bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The Potential of Baobab (Adansonia Digitata L) Leaves From North- And West Kordofan In Sudan As Mineral Complement Of Common Diets
Authors: TY Habte , I Suleiman , MB Krawinkel
Published: October 2021

Baobab is wildly growing in the Baobab-Belt of Kordofan, Sudan, where the leaves are consumed restrictively even though food insecurity is a wide spread phenomenon. In order to encourage consumption by all households and promote their values, information on the true nutrient density is sought. In a research conducted for that purpose it was found that the average calcium, magnesium, iron and zinc content of the baobab leaves collected from ten villages are 2852±697, 555±156, and 42.39±11.65 and 1.94±0.5 mg/100 g dry matter respectively. The mean values within and between villages are highly variable and the ratio between various minerals is beyond standard e.g. Ca: Mg >5. However, an average of 32g macerated leaves can enrich the calcium content of a daily staple diet per person to adequacy. Similar level of leaves can also optimize the magnesium and iron content of the daily diet per person, but caution is necessary not to overlook the balance of the minerals so that the bioavailability of the minor ones is not hindered.
Challenges and Support when Introducing AM in HPDC Tooling
Authors: Stolt Roland , Elgh Fredrik , Jarfors Anders
Published: October 2021

When manufacturing tooling inserts for HPDC (High Pressure Die Casting), several manufacturing steps such as milling, heat treatment, electro discharge machining and finally surface treatment are involved. By instead manufacturing the insert by SLM (Selective laser melting), the process is expected to be quicker and with less material waste compared to the traditional manufacturing. Examples of other expected advantages is higher product variant flexibility and the possibility of making conform cooling channels, extending the die life. However, the insert is part of a die system involving many components. The insert cannot be designed and manufactured without considering the complete die system. This paper seeks how to integrate the insert design in the die assembly design. This is done via an example component and in cooperation with die manufacturing firms. The result is that the printing is a minor step of the total manufacturing process and that special design considerations needs to be taken for an SLM insert. New die concepts are needed that will minimise the amount of material, reduce the tolerance and surface demand and support the subdivision of the die into several printed parts.
Cost Estimation in Initial Stages of Product Development – An Ontological Approach
Authors: Voltolini Rafael , Borsato Milton , Peruzzini Margherita
Published: October 2021

Cost estimation in the early stages of the product development process is fraught with uncertainties. The conceptual design is characterized by the absence of data, the most critical being costs. Decisions based on incorrect assumptions impact a project significantly and can increase unexpected costs in the future. As there are no structured means of obtaining costs in the conceptual phase, the reuse of data from past projects is an alternative discussed in the literature. Knowledge management approaches suggest a search for data in successful earlier projects. The use of ontologies has been regarded as an approach to capturing either knowledge stored in database or tacit knowledge. The proposed solution, in the form of an expert system built upon an ontological model, seeks to estimate costs based on costs in previous projects as well as expert tacit knowledge. The model is demonstrated by queries with needed functions and requirements. The ontological model searches the necessary information and generates a cost estimation. The present research project follows the methodological framework Design Science Research, presenting an overhead crane as a case study. The proposed approach has great potential in other industrial contexts as well.
LINGUISTICS IN LEGAL COMMUNICATION: LANGUAGE, COMMUNICATION, TEXT, LAW
Authors: Pisulińska Julia
Published: October 2021

The paper encompasses such fields as language, communication, text, law in terms of legal communication. According to language, I try to define the language itself as well as the linguistic focusing mainly on accomplishments of De Saussure. Secondly, it was introduced the subject of communication and its history while taking into consideration the purpose of the paper: legal communication. Legal communication is based on juridical language and legal language. I discussed them and emphasised distinctions between them. This part of the paper, which I can describe as an introduction part, ends with an indication of the research on the field of legal communication. The second part deals in general with communication and problems concerning this matter. I paid attention to the problem of communicativeness, because this matter is not as easy to be provided in legal communication as it seems to be. I moved on to the text as a part of legal communication, its main assumptions which by scholars are perceived as unable to be fulfilled and levels of interpretation this kind of text. This topic is followed by the issue of terminology which is the key to understand the text relating to law. Then I come back to the language, however, this time I point out the command of Polish language, its culture and the language of law stressing aspects regarding correctness. I decided also to include the subject of legal translation which apart from the issues mentioned above needs the specialised knowledge. The final part presents the main thoughts and my conclusions noticing the mutual influence between presented areas as well as the general need of expanding knowledge specifically in relation to language and law.
АНАЛІЗ ТЕОРЕТИЧНИХ ПІДХОДІВ ДО ВИЗНАЧЕННЯ ПОНЯТТЯ «ДІДЖИТАЛ ЕКОНОМІКА»
Authors: Литвиненко Інна
Published: October 2021

