bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Paraganglioma of the cauda equina: a tertiary centre experience and scoping review of the current literature
Authors: Shtaya Anan , Iorga Robert , Hettige Samantha , Bridges Leslie R. , Stapleton Simon , Johnston Francis G.
Published: May 2021

Cauda equina paragangliomas are rare benign extra-adrenal neuroendocrine tumours arising from the neural crest cells associated with autonomic ganglia. These tumours are often mistaken preoperatively for ependymomas or schwannomas. Patients present with axial or radicular pain with or without neurological deficits. Recurrence, secretory features and length of follow-up are controversial. We conducted a retrospective cohort study of paraganglioma through searching a prospectively maintained histopathology database. Patient demographics, presentation, surgery, complications, recurrence, follow-up and outcome between 2004 and 2016 were studied. The primary aim was to collate and describe the current evidence base for recurrence and secretory features of the tumour. The secondary objective was to report outcome and follow-up strategy. A scoping review was performed in accordance with the PRISMA-ScR Checklist. Ten patients were diagnosed (M:F 7:3) with a mean age of 53.6 ± 5.1 (range 34–71 years). MRI scans revealed intradural lumbar enhancing lesions. All patients had complete microsurgical excisions without adjuvant therapy with no recurrence with a mean follow-up of 5.1 ± 1.4 years. Tumours were attached to the filum terminale. Electron microscopic images demonstrated abundant neurosecretory granules with no evidence of catecholamine production. A total of 620 articles were screened and 65 papers (including ours) combining 121 patients (mean age 48.8 and M:F 71:50) were included. The mean follow-up was 3.48 ± 0.46 (range 0.15–23 years). Back pain was the most common symptom (94%). Cure following surgery was achieved in 93% of the patients whilst 7% had recurrence. Total resection likely results in cure without the need for adjuvant therapy or prolonged follow-up. However, in certain situations, the length of follow-up should be determined by the treating surgeon.
A quantitative SWOT analyses of key aquaculture players in Africa
Authors: Babatunde Adeleke , Deborah Robertson-Andersson , Gan Moodley , Simon Taylor
Published: May 2021

Africa’s contribution to world aquaculture production in 2018 is still insignificant (2,196,600 tons; ~ 2.7%) albeit significantly increasing with larger-scale investments in Egypt (1,561,457 tons), Nigeria (291,233 tons), and Uganda (103,737 tons) producing substantial quantities (91%) of the total fish production from the region. The quantitative SWOT technique and the multi-attribute decision-making method (MADM) were used to determine and compare aquaculture performance in production, technology, market, policies, and framework among Egypt, Nigeria, Uganda, and South Africa. Factors such as the adoption of new technologies used in the formulation and production of aquafeed (i.e., extruded feed and sinking feed), adoption of best farm management practices, commercialization of aquaculture, growing demand-supply gap due to high per capita consumption of fish, and government’s prioritization of aquaculture industry development through the creation of enabling environment for private sector participation were key strengths and opportunities identified among the leading players. The quantified SWOT shows Egypt exhibited aquaculture development strengths and opportunities; Nigeria has aquaculture development opportunities but weak in competitive strengths, while Uganda and South Africa both possess low, competitive strengths and being faced with threats. Capitalizing on the available opportunities and critical success factors of the leading aquaculture players in Africa, this analysis highlights strategic actions that could boost the development of aquaculture in South Africa. The quantified SWOT analysis was used to determine the competitive position of the aquaculture sectors of the compared countries and can be used as a basis for aquaculture policies and roadmaps.
Genome-wide mapping of histone modifications during axenic growth in two species of Leptosphaeria maculans showing contrasting genomic organization
Authors: Soyer Jessica L. , Clairet Colin , Gay Elise J. , Lapalu Nicolas , Rouxel Thierry , Stukenbrock Eva H. , Fudal Isabelle
Published: May 2021

Leptosphaeria maculans ‘brassicae’ (Lmb) and Leptosphaeria maculans ‘lepidii’ (Lml) are closely related phytopathogenic species that exhibit a large macrosynteny but contrasting genome structure. Lmb has more than 30% of repeats clustered in large repeat-rich regions, while the Lml genome has only a small amount of evenly distributed repeats. Repeat-rich regions of Lmb are enriched in effector genes, expressed during plant infection. The distinct genome structures of Lmb and Lml provide an excellent model for comparing the organization of pathogenicity genes in relation to the chromatin landscape in two closely related phytopathogenic fungi. Here, we performed chromatin immunoprecipitation (ChIP) during axenic culture, targeting histone modifications typical for heterochromatin or euchromatin, combined with transcriptomic analysis to analyze the influence of chromatin organization on gene expression. In both species, we found that facultative heterochromatin is enriched with genes lacking functional annotation, including numerous effector and species-specific genes. Notably, orthologous genes located in H3K27me3 domains are enriched with effector genes. Compared to other fungal species, including Lml, Lmb is distinct in having large H3K9me3 domains associated with repeat-rich regions that contain numerous species-specific effector genes. Discovery of these two distinctive heterochromatin landscapes now raises questions about their involvement in the regulation of pathogenicity, the dynamics of these domains during plant infection and the selective advantage to the fungus to host effector genes in H3K9me3 or H3K27me3 domains.
The unstable thermoelectric effect in non-stoichiometric Cu2Se during the non-equilibrium phase transition
Authors: Trawiński Bartosz , Łapiński Marcin , Kusz Bogusław
Published: May 2021

