bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The extractive industry and expectations of resource benefits: does CSR promote community well-being?
Authors: Attah Amewu , Amoah Prince
Published: April 2023

Purpose

This paper aims to examine the effects of extractive activities on the well-being of local communities and assesses stakeholder expectations of resource benefits and the corporate social responsibility (CSR) practices of oil companies in Ghana.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper uses a qualitative approach based on an exploratory research design to investigate the opinions and experiences of stakeholders in the growing oil and gas industry in Ghana.

Findings

The empirical findings demonstrate that entry negotiated agreements and local content requirements in the offshore oil industry have minimal benefits because of the lack of linkages with the economies of local communities. Additionally, the nature of CSR practices within the extractive industry is directly traceable to the resource governance arrangements and plural logics in Ghana’s institutional context.

Research limitations/implications

This study only provides insights into natural resource governance and CSR issues in offshore oil and gas projects. Thus, the findings are not generalisable to the entire industry, including onshore drilling, which have other sustainability issues.

Practical implications

This research highlights the gap in natural resource management in Ghana and the effects of community expectations on CSR practices in the oil and gas industry. Therefore, this study posits the significance for including compliance requirements for improving the well-being of host communities in entry negotiated agreements and local contents.

Originality/value

By highlighting the nuanced issues in natural resource management within the oil and gas industry in Ghana, this paper makes significant contributions to the CSR and sustainability literature.
Serum: differential pricing of the Covid-19 vaccine
Authors: Arora Sunny Vijay , Krishna Malay
Published: April 2023

Learning outcomes

The learning outcomes of this study are as follows:

1. the benefits of differential pricing over uniform pricing;

2. the differences between second- and third-degree price discrimination;

3. the rationale for charging different prices for segments having different willingness to pay; and

4. how different prices for the same product can lead to perceptions of unfairness and how companies might manage such an issue.

Case overview/synopsis

This case outlines the decisions that Adar Poonawalla, the CEO of Serum Institute of India (Serum), had to make in late April 2021 concerning its pricing for the COVID-19 (Covid) vaccine. Serum was the world’s largest manufacturer of vaccines, and its Covishield vaccine had received regulatory approval, but faced an unusual challenge and opportunity. In most countries, governments had procured Covid vaccines from manufacturers and then delivered the vaccines to consumers free of cost. But in India, there was a three-tier pricing system. While the Government of India had committed to free vaccines in government-run public hospitals, it also allowed vaccine makers to directly sell vaccines to state governments, as well as private hospitals, who were at liberty to charge consumers for the vaccines. This created an interesting pricing dilemma for Serum: as different customers had different willingness to pay, should Serum use differential pricing? Would such a tiered pricing system be considered fair? How many different price points should Serum maintain? By exploring these and related decisions that Poonawalla had to make, the case is intended to teach price discrimination.

Complexity academic level

The case is intended for graduate-level courses in marketing, pricing and economics. This case illustrates the principles of differential pricing/price discrimination. More specifically, it highlights pricing strategies motivated by second- and third-degree price discrimination in an emerging market’s health-care context. From the information in the case, the student can learn to apply the concepts of second- and third-degree price discrimination in marketing. After working through the case and assignment questions, instructors will be able to help students understand the following concepts:

Teaching objective 1: the benefits of differential pricing over uniform pricing.

Teaching objective 2: the differences between second- and third-degree price discrimination.

Teaching objective 3: the rationale for charging different prices for segments having different willingness to pay.

Teaching objective 4: how different prices for the same product can lead to perceptions of unfairness and how companies might manage such an issue.

Supplementary material

Teaching notes are available for educators only.

Subject code

CSS 8: Marketing
How does relational attachment mediate the social support – career regret relation?
Authors: Kaul Natashaa , Kumar Chanakya , Deshpande Amruta , Mittal Amit
Published: April 2023

Purpose

This study aims to examine if relational attachment could be considered as a mediator in the relationship between social support and career regret. The theoretical framework is based on Kahn’s (2007) work on meaningful connections.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors used a three-part survey for data collection, spread over two months from 368 employees for co-worker social support and 324 employees for supervisor social support working in different sectors in India.

Findings

The results indicate that for co-workers, relational attachment acts as a mediator between instrumental support and career regret; but for personal support, the mediation effect is absent. However, instrumental support is not directly related to career regret. Notably, in case of social support from the supervisor, there does not seem to be any mediation effect for personal or instrumental support. But social support is related to career regret for both categories of support.

Research limitations/implications

The authors contribute to literature that examines the mechanism, driving social support and career regret. By understanding how these factors interact and impact one another, researchers can develop interventions and strategies to help individuals navigate career decisions, improve their personal relationships and increase their access to social support. Ultimately, this research can lead to improved well-being and career satisfaction for individuals. As the sample is generalized, there is scope to examine if the relationships differ based on the work structures and idiosyncrasies of the industries.

