bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Emotional State Measurement Trial (EMOPROEXE):a Protocol for Promoting Exercise in Adult and Children with Cerebral Palsy
Authors: Gomez-Gonzalez Isabel M. , Castro-Garcia Juan A. , Merino-Monge Manuel , Sanchez-Anton Gemma , Hamidi Foad , Mendoza-Sagrera Alejandro , Molina-Cantero Alberto j.
Published: January 2024

Background: The protocol described in this paper is part of a research project coordinated 1
between three Spanish universities where a technology aimed at improving the quality of life of 2
people suffering from cerebral palsy will be developed. Part of the technology developed will consist 3
of developing an interface and a series of applications to increase motivation for daily physical activity. 4
The basis of these developments is based on the measurement of the emotional state of the subjects. 5
Methods: The experimental protocol is designed with two objectives, on the one hand to identify the 6
emotional state through physiological signals, and on the other to determine whether music can be 7
a motivating factor to promote physical activity. It has been specifically designed for subjects with 8
cerebral palsy taking into account the special characteristics of this population. These are people with 9
whom it is difficult to use questionnaires to have a basis to contrast with the measured physiological 10
signals, so measurements must be taken in carefully chosen daily life situations Discussion: As results 11
we hope to obtain which physiological parameters are the most robust to measure the emotional state 12
and how to design rehabilitation and physical activity promotion routines that are motivating, in 13
addition to being able to avoid risk factors during the performance of these routines. Trial registration: 14
NCT05621057. https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT05621057
Developmental Trends of Metabolic Syndrome in the Past Two Decades: A Review
Authors: Obeidat Ahmad A , Ghabashi Mai A , Alazzeh Awfa Y , Azzeh Firas S
Published: January 2024

Abstract
Background: Metabolic syndrome (MetS) is a complex disorder characterized by insulin resistance (IR), central obesity, atherogenic dyslipidemia and higher glucose levels. It increases the risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD) and type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), imposing an economic burden on the healthcare system. However, the historical origins of MetS as well as the development and evolution of its definitions have not been conclusively documented in the literature. Aim: This study seeks to enhance the understanding of the developmental trends of MetS during the preceding two decades, placing particular emphasis on the definition, diagnosis and prevalence. Methods: An extensive search was performed from 1920 to 2023 across prominent scientific research engines, including Scopus, PubMed, MDPI, and others. Results: Despite advancements, many aspects of MetS remain inadequately understood. As the understanding of the nature and pathophysiology of MetS progresses, the development and refinement of its diagnostic criteria, and assessment and treatment guidelines will continue. Additionally, there exists significant variation in the global prevalence of metabolic syndrome, ranging from 14 to 39%. This prevalence is projected to increase due to the adoption of less healthy dietary patterns and sedentary lifestyles. The observed disparities in metabolic syndrome prevalence can be attributed to multiple factors, including demographic characteristics. Furthermore, the lack of a standardized definition across studies also contributes to the variation in reported prevalence rates. Conclusion: Further studies focusing on the standardization of the MetS definition across different research are crucial. The establishment of consistent criteria would enhance the reliability and validity of research findings, enabling more meaningful comparisons and interpretations.
Social Pedagogy Theory: Governmentality of Love Education
Authors: Bai Jiarui
Published: January 2024

Individuals are pupils of society, and students represent individuals within the societal context. It is the noble aspiration of every educator to cultivate students with well-rounded personalities for the benefit of society. School curricula are instrumental in shaping the children who will, in turn, shape the future of society, and it is posited that students with well-rounded personalities are invariably those who embody love. The challenge lies in how to enable children to possess, retain, extend, refine, and be filled with love—a task necessitating the collaborative and synergetic efforts of both the educational and social systems to achieve a societal milestone. Pedagogy of love focuses on nurturing the capacity for love within students, who, through self-awareness of their indoctrination in love, transform techniques of self-love into capabilities of love for others. This process continuously generates the energy of love within social relations, thereby fostering social production, improving the relations of production, and enhancing the creative capacities, vitality, and welfare of a socialist society's wealth and capital accumulation.
Hospital Doctors’ Attitudes to the Adoption, Implementation and Utilisation of Digital Virtual Consultations
Authors: Zammit Dorothy , Tomaselli Gianpaolo , Garg Lalit , Buttigieg Sandra C. , Macassa Gloria
Published: January 2024

Over the past few decades, digitalisation has pushed patient care towards a new era, inducing the evolution of health care delivery and enhancing the overall sustainability of health systems worldwide. Despite the ever-evolving technology leading to a change in health care provision, the uptake of these novel technologies by medical professionals is slow, largely because of concerns about the potential impact on patient care and patient safety, and medico-legal implications. Hence, this research aimed to understand doctors’ perceptions of the adoption of digital virtual consultations in the practice setting.In this survey, an online questionnaire, adapted from the construct by Venkatesh and Bala and based on the Technology Acceptance Model by Davis, was distributed to 886 hospital doctors. Altogether 133 responses were obtained.Results suggest that the respondents perceived digital virtual consultations as adjuncts to face-to-face consultations and as able to diminish time and place barriers. Doctors were willing in principle to utilise these alternatives to traditional methods if the appropriate infrastructure and technology were in place. Feasibility and cost-effectiveness studies are recommended to establish the technology-fit factor and the impact of the technology on the workforce, coupled with a stakeholder analysis to include all the actors involved in such a strategy.
Optimization of HIV Sequencing Method Using Vela Sentosa Library on Miseq Ilumina Platform
Authors: Papa Mze Nasserdine , Fernand-Laurent Cécile , Daugabel Solen , Zanzouri Olfa , Marque Juillet Stéphanie
Published: January 2024

