bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Warum lebensweltlich deutschsprachige Schülerinnen und Schüler von einem sprachenintegrativen Deutschunterricht profitieren – empirische Erkenntnisse
Authors: Wildemann Anja , Bien-Miller Lena
Published: January 2022

In einem sprachenintegrativen Deutschunterricht werden die Kontaktsprachen der Schülerinnen und Schüler systematisch und zielorientiert einbezogen und für das sprachliche Lernen genutzt. Zur Wirksamkeit eines solchen sprachenintegrativen (Deutsch‑)Unterrichts auf die Reflexions- und Analysefähigkeiten lebensweltlich einsprachiger und mehrsprachiger Schülerinnen und Schüler liegen bislang keine Studien vor. Ein Zusammenhang zwischen der sprachenintegrativen und -vergleichenden Arbeit und der Entwicklung von Sprachbewusstheit ein- und mehrsprachiger Schülerinnen und Schüler wird zwar immer wieder vermutet, ist empirisch jedoch nicht belegt. Daran anknüpfend fokussiert der vorliegende Beitrag die Frage, ob sich ein sprachenintegrativer Deutschunterricht, in dem systematisch andere Sprachen vergleichend zur Zielsprache Deutsch thematisiert werden, positiv auf sprachbezogene Reflexions- und Analysefähigkeiten d. h. auf die Sprachbewusstheit, lebensweltlich ein- und mehrsprachiger Schülerinnen und Schüler auswirkt.
An update on the distribution of the coypu, Myocastor coypus, in Asia and Africa through published literature, citizen-science and online platforms
Authors: Pedruzzi Luca , Schertler Anna , Giuntini Silvia , Leggiero Ivan , Mori Emiliano
Published: January 2022

The coypu,Myocastor coypus,has been introduced worldwide for fur farming and is widely recognized as one of the most invasive alien mammals of the world, affecting natural ecosystems, crops and possibly human health. Here we present a comprehensive up-to-date review of its distribution and status in Asia and Africa. Using a multi-source approach, we collected occurrences from published literature as well as from online biodiversity platforms (e.g. GBIF, iNaturalist), video sharing platforms, and local experts. Additionally, we used an ensemble modelling approach to predict the climatic suitability across Africa and Asia. We present an updated distribution map, including a total of 1506 spatially explicit records from 1973 to 2021, covering 1 African and 16 Asian countries. We find evidence for current populations in Kenya and five new countries since the last review of (Carter and Leonard, Wildl Soc Bull 30:162–175, 2002): Iran, Jordan, Lebanon, Uzbekistan, and Vietnam, and identify main clusters of coypu occurrence in Western (including Transcaucasia) and East Asia. We show that warm temperate and Mediterranean areas on both continents are predicted to be climatically suitable for the coypu and highlight not only areas of possible spread, but also potential data gaps, i.e. with high suitability and low availability of concrete information (e.g. China, Southern Russia). We emphasize the importance of citizen involvement and the urgency for coypu-targeted studies in data-poor regions to obtain a clear picture of the geographical distribution and to better address management strategies.
Evaluation of Organizational Capacity in the Implementation of a Church-Based Cancer Education Program
Authors: Knott Cheryl L. , Miech Edward J. , Slade Jimmie , Woodard Nathaniel , Robinson-Shaneman Barbara-Jean , Huq Maisha
Published: January 2022

Implementation evaluations have increasingly taken into account how features of local context help determine implementation outcomes. The purpose of this study was to determine which contextual features of organizational capacity led directly to the RE-AIM Framework implementation outcomes of intervention reach and number of days taken to implement, in an implementation trial of a series of cancer education workshops conducted across 13 African-American churches in Maryland. We used a configurational approach with Coincidence Analysis to identify specific features of organizational capacity that uniquely distinguished churches with implementation success from those that were less successful. Aspects of organizational capacity (e.g., congregation size, staffing/volunteers, health ministry experience) were drawn from an existing measure of church organizational capacity for health promotion. Solution pathways leading to higher intervention reach included: having a health ministry in place for 1–4 years; or having fewer than 100 members; or mid-size churches that had conducted health promotion activities in 1–4 different topics in the past 2 years. Solution pathways to implementing the intervention in fewer number of days included: having conducted 1–2 health promotion activities in the past 2 years; having 1–5 part-time staff and a pastor without additional outside employment; or churches with a doctorally prepared pastor and a weekly attendance of 101–249 members. Study findings can inform future theory, research, and practice in implementation of evidence-based health promotion interventions delivered in faith-based and other limited-resource community settings. Findings support the important role of organizational capacity in implementation outcomes in these settings.