The superionic α ↔ β phase transition in Cu1.96Se thermoelectric material is investigated by means of thermal analysis (DSC) and measurements of Seebeck coefficient and electrical conductivity. Results of the DSC measurements with 1–10 K/min heating and cooling rates show that the material is close to the equilibrium phase composition during the transformation. However, the kinetic limitation of the process exists, which is indicated by supercooling. At the beginning of the β → α transition, the most significant kinetic delay was attributed to the nucleation of the α phase. During the phase transformation, the Seebeck coefficient was lower than in a stabilised material (measured with 0.1 K/min heating/cooling rate). During cooling, a decrease from 130 μV/K (in a stabilised measurement) to 7 μV/K (5 K/min cooling rate) was observed. The deviation from the expected values of the Seebeck coefficient was correlated with the difference between the actual and equilibrium phase compositions.

Graphical abstract
Biological activity evaluations of chemical constituents derived from Mongolian medicinal forage plants and their applications in combating infectious diseases and addressing health problems in humans and livestock
Authors: Murata Toshihiro , Batkhuu Javzan
Published: May 2021

Mongolian nomadic people possess traditional knowledge of wild plants that grow in their areas of habitation. Many of these are forage plants in nature and are consumed by livestock. However, these plants are known to have medicinal and/or toxic properties. To establish a scientific understanding of the plants, and in turn, offer sound knowledge on their applications and effective use, it is essential to collect data pertaining to the chemical constituents of each plant. Therefore, the first objective of this study was to identify and determine the structural constituents of the forage plants that were available to our research group. Furthermore, in an attempt to demonstrate the biological activities of the isolated chemical compounds, we focused on solving some of the social issues affecting Mongolian communities, including protozoan diseases affecting livestock, vectors of infectious diseases, and the general health of humans and their livestock. The results of the chemical constituents derived from Mongolian medicinal plants and their biological activities that were studied in the recent decade are also described herein.

Graphic abstract
RETRACTED ARTICLE: Indoleamine 2,3-Dioxygenase 1 (IDO1) Promotes Cardiac Hypertrophy via a PI3K-AKT-mTOR-Dependent Mechanism
Authors: Liu Yang , Li Shuang , Gao Zhanqun , Li Shuangjia , Tan Qingyun , Li Yanmei , Wang Dongwei , Wang Qingdong
Published: May 2021

Indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase 1 (IDO1) is an enzyme for tryptophan metabolism, involved in immune cell differentiation/maturation and cancer biology. IDO1 is also expressed in cardiomyocytes, but its roles in the cardiovascular system are not fully understood. Here, we reported the functions of IDO1 during cardiac hypertrophy. Quantitative real-time PCR and Western blot experiments demonstrated the upregulation of IDO1 mRNA and protein levels in human and hypertrophic mouse hearts, as well as in angiotensin II (Ang II)-induced hypertrophic rat cardiomyocytes. IDO1 activity and metabolite product kynurenine were upregulated in rodent hypertrophic hearts and cardiomyocytes. Inhibition of IDO1 activity with PF-06840003 reduced Ang II-induced cardiac hypertrophy and rescued cardiac function in mice. siRNA-mediated knockdown of Ido1 repressed Ang II-induced growth in cardiomyocyte size and overexpression of hypertrophy-associated genes atrial natriuretic peptide (Anp or Nppa), brain natriuretic peptide (Bnp or Nppb), β-myosin heavy chain (β-Mhc or Myh7). By contrast, adenovirus-mediated rat Ido1 overexpression in cardiomyocytes promoted hypertrophic growth induced by Ang II. Mechanism analysis showed that IDO1 overexpression was associated with PI3K-AKT-mTOR signaling to activate the ribosomal protein S6 kinase 1 (S6K1), which promoted protein synthesis in Ang II-induced hypertrophy of rat cardiomyocytes. Finally, we provided evidence that inhibition of PI3K with pictilisib, AKT with perifosine, or mTOR with rapamycin, blocked the effects of IDO1 on protein synthesis and cardiomyocyte hypertrophy in Ang II-treated cells. Collectively, our findings identify that IDO1 promotes cardiomyocyte hypertrophy partially via PI3K-AKT-mTOR-S6K1 signaling.
Blood Flow Velocity Pulsatility and Arterial Diameter Pulsatility Measurements of the Intracranial Arteries Using 4D PC-MRI
Authors: van Hespen Kees M. , Kuijf Hugo J. , Hendrikse Jeroen , Luijten Peter R. , Zwanenburg Jaco J. M.
Published: May 2021

