bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Exploring Fragmented Data: Environments, People and the Senses in Virtual Reality
Authors: Sciuto Claudia , Foka Anna , Lindmark Mattis , Robertsson Jim
Published: June 2023

Taking into consideration that archaeologists and historians are today more frequently encouraged to think in terms of digital transduction of historical materials, this chapter focuses on the potentials and pitfalls of ‘visualizing’ ‘recreating’ and ‘re-enacting/experiencing the senses’ in Virtual Reality (thereon VR) environments. More precisely, we focus on the very idea of sensory immersion for archaeological enquiry, research, study and dissemination. This chapter draws upon four VR projects at Humlab, Umeå University. The first is an example of using archaeological data for supporting the interpretation process in a Mesolithic site, environment from GIS to an immersive platform. The second is a result of collaborative work with the project ancient dance modern dancers (Slaney et al. 2018) in capturing the intangible art of Roman Pantomime in the theatre of Pompeii on Virtual Reality. The third is the implementation of interactive tools for an immersive study of photogrammetric models of medieval rock-cut settlements while the fourth is an assessment of the implementation of VR Google Earth in teaching ancient topography for undergraduate archaeology students. We show how important and interesting research is made in the process of tool experimentation and tool development.
History and Ecology of Malaria in the Caucasus
Authors: Hirschfeld Katherine , de Beurs Kirsten , Brayfield Brad , Melkonyan-Gottschalk Ani
Published: June 2023

This chapter explores the history of malaria in the Caucasus. Devastating epidemics ofPlasmodium vivax(P. vivax) were quite common during the early decades of the twentieth century. Aggressive Soviet public health measures helped control outbreaks but the disease persisted until the pesticide DDT became available in the 1950s. As the Soviet Union entered its later years the expansion of the informal economy facilitated a return to a more traditional ethnic and kinship-based social order in the Caucasus. These developments were particularly noticeable in Karabakh due to its unique geography as an Armenian enclave inside the political territory of Azerbaijan.

By the late 1980s, ethnic separatism combined with communal violence to generate outflows of refugees and prolonged interruptions in public health prevention and vector control programs.
The Karabakh Conflict, 1988–1994
Authors: Hirschfeld Katherine , de Beurs Kirsten , Brayfield Brad , Melkonyan-Gottschalk Ani
Published: June 2023

This chapter provides a chronological overview of the Karabakh conflict, beginning with the development of ethnic violence in the late 1980s and continuing through the collapse of the Soviet Union in the early 1990s. The initial phase of unrest in Karabakh was met with Soviet military aggression, particularly against Armenian villages that were known to support separatists. Thousands of Armenian and Azeri refugees fled Karabakh and relocated to urban areas where their stories of persecution stoked retaliatory violence. As Soviet power began to wane, military equipment from the Soviet army began to filter into different militia groups, fueling more intense violence that rapidly accelerated into nation-state warfare after the collapse of the USSR. As the war intensified a severe economic and humanitarian crisis unfolded that left thousands of refugees without heat, hot water or medical services throughout the region.
Long-Term Conflict and Environmental Change
Authors: Hirschfeld Katherine , de Beurs Kirsten , Brayfield Brad , Melkonyan-Gottschalk Ani
Published: June 2023

The Karabakh conflict reignited in the winter of 2020 and a new peace accord transferred several key regions from Armenian to Azeri control. At least 90,000 people were displaced and tensions in the region remain high. This chapter uses data from remote sensing to assess the long-term environmental impact of the Karabakh conflict from the 1990s through 2020. We look specifically at changes in land use and land cover. These include analyses of forest disturbance, cropland abandonment and patterns of surface water. We conclude that forest disturbance and cropland abandonment are likely to generate expanded habitat for Anopheles sacharovi—a key malaria vector in the region. Ongoing tensions also suggest the conflict is not yet resolved and the potential for new hostilities is high.
Structural Marxism and Its Critique
Authors: Kortesoja Matti
Published: June 2023

This chapter contends with the discursive turn in which images of social structure and social change shifted from anatomicalconceptual metaphors to relational thinking that captures social structure as a complex articulation of interlinked ideological, political, and economic instances. The examination begins with one of the most influential takes in the so-called return to Marx, addressing the Althusserian theory of ideology, which discourse theorists have accused of ‘yoking together’ a totality in connection with the larger structure of society in ideological terms. In fact, Althusser and his colleagues studied ideology’s practical application as a discursive interpellation of subjects. When discourse theory ultimately prevailed, it had adapted this part of the theory of ideology, while the concept of the capitalist mode of production has been excised from sociological discussions. Informed by awareness of ‘the spectre of Marx(ism)’, where social sciences are haunted by the ghostly notions of class-struggle and bourgeois ideology, this chapter turns attention to the less famous modes-of-production controversy in French new economic anthropology, which drew ethnographers’ gaze to class, ethnicity, and gender issues.
Einführung
Authors: Vormbaum Moritz
Published: June 2023

