bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Early warning of hand, foot, and mouth disease transmission: A modeling study in mainland, China
Authors: Rui Jia , Luo Kaiwei , Chen Qiuping , Zhang Dexing , Zhao Qinglong , Zhang Yanhong , Zhai Xiongjie , Zhao Zeyu , Zhang Siyu , Liao Yuxue , Hu Shixiong , Gao Lidong , Lei Zhao , Wang Mingzhai , Wang Yao , Liu Xingchun , Yu Shanshan , Xie Fang , Li Jia , Liu Ruoyun , Chiang Yi-Chen , Zhao Benhua , Su Yanhua , Zhang Xu-Sheng , Chen Tianmu
Published: March 2021

Background

Hand, foot, and mouth disease (HFMD) is a global infectious disease; particularly, it has a high disease burden in China. This study was aimed to explore the temporal and spatial distribution of the disease by analyzing its epidemiological characteristics, and to calculate the early warning signals of HFMD by using a logistic differential equation (LDE) model.

Methods

This study included datasets of HFMD cases reported in seven regions in Mainland China. The early warning time (week) was calculated using the LDE model with the key parameters estimated by fitting with the data. Two key time points, “epidemic acceleration week (EAW)” and “recommended warning week (RWW)”, were calculated to show the early warning time.

Results

The mean annual incidence of HFMD cases per 100,000 per year was 218, 360, 223, 124, and 359 in Hunan Province, Shenzhen City, Xiamen City, Chuxiong Prefecture, Yunxiao County across the southern regions, respectively and 60 and 34 in Jilin Province and Longde County across the northern regions, respectively. The LDE model fitted well with the reported data (R2> 0.65,P< 0.001). Distinct temporal patterns were found across geographical regions: two early warning signals emerged in spring and autumn every year across southern regions while one early warning signals in summer every year across northern regions.

Conclusions

The disease burden of HFMD in China is still high, with more cases occurring in the southern regions. The early warning of HFMD across the seven regions is heterogeneous. In the northern regions, it has a high incidence during summer and peaks in June every year; in the southern regions, it has two waves every year with the first wave during spring spreading faster than the second wave during autumn. Our findings can help predict and prepare for active periods of HFMD.
Continued proportional age shift of confirmed positive COVID-19 incidence over time to children and young adults: Washington State March—August 2020
Authors: Malmgren Judith , Guo Boya , Kaplan Henry G.
Published: March 2021

Background

As the coronavirus (COVID-19) epidemic passed initial infection peak in Washington State, phased re-opening lifted stay-at-home orders and restrictions leading to increased non-essential work, social activities and gathering, especially among younger persons.

Methods

A longitudinal cohort analysis of Washington State Department of Health COVID-19 confirmed case age distribution 1) March-April 2020 (N = 13,934) and 2) March-August 2020 (N = 76,032) for proportional change over time using chi square tests for significance.

Results

From March 1st to April 19, 2020 COVID-19 age distribution shifted with a 10% decline in cases age 60 years and older and a 20% increase in age 0-19/20-39 years (chi-square = 223.10, p < .001). Number of cases over the initial analysis period were 0–19 years n = 515, 20–39 years n = 4078, 40–59 years n = 4788, 60–79 years n = 3221, 80+ years n = 1332. After the peak (March 22, 2020), incidence declined in older age groups and increased among age 0–19 and 20–39 age groups from 20% to 40% of total cases by April 19 and 50% by May 3. During this time testing expanded with more testing among older age groups and less testing among younger age groups while case positivity shifted young. Percent positive cases age 0-19/20-39 years through August 2020 increased to a consistent average of 60% [age 0–19 increased to 19% (N = 10257), age 20–39 increased to 42% (N = 30215)].

Conclusions

An increased sustained proportion of COVID-19 incidence is present among children (age 0–19) and young adults (age 20–39) indicating an elevated role in disease spread during the epidemic creating a possible reservoir of disease with spillover risk to more vulnerable older persons and those with comorbid conditions. Media savvy age-appropriate messaging to enhance mitigation compliance among less vulnerable, more mobile and lower priority vaccination age groups will be a continued necessity and priority to reduce overall population incidence.
Seasonality, climate change, and food security during pregnancy among Indigenous and non-Indigenous women in rural Uganda: Implications for maternal-infant health
Authors: Bryson Julia M. , Patterson Kaitlin , Berrang-Ford Lea , Lwasa Shuaib , Namanya Didacus B. , Twesigomwe Sabastian , Kesande Charity , Ford James D. ,   Indigenous Health Adaptation to Climate Change Research Team, Harper Sherilee L.
Published: March 2021

Background

Climate change is expected to decrease food security globally. Many Indigenous communities have heightened sensitivity to climate change and food insecurity for multifactorial reasons including close relationships with the local environment and socioeconomic inequities which increase exposures and challenge adaptation to climate change. Pregnant women have additional sensitivity to food insecurity, as antenatal undernutrition is linked with poor maternal-infant health. This study examined pathways through which climate change influenced food security during pregnancy among Indigenous and non-Indigenous women in rural Uganda. Specific objectives were to characterize: 1) sensitivities to climate-associated declines in food security for pregnant Indigenous women; 2) women’s perceptions of climate impacts on food security during pregnancy; and 3) changes in food security and maternal-infant health over time, as observed by women.

Methods

Using a community-based research approach, we conducted eight focus group discussions—four in Indigenous Batwa communities and four in non-Indigenous communities—in Kanungu District, Uganda, on the subject of climate and food security during pregnancy. Thirty-six women with ≥1 pregnancy participated. Data were analysed using a constant comparative method and thematic analysis.

