bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Observations on How People in Two Locations of the Plateau Département of Southeast Benin Perceive Entomophagy: A Study From West Africa
Authors: Ghosh Sampat , Tchibozo Séverin , Lanmantchion Euloge , Meyer-Rochow Victor Benno , Jung Chuleui
Published: February 2021

We surveyed the local populations of Kétou and Pobè in Southeast Benin through interviews and with the aid of a semi-structured questionnaire in order to understand how they currently perceive entomophagy, an age-old tradition in their communities. The study revealed that the majority of the population was familiar with the use of insects as food, and a sizable number of people were still interested in insect consumption. Gender differences were not apparent. Tradition or culture was identified as the most influential factor, followed by taste, as determinants for eating or rejecting insects. However, identifying the edible species and comparing practices how they were prepared for consumption, we found that the knowledge was not homogenous across the society of Benin, with differences depending on ethnicity, culture, respondent's age, and educational background. Awareness and promotion of food insects in the society should help to preserve the practice of entomophagy and in turn could lead to the provision of much needed nutritional supplements to the poorer and disadvantaged sections of the society.
TIPE Regulates DcR3 Expression and Function by Activating the PI3K/AKT Signaling Pathway in CRC
Authors: Zhong Mengya , Qiu Xingfeng , Liu Yu , Yang Yan , Gu Lei , Wang Chenxi , Chen Huiyu , Liu Zhongchen , Miao Jiayin , Zhuang Guohong
Published: February 2021

Tumor necrosis factor-induced protein-8 (TIPE) is highly expressed in colorectal cancer (CRC). Decoy receptor 3 (DcR3) is a soluble secreted protein that can antagonize Fas ligand (FasL)-induced apoptosis and promote tumorigenesis. It remains unclear whether TIPE can regulate DcR3 expression. In this study, we examined this question by analyzing the relationship between these factors in CRC. Bioinformatics and tissue microarrays were used to determine the expression of TIPE and DcR3 and their correlation in CRC. The expression of TIPE and DcR3 in colon cancer cells was detected. Plasma samples were collected from CRC patients, and DcR3 secretion was measured. Then, dual-luciferase reporter gene analysis was performed to assess the interaction between TIPE and DcR3. We exogenously altered TIPE expression and analyzed its function and influence on DcR3 secretion. Lipopolysaccharide (LPS) was used to stimulate TIPE-overexpressing HCT116 cells, and alterations in signaling pathways were detected. Additionally, inhibitors were used to confirm molecular mechanisms. We found that TIPE and DcR3 were highly expressed in CRC patients and that their expression levels were positively correlated. DcR3 was highly expressed in the plasma of cancer patients. We confirmed that TIPE and DcR3 were highly expressed in HCT116 cells. TIPE overexpression enhanced the transcriptional activity of the DcR3 promoter. TIPE activated the PI3K/AKT signaling pathway to regulate the expression of DcR3, thereby promoting cell proliferation and migration and inhibiting apoptosis. In summary, TIPE and DcR3 are highly expressed in CRC, and both proteins are associated with poor prognosis. TIPE regulates DcR3 expression by activating the PI3K/AKT signaling pathway in CRC, thus promoting cell proliferation and migration and inhibiting apoptosis. These findings may have clinical significance and promise for applications in the treatment or prognostication of CRC.
“Complimenting the Complement”: Mechanistic Insights and Opportunities for Therapeutics in Hepatocellular Carcinoma
Authors: Malik Astha , Thanekar Unmesha , Amarachintha Surya , Mourya Reena , Nalluri Shreya , Bondoc Alexander , Shivakumar Pranavkumar
Published: February 2021

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the most common primary malignancy of the liver and a leading cause of death in the US and worldwide. HCC remains a global health problem and is highly aggressive with unfavorable prognosis. Even with surgical interventions and newer medical treatment regimens, patients with HCC have poor survival rates. These limited therapeutic strategies and mechanistic understandings of HCC immunopathogenesis urgently warrant non-palliative treatment measures. Irrespective of the multitude etiologies, the liver microenvironment in HCC is intricately associated with chronic necroinflammation, progressive fibrosis, and cirrhosis as precedent events along with dysregulated innate and adaptive immune responses. Central to these immunological networks is the complement cascade (CC), a fundamental defense system inherent to the liver which tightly regulates humoral and cellular responses to noxious stimuli. Importantly, the liver is the primary source for biosynthesis of >80% of complement components and expresses a variety of complement receptors. Recent studies implicate the complement system in liver inflammation, abnormal regenerative responses, fibrosis, carcinogenesis, and development of HCC. Although complement activation differentially promotes immunosuppressive, stimulant, and angiogenic microenvironments conducive to HCC development, it remains under-investigated. Here, we review derangement of specific complement proteins in HCC in the context of altered complement regulatory factors, immune-activating components, and their implications in disease pathogenesis. We also summarize how complement molecules regulate cancer stem cells (CSCs), interact with complement-coagulation cascades, and provide therapeutic opportunities for targeted intervention in HCC.
High Grade Glioma Treatment in Elderly People: Is It Different Than in Younger Patients? Analysis of Surgical Management Guided by an Intraoperative Multimodal Approach and Its Impact on Clinical Outcome
Authors: Barbagallo Giuseppe Maria Vincenzo , Altieri Roberto , Garozzo Marco , Maione Massimiliano , Di Gregorio Stefania , Visocchi Massimiliano , Peschillo Simone , Dolce Pasquale , Certo Francesco
Published: February 2021

Objective

Age is considered a negative prognostic factor for High Grade Gliomas (HGGs) and many neurosurgeons remain skeptical about the benefits of aggressive treatment. New surgical and technological improvements may allow extended safe resection, with lower level of post-operative complications. This opportunity opens the unsolved question about the most appropriate HGG treatment in elderly patients. The aim of this study is to analyze if HGG maximal safe resection guided by an intraoperative multimodal imaging protocol coupled with neuromonitoring is associated with differences in outcome in elderly patients versus younger ones.

