bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
COVID-19-associated cerebral microbleeds in the general population
Authors: Sagar Malini V , Ferrer Neus R , Mehdipour Ghazi Mostafa , Klein Kiril V , Jimenez-Solem Espen , Nielsen Mads , Kruuse Christina
Published: April 2024

Cerebral microbleeds are frequent incidental findings on brain MRI and have previously been shown to occur in Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) cohorts of critically ill patients. We aimed to determine the risk of having microbleeds on medically indicated brain MRI and compare non-hospitalized COVID-19-infected patients with non-infected controls. In this retrospective case-control study, we included patients over 18 years of age, having an MRI with a susceptibility-weighted sequence, between 1 January 2019 and 1 July 2021. Cases were identified based on a positive reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction test for SARS-CoV-2 and matched with three non-exposed controls, based on age, sex, body mass index and comorbidities. The number of cerebral microbleeds on each scan was determined using artificial intelligence. We included 73 cases and 219 matched non-exposed controls. COVID-19 was associated with significantly greater odds of having cerebral microbleeds on MRI [odds ratio 2.66 (1.23–5.76, 95% confidence interval)], increasingly so when patients with dementia and hospitalized patients were excluded. Our findings indicate that cerebral microbleeds may be associated with COVID-19 infections. This finding may add to the pathophysiological considerations of cerebral microbleeds and help explain cases of incidental cerebral microbleeds in patients with previous COVID-19.
A multiphase, multicentre development and validation of two maturity tools assessing the implementation of the FlaQuM co-creation roadmap
Authors: Claessens Fien , Van der Auwera Charlotte , Seys Deborah , De Ridder Dirk , Van Wilder Astrid , Vanhaecht Kris , Research Group and the FlaQuM
Published: April 2024

As part of the new Flanders Quality Model (FlaQuM) towards sustainable quality management systems, a co-creation roadmap with 6 primary drivers and 19 building blocks that guides healthcare organizations has been developed. Currently, no assessment tool is available to monitor hospitals’ quality management systems implementation according to this co-creation roadmap. Therefore, we aimed to measure the maturity of the implementation of the FlaQuM co-creation roadmap in hospitals. A three-phase approach in co-design with 19 hospitals started with defining the scope, followed by establishing content validity through a literature review, involvement of content experts (n = 47), 20 focus groups with content experts (n = 79), and a Delphi round with healthcare quality managers (n = 19) to test the content validity index. Construct validity was assessed by confirmatory factor analyses and convergent validity by Spearman’s ρ correlation coefficients. Based on 17 included existing maturity instruments and subcomponents of content experts, two maturity tools were developed according to the implementation of the FlaQuM co-creation roadmap: (i) a maturity matrix with 52 subcomponents and (ii) a co-creation scan with 19 statements. The overall scale-content validity index varied between 93.3% and 90.0% in terms of relevance and clarity, respectively. In a sample of 119 healthcare professionals, factor analyses revealed a six-factor structure and 16 (84.2%) of the 19 hypothesis for testing convergent validity between both maturity tools were statistically significant. Measuring the implementation of the FlaQuM co-creation roadmap and monitoring its maturity over time should be feasible by using these comprehensive maturity tools in hospitals. Results of both tools should be able to describe the current state of hospitals’ implementation of the co-creation roadmap as basis for strategic improvement plans and next steps.
Osteoblastic erythropoietin is not required for bone mass accrual
Authors: Lanzolla Giulia , Merceron Christophe , Khan Mohd Parvez , Sabini Elena , Giaccia Amato , Schipani Ernestina
Published: April 2024

Erythropoietin (EPO), primarily produced by interstitial fibroblasts in the kidney during adulthood, and its receptor are well-known for their crucial role in regulating erythropoiesis. Recent research has unveiled an additional function of circulating EPO in the control of bone mass accrual and homeostasis through its receptor, which is expressed in both osteoblasts and osteoclasts. Notably, cells of the osteoblast lineage can produce and secrete functional EPO upon activation of the hypoxia signaling pathway. However, the physiological relevance of osteoblastic EPO remains to be fully elucidated. This study aimed to investigate the potential role of osteoblastic EPO in regulating bone mass accrual and erythropoiesis in young adult mice. To accomplish this, we employed a mutant mouse model lacking EPO specifically in mesenchymal progenitors and their descendants. Our findings indicate that in vivo loss of EPO in the osteoblast lineage does not significantly affect either bone mass accrual or erythropoiesis in young adult mice. Further investigations are necessary to comprehensively understand the potential contribution of EPO produced and secreted by osteoblast cells during aging, repair, and under pathological conditions.
Risk of Invasive Meningococcal Disease in Preterm Infants
Authors: Calvert Anna , Campbell Helen , Heath Paul T , Jones Christine E , Le Doare Kirsty , Mensah Anna , Ladhani Shamez
Published: April 2024

Background

Invasive meningococcal disease (IMD) is most common in the first year of life. We hypothesized that preterm infants may have a higher risk of IMD and more severe disease than term infants. We compared the incidence, demographics, clinical presentation, and outcomes of IMD in preterm compared with term infants during the first 5 years after implementation of a national meningococcal group B vaccine (4CMenB) for infants in England.

