bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Predictive Modeling and Structure Analysis of Genetic Variants in Familial Hypercholesterolemia: Implications for Diagnosis and Protein Interaction Studies
Authors: Larrea-Sebal Asier , Jebari-Benslaiman Shifa , Galicia-Garcia Unai , Jose-Urteaga Ane San , Uribe Kepa B. , Benito-Vicente Asier , Martín César
Published: October 2023

Purpose of Review

Familial hypercholesterolemia (FH) is a hereditary condition characterized by elevated levels of low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), which increases the risk of cardiovascular disease if left untreated. This review aims to discuss the role of bioinformatics tools in evaluating the pathogenicity of missense variants associated with FH. Specifically, it highlights the use of predictive models based on protein sequence, structure, evolutionary conservation, and other relevant features in identifying genetic variants within LDLR, APOB, and PCSK9 genes that contribute to FH.

Recent Findings

In recent years, various bioinformatics tools have emerged as valuable resources for analyzing missense variants in FH-related genes. Tools such as REVEL, Varity, and CADD use diverse computational approaches to predict the impact of genetic variants on protein function. These tools consider factors such as sequence conservation, structural alterations, and receptor binding to aid in interpreting the pathogenicity of identified missense variants. While these predictive models offer valuable insights, the accuracy of predictions can vary, especially for proteins with unique characteristics that might not be well represented in the databases used for training.

This review emphasizes the significance of utilizing bioinformatics tools for assessing the pathogenicity of FH-associated missense variants. Despite their contributions, a definitive diagnosis of a genetic variant necessitates functional validation through in vitro characterization or cascade screening. This step ensures the precise identification of FH-related variants, leading to more accurate diagnoses. Integrating genetic data with reliable bioinformatics predictions and functional validation can enhance our understanding of the genetic basis of FH, enabling improved diagnosis, risk stratification, and personalized treatment for affected individuals. The comprehensive approach outlined in this review promises to advance the management of this inherited disorder, potentially leading to better health outcomes for those affected by FH.
Behavior of biocide-free foul control paints for ships’ hulls in the immediate proximity of ICCP anodes
Authors: Castelli F. , Delucchi M. , Valenza F. , Garaventa F. , Faimali M. , Turturro T. , Benedetti A.
Published: October 2023

Impressed current cathodic protection systems are used in combination with organic coatings to prevent corrosion of hulls. The reaction species which are formed in the proximity of the anodes, like chlorinated compounds and acidity, can stress the antifouling paints of the protective coating system. A 3 × 3 matrix was defined to drive the tests aiming to investigate the behavior of novel biocide-free foul release (FR) and self-polishing (SP) paints under this kind of attack. The matrix was featured by different pH and free chlorine (free-Cl) values derived by a galvanostatic test performed at an anodic current density required for the protection of paints roughly at their mid age. Chemical/physical characterization was performed through visual analysis, thickness measurements, profilometry, contact angle measurements, and FTIR-ATR analysis. Both FR and SP paints underwent adhesive failure only in the harshest conditions, pH = 3/free-Cl 3–6 ppm, with unmodified chemistry of the polymers. Both paints exhibited no detachment in milder pH/free-Cl conditions, but thickness and contact angle reduction were observed. Finally, results were discussed inferring possible behaviors of the tested paints in real applications.
Challenging Tumor Heterogeneity with HER2, p16 and Somatostatin Receptor 2 Expression in a Case of EBV-Associated Lymphoepithelial Carcinoma of the Salivary Gland
Authors: Adili Arlind , O`Connor Tracy , Wales Philipp , Seemann Marcus , Höller Sylvia , Hummer Barbara , Freiberger Sandra N. , Rauthe Stephan , Rupp Niels J.
Published: October 2023

Background

Lymphoepithelial carcinoma of the salivary glands (LECSG) is a rare disease in the Western hemisphere that is typically associated with an EBV infection. The molecular mechanisms of LECSG tumorigenesis are poorly understood.

Results

Here we report a case of EBV-associated LECSG with an unusual immunophenotype. The tumor exhibited bi-morphic histological features with a mutually exclusive expression of HER2 and p16. The p16-positive domain of the tumor immunohistochemically co-expressed late membrane protein 1 (LMP-1), while the HER2 positive domain did not. Both tumor regions expressed SSTR2.

Methods

In situ hybridization confirmed the EBV origin of the tumor while extensive immunohistochemical characterization and the recently established RNA-based next generation sequencing panel (“SalvGlandDx” panel) did not reveal evidence for another salivary gland neoplasm. No HPV co-infection was detected by in situ hybridization or PCR-based screenings and no ERBB2 gene amplification was detected by fluorescence in situ hybridization.

