bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
“The song remains the same”: not really! Vocal flexibility in the song of the indris
Authors: Zanoli Anna , Raimondi Teresa , De Gregorio Chiara , Valente Daria , Carugati Filippo , Torti Valeria , Friard Olivier , Miaretsoa Longondraza , Giacoma Cristina , Gamba Marco
Published: October 2023

In studying communicative signals, we can think of flexibility as a necessary correlate of creativity. Flexibility enables animals to find practical solutions and appropriate behaviors in mutable situations. In this study, we aimed to quantify the degree of flexibility in the songs of indris (Indri indri), the only singing lemur, using three different metrics: Jaro Distance, normalized diversity, and entropy. We hypothesized that the degree and the co-variation of the flexibility of indris singing together would vary according to their status and sex. We found that dominant females were more flexible than dominant males when concatenating elements into strings (element concatenation). The number of different elements in a song contribution normalized by the contribution length (contribution diversity) of dominant individuals positively co-varied for seven duetting pairs. Non-dominant individuals were more variable in element concatenation than dominant individuals, and they were more diverse in phrase type than dominant females. Independently from sex and status, individual contributions did not differ in entropy (a measure of the predictability of contributions). These results corroborate previous findings regarding the dimorphism by sex and by status of individual contributions to songs. Thus, they shed light on the presence and expression of flexibility in the behavior of a non-human primate species. Indeed, they potentially show an effect of social features in shaping vocal flexibility, which underlies many communication systems, including human language. We speculate that this degree of flexibility may account for creativity.
Compound hazards of climate change, forestry, and other encroachments on winter pasturelands: a storyline approach in a forest reindeer herding community in Northern Sweden
Authors: Harnesk David , Pascual Didac , Olsson Lennart
Published: October 2023

The impacts of climate change on rural cultures and livelihoods depend on how the resulting complex biophysical processes may transform people’s land use practices. We argue that research can incorporate local concerns of compound hazards through deterministic rather than probabilistic approaches to better understand the multiple causations involved in such climate change impacts. We apply mixed methods within a storyline approach to examine how a forest reindeer herding community in Northern Sweden copes with and experiences basal ice formation on their winter pasturelands under the influence of climatic and environmental change. Our results show that the detrimental impact of basal ice formation on the availability of winter forage for reindeer is amplified by the directional effects of climate change and encroachments, especially particular forestry practices and their surrounding infrastructure. On the one hand, we show that policy action can address local concerns through ecological interventions that improve the amount and distribution of ground and pendulous lichens at the pastoral landscape scale. On the other hand, we show that policy inaction can threaten the community’s desired experience of human-animal relations in their landscape, which was inextricably connected to ecological conditions for natural pasture-based reindeer pastoralism.
Associations Between Sexual Behavior Stigma and HIV Risk Behaviors, Testing, Treatment, and Infection Among Men Who have Sex with Men in Ukraine
Authors: Alvey Ben , Stone Jack , Salyuk Tetyana , Barzilay Ezra J. , Doan Ivan , Vickerman Peter , Trickey Adam
Published: October 2023

Stigma toward same-sex behaviors may be a structural driver of HIV epidemics among men who have sex with men (MSM) in Eastern Europe and has been linked to adverse HIV-outcomes elsewhere. We explored associations between sexual behavior stigma with HIV risk behaviors, testing, treatment, and infection. From November 2017 to February 2018, MSM across 27 Ukrainian cities were recruited to cross-sectional surveys using respondent driven sampling. Eligible participants were cisgender males aged ≥ 14 years residing in participating cities that reported ≥ 1 sexual contact with another man in the prior 6 months. Participants self-reported experience of stigma (ever) and various HIV-outcomes and were tested for HIV antibodies. Regression models were used to explore associations between three sexual behavior stigma variables with demographic and HIV-related variables. Of 5812 recruited cisgender MSM, 5544 (95.4%) were included. 1663 (30.0%) MSM reported having experienced stigma due to being MSM from family and friends, 698 (12.6%) reported anticipated healthcare stigma, and 1805 (32.6%) reported general public/social stigma due to being MSM (enacted). All forms of stigma were associated with heightened HIV risk behaviors; those experiencing stigma (vs not) had more anal sex partners in the prior month and were less likely to have used condoms during their last anal intercourse. Stigma was not associated with HIV infection, testing, or treatment variables. A sizeable proportion of Ukrainian MSM reported ever experiencing stigma due to being MSM. MSM that had experienced stigma had higher odds of HIV sexual risk behaviors. Further study using longitudinal designs is required to determine causality.
Cell plasticity modulation by flavonoids in resistant breast carcinoma targeting the nuclear factor kappa B signaling
Authors: Kubatka Peter , Koklesova Lenka , Mazurakova Alena , Brockmueller Aranka , Büsselberg Dietrich , Kello Martin , Shakibaei Mehdi
Published: October 2023

