bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Senescence-associated secretory phenotype constructed detrimental and beneficial subtypes and prognostic index for prostate cancer patients undergoing radical prostatectomy
Authors: Feng Dechao , Wang Jie , Li Dengxiong , Wu Ruicheng , Wei Wuran , Zhang Chi
Published: August 2023

Background

Cellular senescence is growing in popularity in cancer. A dual function is played by the senescence-associated secretory phenotype (SASP) that senescent cells produce in the development of pro-inflammatory niches, tissue regeneration or destruction, senescence propagation, and malignant transformation. In this study, we conducted thorough bioinformatic analysis and meta-analysis to discover detrimental and beneficial subtypes and prognostic index for prostate cancer (PCa) patients using the experimentally confirmed SASP genes.

Methods

We identified differentially expressed and prognosis-related SASP genes and used them to construct two molecular subtypes and risk score. Another two external cohorts were used to confirm the prognostic effect of the above subtypes and risk score and meta-analysis was further conducted. Additionally, functional analysis, tumor stemness and heterogeneity and tumor microenvironment were also evaluated. We completed analyses using software R 3.6.3 and its suitable packages. Meta-analysis was performed by software Stata 14.0.

Results

Through multivariate Cox regression analysis and consensus clustering analysis, we used VGF, IGFBP3 and ANG to establish detrimental and beneficial subtypes in the TCGA cohort, which was validated through other two independent cohorts. Meta-analysis showed that detrimental SASP group had significantly higher risk of biochemical recurrence (BCR) than beneficial SASP group (HR: 2.48). Moreover, we also constructed and validated risk score based on these genes to better guide clinical practice. DNA repair, MYC target, oxidative phosphorylation, proteasome and ribosome were highly enriched in detrimental SASP group. Detrimental SASP group had significantly higher levels of B cells, CD8+ T cells, homologous recombination deficiency, loss of heterozygosity, microsatellite instability, purity, tumor mutation burden, mRNAsi, differentially methylated probes and epigenetically regulated RNA expression than beneficial SASP group. The top mutation genes between detrimental and beneficial SASP groups were SPOP, FOXA1, KMT2C, APC, BSN, DNAH17, MYH6, EPPK1, ZNF536 and ZC3H13 with statistical significance.

Conclusions

From perspective of SASP, we found detrimental and beneficial tumor subtypes which were closely associated with BCR-free survival for PCa patients, which might be important for the furture research in the field of PCa.
Trends and perioperative mortality in gastric cancer surgery: a nationwide population‑based cohort study
Authors: Peltrini Roberto , Giordani Barbara , Duranti Giorgia , Salvador Renato , Costantini Mario , Corcione Francesco , Bracale Umberto , Baglio Giovanni
Published: August 2023

This study aimed to investigate changes and perioperative mortality over a 6-year period within the Italian Hospital Information System among patients with gastric cancer (GC) who underwent gastrectomies and to identify risk factors associated with 90-day mortality. Additionally, nationwide differences between high and low-volume hospitals were evaluated. A nationwide retrospective study was conducted using patient hospital discharge records (HDRs) based on the International Classification of Diseases, 9th Revision, Clinical Modification (ICD-9-CM) classification. The HDRs were linked to the National Tax Registry records using deterministic record linkage. The data were obtained from the Italian National Outcomes Evaluation Programme (PNE). Multivariate logistic regression was used to examine risk factors for 90-day mortality among patients with GC who underwent partial or total gastrectomies over the period from 2018 to 2020 with adjustment for comorbidities. Overall, the number of patients with GC who underwent total or partial gastrectomies steadily decreased in Italy from 5765 in 2015 to 4291 in 2020 (p < 0.001). The use of the laparoscopic approach more than doubled from 2015 (10.8%) to 2020 (26.3%), with a concomitant conversion rate from laparoscopy to open surgery decreasing from 7.7 to 5.8%. The 30 and 90-day mortality rates remained stable over time (p > 0.05). Low-volume hospitals had higher inpatient, early, and late mortality compared to high-volume hospitals (5.9% vs 3.8%, 6.3% vs 3.8%, and 11.8% vs 7.9%, respectively; p < 0.001). Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that an advanced age (adjusted odds ratio: 3.72; 95% [CI]: 3.15–4.39; p < 0.001), an open approach (adjusted-OR: 1.69, 95% CI: 1.43–1.99, p < 0.001) and a total gastrectomy (adjusted-OR: 1.44, 95% CI: 1.27–1.64, p < 0.001) were independent risk factors for 90-day mortality. Additionally, patients with GC who referred to high-volume hospitals were 26% less likely to die within 90 days after a gastrectomy than those who underwent surgery in low-volume hospitals. During the 6-year period, surgeons implemented a minimally invasive approach to reduce the conversion over time. Centralisation was associated with better outcomes while advanced age, an open approach, and total gastrectomy were identified as risk factors for 90-day mortality.
Performance Optimization of a Multi-groove Water Lubricated Journal Bearing with Partial Slip by Taguchi Analysis
Authors: Ganesha A. , Joseph Albin , Pai Raghuvir , Khader Shah Mohammed Abdul , Kumar Nitesh , Kumar Shiva , Girish H.
Published: August 2023

