bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Deliberación, polarización y posverdad. Repensar la responsabilidad en la sociedad digital
Authors: Wagner Astrid
Published: November 2023

Deliberation, polarization and post-truth. Rethinking responsibility for digital societies
Resumen: Ante las tendencias de autocratización y la pérdida de calidad democrática en muchos Estados, el artículo aborda los procesos de polarización que conducen al bloqueo político e institucional y limitan el margen de acción política. Amplificada por la digitalización de la esfera pública y el uso sistemático de desinformación, la polarización conduce a un deterioro de los procesos deliberativos. Esta pérdida de funcionalidad democrática ha dado aliento a un revisionismo democrático tecno-optimista que propone modelos de democracia algorítmica. Frente a los peligros de estas tendencias desenmascaradas como antidemocráticas, perfilamos un concepto de responsabilidad democrática adaptado al entorno de la sociedad digital. 
Abstract: In face of autocratization trends and the loss of democratic quality in many states, the article addresses the processes of polarization that lead to political and institutional deadlock and limit the scope for political action. Amplified by the digitization of the public sphere and the systematic use of disinformation, polarization drives a deterioration of deliberative processes. This loss of democratic functionality has encouraged a techno-optimistic democratic revisionism that advocates models of algorithmic democracy. Against the dangers of these trends unmasked as anti-democratic, we outline a concept of democratic responsibility adapted to the digital society environment.
La ciudad del futuro: ¿será mejor la ciudad que viene?
Authors: Foglia Efraín
Published: November 2023

Le Corbusier publicó en 1924 La ciudad del futuro, una obra fundamental del planeamiento urbano y rural moderno. El libro subraya el crecimiento incontrolado de las ciudades y propone los principios básicos de lo que considera la ciudad del futuro. En 1965 Jean-Luc Godard presenta la película de ciencia ficción Alphaville, un ícono del movimiento nouvelle vague en la que el director francés nos presenta una ciudad futurista bajo la trama de un agente secreto enviado a Alphaville para asesinar al fundador de la ciudad, el científico conocido como profesor Von Braun.
PAK3 downregulation induces cognitive impairment following cranial irradiation
Authors: Lee Haksoo , Kang Hyunkoo , Moon Changjong , Youn BuHyun
Published: November 2023

Cranial irradiation is used for prophylactic brain radiotherapy as well as treatment of primary brain tumors. Despite its high efficiency, it often induces unexpected side effects, including cognitive dysfunction. Herein, we observed that mice exposed to cranial irradiation exhibited cognitive dysfunction, including altered spontaneous behavior, decreased spatial memory, and reduced novel object recognition. Analysis of actin cytoskeleton revealed that ionizing radiation (IR) disrupted the filamentous/globular actin (F/G-actin) ratio and downregulated the actin turnover signaling pathway p21-activated kinase 3 (PAK3)-LIM kinase 1 (LIMK1)-cofilin. Furthermore, we found that IR could upregulate microRNA-206-3p (miR-206-3p) targeting PAK3. As the inhibition of miR-206-3p through antagonist (antagomiR), IR-induced disruption of PAK3 signaling is restored. In addition, intranasal administration of antagomiR-206-3p recovered IR-induced cognitive impairment in mice. Our results suggest that cranial irradiation-induced cognitive impairment could be ameliorated by regulating PAK3 through antagomiR-206-3p, thereby affording a promising strategy for protecting cognitive function during cranial irradiation, and promoting quality of life in patients with radiation therapy.
Natural genetic variation underlying the negative effect of elevated CO2 on ionome composition in Arabidopsis thaliana
Authors: Cassan Oceane , Pimpare Lea-Lou , Mozzanino Timothy , Fizames Cecile , Devidal Sebastien , Roux Fabrice , Milcu Alexandru , Lebre Sophie , Gojon Alain , Martin Antoine
Published: November 2023

The elevation of atmospheric CO2 leads to a decline in plant mineral content, which might pose a significant threat to food security in coming decades. Although few genes have been identified for the negative effect of elevated CO2 on plant mineral composition, several studies suggest the existence of genetic factors. Here, we performed a large-scale study to explore genetic diversity of plant ionome responses to elevated CO2, using six hundred Arabidopsis thaliana accessions, representing geographical distributions ranging from worldwide to regional and local environments. We show that growth under elevated CO2 leads to a global decrease of ionome content, whatever the geographic distribution of the population. We observed a high range of genetic diversity, ranging from the most negative effect to resilience or even to a benefit in response to elevated CO2. Using genome-wide association mapping, we identified a large set of genes associated with this response, and we demonstrated that the function of one of these genes is involved in the negative effect of elevated CO2 on plant mineral composition. This resource will contribute to understand the mechanisms underlying the effect of elevated CO2 on plant mineral nutrition, and could help towards the development of crops adapted to a high-CO2 world.
A novel MARV glycoprotein-specific antibody with potentials of broad-spectrum neutralization to filovirus
Authors: Zhang Yuting , Zhang Min , Wu Haiyan , Wang Xinwei , Zheng Hang , Feng Junjuan , Wang Jing , Luo Longlong , Xiao He , Qiao Chunxia , Li Xinying , Zheng Yuanqiang , Huang Weijin , Wang Youchun , Wang Yi , Shi Yanchun , Feng Jiannan , Chen Guojiang
Published: November 2023