Die Strafverfolgung von NS-Unrecht durch die bundesdeutsche Justiz hat nahezu 80 Jahre gedauert. Sie wird in zwiespältiger Erinnerung bleiben. Zwar gelten Verfahren wie der Ulmer Einsatzgruppen-Prozess (1958) und der erste Frankfurter Auschwitz-Prozess (1963 bis 1965) als Meilensteine der deutschen Vergangenheitsbewältigung. Ihnen steht aber die Masse von Tätern gegenüber, die nur sehr milde bestraft worden oder gänzlich von Strafverfolgung verschont geblieben ist. Die Aufhebung der Verjährung für Mord (§ 211 StGB) im Jahr 1979 hat die rechtliche Möglichkeit geschaffen, immerhin für dieses Delikt die Strafverfolgung fortzuführen. Die Justiztätigkeit in der Folgezeit blieb aber überschaubar – auch wegen der strengen Anforderungen an die Beweisführung, die nach der Rechtsprechung galten.
Conception and implementation of a certification system for quality control of cochlear implant treatment in Germany
Authors: Stöver T. , Plontke S. K. , Guntinas-Lichius O. , Welkoborsky H.-J. , Zahnert T. , Delank K. W. , Deitmer T. , Esser D. , Dietz A. , Wienke A. , Loth A. , Dazert S.
Published: June 2023

A standardized and structured process is indispensable for optimal hearing rehabilitation with cochlear implants (CI). The Executive Committee of the German Society of Otorhinolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery (DGHNO-KHC), initiated the conception of a certification program and a Whitepaper based on the Association of the Scientific Medical Societies in Germany (AWMF) clinical practice guideline (CPG) describing the current medical standards of CI care in Germany. The goal was to independently confirm implementation of this CPG and make this information publicly available. With the support of an independent certification organization, successful implementation of the CI-CPG by a hospital would then be verified and confirmed by awarding the “Cochlear implant-provision institution” (Cochlea-Implantat-versorgende Einrichtung, CIVE) quality certificate. A structure for implementation of a certification system was developed based on the CI-CPG. The following steps were required: 1) conception of a quality control system for certification of hospitals working in accordance with the CI-CPG; 2) development of required structures for an independent review of quality-relevant structure, process, and result parameters; 3) development of a standard procedure for independent certification of hospitals; 4) development of a certificate and a logo to demonstrate successful certification; 5) practical implementation of the certification. Following design of the certification program and the required organizational structure, the certification system was successfully launched in 2021. Applications for the quality certificate could be formally submitted from September 2021. A total of 51 off-site evaluations were performed by December 2022. In the first 16 months from introduction, 47 hospitals were successfully certified as CIVE. In this period, 20 experts were trained as auditors, who have since then carried out 18 on-site audits in hospitals. In summary, the conceptual design, structure, and practical implementation of a certification program for quality control in CI care was successfully implemented in Germany.
Infratentorielle Hirntumoren bei Kindern
Authors: Lieb J. M , Lonak A. , Vogler A. , Pruefer F. , Ahlhelm F. J.
Published: June 2023

Klinisches Problem

Tumoren der hinteren Schädelgrube machen etwa 50–55 % der kindlichen Hirntumoren aus.

Diagnostik

Zu den häufigsten Tumorentitäten zählen Medulloblastome, pilozytische Astrozytome, Ependymome, diffuse Mittelliniengliome und atypisch teratoid-rhabdoide Tumoren (ATRT). Der neuroradiologischen Differenzialdiagnostik mittels Magnetresonanztomographie (MRT) kommt eine erhebliche Bedeutung zu, sowohl für die präoperative Planung als auch für die Planung der Anschlusstherapie.

Leistungsfähigkeit

Wichtige Merkmale für die Differenzialdiagnostik sind die genaue Tumorlokalisation, das Patientenalter und die intratumorale scheinbare Diffusion, die mittels diffusionsgewichteter Bildgebung quantifiziert werden kann.

Bewertung

Fortschrittliche MR-Techniken, wie MR-Perfusion und MR-Spektroskopie, können sowohl für die initiale Diagnostik als auch für die Beurteilung des Tumorverlaufs hilfreich sein, allerdings sollten Ausnahmeverhalten bestimmter Tumorentitäten bekannt sein.

Empfehlung für die Praxis

Konventionelle MRT-Sequenzen inklusive Diffusionswichtung sind die wichtigsten diagnostischen Tools zur Evaluation pädiatrischer Tumoren der hinteren Schädelgrube. Fortschrittliche MR-Techniken können helfen, sollten allerdings nicht isoliert von den konventionellen MRT-Sequenzen interpretiert werden.
On some simple geometric structure of affine Deligne–Lusztig varieties for $${{\,\textrm{GL}\,}}_n$$
Authors: Shimada Ryosuke
Published: June 2023

In this paper we study the geometric structure of affine Deligne–Lusztig varieties $$X_{\lambda }(b)$$

X
λ

(
b
)

for $$\textrm{GL}_n$$

GL
n

and b basic. Motivated by Görtz and He (Camb J Math 3:323–353, 2015) and Chan and Ivanov (Math Ann 380:1801–1890, 2021), we consider a new condition on $$\lambda $$
λ
. If this is satisfied, then $$X_{\lambda }(b)$$

X
λ

(
b
)

is the disjoint union of classical Deligne–Lusztig varieties times finite-dimensional affine spaces.
Synthesis of superabsorbent composite based on chitosan-g-poly(acrylamide)/attapulgite
Authors: Kenawy El-Refaie , Elnaby Hasnaa Hasab , Azaam Mohamed M.
Published: June 2023

