bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Gut Microbially Produced Indole-3-Propionic Acid Inhibits Atherosclerosis by Promoting Reverse Cholesterol Transport and Its Deficiency Is Causally Related to Atherosclerotic Cardiovascular Disease
Authors: Xue Hongliang , Chen Xu , Yu Chao , Deng Yuqing , Zhang Yuan , Chen Shen , Chen Xuechen , Chen Ke , Yang Yan , Ling Wenhua
Published: July 2022

Background:

Accumulating evidence has shown that disorders in the gut microbiota and derived metabolites affect the development of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD). However, which and how specific gut microbial metabolites contribute to the progression of atherosclerosis and the clinical relevance of their alterations remain unclear.

Methods:

We performed integrated microbiome–metabolome analysis of 30 patients with coronary artery disease (CAD) and 30 age- and sex-matched healthy controls to identify CAD-associated microbial metabolites, which were then assessed in an independent population of patients with ASCVD and controls (n=256). We further investigate the effect of CAD-associated microbial metabolites on atherosclerosis and the mechanisms of the action.

Results:

Indole-3-propionic acid (IPA), a solely microbially derived tryptophan metabolite, was the most downregulated metabolite in patients with CAD. Circulating IPA was then shown in an independent population to be associated with risk of prevalent ASCVD and correlated with the ASCVD severity. Dietary IPA supplementation alleviates atherosclerotic plaque development in ApoE
−/−
mice. In murine- and human-derived macrophages, administration of IPA promoted cholesterol efflux from macrophages to ApoA-I through an undescribed miR-142-5p/ABCA1 (ATP-binding cassette transporter A1) signaling pathway. Further in vivo studies demonstrated that IPA facilitates macrophage reverse cholesterol transport, correlating with the regulation of miR-142-5p/ABCA1 pathway, whereas reduced IPA production contributed to the aberrant overexpression of miR-142-5p in macrophages and accelerated the progression of atherosclerosis. Moreover, the miR-142-5p/ABCA1/reverse cholesterol transport axis in macrophages were dysregulated in patients with CAD, and correlated with the changes in circulating IPA levels.

Conclusions:

Our study identify a previously unknown link between specific gut microbiota-derived tryptophan metabolite and ASCVD. The microbial metabolite IPA/miR-142-5p/ABCA1 pathway may represent a promising therapeutic target for ASCVD.
Feelings Are the Source of Consciousness
Authors: Damasio Antonio , Damasio Hanna
Published: July 2022

In this view, we address the problem of consciousness, and although we focus on its human presentation, we note that the phenomenon is present in numerous nonhuman species and use findings from a variety of animal studies to explain our hypothesis for how consciousness is made.

Consciousness occurs when mind contents, such as perceptions and thoughts, are spontaneously identified as belonging to a specific organism/owner. Conscious minds are said to have a self that experiences mental events. We hypothesize that the automatic identification that associates minds and organisms is provided by a continuous flow of homeostatic feelings. Those feelings arise from the uninterrupted process of life regulation and correspond to both salient physiological fluctuations such as hunger, pain, well-being, or malaise, as well as to states closer to metabolic equilibrium and best described as feelings of life/existence, such as breathing or body temperature. We also hypothesize that homeostatic feelings were the inaugural phenomena of consciousness in biological evolution and venture that they were selected because the information they provided regarding the current state of life regulation conferred extraordinary advantages to the organisms so endowed. The “knowledge” carried by conscious homeostatic feelings provided “overt” guidance for life regulation, an advance over the covert regulation present in nonconscious organisms. Finally, we outline a mechanism for the generation of feelings based on a two-way interaction between interoceptive components of the nervous system and a particular set of nonneural components of the organism's interior, namely, viscera and circulating chemical molecules involved in their operations. Feelings emerge from this interaction as continuous and hybrid phenomena, related simultaneously to two series of events. The first is best described by the terms neural/representational/and mental and the second by the terms nonneural/visceral/and chemical. We note that this account offers a solution for the mind-body problem: homeostatic feelings constitute the “mental” version of bodily processes.
Probing the Relationship Between Latent Linear Dynamical Systems and Low-Rank Recurrent Neural Network Models
Authors: Valente Adrian , Ostojic Srdjan , Pillow Jonathan W.
Published: July 2022

A large body of work has suggested that neural populations exhibit low-dimensional dynamics during behavior. However, there are a variety of different approaches for modeling low-dimensional neural population activity. One approach involves latent linear dynamical system (LDS) models, in which population activity is described by a projection of low-dimensional latent variables with linear dynamics. A second approach involves low-rank recurrent neural networks (RNNs), in which population activity arises directly from a low-dimensional projection of past activity. Although these two modeling approaches have strong similarities, they arise in different contexts and tend to have different domains of application. Here we examine the precise relationship between latent LDS models and linear low-rank RNNs. When can one model class be converted to the other, and vice versa? We show that latent LDS models can only be converted to RNNs in specific limit cases, due to the non-Markovian property of latent LDS models. Conversely, we show that linear RNNs can be mapped onto LDS models, with latent dimensionality at most twice the rank of the RNN. A surprising consequence of our results is that a partially observed RNN is better represented by an LDS model than by an RNN consisting of only observed units.
Information Geometrically Generalized Covariate Shift Adaptation
Authors: Kimura Masanari , Hino Hideitsu
Published: July 2022