Marburg virus (MARV) is one of the filovirus species that cause deadly hemorrhagic fever in humans, with mortality rates up to 90%. Neutralizing antibodies represent ideal candidates to prevent or treat virus disease. However, no antibody has been approved for MARV treatment to date. In this study, we identified a novel human antibody named AF-03 that targeted MARV glycoprotein (GP). AF-03 possessed a high binding affinity to MARV GP and showed neutralizing and protective activities against the pseudotyped MARV in vitro and in vivo. Epitope identification, including molecular docking and experiment-based analysis of mutated species, revealed that AF-03 recognized the Niemann-Pick C1 (NPC1) binding domain within GP1. Interestingly, we found the neutralizing activity of AF-03 to pseudotyped Ebola viruses (EBOV, SUDV, and BDBV) harboring cleaved GP instead of full-length GP. Furthermore, NPC2-fused AF-03 exhibited neutralizing activity to several filovirus species and EBOV mutants via binding to CI-MPR. In conclusion, this work demonstrates that AF-03 represents a promising therapeutic cargo for filovirus-caused disease.
Regulation of chromatin architecture by transcription factor binding
Authors: Portillo-Ledesma Stephanie , Chung Suckwoo , Hoffman Jill , Schlick Tamar
Published: November 2023

Transcription factors (TF) bind to chromatin and regulate the expression of genes. The pair Myc:Max binds to E-box regulatory DNA elements throughout the genome to control the transcription of a large group of specific genes. We introduce an implicit modeling protocol for Myc:Max binding to mesoscale chromatin fibers at nucleosome resolution to determine TF effect on chromatin architecture and shed light into its mechanism of gene regulation. We first bind Myc:Max to different chromatin locations and show how it can direct fiber folding and formation of microdomains, and how this depends on the linker DNA length. Second, by simulating increasing concentrations of Myc:Max binding to fibers that differ in the DNA linker length, linker histone density, and acetylation levels, we assess the interplay between Myc:Max and other chromatin internal parameters. Third, we study the mechanism of gene silencing by Myc:Max binding to the Eed gene loci. Overall, our results show how chromatin architecture can be regulated by TF binding. The position of TF binding dictates the formation of microdomains that appear visible only at the ensemble level. At the same time, the level of linker histone and tail acetylation, or different linker DNA lengths, regulates the concentration-dependent effect of TF binding. Furthermore, we show how TF binding can repress gene expression by increasing fiber folding motifs that help compact and occlude the promoter region. Importantly, this effect can be reversed by increasing linker histone density. Overall, these results shed light on the epigenetic control of the genome dictated by TF binding.
Netrin signaling mediates survival of dormant epithelial ovarian cancer cells
Authors: Perampalam Pirunthan , MacDonald James I , Zakirova Komila , Passos Daniel T , Wasif Sumaiyah , Ramos-Valdes Yudith , Hervieu Maeva , Mehlen Patrick , Rottapel Rob , Gibert Benjamin , Correa Rohann JM , Shepherd Trevor G , Dick Frederick A
Published: November 2023

Dormancy in cancer is a clinical state in which residual disease remains undetectable for a prolonged duration. At a cellular level, rare cancer cells cease proliferation and survive chemotherapy and disseminate disease. We created a suspension culture model of high-grade serous ovarian cancer (HGSOC) dormancy and devised a novel CRISPR screening approach to identify survival genes in this context. In combination with RNA-seq, we discovered the Netrin signaling pathway as critical to dormant HGSOC cell survival. We demonstrate that Netrin-1, –3, and its receptors are essential for low level ERK activation to promote survival, and that Netrin activation of ERK is unable to induce proliferation. Deletion of all UNC5 family receptors blocks Netrin signaling in HGSOC cells and compromises viability during the dormancy step of dissemination in xenograft assays. Furthermore, we demonstrate that Netrin-1 and –3 overexpression in HGSOC correlates with poor outcome. Specifically, our experiments reveal that Netrin overexpression elevates cell survival in dormant culture conditions and contributes to greater spread of disease in a xenograft model of abdominal dissemination. This study highlights Netrin signaling as a key mediator HGSOC cancer cell dormancy and metastasis.
Growth inhibitory factor/metallothionein-3 is a sulfane sulfur-binding protein
Authors: Shinkai Yasuhiro , Ding Yunjie , Matsui Toru , Devitt George , Akiyama Masahiro , Shen Tang-Long , Nishida Motohiro , Ida Tomoaki , Akaike Takaaki , Mahajan Sumeet , Fukuto Jon M , Shigeta Yasuteru , Kumagai Yoshito
Published: November 2023

Cysteine-bound sulfane sulfur atoms in proteins have received much attention as key factors in cellular redox homeostasis. However, the role of sulfane sulfur in zinc regulation has been underinvestigated. We report here that cysteine-bound sulfane sulfur atoms serve as ligands to hold and release zinc ions in growth inhibitory factor (GIF)/metallothionein-3 (MT-3) with an unexpected C– S–S–Zn structure. Oxidation of such a zinc/persulfide cluster in Zn
7
GIF/MT-3 results in the release of zinc ions, and intramolecular tetrasulfide bridges in apo-GIF/MT-3 efficiently undergo S–S bond cleavage by thioredoxin to regenerate Zn
7
GIF/MT-3. Three-dimensional molecular modeling confirmed the critical role of the persulfide group in the thermostability and Zn-binding affinity of GIF/MT-3. The present discovery raises the fascinating possibility that the function of other Zn-binding proteins is controlled by sulfane sulfur.
Growth inhibitory factor/metallothionein-3 is a sulfane sulfur-binding protein
Authors: Shinkai Yasuhiro , Ding Yunjie , Matsui Toru , Devitt George , Akiyama Masahiro , Shen Tang-Long , Nishida Motohiro , Ida Tomoaki , Akaike Takaaki , Mahajan Sumeet , Fukuto Jon M. , Shigeta Yasuteru , Kumagai Yoshito
Published: November 2023