The production of environmentally friendly SAP using biodegradable natural resources such as chitosan was synthesized for water saving and controlled-released fertilizer. Chitosan-g-poly(acrylamide)/attapulgite superabsorbent composites (CTS) were created by crosslinking N,N'-methylene-bis-acrylamide (MBA) with chitosan (Ch), acrylamide, and attapulgite (ATP) and initiating the reaction with potassium persulfate (KPS). Spectroscopic techniques such as Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, thermal gravimetric analysis (TGA), and scanning electron microscope were used to characterize the composite structures. It was done to determine how certain characteristics, such as the initiator percentage, crosslinker ratio, and clay content, affected the composite's ability to swell. The results confirmed that the thermal stability of the composite was improved by the addition of ATP. The maximum swelling was attained when the KPS concentration was 0.1 g. However, the addition of 0.2 g of KPS created a composite with a lower swelling capacity. When the amount of ATP was increased by up to 0.4 g, the swelling increased from 210 to 319 g/g. However, as the clay amount was increased further to 1.2 g, the swelling capacity decreased to 170 g/g. As pH increased to 3.0, the swelling of ATP2 grew larger; nevertheless, it shrank between pH values of 3 and 6. As the pH climbed to 8, the swelling sharply grew. The chosen composition was evaluated as a controlled-release method for urea fertilizer and swelled to 319 g/g in water (CTS2). The findings demonstrated that when the formulation's ATP content was increased from 0 to 1.2 g, the release rate was delayed, and the release length increased from 5 to 21 h.

Graphical abstract
On the numerical and mesh-dependent parameters in a computationally enhanced phase-field fracture model coupled with a novel mesh refinement strategy
Authors: Sarmadi Nima , Mousavi Nezhad Mohaddeseh , Fisher Quentin J.
Published: June 2023

The phase-field method has been proven as a robust and computationally efficient approach to model the propagation of fractures in brittle solids. However, the performance of this technique in the context of finite element method can be questioned due to restrictions in the mesh structure and the element size to capture the fracture as a diffusive damaged region. This study is dedicated to developing a methodology for finding an appropriate length-scale parameter to model the fracturing process in a way that matches the physical character of failure in materials. The fracture process zone is chosen as the key feature in this study to propose relationships for estimating the length-scale parameter based on the tensile strength and cracking properties, and the robustness of the method is verified using experimental data. To employ the phase-field method in modelling large-scale domains and complex geometries, a novel mesh refinement strategy is developed to increase the computational efficiency based on predicting a corrected tensile strength limit depending on the element size to capture the crack-tip effectively. The proposed mesh refinement strategy reduces the computational effort significantly. Reliability and robustness of the developed relationships are successfully examined by simulating benchmark cases and comparisons with physically measured data.
Fetal growth at term and placental oxidative stress in a tissue micro-array model: a histological and immunohistochemistry study
Authors: Xodo Serena , Celante Lisa , Liviero Stefania , Orsaria Maria , Mariuzzi Laura , De Luca Matteo , Damante Giuseppe , Driul Lorenza , Cagnacci Angelo , Ferino Annalisa , Di Giorgio Eros , Xodo Luigi , Londero Ambrogio Pietro
Published: June 2023

This study examines 8-hydroxyguanine (8-oxo-Gua) staining in placental tissue samples based on fetal size at birth as well as its relationships with placental histology and other pregnancy variables. This prospective cohort study included women > 18 years with a singleton pregnancy, a live fetus, fluency in Italian, and delivery at term. A total of 165 pregnancies were included in the study. The nuclear syncytiotrophoblast 8-oxo-Gua staining score in LGA was substantially greater than in late FGR (p < 0.05), although the cytoplasm score was lower in SGA and LGA than in AGA (p < 0.05). Furthermore, a sex-specific pattern of 8-oxo-Gua staining was discovered in single-term placentas, with more oxidative damage found in the nuclei of syncytiotrophoblast cells and stromal and endothelial cells in AGA males compared to AGA females (p < 0.05). Second, the histological pattern of late FGR placentae differed by gender. Finally, a significant correlation (p < 0.05) was found between high-intensity 8-oxo-Gua staining in the cytoplasm of syncytiotrophoblast cells and thrombi in the chorionic plate or villi in males. On the other hand, female fetuses demonstrated a significant connection (p < 0.05) between high-intensity 8-oxo-Gua staining in endothelial and stromal cells and high birthweight MoM values. Our findings indicated a significant variation in the oxidative stress pattern between male and female placentae, implying that fetal growth is regulated differently in the two sexes.
Exercise alters cortico-basal ganglia network metabolic connectivity: a mesoscopic level analysis informed by anatomic parcellation defined in the mouse brain connectome
Authors: Wang Zhuo , Donahue Erin K. , Guo Yumei , Renteln Michael , Petzinger Giselle M. , Jakowec Michael W. , Holschneider Daniel P.
Published: June 2023

The basal ganglia are important modulators of the cognitive and motor benefits of exercise. However, the neural networks underlying these benefits remain poorly understood. Our study systematically analyzed exercise-associated changes in metabolic connectivity in the cortico-basal ganglia-thalamic network during the performance of a new motor task, with regions-of-interest defined based on mesoscopic domains recently defined in the mouse brain structural connectome. Mice were trained on a motorized treadmill for six weeks or remained sedentary (control), thereafter undergoing [14C]-2-deoxyglucose metabolic brain mapping during wheel walking. Regional cerebral glucose uptake (rCGU) was analyzed in 3-dimensional brains reconstructed from autoradiographic brain sections using statistical parametric mapping. Metabolic connectivity was assessed by calculating inter-regional correlation of rCGU cross-sectionally across subjects within a group. Compared to controls, exercised animals showed broad decreases in rCGU in motor areas, but increases in limbic areas, as well as the visual and association cortices. In addition, exercised animals showed (i) increased positive metabolic connectivity within and between the motor cortex and caudoputamen (CP), (ii) newly emerged negative connectivity of the substantia nigra pars reticulata with the globus pallidus externus, and CP, and (iii) reduced connectivity of the prefrontal cortex (PFC). Increased metabolic connectivity in the motor circuit in the absence of increases in rCGU strongly suggests greater network efficiency, which is also supported by the reduced involvement of PFC-mediated cognitive control during the performance of a new motor task. Our study delineates exercise-associated changes in functional circuitry at the subregional level and provides a framework for understanding the effects of exercise on functions of the cortico-basal ganglia-thalamic network.
High USP4 mRNA is associated with an HPV-positive status in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma patients
Authors: Scheiflinger Alexandra , Al-Gboore Sega , Jank Bernhard J. , Brkic Faris , Kadletz-Wanke Lorenz , Kenner Lukas , Heiduschka Gregor , Schnoell Julia
Published: June 2023

