bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Summary of the 2nd Natural Language-based Software Engineering Workshop (NLBSE 2023)
Authors: Panichella Sebastiano , Di Sorbo Andrea
Published: October 2023

Natural language processing (NLP) involves the automated anal- ysis and manipulation of human language. This includes algo- rithms that can analyze text created by humans and algorithms that can generate text that appears natural. Nowadays, NLP methods are becoming increasingly prevalent to enhance various aspects of software development. Indeed, throughout the software development lifecycle, numerous natural language artifacts are produced. Therefore, the existence of NLP-based approaches and tools has opened up possibilities for improving the e ectiveness and productivity of software engineers, processes, and products. The second edition of the Natural Language-Based Software Engi- neering Workshop (NLBSE) took place in 2023 alongside the 45th International Conference on Software Engineering (ICSE 2023), where the research community engaged in discussions about these approaches. This event brought together researchers and practi- tioners from the elds of NLP and software engineering to ex- change experiences, establish future research directions, and pro- mote the adoption of NLP techniques and tools in tackling chal- lenges speci c to software engineering. In this paper, we present a summary of the 2nd edition of the workshop, which comprised three full papers, four short/position papers, ve tool competi- tion/demonstration papers, two keynote talks (\Automated Bug Management: Re ections & the Road Ahead" by David Lo and \Trends and Opportunities in the Application of Large Language Models: the Quest for Maximum E ect" by Albert Ziegler), fol- lowed by extensive discussion among NLBSE participants. More details can be found at https://nlbse2023.github.io/index. html
A Spatial and Adversarial Representation Learning Approach for Land Use Classification with POIs
Authors: Xu Ronghui , Huang Weiming , Zhao Jun , Chen Meng , Nie Liqiang
Published: October 2023

Points-of-interests (POIs) have been proven to be indicative for sensing urban land use in numerous studies. However, recent progress mainly relies on spatial co-occurrence patterns among POI categories, which falls short in utilizing the rich semantic information embodied in POI hierarchical categories and in sensing the spatial distribution patterns of POIs at an individual zonal scale. In this context, we present a spatial and adversarial representation learning approach (SARL) for predicting land use of urban zones with POIs. SARL deeply mines the information from POIs from both spatial and categorical perspectives. Specifically, we first utilize a convolutional neural network to sense the spatial distribution patterns of POIs in each urban zone. We then leverage an autoencoder and an adversarial learning strategy to mine the POI categorical information in all hierarchical levels, which emphasizes the prominent and definitive POIs while preserves the overall POI hierarchical structures in each zone. Finally, we fuse these information from the two perspectives via a Wide & Deep network and carry out land use prediction with the fused embeddings. We conduct comprehensive experiments to validate the effectiveness of SARL in four European cities with real-world data. The results demonstrate that SARL substantially outperforms several competitive baselines.
A potent MAPK13-14 inhibitor prevents airway inflammation and mucus production
Authors: Keeler Shamus P. , Wu Kangyun , Zhang Yong , Mao Dailing , Li Ming , Iberg Courtney A. , Austin Stephen R. , Glaser Samuel A. , Yantis Jennifer , Podgorny Stephanie , Brody Steven L. , Chartock Joshua R. , Han Zhenfu , Byers Derek E. , Romero Arthur G. , Holtzman Michael J.
Published: October 2023

This study describes the discovery of a potent mitogen-activated protein kinase 13-14 (MAPK13-14) inhibitor and its effectiveness in models of respiratory airway disease. The findings thereby provide a scheme for pathogenesis and therapy of lung diseases [e.g., asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), Covid-19, postviral, and allergic respiratory disease] and related conditions that implicate MAPK13-14 function. The findings also refine a hypothesis for epithelial and immune cell functions in respiratory disease that features MAPK13 as a possible component of this disease process.
Identification of Differences in Body Composition Measures Using 3D-Derived Artificial Intelligence from Multiple CT Scans across the L3 Vertebra Compared to a Single Mid-Point L3 CT Scan
Authors: Cao Ke , Yeung Josephine , Arafat Yasser , Wei Matthew Y. K. , Yeung Justin M. C. , Baird Paul N.
Published: October 2023

Purpose. Body composition analysis in colorectal cancer (CRC) typically utilises a single 2D-abdominal axial CT slice taken at the mid-L3 level. The use of artificial intelligence (AI) allows for analysis of the entire L3 vertebra (non-mid-L3 and mid-L3). The goal of this study was to determine if the use of an AI approach offered any additional information on capturing body composition measures. Methods. A total of 2203 axial CT slices of the entire L3 level (4–46 slices were available per patient) were retrospectively collected from 203 CRC patients treated at Western Health, Melbourne (97 males; 47.8%). A pretrained artificial intelligence (AI) model was used to segment muscle, visceral adipose tissue (VAT), and subcutaneous adipose tissue (SAT) on these slices. The difference in body composition measures between mid-L3 and non-mid-L3 scans was compared for each patient, and for males and females separately. Results. Body composition measures derived from non-mid-L3 scans exhibited a median range of 0.85% to 6.28% (average percent difference) when compared to the use of a single mid-L3 scan. Significant variation in the VAT surface area (

p

 = 0.02) was observed in females compared to males, whereas male patients exhibited a greater variation in SAT surface area (

p

 < 0.001) and radiodensity (

p

 = 0.007). Conclusion. Significant differences in various body composition measures were observed when comparing non-mid-L3 slices to only the mid-L3 slice. Researchers should be aware that considering only the use of a single midpoint L3 CT scan slice will impact the estimate of body composition measurements.
Nanomaterials for Targeted Drug Delivery through Skin to Treat Various Diseases: Recent Trends and Future Perspective
Authors: Mumtaz Nazish , Imran Muhammad , Javaid Ayesha , Latif Shoomaila , Hussain Nazim , Mitu Liviu
Published: October 2023

