bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Death at the Door of the Karapet: Gendered Space, Masculinity, the Breastfeeding Mother, and Cultic Competition in Late Antique Tarōn
Authors: Vacca Alison M.
Published: September 2023

This article centres gender as an important analytical category to explore regionally-specific expressions of religiosity that bridge the pre-Christian and Late Antique periods. It relates the story of a sixth-century noblewoman who reportedly entered an exclusively male monastery dedicated to John the Baptist, known in Armenian as the Karapet. Her challenge to the monastery is mapped spatially, where male order separates homosocial, sacred from heterosocial, mundane space, while female disorder threatens to dissolve that divide. Her death at the hand of a heavenly apparition establishes the militant model of the Karapet as intermediary in lieu of the nourishing motif developed about the Virgin Mary throughout the text. This story demonstrates how Late Antique motifs find very different iterations in local contexts. It must be understood in its Tarōnec‘i particularities, drawing on traditions specific to Tarōn to envision Christian cultic competition as continuation from a pre-Christian past.
An Algebraic Methodology for Generalizing the Lorentz Transformation Through Quartic Equation Solutions
Authors: CHEN WEN-XIANG
Published: September 2023

In this paper, we propose a novel methodology to construct the Lagrangian function using the radical solutions of a quartic equation. By examining the generalized coordinates $q$ and velocities $\dot{q}$ expressed through the radical solutions of the quartic equation, we delve into the relationship between the roots of the quartic equation and the Lorentz transformation. Our findings suggest a potential algebraic generalization of the Lorentz transformation, shedding light on the mathematical structures underpinning relativistic physics.
Panorama actual de la lingüística forense a nivel nacional e internacional
Authors: Ramírez Salado Mercedes
Published: September 2023

La lingüística forense se ocupa del estudio de la interfaz entre lengua y derecho, pero esta disciplina, por su carácter novedoso, aún se encuentra en pleno desarrollo en muchos países, entre ellos, España. Es por esto que, en este artículo, señalamos algunas fechas y acontecimientos que han sido fundamentales para el surgimiento y avance de esta materia, para, posteriormente, realizar un recorrido por su situación actual en los ámbitos anglosajón, germánico o español, entre otros. Asimismo, se recogen las principales asociaciones, centros de investigación y universidades donde se llevan a cabo acciones formativas o profesionalizantes en torno a la figura del lingüista forense.
Variación por sexo en un corpus adolescente y perfilación lingüística forense
Authors: Giménez García Roser
Published: September 2023

Este artículo aborda el peso de la variable sexo en la sociolingüística variacionista y su relevancia para la perfilación lingüística. Mediante una combinación de métodos estadísticos y un análisis cualitativo de sus funciones pragmáticas, se explora la relación entre el sexo y el uso de la partícula discursiva a ver/a veure en un corpus de catalán oral de hablantes adolescentes. Se presentan las implicaciones del estudio para la perfilación lingüística y la sociolingüística de la variación.
Traducciones de Emilio Gómez Orbaneja (1904-1996) de dos «cartas poéticas» de Rainer María Rilke (1875-1926) (también para el legado Dámaso Alonso)
Authors: Polo José
Published: September 2023

Traducciones de Emilio Gómez ORbaneja (1904-1996) de dos «cartas poéticas» de Rainer María Rilke (1875-1926) (también para el legado Dámaso Alonso)
José Luis Blas Arroyo y Mónica Velando Casanovas (2022). «El queísmo en la historia. Variación y cambio lingüístico en el régimen preposicional del español (siglos XVI-XXI)»
Authors: Heredia Mantis María
Published: September 2023

José Luis Blas Arroyo y Mónica Velando Casanovas (2022). «El queísmo en la historia. Variación y cambio lingüístico en el régimen preposicional del español (siglos XVI-XXI)», Berlín/Nueva York, De Gruyter, 276 pp. ISBN 9783110766813, 9783110766851
Jan Peter Nauta (2022). «La prensa escrita en la enseñanza del español como lengua extranjera»
Authors: Sánchez Gómez Fernando
Published: September 2023

Jan Peter Nauta (2022). «La prensa escrita en la enseñanza del español como lengua extranjera», Madrid, Arco Libros, 2022, 88 pp. ISBN: 978-84-7635-999-0
Comparison of osteogenic capability of 3D-printed bioceramic scaffolds and granules with different porosities for clinical translation
Authors: Yue Xusong , Zhao Liben , Yang Jun , Jiao Xiaoyi , Wu Fanghui , Zhang Yan , Li Yifan , Qiu Jiandi , Ke Xiurong , Sun Xiaoliang , Yang Xianyan , Gou Zhongru , Zhang Lei , Yang Guojing
Published: September 2023

