bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
α-synuclein expression in response to bacterial ligands and metabolites in gut enteroendocrine cells
Authors: Hurley Michael J , Menozzi Elisa , Koletsi Sofia , Bates Rachel , Gegg Matthew E , Chau Kai-Yin , Blottière Hervé M , Macnaughtan Jane , Schapira Anthony H V
Published: April 2023

Background

Caudo-rostral migration of pathological forms of α-synuclein from the gut to the brain is proposed as an early feature in Parkinson disease (PD) pathogenesis, but the underlying mechanisms remain unknown. Intestinal enteroendocrine cells sense and respond to numerous luminal signals, including bacterial factors, and transmit this information to the brain via the enteric nervous system and vagus nerve. There is evidence that gut bacteria composition and their metabolites change in PD patients and these alterations can trigger α-synuclein pathology in animal models.

Objective

Here we investigated the effect of toll-like receptor (TLR) and free fatty acid receptor (FFA2/3) agonists on α-synuclein levels in mouse STC-1 enteroendocrine cells.

Methods

STC-1 cells were treated with TLR and FFA2/3 agonists alone and in combination with selective antagonists. The level of α-synuclein protein was measured in cell lysates and cell culture media by western blot and ELISA. And the level of α-synuclein and tumour necrosis factor (TNF) mRNA was measured by quantitative RT-PCR.

Results

TLR and FFA receptor agonists significantly increased intracellular and extracellular α-synuclein levels and antagonists significantly reduced these effects. TLR and FFA receptor agonists also significantly increased TNF transcription and this was inhibited by corresponding antagonists.

Conclusions

Elevated intracellular α-synuclein increases the likelihood of aggregation and conversion to toxic forms. Factors derived from bacteria induce α-synuclein accumulation in STC-1 cells. Here we provide support for a mechanism by which exposure of enteroendocrine cells to specific bacterial factors found in PD gut dysbiosis might facilitate accumulation and transmission of α-synuclein pathology from the gut to the brain.
Community structure and temporal dynamics of SARS-CoV-2 epistatic network allow for early detection of emerging variants with altered phenotypes
Authors: Mohebbi Fatemeh , Zelikovsky Alex , Mangul Serghei , Chowell Gerardo , Skums Pavel
Published: April 2023

The emergence of viral variants with altered phenotypes is a public health challenge underscoring the need for advanced evolutionary forecasting methods. Given extensive epistatic interactions within viral genomes and known viral evolutionary history, efficient genomic surveillance necessitates early detection of emerging viral haplotypes rather than commonly targeted single mutations. Haplotype inference, however, is a significantly more challenging problem precluding the use of traditional approaches.

Here, using SARS-CoV-2 evolutionary dynamics as a case study, we show that emerging haplotypes with altered transmissibility can be linked to dense communities in coordinated substitution networks, which become discernible significantly earlier than the haplotypes become prevalent. From these insights, we develop a computational framework for inference of viral variants and validate it by successful early detection of known SARS-CoV-2 strains. Our methodology offers greater scalability than phylogenetic lineage tracing and can be applied to any rapidly evolving pathogen with adequate genomic surveillance data.
Quantitative relations among causality measures with applications to pulse-output nonlinear network reconstruction
Authors: Tian Zhong-qi K. , Chen Kai , Li Songting , McLaughlin David W. , Zhou Douglas
Published: April 2023

The causal connectivity of a network is often inferred to understand the network function. It is arguably acknowledged that the inferred causal connectivity relies on the causality measure one applies, and it may differ from the network’s underlying structural connectivity. However, the interpretation of causal connectivity remains to be fully clarified, in particular, how causal connectivity depends on causality measures and how causal connectivity relates to structural connectivity. Here, we focus on nonlinear networks with pulse signals as measured output,e.g., neural networks with spike output, and address the above issues based on four intensively utilized causality measures,i.e., time-delayed correlation coefficient, time-delayed mutual information, Granger causality, and transfer entropy. We theoretically show how these causality measures are related to one another when applied to pulse signals. Taking the simulated Hodgkin-Huxley neural network and the real mouse brain network as two illustrative examples, we further verify the quantitative relations among the four causality measures and demonstrate that the causal connectivity inferred by any of the four well coincides with the underlying network structural connectivity, therefore establishing a direct link between the causal and structural connectivity. We stress that the structural connectivity of networks can be reconstructed pairwise without conditioning on the global information of all other nodes in a network, thus circumventing the curse of dimensionality. Our framework provides a practical and effective approach for pulse-output network reconstruction.

