bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Respiratory Virus Circulation during the First Year of the COVID-19 Pandemic in the Household Influenza Vaccine Evaluation (HIVE) Cohort
Authors: Fine Sydney R. , Bazzi Latifa A. , Callear Amy P. , Petrie Joshua G. , Malosh Ryan E. , Tucker Joshua E. , Smith Matthew , Ibiebele Jessica , McDermott Adrian , Rolfes Melissa A. , Monto Arnold S. , Martin Emily T.
Published: December 2022

Background

The annual reappearance of respiratory viruses has been recognized for decades. The onset of the COVID-19 pandemic altered typical respiratory virus transmission patterns. COVID-19 mitigation measures taken during the pandemic were targeted at SARS-CoV-2 respiratory transmission and thus broadly impacted the burden of acute respiratory illnesses (ARIs), in general.

Methods

We used the longitudinal Household Influenza Vaccine Evaluation (HIVE) cohort of households in southeast Michigan to characterize mitigation strategy adherence, respiratory illness burden, and the circulation of 15 respiratory viruses during the COVID-19 pandemic determined by RT-PCR of respiratory specimens collected at illness onset. Study participants were surveyed twice during the study period (March 1, 2020, to June 30, 2021), and serologic specimens were collected for antibody measurement by electrochemiluminescence immunoassay. Incidence rates of ARI reports and virus detections were calculated and compared using incidence rate ratios for the study period and a pre-pandemic period of similar length.

Results

Overall, 437 participants reported a total of 772 ARIs and 329 specimens (42.6%) had respiratory viruses detected. Rhinoviruses were the most frequently detected organism, but seasonal coronaviruses—excluding SARS-CoV-2—were also common. Illness reports and percent positivity were lowest from May to August 2020, when mitigation measures were most stringent. Study participants were more adherent to mitigation measures in the first survey compared with the second survey. Supplemental serology surveillance identified 5.3% seropositivity for SARS-CoV-2 in summer 2020; 3.0% between fall 2020 and winter 2021; and 11.3% in spring 2021. Compared to a pre-pandemic period of similar length, the incidence rate of total reported ARIs for the study period was 50% lower (95% CI: 0.5, 0.6; p<0.001) than the incidence rate from March 1, 2016, to June 30, 2017.

Conclusions

The burden of ARI in the HIVE cohort during the COVID-19 pandemic fluctuated, with declines occurring concurrently with the widespread use of public health measures. It is notable, however, that rhinovirus and seasonal coronaviruses continued to circulate even as influenza and SARS-CoV-2 circulation was low.
Duration of viral shedding of the Omicron variant in asymptomatic and mild COVID-19 cases from Shanghai, China
Authors: Sun Weijie , Yang Naibin , Mao Yang , Yan Danying , Song Qifa , Qian Guoqing
Published: December 2022

Background

The Omicron variant of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), designated as a variant of concern by the World Health Organization, spreads globally and was confirmed as the cause of the Omicron wave of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic in Shanghai, China. The viral shedding duration of Omicron variants needs to be determined.

Methods

We retrospectively analyzed 382 patients admitted to a shelter hospital for COVID-19. Of the patients, 8 patients were referred to a designated hospital, 100 were infected asymptomatic patients, and 274 patients had mild COVID-19.

Results

The vaccination rates (including fully and boosted) in the asymptomatic and mild COVID-19 patients were 92.00% and 94.16%, respectively. Majority of the studied population showed a first reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction cycle threshold (Ct) value of 20. For 2565 nasopharyngeal swabs from close or sub-close contacts, the Ct value gradually increased to 35 for 8 days, and the median duration of viral shedding time was 10 days after the first positive detection of the SARS-CoV-2 nuclei acid.

Conclusions

Quantitative viral RNA load assays in COVID-19 (BA.2.2.1) close or sub-closed contacts could be used to prevent transmissions and control precautions.
First gene-edited calf with reduced susceptibility to a major viral pathogen
Authors: Workman Aspen M , Heaton Michael P , Vander Ley Brian L , Webster Dennis A , Sherry Luke , Larson Sabreena , Kalbfleisch Theodore S , Harhay Gregory P , Jobman Erin E , Carlson Daniel F , Sonstegard Tad S
Published: December 2022

Bovine viral diarrhea virus (BVDV) is one of the most important viruses affecting the health and well-being of bovine species throughout the world. Here we used CRISPR-mediated homology-directed repair and somatic cell nuclear transfer to produce a live calf with a six amino acid substitution in the BVDV binding domain of bovine CD46. The result was a gene-edited calf with dramatically reduced susceptibility to infection as measured by clinical signs and the lack of viral infection in white blood cells. The edited calf has no off-target edits and appears normal and healthy at 16 months of age without obvious adverse effects from the on-target edit. This precision bred, proof-of-concept animal provides the first evidence that intentional genome alterations in CD46 may reduce the burden of BVDV-associated diseases in cattle, and is consistent with our stepwise,in vitroandex vivoexperiments with cell lines and matched fetal clones.
BCI learning phenomena can be explained by gradient-based optimization
Authors: Humphreys Peter C. , Daie Kayvon , Svoboda Karel , Botvinick Matthew , Lillicrap Timothy P.
Published: December 2022

