bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Human shoulder anatomy: new ultrasound, anatomical, and microscopic perspectives
Authors: Arrillaga Beatriz , Miguel-Pérez Maribel , Möller Ingrid , Rubio Laura , Blasi Juan , Pérez-Bellmunt Albert , Ortiz-Sagristà Juan Carlos , Ortiz-Miguel Sara , Martinoli Carlo
Published: May 2024

This study aimed to describe the shoulder anatomy, together with the anatomical relationships in adults and early stages of development. The shoulder muscles were studied from ultrasound, anatomical, and microscopic perspectives in a sample of 34 human shoulders. Thickness measurements were taken of the tendons and fasciae of the subscapularis, long head tendon of the biceps brachii, supraspinatus, infraspinatus, and teres minor. Ultrasound and dissection techniques are strongly correlated. However, the measurements obtained from the dissection technique were superior to those obtained from the ultrasound in all cases, except for the thickness of the long head tendon of the biceps brachii, the teres minor tendon, and the fascia thickness of the infraspinatus. In addition, the study of shoulder anatomy revealed no differences between females and males. Relevant findings from dissection included a clear overlap between the infraspinatus and supraspinatus, which shared tendon fibers, and a similar connection between the transverse ligament of the long head tendon of the biceps brachii and the subscapularis, which created a more interconnected shoulder function. The study of the anatomical measurements shows an underestimation of the shoulder measurements in the ultrasound compared with the dissection technique, but a high correlation between the measurements made by the two techniques. We present reference values for the tendon and fascia thicknesses of the rotator cuff, with no differences observed by gender. The relationships between shoulder structures described in the anatomical study imply as well that, in the event of an injury, adjacent tissues may be affected. This extended information may facilitate future optimal clinical explorations.
Nomogram for predicting survival in T1–T2 stage patients with supraglottic squamous cell carcinoma
Authors: Maimaitituerxun Mulading , Kamilijiang Paiheriding , Maimaiti Aierpati , Yasheng Yalikun , Yong Jun , Qukuerhan Ayiheng , Mutalifu Muredili , Kuyaxi Pilidong , Mierzhakemu Muzhapaier , Aierken Aierpati , Jueraiti Jiulalai , Alimu Nilipaer
Published: May 2024

Background

Supraglottic squamous cell carcinoma (SGSCC) is characterized by low differentiation, rapid growth, and inconspicuous initial manifestations. Early detection and prompt treatment can significantly improve survival rates. The main focus of treatment is to maintain optimal laryngeal function.

Methods

Using the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) database, we conducted univariate and multivariate Cox regression analyses to identify independent prognostic factors for T1–T2 SGSCC. We also enrolled 109 patients with T1–T2 SGSCC from the First Affiliated Hospital of Xinjiang Medical University as an external validation set. In addition, we developed a nomogram to predict the prognosis of T1–T2 SGSCC, assessed the predictive accuracy and discriminatory ability of the nomogram using the area under the curve (AUC), C-index, receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve and calibration curve, and confirmed the clinical validity of the nomogram using decision curve analysis (DCA).

Results

Our investigation identified nine prognostic indicators for T1–T2 SGSCC: age (≥ 65 years), marital status, American Joint Committee on Cancer (AJCC) stage (II–IV), grade (III–IV), M stage (M1), radiotherapy, chemotherapy, sex (female), and surgery. These variables were used to create accurate nomograms that predict overall and specific survival rates at 1, 3, and 5 years. The nomograms demonstrated superior prognostic value and accuracy compared to AJCC staging. Laryngectomy with partial laryngectomy is the preferred treatment option for T1–T2 SGSCC cases, providing superior overall survival (OS) and cancer-specific survival (CSS). Radiotherapy also improves OS and CSS. Our results were based on a comprehensive analysis of various indicators, including the C-index, ROC curve, calibration curve, and DCA curve.

Conclusion

Nomograms provide significant advantages in treatment decision making and diagnosis. Laryngectomy with partial laryngectomy is the most appropriate method for T1–T2 SGSCC cases. However, radiotherapy can also be used. Thus, patients with T1–T2 SGSCC should be evaluated to determine if combination therapy is the optimal treatment approach. Nevertheless, further research is needed to understand the role of chemotherapy. Overall, this study identified nine key predictors of future outcomes, aiding healthcare professionals in assessing risks and making treatment decisions for T1–T2 SGSCC patients.
Review of history and mechanisms of action of lactulose (4-O-β-D-Galactopyranosyl-β-D-fructofuranose): present and future applications in food
Authors: Vičič Vid , Pandel Mikuš Ruža , Ferjančič Blaž
Published: May 2024

