bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Embracing equity and excellence while constructing science teacher identities in urban schools: Voices of new Teachers of Color
Authors: Varelas Maria , Segura David , Bernal‐Munera Marcela , Mitchener Carole
Published: July 2022

We explored how new Teachers of Color grappled with equity and excellence as they were constructing science teacher identities while learning to teach in a teacher education program committed to equity, justice, and excellence, and eventually teaching in urban schools where inequities and injustices persist. The theoretical framing, compiled from various bodies of literature, weaved together what we consider as essential parts of teacher identity construction and provided a lens with which to examine how conceptions of equity and excellence that the study participants were constructing meshed with their multiple identities, considerations on legitimate knowledge production, and dialectical relationships with which they grappled. Using transcendental phenomenology, we learned from and with three Black and Latinx teachers and their narratives. The teachers intertwined similarly and differently their evolving conceptions of equity and excellence into their evolving science teacher identities as they engaged in forms of contentious local practice and reflected on their experiences as science Teachers of Color teaching predominately Students of Color. Their multiple identities were meshed with histories of larger institutions—science, schooling, and society—and together these were shaping their conceptions of equity and excellence. The intermingling of equity and excellence, which was guiding the curricular and instructional decisions they were making in their classrooms, was also linked to what they considered as legitimate knowledge production in science classes and what counted as knowledge that their students needed to know at different times. The various dilemmas defined by opposing poles with which they were grappling also functioned as scales on which their coordinated equity‐excellence unit of meaning was forming. Based on the study, we offer insights into practices that science teacher educators may consider as they prepare new teachers, and work with practicing teachers, to embrace and coordinate equity and excellence in their ever‐developing science teacher identities.
Analysis of Transient Response of Jointless Track Circuit Based on Multiconductor Transmission Lines Theory
Authors: Zhao Bin , Ou Jingning , Wang Dong , Jia Zhi
Published: July 2022

In order to ensure the train operation safety, it is necessary to analysis the transient response of track circuit in complex electromagnetic environment. According to the distribution characteristics of transmission lines in traction electric network and the structure of ZPW‐2000 jointless track circuit, the multiconductor transmission lines model of the traction electric network combined with the track circuit is established. The model cannot be calculated directly due to the presence of parallel or terminated nonlinear lumped elements in the track circuit. For this problem, the new analytical method is proposed, which is based on finite difference time domain (FDTD) method to solve the transmission line part, Thevenin's theorem with state variable method to solve the equations of the terminated nonlinear track circuit. The solution equation of multiconductor transmission line system is obtained by combining the two parts. The relevant parameters of the model can be calculated by finite element method. In ATP‐EMTP, the simulation results verify the correctness of the expression. In addition, through the transient response experiment of track circuit, it is confirmed that the transmission characteristics of transient signal on rail are consistent with the calculation results in this paper. Finally, the influence of signal frequency, ballast resistance on track surface voltage, and the influence of interline coupling voltage by the conductivity (σ) and the permittivity (ε) are studied. It provides theoretical reference for the anti‐interference analysis of track circuits. © 2022 Institute of Electrical Engineers of Japan. Published by Wiley Periodicals LLC.
Migration in West Africa: An Introduction
Authors: Teye Joseph Kofi
Published: July 2022

This book examines the dynamics and impacts of international migration within and from West Africa. Although population mobility is not a recent phenomenon in West Africa, the sub-region has become the focus of policy discussions on migration in recent years because it is characterised by high levels of labour migration (Olsen, 2011) and forced displacement (UNHCR, 2020a). West Africa is experiencing ‘mixed migration’, which refers to “cross-border movements of people, including refugees fleeing persecution and conflict, victims of trafficking, and people seeking better lives and opportunities” (Mixed Migration Centre, 2021: 2). While media narratives suggest an exodus of Africans to the global North, intra-regional mobility is the dominant type of movement in West Africa, with more than 70% of migrants from West African countries moving to destinations within the sub-region (UNDESA, 2018). Although West Africans are among the most mobile people in the world, there is a general paucity of data on population mobility and its development impacts in the sub-region. Existing knowledge gaps make it difficult to integrate migration into development planning processes in the region. This book discusses theoretical perspectives and empirical findings on patterns, drivers, and socio-economic impacts of both voluntary and involuntary migration in West Africa. The authors raise key research questions and outline recommendations for improving migration governance, protecting migrants and harnessing the benefits of migration for socio-economic development for both countries of origin and destination of migrants.
Gendered Dynamics in West African Migration
Authors: Setrana Mary Boatemaa , Kleist Nauja
Published: July 2022

