bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Analysis and perception of Instagram posts referring to diastasis recti abdominis, exercise and sports-related content: a mixed-method study protocol
Authors: Giagio S , Rial Rebullido T , Salvioli S , Innocenti T , Pillastrini P , Moore IS , Donnelly GM
Published: July 2023

Objectives

This study will evaluate the health information posted in Instagram (IG) concerning in diastasis recti abdominis (DRA), exercise and sports, and it will explore how IG content is perceived and impacts the daily lives of women with DRA.

Methods

A convergent parallel mixed methods design will be used. Through an observational study, public IG posts content written in English language will be descriptively analysed and reviewed using the QUality Evaluation Scoring Tool (QUEST) criteria. We will extract data on exercise and sport suggestions for women with DRA, along with any proposed indications and contraindications.

Eligible women with a diagnosis of DRA will be recruited via a worldwide e-survey using Qualtrics, and invited to take part to one-to-one interviews via Microsoft Teams. Semi-structured interviews will aim to explore their IG use and their perceptions on information related to DRA, exercise, and sports. Descriptive and thematic analysis will be conducted.

Implications

The availability and quality of information on social media are becoming increasingly important aspects of patient care. For sports medicine and women’s health clinicians, the findings of the present study will give an overview of DRA content that are easily accessible to women, underscoring the related posts characteristics. Furthermore, results could impact clinical practice by providing clinicians with a better understanding of patients’ perceptions and beliefs from IG DRA content, with the ultimate aim of better engaging with them and dispelling any potential misconceptions.
Plasma cfDNA analysis can be facilitated by membrane based filtration of whole blood regardless of additive
Authors: Marra Amanda N. , van den Boom Dirk , Ehrich Mathias , Ellison Christopher K.
Published: July 2023

Cell-free DNA (cfDNA) has emerged as a pivotal biomarker for various noninvasive screening applications such as noninvasive prenatal screening, minimum residual disease monitoring, and transplant rejection prediction. However, the efficacy of these applications is heavily reliant on the detection of minority nucleic acid species amidst a vast background of host DNA. Therefore, it is crucial to prevent the dilution of the desired cfDNA signal with genomic DNA originating from white blood cell (WBC) degradation. The most commonly adopted sample collection methods prevent WBC lysis by either adding a stabilizing agent to the collection tube, like Streck, or through immediate centrifugation following the collection of whole blood. In this study, we propose an alternative for plasma sample collection that involves membrane based filtration of plasma from cellular blood components at the point of collection. Our findings demonstrate that cfDNA recovered using this method performs equally or better compared to conventional methods and enables the implementation of novel and more accessible blood collection procedures.
Rare GPR37L1 variants reveal potential roles in anxiety and migraine disorders
Authors: Breitwieser Gerda E. , Cippitelli Andrea , Wang Yingcai , Pelletier Oliver , Dershem Ridge , Wei Jianning , Toll Lawrence , Fakhoury Bianca , Brunori Gloria , Metpally Raghu , Carey David J. ,   the Regeneron Genetics Center, Robishaw Janet
Published: July 2023

GPR37L1 is an orphan receptor that couples through heterotrimeric G-proteins to regulate physiological functions. Since its role in humans is not fully defined, we used an unbiased computational approach to assess the clinical significance of rareGPR37L1genetic variants found among 51,289 whole exome sequences from the DiscovEHR cohort. Briefly, rareGPR37L1coding variants were binned according to predicted pathogenicity, and analyzed by Sequence Kernel Association testing to reveal significant associations with disease diagnostic codes for epilepsy and migraine, among others. Since associations do not prove causality, rareGPR37L1variants were then functionally analyzed in SK-N-MC cells to evaluate potential signaling differences and pathogenicity. Notably, receptor variants exhibited varying abilities to reduce cAMP levels, activate MAPK signaling, and/or upregulate receptor expression in response to the agonist prosaptide (TX14(A)), as compared to the wild-type receptor. In addition to signaling changes, knockout of GPR37L1 or expression of certain rare variants altered cellular cholesterol levels, which were also acutely regulated by administration of the agonist TX14(A) via activation of the MAPK pathway. Finally, to simulate the impact of rare nonsense variants found in the large patient cohort, a knockout (KO) mouse line lackingGpr37L1was generated, revealing loss of this receptor produced sex-specific changes implicated in migraine-related disorders. Collectively, these observations define the existence of rare GPR37L1 variants in the human population that are associated with neuropsychiatric conditions and identify the underlying signaling changes that are implicated in thein vivoactions of this receptor in pathological processes leading to anxiety and migraine.

SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT

G-protein coupled receptors (GPCRs) represent a diverse group of membrane receptors that contribute to a wide range of diseases and serve as effective drug targets. However, a number of these receptors have no identified ligands or functions, i.e., orphan receptors. Over the past decade, advances have been made, but there is a need for identifying new strategies to reveal their roles in health and disease. Our results highlight the utility of rare variant analyses of orphan receptors for identifying human disease associations, coupled with functional analyses in relevant cellular and animal systems, to ultimately reveal their roles as novel drug targets for treatment of neurological disorders that lack wide-spread efficacy.
Pan-cancer analysis reveals embryonic and hematopoietic stem cell signatures to distinguish different cancer subtypes
Authors: Lei Jiali , Luo Jiangti , Liu Qian , Wang Xiaosheng
Published: July 2023

Purpose

Stem cells-like properties in cancer cells may confer cancer development and therapy resistance. With the advancement of multi-omics technology, the multi-omics-based exploration of cancer stemness has attracted certain interests. However, subtyping of cancer based on the combination of different types of stem cell signatures remains scarce.

Methods

In this study, 10,323 cancer specimens from 33 TCGA cancer types were clustered based on the enrichment scores of six stemness gene sets, representing two types of stem cell backgrounds: embryonic stem cells (ESCs) and hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs).

Results

We identified four subtypes of pan-cancer, termed StC1, StC2, StC3 and StC4, which displayed distinct molecular and clinical features, including stemness, genome integrity, intratumor heterogeneity, methylation levels, tumor microenvironment, tumor progression, chemotherapy and immunotherapy responses, and survival prognosis. This subtyping method for pan-cancer is reproducible at the protein level.

Conclusion

Our findings indicate that the ESC signature is an adverse prognostic factor, while the HSC signature and ratio of HSC/ESC signatures are positive prognostic factors in cancer. The ESC and HSC signatures-based subtyping of cancer may provide insights into cancer biology and clinical implications of cancer.
Validating models of TMS effects with concurrent TMS/fMRI
Authors: Petrov Petar I. , Vink Jord , Mandija Stefano , van den Berg Nico A.T. , Dijkhuizen Rick M. , Neggers Sebastiaan F.W.
Published: July 2023

The exact dose and spatial pattern of brain activation induced by transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) is of importance to all applications of TMS, both clinical and for investigational use. How TMS coils induce electrical fields has been investigated and validated by several groups, but models of how evoked currents interact with neuronal tissue and where activation is induced have hardly been validated empirically.

Here we propose a detailed model of TMS induced currents in the brain building on our previous work on different TMS coil models, taking into account various electromagnetic head tissue properties with finite element modeling and several competing macroscopic models of how brain activation is achieved by the TMS induced electrical field. Importantly, we validate these models using TMS coil discharges administered to the brain of 6 healthy volunteers inside a 3T MRI scanner, while acquiring functional MRI scans at the same time.

We conclude that the mere magnitude of the electric field in the cortical gray matter tissue near the stimulation site provides the best metric to predict neuronal activation as measured by BOLD fMRI, whereas models of brain activation taking into account orientation of E-fields with respect to the cortical columns and layers do not (yet) yield better predictions of neuronal activation induced by TMS.

This report is relevant for neuronavigated TMS approaches attempting to take into account evoked E-fields and neuronal activation to improve precision of TMS administration for clinical and investigational purposes.
Enhanced cellular longevity arising from environmental fluctuations
Authors: Liu Yuting , Zhou Zhen , Wu Songlin , Ni Gavin , Zhang Alex , Tsimring Lev S. , Hasty Jeff , Hao Nan
Published: July 2023

Cellular longevity is regulated by both genetic and environmental factors. However, the interactions of these factors in the context of aging remain largely unclear. Here, we formulate a mathematical model for dynamic glucose modulation of a core gene circuit in yeast aging, which not only guided the design of pro-longevity interventions, but also revealed the theoretical principles underlying these interventions. We introduce the dynamical systems theory to capture two general means for promoting longevity - the creation of a stable fixed point in the “healthy” state of the cell and the dynamic stabilization of the system around this healthy state through environmental oscillations. Guided by the model, we investigate how both of these can be experimentally realized by dynamically modulating environmental glucose levels. The results establish a paradigm for theoretically analyzing the trajectories and perturbations of aging that can be generalized to aging processes in diverse cell types and organisms.
High red/far-red ratio promotes root colonization ofSerratia plymuthicaA21-4 in tomato by root exudates-stimulated chemotaxis and biofilm formation
Authors: Guo Zhixin , Qin Yanping , Lv Jingli , Wang Xiaojie , Ye Ting , Dong Xiaoxing , Du Nanshan , Zhang Tao , Piao Fengzhi , Dong Han , Shen Shunshan
Published: July 2023

