negative user experience with chatbots and understand how users respond to service failure caused by chatbots.

Design/methodology/approach

This study adopts a qualitative research method and conducts thematic analysis of 23 interview transcripts.

Findings

It identifies common areas where chatbots fail user expectations and cause service failure. These include their inability to comprehend and provide information, over-enquiry of personal or sensitive information, fake humanity, poor integration with human agents, and their inability to solve complicated user queries. Negative emotions such as anger, frustration, betrayal and passive defeat were experienced by participants when they interacted with chatbots. We also reveal four coping strategies users employ following a chatbots-induced failure: expressive support seeking, active coping, acceptance and withdrawal.

Originality/value

Our study extends our current understanding of human-chatbot interactions and provides significant managerial implications. It highlights the importance for organizations to re-consider the role of their chatbots in user interactions and balance the use of human and chatbots in the service context, particularly in customer service interactions that involve resolving complex issues or handling non-routinized tasks.
Examining learners’ cognitive processes and learning emotions in digital game-based vocabulary learning: evidence from eye-tracking technology and facial emotion recognition
Authors: Wang Chun-Chia , Chen Hsuan-Chu , Hung Jason C.
Published: July 2024

Purpose

This research explored the intersection of cognitive processes, emotions and their impacts on digital game-based vocabulary learning (DGVL) among university students. Recognizing the scant research in this area, especially with integrating innovative technologies, this study aims to understand the influence of these elements using advanced monitoring tools.

Design/methodology/approach

This inquiry was carried out as an observational study involving 44 university students segmented into three English language proficiency levels: high, intermediate and low based on their English course scores. The methodological tools included a portable eye tracker to observe visual behaviors and deep learning technology to identify and analyze the participants’ emotional responses and engagement with the DGVL during the learning process.

Findings

The results showed that distinct fixation sequences and variations in visual attention during DGVL were correlated with different levels of competency, suggesting a direct correlation between visual engagement and language competence. In addition, emotional transitions, predominantly from engagement (“flow”) to challenge (“frustration”), were common among participants, reflecting the emotional dynamics of learning. Furthermore, all participants consistently focused on the English vocabulary definitions, indicative of their targeted approach to understanding and test preparation. These findings highlighted the intricate dynamics between emotions and cognitive processes in learning environments.

Originality/value

Contribution of this study shows the interplay of cognitive engagement and emotional experiences in the context of DGVL. It underscored the complex nature of these factors and their collective influence on learners’ visual and emotional engagement, offering valuable implications for educational strategies and technological applications in language learning.
Effect of additively manufactured polymeric inserts on impact response of construction safety helmets
Authors: Miceli Andrew , Bevil Grant , Simsiriwong Jutima
Published: July 2024

Purpose

Struck-by accidents (i.e. being hit by a falling object) are a leading cause of traumatic brain injuries in the construction industry. Despite the critical role of hard hats in minimizing such injuries, their overall design has not appreciably changed in decades. Therefore, this study aims to explore the potential benefits of modifying commercially available hard hat designs by incorporating a compliant cantilever and a sacrificial, energy-absorbing structure to enhance their protective capabilities against impacts.

Design/methodology/approach

This study involved conducting experimental impact tests to obtain the head acceleration attenuation using hard hats with a variety of compliant cantilever lattice insert designs. These lattice inserts were additively manufactured using three polymeric materials, including polylactide (PLA), acrylonitrile butadiene styrene, high-impact polystyrene and three porosity levels. A Hybrid III head/neck assembly was fitted with each hard hat design, and experimental drop tests were conducted using a 1.8-kg steel impactor dropped from 1.83 m. The maximum acceleration and head injury criterion (HIC) values were obtained for each test.

Findings

Analysis of variance revealed that HIC was significantly reduced for all lattices with 56% porosity (p < 0.023) compared to the control (unmodified) hard hat. The most effective insert was found to be a PLA insert with 56% porosity, which reduced the HIC value by 38% compared to the control (unmodified) hard hat, with a statistically significant p-value of 0.018.

