bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The Time Required for Primary Care Consultations: Estimates of the Expected Duration of Initial Sick Child Visits in Low- and Middle-income Countries Using the Integrated Management of Childhood Illness (IMCI) Clinical Algorithm
Authors: Carter Anthony
Published: June 2023

Background

Little is known about the time required for primary care consultations, particularly those involving sick children in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). This paper begins to fill that gap by providing evidence-based estimates of the time needed for initial visits with under-five infants and children at public or not-for-profit facilities in LMICs that use the Integrated Management of Childhood Illness (IMCI) clinical algorithm. The estimates are evidence-based and case-mix adjusted.

Methods

The expected duration of IMCI consultations in any given setting is a function of the health issues presented by patients less than 5 years old, the kind and number of tasks health workers must perform to care for such patients, and the time required to complete those tasks. Determining the time needed to complete tasks with no minimum duration requires, in addition to tabulations of health issues and lists of tasks to be performed, information on rates of task performance and the mean observed duration of consultations. All this information was located, first, by searching MEDLINE, the database of the International Network for Rational Use of Medicines, the websites of the WHO and its regional offices, GOOGLE, and GOOGLE SCHOLAR using search terms such as ‘Integrated Management of Childhood Illness’, ‘observational’, ‘prospective’, ‘classification’, ‘clinical signs’, ‘health facility survey’, ‘validity’, ‘algorithm’, and ‘chart booklet’. Additional information was found by reviewing work that cited a qualified study and, conversely, material included in the bibliographies of qualified studies.

Results

Estimates of the expected mean duration of initial consultations were constructed for 39 patient populations in 22 countries. The mean ranges from 17.1 to 20.5 minutes in the infant populations and from 15.5 to 26.4 minutes in the child populations. The shortest consultations range from 16.1 to 16.7 minutes in the infant populations and from 11.0 to 17.4 minutes in the child populations. The 98thpercentile of expected durations ranges from 21.5 to 25.7 minutes in the infant populations and from 22.5 to 35.2 minutes in the child populations.

Conclusions

IMCI consultations with infants and children presenting for the first time with a new concern require considerably more time than previously recognized. This suggests that the personnel costs of providing appropriate IMCI services may be substantial. It also confirms that the quality of most IMCI consultations is low.
HIV-1 5’-Leader Mutations in Plasma Viruses Before and After the Development of Reverse Transcriptase Inhibitor-Resistance Mutations
Authors: Nouhin Janin , Tzou Philip L. , Rhee Soo-Yon , Sahoo Malaya K. , Pinsky Benjamin A. , Krupkin Miri , Puglisi Joseph D. , Puglisi Elisabetta V. , Shafer Robert W.
Published: June 2023

Background

HIV-1 RT initiation depends on interaction between viral 5’-leader RNA, RT, and host tRNA3Lys. We therefore sought to identify co-evolutionary changes between the 5’-leader and RT in viruses developing RT-inhibitor resistance mutations.

Methods

We sequenced 5’-leader positions 37-356 of paired plasma virus samples from 29 individuals developing the NRTI-resistance mutation M184V, 19 developing an NNRTI-resistance mutation, and 32 untreated controls. 5’-leader variants were defined as positions where ≥20% of NGS reads differed from the HXB2 sequence. Emergent mutations were defined as nucleotides undergoing ≥4-fold change in proportion between baseline and follow-up. Mixtures were defined as positions containing ≥2 nucleotides each present in ≥20% of NGS reads.

Results

Among 80 baseline sequences, 87 positions (27.2%) contained a variant; 52 contained a mixture. Position 201 was the only position more likely to develop a mutation in the M184V (9/29 vs. 0/32; p=0.0006) or NNRTI-resistance (4/19 vs. 0/32; p=0.02; Fisher’s Exact Test) groups than the control group. Mixtures at positions 200 and 201 occurred in 45.0% and 28.8%, respectively, of baseline samples. Because of the high proportion of mixtures at these positions, we analyzed 5’-leader mixture frequencies in two additional datasets: five publications reporting 294 dideoxyterminator clonal GenBank sequences from 42 individuals and six NCBI BioProjects reporting NGS datasets from 295 individuals. These analyses demonstrated position 200 and 201 mixtures at proportions similar to those in our samples and at frequencies several times higher than at all other 5’-leader positions.

Conclusions

Although we did not convincingly document co-evolutionary changes between RT and 5’-leader sequences, we identified a novel phenomenon, wherein positions 200 and 201, immediately downstream of the HIV-1 primer binding site exhibited an extraordinarily high likelihood of containing a nucleotide mixture. Possible explanations for the high mixture rates are that these positions are particularly error-prone or provide a viral fitness advantage.
Investigating Alternative Models of Acute HIV Infection
Authors: Mainou Ellie , Ribeiro Ruy , Conway Jessica M
Published: June 2023

