bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Testing Spatial Modulations in Single-Pixel Hyperspectral Microscopy
Authors: Klein Lukas , Zidek Karel , Tous Jan
Published: January 2024

Spatial modulations in compressive imaging can vastly improve the measurement quality and reduce the number of measurements needed. While there have been experiments focusing on different modulations, usually only a handful have been tested and in varying conditions. We propose a scheme unifying the testing parameters while exploiting our dual hyperspectral compressive microscope to create a range of conditions in one measurement. With this, we proceed to test a large number of modulations and their modifications to provide a comprehensive comparison. Individual effects and complications have also been identified, providing tips for modulation testing and deployment.
Neuronal tuning to threat exposure remains stable in the mouse prefrontal cortex over multiple days
Authors: Sylte Ole Christian , Muysers Hannah , Chen Hung-Ling , Bartos Marlene , Sauer Jonas-Frederic
Published: January 2024

Intense threat elicits action in the form of active and passive coping. The medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC) executes top-level control over the selection of threat coping strategies, but the dynamics of mPFC activity upon continuing threat encounters remain unexplored. Here, we used 1-photon calcium imaging in mice to probe the activity of prefrontal pyramidal cells during repeated exposure to intense threat in a tail suspension (TS) paradigm. A subset of prefrontal neurons displayed selective activation during TS, which was stably maintained over days. During threat, neurons showed specific tuning to active or passive coping. These responses were unrelated to general motion tuning and persisted over days. Moreover, the neural manifold traversed by low-dimensional population activity remained stable over subsequent days of TS exposure and was preserved across individuals. These data thus reveal a specific, temporally, and interindividually conserved repertoire of prefrontal tuning to behavioral responses under threat.
Tracking conformational transitions of the gonadotropin hormone receptors in a bilayer of (SDPC) poly-unsaturated lipids from all-atom molecular dynamics simulations
Authors: Jardón-Valadez Eduardo , Ulloa-Aguirre Alfredo
Published: January 2024

Glycoprotein hormone receptors [thyrotropin (TSHR), luteinizing hormone/chorionic gonadotropin (LHCGR), and follicle stimulating hormone (FSHR) receptors] are rhodopsin-like G protein-coupled receptors. These receptors display common structural features including a prominent extracellular domain with leucine-rich repeats (LRR) stabilized by β-sheets and a long and flexible loop known as the hinge region (HR), and a transmembrane (TM) domain with seven α-helices interconnected by intra- and extracellular loops. Binding of the ligand to the LRR resembles a hand coupling transversally to the α- and β-subunits of the hormone, with the thumb being the HR. The structure of the FSH-FSHR complex suggests an activation mechanism in which Y335 at the HR binds into a pocket between the α- and β-chains of the hormone, leading to an adjustment of the extracellular loops. In this study, we performed molecular dynamics (MD) simulations to identify the conformational changes of the FSHR and LHCGR. We set up a FSHR structure as predicted by AlphaFold (AF-P23945); for the LHCGR structure we took the cryo-electron microscopy structure for the active state (PDB:7FII) as initial coordinates. Specifically, the flexibility of the HR domain and the correlated motions of the LRR and TM domain were analyzed. From the conformational changes of the LRR, TM domain, and HR we explored the conformational landscape by means of MD trajectories in all-atom approximation, including a membrane of polyunsaturated phospholipids. The distances and procedures here defined may be useful to propose reaction coordinates to describe diverse processes, such as the active-to-inactive transition, and to identify intermediaries suited for allosteric regulation and biased binding to cellular transducers in a selective activation strategy.
Precision public health in schools enabled by wastewater surveillance: A case study of COVID-19 in an Upstate New York middle-high school campus during the 2021–2022 academic year
Authors: Kappus-Kron Haley , Chatila Dana Ahmad , MacLachlan Ainsley Mabel , Pulido Nicole , Yang Nan , Larsen David A.
Published: January 2024

Wastewater surveillance provides a cost-effective and non-invasive way to gain an understanding of infectious disease transmission including for COVID-19. We analyzed wastewater samples from one school site in Jefferson County, New York during the 2021–2022 school year. We tested for SARS-CoV-2 RNA once weekly and compared those results with the clinical COVID-19 cases in the school. The amount of SARS-CoV-2 RNA correlated with the number of incident COVID-19 cases, with the best correlation being one day lead time between the wastewater sample and the number of COVID-19 cases. The sensitivity and positive predictive value of wastewater surveillance to correctly identify any COVID-19 cases up to 7 days after a wastewater sample collection ranged from 82–100% and 59–78% respectively, depending upon the amount of SARS-CoV-2 RNA in the sample. The specificity and negative predictive value of wastewater surveillance to correctly identify when the school was without a case of COVID-19 ranged from 67–78% and 70–80%, respectively, depending upon the amount of SARS-CoV-2 RNA in the sample. The lead time observed in this study suggests that transmission might occur within a school before SARS-CoV-2 is identified in wastewater. However, wastewater surveillance should still be considered as a potential means of understanding school-level COVID-19 trends and is a way to enable precision public health approaches tailored to the epidemiologic situation in an individual school.
Does daily activity overlap of seven mesocarnivores vary based on human development?
Authors: McTigue Leah E. , Lassiter Ellery V. , Shaw Mike , Johansson Emily , Wilson Ken , DeGregorio Brett A.
Published: January 2024