Conclusion

These findings suggest tumor heterogeneity and lack of genomic aberrations in EBV-associated LECSGs. The heterogenous and unusual immunohistochemical features explain the diagnostic difficulties and simultaneously extend the immunophenotype spectrum of this tumor entity.
The Future Is in the Younger Generations: Baka Children in Southeast Cameroon Have Extensive Knowledge on Medicinal Plants
Authors: Gallois Sandrine , van Andel Tinde , Ambassa Appolinaire , van Bemmel Stijn
Published: October 2023

In the context of global change, understanding the knowledge and values given to plants is crucial for choosing relevant approaches towards a more sustainable future. Children are central holders of ethnobotanical knowledge, yet they are still under-considered in ethnobotany. Our study explored the medicinal knowledge of children of the Baka, forager-horticulturalists from Cameroon. We assessed the diversity of medicinal plants they know, the different ailments treated, and whether they could name complete herbal recipes. Using a mixed-methods approach, we combined ex situ interviews (freelisting and knowledge surveys) with in situ methods (walk-in-the-woods trips with voucher collection) with 106 children from 5 to 16 years old. They listed 128 local names of medicinal plants, which we linked to 126 different plant species. While the ex situ and in situ methods had some overlap in the diversity of medicinal plants reported, they also revealed substantial knowledge unique to each method. Our insights provide further evidence of children’s considerable ethnobotanical knowledge and the extent to which different field methods can retrieve such knowledge. We discuss the methodological tools to be developed with and for children to put childhood at the center stage of ethnobotanical approaches for the future.
Structural, Physical, Magnetic, and Dielectric Study of Glassy and Crystalline Bismuth Zinc Silicates
Authors: Abdel-Hameed Salwa A. M. , Mahani Ragab , Hamzawy Esmat M. A. , Almasarawi Ola.N. , Margha Fatma. H.
Published: October 2023

The current study aims to thoroughly analyze the optical, magnetic, and dielectric properties of the glass and glass-ceramics in the system Bi2O3.ZnO.SiO2 with stoichiometric composition xBi12SiO20.(100-x)Zn2SiO4(x = 0, 10, 30, 50, 70, 90, and 100). The systematic dependence on density, Bi2O3, and the presence of interphases was studied. Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectra of the glass-ceramic samples certify the changes occurring in structure from amorphous to crystalline form where more intense, sharp, narrow bands were observed. Both 10B and 30B samples display more ultraviolet (UV) absorbance than the remaining samples. Upon introducing Bi2O3, the glass sample's color gradually changed from brown to pale yellow. In the vibrating sample magnetometer (VSM) study, the highest (9.22 × 10-7 emu/g) and lowest (4.53 × 10-7 emu/g) magnetic susceptibility were noticed for 30B and 70B samples, respectively. Further, all glass ceramics display diamagnetic properties due to the existence of Bi ions. The glass-ceramic samples showed better dielectric properties than glass samples due to changes from the amorphous nature of the glassy phase (high dielectric loss) to the well-ordered structure of the corresponding glass-ceramic (low dielectric loss). The glass ceramic sample of 100B attained much lower dielectric loss values (0.002, f = 106 Hz) than the corresponding glass sample (0.01, f = 106Hz) which could be helpful for electric storage devices, i.e. capacitors, supercapacitors, batteries, etc. Besides, the high-quality factor (Q = 2758) of the same glass-ceramic sample makes it promising in Radio Frequency (RF) circuits or other high- frequency applications.
Estimation of tensile and uniaxial compressive strength of carbonate rocks from well-logging data: artificial intelligence approach
Authors: Ibrahim Ahmed Farid , Hiba Moaz , Elkatatny Salaheldin , Ali Abdulwahab
Published: October 2023

The uniaxial compressive strength (UCS) and tensile strength (T0) are crucial parameters in field development and excavation projects. Traditional lab-based methods for directly measuring these properties face practical challenges. Therefore, non-destructive techniques like machine learning have gained traction as innovative tools for predicting these parameters. This study leverages machine learning methods, specifically random forest (RF) and decision tree (DT), to forecast UCS and T0 using real well-logging data sourced from a Middle East reservoir. The dataset comprises 2600 data points for model development and over 600 points for validation. Sensitivity analysis identified gamma-ray, compressional time (DTC), and bulk density (ROHB) as key factors influencing the prediction. Model accuracy was assessed using the correlation coefficient (R) and the absolute average percentage error (AAPE) against actual parameter profiles. For UCS prediction, both RF and DT achieved R values of 0.97, with AAPE values at 0.65% for RF and 0.78% for DT. In T0 prediction, RF yielded R values of 0.99, outperforming DT's 0.93, while AAPE stood at 0.28% for RF and 1.4% for DT. These outcomes underscore the effectiveness of both models in predicting strength parameters from well-logging data, with RF demonstrating superior performance. These models offer the industry an economical and rapid tool for accurately and reliably estimating strength parameters from well-logging data.
Recognising ceratocystis disease symptoms in a Eucalyptus pellita nursery
Authors: Indrayadi Heru , Glen Morag , . Halimah , . Fahrizawati , Prihatini Istiana , Beadle Chris , Tjahjono Budi , Mohammed Caroline
Published: October 2023