4D phase contrast magnetic resonance imaging (PC-MRI) allows for the visualization and quantification of the cerebral blood flow. A drawback of software that is used to quantify the cerebral blood flow is that it oftentimes assumes a static arterial luminal area over the cardiac cycle. Quantifying the lumen area pulsatility index (aPI), i.e. the change in lumen area due to an increase in distending pressure over the cardiac cycle, can provide insight in the stiffness of the arteries. Arterial stiffness has received increased attention as a predictor in the development of cerebrovascular disease. In this study, we introduce software that allows for measurement of the aPI as well as the blood flow velocity pulsatility index (vPI) from 4D PC-MRI. The internal carotid arteries of seven volunteers were imaged using 7 T MRI. The aPI and vPI measurements from 4D PC-MRI were validated against measurements from 2D PC-MRI at two levels of the internal carotid arteries (C3 and C7). The aPI and vPI computed from 4D PC-MRI were comparable to those measured from 2D PC-MRI (aPI: mean difference: 0.03 (limits of agreement: −0.14 – 0.23); vPI: 0.03 (−0.17–0.23)). The measured blood flow rate for the C3 and C7 segments was similar, indicating that our proposed software correctly captures the variation in arterial lumen area and blood flow velocity that exists along the distal end of the carotid artery. Our software may potentially aid in identifying changes in arterial stiffness of the intracranial arteries caused by pathological changes to the vessel wall.
Insight into Glutamatergic Involvement in Rewarding Effects of Mephedrone in Rats: In Vivo and Ex Vivo Study
Authors: Wronikowska Olga , Zykubek Maria , Michalak Agnieszka , Pankowska Anna , Kozioł Paulina , Boguszewska-Czubara Anna , Kurach Łukasz , Łazorczyk Artur , Kochalska Katarzyna , Talarek Sylwia , Słowik Tymoteusz , Pietura Radosław , Kurzepa Joanna , Budzyńska Barbara
Published: May 2021

Mephedrone is a widely used drug of abuse, exerting its effects by interacting with monoamine transporters. Although this mechanism has been widely studied heretofore, little is known about the involvement of glutamatergic transmission in mephedrone effects. In this study, we comprehensively evaluated glutamatergic involvement in rewarding effects of mephedrone using an interdisciplinary approach including (1) behavioural study on effects of memantine (non-selective NMDA antagonist) on expression of mephedrone-induced conditioned place preference (CPP) in rats; (2) evaluation of glutamate concentrations in the hippocampus of rats following 6 days of mephedrone administration, using in vivo magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS); and (3) determination of glutamate levels in the hippocampus of rats treated with mephedrone and subjected to MRS, using ion-exchange chromatography. In the presented research, we confirmed priorly reported mephedrone-induced rewarding effects in the CPP paradigm and showed that memantine (5 mg/kg) was able to reverse the expression of this effect. MRS study showed that subchronic mephedrone administration increased glutamate level in the hippocampus when measured in vivo 24 h (5 mg/kg, 10 mg/kg and 20 mg/kg) and 2 weeks (5 mg/kg and 20 mg/kg) after last injection. Ex vivo chromatographic analysis did not show significant changes in hippocampal glutamate concentrations; however, it showed similar results as obtained in the MRS study proving its validity. Taken together, the presented study provides new insight into glutamatergic involvement in rewarding properties of mephedrone.
A tainted reputation it deserves? Crime in the trotting sector of Dutch horse racing
Authors: Reuselaars Angelique , Bovenkerk Frank
Published: May 2021

The Netherlands are a small country with an urban underworld history before a serious problem of organized crime has developed since the 1980. The interest of the mob in Horse Race Betting flourished before that time. After a long period of Prohibition since 1911 horse racing (especially trotting) and betting on the results has become a very popular pastime since it was permitted in 1948. Especially during the nineteen seventies and eighties horse races drew a large audience and to a lesser degree they still do. However, bookmaking has always been forbidden since 1911 and that by itself presented in invitation to (organized) crime. Other well-known criminal byproducts of horse racing such as drugging horses, laundering money and matchfixing have been observed but as we measured only to a very moderate degree. The social variety of aficionados for the races is amazing. While doing historical and ethnographic field research at the race tracks we registered a mixture of people of humble origins as well as big entrepreneurs. There were members of the royal family but also well-known criminals. It is amazing to find out to what degree the latter have been accepted by the entire horse racing community.
A gaze-based interactive system to explore artwork imagery
Authors: Dondi Piercarlo , Porta Marco , Donvito Angelo , Volpe Giovanni
Published: May 2021

Interactive and immersive technologies can significantly enhance the fruition of museums and exhibits. Several studies have proved that multimedia installations can attract visitors, presenting cultural and scientific information in an appealing way. In this article, we present our workflow for achieving a gaze-based interaction with artwork imagery. We designed both a tool for creating interactive “gaze-aware” images and an eye tracking application conceived to interact with those images with the gaze. Users can display different pictures, perform pan and zoom operations, and search for regions of interest with associated multimedia content (text, image, audio, or video). Besides being an assistive technology for motor impaired people (like most gaze-based interaction applications), our solution can also be a valid alternative to the common touch screen panels present in museums, in accordance with the new safety guidelines imposed by the COVID-19 pandemic. Experiments carried out with a panel of volunteer testers have shown that the tool is usable, effective, and easy to learn.
Beratung im Aktivierungsparadigma
Authors: Freier Carolin
Published: May 2021