Significance Statement

Inferring network connectivity is a key challenge in many diverse scientific fields. We investigate networks with pulse signal as measured output and solve the above reverse-engineering issue by establishing a direct link between the network’s causal connectivity and structural connectivity. Here, the causal connectivity can be inferred by any one of the four causality measures,i.e., time-delayed correlation coefficient, time-delayed mutual information, Granger causality, and transfer entropy. We analytically reveal the relationship among these four measures and show that they are equally effective to fully reconstruct the network connectivity pairwise. Our work provides a practical framework to reconstruct the structural connectivity in general pulse-output nonlinear networks or subnetworks.
A broadly protective CHO cell expressed recombinant spike protein subunit vaccine (IMT-CVAX) against SARS-CoV-2
Authors: Jitender  , Kumar B. Vikram , Singh Sneha , Verma Geetika , Kumar Reetesh , Mishra Pranaya M. , Kumar Sahil , Nagaraj Santhosh K. , Nag Joydeep , Joy Christy M. , Nikam Bhushan , Singh Dharmendra , Pooja  , Kalidas Nidhi , Singh Shubham , Mumtaz  , Bhardwaj Ashwani K. , Mankotia Dhananjay S. , Ringe Rajesh P. , Gupta Nimesh , Tripathi Shashank , Mishra Ravi P.N.
Published: April 2023

Protective immunity induced by COVID-19 vaccines is mediated mainly by spike (S) protein of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). Here, we report the development of a recombinant prefusion stabilized SARS-CoV-2 spike protein-subunit-based COVID-19 vaccine produced in the mammalian cell line. The gene encoding ectodomain (ECD) of the spike protein was engineered and cloned into Freedom pCHO 1.0, a mammalian expression vector, and subsequently expressed in the Chinese Hamster Ovary suspension cell line (CHO-S). The recombinant S protein ectodomain (hereafter referred to as IMT-CVAX) was purified using a combination of tangential flow filtration and liquid chromatography. Biochemical and biophysical characterization of IMT-CVAX was done to ensure its vital quality attributes. Intramuscular immunization of mice with two doses of adjuvanted IMT-CVAX elicited a strong anti-Spike IgG response. In pseudovirus-based assays, IMT-CVAX– immune mice sera exhibited a broad-spectrum neutralization of several SARS-CoV-2 variants of concern (VoCs). Golden Syrian Hamster immunized with IMT-CVAX provided excellent protection against SARS-CoV-2 infection, and, hamster immune sera neutralized the live SARS-CoV-2 virus. The adjuvanted IMT-CVAX induced robust Tfh-cells response and germinal center (GC) reaction in human ACE2 receptor-expressing transgenic mice. The findings of this study may pave the way for developing next-generation protein subunit-based vaccines to combat the existing SARS-CoV-2 and its emerging VoCs. The IMT-CVAX is produced using a scalable process and can be used for large-scale vaccine production in an industrial setup.
nanoCLAMP potently neutralizes SARS-CoV-2 and protects K18-hACE2 mice from infection
Authors: Pagneux Quentin , Garnier Nathalie , Fabregue Manon , Sharkaoui Sarah , Mazzoli Sophie , Engelmann Ilka , Boukherroub Rabah , Strecker Mary , Cruz Eric , Ducos Peter , Zarubica Ana , Suderman Richard , Szunerits Sabine
Published: April 2023

Intranasal treatments, combined with vaccination, has the potential to slow mutational evolution of virusues by reducing transmission and replication. Here we illustrate the development of a SARS-CoV-2 receptor binding domain (RBD) nanoCLAMP and demonstrate its potential as an intranasally administered therapeutic. A multi-epitope nanoCLAMP was made by fusing a pM affinity single-domain nanoCLAMP (P2710) to alternate epitope binding nanoCLAMP, P2609. The resulting multimerised nanoCLAMP P2712 had sub-pM affinity for the Wuhan and South African (B.1.351) RBD (KD< 1 pM), and decreasing affinity for the Delta (B.1.617.2) and Omicron (B.1.1.529) variants (86 pM and 19.7 nM, respectively). P2712 potently inhibited ACE2:RBD interaction, suggesting its utility as a therapeutic. With an IC50= 0.4 ± 0.1 nM obtained from neutralization experiments using pseudoviral particles as well as patient cultured SARS-CoV-2 samples, nanoCLAMP P2712 protected K18-hACE2 mice from SARS-CoV-2 infection, reduced viral loads in the lungs and brains, and reduced associated upregulation of inflammatory cytokines and chemokines. Together, our findings warrant further investigation into the development of nanoCLAMPs as effective intranasally delivered COVID19 therapeutics.
Recording from Fly Olfactory Sensilla
Authors: Benton Richard , Dahanukar Anupama
Published: April 2023

