bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Balancing central control and sensory feedback produces adaptable and robust locomotor patterns in a spiking, neuromechanical model of the salamander spinal cord
Authors: Pazzaglia Alessandro , Bicanski Andrej , Ferrario Andrea , Arreguit Jonathan , Ryczko Dimitri , Ijspeert Auke
Published: January 2025

This study introduces a novel neuromechanical model employing a detailed spiking neural network to explore the role of axial proprioceptive sensory feedback, namely stretch feedback, in salamander locomotion. Unlike previous studies that often oversimplified the dynamics of the locomotor networks, our model includes detailed simulations of the classes of neurons that are considered responsible for generating movement patterns. The locomotor circuits, modeled as a spiking neural network of adaptive leaky integrate-and-fire neurons, are coupled to a three-dimensional mechanical model of a salamander with realistic physical parameters and simulated muscles. In open-loop simulations (i.e., without sensory feedback), the model replicates locomotor patterns observed in-vitro and in-vivo for swimming and trotting gaits. Additionally, a modular descending reticulospinal drive to the central pattern generation network allows to accurately control the activation, frequency and phase relationship of the different sections of the limb and axial circuits. In closed-loop swimming simulations (i.e. including axial stretch feedback), systematic evaluations reveal that intermediate values of feedback strength increase the tail beat frequency and reduce the intersegmental phase lag, contributing to a more coordinated, faster and energy-efficient locomotion. Interestingly, the result is conserved across different feedback topologies (ascending or descending, excitatory or inhibitory), suggesting that it may be an inherent property of axial proprioception. Moreover, intermediate feedback strengths expand the stability region of the network, enhancing its tolerance to a wider range of descending drives, internal parameters’ modifications and noise levels. Conversely, high values of feedback strength lead to a loss of controllability of the network and a degradation of its locomotor performance. Overall, this study highlights the beneficial role of proprioception in generating, modulating and stabilizing locomotion patterns, provided that it does not excessively override centrally-generated locomotor rhythms. This work also underscores the critical role of detailed, biologically-realistic neural networks to improve our understanding of vertebrate locomotion.
Trajectory inference from single-cell genomics data with a process time model
Authors: Fang Meichen , Gorin Gennady , Pachter Lior
Published: January 2025

Single-cell transcriptomics experiments provide gene expression snapshots of heterogeneous cell populations across cell states. These snapshots have been used to infer trajectories and dynamic information even without intensive, time-series data by ordering cells according to gene expression similarity. However, while single-cell snapshots sometimes offer valuable insights into dynamic processes, current methods for ordering cells are limited by descriptive notions of “pseudotime” that lack intrinsic physical meaning. Instead of pseudotime, we propose inference of “process time” via a principled modeling approach to formulating trajectories and inferring latent variables corresponding to timing of cells subject to a biophysical process. Our implementation of this approach, called Chronocell, provides a biophysical formulation of trajectories built on cell state transitions. The Chronocell model is identifiable, making parameter inference meaningful. Furthermore, Chronocell can interpolate between trajectory inference, when cell states lie on a continuum, and clustering, when cells cluster into discrete states. By using a variety of datasets ranging from cluster-like to continuous, we show that Chronocell enables us to assess the suitability of datasets and reveals distinct cellular distributions along process time that are consistent with biological process times. We also compare our parameter estimates of degradation rates to those derived from metabolic labeling datasets, thereby showcasing the biophysical utility of Chronocell. Nevertheless, based on performance characterization on simulations, we find that process time inference can be challenging, highlighting the importance of dataset quality and careful model assessment.
Sequence specificity of an essential nuclear localization sequence in Mcm3
Authors: Wang Ziyi , Zhang Yun Jing , Zhang Qian-yi , Bilsborrow Kate , Leslie Matthew , Suhandynata Raymond T. , Zhou Huilin
Published: January 2025

Proteins with nuclear localization sequences (NLSs) are directed into the cell nucleus through interactions between the NLS and importin proteins. NLSs are generally short motifs rich in basic amino acids; however, identifying NLSs can be challenging due to the lack of a universally conserved sequence. In this study, we characterized the sequence specificity of an essential and conserved NLS in Mcm3, a subunit of the replicative DNA helicase. Through mutagenesis and AlphaFold 3 (AF3) modeling, we demonstrate that the precise positioning of basic residues within the NLS is critical for nuclear transport of Mcm3 through optimal interactions with importin. Disrupting these interactions impairs the nuclear import of Mcm3, resulting in defective chromatin loading of the MCM complex and poor cell growth. Our results provide a structure-guided framework for predicting and analyzing monopartite NLSs, which, despite lacking a single consensus sequence, retain key characteristics shared between the NLSs of Mcm3 and the SV40 large T antigen.
Scrub typhus in pregnancy: A 10-year multicenter study in resource-limited settings in China
Authors: Zhao Peilin , Dong Tieyong , Lu Hongbin , Zhu Rui , Zhao Shanshan , Tao Wuqian , Li Li , Liu Chunmei , Pu Shuwei , Mo Ling , Wang Huanhuan
Published: January 2025

Background

Despite its association with high mortality rates and negative fetal outcomes, large-scale epidemiological studies on scrub typhus (ST) during pregnancy remain scarce.

Methods

We conducted a retrospective, multicenter study by collecting 260 pregnant women with ST in China across a 10-year time period to evaluate how clinical characteristics changed over this time and identify risk factors for poor fetal outcome.

