bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Genetic optimization of the human gut bacterium Phocaeicola vulgatus for enhanced succinate production
Authors: Gindt Mélanie E. , Lück Rebecca , Deppenmeier Uwe
Published: September 2024

The demand for sustainably produced bulk chemicals is constantly rising. Succinate serves as a fundamental component in various food, chemical, and pharmaceutical products. Succinate can be produced from sustainable raw materials using microbial fermentation and enzyme-based technologies. Bacteroides and Phocaeicola species, widely distributed and prevalent gut commensals, possess enzyme sets for the metabolization of complex plant polysaccharides and synthesize succinate as a fermentative end product. This study employed novel molecular techniques to enhance succinate yields in the natural succinate producer Phocaeicola vulgatus by directing the metabolic carbon flow toward succinate formation. The deletion of the gene encoding the methylmalonyl-CoA mutase (Δmcm, bvu_0309-0310) resulted in a 95% increase in succinate production, as metabolization to propionate was effectively blocked. Furthermore, deletion of genes encoding the lactate dehydrogenase (Δldh, bvu_2499) and the pyruvate:formate lyase (Δpfl, bvu_2880) eliminated the formation of fermentative end products lactate and formate. By overproducing the transketolase (TKT, BVU_2318) in the triple deletion mutant, succinate production increased from 3.9 mmol/g dry weight in the wild type to 10.9 mmol/g dry weight. Overall, succinate yield increased by 180% in the new mutant strain P. vulgatus Δmcm Δldh Δpfl pG106_tkt relative to the parent strain. This approach is a proof of concept, verifying the genetic accessibility of P. vulgatus, and forms the basis for targeted genetic optimization. The increase of efficiency highlights the huge potential of P. vulgatus as a succinate producer with applications in sustainable bioproduction processes.

Key points

• Deleting methylmalonyl-CoA mutase gene in P. vulgatus doubled succinate production

• Triple deletion mutant with transketolase overexpression increased succinate yield by 180%

• P. vulgatus shows high potential for sustainable bulk chemical production via genetic optimization
Derivation and validation of a predictive model for subtotal cholecystectomy
Authors: Lucocq James , Hamilton David , Bakhiet Abdelwakeel , Tasnim Fabiha , Rahman Jubayer , Scollay John , Patil Pradeep
Published: September 2024

Introduction

Rates of subtotal cholecystectomy (STC) are increasing in response to challenging cases of laparoscopic cholecystectomy (LC) to avoid bile duct injury, yet are associated with significant morbidity. The present study identifies risk factors for STC and both derives and validates a risk model for STC.

Methods

LC performed for all biliary pathology across three general surgical units were included (2015–2020). Clinicopathological, intraoperative and post-operative details were reported. Backward stepwise multivariable regression was performed to derive the most parsimonious predictive model for STC. Bootstrapping was performed for internal validation and patients were categorised into risk groups.

Results

Overall, 2768 patients underwent LC (median age, 53 years; median ASA, 2; median BMI, 29.7 kg/m2), including 99 cases (3.6%) of STC. Post-operatively following STC, there were bile leaks in 29.3%, collections in 19.2% and retained stones in 10.1% of patients. Post-operative intervention was performed in 29.3%, including ERCP (22.2%), laparoscopy (5.0%) and laparotomy (3.0%). The following variables were positive predictors of STC and were included in the final model: age >  60 years, male sex, diabetes mellitus, acute cholecystitis (AC), increased severity of AC (CRP > 90 mg/L), ≥ 3 biliary admissions, pre-operative ERCP with/without stent, pre-operative cholecystostomy and emergency LC (AUC = 0.84). Low, medium and high-risk groups had a STC rate of 0.8%, 3.9% and 24.5%, respectively.

Discussion

The present study determines the morbidity of STC and identifies high-risk features associated with STC. A risk model for STC is derived and internally validated to help surgeons identify high-risk patients and both improve pre-operative decision-making and patient counselling.
Incidence, risk factors, management strategies, and outcomes of antibody-mediated rejection in pediatric kidney transplant recipients—a multicenter analysis of the Cooperative European Paediatric Renal Transplant Initiative (CERTAIN)
Authors: Fichtner Alexander , Gauché Laura , Süsal Caner , Tran Thuong Hien , Waldherr Rüdiger , Krupka Kai , Guzzo Isabella , Carraro Andrea , Oh Jun , Zirngibl Matthias , Weitz Marcus , König Jens , Büscher Anja , Berta Laszlo , Simon Thomas , Awan Atif , Rusai Krisztina , Topaloglu Rezan , Peruzzi Licia , Printza Nikoleta , Kim Jon Jin , Weber Lutz T. , Melk Anette , Pape Lars , Rieger Susanne , Patry Christian , Höcker Britta , Tönshoff Burkhard ,   for the CERTAIN study group
Published: September 2024

Background

This study by the Cooperative European Paediatric Renal Transplant Initiative (CERTAIN) was designed to determine the incidence, risk factors, current management strategies, and outcomes of antibody-mediated rejection (ABMR) in pediatric kidney transplant recipients (pKTR).

Methods

We performed an international, multicenter, longitudinal cohort study of data reported to the Cooperative European Paediatric Renal Transplant Initiative (CERTAIN) registry. Three hundred thirty-seven pKTR from 21 European centers were analyzed. Clinical outcomes, including kidney dysfunction, rejection, HLA donor-specific antibodies, BK polyomavirus-associated (BKPyV) nephropathy, and allograft loss, were assessed through 5 years post-transplant.

