bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Deep Reinforcement Learning with Heuristic Corrections for UGV Navigation
Authors: Wei Changyun , Li Yajun , Ouyang Yongping , Ji Ze
Published: September 2023

Mapless navigation for mobile Unmanned Ground Vehicles (UGVs) using Deep Reinforcement Learning (DRL) has attracted significantly rising attention in robotic and related research communities. Collision avoidance from dynamic obstacles in unstructured environments, such as pedestrians and other vehicles, is one of the key challenges for mapless navigation. This paper proposes a DRL algorithm based on heuristic correction learning for autonomous navigation of a UGV in mapless configuration. We use a 24-dimensional lidar sensor, and merge the target position information and the speed information of the UGV as the input of the reinforcement learning agent. The actions of the UGV are produced as the output of the agent. Our proposed algorithm has been trained and evaluated in both static and dynamic environments. The experimental result shows that our proposed algorithm can reach the target in less time with shorter distances under the premise of ensuring safety than other algorithms. Especially, the success rate of our proposed algorithm is 2.05 times higher than the second effective algorithm and the trajectory efficiency is improved by $$24\%$$

24
%

in the dynamic environment. Finally, our proposed algorithm is deployed on a real robot in the real-world environment to validate and evaluate the algorithm performance. Experimental results show that our proposed algorithm can be directly applied to real robots robustly.
Childhood obesity, metabolic syndrome, and oxidative stress: microRNAs go on stage
Authors: González-Domínguez Álvaro , Belmonte Thalía , González-Domínguez Raúl
Published: September 2023

The incidence of childhood obesity and metabolic syndrome has grown notably in the last years, becoming major public health burdens in developed countries. Nowadays, oxidative stress is well-recognized to be closely associated with the onset and progression of several obesity-related complications within the framework of a complex crosstalk involving other intertwined pathogenic events, such as inflammation, insulin disturbances, and dyslipidemia. Thus, understanding the molecular basis behind these oxidative dysregulations could provide new approaches for the diagnosis, prevention, and treatment of childhood obesity and associated disorders. In this respect, the transcriptomic characterization of miRNAs bares great potential because of their involvement in post-transcriptional modulation of genetic expression. Herein, we provide a comprehensive literature revision gathering state-of-the-art research into the association between childhood obesity, metabolic syndrome, and miRNAs. We put special emphasis on the potential role of miRNAs in modulating obesity-related pathogenic events, with particular focus on oxidative stress.
Nanostructured copper-organic frameworks for the generation of sulphate radicals: application in wastewater disinfection
Authors: Giráldez Alba , Fdez-Sanromán Antía , Terrón Daniel , Sanromán M Angeles , Pazos Marta
Published: September 2023

In recent years, the presence of pathogens in the environment has become an issue of widespread concern in society. Thus, new research lines have been developed regarding the removal of pathogens and persistent pollutants in water. In this research, the efficacy of nanostructure copper-organic framework, HKUST-1, has been evaluated for its ability to eliminate Escherichia coli and generate sulphate radicals as catalyst for the treatment of effluents with a high microbiological load via peroxymonosulphate (PMS) activation. The disinfection process has been optimized, achieving complete elimination of Escherichia coli growth after 30 min of testing using a concentration of 60.5 mg/L HKUST-1 and 0.1 mM of PMS. To overcome the operational limitations of this system and facilitate its handling and reutilization in a flow disinfection process, HKUST-1 has been efficiently encapsulated on polyacrylonitrile as a novel development that could be scaled up to achieve continuous treatment.
Mental health, gender, and higher education attainment
Authors: Burger Kaspar , Strassmann Rocha Diego
Published: September 2023

We compared the mental health of higher education students with that of nonstudents. Moreover, we examined whether the mental health of students predicts their probability of obtaining a higher education degree, and whether the extent to which mental health affects educational attainment varies by gender. Drawing on a risk and resilience framework, we considered five facets of mental health that may be implicated in distinct ways in the educational attainment process: positive attitude towards life, self-esteem, self-efficacy, negative affectivity, and perceived stress. We used data from a nationally representative panel study from Switzerland (Nstudents = 2070, 42.8% male;Nnonstudents = 3755, 45.9% male). The findings suggest that overall, the mental health of higher education students was relatively similar to that of nonstudents, although students exhibited slightly higher self-esteem, slightly weaker self-efficacy, greater negative affectivity, and higher levels of perceived stress. The effects of different facets of mental health on higher education degree attainment were mostly statistically and/or practically insignificant. However, positive attitudes towards life had a substantial positive effect on the probability of being awarded a higher education degree. Mental health was equally important for male and female students’ educational attainment.
Direct generation of Zn metal using laser-induced ZnS to eradicate carbon emissions from electrolysis Zn production
Authors: Chen Ying , Duan Ning , Jiang Linhua , Xu Fuyuan , Zhu Guangbin , Wang Yao , Liu Yong , Cheng Wen , Xu Yanli
Published: September 2023

