bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Diabetes, glycaemic profile and risk of vitiligo: a Mendelian randomisation study
Authors: Hu Shucheng , Che Yuhui , Cai Jiaying , Guo Jing , Zeng Jinhao 
Published: October 2023

AbstractObjectivesPrevious observational studies have shown that vitiligo usually co-manifests with a variety of dysglycemic diseases, such as Type 1 diabetes mellitus(T1DM) and Type 2 diabetes mellitus(T2DM). Mendelian randomization analysis was performed to further evaluate the causal association between fasting plasma glucose, glycosylated hemoglobin(HbA1c),T1DM,T2DM and vitiligo.MethodsWe used aggregated genome-wide association data from the (Integrative Epidemiology Unit) IEU online database of European adults vitiligo; Glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) data were from (IEU). Fasting blood glucose data were obtained from the European Bioinformatics Institute(EBI). T1DM and T2DM data were from FinnGen(FINN).We used bidirectional two-sample and multivariate Mendelian randomization analyses to test whether dysglycemic measures (fasting blood glucose, HbA1c), diabetes-related measures (T1DM, T2DM) are causatively associated with vitiligo. IVW method was used as the main test method, MR-Egger, Weighted mode and Weighted median were used as supplementary methods.ResultsWe found no statistically significant evidence to support a causal association between dysglycemic traits and vitiligo, but in the correlation analysis of diabetic traits, our data supported a positive causal association between T1DM and vitiligo (p=0.018; 95%OR:1.000(1.000-1.000)); In the follow-up multivariate MR Analysis, our results still supported this conclusion (p=0.016, 95% OR= 1.000(1.000-1.000)), and suggested that Hba1c was not a mediator of T1DM affecting the pathogenesis of vitiligo. No reverse causality was found in any of the reverse MR Analyses of dysglycemic traits and diabetic traits.ConclusionsOur findings support that T1DM is a risk factor for the development of vitiligo, and this conclusion may explain why the co-presentation of T1DM and vitiligo is often seen in observational studies. Clinical use of measures related to T1DM may be a new idea for the prevention or treatment of vitiligo.
Investigation into the dynamic relationships between global economic uncertainty and price volatilities of commodities, raw materials, and energy
Authors: Ashena Malihe , Laal Khezri Hamid , Shahpari Ghazal 
Published: October 2023

Purpose
This paper aims to deepen the understanding of the relationship between global economic uncertainty and price volatility, specifically focusing on commodity, industrial materials and energy price indices as proxies for global inflation, analyzing data from 1997 to 2020.

Design/methodology/approach
The dynamic conditional correlation generalized autoregressive conditional heteroscedasticity model is used to study the dynamic relationship between variables over a while.

Findings
The results demonstrated a positive relationship between commodity prices and the global economic policy uncertainty (GEPU). Except for 1999–2000 and 2006–2008, the results of the energy price index model were very similar to those of the commodity price index. A predominant positive relationship is observed focusing on the connection between GEPU and the industrial material price index. The results of the pairwise Granger causality reveal a unidirectional relationship between the GEPU – the Global Commodity Price Index – and the GEPU – the Global Industrial Material Price Index. However, there is bidirectional causality between the GEPU – the Global Energy Price Index. In sum, changes in price indices can be driven by GEPU as a political factor indicating unfavorable economic conditions.

Originality/value
This paper provides a deeper understanding of the role of global uncertainty in the global inflation process. It fills the gap in the literature by empirically investigating the dynamic movements of global uncertainty and the three most important groups of prices.
Social media use and performance of small businesses: a customer-centric perspective
Authors: Radebe Sithembisile Sakhikhaya , Verkijika Silas Formunyuy , Neneh Brownhilder Ngek 
Published: October 2023

PurposeSocial media is widely regarded as a strategic resource to improve firm performance. However, there are mixed findings on how businesses can use social media for better performance. This study aims to propose and test a mechanism through which social media can influence firm performance.Design/methodology/approachA survey approach was used to collect data from 262 small businesses in South Africa. The data were analysed using structural equation modelling (SEM) to assess the hypothesised relationships.FindingsThe findings support the significant role of social media in fostering firm performance. It is observed that the use of social media influences firm performance through three key customer-centric constructs: the strength of customer–firm relationships, customer orientation and customer co-creation. Additionally, the relationship between the strength of customer–firm relationships and firm performance is moderated by customer co-creation.Originality/valueThe study provides new insights into the mechanism through which social media fosters firm performance. Due to a lack of universality in establishing the direct effect of social media use on firm performance, providing evidence of an indirect path becomes vital for advancing knowledge on social media use in business. As such, this study contributes to the literature on social media and entrepreneurship by demonstrating a novel mechanism through which social media influences firm performance.
Longitudinal and lateral stability control for autonomous vehicles in curved road scenarios with road undulation
Authors: Guo Zhizhong , Liu Fei , Shang Yuze , Li Zhe , Qin Ping 
Published: October 2023