Originality/value

The data present in this study reveals that simple and inexpensive modifications can be made to existing hard hat designs to reduce injury risk from overhead impacts.
Willful defaulting of bank loans in a developing country: a Bourdieusian analysis
Authors: Bhattacharjee Sumon , Chakraborty Shimul
Published: July 2024

Purpose

Borrowers’ intentional non-payment of bank loans despite being able to pay is a financial crime. This paper explores how willful loan defaulting became a societal practice in Bangladesh, where non-performing loans (NPLs) are assumed to surpass BDT 4 trillion mainly due to habitual defaults of large borrowers.

Design/methodology/approach

This study reviewed publicly available documents and interviewed bank managers, loan takers, regulators and industry experts. It drew on Pierre Bourdieu’s practice theory, specifically the concepts- habitus, capital and field, to explain the permeation of “intentional defaulting culture” in the banking industry.

Findings

Willful defaulting in Bangladesh is an outcome of a harmonious blend of defaulters’ mindsets and possession of capital supported by the structure and rules of the field. The socio-political context facilitates, rather than impedes, the “unwillingness to pay” motive of the habitual defaulters due to their possession of different forms of capital.

Research limitations/implications

Understanding of how the crime of willful defaulting emerges and persists in society may have policy and practice implications in economies suffering NPL problems.

Originality/value

This study explicates how individual intents and institutional structures jointly amplify financial crimes in society.
Using design thinking to innovate business curriculums
Authors: McKinney Ralph E. , Eng Ben , Weible Ricky J.
Published: July 2024

Purpose

This paper aims to present a case study on how the strong relationships with multiple stakeholder groups can benefit educational programs through the curriculum redesign process by using the experience of Marshall University and Intuit.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper highlights how Marshall’s faculty used Intuit’s Design Thinking process to engage with stakeholders to innovate a curriculum that is sustainable and socially responsible and transfers workforce skills and concepts. This case describes how to: involve stakeholders to discover their pain points and desired outcomes, develop prototype curriculums from stakeholders’ feedback and test and iterate prototype curriculums on stakeholders until their expectations (e.g. quality, innovation and value) of the curriculum are exceeded.

Findings

Faculty applied Design Thinking to engage with stakeholders to infuse contemporary knowledge and skills that positively impact their workforce development and societal goals into the curriculum. This process promoted critical thinking and a “stakeholder-centered” orientation with various groups including AACSB and employers. These curriculum changes ultimately provide greater experiences to students while providing relevant skills of interest to employers and society.

Originality/value

Stakeholders are often consulted on educational programs; however, it is unusual for an industry stakeholder to provide their best innovative practices to assist colleges with the transformation of academic curriculums. Moreover, it is unusual for higher education institutions to fully embrace these industry processes and integrate these experiences within their collective culture. Finally, the detailing of this case allows for other colleges to apply these concepts to their curriculums.
A meta-analysis of international experience and performance: exploring the role of global mobility and national sentiments
Authors: Fan Di , Wu Sihong , Su Yiyi , Kumar Vikas
Published: July 2024

Purpose

International experience has long been recognized as a crucial determinant for firms’ knowledge management in the existing literature. However, within a global context, the relationship between international experience and the performance of multinational enterprises is intricate and remains ambiguous. While the impact of people mobility has been extensively studied, limited understanding exists regarding how global mobility of people and evolving external environments reshape the relationship. This study aims to integrate existing empirical evidence on this relationship and examines the contingencies posed by environmental factors.

Design/methodology/approach

This study conducted a multilevel meta-analysis based on a sample of 231 effect sizes collected from 167 articles to systematically examine the international experience–performance relationship, considering the moderating effect of the global mobility of people and the rise of national sentiments (including authoritarianism and protectionism). A two-stage procedure comprising Hedges-Olkin-type meta-analysis and random-effects meta-analytic regression was adopted.

Findings

The findings demonstrate a predominantly positive international experience–performance relationship that varies across studies owing to differences in research design, variable measurements and firm characteristics. The relationship is positively moderated by the global mobility of people, yet the positive effect is contingent upon the level of national sentiments within home countries. The beneficial effect of inbound mobility on this relationship is attenuated by authoritarianism and protectionism, while the effect of outbound mobility is positively influenced by authoritarianism and less affected by protectionism.