Clinical trial registration The study was pre-registered at clinicaltrials.gov. Identifier: NCT02076958. Registered 3/4/2014. https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT02076958.
The concentration of power in the market for contemporary art: an empirical analysis of ArtReview’s “Power 100”
Authors: Prinz Aloys Leo
Published: January 2022

Art experts and intermediaries play a crucial role in art markets. Artworks are goods whose quality is difficult to determine. Therefore, it seems necessary to restrict competition in the market for art experts to a certain extent, but not too much, in order to provide high-quality know-how. This paper contains an empirical analysis of the extent to which the market for art experts is concentrated. To this end, different methods for measuring the market concentration are applied, with an emphasis on the determination of the distribution function of a newly defined Power Index. The annual Power 100 ranking in the magazine ArtReview from 2002 to 2019 is used to study concentration in the art expert market. The results reveal not only several indications of a hierarchically tiered, but also highly concentrated market power in this market. First, the selection of nationalities of the so-called power members is biased, given that particularly Americans and western Europeans are overrepresented in relation to their world population shares, in contrast to underrepresented Asians, Africans, and Latin Americans. Second, although there is considerable variability in the low tiers of the ranking, the top positions in the rankings are very stable, as shown by the Power Dominance Index. Third, the main empirical result of this paper is that the Top 99 ranking positions follow an extreme value Fréchet distribution with a fat tail. This is interpreted as an indication of excessive concentration on the highest tier of art experts. Liberalizing the art expert market to a certain extent may provide more diversity and less dominance in high-end art markets.
VIGE: virus-induced genome editing for improving abiotic and biotic stress traits in plants
Authors: Gentzel Irene N. , Ohlson Erik W. , Redinbaugh Margaret G. , Wang Guo-Liang
Published: January 2022

Agricultural production is hampered by disease, pests, and environmental stresses. To minimize yield loss, it is important to develop crop cultivars with resistance or tolerance to their respective biotic and abiotic constraints. Transformation techniques are not optimized for many species and desirable cultivars may not be amenable to genetic transformation, necessitating inferior cultivar usage and time-consuming introgression through backcrossing to the preferred variety. Overcoming these limitations will greatly facilitate the development of disease, insect, and abiotic stress tolerant crops. One such avenue for rapid crop improvement is the development of viral systems to deliver CRISPR/Cas-based genome editing technology to plants to generate targeted beneficial mutations. Viral delivery of genomic editing constructs can theoretically be applied to span the entire host range of the virus utilized, circumventing the challenges associated with traditional transformation and breeding techniques. Here we explore the types of viruses that have been optimized for CRISPR/Cas9 delivery, the phenotypic outcomes achieved in recent studies, and discuss the future potential of this rapidly advancing technology.
Determinants of Obesity and Metabolic Health in the Afghan Population: Protocol, Methodology, and Preliminary Results
Authors: Sahrai Mohammad Sediq , Huybrechts Inge , Biessy Carine , Rinaldi Sabina , Ferrari Pietro , Wasiq Abdul Wahed , Gunter Marc J. , Dossus Laure
Published: January 2022

Background

Non-communicable diseases (NCDs) cause more than 70% of deaths worldwide and share modifiable risk factors including obesity and metabolic abnormalities. Over the past 15 years, many changes in lifestyle, dietary patterns, physical activity, and socioeconomic status have been observed in the Afghan population. This study aims to investigate which specific lifestyle factors, dietary patterns, and characteristics of Westernization are associated with an increased risk of being overweight or obese and with poor metabolic health in the Afghan population.

Methods

A population-based cross-sectional study was conducted where a total of 729 male and female participants were recruited. Face-to-face interviews and anthropometric measurements were conducted by trained health staff using standardized questionnaires which included information on socio-demographic and housing characteristics, income, occupation, ethnicity, personal and family medical history, stress, anthropometry, diet, and physical activity. Bioelectric impedance analysis (BIA) was used to estimate body composition, including overall body fatness. Physical activity was measured using the short version of the International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ). For a comprehensive assessment of dietary intake, a food-frequency questionnaire (FFQ) specific to the Afghan population was developed which included all local food items relevant to the population. Lipid profile and fasting glucose were measured in a local laboratory. Biospecimens were collected using dried blood spots (DBS) and dried stool cards to perform microbiome and biomarker-based research.

Discussion

This is the first study which will assess dietary patterns, lifestyle factors, and their association with obesity and metabolic health in Afghanistan. Such a study will aid the development of dietary and lifestyle guidelines in Afghanistan which will promote better health and educate people to make healthy food choices. The findings will also help in designing and implementing effective public health strategies to promote a healthy lifestyle and prevent the epidemic of overweight and obesity, and, hence, reduce the burden of non-communicable diseases in the region.
At the Margins of the Global Market
Authors: Hough Phillip A.
Published: January 2022

Contemporary scholars debate the factors driving despotic labour conditions across the world economy. Some emphasize the dominance of global market imperatives and others highlight the market's reliance upon extra-economic coercion and state violence. At the Margins of the Global Market engages in this debate through a comparative and world-historical analysis of the labour regimes of three global commodity-producing subregions of rural Colombia: the coffee region of Viejo Caldas, the banana region of Urabá, and the coca/cocaine region of the Caguán. By drawing upon insights from labour regimes, global commodity chains, and world historical sociology, this book offers a novel understanding of the broad range of factors - local, national, global, and interregional - that shape labour conditions on the ground in Colombia. In doing so, it offers a critical new framework for analysing labour and development dynamics that exist at the margins of the global market.
PHASE-TYPE DISTRIBUTIONS FOR CLAIM SEVERITY REGRESSION MODELING
Authors: Bladt Martin
Published: January 2022