Originality/value

This study examines the unmapped mechanism that mediates the social support and career regret relationship, and in the process, provides new directions for research.
Exploring the effect of “home feeling” on the online rating of homestays: a three-dimensional perspective
Authors: Bi Jian-Wu , Wang Ying , Han Tian-Yu , Zhang Kun
Published: April 2023

Purpose

The main purpose of this study is to explore the effect of three dimensions of “home feeling” – home-as-practical, home-as-social and home-as-attachment – on the online rating of homestays and additionally considers the accommodation’s attribute performance and level of sharing.

Design/methodology/approach

To achieve the research aims, more than 9,738,335 items of user-generated content concerning 743,953 Airbnb listings covering 35 cities were collected as the study data. These data are analyzed through hierarchical regression.

Findings

The results show that all three dimensions of home feeling positively affect the online rating; all three dimensions negatively moderate the relationship between attribute performance and online rating; the size of the moderating effect of each dimension on the relationship between attribute performance and online rating gradually increases in the order home-as-practical, home-as-social and home-as-attachment; and as the level of sharing increases, the moderating effect of home feeling on the relationship between attribute performance and online rating diminishes.

Research limitations/implications

This study contributes to the literatures on the role of home feeling in homestays, the online rating of homestays and the motivations of guests who choose different room types. The findings of this study can help hosts better understand the formation of online rating of homestays, make targeted improvements in rooms and services and create a home feeling for specific degrees of sharing. This in turn will help them to improve the online rating of their homestays, establish an excellent online reputation and, ultimately, increase sales.

Originality/value

This study advances knowledge by confirming three dimensions of home feeling not only have direct positive impacts on online rating but also mitigate the impact of attribute performance on online rating. This effect differs significantly in magnitude with the degree of sharing.
Achieving green firm reputation through green customer salience and reverse logistics practices
Authors: Asamoah David , Agyei-Owusu Benjamin , Nuertey Dorcas , Kumi Caleb Amankwaa , Akyeh Joseph , Fiadjoe Prince Delali
Published: April 2023

Purpose

This study provides new insights into antecedents and outcomes of reverse logistics practices by examining green customer salience as the driver of reverse logistics practices and examining environmental performance and green firm reputation as the outcomes of reverse logistics practices.

Design/methodology/approach

A research model examining the proposed relationships was developed and tested using data from beverage manufacturers in Ghana. The model was analysed using partial least squares structural equation modelling.

Findings

This study confirmed that green customer salience drives reverse logistics practices. It was also revealed that reverse logistics directly enhances environmental performance, but not green firm reputation. Additionally, the effect of reverse logistics on green firm reputation was fully mediated through environmental performance.

Originality/value

To the best of the authors’ knowledge, no previous studies have empirically examined the relationship between green customer salience, reverse logistics, environmental performance and green firm reputation.
Visual images of sustainability in higher education: the hidden curriculum of climate change on campus
Authors: Cotton Debby , Winter Jennie , Allison Joseph A. , Mullee Rachel
Published: April 2023

Purpose

Perceptions of climate change are strongly influenced by visual cues and images. Many universities have made significant steps towards decarbonisation, yet these often remain hidden from the campus community. This study aims to explore the hidden curriculum of climate change on campus and compare participants’ images of sustainability on campus with those on university websites.

Design/methodology/approach

This research was underpinned by a critical realist perspective using innovative visual research methods including auto-photography and photo-elicitation to enable deep understanding of perceptions of sustainability and climate change on campus. Grounded visual pattern analysis (GVPA) was used to analyse campus photos and compare them to images used on university websites.

Findings

Findings suggest that staff and student images more strongly encapsulated tensions between humans and nature than website photos, but that the latter included more evidence of social sustainability. Neither image set expressed climate change issues effectively; the invisibility of university decarbonisation activities represents a lost opportunity for learning.

Originality/value

This research uses novel visual methodologies and analysis (GVPA) with potential for wider use in sustainability research. This study offers new insights into the importance of the hidden curriculum of sustainability in higher education and the difficulties of making climate change visible on campus.
Travelling in the digital world: exploring the adoption of augmented reality (AR) through mobile application in hospitality business sector
Authors: Yawised Kritcha , Apasrawirote Darlin , Chatrangsan Maneerut , Muneesawang Paisarn
Published: April 2023

Purpose

The study aims to advance understanding of the intention of Augmented Reality (AR) technology adoption by conducting a systematic review of relevant literature articles in the hospitality sector where 93 articles were chosen and synthesized by generating a theme and proposing a conceptual framework with their research proposals.

Design/methodology/approach

A systematic literature review (SLR) has been conducted incorporating thematic analysis to investigate various determinants from selected articles and to identify the key themes in order to propose a conceptual framework and research proposal.

Findings

The findings reveal seven major themes in its research proposal for future research directions. This includes “Technology Engagement”, “Resilience”, “Knowledge is key”, “Readiness for changes”, “Uncertainty management”, “Environmental conditions” and “Business performance”.

