bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Has the pandemic affected the motivation and job satisfaction of university researchers? A case study from France
Authors: Goncharuk Anatoliy , Vinot Didier
Published: October 2023

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to determine whether the pandemic affects the motivation and job satisfaction of university researchers as a whole and by their separate groups by gender, age, academic position (career stage) and degree.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors studied French universities for changes in motivation and job satisfaction among researchers under the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. For this, two hypotheses were tested, using the one-way ANOVA parametric test and the Kruskal–Wallis nonparametric statistical test with the data collected during the in-depth interviews and surveys with university researchers from the Paris Diderot University and Jean Moulin University of Lyon III in 2019 and 2021.

Findings

There were found significant differences between changes in motivation and job satisfaction of respondent groups by gender, career stage and scientific degrees. All these differences in changes confirm hypothesis about the significant impact of the pandemic on certain motivators and elements of job satisfaction of various groups of university researchers. The study showed that pandemic restrictions and fears positively affect the motivation and job satisfaction of the younger generation of researchers and males, and negatively on the older generation and female researchers. During the pandemic, early-stage researchers are mostly unhappy only with the salary and the lack of teaching skills. While experienced and senior researchers do not have time to fulfill all their duties due to overload by a combination of different forms of teaching, many teaching hours, administrative duties and mastering new communication tools.

Research limitations/implications

The results capture the selective impact of pandemic restrictions, its physical and mental effects on academic staff. Although only two universities in a single country were considered, the findings show the heterogeneity of the perception of new (pandemic) working conditions by different groups of university workers. If such heterogeneity is revealed in the example of two universities, then it is very likely to be observable also in broader studies.

Practical implications

The results of this study can help university administrations, higher education regulators and national research agencies address the needs of all groups of researchers, alleviating the most acute restrictions and fears caused by the pandemic and providing the necessary incentives for relevant groups, e.g. higher salary, teaching school and awards for young researchers and a lower teaching loading for experienced and senior researchers.

Originality/value

This is the first study that define pandemic impact on motivation and job satisfaction of university researchers in France.
Effects of time-varying political connections on loan contracts
Authors: Fang Hao , Wang Chieh-Hsuan , Shieh Joseph C.P. , Chung Chien-Ping
Published: October 2023

Purpose

The authors construct two time-varying political connection (PC) indexes to measure a firm's political tendencies toward ruling and opposing parties and analyze whether a firm with ruling party tendencies obtains better bank loan contracts compared to the contracts obtained by a firm with opposing party tendencies and a firm with fixed PC tendencies.

Design/methodology/approach

Linguistic text mining is used to construct the two time-varying PC indexes from news sources that reflect the tone and frequencies of characteristic texts to determine a firm's tendencies to favor the ruling or opposing parties.

Findings

The results show that varying PC firms connected to the ruling party receive preferential loan contracts when their political tendencies increase but varying PC firms connected to the opposition party do not. In contrast, fixed PC firms gain similar benefits only when the connection is determined in the presidential election year but not in other years. Firms supporting two parties receive minimal financial rewards in terms of loan terms.

Originality/value

In past studies, once a firm is identified as having a connection with a political party, it is assumed to have PC throughout the sample period (i.e. fixed PC firms). The authors lift this assumption and examine how varying PC affect bank loan contracts. The two time-varying PC indexes can identify a firm's more immediate party tendencies and more precise effects of a firm's party tendencies on bank loan contracts.
Reflections on gaps in public sector leadership development theory
Authors: Marcy Richard T.
Published: October 2023

Purpose

This paper explores some of the gaps and contradictions that can often be found in public sector leader development approaches and then examines some of the theoretical assumptions related to these gaps and contradictions. The purpose of this examination is to further identify and define some corresponding gaps within public sector leadership development theory, as well as to encourage future theory development.

Design/methodology/approach

Using three common examples of contradictions often found within the leadership literature, gaps within public sector leadership development theory are identified and then linked to relevant components of leader development models found within other disciplines. As they were developed in other contexts, these components were then further reviewed to determine their potential applicability in speaking to the gaps often found in public sector leader development theory.

Findings

Proposals are made to address some of the common gaps and contradictions often identified in some public sector leader development approaches, along with the detailing of future research directions for the further development of theory.

Originality/value

This exploratory review highlights some of the central assumptions and gaps in the literature for the purpose of clarifying future directions of research into public sector leadership development theory.
Investigating potential tourists' attitudes toward artificial intelligence services: a market segmentation approach
Authors: Choe Ja Young (Jacey) , Opoku Emmanuel Kwame , Cuervo Javier Calero , Adongo Raymond
Published: October 2023

Purpose

This study profiles and segments potential tourists on the basis of their various attitudes toward artificial intelligence (AI) services. Furthermore, this study distinguishes descriptors among the different clusters, such as preference for using diverse AI services, overall image of AI services, willingness to use AI services (WUAI), willingness to pay more for AI services (WPAI) in tourism and hospitality, and characteristics of respondents.

Design/methodology/approach

An online survey was conducted in South Korea. Data on 758 potential tourists were used for K-means cluster analysis.