Results

The cumulative incidence of de novo donor-specific class I HLA antibodies (HLA-DSA) post-transplant was 4.5% in year 1, 8.3% in year 3, and 13% in year 5; the corresponding data for de novo class II HLA-DSA were 10%, 22.5%, and 30.6%, respectively. For 5 years post-transplant, the cumulative incidence of acute ABMR was 10% and that of chronic active ABMR was 5.9%. HLA-DR mismatch and de novo HLA-DSA, especially double positivity for class I and class II HLA-DSA, were significant risk factors for ABMR, whereas cytomegalovirus (CMV) IgG negative recipient and CMV IgG negative donor were associated with a lower risk. BKPyV nephropathy was associated with the highest risk of graft dysfunction, followed by ABMR, T-cell mediated rejection, and older donor age.

Conclusions

This study provides an estimate of the incidence of de novo HLA-DSA and ABMR in pKTR and highlights the importance of BKPyV nephropathy as a strong risk factor for allograft dysfunction.

Graphical abstract
Efficacy and safety of tocilizumab in Chinese patients with systemic juvenile idiopathic arthritis: a multicentre phase IV trial
Authors: Li Caifeng , Tang Xuemei , Zhou Zhixuan , Sun Li , Lu Meiping , Zhou Wei , Yang Sirui , Zheng Wenjie , Yu Haiguo , Tan Weiping , Zhang Junmei , Zhang Yu , Kong Yuxiu , Xu Jiahui
Published: September 2024

Objectives

Given the limited tocilizumab (TCZ) treatment data for systemic juvenile idiopathic arthritis (sJIA) in China, we evaluated the long-term efficacy and safety of TCZ in Chinese patients with sJIA.

Method

In this multicentre, interventional Phase IV study, patients with sJIA and inadequate clinical response to non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs/corticosteroids received TCZ infusions every 2 weeks based on body weight (< 30 kg, 12 mg/kg; ≥ 30 kg, 8 mg/kg), over a 52-week open-label period and an 8-week safety follow-up period. The primary endpoint was the proportion of patients with a JIA American College of Rheumatology (ACR) 30 response and absence of fever at Week 12.

Results

Sixty-two patients were enrolled and treated (12-mg/kg group, 34; 8-mg/kg group, 28). At Week 12, 87.1% (95% confidence interval 78.8%–95.4%) of patients had JIA ACR 30 response and absence of fever; Week 52 results were similar. The proportion of JIA ACR 30/50/70/90 responders rapidly increased at Week 12, up to Week 52. High-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hsCRP) levels decreased within 4 weeks; 44/58 patients (75.9%) with elevated baseline hsCRP recovered at Week 52. Childhood Health Assessment Questionnaire pain scores, disability index scores, and mean corticosteroid dose decreased over time. Height standard deviation score changes at Week 52 indicated catch-up growth. Most adverse events (AEs) were mild (serious AE incidence, 17.7%). No deaths or macrophage activation syndrome occurred.

Conclusion

This is the first multicentre trial to report the efficacy and safety of TCZ in Chinese patients with sJIA at 52 weeks. No new safety concerns were found.

Key points• This is the first multicentre trial providing strong evidence for tocilizumab (TCZ) treatment for systemic juvenile idiopathic arthritis (sJIA) in China.• The study reported TCZ had good efficacy and favourable safety profiles in Chinese sJIA patients in the long term (52 weeks).• TCZ treatment showed rapid disease control, which was maintained over time, catch-up growth benefits in patients, tapering and discontinuation of corticosteroids, and improved quality of life.
Direct-to-catheter ablation versus second line catheter ablation for persistent atrial fibrillation: Effect on arrhythmia recurrence, AF burden, early left atrium remodeling and quality of life
Authors: Younes Hadi , Ademi Besim , Tsakiris Eli , Feng Han , Pandey Amitabh C. , Mekhael Mario , Noujaim Charbel , Lim Chanho , Dagher Lilas , Hajjar Abdel Hadi El , Bidaoui Ghassan , Bsoul Mayana , Assaf Ala , Rao Swati , Mahnkopf Christian , Shamaileh Ghaith , Kreidieh Omar , Hassan Abboud , Liu Yinshuo , Jia Yishi , Polo Francisco T. , Marrouche Nassir F. , Donnellan Eoin
Published: September 2024

Background

Catheter ablation has obtained class 1 indication in ablation of young, healthy patients with symptomatic paroxysmal atrial fibrillation (AF). Anti-arrhythmic drugs (AADs) remain first-line therapy before ablating persistent AF (PersAF). We sought to evaluate the efficacy of a direct-to-catheter ablation approach against catheter ablation post AADs in PersAF.

Methods

In this DECAAF II subanalysis, patients were stratified into two subgroups: ‘Direct-to-catheter’ group comprising patients who had not received AADs prior to ablation, and’second-line ablation’ group, comprising patients who had been on any AAD therapy at any time before ablation. Patients were followed over 18 months. The primary outcome was AF recurrence. Secondary outcomes included AF burden, quality of life (QoL) that assessed by the AFSS and SF-36 scores, and changes in the left atrial volume index (LAVI) assessed by LGE-MRI scans.