Originality/value

The novel contribution of this study is that it focuses on both theoretical and practical knowledge. On the theoretical level, this study comprises factors that apply relevant theory in the areas of information technology and business management, whose integrative theoretical orientation provided insight into the AR adoption initiatives and to further examine the relationship between its proposed factors. On the practical level, it provides insights and information with a new body of knowledge that business owner–managers, policymakers and practitioners should consider in order to craft a strategic adoption of AR technology.
The effect of compliance with AAOIFI standards on financial performance of Islamic banks
Authors: Mnif Yosra , Tahari Marwa
Published: April 2023

Purpose

This research study aims to examine the effect of the compliance with the Accounting and Auditing Organization for Islamic Financial Institutions (AAOIFI) standards on the performance of Islamic banks.

Design/methodology/approach

The sample consists of 628 bank-year observations from eight countries that adopt the AAOIFI standards during the period 2009–2020.

Findings

The findings reveal a significant positive relationship between the overall compliance level with AAOIFI standards and the two performance measures in Islamic banks.

Practical implications

The findings are useful for various groups of preparers and users of Islamic banks’ annual reports, such as academics and researchers, accountants, management of Islamic banks and national and international organizations.

Originality/value

This research provides new empirical evidence on the effect of compliance with AAOIFI standards (accounting and governance) on Islamic banks performance. In addition, the findings reveal that the examination of compliance level should not be restricted to an overall compliance index that contains all the AAOIFI standards, but should rather take into consideration the different types of these standards (accounting and governance).
“And yet it moves!” An institutional analysis of the Immobili’s motion towards hybridity
Authors: Giorgino Maria Cleofe
Published: April 2023

Purpose

This paper aims to inform the discussion on why and how non-profit organizations can experience a hybridization process to address the criticism that would assume hybridity as an intrinsic characteristic of all organizations. Specifically, by referring to the academies of intellectuals as the non-profit setting in which investigating the emergence of hybridity takes place, this paper aims at exploring, first, to what extent this emergence could be induced by institutional conditions, and, second, which structural innovations could sustain the academies’ “motion” towards hybridity.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper relies on the institutional logics perspective and adopts the case study method applied to a historical context. The case under analysis is the Academy of “the Immobili”, which, in spite of its name, experienced a hybridization process in 1720 because of the decision to involve an impresario in the management of its theatre.

Findings

The findings highlight the significant role played by institutional conditions in inducing the emergence of hybridity, even in presence of internal resistance to any “motion” from the non-profit setting. Moreover, the analysis of the innovations associated with this emergence detects the intertwined action of the different decision makers involved in the hybridization process, in spite of their formal separation. These findings strengthen the conceptualization of hybridity within non-profit organizations.

Originality/value

Besides referring to a historical period that is still little explored in terms of hybridity within organizations, the paper focuses on an original context, i.e. academies, representing an ancient typology of cultural organizations. Therefore, the paper also provides the first insights into the hybridization process of cultural organizations from a historical perspective.
The impact of perceived overqualification on employees' innovation behaviour: role of psychological contract breach, psychological distance and employment relationship atmosphere
Authors: Fan Jianpeng , He Jie , Dai Huichuan , Jing Yijia , Shang Guanghui
Published: April 2023

Purpose

Overqualification is a growing concern for employers in many countries. The practice of mismatching employees and positions inevitably leads to an increase in organizational training and management costs. This study can not only further enrich the theoretical achievements in the field of human resource management, but can also provide a reference for enterprise managers on how to effectively stimulate employees' innovative behaviour.

Design/methodology/approach

503 questionnaire responses were analysed using SPSS 24.0 and Mplus 8.0.

Findings

It was concluded that, (1) perceived overqualification is negatively related to employees' innovation behaviour (β = −0.32, p < 0.001); (2) psychological contract breach and psychological distance partially mediate the relationship between perceived overqualification and employees' innovation behaviour. Among them, the mediating effect of psychological contract breach was −0.14 (p < 0.01), and that of psychological distance was −0.12 (p < 0.001); the chain-mediating effect of psychological contract breach and psychological distance was −0.09 (p < 0.01); (3) employment relationship atmosphere played a moderating role in the relationship between perceived overqualification and employees' innovation behaviour (β = 0.04, p < 0.01).

Originality/value

This study verifies the negative impact of perceived overqualification on employee innovation behaviour and reveals the mediating role of psychological factors between the two. It also discusses the moderating effect of employment relationship climate on the relationship between perceived overqualification and employees' innovation behaviour.
Choosing blood pressure thresholds to inform pregnancy care in the community: An analysis of cluster trials
Authors: von Dadelszen Peter , Bone Jeffrey N. , Sandhu Akshdeep , Ansermino J. Mark , Qureshi Rahat N. , Sacoor Charfudin , Sevene Esperança , Li Jing , Vidler Marianne , Bellad Mrutyunjaya B. , Bhutta Zulfiqar A. , Dunsmuir Dustin T. , Goudar Shivaprasad S. , Mallapur Ashalata A. , Munguambe Khátia , Dumont Guy A. , Magee Laura A. ,   the CLIP Trials Working Group
Published: April 2023

Objective

To inform digital health design by evaluating diagnostic test properties of antenatal blood pressure (BP) outputs and levels to identify women at risk of adverse outcomes.

