bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Auditor’s response to firm’s environmental violations and engagement in supplemental environmental projects
Authors: Ahmed Ammad , Hussain Atia 
Published: February 2024

Purpose
In this study, the authors investigate a pressing concern: how auditors react to their clients facing repercussions due to environmental violations. More specifically, this study aims to examine how environmental engagements, which carry potential risks and liabilities, influence auditors’ decision-making and fee structure.

Design/methodology/approach
This study uses unique, reliable and actual violation data from the United States Environmental Protection Agency (US-EPA) from 2000 to 2015, focusing on clients involved in environmental violations that led to legal prosecution and penalties and those who subsequently engaged in voluntary supplemental environmental projects (SEPs). The authors use the ordinary least squares method to test the authors’ main research question and later use propensity score matching and alternate data source (ASSET4) to check the robustness of the authors’ results.

Findings
The authors find that firms with environmental violations are more susceptible to auditor resignation. Moreover, the environmental violator firms that maintain their engagement with auditors pay significantly higher audit fees compared to non-environmental violator firms. Furthermore, these environmental violator firms also face extended audit report delays and take longer to appoint a new auditor.

Originality/value
This study provides an additional consequence of environmental violations, namely, increased chances of auditor resignation and higher audit fees, alongside the penalties imposed by the US-EPA. Moreover, the authors’ findings position environmental violations and participation in SEPs as important factors in auditors’ business risk assessment.
Entrepreneurial performance and marketing analytics: the role of new product innovation
Authors: Lin Fenfang , Eng Teck-Yong 
Published: February 2024

PurposePrevious studies focus on the direct effects of marketing analytics on entrepreneurial performance, but few explore the underlying mechanisms. Drawing on affordance theory, this study explores pathways through new product innovation (NPI) for the effects of marketing analytics on business performance. NPI is a market-based innovation concept comprising customer- and competitor-driven NPD and incremental innovation.Design/methodology/approachUsing survey data collected from UK-based entrepreneurial firms operating in the IT and telecoms industries, we apply confirmatory factor analysis and a sequential structural equation model to test the mediating role of NPI in the effect of marketing analytics on market performance and financial performance.FindingsThe results show that marketing analytics enhances business performance through competitor-driven but not customer-driven NPD. Although using marketing analytics to generate customer knowledge for existing product innovation may enhance market performance, this positive effect becomes negative when competitor-driven NPD is undertaken to improve existing product innovation.Originality/valueThis study makes significant contributions to the innovation and NPD literature. It delves deeper into the existing view on the positive contributions of customer engagement to business value creation, revealing the significance of competitor knowledge to enhance business performance through marketing analytics, particularly in the context of IT and telecoms entrepreneurial firms.
Social media use and subjective well-being among university students in Japan during the COVID-19 pandemic
Authors: Ye Shaoyu , Ho Kevin K.W. 
Published: February 2024

PurposeThis study explored how the use of different social media is related to subjective well-being among university students during the COVID-19 pandemic in Japan.Design/methodology/approachWe surveyed 1,681 university students in the Kanto region of Japan in May 2021 to investigate how social media use relates to subjective well-being. We also examined the effects of self-consciousness and friendship, self-presentation desire, generalized trust, online communication skills, depression tendency and social support from others.FindingsThe responses revealed 15 possible patterns of social media usage on four widely used social media in Japan (LINE, Twitter, Instagram and Facebook). We selected users with the top five patterns for further statistical analyses: LINE/Twitter/Instagram/Facebook, LINE/Twitter/Instagram, LINE/Twitter, LINE/Instagram and LINE only. Overall, self-establishment as a factor of self-consciousness and friendship, and social support from others had positive effects on the improvement of subjective well-being, whereas depression tendency had negative effects on their subjective well-being regardless of their usage patterns, of which the results of social support from others and depression tendency were consistent with the results of previous studies. Regarding other factors, they had different effects on subjective well-being due to different patterns. Effects on subjective well-being from self-indeterminate and self-independency as factors of self-consciousness and friendship, praise acquisition, self-appeal and topic avoidance as factors of self-presentation desire were observed.Originality/valueThis is among the earliest studies on the relationship between young generations’ social media use and subjective well-being through social media usage patterns during the COVID-19 pandemic in Japan.
Social interaction and cultural exchange among educational tourist and local community: the case of Famagusta, North Cyprus
Authors: Yorganci Ilkay , Ndukauba Precious 
Published: February 2024