Results

The analysis included 815 patients, with 279 classified as’direct-to-catheter’ group and 536 classified as’Second-line ablation’ group. The primary outcome was similar between both groups (44.8% vs 44.4%, p > 0.05), as was AF burden (20% vs 16%, p > 0.05). Early remodeling, reflected by LAVI reduction, was similar between the groups (9.1 [1.6—18.0] in the second-line ablation group and 9.5 [2.5—19.7] in the direct-to-catheter group, p > 0.05). QoL pre/post ablation was also similar (p > 0.05). On multivariate analysis, history of AAD was not predictive of AF recurrence(p > 0.05).

Conclusion

Prior AAD therapy demonstrated minimal impact on atrial remodeling and QoL improvement, in addition to limited benefit on AF recurrence and burden post-ablation in patients with PersAF. Additional studies are warranted to explore the efficacy of catheter ablation as a first-line therapy in PersAF.

Graphical Abstract
Influence of anionic silica forms in clear sodium silicate precursors on metakaolin geopolymerisation via 29Si and 27Al MAS-NMR and microstructural studies
Authors: Poggetto Giovanni Dal , Leonelli Cristina , Spinella Alberto
Published: September 2024

A number of synthesis parameters directly influence the degree of reticulation/geopolymerisation of metakaolin exposed to alkaline solutions of sodium hydroxide and/or sodium silicate. In the latter case, a sodium silicate solution can be depolymerised by the introduction of an appropriate amount of NaOH. The effects of the ageing of the activator solution on the reticulation of metakaolin-based geopolymers are quantified for the first time in this work. We studied the anionic species of the sodium silicate solution with the addition of NaOH made just before the preparation of the paste, 24 h or 7 days before. These three ageing periods cause a significant difference in the Si-bearing species in solution, as demonstrated by nuclear magnetic resonance on 29Si. The effect of these anionic species on the reticulation/polymerisation of metakaolin at room temperature was demonstrated by solid-state 27Al and 29Si MAS-NMR, the chemical stability in various solutions (deionised water, HCl, HNO3, H2SO4), and X-ray diffraction on geopolymer powders before and after immersion in acids. Compressive strength before and after the immersion in acidic media was an additional measurement to assess the overall structural stability of the 3D polymerised network of the final dense ceramic-like product. Ageing of the activator solution affected the chemical stability of the hardened geopolymers accompanied by a slight to severe reduction in strength after leaching in HNO3 or HCl and in H2SO4, respectively. The quantitative MAS-NMR description of the Si and Al coordination in the geopolymers was correlated with the chemical stability where the formulations with the higher number of Q4(0Al) and Q4(1Al) for the silicon species were more resistant (lower number of Na+ compensating for Al+3 to be exchanged with H+). The formulations with higher Al content in the structure, i.e. higher number of Q4(3Al) silicon species showed higher mechanical stability. These results show that the timing of the preparation of the alkaline activator is essential for a correct mix design.
Non-Skewed X-inactivation Results in NF-κB Essential Modulator (NEMO) Δ-exon 5-autoinflammatory Syndrome (NEMO-NDAS) in a Female with Incontinentia Pigmenti
Authors: Eigemann Jessica , Janda Ales , Schuetz Catharina , Lee-Kirsch Min Ae , Schulz Ansgar , Hoenig Manfred , Furlan Ingrid , Jacobsen Eva-Maria , Zinngrebe Julia , Peters Sarah , Drewes Cosima , Siebert Reiner , Rump Eva-Maria , Führer Marita , Lorenz Myriam , Pannicke Ulrich , Kölsch Uwe , Debatin Klaus-Michael , von Bernuth Horst , Schwarz Klaus , Felgentreff Kerstin
Published: September 2024

Purpose

Genetic hypomorphic defects in X chromosomal IKBKG coding for the NF-κB essential modulator (NEMO) lead to ectodermal dysplasia and immunodeficiency in males and the skin disorder incontinentia pigmenti (IP) in females, respectively. NF-κB essential modulator (NEMO) Δ-exon 5-autoinflammatory syndrome (NEMO-NDAS) is a systemic autoinflammatory disease caused by alternative splicing and increased proportion of NEMO-Δex5. We investigated a female carrier presenting with IP and NEMO-NDAS due to non-skewed X-inactivation.

Methods

IKBKG transcripts were quantified in peripheral blood mononuclear cells isolated from the patient, her mother, and healthy controls using RT-PCR and nanopore sequencing. Corresponding proteins were analyzed by western blotting and flow cytometry. Besides toll-like receptor (TLR) and tumor necrosis factor (TNF) signaling, the interferon signature, cytokine production and X-inactivation status were investigated.

Results

IP and autoinflammation with recurrent fever, oral ulcers, hepatitis, and neutropenia, but no immunodeficiency was observed in a female patient. Besides moderately reduced NEMO signaling function, type I interferonopathy, and elevated IL-18 and CXCL10 were found. She and her mother both carried the heterozygous variant c.613 C > T p.(Gln205*) in exon 5 of IKBKG previously reported in NEMO-deficient patients. However, X-inactivation was skewed in the mother, but not in the patient. Alternative splicing led to increased ratios of NEMO-Dex5 over full-length protein in peripheral blood cell subsets causing autoinflammation. Clinical symptoms partially resolved under treatment with TNF inhibitors.

