bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Reid Bryson: The crisis climatologist
Authors: Naylor Robert Luke
Published: October 2021

Reid Allen Bryson (1920–2008) was a forceful orator who consistently fought against institutional pressures to get his messages out to the public. In the 1960s, Bryson was a leader in the wider academic turn toward politically charged interdisciplinarianism. To the dismay of many of his colleagues, he publicly made climatological prognoses in the 1970s, becoming a significant figure in the media landscape. He was not swayed by the arguments for global warming, even as the framing became the recognized face of climate change in the late 1980s. By examining the controversies that Bryson instigated and the currents that he swam against, we can see the wider community crystallizing and promoting positions that may have previously gone unstated. In addition, Bryson's personal contribution to the rise of climate discourse has been underexplored in the historical literature. Bryson was instrumental in bringing climate onto the political radar during the World Food Crisis of 1973, shocking both the US and Canadian political establishments into paying more attention to the issue. Bryson's narrative linking climate change to both food supply and a series of climate anomalies in the 1970s remained predominant in the first World Climate Conference of 1979. Bryson also helped break a seal on climatologists speaking directly to the media, leading to unprecedented climate discourse in the 1970s and giving climate change a springboard to become one of the defining issues of the 21st century.

This article is categorized under:

Climate, History, Society, Culture > Thought Leaders
LCA in the Field of Safety at Work: A New Engineering Study Subject
Authors: Agarski Boris , Ubavin Dejan , Vukelic Djordje , Micunovic Milana Ilic , Budak Igor
Published: October 2021

Life cycle assessment (LCA) is a standardised and comprehensive approach for evaluation of environmental impacts within the material and energy flows associated with various human activities and through the life cycle stages. Besides environmental impact evaluation, with LCA, costs, social impacts, impacts on workers, organisations and others can also be assessed. This paper focuses on development of educational framework for evaluation of occupational safety based on LCA. The goal is to develop a new study subject “LCA in the field of safety at work” for the occupational safety engineering master study programme at the Faculty of Technical Sciences in Novi Sad. New study subject is based on LCA approaches that evaluate the occupational safety and impact on workers. Based on the previous research of LCA in the field of occupational safety, the goal, outcome, content and realisation are defined for the new study subject.
City Air Management: LCA-Based Decision Support Model to Improve Air Quality
Authors: Holst Jens-Christian , Müller Katrin , Jaeger Florian Ansgar , Heidinger Klaus
Published: October 2021

Siemens has developed an emission model of cities to understand the root cause and interactions to reduce air emissions. The City Air Management (CyAM) consists of monitoring, forecasting and simulation of measures. CyAM model aims to provide formation on air pollution reduction potential of short-term measures to take the right actions to minimize and avoid pollution peaks before they are likely to happen. The methodology uses a parameterized life cycle assessment model for transport emissions and calculates the local impact on air quality KPIs of individual transport measures at the specific hotspot. The system is able to forecast air quality and by how it is expected to exceed health or regulatory thresholds over the coming 5 days.

In this paper, the LCA model and results from selected cities will be presented: Case studies show how a specific combination of technologies/measures will reduce the transport demand, enhance traffic flow or improve the efficiency of the vehicle fleet in the vicinity of the emission hotspot/monitoring station.
Resultate: Der Einfluss des Brand Contents auf das Markenimage
Authors: Albisser Matthias
Published: October 2021

In diesem Kapitel werden die postulierten Hypothesen zur Wirkung von Brand Content auf das Markenimage überprüft.
Diskussion
Authors: Albisser Matthias
Published: October 2021

In diesem abschliessenden Kapitel folgt eine Diskussion der Resultate der empirischen Arbeit. Zuerst wird die Ausgangslage der Studie rekapituliert und die Relevanz der Arbeit nochmals dargelegt. In den Abschnitt 8.2 bis 8.4 werden die durch die Studie erhaltenen Resultate reflektiert und in die bestehende, in Kapitel 5 dargelegte Literatur eingeordnet.
Toward a dataist future: tracing Scandinavian posthumanism in Real Humans
Authors: Larsen Mads
Published: October 2021

Artificial intelligence is likely to undermine the anthropocentrism of humanism, the master narrative that undergirds the modern world. Humanity will need a new story to structure our beliefs and cooperation around. As different regions explore posthumanist alternatives through fiction, they bring with them distinct traditions of thought. The Swedish TV series Real Humans (2012–2014) and its British remake, Humans (2015–2018), dramatize the challenge of freeing oneself from cultural presumptions. When negotiating personhood with humanoid robots, the Swedish protagonist family presupposes a social-democratic ethos, which is a trace of Scandinavian humanism that carries into the family’s posthumanist beliefs. Using Heideggerian and related perspectives, I analyze these series to make a case for a dataist ontology with potential to re-enchant the modern world and bring forth a new epoch of being. Such a master narrative of algorithmic universality could be facilitated by a new level of interconnectedness made possible by AI. This ontology fulfills the requirements of Robbins and Horta (Introduction, Cosmopolitanisms. New York University Press, New York, pp 1–17, 2017) who call for a cosmopolitanism of inclusivity with room for overlapping conceptions to remedy our present era’s international dysfunction. The Swedish and British TV series suggest that even if humanity’s uniting around a dataist master narrative were to be driven by intercultural competition, the decisive choice might be out of human hands. Paradoxically, such disempowering in terms of agency is portrayed as necessary for human re-enchantment.
Controlling my genome with my smartphone: first clinical experiences of the PROMISE system
Authors: Amr Ali , Hinderer Marc , Griebel Lena , Deuber Dominic , Egger Christoph , Sedaghat-Hamedani Farbod , Kayvanpour Elham , Huhn Daniel , Haas Jan , Frese Karen , Schweig Marc , Marnau Ninja , Krämer Annika , Durand Claudia , Battke Florian , Prokosch Hans-Ulrich , Backes Michael , Keller Andreas , Schröder Dominique , Katus Hugo A. , Frey Norbert , Meder Benjamin
Published: October 2021

