bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Effectiveness of the offer of theSmoke Freesmartphone application compared with no intervention for smoking cessation: a pragmatic randomised controlled trial
Authors: Jackson Sarah E. , Kale Dimitra , Beard Emma , Perski Olga , West Robert , Brown Jamie 
Published: January 2023

AbstractAimTo evaluate the effectiveness of the offer ofSmoke Free– an evidence-informed, widely used app – for smoking cessation versus no support.DesignTwo-arm individually randomised controlled effectiveness trial.SettingOnline with no restrictions on location.Participants3,143 adult smokers (74.7% female; mean[SD] age 49.0 [11.5] years) motivated to make a quit attempt in the next month, recruited between August-2020 and April-2021.Interventions and comparatorsOffer of theSmoke Freeapp plus follow-up (intervention arm) versus no intervention plus follow-up (comparator arm). Both groups were shown a brief message at the end of the baseline questionnaire encouraging them to make a quit attempt.Main outcome measuresThe primary outcome was self-reported 6-month continuous abstinence assessed 7 months after randomisation. Secondary outcomes included quit attempts in the first month post-randomisation, 3-month continuous abstinence assessed at 4 months, and 6-month continuous abstinence at 7 months among those who made a quit attempt. The primary analysis was performed on an intention-to-treat basis, with missing-equals-smoking imputation. Sensitivity analyses included i) restricting the intervention group to those who took up the offer of the app, ii) using complete cases, and iii) using multiple imputation.ResultsThe effective follow-up rate for 7 months was 41.9%. The primary analysis showed no evidence of a benefit of the intervention on rates of 6-month continuous abstinence (intervention 6.8% vs. comparator 7.0%; RR=0.97, 95%CI=0.75-1.26). Analyses on all secondary outcomes also showed no evidence of a benefit. Similar results were observed on complete cases and using multiple imputation. When the intervention group was restricted to those who took up the offer of the app (n=395, 25.3%), participants in the intervention group were 80% more likely to report 6-month continuous abstinence (12.7% vs. 7.0%; RR=1.80, 95%CI=1.30-2.45). Equivalent subgroup analyses produced similar results on the secondary outcomes. These differences persisted after adjustment for key baseline characteristics.ConclusionsAmong motivated smokers provided with very brief advice to quit, offer of theSmoke Freeapp did not have a detectable benefit for cessation compared with follow-up only. However, the app increased quit rates when smokers randomised to receive the app downloaded it.
Actin nucleators safeguard replication forks by limiting nascent strand degradation
Authors: Nieminuszczy Jadwiga , Martin Peter R. , Broderick Ronan , Krwawicz Joanna , Kanellou Alexandra , Mocanu Camelia , Bousgouni Vicky , Smith Charlotte , Wen Kuo-Kuang , Woodward Beth L. , Bakal Chris , Shackley Fiona , Aguilera Andres , Stewart Grant S. , Vyas Yatin M. , Niedzwiedz Wojciech 
Published: January 2023

ABSTRACTAccurate genome replication is essential for all life and a key mechanism of disease prevention, underpinned by the ability of cells to respond to replicative stress (RS) and protect replication forks. These responses rely on the formation of Replication Protein A (RPA)-single stranded (ss) DNA complexes, yet this process remains largely uncharacterized. Here we establish that actin nucleation-promoting factors (NPFs) associate with replication forks, promote efficient DNA replication and facilitate association of RPA with ssDNA at sites of RS. Accordingly, their loss leads to deprotection of ssDNA at perturbed forks, impaired ATR activation, global replication defects and fork collapse. Supplying an excess of RPA restores RPA foci formation and fork protection, suggesting a chaperoning role for actin nucleators (ANs) (i.e., Arp2/3, DIAPH1) and NPFs (i.e, WASp, N-WASp) in regulating RPA availability upon RS. We also discover that β-actin interacts with RPA directlyin vitro, andin vivoa hyper-depolymerizing β-actin mutant displays a heightened association with RPA and the same dysfunctional replication phenotypes as loss of ANs/NPFs, which contrasts with the phenotype of a hyper-polymerizing β-actin mutant. Thus, we identify components of actin polymerization pathways that are essential for preventing ectopic nucleolytic degradation of perturbed forks by modulating RPA activity.
Burden, Causation, and Particularities of long-COVID in African populations: A rapid systematic review
Authors: Nyasulu Peter S. , Tamuzi Jacques L. , Erasmus Rajiv T. 
Published: January 2023

