bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Epstein–Barr virus positive gastric adenocarcinoma with systemic EBV reactivation in a patient with persistently active systemic lupus erythematosus
Authors: Miskovic Rada , Miljanovic Danijela , Dimic Cumic Maja , Lazarevic Ivana , Banko Ana
Published: June 2023

Objectives

Epstein–Barr virus (EBV) has been associated with several types of cancers, most often with nasopharyngeal carcinomas and hematological malignancies. It is also suggested that EBV has significant role in the pathogenesis of different types of autoimmune diseases including systemic lupus erythematosus (SEL). The exact mechanisms behind these processes are not elucidated.

Case presentation

We present a case of a 52-years old female patients with moderately active SLE presenting with severe fatigue, purpuric lesions, alopecia, polyarthritis, mucosal ulcerations, and progressive thrombocytopenia over a period of 10 months. During the work-up, the patient was evaluated for several viral infections. Serology testing showed elevation of anti-EBV, anti-CMV and anti-HSV1/2 IgM antibodies with the presence of IgG antibodies against all mentioned viruses except HSV2. Corticosteroid therapy was escalated, and azathioprine was introduced. Due to the persistence of significant thrombocytopenia and monoclonal IgG sternal puncture was performed. Morphological and immunohistochemical analysis of bone marrow specimen presented infiltration with metastatic deposits of adenocarcinoma and monoclonal plasmacytosis. Esophagogastroduodenoscopy showed multiple prepyloric erosions of gastric mucosa, which were biopsied. Pathohistological analysis demonstrated infiltration of gastric mucosa with diffuse type adenocarcinoma. Further PCR testing of biopsied gastric adenocarcinoma revealed the presence of EBV DNA in carcinoma tissue. The patient was sent to the oncologist for further evaluation.

Conclusions

Assessment of SLE patients with persistently active disease should include the analysis of the herpesvirus infection status. Reactivations of EBV may be considered as possible trigger for lupus flares and the factor for increased risk of developing malignancies.
Wnt/β-catenin signaling activation by TIMP1 confers cisplatin-resistant gastric cancer cells to malignant behaviors and epithelial–mesenchymal transition
Authors: Zhu Feng , He Xiaogu , Shuang Fen , Fang Xiangming , Jiang Jinxia
Published: June 2023

Objectives

Cisplatin (DDP) remains to be commonly employed in treating gastric cancer (GC) patients, particularly advanced-stage ones. However, acquired resistance to DDP often occurs, which causes a poor prognosis. This study aimed to understand the potential contribution of tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase 1 (TIMP1) in acquired resistance to DDP in GC.

Methods

Bioinformatics analysis was performed to explore the relation of TIMP1 expression with stages and survival rate in GC. The TIMP1 expression between the parental and DDP-resistant GC cell lines were detected by quantitative reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR). The effect of TIMP1 on the ability of cells against DDP was elevated by CCK-8, wounding healing, and transwell assays after exposing DDP. The role of TIMP1 in stemness and EMT process was explored through spheres formation assay and detecting stem cell- and EMT-related markers. Finally, the regulation of TIMP1 in Wnt/β-catenin signaling in DDP-resistant GC cells was also analyzed by western blot.

Results

Bioinformatics analysis revealed that TIMP1 is highly expressed and closely related to tumor stage and poor survival in GC. The TIMP1 expression of DDP-resistant GC cell lines was significantly higher than that of the parental one. CCK-8, wounding healing, and transwell assays showed that the tolerance to DDP of DDP-resistant AGS (AGS/DDP) cells was significantly augmented compared with that of parental AGS cells, revealed by increased IC50 and enhanced migration and invasion when exposed to DDP. Stronger stemness and epithelial–mesenchymal transition could be also observed in AGS/DDP cells. These malignant phenotypes were eliminated by silencing TIMP1 but aggravated by overexpressing TIMP1 in AGS/DDP cells. The use of the Wnt/β-catenin inhibitor could effectively reverse the function of TMIP1 overexpression in AGS/DDP cells, which suggested that the role of TIMP1 in DDP resistance relied on the Wnt/β-catenin signaling.

Conclusions

TIMP1 is an essential regulator of DDP resistance in GC, which may be a potential therapeutic target for cases that are refractory to DDP.
Knockdown of pyruvate kinase M2 suppresses bladder cancer progression
Authors: Luo Guang-Cheng , Xu Ran , Zhang Xi , Xu Lin , Zhao Xiao-Kun , Wang Xin-Jun
Published: June 2023

Objectives

Bladder cancer (BCa) is one of the most frequently diagnosed cancers of the urinary tract and has a high mortality. The M2 splice isoform of pyruvate kinase (PKM2) is a key regulator of the Warburg effect in cancer cells. This study aimed to evaluate metabolic alterations and biological behaviours after knocking down PKM2.

Methods

In this study, 36 pairs of BCa tissues and adjacent normal tissues were collected to analyse the expression level of PKM2 and to explore the relationship between PKM2 level and tumour and patient status. After PKM2 knockdown in T24 cells, cell survival, migration, invasion, glucose uptake, lactate production, and apoptosis were detected. The tumour-forming ability of PKM2-reducing T24 cells was examined in vivo.

Results

The results showed that PKM2 expression correlates with BCa stage and grade. PKM2 knockdown decreases glucose consumption and lactate production and suppresses cell proliferation, migration, and invasion while increasing reactive oxygen species levels and apoptosis in T24 BCa cells in vitro. In nude mouse models, PKM2 knockdown reduced xenograft and orthotopic tumour size. Moreover, PKM2 knockdown decreased vimentin and fibronectin expression and increased E-cadherin expression. Analysis of high-throughput sequencing data revealed that PKM2 may also be associated with biological processes and diseases.