Methods

The UK Health Security Agency conducts enhanced national IMD surveillance with detailed follow-up of all confirmed cases in England. Infants aged <1 year (uncorrected for gestational age) with IMD confirmed between 1 September 2015 and 31 August 2020 were included.

Results

There were 393 infant IMD cases (incidence, 12.4/100 000 live births). Among 363 (92.4%) of the infants with known gestational age, the IMD incidence was higher in preterm (<37 weeks’ gestation) than in term infants (18.3/100 000 vs 10.9/100 000; incidence rate ratio [IRR], 1.68 [95% confidence interval, 1.23–2.29]; P = .001). The IMD incidence was highest in those born at <32 weeks’ gestation (32.9/100 000; incidence rate ratio for <32 weeks’ gestation vs term, 3.01 [95% confidence interval, 1.73–5.24]; P ≤ .001). There were no differences in demographics, clinical presentation, rate of intensive care admission, or case-fatality rate, but preterm infants were more likely than term infants to have ≥1 reported sequela (14 of 39 [35.9%] vs 51 of 268 [19.0%]; P = .02).

Conclusions

Preterm infants had a higher incidence of IMD than term infants and the IMD incidence was highest in infants born at <32 weeks’ gestation. Preterm infants also had a higher risk of IMD sequelae.
COVID-19 outbreak impact on urolithiasis treatments: A multicenter retrospective study across 9 urological centers in Italy
Authors: Mazzon Giorgio , Ferretti Stefania , Serafin Emanuele , Claps Francesco , Acquati Pietro , Brusa Davide , Germinale Federico , Celentano Giuseppe , Pescuma Andrea , Fugini Andrea Vismara , Campobasso Davide , Maestroni Umberto , Costa Giovanni , Morena Tonino , Di Marco Flavia , Baudo Andrea , Creta Massimiliano , Pavan Nicola , Ticonosco Marco , Peroni Angelo , Collura Devis , Cerruto Maria Angela , Antonelli Alessandro , Carmignani Luca , Micali Salvatore , Trombetta Carlo , Muto Giovanni , Celia Antonio
Published: April 2024

Background

The coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic has posed challenges to the global health care community, affecting the management of upper urinary tract stones.

Materials and methods

This retrospective study involved 9 Italian centers. We compared the 12-month period prior to COVID-19 (March 1, 2019, to February 28, 2020; Period A) with the COVID-19 period (March 1, 2020, to February 28, 2021, Period B). This study aimed to compare outcomes during Periods A and B, specifically focusing on the overall number of treatments, rate of urgent/elective cases, and operational complexity.

Results

A total of 4018 procedures were collected, comprising 2176 procedures during Period A and 1842 during Period B, indicating a loss of 15.35% (p < 0.001). In the elective cases, 1622 procedures were conducted in Period A, compared with 1280 in Period B, representing a 21.09% reduction in cases (p = 0.001). All types of stone treatments were affected: extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy (−29.37%, p = 0.001), percutaneous nephrolithotomy (−26.47%, p = 0.008), retrograde surgeries for renal stones (−10.63%, p = 0.008), and semirigid ureterolithotripsy (−24.86%, p = 0.008). Waiting lists experienced significant delays during Period B. The waiting time (WT) for elective procedures increased during Period B (p < 0.001). For ureteral stones, the mean WT in Period A was 61.44 days compared with 86.56 days in Period B (p = 0.008). The WT for renal stones increased from 64.96 days in Period A to 85.66 days in Period B for retrograde intrarenal surgery (p = 0.008) and from 96.9 days to 1103.9 days (p = 0.035) for percutaneous nephrolithotomy procedures.

Conclusions

Our study demonstrates that COVID-19 significantly disrupted endourological services across the country. Our data underline how patients received treatment over a prolonged period, potentially increasing the risk of stone-related complications and patient discomfort.
Venous thromboembolism testing practices after orthopaedic trauma: prophylaxis regimen does not influence testing patterns
Authors: Haac Bryce E. , O'Hara Nathan N. , Haut Elliott R. , Manson Theodore T. , Slobogean Gerard P. , O'Toole Robert V. , Stein Deborah M. ,   ADAPT Investigators
Published: April 2024

Objectives:

To determine venous thromboembolism (VTE) testing patterns in an orthopaedic trauma population and to evaluate for differences in VTE surveillance by prophylaxis regimen through a secondary analysis of the ADAPT trial.

Design:

Prospective randomized trial.

Setting:

Level I trauma center.

Patients:

Three hundred twenty-nine adult (18 years and older) trauma patients presenting with an operative extremity fracture proximal to the metatarsals/carpals or any pelvic or acetabular fracture requiring VTE prophylaxis.

Intervention:

VTE imaging studies recorded within 90 days post injury.

