Future Research Directions Research Articles

Forecasting of cryptocurrencies: Mapping trends, influential sources, and research themes

AbstractThis systematic literature review examines cryptocurrency forecasting trends, influential sources, and research themes. Following PRISMA guidelines, 168 articles from Q1 or A‐tier journals in the Scopus database were analyzed using bibliometric techniques. The findings reveal a significant increase in cryptocurrency forecasting research output since 2017, particularly in 2021. “Finance Research Letters” emerges as the most productive journal, whereas “Economics Letters” receives the highest number of citations. Elie Bouri is identified as the most prolific author, and China is the top contributor country. Key research themes include bitcoin, cryptocurrency, volatility, forecasting, machine learning, investments, and blockchain. Future research directions involve utilizing internet search‐based measures, time‐varying mixture models, economic policy uncertainty, expert predictions, machine learning algorithms, and analyzing cryptocurrency risk. This review contributes unique insights into the field's growth, influential sources, and collaborative structures and offers a foundation for advancing methodology and enhancing cryptocurrency forecasting models.

Zinc ion Batteries: Bridging the Gap from Academia to Industry for Grid-Scale Energy Storage.

Zinc ion batteries (ZIBs) exhibit significant promise in the next generation of grid-scale energy storage systems owing to their safety, relatively high volumetric energy density, and low production cost. Despite substantial advancements in ZIBs, a comprehensive evaluation of critical parameters impacting their practical energy density (Epractical) and calendar life is lacking. Hence, we suggest using formulation-based study as a scientific tool to accurately calculate the cell-level energy density and predict the cycling life of ZIBs. By combining all key battery parameters, such as the capacity ratio of negative to positive electrode (N/P), into one formula, we assess their impact on Epractical. When all parameters are optimized, we urge to achieve the theoretical capacity for a high Epractical. Furthermore, we propose a formulation that correlates the N/P and Coulombic efficiency of ZIBs for predicting their calendar life. Finally, we offer a comprehensive overview of current advancements in ZIBs, covering cathode and anode, along with practical evaluations. This Minireview outlines specific goals, suggests future research directions, and sketches prospects for designing efficient and high-performing ZIBs. It aims at bridging the gap from academia to industry for grid-scale energy storage.

(229) Late Life Male Virgins: Exploring the Psycho-Social-Sexual Consequences of Sexual Inexperience in Cisgender American Males Seeking Sex Therapy

Abstract Introduction Reports on past studies about male sexuality, as it compares to women’s, indicate that men have higher sex drives, more positive attitudes toward casual or uncommitted sexual encounters, being more eager to engage in a variety of sexual activities, having more positive emotional responses to intercourse and having higher value regarding sexual experience and activity than women. Although the literature and cultural norms have perpetuated the myth of the sexual male, there is a dearth of literature regarding male virginity, specifically, late life male virginity, and its impacts on psycho-social-sexual health. Objective To investigate the experiences of later in life male virgins and the effects of their sexual status on their psycho-social-sexual health. To provide new insight into late life male virgins' assumptions, feelings, and gender role expectations and their perceptions on how those impact their attainability of sexual interactions and romantic relationships. To increase awareness among clinicians regarding the need for targeted interventions for late life male virgins in clinical practice. Methods This exploratory qualitative research was based on the case studies of five cisgender heterosexual men in the United States of America, who were late life virgins at the time of the study (defined as men 45 years and older, with no previous sexual experiences or interactions with the opposite sex) who sought Sex Therapy and Surrogate Partner Therapy to assist in their objective to acquire social and sexual skills with the goal of having their sexual debut. Results The common themes that stemmed from the case studies revealed that: 1) although the men in the study were able to achieve academic and professional status, they felt flawed and out of the norm due to their virginity status; 2) all the men hid their sexual inexperience from peers and family due to shame and fear of negative consequences to their reputation and even professional loss; and 3) made evident the challenges these men face while navigating social and sexual experiences later in life; 4) underscored the damaging effects of myths, stereotypes and societal expectations around male sexuality; and 5) highlighted the lack of information, education and therapeutic tools that could help guide late life male virgins in their pursuit to exercise their sexuality. Conclusions The study provides a greater understanding of the challenges and issues late life male virgins face in their quest to reach their sexual debut and live satisfactory sex lives that meet their particular needs. The themes offer guidance for the development and implementation of sex therapy interventions that will help this specific cohort, as well as directions for future research. Disclosure No.