Процес діджиталізації є одним головних чинників впливу на сучасну економіку. Саме прискорення цифрового розвитку стає чинником зростання економіки країни, інструментом підвищення ефективності функціонування підприємств, збільшення їх прибутковості та посилення конкурентосп-роможності. Але постає питання: що науковці вкладають у поняття «діджитал економіка»? Метою представленої статті є узагальнення підходів до визначення поняття «діджітал економіка», всесторонній аналіз існуючого понятійного інструментарію та визначення основних напрямів розвитку діджиталізації. В роботі виділено ряд підходів вітчизняних та закордонних вчених до дефініції «діджітал економіка» та виокремлено характерні ознаки. В роботі автор розвинув поняття «діджитал економіка» та представив своє визначення.
Henna Ritual Clothing in Anatolia from Past to Present: An Evaluation on Bindalli
Authors: Ozgen Ozlen , Soylemezoglu Feryal , Erdogan Zeynep , Arcak Sevinc
Published: October 2021

The rites of matrimony, which are formed with various rituals and activities, have been accepted as one of the main components of Anatolian traditions from the Ottoman period to the present time. The marriage is celebrated with ceremonies that include a series of entertainment activities. The henna rituals are conducted prior to marriage. In these rituals, first, various folk songs are sung to make brides, who will be away from their parents, cry. Then, fun music is played to entertain the bride, who wears dress in traditional henna clothes called bindalli on henna night. The material, colors, motif, and ornaments of these clothes have symbolic meanings culturally. In Anatolian marriage ceremonies, bindalli clothing decorated with metal and pearls are usually worn by brides. The current study will analyze the henna-night clothes as symbols of the henna ritual by referring to different samples within the framework of intangible cultural heritage, because traditional henna clothes vary by local factors such as cut, fabric, and ornaments, this study will focus on bindalli from Beypazari, Ankara, within the scope of research sampling. By underlining that culture can be preserved through conducting related activities, the importance of this current study rests upon the analysis of how henna-night clothing has changed from past to present. In recent years, it has been shown that variously designed bindalli clothes are being used as henna-night dresses, even prom dress or beachwear.
Зміна принадності насаджень ДП «Коростенське ЛМГ» для комах-хвоєгризів
Authors: Andreieva O. Yu.
Published: October 2021

Метою досліджень було оцінювання зміни за 2010–2019 рр. принадності насаджень ДП «Коростенське ЛМГ» для найпоширеніших комах-хвоєгризів: звичайного соснового пильщика – Diprion pini (Linnaeus, 1758) і рудого соснового пильщика – Neodiprion sertifer (Geoffroy, 1785) із ряду перетинчастокрилих (Hymenoptera), а також соснового шовкопряда – Dendrolimus pini (Linnaeus, 1758) із ряду лускокрилих (Lepidoptera). Виявлено, що за 2010–2019 рр. площа соснових насаджень у ДП «Коростенське ЛМГ» зменшилася на 1 036,7 га, або на 9,3 %. Принадність насаджень для формування осередків хвоєгризів, визначена за типом лісорослинних умов і відносною повнотою, мала тенденцію до збільшення, а визначена за віком – до зменшення. За сукупністю показників високу принадність насаджень для виникнення осередків рудого пильщика визначено на площі 65,4 га, звичайного соснового пильщика – на площі 40,7 га, соснового шовкопряда – на площі 61,7 га.
From Disparate Disciplines to Unity in Diversity: How the PARTHENOS Project Has Brought European Humanities Research Infrastructures Together
Authors: Uiterwaal Frank , Niccolucci Franco , Bassett Sheena , Krauwer Steven , Hollander Hella , Admiraal Femmy , Romary Laurent , Bruseker George , Meghini Carlo , Edmond Jennifer , Hedges Mark
Published: October 2021

Since the first ESFRI roadmap in 2006, multiple humanities Research Infrastructures (RIs) have been set up all over the European continent, supporting archaeologists (ARIADNE), linguists (CLARIN-ERIC), Holocaust researchers (EHRI), cultural heritage specialists (IPERION-CH) and others. These examples only scratch the surface of the breadth of research communities that have benefited from close cooperation in the European Research Area.

While each field developed discipline-specific services over the years, common themes can also be distinguished. All humanities RIs address, in varying degrees, questions around research data management, the use of standards and the desired interoperability of data across disciplinary boundaries.

This article sheds light on how cluster project PARTHENOS developed pooled services and shared solutions for its audience of humanities researchers, RI managers and policymakers. In a time where the convergence of existing infrastructure is becoming ever more important – with the construction of a European Open Science Cloud as an audacious, ultimate goal – we hope that our experiences inform future work and provide inspiration on how to exploit synergies in interdisciplinary, transnational, scientific cooperation.
Wound and Skin Healing in Space: The 3D Bioprinting Perspective
Authors: Cubo-Mateo Nieves , Gelinsky Michael
Published: October 2021

Skin wound healing is known to be impaired in space. As skin is the tissue mostly at risk to become injured during manned space missions, there is the need for a better understanding of the biological mechanisms behind the reduced wound healing capacity in space. In addition, for far-distant and long-term manned space missions like the exploration of Mars or other extraterrestrial human settlements, e.g., on the Moon, new effective treatment options for severe skin injuries have to be developed. However, these need to be compatible with the limitations concerning the availability of devices and materials present in space missions. Three-dimensional (3D) bioprinting (BP) might become a solution for both demands, as it allows the manufacturing of multicellular, complex and 3D tissue constructs, which can serve as models in basic research as well as transplantable skin grafts. The perspective article provides an overview of the state of the art of skin BP and approach to establish this additive manufacturing technology in space. In addition, the several advantages of BP for utilization in future manned space missions are highlighted.
Recent Advances of COVID-19 Modeling Based on Regenerative Medicine
Authors: Larijani Bagher , Foroughi-Heravani Najmeh , Abedi Mina , Tayanloo-Beik Akram , Rezaei-Tavirani Mostafa , Adibi Hossein , Arjmand Babak
Published: October 2021

Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) has caused a pandemic since December 2019 that originated in Wuhan, China. Soon after that, the world health organization declared Coronavirus disease-2019 a global health concern. SARS-CoV-2 is responsible for a lethal respiratory infection as well as the involvement of other organs due to its large tropism spectrum such as neurologic, cardiovascular, endocrine, gastrointestinal, and renal systems. Since the behavior of the virus is not fully understood, a new manifestation of the infection is revealed every day. In order to be able to design more efficient drugs and vaccines to treat the infection, finding out the exact mechanism of pathogenicity would be necessary. Although there have been some big steps toward understanding the relevant process, there are still some deficiencies in this field. Accordingly, regenerative medicine (RM), can offer promising opportunities in discovering the exact mechanisms and specific treatments. For instance, since it is not always possible to catch the pathophysiology mechanisms in human beings, several modeling methods have been introduced in this field that can be studied in three main groups: stem cell-based models, organoids, and animal models. Regarding stem cell-based models, induced pluripotent stem cells are the major study subjects, which are generated by reprogramming the somatic stem cells and then directing them into different adult cell populations to study their behavior toward the infection. In organoid models, different cell lines can be guided to produce a 3D structure including liver, heart, and brain-like platforms. Among animal models, mice are the most common species in this field. However, in order for mice models to be permissive to the virus, angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 receptors, the main receptor involved in the pathogenicity of the virus, should be introduced to the host cells through different methods. Here, the current known mechanism of SARS-CoV-2 infection, different suggested models, the specific response toward different manipulation as well as challenges and shortcomings in each case have been reviewed. Finally, we have tried to provide a quick summary of the present available RM-based models for SARS-CoV-2 infection, as an essential part of developing drugs, for future therapeutic goals.
The Role of Long Non-coding RNAs in Human Imprinting Disorders: Prospective Therapeutic Targets
Authors: Wang Tingxuan , Li Jianjian , Yang Liuyi , Wu Manyin , Ma Qing
Published: October 2021

Genomic imprinting is a term used for an intergenerational epigenetic inheritance and involves a subset of genes expressed in a parent-of-origin-dependent way. Imprinted genes are expressed preferentially from either the paternally or maternally inherited allele. Long non-coding RNAs play essential roles in regulating this allele-specific expression. In several well-studied imprinting clusters, long non-coding RNAs have been found to be essential in regulating temporal- and spatial-specific establishment and maintenance of imprinting patterns. Furthermore, recent insights into the epigenetic pathological mechanisms underlying human genomic imprinting disorders suggest that allele-specific expressed imprinted long non-coding RNAs serve as an upstream regulator of the expression of other protein-coding or non-coding imprinted genes in the same cluster. Aberrantly expressed long non-coding RNAs result in bi-allelic expression or silencing of neighboring imprinted genes. Here, we review the emerging roles of long non-coding RNAs in regulating the expression of imprinted genes, especially in human imprinting disorders, and discuss three strategies targeting the central long non-coding RNAUBE3A-ATSfor the purpose of developing therapies for the imprinting disorders Prader–Willi syndrome and Angelman syndrome. In summary, a better understanding of long non-coding RNA-related mechanisms is key to the development of potential therapeutic targets for human imprinting disorders.
Plasmon-Induced Water Splitting on Ag-Alloyed Pt Single-Atom Catalysts
Authors: Zhang Yimin , Chen Daqiang , Meng Weite , Li Shunfang , Meng Sheng
Published: October 2021

A promising route to realize solar-to-chemical energy conversion resorts to water splitting using plasmon photocatalysis. However, the ultrafast carrier dynamics and underlying mechanism in such processes has seldom been investigated, especially when the single-atom catalyst is introduced. Here, from the perspective of quantum dynamics at the atomic length scale and femtosecond time scale, we probe the carrier and structural dynamics of plasmon-assisted water splitting on an Ag-alloyed Pt single-atom catalyst, represented by the Ag19Pt nanocluster. The substitution of an Ag atom by the Pt atom at the tip of the tetrahedron Ag20 enhances the interaction between water and the nanoparticle. The excitation of localized surface plasmons in the Ag19Pt cluster strengthens the charge separation and electron transfer upon illumination. These facts cooperatively turn on more than one charge transfer channels and give rise to enhanced charge transfer from the metal nanoparticle to the water molecule, resulting in rapid plasmon-induced water splitting. These results provide atomistic insights and guidelines for the design of efficient single-atom photocatalysts for plasmon-assisted water splitting.
Molecular Dynamics Simulations of the Breathing Phase Transition of MOF Nanocrystallites II: Explicitly Modeling the Pressure Medium
Authors: Schaper Larissa , Keupp Julian , Schmid Rochus
Published: October 2021

