bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Subordination
Authors: van Egmond Marie-Elaine
Published: July 2023

This chapter presents an overview of the various subordination strategies employed in Australian languages. Australian-style subordination is known for its remarkable uniformity in two respects: (i) the use of a single subordinate clause type for both relative and adverbial functions, (ii) the strong preference for dependent clauses to appear at the edges of the main clause. Despite these two widespread properties, however, Australian languages display a broad variety of subordination structures, including complementizers, nominalized verbs, non-finite verbs with subordination markers, and case-marking on verbs as a clause-linking device. Overt subordination morphology tends to be more elaborated in the Pama-Nyungan than in the polysynthetic non-Pama-Nyungan languages. Polysynthetic languages have often been assumed to lack subordinate structures, but in Australia it is perfectly possible for a polysynthetic language to possess a range of subordinate structures. Hence subordination and polysynthesis are in principle independent dimensions of typological variation.
Quantification
Authors: Bowler Margit , Kapitonov Ivan
Published: July 2023

This chapter presents an overview of the diversity in the semantics and morphosyntax of quantity descriptions across Australian languages, a hitherto undescribed area. We survey expressive means used for major semantic types of quantification (e.g., ‘some’, ‘all’, ‘most’, ‘none’, etc.) in the domain of individuals as well as times/events (thus, ‘sometimes’, ‘always’, et seq.), pointing out typologically unusual structures and meanings. We also make forays into topics particularly little-understood in Australian languages, such as quantifier interaction, with the explicit purpose of fostering interest and attention to describing these aspects of grammar.
The verbal arts in Indigenous Australia
Authors: Green Jennifer , Kral Inge , Treloyn Sally
Published: July 2023

In this chapter we give a taste of the rich diversity of Australian Indigenous verbal arts. These treasured poetic traditions are seen as a core part of people’s relationships to land and their cultural identity. The verbal arts in Australian Indigenous cultures include a broad range of practices—the art of storytelling and narrative, the performance of poetry and song, and other creative uses of language found in speech play and children’s games. Although spoken languages play a part in these traditions, some verbal arts practices also include graphic symbols drawn on the ground, ceremonial designs on the body, and other embodied actions such as dance, sign, and gesture. New technologies are transforming possibilities for the documentation of verbal arts, and changing social, cultural, and linguistic practices across the generations drive innovation in their form and content.
Language contact
Authors: Angelo Denise
Published: July 2023

This chapter provides comprehensive background information about past and present language contact and contact languages in Australia. It focuses on the historical language contact and shift processes, underway since imposition of settler-colonial society from 1788, which have profoundly altered modern Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander language ecologies. It describes the vibrant contemporary contexts of the resulting contact languages, such as the creoles, mixed languages, restructured traditional languages and Englishes, and their rich and significant roles in Indigenous social and cultural settings. It addresses equity issues that arise when contact languages spoken by Indigenous people are unrecognized and unserviced. The chapter examines the various constructions of ‘Aboriginal English’ and why dialects of Standard Australian English should be differentiated from other contact languages in policies and some on-the-ground services. It includes Indigenous second language learning of Standard Australian English.
Kriol
Authors: Dickson Greg
Published: July 2023

Kriol has been part of the language ecology of Indigenous Australians in Northern Australia for around a century. Spoken by around 20,000 people it has also now been the subject of linguistic research for around half a century. This chapter offers a panoramic view of Kriol, beginning with summary discussions of its origins, status, and ethnolinguistic vitality. This is followed by commentary on where Kriol fits in relation to English, to other creole languages and to substrate languages. The discussion of structural aspects of Kriol pays attention to lexical and semantic aspects, discourse, pragmatics, and variation while still covering core features of phonology, morphology, and syntax. The chapter also serves to bring attention to an array of research that has been carried out on Kriol in the past decade.
Young people’s varieties
Authors: O’Shannessy Carmel
Published: July 2023

Under what circumstances do young people speak in a way that differs significantly from that of their parents’ generation? This chapter presents a summary of documented ways of speaking by young adults and children where the ways of speaking differ from those of prior generations. It covers a range of types of languages, from traditional languages with relatively little change, to the emergence of new varieties. In many of the contexts reported on here, young people learn multiple ways of speaking as they grow up, interacting in each language or variety according to their relationship with the person they are speaking to, and the kind of social situation they are in. It is argued that adapting to the sociolinguistic environment and bringing changes into the languages is a mechanism that enables language continuity in the face of severe language endangerment.
The Gunwinyguan languages
Authors: Evans Nicholas , Marley Alexandra
Published: July 2023

This chapter surveys the main features of the Gunwinyguan languages, a family of a dozen languages spoken in west Arnhem Land and Kakadu National Park in the Northern Territory. Gunwinyguan languages make up the largest genetic family in the non-Pama-Nyungan group, but there is some contention as to the classification of some of these languages due to either insufficient language data or conflicting core linguistic features. In this chapter, we discuss the typological features that characterize Gunwinyguan languages, including phonology, verbal morphology, gender and case marking, and pronominal categories. We situate these features within both the non-Pama-Nyungan group and the broader Australian context, and discuss the processes of microvariation that give rise to typological differences across the languages of the family.
The revitalization of the sleeping Tasmanian Aboriginal languagespalawa kani
Authors: Reynolds Annie , Sainty Theresa
Published: July 2023