The importance of preserving the ecological balance has paved the way for developing water lubricated bearings for marine vessels and other various applications. These bearings have found widespread applications in high pressure water pumps, water-power plants and power generation stations in sea, mining industries, ships, boats and submarines. To investigate the performance envelope of a water lubricated journal bearing (WLJB) with partial slip/no slip pattern, a multi-groove bearing model is developed and analyzed using CFD in the present study. Taguchi analysis method is utilized to determine the highest influential parameter affecting the pressure distribution and load-carrying capacity of a water lubricated journal bearing. From Taguchi method, optimum values identified for design parameters such as attitude angle, groove angle, groove height and number of grooves are 60°, 9°, 7 mm and 2, respectively. For the optimum combination model, a higher load bearing capacity of 1484.5 N is attained. Approximately, 2.88 times increase in peak pressures are noted from the current optimal bearing model by comparing with previous findings. Results indicated that the number of grooves and groove angle are the most influential parameters affecting the bearing load capacity. Partial slip conditions are applied at the grooved surfaces of a bearing model designed based on the identified optimal groove parameters. Influence of varying slip intensity on bearing load capacity is analyzed using CFD simulation. Appropriate selection of slip regions and slip amplitude is found to play a major role influencing the performance of the water lubricated journal bearing.
Stadium IIA/B-seminoma testis: retroperitoneale lymfeklierdissectie als alternatief voor chemotherapie en radiotherapie?
Authors: Alberts Arnout R. , Zuiverloon Tahlita C. M.
Published: August 2023

Samenvatting

De standaardbehandeling voor stadium IIA-seminoma testis (1 tot 5 vergrote retroperitoneale lymfeklieren ≤ 2 cm) en stadium IIB-seminoma testis (lymfeklieren 2–5 cm of > 5 klieren) bestaat uit chemotherapie of radiotherapie. De curatiekans na behandeling is zeer hoog, maar op de lange termijn is er risico op cardiovasculaire morbiditeit, secundaire maligniteiten en oversterfte als gevolg van de radio- of chemotherapie. Recent hebben zes cohortstudies de effectiviteit van primaire retroperitoneale lymfeklierdissectie (RPLND) bij stadium IIA/B-seminoma testis onderzocht. Met een primaire RPLND zonder adjuvante therapie blijft 70–80% van de patiënten recidiefvrij. Hoewel een minimaal-invasieve (robotgeassisteerde) RPLND een alternatief kan zijn voor chemotherapie of radiotherapie lijkt een recidiefpercentage van 20–30% onacceptabel. Risicostratificatie is noodzakelijk voor een betere patiëntenselectie. Bij een hoger recidiefrisico zou een voorwaarde voor een primaire RPLND één adjuvante chemokuur kunnen zijn.
On maximal parallel application of rules in rewriting P systems
Authors: Zandron Claudio
Published: August 2023

In rewriting P systems, that is P systems using structured strings instead of atomic symbols, rules can be applied in parallel on all strings, but a single rule at a time can be applied on each string. Nonetheless, parallel application of rules also on each string has been considered in various works. This leads to possible application of rules with conflicting target indications on the same string, and different strategies have been considered to face this problem; relations among different classes of languages generated in this way have been investigated in the literature. We continue the investigation on this subject, by highlighting some relations among different classes of maximally parallel rewriting P systems by means of direct simulations. The advantages of such simulations are highlighted, by showing how theoretical results concerning one such type of systems can immediately be adapted to the corresponding simulating systems.
Numerical study on hybrid metallic sandwich structures subjected to air burst
Authors: Derseh Solomon Abebe , Mohammed Tesfaye Alemu , Urgessa Girum
Published: August 2023

This study presents a numerical investigation on the use of previously unexplored hybrid sandwich protective structural configurations with aim to resist airblast loading. A honeycomb, corrugated sheet, and woven interlaced core configurations are used to develop the hybrid system. An experimental result reported in the previous literature is used for validation of the finite element analysis models using Abaqus/Explicit finite element software with a conventional weapon blast related parametric codes. Then an extended numerical study is conducted further on various hybrid sandwich inner core topologies for maximizing protection against an air blast induced shock wave. The study demonstrated that a protective system, combining square honeycomb metallic cores with X-shaped corrugated sheets and fortified against in-plane compression and buckling, showed excellent shielding capabilities against airblast loading. This configuration also exhibited the highest energy dissipation, the least effective plastic strain, minimal back sheet displacement, and a favorable damage profile.
Grace de Laguna’s 1909 critique of analytic philosophy: presentation and defence
Authors: Katzav Joel
Published: August 2023

Grace A. de Laguna was an American philosopher of exceptional originality. Many of the arguments and positions she developed during the early decades of the twentieth century later came to be central to analytic philosophy. These arguments and positions included, even before 1930, a critique of the analytic-synthetic distinction, a private language argument, a critique of type physicalism, a functionalist theory of mind, a critique of scientific reductionism, a methodology of research programs in science and more. Nevertheless, de Laguna identified herself as a defender of the speculative vision of philosophy, a vision which, in her words, ‘analytic philosophy condemns’. I outline her speculative vision of philosophy as well as what is, in effect, an argument she offers against analytic philosophy. This is an argument against the view that key parts of established opinion, e.g. our best theoretical physics or most certain common sense, should be assumed to be true in order to answer philosophical questions. I go on to bring out the implications of her argument for the approaches to philosophy of Bertrand Russell, Willard V. Quine and David Lewis, and I also compare the argument to recent, related arguments against analytic philosophy. I will suggest that de Laguna offers a viable critique of analytic philosophy and an alternative approach to philosophy that meets this critique.
Chinese expert consensus on primary prevention for pelvic floor dysfunction during pregnancy
Authors: Sun Xiuli , Gao Lei , Zhu Hongmei , Jiao Wei , Guo Jianjun , Wang Jianliu , Wei Lihui ,   Sports, Exercise and Health Branch of Chinese Preventive Medicine Association
Published: August 2023