AbstractBackgroundThe global estimated prevalence of long COVID-19 is 43%, and the most common symptoms found globally are fatigue, confusion, or lack of confusion, and dyspnea, with prevalence rates of 23%, 14%, and 13%, respectively. However, long COVID still lacks an overall review in African populations. The aim of this review was to determine the prevalence of long COVID, its most common symptoms, comorbidities, and pathophysiological mechanisms.MethodsA systematic review of long COVID in African populations was conducted. The random effects model was used to calculate the pooled prevalence rates (95% CI). If the results could not be pooled, a narrative synthesis was performed.ResultsWe included 14 studies from 7 African countries, totaling 6,030 previously SARS-CoV-2 infected participants and 2,954 long COVID patients. Long COVID had a pooled prevalence of 41% [26%-56%]. Fatigue, dyspnea, and confusion or lack of concentration were the most common symptoms, with prevalence rates (95% CI) of 41% [26%-56%], 25% [12%-38%], and 40% [12%-68%], respectively. Long COVID was associated with advanced age, being female, more than three long COVID symptoms in the acute phase, initial fatigue and dyspnea, post-recovery stress, sadness, and sleep disturbances, and loss of appetite at symptoms onset, mild, moderate, and severe, pre-existing obesity, hypertension, diabetes mellitus, and the presence of any chronic illness (P≤0.05). According to our review, high micro clot and platelet poor plasma (PPP) viscosity explain the pathophysiology of long COVID.ConclusionLong COVID prevalence in Africa was comparable to the global prevalence. However, the prevalence of the most common symptoms was higher in Africa. Comorbidities associated with long COVID may lead to additional complications in African populations due to hypercoagulation and thrombosis.
Monitoring and responding to emerging infectious diseases in a university setting: A case study using COVID-19
Authors: Soda K. James , Chen Xi , Feinn Richard , Hill David R. 
Published: January 2023

AbstractEmerging infection diseases (EIDs) are an increasing threat to global public health, especially when the disease is newly emerging. Institutions of higher education (IHEs) are particularly vulnerable to EIDs because student populations frequently share high-density residences and strongly mix with local and distant populations. In fall 2020, IHEs responded to a novel EID, COVID-19. Here, we describe Quinnipiac University’s response to SARS-CoV-2 and evaluate its effectiveness through empirical data and model results. Using an agent-based model to approximate disease dynamics in the student body, the University established a policy of dedensification, universal masking, surveillance testing via a targeted sampling design, and app-based symptom monitoring. After an extended period of low incidence, the infection rate grew through October, likely due to growing incidence rates in the surrounding community. A super-spreader event at the end of October caused a spike in cases in November. Student violations of the University’s policies contributed to this event, but lax adherence to state health laws in the community may have also contributed. The model results further suggest that the infection rate was sensitive to the rate of imported infections and was disproportionately impacted by non-residential students, a result supported by the observed data. Collectively, this suggests that campus-community interactions play a major role in campus disease dynamics. Further model results suggest that app-based symptom monitoring may have been an important regulator of the University’s incidence, likely because it quarantined infectious students without necessitating test results. Targeted sampling had no substantial advantages over simple random sampling when the model incorporated contact tracing and app-based symptom monitoring but reduced the upper boundary on 90% prediction intervals for cumulative infections when either was removed. Thus, targeted sampling designs for surveillance testing may mitigate worst-case outcomes when other interventions are less effective. The results’ implications for future EIDs are discussed.
A novel molecular analysis approach in colorectal cancer suggests new treatment opportunities
Authors: López-Camacho Elena , Prado-Vázquez Guillermo , Martínez-Pérez Daniel , Ferrer-Gómez María , Llorente-Armijo Sara , López- Vacas Rocío , Díaz- Almirón Mariana , Gámez-Pozo Angelo , Fresno Vara Juan Ángel , Feliu Jaime , Trilla-Fuertes Lucía 
Published: January 2023