This chapter discusses the retrieving of the Tasmanian Aboriginal languages. As a result of the decimation of the Tasmanian Aboriginal community, no individual original languages are still spoken and only one language, palawa kani, is spoken throughout Tasmania. The Tasmanian Aboriginal Centre is the body responsible for the retrieval and revival of the original Tasmanian languages. Since the early 1990s, this work has been funded by successive Commonwealth Governments and conducted by the palawa kani Language Program statewide. Today, Aborigines of all ages can speak palawa kani and three generations of children have learnt it from infancy. The chapter details the process of retrieving the original Tasmanian Aboriginal languages, looking at sources of recorded language, the sounds of words, grammar, word order, and the Aboriginal speakers themselves.
Inceptions and Inseminations
Authors: Landy Francis
Published: July 2023

Isaiah has three beginnings: ch. 1, chs 2.1–4, and ch. 6. Ch. 1 begins at the beginning, with the appeal to the constituents of creation; ch. 2 begins at the end, with the pilgrimage of all nations to Zion; and ch. 6 recounts the prophet’s call. I analyse these beginnings in the context of different origin stories and conceptions of gender. YHWH is the solitary father, whose seed is evil; his female complement, Zion, is the object of desire and disgust, as prostitute, Torah, widow, and daughter. The imagery suggests ambivalence, and alienation. Isaiah’s initiation is accomplished through an all-male transmission of sacred fire, but dissimulates, through a pun, the goddess, who is incinerated with her followers at the end of the chapter.
In-Conclusion
Authors: Landy Francis
Published: July 2023

This chapter provides an overview of the book, discussing both the metanarrative and its insistent subversion. It is concerned with the transition from the Davidic polity to its aftermath, and from male to female figurations of God. It proposes a multi-levelled conception of YHWH in Isaiah, as a persona, a symbol of Israelite values and identity, and an ultimate reality. The chapter concludes with a methodological postscript, which concerns the relation of historical criticism to literary analysis; the value of psychoanalysis; and the critical task—both to judge and to be self-aware—which correlates with Isaiah’s own critical responsibility. It is a deconstructive work—always critical—which is nonetheless a kind of faith, a willingness to respond to whatever the text has to tell us.
MDMA and the Military
Authors: Passie Torsten
Published: July 2023

In the 1920s, physicians discovered the potential for ‘speech induction’ offered by psychoactive substances. The German Nazis were the first to conduct experiments on the use of ‘truth drugs’ for interrogation purposes. Later, after some American prisoners of war ‘confessed’ to the use of biological weapons in the Korean war, the United States (US) Army suspected that they had been manipulated by drugs. This triggered research into drug use for behavioural manipulation by the US military. Research concluded that hallucinogens, such as mescaline and LSD, were mentally so ‘irritating’ that they are not helpful in interrogations. Consequently, the focus of research changed direction towards less irritating substances with more consistent euphoria-inducing effects (such as MDA and similar ‘mescaline derivatives’). However, due to the accidental death of an unwitting patient in an experiment with MDA, research was put on hold until animal tests had been conducted, including with MDMA. Most of the documents related to the years in which the testing was done have been destroyed, but it seems unlikely that MDMA had been tested or used operationally on humans.
The Research of Alexander T. Shulgin
Authors: Passie Torsten
Published: July 2023

The American chemist Alexander T. Shulgin played a significant role in the ‘rediscovery’ of MDMA in the 1970s. In 1960, an experience with mescaline inspired Shulgin to undertake research with psychoactive drugs. He subsequently synthesized psychoactive chemicals and tested them on himself and a group of others. In the early 1960s, Shulgin studied the chemistry of nutmeg: chemical modifications of the oils of nutmeg easily lead to psychoactive substances. In 1962, Shulgin synthesized MMDA from a nutmeg oil, a substance closely related to MDMA. Shulgin first synthesized MDMA in 1965 but did not conduct trials with it. In his collaboration with Claudio Naranjo, a research psychiatrist in Chile, who used Shulgin’s drugs in psychotherapy, they also tested MDE, a substance similar to MDMA but, after a few experiments (with small doses), concluded that this compound had ‘no effect’. In 1975, Shulgin and a student synthesized MDMA again, but Shulgin did not try it. In late 1976, Shulgin synthesized it again and conducted his usual self-trials. It is debatable whether Shulgin realized the special effects of MDMA in his initial self-trials. In 1977, Shulgin gave it to the psychotherapist Leo Zeff, who distributed it enthusiastically to hundreds of therapists. Shulgin and others involved kept the knowledge of MDMA secret until a presentation at a public conference in 1983.
Lenvatinib recruits cytotoxic GZMK+CD8 T cells in hepatocellular carcinoma
Authors: Yamada Tomoharu , Fujiwara Naoto , Kubota Naoto , Matsushita Yuki , Nakatsuka Takuma , Kurosaki Shigeyuki , Minami Tatsuya , Tateishi Ryosuke , Ichida Akihiko , Arita Junichi , Hasegawa Kiyoshi , Koike Kazuhiko , Fujishiro Mitsuhiro , Nakagawa Hayato
Published: July 2023

Background:

Lenvatinib was expected to enhance the effect of immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) for unresectable HCC; however, their combination therapy failed to show the synergy in the phase III clinical trial.