Results

In total, 78.5% (n = 204) presented with pathognomonic eschars or ulcers, and 75.4% (n = 196) had Weil-Felix test, in which 46.4% (n = 91) had a titer of ≥1:160 for OXK. A higher proportion of patients with pneumonia (18.7% vs. 9.5%, p = 0.033) and a longer length of hospitalization (7 vs. 6 days, p = 0.007) were seen in laboratory confirmed cases than clinically diagnosed cases. Compared to patients in the second trimester, a higher miscarriage rate (64.5% vs. 15.0%, p < 0.001) was observed in the first trimester, and a lower fetal death/stillbirth rate (1.0% vs 18.7%, p < 0.001) and a higher prematurity rate (21.0% vs. 9.3%, p = 0.019) were observed in the third trimester. The use of chloramphenicol (5.7% vs. 15.5%, p = 0.016) and fetal death/stillbirth rate (3.1% vs. 12.8%, p = 0.01) were decreased, but there was no significant improvement in fetal outcome in the second 5 years (35.1% vs. 39.7%, p = 0.466). Over 1/3 (n = 90) had a poor fetal outcome, including 40.0% (n = 36) miscarriage, 23.3% (n = 21) fetal death/stillbirth and 36.7% (n = 33) preterm birth. The use of macrolides reduced the risk of a poor fetal outcome, while lower gestational age (GA) at the time of infection, pneumonia, leucopoenia, thrombocytopenia, and use of chloramphenicol were associated with a poor fetal outcome in univariate logistic-regression analysis, but only lower GA at the time of infection and pneumonia were independent risk factors for a poor fetal outcome on multivariate logistic-regression analysis with an odds ratio of 6.6 (95% CI 2.4–17.8, p < 0.001) and 3.1 (95% CI 1.3–7.6, p = 0.011).

Conclusions

This is the largest number of cases of ST in pregnancy so far. Our findings indicate that this population have a high risk of poor fetal outcome, especially those with lower GA at the time of infection and those with pneumonia at the same time. Further studies are needed to investigate the correlation between antibiotics regimens for this population and fetal outcome.
Reseña del libro: Martín Rojo, Luisa & Pujolar, Joan (Eds.) Claves para entender el multilingüismo contemporáneo
Authors: Galvani G M. Gema
Published: January 2025

Martín Rojo, Luisa & Pujolar, Joan (Eds.) Claves para entender el multilingüismo contemporáneo. Zaragoza: Prensas de la Universidad de Zaragoza/Editorial UOC. 2020. 269 pp. ISBN 978-84-1340-156-0.
El hombre, realidad biológica y social: el uso de la metáfora científica en el discurso político de Jorge Eliécer Gaitán
Authors: Escobar-Arboleda Yonathan Alexander
Published: January 2025

El objetivo de este estudio es analizar cómo se construye la metáfora científica en un discurso emitido por Jorge Eliécer Gaitán, durante su campaña electoral para la presidencia de Colombia en 1946. Se describe cómo el procedimiento selectivo de los rasgos de cada Espacio Mental (EM) licencia una interpretación que se encuentra bajo una estructura o dominio superordinante que da cuenta de un conflicto entre dos ejes de oposición. Este análisis posee una naturaleza teórica que se triangula desde tres miradas complementarias: la semántica cognitiva, la pragmática y el análisis crítico del discurso. Desde la semántica cognitiva, se toman las definiciones de la metáfora (Lakoff y Johnson, 2009) y los espacios mentales (Fauconnier, 1994; Fauconnier y Turner, 1994, 1998), desde la perspectiva pragmática se toma la propuesta de Charteris-Black (2004) y desde el Análisis Crítico del Discurso se describen las posibles implicaciones discursivas de estas metáforas (Van Dijk, 1994, 1998, 2011). Los resultados permiten visualizar que en dichas metáforas hay un sustrato subyacente que perfila y licencia las esquematizaciones bajo la idea de una acción bélica. Dichas realizaciones se materializan mediante el uso estratégico de seis tipos de expresiones: las metáforas patológicas, las metáforas ambientales o de naturaleza, las metáforas de los procesos físicos y químicos, las unidades de refuerzo metafórico, las descripciones con metonimias y las descripciones sin metonimias.
Presencias y ausencias: los adultos en las representaciones mediáticas en tiempos de confinamiento
Authors: Vasilachis de Gialdino Irene
Published: January 2025

En el contexto de la pandemia generada por el COVID-19, en abril de 2020 el Gobierno de la Ciudad Autónoma de Buenos Aires dictó una Resolución por la que se obligaba a las personas de “setenta (70) o más años” a comunicar las salidas de su domicilio. Esta medida restrictiva suscitó un proceso dinámico de construcción mediática de representaciones sociales referidas al citado grupo, a sus acciones, posibilidades, actividades. La diferencia entre esas representaciones y las observadas en las narrativas personales de miembros de ese mismo grupo me condujo a: 1. recoger y analizar esas narrativas y, 2. analizar discursivamente los textos de la prensa escrita. Me dedicaré aquí a exhibir los resultados de este último análisis aludiendo al primero solo comparativamente. Tales resultados incluyen las formas de categorización de los adultos, el cuestionamiento a la categorización en uso, y la caracterización de la situación generada por la medida restrictiva. Por último, los mencionados resultados se comparan con los obtenidos a partir de las narrativas personales.
El presidente en casa: el ethos de Alberto Fernández en tiempos de pandemia
Authors: Zanfardini Lucía , Giménez Elina Alejandra
Published: January 2025