Effective colonization on plant roots is a prerequisite for plant growth promoting rhizobacterias (PGPR) to exert beneficial activities. Light is essential for plant growth, development and stress response. However, how light modulates root colonization of PGPR remains unclear. Here, we found that high red/far red(R/FR) light promoted and low R/FR light inhibited the colonization and growth enhancement ofSerratia plymuthicaA21-4 on tomato. Non-targeted metabolomic analysis of root exudates collected from different R/FR ratio treated tomato seedlings with A21-4 inoculation by ultra performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry showed that 64 primary metabolites including amino acids, sugars and organic acids in high R/FR light-grown plants significantly increased compared with those determined for low R/FR light-grown plants. Among them, 7 amino acids, 1 organic acid and 1 sugar obviously induced the chemotaxis and biofilm formation of A21-4 compared to the control. Furthermore, exogenous addition of five artificial root exudate compontents (leucine, methionine, glutamine, 6-aminocaproic acid and melezitose) regained and further increased the colonization and growth promoting ability of A21-4 in tomato under low R/FR light and high R/FR light, respectively, indicating their involvement in high R/FR light-regulated the interaction of tomato root and A21-4. Taken together, our results, for the first time, clearly demonstrate that high R/FR light-induced root exudates play a key role in chemotaxis, biofilm formation and root colonization of A21-4. This study provides new insights into the interactions of plant-PGPR under different light conditions and can help promote the combined application of light supplementation and PGPR to facilitate crop growth and health in green agricultural production.
Near infrared-light treatment alters mitochondrial homeostasis to induce senescence in breast cancer cells
Authors: Kalampouka I , Mould R R , Botchway S W , Mackenzie A , Nunn A V , Thomas E L , Bell J D
Published: July 2023

The application of near infrared (NIR)-light to living systems has been suggested as a potential method to enhance tissue repair, decrease inflammation, and possibly mitigate cancer therapy-associated side effects. In this study, we examined the effect of exposing three cell lines: breast cancer (MCF7), non-cancer breast cells (MCF10A), and lung fibroblasts (IMR-90), to 734 nm NIR-light for 20 minutes per day for six days, and measuring changes in cellular senescence. Positive senescent populations were induced using doxorubicin. Flow cytometry was used to assess relative levels of senescence together with mitochondria-related variables. Exposure to NIR-light significantly increased the level of senescence in MCF7 cells (13.5%; P<0.01), with no observable effects on MCF10A or IMR-90 cell lines. NIR-induced senescence was associated with significant changes in mitochondria homeostasis, including raised ROS level (36.0%; P<0.05) and mitochondrial membrane potential (14.9%; P<0.05), with no changes in mitochondrial Ca2+. These results suggest that NIR-light exposure can significantly arrest the proliferation of breast cancer cells via inducing senescence, while leaving non-cancerous cell lines unaffected.
Cooperative conformational transitions and the temperature dependence of enzyme catalysis
Authors: Walker Emma J. , Hamill Carlin J. , Crean Rory , Connolly Michael S. , Warrender Annmaree K. , Kraakman Kirsty L. , Prentice Erica J. , Steyn-Ross Alistair , Steyn-Ross Moira , Pudney Christopher R. , van der Kamp Marc W. , Schipper Louis A. , Mulholland Adrian J. , Arcus Vickery L.
Published: July 2023

Many enzymes display non-Arrhenius behaviour with curved Arrhenius plots in the absence of denaturation. There has been significant debate about the origin of this behaviour and recently the role of the activation heat capacityhas been widely discussed. If enzyme-catalysed reactions occur with appreciable negative values of(arising from narrowing of the conformational space along the reaction coordinate), then curved Arrhenius plots are a consequence. To investigate these phenomena in detail, we have collected high precision temperature-rate data over a wide temperature interval for a model glycosidase enzyme MalL, and a series of mutants that change the temperature-dependence of the enzyme-catalysed rate. We use these data to test a range of models including macromolecular rate theory (MMRT) and an equilibrium model. In addition, we have performed extensive molecular dynamics (MD) simulations to characterise the conformational landscape traversed by MalL in the enzyme-substrate complex and an enzyme-transition state complex. We have crystallised the enzyme in a transition state-like conformation in the absence of a ligand and determined an X-ray crystal structure at very high resolution (1.10 Å). We show (using simulation) that this enzyme-transition state conformation has a more restricted conformational landscape than the wildtype enzyme. We coin the term “transition state-like conformation (TLC)” to apply to this state of the enzyme. Together, these results imply a cooperative conformational transition between an enzyme-substrate conformation (ES) and a transition-state-like conformation (TLC) that precedes the chemical step. We present a two-state model as an extension of MMRT (MMRT-2S) that describes the data along with a convenient approximation with linear temperature dependence of the activation heat capacity (MMRT-1L) that can be used where fewer data points are available. Our model rationalises disparate behaviour seen for MalL and a thermophilic alcohol dehydrogenase and is consistent with a raft of data for other enzymes. Our model can be used to characterise the conformational changes required for enzyme catalysis and provides insights into the role of cooperative conformational changes in transition state stabilisation that are accompanied by changes in heat capacity for the system along the reaction coordinate. TLCs are likely to be of wide importance in understanding the temperature dependence of enzyme activity, and other aspects of enzyme catalysis.
Relationship between workplace bullying and work engagement: education sector of Pakistan
Authors: Hameed Farhina , Ambreen Ghazala , Awan Younus
Published: July 2023

