bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
First Clinical Experience With Ophthalmic e-Device for Unaided Patient Self-Examination During COVID-19 Lockdown
Authors: van der Star Lydia , Mulders-Al-Saady Rana , Phan Alex , Truong Buu , Suen Benjamin , Krijgsman Marina , Persoons Robin , Bourgonje Vincent J. A. , van Dijk Korine , Talke Frank E. , Melles Gerrit R. J.
Published: November 2021

Purpose:

The aim of this study was to describe a new type of medical device that allows for internet-enabled patient self-screening, without the aid of an ophthalmic professional, through biomicroscopy self-imaging and self-measurement of the best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA).

Methods:

In this prospective nonrandomized comparative study, 56 patients were instructed to screen their own eyes using a custom-built e-Device containing miniaturized slitlamp optics and a visual acuity Snellen chart virtually projected at 20 ft. BCVA measurements were recorded, and biomicroscopic videos were scored for image quality of the anterior segment status on a scale from 1 to 5 (1 = poor and 5 = excellent) by a blinded observer.

Results:

After a short instruction, all patients were able to self-image their eyes and perform a self-BCVA measurement using the e-Device. Patient self-image quality with the e-Device scored on average 3.3 (±0.8) for videos (n = 76) and 3.6 (±0.6) for photographs (n = 49). Self-BCVA measurement was within 1 Snellen line from routine BCVA levels in 66 of 72 eyes (92%). When compared with conventional biomicroscopy, patient self-biomicroscopy allowed for recognition of the relevant pathology (or absence thereof) in 26 of 35 eyes (74%); 9 cases showed insufficient image quality attributed to device operating error (n = 6) and mild corneal edema and/or scarring (n = 3). Patient satisfaction with the device was 4.4 (±0.9).

Conclusions:

An e-Device for combined BCVA self-measurement and biomicroscopy self-imaging may have potential as an aid in remote ophthalmic examination in the absence of an ophthalmic professional and may be considered for patients who are unable to visit an ophthalmic clinic for routine follow-up.
Corneal Neurotization Using the Great Auricular Nerve for Bilateral Congenital Trigeminal Anesthesia
Authors: Lau Nicola , Osborne Sarah F. , Vasquez-Perez Alfonso , Wilde Caroline L. , Manisali Mehmet , Jayaram Rahul
Published: November 2021

Purpose:

The purpose of this study was to describe an indirect corneal neurotization (CN) technique for congenital bilateral trigeminal anesthesia using the greater auricular nerve (GAN) as a donor.

Method:

CN was performed to preserve the integrity of the only seeing eye in a 4-year-old boy with pontine tegmental cap dysplasia and bilateral trigeminal anesthesia. He had recurrent corneal ulceration and scarring despite full medical treatment. The GAN was used as a donor, and the sural nerve was harvested and used as a bridge which was tunneled to the sub-Tenon space in the inferior fornix. The fascicles were distributed into the 4 quadrants and sutured to the sclera near the limbus.

Result:

This technique resulted in providing corneal sensation and improving stability of the epithelium. Corneal opacity gradually decreased allowing significant visual improvement evidenced in the early postoperative months.

Conclusions:

Using the GAN technique for CN bypasses trigeminal innervation and has the potential to improve corneal sensation. The GAN is a large caliber nerve and provides a large amount of axons and robust neurotization. This technique would be desirable for cases with bilateral congenital trigeminal anesthesia, such as pontine tegmental cap dysplasia.
Primary Pyomyositis Caused by Kingella kingae in a 21-Month-old Infant
Authors: Chargui Moez , De Marco Giacomo , Steiger Christina , Borner Benoit , Habre Céline , Dayer Romain , Ceroni Dimitri
Published: November 2021

The authors report a rare case of an unusual primary pyomyositis of the biceps cruralis assigned to Kingella kingae in a 21-month-old girl. The reported case demonstrated that primary pyomyositis may be encountered during invasive infection due to K. kingae even if this manifestation remains rare. This bacterial etiology must, therefore, be evoked when a primary pyomyositis is observed, and this is in particular in children under 4 years of age.
Developing and Aligning a Safety Event Taxonomy for Inpatient Psychiatry
Authors: Barnes Todd , Fontaine Thomas , Bautista Cynthia , Lee Jaeyon , Stanley Rebecca
Published: November 2021

Objective

The aim of this project was to develop and align an inpatient psychiatric safety event taxonomy that would blend well-established safety events with psychiatry-specific concerns.

Methods

A hybrid inductive-deductive thematic analysis was used to generate novel descriptive safety event categories for inpatient psychiatry and align these categories with an established taxonomic framework. In the inductive phase, an initial taxonomy was developed by describing the semantic subject and context of reported safety concerns. In the deductive phase, existing literature, national standards, and local content experts were used to align our taxonomy with the safety event measurement system at our institution.

