bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A circulating vaccine-derived poliovirus type 2 outbreak in a chronic conflict setting: a descriptive epidemiological study in South Sudan – 2020 to 2021
Authors: Tegegne Ayesheshem Ademe , Anyuon Atem Nathan , Legge George Awzenio , Ferede Melisachew Adane , Isaac Zingbondo , Laku Kirbak Anthony , Biadgilign Sibhatu , Kilo Ochan Taban David , Ndenzako Fabian , Modjirom Ndoutabe , Olu Olushayo Oluseun , Maleghemi Sylvester
Published: November 2023

Background

In this study, we describe the epidemiological profile of an outbreak of the circulating Vaccine Derived Polio Virus type 2 in South Sudan from 2020 to 2021.

Method

We conducted a retrospective descriptive epidemiological study using data from the national polio/AFP surveillance database, the outbreak investigation reports, and the vaccination coverage survey databases stored at the national level.

Results

Between September 2020 and April 2021, 59 cases of the circulating virus were confirmed in the country, with 50 cases in 2020 and 9 cases in 2021. More cases were males (56%) under five (93%). The median age of the cases was 23.4 ± 11.9 months, ranging from 1 to 84 months. All states, with 28 out of the 80 counties, reported at least one case. Most of the cases (44, 75%) were reported from five states, namely Warrap (31%), Western Bahr el Ghazal (12%), Unity (12%), Central Equatoria (10%), and Jonglei (10%). Four counties accounted for 45.8% of the cases; these are Gogrial West with 12 (20%), Jur River with 5 (8.5%), Tonj North with 5 (8.5%), and Juba with 5 (8.5%) cases.

The immunization history of the confirmed cases indicated that 14 (24%) of the affected children had never received any doses of oral polio or injectable vaccines either from routine or during supplemental immunization before the onset of paralysis, 17 (28.8%) had received 1 to 2 doses, while 28 (47.5%) had received 3 or more doses (Fig. 4). Two immunization campaigns and a mop-up were conducted with monovalent Oral Polio Vaccine type 2 in response to the outbreak, with administrative coverage of 91.1%, 99.1%, and 97% for the first, second, and mop-up rounds, respectively.

Conclusion

The emergence of the circulating vaccine-derived poliovirus outbreak in South Sudan was due to low population immunity, highlighting the need to improve the country’s routine and polio immunization campaign coverage.
DiSCIoser: unlocking recovery potential of arm sensorimotor functions after spinal cord injury by promoting activity-dependent brain plasticity by means of brain-computer interface technology: a randomized controlled trial to test efficacy
Authors: Colamarino Emma , Lorusso Matteo , Pichiorri Floriana , Toppi Jlenia , Tamburella Federica , Serratore Giada , Riccio Angela , Tomaiuolo Francesco , Bigioni Alessandra , Giove Federico , Scivoletto Giorgio , Cincotti Febo , Mattia Donatella
Published: November 2023

Background

Traumatic cervical spinal cord injury (SCI) results in reduced sensorimotor abilities that strongly impact on the achievement of daily living activities involving hand/arm function. Among several technology-based rehabilitative approaches, Brain-Computer Interfaces (BCIs) which enable the modulation of electroencephalographic sensorimotor rhythms, are promising tools to promote the recovery of hand function after SCI. The “DiSCIoser” study proposes a BCI-supported motor imagery (MI) training to engage the sensorimotor system and thus facilitate the neuroplasticity to eventually optimize upper limb sensorimotor functional recovery in patients with SCI during the subacute phase, at the peak of brain and spinal plasticity. To this purpose, we have designed a BCI system fully compatible with a clinical setting whose efficacy in improving hand sensorimotor function outcomes in patients with traumatic cervical SCI will be assessed and compared to the hand MI training not supported by BCI.

Methods

This randomized controlled trial will include 30 participants with traumatic cervical SCI in the subacute phase randomly assigned to 2 intervention groups: the BCI-assisted hand MI training and the hand MI training not supported by BCI. Both interventions are delivered (3 weekly sessions; 12 weeks) as add-on to standard rehabilitation care. A multidimensional assessment will be performed at: randomization/pre-intervention and post-intervention. Primary outcome measure is the Graded Redefined Assessment of Strength, Sensibility and Prehension (GRASSP) somatosensory sub-score. Secondary outcome measures include the motor and functional scores of the GRASSP and other clinical, neuropsychological, neurophysiological and neuroimaging measures.

Discussion

We expect the BCI-based intervention to promote meaningful cortical sensorimotor plasticity and eventually maximize recovery of arm functions in traumatic cervical subacute SCI. This study will generate a body of knowledge that is fundamental to drive optimization of BCI application in SCI as a top-down therapeutic intervention, thus beyond the canonical use of BCI as assistive tool.

Trial registration

Name of registry: DiSCIoser: improving arm sensorimotor functions after spinal cord injury via brain-computer interface training (DiSCIoser). Trial registration number: NCT05637775; registration date on the ClinicalTrial.gov platform: 05-12-2022.
Clinical outcomes in eyes with diffractive continuous depth-of-focus intraocular lenses enhanced for near vision: comparison with trifocal intraocular lenses
Authors: Nomura Yuya , Ota Yuka , Fujita Yoshifumi , Nishimura Tomohisa , Bissen-Miyajima Hiroko , Minami Keiichiro
Published: November 2023

Background

To prospectively evaluate visual functions and patient satisfaction after bilateral implantation of diffractive continuous depth-of-focus intraocular lens (CDF IOL) compared with trifocal IOLs.

Methods

This investigator-initiated study was approved by a certified local review board (registered: jRCTs032210305). CDF IOL (Synergy, J&J, group S) and trifocal IOL (AcrySof PanOptix, Alcon, group P) were implanted bilaterally in 30 patients each. Three months postoperatively, binocular outcomes of uncorrected (BUCVA) and distance-corrected (BDCVA) visual acuities at distances of 0.3, 0.4, 0.5, 0.7, and 5 m were measured. Contrast sensitivities were binocularly measured using CSV-1000 (2.5 m) and Pelli-Robson charts at distances of 0.4 and 1 m. Symptoms of glare, halo, starburst, and waxy vision, and satisfaction for near, intermediate, and far visions were assessed with questionnaires. Differences between the two groups were examined.