Olfactory systems detect and discriminate an enormous diversity of volatile environmental stimuli and provide important paradigms to investigate how sensory cues are represented in the brain. Key stimulus-coding events occur in peripheral olfactory sensory neurons, which typically express a single olfactory receptor—from a large repertoire encoded in the genome—with a defined ligand-response profile. These receptors convert odor ligand recognition into spatial and temporal patterns of neural activity that are transmitted to, and interpreted in, central brain regions.Drosophilaprovides an attractive model to study olfactory coding because it possesses a relatively simple peripheral olfactory system that displays many organizational parallels to those of vertebrates. Moreover, nearly all olfactory sensory neurons have been molecularly characterized and are accessible for physiological analysis, as they are exposed on the surface of sensory organs (antennae and maxillary palps) housed in specialized hairs called sensilla. This protocol describes how to perform recordings of odor-evoked activity fromDrosophilaolfactory sensilla, covering the basics of sample preparation, setting up the electrophysiology rig, assembling an odor stimulus-delivery device, and data analysis. The methodology can be used to characterize the ligand-recognition properties of most olfactory sensory neurons and the role of olfactory receptors (and other molecular components) in signal transduction.
Chemical Screening and Toxicity Testing
Authors: Brändli André W.
Published: April 2023

The chemical space is vast, encompassing potentially billions of natural and synthetic molecules, which are for the most part uncharted with regard to their pharmaceutical, therapeutic, or toxicological potential. Determining the biological efficacy or harm of these chemicals presents both an enormous opportunity and a challenge to society. Chemical screening is the first step in development of novel therapeutical agents. The process typically involves searching chemical libraries for small organic molecules that have biological activities that might be useful in addressing pathological conditions for which there are unmet medical needs. Toxicology, in contrast, investigates effects of chemicals that are harmful to human or animal health or the environment in general.Xenopusis an exceptionally effective animal model system for assaying both potential therapeutic and toxicological effects. Here I introduce protocols that detail howXenopusextracts, embryos, and tadpoles can be used in chemical screening and toxicity testing.
COVID-19 outbreak and earnings management practice: case of Tunisia
Authors: Garfatta Riadh , Hamza Mouna , Zorgati Imen
Published: April 2023

Purpose

This article attempts to investigate the impact of COVID-19 outbreak on the earnings management (EM) for listed Tunisian companies.

Design/methodology/approach

The study focuses on both accrual-based and real EM (REM) practices. With panel data, the authors employ the multiple regression approach and the generalized least squares (GLS) estimate method. The sample is made up of 41 listed companies observed from the first half of 2016 to the second half of 2020.

Findings

This study finds that, during the pandemic period, Tunisian firms use decreasing income discretionary accruals. Also, with regard to REM, the COVID-19 variable displays a negative response coefficient but of lesser magnitude.

Research limitations/implications

This study's findings can help Tunisian authorities, listed companies and market investors to better understand EM practices during a negative shock and to better understand the various internal and external factors influencing the quality of financial reporting. These findings may contribute, also, significant EM implications for scholars interested in other emerging markets. As limitations, the authors point out mainly to the small sample size used in this study and that the authors used a single model, namely the modified Jones model (1995), to measure the accounting EM. Also, the authors used a binary variable as a proxy for the COVID- 19 pandemic.

Originality/value

To the best of authors’ knowledge, it is the first in Tunisia, if not in Africa, to examine the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on EM practices. Second, this study builds on previous work by examining both the accrual-based EM and the REM.
“Crafting your own success”: a time-lagged study on the mediating role of job crafting dimensions in the relationship between protean career and career success
Authors: Lo Presti Alessandro , van der Heijden Beatrice , Briscoe Jon P. , De Rosa Assunta
Published: April 2023

Purpose

As the notions of protean career and job crafting share a common emphasis on self-management, proactivity and customization, this study aimed to examine if the associations between protean career, subjective and objective career success were mediated by job crafting, assessed via its three main dimensions (i.e. increasing structural job resources, increasing social job resources and increasing challenging job demands).

Design/methodology/approach

The authors sampled 594 Italian employees using a time-lagged research design: protean career was assessed at T1 and job crafting and career success at T2. Responses were analyzed through structural equation modeling.

Findings

This study’s results showed that increasing structural job resources mediated the association of protean career with subjective career success, while increasing challenging job demands mediated its association with objective career success.

Originality/value

In contrast to previous studies, in this contribution, the mediating role of job crafting is disentangled by taking into account its three respective dimensions. Additionally, the authors included both forms of career success as outcomes of protean career. Implications for future research and practical recommendations are presented and discussed.
Modeling the relationship between value management implementation phases, critical success factors and overall project success
Authors: Kineber Ahmed Farouk , Othman Idris , Oke Ayodeji Emmanuel , Chileshe Nicholas , Zayed Tarek
Published: April 2023

Purpose

This study aims to develop an overall project success (OPS) model by investigating the mediation impact of value management (VM) implementation between VM critical success factors (CSFs) and OPS as well as the moderation impact of VM CSFs between VM implementation and OPS.

Design/methodology/approach

In total, 335 structured questionnaires were administered to relevant stakeholders in the study area. The research used a partial least square structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM) to model the relationship among VM implementation, CSFs and OPS.

Findings

The results revealed that there is an indirect positive and significant correlation among the variables. The model prediction analysis also significantly impacted with 59.9% on OPS by setting VM implementation as a mediator variable and 61% by setting VM CSFs as a moderation variable.