Brain-computer interface (BCI) experiments have shown that animals are able to adapt their recorded neural activity in order to receive reward. Recent studies have highlighted two phenomena. First, the speed at which a BCI task can be learned is dependent on how closely the required neural activity aligns with pre-existing activity patterns: learning “out-of-manifold” tasks is slower than “in-manifold” tasks. Second, learning happens by “re-association”: the overall distribution of neural activity patterns does not change significantly during task learning. These phenomena have been presented as distinctive aspects of BCI learning. Here we show, using simulations and theoretical analysis, that both phenomena result from the simple assumption that behaviour and representations are improved via gradient-based algorithms. We invoke Occam’s Razor to suggest that this straightforward explanation should be preferred when accounting for these experimental observations.
Dynamics and composition of small heat shock protein condensates and aggregates
Authors: Joosten Joep , van Sluijs Bob , Egberts Wilma Vree , Emmaneel Martin , Jansen Pascal W.T.C. , Vermeulen Michiel , Boelens Wilbert , Bonger Kimberly M. , Spruijt Evan
Published: December 2022

Small heat shock proteins (sHSPs) are essential ATP-independent chaperones that protect the cellular proteome during stress. These proteins assemble into polydisperse oligomeric structures, the composition of which dramatically affects their chaperone activity. The biomolecular consequences of variations in sHSP ratios, especially inside living cells, remain elusive. Here, we study the consequences of altering the relative expression levels of HspB2 and HspB3. These chaperones are partners in a hetero-oligomeric complex, and genetic mutations that abolish their mutual interaction are associated with myopathic disorders.

HspB2 displays three distinct phenotypes when co-expressed with HspB3 at varying ratios. Expression of HspB2 alone lead to formation of liquid nuclear condensates, while shifting the stoichiometry towards HspB3 resulted in the formation of large solid-like aggregates. Only cells co-expressing HspB2 with a limited amount of HspB3 showed a homogeneous nuclear distribution of HspB2. Strikingly, both condensates and aggregates were reversible, as shifting the HspB2:HspB3 balance in situ resulted in dissolution of these structures.

To uncover the molecular composition of HspB2 condensates and aggregates, we used APEX-mediated proximity labelling. Most proteins interact transiently with the condensates and were neither enriched nor depleted. In contrast, we found that HspB2:HspB3 aggregates sequestered several disordered proteins among which autophagy factors, suggesting that the cell is actively attempting to clear these aggregates. This study presents a striking example of how changes in the relative expression levels of interacting proteins affects their phase behavior. Our approach can be a useful tool to study the role of protein stoichiometry in other biomolecular condensates.

Graphical abstract

Highlights

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Small heat shock protein hetero-oligomerization affects their chaperone function

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The HspB2:HspB3 expression ratio determines phase separation and aggregation

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HspB2 condensates and HspB2:HspB3 aggregates are fully reversible

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Proximity labelling unveils autophagy factor recruitment to HspB2:HspB3 aggregates

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Stoichiometry-dependant regulation of phase behaviour may be widespread in biology
Multiple antagonist calcium-dependent mechanisms control CaM Kinase-1 subcellular localization in aC. elegansthermal nociceptor
Authors: Ippolito Domenica , Glauser Dominique
Published: December 2022

Nociceptive habituation is a conserved process through which pain-sensitivity threshold is adjusted based on past sensory experience and which may be dysregulated in human chronic pain conditions. Noxious heat habituation inC. elegansinvolves the nuclear translocation of CaM kinase-1 (CMK-1) in the FLP thermo-nociceptors neurons, causing reduced animal heat sensitivity and avoidance responses. The phosphorylation of CMK-1 on T179 by CaM kinase kinase-1 (CKK-1) is required for nuclear entry. Recently, we identified a specific Nuclear Export Sequence (NES) required to maintain CMK-1 in the cytoplasm at rest (20 °C) and showed that Ca2+/CaM binding is sufficient to enhance CMK-1 affinity for IMA-3 via a specific Nuclear Localization Signal (NLS) in order to promote nuclear entry after persistent heat stimulation (90 min at 28°C) (Ippolitoet al., 2021). Here, we identified additional functional NES and NLS on CMK-1, whose activity can counteract previously identified elements. Furthermore, we clarify the relationship between the CaM-binding-dependent and T179-dependent effects. T179 phosphorylation can promotes nuclear entry both downstream of CaM-binding and as part of an independent/parallel pathway. Moreover, T179 phosphorylation can also produce the opposite effect by promoting nuclear export. Taken together, our studies show that multiple calcium-dependent regulatory mechanisms converge to bias the activity pattern across a network of NES/NLS elements, in order to activate CMK-1 nucleo-cytoplasmic shuttling, change its localization equilibrium and actuate stimulation-dependent nociceptive plasticity.
Skeletal muscle hypertrophy rewires glucose metabolism: an experimental investigation and systematic review
Authors: Baumert Philipp , Mäntyselkä Sakari , Schönfelder Martin , Heiber Marie , Jacobs Mika Jos , Swaminathan Anandini , Minderis Petras , Dirmontas Mantas , Kleigrewe Karin , Meng Chen , Gigl Michael , Ahmetov Ildus I. , Venckunas Tomas , Degens Hans , Ratkevicius Aivaras , Hulmi Juha J. , Wackerhage Henning
Published: December 2022

Background

Proliferating cancer cells shift their metabolism toward glycolysis even in the presence of oxygen to especially generate glycolytic intermediates as substrates for anabolic reactions. We hypothesize that a similar metabolic remodeling occurs during skeletal muscle hypertrophy.