There is an increased trend of drug delivery via skin due to its convenience and affordability. To accomplish this task in a better way and more successfully, nanotechnology has opened the door to transport drugs for the treatment of acute diseases in unique ways. For partially solvable drugs especially, designing new drug transportation systems is always challenging. However, it has been fixed by utilizing nanomaterials as effective carriers for drugs. These carriers allow the controlled and continuous drug release at the specific spotted site and have been successfully manipulated for the creation of innovative drug-delivery systems. These innovative systems are applied to overcome the challenge of reduced water solubility that may improve the drug accessibility, sustained release, and high metabolic stability. The prime emphasis of this review is particularly on the universal routes of drug administration through the skin, limitations of conventional drug delivery systems (DDS), and types and properties of nanomaterials (NMs) used. Recent advancements in NMs such as carbon-based NMs, inorganic-/metal-based NMs, polymeric NMs, and hybrid NMs for drug delivery and their mode of action have been summarized. This review further discusses existing constraints and difficulties that impede the integration of nanomaterials from research to practice, as well as recommendations for more efficient use of nanomaterials in a number of diseases.
A High-Efficient Method for Synthesizing Multiple Antenna Array Radiation Patterns Simultaneously Based on Convolutional Neural Network
Authors: Zhang Shiyuan , Shi Chuan , Bai Ming
Published: October 2023

This paper proposes a high-efficient method that utilizes deep learning technology for synthesizing multiple antenna array radiation patterns simultaneously. More in details, the mathematical feasibility of using neural networks to optimize and synthesize radiation patterns of antenna arrays is demonstrated. Boundary functions are designed to reshape the important characteristics of target radiation patterns and transform them into a two-channel mask matrix, allowing for the simultaneous input of multiple target radiation patterns into the neural network without sacrificing computational efficiency. During training, the cost function is designed to represent the difference between each synthesized radiation pattern and the corresponding target radiation pattern, guiding self-learning. The main framework of the method is a convolutional neural network, where the convolutional layer is used to reduce the expansion of input parameters due to the simultaneous input of multiple mask matrices. Simulation experiments have been conducted to synthesize multiple incoherent target radiation patterns simultaneously on a patch antenna array layout, and the computation time is compared with the combined time required to compute each one individually. The results demonstrate that this method offers the advantage of computational efficiency for simultaneous synthesis of multiple incoherent radiation patterns.
Nutritional Composition and Phytochemical Evaluation of Some Selected Wild Edible Plants in Tach Gaint District, Northwestern Ethiopia
Authors: Yiblet Yalew , Adamu Endale
Published: October 2023

The objective of the study was to evaluate the nutritional, mineral, and phytochemical analyses of some selected wild edible plants from Tach Gaint District, Northwest Ethiopia. Proximate composition parameters (moisture, ash, crude fibre, crude fat, crude protein, carbohydrate, and energy) were evaluated using the methods of the Association of Official Analytical Chemists, and elemental analysis was performed using the atomic absorption spectroscopy technique. Results from the nutritional analysis show that Erucastrum abyssinicum leaves had the highest crude protein content (17.47 ± 0.03 g/100 g), followed by Amaranthus graecizans (14.97 ± 0.03 g/100 g). The maximum moisture content (40.8 ± 0.00 g/100 g) and ash content (24.70 ± 0.15 g/100 g) were reported in the leaves of Amaranthus graecizans. The young shoots of Rumex abyssinicus had the highest crude fat content (14.07 ± 0.03 g/100 g) and the highest fibre content (34.70 ± 0.25 g/100 g), while the fruits of Opuntia ficus-indica had the highest amount of utilisable carbohydrate (44.4 ± 0.00 g/100 g) and the estimated energy value (326.4 ± 0.00 Kcal/100 g). Calcium was detected in considerable proportions (754.9 ± 0.23 mg/100 g) followed by iron (31.63 ± 0.03 mg/100 g) in Urtica simensis leaves and zinc content (3.09 ± 0.02 mg/100 g) in young shoots of Rumex abyssinicus. Qualitative phytochemical screening, alkaloids, phenols, flavonoids, triterpenes, saponins, and tannins were found in the methanolic extract of the plants. The results of this study suggest that the consumption of such nutrient-rich wild edible plants could help add a remarkable amount of nutrient and mineral in the human diet.
Signal-Vehicle Coordination Control Modeling and Roadside Unit Deployment Evaluation under V2I Communication Environment
Authors: Chen Wanting , He Zhaocheng , Zhu Yiting , Wu Zhigang
Published: October 2023