This paper addresses the task of modeling severity losses using segmentation when the data distribution does not fall into the usual regression frameworks. This situation is not uncommon in lines of business such as third-party liability insurance, where heavy-tails and multimodality often hamper a direct statistical analysis. We propose to use regression models based on phase-type distributions, regressing on their underlying inhomogeneous Markov intensity and using an extension of the expectation–maximization algorithm. These models are interpretable and tractable in terms of multistate processes and generalize the proportional hazards specification when the dimension of the state space is larger than 1. We show that the combination of matrix parameters, inhomogeneity transforms, and covariate information provides flexible regression models that effectively capture the entire distribution of loss severities.
Linking middle-managers' ownership feelings to their innovative work behaviour: the mediating role of affective organisational commitment
Authors: Mustafa Michael J. , Zainal Badri Siti Khadijah , Melanie Ramos Hazel
Published: January 2022

Middle-managers' innovative behaviours are considered an essential determinant of firm-level innovativeness. While prior research has traditionally focused on the contextual determinants of middle-managers' innovative work behaviour (IWB), research regarding individual-level determinants continues to remain scant. Particularly lacking is research which explores how middle-managers' ownership feelings influence their IWB. This study investigates whether middle-managers' affective commitment mediates the relationship between their psychological ownership and their IWB. Data are collected from 110 middle-managers – supervisor dyads in a large Malaysian IT organisation. Findings from this study contribute to enhancing our understanding of the individual-level determinants of middle-managers' IWB.
Formas y relaciones: Un análisis diacrónico de la comunicación visual en el arte rupestre de grupos cazadores-recolectores del extremo sur del Macizo del Deseado (Patagonia, Argentina)
Authors: Acevedo Agustín
Published: January 2022

Este trabajo busca discutir los alcances y limitaciones de la aplicación del concepto de comunicación visual en el arte rupestre. Con este objetivo, se evalúa la presencia/ausencia de reglas de composición en el arte de Viuda Quenzana (Patagonia centro-meridional, Argentina), y se discuten sus variaciones a través del tiempo. Para tal fin, se analizan las características estructurales de las reglas composicionales actuantes sobre la producción de 367 motivos, distribuidos en 39 paneles correspondientes a 11 sitios, y sus cambios y/o continuidades a partir de la evaluación de cinco estratos de color. Los resultados muestran que las reglas vinculadas con las características visuales de las imágenes (forma y técnica), tienen mayor peso en la potencial codificación y decodificación de información visual, que las reglas vinculadas con el emplazamiento de las imágenes en los soportes y sus relaciones con otras imágenes.
Periodic solutions of p-Laplacian differential equations with jumping nonlinearity across half-eigenvalues
Authors: Shen Tengfei , Liu Wenbin
Published: January 2022

This paper aims to investigate the existence of periodic solutions for $p$-Laplacian differential equations with jumping nonlinearity under the frame of half-eigenvalue. Based on the continuity theorem, some new results are obtained, which enrich and generalize the previous results.
EULER PRODUCT ASYMPTOTICS FOR DIRICHLET -FUNCTIONS
Authors: KANEKO IKUYA
Published: January 2022

The aim of this article is to establish the behaviour of partial Euler products for Dirichlet L-functions under the generalised Riemann hypothesis (GRH) via Ramanujan’s work. To understand the behaviour of Euler products on the critical line, we invoke the deep Riemann hypothesis (DRH). This work clarifies the relation between GRH and DRH.
The Fallen Soldier as Fascist Exemplar: Military Cemeteries and Dead Heroes in Mussolini’s Italy
Authors: Malone Hannah
Published: January 2022

This article aims to dissect the nature of exemplarity in Italian Fascism. The social and political structures that emerged in Fascist Italy were highly reliant on a sense of morality, largely because of the degree of violence inherent in those structures. Under Fascism, morality was founded on concrete examples rather than on abstract principles. Exemplars were idealized sources of moral strength, and figures with the capacity to inspire or persuade. In particular, the fallen soldier and those who died for the nation constituted a major category of Fascist exemplars. Thus, soldiers who fell in the First World War were awarded exemplary status in order to encourage behaviors favorable to the regime. With the goal to demonstrate the importance awarded to exemplars, this paper focuses on a group of ossuaries, or bone depositaries, that were built under Mussolini’s dictatorship, and within which the regime reburied the remains of soldiers who fell in the First World War. The main purpose of the ossuaries was to present the dead as role models that might boost support for a program of nationalism, militarism, and imperialism. Thus, while their creation drew on factors such as Romantic literature and Italy’s religious and political traditions, the ossuaries represent an ideal case study of how Fascist morality was aided by and expressed through the use of exemplars.
Parasitic manipulation or by-product of infection: an experimental approach using trematode-infected snails
Authors: Namias Alice , Delph Lynda F. , Lively Curtis M.
Published: January 2022