Results

Women indicated that food insecurity was common during pregnancy and had a bidirectional relationship with antenatal health issues. Food security was thought to be decreasing due to weather changes including extended droughts and unpredictable seasons harming agriculture. Women linked food insecurity with declines in maternal-infant health over time, despite improved antenatal healthcare. While all communities described food security struggles, the challenges Indigenous women identified and described were more severe.

Conclusions

Programs promoting women’s adaptive capacity to climate change are required to improve food security for pregnant women and maternal-infant health. These interventions are particularly needed in Indigenous communities, which often face underlying health inequities. However, resiliency among mothers was strong and, with supports, they can reduce food security challenges in a changing climate.
The sociospatial factors of death: Analyzing effects of geospatially-distributed variables in a Bayesian mortality model for Hong Kong
Authors: Alshaabi Thayer , Dewhurst David R. , Bagrow James P. , Dodds Peter S. , Danforth Christopher M.
Published: March 2021

Human mortality is in part a function of multiple socioeconomic factors that differ both spatially and temporally. Adjusting for other covariates, the human lifespan is positively associated with household wealth. However, the extent to which mortality in a geographical region is a function of socioeconomic factors in both that region and its neighbors is unclear. There is also little information on the temporal components of this relationship. Using the districts of Hong Kong over multiple census years as a case study, we demonstrate that there are differences in how wealth indicator variables are associated with longevity in (a) areas that are affluent but neighbored by socially deprived districts versus (b) wealthy areas surrounded by similarly wealthy districts. We also show that the inclusion of spatially-distributed variables reduces uncertainty in mortality rate predictions in each census year when compared with a baseline model. Our results suggest that geographic mortality models should incorporate nonlocal information (e.g., spatial neighbors) to lower the variance of their mortality estimates, and point to a more in-depth analysis of sociospatial spillover effects on mortality rates.
Co-application of biochar and nitrogen fertilizer reduced nitrogen losses from soil
Authors: Li Xiuwen , Xu Sutie , Neupane Avishesh , Abdoulmoumine Nourredine , DeBruyn Jennifer M. , Walker Forbes R. , Jagadamma Sindhu
Published: March 2021

Combined application of biochar and nitrogen (N) fertilizer has the potential to reduce N losses from soil. However, the effectiveness of biochar amendment on N management can vary with biochar types with different physical and chemical properties. This study aimed to assess the effect of two types of hardwood biochar with different ash contents and cation exchange capacity (CEC) on soil N mineralization and nitrous oxide (N2O) production when applied alone and in combination with N fertilizer. Soil samples collected from a temperate pasture system were amended with two types of biochar (B1 and B2), urea, and urea plus biochar, and incubated for 60 days along with soil control (without biochar or urea addition). Soil nitrate N, ammonium N, ammonia-oxidizing bacteria amoA gene transcripts, and N2O production were measured during the experiment. Compared to control, addition of B1 (higher CEC and lower ash content) alone decreased nitrate N concentration by 21% to 45% during the incubation period while the addition of B2 (lower CEC and higher ash content) alone increased the nitrate N concentration during the first 10 days. Biochar B1 also reduced the abundance of amoA transcripts by 71% after 60 days. Compared to B1 + urea, B2 + urea resulted in a significantly greater initial increase in soil ammonium and nitrate N concentrations. However, B2 + urea had a significantly lower 60-day cumulative N2O emission compared to B1 + urea. Overall, when applied with urea, the biochar with higher CEC reduced ammonification and nitrification rates, while biochar with higher ash content reduced N N2O production. Our study demonstrated that biochar has the potential to enhance N retention in soil and reduce N2O emission when it is applied with urea, but the specific effects of the added biochar depend on its physical and chemical properties.
Liquid-Crystal Display (LCD) of achromatic, mean-modulated flicker in clinical assessment and experimental studies of visual systems
Authors: Hallum Luke E. , Cloherty Shaun L.
Published: March 2021

Achromatic, mean-modulated flicker—wherein luminance increments and decrements of equal magnitude are applied, over time, to a test field—is commonly used in both clinical assessment of vision and experimental studies of visual systems. However, presenting flicker on computer-controlled displays is problematic; displays typically introduce luminance artifacts at high flicker frequency or contrast, potentially interfering with the validity of findings. Here, we present a battery of tests used to weigh the relative merits of two displays for presenting achromatic, mean-modulated flicker. These tests revealed marked differences between a new high-performance liquid-crystal display (LCD; EIZO ColorEdge CG247X) and a new consumer-grade LCD (Dell U2415b), despite displays’ vendor-supplied specifications being almost identical. We measured displayed luminance using a spot meter and a linearized photodiode. We derived several measures, including spatial uniformity, the effect of viewing angle, response times, Fourier amplitude spectra, and cycle-averaged luminance. We presented paired luminance pulses to quantify the displays’ nonlinear dynamics. The CG247X showed relatively good spatial uniformity (e.g., at moderate luminance, standard deviation 2.8% versus U2415b’s 5.3%). Fourier transformation of nominally static test patches revealed spectra free of artifacts, with the exception of a frame response. The CG247X’s rise and fall times depended on both the luminance from which, and to which, it responded, as is to be generally expected from LCDs. Despite this nonlinear behaviour, we were able to define a contrast and frequency range wherein the CG247X appeared largely artifact-free; the relationship between nominal luminance and displayed luminance was accurately modelled using a causal, linear time-invariant system. This range included contrasts up to 80%, and flicker frequencies up to 30 Hz. This battery of tests should prove useful to others conducting clinical assessment of vision and experimental studies of visual systems.
Transfer of training—Virtual reality training with augmented multisensory cues improves user experience during training and task performance in the real world
Authors: Cooper Natalia , Millela Ferdinando , Cant Iain , White Mark D. , Meyer Georg
Published: March 2021