Conclusions

Overall, these results indicate that PKM2 may be a therapeutic target for BCa patients.
Hsa_circ_0079598 acts as a potential diagnostic and prognostic biomarker for gastric cancer
Authors: Xu Huiting , Cao Xiaoli , Zhang Xiaoxia , Xue Yajing , Chen Bingyan , Wang Feng , Sun Yajun
Published: June 2023

Objectives

The work discussed the expression level circular RNA (circRNA) hsa_circ_0079598 for gastric cancer (GC) patients as well as clinicopathological significance.

Methods

qRT-PCR was utilized for determining the expression level of hsa_circ_0079598 in GC cell lines, 40 GC tissue pairs and their paracancerous tissue specimens, 60 pairs of preoperative and postoperative plasma specimens of GC patients, 20 plasma specimens of patients with gastric polyps, and 60 plasma specimens of the healthy control group. Besides, the correlation with clinicopathological parameters was analyzed. Tumor indices glycan antigen 199 (CA199), glycan antigen 724 (CA724), and pepsinogen I (PGI) were combined to evaluate their auxiliary diagnostic value. The values of hsa_circ_0079598 in the prognosis of GC patients were analyzed using survival curves.

Results

The relative expression of hsa_circ_0079598 in the cancerous tissues of GC patients was lower than that of their paracancerous tissues (p=0.004). The relative expression of plasma hsa_circ_0079598 in GC patients was lower than that of the healthy control group (p<0.001) and patients with gastric polyps. Moreover, the relative expression of human gastric epithelial cell lines (GES-1) (p<0.05) was higher than that of hsa_circ_0079598 of HGC-27, AGS, and MGC-803 cancer cell lines in GC cell lines. The total survival time of the high-expression patient group (p=0.040) was higher than that of hsa_circ_0079598 in the low-expression patient group. The expression of hsa_circ_0079598 in patients with the tissues and plasma of GC was related to the differentiated degree of tumors and TNM staging (p<0.05). The auxiliary diagnostic value of hsa_circ_0079598 for GC was analyzed using ROC curves. When GC was distinguished from gastric polyps and the healthy control group, the areas under the ROC curve (AUCs) were 0.856 and 0.930, respectively. Hsa_circ_0079598 combined with tumor indices CA199, CA724, and PGI detection had higher specificity and accuracy than those of a single index.

Conclusions

Hsa_circ_0079598 was low-expression in cell lines, plasma, and GC tissues, which was related to the progress and prognosis of GC. Hsa_circ_0079598 combined with CA199, CA724, and PGI detection can improve the diagnosis of GC.
Individual differences in attention control and the processing of phonological contrasts in a second language
Authors: Mora Joan C. , Darcy Isabelle
Published: June 2023

This study investigated attention control in L2 phonological processing from a cognitive individual differences perspective, to determine its role in predicting phonological acquisition in adult L2 learning. Participants were 21 L1-Spanish learners of English, and 19 L1-English learners of Spanish. Attention control was measured through a novel speech-based attention-switching task. Phonological processing was assessed through a speeded ABX categorization task (perception) and a delayed sentence repetition task (production). Correlational analyses indicated that learners with more efficient attention switching skill and faster speed in correctly identifying the target phonetic features in the speech dimension under focus could perceptually discriminate L2 vowels at higher processing speed, but not at higher accuracy rates. Thus, attentional flexibility provided a processing advantage for difficult L2 contrasts but did not predict the extent to which precise representations for the target L2 vowels had been established. However, attention control was related to L2 learners’ ability to distinguish the contrasting L2 vowels in production. In addition, L2 learners’ accuracy in perceptually distinguishing between two contrasting vowels was significantly related to how much of a quality distinction between them they could make in production.
Was Schweizer Hausärztinnen und Hausärzte glauben und welchen Einfluss des Glaubens sie bei ihren Patientinnen und Patienten beobachten
Authors: Hefti Rene , Eglin Micha , Leiggener Christoph
Published: June 2023

Hintergrund: Über die Religiosität von Ärztinnen und Ärzten gibt es kaum empirische Daten. Die vorliegende Studie untersucht die religiösen Haltungen und Überzeugungen von Schweizer Hausärztinnen und Hausärzten (HÄÄ) und ihre Wahrnehmungen hinsichtlich der Bedeutung des Glaubens bei ihren Patientinnen und Patienten (PAA).

Methodik: Eine repräsentative Stichprobe von 105 HÄÄ in der Nordwestschweiz wurde mit einem validierten, webbasierten Fragebogen untersucht.

Ergebnisse: 76.2 % der HÄÄ ordneten sich dem Christentum zu und 18.1 % fühlten keiner Religionsgemeinschaft zugehörig. 20.0 % stuften sich als ziemlich bis sehr religiös ein. 41.9 % gaben an, oft bis sehr oft über religiöse Themen nachdenken und 58.1 % glauben an Gott, eine Gottheit oder etwas Göttliches.

48.6 % der HÄÄ waren der Meinung, dass Religiosität den PAA hilft, Krankheit und Leiden zu bewältigen. 41.9 % sahen aber auch, dass der Glaube Angst- und Schuldgefühle fördern und damit Leiden verstärken kann. Die Wahrnehmung der günstigen Wirkungen korrelierte signifikant mit der religiösen Haltung der HÄÄ.