Natural selection should favour parasite genotypes that manipulate hosts in ways that enhance parasite fitness. However, it is also possible that the effects of infection are not adaptive. Here we experimentally examined the phenotypic effects of infection in a snail–trematode system. These trematodes (Atriophallophorus winterbourni) produce larval cysts within the snail's shell (Potamopyrgus antipodarum); hence the internal shell volume determines the total number of parasite cysts produced. Infected snails in the field tend to be larger than uninfected snails, suggesting the hypothesis that parasites manipulate host growth so as to increase the space available for trematode reproduction. To test the hypothesis, we exposed juvenile snails to trematode eggs. Snails were then left to grow for about one year in 800-l outdoor mesocosms. We found that uninfected males were smaller than uninfected females (sexual dimorphism). We also found that infection did not affect the shell dimensions of males. However, infected females were smaller than uninfected females. Hence, infection stunts the growth of females, and (contrary to the hypothesis) it results in a smaller internal volume for larval cysts. Finally, infected females resembled males in size and shape, suggesting the possibility that parasitic castration prevents the normal development of females. These results thus indicate that the parasite is not manipulating the growth of infected hosts so as to increase the number of larval cysts, although alternative adaptive explanations are possible.
A three-dimensional exoscope system for bilateral simultaneous cochlear implant surgery: how I do it
Authors: Tan S H , Kulasegarah J , Prepageran N
Published: January 2022

Background

This paper reports the first case of simultaneous bilateral cochlear implant surgery performed exclusively with a three-dimensional exoscope. It also discusses the optimum operative set-up and the feasibility of three-dimensional exoscopic ear surgery as an alternative to the microscope.

Method

The Vitom three-dimensional exoscope system (Karl Storz) was used.

Results

The surgery was successfully completed, with no peri-operative complications. Both the operation time and the surgical outcome for the patient were comparable with the previous cochlear implant surgical procedures performed in our centre using the conventional operating microscope.

Conclusion

This paper demonstrates that exclusive use of the three-dimensional exoscope is a viable alternative to the operating microscope for selected otological cases. It is clear that the three-dimensional exoscopic technique is potentially very promising for future surgical procedures, provided that cases are selected carefully to prevent compromising exposure, efficiency or patient safety.
Improving heat and moisture exchanger therapy with a hydrogel base adhesive in laryngectomised patients: an open, randomised, crossover trial
Authors: Mayo-Yáñez M , Balboa-Barreiro V , Lechien J R , Calvo-Henríquez C , Chiesa-Estomba C , Herranz González-Botas J , Cabo-Varela I
Published: January 2022

Objective

This study aimed to assess individual preference, symptoms and compliance between habitual use of Provox XtraFlow and the combination of Provox XtraFlow during the day and Provox Luna during the night for heat and moisture exchanger therapy in laryngectomised patients.

Method

This was an open, randomised, crossover trial for 25 days. After this first study period and a 5-day wash-out period, treatments were switched for another 25 days.

Results

A total of 28 patients were enrolled. Differences were found (p = 0.009) in the incidence of dermatological problems with XtraFlow (46.4 per cent) versus Provox Luna (14.3 per cent), as well as in the need to abandon the use of adhesives (46.4 per cent vs 10.7 per cent; p = 0.003). A total of 60.7 per cent of the patients preferred the Provox Luna system as their preference for heat and moisture exchanger therapy.

Conclusion

The Provox Luna system is a viable additive to heat and moisture exchanger therapy, especially in the setting of compliance concerns and in patients who desire dermatological relief overnight.
Submersion with grommets: contamination is possible at minimal depth, as demonstrated with a novel middle-ear model
Authors: Farrell E , Gendre A , Viani L , Glynn F , Walshe P
Published: January 2022

Objective

Advice to patients following grommet insertion and waterproofing can vary from clinician to clinician. A laboratory based experiment was performed to determine at what depth water contamination would occur through various grommet tubes.

Methods

A novel experimental ear model was developed using an artificial tympanic membrane and ventilation tubes. Water contamination was identified using an effervescent solid that reacts when in contact with water. Measures of dispersion were used to describe the results.

Results

The average depth of water contamination was: 19.64 mm (range = 11–33 mm, standard deviation = 5.55 mm) using a Shepard grommet; 20.84 mm (range = 18–26 mm, standard deviation = 1.97 mm) with a titanium grommet; and 21.36 mm (range = 18–33 mm, standard deviation = 3.03 mm) using a T-tube. Water contamination was possible at depths of 11–33 mm. The average pressure at water effervescent activation was 0.20 kPa.

Conclusion

Submersion underwater at any depth with grommets is likely to lead to middle-ear contamination. These findings are concordant with clinical studies.
Clinical research challenges posed by difficult-to-treat depression
Authors: Rush A. John , Sackeim Harold A. , Conway Charles R. , Bunker Mark T. , Hollon Steven D. , Demyttenaere Koen , Young Allan H. , Aaronson Scott T. , Dibué Maxine , Thase Michael E. , McAllister-Williams R. Hamish
Published: January 2022