Findings

This study identified three distinct tourist segments with differentiated attitudes toward AI services: the group aspiring to use or fantasizing about AI services (Cluster 1), the group being knowledgeable and supportive of AI services (Cluster 2), and the group having low interest about AI services (Cluster 3).

Practical implications

Members of Cluster 2 were the most marketable as this segment exhibited the greatest knowledge of and support for AI services, while Cluster 1 would be an ideal segment to launch and test novel AI services.

Originality/value

This study extends the authors’ knowledge of AI scholarship by unpacking the existing market segments, which could be tapped to sustain AI penetration in the tourism industry. Hence, this study contributes to existing debates on AI scholarship, which is predominated by conceptual reflections and issues of AI services in the tourism and hospitality field.
How to orchestrate participants of ecosystem to foster innovation: an exploratory analysis on the network level
Authors: Prabowo Gilang Mukti , Priyono Anjar , Suhartini  , Hidayat Anas
Published: October 2023

Purpose

Small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), typically with limited resources, strive hard to obtain the trust of ecosystem participants as an orchestrator. Accordingly, the firms do not have sufficient legitimacy to persuade other parties to join their networks. This study aims to investigate how an SME operating in the publishing industry orchestrates ecosystem participants. In particular, the study analyzes how the orchestrating firm stimulates interactions among ecosystem participants.

Design/methodology/approach

Case study research with a qualitative approach has been documented as a well-accepted method for investigating complex phenomena and for theory building. Collected data from various informants and different collection techniques are triangulated to ensure validity. Cross-case analysis to identify common patterns is undertaken as the basis for developing a sound conclusion.

Findings

The study demonstrated what orchestrating firms should do to foster innovations and how they benefit from other participants in the ecosystem. The analysis identified the orchestrator's four roles: entrepreneurship networks, knowledge activation, innovation intermediary and network leadership. Among the four roles, there are interrelationships, and to some degree, these overlap. The orchestrating firm must emerge into the ecosystem and work together with all members of the ecosystem. Managers of the orchestrating firm and network members should collaborate to find the most beneficial configuration for all ecosystem participants.

Research limitations/implications

This research is limited to the knowledge-intensive publishing industry. The use of specific industries closely related to innovation provides an advantage in the way that enables researchers to conduct depth analysis, but at the expense of generalizability, and therefore, future research can analyze different industries.

Originality/value

This study focuses on networks as the unit of analysis. Previous studies assumed individual firms as the unit of analysis and ignored the fact that companies interact with other companies when pursuing open innovation. The study focuses on the interactions between actors as the unit of analysis and on the role of orchestrators undertaken by an SME.
Till: using human rights education to examine citizenship and civil rights
Authors: Corrigan Sean
Published: October 2023

Purpose

This practitioner article uses human rights education (HRE) to frame issues of social justice, particularly anti-Black racism, depicted in the film Till. Teachers cognizant of the need to address racism in American history often struggle to find resources that are accessible and meaningful for their students (Howard and Navarro, 2017; Vickery and Rodriguez, 2022). Furthermore, the use of film in social studies instruction can be an engaging way for students to develop conceptual knowledge and grapple with sensitive issues in history education (Stoddard, 2012).

Design/methodology/approach

Till (2022) is a powerful film that teachers can use to pursue anti-racist goals in their classrooms, and HRE provides an approach to analyze a horrible manifestation of racism in American history as well as frame larger systems of injustice. By using widely accepted standards of human dignity, such as the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, teachers can address dimensions of oppression and inequality with a more “neutral” or objective approach.

Findings

Given the current political climate that instills fear in educators who teach about racism, HRE can empower social studies teachers to engage students in analysis of a dominant force in American life.

Originality/value

The lesson plan offered in this article includes a film viewing guide, enrichment opportunities and an activity that connects themes in Till and the Civil Rights Movement to human rights concepts.
Functionality of pea protein isolate solutions is affected by reconstitution conditions
Authors: Chen Shiying , Hall Alexandra E. , Moraru Carmen I.
Published: October 2023

Pea protein isolate (PPI), a high‐concentration protein ingredient derived from peas, is increasingly utilized in food applications, including beverages, meat or dairy alternatives, and baked goods. The protein extraction process typically used to manufacture PPI renders the protein highly denatured, which can have a negative impact on its functionality. Therefore, it is critical to understand how to prepare and utilize PPI to maximize its functionality. The current study evaluates the effect of select reconstitution conditions on the structure and functionality of PPI, across a range of protein concentrations (4%–10%) relevant to a variety of food applications. Temperature during reconstitution with water and hydration time impacted both protein hydration and its functionality. Increasing reconstitution temperature from 20 to 60°C and increasing hydration time from 10 to 40 min decreased PPI particle size in solution and increased PPI solubility. Viscosity of PPI solutions also increased with mild heating and longer hydration time, whereas their flow behavior was highly dependent on protein concentration. Experimental data demonstrates that reconstitution conditions have a significant impact on PPI functionality. These findings can help food formulators develop high‐quality food products that utilize PPI as a functional ingredient.

