bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The Role of Osteopontin (OPN) in Regulating Microglia Phagocytosis in Nervous System Diseases
Authors: Li Pengpeng , Tao Zhengxin , Zhao Xudong
Published: September 2024

Phagocytosis is the process by which certain cells or organelles internalise foreign substances by engulfing them and then digesting or disposing of them. Microglia are the main resident phagocytic cells in the brain. It is generally believed that microglia/macrophages play a role in guiding the brain's repair and functional recovery processes. However, the resident and invading immune cells of the central nervous system can also exacerbate tissue damage by stimulating inflammation and engulfing viable neurons. The functional consequences of microglial phagocytosis remain largely unexplored. Overall, phagocytosis is considered a beneficial phenomenon in acute brain injury because it eliminates dead cells and induces an anti-inflammatory response. Osteopontin (OPN) is a phosphorylated glycoprotein induced by injury in various tissues, including brain tissue. In acute brain injuries such as hemorrhagic stroke and ischemic stroke, OPN is generally believed to have anti-inflammatory effects. OPN can promote the reconstruction of the blood-brain barrier and up-regulate the scavenger receptor CD36. But in chronic diseases such as Alzheimer's disease (AD) and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), OPN can cause microglia to engulf neurons and worsen disease progression. We explored the role of OPN in promoting microglial phagocytosis in nervous system disorders.
Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV-1) Targets Astrocytes via Cell-Free and Cell-Associated Infection
Authors: dos Reis Roberta S. , Susa Stephen , Wagner Marc C. E. , Ayyavoo Velpandi
Published: September 2024

Background: Infection of astrocytes by Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV-1) remains a topic of debate, with conflicting data, yet instances of astrocytes containing viral DNA have been observed in vivo. In this study, we aimed to elucidate potential routes through which astrocytes could be infected and their ability to produce infectious particles using primary human astrocytes. Methods: We infected primary astrocytes derived from either neuroprogenitor cells (NPCs) or induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) that express both C-X-C chemokine receptor type 4 (CXCR4) and the C-C chemokine receptor type 5 (CCR5) coreceptors, using either cell-free HIV-1 virus directly or cell-associated virus indirectly through infected macrophages and microglia. Results: Low-level infectivity by cell-free viruses was primarily attributed to a defect in the entry process. Bypassing HIV-specific receptor-mediated entry using pseudotyped viruses resulted in productive infection and the release of infectious particles. Conclusions: These findings suggest that astrocytes may be one of the potential sources of neurotoxicity in HIV-associated neurocognitive disorders (HAND) and could possibly act as reservoirs for HIV in the central nervous system (CNS).
Association between Enhanced Effective Connectivity from the Cuneus to the Middle Frontal Gyrus and Impaired Alertness after Total Sleep Deprivation
Authors: Dong Yuefang , Ma Mengke , Li Yutong , Shao Yongcong , Shi Guohua
Published: September 2024

Background: Sleep deprivation (SD) can impair an individual's alertness, which is the basis of attention and the mechanism behind continuous information processing. However, research concerning the effects of total sleep deprivation (TSD) on alertness networks is inadequate. In this study, we investigate the cognitive neural mechanism of alertness processing after TSD. Methods: Twenty-four college students volunteered to participate in the study. The resting-state electroencephalogram (EEG) data were collected under two conditions (rested wakefulness [RW], and TSD). We employed isolated effective coherence (iCoh) analysis and functional independent component analysis (fICA) to explore the effects of TSD on participants' alertness network. Results: This study found the existence of two types of effective connectivity after TSD, as demonstrated by iCoh: from the left cuneus to the right middle frontal gyrus in the β3 and γ bands, and from the left angular gyrus to the left insula in the δ, θ, α, β1, β3, and γ bands. Furthermore, Pearson correlation analysis showed that increased effective connectivity between all the bands had a positive correlation with increases in the response time in the psychomotor vigilance task (PVT). Finally, fICA revealed that the neural oscillations of the cuneus in the α2 bands increased, and of the angular gyrus in the α and β1 bands decreased in TSD. Conclusions: TSD impairs the alertness function among individuals. Increased effective connectivity from the cuneus to the middle frontal gyrus may represent overloads on the alertness network, resulting in participants strengthening top-down control of the attention system. Moreover, enhanced effective connectivity from the angular gyrus to the insula may indicate a special perception strategy in which individuals focus on salient and crucial environmental information while ignoring inessential stimuli to reduce the heavy burden on the alertness network. Clinical Trial Registration: No: ChiCTR2400088448. Registered 19 August 2024, https://www.chictr.org.cn.
Vanillin Mitigates the MPTP-Induced α-Synucleinopathy in a Mouse Model of Parkinson's Disease: Insights into the Involvement of Wnt/β-Catenin Signaling
Authors: Rani Linchi , Mondal Amal Chandra
Published: September 2024

