bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Early‐Life and Family Risk Factors for Tic Disorder Persistence into Adulthood
Authors: Mataix‐Cols David , Isomura Kayoko , Brander Gustaf , Brikell Isabell , Lichtenstein Paul , Chang Zheng , Larsson Henrik , Kuja‐Halkola Ralf , Black Kevin J. , Sidorchuk Anna , Fernández de la Cruz Lorena
Published: May 2023

Background

Many children with tic disorders outgrow their tics, but little is known about the proportion of individuals who will continue to require specialist services in adulthood and which variables are associated with tic persistence.

Objectives

The aims were to estimate the proportion of individuals first diagnosed with tic disorders in childhood who continued to receive tic disorder diagnoses after age 18 years and to identify risk factors for persistence.

Methods

In this Swedish nationwide cohort study including 3761 individuals diagnosed with tic disorders in childhood, we calculated the proportion of individuals whose diagnoses persisted into adulthood. Minimally adjusted logistic regression models examined the associations between sociodemographic, clinical, and family variables and tic disorder persistence. A multivariable model was then fitted, including only variables that were statistically significant in the minimally adjusted models.

Results

Seven hundred and fifty‐four (20%) children with tic disorders received a diagnosis of a chronic tic disorder in adulthood. Psychiatric comorbidity in childhood (particularly attention‐deficit hyperactivity disorder, obsessive‐compulsive disorder, pervasive developmental disorders, and anxiety disorders) and psychiatric disorders in first‐degree relatives (particularly tic and anxiety disorders) were the strongest risk factors for persistence. We did not observe statistically significant associations with socioeconomic variables, perinatal complications, comorbid autoimmune diseases, or family history of autoimmune diseases. All statistically significant variables combined explained approximately 10% of the variance in tic disorder persistence (P < 0.0001).

Conclusions

Childhood psychiatric comorbidities and family history of psychiatric disorders were the strongest risk factors associated with tic disorder persistence into adulthood. © 2023 The Authors. Movement Disorders published by Wiley Periodicals LLC on behalf of International Parkinson and Movement Disorder Society.
Sensitivity analysis of hybrid microgrids with application to deployed military units
Authors: Reich Daniel , Sanchez Susan M.
Published: May 2023

We introduce a framework for applying sensitivity analysis to a set of potential hybrid microgrid design options, from which a decision maker can select the most preferred one. In contrast to optimization‐centric models that define an objective and produce a single solution, our goal is to empower the decision maker by providing both a range of options and accessible information that enables the decision maker to easily assess their relative upsides and downsides. Moreover, our decoupled approach allows our framework to be paired with any existing model capable of generating a set of potential hybrid microgrid designs. We introduce metrics for computing risk, stemming from power deficits, over a variety of scenarios relating to weather conditions, power demand fluctuations, and extended time horizons. These factors which are inherently uncertain are all important in military operational contexts. By introducing a design of experiments method for sensitivity analysis, we are able to implement parallel processing and maintain computational tractability.
Transdisciplinary approaches to graduate student training for food–energy–water challenges
Authors: Gittlin Madisen L. , Clarizio Tessa , Lamino Pablo , Michels Alexandrea , Opejin Adenike , Barrera Emiliano López
Published: May 2023

Systems‐level approaches are required for addressing the world's major challenges at the food–energy–water nexus. Taking on complex issues, such as rising food insecurity, malnutrition, and food waste, concomitant with unprecedented levels of stress on environmental systems, will necessitate that future scholars and decision makers be prepared through transdisciplinary student training. However, in higher education, students tend to be siloed within their discipline. In this study, we present a case for the development of transdisciplinary graduate student training based on an inter‐institutional and fully remote group of graduate students who assembled during the COVID‐19 pandemic to address the issue of food waste. We use our wide‐ranging disciplinary backgrounds, high‐performance transdisciplinary team training, and stakeholder feedback to develop and conduct a weeklong social media campaign to share educational resources for reducing household food waste. This work offers valuable lessons learned through the student's lens to those seeking to create or improve future transdisciplinary training methods for tackling food waste and other global grand challenges. Key insights from this process include the importance of accountability and open communication when conducting collaborative teamwork, the utility of various mobile and online tools for effectively facilitating remote group work, and the vital role of transdisciplinarity in devising creative solutions.
Effect of voxelotor on cardiopulmonary testing in youths with sickle cell anemia in a pilot study
Authors: Phan Vivian , Hershenson Jared , Caldarera Laura , Larkin Sandra K. , Wheeler Kari , Cortez Ana Lucia , Dulman Robin , Briere Noravy , Lewis Angela , Kuypers Frans A. , Yang Elizabeth
Published: May 2023

Background

Individuals with sickle cell anemia (SCA) exhibit decreased exercise capacity. Anemia limits oxygen‐carrying capacity and affects cardiopulmonary fitness. The drug voxelotor raises hemoglobin in SCA. We hypothesized that voxelotor improves exercise capacity in youths with SCA.

