bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Prolactin Mediates Long-Term, Seasonal Rheostatic Regulation of Body Mass in Female Mammals
Authors: Marshall Christopher J , Blake Alexandra , Stewart Calum , Liddle T Adam , Denizli Irem , Cuthill Fallon , Evans Neil P , Stevenson Tyler J
Published: February 2024

A series of well-described anabolic and catabolic neuropeptides are known to provide short-term, homeostatic control of energy balance. The mechanisms that govern long-term, rheostatic control of regulated changes in energy balance are less well characterized. Using the robust and repeatable seasonal changes in body mass observed in Siberian hamsters, this report examined the role of prolactin in providing long-term rheostatic control of body mass and photoinduced changes in organ mass (ie, kidney, brown adipose tissue, uterine, and spleen). Endogenous circannual interval timing was observed after 4 months in a short photoperiod, indicated by a significant increase in body mass and prolactin mRNA expression in the pituitary gland. There was an inverse relationship between body mass and the expression of somatostatin (Sst) and cocaine- and amphetamine-regulated transcript (Cart). Pharmacological inhibition of prolactin release (via bromocriptine injection), reduced body mass of animals maintained in long photoperiods to winter–short photoperiod levels and was associated with a significant increase in hypothalamic Cart expression. Administration of ovine prolactin significantly increased body mass 24 hours after a single injection and the effect persisted after 3 consecutive daily injections. The data indicate that prolactin has pleiotropic effects on homeostatic sensors of energy balance (ie, Cart) and physiological effectors (ie, kidney, BAT). We propose that prolactin release from the pituitary gland acts as an output signal of the hypothalamic rheostat controller to regulate adaptive changes in body mass.
Estimates of differential toxin expression governing heterogeneous intracellular lifespans of Streptococcus pneumoniae
Authors: Santra Shweta , Nayak Indrani , Paladhi Ankush , Das Dibyendu , Banerjee Anirban
Published: February 2024

Following invasion of the host cell, pore-forming toxins secreted by pathogens compromise vacuole integrity and expose the microbe to diverse intracellular defence mechanisms. However, the quantitative correlation between toxin expression levels and consequent pore dynamics, fostering the intracellular life of pathogens, remains largely unexplored. In this study, using Streptococcus pneumoniae and its secreted pore-forming toxin pneumolysin (Ply) as a model system, we explored various facets of host–pathogen interactions in the host cytosol. Using time-lapse fluorescence imaging, we monitored pore formation dynamics and lifespans of different pneumococcal subpopulations inside host cells. Based on experimental histograms of various event timescales such as pore formation time, vacuolar death or cytosolic escape time and total degradation time, we developed a mathematical model based on first-passage processes that could correlate the event timescales to intravacuolar toxin accumulation. This allowed us to estimate Ply production rate, burst size and threshold Ply quantities that trigger these outcomes. Collectively, we present a general method that illustrates a correlation between toxin expression levels and pore dynamics, dictating intracellular lifespans of pathogens.
Expanding the Use of HIPEC in Ovarian Cancer at Time of Interval Debulking Surgery to FIGO Stage IV and After 6 Cycles of Neoadjuvant Chemotherapy: A Prospective Analysis on Perioperative and Oncologic Outcomes
Authors: Ghirardi Valentina , Trozzi Rita , Scanu Francesca Romana , Giannarelli Diana , Santullo Francesco , Costantini Barbara , Naldini Angelica , Panico Camilla , Frassanito Luciano , Scambia Giovanni , Fagotti Anna
Published: February 2024

Background

Randomized data on patients with FIGO stage III ovarian cancer receiving ≤ 3 cycles of neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NACT) showed that hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy (HIPEC) after interval debulking surgery (IDS) improved patient’s survival. We assessed the perioperative outcomes and PFS of FIGO stage IV and/or patients receiving up to 6 cycles of NACT undergoing IDS+HIPEC.

Methods

Prospectively collected cases from January 1, 2019 to July 31, 2022 were included. Patients underwent HIPEC if: age ≥ 18 years but < 75 years, body mass index ≤ 35 kg/m2, ASA score ≤ 2, FIGO stage III/IV epithelial disease treated with up to 6 cycles of NACT, and residual disease < 2.5 mm.

Results

A total of 205 patients were included. No difference was found in baseline characteristics between FIGO Stage III and IV patients, whereas rate of stable disease after NACT (p = 0.004), mean surgical complexity score at IDS (p = 0.001), and bowel resection rate (p = 0.046) were higher in patients undergoing delayed IDS. A lower rate of patients with at least one G3–G5 postoperative complications was observed in FIGO stage IV versus FIGO stage III disease (5.3% vs. 14.0%; p = 0.052). This difference was confirmed at multivariable analysis (odds ratio [OR] 0.24; 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.07–0.80; p = 0.02), whereas age, SCS, bowel resection, and number of cycles did not affect postoperative complications. No difference in PFS was identified neither between FIGO stage III and IV patients (p = 0.44), nor between 3 and 4 versus > 4 cycles of NACT (p = 0.85).