Methods

We reviewed 100 patients, 53 (53%) males and 47 (47%) females, with median (IQR) age of 64 (57; 72) years. Eight patients were diagnosed with Anaplastic Astrocytoma (AA), 92 with Glioblastoma (GBM). Surgery was aimed to achieve safe maximal resection. An intraoperative multimodal imaging protocol, including neuronavigation, neurophysiological monitoring, 5-ALA fluorescence, 11C MET-PET, navigated i-US system and i-CT, was used, and its impact on EOTR and clinical outcome in elderly patients was analyzed. We divided patients in two groups according to their age: <65 and >65 years, and surgical and clinical results (EOTR, post-operative KPS, OS and PFS) were compared. Yet, to better understand age-related differences, the same patient cohort was also divided into <70 and >70 years and all the above data reanalyzed.

Results

In the first cohort division, we did not found KPS difference over time and survival analysis did not show significant difference between the two groups (p = 0.36 for OS and p = 0.49 for PFS). Same results were obtained increasing the age cut-off for age up to 70 years (p = 0.52 for OS and p = 0.92 for PFS).

Conclusions

Our data demonstrate that there is not statistically significant difference in post-operative EOTR, KPS, OS, and PFS between younger and elderly patients treated with extensive tumor resection aided by a intraoperative multimodal protocol.
Macrophages and Extracellular Matrix in Breast Cancer: Partners in Crime or Protective Allies?
Authors: Deligne Claire , Midwood Kim S.
Published: February 2021

Solid cancers such as breast tumors comprise a collection of tumor, stromal and immune cells, embedded within a network of tumor-specific extracellular matrix. This matrix is associated with tumor aggression, treatment failure, chemo- and radio-resistance, poor survival and metastasis. Recent data report an immunomodulatory role for the matrix in cancer, via the creation of niches that control the migration, localization, phenotype and function of tumor-infiltrating immune cells, ultimately contributing to escape of immune surveillance. Macrophages are crucial components of the immune infiltrate in tumors; they are associated with a poor prognosis in breast cancer and contribute to shaping the anti-tumor immune response. We and others have described how matrix molecules commonly upregulated within the tumor stroma, such as tenascin-C, fibronectin and collagen, exert a complex influence over macrophage behavior, for example restricting or enhancing their infiltration into the tumor, and driving their polarization towards or away from a pro-tumoral phenotype, and how in turn macrophages can modify matrix production in the tumor to favor tumor growth and metastasis. Targeting specific domains of matrix molecules to reinstate an efficient anti-tumor immune response, and effectively control tumor growth and spread, is emerging as a promising field offering a new angle for cancer therapy. Here, we review current knowledge on the interactions between tumor-associated macrophages and matrix molecules that occur within the tumor microenvironment of breast cancer, and discuss how these pathways can be targeted for new immunotherapies for hard to treat, desmoplastic tumors.
Executive Function Training in Childhood Obesity: Food Choice, Quality of Life, and Brain Connectivity (TOuCH): A Randomized Control Trial Protocol
Authors: Sanchez-Castañeda Cristina , Luis-Ruiz Sandra , Ramon-Krauel Marta , Lerin Carles , Sanchez Consuelo , Miró Núria , Martínez Sònia , Garolera Maite , Jurado Maria Angeles
Published: February 2021

Background: Individuals with obesity are known to present cognitive deficits, especially in executive functions. Executive functions play an important role in health and success throughout the whole life and have been related to food decision-making and to the ability to maintain energy balance. It is possible to improve executive functions through targeted training. This would involve brain plasticity changes that could be studied through connectivity MRI. The general hypothesis of this study is that executive functions training in children with obesity can improve food choices and produce cognitive and neuroimaging changes (structural and functional connectivity), as well as improve emotional state and quality of life.

Methods: Randomized controlled double-blind trial with 12-month follow-up. Thirty children with obesity will be randomly allocated into “executive training” (Cognifit with adaptive difficulty + Cogmed) or “control task” group (Cognifit without adaptive difficulty). Both groups will attend 30–45 min of individual gamified training (Cogmed and/or Cognifit systems) by iPad, five times per week during 6 weeks. Cogmed and Cognifit software are commercially available from Pearson and Cognifit, respectively. Participants will receive an iPad with both apps installed for a 6-week use. Participants will also receive counseling diet information via presentations sent to the iPad and will wear a Fitbit Flex 2 tracker to monitor daily activity and sleep patterns. Main outcomes will be cognitive, emotional, food decision, and quality-of-life measures, as well as neuroimaging measures. Participants are evaluated at baseline (T0), after treatment (T1), and 12 months since baseline (T2).