En el marco de la pandemia COVID-19 el Presidente de Argentina, Alberto Fernández, fue anunciando a lo largo de varios meses las distintas etapas de un plan de emergencia sanitaria que puso de relieve, entre otras cuestiones, el uso de una serie de estrategias discursivas muy particulares. En este artículo nos abocamos a mostrar esas estrategias valiéndonos de las herramientas que nos proporciona el Análisis del Discurso y los postulados de la argumentación retórica, focalizándonos específicamente en el estudio del ethos. Para ello, hemos tomado los trece discursos que, en el marco de las medidas sanitarias ya referidas, pronunció el jefe de estado entre los meses de marzo y agosto. La metodología cualitativa que empleamos es consistente con el marco teórico elegido. Los principales resultados de nuestro análisis permiten identificar la persistencia de los rasgos discursivos de un ethos previo que Fernández trae consigo y la presencia de las características propias de un ethos discursivo presidencial en pleno proceso de construcción que se sustenta en dos pilares: la razón y la emoción.
Granja São Rafael
Authors: Lemos Menezes Danilo Wilson , Lins Lucicléa Teixeira
Published: January 2025

O objetivo deste artigo foi narrar o processo histórico do espaço conhecido por Granja São Rafael, uma estação agrícola experimental do Estado da Paraíba, identificando seus agroecossistemas, suas relações com a cidade, seu papel nas políticas de modernização agrícola do estado da Paraíba e nos sistemas agrários a que pertencia, entre 1922 e 1960. Utilizamos como aportes teóricos e metodológicos de forma dialógica e interdisciplinar, na construção desta História Rural, a Geografia – na compreensão dos espaços, paisagens e territórios – e a Teoria dos Sistemas Agrários e as Ciências Agrárias – na análise das técnicas, sistemas agropecuários e agroecossistemas envolvidos. A pesquisa demonstrou que a Granja desempenhou um importante papel na consolidação do modelo científico agrário e da modernização agrícola do Estado da Paraíba no começo do séc. XX, até ser suplantada pelo avanço urbano da capital por volta da década de sessenta.
século de progresso (1862-1962)
Authors: Ribeiro Gomes Leonardo
Published: January 2025

Este artigo discute como no início da década de 1960 foram reavivadas as medidas do congresso dos Estados Unidos de 1862 que visavam à transformação da agricultura naquele país. Para além do desenvolvimento da agricultura ou da economia no geral, as comemorações daquele primeiro centenário eram uma atualização da almejada projeção do americanismo como forma de fazer frente aos outros projetos em disputa naquele contexto. Refiro-me, sobremaneira, à expansão do socialismo de cariz soviético, em um contexto de tensão internacional no início da década de 1960. Mais do que uma efeméride e exposição dos avanços da agricultura norte-americana, estavam delineados a defesa de uma visão de mundo a ser exportada para outras nações, principalmente para os países da chamada América Latina. Essa perspectiva atualizava e dava prosseguimento a uma longa tradição que apresentava os Estados Unidos como sendo um modelo a ser adotado pelo então chamado mundo livre. Nesse artigo trato como fontes, sobretudo, o mural localizado na Purdue University, intitulado The Spirit of the Land Grant College de 1961, o artigo de Byron T. Shaw, publicado na Revista Turrialba, periódico do país centro-americano, Costa Rica, mais o The Yearbook of the U.S. Department of Agriculture, ambos de 1962.
Avaliação padronizada de alfabetização destinada a jovens e adultos: Um estudo exploratório
Authors: Rocha Gladys , Martins Raquel Márcia Fontes , Silva Mauro José da
Published: January 2025

Este texto apresenta um estudo exploratório de caráter analítico-descritivo da avaliação da alfabetização, desenvolvida para acompanhamento dos aprendizados no âmbito do Programa de Alfabetização de Jovens e Adultos (Proaja), política implementada pela Secretaria de Estado da Educação do Piauí, Brasil (SEDUC/PI), no período 2020-2021. Neste artigo, procurou-se discutir a abordagem proposta nesse Programa, especialmente, no que concerne à forma de organização dos perfis de alfabetização, às questões dos testes diagnósticos adotados, bem como aos pressupostos avaliativos e aos possíveis avanços. O presente estudo remete à importância do acompanhamento dos aprendizados através de testes padronizados durante a execução de programas como o Proaja e, também, ao papel e significado da avaliação formal no âmbito da alfabetização de jovens e adultos, contexto em que, normalmente, os percursos de aprendizado não são avaliados de modo sistematizado.
Dynamic Distribution of Thr3-Phosphorylated Histone H3 in CHO Cells in Mitosis
Authors: Zhou H. , Song L.-P. , Li D.-W. , Liu R.-M. , Chen J.-T. , Huang Xi-Tai
Published: January 2025

The phosphorylation of histone H3 at Ser10, Ser28, Thr11 and Thr3 of the amino terminal has been proved related to mitosis of the mammalian cells. However, the function of the Thr3 phosphorylation of H3 remains unclear. In this study, indirect immunofluorescence labelling and laser confocal microscopy were used to examine the cellular dynamic distribution of Thr3-phosphorylated H3 at mitosis in CHO cells. The results showed that the Thr3 phosphorylation began at early prophase and spread throughout the chromosomes at late prophase. At metaphase, most of the Thr3-phosphorylated H3 was distributed along the entire chromosomal arms and maintained until early anaphase. During late anaphase and telophase, the fluorescent signal of Thr3-phosphorylated H3 disappeared from chromosomes. There was a precise spatial and temporal correlation between H3 phosphorylation of Thr3 and stages of chromatin condensation. The timing of Thr3 phosphorylation and dephosphorylation in mitosis were similar to that reported for Thr11 phosphorylation of H3. The Thr3-phosphorylated H3 localized along the arms of chromosomes during metaphase and early anaphase. It was different from the Ser10-phosphorylated H3, which localized at telomere regions, and Thr11-phosphorylated H3, which localized at centromeres. The results suggest that the Thr3 phosphorylation of histone H3 may play a specific role, which is different from Ser10 phosphorylation and Thr11 phosphorylation in mitosis.
Análisis de noticias reales y falsas por medio del estilo lingüísti
Authors: Carvajal Builes Juan Camilo , Muñoz Castro Laura Tatiana
Published: January 2025