Practical Application

Protein in commercially available pea protein isolates (PPIs) is usually highly denatured, and thus, it is important to find ways to maximize its functionality in practical applications. The findings of this study inform food scientists how to leverage PPI at various protein concentrations with optimal reconstitution conditions to develop high‐quality products. Generally, mild heating and longer hydration times improve PPI functional performance.
To the future: An ecology of love, hope, and action
Authors: Woinarski John C. Z.
Published: October 2023

This is an edited version of a keynote address given at the 2023 Ecological Society of Australia conference (https://youtu.be/0JDJ9RdIkP4). I argue that the practice of ecology gifts us a unique capability to see and understand the beauty, intricacy and wonder of the natural world, but also powerful insight into biodiversity loss and its consequences. With such privilege we should take more responsibility for its protection. We should recognize that love drives our concern for nature and that emotion renders us more persuasive advocates. Despair at environmental loss is understandable but unhelpful, and we must find hope and build from it. Such hope comes, for example, from a sense of community connection to and concern for nature; in increasingly bold commitments by governments and many organizations to protect biodiversity; in the increased recognition and respect shown in Australia for First Nations management and perspectives on responsibility for country; and in those (albeit still too few) success stories of recovery.
Evaluation of the effect of graphene oxide‐based nanocomposites on smear layer by a scanning electron microscope: Laboratory investigation
Authors: Sehitoglu Gulbin , Cakici Fatih , Soylemez Saniye , Dengiz Cagatay
Published: October 2023

This study is to examine the effect of graphene oxide (GO) and GO‐based nanocomposites (GO_EDTA, GO_CHIT) on the smear layer by scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Sixty human single‐rooted anterior teeth were used. Samples were randomly categorised into six groups. Distilled water in group 1, 17% EDTA in group 2, chitosan (CHIT) solution in group 3, GO solution in group 4, GO_EDTA solution in group 5 and GO_CHIT in group 6 were used as irrigation solutions. Photomicrographs were acquired from the coronal, middle and apical parts of the samples by SEM. Statistical analyses were performed using Kruskal‐Wallis, Mann–Whitney U and Wilcoxon tests. There was a statistically significant difference among the groups (p < 0.003). Adding GO to CHIT and EDTA did not affect removing the smear layer in all segments (p < 0.003). Incorporating GO into EDTA and CHIT solutions did not change their interaction with the smear layer.
FDA on the verge of approving human clinical trial for artificial womb
Authors: Shah Aakash M.
Published: October 2023

Premature delivery is responsible for immense mortality and morbidity, partially owing to insufficient development of organs. Current supportive measures, like mechanical ventilation, are necessary to sustain life but have deleterious effects on the underdeveloped organs. A more physiological environment—the artificial womb—has been developed and is on the verge of approval for human clinical trials.
Oral Histories and Futures: Researching crises across the life‐course and the life‐course of crises
Authors: Hall Sarah Marie
Published: October 2023

This paper showcases Oral Histories and Futures interviews as an approach and series of innovations for researching crises with qualitative methods. It presents new possibilities for methodological innovations to embrace the multi‐directional and longitudinal temporalities of crises across the life‐course and the life‐course of crises. As an exciting avenue for methodological enhancement, I build on and bring together techniques across Oral Histories and creative biographical interviewing. Developed as part of a recent study exploring reproduction, economic crisis and the life‐course, with this approach I aimed to elicit people's experiences and opinions about their pasts, present and futures by innovating with traditional qualitative methodologies. I outline five areas of innovation—and associated observations, opportunities and obstacles—including a focus on younger generations, on the future, the inclusion of reflexive activities, interviewing in the midst of crises, and remote interviewing. Conclusions highlight what can be learned from an Oral Histories and Futures approach for thinking about socio‐temporal horizons.
Berberine ameliorates renal interstitial inflammation and fibrosis in mice with unilateral ureteral obstruction
Authors: Tan Enxue , Gao Zhihong , Wang Qian , Han Baosheng , Shi Honghong , Wang Lihua , Zhu Guozhen , Hou Yanjuan
Published: October 2023

Berberine acts via multiple pathways to alleviate fibrosis in various tissues and shows renoprotective effects. However, its role and underlying mechanisms in renal fibrosis remain unclear. Herein, we aimed to investigate the protective effects and molecular mechanisms of berberine against unilateral ureteric obstruction‐induced renal fibrosis. The results indicated that berberine treatment (50 mg/kg/day) markedly alleviated histopathological alterations, collagen deposition and inflammatory cell infiltration in kidney tissue and restored mouse renal function. Mechanistically, berberine intervention inhibited NOD‐like receptor family pyrin domain‐containing 3 (NLRP3) inflammasome activation and the levels of the inflammatory cytokine IL‐1β in the kidneys of unilateral ureteric obstruction mice. In addition, berberine relieved unilateral ureteric obstruction‐induced renal injury by activating adenosine monophosphate‐activated protein kinase (AMPK) signalling and promoting fatty acid β‐oxidation. In vitro models showed that berberine treatment prevented the TGF‐β1‐induced profibrotic phenotype of hexokinase 2 (HK‐2) cells, characterized by loss of an epithelial phenotype (alpha smooth muscle actin [α‐SMA]) and acquisition of mesenchymal marker expression (E‐cadherin), by restoring abnormal fatty acid β‐oxidation and upregulating the expression of the fatty acid β‐oxidation related‐key enzymes or regulators (phosphorylated‐AMPK, peroxisome proliferator activated receptor alpha [PPARα] and carnitine palmitoyltransferase 1A [CPT1A]). Collectively, berberine alleviated renal fibrosis by inhibiting NLRP3 inflammasome activation and protected tubular epithelial cells by reversing defective fatty acid β‐oxidation. Our findings might be exploited clinically to provide a potential novel therapeutic strategy for renal fibrosis.
Engaging marginal stakeholders on social networking sites. A cross‐country exploratory analysis among Generation Z consumers
Authors: Rossi Marco Valerio , Sasso Pasquale , Perna Andrea , Solima Ludovico
Published: October 2023