Discussion: Longitudinal study with active control group and 3 time points: baseline, immediately after treatment, and 1 year after baseline. Threefold treatment: executive function training, psychoeducation, and feedback on activity/sleep tracking. We will evaluate the transfer effects of the intervention, including emotional and functional outcomes, as well as the effects on neural plasticity by connectivity MRI.

Trial registration: This project has been registered in ClinicalTrials.gov (trial registration number NCT03615274), August 3, 2018.
Homoharringtonine Exerts Anti-tumor Effects in Hepatocellular Carcinoma Through Activation of the Hippo Pathway
Authors: Wang Haina , Wang Rui , Huang Dan , Li Sihan , Gao Beibei , Kang Zhijie , Tang Bo , Xie Jiajun , Yan Fanzhi , Liang Rui , Li Hua , Yan Jinsong
Published: February 2021

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the most prevalent subtype of liver cancer with a mortality rate of approximately 3–6/100,000 and is the third leading cause of cancer-related death worldwide. Although several small-molecule drugs have been developed for the treatment of HCC, the choice of an agent for patients who require systemic chemotherapy at an advanced stage is still limited. The Hippo pathway is an evolutionarily conserved tumor suppressive pathway commonly dysregulated in HCC, which makes it a promising target for anti-HCC therapies. Homoharringtonine (HHT) is an FDA-approved anti-leukemia drug with proven strong anti-tumor activity in solid tumors. In this study, we found that HHT could significantly inhibit HCC cell growth by suppressing cell proliferation and colony formation. Moreover, HHT repressed cell invasion and migration remarkably. Additionally, HHT induced cell cycle arrest at S phase and promoted apoptosis. Most importantly, we showed that HHT-induced apoptosis was a consequence of the Hippo pathway activation. Consistently, the MST1/2 inhibitor, XMU-MP-1, could restore cell viability and reverse HHT-induced cell apoptosis. Furthermore, in vivo results confirmed the tumor inhibitory effect of HHT. Taken together, our findings suggest that HHT is a potential alternative therapeutic agent for the treatment of HCC.
Amphetamine Modulation of Long-Term Object Recognition Memory in Rats: Influence of Stress
Authors: Colucci Paola , Santori Alessia , Romanelli Luca , Zwergel Clemens , Mai Antonello , Scaccianoce Sergio , Campolongo Patrizia
Published: February 2021

Amphetamine is a potent psychostimulant that increases brain monoamine levels. Extensive evidence demonstrated that norepinephrine is crucially involved in the regulation of memory consolidation for stressful experiences. Here, we investigated amphetamine effects on the consolidation of long-term recognition memory in rats exposed to different intensities of forced swim stress immediately after training. Furthermore, we evaluated whether such effects are dependent on the activation of the peripheral adrenergic system. To this aim, male adult Sprague Dawley rats were subjected to an object recognition task and intraperitoneally administered soon after training with amphetamine (0.5 or 1 mg/kg), or its corresponding vehicle. Rats were thereafter exposed to a mild (1 min, 25 ± 1°C) or strong (5 min, 19 ± 1°C) forced swim stress procedure. Recognition memory retention was assessed 24-h after training. Our findings showed that amphetamine enhances the consolidation of memory in rats subjected to mild stress condition, while it impairs long-term memory performance in rats exposed to strong stress. These dichotomic effects is dependent on stress-induced activation of the peripheral adrenergic response.
Transcription Factor NAC075 Delays Leaf Senescence by Deterring Reactive Oxygen Species Accumulation in Arabidopsis
Authors: Kan Chengcheng , Zhang Yi , Wang Hou-Ling , Shen Yingbai , Xia Xinli , Guo Hongwei , Li Zhonghai
Published: February 2021

Leaf senescence is a highly complex genetic process that is finely tuned by multiple layers of regulation. Among them, transcriptional regulation plays a critical role in controlling the initiation and progression of leaf senescence. Here, we found that the NAC transcription factor NAC075 functions as a novel negative regulator of leaf senescence. Loss of function of NAC075 promotes leaf senescence in an age-dependent manner, whereas constitutive overexpression of NAC075 delays senescence in Arabidopsis. Transcriptome analysis revealed that transcript levels of antioxidant enzymes such as catalase (CAT), ascorbate peroxidase (APX), and superoxide dismutase (SOD) are significantly suppressed in nac075 mutants compared with wild-type plants. Electrophoretic mobility shift assay (EMSA) and chromatin immunoprecipitation (ChIP) analyses revealed that NAC075 directly binds the promoter of catalase 2 (CAT2). Moreover, genetic analysis showed that overexpression of CAT2 suppresses the overproduction of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and the early senescence phenotypes of nac075 mutants, suggesting that CAT2 acts downstream of NAC075 to delay leaf senescence by repressing ROS accumulation. Collectively, our findings provide a new regulatory module involving NAC075-CAT2-ROS in controlling leaf senescence in Arabidopsis.
Association Between Anxiety Symptoms and Problematic Smartphone Use Among Chinese University Students: The Mediating/Moderating Role of Self-Efficacy
Authors: Li Ying , Li Guang-Xiao , Yu Ming-Li , Liu Chun-Li , Qu Yun-Ting , Wu Hui
Published: February 2021