Results

A total of 2291 events were extracted and 483 were analyzed. After thorough review, the data was divided into 4 domains: (1) Provision of care, (2) patient actions, (3) environment/equipment, and (4) safety culture. Each domain reflects a mutually exclusive typology of events and provides a parsimonious view of safety concerns in inpatient psychiatry. Each domain was further divided into categories, subcategories, and subcategory details.

Conclusions

Safety events on inpatient psychiatric units are understudied and lack the measurement infrastructure to identify care processes that result in exposure to harm. We develop and align an inpatient psychiatric safety taxonomy based on real-world data, existing literature, and measurement standards. This taxonomy can be used by psychiatric hospitals to improve their patient safety measurement systems—and ultimately—the safety of their patients and communities.
Why do plasmids manipulate the expression of bacterial phenotypes?
Authors: Billane Kathryn , Harrison Ellie , Cameron Duncan , Brockhurst Michael A.
Published: November 2021

Conjugative plasmids play an important role in bacterial evolution by transferring niche-adaptive traits between lineages, thus driving adaptation and genome diversification. It is increasingly clear, however, that in addition to this evolutionary role, plasmids also manipulate the expression of a broad range of bacterial phenotypes. In this review, we argue that the effects that plasmids have on the expression of bacterial phenotypes may often represent plasmid adaptations, rather than mere deleterious side effects. We begin by summarizing findings from untargeted omics analyses, which give a picture of the global effects of plasmid acquisition on host cells. Thereafter, because many plasmids are capable of both vertical and horizontal transmission, we distinguish plasmid-mediated phenotypic effects into two main classes based upon their potential fitness benefit to plasmids: (i) those that promote the competitiveness of the host cell in a given niche and thereby increase plasmid vertical transmission, and (ii) those that promote plasmid conjugation and thereby increase plasmid horizontal transmission. Far from being mere vehicles for gene exchange, we propose that plasmids often act as sophisticated genetic parasites capable of manipulating their bacterial hosts for their own benefit.

This article is part of the theme issue ‘The secret lives of microbial mobile genetic elements’.
Translational demand is not a major source of plasmid-associated fitness costs
Authors: Rodríguez-Beltrán Jerónimo , León-Sampedro Ricardo , Ramiro-Martínez Paula , de la Vega Carmen , Baquero Fernando , Levin Bruce R. , San Millán Álvaro
Published: November 2021

Plasmids are key drivers of bacterial evolution because they are crucial agents for the horizontal transfer of adaptive traits, such as antibiotic resistance. Most plasmids entail a metabolic burden that reduces the fitness of their host if there is no selection for plasmid-encoded genes. It has been hypothesized that the translational demand imposed by plasmid-encoded genes is a major mechanism driving the fitness cost of plasmids. Plasmid-encoded genes typically present a different codon usage from host chromosomal genes. As a consequence, the translation of plasmid-encoded genes might sequestrate ribosomes on plasmid transcripts, overwhelming the translation machinery of the cell. However, the pervasiveness and origins of the translation-derived costs of plasmids are yet to be assessed. Here, we systematically altered translation efficiency in the host cell to disentangle the fitness effects produced by six natural antibiotic resistance plasmids. We show that limiting translation efficiency either by reducing the number of available ribosomes or their processivity does not increase plasmid costs. Overall, our results suggest that ribosomal paucity is not a major contributor to plasmid fitness costs.

This article is part of the theme issue ‘The secret lives of microbial mobile genetic elements’.
CRISPR-Cas is associated with fewer antibiotic resistance genes in bacterial pathogens
Authors: Pursey Elizabeth , Dimitriu Tatiana , Paganelli Fernanda L. , Westra Edze R. , van Houte Stineke
Published: November 2021

The acquisition of antibiotic resistance (ABR) genes via horizontal gene transfer (HGT) is a key driver of the rise in multidrug resistance amongst bacterial pathogens. Bacterial defence systems per definition restrict the influx of foreign genetic material, and may therefore limit the acquisition of ABR. CRISPR-Cas adaptive immune systems are one of the most prevalent defences in bacteria, found in roughly half of bacterial genomes, but it has remained unclear if and how much they contribute to restricting the spread of ABR. We analysed approximately 40 000 whole genomes comprising the full RefSeq dataset for 11 species of clinically important genera of human pathogens, including
Enterococcus
,
Staphylococcus
,
Acinetobacter
and
Pseudomonas
. We modelled the association between CRISPR-Cas and indicators of HGT, and found that pathogens with a CRISPR-Cas system were less likely to carry ABR genes than those lacking this defence system. Analysis of the mobile genetic elements (MGEs) targeted by CRISPR-Cas supports a model where this host defence system blocks important vectors of ABR. These results suggest a potential ‘immunocompromised’ state for multidrug-resistant strains that may be exploited in tailored interventions that rely on MGEs, such as phages or phagemids, to treat infections caused by bacterial pathogens.