Schlussfolgerung: Die vorliegende Studie erfasste erstmals empirische Daten zum „religiösen Profil“ von Schweizer Hausärztinnen und Hausärzten. Die HÄÄ zeigen eine Offenheit für die Religiosität ihrer PAA, insbesondere da, wo sich diese für die Krankheitsbewältigung als hilfreich erweist. Dies wäre ein möglicher Ausgangspunkt für die Implementierung von Spiritual Care in die Hausarztmedizin.
Die spirituelle Anamnese aus ärztlicher und patientenseitiger Sicht – eine Gegenüberstellung im Rahmen des Projekts HoPES3
Authors: Straßner Cornelia , Mächler Ruth , Sturm Noemi , Valentini Jan , Stolz Regina , Joos Stefanie , Frick Eckhard
Published: June 2023

Hintergrund: Im Rahmen der HoPES3-Studie wurde die Implementierung einer spirituellen Anamnese (SA) in hausärztlichen Praxen mittels einer cluster-randomisierten Studie untersucht. Es blieb bisher offen, wie stark die Diskrepanzen zwischen ärztlicher und patientenseitiger Sicht bei der Bewertung der SA im Einzelfall waren.

Forschungsfragen: Wie unterscheiden sich die Einschätzungen von Ärzt/innen und Patient/innen bezüglich der Fragen, ob die SA stattfand, wie lange sie dauerte und inwieweit sie nützlich bzw. belastend für die Patient/innen war? Welche Erklärungsgründe lassen sich für abweichende Einschätzungen identifizieren?

Methode: Die Hausärzt/innen der Interventionsgruppe boten den Studienteilnehmenden eine SA an. Beide wurden gebeten, jede spirituelle Anamnese mittels eines kurzen Fragebogens unabhängig voneinander zu bewerten. Für die Auswertung wurden die Antworten in jedem Einzelfall gegenübergestellt.

Ergebnisse: Ausgewertet wurden 133 Bewertungsbögen von 14 Hausärzten/Hausärztinnen sowie von 133 zugehörige Patienten/Patientinnen. Es bestand in mehreren Fällen Uneinigkeit darüber, ob eine SA stattgefunden hatte, wie lange sie gedauert hatte und wie belastend/hilfreich sie gewesen war. Meist waren die Einschätzungen der Patient/innen positiver als die der Ärzte/Ärtinnen. Die Freitextnennungen zeigen, dass nonverbale Kommunikation und ungeprüfte Annahmen hierbei eine Rolle spielten.

Diskussion und Schlussfolgerung: Die SA kann aus ärztlicher und patientenseitiger Sicht sehr unterschiedlich wahrgenommen werden. Häufige Gründe, die zu solchen Divergenzen und möglicherweise Missverständnissen führen, sollten in Schulungen thematisiert werden.
Properties and special phenomena of strain sensors made of carbon particle-filled elastomers
Authors: Mersch Johannes , Gerlach Gerald
Published: June 2023

Elastomers with a percolative network of carbon particles are a frequently studied class of materials for applications requiring high elongation and compliant sensors. For novel applications such as soft robots or smart textiles, these have some advantages over traditional strain gauges. However, their functionality is not fully understood. In this work, such materials are investigated as strain sensors in terms of their dynamic behavior, and their current limitations are demonstrated. It becomes clear that such sensors exhibit a non-monotonic behavior under dynamic loads that differs significantly from that observed in quasi-static tests. Two strategies for improving sensor characteristics are derived, modeled, and experimentally tested using the results and an electro-mechanical network model. First, a melt-spinning process that orients the carbon nanotube particles in the process direction creates different degrees of anisotropy. Second, to generate a local negative transverse contraction, an additional auxetic support structure is used. While the resulting anisotropy is insufficient to improve sensor properties, the auxetic structure can significantly improve strain sensitivity.
„Das Ethische ist kein Sachverhalt“
Authors: Vossenkuhl Wilhelm
Published: June 2023

“The ethical is no fact of the matter.” On Wittgenstein’s ethical paradox discusses Wittgenstein’s “Lecture on Ethics” of 1929. In this lecture to the Heretics Society at Cambridge he proposes an ethical paradox based on two incompatible types of facts, the natural facts offered by science and the supernatural facts, which he claims to be the core of ethics. The paradox is partly due to his Tractarian belief that ethics has no descriptive content. Yet, although it has no descriptive content the ethical is represented by a feeling which has a metaphysical and an undeniable factual character too, as Wittgenstein claims. This kind of fact is his personal, private if not solipsistic feeling. The paper tries to clarify this highly controversial type of feeling. It seems probable that the change from the Tractatus to the Philosophical Investigations resolves the ethical paradox along the new therapeutical lines of PU. It is argued that this is not the case. The content of the ethical paradox remains unchanged.
Design, development, and evaluation of a chatbot for hospitality services assistance in Spanish
Authors: Pérez-Espinosa Humberto , Ramirez-Villaseñor Edgar Paul , Álvarez-Carmona Miguel Angel , Aranda-Campos Ángel Ramón
Published: June 2023

Currently, customer service continues to grow because many public and private companies offer a vast number of services. Chatbots significantly improve customer service, in that they allow a direct relationship with the consumer at any time and provide marketing groups with valuable data about their preferences. These characteristics make chatbots an exciting instrument for organizations; in addition, users remain satisfied with their service. This work aims to design, develop, and evaluate a chatbot system that provides an interactive means of contact with clients of Mexican hotels and the most relevant information on each of the services managed by the hotel. It is expected that this tool does this automatically and immediately, thus lightening the most repetitive tasks and allowing the company to channel itself into other areas for improvement. The evaluation results demonstrate the acceptance of this type of interaction and the appreciation of value in the service experience for hotel users.
Occurrence of Bees and Bumblebees in Bark Beetle Slit Traps from Spruce and Fir Woodlands of Central Dinaric Alps
Authors: Vesnić Adi , Kulijer Dejan , Prljača Damir , Dautbašić Mirza , Ivojević Sead
Published: June 2023