Problematic smartphone use (PSU) is a novel manifestation of addictive behaviors. It is frequently reported to be correlated with anxiety symptoms among University students. However, the underlying mechanism has not yet been thoroughly studied. Whether the association between anxiety symptoms and PSU is mediated or moderated by self-efficacy remains unclarified. A cluster sampling cross-sectional study was thus conducted to explore the potential mediating or moderating effect of self-efficacy in Chinese University students. Participants (N = 1,113) were recruited from eight Universities in Shenyang, China. Of them, 146 did not effectively respond to the questionnaires. Thus, 967 participants were eligible for the final analysis. The mediating or moderating role of self-efficacy in the anxiety-PSU relationship was explored using hierarchical multiple regression. Then the mediation model was further verified using the SPSS macros program (PROCESS v3.0). Our results showed that anxiety symptoms was positively correlated with PSU (r = 0.302, P < 0.01), while self-efficacy was negatively correlated with anxiety symptoms and PSU (r = −0.271 and −0.181, P < 0.01). Self-efficacy partly mediated the relationship between anxiety symptoms and PSU, which accounted for ~17.5% of the total effect that anxiety symptoms have on PSU. However, the moderating effect of self-efficacy on the anxiety-PSU relationship was insignificant. In summary, our findings suggested that self-efficacy partly mediates but not moderates the link between anxiety symptoms and PSU among Chinese University students. Therefore, multicomponent interventions should be made to restrict the frequency of smartphone usage, enhance the level of self-efficacy, and thus promote the mental health status of University students.
Case Report: Optimization of Topographic Change Detection With UAV Structure-From-Motion Photogrammetry Through Survey Co-Alignment
Authors: de Haas Tjalling , Nijland Wiebe , McArdell Brian W. , Kalthof Maurice W. M. L.
Published: February 2021

High-quality digital surface models (DSMs) generated from structure-from-motion (SfM) based on imagery captured from unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), are increasingly used for topographic change detection. Classically, DSMs were generated for each survey individually and then compared to quantify topographic change, but recently it was shown that co-aligning the images of multiple surveys may enhance the accuracy of topographic change detection. Here, we use nine surveys over the Illgraben debris-flow torrent in the Swiss Alps to compare the accuracy of three approaches for UAV-SfM topographic change detection: 1) the classical approach where each survey is processed individually using ground control points (GCPs), 2) co-alignment of all surveys without GCPs, and 3) co-alignment of all surveys with GCPs. We demonstrate that compared to the classical approach co-alignment with GCPs leads to a minor and marginally significant increase in absolute accuracy. Moreover, compared to the classical approach co-alignment enhances the relative accuracy of topographic change detection by a factor 4 with GCPs and a factor 3 without GCPs, leading to xy and z offsets <0.1 m for both co-alignment approaches. We further show that co-alignment leads to particularly large improvements in the accuracy of poorly aligned surveys that have severe offsets when processed individually, by forcing them onto the more accurate common geometry set by the other surveys. Based on these results we advocate that co-alignment, preferably with GCPs to ensure a high absolute accuracy, should become common-practice in high-accuracy UAV-SfM topographic change detection studies for projects with sufficient stable areas.
Electronically Excited States of Closed-Shell, Cyano-Functionalized Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbon Anions
Authors: Santaloci Taylor J. , Fortenberry Ryan C.
Published: February 2021

Few anions exhibit electronically excited states, and, if they do, the one or two possible excitations typically transpire beyond the visible spectrum into the near-infrared. These few, red-shifted electronic absorption features make anions tantalizing candidates as carriers of the diffuse interstellar bands (DIBs), a series of mostly unknown, astronomically ubiquitous absorption features documented for over a century. The recent interstellar detection of benzonitrile implies that cyano-functionalized polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (PAH) anions may be present in space. The presently reported quantum chemical work explores the electronic properties of deprotonated benzene, naphthalene, and anthracene anions functionalized with a single cyano group. Both the absorption and emission properties of the electronically excited states are explored. The findings show that the larger anions absorption and emission energies possess both valence and dipole bound excitations in the 450–900 nm range with oscillator strengths for both types of >1×10−4. The valence and dipole bound excited state transitions will produce slightly altered substructure from one another making them appear to originate with different molecules. The known interstellar presence of related molecules, the two differing natures of the excited states for each, and the wavelength range of peaks for these cyano-functionalized PAH anions are coincident with DIB properties. Finally, the methods utilized appear to be able to predict the presence of dipole-bound excited states to within a 1.0 meV window relative to the electron binding energy.
A Case of Bullous Rash Apparently Triggered by Meningococcal and Rotavirus Vaccines in an Infant: Focus on Infantile Bullous Pemphigoid
Authors: Neri Iria , Evangelista Valeria , Guglielmo Alba , Sechi Andrea , Virdi Annalucia
Published: February 2021

Bullous pemphigoid (BP) is an autoimmune bullous disease and is a rare condition in childhood. Acquired tense acral bullae and fixed urticarial annular lesions on the trunk are diagnostic clues of infantile BP. Diagnosis is supported by immunosorbent assay (IgG anti-BP180 and BP230) and direct immunofluorescence (linear deposition of IgG at the dermo-epidermal junction). Topical and/or systemic corticosteroids are the first-line treatment. The prognosis is good with a self-limited clinical course. Differential diagnoses include impetigo and other bullous diseases in children, such as dermatitis herpetiformis, linear IgA bullous dermatosis and erythema multiforme. The etiopathogenesis is still unknown, and the role of antigen stimuli such as infections, drugs and vaccination is still debated.
The Frequency and Real-Time Properties of the Microcontroller Implementation of Fractional-Order PID Controller
Authors: Oprzędkiewicz Krzysztof , Rosół Maciej , Żegleń-Włodarczyk Jakub
Published: February 2021