Approximately one-third of individuals in a major depressive episode will not achieve sustained remission despite multiple, well-delivered treatments. These patients experience prolonged suffering and disproportionately utilize mental and general health care resources. The recently proposed clinical heuristic of ‘difficult-to-treat depression’ (DTD) aims to broaden our understanding and focus attention on the identification, clinical management, treatment selection, and outcomes of such individuals. Clinical trial methodologies developed to detect short-term therapeutic effects in treatment-responsive populations may not be appropriate in DTD. This report reviews three essential challenges for clinical intervention research in DTD: (1) how to define and subtype this heterogeneous group of patients; (2) how, when, and by what methods to select, acquire, compile, and interpret clinically meaningful outcome metrics; and (3) how to choose among alternative clinical trial design options to promote causal inference and generalizability. The boundaries of DTD are uncertain, and an evidence-based taxonomy and reliable assessment tools are preconditions for clinical research and subtyping. Traditional outcome metrics in treatment-responsive depression may not apply to DTD, as they largely reflect the only short-term symptomatic change and do not incorporate durability of benefit, side effect burden, or sustained impact on quality of life or daily function. The trial methodology will also require modification as trials will likely be of longer duration to examine the sustained impact, raising complex issues regarding control group selection, blinding and its integrity, and concomitant treatments.
Voice phenomenology as a mirror of the past
Authors: van den Berg David , Tolmeijer Eva , Jongeneel Alyssa , Staring Anton B. P. , Palstra Eline , van der Gaag Mark , Hardy Amy
Published: January 2022

Background

Post-traumatic mechanisms are theorised to contribute to voice-hearing in people with psychosis and a history of trauma. Phenomenological links between trauma and voices support this hypothesis, as they suggest post-traumatic processes contribute to the content of, and relationships with, voices. However, research has included small samples and lacked theory-based comprehensive assessments.

Method

In people with distressing voices (n = 73) who experienced trauma prior to voice-hearing, trauma–voice links were assessed both independently and dependently (descriptions were presented and rated separately and together, respectively) by both participants and researchers. A structured coding frame assessed four types of independent links (i.e. victimisation type, physiological-behavioural, emotional, and cognitive response themes including negative self-beliefs) and three types of dependent links: relational (similar interaction with/response to, voice and trauma); content (voice and trauma content are exactly the same); and identity (voice identity is the same as perpetrator).

Results

Independent links were prevalent in participants (51–58%) and low to moderately present in researcher ratings (8–41%) for significant themes. Identification of negative self-beliefs in trauma was associated with a significantly higher likelihood of negative self-beliefs in voices [participants odds ratio (OR) 9.8; researchers OR 4.9]. Participants and researchers also reported many dependent links (80%, 66%, respectively), most frequently relational links (75%, 64%), followed by content (60%, 25%) and identity links (51%, 22%).

Conclusion

Trauma appears to be a strong shaping force for voice content and its psychological impact. The most common trauma–voice links involved the experience of cognitive-affective psychological threat, embodied in relational experiences. Trauma-induced mechanisms may be important intervention targets.
Traded and combined cooperative control of a smart wheelchair
Authors: Ech-Choudany Youssef , Grasse Régis , Stock Romuald , Horn Odile , Bourhis Guy
Published: January 2022

This article deals with a human–machine cooperative system for the control of a smart wheelchair for people with motor disabilities. The choice of a traded control mode is first argued. The paper then pursues two objectives. The first is to describe the design of the cooperative system by focusing on the dialogue and the interaction between the pilot and the robot. The second objective is to introduce a new cooperative mode. In this one, three features are proposed: two semi-autonomous features, a wall following and a doorway crossing, during which the user can intervene punctually to rectify a trajectory or a path, and an assisted mode where, conversely, the machine intervenes in a manual control to avoid obstacles. This mode of intervention of an entity, human or machine, supervising a movement controlled by the other is referred as “combined control.” Examples of scenarios exploiting the cooperative capabilities of the system are presented and discussed.
Evidence of sodium limitation in ants and termites in a Neotropical savanna
Authors: Clay Natalie A. , Shepard Donald B. , Garda Adrian A. , Mesquita Daniel O. , Vasconcellos Alexandre
Published: January 2022

Nutritional ecology of ropical ecosystems like Neotropical savannas, which are of high conservation concern, is understudied. Sodium is essential for heterotrophs but availability often falls short relative to plant consumer requirements. Savanna plant consumers like ants and termites should be sodium-limited due to high temperatures, nutrient-poor soils, and lack of oceanic sodium deposition. We tested the hypothesis that Neotropical savanna ants and termites are sodium-limited. Termites were tested by supplementing 0.25 m2plots with H2O (control), 0.1%, 0.5%, or 1.0% NaCl and measuring termite presence and artificial substrate mass loss after 1 week. Ants were tested by collecting ants that recruited to H2O (control), 0.1%, 0.5%, and 1.0% NaCl and 1.0%, 10%, and 20% sugar baits on paired diurnal–nocturnal transects. Termites were 16 times more likely to occur on 1% NaCl than H2O plots and wood-feeding termites were most frequent. However, the decomposition rate did not differ among treatments. Ant bait use increased with increasing NaCl concentration and 1% NaCl usage was similar to sugar bait usage. Ants were 3.7 times more active nocturnally than diurnally, but contrary to predictions bait type (water, sugar or NaCl) usage did not differ between day and night. Together, these results provide strong evidence of sodium limitation in Neotropical savannas.
Household clusters reveal household- and variant-specific properties of SARS-CoV-2
Authors: Buchholz Udo , Schulze-Wundling Kai , an der Heiden Matthias
Published: January 2022