Las noticias falsas son un fenómeno que ha aumentado con la llegada de las redes sociales digitales. La facilidad de difusión y el poco análisis de la audiencia genera que este tipo de información distorsionada permee comportamientos y produzca consecuencias considerables para la sociedad. A pesar de este impacto, las redes sociales digitales no han generado estrategias efectivas para su detección. Por tal razón, esta investigación tuvo como objetivo analizar las diferencias en el estilo lingüístico entre noticas reales y falsas. Para lo anterior, se ejecutó un diseño comparativo de grupos con una muestra de 40 noticias (20 reales y 20 falsas). Los resultados mostraron diferencias significativas en aspectos de estilo en las noticias falsas que permiten discriminarlas en un 90 %. Se discuten los procesos psicológicos asociados y sugerencias para próximas investigaciones. (
Investigation of electrical properties and PTCR effect in double-donor doping BaTiO3 lead-free ceramics
Authors: Chen Xiaoming , Li Yini , Zeng Sikang , Cheng Xuxin , Zhang Wei , Wang Yuxin
Published: January 2025

Utilizing the conventional approach, the positive temperature coefficient of resistivity (PTCR) performance of lead-free ceramics based on (1 − x%)(Ba1−y
Y
y
)(Ti1.011−z
Nb0.001Mn
z
)O3 − x%(Bi0.5Na0.5)TiO3 (BBNTx) was examined. The BBNTx ceramics were prepared using the double donor dopant under firing at 1,350°C for 120 min in the air. The findings exhibited that when the Y3+ concentration elevates, the room-temperature resistivity of 99%(Ba1−y
Y
y
)(Ti1.011−z
Nb0.001Mn
z
)O3 – 1%(Bi0.5Na0.5)TiO3 (BBNT1) samples initially falls and subsequently elevates. Moreover, the critical content of the samples is 0.15 mol%. Furthermore, the samples’ resistance jumping ratio can be effectively improved by adding Mn2+. The manganese dioxide level of 0.05 mol% yields the greatest resistance-jumping ratio. Besides, the impact of (Bi0.5Na0.5)TiO3 (BNT) concentration on ceramics’ Curie temperature was examined in the work. Therefore, good free-lead PTCR thermistors were successfully prepared by doping 3% BNT, with a resistance jump of 4.1 magnitude.
A cross sectional study on effect of glycaemic status and duration of type II diabetes mellitus on the pulmonary function
Authors: Meyyazhagan Praveena , Kanagaraj Thamaraiselvi , Annamalai Nachal
Published: January 2025

Objectives

Type II diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is regarded as a serious illness characterized by high levels of blood sugar due to insulin resistance or insufficient insulin production. T2DM affects millions of people worldwide and is the primary reason for morbidity and mortality. Thus, it is essential to analyze the effect of T2DM on patients. Even though prevailing research has strived to identify the impact of T2DM on several ailments like cardiovascular diseases, neuropathy, retinopathy, and nephropathy. It has disregarded few aspects like pulmonary function, duration of diabetes, and glycemic status. The present study investigates the effect of T2DM on pulmonary function in relation to glycaemia status and duration of diabetes.

Methods

The cross-sectional research is performed on a total of 140 patients with T2DM from the Medical Department. Further, the congregated sample is investigated using SPSS software. The relevant statistical methods are utilized to analyze the research results. The ANOVA analysis reveals the impact of T2DM on pulmonary function; further, the correlation analysis unveils the association among glycemic status, pulmonary function of patients, and duration of diabetes with T2DM.

Results

The outcomes of the research will contribute to revealing the impact of T2DM on pulmonary function in relation to glycemic status and diabetes duration.

Conclusions

The outcomes offer valuable insights into the lung function of patients with T2DM and help in prior treatment for enhancing the pulmonary health. Finally, the proposed research will aid healthcare professionals in better management of T2DM in patients and its related complications.
Ultrasonic impact treatment of CoCrWNi superalloys for surface properties improvement
Authors: Nemati Rahim , Taghiabadi Reza , Yazdi Morteza Saghafi , Amini Saeid
Published: January 2025

The effect of ultrasonic impact treatment (UIT) was studied on the surface microstructure, roughness parameters, micro- and nanoscale mechanical properties, surface residual stress, and nanoscale scratch and friction behavior of L-605 CoCrWNi alloy. According to the results, UIT increased the surface hardness of the L-605 alloy where the hardness of the 1-pass UITed sample (∼690 HV) was higher than that of the annealed alloy by about 120 %. This was attributed to the accumulation of strain, strain-induced martensitic transformation (SIMT), and the formation of ultrafine grains. The UIT also changed the tensile surface residual stress of the as-received L-605 sample to the compressive state. The stylus profilometry showed that applying 3-pass UIT substantially decreased the average roughness Ra and resulted in a negative surface skewness with an improved ratio. According to the nanoindentation/nanoscratch results, applying the first pass of UIT increased the nanohardness, H Er
−1 ratio, and H3 Er
−2 ratio by 230 %, 200 %, and 280 %, respectively. The UIT reduced the depth/width of the nanoscratch groove, lowered the amount of piled-up material, and substantially decreased the average friction coefficient (AFC).
Transient upregulation of procaspase-3 during oligodendrocyte fate decisions
Authors: Kamen Yasmine , Chapman Timothy W. , Piedra Enrique T. , Ciolkowski Matthew E. , Hill Robert A.
Published: January 2025

