bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Intertextuality and Narrative Practices of Young Deaf Students in Classroom Contexts: A Microethnographic Study
Authors: Kim Minjeong
Published: November 2023

This study explores how intertextuality influences the narrative practices of young deaf children in two classrooms. Specifically, the study examines how variations in what texts are made available to juxtapose and variations in how texts are juxtaposed influence the narratives young deaf children produce. A major premise underlying these two purposes is that intertextual links are socially constructed by teachers and children. Data from each classroom was collected using ethnographic methods including participant observation 2.5 days per week in each classroom for six months, collection of classroom artifacts (e.g., student writing and drawing) and video recordings of select storytelling and story writing events. Data analysis involved transcribing the video recorded events, identifying potential instances of intertextuality in the transcripts and student written products, and coding for intertextual substance (the range of texts referenced) and intertextual process (how intertextual connections were constructed). Findings revealed two models of narrative practice in the classrooms: an individual model with a focus on a narrow range of narrative forms and structures aligned with formal curriculum and required assessments and a narrow range of potential intertextual connections; and, a shared model of narrative practice that involved a broader range of potential intertextual connections, social play, a focus on author‐audience relationships (where the audience were classroom peers) often eschewing formal narrative structures and forms, and the use of multiple modalities / sign systems. In one of the classrooms the individual model prevailed, while the shared model prevailed in the other. The findings suggest that over time deaf children, like hearing children, engage in, adopt, and adapt different classroom narrative practices dependent on the classroom social contexts of their production. The findings have implications for reconceptualizing narrative development and the assessment of spoken and written narratives.
The extrication of complex dynamics and the impact of government policies on tourism supply chain behavior for sustainable tourism in Zimbabwe
Authors: Chiwaridzo Option Takunda
Published: November 2023

In the global pursuit of balancing economic growth with environmental and social sustainability within the tourism sector, sustainable tourism has garnered paramount attention. This research delves into the complex interplay among government policies, tourism supply chain behavior, and sustainability dimensions within the context of Zimbabwean tourism. A quantitative approach was employed, collecting data from 721 Zimbabwean tourism supply chain representatives using stratified random sampling and the Krejcie and Morgan table a method of determining the sample size. Questionnaires were distributed via Google Forms, and structural equation modeling (SEM) was utilized for data analysis. The results provide strong empirical evidence that government policies have a significant positive effect on sustainability dimensions related to the tourism industry. The data indicates robust positive relationships between government policies and economic, environmental, and social sustainability. Furthermore, tourism supply chain behavior is shown to be a meaningful mediator between government policies and multiple sustainability outcomes. This emphasizes the significance of collaborative efforts, responsible practices, and harmonized actions within the tourism supply chain in achieving sustainable tourism. The study illuminates avenues for improving tourism sustainability, enhances policy makers and readers understanding on how policy‐driven efforts and tourism supply chain dynamics jointly impact tourism sustainability, there by emphasizing the need for coordinated actions.
Bayesian compositional generalized linear models for analyzing microbiome data
Authors: Zhang Li , Zhang Xinyan , Yi Nengjun
Published: November 2023

The crucial impact of the microbiome on human health and disease has gained significant scientific attention. Researchers seek to connect microbiome features with health conditions, aiming to predict diseases and develop personalized medicine strategies. However, the practicality of conventional models is restricted due to important aspects of microbiome data. Specifically, the data observed is compositional, as the counts within each sample are bound by a fixed‐sum constraint. Moreover, microbiome data often exhibits high dimensionality, wherein the number of variables surpasses the available samples. In addition, microbiome features exhibiting phenotypical similarity usually have similar influence on the response variable. To address the challenges posed by these aspects of the data structure, we proposed Bayesian compositional generalized linear models for analyzing microbiome data (BCGLM) with a structured regularized horseshoe prior for the compositional coefficients and a soft sum‐to‐zero restriction on coefficients through the prior distribution. We fitted the proposed models using Markov Chain Monte Carlo (MCMC) algorithms with R packagerstan. The performance of the proposed method was assessed by extensive simulation studies. The simulation results show that our approach outperforms existing methods with higher accuracy of coefficient estimates and lower prediction error. We also applied the proposed method to microbiome study to find microorganisms linked to inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). To make this work reproducible, the code and data used in this article are available athttps://github.com/Li‐Zhang28/BCGLM.
Isolation and Structural Characterization of Saponins from the Cephalaria Genus and Synthesis of the Saponin‐Loaded Chitosan Nanoparticles
Authors: Cansel Tiryaki Askim , Vardar Ozge , Yildirim Yeliz , Nalbantsoy Ayse , Boke Sarikahya Nazli
Published: November 2023