Design

Planned secondary analysis of cluster randomised trials.

Setting

India, Pakistan, Mozambique.

Population

Women with in‐community BP measurements and known pregnancy outcomes.

Methods

Blood pressure was defined by its outputs (systolic and/or diastolic, systolic only, diastolic only or mean arterial pressure [calculated]) and level: normotension‐1 (<135/85 mmHg), normotension‐2 (135–139/85–89 mmHg), non‐severe hypertension (140–149/90–99 mmHg; 150–154/100–104 mmHg; 155–159/105–109 mmHg) and severe hypertension (≥160/110 mmHg). Dose–response (adjusted risk ratio [aRR]) and diagnostic test properties (negative [−LR] and positive [+LR] likelihood ratios) were estimated.

Main Outcome Measures

Maternal/perinatal composites of mortality/morbidity.

Results

Among 21 069 pregnancies, different BP outputs had similar aRR, −LR, and +LR for adverse outcomes. No BP level (even normotension‐1) was associated with low risk (all −LR ≥0.20). Across outcomes, risks rose progressively with higher BP levels above normotension‐1. For each of maternal central nervous system events and stillbirth, BP ≥155/105 mmHg showed at least good diagnostic test performance (+LR ≥5.0) and BP ≥135/85 mmHg at least fair performance, similar to BP ≥140/90 mmHg (+LR 2.0–4.99).

Conclusions

In the community, normal BP values do not provide reassurance about subsequent adverse outcomes. Given the similar performance of BP cut‐offs of 135/85 and 140/90 mmHg for hypertension, and 155/105 and 160/110 mmHg for severe hypertension, digital decision support for women in the community should consider using these lower thresholds.
Gut microbiome of three species of Odonata
Authors: Lim Sung‐ho , Park Jun‐Kyu , Park Woong‐Bae , Won Doo‐Hee , Kim Min‐Seob , Hong Seoyeon , Do Yuno
Published: April 2023

The influence of diet and host specificity on the fecal microbiome of three adult dragonfly species, Pseudothemis zonata, Orthetrum lineostigma, and Orthetrum melania, was investigated. The fecal bacterial communities were analyzed using 16S rRNA gene sequencing, and stable isotope analysis was used to investigate their food sources. The results showed significant differences in the composition of fecal bacterial communities among the three species, with host specificity potentially playing a more important role than diet. The dominant phyla in the fecal bacterial communities of all three species were Firmicutes, Proteobacteria, and Bacteroidetes. The operational taxonomic units (OTUs), Shannon index, and phylogenetic diversity index were not significantly different among the three species, indicating that there were no major differences in the diversity of the fecal bacterial communities. The stable isotope analysis showed that the food sources were similar among the three species, being primarily small insects found near the aquatic habitats. However, the fecal bacterial communities of two closely related species, O. lineostigma and O. melania, were different despite their similar food sources. In contrast, the fecal bacterial communities of O. lineostigma and P. zonata were similar, despite the different food sources of these two species. Our findings suggest that host specificity and diet can influence the composition of the intestinal microbiome in these insects, but the degree of influence may depend on the specific host and environmental conditions.
Germinated Bambara groundnut (Vigna subterranea) flour as an ingredient in wheat bread: Physicochemical, nutritional, and sensory properties of bread
Authors: Chinma Chiemela Enyinnaya , Ezeocha Vanessa Chinelo , Adedeji Olajide Emmanuel , Ayo‐Omogie Helen Nwakego , Oganah‐Ikujenyo Beatrice Chinyem , Anumba Nonyelum Laurentia , Enimola Gloria Emiola , Adegoke Deborah Oyindamola , Alhassan Ramatu , Adebo Oluwafemi Ayodeji
Published: April 2023

Wheat flour (WF) was substituted with germinated Bambara groundnut (Vigna subterranea) flour (GBF) at different proportions (5%, 10%, 15%, 20%, 25%, and 30%) and used in the preparation of bread. The dough mixing, pasting, and gelatinization properties of the blends were evaluated as well as the nutritional quality, in vitro starch digestibility, phytochemical constituents, antioxidant potential, color, texture, and sensory properties of breads. All the wheat dough containing GBF had higher water absorption capacity, gelatinization temperatures, dough development time, low peak, and setback viscosities. The composite breads had significantly higher dietary fiber, minerals, protein digestibility, corrected amino acid scores, resistant starch, slowly digestible starch, total phenolics, total flavonoids, and antioxidant activities and caused significant reduction in rapidly digestible starch content. The addition of up to 15% GBF had no significant impact on the specific volume of wheat bread. Substitution of WF with GBF influenced color and texture properties of bread. Wheat bread supplemented with 20% GBF had significantly higher scores in taste, aroma, and overall acceptability. This study demonstrated the potential of GBF as a functional ingredient in bread making.