PurposeThe aim of this paper is to investigate the social interaction between international students and the local community in the small university town of Famagusta, North Cyprus. The objectives of the study are, firstly, to investigate the nature of interaction between two communities; secondly, to ascertain the main factors impacting social interaction and, finally, to identify the impact of this interaction on cultural exchange.Design/methodology/approachUsing a qualitative approach, the researchers conducted 39 semi-structured interviews with international students and members of the local community to gain depth and detail.FindingsThe results showed that there was a lack of interaction between the international students and locals due mainly to language barriers.Originality/valueThis study addresses a gap in the literature on educational tourism by focusing on the social interaction between foreign students and the host community in a nontraditional destination. It also provides guidelines for universities, local and national governments on how to build a better quality of life for the community and for international students.
High‐resolution reservoir prediction method based on data‐driven and model‐based approaches
Authors: ZeYang Liu , Wei Song , XiaoHong Chen , WenJin Li , Zhichao Li , GuoChang Liu 
Published: February 2024

AbstractThe Jiyang depression in the southeastern part of the Bohai Bay Basin has a relatively large scale set of shale oil in the Paleogene Shahejie Formation, but the complex internal components lead to narrow frequency bands, low resolution and difficulty in reservoir information extraction. Impedance is important information for reservoir characterization, and how to predict high‐resolution impedance using available information is particularly important. Deep learning, known for its effectiveness in addressing non‐linear problems, has found extensive applications in various fields of oil and gas exploration. However, the challenges of overfitting and poor generalization persist due to the limited availability of training datasets. Besides, existing methods often use networks to solve a single problem in fact, deep learning can deal with a series of problems intelligently. In order to partially solve the above problems, an intelligent storage prediction network framework is proposed in this paper. Physical information is introduced to realize data‐driven and model‐based approaches, thus solving the problem of difficult construction of training datasets. The processing part accomplishes the high‐resolution processing of seismic records, thus solving the problems of narrow bandwidth and low resolution. Initial model constraints are introduced so as to obtain more stable inversion results. Finally, the well data is compared and analysed to identify and predict the lithology and complete the intelligent prediction of unconventional reservoirs. The results are compared with the traditional model‐driven inversion method, revealing that the approach presented in this paper exhibits higher resolution in predicting dolomite. This contributes to the establishment of a robust data foundation for reservoir evaluation.
Identifying critical employability skills for employment success of autistic individuals: A content analysis of job postings
Authors: Griffiths Amy Jane , Hurley‐Hanson Amy E. , Giannantonio Cristina M. , Nash Angel Miles , Walrod Wallace , Walrod Petersen , Torres Rachel , Delgado Raquel 
Published: February 2024

AbstractThis study aimed to examine the literature on the skill sets of autistic individuals and determine how these skills align with current and projected future labour market needs. Based on a literature review, researchers identified the following skill categories common to autistic individuals: visual skills, attention to detail and systemizing composite skills. Researchers then gathered aggregated data on occupations and industries from over 90 state and federal sources in the United States. Next, they collected data on the most in‐demand jobs, their industries and relevant skills by analysing hundreds of millions of online job postings. The results indicate the most viable occupations aligned with each skill category. There is minimal available research using labour market data to generate special education goals and transition plans for autistic students. By providing educators and practitioners with critical information regarding viable employment pathways, all stakeholders can more effectively and equitably prepare autistic individuals for the 21st‐century workforce.
The development of social competence in students with General Learning Difficulties in early primary grades: The necessity of psychological support programmes in schools
Authors: Vasileiadis Ilias , Dimitriadou Ioanna , Koutras Spyros , Vleioras Georgios 
Published: February 2024

AbstractStudents with General Learning Difficulties present low levels of social competence. In order to increase them, students participate in school psychological support programmes. There are no research data available in Greece regarding social competence in students with General Learning Difficulties in the first grades of elementary school. The purpose of this research was to evaluate the efficiency of an intervention programme, which focused on strengthening their social competence, in the first grades of primary school. The levels of social competence of the students were evaluated before and after the implementation of an 8‐month social empowerment programme, following a mixed‐methods approach with the use of semi‐structured interviews and observation in the school context. The participants were 21 students with General Learning Difficulties, 18 education professionals, whose classes the 21 students attended, together with the 21 parents of these students (one parent per student). The results showed that the social competence of the participants was low before and that it increased after their participation in the intervention programme. In addition, girls had higher social competence than boys both before and after their participation in the intervention programme. These results highlight the benefits of classroom intervention programmes for children with General Learning Difficulties.
Profiling microbial communities in an extremely acidic environment influenced by a cold natural carbon dioxide spring: A study of the Mefite in Ansanto Valley, Southern Italy
Authors: De Castro Olga , Avino Mariano , Carraturo Federica , Di Iorio Emanuela , Giovannelli Donato , Innangi Michele , Menale Bruno , Mormile Nicolina , Troisi Jacopo , Guida Marco 
Published: February 2024

