bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Long-term outcomes after tuberculosis for people with HIV in eastern Europe
Authors: Kraef Christian , Bentzon Adrian , Roen Ashley , Bolokadze Natalie , Thompson Magdalena , Azina Inga , Tetradov Simona , Skrahina Alena , Karpov Igor , Mitsura Viktar , Paduto Dmitriy , Trofimova Tatiana , Borodulina Elena , Mocroft Amanda , Kirk Ole , Podlekareva Daria N.
Published: July 2023

Background:

Eastern Europe has a high burden of Tuberculosis (TB)/HIV-coinfection with high mortality shortly after TB diagnosis. This study assesses TB recurrence, mortality rates and causes of death among TB/HIV patients from Eastern Europe up to 11 years after TB diagnosis.

Methods:

A longitudinal cohort study of TB/HIV patients enrolled between 2011–2013 (at TB diagnosis) and followed-up until end of 2021. A competing risk regression was employed to assess rates of TB recurrence, with death as competing event. Kaplan-Maier estimates and a multivariable Cox-regression were used to assess long-term mortality and corresponding risk factors. The Coding Causes of Death in HIV methodology was used for adjudication of causes of death.

Results:

375 TB/HIV patients were included. 53 (14·1%) were later diagnosed with recurrent TB (incidence rate 3·1/100 person-years of follow-up (PYFU), 95% CI 2·4–4·0) during a total follow-up time of 1713 PYFU. Twenty-three of 33 patients with data on drug-resistance (69·7%) had MDR-TB. More than half with recurrent TB (n = 30/53, 56·6%) died. Overall, 215 (57·3%) died during the follow-up period, corresponding to a mortality rate of 11·4/100 PYFU (95%CI 10·0–13·1). Almost half of those (48·8%) died of TB. The proportion of all TB-related deaths was highest in the first 6 (n = 49/71; 69·0%; p < 0·0001) and 6 – 24 (n = 33/58; 56·9%; p < 0.0001) months of follow-up, compared deaths beyond 24 months (n = 23/85; 26·7%).

Conclusion:

TB recurrence and TB-related mortality rates in PLWH in Eastern Europe are still concerningly high and continue to be a clinical and public health challenge.
Brain alterations in ovariohysterectomized rats revealed by diffusion tensor imaging
Authors: Wu Chun-Yi , Hsieh Hsin-Hua , Huang Sheng-Min , Chiu Shao-Chieh , Peng Shin-Lei
Published: July 2023

Objectives

Women undergoing hysterectomy with oophorectomy have an increased risk of Alzheimer’s disease and Parkinson’s disease. However, postoperative neuroimaging data on pathogenic processes in the brain are limited. The aim of this study was to investigate the potential effect of ovariohysterectomy on brain integrity in rat model using diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) technique for the first time.

Methods

We enrolled 13 rats each in the control and ovariohysterectomy groups. Rats in the ovariohysterectomy group underwent the ovariohysterectomy at 7 weeks of age, and all rats underwent DTI scans at 9 weeks of age. The DTI-derived parameters, such as fractional anisotropy and mean diffusivity, were compared between the control and ovariohysterectomy groups.

Results

Compared to the control group, the ovariohysterectomy group showed significantly lower fractional anisotropy in various brain regions, including the corpus callosum, bilateral striatum, and bilateral cortex (all P < 0.05), suggesting neuronal injury in ovariohysterectomized rats. Mean diffusivity did not differ significantly between groups (all P > 0.05).

Conclusion

Rats undergoing ovariohysterectomy had lower fractional anisotropy compared to control in widespread brain regions, suggesting neuronal injury and demyelination. Therefore, neuroimaging should be performed to monitor brain alterations in women after hysterectomy with bilateral oophorectomy in clinical settings.
Identification of Nectin Family Interactive Gene Panel and Stratification of Clinical Outcomes in Patients with Pancreatic Cancer
Authors: Imazu Yuki , Nishiwada Satoshi , Yasuda Satoshi , Nagai Minako , Nakamura Kota , Matsuo Yasuko , Terai Taichi , Yoshida Chieko , Kohara Yuichiro , Sho Masayuki
Published: July 2023

BACKGROUND:

Although patient-risk stratification is important for selecting individualized treatment for pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC), predicting the oncologic outcomes after surgery remains a challenge. In this study, we identified a nectin family gene panel (NFGP) that can accurately stratify oncologic outcomes in patients with PDAC.

STUDY DESIGN:

Comprehensive analysis of the expression of 9 nectin family genes identified the NFGP, which was assessed for predictive performance in 2 independent public cohorts (The Cancer Genome Atlas [TCGA] n = 176; International Cancer Genome Consortium [ICGC] n = 89). It was subsequently trained and validated for the in-house training cohort without neo-adjuvant therapy (NAT, n = 213) and the validation cohort with NAT (n = 307).

