bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Влияние гидродинамических параметров струи и геометрических параметров дужек и розетки оросителя на кратность пены
Authors: Говор Эдуард Геннадьевич , Лихоманов Алексей Олегович , Камлюк Андрей Николаевич , Говор Татьяна Алексеевна , Ярец Владимир Алексеевич
Published: May 2023

Цель. Определение зависимости кратности воздушно-механической пены от гидродинамических параметров струи водного раствора синтетического углеводородного пенообразователя, не содержащего фторированных поверхностно-активных веществ, с учетом варьирования геометрических параметров составных частей розеточного оросителя (штуцера, дужек и розетки).
Методы. В работе применены теоретические методы анализа, сравнения и синтеза, а также метод полного факторного эксперимента для получения регрессионной модели.
Результаты. При использовании синтетического углеводородного пенообразователя, не содержащего фторированных поверхностно-активных веществ, марки Синтек-6НС (6 %), который относится к пенообразователям общего назначения (тип S) согласно СТБ 2459-2016, проведен полный факторный эксперимент на трех уровнях пяти факторов, влияющих на кратность генерируемой оросителем пены: число Вебера We = 23 100, 47 900 и 75 900, длина дужек L = 30, 50 и 150 мм, коэффициент рабочей поверхности розетки Ks = 50, 64 и 100 %, внешний диаметр розетки D = 20, 50 и 100 мм и угол наклона лопастей розетки α = 15, 30 и 45°. В результате анализа экспериментальных данных разработана регрессионная модель для прогнозирования кратности пены в исследованных диапазонах изменения числа Вебера We и геометрических параметров дужек и розетки оросителя. Для полученной модели коэффициент детерминации R2 равен 0,93, что свидетельствует о высокой точности описания зависимой переменной (кратности пены) от исследованных факторов, при этом отклонение теоретических значений кратности пены от эмпирических составляет не более 8,9 %.
Область применения исследований. Разработанная регрессионная модель позволяет осуществлять подбор оптимальных конфигураций (комбинаций геометрических параметров) розеточного оросителя, в частности коэффициента рабочей поверхности розетки, внешнего диаметра и угла конусности лопастей розетки, длины дужек и диаметра выходного отверстия штуцера оросителя с целью получения воздушно-механической пены с необходимыми значением кратности в зависимости от условий и целей применения данного огнетушащего вещества.
Electrical stimulation through cochlear implants for tinnitus
Authors:   , Assouly Kelly Kérène Simy
Published: May 2023

Tinnitus is the perception of sound without an external stimulus, often experienced as a ringing, buzzing sound. It has a prevalence ranging from 10 to 30% of the general population with up to 3% of people with tinnitus experiencing severe and bothersome tinnitus resulting in a substantial reduction of the quality of life. To date, there is no cure for tinnitus. Cochlear implantation may be an effective treatment for patients with moderate to severe tinnitus and hearing loss who do not respond to conventional treatments. This thesis contributed to higher-level evidence on the effect of electrical stimulation of the auditory nerve through cochlear implants for people suffering from moderate to severe tinnitus. We have shown that electrical stimulation through cochlear implants showed overall a positive effect on tinnitus in patients with tinnitus as a primary complaint. However, there are several considerations before drawing conclusions on the potential of electrical stimulation through cochlear implants as a viable treatment for tinnitus for patients with accompanying hearing loss. This thesis underlines the importance of patient selection and appropriate tinnitus evaluation after cochlear implantation in research studies and clinical practices. In addition, the thesis contributed to a better understanding of the impact of tinnitus on cochlear implant recipients, which findings can be used to further promote a patient-centred approach. A mixed-methods study provided insight in the potential benefits of the sound processor use and thus intracochlear electrical stimulation on tinnitus impact. Further research is needed to predict tinnitus outcomes after implantation and ideally to better understand the mechanisms of actions of electrical stimulation. Through collaboration between clinicians, scientists and industrial partners, a curative treatment for tinnitus could be developed through electrical stimulation of the auditory nerve.
Enteral nutrition and hepatosplanchnic region in critically ill patients - friends or foes?
Authors: Rokyta R , Matějovič M , Kroužecký A , Novák I
Published: May 2023

Enteral nutrition (EN) is a preferred way of feeding in critically ill patients unless obvious contraindications such as ileus or active gastrointestinal bleeding are present. Early enteral nutrition as compared to delayed EN or total parenteral nutrition decreases morbidity in postsurgical and trauma patients. The hepatosplanchnic region plays a pivotal role in the pathophysiology of sepsis and multiple organ dysfunction syndrome. The beneficial effects of EN on splanchnic perfusion and energy metabolism have been documented both in healthy volunteers and animal models of sepsis, hemorrhagic shock and burns. By contrast, EN may increase splanchnic metabolic demands, which in turn may lead to oxygen and/or energy demand/supply mismatch, especially when hyperemic response to EN is not preserved. Therefore, the timing of initiation and the dose of EN in patients with circulatory failure requiring vasoactive drugs are a matter of controversy. Interestingly, the results of recent clinical studies suggest that early enteral nutrition may not be harmful even in patients with circulatory compromise. Nevertheless, possible onset of serious complications, the non-occlusive bowel necrosis in particular, have to be kept in mind. Unfortunately, there is only a limited number of clinically applicable monitoring tools for the effects of enteral nutrition in critically ill patients.
A vesebetegek rehabilitációjának hazai és nemzetközi tapasztalatai – magyarországi célkitűzések
Authors: Haris Ágnes , Polner Kálmán , Rosivall László
Published: May 2023

