bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Lu Town: Theme Parks and the Commodification of Literary Culture in China
Authors: Denton Kirk A. , Xu Yichun
Published: September 2022

This essay investigates Lu Town, a theme park dedicated to the writer Lu Xun (1881–1936) that was established in Shaoxing, China, in 2003. The theme park is a recreation of a fictional town that is an amalgamation of settings from some of Lu Xun’s short stories. The essay seeks to answer the following questions: What happens when the works of a complex and serious writer get popularized in the three-dimensional form of a themed space? Why would one build a theme park around this kind of writer, and how would you capture in a theme park the trenchant critique of rural or small-town social life and traditions in his works? What meanings are invested in this ‘leftist’ writer in a neoliberal ideological climate in which notions of class exploitation and class struggle have all but disappeared? In the process the essay presents a detailed description of the park, based on visits in 2004 and 2018, and an overview of recent changes undertaken to make the park more profitable in the competitive domestic tourist market. The authors argue that Lu Town, driven by commercial concerns, presents a positive, nostalgic representation of small-town Jiangnan life, one that is starkly at odds with the ironic and sardonic attitude Lu Xun often took towards it in his stories.
A Chinese ‘High-Tech Theme Park Full of Stories’: Exploring Fantawild Oriental Heritage
Authors: Baker Carissa
Published: September 2022

Among the Chinese companies that run the great majority of theme parks in China, Fantawild is the quickest-expanding one, with more than two dozen full-fledged theme parks and many in development. The newest of their three primary theme park models, Oriental Heritage, employs traditional Chinese cultural material and specifically Chinese folklore and legends for its attractions and shows. The park thus differentiates itself not only from Fangte's previous park models, Adventure and Dreamland, which have often been derivative of other, Western park themes and ride systems, but also from the glocalizing approaches of such Western companies as Disney or Universal. Combining Chinese stories and heritage with new and innovative ride systems, Oriental Heritage also differs markedly from the ‘ethnic culture parks’ whose performative open-air displays dominated the first boom phase of the theme park in China during the mid-1990s. With its traditional Chinese architectural style, Chinese intellectual property or cultural traditions, and technically ambitious ride systems, the ‘high-tech theme park full of stories’, as it refers to itself, marks the culmination of Fangte's brand evolution from the imitative Adventure and Dreamland models to the confidently Chinese Oriental Heritage concept, making Fangte a particularly interesting and potentially representative model of where the Chinese theme park industry could be headed.
INVESTIGATION OF BULLYING AND CYBERBULLYING BEHAVIORS OF DIFFERENT BRANCHES IN TERMS OF SOME VARIABLES
Authors: CENGİZ Caner , AYDOĞAN Mehmet , ERDURAN Mert Mazhar
Published: September 2022

The purpose of this research is to examine the cyberbullying behaviors of different sports spectators. For this purpose, relational screening model was used in the study. In addition, due to the fact that due diligence will be made, the study has a descriptive nature. While the universe of the research consists of sports spectators, the sample consists of 1029 participants who are randomly selected and who are sports spectators in different branches. The personal information form developed by the researcher and the verbal bullying, physical bullying and cyber bullying behavior scale of sports spectators developed by Karaca (2019) were used as data collection tools in the research. Descriptive analysis, Independent Simple T-test and One Way ANOVA tests were used in the analysis of the data. According to the results of the research, bullying and cyberbullying levels of male audience members were found to be higher than female audiences. Looking at the branches, it was seen that the bullying and cyberbullying levels of football spectators were higher than other branches. It has been determined that as the age increases, the level of bullying and cyberbullying decreases as the income level increases and the level of education increases, and the bullying and cyberbullying levels of the audience members of the Fan Association are higher. In addition, it was concluded that the way of watching the match did not affect the level of bullying and cyberbullying.
ENTRETIEN AVEC YVES CHEVALLARD SUR LA THÉORIE ANTHROPOLOGIQUE DU DIDACTIQUE
Authors: Bittar Marilena , Magalhães de Freitas José Luiz
Published: September 2022

n'est pas applicable
UM ESTUDO SOBRE A PRÉ-APROPRIAÇÃO POR UM PROFESSOR DE MATEMÁTICA DE JOGOS propostos em livros didáticos
Authors: Alexandre de Lima Lira Felipe , Bastos de Mélo Espíndola Elisângela
Published: September 2022

"Apresentamos o recorte de uma dissertação, desenvolvida no Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ensino das Ciências (PPGEC), com o objetivo de analisar a apropriação por um professor de matemática de jogos para o ensino de equação do 1º Grau, propostos em livros didáticos aprovados no Programa Nacional do Livro Didático. Tomamos como principal referência o modelo de apropriação de um novo recurso, estruturado em três fases: pré-apropriação, apropriação original e reapropriação. Esse estudo foi desenvolvido com um professor de matemática dos anos finais do ensino fundamental em uma escola da rede municipal do Recife - PE na perspectiva da metodologia reflexiva, tecida na Abordagem Documental do Didático. No presente trabalho, limitamo-nos a analisar a fase de préapropriação dos jogos. Sobre os resultados, destacamos a influência do conhecimento matemático para o ensino no processo de instrumentalização desses jogos e os diferentes tipos de orquestrações instrumentais previstas para a utilização do jogo das equações equivalentes em sala de aula."
Biomechanical analysis of sacroiliac joint motion following oblique-pulling manipulation with or without pubic symphysis injury
Authors: Li Jing , Li Yikai , Ping Ruiyue , Zhang Qing , Chen Hai-Yun , Lin Dingkun , Qi Ji
Published: September 2022