RESULTS:

Using the Cox regression model, NFGP derived from 9 nectin family genes accurately stratified overall survival (OS) in TCGA (p = 0.038) and ICGC (p = 0.005). We subsequently optimized NFGP, which robustly discriminated postoperative prognosis, OS (p = 0.014) and relapse-free survival ([RFS] p = 0.006) in the training cohort. The NFGP was successfully validated in an independent validation cohort (OS: p < 0.001; RFS: p = 0.004). Multivariate analysis demonstrated the NFGP was an independent prognostic factor for OS and RFS in the training (p = 0.028 and 0.008, respectively) and validation (p < 0.001 and 0.013, respectively) cohorts. The subcohort analyses showed that the predictive performance of NFGP is applicable to the patients’ subcohort according to resectability or adjuvant therapy status. Additionally, a combination model of NFGP score and CA19-9 level emerged with improved accuracy for predicting prognosis.

CONCLUSIONS:

This study established the predictive significance of NFGP for oncologic outcomes after surgery in PDAC. Our data demonstrate its clinical impact as a potent biomarker for optimal patient selection for individualized treatment strategies.
Antimicrobial Susceptibility Patterns of Community-Acquired Uropathogenic Escherichia coli, Dublin 2010-2022
Authors: Ali Saied , Ryan Laura
Published: July 2023

Background
Escherichia coli is a common cause of urinary tract infections. Due to the increase in antimicrobial resistance (AMR) and global differences in antimicrobial susceptibility data, routine assessment of local antimicrobial susceptibility patterns is necessary to guide the selection of appropriate empiric therapy. The aim of this study was to evaluate antimicrobial susceptibility patterns of community-acquired uropathogenic Escherichia coli within a catchment area in Dublin over a 13-year period, 2010-2022.
Methods
All mid-stream urine samples received from local general practitioners in which there was a significant Escherichia coli bacteriuria during the study period, 2010-2022 were included in the analysis. Antimicrobial susceptibility testing was performed by disc diffusion as per the European Committee on Antimicrobial Susceptibility Testing recommendations.
Results
An average of 11,407 urine samples per month had significant bacteriuria; with Escherichia coli accounting for an average of 67% of those. Overall AMR rates were highest for ampicillin (53.9%), followed by trimethoprim (32.4%), gentamicin (18.6%), co-amoxiclav (16.5%), ciprofloxacin (12.3%), cephalexin (8.3%), cefpodoxime (6.8%) and nitrofurantoin (2%). While rates appeared grossly static, statistically significant reduced resistance rates were noted for co-amoxiclav (rs = -0.95; p = <0.001), cephalexin prior to 2019 (rs = -0.783; p = 0.013) and trimethoprim (rs = -0.639; p = 0.019); with a statistically significant increase in non-susceptibility to cefpodoxime (rs = 0.802; p = 0.001).
Conclusions
In order to generate efficient empiric antimicrobial prescribing guidelines, knowledge of region-specific contemporaneous antimicrobial susceptibility patterns is pivotal. Our findings support the use of nitrofurantoin or cephalexin as empiric antimicrobial therapy within our setting.
Miniaturized microscope for non-invasive imaging of leukocyte-endothelial interactions in human microcirculation
Authors: Bagramyan Arutyun , Lin Charles P.
Published: July 2023

We present a miniature oblique back-illumination microscope (mOBM) for imaging the microcirculation of human oral mucosa, enabling real-time, label-free phase contrast imaging of leukocyte rolling and adhesion, the initial steps in leukocyte recruitment that is a hallmark of inflammation. Imaging cell motion can provide new diagnostic information (time course of disease progression, response to therapy, etc.) that is not available using traditional static diagnostic parameters such as cell number and morphology.
Translational impact of basic science promotes a new era of precision medicine for migraine
Authors: Porreca Frank , Navratilova Edita , Hirman Joe , MaassenVanDenBrink Antoinette , Lipton Richard B. , Dodick David W.
Published: July 2023

Precision medicine has emerged as a powerful approach to improve treatment outcomes for many medical conditions by consideration of the genetic characteristics of the patient. Migraine is likely to be the world’s most common neurological disorder affecting over 1 billion people, approximately 700 million of whom are women. Yet, patient sex, the most basic genetic difference, is rarely considered in selection of therapies for people with migraine. Preclinical studies reveal that calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP), a neurotransmitter thought to be causal in promoting migraine in many patients, elicits female selective pain and headache-like responses. Consistent with this, we report a subgroup analysis of publicly available clinical data evaluating small molecule CGRP receptor antagonists for the acute migraine revealing preferential efficacy in women. Analyses of human post-mortem sensory neurons from male and female donors reveal sexual dimorphism at transcript, protein and functional levels. These findings raise the possibility that regardless of common diagnosis and phenotype, mechanisms promoting migraine pain may differ between sexes. Such qualitative sex differences suggest that clinical trials should include sex-specific analyses, that sex stratified treatment guidelines may improve treatment outcomes in migraine and that the uniform therapeutic approach to pain-related disorders in men and women requires reassessment.
Phenotypic grouping of Catheter-AssociatedEscherichia colifrom COVID-19 isolation wards using Hierarchical clustering in Surabaya, Indonesia
Authors: Edbert Daniel , Mertaniasih Ni Made , Endraswari Pepy Dwi
Published: July 2023