Cysteine-bound sulfane sulfur atoms in proteins have received much attention as key factors in cellular redox homeostasis. However, the role of sulfane sulfur in zinc regulation has been overlooked. We report here that cysteine-bound sulfane sulfur atoms serve as ligands to hold and release zinc ions in growth inhibitory factor (GIF)/metallothionein-3 (MT3) with an unexpected C–S–S–Zn structure. Oxidation of such a zinc/persulfide cluster in Zn
7
GIF/MT3 results in the release of zinc ions, and intramolecular tetrasulfide bridges in apo-GIF/MT3 efficiently undergo S–S bond cleavage by thioredoxin to regenerate Zn
7
GIF/MT3. Three-dimensional molecular modeling confirmed the critical role of the persulfide group in the thermostability and Zn-binding affinity of GIF/MT3. The present discovery raises the fascinating possibility that the function of other Zn-binding proteins is controlled by sulfane sulfur.
Bacteria are a major determinant of Orsay virus transmission and infection in Caenorhabditis elegans
Authors: Vassallo Brian G , Scheidel Noemie , Fischer Sylvia E J , Kim Dennis H
Published: November 2023

The microbiota is a key determinant of the physiology and immunity of animal hosts. The factors governing the transmissibility of viruses between susceptible hosts are incompletely understood. Bacteria serve as food for Caenorhabditis elegans and represent an integral part of the natural environment of C. elegans. We determined the effects of bacteria isolated with C. elegans from its natural environment on the transmission of Orsay virus in C. elegans using quantitative virus transmission and host susceptibility assays. We observed that Ochrobactrum species promoted Orsay virus transmission, whereas Pseudomonas lurida MYb11 attenuated virus transmission relative to the standard laboratory bacterial food Escherichia coli OP50. We found that pathogenic Pseudomonas aeruginosa strains PA01 and PA14 further attenuated virus transmission. We determined that the amount of Orsay virus required to infect 50% of a C. elegans population on P. lurida MYb11 compared with Ochrobactrum vermis MYb71 was dramatically increased, over three orders of magnitude. Host susceptibility was attenuated even further in the presence of P. aeruginosa PA14. Genetic analysis of the determinants of P. aeruginosa required for attenuation of C. elegans susceptibility to Orsay virus infection revealed a role for regulators of quorum sensing. Our data suggest that distinct constituents of the C. elegans microbiota and potential pathogens can have widely divergent effects on Orsay virus transmission, such that associated bacteria can effectively determine host susceptibility versus resistance to viral infection. Our study provides quantitative evidence for a critical role for tripartite host-virus-bacteria interactions in determining the transmissibility of viruses among susceptible hosts.
Open-top Bessel beam two-photon light sheet microscopy for three-dimensional pathology
Authors: Park Won Yeong , Yun Jieun , Shin Jinho , Oh Byung Ho , Yoon Gilsuk , Hong Seung-Mo , Kim Ki Hean
Published: November 2023

Nondestructive pathology based on three-dimensional (3D) optical microscopy holds promise as a complement to traditional destructive hematoxylin and eosin (H&E) stained slide-based pathology by providing cellular information in high throughput manner. However, conventional techniques provided superficial information only due to shallow imaging depth. Herein, we developed open-top two-photon light sheet microscopy (OT-TP-LSM) for intraoperative 3D pathology. An extended depth of field two-photon excitation light sheet was generated by scanning a nondiffractive Bessel beam, and selective planar imaging was conducted with cameras at 400 frames/s max during the lateral translation of tissue specimens. Intrinsic second harmonic generation was collected for additional extracellular matrix (ECM) visualization. OT-TP-LSM was tested in various human cancer specimens including skin, pancreas, and prostate. High imaging depths were achieved owing to long excitation wavelengths and long wavelength fluorophores. 3D visualization of both cells and ECM enhanced the ability of cancer detection. Furthermore, an unsupervised deep learning network was employed for the style transfer of OT-TP-LSM images to virtual H&E images. The virtual H&E images exhibited comparable histological characteristics to real ones. OT-TP-LSM may have the potential for histopathological examination in surgical and biopsy applications by rapidly providing 3D information.
Studenthumor vid den svenska frihetstidens början
Authors: Burman Lars
Published: November 2023

Johan Risell (1697–1724) är nästan okänd idag, men var på sin tid uppburen och betraktades som en diktare med ”livskraft i känslorna” och ”lycklig föreställnings- och avbildningsförmåga”. Han avled kort efter det stora nordiska kriget. Hans diktning skingrades och mindre än tio dikter har varit kända. Föreliggande artikel ingår i ett arbete att återge honom en plats i den svenska litteraturhistorien.
”Staden Åmåls och des Inbyggares Beskrifning” är en av de dikter som varit kända, även om den inte trycktes förrän 1873. Studien visar att satiren spreds i manuskriptform till förväntansfulla läsare på 1700-talet. Eftersom den betraktades som en paskill, inte minst av innevånarna i Åmål, hölls den tillbaka från offentligheten. 1800-talets smakdomare menade att den brast i smak, och förmådde inte se dess kvaliteter.
I artikeln studeras Åmåldikten utifrån litterära, biografiska och sociologiska perspektiv. Diktens förhållande till genren ”encomium urbis” studeras liksom relationen till den svenska stormaktstidens litterära stadshyllningar. Risell dog ung, och artikeln hävdar att dikten skall ses mot en bakgrund av tidig studentkultur. Risells dikt ges rik bakgrund eftersom artikelförfattaren kan utnyttja ett hittills okänt manuskript med mer än 50 nya dikter av Risell.
Circular RNA hsa_circ_0051246 acts as a microRNA-375 sponge to promote the progression of gastric cancer stem cells via YAP1
Authors: Deng Minghui , Xu Yefeng , Yao Yongwei , Wang Yiqing , Yan Qingying , Cheng Miao , Liu YunXia
Published: November 2023