AbstractColorectal cancer (CRC) is a molecular and clinically heterogeneous disease. In 2015, the Colorectal Cancer Subtyping Consortium classified CRC into four consensus molecular subtypes (CMS), but these CMS have had little impact on the clinical practice. The purpose of this study is to deepen into the molecular characterization of CRC. A novel approach, based on probabilistic graphical models (PGM) and sparse k-means-Consensus Cluster layer analyses was applied in order to functionally characterize CRC tumors. First, PGM was used to functionally characterize CRC, and then, sparse k-means-Consensus cluster was used to explore layers of biological information and establish classifications. To this aim, gene expression and clinical data of 805 CRC samples from three databases were analyzed. Tree different layers based on biological features were identified: adhesion, immune and molecular. The adhesion layer divided patients into high and low adhesion groups, with prognostic value. The immune layer divided patients into immune-high and immune-low groups, according to the expression of immune-related genes. The molecular layer established four molecular groups related to stem cells, metabolism, Wnt signalling pathway and extracellular functions. Immune-high patients, with a higher expression of immune-related genes and genes involved in viral mimicry response may be benefit for immunotherapy and viral mimicry-related therapies. Additionally, several possible therapeutic targets have been identified in each molecular group. Therefore, this improved CRC classification could be useful for searching new therapeutic targets and specific therapeutic strategies in CRC disease.Simple summaryColorectal cancer is a heterogeneous disease. Several efforts have been done to characterize this heterogeneity but they have not impact in clinic. In this work, we used a novel analysis approach based on identifying layers of information using expression data from colorectal tumors and characterize three different layers of information: one layer related to adhesion with prognostic value, one related to immune characteristics and one related to molecular features. The molecular layer divided colorectal tumors in stem cell, Wnt, metabolic, and extracellular groups. These molecular groups suggested some possible therapeutic targets for each group. Additionally, immune characteristics divided tumors in tumors with a high expression of immune and viral mimicry response genes and with a low expression, suggesting immunotherapy and viral mimicry related therapies as suitable for these immune-high patients.
Key factors influencing the export performance of SMEs in Rwanda: evidence from the non-traditional export sector
Authors: Kasema Romain 
Published: January 2023

Purpose
This study aims to develop and empirically test a model that describes the factors influencing a firm’s export performance; a model that can be adopted by future export researchers, policymakers and practitioners. Specifically, this study aimed to identify the main factors affecting the export performance of manufacturing small- to medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in Rwanda and determine the extent of influence of each identified factor on export performance.

Design/methodology/approach
The research design combines both exploratory research and causal research designs to test the proposed model. Interview guide and survey questionnaires were used to collect the raw data. The collected quantitative data were analysed using the structural equation modelling technique with the Analysis of Moment Structures software.

Findings
The findings revealed that all the factors identified, namely, organisational, entrepreneurial and industrial, and market factors had a significant positive impact on the export performance of SMEs. Moreover, entrepreneurial factors were proven to be the most influencing factors in export performance followed by market-level factors. In this context, the proposed resource-market-based model of export performance was tested and validated in a less developed country, Rwanda, for exporting SMEs.

Originality/value
The proposed model of export performance extends the existing literature in two ways: firstly, it integrates internal and external factors to explain the export performance of an SME and secondly, it tests the relative importance of these factors in driving and maintaining international performance.
Warranty costs analysis under accelerated life test for power Ishita distribution with type-I censored data
Authors: Alam Intekhab , Haq Ahteshamul , Sharma Lalit Kumar , Sharma Sumit , Ritika  
Published: January 2023

PurposeIn this paper, the authors design accelerated life test and provide its application in the field of accelerated life test. The authors use maximum likelihood estimation method as a parameter estimation method.Design/methodology/approachIn this paper we design accelerated life test and provide its application in the field of accelerated life test. The authors use maximum likelihood estimation method as a parameter estimation method.FindingsIn this study, the authors design accelerated life test under Type-I censoring when the lifetime of test items follows PID and also provides its application in the field of warranty policy. The following conclusion is made on the basis of this study. (1) An inverse relationship is shown between the shape parameter with the expected total cost and expected cycle time, while the shape parameter directly relates to the expected cost rate (see Table 5). (2) A direct relationship is shown between the scale parameter with the expected total cost and expected time cycle, while the inverse relationship is shown with the expected cost rate (see Table 5). (3) An inverse relationship is shown between the replacement age and the expected cost rate, while there are direct relationships between expected total cost and expected time cycle (see Table 5).Originality/valueThis paper is neither published or neither accepted anywhere.
Can customization promote product innovation in the global B2B market? Evidence from export manufacturing firms from emerging markets
Authors: Hong Aoran , Li Xia , Wang Yonggui , Shi Mengting 
Published: January 2023

PurposeExport manufacturing firms from emerging markets can better meet customer needs by providing customization, which leads to competitive advantages. Although both practice and academic research have deeply discussed customization, the question of whether customization promotes export manufacturing firms' product innovation in the global B2B market is largely unexplored. The purpose of this paper is to address this issue.Design/methodology/approachThis paper collects survey data from 2,248 export manufacturing firms in China and uses hierarchical moderated regression to explore the relationship between customization and product innovation in the global B2B market and their boundary conditions.FindingsThis research shows that customization positively affects export manufacturing firms' product innovation in the context of the global B2B market, and it shows that internal governance structure (contract governance and relationship governance) and external governance structure (legal enforceability) can be used as boundary conditions that affect the relationship. Specifically, contract governance has an inverted U-shaped moderating effect on the relationship between customization and product innovation; moreover, relationship governance and legal enforceability can strengthen the positive relationship between customization and product innovation.Originality/valueThe study explores the relationship between customization and product innovation in the global B2B market and examines the moderating effect of internal and external governance structures. In addition, the study enriches the research related to customization and product innovation in the context of the global B2B market and provides essential practical insight into the survival of export manufacturing firms from emerging markets.
Education: emerging relationships in the search for the formation of the other
Authors: Orrego Noreña Jhon Fredy , de la Ossa Robinson Susana , Vázquez Miraz Pedro 
Published: January 2023