This research explores the marginal stakeholder engagement and propensity to value cocreation in the fast‐fashion industry by taking Generation Z consumers (GZCs) as observation unit and social networking sites (SNSs) as context of investigation. By undertaking 24 in‐depth interviews with US and Italian GZCs, the study uncovers the main elements that influence their engagement generation on SNSs and highlights that at least four main paradoxes (PXs) exist in this scenario. Specifically, the interviewees reported that they do not trust those brands that make them feel as marginal consumers (PX1) and that they are likely to be extremely loyal to those brands that actively take them into consideration in their activities on SNSs (PX2). In addition, although GZCs concerned about the environment, in most cases, they will buy repeatedly from fast‐fashion brands for convenience reasons (PX3). Finally, social dimension of GZCs engagement appears to be influenced by their peers' preferences (PX4). This research is the first that explored GZCs by considering them under the lenses of stakeholder engagement and offering novel insights about common believes on this generation of consumers. Therefore, theoretical and managerial implications are discussed to advance current knowledge on GZCs and to help the development of new strategies to engage them on SNSs.
Antiviral opportunities of Mannich bases derived from triterpenic N‐propargylated indoles
Authors: Petrova Anastasiya , Tretyakova Elena , Khusnutdinova Elmira , Kazakova Oxana , Slita Alexander , Zarubaev Vladimir , Ma Xinyuan , Jin Hongwei , Xu Huan , Xiao Sulong
Published: October 2023

Oleanolic and glycyrrhetic acids alkyne derivatives were synthesized as a result of propargylation of the indole NH‐group condensed with the triterpene A‐ring, the following aminomethylation led to a series of Mannich bases. The synthesized compounds were tested for their potential inhibition of influenza A/PuertoRico/8/34 (H1N1) virus in Madin‐Darby canine kidney (MDCK) cell culture and SARS‐CoV‐2 pseudovirus in baby hamster kidney‐21‐human angiotensin‐converting enzyme 2 (BHK‐21‐hACE2) cells. Mannich bases of oleanolic and glycyrrhetic acids N‐propargylated indoles 7, 8, and 12 were the most efficacious against influenza virus A with IC50 7–10 μM together with a low toxicity (CC50 > 145 μM) and high selectivity index SI value 20. Indolo‐oleanolic acid morpholine amide Mannich base holding N‐methylpiperazine moiety 9 showed anti‐SARS‐CoV‐2 pseudovirus activity with EC50 value of 14.8 μM. Molecular docking and dynamics modeling investigated the binding mode of the compounds 7 and 12 into the binding pocket of influenza A virus M2 protein and compound 9 into the RBD domain of SARS‐CoV‐2 spike glycoprotein.
Physical activity intervention improves executive function and language development during early childhood: The active early learning cluster randomized controlled trial
Authors: Olive Lisa S. , Telford Rohan M. , Westrupp Elizabeth , Telford Richard D.
Published: October 2023

This study aimed to determine the effects of the Active Early Learning (AEL) childcare center‐based physical activity intervention on early childhood executive function and expressive vocabulary via a randomized controlled trial. Three‐hundred‐and‐fourteen preschool children (134 girls) aged 3–5 years from 15 childcare centers were randomly assigned to the intervention (8 centers; n = 170 children) or control group (7 centers, n = 144 children) in May 2019. Participants were mostly Australian (85%) and from slightly higher areas of socio‐economic status than the Australian average. There was an AEL intervention effect on inhibition (β = 0.5, p = .033, d = 0.29) and expressive vocabulary (β = 1.97, p = .001, d = 0.24). Integration of the AEL physical activity intervention into the daily childcare routine was effective in enhancing children's executive function and expressive language development.
Impact of selexipag use within 12 months of pulmonary arterial hypertension diagnosis on hospitalizations and medical costs: A retrospective cohort study
Authors: Tsang Yuen , Stokes Michael , Kim Yong‐Jin , Tilney Rong , Panjabi Sumeet
Published: October 2023

Background

Oral selexipag, a prostacyclin pathway agent (PPA), is effective in patients with pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH). The objective of this study is to assess the impact of initiating oral selexipag within 12 months of diagnosis on health outcomes.

