Edits & Annotations: Season 1

Edits & Annotations is a podcast from the Roderick Centre for Australian Literature and Creative Writing, featuring interviews with Australian and international authors about their craft, their process and their writing lives

Special issue editorial: Advanced partial least squares structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM) applications in business research

This special issue comprises a series of advanced applications of and methodological developments concerning PLS-SEM in business research. PLS-SEM,1 introduced by Wold, 1975, Wold, 1982 and Lohmöller (1989), models the structural relationships between constructs (i.e., the latent variables) as empirical approximations of theoretical concepts. Each construct is operationalized by a measurement model with a set of indicators (i.e., observed variables). The PLS-SEM method estimates the entire model with the aim of maximizing the explained variance of the dependent constructs in the structural model and of the indicators in the constructs’ measurement models (Lohmöller, 1989, Wold, 1982).

Exploring the feasibility of collecting music and wellbeing data to examine intentional listening using a mobile-ESM application

This brief report describes a small-scale feasibility study investigating the use of mobile Experience Sampling Methodology (ESM) for collecting data on intentionality in music listening for well-being. Sixteen university students used the MuPsych app (Randall and Rickard, 2012) for a 2-week pilot study (resulting in 263 music listening episode responses), with seven participating in semi-structured follow-up interviews. Data was collected at baseline and then triggered by mobile music listening episodes at 0, 5 and 20 min. Baseline measures were of wellbeing; and listening episode data included music choice, purpose, context, and mood. After assigning listeners to languishing, moderate, or flourishing wellbeing categories, differences became apparent in participants’ experiences of listening to music. Several challenges to feasibility were experienced in self-selection and biased reporting by participants as well as technological limitations of data collection techniques. Recommendations for future ESM studies of everyday music listening are offered

In vitro and in vivo evaluation of the effects of condensed tannins and catechins monomers on antioxidant and intestinal health of Chinese seabass (Lateolabrax maculatus)

Plant-derived condensed tannins (CT) exhibit strong bioactivity of antioxidant, immunostimulation and intestinal protection, but with little clues of the mechanism of action. Since CT are consist of catechins (CAs) monomers, e.g., catechin (CA), epicatechin (EC) and epigallocatechin (EG), we motivated to use the monomers to explore the underlying mechanisms in a seabass model focusing on anti-oxidative stress and intestinal health of Lateolabrax maculatus. An in vitro intestinal primary cell oxidative stress model induced by hydrogen peroxide was set up to assess the antioxidant and immune activities of CT and CAs. Another 56–d feeding trial with 800 fish was conducted to evaluate the effects of CT and CAs on growth performance, intestinal permeability and digestive enzyme activities, intestinal morphology and antioxidant status, and intestinal bacterial flora of fish. Five diets were prepared to contain 0 (G1) and 1 g/kg of CT, CA, EC and EG. Fish were randomly distributed into 20 tanks with 4 tanks per diet and 40 fish per tank, and were fed to apparent satiation twice daily. Results showed that CT and CAs exhibited similar effects in alleviating hydrogen peroxide-induced cell injury by activating nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 gene expression, and improving antioxidant and immune capacities. Dietary CT and CAs enhanced intestinal antioxidant ability and increased (p < 0.05) the abundance of intestinal Firmicutes, Proteobacteria and Bacteroidetes to oxidative stress tolerant. With a dose of 1 g/kg CT and CA promoted (p < 0.05) intestinal total antioxidant capacity, but slightly induced intestinal injury mainly due to increased (p < 0.05) intestinal permeability (as reflected by increased lipopolysaccharide concentrations) and inhibited (p < 0.05) digestion (as reflected by the decreased trypsin and lipase activities) of fish. In summary, CT and CAs protect intestine from oxidative stress and improve intestinal antioxidant capacity by stimulating antioxidant enzyme system and bacterial flora. CA and EC show similar or superior antioxidant activity than CT

Lower limb gait joint coordination variability in people with diabetes-related foot ulcers

Background: Diabetes-related foot ulcers pose substantial health risks globally, yet the biomechanical intricacies underlying their development remain incompletely understood. This study aimed to evaluate lower limb gait joint coordination variability in individuals with diabetes-related foot ulcers compared to those with diabetes (without diabetes-related foot ulcers) and healthy controls. Methods: A total of 99 participants (diabetes-related foot ulcers cases – 16, Diabetes controls – 50, Health controls – 33) compared three self-paced walking trials. Vector coding, a technique quantifying movement coordination, was employed, analysing hip-knee, knee-ankle, and hip-angle joint couplings in the sagittal plane. Findings: No significant differences in coordination variability were found among the groups. However, distinct coupling pattern frequencies emerged, with diabetes-related foot ulcers cases exhibiting unique anti-phase hip and ankle coupling frequency counts compared to healthy controls. Interpretation: These findings challenge conventional understandings of diabetes-related foot ulcers biomechanics and underscore the complexity of gait in this population

Correlating the abdominal drawing in manoeuvre between ultrasound imaging, pressure biofeedback and manual palpation measurements in participants with low back pain: an observational cross-sectional study

