bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Economic costs of protecting islands from invasive alien species
Authors: Bodey Thomas W. , Angulo Elena , Bang Alok , Bellard Céline , Fantle‐Lepczyk Jean , Lenzner Bernd , Turbelin Anna , Watari Yuya , Courchamp Franck
Published: November 2022

Biological invasions represent a key threat to insular systems and have pronounced impacts across environments and economies. The ecological impacts have received substantial focus, but the socioeconomic impacts are poorly synthesized across spatial and temporal scales. We used the InvaCost database, the most comprehensive assessment of published economic costs of invasive species, to assess economic impacts on islands worldwide. We analyzed socioeconomic costs across differing expenditure types and examined temporal trends across islands that differ in their political geography—island nation states, overseas territories, and islands of continental countries. Over US$36 billion in total costs (including damages and management) has occurred on islands from 1965 to 2020 due to invasive species’ impacts. Nation states incurred the greatest total and management costs, and islands of continental countries incurred costs of similar magnitude, both far higher than those in overseas territories. Damage‐loss costs were significantly lower, but with qualitatively similar patterns across differing political geographies. The predominance of management spending differs from the pattern found for most countries examined and suggests important knowledge gaps in the extent of many damage‐related socioeconomic impacts. Nation states spent the greatest proportion of their gross domestic products countering these costs, at least 1 order of magnitude higher than other locations. Most costs were borne by authorities and stakeholders, demonstrating the key role of governmental and nongovernmental bodies in addressing island invasions. Temporal trends revealed cost increases across all island types, potentially reflecting efforts to tackle invasive species at larger, more socially complex scales. Nevertheless, the already high total economic costs of island invasions substantiate the role of biosecurity in reducing and preventing invasive species arrivals to reduce strains on limited financial resources and avoid threats to sustainable development goals.
Examining SNAP and TANF caseload trends, responsiveness, and policies during the COVID‐19 pandemic
Authors: Hembre Erik
Published: November 2022

Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) and Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) cases increased by 3.3 million between March and June 2020, their largest quarterly increase ever. During the pandemic, many states adopted a wide set of policies and procedures to facilitate program enrollment, retention, and eligibility. I track these policies and create a pandemic policy index measuring state generosity. States that adopted more generous policies experienced larger TANF and SNAP caseload growth, especially eligibility policies such as exempting TANF work requirements or SNAP P‐EBT availability. Analyzing the caseload relationship to labor markets, caseloads were less responsive to unemployment rate changes during the pandemic relative to the pre‐pandemic period.
Bridge formation method in colorectal endoscopic submucosal dissection
Authors: Abe Masahiro , Hayashi Takemasa , Kudo Shin‐ei
Published: November 2022

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Anomalous origin of the right pulmonary artery from the descending aorta in a fetus
Authors: Chen Cheng , Yang Fan , Zhao Sheng
Published: November 2022

Anomalous origin of the branches of the pulmonary artery to the aorta (AOPA) is a rare anomaly that accounts for .12% of all congenital heart defects. AOPA is usually characterized by the anomalous origin of one of the pulmonary arteries from the ascending aorta. We describe a 41‐year‐old pregnant woman in 24 + 0 weeks of gestation was diagnosed fetal AOPA by ultrasound. Further pathological examination revealed that the fetal right pulmonary artery originated from descending aorta. To the best of our knowledge, our study presented a very rare fetal case of fetal right pulmonary artery originating from descending aorta diagnosed by prenatal ultrasound diagnosis and confirmed by postnatal autopsy.
Masseter myodegeneration in the horse: Suggested approach to diagnosis and treatment
Authors: Wilson Amie , Talbot Alison , Crosby‐Durrani Hayley , Malalana Fernando
Published: November 2022

A descriptive case report of the management of a miniature pony presenting to a UK equine veterinary hospital with marked trismus and increased masseter muscle size. Diagnosis of masseter myodegeneration (MM) was aided by the use of computed tomography and excisional biopsy. Hyperlipaemia was diagnosed as a sequelae of MM. Treatment included nonsteroidal anti‐inflammatories, parenteral nutrition and fluid therapy in addition to supportive care. The gelding was discharged from the hospital 30 days after admission, having made a full recovery. MM in the horse is a rare condition that appears to be physiologically distinct from canine masticatory muscle myositis which is primarily immune mediated.
Transparency and community trust in village government: Does corruption perception matter?
Authors: Sofyani Hafiez , Yaya Rizal , Saleh Zakiah
Published: November 2022

When Indonesian village governments were granted authority, independence, and decentralized budget from the central government through Village Law No. 6 of 2014, most people predicted that it would not promote better village development. Instead, such a policy would increase corruption cases and subsequently persuade people not to trust the village government. It might interfere with the legitimacy of the village government's autonomy. Insufficient institutionalization of good governance in the village was one of the reasons. Hence, this study aims to examine the association between transparency after village governance reform—as one of the good governance principles—and village community trust intervened by corruption perception of villagers. This study employed a survey method and involved 128 village governments in the Special Region of Yogyakarta Province, Indonesia, as the samples. The Partial Least Square technique was used for hypothesis testing. This study discovered that transparency was positively associated with low corruption perception and high village community trust. Moreover, corruption perception from villagers was negatively associated with community trust and had a role as a partial intervening variable.
What is the role of disturbance in catalyzing spatial shifts in forest composition and tree species biomass under climate change?
Authors: Liang Yu , Gustafson Eric J. , He Hong S. , Serra‐Diaz Josep M. , Duveneck Matthew J. , Thompson Jonathan R.
Published: November 2022

