bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Ocular Manifestations and Neuropathy in Type 2 Diabetes Patients With Charcot Arthropathy
Authors: Trindade Marilia , Castro de Vasconcelos Jessica , Ayub Gabriel , Grupenmacher Alex Treiger , Gomes Huarachi Delma Regina , Viturino Marina , Correa-Giannella Maria Lucia , Atala Yeelen Ballesteros , Zantut-Wittmann Denise Engelbrecht , Parisi Maria Candida , Alves Monica
Published: April 2021

Objective

Diabetes can affect the eye in many ways beyond retinopathy. This study sought to evaluate ocular disease and determine any associations with peripheral neuropathy (PN) or cardiac autonomic neuropathy (CAN) in type 2 diabetes (T2D) and Charcot arthropathy (CA) patients.

Design

A total of 60 participants were included, 16 of whom were individuals with T2D/CA, 21 of whom were individuals with T2D who did not have CA, and 23 of whom were healthy controls. Ocular surface evaluations were performed, and cases of dry eye disease (DED) were determined using the Ocular Surface Disease Index (OSDI) questionnaire, ocular surface staining, Schirmer test, and Oculus Keratograph 5M exams. All variables were used to classify DED and ocular surface disorders such as aqueous deficiency, lipid deficiency, inflammation, and ocular surface damage. Pupillary and retinal nerve fiber measurements were added to the protocol in order to broaden the scope of the neurosensory ocular evaluation. PN and CAN were ascertained by clinical examinations involving the Neuropathy Disability Score (for PN) and Ewing’s battery (for CAN).

Results

Most ocular variables evaluated herein differed significantly between T2D patients and controls. When the controls were respectively compared to patients with T2D and to patients with both T2D and CA, they differed substantially in terms of visual acuity (0.92 ± 0.11, 0.73 ± 0.27, and 0.47 ± 0.26, p=0.001), retinal nerve fiber layer thickness (96.83 ± 6.91, 89.25 ± 10.44, and 80.37 ± 11.67 µm, p=0.03), pupillometry results (4.10 ± 0.61, 3.48 ± 0.88, and 2.75 ± 0.81 mm, p=0.0001), and dry eye symptoms (9.19 ± 11.71, 19.83 ± 19.08, and 24.82 ± 24.40, p=0.03). DED and ocular surface damage also differed between individuals with and without CA, and were associated with PN and CAN.

Conclusion

CA was found to be significantly associated with the severity of ocular findings. DED in cases of CA was also associated with PN and CAN. These findings suggest that intrinsic and complex neurosensory impairment in the eyes, peripheral sensory nerves, and the autonomic nervous system are somehow connected. Thus, a thorough ocular evaluation may be useful to highlight neurological complications and the impact of diabetes on ocular and systemic functions and structures.
Effects of Fermented Oat Straw as a Lovastatin Carrier on in vitro Methane Production and Rumen Microbiota
Authors: Ábrego-Gacía Amaury , Poggi-Varaldo Héctor M. , Mendoza-Vargas Alfredo , Mercado-Valle Francisco G. , Ríos-Leal Elvira , Ponce-Noyola Teresa , Calva-Calva Graciano
Published: April 2021

To date, there is an urgent need for implementing practical strategies to reduce CH4 emissions from ruminants. Lovastatin (Lv) is a specific inhibitor of methanogenic archaea. Due to the high cost of pure Lv, solid-state fermentation might be an economical bioprocess to produce Lv and facilitate its use in ruminant nutrition. The goal of this work was to assess the effects of supplementing fermented oat straw as a lovastatin carrier (FOS) to a high-grain ration on in vitro CH4 inhibition and rumen microbiota in beef cattle. The experimental design of in vitro rumen fermentation was completely randomized with four concentrations of Lv in the diet mixture. The supplementation with FOS to give Lv concentration of 100 and 150 mg L−1 in the ruminal fermentation medium significantly inhibited methanogenesis at similar levels. This suggested that less than 20% of FOS was required in the ration to achieve up to 38% of CH4 mitigation without affecting the chemical composition and nutritional value of the ration. Short-chain fatty acid (SCFA) production and profile showed that only the treatments with Lv at 100 and 150 mg L−1 decreased the concentration of total SCFAs; the molar ratio of propionate significantly increased with respect to that of the control. Treatment with Lv at 150 mg L−1 did not result in significant differences in the alpha and beta diversity indices compared to the control. However, significant changes in the relative abundance of some microorganisms were detected, such as an increase in Ruminococcus and a decrease in Prevotella. The predominant 99%+ MA in all controls, treatment, and inocula samples belonged to the Methanobrevibacter genus and very small (negligible) unclassified Methanobacterium genus (Euryarchaeota phylum). Interestingly, the reduction of relative abundance of MA was 39.17%, very close to the percent reduction of CH4 production, 38%. Our data showed that there was a parallel and similar percent decrease of both CH4 production and relative abundance of the predominant MA in our experiment, although the statistical significance was not complete. Finally, our results hold promise for significantly decreasing ruminal CH4 by 38%. Thus, our work is one step toward the sustainable management of the livestock sector.
Day-Ahead Economic Optimal Dispatch of Microgrid Cluster Considering Shared Energy Storage System and P2P Transaction
Authors: Cao Siming , Zhang Hanlin , Cao Kai , Chen Meng , Wu Yi , Zhou Suyang
Published: April 2021

