bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Fans' perceptions of pro-environmental sustainability initiatives in sport and triple bottom line benefits
Authors: Cayolla Ricardo Roseira , Escadas Marco , Biscaia Rui , Kellison Timothy , Quintela Joana A. , Santos Teresa
Published: January 2023

Purpose

The purpose of this research is to examine fans' perceptions of pro-environmental sustainability initiatives promoted by a professional sport club and the ensuing effects on a triple bottom line (TBL) approach (i.e. fans' socially, environmentally and economically favourable behaviours).

Design/methodology/approach

Data were collected in two different steps using an online self-administered questionnaire (n1 = 1,043; n2 = 2,167) distributed to fees-paying members registered in the club's database. The analysis was carried out though structural equation modelling.

Findings

The results indicate good psychometric properties of the scale used to measure fans' perceptions of a club's pro-environmental sustainability initiatives (perceptions of pro-environmental sustainability initiatives in sports; p-PESIS). Additionally, there is a positive effect of p-PESIS on fans' social behaviours as well as on their daily environmental actions. Furthermore, p-PESIS also shows a positive effect at improving fans' economic activities towards the club.

Originality/value

Extending previous research, the authors tested a scale to measure fans' responses to pro-environmental sustainability initiatives in sport and examined their links to the TBL dimensions. Pro-environmental sustainability initiatives in sport benefit not only the club itself (by reinforcing fans' activities with the club) but also society as a whole, as it can promote fans' conscientiousness and likelihood to behave in environmentally and socially favourable ways.
Partner's generalized locus of control and domains of job satisfaction: evidence from Australia
Authors: Tran Dai Binh , Tran Hanh Thi My
Published: January 2023

Purpose

This study examines the relationship between partners' locus of control and their spouses' domains of job satisfaction (job satisfaction and its domains, personal income and promotion) among Australian couples.

Design/methodology/approach

Data were obtained from the Household, Income and Labor Dynamics of Australia (HILDA) Survey. Various estimation strategies including ordinary least squares (OLS), Mundlak approach and instrumental variable (IV) method are used to reveal the relationship between spouse's locus of control and domains of job satisfaction.

Findings

To reduce sex heterogeneity, the analysis used in this study is disaggregated by sex. In particular, the findings of this study show that wives' locus of control positively influences husbands' satisfaction with pay and working hours, while there is no relationship between husbands' locus of control and wives' domains of job satisfaction.

Social implications

The study's findings emphasize the importance of locus of control in couples. A good work–life balance and a healthy marital relationship potentially facilitate positive effects of characteristics from the partner on employees' job satisfaction. Thus, on the organizational level, employers may consider creating a working environment that promotes a healthy marital relationship for their staff, including flexible working schedules, work from home options, family days or family-extended staff events.

Originality/value

This study is the first to reveal the relationship between spousal locus of control and domains of job satisfaction, enriching the current literature on this topic.
Determinants of corporate governance compliance: what matters and what does not?
Authors: Tanjung Miranda
Published: January 2023

Purpose

The objective of this study is to assess the level of corporate governance (CG) compliance and identify determinants of high compliance in Indonesian publicly listed corporations including family and nonfamily firms. The country uses a voluntary disclosure approach to enforce its regulations; thus, it is important to identify the factors affecting compliance.

Design/methodology/approach

Employing a logistic regression model, this paper analyzes the CG index of high-compliance vs. poor-compliance companies and emphasizes factors that contribute to better governance compliance. The CG index of high-compliant firms is almost twice as high as that of low-compliant firms.

Findings

The study explores factors that contribute to high CG in an emerging market like Indonesian corporations. The study's findings indicate that family-owned businesses predominate in the low-compliance group. High-compliance firms are older and larger with higher financial performance, free float and leverage, as well as a positive influence of the founder's great leadership. The results support theoretical arguments that concentrated ownership and excessive majority shareholder control are key factors in determining the likelihood of good governance practices by firms. Hence, the market and regulators should devise effective strategies to encourage and reward high compliance.

Research limitations/implications

The findings of the research offer several implications for the academic community and policymakers. Improving CG at the firm level is a viable goal, even though the agenda to reform minority investor protection laws and increase judicial quality is challenging and may take a long time to show significant results. Moreover, this study has some limitations that could be addressed in future research. The study focuses on a single-country setting, Indonesia. There are cultural aspects and governance settings that may be unique in the Indonesian context, which may limit the applicability of the findings to other countries with their own cultural settings and institutional legal framework.

Originality/value

The study investigates the factors that influence high governance compliance in specific CG regulations designed for the emerging Indonesian market. The study also discovers evidence that the crisis period has a favorable impact on the firm's decision to comply with governance provisions.
Examining the trident: how data from the PISA study can be used to identify associations among context, school leadership and student outcomes
Authors: Kemethofer David , Weber Christoph , Brauckmann-Sajkiewicz Stefan , Pashiardis Petros
Published: January 2023

Purpose

In an era of increased autonomy and accountability in education, school principals have been given the responsibility for many tasks that used to be centralized, such as hiring and managing personnel, ensuring that the curriculum is followed and that the development of the school is on the right path. In this study an exploration is attempted into the associations among institutional context, school leadership, school climate and student outcomes.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors analyze data from the Programme of International Student Assessment study 2015 to identify variations in institutional context (autonomy and accountability) among education systems to determine whether and how institutional context is associated with leadership and whether education systems, in turn, are associated with school climate and students' achievement in reading. To account for the hierarchical structure of the education systems under investigation, a three-level structural equation modeling (SEM) approach was employed to analyze the data gathered on the institutions, schools and students.