Background: Oblique-pulling manipulation has been widely applied in treating sacroiliac joint (SIJ) dysfunction. However, little is known about the biomechanical mechanism of the manipulation. This study aims to analyze the SIJ motion under oblique-pulling manipulation, in comparison with compression and traction loads.

Methods/Study Design: A total of six specimens of embalmed human pelvis cadavers were dissected to expose the SIJ and surrounding ligaments. Through a servo-hydraulic testing system, biomechanical tests were performed on the stable pelvis and the unstable pelvis with pubic symphysis injury (PSI). A three-dimensional (3D) photogrammetry system was employed to determine the separation and nutation in three tests: axial compression (test A), axial traction (test B), and oblique-pulling manipulation (test C).

Results: After applying the testing loads, the range of nutation was no more than 0.3° (without PSI) and 0.5°(with PSI), separately. Except for test B, a greater nutation was found with PSI (p < 0.05). Under both conditions, nutation following test A was significantly greater than that of other tests (p < 0.05). SIJ narrowed in test A and separated in tests B and C, where the range of motion did not exceed 0.1 mm (without PSI) or 0.3 mm (with PSI) separately. Under both conditions, the separation of SIJ in test C was not as apparent as the narrowness of SIJ in test A (p < 0.05). Compared to SIJ, a more significant increasing displacement was found at the site of the iliolumbar ligament (p < 0.05). Nevertheless, when the force was withdrawn in all tests, the range of nutation and separation of SIJ nearly decreased to the origin.

Conclusion: Pubic symphysis is essential to restrict SIJ motion, and the oblique-pulling manipulation could cause a weak nutation and separation of SIJ. However, the resulting SIJ motion might be neutralized by regular standing and weight-bearing load. Also, the effect on SIJ seems to disappear at the end of manipulation. Therefore, the stretching and loosening of surrounding ligaments need to be paid more attention to.
Non-gelated polymeric photonic crystal films
Authors: Chu Zhaoran , Ding Zheng , Ning Xuanjun , A Yimihan , Wang Menghan , Shao Kan , Tang Wenwei , Chen Cheng , Bai Jianzhong
Published: September 2022

A rapid curing method for the preparation of colloidal photonic crystal films is presented. Firstly, a colloidal crystal array template was prepared by self-assembly of nanospheres, and then a dilute polymer solution was poured into the gap of the template. Then the composite photonic film was obtained as the polymer solution was cured. Such films have good properties in mechanical strength, anti pH interference, rapid solvent response and are easy to preserve. The films show good linear response to ethanol aqueous solutions of different concentrations, and the response equilibrium takes less than 20 s. The films also show long-term stability and reusability, and further functionalization can make the films multi-sensitive.
High-Precision Isotopic Analysis of Cu and Fe via Multi-Collector Inductively Coupled Plasma-Mass Spectrometry Reveals Lipopolysaccharide-Induced Inflammatory Effects in Blood Plasma and Brain Tissues
Authors: Hobin Kasper , Costas-Rodríguez Marta , Van Wonterghem Elien , Vandenbroucke Roosmarijn E. , Vanhaecke Frank
Published: September 2022

The concentration and the isotopic composition of the redox-active essential elements Cu and Fe were investigated in blood plasma and specific brain regions (hippocampus, cortex, brain stem and cerebellum) of mice to assess potential alterations associated with sepsis-associated encephalopathy induced by lipopolysaccharide (LPS) administration. Samples were collected from young (16–22 weeks) and aged (44–65 weeks) mice after intraperitoneal injection of the LPS, an endotoxin inducing neuroinflammation, and from age- and sex-matched controls, injected with phosphate-buffered saline solution. Sector-field single-collector inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry was relied upon for elemental analysis and multi-collector inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry for isotopic analysis. Significant variations were observed for the Cu concentration and for the Cu and Fe isotope ratios in the blood plasma. Concentrations and isotope ratios of Cu and Fe also varied across the brain tissues. An age- and an inflammatory-related effect was found affecting the isotopic compositions of blood plasma Cu and cerebellum Fe, whereas a regional Cu isotopic redistribution was found within the brain tissues. These findings demonstrate that isotopic analysis of essential mineral elements picks up metabolic changes not revealed by element quantification, making the two approaches complementary.
Symmetry dual functional pyrimidine-BODIPY probes for imaging targeting and activity study
Authors: Xu Shuping , Liu Ying , Wang Zhou , He Aolin , Jin Guofan
Published: September 2022

