bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Construction and a preliminary study of paracrine effect of bone marrow-derived endothelial progenitor cell sheet
Authors: Xue Fenlong , Bai Yunpeng , Jiang Yiyao , Liu Jianshi , Jian Kaitao
Published: July 2021

The release of paracrine factors from endothelial progenitor cell (EPC) sheet is a central mechanism of tissue repair. The purpose of this study was to constuct the rat bone marrow derived-endothelial progenitor cell (BM-EPCs) sheet and investigate invest the role of stromal cell-derived factor-1α (SDF-1α)/CXCR4 axis in the biological function of BM-EPCs sheet. BM-EPC cells were identified by the cell-surface markers-CD34/CD133/VE-cadherin/KDR using flow cytometry and dual affinity for acLDL and UEA-1. After 7 days of incubation, the BM-EPC single-cell suspensions were seeded on thermo-sensitive plate to harvest the BM-EPC cell sheets. The expression levels of SDF-1α/CXCR4 axis-associated genes and proteins were examined using RT-qPCR and western blot analysis, and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was applied to determine the concentration of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), epidermal growth factor (EGF) and SDF-1α in the cell culture medium. The BM-EPC cell sheets were successfully harvested. Moreover, BM-EPC cell sheets have superior migration and tube formation activity when compared with single cell suspension. When capillary-like tube were formed from EPCs sheets, the releasing of paracrine factors such as VEGF, EGF and SDF-1α were increased. To reveal the mechanism of tube formation of BM-EPCs sheets, our research showed that the activation of PI3K/AKT/eNOS pathway was involved in the process, because the phosphorylation of CXCR, PI3K, AKT and eNOS were increased. BM-EPC cell sheets have superior paracrine and tube formation activity than the BM-EPC single-cell. The strong ability to secrete paracrine factors was be potentially related to the SDF-1α/CXCR4 axis through PI3K/AKT/eNOS pathway.
Paralinguistic Features Communicated through Voice can Affect Appraisals of Confidence and Evaluative Judgments
Authors: Guyer Joshua J. , Briñol Pablo , Vaughan-Johnston Thomas I. , Fabrigar Leandre R. , Moreno Lorena , Petty Richard E.
Published: July 2021

This article unpacks the basic mechanisms by which paralinguistic features communicated through the voice can affect evaluative judgments and persuasion. Special emphasis is placed on exploring the rapidly emerging literature on vocal features linked to appraisals of confidence (e.g., vocal pitch, intonation, speech rate, loudness, etc.), and their subsequent impact on information processing and meta-cognitive processes of attitude change. The main goal of this review is to advance understanding of the different psychological processes by which paralinguistic markers of confidence can affect attitude change, specifying the conditions under which they are more likely to operate. In sum, we highlight the importance of considering basic mechanisms of attitude change to predict when and why appraisals of paralinguistic markers of confidence can lead to more or less persuasion.
A Survey on Pipelined FFT Hardware Architectures
Authors: Garrido Mario
Published: July 2021

The field of pipelined FFT hardware architectures has been studied during the last 50 years. This paper is a survey that includes the main advances in the field related to architectures for complex input data and power-of-two FFT sizes. Furthermore, the paper is intended to be educational, so that the reader can learn how the architectures work. Finally, the paper divides the architectures into serial and parallel. This classification puts together those architectures that are conceived for a similar purpose and, therefore, are comparable.
Untargeted fecal metabolome analysis in obese dogs after weight loss achieved by feeding a high-fiber-high-protein diet
Authors: Bermudez Sanchez Sandra , Pilla Rachel , Sarawichitr Benjamin , Gramenzi Alessandro , Marsilio Fulvio , Steiner Joerg M. , Lidbury Jonathan A. , Woods Georgiana R. T. , Suchodolski Jan S. , German Alexander J.
Published: July 2021

Introduction

In humans and companion animals, obesity is accompanied by metabolic derangements. Studies have revealed differences in the composition of the fecal microbiome between obese dogs and those with an ideal body weight.

Objectives

We have previously reported that the fecal microbiome in obese dogs changes after controlled weight reduction, induced by feeding a diet high in fiber and protein. Despite these findings, it is unclear if taxonomic differences infer differences at the functional level between obese dogs and those with an ideal body weight.

Methodology

Untargeted fecal metabolome analysis was performed on dogs with obesity before and after weight loss achieved by feeding a high-fiber-high-protein diet.

Results

Fecal metabolome analysis revealed a total of 13 compounds that changed in concentration in obese dogs after weight loss. Of these compounds, metabolites associated with bacterial metabolism decreased after weight loss including purine, L-(-)-methionine, coumestrol, and the alkaloids 1-methylxanthine and trigonelline. Conversely, the polyphenols (-)-epicatechin and matairesinol and the quinoline derivatives 1,5-isoquinolinediol and 2-hydroxiquinoline increased after weight loss.