Findings

No association was found between the degree of autonomy of an education system and leadership behavior; however, accountability and leadership seemed to go together. Achievement in reading competencies was greater in school systems in which principals had more autonomy. At the school level, a relationship was found between leadership and opportunities for parental involvement.

Originality/value

The results of this study indicate the need of strong leadership in order to have better results when there is more accountability. In this sense, the authors' findings also point to the increased importance of context-sensitive leadership skills.
Employees’ connectedness to executives predicts job attitudes and quitting
Authors: Gallagher Patrick , Smith Stephen Christian , Swavely Steven M. , Coley Sarah
Published: January 2023

Purpose

Against the backdrop of a competitive hiring market and historically high rates of quitting, the current research examines a factor that could support talent retention in organizations: employees’ feelings of connectedness to their top executives. The authors examined the relationship between workers’ feelings of executive connectedness and job attitudes relative to other antecedents and its predictive power for quitting over and above manager and team connectedness.

Design/methodology/approach

In Study 1, the authors measured the relative predictive power of executive connectedness, along with 14 other antecedents, for the outcome of job attitudes in ten samples totaling over 70,000 observations, including two longitudinal samples. In Study 2, the authors used path analysis to test the relationship between executive connectedness and actual quitting, controlling for workers’ feelings of connectedness to their manager and teammates, in two (related) longitudinal samples.

Findings

Executive connectedness was robustly related to concurrent and future job attitudes, and it outranked manager variables in all samples. Executive connectedness predicted quitting, even when controlling for manager and team connectedness; this effect was mediated by job attitudes in one of two samples.

Practical implications

Executive connectedness could be an underutilized resource for understanding and possibly improving employee attitudes and retention. Executives should not delegate all responsibility for employee attitudes and retention to managers.

Originality/value

This research is to the authors' knowledge the first to systematically test the unique predictive validity of employees’ feelings of connectedness to executives for important outcomes. The results suggest that executive connectedness may be an important factor in employees’ workplace experience.
Online reviews towards reducing risk
Authors: Yadav Neha , Verma Sanjeev , Chikhalkar Rekha
Published: January 2023

Purpose

This paper aims to examine the impact of online reviews on behavioral intentions via perceived risk. Perceived risk is both analytical and emotional. Stimulus–organism–response (S–O–R) framework guided this study to explore the interaction between online reviews, perceived risk and behavioral intentions.

Design/methodology/approach

The conceptual model proposed in this research has been validated using confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) and structural equation modeling to assess the measurement model and the validity of the scale, based on primary responses collected from 473 travelers.

Findings

Findings of this study suggest the role of online consumer reviews in reducing the perceived risk associated with experience dominant services like tourism. Process model test proves the mediating role of perceived risk between online reviews and behavioral intentions. Results indicate the significance of online review in lowering the perceived risk leading to positive behavioral intentions.

Practical implications

Destination marketing organizations (DMOs) should understand the role of online reviews in effectively reducing risk and uncertainty, thereby influencing behavioral intentions.

Originality/value

This paper is unique in attempting to empirically examine the mediating role of perceived risk between online reviews and behavioral intentions. The study is a forerunner in using S–O–R framework to test the interaction between online review, perceived risk and behavioral intention.
Implementation of an ISO 50001 energy management system using Lean Six Sigma in an Irish dairy: a case study
Authors: Trubetskaya Anna , McDermott Olivia , McGovern Seamus
Published: January 2023

Purpose

This article aims to optimise energy use and consumption by integrating Lean Six Sigma methodology with the ISO 50001 energy management system standard in an Irish dairy plant operation.

Design/methodology/approach

This work utilised Lean Six Sigma methodology to identify methods to measure and optimise energy consumption. The authors use a single descriptive case study in an Irish dairy as the methodology to explain how DMAIC was applied to reduce energy consumption.

Findings

The replacement of heavy oil with liquid natural gas in combination with the new design of steam boilers led to a CO2 footprint reduction of almost 50%.

Practical implications

A further longitudinal study would be useful to measure and monitor the energy management system progress and carry out more case studies on LSS integration with energy management systems across the dairy industry.