Conclusion

Non-skewed X-inactivation can lead to NEMO-NDAS in females with IP carrying hypomorphic IKBKG variants due to alternative splicing and increased proportions of NEMO-∆ex5.
A Longitudinal Investigation of the Prevalence and Incidence of Self-Reported COVID-19 Disease and the Pandemic’s Impact Among Seventh-day Adventist and Non-Adventists Living in the UK
Authors: Janko Robert K. , Haussmann Irmgard , Patel Ashok
Published: September 2024

This research investigated the prevalence and incidence of COVID-19 infection among Seventh-day Adventist Christians in the UK compared to non-Adventists and assessed the pandemic’s impact on their health and dietary intake. Seventh-day Adventists and non-Adventists in the UK completed an online survey, including a Food Frequency Questionnaire, a 24-h dietary recall, and health and lifestyle questions. Participants were followed for 2 years to determine COVID-19 incidence rates. The baseline survey was completed by 170 people, 86 of whom were Adventists. The follow-up at 2 years showed a significantly lower self-reported COVID-19 incidence among Adventists (OR 0.45, 95% CI 0.2, 1.0, p = 0.05). The incidence rate among Adventists was 65.48 per 1000 person-years versus 121.79 per 1000 person-years among non-Adventists. Adventists were less likely to experience long COVID (OR 0.30, 95% CI 0.12, 0.78, p = 0.01). Despite being older, Adventists had a significantly lower COVID-19 incidence rate. The Adventist lifestyle, including healthy eating habits, fasting, a plant-based diet, and abstaining from alcohol and coffee, was prevalent in this sample. More research is needed to explore the association between the Adventist lifestyle and infectious disease.
Metal–organic frameworks as optically stimulated luminescence dosimeter
Authors: Joshi Shailesh , Panda Madhusmita , Annalakshmi O. , Srinivas C. Venkata , Venkatraman B.
Published: September 2024

Metal–organic frameworks (MOF) have been vigorously investigated as hybrid materials in recent decades due to their exceptional structural versatility and applications in diverse fields. The development of novel MOFs for radiation detection and luminescence-based dosimetry is the latest topic of interest. In this contribution, we have synthesized and characterized a Uranyl MOF, which shows an optically stimulated luminescence (OSL) phenomenon induced by ionizing radiation. OSL dosimetric studies were carried out on Uranyl MOF, which revealed that MOF has a linear dose–response up to 100 Gy with a 1.1 Gy minimum detection dose. It also shows good reusability, around 30% fading in one day, very low fading beyond one day to 30 days, and decent radiation stability (stable up to 10 kGy). Preliminary dosimetry results are promising and show that Uranyl MOF can be utilized in the field of low-dose radiation processing applications in the future.
Big Data and Ideational Institutionalism. Reconsidering the Possibilities and Limitations of Google Ngram in the Study of Ideas
Authors: Kestler Thomas
Published: September 2024

Ideas and ideational change are difficult to grasp. When exactly did the idea of sustainability emerge? How has the meaning of democracy changed over time? Did ideational change precede or follow institutional change? These and many similar questions are highly relevant to the emerging field of ideational institutionalism, but they are difficult to answer conclusively without reliable data. Google Books Ngram Viewer, a tool introduced in 2011, opens up new possibilities in this regard by allowing the analysis of millions of print sources over time. However, after initial euphoria, its use has waned somewhat due to growing doubts about its reliability and the validity of the results it produces. Some of these problems have been addressed, but the debate about the potential and limitations of Google Books Ngram Viewer is ongoing. This research note will contribute to this debate by proposing a systematization for the use of search terms based on the concept of belief systems and by presenting the results of a reliability test for the German language corpus.
Does CSR facilitate access to trade credit? The role of family ownership
Authors: Rivera-Franco Pilar , Requejo Ignacio , Suárez-González Isabel
Published: September 2024

Building on the socioemotional wealth theory, this study examines the influence of family ownership and corporate social responsibility (CSR) on trade credit. We argue that the intention to preserve family control, the preference for long-lasting relationships, and the desire to accumulate social capital lead family firms to opt for trade credit. Family firms’ peculiarities are also expected to condition the CSR-trade credit link. In addition, we account for the fact that some CSR practices are particularly aimed at external stakeholders. Our analyses rely on a sample of European listed firms from 2008 to 2020 and our empirical evidence confirms a positive effect of family ownership and CSR on trade credit. Going a step further, our results highlight the moderating role of family ownership in the relationship between CSR and firm’s access to trade credit. In fact, the positive effect of CSR on trade credit seems to be exclusively attributable to family firms. We also report that CSR policies oriented towards external stakeholders are linked to greater use of trade credit, with family firms explaining the positive impact of external CSR.
Regularized step directions in nonlinear conjugate gradient methods
Authors: Buhler Cassidy K. , Benson Hande Y. , Shanno David F.
Published: September 2024