Methods:

To elucidate lenvatinib-induced molecular modulation, we performed bulk RNA-sequencing and digital spatial profiling of 5 surgically resected human HCC specimens after lenvatinib treatment and 10 matched controls without any preceding therapy.

Findings:

Besides its direct antitumor effects, lenvatinib recruited cytotoxic GZMK+CD8 T cells in intratumor stroma by CXCL9 from tumor-associated macrophages, suggesting that lenvatinib-treated HCC is in the so-called excluded condition that can diminish ICI efficacy.
Study of the influence of the biochemical composition of the human native ejaculate on the preservation of the male gametes’ activity after the application of cryopreservation technology
Authors: Begaidarova Aidana , Baikoshkarova Saltanat , Mutaliyeva Botakoz
Published: July 2023

Objective:

The purpose of this study is to investigate the influence of the biochemical composition of human native ejaculate on the preservation of male gamete activity after the application of cryopreservation technology and to evaluate the potential practical application of these findings in future fertilization processes.

Methods:

The methodology employed in this study involves a systematic analysis of the technological aspects of cryopreserving human semen, coupled with an analytical examination of how the biochemical composition of semen affects the preservation of male gamete activity.

Results:

The results of the study demonstrate a clear relationship between the activity of male gametes and changes in the biochemical composition of semen following cryopreservation.

Conclusion:

This study addresses the issue of male infertility in Kazakhstan and underscores the importance of research in embryology and reproductive medicine to effectively address this problem.
Evaluation of Triglyceride-Glucose Index as a Marker for Severity in New Onset Diabetes in Patients of COVID-19 Pneumonia- a Single Center Study
Authors: Ashraf Faiza , Mehmood Majid , Aurang Zeb Mohammad , Rehman Jehanzeb ur , Siddiqui Fariha Masood
Published: July 2023

IntroductionSevere Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus-2 (SARS CoV 2) Covid-19 is responsible for the pandemic affecting the world population since 2019. Starting from Wuhan, China enveloped the globe within a few months. It affected the healthy population, but played havoc in terms of mortality and morbidity for old and diseased populations. Diabetes is a known condition putting patients at high risk of complications, resulting from metabolic syndrome-derived impaired immune responses. The world is still grappling with the challenge of managing diabetic patients with covid pneumonia and newly added Diabetics resulting from post covid complications driven by Covid-19-induced damage to pancreatic beta cells. Resulting in worsening of existing Diabetic control and new onset Diabetes (NOD) in susceptible individuals. The TYG (Triglyceride-Glucose Index) may serve as a marker to identify patients at risk of developing a serious illnessHypothesisTriglyceride Glucose Index is a marker for severity of Covid-19 and new onset of diabetes.Aim        To evaluate role of TYG index in prediction of new onset of Diabetes mellitus in Covid-19 patients and as a marker for disease severity in diabetic Covid-19 patients.MethodologyThis cross-sectional study was carried out in Combined Military Hospital (CMH) Rawalakot. Covid-19 patients' diagnosis was confirmed by RT-PCR. Glycosylated hemoglobin (HBA1c), fasting glucose and Triglycerides (TG) were performed at the biochemistry lab using SELECTRA chemical analyzer. TYG index was calculated and related with clinical symptoms of patients.ResultsA total of 2974 samples has been tested by RT-PCR. Three hundred and ninety-three (13%) were positive for COVID-19 infection. Twenty-one patients (5%) developed new-onset Diabetes (NOD) during the COVID infection. A TYG index of 43 people affected with COVID-19 (21 NOD and 22 non-diabetic individuals (control group) was calculated as a marker of severity index. It was found that the higher TYG was associated with severity and mortality in patients with COVID-19 diabetes.                         ConclusionCovid-19 infection is associated with worsening disease in preexisting diabetic patients and is responsible for new-onset Diabetes in patients. TYG index correlates directly with the severity of Covid-19. TYG index can be used as a predictor marker for mortality and morbidity in Covid-19.
Protective effect of Allium ochotense Prokh.
extract against ethanol-induced cytotoxicity
Authors: Kim Tae Yoon , Kim Jong Min , Lee Hyo Lim , Go Min Ji , Joo Seung Gyum , Kim Ju Hui , Lee Han Su , Sim Seon Jeong , Heo Ho Jin
Published: July 2023