Background

Gastric cancer (GC) stem cells play an important role in GC progression. Circular RNAs (circRNAs) act as microRNA (miRNA) sponges and inhibit the biological function of miRNAs in GC cytoplasm. MiRNAs also participate in GC progress. circ_0051246 was shown to be associated with miR-375 after analyzing GC microarray data GSE78091 and GSE83521. The oncoprotein Yes-associated protein 1 (YAP1) is targeted by miR-375 and can be inactivated via the Hippo tumor suppressor pathway. Due to insufficient research on circ_0051246, this study aimed to investigate its relationship with miR-375 and YAP1 in cancer stem cells (CSCs).

Methods

SGC-7901 CSCs were used to establish knockdown/overexpression models of circ_0051246, miR-375, and YAP1. Malignant phenotypes of CSCs were assessed using Cell Counting Kit 8, colony/sphere formation, 5-Ethynyl-2′-deoxyuridine assay, flow cytometry, Transwell, and wound healing assays. To detect the interactions between circ_0051246, miR-375, and YAP1 in CSCs, a dual-luciferase reporter assay and fluorescence in situ hybridization were performed. In addition, 24 BALB/c nude mice were used to establish orthotopic xenograft tumor models. Four groups of mice were injected with CSCs (1 × 106 cells/100 µL) with circ_0051246 knockdown, miR-375 overexpression, or their respective control cells, and tumor progression and gene expression were observed by hematoxylin-eosin staining, immunohistochemistry. Western blot and quantitative real-time PCR were utilized to examine protein and gene expression, respectively.

Results

Circ_0051246 silencing reduced viability, promoted apoptosis, and inhibited proliferation, migration and invasion of CSCs. The functional effects of miR-375 mimics were comparable to those of circ_0051246 knockdown; however, the opposite was observed after miR-375 inhibitors treatment of CSCs. Furthermore, circ_0051246-overexpression antagonized the miR-375 mimics’ effects on CSCs. Additionally, YAP1 overexpression promoted CSC features, such as self-renewal, migration, and invasion, inhibited apoptosis and E-cadherin levels, and upregulated the expression of N-cadherin, vimentin, YAP1, neurogenic locus notch homolog protein 1, and jagged canonical notch ligand 1. Conversely, YAP1-silenced produced the opposite effect. Moreover, miR-375 treatment antagonized the malignant effects of YAP1 overexpression in CSCs. Importantly, circ_0051246 knockdown and miR-375 activation suppressed CSC tumorigenicity in vivo.

Conclusion

This study highlights the promotion of circ_0051246-miR-375-YAP1 axis activation in GC progression and provides a scientific basis for research on the molecular mechanism of CSCs.
Profile of National Rural Livelihood Mission (NRLM) beneficiaries in Madhya Pradesh
Authors: Rajpoot Ashutosh Singh , Rajan Parvez , Raut Ajay , Srivastava A. , Singh R. B.
Published: November 2023

The National Rural Livelihoods Mission (NRLM) is a poverty alleviation programme implemented by The Ministry of Rural Development, GOI. The programme aims to promote self-employment and the organization of rural poor. The study was done during 2022-23 in Rewa and Shahdol districts in Baghelkhand region of Madhya Pradesh based on highest number of beneficiaries registered in selected districts under NRLM in the state of Madhya Pradesh. In this study Ex-post facto research design, and proportionate random sampling technique was adopted at 3 percent under multi-stage  sampling procedures. Thus 221 respondents were selected which were personally interviewed to known the profile of beneficiaries. The results revealed that 65.60 percent of beneficiaries belong to young age, 24.00 percent have high school level of education, 47.07 percent  have medium size of family, 55.20 percent have low level of farming experience, 50.20 percent have medium level of income, 53.86 percent have medium level credit accessible, 47.52 percent have marginal land holding, 38.00 percent had low level of information seeking behaviour, 41.17 percent have high level of mass media exposures, 39.82 percent have medium level of risk preference, 43.43 percent have medium level of awareness towards diversification, 51.58 percent have medium level of economic motivation, 46.15 percent have medium level of innovative, 41.65 percent have  medium decision-making ability and 39.80 percent of beneficiaries have low level of management efficiency.
The Impact and Benefits of the E-System for Administration Management in Primary and Secondary Schools for Teachers and Parents
Authors: Ramadani Refik , Mustafa Ragmi , Mustafa Kujtim
Published: November 2023

This research aims to identify the impact of the E-management system on the work of teachers, parents, and students. Enrolling students with all the information and keeping grades, behaviors, activities, and, most importantly, analytical reports should be an easy process for teachers through the E-system. Parents can track their child's progress at the right time while students receive teacher notifications, complete quizzes, access their success, track their shortcomings, and many other benefits.