Results

Twenty-seven patients each completed the follow-up. The mean age of the group S was lower than that of the group P (P < 0.001). The BUCVA at 0.4 m was better in the S group, while the mean manifest refraction of the P group showed a significant hyperopic shift (P < 0.001). BDCVA was significantly better in the S group. The contrast sensitivity results at three distances showed no discernible differences. Although more patients in the S group reported significant glare and halo, their satisfaction with near vision was higher.

Conclusions

The binocular visual function of patients with CDF IOLs was comparable to or better than that of patients with trifocal IOLs. The patients were satisfied with near vision, despite the enhanced glare and halo. Understanding the differences between the two types of presbyopia-correcting IOLs is important to ensure patient satisfaction.

Trial registration

This clinical trial was registered in the Japan Registry for Clinical Research (identifier: jRCTs032210305) on September 13, 2021.
Early decrease in blood lymphocyte count is associated with poor prognosis in COVID-19 patients: a retrospective cohort study
Authors: Chen Gong , Zhao Xiaofang , Chen Xinglin , Liu Chengyun
Published: November 2023

Background

Previous studies have declared that baseline lymphocyte count is associated with COVID-19-related death. However, whether dynamic lymphocyte change over time affects prognosis in COVID-19 patients is unknown. This study aims to investigate the significance of lymphocyte count during the progression of the disease in COVID-19 patients.

Methods

The retrospective cohort study recruited COVID-19 patients at the First People’s Hospital of Jiangxia District in Wuhan from January 7, 2020, to February 28, 2020. The demographics, medical histories, results of the blood routine test, and patients’ outcomes were collected. We utilized a generalized additive mixed model to compare trends in lymphocyte count over time among survivors and non-survivors, with an adjustment for potential confounders. The statistical analysis used R software and EmpowerStats. Significance was determined at a P-value of less than 0.05 (two-sided).

Results

A total of 532 patients were included in the study. Overall, there were 29/532 in-hospital deaths (5.45%). Lymphocytes declined over time in the non-survivor group and increased in the survivor group in the first 10 days of hospitalization. Within 10 days after admission, lymphocyte count increased in the survivor group and decreased in the non-survivor group. The difference in lymphocyte counts between survivors and non-survivors increased by an average of 0.0732 × 109/L daily. After adjusting for several covariables, the increasing value remained at 0.0731 × 109/L per day.

Conclusion

In the early stage, lymphocyte count can dynamically reflect the pathophysiological changes in COVID-19 patients. An early decrease in lymphocyte count is associated with mortality in COVID-19 patients.
Evaluation of proximal slicing in primary maxillary incisors with proximal caries- a retrospective cohort study
Authors: Fux-Noy Avia , Goldberg Tamar , Shmueli Aviv , Halperson Elinor , Ram Diana , Davidovich Esti , Moskovitz Moti
Published: November 2023

Background

Modern management of dental caries should be more conservative and include early detection of lesions and active surveillance, in order to apply preventive measures and carefully monitor for signs of arrest or progression. Proximal slicing was suggested for nonrestorative caries treatment for primary incisors. The aim of the study was to examine the success of proximal slicing in primary maxillary incisors in arresting caries progression.

Methods

A retrospective cohort study. Data were collected from medical records of patients who had undergone proximal slicing in primary maxillary incisors with a follow-up period of at least 6 months. Treatment was considered a success when no further invasive clinical intervention was required within the follow-up period of at least 6 months. Treatment was considered a failure when further invasive clinical intervention was needed during the follow-up period (restoration, crown, or extraction). Additional variables included were the patient’s gender, treated tooth, treated surface, age during their first visit to the clinic, age during slicing treatment, follow-up period, number of follow-up visits, and number of fluoride applications and additional slicing during follow-up.

Results

Seventy-one patients were included in the study. Proximal slicing was successful in 76% of participants with a follow-up of at least 6 months. Success was associated with older age at the first dental visit (3.5yo vs. 2.5yo, p = 0.0011) and age when proximal slicing was performed (4yo vs. 3yo, p < 0.001).

Conclusion

Proximal slicing may successfully arrest proximal caries in primary maxillary incisors.
Characteristics of glucolipid metabolism and complications in novel cluster-based diabetes subgroups: a retrospective study
Authors: Li Xinrong , Chen Hui
Published: November 2023

Background

Glucolipid metabolism plays an important role in the occurrence and development of diabetes mellitus. However, there is limited research on the characteristics of glucolipid metabolism and complications in different subgroups of newly diagnosed diabetes. This study aimed to investigate the characteristics of glucolipid metabolism and complications in novel cluster-based diabetes subgroups and explore the contributions of different glucolipid metabolism indicators to the occurrence of complications and pancreatic function.

Methods

This retrospective study included 547 newly diagnosed type 2 diabetes patients. Age, body mass index (BMI), glycated hemoglobin (HbA1C), homeostasis model assessment-2 beta-cell function (HOMA2-β), and homeostasis model assessment-2 insulin resistance (HOMA2-IR) were used as clustering variables. The participants were divided into 4 groups by k-means cluster analysis. The characteristics of glucolipid indicators and complications in each subgroup were analyzed. Regression analyses were used to evaluate the impact of glucolipid metabolism indicators on complications and pancreatic function.