Mounting evidence suggests that climate change will cause shifts of tree species range and abundance (biomass). Abundance changes under climate change are likely to occur prior to a detectable range shift. Disturbances are expected to directly affect tree species abundance and composition, and could profoundly influence tree species spatial distribution within a geographical region. However, how multiple disturbance regimes will interact with changing climate to alter the spatial distribution of species abundance remains unclear. We simulated such forest demographic processes using a forest landscape succession and disturbance model (LANDIS‐II) parameterized with forest inventory data in the northeastern United States. Our study incorporated climate change under a high‐emission future and disturbance regimes varying with gradients of intensities and spatial extents. The results suggest that disturbances catalyze changes in tree species abundance and composition under a changing climate, but the effects of disturbances differ by intensity and extent. Moderate disturbances and large extent disturbances have limited effects, while high‐intensity disturbances accelerate changes by removing cohorts of mid‐ and late‐successional species, creating opportunities for early‐successional species. High‐intensity disturbances result in the northern movement of early‐successional species and the southern movement of late‐successional species abundances. Our study is among the first to systematically investigate how disturbance extent and intensity interact to determine the spatial distribution of changes in species abundance and forest composition.
Reinforced or disrupted ideal worker norms in the pandemic? Analyzing the gendered impact of the pandemic on professional specialisms in a Professional Services Firm in Kuwait
Authors: Al‐Asfahani Lilas , Hebson Gail , Bresnen Mike
Published: November 2022

This paper uses a critical case study of a subsidiary of a multinational Professional Services Firm (PSF) in Kuwait to explore whether new organizational routines and ways of working in the pandemic created opportunities for gendered ideal worker norms to be challenged or modified. We revisited research findings from an in‐depth case study conducted in the pre‐Covid context where differentiated patterns of gendered ideal norms across Consulting, Audit and Tax professional specialisms were identified. We reveal how tenacious these ideal norms are by showing how early possibilities of rethinking ways of being “ideal” in the pandemic were superseded by a return to pre‐Covid ways of working. The primacy of the client‐ethos and being available remained intact, although the paper reveals the importance of situating changes in localized contexts and recognizing the uneven nature of change across professional specialisms and within organizational contexts. Specifically, shifts to more flexible working for the Audit specialism may have created opportunities for women to progress; but male dominance of the Tax specialism in Kuwait was entrenched further by a rigid return to normal. Significantly, the globalized nature of PSF professional identities appeared constant in the context of change, but their impact on gender equality in PSFs may still be shaped by the particular cultural and institutional context.
Pathways to recovery model of youth substance misuse in Assam, India
Authors: Madill Anna , Duara Raginie , Goswami Sangeeta , Graber Rebecca , Hugh‐Jones Siobhan
Published: November 2022

Introduction

There are global calls for better understanding of substance use disorder (SUD) to inform prevention, risk reduction and treatment of this relapse‐prone disorder. Our aim in this article is to understand the pathways to recovery of youth in Assam, India who have suffered SUD.

Methods

We recruited 15 participants (11 men and 4 women) via two rehabilitation facilities. All are addicts‐in‐recovery aged 19–24 years. Material was generated through photo‐led interviews, analysed using an inductive variant of thematic analysis and the resulting model refined through expert and participant checks.

Results

We present a multiroute, multidirectional pathway to recovery model. It has three phases, Recreational Use, Addiction (Relaxed, Chaotic, Strategic) and Supported Recovery, each phase consisting of cycling between, or transitioning through, a series of stages.

Conclusions

The model enhances psycho‐socio‐cultural insights into the experience of risk and recovery, and informs prevention and treatment for youth substance misuse in Assam. This is the first model of its kind and an important public health resource. We discuss the possible transferability of the model to a wider range of contexts.

Patient or Public Contribution

The model presented was generated through analysis of interviews with addicts‐in‐recovery. Four of these addicts‐in‐recovery, and two mental health and rehabilitation service providers, conducted participant and expert checks of the model leading to its improvement.
Split moult: a response to time constraints during the main moult period
Authors: Kiat Yosef , Izhaki Ido
Published: November 2022

