bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Characterization of circular RNAs with advanced sequencing technologies in human complex diseases
Authors: Ruan Hang , Wang Peng‐Cheng , Han Leng
Published: September 2022

Circular RNAs (circRNAs) are one category of non‐coding RNAs that do not possess 5′ caps and 3′ free ends. Instead, they are derived in closed circle forms from pre‐mRNAs by a non‐canonical splicing mechanism named “back‐splicing.” CircRNAs were discovered four decades ago, initially called “scrambled exons.” Compared to linear RNAs, the expression levels of circRNAs are considerably lower, and it is challenging to identify circRNAs specifically. Thus, the biological relevance of circRNAs has been underappreciated until the advancement of next generation sequencing (NGS) technology. The biological insights of circRNAs, such as their tissue‐specific expression patterns, biogenesis factors, and functional effects in complex diseases, namely human cancers, have been extensively explored in the last decade. With the invention of the third generation sequencing (TGS) with longer sequencing reads and newly designed strategies to characterize full‐length circRNAs, the panorama of circRNAs in human complex diseases could be further unveiled. In this review, we first introduce the history of circular RNA detection. Next, we describe widely adopted NGS‐based methods and the recently established TGS‐based approaches capable of characterizing circRNAs in full‐length. We then summarize data resources and representative circRNA functional studies related to human complex diseases. In the last section, we reviewed computational tools and discuss the potential advantages of utilizing advanced sequencing approaches to a functional interpretation of full‐length circRNAs in complex diseases.

This article is categorized under:

RNA Evolution and Genomics > Computational Analyses of RNA

RNA in Disease and Development > RNA in Disease
Understanding the role of groundwater in the lives of rural women in India
Authors: Swaraj Aayushee , Maheshwari Basant
Published: September 2022

Groundwater will be a critical future resource for rural India, given climate change and increased competition for water, especially for drinking water supplies, agriculture, and livelihood. The possibilities of groundwater resource development, use, and management have been widely discussed in the global and Indian contexts. However, most studies so far focused on scientific perspectives and not many on understanding the societal and gender aspects. Women are the providers of drinking water in rural India and also carry with them a quest for equality and respect. It is important to examine how the government policies, power, and responsibility for rural women in a traditional patriarchal society are impacted by the availability and access to groundwater. The main aim of this article is to examine the water challenges of Indian rural women in their routine life and discuss the impacts of depleting groundwater resources on their education, health and livelihood of their families. It also examines government policies, initiatives, and strategies that can potentially involve women in achieving sustainable water futures. The study indicates that poverty can impose gender roles in the family and society. Women's dilemmas differ not only in respect of monetary costs, but the challenges they face in terms of education, health, safety, and well‐being due to water scarcity. There is often a lack of suitable policies to overcome gender inequality. In some instances, policies might be reasonably good, but inequality continues because of weak policy implementation and other factors. Therefore, we need to devise policies and strategies that can be effectively implemented, raise awareness of gender equality, and create opportunities for women in decision making, program development, and implementation at all levels of government.
Activity patterns and reproductive behavior of the Critically Endangered Bermuda skink (Plestiodon longirostris)
Authors: Williams Leah J. , Richardson Kieran , Postlethwaite Carolyn , Garcia Gerardo , Wright Nathan , Griffiths Richard A.
Published: September 2022

The study of rare or cryptic species in zoos can provide insights into natural history and behavior that would be difficult to obtain in the field. Such information can then be used to refine population assessment protocols and conservation management. The Bermuda skink (Plestiodon longirostris) is an endemic Critically Endangered lizard. Chester Zoo's successful conservation breeding program is working to safeguard, increase and reinforce skink populations in the wild. A key aim of this program is to develop our understanding of the behavior of this species. In this study, using 24 h video recordings, we examined the daily activity patterns, basking behavior and food preferences of four pairs of Bermuda skinks. The skinks displayed a bimodal pattern of activity and basking, which may have evolved to avoid the strength of the midday sun in exposed habitats in Bermuda. Captive Bermuda skinks appear to prefer a fruit‐based diet to orthopteran prey. We also documented their reproductive behavior and compared it against two closely related species. Although there were many similarities between the courtship and mating behaviors of the three species, there was a significantly shorter period of cloacal contact in the Bermuda skink. Oophagia was also documented for the first time in this species. This knowledge has enabled the evaluation of the current ex‐situ management practices of this species, filled gaps in knowledge that would be challenging to obtain in the field, and enabled the enhancement of both animal husbandry and reproductive success for the conservation breeding program.
Additional Topics
Authors: Hendricks John S. , Swinhoe Martyn T. , Favalli Andrea
Published: September 2022

Careful scrutiny of MCNP output is required to ensure the results obtained are the results desired. The principal sources of error are examined with recommendations on how to detect them and avoid them. There are some situations where the MCNP default physics treatments are inadequate and different options should be selected. Most MCNP physics is very robust, but other physics is more approximate such as charged particle transport, secondary particle emission, and radioactive activation and decay. Differences between MCNP table and model physics are highlighted.
Loneliness increases the risk of type 2 diabetes: a 20 year follow-up – results from the HUNT study
Authors: Henriksen Roger E. , Nilsen Roy M. , Strandberg Ragnhild B.
Published: September 2022

Aims/hypothesis

Type 2 diabetes is one of the leading causes of death globally and its incidence has increased dramatically over the last two decades. Recent research suggests that loneliness is a possible risk factor for type 2 diabetes. This 20 year follow-up study examined whether loneliness is associated with an increased risk of type 2 diabetes. As both loneliness and type 2 diabetes have been linked to depression and sleep problems, we also investigated whether any association between loneliness and type 2 diabetes is mediated by symptoms of depression and insomnia.