Methods

This retrospective cohort study used data from Optum's de‐identified Clinformatics® Data Mart Database. PAH patients between 1 October 2015 and 30 September 2019 were included. Patients were also required to have received PAH medication within 12 months of their initial diagnosis. Study groups included patients who initiated selexipag within 12 months of PAH diagnosis (SEL ≤ 12) and those who did not initiate any PPA within 12 months of PAH diagnosis (No PPA ≤ 12). Inverse probability of treatment weighting was used to remove potential confounding between groups. Cox and Poisson regression models were used to compare hospitalization and disease progression. Generalized linear model with gamma distribution and log link was used to compare costs.

Results

SEL ≤ 12 had lower rate of all‐cause hospitalizations (rate ratio: 0.76, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.60, 0.96) versus no PPA ≤ 12, but no differences in PAH‐related hospitalization rate (rate ratio: 1.03, 95% CI: 0.79, 1.33) or risk of disease progression (hazard ratio: 1.01, 95% CI: 0.71, 1.44). SEL ≤ 12 incurred lower all‐cause (mean difference: −$23 623; 95% CI: −35 537, −8512) and PAH‐related total medical costs (mean difference: −$12 927; 95% CI: −19 559, −5679) versus no PPA ≤ 12.

Conclusion

Selexipag initiation within 12 months of PAH diagnosis demonstrated reductions in all‐cause hospitalization rate and medical costs.
Examining the adequacy of preoperative informed consent in a developing country: Challenges in the era of surgical specialisation
Authors: Ede Osita , Obadaseraye Oke R. , Anichi Ifeanyi , Mbaeze Chisom , Udemezue Chukwuka O. , Basil‐Nwachuku Chinonso , Madu Kenechi A. , Iyidobi Emmanuel C. , Anyaehie Udo E. , Nwadinigwe Cajetan U. , Ngwangwa Chidinma , Adetula Uto Essien
Published: October 2023

Preoperative informed consent is a legal and ethical requirement that ensures patients understand a procedure, its associated risks and benefits, alternative treatment options, and potential complications to make an informed decision about their care. This cross‐sectional study evaluated the informed consent process for major orthopaedic surgeries at a tertiary hospital in Nigeria. A self‐administered questionnaire was used to collect data from 120 adult participants. Results showed that many patients do not read the consent form before signing it, and surgeons do not adequately explain the alternatives to surgery, potential risks, and available anaesthetic options. Higher‐educated patients are more likely to read the consent form. Surgeons performed well in explaining the nature of the condition and prognosis, the procedure's potential benefits, and answering patients' questions. The study emphasises the need to improve the informed consent process to ensure patients understand and can make rational decisions about their healthcare.
Spatio‐temporal species aggregations do not rule out interspecific competition in tree hollow spider assemblages
Authors: Martínez‐Devesa Gerard , Hernández‐Corral Jesús , Micó Estefanía
Published: October 2023

A community's biological diversity reflects coexistence between species. This often depends, to some extent, on whether there is competition for resources and how it is dealt with.

The nature of old‐growth tree hollows is confined and relatively isolated, which makes them ideal for investigating the competition phenomena between their inhabitants, such as Araneae.

The existence of interspecific competition in the structuring of tree hollow spider assemblages in Mediterranean forests was inferred by spatial co‐occurrence pattern analyses with null models at both the community and pairwise levels. The analysis included 36 spider species collected monthly with emergence traps for 1 year. The distribution of four ecological traits, body size and phenology on the resulting pattern type was discussed.

The analyses showed spatial segregation at the community level and spatial aggregations between species with different traits predominated at the pairwise level. Hunting strategy and body size were the main differential traits to facilitate these aggregations. In addition, only the aggregations led by Amaurobius scopolii–Scotophaeus scutulatus and Eratigena atrica–Liocranum majus also showed an overlap during their main activity period.

Community segregation and spatio‐temporal aggregations of species with differential traits suggest that interspecific competition is a very likely structuring factor of tree hollow spider assemblages. Instead, segregations at the pairwise level seem to result from other factors, for example, habitat preferences.
Clinical and radiographic features of external cervical resorption – An observational study
Authors: Patel Shanon , Abella Francesc , Patel Kreena , Lambrechts Paul , Al‐Nuaimi Nassr
Published: October 2023

Aim

To determine the prevalence of symptoms, clinical signs and radiographic presentation of external cervical resorption (ECR).

Methodology

This study involved 215 ECR lesions in 194 patients referred to the Endodontic postgraduate Unit at King's College London or Specialist Endodontic practice (London, UK). The clinical and radiographic findings (periapical [PA] and cone beam computed tomography [CBCT]) were readily accessible for evaluation. A checklist was used for data collection. Inferential analysis was carried out to determine if there was any potential association between type and location of tooth in the jaw as well as sex, age of the patient and ECR presentation and radiographic feature.

Results

Eighty‐eight patients (94 teeth) were female and 106 patients were male (121 teeth), the mean age (±SD) was 41.5 (±17.7) years. Fifteen patients (7.7%) had more than one ECR lesion. The most affected teeth were maxillary central incisors (21.4% [46 teeth]) and mandibular first molars (10.2% [22 teeth]). ECR was most commonly detected as an incidental radiographic finding in 58.1% [125 teeth] of the cases. ECR presented with symptoms of pulpal/periapical disease in 23.3% [n = 50] and clinical signs (e.g. pink spot, cavitation) in 16.7% [36 teeth] of the cases.

