bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Business processes management as a tool to enhance intellectual capital in the digitalization era: the new challenges to face
Authors: Broccardo Laura , Vola Paola , Alshibani Safiya Mukhtar , Tiscini Riccardo 
Published: November 2023

PurposeDigitalization is affecting business management and pushing for new strategies, innovative products, new ways to communicate with stakeholders and new channels. This phenomenon is unavoidable, and companies have to face it in a holistic and integrated way. One holistic and interconnected approach, when studying enterprise challenges, is represented by the business process management method, a fitting mechanism when digitalization needs to be amalgamated in business practices, enhancing the intellectual capital (IC), therefore, this study researches digitalization under business process lens, in a sample of small and medium enterprises (SMEs), that constitute an under-explored set, as regard digitalization, process management and IC. The research aims to explore the digital tools and business processes link and the related impact on performance, benefits and IC.Design/methodology/approachIn exploring digitalization, a sample of Italian SMEs was scrutinized. The data were elaborated using two types of tests: (1) the binomial tests for the categorical questions and (2) the zeta test was used for quantitative variables. Furthermore, the partial least square (PLS)-SEM model was applied.FindingsFindings reveal that some digital tools are more adopted in the sample analysed, and also some particular digital tools are more inclined to support certain business processes. Furthermore, not only performance benefits emerge, but also benefits in terms of better communication and faster decisions, supporting the decision making process of managers, also considering that business processes approach is one way to manage IC.Practical implicationsThanks to the conducted research it is possible to make aware managers and owners of SMEs to consciously choose the right type of digitalization investments, without neglecting training programme, to realize the company digital transformation, providing a map and bearing in mind the value added creation, protecting their IC.Originality/valueThe paper's originality is represented by the contribution in opening the black box about digitalization, business process management and IC in small and medium companies.
Metaverse: shifting the reality of services
Authors: Gleim Mark , McCullough Heath , Ferrell O.C. , Gabler Colin 
Published: November 2023

Purpose
This research aims to focus on the impact of the metaverse on services marketing. After reviewing the past, current and anticipated future of the metaverse, the authors offer multiple research opportunities in accordance with theories germane to the services literature.

Design/methodology/approach
The current research uses a conceptual approach focused on key service theories and their relevance in the metaverse.

Findings
The metaverse presents a new paradigm of the customer experience, thus providing an opportunity for service researchers to advance this developing field. Further, the potential shortcomings of existing theory are explored, both within and external to services, to discover important areas for service scholars to examine. This results in research opportunities and questions for scholars to pursue as the metaverse continues to develop and shape consumer experiences.

Originality/value
Technological advancements have enabled the service sector to grow and thrive in the metaverse. It is evident that despite the metaverse’s growth, there remains a tremendous amount left to examine. Existing theories need to be reexamined and modified, or alternative theories reviewed to inform service research on the metaverse. Thus, the present research seeks to provide insight into opportunities for theory development by service researchers and identifies important areas of future scholarly work on the metaverse.
Conceptualising reflexivity within critical discourse of social marketing
Authors: Millard Rachael , Akbar M. Bilal 
Published: November 2023

Purpose
This paper aims to understand what reflexivity means and explores which types of reflexivity could be applied within social marketing practice as a critical approach to overcoming failures.

Design/methodology/approach
This paper is a critical literature review.

Findings
The study proposes a typology for a reflexive approach to social marketing practice to overcome failures. The typology is built on self and critical reflexivity, simultaneously allowing social marketers to reflect on external and internal factors that may affect the individual's role and could negatively affect social marketing practice unless otherwise considered. The types of reflexivity discussed are not prescriptive; instead, the authors intend to provoke further discussion on an under-researched but vital area of social marketing.

Research limitations/implications
The proposed typology is conceptual; an empirical investigation to gain social marketer's views would further enhance the effectiveness of the applications of the typology.

Practical implications
Social marketers could use the proposed typology for future practice.