Nondestructive diagnosis of tumor has always been the goal of scientists. Fluorescent dyes have become the rising star in the field of cancer diagnosis because of their excellent characteristics. Therefore, in this work, fluorescence probes d-Y-B and dO-Y-B with anti-tumor activity were constructed by introducing pyrimidine groups with high anti-tumor activity using fluorescence dye BODIPY as parent nucleus. The modified BODIPY group in the structure had the advantage of fluorescent dye, ensuring the strong fluorescence and photosensitivity of the target compound. That ethylenediamine acts as a bridge with two -NH- groups to increase molecular hydrogen bonding, and can bind firmly to multiple proteins. Co-localization of the target compounds d-Y-B and dO-Y-B with the hoechst dye for labeling living cells showed that these compounds had high biocompatibility and photostability for localization to HeLa cells. In vivo imaging in mice can realize specific localization and real-time visualization of tumor cells. The results of cytotoxicity experiments in vitro and computer software simulating molecular docking confirmed the potential of the target compounds as an anticancer agents. The bifunctional probe realized visualization of cancer cells in mice, and can kill cancer cells by anti-proliferation, which may provide a direction for future anticancer drug development.
Monkeypox 2022 outbreak in non-endemic countries: Open questions relevant for public health, nonpharmacological intervention and literature review
Authors: Capobianchi Maria Rosaria , Di Caro Antonino , Piubelli Chiara , Mori Antonio , Bisoffi Zeno , Castilletti Concetta
Published: September 2022

Starting from mid-May 2022, cases of human monkeypox started to rise in several non-endemic countries. By mid-July, more than 17000 confirmed/suspect cases have been reported by at least 82 countries worldwide, with a regular incremental trend. In order to contain the disease diffusion, risk evaluation is crucial to undertake informed decisions and effective communication campaigns. However, since orthopoxvirus infections so far have attracted low attention, due to the eradication of smallpox 40 years ago, and to the confinement of human monkeypox almost exclusively to endemic areas, several unresolved issues concerning natural history, ecology and pathogenesis remain. To this respect, we identified some open questions and reviewed the relevant literature on monkeypoxvirus and/or related orthopoxviruses. The results will be discussed in the perspective of their relevance to public health decisions, particularly those related to non-pharmacological interventions.
Human genetic basis of severe or critical illness in COVID-19
Authors: Ji Xiao-Shan , Chen Bin , Ze Bi , Zhou Wen-Hao
Published: September 2022

Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) caused by the novel severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) has led to considerable morbidity and mortality worldwide. The clinical manifestation of COVID-19 ranges from asymptomatic or mild infection to severe or critical illness, such as respiratory failure, multi-organ dysfunction or even death. Large-scale genetic association studies have indicated that genetic variations affecting SARS-CoV-2 receptors (angiotensin-converting enzymes, transmembrane serine protease-2) and immune components (Interferons, Interleukins, Toll-like receptors and Human leukocyte antigen) are critical host determinants related to the severity of COVID-19. Genetic background, such as 3p21.31 and 9q34.2 loci were also identified to influence outcomes of COVID-19. In this review, we aimed to summarize the current literature focusing on human genetic factors that may contribute to the observed diversified severity of COVID-19. Enhanced understanding of host genetic factors and viral interactions of SARS-CoV-2 could provide scientific bases for personalized preventive measures and precision medicine strategies.
A symbolic interactionist model of interpreter-facilitated communication—Key communication issues in face-to-face interpreting
Authors: Yuan Xiaohui
Published: September 2022

Communication has been conceptualized and studied in a wide range of disciplines. However, very few communication theories or models have explicitly incorporated interpreting as an indispensable process to achieve communicative goals in intercultural and interlinguistic settings where communicative parties do not share a common language. By the same token, despite a strong emphasis of interpreting as “a communicative pas de trois”, there is much remaining to be explored in how existing communication theories and models could be drawn on and adapted to shed light on the key communication issues in interpreting studies. In view of such a distinct gap attributed to a striking lack of attention from both communication and interpreting scholars, as highlighted in this special issue, the author develops a symbolic interactionist model of interpreter-facilitated communication with a focus on exploring how an interpreter's identification with self-meanings and role management, which is key to their intrapersonal covert rehearsal process, impact on their interpreting decisions and behaviors. Through one-to-one interviews with three professional interpreters from the National Register of Public Service Interpreters, it is found that the interpreters' identification with particular self-meanings at the intrapersonal level, which gives rise to identity integration, identity accumulation and disidentification strategies, has impacted on how they managed various challenges at the interpersonal level, such as the impossibility of the neutrality expectation, dealing with inappropriate non-interpreting demands from communicative parties, and resolving identity conflicts linked to communicative contexts.
Smaller progress measures and separating automata for parity games
Authors: Dell'Erba Daniele , Schewe Sven
Published: September 2022