The paper presents time, frequency, and real-time properties of a fractional-order PID controller (FOPID) implemented at a STM 32 platform. The implementation uses CFE approximation and discrete version of a Grünwald–Letnikov operator (FOBD). For these implementations, experimental step responses and Bode frequency responses were measured. Real-time properties of the approximations are also examined and analyzed. Results of tests show that the use of CFE approximation allows to better keep the soft real-time requirements with an accuracy level a bit worse than when using the FOBD. The presented results can be employed in construction-embedded fractional control systems implemented at platforms with limited resources.
CTF and FLOCAL Thermal Hydraulics Validations and Verifications within a Multiscale and Multiphysics Software Development
Authors: Davies Sebastian , Rohde Ulrich , Litskevich Dzianis , Merk Bruno , Bryce Paul , Levers Andrew , Detkina Anna , Atkinson Seddon , Ravindra Venkata
Published: February 2021

Simulation codes allow one to reduce the high conservativism in nuclear reactor design improving the reliability and sustainability associated with nuclear power. Full-core coupled reactor physics at the rod level are not provided by most simulation codes. This has led in the UK to the development of a multiscale and multiphysics software development focused on LWRS. In terms of the thermal hydraulics, simulation codes suitable for this multiscale and multiphysics software development include the subchannel code CTF and the thermal hydraulics module FLOCAL of the nodal code DYN3D. In this journal article, CTF and FLOCAL thermal hydraulics validations and verifications within the multiscale and multiphysics software development have been performed to evaluate the accuracy and methodology available to obtain thermal hydraulics at the rod level in both simulation codes. These validations and verifications have proved that CTF is a highly accurate subchannel code for thermal hydraulics. In addition, these verifications have proved that CTF provides a wide range of crossflow and turbulent mixing methods, while FLOCAL in general provides the simplified no-crossflow method as the rest of the methods were only tested during its implementation into DYN3D.
Solving Single- and Multi-Objective Optimal Reactive Power Dispatch Problems Using an Improved Salp Swarm Algorithm
Authors: Tudose Andrei M. , Picioroaga Irina I. , Sidea Dorian O. , Bulac Constantin
Published: February 2021

The optimal reactive power dispatch (ORPD) problem represents a fundamental concern in the efficient and reliable operation of power systems, based on the proper coordination of numerous devices. Therefore, the ORPD calculation is an elaborate nonlinear optimization problem that requires highly performing computational algorithms to identify the optimal solution. In this paper, the potential of metaheuristic methods is explored for solving complex optimization problems specific to power systems. In this regard, an improved salp swarm algorithm is proposed to solve the ORPD problem for the IEEE-14 and IEEE-30 bus systems, by approaching the reactive power planning as both a single- and a multi- objective problem and aiming at minimizing the real power losses and the bus voltage deviations. Multiple comparison studies are conducted based on the obtained results to assess the proposed approach performance with respect to other state-of-the-art techniques. In all cases, the results demonstrate the potential of the developed method and reflect its effectiveness in solving challenging problems.
Eradication of the Invasive Common Carp, Cyprinus carpio from a Large Lake: Lessons and Insights from the Tasmanian Experience
Authors: Yick Jonah L. , Wisniewski Chris , Diggle John , Patil Jawahar G.
Published: February 2021

Common carp (Cyprinus carpio, L. 1758) are the most abundant pest fish species in Australia, detrimental to ecosystem integrity and values, and in need of suitable management solutions. In January 1995, this destructive pest was discovered in two large, connected Tasmanian lakes—Lakes Crescent (23 km2) and Sorell (54 km2). After an initial assessment, carp were immediately contained to these waters using screens to prevent their escape down-stream, followed by swift legislation to enforce closure of the lakes to the public. Assessment and evaluation of carp numbers occurred throughout the eradication program, with effort focused on Lake Crescent. Beginning with undirected removal, techniques progressively evolved to more sophisticated targeted removal with assistance from biotelemetry, in conjunction with gill netting and electro-fishing. Real-time population estimates and in situ observations resulted in a detailed cumulative understanding of carp population dynamics, behaviour and seasonal habitat choice. This allowed strategic deployment of fences to block access to marshes, and the installation of steel traps within the fences. These gears specifically prevented spawning opportunities, while concurrently capturing mature fish. Following 12 years of adaptive and integrated effort, 7797 carp (fry, juvenile and adult) were captured from Lake Crescent, with the last carp being caught in December 2007. The subsequent 14 years of monitoring has not resulted in the capture of any carp, confirming the successful eradication of carp from Lake Crescent. These management practices have been successfully replicated in the larger Lake Sorell, where 41,499 carp (fry, juvenile and adult) have been removed. It is now estimated that there are few, if any carp remaining. Collectively, the techniques and strategies described here were reliable, and can be applied as a model to control or eradicate pest populations of carp in freshwater lakes elsewhere.
Environment, Ecology, Climate and ‘Nature’ in 21st Century Scottish Literature
Authors: Macdonald Graeme , Sassi Carla
Published: February 2021