One of the most investigated properties of porous crystalline metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) is their potential flexibility to undergo large changes in unit cell size upon guest adsorption or other stimuli, referred to as “breathing”. Computationally, such phase transitions are usually investigated using periodic boundary conditions, where the system’s volume can be controlled directly. However, we have recently shown that important aspects like the formation of a moving interface between the open and the closed pore form or the free energy barrier of the first-order phase transition and its size effects can best be investigated using non-periodic nanocrystallite (NC) models [Keupp et al. (Adv. Theory Simul., 2019, 2, 1900117)]. In this case, the application of pressure is not straightforward, and a distance constraint was used to mimic a mechanical strain enforcing the reaction coordinate. In contrast to this prior work, a mediating particle bath is used here to exert an isotropic hydrostatic pressure on the MOF nanocrystallites. The approach is inspired by the mercury nanoporosimetry used to compress flexible MOF powders. For such a mediating medium, parameters are presented that require a reasonable additional numerical effort and avoid unwanted diffusion of bath particles into the MOF pores. As a proof-of-concept, NCs of pillared-layer MOFs with different linkers and sizes are studied concerning their response to external pressure exerted by the bath. By this approach, an isotropic pressure on the NC can be applied in analogy to corresponding periodic simulations, without any bias for a specific mechanism. This allows a more realistic investigation of the breathing phase transformation of a MOF NC and further bridges the gap between experiment and simulation.
IRF2BP2 3′UTR Polymorphism Increases Coronary Artery Calcification in Men
Authors: Vilmundarson Ragnar O. , Duong An , Soheili Fariborz , Chen Hsiao-Huei , Stewart Alexandre F. R.
Published: October 2021

Interferon regulatory factor 2 binding protein 2 (IRF2BP2) suppresses the innate inflammatory response of macrophages. A 9-nucleotide deletion (rs3045215) in the 3′ untranslated region (3′-UTR) of human IRF2BP2 mRNA confers risk of coronary artery disease (CAD) in the Ottawa Heart Genomics Study (OHGS). Here, we sought to identify regulatory mechanisms that may contribute to this risk. We tested how lipopolysaccharides (LPS) affects IRF2BP2 expression in human THP-1 macrophages and primary aortic smooth muscle cells (HAoSMC) genotyped for the deletion allele. Both cell types are implicated in coronary atherosclerosis. We also examined how the deletion affects interaction with RNA binding proteins (RBPs) to regulate IRF2BP2 expression. LPS altered allele-specific binding of RBPs in RNA gel shift assays with the THP-1 macrophage protein extracts. The RBP ELAVL1 suppressed the expression of a luciferase reporter carrying the 3′UTR of IRF2BP2 with the deletion allele. Other RBPs AUF1 or KHSRP did not confer such allele specific regulation. Since it is co-inherited with a risk variant for osteoporosis, a condition tied to arterial calcification, we examined the association of the deletion allele with coronary artery calcification in individuals who had undergone computed tomography angiography in the OHGS. In 323 individuals with a minimal burden of atherosclerosis (<30% coronary stenosis) and 138 CAD cases (>50% stenosis), Mendelian randomization revealed that the rs3045215 deletion allele significantly increased coronary artery calcification in men with minimal coronary stenosis. Thus, not only does the rs3045215 deletion allele predict atherosclerosis, but it also predisposes to early-onset calcification in men.
Stage-Dependent Impact of RIPK1 Inhibition on Atherogenesis: Dual Effects on Inflammation and Foam Cell Dynamics
Authors: Zhang Yuze , Li Huihui , Huang Yonghu , Chen Hong , Rao Haojie , Yang Guoli , Wan Qing , Peng Zekun , Bertin John , Geddes Brad , Reilly Michael , Tran Jean-Luc , Wang Miao
Published: October 2021

Objective: Atherosclerosis is an arterial occlusive disease with hypercholesterolemia and hypertension as common risk factors. Advanced-stage stenotic plaque, which features inflammation and necrotic core formation, is the major reason for clinical intervention. Receptor interacting serine/threonine-protein kinase 1 (RIPK1) mediates inflammation and cell death and is expressed in atherosclerotic lesions. The role of RIPK1 in advanced-stage atherosclerosis is unknown.

Approach and Results: To investigate the effect of RIPK1 inhibition in advanced atherosclerotic plaque formation, we used ApoESA/SA mice, which exhibit hypercholesterolemia, and develop angiotensin-II mediated hypertension upon administration of doxycycline in drinking water. These mice readily develop severe atherosclerosis, including that in coronary arteries. Eight-week-old ApoESA/SA mice were randomized to orally receive a highly selective RIPK1 inhibitor (RIPK1i, GSK547) mixed with a western diet, or control diet. RIPK1i administration reduced atherosclerotic plaque lesion area at 2 weeks of treatment, consistent with suppressed inflammation (MCP-1, IL-1β, TNF-α) and reduced monocyte infiltration. However, administration of RIPK1i unexpectedly exacerbated atherosclerosis at 4 weeks of treatment, concomitant with increased macrophages and lipid deposition in the plaques. Incubation of isolated macrophages with oxidized LDL resulted in foam cell formation in vitro. RIPK1i treatment promoted such foam cell formation while suppressing the death of these cells. Accordingly, RIPK1i upregulated the expression of lipid metabolism-related genes (Cd36, Ppara, Lxrα, Lxrb, Srebp1c) in macrophage foam cells with ABCA1/ABCG1 unaltered. Furthermore, RIPK1i treatment inhibited ApoA1 synthesis in the liver and reduced plasma HDL levels.