Early recognition of symptoms of infection is essential to prevent diseases from spreading through nurseries and into planted systems. In plantations, symptoms ofCeratocystis manginecansinfection are typically wilt and canker but symptoms may differ at the nursery stage and as yet have not been described forEucalyptus pellita. In this study, disease symptoms were recorded over a three-month period in anE. pellitanursery and isolates trapped. Then, to clearly identify those relating to ceratocystis disease and any related mortality, twoC. manginecansisolates were re-inoculated by either spraying or dipping of healthy plantlets raised by tissue culture and mini-cuttings. Many disease symptoms were observed in the nursery but only perithecia on the leaves and stems was a clear indication of the presence of aCeratocystispathogen. Nine pathogenic fungal species, includingC. manginecans, were isolated and identified by DNA analysis. Koch’s postulates indicated that leaf blight associated withC. manginecanswas black-brown in colour, irregular, with uneven edges and surrounded by a yellow margin or halo on the upper leaf surface. Mortality following inoculation of plantlets by spraying immediately after planting was > 70%; by contrast, mortality of mini-cuttings was < 50% if spraying was done just before transplanting but < 20% if done 7 or 14 days after transplanting. Isolate EP313C caused significantly greater mortality than isolate EP106C. The research showed thatC. manginecansand other pathogens were present in the nursery environment and must be identified and managed as part of good nursery practice.
Unfolding the link between multiple ecosystem services and bundles of functional traits to design multifunctional crop variety mixtures
Authors: Dubs Florence , Enjalbert Jerome , Barot Sebastien , Porcher Emmanuelle , Allard Vincent , Pope Claude , Gauffreteau Arnaud , Niboyet Audrey , Pommier Thomas , Saint-Jean Sebastien , Vidal Tiphaine , Le Roux Xavier
Published: October 2023

In face of the current environmental challenges, developing multifunctional cropping systems is increasingly needed, and crop variety mixtures are particularly interesting since they can deliver diverse services including grain production, yield stability, N2O production regulation, disease control, and reduction of N-fertilizer losses. However, the relationships between intraspecific diversity and ecosystem multifunctionality are poorly understood so far, and practitioners lack science-based guidance to design mixtures. We used a pool of 16 bread wheat varieties classified into 4 functional groups based on 26 below- and aboveground functional traits, to conduct a field trial (88 large plots cultivated with single varieties or mixtures of 2, 4, or 8 varieties), quantifying 15 provisioning and regulating services for each plot. To assess yield stability between local conditions and years, the trial was replicated at 4 other locations and for 2 years, using 2 managements each time. We analyzed how variety number and functional groups predicted the variance in services, and applied in an innovative manner the RLQ co-inertia analysis to relate the (variety × traits) matrix Q to a (plot × services) matrix R, using a (plot × variety) composition matrix L as a link. Our results show that using variety mixtures allowed delivery of baskets of services not reachable when cultivating single varieties, and that mixtures mitigated tradeoffs between different pairs of services. Variety number or functional groups poorly predicted the variance in services, but the RLQ approach allowed the identification of groups of plots delivering consistent baskets of services. Moreover, we demonstrated for the first-time significant relationships between specific baskets of services and bundles of variety traits. We discuss how our results increase our understanding of intraspecific diversity–agroecosystem multifunctionality relationships, and propose the next steps using our new approach to support practitioners for designing variety mixtures that provide particular baskets of services.
Sociodemographic Predictors and Moderators of Treatment Outcomes of Psychotherapeutic Interventions for Young People with Mental Disorders: A Systematic Review
Authors: Gergov Vera , Prevendar Tamara , Vousoura Eleni , Ulberg Randi , Dahl Hanne-Sofie J. , Feller Clémence , Jacobsen Celia Faye , Karain Alexia , Milic Branka , Poznyak Elena , Sacco Rosemarie , Tulbure Bogdan Tudor , Camilleri Nigel , Liakea Iliana , Podina Ioana , Saliba Andrea , Torres Sandra , Poulsen Stig
Published: October 2023

Despite the worrying prevalence of mental disorders among adolescents and young people, evidence on predictors of treatment outcome remains scarce. Systematic reviews have focused on specific disorders or treatment modalities and have not targeted this age group in particular. This systematic review presents an overview of the sociodemographic predictors and moderators on the outcome of psychotherapeutic interventions for adolescents and young people with mental disorders across treatment modalities. The search was conducted in PubMed and PsycINFO following the PICOS strategy. The included studies were clinical outcome studies on psychotherapeutic interventions, targeted for young people (aged 12–30 years) with specified mental disorders and published in peer-reviewed journals. During a four-step screening process, 17,359 articles were assessed, among which 114 met the inclusion criteria. Most included studies involved patients with mood, eating, or substance use disorders. Age, gender, and ethnicity were the most frequently reported predictors. For age and gender the findings were mixed, so it is not possible to state which age group or gender would benefit most from treatment across disorder groups. Ethnic minority status and history of traumatic events may predict poorer outcomes. However, the results mainly did not support the relevance of sociodemographic variables for predicting treatment outcome.
Laboratory study on the effect of stress cycling pattern and rate on seismicity evolution
Authors: Naderloo M. , Veltmeijer A. , Jansen J. D. , Barnhoorn A.
Published: October 2023