With the increasing popularity of renewable energy, energy storage systems (ESSs) have now been used as an essential way to reduce energy bills and mitigate the impact of the uncertainty of renewable generators on the energy network. However, the high investment cost of ESS limits its application. This article proposes the concept of shared ESS (Shared-ESS) for microgrid owner/operator and applies it to the economic optimal dispatch of a microgrid cluster. In addition to the energy storage, the microgrids can achieve the peer-to-peer (P2P) transaction among each other with the use of the Shared-ESS, which significantly improves the energy utilization efficiency. The numerical analysis shows that the Shared-ESS can significantly reduce the energy bills of microgrid owner/operator, shift the usage of energy during peak time, and facilitate the renewable energy consumption.
China's Legalization of Domestic Rhino Horn Trade: Traditional Chinese Medicine Practitioner Perspectives and the Likelihood of Prescription
Authors: Cheung Hubert , Mazerolle Lorraine , Possingham Hugh P. , Biggs Duan
Published: April 2021

Despite the international ban on the trade of rhino horn that has been in place since 1977, persistent demand for horn in Asia has driven a spike in poaching over the past decade. This has embroiled the conservation community in a debate over the efficacy of banning trade relative to other solutions. Proposals for trade to be legalized and supplied through the dehorning of live rhinos or the production of synthetic horn are contentious. The need for empirical research into the potential impacts of legalization on demand was made more urgent in 2018 when China publicized its intentions to reopen its domestic trade and permit the use of rhino horn in medical treatment. In this study, we interviewed 84 Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) practitioners in the Chinese province of Guangdong. While 58 (69.05%, n = 84) of our interviewees were in favor of trade legalization, only 32 (38.10%, n = 84) thought it likely that trade legalization would cause them to increase their prescription of rhino horn over current levels. This is probably because clinical cases in which rhino horn is medically appropriate are uncommon. We also found that 33 (39.29%, n = 84) practitioners were open to using synthetic horn for patient treatment, which has implications for the viability of synthetic horn as a conservation tool. This research contributes empirical insight to advance the discourse on rhino horn trade policy.
Construction and Comparison of ceRNA Regulatory Network for Different Age Female Breast Cancer
Authors: Liu Zhi-Qin , Zhang Gao-Tao , Jiang Li , Li Chun-Qing , Chen Que-Ting , Luo Du-Qiang
Published: April 2021

Studies have shown the difference appearing among the prognosis of patients in different age groups. However, the molecular mechanism implicated in this disparity have not been elaborated. In this study, expression profiles of female breast cancer (BRCA) associated mRNAs, lncRNAs and miRNAs were downloaded from the TCGA database. The sample were manually classified into three groups according to their age at initial pathological diagnosis: young (age ≤ 39 years), elderly (age ≥ 65 years), and intermediate (age 40–64 years). lncRNA-miRNA-mRNA competitive endogenous RNA (ceRNA) network was respectively constructed for different age BRCA. Then, the biological functions of differentially expressed mRNAs (DEmRNAs) in ceRNA network were further investigated by Gene Ontology (GO) and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathway analysis. Finally, survival analysis was used to identify prognostic biomarkers for different age BRCA patients. We identified 13 RNAs, 38 RNAs and 40 RNAs specific to patients aged ≤ 39 years, aged 40–64 years, and aged ≥ 65 years, respectively. Furthermore, the unique pathways were mainly enriched in cytokine-cytokine receptor interaction in patients aged 40–64 years, and were mainly enriched in TGF-beta signaling pathway in patients aged ≥ 65 years. According to the survival analysis, AGAP11, has-mir-301b, and OSR1 were respectively functioned as prognostic biomarkers in young, intermediate, and elderly group. In summary, our study identified the differences in the ceRNA regulatory networks and provides an effective bioinformatics basis for further understanding of the pathogenesis and predicting outcomes for different age BRCA.
Community Sponsorship in Europe: Taking Stock, Policy Transfer and What the Future Might Hold
Authors: Tan Nikolas Feith
Published: April 2021

This article explores the recent emergence of community sponsorship of refugees in Europe, an approach which shares responsibility between civil society and the state for the admission and/or integration of refugees. Originally a Canadian model developed to support the resettlement of Indochinese refugees, the model has gained momentum in Europe, with a number of states piloting or establishing community sponsorship schemes. This proliferation, while generally seen as positive for international protection of refugees, has led to conceptual confusion and a significant range of approaches under the “umbrella” concept of community sponsorship. As a result, community sponsorship today may be understood both as a form of resettlement and a complementary pathway to protection. While interest and momentum around community sponsorship is high, little work currently exists mapping and analysing how jurisdictions adopt the community sponsorship model. With reference to existing work on policy transfer, this contribution takes stock of community sponsorship models in Europe; analyses how community sponsorship may become a viable policy option in European states as a form of transnational policy transfer; and sets out a number of challenges for the future development of community sponsorship in Europe.
Towards Environmental Sustainability in Marine Finfish Aquaculture
Authors: Carballeira Braña Carlos Brais , Cerbule Kristine , Senff Paula , Stolz Insa Kristina
Published: April 2021