Conclusion: RIPK1 modulates the development of atherosclerosis in a stage-dependent manner, implicating both pro-atherosclerotic (monocyte infiltration and inflammation) and anti-atherosclerotic effects (suppressing foam cell accumulation and promoting ApoA1 synthesis). It is critical to identify an optimal therapeutic duration for potential clinical use of RIPK1 inhibitor in atherosclerosis or other related disease indications.
Obesity and Cardiovascular Disease: The Emerging Role of Inflammation
Authors: Khafagy Rana , Dash Satya
Published: October 2021

Obesity is a growing public health challenge across the globe. It is associated with increased morbidity and mortality. Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is the leading cause of mortality for people with obesity. Current strategies to reduce CVD are largely focused on addressing traditional risk factors such as dyslipidemia, type 2 diabetes (T2D) and hypertension. Although this approach is proven to reduce CVD, substantial residual risk remains for people with obesity. This necessitates a better understanding of the etiology of CVD in people with obesity and alternate therapeutic approaches. Reducing inflammation may be one such strategy. A wealth of animal and human data indicates that obesity is associated with adipose tissue and systemic inflammation. Inflammation is a known contributor to CVD in humans and can be successfully targeted to reduce CVD. Here we will review the etiology and pathogenesis of inflammation in obesity associated metabolic disease as well as CVD. We will review to what extent these associations are causal based on human genetic studies and pharmacological studies. The available data suggests that anti-inflammatory treatments can be used to reduce CVD, but off-target effects such as increased infection have precluded its broad therapeutic application to date. The role of anti-inflammatory therapies in improving glycaemia and metabolic parameters is less established. A number of clinical trials are currently ongoing which are evaluating anti-inflammatory agents to lower CVD. These studies will further clarify whether anti-inflammatory agents can safely reduce CVD.
Submarine Shallow-Water Fluid Emissions and Their Geomicrobiological Imprint: A Global Overview
Authors: Caramanna Giorgio , Sievert Stefan M. , Bühring Solveig I.
Published: October 2021

Submarine fluids emissions in the form of geothermal vents are widespread in a variety of geological settings ranging from volcanic to tectonically active areas. This overview aims to describe representative examples of submarine vents in shallow-water areas around the globe. The areas described include: Iceland, Azores, Mediterranean Sea (Italy and Greece), Caribbean, Baja California, Japan, Papua, New Zealand, Taiwan. Common and divergent characteristics in terms of origin and geochemistry of the emitted fluids and their impact on the indigenous organisms and the surrounding environment have been identified. In the hottest vents seawater concentration is common as well as some water vapor phase separation. Carbon dioxide is the most common gas often associated with compounds of sulfur and methane. In several vents precipitation of minerals can be identified in the surrounding sediments. The analyses of the microbial communities often revealed putative chemoautotrophs, with Campylobacteria abundantly present at many vents where reduced sulfur compounds are available. The techniques that can be used for the detection and quantification of underwater vents are also described, including geophysical and geochemical tools. Finally, the main geobiological effects due to the presence of the hydrothermal activity and the induced changes in water chemistry are assessed.
What Have We Lost? Modeling Dam Impacts on American Shad Populations Through Their Native Range
Authors: Zydlewski Joseph , Stich Daniel S. , Roy Samuel , Bailey Michael , Sheehan Timothy , Sprankle Kenneth
Published: October 2021

American shad (Alosa sapidissima) are native to the east coast of North America from the St. Johns River, Florida, to the St. Lawrence River region in Canada. Since the 1800s, dams have reduced access to spawning habitat. To assess the impact of dams, we estimated the historically accessed spawning habitat in coastal rivers (485,618 river segments with 21,113 current dams) based on (i) width, (ii) distance from seawater, and (iii) slope (to exclude natural barriers to migration) combined with local knowledge. Estimated habitat available prior to dam construction (2,752 km2) was 41% greater than current fully accessible habitat (1,639 km2). River-specific population models were developed using habitat estimates and latitudinally appropriate life history parameters (e.g., size at age, maturity, iteroparity). Estimated coast-wide annual production potential was 69.1 million spawners compared with a dammed scenario (41.8 million spawners). Even with optimistic fish passage performance assumed for all dams (even if passage is completely absent), the dam-imposed deficit was alleviated by fewer than 3 million spawners. We estimate that in rivers modeled without dams, 98,000 metric tons of marine sourced biomass and nutrients were annually delivered, 60% of which was retained through carcasses, gametes and metabolic waste. Damming is estimated to have reduced this by more than one third. Based on our results, dams represent a significant and acute constraint to the population and, with other human impacts, reduce the fishery potential and ecological services attributed to the species.
RETRACTED: Adverse Pregnancy Outcomes Following Exposure to Biologics in Women With Crohn's Disease: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
Authors: Wang Han , Chen Fang , Hu Yue , Shen Mengdie
Published: October 2021