The paper analysed bees by-catch collected in 259 bark beetle slit traps, from eleven localities in Bosnia and Herzegovina. Sampling was carried out in spruce and fir forests in 2020 and 2021. As a by-catch from bark beetle slit traps 84 bee individuals from four families and 13 genera were collected. In the bark beetle slit traps sample, out of 29 bee taxa, 22 species were identified at the species level and eight specimens were left at the genus/subgenus level. The most dominant genera were Megachile with 34 specimens and Osmia represented by 20 specimens in the total sample. The research identified 14 bee species new to the fauna of Bosnia and Herzegovina. The bee species collected in the bark beetle slit-traps were dominated by nesters in cavities, above the ground-nesting bees.
Análise dos Objetivos Educacionais de um Curso Técnico em Administração pela Taxonomia de Bloom Revisada
Authors: Marchesan Michele Roos , Kuhn Malcus Cassiano
Published: June 2023

O artigo analisa os objetivos educacionais de um Curso Técnico em Administração, de um Instituto Federal, pela Taxonomia de Bloom Revisada. Realiza-se a análise dos objetivos das 21 disciplinas desse Curso, ministradas no segundo semestre de 2015, e dos objetivos do Curso como um todo, por meio de seu projeto pedagógico. A partir da Tabela Bidimensional da Taxonomia de Bloom Revisada, foram consideradas a dimensão do conhecimento e a dimensão do processo cognitivo. Verificou-se coerência dos objetivos na dimensão do conhecimento, com ênfase no conhecimento procedural e no conhecimento conceitual. Na dimensão do processo cognitivo, os objetivos contidos nos planos de ensino enfatizam as categorias de entender, aplicar e lembrar o conhecimento, enquanto os objetivos do projeto pedagógico concentram-se nas categorias aplicar e entender, nesta ordem.
Neurociências e Educação: um estado do conhecimento (2010 a 2016)
Authors: Thesing Mariana Luzia Corrêa , Costas Fabiane Adela Tonetto
Published: June 2023

Este artigo apresenta uma síntese acerca das publicações científicas realizadas sobre a Neurociência e suas relações com as intervenções educacionais diante das Dificuldades de Aprendizagem e dos Transtornos de Aprendizagem. Com esse objetivo, a Biblioteca Digital Brasileira de Teses e Dissertações (BDTD) e as publicações das Reuniões Científicas Anuais da Associação Nacional de Pós-Graduação e Pesquisa em Educação (ANPEd) constituíram-se como banco de dados, no período dos últimos seis anos (2010 a 2016). A partir de uma pesquisa bibliográfica, este estudo revela o número inexistente de trabalhos sobre as contribuições da Neurociência para a área educacional, bem como o número reduzido de trabalhos apresentados nas últimas cinco Reuniões Anuais Científicas da ANPEd, se comparado ao significativo e crescente número de teses e dissertações defendidas sobre o tema, no contexto nacional. Palavras-chave: estado do conhecimento; neurociência; dificuldades de aprendizagem; transtornos de aprendizagem.
A Novel Approach to Study Coherent γ-Band Oscillations in Hippocampal Brain Sections
Authors: Rodríguez Díaz Jean C. , Jenkins Paul M. , Pritchett Dominique L. , Jones Kevin S.
Published: June 2023

γ-Band oscillations (GBOs) are generated by fast-spiking interneurons (FSIs) and are critical for cognitive functions. Abnormalities in GBOs are frequently observed in schizophrenia and bipolar disorder and are strongly correlated with cognitive impairment. However, the underlying mechanisms are poorly understood. Studying GBOs inex vivopreparations is challenging because of high energy demands and the need for continuous oxygen delivery to the tissue. As a result, GBOs are typically studied in brain tissue from very young animals or in experimental setups that maximize oxygen supply but compromise spatial resolution. Thus, there is a limited understanding of how GBOs interact within and between different brain structures and in brain tissue from mature animals. To address these limitations, we have developed a novel approach for studying GBOs inex vivohippocampal slices from mature animals, using 60-channel, perforated microelectrode arrays (pMEAs). pMEAs enhance oxygen delivery and increase spatial resolution in electrophysiological recordings, enabling comprehensive analyses of GBO synchronization within discrete brain structures. We found that transecting the Schaffer collaterals, a neural pathway within the hippocampus, impairs GBO coherence between CA1 and CA3 subfields. Furthermore, we validated our approach by studying GBO coherence in anAnk3mutant mouse model exhibiting inhibitory synaptic dysfunction. We discovered that GBO coherence remains intact in the CA3 subfield of these mutant mice but is impaired within and between the CA1 subfield. Overall, our approach offers significant potential to characterize GBOs inex vivobrain sections of animal models, enhancing our understanding of network dysfunction in psychiatric disorders.
Axon Fasciculation, Mediated by Transmembrane Semaphorins, Is Critical for the Establishment of Segmental Specificity of Corticospinal Circuits
Authors: Gu Zirong , Matsuura Ken , Letelier Agustin , Basista Mark , Craig Corey , Imai Fumiyasu , Yoshida Yutaka
Published: June 2023