This study aimed to evaluate the antioxidant and hepatoprotective effects of
aqueous and 60% ethanol extracts of Allium ochotense
Prokh. against alcohol-induced cytotoxicity as well as on the activities of
alcohol-metabolic enzymes. Antioxidant effects of the extracts were analyzed
using 3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid, 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazl,
ferric reducing antioxidant power, and malondialdehyde assays, and found that
both extracts exhibited considerable antioxidant activities. Additionally, both
extracts showed synergistic effects on the activities of alcohol-metabolic
enzymes, such as alcohol dehydrogenase, but not on the activity of aldehyde
dehydrogenase. In addition, 2’-7’-dichlorodihydrofluorescein
diacetate (DCF-DA) and 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium
bromide (MTT) assays revealed that aqueous and 60% ethanol extracts
reduced oxidative stress and increased cell viability. Moreover, both extracts
regulated the expression of apoptosis-related proteins, namely B-cell lymphoma
(BCl-2), BCl-2 associated X (BAX), and pro-caspase-3, in HepG2 cells. In
conclusion, aqueous and 60% ethanol extracts of A.
ochotense Prokh. might be valuable functional materials derived
from natural resources for the prevention of ethanol-induced cytotoxicity.
Exploring issues of online hate speech against minority religious groups in Bangladesh
Authors: Rezvi Minhazur Rahman , Hossain Md Rakib
Published: July 2023

Purpose

Online hate speech (OHS) is becoming a serious problem worldwide including in Bangladesh. This study aims to understand the nature of OHS against religious groups and explore its impact on their social life and mental health.

Design/methodology/approach

A qualitative approach was followed and 11 in-depth interviews (IDIs) were conducted with the selected OHS victims. This study conducted a semi-structural interview using Google Form following the design questionnaire for selecting IDIs participants.

Findings

This study found that religious minorities experience online hatred through online media by the major religious group in Bangladesh. Natures of OHS are commenting on social media posts, sharing hateful memes and sending private messages using slang language targeting religious identity, religious food habits and ethnic identities. Victims were offended, abused and bullied by unknown persons, their university friends and colleagues. Victims of OHS did not take any action against it due to fear of insecurity. Victims of OHS felt low-minded, helpless and anxious after the experience of OHS; they felt more insecure and vulnerable socially and mentally.

Originality/value

The findings of this study suggest that policymakers identify the nature of OHS and take proper steps for reducing the frequency of OHS in Bangladesh. To combat the OHS, authorities have to make legal enforcement equal for everyone.
Visualization and analysis of key performance indicators for agricultural cold supply chain in Indian context using fuzzy DEMATEL approach
Authors: Kumar Neeraj , Tyagi Mohit , Sachdeva Anish
Published: July 2023

Purpose

This study aims to discover the key performance indicators (KPIs) of the agricultural cold supply chain (ACSC) and analyze their consequences on the performance of ACSC within the bounds of Indian topography.

Design/methodology/approach

The KPIs have been explored based on the literature review both in global and Indian context and domain expert's opinions. The interdependency characteristics and cause–effect relationship among the KPIs have been analyzed using a fuzzy decision-making trial and evaluation laboratory (f-DEMATEL) approach.

Findings

The findings extracted from the empirical assessment of the problem find strong compliance with the notions of theoretical model assessment. The results highlight that the cost of product waste and operating and performance costs are the two most important performance indicators of an Indian ACSC. Furthermore, governmental policies and regulations and the effectiveness of cold chain (CC) equipment also have a high degree of influencing characteristics on ACSC performance.

Research limitations/implications

To connect the study with practicalities, the assessment of the KPIs is allied with real-time practices by clustering the beliefs of Indian professionals. Therefore, the decision-making behavior of the experts might be influenced by geographical constraints. However, the key findings provide advantages to the ACSC players, a bright hope for future food security and a significant profit for farmers.

Originality/value

The presented paper encompasses various aspects of the ACSC, including theoretical and empirical perspectives exercised to contemplate the system dynamics, which inculcates the essence of the associated practicalities. Thus, this study has various practical contributions relevant to managerial and societal perspectives.
Selection determinants and value creation in private equity investment: a systematic literature review
Authors: Rawal Vrinda , Kapil Sheeba
Published: July 2023

Purpose

This paper aims to review, systematize and map the extant literature on private equity (PE) and study the underlying research agenda for investment selection and value creation in portfolio firms of PE investors. The PE investment process entails the preinvestment stage, where PE investors screen the target firms, and the postinvestment stage, where PE investors monitor the funded firms. With the motive to understand both stages, this review consolidates the findings of existing literature.

Design/methodology/approach

This research adopts a systematic literature review approach to study the underlying themes in PE investment literature. To adequately profile the key research areas, the authors have adopted citation classics in addition to keyword search and drawn the most significant papers in this field of research based on citation metrics.

Findings

The review presents a heterogeneous set of themes by encapsulating the relevant PE literature and identifies significant and emergent themes within the broad research area of investment and performance. The foundational themes found are selection determinants for PE investments, value creation in PE investments and selection vs value-adding effect of PE investors. While the emergent themes are the relative performance of PE investments; sources of value creation; skill, luck and social capital in PE; and resource dependency vis-à-vis PE. Each theme or subtheme chalks out the underlying research agendas for future researchers.