Crohn's disease is a chronic disease, which commonly affects women during their reproductive years. Poorly treated Crohn's disease is associated with adverse pregnancy outcomes. Biologics, a group of therapeutic drugs targeting inflammatory mediators including anti-TNF, anti-integrins and anti-interleukins, are increasingly used in pregnant women with Crohn's disease, exposing both the women and their fetuses to treatment-related complications. At present, it is unclear which biologics are more superior. This study performed a systematic review and meta-analysis to assess the risk of adverse pregnancy outcomes in women with Crohn's disease after exposure to biologics. Bibliographic databases were searched from inception to May 2021. The outcomes of interest were preterm delivery, low birth weight, spontaneous abortion, and congenital abnormalities. A total of 11 studies comprised of 1,875 pregnancies among women with Crohn's disease were included. Of these, 1,162 received biologics and 713 received non-biologic therapy. During the remission phase of the disease, the use of biological therapy increased the risk of adverse pregnancy outcomes, of which anti-integrins were associated with a higher incidence of adverse pregnancy outcomes than anti-TNF and anti-interleukins.

Systematic Review Registration:http://www.crd.york.ac.uk/PROSPERO, identifier: CRD42020191275.
The Role of Plant-Associated Bacteria, Fungi, and Viruses in Drought Stress Mitigation
Authors: Poudel Mousami , Mendes Rodrigo , Costa Lilian A. S. , Bueno C. Guillermo , Meng Yiming , Folimonova Svetlana Y. , Garrett Karen A. , Martins Samuel J.
Published: October 2021

Drought stress is an alarming constraint to plant growth, development, and productivity worldwide. However, plant-associated bacteria, fungi, and viruses can enhance stress resistance and cope with the negative impacts of drought through the induction of various mechanisms, which involve plant biochemical and physiological changes. These mechanisms include osmotic adjustment, antioxidant enzyme enhancement, modification in phytohormonal levels, biofilm production, increased water and nutrient uptake as well as increased gas exchange and water use efficiency. Production of microbial volatile organic compounds (mVOCs) and induction of stress-responsive genes by microbes also play a crucial role in the acquisition of drought tolerance. This review offers a unique exploration of the role of plant-associated microorganisms—plant growth promoting rhizobacteria and mycorrhizae, viruses, and their interactions—in the plant microbiome (or phytobiome) as a whole and their modes of action that mitigate plant drought stress.
Rapid Shifts in Bacterial Communities and Homogeneity of Symbiodiniaceae in Colonies of Pocillopora acuta Transplanted Between Reef and Mangrove Environments
Authors: Haydon Trent D. , Seymour Justin R. , Raina Jean-Baptiste , Edmondson John , Siboni Nachshon , Matthews Jennifer L. , Camp Emma F. , Suggett David J.
Published: October 2021

It has been proposed that an effective approach for predicting whether and how reef-forming corals persist under future climate change is to examine populations thriving in present day extreme environments, such as mangrove lagoons, where water temperatures can exceed those of reef environments by more than 3°C, pH levels are more acidic (pH < 7.9, often below 7.6) and O2 concentrations are regularly considered hypoxic (<2 mg/L). Defining the physiological features of these “extreme” corals, as well as their relationships with the, often symbiotic, organisms within their microbiome, could increase our understanding of how corals will persist into the future. To better understand coral-microbe relationships that potentially underpin coral persistence within extreme mangrove environments, we therefore conducted a 9-month reciprocal transplant experiment, whereby specimens of the coral Pocillopora acuta were transplanted between adjacent mangrove and reef sites on the northern Great Barrier Reef. Bacterial communities associated with P. acuta specimens native to the reef environment were dominated by Endozoicomonas, while Symbiodiniaceae communities were dominated by members of the Cladocopium genus. In contrast, P. acuta colonies native to the mangrove site exhibited highly diverse bacterial communities with no dominating members, and Symbiodiniaceae communities dominated by Durusdinium. All corals survived for 9 months after being transplanted from reef-to-mangrove, mangrove-to-reef environments (as well as control within environment transplants), and during this time there were significant changes in the bacterial communities, but not in the Symbiodiniaceae communities or their photo-physiological functioning. In reef-to-mangrove transplanted corals, there were varied, but sometimes rapid shifts in the associated bacterial communities, including a loss of “core” bacterial members after 9 months where coral bacterial communities began to resemble those of the native mangrove corals. Bacterial communities associated with mangrove-to-reef P. acuta colonies also changed from their original composition, but remained different to the native reef corals. Our data demonstrates that P. acuta associated bacterial communities are strongly influenced by changes in environmental conditions, whereas Symbiodiniaceae associated communities remain highly stable.
Comparison of CRISPR–Cas Immune Systems in Healthcare-Related Pathogens
Authors: Mortensen Kate , Lam Tony J. , Ye Yuzhen
Published: October 2021