Recent laboratory and field studies suggest that temporal variations in injection patterns (e.g., cyclic injection) might trigger less seismicity than constant monotonic injection. This study presents results from uniaxial compressive experiments performed on Red Felser sandstone samples providing new information on the effect of stress pattern and rate on seismicity evolution. Red Felser sandstone samples were subjected to three stress patterns: cyclic recursive, cyclic progressive (CP), and monotonic stress. Three different stress rates (displacement controlled) were also applied: low, medium, and high rates of 10−4 mm/s, 5 × 10−4 mm/s, and 5 × 10−3 mm/s, respectively. Acoustic emission (AE) waveforms were recorded throughout the experiments using 11 AE transducers placed around the sample. Microseismicity analysis shows that (i) Cyclic stress patterns and especially cyclic progressive ones are characterized by a high number of AE events and lower maximum AE amplitude, (ii) among the three different stress patterns, the largest b-value (slope of the log frequency-magnitude distribution) resulted from the cyclic progressive (CP) stress pattern, (iii) by reducing the stress rate, the maximum AE energy and final mechanical strength both decrease significantly. In addition, stress rate remarkably affects the detailed AE signature of the events classified by the distribution of events in the average frequency (AF)—rise angle (RA) space. High stress rates increase the number of events with low AF and high RA signatures. Considering all elements of the AE analysis, it can be concluded that applying cyclic stress patterns in combination with low-stress rates may potentially lead to a more favourable induced seismicity effect in subsurface-related injection operations.
Joint Representation Learning with Generative Adversarial Imputation Network for Improved Classification of Longitudinal Data
Authors: Pingi Sharon Torao , Zhang Duoyi , Bashar Md Abul , Nayak Richi
Published: October 2023

Generative adversarial networks (GANs) have demonstrated their effectiveness in generating temporal data to fill in missing values, enhancing the classification performance of time series data. Longitudinal datasets encompass multivariate time series data with additional static features that contribute to sample variability over time. These datasets often encounter missing values due to factors such as irregular sampling. However, existing GAN-based imputation methods that address this type of data missingness often overlook the impact of static features on temporal observations and classification outcomes. This paper presents a novel method, fusion-aided imputer-classifier GAN (FaIC-GAN), tailored for longitudinal data classification. FaIC-GAN simultaneously leverages partially observed temporal data and static features to enhance imputation and classification learning. We present four multimodal fusion strategies that effectively extract correlated information from both static and temporal modalities. Our extensive experiments reveal that FaIC-GAN successfully exploits partially observed temporal data and static features, resulting in improved classification accuracy compared to unimodal models. Our post-additive and attention-based multimodal fusion approaches within the FaIC-GAN model consistently rank among the top three methods for classification.
… das dien sin leben ein spiegel und ein bild si
Authors: Wetzel René
Published: October 2023

Wie wird ein Begriff konzeptualisiert, für welchen kein eindeutiger sprachlicher Ausdruck zur Verfügung steht? Eine entsprechende Semantik muss sich zwangsläufig sprachlicher Bilder bedienen, um den abstrakten Begriff oder Aspekte daraus sicht- und begreifbar zu machen und gleichzeitig an der Bedeutungsbildung mitzuwirken. Im Fall der Responsibilität wird der Diskurs u. a. durch die Spiegelmetapher mit ihrer Vielfalt an Bedeutungs- und Assoziationsmöglichkeiten geprägt. Der responsible Mensch orientiert sich an ihm vor Augen gestellten Spiegel- oder Vor-Bildern und trägt Verantwortung dafür, dass er für andere selbst ein solches vor Augen gestelltes Bild wird. Auch die innere moralische Instanz des Gewissens kann mit dem Sprachbild des Spiegels zum Abgleich mit herrschenden ethischen Normen anregen und als Ergebnis Responsibilität einfordern, welche individualethischer, sozialethischer oder kosmologischer Natur sein kann. Darin sind sich der monastische und der höfische Responsibilisierungsdiskurs (als Beispiel dienen die Engelberger Predigten sowie der Welsche Gast Thomasins von Zerclaere) in ihrer grundsätzlichen Ausrichtung durchaus ähnlich, auch wenn sich in den Narrativen der beiden Kulturbereiche spezifische Unterschiede bemerkbar machen. In beiden Diskursen erfolgt eine (nur graduell unterschiedliche) Übertragung von Verantwortung von unten nach oben in der sozialen Hierarchie. Dabei wird stets auch die Rolle des freien Willens bei der Zuschreibung und Übernahme von Verantwortung verhandelt.
Investigating Learning Trajectories on Digital Attention Training Tasks in Primary School Children
Authors: Richmond Sally , Kirk Hannah , Cornish Kim , Spencer-Smith Megan
Published: October 2023

Attention training programs have demonstrated potential for improving select cognitive skills and behaviors in children, but reported benefits are inconsistent. It is unclear whether variability in training benefits can be attributed to differences in children’s learning trajectories on training tasks over the intervention period. This study examined the functional form of learning trajectories on adaptive attention training tasks in primary school children, and potential associations between these learning trajectories and (a) pre-training child characteristics (general cognitive ability, hyperactivity, inattention, age) and (b) outcomes on untrained tasks from pre- to post-training (attention, hyperactivity, inattention). A total of 38 children (5–9 years) completed a 5-week attention training program in class. The training sessions involved four tasks targeting selective attention, sustained attention, inhibition, or interference control. Assessments were conducted pre- and immediately post-training. Based on non-linear mixed-effects models, the learning trajectories were best described by asymptotic regression, where the largest rate of improvement occurred initially, followed by gradual flattening out as task difficulty approached the asymptote. For the sustained attention training task, lower asymptotes predicted larger reductions in hyperactive behaviour from pre- to post-training. For the sustained and selective attention training tasks, age was associated with the asymptotes of the learning trajectories. Collectively, these findings suggest that learning trajectories on certain attention training tasks are associated with select child characteristics and training outcomes. It is of interest for future cognitive training studies to examine the learning trajectories of tasks targeting different skills to contribute understanding of the processes associated with cognitive training outcomes.
Designing Formative Assessment That Improves Teaching and Learning: What Can Be Learned from the Design Stories of Experienced Teachers?
Authors: van der Steen Janneke , van Schilt-Mol Tamara , van der Vleuten Cees , Joosten-ten Brinke Desirée
Published: October 2023