Conclusion

These results suggest differences in intestinal microbiome at the functional level after weight loss, but further studies are needed to determine the role of these compounds in the etiology of obesity and weight loss.
Optimisation of the Synthesis and Cell Labelling Conditions for [89Zr]Zr-oxine and [89Zr]Zr-DFO-NCS: a Direct In Vitro Comparison in Cell Types with Distinct Therapeutic Applications
Authors: Friberger Ida , Jussing Emma , Han Jinming , Goos Jeroen A. C. M. , Siikanen Jonathan , Kaipe Helen , Lambert Mélanie , Harris Robert A. , Samén Erik , Carlsten Mattias , Holmin Staffan , Tran Thuy A.
Published: July 2021

Background

There is a need to better characterise cell-based therapies in preclinical models to help facilitate their translation to humans. Long-term high-resolution tracking of the cells in vivo is often impossible due to unreliable methods. Radiolabelling of cells has the advantage of being able to reveal cellular kinetics in vivo over time. This study aimed to optimise the synthesis of the radiotracers [89Zr]Zr-oxine (8-hydroxyquinoline) and [89Zr]Zr-DFO-NCS (p-SCN-Bn-Deferoxamine) and to perform a direct comparison of the cell labelling efficiency using these radiotracers.

Procedures

Several parameters, such as buffers, pH, labelling time and temperature, were investigated to optimise the synthesis of [89Zr]Zr-oxine and [89Zr]Zr-DFO-NCS in order to reach a radiochemical conversion (RCC) of >95 % without purification. Radio-instant thin-layer chromatography (iTLC) and radio high-performance liquid chromatography (radio-HPLC) were used to determine the RCC. Cells were labelled with [89Zr]Zr-oxine or [89Zr]Zr-DFO-NCS. The cellular retention of 89Zr and the labelling impact was determined by analysing the cellular functions, such as viability, proliferation, phagocytotic ability and phenotypic immunostaining.

Results

The optimised synthesis of [89Zr]Zr-oxine and [89Zr]Zr-DFO-NCS resulted in straightforward protocols not requiring additional purification. [89Zr]Zr-oxine and [89Zr]Zr-DFO-NCS were synthesised with an average RCC of 98.4 % (n = 16) and 98.0 % (n = 13), respectively. Cell labelling efficiencies were 63.9 % (n = 35) and 70.2 % (n = 30), respectively. 89Zr labelling neither significantly affected the cell viability (cell viability loss was in the range of 1–8 % compared to its corresponding non-labelled cells, P value > 0.05) nor the cells’ proliferation rate. The phenotype of human decidual stromal cells (hDSC) and phagocytic function of rat bone-marrow-derived macrophages (rMac) was somewhat affected by radiolabelling.

Conclusions

Our study demonstrates that [89Zr]Zr-oxine and [89Zr]Zr-DFO-NCS are equally effective in cell labelling. However, [89Zr]Zr-oxine was superior to [89Zr]Zr-DFO-NCS with regard to long-term stability, cellular retention, minimal variation between cell types and cell labelling efficiency.
Alkoholkonsum bei Medizinstudierenden. Eine Analyse über 7 Jahre (2011 bis 2017)
Authors: Jacobs Theresa , Linke Maike , Richter Ernst Peter , Drössler Stephanie , Zimmermann Anja , Berth Hendrik
Published: July 2021

Hintergrund

In der Literatur lassen sich Hinweise darauf finden, dass bei Medizinstudierenden häufig risikohafter Alkoholkonsum vorliegt.

Ziel der Arbeit

Das Ziel dieser Arbeit ist, den Alkoholkonsum Medizinstudierender im Zeitverlauf zu untersuchen.

Material und Methoden

Von 2011 bis 2017 wurden Dresdner Medizinstudierende des zweiten Semesters mit dem „Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test“ (AUDIT) befragt. Mögliche beeinflussende Faktoren des Alkoholkonsums wie Alter, Geschlecht, psychische Belastung („Brief-Symptom Inventory-18“ [BSI-18]), Jahrgang und Abiturnote der Medizinstudierenden wurden in einer Regressionsanalyse geprüft.

Ergebnisse

Auffällige Scores im AUDIT wiesen 47 % der Studierenden auf. Die männlichen Studierenden zeigten verglichen mit ihren Kommilitoninnen signifikant höhere Scores (6,73 vs. 4,64; p < 0,001). Aus der Regressionsanalyse gingen das Geschlecht (p = 0,000) sowie die psychische Belastung (p = 0,041; Frauen: p = 0,000) als beeinflussende Faktoren des Alkoholkonsums hervor.

Schlussfolgerung

Die Medizinstudierenden des zweiten Semesters zeigen häufig problematischen Alkoholkonsum, wobei dies v. a. für die männlichen Studierenden gilt. Der Alkoholkonsum von Medizinstudierenden scheint sich von 2011 bis 2017 nicht zu verändern. Die psychische Belastung stand überwiegend bei den weiblichen Medizinstudierenden mit dem Alkoholkonsum in Zusammenhang.
On Being an Infidel
Authors: Blackburn Simon
Published: July 2021

The paper describes the difference between being an infidel and being either an atheist or an agnostic.
Review: systematic review of effectiveness of art psychotherapy in children with mental health disorders
Authors: Braito Irene , Rudd Tara , Buyuktaskin Dicle , Ahmed Mohammad , Glancy Caoimhe , Mulligan Aisling
Published: July 2021