Conjugate gradient minimization methods (CGM) and their accelerated variants are widely used. We focus on the use of cubic regularization to improve the CGM direction independent of the step length computation. In this paper, we propose the Hybrid Cubic Regularization of CGM, where regularized steps are used selectively. Using Shanno’s reformulation of CGM as a memoryless BFGS method, we derive new formulas for the regularized step direction. We show that the regularized step direction uses the same order of computational burden per iteration as its non-regularized version. Moreover, the Hybrid Cubic Regularization of CGM exhibits global convergence with fewer assumptions. In numerical experiments, the new step directions are shown to require fewer iteration counts, improve runtime, and reduce the need to reset the step direction. Overall, the Hybrid Cubic Regularization of CGM exhibits the same memoryless and matrix-free properties, while outperforming CGM as a memoryless BFGS method in iterations and runtime.
Optimal approaches in global warming mitigation and adaptation strategies at city scale
Authors: Gupta Aman , Shukla Anoop Kumar
Published: September 2024

Case studies from global cities contribute to more focused analyses of global warming challenges and demonstrate the performance and effectiveness of mitigation and adaptation strategies to identify lessons about success at the city scale. The case studies were chosen to demonstrate aspects of the critical messages for action priorities in global warming mitigation and adaptation. This work focuses on best practices and initiatives for mitigation and adaptation approaches from developed and developing economies, including North American cities, European cities, Asian cities, and other global cities worldwide. The case studies were grouped to examine, identify, and emphasize important factors in various areas (e.g., local programs and alliances, governance, stakeholder engagement, community actions, and scientific research) that determined the success of adaptation strategies in various global cities. Many recent studies showcase mitigation approaches, particularly those relating to blue-green infrastructure and nature-based strategies. The case studies selected reflect vulnerable regions and demonstrate how increasing global warming significantly concerns individuals, societies, and their infrastructure. The selected studies include Amsterdam in Netherlands; Singapore, as a city in a garden; Boston in USA; Ahmedabad Heat Action Plan in India, aimed at implementing strategies with the objectives of climate adaptation planning; Copenhagen, as a coastal town, is more susceptible to flooding; Portland, the most progressive city in USA; Hamburg in Germany, one of the biggest harbours in Europe; and the 'Rain City Strategy', in Vancouver, Canada. Not all global cities respond the same way, but undertaking joint complex efforts helps mitigate the impacts.
Privacy-Preserving Computing Services for Encrypted Personal Data Through Streams Over Distributed Ledgers
Authors: Ballesteros-Rodríguez Alberto , Sánchez-Alonso Salvador , Sicilia-Urbán Miguel-Ángel
Published: September 2024

The growing adoption of wearables is driving the demand for personalized services that leverage unprocessed data, such as biometric and health information, to enhance user experiences and support through software applications. However, several existing use cases involving this information still prioritize traditional schemes, neglecting user privacy. Consequently, the transparency of data transmission paths and the potential for tampering remain ambiguous when users share data with service providers. In this paper, we propose the application of an Internet of Things device-focused distributed ledger as an underlying layer for the transmission of encrypted data using streams. Moreover, our proposal enables data recording for future events and the implementation of multi-subscriber models, allowing client information to be shared securely with different service providers. Through simulation experiments conducted on constrained devices, we demonstrate that our proposed framework efficiently transmits large ciphertexts through streams on a distributed ledger, overcoming the inherent limitations of such networks when dealing with substantial data volumes. Ultimately, the performance metrics presented prove that the proposed model is suitable for real-world applications requiring continuous data collection by wearables and subsequent transmission to service providers.
What investors want from whom: international organizations and the International Association for the Promotion and the Protection of Private Foreign Investments (APPI) 1958–1974
Authors: Batselé Filip , Hafner Nicolas
Published: September 2024

Using archival material from states, international organizations, and business actors, this paper explores how the Association for the Promotion and Protection of Private Foreign Investments (APPI), a transnational business interest association (BIA), liaised with different international institutions to lobby for better foreign investment protection. We zoom in on the United Nations, the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development, and the World Bank to examine how APPI influenced the global institutional landscape during its heydays from 1958 until 1974. We show that business actors, particularly oil and banking corporations, created APPI as a nimble, efficient alliance that could move faster than existing BIAs. We further demonstrate how companies “forum shop” between different BIAs, and how APPI injected its ideas into the policymaking process, using the framework of the three faces of power. By shedding light on the role private business actors played in foreign investor protection, the paper contributes to a better understanding of the emergence of global economic governance in the second half of the 20th century.
Institutional care and education: circulation of knowledge about epilepsy in Sweden 1915–40
Authors: Ringarp Johanna
Published: September 2024

This article focuses on the circulation of knowledge about epilepsy in Sweden between 1915 and 1940. During the period medical research on epilepsy increased, which simultaneously brought a new degree of specialisation and distinction between branches of medicine. The aim of this article is to study the impact of new medical knowledge about epilepsy on the treatment and education of children with epilepsy in Sweden. In order to concretise the aim, the study focuses on the asylum Margarethahemmet. The key source material consists of Margarethahemmet’s annual reports and yearbooks. The minutes of the meetings of the Swedish General Association for the Care of the Feebleminded and Epileptic for the period 1915–1938 have been used as supplementary material. In order to trace the impact of medical discoveries on Margarethahemmet’s operations, contemporary scientific articles, mostly from Germany, have also been used. The article demonstrates how new research and new knowledge was sought internationally and nationally, to provide doctors and special teachers at the asylum with a proper knowledge about education, care and treatment for children with epilepsy. The increased understanding of the disease directly impacted the ability of a stigmatized group – people with epileptic disorder – to actively participate in society on the same terms as others.
The Collective Responsibilities of Science: Toward a Normative Framework
Authors: Politi Vincenzo
Published: September 2024