Clinical signs such as cavitation (14%), pink spot (5.1%) and discolouration (2.8%) were uncommon, but their incidence increased up to 24.7% when combined with other clinical findings. ECR was detected in the resorptive and reparative phases in 70.2% and 29.8% of the cases respectively.

Conclusion

ECR appears to be quiescent in nature, the majority being asymptomatic and diagnosed incidentally from PA or CBCT. When assessed with the Patel classification, most lesions were minimal to moderate in relation to their height (1 or 2) and circumferential spread (A or B). However, the majority of ECRs were in (close) proximity to the pulp. Symptoms and clinical signs were associated with (probable) pulp involvement rather than the height and circumferential spread of the lesion. Clinical signs were more frequently associated when ECR affected multiple surfaces.
Failure to launch? Or a 30‐year career detour? A users’ manual for supporting second‐career scientists in your immunology lab
Authors: Nazzaro M Nicole
Published: October 2023

Laboratory science sometimes looks like it's built exclusively for young people, but if you look closely, you’ll find another group of scientists waiting to join your lab: those of us who didn’t quite launch our careers on a normal trajectory. Welcoming a second‐career scientist into your lab takes time and resources, but may just be well worth it. Here's what one second‐career scientist wants you to know about supporting second careers in immunology.
A COMPARISON OF THE ABILITIES OF ACETYLSALICYLIC ACID, FLURBIPROFEN AND INDOMETHACIN TO INHIBIT THE RELEASE REACTION AND PROSTAGLANDIN SYNTHESIS IN HUMAN BLOOD PLATELETS
Authors: COCKBILL S.R. , HEPTINSTALL S. , TAYLOR PATRICIA M.
Published: October 2023

A quantitative comparison has been made of the abilities of acetylsalicylic acid, flurbiprofen and indomethacin to inhibit the adenosine diphosphate (ADP)‐induced platelet release reaction and to inhibit the synthesis of prostaglandins from arachidonic acid.

Experiments were carried out on human platelets that had been incubated with the agents in vitro and on platelets obtained from volunteers who had ingested standard doses of the drugs.

The results obtained for acetylsalicylic acid show that there is a close relation between the release reaction and the synthesis of prostaglandins in platelets.

Flurbiprofen and indomethacin appear to inhibit the release reaction rather more effectively than they inhibit the synthesis of prostaglandins. It is possible that these agents inhibit the release reaction by another mechanism.
Reproductive biology of the electric lanternfish Electrona risso (Myctophidae) and the bigscale fishes Melamphaes polylepis and Scopelogadus mizolepis (Melamphaidae)
Authors: Knorrn Alexander H. , Wieben Kim L. , Fock Heino O. , Andresen Henrike
Published: October 2023

This study was the first to investigate the key reproductive traits of the electric lantern fish Electrona risso (Myctophidae, n = 918) and the bigscale fishes (Melamphaidae) Melamphaes polylepis (n = 260) and Scopelogadus mizolepis (n = 649). Specimens of these mesopelagic species were collected in March and April 2015 in the eastern Central Atlantic (0–24° N, 20–26° W). Sex ratio was not significantly different from 1:1 in E. risso and M. polylepis but significantly skewed toward female dominance in S. mizolepis. Reproductive phases were determined macroscopically and by histological analyses on selected individuals. Female length at 50% maturity (L50) was 55.1 mm standard length (LS) in E. risso, with an observed female maximum length (Lmax) of 81.2 mm LS. M. polylepis females had an L50 of 40.2 mm LS and an Lmax of 86.7 mm LS. S. mizolepis had an L50 of 46 mm LS and an Lmax of 97.9 mm LS. The three species show histological features of iteroparity, but the E. risso population appears to occur in two year‐classes and experience only one spawning season per lifetime in the study region. All three species are batch‐spawners. A batch fecundity of 2668 eggs was estimated from one E. risso individual, with a relative batch fecundity of 369 eggs g−1 gonad‐free body mass. M. polylepis had a batch fecundity of 1027 eggs and a relative batch fecundity of 149 eggs g−1 (n = 3). S. polylepis had a batch fecundity of 1545 eggs and a relative batch fecundity of 215 eggs g−1 (n = 21). The median gonado‐somatic index during the actively spawning phase of E. risso was 4.5, significantly lower than that of M. polylepis (7.5) and S. mizolepis (7.1). No regressing or regenerating phases were observed in this study. Batch‐spawning in all three species is suggested to be advantageous to cope with intra‐annual variability in food supply and other risks for offspring survival. With what appears to be in effect a (facultative) semelparous strategy in combination with a short life span in E. risso, interannual differences would have a great effect on population dynamics of this species. Knowledge is still lacking on temporal aspects of reproduction such as the duration of the spawning season and the frequency of spawning, as well as age and growth.
The functional traits of host fish can act as good predictors for parasite composition in a neotropical floodplain
Authors: Lehun Atsler Luana , Muniz Carolina Mendes , Silva João Otávio Santos , Cavalcanti Lidiany Doreto , Takemoto Ricardo Massato
Published: October 2023