Methods

We used mass spectrometry in hypertrophying C2C12 myotubesin vitroand plantaris mice musclein vivoand assessed metabolomic changes and the incorporation of [U-13C6]glucose tracer. We performed enzyme inhibition of the key serine synthesis pathway enzyme phosphoglycerate dehydrogenase (Phgdh) for further mechanistic analysis and conducted a systematic review to align any changes in metabolomics during muscle growth with published findings. Finally, UK Biobank was used to link the findings to population level.

Results

The metabolomics analysis in myotubes revealed IGF-1 induced altered metabolite concentrations in anabolic pathways such as in the pentose phosphate (ribose-5-phosphate/ribulose-5-phosphate: +40%; p=0.01) and serine synthesis pathway (serine: - 36.8%; p=0.009). Like the hypertrophy-stimulation with IGF-1 in myotubesin vitro, the concentration of the dipeptide L-carnosine was decreased by 26.6% (p=0.001) during skeletal muscle growthin vivo.However, phosphorylated sugar (glucose-6-phosphate, fructose-6-phosphate or glucose-1-phosphate) decreased by 32.2% (p=0.004) in the overloaded musclein vivo, while increased in the IGF-1 stimulated myotubesin vitro. The systematic review revealed that 10 metabolites linked to muscle hypertrophy were directly associated with glycolysis and its interconnected anabolic pathways. We demonstrated that labelled carbon from [U-13C6]glucose is increasingly incorporated by ∼13% (p=0.001) into the non-essential amino acids in hypertrophying myotubes, which is accompanied by an increased depletion of media serine (p=0.006). The inhibition of Phgdh suppressed muscle protein synthesis in growing myotubes by 58.1% (p<0.001) highlighting the importance of the serine synthesis pathway for maintaining muscle size. Utilizing data from the UK Biobank (n=450,243), we then discerned genetic variations linked to the serine synthesis pathway (PHGDHandPSPH) and to its downstream enzyme (SHMT1), revealing their association with appendicular lean mass in humans (p<5.0e-8).

Conclusion

Understanding the mechanisms that regulates skeletal muscle mass will help in developing effective treatments against muscle weakness. Our results provide evidence for metabolic rewiring of glycolytic intermediates into anabolic pathways during muscle growth, such as in the serine synthesis.
Atlas-scale single-cell multi-sample multi-condition data integration using scMerge2
Authors: Lin Yingxin , Cao Yue , Willie Elijah , Patrick Ellis , Yang Jean Y.H.
Published: December 2022

The recent emergence of multi-sample multi-condition single-cell multi-cohort studies allow researchers to investigate different cell states. The effective integration of multiple large-cohort studies promises biological insights into cells under different conditions that individual studies cannot provide. Here, we present scMerge2, a scalable algorithm that allows data integration of atlas-scale multi-sample multi-condition single-cell studies. We have generalised scMerge2 to enable the merging of millions of cells from single-cell studies generated by various single-cell technologies. Using a large COVID-19 data collection with over five million cells from 1000+ individuals, we demonstrate that scMerge2 enables multi-sample multi-condition scRNA-seq data integration from multiple cohorts and reveals signatures derived from cell-type expression that are more accurate in discriminating disease progression. Further, we demonstrate that scMerge2 can remove dataset variability in CyTOF, imaging mass cytometry and CITE-seq experiments, demonstrating its applicability to a broad spectrum of single-cell profiling technologies.
STOmics-GenX: CRISPR based approach to improve cell identity specific gene detection from spatially resolved transcriptomics
Authors: Currenti Jennifer , Qiao Liang , Pai Rhea , Gupta Saurabh , Khyriem Costerwell , Wise Kellie , Sun Xiaohuan , Armstrong Jon , Crane Jordan , Pathak Smita , Yang Bicheng , George Jacob , Plummer Jasmine , Martelotto Luciano , Sharma Ankur
Published: December 2022