Practical Application

This study provides a suitable possibility of partial substitution of wheat flour with germinated Bambara groundnut, to develop functional and acceptable bread. The dough mixing and pasting results in this study would add to knowledge on the dough handling characteristics as there is limited information regarding the mixing properties of wheat dough with germinated Bambara groundnut.
Courage, Honour, and Phlegm: A Study of Eighteenth‐Century Military Writers' Descriptions of Soldiers' Combat Emotions and Motivation
Authors: Dodson Samuel
Published: April 2023

This article will aim to cover military writers' comments upon the psychological, emotional, and motivational aspects of soldiers in the eighteenth century. In recent years, there has been a positive re‐evaluation of the Ancien Régime soldier compared with that of the later citizen soldier of the French Revolutionary and Napoleonic Wars. This article seeks to add to this re‐appraisal by introducing a literature element to the discussion, highlighting and analysing the many passages writers wrote on these psychological topics, such as the fear of death in combat, the world of honour governing the soldier, and nationalistic differences in temperament.
Integrating eco‐evolutionary dynamics into matrix population models for structured populations: Discrete and continuous frameworks
Authors: Bukkuri Anuraag , Brown Joel S.
Published: April 2023

State‐structured populations are ubiquitous in biology, from the age‐structure of animal societies to the life cycles of parasitic species. Understanding how this structure contributes to eco‐evolutionary dynamics is critical not only for fundamental understanding but also for conservation and treatment purposes. Although some methods have been developed in the literature for modelling eco‐evolutionary dynamics in structured population, such methods are wholly lacking in the function evolutionary game theoretic framework.

In this paper, we integrate standard matrix population modelling into the function framework to create a theoretical framework to probe eco‐evolutionary dynamics in structured populations. This framework encompasses age‐ and stage‐structured matrix models with basic density‐ and frequency‐dependent transition rates and probabilities.

For both discrete and continuous time models, we define and characterize asymptotic properties of the system such as eco‐evolutionary equilibria (including ESSs) and the convergence stability of these equilibria. For multistate structured populations, we introduce an ergodic flow preserving folding method for analysing such models.

The methods developed in this paper for state‐structured populations and their extensions to multistate‐structured populations provide a simple way to create, analyse and simulate eco‐evolutionary dynamics in structured populations. Furthermore, their generality allows these techniques to be applied to a variety of problems in ecology and evolution.
Optimal timing of hypofractionated stereotactic radiotherapy for epidermal growth factor receptor‐mutated non‐small‐cell lung cancer patients with brain metastases
Authors: Liang Shimeng , Liu Xiaoqin , Liu Jia , Na Feifei , Lai Jialu , Du Leiya , Gong Youling , Zhu Jiang , Huang Meijuan , Zhou Xiaojuan , Xu Yong , Zhou Lin
Published: April 2023

Background

For epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR)‐mutated non‐small‐cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients with limited brain metastases (BMs), who eventually receive both tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) treatment and brain radiotherapy, the optimal timing of radiotherapy is not clear. The present retrospective analysis aimed to partly solve this problem.

Methods

In total 84 EGFR‐mutated NSCLC patients with limited BMs, who received both TKI treatment and brain hypofractionated stereotactic radiotherapy (HSRT), were enrolled. Patients were divided into three groups based on whether the HSRT was administrated 2 weeks before or after the beginning of TKI treatment (upfront HSRT), when intracranial lesions stabilized after TKI treatment (consolidative HSRT), or when the intracranial disease progressed after TKI treatment (salvage HSRT). The clinical efficacy and toxicities were evaluated.

Results

The median intracranial progression‐free survival (iPFS) and overall PFS calculated from the initiation of HSRT (iPFS1 and PFS1) of all patients were 17.5 and 13.1 months, respectively. The median iPFS and PFS calculated from the initiation of TKI treatment (iPFS2 and PFS2) of all patients were 24.1 and 18.4 months, respectively. Compared to consolidative and salvage HSRT, upfront HSRT improved iPFS1 (not reached vs. 17.5 months vs. 11.0 months,p < 0.001) and PFS1 (18.4 months vs. 9.1 months vs. 7.9 months,p < 0.001), and reduced the initial intracranial failure rate (12.5% vs. 48.1% vs. 56%,p < 0.001). However, there were no significant differences between the three groups for iPFS2, PFS2, and overall survival. Hepatic metastases and diagnosis‐specific Graded Prognostic Assessment (ds‐GPA) at 2–3 were poor prognostic factors.

Conclusion

For patients who receive both TKI treatment and brain HSRT, the timing of HSRT does not seem to influence the eventual therapeutic effect. Further validation in prospective clinical studies is needed.
Evaluating whether KRAS/BRAF mutation status, anaemia and obstruction are associated with recurrence and mortality in non‐metastatic colorectal cancer
Authors: Juszczyk Karolina , Afzal Mohamed Zaafer , Ganguly Timothy , Kelly Thu‐Lan , Zeelie Robyn , Murphy Elizabeth Mary Ann
Published: April 2023

Background

KRAS and BRAF testing is currently recommended in metastatic colorectal cancer. There is evidence that KRAS and BRAF mutation status may act as a prognostic biomarker in patients with non‐metastatic colorectal cancer. Data is limited on whether KRAS and BRAF mutation status impacts recurrence and mortality in patients with non‐metastatic colorectal cancer.