Introduction

Moderate to critical COVID-19 patients may be indicated for urinary catheter use due to the risk of immobility and ventilator or oxygen use. In intensive care units, 18-81.7% of all patients use a urinary catheter. Almost all patients with urinary catheters suffered from bacteriuria within 30 catheter-days. Hospital-associated isolate tracing is mainly performed using complex molecular tests that are not vastly available. This study aims to trace catheter-associated urinary tract infection (CAUTI) isolates using a common hierarchical clustering method that is vastly available

Methods

This is a descriptive study presenting a collection ofEscherichia coliculture data performed by dr. Soetomo Public Hospital microbiology laboratory from March, 26th2020 to March, 31st2021. Hierarchical clustering was performed using statistical software using Ward’s clustering method.

Results

There are 36E.coliassociated with CAUTI. Isolate biochemistry profile and minimum inhibitory concentrations profiles were clustered into 3 clades for each profile. A total of 9 cluster combinations were found. Cluster-ID 1 was melibiose fermenters, Cluster ID 2 was a non-Arginine utilizer, and Cluster ID-3 was an Arginine utilizer. Cluster MIC A consists of third-generation Cephalosporin resistant isolates, Cluster MIC C was multi-susceptible isolates. The Chi-square test between cluster ID and MIC showed no significant differences between the number of isolates per group (X2, p = .430, CI = 95%).

Conclusion

CAUTI associatedE.coliis divided into 9 clusters. This indicates no cluster dominates the isolates, thus CAUTI is not caused by hospital transmission but by normal flora carried by the admitted patient.
Trends and Factors associated with Neonatal Mortality among Neonates Hospitalized at the Women and Newborn Hospital in Lusaka Zambia
Authors: Tembo Deborah , Kaonga Patrick , Mweene Cheelo , Jacobs Choolwe
Published: July 2023

Background

Neonatal mortality is a global problem especially in resource-poor settings such as sub-Saharan African Countries. Trends and factors associated with neonatal mortality vary in different settings. This cross-sectional study investigated trends and factors that are associated with increased neonatal mortality among hospitalised neonates with a view of identifying pointers that can be modified to help improve neonatal survival.

Methods

Medical records for all neonates admitted to the NICU in 2018 and 2019 were reviewed for the study. The Mortality rates were calculated using WHO standard and Microsoft excel 2010 used to construct monthly trends analysis using monthly totals. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression analysis to determine the factors associated with neonatal deaths at the tertiary facility using Stata version 14.2. Model fit was evaluated using Hosmer and Lemeshow test (chi2=13.90, P =0.0845), implies the model’s estimates fit the data at an acceptable level.

Results

A total of 7,581 admissions were seen and 2340 files were extracted for analysis, of which 940 (40.2%) died. The overall Neonatal mortality percentage during the study period was 31.8%. Relatively similar trends were observed during the study period with differences in case fatality rates. Factors associated with an increased odds of dying were not attending antenatal care (AOR=2.09, 95% CI [1.46 - 2.99] p <0.0001), parity (AOR=1.09, 95% CI [1.02 – 1.16] p=0.0013) and age of the neonate in days (AOR=0.92, 95% CI [0.91- 0.94] p <0.0001).

Conclusion

Neonatal mortality is high among hospitalized neonates at the Women and New-born Hospital in Zambia. Associated Factors included no antenatal attendance, increased parity, and early age of the neonate. This has detrimental effects; hence emphasis is on early Antenatal Care for easy monitoring of mother and neonates for fast actions in case of complications
Modelling collective behavior in groups of mice housed under semi-naturalistic conditions
Authors: Chen Xiaowen , Winiarski Maciej , Puścian Alicja , Knapska Ewelina , Mora Thierry , Walczak Aleksandra M.
Published: July 2023

In social behavior research, the focus often remains on animal dyads, limiting the understanding of complex interactions. Recent trends favor naturalistic setups, offering unique insights into intricate social behaviors. Social behavior stems from chance, individual preferences, and group dynamics, necessitating high-resolution quantitative measurements and statistical modeling. This study leverages the Eco-HAB system, an automated experimental setup which employs RFID tracking to observe naturally formed mouse cohorts in a controlled yet naturalistic setting, and uses statistical inference models to decipher rules governing the collective dynamics of groups of 10-15 individuals. Applying maximum entropy models unveils social rules in mouse hordes, quantifying sociability through pairwise interactions within groups, exploring how social structure evolves, the impact of individual versus social preferences, and the effects of considering interaction structures among three animals instead of two. Reproducing co-localization patterns of individual mice reveals stability over time, with the inferred interaction strength capturing social structure. By separating interactions from individual preferences, the study demonstrates that altering neuronal plasticity in the prelimbic cortex – the brain structure crucial for sociability – does not eliminate social interactions, but makes the transmission of social information between mice more challenging. The study demonstrates how the joint probability distribution of the mice positions can be used to quantify sociability.
Understanding the Immunomodulatory Effects of Bovine Colostrum: Insights into IL-6/IL-10 Axis-Mediated Inflammatory Control
Authors: Grigaleviciute Ramune , Matusevicius Paulius , Planciuniene Rita , Stankevicius Rolandas , Radzeviciute-Valciuke Eivina , Baleviciute Austeja , Zelvys Augustinas , Zinkeviciene Aukse , Zigmantaite Vilma , Kucinskas Audrius , Kavaliauskas Povilas
Published: July 2023