Abstract

Understanding the dynamics to acute HIV infection may provide insights into the mechanisms of early viral control with potential implications for vaccine design. The standard viral dynamics model explains HIV viral dynamics during acute infection reasonably well. However, the model makes simplifying assumptions, neglecting some aspects of HIV. For example, in the standard model, target cells are infected by a single HIV virion. Yet, cellular multiplicity of infection (MOI) may have considerable effects in pathogenesis and viral evolution. Further, when using the standard model, we take constant infected cell death rates, simplifying the dynamic immune responses. Here, we use four models—1) the standard viral dynamics model, 2) an alternate model incorporating cellular MOI, 3) a model assuming density-dependent death rate of infected cells and 4) a model combining (2) and (3)—to investigate acute infection dynamics in 43 people tested very early after HIV exposure. We find that all models explain the data, but different models describe differing features of the dynamics more accurately. For example, while the standard viral dynamics model may be the most parsimonious model, viral peaks are better explained by a model allowing for cellular MOI. These results suggest that heterogeneity in within-host viral dynamics cannot be captured by a single model. Thus depending on the aspect of interest, a corresponding model should be employed.
Compartmentalization and synergy of osteoblasts drive bone formation in the regenerating fin
Authors: Cudak N , López-Delgado AC , Rost F , Kurth T , Lesche M , Reinhardt S , Dahl A , Rulands S , Knopf F
Published: June 2023

Zebrafish faithfully regenerate their fins after amputation which includes restoration of bone tissue and a component of cell plasticity. It is currently unclear how different cell populations of the regenerate divide labor to allow for efficient regenerate growth and proper patterning. Here, we studied lineage relationships of FACS-enriched epidermal, blastemal and bone forming fin regenerate cells by single cell (sc) RNA sequencing, lineage tracing, targeted osteoblast ablation and electron microscopy to show that the majority of osteoblasts in the outgrowing regenerate derive fromosterix+ osteoblasts, whilemmp9+ cells give rise to a limited cell number at the fin segment joints. A third population of distal blastema cells contributes to distal osteoblast progenitors, suggesting compartmentalization during appendage regeneration. Fin elongation and bone formation are carried out by distinct regenerate cell populations, and these variably depend on Fgf signaling. Ablation ofosterix+ osteoblasts irreversibly impairs patterning of segment joints, and prevents bone matrix formation in the proximal regenerate. The resulting reduced regenerate length is partially compensated for by the distal regenerate which shows increased Wnt signaling activity. Surprisingly, ablation of joint cells does not abolish the formation of segment joints. Our study characterizes rare fin regenerate cell populations, indicates intricate osteoblast-blastema lineage relationships, inherent detection and compensation of impaired regeneration, and demonstrates zonation of the elongating regenerate. Furthermore, it sheds light on the variable dependence of bone formation on growth factor signaling.
Effects of plasmapheresis frequency on health status and exercise performance in men: a randomized controlled trial
Authors: Mortier Alexandre , Khoudary Jina , van Doorslaer de Ten Ryen Sophie , Lannoy Camille , Benoit Nicolas , Antoine Nancy , Copine Sylvie , Van Remoortel Hans , Vandekerckhove Philippe , Compernolle Veerle , Deldicque Louise
Published: June 2023

Objectives

To collect data on 1) haematological and biochemical markers, 2) physiological and exercise-related parameters and 3) adverse events to get a comprehensive picture of the safety of intensive or less intensive plasma donation protocols.

Methods

Sixty-three male subjects participated in this randomized controlled trial and were divided into a low-frequency (LF, 1x/month, n=16), high-frequency (HF, 3x/month, n=16), very high-frequency (VHF, 2x/week, n=16) and a placebo (P, 1x/month, n=15) group. Biochemical, haematological, clinical, physiological and sport performance-related data were collected before (D0), after 1½ month (D42) and after 3 months (D84).

Results

In VHF, red blood cells, haemoglobin and haematocrit levels decreased while reticulocyte levels increased from D0 to D84. In both HF and VHF, plasma ferritin levels were lower at D42 and D84 compared to D0. In VHF, the plasma levels of albumin, IgG, IgA and IgM dropped from D0 to D42 and remained lower at D84 than at D0. In HF, plasma IgG, IgA and IgM were lower at D42 and IgG and IgM were lower at D84 compared to D0. Few adverse events (haematoma, anaemia, vasovagal reactions without syncope) were reported in HF and VHF. Repeated plasma donation had no effect on blood pressure, body composition or exercise performance.

Conclusion

Haematological and biochemical parameters were severely impacted when plasmapheresis was repeated twice a week, mildly impacted with a frequency of three times per month and not impacted with a frequency of once a month. Despite those changes, markers for exercise performance were not altered when plasmapheresis, whatever the frequency, was repeated over 3 months.

Summary Box:

What is already known on this topic?

Plasmapheresis may induce a series of health consequences, such as adverse events of diverse severities. However, those events have mainly been studied separately and retrospectively with no appropriate placebo group.

What this study adds?

This is the first randomized controlled trial prospectively investigating the effects of repeated plasma donation on a whole range of health consequences, namely biochemical and haematological, blood pressure, body composition, adverse events and, exercise performance.

How this study might affect research, practice or policy?