Methods

We used data from the Trøndelag Health Study (HUNT study), a large longitudinal health study based on a population from central Norway (n=24,024). Self-reports of loneliness (HUNT2 survey, 1995–1997) and data on HbA1c levels (HUNT4 survey, 2017–2019) were analysed to evaluate the associations between loneliness and incidence of type 2 diabetes. Associations were reported as ORs with 95% CIs, adjusted for sex, age and education. We further investigated the role of depression and insomnia as potential mediating factors.

Results

During the 20 year follow-up period, 4.9% of the study participants developed type 2 diabetes. Various degrees of feeling lonely were reported by 12.6% of the participants. Individuals who felt most lonely had a twofold higher risk of developing type 2 diabetes relative to those who did not feel lonely (adjusted OR 2.19 [95% CI 1.16, 4.15]). The effect of loneliness on type 2 diabetes was weakly mediated by one subtype of insomnia but not by symptoms of depression.

Conclusions/interpretation

This study suggests that loneliness may be one factor that increases the risk of type 2 diabetes; however, there is no strong support that the effect of loneliness on type 2 diabetes is mediated by depression or insomnia. We recommend that loneliness should be included in clinical guidelines on consultations and interventions related to type 2 diabetes.

Graphical abstract
Pathophysiology of type 2 diabetes in sub-Saharan Africans
Authors: Goedecke Julia H. , Mendham Amy E.
Published: September 2022

Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) is the region with the highest projected rates of increase in type 2 diabetes (129% by 2045), which will exacerbate the already high prevalence of type 2 diabetes complications and comorbidities in SSA. In addition, SSA is grappling with poverty-related health problems and infectious diseases and is also undergoing the most rapid rates of urbanisation globally. These socioenvironmental and lifestyle factors may interact with genetic factors to alter the pathophysiological sequence leading to type 2 diabetes in sub-Saharan African populations. Indeed, current evidence from SSA and the diaspora suggests that the pathophysiology of type 2 diabetes in Black Africans is different from that in their European counterparts. Studies from the diaspora suggest that insulin clearance is the primary defect underlying the development of type 2 diabetes. We propose that, among Black Africans from SSA, hyperinsulinaemia due to a combination of both increased insulin secretion and reduced hepatic insulin clearance is the primary defect, which promotes obesity and insulin resistance, exacerbating the hyperinsulinaemia and eventually leading to beta cell failure and type 2 diabetes. Nonetheless, the current understanding of the pathogenesis of type 2 diabetes and the clinical guidelines for preventing and managing the disease are largely based on studies including participants of predominately White European ancestry. In this review, we summarise the existing knowledge base and data from the only non-pharmacological intervention that explores the pathophysiology of type 2 diabetes in SSA. We also highlight factors that may influence the pathogenesis of type 2 diabetes in SSA, such as social determinants, infectious diseases and genetic and epigenetic influences.

Graphical abstract
On the virtual and residual properties of a generalization of Bestvina-Brady groups
Authors: Leary Ian J. , Vankov Vladimir
Published: September 2022

Previously one of us introduced a family of groups $$G^M_L(S)$$

G
L
M

(
S
)

, parametrized by a finite flag complex L, a regular covering M of L, and a set S of integers. We give conjectural descriptions of when $$G^M_L(S)$$

G
L
M

(
S
)

is either residually finite or virtually torsion-free. In the case that M is a finite cover and S is periodic, there is an extension with kernel $$G_L^M(S)$$

G
L
M

(
S
)

and infinite cyclic quotient that is a CAT(0) cubical group. We conjecture that this group is virtually special. We relate these three conjectures to each other and prove many cases of them.
Effect of repeated explicit instructions on visuomotor adaptation and intermanual transfer
Authors: Werner Susen , Strüder Heiko K.
Published: September 2022