Originality/value

The novelty of this study is the application of LSS in the dairy sector as an enabler of a greater energy-efficient facility, as well as the testing of the DMAIC approach to meet a key objective for ISO 50001 accreditation.
Metric intensity and innovation dependency
Authors: Li Shelley Xin , Merchant Kenneth A. , Wang Fiona Yingfei
Published: January 2023

We examine how metric intensity—that is, the quantity, frequency, and extent to which performance metrics are tracked and used—varies with a firm's dependency on innovation for business success. Although performance metrics are essential in an organization's management control system, little is known about how the use of metrics differs in organizations with varying dependencies on incremental and radical innovation. Drawing on data from a sample of small‐ and medium‐sized enterprises (SMEs), we hypothesize and find that firms' dependency on incremental (radical) innovation is positively (negatively) associated with metric intensity. Furthermore, we find that (1) the positive relationship between the dependency on incremental innovation and metric intensity is stronger when the organizational culture is focused more on “control” and (2) the negative relationship between the dependency on radical innovation and metric intensity is mitigated when the organizational culture is focused more on “flexibility.” Additional analysis shows that the positive (negative) relationship between incremental (radical) innovation dependency and metric intensity can be mitigated by greater use of metrics for decision‐facilitating purposes. Our findings suggest that metrics‐based formal controls are designed to match the types of innovation dependencies and pre‐existing informal controls such as organizational culture. This study highlights the importance of distinguishing different types of innovation dependency in studying management control systems.
Characterisation of an ethyl methanesulfonate‐derived drought‐tolerant sugarcane mutant line
Authors: Masoabi M. , Snyman S. , Van der Vyver C.
Published: January 2023

Sustainable sugarcane production in areas prone to frequent and severe drought can be achieved by creating resilient sugarcane varieties. In this study, a unique mutant line, M9.2, was generated from a drought susceptible commercial sugarcane cultivar, N19, through the exposure of callus cells to the ethyl methanesulfonate mutagen and subsequent in vitro osmotic selection on polyethylene glycol. The study aimed to characterise the M9.2 mutant, in comparison with the parental genotype, in terms of its physiological and biochemical performance and proteome profile when exposed to moderate (14 days without water) and severe (21 days without water) water deficit stress in glasshouse pot trials. In comparison to the parental counterparts, the mutant plants were able to sustain the quantum efficiency of photosystem II (Fv/Fm) throughout the stress. Under mild stress, the mutant plants displayed elevated stomatal conductance, high concentrations of proline, accumulated less H2O2 and phenotypically displayed limited wilting and no visible signs of leaf senescence. Under severe stress, the mutant plants accumulated less malondialdehyde and more antioxidant enzymes (superoxide dismutase and catalase) than the parental line. Differential protein expression was also observed according to two‐dimensional difference gel electrophoresis patterns of proteins expressed in the M9.2 mutant versus the parental plants during moderate stress. Analysis revealed proteins related to photosynthesis (pyruvate orthophosphate dikinase, un‐fragmented ribulose‐1,5‐bisphosphate carboxylase/oxygenase large subunit and chlorophyll a/b‐binding protein 3) and carbohydrate metabolism (sucrose synthase) were up‐regulated in the mutant. Differentially expressed proteins were further linked to energy metabolism, methylation homeostasis and DNA repair. This study characterises the new M9.2 mutant with beneficial drought‐tolerant traits which have the potential to be exploited in future sugarcane breeding programmes.
Rilmenidine extends lifespan and healthspan in Caenorhabditis elegans via a nischarin I1‐imidazoline receptor
Authors: Bennett Dominic F. , Goyala Anita , Statzer Cyril , Beckett Charles W. , Tyshkovskiy Alexander , Gladyshev Vadim N. , Ewald Collin Y. , de Magalhães João Pedro
Published: January 2023

Repurposing drugs capable of extending lifespan and health span has a huge untapped potential in translational geroscience. Here, we searched for known compounds that elicit a similar gene expression signature to caloric restriction and identified rilmenidine, an I1‐imidazoline receptor agonist and prescription medication for the treatment of hypertension. We then show that treating Caenorhabditis elegans with rilmenidine at young and older ages increases lifespan. We also demonstrate that the stress‐resilience, health span, and lifespan benefits of rilmenidine treatment in C. elegans are mediated by the I1‐imidazoline receptor nish‐1, implicating this receptor as a potential longevity target. Consistent with the shared caloric‐restriction‐mimicking gene signature, supplementing rilmenidine to calorically restricted C. elegans, genetic reduction of TORC1 function, or rapamycin treatment did not further increase lifespan. The rilmenidine‐induced longevity required the transcription factors FOXO/DAF‐16 and NRF1,2,3/SKN‐1. Furthermore, we find that autophagy, but not AMPK signaling, was needed for rilmenidine‐induced longevity. Moreover, transcriptional changes similar to caloric restriction were observed in liver and kidney tissues in mice treated with rilmenidine. Together, these results reveal a geroprotective and potential caloric restriction mimetic effect by rilmenidine that warrant fresh lines of inquiry into this compound.
Associations of recreational cannabis dispensaries’ availability, storefront signage and health benefit signs with cannabis use: findings from a representative adult sample in California, United States
Authors: Han Bing , Shi Yuyan
Published: January 2023

Background and aims

There are concerns that availability of recreational cannabis dispensaries (RCDs) and point‐of‐sale marketing may lead to increased cannabis use in jurisdictions where cannabis retail sale is legal. This paper examined whether the availability RCDs and the presence of storefront signage indicative of cannabis and signs promoting health benefits in RCDs were associated with cannabis use and risk perceptions.

Design

Cross‐sectional, secondary data analysis.

Setting

California, USA.

Participants

A representative sample of 3385 adults in California who participated in the 2020 probability‐based Marijuana Use and Environment Survey.