Originality/value
This is the first study that conceptualises various types of reflexivity within social marketing practice to overcome failures.
Analysis of the spatial urbanization effect of digital finance in China
Authors: Hao Yunping , Zhao Wei 
Published: November 2023

PurposeThis study aims to empirically examine the impact of digital finance on spatial urbanization and elucidate its underlying mechanisms.Design/methodology/approachUsing panel data of Chinese prefecture-level cities from 2011 to 2021, and using a spatial dynamic panel model, the authors analyzed the effects of digital finance on spatial urbanization and the mechanism of its action.FindingsThe findings of the study reveal that digital finance, along with its sub-dimensions, namely coverage breadth, usage depth and digitization degree, all contribute to the enhancement of spatial urbanization. The information channel effect generated by the development of postal and telecommunication businesses, the goods delivery effect generated by the development of retail businesses and the wealth accumulation effect generated by the accumulation of household wealth are all important channels through which digital finance promotes spatial urbanization. Digital finance exerts a significant promotional effect on spatial urbanization in second-tier cities, third-tier cities and their subsequent tiers. This observation alludes to the regionally inclusive nature of spatial urbanization promotion facilitated by digital finance.Originality/valueThe present study endeavors to fill this void by employing empirical analysis to investigate the ramifications of digital finance on spatial urbanization, thereby shedding light on the pivotal role played by digital finance in expediting the progression of spatial urbanization. This study undertakes an examination of the spatial spillover effects, thus providing a comprehensive exposition of the influence of digital finance on spatial urbanization. This study introduces this crucial dimension, and the empirical findings elucidate that digital finance fosters the evolution of spatial urbanization by broadening the coverage of information channels, augmenting the efficiency of goods distribution and enhancing wealth accumulation efficacy.
An exploratory study on emotional consequents of visceral food pleasure
Authors: Donato Carmela , Monsurrò Luigi 
Published: November 2023

Purpose
This study aims to explore the phenomenon of visceral food pleasure, described as a unitary experience that, after an initial sense of pleasure and relief generated by the satisfaction of eating impulses, is followed by negative feelings – such as guilt and worry – linked to the consumption of hedonic or unhealthy foods.

Design/methodology/approach
An exploratory approach has been adopted. In particular, the critical incident technique among 87 individuals has been used to extract insights about visceral food pleasure.

Findings
Contrary to previous research results, this study shows that viscearl food pleasure is not a unitary phenomenon, identifying four types of different facets, two of which have a negative valence in terms of felt emotions post-consumption and psychological well-being (i.e. the “greedy” and the “maladaptive” experiences). More importantly, the other two facets are associated with positive consequences in terms of emotions felt post-consumption and perceived psychological well-being (i.e. the “social” and the “fair sin” experiences).

Practical implications
Companies that provide food experiences can prime meanings that influence consumers’ perceptions of the episode to elicit positive emotions post-consumption and psychological well-being.

Social implications
Promoting a more holistic view of food consumption and psychological well-being can free consumers from negative emotions during food consumption episodes. Priming a particular meaning can be a way to do that. However, as visceral experience can still lead to health issues, this must be combined with an education process that makes consumers aware of their food habits.

Originality/value
This research challenges the idea that visceral food experiences are always negative. Indeed, when associated with particular meanings (i.e. social and reward), they have a positive valence post-consumption.
Peri‐operative cardiac arrest: epidemiology and clinical features of patients analysed in the 7th National Audit Project of the Royal College of Anaesthetists
Authors: Armstrong R. A. , Soar J. , Kane A. D. , Kursumovic E. , Nolan J. P. , Oglesby F. C. , Cortes L. , Taylor C. , Moppett I. K. , Agarwal S. , Cordingley J. , Davies M. T. , Dorey J. , Finney S. J. , Kendall S. , Kunst G. , Lucas D. N. , Mouton R. , Nickols G. , Pappachan V. J. , Patel B. , Plaat F. , Scholefield B. R. , Smith J. H. , Varney L. , Wain E. , Cook T. M. ,   collaborators
Published: November 2023