Split moult is a relatively rare adaptation to cope with time constraints in the annual cycle, although less rare than previously thought. This moult pattern mainly occurs among long‐distance migrants but also among some northern species wintering in the northern or temperate zones. Hedenström et al. rejected the conclusion of Kiat and Izhaki that split moult is a time constraint strategy; instead, they advocated the view that it is an endogenously controlled strategy. They based their conclusion on the first winter secondaries moult by juvenile birds and on the post‐breeding moult sequence. In contrast, we argue that Hedenström et al.'s conclusions are flawed, probably due to their focus on only one species (Barred Warbler Curruca nisoria). Our results suggest that there are no indications of the uniqueness of the secondaries moult by juvenile birds in relation to other species which have no split moult. We thus suggest that split moult is not initiated during the birds' first winter. In addition, there is no difference in moult sequence, although decoupling between two feather tracts occurs (primaries and secondaries), which is a common mechanism among many passerines that perform a partial or incomplete moult. We therefore argue that split moult is an adaptive strategy driven largely by the actual time constraints the birds experience, as already experimentally proven.
ZmMYC2s play important roles in maize responses to simulated herbivory and jasmonate
Authors: Ma Canrong , Li Ruoyue , Sun Yan , Zhang Mou , Li Sen , Xu Yuxing , Song Juan , Li Jing , Qi Jinfeng , Wang Lei , Wu Jianqiang
Published: November 2022

Both herbivory and jasmonic acid (JA) activate the biosynthesis of defensive metabolites in maize, but the mechanism underlying this remains unclear. We generated maize mutants in which ZmMYC2a and ZmMYC2b, two transcription factor genes important in JA signaling, were individually or both knocked out. Genetic and biochemical analyses were used to elucidate the functions of ZmMYC2 proteins in the maize response to simulated herbivory and JA. Compared with the wild‐type (WT) maize, the double mutant myc2ab was highly susceptible to insects, and the levels of benzoxazinoids and volatile terpenes, and the levels of their biosynthesis gene transcripts, were much lower in the mutants than in the WT maize after simulated insect feeding or JA treatment. Moreover, ZmMYC2a and ZmMYC2b played a redundant role in maize resistance to insects and JA signaling. Transcriptome and Cleavage Under Targets and Tagmentation‐Sequencing (CUT&Tag‐Seq) analysis indicated that ZmMYC2s physically targeted 60% of the JA‐responsive genes, even though only 33% of these genes were transcriptionally ZmMYC2‐dependent. Importantly, CUT&Tag‐Seq and dual luciferase assays revealed that ZmMYC2s transactivate the benzoxazinoid and volatile terpene biosynthesis genes IGPS1/3, BX10/11/12/14, and TPS10/2/3/4/5/8 by directly binding to their promoters. Furthermore, several transcription factors physically targeted by ZmMYC2s were identified, and these are likely to function in the regulation of benzoxazinoid biosynthesis. This work reveals the transcriptional regulatory landscapes of both JA signaling and ZmMYC2s in maize and provides comprehensive mechanistic insight into how JA signaling modulates defenses in maize responses to herbivory through ZmMYC2s.
The US Adventure in Western Sahara: From Ford to Trump
Authors: Garí Domingo
Published: November 2022

This article analyzes the involvement of American governments in the Moroccan war against the Polisario Front, from the Ford administration to the Trump presidency. The consultation of primary sources clarifies particular aspects of this involvement and indicates the role each actor has played in this conflict. The determined support of Republican administrations for the Moroccan side was due to their interests in consolidating reactionary allies in North Africa and shoring up their policies in the Middle East. There is a clear parallel between Morocco's war with the Sahrawis and Israel's conflict with the Palestinians. Although the American preference for Morocco is evident, and its support has prolonged the war, it should be pointed out that the main perpetrator was King Hassan II, who launched the conquest to strengthen his power at a time when his leadership was in question and his throne in danger.
The MerR‐family regulator NmlR is involved in the defense against oxidative stress in Streptococcus pneumoniae
Authors: Fritsch Verena Nadin , Linzner Nico , Busche Tobias , Said Nelly , Weise Christoph , Kalinowski Jörn , Wahl Markus C. , Antelmann Haike
Published: November 2022

Streptococcus pneumoniae has to cope with the strong oxidant hypochlorous acid (HOCl), during host–pathogen interactions. Thus, we analyzed the global gene expression profile of S. pneumoniae D39 towards HOCl stress. In the RNA‐seq transcriptome, the NmlR, SifR, CtsR, HrcA, SczA and CopY regulons and the etrx1‐ccdA1‐msrAB2 operon were most strongly induced under HOCl stress, which participate in the oxidative, electrophile and metal stress response in S. pneumoniae. The MerR‐family regulator NmlR harbors a conserved Cys52 and controls the alcohol dehydrogenase‐encoding adhC gene under carbonyl and NO stress. We demonstrated that NmlR senses also HOCl stress to activate transcription of the nmlR‐adhC operon. HOCl‐induced transcription of adhC required Cys52 of NmlR in vivo. Using mass spectrometry, NmlR was shown to be oxidized to intersubunit disulfides or S‐glutathionylated under oxidative stress in vitro. A broccoli‐FLAP‐based assay further showed that both NmlR disulfides significantly increased transcription initiation at the nmlR promoter by RNAP in vitro, which depends on Cys52. Phenotype analyses revealed that NmlR functions in the defense against oxidative stress and promotes survival of S. pneumoniae during macrophage infections. In conclusion, NmlR was characterized as HOCl‐sensing transcriptional regulator, which activates transcription of adhC under oxidative stress by thiol switches in S. pneumoniae.
Methionine oxidation in bacteria: A reversible post‐translational modification
Authors: Vincent Maxence S. , Ezraty Benjamin
Published: November 2022