A pivotal scene in the 2019 reinvention of Bill Forsyth’s 1983 film Local Hero into musical theatre involves a hangover[...]
How Can Bullying Victimisation Lead to Lower Academic Achievement? A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of the Mediating Role of Cognitive-Motivational Factors
Authors: Samara Muthanna , Da Silva Nascimento Bruna , El-Asam Aiman , Hammuda Sara , Khattab Nabil
Published: February 2021

Bullying involvement may have an adverse effect on children’s educational outcomes, particularly academic achievement. However, the underlying mechanisms and factors behind this association are not well-understood. Previous meta-analyses have not investigated mediation factors between bullying and academic achievement. This meta-analysis examines the mediation effect of cognitive-motivational factors on the relationship between peer victimization and academic achievement. A systematic search was performed using specific search terms and search engines to identify relevant studies that were selected according to specific criteria resulting in 11 studies encompassing a sample total of 257,247 children (10 years and younger) and adolescents (11 years and older) (48–59% female). Some studies were longitudinal and some cross sectional and the assessment for each factor was performed by various methods (self, peer, teacher, school and mixed reports). Children involved in bullying behaviour were less likely to be academically engaged (k = 4) (OR = 0.571, 95% CI [0.43, 0.77], p = 0.000), to be less motivated (k = 7) (OR = 0.82, 95% CI [0.69, 0.97], p = 0.021), to have lower self-esteem (k = 1) (OR = 0.12, 95% CI [0.07, 0.20], p = 0.000) and lower academic achievement (k = 14) (OR = 0.62, 95% CI [0.49, 0.79], p = 0.000). Bullying involvement was also significantly related to overall cognitive-motivational factors (k = 17, OR = 0.67, 95% CI [0.59, 0.76], p = 0.000). Cognitive-motivational factors, taken together, mediated the association between bullying victimisation and academic achievement (k = 8, OR = 0.74, 95% CI (0.72, 0.77), p = 0.000). Bullying victimisation was negatively related to cognitive-motivational factors, which, in turn, was associated with poorer academic achievement. These findings were moderated by the design of the studies, assessment methods for the bullying reports, mediators and outcomes, country, age of children in the sample and/or types of bullying. The findings are of relevance for practitioners, parents, and schools, and can be used to guide bullying interventions. Interventions should focus on improving internal and external motivational factors including components of positive reinforcement, encouragement, and programs for enhancing academic engagement and achievement amongst children and adolescents.
Apoptotic Cells induce Proliferation of Peritoneal Macrophages
Authors: Knuth Anne-Kathrin , Huard Arnaud , Naeem Zumer , Rappl Peter , Bauer Rebekka , Mota Ana Carolina , Schmid Tobias , Fleming Ingrid , Brüne Bernhard , Fulda Simone , Weigert Andreas
Published: February 2021

The interaction of macrophages with apoptotic cells is required for efficient resolution of inflammation. While apoptotic cell removal prevents inflammation due to secondary necrosis, it also alters the macrophage phenotype to hinder further inflammatory reactions. The interaction between apoptotic cells and macrophages is often studied by chemical or biological induction of apoptosis, which may introduce artifacts by affecting the macrophages as well and/or triggering unrelated signaling pathways. Here, we set up a pure cell death system in which NIH 3T3 cells expressing dimerizable Caspase-8 were co-cultured with peritoneal macrophages in a transwell system. Phenotype changes in macrophages induced by apoptotic cells were evaluated by RNA sequencing, which revealed an unexpectedly dominant impact on macrophage proliferation. This was confirmed in functional assays with primary peritoneal macrophages and IC-21 macrophages. Moreover, inhibition of apoptosis during Zymosan-induced peritonitis in mice decreased mRNA levels of cell cycle mediators in peritoneal macrophages. Proliferation of macrophages in response to apoptotic cells may be important to increase macrophage numbers in order to allow efficient clearance and resolution of inflammation.
CO2 Derivatives of Molecular Tin Compounds. Part 2: Carbamato, Formato, Phosphinoformato and Metallocarboxylato Complexes
Authors: Plasseraud Laurent
Published: February 2021

Single-crystal X-ray diffraction structures of organotin compounds bearing hemicarbonate and carbonate ligands were recently reviewed by us—“CO2 Derivatives of Molecular Tin Compounds. Part 1: Hemicarbonato and Carbonato Complexes”, Inorganics 2020, 8, 31—based on crystallographic data available from the Cambridge Structural Database. Interestingly, this first collection revealed that most of the compounds listed were isolated in the context of studies devoted to the reactivity of tin precursors towards carbon dioxide, at atmospheric pressure or under pressure, thus highlighting the suitable disposition of Sn to fix CO2. In the frame of a second part, the present review carries on to explore CO2 derivatives of molecular tin compounds by describing successively the complexes with carbamato, formato, and phosphinoformato ligands, and obtained from insertion reactions of carbon dioxide into Sn–X bonds (X = N, H, P, respectively). The last chapter is devoted to X-ray structures of transition metal/tin CO2 complexes exhibiting metallocarboxylato ligands. As in Part 1, for each tin compound reported and when described in the original study, the structural descriptions are supplemented by synthetic conditions and spectroscopic data.
Fostering Evidence-Informed Decision-Making for Protected Areas through the Alberta Parks Social Science Working Group
Authors: Hallstrom Lars K. , Hvenegaard Glen T.
Published: February 2021