SummaryThe 7th National Audit Project of the Royal College of Anaesthetists studied peri‐operative cardiac arrest in the UK, a topic of importance to patients, anaesthetists and surgeons. Here we report the results of the 12‐month registry, from 16 June 2021 to 15 June 2022, focusing on epidemiology and clinical features. We reviewed 881 cases of peri‐operative cardiac arrest, giving an incidence of 3 in 10,000 anaesthetics (95%CI 3.0–3.5 per 10,000). Incidence varied with patient and surgical factors. Compared with denominator survey activity, patients with cardiac arrest: included more males (56% vs. 42%); were older (median (IQR) age 60.5 (40.5–80.5) vs. 50.5 (30.5–70.5) y), although the age distribution was bimodal, with infants and patients aged > 66 y overrepresented; and were notably more comorbid (73% ASA physical status 3–5 vs. 27% ASA physical status 1–2). The surgical case‐mix included more weekend (14% vs. 11%), out‐of‐hours (19% vs. 10%), non‐elective (65% vs. 30%) and major/complex cases (60% vs. 28%). Cardiac arrest was most prevalent in orthopaedic trauma (12%), lower gastrointestinal surgery (10%), cardiac surgery (9%), vascular surgery (8%) and interventional cardiology (6%). Specialities with the highest proportion of cases relative to denominator activity were: cardiac surgery (9% vs. 1%); cardiology (8% vs. 1%); and vascular surgery (8% vs. 2%). The most common causes of cardiac arrest were: major haemorrhage (17%); bradyarrhythmia (9%); and cardiac ischaemia (7%). Patient factors were judged a key cause of cardiac arrest in 82% of cases, anaesthesia in 40% and surgery in 35%.
Peri‐operative cardiac arrest: management and outcomes of patients analysed in the 7th National Audit Project of the Royal College of Anaesthetists
Authors: Armstrong R. A. , Cook T. M. , Kane A. D. , Kursumovic E. , Nolan J. P. , Oglesby F. C. , Cortes L. , Taylor C. , Moppett I. K. , Agarwal S. , Cordingley J. , Davies M. T. , Dorey J. , Finney S. J. , Kendall S. , Kunst G. , Lucas D. N. , Mouton R. , Nickols G. , Pappachan V. J. , Patel B. , Plaat F. , Scholefield B. R. , Smith J. H. , Varney L. , Wain E. , Soar J. ,   collaborators
Published: November 2023

SummaryThe 7th National Audit Project of the Royal College of Anaesthetists studied peri‐operative cardiac arrest in the UK, a topic of importance to patients, anaesthetists and surgeons. We report the results of the 12‐month registry phase, from 16 June 2021 to 15 June 2022, focusing on management and outcomes. Among 881 cases of peri‐operative cardiac arrest, the initial rhythm was non‐shockable in 723 (82%) cases, most commonly pulseless electrical activity. There were 665 (75%) patients who survived the initial event and 384 (52%) who survived to hospital discharge. A favourable functional outcome (based on modified Rankin Scale score) was reported for 249 (88%) survivors. Outcomes varied according to arrest rhythm. The highest rates of survival were seen for bradycardic cardiac arrests with 111 (86%) patients surviving the initial event and 77 (60%) patients surviving the hospital episode. The lowest survival rates were seen for patients with pulseless electrical activity, with 312 (68%) surviving the initial episode and 156 (34%) surviving to hospital discharge. Survival to hospital discharge was worse in patients at the extremes of age with 76 (40%) patients aged > 75 y and 9 (45%) neonates surviving. Hospital survival was also associated with surgical priority, with 175 (88%) elective patients and 176 (37%) non‐elective patients surviving to discharge. Outcomes varied with the cause of cardiac arrest, with lower initial survival rates for pulmonary embolism (5, 31%) and bone cement implantation syndrome (9, 45%), and hospital survival of < 25% for pulmonary embolism (0), septic shock (13, 24%) and significant hyperkalaemia (1, 20%). Overall care was rated good in 464 (53%) cases, and 18 (2%) cases had overall care rated as poor. Poor care elements were present in a further 245 (28%) cases. Care before cardiac arrest was the phase most frequently rated as poor (92, 11%) with elements of poor care identified in another 186 (21%) cases. These results describe the management and outcomes of peri‐operative cardiac arrest in UK practice for the first time.
Ventricular assist devices and sleep‐disordered breathing—A mechanical heart stimulating a sleepy brain
Authors: Durland Justin , Angles Jacqueline , Hoyland Frank , Hajj Jennifer M. , Houston Brian A. , Jackson Gregory R. 
Published: November 2023