Cancer cell plasticity plays a crucial role in tumor initiation, progression, and metastasis and is implicated in the multiple cancer defense mechanisms associated with therapy resistance and therapy evasion. Cancer resistance represents one of the significant obstacles in the clinical management of cancer. Some reversal chemosensitizing agents have been developed to resolve this serious clinical problem, but they have not yet been proven applicable in oncological practice. Activated nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB) is a frequently observed biomarker in chemoresistant breast cancer (BC). Therefore, it denotes an attractive cellular target to mitigate cancer resistance. We summarize that flavonoids represent an essential class of phytochemicals that act as significant regulators of NF-κB signaling and negatively affect the fundamental cellular processes contributing to acquired cell plasticity and drug resistance. In this regard, flavokawain A, icariin, alpinetin, genistein, wogonin, apigenin, oroxylin A, xanthohumol, EGCG, hesperidin, naringenin, orientin, luteolin, delphinidin, fisetin, norwogonin, curcumin, cardamonin, methyl gallate and catechin-3-O-gallate, ampelopsin, puerarin, hyperoside, baicalein, paratocarpin E, and kaempferol and also synthetic flavonoids such as LFG-500 and 5,3′-dihydroxy-3,6,7,8,4′-pentamethoxyflavone have been reported to specifically interfere with the NF-κB pathway with complex signaling consequences in BC cells and could be potentially crucial in re-sensitizing unresponsive BC cases. The targeting NF-κB by above-mentioned flavonoids includes the modification of tumor microenvironment and epithelial-mesenchymal transition, growth factor receptor regulations, and modulations of specific pathways such as PI3K/AKT, MAP kinase/ERK, and Janus kinase/signal transduction in BC cells. Besides that, NF-κB signaling in BC cells modulated by flavonoids has also involved the regulation of ATP-binding cassette transporters, apoptosis, autophagy, cell cycle, and changes in the activity of cancer stem cells, oncogenes, or controlling of gene repair. The evaluation of conventional therapies in combination with plasticity-regulating/sensitizing agents offers new opportunities to make significant progress towards a complete cure for cancer.

Graphical abstract
Foreign Supply Shocks and the Structure of Trade in a Small Open Economy
Authors: Böschemeier Jonas , Mau Karsten
Published: October 2023

We evaluate how imports of a small open economy adjusted to foreign supply disruptions in the first year of the COVID-19 pandemic. Exploiting information on the timing, stringency, and persistence of coronavirus containment measures, we estimate their impact on the value and composition of imports. About half of the total contraction is attributed to foreign supply-sided disruptions. Contractions were more pronounced in concentrated import markets, but more severe contractions were prevented by trade partner substitution. We document systematic reallocation of market shares towards countries with large supply capacity and low COVID-19 incidence rates in the second half of 2020.
Negative magnetization in the medium-entropy Pr1/3Dy1/3Ho1/3CrO3 and PrCrO3 ceramics: comparative crystal structure, optic, dielectric and magnetic properties
Authors: Durán A. , Reguera E. , Mendivil L. F. , González M. , Verdin E.
Published: October 2023

In recent years, raising investigation activity in entropy-stabilized ceramic oxides has been driven by their innovative approach to designing a thermodynamically stable multi-element system, which provides a new focus on investigating complex functional materials. Especially, complex and singular physical properties of orthochromite have generated rising research in recent years. Of this family, the PrCrO3, DyCrO3, and HoCrO3systems are particularly interesting since, below Néel temperature (TN), they present negative magnetization in the ZFC mode. Here, we have employed this approach and designed a medium-entropy (MECs) Pr1/3Dy1/3Ho1/3CrO3(PDH) ceramic to study not only whether the magnetic characteristics prevail, but also the state of optical and dielectric properties of this new compound. In addition, the physical properties studied were compared with the single PrCrO3(PC) compound. These compounds were synthesized through a facile combustion synthesis route. The X-ray diffraction analysis, energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS), and surface scanning elemental mapping reveal that a single phase is stabilized and equimolar cations are homogeneously distributed in the PDH-MECs. We found that the disorder of cations in the A-site of the structure has no significant effect on the optical transition in the visible electromagnetic region and dielectric properties with respect to the simple compound PC. In contrast, the magnetic properties are strongly affected in the MECs-PDH compound. We found that the TNis tuned through the O–Cr–O angles and below the antiferromagnetic transition. The results suggest that the negative magnetization in the ZFC mode is an intrinsic feature in these compounds since the negative ZFC susceptibility below TNpredominates despite the cationic disorder. Furthermore, their negative magnetic mechanism in both the MECs-PDH and PC compounds are discussed in terms of the Γ2(FxCyGz) magnetic configuration.

