bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Digital re‐attributional feedback in high school mathematics education and its effect on motivation and achievement
Authors: Whalen Katharina Alexandra , Renkl Alexander , Eitel Alexander , Glogger‐Frey Inga
Published: October 2023

Background

Students often show unfavourable attribution: they attribute poor school performance to stable factors such as lack of ability and good school performance to variable factors such as effort. However, attribution can be influenced by individualized digital re‐attributional feedback leading to positive motivational effects and higher learning outcomes. This is very promising, but it still is unclear, whether this digital re‐attributional feedback can also be successfully integrated in everyday classroom activities.

Objectives

The present field experiment investigated how integrating digital re‐attributional feedback into classroom instruction affects student attribution, motivation and learning outcomes.

Methods

In the experiment, 8th–10th grade high school students (N = 322) worked with a digital mathematics learning program which was integrated in a three‐week teaching unit. Half the students in each classroom received only standard feedback after each practice task (SF group); the other half received additionally an individual re‐attributional feedback (RF group) after every third task. Attribution, mathematics self‐concept, and self‐efficacy were measured by an online questionnaire twice a week; learning outcomes in mathematics were measured weekly.

Results and Conclusion

Hierarchical analyses showed that re‐attributional feedback led to a more favourable attribution in case of success on stable factors. Especially low‐performing students benefited from this feedback. No effects on attribution in case of failure, self‐efficacy or learning outcomes could be found. Further research could investigate if certain adaptations to the digital re‐attributional feedback is more effective in a real classroom setting and has a broader impact on different students.
Using game‐based learning and online flipped classrooms with degree apprenticeship students
Authors: Dermentzi Eleni
Published: October 2023

Background

Degree apprenticeships (DA) help employees gain new knowledge and skills by allowing them to study towards a university degree while working full time. For these programmes to be effective, the learning design should be adapted to the needs of these students, who are goal oriented (i.e. they want to gain only knowledge that can be applied within their workplace), have limited time for studying, and usually have not attended formal education for some time. As these programmes are relatively new, there is limited research on how these students can be supported to achieve the programmes' learning goals by using information and communication technologies.

Objectives

This paper aims to understand whether a learning design that combines game‐based learning with online flipped classrooms can engage DA students in their learning and help them develop their reflective skills.

Methods

Two focus groups were conducted with DA students that study at a UK Business School towards gaining the Chartered Manager status. The focus groups recordings have been analysed using reflexive thematic analysis.

Results and Conclusions

The three main themes, “change can be helpful and challenging at the same time”, “the ideal game”, and “the effect of others”, show that DA students find game‐based learning and online flipped classrooms useful, with the right support. Simulation games can be more fulfilling to DA students than quiz games, even if they take more of their out‐of‐class time. In addition, instructors are advised to work more closely with diverse teams to enable students share their work experiences and learn from each other.
Circ‐ILF2 in oral squamous cell carcinoma promotes cisplatin resistance and induces M2 polarization of macrophages
Authors: Wu Siyuan , Lv Xiaozhi , Wei Haigang , Chen Wuya , Zheng Junming , Li Xia , Song Jing , Ai Yilong , Zou Chen
Published: October 2023

Cisplatin (CDDP) chemoresistance is one of the predominant factors in oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) treatment failure. Uncovering the mechanisms underlying CDDP resistance is of great importance in OSCC therapy. Circular RNAs (circRNAs) are a newly discovered class of noncoding RNAs, which are reported to participate in the progression of various diseases, including cancer. However, the function of circRNAs in CDDP resistance in OSCC remains unclear. Quantitative reverse transcription PCR was used to search for different circRNAs between OSCC cell lines and CDDP‐resistant cell lines. The results showed that circ‐ILF2 expression was higher in CDDP‐resistant OSCC cell lines. The stability of circ‐ILF2 was also confirmed using RNase R and actinomycin D assays. Functional experiments, including cytotoxicity, apoptosis and growth rate assays, showed that upregulation of circ‐ILF2 contributes to CDDP resistance. Luciferase reporter‐gene, RNA pull‐down and quantitative real‐time PCR (RT‐qPCR) assays showed that circ‐ILF2 functions as a microRNA sponge for miR‐1252. Luciferase reporter assays, RNA pull‐down, RT‐qPCR and Western blotting showed that miR‐1252 directly targeted and regulated the expression of KLF8. Circ‐ILF2 plays an important role in CDDP resistance in OSCC. Circ‐ILF2 exerts its function through the miR‐1252/KLF8 pathway. In addition, tumour‐associated macrophages (TAM) play important roles in cancer progressions, our results showed that circ‐ILF2 in OSCC cells induced the M2 polarization of macrophages which provided new thoughts on immunotherapy. Our results suggest that circ‐ILF2 may represent a potential therapeutic target in CDDP‐resistant OSCC.
Novel, pathogenic insertion variant of GSDME associates with autosomal dominant hearing loss in a large Chinese pedigree
Authors: Cheng Jingliang , Li Ting , Tan Qi , Fu Jiewen , Zhang Lianmei , Yang Luquan , Zhou Baixu , Yang Lisha , Fu Shangyi , Linehan Alora Grace , Fu Junjiang
Published: October 2023