Virtual reality (VR) can create safe, cost-effective, and engaging learning environments. It is commonly assumed that improvements in simulation fidelity lead to better learning outcomes. Some aspects of real environments, for example vestibular or haptic cues, are difficult to recreate in VR, but VR offers a wealth of opportunities to provide additional sensory cues in arbitrary modalities that provide task relevant information. The aim of this study was to investigate whether these cues improve user experience and learning outcomes, and, specifically, whether learning using augmented sensory cues translates into performance improvements in real environments. Participants were randomly allocated into three matched groups: Group 1 (control) was asked to perform a real tyre change only. The remaining two groups were trained in VR before performance was evaluated on the same, real tyre change task. Group 2 was trained using a conventional VR system, while Group 3 was trained in VR with augmented, task relevant, multisensory cues. Objective performance, time to completion and error number, subjective ratings of presence, perceived workload, and discomfort were recorded. The results show that both VR training paradigms improved performance for the real task. Providing additional, task-relevant cues during VR training resulted in higher objective performance during the real task. We propose a novel method to quantify the relative performance gains between training paradigms that estimates the relative gain in terms of training time. Systematic differences in subjective ratings that show comparable workload ratings, higher presence ratings and lower discomfort ratings, mirroring objective performance measures, were also observed. These findings further support the use of augmented multisensory cues in VR environments as an efficient method to enhance performance, user experience and, critically, the transfer of training from virtual to real environment scenarios.
Generation and characterization of a Meflin-CreERT2 transgenic line for lineage tracing in white adipose tissue
Authors: Kuwano Takahide , Izumi Hironori , Aslam Muhammad Rahil , Igarashi Yoshiko , Bilal Muhammad , Nishimura Ayumi , Watanabe Yoshiyuki , Nawaz Allah , Kado Tomonobu , Ikuta Koichi , Yamamoto Seiji , Sasahara Masakiyo , Fujisaka Shiho , Yagi Kunimasa , Mori Hisashi , Tobe Kazuyuki
Published: March 2021

Meflin (Islr) expression has gained attention as a marker for mesenchymal stem cells, but its function remains largely unexplored. Here, we report the generation of Meflin-CreERT2 mice with CreERT2 inserted under the Meflin gene promoter to label Meflin-expressing cells genetically, thereby enabling their lineages to be traced. We found that in adult mice, Meflin-expressing lineage cells were present in adipose tissue stroma and had differentiated into mature adipocytes. These cells constituted Crown-like structures in the adipose tissue of mice after high-fat diet loading. Cold stimulation led to the differentiation of Meflin-expressing lineage cells into beige adipocytes. Thus, the Meflin-CreERT2 mouse line is a useful new tool for visualizing and tracking the lineage of Meflin-expressing cells.
The effects of scientific messages and narratives about vaccination
Authors: Kuru Ozan , Stecula Dominik , Lu Hang , Ophir Yotam , Chan Man-pui Sally , Winneg Ken , Hall Jamieson Kathleen , Albarracín Dolores
Published: March 2021

A fundamental challenge complicates news decisions about covering vaccine side effects: although serious vaccine side effects are rare, less severe ones do occur occasionally. The study was designed to test whether a side effect message could induce vaccine hesitancy and whether that could be countered by pro-vaccine messages about vaccine safety. A large (N= 2,345), nationally representative experiment was conducted by randomly exposing participants to one of six videos about the measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) vaccine edited from news programs produced during the 2019 measles outbreak in the United States. The design was a 2x3 factorial crossing the presence or absence of a hesitancy-inducing narrative message with a pro-vaccine science-supporting message (i.e., no message, science-supporting expert message, or pro-vaccine narrative message), leading to a total of six conditions. A general linear model was used to assess the effects of these videos on respondents’ (1) vaccine risk perceptions, (2) policy views on vaccination, (3) willingness to encourage others to vaccinate their children, and (4) intention to send a pro-vaccine letter to their state representative. Findings indicated that the science-supporting expert message about vaccine safety led to higher pro-vaccine evaluations relative to other conditions [e.g., b = -0.17, p < .001, a reduction in vaccine risk perceptions of 0.17 as compared to the control]. There was also suggestive evidence that the hesitancy-inducing narrative may limit the effectiveness of a science-supporting expert message, although this finding was not consistent across different outcomes. When shown alone the hesitancy-inducing narrative did not shift views and intentions, but more research is needed to ascertain whether exposure to such messages can undercut the pro-vaccine influence of science-supporting (expert) ones. All in all, however, it is clear that science-supporting messages are effective and therefore worthwhile in combating vaccine misinformation.
A high-content screen identifies the vulnerability of MYC-overexpressing cells to dimethylfasudil
Authors: Zhang Jing , Zhang Shenqiu , Shi Qiong , Allen Thaddeus D. , You Fengming , Yang Dun
Published: March 2021