Practical implications

This research work will serve as a guide or benchmark for decision-makers who want to use VM to improve the success of their building projects.

Originality/value

This study fills the knowledge gap by identifying and emphasizing the impact of VM CSFs and activities on OPS.
Learning latent dynamics with a grey neural ODE prediction model and its application
Authors: Sapnken Flavian Emmanuel , Ahmat Khazali Acyl , Boukar Michel , Nyobe Serge Luc Biobiongono , Tamba Jean Gaston
Published: April 2023

Purpose

In this study, a new neural differential grey model is proposed for the purpose of accurately excavating the evolution of real systems.

Design/methodology/approach

For this, the proposed model introduces a new image equation that is solved by the Runge-Kutta fourth order method, which makes it possible to optimize the sequence prediction function. The novel model can then capture the characteristics of the input data and completely excavate the system's evolution law through a learning procedure.

Findings

The new model has a broader applicability range as a result of this technique, as opposed to grey models, which have fixed structures and are sometimes over specified by too strong assumptions. For experimental purposes, the neural differential grey model is implemented on two real samples, namely: production of crude and consumption of Cameroonian petroleum products. For validation of the new model, results are compared with those obtained by competing models. It appears that the precisions of the new neural differential grey model for prediction of petroleum products consumption and production of Cameroonian crude are respectively 16 and 25% higher than competing models, both for simulation and validation samples.

Originality/value

This article also takes an in-depth look at the mechanics of the new model, thereby shedding light on the intrinsic differences between the new model and grey competing models.
Airbnb vs hotel? Customer selection behaviors in upward and downward COVID-19 trends
Authors: Nicolau Juan Luis , Sharma Abhinav , Shin Hakseung , Kang Juhyun
Published: April 2023

Purpose

To provide a dynamic view on accommodation choice behaviors during the pandemic, this study aims to examine the impact of recent trends on prospective travelers’ preferences for hotels and Airbnb.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper adopts a mixed methods approach that incorporates three independent studies (experimental analysis, online search pattern analysis and an econometric event study) to understand customer decision-making behaviors.

Findings

The findings indicate that travelers prefer Airbnb entire flats/apartments to hotels when the pandemic is trending upward. This result externally validates travelers’ preference toward Airbnb during periods of high risk. Interestingly, when the trends go downward, however, the same behavioral pattern was not identified.

Research limitations/implications

This study provides important empirical insights into how the evolution of health crises influence customer decision-making for hotels and Airbnb. Future research needs to consider the role of socio-demographic factors in accommodation selection behaviors and examine how travelers react to cleanliness levels between Airbnb and hotels.

Originality/value

As one of initial studies that empirically examine Airbnb customers’ decision-making behaviors in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic’s trends, this study provides a dynamic view on how the evolution of the pandemic influences accommodation choice behaviors.
(Un)Learning sustainability practices in a multi-tiered supply chain: an interpretive study
Authors: Santos Karina A. , Silva Minelle E. , Pereira Susana Carla Farias
Published: April 2023

Purpose

Although the number of studies that investigate supply chain sustainability learning has increased, little is known about the way sub-suppliers build knowledge and learn sustainability practices. Thus, moving beyond merely investigating the accumulation of knowledge, this research explores sub-suppliers’ knowing that supports the learning of sustainability practices in a multi-tiered food supply chain.

Design/methodology/approach

In the conduct of this interpretive research in South Brazil, two ethnographies were completed during 74 days of observations to understand similarities and differences between certified and non-certified sub-suppliers with respect to sustainability practices. As part of our research conducted in the context of poultry production, secondary data and data gathered through semi-structured interviews with representatives of the buyer and first-tier supplier firms were used to provide a better comprehension of the multi-tiered supply chain context. Then, we executed an interpretive textual analysis.

Findings

Our investigation explored six vignettes to reveal ways of learning sustainability practices in terms of waste management, biosecurity and animal welfare. Although the buyer firm requested these practices, we noted that the first-tier supplier was responsible for translating the practices to sub-suppliers. Moreover, we found that sustainability learning was shaped by the sub-supplier context embodied in knowledge through knowing. The ways of learning were related to sharing knowledge between experts and novices with the support of material practices; however, knowledge was also gained by unlearning some knowledge shared by the supplier. Sustainability practice learning, thus, was performed in a space of learning via knowledge creation among practitioners.

Practical implications

Recognising how sustainability learning happens in a multi-tiered supply chain context can help managers to develop plans to implement sustainability practices that will broaden their sustainability knowledge.

Originality/value

Unlike previous studies on supply chain sustainability learning, we reveal ways that sustainability practices emerge from knowledge that results from sub-suppliers’ knowing. We also explain how unlearning can consciously occur in several situations of sustainability learning.
Fear of the COVID-19 pandemic and IPO aftermarket liquidity in ASEAN-5
Authors: Wigantini Ghea Revina , Nainggolan Yunieta Anny
Published: April 2023

Purpose

This study aims to examine the relationship between the fear index and initial public offering (IPO) aftermarket liquidity in ASEAN during the bearish time, the COVID-19 pandemic.

