bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A Hard-Boiled Hero in an Atomized World: Manuel Vázquez Montalbán’s El hombre de mi vida and Milenio Carvalho Lament Neoliberal Alienation
Authors: Ortigas José
Published: February 2024

Manuel Vázquez Montalbán’s Pepe Carvalho detective novels comprise a seminal series, spanning eighteen novels from 1972 to 2004, that consolidated the novela negra as a popular, denunciatory genre in Spain. While much has been written about the early entries in the series, the latter novels, namely El hombre de mi vida (2000), Milenio I: Rumbo a Kabul, and Milenio II: En las antípodas (2004), have not received similar attention. Critics like Colmeiro, Balibrea, and Nichols have accurately read these novels as a denunciation of the most evident negative consequences of globalization at the turn of the new millennium, principally gentrification, displacement, and the exploitation of both labor and natural resources. Here, I expand this analysis to consider another of the deleterious effects of free-market rationality: The increasing personal alienation that has come to characterize modern neoliberal societies, a phenomenon recently analyzed by political philosophers like Brown (2015) and May (2012), and psychologists such as Verhaeghe (2014). I argue that, as the Carvalho character evolves throughout the series and neoliberalism achieves cultural hegemony, the depiction of the solitary protagonist in the final three novels denounces the growing isolation of the individual in a transnational society. This is reflected in the trope of the voyage, Carvalho’s nostalgic melancholia, and the progressively alienated condition of the marginalized detective as his relationships with others, tenuous in the best circumstances, begin to fully disintegrate.
Role of ultrasensitivity in biomolecular circuitry for achieving homeostasis
Authors: Montefusco Francesco , Procopio Anna , Bulai Iulia M. , Amato Francesco , Cosentino Carlo
Published: February 2024

Living systems have developed control mechanisms for achieving homeostasis. Here, we propose a plausible biological feedback architecture that exploits ultrasensitivity and shows adaptive responses without requiring error detection mechanism (i.e., by measuring an external reference signal and deviation from this). While standard engineering control systems are usually based on error measurements, this is not the case for biological systems. We find that a two-state negative feedback control system, without explicit error measurements, is able to track a reference signal that is implicitly determined by the tunable threshold and slope characterizing the sigmoidal ultrasensitive relationship implemented by the control system. We design different ultrasensitive control functions (ultrasensitive up- or down-regulation, or both) and, by performing sensitivity analysis, show that increasing the sensitivity level of the control allows achieving robust adaptive responses to the effects of parameter variations and step disturbances. Finally, we show that the devised control system architecture without error detection is implemented within the yeast osmoregulatory response network and allows achieving adaptive responses to osmotic stress, by exploiting the ubiquitous ultrasensitive features of the involved biomolecular circuitry.
Pitcovski’s explanation-based account of harm
Authors: Carlson Erik , Johansson Jens , Risberg Olle
Published: February 2024

In a recent article in this journal, Eli Pitcovski puts forward a novel, explanation-based account of harm. We seek to show that Pitcovski’s account, and his arguments in favor of it, can be substantially improved. However, we also argue that, even thus improved, the account faces a dilemma. The dilemma concerns the question of what it takes for an event, E, to explain why a state, P, does not obtain. Does this require that P would have obtained if E had not occurred? Pitcovski’s theory faces problems no matter how one answers that question.
Closing the Gender Gap in Internal Political Efficacy? Gender Roles and the Masculine Ethos of Politics in Spain
Authors: Fraile Marta , Marinova Dani
Published: February 2024

Given women’s gains in employment, education, and economic status, the persistent gender gap in internal political efficacy remains a puzzle for social scientists. We go beyond standard socioeconomic explanations and consider gender roles, which, unlike socioeconomic situation, are a slow-moving force constrained by gendered socialization. Stereotypically feminine traits jar with stereotypical notions of politics in general, as competitive, and leaders as power-seeking and assertive. Drawing on observational data from an original survey fielded in Spain, we show that this incongruence accounts for women’s perception of having a low capacity to participate in politics. Results from a survey experiment suggest that this relationship is not set in stone, however. When politicians’ motivation is framed in line with feminine traits—as a public service rather than a struggle for power—women consider themselves just as capable as men of participating in politics. The results have implications for women’s political participation and representation in politics.
Comparing the epistemic burdens of liberal transition and central planning
Authors: Molden Max
Published: February 2024

Epistemic burdens are ubiquitous. Whenever people act, their success largely depends on their knowledge. While epistemic burdens are widely recognised when it comes to centrally planning the economy, Scott Scheall has drawn attention to the epistemic burdens involved in transitioning to a liberal society. In this regard, Scheall raises the question of whether these epistemic burdens might actually be as high as those faced by central planners. In this paper, I examine the epistemic burdens of liberal transitions and compare them to those of central planning the economy. Also looking at empirical cases, I tentatively conclude that transitioning to a liberal society is epistemically less burdensome, primarily because the liberal society provides a relatively stable objective and because theoretical knowledge about the necessary cultural preconditions and the institutional framework already exists. However, liberal transitions are still epistemically burdensome, especially when it comes to getting to the desired societal framework. Furthermore, when the required cultural preconditions are absent, it may well be that the epistemic burdens are insurmountable.
Isolation of local strains of the yeast Metschnikowia for biocontrol and lipid production purposes
Authors: Tatay-Núñez Josep , Albi-Puig Joana , Garrigós Víctor , Orejas-Suárez Margarita , Matallana Emilia , Aranda Agustín
Published: February 2024