Lactulose is a synthetic disaccharide composed of galactose and fructose. Literature review of history, legal status and possible food applications of lactulose in functional foods, such as confectionery and beverages. In the colon, lactulose is fermented by the microbiota and acts as a selective modulator of bacterial growth, promoting the growth of Lactobacilli and Bifidobacteria. It generates organic acids, such as short-chain fatty acids and lactic acid, which lower the pH of the colon and act as an osmotic laxative. Lactulose was first used in 1957 as an ingredient in an infant formula. Later it was registered as a prescription drug and banned for food use in many countries. In 2012, lactulose received an EU (European union) health claim “contributes to acceleration of intestinal transit”. It can be used in food and food supplements across all age groups, from infants to the elderly. Lactulose has favourable technological properties, such as sweetness of 48–62% sucrose without an aftertaste, high solubility, low cariogenic potential and stability. Lactulose gummy candy, without added sweeteners, has an overall likability comparable to classic sucrose/glucose-based candy. With more than 60 years of safe use in infant, child, adult and elderly population, lactulose is an ideal ingredient for prebiotic functional food. Its technological properties allow for development of functional candy and beverages almost indistinguishable from those made from sucrose.
Student voice and agency for transformative change in matters that matter: Impactful inquiry in primary science
Authors: Kirk Melinda
Published: May 2024

In an era of socio-ecological challenges and uncertain times, it is imperative that student voice is supported to enable student transformative agency and desired positive change in their lives and community. Although international policy, the Australian Curriculum, School Strategic Plans, communities, teachers, and students often advocate for student voice, authentic enactment remains a challenge. This paper illustrates a transformative curriculum enactment of student voice and agency as impactful inquiry that resulted in student-desired transformative whole-school change. Conducted in a Melbourne metropolitan primary school following multiple Covid-19 pandemic lockdowns, a contextually responsive Year 6 Microorganisms Learning sequence is reported. A student-identified health risk and high microbial load in a Lost Property Box resulted in the students' collective agentic pursuit and implementation of scientifically grounded solutions, processes, and policy changes in the school community. Students, teachers, and school leadership reported student voice and agency as key outcomes of the student-driven inquiry that followed student voice and concerns for positive change. It is argued that it is a critical educative responsibility to support student voice in establishing bearing, which encompasses recognised positioning, direction, and path forward to make a difference in matters that matter to students. This paper seeks to inform and inspire further student voice-responsive impactful inquiry, which develops students' capacity and efficacy for their desired positive impact in their community now and possibly in the future.
Research advances in the molecular classification of gastric cancer
Authors: Shi Dike , Yang Zihan , Cai Yanna , Li Hongbo , Lin Lele , Wu Dan , Zhang Shengyu , Guo Qingqu
Published: May 2024

Gastric cancer (GC) is a malignant tumor with one of the lowest five-year survival rates. Traditional first-line treatment regimens, such as platinum drugs, have limited therapeutic efficacy in treating advanced GC and significant side effects, greatly reducing patient quality of life. In contrast, trastuzumab and other immune checkpoint inhibitors, such as nivolumab and pembrolizumab, have demonstrated consistent and reliable efficacy in treating GC. Here, we discuss the intrinsic characteristics of GC from a molecular perspective and provide a comprehensive review of classification and treatment advances in the disease. Finally, we suggest several strategies based on the intrinsic molecular characteristics of GC to aid in overcoming clinical challenges in the development of precision medicine and improve patient prognosis.
Improved Test Procedure and Sample Size Calculation for Assessing Similarity in Two-Group Comparative Studies with Heterogeneous Variances
Authors: Jan Show-Li , Shieh Gwowen
Published: May 2024

The two one-sided tests (TOST) method for mean equivalence or average equivalence has been extended to assessing similarity or switchability for individual equivalence in clinical trials. Tolerance interval procedures are available to establish similarity with respect to the proportion of the response differences covered by a prespecified threshold range. However, the extended TOST procedures based on tolerance intervals are potentially susceptible to the control of Type I errors. This article aims to present an exact approach with the specified Type I error probability for appraising similarity between two treatments in comparative studies with heterogeneous variances. Analytic examination and numerical comparison are conducted to clarify the utility of the suggested similarity test and the drawback of the current TOST procedures. To enhance the usefulness of the described exact method, the related power and sample size issues are also considered. Computer algorithms are provided to implement the proposed test procedure, power calculation, and sample size determination in similarity studies.
Comparison of Polarized Versus Other Types of Endurance Training Intensity Distribution on Athletes’ Endurance Performance: A Systematic Review with Meta-analysis
Authors: Silva Oliveira Pedro , Boppre Giorjines , Fonseca Hélder
Published: May 2024

Background

Polarized training intensity distribution (POL) was recently suggested to be superior to other training intensity distribution (TID) regimens for endurance performance improvement.

Objective

We aimed to systematically review and meta-analyze evidence comparing POL to other TIDs on endurance performance.

Methods

PRISMA guidelines were followed. The protocol was registered at PROSPERO (CRD42022365117). PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science were searched up to 20 October 2022 for studies in adults and young adults for ≥ 4 weeks comparing POL with other TID interventions regarding VO2peak, time-trial (TT), time to exhaustion (TTE) or speed or power at the second ventilatory or lactate threshold (V/P at VT2/LT2). Risk of bias was assessed with RoB-2 and ROBINS-I. Certainty of evidence was assessed with GRADE. Results were analyzed by random effects meta-analysis using standardized mean differences.