Replying to Pharaoh’s Order


 
 
 It is a curious fact that the reverse surface of many of the so-called Amarna letters sent by Levantine rulers to the Egyptian pharaoh are completely blank or only partially inscribed. In this article, I establish the absolute and relative frequency of the phenomenon within this subcorpus of the Amarna letters. Next, I connect it to a particular type of letter sent by the Levantine rulers that I designate a “replies-to- an-order” letter and offer a suggestion as to why the Egyptian administration may have requested that these letters have blank space on the reverse surface. Finally, I consider one possible origin for the phenomenon in other cuneiform corpora and end the article with a few comments on directions for future research.
 
 

Evaluation of a police training programme designed to enhance open-ended questions with adult witnesses

The current study evaluated a new training programme developed for generalist police who interview adults. It was designed to enhance officers’ use of open-ended questions with adult witnesses. The programme included all key training activities that had been used in successful earlier training evaluation studies related to the interviewing of child complainants of abuse. A total of 90 officers (recruits, n = 26; frontline, n = 37; and investigators, n = 27), completed the course over 6–12 weeks and their standardised mock interviews were analysed for open-ended question usage as well as auxiliary behaviours designed to support a narrative. Interviewer performance increased over time from baselines of 6–18% open-ended questions to 70–76% following the programme. Although there was a drop in performance at least 6 months after the training ceased (with no intervening follow-up sessions) ( M = 9.02, SD = 3.07), performance was still significantly better than baseline, and the improvements in open-ended question usage were associated with improvement in broader interviewer behaviours known to enhance narrative detail such as the use of minimal encouragers. The practical implications of these findings and directions for future research are discussed.

Large language models and generative AI in telehealth: a responsible use lens.

This scoping review aims to assess the current research landscape of the application and use of large language models (LLMs) and generative Artificial Intelligence (AI), through tools such as ChatGPT in telehealth. Additionally, the review seeks to identify key areas for future research, with a particular focus on AI ethics considerations for responsible use and ensuring trustworthy AI. Following the scoping review methodological framework, a search strategy was conducted across 6 databases. To structure our review, we employed AI ethics guidelines and principles, constructing a concept matrix for investigating the responsible use of AI in telehealth. Using the concept matrix in our review enabled the identification of gaps in the literature and informed future research directions. Twenty studies were included in the review. Among the included studies, 5 were empirical, and 15 were reviews and perspectives focusing on different telehealth applications and healthcare contexts. Benefit and reliability concepts were frequently discussed in these studies. Privacy, security, and accountability were peripheral themes, with transparency, explainability, human agency, and contestability lacking conceptual or empirical exploration. The findings emphasized the potential of LLMs, especially ChatGPT, in telehealth. They provide insights into understanding the use of LLMs, enhancing telehealth services, and taking ethical considerations into account. By proposing three future research directions with a focus on responsible use, this review further contributes to the advancement of this emerging phenomenon of healthcare AI.

Artificial intelligence, virtual and augmented reality, social media, online reviews, and influencers: a review of how service businesses use promotional devices and future research directions

Today’s rapidly changing digital environments require service ­businesses to have a greater understanding of digital media as new forms of digital communication shift how companies interact with customers and enable service businesses to deliver service information and customer experiences more effectively. This article reviews the literature on online advertising and marketing for services, with a focus on the hospitality, tourism, and travel (HTT) industry. Specifically, the current article proposes six important research agendas related to service businesses, mainly focusing on the roles of 1) online reviews, 2) social media, 3) artificial intelligence and computational advertising, 4) virtual reality and augmented reality, 5) influencers, and 6) theoretical considerations of service marketing. This article sets up an agenda for future research directions by discussing 1) new technologies, 2) cross-cultural research in service businesses, and 3) ethical and diversity considerations.