Since 2012, the Alberta Parks division in the Province of Alberta, Canada has been engaged in a process of building scientific, research, and evidence-informed capacity and practices across the parks system. Following a series of priority-setting workshops and agreements with the research, Parks management, and local communities, Alberta Parks has adopted a working group approach and subsequent framework, to support the research and decision-making goals of parks and protected areas management, and the research communities. This Social Science Framework is an innovative way to support evidence-informed decision-making in the public sphere by explicitly linking data-specific needs (benchmark data in social, natural, and applied sciences) with both established and emerging policy and research priorities. It is also a way to situate those needs within a broader goal of inter-organizational collaboration. This paper presents the background and developmental context to the framework, and its structure and desired functionality. The paper concludes with an assessment of the anticipated benefits and potential liabilities of this direction for linking academic and policy agents and organizations in a more formalized structure for environmental policy.
Analyzing Regional Geographic Challenges: The Resilience of Chinese Vineyards to Land Degradation Using a Societal and Biophysical Approach
Authors: Yu Yang , Rodrigo-Comino Jesús
Published: February 2021

Land degradation, especially soil erosion, is a societal issue that affects vineyards worldwide, but there are no current investigations that inform specifically about soil erosion rates in Chinese vineyards. In this review, we analyze this problem and the need to avoid irreversible damage to soil and their use from a regional point of view. Information about soil erosion in vineyards has often failed to reach farmers, and we can affirm that to this time, soil erosion in Chinese vineyards has been more of a scientific hypothesis than an agronomic or environmental concern. Two hypotheses can be presented to justify this review: (i) there are no official and scientific investigations on vineyard soil erosion in China as the main topic, and it may be understood that stakeholders do not care about this or (ii) there is a significant lack of information and motivation among farmers, policymakers and wineries concerning the consequences of soil erosion. Therefore, this review proposes a plan to study vineyard soil erosion processes for the first time in China and develop a structured scientific proposal considering different techniques and strategies. To achieve these goals, we present a plan considering previous research on other viticultural regions. We hypothesize that the results of a project from a regional geographic point of view would provide the necessary scientific support to facilitate deriving guidelines for sustainable vineyard development in China. We concluded that after completing this review, we cannot affirm why vine plantations have not received the same attention as other crops or land uses.
Sarcopenia and Cognitive Function: Role of Myokines in Muscle Brain Cross-Talk
Authors: Scisciola Lucia , Fontanella Rosaria Anna , Surina  , Cataldo Vittoria , Paolisso Giuseppe , Barbieri Michelangela
Published: February 2021

Sarcopenia is a geriatric syndrome characterized by the progressive degeneration of muscle mass and function, and it is associated with severe complications, which are falls, functional decline, frailty, and mortality. Sarcopenia is associated with cognitive impairment, defined as a decline in one or more cognitive domains as language, memory, reasoning, social cognition, planning, making decisions, and solving problems. Although the exact mechanism relating to sarcopenia and cognitive function has not yet been defined, several studies have shown that skeletal muscle produces and secrete molecules, called myokines, that regulate brain functions, including mood, learning, locomotor activity, and neuronal injury protection, showing the existence of muscle-brain cross-talk. Moreover, studies conducted on physical exercise supported the existence of muscle-brain cross-talk, showing how physical activity, changing myokines' circulating levels, exerts beneficial effects on the brain. The review mainly focuses on describing the role of myokines on brain function and their involvement in cognitive impairment in sarcopenia.
Concentration and Quantification of SARS-CoV-2 RNA in Wastewater Using Polyethylene Glycol-Based Concentration and qRT-PCR
Authors: Farkas Kata , Hillary Luke S. , Thorpe Jamie , Walker David I. , Lowther James A. , McDonald James E. , Malham Shelagh K. , Jones Davey L.
Published: February 2021

Wastewater-based epidemiology has become an important tool for the surveillance of SARS-CoV-2 outbreaks. However, the detection of viruses in sewage is challenging and to date there is no standard method available which has been validated for the sensitive detection of SARS-CoV-2. In this paper, we describe a simple concentration method based on polyethylene glycol (PEG) precipitation, followed by RNA extraction and a one-step quantitative reverse transcription PCR (qRT-PCR) for viral detection in wastewater. PEG-based concentration of viruses is a simple procedure which is not limited by the availability of expensive equipment and has reduced risk of disruption to consumable supply chains. The concentration and RNA extraction steps enable 900–1500× concentration of wastewater samples and sufficiently eliminates the majority of organic matter, which could inhibit the subsequent qRT-PCR assay. Due to the high variation in the physico-chemical properties of wastewater samples, we recommend the use of process control viruses to determine the efficiency of each step. This procedure enables the concentration and the extraction the DNA/RNA of different viruses and hence can be used for the surveillance of different viral targets for the comprehensive assessment of viral diseases in a community.
YM155 Inhibits NleB and SseK Arginine Glycosyltransferase Activity
Authors: Zhu Congrui , El Qaidi Samir , McDonald Peter , Roy Anuradha , Hardwidge Philip R.
Published: February 2021