This article reports on findings of a qualitative study that investigated the difficulties teachers encounter while designing formative assessment plans and the strategies experienced teachers use to avoid those pitfalls. The pitfalls were identified through an analysis of formative assessment plans that searched for potential threats to alignment, decision-driven data collection, and room for adjustment and improvement. The main pitfalls in the design process occurred when teachers did not explicitly and coherently link all elements of their formative assessment plan or when they did not plan to effectively use information about student learning to improve teaching and learning. Through interviews with experienced teachers, we identified seven design strategies they used to design formative assessment plans that were aligned, consisted of decision-driven data collection, and left room for adjustment and improvement. However, these experienced teachers still encountered difficulties in determining how to formulate the right decisions for decision-driven data collection and how to provide students with enough room for improvement. Lessons learned from the design strategies of these experienced teachers are incorporated in design steps for formative assessment plans all teachers can use.
The effect of brain serotonin deficit (TPH2-KO) on the expression and activity of liver cytochrome P450 enzymes in aging male Dark Agouti rats
Authors: Haduch Anna , Bromek Ewa , Kuban Wojciech , Basińska-Ziobroń Agnieszka , Danek Przemysław J. , Alenina Natalia , Bader Michael , Daniel Władysława A.
Published: October 2023

Background

Liver cytochrome P450 (CYP) greatly contributes to the metabolism of endogenous substances and drugs. Recent studies have demonstrated that CYP expression in the liver is controlled by the central nervous system via hormonal pathways. In particular, the expression of hepatic CYPs is negatively regulated by the brain serotoninergic system. The present study aimed to investigate changes in the function of the main liver drug-metabolizing CYP enzymes as a result of serotonin depletion in the brain of aging rats, caused by knockout of brain tryptophan hydroxylase gene (TPH2-KO).

Methods

The hepatic CYP mRNA (qRT-PCR), protein level (Western blotting) and activity (HPLC), and serum hormone levels (ELISA) were measured in Dark Agouti wild-type (WT) male rats (mature 3.5-month-old and senescent 21-month-old) and in TPH2-KO senescent animals.

Results

The expression/activity of the studied CYPs decreased with age in the liver of wild-type rats. The deprivation of serotonin in the brain of aging males decreased the mRNA level of most of the studied CYPs (CYP1A/2A/2B/3A), and lowered the protein level of CYP2C11 and CYP3A. In contrast, the activities of CYP2C11, CYP3A and CYP2C6 were increased. The expression of cytochrome b5 decreased in aging rats, but increased in TPH2-deficient senescent animals. The serum concentration of growth hormone declined in the aged and further dropped down in TPH2-deficient senescent rats.

Conclusions

Rat liver cytochrome P450 functions deteriorate with age, which may impair drug metabolism. The TPH2 knockout, which deprives brain serotonin, affects cytochrome P450 expression and activity differently in mature and senescent male rats.
Ultraviolet sun exposure and sun protection behaviors in outdoor rock climbers
Authors: Gutiérrez-Manzanedo José V. , González-Montesinos José Luis , Aguilera-Arjona José , Rodríguez-Martínez Alba , Vaz-Pardal Carmen , España-Romero Vanesa , Rivas-Ruiz Francisco , Blázquez-Sánchez Nuria , De Gálvez-Aranda María Victoria , De Troya-Martín Magdalena
Published: October 2023

Background

Overexposure to sunlight and sunburn are the main preventable causes of skin cancer. Outdoor sports are associated with significant levels of sunlight exposure.

Aims

We sought to quantify the sun radiation exposure received by outdoor rock climbers and assess their sun exposure habits, sun protection behaviors, attitudes, and knowledge regarding skin cancer.

Methods

From April to June 2021, outdoor rock climbers contacted via email completed an online validated self-reported questionnaire on sun related habits, behaviors, attitudes and knowledge. As a pilot trial, ten participants wore a personal dosimeter during two outdoor climbing weekends in May and November 2021. Ambient ultraviolet radiation (UVR) was also recorded.

Results

A total of 217 outdoor rock climbers (103 women), mean age 36.8 ± 8.8 years (range 20–70 years) and median climbing practice per week of 8 h (IQR 7.5) were studied. Two in three (65.9%) participants reported at least one sunburn event during the previous rock climbing season. Of the survey respondents, 49.3% reported using sunscreen with SPF ≥ 15, 47% wore sunglasses, and 14.3% indicated they reapplied sunscreen every two hours. The median personal UVR dose measured during the two outdoor climbing weekends analyzed was 5.2 (IQR 1.8) and 8.8 (IQR 1.1) standard erythemal doses, respectively.

Conclusions

The high rates of sunburn, the elevated personal UVR measured and the clearly insufficient sun protection practices followed during rock climbing together with unsatisfactory attitudes towards tanning reveal the need to develop explicit sun protection campaigns and educational strategies to reduce the risk of skin cancer among the athletes studied.