The bioprospection of indigenous microorganism strains with biotechnological potential represents a prominent trend. Metschnikowia yeasts exhibit diverse capabilities, such as ethanol reduction in winemaking, biocontrol potential, and lipid production. In this work, local Metschnikowia strains were isolated from different fruits by their ability to produce pulcherrimic acid, a molecule that has been linked to biocontrol activity and that binds iron giving colored colonies. Five strains were selected, each from one of five distinct sources. All of them were identified as M. pulcherrima. All five were able inhibit other yeasts and one M. pulcherrima, called M7, inhibited the growth of Aspergillus nidulans. The selected strains accumulated lipid bodies in stationary phase. Certain non-conventional yeasts like Hanseniaspora vineae are very sensitive to biomass drying, but cell extracts from M. pulcherrima added to the growth media as a source of antioxidant lipids increased their tolerance to drying. All strains isolated showed good stress tolerance (particularly to heat) and have nutrient requirements similar to a commercial M. pulcherrima strain. In addition, the M7 strain had a good growth in sugarcane and beet molasses and behaved like Saccharomyces cerevisiae in a growth medium derived from agricultural waste, a persimmon hydrolysate. Therefore, the isolation of local strains of Metschnikowia able to grow in a variety of substrates is a good source of biocontrol agents.
Do renewable energy and human capital facilitate the improvement of environmental quality in the United States? A new perspective on environmental issues with the load capacity factor
Authors: ÇAMKAYA Serhat , KARAASLAN Abdulkerim
Published: February 2024

Recently, countries have been making intensive efforts to alleviate the burden on the environment and to make environmental conditions sustainable. In this context, our study aims to investigate the long-term impact of renewable energy consumption (REC) and human capital (HC) by considering the load capacity factor (LCF). We also investigate the long-term impact of economic growth (Y) and non-renewable energy consumption (NREC) on the LCF. In this context, we analyze annual data for the U.S. for the period 1965–2018 using the newly developed augmented ARDL (AARDL) approach. The long-term empirical results show the following. i) Increases in Y negatively affect LCF and deteriorate environmental quality. ii) Increases in NREC negatively affect LCF and accelerate the deterioration of environmental quality. iii) REC has no significant impact on environmental quality. iv) Increases in HC support the improvement of environmental quality. The empirical results show that contrary to expectations, renewable energy consumption does not have a significant impact on environmental quality in the U.S., whereas human capital is an important factor in improving environmental quality. In this context, US policymakers should pave the way for more investment in eco-friendly renewable energy investments and human capital to establish sustainable environmental quality. Policymakers should also take steps to reduce the use of fossil fuels.
A rare case report of reversible glucose counterregulation in an insulinoma patient with type 2 diabetes
Authors: Teng Jian-hui , Hu Jun-pei , Wang Xia , Zhang Chi , Chen Jing
Published: February 2024

Context

Insulinoma is a neuroendocrine tumor derived from pancreatic β -cells whose clinical manifestation is recurrent hypoglycemia. Insulinoma in a patient with preexisting diabetes is extraordinarily rare, and the unmasking of type 2 diabetes (T2DM) after insulinoma surgery is even rarer.

Case report

This article reports a 49-year-old male patient with insulinoma that masked the diagnosis of T2DM. The patient was admitted to the hospital with symptoms of hypoglycemia, such as repeated sweating, palpitations, and asthenia for over 4 years. The patient was diagnosed with insulinoma after completing relevant examinations. The emergence of hyperglycemia after the removal of insulinoma is attributable to the coexistence of T2DM. Surprisingly, a reversible decrease in cortisol levels was observed during the diagnostic process. We searched the previously published reports of this type of case from PubMed to determine why type 2 diabetes was covered by insulinoma and why glucocorticoids decreased.

Conclusions

The diagnosis of T2DM in the patient after surgery may be related to increased food intake and insulin resistance induced by hyperinsulinemia caused by long-term hypoglycemia. The reversible decrease in cortisol levels, not adrenocortical insufficiency during the diagnostic process, may be caused by a transient abnormality in glucose counterregulation.
Rapid generation of an RBL cellular model to study proteins that cause allergenic reactions in vitro
Authors: Hernández-Aguilar Israel , Vizuet-de-Rueda Juan Carlos , Galván-Morales Miguel Ángel , Montero-Vargas Josaphat Miguel , Teran Luis M.
Published: February 2024

Allergic diseases affect nearly 30% of people worldwide. There is a wide range of allergen sources, such as animal dander, food, venom, dust mites, and pollen. The skin prick test is the predominant technique used to identify allergenic sensitivity in vivo; the main problem is that it can be imprecise as many of the allergen extracts are made of mixtures of allergic and nonallergic components, making it difficult to identify the disease-eliciting allergen. An alternative to solve this problem is employing cellular models in vitro that may allow allergen identification, allergy diagnosis, and testing of novel potential compounds that can be used in immunotherapeutics. For example, rat basophilic leukemia (RBL) cells are a well-suited model for studying allergies. Unfortunately, cells generated from RBL cells are not commercially available. Therefore, we developed an RBL model with a degranulation gene reporter capable of recognizing human IgE involved in allergenic sensitivity using commercial plasmids. Employing this model, we successfully evaluated the capacity of union between IgE from allergic patients to allergenic proteins from Oleaceae tree pollen. This RBL cell model can be used as a diagnostic method for sensitivity to any allergens from different sources in vitro.
Shaping the Neurovascular Unit Exploiting Human Brain Organoids
Authors: Rizzuti Mafalda , Melzi Valentina , Brambilla Lorenzo , Quetti Lorenzo , Sali Luca , Ottoboni Linda , Meneri Megi , Ratti Antonia , Verde Federico , Ticozzi Nicola , Comi Giacomo Pietro , Corti Stefania , Abati Elena
Published: February 2024