PurposeThis research aims to present a novel cooperative control architecture designed specifically for roads with variations in height and curvature. The primary objective is to enhance the longitudinal and lateral tracking accuracy of the vehicle.Design/methodology/approachIn addressing the challenges posed by time-varying road information and vehicle dynamics parameters, a combination of model predictive control (MPC) and active disturbance rejection control (ADRC) is employed in this study. A coupled controller based on the authors’ model was developed by utilizing the capabilities of MPC and ADRC. Emphasis is placed on the ramifications of road undulations and changes in curvature concerning control effectiveness. Recognizing these factors as disturbances, measures are taken to offset their influences within the system. Load transfer due to variations in road parameters has been considered and integrated into the design of the authors’ synergistic architecture.FindingsThe framework's efficacy is validated through hardware-in-the-loop simulation. Experimental results show that the integrated controller is more robust than conventional MPC and PID controllers. Consequently, the integrated controller improves the vehicle's driving stability and safety.Originality/valueThe proposed coupled control strategy notably enhances vehicle stability and reduces slip concerns. A tailored model is introduced integrating a control strategy based on MPC and ADRC which takes into account vertical and longitudinal force variations and allowing it to effectively cope with complex scenarios and multifaceted constraints problems.
The mediating role of work-life balance on the relationship between job resources and job satisfaction: perspectives from Indian nursing professionals
Authors: Rashmi Kumari , Kataria Aakanksha 
Published: October 2023

Purpose
The purpose of this study is to empirically investigate the mediating effect of work-life balance (WLB) in the relationship between three significant job resources (namely, job autonomy, supervisor support and co-worker support) and job satisfaction experienced by frontline nursing professionals during the COVID-19 pandemic in an Indian setting using the theoretical foundation of job demands-resources theory.

Design/methodology/approach
Structured questionnaire survey has been used to get the responses from 452 nursing professionals in India during the COVID-19 pandemic. To carry out data analysis structural equation modeling has been used.

Findings
The results reveal the relationship between the framed hypotheses. Surprisingly, the relationship between all three job resources and WLB was found to be positive, and also WLB was positively associated with nursing professionals’ job satisfaction during pandemic situations. However, WLB partially mediated the relationship only between two job resources (namely, job autonomy and supervisor support) and job satisfaction.

Originality/value
The research paper addresses Indian nursing professionals’ perceptions of job resources, WLB and job satisfaction during the COVID-19 pandemic. This paper seeks to examine such a relationship when nursing professionals’ worked round the clock with intuitive expertise and cautiousness to provide quality care and responded more efficiently to scarce resource situations.
The value of societal values in finance
Authors: Schellhorn Carolin 
Published: October 2023

Purpose
The purpose of this study is to consider the limitations of traditional finance and to provide an overview of the challenges associated with the developing area of sustainable finance. In the context of multiple global systemic threats to humanity, the author argues that societal values must play a prominent role in calling for comprehensive government policy and activating the fund allocations required to safeguard the stability of multiple societal systems.

Design/methodology/approach
This study integrates research results from several disciplines to show that value-based finance is essential for ensuring that information acquisition, government policies and fund allocations support the stability of multiple systems on which society depends. The discussion is informed by research that documents massive uncertainty in planetary and biological processes requiring urgent action.

Findings
Traditional finance allows prioritization of financial returns at the expense of environmental and social stability with potentially catastrophic and irreversible consequences. To safeguard the stability of societal systems, fund allocation decisions by individuals and organizations must prioritize societal values, as they relate to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals and the science needed to achieve them.

Originality/value
This study provides a novel view of the critical importance of societal values in finance given growing global threats to the stability of multiple, interconnected systems. It offers a unique perspective by drawing on research results from multiple disciplines to highlight an essential role for science-based information related to societal values in the engagement and fund allocation decisions of all market participants operating under extreme uncertainty.
Transformative sustainability education in accounting: effects on male and female students’ attitudes toward sustainable development
Authors: Stewart Vicki M. 
Published: October 2023

Purpose
The purpose of this study was to examine curricular innovation in accounting using multivariate analysis of variance (MANOVA) and t-test to measure the effects of transformative sustainability education in accounting on the attitudes of male and female undergraduate accounting students at a public university in the southwestern USA toward the four sustainable development dimensions of environment, economy, society and education.