Background: The abnormal aggregation of α-synuclein (α-syn) in the substantia nigra pars compacta (SNpc) region of the brain is characteristic of Parkinson's disease (PD), leading to the selective demise of neurons. Modifications in the post-translational processing of α-syn, phosphorylation at Ser129 in particular, are implicated in α-syn aggregation and are considered key hallmarks of PD. Furthermore, dysregulated Wnt/β-catenin signaling, influenced by glycogen synthase kinase-3 beta (GSK-3β), is implicated in PD pathogenesis. Inhibition of GSK-3β holds promise in promoting neuroprotection by enhancing the Wnt/β-catenin pathway. Methods: In our previous study utilizing 1-methyl-4-phenylpyridinium (MPP+)-administered differentiated SH-SY5Y cells and a PD mouse model, we explored Vanillin's neuroprotective properties and related mechanisms against neuronal loss induced by MPP+/1-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine (MPTP) administration. In the current study, we elucidated the mitigating effects of Vanillin on motor impairments, P-Ser129-α-syn expression, Wnt/β-catenin signaling, and autophagic neuron death induced by MPTP in a mouse model of PD by performing motor function tests, western blot analysis and immunostaining. Results: Our results show that Vanillin effectively modulated the motor dysfunctions, GSK-3β expression, and activity, activated the Wnt/β-catenin signaling, and reduced autophagic neuronal demise in the MPTP-lesioned mice, highlighting its neuroprotective effects. Conclusions: These findings underscore the complex interplay between α-syn pathology, GSK-3β, Wnt/β-catenin signaling, and autophagic-cell death in PD pathogenesis. Targeting these pathways, particularly with Vanillin, can be a promising therapeutic strategy for restoring dopaminergic (DA-ergic) neuronal homeostasis and slowing the progression of PD. Further research is crucial to resolving existing disputes and translating these discoveries into effective therapeutic interventions for PD patients.
Altered Resting-State Electroencephalogram Microstate Characteristics in Stroke Patients
Authors: Lu Hao-Yu , Ma Zhen-Zhen , Zhang Jun-Peng , Wu Jia-Jia , Zheng Mou-Xiong , Hua Xu-Yun , Xu Jian-Guang
Published: September 2024

Background: Stroke remains a leading cause of disability globally and movement impairment is the most common complication in stroke patients. Resting-state electroencephalography (EEG) microstate analysis is a non-invasive approach of whole-brain imaging based on the spatiotemporal pattern of the entire cerebral cortex. The present study aims to investigate microstate alterations in stroke patients. Methods: Resting-state EEG data collected from 24 stroke patients and 19 healthy controls matched by age and gender were subjected to microstate analysis. For four classic microstates labeled as class A, B, C and D, their temporal characteristics (duration, occurrence and coverage) and transition probabilities (TP) were extracted and compared between the two groups. Furthermore, we explored their correlations with clinical outcomes including the Fugl-Meyer assessment (FMA) and the action research arm test (ARAT) scores in stroke patients. Finally, we analyzed the relationship between the temporal characteristics and spectral power in frequency bands. False discovery rate (FDR) method was applied for correction of multiple comparisons. Results: Microstate analysis revealed that the stroke group had lower occurrence of microstate A which was regarded as the sensorimotor network (SMN) compared with the control group (p = 0.003, adjusted p = 0.036, t = –2.959). The TP from microstate A to microstate D had a significant positive correlation with the Fugl-Meyer assessment of lower extremity (FMA-LE) scores (p = 0.049, r = 0.406), but this finding did not survive FDR adjustment (adjusted p = 0.432). Additionally, the occurrence and the coverage of microstate B were negatively correlated with the power of delta band in the stroke group, which did not pass adjustment (p = 0.033, adjusted p = 0.790, r = –0.436; p = 0.026, adjusted p = 0.790, r = –0.454, respectively). Conclusions: Our results confirm the abnormal temporal dynamics of brain activity in stroke patients. The study provides further electrophysiological evidence for understanding the mechanism of brain motor functional reorganization after stroke.
Abnormal Weakening of DNA Methylation around the SLC6A1 Gene Promoter in Temporal Lobe Epilepsy
Authors: Tao Hua , Wu Zhengjuan , Liu Yang , Zhang Xiaolu , Li Keshen , Zhou Xu
Published: September 2024

Background: The solute carrier (SLC) superfamily, which transports solutes across biological membranes, includes four members (SLC2A1, SLC6A1, SLC9A64, and SLC35A2) that have been linked to epilepsy. This study sought to examine the DNA methylation patterns near the promoters of these genes in temporal lobe epilepsy (TLE), as DNA methylation is a crucial epigenetic modification that can impact gene expression. Methods: The study comprised 38 individuals with TLE and 38 healthy controls. Methylation experiments were performed using peripheral blood, while demethylation experiments were carried out using SH-SY5Y cells with the DNA methylation inhibitor decitabine. Results: A significant difference was observed in the DNA methylation rate of SLC6A1 between TLE patients and controls, with TLE patients showing a lower rate (4.81% vs. 5.77%, p = 0.0000), which remained significant even after Bonferroni correction (p = 0.0000). Based on the hypomethylated SLC6A1 in TLE, a predictive model was established that showed promise in distinguishing and calibrating TLE. In the TLE group, there were differences in DNA methylation rates of SLC6A1 between the young patients and the older controls (4.42% vs. 5.22%, p = 0.0004). A similar trend (p = 0.0436) was noted after adjusting for sex, age at onset, and drug response. In addition, the study found that DNA methylation had a silencing impact on the expression of the SLC6A1 gene in SH-SY5Y cells, which were treated with decitabine at a set dose gradient. Conclusions: The evidence suggests that lower methylation of SLC6A1 may stimulate transcription in TLE, however, further investigation is necessary to confirm the exact mechanism.
The Belarusian Fate of Suprasl Archimandrite Nikolai (Dalmatov)
Authors:   Institute of Slavic Studies, Russian Academy of Sciences, Labyncev Jurij , Shchavinskaja Larisa ,   Institute of Slavic Studies, Russian Academy of Sciences
Published: September 2024