The ESKAPE pathogens (Enterococcus faecium, Staphylococcus aureus, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Acinetobacter baumannii, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and Enterobacter species) and Clostridium difficile have been identified as the leading global cause of multidrug-resistant bacterial infections in hospitals. CRISPR–Cas systems are bacterial immune systems, empowering the bacteria with defense against invasive mobile genetic elements that may carry the antimicrobial resistance (AMR) genes, among others. On the other hand, the CRISPR–Cas systems are themselves mobile. In this study, we annotated and compared the CRISPR–Cas systems in these pathogens, utilizing their publicly available large numbers of sequenced genomes (e.g., there are more than 12 thousands of S. aureus genomes). The presence of CRISPR–Cas systems showed a very broad spectrum in these pathogens: S. aureus has the least tendency of obtaining the CRISPR–Cas systems with only 0.55% of its isolates containing CRISPR–Cas systems, whereas isolates of C. difficile we analyzed have CRISPR–Cas systems each having multiple CRISPRs. Statistical tests show that CRISPR–Cas containing isolates tend to have more AMRs for four of the pathogens (A. baumannii, E. faecium, P. aeruginosa, and S. aureus). We made available all the annotated CRISPR–Cas systems in these pathogens with visualization at a website (https://omics.informatics.indiana.edu/CRISPRone/pathogen), which we believe will be an important resource for studying the pathogens and their arms-race with invaders mediated through the CRISPR–Cas systems, and for developing potential clinical applications of the CRISPR–Cas systems for battles against the antibiotic resistant pathogens.
Towards Objective Quantification of Hand Tremors and Bradykinesia Using Contactless Sensors: A Systematic Review
Authors: Garcia-Agundez Augusto , Eickhoff Carsten
Published: October 2021

Assessing the progression of movement disorders such as Parkinson's Disease (PD) is key in adjusting therapeutic interventions. However, current methods are still based on subjective factors such as visual observation, resulting in significant inter-rater variability on clinical scales such as UPDRS. Recent studies show the potential of sensor-based methods to address this limitation. The goal of this systematic review is to provide an up-to-date analysis of contactless sensor-based methods to estimate hand dexterity UPDRS scores in PD patients. Two hundred and twenty-four abstracts were screened and nine articles selected for analysis. Evidence obtained in a cumulative cohort of n = 187 patients and 1, 385 samples indicates that contactless sensors, particularly the Leap Motion Controller (LMC), can be used to assess UPDRS hand motor tasks 3.4, 3.5, 3.6, 3.15, and 3.17, although accuracy varies. Early evidence shows that sensor-based methods have clinical potential and might, after refinement, complement, or serve as a support to subjective assessment procedures. Given the nature of UPDRS assessment, future studies should observe whether LMC classification error falls within inter-rater variability for clinician-measured UPDRS scores to validate its clinical utility. Conversely, variables relevant to LMC classification such as power spectral densities or movement opening and closing speeds could set the basis for the design of more objective expert systems to assess hand dexterity in PD.
TFE: A Transformer Architecture for Occlusion Aware Facial Expression Recognition
Authors: Gao Jixun , Zhao Yuanyuan
Published: October 2021

Facial expression recognition (FER) in uncontrolled environment is challenging due to various un-constrained conditions. Although existing deep learning-based FER approaches have been quite promising in recognizing frontal faces, they still struggle to accurately identify the facial expressions on the faces that are partly occluded in unconstrained scenarios. To mitigate this issue, we propose a transformer-based FER method (TFE) that is capable of adaptatively focusing on the most important and unoccluded facial regions. TFE is based on the multi-head self-attention mechanism that can flexibly attend to a sequence of image patches to encode the critical cues for FER. Compared with traditional transformer, the novelty of TFE is two-fold: (i) To effectively select the discriminative facial regions, we integrate all the attention weights in various transformer layers into an attention map to guide the network to perceive the important facial regions. (ii) Given an input occluded facial image, we use a decoder to reconstruct the corresponding non-occluded face. Thus, TFE is capable of inferring the occluded regions to better recognize the facial expressions. We evaluate the proposed TFE on the two prevalent in-the-wild facial expression datasets (AffectNet and RAF-DB) and the their modifications with artificial occlusions. Experimental results show that TFE improves the recognition accuracy on both the non-occluded faces and occluded faces. Compared with other state-of-the-art FE methods, TFE obtains consistent improvements. Visualization results show TFE is capable of automatically focusing on the discriminative and non-occluded facial regions for robust FER.
Effects of Pilates Training on Physiological and Psychological Health Parameters in Healthy Older Adults and in Older Adults With Clinical Conditions Over 55 Years: A Meta-Analytical Review
Authors: Meikis Lilly , Wicker Pamela , Donath Lars
Published: October 2021

This meta-analytical review aimed at comparing the impact of Pilates interventions (PIs) on physiological and psychological health parameters in healthy older adults and older adults with a clinical condition aged 55 years and older. The literature search was conducted in three databases (PubMed, Web of Science, SPORTDiscus). Randomized controlled trials that aimed at improving physiological and psychological health parameters in adults aged 55 years and older using Pilates as an intervention were screened for eligibility. The included data was extracted and assigned based on participants' health condition (clinical vs. non-clinical), as well as the respective control condition used in the study [inactive (IC) vs. active control group (AC)]. Statistical analyses were computed using a random-effects inverse-variance model. Fifty-one studies with a total of 2,485 participants (mean age: 66.5 ± 4.9 years) were included. Moderate effects (SMD: 0.55; 0.68) were found for physiological health parameters (muscle strength, balance, endurance, flexibility, gait, and physical functioning) in both experimental (clinical and non-clinical) conditions when compared to ICs (p < 0.003; p = 0.0001), and small to moderate effects (SMD: 0.27; 0.50) when compared to ACs (p = 0.04; p = 0.01). Moderate to large effects (SMD: 0.62; 0.83) were documented for psychological health parameters (quality of life, depression, sleep quality, fear of falling, pain, and health perception) in both conditions when compared to ICs (p < 0.001, p < 0.001). PIs induce small to large effects in physiological and psychological health parameters in older adults, regardless of their health condition. The substantial heterogeneity within the included studies complicated standardized comparison of the training modalities between the two target groups. Nonetheless, Pilates seems to be a safe, adaptable, and promising exercise approach for a heterogenous population of older adults.
Investigation of Anxiety, Depression, Sleep, and Family Function in Caregivers of Children With Epilepsy
Authors: Zhang Meiyan , Zhang Huiting , Hu Shuxian , Zhang Man , Fang Yu , Hu Junjie , Liao Jianxiang
Published: October 2021