Conclusions

Because of the absence of additional complications and positive survival outcomes, HIPEC administration can be considered in selected FIGO stage IV and patients receiving > 4 cycles of NACT.
Η θαλάσσια αλιεία από τη γέννηση του ελληνικού κράτους μέχρι το 1910
Authors: Αλεβυζάκης Νικόλαος
Published: February 2024

Αντικείμενο της διδακτορικής διατριβής είναι η θαλάσσια αλιεία από την δημιουργία του ελληνικού κράτους μέχρι το 1910. Η διεπιστημονική διερεύνηση του θέματος – χρησιμοποιούνται μεθοδολογικά εργαλεία από την ιστορία, την εθνολογία, την αλιευτική επιστήμη και την οικολογία – βασίζεται στη ανάλυση των κυριότερων όρων που συγκροτούσαν το αλιευτικό σύστημα της εποχής. Στο πρώτο κεφάλαιο εξετάζονται τα εργαλεία, οι τεχνικές και οι μέθοδοι αλιείας τα οποία καταδεικνύουν την ύπαρξη μιας πλούσιας και εξειδικευμένης σειράς υλικών τεκμηρίων. Μάλιστα κατηγοριοποιούνται σε τέσσερις μεγάλες ομάδες: α. στα διχτυωτά εργαλεία, β. στα αγκιστρωτά εργαλεία, γ. στις αλιευτικές παγίδες και δ. στα εργαλεία χειρός. Στο δεύτερο κεφάλαιο διερευνάται αναλυτικά το αλιευτικό σκάφος. Η μελέτη των ψαράδικων σκαφών συμβάλει σημαντικά στην κατανόηση της ταυτότητας και του χαρακτήρα της αλιείας διότι αποτελούσαν το κύριο παραγωγικό μέσο της δραστηριότητας. Σε τρεις βασικές ομάδες χωρίζονται τα σκάφη: α. στα αλιευτικά, β. στα σπογγαλιευτικά και γ. τις ανεμότρατες. Το τρίτο κεφάλαιο καταπιάνεται με την μελέτη του αλιευτικού δυναμικού. Φανερώνεται η αδυναμία και η αμηχανία των διοικητικών υπηρεσιών στην κατάταξη των αλιέων η οποία υπογραμμίστηκε από την πλήρη υπαγωγή τους στην ομάδα των ναυτικών. Η αναγνώριση της επαγγελματικής ταυτότητας των αλιέων εμφανίζεται ως μια αργή και μη-γραμμική διαδικασία. Επίσης, γίνεται φανερό πως σε ένα σημαντικό βαθμό η δραστηριότητα της πώλησης των ψαριών αποτελούσε μια επέκταση της ίδιας της λειτουργίας του επαγγέλματος του ψαρά. Το τέταρτο κεφάλαιο μελετάει τον νησιωτικό χώρο της Κέρκυρας. Για την παρούσα διδακτορική διατριβή αποτελεί μια μελέτη περίπτωσης όπου συστηματικά αναλύεται ο αλιευτικός στόλος και το αλιευτικό δυναμικό του νησιού. Στο πέμπτο κεφάλαιο τίθεται προς ανάλυση ένα σημαντικό ζήτημα για την θαλάσσια αλιεία που ήταν η εμφάνιση των ιταλικών ανεμότρατων. Το ελληνικό κράτος θεσπίζει και εκδίδει μια σειρά νομοθετικών κειμένων στην προσπάθειά του να περιορίσει και να ρυθμίσει την δράση τους. Ενώ τέλος, στο έκτο κεφάλαιο, υπογραμμίζεται η σύνδεση και η επικοινωνία της χώρας με τον ευρωπαϊκό επιστημονικό χώρο των φυσικών επιστημών και των διεθνών εκθέσεων για θέματα σχετικά με την αλιεία.
Changes in functional disorders of the wrist and hand as a marker of the effectiveness of a physical therapy programme for patients with rheumatoid arthritis
Authors: Nogas A. , Grygus I.
Published: February 2024

Annotation. Rheumatoid arthritis is regarded worldwide as one of the most common pathologies and is one of the most significant medical, social and economic problems of modern society. According to modern concepts, along with drug therapy, physical therapy plays an important role in the system of health recovery for patients with rheumatoid arthritis. The purpose of the paper is to determine the effectiveness of a physical therapy programme based on the results of wrist and hand function in patients with rheumatoid arthritis. Materials and methods. A total of 188 patients with rheumatoid arthritis were examined, including 156 women (83%) and 32 men (17%). All patients were randomly assigned to the control (n=92) and intervention (n=96) groups. Patients in the control group underwent physical therapy in accordance with the recommendations of the regulatory document of the Ministry of Health of Ukraine. Patients in the main group were engaged in a developed physical therapy programme, taking into account factors affecting the level of functional impairment and quality of life. Rehabilitation measures were developed with a personalised approach to each patient, for a long-term period of 6 months. The main section of the DASH (Disability of the Arm, Shoulder and Hand Outcome Measure) questionnaire was used to assess functional impairment of the wrist and hand in patients with rheumatoid arthritis. Results. Both standard treatment and physical therapy after 3 months contributed to the recovery and improvement of the DASH questionnaire scores in both groups, but the changes in the intervention group were more pronounced than in the control group, where the scores were lower. Thus, the number of people in the main group who had a good result increased – 27.1%, in the control group only 17.5% of patients had a good result; 52.1% of patients in the main group had a satisfactory result, 50.0% in the control group; 20.8% of patients in the main group and 32.5% of patients in the control group still had an unsatisfactory result. The analysis of the results after 6 months of physical therapy showed a significant improvement in the examined patients of the main group: a good result was noted by 49.0% of patients, which is 25.0% more than in the control group – 24.0% of patients. A satisfactory result was found in 39.6% of patients in the main group and in 57.6% of patients in the control group, which is 18.0% more than in the control group. Conclusion. The above results of the DASH questionnaire in the main group, which are significantly better than those of the control group, indicate the justification of a new marker of the effectiveness of the proposed physical therapy programme for patients in the main group.
The Multiple Odysseys in Research and Clinical Care for Neurogenetic Conditions
Authors: Wheeler Anne C.
Published: February 2024