Among the large number of clergymen from the Great Russian provinces sent to the Belarusian lands after the liquidation of the Brest Church Union in 1839 and the mass conversion of the local Belarusian Uniate population to Orthodoxy, Archimandrite Nikolai (Dalmatov) of Suprasl Monastery (1835–1906) stands out for his special services not only to the church, but also to Belarusian culture as a whole. In the late XIX – early XX centuries he laid the practical and scientific foundations for the current revival of the ancient Suprasl Monastery of the Annunciation, Suprasl Lavra, which is currently the largest Orthodox center not only in Poland, but also in the countries of the European Union. The son of a deacon from the Oryol hinterland, a graduate of the Oryol seminary, Archimandrite Nikolai served for more than forty years, since 1860, in the Belarusian Orthodox environment, in Slutsk, Pinsk, Minsk and, finally, in the Suprasl, where since 1881 he becomes the rector of the Annunciation Monastery and “dean of the monasteries of the Lithuanian diocese”. His multifaceted quarter-century activity in the Suprasl to restore monastic life as well as his preaching work among the local population, the creation of the successfully operating Suprasl Annunciation Brotherhood earned Archimandrite Nicholas well-deserved recognition and even love not only, as he himself wrote, of his “good Belarusians”, but also of Roman Catholics, and especially Jews. He defended these “our neighbors, our fellow citizens” in his fiery sermons against the “Jewish pogroms” in every possible way as a Christian and an Orthodox pastor. A thoughtful researcher of the history of Belarusian monasteries, temples and monuments of writing, Archimandrite Nikolai also left a rich body of published scholarly works, the main component of which was his voluminous monograph “Supraslsky Annunciation Monastery: Historical and Statistical description” (St. Petersburg, 1892), which remains to this day the key work on the subject and has not lost its significance.
The Proto-Slavic Name for the Gingiva: Difficulties of Reconstruction
Authors:   Institute of Slavic Studies, Russian Academy of Sciences, Saenko Mikhail
Published: September 2024

Although in most Slavic languages gum is denoted by the descendants of a single Proto-Slavic word, the details of the reconstruction of this word remain a matter of debate, and a number of contradictory hypotheses can be found in the scientific literature. For the Proto-Slavic language those hypothesized forms are of both feminine and neuter genders with suffixes *-sna, *-sn, *-sno, *-sla, *-slo, with initial sounds *d- and *j-. A careful study of the material shows that the original form *dęsna (f.) should probably be recognised. The dissimilated variant *dęsla / *dęslo is probably comparatively ancient. The forms potentially derived from *dęsno and *dęsnь are most likely secondary and should not be considered Proto-Slavic. The first of them arose as a result of the reinterpretation of *dęsna as plurale tantum, probably under the influence of the semantically close word *usta 'mouth', which fits very well into the logic of the change of gender attested in some other designations of body parts in Slavic languages. The less widespread variant *dęsnь is explained by the influence of words with phonetically close auslaut (*basnь, *pěsnь, *plěsnь, *wasnь). The vocalism of the Russian form desna is preferably explained by the reflection of yekanye in writing. In several cases we also encounter folk etymology. The most common are designations with initial j-, apparently influenced by *ęzyk 'language'. As less favoured, the paper considers the hypothesis of phonetic origin of initial j-. Slovenian forms like dlẹ̑sen, dlésna and dlésno are most likely to be explained by contamination with the verb dlẹ́sniti 'to click'.
The Past and Present of Slavistics in China
Authors:   Harbin Normal University, Wu Zhe
Published: September 2024

The origins of Slavistics in China can be traced back to 1708. However, Slavistics so far cannot be called a popular scientific field, which is manifested in a fairly small number of scientific achievements directly related to Slavistics, and in a small number of organizations specializing in Slavistics. In recent years, under the influence of international and domestic factors, especially due to the promotion and implementation of the “the Belt and Road Initiative” the number of researchers interested in Slavic studies has shown an increasing trend, and relevant research organizations have been established consistently. This article provides a brief overview of the development of Slavic studies in China, introduces leading scientific organizations, scientific events and publications. In addition, the author pays special attention to the directions and results of research at the Institute of Slavic Languages (the only research institute called “Slavic Languages” in China) and the Research Center for Slavic Nations at Harbin Normal University under the Ministry of Education of the People's Republic of China, using it as a prism to reflect the current state of Slavic studies in China. The research team of the Institute and the Center conducts both traditional and innovative research on languages, education, language consciousness, literature, folklore, and art of Slavic countries. Based on their research, we attempt to get a whole picture of the current status of the Slavic studies in China. In general, focusing on high-quality training of specialists in Slavistics and the construction of the discipline “Slavistics”, Chinese Slavists make efforts and achieve success in scientific and educational fields.
On the Jubilee of Anna A. Plotnikova
Authors:   Institute of Slavic Studies, Russian Academy of Sciences, Trefilova Olga
Published: September 2024