Objective

Pregnancy has been identified as a risk factor for pelvic floor dysfunction (PFD). The aim of this study was to establish primary prevention measures for PFD during pregnancy and reduce the overall incidence of PFD.

Methods

We assembled a panel of 36 experts, including gynecologists, obstetricians, and physiotherapists. Through surveys and expert meetings, the panel reviewed and assessed the safety and effectiveness of various clinical interventions. Based on expert comments from Round 1, a revised list of 8 clinical interventions was developed and submitted for a second round of expert review.

Results

A consensus was reached on the importance of implementing prevention measures to protect pelvic floor function during pregnancy. Experts particularly emphasized the significance of health education, weight management, pelvic floor muscle training, respiratory training, overall exercise, physical activity, and perineal massage.

Conclusion

The expert consensus provides comprehensive clinical measures to safeguard pelvic floor function during pregnancy. This paper represents the initial step toward developing scientific recommendations for pregnant women regarding the primary prevention of PFD. Future research should focus on the implementation of these recommendations in clinical practice.
The Rise and Fall of the Italian Economy
Authors: Bastasin Carlo , Toniolo Gianni
Published: August 2023

Carlo Bastasin and Gianni Toniolo provide a much-needed, up-to-date economic history of Italy from unification in 1861 to the present day. They show how, thirty years after unification, Italy began a long phase of convergence with more advanced economies so that by the late twentieth century Italy's per capita income reached the levels of Germany, France and the UK. From the mid-1990s, however, the Italian economy declined first in relative and then absolute terms. The authors describe the intertwined financial and institutional crises that eroded trust in the political system and in the economy at the exact juncture when new technologies and markets transformed the global economy. Longstanding problems of uneven levels of education and obsolete bureaucratic and judicial practices deepened the division between economically vibrant regions and the rest, causing polarization, political instability and rising public debt. Italy's contemporary malaise makes the country a test-case for understanding the implications of protracted declines in productivity and the flattening of GDP growth for the stability of western democracies, resulting in populism, mistrust and political instability.
Condensed Matter Field Theory
Authors: Altland Alexander , Simons Ben
Published: August 2023

The methods of quantum field theory underpin many conceptual advances in contemporary condensed matter physics and neighbouring fields. This book provides a praxis-oriented and pedagogical introduction to quantum field theory in many-particle physics, emphasizing the application of theory to real physical systems. This third edition is organized into two parts: the first half of the text presents a streamlined introduction, elevating readers to a level where they can engage with contemporary research literature, from the introduction of many-body techniques and functional integration to renormalization group methods, and the second half addresses a range of advanced topics including modern aspects of gauge theory, topological and relativistic quantum matter, and condensed matter physics out of thermal equilibrium. At all stages, the text seeks a balance between methodological aspects of quantum field theory and practical applications. Extended problems with worked solutions provide a bridge between formal theory and a research-oriented approach.
Medicine and Healing in Ancient East Asia
Authors: Cook Constance A.
Published: August 2023

This Element first discusses the creation of transmitted medical canons that are generally dated from early imperial times through the medieval era and then, by way of contrast, provides translations and analyses of non-transmitted texts from the pre-imperial late Shang and Zhou eras, the early imperial Qin and Han eras, and then a brief discussion covering the period through the 11th-c. CE. The Element focuses on the evolution of concepts, illness categories, and diagnostic and treatment methodologies evident in the newly discovered material and reveals a side of medical practice not reflected in the canons. It is both traditions of healing, the canons and the currents of local practice revealed by these texts, that influenced the development of East Asian medicine more broadly. The local practices show there was no real evolution from magical to non-magical medicine. This title is also available as Open Access on Cambridge Core.
And Still, Ancestors Remain Out of Their Graves: Reflections on Past, Present, and Future Bioarchaeological Practices while Building an Indigenous Cultural Heritage Database in Quebec
Authors: Martin-Moya Diane , Zachary-Deom Christine , Nolet Gaetan , Cross-Delisle Katsitsahente , Kolhatkar Manek , Ribot Isabelle
Published: August 2023