Results

Seventeen studies met the inclusion criteria (n = 437 subjects). Pooled effect estimates suggest POL superiority for improving VO2peak (SMD = 0.24 [95% CI 0.01, 0.48]; z = 2.02 (p = 0.040); 11 studies, n = 284; I2 = 0%; high certainty of evidence). Superiority, however, only occurred in shorter interventions (< 12 weeks) (SMD = 0.40 [95% CI 0.08, 0.71; z = 2.49 (p = 0.01); n = 163; I2 = 0%) and for highly trained athletes (SMD = 0.46 [95% CI 0.10, 0.82]; z = 2.51 (p = 0.01); n = 125; I2 = 0%). The remaining endurance performance surrogates were similarly affected by POL and other TIDs: TT (SMD = – 0.01 [95% CI -0.28, 0.25]; z =  − 0.10 (p = 0.92); n = 221; I2 = 0%), TTE (SMD = 0.30 [95% CI – 0.20, 0.79]; z = 1.18 (p = 0.24); n = 66; I2 = 0%) and V/P VT2/LT2 (SMD = 0.04 [95% CI -0.21, 0.29]; z = 0.32 (p = 0.75); n = 253; I2 = 0%). Risk of bias for randomized controlled trials was rated as of some concern and for non-randomized controlled trials as low risk of bias (two studies) and some concerns (one study).

Conclusions

POL is superior to other TIDs for improving VO2peak, particularly in shorter duration interventions and highly trained athletes. However, the effect of POL was similar to that of other TIDs on the remaining surrogates of endurance performance. The results suggest that POL more effectively improves aerobic power but is similar to other TIDs for improving aerobic capacity.
Perceptions, attitudes, and behaviors among adolescents living with obesity, caregivers, and healthcare professionals in Italy: the ACTION Teens study
Authors: Maffeis Claudio , Busetto Luca , Wasniewska Malgorzata , Di Pauli Daniele , Maccora Carla , Lenzi Andrea
Published: May 2024

Purpose

ACTION Teens (NCT05013359) was conducted in 10 countries to identify perceptions, attitudes, behaviors, and barriers to effective obesity care among adolescents living with obesity (ALwO), caregivers of ALwO, and healthcare professionals (HCPs). Here, we report data from participants in Italy.

Methods

The ACTION Teens cross-sectional online survey was completed by 649 ALwO (aged 12– < 18 years), 455 caregivers, and 252 HCPs in Italy in 2021.

Results

Most ALwO thought their weight was above normal (69%), worried about weight affecting their future health (87%), and reported making a weight-loss attempt in the past year (60%); fewer caregivers responded similarly regarding their child (46%, 72%, and 33%, respectively). In addition, 49% of caregivers believed their child would lose excess weight with age. ALwO (38%) and caregivers (30%) most often selected wanting to be more fit/in better shape as a weight-loss motivator for ALwO; HCPs most often selected improved social life/popularity (73%). ALwO (25%) and caregivers (22%) most frequently selected lack of hunger control and not liking exercise, respectively, as weight-loss barriers, while HCPs most often agreed that unhealthy eating habits were a barrier (93%). ALwO most often obtained weight-management information from family/friends (25%) and search engines (24%); caregivers most often obtained information from doctors (29%).

Conclusion

In Italy, the impact of obesity on ALwO was underestimated by caregivers, and ALwO and HCPs had different perceptions of key weight-loss motivators and barriers. Additionally, the internet was a key information source for ALwO, which suggests new education/communication strategies are needed.

Level of evidence

IV; Evidence obtained from multiple time series with/without intervention, e.g. case studies.

Trial Registration: ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT05013359.
Improved shape-from-template method with perspective space constraints for disappearing features
Authors: Tan Dongliang , Yang Huamin , Jiang Zhengang , Shi Weili , Qin Jun , Qu Feng
Published: May 2024

Inferring the 3D surface shape of a known template from 2D images captured by a monocular camera is a challenging problem. Due to the severely underconstrained nature of the problem, inferring shape accurately becomes particularly challenging when the template exhibits high curvature, resulting in the disappearance of feature points and significant differences between the inferred and actual deformations. To address this problem, this paper proposes a concise and innovative approach that utilizes a physical simulator incorporating the object’s material properties and deformation law. We utilize a view frustum space constructed from the contours of a monocular camera image to effectively restrict the physically-based free motion of the template. Additionally, we employ mesh denoising techniques to ensure the smoothness of the surface following deformation. To evaluate our shape inference results, we utilize a ground truth 3D point cloud generated from multiple viewpoint images. The results demonstrate the superior performance of our approach compared to other methods in accurately inferring deformations, particularly in scenarios where feature points are unobservable. This method carries significant practical implications across diverse domains, including virtual reality, digital modeling, and medical surgery training.
Getting to the ‘Heart’ of Socio-Emotional Learning (SEL): Challenging Epistemology and Ontology in Emotion Theory
Authors: Goodman K. A.
Published: May 2024