This article is part of the theme issue ‘The secret lives of microbial mobile genetic elements’.
Conjugative plasmid transfer is limited by prophages but can be overcome by high conjugation rates
Authors: Igler Claudia , Schwyter Lukas , Gehrig Daniel , Wendling Carolin Charlotte
Published: November 2021

Antibiotic resistance spread via plasmids is a serious threat to successfully fight infections and makes understanding plasmid transfer in nature crucial to prevent the rise of antibiotic resistance. Studies addressing the dynamics of plasmid conjugation have yet neglected one omnipresent factor: prophages (viruses integrated into bacterial genomes), whose activation can kill host and surrounding bacterial cells. To investigate the impact of prophages on conjugation, we combined experiments and mathematical modelling. UsingEscherichia coli, prophageλand the multidrug-resistant plasmid RP4 we find that prophages can substantially limit the spread of conjugative plasmids. This inhibitory effect was strongly dependent on environmental conditions and bacterial genetic background. Our empirically parameterized model reproduced experimental dynamics of cells acquiring either the prophage or the plasmid well but could only reproduce the number of cells acquiring both elements by assuming complex interactions between conjugative plasmids and prophages in sequential infections. Varying phage and plasmid infection parameters over empirically realistic ranges revealed that plasmids can overcome the negative impact of prophages through high conjugation rates. Overall, the presence of prophages introduces an additional death rate for plasmid carriers, the magnitude of which is determined in non-trivial ways by the environment, the phage and the plasmid.

This article is part of the theme issue ‘The secret lives of microbial mobile genetic elements’.
What makes a megaplasmid?
Authors: Hall James P. J. , Botelho João , Cazares Adrian , Baltrus David A.
Published: November 2021

Naturally occurring plasmids come in different sizes. The smallest are less than a kilobase of DNA, while the largest can be over three orders of magnitude larger. Historically, research has tended to focus on smaller plasmids that are usually easier to isolate, manipulate and sequence, but with improved genome assemblies made possible by long-read sequencing, there is increased appreciation that very large plasmids—known as megaplasmids—are widespread, diverse, complex, and often encode key traits in the biology of their host microorganisms. Why are megaplasmids so big? What other features come with large plasmid size that could affect bacterial ecology and evolution? Are megaplasmids 'just' big plasmids, or do they have distinct characteristics? In this perspective, we reflect on the distribution, diversity, biology, and gene content of megaplasmids, providing an overview to these large, yet often overlooked, mobile genetic elements.

This article is part of the theme issue ‘The secret lives of microbial mobile genetic elements’.
To catch a hijacker: abundance, evolution and genetic diversity of P4-like bacteriophage satellites
Authors: Moura de Sousa Jorge A. , Rocha Eduardo P. C.
Published: November 2021

Bacteriophages (phages) are bacterial parasites that can themselves be parasitized by phage satellites. The molecular mechanisms used by satellites to hijack phages are sometimes understood in great detail, but the origins, abundance, distribution and composition of these elements are poorly known. Here, we show that P4-like elements are present in more than 30% of the genomes of Enterobacterales, and in almost half of those of
Escherichia coli
, sometimes in multiple distinct copies. We identified over 1000 P4-like elements with very conserved genetic organization of the core genome and a few hotspots with highly variable genes. These elements are never found in plasmids and have very little homology to known phages, suggesting an independent evolutionary origin. Instead, they are scattered across chromosomes, possibly because their integrases are often exchanged with other elements. The rooted phylogenies of hijacking functions are correlated and suggest longstanding coevolution. They also reveal broad host ranges in P4-like elements, as almost identical elements can be found in distinct bacterial genera. Our results show that P4-like phage satellites constitute a very distinct, widespread and ancient family of mobile genetic elements. They pave the way for studying the molecular evolution of antagonistic interactions between phages and their satellites.

This article is part of the theme issue ‘The secret lives of microbial mobile genetic elements’.
Plasmid co-infection: linking biological mechanisms to ecological and evolutionary dynamics
Authors: Igler Claudia , Huisman Jana S. , Siedentop Berit , Bonhoeffer Sebastian , Lehtinen Sonja
Published: November 2021

As infectious agents of bacteria and vehicles of horizontal gene transfer, plasmids play a key role in bacterial ecology and evolution. Plasmid dynamics are shaped not only by plasmid–host interactions but also by ecological interactions between plasmid variants. These interactions are complex: plasmids can co-infect the same cell and the consequences for the co-resident plasmid can be either beneficial or detrimental. Many of the biological processes that govern plasmid co-infection—from systems that exclude infection by other plasmids to interactions in the regulation of plasmid copy number—are well characterized at a mechanistic level. Modelling plays a central role in translating such mechanistic insights into predictions about plasmid dynamics and the impact of these dynamics on bacterial evolution. Theoretical work in evolutionary epidemiology has shown that formulating models of co-infection is not trivial, as some modelling choices can introduce unintended ecological assumptions. Here, we review how the biological processes that govern co-infection can be represented in a mathematical model, discuss potential modelling pitfalls, and analyse this model to provide general insights into how co-infection impacts ecological and evolutionary outcomes. In particular, we demonstrate how beneficial and detrimental effects of co-infection give rise to frequency-dependent selection on plasmid variants.