Brain organoids, three-dimensional cell structures derived from pluripotent stem cells, closely mimic key aspects of the human brain in vitro, providing a powerful tool for studying neurodevelopment and disease. The neuroectodermal induction protocol employed for brain organoid generation primarily gives rise to the neural cellular component but lacks the vital vascular system, which is crucial for the brain functions by regulating differentiation, migration, and circuit formation, as well as delivering oxygen and nutrients. Many neurological diseases are caused by dysfunctions of cerebral microcirculation, making vascularization of human brain organoids an important tool for pathogenetic and translational research. Experimentally, the creation of vascularized brain organoids has primarily focused on the fusion of vascular and brain organoids, on organoid transplantation in vivo, and on the use of microfluidic devices to replicate the intricate microenvironment of the human brain in vitro. This review summarizes these efforts and highlights the importance of studying the neurovascular unit in a forward-looking perspective of leveraging their use for understanding and treating neurological disorders.

Graphical Abstract
All physical activities are not created equal: differential effects of goal contents, psychological need satisfaction, and flow in physical activity on satisfaction with life
Authors: Codina Nuria , Valenzuela Rafael , Pestana José Vicente
Published: February 2024

Regular physical activity (PA) is linked with greater satisfaction with life (SWL), but is this effect equivalent for all PAs? Or do effects and causal paths of PA on SWL differ depending on goal contents in PA? PA practitioners (N = 1900) reported goal contents in exercise (GCE), psychological need satisfaction (PNS), and flow in PA, as well as SWL. Cluster analyses and multi-group structural equation modeling were used to analyze differential effects of study variables on SWL. Four clusters based on GCE were identified and labeled (health-management, n = 652; team-skill, n = 412; social-recognition, n = 494; and low-goals, n = 342). Differential effects on SWL were observed via distinct causal paths: social affiliation and relatedness predicted SWL in the health-management cluster; skill development, competence, and flow in the team-skill cluster; and flow alone in the low-goals cluster. The amounts and the ways in which SWL can be derived from PA practice differ between clusters based on different goal contents. Thus, tailored PA programs may identify distinct goal profiles in order to cater to these separately, orienting them towards either sports-like team practices fostering skill development, perceived competence, and flow; or individually practised and autonomously endorsed PAs facilitating health management, group affiliation and relatedness.
Stability and Numerical Analysis of a Coupled System of Piecewise Atangana–Baleanu Fractional Differential Equations with Delays
Authors: Almalahi Mohammed A. , Aldwoah K. A. , Shah Kamal , Abdeljawad Thabet
Published: February 2024

This paper focuses on using piecewise derivatives to simulate the dynamic behavior and investigate the crossover effect within the coupled fractional system with delays by dividing the study interval into two subintervals. We establish and prove significant lemmas concerning piecewise derivatives. Furthermore, we extend and develop the necessary conditions for the existence and uniqueness of solutions, while also investigating the Hyers–Ulam stability results of the proposed system. The results are derived using the Banach contraction principle and the Leary–Schauder alternative fixed-point theorem. Additionally, we employ a numerical method based on Newton’s interpolation polynomials to compute approximate solutions for the considered system. Finally, we provide an illustrative example demonstrating our theoretical conclusions’ practical application.
Optimization of Pupil Fit Parameters for Contact Hole Pattern CD Difference Improvement
Authors: Lee Heehong , Rah Hyungju , Lee Hyosung , Sohn Jaewoong , Choi Byoungdeog
Published: February 2024

In the stacked semiconductor structure, the contact hole layer is widely used in Dram/3D NAND as a connection path between layers. During the lithographical process of the contact hole layer, a critical issue known as CD difference appears. When faced with this issue in a mass production environment, solutions are limited. In particular, the only solution for the issue caused by a difference of pupil shape is to change the illumination ID, which requires a full design change of the pupil. This is challenging and causes differences in the recipe and equipment. As a way to fundamentally solve this problem, the ellipticity among the pupil fit parameters is optimized to minimize CD differences. Through simulation, the difference between the issue pupil and the reference pupil was confirmed, and the pupil fit parameter was calculated. The pupil shape was predicted by applying the calculated pupil fit parameter. Pattern simulation was performed using the predicted pupil shape, and conditions suitable for the direction of improvement were established to confirm improved CD difference. In both cases, the improvement tendency was confirmed in the predicted direction and was suitable for a mass production environment.
Joint interpretation and modeling of potential field data for mapping groundwater potential zones around Debrecen area, Eastern Hungary
Authors: Mohammed Musaab A. A. , Szabó Norbert P. , Szűcs Péter
Published: February 2024

