bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Comparative study between admission, orthopaedic surgery, and economic trends during Covid-19 and non-Covid-19 pandemic in an Italian tertiary hospital: a retrospective review
Authors: Testa Gianluca , Sapienza Marco , Rabuazzo Fabrizia , Culmone Annalisa , Valenti Fabiana , Vescio Andrea , Pavone Vito
Published: October 2021

Background

The COVID-19 pandemic represents one of the most massive health emergencies in the last century and has caused millions of deaths worldwide and a massive economic and social burden. The aim of this study was to evaluate how the COVID-19 pandemic—during the Italian lockdown period between 8 March and 4 May 2020—influenced orthopaedic access for traumatic events to the Emergency Department (ER).

Methods

A retrospective review of the admission to the emergency room and the discharge of the trauma patients’ records was performed during the period between 8 March and 4 May 2020 (block in Italy), compared to the same period of the previous year (2019). Patients accesses, admissions, days of hospitalisation, frequency, fracture site, number and type of surgery, the time between admission and surgery, days of hospitalisation, and treatment cost according to the diagnosis-related group were collected. Chi-Square and ANOVA test were used to compare the groups.

Results

No significant statistical difference was found for the number of emergency room visits and orthopaedic hospitalisations (p < 0.53) between the year 2019 (9.5%) and 2020 (10.81%). The total number of surgeries in 2019 was 119, while in 2020, this was just 48 (p < 0.48). A significant decrease in the mean cost of orthopaedic hospitalisations was detected in 2020 compared (261.431 euros, equal to − 52.07%) relative to the same period in 2019 (p = 0.005). Although all the surgical performances have suffered a major decline, the most frequent surgery in 2020 was intramedullary femoral nailing.

Conclusion

We detected a decrease in traumatic occasions during the lockdown period, with a decrease in fractures in each district and a consequent decrease in the diagnosis-related group (DRG).
Modified negative-pressure wound therapy for linear blister formation prevention around foam dressings: technical note and case series
Authors: Zhang Congming , Wang Qian , Wang Zhimeng , Huang Qiang , Zhang Chenchen , Duan Ning , Lin Hua , Ma Teng , Zhang Kun , Xue Hanzhong , Li Zhong
Published: October 2021

Background

Linear blisters (LBs) often occur around dressings when negative-pressure wound therapy (NPWT) is used to cover open wounds. Tension blisters may increase the wound infection incidence rate, delay the start of operation, and prolong the duration of hospital stay. Currently, there are no established methods for the prevention of LB formation around dressings, which remains to be a major concern in clinical applications. Therefore, we developed a novel, simple, reproducible, and convenient method for preventing LB formation around NPWT dressings.

Method

Fifty-three cases of Gustilo type II and III open fractures under NPWT were considered. NPWT was used on every wound after debridement. All patients were divided into a conventional group (27 cases, 33 wounds) and a novel group (26 cases, 27 wounds) based on the difference in the NPWT dressing appearance. A healthy volunteer with intact skin was also included to perform the detailed process of NPWT. LBs occurring on intact skin around the dressings were observed and recorded when the dressing was removed 3 days after the operation. The occurrence of LB formation and wound infection was considered as categorical data and compared between the two groups using a chi-square test. The duration of hospital stay was considered as numerical data and compared between the two groups using two independent t tests.

Results

The percentage of occurrence of LB formation around dressings in the conventional group was 27.3%, whereas it was merely 3.7% in the novel group (P = 0.037). The infection incidence rate in the conventional group was 30.3%, whereas that in the novel group was 25.9%; however, no statistical difference was observed between the two groups (P = 0.708). The average duration of hospital stay in the conventional group was 14.39 ± 4.55 days, whereas that in the novel group was 11.04 ± 3.47 days (P = 0.003).

Conclusion

Thus, changing the NPWT dressing appearance can prevent LB formation around dressings, providing an effective method to improve NPWT application. Modified NPWT dressings also shorten the duration of hospital stay, but do not significantly decrease the incidence of wound infection.
Class I histone deacetylases (HDAC) critically contribute to Ewing sarcoma pathogenesis
Authors: Schmidt Oxana , Nehls Nadja , Prexler Carolin , von Heyking Kristina , Groll Tanja , Pardon Katharina , Garcia Heathcliff D. , Hensel Tim , Gürgen Dennis , Henssen Anton G. , Eggert Angelika , Steiger Katja , Burdach Stefan , Richter Günther H. S.
Published: October 2021

Background

Histone acetylation and deacetylation seem processes involved in the pathogenesis of Ewing sarcoma (EwS). Here histone deacetylases (HDAC) class I were investigated.

Methods

Their role was determined using different inhibitors including TSA, Romidepsin, Entinostat and PCI-34051 as well as CRISPR/Cas9 class I HDAC knockouts and HDAC RNAi. To analyze resulting changes microarray analysis, qRT-PCR, western blotting, Co-IP, proliferation, apoptosis, differentiation, invasion assays and xenograft-mouse models were used.