The aim of the present study was to investigate the effect of repeated explicit instructions on visuomotor adaptation, awareness, and intermanual transfer. In a comprehensive study design, 48 participants performed center-out reaching movements before and during exposure to a 60° rotation of visual feedback. Awareness and intermanual transfer were then determined. Twelve participants each were assigned to one of the following adaptation conditions: gradual adaptation, sudden adaptation without instructions, sudden adaptation with a single instruction before adaptation, and sudden adaptation with multiple instructions before and during adaptation. The explicit instructions explained the nature of the visual feedback perturbation and were given using an illustration of a clock face. Analysis of adaptation indices revealed neither increased nor decreased adaptation after repeated instructions compared with a single instruction. In addition, we found significant group differences for the awareness index, with lower awareness after gradual adaptation than after sudden, instructed adaptation. Our data also show increased initial adaptation in aware participants; regardless of whether awareness was developed independently or with instruction. Intermanual transfer did not differ between groups. However, we found a significant correlation between the awareness and intermanual transfer indices. We conclude that the magnitude of the explicit process cannot be further increased by repeated instruction and that intermanual transfer appears to be largely related to the explicit adaptation process.
The Utility of Serial Echocardiography Parameters in Management of Newborns with Congenital Diaphragmatic Hernia (CDH) and Predictors of Mortality
Authors: Soni Roopali , Soni Naharmal , Chakkarapani Aravanan , Gupta Samir , Yajamanyam Phani Kiran , Ali Sanoj K. M. , El Anbari Mohammed , Alhamad Moath , Anand Dhullipala , More Kiran
Published: September 2022

Ventricular dysfunction may be found in 40% of newborns with CDH, and is not only a predictor of disease severity, but also mortality and need for ECMO. We conducted this study to assess the utility of serial echocardiography in management of newborns with CDH and their survival outcomes. This is a retrospective study, wherein the demographic, clinical and echocardiographic data from our local CDH registry and hospital clinical database were analyzed to study the correlation of timed echocardiographic findings with mortality and other outcomes. Fourty-two newborns with CDH were admitted during the study period (M/F:19/23), with median gestation of 38 weeks (IQR:36–39) and birth weight of 2.83 kg (IQR 2.45–3.17). Thirty-one were left-sided, seven right, one central, and three bilateral hernias. Twelve infants (28%) died in early infancy. Three infants were excluded from analysis due to either palliation at birth or significant cardiac anomaly. A total of 137 echos from 39 infants were analyzed. Seventy percent of newborns who died and had an echo within the first 72 h, were noted to have suffered from moderate to severe PH. Birth weight < 2.8 kg, RVSP > 45.5 in the first 72 h and postoperative VIS > 23.5 and RSS > 4.3 were good predictors of mortality. Markers of elevated pulmonary pressures and cardiac function were useful in guiding therapy. Serial timed functional echocardiography (f-Echo) monitoring allows targeted therapy of patients with CDH. Birth weight, initial severity of pulmonary hypertension and postoperative RSS and VIS may be useful in predicting mortality.
Dominant-negative transforming growth factor-β receptor-armoured mesothelin-targeted chimeric antigen receptor T cells slow tumour growth in a mouse model of ovarian cancer
Authors: Li Ke , Xu Jing , Wang Jing , Lu Chong , Dai Yilin , Dai Qing , Zhang Wang , Xu Congjian , Wu Shu , Kang Yu
Published: September 2022

Ovarian cancer is a major cause of death among all gynaecological cancers. Although surgery, chemotherapy and targeted therapy have yielded successful outcomes, the 5-year survival rate remains < 30%. Adoptive immunotherapy, particularly chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T-cell therapy, has demonstrated improved survival in acute lymphoblastic leukaemia with manageable toxicity. We explored CAR T-cell therapy in a preclinical mouse model of ovarian cancer. Second-generation CAR T cells were developed targeting mesothelin (MSLN), which is abundantly expressed in ovarian cancer. Cytotoxicity experiments were performed to verify the lethality of CAR T cells on target cells via flow cytometry. The in vivo antitumour activity of MSLN CAR T cells was also verified using a patient-derived xenograft (PDX) mouse model with human tumour-derived cells. We also evaluated the potency of CAR T cells directed to MSLN following co-expression of a dominant-negative transforming growth factor-β receptor type II (dnTGFβRII). Our data demonstrate that anti-MSLN CAR T cells specifically eliminate MSLN-expressing target cells in an MSLN density-dependent manner. This preclinical research promises an effective treatment strategy to improve outcomes for ovarian cancer, with the potential for prolonging survival while minimizing risk of on-target off-tumour toxicity.
Sampling rate in the dynamic speckle analysis
Authors: Rivera Fernando Pujaico , González-Peña Rolando J. , Braga-Jr Roberto A.
Published: September 2022

Dynamic laser speckle and its biological version (biospeckle laser) have been used in many areas of knowledge. Its non-invasive approach allows the application in advantage regarding those that need contact or damage the analyzed sample. However, one needs the sharp adjust of the image acquiring and processing. In this article, we show how the variation of sampling rate in a dynamic speckle analysis affects the value of dynamic speckle indexes concerning the absolute value of the differences index, the temporal speckle standard deviation index, and the temporal speckle mean index. We show that the dynamic speckle index value changes its maximum excursion with the variation of sampling rate, affected directly by the camera's time integration (time of exposure). We highlight the importance of knowing the frequency band of the analyzed phenomenon and its signal to choose the appropriate sampling rate, with the recommendation of using the lowest sampling rate possible—without compromise the speckle grains—to obtain an acceptable maximum excursion and an illumination level with a good signal–noise ratio. The results will help those who work with the phenomenon/technique to enhance their analysis tailoring the set up and yielding reliable results, since the optical method demands a rigorous bias of the image acquiring and processing.
An adaptive wavelet-based collocation method for solving multiscale problems in continuum mechanics
Authors: Kaiser Tobias , Remmers Joris J. C. , Geers Marc G. D.
Published: September 2022