This article is part of the theme issue ‘The secret lives of microbial mobile genetic elements’.
Unraveling a Bacterial Starvation Response Through the Direct Targets of a Starvation-Induced Transcriptional Activator
Authors: Ma Muqing , Li Ting , Lemon David J. , Caro Eduardo A. , Ritchie Linnea , Ryan Charles , Spearing Victoria M. , Welch Roy D. , Garza Anthony G. , Murphy Kimberly A.
Published: November 2021

Organisms frequently encounter environments with nutrient shortages and their survival depends on changes in physiology and the ability to conserve resources. In bacteria, many physiological changes associated with starvation have been identified, but the underlying genetic components and regulatory networks that direct these physiological changes are often poorly defined. Here, we aimed to better define the gene regulatory networks that mediate the starvation response in Myxococcus xanthus, a bacterium that copes with starvation by producing fruiting bodies filled with dormant and stress-resistant spores. We focused on the direct promoter/gene targets of Nla28, a transcriptional activator/enhancer binding protein (EBP) that is important for early rounds of gene expression following starvation. Using expression profiling to identify genes that are downregulated in nla28 mutant cells and bioinformatics to identify the putative promoters of these genes, 12 potential promoter targets (37 genes) of Nla28 were identified. The results of in vitro promoter binding assays, coupled with in vitro and in vivo mutational analyses, suggested that the 12 promoters are in vivo targets of Nla28 and that Nla28 dimers use tandem, imperfect repeats of an 8-bp sequence for binding. Interestingly, nine of the Nla28 target promoters are intragenic, located in the protein coding sequence of an upstream gene or in the protein coding sequence of one gene within an operon (internal promoters). Based on mutational analyses, we concluded that the 12 Nla28 target loci contain at least one gene important for production of stress-resistant spores following starvation. Most of these loci contain genes predicted to be involved in regulatory or defense-related functions. Using the consensus Nla28 binding sequence, followed by bioinformatics and expression profiling, 58 additional promoters and 102 genes were tagged as potential Nla28 targets. Among these putative Nla28 targets, functions such as regulatory, metabolic and cell envelope biogenesis were commonly assigned to genes.
Active forces in confluent cell monolayers
Authors: Zhang Guanming , Yeomans Julia M.
Published: November 2021

We use a computational phase-field model together with analytical analysis to study how inter-cellular active forces can mediate individual cell morphology and collective motion in a confluent cell monolayer. Contractile inter-cellular interactions lead to cell elongation, nematic ordering and active turbulence, characterised by motile topological defects. Extensile interactions result in frustration, and perpendicular cell orientations become more prevalent. Furthermore, we show that contractile behaviour can change to extensile behaviour if anisotropic fluctuations in cell shape are considered.
Structural analysis of the sulfatase AmAS from Akkermansia muciniphila
Authors: Li Chang-Cheng , Tang Xin-Yue , Zhu Yi-Bo , Song Ying-Jie , Zhao Ning-Lin , Huang Qin , Mou Xing-Yu , Luo Gui-Hua , Liu Tong-Gen , Tong Ai-Ping , Tang Hong , Bao Rui
Published: November 2021

Akkermansia muciniphila, an anaerobic Gram-negative bacterium, is a major intestinal commensal bacterium that can modulate the host immune response. It colonizes the mucosal layer and produces nutrients for the gut mucosa and other commensal bacteria. It is believed that mucin desulfation is the rate-limiting step in the mucin-degradation process, and bacterial sulfatases that carry out mucin desulfation have been well studied. However, little is known about the structural characteristics of A. muciniphila sulfatases. Here, the crystal structure of the premature form of the A. muciniphila sulfatase AmAS was determined. Structural analysis combined with docking experiments defined the critical active-site residues that are responsible for catalysis. The loop regions I–V were proposed to be essential for substrate binding. Structure-based sequence alignment and structural superposition allow further elucidation of how different subclasses of formylglycine-dependent sulfatases (FGly sulfatases) adopt the same catalytic mechanism but exhibit diverse substrate specificities. These results advance the understanding of the substrate-recognition mechanisms of A. muciniphila FGly-type sulfatases. Structural variations around the active sites account for the different substrate-binding properties. These results will enhance the understanding of the roles of bacterial sulfatases in the metabolism of glycans and host–microbe interactions in the human gut environment.
Magnetic field and electromagnetic performance analysis of permanent magnet machines with segmented Halbach array
Authors: Zhang Heshan , Wang YanPeng , Tuo Jiying , Yang Minglei , Ma Ying , Xu Jin
Published: November 2021

Purpose

This study aims to accurately calculate the magnetic field distribution, which is a prerequisite for pre-design and optimization of electromagnetic performance. Accurate calculation of magnetic field distribution is a prerequisite for pre-design and optimization.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper proposes an analytical model of permanent magnet machines with segmented Halbach array (SHA-PMMs) to predict the magnetic field distribution and electromagnetic performance. The field problem is divided into four subdomains, i.e. permanent magnet, air-gap, stator slot and slot opening. The Poisson’s equation or Laplace’s equation of magnetic vector potential for each subdomain is solved. The field’s solution is obtained by applying the boundary conditions. The electromagnetic performances, such as magnetic flux density, unbalanced magnetic force, cogging torque and electromagnetic torque, are analytically predicted. Then, the influence of design parameters on the torque is explored by using the analytical model.