Design/methodology/approach
A quasi-experimental research methodology using data from a convenience sample of 157 accounting students’ responses to an online Qualtrics survey compared the attitudes of male and female undergraduate accounting students who had sustainability education in accounting to those who did not toward the four aspects of environment, economy, society and education for sustainable development using correlation, MANOVA, independent- and paired-samples t-tests.

Findings
While there were no significant differences between the male and female accounting students’ attitudes who had sustainability education and those who did not, there were significant differences between some dimensions of sustainable development with medium effect sizes, and correlations between the students’ attitudes were moderate, positive and significant.

Research limitations/implications
This study was relatively small and conducted at one university, but the results indicated that the students consider sustainability education valuable to their future careers, which is important for future curriculum development.

Originality/value
This study showed that transformative sustainability education does not produce gender differences in students’ attitudes toward sustainable development.
Bridging the adoption gap for cryptocurrencies: understanding the affordances that impact approach–avoidance behavior for potential users and continuation usage for actual users
Authors: Armani Dehghani Milad , Karavidas Dionysios , Rese Alexandra , Acikgoz Fulya 
Published: October 2023

PurposeWith the rise of cryptocurrency and its influence on the financial industry, this paper aims to explore cryptocurrency affordances that lead to approach–avoidance behavioral intentions for non-users (potential) and the intention to continue use for users (actual), drawing upon affordance theory and chasm theory.Design/methodology/approachThe authors collected data from 480 potential and actual users in Germany and used maximum likelihood structural equation modeling (ML-SEM) to analyze it. In particular, the data consisted of 301 cryptocurrency users in Germany\ the authors used ML-SEM to test the post-adoption model. Additionally, logistic regression was utilized to determine the dominant actual usage method (store of value or medium of exchange) for various cryptocurrency coins.FindingsAccording to the study's results, the perceived value benefits have a positive impact on the behavioral intention of potential users to adopt cryptocurrency, and they influence the intention of actual users to continue using it. However, both perceived volatility and financial risk tolerance are the most crucial factors hindering cryptocurrency adoption, whether in the pre-adoption or the post-adoption stage.Originality/valueThis is the first study to reveal cryptocurrency affordances and examine their effect on behavioral intentions toward cryptocurrency adoption based on the differences between non-users (potential) and users (actual). Furthermore, the authors explore how cryptocurrency holders perceive and invest in different coins (e.g. NFTs), which sheds light on factors such as financial risk tolerance that affect their decision making.
Political alignment and corporate fraud: evidence from the United States of America
Authors: Cordis Adriana 
Published: October 2023

PurposeThe paper investigates whether political geography, as measured by the degree of alignment of state politicians with the party of the USA President, has an impact on corporate fraud convictions.Design/methodology/approachPrior research shows that the degree of alignment between state politicians and the president's political party is positively correlated with measures of earnings management for firms headquartered in the state. Political alignment is conducive to earnings management because it affects a firm's information and enforcement environment by increasing policy risk and promoting lenient regulatory oversight. The paper posits that this environment is also conducive to corporate fraud and tests this hypothesis using pooled ordinary least squares (OLS) and panel regressions with annual state-level data for 2003–2018.FindingsThe paper documents a positive and statistically significant relationship between political alignment and corporate fraud conviction rates by state.Research limitations/implicationsThe conclusions are tempered by data limitations. First, the conviction data are available at the state level only. Second, the true level of fraud is inherently unobservable and the conviction data may not reflect the actual number of frauds that are committed.Practical implicationsFraud examiners might benefit from considering the role of political connectedness in determining fraud risk. Although additional research is needed before making concrete recommendations, the initial indications clearly point to political connections as a potential concern.Originality/valueThe findings build on evidence that political connections influence earnings management. Rather than focusing on direct measures of connectedness, such as lobbying expenditures, the paper examines a plausibly exogenous measure: political geography.
Unravelling barriers in high-tech technology start-ups: practical insights and solutions for healthcare enterprises
Authors: Singh Nidhi , Alshibani Safiya Mukhtar , Misra Pooja , Nawaz Rabiya , Gupta Bhumika 
Published: October 2023