Calude et al. have recently shown that parity games can be solved in quasi-polynomial time, a landmark result that has led to several approaches with quasi-polynomial complexity. Jurdzinski and Lazic have further improved the precise complexity of parity games, especially when the number of priorities is low (logarithmic in the number of positions). Both of these algorithms belong to a class of game solving techniques now often called separating automata: deterministic automata that can be used as witness automata to decide the winner in parity games up to a given number of states and colors. We suggest several adjustments to the approach of Calude et al. that lead to smaller statespaces. These include and improve over those earlier introduced by Fearnley et al. We identify two of them that, together, lead to a statespace of exactly the same size Jurdzinski and Lazic's concise progress measures, which currently hold the crown as the smallest statespace. The remaining improvements, hence, lead to a further reduction in the size of the statespace, making our approach the most succinct progress measure available for parity games.
Bison and elk spatiotemporal interactions in Elk Island National Park
Authors: Foca Jennifer M. , Boyce Mark S.
Published: September 2022

Elk Island National Park (EINP) is a fenced park in the Beaver Hills UNESCO Biosphere Reserve of central Alberta where aspen parkland is being conserved. This area maintains high densities of native ungulates including elk (Cervus elaphus), bison (Bison bison bison,B. bison athabascae), moose (Alces alces), white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus), and mule deer (O. hemionus). Our objective was to evaluate spatiotemporal overlap and interspecific interactions between bison and elk in EINP using camera traps. Bison and elk have overlapping habitat use and diet and are the primary focus of ungulate management in EINP. We examined distributions of both species in relation to season, landscape characteristics, anthropogenic features, and heterospecifics using generalized linear models (GLMs). We then examined seasonal daily activity patterns of bison and elk and calculated the degree of overlap. The spatial analysis revealed that bison counts were positively associated with higher proportions of open habitats across seasons and in areas farther from water in summer and fall but had no associations with distance to water during winter. Bison removal year (years during which bison removals were conducted by Parks Canada) was a significant predictor variable for bison counts in winter when the bison roundup takes place. Elk avoided areas with high linear feature density across seasons. During fall and winter, we observed higher elk counts associated with bison presence. Temporal activity patterns revealed that elk were crepuscular in all three seasons, but bison activity patterns varied with diurnal activity being more common in the summer, crepuscular activity in winter, and intermediate activity patterns during fall. Coefficients of overlap between elk and bison were high in all three seasons with the greatest difference in daily activity patterns in summer and the highest overlap in winter when both species showed strong crepuscular activity. Despite the fenced perimeter in EINP resulting in high ungulate densities, limited dispersal, and low predation, our data show patterns of habitat use and interactions between bison and elk that were similar to those in other systems. Spatiotemporal partitioning does not appear necessary for coexistence of bison and elk in the aspen parkland.
Midkine—A novel player in cardiovascular diseases
Authors: Majaj Marina , Weckbach Ludwig T.
Published: September 2022

Midkine (MK) is a 13-kDa heparin-binding cytokine and growth factor with anti-apoptotic, pro-angiogenic, pro-inflammatory and anti-infective functions, that enable it to partake in a series of physiological and pathophysiological processes. In the past, research revolving around MK has concentrated on its roles in reproduction and development, tissue protection and repair as well as inflammatory and malignant processes. In the recent few years, MK's implication in a wide scope of cardiovascular diseases has been rigorously investigated. Nonetheless, there is still no broadly accepted consensus on whether MK exerts generally detrimental or favorable effects in cardiovascular diseases. The truth probably resides somewhere in-between and depends on the underlying physiological or pathophysiological condition. It is therefore crucial to thoroughly examine and appraise MK's participation in cardiovascular diseases. In this review, we introduce the MK gene and protein, its multiple receptors and signaling pathways along with its expression in the vascular system and its most substantial functions in cardiovascular biology. Further, we recapitulate the current evidence of MK's expression in cardiovascular diseases, addressing the various sources and modes of MK expression. Moreover, we summarize the most significant implications of MK in cardiovascular diseases with particular emphasis on MK's advantageous and injurious functions, highlighting its ample diagnostic and therapeutic potential. Also, we focus on conflicting roles of MK in a number of cardiovascular diseases and try to provide some clarity and guidance to MK's multifaceted roles. In summary, we aim to pave the way for MK-based diagnostics and therapies that could present promising tools in the diagnosis and treatment of cardiovascular diseases.
Improvement of hemodynamic parameters in aortic stenosis patients with transcatheter valve replacement by using impedance cardiography
Authors: Wan Luqing , Tang Jianjun , Xiao Yanchao , Li Hui , Peng Zengjin , Xu Dan-Yan , Shen Li
Published: September 2022

Background

The hemodynamic changes of patients with aortic stenosis (AS) who underwent transcatheter valve replacement (TAVR) have not been completely investigated.

