bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Contrasting dynamics of two incursions of low pathogenicity avian influenza virus into Australia
Authors: Wille Michelle , Broz Ivano , Cherrington Tanya , Crawley Allison , Farrugia Blaine , Ford Mark , Frost Melinda , Grimsey Joanne , Kirkland Peter D. , Latimore Shaylie , Lynch Stacey E. , Martin Sue , Matereke Cornelius , Mee Peter T. , Neave Matthew J. , O’Dea Mark , Read Andrew J. , O’Riley Kim , Stevens Vittoria , Thayaparan Sivapiragasam , Zufan Sara , de Gouvea Pedroso Silvia Ban , Grillo Victoria , Breed Andrew C. , Barr Ian G. , Holmes Edward C. , Klaassen Marcel , Wong Frank Y. K.
Published: April 2024

The current panzootic of high pathogenicity avian influenza virus H5N1 demonstrates how viral incursions can have major ramifications for wildlife and domestic animals. Herein, we describe the recent incursion into Australia of two low pathogenicity avian influenza virus subtypes, H4 and H10, that exhibited contrasting evolutionary dynamics. Viruses detected from national surveillance and disease investigations between 2020-2022 revealed 27 genomes, 24 of which have at least one segment more closely related to Eurasian or North American avian influenza lineages than those already circulating in Australia. Phylogenetic analysis revealed that H4 viruses circulating in shorebirds represent a recent incursion from Asia that is distinct from those circulating concurrently in Australian waterfowl. Analysis of the internal segments further demonstrates exclusive, persistent circulation in shorebirds. This contrasts with H10, where a novel lineage has emerged in wild waterfowl, poultry and captive birds across Australia, and has likely replaced previously circulating H10 lineages through competitive exclusion. Elucidating different dynamics for avian influenza incursions supports effective disease risk identification and communication that better informs disease preparedness and response.
Quinoxaline-Based Anti-Schistosomal Compounds Have Potent Anti-Malarial Activity
Authors: Rawat Mukul , Padalino Gilda , Yeo Tomas , Brancale Andrea , Fidock David A. , Hoffmann Karl F. , Lee Marcus C. S.
Published: April 2024

The human pathogensPlasmodiumandSchistosomaare each responsible for over 200 million infections annually, being particularly problematic in low- and middle-income countries. There is a pressing need for new drug targets for these diseases, driven by emergence of drug-resistance inPlasmodiumand the overall dearth of new drug targets forSchistosoma. Here, we explored the opportunity for pathogen-hopping by evaluating a series of quinoxaline-based anti-schistosomal compounds for activity againstP. falciparum. We identified compounds with low nanomolar potency against 3D7 and multidrug-resistant strains. Evolution of resistance using a mutatorP. falciparumline revealed a low propensity for resistance. Only one of the series, compound 22, yielded resistance mutations, including point mutations in a non-essential putative hydrolasepfqrp1,as well as copy-number amplification of a phospholipid-translocating ATPase,pfatp2, a potential target. Notably, independently generated CRISPR-edited mutants inpfqrp1also showed resistance to compound 22 and a related analogue. Moreover, previous lines withpfatp2copy-number variations were similarly less susceptible to challenge with the new compounds. Finally, we examined whether the predicted hydrolase activity of PfQRP1 underlies its mechanism of resistance, showing that both mutation of the putative catalytic triad and a more severe loss of function mutation elicited resistance. Collectively, we describe a compound series with potent activity against two important pathogens and their potential target inP. falciparum.
Revolutionizing Postoperative Ileus Monitoring: Exploring GRU-D’s Real-Time Capabilities and Cross-Hospital Transferability
Authors: Ruan Xiaoyang , Fu Sunyang , Jia Heling , Mathis Kellie L. , Thiels Cornelius A. , Wilson Patrick M. , Storlie Curtis B. , Liu Hongfang
Published: April 2024

Background

Postoperative ileus (POI) after colorectal surgery leads to increased morbidity, costs, and hospital stays. Identifying POI risk for early intervention is important for improving surgical outcomes especially given the increasing trend towards early discharge after surgery. While existing studies have assessed POI risk with regression models, the role of deep learning’s remains unexplored.

Methods

We assessed the performance and transferability (brutal force/instance/parameter transfer) of Gated Recurrent Unit with Decay (GRU-D), a longitudinal deep learning architecture, for real-time risk assessment of POI among 7,349 colorectal surgeries performed across three hospital sites operated by Mayo Clinic with two electronic health records (EHR) systems. The results were compared with atemporal models on a panel of benchmark metrics.