In response to the goal of net-zero emissions proposed by Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, Chinese government has pledged that carbon emissions will peak by 2030, and achieve carbon neutrality by 2060. However, the high carbon energy structure of traditional industries has aggravated environmental problems, such as greenhouse effect and air pollution. The goal of carbon neutrality will be difficult to achieve without the development of disruptive theories and technologies. The electrolytic zinc industry requires high-temperature roasting at ∼1000 °C, generating large amounts of greenhouse gases and SO2. High concentrations of sulfuric acid (200 g/L) are subsequently used for electrolysis, and each ton of zinc produced generates 50 kg of anode slime with lead content of up to 16%, as well as 0.35 m3 of wastewater containing zinc and lead. To solve these problems, an optical metallurgy method is proposed in this study. The proposed method uses laser-induced photoreduction to decompose ZnS and reduce metal ions to metal. Results indicate that Zn0 and S8 can be detected on the surface of ZnS at a specific wavelength and laser fluence. The generation mechanism of Zn0 is such that laser induces an electronic transition that breaks ionic bond in ZnS, resulting in its decomposition and photoreduction to Zn0 under an inert argon gas atmosphere. This method does not reduce other metals in the mineral since it does not use high-temperature roasting, providing a new way of producing high-purity metal without greenhouse gas emissions and heavy metal pollution caused by traditional zinc electrolysis.
Local large deviations for periodic infinite horizon Lorentz gases
Authors: Melbourne Ian , Pène Françoise , Terhesiu Dalia
Published: September 2023

We prove optimal local large deviations for the periodic infinite horizon Lorentz gas viewed as a ℤd-cover (d = 1,2) of a dispersing billiard. In addition to this specific example, we prove a general result for a class of nonuni-formly hyperbolic dynamical systems and observables associated with central limit theorems with nonstandard normalisation.
Electroacupuncture Promotes Nerve Regeneration and Functional Recovery Through Regulating lncRNA GAS5 Targeting miR-21 After Sciatic Nerve Injury
Authors: Tian Ming-yue , Yang Yi-duo , Qin Wan-ting , Liu Bao-nian , Mou Fang-fang , Zhu Jing , Guo Hai-dong , Shao Shui-jin
Published: September 2023

Although the benefits of electroacupuncture (EA) for peripheral nerve injury (PNI) are well accepted in clinical practice, the underlying mechanism remains incompletely elucidated. In our study, we observed that EA intervention led to a reduction in the expression of the long non-coding RNA growth-arrest-specific transcript 5 (GAS5) and an increased in miR-21 levels within the injured nerve, effectively promoting functional recovery and nerve regeneration following sciatic nerve injury (SNI). In contrast, administration of adeno-associated virus expressing GAS5 (AAV-GAS5) weakened the therapeutic effect of EA. On the other hand, both silencing GAS5 and introducing a miR-21 mimic prominently enhanced the proliferation activity and migration ability of Schwann cells (SCs), while also inhibiting SCs apoptosis. On the contrary, inhibition of SCs apoptosis was found to be mediated by miR-21. Additionally, overexpression of GAS5 counteracted the effects of the miR-21 mimic on SCs. Moreover, SCs that transfected with the miR-21 mimic promoted neurite growth in hypoxia/reoxygenation-induced neurons, which might be prevented by overexpressing GAS5. Furthermore, GAS5 was found to be widely distributed in the cytoplasm and was negatively regulated by miR-21. Consequently, the targeting of GAS5 by miR-21 represents a potential mechanism through which EA enhances reinnervation and functional restoration following SNI. Mechanistically, the GAS5/miR-21 axis can modulate the proliferation, migration, and apoptosis of SCs while potentially influencing the neurite growth of neurons.
The Transcription Factor Ets1 Influences Axonal Growth via Regulation of Lcn2
Authors: Gu Miao , Li Xiaodi , Wu Ronghua , Cheng Xiao , Zhou Songlin , Gu Xiaosong
Published: September 2023

Transcription factors are essential for the development and regeneration of the nervous system. The current study investigated key regulatory transcription factors in rat spinal cord development via RNA sequencing. The hub gene Ets1 was highly expressed in the spinal cord during the embryonic period, and then its expression decreased during spinal cord development. Knockdown of Ets1 significantly increased the axonal growth of cultured spinal cord neurons. Luciferase reporter assays and chromatin immunoprecipitation assays indicated that Ets1 could directly bind to the Lcn2 promoter and positively regulate Lcn2 transcription. In conclusion, these findings provide the first direct evidence that Ets1 regulates axon growth by controlling Lcn2 expression, and Ets1 may be a novel therapeutic target for axon regeneration in the central nervous system.
A multi-objective flexible manufacturing system design optimization using a hybrid response surface methodology
Authors: Pasha Nima , Amoozad Mahdiraji Hannan , Razavi Hajiagha Seyed Hossein , Garza-Reyes Jose Arturo , Joshi Rohit
Published: September 2023