Findings

The finite element analysis and prototype experiments verify the analytical model’s accuracy. Adjusting the design parameters, e.g. segments per pole and air-gap length, can effectively increase the electromagnetic torque and simultaneously reduce the torque ripple.

Originality/value

The main contribution of this paper is to develop an accurate magnetic field analytical model of the SHA-PMMs. It can precisely describe complex topology, e.g. arbitrary segmented Halbach array and semi-closed slots, etc., and can quickly predict the magnetic field distribution and electromagnetic performance simultaneously.
Initial stress and heterogeneity effects on torsional waves in dry sand half-space between reinforced half-space and poroelastic medium
Authors: Poonem Latha Madhuri , Gurijala Rajitha , Ala Sindhuja , Perati Malla Reddy
Published: November 2021

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to investigate the effect of initial stress and heterogeneity on the propagation of torsional waves in dissipative medium. The problem consists of dry sand poroelastic half-space embedded between heterogeneous self-reinforced half-space and poroelastic medium. The frequency equation is derived in the framework of Biot's theory with some variants.

Design/methodology/approach

Torsional wave propagation in dry sand poroelastic half-space embedded between self-reinforced half-space and poroelastic medium. All the constituents here are assumed to be dissipative, heterogeneous and initial stressed.

Findings

Phase velocity and attenuation are computed against wavenumber for various values of self-reinforcement parameter, inhomogeneity parameter and initial stress. Particular cases are discussed in absence of dissipation. The numerical results are presented graphically.

Originality/value

Initial stress and heterogeneity effects on torsional waves in dry sand half-space between reinforced half-space and poroelastic medium are investigated. The frequency equation is derived, and which intern gives the phase velocity and attenuation coefficient for various values of initial stress, self-reinforcement parameter and heterogeneity parameter. From the numerical results, it is clear that as wavenumber varies phase velocity and attenuation are periodic in nature for all the cases. Particular cases are discussed in absence of dissipation. This kind of analysis can be extended to any elastic solid by taking magnetic, thermo and piezoelectric effects into account.
Dancing in the storm: finessing emergency remote teaching in the COVID-19 pandemic
Authors: Whittaker Louise , Pearson Hayley
Published: November 2021

Case overview

The Gordon Institute of Business Science (GIBS), a South African based business school and one of the top ranked business schools in Africa, was yet again facing a crisis during the COVID-19 pandemic. Having emerged out of an extraordinary year of strict lockdown regulations and having managed a rapid shift to emergency remote teaching. GIBS had managed to maintain its academic programmes, ensuring the completion of the curriculum within the academic year whilst maintaining the exceptionally high standards and quality learning experience it was known for. As 2020 drew to a close, the academic programmes team and the students looked forward to starting the new year in a more “normal” mode of operation. GIBS closed for Christmas holiday with the intent on returning, in early 2021, in some form of face-to-face teaching. However, on the 27th of December 2020, the President of South Africa announced a return to level-3 lockdown as the second wave of infections swept through the country. Strict measures were once again enforced, significantly impacting GIBS’ possible return to campus in January 2021. Reflecting on the lessons learnt over the past year, the Executive Director: Academic Programmes, Professor Louise Whittaker, yet again faced the challenge of deciding how best to proceed given the circumstances. The case illustrates the need for effective change management through the application of Kotter’s 8 steps to transformation, whilst demonstrating the complexity of change management during a crisis. A particular focus on the importance of communication during a change management process in a crisis is illustrated through this case.

Expected learning outcomes

The learning outcomes are as follows: students need to understand that in a crisis, change management will be emergent and requires flexibility and adaptability; students will determine what concrete actions may be required during a change management process in a crisis; students will need to discern that theoretical models do not necessarily fit real world contexts, particularly in a crisis situation; and students will identify aspects that might be missing or inadequately formulated in standard models of change management.

Complexity academic level

The case is positioned at a post-graduate level and would be ideal as a teaching case for business school students on a Master of Business Administration programme, a specialised business masters programme or selected executive education programmes for general managers or senior executives. The case can be taught in a course in the following fields, namely, change management, leadership or strategy.

Supplementary materials

Teaching notes are available for educators only.