Results

GRU-D exhibits robust transferability across different EHR systems and hospital sites, showing enhanced performance by integrating new measurements, even amid the extreme sparsity of real-world longitudinal data. On average, for labs, vitals, and assisted living status, 72.2%, 26.9%, and 49.3% respectively lack measurements within 24 hours after surgery. Over the follow-up period with 4-hour intervals, 98.7%, 84%, and 95.8% of data points are missing, respectively. A maximum of 5% decrease in AUROC was observed in brutal-force transfer between different EHR systems with non-overlapping surgery date frames. Multi-source instance transfer witnessed the best performance, with a maximum of 2.6% improvement in AUROC over local learning. The significant benefit, however, lies in the reduction of variance (a maximum of 86% decrease). The GRU-D model’s performance mainly depends on the prediction task’s difficulty, especially the case prevalence rate. Whereas the impact of training data and transfer strategy is less crucial, underscoring the challenge of effectively leveraging transfer learning for rare outcomes. While atemporal Logit models show notably superior performance at certain pre-surgical points, their performance fluctuate significantly and generally underperform GRU-D in post-surgical hours.

Conclusion

GRU-D demonstrated robust transferability across EHR systems and hospital sites with highly sparse real-world EHR data. Further research on built-in explainability for meaningful intervention would be highly valuable for its integration into clinical practice.
Macrophage-derived developmental endothelial locus 1 (DEL-1) expression promotes an immunoprotective phenotype in experimental visceral leishmaniasis
Authors: Lukaszonek Jakub , Brown Najmeeyah , Zenga Jessie , Myburgh Elmarie , Hewitson James P. , Hajishengalis George , Chavakis Triantafyllos , Kaye Paul M. , Kourtzelis Ioannis
Published: April 2024

The identification of tissue-derived homeostatic molecules regulating immune plasticity is essential for understanding the role of macrophages in immune responses to intra-phagosomal pathogens. Developmental endothelial locus-1 (DEL-1) is a functionally versatile homeostatic factor capable of inhibiting the onset of inflammation and promoting inflammation resolution, but its role in the response to intracellular infections has not been previously addressed.Leishmania, causative agents of the neglected tropical disease leishmaniasis, are intra-phagosomal parasites that establish a replicative niche within macrophages.

Here, using a well-established murine model of visceral infection withLeishmania donovani, we establish DEL-1 as a novel regulator of immunity to this infection. Parasite burden was significantly higher in B6.Edil3-/-(Del1-KO) compared to wild type B6 mice, as determined by whole body IVIS imaging, largely as a result of increased liver parasite load. However, lack of DEL-1 enhanced hepatomegaly and enhanced granulomatous inflammation. Conversely, parasite burden and the formation of large granulomas was reduced in mice overexpressing DEL-1 in macrophages but not in endothelial cells. Our findings reveal a hitherto unknown role of DEL-1 in the immune response toL. donovaniinfection and may represent a novel approach to mitigate immunopathology.
Single-nucleus RNA/ATAC-seq in early-stage HCM models predicts SWI/SNF-activation in mutant-myocytes, and allele-specific differences in fibroblasts
Authors: Thottakara Tilo , Padmanabhan Arun , Tanriverdi Talha , Thambidurai Tharika , Diaz-RG Jose A. , Amonkar Sanika R. , Olgin Jeffrey E. , Long Carlin S. , Abraham M. Roselle
Published: April 2024

Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) is associated with phenotypic variability. To gain insights into transcriptional regulation of cardiac phenotype, single-nucleus linked RNA-/ATAC-seq was performed in 5-week-old control mouse-hearts (WT) and two HCM-models (R92W-TnT, R403Q-MyHC) that exhibit differences in heart size/function and fibrosis; mutant data was compared to WT. Analysis of 23,304 nuclei from mutant hearts, and 17,669 nuclei from WT, revealed similar dysregulation of gene expression, activation of AP-1 TFs (FOS, JUN) and the SWI/SNF complex in both mutant ventricular-myocytes. In contrast, marked differences were observed between mutants, for gene expression/TF enrichment, in fibroblasts, macrophages, endothelial cells. Cellchat predicted activation of pro-hypertrophic IGF-signaling in both mutant ventricular-myocytes, and profibrotic TGFβ-signaling only in mutant-TnT fibroblasts. In summary, our bioinformatics analyses suggest that activation of IGF-signaling, AP-1 TFs and the SWI/SNF chromatin remodeler complex promotes myocyte hypertrophy in early-stage HCM. Selective activation of TGFβ-signaling in mutant-TnT fibroblasts contributes to genotype-specific differences in cardiac fibrosis.
Horizontally acquired HosA transcription factor bound with 4-hydroxy-benzoic acid exhibits unique tug-of-water dynamics
Authors: Goswami Arpita , Ullah Samee , Brito José A.
Published: April 2024