Results

Class I HDACs are constitutively expressed in EwS. Patients with high levels of individual class I HDAC expression show decreased overall survival. CRISPR/Cas9 class I HDAC knockout of individual HDACs such as HDAC1 and HDAC2 inhibited invasiveness, and blocked local tumor growth in xenograft mice. Microarray analysis demonstrated that treatment with individual HDAC inhibitors (HDACi) blocked an EWS-FLI1 specific expression profile, while Entinostat in addition suppressed metastasis relevant genes. EwS cells demonstrated increased susceptibility to treatment with chemotherapeutics including Doxorubicin in the presence of HDACi. Furthermore, HDACi treatment mimicked RNAi of EZH2 in EwS. Treated cells showed diminished growth capacity, but an increased endothelial as well as neuronal differentiation ability. HDACi synergizes with EED inhibitor (EEDi) in vitro and together inhibited tumor growth in xenograft mice. Co-IP experiments identified HDAC class I family members as part of a regulatory complex together with PRC2.

Conclusions

Class I HDAC proteins seem to be important mediators of the pathognomonic EWS-ETS-mediated transcription program in EwS and in combination therapy, co-treatment with HDACi is an interesting new treatment opportunity for this malignant disease.
RNA sequencing reveals metabolic and regulatory changes leading to more robust fermentation performance during short-term adaptation of Saccharomyces cerevisiae to lignocellulosic inhibitors
Authors: van Dijk Marlous , Rugbjerg Peter , Nygård Yvonne , Olsson Lisbeth
Published: October 2021

Background

The limited tolerance ofSaccharomyces cerevisiaeto inhibitors is a major challenge in second-generation bioethanol production, and our understanding of the molecular mechanisms providing tolerance to inhibitor-rich lignocellulosic hydrolysates is incomplete. Short-term adaptation of the yeast in the presence of dilute hydrolysate can improve its robustness and productivity during subsequent fermentation.

Results

We utilized RNA sequencing to investigate differential gene expression in the industrial yeast strain CR01 during short-term adaptation, mimicking industrial conditions for cell propagation. In this first transcriptomic study of short-term adaption ofS. cerevisiaeto lignocellulosic hydrolysate, we found that cultures respond by fine-tuned up- and down-regulation of a subset of general stress response genes. Furthermore, time-resolved RNA sequencing allowed for identification of genes that were differentially expressed at 2 or more sampling points, revealing the importance of oxidative stress response, thiamin and biotin biosynthesis. furan-aldehyde reductases and specific drug:H+antiporters, as well as the down-regulation of certain transporter genes.

Conclusions

These findings provide a better understanding of the molecular mechanisms governing short-term adaptation ofS. cerevisiaeto lignocellulosic hydrolysate, and suggest new genetic targets for improving fermentation robustness.
Endometrial regenerative cells with galectin-9 high-expression attenuate experimental autoimmune hepatitis
Authors: Wang Hongda , Zhao Yiming , Ren Bingbing , Qin Yafei , Li Guangming , Kong Dejun , Qin Hong , Hao Jingpeng , Sun Daqing , Wang Hao
Published: October 2021

Background

Autoimmune hepatitis (AIH) is a T cell-mediated immune disease that activates abnormally against hepatic antigens. We have previously reported that endometrial regenerative cells (ERCs) were a novel source of adult stem cells, which exhibiting with powerful immunomodulatory effects. Galectin-9 (Gal-9) is expressed in ERCs and plays an important role in regulating T cell response. This study aims to explore the role of ERCs in attenuation of AIH and to determine the potential mechanism of Gal-9 in ERC-mediated immune regulation.

Methods

ERCs were obtained from menstrual blood of healthy female volunteers. In vitro, ERCs were transfected with lentivirus vectors carrying LGALS9 gene and encoding green fluoresce protein (GFP-Gal-9-LVs) at a MOI 50, Gal-9 expression in ERCs was detected by ELISA and Q-PCR. CD4+ T cells isolated from C57BL/6 mouse spleen were co-cultured with ERCs. The proliferation of CD4+ T cells was detected by CCK-8 kit and the level of Lck/zap-70/LAT protein was measured by western blot. Furthermore, AIH was induced by ConA in C57BL/6 mice which were randomly assigned to untreated, unmodified ERC-treated and Gal-9 high-expressing ERC-treated groups. Histopathological score, liver function, CD4+/CD8+ cell infiltration in liver tissues, the proportion of immune cells in the spleen and liver, and ERC tracking were performed accordingly to assess the progression degree of AIH.

Results

After transfecting with GFP-Gal-9-LVs, Gal-9 expression in ERCs was significantly increased. Additionally, Gal-9 high-expressing ERCs effectively inhibited CD4+ T cell proliferation and downregulated CD4+ T cell active related proteins p-Lck/p-ZAP70/p-LAT in vitro. Furthermore, treatment with Gal-9 high-expressing ERCs restored liver function, ameliorated liver pathological damage, inhibit CD4+ and CD8+ T cell proliferation and suppress Th1 and Th17 cell response in the hepatitis mice. In addition, Gal-9 high-expressing ERCs further markedly enhanced the level of IL-10 but reduced the levels of IFN-γ, TNF-α, and IL-4 in mouse sera and liver. Cell tracking also showed that ERCs could migrate to the damaged liver organs.