Originality/value

To build an understanding of the selection determinants and value creation, this review addresses the need to synthesize and align the PE literature concerning pre and post investment stages. PE is a fertile research area that is systematically captured in this review by identifying themes, subthemes and avenues for future research.
Does positive supervisory support impede knowledge hiding via psychological ownership and workplace thriving?
Authors: Usman Muhammad , Mehmood Qaiser , Ghani Usman , Ali Zulqurnain
Published: July 2023

Purpose

This study aims to examine how positive supervisory support plays a role in attenuating employees’ knowledge-hiding behavior via the underlying mechanism of psychological ownership and workplace thriving. Integrating the social information processing perspective and conservation of resource theory, this study suggests that due to the mediating role of employee psychological ownership and workplace thriving, positive supervisor support may negatively affect knowledge-hiding behavior.

Design/methodology/approach

Hypotheses were tested with multiwave three-round survey data collected among 432 individuals in various Pakistani hotels.

Findings

This study found that supervisory support attenuated knowledge-hiding behavior by enhancing psychological ownership and workplace thriving serially. As expected, the supportive conduct of the supervisor positively influenced psychological ownership which, in turn, helped workplace thriving and eventually influenced employees’ knowledge hiding.

Originality/value

This study contributes to the extant body of knowledge on knowledge hiding by highlighting a significant antecedent that supervisory support may be instrumental in discouraging knowledge hiding. Furthermore, this study detailed an underlying serial mediating mechanism in the shape of psychological ownership and workplace thriving that connects supervisory support with reduced knowledge hiding.
Gene‐level dissection of chromosome 3q locus amplification in squamous cell carcinoma of the lung using the nCounter assay
Authors: Jeon Taesung , Oh Uk Jeen , Min Jaeyoung , Kim Chungyeul
Published: July 2023

Background

Amplification of the 3q region has been identified as a useful biomarker for the diagnosis and treatment of squamous cell carcinoma (SqCC). This region contains genes such as PIK3CA and YEATS2, which have been linked to the prognosis of SqCC.

Methods

The NanoString nCounter assay is a powerful tool for identifying genetic alterations that affect the progression and prognosis of SqCC. The NanoString nCounter assay was used to identify a subgroup of patients with gene level gain in the 3q region.

Results

Gene level gain in the 3q region was more frequent in SqCC than in adenocarcinoma. We found that genes such as PIK3CA and YEATS2 in the 3q region were associated with the prognosis of SqCC. Therefore, identifying a subgroup of patients with gene level gain in the 3q region using the NanoString nCounter assay can aid in selecting appropriate treatment options and improving prognostic predictions for SqCC patients.

Conclusion

Amplification of the 3q region in SqCC of lung cancer is a useful biomarker for diagnosis and treatment. The NanoString nCounter assay is a powerful tool for identifying specific genetic alterations that affect the progression and prognosis of SqCC. Our study highlights the importance 3q amplification and its associated genes in lung cancer.
Integrated recovery system with bidding‐based satisfaction: An adaptive multi‐objective approach
Authors: Zhong Huifen , Lian Zhaotong , Zhou Tianwei , Niu Ben , Xue Bowen
Published: July 2023

Efficient management of aircraft and crew recovery system is crucial for cost savings and improving the satisfaction, which are related to the airline's reputation. However, most existing work considers only one objective of minimizing costs or maximizing satisfaction. In this study, we propose a new integrated multi‐objective recovery system that takes both cost and satisfaction into account simultaneously. To better capture crew satisfaction in the event of airport closure, a bidding mechanism for early off‐duty task is designed. To overcome the experience‐dependent and labour‐consuming problems associated with current manual or mathematical recoveries, we develop an intelligent optimizer based on multi‐swarm and MOPSO frameworks, termed adaptive seeking and tracking multi‐objective particle swarm optimization algorithm (ASTMOPSO). Specifically, during the evolutionary process, the sub‐swarm size undergoes adaptive internal transfer while executing more efficient evolutionary strategies to approach the global Pareto front. Additionally, five ad‐hoc repair procedures are designed to ensure feasibility for our aircraft and crew recovery system. The ASTMOPSO is applied to real‐world instances from Shenzhen Airlines with different sizes. Experimental results demonstrate the statistical superiority of our method over other popular peer algorithms. And the infeasible solution repair procedures significantly improve the feasibility rate by at least 40%, particularly for large‐scale instances.
Surgical outcomes of robot‐assisted radical cystectomy in octogenarian or older patients: A Japanese nationwide study
Authors: Chen Wei , Yokoyama Minato , Waseda Yuma , Kobayashi Masaki , Fan Bo , Fukuda Shohei , Tanaka Hajime , Yoshida Soichiro , Ai Masumi , Fushimi Kiyohide , Fujii Yasuhisa
Published: July 2023

Objective

To evaluate the surgical outcomes of robot‐assisted radical cystectomy (RARC) in octogenarian or older patients based on a Japanese nationwide database.

Methods

The diagnosis procedure combination database was used to extract the data on radical cystectomy cases. Surgical outcomes of RARC in octogenarian or older patients (older group) were initially compared to those of patients younger than 80 years (younger group). Then, the surgical outcomes of RARC in the older group were compared to those of open radical cystectomy (ORC) and laparoscopic radical cystectomy (LRC) in the same age group.