Educational psychology remains constricted by Westernised science’s universalising views. The teaching about emotions and their expression is a critical element at the core of educational psychology, but the underpinning ontology and theories appear to be largely unexamined. The importance of educational psychology was highlighted by the Covid-19 pandemic, and with wellbeing initiatives accumulating, now, more than ever before, educational psychology research and practice in Aotearoa New Zealand must be called to account. Most existing programmes derive from anthropological, psychological and observation-based approaches, unquestioningly proposing that we all feel emotions because of, or in response to, certain occurrences in our lives. Dare we question this ‘given’ through a decolonising or cross-cultural lens? Māori values, holistic concepts and the diverse ways of knowing and being with emotion need to be considered as Aotearoa New Zealand looks beyond the dominant discourse of current SEL. In classrooms every day, practitioners discern how to discuss and respond to emotions, their own and those of the students in their care. This article invites educators to critique their own understandings of emotions and considers ways to challenge educational psychology and the practice of teaching about emotions to acknowledge the culturally diverse classroom contexts of Aotearoa New Zealand.
Generic families of finite metric spaces with identical or trivial 1-dimensional persistence
Authors: Smith Philip , Kurlin Vitaliy
Published: May 2024

Persistent homology is a popular and useful tool for analysing finite metric spaces, revealing features that can be used to distinguish sets of unlabeled points and as input into machine learning pipelines. The famous stability theorem of persistent homology provides an upper bound for the change of persistence in the bottleneck distance under perturbations of points, but without giving a lower bound. This paper clarifies the possible limitations persistent homology may have in distinguishing finite metric spaces, which is evident for non-isometric point sets with identical persistence. We describe generic families of point sets in metric spaces that have identical or even trivial one-dimensional persistence. The results motivate stronger invariants to distinguish finite point sets up to isometry.
Simple variants of non-cooperative polymorphic P systems
Authors: Kuczik Anna , Vaszil György
Published: May 2024

We investigate the computational power of non-cooperative polymorphic P systems with no additional ingredients. The variants we study are even more simple in the sense that the sets of possible right-hand sides of the dynamically changing rules are finite. We show that systems with this type of restriction characterize exactly the class of Parikh sets of ET0L languages.
Physiological and Perceptual Demands During a Simulated “The Hundred” Batting Work-Bout in Female Cricketers
Authors: Pote Lee , Nicholls Scott , Shaw Alicia , Keenan James , Christie Candice
Published: May 2024

Purpose

No research has investigated the physiological and perceptual demands of female cricket players at any level or for any format, making this study unique. This is despite the growth in popularity and professionalism of the women’s game. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to determine the physiological (heart rate, oxygen consumption) and perceptual (ratings of perceived exertion, body discomfort) demands of female cricketers during a simulated “The Hundred” protocol.

Methods

Twenty female cricketers (age: 19 ± 4.53 years, stature: 167.90 ± 7.28 cm; mass: 67.30 ± 13.51 kg) currently playing for a first-class county cricket club were recruited. The protocol consisted of six sets and was designed to mimic the nonpowerplay phase of a women’s “Hundred” match. Throughout the protocol selected physiological and perceptual responses were recorded.

Results

Heart rate responses increased significantly (P < 0.05) from the first set (149 ± 14 beats/min) until the end of the third set (167 ± 10 beats/min). A further significant decrease (P < 0.05) was observed between set three (167 ± 10 beats/min) and set six (165 ± 12 beats/min). Oxygen uptake responses increased significantly (P < 0.05) from set one (22.06 ± 7.82 mL/kg/min) until set three (26.30 ± 7.58 mL/kg/min). A significant difference (P < 0.05) was also observed between set three and all the other sets. Central ratings of perceived exertion increased significantly (P < 0.05) throughout the protocol (9 ± 1.83–13 ± 3.17). Body discomfort, results indicated that the quadriceps and calves were the areas that felt the most discomfort during the protocol.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the design of training programs should mimic the demandsof the women?s format of the game and focus on individualised exercise preparation.
Exploiting viral vectors to deliver genome editing reagents in plants
Authors: Shen Yilin , Ye Tao , Li Zihan , Kimutai Torotwa Herman , Song Hao , Dong Xiaoou , Wan Jianmin
Published: May 2024

Genome editing holds great promise for the molecular breeding of plants, yet its application is hindered by the shortage of simple and effective means of delivering genome editing reagents into plants. Conventional plant transformation-based methods for delivery of genome editing reagents into plants often involve prolonged tissue culture, a labor-intensive and technically challenging process for many elite crop cultivars. In this review, we describe various virus-based methods that have been employed to deliver genome editing reagents, including components of the CRISPR/Cas machinery and donor DNA for precision editing in plants. We update the progress in these methods with recent successful examples of genome editing achieved through virus-based delivery in different plant species, highlight the advantages and limitations of these delivery approaches, and discuss the remaining challenges.
Low-velocity impact behavior of two-way SFRC slabs strengthened with steel plate
Authors: Al-Hagri Mohammed Gamal , Döndüren M. Sami , Yılmaz Tolga , Anıl Özgür , Erol Hakan , Şengel Hasan Selim
Published: May 2024