Worldwide efforts need to be made to increase the amount of plasma collected for manufacturing plasma-derived product. To avoid negative effects to donors, a sustainable plasma supply should be based on a large donorbase of low-frequency donors.
Scalable noninvasive amplicon-based precision sequencing (SNAPseq) for genetic diagnosis and screening of β-thalassemia and sickle cell disease using a next-generation sequencing platform
Authors: Gupta Pragya , Arvinden VR , Thakur Priya , Bhoyer Rahul C , Saravanakumar Vinodh , Gottumukkala Narendra Varma , Goswami Sangam Giri , Nafiz Mehwish , Iyer Aditya Ramdas , Vignesh Harie , Soni Rajat , Bhargava Nupur , Gunda Padma , Jain Suman , Gupta Vivek , Sivasubbu Sridhar , Scaria Vinod , Ramalingam Sivaprakash
Published: June 2023

β-hemoglobinopathies such as β-thalassemia (BT) and Sickle cell disease (SCD) are inherited monogenic blood disorders with significant global burden. Hence, early and affordable diagnosis can alleviate morbidity and reduce mortality given the lack of effective cure. Currently, Sanger sequencing is considered to be the gold standard genetic test for BT and SCD, but it has a very low throughput requiring multiple amplicons and more sequencing reactions to cover the entire HBB gene. To address this, we have demonstrated an extraction-free single amplicon-based approach for screening the entire β-globin gene with clinical samples usingScalablenoninvasiveamplicon-basedprecisionsequencing (SNAPSeq) assay catalyzing with next-generation sequencing (NGS). We optimized the assay using noninvasive buccal swab samples and simple finger prick blood for direct amplification with crude lysates. SNAPseq demonstrates 100% sensitivity and 100% specificity, having a 100% agreement with Sanger sequencing. Furthermore, to facilitate seamless reporting, we have created a much simpler automated pipeline with comprehensive resources for pathogenic mutations in BT and SCD through data integration after systematic classification of variants according to ACMG & AMP guidelines. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report of the NGS-based high throughput SNAPseq approach for the detection of both BT and SCD in a single assay with high sensitivity.
The use of blockchain technology to build smart cities: creating public value in Kuwait
Authors: Alkhaldi Afnan , Alrashidi Huda , Alhasan Khawla , Alsadeeqi Ahmad , Alshami Abdullah
Published: June 2023

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to understand the public value of the government of Kuwait using blockchain technology to develop the capabilities of smart cities.

Design/methodology/approach

Research was conducted in Kuwait, where the increased use of blockchain technology has been evidenced in both the private and public sectors. A total of seven IT managers were interviewed to gauge their responses to blockchain and its use in Kuwait ministries.

Findings

Blockchain technology offers many benefits for the development of smart cities in Kuwait. This is a statement that received almost mutual agreement amongst all the IT managers interviewed. However, as regards wider acceptance, the majority mentioned that a framework is necessary to better articulate the public value of using blockchain in smart cities in Kuwait.

Originality/value

This paper develops research hypotheses and a framework for articulating the public value of blockchain technology for smart cities in Kuwait.
Integrability of linear structure of components of modified Korteweg–De Vries hierarchy: multiple soliton solutions and breathers solutions
Authors: Wazwaz Abdul-Majid , Alhejaili Weaam , El-Tantawy Samir
Published: June 2023

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to form a linear structure of components of the modified Korteweg–De Vries (mKdV) hierarchy. The new model includes 3rd order standard mKdV equation, 5th order and 7th order mKdV equations.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors investigate Painlevé integrability of the constructed linear structure.

Findings

The Painlevé analysis demonstrates that established sum of integrable models retains the integrability of each component.

Research limitations/implications

The research also presents a set of rational schemes of trigonometric and hyperbolic functions to derive breather solutions.

Practical implications

The authors also furnish a variety of solitonic solutions and complex solutions as well.

Social implications

The work formally furnishes algorithms for extending integrable equations that consist of components of a hierarchy.

Originality/value

The paper presents an original work for developing Painlevé integrable model via using components of a hierarchy.
“Touch over tech”: a longitudinal examination of human touch along a travel journey
Authors: Lei Sut Ieng , Fong Lawrence Hoc Nang , Ye Shun
Published: June 2023

Purpose

While the importance of human touch for maintaining a tech–touch balance has been stressed, little knowledge exists regarding how such human elements should be incorporated in service settings dominated by technologies. This study aims to examine the outcomes of human touch levels across different travel stages in a hotel stay context.

Design/methodology/approach

Data were collected through a survey on 900 participants. Latent class analysis was first conducted to categorize the sample into groups based on human touch levels. Hypotheses were then tested using regression-based moderation analysis with the PROCESS macro for SPSS.

Findings

Human touch level negatively predicts perceived risk, which is negatively associated with satisfaction. These effects are particularly significant at check-in and check-out stages. Informational privacy significantly moderates the effect of human touch level on perceived risk. Such interaction effects were spotted at the booking and check-out stages.

Research limitations/implications

This study contributes to theory by revealing the role of human touch elements in technology-driven service scenarios and provides practical guidelines for hotels on sharpening service experience by integrating human touch and technology elements.