Pore parameters, structural stability, and filler morphology of artificial implants are key factors influencing the process of bone tissue repair. However, the extent to which each of these factors contributes to bone formation in the preparation of porous bioceramics is currently unclear, with the two often being coupled. Herein, we prepared magnesium-doped wollastonite (Mg-CSi) scaffolds with 57% and 70% porosity (57-S and 70-S) via a 3D printing technique. Meanwhile, the bioceramic granules (57-G and 70-G) with curved pore topography (IWP) were prepared by physically disrupting the 57-S and 70-S scaffolds, respectively, and compared for in vivo osteogenesis at 4, 10, and 16 weeks. The pore parameters and the mechanical and biodegradable properties of different porous bioceramics were characterized systematically. The four groups of porous scaffolds and granules were then implanted into a rabbit femoral defect model to evaluate the osteogenic behavior in vivo. 2D/3D reconstruction and histological analysis showed that significant bone tissue production was visible in the central zone of porous granule groups at the early stage but bone tissue ingrowth was slower in the porous scaffold groups. The bone tissue regeneration and reconstruction capacity were stronger after 10 weeks, and the porous architecture of the 57-S scaffold was maintained stably at 16 weeks. These experimental results demonstrated that the structure-collapsed porous bioceramic is favorable for early-stage osteoconduction and that the 3D topological scaffolds may provide more structural stability for bone tissue growth for a long-term stage. These findings provide new ideas for the selection of different types of porous bioceramics for clinical bone repair.
Assessment of the impact of climate change and flooding on bridges and surrounding area
Authors: Habeeb Bassel , Bastidas-Arteaga Emilio
Published: September 2023

Climate change has the potential to significantly impact transportation infrastructure performance. Bridges crossing rivers are designed to withstand a maximum flood level (design flood) considering the expected frequencies and magnitudes of floods in the area. The design flood level ensures the safety of the bridge without being damaged against historical flooding levels. However, flood magnitude and/or frequency are expected to increase in some regions due to climate change, and therefore, bridges may not be able to maintain their serviceability and safety, resulting in significant risk to users and economic losses. This problem is approached in this paper by investigating the effects of flooding and climate change on bridges crossing rivers and surrounding areas. The input of the proposed methodology is the river flow for various climate change scenarios as well as the topography and bridge characteristics. Flood frequency analysis is used to provide information about the magnitude and frequency of annual maximum river discharges under a changing climate. Afterwards, several risk assessment indicators are computed for the bridge and its surrounding area. In addition, stochastic Poisson process is integrated to account for the randomness of floods arrivals and to investigate stochastically the probability of exceeding the design flood level. The proposed methodology is illustrated with a case study in the United Kingdom. The results indicate that the risk of flooding, and associated consequences, would increase for the case study when considering more pessimistic climate change scenarios. Findings from this study can be used to inform decision making for improving bridges’ resilience.
Relevance and multimodal prosody: implications for L2 teaching and learning
Authors: Madella Pauline
Published: September 2023

In this paper, I build on Scott's relevance-theoretic account of contrastive stress. Contrastive stress works as an extra cue to ostension in altering the salience of a particular constituent in an utterance and, as a result, the salience of one particular interpretation of that utterance. I draw on Scott's argument that contrastive stress does not encode procedural meaning. Contrastive stress isunpredictable and, as such, it is in confounding the hearer's expectations that it draws his attention to the accented word and prompt his search for different interpretive effects. I argue that contrastive stress is interpreted purely inferentially precisely because it is one of many pointing devices. It is to be interpreted by virtue of its interaction with other paralinguistic behaviors, all of which being different aspects of the same ostensive act of communication. This leads me to focus on the gestural nature of contrastive stress working as an act of pointing, which, as an ostensive communicative behavior, conveys thatif you look over there, you'll know what I mean. Finally, I present the implications of analyzing contrastive stress in its multimodal context—as prosodic pointing—for the teaching and learning of L2 prosodic pragmatics and the development of interpretive abilities in the L2 hearer's mind.
Case report—CARMAT: the first experience with the Aeson bioprosthetic total artificial heart as a bridge to transplantation in a case of post-infarction ventricular septal rupture
Authors: Huenges Katharina , Panholzer Bernd , Cremer Jochen , Haneya Assad
Published: September 2023

Background

Post-infarction ventricular septal defects remain one of the most feared complications after myocardial infarction with high mortality rates. In special cases, surgical or interventional treatment strategies are technically not feasible and do not always lead to a good outcome.

Case presentation

A 58-year-old male patient in cardiogenic shock with a very large ventricular septal (VSD) defect (4.9 cm × 5 cm) due to myocardial infarction was presented in our department. Acute stabilization was achieved using peripheral venoarterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (VA-ECMO) support. Neither surgical nor interventional therapy was considered as a sufficient option due to the unsuitable anatomy of the VSD and the patient was listed for heart transplantation. After 2 weeks on ECMO, bleeding and infectious complications occurred. Due to organ shortage, urgent implantation of the bioprosthetic total artificial heart (TAH) Aeson device (CARMAT) remained the only useful strategy to achieve a mid- or long-term bridge to transplantation. After successful implantation and good recovery with the Aeson device, the patient was transplanted 4 weeks after implantation.