Art therapy and art psychotherapy are often offered in Child and Adolescent Mental Health services (CAMHS). We aimed to review the evidence regarding art therapy and art psychotherapy in children attending mental health services. We searched PubMed, Web of Science, and EBSCO (CINHAL®Complete) following PRISMA guidelines, using the search terms (“creative therapy” OR “art therapy”) AND (child* OR adolescent OR teen*). We excluded review articles, articles which included adults, articles which were not written in English and articles without outcome measures. We identified 17 articles which are included in our review synthesis. We described these in two groups—ten articles regarding the treatment of children with a psychiatric diagnosis and seven regarding the treatment of children with psychiatric symptoms, but no formal diagnosis. The studies varied in terms of the type of art therapy/psychotherapy delivered, underlying conditions and outcome measures. Many were case studies/case series or small quasi-experimental studies; there were few randomised controlled trials and no replication studies. However, there was some evidence that art therapy or art psychotherapy may benefit children who have experienced trauma or who have post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms. There is extensive literature regarding art therapy/psychotherapy in children but limited empirical papers regarding its use in children attending mental health services. There is some evidence that art therapy or art psychotherapy may benefit children who have experienced trauma. Further research is required, and it may be beneficial if studies could be replicated in different locations.
CCN proteins in the musculoskeletal system: current understanding and challenges in physiology and pathology
Authors: Giusti Veronica , Scotlandi Katia
Published: July 2021

The acronym for the CCN family was recently revised to represent “cellular communication network”. These six, small, cysteine-enriched and evolutionarily conserved proteins are secreted matricellular proteins, that convey and modulate intercellular communication by interacting with structural proteins, signalling factors and cell surface receptors. Their role in the development and physiology of musculoskeletal system, constituted by connective tissues where cells are interspersed in the cellular matrix, has been broadly studied. Previous research has highlighted a crucial balance of CCN proteins in mesenchymal stem cell commitment and a pivotal role for CCN1, CCN2 and their alter ego CCN3 in chondrogenesis and osteogenesis; CCN4 plays a minor role and the role of CCN5 and CCN6 is still unclear. CCN proteins also participate in osteoclastogenesis and myogenesis. In adult life, CCN proteins serve as mechanosensory proteins in the musculoskeletal system providing a steady response to environmental stimuli and participating in fracture healing. Substantial evidence also supports the involvement of CCN proteins in inflammatory pathologies, such as osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis, as well as in cancers affecting the musculoskeletal system and bone metastasis. These matricellular proteins indeed show involvement in inflammation and cancer, thus representing intriguing therapeutic targets. This review discusses the current understanding of CCN proteins in the musculoskeletal system as well as the controversies and challenges associated with their multiple and complex roles, and it aims to link the dispersed knowledge in an effort to stimulate and guide readers to an area that the writers consider to have significant impact and relevant potentialities.
Compact Differences of Composition Operators on Bergman Spaces Induced by Doubling Weights
Authors: Liu Bin , Rättyä Jouni , Wu Fanglei
Published: July 2021

Bounded and compact differences of two composition operators acting from the weighted Bergman space $$A^p_\omega $$

A
ω
p

to the Lebesgue space $$L^q_\nu $$

L
ν
q

, where $$0<q
q$$

p
>
q

and "Equation missing", involving pseudohyperbolic discs is established. This last-mentioned result generalizes the well-known characterization of q-Carleson measures for the classical weighted Bergman space $$A^p_\alpha $$

A
α
p

with $$-1<\alpha <\infty $$

-
1
<
α
<
∞

to the setting of doubling weights. The case "Equation missing" is also briefly discussed and an open problem concerning this case is posed.
The Cost of Living with Inherited Ataxia in Ireland
Authors: Kelly Mark J. , Bogdanova-Mihaylova Petya , Skeens Joshua , Moran Sharon , Farrelly Sorcha , Walsh Richard A. , Murphy Sinéad M.
Published: July 2021

Inherited ataxias are a heterogenous group of neurodegenerative disorders characterised by progressive impairment of balance and coordination, typically leading to permanent and progressive disability. Diagnosis and management of these disorders incurs a range of direct and indirect financial costs. The aim of this study was to collect individual ataxia-related healthcare resources in a large cohort of individuals with different subtypes of inherited ataxia and calculate the associated cost of illness in the Republic of Ireland. One hundred twenty-nine respondents completed a cross-sectional study on healthcare resource utilisation for progressive ataxia in Ireland. Costs were calculated using a prevalence-based approach and bottom-up methodology. The COI for inherited ataxia in 2016 was €59,993 per person per year. Results were similar between participants with Friedreich’s ataxia (FRDA, n = 56), non-FRDA (n = 18) and those with undetermined ataxia (n = 55). Indirect costs, based on productivity losses by participants or caregivers, accounted for 52% of the cost of illness. Inherited ataxia is associated with significant health and social care costs. Further funding for inherited ataxia to ease the financial burden on patients, caregivers and healthcare system and improve standards of care compliance is warranted.
Religious Conversion Practices and LGBTQA + Youth
Authors: Jones Tiffany , Power Jennifer , Hill Adam O. , Despott Nathan , Carman Marina , Jones Timothy W. , Anderson Joel , Bourne Adam
Published: July 2021

Introduction

Multiple jurisdictions are debating responses to United Nations calls for banning attempts at conversion of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer and asexual (LGBTQA +) peoples’ identities to fit religious norms. This paper aimed to examine Australian LGBTQA + youths’ experiences and outcomes of religious conversion practices attempting to change or suppress their gender or sexuality. It explored how attending conversion practices related to demographic characteristics and outcomes.

Methods

A 2019 online health and social well-being survey promoted via diverse social media questioned 6412 LGBTQA + Australians aged 14–21 years on their experiences of sexuality or gender change or suppression practices. Descriptive and inferential analyses were performed to understand relationships between exposure to conversion practices and demographic, socio-behavioural, and health and well-being measures.

