bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Clinical significance of self-descriptive apathy assessment in patients with neurological form of Wilson’s disease
Authors: Leśniak Marcin , Roessler-Górecka Magdalena , Członkowska Anna , Seniów Joanna
Published: June 2021

Background and aim

Apathy is one of the neuropsychiatric symptoms of Wilson’s disease (WD) which typically affects the brain’s fronto-basal circuits. Lack of agreed diagnostic criteria and common use of self-description assessment tools lead to underestimation of this clinical phenomenon. The aim of this study was to investigate whether subjective and informant-based clinical features of apathy in patients with WD enable clinicians to make a valid diagnosis.

Methods

Multiple aspects of goal-oriented behavior were assessed in 30 patients with the neurological form of WD and 30 age-matched healthy participants using two questionnaires, the Lille Apathy Rating Scale (LARS) and the Dysexecutive Questionnaire (DEX). Both included a self-descriptive and a caregiver/proxy version. Cognitive functioning was estimated with the use of Addenbrooke’s Cognitive Examination-Revised.

Results

Patients obtained significantly worse scores on all clinical scales when more objective measures were considered. Features of apathy and executive dysfunction were revealed in patients’ caregiver versions of LARS and DEX, which may indicate poor self-awareness of patients with WD. Roughly 30% of participants were likely to present with clinically meaningful symptoms, independent of cognitive dysfunction.

Conclusions

Methods relying on self-description appear inferior to informant-based scales when diagnosing apathy. More objective criteria and measurement tools are needed to better understand this clinical syndrome.
Indicators for site characterization at seismic station: recommendation from a dedicated survey
Authors: Cultrera Giovanna , Cornou Cécile , Di Giulio Giuseppe , Bard Pierre-Yves
Published: June 2021

In recent years, the permanent seismic networks worldwide have largely increased, raising the amount of earthquake signals and the applications using seismic records. Although characterization of the soil properties at recording stations has a large impact on hazard estimates, it has not been implemented so far in a standardized way for reaching high-level metadata. To address this issue, we built an online questionnaire for the identification of the indicators useful for a reliable site characterization at a seismic station. We analysed the answers of a large number of experts in different fields, which allowed us to rank 24 different indicators and to identify the most relevant ones: fundamental frequency (f0), shear-wave velocity profile (VS), time-averaged Vs over 30 m (VS30), depth of seismological and engineering bedrock (Hseis_bed and Heng_bed), surface geology and soil class. Moreover, the questionnaire proposed two additional indices in terms of cost and difficulty to obtain a reliable value of each indicator, showing that the selection of the most relevant indicators results from a complex balance between physical relevancy, average cost and reliability. For each indicator we propose a summary report, provided as editable pdf, containing the background information of data acquisition and processing details, with the aim to homogenize site metadata information at European level and to define the quality of the site characterization (see companion paper Di Giulio et al. 2021). The selected indicators and the summary reports have been shared within European and worldwide scientific community and discussed in a dedicated international workshop. They represent a first attempt to reach a homogeneous set of high-level metadata for site characterization.
Suicidal Thoughts and Behaviours Among Autistic Adults Presenting to the Psychiatric Emergency Department: An Exploratory Chart Review
Authors: Jachyra Patrick , Lai Meng-Chuan , Zaheer Juveria , Fernandes Natasha , Dale Michelle , Sawyer Amanda , Lunsky Yona
Published: June 2021

Despite increasing attention on suicidality in autistic people, we know little about suicidal presentations when autistic individuals present to hospital emergency departments (ED). We conducted an exploratory retrospective chart review of suicidal thoughts and behaviours (STB) of autistic adults who presented to a psychiatric ED. The analysis included 16 charts over a 10-week period. Findings highlight that reported STB were not always the presenting issue. Life transitions and interpersonal conflicts were common antecedents, and active rumination about STB was distressing and fatiguing. Findings imply that ED visits serve as important opportunities for suicidal risk reduction for autistic individuals, through implementation of strategies for identification of STB such as active screening, and the provision of suicide resources tailored to autistic people.
Capsule networks for segmentation of small intravascular ultrasound image datasets
Authors: Bargsten Lennart , Raschka Silas , Schlaefer Alexander
Published: June 2021

Purpose

Intravascular ultrasound (IVUS) imaging is crucial for planning and performing percutaneous coronary interventions. Automatic segmentation of lumen and vessel wall in IVUS images can thus help streamlining the clinical workflow. State-of-the-art results in image segmentation are achieved with data-driven methods like convolutional neural networks (CNNs). These need large amounts of training data to perform sufficiently well but medical image datasets are often rather small. A possibility to overcome this problem is exploiting alternative network architectures like capsule networks.