Methionine is a sulfur‐containing residue found in most proteins which are particularly susceptible to oxidation. Although methionine oxidation causes protein damage, it can in some cases activate protein function. Enzymatic systems reducing oxidized methionine have evolved in most bacterial species and methionine oxidation proves to be a reversible post‐translational modification regulating protein activity. In this review, we inspect recent examples of methionine oxidation provoking protein loss and gain of function. We further speculate on the role of methionine oxidation as a multilayer endogenous antioxidant system and consider its potential consequences for bacterial virulence.
“I Preferred to Take Another Activity From the Textbook”: An Activity–Theoretical Study of Learning to Design Language Teaching Materials
Authors: Carabantes Luis , Paran Amos
Published: November 2022

Using activity theory, an offshoot of sociocultural theory, we examined how a group of preservice teachers (PSTs) of English in Chile learnt to design language teaching materials. Data from PSTs, teacher educators, and mentoring teachers shows how the conceptual tool of “teaching English as teaching the textbook” is appropriated by a group of PSTs and how their development of teacher agency is undermined by textbooks during their practicum—as well as showing the influential role of mentoring teachers and teacher educators in the appropriation of this conceptual tool. The study discusses the implications of how textbooks are used for English‐as‐a‐foreign‐language teacher education.
Clinical characteristics and outcomes of invasive and non‐invasive fusariosis in South Korea
Authors: Park Hyejin , Bae Seongman , Kim Min Jae , Chong Yong Pil , Kim Sung‐Han , Choi Sang‐Ho , Lee Sang‐Oh , Kim Yang Soo , Jung Jiwon
Published: November 2022

Background

Invasive fusariosis mainly affects immunocompromised patients including haematopoietic stem cell transplant recipients and those with haematologic malignancy. There are limited studies on invasive fusariosis in the Asia‐Pacific region.

Objective

To describe the clinical characteristics and outcomes of invasive and non‐invasive fusariosis in South Korea.

Patients/Methods

From 2005 to 2020, patients with fusariosis who met the revised European Organisation for Research and Treatment of Cancer and the Mycoses Study Group criteria for the definition of proven or probable invasive fusariosis, and those with non‐invasive fusariosis were retrospectively reviewed in a tertiary medical centre in Seoul, South Korea.

Results

Overall, 26 and 75 patients had invasive and non‐invasive fusariosis, respectively. Patients with invasive fusariosis commonly had haematologic malignancy (62%), were solid organ transplant recipients (23%), and had a history of immunosuppressant usage (81%). In non‐invasive fusariosis, diabetes mellitus (27%) and solid cancer (20%) were common underlying conditions. Disseminated fusariosis (54%) and invasive pulmonary disease (23%) were the most common clinical manifestations of invasive fusariosis; skin infection (48%) and keratitis (27%) were the most common manifestations of non‐invasive fusariosis. Twenty‐eight‐day and in‐hospital mortalities were high in invasive fusariosis (40% and 52%, respectively). In multivariate analysis, invasive fusariosis (adjusted odds ratio, 9.6; 95% confidence interval 1.3–70.8; p = .03) was an independent risk factor for 28‐day mortality.

Conclusions

Patients with invasive fusariosis were frequently immunocompromised, and more than half had disseminated fusariosis. Invasive fusariosis was associated with poor prognosis.
Are secessionists making the right arguments for independence?
Authors: Griffiths Ryan , Waters Kari
Published: November 2022

There are roughly 70 secessionist movements around the world, and all of them advance arguments for why they deserve independence. These include restorative rights, remedial rights, primary rights, a history of conflict and functionality‐based arguments. However, no one has conducted a comprehensive analysis to see how these arguments (or grievances) match reality. That is, are secessionists making the right arguments given their context? To answer this question, we utilise a data set of potential secessionist grievances to determine what normative arguments each secessionist movement ought to make given their setting. We conduct a content analysis of the normative appeals/grievances that have actually been made by specific secessionist movements since 2000. We then compare the predicted grievances against the actual grievances and summarise the patterns. The results matched our predictions where restorative rights, remedial rights and functionality‐based arguments are concerned. Our analysis returned a positive and statistically significant relationship. However, we found no evidence that those making conflict‐related arguments were more likely to exist in conflict settings. Interestingly, the findings for primary rights were the opposite of our expectations; it is the secessionists with the most political voice, not the least, that are the keenest to stress primary rights.
New perspectives on the molecular mechanisms of stress signalling by the nucleotide guanosine tetraphosphate (ppGpp), an emerging regulator of photosynthesis in plants and algae
Authors: Mehrez Marwa , Romand Shanna , Field Ben
Published: November 2022

The nucleotides guanosine tetraphosphate and guanosine pentaphosphate (together (p)ppGpp) are found in a wide range of prokaryotic and eukaryotic organisms where they are associated with stress signalling. In this review, we will discuss recent research highlighting the role of (p)ppGpp signalling as a conserved regulator of photosynthetic activity in the chloroplasts of plants and algae, and the latest discoveries that open up new perspectives on the emerging roles of (p)ppGpp in acclimation to environmental stress. We explore how rapid advances in the study of (p)ppGpp signalling in prokaryotes are now revealing large gaps in our understanding of the molecular mechanisms of signalling by (p)ppGpp and related nucleotides in plants and algae. Filling in these gaps is likely to lead to the discovery of conserved as well as new plant‐ and algal‐specific (p)ppGpp signalling mechanisms that will offer new insights into the taming of the chloroplast and the regulation of stress tolerance.
Looking to the past to understand the future: linking evolutionary modes of response with functional and life history traits in variable environments
Authors: Gremer Jennifer R.
Published: November 2022