Introduction

Head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) is among the most common cancers in the world with a low survival rate and common diagnosis at late stages. Deubiquitination of proteins is involved in tumor growth, metastasis, apoptosis, and immunosuppressive pathways. The impact of the ubiquitin-specific protease (USP4) on survival was only scarcely investigated so far. The goal of our research was to analyze the association of USP4 expression with prognosis and clinicopathological features in HNSCC.

Methods

USP4 mRNA levels were derived from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) for a cohort of 510 patients. Protein expression of USP4 was analyzed by immunohistochemistry in a second cohort of 113 patients. Associations between USP4 levels and overall survival, disease-free survival and clinicopathological data were analyzed.

Results

High levels of USP4 mRNA were associated with prolonged overall survival in univariable analysis. There was no more association with survival after correction for the confounders HPV, stage and smoker status. High USP4 mRNA levels were linked to a lower T-stage, the patient’s age at diagnosis, and a positive HPV status. USP4 protein levels were not associated with prognosis or other features.

Conclusion

Since high USP4 mRNA was not an independent prognostic marker, we assume that the association is a result of the correlation of high USP4 mRNA with an HPV-positive status. Therefore, further investigation of USP4 mRNA and its association with the HPV status of HNSCC patients is warranted.
Eculizumab use in patients with pneumococcal-associated hemolytic uremic syndrome and kidney outcomes
Authors: Konopásek Patrik , Zieg Jakub
Published: June 2023

Background

Streptococcus pneumoniae-associated hemolytic uremic syndrome (P-HUS) is a rare and severe disease. Only a few reports have been published about eculizumab use in P-HUS.

Methods

We analyzed demographic, clinical, and laboratory data of patients with P-HUS from our center.

Results

The cohort consisted of 4 females and 3 males. All patients had pneumonia. Four were given eculizumab (days 1–3). The eculizumab group required a shorter duration of dialysis and mechanical ventilation (medians 20 vs. 28.5 and 30 vs 38.5 days, respectively) compared with the non-eculizumab group, but this was still much longer than normally reported; the thrombocytopenia resolution was similar in both groups (medians 10 vs. 8 days). Chronic kidney disease (CKD) was correlated with the duration of dialysis and mechanical ventilation duration at 1 year (r = 0.797, P = 0.032 and r = 0.765, P = 0.045) and last follow-up (r = 0.807, P = 0.028 and r = 0.814, P = 0.026, respectively); our scoring system showed even stronger correlations (r = 0.872, P = 0.011 and r = 0.901, P = 0.0057, respectively). The eculizumab group showed slightly better 1-year and last follow-up CKD stage (2.75 vs. 3, P = 0.879 and 2.5 vs. 3.67, P = 0.517).

Conclusions

Despite the fact that the eculizumab group showed better outcomes, eculizumab does not seem to improve the course of P-HUS compared with previous reports. Kidney outcomes are strongly correlated with the duration of dialysis and mechanical ventilation duration.

Graphical Abstract
Coupled Hydromechanical Modelling of a Vertical Hydraulic Sealing System Based on the Sandwich Principle
Authors: Shao H. , Roelke Ch. , Emmerich K. , Popp T. , Koeniger F. , Schuhmann R. , Wieczorek K. , Hesser J.
Published: June 2023

For the shaft sealing of a repository for radioactive waste, a Sandwich sealing system was developed by KIT-CMM consisting of bentonite-based sealing segments (DS) and sand mixture-based equipotential segments (ES). To demonstrate the functionality of the Sandwich sealing system, various laboratory tests (MiniSandwich tests and semi-technical scale experiments) have been carried out before a large-scale experiment has been implemented in situ at the Mont Terri Rock Laboratory (CH). An important coupled process in the Sandwich system is the swelling deformation of the DS while aqueous fluid penetrates into the system. Consequently, the interparticle porosity (effective porosity) of the DS decreases by swelling strain, resulting in a reduction in the permeability of the DS. Pore space of the ES also decreases slightly due to swelling stress in the adjacent DS, which also leads to a reduction in the permeability of the ES. To understand the coupled hydromechanical processes of the Sandwich sealing system, a numerical model was developed to interpret the experimental observations from the MiniSandwich tests and to parameterize different components. A linear swelling model for DS and empirical functions for the swelling deformation-induced permeability change for both DS and ES segments were introduced into the coupled model with Richards’ flow and elastic model. Sensitivity analysis with parameter variations of the most important parameters reduces the uncertainty in the system behavior.
Electrochemical monitoring of enzymatic cleavage in nanochannels with nanoparticle-based enhancement: determination of MMP-9 biomarker
Authors: Valero-Calvo David , Toyos-Rodriguez Celia , García-Alonso Francisco Javier , de la Escosura-Muñiz Alfredo
Published: June 2023