Methods

In a single‐center, open‐label, single‐arm, longitudinal interventional pilot study (NCT04581356), SCA patients aged 12 and older, stably maintained on hydroxyurea, were treated with 1500 mg voxelotor daily, and performed cardiopulmonary exercise testing before (CPET#1) and after voxelotor (CPET#2). A modified Bruce Protocol was performed on a motorized treadmill, and breath‐by‐breath gas exchange data were collected. Peak oxygen consumption (peak VO2), anaerobic threshold, O2 pulse, VE/VCO2 slope, and time exercised were compared for each participant. The primary endpoint was change in peak VO2. Hematologic parameters were measured before each CPET. Patient Global Impression of Change (PGIC) and Clinician Global Impression of Change (CGIC) surveys were collected.

Results

Ten hemoglobin SS patients aged 12–24 completed the study. All demonstrated expected hemoglobin rise, with average +1.6 g/dL (p = .003) and P50 left shift of average −11 mmHg (p < .0001) with decreased oxygen off‐loading at low pO2. The change in % predicted peak VO2 from CPET#1 to CPET#2 ranged from −12.8% to +11.3%, with significant improvement of more than 5% in one subject, more than 5% decrease in five subjects, and insignificant change of less than 5% in four subjects. All 10 CGIC and seven of 10 PGIC responses were positive.

Conclusion

In a plot study of 10 youths with SCA, voxelotor treatment did not improve peak VO2 in 9 out of 10 patients.
Hyperoside prevents doxorubicin‐induced cardiotoxicity by inhibiting NOXs/ROS/NLRP3 inflammasome signaling pathway
Authors: Wei Shanshan , Ma Wanjun , Jiang Chuanhao , Liu Jiaqin , Liu Jian , Zhang Bikui , Li Wenqun
Published: May 2023

Clinical application of doxorubicin (Dox) in cancer chemotherapy is limited by its cardiotoxicity. Present study aimed to demonstrate the effect and mechanism of hyperoside in Dox‐induced cardiotoxicity. C57BL/6 mice were injected with 12 mg/kg of Dox, and 1 μM Dox was exposed to primary cardiomyocytes. Cardiac function was evaluated by echocardiographic and myocardial enzyme levels. Cardiomyocyts apoptosis was analyzed by TUNEL staining and flow cytometry. Network pharmacology and molecular docking were utilized to explore potential targets of hyperoside. Protein expressions were detected by western blot and enzyme activities were determined by colorimetry. Cardiac dysfunction and cardiomyocyte apoptosis induced by Dox were attenuated by hyperoside. Mechanism of hyperoside was mainly related to “oxidative stress” pathway. Hyperoside exhibited strong binding activities with nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate (NADPH) oxidases (NOXs, the main source of ROS in cardiomyocytes) and cyclooxygenases (COXs). Experiments proved that hyperoside suppressed the ROS generation and the elevated activities of NOXs and COXs induced by Dox. Dox also triggered the activation of NLRP3 inflammasome, which was reversed by hyperoside. Hyperoside bound to NOXs and COXs, which prevents Dox‐induced cardiotoxicity by inhibiting NOXs/ROS/NLRP3 inflammasome signaling pathway. Hyperoside holds promise as a therapeutic strategy for Dox‐induced cardiotoxicity.
Improved criteria for evaluating impact targets in regulative drop tests of dangerous goods packagings
Authors: Lengas Nikolaos , Müller Karsten , Schlick‐Hasper Eva , Neitsch Marcel , Johann Sergej , Zehn Manfred W.
Published: May 2023

For dangerous goods packagings, drop testing onto an essential unyielding target can be used to assess the mechanical resistance to impact loads. Adopted regulations like Agreement concerning the International Carriage of Dangerous Goods by Road (ADR)/Regulation concerning the International Carriage of Dangerous Goods by Rail (RID) require that the impact surface provided shall be integral with a mass at least 50 times than that of the heaviest package to be tested. The problem is that many manufacturers do not possess impact targets that satisfy the required 50 times mass ratio for regulative drop tests during series production. The objective of this work is to verify existing and define improved criteria for impact target structures based on systematic investigations. Previous evidence highlights the relevance of other parameters in addition to the mass ratio. Therefore, in this research, a variation of drop test parameters was carried out experimentally. Furthermore, numerical vibration analysis was applied to investigate the deformability of the impact surface. The results conclude that the mass ratio of 1:50 cannot be defined as a decisive criterion. In order to determine the influence of further drop test parameters, the research findings were used to validate a parametric model that assesses impact target deflection. An approximation quality of over 90% was achieved. As a result, new evaluation criteria are proposed. First, a method for identifying critical impact target designs is provided. Second, a new comprehensive formula compares the approximated maximum deflection of a real impact target to the respective theoretical threshold derived from a worst‐case assumption. In practice, this leads to great advantages in the evaluation of already installed impact targets for dangerous goods packagings.
Gastric bypass and antidepressant concentrations
Authors: Lam Y. W. Francis
Published: May 2023