In recent years, saponins have increasingly attracted researchers’ attention owing to their multiple biological activities such as antifungal, cytotoxic, immunomodulatory and antimicrobial effects. In this study, targeted biologically active saponins from Cephalaria species were obtained by extraction, isolation and purification processes; additionally, the structures of saponins were elucidated by advanced spectroscopic methods. Optimisation studies were performed by using a UV–Vis spectrophotometer on three different saponins namely, elmalienoside B, sumbulianoside A and α‐hederin, isolated from Cephalaria species. The α‐hederin saponin‐loaded chitosan nanoparticles (SPCSNPs) were synthesised by employing an ionic gelation technique; subsequently, they were characterised. The encapsulation efficiency, loading capacity, and particle size of SPCSNPs were found to be 38 %, 3.7 % and 183.00±41.01 nm, respectively. In vitro cytotoxicity studies were conducted on SHSY‐5Y, CCD34LU, Panc‐1, PC‐3 and HL‐60 cell lines. When looking at the cytotoxic efficacy of SPCSNPs measured in percentage (3.65 %) in all cell lines, it was found that the efficacy of SPCSNPs was significantly higher than that of pure saponin. Consequently, the bioavailability and stability of biologically active saponins may increase thanks to the chitosan drug delivery system synthesized in this study and it is evident that saponin based chitosan nanoparticles have potential candidate for cancer researches.
The potential of three different adsorbents in solid‐phase extraction of antihistaminic and antimigraine drugs from water samples using ultra‐high‐performance liquid chromatography‐ultraviolet analysis
Authors: Jebali Sami , Labidi Aymen , Sghaier Rafika Ben , Latrous Latifa , Megriche Adel
Published: November 2023

In this study, eight pharmaceuticals belonging to two classes, antihistaminic and antimigraine, were considered. Ultra‐performance liquid chromatography‐diode array detection was set up and gradient elution was used. The mobile phase was composed of acetonitrile and trifluoroacetic acid solution. Chromatographic separation was carried out with a run time of 9 min. The preconcentration of eight studied solutes was realized by micro solid‐phase extraction. Multiwalled carbon nanotubes, cetyltrimethylammonium bromide‐titanium dioxide nanotubes, and C‐18 bonded silica solid‐phase extraction (SPE) sorbents were evaluated and compared concerning recoveries. The results of the optimization of factors affecting the extraction efficiency including sample volume, the elution solvent type, and its volume are reported. For validation of the analytical procedure, specificity, linearity, precision, accuracy, limit of detection, and limit of quantification were evaluated. The developed method was successfully applied to the analysis of wastewater treatment samples. The extraction recoveries of pharmaceutical substances were above 81.23% for the three SPE sorbents. The extraction method was selective and the detection and quantification limits were between 0.004–0.02 and 0.01–0.06 μg/L, respectively. All the results indicated the potential application of the three studied SPE sorbents for the extraction of selected pharmaceuticals from wastewater.
Crack monitoring on concrete structures with distributed fiber optic sensors—Toward automated data evaluation and assessment
Authors: Richter Bertram , Herbers Max , Marx Steffen
Published: November 2023

The ability to measure strains quasi‐continuously with high spatial resolution makes distributed fiber optic sensing a promising technology for structural health monitoring as it allows to locate and measure damages in concrete structures, such as cracks. Depending on whether the distributed fiber optic sensor (DFOS) is embedded into the concrete matrix or bonded to the reinforcement, different approaches for crack width calculation exist. The high spatial resolution of DFOS quickly leads to a large amount of data, especially with time continuous monitoring. Scalable, automated analysis approaches are required to handle such big data and to derive a gain in knowledge from the measurements. Thus, in a first step, the Python framework fosanalysis is presented and made available to other researchers or monitoring specialists as free software. The most important input parameters for crack width calculation are discussed for concrete strain and steel strain DFOS. Accurate crack monitoring for a 4 m long reinforced concrete beam is demonstrated by using fosanalysis. The calculated crack widths are in good agreement with digital image correlation measurements.
Development of VAScoR: A rubric to qualify and score responses to the views of nature of science (VNOS) questionnaire
Authors: Abd‐El‐Khalick Fouad , Summers Ryan , Brunner Jeanne L. , Belarmino Jeremy , Myers John
Published: November 2023

We report on the development of a rubric to reliably qualify and score responses to the Views of Nature of Science Questionnaire (VNOS): The VNOS Analysis and Scoring Rubric (VAScoR). The VAScoR is designed to (a) provide systematic guidance for the qualitative analysis, and score assignment to nuanced categories, of VNOS responses, (b) explicitly scaffold qualitative inferencing and standardize score assignment to substantially lessen the burden of, and variance in, analyzing and scoring the VNOS, and (c) improve the viability and meaningfulness of cross‐study comparisons drawing on VNOS data. The rubric adopted the VNOS's consensus NOS framework and further delineated core and related elements across 10 target NOS aspects. The VAScoR's reliability was examined in two studies that drew on VNOS questionnaires completed by 185 preservice secondary science teachers (58% female; 126 undergraduate and 59 graduate students) enrolled over several years in a combined undergraduate and graduate licensure program in a large U.S. Midwestern university. In Study I, VAScoR analyses of 86 VNOS questionnaires undertaken by a single author were used to examine the rubric's intra‐rater reliability, which resulted in a robust Cronbach's alpha value of 0.81. In Study II, analyses by four authors of a randomly generated, overlapping set of 18 questionnaires were used to examine inter‐rater reliability, which was supported with substantial consensus among raters as indicated by a Cohen's kappa of 0.71. Further evidence for the VAScoR's inter‐rater reliability was indicated by moderate to strong consistency among four raters with an overall Pearson's correlation coefficient of 0.82, and coefficient values ranging from 0.77 to 0.89 for six possible rater pairings.
“The Best Thing I Can Do for Readers Is Read!”: How One Teacher Conducts Interactive Multimodal Read‐Alouds Using Nonfiction Picture Books
Authors: Shimek Courtney
Published: November 2023