Results

Between 2018 and 2021, 478 RARC cases in the older group and 2257 RARC cases in the younger group were identified. In the older group, ileal conduit, neobladder, and other urinary diversions were carried out in 352 (73.6%), 22 (4.6%), and 104 (21.8%) patients, respectively. In the older group, when compared with the younger group, the complication rate (24.9%), blood transfusion rate (41.4%), and in‐hospital mortality (1.4%) were equivalent, while significantly shorter anesthesia time and longer length of stay were observed in the older group (521.0 ± 140.4 min vs. 595.1 ± 141.71 min, p < 0.01, and 32.9 ± 16.8 days vs. 30.6 ± 17.8 days, p = 0.01, respectively). In the comparison of the surgical outcomes of older patients receiving RARC to those receiving ORC (n = 746) and LRC (n = 375), the RARC group had the lowest complication rate and the shortest length of stay, while the shortest anesthesia time was noted in the ORC group.

Conclusion

The feasibility of RARC for octogenarian or older patients was demonstrated by the nationwide database study.
Vacant niches help predict invasion risk by birds
Authors: González‐del‐Pliego Pamela , Mendoza Manuel , Santana Joana , Ribeiro Joana , Reino Luís , Araújo Miguel B.
Published: July 2023

Aim

If communities have a ceiling determining the number of species that can coexist, then the ability of alien species to establish at any given location should be related to the quantity of vacant niches available. We developed a new approach to estimate the extent to which niches are vacant and then explored the relationship between vacant niches and alien species.

Location

Global with focal tests in Europe and North America.

Taxon

Birds.

Methods

Drawing on a global classification of trophic structures for birds, we calculated a ‘vacant niche ratio’ metric to quantify the expected level of saturation (i.e. number of vacant niches) for each 1° × 1° grid cell globally, based on the difference between expected and observed numbers of bird species for all trophic guilds. Next, we used random forests to examine if the presence of plant‐invertivore (whose food source represents plants, seeds, fruits and invertebrates) and granivore alien bird species was associated with the vacant niche ratio across well‐sampled regions.

Results

In Europe, we found a significant relationship between alien species and vacant niches, with greater numbers of alien species being found in communities that offered greater numbers of vacant niches overall, and across habitat types. In North America, we found no significant relationship between plant‐invertivores and vacant niches, while for granivores, we found that areas with fewer vacant niches had greater numbers of alien species, especially in forests. However, vacant niches alone correctly predict 69% of the presence of alien bird species when combining both regions and trophic guilds.

Main Conclusions

Most regions of the world have unsaturated bird communities, with the level of saturation in communities varying within regions and trophic guilds. We found that although often‐neglected, vacant niches are likely to be, at least partially, related with the successful establishment of alien bird species.
Irreversible repolarization of tumour‐associated macrophages by low‐Pi stress inhibits the progression of hepatocellular carcinoma
Authors: Lv Yang‐feng , Liao Zi‐qiang , Bi Qiu‐chen , Xie Chuan‐sheng , Wei Xiao‐yong , Yun Yi , He Yuan‐qiao , Tang Qun
Published: July 2023

Numerous studies have shown the positive correlation between high levels of Pi and tumour progression. A critical goal of macrophage‐based cancer therapeutics is to reduce anti‐inflammatory macrophages (M2) and increase proinflammatory antitumour macrophages (M1). This study aimed to investigate the relationship between macrophage polarization and low‐Pi stress. First, the spatial populations of M2 and M1 macrophages in 22 HCC patient specimens were quantified and correlated with the local Pi concentration. The levels of M2 and M1 macrophage markers expressed in the peritumour area were higher than the intratumour levels, and the expression of M2 markers was positively correlated with Pi concentration. Next, monocytes differentiated from THP‐1 cells were polarized against different Pi concentrations to investigate the activation or silencing of the expression of p65, IκB‐α and STAT3 as well as their phosphorylation. Results showed that low‐Pi stress irreversibly repolarizes tumour‐associated macrophages (TAMs) towards the M1 phenotype by silencing stat6 and activating p65. Moreover, HepG‐2 and SMCC‐7721 cells were cultured in conditioned medium to investigate the innate anticancer immune effects on tumour progression. Both cancer cell lines showed reduced proliferation, migration and invasion, as epithelial–mesenchymal transition (EMT) was inactivated. In vivo therapeutic effect on the innate and adaptive immune processes was validated in a subcutaneous liver cancer model by the intratumoural injection of sevelamer. Tumour growth was significantly inhibited by the partial deprivation of intratumoural Pi as the tumour microenvironment under low‐Pi stress is more immunostimulatory. The anticancer immune response, activated by low‐Pi stress, suggests a new macrophage‐based immunotherapeutic modality.
Stratifying early‐onset emotional disorders: using genetics to assess persistence in young people of European and South Asian ancestry
Authors: Dennison Charlotte A. , Martin Joanna , Shakeshaft Amy , Riglin Lucy , Rice Frances , Lewis Cathryn M. , O'Donovan Michael C. , Thapar Anita
Published: July 2023

Background

Depression and anxiety are the most common mental health problems in young people. Currently, clinicians are advised to wait before initiating treatment for young people with these disorders as many spontaneously remit. However, others develop recurrent disorder but this subgroup cannot be identified at the outset. We examined whether psychiatric polygenic scores (PGS) could help inform stratification efforts to predict those at higher risk of recurrence.