Computational multiscale methods are highly sophisticated numerical approaches to predict the constitutive response of heterogeneous materials from their underlying microstructures. However, the quality of the prediction intrinsically relies on an accurate representation of the microscale morphology and its individual constituents, which makes these formulations computationally demanding. Against this background, the applicability of an adaptive wavelet-based collocation approach is studied in this contribution. It is shown that the Hill–Mandel energy equivalence condition can naturally be accounted for in the wavelet basis, (discrete) wavelet-based scale-bridging relations are derived, and a wavelet-based mapping algorithm for internal variables is proposed. The characteristic properties of the formulation are then discussed by an in-depth analysis of elementary one-dimensional problems in multiscale mechanics. In particular, the microscale fields and their macroscopic analogues are studied for microstructures that feature material interfaces and material interphases. Analytical solutions are provided to assess the accuracy of the simulation results.
Intramedullary spinal cord and filum tumours—long-term outcome: single institution case series
Authors: Myrseth Erling , Habiba S. , Rekand T. , Sætran H. A. , Mørk S. , Grønning M.
Published: September 2022

Background

Intramedullary spinal cord tumours are rare and account for about 2–4% of primary CNS tumours. Ependymomas and astrocytomas are most frequent. The aim of this study was to evaluate the long-term neurological outcome, quality of life (QoL), survival, need for additional treatment and frequency of neuropathic pain in a patient group treated at a tertiary university hospital.

Method

Retrospective descriptive study of 52 long-term survivors with intramedullary or filum tumours consenting to participate in this study. Fifty-six operations were performed in 48 patients. Clinical and radiological follow-up period was 113 and 117 months, respectively.

Results

Good neurological outcome (ASIA score D or E, modified McCormick grade 1 or 2) was achieved in 88%. We found two negative prognostic factors in regards of severe disability which were large craniocaudal tumour size (p = 0.004) and histologic verified astrocytomas (p = 0.002). SF-36 results showed significantly lower results on all five subdomains concerning physical function, whereas scores for mental health and role emotional showed no significant differences compared to Norwegian norms.

Ten patients including all astrocytoma patients, one primitive neuroectodermal tumour and three recurrent tumours of filum terminale had adjuvant therapy. None of the patients with intramedullary ependymoma had adjuvant therapy.

Neuropathic pain was present in 54% of patients at the last follow-up.

Conclusion

This series shows that good results can be obtained with surgery for intramedullary tumours, even without perioperative neurophysiological monitoring. Multicentre studies are needed for further evaluation of negative and positive prognostic factors to further improve outcome.
The 21st century water quality challenges for managed aquifer recharge: towards a risk-based regulatory approach
Authors: Zheng Yan , Vanderzalm Joanne , Hartog Niels , Escalante Enrique Fernández , Stefan Catalin
Published: September 2022

Sustained environmental and human health protection is threatened by ~350,000 chemicals available in global markets, plus new biological entities including coronaviruses. These water-quality hazards challenge the proponents of managed aquifer recharge (MAR) who seek to ensure the integrity of groundwater. A risk-based regulatory framework accounting for groundwater quality changes, adoption in subsurface attenuation zones, and use of advanced monitoring methods is required to support confidence in the sustainability of MAR.
The smoothed number of Pareto-optimal solutions in bicriteria integer optimization
Authors: Beier René , Röglin Heiko , Rösner Clemens , Vöcking Berthold
Published: September 2022

A well-established heuristic approach for solving bicriteria optimization problems is to enumerate the set of Pareto-optimal solutions. The heuristics following this principle are often successful in practice. Their running time, however, depends on the number of enumerated solutions, which is exponential in the worst case. We study bicriteria integer optimization problems in the model of smoothed analysis, in which inputs are subject to a small amount of random noise, and we prove an almost tight polynomial bound on the expected number of Pareto-optimal solutions. Our results give rise to tight polynomial bounds for the expected running time of the Nemhauser-Ullmann algorithm for the knapsack problem and they improve known results on the running times of heuristics for the bounded knapsack problem and the bicriteria shortest path problem.
Exploring the relationship between performance metrics and cost saving potential of defect prediction models
Authors: Tunkel Steffen , Herbold Steffen
Published: September 2022

Context:

Performance metrics are a core component of the evaluation of any machine learning model and used to compare models and estimate their usefulness. Recent work started to question the validity of many performance metrics for this purpose in the context of software defect prediction.

Objective:

Within this study, we explore the relationship between performance metrics and the cost saving potential of defect prediction models. We study whether performance metrics are suitable proxies to evaluate the cost saving capabilities and derive a theory for the relationship between performance metrics and cost saving potential.

Methods:

We measure performance metrics and cost saving potential in defect prediction experiments. We use a multinomial logit model, decision, and random forest to model the relationship between the metrics and the cost savings.