Originality/value

Through integrating the service encounter framework and concept of customer touchpoints, this study takes a different approach that integrates both “tech” and “touch” by investigating the effects of customer-owned touchpoints in each core stage of a hotel stay journey.
Expanding strategic flexibility through organizational culture, industry 4.0 and market orientation
Authors: Kafetzopoulos Dimitrios , Katou Anastasia A.
Published: June 2023

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to build a theory on management investigating the relationship between organizational culture and strategic flexibility in firms, and how this relationship is affected through industry 4.0 capabilities and the market orientation of firms.

Design/methodology/approach

As a methodological approach, this paper uses a rich combination of literature review and exploratory interviews with managers and academics. Data were collected from 379 industrial managers; confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) and finally structural equation modeling (SEM) were performed to validate the data and examine the hypothesized relationships.

Findings

The results show that organizational culture drives firms to strategic flexibility, but the introduction of industry 4.0 capabilities and market orientation fully mediate this relationship, revealing their significance to strategic flexibility.

Research limitations/implications

All the respondents of the study's dataset were from Greek firms; the role of national culture should be considered. Moreover, the comprehension of I4.0 is a quite recent concept that is still being formulated, this feature may modify the results of future studies.

Practical implications

Managers should allocate resources for the concurrent adoption of digital technologies capabilities and suitable market-oriented strategies in order for them to be key drivers for enhanced strategic flexibility.

Originality/value

The current state of knowledge of both theory and practise for critical organizational factors such as organizational culture, strategic flexibility, industry 4.0 capabilities and market orientation will be extended.
Implementing and assessing a performance framework for the innovation measurement in a European manufacturer
Authors: Nappi Vanessa , Kelly Kevin
Published: June 2023

Purpose

Performance framework (PF) is a well-established practice to measure innovation performance and identify improvement opportunities. However, whether PFs academic research are applicable to companies remains unclear, as well as their support in the definition of improvement actions. This study aims to present the implementation and assessment of a new and updated PF proposed in previous research in a real industrial context.

Design/methodology/approach

The PF was implemented through an in-depth case study carried out in a European machinery manufacturer and further assessed by practitioners.

Findings

The results indicate that the PF enabled the creation of a multidimensional view of the innovation performance and the definition of improvement projects in the company. Additionally, the findings also reveal an overall positive assessment of the PF by senior managers who work with the innovation process.

Research limitations/implications

As a case study, this research is inherently limited in the extent to which results can be generalised. Thus, the analyses are reductive and rationalising. Future research is needed to assess the replicability of the PF.

Practical implications

The study's practical contribution is based on the combination of insights and steps that provide a straightforward and actionable approach for the company to improve performance.

Originality/value

This study aims to advance the importance of implementing the new and updated PF after its proposition, which is often overlooked in preceding research. Furthermore, the assessment of the PF also enables to infer its value to the company's employees.
Business intelligence for Industry 4.0: predictive models for retail and distribution
Authors: Chen Zurong , Zhao Jia , Jin Chen
Published: June 2023

Purpose

Textile and contemporary apparel manufacturers are adopting and integrating cutting-edge technologies to reduce their impact on the environment and gain an advantage in the marketplace. Most previous studies have ignored business intelligence systems (BIS), notably in the textile and apparel industry (T&A), in favor of looking at the larger picture of how big data would affect retail and distribution in a company. This is especially true for the T&As.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors report that they conducted 14 semi-structured interviews with 12 international luxury tourism service providers. In this case, researchers use snowball features and systematic techniques to select participants. A qualitative content analysis strategy is used to capture the focus of the interviews.

Findings

Problems with T&A company sustainability, opportunities to increase value creation via use of industry-leading business intelligence (BI) solutions and perceived roadblocks to BIS adoption were all found by the poll. Garment retail and distribution sector has benefited greatly from the increased use of Industry 4.0 technologies, especially those that provide better BI solutions. Determine the extent to which industry participation slows down or speeds up the process. The Company Information System (BIS) will help convince non-tech-savvy business owners of the financial, economic and environmental benefits of adopting certain technologies developed as part of the industry 4.0 movement.

Research limitations/implications

The authors of this research claim theirs is one of the first to investigate what variables affect the uptake of BIS, ultimately hoping to find out how BIS may be used by T&A businesses to tackle environmental issues through the use of Industry 4.0 technologies. The purpose of this study was to see whether BIS might aid T&A firms with their sustainability issues.

Practical implications

In the last several years, there has been a meteoric rise in interest in big data and business analytics among firms and educational institutions alike. This paper tries to introduce readers to the concept of business analytics in a way that is both academic and accessible, considering both the present and future of the field. This paper begins with a quick introduction, followed by a summary of the three distinct forms of predictive modeling discussed.

Originality/value

In an effort to help aspiring analytics professionals, they have identified, categorized and evaluated the nine distinct players that are now active in the analytics market. Following this, they will provide a high-level summary of the many different research projects currently being worked on by their group.
The impact of hop origin information on the sensory and hedonic evaluation of highly involved consumers of craft beer
Authors: Cassago Alvaro Luis Lamas , Artêncio Mateus Manfrin , Contin Daniele Ribeiro , de Souza Beatriz Costa , Dias Guilherme Silva , Neto Leonardo Gobbo , Giraldi Janaina de Moura Engracia , Da Costa Fernando Batista
Published: June 2023

Purpose

This paper aims to explore the impact of the origin of hops on the sensory and hedonic evaluation of highly involved craft beer consumers.