Purpose

Bullying is an uncontrolled incident in today's global workplace and widely recognized as a major issue that has to be explained, addressed and resolved, both from a research and management aspect. However, it has a devastating impact on teacher performance thus a need to study its impact is crucial and integral. The study's purpose is to look into the impact of workplace bullying (WB) on work engagement (WE), as well as the influence of emotional exhaustion (EE) and psychological distress (PD) as mediators. Further, the study analyzed the role of emotional intelligence (EI) as a moderator for teacher's psychological distress and work engagement.

Design/methodology/approach

A quantitative approach was employed using 63 items and a 7-point Likert scale questionnaire administered to 366 teachers working in schools located in Islamabad. Data has been collected with the time lag method. Confirmatory Factor Analysis is employed to estimate factors whereas Structural Equation Modeling is executed to test hypotheses by using AMOS-23.

Findings

Results suggest that workplace bullying is significantly related to work engagement and this relationship is partially mediated by emotional exhaustion and psychological distress. Further, it confirmed the role of emotional intelligence as a moderator between psychological distress and work engagement.

Research limitations/implications

First of all, single-source data has been used (responses collected from teachers) which may raise issues regarding CMB thus, future studies might collect data at different levels for better generalizability. Secondly, the study is based on a convenience sampling technique thus the hypothesized model may not be generalized to the entire population. Thirdly, the study found four variables in total to measure the effect on work engagement, therefore, individual characteristics or personality traits can better capture the notion.

Practical implications

The finding of the study would be helpful for the educational sector as they are playing an integral part in our society and such dilemmas need to be addressed with possible solutions.

Originality/value

This is one of the few studies which measure the mediator and moderator both consecutively in measuring workplace bullying and work engagement in the educational sector of Pakistan.
Possibilities and limits of procedural and distributive justice in complex conflicts: a study of the Colombian peace process
Authors: Canal A. Margarita , Kesting Peter , Aponte Castro David , Smolinski Remigiusz
Published: July 2023

Purpose

Extensive empirical evidence suggests that procedural justice (PJ) and distributive justice (DJ) are key success factors for achieving durable peace negotiations. This paper aims to investigate how complexity affects these factors and the outcomes in negotiations.

Design/methodology/approach

The qualitative study is based on an examination of the peace negotiations that led to the 2016 agreement between the Fuerzas Armadas Revolucionarias de Colombia – Ejército del Pueblo and the Colombian Government. Based on document analysis, the authors examined in detail how and where in the process the principles of PJ and DJ were applied. The authors then examined the implementation progress after 2016 and placed the peace process in the overall context of the Colombian conflict.

Findings

The authors found that the principles of PJ and DJ were present in both the negotiation process and the agreement. The negotiations were successful and satisfactory solutions could be found for all issues. The complexity of the conflict is reflected in the limited coverage of the peace negotiations. Not all groups, interests and subconflicts could be included in the negotiations. This limits their contribution to a durable peace in Colombia. Conflicts that remain unresolved also have a negative effect on the implementation of the agreement.

Practical implications

For conflict management, this implies that the negotiations should not be viewed as “one-and-done” but rather as a progressive, ongoing process. The agreement is only the nucleus for achieving total peace. It must be actively advanced and defended.

Originality/value

This study offers new qualitative insights into how PJ and DJ function in negotiations. It also establishes a systematic connection between PJ and DJ and complexity, introduces the notion of coverage and, thereby, opens a new perspective on the management of conflict complexity.
Recommendations on developing an on-road fitness-to-drive route and test that incorporates an assessment for higher cognitive functioning
Authors: Stapleton Tadhg , Jetter Kirby , Commins Sean
Published: July 2023

Purpose

The purpose of this study was to provide an outline of the process of developing an on-road driving test route and rating form. Comprehensive evaluation of medical fitness to drive should comprise of an off-road and an on-road assessment. Much research attention has focussed on the off-road phase of assessment, while there is less standardisation evident in the completion and measurement of the on-road phase of fitness-to-drive assessment.

Design/methodology/approach

A scholarship of practice approach was used to inform the development of an on-road test route and an associated generic on-road assessment tool that was guided by research evidence and best practice recommendations.

Findings

A step-by-step guide, outlining seven recommended phases in the development of an on-road route for the assessment of fitness to drive that aligns with best practice recommendations, was developed. A preliminary generic on-road assessment tool (the Maynooth–Trinity Driving Test) that includes higher-order cognition alongside element of strategic, tactical and operational driving ability was developed and piloted alongside the newly developed on-road test route.