Nonsyndromic hearing loss (NSHL) is a genetically diverse, highly heterogeneous condition characterised by deafness, and Gasdermin E (GSDME) variants have been identified as directly inducing autosomal dominant NSHL. While many NSHL cases associated with GSDME involve the skipping of exon 8, there is another, less understood pathogenic insertion variant specifically found in Chinese pedigrees that causes deafness, known as autosomal dominant 5 (DFNA5) hearing loss. In this study, we recruited a large Chinese pedigree, conducted whole‐exome and Sanger sequencing to serve as a comprehensive clinical examination, and extracted genomic DNA samples for co‐segregation analysis of the members. Conservation and expression analyses for GSDME were also conducted. Our clinical examinations revealed an autosomal dominant phenotype of hearing loss in the family. Genetic analysis identified a novel insertion variant in GSDME exon 8 (GSDME: NM_004403.3: c.1113_1114insGGGGTGCAGCTTACAGGGTGGGTGT: p. P372fs*36). This variant is segregated with the deafness phenotype of this pedigree. The GSDME gene was highly conserved in the different species we analysed, and its mRNA expression was ubiquitously low in different human tissues. In conclusion, we have successfully identified a novel pathogenic insertion variant of GSDME in a Chinese pedigree that causes deafness, shedding light on the genetic basis of hearing loss within this specific family. Our findings expand the spectrum of known variants associated with GSDME‐related deafness and may further support both the underlying gain‐of‐function mechanism and functional associations of GSDME hearing loss variants.
Analysis of the correlation between skin barrier function and age in rosacea patients in Qinghai region
Authors: Qi Zixuan , Wang Feng , Huang Yongmei , Wang Ping
Published: October 2023

Objective

This study aims at investigating the difference in facial skin barrier function between rosacea patients and the healthy population of different ages in the Qinghai region and its correlation with age, providing a basis for clinical nursing and treatment.

Methods

The data of 216 rosacea patients were collected, and 211 healthy testers were selected as the control group. The skin barrier characteristics of rosacea patients of different ages were evaluated by comparing transepidermal water loss (TEWL), stratum corneum hydration (SCH), sebum content (SC), and pH values between the two groups. Then, the correlation between skin barrier function and age in rosacea patients and the healthy population was analyzed.

Results

In all four age groups, the TEWL of the rosacea group was higher than that of the healthy control group, and the epidermal hydration was lower than the healthy control group. In the population aged over 40, the sebum content in rosacea was lower than that in the healthy control group. In the age group of 40–59, the pH value of the rosacea group was higher than the healthy control group. In both the rosacea and the control groups, TEWL was positively correlated with age, and epidermal hydration was negatively correlated with age. The sebum content in rosacea group was negatively correlated with age (p < 0.05).

Conclusion

As age increases, the facial epidermal function of both rosacea patients and the healthy population declines. Therefore, with increasing age, attention should be paid to enhance the epidermal function to slow down the skin aging process.
Vitamin D supplementation can enhance therapeutic effects of excimer laser in patients with vitiligo
Authors: Kim Jin Cheol , Kim Hye Ran , Park Jin Seo , Lee So Yeon , Kim Hye One , Park Chun Wook , Chung Bo Young
Published: October 2023

Purpose

Vitiligo is a disease of acquired depigmentation characterized by the destruction of melanocytes. A theoretical association between low level of 25‐hydroxyvitamin D [25(OH)D] and vitiligo has been previously suggested. The objective of this study was to determine the efficacy of intramuscular injection of cholecalciferol with excimer laser compared with the excimer laser alone for vitiligo treatment.

Methods

This study included 26 patients diagnosed with non‐segmental vitiligo and low serum 25(OH)D levels (<20 ng/mL). The participants were randomly divided into two groups through randomization. The treatment using a 308‐nm excimer laser was administered to both groups, and the study group additionally received cholecalciferol injection.

Results

The Vitiligo Area Scoring Index (VASI) scores showed an 83.6% improvement over the initial score in the study group, whereas the control group showed a 54.7% improvement after 6 months of treatment. After 6 months of treatment, the study group showed a significantly higher proportion of patients who achieved VASI50 and VASI75 compared with the control group.

Conclusion

Intramuscular injection of cholecalciferol can be a supplemental option for the treatment of vitiligo patients with vitamin D deficiency with excimer laser therapy.
Selectivity of chemical and biological foliar treatments on the phyllosphere communities of bacteria and fungi antagonistic to Fusarium verticillioides in maize
Authors: Perrony Paul Esteban Pherez , Guimarães Rafaela Araújo , Reis Luisa Oliveira , Gomes Larissa Bitencourt , da Silva Leonardo José , de Albuquerque Correa César Murilo , da Silva Júlio Carlos Pereira , de Medeiros Flávio Henrique Vasconcelos
Published: October 2023