This article addresses past and present bioarchaeological practices and human remains management in Quebec; it focuses on the challenges of creating a bioarchaeological database during a two-phase project initiated in 2018–2019 by the Kahnawake Mohawk Council. Its goal was to help Indigenous communities engaged in repatriation and rematriation procedures. Key information regarding human remains’ current location from the 2018 database served as the basis for a second phase in 2021. Of a total of 345 archaeological sites, storage location could only be confirmed for 35% of 228 Indigenous sites compared to 70% of 77 Euro-Canadian sites. Because Ancestors are the legal property of the finder, the landowner, or both, this missing information poses additional challenges to those wishing to initiate repatriation and rematriation claims. Years of non-Indigenous legal and scientific control created layers of colonial assessments. Current populations must rely on archaeological finds to assess whether they are Ancestors’ “legitimate next-of-kin.” In the meantime, Ancestors remain stored. We show how these problems stem from Quebec's colonial archaeological practices and legal frameworks. We then draw on reciprocity-based archaeology to suggest new ways of taking care of Ancestors that respect Indigenous communities’ beliefs and that involve Indigenous communities in caring for their Ancestors.
Exploring the needs of children and caregivers to inform design of an artificial intelligence-enhanced social robot in the pediatric emergency department
Authors: Nishat Fareha , Hudson Summer , Panesar Prabdeep , Ali Samina , Litwin Sasha , Zeller Frauke , Candelaria Patricia , Foster Mary Ellen , Stinson Jennifer
Published: August 2023

Background & Objective:

Socially assistive robots (SARs) are a promising tool to manage children’s pain and distress related to medical procedures, but current options lack autonomous adaptability. The aim of this study was to understand children’s and caregivers' perceptions surrounding the use of an artificial intelligence (AI)-enhanced SAR to provide personalized procedural support to children during intravenous insertion (IVI) to inform the design of such a system following a user-centric approach.

Methods:

This study presents a descriptive qualitative needs assessment of children and caregivers. Data were collected via semi-structured individual interviews and focus groups. Participants were recruited from two Canadian pediatric emergency departments (EDs) between April 2021 and January 2022.

Results:

Eleven caregivers and 19 children completed 27 individual interviews and one focus group. Three main themes were identified: A. Experience in the clinical setting, B. Acceptance of and concerns surrounding SARs, and C. Features that support child engagement with SARs. Most participants expressed comfort with robot technology, however, concerns were raised about sharing personal information, photographing/videotaping, and the possibility of technical failure. Suggestions for feature enhancements included increasing movement to engage a child’s attention and tailoring language to developmental age. To enhance the overall ED experience, participants also identified a role for the SAR in the waiting room.

Conclusion:

Artificial intelligence-enhanced SARs were perceived by children and caregivers as a promising tool for distraction during IVIs and to enhance the overall ED experience. Insights collected will be used to inform the design of an AI-enhanced SAR.
From ritual to performance: Ta'zieh in Iran today
Authors: Khajehi Yassaman , Biet Christian
Published: August 2023

As a practice and experience,ta'ziehlies at the crossroads between ritual and performance, collective lament and recollection, literature, and folklore. Focusing on the experience of the spectator, this paper discussesta'zieh's liminal status and diverse functions in Iran today. This study is based on observations gathered during fieldwork in the fall of 2017 in Tehran (Grand Bazaar), Isfahan (Falāvarjān), and Kashan (Nushābād). By way of comparison, we further reflect on a video installation by Abbas Kiarostami presented at the Centre Georges Pompidou in Paris in 2003, which challenges common assumptions about the aesthetic and religious effectiveness ofta'zieh. The contrast allows us to elucidate how, by renovating ancient narrative forms, contemporary Iranian performing arts partake in the shaping of individual affects as well as communal emotions.
An efficient and low-divergence method for generating inhomogeneous and anisotropic turbulence with arbitrary spectra
Authors: Guo Hao , Jiang Peixue , Ye Lin , Zhu Yinhai
Published: August 2023

This paper proposes a low-divergence method to generate inhomogeneous and anisotropic turbulence. Based on the idea of correlation reconstruction, the proposed method uses the Cholesky decomposition matrix to re-establish turbulence correlation functions. This is in contrast with the time-consuming procedure used in conventional methods to solve eigenvalues and eigenvectors in each location required by coordinate transformation, thereby reducing the computational complexity and improving the efficiency of synthetic turbulence generation. The proposed method is based on the classical spectrum-based method that is widely used to generate homogeneous and isotropic turbulence. By adjusting the generation strategy of specific random vectors, inhomogeneous and anisotropic turbulence with a relatively low divergence level can be obtained in practice, with almost no additional computational burden. Two versions of the proposed method are presented: the inverter and shifter versions. Both the versions are highly efficient, easy to implement, and compatible with high-performance computing. This method is also suitable for providing high-quality initial or boundary conditions for scale-resolving turbulence simulations with large grid numbers (such as direct numerical simulations or large eddy simulations); it can be rapidly implemented using various open-source computational fluid dynamics codes or common commercial software.
Legal Disagreement
Authors: Davis Kevin E. , Guevara Alfredo Guerra
Published: August 2023

Individuals within the same jurisdiction often have different perceptions of the legal system, a phenomenon we call legal disagreement. Cross-country analyses of legal institutions generally ignore this kind of within-country variation. This article defines the concept of legal disagreement, identifies its potential causes and consequences, and shows that it can be measured using data from cross-country surveys. We argue that legal disagreement is likely to be caused by differences in individuals’ sources of information about the legal system, how the system treats cases of a given type, or how individuals process legal information, all of which may be related to differences in social position. We also suggest that understanding why individuals disagree about legal systems is valuable for several reasons, particularly when the disagreement reflects systematic differences in beliefs across people in different social positions. We use data from World Justice Project population surveys to create quantitative measures of legal disagreement for 128 countries or jurisdictions. We identify correlations between legal disagreement and measures of its potential causes and consequences, such as perceptions of discrimination and ethnic fractionalization. We also provide evidence that those variations are driven by differences in perceptions that track differences in gender, financial well-being, and class.
Midline brain structures in adult Niemann-Pick type C disease: a cross-sectional study
Authors: Walterfang Mark , Takahashi Tsutomu , Di Biase Maria A. , Cropley Vanessa L. , Sasabayashi Daiki , Suzuki Michio , Velakoulis Dennis , Pantelis Christos
Published: August 2023