In a variable world, plants must have strategies to deal with environmental conditions as they change. Understanding these strategies is critical since climate change not only affects mean conditions but also affects variability and predictability of those conditions. Doing so requires identifying how functional and life history traits interact throughout the life cycle to drive responses, as well as exploring how past variability will shape future responses. Here, I highlight relevant life history theory for predicting strategies in relation to the nature of environmental variability, relate theory to empirical studies integrating functional and life history traits to understand responses, and identify key areas for future research that will facilitate the application of this understanding toward predicting responses to climate change.
A key virulence effector from cyst nematodes targets host autophagy to promote nematode parasitism
Authors: Chen Jiansong , Chen Shiyan , Xu Chunling , Yang Huijun , Achom Mingkee , Wang Xiaohong
Published: November 2022

Autophagy, an intracellular degradation system conserved in eukaryotes, has been increasingly recognized as a key battlefield in plant–pathogen interactions. However, the role of plant autophagy in nematode parasitism is mostly unknown.

We report here the identification of a novel and conserved effector, Nematode Manipulator of Autophagy System 1 (NMAS1), from plant‐parasitic cyst nematodes (Heterodera and Globodera spp.). We used molecular and genetic analyses to demonstrate that NMAS1 is required for nematode parasitism. The NMAS1 effectors are potent suppressors of reactive oxygen species (ROS) induced by flg22 and cell death mediated by immune receptors in Nicotiana benthamiana, suggesting a key role of NMAS1 effectors in nematode virulence.

Arabidopsis atg mutants defective in autophagy showed reduced susceptibility to nematode infection. The NMAS1 effectors contain predicted AuTophaGy‐related protein 8 (ATG8)‐interacting motif (AIM) sequences. In planta protein–protein interaction assays further demonstrated that NMAS1 effectors specifically interact with host plant ATG8 proteins. Interestingly, mutation in AIM2 of GrNMAS1 from the potato cyst nematode Globodera rostochiensis abolishes its interaction with potato StATG8 proteins and its activity in ROS suppression.

Collectively, our results reveal for the first time that cyst nematodes employ a conserved AIM‐containing virulence effector capable of targeting a key component of host autophagy to promote disease.
Two‐sided roles of adipose tissue: Rethinking the obesity paradox in various human diseases from a new perspective
Authors: Pan Jing , Yin Jianqiong , Gan Lu , Xue Jianxin
Published: November 2022

Overweight and obesity, as a result of excess fat accumulation, have become a worldwide public health issue. Recent studies have shown that obesity is closely related to many human diseases, such as cancer, cardiovascular diseases, and type 2 diabetes mellitus, in which adipose tissue plays a dual role. In addition to thermal and mechanical insulation and a critical role in energy storage and heat production, adipose tissue is also a highly plastic endocrine and signaling organ that secretes multiple bioactive molecules for inter‐organ crosstalk. The phenotypic and biological changes of adipose tissue under pathological conditions, especially in obesity, increase the challenge of deciphering the positive or negative effects of adipose tissue in disease. Despite numerous studies on obesity and adipose tissue, the ambiguous role of adipose tissue on specific organs or tissues in different diseases is not fully understood, and the definite mechanisms remain obscure. In this review, we first summarize the basic biological characteristics of adipose tissue in the physiological state and the abnormal remodeling of adipose tissue during obesity. We then discuss the complex and disparate effects of obesity on various human diseases, with a particular focus on the dual roles and underlying mechanisms of adipose tissue, a quintessential player in obesity, in this process. More importantly, rethinking the causes of the “obesity paradox” phenomenon in diseases from the perspective of adipose homeostasis and dysfunction provides a novel strategy for disease treatment by intervening in fat function.
Road Curbs Extraction from Mobile Laser Scanning Point Clouds with Multidimensional Rotation‐Invariant Version of the Local Binary Pattern Features
Authors: Ma Xinjiang , Yue Dongjie , Liu Rufei , Wang Ruisheng , Zhu Shaolin , Wang Minye , Yu Jiayong
Published: November 2022