Genotypic testing is often recommended to improve the management of patients infected with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). To help combat this major pandemic, next-generation sequencing (NGS) techniques are widely used to analyse resistance to antiretroviral drugs. In this study, we used a Vela Sentosa kit, which is usually used for the Ion Torrent personal genome machine (PGM) platform, to sequence HIV using the Illumina Miseq platform. After RNA extraction and reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR), minor modifications were applied to the Vela Sentosa kit to adapt it to Illumina Miseq platform. Analysis of the results showed the same mutations present in the samples using both sequencing platforms. The total number of reads varied from 185,069 to 752,343 and from 642,162 to 2,074,028 in the Ion Torrent PGM platform and the Illumina Miseq platform, respectively. The average depth was 21955 and 46856 for Ion Torrent PGM and Illumina Miseq platforms, respectively. The cost of sequencing a run of eight samples was closely similar between the two platforms (about 1 790 United States dollars [USD] for Illumina Miseq and about 1833 USD for Ion Torrent PGM platform). We have shown for the first time that it is possible to adapt and use the Vela Sentosa kit for the Illumina Miseq platform to obtain high quality results with a similar cost.
Shock Absorption Capacity of High-Performance Polymers for Dental Implant Prosthesis: In Vitro Study
Authors: Menini Maria , Delucchi Francesca , Bagnasco Francesco , Baldi Domenico , Canullo Luigi , Setti Paolo , Migliorati Marco , Pesce Paolo
Published: January 2024

Background: Restorative materials might significantly affect load transmission at peri-implant bone. The aim of the present study is to evaluate the shock absorption capacity of two different polymeric materials to be used as frameworks for implant-supported prostheses.
Methods: A masticatory robot was used to compare the shock absorption capacity of polyether-ketoneketone (PEKK) Pekkton®ivory (Cendres+Mètaux) and glass fiber-reinforced composite (GFRC) TRINIATM (Bicon). Five identical sample crowns for each of the materials was tested un-der the same conditions described in previously published papers (Menini et al. 2013). Forces transmitted at the simulated periimplant bone were recorded and statistically analysed.
Results: The statistical analysis of forces transmitted at the simulated dental implant revealed significant differences between all the materials tested and significant differences with the mate-rials tested in a previously published paper (Menini et al. 2013: zirconia, glass ceramic, composite resin, acrylic resin). Only differences between PEKK and veneered PEKK and between PEKK and one of the previously tested composite resins were not statistically significant. PEKK samples demonstrated significantly greater shock absorption capacity compared to GFRC.
Conclusions: PEKK revealed optimal shock absorption capacity. Further studies are needed to evaluate its efficacy in case of long span prostheses with reduced prosthetic volume.
Structure, Properties and Recent Developments in Polysaccharides and Aliphatic Polyesters-Based Biopackaging – A Review
Authors: Marasinghe Wasana N. , Jayathunge K.G.L.R. , Dassanayake Rohan S. , Liyanage Rumesh , Bandara Pasan C. , Rajapaksha Suranga M. , Gunathilake Chamila
Published: January 2024

Food packaging plays an imperative role in the food processing sector by safeguarding foods from their point of harvesting until the moment of consumption. In recent years, biopolymers have attracted the attention of the scientific community as an alternative to conventional packaging materials, reducing the negative environmental impact. Among the available biopolymer sources, a lot of focus has been directed toward polysaccharides due to their superior barrier qualities against gases, oil, and odour and their processing versatility. Moreover, there is a growing interest in aliphatic polyesters as a potential replacement for petrochemical-based synthetic plastics. Both polysaccharides and aliphatic polyesters have gained popularity in sustainable food packaging due to their unique characteristics, including low cost, readily available, biodegradability, gas and moisture barrier qualities, film-forming capabilities, excellent heat resistance, and ability to be processed into films, trays, and coatings. This review highlights the structural features, properties and recent advancements of several vital polysaccharides, namely starch, chitosan, cellulose, alginate, pectin, carrageenan, and aliphatic polyesters, including polylactic acid (PLA) and polyhydroxybutyrate (PHB) for developing packaging materials and their applications in the food industry. Conventional packaging and future perspectives of biopolymer-based food packaging are also comprehensively covered in this review.
Two Novel Betarhabdovirids Infecting Ornamental Plants and the Peculiar Intracellular Behavior of the Cytorhabdovirus in the Liana Aristolochia gibertii
Authors: Ramos-González Pedro Luis , Vaz Alexandre Maria Amelia , Potsclam-Barro Matheus , Lembo Duarte Lígia Maria , Michea Gonzalez Gianluca L. , Chabi-Jesus Camila , Ramos Alyne F. , Harakava Ricardo , Lorenzi Harri , Freitas-Astúa Juliana , Kitajima Elliot Watanabe
Published: January 2024