Beratung im Jobcenter unterscheidet sich von anderen Beratungssituationen u. a. durch den Abschluss einer Eingliederungsvereinbarung. Dies sind rechtsverbindliche Verträge zwischen Jobcenter und Arbeitsuchenden, die das Prinzip „Fördern und Fordern“ in der aktivierenden Sozialpolitik umsetzen sollen. Eingliederungsvereinbarungen werden insbesondere kritisch diskutiert, da in ihnen die Elemente des Forderns betont und gleichzeitig die Arbeitsinteressen und Lebensbedürfnisse der Arbeitssuchenden nur partiell eingebracht werden. Ob die Eingliederungsvereinbarung eine zentrale Rolle einnimmt, um das Fordern in der Beratungssituation zu verankern, untersucht der Beitrag unter den Bedingungen eines Feldexperimentes. Darin wurden der Einsatz der Eingliederungsvereinbarung und die Möglichkeit, auf ihrer Basis zu sanktionieren, zufällig variiert. Interaktionsbeobachtungen und semistrukturierte Interviews mit Beratungspersonal und Arbeitsuchenden werden im Anschluss an die Rahmenanalyse sowie den dramaturgischen Ansatz von Erving Goffman analysiert. Der Beitrag zeigt: Ob das Beratungsgespräch eher fordernd oder unterstützend angelegt ist, wird weniger durch den Abschluss oder Nichtabschluss der Eingliederungsvereinbarung beeinflusst, sondern vielmehr durch die Rahmung des Beratungsgesprächs und das „impression management“ Arbeitsuchender.
Mitochondrial genome announcements need to consider existing short sequences from closely related species to prevent taxonomic errors
Authors: Teske Peter R.
Published: May 2021

The reconstruction of complete mitochondrial genomes (mitogenomes) has considerable potential to clarify species relationships in cases where morphological analysis and DNA sequencing of individual genes are inconclusive. However, the trend to use only mitogenomes for the phylogenies presented in mitogenome announcements carries the inherent risk that the study species’ taxonomy is incorrect because no mitogenomes have yet been reconstructed for its sister species. Here, I illustrate this problem using the mitogenomes of two seahorses, Hippocampus capensis and H. queenslandicus. Both specimens used for mitogenome reconstruction originated from traditional Chinese medicine markets rather than native habitats. Although mitogenome phylogenies placed these specimens correctly among the seahorses from which mitogenomes were available at the time, incorporating single-marker sequence from closely related species into the phylogenies revealed that both mitogenomes are problematic. The mitogenome of the endemic South African H. capensis did not cluster among single-marker DNA sequences of seahorses from the species’ native habitat, but among sequences submitted under the names H. casscsio, H. fuscus and H. kuda that originated from all over the Indo-Pacific, including China. Phylogenetic placement of the mitogenome of H. queenslandicus within a cluster of seahorses that also included H. spinosissimus confirms an earlier finding that H. queenslandicus is a synonym of H. spinosissimus, a widespread Indo-Pacific species that also occurs in China. It is recommended that mitogenome announcements incorporate available single-marker sequences of closely related species, not only mitogenomes. The reconstruction of mitogenomes can exacerbate taxonomic confusion if existing information is ignored.
The Influence of Situational Factors in Sacrificial Dilemmas on Utilitarian Moral Judgments
Authors: Klenk Michael
Published: May 2021

The standard way to test alternative descriptive theories of moral judgment is by asking subjects to evaluate (amongst others) sacrificial dilemmas, where acting classifies as a utilitarian moral judgment and not acting classifies as a deontological moral judgment. Previous research uncovered many situational factors that alter subject’s moral judgments without affecting which type of action utilitarianism or deontology would recommend. This literature review provides a systematic analysis of the experimental literature on the influence of situational factors on moral judgments in sacrificial dilemmas. It analyses 53 articles in detail and reports mean effect sizes, as well as operationalizations, for 36 situational factors that significantly influence moral judgment. Moreover, the review discusses how the impact of situational factors relates to a dual process theory of moral judgment. It supports the view that utilitarian judgments are driven by controlled cognitive processes and shows that the drivers of deontological judgments depend on valence.
“I Do Not Like Being Me”: the Impact of Self-hate on Increased Risky Sexual Behavior in Sexual Minority People
Authors: Nappa Maria Rosaria , Bartolo Maria Giuseppina , Pistella Jessica , Petrocchi Nicola , Costabile Angela , Baiocco Roberto
Published: May 2021

Background

 Increased risky sexual behaviors (RSB) in sexual minority people relative to heterosexual individuals are well documented. However, the role of trans-diagnostic factors that are not sexual orientation-specific, such as self-criticism, in predicting RSB was understudied. The present study aimed to test participants’ gender and sexual orientation as moderators between self-criticism and RSB.

Methods

Data were collected during 2019. The total sample included 986 sexual minority people (Nwomen = 51%) and 853 heterosexual people (Nwomen = 46%), ranging from 18 to 35 years of age. Self-criticism dimensions (self-hate, self-inadequacy, self-reassurance), types of positive affect (relaxed, safe/content, and activated affect), and RSB were assessed. Bivariate, multivariate analyses, and moderated regression analyses were conducted.

Results

Sexual minority participants showed higher levels of RSB, self-hate, and self-inadequacy than heterosexual people. Only in sexual minority men, RSB correlated positively with self-hate and negatively with safe/content positive affect. Moderated regressions showed that only for sexual minority participants, higher RSB were predicted by higher levels of self-hate. At the same time, this association was not significant for heterosexual people controlling the effects of age, presence of a stable relationship, other self-criticism dimensions, and activation safe/content affect scale. The two-way interaction between sexual orientation and gender was significant, showing that regardless of self-hate, the strength of the association between sexual orientation and RSB is stronger for sexual minority men than sexual minority women and heterosexual participants.