This congratulatory message refers to the lead researcher of the Institute of Slavic Studies of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Doctor of Philology Anna A. Plotnikova, a specialist in Serbian language, Balkanistics, ethnolinguistics, linguistic geography, Slavic dialectology, lexicology, lexicography. The researcher’s path is connected with the Institute of Slavic Studies of the Russian Academy of Sciences, with which she began to cooperate while studying at the Lomonosov Moscow State University in the 1980s. After defending her PhD thesis “Ethnolinguistic dictionary as a linguistic, ethnographic and folklore source (based on the material of Slavic languages and traditions)” (1990), she began to work at the Institute of Slavic Studies as a junior researcher and worked her way up to the lead researcher of the Department of Ethnolinguistics and Folklore. Anna Plotnikova is actively developing areal ethnolinguistics. In 2005, she defended her doctoral thesis “Ethnolinguistic geography of South Slavia”. To date, she has authored 6 books and more than 500 research papers. She is a member of the author’s team of the ethnolinguistic dictionaries “Slavic antiquities” and “Slavic mythology”, a member of the editorial boards of some scholarly journals, editor of serial publications and some monographs of her colleagues. Since 2007, Anna Plotnikova has led the collective work in the Department of Ethnolinguistics and Folklore, which was aimed at creating an electronic database of the Archive of Polesie expeditions (were conducted in 1962–1985); at various times she managed or participated in a number of grants supported by Russian scientific foundations. She is a member of the Russian National Committee of Slavists, participates in the work of several commissions under the International Committee of Slavists: on Balkan linguistics, on ethnolinguistics, on the study of Russian Old Believers. She cooperates with university education, directs the work of graduate students, including foreign ones, and engages young researchers in research activities.
“The Balkans, Asia Minor, The Caucasus: Historical, Cultural and Linguistic Ties” Conference
Authors:   Institute of Slavic Studies, Russian Academy of Sciences, Evstafyev Nikita
Published: September 2024

On February 6, 2024, the conference “The Balkans, Asia Minor, the Caucasus: historical, cultural and linguistic ties” was held in a mixed format: in person, at the Institute of Slavic Studies, and on the ZOOM platform. The conference was attended by scholars from various scientific institutions in Russia and abroad: the Institute of Slavic Studies of the Russian Academy of Sciences, the Institute of Linguistics of the Russian Academy of Sciences, the Institute of Oriental Studies of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Istanbul University, Lomonosov Moscow State University, etc. A wide range of issues was discussed: the history of the countries and peoples of Southeastern Europe, Asia Minor and the Caucasus – from the Middle Ages to the beginning of the XXI century, cultural and linguistic traditions of these peoples. The participants of the conference in their speeches touched upon the problems of spiritual culture of different peoples, imagology, interfaith and international relations, as well as issues of resettlement of peoples, preservation and change of their traditions in new areas. Special attention in the reports was given to the parallels that existed and still exist between the different cultures of the Balkans, Asia Minor and the Caucasus, and the mutual influence of these cultures. Most of the reports aroused the interest of the audience and led to discussion. The discussion was attended not only by the participants of the conference, but also by the scholars and guests of the Institute of Slavic Studies of the Russian Academy of Sciences. Thus, the conference became a good platform for exchanging the experience of specialists from different scientific disciplines and for establishing closer ties between various academic institutions. A video recording of the conference is available on the website of the Institute of Slavic Studies of the Russian Academy of Sciences.
Unveiling the Embodied Continuum of Empathy for Pain in Parkinson's Disease: Discoveries from An Experimental Phenomenological Method
Authors: Zepeda Antonia , Troncoso Alejandro , pizarro Daniela , Baquedano Constanza , Barria Silvia , Gomez Rodrigo , Madariaga Kevin Blanco , Pernía David Martínez
Published: September 2024

Abstract Background: Parkinson's disease (PD) is a prevalent neurodegenerative disorder that not only affects motor function but also impairs empathy, particularly in response to others' pain. While the neurobiological changes underlying these deficits are known, the impact of PD on the lived experience of empathy remains poorly understood. This study explores the embodied dimensions of empathy in PD patients through an experimental phenomenological approach.Method: Forty-five patients with mild to moderate PD were exposed to videos of athletes suffering falls during extreme sports. Following exposure, participants underwent phenomenological interviews to explore their embodied experiences. Data were analyzed through an iterative process involving three independent analyses, triangulation, and the application of advanced analytical techniques (CAQDAS, inter-rater agreement index, interactive dashboards, spider graphs) to enhance the depth of the phenomenological analysis.Results: The findings reveal a continuum of empathic engagement characterized by two experiential structures: “Empathic Bodily Resonance” and “Attenuated Empathic Bodily Resonance.” “Empathic Bodily Resonance” is marked by bodily, emotional, and motivational responses to observed suffering, indicating a high synchrony between internal sensations and perceived pain. This structure includes two substructures: Other-Centered Empathy, where participants show a willingness to help, and Self-Centered Empathy, where participants focus on their own discomfort. Conversely, “Attenuated Empathic Bodily Resonance” demonstrates a diminished or absent connection between bodily resonance and synchronization, primarily driven by visual cues. This structure includes substructures ranging from Empathy with Body Transparency, where emotional responses occur in the absence of bodily sensations, to No Empathy, by a complete absence of bodily resonance.Conclusion: The research uncovers a continuum of empathic experiences in PD patients, spanning from strong bodily and emotional resonance to reduced or absent empathic responsiveness. These findings underscore the critical role of bodily resonance in empathic engagement and suggest that targeted interventions may be essential for enhancing social cognition in PD.Keywords: Empathy for pain, Parkinson's disease, Phenomenology, Experimental phenomenology, Bodily Resonance.
Regional Source-type Discrimination Using Nonlinear Alignment Algorithms
Authors: Ramos Marlon , Tibi Rigobert , Young Christopher , Emry Erica
Published: September 2024