Two novel members of the subfamily Betarhabdovirinae, family Rhabdoviridae, were identified in Brazil. Overall, their genomes have the typical organization 3’-N-P-P3-M-G-L-5’ observed in mono-segmented plant-infecting rhabdoviruses. In aristolochia-associated cytorhabdovirus (AaCV), found in the liana aristolochia (Aristolochia gibertii Hook), an additional short orphan ORF encoding a transmembrane helix was detected between P3 and M. AaCV genome and deduced encoded proteins share the highest identity values, consistently < 60%, with their counterparts of yerba mate chlorosis-associated virus (Cytorhabdovirus flaviyerbamate). The second virus, false jalap virus (FaJV), was detected in the herbaceous plant false jalap (Mirabilis jalapa L.) and represents together with tomato betanucleorhabdovirus 2, originally found in tomato plants in Slovenia, a tentative new species of the genus Betanucleorhabdovirus. FaJV particles accumulate in the peri-nuclear space, and electron-lucent viroplasms were observed in the nuclei of the infected cells. Notably, distinct from typical rhabdoviruses, most virions of AaCV were observed to be non-enclosed within membrane-bounded cavities. Instead, they were frequently seen in close association with surfaces of mitochondria or peroxisomes. Unlike FaJV, AaCV was successfully graft-transmitted to healthy plants of three species of the genus Aristolochia, while mechanical and seed transmission proved unsuccessful for both viruses. Data suggest that these viruses belong to two new tentative species within the subfamily Betarhabdovirinae.
Umbilical Cord Connective Tissue Allograft Applications with EPAT and Class IV Lasers for Defects of the Plantar Fascia: A Case Series
Authors: Parker Robert G , Shou John , Woods Crislyn , Lambert Naomi , Barrett Tyler
Published: January 2024

Foot pain related to the plantar fascia is common in adults regardless of athletic background. Many pathologies can lead to the diagnosis of plantar enthesopathy, but the most relevant to this case study is related to structural defects within the plantar fascia. Due to the variety and sometimes unclear etiology of plantar fasciosis, no single standard of care treatment protocol is recognized. Often, patients receive NSAIDs, night splints, taping, physical therapy, foot orthosis, and extracorporeal shock wave therapies. This study presents Wharton Jelly (WJ) tissue allografts as an additional intervention for patients who fail standard-care treatments. WJ allografts are applied to supplement connective tissue defects directly, unlike other therapies, which aim to reduce swelling and symptomatic pain. This retrospective study includes seven patients who have previously failed standard-of-care treatment. Each received extracorporeal pulse-activated therapy (EPAT), WJ, laser therapy, and an orthotic. Patient progress was tracked using a visual analog scale, 0-10 scoring, reported by the patient at the initial visit and approximately thirteen weeks following, reporting an average improvement of 50%. The study's limitations include a small cohort size and a non-blinded retrospective design. These promising results provide evidence for a more extensive, randomized study to define dosage protocols further and confirm safety and efficacy.
Assessing the Impact of Quarrying as an Environmental Ethic Crisis: A Case Study of Limestone Mining in a Rural Community.
Authors: Kafu Babalwa , Mlaba Sanelisiwe
Published: January 2024

This study investigated the impact of quarrying as an environmental ethical crisis. To get a deeper understanding of the adverse impact on the environment and on the quality of life of the people living in the community around the quarry, I explored the workers from the community, and the members of the community-based organisation’s experiences. I adopted a utilitarian perspective and Pinchot’s conservation as ethical systems that determines morality based on the greatest good for the greatest number. The company's disrespect for the community and ignorance of the laws governing quarry activities is the root of the ethical dilemma.
Effectiveness of “Escape Room” Educational Technology in Nurses’ Education: A Systematic Review.
Authors: González-de la Torre Héctor , Henández-De Luis María-Naira , Mies-Padilla Sergio , Camacho-Bejarano Rafaela , Verdú-Soriano José , Rodríguez-Suárez Claudio-Alberto
Published: January 2024

Escape room’s games are educational gamification technologies that consist of introducing a team of players into a physical or digital space to solve a mystery or a problem in search of clues to solve puzzles, riddles, or enigmas. This study aims to determine the effectiveness of escape room’s games on the training of nurses and nursing students. A systematic review was carried out in MEDLINE, WOS, SCOPUS, CINAHL and LILACS databases using the MeSH terms: "Education, Nursing" and "Educational Technology", and the free term "Escape room", combining with Boolean operators AND/OR. Intervention studies in Spanish, English and Portuguese were included, without limitation for the year of publication. Selection and critical appraisal were conducted by two independent reviewers. A total of n=15 interventional studies were included (n=2 Randomized Clinical Trials and n=12 quasi-experimental). Escape rooms are a recent and booming educational methodology, which is increasingly used in academia and training of nurses and nursing students; however, it is necessary to expand their use to more countries, as well as the number and quality of interventional studies, being necessary to homogenize and standardize criteria and to use validated instruments to evaluate the effectiveness of escape rooms in the field of nursing.
Culture of Safety and Preparedness: Benefits of Applying a Daily Mitigation Mindset in the Hospital Setting
Authors: Griffin Anne Reid , Dobalian Aram , Langan Joanne C. , Shipman Sallie J.
Published: January 2024