Many species of wildlife alter their daily activity patterns in response to co-occurring species as well as the surrounding environment. Often smaller or subordinate species alter their activity patterns to avoid being active at the same time as larger, dominant species to avoid agonistic interactions. Human development can complicate interspecies interactions, as not all wildlife respond to human activity in the same manner. While some species may change the timing of their activity to avoid being active when humans are, others may be unaffected or may benefit from being active at the same time as humans to reduce predation risk or competition. To further explore these patterns, we used data from a coordinated national camera-trapping program (Snapshot USA) to explore how the activity patterns and temporal activity overlap of a suite of seven widely co-occurring mammalian mesocarnivores varied along a gradient of human development. Our focal species ranged in size from the large and often dominant coyote (Canis latrans) to the much smaller and subordinate Virginia opossum (Didelphis virginiana). Some species changed their activity based on surrounding human development. Coyotes were most active at night in areas of high and medium human development. Red fox (Vulpes vulpes) were more active at dusk in areas of high development relative to areas of low or medium development. However, because most species were primarily nocturnal regardless of human development, temporal activity overlap was high between all species. Only opossum and raccoon (Procyon lotor) showed changes in activity overlap with high overlap in areas of low development compared to areas of moderate development. Although we found that coyotes and red fox altered their activity patterns in response to human development, our results showed that competitive and predatory pressures between these seven widespread generalist species were insufficient to cause them to substantially alter their activity patterns.
Finding women in fishing communities around Lake Victoria: “Feasibility and acceptability of using phones and tracking devices”
Authors: Nanyonjo Gertrude , Kwena Zachary , Nakamanya Sarah , Okello Elialilia , Oketch Bertha , Bahemuka Ubaldo M. , Ssetaala Ali , Okech Brenda , Price Matt A. , Kapiga Saidi , Fast Pat , Bukusi Elizabeth , Seeley Janet ,   the LVCHR study team
Published: January 2024

Introduction

Women in fishing communities have both high HIV prevalence and incidence, hence they are a priority population for HIV prevention and treatment interventions. However, their mobility is likely to compromise the effectiveness of interventions. We assessed the acceptability, feasibility and of using phones and global positioning system (GPS) devices for tracking mobility, to inform future health research innovations.

Methods

A mult-site formative qualitative study was conducted in six purposively selected Fishing Communities on the shores of Lake Victoria in Kenya, Tanzania, and Uganda. Participants were selected based on duration of stay in the community and frequency of movement. Sixty-four (64) women participated in the study (16 per fishing community). Twenty-four (24) participants were given a study phone; 24 were asked to use their own phones and 16 were provided with a portable GPS device to understand what is most preferred. Women were interviewed about their experiences and recommendations on carrying GPS devices or phones. Twenty four (24) Focus Group Discussions with 8–12 participants were conducted with community members to generate data on community perceptions regarding GPS devices and phones acceptability among women. Data were analyzed thematically and compared across sites/countries.

Results

Women reported being willing to use tracking devices (both phones and GPS) because they are easy to carry. Their own phone was preferred compared to a study phone and GPS device because they were not required to carry an additional device, worry about losing it or be questioned about the extra device by their sexual partner. Women who carried GPS devices suggested more sensitization in communities to avoid domestic conflicts and public concern. Women suggested changing the GPS colour from white to a darker colour and, design to look like a commonly used object such as a telephone Subscriber Identity Module (SIM) card, a rosary/necklace or a ring for easy and safe storage.

Conclusion

Women in the study communities were willing to have their movements tracked, embraced the use of phones and GPS devices for mobility tracking. Devices need to be redesigned to be more discrete, but they could be valuable tools to understanding movement patterns and inform design of interventions for these mobile populations.
Prediction of peak oxygen consumption using cardiorespiratory parameters from warmup and submaximal stage of treadmill cardiopulmonary exercise test
Authors: Rosoł Maciej , Petelczyc Monika , Gąsior Jakub S. , Młyńczak Marcel
Published: January 2024

This study investigates the quality of peak oxygen consumption (VO2peak) prediction based on cardiac and respiratory parameters calculated from warmup and submaximal stages of treadmill cardiopulmonary exercise test (CPET) using machine learning (ML) techniques and assesses the importance of respiratory parameters for the prediction outcome. The database consists of the following parameters: heart rate (HR), respiratory rate (RespRate), pulmonary ventilation (VE), oxygen consumption (VO2) and carbon dioxide production (VCO2) obtained from 369 treadmill CPETs. Combinations of features calculated based on the HR, VE and RespRate time-series from different stages of CPET were used to create 11 datasets for VO2peakprediction. Thirteen ML algorithms were employed, and model performances were evaluated using cross-validation with mean absolute percentage error (MAPE), R2score, mean absolute error (MAE), and root mean squared error (RMSE) calculated after each iteration of the validation. The results demonstrated that incorporating respiratory-based features improves the prediction of VO2peak. The best results in terms of R2score (0.47) and RMSE (5.78) were obtained for the dataset which included both cardiac- and respiratory-based features from CPET up to 85% of age-predicted HRmax, while the best results in terms of MAPE (10.5%) and MAE (4.63) were obtained for the dataset containing cardiorespiratory features from the last 30 seconds of warmup. The study showed the potential of using ML models based on cardiorespiratory features from submaximal tests for prediction of VO2peakand highlights the importance of the monitoring of respiratory signals, enabling to include respiratory parameters into the analysis. Presented approach offers a feasible alternative to direct VO2peakmeasurement, especially when specialized equipment is limited or unavailable.
Effect of daily physical activity on ambulatory blood pressure in pregnant women with chronic hypertension: A prospective cohort study protocol
Authors: Lv Yanxiang , Hu Rui , Liang Yan , Zhou Ying , Lian Yanan , He Tongqiang
Published: January 2024