Background: Physiotherapists have several options to measure lateral abdominal muscle (LAM) activity clinically, including ultrasound imaging (USI), pressure biofeedback units (PBU) and manual palpation scales. However, the concurrent validity of these tools is yet to be examined. Understanding how these tools correlate will help physiotherapists make informed choices about tool selection. Objectives: To determine the correlation between the prone PBU test, manual palpation and USI measures (preferential activation, preferential activation modified and transversus abdominis muscle ratios and transversus abdominis slide) for examining the ADIM. Design: Observational cross-sectional study. Method: 58 participants with LBP underwent measurement of LAM activation using the three measurement tools across two sessions (7-14 days apart). Results were analysed using correlation coefficients and tested for statistical significance. Results/findings: Reliability of activation measures ranged from moderate to good. Correlations were found between manual palpation, PBU and USI, however, were non-significant after a Holm-Bonferroni correction. Conclusions: The findings question the concurrent validity of these tools, suggesting one cannot be used in place of another for measuring LAM activation during the ADIM

Existential distress in advanced cancer: A cohort study

Objective: Clinically significant existential distress may impair quality of life and communication about illness. We investigated the presence of existential distress in the form of demoralization, death anxiety, and dignity-related distress, and its co-occurrence with mental disorders in patients with advanced cancer. Methods: We conducted structured clinical interviews and administered self-report questionnaires to assess existential distress and mental disorders. We recruited patients with different Union for International Cancer Control (UICC) stage IV solid tumors from in- and outpatient oncology and palliative care settings. Results: A total of 671 patients completed assessments (55 % participation rate, 48 % female, primary tumor site: 28 % lung, 14 % prostate, 11 % breast). Clinically relevant levels of existential distress were present in 46.4 % (95 % CI, 41.7 % to 51.1 %), including demoralization, 12.5 % (95 % CI, 9.6 % to 15.9 %), death anxiety, 27.3 % (95 % CI, 23.2 % to 31.6 %), and dignity-related distress, 38.7 % (95 % CI, 34.2 % to 43.3 %). Frequent existential distress symptoms were sense of entrapment and fear of own and close others' suffering. Mental disorders occurred in 26.2 % (95 %CI 22.2 % to 30.4 %), including major depression, 8.6 % (95 %CI, 6.2 % to 11.5 %), anxiety disorders, 8.4 % (95 %CI 6.0 % to 11.3 %), and ICD-11-adjustment disorder, 10.5 % (95 %CI 7.9 % to 13.7 %). Existential distress and mental disorders co-occurred in 20.0 % (95 %CI 16.4 % to 24.0 %). Conclusion: Existential distress is a common, clinically significant problem in patients with advanced cancer. Its recognition in multiprofessional clinical settings can contribute to improve quality of life. Most patients with a mental disorder show comorbid existential distress requiring treatment of both

The fourth-stage autoinfective larva of Strongyloides stercoralis: redescription and diagnostic implications

Human strongyloidiasis is often underdiagnosed or misdiagnosed, which can relate to a lack of knowledge or recognition of the importance of particular developmental/larval stages of Strongyloides stercoralis in making an accurate diagnosis using parasitological methods (a morphological approach or morphological features/characters). Here, we report the identification of S. stercoralis autoinfective fourth-stage larvae (L4a) in naturally infected humans, encountered in two clinical cases in Australia. These larvae were identified in sputum (Case 1) and bronchoalveolar lavage (Case 2) specimens by direct wet-mount microscopy. The L4a of S. stercoralis can be morphologically differentiated from autoinfective third-stage larvae by its conical and pointed tail and a relatively mature genital primordium with an enlarged genital rudiment and the formation of a vulva within cuticle layers. This study emphasizes the need to consider these morphological features of the L4a stage for an accurate diagnosis of S. stercoralis infection. A detailed morphological description of this stage is given to guide laboratory practitioners and researchers in the identification and differentiation of this unique but neglected life-cycle stage of S. stercoralis

Helminth extracellular vesicles co-opt host monocytes to drive T cell anergy

Parasitic helminths secrete extracellular vesicles (EVs) into their host tissues to modulate immune responses, but the underlying mechanisms are poorly understood. We demonstrate that Ascaris EVs are efficiently internalised by monocytes in human peripheral blood mononuclear cells and increase the percentage of classical monocytes. Furthermore, EV treatment of monocytes induced a novel anti-inflammatory phenotype characterised by CD14+, CD16−, CC chemokine receptor 2 (CCR2−) and programmed death-ligand 1 (PD-L1)+ cells. In addition, Ascaris EVs induced T cell anergy in a monocyte-dependent mechanism. Targeting professional phagocytes to induce both direct and indirect pathways of immune modulation presents a highly novel and efficient mechanism of EV-mediated host-parasite communication. Intra-peritoneal administration of EVs induced protection against gut inflammation in the dextran sodium sulphate model of colitis in mice. Ascaris EVs were shown to affect circulating immune cells and protect against gut inflammation; this highlights their potential as a subject for further investigation in inflammatory conditions driven by dysregulated immune responses. However, their clinical translation would require further studies and careful consideration of ethical implications

Does artificial intelligence improve hospitality employees’ individual competitive productivity? A time-lagged moderated-mediation model involving job crafting and meaningful work

Artificial intelligence (AI) continues to transform the hospitality industry. While adopting AI can lead to employee anxiety, less is known about how these affected employees can benefit and become more competitive. This study advances the challenge-hindrance framework in the AI context to investigate how employees respond to the advances of these technologies and the resulting changes in their competitive productivity. Data collected from 235 employees in the hospitality industry through a two-wave method was analysed using PLS-SEM. Findings indicate that although the advancement of AI leads to workplace anxiety, such innovation can trigger job crafting through the conservation of resources theory. These effects can positively impact competitiveness and productivity, particularly for employees who find their work meaningful. This study extends the challenge-hindrance framework and offers guidance for the hospitality industry to better integrate AI for service professionals to become more competitive and productive