Design/methodology/approach

This study uses random effect panel regression analysis using two proxies of IPO aftermarket liquidity, namely, volume and turnover, on data of 90 IPO companies in the ASEAN-5 countries over four study periods: 30, 60, 90 and 100 days, after their IPOs.

Findings

The results indicate that the COVID-19 fear index significantly affects liquidity for all periods. The fear index decreases the stock aftermarket liquidity of ASEAN-5 IPO companies. The findings are consistent with additional tests.

Originality/value

This study initiates research during the COVID-19 pandemic in ASEAN-5 countries. Furthermore, while the other studies examine the stock performance of existing listed companies, this study focuses exclusively on the liquidity of companies that went public through IPOs in 2020.
The use of climate information in humanitarian relief efforts: a literature review
Authors: Yan Qifeng
Published: April 2023

Purpose

This paper aims to provide a systematic literature review of the state-of-the-art applications of climate information in humanitarian relief efforts, to further the knowledge of how climate science can be better integrated into the decision-making process of humanitarian supply chains.

Design/methodology/approach

A systematic literature review was conducted using a combination of key search terms developed from both climate science and humanitarian logistics literature. Articles from four major databases were retrieved, reduced and analyzed.

Findings

The study illustrates the status of application of climate information in humanitarian work, and identifies usability, collaboration and coordination as three key themes.

Originality/value

By delivering an overview of the current applications and challenges of climate information, this literature review proposes a three-phase conceptual framework.
The role of health and safety protocols and brand awareness for the recovery of hotel activity following a health crisis
Authors: Polo-Peña Ana Isabel , Andrews Hazel , Torrico-Jódar Javier
Published: April 2023

Purpose

This paper examines whether following a health crisis the use of health and safety protocols and hotel brand awareness influences hotel perceived value and intention to visit.

Design/methodology/approach

Using an experimental design, the study evaluates the effectiveness of the use of health and safety protocols and the moderating effect of brand awareness on perceived value and intention to visit.

Findings

The results show that the hotels using health and safety protocols (compared to those that do not use them) will achieve a higher perceived value and intention to visit. In addition, the awareness of brand does not moderate the effect of the health and safety protocols on perceived value and intention to visit.

Practical implications

This research identifies mechanisms for future consideration by hotel companies to promote the recovery of their activity after a health crisis. Specifically, using health and safety protocols will result in the market evaluating the brand more highly and produce a greater intention to visit. At the same time, the research indicates that regardless of whether the brand is well-known or not, the use of a health and safety protocol is advantageous.

Originality/value

This study offers new insights that can be useful for developing a resilient hotel sector in the face of future health crises. Specifically, the results show progress in understanding the effects that the use of health and safety protocols and brand awareness have on key consumer variables for the recovery of the sector in a post-pandemic context.
Role stress and organizational commitment in the service industry: a moderated mediation model of job burnout and transformational leadership
Authors: Ul Hassan Faqir Sajjad , Karim Wajahat , Shah Hassan Ahmed , Khan Naqeeb Ullah
Published: April 2023

Purpose

Under the tenets of conservation of resources and role theories, this study has aimed to draw up and test a moderated-mediation model. The model postulates job burnout (JB) as a mediator between role stress (RS) and organizational commitment (OC) while transformational leadership (TFL) as a moderator to such mediation.

Design/methodology/approach

For this cross-sectional study, multisource field data from the service industry was collected using a convenient sampling procedure. A total of 354 employees participated in the anonymous survey. The proposed model of the study was tested with a hierarchical regression approach using Hayes PROCESS macro.

Findings

The data fitted best for the four-factor measurement model of the study. Afterward, the authors found that RS directly affected employees’ perception of OC. The relationship between RS and OC was partially mediated by JB. The authors ascertained the transformational leader’s buffering role between the RS-JB relationship and the transformational leader’s contingent indirect effect as well.

Originality/value

This research is a first-of-its-kind investigation into enlightening the direct and indirect link via JB between RS and OC and the moderating effect of TFL on such indirect effect in a rarely studied organizational setting of a developing country.
Ethical leadership and employee unethical behavior: a dual-processing model
Authors: Gan Chenjing , Cheng Chi-Ying , Chai Yandong , Yang Linbo
Published: April 2023

Purpose

This study seeks to apply a dual-processing model to understand how ethical leadership prohibits employee unethical behavior through both employee deontic justice and distributive justice.

Design/methodology/approach

A survey research was conducted with 62 supervisors and 244 subordinates of 17 firms collected at 2 time points separated by approximately 3 weeks in People's Republic of China.

Findings

A multilevel modeling analysis was used to test the dual-processing model. The results showed that both employee deontic justice (moral intuition process) and distributive justice (deliberate reasoning process) significantly mediate the negative relationship between ethical leadership and employee unethical behavior.