Aquaculture is one of the fastest growing food production sectors and has great potential for food security and livelihoods. However, it generates concerning consequences for the environment, including chemical and biological pollution, disease outbreaks, unsustainable feeds and competition for coastal space. Recent investigations are focusing on sustainable techniques (e.g., polyculture, offshore facilities) to improve the relationship between the industry, environment and society. This review provides an overview of the main factors of ecological concern within marine finfish aquaculture, their interactions with the environment, and highlights sustainable alternatives that are currently in use or development. Adequate environmental monitoring and location of farms, the reduction and exploitation of wastes and chemicals being used is crucial to ensure the growth and continuity of aquaculture production.
Active-Site Models of Streptococcus pyogenes Cas9 in DNA Cleavage State
Authors: Tang Honghai , Yuan Hui , Du Wenhao , Li Gan , Xue Dongmei , Huang Qiang
Published: April 2021

CRISPR-Cas9 is a powerful tool for target genome editing in living cells. Significant advances have been made to understand how this system cleaves target DNA. However, due to difficulty in determining active CRISPR-Cas9 structure in DNA cleavage state by X-ray and cryo-EM, it remains uncertain how the HNH and RuvC nuclease domains in CRISPR-Cas9 split the DNA phosphodiester bonds with metal ions and water molecules. Therefore, based on one-and two-metal-ion mechanisms, homology modeling and molecular dynamics simulation (MD) are suitable tools for building an atomic model of Cas9 in the DNA cleavage state. Here, by modeling and MD, we presented an atomic model of SpCas9-sgRNA-DNA complex with the cleavage state. This model shows that the HNH and RuvC conformations resemble their DNA cleavage state where the active-sites in the complex coordinate with DNA, Mg2+ions and water. Among them, residues D10, E762, H983 and D986 locate at the first shell of the RuvC active-site and interact with the ions directly, residues H982 or/and H985 are general (Lewis) bases, and the coordinated water is located at the positions for nucleophilic attack of the scissile phosphate. Meanwhile, this catalytic model led us to engineer new SpCas9 variant (SpCas9-H982A + H983D) with reduced off-target effects. Thus, our study provides new mechanistic insights into the CRISPR-Cas9 system in the DNA cleavage state, and offers useful guidance for engineering new CRISPR-Cas9 editing systems with improved specificity.
Eukaryotic RNA Polymerases: The Many Ways to Transcribe a Gene
Authors: Barba-Aliaga Marina , Alepuz Paula , Pérez-Ortín José E.
Published: April 2021

In eukaryotic cells, three nuclear RNA polymerases (RNA pols) carry out the transcription from DNA to RNA, and they all seem to have evolved from a single enzyme present in the common ancestor with archaea. The multiplicity of eukaryotic RNA pols allows each one to remain specialized in the synthesis of a subset of transcripts, which are different in the function, length, cell abundance, diversity, and promoter organization of the corresponding genes. We hypothesize that this specialization of RNA pols has conditioned the evolution of the regulatory mechanisms used to transcribe each gene subset to cope with environmental changes. We herein present the example of the homeostatic regulation of transcript levels versus changes in cell volume. We propose that the diversity and instability of messenger RNAs, transcribed by RNA polymerase II, have conditioned the appearance of regulatory mechanisms based on different gene promoter strength and mRNA stability. However, for the regulation of ribosomal RNA levels, which are very stable and transcribed mainly by RNA polymerase I from only one promoter, different mechanisms act based on gene copy variation, and a much simpler regulation of the synthesis rate.
Activity Stabilization in a Population Model of Working Memory by Sinusoidal and Noisy Inputs
Authors: Novikov Nikita , Zakharov Denis , Moiseeva Victoria , Gutkin Boris
Published: April 2021

According to mechanistic theories of working memory (WM), information is retained as stimulus-dependent persistent spiking activity of cortical neural networks. Yet, how this activity is related to changes in the oscillatory profile observed during WM tasks remains a largely open issue. We explore joint effects of input gamma-band oscillations and noise on the dynamics of several firing rate models of WM. The considered models have a metastable active regime, i.e., they demonstrate long-lasting transient post-stimulus firing rate elevation. We start from a single excitatory-inhibitory circuit and demonstrate that either gamma-band or noise input could stabilize the active regime, thus supporting WM retention. We then consider a system of two circuits with excitatory intercoupling. We find that fast coupling allows for better stabilization by common noise compared to independent noise and stronger amplification of this effect by in-phase gamma inputs compared to anti-phase inputs. Finally, we consider a multi-circuit system comprised of two clusters, each containing a group of circuits receiving a common noise input and a group of circuits receiving independent noise. Each cluster is associated with its own local gamma generator, so all its circuits receive gamma-band input in the same phase. We find that gamma-band input differentially stabilizes the activity of the “common-noise” groups compared to the “independent-noise” groups. If the inter-cluster connections are fast, this effect is more pronounced when the gamma-band input is delivered to the clusters in the same phase rather than in the anti-phase. Assuming that the common noise comes from a large-scale distributed WM representation, our results demonstrate that local gamma oscillations can stabilize the activity of the corresponding parts of this representation, with stronger effect for fast long-range connections and synchronized gamma oscillations.
NEOGAMES: A Serious Computer Game That Improves Long-Term Knowledge Retention of Neonatal Resuscitation in Undergraduate Medical Students
Authors: Hu Liyuan , Zhang Lan , Yin Rong , Li Zhihua , Shen Jianqing , Tan Hui , Wu Jingyan , Zhou Wenhao
Published: April 2021