Subject code

CSS 11: Strategy.
Beirut port blast: an escapable disaster in more than one way
Authors: Al Daia Roula , Khayr Yaacoub Hala
Published: November 2021

Complexity academic level

The blast at Beirut Port on the 4th of August was the cherry on the cake in a series of disastrous governmental failures manifested in the of lack of trust, an unprecedented economic crisis, hyperinflation, financial fallout, political bottle necks, toxic environmental situation and a vertical cleavage between the government and the people. The blast resulted in billions of dollars in losses both at the port and the surrounding Beirut area, destroyed more than 300,000 housing units, displaced their residents, ruined many artifacts of cultural heritage, injured thousands of people and killed hundreds. Definitely, it was a case of negligence in the storage of the Ammonium Nitrate, corruption, irresponsible leadership or all of these together. However, investigations are still underway to pinpoint the responsible individuals and to bring them to justice. This case looks at potential ways that could have prevented the blast, by questioning the reasons behind the non-voicing out of objections against the nature of the material stored unsafely for several years in Container 12 at the Port. Through the lens of Hadi Karim, a fictional character, the authors lead the readers to consider the disaster’s characterization, as well as applicable disaster management frameworks. The case also emphasizes the role of public leadership and leads the readers to consider measures and processes that could have been abided by to prevent the disaster.

Case overview

Against the backdrop of the recent Beirut Port explosion, this case examines how events unfolded leading up to the tragedy, highlighting how it could have been avoided, as well as the managerial and ethical dimensions involved.

Leaning objectives

At the end of the case, students will be able to: 1. Characterize the disaster in terms of type and nature. 2. Analyze the blast by referring to the relevant disaster management frameworks. 3. Analyze the critical role of ethical and transformational leaders pre and post disaster. 4. Reflect on the role of employees in preventing disasters mainly through whistleblowing.

Social implications

Shedding the light on an avoidable disaster, drawing lessons to avoid the occurrence of such events in the future, and raising awareness on disaster management and on whistleblowing as a tool in the ethical leader’s toolbox.

Supplementary materials

Teaching notes are available for educators only.

Subject code

CSS 10: Public Sector Management.
Public procurement capabilities as engines for collaboration and enhanced performance in complex projects
Authors: Santos Juliana Bonomi , Cabral Sandro
Published: November 2021

Purpose

This paper explores how public buyers' capabilities promote collaboration with private suppliers to obtain enhanced performance in complex projects.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors conducted two case studies on the procurement of complex military projects by the Brazilian armed forces involving public buyers and private suppliers. The authors followed the Gioia methodology to inductively analyze data from interviews, official documents, media articles and project meeting notes.

Findings

The authors identified public procurement capabilities that are antecedents of collaborative trust-based relationships with suppliers in complex public-private projects. The authors unpack these capabilities in three subsets: abilities to manage the bidding and contracting process, to handle relationships with prominent stakeholders, such as audit control bodies and to manage knowledge acquired within and across current and past projects. By developing these capabilities, public buyers can build collaborative trust-based relationships with suppliers, which enable the conciliation of operational performance (i.e. on-time delivery, budget and scope compliance) and policy goals (i.e. inclusion of local suppliers in supply chains).

Originality/value

The authors extend the literature on the enablers of trust and collaboration in buyer-supplier relationships by providing a detailed account of which capabilities are necessary on the buyer side in complex projects, especially when accountability standards create barriers for collaborative practices. The authors also reinforce the importance of the operations and supply chain management scholarship in policy debates by showing how buyer-supplier interactions can create value in complex projects with public and private sectors.
Analysis of the socioeconomic barriers in implementing public health measures to contain COVID-19 transmission in Pakistan: a DELPHI–DEMATEL-based approach
Authors: Ali Sharafat , Faizi Bushra , Waqas Hamid , Ahmed Waqas , Shah Syed Ahsan Ali
Published: November 2021

Purpose

The present study aims to identify and evaluate the socioeconomic barriers to effective COVID-19 pandemic transmission control in Pakistan.

Design/methodology/approach

The study identifies multiple socio-economic barriers through an extensive literature review. The preliminary analysis unveiled 15 socio-economic barriers. Nine experts were contacted to collect data and finalize the most prominent barriers to COVID-19 transmission control using the DELPHI method. The Decision-Making Trial and Evaluation Laboratory (DEMATEL) method was used to process and interpret the data collected and a cause–effect relationship was established among the barriers.

Findings

The finalized barriers to effective COVID-19 pandemic transmission control were evaluated using DEMATEL which grouped criteria into two grouped criteria – cause and effect. The DEMATEL analysis shows that poor safety culture, lack of strategy and goal setting, lack of resources, late realization and recognition of the pandemic problem and lack of expertise and capacity in disaster and risk management fall into the cause group. These factors are critical as they directly affect the remaining barriers identified in the study.

Originality/value

Despite the collective global efforts, the national economies have been struggling to completely control COVID-19 transmission control. Pakistan’s economy has been facing the third wave of the pandemic. It is mandatory to identify the barriers and evaluate them to develop a comprehensive strategy ensuring that there would be no fourth wave. The study identifies and evaluates the barriers to COVID-19 transmission control in Pakistan using the integrated DELPHI-DEMATEL framework. The findings would help the government, experts and strategists to develop a comprehensive disaster and risk management strategy.
Perceptions on adopting artificial intelligence and related technologies in libraries: public and academic librarians in North America
Authors: Yoon JungWon , Andrews James E. , Ward Heather L.
Published: November 2021

Purpose

This study aims to understand how artificial Intelligence (AI) and related technologies are currently being utilized in public and academic libraries and how librarians perceive the adoption of new technologies in their relative libraries.