Methods

Probable emotional disorder was examined in two UK population cohorts using the emotional symptoms subscale of the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ). Those with emotional disorder at two or more time points between ages 5 and 25 years were classed as ‘recurrent emotional disorder’ (n = 1,643) and those with emotional disorder at one time point as having ‘single episode emotional disorder’ (n = 1,435, controls n = 8,715). We first examined the relationship between psychiatric PGS and emotional disorders in childhood and adolescence. Second, we tested whether psychiatric PGS added to predictor variables of known association with emotional disorder (neurodevelopmental comorbidity, special educational needs, family history of depression and socioeconomic status) when discriminating between single‐episode and recurrent emotional disorder. Analyses were conducted separately in individuals of European and South Asian ancestry.

Results

Probable emotional disorder was associated with higher PGS for major depressive disorder (MDD), anxiety, broad depression, ADHD and autism spectrum disorder (ASD) in those of European ancestry. Higher MDD and broad depression PGS were associated with emotional disorder in people of South Asian ancestry. Recurrent, compared to single‐episode, emotional disorder was associated with ASD and parental psychiatric history. PGS were not associated with episode recurrence, and PGS did not improve discrimination of recurrence when combined with clinical predictors.

Conclusions

Our findings do not support the use of PGS as a tool to assess the likelihood of recurrence in young people experiencing their first episode of emotional disorder.
Preclinical evaluation of singlet oxygen‐cleavable prodrugs in combination with protoporphyrin IX‐photodynamic therapy in an orthotopic rat model of non‐muscle‐invasive bladder cancer
Authors: Rahman Kazi Md Mahabubur , Foster Barbara A. , You Youngjae
Published: July 2023

Photodynamic therapy (PDT) initially employed red light, which caused some patients to experience permanent bladder contractions. PDT using the FDA‐approved drug hexaminolevulinate (HAL), which produces protoporphyrin IX (PpIX) in the tumor, showed some promise but has low efficacy in treating non‐muscle‐invasive bladder cancer (NMIBC). We developed singlet oxygen‐activatable prodrugs of two anticancer drugs, paclitaxel and mitomycin C, to enhance the antitumor effect of PpIX‐PDT without producing systemic side effects, by promoting only local release of the active chemotherapeutic agent. Orthotopic NMIBC model was used to compare the efficacy of prodrugs only, PpIX‐PDT, and prodrugs + PpIX‐PDT. 532 nm laser with a total power of 50 mW for 20 min (60 J, single treatment) was used with HAL and prodrugs. Histology and microscopic methods with image analysis were used to evaluate the tumor staging, antitumor efficacy, and local toxicity. Prodrug + PpIX‐PDT produced superior antitumor efficacy than PpIX‐PDT alone with statistical significance. Both PpIX‐PDT alone and combination therapy resulted in mild damage to the bladder epithelium in the normal bladder area with no apparent damage to the muscle layer. Overall, SO‐cleavable prodrugs improved the antitumor efficacy of PpIX‐PDT without causing severe and permanent damage to the bladder muscle layer.
Social work and the practice of social justice: An initial overview
Authors: O'Brien Michael
Published: July 2023

Social justice is a key element in social work. A sample of 192 ANZASW members recently completed a questionnaire describing their approach to social justice and the links between social justice and their practice. This overview article provides an initial summary of their thinking about and approach to social justice in that practice and reflects the various ways in which that practice is shaped by and reflects dimensions of social justice.
Understanding sexual citizenship for Asian MSM in Aotearoa
Authors: Wong Spar , Chubb Laura Ann
Published: July 2023

Introduction: As members of a profession that promotes social justice and human rights, social workers are well positioned to engage in sexual health practices, such as providing human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) services, a significant aspect in the development of sexual citizenship—or supporting the rights and responsibilities of people in their sexual lives. Comprising part of the second largest ethnic minority group, Asian men who have sex with men (MSM) are the most HIV-affected ethnic minority group in Aotearoa New Zealand. However, social work practices with this cohort are non-specific. This article presents the concept of sexual citizenship as a lens through which to better understand the sexual health needs of Asian MSM in Aotearoa and how social workers or other health professionals might be supportive.

Approach: A narrative literature review of eight articles concerning Asian MSM’s sexual health in Aotearoa was undertaken. Three themes were identified from this review: 1) sexual stigma, discrimination and prejudice; 2) sexual health and layered identities, and 3) knowledge of safer sex practises.