Conclusion

Post-infarction ventricular septal defects are highly challenging and are commonly associated with a poor prognosis. The implantation of the new Aeson TAH device is a promising therapeutic option, allowing a safe and long-term bridging to heart transplantation.
A solution and practice for combining multi-source heterogeneous data to construct enterprise knowledge graph
Authors: Yan Chenwei , Fang Xinyue , Huang Xiaotong , Guo Chenyi , Wu Ji
Published: September 2023

The knowledge graph is one of the essential infrastructures of artificial intelligence. It is a challenge for knowledge engineering to construct a high-quality domain knowledge graph for multi-source heterogeneous data. We propose a complete process framework for constructing a knowledge graph that combines structured data and unstructured data, which includes data processing, information extraction, knowledge fusion, data storage, and update strategies, aiming to improve the quality of the knowledge graph and extend its life cycle. Specifically, we take the construction process of an enterprise knowledge graph as an example and integrate enterprise register information, litigation-related information, and enterprise announcement information to enrich the enterprise knowledge graph. For the unstructured text, we improve existing model to extract triples and the F1-score of our model reached 72.77%. The number of nodes and edges in our constructed enterprise knowledge graph reaches 1,430,000 and 3,170,000, respectively. Furthermore, for each type of multi-source heterogeneous data, we apply corresponding methods and strategies for information extraction and data storage and carry out a detailed comparative analysis of graph databases. From the perspective of practical use, the informative enterprise knowledge graph and its timely update can serve many actual business needs. Our proposed enterprise knowledge graph has been deployed in HuaRong RongTong (Beijing) Technology Co., Ltd. and is used by the staff as a powerful tool for corporate due diligence. The key features are reported and analyzed in the case study. Overall, this paper provides an easy-to-follow solution and practice for domain knowledge graph construction, as well as demonstrating its application in corporate due diligence.
A comparison of rat models that best mimic immune-driven preeclampsia in humans
Authors: Jahan Fahmida , Vasam Goutham , Cariaco Yusmaris , Nik-Akhtar Abolfazl , Green Alex , Menzies Keir J. , Bainbridge Shannon A.
Published: September 2023

Preeclampsia (PE), a hypertensive pregnancy disorder, can originate from varied etiology. Placenta malperfusion has long been considered the primary cause of PE. However, we and others have showed that this disorder can also result from heightened inflammation at the maternal-fetal interface. To advance our understanding of this understudied PE subtype, it is important to establish validated rodent models to study the pathophysiology and test therapies. We evaluated three previously described approaches to induce inflammation-mediated PE-like features in pregnant rats: 1) Tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) infusion via osmotic pump from gestational day (GD) 14-19 at 50ng/day/animal; 2) Polyinosinic:polycytidylic acid (Poly I:C) intraperitoneal (IP) injections from GD 10-18 (alternate days) at 10mg/kg/day/animal; and, 3) Lipopolysaccharide (LPS) IP injections from GD 13-18 at 20ug-70ug/kg/day per animal. Maternal blood pressure was measured by tail-cuff. Upon sacrifice, fetal and placenta weights were recorded. Placenta histomorphology was assessed using H&E sections. Placenta inflammation was determined by quantifying TNF-α levels and inflammatory gene expression. Placenta metabolic and mitochondrial health were determined by measuring mitochondrial respiration rates and placenta NAD+/NADH content. Of the three rodent models tested, we found that Poly I:C and LPS decreased both fetal weight and survival; and correlated with a reduction in region specific placenta growth. As the least effective model characterized, TNF-α treatment resulted in a subtle decrease in fetal/placenta weight and placenta mitochondrial respiration. Only the LPS model was able to induce maternal hypertension and exhibited pronounced placenta metabolic and mitochondrial dysfunction, common features of PE. Thus, the rat LPS model was most effective for recapitulating features observed in cases of human inflammatory PE. Future mechanistic and/or therapeutic intervention studies focuses on this distinct PE patient population may benefit from the employment of this rodent model of PE.
Macrophage/microglia polarization for the treatment of diabetic retinopathy
Authors: Yao Yujia , Li Jiajun , Zhou Yunfan , Wang Suyu , Zhang Ziran , Jiang Qin , Li Keran
Published: September 2023

Macrophages/microglia are immune system defense and homeostatic cells that develop from bone marrow progenitor cells. According to the different phenotypes and immune responses of macrophages (Th1 and Th2), the two primary categories of polarized macrophages/microglia are those conventionally activated (M1) and alternatively activated (M2). Macrophage/microglial polarization is a key regulating factor in the development of inflammatory disorders, cancers, metabolic disturbances, and neural degeneration. Macrophage/microglial polarization is involved in inflammation, oxidative stress, pathological angiogenesis, and tissue healing processes in ocular diseases, particularly in diabetic retinopathy (DR). The functional phenotypes of macrophages/microglia affect disease progression and prognosis, and thus regulate the polarization or functional phenotype of microglia at different DR stages, which may offer new concepts for individualized therapy of DR. This review summarizes the involvement of macrophage/microglia polarization in physiological situations and in the pathological process of DR, and discusses the promising role of polarization in personalized treatment of DR.
Modeling decline of mountain range forest using survival analysis
Authors: Dhakal Thakur , Cho Ki Hwan , Kim Su-Jin , Beon Mu-Sup
Published: September 2023

