bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Occupational exposure to pesticides and endometrial cancer in the Screenwide case-control study
Authors: Peñalver-Piñol Arnau , Benavente Yolanda , Frias-Gomez Jon , Alguacil Juan , Santibañez Miguel , Contreras-Llanes Manuel , Peremiquel-Trillas Paula , López-Querol Marta , Paytubi Sonia , Pelegrina Beatriz , Onieva Irene , Martínez José Manuel , Fernandez-Gonzalez Sergi , Francisco Javier de , Caño Víctor , Brunet Joan , Pineda Marta , Ponce Jordi , Matias-Guiu Xavier , Bosch Francesc Xavier , Sanjosé Silvia de , Alemany Laia , Costas Laura
Published: November 2023

Background

Endometrial cancer is the most common gynaecological tumour in developed countries and disease burden is expected to increase over the years. Identifying modifiable risk factors may help developing strategies to reduce the expected increasing incidence of these neoplasms.

Objective

This study evaluates the association between occupational exposure to pesticides and endometrial cancer using data from a recent case-control study in Spain.

Methods

The analyses included data from 174 consecutive incident endometrial cancer cases and 216 hospital controls frequency-matched by age. Data were collected through structured epidemiological questionnaires and exposure to pesticides was assessed using a Spanish job-exposure matrix (MatEmESp).

Results

Overall, 12% of controls and 18% of cases were occupationally exposed to pesticides. We observed a positive association between occupational exposure to pesticides and endometrial cancer (OR = 2.08; 95% CI = 1.13–3.88 compared to non-exposed). In general, exposures that occurred farther in the past were significantly associated with endometrial cancer. Exposure to insecticides, fungicides and herbicides were positively associated with endometrial cancer (OR = 2.08; 95% CI = 1.13–3.88, OR = 4.40; 95% CI = 1.65–13.33, and OR = 5.25; 95% CI = 1.84–17.67, respectively). The agricultural, poultry and livestock activities scenario was associated with endometrial cancer (OR = 4.16; 95% CI = 1.59–12.32), while the cleaning exposure scenario was not (OR = 1.22; 95% CI = 0.55–2.67).

Conclusions

Assessment of occupational exposure to pesticides assessed using a Spanish job-exposure matrix revealed a positive association with endometrial cancer. The elucidation of the role of pesticide compounds on endometrial cancer should shed a light on the aetiology of this tumour.
A critical role of outer membrane vesicles in antibiotic resistance in carbapenem-resistant Klebsiella pneumoniae
Authors: Yao Lifeng , Wei Beiwen , Wang Yuanxia , Xu Beihui , Yang Meng , Chen Xu , Chen Fuxiang
Published: November 2023

Background

This study aimed to illustrate the status of carbapenem-resistant Enterobacterales (CRE) infections in a Chinese tertiary hospital and to investigate the role of outer membrane vesicles (OMVs) in antibiotic resistance in carbapenem-resistant Klebsiella pneumoniae (CRKP).

Methods

The data of CRE infections was collected from laboratory records, and the CRE isolates from two distinct periods (2015/07 to 2017/07 and 2020/04 to 2021/04) were enrolled to detect the carbapenemase genes by polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Multilocus sequence typing (MLST) was used to analyze the molecular characterization of CRKP. The conjugation assay was performed to verify the transmission of the antibiotic resistance plasmid. The OMVs of CRKP were isolated with a method combining an electrophoretic technique with a 300 kDa cut-off dialysis bag. The protein components in CRKP OMVs were analyzed by liquid chromatography tandem-mass spectrometry (LC–MS/MS), and the meropenem-hydrolyzing bioactivity of KPC in CRKP OMVs was determined with different treatments in vitro.

Results

A total of 178 CRE isolates, including 100 isolates from 2015/07 to 2017/07 and 78 isolates from 2020/04 to 2021/04, were collected for the detection of carbapenemase genes. We found that the carbapenemase gene blaKPC was the most prevalent, followed by blaNDM. By MLST, we found that sequence type (ST) 11 CRKP (96.1%) was the leading type during 2015/07 to 2017/07 and that the ST15 CRKP increased to 46.2% in the late period of 2020/04 to 2021/04. The diameters of Klebsiella pneumoniae OMVs ranged from 100 to 200 nm, and by proteomics analysis the most proteins from OMVs belonged to the “enzyme” group. The KPC enzyme was found in the OMVs from CRKP, and the OMVs could protect inside KPC from proteinase K digestion. Moreover, the KPC enzymes within OMVs, which could be released after Triton X-100 treatment, could hydrolyze meropenem.

Conclusions

CRE has increasingly caused infections in hospitals, and blaKPC-positive CRKP infections have constituted a major proportion of infections in the past decade. The OMVs play a critical role in antibiotic resistance in CRKP.
A potential Chinese medicine monomer against influenza A virus and influenza B virus: isoquercitrin
Authors: Luo Rongbo , Lv Chaoxiang , Wang Tiecheng , Deng Xiuwen , Sima Mingwei , Guo Jin , Qi Jing , Sun Weiyang , Shen Beilei , Li Yuanguo , Yue Donghui , Gao Yuwei
Published: November 2023

Background

Influenza viruses, especially Influenza A virus and Influenza B virus, are respiratory pathogens and can cause seasonal epidemics and pandemics. Severe influenza viruses infection induces strong host-defense response and excessive inflammatory response, resulting in acute lung damage, multiple organ failure and high mortality. Isoquercitrin is a Chinese medicine monomer, which was reported to have multiple biological activities, including antiviral activity against HSV, IAV, SARS-CoV-2 and so on. Aims of this study were to assess the in vitro anti-IAV and anti-IBV activity, evaluate the in vivo protective efficacy against lethal infection of the influenza virus and searched for the more optimal method of drug administration of isoquercitrin.