AbstractSleep‐disordered breathing, including obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) and central sleep apnea (CSA), is common in severe heart failure (HF) patients. There is limited data on the effect of left ventricular assist devices (LVAD) on sleep apnea. We performed a retrospective review of 350 durable LVAD patients and found 5 with a history of pre‐ and post‐LVAD sleep studies. All five patients had OSA, and three had concomitant CSA. We observed reduced apnea‐hypopnea index following LVAD placement. This was due to a near abolishment of CSA in three mixed sleep apnea patients—as seen by a central apnea index improvement from an average of 25.9 ± 13.1 to 1.4 ± 2.5 events per hour (p = 0.063). LVAD placement was associated with an increase in thermodilution cardiac output from 2.7 ± 0.6 to 4.1 ± 1.1 L/min (p = 0.014). These findings support chemoreception physiology seen in patients with poor circulation and the effect of restoring this circulation with LVAD support.
Measuring learning in digital games: Applying a game‐based assessment framework
Authors: Udeozor Chioma , Abegão Fernando Russo , Glassey Jarka 
Published: November 2023

Digital games (DGs) have the potential to immerse learners in simulated real‐world environments that foster contextualised and active learning experiences. These also offer opportunities for performance assessments by providing an environment for students to carry out tasks requiring the application of knowledge and skills learned in the classroom. Although widely used for teaching and learning, there are challenges in using digital game applications for assessment. Designing assessments around tasks in complex learning environments like DGs is not always easy, particularly for educators new to using these technologies for teaching. This paper presents a game‐based assessment framework (GBAF) that is designed to be educator‐friendly and useful for the design of assessments for immersive learning environments. The application of the framework to the design of embedded and external (multiple‐choice questions) assessments is also presented. The GBAF offered an easy and structured basis for the design of two distinct assessments for a computer game. It provides educators with useful guidelines for designing assessments around pre‐existing games.
Practitioner notesWhat is already known about this topicImmersive technologies are increasingly being used for teaching and learning due to their benefits to knowledge and skills acquisition. However, for educators interested in using these tools for formal classroom teaching, there is a lack of resources and guidance on assessment designs and implementations. The most commonly used assessment design framework, the evidence‐centred design (ECD), is complicated to use, requiring advanced machine learning skills to implement. This has so far limited its use to large‐scale computerised and game‐based testing.What this paper addsThis paper presents a framework developed to guide educators through the design and implementation of assessments when teaching with immersive learning applications. Grounded in the constructive alignment principles and the ECD framework, the game‐based assessment framework is designed to help educators align assessment tasks to game tasks and the intended learning outcomes. It also provides step‐by‐step guidelines for the identification of appropriate immersive applications. It shows the practical application of the framework to the design of embedded (in‐game) assessments and external (multiple‐choice tests) assessments.Implications for practice and/or policyThe framework presented in this paper provides a structured and pedagogically sound basis for the design of assessments when measuring performance, or skills and knowledge acquisition with immersive learning applications.
Extracellular vesicle‐encapsulated microRNA‐296‐3p from cancer‐associated fibroblasts promotes ovarian cancer development through regulation of the PTEN/AKT and SOCS6/STAT3 pathways
Authors: Sun Luyao , Ke Miaola , Yin Mengyuan , Zeng Ying , Ji Yutong , Hu Yiming , Fu Songbin , Zhang Chunyu 
Published: November 2023