PurposeAlong with technology-based ecosystems, healthcare start-ups are expanding multi-fold. On the other hand, underlying uncertainties pose several challenges for these health-tech enterprises at macro-meso-micro level, influencing their business circumstances and profitability. The current study aims to comprehend the macro-, meso- and micro-level barriers that make it difficult for enterprises to set up healthcare technology start-ups. The study also observed the perceived effect of these challenges on firms' performance and cost structure over time. Using the theory of behaviour under uncertainty, the study revealed multiple systemic, sector-related, human and implementation barriers that hinder business growth and lead to uncertainties for health-tech start-ups.Design/methodology/approachUsing a grounded theory approach, the study collected the views of 51 health tech start-ups in the UK using an online participants pool. The data was collected using qualitative data techniques in the form of open-ended essays, and a content analysis using thematic coding process was conducted. The questions centered around the different institutional uncertainties or barriers while setting up or running a healthcare start-up.FindingsThe study revealed several macro-, meso- and micro-level barriers these technology-based enterprises perceive in the healthcare industry. These are recognised as systemic barriers, such as lack of funding and procedural issues; sector-related barriers, such as market-related impediments; human barriers, including psychological barriers and resistance to new technology; and implementation barriers, such as operational and personnel issues.Research limitations/implicationsThe study used qualitative, open-ended essay techniques to collect the data. Future studies may use a mixed-methods approach to provide holistic insights. The study is conducted in a single developed country, the UK. Future work may expand these findings by comparing developed market challenges with those of emerging markets and by assessing the viewpoints of healthcare start-ups.Practical implicationsThis research will assist the healthcare sector and government understand health tech start-up hurdles and uncertainty. Policymakers must assist start-ups and encourage entrepreneurial innovation. Regulating and enabling policies will help. The paper examines start-ups' macro, meso and micro uncertainties. Policymakers promoting sector entrepreneurship must consider these barriers while designing policy guidelines.Originality/valueThe study contributes to the existing literature on technology start-ups, particularly in the healthcare industry, and identifies significant barriers these start-ups face. The study synthesizes research on health-tech start-up uncertainty and bridges the gap between theory and practice by applying empirical findings.
Does CSR disclosure mediate the board characteristics-cost of equity capital nexus? Evidence from Jordanian services companies
Authors: Abu Afifa Malik Muneer , Saleh Isam , Al-Zaghilat Maen , Thuneibat Nawaf , Nguyen Nha Minh 
Published: October 2023

Purpose
This study aims to investigate the direct nexus between board characteristics, corporate social responsibility (CSR) disclosure and the cost of equity capital (CEQ). This is done by using agency theory, stakeholder theory and signalling theory, followed by an investigation into the indirect mediation impact of CSR disclosure in the board characteristics-CEQ nexus. It intends to present new experimental evidence from Jordan’s developing economy.

Design/methodology/approach
The study’s target population was services companies registered on the Amman Stock Exchange (ASE) between 2012 and 2020. As a result, the population and sampling of this study are represented by all services companies for whom complete data are available over the period, with a total of 43 services companies yielding 387 company-year observations. Data for our study were obtained from their annual disclosures and the ASE’s database.

Findings
The main findings demonstrated that board size, board gender variety and the number of board sessions positively affect CSR disclosure significantly. In addition, three board characteristics (i.e. board size, board independence and board gender variety) significantly negatively affect CEQ. Besides, CSR disclosure significantly negatively affects CEQ and it fully mediates the relationship between two board characteristics (i.e. board size and board gender variety) and CEQ, whereas it partially mediates the nexus between board independence, CEO/Chairman duality and the number of board sessions of board characteristics and CEQ.

Originality/value
This study varies from earlier studies, in that it builds a new research model by looking at the mediating role of CSR disclosure in the nexus among board characteristics and the CEQ.
A brand prominence perspective on crowdfunding success for aftermarket offerings: the role of textual and visual brand elements
Authors: Zihagh Fereshteh , Moradi Masoud , Badrinarayanan Vishag 
Published: October 2023

Purpose
Adopting a brand prominence perspective, this study aims to examine how textual and visual brand elements influence the success of crowdfunding campaigns for aftermarket offerings.

Design/methodology/approach
A Python-based Web scraper was used to collect data from 620 crowdfunding campaigns for aftermarket offerings hosted on Kickstarter. The linguistic inquiry and word count application programing interface was then used to analyze the linguistic aspects of these campaigns. A fixed effects regression model was used to evaluate the hypotheses.

Findings
Textual and visual brand prominence are positively associated with campaign success. Further, with some variations, both types of brand prominence augment the positive effects of narrative and graphic design elements on campaign success.

Research limitations/implications
This study makes novel theoretical contributions to the literature on branding, crowdfunding and aftermarket products. The results also provide practical insights to aftermarket enterprises on creating compelling crowdfunding campaigns.

Originality/value
By analyzing the direct and synergistic effects of branding, narrative and graphic design elements on crowdfunding success, this study extends various literature streams and identifies several future research opportunities.