Graphical abstract
Trimming stability selection increases variable selection robustness
Authors: Werner Tino
Published: October 2023

Contamination can severely distort an estimator unless the estimation procedure is suitably robust. This is a well-known issue and has been addressed in Robust Statistics, however, the relation of contamination and distorted variable selection has been rarely considered in the literature. As for variable selection, many methods for sparse model selection have been proposed, including the Stability Selection which is a meta-algorithm based on some variable selection algorithm in order to immunize against particular data configurations. We introduce the variable selection breakdown point that quantifies the number of cases resp. cells that have to be contaminated in order to let no relevant variable be detected. We show that particular outlier configurations can completely mislead model selection. We combine the variable selection breakdown point with resampling, resulting in the Stability Selection breakdown point that quantifies the robustness of Stability Selection. We propose a trimmed Stability Selection which only aggregates the models with the best performance so that, heuristically, models computed on heavily contaminated resamples should be trimmed away. An extensive simulation study with non-robust regression and classification algorithms as well as with two robust regression algorithms reveals both the potential of our approach to boost the model selection robustness as well as the fragility of variable selection using non-robust algorithms, even for an extremely small cell-wise contamination rate.
Density of Sphingosine-1-Phosphate Receptors Is Altered in Cortical Nerve-Terminals of Insulin-Resistant Goto-Kakizaki Rats and Diet-Induced Obese Mice
Authors: Skoug Cecilia , Erdogan Hüseyin , Vanherle Lotte , Vieira João P. P. , Matthes Frank , Eliasson Lena , Meissner Anja , Duarte João M. N.
Published: October 2023

Sphingosine-1-phosphate (S1P) is a phosphosphingolipid with pleiotropic biological functions. S1P acts as an intracellular second messenger, as well as extracellular ligand to five G-protein coupled receptors (S1PR1-5). In the brain, S1P regulates neuronal proliferation, apoptosis, synaptic activity and neuroglia activation. Moreover, S1P metabolism alterations have been reported in neurodegenerative disorders. We have previously reported that S1PRs are present in nerve terminals, exhibiting distinct sub-synaptic localization and neuromodulation actions. Since type 2 diabetes (T2D) causes synaptic dysfunction, we hypothesized that S1P signaling is modified in nerve terminals. In this study, we determined the density of S1PRs in cortical synaptosomes from insulin-resistant Goto-Kakizaki (GK) rats and Wistar controls, and from mice fed a high-fat diet (HFD) and low-fat-fed controls. Relative to their controls, GK rats showed similar cortical S1P concentration despite higher S1P levels in plasma, yet lower density of S1PR1, S1PR2 and S1PR4 in nerve-terminal-enriched membranes. HFD-fed mice exhibited increased plasma and cortical concentrations of S1P, and decreased density of S1PR1 and S1PR4. These findings point towards altered S1P signaling in synapses of insulin resistance and diet-induced obesity models, suggesting a role of S1P signaling in T2D-associated synaptic dysfunction.
Behavioral Treatment for Speech and Language in Primary Progressive Aphasia and Primary Progressive Apraxia of Speech: A Systematic Review
Authors: Wauters Lisa D. , Croot Karen , Dial Heather R. , Duffy Joseph R. , Grasso Stephanie M. , Kim Esther , Schaffer Mendez Kristin , Ballard Kirrie J. , Clark Heather M. , Kohley Leeah , Murray Laura L. , Rogalski Emily J. , Figeys Mathieu , Milman Lisa , Henry Maya L.
Published: October 2023

Primary progressive aphasia (PPA) and primary progressive apraxia of speech (PPAOS) are neurodegenerative syndromes characterized by progressive decline in language or speech. There is a growing number of studies investigating speech-language interventions for PPA/PPAOS. An updated systematic evaluation of the treatment evidence is warranted to inform best clinical practice and guide future treatment research. We systematically reviewed the evidence for behavioral treatment for speech and language in this population. Reviewed articles were published in peer-reviewed journals through 31 May 2021. We evaluated level of evidence, reporting quality, and risk of bias using a modified version of the American Speech-Language Hearing Association (ASHA) Levels of Evidence, an appraisal point system, additional reporting quality and internal/external validity items, and, as appropriate, the Single Case Experimental DesignScale or the Physiotherapy Evidence Database – PsycBITERating Scale for Randomized and Non-Randomized Controlled Trials. Results were synthesized using quantitative summaries and narrative review. A total of 103 studies reported treatment outcomes for 626 individuals with PPA; no studies used the diagnostic label PPAOS. Most studies evaluated interventions for word retrieval. The highest-quality evidence was provided by 45 experimental and quasi-experimental studies (16 controlled group studies, 29 single-subject designs). All (k = 45/45) reported improvement on a primary outcome measure; most reported generalization (k = 34/43), maintenance (k = 34/39), or social validity (k = 17/19) of treatment for at least one participant. The available evidence supports speech-language intervention for persons with PPA; however, treatment for PPAOS awaits systematic investigation. Implications and limitations of the evidence and the review are discussed.
Chasing noise in the stock market: an inquiry into the dynamics of investor sentiment and asset pricing
Authors: Sakariyahu Rilwan , Paterson Audrey , Chatzivgeri Eleni , Lawal Rodiat
Published: October 2023