AbstractThe Ansanto Valley's Mefite, one of the Earth's largest non‐volcanic CO2 gas emissions, is distinguished by its cold natural carbon dioxide springs. These emissions originate from the intricate tectonics and geodynamics of the southern Apennines in Italy. Known for over two millennia for its lethal concentration of CO2 and other harmful gases, the Mefite has a reputation for being toxic and dangerous. Despite its historical significance and unique geological features, there is a lack of information on the microbial diversity associated with the Mefite's gas emissions. This study presents an integrated exploration of the microbial diversity in the mud soil, using high‐throughput sequencing of 16S rRNA (Prokaryotes) and ITS2 (Fungi), alongside a geochemical site characterisation. Our findings reveal that the Mefite's unique environment imposes a significant bottleneck on microbial diversity, favouring a select few microbial groups such as Actinobacteria and Firmicutes for Prokaryotes, and Basidiomycota for Fungi.
A comparison of direct listings andIPOs
Authors: Brown Anna Bergman , Byard Donal , Suh Jangwon 
Published: February 2024

AbstractIPOs and direct listings (DLs) offer two different mechanisms for firms to go public. In contrast to IPOs, DLs do not employ an underwriter or raise new capital. Using a sample of IPOs and DLs on major stock markets in the European Union, we document that firms that choose to go public via DLs are larger, more profitable, and less levered, on average, than IPO firms. These pre‐listing differences suggest that DL firms should be less risky than IPO firms; however, controlling for this selection effect, we find that DLs have higher aftermarket price volatility than IPOs. This is consistent with some policy‐makers' concerns that, because they lack an underwriter, DLs expose investors to higher risk than IPOs in the immediate post‐listing period. We show that this heightened price volatility persists, on average, for the first 20 trading days after listings, and is larger in industries where listed peer firms provide relatively low‐quality disclosures. Our results provide new evidence regarding the types of firms that choose to list via DLs versus IPOs and the riskiness of IPOs versus DLs in the immediate post‐listing period; additionally, our results are consistent with underwriters improving the quality of information available to investors for IPO firms in the pre‐listing period.
Empirical dynamic programming for model‐free ecosystem‐based management
Authors: Munch Stephan B. , Brias Antoine 
Published: February 2024

Abstract

Quantitative ecosystem‐based management typically relies on hypothetical ecosystem models that are difficult to validate for all but the best‐studied systems.

Here, we develop a management scheme that is based on predictive models driven by the observed dynamics.

We show that near‐optimal management policies can be constructed from time‐series data by merging empirical dynamic modelling and stochastic dynamic programming. The Empirical Dynamic Programming approach performs well in cases we examined and outperformed a commonly used single‐species alternative.

We expect model‐free ecosystem‐based management to be of use wherever ecosystem dynamics are uncertain or observations of the system do not cover all relevant species.
Beta‐lactam antibiotic concentrations in critically ill patients with standard and adjusted dosages: A prospective observational study
Authors: Areskog Lejbman Ilja , Torisson Gustav , Resman Fredrik , Sjövall Fredrik 
Published: February 2024

AbstractIntroductionAntibiotic concentration target attainment is known to be poor in critically ill patients. Dose adjustment is recommended in patients with altered clearance, obesity and those with bacterial species with intermediate susceptibility. The aim of this study was to investigate the variation of antibiotic concentration in critically ill patients with standard or adjusted dosing regimens.MethodsThe concentration of three beta‐lactam antibiotics used in the intensive care unit (ICU) setting, cefotaxime, piperacillin/tazobactam, and meropenem, was measured in patients with confirmed or suspected infection. Mid‐dose and trough values were collected during a single dosing interval. The pharmacokinetic endpoints were a free antibiotic concentration that, during the whole dosing interval, was above MIC (100% ƒT > MIC, primary endpoint) or above four times MIC (100% ƒT > 4MIC, secondary endpoint). Non‐species related MIC breakpoints were used (1 mg/L for cefotaxime, 8 mg/L for piperacillin/tazobactam, and 2 mg/L for meropenem).ResultsWe included 102 patients (38 cefotaxime, 30 piperacillin/tazobactam, and 34 meropenem) at a single ICU, with a median age of 66 years. In total, 73% were males, 40% were obese (BMI ≥30) and the median SAPS 3 score was 63 points. Of all patients, 78 patients (76%) reached the primary endpoint (100%ƒT > MIC), with 74% for cefotaxime, 67% for piperacillin/tazobactam and 88% for meropenem. Target attainment for 100% ƒT > 4MIC was achieved in 40 (39%) patients, overall, with 34% for cefotaxime, 30% for piperacillin/tazobactam and 53% for meropenem. In patients with standard dose 71% attained 100%ƒT > MIC and 37% for 100%ƒT > 4MIC. All patients with reduced dose attained 100%ƒT > MIC and 27% attained 100% ƒT > 4MIC. In patients with increased dose 79% attained 100%ƒT > MIC and 48% 100%ƒT > 4MIC respectively.ConclusionsBeta‐lactam antibiotics concentration vary widely in critically ill patients. The current standard dosing regimens employed during the study were not sufficient to reach 100% ƒT > MIC in approximately a quarter of the patients. In patients where dose adjustment was performed, the group with increased dose also had low target attainment, as opposed to patients with dose reduction, who all reached target. This suggests the need for further individualization of dosing where therapeutic drug monitoring can be an alternative to further increase target attainment.
In premature rupture of membranes, maternal serum delta neutrophil index may be a predictive factor for histological chorioamnionitis and affect fetal inflammatory markers: A retrospective cross‐sectional study
Authors: Dal Yusuf , Karagün Şebnem , Akkuş Fatih , Çolak Hatun , Aytan Hakan , Coşkun Ayhan 
Published: February 2024

