ABSTRACT Purpose The study seeks to address the influence of different facets of business-to-business (B2B) relationship marketing on internationalization effectiveness, by taking into account the turbulent environment generated by the COVID-19 pandemic. The focus falls on the factors that generate, frame, catalyze, sustain and strengthen international business relationships between managers from organizations with converging interests. Methodology B2B relationship marketing in the international arena is analyzed by means of various angles such as business convergence, business context, interpersonal compatibility, business credibility and network interconnections as availed by the “new normal” triggered by the COVID-19 pandemic. A questionnaire-based survey with 158 business owners and managers from European industrial companies was carried out during November 2023 to investigate the configuration and dynamics of B2B relationship marketing in the unprecedented and systemic COVID-19 crisis. Data was analyzed via structural equation modeling using SmartPLS 4. Findings The findings showed that while business convergence remains a strong influencer of all the other relational dimensions, the restrictions and limitations engendered by the pandemic have also altered international B2B relationship marketing to such an extent that the only significant factor for internationalization effectiveness relies on business networking. Research and practical implications The study has both theoretical and practical implications, bringing forward a topical perspective on international B2B relationships during COVID-19 disruptions and their impact on the effectiveness of international operations. Originality The study advances a phenomenological view of the unprecedented changes and their influences on the overseas operations of SMEs in a particular field. It complements and adds to the literature by stressing a more articulated relationship-centric architecture, which probed relevance during the pandemic.

Pneumonia is one of the most common severe infectious diseases in pediatric practice. Hypoxia is common in children with pneumonia and is one of the main predictors of poor outcome. The role of the central link in the cellular response to hypoxia is played by the family of hypoxia-inducible factors (HIF). HIF-1α is the key regulator of both T- and B-lymphocyte functions. The processes of their maturation are accompanied by the formation of circular DNA fragments, TREC (T-cell Receptor Excision Circle) and KREC (Kappa-deleting Recombination Excision Circle). TREC and KREC are unable to replicate and serve as markers for naive lymphocyte production. In its turn, HIF-1α can be used as a marker for cellular hypoxia. The use of TREC and KREC in assessing the immune system in patients with various immunological and infectious pathologies has already been described. At the same time, HIF-1α has so far been little studied as yet. The purpose of this research was to analyze the scientific bibliographical data on the HIF-1α assessment as a marker for hypoxia as well as the quantitative level of TREC and KREC as markers for the adaptive immune response; to study the bibliographical sources on the effect of hypoxia on the immune response, including as part of lower respiratory tract infections. Methods used: bibliographical research in Scopus, PubMed and Google Scholar with keywords “TREC,” “KREC,” “HIF,” “hypoxia,” “pneumonia,” “immune response,” that was then followed by the search results’ systematization, analysis and synthesis. Results: the analysis of bibliographical sources had allowed the Authors to conclude that there is a possible close connection between acute hypoxia and the formation of an adequate immune response in infectious pathologies. Research in this area is still extremely scarce. At the same time, the prospects for this area determine the need for further fundamental and clinical research. Conclusion: it is of a great scientific and clinical interest to be able to non-invasively assess the degree of acute hypoxia during an ongoing infectious disease by examining urinary HIF-1α levels. Particularly promising is the assessment of the HIF-1α level not only as a regulator of tissue adaptation to acute hypoxia, but also as a modulator of the immune response. Taking into consideration the analyzed data, both TREC and KREC appear to be the optimal markers characterizing the functional state of the adaptive immune system.