This study explores the inclusion of sentiment measures as a risk factor in asset pricing. Using UK market data for the period January 1993 to December 2020, we create a new sentiment variable, and construct both raw and clean sentiment indices from a principal component analysis of a variety of literature-acknowledged sentiment proxies. Essentially, the model estimations are categorized into two: first, the study documents the performance of the traditional pricing models on portfolios formed on different characteristics. Second, the study augments the first category by iterating sentiment variables into the model specification. The findings reveal that sentiment-augmented asset pricing models outperform the traditional models in explaining the excess returns of the portfolios. Furthermore, using Hansen & Jagannathan (1997) non-parametric model performance technique, we observe that the sentiment-induced models produce a small distance error compared to the traditional models, thus validating the use of sentiment measures in our pricing mechanism. It is therefore opined that extant asset pricing models may not be sufficient to explain market or pricing anomalies. Investors’ sentiment is an important systematic risk factor that possesses useful information, and by implication, market analysts and stakeholders must take serious cognizance of its propensities when forecasting risk-adjusted returns.
Monocyte recruitment in venous pulmonary embolism at time of cancer diagnosis in upper gastrointestinal cancer patients
Authors: Jakobsen Sarah S. , Frøkjaer Jens B. , Fisker Rune V. , Kristensen Søren R. , Thorlacius-Ussing Ole , Larsen Anders C.
Published: October 2023

Upper gastrointestinal cancer is frequently complicated by venous thromboembolisms (VTE), especially pulmonary embolisms (PE) increase the mortality rate. Monocytes are a part of the innate immune system and up-regulation may indicate an ongoing inflammatory response or infectious disease and has lately been associated with a moderate risk of suffering from VTE. This prospectively study aims to compare the incidence of pulmonary embolism with markers of coagulation and compare it to the absolute monocyte count. A consecutive cohort of 250 patients with biopsy proven upper gastrointestinal cancer (i.e. pancreas, biliary tract, esophagus and gastric cancer) where included at the time of cancer diagnosis and before treatment. All patients underwent bilateral compression ultrasonography for detection of deep vein thrombosis (DVT). Of these 143 had an additionally pulmonary angiografi (CTPA) with the staging computer tomography. 13 of 250 patients (5.2%) had a DVT and 11 of 143 (7.7%) had CTPA proven PE. PE was significantly more common among patients with elevated D-dimer (OR 11.62, 95%CI: 1.13–119, P = 0.039) and elevated absolute monocyte count (OR 7.59, 95%CI: 1.37–41.98, P = 0.020). Only patients with pancreatic cancer had a significantly higher risk of DVT (OR 11.03, 95%CI: 1.25–97.43, P = 0.031). The sensitivity of absolute monocyte count was 63.6 (95%CI: 30.8–89.1) and specificity 80.3 (95%CI: 72.5–86.7), with a negative predictive value of 96.4 (95%CI: 91–99) in PE. An increased absolute monocyte count was detected in patients suffering from PE but not DVT, suggesting a possible interaction with the innate immune system.
Recent progress on flat plate solar collectors equipped with nanofluid and turbulator: state of the art
Authors: Zaboli Mohammad , Saedodin Seyfolah , Ajarostaghi Seyed Soheil Mousavi , Karimi Nader
Published: October 2023

This paper reviews the impacts of employing inserts, nanofluids, and their combinations on the thermal performance of flat plate solar collectors. The present work outlines the new studies on this specific kind of solar collector. In particular, the influential factors upon operation of flat plate solar collectors with nanofluids are investigated. These include the type of nanoparticle, kind of base fluid, volume fraction of nanoparticles, and thermal efficiency. According to the reports, most of the employed nanofluids in the flat plate solar collectors include Al2O3, CuO, and TiO2. Moreover, 62.34%, 16.88%, and 11.26% of the utilized nanofluids have volume fractions between 0 and 0.5%, 0.5 and 1%, and 1 and 2%, respectively. The twisted tape is the most widely employed of various inserts, with a share of about one-third. Furthermore, the highest achieved flat plate solar collectors’ thermal efficiency with turbulator is about 86.5%. The review is closed with a discussion about the recent analyses on the simultaneous use of nanofluids and various inserts in flat plate solar collectors. According to the review of works containing nanofluid and turbulator, it has been determined that the maximum efficiency of about 84.85% can be obtained from a flat plate solar collector. It has also been observed that very few works have been done on the combination of two methods of employing nanofluid and turbulator in the flat plate solar collector, and more detailed work can still be done, using more diverse nanofluids (both single and hybrid types) and turbulators with more efficient geometries.
Responses of diatom composition and teratological forms to environmental pollution in a post-mining lake (SW Poland)
Authors: Sienkiewicz Elwira , Gąsiorowski Michał , Sekudewicz Ilona , Kowalewska Urszula , Matoušková Šárka
Published: October 2023