Maize grain production in the tropics is affected by Fusarium verticillioides, leading to significant losses in yield and quality. Fungicides are commonly used to control foliar diseases and increase grain yield, but have limited efficacy against F. verticillioides and may even stimulate the fungus to produce mycotoxins. Biocontrol can reduce F. verticillioides populations and fumonisin, but little is known about the resulting microbial interactions on the phylloplane and their relationship with F. verticillioides. This study aimed at evaluating the impact of different foliar treatments on the cultivable phylloplane community of fungi and bacteria and their potential in controlling F. verticillioides in maize. Results showed that two sprays of Bacillus subtilis BIOUFLA2 increased the percentage of native phylloplane antagonist bacteria and fungi against F. verticillioides by 25.0% and 27.3%, respectively, compared with the water control. However, two sprays with a triazole + strobilurin fungicide at different phenological stages in maize reduced such antagonistic communities. From field trials, 34 bacteria and 13 fungi from the phylloplane were selected for their inhibitory activity against F. verticillioides, with most coming from the exclusive treatment with BIOUFLA2. The study also revealed that the biocontrol agent‐recruited phylloplane indigenous lineages act through antibiosis, competition, and parasitism. Therefore, the adoption of biocontrol to limit F. verticillioides population build‐up not only has a direct activity on the pathogen but also recruits fungal and bacterial antagonists that may act additively or synergistically with the applied biocontrol agent.
Investigating seed bank potential of crustose coralline algae using DNA metabarcoding
Authors: van der Reis Aimee L. , Sewell Mary A. , Nelson Wendy A.
Published: October 2023

To examine the potential for the autogenic ecosystem engineers, crustose coralline algae (CCA), to serve as seed banks or refugia for life stages of other species, it is critical to develop sampling protocols that reflect the diversity of life present. In this pilot study on two shallow water species of CCA collected from Raoul Island (Kermadec Islands; Rangitāhua) New Zealand, we investigated two preservation methods (ethanol vs. silica gel), sampled inner and outer regions of the crusts, and used DNA metabarcoding and seven genes/gene regions (16S rRNA, 18S rRNA, 23S rRNA, cox1, rbcL, and tufA genes and the ITS rRNA region) to develop a protocol for taxa identification. The results revealed immense diversity, with typically more taxa identified within the inner layers than the outer layers. As highlighted in other metabarcoding studies and in earlier work on rhodoliths (nodose coralline algae), reference databases are incomplete, and to some extent, the use of multiple markers mitigates this issue. Specifically, the 23S rRNA and rbcL genes are currently more suitable for identifying algae, while the cox1 gene fares better at capturing the diversity present inclusive of algae. Further investigation of these autogenic ecosystem engineers that likely act as marine seed banks is needed.
Promoting high‐quality interactions among early childhood education minority students: a case study of dialogic literary gatherings
Authors: Girbés‐Peco Sandra , Tellado Itxaso , López de Aguileta Garazi , de Botton Fernández Lena
Published: October 2023

Quality dialogue and interactions in the classroom are crucial for creating effective learning environments and reducing inequalities from an early age. Dialogic reading interventions are known to be beneficial in early childhood education, but there is still much to learn about creating the most conducive interactions in the classroom. This article focuses on dialogic literary gatherings (DLGs), a successful educational action that introduces classic literature to children. DLGs create a learning context where rich interactions emerge from an egalitarian dialogue, valuing all contributions regardless of the person's position in making inferences. The study analysed instructional, emotional and social interactions in DLGs in an early childhood classroom in a disadvantaged Spanish neighbourhood, using a communicative research methodology. Findings show that DLGs facilitate high‐quality interactions between teachers and students and among students. The pre‐school teacher used DLGs to stretch the learning and thinking of participating 4‐ and 5‐year‐old students, promoting self‐regulation and prosocial behaviours. DLGs can play a vital role in creating a more equitable and stimulating learning environment in early childhood education.
“Kita habis…we will be gone”: The politics of population, family planning and racialization in West Papua
Authors: Rasidjan Maryani Palupy
Published: October 2023

In the context of a steadily decreasing Indigenous population, active military occupation, and a documented history of human rights abuses perpetrated by Indonesian state security forces, Black Indigenous Papuans have uttered phrases like extinction, and we will be gone in public and private spaces. These utterances often follow an indictment of Indonesia's national family planning program as a key node of state apparatuses of domination and, by extension, genocide. Amid Indonesia's global health success story of a historically lauded national family planning model, I examine the emergence of a local pronatalist program in which health workers are both providers and deniers of access to birth control. Through highlighting this story of Indigenous refusal and racial survival in the terrain of women's reproduction the stakes of a necropolitical environment marked by occupation, population control, and fears of genocide are brought into high relief.
Superior approach from the pocket for atrioventricular junction ablation performed at the time of conduction system pacing implantation
Authors: Palmisano Pietro , Parlavecchio Antonio , Crea Pasquale , Guido Alessandro , Accogli Michele , Coluccia Giovanni
Published: October 2023

Background

Conduction system pacing (CSP) and atrioventricular junction ablation (AVJA) improve outcomes in patients with symptomatic, refractory atrial fibrillation (AF). Superior approach (SA) from the pocket via axillary or subclavian vein has been proposed as an alternative to the conventional femoral venous access (FA) to perform AVJA.

Objective

To assess the feasibility and safety of SA for AVJA performed simultaneously with CSP, and to compare this approach with FA.

Methods

A prospective, observational study, enrolling consecutive patients with symptomatic, refractory AF undergoing simultaneous CSP and AVJA.