For the first time the use of nanoparticles as carriers of an enzymatic substrate immobilized inside nanoporous alumina membranes is proposed with the aim of amplifying the nanochannel blocking produced and, consequently, improving the efficiency of an enzyme determination through enzymatic cleavage. Streptavidin-modified polystyrene nanoparticles (PSNPs) are proposed as carrier agents, contributing to the steric and the electrostatic blockage due to the charge they present at different pH values. Electrostatic blockage is the predominant effect that governs the blockage in the interior of the nanochannel and is dependent not just in the charge inside the channel, but also in the polarity of the redox indicator used. Hence, the effect of using negatively charged ([Fe(CN)6]4−) and positively charged ([Ru(NH3)6]3+) redox indicator ions is studied for the first time. Under the optimum conditions, matrix-metalloproteinase 9 (MMP-9) is detected at clinically relevant levels (100–1200 ng/mL) showing a detection limit of 75 ng/mL and a quantification limit of 251 ng/mL with good reproducibility (RSD: 8%) and selectivity, also showing an excellent performance in real samples with acceptable recovery percentages (in the range around 80–110%). Overall, our approach represents a cheap and fast sensing methodology of great potential in point-of-care diagnostics.

Graphical Abstract
Granular binary mixtures improve energy dissipation efficiency of granular dampers
Authors: Varela-Rosales Nydia Roxana , Santarossa Angel , Engel Michael , Pöschel Thorsten
Published: June 2023

Granular dampers are systems used to attenuate undesired vibrations produced by mechanical devices. They consist of cavities filled by granular particles. In this work, we consider a granular damper filled with a binary mixture of frictionless spherical particles of the same material but different size using numerical discrete element method simulations. We show that the damping efficiency is largely influenced by the composition of the binary mixture.
Spondyloarthritis mass cytometry immuno-monitoring: a proof of concept study in the tight-control and treat-to target TiCoSpA trial
Authors: Koppejan Hester , Beyrend Guillaume , Hameetman Marjolijn , Abdelaal Tamim , Toes René E.M. , van Gaalen Floris A.
Published: June 2023

Objective

Mass cytometry (MC) immunoprofiling allows high-parameter phenotyping of immune cells. We set to investigate the potential of MC immuno-monitoring of axial spondyloarthritis (axSpA) patients enrolled in the Tight Control SpondyloArthritis (TiCoSpA) trial.

Methods

Fresh, longitudinal PBMCs samples (baseline, 24, and 48 weeks) from 9 early, untreated axSpA patients and 7 HLA-B27+ controls were analyzed using a 35-marker panel. Data were subjected to HSNE dimension reduction and Gaussian mean shift clustering (Cytosplore), followed by Cytofast analysis. Linear discriminant analyzer (LDA), based on initial HSNE clustering, was applied onto week 24 and 48 samples.

Results

Unsupervised analysis yielded a clear separation of baseline patients and controls including a significant difference in 9 T cell, B cell, and monocyte clusters (cl), indicating disrupted immune homeostasis. Decrease in disease activity (ASDAS score; median 1.7, range 0.6–3.2) from baseline to week 48 matched significant changes over time in five clusters: cl10 CD4 Tnai cells median 4.7 to 0.02%, cl37 CD4 Tem cells median 0.13 to 8.28%, cl8 CD4 Tcm cells median 3.2 to 0.02%, cl39 B cells median 0.12 to 2.56%, and cl5 CD38+ B cells median 2.52 to 0.64% (all p<0.05).

Conclusions

Our results showed that a decrease in disease activity in axSpA coincided with normalization of peripheral T- and B-cell frequency abnormalities. This proof of concept study shows the value of MC immuno-monitoring in clinical trials and longitudinal studies in axSpA. MC immunophenotyping on a larger, multi-center scale is likely to provide crucial new insights in the effect of anti-inflammatory treatment and thereby the pathogenesis of inflammatory rheumatic diseases.

Key Points• Longitudinal immuno-monitoring of axSpA patients through mass cytometry indicates that normalization of immune cell compartments coincides with decrease in disease activity.• Our proof of concept study confirms the value of immune-monitoring utilizing mass cytometry.
SRPX2 promotes cancer cell proliferation and migration of papillary thyroid cancer
Authors: Guo Haiwei , Liu Ruiqi , Wu Jiajun , Li Shuang , Yao Weiping , Xu Jiajie , Zheng Chuanming , Lu Yanwei , Zhang Haibo
Published: June 2023

Thyroid cancer is the endocrine tumor with the highest incidence at present. It originates from the thyroid follicular epithelium or follicular paraepithelial cells. There is an increasing incidence of thyroid cancer all over the world. We found that SRPX2 expression level was higher in papillary thyroid tumors than in normal thyroid tissues, and SRPX2 expression was closely related to tumor grade and clinical prognosis. Previous reports showed that SRPX2 could function by activating PI3K/AKT signaling pathway. In addition, in vitro experiments showed that SRPX2 promoted the proliferation and migration of papillary thyroid cancer (PTC). In conclusion, SRPX2 could promote the malignant development of PTC. This may be a potential treatment target for PTC.
EMF-Syncer: scalable maintenance of view models over heterogeneous data-centric software systems at run time
Authors: Boronat Artur
Published: June 2023