Design/methodology/approach

Data was collected through a between-subject tasting experiment, where the origin of hop was manipulated (imported vs locally grown). The craft beer samples used in the experiment were produced using hops of similar age but grown in two distinct places: USA (imported hop) and in the city of Ribeirão Preto, Brazil, where the experiment was conducted (locally grown hop). The sensory and hedonic evaluations of highly involved craft beer consumers (n = 100) were collected after tasting the samples.

Findings

The origin of hop proved to be significant in affecting participants’ sensory and hedonic evaluations. It was observed that women were more sensitive than men to the origin information: when information was given, differences were found only on men’s scores of dryness/astringency; while in women, significant differences were found not only in dryness/astringency, but also in bitterness and refreshing, which are important attributes in the sensory profile of craft beer. It was also confirmed the effect of localness in hop cultivation, once men’ and women’s scores on liking were higher for the sample brewed with locally grown hop.

Originality/value

To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this is the first work using craft beer brewed with hops cultivated in Brazil and a sample of Brazilian craft beer consumers, therefore, providing a significant contribution to the field of consumer behavior. Furthermore, it adds to the discussion on sex-/gender-related differences regarding sensory expectation and perception of foods.
Performance of a transverse ridge located through the contact zone of an ultra-thin film including surface force effect
Authors: Abd Alsamieh Mohamed
Published: June 2023

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to investigate the performance of an ultra-thin film lubricated conjunction through the elastohydrodynamic lubrication of point contacts for various ridge shapes and sizes located within the contact zone including flat-top, triangle and cosine wave profiles, considering the influence of surface forces of solvation and Van der Waals’ in addition to the hydrodynamic effect to predict an optimum geometric characteristics for surface texture for lubricated conjunctions.

Design/methodology/approach

Surface features are simulated in a variety of sizes and shapes including flat-top, triangle and cosine wave profiles. While estimating the elastic deformation of the contacting surfaces, surface forces of solvation and Van der Waals’ are taken into account. The Reynolds equation is solved using the Newton–Raphson method to get the pressure profile and film thickness including the elastic deformation, and surface feature.

Findings

The geometrical characteristics of the ridge, its placement in relation to the contact zone and its height all have a significant impact on the performance of ultra-thin film lubricated conjunction. When the triangular-shaped ridge is present in contact, it forecasts even sharper peaks in film thickness and pressure. More friction, wear and eventually contact fatigue are brought on by this more acute pressure and film thickness peaks. The flat-top ridge shape shows a better performance for lubricated conjunction where, the minimum film thickness value is comparable to that obtained for the case of a smooth contact surface. This behavior is attributed to the effect of intermolecular force of solvation. An increase in the size of the ridge results in a step increase in the film thickness for different ridge shapes, particularly for the flat-topped ridge pattern.

Originality/value

Evaluation of the performance of elastohydrodynamic lubricated ultra-thin film conjunction related to film thickness and pressure profile for various ridge surface features of different amplitudes, shapes and sizes located through the contact zone considering the influence of surface forces of solvation and Van der Waals’ in addition to the hydrodynamic effect.

Peer review

The peer review history for this article is available at: https://publons.com/publon/10.1108/ILT-03-2023-0062/
Prisoners’ experiences of custodial parkrun in the UK: links to rehabilitation culture and desistance
Authors: Campana Harriet , Edmondson Lisa , Edghill Claire , Crowther Tanya , Aspin Julie , Aspey Lauren , Meek Rosie
Published: June 2023

Purpose

Parkruns are weekly, free, community-based, 5 km runs around open spaces, with a growing body of research indicating their social, physical and psychological benefits. Thirty-one custodial establishments in England and Wales regularly offer parkruns. The purpose of this paper is to consider prisoners' experiences of parkrun in custodial settings, and these are discussed in the context of the evidence base regarding parkrun in the community and the wider literature on prison sport, desistance, and rehabilitation culture.

Design/methodology/approach

Using an inductive, qualitative approach, data was collected at three English prisons, via semi-structured interviews with 24 adult male prisoners who participated in parkrun. Data was subjected to thematic analysis.

Findings

In total, five themes reflecting positive experiences associated with custodial parkrun were identified: connection with others; healthy living; a safe and predictable exercise environment; a sense of purpose; and a re-humanising experience. Factors appearing frequently in the wider parkrun research are present in the perceptions of parkrunners in custody. In addition, factors deemed important to desistance and promoting a rehabilitation culture were also found in the experiences of the sample.

Practical implications

The work emphasises the successes of His Majesty’s Prison and Probation Service (HMPPS) and parkrun working in partnership to support custodial events. By highlighting the positive experiences of custodial parkrun on prisons and prisoners, the authors anticipate that their findings may encourage further sites to consider launching parkrun events and prompt existing sites to consider their events in line with efforts to promote desistance and a rehabilitation culture.