A synthetic lethal effect arises when a cancer-associated change introduces a unique vulnerability to cancer cells that makes them unusually susceptible to a drug’s inhibitory activity. The synthetic lethal approach is attractive because it enables targeting of cancers harboring specific genomic or epigenomic alterations, the products of which may have proven refractory to direct targeting. An example is cancer driven by overexpression of MYC. Here, we conducted a high-content screen for compounds that are synthetic lethal to elevated MYC using a small-molecule library to identify compounds that are closely related to, or are themselves, regulatory-approved drugs. The screen identified dimethylfasudil, a potent and reversible inhibitor of Rho-associated kinases, ROCK1 and ROCK2. Close analogs of dimethylfasudil are used clinically to treat neurologic and cardiovascular disorders. The synthetic lethal interaction was conserved in rodent and human cell lines and could be observed with activation of either MYC or its paralog MYCN. The synthetic lethality seems specific to MYC overexpressing cells as it could not be substituted by a variety of oncogenic manipulations and synthetic lethality was diminished by RNAi-mediated depletion of MYC in human cancer cell lines. Collectively, these data support investigation of the use of dimethylfasudil as a drug that is synthetic lethal for malignancies that specifically overexpress MYC.
Patient feedback surveys among pregnant women in Eswatini to improve antenatal care retention
Authors: Teasdale Chloe A. , Geller Amanda , Shongwe Siphesihle , Mafukidze Arnold , Choy Michelle , Magaula Bhekinkhosi , Yuengling Katharine , King Katherine , De Gusmao Eduarda Pimentel , Ryan Caroline , Ao Trong , Callahan Tegan , Modi Surbhi , Abrams Elaine J.
Published: March 2021

Background

Uptake and retention in antenatal care (ANC) is critical for preventing adverse pregnancy outcomes for both mothers and infants.

Methods

We implemented a rapid quality improvement project to improve ANC retention at seven health facilities in Eswatini (October-December 2017). All pregnant women attending ANC visits were eligible to participate in anonymous tablet-based audio assisted computer self-interview (ACASI) surveys. The 24-question survey asked about women’s interactions with health facility staff (HFS) (nurses, mentor mothers, receptionists and lab workers) with a three-level symbolic response options (agree/happy, neutral, disagree/sad). Women were asked to self-report HIV status. Survey results were shared with HFS at monthly quality improvement sessions. Chi-square tests were used to assess differences in responses between months one and three, and between HIV-positive and negative women. Routine medical record data were used to compare retention among pregnant women newly enrolled in ANC two periods, January-February 2017 (‘pre-period’) and January-February 2018 (‘post-period’) at two of the participating health facilities. Proportions of women retained at 3 and 6 months were compared using Cochran-Mantel-Haenszel and Wilcoxon tests.

Results

A total of 1,483 surveys were completed by pregnant women attending ANC, of whom 508 (34.3%) self-reported to be HIV-positive. The only significant change in responses from month one to three was whether nurses listened with agreement increasing from 88.3% to 94.8% (p<0.01). Overall, WLHIV had significantly higher proportions of reported satisfaction with HFS interactions compared to HIV-negative women. A total of 680 pregnant women were included in the retention analysis; 454 (66.8%) HIV-negative and 226 (33.2%) WLHIV. In the pre- and post-periods, 59.4% and 64.6%, respectively, attended at least four ANC visits (p = 0.16). The proportion of women retained at six months increased from 60.9% in the pre-period to 72.7% in the post-period (p = 0.03). For HIV-negative women, pre- and post-period six-month retention significantly increased from 56.6% to 71.6% (p = 0.02); however, the increase in WLHIV retained at six months from 70.7% (pre-period) to 75.0% (post-period) was not statistically significant (p = 0.64).

Conclusion

The type of rapid quality improvement intervention we implemented may be useful in improving patient-provider relationships although whether it can improve retention remains unclear.
Influence of Bacillus thuringiensis and avermectins on gut physiology and microbiota in Colorado potato beetle: Impact of enterobacteria on susceptibility to insecticides
Authors: Polenogova Olga V. , Noskov Yury A. , Yaroslavtseva Olga N. , Kryukova Natalya A. , Alikina Tatyana , Klementeva Tatyana N. , Andrejeva Jelizaveta , Khodyrev Viktor P. , Kabilov Marsel R. , Kryukov Vadim Yu , Glupov Viktor V.
Published: March 2021

Gut physiology and the bacterial community play crucial roles in insect susceptibility to infections and insecticides. Interactions among Colorado potato beetle Leptinotarsa decemlineata (Say), its bacterial associates, pathogens and xenobiotics have been insufficiently studied. In this paper, we present our study of the survival, midgut histopathology, activity of digestive enzymes and bacterial communities of L. decemlineata larvae under the influence of Bacillus thuringiensis var. tenebrionis (morrissoni) (Bt), a natural complex of avermectins and a combination of both agents. Moreover, we estimated the impact of culturable enterobacteria on the susceptibility of the larvae to Bt and avermectins. An additive effect between Bt and avermectins was established regarding the mortality of the larvae. Both agents led to the destruction of midgut tissues, a decrease in the activity of alpha-amylases and alkaline proteinases, a decrease in the Spiroplasma leptinotarsae relative abundance and a strong elevation of Enterobacteriaceae abundance in the midgut. Moreover, an elevation of the enterobacterial CFU count was observed under the influence of Bt and avermectins, and the greatest enhancement was observed after combined treatment. Insects pretreated with antibiotics were less susceptible to Bt and avermectins, but reintroduction of the predominant enterobacteria Enterobacter ludwigii, Citrobacter freundii and Serratia marcescens increased susceptibility to both agents. We suggest that enterobacteria play an important role in the acceleration of Bt infection and avermectin toxicoses in L. decemlineata and that the additive effect between Bt and avermectin may be mediated by alterations in the bacterial community.
Your face scares me: Effects of Perceptual load and Social Anxiety on processing of threatening and neutral faces
Authors: Theodorou Marios , Konstantinou Nikos , Panayiotou Georgia
Published: March 2021