Few studies examine young children's multimodal responses to nonfiction picture books, and even fewer examine teaching practices that encourage these responses. This case study of a kindergarten class illustrates how one teacher regularly conducted interactive whole‐group read‐alouds using nonfiction picture books. After examining the multimodal teaching strategies employed by this teacher, the findings of this study highlight the social and physical nature of reading with young children. A discussion of this teacher's multimodal teaching practices suggests that understanding information from nonfiction picture books for young children requires readers to continually negotiate multiple modes of information over time and with the actions and opinions of those around them. Considerations for teachers reading nonfiction picture books are provided.
Saving Anthropometric History: A Solution to the “Estonian Antebellum Paradox”
Authors: Norkus Zenonas
Published: November 2023

First of all, I claim that Jörg Baten and Mathias Blum (2015a) have provided inaccurate data on Estonian male height. I discuss in more detail the most broadly used international data sources on human height in the next chapter. At this point, I only state that the decadal average of 173.4 cm for adult Estonian men born between 1890 and 1899 is not supported by other sources. The most reliable reports are surveys of provinces, presented annually by Russian governors to the central government, as they are based on the largest number of observations (N). According to this source, the mean height of draftees (N = 1654) to the Russian army in 1913 from the Estland Province was 172.0 cm (Obzor Èstljandskoj gubernii na 1913 god: 44). I use this 172.0 cm value in my quantitative analysis, although this correction only makes Estonians appear as the second tallest males (following Swedes with 172.4 cm and sharing second place with New Zealanders).
Demographic Continuity and Constitutional Politics in the Baltic Restorations
Authors: Norkus Zenonas
Published: November 2023

The idea of making a distinction between token and generic restorations was suggested by a reading of the excellent PhD dissertation (defended at the University of Columbia) by the Estonian political scientist Vello Pettai ‘Framing the Past as Future: The Power of Legal Restorationism in Estonia’, who process-traced the struggle between the two wings of the Estonian independence movement in 1988–1991 (Pettai 2004, 2007). One wing was represented by the Estonian Popular Front, led by the most distinguished Estonian scholars, artists and other public figures, who were part of the establishment of late Soviet Estonia, many of them belonging to the Communist Party. They advocated the restoration of independence using the framework of Soviet institutions.
Property Restitution and Privatisation in the Baltic Restorations of Capitalism
Authors: Norkus Zenonas
Published: November 2023

The Baltic restorations certainly deserve the status of paradigmatic modern restoration cases not only because they happened at the time when the share of survivors socialised under the original system was already approaching the critical threshold, separating token or ‘true’ restorations from reversals of a different kind. Only in Lithuania (if we accept the partisan underground state thesis) was the situation less dramatic. The determined affirmation in the legislation of contemporary Baltic states of their identity with states de facto extinct 50 years ago but still internationally recognised de jure is another reason. The most important reason to consider them as paradigms of modern restorations however is the following: the post-communist development of the Baltic countries was even more decidedly restorational than that of the French Bourbons in 1815–1830. Therefore, they may be much more instructive for the theorisation of modern restorations.
Making Investigative Journalism in a Hybrid Manner
Authors: Konow-Lund Maria , Park Michelle
Published: November 2023

It is easy to forget that, historically, hybridity has always been a part of journalism (Hamilton, 2016). For example, ethnographer and sociologist Gaye Tuchman (1978) first engaged with the ‘hybrid’ context of the television newsroom in the 1970s, unpacking its use of sound, moving images, still images, and lighting in relation to the traditional newspaper newsroom, which she had studied for her 1969 dissertation research. That ten-year production study relied upon the direct observation of news workers, editors, and their workplaces and led her to the powerful conclusion that journalism was in fact socially constructed or ‘made’ (Tuchman, 1969). She would develop her thinking about the news across media in her book Making news: A study of the construction of reality in 1978. Her work remains a model of scholarly engagement with journalism and its various platforms and practices even today.
Introduction to Youth Entrepreneurship
Authors: van der Westhuizen Thea
Published: November 2023