Conclusions

Findings highlight the distinctive role of self-hate in the occurrence of RSB in sexual minority people and support the usefulness of developing a compassion-focused intervention to target self-hate in sexual minority people.
Preliminary study on greywater treatment using water hyacinth
Authors: Prasad Rajnikant , Sharma Dayanand , Yadav Kunwar D. , Ibrahim Hussameldin
Published: May 2021

Greywater constitutes a major portion of wastewater generated from domestic units. Greywater treatment through a natural treatment system provides a sustainable method of wastewater management. The objective of this study was to evaluate the potential of water hyacinth as phytoremediation aquatic microphytes for greywater treatment based on optimum growth and harvesting frequency. The treatment system was operated in continuous mode for 30 days. The physicochemical properties of treated greywater and physical characteristics of water hyacinth were determined. The physiochemical parameters of the influent greywater: water temperature (23.1–24.9 °C), pH (6.94–7.94), total dissolved solids (192–648 mg/L), turbidity (9.8–49.9 NTU), chemical oxygen demand (51.2–179.2 mg/L), ammonium–nitrogen (2.8–6.16 mg/L), and phosphate–phosphorous (0.45–1.168 mg/L). The results showed an average removal of ammonium–nitrogen, phosphate–phosphorous, and chemical oxygen demand of 63.26 ± 10.47%, 61.96 ± 12.11%, and 51.91 ± 5.32%, respectively. A 75% increase in the water hyacinth biomass was observed during the study which may be attributed to the dense roots, hyperaccumulative properties, and the rapid growth rate of water hyacinth. A harvesting interval of 15–20 days was recommended for phytoremediation of greywater for efficient treatment performance. However, feasible harvesting methods need to be developed for removing only matured mother plants, leaving baby water hyacinth in the treatment system. Water hyacinth found to be a potential phytoremediation plant for greywater treatment, providing consistent quality of treated water.
Crossing the Golden Training Divide: The Science and Practice of Training World-Class 800- and 1500-m Runners
Authors: Haugen Thomas , Sandbakk Øyvind , Enoksen Eystein , Seiler Stephen , Tønnessen Espen
Published: May 2021

Despite an increasing amount of research devoted to middle-distance training (herein the 800 and 1500 m events), information regarding the training methodologies of world-class runners is limited. Therefore, the objective of this review was to integrate scientific and best practice literature and outline a novel framework for understanding the training and development of elite middle-distance performance. Herein, we describe how well-known training principles and fundamental training characteristics are applied by world-leading middle-distance coaches and athletes to meet the physiological and neuromuscular demands of 800 and 1500 m. Large diversities in physiological profiles and training emerge among middle-distance runners, justifying a categorization into types across a continuum (400–800 m types, 800 m specialists, 800–1500 m types, 1500 m specialists and 1500–5000 m types). Larger running volumes (120–170 vs. 50–120 km·week−1 during the preparation period) and higher aerobic/anaerobic training distribution (90/10 vs. 60/40% of the annual running sessions below vs. at or above anaerobic threshold) distinguish 1500- and 800-m runners. Lactate tolerance and lactate production training are regularly included interval sessions by middle-distance runners, particularly among 800-m athletes. In addition, 800-m runners perform more strength, power and plyometric training than 1500-m runners. Although the literature is biased towards men and “long-distance thinking,” this review provides a point of departure for scientists and practitioners to further explore and quantify the training and development of elite 800- and 1500-m running performance and serves as a position statement for outlining current state-of-the-art middle-distance training recommendations.
The Role of the Environment and Exposome in Atopic Dermatitis
Authors: Stefanovic Nicholas , Irvine Alan D. , Flohr Carsten
Published: May 2021

Purpose of review

Atopic dermatitis (AD) is a chronic inflammatory skin disorder affecting up to 20% of children and up to 5% of adults worldwide, contributing to significant disease-related morbidity in this patient cohort. Its aetiopathogenesis is underpinned by multiple factors, including genetic susceptibility, skin barrier defects, a skewed cutaneous immune response and microbiome perturbation in both the skin and the gut. In this review, we aim to examine the biological effects of key environmental exposures (the sum of which is termed the “exposome”) at the population, community and individual levels in order to describe their effect on AD pathogenesis.

Recent findings

It is now understood that as well as considering the type of environmental exposure with regard to its effect on AD pathogenesis, the dosage and timing of the exposure are both critical domains that may lead to either exacerbation or amelioration of disease. In this review, we consider the effects of population-wide exposures such as climate change, migration and urbanization; community-specific exposures such as air pollution, water hardness and allergic sensitisation; and individual factors such as diet, microbiome alteration, psychosocial stress and the impact of topical and systemic therapy.