Background

Physical activity, a first-line approach for the treatment of non-gestational hypertension globally, has been shown to benefit most pregnant women in many respects. The benefits and risks of prenatal physical activity in complicated pregnancies, such as preeclampsia and chronic hypertension, require further investigation. It is worth conducting studies to address questions about physical activity during pregnancy in women with chronic hypertension, such as the benefits and risks, frequency, duration, and intensity. This prospective cohort study aims to investigate whether moderate-intensity daily physical activity reduces ambulatory blood pressure in pregnant women with chronic hypertension.

Methods

Pregnant women with chronic hypertension at 11+0 to 13+6 gestational weeks will be recruited from the outpatient clinic and divided into moderate- and light-intensity physical activity groups according to the intensity of the 7-day physical activity monitored using the model wGT3X-BT accelerometer. 24-h ambulatory blood pressure monitoring will be performed at enrollment as a baseline and will be repeated in the second and third trimesters. The primary outcome is the difference in the change in 24-h ambulatory systolic blood pressure from the first to the third trimester between the groups. Secondary outcomes include the difference of change in other ambulatory (24-h diastolic, daytime, and nighttime) and office blood pressure variables from the first to the second and third trimesters, the incidence of severe hypertension (≥160/110 mmHg), and changes in the type and dosage of antihypertensive medication. The primary and secondary outcomes related to changes in blood pressure from baseline to the second and third trimesters between the groups will be analyzed using Student’s independent t-test or the Mann–Whitney U test.

Discussion

This cohort study will provide a basis for randomized controlled trials and verify an easily achieved, economical, and non-fetotoxic approach for adjuvant blood pressure management in pregnant women with chronic hypertension.

Registry

This study is registered with the Chinese Clinical Trials Registry (NO. ChiCTR2200062094). Date Registered: 21/07/2022.
Diagnostic contribution of multi-frequency vibrometry to detection of peripheral neuropathy in type 1 diabetes mellitus compared with nerve conduction studies
Authors: Ekman Linnéa , Dahlin Lars B. , Andersson Gert S. , Lindholm Eero
Published: January 2024

Aim

The aim was to assess the use of multi-frequency vibrometry (MFV) in detecting diabetic peripheral neuropathy (DPN) in type 1 diabetes in comparison to nerve conduction studies (NCS) and neurothesiometer (NT). Our objectives were to examine how VPTs correlated with NCS parameters, evaluate the efficacy of MFV in distinguishing DPN as well as to investigate whether MFV procedure could be based on fewer frequencies.

Methods

Adults with type 1 diabetes with previous MFV examinations were recruited at Skåne University Hospital in Malmö, Sweden, between 2018 and 2020. Participants were examined regarding nerve function in the lower limbs through MFV, NT and NCS.

Results

A total of 66 participants (28 women and 38 men) with a median age of 50 (39 to 64) years were included in the study. Through NCS assessment, 33 participants (50%) were diagnosed with DPN. We found negative correlations between VPTs and all NCS parameters, where the strongest correlation was found between sural nerve amplitude and the 125 Hz frequency of MFV. A combination of four frequencies, two low (4 and 8 Hz) and two high (125 and 250 Hz), showed the highest classification efficacy (AUC 0.83, 95% CI 0.73–0.93).

Conclusion

We conclude that a strong correlation exists between the sural nerve amplitude and the VPTs at 125 Hz and that VPT testing with MFV can be focused on only four frequencies instead of seven, thus shortening test time, to distinguish DPN in the lower limb.
Effect of probiotics or prebiotics on thyroid function: A meta-analysis of eight randomized controlled trials
Authors: Shu Qinxi , Kang Chao , Li Jiaxin , Hou Zhenzhu , Xiong Minfen , Wang Xingang , Peng Hongyan
Published: January 2024

Background

Microbiome-directed therapies are increasingly utilized to optimize thyroid function in both healthy individuals and those with thyroid disorders. However, recent doubts have been raised regarding the efficacy of probiotics, prebiotics, and synbiotics in improving thyroid function. This systematic review aimed to investigate the potential relationship between probiotics/prebiotics and thyroid function by analyzing the impact on thyroid hormone levels.

Methods

We conducted a comprehensive systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials that investigated the effects of probiotics, prebiotics, and synbiotics on free triiodothyronine (fT3), free thyroxine (fT4), thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH), and thyroid stimulating hormone receptor antibody (TRAb) levels. We searched for articles from PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, and Embase up until April 1st, 2023, without any language restriction. Quantitative data analysis was performed using a random-effects model, with standardized mean difference (SMD) and 95% confidence interval as summary statistics. The methods and results were reported according to the PRISMA2020 statement.