With the increasing presence of cyber-physical systems (CPSs), like autonomous vehicle systems and digital twins, the future of software engineering is predicated on the importance of designing and developing data-centric software systems that can adapt intelligently at run time. CPSs consist of complex heterogeneous software components. Model-driven engineering advocates using software models to tame such complexity, capturing the relevant design concerns of such systems at different levels of abstraction. Yet most of the existing CPSs are engineered without considering MDE practices and tools, facing fundamental challenges when working with data: monitoring the program data at run time, syncing updates between program and model, dealing with heterogeneous data sources, and representing such observed data at run time to facilitate automated analysis. In this work, we introduce the notion of view models to explicitly represent parts of the domain knowledge implicitly embedded in the source code of a software system. This notion is equipped with a scalable bidirectional syncing mechanism that extracts view model instances from program snapshots at run time. The syncing mechanism is proposed from a conceptual point of view, independently of specific implementations and supports incremental view model update and view model maintenance. We show how this syncing mechanism is flexible enough to facilitate the non-intrusive adoption of MDE technology over existing MDE-agnostic heterogeneous data-centric systems. We study the run-time cost implied by the EMF-Syncer , the tool implementing this syncing mechanism for Java applications and view models atop the eclipse modeling framework (EMF) when executing data analytic and transformation tasks over large volumes of data in the presence of data updates at run time. An empirical evaluation of the EMF-Syncer has been conducted with an industry-targeted benchmark for decision support systems, analyzing performance and scalability. The novel syncing mechanism enables new opportunities to adopt MDE technology in heterogeneous data-centric systems.
Positive chemotaxis to plant apoplastic fluids of Pseudomonas syringae pv. tabaci 6605 and metabolome analysis
Authors: Watanabe Yuta , Tumewu Stephany Angelia , Yamada Hajime , Matsui Hidenori , Yamamoto Mikihiro , Noutoshi Yoshiteru , Toyoda Kazuhiro , Ichinose Yuki
Published: June 2023

Pseudomonas syringae pv. tabaci 6605 (Pta6605) is a causal agent of wildfire disease in host tobacco plants. Although chemotaxis has been shown to be necessary for Pta6605 in tobacco infection, the chemoattractants at the site of infection are unclear. Pta6605 was attracted to the apoplastic fluid from not only host tobacco leaves but also non-host plant leaves, indicating that Pta6605 is attracted to common plant metabolites. Metabolome analysis of apoplastic fluid from tobacco leaves revealed that amino acids including γ-aminobutyric acid and organic acids are abundant, suggesting that these compounds are potential chemoattractants.
The gradual coevolution of syntactic combinatorics and categorization under the effects of human self-domestication: a proposal
Authors: Benítez-Burraco Antonio , Hoshi Koji , Progovac Ljiljana
Published: June 2023

The gradual emergence of syntax has been claimed to be engaged in a feedback loop with Human Self-Domestication (HSD), both processes resulting from, and contributing to, enhanced connectivity in selected cortico-striatal networks, which is the mechanism for attenuating reactive aggression, the hallmark of HSD, but also the mechanism of cross-modality, relevant for syntax. Here, we aim to bridge the gap between these brain changes and further changes facilitated by the gradual complexification of grammars. We propose that increased cross-modality would have enabled and supported, more specifically, a feedback loop between categorization abilities relevant for vocabulary building and the gradual emergence of syntactic structure, including Merge. In brief, an enhanced categorization ability not only brings about more distinct categories, but also a critical number of tokens in each category necessary for Merge to take off in a systematic and productive fashion; in turn, the benefits of expressive capabilities brought about by productive Merge encourage more items to be categorized, and more categories to be formed, thus further potentiating categorization abilities, and with it, syntax again. We support our hypothesis with evidence from the domains of language development and animal communication, but also from biology, neuroscience, paleoanthropology, and clinical linguistics.
Extra-twisted connected sum $$G_2$$-manifolds
Authors: Nordström Johannes
Published: June 2023

We present a construction of closed 7-manifolds of holonomy $$G_2$$

G
2

, which generalises Kovalev’s twisted connected sums by taking quotients of the pieces in the construction before gluing. This makes it possible to realise a wider range of topological types, and Crowley, Goette and the author use this to exhibit examples of closed 7-manifolds with disconnected moduli space of holonomy $$G_2$$

G
2

metrics.
Drug Use, Family Support, and Depressive Symptoms Among Latinx Sexual Minority Men: A Longitudinal Analysis
Authors: del Pino Homero E. , Harawa Nina T. , Shoptaw Steven J. , Schrode Katrina , Karlamangla Arun
Published: June 2023

Family rejection has negative health consequences for Latinx sexual minority men (LSMM). However, LSMM often reconcile with their families, a phenomenon cross-sectional studies miss. We analyzed longitudinal data from the Healthy Young Men’s Study in Los Angeles. We used individual fixed-effects Poisson regression to model changes over time in the associations among family support, drug use, and depressive symptoms. We found that (1) the initiation of drug use was associated with a 7.2% (Ratio=1.072, 95% CI 1.006 - 1.142, p = 0.03) increase in family support among LSMM who reported high depressive symptoms (depression subscale T-score ≥ 63) in at least one data wave; (2) a 1-unit increase in family support was associated with a 4.7% (RR = ;0.953, 95% CI 0.931 - 0.976, p < 0.001) decrease in the probability of high depressive symptoms; and (3) no significant association between a change in drug use and a change in high depressive symptoms. Over time, LSMM appear to benefit from the health effects of family support associated with Latinx family structures.
Influential factors and barriers change along the invasion continuum of an alien plant
Authors: Montero-Castaño Ana , Aizen Marcelo A. , González-Moreno Pablo , Cavallero Laura , Vilà Montserrat , Morales Carolina L.
Published: June 2023

