bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Interruptions at work and (counter)productivity: the mediating role of psychological need unfulfillment
Authors: Lagios Constantin , Blandin Camille , Caesens Gaëtane , Huyghebaert-Zouaghi Tiphaine
Published: April 2024

Purpose

When employees complete their work tasks, they often experience intrusions stemming from the work (professional intrusions) or the home domain (personal intrusions). Yet, little is known about the respective implications of these two types of intrusions for employees’ productivity. This paper aims to investigate how professional and personal intrusions at work relate to the bright (perceived performance) and dark (procrastination) sides of employees' productivity. Based on recent advances in Self-Determination Theory, the authors also examined the mediating role of psychological need unfulfillment in these relations.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors relied on a cross-sectional survey design. A total of 229 French employees took part in the study.

Findings

Results from structural equation modelling indicated that need unfulfillment mediated the negative association between personal intrusions and employees’ performance and the positive relation between personal intrusions and procrastination. Professional intrusions were positively related to the soldiering dimension of procrastination only.

Originality/value

This study sheds light on the differentiated effects of personal and professional intrusions, while uncovering the psychological mechanisms at play. Personal intrusions, by triggering employees’ need unfulfillment, were found to have more extended detrimental consequences than professional intrusions. To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this research is also the first to demonstrate the mediating role of need unfulfillment in the relations between socio-contextual characteristics and individual functioning, and thus contributes to Self-Determination Theory.
Conducting collage elicitation research online: what happens when we remove the scissors and glue?
Authors: McMillan-Chabot Jo
Published: April 2024

Purpose

This autoethnographic article presents the adaptation of collage—an arts-based method traditionally used in face-to-face settings—into an online research tool. It emphasizes the increased relevance of such a transition in the wake of the digital shift and the Covid-19 pandemic. The work aims to reveal how digital collages can facilitate in-depth participant responses in a time when conventional research settings are inaccessible.

Design/methodology/approach

The article incorporates autoethnographic vignettes, which are identified in italics, that offer insights into my personal reflections on the transition and adaptation to an online mode. Firstly, I review how collage can be a valuable tool to include in focus groups and for elicitation during semi-structured interviews. Secondly, I review the challenges I experienced when conducting focus groups online to create the collages. Thirdly, I explore, in more detail, three examples of collages that reflect the diverse ranges that were produced and the insightful discussions that emerged from the participants describing the visual elements of their collages. Finally, the reflective nature of my autoethnographic vignettes provides an insight into the world of the researcher during this turbulent time.

Findings

Findings show that collage, whether physical or digital, remains an effective tool for eliciting nuanced understandings from participants. The research contributes to the arts-based research narrative by showcasing how the digital adaptation of collage methods can yield profound insights into participants' perspectives, therefore enriching the data beyond what traditional interviews could unveil.

Originality/value

These observations can provide support for other researchers who are contemplating the adoption of online arts-based research methods. Understanding how traditionally face-to-face arts-based research methods can be adapted for the digitally evolving landscape is important for shaping the future of online research.
Conveying the learning self to others: doctoral candidates conceptualising and communicating the complexion of development
Authors: Holbrook Allyson , Spray Erika , Burke Rachel , Shaw Kylie M. , Carruthers Jayne
Published: April 2024

Purpose

Highly developed and agile learners who can clearly convey and call on their skills are sought in all walks of life. Diverse demand for these capacities has called attention to how the skills and knowledge gained during doctoral study can be conveyed, translated and leveraged in non-academic settings; however, the complex learning reality underneath doctoral development is challenging to convey.

Design/methodology/approach

The data set for this particular analysis was obtained from 245 in-depth telephone interviews with PhD candidates collected prior to COVID-19. Candidates were asked about learning processes, challenges and changes, and both the questions and thematic analysis were guided by theories of doctoral development and transformational learning.

Findings

For many participants, learning and development were not familiar topics, while a small proportion deflected questions about learning altogether. One fifth of participants presented rich and lucid accounts of learning in which cognisance of complexity, metacognitive processes and transformational experiences were embedded and multiple avenues of development were in evidence. They were well-placed to convey the complexion of doctoral development. Candidates more deeply engaged in learning also commented more about changes they noticed in themselves. The most identified avenue of development was in understanding and approach to knowledge.

Originality/value

Candidate communication about learning and development is an under-explored dimension of doctoral experience and skill that is relevant to advancing knowledge about doctoral development and illuminating graduate potential both within and outside academe. This must constitute a key element of the re-vitalisation of the doctorate post-pandemic. The salience of framing transferable skills within a learning development perspective is discussed.
Individual behaviour shapes patterns of bird‐mediated seed dispersal
Authors: Graf Valentin , Müller Thomas , Grüebler Martin U. , Kormann Urs G. , Albrecht Jörg , Hertel Anne G. , Sorensen Marjorie C. , Tschumi Matthias , Neuschulz Eike Lena
Published: April 2024

Seed dispersal is a key component in a plant's life cycle, allowing the colonization of new habitat and eventually enabling range shifts. For animal‐dispersed plants, the behaviour of seed‐dispersing animals has direct consequences for the fate of a seed. However, there is little empirical evidence on how individual behaviour of animals affects seed dispersal.