Much of the discourse on West African migration ignores gender perspectives or tends to focus on women ‘as’ gender while men are portrayed as, perhaps unwittingly, neutral or un-gendered. On the contrary, both men and women migrate from their homes either permanently or temporarily with or without their families. These movements impact on the traditional family system of many countries within the region and the migrants themselves. The traditional notion of the male as a ‘bread winner’ and ‘mover’ has witnessed changes; remittances transferred by both males and female migrants are used to support and improve the wellbeing of households; gender division of labour and its associated roles are re-negotiated when females migrate independently; and some female migrants are abused and exploited at destination areas. The analysis in the chapter thus indicates that there are key gendered dynamics of the impacts of migration on migrants themselves and their households. Additionally, family relations are central in the gendered dynamics of remittances, migration aspirations, and return migration. In the process, masculinity and femininity ideals are negotiated and changed, even if patriarchal norms continue to affect notions of female migration in some settings.
External Adaptation
Authors: Tipurić Darko
Published: July 2022

The central concept in this chapter is external adaptation—an inextricable element of strategic leadership architecture which, together with strategic direction and integration of the collective, affects organisational action and guides it towards the expectations and outcomes that contribute to the organisation’s survival. The chapter illustrates the role of environmental turbulences, institutional context, and institutional pressures in shaping organizational and leader behavior. Strategic leaders have to adapt their actions to the basic characteristics of the organisation’s environment. Their task is to find a way to get the organisation harmonized and almost imbued with its overall surroundings, both present and future. External adaptation, therefore, is a link created by strategic leaders between the organisation and its environment.
Strategic Direction
Authors: Tipurić Darko
Published: July 2022

In this chapter, the focus is on a strategic direction which is the starting point of strategy and the foothold of strategic leaders. Strategic direction determines the space available for organisational action and major business decisions; it is a guide of sorts for interaction with the future environment. It is especially important when innovative and visionary actions require a special kind of leadership and managerial skills. Mission and vision are argued to be mutually connected and inseparable constructs that are both comprised in the category of strategic direction. Mission creates a context in which vision is shaped, strategic objectives defined, and strategic activities developed while vision gives a purpose of action and it can be viewed as both a rationale of the organisation and a foundation for building commitment and inspiring stronger engagement of the organisation’s members.
Organisational Culture, Leadership Language and Integration of the Collective
Authors: Tipurić Darko
Published: July 2022

This chapter concentrates on organisational culture as a system of beliefs, understandings, and ways of thinking which is common to everyone in the organisation and implies a specific, distinct form of behaviour. Strategic leadership is inseparable from the cultural stage built on shared assumptions, symbols, language, and behaviour patterns. Further on, this chapter explains the concept of network of trusts; Trust in the collective is thecondicio sine qua nonfor creating and implementing organisational strategy. Leadership language and rhetoric are constructs inseparable from strategic leadership; Top strategic leaders are narrators and orators and are good at storytelling and creating other narratives that enhance the plausibility of action and encourage togetherness in fulfilling organisational objectives.
Abstract concepts: external influences, internal constraints, and methodological issues
Authors: Borghi Anna M. , Shaki Samuel , Fischer Martin H.
Published: July 2022

There is a longstanding and widely held misconception about the relative remoteness of abstract concepts from concrete experiences. This review examines the current evidence for external influences and internal constraints on the processing, representation, and use of abstract concepts, liketruth, friendship,andnumber. We highlight the theoretical benefit of distinguishing between grounded and embodied cognition and then ask which roles do perception, action, language, and social interaction play in acquiring, representing and using abstract concepts. By reviewing several studies, we show that they are, against the accepted definition, not detached from perception and action. Focussing on magnitude-related concepts, we also discuss evidence for cultural influences on abstract knowledge and explore how internal processes such as inner speech, metacognition, and inner bodily signals (interoception) influence the acquisition and retrieval of abstract knowledge. Finally, we discuss some methodological developments. Specifically, we focus on the importance of studies that investigate the time course of conceptual processing and we argue that, because of the paramount role of sociality for abstract concepts, new methods are necessary to study concepts in interactive situations. We conclude that bodily, linguistic, and social constraints provide important theoretical limitations for our theories of conceptual knowledge.
Tics: neurological disorders determined by a deficit in sensorimotor gating processes
Authors: Schilke Edoardo Dalmato , Tremolizzo Lucio , Appollonio Ildebrando , Ferrarese Carlo
Published: July 2022