Aim: Utilizing the subjective experience of nurse executives who have supervised nurses during a major disaster in a hospital setting, this study aims to describe the subjective experience of nurse executives (NE) who have supervised nurses’ response to major disaster. This paper will focus on strategies to support nursing response to disaster, specifically to strengthen resiliency and the ability to maintain function despite the shock of disaster, including those caused by climate changes.
Methods: Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 11 hospital-based nurse executives who supervised nurses during some of the worst natural and human-made disasters in different regions of the United States. A phenomenological approach was used to analyze and describe emerging themes from qualitative data.
Results: Three Nurse Executives demonstrated theme saturation for mitigation steps to augment traditional disaster readiness activities: 1.) Assessment of Human Infrastructure: Daily Skills Needed During Disaster Response, 2.) Identification and Study of Failure Points & Metrics, 3.) Strengthening Human Infrastructure: Rectifying Deficiencies), and 4.) Monitoring Metrics & Making Corrections During Conventional Periods.
Conclusion: Mitigation steps may improve outcomes in hospital function during conventional times; therefore, may improve resiliency and the ability to maintain functions during major disasters, including climate change.
The Role of Imaging in Cervical Cancer Staging – ESGO/ESTRO/ESP Guidelines (Update 2023)
Authors: Fischerova Daniela , Frühauf Filip , Burgetova Andrea , Haldorsen Ingfrid S. , Gatti Elena , Cibula David
Published: January 2024

Following the European Society of Gynaecological Oncology (ESGO), the European Society for Radiotherapy and Oncology (ESTRO), and the European Society of Pathology (ESP) joint guide-lines (2018) for the management of patients with cervical cancer, treatment decisions should be guided by modern imaging techniques. After five years (2023), an update of the ES-GO-ESTRO-ESP recommendations was performed furtherly confirming this statement. Trans-vaginal/transrectal ultrasound (TRS/TVS) or pelvic magnetic resonance (MRI) enables tumour delineation and precise assessment of its local extent, including the evaluation of the depth of infiltration in the bladder- or rectal wall. Additionally, both techniques have very high specificity to confirm the presence of metastatic pelvic lymph nodes but fail to exclude them due to insuffi-cient sensitivity to detect small-volume metastases, as any other currently available imaging modality. In early-stage disease (T1a to T2a1, except T1b3) with negative lymph nodes on TVS/TRS or MRI, surgicopathological staging should be performed. In all other situations, con-trast-enhanced computed tomography (CECT) or 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography in combination with CT (PET-CT) are recommended to assess extrapelvic spread. The aim of this paper is to review the evidence supporting the implementation of diagnostic imaging with a focus on ultrasound at primary diagnostic workup of cervical cancer.
Research on Strain Transfer Study of FBG Strain Sensor Attached on a Novel Pipe Material (ABR) under Static and Dynamic Load with Calibration Test
Authors: Hu Shaowei , Hu Yuquan , Shan Changxi , Li Wenhao , Ye Yuxiao
Published: January 2024

The metrological performance of FBG strain sensing systems is a critical premise for the precision of plastics water support pipeline structural deformation measurement, but the strain transfer loss of FBG attached on the plastics pipe subjected by dynamic force is unclear. This paper presents the first study on the effects of strain transfer between FBG, and acrylate polymer blended with poly resin (ABR)pipe sheets loaded by static and dynamic force. Theoretical methods of dynamic strain transfer theory combine with the exponentially decaying sinusoidal shock force time course is deduced and various dynamic parameters sensitivities studies are carried out, as well as that of the geometric parameters. The result of the dynamic theory is compared with the calibration test outcomes, while the ASTR of FBG attached on ABR sheet is compared with distributed optical fiber sensors (DOFS) and other pipe materials such as PVC, concrete, and steel. Results show that the ASTR of FBG is more accurate than that of the DOFS, and the grows of ASTR depending on the paste length of FBG, the Young's modulus of the middle materials, the thickness of the middle materials and attenuation coefficient. Paste length produced the largest increase, yet the magnitude and loading speed of the external force has unexpectedly little effect on ASTR. FBG seem low error, insensitive with dynamic force and independent with the material of matrix, and this demonstrates benefits that are stronger across the board than DOFS. This is not currently recognized by standards or by most reported studies.
Spontaneous Overactivation of Xenopus Frog Eggs Triggers Necrotic Cell Death
Authors: Tokmakov Alexander A. , Teranishi Ryuga , Sato Ken-Ichi
Published: January 2024

Excessive activation of frog eggs, so called overactivation, can be initiated by strong oxidative stress, leading to expedited calcium-dependent non-apoptotic cell death. Overactivation also occurs spontaneously, albeit with a low frequency, in natural populations of spawned frog eggs. Currently, cytological and biochemical events of the spontaneous process are not characterized. In the present study, we demonstrate that spontaneous overactivation of Xenopus frog eggs, similarly to oxidative stress- and mechanical stress-induced overactivation, is characterized by the fast and irreversible contraction of the egg’s cortical layer, increase in the egg size, depletion of intracellular ATP, drastic increase in the intracellular ADP/ATP ratio, and degradation of M phase-specific cyclin B2. These events manifest in eggs in the absence of caspase activation within just one hour of triggering overactivation. Importantly, large amounts of ATP and ADP leak from the overactivated eggs, indicating that plasma membrane integrity is compromised in these cells. The rapture of the plasma membrane and acute depletion of intracellular ATP define explicitly necrotic cell death. Finally, we report that egg overactivation can occur in the frog’s genital tract. Our data argue that mechanical stress may be a key factor promoting egg overactivation during natural spawning in frogs.
Galvanic Corrosion of E690 Offshore Platform Steel in a Simulated Marine Thermocline
Authors: Hu Jiezhen , Lin Guodong , Deng Peichang , Li Ziyun , Tian Yuwan
Published: January 2024