Originality/value

To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this is the first paper to explore custodial parkrun. The findings indicate that custodial parkrun supports HMPPS strategic goals by offering an opportunity for prisons to promote desistance.
Implications of directors’ education for audit fees: does the audit committee matter?
Authors: Saggese Sara , Sarto Fabrizia , Romano Rosaria , Viganò Riccardo
Published: June 2023

Purpose

Building upon multiple theories (i.e. agency, signalling and human capital), this paper aims to explore the effects of directors’ education on audit fees and to assess the mediating role of audit committee (AC).

Design/methodology/approach

The authors use an econometric analysis of Italian-listed non-financial firms during the period 2012–2015 using single-mediator models through ordinary least squares and logit regressions. Moreover, the authors apply the path analysis with the bootstrap method to test the mediating effect.

Findings

Findings show that the directors’ level of education improves audit fees. Additionally, the presence of an AC and the financial expertise of its members mediate this relationship.

Practical implications

By offering insights into the implications for audit pricing of the board and AC human capital, the paper helps regulators and policy-makers to understand which characteristic of such governance bodies improves auditing quality and the provision of better financial reporting.

Originality/value

The study uses a unique data set hand-collected from multiple sources and advances the auditing literature by shedding light on the reasons behind the influence of directors’ characteristics on audit fees and on the role played by the AC.
Study on electronic transport performance of Ag-ZnO film by photoassisted conductive atomic force microscopy
Authors: Zhang Yidong
Published: June 2023

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to study the electronic transport performance of Ag-ZnO film under dark and UV light conditions.

Design/methodology/approach

Ag-doped ZnO thin films were prepared on fluorine thin oxide (FTO) substrates by sol-gel method. The crystal structure of ZnO and Ag-ZnO powders was tested by X-ray diffraction with Cu Kα radiation. The absorption spectra of ZnO and Ag-ZnO films were recorded by a UV–visible spectrophotometer. The micro electrical transport performance of Ag-ZnO thin films in dark and light state was investigated by photoassisted conductive atomic force microscope (PC-AFM).

Findings

The results show that the dark reverse current of Ag-ZnO films does not increase, but the reverse current increases significantly under illumination, indicating that the response of Ag-ZnO films to light is greatly improved, owing to the formation of Ohmic contact.

Originality/value

To the best of the author’s knowledge, the micro electrical transport performance of Ag-ZnO thin films in dark and light state was firstly investigated by PC-AFM.
A circular plate with a central hole reinforced with agglomerated CNTs under impact loading
Authors: Ranjbar-Roeintan Mehdi
Published: June 2023

Purpose

This article focuses on the low-velocity impact (LVI) output of carbon nanotubes (CNTs)’ reinforcement circular plates, considering agglomeration size effect and clumping of CNTs’ inner side of the agglomerations.

Design/methodology/approach

A representative volume element (RVE) is used to determine the nanocomposite properties reinforced with agglomerated CNTs with random orientation. First-order shear deformation theory (FSDT) is used to obtain the motion equations of LVI analysis. These equations are handled by developing a Ritz method and Lagrangian mechanics. To extract the mass and stiffness matrices, terms with second and higher degrees are ignored.

Findings

Formulation validation is performed by providing various examples, including comparisons with other research and ABAQUS FE code. The effects of agglomeration size, clumping of CNTs’ inner side of the agglomerations, CNT volume fraction and impact location on the responses of impact load, projectile displacement and plate deflection are analytically studied. These achievements illuminate how the influence of agglomeration size is very small on the impact response. Also, the influence of clumping of CNTs’ inner side of the agglomerations is significant, and as it increases, the displacement values and impact time increase, and the impact force decreases.

Originality/value

In this article, to avoid additional calculations, the parameters of the mass matrix and the stiffness coefficients are linearized to obtain the equations of motion of the impact on the circular plate.
Analysis of a non‐lethal biallelic frameshift mutation in ZMPSTE24 reveals utilization of alternative translation initiation codons
Authors: Kaufmann Lukas , Pilic Johannes , Auinger Lisa , Mayer Anna‐Lena , Blatterer Jasmin , Semmler‐Bruckner Johann , Abbas Safdar , Rehman Khurram , Ayaz Muhammad , Graier Wolfgang F. , Malli Roland , Petek Erwin , Wagner Klaus , Al Kaissi Ali , Khan Muzammil Ahmad , Windpassinger Christian
Published: June 2023

Restrictive dermopathy (RD) is a lethal condition caused by biallelic loss‐of‐function mutations in ZMPSTE24, whereas mutations preserving residual enzymatic activity of the ZMPSTE24 protein lead to the milder mandibuloacral dysplasia with type B lipodystrophy (MADB) phenotype. Remarkably, we identified a homozygous, presumably loss‐of‐function mutation in ZMPSTE24 [c.28_29insA, p.(Leu10Tyrfs*37)] in two consanguineous Pakistani families segregating MADB. To clarify how lethal consequences are prevented in affected individuals, functional analysis was performed. Expression experiments supported utilization of two alternative translation initiation sites, preventing complete loss of protein function consistent with the relatively mild phenotypic outcome in affected patients. One of these alternative start codons is newly formed at the insertion site. Our findings indicate that the creation of new potential start codons through N‐terminal mutations in other disease‐associated genes should generally be taken into consideration in the variant interpretation process.
Religiosity as a predictor of students' political attitudes
Authors: Boneta Željko , Mrakovčić Marko
Published: June 2023