The spatial organisation of cells defines the biological functions of tissue ecosystems from development to disease. Recently, an array of technologies have been developed to query gene expression in a spatial context. These include techniques such as employing barcoded oligonucleotides, single-molecule fluorescence in situ hybridization (smFISH), and DNA nanoball (DNB)-patterned arrays. However, resolution and efficiency vary across platforms and technologies. To obtain spatially relevant biological information from spatially resolved transcriptomics, we combined the Stereo-seq workflow with CRISPRclean technology to develop the STOmics-GenX pipeline. STOmics-GenX not only allowed us to reduce genomic, mitochondrial, and ribosomal reads, but also lead to a ∼2.1-fold increase in the number of detected genes when compared to conventional Stereo-seq (STOmics). Additionally, the STOmics-GenX pipeline resulted in an improved detection of cell type specific genes, thereby improving cellular annotations. Most importantly, STOmics-GenX allowed for enhanced detection of clinically relevant biomarkers such as Alpha-fetoprotein (AFP), enabling the identification of two spatially distinct subsets of hepatocytes in hepatocellular carcinoma tissue. Thereby, combining CRISPRclean technology with STOmics not only allowed improved gene detection but also paved the way for spatial precision oncology by improved detection of clinically relevant biomarkers.
Visuomotor interactions in the mouse forebrain mediated by extrastriate cortico-cortical pathways
Authors: Hovde Karoline , Rautio Ida V. , Hegstad Andrea M. , Witter Menno P. , Whitlock Jonathan R.
Published: December 2022

The mammalian visual system can be broadly divided into two functional processing pathways: a dorsal stream supporting visually and spatially guided actions, and a ventral stream enabling object recognition. In rodents, the majority of visual signaling in the dorsal stream is transmitted to frontal motor cortices via extrastriate visual areas surrounding V1, but exactly where and to what extent V1 feeds into motor-projecting visual regions is not well known. To address this we employed a dual labeling strategy in male and female mice in which efferent projections from V1 were labeled anterogradely, and motor-projecting neurons in higher visual areas were labeled with retrogradely traveling adeno-associated virus (rAAV-retro) injected in M2. In flattened sections of dorsal cortex, the most pronounced colocalization V1 output and M2 input occurred in extrastriate areas AM, PM, RL and AL. Coronal sections further showed that neurons in both superficial and deep layers in these regions project to M2, but high resolution volumetric reconstructions revealed that the vast majority of putative synaptic contacts from V1 onto M2-projecting neurons occurred in layer 2/3. These findings support the existence of a dorsal processing stream in the mouse visual system, where visual signals reach motor cortex largely via feedforward projections in anteriorly and medially located extrastriate areas.

Significance Statement

Visually guided motor behavior depends on the long-distance relay of signals from visual cortex to frontal motor cortices, but the neuroanatomical connections linking visual and motor systems in rodents are not fully charted. Here, we characterized such pathways by injecting anterograde tracers in primary visual cortex (V1) and retrogradely traveling virus in motor cortex (M2), and visualizing where the projections overlapped. We found preferential colocalization of V1 output and M2-projecting neurons in anteriorly- and medially-located higher visual areas. 3D volumetric reconstructions further showed high rates of putative synaptic connections mainly in superficial layers. Thus, visual signals in the mouse dorsal visual stream reach motor areas at least in part via superficial, feedforward connections in a subset of extrastriate areas.
Repeated evolution of bedaquiline resistance inMycobacterium tuberculosisis driven by truncation ofmmpR5
Authors: Roberts Leah W , Malone Kerri M , Hunt Martin , Joseph Lavania , Wintringer Penelope , Knaggs Jeff , Crook Derrick , Farhat Maha R , Iqbal Zamin , Omar Shaheed V
Published: December 2022

The antibiotic Bedaquiline (BDQ) is a key component of new WHO regimens for drug resistant tuberculosis (TB) but predicting BDQ resistance (BDQ-R) from genotypes remains challenging. We analysed a collection (n=505) ofMycobacterium tuberculosisfrom two high prevalence areas in South Africa (Cape Town and Johannesburg, 2019-2020), and found 53 independent acquisitions of 31 different mutations within themmpR5regulatory gene, with a particular enrichment of truncated MmpR5 in BDQ-R isolates by either frameshift or introduction of an insertion element. Truncations occurred across threeM. tuberculosislineages, impacting 66% of BDQ-R isolates. Extending our analysis to 1,961 isolates with minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs) revealed thatmmpR5-disrupted isolates had a median BDQ MIC of 0.25 mg/L, compared to the wild-type median of 0.06 mg/L. By matchingmmpR5-disrupted isolates with phylogenetically close control isolates without the disruption, we were able to estimate the impact on MIC of individual mutations. In conclusion, as the MIC increase borders the ECOFF threshold for BDQ-R, we recommend the continued use of MICs and detection of MmpR5 truncations to identify modest shifts in BDQ-R.
Selective consolidation of learning and memory via recall-gated plasticity
Authors: Lindsey Jack , Litwin-Kumar Ashok
Published: December 2022