Social Anxiety Disorder is among the most widely studied psychiatric conditions. However, the role of attentional and emotional processes in the maintenance of the condition is still not well-established. This study addressed the impact of individual differences in Social Anxiety, by examining the effects of perceptual load and stimulus valence when processing faces vs objects, here used as distractors, within a letter-search task. In addition to RT and accuracy on the letter search task, heart rate, and skin conductance during the task and participants’ self-report emotional evaluation were assessed to help interpret performance effects. Results suggest that distractor stimuli that are either threatening or faces impair performance of high SA participants. Results demonstrate a hypervigilance for threatening faces in SA but indicate that this happens primarily when cognitive resources are available, that is, under low perceptual load.
Smoking prevalence, core/periphery network positions, and peer influence: Findings from five datasets on US adolescents and young adults
Authors: Wang Cheng
Published: March 2021

Smoking prevalence has decreased significantly among US adolescents and young adults in the past 20 years. It is possible that adolescent and young adult smokers were moving from core to peripheral positions in social networks and thus less influential as suggested in previous research on adult smokers. We construct five sample datasets to test these hypotheses but none of them receives much support. When the proportion of smokers is relatively higher in two sample datasets, smokers tended to be at more marginal network positions than nonsmokers, both smokers and nonsmoker could exert peer influence, and the magnitude of peer influence from smokers was even greater than that from nonsmokers. When smoking was less frequent in the other three sample datasets, smokers and nonsmokers were at random network positions and no peer influence on smoking behavior was detected. Therefore, core/periphery network positions are still the key linking smoking prevalence and peer influence among US adolescents and young adults but operating through a different mechanism from their adult counterparts. When scientists design and conduct prevention programs against adolescent and young adult smoking behavior, core/periphery network positions, smoking prevalence, and peer influence should all be taken into consideration.
Neuronal death in pneumococcal meningitis is triggered by pneumolysin and RrgA interactions with β-actin
Authors: Tabusi Mahebali , Thorsdottir Sigrun , Lysandrou Maria , Narciso Ana Rita , Minoia Melania , Srambickal Chinmaya Venugopal , Widengren Jerker , Henriques-Normark Birgitta , Iovino Federico
Published: March 2021

Neuronal damage is a major consequence of bacterial meningitis, but little is known about mechanisms of bacterial interaction with neurons leading to neuronal cell death.Streptococcus pneumoniae(pneumococcus) is a leading cause of bacterial meningitis and many survivors develop neurological sequelae after the acute infection has resolved, possibly due to neuronal damage. Here, we studied mechanisms for pneumococcal interactions with neurons. Using human primary neurons, pull-down experiments and mass spectrometry, we show that pneumococci interact with the cytoskeleton protein β-actin through the pilus-1 adhesin RrgA and the cytotoxin pneumolysin (Ply), thereby promoting adhesion and invasion of neurons, and neuronal death. Using our bacteremia-derived meningitis mouse model, we observe that RrgA- and Ply-expressing pneumococci co-localize with neuronal β-actin. Using purified proteins, we show that Ply, through its cholesterol-binding domain 4, interacts with the neuronal plasma membrane, thereby increasing the exposure on the outer surface of β-actin filaments, leading to more β-actin binding sites available for RrgA binding, and thus enhanced pneumococcal interactions with neurons. Pneumococcal infection promotes neuronal death possibly due to increased intracellular Ca2+levels depending on presence of Ply, as well as on actin cytoskeleton disassembly. STED super-resolution microscopy showed disruption of β-actin filaments in neurons infected with pneumococci expressing RrgA and Ply. Finally, neuronal death caused by pneumococcal infection could be inhibited using antibodies against β-actin. The generated data potentially helps explaining mechanisms for why pneumococci frequently cause neurological sequelae.
Microcirculatory aspects of neurogenic bladder syndrome
Authors: Járomi Péter
Published: March 2021