Rapidly progressive glomerulonephritis (RPGN) associated with antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibodies (ANCA) is complicated in children due to the severity of the disease and the lack of clear consensus on treatment. The purpose of this research was to analyze the course of RPGN and its outcomes in children depending on the morphological basis after the results of nephrobiopsy. Materials and methods used: a single-center cohort retrospective study had been carried out as medical records’ analysis of patients diagnosed with RPGN aged 1 to 18 y/o who were observed at the Nephrology Department of the Scientific Research Institute of Pediatric Nephrology and Urology with the National Medical Research Center for Children’s Health (Moscow, Russia) in 2015-2024. Renal survival was assessed for different clinical and morphological options, the Renal Risk Score was assessed then. Results: 18 (7 m/11 f) were identified of Me age of diagnosis 14.1 [9.9; 15.5] y/o. ANCA was detected in all patients: pANCA in 12 (66.7%, 95% CI 40.9-86.7) and cANCA in 6 (33.3%, 95% CI 13.3-59.0) plus a single patient had a rare combination of dual positivity for anti-GBM and MPO-ANCA. Extrarenal manifestations were described in 10 (55.6%, 95% CI 30.8-78.5). Morphological subclassification of focal segmental glomerulosclerosis was detected in 5 (31.3%, 95% CI 11-58.7), extracapillary proliferation in 8 (50%, 95% CI 24.7-75.4), sclerosing in a single patient (6.3%, 95% CI 0.2-30.2) and the mixed one in 2 cases (12.5%, 95% CI 1.6-38.4). The median follow-up period was 21.6 [12.6-35.3] months, the outcome of stage 5 chronic kidney disease (CKD) was observed in 4, overall renal survival after 12 months was 94.4% (95% CI 84.4-100.0) and 86.6% (95% CI 70.6-100.0) after 36 months. An increase in the relative risk of achieving stage 5 CKD in patients with extrarenal (general) manifestations was detected as 1.67 times (95% CI 1.01-2.77) and 10.5 times (95% CI 1.46-75.42) in those receiving dialysis. Differences in the median glomerular filtration rate at onset were revealed in patients with extrarenal manifestations and isolated glomerulonephritis (p=0.004). Conclusion: when choosing treatment tactics for RPGN in children and assessing renal prognosis, it is necessary to take into consideration the results of a morphological study and the degree of damage to the renal tissue.

ABSTRACT Emotions work, such as relational pedagogical approaches to teaching, and more targeted interventions designed to enhance children’s social and emotional skills, known as competence promotion approaches, are now a central aspect of primary schooling. Yet, although evidence is forthcoming in terms of the content, focus, and effectiveness of some aspects of this work, research investigating the explicit teaching of social and emotional skills has largely remained “gender blind.” This article, drawing on interview and focus group data gathered from primary school staff members engaged in emotions work, fills this void in the research by demonstrating how gendered narratives inform not only the roles and responsibilities of staff undertaking this type of work but also the value placed upon it. The findings show how gender dualistic positions were adopted by school staff, with the emotions work performed by women aligned with the roles of a mother, nurturer, and caregiver and thus deemed as “effortless,” whereas men mainly performed the role of “disciplinarian” and deemed such work as “important” in their position as a male role model. The implications of such gendering of emotions work in primary schools are discussed, and recommendations for future practice are identified.

ABSTRACT This research explores the complex mechanism leading to a subsequent entrepreneurship career choice (SECC), whether perceived as a failure or not. It mobilizes the theory of hope (via the role of optimism and grit) and the components of the theory of planned behavior (attitude, subjective norms, and self-efficacy). The study involved 48 previous entrepreneurs not currently in the reentry process. A fuzzy-set qualitative comparative analysis was used. Results reveal that the entrepreneurial attitude forged through first-hand experience is the most critical element in understanding an SECC. Optimism can substitute for this attitude, and grit plays a lesser role, as do the other variables. This study underscores the central role of attitude and optimism in explaining entrepreneurial career persistence, transitioning from a novice to a serial entrepreneur, with grit playing a somewhat secondary role. Configurational approaches prove essential to understanding entrepreneurial intention, notably for an SECC.