Conclusions

The results suggested that Gal-9 was an essential modulator, which was required by ERCs in regulating T cell response and attenuating ConA-induced experimental hepatitis. And also, it provides a novel idea for the clinical treatment of AIH.
The critical role of epigenetic mechanism in PM2.5-induced cardiovascular diseases
Authors: Sun Qinglin , Ren Xiaoke , Sun Zhiwei , Duan Junchao
Published: October 2021

Cardiovascular disease (CVD) has become the leading cause of death worldwide, which seriously threatens human life and health. Epidemiological studies have confirmed the occurrence and development of CVD are closely related to air pollution. In particular, fine particulate matter (PM2.5) is recognized as an important environmental factor contributing to increased morbidity, mortality and hospitalization rates among adults and children. However, the underlying mechanism by which PM2.5 promotes CVD development remains unclear. With the development of epigenetics, recent studies have shown that PM2.5 exposure may induce or aggravate CVD through epigenetic changes. In order to better understand the potential mechanisms, this paper reviews the epigenetic changes of CVD caused by PM2.5. We summarized the epigenetic mechanisms of PM2.5 causing cardiovascular pathological damage and functional changes, mainly involving DNA methylation, non-coding RNA, histone modification and chromosome remodeling. It will provide important clues for exploring the biological mechanisms affecting cardiovascular health.
Experiences with a violence and mental health safety protocol for a randomized controlled trial to support youth living with HIV
Authors: Merrill Katherine G. , Mwansa Jonathan K. , Miti Sam , Burke Virginia M. , Abrams Elizabeth A. , Frimpong Christiana , Decker Michele R. , Campbell Jacquelyn C. , Denison Julie A.
Published: October 2021

Background

Safety protocols are an essential component of studies addressing violence and mental health but are rarely described in the published literature from Sub-Saharan Africa. We designed and implemented a safety protocol within Project YES! (Youth Engaging for Success), which enrolled 276 youth living with HIV (ages 15–24 years) in a randomized controlled trial of a peer-mentoring intervention across four HIV clinics in Ndola, Zambia.

Methods

Youth who reported severe violence and/or suicidal thoughts on research surveys or during meetings with youth peer mentors (YPM) were referred to designated healthcare providers (HCP). We explored experiences with the safety protocol using: a) monitoring data of referrals, and b) in-depth interviews with youth (n = 82), HCP (n = 10), YPM (n = 8), and staff (n = 6). Descriptive statistics were generated and thematic analysis of coded transcripts and written memos performed.

Results

Nearly half of youth enrolled (48% of females, 41% of males) were referred to a HCP at least once. The first referral was most often for sexual violence (35%) and/or suicidal ideation/depression (29%). All referred youth aged 15–17 years and over 80% of referred youth aged 18 + agreed to see a HCP. HCP referred 15% for additional services outside the clinic. Twenty-nine youth, all HCP, all YPM, and all staff interviewed discussed the safety protocol. Most youth felt “encouraged,” “helped,” “unburdened,” and “relieved” by their meetings with HCP; some expressed concerns about meeting with HCP. The safety protocol helped HCP recognize the need to integrate care for violence and mental health with medication adherence support. HCP, YPM, and study staff raised implementation challenges, including youth choosing not to open up to HCP, time and resource constraints, deficiencies in HCP training, and stigma and cultural norms inhibiting referrals outside the clinic for emotional trauma and mental health.

Conclusions

Implementing a safety protocol within an HIV clinic-based research study is possible and beneficial for youth and HCP alike. Implementation challenges underscore that HCP in Zambia work in over-stretched healthcare systems. Innovative strategies must address deficiencies in training and resources within HIV clinics and gaps in coordination across services to meet the overwhelming need for violence and mental health services among youth living with HIV.
Preparation and assistant-dyeing of formaldehyde-free amphoteric acrylic retanning agent
Authors: Ma Jian zhong , Liu Qiwu , Wu Mengxin , Tian Zhenhua
Published: October 2021

With the enhancement of environmental protection consciousness, concerns have been raised about non-toxic and biodegradable leather retanning agents. According to the European standard 2002/231/EC, the free formaldehyde content of leather products should be less than 150 mg/kg. As one of the retanning agents in the market, the content of free formaldehyde in the Multifunctional retanning agent (MTA) is 372.22 mg/kg and higher than the limit value. In this work, glutaraldehyde as an alternative of formaldehyde was used to modify acrylic polymer and an amphoteric acrylic retanning agent was prepared. Then it was used in retanning process, and its retanning and assistant-dyeing properties were investigated. The results showed that the free formaldehyde content of amphoteric acrylic retanning agent modified with glutaraldehyde was only 4.17 mg/kg. Meanwhile, the presence of amino groups in the amphoteric acrylic retanning agent improved the dyeing properties of leather by electrostatic attraction. Compared with the leather treated with anionic acrylic retanning agent, the residual dye concentration of the dyeing effluent of the retanned leather with amphoteric acrylic retanning agent decreased from 17.4 mg/L to 10.0 mg/L, and the dyed leather had better resistances to friction and water-washing. In addition, the BOD5/COD value of the wastewater after Mannich base polymer retanning was only 0.32, indicating that the retanning agent was biodegradable. Moreover, the leather retanned with amphoteric acrylic retanning agent had good thermal stability, fullness and physical and mechanical properties.