Conclusions: As the fastest growing ethnic minority group in Aotearoa, more actions and resources are required to meet Asian, particularly Asian MSM’s, sexual health needs. The social work profession can play a critical role by advocating for sexual citizenship, providing supportive sexual health resources, and addressing sexual stigma and health disparities among Asian MSM.
Funding agencies say no to AI peer review
Authors: Kaiser Jocelyn
Published: July 2023

Concerns include confidentiality, accuracy, and “originality of thought”
Molecular Ensembles of Microbiotic Metabolites in Carcinogenesis
Authors: Shatova Olga P. , Zabolotneva Anastasiya A. , Shestopalov Aleksandr V.
Published: July 2023

The mechanisms of carcinogenesis are extremely complex and involve multiple components that contribute to the malignant cell transformation, tumor growth, and metastasis. In recent decades, there has been a growing interest in the role of symbiotic human microbiota in the regulation of metabolism and functioning of host immune system. The symbiosis between a macroorganism and its microbiota has given rise to the concept of a holoorganism. Interactions between the components of a holoorganism have formed in the process of coevolution, resulting in the acquisition by microbiotic metabolites of a special role of signaling molecules and main regulators of molecular interactions in the holoorganism. As elements of signaling pathways in the host organism, bacterial metabolites have become essential participants in various physiological and pathological processes, including tumor growth. At the same time, signaling metabolites often exhibit multiple effects and impact both the functions of the host cells and metabolic activity and composition of the microbiome. This review discusses the role of microbiotic metabolites in the induction and prevention of malignant transformation of cells in the host organism and their impact on the efficacy of anticancer therapy, with special emphasis on the involvement of some components of the microbial metabolite molecular ensemble in the initiation and progression of tumor growth.
Evaluation of the Antitumor Potential of Soloxolone Tryptamide against Glioblastoma Multiforme Using in silico, in vitro, and in vivo Approaches
Authors: Markov Andrey V. , Odarenko Kirill V. , Sen’kova Aleksandra V. , Ilyina Anna A. , Zenkova Marina A.
Published: July 2023

Glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) is a highly aggressive brain tumor characterized by uncontrollable diffusive growth, resistance to chemo- and radiotherapy, and a high recurrence rate leading to a low survival rate of patients with GBM. Due to a large number of signaling pathways regulating GBM pathogenesis, one of the promising directions is development of novel anti-glioblastoma compounds based on natural metabolites capable of affecting multiple targets. Here, we investigated the antitumor potential of the semisynthetic triterpenoid soloxolone tryptamide (STA) against human glioblastoma U87 cells. STA efficiently blocked the growth of U87 cells in 2D and 3D cultures, enhanced adhesiveness of tumor cells, and displayed synergistic cytotoxicity with temozolomide. In silico analysis suggested that the anti-glioblastoma activity of STA can be explained by its direct interaction with EGFR, ERBB2, and AKT1 which play an important role in the regulation of GBM malignancy. Along with direct effect on U87 cells, STA normalized tumor microenvironment in murine heterotopic U87 xenograft model by suppressing the development of immature blood vessels and elastin production in the tumor tissue. Taken together, our results clearly demonstrate that STA can be a novel promising antitumor candidate for GMB treatment.
Social learning-integrated flower pollination algorithm for influence maximization
Authors: Zhang Qiwen , Liu Yueyue
Published: July 2023

Social learning-integrated flower pollination algorithm (SLFPA) is a solution to issues that meta-heuristic algorithms face when solving the influence maximization problem. These issues include the high probability of entrapment in local optima, a decrease in population diversity during later iterations, and low accuracy of solution. In human society, people often learn from others behavior. This mechanism of social learning is incorporated into the flower pollination algorithm. A global pollination strategy is devised to increase population diversity and avoid being trapped in local optima, which utilizes both the global optimal individual and the most improved individual. To enhance the accuracy of the algorithm, we have developed a local pollination strategy that involves creating a learning object based on close friends. We tested the proposed algorithm on six real social networks and compared it to six other advanced heuristic algorithms, and the results demonstrate the effectiveness of algorithm and improved the accuracy of the solution.
Stochastically analysis by using fixed point approach of pendulum with rolling wheel via translational and rotational motion
Authors: Haider Jamil Abbas , Saeed Farhan , Lone Showkat Ahmad , Almutlak Salmeh A , Elkotb Mohamed Abdelghany
Published: July 2023

This paper presents an analytical solution for a complex mechanical system consisting of a pendulum with a rolling wheel, which combines translational and rotational motion. The system’s dynamics are described by a set of coupled differential equations that are challenging to solve analytically using traditional methods. To overcome this challenge, the variation iteration method (VIM) is employed to derive an analytical solution. VIM is a powerful technique that allows for the approximate solution of differential equations by constructing a series solution iteratively. The Lagrange multiplier, a crucial component in the solution process, is determined for the first time using the Elzaki transformation. Interestingly, the Lagrange multiplier obtained through the Elzaki transformation matches the result obtained from Laplace transformation, which is a fundamental finding of this paper. Also we compared its results with the by employing the VIM and the derived Lagrange multiplier, a comprehensive analytical solution for the complex pendulum with a rolling wheel system is obtained. The solution provides insights into the system’s behavior, such as the oscillation amplitudes, angular velocities and other relevant dynamic parameters. The proposed approach demonstrates the efficacy of the VIM in tackling complex mechanical systems and showcases the equivalence between the Lagrange multiplier derived through Elzaki transformation and the well-established Laplace transformation. The results obtained from this study contribute to the understanding and analysis of coupled translational and rotational systems, providing a valuable tool for researchers and engineers working in the field of mechanical dynamics. Sketches are made of the phase portraits close to the equilibrium points.