Structural systems and structural elements can often suffer severe damage or even completely collapse under the effect of sudden dynamic impact loading, which is a different type of loading that is not considered during their design. Research on how structures behave under impact loading and how they can be strengthened to perform better against this type of loading has increased to avoid such undesirable severe damage. Within the scope of this study, it is aimed to improve the behavior and increase the performance of two-way steel fiber-reinforced concrete (SFRC) slabs, one of the leading structural elements that can be affected by impact loading, using steel fiber concrete (SFC) and placing steel plates on the surface of the RC slab. Within the scope of the study, the effects of placing FRC as layers in different positions within the slab and placing the steel plate on different surfaces of the slabs were examined. Impact loading was applied using a drop weight test setup designed by the authors, and the acceleration–time, displacement–time, and impact loading–time behaviors of the RC slabs were measured and interpreted. The use of fiber concrete in RC slabs and strengthened with steel plates increased the maximum acceleration values by an average of 3% and 113%, respectively. The use of fiber concrete in RC slabs reduced the maximum displacement and residual displacement values by an average of 2% and 25%, respectively. Placing steel plates on the slabs reduced the maximum displacement and residual displacement values by an average of 270% and 199%, respectively. In addition, the energy absorption capacities of RC slabs were calculated, and how they were affected by experimental variables was examined. Numerical analyses of the RC slabs tested in the study were also conducted using ABAQUS finite element software, and the results obtained were compared with the experimental ones.
Real estate developments in residential architecture: a case study of Jeddah
Authors: Shatwan Alaa M.
Published: May 2024

Home should be a place for social activities that satisfy both physical and social needs. Real estate developers in Jeddah currently show little consideration for cultural and social patterns of users in residential interior layouts. Therefore, this study aims to investigate apartments released by real estate developers in Jeddah from users’ perspectives. Qualitative and quantitative approaches are applied through in-depth interviews with 21 participants. The interviews investigate participants’ satisfaction, desire to make changes, reasons for making changes, and reasons for not making changes. This study finds that the majority of participants want to make changes to the layout of their homes owing to social activities. The SPSS analysis shows that most participants are less satisfied with the home layouts of RED than homes that are self-built, with a statistical significance of P = 0.002. This study recommends that RED companies should consider open spaces when designing apartments for sale so as to allow users to divide the interior layouts of reception and living zones according to their needs. In order to achieve this by RED, the study recommends more study by electrical engineer for electricity switches location, architects for window location, and construction engineers for column arrangement.
Canonical Forms of Neural Ideals
Authors: Geller Hugh , R.G. Rebecca
Published: May 2024

Neural ideals, originally defined in Curto et al., give a way of translating information about the firing pattern of a set of neurons into a pseudomonomial ideal in a polynomial ring. We give a simple criterion for determining whether a neural ideal is in canonical form, along with an improved algorithm for computing the canonical form of a neural ideal.
3D visualization of hurricane storm surge impact on urban infrastructure
Authors: Ye Xinyue , Li Shoujia , Gao Ge , Retchless David , Cai Zhenhang , Newman Galen , Du Jiaxin , Duffield Nick
Published: May 2024

As climate change intensifies, resulting in more severe rainfall events, coastal cities globally are witnessing significant life and property losses. A growingly crucial component for flood prevention and relief are urban storm flood simulations, which aid in informed decision-making for emergency management. The vastness of data and the intricacies of 3D computations can make visualizing the urban flood effects on infrastructure daunting. This study offers a 3D visualization of the repercussions of hurricane storm surge flooding on Galveston, TX residences, illustrating the impact on each structure and road across varied storm conditions. We employ target detection to pinpoint house door locations, using door inundation as a metric to gauge potential flood damage. Within a GIS-based framework, we model the damage scope for residences exposed to varying storm intensities. Our research achieves three core goals: 1) Estimating the storm inundation levels on homes across different storm conditions; 2) Assessing first-floor elevations to categorize housing damages into three distinct groups; and 3) Through visualization, showcasing the efficacy of a proposed dike designed to shield Galveston Island from future storm surge and flood events.
Analyzing the evolution of machine learning integration in educational research: a bibliometric perspective
Authors: Ayanwale Musa Adekunle , Molefi Rethabile Rosemary , Oyeniran Saheed
Published: May 2024

Machine learning, a subset of artificial intelligence, has experienced rapid advancements and applications across various domains. In education, its integration holds great potential to revolutionize teaching, learning, and educational outcomes. Despite the growing interest, there needs to be more comprehensive bibliometric analyses that track the trajectory of machine learning’s integration into educational research. This study addresses this gap by providing a nuanced perspective derived from bibliometric insights. Using a dataset from 1986 to 2022, consisting of 449 documents from 145 sources retrieved from the Web of Science (WoS), the research employs network analysis to unveil collaborative clusters and identify influential authors. A temporal analysis of annual research output sheds light on evolving trends, while a thematic content analysis explores prevalent research themes through keyword frequency. The findings reveal that co-authorship network analysis exposes distinct clusters and influential figures shaping the landscape of machine learning in educational research. Scientific production over time reveals a significant surge in research output, indicating the field’s maturation. The co-occurrence analysis emphasizes a collective focus on student-centric outcomes and technology integration, with terms like “online” and “analytics” prevailing. This study provides a nuanced understanding of the collaborative and thematic fabric characterizing machine learning in educational research. The implications derived from the findings guide strategic collaborations, emphasizing the importance of cross-disciplinary engagement. Recommendations include investing in technological infrastructure and prioritizing student-centric research. The study contributes foundational insights to inform future endeavors in this ever-evolving field.
The Campaign and Battle of Manzikert, 1071
Authors: Theotokis Georgios
Published: May 2024