Results

Whilst most participants had never attended counselling, group work, programs or interventions aimed at changing their sexuality or gender identity, 4% had attended such conversion practices. Analyses showed associations between engaging with conversion practices and (1) specific demographics (being cisgender male, multi-gender-attracted, unemployed, affiliated to a religion at the personal or household level); (2) social experiences (increased exposure to social rejection, negative remarks and harassment); (3) socio-behavioural outcomes (decreased education, sport and housing opportunities) and (4) negative health and mental health outcomes (including increased suicidality and self-harm).

Conclusions

The paper showed that conversion practices are correlated with poor well-being outcomes, providing arguments for expanding inclusive health and mental health services allowing for affirming religious and non-religious identities for LGBTQA + youth.

Policy Implications

The paper provides evidence supporting bans on conversion practices.
Indigenous and local communities can boost seed supply in the UN decade on ecosystem restoration
Authors: Urzedo Danilo , Pedrini Simone , Vieira Daniel L. M. , Sampaio Alexandre B. , Souza Bruna D. F. , Campos-Filho Eduardo Malta , Piña-Rodrigues Fatima C. M. , Schmidt Isabel B. , Junqueira Rodrigo G. P. , Dixon Kingsley
Published: July 2021

The UN Decade of Ecosystem Restoration is poised to trigger the recovery of ecosystem services and transform structural injustices across the world in a way unparalleled in human history. The inclusion of diverse Indigenous and local communities to co-create robust native seed supply systems is the backbone to achieve the goals for the Decade. Here we show how community-based organizations have co-developed native seed supply strategies for landscape restoration from the bottom-up. We draw on the interconnections over two decades of seed networks in Brazil and the emerging Indigenous participation in native seed production in Australia. From an environmental justice perspective, we provide a participatory seed supply approach for local engagement, noting local geographical, social and cultural contexts. Meeting large-scale restoration goals requires the connection between local seed production and collaborative platforms to negotiate roles, rights and responsibilities between stakeholders. An enduring native seed supply must include a diversity of voices and autonomy of community groups that builds equitable participation in social, economic, and environmental benefits.
Climate change accelerates winter transmission of a zoonotic pathogen
Authors: Sipari Saana , Khalil Hussein , Magnusson Magnus , Evander Magnus , Hörnfeldt Birger , Ecke Frauke
Published: July 2021

Many zoonotic diseases are weather sensitive, raising concern how their distribution and outbreaks will be affected by climate change. At northern high latitudes, the effect of global warming on especially winter conditions is strong. By using long term monitoring data (1980–1986 and 2003–2013) from Northern Europe on temperature, precipitation, an endemic zoonotic pathogen (Puumala orthohantavirus, PUUV) and its reservoir host (the bank vole, Myodes glareolus), we show that early winters have become increasingly wet, with a knock-on effect on pathogen transmission in its reservoir host population. Further, our study is the first to show a climate change effect on an endemic northern zoonosis, that is not induced by increased host abundance or distribution, demonstrating that climate change can also alter transmission intensity within host populations. Our results suggest that rainy early winters accelerate PUUV transmission in bank voles in winter, likely increasing the human zoonotic risk in the North.
Application of agroforestry business models to tropical peatland restoration
Authors: Applegate Grahame , Freeman Blair , Tular Benjamin , Sitadevi Latifa , Jessup Timothy C.
Published: July 2021

Indonesia is home to around 45% of the world’s tropical peatlands which continue to be degraded on a large scale by deforestation, drainage and fire, contributing massively to global GHG emissions. Approaches to restoring the peat–water balance and reducing emissions in peat hydrological units, through managing them based either on full protection or large-scale commercial production, have generally failed to address environmental and local community needs. We present published and unpublished findings pointing to the need for an integrated peatland protection and restoration strategy based first on raising water levels in degraded (drained) peatlands and maintaining them in forested peatlands, thus, reducing GHG emissions. Second, the strategy incorporates ecologically sound agroforestry business models that strengthen livelihoods of smallholders and so sustain their interest in sustainably managing the peatlands. In this paper, we focus on the second element of this strategy in Indonesia. Eight agroforestry business models are proposed based on their merits to attract both smallholders and commercial investors as well as their compatibility with hydrological rehabilitation of the peatlands. While financial returns on investment will vary across sites and countries, our analysis indicates that some models can be profitable over both short and longer time periods with relatively low levels of investment risk.
A Suggested Strategy to Integrate an Elective on Clinical Nutrition with Culinary Medicine
Authors: Leggett Lindsey K. , Ahmed Kareem , Vanier Cheryl , Sadik Amina
Published: July 2021

Time allocated to nutrition education in the medical school curriculum stands in contrast to high mortality rates attributable to poor diet in patients. Counseling patients on nutrition-related diseases is a critical skill for physicians, particularly those entering primary care. The crowded medical school curriculum has made adding hours of nutrition instruction difficult. This study evaluates the attitudes of undergraduate medical students at a single institution regarding the need for and relevance of nutrition education and reports on organization of and students’ responses to a short experimental elective. Student attitudes regarding nutrition in medicine and a proposed nutrition elective were surveyed. Results helped formulate a short experimental elective. A two-session experimental course was completed, after which the participants were surveyed. Students agreed or strongly agreed with statements regarding the importance of nutrition in clinical practice. Greater than 60% of students surveyed in each class were interested in the proposed elective. All participants found the elective with culinary medicine sessions at least moderately useful to their needs as future healthcare providers. The majority of participants (more than 93%) reported being likely to both take and recommend the elective should it be offered in the future. Medical students consider nutrition an essential aspect of a patient encounter, but do not feel prepared to counsel future patients on dietary changes for management and/or prevention of nutrition linked diseases. There is strong student support for creating an elective in clinical nutrition with culinary medicine sessions to address the gap in their education and improve their confidence.
A Systematic Review and Lived-Experience Panel Analysis of Hopefulness in Youth Depression Treatment
Authors: Berry Clio , Hodgekins Joanne , Michelson Daniel , Chapman Laura , Chelidoni Olga , Crowter Lucie , Sacadura Catarina , Fowler David
Published: July 2021