The microcirculatory aspects of inflammatory disorders are of importance in the pathology of the urinary system. Our first aim was to perform a comparative analysis of the microcirculatory responses of the urinary bladder in infectious and non-infectious inflammatory animal models with direct or indirect endothelial damage. To this end, we compared the local microcirculatory consequences of experimental interstitial (IC) cystitis and hemorrhagic cystitis (HC) with those of bladder ischemia/reperfusion (IR). We found that not only IR, where direct endothelial damage is present, but also HC and IC, where microcirculatory inflammatory reactions are secondary after urothelial and interstitial damage, are associated with manifest polymorphonuclear leukocyte (PMN)–endothelial cell interactions. This finding confirms the common role of PMN-mediated microcirculatory reactions in the pathogenesis of bladder diseases. The overexpression of transient receptor potential vanilloid type 1 (TRPV1) has been demonstrated in IC cases as well as in cases of neurogenic bladder. In addition, TRPV1 agonists have also previously been used during pharmacological management of these diseases. Therefore, our next aim was to examine the microcirculatory effects of local capsaicin treatment (the archetypical TRPV1 agonist). In our study, capsaicin induced rapid increases in PMN leukocyte rolling and adhesion and in adhesion molecule expression in the postcapillary venules of the urinary bladder, which was prevented by neonatal sensory chemodenervation with capsaicin and competitive TRPV1 antagonism. The effect of specific receptor antagonist therapy showed that TRPV1-induced calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) release initiates the PMN–endothelial cell interaction by promoting leukocyte rolling, but adhesion is influenced by both CGRP and substance P. Our final goal is to implement medical research in clinical practice. Depending on the underlying cause, neurogenic bladder can manifest in both overactive and underactive forms. Diagnosis and treatment of both manifestations of neurogenic bladder remain a challenge in urology practice because disease severity cannot easily be assessed and the most common symptoms are non-specific. For this reason, our last aim was to provide an algorithm that aims to facilitate rapid and efficient diagnosis and assessment of disease severity. This may also aid in decision making on the potential pharmacological and invasive therapeutic approaches to protecting the upper urinary tract by maintaining low pressure values in the bladder.
Ultrasound Changes of Peri-Ankle Muscles in Subjects with Unilateral Chronic Ankle Instability
Authors: Kazemi Khadijeh , Saadi Feryal , Javanshir Khodabakhsh , Shaterzadeh Yazdi Mohammad Jafar , Goharpey Shahin , Miraali Seyyed Shirmard , Nassadj Gholamhossein
Published: March 2021

BACKGROUND Ankle sprain is a common problem among active people and athletes. About 80 % of the people and 73 % of the athletes, who once had an ankle sprain, have experienced a recurrence of ankle sprain during their work or sport. Chronic ankle instability is described as a repeated ankle sprain, ankle giving way, pain and swelling and functional decline. Due to impaired muscle strength and impaired neuromuscular and postural control, it seems that the morphological criteria of peri-ankle muscles have changed. The study aimed to identify the morphological and muscle performance components of peroneus longus (PL) muscle in subjects with injured and intact sides of the chronic ankle sprain. Furthermore, the difference in ultrasonographic characteristics of PL muscle between genders, and the effect of the dominant limb on PL muscle ultrasonographic characteristics were investigated. METHODS The thickness, width and cross-sectional area (CSA) as morphological components and muscle performance components like fiber length, and pennation angle of PL muscle of the injured were calculated and compared to the intact side of the control in 25 subjects with unilateral chronic ankle instability via ultrasonography. RESULTS The findings of this study indicated a significant difference in the morphological component of PL muscle between both sides with no statistically significant difference in the muscle performance component of PL muscle. CONCLUSIONS Awareness of these changes in the injured side muscle morphology may lead to better clinical decision-making to design the best treatment plan by the physiotherapist. KEY WORDS Ankle Sprain, Chronic Ankle Instability, Ankle Muscle Ultrasonography
Az e-business kooperatív turisztikai adaptációja : "A kicsi, a szép esélyei hazánkban" (The cooperative touristy adoption of e-business: "The chances of small beautiful in Hungary")
Authors: Sziva Ivett
Published: March 2021

A cikk legfontosabb megválaszolandó kérdése: Milyen esélyekkel és milyen szükséges lépésekkel indulhatnak a nemzetközileg kevéssé ismert hazai célállomások és vállalkozásaik a turisztikai piac globális versenyében, melynek egyre jelentősebb színterét az internet adja? A turisztikai piacon az internet piacalakító hatása és az individualista, élmény, és értékközpontú kereslet megjelenése olyan változásokat indított el az elmúlt közel húsz évben, melyek befolyásolva a szereplők erőviszonyait a fejlődés lehetőségét hordozzák a regionális célállomások, a kevéssé ismert desztinációk számára. Mindezen trendek egyúttal kihívást jelentenek, mivel élesítik a versenyt, és megújulásra ösztönzik a globálisan ismert desztinációkat is, valamint számos nehézség megoldására késztetik a több szempontból hátrányban szenvedő vidéki régiókat. A cikkben ismertetendő kutatás célja az, hogy egy best practice-ként ismert osztrák és három hazai eset alapján felderítse azon tényezőket, melyek a desztinációfejlesztés kezdeti lépésétől az e-business sikeres adaptációjához, a desztinációmenedzsment-rendszerek bevezetéséhez és működtetéséhez vezetnek. __________ The main question of the paper: What kind of steps should the Hungarian less-known destinations take to meet the challenges of the global competition increasingly taking place on the internet? The trends of “new tourism” – driven by post-materialistic values –, and the growing role of internet in touristy activity have formed new conditions and changed the balance of forces in the touristy market. These two trends hand in hand have intensified the competition: on the one hand force global destinations to renew, on the other hand give great but challenging possibilities for regional destinations in comparative disadvantage. The aim of the paper is to identify the success-factors of adopting e-business solution called destination management system in the regional, undeveloped areas starting destination management from zero position. For this purpose case studies were examined by analyzing Hungarian regional destinations’ development and making a benchmark analysis through an Austrian best practice.
Carbon nanotubes-based sensor for ammonia gas detection – an overview
Authors: Norizan M.N. , Siti Zulaikha N.D. , Norhana A.B. , Syakir M.I. , Norli A.
Published: March 2021