A krónikus vesebetegség progressziója a legtöbb esetben fizikai teljesítőképesség-romlást okoz, ami akadályozza a betegek munkavállalását, családi és társadalmi szerepvállalását, és korlátozza az idősek önellátó képességét. A testi fogyatékosságok mellett a betegeknek és a hozzátartozóiknak súlyos pszichoszociális terheket is viselniük kell. Mindez jelentős mértékben enyhíthető a komplex rehabilitációs ellátással, ami magában foglalja a fizikai tréninget, a fizioterápiát, a dietetikai, klinikai gyógyszerészi és pszichoszociális gondoskodást. Közleményünkben nemzetközi tapasztalatok elemzésével bizonyítjuk a vesebetegek eredményes és költséghatékony rehabilitálhatóságát. Bemutatjuk a hazai nefrológusok rehabilitációs célú kezdeményezéseit és a rendelkezésre álló rehabilitációs lehetőségeket. Javasoljuk a rehabilitációs szakemberek és a nefrológusok együttműködését, nefrológiai-rehabilitációs munkacsoport létrehozását, a krónikus vesebetegek rehabilitációs módszertanának kidolgozását és általános gyakorlati bevezetését.
“Ti sfido in altezza”: da un gioco-indagine in ambiente di geometria dinamica alla discussione di attributi critici delle figure
Authors: Soldano Carlotta , Sabena Cristina
Published: May 2023

L’intreccio tra componenti concettuali e figurali è una caratteristica fondamentale del pensiero geometrico e costituisce un importante obbiettivo didattico a tutti i livelli scolastici. In questo articolo si considerano le altezze dei triangoli inquadrando il problema da un punto di vista teorico e analizzando un’attività didattica sperimentata in classi seconde di scuola secondaria di primo grado. L’attività è centrata su un gioco-indagine con feedback digitale implementato in GeoGebra, seguito da una discussione di classe. Attraverso l’analisi di estratti dalla discussione di classe verranno mostrate le potenzialità didattiche della progettazione, con particolare riferimento all’evoluzione dell’immagine concettuale personale degli studenti.
Spazio… alla matematica!
Authors: De Sanctis Chiara , Manara Irene
Published: May 2023

L’articolo ripercorre il viaggio vissuto dalle allieve e dagli allievi di una sezione dell’ultimo anno della scuola dell’infanzia nel mondo della matematica: nel corso dell’intero anno scolastico i bambini, accompagnati dal personaggio mediatore Galileo Galilei, si sono cimentati in significative esperienze che hanno permesso loro di avvicinarsi a concetti matematici in modo profondo e allo stesso tempo ludico.Sono state sperimentate una varietà di proposte, nella convinzione che l’apprendimento, in età prescolare, debba avvenire per esperienza concreta attraverso il contatto diretto con gli oggetti, tramite il fare corporeo, il movimento e il gioco.Lo scopo del percorso è stato di avviare i bambini allo sviluppo di quei prerequisiti importanti per permettere loro di affrontare la scuola primaria1 con maggiore sicurezza, come la conoscenza dei concetti topologici e delle relazioni spaziali, il potenziamento delle funzioni esecutive, le capacità di enumerazione e di conteggio.
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1 La scuola primaria in Italia dura cinque anni e corrisponde alla scuola elementare nel Canton Ticino.
Schmitt, the Constructivist? Possible Contributions to IR Theory
Authors: TÜZGEN Abdullah Enes
Published: May 2023

This paper proposes re-reading famous German philosopher Carl Schmitt as a possible contributor to constructivist IR theory. It first examines Schmitt’s theories to determine if his writings enable such a reading. The paper argues that Schmitt, in fact, fulfills four criteria to be considered in the constructivist camp. The paper then turns to Wendt’s attempt to construct a systemic constructivist theory of IR. It contends that Wendt’s endeavor has certain shortcomings; and that these can be solved by Schmitt’s contribution. The distinction between “public and private enemy”; and the concept of Grossraum in Schmitt’s writings can be utilized as useful tools to solve certain theoretical problems regarding “self vs. other” distinction. In other words, Grossraum can act as a conceptual category to solve the tension between particularism of group self, and hypothetical universal state Wendt foresees. Practically that means the possibility of transcending nation-state identities without a necessity to accept that logical conclusion of such a reasoning is a universal world state.
Pedofili Bireyler Tarafından Çocukların Bilinçli ve Sistematik Cinsel İstismarı: Helmut Kentler “Deneyi” ve Odenwald Okulu Örneği
Authors: YAMAN Fikret
Published: May 2023

Modern dönemde ihmal, istismar, kötü muamele, şiddet gibi nedenlerle koruma altına alınan çocuklar, koruma ve bakım altında kaldıkları süre içerisinde de ihmal ve istismara uğrayabilmektedir. Bununla birlikte, kendilerini korumakla görevli kamu kurumları tarafından çocukların bilinçli ve sistemli olarak istismar edildiği, yüksek yararlarının dikkate alınmadığı uygulamalar da bulunmaktadır. Örneğin, “iyi bir gelecek” ve “İngiliz yatırımı” düşünceleri ile İngiltere’den Kanada ve Avustralya’ya 1970’lere kadar yapılan zorunlu çocuk göçü nedeniyle yüzbinlerce çocuk ailelerinden koparılmıştır.