Practical implications

As traditional ethics-training approaches mainly focus on developing the deliberate decision-making process driven by distributive justice, the authors' dual-processing model suggests that moral intuition led by deontic justice is equally important and could significantly inhibit employee unethical behavior. Applying the proposed dual-processing model in the ethics training can enhance the effectiveness of employee moral training.

Originality/value

Previous studies have studied the deliberate reasoning process and moral intuition on employee unethical behavior independently. This study contributes to the current literature by a comprehensive dual-processing model which demonstrates equal impact of employee deontic justice and distributive justice led by ethical leadership on the inhibition of employee unethical behavior.
A tale from extensive readers in an online extensive reading classroom
Authors: Machfudi Moch Imam , Ferdiansyah Sandi
Published: April 2023

Purpose

While extensive reading has been widely implemented in face-to-face settings, few studies have examined how extensive reading in online classrooms is enacted. The present study aims to explore students' voice in online extensive reading classrooms.

Design/methodology/approach

This brief report is part of classroom action research. It involved 3 undergraduate students majoring in English education who undertook extensive reading course during the COVID-19 pandemic. The participants documented their reading experience through digital storytelling (DST) at the end of the semester. Data from the DST were collected and analyzed using thematic analysis with narrative approach.

Findings

The story began with the recollection of the participants' memories in the past when they studied English. It then moved to students expressing meeting the intersection between challenges and opportunities when becoming an extensive reader. The digital story ended with a reflection on the action of the participants when engaged in extensive reading and its learning tasks. The present research suggests that extensive reading teachers should involve students in meaningful but flexible online activities to develop reading habit and interest, particularly during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Originality/value

Ample studies have investigated how students experience extensive reading class situated in either online or offline setting. However, few studies have explored students' voices when they have to do extensive reading online during university closure due to COVID-19 pandemic. In addition, this study investigates students' voice from DST as a data collection technique.
Development of placental lesions after recovery from COVID‐19 during pregnancy: case–control study
Authors: Milot C. , Koch A. , Averous G. , Mayeur S. , Deruelle P.
Published: April 2023

Objective

To study whether the occurrence and type of placental lesions vary according to the time of onset of COVID‐19 in pregnant women.

Design

Case–control study.

Setting

Departments of Gynaecology‐Obstetrics and Pathology, Strasbourg University Hospital, France.

Population

Cases were 49 placentas of women with COVID‐19. Controls were 50 placentas from women who had a past history of molar pregnancy. COVID‐19 placentas were categorised based on whether birth occurred at more or less than 14 days post‐infection.

Methods

Comparison between case and controls.

Main outcome measures

Maternal and neonatal outcomes were recorded. Macroscopic and microscopic examination of the placentas was performed.

Results

The rate of vascular complications was higher in the COVID groups than in the controls (8 [16.3%] versus 1 [2%], p = 0.02). Signs of fetal (22[44.9%] versus 13 [26%], p = 0.05) and maternal (44 [89.8%] versus 36 [72.0%], p = 0.02) vascular malperfusion and signs of inflammation (11 [22.4%] versus 3 [6.0%], p = 0.019) were significantly more common in the COVID‐19 groups than in the control group. Fetal malperfusion lesions (9 [39.1%] versus 13 [50.0%], p = 0.45) and placental inflammation (4 [17.4%] versus 7 [26.9%], p = 0.42) rates were not significantly different between the two COVID‐19 groups. Chronic villitis was significantly more common when the delivery occurred >14 days after infection than in the group that delivered <14 days after infection (7 [26.9%] versus 1 [4.4%], p = 0.05).

Conclusions

Our study suggests that SARS‐COV‐2 induces placental lesions that evolve after disease recovery, especially with the development of inflammatory lesions, such as chronic villitis.
What can coronial cases tell us about the quality of emergency healthcare for prisoners in Australia?
Authors: Wu Jessica , Boyle Sam , Cockburn Tina , Kelly Anne‐Maree
Published: April 2023

Objective

This research aimed to examine the legal and regulatory obligations of authorities and healthcare professionals in the provision of prison emergency health services and to identify problems in the provision of emergency care to prisoners by using case examples from coronial findings.

Methods

Review of legal and regulatory obligations and a search of coronial cases for deaths related to the provision of emergency healthcare in prisons in the past 10 years in Victoria, New South Wales and Queensland.

Results

The case review identified several themes – issues with prison authority policies and procedures that delay access to timely healthcare or compromise the quality of care, operational and logistical factors, clinical issues and stigmatic issues including prison staff attitudes to prisoners requesting urgent healthcare assistance.