Axon fasciculation is thought to be a critical step in neural circuit formation and function. Recent studies have revealed various molecular mechanisms that underlie axon fasciculation; however, the impacts of axon fasciculation, and its corollary, defasciculation, on neural circuit wiring remain unclear. Corticospinal (CS) neurons in the sensorimotor cortex project axons to the spinal cord to control skilled movements. In rodents, the axons remain tightly fasciculated in the brain and traverse the dorsal funiculus of the spinal cord. Here we show that plexinA1 (PlexA1) and plexinA3 (PlexA3) receptors are expressed by CS neurons, whereas their ligands, semaphorin-5A (Sema5A) and semaphorin-5B (Sema5B) are expressed in the medulla at the decussation site of CS axons to inhibit premature defasciculation of these axons. In the absence of Sema5A/5B-PlexA1/A3 signaling, some CS axons are prematurely defasciculated in the medulla of the brainstem, and those defasciculated CS axons aberrantly transverse in the spinal gray matter instead of the spinal dorsal funiculus. In the absence of Sema5A/Sema5B-PlexA1/A3 signaling, CS axons, which would normally innervate the lumbar spinal cord, are unbundled in the spinal gray matter, and prematurely innervate the cervical gray matter with reduced innervation of the lumbar gray matter. In bothSema5A/5BandPlexA1/A3mutant mice (both sexes), stimulation of the hindlimb motor cortex aberrantly evokes robust forelimb muscle activation. Finally,Sema5A/5BandPlexA1/A3mutant mice show deficits in skilled movements. These results suggest that proper fasciculation of CS axons is required for appropriate neural circuit wiring and ultimately affect the ability to perform skilled movements.

SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENTAxon fasciculation is believed to be essential for neural circuit formation and function. However, whether and how defects in axon fasciculation affect the formation and function of neural circuits remain unclear. Here we examine whether the transmembrane proteins semaphorin-5A (Sema5A) and semaphorin-5B (Sema5B), and their receptors, plexinA1 (PlexA1) and plexinA3 (PlexA3) play roles in the development of corticospinal circuits. We find that Sema5A/Sema5B and PlexA1/A3 are required for proper axon fasciculation of corticospinal neurons. Furthermore,Sema5A/5BandPlexA1/A3mutant mice show marked deficits in skilled motor behaviors. Therefore, these results strongly suggest that proper corticospinal axon fasciculation is required for the appropriate formation and functioning of corticospinal circuits in mice.
Effects of Hallucination Proneness and Sensory Resolution on Prior Biases in Human Perceptual Inference of Time Intervals
Authors: Duhamel Emeline , Mihali Andra , Horga Guillermo
Published: June 2023

Bayesian models of perception posit that percepts result from the optimal integration of new sensory information and prior expectations. In turn, prominent models of perceptual disturbances in psychosis frame hallucination-like phenomena as percepts excessively biased toward perceptual prior expectations. Despite mounting support for this notion, whether this hallucination-related prior bias results secondarily from imprecise sensory representations at early processing stages or directly from alterations in perceptual priors—both suggested candidates potentially consistent with Bayesian models—remains to be tested. Using modified interval timing paradigms designed to arbitrate between these alternative hypotheses, we show in human participants (16 females and 24 males) from a nonclinical population that hallucination proneness correlates with a circumscribed form of prior bias that reflects selective differences in weighting of contextual prior variance, a prior bias that is unrelated to the effect of sensory noise and to a separate index of sensory resolution. Our results thus suggest distinct mechanisms underlying prior biases in perceptual inference and favor the notion that hallucination proneness could reflect direct alterations in the representation or use of perceptual priors independent of sensory noise.

SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENTCurrent theories of psychosis posit that hallucination proneness results from excessive influence of prior expectations on perception. It is not clear whether this prior bias represents a primary top-down process related to the representation or use of prior beliefs or instead a secondary bottom-up process stemming from imprecise sensory representations at early processing stages. To address this question, we examined interval timing behaviors captured by Bayesian perceptual-inference models. Our data support the notion that excessive influence of prior expectations associated with hallucination propensity is not directly secondary to sensory imprecision and is instead more consistent with a primary top-down process. These results help refine computational theories of psychosis and may contribute to the development of improved intervention targets.
CYNARA CARDUNCULUS PROTEAZI KULLANILARAK ÜRETİLEN KEÇİ PEYNİRİNİN DUYUSAL ÖZELLİKLERİ VE UÇUCU BİLEŞEN PROFİLİ
Authors: UZKUÇ Hasan , ÇELEBİ UZKUÇ Nesrin Merve , YUCEER Yonca
Published: June 2023

Bu çalışmada bitkisel pıhtılaştırıcı kullanımı ve depolamanın keçi peynirinin kimyasal ve duyusal özellikleri ile uçucu bileşenleri üzerine etkileri araştırılmıştır. Bu amaçla pastörize keçi sütünden hayvansal rennet ve Cynara cardunculus L. proteazı kullanılarak üretilen peynirler 90 gün süreyle buzdolabı koşullarında depolanmıştır. Peynirlerin titrasyon asitliği değerleri, kurumadde ve suda çözünür azot oranları ile toplam serbest aminoasit değerleri depolama süresince artmıştır. Limonenin tüm peynirlerde en yüksek miktarda bulunan uçucu bileşen olduğu saptanmıştır. En yüksek limonen konsantrasyonu 3152.00 µg/100 g olarak bitkisel pıhtılaştırıcı kullanılan peynirde 90. günde belirlenmiştir. Hekzanoik, oktanoik ve dekanoik asit, peynirlerin karakteristik uçucu bileşenleri olarak belirlenmiştir. Duyusal değerlendirme sonucunda bitkisel ve hayvansal pıhtılaştırıcı kullanılarak üretilen peynirler sırasıyla 2.35 ve 0.58 ransit aroma ve 0.76 ve 0.09 acı tat skorları almışlardır. Duyusal değerlendirme ve kimyasal analiz sonuçlarına göre Cynara cardunculus L. proteazının hayvansal rennete alternatif olabileceği sonucuna varılmış, bitkisel pıhtılaştırıcı kullanımının depolama süresince peynirlerde aşırı düzeyde proteolize neden olmadığı ortaya konmuştur.
The Price of Freedom: Criminalization and the Management of Outsiders in Germany and the United States
Authors: Soyer Michaela
Published: June 2023