The Debrecen area, as part of the Great Hungarian Plain (GHP), is associated with a multi-aquifer system that is overly exploited to fulfill the development plans. This research aims to jointly interpret and model gravity and magnetic data to map the subsurface geology and structures that govern groundwater occurrence. Various potential field techniques, including spectral analysis, anomaly derivatives, analytical signal, and Euler deconvolution were employed to map the distribution and depth of the buried geological structures. The combination of the potential field techniques enabled the construction of a detailed lineament map, providing valuable insights into the distribution of the subsurface structural features. It was indicated that the main structural trend is NW–SE and NE–SW, that coincides with the main structural trends in Hungary. Subsequently, a lineament density map is derived, indicating that the eastern, central, and northwestern parts of the area form the most promising zones for groundwater prospection. The joint inversion of gravity and magnetic data has further enhanced the understanding of subsurface geology. The depth to the basement rock varied between 1.18 and 2.2 km. The highest depth to the basement meets with thick sedimentary sequences bounded by normal faults forming graben and horst structures. Moreover, the distribution of these sediments is investigated using lithological logs indicating the thickness of the main hydrostratigraphic units in the Debrecen area. These units include Nagyalföld Aquifer, Algyő Aquitard, Endrőd Aquitard, and Miocene Badenian Aquifer units, which mainly consist of sand, silt, marl, and gravel. The recent study demonstrated the effectiveness of the joint interpretation in enhancing the knowledge of lithology and geological structures. However, a detailed geophysical survey is recommended to characterize the hydrostratigraphic units in the Debrecen area.
Analysis of intestinal flora and cognitive function in maintenance hemodialysis patients using combined 16S ribosome DNA and shotgun metagenome sequencing
Authors: Gao Qiuyi , Li Dianshi , Wang Yue , Zhao Chunhui , Li Mingshuai , Xiao Jingwen , Kang Yan , Lin Hongli , Wang Nan
Published: February 2024

Background

Cognitive impairment is widely prevalent in maintenance hemodialysis (MHD) patients, and seriously affects their quality of life. The intestinal flora likely regulates cognitive function, but studies on cognitive impairment and intestinal flora in MHD patients are lacking.

Methods

MHD patients (36) and healthy volunteers (18) were evaluated using the Montreal Cognitive Function Scale, basic clinical data, and 16S ribosome DNA (rDNA) sequencing. Twenty MHD patients and ten healthy volunteers were randomly selected for shotgun metagenomic analysis to explore potential metabolic pathways of intestinal flora. Both16S rDNA sequencing and shotgun metagenomic sequencing were conducted on fecal samples.

Results

Roseburia were significantly reduced in the MHD group based on both 16S rDNA and shotgun metagenomic sequencing analyses. Faecalibacterium, Megamonas, Bifidobacterium, Parabacteroides, Collinsella, Tyzzerella, and Phascolarctobacterium were positively correlated with cognitive function or cognitive domains. Enriched Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathways included oxidative phosphorylation, photosynthesis, retrograde endocannabinoid signaling, flagellar assembly, and riboflavin metabolism.

Conclusion

Among the microbiota, Roseburia may be important in MHD patients. We demonstrated a correlation between bacterial genera and cognitive function, and propose possible mechanisms.
Liebe als Recht? Liebe als Pflicht?
Authors: Tömmel Tatjana Noemi
Published: February 2024

Haben Kinder ein Recht auf die Liebe ihrer Eltern? Haben Eltern die Pflicht, ihre Kinder zu lieben? Diese innerhalb der Moralphilosophie kontrovers diskutierten Fragen basieren einerseits auf empirischen, andererseits auf normtheoretischen Argumenten: Umstritten ist erstens, ob Kinder die Liebe ihrer Eltern brauchen, und zweitens, ob Liebe überhaupt ein Recht oder eine Pflicht sein kann. Die Beantwortung beider Fragen hängt allerdings davon ab, welchen Liebesbegriff man zugrundelegt. Um die Frage nach dem deontologischen Status der Elternliebe zu beantworten, möchte ich zeigen, dass Liebe nicht primär ein Gefühl, sondern ein Willensphänomen ist. Versteht man Liebe als wertschätzende und wohlwollende Bejahung des Kindes, sind das kindliche Liebesbedürfnis und die elterliche Liebespflicht kompatibel.Damit weist meine Position sowohl Übereinstimmungen als auch Differenzen zu den bekannten Positionen von Cowden und Liao auf: Wie Cowden behaupte ich, dass Kinder kein Recht auf Liebe haben können, weil es kein Recht auf innerliche Einstellung geben kann. Allerdings haben Kinder ein subjektives Recht auf eine hinreichend gelingende Beziehung zu ihren Eltern, sofern sie durch Handlungen konstituierbar ist. Eltern haben die Rechtspflicht, eine Beziehung zu ihren Kindern zu etablieren, die durch Achtung, Fürsorge und Aufmerksamkeit gekennzeichnet ist. Anders als Cowden und Liao gehe ich davon aus, dass Eltern die Tugendpflicht haben, sich das Wohlergehen und Glück ihrer Kinder zum Zweck zu setzen und es deshalb nach Kräften zu befördern. Dazu gehört auch, dass sie das Wohlwollen ihren Kindern gegenüber kultivieren sollen. Gelingt ihnen dies nicht aus eigener Kraft, haben sie eine Metapflicht, Hilfe bei Personen zu suchen, die sie darin unterstützen, eine gelingende Beziehung zu ihren Kindern aufzubauen.
(Schul‑) Kultur der Digitalität?
Authors: Knauf Helen
Published: February 2024