Marked changes in temperature, pH, dissolved oxygen (DO) content, and nutrient content typically occur in marine thermoclines, which are key factors that affect the corrosion of metals. Offshore platforms have required marine metals to be exposed to deep-sea environments and have thus increased their penetration into the marine thermocline. This study investigates the galvanic corrosion of E690 steel in a marine thermocline using a simulated marine thermocline (SMT). Specifically, the corrosion of E690 steel was analyzed using the wire beam electrode (WBE) technique, linear polarization (LP), corrosion morphology, and weight loss measurement. Results indicated that the SMT had a stable multilayer structure, and the variations of temperature, DO, pH and nutrient concentration in the SMT were similar to those in the natural marine thermocline. Galvanic corrosion occurred after the intrusion of E690 steel into the marine thermocline. The driver of galvanic corrosion was the of E690 steel at various depths of the marine thermocline. The Ecorr of E690 steel was influenced by the temperature, pH and DO of seawater, and the order was DO >> T > pH. The continuous reduction of Ecorr with depth contributed to the large-scale galvanic corrosion, and the oscillation variation of Ecorr with depth was the reason for small-scale galvanic corrosion. The primary anodic regions of galvanic corrosion were located in the area with the fastest temperature variation in the thermocline. The proportion of galvanic corrosion in the average corrosion rate could increase up to approximately 80% in the stable anodic region. There were many deep corrosion pits in the long-term and stable anodic region of galvanic corrosion.
Nietzsche’nin Perspektivizmi ve Heidegger’in “Dünya” Kavramı: Kurosava’nın Raşomon’u Üzerinden Bir Birlikte Okuma
Authors: YILDIZ Necdet
Published: January 2024

Bu yazıda Nietzsche’nin özellilke Türkçe literatürde sıklıkla ihmal edilen “perspektivizm”

düşüncesini Heidegger’in felsefesinde son derece önemli bir yer tutan “dünya” kavramı ile birlikte

Akira Kurosava’nın Raşomon adlı sinema filmi üzerinden okuyacağız. Böylelikle, hem Nietzsche

felsefesinin bugün bile geçerliliğini koruduğu söylenebilecek özünü —yani, perspektivizm

düşüncesini— açıklayıp yorumlayacağız; hem Heidegger’in “dünya” kavramının Nietzsche’nin

perspektivizmi üzerinden nasıl okunabileceğini gösterecek ve onu Nietzsche’nin perspektivist

diliyle yeniden anlatacağız; hem de Akira Kurosawa’nın Raşomon adlı filminde bu felsefi temaların

nasıl görünür kılınıp yeni sorularla derinleştirerek bir “video-felsefe” yaptığını ortaya koyacağız. Bu

amaçlar doğrultusunda, ilk bölümde Nietzsche’nin perspektivizm düşüncesinin ne olduğunu anlatıp

onu “ne olsa gider” türündeki rölativist anlayışlardan ayıracağız. İkinci bölümde Heidegger’in

“dünya” kavramını nasıl incelediğini ve “dünya-içinde-varlık” fikrinin neden Nietzsche’deki

perspektivizm düşüncesine paralel bir anlayış olduğunu ortaya koyacağız. Son olarak, bu iki

düşünceye dair örnekleri Raşomon filminde sergilenen “tanıklık fenomenolojisi” ve bu

fenomenolojinin akla getirdiği bazı felsefi pozisyonlar üzerinden birlikte okuyup, filmin bu felsefi

tartışmayı nerelere doğru yönelttiğini soruşturacağız.
Transiciones de poder en la región de las tierras intermedias de Elden Ring
Authors: Guadarrama Sánchez Hugo Alberto
Published: January 2024

Los videojuegos como contenidos interactivos además de ser productos digitales para entretener a los entusiastas, presentan una historia que proporciona un contexto con el cual los videojugadores pueden conectar, dependiendo del grado de interpretación de cada persona cada videojuego puede tener diferentes perspectivas de análisis. El presente texto tiene como objetivo identificar los intereses ideológicos de las principales facciones dominantes que provocaron un desequilibrio en la ruptura del orden, en el videojuego de Elden Ring. Teniendo como marco teórico algunos elementos acerca del Estado y el poder, con el propósito de interpretar desde una postura académica las diferentes narrativas publicadas en la plataforma de YouTube, así como otros sitios web especializados en la historia de Elden Ring.  Lo cual conlleva a considerar que, el entramado de las relaciones sociales entre los distintos personajes principales como agentes de cambio se debe a las conexiones que se generan a raíz de los intereses en común.
Developing interactive pedagogies: A case of accounting pre-service teachers from Ghana
Authors: Fentim Darkwa Bernard , Darko Agyei Douglas , Tufuor Kwarteng Joseph
Published: January 2024