Results:

We could not find a stable relationship between cost savings and performance metrics. We attribute the lack of the relationship to the inability of performance metrics to account for the property that a small proportion of very large software artifacts are the main driver of the costs.

fact that performance metrics are incapable of accurately considering the costs associate with individual artifacts, which is required due to the exponential distribution of artifact sizes.

Conclusion:

Any defect prediction study interested in finding the best prediction model, must consider cost savings directly, because no reasonable claims regarding the economic benefits of defect prediction can be made otherwise.
Brownian-Huygens Propagation: Modeling Wave Functions with Discrete Particle-Antiparticle Random Walks
Authors: Hrgovčić Hrvoje J.
Published: September 2022

We present a simple method of discretely modeling solutions of the classical wave and Klein-Gordon equations using variations of random walks on a graph. Consider a collection of particles executing random walks on an undirected bipartite graph embedded in $$\mathbb {R}^{D}$$

R

D

at discrete times $$\mathbb {Z}$$
Z
, and assume those walks are “heat-like”, in the sense that a (conserved) density of particles obeys the heat equation in the continuum limit. If the particles possess a binary degree of freedom (so that they may be said to be either particles or “antiparticles”, i.e., “positive” or “negative), then there exist closely related branching random walks on the same graph that are “wave-like”, in the sense that their (also conserved) net density obeys the D-dimensional classical wave equation. Such wave-like paths can be generated even on random graphs. The transformation by which the heat-like random walks become wave-like branching random walks is as follows: at every time step, any “incoming” particle arriving at any node X of the graph along some edge eX creates a particle-antiparticle pair at that node, with the stipulation that the newly created particle with the opposite sign of the incoming particle must initially step (in “Huygens” back-propagation fashion) along eX in the reverse direction, while the other two take a step (in “Brownian” fashion) along any edge of X (including possibly eX) with equal likelihood, and chosen independently. An additional degree of freedom (resulting in “bra” and “ket” particles) leads to quasi-probability densities proportional to the square of the wave functions.
Potential of high-feed milling structured dies for material flow control in hot forming
Authors: Platt T. , Baumann J. , Biermann D.
Published: September 2022

Hot forming processes of complex parts with small cavities demand high-performance tools made of hardened steels. Their surface can be tribologically modified in order to control the material flow for improving the mold filling of functional elements. Surface structuring here offers great potential for adjusting the frictional properties and thus controlling the material flow in forming processes. In this study, high-feed milling (HFM) of surface structures in hot work tool steel (HWS) components is investigated. The process performance was determined by cutting force measurements and tool life tests. The achievable surface topography was measured and evaluated in terms of structure quality and roughness parameters, and friction properties were derived based on the results. In a hot ring compression test, the influence of certain structure variants on the material flow was analyzed. The results conclude that HFM is a suitable process for structuring HWS components with constant structure quality and low tool wear. In addition, a variety of structures showed significant influence on the hot ring compression test. This indicates a relevant potential of HFM for the modification of hardened tool surfaces to improve the performance of hot forming processes and increase the manufactural quality and productivity.
Interpreting Morphologically Homogeneous (Paleo-)Populations as Ecological Species Enables Comparison of Living and Fossil Organism Groups, Exemplified by Nummulitid Foraminifera
Authors: Hohenegger Johann , Torres-Silva Ana Ivis , Eder Wolfgang
Published: September 2022

Morphologically homogeneous groups, either living populations or fossil paleo-populations, must be regarded as ecological species, independent of their molecular genetic resemblance in living forms. Morphology is always expressed during development by structure genes initiated from a network of regulator genes acting at different times and intensities, additionally being subjected to epigenetic controls. Therefore, homogeneous populations influenced by the environment represent species better than the reproduction (biological species) or molecular-genetic approach using ancestral sequences like rDNA. Living and fossil representatives of nummulitid foraminifera were chosen to demonstrate complete reconstruction of morphology using metrical growth-invariant and growth-independent characters. Using these characters, 6 models were established to define ecological species in living and fossil species. Furthermore, a distinction between evolutionary and environmental effects in fossil forms was possible using discriminant analysis showing characters that are responsible for differentiating between evolutionary and environmental trends.
Sichtweisen von Menschen mit kognitiven Beeinträchtigungen und herausfordernden Verhaltensweisen – Schwierigkeiten und präventive Aspekte in Interaktion, Kommunikation und Beziehungsgestaltung
Authors: Büschi Eva , Moramana Nadja , Calabrese Stefania , Zambrino Natalie
Published: September 2022