This review summarises the interaction of the above environmental factors with the other domains of AD pathogenesis, namely, the inherent genetic defects, the skin barrier, the immune system and the cutaneous and gut microbiota. We specifically emphasise the timing and dosage of exposures and its effect on the cellular and molecular pathways implicated in AD.
Multi-factor dynamic analysis of the deformation of a coal bunker in a coal preparation plant
Authors: Xiao Shuangshuang , Yang Qing , Dong Guowei , Wang Hongsheng
Published: May 2021

To assess the deformation of a coal bunker and propose effective preventative measures for such, a real-time monitoring system was designed. Moreover, methods were proposed for monitoring the coal-bunker inclination, settlement, groundwater level, temperature, and material level. By using a vector autoregression model and time-series data for the coal-bunker deformation, a long-term equilibrium relationship was derived between the coal-bunker inclination and settlement and their influencing factors. The dynamic effects of each factor on the coal-bunker inclination and settlement and how the contribution of each factor changes were revealed by using an impulse response function and variance decomposition. The results show that the coal-bunker inclination and settlement vary hysteretically. Groundwater level has constant and small negative effects on the coal-bunker inclination and settlement, and temperature has continuous and significant negative effects; however, material level has constant positive effects on the coal-bunker settlement and slightly influences the eastward inclination while significantly influencing the northward inclination of the coal bunker. Also, unbalanced loading has little influence on the coal-bunker settlement and eastward inclination but significant influence on its northward inclination. Therefore, monitoring of the coal-bunker deformation should be strengthened in summer, and sudden changes in material level and unbalanced loading should be avoided during production. Moreover, the coal-bunker inclination can be adjusted by unbalanced loading in the reverse direction.
Orbifold transversality
Authors: McQuillan Michael
Published: May 2021

We prove a best possible transversality theorem for maps from manifolds to orbifolds, and, more generally arbitrary differentiable Deligne–Mumford classifying champs, 0.1, of groupoids $$R\rightrightarrows U$$

R
⇉
U

in separated, 0.2, manifolds. En passant, the essentially finite dimensional linear algebra nature of jet transversality is isolated.
The Influence of Clustering Population on Estimation Accuracy of Population Totals Vector
Authors: Wywiał Janusz L. , Sitek Grzegorz
Published: May 2021

The estimation accuracy of a population totals vector based on a simple cluster sample is considered. The variance-covariance matrix of estimators depends on the intra-cluster spread of variables under study. The spread depends on the partition of the population into clusters. The variance-covariance matrix is evaluated under several variants of clustering algorithm. This lets us find the clustering algorithm providing the most accurate estimation of population vector totals.
Implicit Aspect-Based Opinion Mining and Analysis of Airline Industry Based on User-Generated Reviews
Authors: Verma Kanishk , Davis Brian
Published: May 2021

Mining opinions from reviews has been a field of ever-growing research. These include mining opinions on document level, sentence level and even aspect level. While explicitly mentioned aspects from user-generated texts have been widely researched, very little work has been done in gathering opinions on aspects that are implied and not explicitly mentioned. Previous work to identify implicit aspects and opinion was limited to syntactic-based classifiers or other machine learning methods trained on restaurant dataset. In this paper, the present is a novel study for extracting and analysing implicit aspects and opinions from airline reviews in English. Through this study, an airline domain-specific aspect-based annotated corpus, and a novel two-way technique that first augments pre-trained word embeddings for sequential with stochastic gradient descent optimized conditional random fields (CRF) and second using machine and ensemble learning algorithms to classify the implied aspects is devised and developed. This two-way technique resolves double-implicit problem, most encountered by previous work in implicit aspect and opinion text mining. Experiments with a hold-out test set on the first level i.e., entity extraction by optimized CRF yield a result of ROC-AUC score of 96% and F1 score of 94% outperforming few baseline systems. Further experiments with a range of machine and ensemble learning classifier algorithms to classify implied aspects and opinions for each entity yields a result of ROC-AUC score ranging from 71 to 94.8% for all implied entities. This two-level technique for implicit aspect extraction and classification outperforms many baseline systems in this domain.
Public Governance as Co-creation
Authors: Ansell Christopher , Torfing Jacob
Published: May 2021

We need new governance solutions to help us improve public policies and services, solve complex societal problems, strengthen social communities and reinvigorate democracy. By changing how government engages with citizens and stakeholders, co-creation provides an attractive and feasible approach to governance that goes beyond the triptych of public bureaucracy, private markets and self-organized communities. Inspired by the successful use of co-creation for product and service design, this book outlines a broad vision of co-creation as a strategy of public governance. Through the construction of platforms and arenas to facilitate co-creation, this strategy can empower local communities, enhance broad-based participation, mobilize societal resources and spur public innovation while building ownership for bold solutions to pressing problems and challenges. The book details how to use co-creation to achieve goals. This exciting and innovative study combines theoretical argument with illustrative empirical examples, visionary thinking and practical recommendations.
A Moral Political Economy
Authors: Carugati Federica , Levi Margaret
Published: May 2021

Economies - and the government institutions that support them - reflect a moral and political choice, a choice we can make and remake. Since the dawn of industrialization and democratization in the late eighteenth century, there has been a succession of political economic frameworks, reflecting changes in technology, knowledge, trade, global connections, political power, and the expansion of citizenship. The challenges of today reveal the need for a new moral political economy that recognizes the politics in political economy. It also requires the redesign of our social, economic, and governing institutions based on assumptions about humans as social beings rather than narrow self-serving individualists. This Element makes some progress toward building a new moral political economy by offering both a theory of change and some principles for institutional (re)design.
The Rise of American Girls' Literature
Authors: Reese Ashley N.
Published: May 2021