This is a study of how eight pre-service teachers developed their skills in developing interactive lessons to teach concepts in Accounting in Senior High Schools in Ghana. Sequential multiple case study design was employed to observe two cohorts of four pre-service teachers who worked in two phases of a professional development scenario to design and enact interactive Accounting lessons. Data for the study were collected through observation, interviews, lesson documents and questionnaires. Pictures, content and thematic analysis procedures were used to analyse the qualitative data, whilst means and standard deviation were used to analyse the quantitative data. It emerged from the results that the interactive lessons developed and implemented by the pre-service teachers were effective in promoting participation in the classroom.  The study also brought to light that interactive teaching promotes collaboration among students through solving problems in groups which helps to strengthen the bond between students. The study thus, advocates the need for teacher training institutions to focus on training teachers to acquire the skills in designing and enacting lessons interactively to promote students’ participation in the classroom.
What newspapers tell us about teacher-on-learner violence in South African schools
Authors: De Wet Corene
Published: January 2024

This small-scale qualitative study of newspapers’ portrayal of teacher-on-learner violence in South African schools is informed, firstly, by the World Health Organisation’s definition of violence and four of the World Health Organisation’s six main types of violence involving children and, secondly, by John Galtung’s theory of violence. South African media was used as a database for identifying South African English newspaper articles on teacher-on-learner violence. Qualitative content analysis was employed to systematically work through the identified newspaper articles. Five types of direct teacher-on-learner violence were identified: (1) The physical abuse of learners under the pretext of addressing learner misbehaviour; (2) the normalisation of the sexual abuse of learners by their teachers; (3) teachers’ use of words to systematically humiliate and tear down learners; (4) teachers’ negative stereotyping and discrimination of learners belonging to a different race; and (5) teachers’ malicious neglect of their in loco parentis responsibilities. Looking at teacher-on-learner violence through the lens of Galtung’s theory of violence, this study facilitates an understanding of the multi-layered and complex nature of teacher-on-learner violence and contributes to the existing body of knowledge on teacher-on-learner violence.
The Italian Landscape of Spine Endoscopy: Are We Ready for the Challenges of the Future?
Authors: Dell’Aglio Letizia , Grieco Alessandro , Verme Jacopo Del , Canova Giuseppe , Zanata Roberto , Giordan Enrico
Published: January 2024

Objective: Endoscopic spine surgery is gaining popularity, with efficacy comparable to that of traditional techniques. Apart from Germany, European countries are tentatively beginning to consider endoscopic surgery as a valid alternative to conventional procedures, and Italy is no exception. This survey aimed to reveal which spine surgeons currently use endoscopy in Italy, the levels of their skills, and how they have attained them.Methods: We conducted an online survey of Italian spinal surgeons to gather information about their use of minimally invasive and endoscopic surgery. We collected data on their operating habits, including the percentage of minimally invasive techniques in their practice, the type of workplace, and experience. We also asked surgeons to analyze and resolve 4 cases of degenerative lumbar pathologies.Results: Orthopedists and neurosurgeons in public and private facilities performed endoscopic surgery. One-third of respondents had never tried it, while others encountered it through workshops or producer presentations. A minority of interviewees considered themselves experts in endoscopic surgery, while more than half had “some” or “no” experience. Among endoscopic surgeons, none had experience in thoracic endoscopy, and only a few had used it for cervical diseases. The majority preferred a non-endoscopic approach when faced with clinical cases.Conclusion: The use and knowledge of endoscopic surgery in Italy are not widespread. Our survey highlights a lack of training in the implementation of techniques that should be recognized as additional tools in addition to the traditional procedures for treating not only lumbar, but also thoracic and cervical pathologies.
Glutathione overproduction mediates lymphoma initiating cells survival and has a sex-dependent effect on lymphomagenesis
Authors: Campanero Miguel R. , H-Alcántara Alberto , Kourani Omar , Martínez-Núñez Patricia , Herranz-Martín Estela , Fuentes Patricia , Toribio Maria L. , Marcos-Jiménez Ana , Muñoz-Calleja Cecilia , Iglesias Teresa
Published: January 2024

Lymphoid tumor patients often exhibit resistance to standard therapies or experience relapse post-remission. Relapse is driven by Tumor Initiating Cells (TICs), a subset of tumor cells capable of regrowing the tumor and highly resistant to therapy. Growing cells in 3D gels is a method to discern tumorigenic cells because it strongly correlates with tumorigenicity. The finding that TICs, rather than differentiated tumor cells, grow in 3D gels offers a unique opportunity to unveil TIC-specific signaling pathways and therapeutic targets common to various cancer types. Here, we show that culturing lymphoid cells in 3D gels triggers reactive oxygen species (ROS) production, leading to non-tumor lymphoid cell death while enabling the survival and proliferation of a subset of lymphoma/leukemia cells, TICs or TIC-like cells. Treatment with the antioxidant N-acetylcysteine inhibits this lethality and promotes the growth of primary non-tumor lymphoid cells in 3D gels. Some lymphoma cells escape ROS-induced lethality by boosting antioxidant glutathione production, a response not seen in non-tumor cells. Reducing glutathione production in lymphoma cells, either through pharmacological inhibition of glutamate cysteine ligase (GCL), the enzyme catalyzing the rate-limiting step in glutathione biosynthesis, or via knockdown of GCLC, the GCL catalytic subunit, sharply decreased cell growth in 3D gels and xenografts. Tumor cells from B-cell lymphoma/leukemia patients and l-MYC mice, a B-cell lymphoma mouse model, overproduce glutathione. Importantly, pharmacological GCL inhibition hindered lymphoma growth in female l-MYC mice, suggesting that this treatment holds promise as a therapeutic strategy for female lymphoma/leukemia patients.
Identifying and modulating neural signatures of stress susceptibility and resilience enables control of anhedonia
Authors: Kheirbek Mazen , Xia Frances , Fascianelli Valeria , Vishwakarma Nina , Ghinger Frances , Fusi Stefano
Published: January 2024