Originality/value

This paper offers an overview of an approach to developing evidence-based on-road test routes and an associated generic assessment tool that may assist occupational therapists and on-road driving assessors establish a standard practice for testing on-road behaviour as part of a comprehensive approach to evaluate fitness to drive.
Re-designing performance management for healthcare – the performance empowerment, advancement and career excellence (PEACE) system
Authors: Kwok Boon Chong , Zulimran Mohsin , Sue Patricia
Published: July 2023

Purpose

The project was undertaken to re-design the performance management system for allied health professionals (AHPs). The primary aim of the system is to protect healthcare workers from being assigned excessive responsibilities that often result in over-time work.

Design/methodology/approach

A project algorithm provided an overview of objectives (project scope) to achieve during the project period, October 2020 to August 2022. The project uses top-down and bottom-up approaches in re-design of the performance management system to ensure that the end-product is acceptable for the senior management and AHPs. Process evaluation was used throughout the project phases to reiterate and improve the system. User acceptance (outcome evaluation) was surveyed from senior management and AHPs separately to support finalization of the system.

Findings

The authors found acceptance in use of the revised system from senior management and AHPs, thus the system is validated. Based on qualitative feedbacks, participants are motivated by the new system. Therefore, the system designed is feasible for implementation to control for work task assignment.

Originality/value

This is the first paper that demonstrates the application of skills and tasks approach in performance management of AHPs. The use of entrustable professional activities framework is currently limited to undergraduate AHPs, but the authors have successfully translated and implemented the framework for practising AHPs.
Stages of the international industrial sales process
Authors: Rutherford Brian N. , Matthews Ryan L.
Published: July 2023

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to develop an understanding of how the “seven steps of selling” are used within the modern international business environment and the degree to which international sales executives are able to identify and adapt to differences in global markets.

Design/methodology/approach

A phenomenological type of approach was used. In-depth interviews were conducted with international sales executives (based either in the USA or UK) that operated across multiple different regions of the world.

Findings

This study provides a holistic assessment of the international business-to-business sales process. This study outlines four key aspects of the sales process that differ from traditional domestic industrial selling. Then, the study suggests examining the international sales process as a stage-based approach, versus exclusively focusing on the sales process as a seven-step process. Third, the study focuses on differences between regions of the world.

Research limitations/implications

From an academic standpoint, this study highlights a number of avenues to pursue. In addition, this study underscores the limited volume of research focused on international sales force management, especially the differences within the sales process. Limitations focus on issues pertaining to the sales executives examined within the study.

Practical implications

Firms looking to enter or expand their international market presence will be able to use the results of this study focusing on the international sales process. Firms can apply the results of this study to build both initial and continuous training programs.

Originality/value

This study identifies aspects that occur during each stage of the international sales process to provide a detailed account of the activities that international salespeople are engaged in. Further, this study suggests that the stages of the sales process differ between transactional exchanges and strategic relationships. However, this study offers more insight on the development of strategic long-term relationships, as the majority of the sales executives focused on the strategic relationship development during the interviews. As a last step within this study, seven country-specific issues are described.
Adaptive reuse of an operating urban infrastructure: a conversation with raumlabor about the Floating University Berlin
Authors: Ranzato Marco , Broggini Federico
Published: July 2023

Purpose

The adaptive reuse of heritage has the potential to socially and culturally re-signify dilapidated or suspended structures in the urban landscape. However, the scope of adaptive reuse could be broadened to include the constellation of infrastructure such as water and sewerage system, waste disposal facilities, power and communication plants and networks that support urban life but whose access – and maintenance patterns – remain the preserve of specialized technicians.

Design/methodology/approach

A conversation with some of the architects from the raumlabor collective involved in the Floating University Berlin project, about the stormwater detention basin of the former Berlin Tempelhof airport, provides an insight into the mechanisms by which adaptive reuse can also concern the infrastructural world in operation.

Findings

In Tempelhof's change of function from an international airport to a large abandoned urban space and then to a park, the detention basin has never ceased to function. But the subsequent process of reuse has reshaped the patterns of maintenance of the reservoir, leaving room for first non-human and then unskilled human action.

Originality/value

From this still overlooked reading perspective, it becomes clear how precisely flexible reuse, consisting of a constantly renegotiated interweaving of violated protocols and backward steps, allows the scope of adaptive reuse to be extended to infrastructures in operation. From secret domains of nature's transformation, they become places of openness in which to experience and better understand the entanglement of contemporary socio-ecological relations that underlie the urban condition.
Financial planning propensity in working adults: exploring the role of media
Authors: Godase Radnyi , P Jyothi , Supriya M. Lalitha
Published: July 2023

Purpose

The study aims to explore the role of media in enhancing financial knowledge, financial self-efficacy, and financial planning propensity among working adults in India.