Background: Serious games are potential alternatives for supplementing traditional simulation-based education for neonatal resuscitation training. However, evidence regarding the benefits of using serious games to improve long-term knowledge retention of neonatal resuscitation in undergraduate medical students is lacking.

Objective: We designed a serious computer game “NEOGAMES” to train undergraduate medical students in neonatal resuscitation in a cost-friendly and accessible way and to examine whether serious game-based training improves long-term knowledge retention in medical students.

Methods: “NEOGAMES” consists of a screen with images of an incubator, a baby, visual objects, anatomy, action cards, monitors, real-time feedback, and emotional components. Undergraduate medical students from Shanghai Medical College of Fudan University were invited to participate and were allocated to a game group or a control group. Participants in the game group played the game before the training. All the participants completed three written tests, pre- and post-training knowledge tests and a follow-up test after 6 months.

Results: Eighty-one medical students participated in the study. The student demographic characteristics of the groups were comparable, including sex, age, and grade point average (GPA). Significant short-term knowledge improvement was noticed only for male students in the game group based on their 5.2-point higher test scores than those of the controls (p = 0.006). However, long-term knowledge improvement at 6 months was identified for both male and female students in the game group, with test scores 21.8 and 20 points higher, respectively, than those of the controls (P < 0.001). The long-term knowledge retention in the game group was almost 3 times higher than that in the control group.

Conclusions: Long-term knowledge retention was nearly 3 times higher for the game group than for the control group. The improvement in knowledge supports the use of serious games for undergraduate medical education.
Andrographolide Against Lung Cancer-New Pharmacological Insights Based on High-Throughput Metabolomics Analysis Combined with Network Pharmacology
Authors: Luo Wen , Jia Li , Zhang Jia-Wen , Wang Dong-Jie , Ren Qiu , Zhang Wei
Published: April 2021

Andrographolide (Andro) has known to treat various illnesses such as colds, diarrhea, fever and infectious diseases. However, the effect mechanism of Andro is still unclear. Therefore, we used high-throughput metabolomics analysis to discover biomarkers, metabolic profiles and pathways to reveal the pharmacological action and effective mechanism of Andro against lung cancer. The metabolic effects of Andro on lung cancer animal was explored by ultra-performance liquid chromatography-triple-time of flight/mass spectrometry (UPLC-TOF/MS) analysis. Our results showed that Andro exhibited significant protective effects against lung cancer. Compared with control group, a total of 25 metabolites biomarkers was identified in urine of model animals, which 18 of them were regulated toward the normal direction after Andro treatment, and network pharmacology analysis showed that they were related with 570 proteins. Biological pathways analysis showed that the 11 metabolism pathways were regulated by Andro treatment in lung cancer mouse, and amino acid metabolism and arachidonic acid metabolism have great potential as target pathways for Andro against lung cancer. It revealed that high-throughput metabolomics combined with network pharmacology analysis provides deeply insight into the therapeutic mechanisms of natural product for promoting medicine development and disease treatment.
Gene Therapy: A Possible Alternative to CFTR Modulators?
Authors: Mercier J. , Ruffin M. , Corvol H. , Guillot L.
Published: April 2021

Cystic fibrosis (CF) is a rare genetic disease that affects several organs, but lung disease is the major cause of morbidity and mortality. The gene responsible for CF, the CFTR (Cystic Fibrosis Transmembrane Conductance Regulator) gene, has been discovered in 1989. Since then, gene therapy i.e., defective gene replacement by a functional one, remained the ultimate goal but unfortunately, it has not yet been achieved. However, patients care and symptomatic treatments considerably increased CF patients’ life expectancy ranging from 5 years old in the 1960s to 40 today. In the last decade, research works on CFTR protein structure and activity led to the development of new drugs which, by readdressing CFTR to the plasma membrane (correctors) or by enhancing its transport activity (potentiators), allow, alone or in combination, an improvement of CF patients’ lung function and quality of life. While expected, it is not yet known whether taking these drugs from an early age and for years will improve the quality of life of CF patients in the long term and further increase their life expectancy. Besides, these molecules are not available (specific variants of CFTR) or accessible (national health policies) for all patients and there is still no curative treatment. Another alternative that could benefit from new technologies, such as gene therapy, is therefore still attractive, although it is not yet offered to patients. Faced with the development of new CFTR correctors and potentiators, the question arises as to whether there is still a place for gene therapy and this is discussed in this perspective.
Extraribosomal Functions of Cytosolic Ribosomal Proteins in Plants
Authors: Xiong Wei , Lan Ting , Mo Beixin
Published: April 2021