It is unclear if – after symptom onset of a primary case of coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19) in a household – ensuing chains of transmissions among household members occur and if household epidemiology of COVID-19 is modified by the different circulating variants. We analysed data of 52 774 household clusters to investigate the day of symptom onset of ensuing cases in households relative to the symptom onset of the primary case within the household. Irrespective of cluster size or age of the primary case, 95% of all secondary household cases had symptom onset within 14 days after the symptom onset of the primary case. Stratification by variant showed that the mean interval from symptom onset of the primary case to the symptom onset of secondary cases decreased significantly from 4.8 days (wildtype) to 4.5 days (alpha) and 4.0 days (delta). Similarly, the cumulative proportion of 95% of secondary cases occurred within 14 days (wild type), 12 days (alpha) and 10 days (delta). Our findings suggest that during dominant delta circulation – apart from rare individual constellations – a 10-day household quarantine after symptom onset of the primary case is sufficient for household contacts who remain COVID-free.
Self- and informant-reported executive function in young adults operated for atrial or ventricular septal defects in childhood
Authors: El Dabagh Yasmin S. , Asschenfeldt Benjamin , Kelly Benjamin , Evald Lars , Hjortdal Vibeke E.
Published: January 2022

Background:

Adults with simple congenital heart defects (CHD) have increased risk of neurodevelopmental challenges including executive dysfunction. It is unknown if the executive dysfunction is universal or if it is driven by dysfunction in specific clinical subscales and how it might affect psychosocial aspects of everyday life.

Methods:

The self-reported and informant-reported executive function of adults with an average age of 26 ± 5 (range 18–41) who underwent childhood surgery for atrial septal defects (n = 34) or ventricular septal defects (n = 32) and matched controls (n = 40) were evaluated using the Behavior Rating Inventory of Executive Functions - Adult version (BRIEF-A).

Results:

The CHD group reported having more executive dysfunction than controls in all BRIEF-A clinical subscales (p < 0.020) and more than their informants reported on their behalf (p < 0.006). The CHD group had received three times more special teaching (44% compared to 16%) and pedagogical psychological counselling (14% compared to none) and had a three times higher occurrence of psychiatric disorders than controls (33% compared to 11%). Lower educational levels and psychiatric disorders were associated with higher BRIEF-A scores (p < 0.03).

Conclusions:

Adults operated for septal defects in childhood report more challenges with all aspects of the executive functions than controls and more than relatives are aware of.
Entangled political histories of twentieth-century West Africa: The case of Guinean exile networks
Authors: Straussberger John
Published: January 2022

Following independence in 1958, hundreds of Guinean soldiers, students, and politicians fled their home country in order to build an opposition to President Sékou Touré in exile. This article examines how these exiles built regional and global networks in order to effect political change. In turn, West African states sought to manage exiles in order to apply political pressure on regional rivals. Despite their liminality in a region increasingly dominated by national politics and international organizations, exiles were at the centre of political contestations surrounding citizenship, sovereignty, and human rights that emerged in the three decades following decolonization. Their history underscores the importance of regional frameworks in shaping the post-colonial order in West Africa.
Introduction to the symposium on institutional analysis, market processes, and interdisciplinary social science
Authors: D'Amico Daniel J. , Martin Adam G.
Published: January 2022

Heterodox economic approaches such as Austrian economics and market process analysis rely upon a less formalistic approach to rationality than neoclassical frameworks. We argue such looser formalism provides a unique opportunity for interdisciplinary engagement to investigating and understanding social institutions, outcomes and complex phenomenon. This introduction briefly summarizes the contents of this invited issue as effective examples of such interdisciplinarity.
Building and Raising Land: Mud and Vegetation Effects in Infilling Estuaries
Authors: Weisscher S. A. H. , Van den Hoven K. , Pierik H. J. , Kleinhans M. G.
Published: January 2022

Many Holocene estuaries were infilled to form convergent, single‐channel systems, while others remained partially or wholly unfilled. This difference in the degree of infilling depends partly on the balance between fluvial and coastal sediment input and the hydrodynamics that can export sediment. However, it remains unclear to what degree this balance is tipped by mud supply and eco‐engineering vegetation, and by what planform patterns the infilling proceeds. This study aims to explore experimentally how mud and vegetation change the degree and process of infilling, elevate and merge bars above intertidal levels and affect the planform of estuaries. To this end, three experiments were conducted in the Metronome, a flume that tilts periodically to create tidal currents, wherein forced tidal asymmetry resulted in net importing estuaries. In the second and third experiments, mud was supplied and in the third experiment seedlings were released of three vegetation species with eco‐engineering traits at a laboratory scale. With only sand, the estuary fills sufficiently to form a multi‐channel pattern with intertidal bars. Both mud and vegetation settle on intertidal bars and on the fluvial bay‐head delta, thereby contributing to bar stabilization and further estuary infilling, pointing at effective strategies to keep up with future sea‐level rise. This reduces channel mobility and effectively narrows the summed subtidal channel width toward an ideally converging funnel shape. This seems especially effective where vegetation stabilizes the mud. The experiments suggest that a range of steady states exists between the end‐members of an unfilled and a completely infilled, ideal estuary.
Observed Landscape Responsiveness to Climate Forcing
Authors: Feldman Andrew F. , Short Gianotti Daniel J. , Trigo Isabel F. , Salvucci Guido D. , Entekhabi Dara
Published: January 2022