Methods

We systematically investigated different capsule network architecture variants and optimized the performance on IVUS image segmentation. We then compared our capsule network with corresponding CNNs under varying amounts of training images and network parameters.

Results

Contrary to previous works, our capsule network performs best when doubling the number of capsule types after each downsampling stage, analogous to typical increase rates of feature maps in CNNs. Maximum improvements compared to the baseline CNNs are 20.6% in terms of the Dice coefficient and 87.2% in terms of the average Hausdorff distance.

Conclusion

Capsule networks are promising candidates when it comes to segmentation of small IVUS image datasets. We therefore assume that this also holds for ultrasound images in general. A reasonable next step would be the investigation of capsule networks for few- or even single-shot learning tasks.
Overcoming Historical Barriers: Enhancing Positive Perceptions of Medical Research Among African Americans Through a Conference-Based Workshop
Authors: Brewer LaPrincess C. , Pasha Maarya , Seele Pernessa , Penheiter Sumedha , White Richard , Willis Floyd , Albertie Monica , Jenkins Sarah M. , Pullins Christopher
Published: June 2021

Background

African Americans (AAs) and other racial/ethnic minority groups continue to be underrepresented in medical research and clinical trials. Failure to create more racially diverse research cohorts can exacerbate existing health disparities among these groups.

Objective

To investigate best practices and strategies for enhancing participation of AAs in medical research among attendees of a preconference Institute at a faith-based public health conference.

Design

Qualitative study using semi-structured interviews.

Participants

A total of 21 out of 29 attendees (90% AA) of the Institute (72% response rate).

Approach

A culturally tailored preconference Institute was held at the 2017 Healthy Churches 2020 National Conference. The Institute was led by AA researchers focused on underrepresentation of AAs in medical research. Semi-structured interviews were conducted 1-year post-Institute (n=21) and were audio-recorded, transcribed verbatim, and reviewed using thematic analysis.

Key Results

The majority of attendees reported that they were more likely to participate in medical research after attending the Institute (75%). Salient learning points reported by attendees demonstrated attainment of the Institute objectives. Key themes emerged describing barriers preventing AAs from participating in medical research including fear/lack of trust, lack of information on research projects, and not being approached to participate. Key themes regarding facilitators for participation in medical research by AAs were clear communication of study objectives and research benefits along with trust in researchers.

Conclusions

Attendees’ perceptions of participation in medical research were largely positive following their attendance at a conference-based Institute aimed to address the underrepresentation of AAs in medical research. Our culturally tailored approach to disseminating knowledge of the research process could extend to other national conferences prioritizing AAs and other racial/ethnic minority populations to improve research participation.
BAFF signaling drives interstitial transformation of mouse renal tubular epithelial cells in a Pin1-dependent manner
Authors: Xu Haiyan , Song Dan , Xu Renfang , He Xiaozhou
Published: June 2021

Aberrant expression of B cell–activating factor belonging to TNF superfamily (BAFF) and its receptors results in abnormal biological activities in hematopoietic and non-hematopoietic cells and is closely associated with the occurrence and development of various diseases. However, the biological significance and potential mechanisms underlying BAFF signaling in renal tubular epithelial cells (RTECs) remain unknown. This study aimed to investigate the biological role of BAFF signaling in RTECs. Mice primary RTECs were applied. The proliferation status and apoptotic rates were examined by MTS assay and flow cytometry, respectively. The expression of BAFF and its receptors was analyzed via flow cytometry and sodium ion transport function, and cytokeratin-18 expression was detected through immunofluorescence staining. In addition, Pin1 was knocked down via siRNA and its expression was assessed through reverse transcription PCR. Lastly, western blotting was performed to analyze E-cadherin, ɑ-SMA, and Pin1 expression. Results suggested that BAFF-R was significantly upregulated upon IFN-γ stimulation, and enhancement of BAFF signaling promoted cell survival and reduced their apoptotic rate, while simultaneously reducing the epithelial phenotype and promoting the interstitial transformation of cells. Furthermore, Pin1 was significantly increased, along with the upregulation of BAFF signaling in the RTECs, and participated in interstitial transformation induced by BAFF signaling. Collectively, the present results elucidate the potential mechanism of loss of normal function of RTECs under long-term high dose of BAFF stimulation provides a potential therapeutic target for renal interstitial fibrosis, and underlining mechanisms of shortening of long-term outcomes of kidney allografts via augmenting of BAFF signaling.
Robotic nipple-sparing mastectomy complication rate compared to traditional nipple-sparing mastectomy: a systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Filipe M. D. , de Bock E. , Postma E. L. , Bastian O. W. , Schellekens P. P. A. , Vriens M. R. , Witkamp A. J. , Richir M. C.
Published: June 2021