Scientists have the epistemic responsibility of producing knowledge. They also have the social responsibility of aligning their research with the needs and values of various societal stakeholders. Individual scientists may be left with no guidance on how to prioritize and carry these different responsibilities. As I will argue, however, the responsibilities of science can be harmonized at the collective level. Drawing from debates in moral philosophy, I will propose a theory of the collective responsibilities of science that accounts for the internal diversity of research groups and for their different responsibilities.
Celtic music, Shakespeare and fandom
Authors: Cyrus Cynthia J.
Published: September 2024

Why would Celtic women performers invoke a dead colonialist English poet in their airs and dance sets? This article provides close readings of Shakespearean elements in the musical compositions of gold- and platinum-selling artists Loreena McKennitt, Ensemble Galilei, and Méav. It assesses the archaicising musical language, structural reshapings, and ekphrastic elements as signals of ‘restitutional creativity’ and trans-temporal collaboration. It also analyses the reception of these works by fans and critics, responses replete with invocations of tradition and of timelessness. Like the fanfic-producing enthusiasts of Johnathan Pope's Shakespeare's Fans, the fans for Celtic music capitalise on their awareness of Shakespearean elements in this music to display personal expertise. In so doing, they enhance their own belonging within the Celtic music community.
The Greatest Rock and Soul Band in the World? The Rolling Stones, genre and race
Authors: Marshall Lee
Published: September 2024

The Rolling Stones played a core role in establishing the generic conventions of rock. A key ideological element of this was the band's reverential dedication to the blues and the importance of the blues to their musical development. However, what is much less recognised is the influence of soul on the band's sound. By looking at the band's repertoire, composition and performing style, this paper explores the influence that soul, particularly Southern soul, had on the band's formative years and argues that, in many ways, they have adopted the aesthetic conventions of soul, rather than rock, for the majority of their career. Rethinking The Stones’ style in this way may help us better understand their position in the rock canon, while also encouraging careful interrogation of the racialised division of rock and soul that emerged in the late 1960s.
Fixed-time control of teleoperation systems based on adaptive event-triggered communication and force estimators
Authors: Liu Xia , Wen Hui
Published: September 2024

A fixed-time control strategy based on adaptive event-triggered communication and force estimators is proposed for a class of teleoperation systems with time-varying delays and limited bandwidth. Two force estimators are designed to estimate the operator force and environment force instead of force sensors. With the position, velocity, force estimate signals, and triggering error, an adaptive event-triggered scheme is designed, which automatically adjusts the triggering thresholds to reduce the access frequency of the communication network. With the state information transmitted at the moment of event triggering while considering the time-varying delays, a fixed-time sliding mode controller is designed to achieve the position and force tracking. The stability of the system and the convergence of tracking error within a fixed time are mathematically proved. Experimental results indicate that the control strategy can significantly reduce the information transmission, enhance the bandwidth utilization, and ensure the convergence of tracking error within a fixed time for teleoperation systems.
A study on path-planning algorithm for a multi-section continuum robot in confined multi-obstacle environments
Authors: Gao Guohua , Li Dongjian , Liu Kai , Ge Yuxin , Song Chunxu
Published: September 2024

In confined multi-obstacle environments, generating feasible paths for continuum robots is challenging due to the need to avoid obstacles while considering the kinematic limitations of the robot. This paper deals with the path-planning algorithm for continuum robots in confined multi-obstacle environments to prevent their over-deformation. By modifying the tree expansion process of the Rapidly-exploring Random Tree Star (RRT*) algorithm, a path-planning algorithm called the continuum-RRT* algorithm herein is proposed to achieve fewer iterations and faster convergence as well as generating desired paths that adhere to the kinematic limitations of the continuum robots. Then path planning and path tracking are implemented on a tendon-driven four-section continuum robot to validate the effectiveness of the path-planning algorithm. The path-planning results show that the path generated by the algorithm indeed has fewer transitions, and the path generated by the algorithm is closer to the optimal path that satisfies the kinematic limitations of the continuum robot. Furthermore, path-tracking experiments validate the successful navigation of the continuum robot along the algorithm-generated path, exhibiting an error range of 2.51%–3.91%. This attests to the effectiveness of the proposed algorithm in meeting the navigation requirements of continuum robots.
Jungmann Revisited, or a Word to Mr Waugh
Authors: Flood Edmund
Published: September 2024

Liturgy is still widely regarded in England as something connected
either with archeology, rubrics, or monasteries. In Belgium, France and
Germany, for several decades, the liturgy has been seen and used for what it
is: the man-in-the-street's closest and most active contact with God.
Historical research, used before the war often just to resuscitate defunct
liturgical practices for the archaicist's delight, has shown why the liturgy
is not, at present, as good a means of contact as it could be - that is, not
pastoral enough. Theological consideration of it has not only brought before
us the extraordinary depth, range and immediacy of this contact, but has
also thrown into still clearer light the essentially pastoral function of
the liturgy and indicated the general lines on which it must be made to
fulfil this function more effectively.
The Vision of the Holy Rood
Authors: Baker Aidan
Published: September 2024

When Augustine, Columba and Aidan converted the English in the sixth and
seventh centuries, their devoted labours profoundly affected the national
literature. Despite the hazy general belief that English History and
Literature set off together in 1066 on their long march, England from before
the time of Alfred had had a great tradition of prose and verse. Indeed, in
the ninth century, she had a considerable body of prose hterature when other
languages had hardly even begun verse.