Climate variability and change shift environmental conditions on global land surfaces, creating uncertainties in predicting hydrologic flows, crop yields, and land carbon uptake. Land surfaces can present varying degrees of inertia to atmospheric forcing variability (e.g., precipitation). This study asks: are regions with the most variable environmental forcing necessarily the regions with the largest land surface variability? Specifically, it seeks to determine why land surfaces show varying responsiveness to environmental forcing. The degree to which and the mechanisms for how landscapes modulate the forcing are evaluated using a decade‐long satellite observation record of Africa's diverse climates. Surface responsiveness is quantified using intra‐seasonal energy flux variability, based on the observed diurnal temperature amplitude. We map the responsiveness and analyze the underlying mechanisms over intra‐seasonal timescales (especially interstorms). We show that, at a location, land surface responsiveness is dependent on the soil moisture distribution and the nonlinear relationship between energy fluxes and soil moisture. Land surfaces with greater responsiveness to climate are those with soil moisture distributions that span the threshold between evaporation regimes and spend most of their time in the water‐limited regime. Consequently, surface responsiveness mechanisms drive land surface variability beyond high climatic variability. Since we find these results to hold from intra‐seasonal to interannual timescales, we expect that these responsive regions will be most vulnerable to long‐term shifts in climate forcing. The quantification of these phenomena and determination of their geographic distributions based on observations can help assess land surface models used to evaluate hydrologic consequences of climate change.
Using Sound and Vibration Signals to Understand the Subsurface
Authors: Li Yingping , Karrenbach Martin ,   Jonathan
Published: January 2022

A new book explores Distributed Acoustic Sensing, a technology with a range of applications across geophysics and related fields.
The AI Forecaster: Machine Learning Takes on Weather Prediction
Authors: Sidder Aaron
Published: January 2022

A novel approach to weather forecasting uses convolutional neural networks to generate exceptionally fast global forecasts based on past weather data.
ADHD symptoms and diagnosis in adult preterms: systematic review, IPD meta-analysis, and register-linkage study
Authors: Robinson Rachel , Girchenko Polina , Pulakka Anna , Heinonen Kati , Lähdepuro Anna , Lahti-Pulkkinen Marius , Hovi Petteri , Tikanmäki Marjaana , Bartmann Peter , Lano Aulikki , Doyle Lex W. , Anderson Peter J. , Cheong Jeanie L. Y. , Darlow Brian A. , Woodward Lianne J. , Horwood L. John , Indredavik Marit S. , Evensen Kari Anne I. , Marlow Neil , Johnson Samantha , de Mendonca Marina Goulart , Kajantie Eero , Wolke Dieter , Räikkönen Katri
Published: January 2022

Background

This study examined differences in ADHD symptoms and diagnosis between preterm and term-born adults (≥18 years), and tested if ADHD is related to gestational age, birth weight, multiple births, or neonatal complications in preterm borns.

Methods

(1) A systematic review compared ADHD symptom self-reports and diagnosis between preterm and term-born adults published in PubMed, Web of Science, and PROQUEST until April 2021; (2) a one-stage Individual Participant Data(IPD) meta-analysis (n = 1385 preterm, n = 1633 term; born 1978–1995) examined differences in self-reported ADHD symptoms[age 18–36 years]; and (3) a population-based register-linkage study of all live births in Finland (01/01/1987–31/12/1998; n = 37538 preterm, n = 691,616 term) examined ADHD diagnosis risk in adulthood (≥18 years) until 31/12/2016.

Results

Systematic review results were conflicting. In the IPD meta-analysis, ADHD symptoms levels were similar across groups (mean z-score difference 0.00;95% confidence interval [95% CI] −0.07, 0.07). Whereas in the register-linkage study, adults born preterm had a higher relative risk (RR) for ADHD diagnosis compared to term controls (RR = 1.26, 95% CI 1.12, 1.41, p < 0.001). Among preterms, as gestation length (RR = 0.93, 95% CI 0.89, 0.97, p < 0.001) and SD birth weight z-score (RR = 0.88, 95% CI 0.80, 0.97, p < 0.001) increased, ADHD risk decreased.

Conclusions

While preterm adults may not report higher levels of ADHD symptoms, their risk of ADHD diagnosis in adulthood is higher.

Impact

Preterm-born adults do not self-report higher levels of ADHD symptoms, yet are more likely to receive an ADHD diagnosis in adulthood compared to term-borns.

Previous evidence has consisted of limited sample sizes of adults and used different methods with inconsistent findings. This study assessed adult self-reported symptoms across 8 harmonized cohorts and contrasted the findings with diagnosed ADHD in a population-based register-linkage study.

Preterm-born adults may not self-report increased ADHD symptoms. However, they have a higher risk of ADHD diagnosis, warranting preventive strategies and interventions to reduce the presentation of more severe ADHD symptomatology in adulthood.
Barriers and facilitators to changing bowel care practices after spinal cord injury: a Theoretical Domains Framework approach
Authors: Lucci Vera-Ellen M. , McKay Rhyann C. , McBride Christopher B. , McGrath Maureen S. , Willms Rhonda , Gainforth Heather L. , Claydon Victoria E.
Published: January 2022

Background

Improvement to autonomic processes such as bladder, bowel and sexual function are prioritised by individuals with spinal cord injury (SCI). Bowel care is associated with high levels of dissatisfaction and decreased quality of life. Despite dissatisfaction, 71% of individuals have not changed their bowel care routine for at least 5 years, highlighting a disconnect between dissatisfaction with bowel care and changing routines to optimise bowel care.