This Element looks at the publishing history of the genre, girls' literature, in the United States spanning 1850–1940. The genre is set in context, beginning with an examination of the early American women's literature that preceded girls' literature. Then the Element explores several sub-genres of girls' literature, the family story, orphan story, school story, as well as African American girls' literature. Underpinning each of these stories is the bildungsroman, which overwhelmingly ends with girls 'growing down' to marry and raise children, following the ideals outlined in the cult of domesticity.
Public Banks
Authors: Marois Thomas
Published: May 2021

Public banks are banks located within the public sphere of a state. They are pervasive, with more than 900 institutions worldwide, and powerful, will tens of trillions in assets. Public banks are neither essentially good nor bad. Rather, they are dynamic institutions, made and remade by contentious social forces. As the first single-authored book on public banks, this timely intervention examines how these institutions can confront the crisis of climate finance and catalyse a green and just transition. The author explores six case studies across the globe, demonstrating that public banks have acquired the representative structures, financial capacity, institutional knowledge, collaborative networks, and geographical reach to tackle decarbonisation, definancialisation, and democratisation. These institutions are not without contradictions, torn as they are between contending public and private interests in class-divided society. Ultimately, social forces and struggles shape how and if public banks serve the public good.
The Carabinieri Command for the Protection of Cultural Property
Authors: Rush Laurie , Benedettini Millington Luisa
Published: May 2021

Renowned for their rigorous investigative approach, the dedicated officers of the Carabinieri Command for the Protection of Cultural Property (Carabinieri TPC) have recovered thousands of objects andbuilt legal cases resulting in high profile repatriations of cultural property. Their actions have effectively changed an art market that previously depended upon theft and criminal behaviour. Italy is a nation that greatly values its ancient past alongside its artistic present, and it is this appreciation that has led to the creation of the world's premier police force dedicated to law enforcement in the arts, heritage and archaeology. As the TPC's dedicated officers work to protect every aspect of Italy's rich cultural heritage, their organisation, training, approach, missions and successesoffer valuable lessons for all who share the goal of protecting and recovering cultural property. Laurie Rush is a Board Member of the US Committee of the Blue Shield, and employed as an archaeologist by the US army; Luisa Benedettini Millington is a Faculty member of the Community College of Vermont, US,
Africa's Land Rush
Authors: Mortimore Michael , Yaro Joseph , Ariyo Joseph , Anseeuw Ward , Chinsinga Blessings , Chasukwa Michael , Letai John , Nunow Abdirizak , Paradza Gaynor , Rutten Marcel , Shete Maru , Sulle Emmanuel , Smalley Rebecca
Published: May 2021

Africa has been at the centre of a "land grab" in recent years, with investors lured by projections of rising food prices, growing demand for "green" energy, and cheap land and water rights. But suchland is often also used or claimed through custom by communities. What does this mean for Africa? In what ways are rural people's lives and livelihoods being transformed as a result? And who will control its land and agricultural futures? The case studies explore the processes through which land deals are being made; the implications for agrarian structure, rural livelihoods and food security; and the historical context of changing land uses, revealing that these land grabs may resonate with, even resurrect, forms of large-scale production associated with the colonial and early independence eras. The book depicts the striking diversity of deals and dealers: white Zimbabwean farmers in northern Nigeria, Dutch and American joint ventures in Ghana, an Indian agricultural company in Ethiopia's hinterland, European investors in Kenya's drylands and a Canadian biofuel company on its coast, South African sugar agribusiness in Tanzania's southern growth corridor, in Malawi's "Greenbelt" and in southern Mozambique, and white South African farmers venturing onto former state farms in the Congo. Ruth Hall is Associate Professor at the Institute for Poverty, Land and Agrarian Studies (PLAAS) at the University of the Western Cape, South Africa; Ian Scoones is a Professorial Fellow at the Institute of Development Studies (IDS) at the University of Sussex and Director of the ESRC STEPS Centre; Dzodzi Tsikata is Associate Professor at the Institute of Statistical, Social and Economic Research (ISSER) at the University of Ghana, Legon.
ALT 33 Children's Literature & Story-telling
Authors: McIntosh Yvonne E. , Uko Iniobong I. , Ben-Daniels Faith , Eisenberg Eve , Udofia Julia , Daniels Juliana , Diala-Ogamba Blessings , Emenyonu Patrica T. , Uchum Egbunike Louisa , Sackeyfio Rose , Ngong Toh Kelvin , Lopang Wazha , Nwakanama Obi , Oke Ikeogu
Published: May 2021

Africa's encounter with the West and its implications and consequences remain far-reaching and enduring in the craft and thrust of its creative writers. The contributors to ALT 33 analyse the connections between traditional stories and myths that have been told to children, as well as the work of contemporary creative writers who are writing for children in order that they understand this complex history. Some of these writers are developing traditional myths, folk tales, and legends and are writing them in new forms, while others focus on the encounter with the West that has dominated much modern African literature for adults. The previous neglect of the cultural significance, study, criticism and teaching of children's literature is addressed in this volume: How can the successes and/or failures of stories and story-telling for children in Africa be measured? Are there models to be followed and what makes them models? What is the relationship between the text and the illustration of children's books? What should guide the reader or critic of children's literature coming out of Africa - globalism, transculturality or internal regionalism? What problems confront teachers, students, publishers and promoters of children's books in Africa? Ernest Emenyonu is Professor of Africana Studies at the University of Michigan-Flint, USA; the editorial board is composed of scholars from US, UK and African universities. Obi Nwakanma is now Reviews Editor for the series HEBN: Nigeria
Baronial Reform and Revolution in England, 1258-1267
Authors: Ambler Sophie , Barratt Nick , Carpenter David , Coss Peter , Fernandes Mario , Hershey Andrew H. , Kjaer Lars , McEwan John , Moore Tony K. , Oakes Fergus , Ridgeway H W , Tilley Christopher David , Wild Benjamin L. , Wilkinson Louise J.
Published: May 2021