Methods

In vitro infection model (MDCK and A549 cells) and mouse lethal infection model of Influenza A virus and Influenza B virus were used to evaluate the antiviral activity of isoquercitrin.

Results

Isoquercitrin could significantly suppress the replication in vitro and in vivo and reduced the mortality of mouse lethal infection models. Compared with virus infection group, isoquercitrin mitigated lung and multiple organ damage. Moreover, isoquercitrin blocked hyperproduction of cytokines induced by virus infection via inactivating NF-κB signaling. Among these routes of isoquercitrin administration, intramuscular injection is a better drug delivery method.

Conclusion

Isoquercitrin is a potential Chinese medicine monomer Against Influenza A Virus and Influenza B Virus infection.
MicroRNA-989 controls Aedes albopictus pupal-adult transition process by influencing cuticle chitin metabolism in pupae
Authors: Zhang Ruiling , Liu Wenjuan , Fu Jingwen , Zhang Zhong
Published: November 2023

Background

Aedes albopictus is a vector of numerous devastating arboviruses and places heavy burdens on global public health. Chitin is one of the important components of cuticles and targeting chitin metabolism is a promising strategy for preventing mosquito dispersal and mosquito-borne diseases. Increasing evidence suggests that microRNAs (miRNAs) play crucial roles in various physiological processes of insects.

Methods

A previous analysis suggested that the microRNA miR-989 is potentially involved in chitin metabolism in Ae. albopictus pupae. In the present study, we found that the expression level of miR-989 was significantly overexpressed after injection of agomir. A dual-luciferase assay was used to determine the direct target of miR-989. Survival rate, eclosion rate and malformation rate were statistically analyzed to evaluate the potential effect of miR-989. Hematoxylin–eosin staining and chitin staining were used to evaluate the microstructural changes in the cuticles of Ae. albopictus pupae.

Results

Overexpression of miR-989 resulted in a significantly reduced survival rate and eclosion rate of pupae and an elevated malformation rate of adults. The results suggested that miR-989 acted as a regulator of chitin metabolism in Ae. albopictus pupae by affecting the transcript levels of the Ae. albopictus genes encoding chitin synthase 1 (AaCHS1) and chitinase 10 (AaCht10). The altered expression levels of the two chitin metabolism-related enzymes (CHS1 and Cht10, respectively) caused the structural changes in cuticles and further affected the pupal-adult transition process of Ae. albopictus. XM_029863591.1 was proven to be the target gene of miR-989 and displayed similar effects on pupae as miR-989.

Conclusions

The microRNA miR-989 was found to be essential for chitin metabolism in old and new cuticles of Ae. albopictus pupae. The results of the current study suggested that miR-989 could be used as a potential target to control Ae. albopictus.

Graphical Abstract
Efficacy and safety of tofacitinib in patients with rheumatoid arthritis by previous treatment: post hoc analysis of phase II/III trials
Authors: Tesser John , Gül Ahmet , Olech Ewa , Oelke Kurt , Lukic Tatjana , Kwok Kenneth , Ebrahim Abbas
Published: November 2023

Background

This study sought to evaluate the efficacy and safety of tofacitinib in patients with rheumatoid arthritis with distinct treatment histories.

Methods

Pooled phase II/III trial data from patients who received tofacitinib 5 or 10 mg twice daily or placebo, as monotherapy or with conventional synthetic (cs) disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDs), were analyzed post hoc. Separate evaluations were conducted for populations with a prior inadequate response (IR) to: 1) non-methotrexate (MTX) csDMARDs only (non-MTX csDMARD-IR; n = 537); 2) MTX (MTX-IR; n = 3113); and 3) biologic (b)DMARDs (bDMARD-IR; n = 782). Efficacy outcomes included rates of response (American College of Rheumatology 20/50/70% response criteria) and remission (Disease Activity Score in 28 joints derived from 4 measures, erythrocyte sedimentation rate [DAS28-4(ESR)] < 2.6) at month 3, and changes from baseline in DAS28-4(ESR) and Health Assessment Questionnaire–Disability Index scores. Safety was assessed up to month 24.

Results

At month 3, efficacy was generally improved with tofacitinib (both doses) vs placebo in each population. Generally, efficacy outcomes with tofacitinib were numerically more favorable in non-MTX csDMARD-IR vs MTX-IR or bDMARD-IR patients. Over 24 months, crude incidence rates for adverse events (AEs), serious AEs, and discontinuations due to AEs were generally numerically lower in non-MTX csDMARD-IR and MTX-IR vs bDMARD-IR populations; rates for AEs of special interest were generally similar across populations.

Conclusions

Tofacitinib provided clinical benefit across patients with rheumatoid arthritis with a range of prior treatment experience but may have greater efficacy and an improved benefit/risk profile in those with fewer prior treatments.

Trial registration

NCT00147498/NCT00413660/NCT00550446/NCT00603512/NCT00687193/NCT00976599/NCT01359150/NCT00847613/NCT00814307/NCT00853385/NCT00960440/NCT01039688/NCT00856544.
A proposal for further developing fatigue-related post COVID-19 health states for burden of disease studies
Authors: Wyper Grant M. A. , McDonald Scott A. , Haagsma Juanita A. , Devleesschauwer Brecht , Charalampous Periklis , Maini Rishma , Smith Pierre , Pires Sara M.
Published: November 2023