Background

The development of Precision Medicine strategies requires high-dimensional phenotypic and genomic data, both of which are highly privacy-sensitive data types. Conventional data management systems lack the capabilities to sufficiently handle the expected large quantities of such sensitive data in a secure manner. PROMISE is a genetic data management concept that implements a highly secure platform for data exchange while preserving patient interests, privacy, and autonomy.

Methods

The concept of PROMISE to democratize genetic data was developed by an interdisciplinary team. It integrates a sophisticated cryptographic concept that allows only the patient to grant selective access to defined parts of his genetic information with single DNA base-pair resolution cryptography. The PROMISE system was developed for research purposes to evaluate the concept in a pilot study with nineteen cardiomyopathy patients undergoing genotyping, questionnaires, and longitudinal follow-up.

Results

The safety of genetic data was very important to 79%, and patients generally regarded the data as highly sensitive. More than half the patients reported that their attitude towards the handling of genetic data has changed after using the PROMISE app for 4 months (median). The patients reported higher confidence in data security and willingness to share their data with commercial third parties, including pharmaceutical companies (increase from 5 to 32%).

Conclusion

PROMISE democratizes genomic data by a transparent, secure, and patient-centric approach. This clinical pilot study evaluating a genetic data infrastructure is unique and shows that patient’s acceptance of data sharing can be increased by patient-centric decision-making.

Graphic abstract
Influence of optimizing prosumers on rural distribution networks
Authors: Lagler Mike Alexander , Schürhuber Robert
Published: October 2021

A plethora of factors is currently leading to significant changes in both the planning and operation of distribution networks and systems, such as single-family houses and commercial and industrial buildings. These factors include the increasing share of decentralized energy generation and storage systems in distribution networks, the integration of electric vehicles, the coupling of electrical and thermal systems, as well as the increasing and easy use of Information and Communication Technologies (ICT). The primary actors in this situation, formerly known as consumers of energy and power, have now become prosumers (producers and consumers), who feed energy back into the network at specific times.

Hybrid energy systems combine cross-sectoral energy sources and supply systems as well as energy distribution and storage to form one compact system. The aim is to substitute fossil energy sources with primarily renewably generated electricity, other renewable energy sources, and sustainable ways of energy usage. Moreover, the use of new meter functions and services enables market-dependent dynamic or special consumer- and prosumer-oriented tariffs.

A simulation model has been developed to model, simulate, and analyze the behavior and steady-state energy flows of such hybrid energy systems. By using linear optimization algorithms, the optimal use of decentralized energy generation and storage systems is determined in the example of a single-family house. The simulation model considers different optimization objectives, desired energy services, external boundary conditions, individual technical components, as well as selected energy tariffs. Furthermore, the simulation model is used to analyze how the high penetration of optimizing prosumers influences rural distribution networks.
Perioperative coagulofibrinolytic responses in colorectal surgery patients without chemical thromboprophylaxis: a retrospective observational study
Authors: Matsumoto Hironori , Ishimaru Kei , Kikuchi Satoshi , Akita Satoshi , Yamamoto Yuji , Yoshida Motohira , Koga Shigehiro , Egi Hiroyuki , Watanabe Yuji
Published: October 2021

Purpose

During the perioperative period, coagulofibrinolytic activation occurs, which occasionally results in thromboembolic complications. However, natural perioperative coagulofibrinolytic responses have not been well investigated. The present study examined perioperative coagulofibrinolytic changes and their association with the development of venous thromboembolism (VTE).

Methods

We retrospectively analyzed the changes in coagulofibrinolytic markers for 7 days in 70 patients undergoing elective colorectal surgery. To explore the natural coagulofibrinolytic response, we investigated patients not undergoing perioperative chemical thromboprophylaxis.

Results

Coagulation activation occurred from just after surgery to postoperative day (POD) 1, followed by a gradual decrease, but persisted to even POD 7. Fibrinolytic activity showed a tri-phasic response: activation, shutdown and reactivation. Consequently, fibrin/fibrinogen degradation product (FDP) and D-dimer levels continued to increase until POD 7. The development of deep vein thrombosis (DVT) was observed in 11 patients (15.7%). Postoperative sustained hyper-coagulation [soluble fibrin (SF) or thrombin–antithrombin complex (TAT) values on POD 7 > their normal limits] was significantly associated with the development of DVT (SF,p < 0.001; TAT,p = 0.001).