Here we investigated the effects of individual behaviour on seed dispersal distance and location by analysing movement data of spotted nutcrackers (Nucifraga caryocatactes) during harvest and scatter‐hoarding of Swiss stone pine (Pinus cembra) seeds. To assess individual variation in seed dispersal patterns, we compared daytime hourly displacement patterns across individuals. We further identified seed caching locations of individual birds and analysed their potential for pine regeneration.

We found that nutcrackers showed one of two distinct behaviours: short‐distance seed dispersal and long‐distance seed dispersal. The caching locations resulting from the two behaviours differed markedly in the regeneration potential of Swiss stone pine: seeds transported over short distances were cached at high elevations with high regeneration potential within the pine's current habitat, while seeds transported over long distances were cached at low elevations with low regeneration potential outside of the pine's habitat. The behaviours were not associated with bird body mass, relative wing length or sex.

Our results emphasize that intraspecific individual behaviours of seed‐dispersing animals can have far‐reaching consequences for ecosystem functions. As a major determinant of seed dispersal dynamics, individual behaviour should be taken into account for a better understanding of ecosystem functions under current and future environmental conditions.

Read the freePlain Language Summaryfor this article on the Journal blog.
Different selection regimes explain morphological evolution in fossorial lizards
Authors: Anelli Vinicius , Bars‐Closel Melissa , Herrel Anthony , Kohlsdorf Tiana
Published: April 2024

Independent origins of similar phenotypes are ubiquitous to the evolutionary process and evoke strong and recurrent environmental associations. Snakelike lizards evolved multiple times and are often portrayed as limb‐reduced and body‐elongated outcomes from shared selection associated with fossoriality.

However, a refined evaluation including specific head traits and subtle differences in subterranean microhabitats unveils some degree of uniqueness even among lineages traditionally interpreted as phenotypically similar. Here, we address regimes of selection in fossorial lizards accounting for differences in the burrowing substrate and emphasizing head shape in addition to body and limbs.

We assembled an ecomorphological database comprising 213 species from all major lizard clades, and then characterized contemporary morphological diversity and modelled phenotypic evolution to test the hypothesis that fossoriality encompasses at least two distinct selection regimes.

We identified two ecomorphological groups within the fossorial lizards: moist‐soil fossorial and dry‐soil fossorial. Both groups evolved towards distinct adaptive optima concerning head shape and limb size. Despite some degree of uniqueness, these groups also share similar patterns in specific traits. Dry‐soil fossorial lizards present less morphological variation than moist‐soil fossorial, possibly due to the combination of distinct sets of selective pressures with shared ancestry.

Our study provides evidence that an often‐interpreted general adaptive regime (e.g. fossoriality) may in fact comprise enough ecological and functional diversity to elicit several distinct ecomorphological associations despite overall convergence among phenotypic traits.

Read the free Plain Language Summary for this article on the Journal blog.
Species motif participation provides unique information about species risk of extinction
Authors: Cirtwill Alyssa R. , Åkesson Anna , Wootton Kate L. , Eklöf Anna
Published: April 2024

Loss of species in food webs can set in motion a cascade of additional (secondary) extinctions.

A species' position in a food web (e.g. its trophic level or number of interactions) is known to affect its ability to persist following disturbance.

These simple measures, however, offer only a coarse description of how species fit into their community.

One would therefore expect that more detailed structural measures such as participation in three‐species motifs (meso‐scale structures which provide information on a species' direct and indirect interactions) will also be related to probability of persistence.

Disturbances affecting the basal resources have particularly strong effects on the rest of the food web.

However, how disturbances branch out and affect consumer persistence depends on the structural pattern of species interactions in several steps.

The magnitude, for example, the proportion of basal resources lost, will likely also affect the outcome.

Here, we analyse whether a consumer's risk of secondary extinction after the removal of basal resources depends on the consumer's motif participation and how this relationship varies with the severity of disturbance.

We show that consumer species which participate more frequently in the direct competition motif and less frequently in the omnivory motif generally have higher probability of persistence following disturbance to basal resources.

However, both the strength of the disturbance and the overall network structure (i.e. connectance) affect the strength and direction of relationships between motif participation and persistence.

Motif participation therefore captures important trends in species persistence and provides a rich description of species' structural roles in their communities, but must be considered in the context of network structure as a whole and of the specific disturbance applied.
Towards meaningful institutional change: Responsive bureaucracy and the governance of anthropological ethics
Authors: Elfenbein Timothy W. , Hoffman Andrew S.
Published: April 2024

This article advocates for a deeper engagement with the organizational structures that shape the governance of research ethics in anthropology. The authors argue that anthropological critiques of bureaucracy often sidestep the kinds of knowledge needed to pursue meaningful institutional change. They show how different regulatory dynamics and organizational arrangements across jurisdictions produce more or less responsive bureaucracies, comparing Institutional Review Boards in the United States with a case study of a European university's Ethics Review Committee. The authors suggest that such organizational understandings of bureaucratic processes can more meaningfully inform their redesign and contribute to developing more appropriately scaled ethics governance. In so doing, ethics review promises greater responsiveness to the particular demands of ethnographic research while remaining legible to regulatory stakeholders.
Selenosugar, selenopolysaccharide, and putative selenoflavonoid in plants
Authors: Qi Ziqi , Duan Alex , Ng Ken
Published: March 2024