Results

A total of 107 patients were enrolled: in 50, AVJA was primarily attempted with SA, in 69 from FA. AVJA with SA was successful in 38 patients (76.0%), while in 12 patients, a subsequent FA was required. AVJA from FA was successful in 68 patients (98.5%), while in one patient, a left‐sided approach via femoral artery was required. Compared with FA, SA was associated with a significantly longer duration of ablation (238.0 ± 218.2 vs. 161.9 ± 181.9 s; p = .035), a significantly shorter procedure time (28.1 ± 19.8 vs. 19.8 ± 16.8 min; p = .018), an earlier ambulation (2.7 ± 3.2 vs. 19.8 ± 0.1 h; p < .001), and an earlier discharge from procedure completion (24.0 ± 2.7 vs. 27.1 ± 5.1 h; p < .001). After a median follow‐up of 12 months, the rate of complications was similar in the two groups (2.0% in SA, 4.3% in FA; p = .483).

Conclusion

Simultaneous CSP and AVJA with SA is feasible, with a safety profile similar to FA. Compared to FA, this approach reduces the procedure times and allows earlier ambulation and discharge.
Investigating the relationship between specific negative symptoms and metacognitive functioning in psychosis: A systematic review
Authors: McGuire Nicola , Gumley Andrew , Hasson‐Ohayon Ilanit , Allan Stephanie , Aunjitsakul Warut , Aydin Orkun , Bo Sune , Bonfils Kelsey A. , Bröcker Anna‐Lena , de Jong Steven , Dimaggio Giancarlo , Inchausti Felix , Jansen Jens Einar , Lecomte Tania , Luther Lauren , MacBeth Angus , Montag Christiane , Pedersen Marlene Buch , Pijnenborg Gerdina Henrika Maria , Popolo Raffaele , Schwannauer Matthias , Trauelsen Anne‐Marie , van Donkersgoed Rozanne , Wu Weiming , Wang Kai , Lysaker Paul H. , McLeod Hamish
Published: October 2023

Background

Disrupted metacognition is implicated in development and maintenance of negative symptoms, but more fine‐grained analyses would inform precise treatment targeting for individual negative symptoms.

Aims

This systematic review identifies and examines datasets that test whether specific metacognitive capacities distinctly influence negative symptoms.

Materials & Methods

PsycINFO, EMBASE, Medline and Cochrane Library databases plus hand searching of relevant articles, journals and grey literature identified quantitative research investigating negative symptoms and metacognition in adults aged 16+ with psychosis. Authors of included articles were contacted to identify unique datasets and missing information. Data were extracted for a risk of bias assessment using the Quality in Prognostic Studies tool.

Results

85 published reports met criteria and are estimated to reflect 32 distinct datasets and 1623 unique participants. The data indicated uncertainty about the relationship between summed scores of negative symptoms and domains of metacognition, with significant findings indicating correlation coefficients from 0.88 to −0.23. Only eight studies investigated the relationship between metacognition and individual negative symptoms, with mixed findings. Studies were mostly moderate‐to‐low risk of bias.

Discussion

The relationship between negative symptoms and metacognition is rarely the focus of studies reviewed here, and negative symptom scores are often summed. This approach may obscure relationships between metacognitive domains and individual negative symptoms which may be important for understanding how negative symptoms are developed and maintained.

Conlclusion

Methodological challenges around overlapping participants, variation in aggregation of negative symptom items and types of analyses used, make a strong case for use of Individual Participant Data Meta‐Analysis to further elucidate these relationships.
Optimizing ErCas12a for efficient gene editing in Arabidopsis thaliana
Authors: Pietralla Janine , Capdeville Niklas , Schindele Patrick , Puchta Holger
Published: October 2023

The ErCas12a nuclease, also known as MAD7, is part of a CRISPR/Cas system from Eubacterium rectale and distantly related to Cas12a nucleases. As it shares only 31% sequence homology with the commonly used AsCas12a, its intellectual property may not be covered by the granted patent rights for Cas12a nucleases. Thus, ErCas12a became an attractive alternative for practical applications. However, the editing efficiency of ErCas12a is strongly target sequence‐ and temperature‐dependent. Therefore, optimization of the enzyme activity through protein engineering is especially attractive for its application in plants, as they are cultivated at lower temperatures. Based on the knowledge obtained from the optimization of Cas12a nucleases, we opted to improve the gene editing efficiency of ErCas12a by introducing analogous amino acid exchanges. Interestingly, neither of these mutations analogous to those in the enhanced or Ultra versions of AsCas12a resulted in significant editing enhancement of ErCas12a in Arabidopsis thaliana. However, two different mutations, V156R and K172R, in putative alpha helical structures of the enzyme showed a detectable improvement in editing. By combining these two mutations, we obtained an improved ErCas12a (imErCas12a) variant, showing several‐fold increase in activity in comparison to the wild‐type enzyme in Arabidopsis. This variant yields strong editing efficiencies at 22 °C which could be further increased by raising the cultivation temperature to 28 °C and even enabled editing of formerly inaccessible targets. Additionally, no enhanced off‐site activity was detected. Thus, imErCas12a is an economically attractive and efficient alternative to other CRISPR/Cas systems for plant genome engineering.
Dissociable event‐related potential modulations of intrinsic and extrinsic factors in temporal integration
Authors: Akyürek Elkan G. , Balta Gülşen
Published: October 2023