Conclusion

We found initial coagulation activation and a tri-phasic response of fibrinolytic activity after colorectal surgery. Thus, physicians need to pay attention to these responses when attempting to prevent or treat VTE.
A paper-based polystyrene/nylon Janus platform for the microextraction of UV filters in water samples as proof-of-concept
Authors: Benedé Juan L. , Chisvert Alberto , Lucena Rafael , Cárdenas Soledad
Published: October 2021

A new mix-mode cellulose-based sorptive phase is described that combines two different polymeric domains (i.e., nylon and polystyrene), thus providing simultaneous hydrophilic and hydrophobic features as a result. By analogy with Janus materials, the new paper-based sorptive phase has been named paper-based polystyrene/nylon Janus-platform (P-Ps/Ny-JP). The main advantages of the proposed P-Ps/Ny-JP are the sustainability, simplicity in synthesis, and low cost of this extraction device. The main parameters affecting the synthesis (i.e., coating procedure and polymers proportion) have been studied, and the resulting material has been characterized via scanning electron microscopy and infrared spectroscopy. As a proof-of-concept, the simultaneous extraction of fourteen UV filters of a wide range of polarity, with log P values ranging from − 0.234 to 16.129, from water samples and their determination by liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC–MS/MS) has been performed. The proposed methodology enables the determination of these chemicals with limits of detection from 12 to 71 ng L−1, and the precision, expressed as a relative standard deviation, was below 15%. The extraction device was applied to the analysis of real water samples likely to contain UV filters (i.e., two private swimming pool water and one seawater) and the recovery values were in the range 73–121%.

Graphical abstract
Avoidance of milk and dairy products after oral surgery—is such a recommendation still valid? A cross-sectional study among German and international oral and maxillofacial surgeons and dental practitioners with review of the literature
Authors: Seyedi Moghaddam Schiwa , Neff Andreas
Published: October 2021

Purpose

For prevention of wound-healing complications, patients in German-speaking countries are traditionally advised to avoid consumption of milk and dairy products after oral surgery. In the absence of national and international guidelines, this study investigates scientific evidence and compares international practice, frequency scale, and rationale behind such recommendation.

Methods

Comparison of a German cross-sectional mono-center-questionnaire pilot study and a survey among international oral and maxillofacial surgeons (OMFS), specialized oral surgeons and general dentists, evaluating international practice regarding post-operative dietary and nutrition recommendations. Our literature review further assessed scientific evidence for relevant effects of probiotics, prebiotics, and/or synbiotics.

Results

Among German study participants, 56% (n = 64/114) advise patients to avoid milk and dairy products, with 42% of OMFS (n = 38) and 65% (n = 76) of the general dentists recommending abstention (p = .027). In striking contrast, such recommendation could not be identified in our international survey (n = 143) (t test, p < .001) nor in the literature. There were significant differences between German and international study participants regarding the rationale for dietary recommendations, with dental schools and literature most frequently indicated as sources (Fisher’s exact test, p < .001).

Conclusion

The hypothesis of a harmful effect of the consumption of milk and dairy products after dentoalveolar surgery could not be supported by evidence. The recommendation to avoid dairy products post-surgery was identified as a specific phenomenon practiced almost exclusively in German-speaking countries. Corresponding recommendations, most probably based on a now irrelevant risk of contracting tuberculosis from milk products, can at present no longer be substantiated.
Vulnerability Factors among Women Victimized by Intimate Partner Violence and the Presence of Children
Authors: Petersson Joakim , Thunberg Sara
Published: October 2021

This study aimed to a) examine the presence of children in relation to victim vulnerability factors and assessed risk for intimate partner violence (IPV) re-victimization, and b) examine the police response, in terms of risk management, in IPV cases with and without children, respectively. Data from a sample of 1407 women who had reported IPV victimization to the Swedish police was analyzed. The material consisted of risk assessments conducted by the police using the Swedish version of the Brief Spousal Assault Form for the Evaluation of Risk (B-SAFER) checklist, as well as the recommended risk management strategies. A series of chi-square tests of independence revealed that women with and without children, respectively, displayed different vulnerability factors to different extents. Women with children expressed more extreme fear of the perpetrator and were more likely to have an unsafe living situation, whereas women without children displayed more inconsistent attitudes or behaviors and health problems. However, binary logistic regression analyses showed that the victim vulnerability factors that were most strongly associated with an elevated risk rating for IPV re-victimization were generally the same for both groups of victims. Finally, the presence of children was related to a higher risk rating for imminent IPV re-victimization and to recommendations of more than standard levels of risk management strategies. The results indicate that the Swedish police consider the presence of children in relation to a victim’s risk for re-victimization as well as in terms of recommended risk management strategies.
Optimizing Adaptive Notifications in Mobile Health Interventions Systems: Reinforcement Learning from a Data-driven Behavioral Simulator
Authors: Wang Shihan , Zhang Chao , Kröse Ben , van Hoof Herke
Published: October 2021

Mobile health (mHealth) intervention systems can employ adaptive strategies to interact with users. Instead of designing such complex strategies manually, reinforcement learning (RL) can be used to adaptively optimize intervention strategies concerning the user’s context. In this paper, we focus on the issue of overwhelming interactions when learning a good adaptive strategy for the user in RL-based mHealth intervention agents. We present a data-driven approach integrating psychological insights and knowledge of historical data. It allows RL agents to optimize the strategy of delivering context-aware notifications from empirical data when counterfactual information (user responses when receiving notifications) is missing. Our approach also considers a constraint on the frequency of notifications, which reduces the interaction burden for users. We evaluated our approach in several simulation scenarios using real large-scale running data. The results indicate that our RL agent can deliver notifications in a manner that realizes a higher behavioral impact than context-blind strategies.
What drives low-carbon agriculture? The experience of farms from the Wielkopolska region in Poland
Authors: Borychowski Michał , Grzelak Aleksander , Popławski Łukasz
Published: October 2021