Neurogenetic conditions (NGC; e.g., fragile X, Angelman, Prader-Willi syndromes) represent the cause for intellectual or developmental disabilities in up to 60% of cases. With expanded diagnostic options and an increasing focus on the development of gene therapies comes the potential of improved quality of life for individuals with NGCs and their families. However, these emerging initiatives also bring new challenges and considerations for NGC researchers and clinicians, including considerations for supporting caregivers and assuring outcome measures for clinical trials adequately reflect the lived experiences of people with NGCs. This paper summarizes the advances and current and future challenges of research and clinical service provision for people with NGCs and their caregivers.
SPARKing New Insight Into Autism Across the Lifespan
Authors: Sudnawa Khemika K. , Chung Wendy K.
Published: February 2024

Autism is heterogeneous at many levels, including clinical symptoms and etiology. A key strategy in studying heterogeneous conditions is having large enough sample sizes to stratify into smaller groups that are more homogeneous. SPARK and Simons Searchlight are large and growing research cohorts of individuals with autism in the United States and individuals with genetically defined neurodevelopmental conditions around the world, respectively. They both provide freely available phenotypic and genotypic data with the ability to re-contact participants through the research match program. Deep dives into each gene in Searchlight provide comprehensive natural history data to understand the differing clinical courses to inform proper clinical care, and work toward treatment for each condition. Moreover, pilots of genetically based newborn screening programs for neurogenetic disorders can provide opportunities for equitable and early diagnosis to try to improve outcomes with earlier interventions.
Ist die deutsche Theaterwissenschaft (post)kolonial? Ein Plädoyer für eine Anerkennung von bestehenden, aber marginalisierten Wissensbeständen!
Authors: Sharifi Azadeh , Skwirblies Lisa
Published: February 2024

Abstract: Was bedeutet Dekolonisierung für die deutschsprachige Theaterwissenschaft? Und wie lässt sich postkoloniale Kritik nachhaltig implementieren? Anhand von Erfahrungen dreier Theaterschaffender werden in diesem Beitrag Ausbildung, Theaterkritik und Publikum in Bezug auf ‚race‘ und Rassifizierung kritisch untersucht. Es wird der Frage nachgegangen, welche Auswirkungen ein nicht aufgearbeitetes koloniales Erbe der Epistemologien und Methodologien für die Theaterpraxis haben können. Im Fokus der Auseinandersetzung stehen Seh-und Wahrnehmungsgewohnheiten und unausgesprochene Annahmen über das Publikum sowie Prozesse des Otherings und der Rassifizierung. Der Beitrag plädiert schließlich für eine Anerkennung der bereits bestehenden, aber marginalisierten Wissensbestände und Wissensproduktionen hinsichtlich postkolonialer und dekolonialer Ansätze in der deutschsprachigen Wissenschaftslandschaft, mit Hilfe derer die deutschsprachige Theaterwissenschaft dezentriert werden könnte.
Zugehörigkeit, Deutungsmacht und Konflikt. Für die Anerkennung der Vielfältigkeit Schwarzer Erfahrungen
Authors: Apraku Josephine , Tischkau Joana
Published: February 2024

Abstract: Die Choreografin und Performancemacherin Joana Tischkau und Afrikawissenschaftler*in und rassismuskritische*r Bildungsarbeiter*in Josephine Apraku haben sich online zu einem Gespräch getroffen. Im Zentrum standen Joana Tischkaus Theaterproduktion Yo Bro (2022), die gemeinsam mit ihrem Bruder Aljoscha Tischkau in Kooperation mit dem Künstler*innenhaus Mousonturm und dem Schauspiel Frankfurt entstand, sowie Aprakus Buchpublikation Kluft und Liebe (2022). Ausgehend von ihren Erfahrungen als afrodeutsche Kunst-, Bildungs-und Kulturschaffende tauschen sie sich über zielgruppenspezifische Kulturproduktion, Perspektiven kritischen Weißseins sowie über Gefühle angesichts der Repräsentation dominanter ‚mixed race‘ sowie rassifizierter Familienbilder in der (vornehmlich US-amerikanischen) Populärkultur seit den neunziger Jahren aus. Die Position einer vermittelnden, Themen setzenden und im Fall der Band-Herausgeberinnen weißen Moderation wurde bewusst ausgespart.
Describing Miscellanies in Late Medieval English Wills
Authors: Blatt Heather
Published: February 2024

abstract: Miscellanies are usually identified through absence: the absence of some unifying codicological, thematic, linguistic, or other cohering principle. After identifying this absence, books can be termed miscellanies—or commonplace books, collections, compilations, household books, and so forth. Such varying terminology highlights the challenges of identifying miscellanies today. Situating the miscellany in its documentary context, this essay examines hundreds of English wills written between 1400 and 1499 to evaluate descriptive trends employed by book owners of the late Middle Ages that clarify how they conceptualized miscellanies. For testators and executors, easy identification of all books, including miscellanies, was necessary to facilitate the distribution of bequests. Consequently, patterns established across wills illuminate aspects of miscellanies perceived as facilitating accessible identification. Moreover, in the role of the will as a public document offering testators one final opportunity to shape their reputation, descriptions of miscellanies also conveyed aspects of testators' identities that they prized or that emphasized their social status, such as aesthetic values, literacy skills, erudition, and more. As this essay argues, examining descriptions of miscellanies in wills reveals not only identification practices for miscellanies among book owners and readers in late medieval England but also roles played by miscellanies as culturally freighted objects.
Confected Miscellanies in Early Modern England: Gascoigne, Davison, Jonson
Authors: Brown Piers
Published: February 2024