English poetry from the seventh century onwards gives abundant proof of
the ardour with which the Teutonic conquerors of Britain embraced the
religion of Christ; and in less than a century these once pagan invaders had
made their adopted land into a splendid home of Christianity. The Church's
influence on the English way of life was deep and wide. Churches were built,
monasteries established, and schools founded; no mean accomplishment in such
war-like days.
The Mystic's Love: St John Of The Cross
Authors: Peplerj Conrad
Published: September 2024

The Mystic, says St John of the Cross, is a loving an enamoured,
soul—alma enamorada. And he describes this
love as the ‘labour to divest ourselves and to detach ourselves for God's
sake from all that is not God’ (Ascent, ii, 5,7).
When we come to analyse the immense and complex meaning of such sentences as
this in the work of the Mystical Doctor we discover the two great influences
that went to make up his theology, as in a lesser degree they made up the
theology of nearly every Christian mystical writer. The first tradition may
be called the philosophic background which was earlier in history, coming
from the far East and from the purity of Greek thought, and the second, the
fundamental Christian theology of love was explained rather than implemented
by the former tradition of thought.
On Human Friendship
Authors: Rievaulx St Aelred Of
Published: September 2024

Prologue: While I was yet a boy at school and took great delight in the
company of my fellows, in the midst of the habits and vices with which that
period of life is usually beset, my energy was wholly given to affection and
devoted to love; so that nothing seemed to me more pleasing, nothing more
joyful, nothing more useful, than to be loved and to love. So, fluctuating
between diverse loves and friendships, my mind was dragged hither and
thither, and being ignorant of the law of true friendship, was often
deceived by its mere image. At length there came into my hands Cicero's book
on friendship, which immediately presented itself to me as useful by the
sanity of its opinions and as enjoyable by its perfection of style. And
although I did not see myself fit for such friendship, I rejoiced at having
found some rule of friendship to which I could conform the course of my
loves and affections.
On Love For God
Authors: Basil St
Published: September 2024

Love for God assuredly cannot be taught. We did not learn from others to
rejoice in the light or to seek to live; no one taught us to love our
parents or those who brought us up. In the same way, and indeed much more
truly, the lesson of desiring God is nothing external to us. But as soon as
the living creature was formed—I am speaking of man—a sort of seminal
principle was implanted in him, having within it a native propensity to
love. The school of God's commandments takes charge of this: the right place
to cultivate it carefully, to rear it skilfully, and with God's grace bring
it to perfection. We welcome your zeal, then, as indispensable for this
end.
The Way Opens
Authors: Pepler Conrad
Published: September 2024

Through the door of conversion we step out on to the way of perfection
opening out before us like a rugged path leading up a steep hillside in some
enchanted island. Looking up we see the way as strenuous but of incredible
beauty. The brilliant greens of the hillside conceal some soft and smelly
quagmires on either side of the path, but from the open door the vision
appears stimulating and invigorating. The first view is of the general life
of the Church, the island populated by a community all working together,
helping each other up the side of the bill, marking out the waterlogged
patches, stumbling here and slipping there, but not alone, as many helping
hands stretch out to pick up the stumbler. They sing, too, and recite as
they work together a common song and a common poem of praise to the Lord on
the heighte. There are many choruses. Some of these men and women have
cracked and harsh voices; but they all sing as they go. The door has opened
into the liturgical life of the Church.
The Spirituality of St Philip Neri
Authors: Reade F. Vincent
Published: September 2024

He who undertakes to write upon the spirituality of St Philip Neri is by
his very task pledged to avoid ponderosity, yet the writer of these few
lines does not know how to escape the need for some kind of introduction to
his remarks. The need arises, not from the nature of his subject but from
the fact of the appearance of his essay in a periodical devoted expressly to
spirituality'. For we who here write could not be comfortable in saying what
we want to say and propose to say unless first we made clear that throughout
we shall have in mind two presuppositions. The former of these is that the
very function of a journal of spirituality is to present to its readers in
toto all the various ramifications and
different types of Christian sanctity and ascetic which are approved by the
Church, in order that its readers may discover, learn, assimilate, or on the
other hand set aside what they find, according to their their own own
needs,
Explicit information and practice type can affect the L2 acquisition of plural marking
Authors: Lucas Matt
Published: September 2024

Previous research has indicated that explicit information (EI) about either the first language (L1) or second language (L2) along with task-essential practice can facilitate L2 learning (e.g., Fernández, 2008; McManus, 2022). However, little research has examined L1–L2 contrastive EI with L1/L2 practice. Targeting plural-marking accuracy, the present study sought to fill this gap by exposing 127 Japanese intermediate learners of English to six online treatment sessions across four conditions: (1) non-contrastive EI (pluralization rule explanation) + L2 practice, (2) contrastive EI + L2 practice, (3) as per Condition 2 + additional L1 practice (application of L2 pluralization to L1 through the Japanese suffix –tachi), and (4) using prepositions as a control, non-contrastive EI (prepositional rule explanation) + L2 practice. Accuracy was tested at pre/post/delayed intervals using an acceptability judgement task (reading) and a picture description task (writing). Statistical analyses demonstrated greater gains from the contrastive variables in the immediate post-test, with L1 practice appearing especially beneficial, despite improvements diminishing in the delayed post-test. Supplementary data from retroactive interviews and questionnaire responses indicated favourable orientations towards the intervention. The study advances understanding of how EI and practice type can be used to maximize L2 learning through web-based practices tailored to the nature of the learning problem.
Secrets Buried in the Pits: Ritual Activities in Western Anatolia in the First Half of the Second Millennium bce
Authors: Gündoğan Ümit
Published: September 2024