Objective:

A range of neuropathological changes occur in the brains of individuals with adult Niemann-Pick type C disease (NPC), a recessive disorder of cholesterol trafficking that results in accumulation of cholesterol and gangliosides in lysosomes, particularly in neurons. One of the most significant regions of grey matter loss occurs in the thalami, which abut the midline. What is not known is whether these are neurodevelopmental in origin well prior to symptomatic onset. We aimed to examine other markers of midline developmental anomalies in adults with NPC.

Method:

We examined the size of adhesio interthalamica (AI) and cavum septum pellucidum (CSP) (if present) in nine individuals diagnosed with NPC and nine healthy comparison subjects, matched for age and gender, using a 3T magnetic resonance volumetric sequence and measured the length of the AI and CSP in mm.

Results:

We found that 5/9 NPC patients and 0/9 controls had a missing AI. AI length was significantly shorter in the patient group. No subject in other group had a large CSP, and CSP length did not differ. Duration of illness showed a trend to a negative correlation with AI length in patients.

Conclusions:

Our findings suggest that adult NPC patients show some markers of early neurodevelopmental disturbance, matching findings seen in psychotic disorders. The differences in AI, but not CSP, suggest neurodevelopmental change may occur early in gestation rather than post-partum. The relationship with duration of illness suggests that there may be atrophy over time in these structures, consistent with prior analyses of grey matter regions in NPC.
ON SUMS INVOLVING THE EULER TOTIENT FUNCTION
Authors: KIUCHI ISAO , TSURUTA YUKI
Published: August 2023

Let
$\gcd (n_{1},\ldots ,n_{k})$
denote the greatest common divisor of positive integers
$n_{1},\ldots ,n_{k}$
and let
$\phi $
be the Euler totient function. For any real number
$x>3$
and any integer
$k\geq 2$
, we investigate the asymptotic behaviour of
$\sum _{n_{1}\ldots n_{k}\leq x}\phi (\gcd (n_{1},\ldots ,n_{k})). $
How Government Efficiency Shapes Political Trust: Evidence from the Case of Brexit
Authors: Hansen Frederik Godt
Published: August 2023

Government competence in delivering outcomes is often regarded as foundational to political trust. However, in this article, a different competence dynamic is proposed; specifically, whether political trust is related to government efficiency in achieving promised policy objectives. This article argues that when policy objectives are polarizing, the effect of efficiency on political trust is conditional on whether individuals support or oppose the objective. Using the case of Brexit, where the promised policy objective of leaving the European Union was polarizing, it is hypothesized that Leave voters relative to Remain voters became more trusting in cases of efficiency and less trusting in cases of inefficiency. The predictions are supported through a difference-in-differences analysis of unique real-world data over time from the British Election Study. The findings have important implications for our understanding of Brexit and also inform how political trust relates to government competence in the case of polarizing political issues.
Thoreau, Parrhesia, and the Socratic Tradition of Philosophy
Authors: Hosseini Reza
Published: August 2023

Most objections against Henry Thoreau aim at his “unfriendly” provocations. In this article, I argue that we need to situate his exhortative style in the context of practicing parrhesia or the bold expression of truth in the Socratic tradition of philosophy. Philosophical parrhesia can be defined as the practice of speaking the truth with an eye to bringing home the realization that one must change one's life. The transformation Thoreau has in mind is hinged upon acquiring the practical knowledge of cultivating the senses through what he calls “excursion.” This, I argue, is his key contribution to the said tradition.
Noble-Bourgeois Elites in an Age of Revolutions, c. 1790–1850
Authors: Caruso Amerigo
Published: August 2023

This article focuses on the shift toward post-revolutionary politics supported by reform-minded aristocratic clans and their bourgeois allies. Using the example of the Balbo family – one of the leading aristocratic families in Sardinia-Piedmont – I will argue that the quest for stability and pragmatism is crucial to understanding the political, cultural, and ideological reorientations within the noble-bourgeois elites in the first age of global revolutions. Family history is a lens through which it is possible to look afresh at this vital period of social transformations, state expansion, and political modernization. The article explores the Balbos’ family history across generations and genders, not only in the revolutionary and Napoleonic period, but also in the decades after the Congress of Vienna. In doing so, it sheds new light on the course of state-building processes, constitutional reforms, and the formation of a new, composite elite, which would largely dominate European politics until the end of the nineteenth century.
Morphological and molecular data on Phyllodistomum (Digenea: Gorgoderidae) from Brazil, with the description of a new species parasitizing Hoplias malabaricus (Bloch, 1794) (Osteichthyes, Erythrinidae)
Authors: Dias K.G.A. , Pérez-Ponce de León G. , da Silva R.J. , Vieira D.H.M.D. , Leite L.A.R. , de Azevedo R.K. , Abdallah V.D.
Published: August 2023