Parasite diversity can be influenced by the interaction of environmental factors and host traits, but understanding which traits can be decisive for the establishment of the parasite may provide subsidies for a better understanding of the host‐parasite relationship. In this study, we investigated whether functional traits, diet, and host phylogeny can predict the similarity of the endoparasite composition of a fish assemblage in a Brazilian floodplain. Of the three evaluated components, the host's diet was the factor that showed the greatest influence on the composition and similarity of endoparasites, demonstrating the highest value of the explanation. The functional traits and phylogeny, despite presenting significant values (unique effect and global effect), showed low explainability in the composition of the endoparasites. When analyzing the joint effects, all components showed significant influence. Hosts that live in the same environment that are phylogenetically related and have a similar ecology have a certain degree of homogeneity in their parasite assemblages and, because they are endoparasites (which are acquired trophically along the chain), diet is the main driver of parasite richness and similarity. Overall, host traits can be one of the main determinants of parasite composition, so studies that address the functional traits of the host provide a representation of local diversity and define the possible patterns of these parasite communities.
A digital technique of bone reduction for a maxillary full‐arch implant‐supported fixed dental prosthesis
Authors: Tang Weimao , Zhang Hai , Wang Haozhe , Li Lei
Published: October 2023

When fabricating a maxillary full‐arch implant‐supported fixed dental prosthesis, it is often challenging to systematically reduce alveolar bone to create prosthetic space and hide the prosthesis‐tissue junction. This article presents a digital technique that allows for precise bone reduction while simultaneously placing implants and interim prostheses. By using this technique, clinicians can perform surgical procedures in a systematic manner without compromising the functional or esthetic outcomes.
Letters for Ukraine. Textual and institutional forms of global responsibility
Authors: Codina Solà Núria
Published: October 2023

This essay analyses the epistolary correspondence between six Ukrainian and German‐speaking authors published by WeiterSchreiben, a literary platform that belongs to the non‐profit organisation WIR MACHEN DAS and which seeks to promote the work of exiled writers from regions affected by war and other humanitarian crises in the German cultural field. The essay argues that the collaborative, self‐reflexive, and short form of the letters is particularly suitable to promote global responsibility and to quickly adapt to situations of political immediacy, thus accelerating literature's reaction capacity to ongoing conflicts such as the Russia‐Ukraine war. While tracing the connections between the genre and the human rights discourse and looking at the politics of address that create a bond of communion between the correspondents and have the potential to foster various kinds of political identification among readers, the essay also explores this literary initiative from a sociological perspective, challenging strict distinctions between textual and contextual dynamics. By drawing attention to the literary and political dimension of non‐profit organisations such as WIR MACHEN DAS, the essay demonstrates that literature constitutes an important tool in civil society, which helps create forms of transnational solidarity and shape collective debates around migration and social injustice that transcend the borders of states.
The supply‐chain sublime: Spectacles of unagency in fictions of planetary economy
Authors: Robins Spencer
Published: October 2023

This paper is about the literary representation of supply chains: the political‐material pathways by which goods are produced and delivered to consumers. It considers the ethical and aesthetic problems posed by the fact that the daily lives of people living in consumer societies in the Global North are deeply dependent on material networks that sustain violent relations between people and with earth’s ecologies. How can we be ethical global citizens when we are already material global subjects? The paper considers how literature confronts this ethical‐representational challenge, and asks whether literature might help us take responsibility over the material economic networks that structure our everyday lives. I examine two novels that make use of strikingly similar techniques for narrating their characters’ immersion in globalized economies: Ben Lerner’s 10:04 (2014) and Ling Ma’s Severance (2018). Both novels strive to represent the incomprehensible global economy by calling attention to their inability to represent it. I argue that this technique—which I call the “supply chain sublime”—ultimately reflects the incapacity of current forms of collective political agency to manage our material lives.
Viruses as archaeological tools for uncovering ancient molecular relationships
Authors: Ariza‐Mateos Ascensión , Briones Carlos , Perales Celia , Bayo‐Jiménez María Teresa , Domingo Esteban , Gómez Jordi
Published: October 2023

The entry of a virus into the host cell always implies the alteration of certain intracellular molecular relationships, some of which may involve the recovery of ancient cellular activities. In this sense, viruses are archaeological tools for identifying unexpressed activities in noninfected cells. Among these, activities that hinder virus propagation may represent cellular defense mechanisms, for example, activities that mutagenize the viral genome such as ADAR‐1 or APOBEC activities. Instead, those that facilitate virus propagation can be interpreted as the result of viral adaptation to—or mimicking—cellular structures, enabling the virus to perform anthropomorphic activities, including hijacking, manipulating, and reorganizing cellular factors for their own benefit. The alternative we consider here is that some of these second set of cellular activities were already in the uninfected cell but silenced, under the negative control of the cell or lineage, and that they represent a necessary precondition for viral infection. For example, specifically loading an amino acid at the 3'‐end of the mRNA of some plant viruses by aminoacyl‐tRNA synthetases has proved essential for virus infection despite this reaction not occurring with cellular mRNAs. Other activities of this type are discussed here, together with the biological context in which they acquire a coherent meaning, that is, genetic latency and molecular conflict.
Psychiatrist density and risk of suicide: a multilevel case‐control study based on a national sample in Taiwan
Authors: Huang Wei‐Chia , Hsu Chia‐Yueh , Chang Chia‐Ming , Yang Albert C. , Liao Shih‐Cheng , Chang Shu‐Sen , Wu Chi‐Shin
Published: October 2023