In a variety of species and behavioral contexts, learning and memory formation recruits two neural systems, with initial plasticity in one system being consolidated into the other over time. Moreover, consolidation is known to be selective; that is, some experiences are more likely to be consolidated into long-term memory than others. Here, we propose and analyze a model that captures common computational principles underlying such phenomena. The key component of this model is a mechanism by which a long-term learning and memory system prioritizes the storage of synaptic changes that are consistent with prior updates to the short-term system. This mechanism, which we refer to as recall-gated consolidation, has the effect of shielding long-term memory from spurious synaptic changes, enabling it to focus on reliable signals in the environment. We describe neural circuit implementations of this model for different types of learning problems, including supervised learning, reinforcement learning, and autoassociative memory storage. These implementations involve synaptic plasticity rules modulated by factors such as prediction accuracy, decision confidence, or familiarity. We then develop an analytical theory of the learning and memory performance of the model, in comparison to alternatives relying only on synapse-local consolidation mechanisms. We find that recall-gated consolidation provides significant advantages, substantially amplifying the signal-to-noise ratio with which memories can be stored in noisy environments. We show that recall-gated consolidation gives rise to a number of phenomena that are present in behavioral learning paradigms, including spaced learning effects, task-dependent rates of consolidation, and differing neural representations in short- and long-term pathways.
Unveiling the time course of visual stabilization through human electrophysiology
Authors: Chung Yong Hoon , Stoermer Viola S.
Published: December 2022

Positions of objects are coded relative to their surroundings, presumably providing visual stability even when we move our eyes around a visual scene. But when does this perceived stability of objects arise? Here we use a visual illusion, the frame-induced position shift, and measure electrophysiological activity elicited by an object whose perceived position is either shifted due to a surrounding frame or not, thus dissociating perceived and physical locations. We found that early visually-evoked responses were sensitive to physical location information earlier in time (∼70ms) than perceived location information (∼140ms). Furthermore, we show that location information can be reliably decoded across physical and perceived locations during the later time interval (140-180ms) but not during the earlier time interval (70-110ms). Together these results suggest that visual stability of objects emerges relatively late and is thus dependent on recurrent feedback from higher processing stages.
Introducing the CRISPR/Cas9 cytosine base editor toolbox ‘LeishBASEedit’ – Gene editing and high-throughput screening inLeishmaniawithout requiring DNA double-strand breaks, homologous recombination or donor DNA
Authors: Beneke Tom , Engstler Markus
Published: December 2022

CRISPR/Cas9 gene editing has revolutionised loss-of-function experiments inLeishmania, the causative agent of leishmaniasis. AsLeishmanialack a functional non-homologous DNA end joining pathway however, obtaining null mutants typically requires additional donor DNA, selection of drug resistance-associated edits or time-consuming isolation of clones. Genome-wide loss-of-function screens across different conditions and across multipleLeishmaniaspecies are therefore unfeasible at present. Here, we report a CRISPR/Cas9 cytosine base editor (CBE) toolbox that overcomes these limitations. We employed CBEs inLeishmaniato introduce STOP codons by converting cytosine into thymine and createdwww.leishbaseedit.netfor CBE primer design in kinetoplastids. Through reporter assays and by targeting single- and multi-copy genes inL. mexicana,L. major, L. donovaniandL. infantum, we demonstrate how this tool can efficiently generate functional null mutants by expressing just one single-guide RNA, reaching up to 100% editing rate in non-clonal populations. We then generated aLeishmania-optimised CBE and successfully targeted an essential gene in a plasmid library delivered loss-of-function screen inL. mexicana. Since our method does not require DNA double-strand breaks, homologous recombination, donor DNA or isolation of clones, we believe that this enables for the first time functional genetic screens inLeishmaniavia delivery of plasmid libraries.
M-commerce adoption in Chinese family businesses: does IT investment matter?
Authors: Hooi Lai Wan
Published: December 2022

Purpose

This study aims to investigate the relationship between all three dimensions of perceived strategic value of m-commerce (operational support, managerial productivity and strategic decision aids), antecedents of m-commerce (organizational readiness, external context and m-commerce competence) and m-commerce adoption. The present study will further examine a mediation model in which all three dimensions of perceived strategic value of m-commerce affect m-commerce adoption through IT investment.

Design/methodology/approach

An online survey questionnaire was adopted to test the validity of this research and hypotheses. Data were collected from 178 Chinese family businesses via snowball sampling.

Findings

The results show that all three dimensions of perceived strategic value of m-commerce (operational support, managerial productivity and strategic decision aids) are positively connected to m-commerce adoption. Also, it was found that IT investment partially or fully mediates the relationship between all these dimensions of perceived strategic value of m-commerce and m-commerce adoption.

Originality/value

This study would enhance owners' and managers' understanding of the relationship between perceived strategic value of m-commerce, IT investment, antecedents of m-commerce and m-commerce adoption, thus contributing to their future adoption.
Dubai Electricity and Water Authority (DEWA): a case study on sustainability
Authors: Suri Amjad , Al-Hadrami Abdullah , Sarea Adel , ElAsad Ali
Published: December 2022

Purpose

The main purpose of the Dubai Electricity and Water Authority (DEWA) sustainability case is to allow students to explore how nonfinancial information reported in sustainability plays a vital role in maintaining a trade-off between current economic pressure and future environmental needs.

Design/methodology/approach

This is an exploratory study in nature using a qualitative case study approach. The case requires an examination of DEWA's sustainability reporting (SR) in the context of Global Reporting Initiatives (GRIs). This case is designed to assist students in gauging DEWA's sustainability and explore how the company evaluates the materiality of sustainability issues.