Many machine learning methods assume that the training and test data follow the same distribution. However, in the real world, this assumption is often violated. In particular, the marginal distribution of the data changes, called covariate shift, is one of the most important research topics in machine learning. We show that the well-known family of covariate shift adaptation methods is unified in the framework of information geometry. Furthermore, we show that parameter search for a geometrically generalized covariate shift adaptation method can be achieved efficiently. Numerical experiments show that our generalization can achieve better performance than the existing methods it encompasses.
Grains of Description in Biological and Cultural Transmission
Authors: Bourrat Pierrick , Charbonneau Mathieu
Published: July 2022

The question of whether cultural transmission is faithful has attracted significant debate over the last 30 years. The degree of fidelity with which an object is transmitted depends on 1) the features chosen to be relevant, and 2) the quantity of details given about those features. Once these choices have been made, an object is described at a particular grain. In the absence of conventions between different researchers and across different fields about which grain to use, transmission fidelity cannot be evaluated because it is relative to the choice of grain. In biology, because a genotype-to-phenotype mapping exists and transmission occurs from genotype to genotype, a privileged grain of description exists that circumvents this ‘grain problem.’ In contrast, in cultural evolution, the genotype–phenotype distinction cannot be drawn, rendering claims about fidelity dependent upon researchers’ choices. Thus, due to a lack of unified conventions, claims about fidelity transmission are difficult to evaluate.
Human-Animal Similarity and the Imageability of Mental State Concepts for Mentalizing Animals
Authors: Urquiza-Haas Esmeralda G. , Kotrschal Kurt
Published: July 2022

The attribution of mental states (MS) to other species typically follows ascala naturaepattern. However, “simple” mental states, including emotions, sensing, and feelings are attributed to a wider range of animals as compared to the so-called “higher” cognitive abilities. We propose that such attributions are based on the perceptual quality (i.e.imageability) of mental representations related toMSconcepts. We hypothesized that the attribution of highly imaginableMSis more dependent on the familiarity of participants with animals when compared to the attribution ofMSlow in imageability. In addition, we also assessed how animal agreeableness, familiarity with animals, and the type of human-animal interaction related to the judged similarity of animals to humans. Sixty-one participants (19 females, 42 males) with a rural (n = 20) and urban (n = 41) background rated twenty-six wild and domestic animals for their perceived similarity with humans and ability to experience a set ofMS: (1) Highly imageableMS: joy, anger, and fear, and (2)MSlow in imageability: capacity to plan and deceive. Results show that more agreeable and familiar animals were considered more human-like. Primates, followed by carnivores, suines, ungulates, and rodents were rated more human-like than xenarthrans, birds, arthropods, and reptiles. HigherMSratings were given to more similar animals and more so if theMSattributed were high in imageability. Familiarity with animals was only relevant for the attribution of theMShigh in imageability.
Moral Foreign Language Effect on Responses to the Trolley Dilemma amongst Native Speakers of Arabic
Authors: Andrade Gabriel
Published: July 2022

Trolley dilemmas have been tested cross-culturally, but only recently have researchers begun to assess the effect of responding to such dilemmas in a foreign language. Previous studies have found a Moral Foreign Language Effect (MFLE) in trolley dilemmas, whereby subjects who respond to these dilemmas in a foreign language, tend to offer more utilitarian responses. The present study seeks to test whether the MFLE holds amongst native speakers of Arabic. Additionally, the present study seeks to test whether the use of visual images has any effect on responses. For such purposes, four groups were compared: 1) participants responding to trolley dilemmas in English without visual images; 2) participants responding to trolley dilemmas in Arabic without visual images; 3) participants responding to trolley dilemmas in English with visual images; 4) participants responding to trolley dilemmas in Arabic with visual images.
The Problem of Anthropomorphism in Abū l-Yusr al-Bazdawī
Authors: Polinsky Sheridan
Published: July 2022

The problem of anthropomorphism has been an important source of the conflict between traditionalism and rationalism in Islamic theology. Theologians have had to reconcile the anthropomorphic expressions about God in the Koran and hadiths with their conceptions of His unity (tawḥīd) and transcendence (tanzīh). The Māturīdite theologian Abū l-Yusr al-Bazdawī devoted several chapters of his Uṣūl al-dīn to dealing with the problem. He lays the mainly rational grounds for God’s incomparability and incorporeality before turning to the anthropomorphic expressions, some of which he interprets symbolically, and others simply accepts. He also refutes the later Karrāmite idea that God is “elevated,” which creates ambivalence in his position towards the Prophet’s Ascension. His negotiation between the traditionalist and rationalist approaches to the topic highlights the impact of his intellectual environment on his thought as well as the rise of Māturīdite theology in Transoxania.
Practical Theology in a Pentecostal Key
Authors: Bone Jeremy
Published: July 2022