We investigated visual temporal integration, by which multiple stimuli appearing in rapid succession are perceived as a single event. Temporal integration not only depends intrinsically on the passage of time but also, extrinsically, on the number and distribution of successive stimuli that are presented across that time interval. Here, we used a missing element task to investigate intrinsic and extrinsic factors in temporal integration, by manipulating stimulus duration and number, respectively. We found that both contributed interactively to integration performance and that varying the information rate over time did not further modulate this pattern. Intrinsic and extrinsic factors had dissociable effects on the N1, N2, N2pc, and P3 components of the event‐related potential, implicating unique contributions to perceptual discrimination, spatio‐temporal grouping, attention, and response decision‐making. Stimulus number‐induced effects on the event‐related potential also generally arose later than those of stimulus duration. The latter already modulated the amplitude of the N1 and the early phase of the N2pc, while the former did not. The collective results suggest that while both intrinsic and extrinsic factors drive temporal integration, they do so in different ways. This difference during integration may eventually be reflected in the way in which we perceive longer, episodic events.
Political regime, institutional capacity, and inefficient policy: Evidence from gasoline subsidies
Authors: McAlexander Richard J. , Yang Joonseok , Urpelainen Johannes
Published: October 2023

Why do some governments subsidize gasoline consumption, despite its very high economic and environmental costs? We answer this question by examining how a state's political regime and level of institutional capacity jointly determine its level of fossil fuel price distortion. We find that, without sufficient institutional capacity, democratic regimes do not necessarily provide less fuel subsidies, as those governments are unable to pursue other more efficient welfare policies. Using data on monthly domestic gasoline prices from 2003 to 2015, we demonstrate that democratic governments with high institutional capacity are less likely to control domestic gasoline prices. Democratic institutions and strong institutional capacity jointly mitigate the effect of the benchmark oil price increases on the domestic price. These results suggest that the combination of motive (democratic accountability) and means (institutional capacity) can help countries avoid inefficient subsidy policies.
Linguistic but not minimal group membership modulates spontaneous level‐2 perspective interference in 8‐year‐old children
Authors: Elek Lívia Priyanka , Király Ildikó , Pető Réka , Szücs Renáta , Elekes Fruzsina , Oláh Katalin
Published: October 2023

This paper presents evidence that social categorization affects spontaneous level‐2 visual perspective taking (L2PT) differently depending on the type of social category in 8‐year‐old. In Experiment 1 (N = 46), children were paired with same‐age peers, who belonged to the same or a different minimal group. In Experiment 2 (N = 42) children participated with an adult confederate, who either shared their cultural group membership or was a member of an out‐group (inferred from a linguistic cue, accent). In Experiment 3 (N = 80), children were acting together with an adult confederate who was at the same time a member of the same or a different minimal group and shared their linguistic membership. This allowed us to investigate how these social categories influence each other. Spontaneous L2PT was not affected by the minimal group manipulation. However, accent weakened L2PT when it implied that the task partner belonged to an out‐group. When both category cues were present, accent—that could be an indicator of shared knowledge attribution—played a more pronounced role in attenuating L2PT. It is argued that social categories that are indicative of the partner's knowledge states but not ad hoc groups influence spontaneous mentalizing.
A framework to support teacher noticing of students' mathematical thinking in technology‐mediated environments
Authors: McCulloch Allison W. , Dick Lara K. , Lovett Jennifer N.
Published: October 2023

The practice of teacher noticing students' mathematical thinking often includes three interrelated components: attending to students' strategies, interpreting students' understandings, and deciding how to respond on the basis of students' understanding. This practice gains complexity in technology‐mediated environments (i.e., using technology‐enhanced math tasks) because it requires attending to and interpreting students' engagement with technology. Current frameworks implicitly assume the practice includes noticing the ways students use tools (including technology tools) in their work, but do not explicitly highlight the role of the tool. While research has shown that using these frameworks supports preservice secondary mathematics teachers (PSTs) developing noticing practices, it has also shown that PSTs largely overlook students' technology engagement when they are working on technology‐enhanced tasks (Journal for Research in Mathematics Education, 2010; 41(2):169–202). In this article, we describe our adaptation of Jacobs et al.'s framework for teacher noticing student mathematical thinking to include a focus on making students' technology‐tool engagement explicit when noticing in technology‐mediated environments, the Noticing in Technology‐Mediated Environments (NITE) framework. We describe the theoretical foundations of the framework, provide a video case example, and then illustrate how the framework can be used by mathematics teacher educators to support PSTs' noticing when students are working in technology‐mediated environments.
Sources of hyperintensionality
Authors: Lenta Giorgio
Published: October 2023