abstract: The history of the miscellany is complicated, in part, by a confusion about the object of study. Not only is the term "miscellany" anachronistic, but also it is used to denote two related but distinct sorts of texts. Most of the print and manuscript collections labeled miscellanies are what we might call process miscellanies; that is, miscellaneous because of the processes of compilation. Comparatively neglected, however, are confected miscellanies, in which the apparent disorder is a deliberate effect created by the compiler. Brown's essay looks at the common tactics of three such confected miscellanies—George Gascoigne's A Hundred Sundry Flowers (1573), Francis Davison's A Poetical Rapsodie (1602), and Jonson's The Forest (1616)—and their descent from three different classical forms, the anthology, the rhapsody, and the silva. In this context, Brown asks how this conceptual difference can help us understand the purpose and aesthetic value of miscellanies for early modern authors, compilers, and readers.
A Book Historiography of the English Poetry Miscellany
Authors: Eckhardt Joshua
Published: February 2024

abstract: Whereas book history focuses on original sources, book historiography zooms out to bring book histories themselves into view. Like other forms of historiography, it analyzes the writing of history and therefore the labor of historians—in this case, the work of the literary and book historians who have written of the poetry miscellanies of fourteenth-to seventeenth-century England. The article traces scholars' retrospective application of the word "miscellany" to these books of poems. It surveys them in the order in which historians have called them miscellanies. This order might seem backward, because scholars generally imposed the word on printed books before manuscripts, and on early modern manuscripts before medieval manuscripts. At the beginning and the center of this renaming process was Tottel's so-called miscellany, Songes and Sonettes .
Inventories and Invention: Material Exchange and Literary Value in Englands Helicon
Authors: Heffernan Megan
Published: February 2024

abstract: It is well known that collections like Richard Tottel's Songes and Sonettes (1557) were retrospectively classified as miscellanies, as both the lexicon and the conceptual categories for multiauthor books were still being developed in sixteenth-century England. "Miscellany" and "anthology" are bibliographic back-formations, impositions of modern ideals of authorship and coherence on to collections that mix the labors of compilers and poets. This essay asks what histories of production and reception have been hidden by continuing to read Elizabethan poetry books as miscellanies. In particular, how has the mixed, disorderly book been taken as an essential origin point for English literary history? Heffernan's focus is Englands Helicon (1600), a book of 150 pastoral poems from the leading poets of the day. Because its mode was so consistent, this collection has most often been understood as an anthology compiled in response to the death of Philip Sidney. But by tracing its sources, Heffernan shows how dozens of poems in Englands Helicon were not at first pastorals and only gained a rural tone through the poem titles, speech tags, and attributions added in the process of printing the collection. The expansive fictions within the printed apparatus still contribute to how poems like Christopher Marlowe's "The Passionate Shepherd" are read and taught today. Englands Helicon holds a history of how a generically mixed body of work began to function as a cue for interpretation, covering the circumstances of its writing and circulation with a desire to read at scale.
Neural network classification of beams carrying orbital angular momentum after propagating through controlled experimentally generated optical turbulence
Authors: Jarrett William A. , Avramov-Zamurovic Svetlana , Esposito Joel M. , Judd K. Peter , Nelson Charles
Published: February 2024

We generate an alphabet of spatially multiplexed Laguerre–Gaussian beams carrying orbital angular momentum, which are demultiplexed at reception by a convolutional neural network (CNN). In this investigation, a methodology for optimizing alphabet design for best classification rates is proposed, and three 256-symbol alphabets are designed for performance evaluation in optical turbulence. The beams were propagated in three environments: through underwater optical turbulence generated by Rayleigh–Bénard (RB) convection (C
n
2≅10−11m−2/3), through a simulated propagation path derived from the Nikishov spectrum (C
n
2≅10−13m−2/3), and through optical turbulence from a thermal point source located in a water tank (C
n
2≅10−10m−2/3). We report a classification accuracy of 93.1% for the RB environment, 99.99% in simulation, and 48.5% in the point source environment. The project demonstrates that the CNN can classify the complex alphabet symbols in a practical turbulent flow that exhibits strong optical turbulence, provided sufficient training data is available and testing data is representative of the specific environment. We find the most important factor in a high classification accuracy is a diversification in the intensity profiles of the alphabet symbols.
Advanced drive laser system for a high-brightness continuous-wave photocathode electron gun
Authors: Wang Tianyi , Xu Hang , Liu Zhongqi , Zhang Xiang , Liu Juntao , Xu Jinqiang , Feng Liwen , Li Jingyi , Liu Kexin , Huang Senlin
Published: February 2024

In order to enhance the performance of a continuous-wave photocathode electron gun at Peking University, and to achieve electron beams with higher current and brightness, a multifunctional drive laser system named PULSE (Peking University drive Laser System for high-brightness Electron source) has been developed. This innovative system is capable of delivering an average output power of 120 W infrared laser pulse at 81.25 MHz, as well as approximately 13.8 W of green power with reliable stability. The utilization of two stages of photonic crystal fibers plays a crucial role in achieving this output. Additionally, the incorporation of two acousto-optic modulators enables the selection of macro-pulses with varying repetition frequencies and duty cycles, which is essential for effective electron beam diagnosis. Furthermore, the system employs a series of birefringent crystals for temporal pulse shaping, allowing for stacking Gaussian pulses into multiple types of distribution. Overall, the optical schematic and operating performance of PULSE are detailed in this paper.
Linearization signal conditioning circuit for tri-axial micro-grating MOEMS accelerometer
Authors: Jin Li , Xie Kunyang , Du Yixin , Li Mengwei
Published: February 2024