Oligodendrocytes are generated throughout life and in neurodegenerative conditions from brain resident oligodendrocyte precursor cells (OPCs). The transition from OPC to oligodendrocyte involves a complex cascade of molecular and morphological states that position the cell to make a fate decision to integrate as a myelinating oligodendrocyte or die through apoptosis. Oligodendrocyte maturation impacts the cell death mechanisms that occur in degenerative conditions, but it is unclear if and how the cell death machinery changes as OPCs transition into oligodendrocytes. Here, we discovered that differentiating oligodendrocytes transiently upregulate the zymogen procaspase-3 in both female and male mice, equipping these cells to make a survival decision during differentiation. Pharmacological inhibition of caspase-3 decreases oligodendrocyte density, indicating that procaspase-3 upregulation is linked to successful oligodendrocyte generation. Moreover, using procaspase-3 as a marker, we show that oligodendrocyte differentiation continues in the aging cortex and white matter. Taken together, our data establish procaspase-3 as a differentiating oligodendrocyte marker and provide insight into the underlying mechanisms occurring during the decision to integrate or die.

Significance statementMyelin dysfunction and oligodendrocyte death occur in several neurological disorders and with aging. While new oligodendrocytes can be generated from oligodendrocyte precursor cells throughout life and in neurodegenerative conditions, this process is inefficient with many differentiating oligodendrocytes failing to integrate and dying. Investigating the cellular checkpoints that regulate these fate decisions is complicated by a paucity of molecular markers precisely delineating differentiation stages. Here, we identify that oligodendrocytes transiently upregulate the zymogen procaspase-3 during differentiation, establishing procaspase-3 as a differentiating oligodendrocyte marker. Importantly, procaspase-3 upregulation equips differentiating oligodendrocytes for a fate decision between death or integration and promotes oligodendrocyte differentiation. Thus, our data uncover new insights into mechanisms guiding oligodendrocyte fate decisions.
“A Gathering of Champions”
Authors: Petty Miriam J. , Fadiran Tope
Published: January 2025

This conversation with the Billops-Hatch Advisory Board for Emory University’s Rose Library was convened by board member Miriam J. Petty. It provides insight into the far-ranging community that James Hatch and Camille Billops cultivated in their forty+ years of making, preserving, brokering, chronicling, and promoting Black visual, literary, dramatic, and intermedial arts from their loft-home-studio-archive in New York’s SoHo neighborhood. Scholars and moviegoers who have encountered Billops and Hatch solely in terms of their films may find the conversation surprising for its interdisciplinary and intermedial points of reference and influence. It offers a sense of their impact across multiple spheres of cultural life, providing important context and a more complete sense of their stature to readers of this special issue. The conversation also testifies to Camille’s and James’s interconnected personal and political aims, and their creation of a vibrant community of care among unapologetic champions of Black creativity.
Framing Finding Christa
Authors: Feldstein Ruth
Published: January 2025

This essay considers Camille Billops and perhaps her most famous film, Finding Christa (1991), in relation to other Black women filmmakers. Like Billops, Alile Sharon Larkin, one of the first Black women associated with the filmmakers based at UCLA who became known as the LA Rebellion, and Ayoka Chenzira, a central figure in the independent film world based in New York in the 1970s and ’80s, made films in which motherhood, agency, and meanings of blackness were urgent themes; all three considered the labor of mothering and the toll that labor took. Considering Finding Christa in this cultural and political context helps us to position Billops in sites and communities in which Black feminism was taking shape and circulating. This essay illuminates the different strategies that Black women filmmakers employed not simply to reflect, but to produce a multifaceted Black feminism, and interrogates the central role that motherhood played in this process.
As It Turns Out, What Was Being Staged Was
Authors: Chambers-Letson Joshua
Published: January 2025

Camille Billops and James Hatch’s documentary The KKK Boutique Ain’t Just Rednecks is an allegorical descent through the hell of US American racism, making use of Dante Alighieri’s classic poem from the Italian Renaissance Inferno as its narrative blueprint. This essay brings a performance studies perspective to bear on a reading of the film to argue that, by centering performance and theatricality in their interrogation of race and racism within a US American context, Billops and Hatch articulate a powerful thesis regarding the relationship between theater, race, and racism. Eschewing the redemption narrative at the heart of their source material, in Billops’s and Hatch’s film a desire to ameliorate racism requires much more than a simple journey to hell and back. It requires a negotiation with the theatrical and relational dynamics through which racial realities are constituted. In this sense, an encounter with the film is an encounter with the realization that theater isn’t merely a way to depict race. Theater is one of the ways through which racial meaning is made manifest through and across bodies, space, and time. Whether it is occurring in popular performance forms or in the rituals and scripted performance that structure everyday life, theatricality is one of the engines through which racial reality achieves itself.
Identification of a vimentin-expressing α-cell phenotype in CF and normal pancreas
Authors: Kattner Nicole , Hang Yan , Krentz Nicole A J , Russell Lydia A , Palmer Matthew , Flaxman Christine , Plett Nadine , Coulthard Rowan , Al-Selwi Yara , Dyson Nicola , Honkanen-Scott Minna , Kim Seung K , Tiniakos Dina , Klöppel Günter , Richardson Sarah J , Shaw James A M
Published: January 2025