Bovine colostrum (COL), the first milk secreted by lactating cows postpartum, is a rich source of bioactive compounds that exert significant role on the survival, growth, and immune development of neonatal calves [9,10]. This study investigated the immunomodulatory effects of COL on cytokine productionin vitrousing a Caco-2/THP-1 macrophage co-culture model stimulated with Phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA). COL pretreatment significantly reduced IL-6 production induced by PMA, while increasing IL-10 production. Further investigations revealed that the IL-6 suppressive effect of colostrum was heat-sensitive and associated with components of higher molecular mass (100 kDa). Moreover, colostrum primarily influenced THP-1 macrophages rather than Caco-2 epithelial cells. The effects of colostrum on IL-6 production were associated with reduced NF-κB activation in THP-1 macrophages. In calf-FMT transplanted C57BL/6 murine model, colostrum decreased intestinal permeability, reduced immune cell infiltration, and suppressed IL-6 production duringS. typhimuriuminfection. These results highlight the immunomodulatory activity of bovine colostrum and its potential therapeutic applications in inflammatory disorders. Further studies are needed to elucidate the underlying mechanisms and validate the findings in bovine models.

Simple Summary

This study explores the immunomodulatory properties of bovine colostrum (COL), the initial milk produced by lactating cows, on cytokine productionin vitroand in a novel murine calf-FMT model. The researchers utilized a Caco-2/THP-1 macrophage co-culture model stimulated with Phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA) to investigate the effects of COL on cytokine production. The findings indicate that COL pretreatment significantly reduced IL-6 production while enhancing IL-10 production. The IL-6 suppressive effect was heat-sensitive and associated with components of higher molecular mass (100 kDa). Colostrum demonstrated decreased intestinal permeability, reduced immune cell infiltration, and suppressed IL-6 production duringS. typhimuriuminfection. These results highlight the immunomodulatory potential of bovine colostrum and its prospective therapeutic applications in inflammatory disorders. Further research is necessary to elucidate the underlying mechanisms and corroborate the findings in bovine models.
Structural basis of nucleosomal H4K20 recognition and methylation by SUV420H1 methyltransferase
Authors: Lin Folan , Zhang Ruxin , Shao Weihan , Lei Cong , Zhang Ying , Ma Mingxi , Wen Zengqi , Li Wanqiu
Published: July 2023

Histone lysine methyltransferase of SUV420H1, which is responsible for site-specific di-/tri-methylation of histone H4 lysine 20 (H4K20), has crucial roles in DNA-templated processes, including DNA replication, DNA damage repair and chromatin compaction. Its mutations frequently occur in human cancers. Nucleosomes containing the histone variant H2A.Z enhance the catalytic activities of SUV420H1 in H4K20 di-methylation deposition, regulating early replication origins. However, the molecular mechanism of how H4K20 methyl marks are deposited on nucleosomes by SUV420H1 remains poorly understood. Here we report the cryo-electron microscopy (cryo-EM) structures of SUV420H1 associated with canonical nucleosome core particles (NCPs) or H2AZ containing NCPs. We find that SUV420H1 make extensive site-specific contacts with histone and DNA regions. SUV420H1 C-terminal domain recognizes the H2A-H2B acidic pocket of NCPs through its two arginine anchors, thus enabling H4K20 insertion for catalysis specifically. We also identify important residues increasing the catalytic activities of SUV420H1 bound to H2A.Z NCPs. In vitro and in vivo functional analysis reveal that multiple disease associated mutations at the interfaces are essential for its catalytic activity and chromatin states regulation. Together, our study provides molecular insights into the nucleosome-based recognition and methylation mechanisms of SUV420H1, and a structural basis for understanding SUV420H1-related human disease.
Region-specific reversal of epidermal planar polarity in the fancyrosettemouse
Authors: Cetera Maureen , Sharan Rishabh , Hayward-Lara Gabriela , Phillips Brooke , Biswas Abhishek , Halley Madalene , Beall Evalyn , vonHoldt Bridgett , Devenport Danelle
Published: July 2023

The planar cell polarity (PCP) pathway collectively orients thousands of cells with respect to a body axis to direct cellular behaviors that are essential for embryonic morphogenesis. Hair follicles of the murine epidermis provide a striking readout of PCP activity in their uniform alignment along the entire skin surface. Here, we characterize, from the molecular to tissue-scale, PCP establishment in therosettefancy mouse, a natural variant with posterior-specific whorls in its fur, to understand how epidermal polarity is coordinated across the tissue. We find that embryonic hair follicles ofrosettemutants emerge with reversed orientations specifically in the posterior region, creating a mirror image of epidermal polarity. Therosettetrait is associated with a missense mutation in the core PCP geneFzd6, which alters a consensus site for N-linked glycosylation and inhibits its membrane localization. Unexpectedly, this defect in Fzd6 trafficking, observed across the entire dorsal epidermis, does not interfere with the ability of other core PCP proteins to localize asymmetrically. Rather, the normally uniform axis of PCP asymmetry is disrupted and rotated in the posterior region such that polarity is reflected on either side of a transition zone. The result is a reversal of polarized cell movements that orient nascent follicles, specifically in the posterior of the embryo. Collectively, our multiscale analysis of epidermal polarity reveals PCP patterning can be regionally decoupled to produce the unique posterior whorls of the fancyrosettemouse.