Measurements

Binary outcomes included past‐month overall cannabis use, perceiving cannabis smoking as harmful and past‐month cannabis use by purpose (medical only, recreational only and dual). The objectively assessed predictors included proximity and density of RCDs and presence of storefront signage indicative of cannabis and signs promoting health benefits in RCDs.

Findings

In terms of proximity, thepresence of storefront signage in the nearest RCD was associated with smaller odds of perceiving cannabis smoking as harmful [odds ratio (OR) = 0.63, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 0.39, 0.99] if the RCD was located within 2 miles of home. Presence of health benefit signs in the nearest RCD was associated with greater odds of overall cannabis use (OR = 2.45, 95% CI = 1.17, 5.16) and recreational use (OR = 3.50, 95% CI = 1.027, 11.91) if the RCD was located within 2–4 miles of home. In terms of density, count of RCDs, count of RCDs with storefront signage and count of RCDs with health benefit signs within 2 miles of home were each separately associated with greater odds of overall cannabis use and cannabis use for dual purposes.

Conclusions

The availability of recreational cannabis dispensaries within 2 miles of one's home and the presence of storefront signage indicating the availability of cannabis and signs promoting health benefits of cannabis appear to be associated with increased cannabis use and reduced risk perceptions among adults in California, USA.
Mediators of inflammation at the maternal‐fetal interface are altered by SARS‐CoV‐2 infection and pandemic stress
Authors: Marie‐Eve Brien , Elsa Bernier , Josianne Clavel , Yasmine Kebiche , Claude‐Emilie Jacob , Camille Couture , Dorothée Dal Soglio , Sylvie Girard
Published: January 2023

Problem

It is now recognized that SARS‐CoV‐2 infection and pandemic‐related stress impacts maternal health. However, their effects at the maternal‐fetal interface are still debated.

Method of study

We recruited 199 women between March 2020 and July 2021, 79 SARS‐CoV‐2+ and 120 negative (the latter exposed to pandemic stress only). We also included 40 historic controls (i.e. pre‐pandemic uncomplicated pregnancies recruited before March 2020). Placental samples were collected for protein and histological analysis.

Results

The majority of SARS‐CoV‐2+ women were multiethnic, had higher pre‐pregnancy BMI and elevated preterm birth rate (17%) vs SARS‐CoV‐2– or historic control. Placental inflammatory profile revealed increased IL‐1Ra and CRP, independently of SARS‐CoV‐2 status, whilst MCP‐1, IL‐6 and IFNγ were elevated in the negative, but pandemic stress‐exposed, group. These changes were predominant in placentas with inflammatory lesions on histopathological analysis. Furthermore, we observed elevated immune cells (CD45+) in placentas from SARS‐CoV‐2+ and negative pregnancies vs historic controls, even when individuals with pregnancy complications were excluded.

Conclusions

Placental inflammatory profiles differed between SARS‐CoV‐2 statuses, namely exposed to pandemic stress +/‐ SARS‐CoV‐2 infection. This highlights the need to understand the differences between the effects of pandemic‐related stress and the added burden of SARS‐CoV‐2 infection on placental health.
Manual morcellation (Resectr™ 9Fr) vs electromechanical morcellation (TruClear™) for hysteroscopic polypectomy: A randomized controlled non‐inferiority trial
Authors: van Wessel Steffi , Hamerlynck Tjalina , van Vliet Huib , Schoot Benedictus , Weyers Steven
Published: January 2023

Introduction

Meta‐analyses comparing hysteroscopic electromechanical morcellation with electrosurgical resection showed a shorter operating time for electromechanical morcellation, mainly for polypectomy. The Resectr™ 9Fr is a new hysteroscopic manual morcellator, designed to simplify this procedure. We aimed to compare manual with electromechanical morcellation for hysteroscopic polypectomy.

Material and methods

This two‐center randomized controlled non‐inferiority trial was performed from 2018 to 2021 in the Catharina Hospital and the Ghent University Hospital. The study was registered at the Dutch Trial Register (NL6922; ICTRP ID: NTR7118). One hundred and forty women with polyps (between 8 and 20 mm) scheduled for hysteroscopic removal were randomized between manual (Resectr™ 9Fr) or electromechanical (TruClear™) morcellation. The primary outcome was time (instrumentation set‐up, resection, and total procedure time).

Results

The non‐inferiority margin for the primary outcome time was 1.3. Mean instrumentation set‐up time was 10% shorter with the manual compared with the electromechanical morcellator (estimated mean ratio manual/electromechanical = 0.9; 97.5% confidence interval [CI] 0.8–1.1). Mean resection time was 30% longer with the manual compared with the motor‐driven system (estimated mean ratio manual/electromechanical = 1.3; 97.5% CI 0.9–1.9). Mean total procedure time was 10% longer with the manual compared with the electromechanical morcellator (estimated mean ratio manual/electromechanical = 1.1; 95% CI 0.91–1.298). The estimated odds (electromechanical/manual) of better surgeon's safety, effective and comfort scores were, respectively, 4.5 (95% CI 0.9–22.1), 7.0 (95% CI 1.5–31.9), and 5.9 (95% CI 1.1–30.3) times higher with the motor‐driven compared with the manual morcellator. Conversion rates and incomplete resection rates were comparable in both groups (manual vs electromechanical) (7.6% [4/66] vs 2.9% [2/68] and 6.1% [4/66] vs 3.0% [2/66], respectively). No intraoperative and postoperative complications were registered.