Graphical abstract
Immunochemotherapy combined with novel agents for Richter syndrome: report of 3 cases
Authors: Xing Lijie , Wang Hui , Liu Dan , He Qiang , Li Zengjun
Published: October 2023

Objective

Richter syndrome (RS) occurs in approximately 2–10% of chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) patients, more often during the disease course than at diagnosis, with a diffuse large B-cell Lymphoma (DLBCL) histology in 95% of cases. Despite great advances in the treatment of CLL in recent years, RS also develops in patients treated with novel agents, as summarized in our case report and review.

Methods

We summarized 3 patients with RS treated with immunochemotherapy combined with BTK inhibitor (BTKi) or BCL2 inhibitor (BCL2i) and reviewed the literature.

Results

Three RS patients were summarized. Patient 1 was transformed into DLBCL during dose reductions in ibrutinib and achieved bone marrow (BM) minimal residual disease (MRD)-negative complete response (CR) after rituximab etoposide, dexamethasone, doxorubicin, cyclophosphamide, and vincristine (R-EDOCH) combined with BTKi treatment and sustained progression-free survival (PFS) for more than 2 years. Patient 2, who transformed at the time of diagnosis, progressed after being treated with rituximab, cyclophosphamide, doxorubicin, vincristine, and prednisone (R-CHOP), followed by PD1 antibody combined with cytosine, arabinoside, cisplatin and dexamethasone (DHAP) treatment and PD1 antibody combined with ifosfamide, carboplatin, and etoposide (ICE) treatment. Patient 2 achieved CR after treatment with rituximab, gemcitabine, and oxaliplatin (R-GemOx) combined with BTKi. Patient 3, who transformed at the time of diagnosis with CARD11, TP53, and ATM mutations, progressed after being treated with R-EDOCH combined with BTKi and achieved MRD-negative CR after treatment with R-GemOx and venetoclax, which has continued for 3 months.

We summarized new protocols utilizing targeted therapy, such as BTKi acalabrutinib, and checkpoint inhibition, and the potential role of precision medicine in future trials of RS treatment. The efficacy of these protocols as single agents or in combination with immunochemotherapy is currently being evaluated.

Conclusion

In our study, immunochemotherapy combined with BTKi or BCL2i achieved favorable efficacy in the treatment of RS. The treatments should be optimized by the combination of both chemotherapies and targeted therapy to develop a specific individual approach for each patient, according to previous treatment and biological characteristics.
Modification of 316L steel powders with bronze using high energy ball milling for use as a binder component in PBF-LB/M printing of diamond-metal matrix composites
Authors: Tillmann Wolfgang , Pinho Ferreira Manuel
Published: October 2023

For the processing of diamond-metal matrix composites, the powder bed fusion using a laser for metals (PBF-LB/M), represents a new promising method for the additive manufacturing of diamond tools for concrete and rock machining, even with more complicated geometries. Previous research activities show a strong tendency for cracking and delamination during the construction process of the samples. This behavior is caused by thermal residual stresses associated with the embedded diamonds. To control these negative effects on the process side, the volume energy density is reduced accordingly, which, however, led to increased pore formation. This publication deals with an approach on the material side to modify a 316L stainless steel base powder with an addition of 20 wt% bronze via a high energy ball milling (HEBM) process in such a way that a homogeneous solid solution phase is created. A significantly increasing of the melting interval and a decreasing of both solidus and liquidus temperature was observed, which can reduce pore formation in the PBF-LB/M-process. In addition, XRD-diffractometry and SEM/EDS-analysis showed that the homogeneous solid solution phase of this alloyed powder segregates again into Fe- and Cu-rich phases when heated up to the melting point.
The relationship between atmospheric temperature inversion and urban air pollution characteristics: a case study of Tehran, Iran
Authors: Nejad Meysam Toulabi , Ghalehteimouri Kamran Jafarpour , Talkhabi Hamidreza , Dolatshahi Zeynab
Published: October 2023

This study conducts a comprehensive evaluation of air pollution in Tehran, focusing on its origins and potential remedial measures. Data from the Mehrabad station in Tehran were meticulously analyzed to scrutinize the spatiotemporal dynamics over a three-year period. Leveraging the Universal Radio Sound Observation (RAOB) program, we probed atmospheric attributes up to 750 m on specific critical dates: January 22, 2014; January 25, 2015; and November 27, 2016, which represent peak pollution events. Employing mathematical models, we scrutinized air temperature inversion profiles and applied the Heffter method to gauge the impact of atmospheric inversions on Tehran's air quality. Our investigation unequivocally identified January 25, 2015, as the most polluted date, unveiling precise atmospheric conditions during a radiation inversion, encompassing altitudes, temperatures, humidity, wind speed, and inversion depth. This research significantly advances our comprehension of the intricate interplay between atmospheric inversions and air pollution. It provides critical insights that can inform the development of targeted strategies to mitigate air quality issues not only in Tehran but also in analogous urban settings worldwide.
The Politics of Public Opinion in the Novels of Anthony Trollope
Authors: Gordon Jan B.
Published: October 2023