Main Outcome Measurements:

Percentage of patients tested for VTE were compared between treatment groups using Fisher's exact test. Subsequently, multivariable regression was used to determine patient factors significantly associated with risk of receiving a VTE imaging study.

Results:

Sixty-seven patients (20.4%) had VTE tests ordered during the study period. Twenty (29.9%) of these 67 patients with ordered VTE imaging tests had a positive finding. No difference in proportion of patients tested for VTE by prophylaxis regimen (18.8% on aspirin vs. 22.0% on LMWH, P = 0.50) was observed. Factors associated with increased likelihood of VTE testing included White race (adjusted odds ratio [aOR]: 2.61, 95% CI: 1.26–5.42), increased Injury Severity Score (aOR for every 1-point increase: 1.10, 95% CI: 1.05–1.15), and lower socioeconomic status based on the Area Deprivation Index (aOR for every 10-point increase: 1.14, 95% CI: 1.00–1.30).

Conclusions:

VTE surveillance did not significantly differ by prophylaxis regimen. Patient demographic factors including race, injury severity, and socioeconomic status were associated with differences in VTE surveillance.

Level of Evidence:

Level I, Therapeutic.
Harnessing spectra of pain psychology treatment design to improve patient access to care
Authors: Aaron Rachel V. , Ravyts Scott G.
Published: April 2024

Commentary on: Darnall BD, Burns JW, Hong J, Roy A, Slater K, Poupore-King H, Ziadni MS, You DS, Jung C, Cook KF, Lorig K, Tian L, Mackey SC. Empowered relief, cognitive behavioral therapy and health education for people with chronic pain: a comparison of outcomes at 6-month follow-up for a randomized controlled trial. PAIN Reports 2024;9:e1116.
Systemic low-grade C-reactive protein is associated with proximal symptom spread in carpal tunnel syndrome
Authors: Zvonickova Karolina , Rhee Amber , Sandy-Hindmarch Oliver , Furniss Dominic , Wiberg Akira , Schmid Annina B.
Published: April 2024

Introduction:

Neuropathic pain is a highly prevalent condition associated with persistent disability. Some patients with neuropathic pain experience symptom spread outside neuroanatomical boundaries; these patients report more severe sensory symptoms and greater disability. However, the mechanisms behind such symptom spread are not fully understood.

Objective:

We used pre-surgical carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) as a human model system of neuropathic pain to identify differences in the concentration of serologic inflammatory mediators between patients with CTS with territorial symptoms and those with proximal symptom spread to either the elbow or shoulder/neck.

Methods:

We performed a post-hoc analysis, comparing levels of serologic inflammatory mediators in a discovery cohort among 3 symptoms spread profiles (n = 55; n = 25 no spread, n = 21 spread to elbow, n = 9 spread to shoulder/neck). We then de-novo analysed the significantly dysregulated mediators in an independent validation cohort (n = 72; n = 34 no spread, n = 16 spread to elbow, n = 22 spread to shoulder/neck).

Results:

The discovery cohort revealed higher serum concentrations of C-reactive protein (CRP) and interleukin-6 in patients with any symptom spread proximal to the wrist; interferon-γ was higher in patients with symptom spread to the elbow compared with those without proximal spread. The validation study replicated the association of higher CRP concentrations in patients with proximal spread to the elbow (no spread: median [interquartile range] 2.5 [5.4]; spread to elbow 6.2 [4.6]; spread to shoulder/neck 2.6 [3.7], P = 0.006). No other markers replicated in the validation cohort.

Conclusions:

Our findings suggest that proximal symptom spread in the context of neuropathic symptoms is associated with low-grade inflammation.
Fatal Clostridium septicum gas gangrene complicating ECMO : case report and review of literature
Authors: Turban Adrien , Joussellin Vincent , Piau Caroline , CATTOIR Vincent , Launey Yoann , Eustache Gabriel
Published: April 2024

Clostridium septicum gas gangrene is a severe and deadly infection caused by an anaerobic, spore-forming, Gram-positive bacillus. As previously described, two entities are observed: traumatic and spontaneous (or non-traumatic) forms. In this report, we aim to describe the case of a fulminant and ultimately fatal C. septicum myonecrosis occurring in a patient who was first admitted for refractory cardiac arrest and placed on veino-arterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO). Building upon prior studies that have documented cases of spontaneous gas gangrene caused by C. septicum, we provide an updated compilation, focusing on microbiological characteristics of C. septicum, along with the diagnostic and therapeutic challenges associated with spontaneous gas gangrene. Additionally, the specific clinical situation of our case illustrates the seriousness of this infectious complication that combined both spontaneous and traumatic gas gangrene risk factors. We thus, discuss the antibiotic coverage prior to the initiation of ECMO procedure.
Actin polymerization counteracts prewetting of N-WASP on supported lipid bilayers
Authors: Wiegand Tina , Liu Jinghui , Fritsch Anatol W. , Vogeley Lutz , LuValle-Burke Isabel , Geisler Jan , Hyman Anthony A. , Grill Stephan W.
Published: April 2024