Design/methodology/approach

Primary survey-based data (n = 542) were analyzed using covariance based-structural equation modeling.

Findings

Media has a positive impact on financial knowledge. Financial knowledge positively mediates the relationship between media usage and financial self-efficacy and financial planning propensity. Also, financial knowledge and financial self-efficacy positively mediate the relationship between media usage and financial planning propensity.

Originality/value

The role of media as a significant agent of consumer socialization is an under-researched area. The authors contribute to the existing literature by demonstrating the role of media in improving financial knowledge and financial self-efficacy to promote financial planning propensity among working adults.
A maturity model for supply chain risk management
Authors: Guerra João Henrique Lopes , Souza Fernando Bernardi de , Pires Silvio Roberto Ignácio , Sá Anderson Luiz Ribeiro de
Published: July 2023

Purpose

Supply chains are among the most important, complex and risky systems in the modern world. Thus, managing risk is no longer an option, but a fundamental process in organizations. Given the lack of pathways that guide companies toward supply chain risk management (SCRM), the purpose of this study is to provide a conceptual reference, in the form of a maturity model, to support them in the evolution and improvement of this process.

Design/methodology/approach

The proposal covered a broad literature review, a survey and a multiple case study. The research was conducted in the aerospace industry and included companies from the supply chain of a leading aircraft manufacturer.

Findings

The model elaborated with the research results has eight attributes and four levels, addressing critical issues for SCRM to achieve its scope and purposes. The attributes include the structuring and scope of the SCRM process, the importance it receives within the organization, the resources used and the qualification of employees, the role of leadership and the inter-organizational collaboration.

Practical implications

Managing risk along supply chains is particularly challenging, demands resources and knowledge and requires a continuous effort. The proposed model offers a reference for improvement, helping to identify areas that need to be strengthened and practices to be implemented. Thus, it can guide the focus and efforts in a more efficient and systematic way, in addition to support evaluations and comparisons.

Originality/value

Although maturity models are abundant in different fields and several are available for risk management, models specifically developed for SCRM are scarce. This study broadens the understanding of SCRM with novel insights about how to improve this process in an evolutionary way. While many researchers focused their efforts on the SCRM process steps, this study identified critical issues that transcend these steps. The research was carried out in a sector with a long tradition in risk management and included companies belonging to a same supply chain, that is, using an approach still little explored in studies on SCRM or risk management maturity models.
Investigating theobromine as a potential anti‐human coronaviral agent
Authors: Li Jiajing , Wang Yining , Rajpoot Sajjan , Lavrijsen Marla , Pan Qiuwei , Li Pengfei , Baig Mirza S.
Published: July 2023

Coronaviruses (CoVs) have long been known to infect humans, mainly alpha‐CoV and beta‐CoV. The vaccines developed for SARS‐CoV‐2 are likely not effective against other coronavirus species, whereas the risk of the emergence of new strains that may cause the next epidemic/pandemic is high. The development of antiviral drugs that are effective across different CoVs represents a viable strategy for improving pandemic preparedness. In this study, we aim to identify pan‐coronaviral agents by targeting the conserved main protease (Mpro). For drug screening, the catalytic dyad of four human CoVs (HCoVs: SARS‐CoV‐2, and seasonal CoV NL63, OC43, and 229E) was targeted by molecular docking. The identified leading candidate theobromine, a xanthine derivative, was further tested in cell culture models of coronavirus infection. Theobromine binds strongly with the catalytic dyad (His41 and Cys144/145) of SARS‐CoV‐2 and HCoV‐NL63 Mpro, mildly with HCoV‐OC43, but not with HCoV‐229E. However, theobromine only shows dose‐dependent inhibition in Calu3 cells inoculated with SARS‐CoV‐2, but not in cells inoculated with seasonal CoVs. Theobromine exerts antiviral activity against coronavirus infections potentially through targeting Mpro. However, the antiviral potency is distinct among different CoVs.
Percutaneous treatment of renal tumours
Authors: Uppot Raul N , Wah Tze Min , Mueller Peter R
Published: July 2023

Image‐guided ablation is an accepted treatment option in the management of renal cell carcinoma. Percutaneous renal ablation offers the possibility of minimally invasive treatment while attempting to preserve renal function. Over the past several years there have been advances in tools and techniques that have improved procedure safety and patient outcomes. This article provides an updated comprehensive review of percutaneous ablation in the management of renal cell carcinoma.
Health care utilization in children and adolescents with psychiatric disorders
Authors: Agnafors Sara , Kjellström Anna Norman , Björk Marcus Praetorius , Rusner Marie , Torgerson Jarl
Published: July 2023

Objective

Mental illness is increasing among young people and likewise the request for health care services. At the same time, somatic comorbidity is common in children and adolescents with psychiatric disorders. There is a lack of studies on health care use in children and adolescents, and the hypothesis was that children and adolescents with psychiatric disorders use more primary‐, and specialized somatic health care compared to children without psychiatric disorders.