The present study proposes a hybrid framework combining multiple methods to determine the optimal values of design variables in a flexible manufacturing system (FMS). The framework uses a multi-objective response surface methodology (RSM) to achieve optimum performance. The performance of an FMS is characterized using various weighted measures using the best–worst method (BWM). Subsequently, an RSM approximates the functional relationship between the FMS performance and design variables. The central composite design (CCD) is used for this aim, and a polynomial regression model is fitted among the factors. Eventually, a bi-objective model, including the fitted and cost functions, is formulated and solved. As a result, the optimal percentage for deploying the FMS equipment and machines to achieve optimal performance with the lowest deployment cost is determined. The proposed framework can serve as a guideline for manufacturing organizations to lead strategic decisions regarding the design problems of FMSs. It significantly increases productivity for the manufacturing system, reduces redundant labor and material handling costs, and facilitates production.
A genetic profiling guideline to support diagnosis and clinical management of lymphomas
Authors: Sánchez-Beato Margarita , Méndez Miriam , Guirado María , Pedrosa Lucía , Sequero Silvia , Yanguas-Casás Natalia , de la Cruz-Merino Luis , Gálvez Laura , Llanos Marta , García Juan Fernando , Provencio Mariano
Published: September 2023

The new lymphoma classifications (International Consensus Classification of Mature Lymphoid Neoplasms, and 5th World Health Organization Classification of Lymphoid Neoplasms) include genetics as an integral part of lymphoma diagnosis, allowing better lymphoma subclassification, patient risk stratification, and prediction of treatment response. Lymphomas are characterized by very few recurrent and disease-specific mutations, and most entities have a heterogenous genetic landscape with a long tail of recurrently mutated genes. Most of these occur at low frequencies, reflecting the clinical heterogeneity of lymphomas. Multiple studies have identified genetic markers that improve diagnostics and prognostication, and next-generation sequencing is becoming an essential tool in the clinical laboratory. This review provides a “next-generation sequencing” guide for lymphomas. It discusses the genetic alterations of the most frequent mature lymphoma entities with diagnostic, prognostic, and predictive potential and proposes targeted sequencing panels to detect mutations and copy-number alterations for B- and NK/T-cell lymphomas.
Aggressive Mimicry and the Evolution of the Human Cognitive Niche
Authors: Moser Cody , Buckner William , Sarian Melina , Winking Jeffrey
Published: September 2023

The evolutionary origins of deception and its functional role in our species is a major focus of research in the science of human origins. Several hypotheses have been proposed for its evolution, often packaged under either the Social Brain Hypothesis, which emphasizes the role that the evolution of our social systems may have played in scaffolding our cognitive traits, and the Foraging Brain Hypothesis, which emphasizes how changes in the human dietary niche were met with subsequent changes in cognition to facilitate foraging of difficult-to-acquire foods. Despite substantive overlap, these hypotheses are often presented as competing schools of thought, and there have been few explicitly proposed theoretical links unifying the two. Utilizing cross-cultural data gathered from the Human Relations Area Files (HRAF), we identify numerous (n = 357) examples of the application of deception toward prey across 145 cultures. By comparing similar behaviors in nonhuman animals that utilize a hunting strategy known as aggressive mimicry, we suggest a potential pathway through which the evolution of deception may have taken place. Rather than deception evolving as a tactic for deceiving conspecifics, we suggest social applications of deception in humans could have evolved from an original context of directing these behaviors toward prey. We discuss this framework with regard to the evolution of other mental traits, including language, Theory of Mind, and empathy.
Psychometric properties of the Spanish adaptation of the Mental Health Continuum—Short Form: A bifactor ESEM approach in an adolescent sample
Authors: Tejada-Gallardo Claudia , Blasco-Belled Ana , Alsinet Carles
Published: September 2023

The mental health continuum—short form (MHC-SF) is a measure that has been increasingly used to assess the positive mental health of the general population. Past research has revealed that the exploratory structural equation modeling (ESEM) technique yielded the best results for exploring the factorial structure of this measure. However, this technique has not been applied to the Spanish adaptation of the MHC-SF in adolescents. The present study aims for an in-depth examination of the structure of this scale in a population of Spanish adolescents (n = 465) by implementing ESEM. Different competing models were tested using confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) and ESEM. Measurement invariance, internal reliability, and construct validity were also assessed (n = 382). The findings favored the bifactor ESEM model over the commonly used three-factor structure and the bifactor CFA. The general positive mental health factor was reliable and supported convergent and discriminant validity. The findings confirm that the MHC-SF in a Spanish adolescent sample is best represented by combining the bifactor structure with a general positive mental health factor and ESEM. This study considers the implications derived from implementing this model.
The relationship between dark tetrad and conspiracy beliefs. No consistent results across three different samples from Slovakia
Authors: Teličák Peter , Halama Peter , Kohút Michal
Published: September 2023