Road curb is one of the important components of road information, and its high‐precision information is significant for the development of autonomous driving, intelligent transportation and smart cities. A mobile laser scanning (MLS) system can acquire high‐precision and high‐density road three‐dimensional (3D) point clouds data, which has the advantages of high efficiency, low cost and non‐contact. However, how to extract accurate road information from the massive and disordered point clouds is one of the current research priorities and difficulties. This paper presents a new method to extract the road curbs from the MLS point clouds. The proposed method mainly includes three steps: pre‐processing, road curbs extraction and vectorisation. Pre‐processing obtains the ground, including road subsection and ground identification. Road curbs are first quantitatively represented by the rotation‐invariant version of the local binary pattern (LBPROT) values in three dimensions, including spatial elevation mode, spatial dispersion mode and spatial shape mode, and then they are extracted by a multidimensional LBPROT features semantic recognition model. Vectorised road curb polylines are connected by accurate road curbs points, which are obtained through simplification and denoising. The proposed method was tested on two large‐scale datasets collected from arterial roads and expressways, respectively. The precision of the results was > 95%, recall was > 90% and the F1 score was > 0.93. The experimental results show that the proposed method can effectively extract road curbs in different environments and has robust adaptability.
Understanding and approaches towards circular bio‐economy of wastewater reuse in fisheries and aquaculture in India: An overview
Authors: Das Shib Kinkar , Mondal Bithilekha , Sarkar Uttam Kumar , Das Basanta Kumar , Borah Simanku
Published: November 2022

Circular bio‐economy of biogenic resources designates the plunging use of such resources, adopting a systemically formatted pathway towards sustainable economic development. Aquaculture has been perceived to play a pivotal role in supplying protein and mineral rich organic food to a growing human population. The exponential growth of aquaculture sector during the last four decades has established itself in a fundamental way to supply the global need of valuable animal protein. However, the on‐going production strategies may likely be proved unsustainable if the present level of exploitation and resource use continues. Emphasis only on augmenting productivity and yield with insufficient and/or inefficient pollution control measures, and water quality clean‐ups, direct discharge of effluents in the open ambient environment from aquaculture production systems have manifested in variable degrees of pollution particularly in the open water bodies; thereby causing significant impairment of these ecosystems. The paper discusses the various techniques of bioprocessing in re‐circulatory aquaculture system, aquaponics, biofloc technology, waste water aquaculture and circular enclosure culture for inland water bodies to recycle the waste generated from fisheries and aquaculture and converting the same to fish flesh, at the same time reducing the impact on environment. The study also highlights the potential attributes and benefits of circular bio‐economy, discusses recent advances and updates the current status of knowledge base for future research planning towards sustainability. Rationality perspectives of the system design with regards to simplicity, energy efficiency and budget in attaining circularity emerged as pertinent factors in bio‐circularity in resource use in aquaculture.
How effective are community‐based disaster reduction strategies? Evidence from the largest‐scale program so far
Authors: Wu Jingyan , Yang Saini , Wang Weiping , Jaeger Carlo
Published: November 2022

Strategies of community‐based disaster risk reduction have been advocated for more than 2 decades. However, we still lack in‐depth quantitative assessments of the effectiveness of such strategies. Our research is based on a national experiment in this domain: the “Comprehensive Disaster Reduction Demonstration Community” project, a governmental program running in China since 2007. Information on more than 11,000 demonstration communities was collected. Combined with the local disaster information and socioeconomic conditions, the spatiotemporal characteristics of these communities over 12 years and their differences in performance by region and income group were analyzed. We performed an attribution analysis for disaster risk reduction effectiveness. This is the first time a series of quantitative evaluation methods have been applied to verify the effectiveness of a large‐scale community‐based disaster risk reduction project, both from the perspective of demonstrative effects and loss reduction benefits. Here, we find that the project is obviously effective from these two perspectives, and the disaster loss reduction effectiveness illustrates clear regional differences, where the regional economic level and hazard severity act as important drivers. Significant differences of urban‐rural and income call for matching fortification measures, and the dynamic management of demonstration community size is required, since the loss reduction benefit converges when the penetration rate of the demonstration community reaches approximately 4% in a province. These and further results provide diverse implications for community‐based disaster risk reduction policies and practices.
Nurses' perspectives on caring for and attitudes towards adults aged eighty years and older
Authors: Lampersberger Lena Maria , Schüttengruber Gerhilde , Lohrmann Christa , Großschädl Franziska
Published: November 2022

Background

Adults aged 80 years and older form a vulnerable group regarding perceived ageism, because they are often stereotyped as being frail and dependent. Nurses often display biased behaviour and hold negative attitudes towards this age group, due to the fact that they have frequent contact with patients who need complex care. As this frequent contact can negatively influence the quality of care, we performed this study to assess nurses' attitudes towards adults aged 80 and older and their views regarding their care, as well as to identify factors that influence attitudes.

Methods

A cross‐sectional study design was used. A convenience sample of 1179 Austrian nurses was taken, and their attitudes were measured using the Ageing Semantic Differential (ASD) Scale. Their views on caring for older adults were assessed with the Perspectives on Caring for Older People (PCOP) Scale. Multiple linear regression was used to examine factors that influence nurses' attitudes. The Ethics Committee of the Medical University of Graz (EK Number 31‐320 ex 18/19) gave their ethical approval for this study.

Results

Nurses display neutral to positive attitudes towards adults aged 80+ and view caring for them positively. Positive attitudes were indicated, for example, by the factors of a positive view towards the care of older patients, a higher education and a personal relationship with older adults. Negative attitudes were indicated by the factors of being female and interacting more frequently with older care receivers.