Various types of environmental stressors, such as heavy metals, lignite residues, or extremely low water pH, cause the formation of teratological forms of diatoms during the reproductive cycle. The damage mainly includes an abnormal diatom valve outline, changes in the striation pattern, anomalies in the raphe line/sternum, reduction in the cell size, metabolism alterations, or combined deformities. Diatom remains with such morphological deformities occur in the sediments of post-mining lake ŁK-46 (SW Poland). This lake was formed by excavation after the end of lignite exploitation in the mid-1960s. The percentage of teratological valves in the studied lake ranged from 12 to 33% of the relative abundance. The majority of abnormal diatoms have been observed in species of Eunotia. The reconstruction of the diatom-inferred pH (DI-pH), together with the concentration of heavy metals in the sediments and contemporary measurements of the water pH, indicates that the lake was contaminated to varying degrees and was acidic from the beginning of lake creation until today. The lake is located in an area of acid mine drainage (AMD), and in its vicinity, there are overburden heaps containing lignite residues, which are eroded and supplied to the lake, constantly acidifying the water. In the youngest sediments, the concentration of heavy metals increased, while the percentage of abnormal diatoms decreased. Determining which factor, i.e., extremely low water pH and the presence of lignite or heavy metals, was responsible for the formation or reduction of teratogenic forms of diatoms is very difficult.
Analysis of tobacco exposures and high-risk HPV infection in American women: National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey
Authors: Jiang Liangzi , Ma Suting , Zhang Ge , Jiang Lingling , Yan Li
Published: October 2023

Nicotine is a known toxin, but its relationship with cervicovaginal high-risk human papillomavirus (HR-HPV) infection is uncertain. This study aimed to investigate whether tobacco exposure is associated with elevated cervicovaginal HR-HPV infection in US women, and if the strength of this association varies with the degree of exposure. Cross-sectional data from the 2011–2016 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES), which included a nationally representative sample of US women, were used for the study. Out of 12436 women aged 18–59 who participated in the interview, 3833 were ultimately enrolled in this study. Weighted logistic regression was used to estimate the link between tobacco exposure and cervicovaginal HR-HPV infection. The mean age of participants was 38.6 (SD 12.1) years, and non-Hispanic White individuals accounted for 37.3% of the sample. Those with any tobacco exposure tended to be younger (mean age 37.7 [SD 12.4] years vs 40.3 [11.2] years), non-Hispanic Black (27.8% vs. 15.1%), lower educated (41.8% vs. 29.4%), and have lower family income (39.9% vs. 23.5%). After adjustment, the odds of having HR-HPV infection were 1.32 (95% CI, 1.09–1.59) for those exposed to tobacco, remaining significant in multiple sensitivity analyses and across subgroups. This study, based on a nationally representative sample from the United States, suggests that tobacco exposure is a risk factor for elevated HR-HPV infection in women, highlighting the need for further research into reducing this modifiable risk factor.
Security vulnerabilities in healthcare: an analysis of medical devices and software
Authors: Mejía-Granda Carlos M. , Fernández-Alemán José L. , Carrillo-de-Gea Juan M. , García-Berná José A.
Published: October 2023

The integration of IoT in healthcare has introduced vulnerabilities in medical devices and software, posing risks to patient safety and system integrity. This study aims to bridge the research gap and provide valuable insights for addressing healthcare vulnerabilities and their mitigation mechanisms. Software vulnerabilities related to health systems from 2001 to 2022 were collected from the National Vulnerability Database (NVD) systematized by software developed by the researchers and assessed by a medical specialist for their impact on patient well-being. The analysis revealed electronic health records, wireless infusion pumps, endoscope cameras, and radiology information systems as the most vulnerable. In addition, critical vulnerabilities were identified, including poor credential management and hard-coded credentials. The investigation provides some insights into the consequences of vulnerabilities in health software products, projecting future security issues by 2025, offers mitigation suggestions, and highlights trends in attacks on life support and health systems are also provided. The healthcare industry needs significant improvements in protecting medical devices from cyberattacks. Securing communication channels and network schema and adopting secure software practices is necessary. In addition, collaboration, regulatory adherence, and continuous security monitoring are crucial. Industries, researchers, and stakeholders can utilize these findings to enhance security and safeguard patient safety.

Graphical abstract
Destabilization Treatment and Its Influence on Microstructure and Matrix Hardness of High-Cr Cast Iron
Authors: Le Nué Charline , Corujeira Gallo Santiago , Vahid Alireza , Wang Jiangting , Taherishargh Mehdi , Attar Hooyar , Fabijanic Daniel , Barnett Matthew
Published: October 2023

High-chromium cast irons are an essential class of wear-resistant materials commonly used for wear-resistant applications in the mining and steel industries. There is ongoing debate on the secondary carbide types and their formation sequences during heat treatment. This work examines the microstructural evolution during destabilization treatment of a hypoeutectic high-chromium cast iron containing 2.2 wt pct C and 16.5 wt pct Cr. Starting from an inhomogeneous as-cast microstructure consisting of ~ 28 pct M7C3 eutectic carbide and a mixed matrix of martensite and retained austenite, destabilization treatments resulted in the establishment of near homogeneous structure with a near equilibrium level of carbon concentration in the matrix, which fully transformed to martensite upon cooling. Homogeneously distributed M23C6 secondary carbides with a square-shaped morphology and 100 to 500 nm in size precipitated during heating up to the destabilization temperature. For higher destabilization temperatures (1000 °C), M7C3 secondary carbides formed together with M23C6 and were identifiable by a distinctly different morphology (elongated). It was found that the carbon content of the matrix, a function of the destabilization temperature and subsequent eutectic carbide dissolution, controls the martensite start temperature and has a dominating influence on bulk-hardness.
Long-range transport and microscopy analysis of Sangay volcanic ashes in Ecuador
Authors: Moran-Zuloaga Daniel , Merchan-Merchan Wilson , Rodriguez-Caballero Emilio , Mulas Maurizio , Hernick Philip
Published: October 2023