Signal-vehicle coordinated control holds substantial promise for enhancing urban transportation efficiency. However, its development faces notable challenges: (1) most existing studies have been conducted based on the assumption of perfect communication conditions. This assumption overlooks the significant impact of vehicle-to-infrastructure (V2I) communication quality on control performance, which leads to poor applicability in practice. (2) The evaluation of roadside unit (RSU) deployment for optimizing signal-vehicle control has not been well studied. Hence, the modeling of signal-vehicle coordination control and RSU deployment evaluation under V2I environment are studied in this paper. First, we introduce a communication model that characterizes the imperfections in communication between RSUs and connected vehicles (CVs). Second, we propose a model for signal-vehicle coordination control within this connected environment. This model integrates strategies from both signal control optimization and the speed optimization of CV platoons. Finally, to assess the impact of the RSU deployment parameters on the performance of signal-vehicle coordination control, we introduce a systematic evaluation method. The reduction in vehicle delays is introduced as the evaluation indicator for control performance. Six other indicators—the number of vehicles in the RSU communication domain, connectivity probability between the CV and RSU, number of vehicles whose speeds are successfully optimized, number of speed adjustments, green extension time, and overlap rate of the communication domains of multiple RSUs—are introduced as the observation indicators. The simulation experiments verify the effectiveness of the proposed model in implementing signal-vehicle coordination control under imperfect communication and environments in low-traffic, medium-traffic, and high-traffic scenarios. Furthermore, these experiments show the quantitative impact of RSU deployment parameters (communication distance, command transmission cycle, installation position, and number of RSUs) on control performance.
The Effect of Thylakoid Membranes of Spinach Extract Supplementation on Atherogenic, Glycemic, and Anthropometric Indices and Renal Function in Obese PCOS Women under a Hypo-Caloric Diet: A Randomized, Double-Blind, Controlled Trial
Authors: Nikrad Negin , Mokhtari Ardekani Abnoos , Farhangi Mahdieh Abbasalizad , Zahiri Tousi Ayda , Pourteymour Fard Tabrizi Fatemeh , Vaezi Maryam , Hemmati Salar
Published: October 2023

Background. Hyperandrogenism is a common disorder in women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) that can cause changes in body fat distribution and the amount of visceral adipose tissue. Visceral adiposity impairs insulin action, leading to insulin resistance (IR), cardiovascular disease, and renal disorders due to obesity and insulin resistance. Dietary thylakoids reduce visceral fat mass by suppressing appetite and regulating body weight. The present trial aimed to evaluate the fat distribution and renal function after thylakoid membranes of spinach supplementation along with a hypo-caloric diet. Methods. Forty-four obese women with PCOS participated in this randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial for 12 weeks and were allocated to receive 5 gr of thylakoid membranes of spinach extract combined with hypo-caloric diet or 5 gr placebo along with a hypo-caloric diet. Novel atherogenic and anthropometric indices including the atherogenic index of plasma (AIP), Castelli risk index I (CRI-I), Castelli risk index II (CRI-II), TyG-BMI (TyG-BMI), metabolic score for insulin resistance (METS-IR), abdominal volume index (AVI), body adiposity index (BAI), a body shape index (ABSI), and serum urea, creatinine, and total protein were assessed at the baseline and end of the intervention period. Results. Thylakoid membranes of spinach supplementation along with a calorie restriction diet showed a significant decrease in the AIP, CRI-I, II, TyG-BMI, and METS-IR (

P

 < 0.05). AVI, BAI, and ABSI were found to reduce in the thylakoid and placebo groups (

P

 < 0.05). However, the changes in serum urea, creatinine, and total protein did not show significant differences between the intervention and placebo groups. Conclusion. After 12-week supplementation with thylakoid membranes extracted from spinach, improvements in the value of atherogenic indices and insulin resistance surrogate markers were observed, while this intervention did not make a significant difference in the serum levels of renal function factors. This trial is registered with IRCT20140907019082N9.
Exploratory Field and Laboratory Investigation on the Use of Noncontact Digital Ski Sensor in the South Korea Expressway Network
Authors: Kim In Bae , Moon Ki Hoon , Cannone Falchetto Augusto
Published: October 2023

In the case of asphalt pavement construction, better smoothing and reliable material performance acquisition are essential. In South Korea, the next-generation asphalt pavement-smoothing technology, known as the noncontact digital ski (NCDS), started to be used in expressway construction in 2018, making this system an essential tool in the paving industry. The present work thoroughly assessed how employing the NCDS system affected the response of the pavement material at low temperatures. Portions of paved roads with and without NCDS were assessed for the international roughness index (IRI, m/km). The development of thermal stress propagation was then examined using the bending beam rheometer on asphalt samples from the road. Based on straightforward visual and statistical analysis, it was discovered that using NCDS produces significantly lower IRI and reduced thermal stress, which raises the possibility that using NCDS has the potential for better low-temperatures predictions.
SOX10 Loss Sensitizes Melanoma Cells to Cytokine-Mediated Inflammatory Cell Death
Authors: Rosenbaum Sheera R. , Caksa Signe , Stefanski Casey D. , Trachtenberg Isabella V. , Wilson Haley P. , Wilski Nicole A. , Ott Connor A. , Purwin Timothy J. , Haj Jelan I. , Pomante Danielle , Kotas Daniel , Chervoneva Inna , Capparelli Claudia , Aplin Andrew E.
Published: October 2023