Hopefulness is arguably of central importance to the recovery of youth with major or complex youth depression, yet it is unclear how hopefulness can best be enhanced in treatment. A narrative synthesis of published and grey literature was combined with new insights from a youth lived-experience panel (N = 15), focusing on to what extent and how specific psychological therapies and standard mental health care scaffold hopefulness as applied to depression among 14–25-year-olds. Thirty-one studies of variable quality were included in this review; thirteen were qualitative, thirteen quantitative, and five used mixed methods. Hopefulness is an important active ingredient of psychotherapies and standard mental health care in youth depression. Evidence suggests talking and activity therapies have moderate to large effects on hopefulness and that hopefulness can be enhanced in standard mental health care. However, varying intervention effects suggest a marked degree of uncertainty. Hopefulness is best scaffolded by a positive relational environment in which there is support for identifying and pursuing personally valued goals and engaging in meaningful activity.

Animated (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o4690PdTGec) and graphical summaries (https://doi.org/10.13140/RG.2.2.27024.84487) are available.
Anpassungsverfahren beim gesetzlichen Mindestlohn: Argumente gegen eine politische Lohnfindung
Authors: Lesch Hagen , Schneider Helena , Schröder Christoph
Published: July 2021

Die Mindestlohnkommission entscheidet alle zwei Jahre über eine Anpassung des gesetzlichen Mindestlohns. Bisher orientierte sie sich dabei nachlaufend an der Tariflohnentwicklung. Das trug dazu bei, dass der Arbeitsmarkt den staatlichen Eingriff in die Lohnfindung gut verkraftete und die Tarifparteien trotz einer Beschränkung ihres Handlungsspielraums weiterhin gewillt sind, die Entgelte autonom auszuhandeln. Der Bundesarbeitsminister kündigte jedoch an, den Mindestlohn rasch auf 12 € je Stunde erhöhen zu wollen. Außerdem soll das Anpassungsverfahren beim gesetzlichen Mindestlohn verändert werden und bei der weiteren Entwicklung 60 % des Medianeinkommens (Living Wage) als Referenzgröße dienen. Mit einem solchem Systemwechsel, durch den der Staat dreimal so stark in das Tarifsystem eingreifen würde wie mit der Einführung des Mindestlohns 2015, würde die Tarifautonomie noch deutlicher eingeschränkt. Der Blick auf Frankreich und das Vereinigte Königreich zeigt, dass ein solcher Systemwechsel hin zu einem Living Wage durch Lohnsubventionen flankiert wird. Deshalb müsste bei der Diskussion über einen Systemwechsel beim Mindestlohn in Deutschland auch darüber gesprochen werden, ob die bisherigen Sozialleistungssysteme geändert werden müssen.
Mining in the Newspapers: Local and Regional Media Representations of Mineral Exploration and Mining in Finland, Germany, and Spain
Authors: Lyytimäki Jari , Benighaus Ludger , Gómez Javier , Benighaus Christina , Kauppi Sari , Kotilainen Juha M. , Mononen Tuija , del Rio Virginia
Published: July 2021

The understanding of public debates over mineral exploration and mining largely originates from exceptional situations such as mining accidents of conflicts. Less is known about how mining is portrayed and understood under more conventional settings. What storylines dominate the local day-to-day public debate? This article presents results from a comparative case study focusing on newspaper coverage of mineral exploration and mining in three European countries representing different geological and socio-economic contexts. Newspaper articles from the Geyer-Erzgebirge region in Germany, the Andalusia region in Spain, and Northern Finland are studied. The sample looks into the period between September 2018 and February 2020 and shows that regional newspapers report about mining issues relatively intensively even in the absence of major accidents or other media events causing peaks of attention. The tone of the articles is generally neutral to positive towards mining activities, reflecting the specific local settings, historical experiences, and future expectations. Despite the different contexts of the three countries, there were considerable similarities to the topics highlighted, including common themes of mining revival, mining events and social interaction, history of mining, and damages related to mining. Past, present, and future employment opportunities related directly or indirectly to the mining sector are key storylines. Another recurrent underlying theme is the need to balance environment and safety risks and socio-economic prosperity, typically covered through ordinary disputes among the mining sector, public authorities, regional non-governmental organizations, and local initiatives.
Detailed micro-modeling of partially grouted reinforced masonry shear walls: extended validation and parametric study
Authors: Calderón Sebastián , Sandoval Cristián , Milani Gabriele , Arnau Oriol
Published: July 2021