A wide variety of concepts are nowadays considered to be hyperintensional, and some of them do not seem to involve our representational attitudes. This led some philosophers to identify and defend a notion of worldly hyperintensionality: the idea that some hyperintensional phenomena derive from features of objective reality, independently of how we represent it. Against this view, Darragh Byrne and Naomi Thompson argue that the correct understanding of such phenomena must be conceptualist in nature, and claim that hyperintensionality always derives from features of representations. In the present work I defend the genuine distinction between worldly and representational hyperintensionality through a new framing of the issue: the comparison with worldly intensionality. I argue that locating the sources of hyperintensionality should not be affected by preferences towards any specific semantic framework, and reject Byrne and Thompson's argument against worldly hyperintensionality.
CMV prevention strategies in allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplantation; the role of prophylaxis and pre‐emptive monitoring in the era of letermovir
Authors: Yong Michelle K. , Slavin Monica A. , Chemaly Roy F. , Papanicolaou Genovefa A.
Published: October 2023

The preferred strategy for preventing CMV in at‐risk populations in alloHCT has undergone a significant practice shift in recent years where the pendulum has swung from a pre‐emptive approach to now offering letermovir prophylaxis to all CMV seropositive recipients. Letermovir prophylaxis has resulted in significant reductions in post‐transplant clinically significant CMV infection (csCMVi) as well as other important outcomes such as CMV disease, resistant, and refractory CMV infections and nonrelapse mortality. However, prophylactic strategies are not without some limitations, namely delayed onset CMV infections, delayed CMV‐specific T cell immune reconstitution, increased drug costs and limited data within pediatric populations. Thus, this review aims to provide an overview of prophylaxis and pre‐emptive CMV preventative strategies, and how they are applicable in the current era of letermovir prophylaxis.
Background conductance attributable to spontaneous opening of muscarinic K+ channels in rabbit sino‐atrial node cells.
Authors: Ito H , Ono K , Noma A
Published: October 2023

Single myocytes were dissociated from the rabbit sino‐atrial node, and the membrane background conductance produced by spontaneous opening of the muscarinic K+ channels was investigated by recording whole‐cell and single channel currents in both normal K+ (5.4 mM) and high‐K+ (145 mM) external solutions. Increasing external K+ concentration ([K+]o) from 5.4 to 145 mM induced a large inward shift of the whole‐cell current accompanied by considerable current fluctuations at ‐50 mV. The high‐K(+)‐induced current was both K+ selective and voltage dependent, which was examined by varying [K+]o. This current was almost completely suppressed by 1‐5 mM Ba2+ or 2‐10 mM Cs+ and it was partly blocked by 10 microM atropine. In high‐K+ (145 mM) solution, 20 nM acetylcholine (ACh) further increased the K+ conductance as well as the current noise. The power density spectrum of the noise was fitted with a sum of two Lorentzian functions. The corner frequencies of both the slow (approximately 5 Hz) and fast (approximately 120 Hz) components were comparable between the noise before and during the ACh application. Internal dialysis with a non‐hydrolysable derivative of ATP, 5'‐adenylylimido‐diphosphate (AMP‐PNP) or Mg(2+)‐free solution markedly decreased both the amplitude and fluctuations of the high‐K(+)‐induced current. The relation between the variance of the current fluctuations and the mean current amplitude was linear in every experiment using dialysis of AMP‐PNP or Mg(2+)‐free internal solution, or using superfusion of ACh. The slopes of these relations gave comparable single channel current amplitudes of ‐0.7 pA at ‐50 mV. These results indicate that the spontaneous opening of the muscarinic K+ channels is largely responsible for the high‐K(+)‐induced current. In the high‐K+ solution, the variance‐mean relation at ‐50 mV showed that the muscarinic K+ channel provides an inward current of 3.12 +/‐ 2.13 pA pF‐1 (n = 23), which was about 60% of the total inward background current. In the normal K+ solution, the variance‐mean relation at ‐50 mV indicated that an outward current of 6.0 +/‐ 2.0 pA (0.33 +/‐ 0.28 pA pF‐1, n = 8) was provided by the K+ channel. The single channel current amplitude was estimated to be 0.06 +/‐ 0.02 pA (n = 9). Cell‐attached recordings in the absence of ACh demonstrated sporadic and brief openings of channels identical to the ACh‐induced channels. The power density spectra of the single channel currents exhibited kinetic properties comparable with those of the whole‐cell currents.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)
Visiones curativas
Authors:   Universidad de la Sabana, Cárdenas Támara Felipe
Published: October 2023

Las Visiones Curativas honran el misterio de la vida y están abiertas a la meditación, al diálogo con todas las corrientes terapéuticas, con la psicología existencial y trascendente. En toda su sencillez, se abre un canal y dimensión realista para situarnos en un horizonte anti ideológico, cuyas notas son éticas, estéticas y proyectivas. Las Visiones Curativas, en su sencillo juego a partir de la imagen fotográfica,  posibilita el juego meditativo, mediado por el uso tecnológico de la cámara, el video y todos los elementos que el arte en la Tierra nos posibilita, en el mencionado diálogo cuaternario y/o trinitario, en sus infinitas posibilidades contemplativas de los elementos de la realidad: Dios, naturaleza, la persona y la sociedad, cuya constitución y ordenes  han sido ideologizados, pero cuya realidad es un rasgo distintivo de la realidad y que debe ser objeto de creación desde el trabajo intelectual del universitario, que deberá explorar sentidos y lenguajes de comunicación que desbordan el marco reduccionista y utilitario de las ideología de la muerte que marcan la proyección instrumental de los centros (think thanks) interesados en alimentar la violencia y el no reconocimiento de los planos sinfónicos de la vida en su obsesión por reducir todo al estudio del poder.
Las lenguas del parlamento
Authors:   SUNY Potsdam, Rodríguez Lydia
Published: October 2023