Ribosomes are basic translational machines in all living cells. The plant cytosolic ribosome is composed of four rRNAs and approximately 81 ribosomal proteins (RPs). In addition to the fundamental functions of RPs in the messenger RNA decoding process as well as in polypeptide synthesis and ribosome assembly, extraribosomal functions of RPs that occur in the absence of the ribosome have been proposed and studied with respect to RPs’ ability to interact with RNAs and non-ribosomal proteins. In a few cases, extraribosomal functions of several RPs have been demonstrated with solid evidences in plants, including microRNA biogenesis, anti-virus defenses, and plant immunity, which have fascinated biologists. We believe that the widespread duplication of RP genes in plants may increase the potential of extraribosomal functions of RPs and more extraribosomal functions of plant RPs will be discovered in the future. In this article we review the current knowledge concerning the extraribosomal functions of RPs in plants and described the prospects for future research in this fascinating area.
Gendered Perceptions of Odd and Even Numbers: An Implicit Association Study From Arabic Culture
Authors: Jordan Timothy R. , Yekani Hajar Aman Key , Sheen Mercedes
Published: April 2021

Previous studies conducted in the United States indicate that people associate numbers with gender, such that odd numbers are more likely to be considered male and even numbers considered female. It has been argued that this number gendering phenomenon is acquired through social learning and conditioning, and that male-odd/female-even associations reflect a general, cross-cultural human consensus on gender roles relating to agency and communion. However, the incidence and pattern of number gendering in cultures outside the United States remains to be established. Against this background, the purpose of this study was to determine whether people from a culture and country very different from the United States (specifically, native Arabic citizens living in the Arabic culture of the United Arab Emirates) also associate numbers with gender, and, if they do, whether the pattern of these associations is the male-odd/female-even associations previously observed. To investigate this issue, we adopted the Implicit Association Test used frequently in previous research, where associations between numbers (odd and even) and gender (male and female faces) were examined using male and female Arabic participants native to, and resident in, the United Arab Emirates. The findings indicated that the association of numbers with gender does occur in Arabic culture. But while Arabic females associated odd numbers with male faces and even numbers with female faces (the pattern of previous findings in the United States), Arabic males showed the reversed pattern of gender associations, associating even numbers with male faces and odd numbers with female faces. These findings support the view that number gendering is indeed a cross-cultural phenomenon and show that the phenomenon occurs across very different countries and cultures. But the findings also suggest that the pattern with which numbers are associated with gender is not universal and, instead, reflects culture-specific views on gender roles which may change across cultures and gender. Further implications for understanding the association of numbers with gender across human societies are discussed.
The East Asian Erotic Picture Dataset and Gender Differences in Response to Opposite-Sex Erotic Stimuli in Chinese College Students
Authors: Cui Qianqian , Wang Zixiang , Zhang Ziyuan , Li Yansong
Published: April 2021

Understanding the processing of sexual stimuli has become a significant part of research on human sexuality. In addition to individual characteristics (gender and sexual orientation), empirical studies have shown that cultural factors play an important role in sexual stimuli processing. The attitudes toward sex have been reported to be more conservative in East Asian societies as compared to western countries, and significantly more sexual difficulties are observed among East Asian people. However, stimulus materials, which potentially facilitate human sexuality research on native East Asian people, are relatively not satisfactory. Erotic stimuli depicting East Asian figures are limited in the existing picture datasets. To address this issue, we present a collection of 237 erotic and 108 control pictures, accompanied by self-reported ratings of sexual arousal, pleasantness, and sexual attractiveness for opposite-sex erotic stimuli by heterosexual males and females (n = 40, divided into two equal-sized subsamples). This collection is divided into six categories, depending on their contents: dressed males (44), semi-nude males (65), nude males (64), dressed females (64), semi-nude females (52), and nude females (56). We showed gender differences in sexual arousal, pleasantness, and sexual attractiveness ratings in response to opposite-sex erotic pictures. Males reported the highest levels of sexual arousal, pleasantness, and sexual attractiveness for nude female pictures, whereas females reported the highest levels of sexual arousal, pleasantness, and sexual attractiveness for semi-nude male pictures. The erotic picture dataset may provide a useful resource of erotic stimuli that can be used as stimulus materials in experimental research on sexual function in East Asians.
Innovation for Positive Sustainable Legacy From Mega Sports Events: Virtual Reality as a Tool for Social Inclusion Legacy for Paris 2024 Paralympic Games
Authors: Byers Terri , Hayday Emily Jane , Mason Fred , Lunga Phillip , Headley Daneka
Published: April 2021