Methods and results

We enrolled 74 patients with AS who underwent TAVR and assessed cardiac function changes at 1 week post-operation by impedance cardiography (ICG) in a supine position at rest for more than 15 min. Of the 74 patients, 47 had preserved left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF ≥ 50%; preserved-LVEF group) and 27 had reduced LVEF (LVEF <50%; reduced-LVEF group). TAVR improved the cardiac structure and function, as evidenced by the decrease in the left ventricular end-diastolic (LVED), left atrial diameter (LAD), and an increase in the LVEF. We observed a decrease in N-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) level compared to that before treatment. Moreover, patients with reduced LVEF had a more significant reduction of NT-proBNP than those with preserved LVEF. Meanwhile, the blood pressure of patients had no significant differences pre- and post-operation. Based on ICG, there were no changes in the parameter of cardiac preload [thoracic fluid content (TFC)]. We observed an improvement in parameters of diastolic cardiac function [left ventricular ejection time (LVET) and pre-ejection period (PEP)]. And we detected converse results in parameters of heart systolic function [systolic time ratio (STR), cardiac output (CO), cardiac index (CI), stroke index (SI), and stroke volume (SV)] and cardiac afterload [stroke systemic vascular resistance (SSVR) and SSVR-index (SSVRI)]. In addition, TFC level was decreased in patients with thoracic volume overload after valve replacement. Subgroup analysis showed that the changes in those parameters were more noticeable in patients with reduced LVEF than that with preserved LVEF. Moreover, we observed no effects on parameters of heart systolic function and heart afterload in the LVEF ≥ 50% group before and after TAVR.

Conclusion

Our data revealed a beneficial effect of TAVR in diastolic function and preload as detected by the ICG. But the LV systolic function and cardiac afterload were not improved in patients with LVEF <50%. The result indicated that ICG could be used as an important technique to monitor the cardiac condition of patients after aortic valve replacement.
Electrophysiological effects of adipose graft transposition procedure (AGTP) on the post-myocardial infarction scar: A multimodal characterization of arrhythmogenic substrate
Authors: Adeliño Raquel , Martínez-Falguera Daina , Curiel Carolina , Teis Albert , Marsal Roger , Rodríguez-Leor Oriol , Prat-Vidal Cristina , Fadeuilhe Edgar , Aranyó Júlia , Revuelta-López Elena , Sarrias Axel , Bazan Víctor , Andrés-Cordón Joan F. , Roura Santiago , Villuendas Roger , Lupón Josep , Bayes-Genis Antoni , Gálvez-Montón Carolina , Bisbal Felipe
Published: September 2022

Objective

To assess the arrhythmic safety profile of the adipose graft transposition procedure (AGTP) and its electrophysiological effects on post-myocardial infarction (MI) scar.

Background

Myocardial repair is a promising treatment for patients with MI. The AGTP is a cardiac reparative therapy that reduces infarct size and improves cardiac function. The impact of AGTP on arrhythmogenesis has not been addressed.

Methods

MI was induced in 20 swine. Contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance (ce-MRI), electrophysiological study (EPS), and left-ventricular endocardial high-density mapping were performed 15 days post-MI. Animals were randomized 1:1 to AGTP or sham-surgery group and monitored with ECG-Holter. Repeat EPS, endocardial mapping, and ce-MRI were performed 30 days post-intervention. Myocardial SERCA2, Connexin-43 (Cx43), Ryanodine receptor-2 (RyR2), and cardiac troponin-I (cTnI) gene and protein expression were evaluated.

Results

The AGTP group showed a significant reduction of the total infarct scar, border zone and dense scar mass by ce-MRI (p = 0.04), and a decreased total scar and border zone area in bipolar voltage mapping (p < 0.001). AGTP treatment significantly reduced the area of very-slow conduction velocity (<0.2 m/s) (p = 0.002), the number of deceleration zones (p = 0.029), and the area of fractionated electrograms (p = 0.005). No differences were detected in number of induced or spontaneous ventricular arrhythmias at EPS and Holter-monitoring. SERCA2, Cx43, and RyR2 gene expression were decreased in the infarct core of AGTP-treated animals (p = 0.021, p = 0.018, p = 0.051, respectively).

Conclusion

AGTP is a safe reparative therapy in terms of arrhythmic risk and provides additional protective effect against adverse electrophysiological remodeling in ischemic heart disease.
Teaching sustainability within the context of everyday life: Steps toward achieving the Sustainable Development Goals through the EUSTEPs Module
Authors: Moreno Pires Sara , Mapar Mahsa , Nicolau Mariana , Patrizi Nicoletta , Malandrakis Georgios , Pulselli Federico M. , Bacelar Nicolau Paula , Caeiro Sandra , Niccolucci Valentina , Theodossiou Nicolaos P. , Mancini Maria Serena , Galli Alessandro
Published: September 2022