In vorliegendem Forschungsbeitrag werden Sichtweisen von erwachsenen Menschen mit kognitiven Beeinträchtigungen präsentiert. Mithilfe von Interviews, Videoanalysen und teilnehmenden Beobachtungen wurden im Rahmen einer durch den Schweizerischen Nationalfonds (SNF) finanzierten Studie insgesamt 16 Personen mit kognitiven Beeinträchtigungen, die in der Schweiz in Einrichtungen der Behindertenhilfe leben und selbst herausfordernde Verhaltensweisen zeigen, befragt beziehungsweise beobachtet. Die Auswertung zeigt, dass die Befragten Zusammenhänge zwischen herausfordernden Verhaltensweisen und Interaktions‑, Kommunikations- und Beziehungsgestaltung eine hohe Relevanz beimessen. Eine zusammenfassende Tabelle zeigt empirisch abgeleitete Ansatzpunkte der Prävention auf. Dabei wird ersichtlich, dass auf der Ebene der Begleitpersonen Handlungsspielraum besteht, insbesondere was deren Haltung (aufmerksame Zuwendung, Bedürfnisorientierung, Vermittlung von Orientierung und Sicherheit) betrifft. Abschließend werden die wichtigsten Aspekte kurz diskutiert und einige Implikationen für die Praxis dargestellt.
Baseline Assessment of Health Research Systems in Saudi Arabia: Harnessing Efforts and Mobilizing Actions
Authors: Alfawaz Abdullah A. , Salman Khalid A. , Alotaibi Fatimah H. , Almogbel Faisal S. , Al-Jaroudi Dania , Alrowily Maily J. , Derkaoui Abdulrahman B. , Alqahtani Abdulrahman S. , Fadlallah Racha , Jamal Diana , El-Jardali Fadi , Memish Ziad A.
Published: September 2022

Major transformations are taking place in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) to achieve the 2030 vision for the health sector. A key component in strengthening the health system is a strong research governance strategy that can support the decision-making process by providing timely and accurate evidence that reflects local context and needs. This paper sought to better understand governance structures and policies for health research systems and support clusters so that they function effectively. This paper outlines the findings of an in-depth baseline assessment of existing health research efforts, activities, and plans of eight research clusters in the KSA and identifies key gaps and strengths in health research governance and capabilities. A cross-sectional design was used to survey research clusters in KSA. A six-part survey was developed to better understand the research clusters’ health research governance and capacities. The survey was sent to all KSA clusters and was completed in a group setting during meetings. Findings clearly show strong efforts to support research governance initiatives in health clusters in KSA. While some clusters are more advanced than others, there are plenty of opportunities to share knowledge and combine efforts to help achieve the goals set out for KSA health transformation. This baseline assessment also reflects the first attempt of its kind to understand the KSA experience and provide much-needed lessons on country-wide efforts to support the health system given the trickling effect of this sector on all others, enhancing and advancing national growth.
Epidemiology and Early Bacteriology of Extremely Severe Burns from an LPG Tanker Explosion in Eastern China
Authors: Jin Ronghua , Yang Min , Weng Tingting , Shao Jiaming , Xia Sizhan , Han Chunmao , Wang Xingang
Published: September 2022

The incidence of liquefied petroleum gas (LPG)-related accidents in China has increased over the recent years. In addition, infection remains a big challenge in cases of severe burns. Therefore, the present study aimed to provide valuable information for a better control of infections in the event of such disasters. In this study, a total of 16 patients who suffered extremely severe burns after an LPG tanker explosion were included. Thereafter, bacteriological culture results were collected within a week. Of 16 patients, 13 (81.25%) were male and the average age of all patients was 60.63 years. In addition, the mean burned area was 83.03% TBSA. Additionally, a total of 553 organism cultures were conducted out of which 287 isolates (51.90%) showed positive results. Notably, 38.52% were Gram-negative bacteria, 7.59% were Gram-positive bacteria and 5.79% were fungi. Moreover, the most prevalent Gram-negative bacteria were Stenotrophomonas maltophilia (28.97%) followed by Acinetobacter baumannii (28.53%), and Klebsiella pneumoniae (14.02%). On the other hand, the three most predominant Gram-positive bacteria were Enterococcus faecalis (33.33%), Staphylococcus aureus (28.89%) and Staphylococcus sciuri (17.78%). Furthermore, the most common fungi included Candida (38.24%), Fusarium (20.59%) and Aspergillus fumigatus (14.71%). With regard to the bacterial resistance patterns, carbapenem-resistant organisms included Acinetobacter baumannii (97.80%), Pseudomonas aeruginosa (67.57%), and Klebsiella pneumoniae (75.56%). In addition, Staphylococcus sciuri, Staphylococcus epidermidis, and Staphylococcus haemolyticus were identified to be methicillin-resistant. This study revealed that there was a high incidence of infection in victims of severe burns as a result of mass burn accidents, accompanied by early fungal infection.
Mary Wollstonecraft
Authors: Reuter Martina
Published: September 2022

Mary Wollstonecraft is recognized as an important early feminist. This Element argues that she is also an ingenious moral philosopher, who showed that true virtue and the liberty of women are necessarily interdependent. The Element consists of eight sections. After an introduction, Section 2 discusses Wollstonecraft's concept of reason by examining its metaphysical foundation and its role as moral capacity. According to Wollstonecraft, reason interacts closely with the passions. Then, Sections 3 and 4 discuss the roles of the passions and the imagination. Reason, passion and imagination all come together in Wollstonecraft's discussions of love and friendship, which are the topic of Section 5. Wollstonecraft values education and knowledge, but discussions of her epistemology have been rare. Section 6 analyses some aspects of her views on knowledge. Finally, Section 7 discusses Wollstonecraft's notion of virtue, including its relations to liberty and duty. Section 8 makes some general conclusions.
Uncivil Liberalism
Authors: Visana Vikram
Published: September 2022