Breast cancer is worldwide the most common cause of cancer in women and causes the second most common cancer-related death. Nipple-sparing mastectomy (NSM) is commonly used in therapeutic and prophylactic settings. Furthermore, (preventive) mastectomies are, besides complications, also associated with psychological and cosmetic consequences. Robotic NSM (RNSM) allows for better visualization of the planes and reducing the invasiveness. The aim of this study was to compare the postoperative complication rate of RNSM to NSM. A systematic search was performed on all (R)NSM articles. The primary outcome was determining the overall postoperative complication rate of traditional NSM and RNSM. Secondary outcomes were comparing the specific postoperative complication rates: implant loss, hematoma, (flap)necrosis, infection, and seroma. Forty-nine studies containing 13,886 cases of (R)NSM were included. No statistically significant differences were found regarding postoperative complications (RNSM 3.9%, NSM 7.0%, p = 0.070), postoperative implant loss (RNSM 4.1%, NSM 3.2%, p = 0.523), hematomas (RNSM 4.3%, NSM 2.0%, p = 0.059), necrosis (RNSM 4.3%, NSM 7.4%, p = 0.230), infection (RNSM 8.3%, NSM 4.0%, p = 0.054) or seromas (RNSM 3.0%, NSM 2.0%, p = 0.421). Overall, there are no statistically significant differences in complication rates between NSM and RNSM.
Immunology of Lynch Syndrome
Authors: Pastor Danielle M. , Schlom Jeffrey
Published: June 2021

Purpose of Review

Patients with Lynch syndrome have a high probability of developing colorectal and other carcinomas. This review provides a comprehensive assessment of the immunologic aspects of Lynch syndrome pathogenesis and provides an overview of potential immune interventions for patients with Lynch syndrome polyps and Lynch syndrome–associated carcinomas.

Recent Findings

Immunogenic properties of the majority of Lynch syndrome polyps and associated cancers include microsatellite instability leading to a high mutational burden and the development of novel frameshift peptides, i.e., neoantigens. In addition, patients with Lynch syndrome develop T cell responses in the periphery and in the tumor microenvironment (TME) to tumor-associated antigens, and a proinflammatory cytokine TME has also been identified. However, Lynch syndrome lesions also possess immunosuppressive entities such as alterations in MHC class I antigen presentation, TGFβ receptor mutations, regulatory T cells, and upregulation of PD-L1 on tumor-associated lymphocytes.

The rich immune microenvironment of Lynch syndrome polyps and associated carcinomas provides an opportunity to employ the spectrum of immune-mediating agents now available to induce and enhance host immune responses and/or to also reduce immunosuppressive entities. These agents can be employed in the so-called prevention trials for the treatment of patients with Lynch syndrome polyps and for trials in patients with Lynch syndrome–associated cancers.
Frontline Maintenance Treatment for Ovarian Cancer
Authors: Elyashiv Osnat , Wong Yien Ning Sophia , Ledermann Jonathan A.
Published: June 2021

Purpose of Review

Advanced epithelial ovarian cancer remains the most lethal gynaecological cancer. Most patients with advanced disease will relapse within 3 years after primary treatment with surgery and chemotherapy. Recurrences become increasing difficult to treat due to the emergence of drug resistance and 5-year survival has changed little over the last decade. Maintenance treatment, here defined as treatment given beyond primary chemotherapy, can both consolidate the response and prolong the control of disease which is an approach to improve survival.

Recent Findings

Here we review maintenance strategies such as targeting angiogenesis, interference of DNA repair through inhibition of PARP, combinations of targeting agents, and immunotherapy and hormonal therapy.