“Where are the pediatricians in all this?”: Family perspectives on the role of pediatricians in mental healthcare and suicide prevention

Rising rates of youth anxiety, depression, and suicide mean that pediatricians are increasingly likely to encounter children struggling with their mental health in their clinical practices. Despite pediatric professional organizations encouraging pediatricians to contribute more to mental healthcare and suicide prevention, research on the role of pediatricians and whether families consider them a resource is limited. Drawing on original survey (N = 1230) and interview data (N = 102), we investigate how families conceptualize and involve pediatricians in their children’s mental healthcare, including during suicidal crises. Our survey data show that while families considered mental health professionals the ideal point of contact, pediatricians were a close second, confirming that families view pediatricians as a mental health resource. Parent interviews clarify that parents most often turn to pediatricians for medication and referrals to other mental health professionals or because mental health professionals were inaccessible. We also examine how pediatricians helped (by connecting families promptly to appropriate care) or hurt (by stigmatizing suicide or by providing interventions associated with harm) during a child’s suicidal crisis. We conclude by emphasizing the importance of proper suicide prevention training for pediatricians, as well as suggesting directions for future research.

(238) Hyaluronic Acid in Urology: Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Abstract Introduction Introduction: The use of hyaluronic acid (HA) as a non-surgical treatment for various pathological and cosmetic conditions within urology has been of great interest in recent literature. HA has been studied for use in several conditions including Peyronie’s disease, penile size augmentation, and premature ejaculation. Currently, HA is not first-line or standard therapy for any of these conditions; however, it has been increasingly utilized in clinical practice. Objective To provide an updated review and meta-analysis of the current state of hyaluronic acid use in urology, characterize its adverse effects, as well as briefly discuss future directions of research for HA in urology. Methods Multiple PubMed search strategies were run utilizing search terms, including: “hyaluronic acid”, “penile OR penis”, “augmentation”, “injection”, “enhancement”, “Peyronie disease”, “penile fibromatosis”, “premature ejaculation”, “cosmetic urology OR genital cosmetic”, “men’s health”, and “penile diseases” among other related iterations. Relevant data extracted included mean and standard deviation (for both pre- and post-HA injection or control treatment): International Index of Erectile Function (IIEF-5) score, intravaginal ejaculatory latency (IELT), glandular circumference/girth, erect penile girth, and plaque size Results Our search strategies yielded 136 studies of which 33 studies were included for systematic review (Figure 1). Among all studies, complications were generally rare with the procedure. 4 studies reported penile ecchymosis and a study reported paresthesia and numbness. There was 1 case report of glans penis necrosis, two of abscess formation, one of acute hypersensitivity reaction, and one of sepsis secondary to HA injection, which represented the most serious complications reported. Several studies also reported irregular nodule formation, which resolved with time or mild pressure application. In the metanalysis, 16 studies were included. IELT, penile girth, glans circumference, and IIEF-5 were all significantly increased on a fixed-effects model. 9 studies examined the change in IELT after HA injection, with an effect size of 2.335 [2.147,2.522], p-value= <0.001 (figure 2). Regardless of intent of study, 4 studies reported increase in glans circumference (figure 3) with effect size: 2.3 [2.066, 2.534], p-value= <0.001. Similarly, 4 studies showed increase in penile girth (figure 4) with effect size: 1.729 [1.504, 1.954], p-value = <0.001. 3 studies demonstrated IIEF-5 improvement with effect size: 0.996 [0.739–1.252], p-value= <0.001. With only 2 studies reporting pre- and post-op plaque length while others reporting the mean reduction in plaque amount, the plaque size was generally reduced after HA treatment, but this was not statistically significant, p-value= 0.069 with effect size: -0.252 [-0.524, 0.019]. It should be noted that of the 26 primary studies (excluding the 7 case reports), only 7 studies were randomized, controlled studies while others were either retrospective or single arm in nature. Conclusions While the use of HA in urology shows promising results in terms of efficacy and minimal side effects, there is a need for more randomized controlled trials to validate its potential advantages. Future research should focus on optimizing treatment protocols and exploring the expertise of sexual medicine specialists in administering HA therapy. Disclosure No.