Cortical condensates, transient punctate-like structures rich in actin and the actin nucleation pathway member N-WASP, form during activation of the actin cortex in theC. elegansoocyte. Their emergence and spontaneous dissolution is linked to a phase separation process driven by chemical kinetics. However, the physical process that drives the onset of cortical condensate formation near membranes remains unexplored. Here, using a reconstituted phase separation assay of cortical condensate proteins, we demonstrate that the key component, N-WASP, can collectively undergo surface condensation on supported lipid bilayers via a prewetting transition. Actin partitions into the condensates, where it polymerizes and counteracts the N-WASP prewetting transition. Taken together, the dynamics of condensate-assisted cortex formation appear to be controlled by a balance between surface-assisted condensate formation and polymer-driven condensate dissolution. This opens new perspectives for understanding how the formation of complex intracellular structures is affected and controlled by phase separation.
Spacetime quasicrystals in Bose-Einstein condensates
Authors: Friedland L. , Shagalov A. G.
Published: April 2024

An autoresonant approach for exciting spacetime quasicrystals in Bose-Einstein condensates is proposed by employing two-component chirped frequency parametric driving or modulation of the interaction strength within Gross-Pitaevskii equation. A weakly nonlinear theory of the process is developed using Whitham's averaged variational principle yielding reduction to a two-degrees-of-freedom dynamical system in action-angle variables. Additionally, the theory also delineates permissible driving parameters and establishes thresholds on the driving amplitudes required for autoresonant excitation.

Published by the American Physical Society
2024
Bloch oscillation phases investigated by multipath Stückelberg atom interferometry
Authors: Rahman Tahiyat , Wirth-Singh Anna , Ivanov Andrew , Gochnauer Daniel , Hough Emmett , Gupta Subhadeep
Published: April 2024

Atoms undergoing Bloch oscillations (BOs) in an accelerating optical lattice acquire momentum of two photon recoils per BO. This technique provides a large momentum transfer tool for atom optics, but its full exploitation for atom interferometric sensors requires both experimental and theoretical characterization of associated phases. Each BO involves a Landau-Zener crossing with multiple crossings inducing interference known as Stückelberg interference. We develop a multipath Stückelberg interferometer and investigate atomic phase evolution during BOs, up to 100 photon recoil momentum transfer. We compare to numerically calculated single-particle Schrödinger evolution, demonstrate highly coherent BO sequences, and assess phase stability requirements for BO-enhanced precision interferometry in fundamental physics and sensing applications.

Published by the American Physical Society
2024
Construction industry changes induced by the COVID-19 pandemic
Authors: Kim Kyudong , Tiedmann Helena R. , Faust Kasey M.
Published: April 2024

Purpose

The COVID-19 pandemic caused significant societal changes and altered how much of the construction industry operates. This study investigates the impacts of pandemic-related changes, how these changes may apply to different companies, and which changes should continue post-pandemic.

Design/methodology/approach

We aim to identify pandemic-driven changes that have affected the construction workplace and the advantages and challenges associated with them. We then make recommendations for what could and should endure through the pandemic and beyond, and under what circumstances. To achieve this objective, we conducted both qualitative and quantitative analyses of 40 semi-structured interviews with US-based construction professionals.

Findings

Identified through these interviews were 21 pandemic-driven changes across six categories: management and planning, technology, workforce, health and safety, supply chain, and contracts. This study noted both positive and negative impacts of the changes on cost, schedule, productivity, collaboration, employee retention, flexibility, quality, and risk mitigation. Participants indicated that some changes should remain after the pandemic and others (e.g. select safety measures, schedule adjustments) should be temporary.

Originality/value

By incorporating these lessons learned into recommendations, the findings of this study will help businesses identify and implement the most appropriate improvements for their organizations. The findings also provide policymakers with valuable insights on how to promote innovation in the construction industry and potentially enact more effective policies during crises to drive long-term improvements.
PFoods: selecting a segment for a sustainable product
Authors: Dani Vinit Vijay , Ramesh Avadhanam , Rishi Bikramjit
Published: April 2024

Learning outcomes

After working on the assignment questions, the learners can achieve the following learning outcomes: understand the buying behavior towards sustainable products in the context of mindful consumption and product characteristics, appraise the market segmentation and positioning strategy of a sustainable business, understand the application of 5C’s framework for a sustainable business and critically evaluate a new sustainable business’s challenges in the emerging business environment.

Case overview/synopsis

Dr Joe Fenn, founder and director of PFoods, with extensive experience in the pharma industry overseas, observed a decline in the consumption of traditional dairy foods. Alternative plant foods come as a savior to people who are lactose intolerant and offer a host of health benefits with low environmental impact. Riding on the waves of veganism and sustainable foods, he saw an opportunity in India. PFoods developed and launched two products, namely, Just Plants (plant-based milk alternative) and Plotein (plant-based protein alternative), in collaboration with scientists at the Indian Institute of Science, a premier scientific institution in India, and PMEDS (PreEmptive Meds), a US-based nutraceutical Company. PFoods launched and pilot-tested Just Plant, a dairy alternative substitute for milk in select reputed organizations in Bangalore. The upcoming challenges for Fenn would be to select the right segment, educate the market and position the product that would resonate well with the target customers.