The paper focuses on the following research objectives: the impact of the Management System on the organization of the teacher's class, research on the effects of the Management System in creating and generating analytical reports for each student, analysis of the impact of the Management System on the communication of the teacher with students as well as with parents, Investigating the effects of the Management System on the teacher's will and researching the impact of the Management System on commitment and work by the teacher.
PENGARUH EXPERIENTIAL MARKETING TERHADAP CUSTOMER LOYALTY MELALUI CUSTOMER ENGAGEMENT SEBAGAI VARIABEL INTERVENING DARI IKEA CIPUTRA WORLD
Authors: Santoso Aureleen Lee , Japarianto Edwin , Tandijaya Trixie Nova Bella , Andreani Fransisca
Published: November 2023

Tujuan dari dilaksanakannya penelitian ini adalah untuk menganalisis pengaruh dari Experiential Marketing yang dilakukan di outlet terhadap Customer Loyalty pada IKEA Ciputra World dan dimediasi oleh Customer Engagement. Pengumpulan data untuk penelitian ini dilakukan dengan cara survey secara langsung di IKEA Ciputra World dan secara online melalui Line, Whatsapp, dan Instagram. Jumlah responden yang berhasil diperoleh dan diolah datanya sebesar 116 responden. Responden penelitian adalah customer IKEA Ciputra World yang pernah berkunjung dan melakukan pembelian sebanyak minimal 2x dalam 6 bulan terakhir. Alat yang dilakukan untuk proses pengolahan data adalah pendekatan model struktural dengan teknik Partial Least Square (PLS-SEM). Hasil dari penelitian ini menunjukkan bahwa Experiential Marketing berpengaruh secara signifikan terhadap Customer Loyalty, Experiential Marketing berpengaruh secara signifikan terhadap Customer Engagement, Customer Engagement berpengaruh secara signifikan terhadap Customer Loyalty, dan Customer Engagement meng-intervening secara signifikan antara Experiential Marketing terhadap Customer Loyalty.
ANALISIS PERAN EMOTIONAL BRANDING STRATEGY DALAM MENINGKATKAN LOYALITAS PENGUNJUNG PUSAT PERBELANJAAN
Authors: Rohman Fatchur , Azizah Alfalasifatul
Published: November 2023

Penelitian ini bertujuan untuk menguji pengaruh langsung brand experience terhadap brand image, brand satisfaction, dan brand loyalty dalam konteks pengunjung pusat perbelanjaan. Populasi penelitian terdiri dari pengunjung pusat perbelanjaan atau mal dengan usia 18 tahun ke atas. Sampel penelitian sebanyak 218 responden dengan teknik penarikan sampel purposive. PLS-SEM digunakan untuk menguji validitas, reliabilitas instrumen, dan hipotesis penelitian. Hasil pengujian hipotesis menunjukkan bahwa brand satisfaction memediasi hubungan antara brand experience dan brand loyalty. Selain itu, brand trust juga memediasi hubungan antara brand experience dan brand loyalty. Secara teoritis, penelitian ini memberikan kontribusi dalam pemahaman tentang bagaimana faktor-faktor ini saling berhubungan dalam membentuk brand loyalty. Secara praktis, temuan penelitian ini dapat digunakan sebagai dasar untuk merumuskan strategi dalam meningkatkan loyalitas pengunjung pusat perbelanjaan atau mal.
Small socketed axeheads from northern Britain
Authors: Paul Ella B , Knight Matthew G , Cowie Trevor G , Troalen Lore
Published: November 2023

In 2019 a miniature bronze socketed axehead was discovered near Morebattle, Scottish Borders. As such artefacts are rare finds in northern Britain, the opportunity has been taken to draw together the range of unusually small socketed axeheads recorded from Scotland and northern England, and to discuss them in their wider British context. For the first time, scientific techniques are applied to these objects, including optical microscopy, X-ray fluorescence analysis and computed X-radiography, to inform discussions of wear analysis, material composition, manufacture and chronology. The paper concludes with a discussion of the function and meaning of small socketed axeheads and their changing role over time.

Canmore ID 25199

Canmore ID 55084

Canmore ID 69801

Canmore ID 11986
Excavation and survey at the Giant’s Grave, Slochd Measach, Nereabolls, a Neolithic chambered cairn on the Isle of Islay, Argyll & Bute
Authors: Mithen Steven , Maričević Darko , Berg-Hansen Inger M , Elliott Sarah , Fry Rob , Pelling Ruth , Sheridan Alison
Published: November 2023

The ‘Giant’s Grave’, formally known as Slochd Measach, Nereabolls, (SM3927) is located on the Isle of Islay in western Scotland and is one of seven confirmed Clyde Cairns on the island. We describe the standing remains and excavations between 2015-18 intended to address the origin, architecture and use of this monument. We found that the cairn was most likely constructed between 3516-336 cal BC in one continuous effort. It was modified and reused on at least four occasions during the Early and Late Bronze Age, and extensively robbed during the Iron Age. This post-Neolithic activity left a small collection of ceramic vessels may have been used for funerary purposes of votive offerings. We compare the architecture of the Giant’s Grave with that of other cairns on Islay and in the wider region.

Canmore ID 37355
William Bruce’s Hopetoun House and the arrival of Serlio’s unpublished ‘Sixth Book on Dwellings’ in Britain, c 1700
Authors: Campbell Ian
Published: November 2023

William Bruce’s Hopetoun House, begun in 1699, would have been Britain’s first centrally planned villa, had it been completed as specified in the original contract. The source of its plan has attracted much speculation but this article argues that the closest precedent is a plan in the first draft of Sebastiano Serlio’s unpublished ‘Sixth Book on Dwellings’, dating from the 1540s and preserved in an album, now belonging to the Avery Library in New York. The author demonstrated in an article published in 2022 that the album was in the ownership of the London sculptor, Francis Bird, by the early 18th century. The article here suggests that the original plan of Hopetoun House shows that the Avery Album was known to William Bruce by the late 1690s, and to James Smith; and that it was the source of the plan of Lord Burlington’s Chiswick House; and may have inspired projects by Nicholas Hawksmoor and James Gibbs.
A comparison of ligatures on gravestones in Scotland, Northern Germany and the French Basque region
Authors: Thomson George
Published: November 2023