PathogenicEscherichia coli(E. coli) causes serious illnesses in humans aided by several multiple antibiotic resistance regulator (MarR) transcription factors. Among these proteins, HosA provides support to these organisms by executing crucial roles in functions ranging from flagella motility to organic compound metabolism. The crystal structure of HosA from enteropathogenicE. coliis elucidated in this study along with conformational changes orchestrated by different amino acids due to para-hydroxy benzoic acid (PHB) binding in the hinge region. Structural analysis and extensive molecular dynamics simulation reveal role of a dynamic water molecule as a bridging entity in PHB bound structure which is not shown for any MarR structure yet. Also, it is shown that the HosA gene is transferred horizontally fromShigellato pathogenicE. coli, having 97.6% sequence similarity with an uncharacterized transcription factor fromShigella dysenteriae Sd197. This study may be promising to address several unanswered questions for the functioning of MarR transcription factors from infectiousE. coliand design inhibitors to combat these pathogens.
Dual CRALBP isoforms unveiled: iPSC-derived retinal modelling and AAV2/5-RLBP1 gene transfer raise considerations for effective therapy
Authors: Damodar Krishna , Dubois Gregor , Guillou Laurent , Mamaeva Daria , Pequignot Marie , Erkilic Nejla , Sanjurjo-Soriano Carla , Boukhaddaoui Hassan , Bernex Florence , Bocquet Béatrice , Vialaret Jerome , Arsenijevic Yvan , Redmond T. Michael , Hirtz Christopher , Meunier Isabelle , Brabet Philippe , Kalatzis Vasiliki
Published: April 2024

Inherited retinal diseases (IRDs) are clinically and genetically heterogeneous disorders characterised by progressive vision loss. Over 270 causative genes have been identified and variants within the same gene can give rise to clinically distinct disorders. Human induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) have revolutionised disease modelling, by allowing pathophysiological and therapeutic studies in the patient and tissue context. The IRD geneRLBP1encodes CRALBP, an actor of the rod and cone visual cycles in the retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) and Müller cells, respectively. Variants inRLBP1lead to three clinical subtypes: Bothnia dystrophy, Retinitis punctata albescens and Newfoundland rod-cone dystrophy. We modelledRLBP1-IRD subtypes by patient-specific iPSC-derived RPE and identified pertinent therapeutic read-outs. We developed an AAV2/5-mediated gene replacement strategy and provided a proof-of-concept in theex vivohuman models that was validated in anin vivo Rlbp1−/−murine model. Most importantly, we identified a previously unsuspected smaller CRALBP isoform that is naturally and differentially expressed in both human and murine retina. The new isoform arises from an alternative methionine initiation site and plays a role in the visual cycle. This work provides novel insights into CRALBP expression andRLBP1-associated pathophysiology and raises important considerations for successful gene supplementation therapy.
Expanding the genome information onBacillalesfor biosynthetic gene cluster discovery
Authors: Song Lijie , Dyrbye Nielsen Lasse Johan , Xu Xinming , Mohite Omkar Satyavan , Nuhamunada Matin , Xu Zhihui , Murphy Rob , Bodawatta Kasun , Poulsen Michael , Abdulla Mohamed Hatha , Sonnenschein Eva C. , Weber Tilmann , Kovács Ákos T.
Published: April 2024

This study showcases 121 new genomes of spore-formingBacillalesfrom strains collected globally from a variety of habitats, assembled using Oxford Nanopore long-read and MGI short-read sequences.Bacilliare renowned for their capacity to produce diverse secondary metabolites with use in agriculture, biotechnology, and medicine. These secondary metabolites are encoded within biosynthetic gene clusters (smBGCs). smBGCs have significant research interest due to their potential for the discovery of new bioactivate compounds. Our dataset includes 62 complete genomes, 2 at chromosome level, and 57 at contig level, covering a genomic size range from 3.50 Mb to 7.15 Mb. Phylotaxonomic analysis revealed that these genomes span 16 genera, with 69 of them belonging toBacillus. A total of 1,176 predicted BGCs were identified byin silicogenome mining. We anticipate that the open-access data presented here will expand the reported genomic information of spore-formingBacillalesand facilitate a deeper understanding of the genetic basis ofBacillales’ potential for secondary metabolite production.
Remarks on applying dispersion relations to amplitudes with infrared singularities
Authors: Ermolaev B. I. , Troyan S. I.
Published: April 2024

Dispersion relations (DR) are known to be a powerful instrument for studying scattering amplitudes. In particular, they often apply to calculations in perturbative QCD and the Standard Model. We argue that applying DR to amplitudes with double-logarithmic (DL) contributions should be done with proper caution because DL terms are often infrared divergent. Ignoring this circumstance leads to incorrect results. As an example of such a situation, we consider applying DR to decays of on-shell W- and Z-bosons into fermion pairs in the double-logarithmic approximation.

Published by the American Physical Society
2024
Characterizing losses in InAs two-dimensional electron gas-based gatemon qubits
Authors: Strickland William M. , Baker Lukas J. , Lee Jaewoo , Dindial Krishna , Elfeky Bassel Heiba , Strohbeen Patrick J. , Hatefipour Mehdi , Yu Peng , Levy Ido , Issokson Jacob , Manucharyan Vladimir E. , Shabani Javad
Published: April 2024

The tunneling of Cooper pairs across a Josephson junction (JJ) allows for the nonlinear inductance necessary to construct superconducting qubits, amplifiers, and various other quantum circuits. An alternative approach using hybrid superconductor-semiconductor JJs can enable superconducting qubit architectures with all electric control. Here we present continuous-wave and time-domain characterization of gatemon qubits and coplanar waveguide resonators based on an InAs two-dimensional electron gas. We show that the qubit undergoes a vacuum Rabi splitting with a readout cavity, and we drive coherent Rabi oscillations between the qubit ground and first excited states. We measure qubit relaxation times to be T1= 100 ns over a 1.5 GHz tunable band. We detail the loss mechanisms present in these materials through a systematic study of the quality factors of coplanar waveguide resonators. While various loss mechanisms are present in III-V gatemon circuits, we detail future directions in enhancing the relaxation times of qubit devices on this platform.