The transcription factor, SOX10, plays an important role in the differentiation of neural crest precursors to the melanocytic lineage. Malignant transformation of melanocytes leads to the development of melanoma, and SOX10 promotes melanoma cell proliferation and tumor formation. SOX10 expression in melanomas is heterogeneous, and loss of SOX10 causes a phenotypic switch toward an invasive, mesenchymal-like cell state and therapy resistance; hence, strategies to target SOX10-deficient cells are an active area of investigation. The impact of cell state and SOX10 expression on antitumor immunity is not well understood but will likely have important implications for immunotherapeutic interventions. To this end, we tested whether SOX10 status affects the response to CD8+ T cell–mediated killing and T cell–secreted cytokines, TNFα and IFNγ, which are critical effectors in the cytotoxic killing of cancer cells. We observed that genetic ablation of SOX10 rendered melanoma cells more sensitive to CD8+ T cell–mediated killing and cell death induction by either TNFα or IFNγ. Cytokine-mediated cell death in SOX10-deficient cells was associated with features of caspase-dependent pyroptosis, an inflammatory form of cell death that has the potential to increase immune responses.

Implications:

These data support a role for SOX10 expression altering the response to T cell–mediated cell death and contribute to a broader understanding of the interaction between immune cells and melanoma cells.
Effective Antitumor Immunity Can Be Triggered by Targeting VISTA in Combination with a TLR3-Specific Adjuvant
Authors: Wang Bo , Ou Ziwei , Zhong Wenlong , Huang Lin , Liao Wenjian , Sheng Yiyu , Guo Zhixing , Chen Junyu , Yang Wenjuan , Chen Ke , Huang Xiaodong , Yang Tenghao , Lin Tianxin , Huang Jian
Published: October 2023

Resistance to anti–PD-1/PD-L1 treatment is often associated with accumulation of intratumoral inhibitory macrophages. V-domain immunoglobulin suppressor of T-cell activation (VISTA) is a nonredundant immune checkpoint that can induce both T-cell and myeloid-cell immunosuppression. In this study, we found that high levels of VISTA+ immune cells were associated with advanced stage bladder cancer and predicted poor survival in patients. A combination of high infiltration of VISTA+ immune cells and PD-L1+ immune cells or PD-1+ T cells predicted the worst survival. Flow cytometry and multiplex immunofluorescence analyses confirmed that VISTA expression was higher in macrophages than in T cells or neutrophils, and only VISTA+CD163+ macrophage density predicted poor prognosis in patients with bladder cancer. Toll-like receptor (TLR) agonists are known to trigger the innate immune response in macrophages. We found that the VISTA-specific mAb 13F3 augmented the ability of a TLR3-specific adjuvant to induce macrophage activation in vitro. In the MB49 syngeneic mouse model of bladder cancer, treatment with 13F3 curbed tumor growth and prolonged survival when combined with a TLR3-specific adjuvant. The combination treatment reduced the intratumoral frequency of CD206+ anti-inflammatory macrophages and levels of the immunosuppressive molecule TGFβ1, but it upregulated expression of immunostimulatory molecules (Ifna, Ifnb, and Trail) and increased the CD8+ T cell/regulatory T-cell ratio. These findings indicate that elevated VISTA expression in immune cells, particularly macrophages, is associated with an unfavorable prognosis in patients with bladder cancer and suggest that targeting VISTA in combination with a TLR3-specific adjuvant has translational potential.
Supplementary Table 2 from Impact of Eliminating Cost-Sharing by Medicare Beneficiaries for Follow-Up Colonoscopy After a Positive Stool-based Colorectal Cancer Screening Test
Authors: Fendrick A. Mark , Lieberman David , Chen Jing Voon , Vahdat Vahab , Ozbay A. Burak , Limburg Paul J.
Published: October 2023

Table S2. Model cost inputs and references. All costs were inflated to April 2022 US dollars.
Viral Infections and Incidence of Reactivations in Chronic Myeloid Leukemia Patients
Authors: Aldapt Mahmood B. , Al-Mashdali Abdulrahman F. , Obeidat Khaldun , Chandra Prem , Yassin Mohamed
Published: October 2023

Background: Viral infections remain a significant problem for patients with chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) who undergo stem cell transplants (SCTs). These infections often result from the reactivation of latent viruses. However, our understanding of the risk of viral reactivation in CML patients who have not undergone SCT is limited, and there is a scarcity of data on this topic. Tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) have revolutionized the treatment of CML as it is highly successful and has transformed the prognosis of patients with CML. However, TKI may be associated with an increased risk of infections. Summary: We have performed a literature search for publications related to viral infections and their reactivations in patients with CML using PubMed, Scopus, and Google Scholar for the period 2001–2022. The population consisted of patients over 18 years old with a diagnosis of CML and no history of bone marrow transplantation. In an analysis of 41 patients, with 25 males and 16 females, M:F ratio of 1.56:1, and a median age of 50. Age ranged from 22 to 79 years. Most patients with reported viral infections or reactivations were in the chronic phase (CP) of CML, with 22 patients (76%) in the CP, 6 patients (21%) in the accelerated phase, and 1 patient (3%) in the blast phase. Most cases with reported outcomes responded to treatment for CML; only one had refractory disease and 8 cases (32%) had major molecular response. Imatinib was the most used TKI in 31 patients (77%). The most reported viral reactivations were herpes zoster in 17 cases (41%), followed by hepatitis B reactivation in 15 cases (37%). Key Messages: This review sheds light on the importance of having a hepatitis B serology checked before starting TKI therapy and close monitoring for viral infections and reactivations in patients with CML.
Subtemporal Decompression in Resistant Slit Ventricle Syndrome in Children: An Observational Study and Survival Analysis
Authors: Khan Mehdi , Craven Claudia Louise , Tahir Muhammad Zubair
Published: October 2023