Çocukların pedofili bireyler tarafından bilinçli ve sistematik olarak istismar edilmesi olgusu ise her yönüyle üzerinde durulması gereken bir konudur. Almanya’nın Berlin Eyaletinde, 1960’ların sonundan 2003 yılına kadar, sosyal pedagoji Profesörü Helmut Kentler, Berlin Senatosu ve Berlin Gençlik dairesinin onayı ile koruma altındaki çocukların pedofili “koruyucu baba”ların yanına yerleştirildiği ve bu kişilere finansal destek verildiği ortaya çıkmıştır. Aynı şekilde, 1910 yılında kurulan Odenwald Okulu’ndaki çocuklar, pedofili ve eşcinsel öğretmenleri, idarecileri tarafından yıllar boyunca sistematik cinsel istismara uğramıştır. Literatür, her iki uygulamadaki aktörlerin birbirleriyle bağlantılı olduğunu ortaya çıkarmıştır.

Çalışma, yöntem olarak literatüre dayalı bir araştırmadır. Bu kapsamda, Helmut Kentler “Deneyi” ve Odenwald Okulu’nda yaşanan istismarlar, üniversitelerin konuya ilişkin araştırma raporları, literatürdeki ilgili diğer kaynaklar ve basında yer alan bilgiler çerçevesinde ele alınmıştır.
Spatial analysis of paddy field change in Purwakarta Regency, West Java, Indonesia
Authors: Saputro Budi , Priatna Dolly , Rosadi Rosadi , Miyazawa Naori
Published: May 2023

Food is a basic human need. The state must strive to meet the availability of food for people in a sustainable manner. One of the efforts is to maintain and develop paddy fields as a food source as a supplier of 95% of national rice production. The conversion of paddy fields is a reason of decreasing of food production in Purwakarta Regency, which impact on food availability and security. This research was aimed to provide a portrait of the rate of conversion of paddy fields in Purwakarta. This research is a quantitative descriptive research using spatial analysis to compare two period of times: 2013-2017 period and the 2017-2021 period. The results of spatial analysis in the 2013-2017 period showed that Purwakarta Regency experienced a reduction in paddy fields by 195.55 ha (1%) consisting of paddy fields turned into industry 117.99 ha; roads 5.72 ha; settlements of 42.30 ha and housing, trade and services of 29.55 ha. Meanwhile, in the 2013-2017 period, paddy fields turned into industry 151.72 ha, roads by 23.54 ha, settlements 196.76 ha, and housing, trade and services 29.81 ha. The results of this study reinforce that the reduction in food production in Purwakarta was caused by the conversion of paddy fields into other uses during the 2013-2017 and 2017-2021 periods.
Possibility of Municipal Waste Management with Refuse-Derived Fuel (RDF) Mixed Paper and Garden in Depok City
Authors: Fauziah Eva Nur , Sari Mega Mutiara , Suryawan I Wayan Koko
Published: May 2023

Paper and garden waste is one of the types of waste that can be found in big cities in Indonesia, one of which is Depok City. Garbage collectors can recycle not all paper waste into new products. In addition, garden waste is also garbage, one of the wastes found produced every day from gardening activities. This study aimed to analyze the potential for reducing the use of paper and garden waste to be used as RDF in Depok City. This study analyzes the quality of RDF based on the parameters of water content, ash content, density, and calorific value resulting from the material substitution. The results were analyzed using the multicollinearity method and the Kepner-Tregoe Decision Analysis (KTDA). The results of the multicollinearity test show that the ash content and water content can reduce the calorific value of RDF mixed with paper and garden waste. The addition of garden waste composition can increase the calorific value. Based on the results of decision analysis using KTDA, it shows that the variation of the mixture of 75% paper waste and 25% wood waste has the largest points compared to other variations. Material Flow Analysis (MFA) utilization of this waste can reduce the generation of paper waste and garden waste by 3.5% and 12.3%, respectively.
Genius loci: between handcrafts, cultural heritage and local development
Authors: Vecco Dr. Marilena , Montagner Dr. Eleonora , Srakar Dr. Andrej
Published: May 2023

From a cultural perspective, handcrafts are among the few resources that can be mobilised locally and play a key role in defining a place. In fact, they may help to delimit, structure and identify a place within a network and/or social and cultural system. Handcrafts can therefore play a significant contribution in strongly characterising places and their genius loci. This paper aims to define the role of handcrafts in the process of place construction and how it can contribute as a resource in the creative milieu to support local development, by using the contributions of two phenomenological authors, Norberg-Schulz and Binswanger. In our approach, handcrafts as cultural capital are considered to be a product (output) and a resource (input). Without neglecting the former, through which the craft of the place is directly exploited, we will focus on handcrafts as part of the production process along two different lines. Handcrafts, as an asset - participating in the production process of a good - are used to achieve a specific goal and have a precise cultural, social and economic value. Therefore, it is important to understand how this resource - the specific know-how of a place - becomes an asset. Secondly, handcrafts affect and influence other resources to generate new activities and values of a different nature.
Continuing Professional Development (CPD) in Uncertain Times: Insights from the Italian Actors’ Response to the COVID-19 Crisis
Authors: Pérez Gemma Grau
Published: May 2023