Methods

In this retrospective population‐based register study, all individuals aged 3–17 years living in Västra Götaland region in Sweden in 2017 were included (n = 298,877). Linear and Poisson regression were used to compare health care use during 2016–2018 between children with and without psychiatric diagnoses, controlling for age and gender. The results were reported as unstandardised beta coefficient (ß) and adjusted prevalence ratio (aPR) respectively.

Results

Having a psychiatric diagnosis was associated with more primary care visits (ß 2.35, 95% CI 2.30–2.40). This applied to most diagnoses investigated. Girls had more primary care visits than boys. Likewise, individuals with psychiatric diagnoses had more specialized somatic outpatient care (ß 1.70, 95% CI 1.67–1.73), both planned and unplanned (ß 1.23, 95% CI 1.21–1.25; ß 0.18, 95% CI 0.17–0.19). Somatic inpatient care was more common in those having a psychiatric diagnosis (aPR 1.65, 95% CI 1.58–1.72), with the diagnoses of psychosis and substance use exerting the greatest risk.

Conclusions

Psychiatric diagnoses were associated with increased primary‐, somatic outpatient‐ as well as somatic inpatient care. Increased awareness of comorbidity and easy access to relevant health care could be beneficial for patients and caregivers. The results call for a review of current health care systems with distinct division between medical disciplines and levels of health care.
Inter‐disciplinary provider development of an online, interactive adolescent varicocele decision aid prototype
Authors: Siegal Alexandra R. , Ferrer Fernando A. , Herndon C. D. Anthony , Wallis M. Chad , Schaeffer Anthony J. , Malhotra Neha R.
Published: July 2023

Background

Decision‐making regarding varicocele management can be a complex process for patients and families. However, to date, no studies have presented ways to mitigate the decisional conflict surrounding varicoceles.

Objective

To facilitate a discussion among physicians in order to develop a framework of the decision‐making process regarding adolescent varicocele management, which will inform the development of the first online, interactive decision aid.

Materials and methods

Semi‐structured interviews with pediatric urologists and interventional radiologists were conducted to discuss their rationale for varicocele decision‐making. Interviews were audio recorded, transcribed, and coded. Key themes were identified, grouped, and then qualitatively analyzed using thematic analysis. Utilizing the common themes identified and the Ottawa Decision Support Framework, a decision aid prototype was developed and transformed into a user‐friendly website: varicoceledecisionaid.com.

Results

Pediatric urologists (n = 10) and interventional radiologists (n = 2) were interviewed. Key themes identified included: (1) definition/epidemiology; (2) observation as an appropriate management choice; (3) reasons to recommend repair; (4) types of repair; (5) reasons to recommend one repair over another; (6) shared decision‐making; and (7) appropriate counseling. With this insight, a varicocele decision aid prototype was developed that engages patients and parents in the decision‐making process.

Discussion and conclusions

This is the first interactive and easily accessible varicocele decision aid prototype developed by inter‐disciplinary physicians for patients. This tool aids in decision‐making surrounding varicocele surgery. It can be used before or after consultation to help families understand more about varicoceles and their repair, and why intervention may or may not be offered. It also considers a patient and family's personal values. Future studies will incorporate the patient and family perspective into the decision‐making aid as well as implement and test the usability of this decision aid prototype in practice and in the wider urologic community.
The differential impact of substantive and symbolic CSR attribution on job satisfaction and turnover intention
Authors: Chen Xin , Hansen Eric , Cai Jianfeng , Xiao Jichang
Published: July 2023

Employees have their own understandings of corporate social responsibility (CSR) motives. This study investigated whether employees' different perceptions of CSR motives, including substantive CSR attribution and symbolic CSR attribution, influence their work attitudes, job satisfaction, and turnover intention. Moreover, we explore the mediating role of person‐organization fit in the relationships among CSR attribution, job satisfaction, and turnover intention. We collected 687 responses for an overall response rate of 16%. The results of structural equation model (SEM) analyses show that substantive CSR attribution decreases employee turnover intention and that symbolic CSR attribution increases employee turnover intention. Based on these results, we provide relevant theoretical and managerial implications.
Cancer incidence and type of treatment hospital among children, adolescents, and young adults in Japan, 2016–2018
Authors: Nakata Kayo , Matsuda Tomohiro , Hori Megumi , Sugiyama Hiromi , Tabuchi Ken , Miyashiro Isao , Matsumoto Kimikazu , Yoneda Akihiro , Takita Junko , Shimizu Chikako , Katanoda Kota
Published: July 2023