There is significant interest in how sports events and their associated legacies could act as a platform to address global challenges and engender social change. The United Nations (UN) has acknowledged the important role that sport plays in supporting the UN 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and the Olympic movement could be argued as central to that objective. Yet critical questions and concerns have been raised about the growing expenditure, viability, long term legacy, and impacts of mega sports events such as the Olympic Games. While much evidence has focused on the challenges of creating legacy for Olympic Games, there is considerably less literature on understanding the Paralympic context. The purpose of this paper is to discuss the role of innovation in creating legacy from MSEs and propose a theoretical and methodological plan for such research. Innovation, a key driver in organizational performance, is suggested as essential to defining, planning for and measuring legacy. We specifically examine the potential of virtual reality (VR) as a technological innovation which can help create a social inclusion legacy in the context of Paris 2024 Olympic/Paralympic Games. A conceptual model is developed, which identifies legacy as a “wicked problem”, and this paper discusses the importance of innovation with regards to legacy, by suggesting a new application for VR technology in the context of legacy related to social inclusion. Information technology is a valuable facilitator of social inclusion for individuals with a disability. We specifically examine the potential of VR as a technological innovation which can help create legacy through influencing unconscious biases (symbolic ableism) toward diversity such as disability, gender, and race.
Non-antibiotic Approaches for Disease Prevention and Control in Nursery Pigs: A Scoping Review
Authors: Wisener Lee V. , Sargeant Jan M. , O'Sullivan Terri L. , O'Connor Annette M. , McEwen Scott A. , Reist Mark , Churchill Katheryn J.
Published: April 2021

Swine producers are encouraged to practice antibiotic stewardship by reducing their use of antibiotics belonging to classes of medical importance to humans. We conducted a scoping review of non-antibiotic approaches in the form of products or management practices that might prevent or control disease and thus reduce the need for antibiotics in nursery pigs. Our objectives were to systematically describe the research on this broad topic for the North American context, identify specific topics that could feasibly support systematic reviews, and identify knowledge gaps. A search of multiple databases identified 11,316 articles and proceedings for relevance screening. From these, 441 eligible clinical trials and observational studies were charted. The majority were clinical trials (94%). Study results from EU countries were mostly communicated through journal articles, whereas study results from the USA were mostly communicated through conference proceedings. Interventions and health outcomes were diverse. The two most frequent intervention categories were feed additives and piglet vaccines. The three most frequent outcomes reported were diarrhea, mortality, and indices of vaccine immunity. There were 13 specific topics comprising various feed additives and vaccines that might feasibly support systematic reviews. There were relatively few studies in which interventions were compared with antibiotic comparison groups and relatively few studies evaluating management practices.
The Role of Toxic Metals and Metalloids in Nrf2 Signaling
Authors: Buha Aleksandra , Baralić Katarina , Djukic-Cosic Danijela , Bulat Zorica , Tinkov Alexey , Panieri Emiliano , Saso Luciano
Published: April 2021

Nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2), an emerging regulator of cellular resistance to oxidants, serves as one of the key defensive factors against a range of pathological processes such as oxidative damage, carcinogenesis, as well as various harmful chemicals, including metals. An increase in human exposure to toxic metals via air, food, and water has been recently observed, which is mainly due to anthropogenic activities. The relationship between environmental exposure to heavy metals, particularly cadmium (Cd), lead (Pb), mercury (Hg), and nickel (Ni), as well as metaloid arsenic (As), and transition metal chromium (Cr), and the development of various human diseases has been extensively investigated. Their ability to induce reactive oxygen species (ROS) production through direct and indirect actions and cause oxidative stress has been documented in various organs. Taking into account that Nrf2 signaling represents an important pathway in maintaining antioxidant balance, recent research indicates that it can play a dual role depending on the specific biological context. On one side, Nrf2 represents a potential crucial protective mechanism in metal-induced toxicity, but on the other hand, it can also be a trigger of metal-induced carcinogenesis under conditions of prolonged exposure and continuous activation. Thus, this review aims to summarize the state-of-the-art knowledge regarding the functional interrelation between the toxic metals and Nrf2 signaling.
Ischemic Mitral Regurgitation: A Multifaceted Syndrome with Evolving Therapies
Authors: Vinciguerra Mattia , Grigioni Francesco , Romiti Silvia , Benfari Giovanni , Rose David , Spadaccio Cristiano , Cimino Sara , De Bellis Antonio , Greco Ernesto
Published: April 2021

Dysfunction of the left ventricle (LV) with impaired contractility following chronic ischemia or acute myocardial infarction (AMI) is the main cause of ischemic mitral regurgitation (IMR), leading to moderate and moderate-to-severe mitral regurgitation (MR). The site of AMI exerts a specific influence determining different patterns of adverse LV remodeling. In general, inferior-posterior AMI is more frequently associated with regional structural changes than the anterolateral one, which is associated with global adverse LV remodeling, ultimately leading to different phenotypes of IMR. In this narrative review, starting from the aforementioned categorization, we proceed to describe current knowledge regarding surgical approaches in the management of IMR.
The Politics of Maladaptation
Authors: Glover Leigh , Granberg Mikael
Published: April 2021

An emerging component of the adaptation discourse, embracing theory, practice and review, is that of the negative assessment of adaptation, namely, maladaptation. Political theories and concepts have been applied as one of these assessment tools, giving rise to a political critique of maladaptation. Such a critique contrasts with the more conventional scientific and technical assessments of adaptation policies, programs and practices. Key political themes in studies of maladaptation include resource management and allocations, decision making processes, equity and fairness, gender, power and influence, and Nature and ecology. Within the scholarship on the politics of maladaptation, overlapping frameworks can be identified. Critiques of adaptation have been applied to the preconditions of adaptation, adaptation decision making processes and institutions, and to adaptation outcomes. There are a number of conceptual challenges in undertaking political analyses of adaptation. In this article, we outline the origins of the adaptation and maladaptation concepts, we describe the key political issues, we identify the application of politics in the maladaptation discourse and identify the major political perspectives. Finally, we draw conclusions on the state of the maladaptation discourse.
Chickpea and Chestnut Flours as Non-Gluten Alternatives in Cookies
Authors: Torra Marta , Belorio Mayara , Ayuso Manuel , Carocho Marcio , Ferreira Isabel C. F. R. , Barros Lillian , Gómez Manuel
Published: April 2021