Selenium (Se) is a naturally occurring essential micronutrient that is required for human health. Selenium supports cellular antioxidant defense and possesses bioeffects such as anti‐inflammation, anti‐cancer, anti‐diabetic, and cardiovascular and liver protective effects arising from Se‐enhanced cellular antioxidant activity. Past studies on Se have focused on elucidating Se speciation in foods, biofortification strategies to produce Se‐enriched foods to address Se deficiency in the population, and the biochemical activities of Se in health. The bioavailability and toxicity of Se are closely correlated to its chemical forms and may exhibit varying effects on body physiology. Selenium exists in inorganic and organic forms, in which inorganic Se such as sodium selenite and sodium selenate is more widely available. However, it is a challenge for safe and effective supplementation considering inorganic Se low bioavailability and high cytotoxicity. Organic Se, by contrast, exhibits higher bioavailability and lower toxicity and has a more diverse composition and structure. Organic Se exists as selenoamino acids and selenoproteins, but recent research has provided evidence that it also exists as selenosugars, selenopolysaccharides, and possibly as selenoflavonoids. Different food categories contain various Se compounds, and their Se profiles vary significantly. Therefore, it is necessary to delineate Se speciation in foods to understand their impact on health. This comprehensive review documents our knowledge of the recent uncovering of the existence of selenosugars and selenopolysaccharides and the putative evidence for selenoflavonoids. The bioavailability and bioactivities of these food‐derived organic Se compounds are highlighted, in addition to their composition, structural features, and structure–activity relationships.
Empirical carbapenems or piperacillin/tazobactam for infections in intensive care: An international retrospective cohort study
Authors: Meier Nick , Munch Marie Warrer , Granholm Anders , Perner Anders , Hertz Frederik Boëtius , Venkatesh Balasubramanian , Hammond Naomi E. , Li Qiang , De Bus Liesbet , De Waele Jan , Kauzonas Evaldas , Sjövall Fredrik , Møller Morten Hylander , Helleberg Marie
Published: March 2024

Background

Critically ill patients in intensive care units (ICU) are frequently administered broad‐spectrum antibiotics (e.g., carbapenems or piperacillin/tazobactam) for suspected or confirmed infections. This retrospective cohort study aimed to describe the use of carbapenems and piperacillin/tazobactam in two international, prospectively collected datasets.

Methods

We conducted a post hoc analysis of data from the “Adjunctive Glucocorticoid Therapy in Patients with Septic Shock” (ADRENAL) trial (n = 3713) and the “Antimicrobial de‐escalation in the critically ill patient and assessment of clinical cure” (DIANA) study (n = 1488). The primary outcome was the proportion of patients receiving initial antibiotic treatment with carbapenems and piperacillin/tazobactam. Secondary outcomes included mortality, days alive and out of ICU and ICU length of stay at 28 days.

Results

In the ADRENAL trial, carbapenems were used in 648 out of 3713 (17%), whereas piperacillin/tazobactam was used in 1804 out of 3713 (49%) participants. In the DIANA study, carbapenems were used in 380 out of 1480 (26%), while piperacillin/tazobactam was used in 433 out of 1488 (29%) participants. Mortality at 28 days was 23% for patients receiving carbapenems and 24% for those receiving piperacillin/tazobactam in ADRENAL and 23% and 19%, respectively, in DIANA. We noted variations in secondary outcomes; in DIANA, patients receiving carbapenems had a median of 13 days alive and out of ICU compared with 18 days among those receiving piperacillin/tazobactam. In ADRENAL, the median hospital length of stay was 27 days for patients receiving carbapenems and 21 days for those receiving piperacillin/tazobactam.

Conclusions

In this post hoc analysis of ICU patients with infections, we found widespread initial use of carbapenems and piperacillin/tazobactam in international ICUs, with the latter being more frequently used. Randomized clinical trials are needed to assess if the observed variations in outcomes may be drug‐related effects or due to confounders.
Implementing a group‐based online mental well‐being program for women living with and beyond breast cancer – A mixed methods study
Authors: Tuckey Natalie , Agteren Joep van , Chur‐Hansen Anna , Ali Kathina , Fassnacht Daniel B. , Beatty Lisa , Bareham Monique , Wardill Hannah , Iasiello Matthew
Published: April 2024

Purpose

There is a gap in available mental well‐being services in Australia for women diagnosed with breast cancer. This pilot mixed‐methods uncontrolled study aimed to assess the feasibility of an online mental health and well‐being intervention, the Be Well Plan (BWP), which enables participants to create a personalized, flexible well‐being strategy.