Results

A total of eight articles were included in this review. The meta-analysis showed no significant alterations in TSH (SMD: -0.01, 95% CI: −0.21, 0.20, P = 0.93; I2: 0.00%), fT4 (SMD: 0.04, 95% CI: −0.29, 0.21, P = 0.73; I2: 0.00%) or fT3 (SMD: 0.45, 95% CI: −0.14, 1.03, P = 0.43; I2: 78.00%), while a significant reduction in TRAb levels was observed (SMD: -0.85, 95% CI: -1.54, -0.15, P = 0.02; I2: 18.00%) following probiotics/prebiotics supplementation. No indication of publication bias was found.

Conclusions

Probiotics/prebiotics supplementation does not influence thyroid hormone levels, but may modestly reduce TRAb levels in patients with Graves’ disease.
Understanding volunteerism among dental students and professionals to reach Saudi Arabia Vision 2030 goals
Authors: Aboalshamat Khalid , Alayyafi Turki , Elaiwa Ghassan , Assayegh Mishal , Alqaidi Abdulmalk
Published: January 2024

Background

Volunteering can be defined as activities a person does for free to help another person or group. Saudi Vision 2030 has a target of one million volunteers from the country by 2030. The aim of this study was to find out the frequencies of the motives, barriers, and experiences of volunteering dental students and dentists in Saudi Arabia.

Materials and methods

In this cross-sectional study, 655 dental students and dentists from 37 cities around Saudi Arabia answered a questionnaire of 59 questions derived from previous studies. The questionnaire was distributed through social media. SPSS software was used to analyze the data, with p-value of 0.05 as significant. Chi-square was used for analytical statistics.

Results

The chance to learn in a health-related field (84.58%) was the most motivating factor to volunteer, and the least motivating factor was financial compensation (46.72%). Females had multiple significantly higher motives percentages than males (p<0.05). The most prominent barrier was time constraints (74.50%), while the least important barrier was parents/family disapproval (28.85%). Lack of transportation was a more significant (p<0.001) barrier for females than males. Of the respondents, 74.50% had previously participated in volunteer work. Among those, 98.36% volunteered in Saudi Arabia and 6.97% volunteered outside of Saudi Arabia. Also, 46.31% volunteered during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Conclusions

A high percentage of dental students and dentists in Saudi Arabia engage in volunteer activities. Nevertheless, various impediments must be addressed to achieved the targeted key performance indicator of Saudi Arabia Vision 2030.
Assessment of antimalarial activity of crude extract of Chan-Ta-Lee-La and Pra-Sa-Chan-Dang formulations and their plant ingredients for new drug candidates of malaria treatment: In vitro and in vivo experiments
Authors: Chaniad Prapaporn , Phuwajaroanpong Arisara , Plirat Walaiporn , Konyanee Atthaphon , Septama Abdi Wira , Punsawad Chuchard
Published: January 2024

The emergence and spread of antimalarial drug resistance have become a significant problem worldwide. The search for natural products to develop novel antimalarial drugs is challenging. Therefore, this study aimed to assess the antimalarial and toxicological effects of Chan-Ta-Lee-La (CTLL) and Pra-Sa-Chan-Dang (PSCD) formulations and their plant ingredients. The crude extracts of CTLL and PSCD formulations and their plant ingredients were evaluated forin vitroantimalarial activity usingPlasmodiumlactate dehydrogenase enzyme and toxicity to Vero and HepG2 cells using the tetrazolium salt method. An extract from the CTLL and PSCD formulations exhibiting the highest selectivity index value was selected for further investigation using Peter’s 4-day suppressive test, curative test, prophylactic test, and acute oral toxicity in mice. The phytochemical constituents were characterized using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS). Results showed that ethanolic extracts of CTLL and PSCD formulations possessed high antimalarial activity (half maximal inhibitory concentration = 4.88, and 4.19 g/mL, respectively) with low cytotoxicity. Ethanolic extracts of the CTLL and PSCD formulations demonstrated a significant dose-dependent decrease in parasitemia in mice. The ethanolic CTLL extract showed the greatest suppressive effect after 4 days of suppressive (89.80%) and curative (35.94%) testing at a dose of 600 mg/kg. Moreover, ethanolic PSCD extract showed the highest suppressive effect in the prophylactic test (65.82%) at a dose of 600 mg/kg. There was no acute toxicity in mice treated with ethanolic CTLL and PSCD extracts at 2,000 mg/kg bodyweight. GC-MS analysis revealed that the most abundant compounds in the ethanolic CTLL extract were linderol, isoborneol, eudesmol, linoleic acid, and oleic acid, whereas ethyl 4-methoxycinnamate was the most commonly found compound in the ethanolic PSCD extract, followed by 3-hydroxy-2-(4-hydroxy-3-methoxyphenyl)-4H-chromen-4-one, flamenol, oleic acid amide, linoleic acid, and oleic acid. In conclusions, ethanolic CTLL and PSCD extracts exhibited high antimalarial efficacyin vitro. The ethanolic CTLL extract at a dose of 600 mg/kg exhibited the highest antimalarial activity in the 4-day suppressive and curative tests, whereas the ethanolic PSCD extract at a dose of 600 mg/kg showed the highest antimalarial activity in the prophylactic test.
Scenario analysis on co-benefits of air pollution control and carbon reduction in Yangtze River Delta based on STIRPAT model
Authors: Feng Peijiong , Gu Yan , Yu Yaguai , Bao Yinzi , Gao Ruiyan , Ni Taohan
Published: January 2024