Deforestation is a global issue; however, each deforestation phenomenon occurs within its own local context. Elucidating this context in detail is important to prevent deforestation and maintain sustainable ecosystem management. In this study, we analyzed the land cover changes, forest characteristics, and modeled the forest decline over the last two decades to reveal the pattern and affecting factors of deforestation in the Honam-Jeongmaek mountain range. Forests less than 50-years-old dominate the study area, indicating they were mainly regenerated after the 1970s. Reforestation policies such as planting trees have helped forest regeneration. In the study region, as deforestation occurred, agricultural and residential areas decreased, and barren and grassland increased. We applied the Weibull regression model to determine forest survivorship and covariates. The deforestation risks are significantly different among regions; protected areas lose less forest than non-protected areas but the losses in protected areas were also significant, with approximately 5% from 2000 to 2020. Areas of higher elevation and steep slopes experience less deforestation, whereas areas closer to the mountain ridge are at greater risk. With survival analysis, it is possible to assess the risk of deforestation quantitatively and predict long-term survival of forests. The findings and methods of this study could contribute to better forest management and policymaking.
Leishmania braziliensis exosomes activate human macrophages to produce proinflammatory mediators
Authors: Peixoto Fabio C. , Zanette Dalila L. , Cardoso Thiago M. , Nascimento Mauricio T. , Sanches Rodrigo C. O. , Aoki Mateus , Scott Phillip , Oliveira Sérgio C. , Carvalho Edgar M. , Carvalho Lucas P.
Published: September 2023

Exosomes, organelles measuring 30-200nm, are secreted by various cell types. Leishmania exosomes consist of many proteins, including heat shock proteins, annexins, Glycoprotein 63, proteins exerting signaling activity and those containing mRNA and miRNA. Studies have demonstrated that Leishmania donovani exosomes downregulate IFN-γ and inhibit the expression of microbicidal molecules, such as TNF and nitric oxide, thus creating a microenvironment favoring parasite proliferation. Despite lacking immunological memory, data in the literature suggest that, following initial stimulation, mononuclear phagocytes may become “trained” to respond more effectively to subsequent stimuli. Here we characterized the effects of macrophage sensitization using L. braziliensis exosomes prior to infection by the same pathogen. Human macrophages were stimulated with L. braziliensis exosomes and then infected with L. braziliensis. Higher levels of IL-1β and IL-6 were detected in cultures sensitized prior to infection compared to unstimulated infected cells. Moreover, stimulation with L. braziliensis exosomes induced macrophage production of IL-1β, IL-6, IL-10 and TNF. Inhibition of exosome secretion by L. braziliensis prior to macrophage infection reduced cytokine production and produced lower infection rates than untreated infected cells. Exosome stimulation also induced the consumption/regulation of NLRP3 inflammasome components in macrophages, while the blockade of NLRP3 resulted in lower levels of IL-6 and IL-1β. Our results suggest that L. braziliensis exosomes stimulate macrophages, leading to an exacerbated inflammatory state that may be NLRP3-dependent.
The role of N6-methyladenosine (m6A) in kidney diseases
Authors: You Luling , Han Zhongyu , Chen Haoran , Chen Liuyan , Lin Yumeng , Wang Binjian , Fan Yiyue , Zhang Meiqi , Luo Ji , Peng Fang , Ma Yue , Wang Yanmei , Yuan Lan , Han Zhongyu
Published: September 2023

Chemical modifications are a specific and efficient way to regulate the function of biological macromolecules. Among them, RNA molecules exhibit a variety of modifications that play important regulatory roles in various biological processes. More than 170 modifications have been identified in RNA molecules, among which the most common internal modifications include N6-methyladenine (m6A), n1-methyladenosine (m1A), 5-methylcytosine (m5C), and 7-methylguanine nucleotide (m7G). The most widely affected RNA modification is m6A, whose writers, readers, and erasers all have regulatory effects on RNA localization, splicing, translation, and degradation. These functions, in turn, affect RNA functionality and disease development. RNA modifications, especially m6A, play a unique role in renal cell carcinoma disease. In this manuscript, we will focus on the biological roles of m6A in renal diseases such as acute kidney injury, chronic kidney disease, lupus nephritis, diabetic kidney disease, and renal cancer.
The impact of fertilization on ammonia-oxidizing bacteria and comammox Nitrospira communities and the subsequent effect on N2O emission and maize yield in a semi-arid region
Authors: Fudjoe Setor Kwami , Li Lingling , Anwar Sumera , Shi Shangli , Xie Junhong , Yeboah Frederick Kwame , Wang Linlin
Published: September 2023