Methods

Women diagnosed with stages I‐IV breast cancer were recruited into 4 asynchronous groups to participate in the BWP, a 5‐week facilitator‐led group‐based mental health and well‐being program. Psychological measures used at baseline and post‐intervention included: the Warwick Edinburgh Mental Well‐Being Scale, Brief Resilience Scale, Self‐compassion Scale, 9‐item Patient Health Questionnaire, 7‐item General Anxiety Disorder scale, and EORC QLQ‐C30. Multivariate analysis of variance and effect sizes were calculated on pre‐ and post‐psychological measures, followed by qualitative content analysis on post‐completion interviews with participants.

Results

Nineteen women (mean age 45.7, standard deviation = 7.74) were included in the study. Large effect sizes were reported for mental well‐being, depressive symptoms, and anxiety (partial ω2 = 0.28, 0.21, and 0.20, respectively). Self‐compassion, resilience, and quality of life results were not statistically significant. Qualitative content analysis provided insight into experiences with Program Delivery Experience, Application of the BWP, Mental Health Improvements, Supporter Involvement, Adopted Interventions, and Recruitment. Participants reported benefits in mindfulness, grounding techniques, and physical activities.

Conclusion

The BWP has the potential to be an effective intervention to support the mental health and well‐being of breast cancer survivors.

Implications for cancer survivors

This study highlights flexible interventions that accommodate the diverse needs of breast cancer survivors to improve mental well‐being and alleviate psychological distress.
Pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic evaluation of nitrofurantoin against Escherichia coli in a murine urinary tract infection model
Authors: Maaland Marit Gaastra , Jakobsen Lotte , Guardabassi Luca , Frimodt‐Møller Niels
Published: April 2024

The antimicrobial agent nitrofurantoin is becoming increasingly important for treatment of urinary tract infections (UTIs) due to widespread occurrence of multidrug‐resistant Escherichia coli. Despite many years of use, little data on nitrofurantoin pharmacokinetics (PK) or ‐dynamics (PD) exist. The objective of this study was to (i) evaluate the pharmacokinetics of nitrofurantoin in a mouse model and (ii) use that data to design an in vivo dose fractionation study in an experimental model of UTI with E. coli for determination of the most predictive PK/PD index. Nitrofurantoin concentrations in urine were approximately 100‐fold larger than concentrations in plasma after oral administration of 5, 10, and 20 mg/kg nitrofurantoin. The area under the curve over the minimum inhibitory concentration (AUC/MIC) was weakly correlated to bacterial reduction in urine (r2 = 0.24), while no such correlation was found for the time that nitrofurantoin stayed above the MIC (T > MIC). Increasing size of single‐dose treatment was significantly correlated to eradication of bacteria in the urine, while this was not apparent when the same doses were divided in 2 or 3 doses 8 or 12 h apart. In conclusion, the results indicate that nitrofurantoin activity against E. coli in urine is driven by AUC/MIC.
Liquid lines: Exploring the Moselle River between France, Luxembourg and Germany
Authors: Kanesu Rebekka
Published: April 2024

Rivers are hydrological and social entities, which complicates their use as borders but offers new conceptual possibilities for understanding border spaces. Rivers as borders challenge common understandings of seemingly static political borderlines. Moving away from simple cartographic abstractions, river borders are more than lines for territorial separation. Rivers have a material agency; they are constantly in motion and shift shape according to seasonal changes and hydromorphology. In this paper, I show how rivers through their specific characteristics, namely their materiality, movement and directionality, can challenge but also enable attempts to fix territories. Drawing on doctoral fieldwork between 2019 and 2022 along the Moselle River that crosses and builds the borders between France, Luxembourg and Germany, I argue for a dynamic and ample perspective on river borders that conceptualises them as simultaneously bounded and in motion. Using examples of contingent forms of riverine bordering this paper adds a riverine perspective to current understandings of border geographies. Seeing like a river border makes it possible to examine the relationships between territory, society and environment, and to consider material flows as fundamental to the constitution of rivers and borders.
Anti‐manic effect of deep brain stimulation of the ventral tegmental area in an animal model of mania induced by methamphetamine
Authors: Varela Roger B. , Boschen Suelen L. , Yates Nathanael , Houghton Tristan , Blaha Charles D. , Lee Kendall H. , Bennet Kevin E. , Kouzani Abbas Z. , Berk Michael , Quevedo João , Valvassori Samira S. , Tye Susannah J.
Published: April 2024

Background

Treatment of refractory bipolar disorder (BD) is extremely challenging. Deep brain stimulation (DBS) holds promise as an effective treatment intervention. However, we still understand very little about the mechanisms of DBS and its application on BD.

Aim

The present study aimed to investigate the behavioural and neurochemical effects of ventral tegmental area (VTA) DBS in an animal model of mania induced by methamphetamine (m‐amph).

Methods

Wistar rats were given 14 days of m‐amph injections, and on the last day, animals were submitted to 20 min of VTA DBS in two different patterns: intermittent low‐frequency stimulation (LFS) or continuous high‐frequency stimulation (HFS). Immediately after DBS, manic‐like behaviour and nucleus accumbens (NAc) phasic dopamine (DA) release were evaluated in different groups of animals through open‐field tests and fast‐scan cyclic voltammetry. Levels of NAc dopaminergic markers were evaluated by immunohistochemistry.