Anhedonia is a core aspect of major depressive disorder. Traditionally viewed as a blunted emotional state in which individuals are unable to experience joy, anhedonia also diminishes the drive to seek rewards and the ability to value and learn about them 1–4.The neural underpinnings of anhedonia and how this emotional state drives related behavioral changes remain unclear. Here, we investigated these questions by taking advantage of the fact that when mice are exposed to traumatic social stress, susceptible animals become socially withdrawn and anhedonic, where they cease to seek high-value rewards, while others remain resilient. By performing high density electrophysiological recordings and comparing neural activity patterns of these groups in the basolateral amygdala (BLA) and ventral CA1 (vCA1) of awake behaving animals, we identified neural signatures of susceptibility and resilience to anhedonia. When animals actively sought rewards, BLA activity in resilient mice showed stronger discrimination between upcoming reward choices. In contrast, susceptible mice displayed a rumination-like signature, where BLA neurons encoded the intention to switch or stay on a previously chosen reward. When animals were at rest, the spontaneous BLA activity of susceptible mice was higher dimensional than in controls, reflecting a greater number of distinct neural population states. Notably, this spontaneous activity allowed us to decode group identity and to infer if a mouse had a history of stress better than behavioral outcomes alone. Finally, targeted manipulation of vCA1 inputs to the BLA in susceptible mice rescued dysfunctional neural dynamics, amplified dynamics associated with resilience, and reversed their anhedonic behavior. This work reveals population-level neural signatures that explain individual differences in responses to traumatic stress and suggests that modulating vCA1-BLA inputs can enhance resilience by regulating these dynamics.
Assessing the Relationship of Personality Traits to Specialty Choice in the Interest of Mental Health and Resilience
Authors: Zamora Diana C , Guerrero Gloria Sofía , Vélez-Vallejo Daniela , López-Patrón Miguel Rafael , Buitrago Maria Camila , Cano Juan F
Published: January 2024

Objective Analyze the relationship between the personality traits prevalent in final-year medical students and graduate medical-surgical residency students at Universidad del Rosario with their area of interest for a possible medical-surgical residency choice.Methods A cross-sectional observational analytical study was carried out with two reference groups: final-year medical students, with 102 participants (44.2%), and a second group with residents in medical specialties at Universidad del Rosario, with 129 subjects (55.8%), for a sample size of 231 individuals surveyed using the modified Big Five Inventory. This inventory is a 30-item personality test that identifies five essential dimensions for describing and evaluating personality (extraversion, agreeableness, conscientiousness, neuroticism, and degree of “mental openness”).Results A homogenous distribution tendency was found among final-year students regarding personality traits when comparing the choice between a medical or surgical residency; statistically significant differences were only found in extraversion (p = 0.0168) and conscientiousness (p = 0.0137). The latter translates into a difference of +/- 2–3 points (18.8 to 21.3 and 19.3 to 21.3, respectively) between the groups in the last dimensions mentioned. Additionally, there was homogeneity found in the distribution of both groups of residents in which no statistically significant differences were found in any of the dimensions when comparing surgical and medical residents.Conclusions The study suggests that strengthening appropriate personality traits in medical students is essential as these decisions positively impact the mental health and resilience of the individuals and the nation’s workforce.
Suppressing argyrodite oxidation by tuning the host structure for high areal capacity all-solid-state lithium-sulfur batteries
Authors: Nazar Linda , Yu Zhuo , Yu Yue , Singh Baltej
Published: January 2024

Sulfide-based solid catholytes such as argyrodite (Li6PS5Cl) are promising materials for high-performance solid-state sulfur cells that operate on the reversible conversion of S ↔ Li2S. However, the electrochemical decomposition of argyrodite above 2.5 V vs Li+/Li causes its progressive degradation in the operating window of the cell, because the free S2- ions in Li6PS5Cl are oxidized to sulfur at a similar potential as Li2S. Here we demonstrate that – in addition to regulating the local electronic contact - creating a strong interaction between the Li-ions in argyrodite and the sulfur host synergistically suppresses oxidation of the argyrodite by inhibiting the first step in the pathway. A carbon nitride/N-doped graphene host serves as proof-of-concept to demonstrate this effect. Additionally, its moderate electron transport easily supports operation of all-solid-state lithium-sulfur batteries but constrains electron mobility at the interface with argyrodite. As a consequence, all-solid-state lithium-sulfur batteries utilizing this host material deliver superior rate capability and stable long-term cycling compared to non-polar conductive carbon materials. An areal capacity of 2 mAh cm-2 was achieved over 230 cycles at room temperature, while a high capacity of 11.3 mAh cm-2 was obtained with 90% retention at elevated temperature (60 °C). The newly presented descriptors in this work enrich the understanding of solid electrolyte redox activities and guide the interface and material design in all-solid-state lithium-sulfur batteries.
Tissue Inhibitor of Metalloproteinase 3 (TIMP3) mutations increase glycolytic activity and dysregulate glutamine metabolism in RPE cells.
Authors: Apte Bela Anand , Grenell Allison , Singh Charandeep , Raju Monisha , Wolk Alysson , Dalvi Sonal , Jang Geeng-Fu , Crabb Jack , Hershberger Courtney , Manian Kannan , Crabb John , Singh Ruchira , Du Jianhai
Published: January 2024