This study aims to conduct a spatiotemporal analysis of the long-range transportation of volcanic ashes that originates from the eruption of the Sangay volcano and reached Guayaquil during the months of June 2020; September 2020; and April 2021. The particulate matter data (PM2.5) was obtained using a low-cost air quality sensor. During the wet season of 2020 (Jan–May), PM2.5 average concentrations were 6 ± 2 μg m−3 while during the dry season of 2020 (July–Nov), PM2.5 average concentrations were 16 ± 3 μg m−3 in Guayaquil. The most prominent plumes occurred on September 20th of 2020, a month with no rain but high wind speeds created by the Andes Mountain topography to the coast. During this event, PM2.5 concentrations started at 12:00 UTC-5 in a volcanic plume event that lasted 4 h with a maximum peak of 133 + 40 μg m−3. Electron microscopy of selected samples showed that the ashes of the three eruptions may differ in size and morphology. EDX analysis reveals that the ash contains certain elements—C, Si, Na, Mg, Al, Ca, S, and Fe—in similar proportions. In summary, this study remarks on the meteorological role and the long-range transport of Sangay volcanic ashes.
Updates in Small Interfering RNA for the Treatment of Dyslipidemias
Authors: Carugo S. , Sirtori C. R. , Gelpi G. , Corsini A. , Tokgozoglu L. , Ruscica M.
Published: October 2023

Purpose of Review

Atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD) is still the leading cause of death worldwide. Despite excellent pharmacological approaches, clinical registries consistently show that many people with dyslipidemia do not achieve optimal management, and many of them are treated with low-intensity lipid-lowering therapies. Beyond the well-known association between low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) and cardiovascular prevention, the atherogenicity of lipoprotein(a) and the impact of triglyceride (TG)-rich lipoproteins cannot be overlooked. Within this landscape, the use of RNA-based therapies can help the treatment of difficult to target lipid disorders.

Recent Findings

The safety and efficacy of LDL-C lowering with the siRNA inclisiran has been documented in the open-label ORION-3 trial, with a follow-up of 4 years. While the outcome trial is pending, a pooled analysis of ORION-9, ORION-10, and ORION-11 has shown the potential of inclisiran to reduce composite major adverse cardiovascular events. Concerning lipoprotein(a), data of OCEAN(a)-DOSE trial with olpasiran show a dose-dependent drop in lipoprotein(a) levels with an optimal pharmacodynamic profile when administered every 12 weeks. Concerning TG lowering, although ARO-APOC3 and ARO-ANG3 are effective to lower apolipoprotein(apo)C-III and angiopoietin-like 3 (ANGPTL3) levels, these drugs are still in their infancy.

In the era moving toward a personalized risk management, the use of siRNA represents a blossoming armamentarium to tackle dyslipidaemias for ASCVD risk reduction.
Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning Applications in Sudden Cardiac Arrest Prediction and Management: A Comprehensive Review
Authors: Aqel Sarah , Syaj Sebawe , Al-Bzour Ayah , Abuzanouneh Faris , Al-Bzour Noor , Ahmad Jamil
Published: October 2023

Purpose of Review

This literature review aims to provide a comprehensive overview of the recent advances in prediction models and the deployment of AI and ML in the prediction of cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) success. The objectives are to understand the role of AI and ML in healthcare, specifically in medical diagnosis, statistics, and precision medicine, and to explore their applications in predicting and managing sudden cardiac arrest outcomes, especially in the context of prehospital emergency care.

Recent Findings

The role of AI and ML in healthcare is expanding, with applications evident in medical diagnosis, statistics, and precision medicine. Deep learning is gaining prominence in radiomics and population health for disease risk prediction. There’s a significant focus on the integration of AI and ML in prehospital emergency care, particularly in using ML algorithms for predicting outcomes in COVID-19 patients and enhancing the recognition of out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA). Furthermore, the combination of AI with automated external defibrillators (AEDs) shows potential in better detecting shockable rhythms during cardiac arrest incidents.

AI and ML hold immense promise in revolutionizing the prediction and management of sudden cardiac arrest, hinting at improved survival rates and more efficient healthcare interventions in the future. Sudden cardiac arrest (SCA) continues to be a major global cause of death, with survival rates remaining low despite advanced first responder systems. The ongoing challenge is the prediction and prevention of SCA. However, with the rise in the adoption of AI and ML tools in clinical electrophysiology in recent times, there is optimism about addressing these challenges more effectively.
Bringing a Uniform Home: a Qualitative Study on Police Officer’s Work-Family Balance Perspective!
Authors: Sousa Bárbara , Mendes Gabriela , Gonçalves Tânia , Oliveira Carina , Figueiredo Maria João , Costa Patrício , Maia Ângela
Published: October 2023