Findings

With stakeholders' and investors' increased interest in sustainability, the authors argue that accounting programs should incorporate this topic into their curricula. The case enables students to focus on sustainability-related initiatives with DEWA that are aligned with GRI initiatives. The case might be instructive for both undergraduate and postgraduate students studying environmental and management accounting.

Originality/value

This case study is the first of its kind in the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) region to comprehensively analyze DEWA's sustainability practices concerning GRI-based SR. This study widens the understanding of DEWA's implementation of GRI standards in the preparation of its sustainability reports.
How organizational management supports instructional leadership
Authors: Shaked Haim
Published: December 2022

Purpose

Previous studies found that principals must be involved in both instructional leadership and organizational management, yet they did not explain how the former supports the latter. To narrow this gap in the available research-based knowledge, the current study explored the contribution of organizational management to instructional leadership.

Design/methodology/approach

This study was qualitative in nature. The study participants were 28 principals of elementary schools in Israel. Data were collected through semi-structured interviews. Data analysis, based on coding, aimed to cluster the eight organizational management functions according to how each function supports instructional leadership.

Findings

The present study revealed that the eight functions of organizational management support four main aspects of instructional leadership: (1) Developing a positive learning climate; (2) Improving teaching quality; (3) Realizing the school instructional vision; and (4) Enabling instructional leadership.

Originality/value

The findings of this study reinforce the argument that although instructional leadership is the critical component of effective school leadership, it should be supported by other frameworks.
Analysis of performance of Covid-19 vaccine supply chain in India
Authors: Nagarajan Chandrasekaran , A. Indira , M. Ramasubramaniam
Published: December 2022

Purpose

This study aims to analyse the structure of the Indian vaccine supply chain (SC) during the Covid-19 crisis and explore the underlying challenges at each stage in the network. It also brings out the difference in performance of various constituent states.

Design/methodology/approach

This study relied on both primary and secondary data for the analyses. For the primary data, the study gathered experts’ opinions to validate the authors’ inferences. For the secondary data, it relies on government data provided in websites.

Findings

Based on the quartile analysis and cluster analysis of the secondary data, the authors find that the constituent states responded differently during the first and second waves. This was due to the differences in SC characteristics attributed to varied demographics and administrative efficiency.

Research limitations/implications

This paper’s analyses is primarily limited to secondary information and inferences are based on them. The study has important implications for implementing the large-scale vaccination drives by government and constituent states for better coordination and last-mile delivery.

Originality/value

The contribution is unique in studying the performance of constituent states using statistical techniques, with secondary data from authentic sources. It is also unique in combining this observation with validation from experts.
A scoping review of the literature of interventions for enhancing nurses' resilience in acute care settings
Authors: Albsoul Rania Ali , Hughes James , Alshyyab Muhammad Ahmed , Fitzgerald Gerard
Published: December 2022

Purpose

The aim of this study was to identify and evaluate interventions shown to improve nurse resilience in the acute care settings.

Design/methodology/approach

The study was a systematically conducted scoping review of the literature. Databases including MEDLINE/PubMed, Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature (CINAHL), Emerald insight and Google Scholar were searched and this complemented by reviews of the reference lists.

Findings

In total, 13 papers were included in the review but there was limited evidence of the effectiveness of individual programs. The authors found that resilience training programs for individuals reviewed provided some evidence for the effectiveness of the training. However, the context of job design, work risks and leadership require attention.

Originality/value

Resilience is an important requirement for nursing staff that helps to mitigate the stress of the working environment, particularly in the acute care setting. However, the managerial strategies required to build resilience are not well known or applied. The findings of this research may help to design cohesive and comprehensive management programs to promote and preserve nursing resilience in acute care settings. Any such program needs to reflect the four key themes that appear to underpin resilience: relationships, motivation, emotions and well-being.
The spatial (in)stability of mental health calls for police service
Authors: Koziarski Jacek
Published: December 2022

Research summary

Inspired by studies on crime concentration, scholars have begun examining the spatial patterns of other issues under the police mandate, such as calls for service involving persons with perceived mental illness (PwPMI). While findings show that PwPMI calls for service concentrate in a few number of places, we do not know whether the concentration of these calls fall within a narrow bandwidth of spatial units nor whether these calls are spatially stable. Drawing on 7 years of calls for service data from the Barrie Police Service, this study tests for the temporal stability of PwPMI call for service concentrations at two units of spatial analysis and applies a longitudinal variation of the Spatial Point Pattern Test to assess the spatial stability of these calls at both the global and local levels. The results reveal that concentrations of PwPMI calls for service not only fall within a narrow proportional bandwidth of spatial units, but are spatially stable, even during the COVID‐19 pandemic.