Introduction: Slit ventricle syndrome (SVS) remains a challenging problem in the early-shunted paediatric population. Various surgical and non-surgical treatments have been devised for this condition. However, there is currently no gold standard for its optimal management. Among various treatment modalities, subtemporal decompression (STD) is often performed as a last resort. We present our experience of STD in paediatric patients with SVS in whom initial treatment with programmable valves and anti-syphon device were not successful. Methods: This is a single-centre retrospective observational study and survival analysis. Patients who underwent STD for SVS were included. Pre- and post-operative imaging data and clinical outcomes were collected. Results: There were 20 patients (12 M, 8 F) with a mean age of 9 years (SD: 4) at first STD. 90% (n = 18) of patients had multiple shunt revisions pre-STD. At first STD, 70% (n = 14) and 30% (n = 6) of patients had unilateral or bilateral STD, respectively. STD led to a reduction in the frequency of shunt revisions in 60% (n = 12) of patients. The median time required before further STD, shunt surgery, or cranial vault surgery was 14 months. The median time before a further STD was required (either revision or contralateral side) was 89 months. At a median follow-up of 66.5 months (range: 1–159), 65% (n = 13) of patients had improvement in symptoms. Conclusions: A large proportion of patients with persistent SVS symptoms, refractory to multiple shunt revisions, benefitted from STD in combination with shunt optimization. It was also safe and well-tolerated. Therefore, in patients who have multiple failed shunts, STD may reduce the morbidity associated with further shunt revisions and can significantly improve symptomatology.
Crônicas esportivas dos tempos mágicos de Londrina
Authors:   Universidade de São Paulo. Escola de Comunicações e Artes, Maluly Luciano Victor Barros
Published: October 2023

Este livro é composto por crônicas esportivas sobre os tempos mágicos de Londrina (PR) que foram vivenciados pelo autor entre 1991 e 1995. Os textos foram publicados em espaços digitais como o Você Esporte Clube, o Ludopédio e o Jornalismo Esportivo da ECA-USP durante o período pandêmico e também em 2022 e 2023.
Arte ao vivo e o fim do espetáculo
Authors: Agra Lúcio
Published: October 2023

O texto esboça a tese de que há um declínio do termo espetáculo, tanto em seu sentido de uso corrente, quanto na sua viabilidade como expressão das diversas formas de articulação da presença humana na arte. Para isso, sugere que a atividade artística ao vivo, nos países colonizados, constitui a base das sociedades da presença (Gumbrecht 2018), antes mesmo da chegada do invasor. O reconhecimento dessa diferença pode ser um ingrediente fundamental para promover a descolonização da arte nesses territórios, apontando possibilidades que propiciam o abandono de um modelo europeu da arte e do mundo (sociedades do sentido/da interpretação).
Editorial: uma vela para a navegação
Authors: Novaes Sylvia Caiuby , Barbosa Andrea , Cunha Edgar Teodoro da , Giesbrecht Érica , Barbosa Francirosy Campos , Dawsey John Cowart , Lopes Paula Morgado Dias , Hikiji Rose Satiko G. , Grunvald Vi
Published: October 2023

Editorial do Volume 8 da GIS - Gesto, Imagem e Som - Revista de Antropologia.
Nrg1 Regulates Cardiomyocyte Migration and Cell Cycle in Ventricular Development
Authors: Grego-Bessa Joaquim , Gómez-Apiñaniz Paula , Prados Belén , Gómez Manuel José , MacGrogan Donal , de la Pompa José Luis
Published: October 2023

BACKGROUND:

Cardiac ventricles provide the contractile force of the beating heart throughout life. How the primitive endocardium-layered myocardial projections called trabeculae form and mature into the adult ventricles is of great interest for biology and regenerative medicine. Trabeculation is dependent on the signaling protein Nrg1 (neuregulin-1). However, the mechanism of action of Nrg1 and its role in ventricular wall maturation are poorly understood.

METHODS:

We investigated the functions and downstream mechanisms of Nrg1 signaling during ventricular chamber development using confocal imaging, transcriptomics, and biochemical approaches in mice with cardiac-specific inactivation or overexpression of Nrg1.