Graphical abstract
Marine-derived pipeline anticancer natural products: a review of their pharmacotherapeutic potential and molecular mechanisms
Authors: Seyed Mohamed Ali , Ayesha Siddiqua
Published: October 2021

Background

Cancer is a complex and most widespread disease and its prevalence is increasing worldwide, more in countries that are witnessing urbanization and rapid industrialization changes. Although tremendous progress has been made, the interest in targeting cancer has grown rapidly every year. This review underscores the importance of preventive and therapeutic strategies.

Main text

Natural products (NPs) from various sources including plants have always played a crucial role in cancer treatment. In this growing list, numerous unique secondary metabolites from marine sources have added and gaining attention and became potential players in drug discovery and development for various biomedical applications. Many NPs found in nature that normally contain both pharmacological and biological activity employed in pharmaceutical industry predominantly in anticancer pharmaceuticals because of their enormous range of structure entities with unique functional groups that attract and inspire for the creation of several new drug leads through synthetic chemistry. Although terrestrial medicinal plants have been the focus for the development of NPs, however, in the last three decades, marine origins that include invertebrates, plants, algae, and bacteria have unearthed numerous novel pharmaceutical compounds, generally referred as marine NPs and are evolving continuously as discipline in the molecular targeted drug discovery with the inclusion of advanced screening tools which revolutionized and became the component of antitumor modern research.

Conclusions

This comprehensive review summarizes some important and interesting pipeline marine NPs such as Salinosporamide A, Dolastatin derivatives, Aplidine/plitidepsin (Aplidin®) and Coibamide A, their anticancer properties and describes their mechanisms of action (MoA) with their efficacy and clinical potential as they have attracted interest for potential use in the treatment of various types of cancers.
Comparison of arthropod communities between high and low input maize farms in Mexico
Authors: del-Val E. , Ramírez E. , Astier M.
Published: October 2021

Background

Animal communities are vulnerable to agricultural practices. Intensive farming considerably reduces overall arthropod diversity, but not necessarily pest abundance. Natural control of herbivores in agroecosystems is accomplished by predators and parasitoids, but in intensified agricultural regimes, the chemical control used to reduce pest abundances also affects pests’ natural enemies. To achieve more sustainable agriculture, there is a need to better understand the susceptibility of predators to conventional management.

Methods

In order to quantify the arthropod diversity associated with different schemes of agricultural management of maize, we evaluated agricultural fields under two contrasting management regimens in Michoacán, México during the spring–summer cycle of 2011. Arthropod communities were evaluated in plots with conventional high-input versus low-input agriculture in two sites—one rainfed and one with irrigation. The experimental units consisted of twelve 1 ha agricultural plots. To sample arthropods, we used 9 pitfall traps per agricultural plot.

Results

During the sampling period, we detected a total of 14,315 arthropods belonging to 12 Orders and 253 morphospecies. Arthropod community composition was significantly different between the sites, and in the rain-fed site, we also found differences between management practices. Predators, particularly ants, were more abundant in low-input sites. Herbivory levels were similar in all fields, with an average of 18% of leaf area lost per plant.

Conclusions

Our results suggest that conventional farming is not reducing herbivore abundances or damage inflicted to plants, but is affecting arthropod predators. We discuss repercussions for sustainable agriculture.
Crosscorrelation migration of microseismic source locations with hybrid imaging condition
Authors: Wu Shaojiang , Wang Yibo , Xie Fei , Chang Xu
Published: October 2021

Locating microseismic sources is critical to monitoring the hydraulic fractures that occur during fluid extraction/injection in unconventional oil/gas exploration, geothermal operations, and CO2 sequestration. Waveform-based seismic location methods can reliably and automatically image weak microseismic source locations without phase picking. Among them, the crosscorrelation migration (CCM) method can avoid excitation time scanning by generating virtual gathers. We have adopted a CCM location method based on the hybrid imaging condition (HIC). There are four main steps in the implementation of this method: (1) selection of receivers with good azimuthal coverage, (2) generation of virtual gathers by correlating the reference receiver with the rest of the receivers, (3) summation of back projections in the virtual gathers, and (4) multiplication of all summations. The CCM-HIC method is tested on synthetic and field data sets, and the results are compared with those obtained by the conventional summation imaging condition and multiplication imaging condition. The comparison results determine that CCM-HIC is sufficiently robust to obtain a source image with better stability and higher spatial resolution, despite the presence of strong noise.
Anderson-accelerated augmented Lagrangian for extended waveform inversion
Authors: Aghazade Kamal , Gholami Ali , Aghamiry Hossein S. , Operto Stéphane
Published: October 2021