Originality/value

This study offers novel theoretical insights into multinationals’ knowledge accumulation in the internationalization process. It contributes to the existing literature by presenting an integrated framework elucidating the international experience–performance relationship. Building upon the knowledge-based view, it integrates environmental dynamics and national sentiments to investigate the performance implications of multinationals’ international experience, thereby providing valuable practical insights for effective global knowledge management.
What drives women to adopt menstrual cups? The integration of consumer values and theory of planned behaviour
Authors: Shukla Smriti , Sanjeev Rinku , Sharma Priyanka
Published: July 2024

Purpose

This study aims to investigate the influence of consumer value on women’s attitudes towards their intention to adopt menstrual cups. Drawing on consumer value theory, the research seeks to provide an empirical investigation of value-attitude-behaviour, an extant exploration of value concept in behaviour.

Design/methodology/approach

Data for this study was collected through survey questionnaires administered to 304 Indian women and analysed using partial least squares structural equation modelling.

Findings

The study’s finding indicate that emotional values (EVs) significantly predict women’s attitudes towards their intention to use menstrual cups. In addition, the desire for knowledge, price and quality considerations and awareness of the environmental impact were also found to influence women’s attitudes towards their behavioural intention to adopt menstrual cups.

Social implications

This study contributes valuable empirical evidence supporting the importance of consumer values in shaping attitudes and behavioural intentions towards menstrual cups in a social marketing context. By understanding the role of EVs, social marketers can design more effective campaigns to encourage the adoption of menstrual cups. Promoting the sustainable aspects of menstrual cups, such as reduced environmental wastage, can further facilitate behaviour change among women.

Originality/value

This study demonstrates the value-attitude-behaviour framework, which has been a subject of very little research in the context of menstrual cup adoption in a developing country.
Sentient libraries: empowering user expeditions with emotional artificial intelligence
Authors: Bonal Raghavendra B.
Published: July 2024

Purpose

The study aims to forecast emotional artificial intelligence’s (EAI) trajectory in libraries, provide actionable implementation recommendations and outline potential research paths. It seeks to establish ethical benchmarks, considering emotional well-being alongside informational needs. Understanding EAI in libraries becomes pivotal, envisioning libraries as empathetic, user-centric spaces.

Design/methodology/approach

This research uses a multifaceted approach, intertwining comprehensive literature analysis, illustrative case studies and forward-thinking assessments. It combines foundational knowledge from various academic sources, integrating real-world examples of EAI implementations in library settings. The methodology goes beyond observational analysis, scrutinizing ethical quandaries and societal impacts. It comprehensively explains EAI’s role while delineating guidelines for responsible integration and future exploration.

Findings

Integrating emotional intelligence (EI) enhances resource curation, fosters inclusive virtual learning environments and elevates continuous service enhancement in libraries. It allows tailored recommendations, emotionally perceptive virtual assistants and adaptive responses to diverse emotional needs, reshaping libraries into empathetic spaces.

Research limitations/implications

Ethical considerations pose significant challenges, especially regarding privacy, security and fair usage of EAI. Libraries must mitigate biases and ensure equitable emotional services. Adapting to diverse emotional needs within library services requires a delicate balance between empathetic approaches and upholding ethical standards.

Practical implications

EAI revolutionizes user experiences, offering personalized, engaging interactions while ensuring ethical, inclusive library environments. Implementing EAI requires navigating biases and ethical complexities, demanding continuous refinement and using user-focused strategies.

Social implications

Integrating EAI redefines the library’s role, transforming libraries into emotionally perceptive hubs catering to users’ intellectual and emotional needs. It emphasizes fairness, trust and ethical conduct in providing empathetic, inclusive services.

Originality/value

This research pioneers the integration of EI in libraries, offering insights into ethical frameworks, bias mitigation and user-centric approaches. It envisions libraries as empathetic, responsive spaces, enriching lives through emotional understanding and responsiveness.
The institutionalisation of XBRL in a developing capital market: the Indonesian regulators’ and filers’ perspective
Authors: Amalia Fitri , Yigitbasioglu Ogan , Tooley Stuart
Published: July 2024

Purpose

Drawing on institutional theory analytical perspectives of theorisation and translation, this study aims to explore the institutionalisation of eXtensible Business Reporting Language (XBRL) in Indonesia from a regulatory and filer perspective.