Because of global environmental problems, low-carbon agriculture has gained increasing importance both in developed and developing countries. Hence, there is a need to find ways to develop more efficient agricultural systems. The purpose of this article is to identify the drivers of low-carbon agriculture on farms in the Wielkopolska region (in Poland). We aimed to take an original approach to investigate low-carbon agriculture with a unique set of different economic and environmental variables and contribute to the literature, which is not very extensive in terms of microeconomic research, including research on farmers in the Wielkopolska region. Therefore, we employed a multiple-factor measurement model for structural equation modeling (SEM) of data collected individually from 120 farms in 2020. As a result, we formulated the following conclusions: the increasing productivity of factors (land, labor, and capital) have a positive effect on low-carbon farming, just as increasing fertilizer and energy efficiency. Moreover, thermal insulation is also important for low-carbon agriculture, with efficiency of fertilizer use being the most important factor. We believe that the issues of farm use of fertilizers and thermal insulation of buildings should be more broadly included in energy policy, both at the national and the European Union (EU) levels. Some of these factors however are already present in the common agricultural policy (CAP) for 2021–2027.
The outbreak of COVID-19 in Taiwan in late spring 2021: combinations of specific weather conditions and related factors
Authors: Chang Shih-An , Kuan Chia-Hsuan , Hung Chi-Yen , Wang Tai-Chi Chen , Chen Yu-Sheng
Published: October 2021

This study aimed to investigate the impact of weather conditions on the daily incidence of the COVID-19 pandemic in late spring 2021 in Taiwan, which is unlike the weather conditions of the COVID-19 outbreak in 2020. Meteorological parameters such as maximum daily temperature, relative humidity, and wind speed were included. The Spearman rank correlation test was used to evaluate the relationship between weather and daily domestic COVID-19 cases. The maximum daily temperature had a positively significant correlation with daily new COVID-19 cases within a 14-day lag period, while the relative humidity and wind speed has a fairly high correlation with the number of daily cases within a 13- and 14-day lag, respectively. In addition, the weather characteristics during this period were an increasingly high temperature, with steady high relative humidity and slightly decreasing wind speed. Our study revealed the weather conditions at the time of the domestic outbreak of COVID-19 in Taiwan in May 2021 and the possible association between weather factors and the COVID-19 pandemic. Further large-scale analysis of weather factors is essential for understanding the impact of weather on the spread of infectious diseases.
Drugs and Bugs: The Gut-Brain Axis and Substance Use Disorders
Authors: Simpson Sierra , Mclellan Rio , Wellmeyer Emma , Matalon Frederic , George Olivier
Published: October 2021

Substance use disorders (SUDs) represent a significant public health crisis. Worldwide, 5.4% of the global disease burden is attributed to SUDs and alcohol use, and many more use psychoactive substances recreationally. Often associated with comorbidities, SUDs result in changes to both brain function and physiological responses. Mounting evidence calls for a precision approach for the treatment and diagnosis of SUDs, and the gut microbiome is emerging as a contributor to such disorders. Over the last few centuries, modern lifestyles, diets, and medical care have altered the health of the microbes that live in and on our bodies; as we develop, our diets and lifestyle dictate which microbes flourish and which microbes vanish. An increase in antibiotic treatments, with many antibiotic interventions occurring early in life during the microbiome's normal development, transforms developing microbial communities. Links have been made between the microbiome and SUDs, and the microbiome and conditions that are often comorbid with SUDs such as anxiety, depression, pain, and stress. A better understanding of the mechanisms influencing behavioral changes and drug use is critical in developing novel treatments for SUDSs. Targeting the microbiome as a therapeutic and diagnostic tool is a promising avenue of exploration. This review will provide an overview of the role of the gut-brain axis in a wide range of SUDs, discuss host and microbe pathways that mediate changes in the brain’s response to drugs, and the microbes and related metabolites that impact behavior and health within the gut-brain axis.

Graphic Abstract
Die Adhärenz Erwachsener an der Bewegungsaufzeichnung über 7 Tage mittels Akzelerometer
Authors: Ulbricht Sabina , Siewert-Markus Ulrike , Ullrich Antje , Voigt Lisa , John Ulrich
Published: October 2021

Hintergrund

Über den Einsatz direkter Messmethoden zur Erfassung körperlicher Aktivität bei Erwachsenen in Deutschland ist bislang wenig bekannt.

Ziel

Ziel der Studie ist die Beschreibung der Adhärenz und die Analyse individueller Determinanten, ein Akzelerometer über 7 Tage zu tragen.

Material und Methoden

In einem Einkaufszentrum wurden 365 Personen (40 bis 75 Jahre) für eine 7‑tägige Aufzeichnung ihrer körperlichen Aktivität gewonnen. Von diesen hatten 231 (63,3 %) das Gerät täglich mindestens 10 h getragen.