Results

M‐amph induced hyperlocomotion in the animals and both DBS parameters reversed this alteration. M‐amph increased DA reuptake time post‐sham compared to baseline levels, and both LFS and HFS were able to block this alteration. LFS was also able to reduce phasic DA release when compared to baseline. LFS was able to increase dopamine transporter (DAT) expression in the NAc.

Conclusion

These results demonstrate that both VTA LFS and HFS DBS exert anti‐manic effects and modulation of DA dynamics in the NAc. More specifically the increase in DA reuptake driven by increased DAT expression may serve as a potential mechanism by which VTA DBS exerts its anti‐manic effects.
Canadian Crown corporations and social procurement: Trade commitments and institutional bricolage
Authors: Fry Noah
Published: April 2024

Globalization has introduced insecurities to individuals and businesses. Countries are pressed to respond to these insecurities with more inclusive visions of globalization. One policy response is social procurement—public purchasing geared to create social value. Canada is embracing this response but faces barriers of its own making. Through the institutional bricolage of procurement trade rules, Canada has constrained its capacity to use social procurement. This is acutely felt by Crown corporations, which are increasingly under the scope of trade treaties. This article details this phenomenon through textual analysis of Canadian procurement trade rules and state enterprise attempts at social procurement.
Immediate versus early implant placement for single tooth replacement in the aesthetic area: A systematic review and meta‐analysis
Authors: Ickroth Axelle , Seyssens Lorenz , Christiaens Véronique , Pitman Jeremy , Cosyn Jan
Published: April 2024

Objectives

To compare immediate implant placement (IIP) with early implant placement (EIP) for single tooth replacement in the aesthetic area in terms of aesthetic, clinical, and patient‐reported outcomes.

Materials and Methods

Two independent reviewers conducted an electronic literature search in PubMed, Web of Science, Embase, and Cochrane databases as well as a manual search to identify eligible clinical studies up to February 2023. Randomized Controlled Trials (RCTs) comparing IIP with EIP were included for a qualitative and quantitative analysis. The primary outcome was vertical midfacial soft tissue change. Secondary outcomes were horizontal midfacial soft tissue change, vertical papillary change, pink esthetic score (PES), implant survival, buccal bone thickness, marginal bone level change, patient discomfort, chair time, and patient satisfaction.

Results

Out of 1185 records, 6 RCTs were selected, reporting on 222 patients who received 222 single implants (IIP: 112 implants in 112 patients; EIP: 110 implants in 110 patients) in the anterior maxilla or mandible. Patients had a mean age ranging from 35.6 to 52.6 years and were followed between 8 and 24 months. Two RCTs showed some concerns, and four showed a high risk of bias. Four studies could be included in a meta‐analysis on the primary outcome and three only considered cases with an intact buccal bone wall. Meta‐analysis failed to demonstrate a significant difference in terms of vertical midfacial soft tissue change between IIP and EIP (mean difference: 0.31 mm, 95% CI [−0.23; 0.86], p = .260; I2 = 83%, p < .001). No significant differences were found for PES (standardized mean difference: 0.92, 95% CI [−0.23; 2.07], p = .120; I2 = 89%, p < .001), implant survival (RR: 0.98, 95% CI [0.93, 1.03], p = .480; I2 = 0%, p = .980), and marginal bone level change (mean difference: 0.03 mm, 95% CI [−0.12, 0.17], p = .700; I2 = 0%, p = .470). Insufficient data were available for meta‐analyses of other secondary outcomes.

Conclusion

In low‐risk patients with an intact buccal bone wall, there seems to be no difference between IIP and EIP in terms of aesthetic and clinical outcomes. The strength of this conclusion is rated as low since studies showed an unclear or high risk of bias. In addition, state‐of‐the‐art therapy was only delivered in a minority of studies. Future RCTs should also provide data on patient‐reported outcomes since these have been underreported.
Recurrence and malignant transformation of laryngeal leukoplakia treated with CO2 laser: A systematic review and meta‐analysis
Authors: Sun Kai , Wang Chao , Gong Shanchun , Zhang Haidong , Zhang Siyao , Hu Huiying , Lu Yuanyuan , Liu Kai , Yu Zhenkun
Published: April 2024

Background

Laryngeal leukoplakia (LL) is a white lesion with high potential of recurrence and malignant transformation. Currently, CO2 laser has become the primary surgical treatment for LL, and the recurrence and malignant transformation rates after treatment vary widely.

Objective

We performed a systematic review and meta‐analysis dedicated to evaluating the rates of recurrence and malignant transformation of LL lesions treated with CO2 laser and exploring relevant risk factors for recurrence or malignant transformation.

Methods

Literature searches were conducted on ProQuest, PubMed, Web of Science, Ovid Medline, Embase, and Cochrane databases. Some articles identified through hand searching were included.

Results

A total of 14 articles and 1462 patients were included in this review. Pooled results showed that the overall recurrence rate was 15%, and the malignant transformation rate was 3%. Subgroup analysis showed that the dysplasia grade was not a significant risk factor for the recurrence and malignant transformation of LL (P > .05).