This paper investigates the Continuing Professional Development (CPD) experiences of performing arts professionals during the COVID-19 pandemic in Italy. The research is aimed at examining actors’ approaches and challenges to inform current and future CPD strategies, better suited to address the uncertainties of the social and economic juncture. The following four main themes are elicited by the research: the renewed need for self-directedness in CPD, the struggle to overcome the decrease in CPD opportunities in the workplace environment, the intensification of the use of social media for CPD purposes, and the role of CPD in the diversification of competencies. The investigation shows that CPD is still a relatively underdeveloped subject in the performing arts sector and that the attitudes towards, environments of, platforms for and focus on CPD will benefit from a critical re-evaluation in the postdigital context. Implications of these results for practitioners, policymakers, and public and private organisations are discussed.
Incredible Edible Todmorden: Impacts on Community Building, Education, and Local Culture. A Case for the Operationalization of a Sustainability-led Discourse
Authors: Mizrahi Michelle Brener
Published: May 2023

This paper analyzes how Incredible Edible Todmorden (IET), a community-led project, operated notions of sustainability, through permaculture and urban farming, to focus on community building and the impacts it had on education and local culture. The research is informed by a framework encompassing Robin Hambleton’s notion of place and place-based identity, as well as notions of sustainability, discourse, and culture. The paper puts forth the argument that the discursive operationalization of sustainability, framed as a process of directed change, can produce important effects in community building, education, and local culture at a local level and suggests that the application of the framework may also yield results in the study of other sectors.
The value of cultural and regional identity: an exploratory study of the viewpoints of funders and cultural and creative entrepreneurs
Authors: Borin Elena , Juno-Delgado Elena
Published: May 2023

In recent years, local cultural ecosystems have emerged as a new way to conceive the cultural and creative sector in relation to its territory (Holden, 2015; Bonet & Donato, 2011). The criteria that could lead to establish successful cultural ecosystems have been identified in different tangible and intangible assets among which are the cultural identity and values of the territory (Borin & Donato, 2015). The creation and enhancement of local cultural values and identity could lead the members of the ecosystem to establish successful collaborations and to support the development of specific categories of participants (Borin, 2017). This paper aims to explore the potential of the creation of value and enhancement of local identity in ensuring a special type of support, financial resource allocation, to a particular type of ecosystem members, cultural and creative enterprises. The research is carried out through a preliminary empirical investigation in a French region, using mixed research methods.
Managing and enhancing the intangible heritage: the experience of “Literary Parks”
Authors: Chiara Carolina Donelli , Fanelli Simone , Mozzoni Isabella
Published: May 2023

In recent years, the concept of cultural heritage has changed to include artistic, archaeological, architectural and environmental heritages, including intangible forms of these. The potential of intangible heritage has yet to be fully exploited, and there are many opportunities for its enhancement and protection still to explore. The meaning of intangible heritage in social development, and its social and cultural potential is described through a case study of the Literary Park circuit in Italy. The Italian experience shows that there is potential in setting up networks in remote areas, and in the process of recognizing and enhancing the intangible heritage of a country. Heritage, particularly intangible heritage, is an alternative approach to promoting a sense of belonging and active participation in a community. It can attract financial resources and boost social development of the local cultural ecosystem. Surveys and interviews are used to assess the limits and potential as well as strengths and weaknesses of Literary Parks.
Effect of cultivar and inoculant on yields of faba beans (Vicia faba minor) and subsequent spring wheat (Triticum aestivum) under Scandinavian cropping conditions
Authors: Fogelberg Fredrik , Östlund Johanna , Myrbeck Åsa
Published: May 2023

Inoculation of legumes is generally considered to increase yield and to lower the need of nitrogen (N) fertilization, especially in semiarid regions and on sandy soils. It has not been clear whether inoculation with Rhizobium sp. in cropping of faba beans (Vicia faba minor) under Swedish conditions would improve yield and protein content. In 2015–2016, three faba bean cultivars and two strains of Rhizobium were studied in field trials in Central Sweden, including analyses of N fixation capacities using 15N abundance. The study did not show any effects of inoculation of Rhizobium on yield or protein content of faba beans or subsequent spring wheat yields. Yields of faba beans varied between cultivars but were not connected to inoculation. 15N abundance was influenced by rhizobium. The study cannot support the opinion that, generally, inoculation is beneficial for improved outcome of faba bean cropping under Scandinavian field conditions. No residual effect of inoculation on subsequent spring wheat yield was found.
Translation initiation consistency between in vivo and in vitro bacterial protein expression systems
Authors: Li Jiaojiao , Li Peixian , Liu Qian , Li Jinjin , Qi Hao
Published: May 2023