Shedding light on how we might end mass incarceration, The Price of Freedom compares the histories and goals of the US and German justice systems. Drawing on in-depth interviews with incarcerated young men in the United States and Germany, Michaela Soyer argues that the apparent lenience of the German criminal justice system is founded on the violent enforcement of cultural homogeneity at the hands of the German welfare state. Demonstrating how both societies have constructed a racialized underclass of outsiders, this book emphasizes that criminal justice reformers in the United States need to move beyond European models in order to build a truly just, diverse society.
Human Neuralized is a novel tumour suppressor targeting Wnt/β‐catenin signalling in colon cancer
Authors: Yi Joo Mi , Kang Tae‐Hong , Han Yu Kyeong , Park Ha Young , Yang Ju Hwan , Bae Jin‐Han , Suh Jung‐Soo , Kim Tae‐Jin , Kim Joong‐Gook , Cui Yan‐Hong , Suzuki Hiromu , Kumegawa Kohei , Kim Sung Joo , Zhao Yi , Park In Ja , Hong Seung‐Mo , Chung Joon‐Yong , Lee Su‐Jae
Published: June 2023

While there is growing evidence that many epigenetically silenced genes in cancer are tumour suppressor candidates, their significance in cancer biology remains unclear. Here, we identify human Neuralized (NEURL), which acts as a novel tumour suppressor targeting oncogenic Wnt/β‐catenin signalling in human cancers. The expression of NEURL is epigenetically regulated and markedly suppressed in human colorectal cancer. We, therefore, considered NEURL to be a bona fide tumour suppressor in colorectal cancer and demonstrate that this tumour suppressive function depends on NEURL‐mediated oncogenic β‐catenin degradation. We find that NEURL acts as an E3 ubiquitin ligase, interacting directly with oncogenic β‐catenin, and reducing its cytoplasmic levels in a GSK3β‐ and β‐TrCP‐independent manner, indicating that NEURL‐β‐catenin interactions can lead to a disruption of the canonical Wnt/β‐catenin pathway. This study suggests that NEURL is a therapeutic target against human cancers and that it acts by regulating oncogenic Wnt/β‐catenin signalling.
Chromosomal alterations in sporadic medullary thyroid carcinoma and correlation with outcome
Authors: Ramone Teresa , Romei Cristina , Ciampi Raffaele , Casalini Roberta , Valetto Angelo , Bertini Veronica , Raimondi Francesco , Onoja Anthony , Prete Alessandro , Matrone Antonio , Gambale Carla , Piaggi Paolo , Torregrossa Liborio , Ugolini Clara , Elisei Rossella
Published: June 2023

Somatic copy number alterations (SCNA) involving either a whole chromosome or just one of the arms, or even smaller parts, have been described in about 88% of human tumors. This study investigated the SCNA profile in 40 well-characterized sporadic medullary thyroid carcinomas by comparative genomic hybridization array. We found that 26/40 (65%) cases had at least one SCNA. The prevalence of SCNA, and in particular of chromosome 3 and 10, was significantly higher in cases with a RET somatic mutation. Similarly, SCNA of chromosomes 3, 9, 10 and 16 were more frequent in cases with a worse outcome and an advanced disease. By the pathway enrichment analysis, we found a mutually exclusive distribution of biological pathways in metastatic, biochemically persistent and cured patients. In particular, we found gain of regions involved in the intracellular signaling and loss of regions involved in DNA repair and TP53 pathways in the group of metastatic patients. Gain of regions involved in the cell cycle and senescence were observed in patients with biochemical disease. Finally, gain of regions associated with the immune system and loss of regions involved in the apoptosis pathway were observed in cured patients suggesting a role of specific SCNA and corresponding altered pathways in the outcome of sporadic MTC.
Congenital IGF-1 deficiency protects from cancer: lessons from Laron syndrome
Authors: Laron Zvi , Werner Haim
Published: June 2023

Many clinical and experimental studies have implicated the growth hormone (GH)–insulin-like growth factor (IGF-1) axis with the progression of cancer. The epidemiological finding that patients with Laron syndrome (LS), the best-characterized disease under the spectrum of congenital IGF-1 deficiencies, do not develop cancer is of major scientific and translational relevance. The evasion of LS patients from cancer emphasizes the central role of the GH–IGF-1 system in cancer biology. To identify genes that are differentially expressed in LS and that might provide a biological foundation for cancer protection, we have recently conducted genome-wide profiling of LS patients and normal controls. Analyses were performed on immortalized lymphoblastoid cell lines derived from individual patients. Bioinformatic analyses identified a series of genes that are either over- or under-represented in LS. Differential expression was demonstrated in a number of gene families, including cell cycle, metabolic control, cytokine–cytokine receptor interaction, Jak-STAT and PI3K-AKT signaling, etc. Major differences between LS and controls were also noticed in pathways associated with cell cycle distribution, apoptosis, and autophagy. The identification of novel downstream targets of the GH–IGF-1 network highlights the biological complexity of this hormonal system and sheds light on previously unrecognized mechanistic aspects associated with GH–IGF-1 action in the cancer cell.
La didáctica general: un marco para la didáctica virtual
Authors: Rodríguez Camargo Mercedes Del Pilar , Méndez Góngora Yeison Germán , Páez Sanabria Yolima
Published: June 2023