Conclusions

Although the nurses' attitudes were not negative, they should be encouraged to view this patient population more positively. Educational interventions to alter nurses' attitudes and thus to improve the quality of care are recommended. As the ASD measures some aspects of ageism, it is recommended to consider qualitative methods in future studies to obtain a deeper knowledge of ageism in nursing care.
Hospital and homecare nurses' experiences of involvement of patients and families in transition between hospital and municipalities: A qualitative study
Authors: Petersen Julie Jacoby , Østergaard Birte , Svavarsdóttir Erla Kolbrún , Palonen Mira , Brødsgaard Anne
Published: November 2022

Background

Involving patients and families in nursing care is essential to improve patients' health outcomes. Furthermore, families play an essential role in supporting patients by helping nurses understand the patient's everyday life. However, families also need support. Involvement of patients and families is especially important when patients are transferred between hospital and home as transitions heighten the risk of compromising quality and safety in care. However, no consensus exists on how to involve them. Consequently, this may challenge a systematic approach toward patient and family involvement.

Aim

To describe hospital and homecare nurses' experiences with involving patients and their family members in nursing care in the transition between hospital and municipalities.

Method

Focus group interviews were conducted in the Gastro unit at a large university hospital in Denmark. Participants included 10 hospital nurses from three wards at the Gastro unit and six homecare nurses from one of three municipalities in the hospital catchment area (total n = 16). Data were analysed using qualitative content analysis. The study is reported according to the Consolidated Criteria for Reporting Qualitative Research.

Findings

Our analysis revealed one overall theme – “The complexity of involvement” – based on four categories: gap between healthcare sectors increases the need for patient and family involvement, lack of time is a barrier to patient and family involvement, involvement is more than information, and involvement as a balancing act.

Conclusion

The nurses experienced patients' and families' involvement as essential, but a discrepancy was found between nurses' intentions and their actions. Aspects related to a gap between healthcare sectors and various understandings of involvement challenged the systematic involvement of patients and families in the transition between healthcare sectors. However, the nurses were highly motivated to achieve a close cross‐sectoral collaboration and to show commitment towards patients and families.
High or hot—Perspectives on altitude camps and heat‐acclimation training as preparation for prolonged stage races
Authors: Nybo Lars , Rønnestad Bent , Lundby Carsten
Published: November 2022

Adaptation to heat stress and hypoxia are relevant for athletes participating in Tour de France or similar cycling races taking place during the summertime in landscapes with varying altitude. Both to minimize detrimental performance effects associated with arterial desaturation occurring at moderate altitudes in elite athletes, respectively, reduce the risk of hyperthermia on hot days, but also as a pre‐competition acclimatization strategy to boost blood volume in already highly adapted athletes. The hematological adaptations require weeks of exposure to manifest, but are attractive as an augmented hemoglobin mass may improve arterial oxygen delivery and hence benefit prolonged performances. Altitude training camps have in this context a long history in exercise physiology and are still common practice in elite cycling. However, heat‐acclimation training provides an attractive alternative for some athletes either as a stand‐alone approach or in combination with altitude. The present paper provides an update and practical perspectives on the potential to utilize hypoxia and heat exposure to optimize hematological adaptations. Furthermore, we will consider temporal aspects both in terms of onset and decay of the adaptations relevant for improved thermoregulatory capacity and respiratory adaptations to abate arterial desaturation during altitude exposure. From focus on involved physiological mechanisms, time course, and responsiveness in elite athletes, we will provide guidance based on our experience from practical implementation in cyclists preparing for prolonged stage races such as the Tour de France.
Two new Scianna variants causing loss of high prevalence antigens: ERMAP model and 3D analysis of the antigens
Authors: Floch Aline , Lomas‐Francis Christine , Vege Sunitha , Burgos Anna , Hoffman Roser , Cusick Robin , de Brevern Alexandre G. , Westhoff Connie M.
Published: November 2022

Background

Scianna (Sc) antigens, seven high and two of low prevalence, are expressed on erythrocyte membrane‐associated protein (ERMAP). We investigated SC (ERMAP) in individuals who made antibodies to high prevalence Scianna antigens, and propose a 3D model for ERMAP to precisely localize the residues associated with the known antigens.

Methods

Serological testing and DNA sequencing was performed by standard methods. A 3D structural model was built using a multi‐template homology approach. Protein structures representing missense variants associated with the loss or gain of an antigen were generated. Residue accessibility and intraprotein interactions were compared with the wild‐type protein.

Results

Two new SC alleles, one with c.349C > T (p.Arg117Cys) in a woman from South India with anti‐Sc3 in her plasma, and a c.217_219delinsTGT (p.Arg73Cys) in an African‐American woman with an antibody to a new high prevalence antigen, termed SCAC, were identified. Six structural templates were used to model ERMAP. 3D analysis showed that residues key for Scianna antigen expression were all exposed at the surface of the extracellular domain. The p.Arg117Cys change was predicted to abolish interactions between residues 93 and 117, with no compensating interactions.