AbstractProblemWe aimed to investigate the predictive value of delta neutrophil index (DNI) for histological choriomanionitis (HCAM) and the effect of maternal inflammatory markers on neonatal outcomes and fetal inflammatory parameters.Method of StudyIn this retrospective cross‐sectional study, 68 pregnant women without HCAM (group 1) and 46 pregnant women diagnosed with HCAM (group 2) were divided into two groups. Demographic stories of the groups; maternal hematological parameters; maternal DNI and systemic inflammatory index (SII) values; outcomes of newborns; fetal inflammatory markers were recorded and compared between groups.ResultsMaternal DNI, and SII levels were significantly higher in group 2 (p value < .05 for all). Admission to the neonatal unit (NICU) was higher in group 2 than in group 1 (p = .0001). We found that fetal inflammatory markers were significantly higher in group 2 (p values .001 for CRP, .0001 for DNI, and .002 for leukocyte). Maternal DNI was determined to be significantly diagnostic at a value of ≥1.3 in HCAM (p = .001). We observed that SII had a significant predictive value of 953036.6 (p = .019) for NICU admission. There is also a positive correlation between fetal inflammatory markers and maternal inflammatory markers.ConclusionsWe found that maternal inflammatory markers are high in HCAM, maternal DNI can predict patients who will develop HCAM, maternal SII value can predict NICU admission, fetal inflammatory markers are high in HCAM, and these markers are affected by maternal inflammatory markers.
Safety and feasibility of a functional electrical stimulation cycling‐based muscular dysfunction diagnostic method in mechanically ventilated patients
Authors: Figueiredo Thainá , Frazão Murillo , Werlang Luís A. , Kunz Adelar , Peltz Maikel , Furtado Veridiana C. , Júnior Edgar B. , Júnior Júlio M. , Silva Rosane M. , Sobral Filho Dário C. 
Published: February 2024

AbstractBackgroundA nonvolitional diagnostic method based on FES‐Cycling technology has recently been demonstrated for mechanically ventilated patients. This method presents good sensitivity and specificity for detecting muscle dysfunction and survival prognosis, even in unconscious patients. As the clinical relevance of this method has already been reported, we aimed to evaluate its safety and feasibility.MethodsAn observational prospective study was carried out with 20 critically ill, mechanically ventilated patients. The FES‐cycling equipment was set in a specific diagnostic mode. For safety determination, hemodynamic parameters and peripheral oxygen saturation were measured before and immediately after the diagnostic protocol, as well as venous oxygen saturation and blood lactate. The creatine phosphokinase level (CPK) was measured before and 24, 48, and 72 h after the test. The time taken to carry out the entire diagnostic protocol and the number of patients with visible muscle contraction (capacity of perceptive muscular recruitment) were recorded to assess feasibility.ResultsHeart rate [91 ± 23 vs. 94 ± 23 bpm (p = 0.0837)], systolic [122 ± 19 vs. 124 ± 19 mm Hg (p = 0.4261)] and diastolic blood pressure [68 ± 13 vs. 70 ± 15 mm Hg (p = 0.3462)], and peripheral [98 (96–99) vs. 98 (95–99) % (p = 0.6353)] and venous oxygen saturation [71 ± 14 vs. 69 ± 14% (p = 0.1317)] did not change after the diagnostic protocol. Moreover, blood lactate [1.48 ± 0.65 vs. 1.53 ± 0.71 mmol/L (p = 0.2320)] did not change. CPK did not change up to 72 h after the test [99 (59–422) vs. 125 (66–674) (p = 0.2799) vs. 161 (66–352) (p > 0.999) vs. 100 (33–409) (p = 0.5901)]. The time taken to perform the diagnostic assessment was 11.3 ± 1.1 min. In addition, 75% of the patients presented very visible muscle contractions, and 25% of them presented barely visible muscle contractions.ConclusionsThe FES cycling‐based muscular dysfunction diagnostic method is safe and feasible. Hemodynamic parameters, peripheral oxygen saturation, venous oxygen saturation, and blood lactate did not change after the diagnostic protocol. The muscle damage marker (CPK) did not increase up to 72 h after the diagnostic protocol.