PurposeThis article describes the findings of a phenomenological study whose purpose was to understand the essence of education from the analysis of the relationships emerging between the main educational actors (professors and students).Design/methodology/approachThis research was approached from the qualitative paradigm and from a method of phenomenological analysis; specifically, heterological phenomenology is proposed, which is presented as the search for human relationships as a founding condition of education. For collecting information, a phenomenological interview with twelve professors from public and private universities in the city of Manizales (Colombia) was used.FindingsThe results reveal the experiences had in education from the relationships that have left their mark on the subjects and discover education as a relationship with the Other of welcome, hospitality, vocation and responsibility.Originality/valueThe originality of the study is in the particular method, heterological phenomenology, which investigates the experience of human relationships as a scenario for constructing a reality in which the starting point is the narrative that the Other (research subject) makes of his encounters with his-Other (subject present in the narrative).
Policing divided societies. Requirements for the civic education of police officers
Authors: Frevel Bernhard , Kuschewski Philipp 
Published: January 2023

Purpose
The demands on the police to ensure security and order have increased in times of growing right-wing extremism, corona protests and widespread criticism of and dissatisfaction with democratic structures and processes. Protection, escort or even confrontation in the course of public demonstrations and protests as well as the protection, e.g. of politicians, synagogues or mosques requires additional deployment of the police and poses extended challenges. However, the police force itself also faces various problems with antidemocratic, violent or extremist police officers. The purpose of this paper is to elaborate why and how civic education of police officers can be a cornerstone to respond to the described challenges and improve democratic policing.

Design/methodology/approach
This paper describes how civic education can be organized in police training and further education and how it can be designed in cooperation with civil society actors. It is based on a research and development project conducted between 2016 and 2021 under the title “Civic Education and Police.”

Findings
Civic education can or could be an approach in sensitizing police officers to social conflicts and in better understanding the background and reasons for their deployment. Moreover, civic education can be helpful in preventing abuse of power and police violence, reducing negative aspects of esprit de corps and strengthening police legitimacy.

Practical implications
Civic education of police officers can help to understand conflicts and social tensions, strengthen the understanding of the society, improve police investigation, reduce misbehavior and support legitimacy in the democratic state.

Originality/value
The article uses findings from the project Civic Education and Police, which was funded by the Federal Agency for Civic Education between 2016 and 2021. Project partners were the German Police University and the University of Applied Sciences for Police and Public Administration in North Rhine-Westphalia. The project conducted empirical studies on the supply and demand structure of civic education for and in the police. In addition, a database of educational concepts, a series of conferences and a new journal for conference documentation, research and special issues were launched.
How history can inform corporate responsibility: the statutory rule of profit allocation
Authors: Bonhoure Emilie 
Published: January 2023

Purpose
This study aims to present how a historical governance mechanism (a statutory rule of profit allocation) could answer the practical question of profit allocation, thereby proposing a methodology to enhance future quantitative studies.

Design/methodology/approach
The rule sets profit allocations to a predetermined set of stakeholders in corporate charters. It could be seen as a tool used by historical organisations to enact corporate social responsibility (CSR). The authors propose a straightforward way to calculate the payout ratios promised by this rule to each stakeholder. This methodology was applied to shareholders and used to calculate the promised dividend payout ratios.

Findings
This rule constitutes a natural experiment from which modern organisations could learn to implement the most relevant profit-allocation schemes given their CSR strategy. The authors propose calculating a promised payout ratio that would allow scholars to empirically examine the rule and its effects and provide accurate recommendations to these organisations.

Research limitations/implications
This mechanism allows the study of profit allocations made to stakeholders (not limited to shareholders or employees like it is usually done). The promised payout ratio makes future quantitative investigations possible.

Practical implications
Modern organisations could use the CSR mechanism to allocate profits continuously in formats that would best fit their strategy and environment.

Originality/value
To the best of the author’s knowledge, this is the first article to examine the statutory rule of profit allocation per se, which proposes a new methodology to calculate payout ratios promised by the rule. The idea is to investigate their impact and provide recommendations for modern organisations to adapt.