In a changing climate, it is vital to focus on the co-benefits of the pollution control and carbon emission reduction. Based on calculation of emission equivalent, the synergy coefficient is further calculated to quantitatively analyze the co-benefits of air pollution control and carbon reduction in the Yangtze River Delta; Scenario analysis in co-benefits in the Yangtze River Delta from 2026–2035 is thoroughly proposed after STIRPAT model is designed based on influencing factors confirmation including population size, economic scale, industrialization level, urbanization rate and energy intensity from measuring dimensions of synergy coefficient. The results show that the Yangtze River Delta region can partially achieve synergistic emission reduction by 2026 and realize comprehensive synergistic emission reduction of air pollution and carbon emissions not late than 2030, which provides a reference for promoting the decision-making of the new stage of long-term carbon and pollution reduction, and further, realizing carbon peak regulation and carbon neutrality.
Revisiting the origins of the Sobemovirus genus: A case for ancient origins of plant viruses
Authors: Ghafari Mahan , Sõmera Merike , Sarmiento Cecilia , Niehl Annette , Hébrard Eugénie , Tsoleridis Theocharis , Ball Jonathan , Moury Benoît , Lemey Philippe , Katzourakis Aris , Fargette Denis
Published: January 2024

The discrepancy between short- and long-term rate estimates, known as the time-dependent rate phenomenon (TDRP), poses a challenge to extrapolating evolutionary rates over time and reconstructing evolutionary history of viruses. The TDRP reveals a decline in evolutionary rate estimates with the measurement timescale, explained empirically by a power-law rate decay, notably observed in animal and human viruses. A mechanistic evolutionary model, the Prisoner of War (PoW) model, has been proposed to address TDRP in viruses. Although TDRP has been studied in animal viruses, its impact on plant virus evolutionary history remains largely unexplored. Here, we investigated the consequences of TDRP in plant viruses by applying the PoW model to reconstruct the evolutionary history of sobemoviruses, plant pathogens with significant importance due to their impact on agriculture and plant health. Our analysis showed that the Sobemovirus genus dates back over four million years, indicating an ancient origin. We found evidence that supports deep host jumps to Poaceae, Fabaceae, and Solanaceae occurring between tens to hundreds of thousand years ago, followed by specialization. Remarkably, the TDRP-corrected evolutionary history of sobemoviruses was extended far beyond previous estimates that had suggested their emergence nearly 9,000 years ago, a time coinciding with the Neolithic period in the Near East. By incorporating sequences collected through metagenomic analyses, the resulting phylogenetic tree showcases increased genetic diversity, reflecting a deep history of sobemovirus species. We identified major radiation events beginning between 4,600 to 2,000 years ago, which aligns with the Neolithic period in various regions, suggesting a period of rapid diversification from then to the present. Our findings make a case for the possibility of deep evolutionary origins of plant viruses.
Tools for the architect’s studio
Authors: Chard Nat
Published: January 2024

Architecture is caught in a conundrum. The motivation for building architecture is usually to satisfy someone’s desire to do something in a specific place. The architect professes to know how to facilitate that something yet knows that the architectural programme is reductive and does not cover the range and extent of likely and unlikely things that might take place in and around a built work. As a result, architects are caught between legitimizing their practice (and livelihood) to others through a rational exposition of explicit thoughts about how something can be accomplished while simultaneously knowing that what they really do has other unpredictable dimensions that are hard to grasp and harder to articulate.
Challenging the fashion academy: Intersectional perspectives on justice in the evolving fashion system
Authors: Reddy-Best Kelly L. , Matthews Dyese L.
Published: January 2024

This Special Issue of the journal focuses on the intricate relationship between justice and the fashion system, presenting a collection of groundbreaking research articles and reviews. The aim is to highlight the importance of intersectional and advocacy-based research in fashion studies, with a focus on historically marginalized identities. The articles employ diverse research methods, including literature reviews, material culture analysis, interviews and historical investigations. The articles cover a range of topics that examine justice within the fashion industry. One article critically analyses scholarship on Black women and fashion, highlighting the dominance of research centred on resistance, oppression and Eurocentric beauty standards. Another article explores the representation and experiences of Muslim women in modest fashion brands, examining the intersection of oppression, agency and capitalist practices. Additionally, the issue includes articles centred on fatness and fashion, discussing transgressive dress on YouTube, resistance against weight stigma on Instagram, and the historical development of sizing systems for fat bodies. Two reviews featured in the Special Issue provide insights into the relationship between fashion and intersectional feminism in American society, as well as the historical significance of Bomba attire in Puerto Rico. Overall, this collection of articles and reviews offers a comprehensive exploration of fashion studies through the lens of historically marginalized identities, shedding light on the industry’s potential to challenge discrimination and promote inclusivity. The issue calls for continued engagement with intersectional and advocacy-based research to drive the growth and evolution of the discipline, ultimately working towards a more equitable and inclusive fashion industry.
The secret life of objects in the immanent art of Morandi: Or: How art shows us how to write about art if we only let it1,2
Authors: O’Kane Paul
Published: January 2024