The control of nitrous oxide (N2O) emissions through nitrification and the optimization of maize yield are important in agricultural systems. However, within the semi-arid region, the impact of fertilization on the function of nitrification communities and its connection with N2O emissions in the rhizosphere soil is still unclear. Our study investigates the influence of fertilization treatments on the communities of ammonia-oxidizing bacteria (AOB) and the complete ammonia oxidizers of the Nitrospira known as comammox (CAOB) in a maize agroecosystem. Nitrous oxide production, potential nitrification activity (PNA), maize yield, and nitrogen use efficiency (NUE) were determined for the same samples. The fertilizer treatments included a control group without fertilization (NA), inorganic fertilizer (CF), organic fertilizer (SM), combined inorganic and organic fertilizer (SC), and maize straw (MS). The SC treatment indicated a lower cumulative N2O emission than the CF treatment in the 2020 and 2021 cropping seasons. The AOB community under the CF, MS, and SM treatments was predominantly composed of Nitrosospira cluster 3b, while the SC treatment was associated with the comammox Nitrospira clade A.1 lineage, related to key species such as Ca. Nitrospira inopinata and Ca. Nitrospira nitrificans. Network analysis demonstrated a positive potential for competitive interaction between hub taxonomy and distinct keystone taxa among AOB and comammox Nitrospira nitrifiers. The structural equation model further revealed a significant positive association between AOB nitrifiers and N2O emission, PNA, soil pH, SOC, NO3−-N, and DON under organic fertilization. The keystone taxa in the comammox Nitrospira nitrifier and network Module II exhibited a positive correlation with maize productivity and NUE, likely due to their functional activities stimulated by the SC treatment. It is noteworthy that the AOB community played a more significant role in driving nitrification compared to the composition of comammox Nitrospira. Collectively, combined inorganic and organic fertilizer (SC) treatment exhibits high potential for reducing N2O emissions, enhancing maize productivity, increasing NUE, and increasing the sustainability of the nitrogen dynamics of maize agroecosystems in the semi-arid Loess Plateau.
StAP1 phage: an effective tool for treating methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus infections
Authors: Lu Yuwen , Lu Yifei , Li Baobao , Liu Jiazhen , Wang Lixin , Zhang Lianyang , Li Yang , Zhong Qiu
Published: September 2023

Introduction

Staphylococcus aureus infection has long been a serious concern in the medical field, with methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) posing a considerable challenge to public health. Given the escalating bacterial resistance and the favorable biosafety and environmental properties of phages, the resurgence of phage therapy offers a promising alternative to antibiotics.

Methods

In this study, we isolated and characterized a MRSA phage named StAP1 from a Chinese hospital. Phenotypic and molecular analyses revealed its broad-spectrum characteristics, genomic background, and potential application in MRSA infection treatment.

Results

Morphological examination classified the phage as a member of the Herelleviridae phage family, displaying a typical hexagonal head and a slender fibrous tail. Genomic analysis unveiled a size of ~144,705 bp for the StAP1 genome, encompassing 215 open reading frames (ORFs). The one-step growth curve demonstrated a 20-min incubation period for the phage, with an optimal multiplicity of infection (MOI) of 0.1. Moreover, StAP1 exhibited stability across a wide range of temperatures and pH levels. Further investigation of its broad-spectrum characteristics confirmed its ability to effectively infect all staphylococcal cassette chromosomal mec (SCCmec) types found in MRSA strains, notably displaying a remarkable lysis rate of 76.7% against the prevalent ST239 strain in China. In vivo studies show cased significant efficacy of the StAP1 phage against MRSA infection.

Discussion

Overall, StAP1 phage presents a broad infection spectrum and exhibits strong lytic effects on various MRSA strains, highlighting its tremendous potential as a powerful tool for MRSA infection treatment.
Influence of cheese making process on STEC bacteriophage release
Authors: Mangieri Nicola , Vieira Rui P. , Picozzi Claudia
Published: September 2023

Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli (STEC) are foodborne pathogens implicated in diseases including hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS) and hemorrhagic colitis (HC). The main virulence factor are Shiga toxins; their production and secretion are by-products of the expression of late genes of prophages upon sub-lethal environmental stimuli exposure. Hence, the lysogenic prophage after a stress switch to lytic cycle spreading the Stx phages. In the present study, 35 STEC were screened for the presence and the ability to release Shiga toxin-encoding bacteriophages. Three bacterial strains showed signals of prophage presence both in plate and in PCR. Subsequently, these bacterial strains were subjected to stressors that simulate cheese manufacturing conditions: NaCl (1, 1.5 and 2% w/v), lactic acid (0.5, 1.5 and 3% v/v), anaerobic growth, pasteurization (72°C for 15 s), UV irradiation. The ability to release prophage was evaluated by Real Time qPCR. Induction of the prophages showed that the addition of NaCl at 1.5 and 2% significantly increased viral release compared to control. Conversely, the addition of lactic acid had a significant repressive effect. The other applied stressors had no significant effect in phage release according to the experimental conditions adopted.
Local and long-range GABAergic circuits in hippocampal area CA1 and their link to Alzheimer’s disease
Authors: Hernández-Frausto Melissa , Bilash Olesia M. , Masurkar Arjun V. , Basu Jayeeta
Published: September 2023

GABAergic inhibitory neurons are the principal source of inhibition in the brain. Traditionally, their role in maintaining the balance of excitation-inhibition has been emphasized. Beyond homeostatic functions, recent circuit mapping and functional manipulation studies have revealed a wide range of specific roles that GABAergic circuits play in dynamically tilting excitation-inhibition coupling across spatio-temporal scales. These span from gating of compartment- and input-specific signaling, gain modulation, shaping input–output functions and synaptic plasticity, to generating signal-to-noise contrast, defining temporal windows for integration and rate codes, as well as organizing neural assemblies, and coordinating inter-regional synchrony. GABAergic circuits are thus instrumental in controlling single-neuron computations and behaviorally-linked network activity. The activity dependent modulation of sensory and mnemonic information processing by GABAergic circuits is pivotal for the formation and maintenance of episodic memories in the hippocampus. Here, we present an overview of the local and long-range GABAergic circuits that modulate the dynamics of excitation-inhibition and disinhibition in the main output area of the hippocampus CA1, which is crucial for episodic memory. Specifically, we link recent findings pertaining to GABAergic neuron molecular markers, electrophysiological properties, and synaptic wiring with their function at the circuit level. Lastly, given that area CA1 is particularly impaired during early stages of Alzheimer’s disease, we emphasize how these GABAergic circuits may contribute to and be involved in the pathophysiology.
Changes in the superior longitudinal fasciculus and anterior thalamic radiation in the left brain are associated with developmental dyscalculia
Authors: Ayyıldız Nazife , Beyer Frauke , Üstün Sertaç , Kale Emre H. , Mançe Çalışır Öykü , Uran Pınar , Öner Özgür , Olkun Sinan , Anwander Alfred , Witte A. Veronica , Villringer Arno , Çiçek Metehan
Published: September 2023