Obesity is known to be associated with depression (Luppino et al., 2010), and antidepressant prescriptions are common in patients with obesity. Roux‐en‐Y gastric bypass (RYGB), one of the most commonly performed bariatric surgeries for obese patients, results in significant changes to gastric and intestinal architecture.
The sodium oxybate REMS program: greed isn't good
Authors: Price Lawrence H.
Published: May 2023

Back in November 2020, a point in our history that you may recall as marked by, one could say, “disquiet,” I wrote a commentary addressing an issue of pharmacoeconomics pertaining to our field (Price, 2020). I acknowledged at the time some trepidation about departing from our core mission of covering psychopharmacology, but argued that the specific topic (dramatic disparities in the pricing of generic psychiatric drugs) was of such great importance to us as psychiatric providers that the exception was justified. Now, nearly three years later, I find myself again sufficiently roiled to make a similar exception.
Relative contributions of local heat storage and ocean heat transport to cold‐season Arctic Ocean surface energy fluxes in CMIP6 models
Authors: Hajjar Khaled al , Salzmann Marc
Published: May 2023

The Arctic near‐surface air temperature increases most strongly during the cold season, and ocean heat storage has often been cited as a crucial component in linking the ice‐albedo radiative feedback, which is active in summer, and near‐surface air temperature increase in winter, when the lapse rate feedback contributes to Arctic warming. Here, we first estimate how much local heat storage and ocean heat transport contribute to net surface energy fluxes on a seasonal scale in CMIP6 models. We then compare contributions in a base state under weak anthropogenic forcing to a near‐present‐day state in which significant Arctic amplification is simulated. Our analysis indicates that, in a few regions, ocean heat transport plays a larger role for cold‐season net surface energy fluxes compared with local heat storage. Analyzing differences between past and near‐present‐day conditions suggests that the lapse rate feedback, which mainly acts during the cold season in warm water inflow regions, may be more strongly influenced than previously thought by increased ocean heat transport from lower latitudes.
Stability mechanisms and air temperature advection on the marine atmospheric boundary layer modulation at the southwestern Atlantic Ocean
Authors: Cabrera Mylene Jaen , Pezzi Luciano Ponzi , Santini Marcelo Freitas , Sutil Ueslei Adriano , Aravéquia José Antonio , de Camargo Ricardo
Published: May 2023

Hydrostatic adjustment and vertical mixing are the two main mechanisms used to describe the stability of the marine atmospheric boundary layer (MABL) in oceanic regions with intense horizontal temperature gradients. To analyze the occurrence of these mechanisms, we performed simulations using an active coupled regional ocean–atmosphere numerical model in the southwestern Atlantic Ocean (SWA) region in October 2014 in the presence of an atmospheric frontal system. A novel in‐situ dataset was sampled by radiosondes in the Brazil–Malvinas Confluence (BMC) region and used with the model dataset. The vertical mixing mechanism and a prefrontal warm‐air temperature advection were identified, which modulated the shallower and more stable MABL. The hydrostatic adjustment mechanism was not evident because of the near‐surface wind convergence field modification caused by the large‐scale atmospheric system observed in our experiment. The coupled model simulation presented good agreement compared to in‐situ and satellite data. This contribution to the knowledge of the ocean–atmosphere interaction processes at the SWA reinforced that coupled models can be a helpful tool to investigate the air–sea interactions and physical mechanisms that explain MABL stability.
Predicting the extent of andic soils across western Haleakalā, Maui
Authors: Hodges Ryan C. , Boettinger Janis L.
Published: May 2023

Maui is one of five Hawaiian Islands affected by orographic climate effect, exhibiting a massive precipitation gradient across western Haleakalā. However, high variability of volcanic ash deposits as a parent material across the study area complicates the ability to isolate the influence of climate on soil formation. Little is documented about the spatial extent of ash deposition, frequency and intensity of volcanic ejecta events, and composition of ash. Therefore, andic soils, which contain short range order (SRO) aluminosilicates and iron oxides that result in unique soil chemical and physical properties, are challenging to map. Using environmental and andic property data from 16 pedons sampled in the study area—bulk density, phosphate retention, and aluminum plus ½ iron extracted by ammonium oxalate—we applied multiple linear regression to create spatial prediction models of these three soil properties. Predicted soil properties were then used to classify andic soils. The mean prediction for an independent set of pedons showed a soil classification accuracy of 50% in the study area for Andisols (data to 60 cm), andic intergrades (data to 75 cm), and non‐andic soils. Soil property predictions using depth‐weighted average data to 1 m increased soil classification user accuracy of Andisols to 87.5%, andic‐intergrades to 100%, and non‐andic soils to 83.3%. Whether a soil exhibits andic soil properties within 60 or 75 cm is irrelevant when considering prior or current presence of ash in a soil. Accounting for all available pedon data with depth proves most important when attempting to predict andic properties and classes.
Southern politics, southern power prices: Race, utility regulation, and the value of energy
Authors: Phillips Kristin D.
Published: May 2023