This article proposes that the empirical perspective in the discipline of practical theology, as championed by Mark J. Cartledge, offers dialogical potential between localized pentecostal praxis and academically situated theology. This essay first situates Cartledge’s scholarship in the broader field of practical theology, with attention given to the contributions of the empirical perspective. It then turns to Cartledge’s scholarship proper, charting the development of his methodological proposals via insights across three phases of his work. The first phase is distinguished by Cartledge’s methodological framing, with the author borrowing the empirical approach of Johannes van der Ven in studies on charismatic phenomena. In the second phrase of his research, methodological insights are further enhanced by a turn towards the dialogical potential of experience—referred to as contextual theology. While the contextual phase of Cartledge’s research sought to generate revised ecclesial praxis, the third phase of his research witnesses a turn toward public theology.
On the Administrative Powers of the WHO: A Lesson from the Pandemic
Authors: Vese Donato
Published: July 2022

The WHO’s management of the pandemic has drawn sharp criticism. It has been suggested that there is an urgent need for a reform providing more intrusive administrative powers. By contrast, this paper argues that the WHO needs sharing powers rather than intrusive powers. Given that the main international norms have arguably designated the WHO as a “non-authoritarian” authority aiming at the highest possible level of health for individuals, the paper suggests that sharing of administrative powers should be incentivised by involving all the relevant actors in the decision-making process, namely through the participation in proceedings of all actors involved in the decision-making, namely governments, national health authorities, and other non-state actors.
Understanding the Peasant Economy Through the Lens of Mobility: a Swedish Parish in the Early Modern Period
Authors: Lindström Jonas
Published: July 2022

Based on a study of a Swedish parish from the seventeenth century to the early 1800s, this article discusses the role of migration in the peasant economy. It argues that migration was a fundamental feature of the reproduction process among peasants, and that the mobility of some enabled the unchanging positions of others. Migration was a solution to the dilemma created by the dual features of peasant economies: the equivalence of the household and the production unit and the obligation to pay rent. Mobility created adaptability and resilience in peasant communities, but its selective character speaks to its link to wealth distribution, class relations and the struggle for resources.
Local Migration of Peasants in the Late Middle Ages: a Quantitative Analysis of the Cheb City-State 1442–1456
Authors: Klír Tomáš
Published: July 2022

Many scholars have proved statistically that the migration of the Early Modern European peasantry was predominantly local and socially conditioned. This article tries to expand our quantified knowledge of the Late Medieval period using the unique documentary evidence from the Cheb city-state (Czech Republic). Based on a detailed analysis, we show that the migration pattern of the Late Medieval Cheb peasantry was similar to the Early Modern one despite very different demographic, economic and social conditions. The strength of the ties to the land increased with wealth; the better the property often among rural landholdings, gaining a better position. The wealthier the peasants status of the household, the lower the rate of replacement on the landholding. Poorer peasants migrated relatively more to the city, where they were among the wealthier burghers. Even though peasant migration took place over short distances, it brought about fundamental changes for many peasants.
The Fate of Rural Migrants in Early Modern Urban Centres: Soldiers, Servants, and Sailors
Authors: Linaa Jette
Published: July 2022

The seventeenth century saw a mass migration from the countryside to urban centres in Europe. Did migrants of rural origin integrate into their new communities, or did they form a subgroup in the town? This article is based on marriage, baptismal and burial records from the German and Danish Churches in Elsinore (Helsingør) between 1637 and 1660, and on municipal sources, mainly probate inventories and tax records. In the Early Modern period, Elsinore was the second-largest town in Denmark and the seat of the Sound Toll. This article presents a comparative analysis of the fate of rural and urban migrants in the town. The study found that rural migrants, and especially the women among them, faced lives of high mobility, poverty and limited social support, whereas urban migrants established more robust social networks and entered into more advantageous marriages.
Agriculture and the Integration of British Colonial Migrants in Early Modern Ireland
Authors: Costello Eugene
Published: July 2022

This article offers a critical re-examination of Early Modern migrations to Ireland and their effect on farming practices, c.1580–1660. During and after the English conquest of Ireland, tens and eventually hundreds of thousands of settlers arrived from Britain. Focusing on Munster and to a lesser extent Ulster, I argue they were not greeted with an agricultural tabula rasa ripe for ‘improvement’. In contrast to what Tudor writers claimed, and what some scholars today have assumed, cereal cultivation and field enclosure already formed important elements in the agricultural landscape. Changes clearly took place, but English, Welsh and Scots settlers also made some remarkable adaptations by accepting local breeds of livestock and relying economically on forms of semi-mobile pastoralism that earlier writers had decried. Looking outside Ireland helps to evaluate their actions, since livestock mobility was widespread in contemporary European pastoralism, and if anything contributed to, rather than conflicted with, the commercialisation of farming.
Elasmobranchs under Human Care
Authors: Janse Max , Klerks Nienke
Published: July 2022