RESULTS:

Analysis of cardiac-specific
Nrg1
mutant mice showed that the transcriptional program underlying cardiomyocyte-oriented cell division and trabeculae formation depends on endocardial Nrg1 to myocardial ErbB2 (erb-b2 receptor tyrosine kinase 2) signaling and phospho-Erk (phosphorylated extracellular signal-regulated kinase; pErk) activation. Early endothelial loss of Nrg1 and reduced pErk activation diminished cardiomyocyte Pard3 and Crumbs2 (Crumbs Cell Polarity Complex Component 2) protein and altered cytoskeletal gene expression and organization. These alterations are associated with abnormal gene expression related to mitotic spindle organization and a shift in cardiomyocyte division orientation. Nrg1 is crucial for trabecular growth and ventricular wall thickening by regulating an epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition–like process in cardiomyocytes involving migration, adhesion, cytoskeletal actin turnover, and timely progression through the cell cycle G2/M phase. Ectopic cardiac Nrg1 overexpression and high pErk signaling caused S-phase arrest, sustained high epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition–like gene expression, and prolonged trabeculation, blocking compact myocardium maturation. Myocardial trabecular patterning alterations resulting from above- or below-normal Nrg1-dependent pErk activation were concomitant with sarcomere actin cytoskeleton disorganization. The Nrg1 loss- and gain-of-function transcriptomes were enriched for Yap1 (yes-associated protein-1) gene signatures, identifying Yap1 as a potential downstream effector. Furthermore, biochemical and imaging data reveal that Nrg1 influences pErk activation and Yap1 nuclear-cytoplasmic distribution during trabeculation.

CONCLUSIONS:

These data establish the Nrg1-ErbB2/ErbB4-Erk axis as a crucial regulator of cardiomyocyte cell cycle progression and migration during ventricular development.
Realpolitik in the Anthropocene: Resilience, Neoclassical Realism, and the Paris Agreement
Authors: Ferguson Peter
Published: October 2023

It has been observed that the Paris Agreement has become an “analogy” of diplomatic success and institutional design because it allows emissions reduction commitments to be determined at the national level. While this is widely attributed to the United States’ insistence on excluding any provisions that would have required US Senate ratification, the success of Paris stems more from the way the agreement partly circumvents the divergent interests of developed and developing countries by allowing states to pursue their own mitigation strategies based on domestic distributional and ideological politics rather than interstate cooperation and/or competition. It is this accommodation of both an institutionalist logic of absolute gains and a more realist logic of relative gains that ultimately underpins the diplomatic and institutional design success of Paris. However, the resonance of realism, at least in its neoclassical form, also stems from its greater capacity to accommodate the heightened socioecological complexity, interconnectedness, and unknowability occasioned by the Anthropocene than other branches of Anthropocentric international relations theory. This potential is outlined in this Forum article by sketching the epistemological and ontological connections between neoclassical realism and the concept of resilience.
Economic Imaginings of Consumption in Book Retail
Authors: Frost Simon
Published: October 2023

Far from being a conventional trade in consumer goods, with price value estimated from a relationship between demand and scarcity, book retail is saturated in the politics of class, gender, and race. To thrive, it must be alive to the promises and pitfalls of those dimensions, especially as they are imagined through reading. Therefore, to understand book retail only through institutionalized models of neoclassical economics would be a mistake. A mistake not only because book retail trades in symbolic goods, which are goods of an inherently interpretive, political, all-too-human kind, but also because symbolic goods defy foundational categories such as ‘consumption’. From a historic case study, that of book retail in Southampton around 1900, it can be shown which forces have actively sustained the book business. Revealed, too, is how economics is merely the material mathematized wing of a particular cultural-political way of thinking, one that can be broken free from without losing either business or responsibilities to race, gender, and class.
What Outfit Shall the Protagonist Wear?
Authors: Rodzvilla John
Published: October 2023

Online fiction platforms like Wattpad, Tapas, Choices, and Episode have created new models of digital storytelling that serve billions of readers a month who access the content through apps and websites. Through a free-to-read (F2R) model these platforms offer access to thousands of online prose narratives. Instead of requiring money upfront for access, they have found a way to monetize narrative through ad-supported serialization and paywalls. Some companies have also begun to offer reader customization through microtransactions similar to those in the mobile game world. This paper examines how these platforms are using the F2R model to create a compelling reading experience that personalizes the text and keeps readers engaged with textual content.
Digital Social Reading
Authors: Šileris Arūnas
Published: October 2023

This study examines the interplay between the motivational needs of adolescents when engaged in digital social reading (DSR) in school settings and also their digital social reading behaviour, measured by the amount of the primary text read and the intensity of written communication. The study shows that in a digital social reading situation the basic human needs of autonomy, competence, and relatedness are represented proportionally, without any one need gaining a greater prominence. Although students working under different motivational conditions read similar amounts of the primary text, the intensity of written communication varied significantly depending on the text. We attribute this difference to story world absorption. Stories with a higher story world absorption rating elicited twice as much written communication than less absorbing stories. The implications of these findings are discussed.
Building an Archival Persona: The Transformation of Sufi Ijāza Culture in Russia, 1880s–1920s
Authors: Bustanov Alfrid , Shikhaliev Shamil , Chmilevskaia Ilona
Published: October 2023