For many middle‐income households, paying the electricity bill is a mundane, even mindless, act. But for an ever‐increasing number of low‐income families, the electricity bill—filtered through the racialized materiality of poor‐quality housing stock and antidemocratic price regulation—represents something more ominous: looming disconnection, eviction, and a deep spin of vulnerabilities. This article explores the materiality of race in the US South through the prism of southern utilities and maps the political landscape on which contestations over the value of energy are taking place. I ask, how do different conceptualizations of value by utilities, regulators, and energy justice advocates figure into the price of energy and racialized dispossession in the Deep South? I draw attention to the highly elaborated narrative politics of the value of Georgia Power's energy. In conversation with recent anthropological debates about value and “the just price,” I argue that Georgia Power's monopoly on public power engages and reinforces the racialized political economy of the South to produce high home energy prices for low‐income families. But it also provokes a decryption of these energy prices by energy justice advocates that connects the silent violence of energy injustice to people's everyday experiences of extractive utility bills.
Continuous Vat Photopolymerization for Optical Lens Fabrication
Authors: Xu Han , Chen Shuai , Hu Renzhi , Hu Muqun , Xu Yang , Yoon Yeowon , Chen Yong
Published: May 2023

Optical lenses require feature resolution and surface roughness that are beyond most (3D) printing methods. A new continuous projection‐based vat photopolymerization process is reported that can directly shape polymer materials into optical lenses with microscale dimensional accuracy (< 14.7 µm) and nanoscale surface roughness (< 20 nm) without post‐processing. The main idea is to utilize frustum layer stacking, instead of the conventional 2.5D layer stacking, to eliminate staircase aliasing. A continuous change of mask images is achieved using a zooming‐focused projection system to generate the desired frustum layer stacking with controlled slant angles. The dynamic control of image size, objective and imaging distances, and light intensity involved in the zooming‐focused continuous vat photopolymerization are systematically investigated. The experimental results reveal the effectiveness of the proposed process. The 3D‐printed optical lenses with various designs, including parabolic lenses, fisheye lenses, and a laser beam expander, are fabricated with a surface roughness of 3.4 nm without post‐processing. The dimensional accuracy and optical performance of the 3D‐printed compound parabolic concentrators and fisheye lenses within a few millimeters are investiagted. These results highlight the rapid and precise nature of this novel manufacturing process, demonstrating a promising avenue for future optical component and device fabrication.
DUPLETS: Deformability‐Assisted Dual‐Particle Encapsulation Via Electrically Activated Sorting
Authors: Zhong Jianwei , Liang Minhui , Ai Ye
Published: May 2023

Co‐encapsulation of bead carriers and biological cells in microfluidics has become a powerful technique for various biological assays in single‐cell genomics and drug screening because of its distinct capability of single‐cell confinement. However, current co‐encapsulation approaches exist a trade‐off between cell/bead pairing rate and probability of multiple cells in individual droplets, significantly limiting the effective throughput of single‐paired cell‐bead droplets production. Deformability‐assisted dUal‐Particle encapsuLation via Electrically acTivated Sorting (DUPLETS) system is reported to overcome this problem. The DUPLETS can differentiate the encapsulated content in individual droplets and sort out targeted droplets via a combined screening of mechanical and electrical characteristics of single droplets in label‐free manners and with the highest effective throughput in comparison to current commercial platforms. The DUPLETS has been demonstrated to enrich single‐paired cell‐bead droplets to over 80% (above eightfold higher than current co‐encapsulation techniques). It eliminates multicell droplets to 0.1% whereas up to ≈24% in 10× Chromium. It is believed that merging DUPLETS into the current co‐encapsulation platforms can meaningfully elevate sample quality in terms of high purity of single‐paired cell‐bead droplets, low fraction of multicell droplets, and high cell viability, which can benefit a multitude of biological assay applications.
A Self‐Regenerating Artificial Cell, that is One Step Closer to Living Cells: Challenges and Perspectives
Authors: Tror Seangly , Jeon SeonMin , Nguyen Huong Thanh , Huh Eunjin , Shin Kwanwoo
Published: May 2023

Controllable, self‐regenerating artificial cells (SRACs) can be a vital advancement in the field of synthetic biology, which seeks to create living cells by recombining various biological molecules in the lab. This represents, more importantly, the first step on a long journey toward creating reproductive cells from rather fragmentary biochemical mimics. However, it is still a difficult task to replicate the complex processes involved in cell regeneration, such as genetic material replication and cell membrane division, in artificially created spaces. This review highlights recent advances in the field of controllable, SRACs and the strategies to achieve the goal of creating such cells. Self‐regenerating cells start by replicating DNA and transferring it to a location where proteins can be synthesized. Functional but essential proteins must be synthesized for sustained energy generation and survival needs and function in the same liposomal space. Finally, self‐division and repeated cycling lead to autonomous, self‐regenerating cells. The pursuit of controllable, SRACs will enable authors to make bold advances in understanding life at the cellular level, ultimately providing an opportunity to use this knowledge to understand the nature of life.
A nomenclatural review of the name Echinocactus williamsii (Lophophora williamsii): Correct author and year of publication
Authors: Calvo Joel , Benítez Guillermo
Published: May 2023