Der vorliegende Beitrag beschäftigt sich mit den Auswirkungen des digitalen Wandels auf Schule. Ausgangspunt der Betrachtung ist die Perspektive einer „Kultur der Digitalität“ (Stalder 2016), die als dominantes Merkmal der Gegenwart verstanden wird. Auf Grundlage dieses Ansatzes soll verdeutlicht werden, dass sich Digitalisierung in der Schule nicht in der Nutzung digitaler Technik im Unterricht erschöpft, sondern – im Sinne von Digitalität – die Organisation als Ganzes und insbesondere ihre Kultur betrifft und verändert. In dem Beitrag werden deshalb die verschiedenen Ebenen der Organisation Schule in den Blick genommen. Dadurch soll die oft enggeführte Betrachtung überwunden werden. Die Analyse verdeutlicht, wie tiefgreifend der kulturelle Wandel durch digitale Technik bereits jetzt Schulen verändert und zeigt zugleich deutliche Forschungslücken auf. Die Perspektive der „Kultur der Digitalität“ kann die eingeschränkte Betrachtung von Digitalisierung in Schule erweitern und Ausgangspunkt für einen angemesseneren Umgang für die damit verbundenen Veränderungen sein.
Frequency and predictors of complication clustering within 30 days of spinal fusion surgery: a study of children with neuromuscular scoliosis
Authors: Rajkumar Sujay , Iyer Rajiv R. , Stone Lauren , Kelly Michael P. , Plonsker Jillian , Brandel Michael , Gonda David D. , Mazur Marcus D. , Ikeda Daniel S. , Lucas Donald J. , Choi Pamela M. , Ravindra Vijay M.
Published: February 2024

Purpose

There is limited information on the clustering or co-occurrence of complications after spinal fusion surgery for neuromuscular disease in children. We aimed to identify the frequency and predictive factors of co-occurring perioperative complications in these children.

Methods

In this retrospective database cohort study, we identified children (ages 10–18 years) with neuromuscular scoliosis who underwent elective spinal fusion in 2012–2020 from the National Surgical Quality Improvement Program-Pediatric database. The rates of co-occurring complications within 30 days were calculated, and associated factors were identified by logistic regression analysis. Correlation between a number of complications and outcomes was assessed.

Results

Approximately 11% (709/6677 children with neuromuscular scoliosis undergoing spinal fusion had co-occurring complications: 7% experienced two complications and 4% experienced ≥ 3. The most common complication was bleeding/transfusion (80%), which most frequently co-occurred with pneumonia (24%) and reintubation (18%). Surgical time ≥ 400 min (odds ratio (OR) 1.49 [95% confidence interval (CI) 1.25–1.75]), fusion ≥ 13 levels (1.42 [1.13–1.79]), and pelvic fixation (OR 1.21 [1.01, 1.44]) were identified as procedural factors that independently predicted concurrent complications. Clinical risk factors for co-occurring complications included an American Society of Anesthesiologist physical status classification ≥ 3 (1.73 [1.27–2.37]), structural pulmonary/airway abnormalities (1.24 [1.01–1.52]), impaired cognitive status (1.80 [1.41–2.30]), seizure disorder (1.36 [1.12–1.67]), hematologic disorder (1.40 [1.03–1.91], preoperative nutritional support (1.34 [1.08–1.72]), and congenital malformations (1.20 [1.01–1.44]). Preoperative tracheostomy was protective against concurrent complications (0.62 [0.43–0.89]). Significant correlations were found between number of complications and length of stay, non-home discharge, readmissions, and death.

Conclusion

Longer surgical time (≥ 400 min), fusion ≥ 13 levels and pelvic fixation are surgical risk factors independently associated with co-occurring complications, which were associated with poorer patient outcomes. Recognizing identified nonmodifiable risk factors might also be important for preoperative planning and risk stratification of children with neuromuscular scoliosis requiring spinal fusion.

Level of evidence

Level IV evidence.
Text-independent speaker identification system using discrete wavelet transform with linear prediction coding
Authors: Alrusaini Othman , Daqrouq Khaled
Published: February 2024

One of the key problems of the modern day is the presentation of an identity verification system that can perform sufficient accuracy in identity verification, is resilient to assaults and noises, and can be recorded in the simplest possible method. In this study, a new speaker feature extraction which based on discrete wavelet transform (DWT) and linear prediction coding (LPC) algorithm (WLPCA) are investigated. This paper's primary objective is to evidence the performance of the new method for speaker identification by a Gaussian mixture model (GMM). The proposed method improves the recognition rate over the Mel-frequency cepstral coefficient (MFCC). Experimental evaluation of the process performance is performed on two speech databases; our recorded database and the publicly available TIMIT database. We show that the speech features derived by the newly proposed method are more suitable for GMM (91.53%), in terms of the time-consumed, by requiring less Gaussian mixtures than MFCC (85.77%). For testing the presented method in a noisy environment, Additive white Gaussian noise (AWGN) was added to the TIMIT database, where a slight improvement in the performance of the presented method (60.02%) over the MFCC (59.89%) was observed.
The student voice on integrative teaching and learning of academic literacy at a South African university of technology
Authors: Ticha Ignatius Khan , Nakhooda Muhammad , Obi Uloma Nkpurunma
Published: February 2024