South Africa is facing its biggest crisis ever in relation to youth unemployment. Under the expanded definition of total national unemployment, which includes discouraged job seekers, the rate rose to a record of 43.2% in the first quarter of 2021 from 42.6% in the previous quarter. Underscoring the gravity of the situation, the youth’s jobless rate based on the expanded definition now stands at 74.7%, which means that only one in four school leavers who are 24 or younger have a job in South Africa. A link between youth unemployment and low economic development is evident in South Africa, and the low economic growth influences the total labour market. It is important to examine the effects that unemployment has on youth development because unemployed youths are unable to gain valuable entrepreneurial skills. Entrepreneurship is often seen as a strategy to improve youth unemployment, but by no means can it be seen as a save-it-all strategy for national social-economic development. Attempting to investigate possible support strategies for youth entrepreneurs, the SHAPE ecosystem for youth entrepreneurs was first theoretically created and then practically applied over time.
Toolkit—Tools to Develop Core Business, Growth, and Sustainability
Authors: van der Westhuizen Thea
Published: November 2023

‘Co-evolving’ brings with it the ideaof growingour business with others to be relevant to an expanding world. If our business idea is not relevant, it is unsustainable. It is like the seed thrown on stony ground; it will fail. All businesses need resources to feed on to thrive. In economic terms, these are sometimes called the ‘factors of production’: land, labour, capital, and entrepreneurship. Labour refers to what we today call human resources, and capital is the money or financing required to keep the business afloat, pay suppliers and employees, and reinvest in the business so that it can grow and prosper for its owners and shareholders. Our last resource, entrepreneurship, is us, the people with the drive, attitude, and innovation to start and run a successful business. The third quadrant of the SHAPE Business Model Canvas is a tool to help entrepreneurs to think about their business’s resources and operational needs.
Next-to-leading order QCD corrections to the form factors of B to scalar meson decays
Authors: Han Xue-Ying , Lu Long-Shun , Lü Cai-Dian , Shen Yue-Long , Shi Bo-Xuan
Published: November 2023

Abstract

We calculate the next-to-leading order QCD corrections to B to scalar meson form factors from QCD light-cone sum rules with B meson light-cone distribution amplitudes. We demonstrate that the B meson-to-vacuum correlation functions can be factorized into the convolution of short-distance coefficients and light-cone distribution amplitudes at the one-loop level and find that only $$ {\phi}_B^{+} $$

ϕ
B
+

(ω, μ) contributes to the form factors. We then employ the z-parameterization combined with constraints from strong coupling constants to reconstruct the q2 dependence of the form factors in the whole kinematic allowed regions. Due to the large cancellations between the hard functions and the jet functions, the next-to-leading order results show a modest increase of approximately 5% compared to the leading order results. Based on the results of form factors, we predict the branching ratios of semi-leptonic B → $$ S\ell {\overline{\nu}}_{\ell } $$
S
ℓ

ν
¯

ℓ

and B → $$ S{\nu}_{\ell }{\overline{\nu}}_{\ell } $$
S

ν
ℓ

ν
¯

ℓ

processes, as well as several angular observables, such as forward-backward asymmetries, “flat terms” and lepton polarization asymmetries. We compare these results with calculations from other methods. Experimental verification of these results is required in future experiments.
Bi-Yang-Baxter models and Sl(2)-orbits
Authors: Grimm Thomas W. , Monnee Jeroen
Published: November 2023

Abstract

We study integrable deformations of two-dimensional non-linear σ-models and present a new class of classical solutions to critical bi-Yang-Baxter models for general groups. For the simplest example, namely the SL(2, ℝ) bi-Yang-Baxter model, we show that our solutions can be mapped to the known complex uniton solutions of the SU(2) bi-Yang-Baxter model. In general, our solutions are constructed from so-called Sl(2)-orbits that play a central role in the study of asymptotic Hodge theory. This provides further evidence for a close relation between integrable non-linear σ-models and the mathematical principles underlying Hodge theory. We have also included a basic introduction to the relevant aspects of asymptotic Hodge theory and have provided some simple examples.
Techniques in Equivariant Ehrhart Theory
Authors: Elia Sophia , Kim Donghyun , Supina Mariel
Published: November 2023

Equivariant Ehrhart theory generalizes the study of lattice point enumeration to also account for the symmetries of a polytope under a linear group action. We present a catalogue of techniques with applications in this field, including zonotopal decompositions, symmetric triangulations, combinatorial interpretation of the $$h^*$$

h
∗

-polynomial, and certificates for the (non)existence of invariant nondegenerate hypersurfaces. We apply these methods to several families of examples including hypersimplices, orbit polytopes, and graphic zonotopes, expanding the library of polytopes for which their equivariant Ehrhart theory is known.
IGA-based topology optimization in the design of stress-constrained compliant mechanisms
Authors: Villalba D. , Gonçalves M. , Dias-de-Oliveira J. , Andrade-Campos A. , Valente R.
Published: November 2023