The Battle of Manzikert on August 26, 1071 is widely regarded as one of the most significant turning points in medieval history, frequently presented as the culmination of a Turco-Islamic assault upon the Byzantine bulwark of a Christian world struggling for survival. Emperor Romanus IV's campaigns between 1068 and 1071 do, in many ways, represent the empire's fightback against an enemy that for decades had penetrated deep into Asia Minor, its heartland and strategic bulwark. Yet Manzikert was not a disaster. This book examines the geopolitical background and the origins of the campaign that led to the battle, the main protagonists, and their strategies and battle tactics. It also evaluates the primary sources and the enduring legacy of the battle, for both the Greek and Turkish historiography of the twentieth century.
Claude III Audran, Arbiter of the French Arabesque
Authors: Laux Barbara
Published: May 2024

Claude III Audran, Arbiter of the French Arabesque is the first substantial biographical study of Claude III Audran, a late seventeenth- and early eighteenth-century master of ornament and a proponent of cutting-edge design who took inspiration from contemporary sources. This work investigates Audran's accomplishments and the factors that impacted the longevity and arc of his successful career, taking into consideration the contextual variables that influenced and shaped his work. Audran's achievements bridge an important period with the eclipse of the Guild Maîtrise and the rise of the Académie royale. Audran subcontracted young artists, such as Watteau, Lancret, and Desportes, in order to circumvent restrictions on guild practice enacted by the crown. Looking at his commissions not only reveals the elite taste of his patrons, including Louis XIV, but also Audran's ability to use elements from popular culture to animate his arabesques, which created hallmarks of rococo interior design.
Point-prevalence survey of antimicrobial use in intensive care units in Nepal
Authors: Koirala Sabin , Dahal Agnimshwor , Paneru Hem Raj , Thapa Astha , Bhusal Surendra , Shakya Roshni , Luitel Subekshya , Koirala Kanchan , Aryal Diptesh
Published: May 2024

Objective:

This study aimed to investigate the prevalence and practices of antibiotic use in intensive care units (ICUs) in Nepal and to identify potential areas for implementing antimicrobial stewardship programs.

Design:

A point prevalence survey was conducted to characterize and quantify the antimicrobial utilization in level III ICUs of Nepal.

Methods:

Data on antibiotic prescription rates, reasons for prescribing antibiotics, and prescribing practices were collected and analyzed. The prevalence of antimicrobial resistance was also assessed.

Results:

The antibiotic prescribing rate was found to be very high, with 92.85% of patients in ICU on antibiotics. Prolonged surgical prophylaxis was the most common reason for prescribing antibiotics. Empirical therapy accounted for 67.5% of all antibiotic prescriptions. Prescribing practices were poor, with low adherence to guidelines and best practices. Broad-spectrum antibiotics were commonly used even for surgical prophylaxis or community-acquired infections. High resistance was observed against commonly used antibiotics.

Conclusions:

The study underscores the urgent need for effective antimicrobial stewardship programs in ICUs of Nepal. Implementing robust stewardship programs could help optimize antibiotic utilization, improve patient outcomes, and combat the global threat of antimicrobial resistance. The findings serve as a stepping stone toward understanding and improving antibiotic prescribing practices in ICUs of Nepal.
Buffalo Bill's Wild West, cowboys, and the fate of the western in Italy
Authors: Bonifazio Paola
Published: May 2024

This article examines the first tour of Buffalo Bill's Wild West in Italy and the so-called ‘sfida dei butteri’ (the challenge of the Italian cowboys of the Pontine marshes), which took place in Rome in March 1890. Analysing nineteenth-century Italian newspapers and photographs, I demonstrate that populist, anti-capitalist, and anti-American sentiments marked the Italian media's responses to the American show. In the historical context of Italy's socioeconomic crisis and of the first phase of colonial expansion in Africa (1870–1922), the mixed reception of Buffalo Bill's Wild West, amplified by the media event of the sfida, shaped the fate of the western genre in Italy.
STARS AND SYSTEMS: TWO WORKS ON THE ASTRAL SCIENCES
Authors: Zellmann-Rohrer Michael
Published: May 2024

What moves the stars, and what do their movements mean for life on earth? As conventionally divided, even if the distinction of cognates was complicated already in antiquity, the answers to these questions belong respectively to astronomy and astrology. Graeco-Roman astrology generally dispensed with explanations of causes – perhaps because systems proposed by the likes of Aristotle, the topic of B. and C., were taken as given – to focus on describing and linking effects to the dispositions of celestial bodies believed to produce them. This review article considers the substantial contributions of L. as well as B. and C., focused on astrology and astronomy respectively, to a growing field of interdisciplinary inquiry – besides Classics, key contributors are Assyriology, Egyptology and History of Science – on the astral sciences. This field takes account of scholarly engagement with the stars, of their alleged effects on earth and of a wider cultural and historical embedding, reflected in religion, literature and art. The three books under review provide richly contextualised studies of individual sources relevant to the astral sciences, from a primarily philological standpoint, which will be instrumental in assessing the place of their ancient authors in the history of knowledge.
Growth of hypercyclic functions: a continuous path between $\mathcal{U}$-frequent hypercyclicity and hypercyclicity
Authors: Mouze Augustin , Munnier Vincent
Published: May 2024