As ocean’s apex predators, elasmobranchs are a very popular group in zoos and public aquariums. Since 30% of these species are threatened, there is a need within the zoo and public aquarium community to create a Regional Collection Plan (RCP) to coordinate the elasmobranch populations under human care. In 2011, Royal Burgers’ Zoo decided to change the Institutional Collection Plan (ICP) and stopped getting any sharks or rays directly from the wild. This study presents the potential and challenges of this approach. Although this study shows it to be a feasible approach for one public aquarium, implementing this ICP criterion in multiple public aquariums will require an increase in breeding efforts. There may also remain a need to collect animals from the wild as part of a conservation programme on threatened species or to increase the number of founders in a breeding programme.
Four new genera of Heteropodinae Thorell, 1873 from Malaysia, Brunei and Papua New Guinea (Araneae: Sparassidae)
Authors: GRALL ELENA , JÄGER PETER
Published: July 2022

When examining material of Sparassidae Bertkau, 1872 four new genera were identified as new to science, all belonging to the subfamily Heteropodinae Thorell, 1873. Three new genera from Malaysia and Brunei, and one new genus from Papua New Guinea are described in this paper: Borniella gen. nov. with its type species Borniella parva spec. nov. from Malaysia: Sarawak and Brunei (male, female); Menarik gen. nov. with its type species Menarik kecil spec. nov. from Malaysia: Sarawak (male, female); Micropoda gen. nov. with its type species Micropoda daviesae spec. nov. from Papua New Guinea: New Britain (male, female); Tiomaniella gen. nov. with its type species Tiomaniella ladam spec. nov. from Malaysia: Tioman Island (male, female). All are diagnosed by their copulatory organs, which partly exhibit extraordinary character states. Most females of Menarik kecil spec. nov. exhibited scars at their epigynes that might be connected to the special apophyses in the male palp.
Schmidtinus annapurnensis, a new genus and species of Batrisitae from Nepal (Coleoptera: Staphylinidae: Pselaphinae)
Authors: YIN ZI-WEI , KURBATOV SERGEY A.
Published: July 2022

Schmidtinus annapurnensis Yin & Kurbatov gen. et sp. nov. of the pselaphine tribe Batrisini is described from the Annapurna mountains of Nepal, with the habitus and major diagnostic features illustrated. The morphological features that distinguish Schmidtinus gen. nov. from related batrisine genera are discussed.
Climatologies of Mesoscale Convective Systems over China Observed by Spaceborne Radars
Authors: Chen Hao , Xu Weixin , Liu Nana , Sun Jianhua , Fu Jiaolan
Published: July 2022

This study investigates the characteristics of mesoscale convective systems (MCSs) as a function of MCS organizational mode over China, using long-term precipitation radar observations from the Tropical Rainfall Measuring Mission (TRMM) and Global Precipitation Measurement Mission (GPM). The spaceborne radar-based MCS climatology shows maximum population over low-elevation regions, marked decrease over the foothills, and minimum frequency over the Tibetan Plateau. Linear and nonlinear MCSs account for 17% and 83% of the MCSs over China, respectively. Linear MCSs have much stronger convective intensity and heavier precipitation than nonlinear MCSs, as indicated by TRMM convective proxies. Interestingly, though broad-stratiform MCSs have the weakest convection, they produce the heaviest (maximum) rain rate and the largest amount of heavy rainfall among nonlinear MCSs. Among various types of linear MCSs, bow echoes (BEs) and no-stratiform (NS) systems exhibit the strongest convective intensity, embedded lines exhibit the weakest, and convective lines with trailing/leading stratiform in between. BEs and NSs share the most vertically extended structure, strongest microwave ice scattering, and highest lightning flash rates, but NS systems have a much lower surface rain rate likely due to a drier environment. Vertical radar reflectivity profiles suggest that both ice-based and warm-rain processes play an important role in the precipitation processes of linear MCSs over China, including the most intense BE storms. In short, this study helps to better understand the convective organization, precipitation structure, and ensemble microphysical properties of MCSs over China, and potentially provides guidelines for evaluating high-resolution model simulations and satellite rainfall retrievals for monsoonal MCSs.
A Case-Control Study Evaluating Risk Factors and Outcomes of Hospitalized Children With ESBL-UTI
Authors: Hassor Sophia , Etinger Veronica , Villacis Diana Sofia , Houssay Magdalena , Bukhari Areej , Gruber Joshua , Iskowitz Seth , Marin Beatriz Fabiola , Chinga Michell Lozano , Sedor Alanna , Rockwell Mikaela , Berrios Leticia , Calderon Rebeca , Laufer Pablo Marcelo , Gupta Apeksha , Salyakina Daria , Clemente Melissa
Published: July 2022