The augmented Lagrangian (AL) method provides a flexible and efficient framework for solving extended-space full-waveform inversion (FWI), a constrained nonlinear optimization problem whereby we seek model parameters and wavefields that minimize the data residuals and satisfy the wave-equation constraint. The AL-based wavefield reconstruction inversion, also known as iteratively refined wavefield reconstruction inversion, extends the search space of FWI in the source dimension and decreases the sensitivity of the inversion to the initial model accuracy. Furthermore, it benefits from the advantages of the alternating direction method of multipliers, such as generality and decomposability for dealing with nondifferentiable regularizers, e.g., total variation regularization, and large-scale problems, respectively. In practice, any extension of the method aiming at improving its convergence and decreasing the number of wave-equation solves would have great importance. To achieve this goal, we recast the method as a general fixed-point iteration problem, which enables us to apply sophisticated acceleration strategies such as Anderson acceleration. The accelerated algorithm stores a predefined number of previous iterates and uses their linear combination together with the current iteration to predict the next iteration. We investigate the performance of our accelerated algorithm on a simple checkerboard model and the benchmark Marmousi II and 2004 BP salt models through numerical examples. These numerical results confirm the effectiveness of our algorithm in terms of convergence rate and the quality of the final estimated model.
Recognising and healing emotional wounds of child labourers: call to action based on the evidence and stakeholder views from India and Nepal
Authors: Kaur Harleen , Duncan Kathleen , Dhakal Sandesh , Sharma Narayan , Niraula Shanta , Pandey Rakesh , Kumari Veena , Lau Jennifer Y. F. , Singh Tushar
Published: October 2021

Child labourers are at risk of poorer mental health and once rescued require urgent mental health interventions to ameliorate the long-term impact. In our review, only two published scientific studies evaluated custom-made interventions; other programmes were obtained from non-governmental organisations (NGOs), which need rigorous trial evaluation. We also sought the viewpoints of stakeholders working directly with rescued young people, as well as consulting young people with lived experiences of child labour. We propose that psychoeducational interventions aimed at employees working directly with young people could represent a fruitful approach for low- and middle-income countries in the Asia-Pacific region but also more generally.
Making Sense of a Complex Disease: A Practical Approach to Managing Neuroendocrine Tumors
Authors: Zhang Janie Y. , Kunz Pamela L.
Published: October 2021

Neuroendocrine tumors (NETs) are a heterogeneous clinical entity with a broad range of grade, pace of disease, functional status, and primary sites. Pathologic classification, diagnostic modalities, and therapeutic options for NETs have evolved considerably in the past decade. In part driven by these advances, incidence and prevalence of NETs are rising in the United States and the practicing oncologist is likely to encounter these in the clinic. However, there are no clear lines of therapy for unresectable or metastatic NETs, and sequencing of systemic therapies depends on consideration of patient and tumor characteristics including extent of disease, grade, pace of growth, functional status, primary site, somatostatin receptor status, performance status, and comorbidities. Familiarity with ongoing clinical trials will guide therapeutic decision making as well. In this review, we seek to provide a framework to formulate and tailor an individualized treatment plan for each patient with a NET.
Clinical Review on the Management of Hormone Receptor–Positive Metastatic Breast Cancer
Authors: McAndrew Nicholas P. , Finn Richard S.
Published: October 2021

The natural history of hormone receptor–positive breast cancer tends to be more favorable than other subtypes such as human epidermal growth factor receptor 2–amplified and triple-negative. In addition, the natural dependence on steroid hormone signaling has allowed for therapeutic targeting of this pathway and significant improvements in survival while maintaining quality of life: the two main goals in management of the disease. The sequential use of endocrine agents including the selective estrogen receptor modulators (tamoxifen), aromatase inhibitors (letrozole, anastrozole, and exemestane) and the selective estrogen receptor degrader fulvestrant has been the backbone of management for years. In the past decade, the introduction of molecularly targeted agents against intracellular targets such as mammalian target of rapamycin (everolimus), cyclin-dependent kinases 4 and 6 (palbociclib, ribociclib, and abemaciclib), and phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (alpelisib) has offered patients effective nonchemotherapy-based options, which are improving outcomes. Although knowledge gaps still exist in regard to the optimal sequencing of these new regimens, they have expanded our repertoire of options for patients and have shifted the need for cytotoxic chemotherapy and its associated complications to later lines. Still, formatting a plan for these patients includes taking into account traditional prognostic factors such as menopausal status, previous treatments, disease-free interval for those patients with early breast cancer that has recurred, and tumor burden. To assist in developing this treatment plan, we will review the current data with systemic agents in the management of these patients.
Jews and Frenchies: The White Ethnic Minority in the US Virgin Islands
Authors: Roopnarine Lomarsh
Published: October 2021