Mutations in Tissue Inhibitor of Metalloproteinases 3 (TIMP3) cause Sorsby’s Fundus Dystrophy (SFD), a dominantly inherited, rare form of macular degeneration that results in vision loss. TIMP3 is synthesized primarily by retinal pigment epithelial (RPE) cells, which constitute the outer blood-retinal barrier. Quantitative proteomics and RNAseq analysis on the choroid/RPE of mice expressing mutant TIMP3 identified a dysregulation in metabolic processes. We examined the effects of mutant TIMP3 on RPE metabolism using human ARPE-19 cells expressing mutant S179C TIMP3 and patient-derived induced pluripotent stem cell-derived RPE (iRPE) carrying the S204C TIMP3 mutation. Stable isotope tracing experiments demonstrated enhanced glucose utilization and glycolytic activity in mutant RPE concomitantly with altered glutamine utilization. This study provides important information on the dysregulation of the metabolome of RPE cells in SFD and implicates a potential commonality with other retinal degenerative diseases, emphasizing RPE cellular metabolism as a therapeutic target.
Identification of Related-Genes of T cells in Lung Tissue of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease Based on Bioinformatics and Experimental Validation
Authors: Xue Ting , Dong Fei , Gao Jinglin , Zhong Xiaoning
Published: January 2024

T cells are one of the main cell types shaping the immune microenvironment in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease(COPD).They persist and play cytotoxic roles.The purpose of this study aimed to explore the potential related-genes of T cells in lung tissue of COPD.Chip data GSE38974 and single_cell data GSE196638 were downloaded from the GEO database.Difference analyses and WGCNA of GSE38974 were performed to identify DEGs and the modules most associated with the COPD phenotype.Various cell subsets were obtained by GSE196638, and DEGs of T cells were further identified.GO,GSEA and KEGG enrichment analyses were conducted to explore the biological functions and regulatory signaling pathways of the DEGs and DEGs of T cells.The intersection of the DEGs,module genes and DEGs of T-cells was assessed to acquire related-genes of T cells.The mRNA and protein expression levels of related-genes of T cells were verified in lung tissue of mouse with emphysema model.Based on GSE38974 difference analysis,3811 DEGs were obtained.The results of WGCNA showed that the red module had the highest correlation coefficient with the COPD phenotype.GSE196638 analysis identified 124 DEGs of T cells.The GO,GSEA and KEGG enrichment analyses mainly identified genes involved in I-kappaB kinase/NF-kappaB signaling,receptor signaling pathway via STAT,regulation of CD4-positive cells,regulation of T-helper cell differentiation,chemokine signaling pathway,Toll-like receptor signaling pathway,CD8-positive cells,alpha-beta T cell differentiation,MAPK signaling pathway and Th17 cell differentiation.The DEGs,genes of the red module and DEGs of T cells were overlapped to acquire FOXO1 and DDX17.The results of RT-qPCR and Western Blot indicate that the mRNA and protein expression levels of FOXO1 and DDX17 in lung tissue of emphysema mice were significantly higher compared with those in air-exposed mice.FOXO1 as well as DDX17 may be related-genes of T cells in lung tissue of patient with COPD,and their participation in the biological processes of different signaling pathways may inspire further COPD research.
Enzymatization of mouse monoclonal antibody to the corresponding catalytic antibody
Authors: Hifumi Emi , Ito Yuina , Tsujita Moe , Taguchi Hiroaki , Uda Taizo
Published: January 2024

Catalytic antibodies exhibit unique features for recognizing and degrading antigens. However, the production of these antibodies is time-consuming and labor-intensive. Herein, mouse monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) were converted into catalytic antibodies by deleting Pro95 in the light chain using three antibodies targeting the influenza A virus. Although no catalytic activity was observed for the mAbs and light chains, Pro95-deleted light chains exhibited catalytic activity for cleaving the antigenic peptide. The affinity of the Pro95-deleted light chains for the antigen increased approximately 100-fold compared to that of the wild-type light chains. Notably, the Pro95-deleted mutants suppressed influenza virus infection in the in vitro assay. Molecular modeling suggested that three residues (Asp1, Ser92, and His93) in the mutant moved closer to the appropriate position, enhancing catalytic function and immunoreactivity. Note that a rapid and simple method for generating catalytic antibodies for various diagnostic and therapeutic applications from exiting antibodies were attained.