Much has been learnt from the success and challenges of these treatments that have in the last few years which led to significant reduction in disease recurrence, changed the guidelines for treatment, and established a new paradigm for the treatment of ovarian cancer.
Models for Treating Post-traumatic Headache
Authors: Kamins Joshua
Published: June 2021

Purpose of Review

To discuss the treatment of post-traumatic headache (PTH) and how to choose pharmacotherapy based upon known pathophysiology.

Recent Findings

Preclinical models of traumatic brain injury are finally revealing some of the mechanisms of PTH, including the significant role that inflammatory neuropeptides like calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) play in the initiation and persistence of symptoms.

To effectively treat post-traumatic headache (PTH), one needs to understand the pathophysiology behind the initiation and persistence of symptoms. Recent animal models are starting to elucidate these mechanisms, but effective treatment will also likely rely on the identification of patients who are most at risk for persistent PTH. Trials of early, targeted therapy for at-risk patients will be needed to validate these hypotheses. Additionally, high powered clinical trials are lacking in the field of persistent PTH for medications that are known to be effective in primary headache disorders. Effective treatment for persistent PTH also requires understanding how headache interacts with the complex nature of persistent post-concussion symptoms, as this disease often necessitates a multi-disciplinary approach. Regardless, with the knowledge gained by new PTH models cited in this paper, and an increasing availability of novel headache medications, more effective treatment models are on the horizon.
Predictive factors of malignancy in pediatric patients with thyroid nodules and performance of the Italian classification (SIAPEC 2014) in the outcome of the cytological FNA categories
Authors: Tuli Gerdi , Munarin Jessica , Agosto Erica , Matarazzo Patrizia , Quaglino Francesco , Mormile Alberto , de Sanctis Luisa
Published: June 2021

Purpose

The rate of malignancy (ROM) among pediatric studies using the Bethesda System is 39.5% and 41.5% for atypia of undetermined significance/follicular lesion of undetermined significance and for suspected follicular neoplasm, respectively. Data reported on the basis of Bethesda System showed lower ROM in adults with indeterminate nodules (30.5 and 28.9% respectively). Studies on adults based on the Italian Society of Anatomic Pathology and Cytology (SIAPEC) classification, report ROM of 14.2% for TIR3a and 44.6% for TIR3b category, showing greater sensitivity in detecting malignancy. To date, no performance data are available about SIAPEC classification in pediatric age.

Methods

Retrospective data were collected from 200 pediatric subjects with thyroid nodules in the period 2000–2020.

Results

The distribution of cytological categories after fine needle aspiration biopsy (FNAB) was 7 TIR1, 4 TIR1c, 22 TIR2, 14 TIR3a, 9 TIR3b, 3 TIR4, and 16 TIR5. The surgical approach was performed in 40/200 subjects, with total ROM of 65% (0% for TIR1-TIR3a, 77.8% for TIR3b, and 100% for TIR4–TIR5). Total FNAB accuracy was 95%, while the sensibility and specificity were 92.3 and 92.6%, respectively.

Conclusions

The reported data seem to confirm a greater sensitivity of SIAPEC classification to identify malignancy within the indeterminate category also in pediatric age and not only in adulthood. This finding may orient clinicians toward clinical follow-up for the indeterminate TIR3a group and toward surgical approach with total thyroidectomy in the indeterminate TIR3b group, although this indication should be confirmed in further national multicenter studies including larger cohorts.
A new biological triangle in cancer: intestinal microbiota, immune checkpoint inhibitors and antibiotics
Authors: Zhang Jie , Dai Zhujiang , Yan Cheng , Zhang Wenjie , Wang Daorong , Tang Dong
Published: June 2021

Cancer immunotherapy has revolutionized the treatment of many malignant tumors. Although immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) can reactivate the anti-tumor activity of immune cells, sensitivity to immune checkpoint inhibitor therapy depends on the complex tumor immune processes. In recent years, numerous researches have demonstrated the role of intestinal microbiota in immunity and metabolism of the tumor microenvironment, as well as the efficacy of immunotherapy. Epidemiological studies have further demonstrated the efficacy of antibiotic therapy on the probability of patients' response to ICIs and predictability of the short-term survival of cancer patients. Disturbance to the intestinal microbiota significantly affects ICIs-mediated immune reconstitution and is considered a possible mechanism underlying the development of adverse effects during antibiotic-based ICIs treatment. Intestinal microbiota, antibiotics, and ICIs have gradually become important considerations for the titer of immunotherapy. In the case of immunotherapy, the rational use of antibiotics and intestinal microbiota is expected to yield a better prognosis for patients with malignant tumors.
Correction to: Dragonfies of Dragon’s Blood Island: Atlas of the Odonata of the Socotra Archipelago (Yemen)
Authors: Van Damme Kay , Vahalík Petr , Ketelaar Robert , Jeziorski Petr , Bouwman Jaap , Morris Miranda , Suleiman Ahmed Saeed , Dumont Henri J.
Published: June 2021