Ergebnisse

Teilnehmende in Partnerschaft trugen das Akzelerometer mit höherer Wahrscheinlichkeit entsprechend der Anweisung verglichen mit jenen ohne Partnerschaft. Schlechtere subjektive Gesundheit war mit einer geringeren Einhaltung der Anweisungen das Akzelerometer zu tragen assoziiert.

Diskussion

Um möglichst valide Daten über Umfang und Intensität körperlicher Aktivität zu erhalten, sollten Menschen ohne Partner und solche mit schlechterer subjektiver Gesundheit über den Tragezeitraum des Gerätes hinweg motiviert werden, es regelmäßig zu tragen.
Evaluation eines hochschulinternen Fitnessstudios und die Auswirkungen auf die Lebensqualität von Trainierenden – eine Querschnittsstudie
Authors: Griefahn Annika , Twellmann Thomas , Yalcin Leon , Zalpour Christoff
Published: October 2021

Hintergrund

Präventive Maßnahmen werden im Rahmen der Gesundheitsförderung immer bedeutsamer. Die regelmäßige Bewegung führt u. a. zu einer Stärkung des Herz-Kreislauf-Systems sowie zur Reduktion von muskuloskelettalen Beschwerden. Angestellte von Hochschulen sowie Studierende leiden häufig unter muskuloskelettalen Beschwerden.

Ziel

Ziel der Kundenbefragung ist es, die Zufriedenheit mit dem hochschulinternen Fitnessstudio INMOVE abzufragen, das rein physiotherapeutisch konzipiert ist. Mithilfe des Fragebogens sollen v. a. die Bereiche der Zufriedenheit, der physiotherapeutischen Betreuung sowie die subjektive Lebensqualität beurteilt werden.

Methode

Es wurde eine Kundenbefragung mit 26 Fragen, welche in vier Abschnitte eingeteilt sind, durchgeführt. Die geschlossenen Fragen wurden deskriptiv ausgewertet und die acht offenen Fragen wurden mit der Kernsatzmethode nach Leithäuser und Volmerg (1988) ausgewertet.

Ergebnisse

An der Befragung nahmen insgesamt 70 Trainierende (weiblich: 22/31,2 %, männlich: 48/68,8 %) teil. Anhand der Ergebnisse zeigt sich, dass die Teilnehmenden die Frage „Inwieweit sind die Kunden des hier genannten INMOVE mit dem Fitnessstudio zufrieden?“ mit „ziemlich zutreffend“ und „zutreffend“ beantworteten. Die zweite Forschungsfrage „Ist die physiotherapeutische Betreuung adäquat für das Fitnessstudio?“ kann mit „ziemlich zutreffend“ beantwortet werden. Die dritte Forschungsfrage bezog sich auf die Verbesserung der subjektiven Lebensqualität. Die Antwortenverteilung spiegelt, dass die Teilnehmenden diesen Themenbereich mit überwiegend „trifft genau zu“ oder „trifft ziemlich zu“ beantworteten.

Schlussfolgerung

Anhand der Kundenbefragung konnte die Zufriedenheit sowie die Auswirkungen auf die subjektive Lebensqualität beurteilt werden. Es lässt sich aus den Ergebnissen ableiten, dass ein hochschulinternes Fitnessstudio dabei helfen kann, Alltagsstress abzubauen und somit präventiv bei muskuloskelettalen Beschwerden nützlich ist.
The Role of PPAR-γ in Allergic Disease
Authors: Stark Julian M. , Coquet Jonathan M. , Tibbitt Christopher A.
Published: October 2021

Purpose of Review

The incidence of allergic diseases such as asthma, rhinitis and atopic dermatitis has risen at an alarming rate over the last century. Thus, there is a clear need to understand the critical factors that drive such pathologic immune responses. Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-γ (PPAR-γ) is a nuclear receptor that has emerged as an important regulator of multiple cell types involved in the inflammatory response to allergens; from airway epithelial cells to T Helper (TH) cells.

Recent Findings

Initial studies suggested that agonists of PPAR-γ could be employed to temper allergic inflammation, suppressing pro-inflammatory gene expression programs in epithelial cells. Several lines of work now suggest that PPAR-γ plays an essential in promoting ‘type 2’ immune responses that are typically associated with allergic disease. PPAR-γ has been found to promote the functions of TH2 cells, type 2 innate lymphoid cells, M2 macrophages and dendritic cells, regulating lipid metabolism and directly inducing effector gene expression. Moreover, preclinical models of allergy in gene-targeted mice have increasingly implicated PPAR-γ in driving allergic inflammation.

Herein, we highlight the contrasting roles of PPAR-γ in allergic inflammation and hypothesize that the availability of environmental ligands for PPAR-γ may be at the heart of the rise in allergic diseases worldwide.
Diagnostic Challenges in Sepsis
Authors: Duncan Chris F. , Youngstein Taryn , Kirrane Marianne D. , Lonsdale Dagan O.
Published: October 2021

Purpose of Review

Sepsis is a leading cause of death worldwide. Groundbreaking international collaborative efforts have culminated in the widely accepted surviving sepsis guidelines, with iterative improvements in management strategies and definitions providing important advances in care for patients. Key to the diagnosis of sepsis is identification of infection, and whilst the diagnostic criteria for sepsis is now clear, the diagnosis of infection remains a challenge and there is often discordance between clinician assessments for infection.