Results

Total cholesterol (TC), triglycerides (TG), triglyceride glucose index (TyG), HbA1C, fasting plasma glucose (FPG), and 2-h postprandial plasma glucose (2hPG) were higher in the severe insulin-resistant diabetes (SIRD) and severe insulin-deficient diabetes (SIDD) groups. Fasting insulin (FINS), fasting C-peptide (FCP), 2-h postprandial insulin (2hINS), 2-h postprandial C-peptide (2hCP), and the monocyte-to-high-density lipoprotein cholesterol ratio (MHR) were higher in mild obesity-related diabetes (MOD) and SIRD. 2hCP, FCP, and FINS were positively correlated with HOMA2-β, while FPG, TyG, HbA1C, and TG were negatively correlated with HOMA2-β. FINS, FPG, FCP, and HbA1C were positively correlated with HOMA2-IR, while high-density lipoprotein (HDL) was negatively correlated with HOMA2-IR. FINS (odds ratio (OR),1.043;95% confidence interval (CI) 1.006 ~ 1.081), FCP (OR,2.881;95%CI 2.041 ~ 4.066), and TyG (OR,1.649;95%CI 1.292 ~ 2.104) contributed to increase the risk of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD); 2hINS (OR,1.015;95%CI 1.008 ~ 1.022) contributed to increase the risk of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD); FCP (OR,1.297;95%CI 1.027 ~ 1.637) significantly increased the risk of chronic kidney disease (CKD).

Conclusions

There were differences in the characteristics of glucolipid metabolism as well as complications among different subgroups of newly diagnosed type 2 diabetes. 2hCP, FCP, FINS, FPG, TyG, HbA1C, HDL and TG influenced the function of insulin. FINS, TyG, 2hINS, and FCP were associated with ASCVD, NAFLD, and CKD in newly diagnosed T2DM patients.
Human Connection: Oncologist Characteristics and Behaviors Associated With Therapeutic Bonding With Latino Patients With Advanced Cancer
Authors: Tergas Ana I. , Prigerson Holly G. , Penedo Frank J. , Maciejewski Paul K.
Published: November 2023

PURPOSE

Therapeutic alliances (TAs) between oncologists and patients are bonds characterized by mutual caring, trust, and respect. We here relate oncologist characteristics and behaviors to TA among Latino and non-Latino patients with advanced cancer.

METHODS

Participants included non-Latino oncologists (n = 41) and their Latino (n = 67) and non-Latino White (n = 90) patients with advanced cancer who participated in Coping with Cancer III, a multisite, US-based prospective cohort study of Latino/non-Latino disparities in end-of-life cancer care, conducted 2015-2019. Oncologist characteristics included age, sex, race, institution type, Spanish language proficiency, familismo practice style (emphasis on family) and clinical etiquette behaviors. Patient-reported TA was assessed using the average score of six items from The Human Connection scale. Hierarchical linear modeling (HLM) estimated effects of oncologist characteristics on TA.

RESULTS

Of 157 patients, a majority were female (n = 92, 58.6%) and age younger than 65 years (n = 95, 60.5%). Most oncologists were male (n = 24, 58.5%), non-Latino White (n = 25, 61%), and age 40 years and older (n = 25, 61%). An adjusted HLM in the full sample showed that Latino patient ethnicity was associated with significantly lower TA (β = −.25; P < .001). In an adjusted stratified HLM for TA, among Latino patients, oncologist familismo practice style (β = .19; P = .012), preference using first names (β = .25; P = .023), and greater Spanish fluency (β = .11; P < .001) were positively associated with TA. In contrast, familismo practice style had no impact on TA for non-Latino White patients.

CONCLUSION

Latino patients with advanced cancer had worse TAs with their oncologists versus non-Latino patients. Modifiable oncologist behaviors may be targeted in an intervention designed to improve the patient-physician relationship between oncologists and their Latino patients with advanced cancer.
The Politics of the Gender Gap in COVID-19: Partisanship, Health Behavior, and Policy Preferences in the United States
Authors: Burton Colleen Dougherty , Gadarian Shana Kushner , Goodman Sara Wallace , Pepinsky Thomas B.
Published: November 2023

Several studies demonstrate gender and partisan differences among Americans in COVID-19 socioeconomic consequences, attitudes, and behaviors. The authors of this study use six waves of panel survey data to explore the intersection of gender and party across COVID-19 mitigation behaviors, concerns, and policy preferences. The authors observe small gender gaps on several measures; however, partisan differences are larger than gender differences when considering the interaction between gender and partisanship. Democratic women are more similar to Democratic men on these measures than to Republican women. On virtually all measures, Republican women report lower levels of mitigation behaviors, worries, and support for expansive government policies compared to Democratic women and men. Analyzing the interaction of gender and partisanship illuminates how individuals navigated the pandemic with respect to identity factors that often pull in different directions. These findings suggest that one's partisan identity is more consequential than gender when it comes to COVID behaviors, concerns, and policy preferences.
Knowledge graph based evaluation and explanation of machine learning systems
Authors: Ντερβάκος Έντμοντ-Γρηγόρης
Published: November 2023