Academic literacy skills are universally considered as a valuable and integral part of academic development in higher education, yet they often remain peripheral to or are completely absent from many qualifications. At the presently selected institution, there is little consensus on the most effective model to design for and implement as far as academic literacy is concerned, and whether this should be embedded within core curricula, or as a stand-alone, credit-bearing subject. Conspicuously absent in conversations on this matter however, is the student voice, which is what the present study seeks to draw on. An analysis of students’ reflections on an integrated model of learning and teaching of academic literacy was evaluated, where the skills are taught within the context of an academic discipline. The academic literacy component was embedded within a single course taught in a Biotechnology qualification. Upon completion of the learning activities, ten students were interviewed, and a questionnaire was administered to a further fifteen students, to gauge feedback on the usefulness of the integrated model of academic literacy. We report that the pedagogy improved and enriched the overall learning experience. Students reflected that the approach enabled better access to Biotechnology content and made the discourse of the discipline more explicit, as they unlocked academic literacy skills, compared to if an academic literacy course was taken alone. More broadly, the study highlights the need to draw on student reflection and experiences in the design and implementation of pedagogies and the value of remaining responsive to student voices.
‘Information from which money can be made is what is required’: William Blackwoods and the Irish Ordnance Memoir Commission of 1843-4
Authors: Hill Ian
Published: February 2024

The Irish Ordnance memoir scheme attempted to produce wide-ranging ‘statistical’ memoirs on a national basis, to accompany the large-scale (six-inch) mapping of the country by the Irish Ordnance Survey. Dating to the early 1830s, the memoir scheme had a stop-start existence and only published a specimen account for the parish of Templemore, County Londonderry (1837). But the scheme's overall aims of economic improvement and cultural revival attracted considerable support from Irish society and the Irish press. Public calls for resumption after memoir activity was stopped in 1840 led to an investigatory commission of 1843–4, appointed by the prime minister, Sir Robert Peel, but the commission's favourable findings were then disputed by him, primarily on grounds of cost. This article examines the impact of the Edinburgh publishing house of William Blackwoods on the memoir commission. The first section investigates the influence of Scottish voluntaryism on the commission, while the second assesses the impact of the firm on the emerging publication proposals in the immediate aftermath of the report. The article argues that the memoir scheme was not a victim of British antipathy but expired from a failure of the principals, including Blackwoods, to agree publishing terms, and both assesses and contextualises the scheme's demise from this adjusted perspective.
Ethnographic collections in Northern Ireland and the Solomon Islands tomako (canoe) at the Ulster Museum, 1898–2023
Authors: Widdis Briony
Published: February 2024

The World Cultures collection at National Museums Northern Ireland is an essential source for the study of Irish collecting in the wider British Empire. The 2022 redisplay of the collection in the Ulster Museum's exhibition, Inclusive Global Histories, is part of a staged engagement with local and source communities. Given the critical importance of the global museum decolonisation work of which the exhibition is an example, a fresh consideration of this ethnographic collection's history is timely. This article reviews the collection within the context of the three museums that have housed it, and investigates how curators within the institution understood, represented and displayed the collection. It does so through a case study of a war canoe (tomako), that was taken from the Solomon Islands, by John Casement, a captain in the Royal Navy, and is the largest and among the most significant items within the collection. The canoe's centrality to the gallery — built around it in 1925 — that now contains Inclusive Global Histories reveals complex social networks between nineteenth- and twentieth-century collectors, curators and photographers, and aids understanding of how global human cultures have been regarded in Northern Ireland's civic life.
Operante Verfahren
Authors: Hautzinger  , Rinck Mike
Published: February 2024

Operante Verfahren stellen eine zentrale Intervention des Verhaltensaufbaus und der Verhaltensveränderung dar und gehören damit zu den Standards einer jeden Psychotherapie. Der Band stellt die Grundlagen operanter Verfahren vor, führt in relevante Begrifflichkeiten ein, informiert über diagnostische Methoden zur Analyse operanter Mechanismen und veranschaulicht anhand zahlreicher Beispiele die verschiedenen Anwendungsmöglichkeiten operanter Verfahren.
Operante Verfahren dienen dem Aufbau sowie der Steigerung des Auftretens erwünschten und der Reduktion unerwünschten Verhaltens sowie der Stabilisierung des neu gelernten Verhaltens. Sie basieren auf den Prinzipien und Techniken des instrumentellen Lernens, ihre Wirksamkeit ist für alle Altersgruppen gut belegt. Breite Anwendung finden operante Verfahren in der Arbeit mit Kindern, Jugendlichen und Familien, z.B. bei Störungen des Sozialverhaltens, der Ausscheidung und der Impulskontrolle, bei Lernstörungen und Aggression. Auch in Einrichtungen, die sich um kognitiv eingeschränkte Menschen kümmern, spielen Stimuluskontrolle, Verhaltenstrainings und positive Verstärkung eine zentrale therapeutische Rolle. Ebenso wird bei der Behandlung von Substanzabhängigkeiten, Essstörungen, Angststörungen und Depressionen auf Prinzipien operanter Verhaltenssteuerung zurückgriffen. Zudem stellen das Sozial- und Kommunikationsverhalten sowie das Stress- und Selbstmanagement mögliche Einsatzbereiche dar. Der Band skizziert das Vorgehen anhand verschiedener Beispiele und bietet damit eine ideale Wissensbasis für den Einsatz dieser effektiven psychotherapeutischen Methoden.
Ion Acceleration and Corresponding Bounce Echoes Induced by Electric Field Impulses: MMS Observations
Authors: Li Xing‐Yu , Liu Zhi‐Yang , Zong Qiu‐Gang , Zhou Xu‐Zhi , Liu Jian‐Jun , Hu Ze‐Jun , Zhao Xing‐Xin , Hao Yi‐Xin , Liu Ying , Yang Fan , Pollock Craig J. , Russell Christopher T. , Lindqvist Per‐Arne
Published: February 2024