Developmental dyscalculia is a neurodevelopmental disorder specific to arithmetic learning even with normal intelligence and age-appropriate education. Difficulties often persist from childhood through adulthood lowering the individual’s quality of life. However, the neural correlates of developmental dyscalculia are poorly understood. This study aimed to identify brain structural connectivity alterations in developmental dyscalculia. All participants were recruited from a large scale, non-referred population sample in a longitudinal design. We studied 10 children with developmental dyscalculia (11.3 ± 0.7 years) and 16 typically developing peers (11.2 ± 0.6 years) using diffusion-weighted magnetic resonance imaging. We assessed white matter microstructure with tract-based spatial statistics in regions-of-interest tracts that had previously been related to math ability in children. Then we used global probabilistic tractography for the first time to measure and compare tract length between developmental dyscalculia and typically developing groups. The high angular resolution diffusion-weighted magnetic resonance imaging and crossing-fiber probabilistic tractography allowed us to evaluate the length of the pathways compared to previous studies. The major findings of our study were reduced white matter coherence and shorter tract length of the left superior longitudinal/arcuate fasciculus and left anterior thalamic radiation in the developmental dyscalculia group. Furthermore, the lower white matter coherence and shorter pathways tended to be associated with the lower math performance. These results from the regional analyses indicate that learning, memory and language-related pathways in the left hemisphere might be related to developmental dyscalculia in children.
The impact of speech type on listening effort and intelligibility for native and non-native listeners
Authors: Simantiraki Olympia , Wagner Anita E. , Cooke Martin
Published: September 2023

Listeners are routinely exposed to many different types of speech, including artificially-enhanced and synthetic speech, styles which deviate to a greater or lesser extent from naturally-spoken exemplars. While the impact of differing speech types on intelligibility is well-studied, it is less clear how such types affect cognitive processing demands, and in particular whether those speech forms with the greatest intelligibility in noise have a commensurately lower listening effort. The current study measured intelligibility, self-reported listening effort, and a pupillometry-based measure of cognitive load for four distinct types of speech: (i) plain i.e. natural unmodified speech; (ii) Lombard speech, a naturally-enhanced form which occurs when speaking in the presence of noise; (iii) artificially-enhanced speech which involves spectral shaping and dynamic range compression; and (iv) speech synthesized from text. In the first experiment a cohort of 26 native listeners responded to the four speech types in three levels of speech-shaped noise. In a second experiment, 31 non-native listeners underwent the same procedure at more favorable signal-to-noise ratios, chosen since second language listening in noise has a more detrimental effect on intelligibility than listening in a first language. For both native and non-native listeners, artificially-enhanced speech was the most intelligible and led to the lowest subjective effort ratings, while the reverse was true for synthetic speech. However, pupil data suggested that Lombard speech elicited the lowest processing demands overall. These outcomes indicate that the relationship between intelligibility and cognitive processing demands is not a simple inverse, but is mediated by speech type. The findings of the current study motivate the search for speech modification algorithms that are optimized for both intelligibility and listening effort.
Nutritional composition, health benefits and bio-active compounds of chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.)
Authors: Begum Nabila , Khan Qudrat Ullah , Liu Leyna G. , Li Wenwen , Liu Dahai , Haq Ijaz Ul
Published: September 2023

Chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.), an annual plant of the family Fabaceae is mainly grown in semiarid and temperate regions. Among pulses, cultivated worldwide chickpeas are considered an inexpensive and rich source of protein. Chickpea is a good source of protein and carbohydrate, fiber, and important source of essential minerals and vitamins. The quality of protein is better among other pulses. Consumption of chickpeas is related to beneficial health outcomes. Dietary peptides from the protein of chickpeas gaining more attention. Peptides can be obtained through acid, alkali, and enzymatic hydrolysis. Among all these, enzymatic hydrolysis is considered safe. Various enzymes are used for the production of peptides, i.e., flavorzyme, chymotrypsin, pepsin, alcalase, papain, and trypsin either alone or in combinations. Chickpea hydrolysate and peptides have various bioactivity including angiotensin 1-converting enzyme inhibition, digestive diseases, hypocholesterolemic, CVD, antioxidant activity, type 2 diabetes, anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, and anticarcinogenic activity. This review summarizes the nutritional composition and bioactivity of hydrolysate and peptides obtained from chickpea protein. The literature shows that chickpea peptides and hydrolysate have various functional activities. But due to the limited research and technology, the sequences of peptides are unknown, due to which it is difficult to conduct the mechanism studies that how these peptides interact. Therefore, emphasis must be given to the optimization of the production of chickpea bioactive peptides, in vivo studies of chickpea bioactivity, and conducting human study trials to check the bioactivity of these peptides and hydrolysate.
Development and evaluation of 4WSS electric-driven chassis for high-clearance sprayer
Authors: He Siwei , Shen Yue , Zhang Yafei , Liu Hui
Published: September 2023

Introduction

The high clearance sprayer with conventional steering mechanisms, as an intelligent spraying machine, is frequently stuck or broken in muddy fields due to the excessive torque load.