Design/methodology/approach

Using an online survey questionnaire, the authors collected survey responses from both public and academic librarians that were subscribed to information science-centered listservs in North America. The quantitative survey responses (N = 242) were measured through use of multiple chi-square tests and crosstab analyses.

Findings

The current use and awareness of AI and related technologies were more reported from academic librarians; however, public librarians' reported perceptions on such technologies were generally more positive. In all, 67% of them responded that AI and related technologies will transform the library's functions, and 68% of librarians reported that they are interested in training. This study discussed the significance of training for preparing librarians for AI and related technologies and the further examination on the role of librarians in the new era.

Originality/value

This study examined public and academic librarians' perceptions toward the adoption of six emerging technologies which often appear in the LIS literature as well as addressed as the Fourth Industrial Revolution technologies.
Audit sampling strategies and frauds: an evidence from Africa
Authors: Nagirikandalage Padmi , Binsardi Arnaz , Kooli Kaouther
Published: November 2021

Purpose

This paper aims to investigate how professionals such as accountants, auditors, senior civil servants and academics perceive the use of audit sampling strategies adopted by professionals to increase detection rates of frauds and corruption within the public sector in Africa. It also examines the respondents’ perceived values regarding the reasons for committing frauds, types of fraud and corruption, as well as the aspects of audit sampling strategies to tackle frauds.

Design/methodology/approach

This research uses non-parametric statistics and logistic regression to analyse the respondents’ opinions regarding the state of frauds and corruption in Africa (particularly in Tunisia and non-Tunisia countries), the common factors behind people committing frauds, including the types of frauds and corruption and the respondents’ opinions on the use of audit sampling strategies (non-random and random) to examine the instances of frauds and corruption.

Findings

The findings indicate that most respondents prefer to use non-probabilistic audit sampling rather than more robust sampling strategies such as random sampling and systematic random sampling to detect frauds and corruption. In addition, although there are some minor statistical differences between the countries in terms of the respondents’ perceived values on skimming fraud and on the use of audit random sampling to tackle rampant corruption in Africa, the overall findings indicate that opinions do not significantly differ between the respondents from Tunisia and other countries in terms of the types of fraud, the reasons for committing fraud and the auditing sampling strategies used to investigate the frauds.

Research limitations/implications

This research serves as an analytical exploratory study to instigate further audit sampling research to combat rampant fraud and corruption in the public sector in Africa.

Originality/value

There are few or non-existent studies investigating the application of audit sampling strategies in Africa countries, particularly to examine the application of audit random sampling and audit non-random sampling strategies to detect fraudulent activities and corruption. Correspondingly, this research carries strategic implications for accountants and auditors to successfully detect fraudulent activities and corruption in Africa.
The Tragedy – And Legacy – Of Chen Wen-Chen
Authors: Smykla Margaret L.
Published: November 2021

In 1981, Chen Wen-chen, a statistics professor at Carnegie Mellon University, left the USA to visit family in Taiwan. He never returned. Forty years on from his tragic and suspicious death, friends and former colleagues remember a promising young academic, whose contributions to statistics were cut short, but whose hopes for a democratic Taiwan were eventually realised. Margaret L. Smykla of Carnegie Mellon University takes up the story
Taiwan, Democracy and Chen Wen-Chen
Authors: Duan Naihua , Hwang Chii-Ruey
Published: November 2021

The struggle for remembrance, and a glimmer of hope. By Naihua Duan and Chii-Ruey Hwang.
Metabolic engineering of Vibrio natriegens for anaerobic succinate production
Authors: Thoma Felix , Schulze Clarissa , Gutierrez‐Coto Carolina , Hädrich Maurice , Huber Janine , Gunkel Christoph , Thoma Rebecca , Blombach Bastian
Published: November 2021

The biotechnological production of succinate bears serious potential to fully replace existing petrochemical approaches in the future. In order to establish an economically viable bioprocess, obtaining high titre, yield and productivity is of central importance. In this study, we present a straightforward engineering approach for anaerobic succinate production with Vibrio natriegens, consisting of essential metabolic engineering and optimization of process conditions. The final producer strain V. natriegens Δlldh Δdldh Δpfl Δald Δdns::pycCg (Succ1) yielded 1.46 mol of succinate per mol of glucose under anaerobic conditions (85% of the theoretical maximum) and revealed a particularly high biomass‐specific succinate production rate of 1.33 gSucc gCDW−1 h−1 compared with well‐established production systems. By applying carbon and redox balancing, we determined the intracellular flux distribution and show that under the tested conditions the reductive TCA as well as the oxidative TCA/glyoxylate pathway contributed to succinate formation. In a zero‐growth bioprocess using minimal medium devoid of complex additives and expensive supplements, we obtained a final titre of 60.4 gSucc l−1 with a maximum productivity of 20.8 gSucc l−1 h−1 and an overall volumetric productivity of 8.6 gSucc l−1 h−1 during the 7 h fermentation. The key performance indicators (titre, yield and productivity) of this first engineering approach in V. natriegens are encouraging and compete with costly tailored microbial production systems.
Identification of Soil Moisture–Precipitation Feedback Based on Temporal Information Partitioning Networks
Authors: Lou Wei , Liu Pan , Cheng Lei , Li Zejun
Published: November 2021