The years between 1258 and 67 comprise one of the most influential periods in the Middle Ages in England. This turbulent decade witnessed a bitter power struggle between King Henry III and his baronsover who should control the government of the realm. Before England eventually descended into civil war, a significant proportion of the baronage had attempted to transform its governance by imposingon the crown a programme of legislative and administrative reform far more radical and wide-ranging than Magna Carta in 1215. Constituting a critical stage in the development of parliament, the reformist movement would remain unsurpassed in its radicalism until the upheavals of the seventeenth century. Simon de Montfort, the baronial champion, became the first leader of a political movement to seize power and govern in the king's name. The essays collected here offer the most recent research into and ideas on this pivotal period. Several contributions focus upon the roles played in the political struggle by particular sections of thirteenth-century society, including the Midland knights and their political allegiances, aristocratic women, and the merchant elite in London. The events themselves constitute the second major theme of this volume, with subjects such as the secret revolution of 1258, Henry III's recovery of power in 1261, and the little studied maritime theatre during the civil wars of 1263-7 being considered.  Adrian Jobson is an Associate Lecturer at Canterbury Christ Church University.  Contributors: Sophie Ambler, Nick Barratt, David Carpenter, Peter Coss, Mario Fernandes, Andrew H. Hershey, Adrian Jobson, Lars Kjaer, John A. McEwan, Tony Moore, Fergus Oakes, H.W. Ridgeway, Christopher David Tilley, Benjamin L. Wild, Louise J. Wilkinson.
Addressing personal protective equipment (PPE) decontamination: Methylene blue and light inactivates severe acute respiratory coronavirus virus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) on N95 respirators and medical masks with maintenance of integrity and fit
Authors: Lendvay Thomas Sean , Chen James , Harcourt Brian H. , Scholte Florine E. M. , Lin Ying Ling , Kilinc-Balci F. Selcen , Lamb Molly M. , Homdayjanakul Kamonthip , Cui Yi , Price Amy , Heyne Belinda , Sahni Jaya , Kabra Kareem B. , Lin Yi-Chan , Evans David , Mores Christopher N. , Page Ken , Chu Larry F. , Haubruge Eric , Thiry Etienne , Ludwig-Begall Louisa F. , Wielick Constance , Clark Tanner , Wagner Thor , Timm Emily , Gallagher Thomas , Faris Peter , Macia Nicolas , Mackie Cyrus J. , Simmons Sarah M. , Reader Susan , Malott Rebecca , Hope Karen , Davies Jan M. , Tritsch Sarah R. , Dams Lorène , Nauwynck Hans , Willaert Jean-Francois , De Jaeger Simon , Liao Lei , Zhao Mervin , Laperre Jan , Jolois Olivier , Smit Sarah J. , Patel Alpa N. , Mayo Mark , Parker Rod , Molloy-Simard Vanessa , Lemyre Jean-Luc , Chu Steven , Conly John M. , Chu May C.
Published: May 2021

Objective:

The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has resulted in shortages of personal protective equipment (PPE), underscoring the urgent need for simple, efficient, and inexpensive methods to decontaminate masks and respirators exposed to severe acute respiratory coronavirus virus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). We hypothesized that methylene blue (MB) photochemical treatment, which has various clinical applications, could decontaminate PPE contaminated with coronavirus.

Design:

The 2 arms of the study included (1) PPE inoculation with coronaviruses followed by MB with light (MBL) decontamination treatment and (2) PPE treatment with MBL for 5 cycles of decontamination to determine maintenance of PPE performance.

Methods:

MBL treatment was used to inactivate coronaviruses on 3 N95 filtering facepiece respirator (FFR) and 2 medical mask models. We inoculated FFR and medical mask materials with 3 coronaviruses, including SARS-CoV-2, and we treated them with 10 µM MB and exposed them to 50,000 lux of white light or 12,500 lux of red light for 30 minutes. In parallel, integrity was assessed after 5 cycles of decontamination using multiple US and international test methods, and the process was compared with the FDA-authorized vaporized hydrogen peroxide plus ozone (VHP+O3) decontamination method.

Results:

Overall, MBL robustly and consistently inactivated all 3 coronaviruses with 99.8% to >99.9% virus inactivation across all FFRs and medical masks tested. FFR and medical mask integrity was maintained after 5 cycles of MBL treatment, whereas 1 FFR model failed after 5 cycles of VHP+O3.

Conclusions:

MBL treatment decontaminated respirators and masks by inactivating 3 tested coronaviruses without compromising integrity through 5 cycles of decontamination. MBL decontamination is effective, is low cost, and does not require specialized equipment, making it applicable in low- to high-resource settings.