In this example of relatively long-form art writing, the writer begins by relaying an anecdote regarding a difficult interaction with an editor. As this rocks the confidence of the writer, they try to rally themselves but seeking out an almost arbitrary receptor for their art writing skills and passions. This turns out to be a concurrent exhibition of the paintings of Giorgio Morandi. The piece describes the writer’s feelings, as well as the journey to the gallery, and ultimately creates a form of review or representation of the exhibition. However, the initial impulse for the piece remains and is returned to in a series of analyses of the writer’s method. This includes a candid exploration of the writer’s considerations of the place of judgement in their own and in contemporary art writing. Ultimately, the piece toys with the idea that, in an age of ambivalence, in which judgements all too easily seem all too harsh, it might just be the use of adjectives that are sufficient to betray an art writer’s evaluation of what they are otherwise simply describing. While the initial criticism by an editor involved the concept of transcendence, the art writer takes this accusation on board and tries, again candidly, to judge themselves, and for themselves, with regard to this concept. Ultimately, they find that, far from leaning towards transcendent values in art they are in fact committed to forms of immanence. Along the way other artists, including Cezanne and De Chirico, as well as other thinkers such as Deleuze and Alfred Jarry are utilized to develop the lines of thought. Ultimately, and rather obliquely, the piece becomes a response to the editor’s riposte and appears to succeed, to some extent, in re-founding the writer’s confidence in their own methods and beliefs, to which they have been led by their own approach to art writing, and of course by the art itself.
The art of the experience: Facilitating a deeper relationship between artwork and participant through nonvicarious art and art experiences
Authors: Lotzgeselle Alexandra
Published: January 2024

This article examines the growing number of art experiences and experiential artworks, and the larger role they will be playing in the field of contemporary art moving forward. Art experiences and immersive art events have begun to grow in number and popularity with the backing of innovative new technologies and the investment of hundreds of millions of dollars into this specific sector of the art market. These experiences and events allow for people from different demographics to build a relationship with art – both of the past and present – and are reimagining the ways in which art can be better accessed and enjoyed by a broader audience than traditional museums. Experiential art pushes against the antiquated definitions and restrictions of the art world to create a deeper and more personal connection with the audience – which should perhaps more aptly be referred to as participants. While not all art fans are willing to submit their bodies or minds to the will of the artist, experiential works offer an interpersonal connection that leaves the participant with the souvenir of vivid and personal connections to works of art.
Las cadenas de auxiliaridad en el discurso médico: modelos combinatorios y categorización semántica
Authors: Ruiz Granados Beatriz
Published: January 2024

El objetivo de este trabajo es analizar el funcionamiento de las cadenas de auxiliaridad en textos especializados, en concreto, pertenecientes al discurso médico. De este modo, damos respuesta a dos tareas relevantes y novedosas de la gramática sincrónica del español actual, a saber: 1) especificar el comportamiento de estas construcciones pluriverbales y 2) esclarecer la incidencia del discurso médico en las perífrasis encadenadas. Los textos con los que hemos trabajado, que cuentan con el mayor grado de especialización, pertenecen a cuarenta revistas médicas publicadas entre 2018 y 2020. Cabe señalar que las publicaciones científicas analizadas se erigen como las de mayor impacto en sus respectivas especialidades y, en términos generales, se ocupan de ser la expresión científica de órganos oficiales, como la Sociedad Española de Oncología o la de Cardiología, entre otras. Para ello, llevamos a cabo nuestra investigación del siguiente modo: en primer lugar, recopilamos los principales esquemas de agrupación; a continuación, describimos las perífrasis encadenadas registradas y los modelos secuenciales a los que se asocian; por último, desarrollamos la naturaleza semántica de cada cadena de auxiliaridad en función de variables como la frecuencia de uso o la posición sintáctica. Una vez llevado a cabo el análisis del corpus, obtenemos dos conclusiones fundamentales: a) en la posición más cercana al verbo pleno, los textos especializados seleccionan auxiliares que se caracterizan bien por la ausencia de restricciones semánticas, bien por presentar un uso habitual en la lengua general; por ejemplo, en contextos no especializados pueden localizarse agrupaciones como tener que seguir y tener que terminar de, pero el discurso médico escoge exclusivamente la primera opción; y b) las secuencias más empleadas están motivadas por el propio lenguaje de especialidad: las cadenas que acentúan los valores modales ―especialmente deónticos― y que expresan la información en voz pasiva son habituales en los textos analizados porque responden a dos rasgos esenciales del ámbito de la medicina, a saber, la relevancia de los significados de orden y necesidad y la impersonalización del discurso.
Reseña del libro: Cestero Mancera, Ana María (ed.) (2023). Comunicación no verbal
Authors: Espinoza Díaz Valentina
Published: January 2024

Reseña del libro: Cestero Mancera, Ana María (ed.) (2023). Comunicación no verbal. Anejos de la revista Oralia: Análisis del Discurso Oral, 7, 376 páginas. https://ojs.ual.es/ojs/index.php/anejosoralia/index
La igualdad de género y los Objetivos de Desarrollo Sostenible: aportes desde la Educación Superior argentina
Authors: Bonavitta Paola , Maritano Ornella
Published: January 2024