Two white ethnic minorities, Jews and Frenchies, are rather unusual in St. Thomas, US Virgin Islands. The Jews arrived during the period of slavery and participated in the economic colonialism of islands, retaining a prominent position in the Virgin Islands. The Frenchies in St. Thomas arrived from St. Barths after slavery. These white minorities have expanded connections between friends and families as well as in their departed homeland and the Virgin Islands. Their strong religious beliefs and in-group solidarity allowed them to remain in the sociological and economic comfort zones of St. Thomas. In modern times, they have branched out from their insular zones and merged their mores and folkways and their peasant and professional ways, on their gradual terms, with those of other ethnic Virgin Islanders, bringing themselves closer to Virgin Islands society as evidenced by their younger generation.
Physiological responses of freshwater insects to salinity: molecular-, cellular- and organ-level studies
Authors: Silver Sydney , Donini Andrew
Published: October 2021

Salinization of freshwater is occurring throughout the world, affecting freshwater biota that inhabit rivers, streams, ponds, marshes and lakes. There are many freshwater insects, and these animals are important for ecosystem health. These insects have evolved physiological mechanisms to maintain their internal salt and water balance based on a freshwater environment that has comparatively little salt. In these habitats, insects must counter the loss of salts and dilution of their internal body fluids by sequestering salts and excreting water. Most of these insects can tolerate salinization of their habitats to a certain level; however, when exposed to salinization they often exhibit markers of stress and impaired development. An understanding of the physiological mechanisms for controlling salt and water balance in freshwater insects, and how these are affected by salinization, is needed to predict the consequences of salinization for freshwater ecosystems. Recent research in this area has addressed the whole-organism response, but the purpose of this Review is to summarize the effects of salinization on the osmoregulatory physiology of freshwater insects at the molecular to organ level. Research of this type is limited, and pursuing such lines of inquiry will improve our understanding of the effects of salinization on freshwater insects and the ecosystems they inhabit.
On the validity of the name Pseudamnicola subproductus (Paladilhe, 1869) (Caenogastropoda, Hydrobiidae)
Authors: Miller Jonathan P.
Published: October 2021

The validity of the name Amnicola subproducta Paladilhe has been controversial since the time of its publication. Several authors debated about whether to use this name instead of the original Amnicola spirata Paladilhe. Since the recent resumption of the debate seems poorly justified, literature research was done in order to clarify the validity of these names. An etymological analysis of the word Pseudamnicola is presented in order to ascertain the correct grammatical gender of the name.
Relações intergovernamentais no programa de aquisição de alimentos (PAA)
Authors: Salgado Rafael Junior dos Santos Figueiredo Salgado , Souza Washington José de , Sano Hironobu
Published: October 2021

Este artigo tem como objetivo analisar formas de relações intergovernamentais no Programa de Aquisição de Alimentos (PAA) no período 2012-2019, tomando como lente teórica formulações de Wright (1998) e Pierson (1995). A análise documental, ancorada em pesquisa bibliográfica complementar, evidencia caráter multifacetado do federalismo brasileiro uma vez que, dentro do PAA, a depender da modalidade, ora há interdependência ora se conserva a autoridade da União. Embora o programa tenha avançado nos últimos anos em direção à descentralização e à municipalização, existem lacunas na coordenação federativa notadamente por falta de regularidade na execução financeira e inexistência de órgão colegiado com a representação dos entes subnacionais.
Políticas públicas, neoliberalismo e democracia: agendas para a gestão pública
Authors: Da Silva Leite Cristiane Kerches , Pereira Andrade Daniel , Pinto da Fonseca Francisco César
Published: October 2021

Este texto apresenta análises e experiências que compõem o Fórum “Políticas Públicas, Neoliberalismo e Democracia” deste Cadernos Gestão Pública e Cidadania, trazendo ao campo da administração/gestão pública e das políticas públicas perspectivas teóricas consolidadas na economia política e nas ciências sociais sobre neoliberalismo. A partir de abordagens sobre neoliberalismo ancoradas no modelo de acumulação capitalista e suas derivações e no conceito de “governamentalidade” e adjacentes, advindos da obra de Foucault, argumenta-se que, nesta quadra histórica de crise sanitária, econômica, social, política e outras, é relevante que a produção do conhecimento acadêmico na administração pública considere o desafio interdisciplinar de desenvolver agendas de pesquisa que articulem categorias conceituais críticas ao neoliberalismo com o arcabouço teórico da administração e das políticas públicas. Portanto, analisa-se, com exemplos distintos, o papel corrosivo do ethos e das predições neoliberais às políticas públicas e à democracia.
Recognizing and mediating bureaucratic barriers: increasing access to care through small and medium-sized private providers in Kenya
Authors: Suchman Lauren , Owino Edward , Montagu Dominic
Published: October 2021

Background: Equitable access to health services can be constrained in countries where private practitioners make up a large portion of primary care providers. Expanding purchasing arrangements has helped many countries integrate private providers into government-supported payment schemes, reducing financial barriers to care. However, private providers often must go through an onerous accreditation process to enroll in these schemes. The difficulties of this process are exacerbated where health policy is changed often and low-level bureaucrats must navigate these shifts at their own discretion. This paper analyzes one initiative to increase private provider accreditation with social health insurance (SHI) in Kenya by creating an intermediary between providers and “street-level” SHI bureaucrats.

Methods: This paper draws on 126 semi-structured interviews about SHI accreditation experience with private providers who were members of a franchise network in Kenya. It also draws on four focus group discussions conducted with franchise representatives who provided accreditation support to the providers and served as liaisons between the franchised providers and local SHI offices. There was a total of 20 participants across all four focus groups.