Methods

A retrospective cohort study was conducted in a tertiary hospital examining outcomes in patients who had KRAS and BRAF testing for colorectal cancer in 2017. Primary outcomes were all‐cause mortality and recurrence. Multivariable analysis for both outcomes, used cause specific Cox proportional hazards models with KRAS/BRAF status as exposure. For time to recurrence, a sensitivity analysis was performed with a weighted Fine‐Grey model with death as a competing risk.

Results

KRAS mutation status was not associated with all‐cause mortality (average Hazard Ratio (aHR) = 0.78, 95% CI 0.28–2.21) or recurrence (aHR = 0.96, 95% CI 0.32–2.86). BRAF mutation status was not associated with time to all‐cause mortality (aHR = 3.06, 95% CI 0.79–11.8) or recurrence (aHR = 0.94, 95% CI 0.13–6.57). Increased risk of recurrence was significantly associated with large bowel obstruction (aHR = 2.73, 95% CI 1.16–6.45) and anaemia (aHR = 3.39, 95% CI 1.06–10.8) at time of surgery.

Conclusion

This study did not demonstrate an association between KRAS and BRAF mutations and all‐cause mortality or recurrence. A significantly increased risk of cancer recurrence was found in patients with large bowel obstruction and in patients with anaemia at time of surgery. Anaemia should be promptly investigated and corrected prior to colorectal cancer surgery.
Saikosaponin A alleviates glycolysis of breast cancer cells through repression of Akt/STAT3 pathway
Authors: Zhang Yan , Dai Kun , Xu Dedong , Fan Hua , Ji Nannan , Wang Di , Zhao Yunlu , Liu Rui
Published: April 2023

Saikosaponin A (SSA) has been revealed to have anti‐breast cancer (BC) effect. However, the association between SSA and BC glycolysis is obscure. We want to probe the function and mechanism of SSA on BC glycolysis. Kaplan–Meier plotter revealed the relationship between STAT3 and the survival curve of BC. The protein kinase B (Akt)/signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3) pathway and the viability in cells treated with or without 0, 5, 10, and 15 μM SSA were assessed by Western blot and cell counting kit‐8. The biological behaviors, lactate, and ATP contents, glucose uptake, and Akt/STAT3 pathway‐related markers in BC cells treated with colivelin or SSA were evaluated using cell function experiments, kit, and Western blot. Then, the impacts of colivelin and SSA on BC cells were tested again. The overexpressions of p‐STAT3 and p‐Akt in BC cells were weakened by 5, 10, and 15 μM SSA. Colivelin boosted the BC cell viability and proliferation and impeded apoptosis, while SSA did the opposite. Meanwhile, colivelin intensified lactate and ATP contents, glucose uptake, and Akt/STAT3 pathway‐related markers level in BC cells, while SSA was the opposite. The modulation of SSA on the biological behavior, lactate and ATP productions, glucose uptake, and Akt/STAT3 pathway was rescued by colivelin. Our research unveiled new insights into SSA as a valuable candidate therapeutic agent for weakening glycolysis, and protruded the Akt/STAT3 pathway as a latent molecular target for SSA and glycolysis modulation.
Effects of radioactive iodine on clonal hematopoiesis in patients with thyroid cancer: A prospective study
Authors: Boucai Laura , Ptashkin Ryan N. , Levine Ross L. , Fagin James A.
Published: April 2023

Objective

Exposure to therapeutic radioactive iodine (RAI) is associated with an increased relative risk of myeloid malignancies. Clonal hematopoiesis (CH) is a precursor state that can be detected in blood of healthy individuals decades before overt development of leukemia. We prospective studied the effects of RAI on CH.

Design

Prospective cohort study.

Patients and Measurements

We examined the effect of RAI on CH in 20 patients exposed to RAI for thyroid carcinoma and 20 age‐matched unexposed controls. CH status was determined at baseline, 6, 12, 18 and 24 months. We also examined the effect of CH on structural progression of disease.

Results

No CH mutations were observed in the patient population that were not present at baseline. Using a variant allelic fraction (VAF) of 2% to define CH, 6/20 older patients (55−80 years old) had CH compared to 2/20 younger patients (20−40 years old) (p = 0.11). Six patients exposed to RAI had CH compared to two patients not exposed to RAI (30% vs. 10%, p = 0.11). There was no significant difference in CH VAF increase in patients treated with RAI compared to untreated age‐matched controls (3.8% vs. 1.2%, p = 0.2). CH was significantly associated with somatic BRAFV600E mutations and with worse progression‐free survival in the overall cohort as well as among BRAFV600E‐mutant tumors.