Region-specific rotation of the Planar Cell Polarity axis reverses posterior hair follicles in the fancyrosettemouse.
Classification of helical polymers with deep-learning language models
Authors: Li Daoyi , Jiang Wen
Published: July 2023

Many macromolecules in biological systems exist in the form of helical polymers. However, the inherent polymorphism and heterogeneity of samples complicate the reconstruction of helical polymers from cryo-EM images. Currently available 2D classification methods are effective at separating particles of interest from contaminants, but they do not effectively differentiate between polymorphs, resulting in heterogeneity in the 2D classes. As such, it is crucial to develop a method that can computationally divide a dataset of polymorphic helical structures into homogenous subsets. In this work, we utilized deep-learning language models to embed the filaments as vectors in hyperspace and group them into clusters. Tests with both simulated and experimental datasets have demonstrated that our method – HLM (Helical classification withLanguageModel) can effectively distinguish different types of filaments, in the presence of many contaminants and low signal-to-noise ratios. We also demonstrate that HLM can isolate homogeneous subsets of particles from a publicly available dataset, resulting in the discovery of a previously unknown non-proteinaceous density around tau filaments.
Emergent order in epithelial sheets by interplay of cell divisions and cell fate regulation
Authors: Greulich Philip
Published: July 2023

The fate choices of stem cells between self-renewal and differentiation are often tightly regulated by paracrine (cell-cell) signalling. Here, we assess how the interplay between cell division, differentiation, and short range paracrine signalling can affect the macroscopic ordering of cell types in self-renewing epithelial sheets, by studying a simple spatial cell fate model with cells being arranged on a 2D lattice. We show in this model that if cells commit to their fate directly upon cell division, macroscopic domains of cells of the same type emerge, if at least a small proportion of divisions are symmetric, except if signalling interactions are laterally inhibiting. In contrast, if cells are first ’licensed’ to differentiate, yet retaining the possibility to return to their naive state, macroscopic order only emerges if the signalling strength exceeds a critical threshold: if then the signalling interactions are laterally inducing, macroscopic domains emerge as well. Lateral inhibition, on the other hand, can in that case generate macroscopic patterns of alternating cell types (checkerboard pattern), yet only if the proportion of symmetric divisions is sufficiently low. These results can be understood theoretically by an analogy to phase transitions in spin systems known from statistical physics.

Author summary

A fundamental question in stem cell biology is how a cell’s choice to differentiate or not (cell fate choices), is regulated through communication with other cells in a tissue, and whether these choices are a one-way path or to some degree reversible. However, measuring this in living animals is very difficult and often impossible, since this requires to make videos of cells inside the body with a microscope. Here, we employ a simple mathematical model for the fate choices of stem cells when they are regulated by communication with nearby cells in the tissue. We show that different means of cell fate choice and cell communication can lead to qualitatively different patterns of cell types: macroscopic domains, checkerboard patterns, or randomly disordered distributions, depending on the character of cell communication, and whether cell fate is one-way or reversible. Our analysis therefore shows that those aspects of stem cell activity, which are otherwise difficult to measure, can be distinguished by observing macroscopic patterns of cell types.
Crystal structure and biochemical activity of the macro domain from rubella virus p150
Authors: Stoll Guido A. , Zhang Liao , Modis Yorgo
Published: July 2023

Rubella virus remains a global health threat. Rubella infections during pregnancy can cause serious congenital pathology and no antiviral treatments are available. Rubella virus encodes a nonstructural polyprotein with RNA polymerase, methyltransferase, and papain-like cysteine protease activities, along with a putative macro domain of unknown function. Macro domains bind ADP-ribose adducts, a post-translational modification that plays a key role in host-virus conflicts. Some macro domains can also remove the mono-ADP-ribose adduct or degrade poly-ADP-ribose chains. Here, we report high-resolution crystal structures of the macro domain from rubella virus nonstructural protein p150, with and without ADP-ribose bound. The overall fold is most similar to macroD-type macro domains from various nonviral species. The specific composition and structure of the residues that poised for catalysis or coordinate ADP-ribose in the rubella virus macro domain are most similar to those of macro domains from alphaviruses. Isothermal calorimetry and enzymatic assays show that the rubella virus macro domain binds ADP-ribose in solution and has mono-ADP-ribosylhydrolase (de-MARylation) activity.