Western Anatolian ritual pits provide valuable insights into socio-cultural, economic and symbolic practices during the Early to Middle Bronze Age. Findings in feasting pits, such as carbonized seeds and animal bones, indicate a strong link between ritual and food. Standing stones, altars and carefully arranged artefacts suggest a symbolic and sacred dimension beyond mere ceremonies. The pits from this period contain carbonized seeds and fragments of wood, indicating the presence of small fires during certain rituals. Changing features in ritual pits from the Early to Middle Bronze Age reveal a dynamic relationship between spatial arrangements and religious practices. The study shows that in the first half of the second millennium bce several ritual activities known from different regions reached western Anatolia for the first time. Interregional trade involved not only goods, but also the dissemination of rituals over a wide geographical area. This cultural interaction reveals western Anatolia as a dynamic and influential centre in this historical period. By exploring the ritual practices of second-millennium bce western Anatolia, this paper presents new perspectives on the rituals of the region.
Therapy-related AML: long-term outcome in a large cohort of AML-patients with intensive and non-intensive therapy
Authors: Gross Sophia , Ihlow Jana , Busack Leonie , Adamiak Kacper , Schrezenmeier Jens , Jesse Julia , Schwarz Michaela , Flörcken Anne , Vuong Lam Giang , Rieger Kathrin , Krönke Jan , le Coutre Philipp , Boldt Vivien , von Brünneck Ann-Christin , Horst David , Burmeister Thomas , Blau Igor-Wolfgang , Keller Ulrich , Bullinger Lars , Westermann Jörg
Published: September 2024

Therapy-related acute myeloid leukemia (t-AML) often exhibits adverse (genetic) features. There is ongoing discussion on the impact of t-AML on long-term outcome in AML. Therefore, we retrospectively analyzed clinical and biological characteristics of 1133 AML patients (225 t-AML patients and 908 de novo AML patients) with a median follow-up of 81.8 months. T-AML patients showed more adverse genetic alterations, higher age and more comorbidities as compared to de novo AML. Median OS in intensively treated t-AML patients was 13.7 months as compared to 39.4 months in de novo AML (p < 0.001). With non-intensive therapy, OS did not differ significantly (p = 0.394). With intensive therapy, significant differences in favor of de novo AML were observed in the ELN intermediate I/II (p = 0.009) and adverse (p = 0.016) risk groups but not within favorable risk groups (APL p = 0.927, ELN favorable p = 0.714). However, t-AML was no independent risk factor for OS (p = 0.103), RR (p = 0.982) and NRM (p = 0.320) in the multivariate analysis. A limitation of our study is an ELN 2010 risk stratification due to a lack of more comprehensive molecular data according to ELN 2022. We conclude that therapeutic algorithms in t-AML, in particular with regard to allo-HSCT, should be guided by ELN genetic risk rather than classification as t-AML alone. Our data support the WHO and ICC 2022 classifications, which include t-AML as diagnostic qualifier rather than a separate subcategory.
Contribution of A1 to macrophage survival in cooperation with MCL-1 and BCL-XL in a murine cell model of myeloid differentiation
Authors: Vier Juliane , Häcker Georg , Kirschnek Susanne
Published: September 2024

Myeloid cells are the first line of defence against pathogens. Mitochondrial apoptosis signalling is a crucial regulator of myeloid cell lifespan and modulates the function of myeloid cells. The anti-apoptotic protein BCL-2-family protein BCL2A1/A1/BFL-1 is strongly upregulated in inflammation in macrophages. We analysed the contribution of A1 to apoptosis regulation in a conditional system of in vitro differentiation of murine macrophages from immortalised progenitors. We disabled the expression of A1 by targeting all murine A1 isoforms in the genome. Specific inhibitors were used to inactivate other anti-apoptotic proteins. Macrophage progenitor survival mainly depended on the anti-apoptotic proteins MCL-1, BCL-XL and A1 but not BCL-2. Deletion of A1 on its own had little effect on progenitor cell survival but was sensitised to cell death induction when BCL-XL or MCL-1 was neutralised. In progenitors, A1 was required for survival in the presence of the inflammatory stimulus LPS. Differentiated macrophages were resistant to inhibition of single anti-apoptotic proteins, but A1 was required to protect macrophages against inhibition of either BCL-XL or MCL-1; BCL-2 only had a minor role in these cells. Cell death by neutralisation of anti-apoptotic proteins completely depended on BAX with a small contribution of BAK only in progenitors in the presence of LPS. A1 and NOXA appeared to stabilise each other at the posttranscriptional level suggesting direct binding. Co-immunoprecipitation experiments showed the binding of A1 to NOXA and BIM. Interaction between A1 and Noxa may indirectly prevent neutralisation and destabilization of MCL-1. Our findings suggest a unique role for A1 as a modulator of survival in the macrophage lineage in concert with MCL-1 and BCL-XL, especially in a pro-inflammatory environment.