Strict on-demand control of protein synthesis is a crucial aspect of synthetic biology. The 5′-terminal untranslated region (5′-UTR) is an essential bacterial genetic element that can be designed for the regulation of translation initiation. However, there is insufficient systematical data on the consistency of 5′-UTR function among various bacterial cells and in vitro protein synthesis systems, which is crucial for the standardization and modularization of genetic elements in synthetic biology. Here, more than 400 expression cassettes comprising the GFP gene under the regulation of various 5′-UTRs were systematically characterized to evaluate the protein translation consistency in the two popular Escherichia coli strains of JM109 and BL21, as well as an in vitro protein expression system based on cell lysate. In contrast to the very strong correlation between the two cellular systems, the consistency between in vivo and in vitro protein translation was lost, whereby both in vivo and in vitro translation evidently deviated from the estimation of the standard statistical thermodynamic model. Finally, we found that the absence of nucleotide C and complex secondary structure in the 5′-UTR significantly improve the efficiency of protein translation, both in vitro and in vivo.
Screening of antibiotics to obtain axenic cell cultures of a marine microalga Chrysotila roscoffensis
Authors: Liu Jiaojiao , Sun Yan , Zhang Lin , Li Xiaohui , He Zhichao , Zhou Chengxu , Han Jichang
Published: May 2023

Due to high growth rate, outstanding abiotic stress tolerance, and rich value-added substances, Chrysotila roscoffensis, belonging to the phylum of Haptophyta, can be considered as a versatile resource for industrial exploitation of bioactive compounds. However, the application potential of C. roscoffensis has drawn attention until just recently, and the understanding related to the biological properties of this species is still scarce. For example, the sensitivities of C. roscoffensis to antibiotics, which is essential for the verification of heterotrophic capacity and the establishment of efficient genetic manipulation system is still unavailable. Aiming to provide fundamental information for future exploitation, the sensitivities of C. roscoffensis to nine types of antibiotics were tested in this study. The results demonstrated that C. roscoffensis exhibited relatively high resistances to ampicillin, kanamycin, streptomycin, gentamicin, and geneticin, while was sensitive to bleomycin, hygromycin B, paromomycin, and chloramphenicol. Using the former five types of antibiotics, a bacteria removal strategy was established tentatively. Finally, the axenicity of treated C. roscoffensis was confirmed based on a multi-strategy method including solid plate, 16S rDNA amplification, and nuclear acid staining. This report can provide valuable information for the development of optimal selection markers, which are meaningful for more extensive transgenic studies in C. roscoffensis. Moreover, our study also paves the way for the establishment of heterotrophic/mixotrophic cultivation modes of C. roscoffensis.
CSSQ: a ChIP-seq signal quantifier pipeline
Authors: Kumar Ashwath , Hu Michael Y. , Mei Yajun , Fan Yuhong
Published: May 2023

Chromatin immunoprecipitation followed by sequencing (ChIP-seq) has revolutionized the studies of epigenomes and the massive increase in ChIP-seq datasets calls for robust and user-friendly computational tools for quantitative ChIP-seq. Quantitative ChIP-seq comparisons have been challenging due to noisiness and variations inherent to ChIP-seq and epigenomes. By employing innovative statistical approaches specially catered to ChIP-seq data distribution and sophisticated simulations along with extensive benchmarking studies, we developed and validated CSSQ as a nimble statistical analysis pipeline capable of differential binding analysis across ChIP-seq datasets with high confidence and sensitivity and low false discovery rate with any defined regions. CSSQ models ChIP-seq data as a finite mixture of Gaussians faithfully that reflects ChIP-seq data distribution. By a combination of Anscombe transformation, k-means clustering, estimated maximum normalization, CSSQ minimizes noise and bias from experimental variations. Further, CSSQ utilizes a non-parametric approach and incorporates comparisons under the null hypothesis by unaudited column permutation to perform robust statistical tests to account for fewer replicates of ChIP-seq datasets. In sum, we present CSSQ as a powerful statistical computational pipeline tailored for ChIP-seq data quantitation and a timely addition to the tool kits of differential binding analysis to decipher epigenomes.
Circ-SHPRH in human cancers: a systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Xiong Hong , Huang Gaozhen , Zhu Yi , Chen Ruiqi , Zuo Ling , Liu Hongwei
Published: May 2023

Circular RNA (circRNA) molecules are noncoding RNAs with ring-like structures formed by covalent bonds and are characterized by no 5′caps or 3′polyadenylated tails. Increasing evidence shows that circRNAs may play an important role in tumorigenesis and cancer metastasis. Circ-SHPRH originates from exons 26–29 of the SHPRH gene, and it is closely associated with human cancers. We searched PubMed, Web of Science, and Embase databases for relevant literatures until 24 December 2022. Eighteen research papers were included in this review, and 11 papers were selected for meta-analysis after screening. Three eligible published studies about circ-SHPRH were enrolled based on their tumor diagnosis aspect, 7 eligible published studies were related to overall survival (OS), and 3 eligible published studies were related to tumor grade. Many studies have shown that circ-SHPRH acts as a miRNA sponge or encodes a protein to regulate downstream genes or signal pathways, and exerts specific biological functions that affect the proliferation, invasion, and apoptosis of cancer cells. Meta-analysis showed that patients with high expression of circ-SHPRH had better OS (HR = 0.53, 95% CI 0.38–0.74, p-value <0.05) and lower TNM stage (HR = 0.33, 95% CI 0.18–0.62, p-value = 0.001). In addition, circ-SHPRH has potential diagnostic value (AUC = 0.8357). This review will help enrich our understanding of the role and mechanism of circ-SHPRH in human cancers. Circ-SHPRH has the potential to be a novel diagnostic and prognostic biomarker for various solid cancers.
The mechanism and clinical application of DNA damage repair inhibitors combined with immune checkpoint inhibitors in the treatment of urologic cancer
Authors: Xie Deqian , Jiang Bowen , Wang Shijin , Wang Qifei , Wu Guangzhen
Published: May 2023