Phyllodistomum pepirense n. sp. is described from the urinary bladder of Hoplias malabaricus (Bloch, 1794), sampled in the Jacaré-Pepira River in São Paulo state, Brazil. The isolates of the new species were recovered as a monophyletic group in the phylogenetic analysis of the 28S rRNA gene, which showed the new species as the sister taxa of Phyllodistomum virmantasi Pinacho-Pinacho, Sereno-Uribe, Hernández-Orts, García-Varela & Pérez-Ponce de León, 2021, a species sampled from an eleotrid fish in Southeastern Mexico. The new species differs morphologically from P. virmantasi by having a larger body size, slightly lobed testes and ovary, a mostly intercaecal uterus, slightly diverticulated caeca, and vitelline masses irregularly shaped. The new species is also readily distinguished from other species of Phyllodistomum Braun, 1899 reported from freshwater fishes in Brazil – namely, P. rhamdiae Amato & Amato, 1993 and P. spatula Odhner, 1902. The new species is herein described based on morphological characteristics, molecular data from D1–D3 domains of the 28S rRNA gene, host association, and geographical distribution.
On the status of NCIs: An experimental investigation on so-called Strict NC languages
Authors: ESPINAL M. TERESA , PUIG-MAYENCO ELOI , ETXEBERRIA URTZI , TUBAU SUSAGNA
Published: August 2023

This paper investigates the status of Negative Concord Items (NCIs) in three so-called Strict Negative Concord (NC) languages (namely, Greek, Romanian, and Russian). An experimental study was designed to gather evidence concerning the speakers’ acceptability and interpretation of sequences with argumental NCIs in subject, object, and both positions when dhen/nu/ne were not present. Our results show that NCIs are negative indefinites whose presence in a clausal domain is enough to assign a single negation reading to the whole sequence, thus arguing in support of the hypothesis that in NC structures the minimal semantic requirement to convey single negation is that one or more NCIs encoding a negative feature appear within a sentential domain. We argue that in these structures dhen/nu/ne are the instantiations of a negative feature [neg] disembodied from an indefinite negative NCI in order to obey a syntax–phonology interface constraint.
Prenatal cocaine exposure and self-reported behavioral adjustments from ages 12 to 21: environmental pathways
Authors: Min Meeyoung O. , Albert Jeffrey M. , Minnes Sonia , Kim June-Yung , Kim Sun-Kyung , Singer Lynn T.
Published: August 2023

Background

In a birth-cohort study, we followed offspring with prenatal cocaine exposure (PCE) to investigate longitudinal associations of PCE with self-reported behavioral adjustment from early adolescence to emerging adulthood (EA). Environmental pathways (family functioning, non-kinship care, maltreatment) were specified as potential mediators of PCE.

Methods

Participants were 372 (190 PCE; 47% male), primarily Black, low socioeconomic status, enrolled at birth. Internalizing and externalizing behaviors were assessed using Youth Self-Report at ages 12 and 15 and Adult Self-Report at age 21. Extended random-intercept cross-lagged panel modeling was used to account for potential bidirectional relationships between internalizing and externalizing behaviors over time, examining potential mediators.

Results

Adjusting for covariates, significant indirect effects were found for each mediator at different ages. For family functioning, these were both internalizing (β = 0.83, p = 0.04) and externalizing behaviors (β = 1.58, p = 0.02) at age 12 and externalizing behaviors at age 15 (β = 0.51, p = 0.03); for non-kinship care, externalizing behaviors at ages 12 (β = 0.63, p = 0.02) and 15 (β = 0.20, p = 0.03); and for maltreatment, both internalizing and externalizing behaviors at ages 15 (β = 0.64, p = 0.02 for internalizing; β = 0.50, p = 0.03 for externalizing) and 21 (β = 1.39, p = 0.01 for internalizing; β = 1.11, p = 0.01 for externalizing). Direct associations of PCE with internalizing and externalizing behaviors were not observed, nor cross-lagged relationships between internalizing and externalizing behaviors.

Conclusions

Negative associations of PCE with behavioral adjustment persist into EA via environmental pathways, specifying intervention points to disrupt adverse pathways toward healthy development.
Mechanisms underlying the association between adverse childhood experiences and racial disparities in later-life cognition
Authors: Wilhoite Sydney R. , Zaheed Afsara B. , Palms Jordan D. , Morris Emily P. , Sol Ketlyne , Martino Alexa , Zahodne Laura B.
Published: August 2023

Objective:

Adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) may be a risk factor for later-life cognitive disorders such as dementia; however, few studies have investigated underlying mechanisms, such as cardiovascular health and depressive symptoms, in a health disparities framework.

Method:

418 community-dwelling adults (50% nonHispanic Black, 50% nonHispanic White) aged 55+ from the Michigan Cognitive Aging Project retrospectively reported on nine ACEs. Baseline global cognition was a z-score composite of five factor scores from a comprehensive neuropsychological battery. Depressive symptoms were assessed using the Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale. Cardiovascular health was operationalized through systolic blood pressure. A mediation model controlling for sociodemographics, childhood health, and childhood socioeconomic status estimated indirect effects of ACEs on global cognition via depressive symptoms and blood pressure. Racial differences were probed via t-tests and stratified models.