Prevalence of small intestinal bacterial overgrowth (SIBO) syndrome, improved diagnostic accuracy and therapeutic approaches require further study. The purpose of this research was to evaluate the effect of hydrogen dominant or hydrogen-producing SIBO (H-SIBO) and methane dominant or methane-producing SIBO (M-SIBO) types on the severity of clinical manifestations in children with functional dyspepsia (FD). Materials and methods used: a single-center cross-sectional study of 90 pediatric patients: 41 (45.6%) aged 11.0 [9.0:13.0] y/o with FD, of which 20 (48.8%) girls/21 (51.2%) boys, and 49 (54.4%) evaluatively healthy children (“control group”) aged 12.0 [9.5:13.6] y/o, of whom 27 (55.1%) girls/22 (44.9%) boys. The SIBO was determined with the domestically-produced “Lactophan” hydrogen breathing test by AMA Co., Ltd. (Saint Petersburg, Russia) and the “GastroCH4ECK Gastrolyzer” CH4 & H2 monitor by Bedfont Scientific Ltd. (Harrietsham, Maidstone, Kent, England, UK). Results: SIBO (41/100% and 28/57.1%, p<0.001) and H-SIBO (29/70.7% and 18/36.7%, p=0.045) were statistically significantly more often detected in children with FD than in the control group. The M-SIBO incidence (12/29.3% and 10/20.4%, p=0.467) did not differ statistically significantly between the groups. The methane output at the 60th to 90th minutes of the breathing test was 1.7 to 1.8 times higher in FD patients. The hydrogen threshold values at the 60th minute of the breathing test in FD patients for predicting of complaints were as follows: above 35 ppm (ROC-AUC=0.88, 95% CI=0.61-1.00, SE 87.5%, SP 97.2%) for “Sour taste in the mouth,” and above 33 ppm (ROC-AUC=0.80, 95% CI=0.53-1.00, SE 80.6%, SP 75.0%) for “Diarrhea.” The hydrogen threshold value at the 90th minute of the breathing test for “Flatulence” symptom was 44 ppm (ROC-AUC=0.71, 95% CI=0.36-0.88, SE 60.9%, SP 75.0%). Conclusion: testing for methane had increased the accuracy of SIBO diagnosis by 29.3% in patients with FD, i.e. from 70.7% to 100%! The relationship between the hydrogen and the methane concentrations coupled with the presence of dyspeptic symptoms may require the correction of SIBO in patients with FD.

Video urodynamics is the standard for assessment of the lower urinary tract in children with neurogenic urinary disorders aiming to provide more information about the condition of the lower urinary tract v. retrograde urethrocystography. Video urodynamics parameters are used as possible indicators for choosing various surgical treatment options, however, all work is focused on adult patients, and data for the pediatric cohort were not available as yet. The purpose of this research was the evaluation of the role of video urodynamics and retrograde urethrocystography in the selection of effective conservative and surgical treatment of neurogenic urinary disorders in children. Materials and methods used: 112 patients aged 1,8 to 18 y/o with neurogenic urinary disorders were included in the study, of whom 101 were those who had been proven effectively treated with conservative M-cholinoblockers or had successfully undergone minimally invasive surgery as follows: intradetrusor injection of botulinum toxin (n=21), transurethral correction of VUR (n=17), simultaneous execution of two of these interventions (n=22). Based on the results of video urodynamic and cystographic examination of these patients with the CHAID technique, the classification trees were built in order to evaluate the effective treatment (conservative/surgical). Results: the median age of patients was 9,0 years [7,8-12,0]. The first classification tree containing the parameter “presence of VUR according to the results of retrograde cystography.” The sensitivity of the obtained model for the effectiveness of surgical treatment was 83,3% v. 73,2% for conservative treatment. The accuracy was 79,2%. The ROC-AUC value was 0,783. The second classification tree contained the maximum Pves value according to the results of the video urodynamics, presence of hyperactivity, presence of VUR. The sensitivity of the obtained model for the effectiveness of surgical treatment was 93,3% v. 97,6% for conservative treatment. The accuracy was 95,0%. The ROC-AUC value was 0,972. Comparison of ROC-AUC values by the Delong test revealed statistically significant differences between these binary classification metrics (p<0.001). Conclusion: the parameters of video urodynamics have greater diagnostic accuracy in effective prediction of both conservative and surgical treatment methods compared to the retrograde urethrocystography.