This article analyses the uses of education certificates (ijāzas) as a tool of self-expression by Russia’s Muslims in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. While the transmission of ijāzas as such served as a means of constructing the ideal Muslim personality, manuscript evidence suggests that a selective approach to compiling ijāza miscellanies could successfully be employed in building one’s own archival persona – the way how an individual wanted to appear on pages of future biographical books: not only as an important transmitter of prestigious lineages, but chiefly as a unique performer of their selective combinations. The presence of Sufi certificates on multiple lineages within and beyond the borders of the established Sufi ‘orders’ suggests the increasing heterogeneity of Sufi organization and practice that was part of the phenomenon of a broadening cultural repertoire, from which individuals could draw upon for their archival persona. The type of ijāzas that we analyse here, namely the separate documents and miscellanies listing the transmitted practices, were very much the product of their time and their wide circulation in late imperial Russia suggests, as we argue, an unprecedented rise of ijāza culture, imported from the Ottoman realm.
Effect of different stand densities on xylem and phloem formation in Norway spruce plantations
Authors: Giagli Kyriaki , Vavrčík Hanuš , Tsalagkas Dimitrios , Černý Jakub , Leugner Jan , Hacurová Jana , Gryc Vladimír
Published: October 2023

Preliminary results of an investigation of the thinning effect on Norway spruce tree growth in terms of xylogenesis and phloemogenesis are presented. Three plots were selected where the stand densities were reduced by pre-commercial thinning to 1800 trees/ha (plot A; mild thinning) and 1300 trees/ha (plot C; heavy thinning) in February 2020. Plot B had no silvicultural intervention and represented a control variant (4500 trees/ha). Three dominant 14-year-old Norway spruce trees were sampled (micro-cored) for studying the xylem and phloem formation in the 2020 growing season. The total differentiation duration was determined to be around 169.7 ± 12.7–179.3 ± 4.0 days. The average number of xylem cells formed in control plot B was only 140 mature cells, plots C and A were determined to have 175 and 200 mature cells, respectively. Plot A had the fastest growth rate of all the plots studied. In all three plots (A, B, C), the beginning of the early phloem, late phloem sieve cells, and axial parenchyma cells coincided. Nonetheless, in terms of total phloem cell increase, plot C displayed the fastest growth rate among the three plots studied. The first results showed that the rate of total increment in both xylem and phloem cells, as well as the total number of produced tracheids and sieve cells, seem to be positively affected after the thinning application.
Armored scale insects (Hemiptera: Diaspididae) associated with avocados (Persea americana) in México’s main production areas, with keys for identification and natural enemies
Authors: LÁZARO-CASTELLANOS CARLOS , GONZÁLEZ-HERNÁNDEZ HÉCTOR , ROMERO-NÁPOLES JESÚS , ORTEGA-ARENAS LAURA D. , EQUIHUA-MARTÍNEZ ARMANDO , OCHOA-ASCENCIO SALVADOR
Published: October 2023

Avocado orchards in eight avocado-producing states of México were sampled to collect and identify the armored scale insect species (Hemiptera: Diaspididae) that attack the crop and their natural enemies. Sixteen species of armored scales were identified, 12 from the subfamily Aspidiotinae and four from Diaspidinae. A dichotomous key is provided for the identification of the 18 armored scale species associated with avocado in central México. Forty species of associated natural enemies were also recorded, the most important belonging to Hymenoptera: Aphelinidae, Encyrtidae, Eulophidae, and Signiphoridae, and to Coleoptera: Coccinellidae. For each species of armored scale, brief general information on its distribution, host varietal preferences and natural enemies is given.
The current status of lipoprotein (a) measurement in clinical biochemistry laboratories in the UK: Results of a 2021 national survey
Authors: Ansari Saleem , Garmany Neely Robert D. , Payne Jules , Cegla Jaimini
Published: October 2023

Background

Lipoprotein(a) (Lp(a)) is now established as a causal risk factor for cardiovascular disease (CVD) and accurate laboratory measurement is of pivotal importance in reducing Lp(a) associated risk. The consensus statement by HEART UK in 2019 included recommendations to improve standardisation of clinical laboratory measurement and reporting of Lp(a).

Methods

A 16 question, electronic audit survey was circulated to 190 accredited clinical biochemistry laboratories to assess the adoption of these recommendations in the UK.

Results

Responses were received from 65 of 190 laboratories (34%). Only 5 (8%) did not offer Lp(a) measurement. Of those providing the test, 23% (n = 14) offered an in-house service (IHS), the remaining laboratories (77%; n = 46) used an external referral service (ERS). The majority (10 of 14 or 71%) of IHS laboratories responded with details of their method, stating whether it minimised sensitivity to the effect of Lp(a) isoform size and used calibrators certified for traceability to the WHO/IFCC reference material, however, only a minority ERS laboratories (13 of the 46 or 28%) were able to specify the method used by their referral laboratory. Of the laboratories who specified their reporting units, 6 of 10 IHS and 7 of 23 ERS laboratories reported in nmol/L. Among the 60 laboratories who responded, the HEART UK recommendations appear to have been adopted in full by only 3 IHS laboratories.