Conclusion

Coronial findings and royal commissions have repeatedly identified deficiencies in the emergency healthcare provided to prisoners in Australia. These deficiencies are operational, clinical and stigmatic and not limited to a single prison or jurisdiction. Applying a health quality of care framework focussed on prevention and chronic health management, appropriate assessment and escalation when urgent medical assistance is requested, and a structured audit framework could avoid future preventable deaths in prisons.
Facile production of low‐viscosity mung bean starch through cold plasma treatment: Improvement of film formability
Authors: Chen Guiyun , Yang Bowen , Wang Jiake , Zhang Yifu , Li Shuhong , Chen Ye
Published: April 2023

Mung bean starch (MBS) has a strong potential to be used as food packages. However, preparing tough and uniform MBS films via industrial casting remains challenging due to the high viscosity of MBS slurry. Herein, MBS was modified by using dielectric barrier discharge cold plasma (CP) in an attempt to decrease its viscosity and improve the film‐forming properties. Results indicated that CP with an applied power of 120 W for 5 min decreased the peaking viscosity of MBS slurry from 2936.5 to 466.3 cP. Moreover, CP treatment simultaneously modified the crystallinity (20.2%–16.7%), amylose content (30.5%–44.3%), and short‐range orders (1.04–0.85). CP also broke the protective envelope of MBS granules. Further, the film‐forming properties of MBS were investigated. It was observed that CP‐modified MBS film casts exhibited uniform morphology, higher tensile strength (6.6–9.6 MPa), and improved thermal stability (89.0–100.8°C) compared with the untreated MBS film. The study indicates that the CP can be used as a green and facile technology to improve the properties of MBS films resulting in an efficient food packing material.
Precision targeted therapy for EGFR mutation‐positive NSCLC: Dilemmas and coping strategies
Authors: Meng Ying , Bai Rilan , Cui Jiuwei
Published: April 2023

The most common driver gene mutation in patients with non‐small‐cell lung cancer (NSCLC) is an epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) mutation. With the introduction of EGFR‐tyrosine kinase inhibitors, the treatment prospects and prognosis of NSCLC patients with EGFR‐sensitive mutations have significantly improved. Nonetheless, therapies targeting NSCLC are still associated with a risk of primary or secondary nonclassical drug resistance mutations. In recent years, the research and methodology have led to the continuous discovery of new drugs and drug resistance targets. These explorations have also resulted in continuously discovering new drugs. Consequently, rapid advancements have been made to overcome NSCLC drug resistance. This study aimed to review the current dilemma of targeted therapy for EGFR mutation‐positive NSCLC and the coping strategies for these difficulties.
Seasonal, environmental and anthropogenic influences on nocturnal basking in turtles and crocodiles from North‐Eastern Australia
Authors: Nordberg Eric J. , McKnight Donald T.
Published: April 2023

Many ectotherms bask in the sun as a behavioural mechanism to increase body temperature and facilitate metabolism, digestion or gamete production, among other functions. Such behaviours are common during the day, but some nocturnal species are also known to thermoregulate at night, in the absence of solar radiation, through shifts in body posture or microhabitat selection. Additionally, recent work has documented nocturnal basking in freshwater turtles in tropical Australia, though the purpose of the behaviour remains unknown. Here, we have built upon that work to test: 1. seasonal differences, 2. the influence of environmental factors and 3. the influence of anthropogenic development (e.g. river‐front houses) on nocturnal basking behaviour. We visually surveyed transects repeatedly at night on the Ross River, Townsville, QLD, Australia from March to November 2020 and documented nocturnal basking in both freshwater turtles (Emydura macquarii krefftii) and freshwater crocodiles (Crocodylus johnstoni). For both taxa, we found significantly more nocturnal basking activity during the hotter months. Likewise, water surface temperature significantly influenced nocturnal basking in both taxa, especially when water temperatures were both high and warmer than air temperatures. We propose that nocturnal basking provides a mechanism for thermoregulatory cooling when water temperatures are high (e.g. 30°C) and above‐preferred temperatures. After accounting for availability in basking habitat, both turtles and crocodiles basked more frequently on the undeveloped side of the river, suggesting avoidance of human activity or disturbance. This study is the first to document nocturnal basking activity temporally throughout the year as well as the first to identify the influences of environmental factors. Nocturnal thermoregulation has been documented in many reptiles, however, thermoregulatory cooling in tropical systems is less well‐known.
Trends and gaps in the literature on native palms of the Brazilian Atlantic Forest
Authors: Cerqueira Amanda Freitas , Benchimol Maíra , Sousa‐Santos Catriane , Bezerra Inajara Marques , Santana dos Santos Martielly , Dalmolin Ândrea Carla , Gaiotto Fernanda Amato , Mielke Marcelo Schramm
Published: April 2023