Las prácticas pedagógicas y docentes tienen su justificación en la pedagogía y en las concepciones que los docentes realizan en la enseñanza-aprendizaje, así mismo, las prácticas didácticas se encuentran ancladas en la didáctica general y en las especificas según el área y el cómo se requiera trasmitir. En este último aspecto se detiene esta investigación para reflexionar y analizar el cómo se realiza la enseñanza en la modalidad virtual en el nivel superior de educación.Se propone como objeto de estudio el identificar las creencias y percepciones que los docentes de la educación superior tienen acerca de la didáctica general y especifica, por ello se parte de la pregunta orientadora ¿Cuán cerca está el docente de educación universitaria de la práctica didáctica?, ¿El proceso de enseñanza-aprendizaje en los ámbitos universitarios se ha quedado en hechos de práctica docente con tendencia trasmisionista a pesar de los avances en recursos tecnológicos digitales para la educación?Se aplicó una encuesta abierta –por mediación virtual– a docentes de educación virtual de diferentes áreas de conocimiento, cuya formación académica no es pedagógica. Esto permitió identificar el concepto de didáctica que ellos poseen y la pertinencia del término en la práctica docente, dejando entrever su uso y la viabilidad en la educación con y a través de medios virtuales, además de las exigencias que debe asumir la educación superior en la preparación de los docentes en la enseñanza y el aprendizaje.
Characterization of the Arboreal Flora of Two Provinces in South of Mozambique
Authors:   Zambeze University, Virgílio Rafael Nelson , Paulo Falcão Mário ,   Eduardo Mondlane University,
Published: June 2023

This study was carried out in two provinces in the south of Mozambique to characterize the structure and the floristic composition of the arboreal flora. 134 plots of 10020 m and 93 plotswerea random sampling allocated in Gaza and Inhambane province, respectively. The tree with DBH equal or superior than 10 cm were identified and measured. The results in Gaza province shows that a total of 2593 trees were measured corresponding to 106 tree species, 25 botanical families and 54 genus. The most important species in this province were Colophospermum mopane, Guibourtia conjugata, Androstachys johnsonii, Spirostachys africana, Acacia burkei, Combretum zeyheri, Combretum molle, Sclerocarya birrea, Strichynos madagascariensis and Terminalia sericea. In Inhambane province, 2556 trees were measured distributed to 108 species, 30 botanical families and 58 genus. The most important species in this province were Brachystegia spiciformis, Colophospermum mopane, Androstachys johnsonii, Spirotachysafricana, Guibourtiaconjugata, Acacia nigresscens, Sclerocarya birrea, Margaritariadiscoidea, Brachystegia manga and Pteleopsis mytifolia. The diversity of the Inhambane forest was larger than the one of the Gaza forest (index of Shannon = 3.36, Pielou index = 0.72 and 3.09, Pielou index = 0.66, respectively). The Index of Jaccard and Sorensen revealed low similarity among the two forest. The specificity of identified species in each province can be used to define restoration and conservation strategies of the south of Mozambique.
Entscheidungsunterstützung durch Wissenschaftler
Authors: Graumann Matthias
Published: June 2023

Wissenschaftler treten als Berater auf und nehmen nicht nur Einfluss auf wirtschaftliche, sondern auch auf politische Entscheidungen. Welche Anforderungen sind an diese Art der Entscheidungsunterstützung zu stellen? Lassen sich für Wissenschaftler zulässige und unzulässige Einflussmöglichkeiten identifizieren? Der Beitrag beantwortet diese Frage unter Rückgriff auf Erkenntnisse aus Soziologie und Entscheidungslehre.
Effect of layering pattern on the dynamic mechanical properties and thermal degradation of oil palm-jute fibers reinforced epoxy hybrid composite
Authors: Jawaid M. , Abdul Khalil H. P. S.
Published: June 2023

Dynamic mechanical and thermal analysis of oil palm empty fruit bunches (EFB)/jute fiber reinforced epoxy hybrid composites were carried out. The effect of layering pattern on dynamic mechanical properties (storage modulus (E’), loss modulus (E”), and tan δ) was investigated as a function of temperature. The storage modulus (E’) was found to be decreased with temperature in all cases, and hybrid composites had almost the same values of E’ at glass transition temperature (Tg). The tan δ peak height was minimum for jute composites and maximum for epoxy matrix. Layering pattern affected the dynamic mechanical properties of hybrid composites. Cole-Cole analysis was carried out to understand the phase behaviour of the composite samples. Thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) results indicated an increase in thermal stability of pure EFB composite with the incorporation of jute fibers. The overall results showed that hybridization with jute fibers enhanced the dynamic mechanical and thermal properties.
Method to prepare smooth and even cellulose-lignophenol films
Authors: Tammelin Tekla , Harlin Ali , Vehviläinen Marianna , Nousiainen Pertti , Kolppo Kari
Published: June 2023

Dissolved cellulose was contacted with dissolved linear or slightly branched lignophenol polymers in alkaline solution, and films were formed through precipitation. Lignophenol is a polymeric lignin derivative isolated from wood meal, and due to its size and chemical structure, it is expected to a better model for natural lignin compared to the previously exploited small lignin model molecules. Smooth and even of cellulose-lignophenol films were achieved, and the interactions between cellulose and lignophenol were tentatively detected. The formed film structures had the crystalline form of cellulose II, and they did not contain any fibril-like material. Although the amount of hemicelluloses was negligible, it seems that the lignin modelling lignophenol tended to positively interact with cellulose.
Preparation and characterization of rosin-based waterborne polyurethane from maleopimaric acid polyester polyol
Authors: Xu Xu , Shang Shibin , Song Zhanqian , Cui Shuqin , Wang Hongxiao , Wang Dan
Published: June 2023