Tic related disorders affect 4–20% of the population, mostly idiopathic, can be grouped in a wide spectrum of severity, where the most severe end is Tourette Syndrome (TS). Tics are arrhythmic hyperkinesias to whom execution the subject is forced by a “premonitory urge” that can be classified as sensory tic, just-right experience or urge without obsession. If an intact volitional inhibition allows patients to temporarily suppress tics, a lack or deficit in automatic inhibition is involved in the genesis of the disorder. Studies have assessed the presence of intrinsic microscopic and macroscopic anomalies in striatal circuits and relative cortical areas in association with a hyperdopaminergic state in the basal forebrain. Prepulse inhibition (PPI) of the startle reflex is a measure of inhibitory functions by which a weak sensory stimulus inhibits the elicitation of a startle response determined by a sudden intense stimulus. It is considered an operation measure of sensorimotor gating, a neural process by which unnecessary stimuli are eliminated from awareness. Evidence points out that the limbic domain of the CSTC loops, dopamine and GABA receptors within the striatum play an important role in PPI modulation. It is conceivable that a sensorimotor gating deficit may be involved in the genesis of premonitory urge and symptoms. Therefore, correcting the sensorimotor gating deficit may be considered a target for tic-related disorders therapies; in such case PPI (as well as other indirect estimators of sensorimotor gating) could represent therapeutic impact predictors.
The Importance of Consumer Authorities for the Production and Maintenance of Trust and Social Capital in Consumer Markets
Authors: Berg L.
Published: July 2022

Trust is a valuable resource that varies between countries. This paper suggests that consumers’ trust in retailers and service providers, facilitating interactions and transactions between sellers and buyers in impersonal markets, is best understood asgeneralized trust. The paper is based on 28 037 respondents’ evaluations of consumer conditions in 30 European countries. The material reveals large country-to-country variations in the percentages of residents who trust public authorities to protect their consumer rights. Moreover, there are large differences in the percentages who trust retailers and service providers to respect their rights as consumers. A multilevel path analysis supports the paper’s main hypothesis thatfair and effective consumer authorities enhance generalized trust in the markets.The analyses also demonstrate that fair and effective consumer institutions contribute to more equality in the markets. It is argued that consumer markets are important arenas for the maintenance and production of trust and social capital. And that generalized trust produced in markets will probably extend to, and be valuable for, the wider society.
COVID-19: A Neoliberal Nirvana?
Authors: Watermeyer Richard , Raaper Rille , Borras Batalla Margarida
Published: July 2022

The COVID-19 pandemic has profoundly impacted the operation of universities around the world. A transition to online platforms and remote forms of working as a consequence of national lockdown measures and campus closures has produced new labour challenges for academic faculty. This article makes use of 12 months of reporting from the academic trade press related to the experience of the pandemic in the UK higher education sector. Accounts published within Times Higher Education signpost the accelerating and accentuating effects of COVID-19 as it relates to universities’ neoliberalization; corporate managerialism within UK universities; and academic work precarization and work-based inequities.
The role of implicit theories about climate change malleability in the prediction of pro-environmental behavioral intentions
Authors: Cuadrado Esther , Macias-Zambrano Luis , Guzman Isabel , Carpio Antonio J. , Tabernero Carmen
Published: July 2022

Understanding the variables that influence pro-environmental intentions is key to promoting pro-environmental actions. In this research, we analyze how the sense of responsibility toward climate change and implicit theories about climate change (ITCC) interact to condition individual pro-environmental intention. A total of 48 psychology students with a mean age of 19 years were randomly divided into two experimental groups and participated in a pretest–posttest experiment. The experimental manipulation consisted of reading a news extract regarding scientific research: one group was given information stating that climate change is still reversible, instilling incremental ITCC; the other group was given the opposite information, instilling static ITCC. The results of the one-way ANOVA (F = 4.206, p < .05) showed that people with incremental ITCC presented a greater intention to behave in a pro-environmental way than did individuals with static ITCC. Moreover, the moderating analysis showed that ITCC act as a moderating variable in the relationship between the sense of responsibility and pro-environmental behavioral intentions. The sense of responsibility predicted pro-environmental behavioral intentions when individuals held incremental ITCC (p < .01) but not when they held static ITCC (p = .901). This research emphasized the relevance of promoting incremental ITCC interventions in the environmental education field, as the sense of responsibility toward climate change is deterministic but not in itself enough to acquire the intention to behave in a pro-environmental way.
Collaboration, Gender, and Leadership at the Minnesota Seaside Station, 1901–1907
Authors: Kohlstedt Sally Gregory
Published: July 2022