Η τεχνητή νοημοσύνη υπέστη εκρηκτική εξέλιξη τα τελευταία χρόνια. Με κινητήριο δύναμη την τεχνολογία της βαθιάς μάθησης, η τεχνητή νοημοσύνη βρίσκει εφαρμογή σε πληθώρα επιστημονικών πεδίων, στη βιομηχανία, καθως και στις τέχνες. Παρά τα θεαματικά αποτελέσματα, έχουν προκύψει διάφορα ηθικά ζητήματα που εμποδίζουν την αξιοποίηση της βαθιάς μάθησης σε εφαρμογές που επηρεάζουν κρίσιμα τη ζωή των ανθρώπων, όπως είναι οι εφαρμογές στην ιατρική. Κύρια πηγή των ηθικών ζητημάτων αποτελεί η αδιαφάνεια της βαθιάς μάθησης, καθώς τα μοντέλα αδυνατούν να δώσουν επεξηγήσεις για τις αποφάσεις που λαμβάνουν, και η εφαρμογή τους προϋποθέτει την εμπιστοσύνη των χρηστών. Αυτή η έλλειψη εξηγισιμότητας γεννά περεταίρω προβλήματα πέραν των ηθικών, όπως είναι για παράδειγμα η δυσκολία εντοπισμού και διόρθωσης σφαλμάτων σε τέτοια συστήματα. Τα ζητήματα αυτά έχουν οδηγήσει στο πεδίο έρευνας της ερμηνεύσιμης τεχνητής νοημοσύνης, στο οποίο εντάσσεται η παρούσα διατριβή. Το πεδίο αυτό έχει μεγάλο εύρος, με πλήθος διαφορετικών αλγορίθμων που παράγουν διαφορετικού τύπου επεξηγήσεις, σε διαφορετικά θεωρητικά πλαίσια και διαφορετικούς τύπους δεδομένων. Σε αυτή τη διατριβή διερευνήσαμε τα συστήματα και τις τεχνολογίες τυπικής αναπαράστασης γνώσης ως εργαλείο για την επεξήγηση, καθώς και για την αξιολόγηση της λειτουργίας αδιαφανών συστημάτων βαθιάς μάθησης. Συγκεκριμένα, αναπτύχθηκε το κατάλληλο θεωρητικό πλαίσιο και αλγόριθμοι για την επεξήγηση τέτοιων συστημάτων με βάση σημασιολογικές περιγραφές δεδομένων, χρησιμοποιώντας συγκεκριμένη ορολογία που περιγράφεται σε υποκείμενη οντολογική γνώση. Το θεωρητικό πλαίσιο, ως ανεξάρτητο του τύπου δεδομένων, και του υποκείμενου μοντέλου, εφαρμόστηκε στα πεδία της εικόνας, των συμβολικών αναπαραστάσεων μουσικής, και του ήχου. Συγκρίθηκε με υπαρχουσες μεθόδους επεξήγησης και αξιολόγησης αδιαφανών συστημάτων, και αναδείχθηκε ως προσέγγιση που δύναται να προσφέρει στο χρήστη πληροφορία που άλλες μέθοδοι αδυνατούν, χάρη στην θεμελίωση των προτεινόμενων εξηγήσεων σε τυπικά αναπαραστημένη γνώση. Η καινοφανής ιδέα μας να χρησιμοποιήσουμε γράφους γνώσης με τον συγκεκριμένο τρόπο, ανοίγει νέα ερευνητικά μονοπάτια προς την υβριδοποίηση των συστημάτων τεχνητής νοημοσύνης, αξιοποιώντας πληροφορία χαμηλού επιπέδου, όπου διαπρέπει η αδιαφανείς βαθιά μάθηση, καθώς και συμβολική πληροφορία υψηλού επιπέδου, η οποία είναι οργανωμένη, δομημένη, και πιο κατανοητή στον άνθρωπο.
Μελέτες για την ασύμμετρη σύνθεση ακεταλών
Authors: Μπουλογεώργου Μαρία
Published: November 2023

Στο 1ο Κεφάλαιο μελετάται η ανάπτυξη νέων μεθόδων εναντιοεκλεκτικής σύνθεσης σπειρανικών ακεταλών. Η δομική μονάδα της σπειροακετάλης επιλέχθηκε καθώς είναι ευρέως διαδεδομένη σε φυσικά και φαρμακευτικά προϊόντα με απλή ή πιο σύνθετη δομή. Ο σπειρανικός σκελετός είναι στις περισσότερες περιπτώσεις απαραίτητος για τη βιοδραστικότητα αυτών των μορίων και έχει αποδειχθεί ότι οι απλοποιημένες σπειροακετάλες που προέρχονται από φυσικά προϊόντα διατηρούν βιολογική δραστηριότητα παρόμοια με το μητρικό φυσικό προϊόν. Η μεθοδολογία που εφαρμόζεται ονομάζεται «δυναμική κινητική απορακεμοποίηση». Η κεντρική ιδέα βασίζεται στην κατεργασία του ρακεμικού μίγματος μιας σπειροακετάλης με έναν ασύμμετρο καταλύτη, όπου και από τα δύο εναντιομερή σχηματίζεται ένα μη χειρόμορφο ενδιάμεσο, που με την επίδραση του ασύμμετρου καταλύτη μετατρέπεται και πάλι στο ένα εναντιομερές της αρχικής ακετάλης, εκλεκτικά λόγω κινητικού ελέγχου. Στο 2ο Κεφάλαιο μελετάται η χρήση τετραπροστατευμένων ιωδιδίων D-σακχάρων (μη ενεργοποιημένοι γλυκόζυκο δότες) για την στερεοεκλεκτική σύνθεση Ο-γλυκοζιτών, μέσω οξειδωτικής ενεργοποίησής τους με τη χρήση αντιδραστηρίων του τρισθενούς ιωδίου. Οι Ο-γλυκοζίτες αποτελούν μια σημαντική και μεγάλη κατηγορία γλυκοζιτών, ευρέως διαδεδομένων στη φύση, με ευρύ φάσμα βιολογικής δραστικότητας, όπως αντικαρκινική, αντιβιοτική και αντιική.
Διερεύνηση του ρόλου βακτηριακών παθογονικών παραγόντων και της προστατευτικής δράσης της σερραπεπτάσης και της κουρκουμίνης στη νόσο Alzheimer
Authors: Κατσίπης Γεώργιος
Published: November 2023