Design/methodology/approach

The Indonesian capital market offers a unique case of the integration of XBRL regulatory reporting between multiple regulators and a transfer from capital market regulation to state-level regulation. This study uses semi-structured interviews with key actors employed with Indonesian XBRL-regulatory bodies and listed companies (filers).

Findings

External pressures, monitoring issues and tensions in the implementation process were instrumental in the theorisation and translation of XBRL in Indonesia. Specifically, the findings show that choices made with respect to XBRL regulation and implementation created tensions between XBRL reporting fulfilling a monitoring purpose and serving stakeholders’ interests. The findings also indicate that the Indonesian approach to XBRL regulation and implementation had distinct characteristics compared to XBRL implementation in other jurisdictions.

Practical implications

This study emphasises the necessity for robust regulatory support and strict enforcement to navigate the complexities and tensions arising from a multi-regulatory approach. Additionally, it stresses the importance of firms’ readiness and expertise in XBRL as more sophisticated implementation strategies are considered.

Originality/value

Using the analytical lens of theorisation and translation, the study provides a deeper understanding of how a globally diffused accounting technology was institutionalised and legitimised in a developing country. Specifically, this study explains why a conversion approach to XBRL implementation was favoured and how XBRL implementation and reporting were managed and coordinated between different Indonesian regulators.
The modern meaning of “quality”: analysis, evolution and strategies
Authors: De Giovanni Pietro
Published: July 2024

Purpose

Building upon the foundational eight dimensions of quality proposed by Garvin (1987), this research formulates a modern meaning of “quality.” This new meaning aligns with and encapsulates the evolving sophistication of consumers, the strategic quality investments made by firms, and the current dynamics of sales.

Design/methodology/approach

Due to the complexity of the concept of quality, a triangulation approach is used, which is composed of the following: a review of the literature, an analysis of consumers’ quality dimensions using both qualitative (interviews) and quantitative (survey) methods, as well as a quantitative investigation (survey) of firms’ investments in quality dimensions and the links to sales.

Findings

Our findings reveal the existence of 21 new and emerging dimensions through which consumers measure product quality, all of which complement Garvin’s dimensions. These dimensions contribute to a fresh and modern interpretation of quality. Although there are 29 dimensions of quality in total, firms should shape their strategies by focusing on usability, customization, efficiency, innovation, performance, perceived quality, serviceability, pricing, conformance quality, ethics, and sustainability. These dimensions align with consumer wants and positively correlate with firms’ sales.

Originality/value

This research identifies novel and contemporary dimensions of quality, serving to complement the eight dimensions previously delineated by Garvin (1987). Consequently, it contributes to updating the operations management literature on Total Quality Management, 36 years subsequent to the introduction of Garvin’s foundational dimensions.
Why is immigration important to you? A revisit to public issue salience and elite cues
Authors: JIN SOYEON
Published: July 2024

Extensive media coverage of immigration, that is, media salience, has been thought to heighten anti‐immigrant attitudes among native‐born citizens by creating an information environment that portrays immigration as society's greatest problem. However, past empirical findings on the relationship between media salience and anti‐immigrant attitudes have been mixed. Some studies have observed that media salience increases hostility towards immigrants, while others have found it has no significant influence. This study investigates the underlying reasons for these inconsistent findings and demonstrates the need to revisit the meaning of issue importance. It employs the concept of public issue salience, the perception that immigration is the most important problem or concern about immigration, to find evidence. It argues that when the immigrant issue is a pivotal point of political competition, the immigration issue signals conflicts, connoting negativity so public issue salience and anti‐immigrant attitudes are closely related. On the other hand, in an environment where political elites reach a consensus, the immigration issue remains neutral so that they can be disentangled. The scope of media salience changes accordingly as well. This study chooses the United Kingdom and Germany for comparative research due to their similarities in immigration histories and the success of far‐right parties as well as differences in their major political parties' reactions to the issue. I match individual‐level longitudinal survey data to media article data and find clear country differences. In the United Kingdom, where political parties are polarized over the issue, public issue salience and anti‐immigrant attitudes are closely related so that media salience heightens them. In Germany, where political elites across different ideologies hold welcoming stances, their relationship is moderate. Media salience merely increases the perceived importance and does not increase anti‐immigrant attitudes. Contributions and implications are discussed with respect to political elites' role.
Upcycling soybean meal through enzymatic conversion of insoluble fiber into soluble dietary fiber enhanced by ball milling
Authors: Deng Lingzhu , Chen Qiong , Ohm Jae‐Bom , Islam Shahidul , Rao Jiajia , Jin Zhao , Xu Minwei
Published: July 2024