This paper proposes what we believe to be a novel linearization signal conditioning circuit for a tri-axial micro-grating micro-opto-electro-mechanical systems (MOEMS) accelerometer. The output of a micro-grating accelerometer varies as a sine/cosine function of the acceleration. The proposed circuit utilizes a subdivision interpolation technique to process these nonlinear intensity variations and render a linear digital output across the full range. Such a linearization circuit was achieved through a 90-degree phase-shift circuit, high-precision DC bias-voltage and subdivision interpolation circuits to reduce the influence of phase, magnitude, and offset errors of the sine-cosine signals on the interpolation factor, improving the resolution and accuracy of acceleration detection. Experimental results demonstrated that the micro-grating MOEMS accelerometer achieves a resolution of sub-mg, cross-axis errors of 3.57%, 1.22% and 0.89% for x-, y- and z-aixs, respectively. The bias instabilities and velocity random walks for the vertical and lateral accelerometer are superior to 26 µg and 38.7 µg/√Hz. The tri-axial micro-grating MOEMS accelerometer exhibits significant potential for applications requiring high sensitivity and large operation ranges, including the automotive industry and military equipment.
Enhanced evanescent field via integration of a graphene oxide/poly(methyl methacrylate) hybrid film on coreless D-shaped fibers
Authors: Sun Bing , Wan Kai , Zhou Kaiming , Huang Zhendong , Zhang Zuxing
Published: February 2024

This study presents the implementation of an evanescent field (EF)-based sensing platform employing a hybrid film composed of graphene oxide (GO) and poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA), integrated onto coreless D-shaped fibers (cDsFs). The operational framework of the hybrid film-coated cDsFs (GoP-cDsFs) was comprehensively elucidated through theoretical and experimental analyses. To establish a baseline for comparison, the performance of the cDsFs with the sole inclusion of the PMMA film was investigated. Our investigations underscore the substantive role of graphene oxide in augmenting the evanescent field, thereby generating a synergistic effect that contributes to the overall enhancement of the evanescent field in the device. Consequently, the fabricated GoP-cDsF sensor manifests an outstanding sensitivity of −4.936 nm/°C, rendering it particularly well-suited for applications demanding high-sensitivity temperature sensing. Moreover, the unique attributes of the GoP-cDsF position it as a promising candidate for the measurement of both magnetic and electric fields, presenting an effective strategy for multifunctional sensing applications.
Autophagy and oxidative stress modulation mediate Bortezomib resistance in prostate cancer
Authors: Zafeiropoulou Kalliopi , Kalampounias Georgios , Alexis Spyridon , Anastasopoulos Daniil , Symeonidis Argiris , Katsoris Panagiotis
Published: February 2024

Proteasome inhibitors such as Bortezomib represent an established type of targeted treatment for several types of hematological malignancies, including multiple myeloma, Waldenstrom’s macroglobulinemia, and mantle cell lymphoma, based on the cancer cell’s susceptibility to impairment of the proteasome-ubiquitin system. However, a major problem limiting their efficacy is the emergence of resistance. Their application to solid tumors is currently being studied, while simultaneously, a wide spectrum of hematological cancers, such as Myelodysplastic Syndromes show minimal or no response to Bortezomib treatment. In this study, we utilize the prostate cancer cell line DU-145 to establish a model of Bortezomib resistance, studying the underlying mechanisms. Evaluating the resulting resistant cell line, we observed restoration of proteasome chymotrypsin-like activity, regardless of drug presence, an induction of pro-survival pathways, and the substitution of the Ubiquitin-Proteasome System role in proteostasis by induction of autophagy. Finally, an estimation of the oxidative condition of the cells indicated that the resistant clones reduce the generation of reactive oxygen species induced by Bortezomib to levels even lower than those induced in non-resistant cells. Our findings highlight the role of autophagy and oxidative stress regulation in Bortezomib resistance and elucidate key proteins of signaling pathways as potential pharmaceutical targets, which could increase the efficiency of proteasome-targeting therapies, thus expanding the group of molecular targets for neoplastic disorders.
Virtual BUILD Research Collaboratory: A biomedical data science training using innovative pedagogy to address structures of racism and inequitable stress for undergraduates of color
Authors: Ceberio Niquo , Le Peter , Bailey Jasmón , Vernard Sonthonax , Coleman Nichole , Carrasco Yazmin P. , King Telisa , Bibbins-Domingo Kirsten , Nguyen Tung , Parangan-Smith Audrey , Uwaezuoke Kelechi , Rivers Robert C. , Watson Kenjus , Márquez-Magaña Leticia , Mehta Kala M.
Published: February 2024

Objective

The unprecedented events of 2020 required a pivot in scientific training to better prepare the biomedical research workforce to address global pandemics, structural racism, and social inequities that devastate human health individually and erode it collectively. Furthermore, this pivot had to be accomplished in the virtual environment given the nation-wide lockdown.