Bibliometric analysis of publications on osteoarticular brucellosis

Objectives: The aim of this investigation was to undertake a thorough bibliometric analysis of publications between 1991 and 2022 to scrutinize and comprehend the research landscape of osteoarticular brucellosis, a zoonotic infection that affects bones and joints. Methods: We scrutinized the distribution of publications by various criteria, including country, institution, author, and journal. Furthermore, we executed citation analysis, established collaboration networks, and performed keyword co-occurrence analysis. Results: Our examination discovered 432 documents on this topic indexed in the Web of Science database, with a noticeable surge in publications over time. Turkey, the United States, and Iran were the leading nations in terms of research output. The University of Buenos Aires emerged as the most productive institution. The primary research areas were General Internal Medicine, Infectious Diseases, and Rheumatology. The primary beneficiary of this research was Agencia Nacional de Promoción Científica y Tecnológica (ANPCyT). Conclusions: This study furnishes valuable insights into worldwide research endeavors on osteoarticular brucellosis. These insights can steer future research directions, emphasizing the necessity for sustained collaboration and funding support to tackle this significant public health issue.

A comprehensive literature review of the digital business ecosystem and digital business model with comparison in China, Japan and South Korea

ABSTRACT Digitalization has led to new value co-creation networks in the form of digital business ecosystems and digital business models. This paper systematically analyses the research on digital business ecosystems and digital business models by applying the bibliometric analysis method to investigate current research on cooperation networks and clusters. We have found that the current research can be mainly divided into the following topics: the adoption of digital technologies, digital innovation and digital transition, platforms and the sharing economy, dynamic capabilities and sustainable development. Additionally, we further analyse future research directions and compare research hotspots in the Asia Pacific region.

New Horizons in Understanding and Developing Treatments for Human Reproductive Physiology

This comprehensive review delves into the cutting-edge advancements and emerging trends in the field of human reproductive physiology. It aims to shed light on the intricate processes governing human reproduction and the novel therapeutic approaches being developed to address various reproductive health issues. The review begins with a detailed exploration of the fundamental aspects of human reproductive systems, including hormonal regulation, gametogenesis, and the genetic underpinnings of reproductive functions. Significant attention is given to recent breakthroughs in treating infertility, highlighting new findings in both male and female reproductive health. The review discusses the evolution and current state of assisted reproductive technologies (ART), such as IVF, and their increasingly successful application in overcoming infertility. Furthermore, it explores the potential of personalized medicine in tailoring treatments to individual reproductive disorders, considering genetic, environmental, and lifestyle factors. Innovations in contraceptive technologies and their implications for reproductive health management are also examined. The review extends into the realm of reproductive genetics, emphasizing how genomic studies have enhanced our understanding of reproductive disorders and congenital anomalies. Ethical, social, and legal considerations surrounding the latest reproductive technologies are critically analyzed, recognizing the complex interplay between scientific advancements and societal norms. The review concludes by identifying future research directions, underscoring the importance of interdisciplinary approaches in advancing our understanding and treatment of human reproductive physiology. This article serves as a vital resource for researchers, clinicians, and policymakers, offering a comprehensive overview of the current landscape and future prospects in human reproductive health and medicine.

A survey of Polish ASR speech datasets

Abstract Access to speech datasets is essential for the effective use of modern ASR systems in low-resource languages like Polish. However, the lack of centralized information and metadata describing available datasets poses a significant challenge to researchers and practitioners. In this paper, we address this issue by presenting the most comprehensive survey of Polish ASR speech datasets to date. We manually curated information on 53 publicly available datasets and annotated them with 61 attributes, providing a comprehensive catalog of these resources. The catalog facilitates the discovery and evaluation of available datasets, enabling researchers to identify datasets that suit their specific needs. It also enables the identification of gaps in the existing datasets, which may inform future research directions. The catalog is open and community-driven, which means that new data sets can be added and issues can be reported, ensuring its continued relevance and usefulness to the ASR community. Our work contributes to improving the accessibility and usability of ASR systems in low-resource languages such as Polish.

