University of Pittsburgh at Bradford

Purpose Advanced technologies such as additive manufacturing (AM) play a critical role in transforming the healthcare sector by enabling sustainable and resilient solutions that improve patient services and operational efficiency. Yet, the adoption of AM in the healthcare sector is limited. Understanding the knowledge drivers behind its adoption is crucial for its successful implementation and better healthcare performance. This study aims to explore how effective knowledge processes impact innovation, resilience, sustainability and enhanced service quality in healthcare organisations. Design/methodology/approach Drawing on the dynamic capabilities theory, the motivating factors for AM adoption are identified from the literature and verified with industry experts using the fuzzy Delphi method. Then the factors are ranked and categorised into cause-and-effect using different multicriteria decision-making methods. Subsequently, the rationale for the cause-and-effect linkages has been explained using a qualitative approach. Findings This study presents a knowledge-driven decision-support framework that demonstrates how AM facilitates environmental sustainability, operational resilience and performance improvement. Healthcare organisations can leverage this knowledge-structured guidance to make informed decisions aligned with regulatory sustainability mandates. Originality/value Existing studies examine AM in healthcare through separate lenses (e.g. resilience, sustainability and performance) without explaining how organisations can integrate these objectives in practice. This study addresses that gap by developing a knowledge-driven decision-support framework that links knowledge processes and dynamic capabilities to AM adoption pathways, thereby offering actionable and innovative strategies for healthcare organisations.

Purpose The study aims to contribute to the body of knowledge by characterizing the integration of artificial intelligence (AI) and the metaverse from the perspective of the theory, characteristics, context and methodology (TCCM) and ESG frameworks, focusing on their role in value creation for customer experience. Design/methodology/approach This study used a systematic literature review method based on the PRISMA 2020 protocol, and 42 articles were selected as the final sample size related to the AI and metaverse literature. Furthermore, the TCCM and environmental, social and governance (ESG) frameworks were used to present the theoretical perspectives. Findings This study found that little investigation has been performed in the context of how AI and the metaverse contribute to the value creation of customer experience. The ESG perspectives have been discovered, which further confirms the need for using innovative immersive technology for social and environmental sustainability. Prior studies were centred on either AI or the metaverse and were primarily related to general themes rather than e-commerce customer experience. China (eight studies) was the leading country that performed research related to this domain, followed by other countries such as Singapore (four studies), India (three studies), South Korea (three studies) and the United Kingdom (three studies). Research limitations/implications The present study extends theoretical knowledge in the extant literature on AI and the metaverse. This can further support scholars and researchers in their academic and research initiatives in the context of their respective studies. This study is based on a systematic literature review approach and used solely the Web of Science electronic database. Future research must study and design concepts considering scenarios of what would happen if AI and the metaverse were implemented in diverse industries and contextual settings. Originality/value The present study contributes to the existing body of knowledge by shedding light on integrating AI and the metaverse, considering the perspectives of the TCCM and ESG frameworks to investigate the value creation of customer experience by enriching the knowledge economy.

The integration of satellites and aerial network nodes with the terrestrial fifth-generation (5G) and beyond-5G cellular networks can provide truly global connectivity coverage. The resulting non-terrestrial networks (NTNs) require multi-dimensional enhancements and innovations. Focusing on the NTN propagation channel modelling aspects, this work investigates the impacts of the satellite altitudes, elevation angles and carrier frequencies on the free space path loss, shadow fading, clutter loss and Doppler shifts. The results show that the elevation angle impacts the path loss and Doppler shift significantly. The results also show that the aggregated path losses for very low Earth orbit (VLEO) satellites are lower than those of the low Earth orbit (LEO) satellites due to the lower altitudes of VLEOs. However, the results also show that VLEOs experience higher Doppler shifts than LEOs which have impacts on the channel fading characteristics. The results provide valuable insights on the NTN channels for a balanced tradeoff in system design as VLEOs continue to attract significant interests for NTN deployments.

Abstract Oncological immunotherapy, particularly immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs), has transformed the therapeutic paradigm of cancer. However, its clinical implementation is not without challenges, with immune-mediated adverse events representing one of the main limitations. Although the overall incidence of these events is relatively low, their potential severity warrants close monitoring. Among the most concerning manifestations are neurological complications which can lead to significant morbidity and mortality. Materials and METHODS Retrospective review was conducted on neurological adverse events (NAEs) diagnosed at our center between 2022 and 2025. Data were obtained through analysis of medical records and the institutional database. RESULTS 10 patients developed NAEs; 4 were female (40%) and 6 male (60%). 3 patients (30%) developed myasthenic syndrome, 2 (20%) myositis, 2 (20%) encephalitis, 1 (10%) hypophysitis, 1 (10%) peripheral neuropathy, and 1 (10%) pachymeningeal-enhancement. Oncological treatment: 7 patients (70%) were receiving combination therapy involving more than one ICI, while 2 patients (20%) were on monotherapy. In one case (10%), it was not possible to confirm whether the patient was receiving monotherapy or combination. All patients (100%) were being treated with an anti-PD-1. 2 patients (20%) received a combination of anti-PD-1 and anti-LAG3, and 4 patients (40%) a combination of anti-PD-1 and anti-CTLA-4. In one patient (10%), the treatment regimen could not be confirmed as monotherapy or combination therapy. Clinical outcome: 7 patients experienced complete recovery. The remaining 3 died, all of whom had encephalitis, resulting in a 100% mortality rate for this NAE. CONCLUSIONS NAEs associated with ICIs are uncommon but may be potentially fatal or disabling. Therefore, early recognition and timely initiation of appropriate treatment are crucial. It is recommended that centers treating patients with ICIs incorporate neuro-oncologists into their teams. This is particularly important as many patients do not exhibit typical clinical features or specific biomarkers, complicating diagnosis.