Published by the American Physical Society
2024
Efficient software mutation test by clustering the single-line redundant mutants
Authors: Arasteh Bahman , Ghaffari Ali
Published: April 2024

Purpose

Reducing the number of generated mutants by clustering redundant mutants, reducing the execution time by decreasing the number of generated mutants and reducing the cost of mutation testing are the main goals of this study.

Design/methodology/approach

In this study, a method is suggested to identify and prone the redundant mutants. In the method, first, the program source code is analyzed by the developed parser to filter out the effectless instructions; then the remaining instructions are mutated by the standard mutation operators. The single-line mutants are partially executed by the developed instruction evaluator. Next, a clustering method is used to group the single-line mutants with the same results. There is only one complete run per cluster.

Findings

The results of experiments on the Java benchmarks indicate that the proposed method causes a 53.51 per cent reduction in the number of mutants and a 57.64 per cent time reduction compared to similar experiments in the MuJava and MuClipse tools.

Originality/value

Developing a classifier that takes the source code of the program and classifies the programs' instructions into effective and effectless classes using a dependency graph; filtering out the effectless instructions reduces the total number of mutants generated; Developing and implementing an instruction parser and instruction-level mutant generator for Java programs; the mutant generator takes instruction in the original program as a string and generates its single-line mutants based on the standard mutation operators in MuJava; Developing a stack-based evaluator that takes an instruction (original or mutant) and the test data and evaluates its result without executing the whole program.
Restructuring of human resource development in IIT libraries of North India in new digital era
Authors: Kumar Rajender , Gupta Dinesh K.
Published: April 2024

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to examine the restructuring of human resources development processes in Indian Institutes of Technology (IIT) libraries in North India, emphasizing the essential information and communications technology (ICT) skills for both recruits and existing staff.

Design/methodology/approach

The study used a survey research design, with two different sets of structured questionnaires used to collect data. The first set, which was distributed to all heads of seven IIT libraries in North India, received a 100% response rate. Simultaneously, the second set was distributed to library users, yielding a 92% response rate (680 responses out of 700 distributed). The collected data were analyzed and tabulated, with suitable interpretations.

Findings

The findings of the study reveal that all examined libraries have implemented skill development programs. Moreover, advanced ICT skills are considered essential for staff appointments, and specific institutes (IIT Kanpur, IIT Delhi, IIT Jodhpur and IIT Ropar) took the initiative to provide ICT training to their employees. Trained employees exhibited enhanced performance, attributed to advanced ICT knowledge. The study suggests restructuring selection criteria and introducing structured ICT training programs for library staff, ensuring a more adept workforce for current demands.

Research limitations/implications

The study can increase the impact globally on human resource development by incorporating soft skills, job satisfaction and leadership development while exploring research opportunities through cross-institutional comparisons and the integration of emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence and virtual reality.

Originality/value

This study collected primary data from IIT libraries in North India using self-designed questionnaires. The findings provide useful insights into how libraries might restructure human resource development in the digital age.
The impact of bank loans on university student retention
Authors: Espinoza Oscar , Gonzalez Luis , Sandoval Luis , Corradi Bruno , Larrondo Yahira , McGinn Noel
Published: April 2024

Purpose

This study analyzed the impact on the persistence of Chilean university students who had received a government-guaranteed loan (CAE).

Design/methodology/approach

Using academic and administrative data from 2016 to 2019, provided by 11 Chilean universities, a discrete-time survival model was constructed. The model was based on data of 5,276 students in the 2016 cohort and included sociodemographic variables, academic background prior to entering university and academic performance once in university. As a robustness check of our results to observable confounding, the analysis was repeated using a control group constructed using propensity score matching (PSM).

Findings

The results reveal that students who receive a bank loan (CAE) were more likely to remain in undergraduate studies for at least the first two years of university, as opposed to their peers who did not receive financial aid. In addition, they show the importance of academic performance in retention.

Originality/value

The article advances in the identification of the impact of bank loans on permanence. Although previous research has evaluated the impact of the CAE, it has been conducted on small samples of students. These studies also lacked student records associated with their academic performance at the university. The present research overcomes both weaknesses, allowing us to estimate the impact of the CAE on a larger population of students that is representative of the system.
Harmonious entrepreneurship: a sustainable model for addressing global inequality
Authors: Kirby David A. , Healey-Benson Felicity
Published: April 2024

Purpose

This study aims to develop an entrepreneurial business model capable of addressing and preventing the exploitation and inequality that traditionally have resulted from entrepreneurship, particularly in emerging economies.

Design/methodology/approach

The research uses systems thinking, the first law of cybernetics, and the principles of harmony to formulate a systemic solution to the problem, which it exemplifies via six purposefully selected short cases drawn from diverse industry sectors and economies.