We are interested in the optimal growth in terms of Lp-averages of hypercyclic and $\mathcal{U}$-frequently hypercyclic functions for some weighted Taylor shift operators acting on the space of analytic functions on the unit disc. We unify the results obtained by considering intermediate notions of upper frequent hypercyclicity between $\mathcal{U}$-frequent hypercyclicity and hypercyclicity.
Frequency-specific analysis of hearing outcomes after surgery for chronic ear diseases
Authors: Cai Liangxuan , Wang TaiQin , Sun Huanhuan , Qiu Jinqing , Liu Jianzhi
Published: May 2024

Objective

To examine the relationship between different surgical factors and frequency-specific hearing results following surgery for chronic ear disorders.

Methods

We reviewed retrospectively data of 246 patients with chronic ear diseases who had surgery between January 2019 and December 2020. Seventy-three patients did not fulfil the criteria and were excluded. Air-conduction threshold, bone-conduction threshold and air–bone gap were tested at 250–4000 Hz, respectively. Frequency-specific results were investigated in relation to various surgical factors.

Results

The radical mastoidectomy group and tympanoplasty group significantly improved in air-conduction threshold changes at every frequency. In the tympanoplasty group, air–bone gap at all frequencies except 4000 significantly improved. Air-conduction threshold improved at low and middle frequencies when ossicular reconstruction was conducted. In all groups, bone-conduction threshold data revealed significant improvements at 500, 1000, and 2000 Hz.

Conclusions

Hearing improved significantly post-operatively in air-conduction threshold and air-bone gap test, mainly at low and middle frequencies. Bone-conduction threshold improved significantly at 500–2000 Hz.
Tidalectic Un/mapping and the Performance of African Diasporic Imagination in the Repertory of Katherine Dunham
Authors: Uzor Tia-Monique
Published: May 2024

This article foregrounds imagination to consider how African diasporic conditions converge with choreographic expression. The analysis “un/maps” dominant understandings of the choreographic process of mid-twentieth-century African American choreographer-anthropologist Katherine Dunham by expanding Kamau E. Brathwaite's (1993) concept of Tidalectics beyond the Caribbean to the wider African diaspora and a distinctly Caribbean comprehension of diasporic imagination. Utilizing datasets and visualizations created by the project, Dunham's Data: Katherine Dunham and Digital Methods for Dance Historical Inquiry, this article traces how the concept of Brazil is imagined and reimagined within Dunham's archive from 1937 to 1962. In doing so, it considers the complex positionality of Dunham as both a pioneering minoritized woman navigating the politics of race, gender, and financial precarity, and someone who yielded their imperial privilege as a US citizen through their career to bring nuance to Dunham's narrative as a canonical dance figure.
L2 language development in oral and written modalities
Authors: Son Myeongeun
Published: May 2024

This study investigates whether second language (L2) learners’ language development and accuracy in production are comparable across oral and written modalities on the basis of Pienemann’s processability theory (PT). Eighty-seven English as a Foreign Language (EFL) learners, from high beginner to advanced levels, completed comparable speaking and writing tasks designed to elicit particular morphosyntactic structures predicted by PT to correspond to L2 stages of development. Time constraints encouraged participants to respond spontaneously, thus drawing on implicit knowledge. Implicational scaling shows correlations that suggest comparable language development between the modalities. However, accuracy was higher earlier in the written than in the oral modality, and accuracy in the written modality was more stable. The results provide a clearer understanding of the similarities and differences of L2 oral and written development and demonstrate that PT can be applied to L2 writing.
The “Life” of the Mind: Persons and Survival
Authors: Harris John
Published: May 2024

A life of the mind can be lived only by creatures who know that they have minds. We call these creatures “persons,” and currently, all such persons THAT we know OF are “alive” in the biological sense. But are there, or could there be, either in the future or elsewhere in the universe, creatures with “a life of the mind” that are not “alive” in the sense that we humans usually understand this term today?
Most High Mountainous Areas Around the World Present Elevation‐Dependent Aridification After the 1970s
Authors: Ma Jiapei , Wang Genxu , Sun Shouqin , Li Jinlong , Huang Peng , Guo Linmao , Li Kai , Lin Shan
Published: May 2024