Μέχρι σήμερα η ακριβής αιτιολογία της Νόσου Alzheimer (NA) δεν έχει διασαφηνιστεί, ούτε έχουν προκύψει αποτελεσματικές αγωγές για τη θεραπεία ή την αναστολή της. Έρευνες υποδεικνύουν πως το πεπτίδιο β-αμυλοειδές (Αβ) κατέχει αντιμικροβιακή δράση, ενώ παράλληλα αυξημένος αριθμός βακτηριών και μικροβιακών ουσιών εντοπίζονται εντός των πλακών Αβ σε εγκεφάλους ασθενών. Τα βακτήρια αυτά επενδύουν σε μία χρόνια, επίμονη μορφή ανάπτυξης σε βιομεμβράνες. Κρίσιμοι παράγοντες σχηματισμού της βιομεμβράνης όπως αμυλοειδή, πρωτεΐνες μαστίγιων (FliC) και λιποπολυσακχαρίτες (LPSs) μπορούν να επάγουν νευροφλεγμονή και νευροεκφύλιση παρόμοιες με αυτές στη ΝΑ. Στην παρούσα διατριβή, τα επίπεδα των LPSs και της FliC βρέθηκαν αυξημένα σε βιολογικά υγρά ασθενών με NA ή/και με ΗΝΔ. Δείχτηκε πως οι LPSs μπορούν να αξιοποιηθούν ως βιοδείκτες της ΝΑ, ενώ παράλληλα συσχετίστηκαν ισχυρά με κλασσικούς δείκτες της ΝΑ και της φλεγμονής, αλλά και τη νοητική κατάσταση των ασθενών. Επιπλέον, αποδείχτηκε η ανασταλτική δράση της πρωτεάσης σερραπεπτάση (SPT) έναντι του σχηματισμού βιομεμβράνης από τα βακτήρια Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa και Staphylococcus aureus. Η SPT μειώνει τη βιωσιμότητα των βακτηρίων, τα επίπεδα αμυλοειδών, καθώς και λοιμογόνων παραγόντων όπως οι LPSs και η FliC, ενώ επιδρά και στην ομοιόσταση του φωσφόρου, μεταβάλλοντας τη δραστικότητα των αλκαλικών φωσφατασών και των πρωτεϊνών DING. Τέλος, επίδραση LPSs σε μεικτές καλλιέργειες νευροβλαστώματος-γλοιοβλαστώματος και πρωτογενών νευρικών-μικρογλοιακών κυττάρων οδηγεί σε αύξηση Αβ, του φλεγμονώδους ενζύμου iΝΟS, των κυτταροκινών IL-1 και TNF-α, τροποποίηση των επιπέδων του αντιοξειδωτικού ενζύμου SOD1, καθώς και επαγωγή οξειδωτικής καταπόνησης. Η χορήγηση της φυσικής ουσίας κουρκουμίνη, ενός συμπλόκου βαναδίου-κουρκουμίνης (V-Cur), ή της SPT οδήγησε σε περιορισμό των παραπάνω συνεπειών, με το V-Cur να παρουσιάζει σε περιπτώσεις ισχυρότερο θεραπευτικό αποτέλεσμα. Συμπερασματικά, η αξιοποίηση ουσιών με ταυτόχρονες αντιφλεγμονώδεις, αντι-αμυλοειδικές και αντιμικροβιακές δράσεις, αξίζει να εξεταστεί για τη διαχείριση της ΝΑ.
A proposed equation for calculating the total horizontal distance in projectiles of varying launch and landing levels
Authors: omer hussein
Published: November 2023

Background The projectile draws a path for the flight of the tool, a horizontal distance can be calculated according to the Galileo Galilei Law of Projectiles (GGLP), but only if the two points of the launch and fall of the tool are equal, otherwise we need an equation to be added to the (GGLP) to calculate the real distance that was generated due to the difference between the launch and fall points. There are several equations to calculate this, but they are complex and can be simplified. Methods The proposed equation was tested by exporting samples from three different throwing events (javelin, shotput, disc) data in track and field games, to calculate the horizontal throwing distance. The proposed equation was based on the basics of mathematics and geometry. The equation was tested in terms if the height is zero, the proposed equation is suitable even for projectiles with equal levels, and the credibility of the proposed equation with the previous equation was tested statistically. Results It was found that there were no differences between the two equations (p>0.05). and due to the relative ease of access of the proposed equation to very similar results, researcher suggests applying the proposed equation. Conclusions The proposed equation contained the height factor in the previous equation, and when tested by several criteria, the proposed equation has proven its credibility, statistically and graphically. The ranges of theoretical achievement calculated by the proposed equation are often closer to the real achievements.
ZNALEZISKA BELEMNITÓW Z WCZESNOŚREDNIOWIECZNEGO KOMPLEKSU OSADNICZEGO W KAŁDUSIE. PRÓBA INTERPRETACJI
Authors: Banasiak Patryk
Published: November 2023

Zarys treści. Celem interdyscyplinarnych studiów podejmowanych przez autora jest zasygnalizowanie znaczenia belemnitów w obrzędowości i codzienności społeczności wczesnośredniowiecznych, na przykładzie ośrodka w Kałdusie. Na podstawie źródeł etnograficznych i historycznych, wspartych analizami archeologicznego materiału źródłowego (w tym badaniami traseologicznymi), rozważany jest stopnień intencjonalności tych przedmiotów, a tym samym ich mocy informacyjnej do poznania wierzeń i zwyczajów Słowian.
WŁAŚCIWOŚCI GLEBY A ZACHOWANIE ZABYTKÓW ARCHEOLOGICZNYCH – PRZYCZYNEK DO DYSKUSJI
Authors: Majorek Magdalena
Published: November 2023

Zarys treści. Artykuł stanowi przyczynek do dyskusji na temat współpracy pomiędzy archeologią, konserwatorstwem zabytków i gleboznawstwem. Zaprezentowano w nim wybrane właściwości gleby i ich możliwy wpływ na stan zachowania zabytków archeologicznych, zarówno tych wykonanych z surowców organicznych, jak i nieorganicznych. Wskazano przykłady udanej współpracy pomiędzy przedstawicielami poszczególnych nauk. W artykule zwrócono uwagę na potrzebę tworzenia nowych rozwiązań w pracach badawczych dotyczących minionych epok.
Matching vs. Individual Choice: How to Counter Regional Imbalance of Carsharing Demand
Authors: Boysen Nils , Briskorn Dirk , Röntgen Rea , Dienstknecht Michael
Published: November 2023

Among the most crucial organizational challenges of free-floating carsharing is the question how to cope with regional demand imbalance. Because users are allowed to leave a rented car anywhere in the service district, it regularly occurs that too many cars are left behind in low-demand regions whereas other regions face a demand surplus. In this paper, we consider a countermeasure that has been overlooked by previous research: an optimization-based matching of carsharing supply and demand that not only addresses the profit promised by the current matches but also targets future demand imbalance. To account for such imbalances, we define regional demand levels that specify the projected number of requested cars per region and aim to reduce the deviations of the regions’ actual car supply from these target levels. We present exact polynomial-time algorithms for this extended matching task that are suitable for real-time application on large carsharing platforms. In an extensive computational study, we compare optimization-based matching approaches with and without the consideration of demand imbalance and benchmark them with the status quo, the individual choice of carsharing users among available cars. Based on generated data with considerable demand variation among regions, our results indicate a clear advantage of our novel matching approach. In a further study based on a large carsharing data set, however, the proof of concept fails because the real-world regions are cut according to geographical characteristics instead of demand variation. To successfully relieve the strains of demand imbalance, our novel matching task thus requires a properly partitioned service district and reliable forecasts of the carsharing demands.