The discrimination problem in seismology aims to accurately classify different underground source types based on local, regional or teleseismic observations of ground motion. Typical discriminant approaches are rooted in fundamental, physics-based differences in radiation pattern or wave excitation, which can be frequency dependent and may not make use of the full waveform. In this paper, we explore a new method for event discrimination using phase and amplitude distances derived from dynamic time warping (DTW) and elastic shape analysis (ESA). We demonstrate the ability to distinguish underground point-sources using synthetic waveforms calculated for a 1-D Earth model and various source mechanisms. We then apply the method to recorded data from events in the Korean Peninsula, which includes declared nuclear explosions, a collapse event, and naturally occurring earthquakes. Phase and amplitude distances derived from DTW and ESA are then used to classify the event types via dendrogram and k-nearest neighbor clustering analyses. Using information from the full waveform, we show how different underground sources can be distinguished at regional distances. We highlight the potential of these nonlinear alignment algorithms for discrimination and comment on ways we can extend the framework presented here.
UNDER-STANDING the Effects of Semantic Transparency, Affix Type and Task on Processing of Complex German Words
Authors: Bozic Mirjana , Smolka Eva , Alex Pepita , McManus Franziska , Schwarz Julia
Published: September 2024

While extensive cross-linguistic evidence shows that semantic transparency shapes lexical processing and representation of complex derived words, findings from German suggest that this may not hold across the board. To explore this discrepancy, we investigated the variables that might influence the processing of overtly presented derived words in German, focusing on the effects of semantic transparency, affix type and experimental task. Semantic transparency and affix type were manipulated across two tasks: cross-modal priming (N = 110) and auditory gap detection (N = 60). Results showed robust semantic transparency effects for all derived words. This was however further influenced by affix type, which modulated the processing of opaque but not transparent words; as well as the task demands. These results imply that morphological structure, affix type and task demands all combine to determine the processing and representation of derived words in German, bringing previously conflicting results across languages closer together.
Intergenerational continuity of social competence via parent-child bonding
Authors: Wiertsema Maria , Vrijen Charlotte , van der Ploeg Rozemarijn , Hartman Catharina , Kretschmer Tina
Published: September 2024

We examined whether parental social competence in adolescence was associated with parent-child bonding and, by extension, offspring’s social competence in childhood. Using a sample of prospective data collected over two decades from n = 389 parents (73% mothers) with n = 555 children (54% girls) who participate in the TRacking Adolescents’ Individual Lives Survey (TRAILS) cohort and its next-generation spin-off study (TRAILS NEXT), we modelled links between parental social competence at age 11, parent-child bonding when offspring were 3 months old, and offspring’s social competence at age 2.5. Adolescents’ assertion and cooperation were linked to parent-child bonding 20 years later, although indirect effects were not significant. We also found no evidence for intergenerational continuity of social competence in form of a direct effect. The results suggest that parent-child relationship quality predicts offspring’s social competence better than parents’ social competence but origins of variance in the latter partly precede parenthood.
Modeling the Dynamics of Addiction Relapse Via the Double-Well Potential System
Authors: Bornovalova Marina , Fatimah Haya , Hunter Michael D.
Published: September 2024

Substance use relapse is difficult to define, and previous work has used one-size-fits-all ad-hoc definitions. Researchers have called for a dynamic and personalized understanding of relapse as a concept and model, necessitating novel statistical tools. We aimed to develop and validate a novel statistical model of latent relapse processes: the double-well potential model (DWPM). This model describes post-treatment substance use in terms of a dynamical system with stable equilibria of abstinence and relapse, a person-specific dominant equilibria (tilt), the ease of changing between equilibria (steepness), and an overall relapse risk (RR). Using timeline followback data from N=139 adults with a substance use disorder transitioning back to the community after residential treatment, we examined individual differences and the criterion-related validity of DWPM parameters to determine the clinical utility of the double-well model. While non-use was the predominant stable state across participants, we found significant between-subjects variability steepness and RR. These individual differences were predictable via demographics, baseline psychopathology, treatment history, and treatment condition. Steepness and RR also predicted long-term outcomes, including life satisfaction and criminal behavior, above and beyond traditional metrics of relapse (proportion of days used, time to first use). Thus, the DWPM is a strong theoretical and statistical representation of the underlying relapse processes. Moreover, the parameters show criterion-related validity and may be useful in precision medicine.
The Inter-Personal Affect Regulation Test (IPART): Development and Validation of a Performance-Based Assessment of the Ability to Improve the Emotions of Others
Authors: Smith Ryan , Lavalley Claire A. , Durham Michelle R. P. , Skalamera Jeff , Ozcan Meltem , Raikes Adam , Berryhill Sarah , Marquez Jacqueline , Smith Courtney , Sanova Anna , Alkozei Anna , Killgore William
Published: September 2024