This paper analyzes the relationship between students' level of actual religiosity and their sociodemographic characteristics, political orientation, and political attitudes. The paper is based on an online survey conducted at the University of Rijeka (N = 624) in 2021. The vast majority of our respondents (90%) received the three holy sacraments of initiation in their early childhood and attended Catholic religious education at school. The explanation of the significantly less actual religiosity of students is approached from the position of Pickel's contextualized theory of secularization. Relying on Voas and Day, a composite variable distinguishes highly religious students, moderately religious students, weakly religious students, and non‐religious students on the basis of the respondents' positioning toward religious self‐identification, beliefs, Church attendance, and the importance of religion in one's life. Statistically significant correlations between actual religiosity and political orientation were established. Very religious Catholic students, who are the least numerous and the least homogenous category, are more inclined to right‐wing political orientation and reject ethno‐nationalism/anti‐multiculturalism less and accept clericalism more than other categories of students. In a broader sense, this study reveals that a large number of respondents distance themselves from religion and the Church at student age despite their experience of formal religious socialization at school age. Furthermore, the results suggest that the synergy of the liberalizing effect of education and the tolerant sociocultural atmosphere of an area reduces the influence of religiosity on the political attitudes and orientation of students.
From “footprint” to relationships: Impacts of US military base on Okinawa
Authors: Oshiro Akino
Published: June 2023

How does militarism impact the natural environment? There is a growing body of scholarly work interrogating the intersection of environmental impacts and military activities from what can be referred to as a “footprint” perspective, which documents the tangible environmental impacts. Further, this paper introduces an alternative perspective on militarism's environmental impacts, which emphasizes Indigenous people's relationship to the environment, which this paper calls the relational perspective. This review paper argues that the emerging research concerning the environmental impacts of the US military bases in Okinawa employs the relational perspective, which echoes insights from Indigenous studies that see land as a field of the relationship of things to each other. Overall, this paper acknowledges that there is a reciprocal relationship that bridges humans and nonhuman subjectivity, including the natural environment, animals, and plants, and some places, like Okinawa, prioritize this perspective, which gives us a different angle on how we see the natural environment, the long‐lasting impacts of militarism, and countermeasures to the climate crisis. Military bases necessitate natural resources to exist. However, it is not only those material resources that get affected. Relationships with the natural environment, an essential aspect of Indigenous epistemology, are also impacted.
Block Toeplitz Matrices: Multiplicative Properties
Authors: Khan Muhammad Ahsan
Published: June 2023

Given A, B, C, and D, block Toeplitz matrices, we will prove the necessary and sufficient condition for AB - CD = 0, and AB - CD to be a block Toeplitz matrix. In addition, with respect to change of basis, the characterization of normal block Toeplitz matrices with entries from the algebra of diagonal matrices is also obtained.
Dynamic modelling of Renewable Energy Consumption and Production on African Economic Growth and the Environment Using Vector Error Correction Models
Authors: Gwani Alhaji Abdullahi , Sek Siok Kun
Published: June 2023

Prior research has explored the influence of renewable consumption on economic growth and carbon emissions (CO2), but few studies have examined the impact of both renewable energy consumption (REC) and renewable energy production (REP) on economic growth and CO2 emissions in Africa. The objective of this work is to dynamically estimate the effects of both REC and REP on economic growth and CO2 emissions in Africa, based on empirical evidence and using a data set from the years 1965 to 2020. This research aims to determine how REC and REP affect the economies and ecosystems of Africa. The Error Correction Models (ECMs) were utilized in the analysis, focusing on howREP and REC influence economic growth and environmental carbon dioxide emissions (CO2). Vector Error Correction Models (VECM) and Johansen cointegration methods were used on the data set. The results demonstrated that economic forces existed between the variables and that there was a long run equilibrium relationship between GDP and CO2 emissions in Africa, from REC to REP. Additionally, the outcomes showed that both REC and REP slowed down environmental deterioration while  promoting economic growth. Africa can lower the negative impacts of environmental pollution caused by the consumption of nonrenewable energy sources by adopting and aggressively promoting renewable energy production and utilization.
Enterococcus faecalis OG1RF Evolution at Low pH Selects Fusidate-Sensitive Mutants in Elongation Factor G and at High pH Selects Defects in Phosphate Transport
Authors: Fitzgerald Bailey A. , Wadud Ayman , Slimak Zachary , Slonczewski Joan L.
Published: June 2023

E. faecalis
bacteria are found in dental biofilms, where they experience low pH as a result of fermentative metabolism. Thus, the effect of pH on antibiotic resistance has clinical importance.
Therapeutic potential of
Bacillus
phage lysin PlyB in ocular infections
Authors: Mursalin Md Huzzatul , Astley Roger , Coburn Phillip S. , Bagaruka Eddy , Hunt Jonathan J. , Fischetti Vincent A. , Callegan Michelle C.
Published: June 2023