Mentorship and collaboration necessarily shaped opportunities for women in science, especially in the late nineteenth century at rapidly expanding public co-educational universities. A few male faculty made space for women to establish their own research programs and professional identities. At the University of Minnesota, botanist Conway MacMillan, an ambitious young department chair, provided a qualified mentorship to Josephine Tilden. He encouraged her research on algae and relied on her to do departmental support tasks even as he persuaded the administration to move her from instructor to assistant professor in 1903. Resulting publications on Minnesota algae led her to look further west, first at Yellowstone National Park and then along the Pacific Northwest coast. After visiting a particularly productive littoral site on Vancouver Island, she suggested that they establish a Minnesota Seaside Station there. Over its seven years in operation under the Midwestern leaders, that location proved remarkably productive. At the remote site, the two operated within their typical but not inevitable gendered roles and deliberately defined their seaside station as unconventional. They expected participants to study productively and, at the same time, find imaginative ways to enjoy nature at a place far from urban amenities. Gendered expectations remained casual as participants moved both within and against them. This study investigates how, in the early twentieth century, the role and expectations of mentorship shifted as Tilden established her own independent research agenda. The Minnesota Seaside Station, in particular, proved significant in developing the leadership skills essential for her to pursue research in the Pacific region at a time when American expansionism and indigenous cooperation made sites accessible to academic researchers.
Effects of Socioeconomic Status, Parental Stress, and Family Support on Children’s Physical and Emotional Health During the COVID-19 Pandemic
Authors: Scrimin Sara , Mastromatteo Libera Ylenia , Hovnanyan Ani , Zagni Benedetta , Rubaltelli Enrico , Pozzoli Tiziana
Published: July 2022

In the current study, we conduct an exploratory study on children’s emotional and physical health in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. The direct and interactive effects of parental stress, family socioeconomic status (SES), and family support on child adjustment were investigated. A total of 116 children of varied socioeconomic and their parents were interviewed. Parents with low household income perceived greater distress related to uncertainty and health worries compared to those with higher household income. However, it was among high-SES families that parental distress was associated with child difficulties. At a multivariate level, children’s health was associated with SES, family support, and parental COVID-19 stress. Among families with low household income, when parents perceived low/average COVID-19 stress, family support worked as a protective factor for children’s adjustment. Understanding how COVID-19 relates with children’s emotional and physical health within families with low and high household income may help to inform recommendations for best practices, for example through family support interventions.
The Analyzation of Change in Documentation due to the Introduction of Electronic Patient Records in Hospitals—A Systematic Review
Authors: Wurster Florian , Fütterer Garret , Beckmann Marina , Dittmer Kerstin , Jaschke Julia , Köberlein-Neu Juliane , Okumu Mi-Ran , Rusniok Carsten , Pfaff Holger , Karbach Ute
Published: July 2022

The major impact on healthcare through the ongoing digital transformation and new technologies results in opportunities for improving quality of care. Electronic patient records (EPR) are a substantial part in this transformation, even though their influence on documentation remains often unclear. This review aims to answer the question of which effect the introduction of the EPR has on the documentation proper in hospitals. To do this, studies are reviewed that analyze the documentation itself, rather than merely conducting interviews or surveys about it. Several databases were searched in this systematic review (PubMed including PubMed, PubMed Central and Medline; PDQ Evidence; Web of Science Core Collection; CINHAL). To be included, studies needed to analyze written documentation and empirical data, be in either German or English language, published between 2010 and 2020, conducted in a hospital setting, focused on transition from paper-based to electronic patient records, and peer reviewed. Quantitative, qualitative and mixed methods studies were included. Studies were independently screened for inclusion by two researchers in three stages (title, abstract, full text) and, in case of disagreement, discussed with a third person from the research team until consensus was reached. The main outcome assessed was whether the studies indicated a negative or positive effect on documentation (e.g. changing the completeness of documentation) by introducing an EPR. Mixed Methods Appraisal Tool was used to assess the individual risk of bias in the included studies. Overall, 264 studies were found. Of these, 17 met the inclusion criteria and were included in this review. Of all included studies, 11 of 17 proved a positive effect of the introduction of the EPR on documentation such as an improved completeness or guideline adherence of the documentation. Six of 17 showed a mixed effect with positive and negative or no changes. No study showed an exclusively negative effect. Most studies found a positive effect of EPR introduction on documentation. However, it is difficult to draw specific conclusions about how the EPR affects or does not affect documentation since the included studies examined a variety of outcomes. As a result, various scenarios are conceivable with higher or reduced burden for practitioners. Additionally, the impact on treatment remains unclear.
Predictors of Word and Pseudoword Reading in Languages with Different Orthographic Consistency
Authors: González-Valenzuela Maria-José , López-Montiel Dolores , Chebaani Fatma , Cobos-Cali Marta , Piedra-Martínez Elisa , Martin-Ruiz Isaías
Published: July 2022

This study analyzes the impact of certain cognitive processes on word and pseudoword reading in languages with different orthographic consistency (Spanish and Arabic) in the first year of Primary Education. The study was conducted with a group of 113 pupils from Algeria and another group of 128 pupils from Ecuador, from a middle-class background and without any special education needs. The participants were assessed in terms of their reading ability of words and pseudowords, knowledge of letters, phonological awareness, rapid automatized naming, and phonological memory. Using a correlational design, descriptive-exploratory, bivariate, and hierarchical multivariate regressions were applied to the different measures of reading in each language. The findings show that knowledge of letters, phonological awareness, rapid automatized naming, and phonological memory contribute differently to the explanation of reading ability in each group at the start of compulsory schooling. These results have important implications for the teaching of reading skills and the prevention of specific learning disabilities, as well as the theory of reading acquisition.
Morphology transformation of thermosensitive metronidazol by spray freeze-drying
Authors: Szentmihályi Klára , May Zoltán , Bódis Eszter , Tóth Judit , Trif László , Klébert Szilvia , Feczkó Tivadar , Károly Zoltán
Published: July 2022