The ability to intentionally improve the emotional states of others, or inter-personal affect regulation ability, is considered an important component of emotional intelligence. While multiple self-report scales have been developed to assess self-perceived capacities within this domain, few objective performance measures exist. In this article we describe two studies which outline the creation and validation of a performance-based assessment of this ability: The Inter-Personal Affect Regulation Test (IPART). Study 1 demonstrates that the IPART shows good internal reliability and that test items appear to primarily load onto a single latent factor. It also provides evidence of convergent validity by demonstrating significant relationships with existing self-report scales in expected directions. Study 2A replicates results of Study 1 and extends them by showing relationships to performance-based measures. Study 2B examines longitudinal data to show test-retest reliability, assess relationships with change in other measures over time, and demonstrate how IPART scores are appropriately sensitive to emotional intelligence training. The IPART represents a novel, reliable, and valid tool for assessing individual differences in this important social-cognitive skill – including both the ability to recognize optimal responses and how often one in fact chooses those responses.
Discrimination of a single-item scale to measure intention to have a COVID-19 vaccine
Authors: Sim Julius , Smith Louise E , Amlôt Richard , Rubin James , Sevdalis Nick , Sherman Susan M
Published: September 2024

Aim When developing public health measures in a pandemic, it is important to examine attitudes and beliefs relating to vaccination uptake. We report the discrimination of a single-item vaccination intention scale and derive cutpoints in terms of sensitivity (true positives) and specificity (true negatives) in relation to subsequent vaccination status. Subject and Methods In a sample of UK adults (n=1119) recruited through an online survey platform, vaccination intention was measured on a 0–10 numerical rating scale (0=very unlikely, 10=very likely) at the beginning of the UK COVID-19 vaccination rollout (January 2021), and self-reported vaccination status was gathered after vaccination had been offered to all adults (October 2021). Discrimination of the scale was measured by the area under the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve. Results The responders reporting being vaccinated or unvaccinated were 1034 (92.4%) and 85 (7.6%), respectively. The area under the ROC curve was .956 (95% CI .943, .967), indicating a high degree of discrimination. The combined value of sensitivity and specificity was greatest at a cutpoint of 8 on the scale (sensitivity = .821, specificity = .988). If, however, the individual values of sensitivity and specificity are required to be simultaneously optimized, this occurs at point 6 (sensitivity = .887, specificity = .871). Conclusion We recommend a 0–10 intention scale as a pragmatic measure of vaccination intention in public health practice, with a cutpoint of 8 on the scale as optimum, unless sensitivity and specificity are to be simultaneously optimized, when 6 is the optimum cutpoint.
Is the role of set for variability in word reading influenced by conditions leading to partial decoding?
Authors: Edwards Ashley , Steacy Laura , Rigobon Valeria Maria , Siegelman Noam , Rueckl Jay , Compton Donald
Published: September 2024

Purpose: Set for variability (SfV; the ability to disambiguate the mismatch between the decodedform of a word and its correct pronunciation) has been shown to predict regular and irregular word reading in children across both transparent and opaque orthographies. It has been offered that SfV is a crucial part of the decoding process associated with orthographic learning. Consistent with this hypothesis, it has been suggested that SfV is more important when partial decoding occurs such as in irregular words or when children lack the decoding skills to fully decode the word. The purpose of this study was to investigate whether the influence of SfV skill on the prediction of word reading is impacted by a word’s regularity and a child’s decoding skill. Methods: The present study examined whether the relation between SfV and word reading is moderated by a word’s spelling-to-pronunciation transparency rating and a child’s decoding skill using a cross-classified random effects model of 491 children and 160 words.Results: SfV was shown to be more important under conditions that may lead to a partial decoding such as when decoding skill is low or word transparency is low and was most important when both decoding skill is low and word transparency are low.Conclusions: This suggests that when children with poor decoding skills read irregular words whose pronunciation is not readily available from its spelling, SfV is a large contributor to whether that word will be read correctly.
Leveraging Digital Mobility Data to Estimate Visitation in National Wildlife Refuges
Authors: Winder Samantha G. , Wood Spencer A , Brownlee Matthew Tyler James , Lia Emilia H.
Published: September 2024

The US Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) manages over 560 National Wildlife Refuges and dozens of National Fish Hatcheries across the United States. Accurately estimating visitor numbers to these areas is essential for understanding current recreation demand, planning for future use, and ensuring the ongoing protection of the ecosystems that refuges safeguard. However, accurately estimating visitation across the entire refuge system presents significant challenges. Building on previous research conducted on other federal lands, this study evaluates methods to overcome constraints in estimating visitation levels using statistical models and digital mobility data. We develop and test a visitation modeling approach using multiple linear regression, incorporating predictors from eight mobility data sources, including four social media platforms, one community science platform, and three mobile device location datasets from two commercial vendors. We find that the total number of observed visitors to refuges correlates with the volume of data from each mobility data source. However, neither social media nor mobile device location data alone provide reliable proxies for visitation due to inconsistent relationships with observed visitation; these relationships vary by data source, refuge, and time. Our results demonstrate that a visitation model integrating multiple mobility datasets accounts for this variability and outperforms models based on individual mobility datasets. We find that a refuge-level effect is the single most important predictor, suggesting that including site characteristics in future models will make them more generalizable. We conclude that statistical models which incorporate digital mobility data have the potential to improve the accuracy of visitor estimates, standardize data collection methods, and simplify the estimation process for agency staff.
Austerity as reproductive injustice: Did local government spending cuts unequally impact births?
Authors: Sochas Laura , Chanfreau Jenny
Published: September 2024