This study proposes the use of a mix composed of chickpea flour and chestnut flour in cookies, aiming to improve their acceptability. Cookie properties and nutritional value were also analysed. The gluten-free cookies were made by using different mixes of chickpea and chestnut flours (0:100, 25:75, 50:50, 75:25, 100:0). Dough rheology and cookie dimensions, texture, external colour and acceptability were evaluated. The presence of the chestnut flour increased the values of G’ and G”, but reduced the loss factor (tan δ) when compared with the doughs made with chickpea flour. Chestnut flour also decreased the diameter and the spread ratio of the cookies, while increasing the hardness and darkening of the cookies. Furthermore, adding chestnut to the flour mixture increased the nutritional quality of the cookies by adding unsaturated fatty acids and fibre. The use of reduced percentages of chestnut flour (25%) resulted in masking the off-flavour of the chickpea flour, which improved the cookie’s acceptability without significantly changing the dough rheology, cookie dimensions, hardness, or lightness.
Heraldry in Macedonia with Special Regard to the People’s/Socialist Republic of Macedonia until 1991
Authors: Jonovski Jovan
Published: April 2021

Every European region and country has some specific heraldry. In this paper, we will consider heraldry in the People’s/Socialist Republic of Macedonia, understood by the multitude of coats of arms, and armorial knowledge and art. Due to historical, as well as geographical factors, there is only a small number of coats of arms and a developing knowledge of art, which make this paper’s aim feasible. This paper covers the earliest preserved heraldic motifs and coats of arms found in Macedonia, as well as the attributed arms in European culture and armorials of Macedonia, the кing of Macedonia, and Alexander the Great of Macedonia. It also covers the land arms of Macedonia from the so-called Illyrian Heraldry, as well as the state and municipal heraldry of P/SR Macedonia. The paper covers the development of heraldry as both a discipline and science, and the development of heraldic thought in SR Macedonia until its independence in 1991.
The Relationship between Intelligence and Divergent Thinking—A Meta-Analytic Update
Authors: Gerwig Anne , Miroshnik Kirill , Forthmann Boris , Benedek Mathias , Karwowski Maciej , Holling Heinz
Published: April 2021

This paper provides a meta-analytic update on the relationship between intelligence and divergent thinking (DT), as research on this topic has increased, and methods have diversified since Kim’s meta-analysis in 2005. A three-level meta-analysis was used to analyze 849 correlation coefficients from 112 studies with an overall N = 34,610. The overall effect showed a significant positive correlation of r = .25. This increase of the correlation as compared to Kim’s prior meta-analytic findings could be attributed to the correction of attenuation because a difference between effect sizes prior-Kim vs. post-Kim was non-significant. Different moderators such as scoring methods, instructional settings, intelligence facets, and task modality were tested together with theoretically relevant interactions between some of these factors. These moderation analyses showed that the intelligence–DT relationship can be higher (up to r = .31–.37) when employing test-like assessments coupled with be-creative instructions, and considering DT originality scores. The facet of intelligence (g vs. gf vs. gc) did not affect the correlation between intelligence and DT. Furthermore, we found two significant sample characteristics: (a) average sample age was positively associated with the intelligence–DT correlation, and (b) the intelligence–DT correlation decreased for samples with increasing percentages of females in the samples. Finally, inter-moderator correlations were checked to take potential confounding into account, and also publication bias was assessed. This meta-analysis provides a comprehensive picture of current research and possible research gaps. Theoretical implications, as well as recommendations for future research, are discussed.
Differential Physiological Responses of Small Thalassiosira pseudonana and Large Thalassiosira punctigera to the Shifted-High Light and Nitrogen
Authors: Qin Zhen , Xia Xiaomin , Mai Guangming , Tan Yehui , Li Gang
Published: April 2021

With global warming, the intensity and frequency of extreme episodic weather events such as typhoons are rising in tropical and subtropical regions, disturbing the water column and shifting phytoplankton therein from deep to surface layers, and exposing them to high light as well as nutrients. To explore how phytoplankton respond to such environmental changes, we tracked the growth, cell compositions and physiology of small Thalassiosira pseudonana and large Thalassiosira punctigera from simulated ambient to upward-shifted light and nitrogen (N) conditions. Shifting to high levels of light caused a limited effect on the growth of small T. pseudonana, but reduced that of large T. punctigera by 36%, with supplemental N alleviating the light-caused growth reduction. The upward-shifted light reduced the cellular pigments contents in small T. pseudonana, but not in large T. punctigera. The upward-shifted light reduced the photosynthetic capability (FV/FM) of both species, as well as the light utilization efficiency (α) and maximal relative electron transport rate (rETRmax), but it enhanced their dark reparations. Moreover, the upward-shifted light did not affect the superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity of small T. pseudonana, but it did enhance that of large T. punctigera. In addition, the supplemental N showed a limited effect on cellular pigments and the dark respiration of T. pseudonana, but it reduced that of T. punctigera. Our results showed that the growth responses of Thalassiosira to upward-shifted light and nitrogen vary with species and possibly with cell size, indicating that the field species composition might change after the occurrence of extreme weather events.
URANSE-Based Numerical Prediction for the Free Roll Decay of the DTMB Ship Model
Authors: Bekhit Adham , Popescu Florin
Published: April 2021