The present study focused on whether Dark Tetrad characteristics (machiavellianism, narcissism, psychopathy, and sadism) predict conspiracy beliefs (COVID-19 related and general) in the Slovak population. Three independent samples were used for the study. The first sample consisted of 804 (73.9% women) university students of the middle-sized Slovak university. The second sample consisted of 489 (61.2% women) Facebook users. The third group was recruited from an online panel of a research agency and included 600 respondents (49% women). The results provided different findings for the three research samples. Results showed that machiavellianism was a positive predictor of conspiracy beliefs (COVID-19 and general) among respondents from a research agency and a university (general only). Psychopathy positively predicted COVID-19 and general conspiracy beliefs only among respondents from the Facebook sample. Narcissism positively predicted COVID-19 conspiracy beliefs among university students. The results of the study suggest that there is no consistent pattern of relationship between Dark Tetrad and conspiracy beliefs across different samples in Slovakia. Future research should focus on whether these inconsistencies are due to sample characteristics or they express lack of stable relationships between these two psychological variables.
Are advertising campaigns for water conservation in Latin America persuasive? A mixed-method approach
Authors: Sánchez Carolina , Bianchi Enrique Carlos , Rodriguez-Sanchez Carla , Sancho-Esper Franco
Published: September 2023

The United Nations 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development calls for an urgent reduction of global water footprint. Communication is crucial to respond to this call. However, most water conservation communication campaigns use the knowledge deficit model and overlook persuasive techniques. This paper presents a mixed-method approach consisting of exploratory sequential qualitative (content) analysis followed by a quantitative (cluster) analysis. This approach was used to explore the communication strategies of 95 advertisements promoting water conservation in Latin America. Four widely used persuasion frameworks were analyzed: (1) the elaboration likelihood model (ELM), (2) prospect theory (gains vs. losses), (3) the action framework (i.e., do more vs. take less), and (4) the temporal distance frame. Regarding persuasive characteristics (ELM model), most ads excluded behavioral beneficiaries (58%) and included explicit (60%) and active (52%) messages. Virtually all ads (87%) had a denotative message. Surprisingly, only 3% and 43% of ads used social norms and an authority source, respectively. Regarding the communication strategy, 44% of ads used a loss frame, and 59% focused on the current generation. Cluster analysis was used to classify the sample of ads into homogeneous groups. This analysis leads to a better understanding of the profile of campaigns promoting water conservation. Four advertising profiles were identified: (1) Persuade to act (29%), (2) Motivate without scaring (35%), (3) Raise awareness of water problems (19%), and (4) Warn of water problems (17%). The paper offers a discussion of the implications for social marketers and directions for future research on how to design effective communication campaigns.
The Biosynthesis of Proteins for Nano Engines as a Normative Process
Authors: Beekman Wim , Jochemsen Henk
Published: September 2023

In this article two questions are discussed with regard to semiosis in protein biosynthesis for nano engines. (1) What kind of semiosis is involved in the construction of these proteins? and (2) How can we explain the semiotic process observed? With regard to the first issue we draw attention to comparisons between semiosis in protein biosynthesis and human natural language. The notion of normativity appears to be of great importance for both. A comparison also demonstrates differences. Nevertheless, because of the normative symbolic information processing in it, we suggest to employ the term symbolic reference (employed in linguistics as a distinguishing feature of human language) to indicate the semiotic processes in protein biosynthesis. With regard to explaining semiosis in protein synthesis we compare different approaches. We conclude that a Kantian approach should be preferred. In such an approach strengths of the mechanistic and organicist approaches can be combined, and the observed symbolic information processing acknowledged.
Impact of Practical Online Lessons on Chinese Medical Students’ Perception of Radiation Oncology
Authors: Zheng Ziye , Wang Yuxuan , Zhang Fuquan , Zhu Jiawei , Shen Jing , Meng Qingyu , Wang Bei , Zhou Bing , Tian Wei , Yu Lihua , Yan Junfang
Published: September 2023

Radiotherapy is an essential component of oncology treatment. It is imperative that clinicians and medical students have a fundamental understanding of radiotherapy. However, radiation oncology education is deficient worldwide. This study introduced an hour-long online Massive Open Online Course (MOOC) as a supplement to the basic curriculum for 8-year medical students at Peking Union Medical College and Tsinghua University in China. The students’ personal opinions and comprehension of radiation oncology therapy were assessed through pre- and post-test questionnaires before and after the MOOC study. The results indicated that the percentage of students interested in radiotherapy increased, and their knowledge of radiotherapy significantly improved after the online MOOC study, suggesting that short-term MOOC study may stimulate students’ interest in learning and improving their knowledge of radiation therapy. The study suggests that the combination of online and offline teaching may be a feasible way to develop radiation oncology education in the future.
The Art of Prophesy: Selection for English-Medium Undergraduate Initial Teacher Education Programmes in New Zealand
Authors: Trevethan Helen
Published: September 2023