Although 'public opinion' has always existed, it becomes an acknowledged political subject in both the Oxford English Dictionary (1864) and the Barsetshire Chronicle and Parliamentary Novels by Anthony Trollope contemporaneously with 1) the penetration of the press into local issues and 2) the entire question of which 'publics' were to be represented. Public opinion hence is a composite of parliamentary law-making as well as a kind of appellate division for society's social (and judicial judgments), providing an alternative narrative. It differs from gossip in the nineteenth-century novel insofar as it contains no instruction manual ('don't tell anyone, who told you but…'), but can be manipulated by a variety of new informational platforms to not merely impact but constitute decision-making. Detached from any unitary authority and often anonymously narrated, public opinion, like the orphan-figure of nineteenth-century literature, is a discourse discontinuous from history, tradition, class alignments, and foundational origins to become a 'law unto itself'.
The Environmental Legacy of War on the Hungarian-Ottoman Frontier, c. 1540-1690
Authors: Vadas András
Published: October 2023

This book is the first monographic attempt to follow the environmental changes that took place in the frontier zone of the Ottoman Empire and the Kingdom of Hungary in the sixteenth and seventeenth-centuries. On the one hand, it looks at how the Ottoman-Hungarian wars affected the landscapes of the Carpathian Basin - specifically, the frontier zone. On the other hand, it examines how the environment was used in the military tactics of the opposing realms. By taking into consideration both perspectives, this book intends to pursue the dynamic interplay between war, environment, and local society in the early modern period.
Calvinists and Indians in the Northeastern Woodlands
Authors: Staggs Stephen T.
Published: October 2023

In Calvinists and Indians in the Northeastern Woodlands, Stephen T. Staggs analyzes the impact of the Dutch Reformation upon the cross-cultural relations between those living in and around New Netherland. Staggs shows that Native Americans and New Netherlanders hunted, smoked, ate, and drank together, shared their faith while traveling in a canoe, and slept in each other's bedrooms. Such details emerge in documents written by New Netherlanders like Megapolensis. Author of the most accurate account of the Kanien'kehá:ka (Mohawks) by a Dutch Reformed minister, Megapolensis provides a window into the influence and limits of the Dutch Reformation upon the dynamic, multifaceted relationships that developed in the early modern Northeastern Woodlands.

Megapolensis came of age when Dutch Reformed theologians looked to the Bible to incorporate Indians into a Reformed worldview. In so doing, they characterized Indians as 'blind Gentiles' to whom the Dutch were being called, by God, to present the gospel through the preaching of the Bible and the Christian conduct of colonists, which necessitated social interaction. This characterization ultimately informed the instructions given to those heading to New Netherland, raised expectations among the clergy and lay chaplains who served in the colony, and prefigured the reciprocal, intimate relationships that developed between Indians and New Netherlanders during the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries.
General solutions of the plume equations: towards synthetic plumes and fountains
Authors: Wise Nick H. , Hunt Gary R.
Published: October 2023

Previous mathematical models of quasi-steady turbulent plumes and fountains have described the flow that results from a prescribed input of buoyancy. We offer a new perspective by asking, what input of buoyancy would give rise to a plume, or fountain, with given properties? Addressing this question by means of an analytical framework, we take a first step toward enabling a plume with specific characteristics, i.e. a synthetic plume, to be designed. We develop analytical solutions to the conservation equations that describe four kinds of turbulent flow: axisymmetric plume, starting fountain, line plume and wall plume. Crucially, our solutions do not require the buoyancy distribution to be specified, whether this be the source or off-source distribution. Key to our approach, we specify a function for the volume flux,

$Q=f(z)$

, and take advantage of the weak coupling between the conservation equations to uniquely express general solutions in terms of

$f$

. We show that any analytic function

$f$

can form the basis for a set of solutions for the fluxes, local variables and local Richardson number, though

$f/({\rm d}f/{\rm d}z)>0$

is a necessary condition for physically realistic solutions. As an example of plume synthesis, we show that an axisymmetric plume can have an invariant radius if there is an exponentially increasing input of buoyancy to the plume centreline. We also consider how plume synthesis could be achieved practically.
Lipschitz-free spaces and subsets of finite-dimensional spaces
Authors: Bíma Jan
Published: October 2023

We consider two questions on the geometry of Lipschitz-free

$p$

-spaces

$\mathcal {F}_p$

, where

$0< p\leq 1$

, over subsets of finite-dimensional vector spaces. We solve an open problem and show that if

$(\mathcal {M}, \rho )$

is an infinite doubling metric space (e.g. an infinite subset of an Euclidean space), then

$\mathcal {F}_p (\mathcal {M}, \rho ^\alpha )\simeq \ell _p$

for every

$\alpha \in (0,\,1)$

and

$0< p\leq 1$

. An upper bound on the Banach–Mazur distance between the spaces

$\mathcal {F}_p ([0, 1]^d, |\cdot |^\alpha )$

and

$\ell _p$

is given. Moreover, we tackle a question due to Albiac et al. [4] and expound the role of

$p$

,

$d$

for the Lipschitz constant of a canonical, locally coordinatewise affine retraction from