Insoluble dietary fiber (IDF) in soybean meal, due to the insolubility, is one of the major impediments to upcycle the soybean meal for its value‐added use. This study converted IDF to soluble dietary fiber (SDF) using ball milling and enzymatic hydrolysis of the IDF. The impact of ball milling and enzymatic hydrolysis on the physicochemical and functional properties of SDF was evaluated. Cellulase, hemicellulase, xylanase, galacturonase, and arabinofuranosidase were employed for hydrolyzing IDF. The results showed that ball milling significantly reduced the particle size of IDF, facilitating enhanced enzymatic hydrolysis and resulting in SDF with lower molecular weight and varied monosaccharide composition. The synergistic effect of ball milling and enzymatic processes with combination of cellulase–xylanase–galacturonase was evident by the improved conversion rates (69.8%) and altered weight‐averaged molecular weight (<5900 Da) of the resulting SDF. Rheological and microstructural analyses of the SDF gel indicated that specific enzyme combinations led to SDF gels with distinct viscoelastic properties, pore sizes, and functional capabilities, suitable for varied applications in the food and pharmaceutical sectors. This comprehensive evaluation demonstrates the potential of optimized physical bioprocessing techniques in developing functional ingredients with tailored properties for industrial use.
Evaluation of maternal serum protein biomarkers in the prenatal evaluation of placenta accreta spectrum: A systematic scoping review
Authors: Givens Matthew , Valcheva Ivaila , Einerson Brett D. , Rogozińska Ewelina , Jauniaux Eric
Published: July 2024

Introduction

Placenta accreta spectrum (PAS) is an increasingly commonly reported condition due to the continuous increase in the rate of cesarean deliveries (CD) worldwide; however, the prenatal screening for pregnant patients at risk of PAS at birth remains limited, in particular when imaging expertise is not available.

Material and Methods

Two major electronic databases (MEDLINE and Embase) were searched electronically for articles published in English between October 1992 and January 2023 using combinations of the relevant medical subject heading terms and keywords. Two independent reviewers selected observational studies that provided data on one or more measurement of maternal blood‐specific biomarker(s) during pregnancies with PAS at birth. PRISMA Extension for Scoping Review (PRISMA‐ScR) was used to extract data and report results.

Results

Of the 441 reviewed articles, 29 met the inclusion criteria reporting on 34 different biomarkers. 14 studies were retrospective and 15 prospective overall including 18 251 participants. Six studies had a cohort design and the remaining a case–control design. Wide clinical heterogeneity was found in the included studies. In eight studies, the samples were obtained in the first trimester; in five, the samples were collected on hospital admission for delivery; and in the rest, the samples were collected during the second and/or third trimester.

Conclusions

Measurements of serum biomarkers, some of which have been or are still used in screening for other pregnancy complications, could contribute to the prenatal evaluation of patients at risk of PAS at delivery; however, important evidence gaps were identified for suitable cutoffs for most biomarkers, variability of gestational age at sampling and the potential overlap of the marker values with other placental‐related complications of pregnancy.
Interaction of maternal smoking and gestational diabetes mellitus on newborn head circumference and birthweight
Authors: Holopainen Lotta S. , Tähtinen Hanna H. , Gissler Mika , Korhonen Päivi E. , Ekblad Mikael O.
Published: July 2024

Introduction

Maternal smoking during pregnancy and gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) have opposite effects on fetal growth during pregnancy. The aim of the study was to evaluate the interaction of smoking during pregnancy and gestational diabetes mellitus on head circumference and birthweight of newborns.