Conclusions

The manual morcellator was non‐inferior to the electromechanical morcellator for hysteroscopic polypectomy in terms of mean instrumentation set‐up time and total procedure time. Results on resection time were inconclusive. Conversion and incomplete resection rates were within the range reported in the literature. Surgeon's reported rating for both devices was high, however, in favor of the motor‐driven tissue removal system.
Diversity climate affords unequal protection against incivility among Asian workers: The COVID‐19 pandemic as a racial mega‐threat
Authors: Shen Winny , Lam Janice , Varty Christianne T. , Krstic Anja , Hideg Ivona
Published: January 2023

Despite longstanding recognition that organisations are open systems that are affected by the broader environments in which they are situated, scholars have rarely examined how such macrosocietal conditions may influence processes and experiences within the workplace. Integrating research on selective incivility and mega‐threats, we conceptualise the COVID‐19 pandemic as a racial mega‐threat and examine how this context may challenge organisations' efforts to promote diversity and inclusion. Specifically, we predict that the protective benefits of diversity climate against incivility, an insidious form of modern discrimination incited by the COVID‐19 pandemic, will be weaker for workers of Chinese descent compared to workers from other Asian subgroups, leading to more downstream negative outcomes for this group of workers (i.e., higher turnover intentions, poorer job performance and greater emotional exhaustion). This reflects the fact that workplaces are not impervious to the rising xenophobia toward China and Chinese people, who were particularly blamed and stigmatised for the emergence of this virus, as evident in North American society in early 2020. We found support for our predictions in a three‐wave, time‐separated study of Asian workers (N = 248) in the US and Canada during the first wave of the pandemic.
Fat clearance in the hepatocystic triangle during laparoscopic cholecystectomy: Fact or fad? An NIRF‐based study
Authors: Gadiyaram Srikanth , Nachiappan Murugappan
Published: January 2023

Introduction

At present, the pre‐ and postdissection regions during laparoscopic cholecystectomy (LC) are uniformly described by the term “hepatocystic triangle” (HCT). It is unclear whether a distinction needs to be made. An observational study was undertaken to evaluate the predissection hepatocystic region (pre‐HCR) and the postdissection hepatocystic region (post‐HCR). Also, the dissection‐related changes to the contents of the pre‐HCR (“proper HCT”) were evaluated.

Methods

A retrospective review of a prospectively maintained database was done. The operative videos of patients who underwent fluorescence‐guided surgery from December 2021 to February 2022 were reviewed. Patients with gallstone disease without complications (GSD) were included in the study. Exclusion criteria were acute cholecystitis, choledocholithiasis, biliary pancreatitis, biliary fistulas, and gallbladder wall thickening of ≥3 mm on ultrasonography.

Results

Thirteen patients underwent LC for GSD using standard dissection methods. The boundaries of the pre‐HCR were identified before dissection in all patients. The dissection resulted in a quadrangular space lateral to the “proper HCT” in all. The post‐HCR contained the undissected “proper‐HCT” and the quadrangular space in all. The post‐HCR area was 4.4 times that of the pre‐HCR (3.2–13.1). The peritoneum over the “proper HCT” was unbreached in all patients, and the target structures were delineated outside of it. A critical view of safety (CVS) was demonstrated outside of the “proper HCT” in all patients.

Conclusion

During near‐infrared fluorescence‐guided LC for GSD, there is no fat clearance in the “HCT.” The hepatocystic region before and at the conclusion were distinctly different. The uniform usage of the term “HCT” does not convey this change.
Diagnosis, treatment and survival from bladder, upper urinary tract, and urethral cancers: real‐world findings from NHS England between 2013 and 2019
Authors: Catto James W.F. , Mandrik Olena , Quayle Lewis A. , Hussain Syed A. , McGrath John , Cresswell Joanne , Birtle Alison J. , Jones Rob J. , Mariappan Paramananthan , Makaroff Lydia E. , Knight Allen , Mostafid Hugh , Chilcott Jim , Sasieni Peter , Cumberbatch Marcus
Published: January 2023

Objective

We report NHS England data for patients with bladder cancer (BC), upper tract urothelial cancer (UTUC: renal pelvic and ureteric), and urethral cancers from 2013 to 2019.

Materials and Methods

Hospital episode statistics, waiting times, and cancer registrations were extracted from NHS Digital.