Conclusions

There was no increase in CH in patients treated with RAI over a 2‐year follow‐up period. Larger studies with longer follow‐up periods are needed to investigate the association between RAI and clonal dynamics. The presence of CH is associated with worse structural progression in both BRAFV600E‐mutant and wild‐type thyroid cancers.
Repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation may be superior to drug therapy in the treatment of Alzheimer's disease: A systematic review and Bayesian network meta‐analysis
Authors: Wei Naili , Liu Haoxin , Ye Wenrui , Xu Shengliang , Lu Changhao , Dai Anxiang , Hou Ting , Zeng Xin , Wu Jie , Chen Jian
Published: April 2023

Background

Repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) is a noninvasive brain stimulation therapy that is primarily used to treat a variety of neuropsychiatric conditions. Recently, previous research reports stated that rTMS have the characteristics of neurorestorative in Alzheimer's disease (AD). However, the relevant clinical research evidence has not been fully summarized.

Methods

This article performed a network meta‐analysis of individual participant data from eligible studies searched in PubMed, Embase, and the Cochrane Library from inception to March 31, 2022. The drug treatments involved were acetylcholinesterase inhibitors (AChEIs), N‐methyl‐d‐aspartate (NMDA), anti‐amyloid‐beta (Aβ), and some new targeted therapeutic drugs.

Results

A total of 15, 548 individuals with AD disease in 57 randomized clinical trials (RCTs) were included in this meta‐analysis. The results indicated that the patients who received rTMS treatment (standard mean difference [SMD]: 0.65; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.22–1.07) had a better MMSE score than placebo. Treatment outcome analysis showed that, compared with multiple pharmacological interventions, rTMS acquired the greatest probability rank with the best cognitive improvement in MMSE score [the surface under the cumulative ranking curve (SUCRA) 93.3%] and ADAS‐cog score (SUCRA 86.7%). At the same time, rTMS treatment had the lowest rank in the adverse events (SUCRA 24.1%) except for the placebo group (SUCRA 19.1%).

Conclusion

Compared with the current clinical drug treatment, rTMS demonstrated better cognitive function improvement and fewer adverse events in AD patients. Therefore, rTMS shows broad prospects in the treatment of Alzheimer's disease, and it is worth being widely popularized in clinic.
Determination of vc and mating types of Cryphonectria parasitica isolates by multiplex PCR and their genetic diversity in 13 chestnut‐growing provinces of Turkey
Authors: Çakar Deniz , Özer Göksel , Akıllı Şimşek Seçil , Maden Salih
Published: April 2023

Vegetative compatibility (vc) and mating types and genetic diversity of Cryphonectria parasitica isolates were determined using 183 isolates obtained from 215 infected chestnut trees growing in 13 provinces of Turkey. Based on the cultural aspects, 143 of these isolates were evaluated as virulent whereas the remaining 40 isolates were hypovirulent. When vc types of 183 isolates were classically differentiated, 135 of them matched to EU‐1 (82.3%), 29 of them to EU‐12 (17.6%) vc type, whereas 19 of them did not match to the two. When molecular vic markers were used, all the isolates were assigned to two EU vc types; 149 to EU‐1 (81.4%) and 34 (18.5%) to EU‐12. Of the majority of the isolates, 134 (73.2%) had mating‐type MAT‐1, while 44 (24%) isolates had MAT‐2 and 5 (2.8%) isolates had both mating types. The population analysis based on two DNA marker systems, Inter‐Primer Binding Site and Start Codon Targeted Polymorphism, showed no intraspecific genetic variation among the C. parasitica isolates. The prevalence of two dominant vc types revealed by this study shows that biological control with hypovirulent EU‐1 and EU‐12 isolates will be significant for the country. The results might be helpful to chestnut breeders carrying out resistance breeding studies to manage this disease based on hypovirulence attributed to Cryphonectria hypovirus 1.
Impact of newly diagnosed extramedullary myeloma on outcome after first autograft followed by maintenance: A CMWP‐EBMT study
Authors: Gagelmann Nico , Eikema Dirk‐Jan , Koster Linda , Netelenbos Tanja , McDonald Andrew , Stoppa Anne‐Marie , Fenk Roland , Anagnostopoulos Achilles , van Gorkom Gwendolyn , Deconinck Eric , Bulabois Claude‐Eric , Delforge Michel , Bunjes Donald , Arcese William , Reményi Péter , Itälä‐Remes Maija , Thurner Lorenz , Bolaman Ali Zahit , Nabil Yafour , Lund Johan , Labussière‐Wallet Hélène , Hayden Patrick J. , Beksac Meral , Schönland Stefan , Yakoub‐Agha Ibrahim
Published: April 2023

Background

No adequate data exist on the impact of multiple myeloma (MM) with extramedullary disease (EMD) after autograft and maintenance therapy.

Methods

We identified 808 patients with newly diagnosed MM who received first autograft, of whom 107 had EMD (83 paraskeletal and 24 organ involvement), and who had been reported to the EBMT registry December 2018. Distribution according to type of involvement was similar between the treatment groups (p = .69). For EMD, 46 (40%) received thalidomide, 59 (51%) lenalidomide, and 11 (10%) bortezomib.