Endocrine dysfunction and diabetes can develop secondary to fibrotic diseases within the pancreas, including cystic fibrosis (CF). A phenotypic shift within epithelial cells has been recognised in association with pro-fibrotic signalling. We sought evidence of endocrine cell epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition in CF and non-CF pancreas. Post-mortem pancreatic sections from 24 people with CF and 10 organ donors without CF or diabetes were stained for insulin/glucagon/vimentin and Sirius red/fast green with collagen distribution assessed semi-quantitatively (CF) and quantitatively (non-CF). Analysis of existing single-cell RNA-sequencing datasets (three adult donors without diabetes and nine with chronic pancreatitis) for α-cell vimentin expression was performed. Cells co-expressing glucagon/vimentin were detected in a proportion (32(4,61)% (median (Q1,Q3))) of islets in all CF pancreata except donors dying perinatally. CF histopathology was characterised by peri-islet fibrosis, and 60(45,80)% of islets were surrounded by collagen strands. A positive correlation between islet fibrosis and vimentin-expressing α-cells was seen in non-CF donors <31 years (r = 0.972; P = 0.006). A possible association with donor age was seen in all donors (r = 0.343; P = 0.047). Single-cell RNA-sequencing analysis of isolated islets from non-diabetic donors and donors with chronic pancreatitis confirmed the presence of vimentin-positive and vimentin-negative α-cells. Differentiated α-cell function-associated gene expression was maintained. Differentially upregulated processes in co-expressing cells included pathways associated with extracellular matrix organisation, cell–cell adhesion, migratory capability and self-renewal. We have identified and characterised an intermediate epithelial/mesenchymal state in a sub-population of α-cells present throughout post-natal life, which may play a role in their response to extrinsic stressors, including fibrosis and ageing.
Recombinant FSH induced progesterone via partially regulating let-7 expression in human and mouse granulosa cells
Authors: Chen Jing , Chen Lin , Liu Weimin
Published: January 2025

In brief

The administration of recombinant follicle-stimulating hormone (rFSH) during in vitro fertilization (IVF) cycles in clinics may lead to premature progesterone rise, adversely affecting the success rates of assisted reproductive techniques. This study uncovers a potential mechanism through which rFSH stimulates progesterone production in human and mouse samples.

Serum progesterone may increase prior to ovulation trigger in in vitro fertilization (IVF) patients, jeopardizing endometrial receptivity and therefore live birth rate. rFSH promotes progesterone production from human granulosa cells. Yet, the role of FSH in progesterone production needs deeper exploration. Studies were conducted in human primary cumulus cells from IVF cycles, a human granulosa cell line and mouse primary granulosa cells. The relative expression of Lethal-7 (let-7) was evaluated using real-time reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (real-time RT-PCR). Human primary cumulus cells were collected from individual cumulus–oocyte complexes of high-progesterone patients (serum progesterone level higher than 5 nM, n = 18) and a control group (serum progesterone level less than 5 nM, n = 25). The expression of let-7a in human primary cumulus cells was markedly reduced in the high-progesterone group compared to the control. The serum progesterone level was augmented after rFSH treatment at doses of 0.5, 1 and 2.5 IU along with reduced expression of let-7a. Progesterone levels in the cultured medium from isolated mouse primary granulosa cells and the human granulosa cell line were significantly elevated with rFSH at 12.5, 25 and 50 IU/L concentrations, with decreased expression of let-7a. In addition, there was a robust increase in let-7a expression in the let-7a mimics-transfected group and a decrease in the let-7a inhibitor group with or without rFSH treatment, showing the opposite trend of progesterone. Collectively, our findings revealed the key role of let-7 in rFSH-induced progesterone levels in both human and mouse granulosa cells, providing a potential mechanism for premature progesterone rise.
Traduttore, traditore: can machines outperform humans in translation accuracy?
Authors: Von Hausen Felipe , Muñoz Cristóbal , Contreras Carlos
Published: January 2025

Este estudo examina a eficácia e precisão da Tradução Automática (TA) em comparação com a Tradução Humana (TH), empregando a métrica de Avaliação Bilíngue Sob Estudo (BLEU) para avaliação. O campo rapidamente evolutivo da tradução de línguas, especialmente no contexto de aprendizado de máquina e Inteligência Artificial (IA), exige uma avaliação crítica da TA versus TH. Nosso objetivo é comparar a qualidade das traduções geradas por máquina do Google Tradutor, DeepL e ChatGPT 3.5 com a TH no par de idiomas inglês-espanhol. O estudo utiliza a métrica BLEU, comparando traduções de máquina e humanas com um padrão profissional. Dados de exames de estudantes de tradução são usados para traduções geradas por humanos. Nossos achados indicam uma correlação estrutural mais alta em traduções geradas por máquina do que o relatado anteriormente, sugerindo uma crescente proficiência em TA. Contudo, este estudo enfatiza a necessidade de avaliação contínua à medida que as tecnologias de tradução evoluem.
La plataforma Moodle: un medio de enseñanza eficaz para la comprensión lectora de textos científicos en inglés
Authors: Madruga Rios Oraily
Published: January 2025