Results

Registrations included 128 823 individuals with BC, 16 018 with UTUC, and 2533 with urethral cancer. In 2019, 150 816 persons were living with a diagnosis of BC, of whom 113 067 (75.0%) were men, 85 117 (56.5%) were aged >75 years, and 95 553 (91.7%) were Caucasian. Incidence rates were stable (32.7–34.3 for BC, 3.9–4.2 for UTUC and 0.6–0.7 for urethral cancer per 100 000 population). Most patients 52 097 (mean [range] 41.3% [40.7–42.0%]) were referred outside the 2‐week‐wait pathway and 15 340 (mean [range] 12.2% [11.7–12.6%]) presented as emergencies. Surgery, radiotherapy, chemotherapy, or multimodal treatment use varied with disease stage, patient factors and Cancer Alliance. Between 27% and 29% (n = 6616) of muscle‐invasive BCs did not receive radical treatment. Survival rates reflected stage, grade, location, and tumour histology. Overall survival rates did not improve over time (relative change: 0.97, 95% confidence interval 0.97–0.97) at 2 years in contrast to other cancers.

Conclusion

The diagnostic pathway for BC needs improvement. Increases in survival might be delivered through greater use of radical treatment. NHS Digital data offers a population‐wide picture of this disease but does not allow individual outcomes to be matched with disease or patient features and key parameters can be missing or incomplete.
A Context‐Dependent Bayesian Account for Causal‐Based Categorization
Authors: Marchant Nicolás , Quillien Tadeg , Chaigneau Sergio E.
Published: January 2023

The causal view of categories assumes that categories are represented by features and their causal relations. To study the effect of causal knowledge on categorization, researchers have used Bayesian causal models. Within that framework, categorization may be viewed as dependent on a likelihood computation (i.e., the likelihood of an exemplar with a certain combination of features, given the category's causal model) or as a posterior computation (i.e., the probability that the exemplar belongs to the category, given its features). Across three experiments, in combination with computational modeling, we offer evidence that categorization is better accounted for by assuming that people compute posteriors and not likelihoods, though both probabilities are closely related. This result contrasts with existing analyses of causal‐based categorization, which assume that likelihood computations give a good approximation of human judgments. We also find that people are able to compute likelihoods in a closely related task that elicits judgments of consistency rather than category membership judgments. Our analyses show that people do use causal probabilistic information as prescribed by a Bayesian model but that they flexibly compute likelihoods or posteriors depending on the task. We discuss our results in relation to the relevant literature on the topic.
Lymphocyte‐predominant lesional inflammatory infiltrates of the skin are associated with mucosal‐dominant phenotype in pemphigus
Authors: Papara Cristian , Danescu Sorina , Rogojan Liliana , Leucuta Daniel Corneliu , Candrea Elisabeta , Zillikens Detlef , Baican Adrian
Published: January 2023

Introduction

Pemphigus is a potentially life‐threatening autoimmune blistering disease. To date, studies assessing the association of histopathology with clinical phenotype are lacking. We sought to evaluate the main histopathologic findings and, also, the potential links between cutaneous inflammatory infiltrates and clinical characteristics in pemphigus.

Methods

We conducted a retrospective cohort study in patients diagnosed with pemphigus vulgaris (PV) and pemphigus foliaceus (PF) in a referral center for autoimmune blistering diseases.

Results

A total of 124 patients were included in the study (97 had PV and 27 had PF). On biopsy specimens, PV was more frequently associated with the “row of tombstones” feature (36.1% vs. 11.1%, p = 0.013), and PF was associated with acanthosis (44.4% vs. 23.7%, p = 0.034). Acantholysis was found in the upper half of the epidermis in PF (96.3% vs. 5.15%, p < 0.001), as opposed to the lower half in PV (75.2% vs. 0%, p = 0.002).

Patients with lymphocyte‐predominant inflammatory infiltrates in lesional skin specimens presented with a higher frequency of the mucosal‐dominant phenotype (25.5% vs. 9.1%, p = 0.014), higher‐density cellular infiltrate (100% vs. 41.6%, p < 0.001), and more frequent acantholytic cells (42.6% vs. 23.4%, p = 0.025). Neutrophil‐predominant infiltrates in specimens from lesional skin were linked to a milder disease based on median Pemphigus Disease Area Index (38.9% vs. 13.2%, p = 0.036) and Autoimmune Bullous Skin Disorder Intensity Score (20.2 vs. 36.3, p = 0.019), while eosinophil‐predominant inflammatory infiltrates were more often associated with eosinophilic spongiosis (100% vs. 23.1%, p = 0.014).

Conclusions

Lymphocyte‐predominant infiltrates in lesional skin specimens of pemphigus patients predict a mucosal‐dominant phenotype, while neutrophil‐predominant infiltrates are associated with a milder disease.
Strategies for better integrating nutrient supplementation and dietary diversity approaches for stunting reduction and improved nutrition outcomes: A Rwandan case study
Authors: Warner James , Marivoet Wim , Covic Namukolo , Umugwaneza Maryse
Published: January 2023

Motivation

Increased attention to the health and nutritional status of people in low‐income countries has led to the development and budgeting for food and nutrition policies. While current policy discussions generally acknowledge the need for better integrating nutrition‐sensitive approaches into current nutrition‐specific health interventions, most do not weigh the costs and merits or potential synergies.

Purpose

The overall objective of this article is to gain insight into the types of interventions that policy‐makers can select and combine to sustainably improve nutrition outcomes in Rwanda.

Methods and approach

Making use of the Lives Saved Tool (LiST) combined with linear programming (LP) techniques applied to food consumption data, this article applies a cost–benefit analysis to Rwanda on two distinct intervention bundles targeted at children and pregnant women. The first entails a set of six nutrient supplementation interventions; the second involves dietary diversification.