Conclusion

We confirm the extracellular location of Scianna residues responsible for antigen expression which predicts direct accessibility to antibodies. Loss of intraprotein interactions appear to be responsible for a Sc null and production of anti‐Sc3 with p.117Cys, SC*01 N.03, and for loss of a high prevalence antigen with p.73Cys, termed SCAC for Sc Arg to Cys. Comparative modeling aids our understanding of new alleles and Scianna antigen expression.
Mudanças pessoais e profissionais a partir da pandemia da covid-19: desigualdades sociais vivenciadas por profissionais da saúde em São Paulo, Brasil
Authors: Albino Fraga Fabiana , De Sousa Mascena Veras Maria Amélia , Bassichetto Tambucci Yuri , Bassichetto Katia Cristina , Furst Vaccarezza Gabriela , Dutra de Barros Daniel , Gomez Gonzalez Júnior José Luis , Inoue César Augusto , Galan de Paula Lenice , Rocha Fabíola , Barros Cláudia , Diniz de Moura Ferdinando , Turchi Martelli Celina Maria , Pessoa Militão de Albuquerque Maria de Fatima , Kerr Lígia , Costa Lima Luana Nepomuceno , Nascimento Cruz Luciane , Kendall Carl , Carneiro Júnior Nivaldo
Published: November 2022

A pandemia ocasionada pela Coronavirus disease (covid-19) tem impactado a sociedade como um todo, exigindo adaptação a um novo contexto, tanto pessoal quanto profissional. As condições de trabalho dos profissionais de saúde têm sido objeto de interesse de pesquisas atuais, com ênfase no risco de transmissão e da sua repercussão na saúde mental. Nesse sentido, o presente estudo analisa as diferentes implicações dessa pandemia nas esferas privada e de trabalho entre médicos, enfermeiros e técnicos de enfermagem que atuam na Região Metropolitana de São Paulo, Brasil. A partir de uma abordagem qualitativa e quantitativa, foram exploradas as entrevistas realizadas principalmente a distância, com o auxílio de mediação tecnológica, com a aplicação de um roteiro semiestruturado. Verificou-se que as adaptações para viver e trabalhar na pandemia se expressaram de forma heterogênea entre as diferentes categorias de profissionais da saúde, identificadas na intersecção entre gênero e classe social, sendo as mulheres as grandes responsáveis pela articulação de novas formas de apoio em rede. As intervenções a serem implementadas para a recuperação dos efeitos da pandemia não poderão abstrair as iniquidades já presentes na sociedade que se reproduzem no ambiente profissional.
Perfil epidemiológico, condições de vida e políticas em saúde bucal
Authors: Borda Maria Gabriela , Bahia Coelho Thereza Christina , Prada Sanabria Clara Aleida
Published: November 2022

Introdução: quase metade da população mundial sofre incapacidade por problemas bucais. Na Argentina e no Brasil, a cárie dentária ainda é uma dificuldade a ser enfrentada, bem como a falta de acesso aos serviços de saúde bucal. Porém, há poucos estudos na literatura que comparem os perfis epidemiológicos e as políticas em saúde bucal desses países entre 2000 e 2020 à luz das metas internacionais. Objetivos: comparar os cenários socioeconômicos, os perfis epidemiológicos e as políticas em saúde bucal da Argentina e do Brasil, de 2000 a 2020. Materiais e método: neste estudo de caso, realizamos uma análise documental para comparar as políticas em saúde bucal de cada país com as Metas em Saúde Bucal 2020 propostas pela Organização Mundial da Saúde e outras organizações internacionais. Além do perfil epidemiológico em descrição tabular, comparamos os indicadores socioeconômicos para compreender o fenômeno da saúde bucal. Resultados: os achados revelam que as políticas em saúde bucal são mais robustas e articuladas no Brasil do que na Argentina. Os países apresentam perfis epidemiológicos diferentes. Enquanto os indicadores de saúde geral e educação são melhores na Argentina, os indicadores em saúde bucal e econômicos favorecem a população brasileira. Conclusões: o acesso público à saúde bucal teve uma importante diminuição desde 2016 em ambos os países, em coincidência com a implementação de políticas neoliberais que trouxeram o aumento da informalidade do emprego e da pobreza nesses países, o que pode aumentar a desigualdade na saúde bucal. Assim, os novos cenários políticos e econômicos colocam em risco a continuidade das políticas em saúde bucal.
Fabrication of three-dimensional opal nanolattices using template-directed colloidal assembly
Authors: Premnath Vijay Anirudh , Chen I.-Te , Chien Kun-Chieh , Chang Chih-Hao
Published: November 2022

Three-dimensional (3D) nanostructures play a crucial role in nanophotonics, lasers, and optical systems. This article reports on the fabrication of 3D nanostructures consisting of opal structures that are spatially aligned to an array of holes defined in the photoresist. The proposed method uses colloidal lithography to pattern a hexagonal array of holes, which are then used to direct the subsequent 3D assembly of colloidal particles. This approach allows the 3D opal structures to be aligned with the 2D array of holes, which can enhance spatial-phase coherence and reduce defects. The polymer patterns can be used as a sacrificial template for atomic layer deposition and create free-standing nanolattices. The final structure consists of a combination of nanolattice, upon which controlled deposition of opal structures is achieved. These structures result in nanostructured materials with high porosity, which is essential to create low-index materials for nanophotonics. A thick layer of titanium oxide with high refractive index is deposited over nanolattices to demonstrate the mechanical stability of underlying structures. These nanolattice structures with precisely controlled height can serve as a low-index layer and can find applications in Bragg reflectors, nanophotonics, and optical multilayers.