Complexity academic level

The case study suits undergraduate and graduate courses such as marketing management, sustainable marketing and sustainable business. The case study can also be used in entrepreneurship management and entrepreneurial marketing courses to introduce the challenges of a sustainable startup. The case study highlights the marketing challenges faced by the disruptive and growing plant-based foods or alternative dairy industry in emerging markets.

Supplementary materials

Teaching notes are available for educators only.

Subject code

CSS 8: Marketing.
Social proof: empowering social commerce through social validation
Authors: Patwa Nitin , Gupta Monika , Mittal Amit
Published: April 2024

Purpose

This study aims to examine the impact of consumer risk appetite, biases (specifically negative recency bias), and the importance of reviews in enhancing information quality. By analyzing these variables, the authors gain insights into their role in enriching the overall information spectrum available to consumers. The findings contribute to a better understanding of how risk appetite, biases and consumer reviews shape the quality of information.

Design/methodology/approach

The questionnaire assessed the relationship between dependent and independent variables by asking participants to rate their experiences in relevant scenarios. Variance-based structural equation modeling with the ADANCO program was used to examine the data. ADANCO software is used explicitly for variance-based structural equation modeling. To evaluate research models and test hypotheses, partial least square path modeling is used.

Findings

The efficiency of reviews and ratings is greatly influenced by consumer risk appetite. Businesses should focus on clients who are willing to take risks and balance positive and negative feedback. It is essential to comprehend how customers understand reviews. Credibility is increased by taking biases into account and encouraging unbiased criticism. Promoting thorough reviews strengthens influence. Monitoring and making use of these elements improve online reputation and commercial success.

Research limitations/implications

The research has limitations due to the simplicity of the attributes taken into account and the requirement for a larger sample size. Overcoming barriers to promote consistent client feedback is essential, and tailored emails can help with assessment generation. Increased customer participation in writing evaluations can be achieved by removing obstacles and highlighting the advantages of participation.

Originality/value

Businesses and buyers rely on this “organically” generated content as the basis of their promotional strategy and buying decisions. Most of the research is related to consumer reviews, their behavior and the importance of social validation. However, some critical aspects related to this need further investigation.
Insights on emotional labour research: a topic modelling approach
Authors: Trivedi Shrawan Kumar , Chalapathi Dhurjati Shesha , Srivastava Jaya , Singh Shefali , Deb Roy Abhijit
Published: April 2024

Purpose

Emotional labour (EL) is a complex phenomenon that has received increasing attention in recent years due to its impact on employee’s well-being and job satisfaction. For a comprehensive understanding of the evolving field of EL, it is important to extract different research trends, new developments and research directions in this domain. The study aims to reveal 13 prominent research topics based on the topic modelling analysis.

Design/methodology/approach

Using latent Dirichlet allocation (LDA) method, topic modelling is done on 1,462 journal research papers published between 1999 and 2023, extracted from the Scopus database using the keyword “EL”.

Findings

The analysis identifies several emerging trends in EL research, including emotional regulation training and job redesign. Similarly, the topics like EL strategies, cultural differences and EL, EL in hospitality, organizational support and EL, EL and gender and psychological well-being of nursing workers are popular research topics in this domain.

Research limitations/implications

The findings provide valuable insights into the current state of EL research and can provide a direction for future research as well as assist organizations to design practices aimed at improving working conditions for employees in various industries.

Originality/value

Topic modelling on emotional labor is done. The paper identifies specific topics or clusters related to emotional labor, quantifies these topics using topic modeling, adds empirical rigor, and allows for comparisons across different contexts.
Forecasting the Mexican craft beer market: an integrated consumer perception conjoint analysis approach incorporating price and product attributes
Authors: Castillo-Ortiz Ismael , Lee Minwoo , Taylor Scott , Bufquin Diego
Published: April 2024

Purpose

This paper aims to uncover patterns of Mexican craft beer consumers and guide companies’ decisions in the creation of new products, marketing strategies, advertising and promotion to increase craft beer sales and contribute to faster growth.

Design/methodology/approach

This is a conjoint analysis with a selection of attributes for new or renewed products, marginal disposition to pay for particular characteristics through brand-specific choice-based design, and market simulation.

Findings

This paper clearly demonstrates consumers’ preferences and willingness to pay in Mexico, with a cutting-edge market research technique combining the prioritization of preferred craft beer characteristics, and the price consumers are willing to pay for such product characteristics.

Research limitations/implications

The study's sample size of 501 responses is relatively small compared to the total number of craft beer consumers in Mexico. To enhance the validity and reliability of the findings, future studies should aim to obtain larger samples and compare their results with those of this study.