Findings

Whereas both intervention types yield comparable results with respect to short‐term cost effectiveness, the diet diversity approach clearly outperforms nutrient supplementation interventions when aspects of behavioural change, fiscal dependency, and broader economic spillovers are considered in the longer term. Given that undernutrition calls for immediate action while food systems cannot be transformed overnight, abruptly implementing the diet diversity approach is neither effective nor politically feasible.

Policy implications

Based on the article's findings, future policies in Rwanda should consider adopting a more comprehensive strategy that integrates a set of near‐term implementable health/nutrition interventions, for immediate impacts on stunting cases, with medium‐term investments to help establish a food system capable of increasing dietary diversity and sustainably improving nutritional outcomes of the population.
Lessons from the Field. Continuous Quality Improvement: A multiyear HMRF case study of best practices in outreach program excellence
Authors: Nesbit Tyler S. , Harris Victor W. , Visconti Brian , Sewell Charles Bradford , Fogarty Kate , Duncan Jeneé C. , LaMontagne Liva , Nelson Nelly
Published: January 2023

Objective

We describe the process and outcomes of developing continuous quality improvement (CQI) procedures for a multiyear, multimillion‐dollar healthy marriage and responsible fatherhood (HMRF) relationship enhancement education program. We present lessons learned, including adaptations used to move all programming online due to the COVID‐19 pandemic.

Background

Continuous quality improvement (CQI) is a set of best practices that are often neglected in outreach programming due to challenges associated with funding, available expertise, and fear of underwhelming results. However, this practice provides valuable insight and benefits to programs and participants and can be implemented without interrupting program delivery.

Method

We developed a “living” CQI plan over the course of 5 years using three sources of data to track, evaluate, and inform CQI high‐performance decision‐making: program data, fidelity data, and outcome data.

Results

A sample of the preliminary descriptive quantitative results is presented including program registrations and show rates, facilitator effectiveness scores, intervention outcomes, and participant responses to online delivery to illustrate how the three types of data collected are used in the SMART Couples Project to support CQI efforts.

Conclusions and Implications

Our study demonstrates the benefits of using CQI as a powerful tool for program improvement, with staff and participants alike. It is the nature of the CQI process to be amenable to changes, including unforeseen disruptions in program delivery. Implementing an intentional formative and summative CQI strategy provides benefits to social outreach and family life education programs across delivery formats and contexts.
A guide to UFMylation, an emerging posttranslational modification
Authors: Millrine David , Peter Joshua J. , Kulathu Yogesh
Published: January 2023

Ubiquitin Fold Modifier‐1 (UFM1) is a ubiquitin‐like modifier (UBL) that is posttranslationally attached to lysine residues on substrates via a dedicated system of enzymes conserved in most eukaryotes. Despite the structural similarity between UFM1 and ubiquitin, the UFMylation machinery employs unique mechanisms that ensure fidelity. While physiological triggers and consequences of UFMylation are not entirely clear, its biological importance is epitomized by mutations in the UFMylation pathway in human pathophysiology including musculoskeletal and neurodevelopmental diseases. Some of these diseases can be explained by the increased endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress and disrupted translational homeostasis observed upon loss of UFMylation. The roles of UFM1 in these processes likely stem from its function at the ER where ribosomes are UFMylated in response to translational stalling. In addition, UFMylation has been implicated in other cellular processes including DNA damage response and telomere maintenance. Hence, the study of UFM1 pathway mechanics and its biological function will reveal insights into fundamental cell biology and is likely to afford new therapeutic opportunities for the benefit of human health. To this end, we herein provide a comprehensive guide to the current state of knowledge of UFM1 biogenesis, conjugation, and function with an emphasis on the underlying mechanisms.
Crack‐tip blunting and its implications on fracture of soft materials
Authors: Spagnoli Andrea , Brighenti Roberto , Montanari Matteo , Terzano Michele
Published: January 2023

Fracture of compliant materials is preceded by large deformations that reshape initially sharp cracks into rounded defects. This phenomenon, known as elastic crack blunting, is peculiar of rubber‐like polymers and soft biological tissues, such as skin, vessel walls, and tendons. With this work, we aim to provide a discussion on crack‐tip blunting and its implications in terms of tearing resistance and flaw tolerance of soft elastic materials. The characteristic features of the crack‐tip zone in the framework of nonlinear elasticity are reviewed analytically and with the help of finite element analyses on pure shear cracked geometries. Specifically, the strain‐hardening behavior typical of soft biological tissues is addressed, and we illustrate its effect on crack‐tip blunting, in terms of a local radius of curvature at the crack tip. A simplified geometrically nonlinear model, proposed to describe the progressive blunting at the crack tip and its effect on flaw tolerance, is validated through finite element analyses and experimental tests on silicone samples. We show how this can lead to a simplified criterion to define the fracture condition in nonlinear soft materials.
Intelligent prediction of fatigue life of natural rubber considering strain ratio effect
Authors: Wang Xiaoli , Liu Jingtao
Published: January 2023