Lophophora williamsii (Lem. ex J.F.Cels) J.M.Coult., known under the vernacular name peyote, is one of the most popular and well‐known cactus because of its powerful psychoactive properties. Nonetheless, the authority of its basionym, Echinocactus williamsii Lem. ex J.F.Cels, has erroneously been attributed to Joseph zu Salm‐Reifferscheid‐Dyck and dated from 1845. Herein, we bring to light that the first description was provided by the French horticulturist Jean François Cels in 1842. A historical review of the nomenclature behind this species is provided and the name neotypified. Given that the later isonym by Salm‐Reifferscheid‐Dyck is being proposed for conservation, the implications of our finding are discussed.
A Multiliteracies Classroom Ecology for Elementary Bilingual Language Learners
Authors: Curiel Lucía Cárdenas
Published: May 2023

In here, I provide a description of a multiliteracies elementary classroom's ecology according to how an elementary bilingual teacher and bilingual language learners in her classroom interact and engage with traditional (linguistic) and alternative (multimodal) texts in language arts. This multiliteracies classroom ecology shows their dynamic language interactions through their biliteracy practices. I first outline some examples of biliteracy events and practices by describing traditional texts (written or oral) and the media (materials) in which the disciplinary knowledge is represented, and then show the biliteracy practices familiar in their bilingual classroom. Finally, I describe a multiliteracies approach to teaching and learning and the important reasons to include and implement this approach for the benefit of bilingual language learners.
Crooke's cell pituitary adenoma in a 7‐month‐old dog with Cushing's syndrome
Authors: Teyssandier Santiago , Galac Sara , Figurelli Silvina , Kooistra Hans S. , Soler Arias Elber Alberto
Published: May 2023

A 7‐month‐old Boxer puppy was referred for growth retardation. Cushing's syndrome was diagnosed based on clinical signs, physical appearance, elevated urine cortisol/creatinine ratios and unsuppressed plasma cortisol after a low dose of dexamethasone. At the time, there was no evidence of pituitary or adrenal neoplasia on imaging studies. After 60 days of trilostane treatment, the clinical signs of Cushing's syndrome had disappeared. Thirty months later, the dog died of cardiac disease. Pathological examination revealed a pituitary macroadenoma with bilateral adrenocortical hyperplasia. Immunostaining for adrenocorticotropic hormone confirmed a corticotroph adenoma. High Ki‐67 staining denoted the aggressiveness of the tumour. Haematoxylin–eosin, periodic acid‐Schiff and cytokeratin 7 staining revealed a perinuclear hyaline ring in the neoplastic cells, compatible with a Crooke's cell adenoma. This is the first case of Crooke's cell pituitary adenoma causing Cushing's syndrome in a puppy with growth retardation.
Keys to Interpreting the International Cooperation of the EU for the Special Jurisdiction for Peace
Authors: Ospina-Pedraza Ana María , Benavides-Vanegas Farid Samir , Bonilla-Montenegro Julián Darío
Published: May 2023

The chapter examines the origins and nature of the Special Jurisdiction for Peace (JEP), and the role that international cooperation has had in its consolidation. Specifically, the chapter looks at the Colombian model of transitional justice and the mode of investigation ofsystem crimesby the JEP, throwing light on the technical aspects pertaining to its work. The chapter argues that although the country has seen different forms of international cooperation, that proceeding from the European Union in recent years has been central insofar as it helped consolidate the institutions of the JEP and shielded the Comprehensive System for Peace from political attacks from the government. Nonetheless, the chapter also presents a critical perspective on international cooperation in support of peacebuilding institutions, since the funds that sustain the functioning of the JEP do not proceed from the sovereign state implementing the peace accords.
The European Union: A Strategic Partner for Colombia’s Truth Commission
Authors: Rodríguez Triana Tania Esperanza
Published: May 2023

This chapter examines the political, technical and financial support provided by the EU to one of the institutions of the transitional justice system created as part of the Peace Agreement: the Commission for the Clarification of Truth, Coexistence and Non-recurrence. The implementation of the Agreement, and transnational justice in particular, have faced at least three challenges: (i) in carrying out its mission, while communicating progress effectively so that the public understands its importance, building hope for a peaceful future; (ii) in ensuring its methods guarantee the broadest possible access for the country’s victims to ensure the political legitimacy of its results; and (iii) in guaranteeing that there are sufficient resources for this to take place. Understanding these challenges, the EU has been a strategic partner of the institutions of the Comprehensive System, especially the Truth Commission. It has also allowed the Commission to expand its territorial presence, making it more accessible to victims and ensuring plural listening, which has formed the basis of the method for clarifying the truth and helped boost the impact of the communication processes in Colombian society.
Pathways and Obstacles in Colombia's Quest for Peace
Authors: Paladini-Adell Borja
Published: May 2023