“Éste es el templo de la palabra, y el uso de la palabra lo tiene el Señor Besteiro”. De esta manera la presidenta del parlamento español, Francina Armegol, amonestaba a la portavoz del partido de extrema derecha Vox, por interrumpir a Gómez Besteiro durante el pleno del pasado 18 de septiembre. El diputado socialista acababa de comenzar una intervención donde se dirigía al hemiciclo en gallego, con la que alababa la nueva medida de adoptar el catalán, el gallego y el euskera como lenguas oficiales en el congreso. Tras no permitir la intervención de Vox durante el turno de palabra de Besteiro, uno a uno los miembros de esta formación política abandonaron el hemiciclo, dejando los dispositivos de traducción en el escaño del presidente Pedro Sánchez, quien ni siquiera estaba presente en esa sesión.
A robust design strategy for active control of scattered sound based on virtual sensing
Authors: Cui Xiaoyan , Wang Xiaolin , Yang Wanyu , Zhang Zeqiang , Wu Ming , Yang Jun
Published: October 2023

Combining virtual sensing (VS) with scattered sound control enables active acoustic cloaking when there are limitations in sensor configurations. The remote microphone method and additional filter method (AFM) are two common VS methods, and both can be divided into the training and control stages; the consistency of the environments in these two stages is essential for the control system. This paper investigates the effects of uncertainties in the incidence angle of the detection wave on these two VS-based scattered sound control methods. Following the analysis, we propose a robust design strategy based on the optimal layout of physical sensors, and the placement scheme is chosen by minimax optimization. The feasibility of the proposed strategy is verified by numerical simulations of a finite-length cylindrical scattering model. The results demonstrate that the proposed strategy can effectively reduce the degradation of system performance over the examined range of variations in the detection waves. In particular, the AFM-based method, combined with optimal placement, shows a remarkable improvement in robustness. It improves the worst noise reduction by approximately 14.5 and 10.8 dB on average, respectively, compared with the uniform placement and the direct control method based on the Wiener solution.
Motor Transfer and Proactive Interference in Cycling With a Noncircular Chainring
Authors: Haab Thomas , Leinen Peter , Panzer Stefan
Published: October 2023

Athletes must transfer their performance when changing equipment due to innovative developments in sports technology. This kind of transfer has received only moderate attention. The aim of this study was to examine whether a mechanical change in sports equipment disturbs an athlete’s performance and affects biomechanical and neurophysiological parameters. Therefore, an experiment was conducted in which 36 participants in three groups pedaled at 70 rounds per minute on a cycling ergometer with a circular and a noncircular (NC) chainring. The dependent variables were the total variability of the cadence, torque effectiveness, and muscle cocontraction (electromyographic cocontraction) of four antagonistic acting muscle pairs. Data were recorded during an acquisition phase, a transfer phase, and a retention phase. The results revealed that practice on a circular chainring induces a positive transfer on the NC chainring for total variability without a proactive interference effect. Torque effectiveness did not change within or between groups during the acquisition, transfer, and retention phases. Torque effectiveness and electromyographic cocontraction were not affected when the chainrings were altered from Day 1 to Day 2. During the retention phase, electromyographic cocontraction was higher when using the NC chainring, but the difference was small in absolute terms. The results regarding transfer and proactive interference seem to be strongly dependent on the movement task and the change in sports equipment. Transfer from the circular to NC chainring indicates refined neuromuscular control and improved movement coordination.
Human ApoE2 protects mice against
Plasmodium berghei
ANKA experimental cerebral malaria
Authors: Liang Rui , Rao Hengjun , Pang Qin , Xu Ruixue , Jiao Zhiwei , Lin Lirong , Li Li , Zhong Li , Zhang Yixin , Guo Yazhen , Xiao Nengming , Liu Shengfa , Chen Xiao-Fen , Su Xin-zhuan , Li Jian
Published: October 2023

Cerebral malaria (CM) is a severe neurological complication of
Plasmodium falciparum
infection with acute brain lesions. Genetic variations in both host and parasite have been associated with susceptibility to CM, but the underlying molecular mechanism remains unclear. Here, we demonstrate that variants of human apolipoprotein E (hApoE) impact the outcome of
Plasmodium berghei
ANKA (
Pb
A)-induced experimental cerebral malaria (ECM). Mice carrying the hApoE2 isoform have fewer intracerebral hemorrhages and are more resistant to ECM than mice bearing the hApoE3, hApoE4, or endogenous murine ApoE (mApoE). hApoE2 mice infected with
Pb
A showed increased splenomegaly and IFN-γ levels in serum but reduced cerebral cell apoptosis that correlated with the survival advantage against ECM. In addition, upregulated expression of genes associated with lipid metabolism and downregulated expression of genes linked to immune responses were observed in the brain tissue of hApoE2 mice relative to ECM-susceptible mice after
Pb
A infection. Notably, serum cholesterol and the cholesterol content of brain-infiltrating CD8
+
T cells are significantly higher in infected hApoE2 mice, which might contribute to a significant reduction in the sequestration of brain CD8
+
T cells. Consistent with the finding that fewer brain lesions occurred in infected hApoE2 mice, fewer behavioral deficits were observed in the hApoE2 mice. Finally, a meta-analysis of publicly available data also showed an increased hApoE2 allele in the malaria-endemic African population, suggesting malaria selection. This study shows that hApoE2 protects mice from ECM through suppression of CD8
+
T cell activation and migration to the brain and enhanced cholesterol metabolism.