Being a police officer is a very stressful job, characterized by occupational stressors that impact mental health and increasing work-family balance. Quantitative research is unable to clarify how police officers cope with the impact of work challenges on work-family balance. This study aims to understand how police officers narrate the impact of their work on their family experiences. Nineteen semi-structured interviews were conducted with Portuguese military police and civilian service forces working in the Northern region of Portugal. The interviews were transcribed and analyzed according to the principles of thematic analysis. The main themes indicate that participants are concerned about the work-family conflict. Both common and unique police officers’ perceptions of the impact of professional challenges on work-family balance emerged among both groups. Common work-family balance challenges for both civilian and military police officers included a negative impact on family dynamics and the sharing work experiences with family, but also recognized positive impacts of the profession on the family. For military police officers, making decisions regarding career advancement is a specific challenge. This study enables clinicians and other professional groups, such as commanders and politicians, to further develop a deeper understanding of these challenges and their different levels of impact. It also allows for the development of targeted strategies aligned with the unique needs of these professionals.
Methylamphetamine toxicity and its involvement in death: A retrospective observational study of deaths reported to the Victorian Coroner, Australia
Authors: Mantinieks Dylan , Archer Melanie , Schumann Jennifer , Drummer Olaf H. , Gerostamoulos Dimitri
Published: October 2023

A retrospective observational study of Victorian deaths involving MA between 2010 and 2019 was conducted to determine the prevalence and contribution of methylamphetamine (MA) toxicity to death in the absence of other factors. Demographics, autopsy findings, toxicology, and the cause of death were reviewed. Coronial cases were categorized into five groups: deaths due to MA toxicity in the absence of other factors (Group A1); deaths due to MA toxicity in the setting of other potentially contributing factors (Group A2); deaths due to MA toxicity in the setting of significant natural disease (Group B); deaths primarily due to multiple-drug toxicity (Group C); and deaths primarily due to natural causes (Group D). There were 506 deaths involving MA categorized into Group A1 (n = 1, 0.6%), Group A2 (n = 8, 1.6%), Group B (n = 28, 5.5%), Group C (n = 229, 45%), and Group D (n = 240, 47%). Significant natural disease was prevalent among deaths involving MA and mainly concerned forms of cardiovascular disease (n = 277, 55%). The MA concentration in the one death included in Group A1 was 2.1 mg/L. The median MA concentrations of Group A2 (1.6 mg/L) and Group B (0.5 mg/L) were significantly higher than Group C (0.2 mg/L) and Group D (0.2 mg/L). Additionally, many other toxicologically significant drugs were detected and mostly comprised of central nervous system depressants. Deaths due to MA toxicity in the absence of other factors were rare despite the greater availability of crystal MA in the Australian community. The study highlights the interpretative challenges of MA blood concentrations and the continuing harms of this drug in Australia.
Identification of Regulatory Elements in Primary Sensory Neurons Involved in Trauma-Induced Neuropathic Pain
Authors: Stephens Kimberly E. , Moore Cedric , Vinson David A. , White Bryan E. , Renfro Zachary , Zhou Weiqiang , Ji Zhicheng , Ji Hongkai , Zhu Heng , Guan Yun , Taverna Sean D.
Published: October 2023

Chronic pain is a significant public health issue that is often refractory to existing therapies. Here we use a multiomic approach to identify cis-regulatory elements that show differential chromatin accessibility and reveal transcription factor (TF) binding motifs with functional regulation in the rat dorsal root ganglion (DRG), which contain cell bodies of primary sensory neurons, after nerve injury. We integrated RNA-seq to understand how differential chromatin accessibility after nerve injury may influence gene expression. Using TF protein arrays and chromatin immunoprecipitation-qPCR, we confirmed C/EBPγ binding to a differentially accessible sequence and used RNA-seq to identify processes in which C/EBPγ plays an important role. Our findings offer insights into TF motifs that are associated with chronic pain. These data show how interactions between chromatin landscapes and TF expression patterns may work together to determine gene expression programs in rat DRG neurons after nerve injury.
Three-month life expectancy as inclusion criterion for clinical trials in advanced pancreatic cancer: is it really a valid tool for patient selection?
Authors: Weiss Lena , Heinemann Volker , Fischer Laura E. , Gieseler Frank , Hoehler Thomas , Mayerle Julia , Quietzsch Detlef , Reinacher-Schick Anke , Schenk Michael , Seipelt Gernot , Siveke Jens T. , Stahl Michael , Vehling-Kaiser Ursula , Waldschmidt Dirk T. , Dorman Klara , Zhang Danmei , Westphalen C. Benedikt , von Bergwelt-Baildon Michael , Boeck Stefan , Haas Michael
Published: October 2023

Purpose

To analyze the 3-month life expectancy rate in pancreatic cancer (PC) patients treated within prospective trials from the German AIO study group.

Patients and methods

A pooled analysis was conducted for patients with advanced PC that were treated within five phase II/III studies conducted between 1997 and 2017 (Gem/Cis, Ro96, RC57, ACCEPT, RASH). The primary goal for the current report was to identify the actual 3-month survival rate, a standard inclusion criterion in oncology trials.