Findings

This paper demonstrates how the conventional model of entrepreneurship, often associated with colonial exploitation and resultant inequalities, can be transformed into a triple bottom line model—harmonious entrepreneurship – that integrates the traditional economic, eco-, humane, and social approaches and creates a synergy where profit, planet, and people are in harmony. The model challenges the profit maximisation/shareholder value doctrine of business success.

Research limitations/implications

Only six cases are presented here, and there is a need for further research in different political-economic contexts and industry sectors. Also, the way entrepreneurship is taught needs to change so that it addresses the sustainability challenge in general and the problem of inequality in particular.

Practical implications

There needs to be a change in the entrepreneurial mindset and the way entrepreneurship is taught and potential entrepreneurs are trained if entrepreneurship is to address the sustainability challenge in general and the problem of inequality in particular.

Originality/value

This is a novel approach to the study of entrepreneurship and its impact on inequality that shows how it can ameliorate and/or prevent inequality, particularly in emerging economies, by adopting a more holistic approach to business success and supplanting “having and needing” with “being and caring”.
Self-harm and aggression in women who committed a criminal offence: a scoping review
Authors: Khalil Laura , Da Silva Guerreiro Joao
Published: April 2024

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to examine the current state of the literature on the variables associated with self-harm and aggression in women who committed a criminal offence.

Design/methodology/approach

Studies were identified through online databases, namely, PsycINFO, PubMed, ERIC and EBSCOhost, as well as manual searches of reference lists of the selected studies. The target population included women who committed a criminal offence and have engaged in self-harm and aggressive behaviors during their incarceration, either in correctional institutions or in forensic psychiatric settings.

Findings

Of the 1,178 studies identified, nine met inclusion criteria. The studies were conducted in six different countries and included data from 6360 female participants. Few studies examine self-harm and aggression in women who committed a criminal offence which speaks to the still sparse literature on this topic. This review of the association between self-harm and aggression in women offenders highlights the finding that a small group of women is often involved in both self-harm and aggression. The authors have identified possible psychological factors associated with women engaging in both self-harm and aggression. The findings also reveal a possible connection between types of aggressive behaviors and specific time periods during sentences or stays in forensic psychiatry.

Practical implications

The findings of this scoping review have clinical implications which may be considered by both researchers and the case management teams of women involved in both self-harm and aggression.

Originality/value

Despite the limited number of studies examining self-harm and aggression in women, this scoping review highlights gaps in the literature as well as notable psychological correlates of women who engage in self-harm and aggression.
The mediating role of cultural intelligence to learning flexibility, cultural difference and expatriate effectiveness
Authors: Li Ming (Lily) , Jiang Jinglin , Qi Meng
Published: April 2024

Purpose

Drawing on experiential learning theory, this study seeks to understand how the perceived cultural difference in a foreign country and learning flexibility, which enables more integrated experiential learning from international experience, influence expatriates’ cultural intelligence (CQ) and consequently their adjustment and job performance.

Design/methodology/approach

Survey data were collected from 169 expatriates in China. Polynomial regression analyses were employed to test curvilinear relationships between cultural difference and CQ and between learning flexibility and CQ. Mediation hypotheses were tested either by the MEDCURVE procedure if a curvilinear relationship was confirmed or by the Haye’s Process procedure if a curvilinear relationship was not confirmed and instead a linear relationship was confirmed.

Findings

The results demonstrated a positive relationship between cultural difference and CQ and an inverted U-shape relationship between learning flexibility and CQ. CQ mediated the relationship between cultural difference and expatriate adjustment and partially mediated the relationship between learning flexibility and expatriate adjustment. CQ positively influenced expatriates’ job performance via expatriate adjustment.

Practical implications

Our findings suggest that companies should not hesitate to send expatriates on assignments to culturally very different countries and focus more attention on the selection of expatriates. The findings of this study suggest firms should choose candidates who are moderate or high in learning flexibility and could engage in integrated learning and specialized learning in a more balanced manner.

Originality/value

This research is the first study that examines the influence of learning flexibility on CQ and expatriate effectiveness. It examines cultural difference through the lens of experiential learning theory and argues that cultural difference constitutes “stimuli” in the experiential learning environment for individual learning in an international context. The results advance our knowledge of the role of experiential learning in developing capable global managers.
Managerial coaching and taking charge at work: the mediating roles of work engagement and role breadth self-efficacy
Authors: Ngo Michelle She Min , Mustafa Michael J. , Lee Craig , Hallak Rob
Published: April 2024

Purpose

How does a manager’s coaching behaviour encourage taking charge behaviour among subordinates? Although prior research has found a positive association between managerial coaching behaviour and employee performance, to date few studies have examined its effect on proactive behaviours in the workplace such as taking charge. Drawing on social exchange theory (SET) and social cognitive theory (SCT), this study develops a theoretical model to examine the mediating effects of work engagement and role breadth self-efficacy (RBSE) in the relationship between managerial coaching and subordinates taking charge. Additionally, drawing on social role theory (SRT), we test whether our proposed relationships are contingent on subordinates’ gender.