Political violence has characterised the process of building the Colombian nation-state for several centuries, as in many other countries. Despite this reality, peace has become the main political motor for the consolidation of the nation-state over the last 40 years, and the elimination once and for all of political violence is the driving force behind this process. Important sectors of the Colombian population have sought to consolidate a democratic state that guarantees rights by eliminating political violence as a leading mechanism in the processes of change—both that exercised by the state and political elites, and that exercised by those who want to subvert power. In this chapter I analyse and focus on the pathways and obstacles in the search for peace in Colombia. I also analyse the main dynamics of the political project of peace as a means to completing the consolidation of the Colombian nation-state by taking political violence out of the equation. This peacebuilding process has been led by Colombians, but, the international community, including the European Union, has played a crucial role in accompanying this quest.
Multilevel Support for the Process for the Reincorporation of FARC-EP: The Experience of the EU Trust Fund
Authors: Madridejos Ornilla Carlos
Published: May 2023

The European Union has become a key political partner for the implementation of the Peace Agreement signed between the government of Colombia and the FARC-EP guerrilla organization at the end of 2016. The Trust Fund, consisting of 130 million euros and involving 23 countries, has become a highly useful instrument for inter-institutional articulation and investment coordination. One of its strategic priorities is to promote the process of reincorporating ex-combatants and accompanying their return to civil life. With that objective, a multidimensional focus has been adopted, which combines different forms of cooperation, logics of intervention and levels of work (territorial, national and institutional). This strategy, which is novel due to its integral and multilevel character, has been developed in a context that is highly volatile, polarized and fragile, and it could enrich or serve as a reference for other peace processes at the international level. The chapter describes the theoretical-practical focus adopted by the EU and the partners in the implementation of the Peace Agreement, and highlights the different strengths, weaknesses and lessons identified during the research.
A Review of the European Union’s Gender Approach in Its Support for the Colombian Peace Process
Authors: Mendia Azkue Irantzu
Published: May 2023

The Colombian peace process is considered a conceptually and politically innovative one due to the relevance that the gender approach acquired in the 2016 Peace Agreement. Therefore, this chapter analyses the gender and peace agenda of the European Union’s cooperation in Colombia. The results point to an increase in gender mainstreaming, especially through the European Peace Fund. This trend is reinforced by the guidelines of the Gender Action Plan III (2020–2025), which state that 85% of all new EU actions in external relations must contribute to gender equality and women’s empowerment. However, other findings point to specific actions that can be assessed from a more critical perspective, for example: “adding” women in activities that are not based necessarily on analyses about the causes of gender inequality; adopting a “family approach” outside of gender considerations; reinforcing, homogenizing and victimizing images of women when they are reduced to the category of “vulnerable groups”; subsuming support for women in actions aimed at a diverse set of civil society subjects; the lack of integral gender and intersectional approaches; and the lack of a dual strategy that combines mainstreaming with a gender line of action that has its own financing.
Words Can Be Confusing: Stereotype Bias Removal in Text Classification at the Word Level
Authors: Shen Shaofei , Zhang Mingzhe , Chen Weitong , Bialkowski Alina , Xu Miao
Published: May 2023

Text classification is a widely used task in natural language processing. However, the presence of stereotype bias in text classification can lead to unfair and inaccurate predictions. Stereotype bias is particularly prevalent in words that are unevenly distributed across classes and are associated with specific categories. This bias can be further strengthened in pre-trained models on large natural language datasets. Prior works to remove stereotype bias have mainly focused on specific demographic groups or relied on specific thesauri without measuring the influence of stereotype words on predictions. In this work, we present a causal analysis of how stereotype bias occurs and affects text classification, and propose a framework to mitigate stereotype bias. Our framework detects potential stereotype bias words using SHAP values and alleviates bias in the prediction stage through a counterfactual approach. Unlike existing debiasing methods, our framework does not rely on existing stereotype word sets and can dynamically evaluate the influence of words on stereotype bias. Extensive experiments and ablation studies show that our approach effectively improves classification performance while mitigating stereotype bias.
Economic Growth and Land Use Restraint
Authors: Macchiaroli Maria , De Mare Gianluigi , Dolores Luigi , Del Vecchio Marianna
Published: May 2023

The injection of huge capital resulting from the European measures to cope with the pandemic (Next Generation EU) led to a revival of the economy which was then conditioned by the beginning of the war in Eastern Europe. The Italian situation promises considerable resources (PNRR) destined for the driving sectors of the production of goods and services. This will provoke the request for new settlement spaces for the rising companies and for the development of the existing ones. This need contrasts with the UN recommendations on the containment of land use (Sustainable Development Goals - SDGs - UN 2030), already supported by the European Commission (2012) in the guidelines for limiting, mitigating, and compensating for the waterproofing of the territory. Therefore, a gap is created between yearnings for economic growth and, on the other hand, urban and environmental sustainability, a dyscrasia which then finds a specific rebound in the regulatory-urbanistic condition of many municipalities whose areas of productive settlement must face up to nonrenewable expired expropriation constraints, despite the availability of lands included in the homogeneous areas intended for industrial settlement. If on the one hand this condition contains the transformation of new lands, on the other - in the presence of a strong demand for settlement - it entails the need to take a census of what is unused, to reacquire it to the public hand and to reintroduce it on the market at reasonable prices from a financial but also a social point of view. This study deals with this issue with reference to urban areas destined for industrial settlements, with reference to the definition of the problems of reacquisition, evaluation by reassignment and the discontinuity of the existing urban fabric due to the fragmented map made up of funds that become available again.