Palms (Arecaceae) exert great relevance to the structure and functioning of tropical forest ecosystems, in addition to comprise key resources for frugivorous animals. However, many species are currently at risk of extinction due to overexploitation and/or habitat loss. Our study aimed to perform a systematic review with a scientometric approach of all 78 native palm species of the Brazilian Atlantic Forest, seeking to identify the best‐studied species and regions, main studied topics, overall patterns, trends and gaps in scientific research associated with this botany family. In total, studies were carried out for 48 species belonging to 10 genera, with the number of studies exponentially increasing from the 70s and exhibiting great difference in the number of publications among species. Euterpe edulis was the most studied species (n = 274), followed by Acrocomia aculeata (n = 205), whereas Bactris bahiensis (1), Geonoma litoralis (1), Syagrus santosii (1) and Trithrinax acanthocoma (0) comprised the less studied species. The largest number of studies was carried out in the south‐eastern states of Brazil. Regarding the type of studies, 34% and 27% were related to biochemical properties and ecological processes, respectively, while studies on entomology (n = 26), tissue culture (n = 23) and taxonomy (n = 7) showed the lowest number of studies. Given the key role of palms in tropical forests, our study suggests that future research should focus on less studied species, including Desmoncus spp., Geonoma spp. and Trithrinax sp., and on some less studied areas like the north‐east portion of the Atlantic Forest.
Uptake, experiences and barriers to cervical screening for trans and non‐binary people in Aotearoa New Zealand
Authors: Carroll Rona , Tan Kyle K. H. , Ker Alex , Byrne Jack L. , Veale Jaimie F.
Published: April 2023

Background

Little is known about experiences and barriers for trans and non‐binary (TGNB) people eligible for cervical screening in Aotearoa New Zealand.

Aims

To identify uptake, barriers and reasons for delaying cervical cancer screening among TGNB people in Aotearoa.

Materials and Methods

The 2018 Counting Ourselves data on TGNB people assigned female at birth aged 20–69 years who had ever had sex, were analysed to report on experiences of those who were eligible for cervical screening (n = 318). Participants answered questions about whether they had taken part in cervical screening and reasons behind any delays in receiving the test.

Results

Trans men were more likely than non‐binary participants to report that they did not require cervical screening or were unsure if they needed it. For those who had delayed cervical screening, 30% did so due to feeling worried about how they would be treated as a trans or non‐binary person and 35% due to another reason. Other reasons for delay related to general and gender‐related discomfort, previous traumatic experiences, anxiety or fear of the test and pain. Material barriers to access included cost and lack of information.

Conclusions

The current cervical screening program in Aotearoa does not consider the needs of TGNB people, leading to delayed and reduced uptake of cervical screening. Health providers require education on the reasons TGNB people delay or avoid cervical screening in order to provide appropriate information and affirmative healthcare environments. The human papillomavirus self‐swab may address some of the existing barriers.
A Costly Commitment: Populism, Economic Performance, and the Quality of Bureaucracy
Authors: Bellodi Luca , Morelli Massimo , Vannoni Matia
Published: April 2023

We study the consequences of populism for economic performance and the quality of bureaucracy. When voters lose trust in representative democracy, populists strategically supply unconditional policy commitments that are easier to monitor for voters. When in power, populists try to implement their policy commitments regardless of financial constraints and expert assessment of the feasibility of their policies, worsening government economic performance and dismantling resistance from expert bureaucrats. With novel data on more than 8,000 Italian municipalities covering more than 20 years, we estimate the effect of electing a populist mayor with a close‐election regression discontinuity design. We find that the election of a populist mayor leads to smaller repayments of debts, a larger share of procurement contracts with cost overruns, higher turnover among top bureaucrats—driven by forced rather than voluntary departures—and a sharp decrease in the percentage of postgraduate bureaucrats.
Freshwater turtle admissions to a wildlife hospital in South‐East Queensland, Australia over an eleven‐year period, 2010–2021
Authors: O'Leary KS , Hill A , Doneley RJT
Published: April 2023

Introduction

Freshwater turtles in South‐East Queensland face a multitude of anthropogenic threats that threaten their survival. Research exploring the morbidity and mortality of animals presented to wildlife hospitals has been used globally to assess the health of species populations, investigate anthropogenic interference and provide valuable information to veterinary professionals about ailments common to a particular species.

Materials and methods

Medical records of 1739 chelonian patients admitted to Currumbin Wildlife Hospital, Currumbin, Queensland, Australia between March 2010 and March 2021 were analysed to obtain data on species, diagnoses, outcome and temporal trends.

Results

Six species of freshwater turtles were observed, with the Brisbane River turtle (Emydura macquarii signata) being the most common. While there was no significant trend in the number of cases over the study period, there was a decline in the number of Saw‐shell turtles (Myuchelys latisternum) admitted each year. Admissions peaked in autumn and summer, likely coinciding with nesting and hatchling emergence. Trauma was the most common diagnosis, accounting for 83% of cases, and saw a decreasing incidence during the study period. In contrast, there was an increasing number of turtles presenting with disease within the same period. Overall, 67.4% of turtles were able to be released after a period of treatment, while 32.6% were euthanised or died due to their condition. Turtles presenting for trauma had the most favourable prognosis, and disease held the poorest prognosis.

Conclusion and clinical relevance

These results confirmed that there are significant anthropogenic threats to freshwater turtle populations in South‐East Queensland.