Results:

A negative indirect effect of ACEs on cognition was observed through depressive symptoms [β = −.040, 95% CI (−.067, −.017)], but not blood pressure, for the whole sample. Black participants reported more ACEs (Cohen’s d = .21), reported more depressive symptoms (Cohen’s d = .35), higher blood pressure (Cohen’s d = .41), and lower cognitive scores (Cohen’s d = 1.35) compared to White participants. In stratified models, there was a negative indirect effect through depressive symptoms for Black participants [β = −.074, 95% CI (−.128, −.029)] but not for White participants.

Conclusions:

These results highlight the need to consider racially patterned contextual factors across the life course. Such factors could exacerbate the negative impact of ACEs and related mental health consequences and contribute to racial disparities in cognitive aging.
„Neuropsychology for You“
Authors: Weiler-Wichtl Liesa , Fohn-Erhold Verena , Kollmann Alina , Fries Jonathan , Schneider Carina , Holzer Angelika Elisabeth , Schreiber-Gollwitzer Beate , Lüttich Peggy , Ross Henning , Pletschko Thomas , Hansl Rita , Hopfgartner Maximilian , Krottendorfer Kerstin , Leiss Ulrike
Published: August 2023

Abstract: “My Logbook” is a method to translate evidence-based guidelines for psychosocial care in pediatric neurooncology into practice. One part of “My Logbook” is the standardized instrument “Neuropsychology for You,” developed by an interdisciplinary expert team. It consists of two booklets that include creative and challenging methods to support the implementation of basic standards into practice. The booklet “1, 2, 3 – All About Neuropsychology” focuses on neuropsychological therapy, while “Look Carefully – Psychosocial Assessment” addresses psychosocial assessment. Both booklets explain the topics in a patient-oriented and age-appropriate way and motivate patients to actively participate in two sessions each (psychoeducational, work and exercise, and reflection). The evaluation of the booklets showed a positive association between neuropsychological assessment and therapy. Furthermore, the patients’ positive emotions and the subjective level of information increased. Therefore, “Neuropsychology for You” is a promising tool for the practical and low-threshold implementation of neuropsychological assessment and therapy into clinical practice.
Imprint of Storm Enhanced Density in Ground‐Based OI 630.0 nm Dayglow Measurements
Authors: Upadhyay Kshitiz , Pallamraju Duggirala , Chakrabarti Supriya
Published: August 2023

The mid‐latitude upper atmosphere is directly affected by the inner magnetosphere through the interactions at the closed geomagnetic field line boundary. Several space weather phenomena associated with magnetospheric‐plasmaspheric exchanges can be mapped to mid‐latitudes. One such phenomena that occurs over mid‐latitudes during geomagnetic storms is the storm enhanced density (SED). So far, storm time ionospheric features have been studied primarily using radar, GPS and in situ measurements. We present high spectral resolution ground‐based measurements of OI 630.0 nm dayglow emissions obtained from Boston to investigate thermospheric behavior during both geomagnetic quiet and disturbed times, as these are very sensitive to changes in the ionospheric plasma temperatures, and densities. During a geomagnetic storm on 7–9 Nov 2004 (Kp = 9‐), an anomalous enhancement in brightness (>1 kR) was observed in the dayglow for about an hour duration near local sunset (dusk hours), which was not seen on other neighboring days. This enhancement in OI 630.0 nm dayglow observed on 9 Nov 2004 is confirmed to be a SED event as seen from the complimentary datasets, the Millstone Hill incoherent scatter radar (ISR), Defence Meteorological Satellite Program satellite and GPS total electron content. Further, model estimates of OI 630.0 nm dayglow intensities using ISR measured electron/ion temperature and electron densities as inputs show good agreement with our measurements. These results make this study possibly the first report on the daytime optical signatures of SED.
Radiative suppression of exciton–exciton annihilation in a two-dimensional semiconductor
Authors: Sortino Luca , Gülmüs Merve , Tilmann Benjamin , de S. Menezes Leonardo , Maier Stefan A.
Published: August 2023

Two-dimensional (2D) semiconductors possess strongly bound excitons, opening novel opportunities for engineering light–matter interaction at the nanoscale. However, their in-plane confinement leads to large non-radiative exciton–exciton annihilation (EEA) processes, setting a fundamental limit for their photonic applications. In this work, we demonstrate suppression of EEA via enhancement of light–matter interaction in hybrid 2D semiconductor–dielectric nanophotonic platforms, by coupling excitons in WS2 monolayers with optical Mie resonances in dielectric nanoantennas. The hybrid system reaches an intermediate light–matter coupling regime, with photoluminescence enhancement factors up to 102. Probing the exciton ultrafast dynamics reveal suppressed EEA for coupled excitons, even under high exciton densities >1012 cm−2. We extract EEA coefficients in the order of 10−3, compared to 10−2 for uncoupled monolayers, as well as a Purcell factor of 4.5. Our results highlight engineering the photonic environment as a route to achieve higher quantum efficiencies, for low-power hybrid devices, and larger exciton densities, towards strongly correlated excitonic phases in 2D semiconductors.
Ex vivo drug sensitivity screening predicts response to temozolomide in glioblastoma patients and identifies candidate biomarkers
Authors: Ntafoulis Ioannis , Kleijn Anne , Ju Jie , Jimenez-Cowell Kevin , Fabro Federica , Klein Michelle , Chi Yen Romain Tching , Balvers Rutger K. , Li Yunlei , Stubbs Andrew P. , Kers Trisha V. , Kros Johan M. , Lawler Sean E. , Beerepoot Laurens V. , Kremer Andreas , Idbaih Ahmed , Verreault Maite , Byrne Annette T. , O’Farrell Alice C. , Connor Kate , Biswas Archita , Salvucci Manuela , Prehn Jochen H. M. , Lambrechts Diether , Dilcan Gonca , Lodi Francesca , Arijs Ingrid , van den Bent Martin J. , Dirven Clemens M. F. , Leenstra Sieger ,   GLIOTRAIN consortium, Bielle Franck , Quissac Emie , Cryan Jane , Brett Francesca , Beausang Alan , Bacon Orna , MacNally Steve , O’Halloran Philip , Clerkin James , Lamfers Martine L. M.
Published: August 2023