I offer this critical essay as a reminder of the prevalence of unproven negative dialogue about Initial Teacher Education (ITE) in New Zealand, taking selection practices as an example. The focus of this critical essay is the evidence base about selection of students into English-medium undergraduate ITE programmes. In New Zealand and elsewhere, selection practices suggest that there are some people who are suited to teaching and others who are not and that we can, and should, screen out unsuitable people before entry. I make a case for examining taken-for-granted assumptions about selection and developing research informed selection practices in response to calls for increased diversity in the profession.
Normalized closeness centrality of urban networks: impact of the location of the catchment area and evaluation based on an idealized network
Authors: Chen Hsiao-Hui , Dietrich Udo
Published: September 2023

The decision of where to locate the catchment area of an urban network exerts significant influence on the indicator values and in this research this influence is referred to as the placement effect. Placement effect has significant impact on the studies at the neighborhood scale focusing on the structural properties of the network models, the network analysis results and centrality measures, the inferred movement patterns and the accessibility to destination. Placement effect becomes even more significant when multiple catchment areas are sampled to be compared or classified. This research examines placement effect on one of the most affected indicators, closeness centrality, and proposes using an idealized network as a reference to be compared with the real network in order to find a solution to mitigate the placement effects. By comparing the normalized closeness centrality in the real network with that in the idealized network, we can (1) evaluate the placement effect on the closeness centrality and (2) find the threshold distance in order to mitigate the placement effect. The results show that the closeness centrality of the same node varies remarkably depending on its position and how central it is in the chosen catchment area. Specifically, in the selected areas in this research, if the center point of a catchment area is moved by more than 100 m away from the original center point, the closeness centrality of the same node starts to be significantly influenced by the placement effect. The threshold distance of 100 m offers a recommendation that a direct comparison of the closeness centrality between different nodes in the same catchment area should be drawn only if these nodes are less than 100 m away from each other. In other words, when comparing two nodes located further than the threshold distance from each other, it is advisable to create two separate catchment areas, where these nodes serve as the center points. It should be noted that the threshold distance of 100 m derived specifically from the current research should not be generalized to other cases. The threshold distance of different case studies remains open for further investigation in the future as it may vary among cities or areas.
Affective Science Research: Perspectives and Priorities from the National Institutes of Health
Authors: Simmons Janine M. , Breeden Andrew , Ferrer Rebecca A. , Gillman Arielle S. , Moore Holly , Green Paige , Pariyadath Vani , Quinlan Erin B. , Vicentic Aleksandra
Published: September 2023

Affective science is a broad and burgeoning field, and the National Institutes of Health (NIH) support research on a similarly broad range of topics. Across NIH, funding is available for basic, translational, and intervention research, including research in non-human animals, healthy populations, and those with or at risk for disease. Multiple NIH Institutes and Centers have specific programs devoted to topics within the affective science umbrella. Here, we introduce the funding priorities of these six: the National Cancer Institute (NCI), National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health (NCCIH), National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH), National Institute on Aging (NIA), National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA), and National Institute on Minority Health and Health Disparities (NIMHD). We then discuss overlapping themes and offer a perspective on promising research directions.
Relationships of Body Dissatisfaction and Self-Esteem with Social Physique Anxiety among University Students in Different Study Programs
Authors: Tsartsapakis Ioannis , Zafeiroudi Aglaia , Vanna Glafki , Gerou Maria
Published: September 2023

The purpose of this study was to investigate the relationships of body dissatisfaction and self-esteem with social physique anxiety in students pursuing different subjects of study. A total of 219 students aged 22 ± 1.9 years of age participated; 78 were men and 141 women. The participants were divided into two groups according their subject of study. Group A consisted of 123 (56.2%) students in the Department of Physical Education & Sport Science, whose studies were directly associated with the body and physical appearance. Group B consisted of 96 (43.8%) students in other departments. All participants completed the scales: (a) Social Physique Anxiety, (b) Body Dissatisfaction and (c) Self-Esteem. Correlation analysis indicated positive significant values between social physique anxiety, body dissatisfaction and body mass index, and a negative significant correlation between social physique anxiety and self-esteem. Stepwise multiple linear regression analysis with social physique anxiety as a dependent variable across the sample and in group A revealed that social physique anxiety was significantly positively predicted by body dissatisfaction and significantly negatively predicted by self-esteem. For group B, social physique anxiety was significantly positively predicted by only body dissatisfaction. T test analysis indicated significant differences in body dissatisfaction, with group B scoring higher than group A. The results are discussed in the context of practical applications to address symptoms of social physique anxiety regarding body construction in young adults and to provide regular exercise support in study programs at universities.
Statin adherence in patients enrolled in the disease management program for coronary artery disease – comparison between patients’ and general practitioners’ self-reports and patient records
Authors: Salam Babak , Schrimpf Anne , Münster Sebastian , Bleckwenn Markus
Published: September 2023

Introduction

Patients with coronary artery disease (CAD) should take a statin daily for secondary prevention. However, statin adherence in patients with CAD is low. This study investigated the proportion of adherent patients enrolled in the disease management program for CAD (DMP-CAD). Adherence was examined by comparing patients’ self-reports, general practitioners’ (GPs) self-reports, and prescription data.