Partially grouted reinforced masonry (PG-RM) shear walls have been widely used as structural elements in low- and medium-rise earthquake-resistant buildings. Nonetheless, assessing its shear strength represents a complex task mainly because the partial grouting provides a non-constant cross section, which results in heterogeneous stress–strain patterns. Consequently, refined modeling techniques are needed to reproduce local failure mechanisms taking place in these walls, which significantly influence the global response. In response to this issue, a detailed micro-modeling approach based on the finite element method was proposed in previous studies by the authors. Although the numerical strategy provided accurate results, further validation is required. Therefore, in this study, the experimental results of seven PG-RM shear walls of multi-perforated clay bricks with bed-joint reinforcement are employed as validation cases. These seven walls presented variations in five design parameters. The validated numerical model was then employed to perform a parametric study to assess the influence of the wall aspect ratio, axial pre-compression stress, and horizontal reinforcement ratio on the in-plane lateral behavior of PG-RM shear walls. The obtained results show that the three studied design parameters modified the crack patterns of the walls. Besides, increasing the axial pre-compression stress or reducing the aspect ratio resulted in higher walls’ shear strength. Additionally, decreasing the horizontal reinforcement ratio or increasing the aspect ratio generated a higher story-drift ratio at maximum lateral force. Finally, it was corroborated that the positive effect of the axial pre-compression stress on the walls’ shear strength decreases inversely proportional to the aspect ratio.
How to Have Your Quasi-Cake and Quasi-Eat It Too
Authors: Köhler Sebastian
Published: July 2021

Quasi-realism prominently figures in the expressivist research program. However, many complain that it has become increasingly unclear what exactly quasi-realism involves. This paper offers clarification. It argues that we need to distinguish two distinctive views that might be and have been pursued under the label “quasi-realism”: conciliatory expressivism and quasi-realism properly so-called. Of these, only conciliatory expressivism is a genuinely meta-ethical project, while quasi-realism is a first-order normative view. This paper demonstrates the fruitfulness of these clarifications by using them to address Terence Cuneo’s recent challenge that quasi-realist expressivists lack the resources to plausibly accommodate certain sorts of data points.
Helheim Glacier diurnal velocity fluctuations driven by surface melt forcing
Authors: Stevens Laura A. , Nettles Meredith , Davis James L. , Creyts Timothy T. , Kingslake Jonathan , Ahlstrøm Andreas P. , Larsen Tine B.
Published: July 2021

The influence of surface melt on the flow of Greenland's largest outlet glaciers remains poorly known and in situ observations are few. We use field observations to link surface meltwater forcing to glacier-wide diurnal velocity variations on East Greenland's Helheim Glacier over two summer melt seasons. We observe diurnal variations in glacier speed that peak ~6.5 h after daily maximum insolation and extend from the terminus region to the equilibrium line. Both the amplitude of the diurnal speed variation and its sensitivity to daily melt are largest at the glacier terminus and decrease up-glacier, suggesting that the magnitude of the response is controlled not only by melt input volume and temporal variability, but also by background effective pressure, which approaches zero at the terminus. Our results provide evidence that basal lubrication by meltwater drives diurnal velocity variations at Greenland's marine-terminating glaciers in a similar manner to alpine glaciers and Greenland's land-terminating outlet glaciers.
Voluntary Action, Territory and Timing: The Council of Social Service for Wales, Periodisation and the New Historiography of the ‘British Welfare State’
Authors: WINCOTT DANIEL , CHANEY PAUL , SOPHOCLEOUS CHRISTALA
Published: July 2021

This article analyses the development of the Council of Social Service for Wales during what is often called the Golden Age of the Welfare State. Recovering the neglected history of the peak organisation for voluntary social service in Wales adds to our understanding of the histories of social policy and postwar Wales. The article addresses social policy from a doubly peripheral perspective – it attends to a territorial periphery of the UK State while voluntary action can be left at the margins of Welfare State analysis. From this perspective we hope to cast new light on the historiography of the ‘British Welfare State’
THE FORMATION OF A “SPIRIT OF CAPITALISM” IN UPPER GERMANY: LEONHARD FRONSPERGER’S “ON THE PRAISE OF SELF-INTEREST”
Authors: Klump Rainer , Pilz Lars
Published: July 2021

In 1564, Leonhard Fronsperger, a military expert and citizen of the Free Imperial City of Ulm in Upper Germany, publishes the booklet “On the Praise of Self-Interest” (“Von dem Lob deß Eigen Nutzen”). Using the form of a satirical poem, he demonstrates how the individual pursuit of self-interest can lead to the common good. Writing long before Bernard Mandeville and Adam Smith, Fronsperger presents a thorough analysis of all kinds of self-interested social, political, and economic relations. His praise of self-interest demonstrates how, over the sixteenth century, the interplay of economic success (in particular in major trading cities), a more realistic conception of human behavior, and some aspects of humanism and the Reformation led to a new understanding of the origins of economic dynamics. This becomes the basis for what Max Weber ([1904–05] 2009) would later term “the spirit of capitalism.”
A time to throw stones, a time to reap: how long does it take for democratic transitions to improve institutional outcomes?
Authors: Méon Pierre-Guillaume , Sekkat Khalid
Published: July 2021

We study the impact of democratic transitions on institutional outcomes. Using an event study method and a sample of 135 countries over the period 1984–2016, we observe that democratic transitions improve institutional outcomes. The effect appears within 3 years after the transition year. The results are robust to alternative definitions of transitions, alternative codings of pre- and post-transition years, and changing the set of control variables. We also find that both full and partial democratizations improve institutional outcomes. Transitions out of military regimes or communist autocracies do not. The effect of democratization depends on GDP per capita, education, and the regularity of the transition. Finally, the evidence suggests that the effect is particularly clear on the corruption, law and order, and military in politics dimensions of the index.
Testing the Two Directions of the Work–Family Interface: A Diary Study
Authors: Gabardo-Martins Larissa Maria David , Ferreira Maria Cristina , Valentini Felipe
Published: July 2021