Material and Methods

The study included all primiparous women with singleton pregnancies (n = 290 602) without previously diagnosed diabetes or hypertension in Finland between 2006 and 2018. The information on gestational diabetes mellitus, newborn birthweight and head circumference, and maternal smoking and backgrounds was derived from the Finnish Medical Birth Register. Linear regression models were used in the analyses.

Results

In total 8.0% of parturients quit smoking during the first trimester and 9.9% continued smoking thereafter. The prevalence of GDM was 8.9% (n = 25 948). Newborns of women who continued smoking had a smaller head circumference (b = −0.24, SE = 0.01, p < 0.0001) and birthweight (b = −0.28, SE = 0.01, p < 0.0001) compared to newborns of women who did not smoke. Head circumference and birthweight were greater in newborns of women with GDM (b = 0.09, SE = 0.01, p < 0.0001 and b = 0.16, SE = 0.01, p < 0.0001, respectively) compared to newborns of women without GDM. In the interaction analyses, head circumference (b = −0.13, SE = 0.01, p < 0.0001) was smaller and birthweight (b = −0.13, SE = 0.02, p < 0.0001) was lower in newborns of women with GDM who continued smoking compared to newborns of women without GDM who did not smoke.

Conclusions

Although smoking and GDM have opposite effects on fetal growth, the negative effects of exposure to smoking are also seen in newborns of women with GDM. Compared to smoking after the first trimester of pregnancy, cessation of smoking during the first trimester was associated with greater head circumference and birthweight in newborns.
Predictors of membrane oxygenator failure in pediatric extracorporeal membrane oxygenation
Authors: Ikeda Makoto , Murayama Hiroomi , Aoki Satoshi , Motomura Makoto , Kojima Taiki
Published: July 2024

Background

Veno‐arterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (V‐A ECMO) is increasingly utilized in pediatric patients. Failure to recognize membrane oxygenator failure can lead to critical complications due to rapid deterioration of membrane oxygenator function. Therefore, identifying the predictors for membrane oxygenator exchange is crucial. However, risk factors for membrane oxygenator exchange in pediatric V‐A ECMO remain unclear; therefore, this study aimed to evaluate these risk factors.

Methods

This retrospective cohort study enrolled all pediatric patients aged <18 years who received V‐A ECMO between August 2018 and July 2023 at a tertiary‐care pediatric hospital in Japan. The Cox proportional hazards model was used to evaluate the predictors of membrane oxygenator failure within 72 h after initiation.

Results

During the study period, membrane oxygenator failure occurred in 18/55 (32.7%) children within 72 h; membrane oxygenator failure within 72 h occurred in 4/29 (13.8%) and 14/26 (53.8%) in the groups with ratio of blood flow divided by the blood flow limit of the membrane oxygenator (B/L) of <0.5 and ≥0.5, respectively (adjusted hazards ratio, 4.97 [95% confidence interval, 1.33–18.5]; p = 0.017). After adjusting for delta pressure of the oxygenator, an increase in body weight and aspartate aminotransferase levels were associated with an increase in early membrane oxygenator failure.

Conclusions

This retrospective study demonstrated that a B/L ratio >0.5, an increase in body weight, and elevated aspartate aminotransferase were independent risk factors for early membrane oxygenator failure in pediatric V‐A ECMO. However, a prospective multicenter study with an appropriate sample size is warranted to mitigate potential bias, and enhance generalizability for further investigation of the association between a B/L ratio and early membrane oxygenator failure.
Vision screening and refraction of Greenlandic schoolchildren
Authors: Duelund Nick , Nisted Ivan , Jørgensen Marit Eika , Heegaard Steffen , Jensen Hanne
Published: July 2024

Purpose

To estimate the prevalence of amblyopia and refractive errors among 6‐year‐old children in Greenland and to assess the impact of incorporating autorefraction, stereoacuity and near visual acuity testing into vision screening.

Methods

In this cross‐sectional study, 517 children (238 girls and 279 boys) from 21 locations in Greenland were screened using HOTV charts for distance and near visual acuity (VA), stereoacuity test and non‐cycloplegic autorefraction. Referral criteria for further ophthalmological examination included a VA of ≥0.2 logMAR on the worse‐seeing eye or an interocular VA difference of ≥2 lines.