Process of Self-Leadership: Establishing Yourself as Leader No Matter Your Role

As the field of early intervention/early childhood special education (EI/ECSE) focuses intently on building, supporting, and sustaining leaders across varying contexts and roles, this study introduced the concept of self-leadership to EI/ECSE self-identified leaders. The research explores differences in self-rated skills based on role, analyzes themes of goals for developing self-leadership skills, and analyzes the measurability of goals set by participants. Fifty-six participants completed the Abbreviated Self-Leadership Questionnaire (ASLQ) (Houghton, Dawley, & DiLiello, 2012), self-rated their own skills, and identified leadership goals. Results show that participants scored themselves highest on evaluating beliefs and assumptions about self-leadership. Self-identified goals resulted in three primary themes (administrative tasks, relationship building and coaching, and growth in learning). Directions for future research, policy, and recommendations for practice are discussed.

Achieving sustainable development with sustainable packaging: A natural‐resource‐based view perspective

AbstractSustainable packaging is a pivotal aspect of sustainable development, involving multi‐faceted issues such as stakeholder management and environmental policy compliance. Despite the efforts to find packaging solutions, the extant literature is largely fragmented, featuring a high level of heterogeneity among studies that spread across different disciplines, with the majority examining important packaging issues in isolation. A study that systematically consolidates findings of different important areas of sustainable packaging implementation is lacking. This challenges companies' adoption of research findings in business strategy development. Thus, this paper conducts a systematic literature review combining keyword co‐occurrence analysis, thematic analysis and qualitative content analysis to uncover major research domains, consolidate important findings and reveal unsolved research gaps, which are crucial to advancing sustainable packaging management. The findings reveal four major research domains: (1) sustainable packaging materials and properties, (2) management practices of sustainable packaging, (3) consumer behaviours towards sustainable packaging and (4) packaging waste management. Drawing on the natural‐resource‐based view (NRBV) theory and the review findings, this study proposes four future research directions: (1) identifying ways to enhance the commercialisation of sustainable packaging technological innovations, (2) uncovering reasons for insufficient social aspect investigation in sustainable packaging research, (3) exploring strategies to enhance stakeholder integration in sustainable packaging management and (4) examining contingency factors of packaging waste management effectiveness. The research agenda is important to provide practical and managerial insights for business strategy development in sustainable packaging to achieve pollution prevention, product stewardship and sustainable development capabilities to gain future growth and competitive advantage.

Home advantage and the influence of officiating decisions

Even after decades of research, it is largely unclear how the various factors that cause the home advantage act and interact with one another. This paper provides an updated narrative review of the home advantage in sports, with a particular interest in the impact of refereeing. We used multiple sources for data collection and limited our search to peer-reviewed journals. Detailed information was extracted and documented from each of the retrieved articles. Bibliometric data were also calculated and assessed to evaluate the evolution of research in this field. The findings of this review show that home advantage is elevated in certain type of sports and due to properties of the crowd. In particular, the social pressure of the home crowds has direct and indirect effects on both home advantage and referee bias. Studies on games played in empty stadiums provided significant evidence for a reduced referee bias, and a decline in athlete-related variables. Several potential directions for future research emerged from this review. More research on the home advantage in women's sports, in individual sports, and at lower levels of play is warranted. These efforts will contribute to further extend our understanding of this fascinating phenomenon.

Research Progress in Nanoparticle Inhibitors for Crude Oil Asphaltene Deposition.