Aim

No previous studies, to our knowledge, have investigated the association between psychiatrist density and suicide, accounting for individual‐ and area‐level characteristics.

Methods

We investigated all suicide cases in 2007‐2017 identified from the national cause‐of‐death data files, with each suicide case matched to 10 controls by age and sex and each suicide case/control assigned to one of the 355 townships across Taiwan. Our primary outcome was the odds ratio (OR) of suicide and its 95% confidence interval (CI) estimated via multilevel models, which included both individual‐ and area‐level characteristics. Townships with no psychiatrists were compared with the quartiles of townships with psychiatrists (density per 100,000 population): quartile 1 (Q1) (0.01–3.02); quartile 2 (Q2) (3.02–7.20); quartile 3 (Q3) (7.20–13.82); and quartile 4 (Q4) (>13.82).

Results

A total of 40,930 suicide cases and 409,300 age‐ and sex‐matched controls were included. We found that increased psychiatrist density was associated with decreased suicide risk (Q1: adjusted OR [aOR], 0.95 [95% CI, 0.90–1.01]; Q2: aOR, 0.90 [95% CI, 0.85–0.96]; Q3: aOR, 0.89 [95% CI, 0.83–0.94]; Q4: aOR, 0.89 [95% CI, 0.83–0.95]) after adjusting for individual‐level characteristics (employment state, monthly income, physical comorbidities, and the diagnosis of psychiatric disorders) and area socioeconomic characteristics.

Conclusions

The psychiatrist density–suicide association suggests an effect of increased availability of psychiatric services on preventing suicide. Suicide prevention strategies could usefully focus on enhancing local access to psychiatric services.
A case of mevalonate kinase deficiency, neonatal Sweet syndrome, and inflammatory bowel disease
Authors: Esfandiari Negar , Vandyke Santana , Porter Hannah J. , Shea Katelyn , Morley Keith , Greene Laura
Published: October 2023

Mevalonate kinase deficiency is a group of rare metabolic autoinflammatory disorders that present with recurrent fevers, abdominal pain, arthralgias, adenopathy, and a variety of cutaneous manifestations. The skin findings may mimic cellulitis, erythema elevatum diutinum, IgA vasculitis, and Sweet syndrome, and there is often a morbilliform or urticarial rash and aphthous stomatitis. Mevalonate kinase deficiency is one of the identified monogenic variants that can cause very early onset inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). We present a rare case of a patient with mevalonate kinase deficiency, neonatal Sweet syndrome, and infantile‐onset IBD, who has been successfully treated with canakinumab therapy.
The utility of the perfusion index as an indicator of anesthetic depth for repeated propofol sedation in children: An observational study
Authors: Kim Doyeon , Kim Jisu , Gil Nam‐Su , Yoo Seung Yeon , Kim Young Ri , Ko Justin Sangwook , Kang Ryung A , Lim Do Hoon , Shin Young Hee
Published: October 2023

Background

Children receiving proton therapy require repeated sedation. In this study, we aimed to investigate the utility of the perfusion index (PI) for evaluating consciousness level during repeated propofol sedation.

Methods

In this prospective observational study, children aged from birth to 19 years old scheduled for proton therapy under repeated propofol sedation were enrolled. The primary outcome was the equivalence of PI values 5 min after anesthesia induction on consecutive sedation. Total consumption of propofol during sedation, time to reach the University of Michigan sedation scale (UMSS) score 1 after end of proton therapy, and duration of post‐anesthesia care unit (PACU) stay were recorded.

Results

The PI values measured 5 min after induction of anesthesia were not equivalent to each other in consecutive sedation except for the second versus third (1st vs. 2nd: 97.5% CI: −1.34, 0.91; p = 0.206, 0.034; 2nd vs. 3rd: 97.5% CI: −0.87, 0.94; p = 0.023, 0.036 3rd vs. 4th: 97.5% CI: −2.08, −0.26; p < 0.99, <0.001; 4th vs. 5th: 97.5% CI: 0.21, 2.28; p < 0.001, >0.99; respectively). In consecutive sedation, there was not a significantly different difference in the time to reach UMSS score 1 (p > 0.99, all) for total consumption of propofol, time to reach UMSS score 1 after the end of proton therapy, and duration of PACU stay.

Conclusions

During repeated propofol sedation in children, PI was insufficient to be used as an indicator of consciousness level assessment. However, we suggest that the information related to repeated sedation provided by this study may be helpful in clinical practice.