Urologic cancers such as kidney, bladder, prostate, and uroepithelial cancers have recently become a considerable global health burden, and the response to immunotherapy is limited due to immune escape and immune resistance. Therefore, it is crucial to find appropriate and effective combination therapies to improve the sensitivity of patients to immunotherapy. DNA damage repair inhibitors can enhance the immunogenicity of tumor cells by increasing tumor mutational burden and neoantigen expression, activating immune-related signaling pathways, regulating PD-L1 expression, and reversing the immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment to activate the immune system and enhance the efficacy of immunotherapy. Based on promising experimental results from preclinical studies, many clinical trials combining DNA damage repair inhibitors (e.g., PARP inhibitors and ATR inhibitors) with immune checkpoint inhibitors (e.g., PD-1/PD-L1 inhibitors) are underway in patients with urologic cancers. Results from several clinical trials have shown that the combination of DNA damage repair inhibitors with immune checkpoint inhibitors can improve objective rates, progression-free survival, and overall survival (OS) in patients with urologic tumors, especially in patients with defective DNA damage repair genes or a high mutational load. In this review, we present the results of preclinical and clinical trials of different DNA damage repair inhibitors in combination with immune checkpoint inhibitors in urologic cancers and summarize the potential mechanism of action of the combination therapy. Finally, we also discuss the challenges of dose toxicity, biomarker selection, drug tolerance, drug interactions in the treatment of urologic tumors with this combination therapy and look into the future direction of this combination therapy.
Comparative evaluation of protective immunity against Francisella tularensis induced by subunit or adenovirus-vectored vaccines
Authors: Zhao Mengsu , Zhai Yanfang , Zai Xiaodong , Mao Yunyun , Hu Enbo , Wei Zhaodong , Li Yan , Li Kai , Liu Yanhong , Xu Junjie , Yu Rui , Chen Wei
Published: May 2023

Tularemia is a highly contagious disease caused by infection with Francisella tularensis (Ft), a pathogenic intracellular gram-negative bacterium that infects a wide range of animals and causes severe disease and death in people, making it a public health concern. Vaccines are the most effective way to prevent tularemia. However, there are no Food and Drug Administration (FDA)-approved Ft vaccines thus far due to safety concerns. Herein, three membrane proteins of Ft, Tul4, OmpA, and FopA, and a molecular chaperone, DnaK, were identified as potential protective antigens using a multifactor protective antigen platform. Moreover, the recombinant DnaK, FopA, and Tul4 protein vaccines elicited a high level of IgG antibodies but did not protect against challenge. In contrast, protective immunity was elicited by a replication-defective human type 5 adenovirus (Ad5) encoding the Tul4, OmpA, FopA, and DnaK proteins (Ad5-Tul4, Ad5-OmpA, Ad5-FopA, and Ad5-DnaK) after a single immunization, and all Ad5-based vaccines stimulated a Th1-biased immune response. Moreover, intramuscular and intranasal vaccination with Ad5-Tul4 using the prime-boost strategy effectively eliminated Ft lung, spleen and liver colonization and provided nearly 80% protection against intranasal challenge with the Ft live vaccine strain (LVS). Only intramuscular, not intranasal vaccination, with Ad5-Tul4 protected mice from intraperitoneal challenge. This study provides a comprehensive comparison of protective immunity against Ft provided by subunit or adenovirus-vectored vaccines and suggests that mucosal vaccination with Ad5-Tul4 may yield desirable protective efficacy against mucosal infection, while intramuscular vaccination offers greater overall protection against intraperitoneal tularemia.
Antimicrobial activity of α-mangostin against Staphylococcus species from companion animals in vitro and therapeutic potential of α-mangostin in skin diseases caused by S. pseudintermedius
Authors: Park Seong Yong , Lee Jung Hwa , Ko Seo Yeon , Kim Nayeong , Kim Seong Yeop , Lee Je Chul
Published: May 2023

Antimicrobial resistance in Staphylococcus species from companion animals is becoming increasingly prevalent worldwide. S. pseudintermedius is a leading cause of skin infections in companion animals. α-mangostin (α-MG) exhibits various pharmacological activities, including antimicrobial activity against G (+) bacteria. This study investigated the antimicrobial activity of α-MG against clinical isolates of Staphylococcus species from companion animals and assessed the therapeutic potential of α-MG in skin diseases induced by S. pseudintermedius in a murine model. Furthermore, the action mechanisms of α-MG against S. pseudintermedius were investigated. α-MG exhibited antimicrobial activity against clinical isolates of five different Staphylococcus species from skin diseases of companion animals in vitro, but not G (-) bacteria. α-MG specifically interacted with the major histocompatibility complex II analogous protein (MAP) domain-containing protein located in the cytoplasmic membrane of S. pseudintermedius via hydroxyl groups at C-3 and C-6. Pretreatment of S. pseudintermedius with anti-MAP domain-containing protein polyclonal serum significantly reduced the antimicrobial activity of α-MG. The sub-minimum inhibitory concentration of α-MG differentially regulated 194 genes, especially metabolic pathway and virulence determinants, in S. pseudintermedius. α-MG in pluronic lecithin organogel significantly reduced the bacterial number, partially restored the epidermal barrier, and suppressed the expression of cytokine genes associated with pro-inflammatory, Th1, Th2, and Th17 in skin lesions induced by S. pseudintermedius in a murine model. Thus, α-MG is a potential therapeutic candidate for treating skin diseases caused by Staphylococcus species in companion animals.
Exploring the relationship between droughts and rural-to-urban mobility—a mixed methods approach for Pune, India
Authors: Karutz Raphael , Kabisch Sigrun
Published: May 2023