The underlying mechanisms by which soil moisture might affect precipitation are essential for weather prediction and climate change projection. Process‐based models that are capable of providing physical explanation are often tripped in concerns about model uncertainty in structure, data, and parameters, etc. The information theory has provided a new paradigm to explain the feedback system. This study focused on to identify the soil moisture–precipitation feedback based on direct long‐term observations using an information‐based method, Temporal Information Partitioning Networks (TIPNets). Normalized transfer entropy was proposed to describe feedback strength. In comparison with Granger causality and correlation, the TIPNets method was independent of parameterizations and spatiotemporal resolution effects, also elucidate information‐theoretic insights. The results in the case study of Illinois, indicated that soil moisture–precipitation feedback existed and was significant during May to mid‐July. The bidirectional dominant lags of 3–10 and 6–17 days were both shorter in summer. Areas with strong feedback were located in south‐central Illinois. Besides, the wooded grassland coverage was the most related land use type to feedback strength, which could be one kind of the positive feedback mechanism in Illinois.
Differential validation of nursing diagnoses: An integrative literature review on the use of the method
Authors: Miguel Susana S. A. , Caldeira Sílvia , Morais Sheila Coelho Ramalho Vasconcelos , Lopes Camila Takao , Lopes Marcos Venicios , de Carvalho Emília Campos
Published: November 2021

Purpose

This review aimed to analyze the use of differential validation of nursing diagnosis.

Methods

Integrative literature review with search on international databases. The diagnoses, the type of the diagnosis differential validation, the sample, the method, main results, and the limitations were extracted. Ten studies were included.

Findings

Differential diagnostic validation publication dates from 1994, and Brazil was the predominant country.

Conclusions

This method seems helpful in improving diagnosis accuracy, particularly those related to subjective, behavioral, or complex human responses.

Implications for nursing practice

Using this model may facilitate understanding the specificity of nursing diagnosis, which is critical for teaching clinical reasoning and for new opportunities to research.
Have we lost sight of the women? An observational study about normality‐centred care in Australian maternity services
Authors: Ananthram Harsha , Vangaveti Venkat , Rane Ajay
Published: November 2021

Background

Prioritising normal birth has led to harm in some instances in the United Kingdom. While Australian organisations also promote normal birth, its negative impact is less well understood here.

Aims

This study explores the problems that may arise from the promotion of normal birth and the quality of clinical incident investigations.

Materials and Methods

This study uses a survey‐based research design and has received 1278 responses. The main outcome measures include perceptions on bias against interventions, delays in interventions, systemic attempts to reduce caesarean rates, and clinical incident investigations.

Results

The perception among both obstetric and midwifery cohorts is that the promotion of normal birth may sometimes or frequently lead to bias against intervention for women (93.8% vs 63.2%), bias against intervention for clinicians (81.1% vs 53.1%), delays in interventions (86.8% vs 37.4%), maternal request caesarean sections being discouraged (81.2% vs 66.9%), an increased emphasis on vaginal birth after caesarean (88.1% vs 69.3%), and a culture of vaginal births ‘at all costs’ leading to poor outcomes for mothers and babies (79.5% vs 24.7%). Respondents believe clinical incident investigations to be ‘frequently’ independent (48% vs 48.2%) but engagement of women in these processes is often missing or ‘rarely’ seen (46.6% vs 51.7%).

Conclusions

This study finds that Australian maternity healthcare providers believe institutional encouragement of normal birth has created work practices in maternity care that compromise patient safety and reduce the agency of the woman in the choices she makes. Current regulatory standards must change to reflect core ethical and legal obligations around informed consent.
Regrets over “me” versus regrets over “us”: The influence of culture on action versus inaction regrets
Authors: Namkoong Jae‐eun , Ro Joon H. , Hur Taekyun , Choi Eunsoo
Published: November 2021

As with other cognitively determined emotional experiences, regret is shaped by and expressed in a particular cultural milieu. However, past research on regret has primarily been conducted in Western cultures, especially the United States, and cross‐cultural research has been limited. In three studies, we employed various methods (survey, social media data, and experiment) to examine how regret is experienced differently in South Korea (a collectivistic culture) and in the United States (an individualistic culture). We discovered that regret experiences were dependent on the life domain in the collectivistic culture—individuals in this culture were more likely to be prevention‐oriented and regretful about actions (what they have done) in social domains but more promotion‐oriented and regretful about inactions (what they have failed to do) in personal domains. In comparison, those in the individualistic culture were more likely to regret inactions regardless of life domains, a tendency associated with a promotion focus.