In a world characterized by Ecological Overshoot, where humanity demands more from natural ecosystems than they can sustainably renew, education can nurture sustainability-minded citizens and future leaders to help accelerate the transition toward an era where our finite planet’s resources stand at the core of all decision-making. Despite the essential role of Higher Education Institutions (HEI) in contributing to a sustainable society, a holistic understanding of how to incorporate sustainability initiatives into HEI is still lacking. Given the critical role of HEI in societies and considering the number of students, educators, and staff they host every day, ensuring that sustainability is both taught and practiced on campuses becomes fundamental. To this end, a strategic partnership was created in 2019 to set up the ERASMUS + project EUSTEPs—Enhancing Universities’ Sustainability Teaching and Practices through Ecological Footprint. Among the main outputs of the project is a teaching module for introducing the sustainability concept to students. This Module takes a 360-degree approach to teaching sustainability that is designed to help students grasp the extraordinary complexity of sustainability in an engaging and captivating manner. This paperthus aims to: (1) present the EUSTEPs Module, its pedagogical approach and structure, and the learning outcomes and competencies students are expected to gain, (2) review the outcomes of its first pilot teaching in four European HEI, and (3) shed light on how this Module contributes to the development of competences and pedagogical approaches for achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Our findings show that 90% of the students were “satisfied” or “very satisfied” with the Module, rating the Ecological Footprint as the most useful teaching tool among those included in the Module. In addition, they appreciated the interactive nature of the proposed teaching. Feedback obtained from students during the pilot teaching contributed to shaping the Module’s final structure and content. The Module—an important interactive sustainability pedagogical tool—is now ready for use with students in different disciplines, thus contributing to progress toward the UN 2030 Agenda, particularly SDG 4, SDG 11, SDG 12, and SDG 13.
Teaching writing skills in online paleontology and evolution courses
Authors: Dewar Eric W. , Gold M. Eugenia L. , Dwyer Heather
Published: September 2022

Though foundational knowledge and technical skills are frequently and rightfully emphasized in biology curricula, transferrable skills, including writing, are under-prioritized to the detriment of biology graduates and to the scientific field. In an effort to target this gap, we designed assessments in online paleontology and evolution courses to foster critical analysis, synthesis, and written communication skills among students. This article describes model writing assignments for a variety of college courses at different levels and for different audiences. For example, appropriate analysis and comparison of major texts like Darwin’sOn the Origin of Species by Means of Natural Selectioncan be approached by students in general education courses as well as upper-level science students within their major. In another assignment, upper-level science students write to assess the effectiveness of novel characters in phylogenetic systematics. Last, we describe an assignment that introduces students to paleoecological interpretation to develop expository writing skills for scientists and non-scientists alike.
Online learning after the COVID-19 pandemic: Learners’ motivations
Authors: Dos Santos Luis M.
Published: September 2022

The COVID-19 pandemic has become a focus on reforming teaching, learning models and strategies, particularly in online teaching and learning tools. Based on the social cognitive career theory and the constructivist learning theory, the purpose of this study was to understand and explore the learning preference and experience of students’ online courses during the COVID-19 pandemic and the management after the COVID-19 pandemic from the students’ perspective. The study was guided by the following two research questions: (1) After the COVID-19 pandemic, why do the students want to continue their foreign language courses via an online platform and model? What are the motivations and reasons? (2) How would the students describe their experience of a foreign language course via an online platform and model? With the general inductive approach and sharing from 80 participants, the participants indicated that flexibilities and convenience, same outcomes and learning rigorousness, and interactive experiences with classmates from different parts of the world were the three main key points. The results of this study may provide recommendations to university leaders, department heads, and teachers to reform and upgrade their online teaching curriculum and course delivery options after the COVID-19 pandemic.
Item parameter estimations for multidimensional graded response model under complex structures
Authors: Kehinde Olasunkanmi James , Dai Shenghai , French Brian
Published: September 2022

Item parameter recovery in the compensatory multidimensional graded response model (MGRM) under simple and complex structures with rating-scale item response data was examined. A simulation study investigated factors that influence the precision of item parameter estimation, including sample size, intercorrelation between the dimensions, and test lengths for the MGRM under balanced and unbalanced complex structures, as well as the simple structure. The item responses for the MGRM were generated and analyzed across conditions using the R package mirt. The bias and root mean square error (RMSE) was used to evaluate item parameter recovery. Results suggested that item parameter estimation was more accurate in balanced complex structure conditions than in unbalanced or simple structures, especially when the test length was 40 items, and the sample size was large. Further, the mean bias and RMSE in the recovery of item threshold estimates along the two dimensions for both balanced and unbalanced complex structures were consistent across all conditions.
Serum α-Klotho associated with oral health among a nationally representative sample of US adults
Authors: Chen Guo-Qiang , Duan Yao , Wang Jin-Feng , Lian Ying , Yin Xiu-Li
Published: September 2022

Background

Low klotho is associated with aging-related traits. However, no study has assessed the association between klotho and oral health in a large sample of population. This study aimed to explore the association between serum α-klotho and oral health in US Adults.

Methods

Data were from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey. Oral health parameters included periodontitis, self-rated oral health, and tooth loss. Logistic regression and restricted cubic spline models were adopted to evaluate the associations.