IMPORTANCE

Our work demonstrates that, like alpha- and coronaviruses, rubiviruses encode a mono-ADP-ribosylhydrolase with a structurally conserved macro domain fold to counteract MARylation by PARPs in the host innate immune response. Our structural data will guide future efforts to develop novel antiviral therapeutics against rubella or infections with related viruses.
Auditing the auditors: a performative “spectacle” of public oversight
Authors: Ghattas Peter , Soobaroyen Teerooven , Uddin Shahzad , Marnet Oliver
Published: July 2023

Purpose

This paper analyses the establishment and evolution of a public oversight body (POB) – the Egyptian Audit Oversight Unit (AOU) – and its implications for local auditing firms and practices.

Design/methodology/approach

Primary data were gathered from 34 semi-structured interviews (including follow-up ones) between 2014 and 2020. Secondary data was obtained through publicly available documents and internal memos. Drawing on Debord's (1967) Society of the Spectacle, the insights focus on the POB's conception, materialisation and evolution in a context characterised by weak regulatory structures.

Findings

Through a series of acts, the findings reveal how the AOU first accepted the image of “international best practice” oversight (the “metaphorical”), followed by the construction of the local structure and décor replicating a United States (US) style POB archetype (the “transformational”) by primarily relying on visible processes/procedures. Yet, these mechanisms emphasised the spectacular nature of oversight, with little improvement for practice and limiting itself to “cracking down” on smaller local firms. A final stage (the “performative”) reveals how the AOU seeks to expand its activities beyond its original mandate without challenging the image-driven nature of its oversight.

Originality/value

The paper offers two key contributions. First, it reveals how actors, through a combination of symbolic and tangible measures, create a new performative reality of public oversight. Second, it advocates Debord's “spectacle” to complement other theoretical lenses, with a view to illuminating the materialisation stages that bridge the gap between proclaimed oversight policies and actual practices (including conscious and unconscious omissions) within a given political economy context.
Nonylphenols found in wastewater of activewear garments, after laundering in Aotearoa New Zealand
Authors: Harman Rebekah , Salmanzadeh Mahdiyeh , Sandoval Nicolas , Rathinaraj Pierson
Published: July 2023

Purpose

The purpose of this research was to determine the level of nonylphenols (NPs) present in wastewater from the first launder of new activewear garments purchased in Aotearoa, New Zealand.

Design/methodology/approach

Fifteen garments were purchased and prepared, and each was laundered separately. Wastewater was collected from each of the garments being laundered and tested for NPs, along with the controls.

Findings

According to the obtained results, detectable levels of NPs were present in all the garments tested.

Originality/value

The results obtained from the detection of NPs present in activewear garments is the first study of its kind in New Zealand and adds to the understanding of the distance that toxic chemicals can travel when used in textile manufacturing.
Surfacing the complex conceptions of equity across making and tinkering spaces
Authors: Roque Ricarose , Hladik Stephanie , Moreno Celeste , Hayden Ronni
Published: July 2023

Purpose

Relatively few studies have examined the perspectives of informal learning facilitators who play key roles in cultivating an equitable learning environment for nondominant youth and families in making and tinkering spaces. This study aims to foreground the perspectives of facilitators and highlight the complexities and tensions that influence their equity work.

Design/methodology/approach

Interviews were conducted with facilitators of making and tinkering spaces across three informal learning organizations: a museum, a public library system and a network of community technology centers. This study then used a framework that examined equity along dimensions of access to what, for whom, based on whose values and toward what ends to analyze both the explicit and implicit conceptions of equity that surfaced in these interviews.

Findings

Across organizations, this study identified similarities and differences in facilitators’ conceptualizations of equity that were influenced by their different contexts and had implications for practice at each organization. Highlighting the complexity of enacting equity in practice, this study found moments when dimensions of equity came together in resonant ways, while other moments showed how dimensions can be in tension with each other.

Practical implications

The complexity that facilitators must navigate to enact equity in their practice emphasizes the need for professional development and support for facilitators to deepen their conceptions and practices around equity beyond access – not just skill building in making and tinkering.

Originality/value

This study recognizes the important role that facilitators play in enabling equity-oriented participation in making and tinkering spaces and contributes the “on the ground” perspectives of facilitators to highlight the complexity and tensions of enacting equity in practice.
Group-affiliations and corporate cash holdings: moderating role of political connectedness
Authors: Sohail Amer , Butt Zohaib , Butt Affaf Asghar , Shahzad Aamer
Published: July 2023

Purpose

This study examines the effect of business group affiliations on corporate cash holdings and how political connectedness modifies the relationship between business group affiliations and corporate cash holdings.

Design/methodology/approach

The multiple ordinary least square regression with year dummies is used to estimate the effect of business groups on cash holdings. For moderating, the multiplicative term is used. The data from 252 non-financial firms listed on Pakistan Stock Exchange were collected for the analysis from 2010 to 2018.

Findings

The findings show that business group affiliations negatively affect corporate cash holdings, and political connection positively moderates this relationship. Business group firms that are politically connected hold less cash. The firm-specific factors such as leverage, size, cash flow, and dividend dummy also significantly affect corporate cash holdings.