IMPORTANCE

Cerebral malaria (CM) is the deadliest complication of malaria infection with an estimated 15%–25% mortality. Even with timely and effective treatment with antimalarial drugs such as quinine and artemisinin derivatives, survivors of CM may suffer long-term cognitive and neurological impairment. Here, we show that human apolipoprotein E variant 2 (hApoE2) protects mice from experimental CM (ECM) via suppression of CD8
+
T cell activation and infiltration to the brain, enhanced cholesterol metabolism, and increased IFN-γ production, leading to reduced endothelial cell apoptosis, BBB disruption, and ECM symptoms. Our results suggest that hApoE can be an important factor for risk assessment and treatment of CM in humans.
AI-assisted structural consensus-proteome prediction of human monkeypox viruses isolated within a year after the 2022 multi-country outbreak
Authors: Parigger Lena , Krassnigg Andreas , Grabuschnig Stefan , Gruber Karl , Steinkellner Georg , Gruber Christian C.
Published: October 2023

The monkeypox virus (MPX) belongs to the
Orthopoxvirus
genus of the Poxviridae family, is endemic in parts of Africa and causes a disease in humans similar to smallpox. The most recent outbreak of MPX is already affecting 110 countries, with 86,956 confirmed cases since May 2022 and has consequently become a focus of interest. In particular, a molecular understanding of the virus is essential to study infection processes and pathogen-host interactions, predict tropism changes, or guide drug development and drug discovery as well as vaccine development or vaccine adaptation at a very early stage. Herein, we present a study of the structural proteome of the currently circulating MPX: Our consensus analysis of 3,713 genome sequences sampled within a year after the outbreak revealed 10,580 characteristic candidate open reading frames (ORFs). A search in the non-redundant protein database reduced the number of suspected ORFs to 1,079, of which 210 are representative proteins in typical MPX reference genomes. This should serve as a collection of putative proteins within the currently spreading MPX, a compound of information that could support timely drug discovery, mutational analyses, and vaccine development. We, herein, present the so far most comprehensive structural proteome by providing atomistic 3D models of 210 proteins, generated with three state-of-the-art structure prediction methods, including a mutational analysis of the proteome, with a particular focus on the drug-binding sites of tecovirimat and brincidofovir.

IMPORTANCE

The 2022 outbreak of the monkeypox virus already involves, by April 2023, 110 countries with 86,956 confirmed cases and 119 deaths. Understanding an emerging disease on a molecular level is essential to study infection processes and eventually guide drug discovery at an early stage. To support this, we provide the so far most comprehensive structural proteome of the monkeypox virus, which includes 210 structural models, each computed with three state-of-the-art structure prediction methods. Instead of building on a single-genome sequence, we generated our models from a consensus of 3,713 high-quality genome sequences sampled from patients within 1 year of the outbreak. Therefore, we present an average structural proteome of the currently isolated viruses, including mutational analyses with a special focus on drug-binding sites. Continuing dynamic mutation monitoring within the structural proteome presented here is essential to timely predict possible physiological changes in the evolving virus.
Quarantine experience of healthcare workers in close contact with COVID-19 patients in China: a qualitative study
Authors: Cui Hengmei , Chen Haoyang , Gao Wei , Shi Songsong , Li Yunyun , Li Huiling , Shen Biyu
Published: October 2023

Background

This study investigated the experiences of front-line healthcare workers who had been in close contact with COVID-19 patients and had been quarantined in order to provide guidance on quarantine measures with more humanistic care when dealing with future public health emergencies.

Methods

We conducted a qualitative study using semistructured, qualitative, in-depth interviews between April and June 2022. The interviews were recorded and transcribed, followed by a thematic analysis. The study followed the Standards for Reporting Qualitative Research.

Results

This study identified the following four themes: (1) personal psychological changes, (2) increased reflection on life and work during quarantine, (3) the important role of others’ support and (4) different types of demands during quarantine and isolation. Each theme is supported by several subthemes that further illustrate the participants’ experiences.

Conclusions

Quarantine of close contacts is necessary to prevent outbreaks. Front-line doctors and nurses are at a greater risk of COVID-19 infection than others. The results showed the psychological reactions of ordinary close contacts, and the unique feelings and experiences of doctors and nurses during the epidemic. Therefore, future research should cooperate with multiple departments to assess their needs, provide them with individualised care and love and give them incentives in order to reduce their psychological burden, improve their quality of life and allow them to engage in healthcare with a healthy mind.