In the 2020 academic year , using Moodle platform was crucial to the Cuban formative process, which had to apply distance modality at the Higher Institute of Applied Technologies and Sciences, University of Havana, due to Covid-19 pandemic. Consequently, Moodle has become an effective teaching means in the subject "English (B1) with a scientific approach", focused on reading comprehension of scientific texts. The research aims at reviewing  the perceptions of students and professors on the use of Moodle for reading comprehension of scientific texts in English. The study uses synthetic-analytical, historical-logical and documentary analysis methods whilst a poll, interview and Iadov technique demonstrate Moodle leverages. As a result, Moodle turns out to be intuitive, dynamic and attractive for students. In conclusion, Moodle helped them to improve their linguistic competence substantially. Meanwhile, teachers believe that such platform makes students less shy, which leads to active participation, continuous learning, and a strengthening of digital linguistic competencies.
Uso y percepción de la inteligencia artificial en la carrera de Lengua y Literatura
Authors: Zamora Úbeda Zobeyda , Stynze Gómez Harly
Published: January 2025

Este estudio se centra en el uso y la percepción de la inteligencia artificial (IA) según los docentes y estudiantes de la carrera de Lengua y Literatura Hispánicas de la Universidad Nacional Autónoma de Nicaragua, Managua (UNAN-Managua). El objetivo consistió en analizar el uso y la percepción de la IA de acuerdo con los informantes. La metodología es mixta. Como instrumento, se aplicó una encuesta. Los resultados evidencian que más del 50 % de los informantes han usado las IA, y las más implementadas fueron ChatGPT, Bing y Grammarly. Respecto a la percepción, los informantes consideran que la IA posee ventajas para el desarrollo de competencias profesionales; sin embargo, afirmaron como desventajas la codependencia y la pereza mental. Se concluye que la IA es una herramienta que facilita el desarrollo de competencias en lengua y literatura por medio de la identificación de errores gramaticales, el uso contextualizado del vocabulario, la mejora en la redacción, la ortografía y la comprensión lectora, la identificación de estructuras narrativas, el desarrollo de escritura creativa, entre otros beneficios. Por tanto, la IA no se considera una amenaza en el ámbito educativo, sino una herramienta complementaria que facilita el proceso de enseñanza y aprendizaje, siempre y cuando se utilice de manera responsable y ética.
Herramientas digitales para la educación intercultural bilingüe en el Perú
Authors: Castillo Achic Teddy
Published: January 2025

Este artigo descreve a conceção, o desenvolvimento e a implementação de 16 ferramentas digitais disponíveis nas línguas nativas peruanas e em espanhol, destinadas a alunos da primeira infância, do ensino primário e do ensino secundário em instituições educativas peruanas do IBE. Estas ferramentas foram desenvolvidas tendo em conta o Currículo Nacional e o Modelo de Serviço de Educação Bilingue Intercultural. Dez destas ferramentas digitais de aprendizagem foram instaladas em mais de meio milhão de tablets entregues a estudantes em ambientes andinos e amazónicos. Além disso, as 16 ferramentas digitais, que são aplicações para a aprendizagem dos alunos, estão disponíveis na plataforma Google Play para serem descarregadas e instaladas gratuitamente em dispositivos móveis, como telemóveis e tablets. Os utilizadores beneficiários destas aplicações instaladas nos tablets são os alunos do ensino primário do 4.º, 5.º e 6.º ano, bem como os alunos do 1.º ao 5.º ano do ensino secundário.
Babel y la utopía perdida: el discurso populista como némesis de la democracia deliberativa en la era digital
Authors: García-Ávalos Ismael
Published: January 2025

El surgimiento y desarrollo de la digitalización alumbraron en los albores del siglo XXI la esperanza de una etapa de mayor participación para la democracia y el activismo político con base en una opinión pública más y mejor informada. Sin embargo, hoy parece evidente que aquella esperanza se vio truncada. En la actualidad, la conversación pública digital aparece como fragmentaria y parcial, pues en ella los usuarios proliferan fake news, discursos de odio y la llamada posverdad. Todo ello ha dado como resultado públicos segmentados, aislados y altamente polarizados. En este escenario, el discurso populista emerge como el discurso imperante en la era digital. Nos proponemos reflexionar sobre este proceso y sus implicaciones. En primer lugar, procuraremos comprender las motivaciones teórico-políticas de las esperanzas iniciales depositadas en la digitalización para la transformación de la esfera de la opinión pública, de la ciudadanía y de la democracia. En segundo lugar, trataremos de comprender y analizar las distintas normatividades de la democracia que inspiraron en el pasado los diferentes juicios de valor sobre la digitalización y el balance actual que hacen sobre el impacto real de dichos procesos de digitalización. Finalmente, nos aproximamos a las complicidades entre la digitalización y el discurso populista en la actualidad, en específico, al uso de los afectos del populismo y cómo esos componentes de la discursividad populista se han visto reforzados con las nuevas posibilidades comunicativas digitales.primer lugar, procuraremos comprender las motivaciones teórico-políticas de las esperanzas iniciales depositadas en la digitalización para la transformación de la esfera de la opinión pública, de la ciudadanía y de la democracia. En segundo lugar, trataremos de comprender y analizar las distintas normatividades de la democracia que inspiraron en el pasado los diferentes juicios de valor sobre la digitalización y el balance actual que hacen sobre el impacto real de dichos procesos de digitalización. Finalmente, nos aproximaremos a las complicidades entre la digitalización y el discurso populista en la actualidad, en específico, al uso de los afectos del populismo y cómo esos componentes de la discursividad populista sehan visto reforzados con las nuevas posibilidades comunicativas digitales.
Indigenismos en el Diccionario de nicaraguanismos (1939) de H. A. Castellón: el campo léxico del mundo vegetal
Authors: Martín Cuadrado Carmen
Published: January 2025