Previous efforts to estimate the burden of fatigue-related symptoms due to long COVID have a very high threshold for inclusion of cases, relative to the proposed definition from the World Health Organization. In practice this means that milder cases, that may be occurring very frequently, are not included in estimates of the burden of long COVID which will result in underestimation. A more comprehensive approach to modelling the disease burden from long COVID, in relation to fatigue, can ensure that we do not only focus on what is easiest to measure; which risks losing focus of less severe health states that may be more difficult to measure but are occurring very frequently. Our proposed approach provides a means to better understand the scale of challenge from long COVID, for consideration when preventative and mitigative action is being planned.
The effect of temperature on the mechanical behavior of Berea sandstone under confining pressure: experiments
Authors: Iftikhar Ch Mohammad Abbas , Khan Akhtar S. , Nambori Venkata
Published: November 2023

For the first time, axial and circumferential (diametral) strains are measured directly on Berea sandstone cylindrical samples at different high temperatures as a function of confining pressure. The maximum compressive principal stress was in the direction perpendicular to the bedding plane. Tri-axial compression tests have been conducted under confining pressures ranging from atmospheric pressure to 12,000 psi “82.73 MPa” (gage), and the temperature was varied from room temperature (RT) to 250°F (121.11 °C). In all the experiments, specimens are dry, and no pore pressure is applied. Uniaxial axial force (100 lbs/min or 444.82 N/min) and strains in the three directions ($$\varepsilon$$
ε
1, $$\varepsilon$$
ε
2, $$\varepsilon$$
ε
3) is directly measured from the strain gages mounted on the specimen; hence the study reflects the behavior of the Berea sandstone up to the initiation of the failure only. The experimental observations involving yield, failure, transition from brittle to ductile behavior, and their dependence on temperature and confining pressure are presented. Parameters like ductility and dilatancy (reflecting volumetric behavior before failure) and their variation with temperature and confining pressure are given. The initial yield and failure of Berea sandstone are presented in terms of the generalized von-Mises criteria, i.e., variation of octahedral shear stress ("Image missing") with the mean stress. The loads at yield and failure are found to decrease with increasing temperature and augment with increasing confining pressure. The ductility and dilatancy reduction are computed using measured strains with increasing temperature. With an increase in temperature, the volume decreases first, partly due to the initial closure of micro cracks and voids, then increases due to generation of additional microcracks and voids (damage). There is less volume decrease in the uniaxial test response at higher temperature as compared to the corresponding ambient temperature response. A monotonic increase in the octahedral shear stress at yield and failure is observed with increasing confining pressure.
Ferrite shielding thickness and its effect on electromagnetic parameters in wireless power transfer for electric vehicles (EVs)
Authors: Yadav Ankur , Bera Tushar Kanti
Published: November 2023

Wireless power transfer (WPT) has become an increasingly popular technology for charging electronic devices wirelessly. One of the key challenges in WPT is increasing efficiency and reducing different losses in coils caused by the higher air gap and coil coupling between the primary and secondary coils. Ferrite shielding is a common technique used to reduce losses and increase the coupling in WPT systems. In this paper, we present an analysis and comparison study of the effect of ferrite shielding thickness ($$F_T$$

F
T

) on the electromagnetic parameters of WPT systems. We investigate the impact of varying the ferrite shielding thickness on parameters such as power transfer efficiency, coupling coefficient (k), and magnetic field strength (B). Our results show that increasing the ferrite shielding thickness can significantly reduce losses and improve the performance of WPT systems. Also, analyze the trade-off between ferrite shielding thickness and power transfer efficiency and provide guidelines for selecting an optimal thickness for a given application. This study provides valuable insights into the design and optimization with weight vs. coupling comparison for WPT systems using ferrite shielding. It can help inform the development of future WPT technologies. The result obtained through simulation, i.e., coil-to-coil efficiency, is 98.88 to 99.7360% at 6.78MHz frequency for a 5-mm- to 50-mm-thick ferrite rectangular coupler using ANSYS Maxwell and ANSYS simplorer software.
Imaginary of Behavioral Governing
Authors: Małecka Magdalena
Published: November 2023

The article introduces the concept of the imaginary of behavioral governing to capture the view on the role of behavioral research in governing behavior that is widely shared in the academic and public discussions about behavioral policy (nudging), including the recent debates about reliance on big data and algorithms to influence people's behavior. It is believed that behavioral science provides knowledge of stable regularities of behavior and of the cognitive processes that lead to them, and that policymakers/governments act upon this knowledge to change behavior of individuals. I argue that this set of claims about the knowledge provided by the behavioral sciences is not substantiated in behavioral research. The formal theoretical frameworks of behavioral science come to be interpreted — via the imaginary of behavioral governing — as relating to human agents that power can act upon. I reflect on the possible point of entry for critique of this imaginary and its effects.
The Contest between Information and Uncertainty
Authors: Rohde Joy
Published: November 2023

This article argues that the Cold War – era battle between information and uncertainty is a critical origin point for contemporary social theory – informed, data-intensive projects of the US national security state. Beginning in the 1950s, international relations experts and government officials turned to digital computing to help make decisions under the unavoidable pressures of geopolitical uncertainty. By the 1970s, their data banks of political knowledge and novel statistical tools purported to forecast political unrest long before an unaided human could. These efforts sparked a new epistemology of political knowledge, one that is now common in data science, in which designers and users prioritize correlation over causality and the instrumental management of problems over scholarly understanding or explanation. Far from a historical curiosity, this history is a warning. The sensibilities of Cold War technopolitical projects are continually rematerialized in contemporary computational security projects. Left unchallenged, their durability will continue to increase in tandem with the national security state's continued investment in computational social scientific projects for geopolitical management.
A 3-Year Survival Update from a Phase 2 Study of Paclitaxel Plus Cisplatin and 5-Fuorouracil Induction Chemotherapy for Locally Advanced Borderline-Resectable Esophageal Squamous Cell Carcinoma: The NEOCRTEC-1601 Clinical Trial
Authors: Wu Jia-Di , Wang Zhi-Qiang , Li Qiao-Qiao , Li Zhi-Chao , Ren Chao , Wang De-Shen , Chen Ji-Yang , Tan Qiong , Li Yu-Hong , Yang Hong
Published: November 2023

Background

This study updated 3-year analyses to further characterize the impact of docetaxel, cisplatin, and fluorouracil (TPF) chemotherapy followed by surgery.