Design/methodology/approach

We tested our proposed moderated-mediation model using empirical data collected across two waves from 196 employees within a large Malaysian services enterprise. Partial least squares structural equation modelling was used to test the proposed hypotheses.

Findings

The results revealed that managerial coaching has a significant, positive relationship with taking charge, work engagement and RBSE. However, only work engagement was found to partially mediate the relationship between managerial coaching and taking charge. Subordinates’ gender was found to positively attenuate the direct effect between managerial coaching and taking charge among females. However, the mediating effects of work engagement and RBSE in managerial coaching and taking charge were found to be not contingent on subordinates’ gender.

Practical implications

Finding from this study reveals that managerial coaching is useful in shaping employees' taking charge behaviour through work engagement. Hence, organisations should focus on strategies aiming to enhance managers' coaching capabilities.

Originality/value

This study extends the nomological networks of managerial coaching by highlighting it as a predictor of taking charge. Moreover, drawing on SET and SCT to explain the mechanism of managerial coaching and taking charge, we provide a novel perspective on how managerial coaching can influence taking charge. Specifically, we highlight the critical role of work engagement as a key mechanism that influences the relationship between managerial coaching and taking charge. Finally, we demonstrate managerial coaching as a means through which organisations can improve individual functioning.
Enhancing academic support for students in higher education
Authors: Gomis Kasun , Saini Mandeep , Pathirage Chaminda , Arif Mohammed
Published: April 2024

Purpose

The need to enhance student support is evident in higher education (HE) curricula. In addition to the complications created by the COVID-19 pandemic, the current strategies used in academia are criticised for their lack of appropriate student support in HE. The study focused on the themes under Section 4 of the National Student Survey (NSS): availability to contact tutors, receiving good advice and guidance and availability of good advice. The study aimed to provide recommendations for enhancing academic support by developing drivers that need implementation during course delivery.

Design/methodology/approach

A documental analysis and a qualitative survey were adopted for this study. A documental analysis of 334 mid-module reviews (MMRs) from levels three to six students in the built environment (BE) discipline. Critical themes identified from the MMRs were fed forward in developing a questionnaire for academics. A sample of 23 academics, including a Head of school, a Principal lecturer, Subject leads and Lecturers, participated in the questionnaire survey. Content analysis is adopted through questionnaire data to develop drivers to enhance academic support in BE. These drivers are then modelled by interpretive structural modelling (ISM) to identify their correlation to NSS Section 4 themes. A level partition analysis establishes how influential they are in enhancing academic support.

Findings

The study identified nine drivers, where two drivers were categorised as fundamental, two as significant, four as important, and one insignificant in enhancing academic support in HE. Module leaders’/tutors’ improving awareness and detailing how academic support is provided were identified as fundamental. Differentiating roles in giving advice and the importance of one-to-one meetings were identified as significant. A level partitioning diagram was developed from the nine drivers to illustrate how these drivers need to be implemented to promote the best practices in academic support in HE.

Practical implications

The identified drivers and their categories can be used to set prioritised guidelines for academics and other educational institutions to improve students’ overall satisfaction.

Originality/value

Novelty from the study will be the developed drivers and the level partitioning diagram to assist academics and academic institutions in successfully integrating academic support into HE curricula.
Deconstructing the applications of CSR policies in Indian coal mining sector
Authors: Das Ramesh Chandra , Naidu Munjeti Benudhar
Published: April 2024

Purpose

This study aims to comprehensively analyse the implementation and effectiveness of corporate social responsibility (CSR) policies within the context of the Indian coal mining sector. Furthermore, it investigates the alignment between CSR initiatives and the unique challenges faced by the coal mining sector and examines the outcomes and impacts of these initiatives on the employees of the sector and their perspective on the situation.

Design/methodology/approach

This study adopts a comprehensive qualitative research method, including a review of the literature, case studies and stakeholder interviews. This study seeks to deconstruct the application of CSR policies.

Findings

The analysis developed a deeper understanding of the complexities surrounding CSR policies in the Indian coal mining sector, offering insights into strategies for enhancing the effectiveness and relevance of these initiatives while fostering sustainable development.

Practical implications

This study reveals a rich tapestry of theoretical implications and how they connect to important organisational and societal paradigms. The results of this qualitative analysis can work as a foundation for creating scales to measure the level of efficiency of CSR policies implemented by different companies. Furthermore, this study goes beyond theoretical knowledge and gives companies, regulators and communities information they can use. By looking at how CSR policies work in the real world, a road map for responsible resource extraction and community growth can be made.

Originality/value

The findings are unique in exploring the CSR initiatives and the unique challenges faced by the coal mining sector. This study offers insight on the employees of the sector and their perspectives on the situation and delves into the multifaceted dimensions of CSR practices.
Research on noise reduction and data mining techniques for pavement dynamic response signals
Authors: Xin Xue , Jiao Yuepeng , Zhang Yunfeng , Liang Ming , Yao Zhanyong
Published: April 2024

Purpose

This study aims to ensure reliable analysis of dynamic responses in asphalt pavement structures. It investigates noise reduction and data mining techniques for pavement dynamic response signals.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper conducts time-frequency analysis on signals of pavement dynamic response initially. It also uses two common noise reduction methods, namely, low-pass filtering and wavelet decomposition reconstruction, to evaluate their effectiveness in reducing noise in these signals. Furthermore, as these signals are generated in response to vehicle loading, they contain a substantial amount of data and are prone to environmental interference, potentially resulting in outliers. Hence, it becomes crucial to extract dynamic strain response features (e.g. peaks and peak intervals) in real-time and efficiently.