This article aims at analysing the indigenous presence, since loanword(s) from indigenous American languages, in the first lexicographical repertoire published in Nicaragua by a Nicaraguan, the Diccionario de nicaraguanismos (1939) by H. A. Castellón. In addition, not only are the words classified according to the Amerindian language of origin, but they are also distributed by lexical fields with the aim of observing in which lexical field indigenism predominates. Finally, due to its productivity, the focus is placed on the lexical field of flora, and the mechanisms used by the author to define the lemma are distinguished. In this sense, the work outlined is intended as a contribution to the study of Nicaraguan lexicography and lexicology, which has been largely neglected in previous research.
Proyecto Guaná IA: innovación en la enseñanza de la lengua en riesgo
Authors: Ortiz Coronel Derlis , Lacerda de Sá Rubens , Trigo Luis , Pichel Campos José Ramom
Published: January 2025

This research paper addresses the situation of the Guaná language in Paraguay, one of the indigenous peoples of the Maskoy linguistic family, highlighting the challenges and opportunities for its revitalization through artificial intelligence. Among the main justifications is that the Guaná language faces a serious threat of extinction, with only three elderly native speakers, which requires comprehensive measures for its preservation. The objective of the paper is to analyze the proposal for the integration of artificial intelligence in an educational curriculum for  the revitalization of the Guaná language. The methodology was based on a literature review and comparative case studies of language revitalization in similar contexts. As for the results, effective strategies for language documentation and teaching were identified, including the use of digital tools and the creation of adaptive educational resources. The conclusion is that artificial intelligence, combined with culturally relevant educational approaches, can play a key  role in language preservation, promoting its  intergenerational use and transmission.
Análisis léxico de textos generados por modelos de lenguaje: reflejo de sus modelos de mundo
Authors: Kotz Gabriela , Salcedo Pedro , Fuentes Karina
Published: January 2025

La inteligencia artificial (IA) ha transformado numerosos campos, incluyendo la lingüística. Los Grandes Modelos de Lenguaje (LLM) han revolucionado la interacción con el texto al proporcionar respuestas que imitan el lenguaje humano. Estos modelos no solo generan texto, sino que también reflejan su interpretación del mundo. Sin embargo, la comprensión del mundo de estos modelos es limitada, lo que ha llevado a proponer el desarrollo de los Grandes Modelos del Mundo (LWM), que integran datos textuales, visuales y auditivos para una comprensión más completa. En este artículo, se analiza cómo los LLM articulan respuestas basadas en sus modelos de mundo mediante una perspectiva léxico-estadística. Mediante un diseño cuasiexperimental comparativo, se evaluaron seis LLM diferentes. La metodología se centró en medir la diversidad y densidad léxica de los textos generados por estos modelos. Los resultados mostraron que ChatGPT-4 tiene una alta densidad léxica y una diversidad léxica moderada, mientras que Copilot presenta la mayor diversidad léxica pero con una densidad léxica menor. Este análisis es crucial para entender las capacidades y limitaciones de los LLM, con implicaciones para aplicaciones en diversas áreas. Se presentan los conceptos y la metodología, se discuten los hallazgos y se  concluye con reflexiones sobre futuras investigaciones y aplicaciones prácticas.
Mortadelo y Filemón comics about the World Cup: from nationalist stereotypes to ludolinguism
Authors: Illa Boris Jorge , Sánchez Benavides Oscar
Published: January 2025

Desde 1978 en casi cada edición de los mundiales de fútbol masculino, el dibujante Francisco Ibáñez ha realizado una historieta especial de sus personajes Mortadelo y Filemón, ambientada en dicha competición. En sus viñetas, se representa a las selecciones en el desfile inaugural o en los encuentros futbolísticos bajo una serie de estereotipos nacionalistas y uso de recursos ludolingüísticos que buscan despertar la identificación y el humor de los lectores, aunque en algunos casos las supuestas selecciones no tienen una correspondencia real con equipos pertenecientes a la FIFA. En la investigación, se analiza cómo se configuran ambos recursos en las ilustraciones humorísticas de sus selecciones. A partir del análisis de las entregas de Mortadelo y Filemón sobre los mundiales, con la excepción de los mundiales de 1986 y 1990 que no llegaron a ver la luz, se observa una modificación en la representación gráfica de los estereotipos nacionales. Las referencias a los aspectos políticos y culturales frecuentes en los primeros álbumes disminuyen con el tiempo en tanto que se incrementa en la ilustración humorística el uso de recursos como los juegos de palabras o la ludolingüística para referirse a las denominaciones e integrantes de las selecciones de fútbol.
Villanueva-Jordán, Iván. (2024). Traducción audiovisual y teleficción queer. Teoría y metodología
Authors: Barreto Steffi
Published: January 2025

Traducción audiovisual y teleficción queer es una obra fundamental para comprender las complejidades de la traducción audiovisual (TAV) en la representación de identidades homosexuales. Basado en la tesis doctoral de Villanueva-Jordán (2021), el libro aborda la traducción y adaptación hacia distintos contextos culturales de la representación de masculinidades gay en televisión. Esto se lleva a cabo desde una perspectiva crítica y construccionista; es decir, se parte del supuesto de que la cultura y la concepción de realidad se basan en sistemas de significado creados por los individuos a través del uso del lenguaje (Hall, 2013). La obra utiliza la serie Looking (Lannan, 2014) de HBO como caso de estudio, a fin de analizar las versiones dobladas para América Latina y España, y propone una metodología innovadora que integra teorías posestructuralistas y de los estudios culturales.