Upon arrival to a new area, alien species have to overcome a series of biotic and abiotic barriers to survive, reproduce, and spread and thus, succeed along the invasion continuum. Failing to understand the role of the different sets of barriers and factors operating across the stages of the invasion continuum limit our ability to predict invasion dynamics, leading to misinformed management. Here, we explore how the European plant Cytisus scoparius overcomes the survival and reproductive barriers to establish along the roadsides of Nahuel Huapi National Park (Argentina). We evaluate the direct and indirect influence of climatic and landscape factors, species traits and their interaction with patch cover, plant height, and pollinator visitation rates as proxies of population persistence, plant growth, and reproduction, respectively. Cytisus scoparius cover was positively associated with the length of water shores and urban cover, factors that may relate to the arrival of propagules, new introduction events, and high levels of disturbance. Plant height was positively associated with annual precipitation and mean temperature. Visitation rates positively related to shrubland cover and to a lesser extent to slope, two factors that may influence pollinator availability and long-distance detectability, respectively. However, factors positively affecting survival had no effect (in the case of height) or negative effect (in the case of cover) on visitation rates, probably due to the saturation of the pollinator pool within large flowering patches. Despite the strong environmental gradients, climatic variables did not seem to influence the cover nor the visitation rates of C. scoparius. The microhabitat provided by roadsides seemed to buffer the climatic variability acting at larger spatial scales. This study shows how the relevance of different barriers across the invasion process can vary due to the characteristics of the species and of the spatial context. Actions directed towards the most limiting barriers and limiting factors could be an efficient way to manage invasions and reduce their impacts. In our system, actions aimed at reducing propagule arrival, soil disturbance and availability of pollinators could limit the survival and reproductive success of C. scoparius.
Novel nanofiltration membrane modified by metal oxide nanocomposite for dyes removal from wastewater
Authors: Elfiky Aya Abd El Aziz , Mubarak Mahmoud F. , Keshawy Mohamed , Sayed Ibrahim El Tantawy El , Moghny Thanaa Abdel
Published: June 2023

This study focuses on the development of a nanocomposite membrane using polyvinyl chloride and nanocellulose@titanium aluminate to effectively filter and adsorb dye from wastewater. Various analytical techniques were used such as FTIR, XRD, SEM, and TGA to characterize the synthesized adsorptive nanocomposite membrane. The thermal and electrical properties of the membrane were measured using a static system. The study investigated the effect of different adsorbent dosages, pH levels, and dye concentrations on the membrane’s adsorption ability. The PVC-NC@TALCM nanocomposite membrane was found to remove 98.6% of MB dye when loaded with 5% titanium aluminate at pH 10. Kinetic and isotherm studies revealed that the adsorption of MB onto the membrane followed pseudo-second-order kinetics and Freundlich isotherms, respectively. The researchers also highlighted the economic and eco-friendly nature of the PVC-NC@TALCM nanocomposite membrane as a viable option for the removal of MB from industrial wastewater.
Effects of cadmium and glufosinate ammonium contaminated water on wild strawberry plants
Authors: Ricci Greta , Fidalgo-Illesca Carmen , Francini Alessandra , Raffaelli Andrea , Sebastiani Luca
Published: June 2023

Fragaria vesca L. (cv. Annabelle) plants were cultivated in hydroponic system and treated for 28 days with control (Hoagland solution), 1 mg L−1 of Cd, 10 µg L−1 of glufosinate ammonium and the mix of glufosinate ammonium and Cd. Cd and glufosinate influenced the photosynthetic parameters starting from day 18. Cd influenced the fruit fresh weight after 28 days of exposure. The accumulation of Cd in roots was highest among all plant organs and was estimated being 200 µg g−1DW followed by leaves at < 15 µg g−1DW and reaching the lowest concentrations in fruits at < 3 µg g−1DW. Only the metabolite 3-(hydroxymethylphosphinyl) propionic acid (MPP) of glufosinate was detected over the detection limit in each organ analysed. Glufosinate exposure reduced Ca uptake (− 35% compared to control) in fruits while Cd reduced the uptake of Fe and Ca in leaves and Zn, Mn and Ca in fruits. Thus, residual Cd and glufosinate ammonium, that could be present in wastewater used for irrigation, may affect wild strawberry physiology. The data indicates that at the concentrations mentioned above, the consumers have a low risk of Cd exposure but can be exposed to glufosinate metabolite MPP through consumption of fruits that are grown in contaminated wastewater.
Queer supercrystal structure for increasing factorizations of fixed-point-free involution words
Authors: Hiroshima Toya
Published: June 2023

We show that the set of increasing factorizations of fixed-point-free (FPF) involution words has the structure of queer supercrystals. By exploiting the algorithm of symplectic shifted Hecke insertion recently introduced by Marberg (http://arxiv.org/abs/1901.06771v3), we establish the one-to-one correspondence between the set of increasing factorizations of fixed-point-free involution words and the set of primed tableau (semistandard marked shifted tableaux) and the latter admits the structure of queer supercrystals. In order to establish the correspondence, we prove that the Coxeter–Knuth related FPF-involution words have the same insertion tableau in the symplectic shifted Hecke insertion, where the insertion tableau is an increasing shifted tableau and the recording tableau is a primed tableau.
Death anxiety predicts fear of Cancer recurrence and progression in ovarian Cancer patients over and above other cognitive factors
Authors: Coutts-Bain D , Sharpe Louise , Russell H
Published: June 2023