Although ligatures have a long history and can be found on a range of artefacts, they are particularly characteristic of gravestone inscriptions of the 17th and 18th centuries in several parts of Western Europe. The grouping of two or more letters as a ligature can be attributed to minimising mason’s costs and workload, or stone brittleness, but it is suggested that their function was primarily a space-saving device. This research, based solely on statistical analysis, suggests that there may be other, possibly more common, reasons as to why they were employed in gravestone inscriptions. Ligatures have an uneven distribution throughout Western Europe. They are especially frequent in gravestone inscriptions from north and south-west Scotland, Northern Germany and the French Basque region. These areas were selected for analysis. Ligatures were recorded from 36 sites in northern and south-western Scotland, 35 sites in Northern Germany and 24 sites in the French Basque region. Frequencies at each site were calculated. The most common ligature in Scotland and north Germany was HE and in the French Basque region it was DE. All ligature frequencies were compared with the frequencies of bigrams in English, German and French to determine whether or not this influenced their frequency in gravestone inscriptions. It was found that there was no evidence of correlation between gravestone ligatures and bigrams in any of the three languages. The possible reasons for the use of ligatures are discussed.
A drive around Pictland
Authors: McArdle Duncan , McArdle Catriona
Published: November 2023

A damaged carving of a two-wheeled horse-drawn vehicle appears on the Pictish cross-slab from Skinnet Chapel, Halkirk, Caithness (Skinnet 1). In this paper the vehicle’s original design is partly re-created, with details of the pair of horses yoked to it. The slab, now in Thurso Museum, was surveyed in 2015 and 2017 by the use of RTI (Reflectance Transformation Imaging), a computer-based enhancement process. Resulting augmentation of surface relief in the processed images allows multiple overlays to be drawn/traced from various light vectors to create a composite final image. The restored components of the vehicle – cart or chariot – are discussed, with relevance to its possible role. Atypical physical features carved on the facing horse of the horse pair may hint at some ceremonial motive for their presence. After a short survey of known evidence for Pictish vehicles, direct derivation of design from antecedent archaeological finds of Iron Age chariots are assessed as unlikely due to the wide time gap. Possible construction influence (in both cultural directions) from wheels found in Scottish Roman sites is noted. The common format of wheels and vehicles on the Skinnet 1 stone and Irish High Cross illustrations of ‘chariots’ are described and mapped, with the appearance of the latter in early medieval times attributed to Pictish traditions of cartwrighting.
Neuroimaging the Development of Olfactory Function in a Woman With No Olfactory Bulbs
Authors: Faria Vanda , Joshi Akshita , Mignot Coralie , Thaploo Divesh , Weise Susanne , Hummel Thomas
Published: November 2023

This case report describes a woman with lifelong anosmia in her 20s who presented with the acquisition of unpleasant olfactory phantoms.
Microstructural Welding Engineering of Carbon Nanotube/Polydimethylsiloxane Nanocomposites with Improved Interfacial Thermal Transport
Authors: Zhang Fei , Sun Yuxuan , Guo Lei , Zhang Yinhang , Liu Dan , Feng Wei , Shen Xi , Zheng Qingbin
Published: November 2023

Carbon nanotube (CNT) reinforced polymer nanocomposites with high thermal conductivity show a promising prospect in thermal management of next‐generation electronic devices due to their excellent mechanical adaptability, outstanding processability, and superior flexibility. However, interfacial thermal resistance between individual CNT significantly hinders the further improvement in thermal conductivity of CNT‐reinforced nanocomposites. Herein, an interfacial welding strategy is reported to construct graphitic structure welded CNT (GS‐w‐CNT) networks. Notably, the obtained GS‐w‐CNT/polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) nanocomposite with a GS loading of 4.75 wt% preserves a high thermal conductivity of 5.58 W m−1 K−1 with a 410% enhancement as compared to a pure CNT/PDMS nanocomposite. Molecular dynamics simulations are utilized to elucidate the effect of interfacial welding on the heat transfer behavior, revealing that the GS welding degree plays an important role in reducing both phonon scattering in the GS‐w‐CNT structure and interfacial thermal resistance at the interfaces between CNT. The unique welding strategy provides a new route to optimize the thermal transport performance in filler reinforced polymer nanocomposites, promoting their applications in next‐generation microelectronic devices.
Enhancing Bone Regeneration through CDC20‐Loaded ZIF‐8 Nanoparticles Wrapped in Erythrocyte Membranes with Targeting Aptamer
Authors: Du Yangge , Deng Tian , Cheng Yihong , Zhao Qin , Xia Haibin , Ji Yaoting , Zhang Yufeng , He Qing
Published: November 2023