The study presented will be followed, in the forthcoming publication, by the examination of a case study of an industrial area of the Italian territory.
Navigating the Green Transition During the Pandemic Equitably: A New Perspective on Technological Resilience Among Boston Neighborhoods Facing the Shock
Authors: Sohrabi Poya , Oikonomaki Eleni , Hamdy Nourhan , Kakderi Christina , Bevilacqua Carmelina
Published: May 2023

Cities, public authorities, and private organizations respond to climate change with various green policies and strategies to enhance community resilience. However, these community-level transition processes are complex and require deliberate and collective planning. Under this context, the purpose of this study is to understand the energy actions taken at the local level, as well as to analyze the differences between the neighborhoods’ green energy transitions in terms of their socio-economic aspects, using a big data perspective. The paper is addressing the following question: what was the role that the pandemic played in accelerating or slowing Boston’s green investments, and to what extent do different racial and socioeconomic groups invest in green technologies during this period? The study aims to answer these research questions using the City of Boston as a case study to reveal different neighborhoods’ paths in achieving the transformation of city ecosystems towards green neutrality. Next, the theoretical framework builds the linkages among the city’s measures, climate actions proposed by the City of Boston, and their associated contexts and outcomes in shaping new policy and planning models for higher ‘green’ performance. Following the understanding of the actions, the neighborhoods’ socio-economic and building permit data were assessed to understand whether economic disparities exacerbated during the pandemic have affected neighborhoods’ performance in green transition. This method is applied in a comparative study of its 23 neighborhoods, using a dataset provided by Boston Area Research Initiative (BARI). Intriguingly, the paper’s findings show that racial differences within the city have no significant impact on tech-related expenditures. There is a clear negative correlation between poverty rate and investment, which indicates the reverse relationship between these socio-economic factors. The study concludes that city authorities will need to address the challenges of each community achieving green transition with more targeted programs based on its needs.
The Contribution of the Green Responsive Model to the Ecological and Digital Transition in the Built Environment
Authors: Lucanto Domenico , Nava Consuelo
Published: May 2023

The proposal represents a framework for the digital transition of the construction sector and architecture without depletion, towards a resilient system for the management of the circularity of resources and the optimization of performance in the building organism by intervening on the liminal space, controlling its impacts. The research on the themes of Advanced Sustainable Design, in which the approaches to circular design and UpCycling are placed, interprets the mission of the necessary ecological and digital transition, in the construction sector and for the architecture of buildings and spaces with zero impact, reforming design processes and using computational simulation and prototyping strategies. The experimental topics addressed in doctoral research experiences and competitive projects within ABITAlab, investigate the relationship between hypersustainability and enabling technologies, between advanced design and transition scenarios, providing a contribution to frontier research in which theoretical paradigms and experimental results are innovated and transferred to the sector of transformation of the built environment at the building and urban scale. The contribution reports some theoretical and experimental activities in progress. To summarize the topics that will be found within the paper, they can be listed: Introduction; Literature review; Experimental context; Green Responsive Model; Methodology; Green Responsive System approach; Results; Conclusions
S4 + and the Sustainability Dimension for a New Territorial Perspective
Authors: Provenzano Vincenzo , Seminara Maria Rosaria
Published: May 2023

The European Commission has made sustainable development a central element of its growth strategy for the next few years. From an all-encompassing perspective, the European Green Deal (EGD) represents the EU’s contribution to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), the “Smart Specialization Strategy” (S3), and the attempt of the EU at a position of global leadership in sustainable development. This paper states that an effective innovation-oriented policy, including a sustainable dimension, requires an adequate division of labour between the EC, national and regional/local governance levels, and the shift from S3 to S4 +, a smart specialization sustainable strategy. It also underlines how a territorial approach to policies is suitable for incorporating a five-helix innovation model and is well suited for implementing S4 +. Therefore, the Ecological Transition, illustrated in the EGD, requires a new governance design and management attitude. This contribution proposes a framework for implementing the new EGD strategy and the consequent implementation of the sustainability dimension. Numerous challenges focus on the sub-regional level highlighting the Community-Led Local Development (CLLD) as a tailored governance model that can include Sustainability and innovation in a complete democratic setting.
The Development of Social Impact Finance and the Post-COVID-19 Transition
Authors: Provenzano Vincenzo , Arnone Massimo
Published: May 2023