Currently, the alteration of external factors during crude oil extraction easily disrupts the thermodynamic equilibrium of asphaltene, resulting in the continuous flocculation and deposition of asphaltene molecules in crude oil. This accumulation within the pores of reservoir rocks obstructs the pore throat, hindering the efficient extraction of oil and gas, and consequently, affecting the recovery of oil and gas resources. Therefore, it is crucial to investigate the principles of asphaltene deposition inhibition and the synthesis of asphaltene inhibitors. In recent years, the development of nanotechnology has garnered significant attention due to its unique surface and volume effects. Nanoparticles possess a large specific surface area, high adsorption capacity, and excellent suspension and catalytic abilities, exhibiting unparalleled advantages compared with traditional organic asphaltene inhibitors, such as sodium dodecyl benzene sulfonate and salicylic acid. At present, there are three primary types of nanoparticle inhibitors: metal oxide nanoparticles, organic nanoparticles, and inorganic nonmetal nanoparticles. This paper reviews the recent advancements and application challenges of nanoparticle asphaltene deposition inhibition technology based on the mechanism of asphaltene deposition and nano-inhibitors. The aim was to provide insights for ongoing research in this field and to identify potential future research directions.

Research Progress on the Degradation of Organic Pollutants in Water by Activated Persulfate Using Biochar-Loaded Nano Zero-Valent Iron.

Biochar (BC) is a new type of carbon material with a high specific surface area, porous structure, and good adsorption capacity, which can effectively adsorb and enrich organic pollutants. Meanwhile, nano zero-valent iron (nZVI) has excellent catalytic activity and can rapidly degrade organic pollutants through reduction and oxidation reactions. The combined utilization of BC and nZVI can not only give full play to their advantages in the adsorption and catalytic degradation of organic pollutants, but also help to reduce the agglomeration of nZVI, thus improving its efficiency in water treatment and providing strong technical support for water resources protection and environmental quality improvement. This article provides a detailed introduction to the preparation method and characterization technology, reaction mechanism, influencing factors, and specific applications of BC and nZVI, and elaborates on the research progress of BC-nZVI in activating persulfate (PS) to degrade organic pollutants in water. It has been proven experimentally that BC-nZVI can effectively remove phenols, dyes, pesticides, and other organic pollutants. Meanwhile, in response to the existing problems in current research, this article proposes future research directions and challenges, and summarizes the application prospects and development trends of BC-nZVI in water treatment. In summary, BC-nZVI-activated PS is an efficient technology for degrading organic pollutants in water, providing an effective solution for protecting water resources and improving environmental quality, and has significant application value.

Teachers’ Emotion Regulation Strategies in Online Teaching Mode

Online teaching mode has been prevalent during the COVID-19 period, which brings both advantages and challenges for teachers. The challenges associated with online teaching have resulted in negative emotional experiences for teachers and led to adverse consequences. However, there is limited research on how teachers use emotion regulation strategies in online teaching environments. Drawing on Gross’s emotion regulation model, this study evaluates the applicability of two major emotion regulation strategies (cognitive reappraisal and expressive suppression) in the context of online education. The findings indicate that traditional emotion regulation strategies are partially effective but also have certain limitations. Consequently, this paper proposes mindfulness as an emerging emotion regulation strategy that holds promise for addressing the challenges in online education. It emphasizes the significance of understanding teacher emotions in online teaching and provides suggestions and directions for future research.

When mass meets prestige: The impact of symbolic motivations, inspirations, and purchase intentions for Masstige products

Luxury brands are increasingly targeting the middle class through ‘masstige marketing’ as the trendy business opportunity,' which combines luxury and mass appeal. This strategy aims to make high-end brands more accessible to a wider audience, catering to the desires and preferences of the middle class. Grounded in the Mass Prestige (Masstige) theory, this study examines the direct and indirect impact of Symbolic motivations (snob, Veblen, and bandwagon) on Masstige Purchase Intention (MPI) via Inspiration Towards Masstige (ITM) as a mediator. Moreover, the contingent impact of Brand Credibility (BC) between ITM and MPI was assessed. Two independent studies were conducted among consumers of clothing and car brands. Results supported all the hypothesized paths reflecting symbolic motivations as important predictors of MPI directly and through the underlying mechanism of ITM. However, significant differences were observed in the impact size of the Veblen and bandwagon motivations on ITM and MPI among clothing and car brand consumers. Moreover, results revealed that BC significantly interacts with ITM to augment the MPI in both studies. However, this contingent impact was stronger to enhance MPI among the consumers of car brands than clothing brands. Furthermore, study implications and future research directions are presented in detail.