Conclusions

The results of this systematic review and meta‐analysis suggest that the CO2 laser is a safe and effective surgical instrument for the excision of LL, which yields low rates of recurrence and malignant transformation. The risk factors relevant to recurrence or malignant transformation remain unclear and require further investigation.
An obesity medicine curriculum increases the obesity care self‐efficacy of internal medicine residents in the primary care setting
Authors: Chae Kacey , German Jashalynn , Kendrick Karla , Tackett Sean , O'Rourke Paul , Gudzune Kimberly A. , Laudenslager Marci
Published: March 2024

Primary care physicians (PCPs) report insufficient knowledge and training gaps in obesity care. Internal Medicine (IM) residency offers an opportunity to address this educational gap for future PCPs. We designed an innovative, multicomponent curriculum on obesity medicine (OM) in the primary care setting for IM residents. We then conducted a prospective, 6‐month, two‐arm study within two residency programs in Maryland evaluating feasibility (use, appropriateness for IM training, and satisfaction) of the curriculum as well as changes in self‐efficacy within seven obesity care domains, assessed on 4‐point scales (1—not at all confident to 4—very confident). One residency program received the curriculum and the other served as the control group. We recruited 35 IM residents to participate (17 intervention, 18 control). Among intervention residents, 42% used all curricular components; appropriateness and satisfaction with the curriculum were high. Compared with controls, intervention residents had statistically significant increases in five obesity care self‐efficacy domains: nutrition (intervention 0.8 vs. control 0.2, p = .02), behaviour change (1.2 vs. 0.4, p < .01), weight‐gain‐promoting medications (0.8 vs. 0.1, p = .01), anti‐obesity medications (1.2 vs. 0.5, p = .03), and bariatric surgical counselling (0.9 vs. 0.4, p = .03). There were no significant changes in physical activity or post‐bariatric surgical care domains. Our OM curriculum is feasible with IM residents and increases residents' obesity care self‐efficacy beyond what is achieved with usual IM training.
Featured Cover
Authors: Jin Yizhou , Fan Zhipeng
Published: April 2024

The cover image is based on the Review New insights into the interaction between m6A modification and lncRNA in cancer drug resistance by Yizhou Jin and Zhipeng Fan  https://doi.org/10.1111/cpr.13578.

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A context‐dependent perspective to understand the relation between parent–child physiological synchrony and child socioemotional adjustment
Authors: Xu Jianjie , Zhang Yutong , Wang Hui , Peng Mengting , Zhu Yuhao , Wang Xinni , Yi Zhennan , Chen Lu , Han Zhuo Rachel
Published: March 2024

Physiological synchrony is an important biological process during which parent–child interaction plays a significant role in shaping child socioemotional adjustment. The present study held a context‐dependent perspective to examine the conditional association between parent–child physiological synchrony and child socioemotional adjustment (i.e., relationship quality with parents and child emotion regulation) under different (i.e., from highly unsupportive to highly supportive) emotional contexts. One hundred and fifty school‐age Chinese children (Mage = 8.64 years, 63 girls) and their primary caregivers participated in this study. After attaching electrocardiogram (ECG) electrodes, parent–child dyads were instructed to complete a 4‐minute conflict discussion task. Parent–child physiological synchrony was calculated based on the within‐dyad association between parents’ and children's respiratory sinus arrhythmia (RSA) levels across eight 30‐second epochs. Parental emotional support, child relationship quality with parents, and child emotion regulation during the discussion task were coded by trained research assistants. Supporting our hypotheses, parental emotional support moderated the relations of parent–child RSA synchrony with both child relationship quality with parents and child emotion regulation. Furthermore, the Johnson‐Neyman technique of moderation indicated that the associations between parent and child RSA synchrony and child socioemotional adjustment indicators shifted from negative to positive as the parental emotional support became increasingly high. Our findings suggest that parent–child physiological synchrony may not be inherently adaptive or maladaptive, highlighting the importance of understanding the function of parent–child physiological synchrony under specific contexts.

Research Highlights

Physiological synchrony may not be inherently adaptive or maladaptive, and the meanings of parent–child physiological synchrony might be contingent on contextual factors.

Parental emotional support moderated the relations between parent–child respiratory sinus arrhythmia (RSA) synchrony and child socioemotional adjustment indicators (i.e., child relationship quality with parents and child emotion regulation).

More positive/less negative parent–child RSA synchrony was associated with better child socioemotional adjustment under a supportive emotional context, whereas with poorer child socioemotional adjustment under an unsupportive emotional context.