A sensitive, selective and reliable sensing techniques for ammonia (NH3) gas detection have been highly demanded since NH3 is both a commonly utilized gas in various industrial sectors, and considered as a toxic and caustic agent that can threat human health and  environment at a certain level of concentrations. In this article, a brief on the fundamental working principles of sensor specifications of the analytes detection techniques relying has been reviewed. Furthermore, the mechanism of NH3 detection and recent progress in the development of advanced carbon nanotubes (CNTs)-based NH3 gas sensors, and their performance towards the hybridization with the conductive polymers wascomprehensively reviewed and summarized. Finally, the future outlook for the development of highperformanceNH3 sensors was presented in the conclusions part.
Sozialethik
Authors: Fonk Peter
Published: March 2021

Peter Fonk widmet sich in diesem Beitrag der Frage, ob der klassische Verantwortungsbegriff in der heutigen Zeit noch Gültigkeit besitzt oder inzwischen eine substantielle semantische Verschiebung erlebt hat. Es zeigt sich, dass der klassische Verantwortungsbegriff personal definiert war und sich eindeutig an individuellen Akteuren festmachen ließ. In der Moderne erlebte dieses klare Zuordnungsverhältnis jedoch eine Diffusion. An die Stelle individueller traten kollektive Akteure in Form von Unternehmen und Institutionen. Damit wurde es sehr viel schwieriger, klares Fehlverhalten einzelnen Verantwortungsträger*innen zuzuweisen. Dieses Phänomen nimmt auch die Theologie im Rahmen der verantwortungsethischen Analyse zur Kenntnis. Der Beitrag zeichnet die Transformationen vom klassischen zum modernen Verantwortungsverständnis anhand eines ausgewählten Beispiels nach
Wirtschaftsethik
Authors: Meißner Annekatrin
Published: March 2021

Annekatrin Meißner widmet sich in diesem Beitrag der Frage, wie Verantwortung in globalen Wirtschaftsstrukturen zugeschrieben werden kann. Anhand des Beispiels der Umweltverschmutzung der Lagune Mar Menor (Spanien) wird verdeutlicht, dass das Konzept der Verursacherverantwortung in globalen Wertschöpfungsketten an seine Grenzen gerät und einer Erweiterung bedarf. Mit dem Konzept der globalen Mitverantwortung und der in diesem Rahmen von Iris Marion Young entwickelten vier Beurteilungsparameter wird eine Möglichkeit der Verantwortungszuschreibung im globalen Kontext aufgezeigt. Mit Bezug zu dem Beispiel der Lagune Mar Menor wird herausgestellt, dass globale Mitverantwortung immer auch auf die Zukunft gerichtete Verantwortung bedeutet, welche sich auf die Veränderung bestehender Strukturen richtet.
Science and Technology Studies: Die Datafizierung von Alltagspraktiken
Authors: Schneider Tanja , Fuchs Klaus , Mayer Simon
Published: March 2021

Tanja Schneider, Klaus Fuchs und Simon Mayer widmen sich in ihrem Beitrag der zunehmenden Datafizierung von Alltagspraktiken und den damit einhergehenden neuen Verantwortungen der Konsumenten*innen aus der Perspektive der Science and Technology Studies (STS). Dabei stellen sie Praktiken des Konsums in den Mittelpunkt, und zwar, wie das Einkaufsverhalten der Konsument*innen digital erfasst und verwertet wird. Am Beispiel ihres kollaborativen und interdisziplinären Forschungsprojekts »FoodCoach« überlegen sie, welche Handlungsspielräume Konsument*innen haben. Darüberhinaus fragen sie, wie sich Verantwortlichkeiten in sogenannten Datenassemblagen (Kitchin und Lauriault, 2015) verschieben oder verschieben lassen und, welche Bedeutung Datenaktivismus in diesem Kontext haben könnte.
»Doing Family« auf der Flucht und in Unterkünften
Authors: Rohde-Abuba Caterina
Published: March 2021

Familien stellen einen großen Anteil der Geflüchteten, die in den letzten Jahren nach Deutschland gekommen sind. Basierend auf dem theoretischen Konzept des »doing family« geht dieser Beitrag der Frage nach, wie Bedingungen der Flucht und des deutschen Asylsystems Familienbeziehungen und familiäre care Praktiken beeinflussen. Die Analyse zeigt, dass Familien unterschiedliche Phasen miteinander verbundener geographischer und persönlicher (Im-)Mobilität erleben, die zur Transformation ihrer care Praktiken führen. Die aktive Entscheidung zur Flucht als Mobilisierung der Familie soll das Überleben und Wohl der Kinder sichern. Trotz ihrer hochgradigen geographischen Mobilität erfahren Familien die Flucht, Verteilung und Unterbringung in Deutschland als Phase der »persönlichen Immobilisierung«, da die Fremdbestimmung und Disziplinierung im Asylverfahren die Möglichkeiten von Familien einschränken, ihre Kinder zu beschützen und zu versorgen. Nachdem Familien eine (befristete) Aufenthaltserlaubnis erhalten haben, treten sie in die Phase der sozialen Aufwärtsmobilität mit sich wandelnden Verantwortlichkeiten und care Praktiken ein. Aufgrund ihres schnelleren Spracherwerbs übernehmen Kinder Verantwortung für die Kommunikation nach »außen« mit der Aufnahmegesellschaft und ihren Institutionen. Der Bildungserfolg, den viele Kinder mit Fluchterfahrung zeigen, stellt für ihre Eltern einen Beleg dar, dass die Entscheidung zur Flucht richtig war.
The (un)happy few
Authors: Tschilschke Christian von
Published: March 2021