Death anxiety is understudied in people with cancer, especially in relation to fear of cancer recurrence (FCR) and fear of progression (FOP). The present study aimed to identify if death anxiety can predict FCR and FOP over and above other known theoretical predictors. One hundred and seventy-six participants with ovarian cancer were recruited for an online survey. We included theoretical variables, such as metacognitions, intrusive thoughts about cancer, perceived risk of recurrence or progression, and threat appraisal, in regression analyses to predict FCR or FOP. We investigated whether death anxiety added to the variance over and above these variables. Correlational analyses demonstrated that death anxiety is more strongly associated with FOP than FCR. The hierarchical regression including the theoretical variables described above predicted 62–66% of variance in FCR and FOP. In both models, death anxiety predicted a small but statistically significant unique variance in FCR and FOP. These findings draw attention to the importance of death anxiety in understanding FCR and FOP in people with a diagnosis of ovarian cancer. They also suggest that elements of exposure and existentialist therapies may be relevant in treating FCR and FOP.
Brainstem Infarction in Immunodeficiency Identified as Adenosine Deaminase 2 Deficiency: Case Report
Authors: Oster Christoph , Stolte Benjamin , Asan Livia , Pul Refik , Klebe Stephan , Köhrmann Martin , Breuckmann Katharina , Rischpler Christoph , Deuschl Cornelius , Dolff Sebastian , Kleinschnitz Christoph , Hagenacker Tim
Published: June 2023

Purpose

We present the case of a 24-year-old male with CNS granulomatosis due to an immunodeficiency syndrome which was identified as deficiency of adenosine deaminase 2 (DADA2) as a cause of brainstem infarction.

Methods

Case report and detailed description of the clinical course of diagnosis and treatment.

Case

The patient’s medical history consisted of an unknown immunodeficiency syndrome. Based on former findings, common variable immunodeficiency (CVID) was diagnosed. The patient suffered from three consecutive brainstem strokes of unknown etiology within 3 years. An MRI scan detected gadolinium-enhancing, granulomatous-suspect lesions in the interpeduncular cistern, temporal lobe, and tegmentum. Laboratory analysis was compatible with CVID, with leukopenia and immunoglobulin deficiency. Because granulomatous CNS inflammation was suspected, the patient received methylprednisolone immunosuppressive therapy, which led to partially regressive MRI lesions. However, in contrast to imaging, the patient showed a progressive cerebellar syndrome, indicating plasma exchange therapy and immunoglobulin treatment, which led to rapid symptom amelioration. After a relapse and a further stroke, expanded analysis confirmed DADA2 (and not CVID) as the inflammatory cause for recurrent stroke. After starting the therapy with immunoglobulins and adalimumab, no further strokes occurred.

Conclusion

We present the case of a young adult with diagnosis of DADA2 as a cause for recurrent strokes due to vasculitis. This stroke etiology is rare but should be considered as a cause of recurrent stroke of unknown origin in young patients to avoid a disabling disease course by disease-specific treatment options.
Impairments of Sociocognitive Functions in Individuals with Behavioral Addictions: A Review Article
Authors: Arafat Dalia , Thoma Patrizia
Published: June 2023

Since little is known about the exact pattern of social cognitive impairments related to behavioral addictions, the aim of the PRISMA-oriented review was to (i) provide an overview of relevant empirical publications, and to (ii) to elucidate which specific aspects of social cognition (i.e., emotion recognition, empathy, and theory of mind (ToM)) are impaired in different types of behavioral addictions. Behavioral addictions have been associated with cognitive deficits which may contribute to impaired social cognitive functioning. More recently, this domain has been investigated in patients with behavioral addictions as impaired social cognition detrimentally affects daily functioning and thus forms a relevant target for treatment. A systematic search in the PubMed and Web of Science databases was performed focusing on social cognitive functions in behavioral addictions. Studies focusing on the same social cognitive component were grouped together, this was done based on the used assessment measures. In total, 18 studies met the specified inclusion criteria. Five studies focusing on emotion recognition concluded that individuals with behavioral addictions show impairments in this domain. As for the 13 studies focusing on empathy and/or ToM, most of them found deficits linked to different types of behavioral addictions. Only two studies, one of which was investigating a distinct population (multiplayer online role-playing gamers) did not link empathy to behavioral addictions. The results show that the majority of studies focusing on social cognition and behavioral addictions found some deficits. Additional research focusing on this topic is urgently needed in behavioral addictions, addressing several methodological issues.
“Rejoice Therapy”: Creating and Shaping 'Joy' according to St. Paul of Tarsus
Authors: Iwański Dariusz
Published: June 2023

St. Paul of Tarsus, in 1 Thessalonians (5:16), urges his suffering addressees to ‘rejoice always.’ This can seem not only inappropriate, but even inhumane. It can be argued, however, that a unique therapy to strengthen the disheartened is at work. St. Paul applies to his readers what can be described as an authorial therapeutic method—“rejoice therapy”—to help them create and shape their joy despite the difficult situation in which they live. St. Paul employs more than just rhetorical strategies in order to achieve this intended effect. St. Paul provides his readers with practical and universalistic techniques, which can continue to have therapeutic value today.