Methods

These needs and context led to leveraging of the San Francisco Building Infrastructure Leading to Diversity (SF BUILD) theories of change to innovate a Virtual BUILD Research Collaboratory (VBRC). The purpose of VBRC was to train Black, Indigenous, and people of color (BIPOC) students to apply their unique perspectives to biomedical research. These training activities were evaluated using a pre-post survey design that included both validated and new psychosocial scales. A new scale was piloted to measure culturally relevant pedagogy.

Results

VBRC scholars increased science identity on two items: thinking of myself as a scientist (+1point, p = 0.006) and belonging to a community of scientists (+1point, p = 0.069). Overall, scholars perceived stress also decreased over VBRC (-2.35 points, p = 0.02). Post VBRC, scholars had high agency scores (μ = 11.02, Md = 12, range = 6–12, σ = 1.62) and cultural humility scores (μ = 22.11, Md = 23, range = 12–24, σ = 2.71). No notable race/ethnic differences were found in any measures.

Conclusions

Taken together, our innovative approach to data science training for BIPOC in unprecedented times shows promise for better preparing the workforce critically needed to address the fundamental gaps in knowledge at the intersection of public health, structural racism, and biomedical sciences.
"I think we did the best that we could in the space:” A qualitative study exploring individuals’ experiences with three unconventional environments for patients with a delayed hospital discharge
Authors: Marcinow Michelle , Cadel Lauren , Birze Arija , Sandercock Jane , Baek Junhee , Wodchis Walter , Guilcher Sara J. T. , Kuluski Kerry
Published: February 2024

Background

Given growing hospital capacity pressures, persistent delayed discharges, and ongoing efforts to improve patient flow, the use of unconventional environments (newly created or repurposed areas for patient care) is becoming increasingly common. Despite this, little is known about individuals’ experiences in providing or receiving care in these environments.

Objectives

The objectives of this study were to: (1) describe the characteristics of three unconventional environments used to care for patients experiencing a delayed discharge, and (2) explore individuals’ experiences with the three unconventional environments.

Methods

This was a multi-method qualitative study of three unconventional environments in Ontario, Canada. Data were collected through semi-structured interviews and observations. Participants included patients, caregivers, healthcare providers, and clinical managers who had experience with delayed discharges. In-person observations of two environments were conducted. Interviews were transcribed and notes from the observations were recorded. Data were coded and analyzed thematically.

Results

Twenty-nine individuals participated. Three themes were identified for unconventional environments: (1) implications on the physical safety of patients; (2) implications on staffing models and continuity of care; and, (3) implications on team interactions and patient care. Participants discussed how the physical set-up of some unconventional spaces was not conducive to patient needs, especially those with cognitive impairment. Limited space made it difficult to maintain privacy and develop social relationships. However, the close proximity of team members allowed for more focused collaborations regarding patient care and contributed to staff fulfilment. A smaller, consistent care team and access to onsite physicians seemed to foster improved continuity of care.

Conclusions

There is potential to learn from multi-stakeholder perspectives in unconventional environments to improve experiences and optimize patient care. Key considerations include keeping hallways and patient rooms clear, having communal spaces for activities and socialization, co-locating team members to improve interactions and access to resources, and ensuring a consistent care team.
The unique association between serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D concentrations and blood lipid profiles in agriculture, forestry, and fishing occupations: Insights from NHANES 2001–2014
Authors: Zhang Baoshan , Dong Xibin
Published: February 2024

Background

The relationship of serum 25(OH)D levels and hyperlipidemia has not been explored in the Agriculture, Forestry, and Fishing (AFF) occupation. We aimed to explore the impact of serum 25(OH)D levels on lipid profiles in AFF workers, traffic drivers, and miners.

Methods

Data from 3937 adults aged 18–65 years old with completed information were obtained from the National Health and Examination Survey from 2001 to 2014. Multivariate linear regression models were used to examine the associations between serum 25(OH)D concentrations and triglycerides (TG), total cholesterol (TC), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) and HDL-C/LDL-C ratio. Subgroup analyses for AFF workers considered age, sex, BMI, work activity, months worked, and alcohol consumption. Non-linear relationships were explored using curve fitting.

Results

Serum 25(OH)D levels differed between groups (AFF: 60.0 ± 21.3 nmol/L, drivers: 56.6 ± 22.2 nmol/L, miners: 62.8 ± 22.3 nmol/L). Subgroup analysis of the AFF group showed that participants with serum 25(OH)D ≥50 nmol/L, females, and BMI <30 kg/m2 demonstrated improved HDL-C levels correlating with higher serum 25(OH)D. Serum 25(OH)D in AFF workers had a reversed U-shaped relationship with TG and TC, and a U-shaped relationship with HDL-C, with HDL-C, with inflection points at 49.5 nmol/L for TG and TC, and 32.6 nmol/L for HDL-C.