Methods

This study was a single-center phase 2 clinical trial. Patients with a diagnosis of borderline resectable esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (BR-ESCC) because of the primary tumor or bulky lymph node that potentially invaded adjacent organs were eligible. The treatment started with TPF chemotherapy followed by surgery if the cancer was resectable, or by concurrent chemoradiation if it was unresectable. This updated report presents the 3-year overall survival (OS) and progression-free survival (PFS) rates.

Results

Surgery was performed for 27 patients (57.4%), and R0 resection was confirmed in 25 patients (53.2%). Pathologic complete response was confirmed in four patients (8.5%). The median follow-up time for the surviving patients was 44.8 months (range, 3.4–74.6 months). The median OS for all the patients was 41.9 months (95% confidence interval [CI], 18.6–65.3 months), with a median PFS of 38.7 months (95% CI, 23.5–53.9 months). The 3-year survival rate for all the patients was 54.4%. The 3-year survival rate for the R0 patients was 65.4%.

Conclusion

Long-term follow-up evaluation confirmed that TPF followed by surgery is feasible and promising in terms of survival for BR-ESCC patients.

Trial Registration ClinicalTrials.gov identifer: NCT02976909.
Διατροφική παρέμβαση με καινοτόμο προϊόν εδώδιμων μανιταριών σε εθελοντές με μεταβολικό σύνδρομο
Authors: Κλεφτάκη Σταματία-Αγγελική
Published: November 2023

Το μεταβολικό σύνδρομο αποτελεί ένα σύνολο διαταραχών που περιλαμβάνει την κεντρική παχυσαρκία, τη δυσλιπιδαιμία, την αυξημένη γλυκόζη νηστείας και την υπέρταση. Οι μεταβολικές αυτές διαταραχές έχουν συνδεθεί με αυξημένο κίνδυνο ανάπτυξης Σακχαρώδους Διαβήτη τύπου ΙΙ και καρδιαγγειακών νοσημάτων. Στη βιβλιογραφία, πλήθος μελετών καταδεικνύει σειρά τροφίμων που μπορούν να χρησιμοποιηθούν για την πρόληψη ή/και αντιμετώπιση αυτών των νοσημάτων. Στην παρούσα διατριβή, σχεδιάστηκε μία διατροφική παρέμβαση με διασταυρούμενο σχεδιασμό σε ενήλικές εθελοντές με μεταβολικές διαταραχές για την αξιολόγηση των μανιταριών Pleurotus eryngii στη ρύθμιση επιπέδων γλυκόζης, ινσουλίνης και ορμονών όρεξης μεταγευματικά. Οι εθελοντές κατανάλωσαν σε διαφορετικές ημέρες πρωινά γεύματα (γεύμα με μανιτάρια ή γεύμα παρόμοιας σύστασης σε μακροθρεπτικά συστατικά χωρίς μανιτάρια) στο τέλος των οποίων λαμβάνονταν δείγματα αίματος ανά χρονικά διαστήματα έως τα 180 λεπτά. Βρέθηκε ότι το P. eryngii στο πρωϊνό γεύμα ρύθμιζε τη μεταγευματική γλυκόζη, την ινσουλίνη, την όρεξη και τα επίπεδα γκρελίνης μεταγευματικά. Έπειτα, σχεδιάστηκε μια διατροφική παρέμβαση 3 μηνών με σνακ μανιταριών P. eryngii πλούσιου σε βιταμίνη D2. Επιλέχθηκαν ενήλικες με δείκτη μάζας σώματος >25kg/m2 και μεταβολικές διαταραχές οι οποίοι τυχαιοποιήθηκαν σε δύο ομάδες (ημερήσια κατανάλωση σνακ μανιταριού / ελεύθερη κατανάλωση). Ο σκοπός της συγκεκριμένης μελέτης ήταν η διερεύνηση της ευεργετικής δράσης του καινοτόμου «σνακ μανιταριών» στη ρύθμιση των παραγόντων καρδιομεταβολικού κινδύνου. Βρέθηκε ότι η συστηματική κατανάλωση του σνακ καθημερινά για τρεις μήνες μπορούσε να ρυθμίζει τα επίπεδα γλυκόζης, το σωματικό βάρος, και τη λιπώδη μάζα. Επιπλέον, τα επίπεδα της 25(OH)D2 ήταν σημαντικά αυξημένα και οι δείκτες LDL, SGOT, IL-6 και ox-LDL σημαντικά μειωμένοι μετά από την παρέμβαση με το σνακ σε σχέση με την ομάδα ελέγχου. Τέλος, η ποιότητα ζωής των εθελοντών που κατανάλωναν το σνακ φάνηκε να έχει αυξηθεί στο τέλος της μελέτης.
Διερεύνηση των μοριακών και βιοχημικών μηχανισμών ενίσχυσης της θερμοανθεκτικότητας ("hardening") του θαλάσσιου είδους Mytilus galloprovincialis
Authors: Γεωργούλης Ιωάννης
Published: November 2023