Funding: This work was supported by the Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft [Grants BO 3148/8-1 and BR 3873/10-1].

Supplemental Material: The online appendix is available at https://doi.org/10.1287/trsc.2022.0067 .
Transpacific Connections in the Civil War Era
Authors: Hirota Hidetaka
Published: November 2023

Abstract: This essay introduces the special forum on transpacific connections in the Civil War era. The forum investigates how US interaction with Asia and the Pacific shaped race relations, gender ideology, diplomacy, and legal rights in the United States during the second half of the nineteenth century. By examining the first Japanese diplomatic mission to the United States, the experience of Black migrants in Japan, Chinese women's habeas corpus litigations, and the naturalized citizenship of Chinese Americans, the forum integrates Asia and the Pacific into Civil War–era scholarship. Conceptually, the forum is informed by three strands of historiography: the international history of the Civil War era, the American West during the Civil War era, and the history of the Pacific World.
The "Colored American Asiatic Traveler": Peter K. L. Cole and American Empire in Japan
Authors: Smith Stacey L.
Published: November 2023

Abstract: This article examines African Americans' participation in US empire-building in the nineteenth-century Pacific World. It uses the life story of Peter K. L. Cole, a Black world traveler and a resident of Yokohama, Japan, to explore how notions of race, empire, modernity, and citizenship circulated around the Pacific Ocean from the 1850s to the 1870s. Cole deployed the intertwined discourses of Black settler colonialism and Black orientalism to stake claims to African American equality in the post-Civil War United States. His efforts to build equal citizenship on the basis of Black men's service to American empire abroad gained little traction as the white supremacist logics of the US settler state excluded Black people from national belonging and erased their participation in imperial expansion.
Chinese Women and Habeas Corpus Hearings in California, 1857–1882
Authors: Xu Tian
Published: November 2023

Abstract: This article examines how Chinese women and men used habeas corpus proceedings in California to contest transpacific relations of gender, commerce, law, and power. The first section looks at habeas hearings about runaway or allegedly kidnapped Chinese women already in the United States. The second chronicles how these hearings correlated with and diverged from the habeas proceedings involving the detention of Chinese women immigrants upon arrival. The California judges' approach to these cases mirrored Congress's concern over "the enormous diversity of domestic arrangements" in slavery by the end of the Civil War, when lawmakers introduced monogamous marriage and dependency on a male head of household as the most acceptable conditions for a nonwhite woman's freedom. The habeas proceedings concerning Chinese women thus revealed a Pacific, subnational practice of governance that was consonant with the national trend of reconstructing nonwhite women's sociolegal status in the Civil War era.
The Greening of the Others: Revising the Destination of Alliance and Green Party Transfers in the 2023 Northern Ireland Local Elections
Authors: McGuinness Philip
Published: November 2023

ABSTRACT: A recent paper by the author estimated that a majority of Northern Ireland's voters gave either their first preference or their highest non-Other preference to nationalist-bloc candidates. This estimate was based on the addition of nationalist-bloc and unionist-bloc lower preferences from Alliance and Green Party transfers when candidates from both non-Other blocs were available to receive transfers. However, this methodology understates the unionist-bloc—with consequent overstating of the nationalist-bloc—share. This paper presents a revised estimate for N-bloc and U-bloc shares of first preferences and highest non-Other preferences based on an improved methodology. The author's previous estimate still holds, though there is a smaller gap between unionist and nationalist blocs. Further longitudinal analysis of non-Other transfers is needed.
Automated OCTA vessel count algorithm for quantitative analysis of skin disease activity
Authors: Göb Madita , Mustafa Bayan , Ha-Wissel Linh , Burhan Sazgar , Hundt Jennifer , Huber Robert
Published: November 2023

In dermatological practice, assessment of disease severity in inflammatory skin diseases typically relies on visual-based scoring. Since this method is prone to inter-observer variabilities, there is an unmet need for user-independent biomarkers for quantitative disease scoring and early treatment response detection. This work demonstrates a novel automated vessel count algorithm that aims to detect the pathological vessel elongation in patients with psoriasis and atopic dermatitis. The algorithm utilizes optical coherence tomography angiography images. Preliminary results from patient data demonstrate the capability of the technique to differentiate between healthy and inflamed skin.
Direct observation of the transition from spin waves to the magnon Bose condensate
Authors: Bunkov Yury , KNYAZEV GRIGORIY , Kuzmichev Aleksey , Petrov Petr , Savochkin Igor , Vetoshko Petr , Belotelov Vladimir
Published: November 2023

Bose-Einstein condensation occurs at an appropriate density of bosonic particles, depending on
their mass and temperature. The transition from the semiclassical paradigm of spin waves to
the magnon Bose-Einstein condensed state (mBEC) was obtained experimentally with increasing
magnon density. We used the Faraday rotation effect to study the spatial distribution of the magnon
density and phase far from their excitation region. A coherent magnetization precession was observed
throughout the sample, which indicates the formation of a magnon BEC. It is shown that this
result under experimental conditions goes beyond the applicability of the Landau-Lifshitz-Gilbert
semiclassical theory.
Speech emotion recognition using machine learning techniques: Feature extraction and comparison of convolutional neural network and random forest
Authors: Rezapour Mashhadi Mohammad Mahdi , Osei-Bonsu Kofi
Published: November 2023