Urbanization in the global South is intricately linked with the internal mobility of people and the impacts of climate change. In India, changing precipitation patterns pose pressure on rural livelihoods through the increasing frequency and severity of droughts, contributing to rural-to-urban mobility. At destination, however, insufficient information is available on the complex mobility backgrounds of the new arrivals. We employ a mixed methods approach to investigate mobility patterns to Pune, India, with a special focus on the role of droughts. Combining a household survey with in-depth interviews and monthly precipitation data on district level, we use descriptive statistics and qualitative content analysis to show a significant relationship between drought at origin and mobility to Pune. Particularly affected are recent arrivals, migrants of rural origin and from other states, and those currently living in informal areas. The link between droughts and mobility decisions is usually indirect, hidden behind economic conditions such as the loss of agricultural jobs. Paradoxically, migrants affected by droughts at origin face increased flood risk at destination. This risk, however, is often consciously taken in favor of better livelihood opportunities in the city. With climate scenarios projecting increasingly variable precipitation patterns, understanding the climate-mobility-urbanization nexus gains importance, especially for destination hotspots like the city of Pune.
Academic-community solidarities in land occupation as an Indigenous claim to health: culturally centered solidarity through voice infrastructures
Authors: Elers Christine , Dutta Mohan
Published: May 2023

In this work, we explore the role of land in Indigenous theorizing about health, embodied in a land occupation that resisted a climate-adaptive development project imposed on the community from the top down by the local government. The proposed development project of building a stop bank on the Oroua River sought to alienate Māori from the remnants of the land. Embedded in and emerging from a culture-centered academic-community-activist partnership, an advisory group of Māori community members om the “margins of the margins” came together to participate in the occupation of the land to claim it as the basis for securing their health. This study describes the occupation and the role of our academic-activist intervention in it, theorizing land occupation as the root of decolonizing health emerging from Indigenous struggles for sovereignty (Tino rangatiratanga). The community advisory group members brought together in a culture-centered intervention, collaborated in partnership with the academic team, generated video narratives that resisted and dismantled the communicative inversions produced by the settler colonial state to perpetuate its extractive interests and produced communicative resources that supported the land occupation led by the broader Whānau. This study concludes by arguing that the culture-centered approach offers a meta-theory for decolonizing health communication by building voice infrastructures that support Indigenous land struggles.
Gout and hyperuricaemia: modifiable cardiovascular risk factors?
Authors: Burnier Michel
Published: May 2023

Gout and hyperuricaemia are two clinical situations associated with an elevated risk of developing cardiovascular (heart failure, myocardial infarction, stroke) and metabolic and renal complications. One reason is probably related to the fact that the prevalence of hyperuricaemia and gout is high in clinical situations, which themselves involve a high cardiovascular risk, such as hypertension, diabetes, chronic kidney disease or obesity. However, recent studies suggest that hyperuricaemia may promote cardiovascular complications independently of other cardiovascular risk factors, by inducing chronic inflammation, oxidative stress, and endothelial dysfunction. The questions that arise today concern primarily the treatment of asymptomatic hyperuricaemia. Should it be treated to decrease the patients' cardiovascular risk and if so, starting from which level and towards which target? There are now several pieces of evidence indicating that this might be useful, but data from large studies are not unanimous. This review will discuss this issue as well as new well-tolerated treatments, such as febuxostat or SGLT2 inhibitors, which lower uric acid levels, prevent gout and lower the risk of cardio-renal events.
The earliest European Acheulean: new insights into the large shaped tools from the late Early Pleistocene site of Barranc de la Boella (Tarragona, Spain)
Authors: Ollé Andreu , Lombao Diego , Asryan Lena , García-Medrano Paula , Arroyo Adrián , Fernández-Marchena Juan Luis , Yeşilova Görkem C. , Cáceres Isabel , Huguet Rosa , López-Polín Lucía , Pineda Antonio , García-Tabernero Antonio , Fidalgo Darío , Rosas Antonio , Saladié Palmira , Vallverdú Josep
Published: May 2023