Methods

A Four-Wheel Self-Steering (4WSS) electric-driven chassis with a smaller turning radius and better passability is developed to handle complex agricultural terrains. The 4WSS chassis is mainly composed of two custom-designed steering bridges and four in-wheel drive motors. It can achieve steering and driving forward simultaneously through coordinate differential speed control of drive motors, saving a set of dedicated servo steering systems and requiring less torque during steering compared to conventional structures. A kinematic model depicting the speed relationships between four wheels is established via geometric analysis, and a Speed Distribution Controller (SDC) is designed to accomplish locomotion objectives.

Results

Experimental results demonstrate the effectiveness of the new prototype 4WSS chassis system in tracking speed and steering angle. Compared to conventional agricultural chassis, the 4WSS chassis has a smaller turning radius of 2,877 mm.

Discussion

The 4WSS chassis exhibits superior performance in typical field conditions, including muddy terrain, deep gullies, and ridges.
Evaluation of performance for malaria diagnosis in health facilities by five provincial reference laboratories of China
Authors: Zhang Xuan , Jiang Jingjing , Sui Yuan , Yan Hui , Xia Jing , Liu Ying , Sun Lingcong , Wang Xiaoxiao , Marfurt Jutta , Lu Shenning , Li Shizhu , Ruan Wei , Wang Duoquan
Published: September 2023

Introduction

The provincial malaria diagnosis reference laboratories review and assess malaria cases diagnosed in health facilities for supporting the malaria elimination efforts and preventing re-transmission of imported malaria. The study aimed to evaluate the detection capability of malaria diagnosis in China from 2014 to 2021.

Methods

Data on malaria cases reported in the provincial-level administrative divisions (PLADs) of Anhui, Henan, Hubei, Guangxi, and Zhejiang from 2014 to 2021 were collected and analyzed.

Results

In total, 5,770 malaria cases were reported from 2014 to 2021, and 99.05% (5,715/5,770) were submitted to the provincial malaria diagnosis reference laboratories. The median time between malaria cases being reported and the samples being received by reference laboratories was 6 days (Interquartile range, IQR:3–12 days) from 2017 to 2021. Diagnosis of 5,680 samples in the laboratory were confirmed by provincial reference laboratories, including 3,970 cases of Plasmodium falciparum, 414 of P. vivax, 1,055 of P. ovale, 158 of P. malariae, 1 of P. knowlesi, and 82 of mixed infections. Plasmodium species of 5,141 confirmed cases were consistent with the initial diagnosis, with a species accuracy rate of 90.53% (5,141/5,679). The accuracy of P. falciparum diagnosis in health facilities was higher than that of non-falciparum species. The inconsistency between microscopy and nested polymerase chain reaction (nPCR) results of confirmatory diagnosis was mainly in malaria-positive versus malaria-negative cases, as well as in mixed versus single infection cases.

Conclusion

The provincial malaria diagnosis reference laboratories have played an important role in ensuring the accuracy and reliability of Plasmodium diagnosis in health facilities. However, the results of this study imply that capacity training for the identification of Plasmodium species in health facilities is warranted.
The association between problematic internet use and social anxiety within adolescents and young adults: a systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Ding Haiyang , Cao Bing , Sun Qixuan
Published: September 2023

Objective

Although numerous studies have investigated the association between problematic internet use (PIU) and social anxiety, the findings have no yet reached consistent. The present meta-analysis aims to examine the association between PIU and social anxiety within adolescents and young adults (age range: 14–24 years old).

Method

The meta-analysis systematically retrieved the studies prior to September 7, 2023 from Web of Science, PubMed, PsycINFO, Scopus, CNKI, and CQVIP. The meta-analysis based on random-effects model to conduct the research. Stata Version 17.0 and JASP 16.3.0 was used to analysis.

Results

The meta-analysis ultimately included 37 studies (37 effect sizes in total), involving a total of 36,013 subjects. Our findings indicated that the overall correlation between PIU and social anxiety was significant positive [r = 0.333, 95% CI (0.292, 0.373), p < 0.001]. Their association was significantly moderated by publication year, measurement tools for PIU and social anxiety but not significantly by culture context, developmental level and gender.