Uncivil Liberalism studies how ideas of liberty from the colonized South claimed universality in the North. Recovering the political theory of Dadabhai Naoroji, India's pre-eminent liberal, this book offers an original global history of this process by focussing on Naoroji's pre-occupation with social interdependence and civil peace in an age of growing cultural diversity and economic inequality. It shows how Naoroji used political economy to critique British liberalism's incapacity for civil peace by linking periods of communal rioting in colonial Bombay with the Parsi minority's economic decline. He responded by innovating his own liberalism, characterized by labour rights, economic republicanism and social interdependence maintained by freely contracting workers. Significantly, the author draws attention to how Naoroji seeded 'Western' thinkers with his ideas as well as influencing numerous ideologies in colonial and post-colonial India. In doing so, the book offers a compelling argument which reframes Indian 'nationalists' as global thinkers.
Vernacular biotechnologies
Authors: Hénaff Elizabeth M.
Published: September 2022

“Biotechnology” is defined by the reputed journal Nature Biotech as “[the] technology/methodology of relevance to the biological, biomedical, agricultural and environmental sciences”. Most often, what are defined as biotechnologies are based on the utilisation of cellular or molecular mechanisms for industrial applications, i.e., specific to the recent developments of Western science and livelihoods defined in the capitalist context. However, societies have been using their understanding of biological organisms and systems (biotechnology) to meet various hierarchies of needs (livelihoods) long before western scientists have shaped the understanding of molecular mechanisms. This question invites a wide range of research contributions in which we identify, evaluate and speculate on “what are we missing” in the (western) mainstream definition of biotechnology and design? We invite contributions in “vernacular biotechnologies” that challenge the paradigm that biotechnology and design is a modern discipline practiced by engineers in a laboratory. Vernacular biotechnologies can be common objects that are designed to interface with a living component of everyday life or the environment, and can include work shaped by traditional ecological knowledge (TEK), and/or performed by persons who do not identify as engineers, and/or taking place in non-lab locations such as the kitchen or the field. We also invite critiques of colonial practices in biotechnologies such as biomining or synthetic biology, and their applications.
A Novel Model for Risk Regulations in the Offshore Oil and Gas Industry
Authors: Langøy Morten A. , Braut Geir Sverre
Published: September 2022

Increasing interest from stakeholders has brought about a new emphasis on risk regulation in the oil and gas industry. Our basis for this work is the offshore oil and gas industry, which is composed of major operators, entrepreneurs and contractors working globally, but we focus on Norwegian and US activities. The fundamental strategies, institutions, legal traditions and explanations of regulation are reviewed and, together with empirical data, a novel model with the means of identifying “effective” regulation has been developed. The model presented here incorporates three dimensions: the industry’s intentions; their resources and expertise and trust in the regulator (and vice versa: the regulator’s trust in the industry); and the space where functional respective normative rules are deemed most effective.
Suboptimal feeding practices and impaired growth among children in largely food insecure areas of north Wollo, Ethiopia
Authors: Anato Anchamo , Baye Kaleab , Stoecker Barbara J.
Published: September 2022

In Ethiopia, information is limited about energy and micronutrient intakes from complementary foods consumed by children in Productive Safety Net Program districts. Therefore, we assessed feeding practices and intakes of energy and selected micronutrients from complementary foods of children aged 6–23 months in a food insecure rural area of Ethiopia. Energy and micronutrient intakes were estimated from multiple-pass 24 h recall. Data were collected using a structured questionnaire. Only 1⋅9 % of children in the age range 6–8 months met recommended minimum dietary diversity of ≥5 food groups; this value slightly increased to 4 and 10⋅1 % in the older age groups (9–11 months and 12–23 months, respectively). Overwhelmingly, none of the children (9–11 months) did get the minimum acceptable diet (Children receiving minimum acceptable diet were 4 and 2⋅6 % in 6–8 months and 12–23 months, respectively). The overall prevalence of stunting was 34 % in younger children (6–8 months) and 51 % in older children aged 12–23 months. Median energy and selected micronutrient intakes from complementary foods were below corresponding WHO recommendations assuming average breast-milk amount and composition. The worst shortfalls were for vitamins A and C and for Ca. In contrast, median iron, protein and niacin intakes and densities were above the WHO recommendation. Caretakers and community leaders in the study setting need nutrition education on IYCF-related practices and on the importance of men's involvement in IYCF. Ensuring the accessibility and affordability of animal source foods (ASFs), fruits and vegetables, and feasible complementary foods is critical to address the quality of complementary feedings. This can be achieved through promoting nutrition-sensitive agriculture such as poultry and home gardening in this setting.
Análisis macro y microscópico de puntas de proyectil del sitio Rincón de los Indios en las tierras bajas del este de Uruguay (ca. 8800-700 años aP)
Authors: Clemente-Conte Ignacio , López Mazz José M.
Published: September 2022