Dayside magnetosphere interactions are essential for energy and momentum transport between the solar wind and the magnetosphere. In this study, we investigate a new phenomenon within this regime. Sudden enhancements of ion fluxes followed by repeating dropouts and recoveries were observed by Magnetospheric Multiscale on 5 November 2016, which is the very end of the recovery phase from a moderate geomagnetic storm. These repetitive flux variations display energy‐dispersive characteristics with periods relevant to ion bounce motion, suggesting they are corresponding echoes. Alongside the flux variations, bipolar electric field impulses originating from external sources were detected. We traced the source region of the initial injection and found it is located near the spacecraft's position. To elucidate the underlying physics, a test‐particle simulation is conducted. The results reveal that radial transport resulting from impulse‐induced acceleration can give rise to these echoes. Observations demonstrate dayside magnetosphere interactions are more common than we previously considered, which warrants further research.
Using Field Measurements Across Land Cover Types to Evaluate Albedo‐Based Wind Friction Velocity and Estimate Sediment Transport
Authors: Zhou Zhuoli , Zhang Chunlai , Chappell Adrian , Zou Xueyong , Zhang Zhuodong , Zuo Xiaofeng , Zhang Xiaoyu , Zhou Junxiong , Cao Zihao
Published: February 2024

The soil surface wind friction velocity (us*) is an essential parameter for predicting sediment transport on rough surfaces. However, this parameter is difficult and time‐consuming to obtain over large areas due to its spatiotemporal heterogeneity. The albedo‐based approach calibrates normalized shadow retrieved from any source of albedo data with laboratory measurements of aerodynamic properties. This enables direct and cross‐scale us* retrieval but has not been evaluated against field measurements for different cover types. We evaluated the approach's performance using wind friction velocity (u*) measurements from ultrasonic anemometers. We retrieved coincident field pyranometer and satellite albedo at 48 sites that were spread over approximately 1,800 km on the Inner Mongolia Plateau, including grassland, artificial shrubland, open shrubland, and gobi land. For all cover types, u* estimates from ultrasonic anemometers were close to the albedo‐based results approach. Our results confirm and extend the findings that the approach works across scales from lab to field measurements and permits large‐area assessments using satellite albedo. We compared the seasonal sediment transport across the region calculated from albedo‐based us* with results from an exemplar traditional transport model (QT) driven by u* with aerodynamic roughness length varying with land cover type and fixed over time. The traditional model could not account for spatiotemporal variation in roughness elements and considerably over‐estimated sediment transport, particularly in partially vegetated and gravel‐covered central and western parts of the Inner Mongolia Plateau. The albedo‐based sediment transport (QA) estimates will enable dynamic monitoring of the interaction between wind and surface roughness to support Earth System models.
Detection of (pre)cancerous colorectal lesions in Lynch syndrome patients by microsatellite instability liquid biopsy
Authors: Boeri Mattia , Signoroni Stefano , Ciniselli Chiara Maura , Gariboldi Manuela , Zanutto Susanna , Rausa Emanuele , Segale Miriam , Zanghì Anna , Ricci Maria Teresa , Verderio Paolo , Sozzi Gabriella , Vitellaro Marco
Published: February 2024

Lynch syndrome (LS) is an inherited condition characterized by an increased risk of developing cancer, in particular colorectal cancer (CRC). Microsatellite instability (MSI) is the main feature of (pre)cancerous lesions occurring in LS patients. Close endoscopic surveillance is the only option available to reduce CRC morbidity and mortality. However, it may fail to intercept interval cancers and patients’ compliance to such an invasive procedure may decrease over the years. The development of a minimally invasive test able to detect (pre)cancerous colorectal lesions, could thus help tailor surveillance programs in LS patients. Taking advantage of an endoscopic surveillance program, we retrospectively assessed the instability of five microsatellites (BAT26, BAT25, NR24, NR21, and Mono27) in liquid biopsies collected at baseline and possibly at two further endoscopic rounds. For this purpose, we tested a new multiplex drop-off digital polymerase chain reaction (dPCR) assay, reaching mutant allele frequencies (MAFs) as low as 0.01%. Overall, 78 plasma samples at the three time-points from 18 patients with baseline (pre)cancerous lesions and 18 controls were available for molecular analysis. At baseline, the MAFs of BAT26, BAT25 and NR24 were significantly higher in samples of patients with lesions but did not differ with respect to the grade of dysplasia or any other clinico-pathological characteristics. When all markers were combined to determine MSI in blood, this test was able to discriminate lesion-bearing patients with an AUC of 0.80 (95%CI: 0.66; 0.94).
Divergent transcriptomic signatures from putative mesenchymal stimuli in glioblastoma cells
Authors: Hart William S. , Myers Paul J. , Purow Benjamin W. , Lazzara Matthew J.
Published: February 2024