The work–family interface can be viewed as a process in which daily fluctuations in work demands and resources influence family functioning and behavior, and vice versa. This study aimed to test the daily processes of both directions of the work–family interface through two studies. The first study consisted of 103 male and female workers from 17 Brazilian states. The participants’ ages ranged from 20 to 61 years (M= 33.68;SD= 9.13). Each participant answered a daily questionnaire over the course of 10 days, totaling 1,030 answers. The second study’s sample consisted of 101 male and female workers from 15 states in Brazil. Participants’ ages ranged from 20 to 62 years (M= 33.77;SD= 8.46). Each participant answered the daily questionnaire over the course of ten days, with the number of answers totaling 1,010. The first study showed that at the daily level, perceived work-related demands and social support at work were significantly related to family satisfaction. The second study indicated that at the daily level, perceived family demands and family social support showed significant associations with job satisfaction. Positive affect had a mediating role in these relationships, whereas the use of problem-solving coping strategies had a moderating role. Both studies also showed that the relationships identified remain significant when the variables were tested at different times: independent variables, mediating variable and moderator variable on one day, and the dependent variable on the following day. Day-to-day implications for organizations are discussed, and suggestions for a future research agenda on the work–family interface are presented.
In Sickness and in Health: The Role of Housework Engagement in Work Productivity despite Presenteeism
Authors: Correia Leal Catarina , Ferreira Aristides I.
Published: July 2021

The present study is one of the first to investigate the effects of housework engagement on work productivity despite sickness presenteeism and to explore personality traits (i.e., conscientiousness) and gender differences among couples. Based on a sample of 180 heterosexual couples, an integrated model of both housework and workplace realities was proposed and tested based on the actor-partner interdependence model using structural equation modeling. The results verify that the higher the degree of women’s conscientiousness, the greater their and their partners’ level of productivity despite presenteeism. In addition, the higher the couple’s perception of partner support is, the greater their level of work productivity despite health problems, for both men and women. Results also confirm that housework engagement mediates the relationships between both conscientiousness and perceived partner support and work productivity despite health problems, for women, but not for men. This study denotes an advance in the literature on the relationships between personal and social resources within the family domain and work productivity despite sickness presenteeism. The findings support the applicability of the resource perspective of the Job Demands-Resources theory (JD-R) (i.e., motivational branch) to housework, as well as extend existing presenteeism models by providing evidence for the inclusion of the family domain in explaining this organizational phenomenon.
Religiös-spirituelles Befinden und Abhängigkeit bei polytoxikomanen Patienten
Authors: Erbler Martin , Neubert Janine , Unterrainer Human-Friedrich , Vorstius Christian
Published: July 2021

Zusammenfassung. Zielsetzung: Substanzgebrauchsstörungen haben eine multifaktorielle Ätiologie und sind in allen Gesellschaftsschichten verbreitet. Langfristige Abstinenz von allen psychotropen Substanzen, inklusive Substitutionsmitteln, bleibt für viele Süchtige ein schwer erreichbares Ziel. Hier soll der Einfluss von spirituellen Inhalten und Praktiken auf erfolgreiche Abstinenz beleuchtet werden, da Spiritualität als eine Grundlage der Wirksamkeit von Narcotics Anonymous (NA) Selbsthilfegruppen (SHG) angenommen wird. Methodik: Polytoxikomane Patienten (PP0, n = 43, 12w, 31 m) in stationärer bzw. ambulanter Suchtbehandlung wurden mit einer Stichprobe (PPNA, n = 55, 26w, 29 m), welche mind. 12 Monate konsumfrei von psychotropen Substanzen leben und regelmäßig NA-Treffen besuchen, hinsichtlich ihres religiös-spirituellen Befindens (RSB) verglichen. Zudem wurde der Zusammenhang von Intensität des RSB und Dauer der Abstinenz untersucht. Ergebnisse: Die Ergebnisse zeigen signifikant höhere RSB-Werte bei PPNA gegenüber PP0. Ein Zusammenhang von Dauer der Konsumfreiheit und Ausmaß an RSB konnte jedoch nicht gefunden werden. Schlussfolgerung: Erfolgreich abstinente polytoxikomane Patienten unterscheiden sich im Ausmaß des religiös-spirituellen Wohlbefindens von noch Abhängigen, der Wirkmechanismus bleibt jedoch weiter unklar. Längsschnittsorientierte Forschung ist notwendig, um Erkenntnisse hinsichtlich der kausalen Zusammenhänge von Spiritualität und Abstinenz bei Menschen mit Substanzkonsumstörung weiter zu ergründen.
Cost effectiveness of pharmacogenetic-guided clozapine administration based on risk of HLA variants in Japan and the UK
Authors: Ninomiya Kohei , Saito Takeo , Okochi Tomo , Taniguchi Satoru , Shimasaki Ayu , Aoki Rei , Hata Takeo , Mushiroda Taisei , Kanazawa Tetsufumi , Ikeda Masashi , Iwata Nakao
Published: July 2021