Los cazadores recolectores del este de Sudamérica ajustaron, durante el Holoceno, sus conductas territoriales a las fluctuaciones climáticas y ambientales. Estas sociedades implementaron una estrategia económica con una tecnología caracterizada por puntas de proyectil en piedra tallada. Estos cazadores fueron responsables de innovaciones técnicas y variabilidad en las formas y dimensiones de las puntas. Dichos cambios fueron estimulados por el menor tamaño de la fauna del Holoceno, la caza en ambientes anegadizos, la disponibilidad de materias primas y la experimentación de nuevas técnicas de propulsión. El sistema técnico buscó resolver los problemas planteados por la movilidad a través del reciclaje de puntas dañadas. Se analizaron 25 puntas de proyectil provenientes del este de Uruguay. Se relevaron aspectos tecno-tipológicos; se empleó lupa binocular (5× a 72×) y microscopio metalográfico (50× a 400×). Los análisis traceológicos, con base experimental, dan cuenta de fracturas en el ápice y confirman que se trata de puntas empleadas en armas arrojadizas. Los rastros registrados y algunos residuos sugieren que estas puntas fueron enastiladas y transportadas en un carcaj. Las observaciones realizadas parecen confirmar que parte de los ejemplares estudiados corresponden a puntas de flecha usadas con arco, una innovación de gran impacto en las tierras bajas.
Local well-posedness and global analyticity for solutions of a generalized 0-equation
Authors: da Silva Priscila L.
Published: September 2022

In this work we study the Cauchy problem in Gevrey spaces for a generalized class of equations that contains the case $b=0$ of the $b$-equation. For the generalized equation, we prove that it is locally well-posed for initial data in Gevrey spaces. Moreover, as we move to global well-posedness, we show that for a particular choice of the parameter in the equation the local solution is global analytic in both time and spatial variables.
Sources and oxidation state of the Permian arc magmatic rocks of SW Jilin Province in the eastern Central Asian Orogenic Belt: evidence from Li, Hf isotopes and oxygen fugacity
Authors: Chen Chang-Jian , Zhang Shuan-Hong
Published: September 2022

The late Palaeozoic continental-arc magmatic rocks in the Gongzhuling area are located in the Liaoyuan Accretionary Belt. Here we present new zircon U–Pb ages, whole-rock major- and trace-element compositions, Li and zircon Hf isotopic compositions and oxygen fugacity of these rocks with an aim to constrain the lithium isotopic composition of the source region and origin of the magmas. These rocks were formed during 269–258 Ma in middle–late Permian time. The dioritic rocks were formed through mixing processes, with the mafic melts originating from a metasomatized mantle wedge and the felsic melts from the lower crust of a Neoproterozoic arc. The mantle wedge has been metasomatized by Li-rich fluids derived from subducted oceanic crust, as indicated by the δ7Li values of +0.4 ‰ to +3.5 ‰ and positive ϵHf(t) values (+0.7 to +13.1). Redox-sensitive Ce in the zircons indicates the fO2 of the magmas to be low to intermediate (FMQ−2.2 to FMQ+2.6; FMQ is the fayalite–magnetite–quartz redox buffer), precluding large-scale porphyry Cu–Mo mineralization. The middle–late Permian magmatic rocks represent the terminal magmatic record of the subduction of the Palaeo-Asian oceanic crust, meaning that the final closure of the Palaeo-Asian Ocean in the eastern Central Asian Orogenic Belt occurred at the end of the Permian Period. Recent identification of Mesoproterozoic (c. 1400 Ma) granites suggests some Palaeoproterozoic crustal fragments still exist in the Liaoyuan Accretionary Belt, but only in a small amount; therefore, it is concluded that the crustal growth of the Liaoyuan Accretionary Belt occurred mainly during the Neoproterozoic period.
Existence exists, and it is God
Authors: de Ray Christophe
Published: September 2022

Much of historic Christian philosophical theology has affirmed that God not only exists, but is Existence itself. Nowadays, this claim is widely rejected as unintelligible by theists and non-theists alike. I argue in contrast that if there is such a thing as Existence itself, that thing must be a maximally excellent being, which is what many philosophers call God. This is because Existence would itself need to exist, which is only possible if Existence exists in aparadigmaticway, that is, as a perfect instance of existence. My argument thus offers both a defence of the coherence of the claim that God is Existence itself, and a new way of arguing for theism.
From anticipatory strategies to reactive blame games in multi-level settings: the role of structure and politics in stability and policy change
Authors: Rodríguez R. Roberto
Published: September 2022

Studies of multi-level blame avoidance strategies generally assume that (1) governments prefer to shift responsibility to other levels and (2) an unclear distribution of formal responsibilities complicates blame allocation to a single actor. Considering the temporal location of such strategies – in anticipation or as a reaction to adverse events – the article tests these assumptions. Drawing on the case of air quality policy in Mexico City, the article uses causal process tracing to develop the mechanism leading to an anticipatory strategy and its unfolding. If the distribution of responsibilities on connected policy instruments is clear and major political actors share power, then government levels from different parties engage in a joint anticipatory strategy to avoid crisis and keep stability. The mechanism breakdown leads to reactive behaviour and policy change. Contextual changes redistributing power can destabilise the arrangements, leading to reactive blame games, fostering policy change.