Methods

Between October 2019 and March 2020, all patients enrolled in the DMP-CAD in three GP practices in Germany were invited to participate in the study. Participants completed a questionnaire on the tolerability of statins. Further, prescription data from patient records, low-density lipoprotein (LDL) levels, and GPs’ assessment of statin adherence were examined. The Medication Possession Ratio (MPR) served as a measurement tool for adherence.

Results

Seventy-four patients were included. MPR showed high statin adherence for most patients (83.8%). However, GPs did not reliably identify non-adherence in their patients. Generally, the mean LDL values were above the guideline recommendations (97.7 ± 27.9 mg/dl), with higher values in the non-adherent (123.6 ± 42 mg/dl) than in the adherent group (93.1 ± 22 mg/dl). Non-adherent patients were more likely to be employed (41.7% vs. 11.3%).

Discussion

Patients in this study showed high statin adherence. However, the LDL target value was often not reached. Therefore, GPs should take advantage of the good adherence of their patients and try to lower LDL levels by adjusting the dosage and/or changing the statin prescribed. Future studies should investigate typical characteristics of non-adherent patients in DMP-CAD so that GPs can target these patient groups and improve their adherence.
Maize heat shock proteins—prospection, validation, categorization and in silico analysis of the different ZmHSP families
Authors: Diogo- Rubens , de Resende Von Pinho Edila Vilela , Pinto Renan Terassi , Zhang Lingrui , Condori-Apfata Jorge Alberto , Pereira Paula Andrade , Vilela Danielle Rezende
Published: September 2023

Among the plant molecular mechanisms capable of effectively mitigating the effects of adverse weather conditions, the heat shock proteins (HSPs), a group of chaperones with multiple functions, stand out. At a time of full progress on the omic sciences, they look very promising in the genetic engineering field, especially in order to conceive superior genotypes, potentially tolerant to abiotic stresses (AbSts). Recently, some works concerning certain families of maize HSPs (ZmHSPs) were published. However, there was still a lack of a study that, with a high degree of criteria, would fully conglomerate them. Using distinct but complementary strategies, we have prospected as many ZmHSPs candidates as possible, gathering more than a thousand accessions. After detailed data mining, we accounted for 182 validated ones, belonging to seven families, which were subcategorized into classes with potential for functional parity. In them, we identified dozens of motifs with some degree of similarity with proteins from different kingdoms, which may help explain some of their still poorly understood means of action. Through in silico and in vitro approaches, we compared their expression levels after controlled exposure to several AbSts' sources, applied at diverse tissues, on varied phenological stages. Based on gene ontology concepts, we still analyzed them from different perspectives of term enrichment. We have also searched, in model plants and close species, for potentially orthologous genes. With all these new insights, which culminated in a plentiful supplementary material, rich in tables, we aim to constitute a fertile consultation source for those maize researchers attracted by these interesting stress proteins.
A Sociological Perspective on Meaningful Work: Community versus Autonomy
Authors: Bykov Andrey
Published: September 2023

In this article, I present a sociological approach to the problem of meaningful work that dwells on its broad social and cultural sources, as opposed to the focus on subjective and organizational factors currently prevailing in the field. Specifically, I consider two sociological perspectives, those of community and autonomy, as important conceptual tools for understanding the ambivalent character of modern culture in providing individuals with a sense of meaningfulness of their activities. I also review some of the existing research on meaningful work and interpret it through this conceptual distinction, both to show the latter’s relevance for the field and to identify the gaps it might help fill. As a result, based on the sociological perspectives, I propose a general conceptual model and discuss five directions to further advance the theoretical comprehension of meaningful work, and I suggest some implications of these perspectives for normative business ethics.
Confederal Union and Empire: Placing the Albany Plan (1754) in Imperial Context
Authors: Pincus Steve
Published: September 2023

Why did British politicians on both sides of the Atlantic propose a confederal rather than incorporating union in 1754? This question has been difficult to answer because most scholars have focused on the Albany Plan of Union outside of its imperial context, seeing in the plan either evidence of nascent American nationalism, a point of divergence between American and British conceptions of empire, or a missed moment to establish parliamentary supremacy over America. I show instead that the British and American plans for confederal union in 1754 formed part of an intensely partisan and pan-imperial debate about the nature of the British imperial constitution. The failure to adopt a confederal imperial constitution in 1754 had more to do with the contingency of the outbreak of the Seven Years’ War than with diverging British and American visions of empire or nascent American nationalism.
Revisiting “Racial Capitalism”
Authors: Subrahmanyam Sanjay
Published: September 2023