Abstract We evaluated genetic markers for feed efficiency and immunocompetence in 108 crossbred steers (217 ± 8.2 kg) fed a high-forage total mixed ration for 35 days, using GrowSafe8000 intake nodes to calculate residual feed intake (RFI). From the 20 most efficient (low-RFI) and 20 least efficient (high-RFI) animals, we genotyped three metabolic loci (CYP3A4 rs438103222, PLB1 rs456635825, CRAT rs876019788) and profiled blood mRNA levels of these plus eight innate/adaptive immune genes. Logistic regression revealed that CYP3A4 and PLB1 polymorphisms—but not CRAT—were strongly associated with initial and final body weight, average daily gain, and feed intake: CYP3A4 A/A and PLB1 A-allele carriers achieved superior growth on reduced feed. Haplotype reconstruction across the three loci defined eight multi-SNP combinations, with the C-A-A haplotype enriched in low-RFI steers and combinations harboring CYP3A4 A and PLB1 A alleles linked to low RFI. Intriguingly, these favorable genotypes also overlapped with up-regulation of immune sensors and effectors (e.g., CD14, TLR4, TNF-α), indicating a coordinated metabolic–immune adaptation in efficient cattle. Collectively, our results validate CYP3A4 and PLB1 as high-impact quantitative trait nucleotides for marker-assisted selection aimed at simultaneously improving feed efficiency and immune resilience in beef production.

We investigated the changes in the PBMC transcriptome profile of beef steers with divergent residual feed intake (RFI) following in vitro LPS stimulation. Negative-RFI beef steers (n =8, RFI= -2.00) and positive-RFI beef steers (n = 8, RFI = +1.59) were identified from a group of 40 crossbred beef steers (average BW = 360 ± 7.3 kg) after a 56-d RFI testing period. Whole blood samples were collected for PBMC extraction and were stimulated for 2 hours with LPS, followed by total RNA extraction and sequencing. The gene expression profiles of LPS-stimulated PBMCs and the LPS-unstimulated control group from negative- or positive- RFI beef steers were compared and analyzed. Differentially expressed genes were determined using FDR ≤ 0.05. In negative-RFI beef steers, there were 37 differentially expressed genes; the expression of 28 genes such as CD14, TREM1, THBS1, S100A12, S100A8, S100A9, CXCL5, IL1RN, and CCL20 were downregulated, whereas expression of 9 genes including CCL22, CD83, TRAF1, NFKBIZ, RSG16, CD60, and IL17A were upregulated in LPS-stimulated PBMC. In positive-RFI beef steers, we found 9 differentially expressed genes (CCL22, CD83, NFKBIZ, E1BK63, TRAF1, BCL2A1, IFNLR1, RSG16, and CD40), all of which were all upregulated. Gene ontology analysis of the differentially expressed genes revealed the enrichment of biological pathways related to defense and innate immune response, cell migration, and cellular response to lipopolysaccharide in negative-RFI beef steers, characteristic of a prompt and efficient immune reaction. In positive-RFI beef steers, biological processes associated with T cell activation and differentiation, positive regulation of adaptive immune response, and immune cell surface receptors were differentially enriched. Taken together, these findings suggest that negative-RFI beef steers may possess a more competent and energy-conserving immune response, marked by a quicker resolution of inflammation and a balanced pro- and anti-inflammatory response. These results enhance the understanding of the molecular mechanisms underlying feed efficiency, highlighting the potential role of immunocompetence in improving livestock productivity.

With daily emergence of new digital products, educators often seek new technology for instruction. However, we seldom exhaust the capabilities of the technology already in our possession. Instruction services librarians and other educators may integrate progressive projects, learning objects, and instruction methods into instruction by employing existing tools to their full extent. One often overlooked technology is Microsoft OneNote. Serving as a digital notebook, OneNote is flexible and provides organizational support to emerging young adults beginning their research lives. This article provides perspective on applying OneNote as an organizational tool for research project management among undergraduate students.

Abstract This study examines the hegemonic discourses surrounding USAID’s leadership in post-Ebola Liberia between 2015 and 2020. Using documents and critical discourse analysis, the study finds that USAID’s overarching goal of empowering Liberians, especially women, was primarily on humanitarian grounds. However, the study revealed the significant extent to which ideological and political economic assumptions influenced USAID’s prioritization of Liberia in the fight against Ebola in West Africa. These findings call for advancing research on the concept of national interest in international development discourse and practice, as well as the political economy of aid to sub-Saharan Africa from a neocolonialist lens.

Cybersecurity remains a paramount concern in our rapidly evolving technological era.This paper supplies a comprehensive study of honeypots, a crucial tool in modern cybersecurity.This exploration examines the purpose, concepts, diverse types, advantages, disadvantages, and challenges associated with honeypots.Consequently, this paper offers a clear understanding of how honeypots function as a decoy system strategically placed within networks to prevent, detect, and gather information about malicious actors and activities.

This paper analyses international migrants’ experiences of work life in their new locations specifically from the perspective of how these experiences are (co-)shaped by language. Based on an exploratory qualitative study conducted in the German-speaking part of Switzerland, we identify commonalities and differences between different types of migrants’, ranging from highly qualified self-initiated expatriates to recognized refugees. The findings show that: 1) Limitations on the job market and the need to find a niche as well as the role of the national context, e.g., in the form of prevalent language ideologies, affect all migrants, 2) a hierarchy of languages creates status differences between migrants, which sometimes intersect with nationality- or culture-related preconceptions. We then discuss the implications for conceptualizations of language proficiency and for language expectations towards migrants. Keywords: Migration, migrant, language-sensitive IB, fluency, intersection, employment, work life