Practical implications

This study has important implications for craft beer producers, allowing them to develop targeted craft beers with appealing attributes for Mexican consumers, such as color, aroma intensity, alcohol degree intensity, bitterness, foam level and price.

Social implications

This study's market forecasting simulation technique is based on assumptions of consumer behavior and market dynamics. Although relevant variables were considered, unanticipated external factors or market changes could impact the forecasts' accuracy. This will allow for a more comprehensive understanding of craft beer consumer preferences in different markets and enhance the reliability of forecasting techniques.

Originality/value

This paper informs craft beer producers by providing valuable knowledge on customers’ preferences and willingness to pay to enhance craft beer companies’ product development processes.
A prescription for efficiency: optimizing the surgical item inventory management practices in a healthcare facility
Authors: Saddikuti Venkataramanaiah , Prakash Surya , Siddharth Vijaydeep , Jain Kanika , Satpathy Sidhartha
Published: April 2024

Purpose

The primary objective of this article is to examine current procurement, inventory control and management practices in modern healthcare, with a particular focus on the procurement and management of surgical supplies in a prominent public, highly specialized healthcare sector.

Design/methodology/approach

This study was conducted in three phases. In Phase 1, the study team interacted with various hospital management stakeholders, including the surgical hospital store, examined the current procurement process and identified challenges. Phase 2 focused on selecting items for a detailed study and collected the qualitative and quantitative details of the store department of the healthcare sector chosen. A detailed study analyzed revenue, output/demand, inventory levels, etc. In Phase 3, a decision-making framework is proposed, and inventory control systems are redesigned and demonstrated for the selected items.

Findings

It was observed that the demand for many surgical items had increased significantly over the years due to an increase in disposable/disposable items, while inventories fluctuated widely. Maximum inventory levels varied between 50 and 75%. Storage and availability were important issues for the hospital. It is assumed the hospital adopts the proposed inventory control system. In this case, the benefits can be a saving of 62% of the maximum inventory, 20% of the average stock in the system and optimal use of storage space, improving the performance and productivity of the hospital.

Research limitations/implications

This study can help the healthcare sector administration to develop better systems for the procurement and delivery of common surgical items and efficient resource allocation. It can help provide adequate training to store staff. This study can help improve management/procurement policies, ordering and delivery systems, better service levels, and inventory control of items in the hospital business context. This study can serve as a pilot study to further investigate the overall hospital operations.

Practical implications

This study can help the healthcare sector administration develop better systems for procuring and delivering common surgical items and efficient resource allocation. It can help provide adequate training to store staff. This study can help improve management/procurement policies, ordering and delivery systems, better service levels and inventory control of items in the hospital business context. This study can serve as a pilot study to further investigate the overall hospital operations.

Originality/value

This study is an early attempt to develop a decision framework and inventory control system from the perspective of healthcare inventory management. The gaps identified in real hospital scenarios are investigated, and theoretically based-inventory management strategies are applied and proposed.
Does audit quality moderate the relationship between financial statements readability and stock price crash risk?
Authors: Saleeb Agaiby Bakhiet Bahaa
Published: April 2024

Purpose

This study aims to examine the correlation between the readability of financial statements and the likelihood of future stock price crashes in nonfinancial companies listed on the Egyptian Stock Exchange. It further explores the possible moderating effect of audit quality on this relationship.

Design/methodology/approach

The study uses ordinary least squares regression, generalized least squares estimation and two-stage least squares methodology to examine and validate the research hypotheses. The sample comprises 107 nonfinancial companies registered on the Egyptian Stock Exchange from 2016 to 2019.

Findings

The results reveal a significant negative association between the readability of financial statements and stock price crash risk. This suggests that companies with more complex financial statements tend to experience higher future crash risks. Additionally, the study identifies audit quality as a significant moderating factor. Higher audit quality, often indicated by engagements with Big-4 audit firms, strengthens the influence of financial statements readability on stock price crash risk. This implies that while high audit quality enhances investor confidence and market stability, it also accentuates the negative consequences of complex financial statements.

Practical implications

The findings of this paper have significant implications for regulators and standard-setting bodies in Egypt. They should consider refining and revising existing standards to emphasize the importance of enhancing the readability of financial reports. Additionally, auditing firms should actively engage in efforts to ensure clearer and more transparent financial reporting. These actions are vital for boosting investor confidence, strengthening Egypt’s capital market and mitigating potential risks associated with information opacity and complexity.

Originality/value

This study represents a pioneering endeavor within the Arab and Egyptian financial environments. To the best of the author’s knowledge, it is the first examination of the association between the readability of financial statements and stock price crash risk in these contexts. Furthermore, it explores factors such as audit quality that may influence this connection.
Agents for change: developing transformative and Adaptive Leadership capacities among early-career extension professionals
Authors: Aniche Abasiama-Arit , Bundy Hannah , McKee Katherine E.
Published: April 2024

Purpose

The Agents of Change program is a two-year, project-based learning program to develop Extension Professionals’ capacity to engage in Adaptive and Transformative Leadership. Its primary goal is to develop the capacity of Extension Professionals to engage in leadership to create more diverse, equitable, inclusive and just Extension programs and community change initiatives. This manuscript describes the program and an initial evaluation and results.