This paper investigates new financial instruments within the aggregate of social impact finance, which has developed particularly following Covid-19. In particular, the focus is on Social Impact Bonds (SIBs) and the Italian Social Fund. The multi-stakeholder logic of SIBs and Social Fund are well suited to finance social innovation projects that are fundamental for revitalizing local communities and urban areas. These new financial instruments can play a crucial role in simplifying the launch of local development processes and placing environmental sustainability and biodiversity as crucial variables of the new EU Sustainable Development Strategy.
Acid-sensing ion channel 1a exacerbates renal ischemia–reperfusion injury through the NF-κB/NLRP3 inflammasome pathway
Authors: Yang Yan , Jin Shi , Zhang Jian , Chen Weize , Lu Yufei , Chen Jun , Yan Zhixin , Shen Bo , Ning Yichun , Shi Yiqin , Chen Jing , Wang Jialin , Xu Sujuan , Jia Ping , Teng Jie , Fang Yi , Song Nana , Ding Xiaoqiang
Published: May 2023

Ischemia-reperfusion injury (IRI) is the main cause of acute kidney injury (AKI), and there is no effective therapy. Microenvironmental acidification is generally observed in ischemic tissues. Acid-sensing ion channel 1a (ASIC1a) can be activated by a decrease in extracellular pH which mediates neuronal IRI. Our previous study demonstrated that, ASIC1a inhibition alleviates renal IRI. However, the underlying mechanisms have not been fully elucidated. In this study, we determined that renal tubule-specific deletion of ASIC1a in mice (ASIC1afl/fl/CDH16cre) attenuated renal IRI, and reduced the expression of NLRP3, ASC, cleaved-caspase-1, GSDMD-N, and IL-1β. Consistent with these in vivo results, inhibition of ASIC1a by the specific inhibitor PcTx-1 protected HK-2 cells from hypoxia/reoxygenation (H/R) injury, and suppressed H/R-induced NLRP3 inflammasome activation. Mechanistically, the activation of ASIC1a by either IRI or H/R induced the phosphorylation of NF-κB p65, which translocates to the nucleus and promotes the transcription of NLRP3 and pro-IL-1β. Blocking NF-κB by treatment with BAY 11-7082 validated the roles of H/R and acidosis in NLRP3 inflammasome activation. This further confirmed that ASIC1a promotes NLRP3 inflammasome activation, which requires the NF-κB pathway. In conclusion, our study suggests that ASIC1a contributes to renal IRI by affecting the NF-κB/NLRP3 inflammasome pathway. Therefore, ASIC1a may be a potential therapeutic target for AKI.

Key messages

Knockout of ASIC1a attenuated renal ischemia-reperfusion injury.

ASIC1a promoted the NF-κB pathway and NLRP3 inflammasome activation.

Inhibition of the NF-κB mitigated the NLRP3 inflammasome activation induced by ASIC1a.
Generalised Ordinary vs Fully Simple Duality for n-Point Functions and a Proof of the Borot–Garcia-Failde Conjecture
Authors: Bychkov Boris , Dunin-Barkowski Petr , Kazarian Maxim , Shadrin Sergey
Published: May 2023

We study a duality for the n-point functions in VEV formalism that we call the ordinary vs fully simple duality. It provides an ultimate generalisation and a proper context for the duality between maps and fully simple maps observed by Borot and Garcia-Failde. Our approach allows to transfer the algebraicity properties between the systems of n-point functions related by this duality, and gives direct tools for the analysis of singularities. As an application, we give a proof of a recent conjecture of Borot and Garcia-Failde on topological recursion for fully simple maps.
Comparison of long-term outcomes of splenectomy with periesophagogastric devascularization and transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt in treating cirrhotic portal hypertension patients with recurrent variceal bleeding
Authors: Zhu Wenfeng , Wang Xiaowen , Lv Yun , Chen Haoqi , Chen Xiaolong , Li Xuejiao , Zhu Shuguang , Lin Zexin , Wang Genshu
Published: May 2023

Purpose

Transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt (TIPS) and splenectomy with periesophagogastric devascularization (SPD) are widely used to treat cirrhotic portal hypertension (PH) and prevent variceal rebleeding. However, direct comparisons between these two approaches are rare. This study was designed to compare the long-term outcomes of TIPS and SPD in patients with cirrhotic PH and variceal rebleeding.

Methods

The study included cirrhotic PH patients with a history of gastroesophageal variceal bleeding between 18 and 80 years of age who were admitted to the Third Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University from January 2012 to January 2022. Patients were enrolled into two groups according to TIPS or SPD was performed. Baseline characteristics were matched using propensity score matching (PSM).

Results

A total of 230 patients underwent TIPS, while 184 underwent SPD. PSM was carried out to balance available covariates, resulting in a total of 83 patients in the TIPS group and 83 patients in the SPD group. Patients in SPD group had better liver function during 60 months follow-up. Five-year overall survival rates in SPD group and TIPS group were 72 and 27%, respectively, at 2 years were 88 and 86%, respectively. The 2- and 5-year freedom from variceal rebleeding rates were 95 and 80% in SPD group and 80 and 54% in TIPS group.

Conclusions

SPD is clearly superior to TIPS in terms of OS and freedom from variceal rebleeding in patients with cirrhotic PH. In addition, SPD improved liver function in patients with cirrhotic PH.