Topology design of compliant mechanisms has gained wide popularity among the scientific community, and their use in the mechanical engineering field is being of upmost importance. In this paper, an isogeometric analysis (IGA) formulation is used to solve the topology optimization problem of compliant mechanisms. Stress constraints are introduced in the problem to guarantee the attainment of realistic solutions. For this purpose, an overweight constraint is considered for the design process, replacing the use of local stress constraints. The material distribution in the domain is modeled with quadratic B-splines and with a uniform relative density within each element of the mesh. These strategies to define the material layout are used to compare the IGA-based formulation with the finite element (FEM) formulation. The IGA formulation provides several advantages with respect to the classical FEM-based approaches that are shown and analyzed with an input-parameters sensitivity analysis. The sensitivity analysis and the assessment of the importance of introducing of stress constraints in the problem are developed by solving two benchmark problems. Regarding the sensitivity analysis of input parameters, the results show that the ratio between the material and the springs stiffnesses is the parameter with the largest influence on the solutions of the problem. Moreover, the advantages of the IGA formulations over FEM formulations are related with the computational time, the smoothness of the structural borders, and the non-appearance of the checkerboard patterns. With respect to the stress constraints, the results show that they have to be considered in order to avoid instability and structural integrity problems.
Determination of selenium-containing species, including nanoparticles, in selenium-enriched Lingzhi mushrooms
Authors: LeBlanc Kelly L. , Kumlung Tantima , Suárez Priede Andrés , Kumkrong Paramee , Junvee Thippaya , Deawtong Suladda , Bettmer Jörg , Montes-Bayón María , Mester Zoltan
Published: November 2023

Mushrooms are considered a valuable food source due to their high protein and fibre and low fat content, among the other health benefits of their consumption. Selenium is an essential nutrient and is renowned for its chemo-preventative properties. In this study, batches of selenium-enriched Lingzhi mushrooms were prepared by growing mycelium and fruit in substrates containing various concentrations of sodium selenite. The mushroom fruit accumulated low levels of selenium with selenomethionine being the most abundant form in all enriched samples. Conversely, the mycelium showed significant selenium accumulation but relatively low proportions of selenomethionine. The red colour of the selenium-enriched mycelia indicated the probable presence of selenium nanoparticles, which was confirmed by single-particle inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry. Mean particle diameters of 90–120 nm were observed, with size distributions of 60–250 nm. Additional analysis with transmission electron microscopy confirmed this size distribution and showed that the biogenic selenium nanoparticles were roughly spherical in shape and contained elemental selenium.

Graphical Abstract
Independent validation of CT radiomics models in colorectal liver metastases: predicting local tumour progression after ablation
Authors: van der Reijd Denise J. , Guerendel Corentin , Staal Femke C. R. , Busard Milou P. , De Oliveira Taveira Mateus , Klompenhouwer Elisabeth G. , Kuhlmann Koert F. D. , Moelker Adriaan , Verhoef Cornelis , Starmans Martijn P. A. , Lambregts Doenja M. J. , Beets-Tan Regina G. H. , Benson Sean , Maas Monique
Published: November 2023

Objectives

Independent internal and external validation of three previously published CT-based radiomics models to predict local tumor progression (LTP) after thermal ablation of colorectal liver metastases (CRLM).

Materials and methods

Patients with CRLM treated with thermal ablation were collected from two institutions to collect a new independent internal and external validation cohort. Ablation zones (AZ) were delineated on portal venous phase CT 2–8 weeks post-ablation. Radiomics features were extracted from the AZ and a 10 mm peri-ablational rim (PAR) of liver parenchyma around the AZ. Three previously published prediction models (clinical, radiomics, combined) were tested without retraining. LTP was defined as new tumor foci appearing next to the AZ up to 24 months post-ablation.

Results

The internal cohort included 39 patients with 68 CRLM and the external cohort 52 patients with 78 CRLM. 34/146 CRLM developed LTP after a median follow-up of 24 months (range 5–139). The median time to LTP was 8 months (range 2–22). The combined clinical-radiomics model yielded a c-statistic of 0.47 (95%CI 0.30–0.64) in the internal cohort and 0.50 (95%CI 0.38–0.62) in the external cohort, compared to 0.78 (95%CI 0.65–0.87) in the previously published original cohort. The radiomics model yielded c-statistics of 0.46 (95%CI 0.29–0.63) and 0.39 (95%CI 0.28–0.52), and the clinical model 0.51 (95%CI 0.34–0.68) and 0.51 (95%CI 0.39–0.63) in the internal and external cohort, respectively.

Conclusion

The previously published results for prediction of LTP after thermal ablation of CRLM using clinical and radiomics models were not reproducible in independent internal and external validation.

Clinical relevance statement

Local tumour progression after thermal ablation of CRLM cannot yet be predicted with the use of CT radiomics of the ablation zone and peri-ablational rim. These results underline the importance of validation of radiomics results to test for reproducibility in independent cohorts.

Key Points

• Previous research suggests CT radiomics models have the potential to predict local tumour progression after thermal ablation in colorectal liver metastases, but independent validation is lacking.

• In internal and external validation, the previously published models were not able to predict local tumour progression after ablation.

• Radiomics prediction models should be investigated in independent validation cohorts to check for reproducibility.

Graphical Abstract
Roux-en-Y gastric bypass and sleeve gastrectomy as revisional bariatric procedures after adjustable gastric banding: a retrospective cohort study
Authors: Santos-Sousa Hugo , Nogueiro Jorge , Lindeza Luis , Carmona Maria Neves , Amorim-Cruz Filipe , Resende Fernando , Costa-Pinho André , Preto John , Sousa-Pinto Bernardo , Carneiro Silvestre , Lima-da-Costa Eduardo
Published: November 2023

Introduction

The frequency of revisional bariatric surgery is increasing, but its effectiveness and safety are not yet fully established. The aim of our study was to compare short-term outcomes of primary (pRYGB and pSG) and revisional bariatric surgeries (rRYGB and rSG).