Pharmacogenetics/pharmacogenomics have enabled the detection of risk of human leukocyte antigen (HLA) variants for clozapine-induced agranulocytosis/granulocytopenia (CIAG). To apply this evidence to the clinical setting, we compared the cost-effectiveness of the proposed “HLA-guided treatment schedule” and the “current schedule” being used in Japan and the United Kingdom (UK) (absolute neutrophil count (ANC) cutoff at 1500/mm3); in the “HLA-guided treatment schedules,” we considered a situation wherein the HLA test performed before clozapine initiation could provide “a priori information” by detecting patients harboring risk of HLA variants (HLA-B*59:01 and “HLA-B 158T/HLA-DQB1 126Q” for Japanese and Caucasian populations, respectively), a part of whom can then avoid CIAG onset (assumed 30% “prevention rate”). For the primary analysis, we estimated the incremental cost-effectiveness ratio (ICER) of “HLA-guided treatment schedule” and “current schedule” used in Japan and the UK, using a Markov model to calculate the cost and quality-adjusted life years (QALYs) over a 10-year time period. Furthermore, as an explorative analysis, we simulated several situations with various ANC cutoffs (1000/mm3 and 500/mm3) and plotted the cost/QALYs for each option to identify the best, or estimate the next best candidate option applicable in actual clinical settings. The primary probabilistic analysis showed that the “HLA-guided treatment schedule” was more cost effective than the “current schedule”; the ICER was £20,995 and £21,373 for the Japanese and the UK populations, respectively. Additional simulation revealed that the treatment option of ANC cutoff at 500/mm3 without HLA screening was the most cost-effective option; however, several options may be candidates to break away from the “current schedule” of ANC cutoff at 1500/mm3. Owing to its cost-effectiveness, we propose such pharmacogenetic-guided/pharmacogenomic-guided clozapine treatment for use in the real-world setting, which provides key information for optimization of clinical guidelines for high-risk patients for gradual change of clozapine treatment schedule under the safety consideration.
Overexpression of catalase in mitochondria mitigates changes in hippocampal cytokine expression following simulated microgravity and isolation
Authors: Rubinstein Linda , Schreurs Ann-Sofie , Torres Samantha M. , Steczina Sonette , Lowe Moniece G. , Kiffer Frederico , Allen Antiño R. , Ronca April E. , Sowa Marianne B. , Globus Ruth K. , Tahimic Candice G. T.
Published: July 2021

Isolation on Earth can alter physiology and signaling of organs systems, including the central nervous system. Although not in complete solitude, astronauts operate in an isolated environment during spaceflight. In this study, we determined the effects of isolation and simulated microgravity solely or combined, on the inflammatory cytokine milieu of the hippocampus. Adult female wild-type mice underwent simulated microgravity by hindlimb unloading for 30 days in single or social (paired) housing. In hippocampus, simulated microgravity and isolation each regulate a discrete repertoire of cytokines associated with inflammation. Their combined effects are not additive. A model for mitochondrial reactive oxygen species (ROS) quenching via targeted overexpression of the human catalase gene to the mitochondria (MCAT mice), are protected from isolation- and/or simulated microgravity-induced changes in cytokine expression. These findings suggest a key role for mitochondrial ROS signaling in neuroinflammatory responses to spaceflight and prolonged bedrest, isolation, and confinement on Earth.
Acute effect of high-definition and conventional tDCS on exercise performance and psychophysiological responses in endurance athletes: a randomized controlled trial
Authors: da Silva Machado Daniel Gomes , Bikson Marom , Datta Abhishek , Caparelli-Dáquer Egas , Unal Gozde , Baptista Abrahão F. , Cyrino Edilson Serpeloni , Li Li Min , Morya Edgard , Moreira Alexandre , Okano Alexandre Hideki
Published: July 2021

Transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) has been used aiming to boost exercise performance and inconsistent findings have been reported. One possible explanation is related to the limitations of the so-called “conventional” tDCS, which uses large rectangular electrodes, resulting in a diffuse electric field. A new tDCS technique called high-definition tDCS (HD-tDCS) has been recently developed. HD-tDCS uses small ring electrodes and produces improved focality and greater magnitude of its aftereffects. This study tested whether HD-tDCS would improve exercise performance to a greater extent than conventional tDCS. Twelve endurance athletes (29.4 ± 7.3 years; 60.15 ± 5.09 ml kg−1 min−1) were enrolled in this single-center, randomized, crossover, and sham-controlled trial. To test reliability, participants performed two time to exhaustion (TTE) tests (control conditions) on a cycle simulator with 80% of peak power until volitional exhaustion. Next, they randomly received HD-tDCS (2.4 mA), conventional (2.0 mA), or active sham tDCS (2.0 mA) over the motor cortex for 20-min before performing the TTE test. TTE, heart rate (HR), associative thoughts, peripheral (lower limbs), and whole-body ratings of perceived exertion (RPE) were recorded every minute. Outcome measures were reliable. There was no difference in TTE between HD-tDCS (853.1 ± 288.6 s), simulated conventional (827.8 ± 278.7 s), sham (794.3 ± 271.2 s), or control conditions (TTE1 = 751.1 ± 261.6 s or TTE2 = 770.8 ± 250.6 s) [F(1.95; 21.4) = 1.537; P = 0.24; η2p = 0.123]. There was no effect on peripheral or whole-body RPE and associative thoughts (P > 0.05). No serious adverse effect was reported. A single session of neither HD-tDCS nor conventional tDCS changed exercise performance and psychophysiological responses in athletes, suggesting that a ceiling effect may exist.