The type III secretion system effector proteins NleB and SseK are glycosyltransferases that glycosylate protein substrates on arginine residues. We conducted high-throughput screening assays on 42,498 compounds to identify NleB/SseK inhibitors. Such small molecules may be useful as mechanistic probes and may have utility in the eventual development of anti-virulence therapies against enteric bacterial pathogens. We observed that YM155 (sepantronium bromide) inhibits the activity of Escherichia coli NleB1, Citrobacter rodentium NleB, and both Salmonella enterica SseK1 and SseK2. YM155 was not toxic to mammalian cells, nor did it show cross-reactivity with the mammalian O-linked N-acetylglucosaminyltransferase (OGT). YM155 reduced Salmonella survival in mouse macrophage-like cells but had no direct impact on bacterial growth rates, suggesting YM155 may have utility as a potential anti-virulence inhibitor.
Foliar Application of Zinc Oxide Nanoparticles Promotes Drought Stress Tolerance in Eggplant (Solanum melongena L.)
Authors: Semida Wael M. , Abdelkhalik Abdelsattar , Mohamed Gamal. F. , Abd El-Mageed Taia A. , Abd El-Mageed Shimaa A. , Rady Mostafa M. , Ali Esmat F.
Published: February 2021

Water shortage and salinity are major challenges for sustaining global food security. Using nutrients in the nano-scale formulation including zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO NP) is a novel fertilization strategy for crops. In this study, two field-based trials were conducted during 2018 and 2019 to examine the influence of three ZnO NP concentrations (0, 50, and 100 ppm) in eggplant grown under full irrigation (100 of crop evapotranspiration; ETc) and drought stress (60% of ETc). Plant growth, yield, water productivity (WP), physiology, biochemistry, and anatomy responses were evaluated. Drought stress significantly decreased membrane stability index (MSI), relative water content (RWC), and photosynthetic efficiency, thus hampered eggplant growth and yield. In contrast, exogenous ZnO NP to water-stressed eggplant resulted in increased RWC and MSI associated with improved stem and leaf anatomical structures and enhanced photosynthetic efficiency. Under drought stress, supplementation of 50 and 100 ppm ZnO NP improved growth characteristics and increased fruit yield by 12.2% and 22.6%, respectively, compared with fully irrigated plants and nonapplied ZnO NP. The highest water productivity (WP) was obtained when eggplant was irrigated with 60% ETc and foliarly treated with 50 or 100 ppm of ZnO NP, which led to 50.8–66.1% increases in WP when compared with nontreated fully irrigated plants. Collectively, these findings demonstrated that foliar spraying ZnO NP gives the utility for alleviating drought stress effects on eggplant cultivated in saline soil.
Rangeland Fractional Components Across the Western United States from 1985 to 2018
Authors: Rigge Matthew , Homer Collin , Shi Hua , Meyer Debra , Bunde Brett , Granneman Brian , Postma Kory , Danielson Patrick , Case Adam , Xian George
Published: February 2021

Monitoring temporal dynamics of rangelands to detect and understand change in vegetation cover and composition provides a wealth of information to improve management and sustainability. Remote sensing allows the evaluation of both abrupt and gradual rangeland change at unprecedented spatial and temporal extents. Here, we describe the production of the National Land Cover Database (NLCD) Back in Time (BIT) dataset which quantified the percent cover of rangeland components (bare ground, herbaceous, annual herbaceous, litter, shrub, and sagebrush (Artemisia spp. Nutt.) across the western United States using Landsat imagery from 1985 to 2018. We evaluate the relationships of component trends with climate drivers at an ecoregion scale, describe the nature of landscape change, and demonstrate several case studies related to changes in grazing management, prescribed burns, and vegetation treatments. Our results showed the net cover of shrub, sagebrush, and litter significantly (p < 0.01) decreased, bare ground and herbaceous cover had no significant change, and annual herbaceous cover significantly (p < 0.05) increased. Change was ubiquitous, with a mean of 92% of pixels with some change and 38% of pixels with significant change (p < 0.10). However, most change was gradual, well over half of pixels have a range of less than 10%, and most change occurred outside of known disturbances. The BIT data facilitate a comprehensive assessment of rangeland condition, evaluation of past management actions, understanding of system variability, and opportunities for future planning.
Fusion of Airborne LiDAR Point Clouds and Aerial Images for Heterogeneous Land-Use Urban Mapping
Authors: Megahed Yasmine , Shaker Ahmed , Yan Wai Yeung
Published: February 2021

The World Health Organization has reported that the number of worldwide urban residents is expected to reach 70% of the total world population by 2050. In the face of challenges brought about by the demographic transition, there is an urgent need to improve the accuracy of urban land-use mappings to more efficiently inform about urban planning processes. Decision-makers rely on accurate urban mappings to properly assess current plans and to develop new ones. This study investigates the effects of including conventional spectral signatures acquired by different sensors on the classification of airborne LiDAR (Light Detection and Ranging) point clouds using multiple feature spaces. The proposed method applied three machine learning algorithms—ML (Maximum Likelihood), SVM (Support Vector Machines), and MLP (Multilayer Perceptron Neural Network)—to classify LiDAR point clouds of a residential urban area after being geo-registered to aerial photos. The overall classification accuracy passed 97%, with height as the only geometric feature in the classifying space. Misclassifications occurred among different classes due to independent acquisition of aerial and LiDAR data as well as shadow and orthorectification problems from aerial images. Nevertheless, the outcomes are promising as they surpassed those achieved with large geometric feature spaces and are encouraging since the approach is computationally reasonable and integrates radiometric properties from affordable sensors.