In glioblastoma, a mesenchymal phenotype is associated with especially poor patient outcomes. Various glioblastoma microenvironmental factors and therapeutic interventions are purported drivers of the mesenchymal transition, but the degree to which these cues promote the same mesenchymal transitions and the uniformity of those transitions, as defined by molecular subtyping systems, is unknown. Here, we investigate this question by analyzing publicly available patient data, surveying commonly measured transcripts for mesenchymal transitions in glioma-initiating cells (GIC), and performing next-generation RNA sequencing of GICs. Analysis of patient tumor data reveals that TGFβ, TNFα, and hypoxia signaling correlate with the mesenchymal subtype more than the proneural subtype. In cultured GICs, the microenvironment-relevant growth factors TGFβ and TNFα and the chemotherapeutic temozolomide promote expression of commonly measured mesenchymal transcripts. However, next-generation RNA sequencing reveals that growth factors and temozolomide broadly promote expression of both mesenchymal and proneural transcripts, in some cases with equal frequency. These results suggest that glioblastoma mesenchymal transitions do not occur as distinctly as in epithelial-derived cancers, at least as determined using common subtyping ontologies and measuring response to growth factors or chemotherapeutics. Further understanding of these issues may identify improved methods for pharmacologically targeting the mesenchymal phenotype in glioblastoma.
MTHFD1 regulates the NADPH redox homeostasis in MYCN-amplified neuroblastoma
Authors: Guan Jinqiu , Li Mengzhen , Wang Yi , Zhang Yu , Que Yi , Lu Suying , Wang Juan , Zhu Jia , Huang Junting , Zhen Zijun , Sun Feifei , Song Mengjia , Zhang Yizhuo
Published: February 2024

MYCN amplification is an independent poor prognostic factor in patients with high-risk neuroblastoma (NB). Further exploring the molecular regulatory mechanisms in MYCN-amplified NB will help to develop novel therapy targets. In this study, methylenetetrahydrofolate dehydrogenase 1 (MTHFD1) was identified as the differentially expressed gene (DEG) highly expressed in MYCN-amplified NB, and it showed a positive correlation with MYCN and was associated with a poor prognosis of NB patients. Knockdown of MTHFD1 inhibited proliferation and migration, and induced apoptosis of NB cells in vitro. Mouse model experiments validated the tumorigenic effect of MTHFD1 in NB in vivo. In terms of the mechanism, ChIP-qPCR and dual-luciferase reporter assays demonstrated that MTHFD1 was directly activated by MYCN at the transcriptional level. As an important enzyme in the folic acid metabolism pathway, MTHFD1 maintained the NADPH redox homeostasis in MYCN-amplified NB. Knockdown of MTHFD1 reduced cellular NADPH/NADP+ and GSH/GSSG ratios, increased cellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) and triggered the apoptosis of NB cells. Moreover, genetic knockdown of MTHFD1 or application of the anti-folic acid metabolism drug methotrexate (MTX) potentiated the anti-tumor effect of JQ1 both in vitro and in vivo. Taken together, MTHFD1 as an oncogene is a potential therapeutic target for MYCN-amplified NB. The combination of MTX with JQ1 is of important clinical translational significance for the treatment of patients with MYCN-amplified NB.
SOX on tumors, a comfort or a constraint?
Authors: Jiang Junqing , Wang Yufei , Sun Mengyu , Luo Xiangyuan , Zhang Zerui , Wang Yijun , Li Siwen , Hu Dian , Zhang Jiaqian , Wu Zhangfan , Chen Xiaoping , Zhang Bixiang , Xu Xiao , Wang Shuai , Xu Shengjun , Huang Wenjie , Xia Limin
Published: February 2024

The sex-determining region Y (SRY)-related high-mobility group (HMG) box (SOX) family, composed of 20 transcription factors, is a conserved family with a highly homologous HMG domain. Due to their crucial role in determining cell fate, the dysregulation of SOX family members is closely associated with tumorigenesis, including tumor invasion, metastasis, proliferation, apoptosis, epithelial-mesenchymal transition, stemness and drug resistance. Despite considerable research to investigate the mechanisms and functions of the SOX family, confusion remains regarding aspects such as the role of the SOX family in tumor immune microenvironment (TIME) and contradictory impacts the SOX family exerts on tumors. This review summarizes the physiological function of the SOX family and their multiple roles in tumors, with a focus on the relationship between the SOX family and TIME, aiming to propose their potential role in cancer and promising methods for treatment.
T-bet+ B cells are activated by and control endogenous retroviruses through TLR-dependent mechanisms
Authors: Rauch Eileen , Amendt Timm , Lopez Krol Aleksandra , Lang Fabian B. , Linse Vincent , Hohmann Michelle , Keim Ann-Christin , Kreutzer Susanne , Kawengian Kevin , Buchholz Malte , Duschner Philipp , Grauer Saskia , Schnierle Barbara , Ruhl Andreas , Burtscher Ingo , Dehnert Sonja , Kuria Chege , Kupke Alexandra , Paul Stephanie , Liehr Thomas , Lechner Marcus , Schnare Markus , Kaufmann Andreas , Huber Magdalena , Winkler Thomas H. , Bauer Stefan , Yu Philipp
Published: February 2024

Endogenous retroviruses (ERVs) are an integral part of the mammalian genome. The role of immune control of ERVs in general is poorly defined as is their function as anti-cancer immune targets or drivers of autoimmune disease. Here, we generate mouse-strains where Moloney-Murine Leukemia Virus tagged with GFP (ERV-GFP) infected the mouse germline. This enables us to analyze the role of genetic, epigenetic and cell intrinsic restriction factors in ERV activation and control. We identify an autoreactive B cell response against the neo-self/ERV antigen GFP as a key mechanism of ERV control. Hallmarks of this response are spontaneous ERV-GFP+ germinal center formation, elevated serum IFN-γ levels and a dependency on Age-associated B cells (ABCs) a subclass of T-bet+ memory B cells. Impairment of IgM B cell receptor-signal in nucleic-acid sensing TLR-deficient mice contributes to defective ERV control. Although ERVs are a part of the genome they break immune tolerance, induce immune surveillance against ERV-derived self-antigens and shape the host immune response.