Results: In a governance environment where regulations are weak and impermanent, street-level bureaucrats often created an accreditation process that was inconsistent and opaque. Support from the implementing organizations increased communication between SHI officials and providers, which clarified rules and increased providers’ confidence in the system. The intermediaries also reduced bureaucrats’ ability to apply regulations at will and helped to standardize the accreditation process for both providers and bureaucrats.

Conclusions: We conclude that intermediary organizations can mitigate institutional weaknesses and facilitate process efficiency. However, intermediaries only have a temporary role to play where there is potential to: 1) directly increase private providers’ power in a complex regulatory system; 2) reform the system itself to be more responsive to the limitations of on-the-ground implementation.
A spatio-temporal atlas of the developing fetal brain with spina bifida aperta
Authors: Fidon Lucas , Viola Elizabeth , Mufti Nada , David Anna L. , Melbourne Andrew , Demaerel Philippe , Ourselin Sébastien , Vercauteren Tom , Deprest Jan , Aertsen Michael
Published: October 2021

Background: Spina  bifida  aperta  (SBA)  is  a  birth  defect  associated  with  severe anatomical changes in the developing fetal brain.  Brain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) atlases are popular tools for studying neuropathology in the brain anatomy,  but  previous  fetal  brain  MRI  atlases  have  focused  on  the  normal  fetal brain. We aimed to develop a spatio-temporal fetal brain MRI atlas for SBA.

Methods: We developed a semi-automatic computational method to compute the first spatio-temporal fetal brain MRI atlas for SBA. We used 90 MRIs of fetuses with SBA with gestational ages ranging from 21 to 35 weeks. Isotropic and motion-free  3D  reconstructed  MRIs  were  obtained  for  all  the  examinations.   We propose a protocol for the annotation of anatomical landmarks in brain 3D MRI of fetuses with SBA with the aim of making spatial alignment of abnormal fetal brain MRIs  more  robust.   In  addition,  we  propose  a  weighted  generalized  Procrustes method based on the anatomical landmarks for the initialization of the atlas.  The proposed weighted generalized Procrustes can handle temporal regularization and missing annotations.  After initialization, the atlas is refined iteratively using non-linear  image  registration  based  on  the  image  intensity  and  the  anatomical  land-marks.  A semi-automatic method is used to obtain a parcellation of our fetal brain atlas into eight tissue types:  white matter, ventricular system, cerebellum, extra-axial  cerebrospinal  fluid,  cortical  gray  matter,  deep  gray  matter,  brainstem,  and corpus callosum.

Results: An intra-rater variability analysis suggests that the seven anatomical land-marks are sufficiently reliable. We find that the proposed atlas outperforms a normal fetal brain atlas for the automatic segmentation of brain 3D MRI of fetuses with SBA.

Conclusions: We make publicly available a spatio-temporal fetal brain MRI atlas for SBA, available here: https://doi.org/10.7303/syn25887675. This atlas can support future research on automatic segmentation methods for brain 3D MRI of fetuses with SBA.
Ten Years of Tartu–Konstanz Co-operation: Joint Seminars on Private Law and Successfully Defended Doctoral Theses in the Faculty of Law of the University of Tartu
Authors: Kull Irene , Ristikivi Merike
Published: October 2021

Ten years ago, the faculties of law of the University of Tartu and the University of Konstanz initiated a project of joint doctoral seminars. The first seminar took place in Tartu on 7–14 June 2010. Since then, joint seminars on private law have been held annually, alternately in Tartu/Tallinn and Konstanz. Professors and doctoral students from both universities, along with some master’s students, have given more than 200 presentations at these joint seminars. Articles have already been published on the basis of several presentations made in the seminar series. Of the doctoral students participating in the seminars, 13 have successfully defended their doctoral dissertations.
Are Class Actions Finally (Re)conquering Europe? Some Remarks on Directive 2020/1828
Authors: Stadler Astrid
Published: October 2021

The article provides a brief overview of the background of the new European Union directive on representative actions for protection of the collective interest of consumers (Directive 2020/1828). It describes the basic elements of the directive and explains the major changes that have occurred since the European Commission issued its Recommendation document on collective redress in 2013. The author highlights the issues of the scope of application of the directive, of legal standing to bring a representative action, of collective settlements, and of the problem of funding for collective actions. This discussion puts emphasis on the need to extend legal standing to individual members of the group and articulates an appeal to national legislatures, particularly in Germany, to be more open-minded towards commercial litigation funding and the establishment of a public access-to-justice fund designed to guarantee the effectiveness of Directive 2020/1828 and its implementation.
Shareholder Exit in Estonian Private Limited Companies: Proposals of the Company Law Revision Working Group
Authors: Vutt Andres , Vutt Margit
Published: October 2021

Private limited companies are small, closed companies in which, as a rule, there are few shareholders. Regrettably, conflicts arise between shareholders that cannot be resolved in such a way that the persons in dispute remain shareholders, since protracted litigation reduces the value of the company and may lead to the closing of the business. For resolving such situations, several countries have made provisions in their laws for the possibility of shareholder exit.