Η θερμοκρασία είναι ένας σημαντικός παράγοντας που επηρεάζει το μεταβολισμό και την οικολογική απόδοση των οργανισμών. Λόγω της κλιματικής αλλαγής, η αύξηση της θερμοκρασίας της θάλασσας αυξάνεται με ανησυχητικούς ρυθμούς, αποτελώντας σοβαρή πηγή περιβαλλοντικής καταπόνησης για τους θαλάσσιους οργανισμούς. Ιδιαίτερα οι εξώθερμοι οργανισμοί εκτίθενται σε ένα εύρος περιβαλλοντικών θερμοκρασιών και μπορεί να αντιμετωπίσουν ακραίες θερμοκρασίες πέρα από τα ανώτερα θερμικά τους όρια. Τέτοιες ακραίες θερμοκρασίες μπορούν να διεγείρουν τον αερόβιο μεταβολισμό προς το μέγιστο, να μειώσουν την αερόβια οξείδωση των υποστρωμάτων και παράλληλα να αυξήσουν τον αναερόβιο μεταβολισμό, σε συνδυασμό με την αυξημένη παραγωγή ROS και την οξειδωτική καταπόνηση. Η έκθεση των οργανισμών σε αυτές τις συνθήκες για εκτεταμένο χρονικό διάστημα οδηγεί τελικά σε ενεργοποίηση της αυτοφαγίας και της φλεγμονής και τελικά στην αύξηση του κυτταρικού θανάτου, οδηγώντας σε απώλεια της φυσικής τους κατάστασης και τη θνησιμότητάς τους. Κάτω από αυτές τις στρεσογόνες συνθήκες, οι θαλάσσιοι οργανισμοί επιστρατεύουν διάφορες αμυντικές στρατηγικές για τη διατήρηση και την επιβίωσή τους. Ωστόσο, η θερμική ανθεκτικότητα των εξώθερμων οργανισμών μπορεί να τροποποιηθεί και να αυξηθεί ταχύτερα και πιο αποτελεσματικά μετά από σύντομη έκθεση σε υποθανατηφόρες θερμοκρασίες, μια διαδικασία γνωστή ως "hardening". Στη παρούσα Διδακτορική Διατριβή, εξετάζεται η ικανότητα του Mytilus galloprovincialis να αυξάνει τη θερμική του ανθεκτικότητα υπό την επίδραση αυξημένων θερμοκρασιών (24, 26 και 28°C) μέσω της διαδικασίας "hardening". Οι μοριακές, γενετικές και μεταβολικές αναλύσεις που πραγματοποιήθηκαν παρουσίασαν αυξημένη ανθεκτικότητα και κυτταρική προστασία που αντανακλάται σε καλύτερες προσαρμοστικές στρατηγικές των θερμικά “hardened” μυδιών και οδηγούν σε μείωση του κυτταρικού θανάτου και κατ’ έπεκταση της θνησιμότητας. Τέτοιες στρατηγικές αφορούν την ενίσχυση της αντιοξειδωτικής άμυνας, την αποτελεσματικότερης δραστηριότητα του ETS και του κύκλου του τρικαρβοξυλικού οξέος (TCA) καθώς και τη διαφοροποίηση διάφορων μεταβολικών προτύπων που μπορούν να αυξήσουν την παραγωγή του ΑΤΡ κατά την θερμική καταπόνηση. Επίσης το θερμικό “hardening” οδήγησε σε συσσώρευση αμινοξέων, συμπεριλαμβανομένων οσμολυτών και κυτταροπροστατευτικών παραγόντων με αντιοξειδωτικές και αντιφλεγμονώδεις ιδιότητες που συμβάλουν στη θερμική προστασία των μυδιών. Τα ευρήματα αυτά παρέχουν νέες πληροφορίες αναφορικά με τους μεταβολικούς μηχανισμούς που μπορούν να ενισχύσουν την ανθεκτικότητα των μυδιών έναντι της θερμικής καταπόνησης, παρέχοντας τόσο φυσική προστασία όσο και δυνητικά εργαλεία διαχείρισης (π.χ. στην υδατοκαλλιέργεια) έναντι των καταστροφικών επιπτώσεων της κλιματικής αλλαγής στους θαλάσσιους οργανισμούς.
Successful implementation of Medical Education Faculty Development Project at Saint George University of Beirut in the immediate post triple blow to Beirut
Authors: Nehme Alexandre , Btaiche Rachel , Jreij Marc , Jahjah Jizel , Karam George , Belcher Anne
Published: November 2023

Background The aim of this study is to explore the efficacy of the Faculty Development Program (FDP) implemented at the Saint George University of Beirut-Faculty of Medicine (SGUB FM) under exceptional circumstances as the triple blow to Beirut. Methods The Faculty Development, directed towards a cohort of 35 faculty members, is composed of two major components: methodology of teaching and techniques of assessment. The Kirkpatrick’s assessment model, in combination with a specifically designed psychological questionnaire, were chosen to assess the effectiveness of the faculty development initiative. Results Results of the different questionnaires were interpreted individually, then through the lens of the psychological questionnaire. A majority of faculty (55%) were significantly affected psychologically by Beirut’s triple blow and 77% of all participants found the workshops to be of excellent quality (Kirkpatrick’s Level I). Moreover, Kirkpatrick’s level II results yielded a 76% mean percentage of correct answers to post-workshops MCQs and a significant improvement in the mean results of the self-assessment questionnaires, administered before and after each workshop. Results also show that the more a trainee is psychologically affected, the less he/she performs as evidenced by a decrease in the satisfaction rate as well as in the score of the cognitive MCQs and of the self-assessment questionnaires. Conclusions This study was able to highlight that significant learning can occur amidst exceptional circumstances like the Beirut triple blow and administration should invest in professional growth to retain its faculty.
Effects of domestic violence on antenatal depression: meta-analysis
Authors: Salsabilla Dinda Anindita , Riestiyowati Maya Ayu , Putri Tyas Aisyah , Mohd Ismail Norayuni
Published: November 2023