Urinary tract infections (UTIs) are among the most common causes of hospitalization in children, with a rising prevalence of extended-spectrum beta-lactamase-producing organisms (ESBL). The purpose of this study was to identify risk factors and treatment outcomes of children with ESBL-UTI. A retrospective case-control study of hospitalized children was performed from July 2014 till December 2017. Medical records from patients with a positive urine culture were reviewed and included in the study if they met criteria for UTI. Cases were defined as ESBL-UTI, while controls were defined as non-ESBL-UTI patients. This study confirmed that there are certain risk factors, such as previous UTI, recent antibiotic use, urinary tract abnormalities, recent hospital admission, and nonrenal comorbidities, that are associated with ESBL-UTI. Most of the patients with ESBL-UTI responded to discordant antibiotics. Other significant outcomes in patients with ESBL-UTI included a longer length of stay and longer intravenous antibiotic therapy.
Smart solutions for monitoring, control, and safety of swimming pools using a savvy boat
Authors: Asiri Saeed A
Published: July 2022

The Internet of Things has evolved as one of the most promising evolutional technologies, and it is gradually being recognized as a quotidian life necessity. It is based on the interconnection of several devices with the goal of simplifying everyday operations through monitoring, remote control, or the creation of smart environments with the goal of reducing the need for human interaction. This paper proposes the application of IoT concept with a savvy boat for monitoring and controlling the quality of swimming pools through a low-cost system based on wireless sensors and actuators which can minimize the number of people needed to maintain a swimming pool. This is very important issue since the improper use of fresh water in daily activities is nowadays a major concern, as well as the need to keep records of water quality in intended to notify the user about potential risk situations. The major goal of this system is to give financial and natural resource savings to the end user, resulting in a more sustainable environment. An Android mobile application was created to allow users to remotely monitor and manage the parameters of a swimming pool in real time, allowing for faster data analysis and the establishment of thresholds for each parameter so that the user is notified when the imposed limitations are exceeded. Some gadgets can be controlled remotely in one of two ways: manually or automatically. Moreover, this savvy boat has a net in front of it to clean the pool on the surface of the water from leaves and wastes and so on which is controlled through a remote control. The material used is a lightweight aluminum with mechanical and electric parts integrated with each other. In fact, this smart boat is qualified to serve as an assistant security guard for swimming pools because it has the characteristics that make it unique and smart.
Medical students’ evaluation of a suicide prevention multimedia resource: A focus group study
Authors: Ng Lillian , Datt Ashwini , Moir Fiona , Hakiaha Hineroa , O’Callaghan Anne , Lampshire Debra , Tennant Geraldine , Henry Jessica , Wearn Andy
Published: July 2022

Aims:

A series of podcasts and videos was created to assist medical students with learning about suicide prevention. The aim of this research was to explore medical students experiences of using a suicide prevention learning resource.

Methods:

A multimedia repository of learning resources for suicide prevention was designed and created for use across all years of the medical programme at The University of Auckland. Emphasis was placed on ensuring that the resource was culturally safe. The impact of the learning resource was evaluated with a qualitative approach using focus group methodology. Two focus groups were audio-recorded, transcribed and a thematic analysis was conducted employing three cycles of coding.

Results:

Three themes were identified: perceiving that suicide is complex and sensitive; tailoring knowledge to match students’ developmental stage and context; and elements that facilitated interaction with the resource.

Conclusions:

Suicide is unsurprisingly a challenging topic for medical students. The students in this study actively engaged with this resource on suicide prevention, which supplemented their core learning of the topic. Early access to resources developed in a culturally safe way within a spiral curriculum empowers students to understand that they have an important contribution to make in preventing suicide. This may prepare them for encountering suicide with peers, family members and in clinical practice.
Where Is the Unicorn? Losing Private Hope in the Dream of Collective “Plenty.”: Response to David Riesman’s “The Search for Challenge,” 62 Years Later
Authors: Bluvshtein Marina
Published: July 2022

The article is a response to David Riesman’s 1960 “The search for challenge.” Historical, cultural, and social perspectives are considered in revisiting Riesman’s search for a happier and healthier society.
Contemporary slavery in armed conflict: Introducing the CSAC dataset, 1989–2016
Authors: Smith Angharad , Datta Monti Narayan , Bales Kevin
Published: July 2022

We introduce a new dataset, Contemporary Slavery in Armed Conflict (CSAC), coding instances and types of enslavement in armed conflict from 1989 to 2016, building on Uppsala Conflict Data Program data. CSAC currently covers 171 armed conflicts from 1989 to 2016, with the unit of analysis being the conflict-year. We identify different types of enslavement within these conflicts and find that 87% contained incidences of child soldiers, 34% included sexual exploitation/forced marriage, 23% included forced labor, and 16% contained instances of human trafficking. The use of enslavement in armed conflict to support strategic aims is also identified and found in about 17% of cases. Next, drawing upon key variables from the Uppsala Conflict Data Program, we present a series of cross-tabulations looking at the presence of slavery and conflict broken down by conflict incompatibility, intensity level, and type. We see the coding of slavery within conflict as a step toward generating greater understanding of when and how state and non-state actors use enslavement within conflict, with the goal of mitigating and possibly eradicating slavery in warfare.
Strengths and weaknesses of organized crop seed production by smallholder farmers: A five-country case study
Authors: Dey B , Visser B , Tin HQ , Mahamadou Laouali A , Baba Toure Mahamadou N , Nkhoma C , Alonzo Recinos S , Opiyo C , Bragdon S
Published: July 2022