Findings

Results of an evaluation of the first year of the program indicate that regular training sessions and support are appropriate for leadership development and that Extension Professionals are using the learning, awareness and tools from this program to address challenges with Adaptive and Transformative Leadership elements. Also, Extension professionals demonstrated commitment to personal growth, community engagement and understanding of their multifaceted roles as change agents.

Originality/value

Participants are sharing resources from the program with colleagues, leading meetings differently, questioning the status quo and pushing others to try new ways forward.
Energy import dependence, renewable energy deployment, and carbon emissions in G20 countries
Authors: Yan Qing , Wang Yongpei , Zhang Xin , Du Xiatian , Huang Tianyi
Published: April 2024

Against the background of unbalanced global energy distribution and increased exogenous shocks to energy trade, major countries bear special responsibilities for energy security and the achievement of greenhouse gas emission reduction under the Paris Agreement. Stabilizing energy supply chains and deploying renewable energy on a large scale are seen as fundamental ways to address both issues. To this end, this paper uses a sample of G20 countries covering the period 1980–2020 to estimate the links between energy import dependence, renewable energy deployment, and carbon emissions per capita. The results indicate that the energy import dependence of G20 countries can act as a combined brake on carbon emissions in large developed countries and emerging market countries, suggesting that global energy trade also has an additional role in reducing carbon emissions. Oil import dependence as one of the robustness check strategies further confirms these findings. The impact mechanism estimates imply that the channel for reducing carbon emissions of energy import dependence was to prompt countries to accelerate renewable energy deployment. Within the established framework of energy demand and economic growth, the universal deployment of renewable energy is a fundamental way to achieve environmental friendliness. These findings provide insights into multinational coordinated policies that ensure open and cooperative international energy markets and a transnational energy trading system that puts humanity on a path to global carbon neutrality.
Population‐based study of disease trajectory after radical treatment for high‐risk prostate cancer
Authors: Stattin Pär , Fleming Sarah , Lin Xiwu , Lefresne Florence , Brookman‐May Sabine D. , Mundle Suneel D. , Pai Helen , Gifkins Dina , Robinson David , Styrke Johan , Garmo Hans
Published: April 2024

Objectives

To investigate long‐term disease trajectories among men with high‐risk localized or locally advanced prostate cancer (HRLPC) treated with radical radiotherapy (RT) or radical prostatectomy (RP).

Material and Methods

Men diagnosed with HRLPC in 2006–2020, who received primary RT or RP, were identified from the Prostate Cancer data Base Sweden (PCBaSe) 5.0. Follow‐up ended on 30 June 2021. Treatment trajectories and risk of death from prostate cancer (PCa) or other causes were assessed by competing risk analyses using cumulative incidence for each event.

Results

In total, 8317 men received RT and 4923 men underwent RP. The median (interquartile range) follow‐up was 6.2 (3.6–9.5) years. After RT, the 10‐year risk of PCa‐related death was 0.13 (95% confidence interval [CI] 0.12–0.14) and the risk of death from all causes was 0.32 (95% CI 0.31–0.34). After RP, the 10‐year risk of PCa‐related death was 0.09 (95% CI 0.08–0.10) and the risk of death from all causes was 0.19 (95% CI 0.18–0.21). The 10‐year risks of androgen deprivation therapy (ADT) as secondary treatment were 0.42 (95% CI 0.41–0.44) and 0.21 (95% CI 0.20–0.23) after RT and RP, respectively. Among men who received ADT as secondary treatment, the risk of PCa‐related death at 10 years after initiation of ADT was 0.33 (95% CI 030–0.36) after RT and 0.27 (95% CI 0.24–0.30) after RP.

Conclusion

Approximately one in 10 men with HRLPC who received primary RT or RP had died from PCa 10 years after diagnosis. Approximately one in three men who received secondary ADT, an indication of PCa progression, died from PCa 10 years after the start of ADT. Early identification and aggressive treatment of men with high risk of progression after radical treatment are warranted.
Participation experiences of young people with cerebral palsy in key life situations: A qualitative study
Authors: Ding Jacqueline Y. , Cleary Stacey L. , Morgan Prue E.
Published: April 2024

Aims

To explore the participation experiences of adolescents and young adults with cerebral palsy (CP) in key life situations of young adulthood and investigate the impact of a government‐funded, disability insurance scheme on participation and health service access.

Method

We conducted a qualitative descriptive study using semi‐structured interviews. Sixteen young people with CP (aged 16–30 years; mean age = 24 years 4 months) participated. Interviews were audio‐recorded and transcribed verbatim before thematic analysis.