X-linked Alport syndrome (XLAS) is a monogenic disease characterized by the progressive nephropathy development, sensorineural hearing loss and the lens and retina pathology. The clinical manifestations of the syndrome and the renal prognosis of patients are determined by the nature of the gene COL4A5 mutation. The range of COL4A5 genetic variants is different among populations. Information about the XLAS genetic structure in Russian pediatric cohort is insufficient. The purpose of this research was to determine the features of the spectrum of the gene COL4A5 genetic variants in children with XLAS. Materials and methods used: a single-center retrospective cohort study included children aged 2 to 17 y/o with genetically confirmed XLAS. Descriptions of variants in gene COL4A5 were performed using genome build GRCh37/hg19 in accordance with the reference sequence GRCh37/hg19 (Reference Sequence, HGVS) and the American College of Medical Genetics and Genomics (ACMG), AMP Clinical Practice Guidelines. Results: analysis of data from 174 probands from unrelated families showed that 108 (62%) children had missense variants in gene COL4A5 (62% v. 38%, missense v. non-missense variants, respectively, p=0.028), 24 (13.8%) had mutations leading to impaired RNA splicing, 17 (9.8%) had frameshift mutations, 14 (8%) had gene deletions and 10 (5.7%) had nonsense mutations. Missense variants were predominantly localized in the collagen domain compared to the non-collagen domain (n=102, 94.4%, p<0.001), in exons 18 to 41 (n=94; 94.8%) and were represented by glycine substitutions (n=90, 83.3%). Two common variants were identified in the cohort: NM_033380.3(COL4A5):c.1871G>A (p.Gly624Asp) in 28 (26%) and NM_033380.3(COL4A5):c.3319G>A (p.Gly1107Arg) in 4 (3.7%). Conclusion: the structure of COL4A5 genetic variants in the studied cohort was comparable with the current Worldwide data, such as two thirds of the examined had missense variants and ca. one-fifth had genetic variants leading to the protein synthesis absence. Two common missense variants in gene COL4A5 were identified, including the common variant NM_033380.3(COL4A5):c.1871G>A (p.Gly624Asp) that is of frequent occurrence in the European population.

ABSTRACT The height of the COVID-19 public health emergency saw libraries conducting collection audits of their materials, including their print music collections. The trend in contemporary public libraries in the United States is one which emphasizes generalization in its workforce regarding domain specialty knowledge and skills. This has necessitated an influx in inquiries delivered to the Music Library Association’s Public Libraries Committee on the topic of print music collection development from public library staff who lack the necessary training and experience. In response, the Public Libraries Committee created a document focusing on best practices in print music collection development that recommends 250 print music titles for public library acquisition. Selecting Printed Music in Public Libraries was produced using strategies similar to focus group research methods and addresses a novel dilemma found in public libraries – library workers tasked with managing music collections without the knowledge, skills, and abilities to effectively do so. This article is framed as a case study and offers an overview of the development of the Public Libraries Committee’s (PLC) document, Selecting Printed Music in Public Libraries. Additionally, this article describes the content included within the PLC’s document and offers recommendations for how to improve it moving forward.

ABSTRACT The 2024 NCSA Presidential Address discusses the past and potential future impacts of natural disasters, including COVID-19, on the American people. This NCSA conference talk is based on two edited volumes previously published by Lexington Books in 2021 and 2023. Relevant theories, such as critical demography and historical categorical inequality, are introduced as starting points in the narrative. Next, descriptions of contributions to the volumes are provided, which covered topics such as criminal justice, demographics, economics, history, political science, and sociology to show how effects of natural disasters vary by economic and social class in the United States. Contributors also discussed specific dynamics related to COVID-19, including media responses to COVID-19, differential impacts on the poor, specific impacts on college students through technology, and how the intersection of race, class, and gender matter for natural disaster research. This talk examines social and political mechanisms in disaster response and relief, and then offers potential solutions to the accelerating inequality in America.