Spray freeze-drying (SFD) is an effective method for reducing the size of thermosensitive organic substances that are sparingly soluble in water. Despite the advantages of the method, its use has not yet become widespread. We aimed at studying SFD technique for metronidazole as a heat-sensitive active pharmaceutical ingredient for reducing its particle size and investigated the morphological and physical parameters of the modified drug.

The obtained particles were crystalline in all cases and their sizes were two and one order of magnitude smaller using water or dimethyl sulphoxide solutions, respectively, as compared to the initial reference metronidazole. The particle size varied depending on the experimental parameters (atomization pressure, peristaltic pump speed), although, the operating parameters had a smaller effect on the size of the materials than the applied concentration of starting solution, regardless of the solvent. The as-prepared samples had a microcrystalline structure that is retained for a long time.
Potential mechanisms underlying the association between type II diabetes mellitus and cognitive dysfunction in rats: a link between miRNA-21 and Resveratrol’s neuroprotective action
Authors: El-Sayed Norhan S. , Elatrebi Soha , Said Rasha , Ibrahim Heba F. , Omar Eman M.
Published: July 2022

Cognitive impairment is considered as a typical feature of neurodegenerative diseases in diabetes mellitus (DM). However, the exact link between cognitive dysfunction and diabetes mellitus is still vague. This study aims to investigate some of the mechanisms underlying cognitive impairment that associates diabetes mellitus and insulin resistance. We investigated the role of resveratrol as well on cognitive function in experimentally induced type 2 diabetes highlighting on its influence on the expression of brain miRNA 21. Resveratrol is a naturally occurring, biologically active compound that has numerous significant impacts on the body. Type 2 diabetes mellitus was induced by high fat diet followed a single dose of streptozotocin. Diabetic rats were treated with resveratrol for four weeks. Rats were sacrificed after neurobehavioral testing. Hippocampal tissues were used to assess expression of miRNA 21, GSK and oxidative stress markers. Serum samples were obtained to determine glucose levels, lipid profile and insulin levels. Hippocampal and serum AGEs were measured as well and HOMA IR was calculated. We detected memory impairment and disturbed insulin signaling in diabetic rats. These derangements were reversed by resveratrol treatment partially due to increased expression of miRNA-21. Our study pins the role of miRNA-21 in modulating brain insulin signaling and hence alleviating cognitive dysfunction accompanying diabetes mellitus.
FootApp: An AI-powered system for football match annotation
Authors: Barra Silvio , Carta Salvatore M. , Giuliani Alessandro , Pisu Alessia , Podda Alessandro Sebastian , Riboni Daniele
Published: July 2022

In the last years, scientific and industrial research has experienced a growing interest in acquiring large annotated data sets to train artificial intelligence algorithms for tackling problems in different domains. In this context, we have observed that even the market for football data has substantially grown. The analysis of football matches relies on the annotation of both individual players’ and team actions, as well as the athletic performance of players. Consequently, annotating football events at a fine-grained level is a very expensive and error-prone task. Most existing semi-automatic tools for football match annotation rely on cameras and computer vision. However, those tools fall short in capturing team dynamics and in extracting data of players who are not visible in the camera frame. To address these issues, in this manuscript we present FootApp, an AI-based system for football match annotation. First, our system relies on an advanced and mixed user interface that exploits both vocal and touch interaction. Second, the motor performance of players is captured and processed by applying machine learning algorithms to data collected from inertial sensors worn by players. Artificial intelligence techniques are then used to check the consistency of generated labels, including those regarding the physical activity of players, to automatically recognize annotation errors. Notably, we implemented a full prototype of the proposed system, performing experiments to show its effectiveness in a real-world adoption scenario.
Wuthering heights: gauging fear at altitude in virtual reality
Authors: Boccignone Giuseppe , Gadia Davide , Maggiorini Dario , Ripamonti Laura A. , Tosto Valentina
Published: July 2022

In this study we propose an approach to assess the fear of heights through a 3D virtual reality environment. We show that an immersive scenario provides a suitable infrastructure to such purpose, when supported by related behavioural and physiological measurements. Our approach is grounded in the principled framework of constructed emotions. This allows to shape fear detection as a case of categorical perception, which is amenable to be formalised as an unsupervised learning problem. Meanwhile, it paves the way for addressing meaningful physiological parameters for the assessment. Gauging fear of heights in individuals, beyond its theoretical relevance, is cogent for the early discernment of workers who are unsuited for operating at altitude and who may require to undergo specific training or, eventually, to be recruited for different positions.
A Tool for Reflecting on Questionable Numbers in Society
Authors: Hauge Kjellrun Hiis
Published: July 2022