En 2015, las Naciones Unidas aprobaron 17 Objetivos como parte de la Agenda 2030 para el Desarrollo Sostenible. De ellos, el Objetivo de Desarrollo Sostenible 5 (ODS 5) propone lograr la igualdad de género y empoderar a todas las mujeres y las niñas (MyN). Para esto, se debe crear un cambio en las prácticas pedagógicas y educativas que faciliten los accesos de MyN a la educación universitaria, incrementen sus posibilidades de inserción laboral y reduzcan las desigualdades de género. En este trabajo, presentamos los resultados del curso-taller «Saberes y prácticas feministas en experiencias de integración curricular», dirigido a personal docente e investigador de la Universidad Nacional de Córdoba (UNC) (región Centro, Argentina) y de la Universidad Nacional de San Juan (UNSJ) (región Cuyo, Argentina). A partir de técnicas cualitativas de investigación (etnografía virtual, análisis del discurso y autoetnografía), apostamos por reconocer experiencias, preocupaciones y motivaciones de docentes que intentan, desde sus prácticas pedagógicas, contribuir a lograr las metas del ODS 5. Durante un mes se llevó a cabo el curso mediante la plataforma Moodle del Sistema de Educación a Distancia (SIED) de la UNSJ. Asistieron 51 docentes e investigadores/as de ambas casas de estudio con interés en discutir, reflexionar y mejorar sus prácticas educativas a partir de una mirada feminista y de género, no binaria e interseccional. En este trabajo, recuperamos las experiencias, los relatos y las sensaciones puestas en común en el marco del curso con la intención de comprender de qué manera el cuerpo docente puede contribuir a la meta propuesta por el ODS 5 para amortiguar las desigualdades y facilitar la igualdad de género. Pudimos ver que aún las carreras universitarias están lejos de contemplar una real integración y/o transversalización de la perspectiva de género; no obstante, las propuestas y reflexiones dan cuenta del interés en el tema y la urgencia por contemplar y recrear nuevas maneras de ejercer la docencia y las prácticas pedagógicas.
La mujer y los Objetivos de Desarrollo Sostenible: análisis y propuestas para la docencia e investigación en la Educación Superior
Authors: Vargas Vergara Montserrat
Published: January 2024

El objetivo de este estudio es presentar un análisis crítico de los informes emitidos en el periodo 2019-2022 por la Organización de Naciones Unidas (ONU); en concreto, por ONU Mujeres, referidos al seguimiento de los Objetivos de Desarrollo Sostenible (ODS). Tiene como finalidad identificar las posibles barreras que han condicionado la vida de mujeres y niñas a lo largo del periodo estudiado, a fin de presentar una serie de reflexiones que orienten el diseño de actividades, estrategias y acciones en la Educación Superior. A lo largo de este artículo se realiza un análisis de contenido descriptivo, crítico, transversal y no experimental centrado en los ODS 6 «Agua y saneamiento», ODS 7 «Energía asequible y no contaminante», ODS 9 «Industria innovación e infraestructura» y ODS 11 «Ciudades y comunidades sostenibles». El segundo objetivo planteado es la identificación de los campos de conocimiento desde los que se puede actuar para contribuir al desarrollo equitativo del mundo. En este contexto, la universidad adquiere un papel relevante en la formación de la ciudadanía y profesionales del futuro desde una visión transdisciplinar. Los resultados evidencian que los retos a los que se enfrentan las mujeres y las niñas son especialmente de carácter social y educativo, pero también científico y económico. Por ello, es necesario proponer acciones y estrategias, desde la pedagogía, aplicables en cualquier campo de conocimiento, que permitan a docentes y discentes tomar conciencia de su participación en acciones orientadas al logro de los ODS desde su ámbito de conocimiento. Por extensión, las instituciones en general deben orientar sus actuaciones hacia los retos que plantea la sociedad actual.
Unpacking gendered discourse in mentorship programs: a critical analysis of the WeAreHERe campaign
Authors: Colombelli Alessandra , Falzea Luca , Montorsi Arianna , Temporin Greta
Published: January 2024

This research paper conducts a Critical Discourse Analysis of the Instagram campaign run by WeAreHERe, a peer-to-peer mentorship program designed for women high school students and first-year university students at Politecnico di Torino. The study scrutinizes 92 posts shared on the WeAreHERe Instagram page during the academic year 2021-2022. The primary goal of the research is, first, to bridge an existing gap in the literature by connecting studies on stereotypes, biases, and mentorship as a constructive means to promote women’s role models with research on gender-based structural oppression. Secondly, this study aims to enhance the WeAreHERe campaign through a comprehensive analysis, ultimately providing insights for shaping future policies about mentorship programs for female students in STEM fields. The analysis showed that most of the posts focus on the individual level rather than on structural oppression and the role models they depict are presented as relatable rather than unique humans. Even when the motivational posts acknowledge the existence of a gender-oppressive structure they seldom mention it clearly, failing to uncover the generative link between this structure of oppression and gender biases and stereotypes. The results show that the literature on stereotypes and biases could be enriched by an approach focused on structural oppression. From these results we developed some guidelines that could help the WeAreHERe campaign – and other similar campaigns that aims at fighting stereotypes about women in the STEM field – to tackle issues of systematic oppression. The use of role models is more effective when it highlights systematic oppression and favours the creation of communities that would help bringing systematic change.
El devenir animal de los cuerpos femeninos en tres cuentos de escritoras insólitas de habla hispana
Authors: Vigna Gaetano Antonio
Published: January 2024