Background

Patient-derived glioma stem-like cells (GSCs) have become the gold-standard in neuro-oncological research; however, it remains to be established whether loss of in situ microenvironment affects the clinically-predictive value of this model. We implemented a GSC monolayer system to investigate in situ-in vitro molecular correspondence and the relationship between in vitro and patient response to temozolomide (TMZ).

Methods

DNA/RNA-sequencing was performed on 56 glioblastoma tissues and 19 derived GSC cultures. Sensitivity to TMZ was screened across 66 GSC cultures. Viability readouts were related to clinical parameters of corresponding patients and whole-transcriptome data.

Results

Tumour DNA and RNA sequences revealed strong similarity to corresponding GSCs despite loss of neuronal and immune interactions. In vitro TMZ screening yielded three response categories which significantly correlated with patient survival, therewith providing more specific prediction than the binary MGMT marker. Transcriptome analysis identified 121 genes related to TMZ sensitivity of which 21were validated in external datasets.

Conclusion

GSCs retain patient-unique hallmark gene expressions despite loss of their natural environment. Drug screening using GSCs predicted patient response to TMZ more specifically than MGMT status, while transcriptome analysis identified potential biomarkers for this response. GSC drug screening therefore provides a tool to improve drug development and precision medicine for glioblastoma.
The super-enhancer-driven lncRNA LINC00880 acts as a scaffold between CDK1 and PRDX1 to sustain the malignance of lung adenocarcinoma
Authors: Feng Yipeng , Zhang Te , Zhang Zeyu , Liang Yingkuang , Wang Hui , Chen Yuzhong , Yu Xinnian , Song Xuming , Mao Qixing , Xia Wenjie , Chen Bing , Xu Lin , Dong Gaochao , Jiang Feng
Published: August 2023

Super-enhancers (SEs) are regulatory element clusters related to cell identity and disease. While the studies illustrating the function of SE-associated long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) in lung adenocarcinoma (LUAD) remains few. In our research, a SE-driven lncRNA, LINC00880, was identified, which showed higher expression in LUAD compared to normal tissues and indicated worse outcomes in stage I LUADs. We found that the transcription factor (TF) FOXP3 could simultaneously occupy the promoter and SE regions of LINC00880 to promote its transcription. The oncogenic function of LINC00880 was validated both in vitro and in vivo. Mechanically, LINC00880 binds to the protein CDK1 to increase its kinase activity, which rely on the phosphorylation state of pT161 in CDK1. LINC00880 also promotes the interaction between CDK1 and PRDX1. Moreover, LINC00880 interacts with PRDX1, which indicates that LINC00880 acts as a protein scaffold between CDK1 and PRDX1 to form a ternary complex, thereby resulting in the activation of PI3K/AKT to promote malignancy. Our results reveal that the SE-associated lncRNA LINC00880 regulates the CDK1/PRDX1 axis to sustain the malignancy of LUAD, providing a novel therapeutic target.
Thermodynamic principle to enhance enzymatic activity using the substrate affinity
Authors: Ooka Hideshi , Chiba Yoko , Nakamura Ryuhei
Published: August 2023

Understanding how to tune enzymatic activity is important not only for biotechnological applications, but also to elucidate the basic principles guiding the design and optimization of biological systems in nature. So far, the Michaelis-Menten equation has provided a fundamental framework of enzymatic activity. However, there is still no concrete guideline on how the parameters should be optimized towards higher activity. Here, we demonstrate that tuning the Michaelis-Menten constant ($${K}_{m}$$

K

m

) to the substrate concentration ($$[{{{{{\rm{S}}}}}}]$$

[

S

]

) enhances enzymatic activity. This guideline ($${K}_{m}=[{{{{{\rm{S}}}}}}]$$

K

m

=

[

S

]

) was obtained mathematically by assuming that thermodynamically favorable reactions have higher rate constants, and that the total driving force is fixed. Due to the generality of these thermodynamic considerations, we propose $${K}_{m}=[{{{{{\rm{S}}}}}}]$$

K

m

=

[

S

]

as a general concept to enhance enzymatic activity. Our bioinformatic analysis reveals that the $${K}_{m}$$

K

m

and in vivo substrate concentrations are consistent across a dataset of approximately 1000 enzymes, suggesting that even natural selection follows the principle $${K}_{m}=[{{{{{\rm{S}}}}}}]$$

K

m

=

[

S

]

.