Speech is a direct and rich way of transmitting information and emotions from one point to another. In this study, we aimed to classify different emotions in speech using various audio features and machine learning models. We extracted various types of audio features such as Mel-frequency cepstral coefficients, chromogram, Mel-scale spectrogram, spectral contrast feature, Tonnetz representation and zero-crossing rate. We used a limited dataset of speech emotion recognition (SER) and augmented it with additional audios. In addition, In contrast to many previous studies, we combined all audio files together before conducting our analysis. We compared the performance of two models: one-dimensional convolutional neural network (conv1D) and random forest (RF), with RF-based feature selection. Our results showed that RF with feature selection achieved higher average accuracy (69%) than conv1D and had the highest precision for fear (72%) and the highest recall for calm (84%). Our study demonstrates the effectiveness of RF with feature selection for speech emotion classification using a limited dataset. We found for both algorithms, anger is misclassified mostly with happy, disgust with sad and neutral, and fear with sad. This could be due to the similarity of some acoustic features between these emotions, such as pitch, intensity, and tempo.
Rebels with a cause? How norm violations shape dominance, prestige, and influence granting
Authors: van Kleef Gerben A. , Wanders Florian , van Vianen Annelies E. M. , Dunham Rohan L. , Du Xinkai , Homan Astrid C.
Published: November 2023

Norms play an important role in upholding orderly and well-functioning societies. Indeed, violations of norms can undermine social coordination and stability. Much is known about the antecedents of norm violations, but their social consequences are poorly understood. In particular, it remains unclear when and how norm violators gain or lose influence in groups. Some studies found that norm violators elicit negative responses that curtail their influence in groups, whereas other studies documented positive consequences that enhance violators’ influence. We propose that the complex relationship between norm violation and influence can be understood by considering that norm violations differentially shape perceptions of dominance and prestige, which tend to have opposite effects on voluntary influence granting, depending on the type of norm that is violated. We first provide correlational (Study 1) and causal (Study 2) evidence that norm violations are associated with dominance, and norm abidance with prestige. We then examine how dominance, prestige, and resultant influence granting are shaped by whether local group norms and/or global community norms are violated. In Study 3, protagonists who violated global (university) norms but followed local (sorority/fraternity) norms were more strongly endorsed as leaders than protagonists who followed global norms but violated local norms, because the former were perceived not only as high on dominance but also on prestige. In Study 4, popular high-school students were remembered as violating global (school) norms while abiding by local (peer) norms. In Study 5, individuals who violated global (organizational) norms while abiding by local (team) norms were assigned more leadership tasks when global and local norms conflicted (making violators “rebels with a cause”) than when norms did not conflict, because the former situation inspired greater prestige. We discuss implications for the social dynamics of norms, hierarchy development, and leader emergence.
La novel·la Júlia, els personatges i els fets del Petrolio
Authors: Tormoi  Santonja Jordi
Published: November 2023

La primera novel·la d’Isabel-Clara Simó, Júlia, ha esdevingut un clàssic de la literatura catalana que enguany compleix quaranta anys. El llibre ha estat reimprès més de quaranta vegades, la darrera en el marc de la col·lecció «Els llibres d’Isabel» de l’editorial Bromera, i ha estat una de les novel·les amb major influència entre lectors i escriptors. Aquesta investigació ha tingut com a finalitat analitzar la importància i presència dels fets històrics en la novel·la i com l’autora es va enfrontar al fet de treballar-la. Així mateix, s’ha pretés mostrar els lligams principals entre la ficció i la no ficció en el text i descobrir en qui es va basar Simó a l’hora de crear els personatges principals de la novel·la. La metodologia utilitzada ha sigut variada. D’entrada, s’ha aplicat el Mètode Interpretatiu, desenvolupat a partir de l’anàlisi de les publicacions relatives al Petrolio i, especialment, la novel·la Júlia, aplicant tècniques inductives i dialèctiques, principalment. A més, cal destacar l’aplicació del Mètode Investigació, és a dir, la implementació de tècniques amb què s’ha procedit a identificar el fet d’estudi, obtenir informació, realitzar entrevistes, localitzar informació i documentació en diferents arxius, etcètera. Aquest article analitza, documenta i enquadra l’obra de l’autora alcoiana en el seu marc històric, la revolució internacionalista del Petrolio a l’Alcoi del 1873, presenta el procés que va seguir a l’hora de desenvolupar la novel·la i descobreix qui va inspirar els personatges de Júlia i Josep Romeu a l’argument novel·lesc. Aquest darrer és el resultat més destacat del treball, ja que fins el moment es desconeixia aquesta qüestió de què l’autora no va parlar gaire. El debat principal que pot suscitar aquesta investigació es centra a definir els límits entre la realitat i la ficció i com els fets històrics i els esdeveniments personals i familiars serveixen de base per als autors a l’hora de donar forma als textos literaris. No hi ha cap dubte que la història, com a disciplina, ofereix als creadors una informació rellevant a l’hora de traslladar-la al text de ficció i és per això que moltes vegades és a través d’aquests textos quan esdevé un fet popular. El cas de la novel·la Júlia n’és un bon exemple, ja que a partir de les seues pàgines han sigut molts els lectors que han conegut una part important de la història valenciana. La primera novel·la d’Isabel-Clara Simó és una obra de creació literària de ficció en què els fets històrics estan ben presents. Sense aquests, l’obra no hagués estat possible. Realitat i ficció van de la mà de l’autora en el text.
La monotonicitat i la dislocació a la dreta en català
Authors: Llobet Alexis , Solà Jaume
Published: November 2023