Policy implications

Existing police‐ and community‐based efforts that respond to PwPMI in the community are tasked with responding to crises that could have been prevented with timelier intervention. Drawing from crime‐focused, place‐based policing strategies whose deployment is informed by the spatial concentration of crime, scholars have similarly argued that knowledge on where PwPMI calls for service concentrate can be leveraged to inform and deploy place‐based efforts whose focus is to assist PwPMI in a proactive capacity. The findings of the present study further substantiates the deployment of PwPMI‐focused police‐ and community‐based resources as proactive, place‐based efforts. In doing so, these efforts could not only prevent mental health crises from occurring but could prevent future police‐involved calls for service and thus reduce the footprint of the police in the lives of PwPMI in a reactive capacity.
Prolonged peripheral seronegative spondyloarthritis following BioNTech coronavirus disease 2019 vaccination: A case report
Authors: Koh Shu‐Yi , Chen Hui‐Ming , Hsu Chung‐Yuan
Published: December 2022

A female 17‐year‐old diagnosed with seronegative spondyloarthritis (SpA) following the first jab of the BioNTech162b2 (BNT162b2) vaccine presented with recurrent swelling and painful knee accompanied by posterior heel tenderness over the past 1.5 months. Laboratory investigations revealed elevated serum erythrocyte sedimentation rate and C‐reactive protein. Synovial aspiration yielded level 3 crystal‐free, aseptic and inflammatory effusion. She tested positive for the human leukocyte antigen‐B27 and was diagnosed with peripheral SpA. She received daily celecoxib (400 mg), methylprednisolone (8 mg), and sulfasalazine (2 g), but the effect was limited. Nonetheless, her symptoms improved significantly with weekly subcutaneous etanercept administration (50 mg). Four weeks later, her arthritis was completely resolved. To our knowledge, this is the first case report of newly diagnosed seronegative peripheral SpA in an autoimmunity‐disease‐free individual following messenger RNA BNT coronavirus disease 2019 vaccination.
Computed tomography‐guided localization of pulmonary nodules prior to thoracoscopic surgery
Authors: Wang Lixin , Sun Daqian , Gao Min , Li Chunhai
Published: December 2022

With the increasing awareness of physical examination, the detection rate of pulmonary nodules is gradually increasing. For pulmonary nodules recommended for management by video‐assisted thoracic surgery (VATS), preoperative localization of the nodule is required if its location is difficult to determine intraoperatively by palpation. The computed tomography (CT)‐guided preoperative localization technique is the most widely used method with low operational difficulty and high efficiency, which can include hook wire, microcoil, medical dye, medical surgical adhesive, combined application, and emerging localization techniques according to the material classification. Each method has its corresponding advantages and disadvantages, but there is still a lack of unified guidelines or standards for the selection of CT‐guided preoperative localization methods in clinical practice. This review summarizes the operation precautions, advantages, and shortcomings of the above localization techniques in order to provide references for clinical application.
Should More Internally Generated Intangible Assets Be Recognized? A Commentary
Authors: Xie Xuejing , Zhang Weiguo
Published: December 2022

This study analyzes whether financial statements should recognize more internally generated intangible assets with particular reference to China. This issue is significant because of the increasing importance of the ‘new economy’ and R&D investment, including in China. We present the current accounting requirements for intangible assets and illustrate that the failure to recognize internally generated intangible assets leads to a high ratio of unrecognized value to market capitalization, known as the asset light phenomenon among firms. We discuss and compare international and Chinese views supporting and opposing the recognition of more internally generated intangible assets. We identify and analyze the major issues in general, and in China particularly, that standard setters and their stakeholders have to consider if more internally generated intangible assets are recognized. We focus on areas of recognition, initial and subsequent measurement, and user reaction. We find that the most critical issues are the separability and measurability of internally generated intangible assets. Based on the issues identified, we discuss initiatives on non‐financial disclosure in relation to unrecognized intangible assets and firms’ value creation. The study elucidates the consequences of current accounting standards on internally generated intangible assets and, by identifying the critical issues, contributes to the debate on whether it is best to adopt recognition of internally generated intangible assets or a disclosure‐only approach.
Toxic epidermal necrolysis and Stevens‐Johnson syndrome after COVID‐19 infection and vaccination
Authors: Zou Henry , Daveluy Steven
Published: December 2022

Stevens‐Johnson Syndrome (SJS) is a rare but severe skin reaction characterized by blistering and peeling of the skin and ulcerations of mucous membranes; toxic epidermal necrolysis (TEN) is a subset of SJS characterized by the involvement of >30% of the skin. Though previously associated with drugs and infections, discussions on the association between TEN/SJS and COVID‐19 have been limited. We present a review of TEN/SJS after COVID‐19 infection and vaccination. Literature searches were conducted on PubMed and Google Scholar from 2019 to 8/2022. Thirty‐eight articles were selected based on subject relevance, and references within selected articles were also screened for relevance. As of 8/2022, there have been 34 published cases of TEN, SJS, and SJS‐TEN overlap after COVID‐19 infection and vaccination, including 12 cases after vaccination and 22 cases after infection. Multiple authors hypothesize that virotopes or excipients in COVID‐19 vaccines can activate T‐cells or cytokines to induce TEN/SJS. Meanwhile, some hypothesize that COVID‐19 infection induces immune activation that can trigger TEN/SJS or increase susceptibility to drug‐induced TEN/SJS. Treatments for post‐infection and post‐vaccination TEN/SJS vary significantly. We recommend remaining vigilant for this rare and severe potential complication.
Is there convergence amongst shadow economies? International evidence
Authors: Henriquez Mora Camila , Saunoris James W.
Published: December 2022