A correction to this paper has been published: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12210-021-01006-z
Notes on the threatened lowland forests of Mt Cameroon and their endemics including Drypetes burnleyae sp. nov., with a key to species of Drypetes sect. Stipulares (Putranjivaceae)
Authors: Cheek Martin , Ndam Nouhou , Budden Andrew
Published: June 2021

This paper reports a further discovery of a new endemic threatened species to science in the context of botanical surveys in the lowland coastal forests of Mount Cameroon in the Cross River-Sanaga interval of west-central Africa. These studies now focus on species discovery and conservation through the Tropical Important Plant Areas programme. New species to science continue to be discovered from Mt Cameroon. Most of these species are rare, highly localised, and threatened by habitat destruction, increasing the justification for improved conservation management of surviving habitat. Drypetes burnleyae is placed in and keyed out in Drypetes sect. Stipulares, a group mostly confined to Lower Guinea, here adjusted to accommodate nine species. The conservation status of Drypetes burnleyae is assessed as Endangered (EN B1+2ab(iii)) according to the 2012 criteria of the International Union for the Conservation of Nature. An updated overview of the plant endemics of Mt Cameroon is presented.
The elusive parasite: comparing macroscopic, immunological, and genomic approaches to identifying malaria in human skeletal remains from Sayala, Egypt (third to sixth centuries AD)
Authors: Loufouma Mbouaka Alvie , Gamble Michelle , Wurst Christina , Jäger Heidi Yoko , Maixner Frank , Zink Albert , Noedl Harald , Binder Michaela
Published: June 2021

Although malaria is one of the oldest and most widely distributed diseases affecting humans, identifying and characterizing its presence in ancient human remains continue to challenge researchers. We attempted to establish a reliable approach to detecting malaria in human skeletons using multiple avenues of analysis: macroscopic observations, rapid diagnostic tests, and shotgun-capture sequencing techniques, to identify pathological changes, Plasmodium antigens, and Plasmodium DNA, respectively. Bone and tooth samples from ten individuals who displayed skeletal lesions associated with anaemia, from a site in southern Egypt (third to sixth centuries AD), were selected. Plasmodium antigens were detected in five of the ten bone samples, and traces of Plasmodium aDNA were detected in six of the twenty bone and tooth samples. There was relatively good synchronicity between the biomolecular findings, despite not being able to authenticate the results. This study highlights the complexity and limitations in the conclusive identification of the Plasmodium parasite in ancient human skeletons. Limitations regarding antigen and aDNA preservation and the importance of sample selection are at the forefront of the search for malaria in the past. We confirm that, currently, palaeopathological changes such as cribra orbitalia are not enough to be certain of the presence of malaria. While biomolecular methods are likely the best chance for conclusive identification, we were unable to obtain results which correspond to the current authentication criteria of biomolecules. This study represents an important contribution in the refinement of biomolecular techniques used; also, it raises new insight regarding the consistency of combining several approaches in the identification of malaria in past populations.
Native Gold and Au-Pt Alloy in Eclogite Xenoliths of Kalyandurg KL-2 Kimberlite, Anantapur District, South India
Authors: Mukherjee Abhijeet , Tiwari Pankaj , Verma C.B. , Babu E.V.S.S.K. , Sarathi Jena Partha
Published: June 2021