Antenatal depression or depression in pregnant women is influenced by various factors, one of which is the stressor of the social life of the household life, such as domestic violence. Domestic abuse during pregnancy has a negative impact on the mother's health as well as the newborn's and the child's development. The purpose of this study is to determine how much domestic violence affects antenatal depression. This study uses a meta-analytic study design from articles published from 2008 to 2022 using the Google Scholar, PubMed, Springer Link, and ScienceDirect databases. Articles are collected for 2 months by keywords (“Intimate Partner Violence” OR “IPV” OR “Domestic Violence”) AND “Antenatal Depression” OR “Antepartum Depression” AND (“adjusted odds ratio” OR “multivariable”). The articles used are articles that meet the inclusion and exclusion criteria. There were 14 articles from 3 continents namely Asia, Africa, and North America with cross sectional and cohort study designs. Cross-sectional meta-analysis shows that domestic violence can increase the incidence of antenatal depression by 3.97 times compared by not experiencing domestic violence (aOR= 3.97; 95% CI= 2.44 to 6.47; p<0.001). Meanwhile, the cohort study showed that domestic violence can increase the incidence of antenatal depression by 2.58 times compared to not experiencing domestic violence (aOR= 2.58; 95% CI= 2.06 to 3.23; p<0.001). Total heterogeneity shows I2 = 81%, such that it can be said that the data distribution is heterogeneous (random effect model). Domestic violence can increase the incidence of antenatal depression.
Canine atopic dermatitis
Authors: Robinson Victoria
Published: November 2023

This article provides an overview on canine atopic dermatitis, diagnostics and therapeutic options for clinicians in general companion animal practice. Canine atopic dermatitis is a chronic, pruritic, inflammatory and hereditary disease that is seen in around 10% of patients and can require lifetime management similar to eczema in humans. The treatment of canine atopic dermatitis can be separated into reactive and proactive management and should be catered to the patient, owner and the clinical signs exhibited. It is important to effectively communicate with clients to ensure appropriate management.
Gender, power and international (mis)recognition: Russia’s quest for epistemic agency through the ‘civilisational’ crusade against the rights of sexual and gender minorities
Authors: Narozhna Tanya
Published: November 2023

This article explores Russia’s quest for agential equality with the US through the lens of the gendered dynamics of international (mis)recognition. It draws on the constructivist scholarship that emphasises Moscow’s unfulfilled desire for parity with, and perceived misrecognition by, the West as one of the principal drivers of post-Soviet Russian foreign policy. However, the article moves beyond these analyses by bringing to the fore the centrality of gender in the Kremlin’s pursuit of recognition. It argues that Russia’s ‘civilisational’ crusade against universal human rights, especially the rights of sexual and gender minorities, should be understood as part of the broader struggle for recognition on Russia’s terms. Since misrecognition is associated with curtailed agency and lower status, it invokes associations with femininity, which Russian elites and society generally view as a humiliating act of emasculation. Moscow’s crusade against the rights of sexual and gender minorities has been explicitly predicated on gendered meanings, discourses and policies. This crusade has been intended as a bold, remasculinising campaign that would enable Russia to assert its epistemic agency in the realm of universal human rights and establish epistemic parity with the West. Importantly, Moscow’s struggle against perceived Western misrecognition comes at a cost to sexual and gender minorities in Russia: it amounts to structural, social and physical violence against these minorities, rendering them profoundly insecure.
Raó poètica i exili
Authors: Martín Francisco José
Published: November 2023

Estudi de la relació entre la raó poètica i l’exili en el pensament de María Zambrano. Anàlisi concisa dels diferents noms de la raó poètica en l’obra de Zambrano. Anàlisi del doble significat de la raó poètica en el decurs de l’obra de Zambrano a partir del conflicte entre la filosofia i la literatura. La raó poètica com a raó iniciàtica.
Affects and the creative process: intra-views with cultural workers
Authors: Rosell Pons Mireia
Published: November 2023

Delving deeper into the creative process becomes quite a challenge, which goes beyond following some guidelines and at the end of these creating something. The creative process is a complex process resulting from the dialogue that occurs with everything that surrounds us and the connection with human, non-human and more than human forces, the affects, can allow us to access even the most intangible but often of great relevance in this process. Therefore, the creative affective process aims to awaken the importance of connection with the forces that cross us, as well as sharing attitudes and skills that facilitate our connection with what moves us.
'Why is He Indian?': Missed Opportunities for Discussing Race in David Lowery's The Green Knight (2021)
Authors: Narayanan Tirumular (Drew)
Published: November 2023

Abstract: This article explores the depiction of Gawain in The Green Knight (2021). Despite having cast Dev Patel in the starring role, the film avoids any substantive discussion of race in Camelot. By trading in optical diversity alone, it deploys BIPOC bodies without ever telling their stories. (TDN)
Introduction: Reading James Radically
Authors: Coghlan J. Michelle , Funchion John
Published: November 2023

Abstract: Reconsidering untapped radical energies in James's writings alongside revelations regarding his entanglements with radical London made possible by The Complete Letters of Henry James , this "Radical James" special issue works to read radicalism not just out of but back into James. The essays in it approach the matter of reading James radically from a number of vantage points, re-thinking not just the politics of those novels long taken to be his brief foray into "social problem fiction" but also the narrative of where a political James might be imagined to begin and end.
Effect of out of plane orientation on polarization second harmonic generation of single collagen fibrils
Authors: Harvey MacAulay , Cisek Richard , Tokarz Danielle , Kreplak Laurent
Published: November 2023