Large local government spending cuts in England, spanning over a decade of austerity politics, have severely restricted the universal services and public goods that shape parenting environments. Drawing on the Reproductive Justice framework, we ask whether restricting the right to parent in safe and healthy environments impinged on the right to have children. To do so, we introduce a new quantitative approach for “thinking with” Reproductive Justice. Using nationally representative UK Household Longitudinal Study (UKHLS) data and a within-between random effects model, we analyse whether local government spending cuts were associated with intersectional inequalities in childbearing over the 2010-2020 period. We find that local government spending cuts significantly decreased the probability of having a(nother) birth for women in the poorest households, by 9.1%, but not for women in the middle or richest households. Further, racially minoritised women across income categories were much more likely to live in local authorities that suffered substantial cuts. Although austerity policies may not have directly restricted people’s biological capacity to conceive, our findings show that local government austerity cuts unequally restricted the right to have children.
The New International Debate on Expenditure Tax: An Assessment
Authors: Thimmaiah G
Published: September 2024

Not Available.
Consumer Satisfaction towards Online Shopping: A Study of Purchasing Alternatives in Beni Bazaar, Western Hill Nepal
Authors: Ghimire Bhola Nath
Published: September 2024

Understanding the factors that influence consumer satisfaction is crucial for online shopping businesses aiming to enhance their competitive edge. This study identifies seven different factors that affect consumer satisfaction in online shopping settings. Prior research regarding consumer satisfaction in online shopping has been done mainly in urban settings and developed countries. This study aims to fill this gap by exploring the factors of consumer satisfaction in online shopping/purchasing an iternatine in the local context of Beni Bazaar. For collecting the primary data, the structured questionnaire was distributed to people from a diverse sample of online shoppers through convenience sampling. The study is based on sixty-two respondents from this area. Descriptive research design was used as the research method for quantitative analysis and positivism was used as the research paradigm. Statistical methods like Kaiser-Meyer-Olkin (KMO), factor extraction, Mean, SD and Variance were used to make analysis and draw conclusions. The results show that all seven factors are positively related among which trustworthiness and pricing were the most significant factors of consumers’ satisfaction. The findings of this study can be beneficial to researchers, businesspeople, and local government for policy-making as well as academic purposes.
Students’ Satisfaction with Service Quality of Community Campuses in Gandaki Province, Nepal
Authors: Acharya Bishnu
Published: September 2024

This study aims to assess student satisfaction with campus facilities at community campuses in Gandaki Province, Nepal, using the SERVQUAL model. The main objectives are to evaluate students’ satisfaction with the provided facilities and to examine the relationship between the dimensions of these facilities and overall student satisfaction. A quantitative research approach along with descriptive and causal research design were employed. Data was collected from 143 bachelor’s and master’s level students in management, education, and humanities faculties from three campuses. The data collection was done through a well-constructed questionnaire distributed via Google Forms. Statistical tools, including multiple regression and Pearson correlation analyses, were used to present and analyze the data. The results indicate a generally positive perception of institutional facilities, with the assurance dimension scoring highest (mean = 3.771) and responsiveness scoring lowest (mean = 3.372). Empathy emerged as the most significant factor influencing student satisfaction (β = 0.282, p < 0.05), followed by reliability (β = 0.277, p < 0.05) and tangibility (β = 0.191, p < 0.05). The findings underscore the importance of personalized attention, consistent service delivery, and well-maintained facilities in enhancing student satisfaction. This study provides valuable insights for campus management to improve facilities, thereby aiding in student retention and attraction.
गुल्मी दरबार क्षेत्रमा प्रचलित लोककथा “सात भाइकी एक बहिनी”मा लोकविश्वास
Authors: ज्ञवाली Gyawali शिवशरण Shivasharan
Published: September 2024