Results

Initial screening identified amblyopia (defined as VA of ≥0.3 logMAR) in 7% (unilateral) and 3% (bilateral) of children. However, subsequent ophthalmological examinations confirmed amblyopia in under 40% of referrals. Significant interocular VA differences were found in 9%. The prevalence of refractive errors at the screening was 3% for myopia (≤−0.5 dioptres), 10% for hyperopia (>+2.0 dioptres) and 14% for astigmatism (≤−1.00 dioptres), while the corresponding prevalences at the ophthalmological examination were 4% for myopia, 8% for hyperopia and 6% for astigmatism. Combining screening measurements increased the positive predictive values, thereby enhancing screening accuracy. Specifically, the incorporation of autorefraction or stereoacuity with distance VA demonstrated to be the most effective combination. Six percent of the children were prescribed glasses after the screening procedure.

Conclusion

This study provides the first visual profile of Greenlandic schoolchildren. Incorporating autorefraction, stereoacuity and near visual acuity in vision screenings enhanced the efficacy of detection of vision anomalies. Although this may lead to more false positives, accurate screening is crucial in regions with limited ophthalmological resources.
Analysis of pig posture detection in group‐housed pigs using deep learning‐based mask scoring instance segmentation
Authors: Devi Salam Jayachitra , Doley Juwar , Bharati Jaya , Mohan N. H. , Gupta Vivek Kumar
Published: July 2024

Pig posture is closely linked with livestock health and welfare. There has been significant interest among researchers in using deep learning techniques for pig posture detection. However, this task is challenging due to variations in image angles and times, as well as the presence of multiple pigs in a single image. In this study, we explore an object detection and segmentation algorithm based on instance segmentation scoring to detect different pig postures (sternal lying, lateral lying, walking, and sitting) and segment pig areas in group images, thereby enabling the identification of individual pig postures within a group. The algorithm combines a residual network with 50 layers and a feature pyramid network to extract feature maps from input images. These feature maps are then used to generate regions of interest (RoI) using a region candidate network. For each RoI, the algorithm performs regression to determine the location, classification, and segmentation of each pig posture. To address challenges such as missing targets and error detections among overlapping pigs in group housing, non‐maximum suppression (NMS) is used with a threshold of 0.7. Through extensive hyperparameter analysis, a learning rate of 0.01, a batch size of 512, and 4 images per batch offer superior performance, with accuracy surpassing 96%. Similarly, the mean average precision (mAP) exceeds 83% for object detection and instance segmentation under these settings. Additionally, we compare the method with the faster R‐CNN object detection model. Further, execution times on different processing units considering various hyperparameters and iterations have been analyzed.
A comparative study of fat body at different developmental stages in Bombyx mori (L.): Histological and ultrastructural aspects
Authors: Pak Asiye , Turgay‐İzzetoğlu Gamze , Yıkılmaz Mehmet Salih , İzzetoğlu Savaş
Published: July 2024

The fat body, originating from mesodermal tissue of coelomic cavities during embryogenesis, can be found throughout the insect's body. In some insects, the fat body has two types (peripheral and perivisceral fat bodies) according to its location. In the fat body, trophocytes are known to be the basic cell type. Other fat body cells differentiating from the trophocytes are urocytes, mycetocytes, chromatocytes and haemoglobin cells. The study aimed to demonstrate the general structure and cell types of the fat body during the postembryonic developmental stages of Bombyx mori (L.). With Haematoxylin–Eosin staining, there is a single type of fat body throughout the larval stages but during Pp and P0 stages it consists of perivisceral and peripheral fat bodies. We also observed that the compact structure of the fat body at the beginning of the larval stage began to loosen as it transformed into the pupal stage. In the adult stage, it was reorganized during the metamorphosis and it didn't show both fat bodies distinction. At this stage, the fat body appeared in a loose, lace‐like structure. We determined that B. mori fat body only consists of trophocytes and also among them; the fat body associated cells, oenocytes are detected.
Innovation and creativity in gastronomy beyond Haute Cuisine restaurants: Towards an innovation ecosystem in Gastronomytech in the Basque Country
Authors: Galarraga Auxkin , Martinez de Albeniz Iñaki
Published: July 2024