In many countries, smallholder farmers play a key role in food crop seed production. So far, the community roles, operational structures, seed production efficiency, aspects of sustainability, and the social and policy environments in which these groups operate have been poorly studied and described. The present study attempts to better understand these factors by drawing cases from twenty-five seed producer groups in five countries (Vietnam, Uganda, Zambia, Niger, and Guatemala) that deal with nine crops in total (rice, maize, sorghum, pearl millet, common bean, cowpea, soybean, groundnut, potato and sweet potato). Results of the study show all groups supply a significant share of seed offered in local markets. It appeared that all groups received major support for capacity development from a broad range of actors including local and national governments, public institutions, national seed companies and development organizations. Several groups operate under seasonal contracts with institutional seed buyers, whereas other groups sell most of their seed in local markets to fellow farmers. To support seed quality and render product branding meaningful, most groups have established subgroups for crop monitoring and seed inspection, and for gathering and using market intelligence. Some, but not all groups depend on formal seed certification. Two key challenges stand out across seed producer groups interviewed. First, most seed producer groups experience difficulties in accessing good-quality early generation seed (EGS) on time, like in the formal seed sector in many countries. Second, in most groups packaging and labelling of the seed produced and offered in local markets is suboptimal, hindering further professionalization. Moreover, groups invariably have a poor understanding of applicable seed policy and legislation. Our observations point at actions that external stakeholders could undertake to strengthen smallholder farmer seed production in recognition of their contribution to food and nutrition security.
Polyurethane shape memory filament yarns: Melt spinning, carbon-based reinforcement, and characterization
Authors: González Judit , Ardanuy Mònica , González Marta , Rodriguez Rosa , Jovančić Petar
Published: July 2022

The aim of this work was to develop and characterize polyurethane-based shape memory polymer filament yarns of a suitable diameter and thermo-mechanical performance for use in tailored multi-sectorial applications. Different polymer compositions – pure shape memory polyurethane and shape memory polyurethane composites with 0.3 and 0.5 wt.% of multi-walled carbon nanotubes or carbon black as additives – were studied. Filaments were obtained using a melt spinning process that allowed the production of the permanent and temporary shape of the shape memory polyurethane filament. Two drawing speeds (20 and 32 m/min) were studied. Characterization techniques such as the tensile test, differential scanning calorimetry, and dynamic mechanical analysis were used to investigate the shape-memory effect of the filaments. Pure and additive shape memory polyurethane filament yarns of a controlled diameter were produced. The results indicated that the pure shape memory polyurethane on the temporary shape had the highest tensile strength (234 MPa). Filaments with carbon black revealed a significant strain (335%) in the permanent shape with respect to the other filaments. The melt spinning process influenced the soft segment glass transition temperature (Tgs) significantly, with a decrease in the temporary shape (first heating) as compared to the permanent shape (second and third heating). However, only the 0.5% multi-walled carbon nanotubes additive clearly influenced the filament, increasing the Tgs by 10°C. The additives also influenced the shape-memory effect, obtaining an increased fixity ratio (up to 97%) with the multi-walled carbon nanotubes additive and an increased recovery ratio (up to 86%) with the carbon black additive.
NARRATIVE EMPATHY
Authors: McBeth Mark K. , Lybecker Donna L. , Sargent Jessica M.
Published: July 2022

Understanding the reasoning behind diverse views grows empathy and can help strengthen democracy. This study examines narratives and their influence on individuals, to see if individuals only empathize with narratives from those with whom they share identity. Using an experimental design, we test empathy with working class climate change narratives. Results showed participants who agreed with anthropogenic climate change, who were given both evidence and a narrative, empathized with the narrator (either an organic farmer or a mechanic) that told a pro-climate change narrative. The greatest empathy was for the mechanic telling a pro-climate change narrative. Conversely, participants who did not agree with human-caused climate change and who were given evidence without narrative had more empathy for the organic farmer (over the mechanic) who told a pro-climate change narrative. Overall, we found some identity issues negatively influenced empathy, but we also found examples where individuals moved beyond their identity.
A difficult diagnosis of anaplasmosis with pneumonia: A case report
Authors: Taşdemir Canan , Şimşek Sümeyra , Önal Uğur , Çetinkaya Handan , Aydın Levent , Yılmaz Emel
Published: July 2022

Anaplasmosis (Human Granulocytic Anaplasmosis, HGA), is a disease caused by Anaplasma phagocytophilum but also formerly known as Ehrlichia phagocytophilum and Ehrlichia equi. We present a 57-year-old male diagnosed with systemic HGA and lung involvement, who had lived in Benin. A possible tick bite had been reported in his history. There was a dramatic response to treatment.
End-of-life management strategies of pharmaceuticals in Portuguese households
Authors: Veiga Anabela , Sousa Ana Catarina , Sousa Cláudia , Oliveira Manuel , Neto Belmira
Published: July 2022