प्रस्तुत आलेख गुल्मी जिल्लाको गुल्मी दरबार क्षेत्रमा प्रचलित “सात भाइकी एक बहिनी” शीर्षकको लोककथामा लोकविश्वासको खोजी कार्यमा आधारित रहेको छ । लेखका प्राथमिक सामग्री उक्त लोककथामा रहेका स्वैरकल्पना, लोकधर्म, जादु, व्यक्तित्वकरण र लोकरीति रहेका छन् भने द्वितीयक सामग्री पुस्तक अध्ययनबाट तयार पारिएको स्वैरकल्पना, लोकधर्म, जादु, व्यक्तित्वकरण र लोकरीतिसम्बन्धी सिद्धान्त हुन् । गुल्मी दरबार क्षेत्रमा प्रचलित यो लोककथामा माछाले, सर्पले, बाघका बच्चाले सङ्कटमा परेका बेला नन्दलाई सघाएको स्वरैकाल्पनिक कुरा आएको छ । दाजुहरू बिहे गरेर बहिनीको जिम्मा श्रीमतीहरूलाई लगाएर विदेशिएका छन् । माछा चाल्नाका प्वालमा लुकेर बस्नु, सर्पले नाम्लो र जिउरोको काम गर्नु, बहिनी बाकसमा लुक्नुजस्ता जादु प्रयोग भएको छ । यो लोककथामा माछा, सर्प, बाघको व्यक्तित्वकरण गरिएको छ । नन्दलाई भाउजूहरूले माया र हेला गर्ने, हेला गर्नेलाई पानी नघाएर दण्ड दिनेजस्ता लोकरीति पालन भएको पाइन्छ । लोकविश्वासको प्रयोगले लोककथा रोचक बनेको छ । त्यसैले लोककथाले श्रोतालाई भरपूर मनोरञ्जन दिनुका साथै सानालाई माया गर्नुपर्छ भन्ने शिक्षा पनि दिएको छ । उक्त लोककथामा लोकविश्वासका सबै मान्यताहरू प्रयोग भएको निष्कर्ष लेखले निकालिएको छ ।
“La historia que nos ha sido arrebatada”: Rethinking the Representation of Memory and History in Carlos Monsiváis’ Entrada libre
Authors: Ramírez Méndez Alejandro
Published: September 2024

In Entrada libre (1987), Carlos Monsiváis, ruminates about the importance of civil resistance in Mexico after decades of political instability, corruption, and violence. The cruel actions of the ‘dirty war’ left an unstable democratic system and an absent-minded population, which was still trying to understand the violent repression against left-wing groups. Under these conditions, Monsiváis questions the role of civil society in the production of mechanisms of resistance and reconciliation against a large history of abusive treatments and misuses that generated crisis in the country. This essay rethinks the representation of memory and history in the chronicles of Carlos Monsiváis. This project analyzes how the depiction of an the everyday life becomes an alternative method of expression for the a society in resistance, as well as a reevaluation of the meaning behind “historia nacional” and memory as the foundation of the perspective of time in Mexican society.
Voces desapercibidas: Rastreando miradas femeninas en „La noche de los tiempos", de Antonio Muñoz Molina
Authors: Gaszyńska-Magiera Małgorzata
Published: September 2024

La novela de Antonio Muñoz Molina En la noche de los tiempos se centra en un período de la vida de un arquitecto talentoso y exitoso que vive en Madrid en el período previo a la Guerra Civil española. La historia del personaje principal es solo un pretexto para mostrar el agitado ambiente de la capital y discutir los factores que llevaron al estallido del conflicto armado. Sin embargo, la novela presenta la política y la guerra como un dominio puramente masculino. El propósito del artículo es rastrear voces femeninas ocultas en la obra y analizarlas utilizando los planteamientos teóricos de la aracnología.
La expresión literaria del trauma histórico en dos novelas contemporáneas latinoamericanas: Amuleto (R. Bolaño, 1999); Insensatez (H. Castellanos Moya, 2004)
Authors: López Badano Cecilia M. T.
Published: September 2024

Writing about memory involves balancing on the limits of the symbolizable and the unspeakable of trauma – individual and social – putting together puzzles in which some of the pieces do not fit and others have been lost. The aforementioned novels, both within the imaginary of disenchanted impotence in the face of the reconstructive faculty of memory in personalities devastated by state violence, share traits that connect them: both confront the difficulties of a pathological narrative by posing it from a delirious and/or dislocated discursive inquiry in which the authors sustain the literary possibility of anamnesis. The aim of this article is to explore the fragmentary, fetishizing construction of the paradoxes of memory in the aesthetic constitution of both novels as the only possible support in front of the irreparable damage produced by social subjugation. Through stylistic traits, the reconstructive, salvific viability of traumatic memory is renewed, and at the same time put into crisis.
Hugh Clegg (1920-95), the new ‘Warwick School’ of Industrial Relations and the Creation of the Modern Records Centre
Authors: Ackers Peter
Published: September 2024

The Warwick Industrial Relations (IR) academics, George Bain and Hugh Clegg, were key movers in founding the Modern Records Centre (MRC) & attracting the unique collection of trade union and employers' records. In the late 1960s, after his crucial role on the 1965-68 'Donovan' Royal  Commission on Trade Unions and Employers' Associations, Clegg was recruited from Nuffield College, Oxford to become a founding professor in what became Warwick Business School. He won SSRC funding to bring the Industrial Relations Research Unit (IRRU) to Warwick, which became the national centre for the field, with a global reputation, at a time when IR was arguably the central UK domestic issue. Leadership of the IRRU passed to George Bain, then Willy Brown. After retirement, Clegg then used the MRC for the final two volumes of his landmark  A History of British Trade Unions since 1889 (Oxford University Press 1985, 1994). Based on interviews with the archivist, Richard Storey, George Bain and other members of the 'Warwick School', my paper will discuss: (1) the formation of Warwick School IR; (2) Bain & Clegg's influence on the MRC; and (3) Clegg's writing on trade union history. In 2003, I co-edited a study of academic IR Understanding Work & Employment (OUP) & for the past 20 years I've published widely on Hugh Clegg. My full biography with Routledge is now out.