Conclusion

This meta-analysis suggests that social anxiety is a predictor of the development of PIU in adolescents and young adults. Furthermore, the study also finds the possibility that contemporary adolescents and youth may exhibit a more “global” behavior pattern, potentially emphasizing fewer differences between cultures, generations and genders.
Systems thinking in practice when implementing a national policy program for the improvement of women's healthcare
Authors: Nyström Monica E. , Tolf Sara , Sparring Vibeke , Strehlenert Helena
Published: September 2023

Introduction

Interest in applying systems thinking (ST) in public health and healthcare improvement has increased in the past decade, but its practical use is still unclear. ST has been found useful in addressing the complexity and dynamics of organizations and welfare systems during periods of change. Exploring how ST is used in practice in national policy programs addressing complex and ill-structured problems can increase the knowledge of the use and eventually the usefulness of ST during complex changes. In ST, a multi-level approach is suggested to coordinate interventions over individual, organizational, and community levels, but most attempts to operationalize ST focus on the individual level. This study aimed to investigate how ST is expressed in policy programs addressing wicked problems and describe the specific action strategies used in practice in a national program in Sweden, using a new conceptual framework comprising ST principles on the organizational level as an analytical tool. The program addresses several challenges and aims to achieve systems change within women's healthcare.

Methods

The case study used a rich set of qualitative, longitudinal data on individual, group, and organizational levels, collected during the implementation of the program. Deductive content analysis provided narrative descriptions of how the ST principles were expressed in actions, based on interviews, observations, and archival data.

Results

The results showed that the program management team used various strategies and activities corresponding to organizational level ST. The team convened numerous types of actors and used collaborative approaches and many different information sources in striving to create a joint and holistic understanding of the program and its context. Visualization tools and adaptive approaches were used to support regional contact persons and staff in their development work. Efforts were made to identify high-leverage solutions to problems influencing the quality and coordination of care before, during, and after childbirth, solutions adaptable to regional conditions.

Discussion/conclusions

The organizational level ST framework was useful for identifying ST in practice in the policy program, but to increase further understanding of how ST is applied within policy programs, we suggest a multi-dimensional model to identify ST on several levels.
Sustainable cultural heritage landscape: an imaginary journey inside the veins of deserts
Authors: Mousazadeh Hossein , Zhu Kai , Ghorbani Amir , Akbarzadeh Almani Farahnaz , Arabi Maral , Parvar Fatemeh , Dávid Lóránt Dénes
Published: September 2023

Introduction

Travel narratives are very attractive sources that examine the destination from the point of view of tourists with different attitudes. A group of studies has been conducted on travel narratives, but this type of analysis has been done very little in Iran despite their potential.

Methods

11 Persian qanats (PQs) have been recognized as UNESCO World Heritage sites. Visitors who explore the qanats as conduits of the desert have extraordinary experiences that can seem like captivating fiction. The main focus of the current research is on the narratives of tourists who have visited these PQs. Qualitative and narrative analysis methods were used to avoid relying on numerical data.

Results

The study includes 30 participants who had visited the qanats and shared their travel stories. The study findings show that Persian qanats are a distinctive draw for foreign tourists that can leave a lasting impression.

Discussion

The PQs listed as a UNESCO World Heritage property are one of the unique attractions of Iran’s tourism, so far its tourism potential has been less noticed, and qanat tourism is a nascent branch of tourism in Iran. The narratives of travelers can be instrumental in promoting this invaluable groundwater engineering heritage.
A STAM Model Based on Spatiotemporal Airspace Sector Interdependencies to Minimize Tactical Flow Management Regulations
Authors: Martin Gonzalo , Calvet Laura , Piera Miquel Angel
Published: September 2023

The lack of airspace capacity poses a significant challenge for a sustainable air transport system, particularly in scenarios of future growing demand. Air traffic management digitalization opens pathways for innovative and efficient solutions to tackle existing inefficiencies arising from spatially fragmented airspace. While research has focused on digitalized ATM services to improve airspace capacity, synergies among adjacent sectors to utilize latent capacity remain unexplored. Using a sector network model, in this study, we analyze spatiotemporal sector interdependencies, quantify time-stamp topological interdependencies, and evaluate capacity enhancement possibilities for sectors unable to meet dynamic demand. The occupancy count dynamic evolution and poor correlation among the over-loaded sectors with the occupancy count of its adjacent sectors provide opportunities for a short-term ATM mechanism, ensuring sector-level capacity invulnerability and enhancing airspace capacity at the network level. A computational experiment using real data from the European airspace is carried out to illustrate and validate this innovative solution.
Gravity’s Influence on Human Motivation
Authors: Schoss Stephanie , Ullrich Oliver , Clervoy Jean-François , Scheffer David
Published: September 2023

Earth’s mass generates a definitive Earth-vertical reference, shaping life’s evolution. Notably, these gravity models influence self-perception and the first-person viewpoint in the CNS, tied to bodily self-awareness and spatial orientation. Transitioning from Earth’s constant gravity to microgravity potentially disrupts the CNS’s gravity-representation models, formed since birth. Our study explored if altered gravity triggers emotional and motivational responses in rapid CNS adaptations. A psychological parallel between Earth’s gravity and attachment systems in infants and adults is proposed. We measured implicit motives through vocal interactions during demanding tasks, finding that disrupted gravity impacts the implicit affiliation motive, i.e., the subconscious need to restore bonding as soon there are signals that this attachment or “gravitational” field is disrupted. As expected, this implicit need for attachment was significantly higher in the groups which experienced disrupted gravity. Causation remains unverifiable due to exploratory design.