Results

The median follow‐up from maintenance start was 44 months. Three‐year progression‐free survival (PFS) was 52% (48%–57%) for no EMD, 56% (44%–69%) for paraskeletal involvement, and 45% (22%–68%) for organ involvement (p = .146). Early PFS (within first year) appeared to be significantly worse for organ involvement (hazard ratio, 3.40), while no significant influence was found after first year from maintenance start. Three‐year overall survival (OS) was 81% (77%–84%), 88% (80%–96%), and 68% (47%–89%; p = .064), respectively. With thalidomide as reference, lenalidomide was significantly associated with better PFS and OS, whereas bortezomib appeared to improve outcome specifically in EMD.

Conclusion

Lenalidomide maintenance is standard of care for MM without EMD, whereas extramedullary organ involvement remains a significant risk factor for worse outcome, especially for early events after maintenance start.
Does character's gender matter in inspirational brand story? Exploring the moderating effect of gender role conformity
Authors: Chen Xiang , Wang Cheng Lu , Zhou Liying
Published: April 2023

Inspirational brand story is a widely used marketing strategy in brand building. However, few empirical studies have investigated the underlying mechanism and boundary conditions of a successful brand story strategy. The current study examined the influence of lead character's gender in inspirational brand story on consumer–brand identification based on the social identity theory, benevolent sexism, and gender schema theory. Results from two experiments demonstrated that the gender of inspirational brand stories has an impact on consumer brand identity through the mediation effect of sympathy. Compared with a male character, a female character elicits viewers' sympathy, which results in high brand identification. Such a gender effect is stronger when there is a high level of perceived gender role conformity. Theoretical and managerial implications are discussed.
Theorising moderation in the configurational approach: A guide for identifying and interpreting moderating influences in QCA
Authors: Ma Teng , Cheng Yue , Guan Zhengzhi , Li Boying , Hou Fangfang , Lim Eric Tze Kuan
Published: April 2023

Given the multifaceted nature of digital phenomena, theorising has shifted from the correlational view toward the configurational approach, which embraces equifinality and seeks to identify conjunctural causal conditions culminating in a given outcome. Despite growing scholarly interest in the configurational approach, little is known about how moderation functions in conjunctural causation. Although there is a growing urgency for elucidating the boundary conditions of conjunctural causation to bolster the precision of theoretical explanations, a systematic approach to theorising, identifying, and interpreting moderation in configurational theories is missing. To bridge this knowledge gap, we first establish the theoretical grounding for moderation in the configurational approach. We then articulate the theoretical mechanism underlying how the interdependence of causal factors in a causal recipe is altered by the presence of a moderator. We also offer guidance on how to validate and interpret moderation in the configurational approach based on Qualitative Comparative Analysis (QCA). We conduct an illustrative study in the context of technostress to showcase the utility of our proposed guidelines and their value in aiding theory development. Our study hence contributes to extant literature by attesting to the significance of moderation in the configurational approach and offering recommendations for theorising such moderations. Insights from this study can be harnessed to guide future theory development by identifying and validating moderated configurational relationships, which in turn can further enhance our understanding of nuances in multifaceted digital phenomena.
The persistence and consequences of share repurchases
Authors: El Ghoul Sadok , Guedhami Omrane , Kim Hyunseok , Suh Jungwon
Published: April 2023

Firms use cash flow primarily to finance increasingly persistent share repurchases. Such internal financing is accompanied by gradual increases in retained earnings in the capital structure, and results in high (low) repurchase (investment) sensitivity to cash flow. These effects are particularly pronounced among financially mature firms. The repurchase–cash flow sensitivity of US firms has increased steadily in recent decades, with steeper increases for financially mature firms. We find that repurchases are not generally associated with underinvestment. Moreover, a nontrivial number of firms would have depleted their retained earnings if they paid dividends instead of repurchased shares.
Does question order matter on online math assessments? A big data analysis of undergraduate mathematics final exams
Authors: Gruss Richard , Clemons Josh
Published: April 2023

Background

The sudden growth in online instruction due to COVID‐19 restrictions has given renewed urgency to questions about remote learning that have remained unresolved. Web‐based assessment software provides instructors an array of options for varying testing parameters, but the pedagogical impacts of some of these variations has yet to be examined.

Objectives

The current study examines whether question order affects student performance on online college math assessments. Drawing on the literature of testing and math anxiety, we hypothesized that difficult questions near the beginning of an assessment would have a destructive effect on student confidence, which would in turn have a deleterious effect on their performance.

Methods

We employed an observational ‘big data’ methodology, analysing 23,468 final exams completed by students in 10 different courses over eight semesters at a Math Emporium in a large technical university in the eastern United States. Students were freshmen and sophomores enrolled in non‐engineering math courses. We regressed the final score on the difficulty level of the first and second questions, controlling for several other factors.

Results and Conclusions

We found that several factors—day of the week, amount of time before the deadline, number of minutes spent on the exam—have more of an impact on score than question order. This pattern was consistent across sexes.

Takeaways

Our findings contradict some previous studies, which have found that difficult early questions degrade student performance, and that this affect is more pronounced in females. This work enriches our understanding of how students respond to online assessment.