Second harmonic generation (SHG) microscopy has emerged as a powerful technique for visualizing collagen organization within tissues. Amongst the many advantages of SHG is its sensitivity to collagen nanoscale organization, and its presumed sensitivity to the relative out of plane polarity of fibrils. Recent results have shown that circular dichroism SHG (CD-SHG), a technique that has been commonly assumed to reveal the relative out of plane polarity of collagen fibrils, is actually insensitive to changes in fibril polarity. However, results from another research group seem to contradict this conclusion. Both previous results have been based on SHG imaging of collagen fibrils within tissues, therefore, to gain a definitive understanding of the sensitivity of SHG to relative out of plane polarity, the results from individual fibrils are desirable. Here we present polarization resolved SHG microscopy (PSHG) data from individual collagen fibrils oriented out of the image plane by buckling on an elastic substrate. We show through correlation with atomic force microscopy measurements that SHG intensity can be used to estimate the out of plane angle of individual fibrils. We then compare the sensitivity of two PSHG techniques, CD-SHG and polarization-in, polarization-out SHG (PIPO-SHG), to the relative out of plane polarity of individual fibrils. We find that for single fibrils CD-SHG is insensitive to relative out of polarity and we also demonstrate the first direct experimental confirmation that PIPO-SHG reveals the relative out of plane polarity of individual collagen fibrils.
Measurement of high np Rydberg states and the ionization potential of H2
Authors: Eyler Edward E. , Gilligan J. G. , McCormack E. , Cornaggia C.
Published: November 2023

Using double-resonance spectroscopy through the
E1F1Σ
g
+ state of molecular hydrogen, we measured transitions to several singlet npRydberg states. The E,Fstate is excited by a two-photon transition at 202 nm using laser radiation generated by sum frequency mixing in β-BaB2O4. A pulse-amplified frequency-doubled cw dye laser is used to excite Rydberg states with nup to 100 from the E,Fstate. The transition wavelengths have been determined to an accuracy of 0.004 cm−1. By combining these measurements with our earlier determination of the E,Fstate energy levels to an accuracy of 0.01 cm−1, the absolute term energies can be determined. Simple quantum defect treatments describe the P(1), Q(1), and R(0) branches accurately and yield a value for the ionization potential accurate to ~0.015 cm−1, an improvement by nearly an order of magnitude over the best previous work. Our preliminary result of 124417.526 cm−1 is in good agreement with theoretical calculations that include relativistic and radiative corrections. A final result for the IP is presented. The structure and decay mechanisms of the high Rydberg npstates are also discussed.
Crystal growth and characterization of nonstoichiometric bismuth silicon oxide, BixSiO1.5x+2
Authors: Garrett Mark H. , Mccahon Stephen W. , Tanguay Armand R.
Published: November 2023

Bismuth silicon oxide (Bi12SiO20; BSO) is a wide band gap relaxation semiconductor with unique photorefractive and electrorefractive properties. Single-crystal BSO has been utilized in numerous optical processing and computing devices, including the Pockels readout optical modulator (PROM), the photorefractive incoherent-to-coherent optical converter (PICOC), and volume holographic optical elements (VHOEs). We report the characterization of device-relevant materials parameters induced by the Czochralski growth of nonstoichiometric bismuth silicon oxide (Bi
x
SiO1.5
x
+2). Several series of three compositionally altered crystals have been grown from the same starting melt of 6–9s purity. Melt compositions varied from x ≃ 13 to x ≃ 11.5, producing bismuth-rich, nearly stoichiometric, and silicon-rich crystals. The composition of the melt was adjusted after each growth run to compensate for the extracted weight and shift to the next melt composition as derived from the phase diagram.1 By utilizing this method the influence of background impurities is minimized. A maximum of the dark volume resistivity (~3 × 1016 Ω cm) and photoconductivity occurs for the third crystal of each nonstoichiometric series (grown from a melt composition with x < 12). Within each series these crystals also exhibit the lowest value of optical absorption throughout the visible spectrum. Each series of crystals was characterized by a combination of optical and electrooptic methods including absorption spectroscopy, the electrooptic measurement of the volume resistivity2 and photoconductivity, and the photorefractive grating recording applied to measurement of the effective trap density, holographic grating writing energy, and saturation diffraction efficiency.
Three-dimensional anisotropic diffraction analysis of superimposed gratings
Authors: Glytsis Elias N. , Gaylord Thomas K.
Published: November 2023

Superimposed holographic phase gratings are used for many important bulk and integrated optics applications. Some of these applications include holographic optical content-addressable memories, optical interconnects, multiple-beam combining and generation, filtering, and wavelength multiplexing. In the present work, the rigorous coupled-wave approach has been extended to two superimposed, anisotropic, phase, and/or amplitude gratings of arbitrary slant angle and periodicity. The analysis treats the 3-D diffraction problem with the grating vectors of the superimposed gratings being coplanar. The external boundary regions can be either isotropic (bulk applications) or uniaxial anisotropic (integrated applications). The forward and backward diffracted orders are characterized by a pair of integers (i1, i2), where i1 and i2 can take any integer value. In the case of anisotropic external regions each diffracted order has two components, an ordinary and an extraordinary one. If i1, and i2 are restricted to be between −M and +M, where M is an arbitrary but finite positive integer, the number of the diffracted orders in the analysis is (2M + 1)2. Using Maxwell’s equations and the boundary conditions a system of 4(2M + 1)2 equations with 4(2M + 1)2 unknowns is formed and solved. The solution of the system provides all the diffraction characteristics of all the diffracted orders. The analysis can be extended to an arbitrary number of superimposed gratings N. Then the number of diffracted orders in the analysis becomes (2M + 1)
N
, and the dimensionality of the problem increases exponentially with N. In the latter case, alternative approximate techniques are discussed.
Ag-cap-enhanced upconversion luminescence of micropillars with unidirectional radiation
Authors: Gao Linshuo , Shi Yating , Xu Feng , Yang Sen , Wei Yinghao , Li Zhigao , Li Ai-Hua
Published: November 2023