These findings highlight the significance of considering the emotional context in physiological synchrony studies.
Can digital transformation reduce corporate illegality?
Authors: Wang Yuanyuan , Ma Jijie , Zhang Kun
Published: April 2024

The advent of the digital economy has ushered in unprecedented opportunities for corporate development. Utilizing a comprehensive data set comprising Chinese listed companies spanning the period 2011–2020, this study empirically examines the impact of digital transformation on corporate illegality. The findings reveal a significant reduction in corporate illegality attributable to digital transformation. This empirical result retains its significance even when subjected to a battery of robustness tests. In terms of the underlying mechanisms, this paper conjecture that digital transformation reduces the internal and external information asymmetry, thereby curbing corporate illegality. Further heterogeneous analysis shows that digital transformation is more effective among corporates with higher agency cost (state‐owned or large corporates) or corporates located in regions with lower degree of marketization level. These heterogeneous effects provide supportive evidence to the above conjecture. The implications of this study extend the boundaries of digital transformation research and furnish novel and actionable insights into the prevention of corporate illegality.
Pivotal role of dihydroorotate dehydrogenase as a therapeutic target in adult T‐cell leukemia
Authors: Ishikawa Chie , Mori Naoki
Published: April 2024

Objectives

We aimed to determine the role of dihydroorotate dehydrogenase (DHODH) in pathogenesis of adult T‐cell leukemia (ATL) caused by human T‐cell leukemia virus type 1 (HTLV‐1) and the effects of its inhibition on the de novo pyrimidine biosynthesis pathway.

Methods

Cell proliferation, viability, cycle, and apoptosis were analyzed using WST‐8 assays, flow cytometry, and Hoechst 33342 staining. To elucidate the molecular mechanisms involved in the anti‐ATL effects of DHODH knockdown and inhibition, RT‐PCR and immunoblotting were conducted.

Results

HTLV‐1‐infected T‐cell lines aberrantly expressed DHODH. Viral infection and the oncoprotein, Tax, enhanced DHODH expression, while knockdown of DHODH decreased HTLV‐1‐infected T‐cell growth. In addition, BAY2402234, a DHODH inhibitor, exerted an anti‐proliferative effect, which was reversed by uridine supplementation. BAY2402234 induced DNA damage and S phase arrest by downregulating c‐Myc, CDK2, and cyclin A and upregulating p53 and cyclin E. It also induced caspase‐mediated apoptosis by the upregulation of pro‐apoptotic and downregulation of anti‐apoptotic proteins. Furthermore, BAY2402234 induced caspase‐independent ferroptosis and necroptosis. It decreased phosphorylation of IKK, IκBα, PTEN, Akt, and its downstream targets, suggesting that inhibition of NF‐κB and Akt signaling is involved in its anti‐ATL action.

Conclusion

These findings highlight DHODH as a potential therapeutic target for treating ATL.
A new method for predicting the fatigue strength at various stress ratios based on damage of metallic materials
Authors: Gao Chong , Pang Jianchao , Hu Dejiang , Li Shouxin , Qi Kaili , Wang Bin , Zhang Yanyan , Nie Liangliang , Yang Mengqi , Zhang Zhefeng
Published: April 2024

The prediction of fatigue strength for metallic materials in a wide range of stress ratios is a crucial engineering challenge. To pursue a more accurate method, the dependence of fatigue strength on stress ratio for 35CrMo steel and other materials was investigated in detail. It was found that as the stress ratio increases, the damage mechanism changes, and the errors of the conventional models in predicting the fatigue strength increase. The reason is that those models fail to describe the fatigue damage evolution of metallic materials under some special conditions. Based on the variational fatigue damage, a new prediction method was proposed by introducing the damage parameter. Through the validation with fatigue strength covering a variety of metallic materials and loading conditions, the method exhibits higher universality. And then the corresponding parameter of the formula is further analyzed to elucidate the influences of various loading conditions on fatigue damage of materials.
Chd8 haploinsufficiency impacts rearing experience in C57BL/6 mice
Authors: Tabbaa Manal , Levitt Pat
Published: April 2024

Mutations in CHD8 are one of the highest genetic risk factors for autism spectrum disorder. Studies in mice that investigate underlying mechanisms have shown Chd8 haploinsufficient mice display some trait disruptions that mimic clinical phenotypes, although inconsistencies have been reported in some traits across different models on the same strain background. One source of variation across studies may be the impact of Chd8 haploinsufficiency on maternal‐offspring interactions. While differences in maternal care as a function of Chd8 genotype have not been studied directly, a previous study showed that pup survival was reduced when reared by Chd8 heterozygous dams compared with wild‐type (WT) dams, suggesting altered maternal care as a function of Chd8 genotype. Through systematic observation of the C57BL/6 strain, we first determined the impact of Chd8 haploinsufficiency in the offspring on WT maternal care frequencies across preweaning development. We next determined the impact of maternal Chd8 haploinsufficiency on pup care. Compared with litters with all WT offspring, WT dams exhibited less frequent maternal behaviors toward litters consisting of offspring with mixed Chd8 genotypes, particularly during postnatal week 1. Dam Chd8 haploinsufficiency decreased litter survival and increased active maternal care also during postnatal week 1. Determining the impact of Chd8 haploinsufficiency on early life experiences provides an important foundation for interpreting offspring outcomes and determining mechanisms that underlie heterogeneous phenotypes.
Investigating the impact of primary care networks on continuity of care in English general practice: Analysis of interviews with patients and clinicians from a mixed methods study
Authors: Goff Mhorag , Jacobs Sally , Hammond Jonathan , Hindi Ali , Checkland Kath
Published: April 2024

Introduction

In England, primary care networks (PCNs) offer opportunities to improve access to and sustainability of general practice through collaboration between groups of practices to provide care with a broader range of practitioner roles. However, there are concerns that these changes may undermine continuity of care. Our study investigates what the organisational shift to PCNs means for continuity of care.