Results

A total of 6187 participants were included in the study. The median of the α-klotho level was 815.2 pg/mL. Serum α-Klotho was significantly lower in participants with poor oral health (all P <0.01). Compared with the highest tertile, the lowest tertile of α-klotho was associated with moderate/severe periodontitis, poor-rated oral health, and tooth loss, with OR (95% CI) being 1.21 (1.01, 1.48), 1.26 (1.01, 1.56) and 1.38 (1.05, 1.84), respectively. An increment of per 1 standard deviation in the α-klotho concentration was associated with lower odds of moderate/severe periodontitis (OR: 0.93; 95% CI: 0.87, 0.99). Linear dose-response relationships were found between α-klotho and the odds of moderate/severe periodontitis (P for non-linearity=0.88) and poor-rated oral health (P for non-linearity=0.66). An L-shaped dose-response relationship was found between levels of α-klotho and the odds of tooth loss (P for non-linearity=0.04).

Conclusions

Serum α-klotho was associated with oral health. Further studies are necessary to clarify the potential mechanisms and demonstrate the predictive ability of klotho in oral diseases.
Associations of insulin resistance and insulin secretion with bone mineral density and osteoporosis in a general population
Authors: Fu Yi-Hsiu , Liu Wei-Ju , Lee Chia-Lin , Wang Jun-Sing
Published: September 2022

We investigated the associations of insulin resistance and β-cell secretion with bone mineral density (BMD) and osteoporosis using data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey. Data on BMD assessed using dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry from 5292 participants were analyzed. Insulin resistance and β-cell secretion were assessed using the Homeostatic Model Assessment for Insulin Resistance (HOMA-IR) and β-cell function (HOMA-β), respectively. We divided the study population into four groups according to HOMA-IR (<2 vs. ≥ 2) and HOMA-β (<100 vs. ≥ 100). BMD and T score at the lumbar spine, hip joint, and femur were used for analyses. Osteoporosis was defined as a T score ≤ -2.5. Logistic regression analyses were conducted to examine the associations of HOMA-IR and HOMA-β with osteoporosis, and the joint effects of HOMA-IR and HOMA-β on osteoporosis. We found a positive association between HOMA-IR and osteoporosis in participants with a HOMA-β ≥ 100 (OR 8.773, 95% CI 2.160-35.637, p=0.002 at the femoral neck). A negative association between HOMA-β and osteoporosis was noted in those with a HOMA-IR <2 (OR 0.183, 95% CI 0.038-0.882, p=0.034 at the femoral neck). Compared with participants who had HOMA-IR <2 and HOMA-β <100, those with HOMA-IR <2 and HOMA-β ≥ 100 had a lower risk of osteoporosis (OR 0.126, 95% CI 0.020-0.805, p=0.032 at the femoral neck). In conclusion, the association between HOMA-β and BMD/osteoporosis changed as HOMA-IR increased. HOMA-β was negatively associated with osteoporosis when HOMA-IR <2. The association was not significant when HOMA-IR ≥ 2.
Testing the impact of external sovereign debt on Turkey’s ecological footprint: New evidence from the bootstrap ARDL approach
Authors: Xu Wenyun , Jahanger Atif , Inuwa Nasiru , Samour Ahmed , Ibrahim Saifullahi Sani
Published: September 2022

As is glaringly apparent, the world is now bedeviled with environmental challenges and ecological complications. This may not be unconnected with the persistent ecological challenges emanating from fossil fuel consumption and changing lifestyles. This is why various attempts are ongoing to advance the course of renewable energy and economic growth as a response to environmental change. Therefore, this study seeks to investigate the dynamic effect of external debt, energy usage, and real income on the ecological footprint in Turkey, covering the period 1985–2017. To achieve the stated objective, the study used the newly developed Bootstrap Autoregressive Distributed Lag (BARDL) test and the Granger causality test to unravel the co-movement as well as the direction of causality among the variables. The results revealed that external debt influences environmental quality in both the short and the long run. However, energy consumption and real income have been found to have retarded environmental quality in both the short and the long run. The Granger causality test results revealed that the causal flow direction runs from external debt, economic growth, and energy usage to environmental quality. Therefore, the study argues that for the Turkish government to achieve a long-term plan of environmental sustainability, there is a need for the government to venture into debt consolidation programs such as implementing tax increases and cutting public spending in order to increase fiscal space that would finance long-term environmental protection policies.
Identification and validation of a T-cell-related MIR600HG/hsa-mir-21-5p competing endogenous RNA network in tuberculosis activation based on integrated bioinformatics approaches
Authors: Hong Guo-Hu , Guan Qing , Peng Hong , Luo Xin-Hua , Mao Qing
Published: September 2022

Background: T cells play critical roles in the progression of tuberculosis (TB); however, knowledge regarding these molecular mechanisms remains inadequate. This study constructed a critical ceRNA network was constructed to identify the potentially important role of TB activation via T-cell regulation.