Results

Overall, 912 patients were included, 83% had metastatic and 17% locally advanced PC; the estimated median overall survival (OS) was 7.1 months. Twenty-one percent of the participants survived < 3 months, with a range from 26% in RC57 to 15% in RASH. Significant predictors for not reaching 3-month OS were > 1 previous treatment line (p < 0.001) and performance status (p < 0.001).

Conclusions

Despite the definition of a life expectancy of > 3 months as a standard inclusion criterion in clinical trials for advanced PC, a significant proportion of study patients does not survive > 3 months.

Trial registration numbers

NCT00440167 (AIO-PK0104), NCT01729481 (RASH), NCT01728818 (ACCEPT).
Organized crime involvement in antiquities looting in Italy
Authors: Balcells Marc
Published: October 2023

Tombaroli (the Italian name for looters of archaeological heritage) have criminally preyed on Italy’s ancient tombs for centuries. Criminological research on archaeological looting in Italy, however, is scarce. This research focused on the nature of the relationship between tombaroli and organized crime groups in Italy: a misrepresented relationship, as some media outlets depict looters as involved with organized crime. This research project drew on a multidisciplinary body of literature on Italian archaeological looting and interviews with looters, law enforcement officials, archeologists, prosecutors, and journalists, among others. It demonstrated that Italian archaeological looting is not a problem of organized crime. The study concluded that, presently, the relationship between looters and traditional Italian criminal organizations is anecdotal at best, nor currently looters could be considered organized criminals but rather criminals that need a certain level of organization to operate.
Belowground growth strategies of native and invasive rhizomatous perennial grasses in response to precipitation variability, clipping, and competition
Authors: Bam Surendra , Ott Jacqueline P. , Butler Jack L. , Xu Lan
Published: October 2023

Invasive clonal species may exhibit different growth strategies than their native clonal competitors. In this study, we examined the spatial distribution of tiller outgrowth and the bud bank by comparing the investment in phalanx versus guerilla growth of a native and invasive perennial grass in North America. We also examined the effect of altered precipitation frequency, clipping, and competition on their clonal growth strategies. Investment in phalanx and guerilla growth was assessed by examining live propagule and tiller production from the plant crown versus its rhizomes. Although invasive Bromus inermis and native Pascopyrum smithii exhibited similar clonal growth strategies as young seedlings, their clonal growth strategies significantly differed by the end of their first growing season. Pascopyrum smithii invested in dual phalanx and guerilla tiller outgrowth and bud placement, and B. inermis primarily invested in phalanx tiller outgrowth and bud placement. Competition rather than intra-annual precipitation variability and clipping altered the clonal growth strategy of these species. Intra- and inter- specific competition did not alter tiller outgrowth for either species. However, inter-specific competition caused both species to alter their bud placement. Bromus inermis shifted more buds from phalanx to guerilla positions while P. smithii shifted in the opposite direction. This may enable invasive B. inermis to expand while confining native P. smithii to more localized areas in the future. Clonal growth strategies appear to be species specific and responsive to inter-specific competition. Investigating the belowground bud aspect of clonal growth can reveal the mechanism driving the future aboveground clonal growth strategy of native and invasive rhizomatous grasses and help inform the patterns of invasion within a plant community.
Histological spatial analysis on the induction of PD-L1+ macrophages by CD8+ T cells at the marginal microenvironment of triple-negative breast cancer
Authors: Suzuki Kazushi , Ohe Rintaro , Kabasawa Takanobu , Kitaoka Takumi , Kawai Masaaki , Motoi Fuyuhiko , Futakuchi Mitsuru
Published: October 2023

Background

Programmed death-ligand 1 (PD-L1) plays important roles in the evasion of antitumor immunity. Because we observed the localization of PD-L1-positive (PD-L1+) cells in the marginal region of triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) specimens, we hypothesized that the marginal microenvironment of TNBC would involve the induction of PD-L1+ cells.

Methods

One hundred and one TNBC surgical specimens were examined. We performed immunohistochemical (IHC) studies of PD-L1, CD68, CD8, and pan-cytokeratin in these specimens. We analyzed the localization of IHC-positive cells and the distance between these cells by histological spatial analysis.

Results

In 30.7% of TNBC specimens, PD-L1+ cells were located in the marginal region. Approximately three PD-L1+ cells accumulated around a single TNBC cell. Most PD-L1+ cells were located within 50 μm of TNBC cells. PD-L1+ cells were indicated to interact with TNBC cells in the marginal region. PD-L1+CD68+ cells were located in the marginal region, while CD68+ macrophages (MΦs) were observed either in the marginal region or the core region. PD-L1 expression in MΦs was induced in the marginal region. The colocalization of CD8+ T cells in the marginal region indicates that PD-L1 expression in MΦs would be induced by interaction with CD8+ T cells. Because CD8+ T cells are positive for CCL2, CCL2 may induce PD-L1 expression in MΦs.

Conclusion

At the marginal microenvironment of TNBC, PD-L1 expression would be induced in MΦs by interaction with CD8+ T cells through CCL2. The interaction between PD-L1+ MΦs and TNBC cells would facilitate the growth of TNBC under antitumor immunity. These interactions would be potential targets for restoring antitumor immunity and suppressing TNBC progression.