Results

An overarching theme of ‘branching out into adulthood’ was identified. Participants described early adulthood as a time of change, choice, and challenge. The sub‐themes were: (1) making sense of my CP as an adult; (2) people's attitudes towards disability and the impacts on me; (3) roadblocks and workarounds; and (4) participation at the time of the COVID‐19 pandemic. Participants reported complex views on the new disability insurance scheme. While access to services and support increased, participants experienced significant difficulty negotiating appropriate funding, resulting in frustration and reduced confidence in the scheme.

Interpretation

Young people with CP experience complexity as they participate during young adulthood. Alongside exploring how their identity is intertwined with having CP, they face significant barriers to participation when navigating relationships, accessing services, and being involved in the community.

What this paper adds

Negative community attitudes about disability affect confidence and self‐perception, and hinder participation, in young adults with cerebral palsy (CP).

Close friends can act as a buffer for young adults with CP, fostering their participation and bringing joy.

A government‐funded disability support scheme has improved access to services.

However, high levels of advocacy are required to obtain appropriate support.

Online learning enhanced the participation and engagement of young adults with CP enrolled at university during the COVID‐19 pandemic.
Towards measuring the desired neurorehabilitation outcomes directly with accelerometers and machine learning
Authors: Geed Shashwati
Published: April 2024

This commentary is on the original article by Mathew et al. on pages 1380–1389 of this issue.
Theorizing collective action—Instrumental collectivism as a key concept for explaining workplace collective action
Authors: Refslund Bjarke
Published: April 2024

This article addresses workplace collective action. Through a discussion of instrumental and norm‐driven motivations for workers' collective action, it is argued that most workers are driven mainly by instrumental motivations—meaning, that they aim to achieve certain outcomes. Consequently, the theoretical concept of instrumental collectivism from Alan Fox is utilized to explain and understand collective action. Finally, six conditions facilitating workplace collective action, including an ideational and hence constructivist element, are identified and discussed providing a more nuanced theoretical framework of workers' collective action that allows for workers' agency and refutes that instrumentalism per se leads to individualized behavior.
You can't see me: Background matching is independent of body temperature in the Western diamond‐backed rattlesnake
Authors: Da Cunha O. , Fournier C. , Horne L. M. , Seymoure B. M. , Johnson J. D.
Published: April 2024

Coloration is crucial for ambush mesopredators' survival as they depend on it for camouflage to hunt and avoid predation. Furthermore, coloration is especially important in ectotherms as it is linked to two essential functions for survival: thermoregulation and crypsis. In a context of trade‐offs between thermoregulation and crypsis, the comprehension of how ectotherms employ color to address conflicting demands of thermoregulation and crypsis is limited. This study investigated background matching and thermoregulation in western diamond‐backed rattlesnakes (Crotalus atrox). Rattlesnakes were predicted to better match selected microhabitats in terms of color, luminance, and pattern than random microhabitats within their home range, and body temperature was predicted to influence their body coloration with higher temperatures favoring lighter colors. Pictures of 14 radiotracked western diamond‐backed rattlesnakes were taken in situ with a full spectrum camera (UV/VIS) and body temperature was recovered from internal temperature‐datalogging radiotransmitters. Crotalus atrox matched the color, luminance, and pattern of the background better than a randomly selected background, thus enhancing background matching. Additionally, rattlesnake coloration varied independently of temperature indicating that rattlesnakes are behaviorally modifying crypsis regardless of thermoregulation.
Why we should view the decision of medical trainees to cheat as the product of a person‐by‐situation interaction
Authors: Weeks Sarah , Desy Janeve , McLaughlin Kevin
Published: April 2024

Background

Cheating during medical training is a delicate subject matter with varying opinions on the prevalence, causes and gravity of cheating during training.

Proposed framework

In this article, the authors suggest that the decision to cheat is best viewed as the product of a person‐by‐situation interaction rather than indicating inherent dishonesty and/or extrinsic motivation in those who participate in cheating. This framework can explain why individuals who would typically default to honesty may participate in cheating if there is perceived justification for cheating and where situational variables, such as ease of cheating, rewards for cheating and perceived risk associated with cheating, make the decision to cheat appear rational.

Discussion

They discuss why the impression that there is a culture of cheating can provide perceived justification for medical trainees to cheat if they have the opportunity. They then describe how aspects of medical training and assessment may enable or hinder cheating by trainees. Consistent with the person‐by‐situation interaction framework, they contend that our response to cheating should include interventions directed at both the person who cheated and situational variables that enabled cheating. Recognising that some forms of cheating may be widespread, difficult to detect and contentious (such as the creation and use of exam reconstructs), their proposal for dealing with suspected and pervasive cheating is to identify and target enabling variables such that the decision to cheat becomes less rational. Their hope is that in so doing, we can gradually nudge trainees and the culture of medical training towards honesty.
Introduction to Really Good Stuff 2024
Authors: Anderson M. Brownell , Fyfe Molly , Stephens Georgina , Vakani Farhan
Published: April 2024

Brownie Anderson and the 2023‐24 cohort of Medical Education editorial interns introduce the exciting lineup of Really Good Stuff papers that follow.