Objective: Epilepsy is a chronic disease that places a heavy burden on caregivers. Previous studies have shown that caregivers of epilepsy patients often experience anxiety and depression; however, few comprehensive studies have assessed their sleep quality and family function. Based on the current understanding of the anxiety and depression state of caregivers in children with epilepsy, we further explored the caregivers' sleep and family function and evaluated the predictors of the depression state of caregivers.

Methods: In this cross-sectional online anonymous survey, we sent an online questionnaire to the caregivers of children with epilepsy who visited our hospital. The QR code of the questionnaire was scanned at the follow-up course to conduct an online survey. The questionnaire contained questions about sociodemographic and clinical information, the Self-rating Anxiety Scale, Self-rating Depression Scale, Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index, and the Family Assessment Device.

Results: A total of 308 caregivers of children with epilepsy aged 0–12 years were included in this study. The mean age of children with epilepsy was 4.8 ± 3.18 years, and the average illness duration was 34.2 ± 29.18 months. Further, 47.1% of the children took three or more anti-seizure medications, and 43.2% were on ketogenic diet therapy. We found that in 77.9% of the cases, the subjects were the mothers, in 89% there was more than one co-caregiver, and in 51.9%, financial help was required. Further, 63.6% of the caregivers thought they could not get enough access to disease knowledge education, and 83.7% perceived epilepsy was a terrible disease. Our results also showed that 65.6% of the caregivers were in depression status, 41.9% were in anxiety status, and 49.0% had poor sleep quality. The proportion of unhealthy family functioning in each subscale was 45.1–96.1%, and the unhealthy behavior control function accounted for 96.1%. Binary logistic regression analysis of the data showed that without co-caregivers [odds ratio (OR), 5.193], free of anxiety status (OR, 0.063), good sleep quality (OR, 0.446), healthy family role dimension (OR, 0.344), and healthy family general functional dimension (OR, 0.259) were predictors of depression status in caregivers of children with epilepsy.

Conclusion: Anxiety and depression status are common in caregivers of children with epilepsy, with depression status being more prominent. Moreover, a considerable proportion of caregivers had poor sleep quality and unhealthy family function. The caregivers' anxiety status, sleep quality, family role dimension, family general function dimension, and the number of co-caregivers were predictors of depression status in caregivers. In clinical practice, caregivers' anxiety and depression status, poor sleep quality, and unhealthy family functioning should be addressed along with the treatment of children with epilepsy.
Neural Resources Supporting Language Production vs. Comprehension in Chronic Post-stroke Aphasia: A Meta-Analysis Using Activation Likelihood Estimates
Authors: LaCroix Arianna N. , James Eltonnelle , Rogalsky Corianne
Published: October 2021

In post-stroke aphasia, language tasks recruit a combination of residual regions within the canonical language network, as well as regions outside of it in the left and right hemispheres. However, there is a lack of consensus as to how the neural resources engaged by language production and comprehension following a left hemisphere stroke differ from one another and from controls. The present meta-analysis used activation likelihood estimates to aggregate across 44 published fMRI and PET studies to characterize the functional reorganization patterns for expressive and receptive language processes in persons with chronic post-stroke aphasia (PWA). Our results in part replicate previous meta-analyses: we find that PWA activate residual regions within the left lateralized language network, regardless of task. Our results extend this work to show differential recruitment of the left and right hemispheres during language production and comprehension in PWA. First, we find that PWA engage left perilesional regions during language comprehension, and that the extent of this activation is likely driven by stimulus type and domain-general cognitive resources needed for task completion. In contrast to comprehension, language production was associated with activation of the right frontal and temporal cortices. Further analyses linked right hemisphere regions involved in motor speech planning for language production with successful naming in PWA, while unsuccessful naming was associated with the engagement of the right inferior frontal gyrus, a region often implicated in domain-general cognitive processes. While the within-group findings indicate that the engagement of the right hemisphere during language tasks in post-stroke aphasia differs for expressive vs. receptive tasks, the overall lack of major between-group differences between PWA and controls implies that PWA rely on similar cognitive-linguistic resources for language as controls. However, more studies are needed that report coordinates for PWA and controls completing the same tasks in order for future meta-analyses to characterize how aphasia affects the neural resources engaged during language, particularly for specific tasks and as a function of behavioral performance.