The paper pertains to the studies carried out on the eclogitic xenoliths of KL-2 kimberlite of Kalyandurg kimberlite cluster in south India. Petrographic studies revealed bi-mineralic and kyanite-bearing eclogitic xenoliths in KL-2 kimberlite. The bi-mineralic and kyanite-bearing eclogites of Kalyandurg KL-2 kimberlite pipe show variation in modal proportion of garnet, omphacite, clinopyroxene and kyanite. The paper reports discovery of native gold grains and Au-Pt alloy in the kyanite-bearing eclogite xenoliths of KL-2 kimberlite. The flaky gold grains occurring in the matrix of kyanite-bearing eclogite are homogeneous and two grains of Au-Pt alloy with Au and Pt in the proportion of 9.8:1.2 are also present. This is the first report of gold and gold-platinum alloy specs from eclogitic xenoliths of Indian kimberlites.
Authigenic δ13C-carb Negative Excursion in the Late Ediacaran-Early Cambrian Bilara Group, Marwar Supergroup, India
Authors: Ansari A.H. , Pandey S.K.
Published: June 2021

Late Ediacaran-early Cambrian sedimentary rocks from different palaeogeographical locations have recorded heterogeneous extreme negative carbon isotope excursions, which is commonly interpreted as a major event in the concurrent global carbon cycling. To understand the inorganic and organic carbon sourcing and type of the depositional environment that led to the negative δ13C-carb excursion, this study has re-assessed the high resolution inorganic and organic isotopes (δ13C-carb, δ18O-carb, and δ13C-org) and total organic carbon (TOC) data from the late Ediacaran-early Cambrian carbonate section of the Bilara Group, Marwar Supergroup, India. Statistical correlation analysis among δ13C-carb, δ18O-carb, δ13C-org and TOC data suggest that the Bilara carbonates were mainly deposited in a closed/semiclosed oligotrophic palaeobasin that was intermittently connected to the open ocean during eustatic sea-level rise. Steered by the water-level/volume fluctuations in the Bilara palaeobasin, the epicenter of carbonate precipitation shifted between the surface water column and sediment-water interface/sedimentary column. The negative δ13C-carb excursion was a result of increased authigenic carbonate precipitation, fuelled by anaerobic oxidation of organic matter at the sediment-water interface/ in the sedimentary column during the high water-level/volume in the Bilara palaeobasin.
The Great Flood and its Aftermath in Kashmir Valley: Impact, Consequences and Vulnerability Assessment
Authors: Malik Ishfaq Hussain , Hashmi S. Najmul Islam
Published: June 2021

Floods have serious implications on land and people. They disrupt the ecological balance, hamper the economic development, affect the social fabric of the society, create chaos, damage the infrastructure, put constraints on the movement of people and create displacement of millions of people. In 2014, Kashmir Valley witnessed the worst flood in the last 100 years. The impact of the flood is still felt in the Kashmir Valley, which has changed the perception of the people of the valley regarding floods. The flood had enormous impact on environment, economy, society, political set up and all the aspects of life. The present study analyses the impact of the 2014 flood in Kashmir valley and its aftermath. It analyses the physical and social vulnerability of different districts regarding floods and analyses the variability of the impact. The study is based on primary as well as secondary sources of data, and the data was analysed by statistical techniques like Z-score and composite Z-score and also remote sensing techniques and GIS.
Single-nucleus transcriptomic landscape of primate hippocampal aging
Authors: Zhang Hui , Li Jiaming , Ren Jie , Sun Shuhui , Ma Shuai , Zhang Weiqi , Yu Yang , Cai Yusheng , Yan Kaowen , Li Wei , Hu Baoyang , Chan Piu , Zhao Guo-Guang , Belmonte Juan Carlos Izpisua , Zhou Qi , Qu Jing , Wang Si , Liu Guang-Hui
Published: June 2021

The hippocampus plays a crucial role in learning and memory, and its progressive deterioration with age is functionally linked to a variety of human neurodegenerative diseases. Yet a systematic profiling of the aging effects on various hippocampal cell types in primates is still missing. Here, we reported a variety of new aging-associated phenotypic changes of the primate hippocampus. These include, in particular, increased DNA damage and heterochromatin erosion with time, alongside loss of proteostasis and elevated inflammation. To understand their cellular and molecular causes, we established the first single-nucleus transcriptomic atlas of primate hippocampal aging. Among the 12 identified cell types, neural transiently amplifying progenitor cell (TAPC) and microglia were most affected by aging. In-depth dissection of gene-expression dynamics revealed impaired TAPC division and compromised neuronal function along the neurogenesis trajectory; additionally elevated pro-inflammatory responses in the aged microglia and oligodendrocyte, as well as dysregulated coagulation pathways in the aged endothelial cells may contribute to a hostile microenvironment for neurogenesis. This rich resource for understanding primate hippocampal aging may provide potential diagnostic biomarkers and therapeutic interventions against age-related neurodegenerative diseases.
Aktivitäten von Akteuren in Schweizer Bildungslandschaften – Welchen potenziellen Beitrag zu mehr Chancengerechtigkeit könnten sie leisten?
Authors: Koszuta Anja , Werner Ricarda , Huber Stephan G.
Published: June 2021