Methods

We performed a retrospective cohort study assessing all patients submitted to primary and revisional (after a failed AGB) RYGB and SG in 2019. Each patient was followed-up at 6 months and 12 months after surgery. We compared pRYGB vs. rRYGB, pSG vs. rSG and rRYGB vs. rSG on weight loss, surgical complications, and resolution of comorbidities.

Results

We assessed 494 patients, of which 18.8% had undergone a revisional procedure. Higher weight loss at 6 and 12 months was observed in patients undergoing primary vs. revisional procedures. Patients submitted to rRYGB lost more weight than those with rSG (%EWL 12 months = 82.6% vs. 69.0%, p < 0.001). Regarding the resolution of obesity-related comorbidities, diabetes resolution was more frequent in pRYGB than rRYGB (54.2% vs. 25.0%; p = 0.038). Also, 41.7% of the patients who underwent rRYGB had dyslipidemia resolution vs. 0% from the rSG group (p = 0.035). Dyslipidemia resolution was also more common in pSG vs. rSG (68.6% vs. 0.0%; p = 0.001). No significant differences in surgical complications were found.

Conclusion

Revisional bariatric surgery is effective and safe treating obesity and related comorbidities after AGB. Primary procedures appear to be associated with better weight loss outcomes. Further prospective studies are needed to better understand the role of revisional bariatric surgery.
Addressing the data bottleneck in medical deep learning models using a human-in-the-loop machine learning approach
Authors: Mosqueira-Rey Eduardo , Hernández-Pereira Elena , Bobes-Bascarán José , Alonso-Ríos David , Pérez-Sánchez Alberto , Fernández-Leal Ángel , Moret-Bonillo Vicente , Vidal-Ínsua Yolanda , Vázquez-Rivera Francisca
Published: November 2023

Any machine learning (ML) model is highly dependent on the data it uses for learning, and this is even more important in the case of deep learning models. The problem is a data bottleneck, i.e. the difficulty in obtaining an adequate number of cases and quality data. Another issue is improving the learning process, which can be done by actively introducing experts into the learning loop, in what is known as human-in-the-loop (HITL) ML. We describe an ML model based on a neural network in which HITL techniques were used to resolve the data bottleneck problem for the treatment of pancreatic cancer. We first augmented the dataset using synthetic cases created by a generative adversarial network. We then launched an active learning (AL) process involving human experts as oracles to label both new cases and cases by the network found to be suspect. This AL process was carried out simultaneously with an interactive ML process in which feedback was obtained from humans in order to develop better synthetic cases for each iteration of training. We discuss the challenges involved in including humans in the learning process, especially in relation to human–computer interaction, which is acquiring great importance in building ML models and can condition the success of a HITL approach. This paper also discusses the methodological approach adopted to address these challenges.
3′-tRF-CysGCA overexpression in HEK-293 cells alters the global expression profile and modulates cellular processes and pathways
Authors: Karousi Paraskevi , Samiotaki Martina , Makridakis Manousos , Zoidakis Jerome , Sideris Diamantis C. , Scorilas Andreas , Carell Thomas , Kontos Christos K.
Published: November 2023

tRNA fragments (tRFs) are small non-coding RNAs generated through specific cleavage of tRNAs and involved in various biological processes. Among the different types of tRFs, the 3′-tRFs have attracted scientific interest due to their regulatory role in gene expression. In this study, we investigated the role of 3′-tRF-CysGCA, a tRF deriving from cleavage in the T-loop of tRNACysGCA, in the regulation of gene expression in HEK-293 cells. Previous studies have shown that 3′-tRF-CysGCA is incorporated into the RISC complex and interacts with Argonaute proteins, suggesting its involvement in the regulation of gene expression. However, the general role and effect of the deregulation of 3′-tRF-CysGCA levels in human cells have not been investigated so far. To fill this gap, we stably overexpressed 3′-tRF-CysGCA in HEK-293 cells and performed transcriptomic and proteomic analyses. Moreover, we validated the interaction of this tRF with putative targets, the levels of which were found to be affected by 3′-tRF-CysGCA overexpression. Lastly, we investigated the implication of 3′-tRF-CysGCA in various pathways using extensive bioinformatics analysis. Our results indicate that 3′-tRF-CysGCA overexpression led to changes in the global gene expression profile of HEK-293 cells and that multiple cellular pathways were affected by the deregulation of the levels of this tRF. Additionally, we demonstrated that 3′-tRF-CysGCA directly interacts with thymopoietin (TMPO) transcript variant 1 (also known as LAP2α), leading to modulation of its levels. In conclusion, our findings suggest that 3′-tRF-CysGCA plays a significant role in gene expression regulation and highlight the importance of this tRF in cellular processes.
Becoming aware of an authentic historic place: effects on affective and cognitive outcomes
Authors: Ries Melissa , Schwan Stephan
Published: November 2023