Findings

The study introduces an improved density-based spatial clustering of applications with Noise (DBSCAN) algorithm for identifying outliers in denoised data. The results demonstrate that low-pass filtering is highly effective in reducing noise in pavement dynamic response signals within specified frequency ranges. The improved DBSCAN algorithm effectively identifies outliers in these signals through testing. Furthermore, the peak detection process, using the enhanced findpeaks function, consistently achieves excellent performance in identifying peak values, even when complex multi-axle heavy-duty truck strain signals are present.

Originality/value

The authors identified a suitable frequency domain range for low-pass filtering in asphalt road dynamic response signals, revealing minimal amplitude loss and effective strain information reflection between road layers. Furthermore, the authors introduced the DBSCAN-based anomaly data detection method and enhancements to the Matlab findpeaks function, enabling the detection of anomalies in road sensor data and automated peak identification.
Low Hounsfield unit values on computed tomography as a potential predictor of vertebral fracture in patients with rheumatoid arthritis: The KURAMA cohort study
Authors: Umeda Akane , Murata Koichi , Murotani Yoshiki , Fujii Takayuki , Onishi Akira , Murakami Kosaku , Onizawa Hideo , Otsuki Bungo , Shimizu Takayoshi , Tanaka Masao , Morinobu Akio , Matsuda Shuichi
Published: April 2024

Objective

Hounsfield units (HU) measured using computed tomography (CT) have gained considerable attention for the detection of osteoporosis. This study aimed to investigate whether opportunistic CT could predict vertebral fractures in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA).

Methods

A total of 233 patients with RA who underwent chest CT were included in this study. The HU values of the anterior 1/3 of the vertebral bodies based on the sagittal plane at T11–L2 after reconstruction were measured. The incidence of vertebral fractures was investigated with respect to the HU value.

Results

Vertebral fractures were identified in 32 patients during a mean follow‐up period of 3.8 years. In patients who experienced vertebral fractures within 2 years of CT imaging, the HU values of the vertebral bodies (T11–L2) were lower than those in patients who did not experience fractures. Receiver operating characteristic curve analysis identified that a T11 HU value of <125 was a risk factor for vertebral fracture within 2 years. Multivariate analysis showed that a T11 HU value of <125 and the existence of prevalent vertebral fractures were significant risk factors for fracture.

Conclusion

HU measurements of the anterior 1/3 of the vertebral body are a potential predictor for vertebral fractures in patients with RA.
Diagnosing and characterizing inflammatory myopathies at an Australian tertiary public hospital: Resource utilization and direct healthcare costs
Authors: Huang Victoria , Ciciriello Sabina , Nikpour Mandana , Oon Shereen , Day Jessica
Published: April 2024

Aim

To determine the direct health service costs and resource utilization associated with diagnosing and characterizing idiopathic inflammatory myopathies (IIMs), and to assess for limitations and diagnostic delay in current practice.

Methods

A retrospective, single‐center cohort analysis of all patients diagnosed with IIMs between January 2012 and December 2021 in a large tertiary public hospital was conducted. Demographics, resource utilization and costs associated with diagnosing IIM and characterizing disease manifestations were identified using the hospital's electronic medical record and Health Intelligence Unit, and the Medicare Benefits Schedule.

Results

Thirty‐eight IIM patients were identified. IIM subtypes included dermatomyositis (34.2%), inclusion body myositis (18.4%), immune‐mediated necrotizing myopathy (18.4%), polymyositis (15.8%), and anti‐synthetase syndrome (13.2%). The median time from symptom onset to diagnosis was 212 days (IQR: 118–722), while the median time from hospital presentation to diagnosis was 30 days (8–120). Seventy‐six percent of patients required emergent hospitalization during their diagnosis, with a median length of stay of 8 days (4–15).

The average total cost of diagnosing IIM was $15 618 AUD (STD: 11331) per patient. Fifty percent of patients underwent both MRI and EMG to identify affected muscles, 10% underwent both pan‐CT and PET‐CT for malignancy detection, and 5% underwent both open surgical and percutaneous muscle biopsies. Autoimmune serology was unnecessarily repeated in 37% of patients.