The increased distribution of fake news on internet and social media raises concerns for democratic processes. Sometimes, argumentation in deceptive information is built on numbers, which gives reason to include mathematics when working with fake news in education. In this paper, I suggest a tool to facilitate students’ critical thinking related to numbers, or other mathematical representations, presented in the media. It may not be straight forward, or even possible, to judge the validity of presented numbers, or whether numbers are used with the intention to deceive. Complex topics are associated with uncertainty, which implies that numbers may be questionable without hidden intentions, and that evaluating a number’s relevance may be quite challenging. The developed tool consists of a set of questions to help reflecting on the validity of numbers, which again is developed into categories reflecting degrees of validity and whether the mathematical representation has a deceptive role. The categories are illustrated with examples from the media and from a classroom situation in teacher education to indicate how the tool can help raise critical questions. The developed categories are based on academic literature on fake news, typographies of uncertainty and on critical mathematics education.
Optimal Implementation of Climate Change Adaptation Measures to Ensure Long-term Sustainability on Large Irrigation Systems
Authors: Haro-Monteagudo David , Palazón Leticia , Zoumides Christos , Beguería Santiago
Published: July 2022

Observed and projected consequences of climate change on streamflow generated in the Pyrenees threatens the long-term sustainability of water resources systems downstream, especially those with high irrigation demands. To tackle this challenge, the participation of stakeholders in defining potential adaptation strategies is crucial to building awareness and capacity for the community, providing agreed solutions, and reducing conflict. However, there is also a need for a top-down approach to incorporate other, large-scale, or innovative adaptation strategies. This article describes a bottom-up-meets-top-down approach to estimate the optimal implementation intensity of adaptation strategies under different climate scenarios on a complex water resources system. Future streamflow projections were used in a water allocation model combined with a Markov Chain Monte Carlo sampling process to obtain optimal combinations of measures to meet different sustainability objectives. The methodology was applied to the Gállego-Cinca River system in NE Spain, which relies on water from the Pyrenees. A stakeholder workshop identified storage development and irrigation modernisation as the preferred adaptation options. However, the modelling results show that more storage in the basin, especially on-farm reservoirs, is not enough to maintain current sustainability levels. This will enable the adoption of demand management measures that optimise water use despite not being among stakeholder preferences.
Profiling of secondary metabolites and DNA typing of three different Annona cultivars grown in Egypt
Authors: Mohammed Mona Arafa , Hamed Manal A. , El-Gengaihi Souad Eisawy , Enein Ahmed Mahmoud Aboul , Kachlicki Piotr , Hassan Emad Mohamed
Published: July 2022

Objectives

Natural products are often efficacious and safe alternatives to synthetic drugs. This study explored secondary leaves and bark metabolites profiles in extracts of a new Egyptian hybrid, Annona cherimola × Annona squamosa, known as Abdel Razek. This hybrid exhibited 100% similarity with A. cherimola as evidenced by random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) and inter-simple sequence repeat (ISSR) analyses.

Methods

Primary constituents in methanol extracts of different plant organs were identified. Extracts richest in alkaloids and polyphenolics were assessed for in vitro antioxidant activity and the most potent were further studied in vivo for treating gastric ulcer in rats. The latter activity was assessed histopathologically.

Results

Structural analysis with HPLC/ESI-MSn, and UPLC/HESI-MS/MS identified 63 metabolites, including seven amino acids, 20 alkaloids, 16 flavonoids, eight phenolics and other compounds. Severe stomach alteration was observed after ethanol induction in rats. Ulcer score, oxidative stress biomarkers, cell organelles biomarker enzymes, and gastrointestinal histological features improved to variable degrees after treatment with Annona Abdel Razek hybrid leaves and bark methanol extracts.

Conclusion

Extracts of Annona Abdel Razek had showed in vitro antioxidant effect and may be promising for the treatment of gastric ulcers.