The present study addressed the effects of becoming aware of being at an authentic historic place both on affective reactions and acquisition of information about the relevant historic events. The study was conducted in a research institute located in a former National Socialist (NS) clinic, thus holding an authentic historic dimension, while at the same time, the building’s physical attributes do not resemble its history anymore. This allowed us to manipulate the participants’ awareness of being at an authentic historic place via systematic variation of prior information (neutral information about the building, general information about a historic event, information about the authenticity of the place regarding the historic event). After receiving prior information, participants had to indicate their emotional valence and arousal. They were then shown a set of photographs related to the relevant historical period or to another unrelated period in randomized order and, after a filler task, were given a memory test of the photographs. Afterwards, participants rated the study room regarding its valence and evoking arousal. It was found that awareness of being at an authentic place had a negative effect on personal mood. Furthermore, the site itself was perceived less positively when participants were aware of its NS history. However, no differences in memory performance of relevant photos were found due to history awareness. The findings indicate that being at an authentic historic place does not necessarily imply a better acquisition of relevant historical knowledge.
Invasion of farmland hedgerows by non-native small mammals is associated with lower soil surface invertebrate diversity, abundance, body size and biomass
Authors: Montgomery W. Ian , Montgomery Sally S. J. , O’Neill James , Reid Neil
Published: November 2023

Small mammals in farmland hedgerows feed on soil surface invertebrates with non-native invasive species potentially affecting prey species and populations. We investigated terrestrial invertebrates using pitfall traps and leaf litter samples across four zones of invasion in Ireland: (1) native species only (wood mouse Apodemus sylvaticus and pygmy shrew Sorex minutus), (2) natives plus the non-native bank vole (Myodes glareolus), (3) natives plus the non-native greater white-toothed shrew (Crocidura russula) and (4) natives plus both. After accounting for regional and local environmental variation, small mammal invasion was associated with lower invertebrate species richness (9–39% lower than uninvaded zones), reduced abundance (18–56% lower), shorter arthropod body length (24–52% shorter) and lower arthropod biomass (63–89% lower). Negative effects were observed on a wide range of disparate functional groups spanning phytophagous, detritivorus, zoophagous and omnivorous taxa including: the Staphylinidae, Carabidae and Coleoptera larvae, Isopoda, Diplopoda, Diptera, Hymenoptera, Pulmonata and Acari. The greater white-toothed shrew had greater negative effects than the bank vole with presence of both having greater effects than either alone though the majority of their combined effects were largely attributable to the former. The bank vole may mitigate some of the negative effects of the greater white-toothed shrew on invertebrate abundance perhaps indicating of some form of trophic interaction. Predation of detritivores and large invertebrate predators may impact farmland ecosystem service delivery i.e. nutrient cycling and pest biocontrol. Hedgerow biodiversity loss may induce indirect trophic cascades negatively impacting other taxa including farmland birds.
Challenging Greek Primary Students’ Knowledge of Ocean Acidification Using the Carbon Cycle Context
Authors: Boubonari Theodora , Papazoglou Despoina-Niovi , Mogias Athanasios , Kevrekidis Theodoros
Published: November 2023

The purpose of the present study was to investigate the impact of an intervention on primary school students’ construction of knowledge on ocean acidification and the development of their systems thinking. Eighty-five 11 to 12-year-old students from five different classes of two public primary schools in Greece participated in the 8-h intervention. The intervention included inquiry-based and knowledge-integration activities, and students worked in groups during all activities. Rich pictures, made by the groups at the beginning and the end of the intervention, were used to evaluate their progress in their knowledge concerning the carbon cycle, as well as in their systems thinking. Our findings showed that the intervention contributed to primary students’ conceptual knowledge of the carbon cycle and the inclusion of ocean acidification in the carbon cycle. It also helped them improve their systems thinking, indicating that students’ systems thinking at this age could be developed through formal instruction with interventions which emphasize content knowledge and use an earth systems approach. Moreover, our findings indicate that the systems thinking perspective can serve as an effective approach to help children better understand and critically engage with complex environmental issues, such as ocean acidification.
Cell replacement therapy with stem cells in multiple sclerosis, a systematic review
Authors: Christodoulou Maria Veatriki , Petkou Ermioni , Atzemoglou Natalia , Gkorla Eleni , Karamitrou Aikaterini , Simos Yannis V. , Bellos Stefanos , Bekiari Chryssa , Kouklis Panos , Konitsiotis Spyridon , Vezyraki Patra , Peschos Dimitrios , Tsamis Konstantinos I.
Published: November 2023