L’objectiu de l’article és estudiar la relació entre la dislocació a la dreta i la monotonicitat, tant creixent com decreixent. D’entrada, hem establert que en una llengua de focus final com el català, el focus no final és emfàtic; i, a continuació, hem interpretat la dislocació a la dreta a partir de la presència o absència d’un tret: si implica contrast. Metodològicament, pel que fa a la part que estudia la monotonicitat i la dislocació, hem analitzat un conjunt ampli de casos per buscar-hi generalitzacions que relacionin la monotonicitat, la definitud i la interpretació de cancel·lar o no una pressuposició. Per valorar aquesta variació multifactorial, hem recorregut als parells mínims: revisem sistemàticament la relació entre monotonicitat i cancel·lació de pressuposició, tant quan entre la dislocació i l’antecedent hi ha contrast com quan no. Respecte dels resultats, la monotonicitat creixent sembla l’opció principal en les dislocacions a la dreta. Per exemple, hem pogut comprovar que no presenta restriccions en la definitud, mentre que la decreixent, sí. D’altra banda, en els casos en què hi ha contrast, la monotonicitat creixent pot cancel·lar pressuposicions; per contra, la decreixent no les pot cancel·lar del tot. En les situacions sense contrast, al contrari que la monotonicitat decreixent, la creixent, de vegades mitjançant la identitat, funciona amb antecedents no lingüístics, demostratius o epítets. Com a conclusions, les dades mostren clarament que la monotonicitat creixent és l’opció principal per a dislocació a la dreta tant quan hi ha contrast com quan no, com hem dit, i això ens porta a afirmar que el contrast no és el responsable que hi hagi dislocació o no, sinó que el responsable és l’èmfasi. Si considerem l’èmfasi responsable de la monotonicitat creixent, en una relació membre/conjunt, per exemple, emfasitzar amb la dislocació a la dreta que ens falta el conjunt implica emfasitzar que ens en falta un membre; en canvi, emfasitzar dislocant a la dreta que ens falta un membre d’un conjunt no implica que ens falti tot el conjunt.
Lolita i Dolores: nimfetes seductores o víctimes de pederàstia?
Authors: Gort Paniello Marta
Published: November 2023

El mite de Pigmalió ha estat objecte d’atenció de molts escriptors del segle xx; Isabel-Clara Simó, per exemple, ofereix en la novel·la La salvatge (1993) una re-lectura de la versió contemporània per excel·lència d’aquest mite: Pygmalion (1916), de G.B. Shaw. La protagonista de La Salvatge, Dolores (Dorothy Gardner) mostra certes confluències amb Lolita (Dolores Haze), la jove pre-adolescent que dona nom a la cèlebre novel·la de Nabokov, Lolita (1955). Aquest article pretén analitzar la representació de les dues protagonistes en clau de gènere i estudiar la pervivència i recreació de figures mítiques com Galatea i la nimfa en les novel·les del segle xx. En primer lloc, Dolores i Lolita presenten una sèrie de trets compartits com són l’edat, la nacionalitat, el nom (o el canvi d’aquest, més aviat), l’orfandat, el poder de seducció dels seus tutors, la pèrdua de llibertat i, com a conseqüència, el desig d’escapar de les mans dels seus opressors. Simó, a banda d’inspirar-se en el teatre de Shaw, també va beure de l’obra del seu contemporani rus. En segon lloc, les dues adolescents es basen en arquetips mitològics: Dolores mostra paral·lelismes evidents amb la figura de Galatea (l’estàtua creada per Pigmalió en el mite clàssic), mentre que Lolita és descrita pel narrador i protagonista de l’obra, Humbert Humbert, com una nimfeta. Com l’article tractarà de demostrar, els dos rols mitològics s’entrellacen i conflueixen en les dues protagonistes: Dolores actua en certs moments com una nimfa i Humbert exerceix de Pigmalió de Lolita, la qual esdevé en certs moments la seva estàtua d’ivori. La principal diferència entre les protagonistes és que Lolita ha passat a la història com una nena seductora i provocativa, mentre que Dolores no ha sigut associada amb una actitud promíscua. Independentment d’aquest fet, totes dues són víctimes d’uns homes que es creuen amos dels seus cossos.
Reescriptures de l’Anunciació a Maria en la literatura catalana contemporània: Jacint Verdaguer, Josep Carner, Quim Monzó i Núria Cadenes
Authors: Cano Mateu J. Àngel
Published: November 2023

«Concebràs i tindràs un fill, i li posaràs el nom de Jesús», diu l’àngel Gabriel a Maria, que, tot i que verge i compromesa en matrimoni amb Josep, es reconeix serventa del Senyor i accepta la paraula del missatger de Déu. L’episodi bíblic de l’Anunciació, protagonitzat per la Mare de Déu i narrat a l’evangeli de sant Lluc (Lc 1,26-38) —a l’evangeli de sant Mateu (Mt 1,18-24) també apareix, però el protagonisme recau sobre Josep—, ha estat aprofitat al llarg de la història com a motiu per a noves interpretacions artístiques; pensem, per exemple, en els quadres de Fra Angelico, Sandro Botticelli, Jacopo Tintoretto o Dante Gabriel Rossetti, entre d’altres. L’objectiu d’aquest article és analitzar-ne les reescriptures o relacions hipertextuals que diversos autors de la literatura catalana contemporània han realitzat: des de Jacint Verdaguer, al poemari Jesús Infant: Betlem (1891), fins a Núria Cadenes, al conte «M.» (AZ, 2009), passant per Josep Carner i el seu Deu rondalles de Jesús Infant (1904), o Quin Monzó, al relat «La sang del mes que ve» (Mil cretins, 2007), tots tenen en comú el punt de partida, això és, el mite de l’Anunciació a Maria. En aquest sentit, prenent com a model de referència Gérard Genette i el seu Palimpsestes. La littérature au second degré (1982), l’episodi bíblic actuaria com a text anterior A, o hipotext, mentre que les obres dels autors catalans que se’n deriven farien de texts B, o hipertexts. És l’examen d’aquestes relacions de derivació —transformacions serioses o transposicions en Verdaguer i en Carner; transformacions lúdiques o paròdies en Monzó i en Cadenes— el que ens permetrà observar el tractament i les característiques que els escriptors donen a la figura de la Mare de Déu: un tractament que va des de l’acceptació del paper submís que el destí li té guardat fins al de revolta o al de subversió respecte a l’ordre establert.
Ressenya del llibre: Llúcia Martín Pascual (2022): Bestiari medieval
Authors: Sequero García M Ángeles
Published: November 2023

La ressenya fa un apropament al Bestiari Medieval a cura de la Doctora Llúcia Martín Pascual que publicà l'Editorial Barcino i que tracta aspectes religiosos, didàctics i morals a través de la tradició animalística catalana.