Exploration of plasmonic structures to enhance upconversion
luminescence (UCL) attracts attention because faint UCL from a
material is a bottleneck for its applications. We designed and
prepared three easily realized structures to improve the UCL of β-NaYF4:Yb3, Er3+ micropillar (MP), and compared them
to a reference structure on glass on single particles. We achieved a
43-fold UCL enhancement with the MPs with an Ag cap.The experimental
results and simulations indicated that the improvements in excitation
field and radiation direction collectively enhanced the MP UCL. We
validated the captured radiation patterns generated from various
structures by excitation simulations and provide a rational criterion
for cavity design.
Language directs spatial attention differently in explicit and implicit tasks
Authors: Shaki Samuel , Fischer Martin H.
Published: November 2023

How do words with either explicit or implicit spatial meanings (e.g., DOWN, BOOT) shift our attention? Recent studies, presenting prime words followed by probe targets, suggested that, for implicit spatial words, both the spatial meaning of prime words and the target locations must be processed to induce congruency benefits. Here we examined the functional necessity of the latter location component. 91 healthy adults discriminated target letters that followed explicit or implicit spatial words. Words either did or did not have to be semantically processed. Target discrimination speed was used to compute congruency benefits. With explicit prime words, spatial congruency effects emerged without semantic processing instructions. In contrast, with implicit prime words, only instructing their semantic processing ensured a congruency benefit. This shows that, for implicit spatial words, spatial processing of target locations is not necessary; instead, processing the spatial connotation of the prime, together with the identity of the target, can induce congruency benefits. Our results help to understand previous conflicting findings.
Response retention and apparent motion effect in visual cortex models
Authors: Tiselko Vasilii S. , Volgushev Maxim , Jancke Dirk , Chizhov Anton V.
Published: November 2023

Apparent motion is a visual illusion in which stationary stimuli, flashing in distinct spatial locations at certain time intervals, are perceived as one stimulus moving between these locations. In the primary visual cortex, apparent-motion stimuli produce smooth spatio-temporal patterns of activity similar to those produced by continuously moving stimuli. An important prerequisite for producing such activity patterns is prolongation of responses to brief stimuli. Indeed, a brief stimulus can evoke in the visual cortex a long response, outlasting the stimulus by hundreds of milliseconds. Here we use firing-rate based models with simple ring structure, and biologically-detailed conductance-based refractory density (CBRD) model with retinotopic space representation to analyze the response retention and the origin of smooth profiles of activity in response to apparent-motion stimuli. We show that the strength of recurrent connectivity is the major factor that endorses neuronal networks with the ability for response retention. The same strengths of recurrent connections mediate the appearance of bump attractor in the ring models. Factors such as synaptic depression, NMDA receptor mediated currents, and conductances regulating spike adaptation influence response retention, but cannot substitute for the weakness of recurrent connections to reproduce response retention in models with weak connectivity. However, the weakness of lateral recurrent connections can be compensated by layering: in multi-layer models even with weaker connections the activity retains due to its feedforward propagation from layer to layer. Using CBRD model with retinotopic space representation we further show that smooth spatio-temporal profiles of activity in response to apparent-motion stimuli are produced in the models expressing response retention, but not in the models that fail to produce response retention. Together, these results demonstrate a link between response retention and the ability of neuronal networks to generate spatio-temporal patterns of activity, which are compatible with perception of apparent motion.
Continuing Medical Education Questions: November 2023
Authors: Inamdar Sumant
Published: November 2023

Article Title: Classification and Management of Disorders of the J Pouch
Actual U.S. Military Spending Reached $1.53 Trillion in 2022—More than Twice Acknowledged Level
Authors: Cernadas Gisela , Foster John Bellamy
Published: November 2023

How much does it cost to maintain an empire? A stunning new analysis by Gisela Cernadas and John Bellamy Foster shows the true scale of U.S. military spending, which far outstrips conventional estimates, which use data gleaned from traditional sources.
The Moderating Role of Policy Intervention on the Relationship of Environment, Social, and Governance (ESG) and Cost of Equity Capital: A Study in Basic Materials Companies in Asia
Authors: Hutagaol-Martowidjojo Yanthi , Tohang Valentina , Payung Emmanuella P.T.
Published: November 2023

Environment, Social, and Governance (ESG) disclosure is a non-financial disclosure that is expected to enhance firms’ transparency, ease estimation of risk, hence lower cost of equity (CoE). However prior studies show mixed results. Using Institutional theory, this paper argues that sustainability policy intervention could have a different effect. However, this framework expects that the more ESG disclosure, the higher firms’ cost of equity (CoE) due to shareholders’ perception of mindless ESG plan. The policy intervention examined is government regulation of mandatory sustainability practices. This study uses a sample of 98 basic materials sector companies in eleven Asia countries with 5 years study period from 2017-2021 as a research sample. Using panel-data regression analysis, this study finds that there is a positive relationship between ESG scores and CoE. Moreover, the government policy strengthens such a relationship. Therefore, consistent with coercive mechanism in institutional theory, we conclude that mandatory sustainability disclosure in the Asian Basic material sector companies in-creases firms’ CoE and the existence of mandatory regulation strengthens such a relationship.
Human Touch Experience: A Strategy for Reducing Consumer Switching Behavior in The Financial Service Industry
Authors: Fitriyanto Anton Dwi , Mulyono M.
Published: November 2023

This research provides an in-depth exploration of the Human Touch Experience (HTE) as a strategy for reducing consumer switching behavior in the financial service industry (Non-Bank). Amidst increasing competition and digitalization, maintaining customer loyalty has become a significant challenge for the industry. The study employed a mixed-methods approach, combining quantitative survey data from 1,207 respondents with qualitative data from 30 in-depth interviews. The findings underscore that high levels of HTE are associated with increased customer satisfaction and loyalty and a decreased intention to switch service providers. Furthermore, financial institutions that incorporate HTE practices into their operations report lower rates of customer churn and higher customer satisfaction and loyalty. The results suggest that, despite the digital revolution, a balance between efficient digital services and personalized human interaction can enhance customer relationships.