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a chronic inflammatory, autoimmune, and neurodegenerative disease of the central nervous system (CNS), characterized by demyelination and axonal loss. It is induced by attack of autoreactive lymphocytes on the myelin sheath and endogenous remyelination failure, eventually leading to accumulation of neurological disability. Disease-modifying agents can successfully address inflammatory relapses, but have low efficacy in progressive forms of MS, and cannot stop the progressive neurodegenerative process. Thus, the stem cell replacement therapy approach, which aims to overcome CNS cell loss and remyelination failure, is considered a promising alternative treatment. Although the mechanisms behind the beneficial effects of stem cell transplantation are not yet fully understood, neurotrophic support, immunomodulation, and cell replacement appear to play an important role, leading to a multifaceted fight against the pathology of the disease. The present systematic review is focusing on the efficacy of stem cells to migrate at the lesion sites of the CNS and develop functional oligodendrocytes remyelinating axons. While most studies confirm the improvement of neurological deficits after the administration of different stem cell types, many critical issues need to be clarified before they can be efficiently introduced into clinical practice.
Studying the effects of educational games on cultivating computational thinking skills to primary school students: a systematic literature review
Authors: Giannakoulas Andreas , Xinogalos Stelios
Published: November 2023

This article presents a systematic literature review (SLR) on the effects of serious games, or more specifically educational games that aim to teach Computational Thinking (CT) skills to primary school students. Sixty one studies from various data sources were evaluated based on the CT skills and programming concepts addressed, the evaluation instruments used, the target audience, the learning outcomes and their results. The findings of the studies on the efficiency or impact of educational games on the acquisition of the proposed topics were positive, indicating that educational programming games can help primary school students develop CT skills or understand fundamental programming concepts. Additionally, the results suggest a general positive attitude towards the use of an educational game for learning purposes, while students perceive games as a great motivator for engaging in CT activities. Finally, the research discusses research gaps and shortages, as well as methodological limitations and recommendations for future work in the relevant domain.
The cost of research: Lasting effects of capture, surgery and muscle biopsy on brown bear (Ursus arctos) movement and physiology
Authors: Thiel Alexandra , Hertel Anne G , Giroud Sylvain , Friebe Andrea , Fuchs Boris , Kindberg Jonas , Græsli Anne Randi , Arnemo Jon M , Evans Alina L
Published: November 2023

Animal models are a key component of translational medicine, helping transfer scientific findings into practical applications for human health. A fundamental principle of research ethics involves weighing the benefits of the research to society against the burden imposed on the animals used for scientific purposes. The utilisation of wild animals for research requires evaluation of the effects of capture and invasive sampling. Determining the severity and duration of these interventions on the animal’s physiology and behaviour allows for refining study methodology and for excluding or accounting for biased data. In this study, 39 Scandinavian brown bears (Ursus arctos) captured either while hibernating in winter or via helicopter in summer and that underwent surgery as part of a human health project had their movement, body temperature and timing of onset of hibernation compared with those of 14 control bears that had not been captured during the same period. Bears captured in winter and summer showed decreased movement from den exit until late summer, compared to those in the control group. Bears captured in summer showed reduced movement and body temperature for at least, respectively, 14 and 3 days, with an 11% decrease in hourly distance, compared to pre-capture levels, but did not differ in the timing of hibernation onset. We reveal that brown bear behaviour and physiology can be altered in response to capture and surgery for days to months, post-capture. This has broad implications for the conclusions of wildlife studies that rely upon invasive sampling.
The AFL-CIO, the U.S. Balance of Payments, and the End of the Post–World War II Liberal Order, 1965–1973
Authors: Sheehan Melanie
Published: November 2023

This article analyzes the AFL-CIO’s international economic policy activism in the late 1960s and early 1970s within the context of the collapse of Bretton Woods monetary system. It shows that AFL-CIO economists developed a far-reaching critique of multinational corporations that encompassed not only concerns about import competition and capital flight but also charges that multinational firms contributed to the United States’ balance of payments woes. Fighting charges that union wages drove inflation, labor leaders maintained that private capital outflows and intracompany transactions exacerbated U.S. payments deficits. They therefore advocated for capital controls and import restrictions as alternatives to fiscal and monetary restraint. Their efforts to preserve the expansionary policies underpinning postwar liberalism, however, ultimately failed. By calling attention to the AFL-CIO’s failed activism in international monetary politics, the article offers a new vantage point for understanding organized labor’s declining influence in the last third of the twentieth century.
Justifying the use of excessive force: A critical discourse analysis of Chinese police individual WeChat Subscription Accounts
Authors: Wang Han
Published: November 2023

This article examines how individual police officers in China interpret and justify the use of excessive force on social media through their WeChat Subscription Accounts (WSAs). Existing research examines how the police department uses social media to justify deadly force, but overlooks individual officers’ online justifications. Adopting a critical discourse analysis approach, this study analyses 211 articles commenting on a prominent case of police violence in China. The findings shed light on the online voice of Chinese frontline officers, revealing an ideology that defends the use of excessive force. The articles published in WSAs displayed strong empathy towards the involved officer; contested the characterization of the incident as police brutality by police officials, the public, and the media; and employed various strategies to justify the officer’s actions. The discussion section expands on these findings by drawing comparisons to justifications in the United States, emphasizing the distinctive dynamic between individual officers’ online expression and official police discourse in China, and offering insights for scholars examining online expression and digital nationalism in the Chinese context.