Recent Findings

We review the utility of common biochemical, microbiological and radiological tools employed by clinicians to diagnose infection and explore the difficulty of making a diagnosis of infection in severe inflammatory states through illustrative case reports. Finally, we discuss some of the novel and emerging approaches in diagnosis of infection and sepsis.

While prompt diagnosis and treatment of sepsis is essential to improve outcomes in sepsis, there remains no single tool to reliably identify or exclude infection. This contributes to unnecessary antimicrobial use that is harmful to individuals and populations. There is therefore a pressing need for novel solutions. Machine learning approaches using multiple diagnostic and clinical inputs may offer a potential solution but as yet these approaches remain experimental.
Investigating the effects of COVID-19 lockdown on Italian children and adolescents with and without neurodevelopmental disorders: a cross-sectional study
Authors: Termine Cristiano , Dui Linda Greta , Borzaga Laura , Galli Vera , Lipari Rossella , Vergani Marta , Berlusconi Valentina , Agosti Massimo , Lunardini Francesca , Ferrante Simona
Published: October 2021

We conducted a cross-sectional study to compare the impact of social distancing and lifestyle changes that occurred during Corona Virus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) lockdown on children and adolescents with and without Neurodevelopmental Disorders (NDDs). An online questionnaire was administered in order to investigate the effects of NDD condition, socio-demographic status, familiar/home environment and COVID-19 exposure on their lives during a two months period of social isolation. We used logistic regression, focusing on five endpoints (remote learning, lifestyle, stress/anxiety, sociality, scolding) to define the extent of these effects. Most questions were paired up to parents and children, to verify the occurrence of agreement. 8305 questionnaires were analyzed, 1362 of which completed by NDDs and 6943 by controls. Results showed that the presence of a NDD, compared to controls, had a significant impact on: Remote Learning (i.e. subjects with NDDs experienced more difficulties in attending online classes and studying), Sociality (i.e. subjects with NDDs missed their schoolmates less), Scolding (i.e. subjects with NDDs were scolded more often) and Anxiety (i.e. subjects with NDDs were perceived by their parents as more anxious). Substantial agreement between parents and children arose from questions concerning Remote learning, Lifestyle and Scolding. The current study actually points out that having a NDD gives account for a stronger influence on school performance and on behavioral and psychological aspects, during a two months lockdown. Such results may provide useful information to governments and school authorities on how carrying through supportive strategies for youth affected by NDDs.
Re-assessment of ammonoid specimens from the Early Carboniferous Protocanites Beds of the Badenweiler–Lenzkirch Zone (Schwarzwald, Central Variscan Belt): age constraints for a lithostratigraphic key bed
Authors: Korn Dieter , Montenari Michael
Published: October 2021

TheProtocanitesBeds of the Black Forest Massif (Germany) form an important lithostratigraphic key bed, as the index fossils contained in this formation enable correlation within large areas of the internal zone of the central Variscan Belt of Europe. Furthermore, the formation provides significant information on the geodynamic evolution of the Moldanubian Zone. The stratigraphic age of the formation has been a subject of controversy in the past; a Devonian to Viséan age has been proposed. To determine the age of theProtocanitesBeds, two ammonoid specimens from theProtocanitesBeds of Schönau are re-described here. They belong toBecanites abnobensisandPericylcus princepsand fix the stratigraphic position of theProtocanitesBeds to the early Late Tournaisian.
Influence of processing steps on the fate of ochratoxin A, patulin, and alternariol during production of cloudy and clear apple juices
Authors: Aroud Husam Ibrahem , May Bianca , Dietrich Helmut , Schweiggert Ralf , Kemmlein Sabine
Published: October 2021

Mycotoxins are frequently found in fruits and fruit juices. However, data about occurrence and fate of mycotoxins along the fruit juice processing chain are currently insufficient. Herein, a liquid chromatographic/tandem mass spectrometric (LC–MS/MS) multi-mycotoxin method was developed and applied to investigate the effect of technological unit operations on the fate of three of the most relevant mycotoxins along the processing chain for cloudy and clear apple juice, namely patulin (PAT), ochratoxin A (OTA), and alternariol (AOH). Raw juice obtained directly after dejuicing was spiked with the aforementioned mycotoxins at pilot-plant scale prior to subjecting it to different technological unit operations. Regarding clear apple juice production treatment with a pectinolytic enzyme preparation, and pasteurization were insignificant for mycotoxin reduction, but fining with subsequent filtration was effective, although the mycotoxins showed different affinity towards the tested agents. The most effective fining agent was activated charcoal/bentonite in combination with ultrafiltration, which removed OTA (54 µg/L) and AOH (79 µg/L) to not quantifiable amounts (limit of quantification (LOQ) 1.4 and 4.6 µg/L, respectively), while PAT was reduced only by 20% (from 396 to 318 µg/L). Regarding cloudy apple juice production, all studied processing steps such as centrifugation and pasteurization were ineffective in reducing mycotoxin levels. In brief, none of the common steps of clear and cloudy apple juice production represented a fully effective safety step for minimizing or even eliminating common mycotoxins. Thus, ensuring the sole use of sound apples should be of utmost importance for processors, particularly for those manufacturing cloudy juices.
Liquid biopsies in epilepsy: biomarkers for etiology, diagnosis, prognosis, and therapeutics
Authors: Whitlock Jordan H. , Soelter Tabea M. , Williams Avery S. , Hardigan Andrew A. , Lasseigne Brittany N.
Published: October 2021