Conclusions

Serum 25(OH)D levels are associated with lipid profiles, and the relationship varies among occupational groups. AFF workers, facing unique occupational challenges, may benefit from maintaining adequate serum 25(OH)D levels to mitigate adverse lipid profiles and reduce cardiovascular risk.
The influence of proximity and knowledge base on recombination innovation in R&D collaboration
Authors: Nan Ding
Published: February 2024

Recombination innovation invented during organizations’ research and development (R&D) collaborations is a vital mechanism for creating new technological knowledge for organizations. This study aims to reveal the contribution mechanism of different dimensions of proximity to the recombination innovation at the collaborative dyad level and how this mechanism depends on the characteristics of organizations’ knowledge base structuration. We conceptualize that the interdependence among knowledge elements in the knowledge base forms the knowledge space of the organization and build a theoretical framework to explain the interactive effect of proximity and organizations’ knowledge base characteristics on collaborative recombination innovation. We validated the theoretical hypotheses using Logit regression models based on the longitudinal data of 150 organizations in the global nanotechnology industry. As demonstrated by our findings, technological proximity exerts a negative effect, while geographic proximity exerts an inverted U-shaped effect on collaborative organizations’ joint recombination innovation. Organizations’ knowledge base decomposability plays a negative role in moderating the effect of technological proximity and plays a positive role in regulating the effect of geographic proximity. In contrast, the degree centrality of the knowledge elements positively moderates the effect of both technological and geographic proximity.
Digital health and the promise of equity in maternity care: A mixed methods multi-country assessment on the use of information and communication technologies in healthcare facilities in Latin America and the Caribbean
Authors: Capasso Ariadna , Colomar Mercedes , Ramírez Dora , Serruya Suzanne , de Mucio Bremen
Published: February 2024

Introduction

Timely access to maternity care is critical to saving lives. Digital health may serve to bridge the care chasm and advance health equity. Conducted in the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic, this cross-sectional mixed-methods study assessed the use of information and communication technologies (ICTs) in healthcare facilities in nine Latin American and Caribbean countries to understand the landscape of ICT use in maternity care and the barriers and facilitators to its adoption.

Materials and methods

Between April 2021 and September 2022, we disseminated an online survey in English and Spanish among, mainly public, healthcare institutions that provided maternity care in Argentina, Bolivia, Colombia, the Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Guyana, Honduras, Paraguay and Peru. We also interviewed 27 administrators and providers in ministries of health and healthcare institutions.

Results

Most of the 1877 institutions that answered the survey reported using ICTs in maternity care (N = 1536, 82%), ranging from 96% in Peru to 64% in the Dominican Republic. Of institutions that used ICTs, 59% reported using them more than before or for the first time since the pandemic began. ICTs were most commonly used to provide family planning (64%) and breastfeeding (58%) counseling, mainly by phone (82%). At the facility level, availability of equipment and internet coverage, coupled with skilled human resources, were the main factors associated with ICT use. At country level, government-led initiatives to develop digital health platforms, alongside national investments in the digital infrastructure, were the determining factors in the adoption of ICTs in healthcare provision.

Conclusion

Digital health for maternity care provision relied on commonly available technology and did not necessitate highly sophisticated systems, making it a sustainable and replicable strategy. However, disparities in access to digital health remain and many facilities in rural and remote areas lacked connectivity. Use of ICTs in maternity care depended on countries’ long-term commitments to achieving universal health and digital coverage.
Classification of pleasantness of wind by electroencephalography
Authors: Maruyama Yasuhisa , Nakamura Ryuto , Tsuji Shota , Xuan Yingli , Mizutani Kunio , Okaze Tsubasa , Yoshimura Natsue
Published: February 2024

Thermal comfort of humans depends on the surrounding environment and affects their productivity. Several environmental factors, such as air temperature, relative humidity, wind or airflow, and radiation, have considerable influence on the thermal comfort or pleasantness; hence, these are generally controlled by electrical devices. Lately, the development of objective measurement methods for thermal comfort or pleasantness using physiological signals is receiving attention to realize a personalized comfortable environment through the automatic control of electrical devices. In this study, we focused on electroencephalography (EEG) and investigated whether EEG signals contain information related to the pleasantness of ambient airflow reproducing natural wind fluctuations using machine learning methods. In a hot and humid artificial climate chamber, we measured EEG signals while the participants were exposed to airflow at four different velocities. Based on the reported pleasantness levels, we performed within-participant classification from the source activity of the EEG and obtained a classification accuracy higher than the chance level using both linear and nonlinear support vector machine classifiers as well as an artificial neural network. The results of this study showed that EEG is useful in identifying people’s transient pleasantness when exposed to wind.
Socio-cultural factors shaping the attitude of Generation Z and Generation Alpha youth towards quality
Authors: Spychalski Bartosz
Published: February 2024

Purpose: The primary objective of this paper is to analyze the socio-cultural factors that shape the attitudes of Generation Z and Generation Alpha towards quality in products and services. Methodology: The paper employs a multi-disciplinary approach, integrating insights from sociology, cultural studies, and consumer behavior. It examines the influence of media, family, and social groups on forming quality-conscious attitudes among young people. Results: The research reveals that media can both promote and undermine quality consciousness, depending on the nature and quality of the content. Family background, particularly parents’ education level, significantly influences young people’s awareness and understanding of quality. Social groups can reinforce or challenge family values and set high-quality standards if linked to shared hobbies, activities, or goals. Theoretical Contribution: This paper contributes to the literature on consumer behavior and quality consciousness by comprehensively analysing the socio-cultural factors influencing young people’s attitudes towards quality. It introduces the concept of quality-conscious attitudes as a three-component model encompassing knowledge about quality, feelings of desirability and legitimacy, and developed habits. Practical Implications: The findings of this research have practical implications for marketers, educators, and policy-makers. They highlight the need for quality education and awareness campaigns targeting young people and underscore the role of media, family, and social groups in shaping attitudes towards quality.
Development of an efficient deep learning system for automatic prediction of power demand based on the forecasting of power distribution
Authors: Aravind Thangavel , Suresh Paramasivam
Published: February 2024