Conclusions

Further efforts are needed to standardise the measurement and reporting of Lp(a) so that results and interpretation are comparable across clinical biochemistry laboratories in the UK.
When Stigma, Disclosure, and Access to Care Collide: An Ethical Reflection of mpox Vaccination Outreach
Authors: Birch Lane , Bindert Adam , Macias Susy , Luo Ellis , Nwanah Patrick , Green Noel , Stamps Jahari , Crooks Natasha , Singer Rebecca M. , Johnson Robin , Singer Randi Beth
Published: October 2023

Experiences of stigma in health care encounters among LGBTQ+ populations (lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer and questioning) have long been a barrier to care. Marginalization and historically grounded fears of stigmatization have contributed to a reluctance to disclose sexual behavior and/or gender identity to health care providers. We reflect on how student nurses grappled with the ethics of patient disclosure while providing mobile outreach in Chicago for mpox (formerly monkeypox) from fall 2022 to spring 2023. Student nurses addressed how requiring disclosure of sexual behavior or sexual orientation may serve as a barrier to accessing preventive care, such as mpox vaccination. Accounts of stigma and criminalization experienced by LGBTQ+ people provide insight on challenges historically associated with disclosure in health care.
Understanding the Impact of Context on Ambition: Gender Role Conformity Negatively Influences Adolescent Boys’ Ambition Scores in an Educational Context
Authors: Spangsdorf Sabrina , Ryan Michelle K. , Kirby Teri A.
Published: October 2023

We investigate how context might influence adolescent boys’ and girls’ ambition and the impact of gender role conformity and social status. Adolescent participants ( N = 270) reported their ambition in one of three experimentally manipulated contexts: future education, future work, or a control. Boys experienced a significant negative drop in ambition in a future education context versus control. There was no difference for girls. Gender role conformity moderated the effects for boys such that the more conform, the less ambitious in an educational context. There was no moderating effect for girls. Social status had no moderating effect. Explanations are discussed, including how negative academic gender role stereotypes may affect boys’ ambition and the importance of addressing boys’ cultures at school.
Influence of strategic HRM and entrepreneurial orientation on dynamic capabilities and innovation in small- and medium-sized enterprises
Authors: Ho Marcus , Soo Christine , Tian Amy , Teo Stephen TT
Published: October 2023

In small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), adopting a strategic human resource management (SHRM), approach can improve dynamic capabilities and promote greater innovation. However, most research on this topic is theoretical and focuses on large firms with well-established formal and mature human resource management systems and access to significant resources. Using a resource-based view framework, we investigate how entrepreneurial orientation (EO) enhances the SHRM–dynamic capabilities relationship in SMEs. Using time-lagged data from 456 SMEs in Australia, our results confirm that SHRM has an indirect positive association with innovation through its impact on dynamic capabilities. Additionally, EO has an indirect positive association with innovation through its impact on dynamic capabilities. Our results also show that EO moderates the positive relationship between dynamic capabilities and innovation such that the relationship becomes stronger as EO increases. This study’s results have theoretical and practical implications for the role of SHRM and EO in developing dynamic capabilities and innovation in SMEs.
Exploring the impact of technostress on work behaviors: Empirical evidence and interventions for enhanced workplace well-being
Authors: Choi Youngkeun
Published: October 2023

Due to advancements in information and communication technology, which have led to the digitalization of work environments, technostress has become increasingly common in modern workplaces. However, there is a lack of empirical research focusing on how technostress specifically affects employees’ work behaviors and effective strategies for reducing its negative effects. This study aims to fill this research gap by examining the relationships between technostress and work behaviors and proposing interventions to alleviate its adverse consequences. The researchers conducted a survey and performed multiple regression analyses using data from 256 Korean employees and their supervisors. The findings of the study indicate that workplace technostress is negatively associated with both organizational citizenship behaviors and deviant workplace behavior. Moreover, the study revealed a stronger negative correlation between workplace technostress and organizational citizenship behaviors/deviant workplace behavior among employees who perceive low levels of organizational support, compared to those who perceive high levels of organizational support. By uncovering the mechanisms through which technostress impacts employee well-being, this research contributes to the development of evidence-based interventions and policies aimed at creating healthier and more productive work environments.
Calculation of axial compression performance and bearing capacity of hollow sandwich glass fiber-reinforced polymer-concrete-steel double-skin tubular column
Authors: Chen Zhiwei , Yang Wenwei , Wang Tongkuai , Lei Ting , Yin Chaozheng
Published: October 2023

To evaluate the axial compressive performance of the hollow sandwich GFRP-concrete-steel double-skin tubular columns (DSTC), 15 composite column specimens were produced to study the effect of various design variables. And the study presents a rational and accurate finite element (FE) model that provides a detailed working mechanism of the DSTCs, leading to the enrichment of parametric research and the creation of an extensive database. Based upon the unified strength theory of double shear, limit equilibrium theory, and superposition theory, the study evaluates and compares the effectiveness of different bearing capacity calculation models. With each added millimeter in the thickness of the GFRP tube, the ultimate bearing capacity of the DSTC specimen increased by 23.6% and 61.8%, respectively, compared to that of the 1.5 mm thick GFRP tube sample. The lower the hollow ratio of the DSTC section, the higher its ultimate bearing capacity. Specimens with a hollow ratio of 0.3 and 0.43 showed an ultimate bearing capacity 1.4 times and 1.25 times higher, respectively, than those with a hollow ratio of 0.6. The study observes a relatively high level of precision in the results of the ultimate equilibrium theory, with an average error rate of 20%.