Epilepsy is one of the most common diseases of the central nervous system, impacting nearly 50 million people around the world. Heterogeneous in nature, epilepsy presents in children and adults alike. Currently, surgery is one treatment approach that can completely cure epilepsy. However, not all individuals are eligible for surgical procedures or have successful outcomes. In addition to surgical approaches, antiepileptic drugs (AEDs) have also allowed individuals with epilepsy to achieve freedom from seizures. Others have found treatment through nonpharmacologic approaches such as vagus nerve stimulation, or responsive neurostimulation. Difficulty in accessing samples of human brain tissue along with advances in sequencing technology have driven researchers to investigate sampling liquid biopsies in blood, serum, plasma, and cerebrospinal fluid within the context of epilepsy. Liquid biopsies provide minimal or non-invasive sample collection approaches and can be assayed relatively easily across multiple time points, unlike tissue-based sampling. Various efforts have investigated circulating nucleic acids from these samples including microRNAs, cell-free DNA, transfer RNAs, and long non-coding RNAs. Here, we review nucleic acid-based liquid biopsies in epilepsy to improve understanding of etiology, diagnosis, prediction, and therapeutic monitoring.
Semiconductor Electrochemistry for Clean Energy Conversion and Storage
Authors: Zhu Bin , Fan Liangdong , Mushtaq Naveed , Raza Rizwan , Sajid Muhammad , Wu Yan , Lin Wenfeng , Kim Jung-Sik , Lund Peter D. , Yun Sining
Published: October 2021

Semiconductors and the associated methodologies applied to electrochemistry have recently grown as an emerging field in energy materials and technologies. For example, semiconductor membranes and heterostructure fuel cells are new technological trend, which differ from the traditional fuel cell electrochemistry principle employing three basic functional components: anode, electrolyte, and cathode. The electrolyte is key to the device performance by providing an ionic charge flow pathway between the anode and cathode while preventing electron passage. In contrast, semiconductors and derived heterostructures with electron (hole) conducting materials have demonstrated to be much better ionic conductors than the conventional ionic electrolytes. The energy band structure and alignment, band bending and built-in electric field are all important elements in this context to realize the necessary fuel cell functionalities. This review further extends to semiconductor-based electrochemical energy conversion and storage, describing their fundamentals and working principles, with the intention of advancing the understanding of the roles of semiconductors and energy bands in electrochemical devices for energy conversion and storage, as well as applications to meet emerging demands widely involved in energy applications, such as photocatalysis/water splitting devices, batteries and solar cells. This review provides new ideas and new solutions to problems beyond the conventional electrochemistry and presents new interdisciplinary approaches to develop clean energy conversion and storage technologies.

Graphic Abstract
The relationship between rumination, depression and self-stigma in hazardous drinkers: an exploratory study
Authors: Vilus Bojana , Perich Tania
Published: October 2021

Background

Self-stigma may have an important impact on people living with alcohol use disorders, however, few studies have explored the relationship between rumination and depression on self-stigma for people with hazardous drinking.

Objectives

This study aimed to explore the relationship between rumination, self-stigma and depressive symptomatology for those with hazardous drinking levels and the relationship between these and alcohol use severity.

Method

Participants were recruited online between February and May of 2019 through paid advertising on a page created on Facebook by the researcher. Two hundred and one participants completed the online survey questionnaires, with 114 (56.7%) meeting the Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test (AUDIT) criteria with a score of 8 or above indicating hazardous drinking.

Results

Step-wise regression analyses found that self-stigma and rumination were significant predictors of alcohol severity. Depression and rumination were found to be significant predictors of self-stigma. At Step 1 only rumination was significant, with this scale significantly predicting 26% of the variance of the internalised stigma.

Conclusion

Although rumination was not a significant predictor of alcohol use severity in this study, it appeared to play an important part in the self-stigma for people engaged in hazardous drinking. More research is needed to determine the mediating factors in this relationship and the impact of these for people with hazardous drinking levels over time.
Genomic Epidemiology of SARS-CoV-2 in Pakistan
Authors: Song Shuhui , Li Cuiping , Kang Lu , Tian Dongmei , Badar Nazish , Ma Wentai , Zhao Shilei , Jiang Xuan , Wang Chun , Sun Yongqiao , Li Wenjie , Lei Meng , Li Shuangli , Qi Qiuhui , Ikram Aamer , Salman Muhammad , Umair Massab , Shireen Huma , Batool Fatima , Zhang Bing , Chen Hua , Yang Yun-Gui , Abbasi Amir Ali , Li Mingkun , Xue Yongbiao , Bao Yiming
Published: October 2021

COVID-19 has swept globally and Pakistan is no exception. To investigate the initial introductions and transmissions of the SARS-CoV-2 in Pakistan, we performed the largest genomic epidemiology study of COVID-19 in Pakistan and generated 150 complete SARS-CoV-2 genome sequences from samples collected from March 16 to June 1, 2020. We identified a total of 347 mutated positions, 31 of which were over-represented in Pakistan. Meanwhile, we found over 1000 intra-host single-nucleotide variants (iSNVs). Several of them occurred concurrently, indicating possible interactions among them or coevolution. Some of the high-frequency iSNVs in Pakistan were not observed in the global population, suggesting strong purifying selections. The genomic epidemiology revealed five distinctive spreading clusters. The largest cluster consisted of 74 viruses which were derived from different geographic locations of Pakistan and formed a deep hierarchical structure, indicating an extensive and persistent nation-wide transmission of the virus that was probably attributed to a signature mutation (G8371T in ORF1ab) of this cluster. Furthermore, 28 putative international introductions were identified, several of which are consistent with the epidemiological investigations. In all, this study has inferred the possible pathways of introductions and transmissions of SARS-CoV-2 in Pakistan, which could aid ongoing and future viral surveillance and COVID-19 control.
On the physics of transient ejection from bubble bursting
Authors: Gañán-Calvo Alfonso M. , López-Herrera José M.
Published: October 2021