The end of life of pharmaceutical products through environmentally unsafe routes is a growing concern in our society. However, the studies reported so far, apart from being limited in number, do not reflect the current management practices for the end-of-life management of pharmaceuticals. Published work lacks an in-depth analysis in focusing on the pharmaceutical waste in households. The present work focused on (1) performing a state-of-the art overview to compare worldwide studies and the results and (2) implementing a comprehensive survey in Portugal ( n = 454 respondents). The results showed that the delivery to pharmacies was used by the majority of the respondents (72%), indicating a good awareness of pharmaceutical waste management issues, when compared to the reviewed studies. Statistically significant variables for the destination of end-of-use pharmaceuticals include gender, age and distance from the residence to the pharmacy ( p < 0.05). Most participants believe that educating the population on existing structures of medication and packaging management is of the utmost importance to improve the national managing system. This is the first study conducted in Portugal; it includes statistical analysis of the data and reflects on the practices that should be adopted to reduce incorrect pharmaceutical waste disposal. These findings call upon the strategies to strengthen the pharmaceutical waste management programme.
Numerical simulation of dyeing wastewater treated by a multi-stage reverse electrodialysis reactor series system
Authors: Leng Qiang , Wu Xi , Xu Shiming , Wang Sixue , Jin Dongxu , Wang Ping , Dong Fujiang , Wu Debing
Published: July 2022

By developing the mathematical model of a serial multi-stage reverse electrodialysis reactor (REDR) system for wastewater treatment, this paper numerically simulates the degradation process of azo dye (methyl orange) dyeing wastewater. The operation performances of the serial system with an anode and cathode synergetic degradative circulation mode are explored by numerical simulation. The influences of operation parameter variations on key performance indicators are investigated and discussed. Results indicate that the serial system can achieve excellent electricity conversion efficiency and degradative performance under an appropriate output current condition. A high initial MO concentration and electrode rinse solution (ERS) flowrate are helpful to improve the treatment performance of the system. A low concentrated solution (CS) concentration is beneficial for raising the electricity conversion efficiency and reducing the total energy consumption (TEC).
Contested renewable energy sites due to landscape and socio-ecological barriers: Comparison of wind and solar power installation cases in Japan
Authors: Kohsaka Ryo , Kohyama Satomi
Published: July 2022

There has been an increasing effort to promote renewable energies as climate change mitigation measures in Japan. Yet, the installation of wind turbines and solar photovoltaic (PV) power plants is being contested in several parts of the country. There is a need to understand these oppositions to reduce the number of delayed projects or overcome future barriers. Thus, in this study, we investigated cases of opposition movements and legal proceedings against wind and solar PV power development. Results indicated that landscape elements and socio-ecological factors motivate local oppositions. For instance, there were cases filed due to landscape view obstruction caused by wind turbines and solar panels. In terms of socio-ecological barriers, examples of cases scrutinized showed opposition caused by the potential impact on recreational activities such as climbing and hiking trails. Additionally, we observed that there were differences in the scope and scale of opposition movements and legal proceedings between wind and solar PV power projects. These differences were related to the scale (project size) and duration (construction to operation) of the project coupled with the renewable energy-related legal system changes in Japan. We observed that the overall legislative framework is frequently designed at the national level while challenges in project site selection are dealt with at the municipal- and prefectural-level. The findings of this study can help policymakers to revise and/or develop legal systems that minimize impacts on landscape and social elements while satisfying the demand for renewable energy transitions.
Perceived Affecting Factors and Teachers’ Priorities to Support Teaching Profession
Authors: Khalid Muhammad Saifullah , Hong Yang , Bibi Jannat , Fatima Balqees , Zhanyong Qi
Published: July 2022

Teachers’ roles are dynamic among all the factors contributing to educational achievements. Teachers’ performance is an important factor associated with policy implementation and organizational outcomes. This article elicited the teachers’ perceptions of fundamental factors affecting the teaching profession. The study conducted a focus group interview and analyzed it. A list of indicated factors was prepared and corroborated with existing literature. An online survey was conducted, and participants were asked to rank these suggested factors in order of priority for amelioration to sustain the teaching profession. The interdependence of preferences in identified seven critical areas was tested through teachers’ demographics. The finding discussed factors affecting the teaching profession, including current issues in Pakistan's education sector. This study illustrates factors for prioritizing policy reforms through teachers’ insights.
A refined model for the buckling of film/substrate bilayers
Authors: Wang Guan , Liu Yang , Fu Yibin
Published: July 2022

The classical reduced model for film/substrate bilayers is the one in which the film is governed by the Euler–Bernoulli beam equation, and the substrate is replaced by an array of springs (the so-called Winkler foundation assumption). We derive a refined model in which the normal and shear tractions at the bottom of the film are expressed in terms of the corresponding horizontal and vertical displacements, and the response of the half-space is described by the exact theory. The self-consistency of the refined model is confirmed by showing that it yields a four-term (in the incompressible case) or six-term (in the compressible case) expansion for the critical strain that agrees with the expansion given by the exact theory.
Unilateral vocal fold paralysis as a port complication
Authors: Órfão João , Melo Marta , Mendes Nuno , Germano Ana , Soares Mafalda , Barbosa Leonel , Freire Filipe
Published: July 2022