Practical implications

The results imply that affiliated companies have lessened financing frictions and improved stability in their expected future cash flows. Moreover, the results indicate that political connection minimizes the opportunity and agency costs linked to cash holdings.

Originality/value

This study contributes to the existing literature by examining the moderating role of political affiliations on the relationship between business groups and cash holdings in the emerging market.
On the welfare effect of retail electricity subsidy in Vietnam
Authors: Do Lam , Le Thai-Ha
Published: July 2023

Purpose

This research investigates how subsidy programs in Vietnam's residential electricity market affect consumers' well-being.

Design/methodology/approach

Two perspectives are employed: cash transfer and quantity-based subsidy. The effectiveness of cash transfer is measured in three ways: benefit incidence, beneficiary incidence and materiality. The quantity-based subsidy is established under the increasing block rate pricing, with the first two block rates being lower than the marginal cost. To improve the quantity-based subsidy, the research examines the consumer surplus under four proposals.

Findings

The results show that both types of subsidies are ineffective in supporting the poor.

Research limitations/implications

In order to achieve a more equal distribution among households, the subsidy program should remove all subsidized blocks and reflect the full marginal cost. Changes should be made to the price structure regarding both marginal price and intervals.

Practical implications

To mitigate the impact of the quantity-based subsidy, the government should improve the cash transfer by reducing extortion and improving targeting efficiency, especially for poor households living in rented houses.

Originality/value

This paper is the first to discuss the welfare effect of the electricity subsidy in Vietnam. First, it comprehensively evaluates the cash transfer subsidy in Vietnam. Second, it suggests a modification in the residential electricity tariff.
Leaders’ behavioral approach in the digital era: task vs relationship
Authors: Farhan Wejdan , Chaudhry Iffat Sabir , Razmak Jamil , El Refae Ghaleb A.
Published: July 2023

Purpose

The importance of modeling digital leadership in quickly digitizing countries, like the United Arab Emirates (UAE), is inevitable for building leadership capabilities to lead, engage and motivate remote employees in the digital environment. Using Blake and Mouton Grid, the current study examines the behavioral approach used by the leaders from both public and private sectors while managing their workforce digitally in the period of the pandemic, when 70% of the workforce worked remotely for the first-time in the region.

Design/methodology/approach

An online survey was conducted by the managerial employees working in different firms using self-administered questionnaires and adopting the snowball sampling technique. In total, 476 respondents participated in the study from both the Emirates of Abu Dhabi and Dubai.

Findings

The analysis using IBM SPSS and Smart PLS software reported that 9 out of 10 leaders positioned their digital leadership style well above the middle-of-the-road management style (5,5) oriented towards team management (9,9); with 7 out of 9 displaying high team management leadership style, while managing remote workers. However, millennials displayed higher task orientation when compared to generation-x leaders, who concentrated more on their relations with the workers.

Practical implications

The findings have implications for practitioners in technology driven regions. Also the results highlighting the task-oriented approach of millennials digital leaders have implication for owners and board of directors of the firms that seniority is not the only credible approach for leadership positions.

Originality/value

The study reveals the behavioral styles beneficial for digital leaders to develop their leadership capabilities and increase their effectiveness while managing the workforce digitally. Black Mountain Grid and its two-dimensional leadership matrix has been found to be a useful conceptual approach for understanding digital leadership behaviors, and based on study findings, recommendations have been provided to effectively improve its utilization for leading teams. The findings have implications for practitioners in technology driven regions as well as digital leadership field scholars.
Framework for liner shipping connectivity data analytics and research
Authors: Yap Wei Yim
Published: July 2023

Purpose

This research proposes a framework to conceptualise the potential realm of data regarding shipping connectivity for application of data analytics which can be used to generate deeper insights with respect to the state of such linkages and potential areas for practical application.

Design/methodology/approach

The study method involved comprehensive presentation of different perspectives of assessing shipping connectivity and levels of data contained within container shipping services and proposed potential application to analyse profitability, performance, competitiveness, risk and environmental impact.

Findings

Advances in capabilities to handle large volumes of data offer scope for an integrated approach which utilises all available data from various stakeholders in analyses of liner shipping connectivity. Research shows how different types of data contained in container shipping services are related and can be organised for application of data analytics.

Research limitations/implications

Research implications are offered to shipping lines, port managers and operators and policymakers.

Practical implications

This research presented a conceptual framework that captures the range of data involved in container shipping services and how data analytics can be practically applied in an integrated manner.

Originality/value

This paper is the first in literature to discuss in detail the different levels of data that reside within shipping services that constitute liner shipping connectivity for application of data analytics.
New design of rotating eddy current probe for arbitrary orientation cracks detection
Authors: Barrarat Fatima , Rayane Karim , Helifa Bachir , Bensaid Samir , Lefkaier Iben Khaldoun
Published: July 2023

Purpose

Detecting the orientation of cracks is a major challenge in the development of eddy current nondestructive testing probes. Eddy current-based techniques are limited in their ability to detect cracks that are not perpendicular to induced current flows. This study aims to investigate the application of the rotating electromagnetic field method to detect arbitrary orientation defects in conductive nonferrous parts. This method significantly improves the detection of cracks of any orientation.