Methods: We performed integrated bioinformatics analysis in a randomly selected training set from the GSE37250 dataset. After estimating the abundance of 18 types of T cells using ImmuCellAI, critical T-cell subsets were determined by their diagnostic accuracy in distinguishing active from latent TB. We then identified the critical genes associated with T-cell subsets in TB activation through co-expression analysis and PPI network prediction. Then, the ceRNA network was constructed based on RNA complementarity detection on the DIANA-LncBase and mirDIP platform. The gene biomarkers included in the ceRNA network were lncRNA, miRNA, and targeting mRNA. We then applied an elastic net regression model to develop a diagnostic classifier to assess the significance of the gene biomarkers in clinical applications. Internal and external validations were performed to assess the repeatability and generalizability.

Results: We identified CD4+ T, Tr1, nTreg, iTreg, and Tfh as T cells critical for TB activation. A ceRNA network mediated by the MIR600HG/hsa-mir-21-5p axis was constructed, in which the significant gene cluster regulated the critical T subsets in TB activation. MIR600HG, hsa-mir-21-5p, and five targeting mRNAs (BCL11B, ETS1, EPHA4, KLF12, and KMT2A) were identified as gene biomarkers. The elastic net diagnostic classifier accurately distinguished active TB from latent. The validation analysis confirmed that our findings had high generalizability in different host background cases.

Conclusion: The findings of this study provided novel insight into the underlying mechanisms of TB activation and identifying prospective biomarkers for clinical applications.
Sorting Nexin 27 Enables MTOC and Secretory Machinery Translocation to the Immune Synapse
Authors: González-Mancha Natalia , Rodríguez-Rodríguez Cristina , Alcover Andrés , Merida Isabel
Published: September 2022

Sorting nexin 27 (SNX27) association to the retromer complex mediates intracellular trafficking of cargoes containing PSD95/Dlg1/ZO-1 (PDZ)-binding C-terminal sequences from endosomes to the cell surface, preventing their lysosomal degradation. Antigen recognition by T lymphocyte leads to the formation of a highly organized structure named the immune synapse (IS), which ensures cell-cell communication and sustained T cell activation. At the neuronal synapse, SNX27 recycles PDZ-binding receptors and its defective expression is associated with synaptic dysfunction and cognitive impairment. In T lymphocytes, SNX27 was found localized at recycling endosomal compartments that polarized to the IS, suggesting a function in polarized traffic to this structure. Proteomic analysis of PDZ-SNX27 interactors during IS formation identify proteins with known functions in cytoskeletal reorganization and lipid regulation, such as diacylglycerol (DAG) kinase (DGK) ζ, as well as components of the retromer and WASH complex. In this study, we investigated the consequences of SNX27 deficiency in cytoskeletal reorganization during IS formation. Our analyses demonstrate that SNX27 controls the polarization towards the cell-cell interface of the PDZ-interacting cargoes DGKζ and the retromer subunit vacuolar protein sorting protein 26, among others. SNX27 silencing abolishes the formation of a DAG gradient at the IS and prevents re-localization of the dynactin complex component dynactin-1/p150Glued, two events that correlate with impaired microtubule organizing center translocation (MTOC). SNX27 silenced cells show marked alteration in cytoskeleton organization including a failure in the organization of the microtubule network and defects in actin clearance at the IS. Reduced SNX27 expression was also found to hinder the arrangement of signaling microclusters at the IS, as well as the polarization of the secretory machinery towards the antigen presenting cells. Our results broaden the knowledge of SNX27 function in T lymphocytes by showing a function in modulating IS organization through regulated trafficking of cargoes.
Rethinking detection of pre-existing and intervening Plasmodium infections in malaria clinical trials
Authors: Owalla Tonny J. , Hergott Dianna E. B. , Seilie Annette M. , Staubus Weston , Chavtur Chris , Chang Ming , Kublin James G. , Egwang Thomas G. , Murphy Sean C.
Published: September 2022

Pre-existing and intervening low-density Plasmodium infections complicate the conduct of malaria clinical trials. These infections confound infection detection endpoints, and their immunological effects may detract from intended vaccine-induced immune responses. Historically, these infections were often unrecognized since infrequent and often analytically insensitive parasitological testing was performed before and during trials. Molecular diagnostics now permits their detection, but investigators must weigh the cost, complexity, and personnel demands on the study and the laboratory when scheduling such tests. This paper discusses the effect of pre-existing and intervening, low-density Plasmodium infections on malaria vaccine trial endpoints and the current methods employed for their infection detection. We review detection techniques, that until recently, provided a dearth of cost-effective strategies for detecting low density infections. A recently deployed, field-tested, simple, and cost-effective molecular diagnostic strategy for detecting pre-existing and intervening Plasmodium infections from dried blood spots (DBS) in malaria-endemic settings is discussed to inform new clinical trial designs. Strategies that combine sensitive molecular diagnostic techniques with convenient DBS collections and cost-effective pooling strategies may enable more thorough and informative infection monitoring in upcoming malaria clinical trials and epidemiological studies.