Maleopimaric acid (MPA) can be used for polymer materials as a rosin derivative. In this study, rosin-based waterborne polyurethane (RWPU) was prepared with different content of maleopimaric acid polyester polyol (MAPP), which was synthesized from MPA. The properties of RWPU were studied by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). Other properties including tensile strength, elongation at break, and water absorption were also determined. The onset decomposition temperature of RWPU with 30 wt% MAPP is improved from 170°C to 237°C, compared to the pure WPU. The tensile strength of the derivative was increased from 7.24 MPa to 23.24 MPa as well relative to the default polyurethane. The water absorption decreased significantly from 78.6% to 14.7%.
Sugarcane bagasse pulping and bleaching: Thermal and chemical characterization
Authors: Pereira Paulo H. Fernandes , Voorwald Herman Cornelis Jacobus , Cioffi Maria Odila H. , Mulinari Daniella Regina , Da Luz Sandra M. , Da Silva Maria Lucia Caetano Pinto
Published: June 2023

Cellulose fibers were isolated from sugarcane bagasse in three stages. Initially sugarcane bagasse was subjected to a pre-treatment process with hydrolyzed acid to eliminate hemicellulose. Whole cellulosic fibers thus obtained were then subjected to a two-stage delignification process and finally to a bleaching process. The chemical structure of the resulting cellulose fibers was studied by Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy. Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) and X-ray diffraction (XRD) were used to analyze the effects of hydrolysis, delignification, and bleaching on the structure of the fibers. Two different thermal analysis techniques were used to study the bleaching cellulose fibers. These techniques confirmed that cellulose fibers were isolated from sugarcane bagasse. A future goal is to use these fibers as reinforcement elements in composites, organic-inorganic hybrid, and membranes for nanofiltration.
Newsprint from soda bagasse pulp in admixture with hardwood CMP pulp
Authors: Jafari-Petroudy S. Rahman , Resalati Hossein , Rezayati-Charani Pejman
Published: June 2023

Based on global research and experiences producing newsprint from bagasse, the possibility of using bagasse chemical pulp in the furnish of local mill-made mixed hardwood CMP pulp was studied at laboratory scale, for making newsprint. Bagasse soda chemical pulp at digester yield of about 47% was bleached to about 60% brightness by single stage hydrogen peroxide. The effects of using up to 30% bagasse chemical pulp in a blend with hardwood CMP pulp, with or without softwood kraft pulp, were studied. The results showed that superior hand sheet properties could be achieved by using bagasse chemical pulp; in comparison with main mill pulp furnish (83% hardwood CMP pulp and 17% imported long fiber pulp). In other words, by using bagasse chemical pulp in a blend with local mill made hardwood CMP pulp, acceptable newsprint could be made with considerable reduction in the consumptions of hardwood species and softwood reinforcing kraft pulp.
Adsorptive removal and recovery of U(VI) by citrus waste biomass
Authors: Saleem Nazia , Bhatti Haq Nawaz
Published: June 2023

Adsorption and recovery of hexavalent uranium from dilute aqueous solutions by low cost citrus waste biomass was investigated by performing adsorption-desorption studies. Different samples of citrus waste biomasses were screened for removal of U(VI) from aqueous solutions. The results indicated that the biosorption capacity was strongly affected by the solution pH, biosorbent dose, contact time, and initial uranium concentration. Uranium binding by the test biomass was rapid, achieving >79% sorption efficiency within 15 min, and the equilibrium was established in 60 min. Optimum biosorption capacity (qe) was observed at pH 4.0, biosorbent dose 0.1 % (w/v), initial uranium concentration of 100 mg/L. The kinetic data fitted well to a pseudo-second-order rate equation (R2=0.980). The adsorption process conformed to a Langmuir adsorption isotherm model. Gibbs free energy (ΔGo) and enthalpy change (ΔHo) indicated that reaction was spontaneous and exothermic in nature at the studied temperatures. FT-IR studies showed the involvement of carbonyl, carboxyl, and amide groups in the biosorption process. Treatment of biomass with different reagents affected its biosorption capacity, and maximum removal (70.63%) was recorded with polyethyleneimine (PEI) treated biomass. EDTA had the best effects as an eluent, showing 94.7% desorption capacity.
Economics of cellulosic ethanol production: Green liquor pretreatment for softwood and hardwood, greenfield and repurpose scenarios
Authors: Gonzalez Ronalds , Treasure Trevor , Phillips Richard , Jameel Hasan , Saloni Daniel
Published: June 2023

Green liquor pretreatment, a technology presently used worldwide in hundreds of kraft pulp mills, is proposed in this work as a potential pretreatment pathway for the efficient conversion of lignocellulosic biomass into ethanol. Mixed southern hardwood, eucalyptus, and loblolly pine were evaluated through process simulations in two investment scenarios: a greenfield mill scenario and a repurposing scenario, using existing kraft pulp mill assets for cellulosic ethanol production. Several advantages come with this concept: i) proven technology (both process and equipment), ii) chemical and energy recovery in place, iii) existing fiber supply chain, and iv) experienced labor force around the mill. Ethanol yields through enzymatic hydrolysis of pretreated fibers were highest in natural mixed hardwood and eucalyptus (280-285 liters of ethanol per dry ton of biomass) and lowest in loblolly pine (273 liters per dry ton of biomass). Natural hardwood and eucalyptus in the repurposing scenario form the most profitable combinations with an IRR of about 19%, mainly due to low capital expenditure (CAPEX) (per liter of ethanol), low enzyme costs, and higher ethanol yield (compared to loblolly pine). Production cost (in the repurposing scenario) was estimated at $2.51 per gallon of ethanol (or $0.66 per liter), cash cost at $2.14 gallon-1 (or $0.57 per liter), and CAPEX at $3.15 gallon-1 (or $0.83 per liter). Repurposing existing closed mills creates a potential alternative to ramp up in the task of producing alternative lignocellulosic biofuels.