This paper examines convergence among cross‐country shadow economies. Using the Phillips‐Sul (2007, 2009) club convergence approach and data for over 150 countries from 1991 to 2017, the results show evidence against absolute convergence for all shadow economies; however, we find evidence of multiple convergence clubs. In particular, we find evidence for seven distinct convergence clubs and six divergent shadow economies. Each club is characterised by an increasingly larger shadow economy with the countries in club 1 having the largest shadow economy and those in club 7 having the smallest shadow economy. Using a two‐way fixed effects approach, we also find that the determinants of the shadow economy are somewhat conditional on the convergence club. The existence of multiple equilibria suggests that policy makers in their attempt to combat the shadow economy would benefit by considering the different transitional paths associated with the different convergence clubs.
Abdominal aortic aneurysm and exfoliation syndrome: A literature review comparing single site findings
Authors: Patil Ayesha , Conley Matthew , Paulson Chase , Pompoco Christian , Wallace Ryan , Swiston Cole , Ritch Robert , Curtin Karen , Wirostko Barbara
Published: December 2022

Several studies have suggested a possible relationship between exfoliation syndrome (XFS) and abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA). A systematic literature review was undertaken to investigate this potential association. The systematic literature review was performed according to the PRISMA (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta‐Analyses) guidelines. Clear definitions of XFS and AAA were used to identify eligible studies via an unrestricted search of the PubMed interface from 1979 to October 31st, 2021. After review, 876 citations were gathered and evaluated for inclusion, from which 22 articles were included. Of these 22, 16 were excluded because they did not assess the relationship between AAA and XFS or provide primary data. Ultimately, six studies were included in this literature review. Half of the studies explored AAA prevalence in a population with or without XFS, and the other half explored the opposite. Three studies supported XFS as a risk factor for the development of AAA, and the other three found this relationship to be inconclusive. This systematic review revealed inconsistent results regarding an association between AAA and XFS. A large database study including XFS and AAA patients would be useful in further determining if an association does in fact exist.
Development and validation of the Work–Home Integration Questionnaire (WHIQ)
Authors: Noja Andrea , Kubicek Bettina , Plohl Nejc , Tement Sara
Published: December 2022

The boundaries between work and private life are gradually blurring. More and more employees are involved in work during leisure time through cognitions, emotions or behaviours, in both negative and positive ways. This so‐called work‐home integration (WHI) can, on the one hand, hampers the necessary recovery from work and result in strain but, on the other hand, also restores resources and result in beneficial outcomes. In order to enhance our understanding of WHI and capture all its different forms, we suggest a new conceptualisation and measure of WHI. We therefore developed and validated the Work‐Home Integration Questionnaire (WHIQ) in English, German and Slovene simultaneously using two cross‐sectional studies (Study 1: N = 848; Study 2: N = 555) and a two‐wave longitudinal study with a time lag of 1 month (Study 3: N = 379). Confirmatory factor analysis confirmed a three‐factor structure with (1) negative cognitive‐affective involvement, (2) positive cognitive‐affective involvement and (3) behavioural involvement. Moreover, the WHIQ showed measurement invariance across the three languages and the results provide evidence for convergent, discriminant and incremental validity. Overall, the WHIQ is a reliable, valid and short measure to assess the extent to which employees are involved in work during leisure time.
The silent epidemic: Death by suicide among physicians
Authors: Bhatia Gayatri , Sharma Pawan , Pal Arghya , Parmar Arpit
Published: December 2022

Suicidal deaths among physicians have been on a steady rise in the past few decades, despite being a part of the healthcare system, training for early identification and easy access to treatment services. While there is no doubt that this warrants concern at individual, institutional, and community levels, physician suicide remains an under‐researched topic. We examine the correlates of suicidal deaths among physicians along with risks and protective factors conferred to physicians as a population and emphasize the need for preventive and risk‐reduction initiatives that are specifically tailored for physicians and the healthcare provider community.
Tensor Response Quantile Regression with Neuroimaging Data
Authors: Wei Bo , Peng Limin , Guo Ying , Manatunga Amita , Stevens Jennifer
Published: December 2022

Collecting neuroimaging data in the form of tensors (i.e. multidimensional arrays) has become more common in mental health studies, driven by an increasing interest in studying the associations between neuroimaging phenotypes and clinical disease manifestation. Motivated by a neuroimaging study of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) from the Grady Trauma Project, we study a tensor response quantile regression framework, which enables novel analyses that confer a detailed view of the potentially heterogeneous association between a neuroimaging phenotype and relevant clinical predictors. We adopt a sensible low-rank structure to represent the association of interest, and propose a simple two-step estimation procedure which is easy to implement with existing software. We provide rigorous theoretical justifications for the intuitive two-step procedure. Simulation studies demonstrate good performance of the proposed method with realistic sample sizes in neuroimaging studies. We conduct the proposed tensor response quantile regression analysis of the motivating PTSD study to investigate the association between fMRI resting-state functional connectivity and PTSD symptom severity. Our results uncover non-homogeneous effects of PTSD symptoms on brain functional connectivity, which cannot be captured by existing tensor response methods.