Since the oldest known Acheulean lithic techno-typological features in Europe were reported at the site of Barranc de la Boella (Tarragona, Spain), continuous fieldwork has been conducted there in archeological deposits of the late Early Pleistocene age (0.99–0.78 Ma). As a result, excavations in two of the three open-air localities have significantly expanded the collection of lithic and faunal remains, allowing us to make progress in the interpretation of the hominin behaviors in an open-air fluvial-deltaic sedimentary environment. This includes examples of cumulative palimpsests, such as those found at the locality of La Mina, in which hominins only had a minimal role as modifying agents, as well as the extraordinary mammoth butchery site recorded at the Pit 1 locality. The aim of this paper is to present a comprehensive update of the collection of large shaped tools and to assess its significance in the framework of the earliest occurrence of the Acheulean in Europe. This cultural entity is increasingly well-documented for the early Middle Pleistocene, but very little is known about its presence in Europe before the Brunhes–Matuyama boundary. Large shaped tools appear in the three localities explored in the Unit II of Barranc de la Boella, including choppers (unifacial and bifacial) and standard Acheulean forms, such as picks, knives, and cleaver-like forms. Techno-typological and morphometrical analyses revealed a basic heavy-duty component obtained through simple shaping sequences coupled with significantly more elaborate tools produced on various large blanks (cobbles, slabs, or flakes). The complete bifacial and bilateral shapings have yet to be documented, but the present specific tool assemblage attests to the Early Acheulean technological threshold. Hence, the archaeological data from Barranc de la Boella provide insights into the first appearance of the Acheulean technology in Europe and add critical information to the debate on the technological variability of the Early Pleistocene hominin occupation of the continent. The results of this study revealed a technological assemblage unique in the known late Early Pleistocene archeological record from Europe, different from the rest of ancient Acheulean sites in this continent, which are dated at the Middle Pleistocene. This lends support to the hypothesis that Barranc de la Boella may represent a previously unrecognized Early Acheulean dispersion out of Africa connected to its first evidence at the gates of Eurasia, potentially moving over the northern Mediterranean coastal road to reach Western Europe.
The experiential construction of mathematics teacher identity and the impact of early mathematical failure
Authors: Xenofontos Constantinos , Andrews Paul
Published: May 2023

It is broadly accepted that teachers’ professional identities influence how they teach and what their pupils learn. In this paper, drawing on semi-structured interviews with 22 experienced primary teachers from the Republic of Cyprus, we explore the construction of informants’ professional identities with a specific focus on mathematics teaching. Analyses, undertaken according to the constant comparison method, yielded three broad themes, implicated in differing ways in the construction and manifestation of informants’ identities: prior experiences of mathematics, mathematical competence, and images of the self-as-teacher. Overall, teachers fell into two groups, which analyses led us to construe as either mathematical victors or mathematical victims. Mathematical victors had experienced success as learners of school mathematics, from which pleasure, pride, and confidence in their mathematical knowledge for teaching emerged. Their teaching, which emphasized pupils’ attainment of similar enjoyment and success, focused on abstraction and mathematical reasoning. Mathematical victims had experienced failure as learners of school mathematics, from which anxiety and a restricted mathematical knowledge for teaching emerged. Their teaching, which emphasized positive pupil experiences, focused on affect rather than cognition and an avoidance of “traditional” teaching. However, both groups, despite their confident assertions, appeared unaware of the potential of their actions for creating new victims. The findings, which are discussed in relation to existing literature, confirm the complex nature of mathematics teachers’ identities and highlight, in particular, the need for further research into the formative role of teachers’ prior experiences of mathematics, whether positive or negative.
What are universities pursuing? A review of the Quacquarelli Symonds world university rankings of Taiwanese universities (2021–2023)
Authors: Wang Ru-Jer , Shih Yi-Haung
Published: May 2023

This study evaluated world university rankings in Taiwan. Media reports and the literature on world university rankings have focused on rankings, particularly in Taiwan. This study conducted a document analysis of the Quacquarelli Symonds (QS) World University Rankings in Taiwan’s universities from 2021 to 2023, and explored two cases: National Taiwan University and Taipei Medical University, both of which are listed in the QS World University Rankings for sustainable development. First, the researchers analyzed the related topics of the world university rankings. Second, the researchers explored the position of Taiwan’s universities in relation to the top 500 universities in the QS World University Rankings from 2021 to 2023. Third, two case universities pursuing QS World University Rankings are discussed. Finally, this study found that both universities are improving their teaching, research, and internationalization based on the indicators of the QS World University Rankings and the development of school affairs. The universities employ international faculty, cooperate internationally on projects, developing cross-disciplinary research, strengthening innovation, and increasing internationalization and cooperation with research institutions, and attract foreign students for sustainable development. The findings may serve as a reference for improving QS World University Rankings and promote the sustainable development of Taiwan’s higher education system, and understand global competition among universities.
Working memory training: mechanisms, challenges and implications for the classroom
Authors: Song Jia , MacQuarrie Sarah , Hennessey Alexandra
Published: May 2023

There is promising empirical evidence regarding the effect of working memory training for students’ learning. However, this evidence primarily comes from laboratory contexts, which limits understanding of what this training involves and how such knowledge can have value in education. Further, there is considerable heterogeneity across such studies that make it difficult for researchers to determine optimal conditions for working memory training and for educators to implement working memory training that will achieve their educational goal. Grounded in the context of evidence-based practice, this review focuses on applying working memory training in schools to support students’ learning and development, and the need for collaboration between researchers and educators. This review will clarify the theoretical underpinnings of training and transfer and analyse the sources of variation involved in working memory training implementation and outcomes. Building upon this reflection and on existing empirical evidence, this review will consider individual and contextual aspects (e.g., leadership, self-efficacy and school culture) that affect implementation. To support effective implementation within schools, this review discusses the need for a reciprocal researcher-educator partnership to ensure quality implementation of working memory training in the classroom.