The research on the trends of mountainous aridity and the issue of elevation‐dependent aridity (EDA) has long been hindered by limitations in data validity. In this study, we present global monthly merged data sets of Vapor Pressure Deficit and Aridity Index (AI) from 1960 to 2020, aiming to detect and attribute elevation‐dependent patterns of atmospheric and soil aridity in six representative high mountainous areas worldwide. Our findings reveal that most of the mountainous regions experienced significant aridification after the 1970s (p < 0.05). The Rocky Mountains and Ethiopian Highlands are identified as the most vulnerable areas, with both atmospheric and soil aridity increasing by 13% across all elevation gradients. Significant humidification has been observed only in High Asian Regions at 4,000 m above sea level with an approximate decrease of 11% in soil AI. In both temporal and spatial patterns, soil aridity exhibits stronger heterogeneity compared to atmospheric aridity, with certain regions and seasons showing humidification, despite the overall aridification trend. Elevation‐dependent aridity is observed in two‐thirds of the mountains, but whether high altitude alleviates or amplifies aridity depends on the pattern of precipitation changes at different elevations. The rise in air temperature is the primary driving factor for soil and atmospheric aridification, contributing to over 50% of each. In two‐thirds of the regions, changes in precipitation exacerbate soil aridity. Simulations show that human activities are closely related to the ongoing prolonged atmospheric aridification. This study contributes to a comprehensive understanding of global mountainous aridity evolution projected under climate change.
Controls on the Respiration of Ancient Carbon Draining From Permafrost Soils Into Sunlit Arctic Surface Waters
Authors: Rieb E. C. , Polik C. A. , Ward C. P. , Kling G. W. , Cory R. M.
Published: May 2024

The thawing of ancient organic carbon stored in arctic permafrost soils, and its oxidation to carbon dioxide (CO2, a greenhouse gas), is predicted to amplify global warming. However, the extent to which organic carbon in thawing permafrost soils will be released as CO2 is uncertain. A critical unknown is the extent to which dissolved organic carbon (DOC) from thawing permafrost soils is respired to CO2 by microbes upon export of freshly thawed DOC to both dark bottom waters and sunlit surface waters. In this study, we quantified the radiocarbon age and 13C composition of CO2 produced by microbial respiration of DOC that was leached from permafrost soils and either kept in the dark or exposed to ultraviolet and visible wavelengths of light. We show that permafrost DOC most labile to microbial respiration was as old or older (ages 4,000–11,000 a BP) and more 13C‐depleted than the bulk DOC in both dark and light‐exposed treatments, likely indicating respiration of old, 13C‐depleted lignin and lipid fractions of the permafrost DOC pool. Light exposure either increased, decreased, or had no effect on the magnitude of microbial respiration of old permafrost DOC relative to respiration in the dark, depending on both the extent of DOC oxidation during exposure to light and the wavelength of light. Together, these findings suggest that photochemical changes affecting the lability of permafrost DOC during sunlight exposure are an important control on the magnitude of microbial respiration of permafrost DOC in arctic surface waters.
DNMT1 regulates human erythropoiesis by modulating cell cycle and endoplasmic reticulum stress in a stage-specific manner
Authors: Yang Qianqian , Chen Lixiang , Zhang Hengchao , Li Mengjia , Sun Lei , Wu Xiuyun , Zhao Huizhi , Qu Xiaoli , An Xiuli , Wang Ting
Published: May 2024

The dynamic balance of DNA methylation and demethylation is required for erythropoiesis. Our previous transcriptomic analyses revealed that DNA methyltransferase 1 (DNMT1) is abundantly expressed in erythroid cells at all developmental stages. However, the role and molecular mechanisms of DNMT1 in human erythropoiesis remain unknown. Here we found that DNMT1 deficiency led to cell cycle arrest of erythroid progenitors which was partially rescued by treatment with a p21 inhibitor UC2288. Mechanically, this is due to decreased DNA methylation of p21 promoter, leading to upregulation of p21 expression. In contrast, DNMT1 deficiency led to increased apoptosis during terminal stage by inducing endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress in a p21 independent manner. ER stress was attributed to the upregulation of RPL15 expression due to the decreased DNA methylation at RPL15 promoter. The upregulated RPL15 expression subsequently caused a significant upregulation of core ribosomal proteins (RPs) and thus ultimately activated all branches of unfolded protein response (UPR) leading to the excessive ER stress, suggesting a role of DNMT1 in maintaining protein homeostasis during terminal erythroid differentiation. Furthermore, the increased apoptosis was significantly rescued by the treatment of ER stress inhibitor TUDCA. Our findings demonstrate the stage-specific role of DNMT1 in regulating human erythropoiesis and provide new insights into regulation of human erythropoiesis.
Identification of a family of species-selective complex I inhibitors as potential anthelmintics
Authors: Davie Taylor , Serrat Xènia , Imhof Lea , Snider Jamie , Štagljar Igor , Keiser Jennifer , Hirano Hiroyuki , Watanabe Nobumoto , Osada Hiroyuki , Fraser Andrew G.
Published: May 2024

Soil-transmitted helminths (STHs) are major pathogens infecting over a billion people. There are few classes of anthelmintics and there is an urgent need for new drugs. Many STHs use an unusual form of anaerobic metabolism to survive the hypoxic conditions of the host gut. This requires rhodoquinone (RQ), a quinone electron carrier. RQ is not made or used by vertebrate hosts making it an excellent therapeutic target. Here we screen 480 structural families of natural products to find compounds that kill Caenorhabditis elegans specifically when they require RQ-dependent metabolism. We identify several classes of compounds including a family of species-selective inhibitors of mitochondrial respiratory complex I. These identified complex I inhibitors have a benzimidazole core and we determine key structural requirements for activity by screening 1,280 related compounds. Finally, we show several of these compounds kill adult STHs. We suggest these species-selective complex I inhibitors are potential anthelmintics.