Graphical abstract
Optimal use of the FDG-PET/CT in the diagnostic process of fever of unknown origin (FUO): a comprehensive review
Authors: Minamimoto Ryogo
Published: July 2022

Numerous studies have clarified the usefulness of 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG)-PET/CT (positron emission tomography) for diagnosing the cause of fever of unknown origin (FUO). Various types of disease can cause FUO, but the cause remains unknown in a certain proportion of FUO, even when the advanced diagnostic methodologies are used. FDG-PET/CT is regarded as a second-line modality in the diagnostic process of FUO, and its potential to identify the cause of FUO will be maximized when the appropriate clinical considerations are understood. Accordingly, this review presents basic knowledge regarding FUO, and reports the current status of FDG-PET/CT applied to diagnosing the cause of FUO, including diagnostic performance, test protocols, possible factors influencing the diagnostic result, outcomes, and cost-effectiveness. This knowledge will enable effective future use of FDG-PET/CT to improve outcomes in patients with FUO.
Bidirectional effects between reading and mathematics development across secondary school
Authors: Gnambs Timo , Lockl Kathrin
Published: July 2022

Reading and mathematical competencies are important cognitive prerequisites for children’s educational achievement and later success in society. An ongoing debate pertains to potential transfer effects between both domains and whether reading and mathematics influence each other over time. Therefore, the present study on N = 5185 students from the German National Educational Panel Study examined cross-lagged effects between reading and mathematics from Grades 5 to 12. The results revealed, depending on the chosen causal estimand, negligible to small bidirectional effects. Adopting a between-person perspective, students with higher mathematics scores at one point exhibited somewhat higher reading scores at the subsequent measurement. In contrast, when adopting a within-person perspective, both skills predicted longitudinal increases of the other skill in the lower grades but reversed effects in higher grades. Taken together, these findings not only demonstrate that transfer effects between reading and mathematics in secondary education tend to be small but also suggest different patterns of effects depending on the modeling choice.
Identifying the unmet supportive care needs of individuals affected by testicular cancer: a systematic review
Authors: Doyle R. , Craft P. , Turner M. , Paterson C.
Published: July 2022

Purpose

To critically appraise studies to identify experiences of unmet supportive care needs of individuals affected by testicular cancer.

Methods

A registered priori systematic review was conducted in accordance with Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines. CINAHL, PsycINFO, and MEDLINE were searched for quantitative, qualitative, and mixed methods studies using a wide range of search terms. All articles were double screened according to a pre-determined eligibility criterion. Reference lists of the final included studies were checked for further eligible studies. The review process was managed using Covidence systematic review software. Data from the studies were extracted, methodological quality appraisal conducted, and a narrative synthesis conducted.

Results

Of the 72 papers identified, 36 studies were included. In descending order of frequency of need, psychological needs were identified in 26/36, physical needs 18/36, interpersonal/intimacy needs 19/36, health system/information needs 11/36, cognitive needs 9/36, social needs 7/36, and of equal frequencies counts of 4/36 for family, practical, and patient-clinician information needs. Only one study explored spiritual needs and no daily living needs were identified.

Conclusions

The experience of needs varied in terms of frequency and distress which were commonly influenced by the age of the individual across the cancer care continuum persisting after 1-year post-treatment.

Implications for Cancer Survivors

When caring for individuals affected by testicular cancer, clinicians are encouraged to take a holistic lens to cancer care, particularly to explore issue or concerns that young men affected by testicular cancer might be embarrassed or reticent to discuss.
Genetic Testing in Acute and Chronic Pancreatitis
Authors: Piseddu Ignazio , Vielhauer Jakob , Mayerle Julia
Published: July 2022

Purpose of review

Premature intracellular activation of pancreatic zymogens leads to the initiation of pancreatitis, which in up to 25% leads to chronic tissue destruction, exocrine and endocrine organ failure, and a moderate increased risk of pancreatic cancer development. Whereas in many cases, the trigger of organ damage is identified, diagnostic workup in a significant number of patients does not reveal the underlying etiology of pancreatic inflammation. In these cases, alterations in different pancreatic susceptibility genes have been described to be directly or indirectly involved in disease development. In this review, we want to give an update on the most important pancreatitis risk genes and their impact on clinical diagnostics and risk stratification as well as possible treatment options.

Recent findings

Genetic testing is not routinely implemented in the diagnostic workup of acute or chronic pancreatitis, as most genetic variations are not considered causative for pancreatitis development but confer increased susceptibility and genetic testing rarely changes disease management. However, in patients with recurrent pancreatitis episodes of unknown etiology after intensive diagnostic work-up, in patients with a family history of pancreatitis, relatives of patients with hereditary pancreatitis, and patients with disease onset at young age, genetic testing and counseling is recommended. Besides well-established susceptibility genes such as PRSS1, SPINK1, CPA1, and CFTR, additional genes such as TRPV6 and rare genetic alterations in established risk genes have been recently identified which significantly contribute to the risk of pancreatitis, involving different molecular mechanisms.