Unilateral vocal fold paralysis (UVFP) is a frequent finding in otorhinolaryngology practice, but its occurrence as a port complication was very rarely described in English Literature. The authors report a 55-year-old woman with a pancreatic adenocarcinoma who presented a left vocal fold paralysis that occurred concurrently with a venous thrombosis of the left subclavian vein, where a totally implantable venous-access had been previously placed. Although the patient’s oncologic disease, that could mislead to a neoplastic cause of the UVFP, the authors came across with an unusual etiology and to their best knowledge, it is the first case of irreversible UVFP associated with onsite thrombosis of the vessel where a port was implanted. The objective of this article is to present and discuss this rare case of UVFP secondary to a port complication and to review the main mechanisms of iatrogenic vocal fold paralysis related to these devices.
Stigma related to breast cancer among women and men: The case of the Druze minority in Israel
Authors: Gershfeld-Litvin Avital , Halabi Samer , Bellizzi Keith M
Published: July 2022

The objective of this study was to explore stigma related to breast cancer among Druze women and men and identify factors associated with low screening rates among Druze women. A sample of 270 Druze women and men completed an online questionnaire adapted to detect breast cancer stigma and internalized breast cancer stigma. Independent samples t-test results showed higher scores for men compared to women, at a significant level, on four of the Breast Cancer Stigma scales: awkwardness, avoidance, policy opposition, and personal responsibility. Independent samples t-test results also showed higher scores for men compared to women, at a significant level, on two of the Internalized Breast Cancer Stigma scales: stereotype endorsement and discrimination experience. These results suggest a need for psychoeducation about breast cancer screening for minority groups such as the Druze, with male partners of women who are diagnosed with breast cancer being the main target recipients.
Social constraints on sexual consent
Authors: Dougherty Tom
Published: July 2022

Sometimes, people consent to sex because they face social constraints. For example, someone may agree to sex because they believe that it would be rude to refuse. I defend a consent-centric analysis of these encounters. This analysis connects constraints from social contexts with constraints imposed by persons e.g. coercion. It results in my endorsing what I call the “Constraint Principle.” According to this principle, someone's consent to a sexual encounter lacks justificatory force if (i) they are consenting because withholding consent has an adverse feature, (ii) they are entitled to withhold consent without it being the case that withholding consent has this adverse feature; and (iii) it is not the case that the consent-giver has sincerely expressed that, out of the options that are available to their sexual partner, they most prefer to go through with the sexual encounter in the circumstances.
Bioinformatics-Based Identification of Potential Hypoxia-Related Genes Associated With Peyronie’s Disease
Authors: Cui Yuanshan , Wang Yajuan , Men Changping , Wu Jitao , Liu Lingling
Published: July 2022

Hypoxia is one of the most important predisposing conditions for Peyronie’s disease (PD) and the pathogenetic mechanism is yet to be completely elucidated. This study applied bioinformatic approaches to select candidate hypoxia-related genes involved in the pathogenesis of PD. The Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) data set GSE146500 was introduced to compare the transcriptional profiling between normal and PD samples. The differential expression of hypoxia-related gene was determined with R software. On the selected candidate genes, further functional analyses were applied, including protein–protein interactions (PPIs), gene correlation, gene ontology (GO), and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathway. A total of 66 candidate genes (24 candidates overexpressed in PD and 42 showing reduced expression in PD) were distinguished according to the differential expression between human fibroblast cells from normal and PD patients. The interactions among these candidate genes were recognized according to PPI analysis. The functional enrichment analyses revealed the potential modulatory functions of the candidate genes in some major biological processes, especially in glycolysis/gluconeogenesis and carbon metabolism. The findings would facilitate further study on the pathogenesis of PD, which might consequently promote the improvement of clinical strategies against PD.
How Ambidextrous Human Resource System Affect Employee Creativity? A Study in the Pakistani Context
Authors: Yasmeen Aiza , Khan Muhammad Majid , Ahmed Wajid Shakeel
Published: July 2022

Strategic human resource management scholars have devoted substantial research to determine the relationship between human resource management (HRM) and creativity. It has focused primarily on HRM architecture at the macro level: exploring the effect of the HRM system on performance related to capacity building, skills and competencies. In framing that HRM architecture, this macro focus informs organisations about how to promote creativity. However, literature on how a creativity-targeted HRM system, for instance, the ambidextrous HR system, influences employees’ perceptions and experiences to be more creative at the individual level is still limited. The multilevel perspective on how the HRM system can potentially promote the creativity of employees is still limited. The multilevel data from 100 HR heads and 400 faculty employees of public and private sector universities show that the top-down effect of the ambidextrous HR system on employee creativity is partially mediated by ambidextrous learning and organisation-based self-esteem. Based on the findings, the study offers practical and theoretical implications.