The new avant‐garde of innovation in the field of gastronomy is moving from Haute Cuisine restaurants to laboratories, research centres, hubs or ecosystems fully dedicated to culinary innovation, where mixed and multidisciplinary teams of cooks and scientist work together. Such agents are leading an expansion of the field of influence of culinary innovation, connecting culinary knowledge with sectors such as agri‐food, hospitality, tourism, health or biotechnology. And, in turn, they seek to expand the frontiers of culinary innovation by exploring the connection of gastronomy with new digital technologies, promoting gastronomic entrepreneurship or developing policies to boost advanced gastronomic ecosystems around the world. The article analyses this process through the case study of the emergence of an innovation ecosystem in Gastronomytech in the Basque Country (Spain) led by the agents BCC Innovation, LABe Digital Gastronomy Lab and GOe Gastronomy Open Ecosystem, all three managed by Basque Culinary Center (an organization where training, innovation, research and entrepreneurship coexist with the aim of developing and promoting gastronomy). The study has implications for the management of culinary creativity and innovation, both for chefs and innovation teams at restaurants, as well as for policy‐makers who aim to promote innovative gastronomy in the future.
Occupational choice, human capital and financial constraints
Authors: Castro Rui , Ševčík Pavel
Published: July 2024

We study the aggregate productivity effects of firm‐level financial frictions. Credit constraints affect not only production decisions but also household‐level schooling decisions. In turn, entrepreneurial schooling decisions impact firm‐level productivities, whose cross‐sectional distribution becomes endogenous. In anticipation of future constraints, entrepreneurs underinvest in schooling early in life. Frictions lower aggregate productivity because talent is misallocated across occupations and capital is misallocated across firms. Firm‐level productivities are also lower due to schooling distortions. These effects combined account for between 36% and 68% of the US–India aggregate productivity difference. Schooling distortions are the major source of aggregate productivity differences.
Neonatal BCG Vaccination for Prevention of Allergy in Infants: The MIS BAIR Randomised Controlled Trial
Authors: Messina Nicole L. , Gardiner Kaya , Pittet Laure F. , Forbes Emily K. , Francis Kate L. , Freyne Bridget , Zufferey Christel , Abruzzo Veronica , Morison Clare , Turner Hannah , Allen Katrina J. , Flanagan Katie L. , Ponsonby Anne‐Louise , Robins‐Browne Roy , Shann Frank , Vuillermin Peter , Donath Susan , Casalaz Dan , Curtis Nigel ,   the Melbourne Infant Study: BCG for Allergy and Infection Reduction (MIS BAIR) Group
Published: July 2024

Background

The beneficial off‐target effects of Bacille Calmette–Guérin (BCG) vaccination potentially include protection against allergy.

Objective

In the MIS BAIR trial, we aimed to determine whether neonatal BCG vaccination reduces atopic sensitisation and clinical food allergy in infants.

Methods

In this randomised controlled trial, 1272 neonates were allocated to BCG‐Denmark vaccine (0.05 mL intradermal dose) or no BCG at birth. Randomisation was stratified by recruitment site, mode of delivery and plurality of birth. The primary outcome was the incidence of atopic sensitisation determined by skin prick test at 1 year of age. Food allergy was determined by 3‐monthly online questionnaires and oral food challenges. Data were analysed by intention‐to‐treat using binary regression. Clinicaltrials.gov (NCT01906853).

Results

Atopic sensitisation during the first year of life was 22.9% among infants in the BCG group and 18.9% in the control group (adjusted risk difference (aRD) 3.8% (95% CI −1.5 to 9.1) after multiple imputation). Clinical food allergy was similar between infants in the BCG and control groups (9.8% vs. 9.6%; aRD 0.2, 95% CI −3.4 to 3.8). An interaction was observed between the primary outcome and maternal history of BCG vaccination. No interaction was observed for the additional prespecified potential effect modifiers tested (sex, delivery mode, family history of any allergy, season of birth, hepatitis B vaccination at randomisation, BCG scar and age at BCG administration).

Conclusions and Clinical Relevance

Neonatal BCG‐Denmark vaccination does not protect against atopic sensitisation or clinical food allergy in the first year of life.