An intelligent prediction model of rubber fatigue life considering strain ratios based on the support vector regression (SVR) and an improved sparrow search algorithm (ISSA) is proposed. In order to solve the problem that traditional methods may lead to unsatisfactory prediction results, we establish a prediction model based on SVR. To further improve the prediction accuracy, we utilize the ISSA algorithm to optimize various hyper‐parameters in the model. Fatigue tests of filled natural rubber on dumbbell‐type specimens are performed and applied to verify the effectiveness of the proposed model. The results show that the ISSA optimized SVR (ISSA‐SVR) model is superior in terms of prediction accuracy, convergence speed, and stability compared with SVR models using the grid search or some standard optimization algorithms. Furthermore, comparisons of some published related models demonstrate that the ISSA‐SVR has the most accurate predictive results, which gather within 1.5 times the dispersion lines.
Comparing ministerial advisers across politicization settings: Still hiding in the shadows?
Authors: Staroňová Katarína , Rybář Marek
Published: January 2023

The article examines the proposition that the characteristics of ministerial advisers are shaped by specific settings of the politicization of ministerial administration. Four types of politicization settings are identified, resulting from variation in the scope of formal political appointments and appointments into bureaucracy. Using data from an original expert survey and semi‐structured expert interviews, the contribution analyses eleven cases from Central and Eastern Europe. It documents that the functional differentiation of advisers from other administrative actors, and their political and policymaking roles, are conditioned by the politicization settings in which they operate. The political roles of advisers are most pronounced where they do not face other formal political appointees, and appointments into bureaucracy are low. Policymaking roles are strongest where formal political appointees manage high politics, and bureaucratic appointments are limited. The article also identifies “invisible” advisers as a new type of player unknown in established Western bureaucracies.
Modern Gnosticism: F.W.J. Schelling's Philosophy as an Expression of Valentinian Theology
Authors: May Richard Lee
Published: January 2023

According to scholars as influential as Hans Urs von Balthasar, Eric Voegelin and Cyril O'Regan, what was once rejected as an esoteric second century Christian heresy, has, and indeed continues to, exert a significant amount of influence over modern philosophy and theology in the form of ancient Gnosticism. While a variety of major studies have applied this hermeneutical lens to evaluate and better grasp Hegel's philosophical system, very few have sought to interpret Schelling's philosophy in this manner, when there seems to be ample evidence to suggest that Schelling consciously adopted Gnostic philosophy, particularly Valentinian speculation, alongside other theosophic proposals, when constructing his own ideas. And, given the rise of theological systems, notably from the East, although not exclusively, in the guise of Sergius Bulgakov, that are heavily indebted to Schelling and are currently exerting a notable influence on contemporary Anglophone systematic theology (theologians such as John Milbank), it would seem beneficial for such a study to be conducted to better grasp certain trends in current, mainstream, theological proposals.
RETRACTED: Effects of massage therapy on pain and anxiety intensity in patients with burns: A systematic review and meta‐analysis
Authors: Miri Sahar , Hosseini Seyed Javad , Ghorbani Vajargah Pooyan , Firooz Mahbobeh , Takasi Poorya , Mollaei Amirabbas , Ramezani Shahin , Tolouei Mohammad , Emami Zeydi Amir , Osuji Joseph , Farzan Ramyar , Karkhah Samad
Published: January 2023

This systematic review and meta‐analysis aimed to examine the effects of massage therapy on pain and anxiety intensity in patients with burns. A comprehensive, systematic search was conducted in various international electronic databases, such as Scopus, PubMed, Web of Science, and Persian electronic databases such as Iranmedex, and Scientific Information Database using keywords extracted from Medical Subject Headings such as ‘Massage therapy’, ‘Musculoskeletal manipulations’, ‘Acute pains’, ‘Burning pain’, and ‘Burn’ from the earliest to October 17, 2022. Cochran's tool is used to check the risk of bias for randomised clinical trial (RCT) articles. The methodological index for non‐randomised studies was used to assess the risk of bias in quasi‐experimental studies. STATA version 14 software was used to perform the meta‐analysis. A 95% confidence interval (CI) was used to determine statistical significance. Heterogeneity was investigated with I2. A P‐value less than .1 was considered statistically significant for publication bias value. A total of 733 patients with burns were included in seven studies. Five studies had an RCT design and two studies had a quasi‐experimental design. The duration of the study was reported in five studies, with a mean of 42.40 weeks. The duration of the intervention was reported in seven studies with a mean of 22.86 minutes. The results of the meta‐analysis showed using various types of massage therapy interventions significantly reduced pain intensity in the intervention group compared with the control group (weighted mean difference: −2.08, 95% CI: −2.55 to −1.62, Z = 8.77, I2: 67.1%, P < .001). Massage therapy intervention significantly reduced the intensity of anxiety in burn patients (standard mean difference: −7.07, 95% CI: −10.13 to −4.01, Z = 4.53, I2: 98.2, P < .001). Overall, the present systematic review and meta‐analysis showed that massage therapy can reduce the intensity of pain and anxiety in burn patients. Therefore, it is recommended that health managers and policymakers pay special attention to massage therapy as a simple, low‐cost, and efficient non‐pharmacological treatment to relieve pain and anxiety in burn patients.