In the present study, Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) is used to investigate the roll decay of the benchmark surface combatant DTMB-5512 ship model appended with bilge keels, sailing in calm water at different speeds (Fr = 0.0, 0.138, 0.2, 0.28 and 0.41) and with different initial roll angles. The numerical simulations are carried out using the viscous flow solver ISIS-CFD of the FINETM/Marine software provided by NUMECA. The solver uses the finite volume method to build the spatial discretization of the transport equation to solve the unsteady Reynolds-Averaged Navier–Stokes equations. Two-phase flow approach is applied to model the air–water interface, where the free surface is captured using the volume of fluid method. The closure to turbulence is achieved by making use of the blended Menter shear stress transport and the explicit algebraic Reynolds stress models. First, a systematic validation against the experimental data at medium speed and initial roll angle of 10° are performed; then, the effect of the initial roll angle and ship speed is later studied. Numerical errors and uncertainties are assessed using grid and time step convergence study based on Richardson Extrapolation method. A special focus on the flow in the vicinity of the bilge keels during the simulation is also investigated and presented in the form of velocity contours and vortical structure formations. The resemblance between the CFD results and experimental data for roll motion and flow characteristics are within a satisfactory congruence; however, some discrepancies are recorded for the over predicted roll amplitudes in the second and, sometimes, the third roll cycle, which appeared mostly in the cases with high initial roll angles.
A Computational Approach to Solve a System of Transcendental Equations with Multi-Functions and Multi-Variables
Authors: Ogbonnaya Chukwuma , Abeykoon Chamil , Nasser Adel , Turan Ali
Published: April 2021

A system of transcendental equations (SoTE) is a set of simultaneous equations containing at least a transcendental function. Solutions involving transcendental equations are often problematic, particularly in the form of a system of equations. This challenge has limited the number of equations, with inter-related multi-functions and multi-variables, often included in the mathematical modelling of physical systems during problem formulation. Here, we presented detailed steps for using a code-based modelling approach for solving SoTEs that may be encountered in science and engineering problems. A SoTE comprising six functions, including Sine-Gordon wave functions, was used to illustrate the steps. Parametric studies were performed to visualize how a change in the variables affected the superposition of the waves as the independent variable varies from x1 = 1:0.0005:100 to x1 = 1:5:100. The application of the proposed approach in modelling and simulation of photovoltaic and thermophotovoltaic systems were also highlighted. Overall, solutions to SoTEs present new opportunities for including more functions and variables in numerical models of systems, which will ultimately lead to a more robust representation of physical systems.
Dynamic Stability Performance of Autonomous Microgrid Involving High Penetration Level of Constant Power Loads
Authors: Hassan Mohamed , Worku Muhammed , Eladl Abdelfattah , Abido Mohammed
Published: April 2021

Nowadays, behaving as constant power loads (CPLs), rectifiers and voltage regulators are extensively used in microgrids (MGs). The MG dynamic behavior challenges both stability and control effectiveness in the presence of CPLs. CPLs characteristics such as negative incremental resistance, synchronization, and control loop dynamic with similar frequency range of the inverter disturb severely the MG stability. Additionally, the MG stability problem will be more sophisticated with a high penetration level of CPLs in MGs. The stability analysis becomes more essential especially with high-penetrated CPLs. In this paper, the dynamic stability performance of an MG involving a high penetration level of CPLs is analyzed and investigated. An autonomous MG engaging a number of CPLs and inverter distributed generations (DGs) is modeled and designed using MATLAB. Voltage, current, and power controllers are optimally designed, controlling the inverter DGs output. A power droop controller is implemented to share the output DGs powers. Meanwhile, the current and voltage controllers are employed to control the output voltage and current of all DGs. A phase-locked loop (PLL) is essentially utilized to synchronize the CPLs with the MG. The controller gains of the inverters, CPLs, power sharing control, and PLL are optimally devised using particle swarm optimization (PSO). As a weighted objective function, the error in the DC voltage of the CPL and active power of the DG is minimized in the optimal problem based on the time-domain simulation. Under the presence of high penetrated CPLs, all controllers are coordinately tuned to ensure an enhanced dynamic stability of the MG. The impact of the highly penetrated CPLs on the MG dynamic stability is investigated. To confirm the effectiveness of the proposed technique, different disturbances are applied. The analysis shows that the MG system experiences the instability challenges due to the high penetrated CPLs. The simulation results confirm the effectiveness of the proposed method to improve the MG dynamic stability performance.