In the context of bone regeneration, nanoparticles harboring osteogenic factors have emerged as pivotal agents for modulating the differentiation fate of stem cells. However, persistent challenges surrounding biocompatibility, loading efficiency, and precise targeting ability warrant innovative solution. In this study, a novel nanoparticle platform founded upon the zeolitic imidazolate framework‐8 (ZIF‐8) is introduced. This new design, CDC20@ZIF‐8@eM‐Apt, involves the envelopment of ZIF‐8 within an erythrocyte membrane (eM) cloak, and is coupled with a targeting aptamer. ZIF‐8, distinguished by its porosity, biocompatibility, and robust cargo transport capabilities, constitutes the core framework. Cell division cycle protein 20 homolog (CDC20) is illuminated as a new target in bone regeneration. The eM plays a dual role in maintaining nanoparticle stability and facilitating fusion with target cell membranes, while the aptamer orchestrates the specific recruitment of bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs) within bone defect sites. Significantly, CDC20@ZIF‐8@eM‐Apt amplifies osteogenic differentiation of BMSCs via the inhibition of NF‐κB p65, and concurrently catalyzes bone regeneration in two bone defect models. Consequently, CDC20@ZIF‐8@eM‐Apt introduces a pioneering strategy for tackling bone defects and associated maladies, opening novel avenues in therapeutic intervention.
Surface‐Guided Crystallization of Xanthine Derivatives for Optical Metamaterial Applications
Authors: Niazov‐Elkan Angelica , Shepelenko Margarita , Alus Lotem , Kazes Miri , Houben Lothar , Rechav Katya , Leitus Gregory , Kossoy Anna , Feldman Yishay , Kronik Leeor , Vekilov Peter G. , Oron Dan
Published: November 2023

Numerous bio‐organisms employ template‐assisted crystallization of molecular solids to yield crystal morphologies with unique optical properties that are difficult to reproduce synthetically. Here, a facile procedure is presented to deposit bio‐inspired birefringent crystals of xanthine derivatives on a template of single‐crystal quartz. Crystalline sheets that are several millimeters in length, several hundred micrometers in width, and 300–600 nm thick, are obtained. The crystal sheets are characterized with a well‐defined orientation both in and out of the substrate plane, giving rise to high optical anisotropy in the plane parallel to the quartz surface, with a refractive index difference Δn ≈ 0.25 and a refractive index along the slow axis of n ≈ 1.7. It is further shown that patterning of the crystalline stripes with a tailored periodic grating leads to a thin organic polarization‐dependent diffractive meta‐surface, opening the door to the fabrication of various optical devices from a platform of small‐molecule based organic dielectric crystals.
An Antidehydration Hydrogel Based on Zwitterionic Oligomers for Bioelectronic Interfacing
Authors: He Ke , Cai Pingqiang , Ji Shaobo , Tang Zihan , Fang Zhou , Li Wenlong , Yu Jing , Su Jiangtao , Luo Yifei , Zhang Feilong , Wang Ting , Wang Ming , Wan Changjin , Pan Liang , Ji Baohua , Li Dechang , Chen Xiaodong
Published: November 2023

Hydrogels are ideal interfacing materials for on‐skin healthcare devices, yet their susceptibility to dehydration hinders their practical use. While incorporating hygroscopic metal salts can prevent dehydration and maintain ionic conductivity, concerns arise regarding metal toxicity due to the passage of small ions through the skin barrier. Herein, an antidehydration hydrogel enabled by the incorporation of zwitterionic oligomers into its network is reported. This hydrogel exhibits exceptional water retention properties, maintaining ≈88% of its weight at 40% relative humidity, 25 °C for 50 days and about 84% after being heated at 50 °C for 3 h. Crucially, the molecular weight design of the embedded oligomers prevents their penetration into the epidermis, as evidenced by experimental and molecular simulation results. The hydrogel allows stable signal acquisition in electrophysiological monitoring of humans and plants under low‐humidity conditions. This research provides a promising strategy for the development of epidermis‐safe and biocompatible antidehydration hydrogel interfaces for on‐skin devices.
Molecular Rhodium Complex within N‐Rich Porous Polymer Macroligand as Heterogeneous Catalyst for the Visible‐Light Driven CO2 Photoreduction
Authors: Newar Rajashree , Ghosh Ashta C. , Kumari Riddhi Riddhi , Rajapaksha Rémy , Samanta Partha , Wisser Florian M. , Canivet Jérôme
Published: November 2023

The heterogenization of molecular catalysts within a porous solid acting as macroligand can advantageously open access to enhanced stability and productivity, and thus to more sustainable catalytic process. Herein, a porous organic polymer (POP) made through metal‐free polymerization using bipyridine repeating units is reported. This N‐rich POP is an efficient macroligand for the heterogenization of molecular rhodium complexes. The intrinsic catalytic activity of the heterogenized catalyst is slightly higher than that of its homogeneous molecular counterpart for formic acid production as a unique carbon‐containing product. The heterogenization of the rhodium catalysts enables recycling for a total productivity of up to 8.3 g of formic acid per gram of catalyst after 7 reuses using visible light as the sole energy source.
Preventing Dissolution of Cathode Active Materials by Ion‐anchoring Zeolite‐based Separators for Durable Aqueous Zinc Batteries**
Authors: Qin Yao , Wang Xin
Published: November 2023

Aqueous zinc batteries have emerged as promising energy storage devices due to their safety and low cost. However, they face challenges such as anodic dendrite formation and cathodic compound dissolution. Here, we present the development of a polymer‐matrixed zeolite separator (SZ) by synthesizing zeolite materials on a flexible polymeric membrane. This separator acts as an effective ionic barrier, preventing the leaching and shuttling of vanadium from the cathode, while significantly inhibiting the formation of by‐products and zinc dendrites. The SZ cells demonstrate stable operation for more than 400 cycles at 0.5 A g−1, with an initial capacity of 375.4 mAh g−1, and over 10,000 cycles at 15 A g−1. Notably, when pre‐anchored with vanadium ions, the SZ‐V cells exhibited excellent capacity retention of up to 94.6 % over 1000 cycles. The SZ separator featuring an ion barrier represents a crucial advancement towards the commercialization of zinc storage devices.
In Situ Vaccination with An Injectable Nucleic Acid Hydrogel for Synergistic Cancer Immunotherapy
Authors: Wang Fujun , Xie Miao , Huang Yangyang , Liu Yuhe , Liu Xinlong , Zhu Lijuan , Zhu Xinyuan , Guo Yuanyuan , Zhang Chuan
Published: November 2023