Electrical load prediction aids electrical producing and allocation firms in planning capacity and management to ensure that all customers get the energy they need on a consistent basis. Despite the fact that numerous prediction models have been created, none of them can be applied to all market trends. As a result, this article provides a practical technique for predicting customer power usage. To address the troubles of power utilization surveying, CRF-based energy utilization choosing strategy conditional random field based powered consumption prediction (CRF-PCP) is proposed. A convolutional brain organization (a technique in view of artificial intelligence) joined with a contingent irregular field is utilized to prepare and foresee the energy consumption (EC) of the districts. The training models features are extracted using a spatiotemporal texture map (STTM). Supervisory control and data acquisition (SCADA) is utilized to gather and keep up with information on the power utilization of local purchasers. The information given in the cloud is sent to the power circulation framework. Additionally, power utilization expectation utilizing a convolution neural network (CNN) with profound conditional random field (CRF) provides an outcome of 98.9% precision, which is far superior to prior research in the same area. The acquired result demonstrates that the employed machine learning methods are performing at their peak.
CONFIGURAÇÕES DE HOMICÍDIOS EM MACEIÓ (AL): UM ESTUDO DE CASO
Authors: Nascimento Fillipi Lúcio , Silva Neto Antonio José da
Published: February 2024

O objetivo da pesquisa foi analisar os aspectos configuracionais dos casos de homicídio doloso ocorridos na cidade de Maceió (AL) entre os anos de 2015 e 2017. O desenho metodológico proposto consistiu em estudo descritivo e exploratório de abordagem quantitativa sobre dados cedidos pelas Polícias Civil e Militar do estado de Alagoas e pela Secretaria de Estado de Ressocialização e Inclusão Social. Constatou-se que: os homicídios registrados no referido período foram mais frequentes aos finais de semana, no turno noturno; As vias públicas mostraram-se os principais locais de ocorrência desses delitos, com diferenças qualitativas associadas ao sexo da vítima; A dinâmica da criminalidade foi descrita como principal fator motivador dos casos analisados; Os perfis da vítima e do agressor apresentam similaridades em termos de sexo, cor, faixa etária e nível de instrução; Ambos os achados corroboram com os de estudos nacionais e internacionais. Evidenciou-se ainda a necessidade de estudos especializados de longo prazo a fim de identificar as condições que contribuem para a sustentabilidade das configurações de homicídio identificadas e descritas no presente estudo.
CONDICIONAMENTO LITOESTRUTURAL DA REDE DE DRENAGEM DA BACIA HIDROGRÁFICA DO RIO PIRANHAS-AÇU, NORDESTE DO BRASIL
Authors: Cordeiro Abner Monteiro Nunes , Bastos Frederico de Holanda , Costa Diógenes Félix da Silva , Dias João Rafael Vieira , Dantas Assucena Nogueira Batista
Published: February 2024

O condicionamento litoestrutural da rede de drenagem da bacia hidrográfica do rio Piranhas-Açu foi investigado através da correlação de dados litológicos, tectônicos, geomorfológicos e de densidade e direcionamento de lineamentos estruturais, além dos padrões e anomalias de drenagem. A pesquisa foi elaborada a partir de revisão bibliográfica e cartográfica acerca do contexto litoestrutural e geomorfológico da área, seguida de trabalhos de campo e utilização de ferramentas de geoprocessamento. Com o auxílio de softwares de geoprocessamento, o trabalho utilizou o modelo digital de elevação NASADEM HGT (2000), com resolução espacial de 30 metros, que permitiu a extração da rede de drenagem e das estruturas de deformação, assim como a identificação e distribuição dos padrões de drenagem. Os resultados quantitativos indicam densidade de drenagem mediana e predomínio de padrões de drenagem dendrítico e subdendrítico, porém com ocorrências pontuais de padrões de drenagem indicativos de controle litoestrutural, destacando-se o padrão paralelo, paralelo a retangular, radial centrífugo e treliça. Adicionalmente, existe uma abundância de anomalias sugestivas de drenagem com controle litoestrutural, incluindo, principalmente, trechos retilíneos, cotovelos de drenagem, junções em ângulos retos e processos de superimposição e de avulsão.
HOW THE BRAZILIAN CERRADO IS CHANGING OVERTIME IN NORTHERN MINAS GERAIS? SPATIAL ANALYSIS AND PREDICTION
Authors: Santana Neto Vicente Paulo , Marcelino Reginaldo Arthur Gloria , Magalhães Emanuelly Canabrava , Coelho Polyanne Aparecida , Guimarães Aretha Franklin , Acerbi Júnior Fausto Weimar , Lorenzon Alexandre Simões
Published: February 2024

Deforestation is a complex problem worldwide caused mostly by the increase in farming activities. Despite the Brazilian Cerrado being the most biodiverse savanna in the world, this biome is threatened by high deforestation rates. The present study aimed to evaluate deforestation in in São Francisco municipality – Minas Gerais state in Brazil's southwestern region, analyzing changes in land cover between 2012 and 2020 focusing on forest, savanna, and grassland physiognomies, and predicting changes in the land cover for the year 2030. It was evaluated metrics of density and size, edge, shape, core area, and proximity. The forest and savanna fragments suffered a reduction in area (0.92% and 12.60%, respectively) and core area, and also increased its proximity. On the other hand, the grassland physiognomy increased its total area (12.72%), nuclear area, and distance from the other fragments. In general, the forest fragment and savanna fragments tended to be elongated and irregular. For 2030, a scenario is predicted with increasing grassland and decreasing forest and savanna. Those changes in the landscape can threaten the region's biodiversity, so public policy attention is needed to the conservation of the fragmented areas.