Design/methodology/approach

A new rotating uniform eddy current (RUEC) probe is presented. Two exciting pairs consisting of similar square-shaped coils are arranged orthogonally at the same lifting point, thus avoiding further adjustment of the excitation system to generate a rotating electromagnetic field, eliminating any need for mechanical rotation and focusing this field with high density. A circular detection coil serving as a receiver is mounted in the middle of the excitation system.

Findings

A simulation model of the rotating electromagnetic field system is performed to determine the rules and characteristics of the electromagnetic signal distribution in the defect area. Referring to the experimental results aimed to detect artificial cracks at arbitrary angles in underwater structures using the rotating alternating current field measurement (RACFM) system in Li et al. (2016), the model proposed in this paper is validated.

Originality/value

CEDRAT FLUX 3D simulation results showed that the proposed probe can detect cracks with any orientation, maintaining the same sensitivity, which demonstrates its effectiveness. Furthermore, the proposed RUEC probe, associated with the exploitation procedure, allows us to provide a full characterization of the crack, namely, its length, depth and orientation in a one-pass scan, by analyzing the magnetic induction signal.
A study of employees’ utilization of microlearning platforms in organizations
Authors: Karlsen Jan Terje , Balsvik Erika , Rønnevik Marie
Published: July 2023

Purpose

This study aims to investigate which a priori factors documented in the literature and new factors that influence employees’ self-regulated microlearning behavior and the utilization of internal microlearning platforms in organizations.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors conducted a single-case study on a Swedish retail group that had developed an internally-built microlearning platform, collecting data through semistructured interviews with 13 informants.

Findings

The authors have identified eight factors that affect employees’ self-regulated microlearning processes. In addition to confirming the presence of five factors from previous research, the authors have discovered the influence of three new factors on self-regulated learning. These new factors are prioritization, other learning platforms and relevant content.

Originality/value

The study conducted a unique investigation into the factors influencing employees’ self-regulated learning strategies and their impact on the utilization of microlearning platforms. Previous research has given limited attention to this research topic and associated questions, making this study a valuable contribution.
A state of the art of Lean Six Sigma in the Indian context – 21st century: a bibliometric analysis
Authors: Citybabu G. , Yamini S.
Published: July 2023

Purpose

This research aims to conduct a literature review of Lean Six Sigma (LSS) in the Indian context and related research publications and apply bibliometric analysis and the author's visualization to map research trends in this area.

Design/methodology/approach

This article conducts a bibliometric analysis of LSS-related research in the Indian context using data gathered from Scopus and Web of Science databases from 2011 to 2022. The review provides information on LSS-related research in the Indian context and evaluates performance based on primary sources, authors, keywords, countries, affiliations, and documents. The analysis employs the Biblioshiny app and Bibliometrix R-tool for data analysis and scientific mapping.

Findings

The results of the bibliometric analysis indicate that the LSS culture has widely spread in India. The International Journal of Lean Six Sigma and Production Planning and Control were found to be the most productive sources for publishing LSS-related research articles. Antony J. was identified as the most active author in this field, contributing the most over the years. Among all organizations, NITs have conducted the most comprehensive research on LSS, indicating their significant investment of resources and efforts in studying this methodology and its applications in India. Additionally, the study examined the intellectual, social, and conceptual structures to identify implicit gaps and future research opportunities.

Practical implications

The findings of this study can inform academicians, researchers, practitioners, and policymakers about the state-of-the-art and the specifics of the most prolific studies. This study will facilitate their exploration of emerging research areas in LSS.

Originality/value

To the best of the authors knowledge, this is the first bibliometric analysis of LSS in the Indian context, providing an overview of relevant publications published between 2011 and 2022. This study analyzed 194 articles on LSS in India, which can help researchers and academics identify emerging research areas, suitable collaborators, and relevant journals for future publications.
Long-term home care communication with older people in Taiwan: strategies and rationales
Authors: Chen Chin-Hui
Published: July 2023

Purpose

The demand for long-term home care services has been increasing in Taiwan due to the significant growth of the older population. In order to understand the crucial roles that language and communication play in providing better long-term home care services in Taiwan, this study aims to adopt a gerontological sociolinguistic perspective to investigate how professional care workers communicate with older people in this context.

Design/methodology/approach

Interviews were conducted with 58 long-term home care workers to identify their communication accommodation strategies for older people, considering their health conditions (dementia), personalities (grumpiness), living status (loneliness) and general principles of long-term home care communication.

Findings

The study's findings provide practical insights for long-term home care workers to enhance their communication skills while interacting with older people.

Research limitations/implications

The results could contribute to improving the quality of care services provided to older people and address their specific communication needs.

Originality/value

To the best of the author’s knowledge, this paper is the first attempt to identify contextually specific communication accommodations to older people in existing literature of gerontological sociolinguistics that addresses language, communication and older age. The salience of the findings in this study can be further enhanced if they were applied in the development of training programs for future Taiwanese long-term home care workers.