The brief essay is a response to an article by the French sociologist Loïc Wacquant which critiques the concept of “racial capitalism” that has gained much prominence and currency in recent times. It offers a historical analysis of the emergence of “race” as a concept in the Euro-Atlantic sphere and points to the complexities in extending it beyond that space, into the Indian Ocean world for example. As a consequence, the ambitious claims made by some theorists of “racial capitalism” appear difficult to sustain.
The effects of conjugated linoleic acid supplementation on anthropometrics and body composition indices in adults: a systematic review and dose–response meta-analysis
Authors: Asbaghi Omid , Shimi Ghazaleh , Hosseini Oskouie Fatemeh , Naseri Kaveh , Bagheri Reza , Ashtary-Larky Damoon , Nordvall Michael , Rastgoo Samira , Zamani Mohammad , Wong Alexei
Published: September 2023

Prior meta-analytic investigations over a decade ago rather inconclusively indicated that conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) supplementation could improve anthropometric and body composition indices in the general adult population. More recent investigations have emerged, and an up-to-date systematic review and meta-analysis on this topic must be improved. Therefore, this investigation provides a comprehensive systematic review and meta-analysis of randomised controlled trials (RCT) on the impact of CLA supplementation on anthropometric and body composition (body mass (BM), BMI, waist circumference (WC), fat mass (FM), body fat percentage (BFP) and fat-free mass (FFM)) markers in adults. Online databases search, including PubMed, Scopus, the Cochrane Library and Web of Science up to March 2022, were utilised to retrieve RCT examining the effect of CLA supplementation on anthropometric and body composition markers in adults. Meta-analysis was carried out using a random-effects model. The I2 index was used as an index of statistical heterogeneity of RCT. Among the initial 8351 studies identified from electronic databases search, seventy RCT with ninety-six effect sizes involving 4159 participants were included for data analyses. The results of random-effects modelling demonstrated that CLA supplementation significantly reduced BM (weighted mean difference (WMD): −0·35, 95 % CI (−0·54, −0·15), P < 0·001), BMI (WMD: −0·15, 95 % CI (−0·24, −0·06), P = 0·001), WC (WMD: −0·62, 95% CI (−1·04, −0·20), P = 0·004), FM (WMD: −0·44, 95 % CI (−0·66, −0·23), P < 0·001), BFP (WMD: −0·77 %, 95 % CI (−1·09, −0·45), P < 0·001) and increased FFM (WMD: 0·27, 95 % CI (0·09, 0·45), P = 0·003). The high-quality subgroup showed that CLA supplementation fails to change FM and BFP. However, according to high-quality studies, CLA intake resulted in small but significant increases in FFM and decreases in BM and BMI. This meta-analysis study suggests that CLA supplementation may result in a small but significant improvement in anthropometric and body composition markers in an adult population. However, data from high-quality studies failed to show CLA’s body fat-lowering properties. Moreover, it should be noted that the weight-loss properties of CLA were small and may not reach clinical importance.
The Reidemeister spectrum of finite abelian groups
Authors: Senden Pieter
Published: September 2023

For a finite abelian group A, the Reidemeister number of an endomorphism φ is the same as the number of fixed points of φ, and the Reidemeister spectrum of A is completely determined by the Reidemeister spectra of its Sylow p-subgroups. To compute the Reidemeister spectrum of a finite abelian p-group P, we introduce a new number associated to an automorphism ψ of P that captures the number of fixed points of ψ and its (additive) multiples, we provide upper and lower bounds for that number, and we prove that every power of p between those bounds occurs as such a number.
Reassessing the Marginalization of Astrology in the Early Modern World
Authors: Pfeffer Michelle
Published: September 2023

The marginalization of astrology – the protracted process by which a rich scholarly field and a highly skilled trade migrated into the margins of European culture – is coming to be recognized as one of the most fundamental transformations in the transition from the pre-modern to the modern world. Long assumed to be a casualty of the ‘scientific revolution’ and ‘Enlightenment’, since the 1970s historians have questioned the power of intellectual developments to carry the weight of this major shift, and have constructed alternative social, political, and cultural narratives. However, in the last fifteen years, the field has been making a (re-)turn to intellectual history, albeit in innovative ways. This critical historiographical review accumulates and digests this large body of new work, showing how these historiographical about-turns leave us with broader questions about the role of ideas in cultural transformations, as well as – on a smaller scale – the processes by which individuals change their minds. I close the review by contending that after decades of neglect, it is an opportune time to bring intellectual history back into our studies of the ‘disenchantment of the world’.
Gender marking in the first-person singular: A case of paradigm (in)consistency
Authors: BERG THOMAS
Published: September 2023

Since the sex of the speaker is normally as obvious as can be, there is no point in coding first-person singular gender – or so it may seem. This typological study examines the extent of sex-based gender marking in personal pronouns, possessive determiners, predicative adjectives, and verbs across first-, second-, and third-person singular. A worldwide perusal of grammars in addition to data elicitation yields a total of 115 languages with first-person gender. The paradigms of pronouns and possessives are found to be highly inconsistent, whereas those of verbs show a tendency towards consistency. Gender marking on adjectives is fully consistent. The likelihood of first-person gender is increased by a general sensitivity to gender and a dedicated gender morpheme. A distinction is made between pronouns and possessives as referential units and gender markers on verbs and adjectives as grammatical units. By their very nature, referential markers are sensitive to the contingencies of the extralinguistic world and subject to communicative constraints such as redundancy and economy. They therefore end up being organized in inconsistent paradigms. By contrast, grammatical units are largely untouched by these extraneous influences and may therefore develop consistent paradigms.
The role of food structure in gastric-emptying rate, absorption and metabolism
Authors: Mackie Alan
Published: September 2023