Using a dynamical scaling analysis of the flow variables and their evolution due to bubble bursting, here we predict the size and speed of ejected droplets for the whole range of experimental Ohnesorge and Bond numbers where ejection occurs. The transient ejection, which requires the backfire of a vortex ring inside the liquid to preserve physical symmetry, shows a delicate balance between inertia, surface tension and viscous forces around a critical Ohnesorge number, akin to an apparent singularity. Like in other natural phenomena, this balance makes the process extremely sensitive to initial conditions. Our model generalizes or displaces other recently proposed ones, impacting on, for instance, the statistical description of sea spray.
Sign networks: Nucleated network sign languages and rural homesign in Papua New Guinea
Authors: Reed Lauren W.
Published: October 2021

The sociodemographic typology of sign languages classifies them based on the characteristics and configurations of their users. When considering homesign and sign languages in rural areas, this typology needs further refinement. Here, I present new concepts to enable this. The study is based on fieldwork with twelve deaf people in Western Highlands, Papua New Guinea, and review of studies worldwide. Sign language communities can be mapped assign networks. Using this mapping, I propose a new typological category for languages with one central deaf user and many fluent hearing signers:nucleated network sign language. I usesign base analysisto determine lexical consistency between unconnected deaf signers in Western Highlands. The high level of consistency among largely unconnected deaf people is explained by aregional sign networkconnecting deaf and hearing signers. This research emphasises the role of both deaf and hearing signers in sign language emergence and maintenance. (Sign languages, social networks, sign networks, typology, homesign, rural sign languages, Papua New Guinea)*
Understanding community perceptions of a natural open space system for urban conservation and stewardship in a metropolitan city in Africa
Authors: Wessels Nadia , Sitas Nadia , Esler Karen J , O’Farrell Patrick
Published: October 2021

Few studies have highlighted perceptions of urban natural open space systems: land specifically excluded from development to protect ecosystem services. We used a local metropolitan city in South Africa to explore community perceptions of its natural open space system through individual qualitative interviews (n = 40). The objectives were: (1) to identify ecosystem services and disservices associated with the city’s natural open space system, and the reasons thereof, by exploring the relational values of nature held by a diverse socioeconomic spectrum of urban residents; and (2) to identify priorities for protecting the natural open space system by enhancing the benefits and minimizing ecosystem disservices. Reference to ecosystem services and disservices were coded according to the Intergovernmental Science-Policy Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services (IPBES) categorization of nature’s contribution to people. Non-material services (relational benefits) were impacted by exploitative material uses, access concerns and (mis)management. Challenges and opportunities identified relate to nature as a resource for supporting livelihoods and lifestyles; community outreach and employment opportunities; personal safety, health and aesthetic concerns; and lack of political accountability and municipal planning in terms of the management of natural open spaces. Innovative collaborative management and stewardship interventions with ecological and socioeconomic benefits should be prioritized to protect the natural open space system.
REDD1 is a determinant of low-dose metronomic doxorubicin-elicited endothelial cell dysfunction through downregulation of VEGFR-2/3 expression
Authors: Park Minsik , Kim Joohwan , Kim Taesam , Kim Suji , Park Wonjin , Ha Kwon-Soo , Cho Sung Hwan , Won Moo-Ho , Lee Jeong-Hyung , Kwon Young-Guen , Kim Young-Myeong
Published: October 2021

Low-dose metronomic chemotherapy (LDMC) inhibits tumor angiogenesis and growth by targeting tumor-associated endothelial cells, but the molecular mechanism has not been fully elucidated. Here, we examined the functional role of regulated in development and DNA damage responses 1 (REDD1), an inhibitor of mammalian target of rapamycin complex 1 (mTORC1), in LDMC-mediated endothelial cell dysfunction. Low-dose doxorubicin (DOX) treatment induced REDD1 expression in cultured vascular and lymphatic endothelial cells and subsequently repressed the mRNA expression of mTORC1-dependent translation of vascular endothelial growth factor receptor (Vegfr)-2/3, resulting in the inhibition of VEGF-mediated angiogenesis and lymphangiogenesis. These regulatory effects of DOX-induced REDD1 expression were additionally confirmed by loss- and gain-of-function studies. Furthermore, LDMC with DOX significantly suppressed tumor angiogenesis, lymphangiogenesis, vascular permeability, growth, and metastasis in B16 melanoma-bearing wild-type but notRedd1-deficient mice. Altogether, our findings indicate that REDD1 is a crucial determinant of LDMC-mediated functional dysregulation of tumor vascular and lymphatic endothelial cells by translational repression ofVegfr-2/3transcripts, supporting the potential therapeutic properties of REDD1 in highly progressive or metastatic tumors.