Christian von Tschilschke beschäftigt sich mit einer alternativen Wohn- und Lebensform der besonderen Art: der Gated Community, die gerade in den lateinamerikanischen Ländern seit den 1990er Jahren einen enormen Aufschwung erfahren hat. Statt sich als Alternative zu bürgerlich-kapitalistischen Gemeinschaftsentwürfen zu empfehlen, dient sie einer meist finanziell gut gestellten Klientel dazu, eben diesen Lebensstil möglichst ungestört zu kultivieren. Das exklusive Glücksversprechen, das sich damit verbindet, bildet einen zentralen Ansatzpunkt der zahlreichen medialen Inszenierungen von Gated Communities. Unter welchen Gesichtspunkten es im Detail entfaltet, bewertet und gesellschaftlich eingeordnet wird, untersucht der Beitrag am Beispiel von Lukas Valenta Rinners Film LOS DECENTES (2016).
Kanonbildung im transkulturellen Netzwerk
Authors: Schellens Dorine
Published: March 2021

Der Begriff »Kanon« wird meist mit »Nationalkanon« gleichgesetzt. Die zunehmend globale Zirkulation von Kunst und Literatur macht es jedoch erforderlich, Kanonbildung nicht nur aus nationalkultureller, sondern vielmehr aus transkultureller Sicht zu erforschen. Die internationale Erfolgsgeschichte des Moskauer Konzeptualismus dient Dorine Schellens als Fallstudie, um das Potential von kulturwissenschaftlicher Netzwerkanalyse für eine transkulturelle Kanonforschung aufzuzeigen. Im Fokus steht ein Transfernetzwerk von Mittlerfiguren, Institutionen und Kunstwerken, das dazu beigetragen hat, dass sich der Moskauer Konzeptualismus zur einflussreichsten Gruppe innerhalb der russischen Gegenwartskunst entwickeln konnte.
Back from the USSR
Authors: Gasser Lucy
Published: March 2021

In this chapter, Lucy Gasser traces the world-making practices of four journey narratives by travellers from the global South in the Soviet Union. Animated by postcolonial theory and decolonial aims, it contributes to questions of envisioning the global by understanding literature as practicing a 'species of world making' (Bell 2013: 257). The chapter seeks to identify the narratives of the global that latently structure the normative horizons of these writings. It articulates the world-making practices of British imperialism's 'civilising mission', and looks to writers from its former colonial dominions who displace and contest them. Rabindranath Tagore and Bisham Sahni from the Indian subcontinent, and Pauline Podbrey and Alex La Guma from South Africa each had opportunity to travel in Soviet Russia and its socialist satellites, and penned non-fictional accounts of their experiences. The chapter argues for how these heretofore marginalised texts furnish resources for productively contesting colonially determined narratives of the world, and hone a capacity for pluralising aspirational horizons. This serves the decolonial aim of dismantling the legacies of imperial ways of producing (knowledge of) the world.
Musik ausstellen
Authors: Alonso Amat María Del Mar , Magesacher Elisabeth , Meyer Andreas
Published: March 2021

Musikausstellungen vermitteln historisches und musikalisches Wissen und können darüber hinaus Orte der Erinnerung, Kontemplation und spielerischen Unterhaltung sein. Entsprechend vielfältig sind inhaltliche Ausrichtungen, museale Vermittlungskonzepte sowie Ansprüche und Erwartungen von Seiten des Publikums. Die Autor*innen des Bandes präsentieren Erkenntnisse aus einem mehrjährigen empirischen Studienprojekt, bei dem Museen verschiedener europäischer Länder erstmalig systematisch-vergleichend als musikkulturelle Institutionen untersucht wurden.
Wikis und die Wikipedia verstehen
Authors: van Dijk Ziko
Published: March 2021

Kaum eine Website wird so oft aufgerufen wie das Lexikon »Wikipedia«. Möglich wurde es durch das Wiki-Konzept, das zum Mitmachen einlädt. Wie aber funktioniert ein Wiki und wie kann man es für die eigenen Ziele nutzbar machen? Wikis und die Wikipedia wirken undurchdringlich und unüberschaubar. Ein besseres Verständnis ist aber wichtig für diejenigen, die ein Wiki gründen, fördern oder erforschen wollen. »Wikis und die Wikipedia verstehen« ist der unentbehrliche Begleiter für den eigenen Zugang zum Thema und vermittelt Hintergrundwissen aus der Praxis und Erkenntnisse aus der Fachliteratur in einem systematischen Überblick.
Questão sociocientífica: uma estratégia para o desenvolvimento da argumentação em aulas de química
Authors: Da Silva Barbosa Thiara Vanessa , Tavares Santos Batinga Verônica
Published: March 2021

Objetivamos analisar como o processo de resolução de uma questão sociocientífica pode possibilitar o desenvolvimento da argumentação e de sua natureza em aulas de Química. Para isso, foi aplicada uma questão sociocientífica sobre “suplementação alimentar” para alunos do 3º ano do ensino médio de uma escola pública de Pernambuco, Brasil. A pesquisa é de natureza qualitativa e os procedimentos metodológicos adotados foram: Elaboração e Desenvolvimento da Questão Sociocientífica e Análise dos Dados. Os resultados apontam que o uso da questão sociocientífica Suplementação Alimentar estabelece um contexto favorável para a emergência de processos de argumentação em sala de aula. Nas ações discursivas dos alunos foi identificada a argumentação de natureza social e científica. O confronto de ideias propiciado pela questão sociocientífica, evidenciado a partir da emergência de situações argumentativas, possibilita o desenvolvimento do conhecimento químico escolar, contribuindo também para uma formação mais crítica e reflexiva dos alunos.