Al analizar los relatos «La jaula de los esperpentos», de Diana Varas Rodríguez, «El matrimonio de los peces rojos», de Guadalupe Nettel, y «Cadena de ave», de Mónica Crespo, se pretende indagar sobre el trastocamiento de la identidad corporal que se da en la narrativa de lo inusual del siglo XXI. En esta modalidad discursiva de lo insólito, la animalización del cuerpo de la mujer se configura como respuesta sistémica contra el binarismo disciplinario de la sociedad heteropatriarcal. Y, de hecho, en el panorama de esta narrativa, dicha operación de deshumanización corporal es asumida como estratagema para subvertir la noción de identidad femenina, tal y como esta ha sido codificada por el varón. Partiendo de esta idea y para contribuir a los estudios sobre la mujer, en esta ocasión me detendré en la función subversiva del cuerpo femenino, que se metamorfosea debido a la posición subalterna que ocupa en el sistema binario sexo/género. En el presente estudio se hace referencia, primeramente, al uso feminista de la ficción de lo insólito por parte de las escritoras como herramienta para derribar las barreras de género en las que, tradicionalmente, han sido encerradas. A continuación, me centraré en el análisis de los relatos escogidos, haciendo hincapié en la animalización del cuerpo de las protagonistas y aportando una serie de reflexiones sobre la subversión de los modelos culturales femeninos cautelosamente elaborados por el patriarcado durante sus largos siglos de dominación. Los resultados obtenidos nos permitirán apreciar la contestación contra lo que el canon quiere imponer como feminidad típica y cerrada, en un proceso de liberación del cuerpo de la mujer del sistema de códigos culturales, sociales y políticos impuestos sobre su sexo.
Electroencephalogram-Based Human Performance Analysis for Improved Small Modular Reactor Operation
Authors: Gaber John , Ren Jing , A.Gabbar Hossam
Published: January 2024

In the wake of the rapid deployment of Small Modular Reactors (SMRs), this study aims to enhance the efficiency, reliability, and safety of SMR operations through a deeper understanding of human factors in their interaction within digital control room systems. Recognizing the pivotal role of human understanding in this new era of nuclear power, we employed electroencephalogram (EEG)-based monitoring to provide an unparalleled real-time view into operators' cognitive states. By interfacing detailed human models, informed by EEG metrics, with specific operational tasks, we recreate potential operational scenarios using an SMR simulator and capture intricate human responses therein. Our results elucidated the intricate relationship between EEG-derived data and human performance shaping factors, indicating a marked correlation between certain EEG patterns and operational efficiencies. Conclusively, these findings underscore the potential of EEG monitoring not only as a diagnostic tool but as an instrumental aid in the design and operation of future SMR digital control rooms. The insights derived offer a roadmap for the development of practical strategies, ensuring more effective and safer SMR operations.
Falando Sobre Câncer: Um Roteiro para Conversas com Crianças na Escola
Authors: Nascimento Maria Isabel do , Rodrigues Jaqueline dos Santos , Lima Amanda Ribeiro de , Silva Andreza , Soares Caroline Santos
Published: January 2024

Introdução: O câncer é uma doença relacionada ao modo de vida das pessoas e pode ser evitado pela adoção de estilos de vida saudáveis. O objetivo foi realizar uma reflexão teórica acerca de um roteiro de conversas sobre o câncer como atividade educativa do ensino fundamental. Métodos: Estudo qualitativo de reflexão, descritivo de roteiro norteador de debates sobre o câncer, em escolas. Propõe etapas para conversas em roda envolvendo crianças e membros da escola. Resultados: O roteiro tem cinco passos para falar sobre: (i) célula; (ii) fatores de risco de câncer; (iii) genética e câncer; (iv) estágios do câncer; (v) origem multifatorial e papel da escola na promoção do conhecimento e na prevenção da doença. Conclusões: O roteiro coloca em pauta o câncer falado na escola. Não falar disso com as crianças significa privá-las de conhecimento, à mercê de ideias mal concebidas e impossibilitadas de fazer escolhas oportunas e assertivas.
Efeitos da Drenagem Linfática Manual em Gestantes
Authors: Oliveira Cleide Cruz de , Moura Juliana Braga Facchinetti
Published: January 2024

A gestação corresponde a um processo fisiológico natural, e por meio dele alterações que são necessárias ocorrem, as quais podem ocasionar o edema nos membros inferiores, sensação de cansaço nas pernas, dores e mudanças psicológicas. Entre as técnicas utilizadas para tratar essas alterações está a Drenagem Linfática Manual. O presente estudo tem como objetivo discorrer sobre os efeitos da Drenagem Linfática Manual em gestantes. Para essa finalidade, utilizou como metodologia a revisão da literatura integrativa. Os resultados encontrados demonstraram que as gestantes submetidas a tal procedimento relatam redução no edema dos membros inferiores, melhora da dor e da sensação de cansaço,  melhora da qualidade de vida e bem-estar. Conclui-se que a técnica contribui para melhora de alguns sintomas que ocorrem durante a gestação, não se limitando apenas à redução de edema.

Palavras chaves: Drenagem Linfática Manual; Edema; Gestante.