Methods

The paper uses thematic analysis of qualitative data from interviews with general practitioners and other healthcare professionals (HCPs, n = 33) in 19 practices in five PCNs, and their patients (n = 35). Three patient cohorts within each participating practice were recruited, based on anticipated higher or lower needs for continuity of care: patients over 65 years with polypharmacy, patients with anxiety or depression and ‘working age’ adults aged between 18 and 45 years.

Findings

Patients and clinicians perceived changes to continuity in PCNs in our study. Larger‐scale care provision in PCNs required better care coordination and information‐sharing processes, aimed at improving care for ‘vulnerable’ patients in target groups. However, new working arrangements and ways of delivering care in PCNs undermine HCPs' ability to maintain continuity through ongoing relationships with patients. Patients experience this in terms of reduced availability of their preferred clinician, inefficiencies in care and unfamiliarity of new staff, roles and processes.

Conclusions

New practitioners need to be effectively integrated to support effective team‐based care. However, for patients, especially those not deemed ‘vulnerable’, this may not be sufficient to counter the loss of relationship with their practice. Therefore, caution is required in relation to designating patients as in need of, or not in need of continuity. Rather, continuity for all patients could be maintained through a dynamic understanding of the need for it as fluctuating and situational and by supporting clinicians to provide follow‐up care.

Patient and Public Involvement (PPI)

A PPI group was recruited and consulted during the study for feedback on the study design, recruitment materials and interpretation of findings.
Mechanical, morphological, and corrosion features of Ni–Cr oxide nanocomposite coating deposited on SS304 by EPD
Authors: Mohammadzadeh Hurieh , Jafari Robabeh , Azargoon Artin
Published: April 2024

Ceramic composites are suitable materials to improve the surface characteristics of steel. Therefore, in this research, Ni–Cr oxide nanocomposite was coated on 304 stainless steel (SS304) by the electrophoretic approach. The effect of chemical composition and coating parameters (time and voltage) was investigated on morphology, corrosion, microhardness, and wear behavior. The nanocomposites were successfully synthesized in three different compositions (Ni–Cr oxides of 70–30, 60–40, and 50–50). The products were coated on the SS304 in 1, 2, and 3 min and 90, 110, and 130 V. Fourier‐transform infrared spectroscopy, X‐ray diffraction, transmission electron microscope, and field emission scanning electron microscopy analyses were employed to investigate the characteristics of the synthesized powder and resulting coatings. The hardness, wear properties, and corrosion resistance of the coating were studied by microhardness, ball‐on‐disk, electrochemical impedance spectroscopy, and polarization methods. The coatings deposited at 1 min and 110 V were sound and free of microcracks. The wear resistance increased by increasing Cr%, so the 50–50 coating showed the best wear resistance with a friction coefficient of .763 and wear mass of 1.6 mg. However, the coating 70–30 presented the highest microhardness of 180.28 Hv. The coating 60–40 had the best corrosion resistance with a corrosion current density of 5.92 µA/cm2. The corrosion resistance improved for thicker coatings.
Assembled a new composite and prepared the Pd@g‐C3N4/activated carbon electrocatalyst for HCOOH electrooxidation
Authors: Saheli Sania , Rezvani Ali Reza
Published: April 2024

The new g‐C3N4/activated carbon (AC) composites consisting of low‐cost and accessible materials, graphitic carbon nitride (g‐C3N4) and AC with different ratios, were designed and prepared for producing the Pd@g‐C3N4/AC (1:1) and Pd@g‐C3N4/AC (1:2) electrocatalysts. As‐prepared electrocatalysts were evaluated for the electrooxidation reaction of formic acid. Combining of g‐C3N4 and AC to form composites leads to improved catalytic performance of the electrocatalysts, especially for Pd@g‐C3N4/AC (1:1). The Pd@g‐C3N4/AC (1:1) electrocatalyst has a high electrochemically active surface area (ECSA) amount in comparison with the Pd@g‐C3N4/AC (1:2) electrocatalyst. Moreover, the current density of the Pd@g‐C3N4/AC (1:1) electrocatalyst is significantly larger than the other catalyst in the present .5 M formic acid. Therefore, the g‐C3N4/AC (1:1) composite has better physicochemical properties that can improve the catalytic performance of the related electrocatalyst.
The (null) effects of video questions on applicant reactions in asynchronous video interviews: Evidence from an actual hiring context
Authors: Niemitz Nelli , Rietheimer Lucas , König Cornelius , Langer Markus
Published: April 2024

Asynchronous video interviews (AVIs) are growing in popularity, but tend to suffer from negative applicant reactions, possibly due to lower social presence compared to other interview formats. Research has suggested that specific design features may influence applicant reactions by increasing perceived social presence. In this study, we manipulated the question format (video vs. text) during an actual hiring process (N = 76), testing whether video questions influence social presence, applicant reactions, impression management, and interview performance. There was no evidence that video (vs. text) questions affected any of these variables. We discuss how specific AVI design choices may have affected our results and suggest that future research could investigate the additive and interactive effects of different AVI design features.