Bacteriophage lytic enzymes (i.e., phage lysins) are a trending alternative for general antibiotics to combat growing antimicrobial resistance. Gram-positive
Bacillus cereus
causes one of the most severe forms of intraocular infection, often resulting in complete vision loss. It is an inherently β-lactamase-resistant organism that is highly inflammogenic in the eye, and antibiotics are not often beneficial as the sole therapeutic option for these blinding infections. The use of phage lysins as a treatment for
B. cereus
ocular infection has never been tested or reported. In this study, the phage lysin PlyB was tested
in vitro
, demonstrating rapid killing of vegetative
B. cereus
but not its spores. PlyB was also highly group specific and effectively killed the bacteria in various bacterial growth conditions, including
ex vivo
rabbit vitreous (Vit). Furthermore, PlyB demonstrated no cytotoxic or hemolytic activity toward human retinal cells or erythrocytes and did not trigger innate activation. In
in vivo
therapeutic experiments, PlyB was effective in killing
B. cereus
when administered intravitreally in an experimental endophthalmitis model and topically in an experimental keratitis model. In both models of ocular infection, the effective bactericidal property of PlyB prevented pathological damage to ocular tissues. Thus, PlyB was found to be safe and effective in killing
B. cereus
in the eye, greatly improving an otherwise devastating outcome. Overall, this study demonstrates that PlyB is a promising therapeutic option for
B. cereus
eye infections.

IMPORTANCE

Eye infections from antibiotic-resistant
Bacillus cereus
are devastating and can result in blindness with few available treatment options. Bacteriophage lysins are an alternative to conventional antibiotics with the potential to control antibiotic-resistant bacteria. This study demonstrates that a lysin called PlyB can effectively kill
B. cereus
in two models of
B. cereus
eye infections, thus treating and preventing the blinding effects of these infections.
Rhoptry neck protein 4 plays important roles during
Plasmodium
sporozoite infection of the mammalian liver
Authors: Baba Minami , Nozaki Mamoru , Tachibana Mayumi , Tsuboi Takafumi , Torii Motomi , Ishino Tomoko
Published: June 2023

During invasion,
Plasmodium
parasites secrete proteins from rhoptry and microneme apical end organelles, which have crucial roles in attaching to and invading target cells. A sporozoite stage-specific gene silencing system revealed that rhoptry neck protein 2 (RON2), RON4, and RON5 are important for sporozoite invasion of mosquito salivary glands. Here, we further investigated the roles of RON4 during sporozoite infection of the liver
in vivo
. Following intravenous inoculation of RON4-knockdown sporozoites into mice, we demonstrated that sporozoite RON4 has multiple functions during sporozoite traversal of sinusoidal cells and infection of hepatocytes.
In vitro
infection experiments using a hepatoma cell line revealed that secreted RON4 is involved in sporozoite adhesion to hepatocytes and has an important role in the early steps of hepatocyte infection. In addition,
in vitro
motility assays indicated that RON4 is required for sporozoite attachment to the substrate and the onset of migration. These findings indicate that RON4 is crucial for sporozoite migration toward and invasion of hepatocytes via attachment ability and motility.

IMPORTANCE

Malarial parasite transmission to mammals is established when sporozoites are inoculated by mosquitoes and migrate through the bloodstream to infect hepatocytes. Many aspects of the molecular mechanisms underpinning migration and cellular invasion remain largely unelucidated. By applying a sporozoite stage-specific gene silencing system in the rodent malarial parasite,
Plasmodium berghei
, we demonstrated that rhoptry neck protein 4 (RON4) is crucial for sporozoite infection of the liver
in vivo
. Combined with
in vitro
investigations, it was revealed that RON4 functions during a crossing of the sinusoidal cell layer and invading hepatocytes, at an early stage of liver infection, by mediating the sporozoite capacity for adhesion and the onset of motility. Since RON4 is also expressed in
Plasmodium
merozoites and
Toxoplasma
tachyzoites, our findings contribute to understanding the conserved invasion mechanisms of
Apicomplexa
parasites.
Analytical and Clinical Evaluation of a TaqMan Real-Time PCR Assay for the Detection of Chikungunya Virus
Authors: Andrew Anna , Citartan Marimuthu , Wong Kiing Aik , Tang Thean Hock , Magdline Sia Henry Sum , Ch'ng Ewe Seng
Published: June 2023

Chikungunya virus causes chikungunya fever, a disease characterized by fever, rash, and joint pain. In the early phase of infection, chikungunya fever is always misdiagnosed as other arbovirus infections, such as dengue.
The Global Success of Mycobacterium tuberculosis Modern Beijing Family Is Driven by a Few Recently Emerged Strains
Authors: Zhu Chendi , Yang Tingting , Yin Jinfeng , Jiang Hui , Takiff Howard E. , Gao Qian , Liu Qingyun , Li Weimin
Published: June 2023

The recent population dynamics of the global tuberculosis epidemic are heavily shaped by
Mycobacterium tuberculosis
complex (MTBC) strains with enhanced transmissibility. The infamous Beijing family strain stands out because it has rapidly spread throughout the world.