The high levels of non-communicable diseases such as CVD and type 2 diabetes mellitus are linked to obesity and poor diet. This continuing emphasis on health in relation to food is proving a powerful driver for the development of cheap but palatable and more functional foods. However, the efficacy of such foods is often hard to prove in human subjects. Thus, a suite of tools has been developed including in silico and in vitro simulations and animal models. Although animal models offer physiologically relevant platforms for research, their use for experimentation is problematic for consumers. Thus, in vitro methods such as Infogest protocols have been developed to provide digestion endpoints or even an indication of the kinetics of digestion. These protocols have been validated for a range of food systems but they still miss the final absorption step. This review discusses the use of such in vitro models and what further steps need to be included to make the bioaccessibility determination more relevant to bioavailability and human health.
A Scato-sexual Message: The Secundinus Stone with Phallus from Vindolanda
Authors: Meyer Alexander , Mullen Alex , Vanhala Joonas
Published: September 2023

The Secundinus stone, with its combination of carved phallus and text, was found in 2022 in excavations within the stone fort at Vindolanda. We consider comparanda for the imagery from Vindolanda, Britannia and further afield, and textual parallels particularly from Pompeii. We offer several possible interpretations of the object and prefer an analysis which takes the text, SECVNDINVS CACOR, as it is carved. This interpretation would add an otherwise unattested verbal form to the Latin scato-sexual vocabulary.
Agriculture and Population: Occupation and Burials in the Extramural Area of Margidunum on the Fosse Way in Nottinghamshire
Authors: Simmonds Andrew , Allen Martyn , McIntyre Lauren , Champness Carl
Published: September 2023

This paper presents the results of an excavation that uncovered c. 390 m of roadside plots within the ribbon development alongside the Fosse Way on the south-west periphery of the walled small town of Margidunum in Nottinghamshire. The roadside plots appear to have been used for a combination of domestic occupation and agricultural activity, and to the rear lay 54 inhumation burials in 52 graves (including two double burials) and a single urned cremation burial, whose skeletons bore evidence for the tough working lives of the individuals. These are interpreted as the remains of peasant farmers and as evidence for the agricultural focus of the settlement, and of ‘small towns’ more generally. A contrast is drawn between the apparent poverty of this community and the apparently more high-status occupation within the defended core of the town.
Dirichlet law for factorisation of integers, polynomials and permutations
Authors: LEUNG SUN–KAI
Published: September 2023

Let
$k \geqslant 2$
be an integer. We prove that factorisation of integers into k parts follows the Dirichlet distribution
$\mathrm{Dir}\left({1}/{k},\ldots,{1}/{k}\right)$
by multidimensional contour integration, thereby generalising the Deshouillers–Dress–Tenenbaum (DDT) arcsine law on divisors where
$k=2$
. The same holds for factorisation of polynomials or permutations. Dirichlet distribution with arbitrary parameters can be modelled similarly.
COVID-19 Direct Relief Payments and Political and Economic Attitudes among Tertiary Students: A Quasi-Experimental Study
Authors: Wong Mathew Y. H. , Kwong Ying-Ho
Published: September 2023

During the COVID-19 pandemic, ad hoc direct relief payments were used extensively as a means of economic stimulation and individual compensation. Current studies are focusing on the economic impact of these policies, but they seldom consider how these payments affect individual beliefs and attitudes. This study used a survey with quasi-experimental elements to examine how these payments affected tertiary students in Hong Kong by focusing primarily on a cohort including both eligible and noneligible students. Whereas satisfaction with the economy and government and support for democracy were not affected, nonrecipients assigned greater importance to meritocratic factors in improving life outcomes. The findings of this study shed light on how governments inadvertently may be affecting the outlook of young adults with transfers during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Integrating Logic Rules with Everything Else, Seamlessly
Authors: LIU YANHONG A. , STOLLER SCOTT D. , TONG YI , LIN BO
Published: September 2023

This paper presents a language, Alda, that supports all of logic rules, sets, functions, updates, and objects as seamlessly integrated built-ins. The key idea is to support predicates in rules as set-valued variables that can be used and updated in any scope, and support queries using rules as either explicit or implicit automatic calls to an inference function. We have defined a formal semantics of the language, implemented a prototype compiler that builds on an object-oriented language that supports concurrent and distributed programming and on an efficient logic rule system, and successfully used the language and implementation on benchmarks and problems from a wide variety of application domains. We describe the compilation method and results of experimental evaluation.