Recently, therapeutic cancer vaccines have emerged as promising candidates for cancer immunotherapy. Nevertheless, their efficacies are frequently impeded by challenges including inadequate antigen encapsulation, insufficient immune activation, and immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment. Herein, we report a three‐in‐one hydrogel assembled by nucleic acids (NAs) that can serve as a vaccine to in situ trigger strong immune response against cancer. Through site‐specifically grafting the chemodrug, 7‐ethyl‐10‐hydroxycamptothecin (also known as SN38), onto three component phosphorothioate (PS) DNA strands, a Y‐shaped motif (Y‐motif) with sticky ends is self‐assembled, at one terminus of which an unmethylated cytosine‐phosphate‐guanine (CpG) segment is introduced as an immune agonist. Thereafter, programmed cell death ligand‐1 (PD‐L1) siRNA that performs as immune checkpoint inhibitor is designed as a crosslinker to assemble with the CpG‐ and SN38‐containing Y‐motif, resulting in the formation of final NA hydrogel vaccine. With three functional agents inside, the hydrogel can remarkably induce the immunogenic cell death to enhance the antigen presentation, promoting the dendritic cell maturation and effector T lymphocyte infiltration, as well as relieving the immunosuppressive tumor environment. When inoculated twice at tumor sites, the vaccine demonstrates a substantial antitumor effect in melanoma mouse model, proving its potential as a general platform for synergistic cancer immunotherapy.
Can teacher quality be profiled? A cluster analysis of teachers' beliefs, practices and students' perceptions of effectiveness
Authors: Witter Michael , Hattie John
Published: November 2023

A critical aim of teacher quality research is to identify and distil its multiple components. While many such components have been identified in the literature, there is a scarcity of research that has attempted to empirically investigate how these elements integrate within a larger profile of teacher quality, including how particular teachers' beliefs, behaviours and outcomes cluster into unique profiles of teachers. In this study, a group of Australian high‐school teachers completed an extensive teacher beliefs questionnaire, undertook the Visible Classroom program to record and document their use of high‐leverage teaching practices and had their students complete a survey based on perceptions of effective teaching. The results were analysed using cluster analysis to determine if distinct groups of teachers could be identified based on similarities in beliefs, behaviours and student perceptions of teaching. The results suggested multiple distinct clusters of teachers with distinguishing types of beliefs, frequency of practices and student perceptions of teaching. Most notably, the results pointed to a unique cluster of teachers who were most distinguishable in their self‐efficacy, intrinsic motivation and personal responsibility beliefs, as well as highly active teaching behaviours in the classroom. This group also possessed the highest levels of student perceptions of teaching. The findings provide new insights into the complex profiles that shape teacher quality and implications for future research.
Combining intransitive and higher‐order effects in a coupled oscillator framework: A case study of an ant community
Authors: Vandermeer John , Perfecto Ivette
Published: November 2023

A growing body of literature recognizes that pairwise species interactions are not necessarily an appropriate metaphorical molecule of community ecology. Two examples are intransitive competition and nonlinear higher‐order effects. While these two processes have been discussed extensively, the explicit analysis of how the two of them behave when simultaneously part of the same dynamic system has not yet been explored theoretically. A concrete situation exists on coffee farms in Puerto Rico in which three ant species form an intransitive competitive triplet, and that triplet is strongly influenced, nonlinearly, by a fly parasitoid that modifies the competitive ability of one of the species. Using this arrangement as a template, we explore the dynamical consequences with a simple ordinary differential equation (ODE) model. Results are complicated and include alternative periodic and chaotic attractors. The qualitative structures of those complications, however, may be approximately retrieved from the basic natural history of the system.
RMB exchange rate forecasting using machine learning methods: Can multimodel select powerful predictors?
Authors: Yu Xing , Li Yanyan , Wang Xinxin
Published: November 2023

This paper aims to study the phased influencing factors of renminbi (RMB) exchange rate (CNY against USD) and investigate the predictability of the factors selected by multimodel. We first take the time points when China's main exchange reform policies are launched as the demarcation points and divide the entire sample from July 2005 to December 2020 into three periods. Then, we select the potential predictors using several sources, including all factors (without any selection), the factors selected by each of the five commonly used machine learning methods, the significantly correlated factors selected by traditional regression analysis method, and multimodel‐driven factors. Finally, we predict the exchange rate based on the above selected factors and compare the prediction results. The research results show that the main influencing factors are different in different periods, and the influence of phase events cannot be ignored. Even if their influence on the exchange rate has decreased as a result of the “811” exchange rate reform, the money supply and foreign exchange reserves continue to be the primary drivers of RMB exchange rates during the whole period of the sample. Additionally, RMB exchange rate forward is a robust influencing factor in all periods. By comparing the forecast errors, we find that the prediction accuracy of the factors selected based on multimodel is higher than that of the factors selected based on a single method or the tradition method. The findings of this paper provide the following insights for exchange rate managers: In exchange rate risk management, it is important to pay attention to the impact of macroeconomic factors such as foreign exchange reserves and the impact of staged events, and market expectations of exchange rates are equally important. At the technical level, it is recommended to improve the forecasting accuracy by forecasting exchange rates based on common factors selected by multiple better machine learning methods simultaneously rather than those selected by a single method.