$(K, |\cdot |_1)$

, where

$K=\cup _{Q\in \mathcal {R}} Q$

is a union of a collection

$\emptyset \neq \mathcal {R} \subseteq \{ Rw + R[0,\,1]^d: w\in \mathbb {Z}^d\}$

of cubes in

$\mathbb {R}^d$

with side length

$R>0$

, into the Lipschitz-free

$p$

-space

$\mathcal {F}_p (V, |\cdot |_1)$

over their vertices.
Serious Conflicts with Benign Outcomes? The Electoral Consequences of Conflictual Cabinet Terminations
Authors: SO FLORENCE
Published: October 2023

Conflictual cabinet terminations are seismic events in democracies, but their consequences are understudied. I argue that the electoral impacts of conflictual cabinet terminations depend on voters’ perceptions of them. Terminations following non-policy conflicts are electorally costly. They signal parties’ deteriorating governing competence, which reduces parties’ vote shares. In contrast, terminations following policy conflicts signal parties’ unwillingness to compromise their policy positions and clarify parties’ policy profiles, thus allowing them to evade voter punishment and junior coalition parties to reap electoral reward, particularly for those terminations preceded by interparty policy conflicts. Statistical analyses using the Party Government in Europe Database dataset support my argument on policy terminations and reveal more nuanced electoral effects of non-policy conflict terminations. These findings are robust to various alternative explanations, as well as multiple cabinet terminations and time passed from termination to election. The findings have large implications on electoral accountability of intra-cabinet conflicts and the quality of governance.
Analysis of a 131-year longitudinal dataset of the Eurasian otter Lutra lutra in Hong Kong: implications for conservation
Authors: Hui Michael Ka Yiu , Chan Bosco Pui Lok
Published: October 2023

Hong Kong is one of the busiest metropolises, and the Eurasian otter Lutra lutra is one of its most threatened species. We collected published data for 1890–2020 to document changes in local otter abundance and distribution over time. The 108 records revealed new distribution data and showed that decline began as early as the 1930s. The local Eurasian otter is strongly associated with coastal and alluvial wetlands, and its last refugium, the Yuen Long floodplain draining the Mai Po Inner Deep Bay Ramsar Site, has always been a critical habitat. Our analysis suggests that hunting is unlikely to be a major cause of the otter's decline. Rather, dependence on lowland wetlands makes it particularly susceptible to habitat loss caused by increasing urbanization. Auxiliary infrastructures and water pollution have also exacerbated wetland degradation to the detriment of otters and their prey. There is a need for greater cooperation amongst government agencies and landowners to guarantee otter survival: priority steps include the establishment of additional and interconnected wetland reserves, better stakeholder engagement and enforcement efficiency to tackle entrenched pollution problems, and flood prevention schemes that preserve or restore functional riverine ecosystems within critical otter habitats. The current otter distribution range has been earmarked for development in a government-led mega urbanization plan; the plight of the local Eurasian otter needs to be widely publicized to garner stakeholders' support and galvanize immediate conservation actions across society.
Bicategorical type theory: semantics and syntax
Authors: Ahrens Benedikt , North Paige Randall , van der Weide Niels
Published: October 2023

We develop semantics and syntax for bicategorical type theory. Bicategorical type theory features contexts, types, terms, and directed reductions between terms. This type theory is naturally interpreted in a class of structured bicategories. We start by developing the semantics, in the form of comprehension bicategories. Examples of comprehension bicategories are plentiful; we study both specific examples as well as classes of examples constructed from other data. From the notion of comprehension bicategory, we extract the syntax of bicategorical type theory, that is, judgment forms and structural inference rules. We prove soundness of the rules by giving an interpretation in any comprehension bicategory. The semantic aspects of our work are fully checked in the Coq proof assistant, based on the UniMath library.
The Rorschach – From Its Origins to the Future
Authors: Gaudriault Pierre
Published: October 2023

Abstract: The Rorschach occupies a unique place in the history of culture and of clinical psychology. While it originated in the tradition of divinatory or pictorial practices, it was also part of the renewal of expression at the turn of the 20th century in the field of psychopathology as well as in artistic activities. It ushered in a new way to grasp humans in their expressive and projective whole. Its protocol provided the nascent clinical psychology with a complementary tool to contribute to diagnostics and to the study of the processes of change in psychotherapies. More generally, it continues to offer clarifications on the psychological function of images in humankind’s evolution.
Supporting Social Entrepreneurship Among Vietnamese Youth
Authors: Nguyen Minh-Hieu Thi , Hodgetts Darrin , Carr Stuart
Published: October 2023

Abstract: Social entrepreneurship is gaining increased prominence internationally as a vehicle for addressing a range of socioeconomic issues, including access to decent and inclusive work. In Vietnam, such enterprises have become a key component of the country’s sustainable development strategy, with national competitions awarding start-up prizes for a few of the many young would-be social entrepreneurs. Competitions like this risk a sense of broken promise, in which unsuccessful and thereby disappointed applicants quit the sector prematurely. Recent research in Vietnam highlights a pivotal retentive support role for mentoring these promising social entrepreneurs, based on traditional village values of cooperation. Research shows these values to be central to social entrepreneurial resilience and success in Vietnam. It further suggests an extant network of successful social entrepreneurs who could mentor young runners-up, so that their ideas, energy, and career pathways are not lost. A national network of social entrepreneurs has been formed; and its mentors have indicated their willingness to support young people. This brief thereby proposes a next step: creation of a pro bono nationwide academy, dispersed in location but united in purpose, to support social entrepreneurship among Vietnamese youth.