Objective

Using an integrated knowledge translation approach, we aimed to explore the barriers and facilitators to making changes to bowel care in individuals with SCI.

Methods

Our approach was guided by the Behaviour Change Wheel and used the Theoretical Domains Framework (TDF). Semi-structured interviews were conducted with individuals with SCI (n = 13, mean age 48.6 ± 13.1 years) and transcribed verbatim (duration 31.9 ± 7.1 min). Barriers and facilitators were extracted, deductively coded using TDF domains and inductively analysed for themes within domains.

Results

Changing bowel care after SCI was heavily influenced by four TDF domains: environmental context and resources (workplace flexibility, opportunity or circumstance, and access to resources); beliefs about consequences; social influences (perceived support and peer mentorship); and knowledge (knowledge of physiological processes and bowel care options). All intervention functions and policy categories were considered viable intervention options, with human (61%) and digital (33%) platforms preferred.

Conclusions

Modifying bowel care is a multi-factorial behaviour. These findings will support the systematic development and implementation of future interventions to both enable individuals with SCI to change their bowel care and to facilitate the optimisation of bowel care approaches.
MCMV-based vaccine vectors expressing full-length viral proteins provide long-term humoral immune protection upon a single-shot vaccination
Authors: Kim Yeonsu , Zheng Xiaoyan , Eschke Kathrin , Chaudhry M. Zeeshan , Bertoglio Federico , Tomić Adriana , Krmpotić Astrid , Hoffmann Markus , Bar-On Yotam , Boehme Julia , Bruder Dunja , Ebensen Thomas , Brunotte Linda , Ludwig Stephan , Messerle Martin , Guzman Carlos , Mandelboim Ofer , Hust Michael , Pöhlmann Stefan , Jonjić Stipan , Čičin-Šain Luka
Published: January 2022

Global pandemics caused by influenza or coronaviruses cause severe disruptions to public health and lead to high morbidity and mortality. There remains a medical need for vaccines against these pathogens. CMV (cytomegalovirus) is a β-herpesvirus that induces uniquely robust immune responses in which remarkably large populations of antigen-specific CD8+ T cells are maintained for a lifetime. Hence, CMV has been proposed and investigated as a novel vaccine vector for expressing antigenic peptides or proteins to elicit protective cellular immune responses against numerous pathogens. We generated two recombinant murine CMV (MCMV) vaccine vectors expressing hemagglutinin (HA) of influenza A virus (MCMVHA) or the spike protein of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (MCMVS). A single injection of MCMVs expressing either viral protein induced potent neutralizing antibody responses, which strengthened over time. Importantly, MCMVHA-vaccinated mice were protected from illness following challenge with the influenza virus, and we excluded that this protection was due to the effects of memory T cells. Conclusively, we show here that MCMV vectors induce not only long-term cellular immunity but also humoral responses that provide long-term immune protection against clinically relevant respiratory pathogens.
Injectable “nano-micron” combined gene-hydrogel microspheres for local treatment of osteoarthritis
Authors: Li Bin , Wang Fei , Hu Fangqiong , Ding Tao , Huang Ping , Xu Xing , Liang Jing , Li Changwei , Zhou Qi , Lu Min , Deng Lianfu , Guo Lei , Cui Wenguo
Published: January 2022

Sustained and controllable local gene therapy is a potential method for treating osteoarthritis (OA) through the delivery of therapeutic microRNAs (miRNAs) to targeted cells. However, direct injection of crude miRNAs for local gene therapy is limited due to its inadequate transfection efficiency, easy inactivation, and short half-life. Here, a multifunctional gene vector, arginine, histidine, and phenylalanine-modified generation 5 polyamidoamine (named G5-AHP), was employed to form G5-AHP/miR-140 nanoparticles by forming a complex with microRNA-140 (miR-140). Then, the nanoparticles were entrapped in hydrogel microspheres (MSs) to construct a “nano-micron” combined gene hydrogel to alleviate the degradation of articular cartilage. Monodisperse gelatin methacryloyl hydrogel MSs were produced under ultraviolet light using one-step innovative microfluidic technology. Evenly dispersed MSs showed better injectability in sustainable and matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs)-responsive degradation methods for local gene delivery. The G5-AHP/miR-140 nanoparticles released from the MSs exhibited high gene transfection efficacy and long-term bioactivity, facilitated endocytosis, and thus maintained the metabolic balance of cartilage matrix by promoting the expression of type II collagen and inhibiting the expression of a disintegrin and metalloproteinase with thrombospondin motifs-5 and MMP13 in chondrocytes. After injection of the “nano-micron” combined gene hydrogel into the articular cavity of the OA model, the gene hydrogel increased G5-AHP/miR-140 nanoparticle retention, prevented articular cartilage degeneration, and reduced osteophyte formation in a surgically induced mouse model of OA. The present study provides a novel cell-free approach to alleviate the progression of OA that shows potential for locally injected gene delivery systems.