Cancer in children, adolescents, and young adults (AYAs) although rare, is the leading disease‐specific cause of death in Japan. This study aims to investigate cancer incidence and type of treatment hospital among children and AYAs in Japan. Cancer incidence data (2016–2018) for those aged 0–39 years were obtained from the Japanese population‐based National Cancer Registry. Cancer types were classified according to the 2017 update of the International Classification of Childhood Cancer (Third Edition), and AYA Site Recode 2020 Revision. Cases were also categorized into three groups: those treated at core hospitals for pediatric cancer treatment (pediatric cancer hospitals [PCHs]), those treated at designated cancer care hospitals, and those treated at nondesignated hospitals. The age‐standardized incidence rate was 166.6 (per million‐person years) for children (age 0–14 years) and 579.0 for AYAs (age 15–39 years) (including all cancers and benign or uncertain‐behavior central nervous system [CNS] tumors). The type of cancer varied with age: hematological malignancies, blastomas, and CNS tumors were common in children under 10 years, malignant bone tumors and soft tissue sarcomas were relatively common in teenagers, and in young adults over 20 years, carcinomas in thyroid, testis, gastrointestinal, female cervix, and breast were common. The proportion of cases treated at PCHs ranged from 20% to 30% for children, 10% or less for AYAs, and differed according to age group and cancer type. Based on this information, the optimal system of cancer care should be discussed.
Concern for mianzi: Relations with adjustment in rural and urban Chinese adolescents
Authors: Chen Xinyin , Zhou Jiaxi , Li Dan , Liu Junsheng , Zhang Minghao , Zheng Shujie , Han Xianguo
Published: July 2023

The present study examined relations between concern for mianzi, or the social perception of one's prestige and standing in the group, and adjustment in Chinese adolescents. Participants were seventh‐ and ninth‐grade students in rural and urban regions of China (n = 794, Mage = 14 years). Data were obtained from multiple sources including peer assessments, teacher ratings, self‐reports, and school records. The results showed that concern for mianzi was associated with social competence, leadership, academic achievement, as well as aggression and mixed peer relationships in rural adolescents. In contrast, concern for mianzi was associated with comprehensive social, school, and psychological adjustment problems in urban adolescents. The results indicate the role of context in shaping the relations between adolescents' concern for mianzi and adjustment.
Exploring academic and cognitive skills impacting retention and acquisition of word‐problem knowledge gained during or after intervention
Authors: Lin Xin , Powell Sarah R.
Published: July 2023

In the present study, we investigated the impact of a word‐problem intervention in retention and acquisition of knowledge after the intervention ended. We based analyses upon Grade 4 students experiencing mathematics difficulty (average age at pretest = 8.77) who received one of two variants of a word‐problem intervention (with [n = 111] vs. without [n = 110] embedded pre‐algebraic reasoning instruction) and students within a business‐as‐usual condition (BaU [n = 127]) separately. Findings revealed that students who received the intervention not only tended to retain less, but they also showed more active knowledge acquisition after the intervention ended. Furthermore, word‐problem intervention altered the contributions of some prior knowledge and skills on both retention and acquisition.
Filling the gap: Genetic risk assessment in hypercholesterolemia using LDL‐C and LPA genetic scores
Authors: Schwaninger Gunda , Forer Lukas , Ebenbichler Christoph , Dieplinger Hans , Kronenberg Florian , Zschocke Johannes , Witsch‐Baumgartner Martina
Published: July 2023

Routine genetic testing in hypercholesterolemia patients reveals a causative monogenic variant in less than 50% of affected individuals. Incomplete genetic characterization is partly due to polygenic factors influencing low‐density‐lipoprotein‐cholesterol (LDL‐C). Additionally, functional variants in the LPA gene affect lipoprotein(a)‐associated cholesterol concentrations but are difficult to determine due to the complex structure of the LPA gene. In this study we examined whether complementing standard sequencing with the analysis of genetic scores associated with LDL‐C and Lp(a) concentrations improves the diagnostic output in hypercholesterolemia patients. 1.020 individuals including 252 clinically diagnosed hypercholesterolemia patients from the FH Register Austria were analyzed by massive‐parallel‐sequencing of candidate genes combined with array genotyping, identifying nine novel variants in LDLR. For each individual, validated genetic scores associated with elevated LDL‐C and Lp(a) were calculated based on imputed genotypes. Integrating these scores especially the score for Lp(a) increased the proportion of individuals with a clearly defined disease etiology to 68.8% compared to 46.6% in standard genetic testing. The study highlights the major role of Lp(a) in disease etiology in clinically diagnosed hypercholesterolemia patients, of which parts are misclassified. Screening for monogenic causes of hypercholesterolemia and genetic scores for LDL‐C and Lp(a) permits more precise diagnosis, allowing individualized treatment.
Meaningful outcomes for children with open spina bifida and their caregivers
Authors: Oakeshott Pippa , Poulton Alison , Reid Fiona
Published: July 2023

This letter to the editor is on the original article by Heydenrijk‐Kikkert et al. on pages 1493–1500 of this issue.