When genetic testing is considered, we propose screening at least for PRSS1, SPINK1, CPA1, and CFTR gene variants. The emergence of next-generation sequencing methods could also render larger gene panels possible and clinically meaningful to detect rare variants with high-risk phenotypes. Here we summarize, evaluate, and convey in the form of practical recommendations the current level of knowledge with respect to definition, etiology, and genetic diagnostics of all forms of inherited pancreatitis.
Tbr1 Misexpression Alters Neuronal Development in the Cerebral Cortex
Authors: Crespo Inmaculada , Pignatelli Jaime , Kinare Veena , Méndez-Gómez Héctor R. , Esgleas Miriam , Román María José , Canals Josep M. , Tole Shubha , Vicario Carlos
Published: July 2022

Changes in the transcription factor (TF) expression are critical for brain development, and they may also underlie neurodevelopmental disorders. Indeed, T-box brain1 (Tbr1) is a TF crucial for the formation of neocortical layer VI, and mutations and microdeletions in that gene are associated with malformations in the human cerebral cortex, alterations that accompany autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Interestingly, Tbr1 upregulation has also been related to the occurrence of ASD-like symptoms, although limited studies have addressed the effect of increased Tbr1 levels during neocortical development. Here, we analysed the impact of Tbr1 misexpression in mouse neural progenitor cells (NPCs) at embryonic day 14.5 (E14.5), when they mainly generate neuronal layers II–IV. By E18.5, cells accumulated in the intermediate zone and in the deep cortical layers, whereas they became less abundant in the upper cortical layers. In accordance with this, the proportion of Sox5+ cells in layers V–VI increased, while that of Cux1+ cells in layers II–IV decreased. On postnatal day 7, fewer defects in migration were evident, although a higher proportion of Sox5+ cells were seen in the upper and deep layers. The abnormal neuronal migration could be partially due to the altered multipolar-bipolar neuron morphologies induced by Tbr1 misexpression, which also reduced dendrite growth and branching, and disrupted the corpus callosum. Our results indicate that Tbr1 misexpression in cortical NPCs delays or disrupts neuronal migration, neuronal specification, dendrite development and the formation of the callosal tract. Hence, genetic changes that provoke ectopic Tbr1 upregulation during development could provoke cortical brain malformations.
Microstratigraphic analysis of the main Roman road in Hispania: the Via Augusta where it passes through the Ianus Augustus (Mengíbar, Spain)
Authors: Gutiérrez-Rodríguez Mario , Lechuga Chica Miguel Ángel , Moreno Padilla María Isabel , Bellón Ruiz Juan Pedro
Published: July 2022

Roman roads are omnipresent in the Mediterranean basin. Despite the methodological advances achieved, interdisciplinary studies including geoarchaeological techniques are still rare. The aim of this study is to offer a microstratigraphic analysis of an important Roman road in order to characterise the raw materials and construction techniques used to build it and their evolution over time. Our research focuses on theViaAugusta, the longest road in RomanHispania, where it passes through theIanus Augustus(Mengíbar, Spain), a monumental complex on the frontier between the provinces ofBaeticaandTarraconensis. Archaeological excavations of this road have revealed vertical stratigraphic variations, suggesting the presence of several transit surfaces and repair works. A protocol was designed to characterise the road deposits at the microscale, where micromorphology revealed six overlying roads and their construction techniques. The combination of micromorphology, µ-XRF and the study of the textural parameters of the deposits allowed us to identify the raw materials used and their sources, as well as the specific features generated during the construction and use of the road. The results show how the technical solutions used survived as a tradition for centuries, and how the repair works identified in the stratigraphic sequence have a correlation with the road maintenance works mentioned in the Roman epigraphic record ofHispania Baetica. This study shows how detailed microstratigraphic analyses of Roman roads are very effective in the characterisation of road biographies.
Pesticides Exposure-Induced Changes in Brain Metabolome: Implications in the Pathogenesis of Neurodegenerative Disorders
Authors: Rodrigues Joel Arvin , Narasimhamurthy Rekha K. , Joshi Manjunath B. , Dsouza Herman Sunil , Mumbrekar Kamalesh Dattaram
Published: July 2022

Pesticides have been used in agriculture, public health programs, and pharmaceuticals for many decades. Though pesticides primarily target pests by affecting their nervous system and causing other lethal effects, these chemical entities also exert toxic effects in inadvertently exposed humans through inhalation or ingestion. Mounting pieces of evidence from cellular, animal, and clinical studies indicate that pesticide-exposed models display metabolite alterations of pathways involved in neurodegenerative diseases. Hence, identifying common key metabolites/metabolic pathways between pesticide-induced metabolic reprogramming and neurodegenerative diseases is necessary to understand the etiology of pesticides in the rise of neurodegenerative disorders. The present review provides an overview of specific metabolic pathways, including tryptophan metabolism, glutathione metabolism, dopamine metabolism, energy metabolism, mitochondrial dysfunction, fatty acids, and lipid metabolism that are specifically altered in response to pesticides. Furthermore, we discuss how these metabolite alterations are linked to the pathogenesis of neurodegenerative diseases and to identify novel biomarkers for targeted therapeutic approaches.