Conclusion

The diagnosis of IIMs requires substantial and costly resource use; however, our study has identified potential limitations in current practice and highlighted the need for streamlined diagnostic algorithms to improve patient outcomes and reduce healthcare‐related economic burden.
Denmark: Political Developments and Data in 2023
Authors: KOSIARA‐PEDERSEN KARINA
Published: April 2024

The government of Mette Frederiksen II took office on 15 December 2022, six weeks after the 1 November 2022 elections. Hence, expectations were high for this new type of government, a ‘cross‐the‐aisle’ majority, to get down to business. However, the government only used the majority to abolish a public holiday and has since then progressed only slowly on its agenda. It has been fairly unpopular with the electorate, losing up to a third of its support. The exits and defections in the Danish Parliament, Folketinget, continue to be higher than before 2019.
Leukopenia, neutropenia, and procalcitonin levels in young febrile infants with invasive bacterial infections
Authors: Krack Andrew T. , Eckerle Michelle , Mahajan Prashant , Ramilo Octavio , VanBuren John M. , Banks Russell K. , Casper T. Charles , Schnadower David , Kuppermann Nathan ,   for the Febrile Infant Working Group of the Pediatric Emergency Care Applied Research Network (PECARN)
Published: April 2024

Background and objective

Serum procalcitonin (PCT) is a highly accurate biomarker for stratifying the risk of invasive bacterial infections (IBIs) in febrile infants ≤60 days old. However, PCT is unavailable in some settings. We explored the association of leukopenia and neutropenia with IBIs in non–critically ill febrile infants ≤60 days old, with and without PCT.

Methods

We conducted a secondary analysis of a prospective observational cohort consisting of 7407 non–critically ill infants ≤60 days old with temperatures ≥38°C. We focused on the risk of IBIs in patients with leukopenia (white blood cell [WBC] count <5000 cells/μL) or neutropenia (absolute neutrophil count [ANC] <1000 cells/μL), categorized to extremes of lower values, and the impact of PCT on these associations. Multiple logistic regression was used to identify independent predictors of IBIs.

Results

Final analysis included 6865 infants with complete data; 45% (3098) had PCT data available. Of the 6865, a total of 111 (1.6%) had bacteremia without bacterial meningitis, 18 (0.3%) had bacterial meningitis without bacteremia, and 19 (0.3%) had both bacteremia and bacterial meningitis. IBI was present in four of 20 (20%) infants with WBC counts ≤2500 cells/μL and four of 311 (1.3%) with ANC ≤1000 cells/μL. In multivariable logistic regression analysis not including PCT, a WBC count ≤2500 cells/μL was significantly associated with IBI (OR 13.48, 95% CI 2.92–45.35). However, no patients with leukopenia or neutropenia and PCT ≤0.5 ng/mL had IBIs.

Conclusions

Leukopenia ≤2500 cells/μL in febrile infants ≤60 days old is associated with IBIs. However, in the presence of normal PCT levels, no patients with leukopenia had IBIs. While this suggests leukopenia ≤2500 cells/μL is a risk factor for IBIs in non–critically ill young febrile infants only when PCT is unavailable or elevated, the overall low frequency of leukopenia in this cohort warrants caution in interpretation, with future validation required.
First‐line immunotherapy of metastatic renal cell carcinoma: an updated network meta‐analysis including triplet therapy
Authors: Yanagisawa Takafumi , Kawada Tatsushi , Bekku Kensuke , Laukhtina Ekaterina , Rajwa Pawel , von Deimling Markus , Chlosta Marcin , Quhal Fahad , Pradere Benjamin , Karakiewicz Pierre I. , Mori Keiichiro , Kimura Takahiro , Shariat Shahrokh F. , Schmidinger Manuela
Published: April 2024

Objective

To compare the differential efficacy of first‐line immune checkpoint inhibitor (ICI)‐based combined therapies among patients with intermediate‐ and poor‐risk metastatic renal cell carcinoma (mRCC), as recently, the efficacy of triplet therapy comprising nivolumab plus ipilimumab plus cabozantinib has been published.

Patients and Methods

Three databases were searched in December 2022 for randomised controlled trials (RCTs) analysing oncological outcomes in patients with mRCC treated with first‐line ICI‐based combined therapies. We performed network meta‐analysis (NMA) to compare the outcomes, including progression‐free survival (PFS) and objective response rates (ORRs), in patients with intermediate‐ and poor‐risk mRCC; we also assessed treatment‐related adverse events.

Results

Overall, seven RCTs were included in the meta‐analyses and NMAs. Treatment ranking analysis revealed that pembrolizumab + lenvatinib (99%) had the highest likelihood of improved PFS, followed by nivolumab + cabozantinib (79%), and nivolumab + ipilimumab + cabozantinib (77%). Notably, compared to nivolumab + cabozantinib, adding ipilimumab to nivolumab + cabozantinib did not improve PFS (hazard ratio 1.02, 95% confidence interval 0.72–1.43). Regarding ORRs, treatment ranking analysis also revealed that pembrolizumab + lenvatinib had the highest likelihood of providing better ORRs (99.7%). The likelihoods of improved PFS and ORRs of pembrolizumab + lenvatinib were true in both International Metastatic RCC Database Consortium (IMDC) risk groups.

Conclusions

Our analyses confirmed the robust efficacy of pembrolizumab + lenvatinib as first‐line treatment for patients with intermediate or poor IMDC risk mRCC. Triplet therapy did not result in superior efficacy. Considering both toxicity and the lack of mature overall survival data, triplet therapy should only be considered in selected patients.