Current Estonian law does not provide for shareholder exit. The law regulates only a shareholder’s expulsion, but this remedy is not widely used in practice, since its scope is so limited. This mechanism cannot be used for solving the problems in most cases. There are some other possibilities for shareholder exit, but they are merely theoretical and have not been proved in case law.

A review of Estonia’s company law commenced in 2016, and the working group presented its proposals for amending the relevant laws in 2019. One proposal made by the revision working group was to bring into the law provisions governing shareholder exit. Under the proposals made, shareholder exit would be possible only for a valid reason and as ultima ratio. The right to claim for exclusion of a shareholder is held by any shareholder(s) having at least 50% of the votes. If a shareholder is excluded from the company, the court has to determine the compensation to be paid to the departing shareholder, taking into account the rules on capital maintenance.
SUSTAINABILITY OF EDUCATION IN POST-PANDEMIC: CHALLENGES AND OPPORTUNITY
Authors: Wibawa Aria Cakra , Suharjo Bambang
Published: October 2021

The pandemic around the world has been going on for more than a year. A major impact in education has been the change from conventional education to online information technology-based education. After the pandemic, it was necessary to plan the educational model that was carrying out. To examine the educational model in the Indonesian Navy after the pandemic, a combination of SWOT - AHP will be carried out. The research subjects included five middle-ranking officers in the Indonesian Navy educational institution and the Indonesian Navy Education Office. The result of the research is that the Indonesian Navy needs to integrate the online-based education model with face-to-face education. Online-based education, especially in theory and face-to-face learning in the discussion model, workgroup, and teamwork in military team formations, platoons, company, battalion, and skills training in using the equipment. The global strategy compiled is an intensification of the combination of online and offline learning with an increasingly advanced educational information system, combining teaching materials and being equipped with increasingly qualified teaching staff from within the Indonesian Navy and others to improve Indonesian Navy education while maintaining system security and improve HR capabilities in the IT field by collaborating with other relevant agencies
IDENTIFYING THE CULTURE OF THE MUHAMMADIYAH ISLAMIC BOARDING SCHOOL
Authors: Mardalis Ahmad , Ahmadi Mirzam Arqy , Shobahiya Mahasri , Saleh Minhayati
Published: October 2021

This study aims to determine the organizational culture at the Muhammadiyah Islamic Boarding School. This research method includes qualitative research with the object of research is the Islamic Boarding School Modern Imam Syuhodo Sukoharjo. This study's collection method was obtained by seeking information from high-ranking informants and distributing questionnaires filled out by respondents at the Muhammadiyah Islamic Boarding School. Data collection techniques are carried out by interview, observation, and documentation supported by OCAI instruments. The results of the Leadership Research show that from the point of view of the leadership's assessment of the current dominant organizational culture, namely clan culture (40) and hierarchy (23). The data obtained shows that there is a significant difference between clan and hierarchy. The research results concluded that clan is the dominant culture for the current organizational culture and the dominant culture for the expected culture. At the same time, the hierarchy becomes the dominant culture in the second position. Then the organization needs a greater sense of kinship and better regulations to maintain organizational stability.
Inclusive Growth in Northern and Southern Central Java
Authors: Wuranti Hayu
Published: October 2021

Inclusive growth is one of the visions of sustainable development.  Economic growth of a region is said to be inclusive if it is able to reduce poverty, reduce inequality and absorb more labour. Central Java is one of the regions with fairly high economic growth but has various social problems. Therefore, this study wants to see the inclusiveness of economic growth in the North and South Central Java region. The research is based on data from 35 districts in Central Java, which adopts the concept formulated by Klasen (2010) regarding the Poverty-Equivalent Growth Rate (PEGR). The research shows that during the 2018-2020 period, Central Java had not consistently has inclusive growth. Meanwhile, inclusive growth for the three indicators in 2018 mostly occurred in the northern part of Central Java  but was more and more balanced.
Lycopene Rich Drink: Consumers Acceptance and Purchase Intention in Malaysia
Authors: Rusli Rawaida , Baharudin Siti 'Aisyah , Md.Noh Nur Fazliana , Anvarali Mohamad Nazim , Hassan Hadijah
Published: October 2021

This study had been carried out to assess the level of acceptance and purchase intention towards new functional beverages developed by the Malaysia Agricultural Research Development Institute (MARDI). The Lycopene Rich Drink (LRD) had been assessed towards 400 respondents in 4 Zone in Malaysia which is Northern, Southern, Western, and Eastern using stratified sampling. The results revealed that the consumers had well accepted the LRD based on the highest mean score acceptance (mean=4.16) compared to the commercial (mean=3.15) beverages in the market. Taste and color are the most preferred attributes that influenced the purchase intention. The logistic regression analysis had predicted almost 95% of the respondents' intent to purchase. Marital status and number of households are the sociodemographic factors that show a significant relationship based on the Chi-Square analysis. The findings of this study are beneficial for the beverages industry players towards exploiting the opportunity of health additional benefit offered.