AbstractCancer‐associated fibroblasts (CAFs), as important components of the tumor microenvironment, can regulate intercellular communication and tumor development by secreting extracellular vesicles (EVs). However, the role of CAF‐derived EVs in ovarian cancer has not been fully elucidated. Here, using an EV‐microRNA sequencing analysis, we reveal specific overexpression of microRNA (miR)‐296‐3p in activated CAF‐derived EVs, which can be transferred to tumor cells to regulate the malignant phenotypes of ovarian cancer cells. Moreover, overexpression of miR‐296‐3p significantly promotes the proliferation, migration, invasion, and drug resistance of ovarian cancer cells in vitro, as well as tumor growth in vivo, while its inhibition has the opposite effects. Further mechanistic studies reveal that miR‐296‐3p promotes ovarian cancer progression by directly targeting PTEN and SOCS6 and activating AKT and STAT3 signaling pathways. Importantly, increased expression of miR‐296‐3p encapsulated in plasma EVs is closely correlated with tumorigenesis and chemoresistance in patients with ovarian cancer. Our results highlight the cancer‐promoting role of CAF‐derived EVs carrying miR‐296‐3p in ovarian cancer progression for the first time, and suggest that miR‐296‐3p encapsulated in CAF‐derived EVs could be a diagnostic biomarker and therapeutic target for ovarian cancer.
Got milkweed? Genetic assimilation as potential source for the evolution of nonmigratory monarch butterfly wing shape
Authors: Nixon Kyra J. A. , Parzer Harald F. 
Published: November 2023

AbstractMonarch butterflies (Danaus plexippus) are well studied for their annual long‐distance migration from as far north as Canada to their overwintering grounds in Central Mexico. At the end of the cold season, monarchs start to repopulate North America through short‐distance migration over the course of multiple generations. Interestingly, some populations in various tropical and subtropical islands do not migrate and exhibit heritable differences in wing shape and size, most likely an adaptation to island life. Less is known about forewing differences between long‐ and short‐distance migrants in relation to island populations. Given their different migratory behaviors, we hypothesized that these differences would be reflected in wing morphology. To test this, we analyzed forewing shape and size of three different groups: nonmigratory, lesser migratory (migrate short‐distances), and migratory (migrate long‐distances) individuals. Significant differences in shape appear in all groups using geometric morphometrics. As variation found between migratory and lesser migrants has been shown to be caused by phenotypic plasticity, and lesser migrants develop intermediate forewing shapes between migratory and nonmigratory individuals, we suggest that genetic assimilation might be an important mechanism to explain the heritable variation found between migratory and nonmigratory populations. Additionally, our research confirms previous studies which show that forewing size is significantly smaller in nonmigratory populations when compared to both migratory phenotypes. Finally, we found sexual dimorphism in forewing shape in all three groups, but for size in nonmigratory populations only. This might have been caused by reduced constraints on forewing size in nonmigratory populations.
Obesity in pregnancy—Long‐term effects on offspring hypothalamic‐pituitary‐adrenal axis and associations with placental cortisol metabolism: A systematic review
Authors: Volqvartz Tabia , Andersen Helena Hørdum Breum , Pedersen Lars Henning , Larsen Agnete 
Published: November 2023

AbstractObesity, affecting one in three pregnant women worldwide, is not only a major obstetric risk factor. The resulting low‐grade inflammation may have a long‐term impact on the offspring's HPA axis through dysregulation of maternal, placental and fetal corticosteroid metabolism, and children born of obese mothers have increased risk of diabetes and cardiovascular disease. The long‐term effects of maternal obesity on offspring neurodevelopment are, however, undetermined and could depend on the specific effects on placental and fetal cortisol metabolism. This systematic review evaluates how maternal obesity affects placental cortisol metabolism and the offspring's HPA axis. Pubmed, Embase and Scopus were searched for original studies on maternal BMI, obesity, and cortisol metabolism and transfer. Fifteen studies were included after the screening of 4556 identified records. Studies were small with heterogeneous exposures and outcomes. Two studies found that maternal obesity reduced placental HSD11β2 activity. In one study, umbilical cord blood cortisol levels were affected by maternal BMI. In three studies, an altered cortisol response was consistently seen among offspring in childhood (n = 2) or adulthood (n = 1). Maternal BMI was not associated with placental HSD11β1 or HSD11β2 mRNA expression, or placental HSD11β2 methylation. In conclusion, high maternal BMI is associated with reduced placental HSD11β2 activity and a dampened cortisol level among offspring, but the data is sparse. Further investigations are needed to clarify whether the HPA axis is affected by prenatal factors including maternal obesity and investigate if adverse effects can be ameliorated by optimising the intrauterine environment.