In diesem Artikel werden zunächst theoretische Überlegungen zu möglichen gerechtigkeitsbezogenen Unterstützungsleistungen durch Bildungslandschaften für das Schulsystem angestellt. Anschließend werden diese Überlegungen mit den Aktivitäten innerhalb von Bildungslandschaften anhand einer Dokumentenanalyse in Bezug gesetzt. Ziel des Papers ist zu untersuchen, welche Gerechtigkeitsdimensionen durch die Maßnahmen, die durch die Bildungslandschaften entstanden sind, berücksichtigt werden. Als Datengrundlage gelten Dokumente, die im Rahmen der Berichterstattung an die geldgebende Stiftung (z. B. Zwischenreportings über den aktuellen Stand des Projekts, Schlussberichte) sowie Dokumentationen, Flyern u. ä. zu Massnahmen, die in vereinzelten Bildungslandschaften entstanden sind. Die Befunde verdeutlichen, dass die Aktivitäten von Bildungslandschaften vor allem Aspekte der Integrationskraft berühren. Hierzu zählen auf Ebene der Bevölkerung die Schaffung von Austausch- und Begegnungsgelegenheiten und informierenden Angebote sowie die Sichtbarmachung vorhandener Angebote und auf Ebene der Akteure netzwerksbildungsfördernde Maßnahmen. Weiterhin wird deutlich, dass sich die Mehrheit der Aktivitäten an die Bevölkerung und weniger an die Fachkräfte des Bildungssystems richtet.
A community of practice approach to enhancing academic integrity policy translation: a case study
Authors: Reedy Alison Kay , Wurm Penelope A. S. , Janssen Amanda , Lockley Alison
Published: June 2021

Introduction

Academic integrity policy that is inaccessible, ambiguous or confusing is likely to result in inconsistent policy enactment. Additionally, policy analysis and development are often undertaken as top down processes requiring passive acceptance by users of policy that has been developed outside the context in which it is enacted. Both these factors can result in poor policy uptake, particularly where policy users are overworked, intellectually critical and capable, not prone to passive acceptance and hold valuable grass roots intelligence about policy enactment.

Case description

The case study presented in this paper describes the actions of a community of practice (CoP) at a regional Australian university to deconstruct and translate ambiguous academic integrity policy into a suite of accessible academic integrity resources that were intelligible to staff and students, and which assisted academic staff to consistently enact policy. The paper narrates the formation of the CoP, the tangible and intangible value it created, the social learning practices enacted by its members, its grassroots policy work and the material resources produced from that work.

Discussion and evaluation

An evaluation of the CoP was conducted using a value creation framework to explore its immediate value, potential value, applied value, realised value, and reframing value. These values were considered at each stages of the CoP’s lifespan. The evaluation was a useful process that demonstrated the wide-ranging value created by the CoP. Six insights were drawn from the evaluation which promote understanding of the value created for a university by a CoP, particularly in contributing to academic integrity culture over a sustained period of time.

Conclusions

This paper contributes to a research gap on specific examples of discretion within rule-based systems. It illustrates how academics and members of the CoP used their discretion to interpret and enact academic integrity policy within a higher education setting. Drawing from the evaluation of the CoP we argue for greater understanding of the grass-roots contribution of academic and professional staff to academic integrity policy translation and enactment.
Correction to: Magnetic Nanoparticles as MRI Contrast Agents
Authors: Avasthi Ashish , Caro Carlos , Pozo-Torres Esther , Leal Manuel Pernia , García-Martín María Luisa
Published: June 2021

A correction to this paper has been published: https://doi.org/10.1007/s41061-021-00340-y
High-resolution X-ray spectroscopy of astrophysical plasmas with X-ray microcalorimeters
Authors: Ezoe Yuichiro , Ohashi Takaya , Mitsuda Kazuhisa
Published: June 2021

High spectral resolution with a resolving power,$$E/\Delta E \gtrsim 1000$$E/ΔE≳1000at 6 keV, is now available in X-ray astronomy. X-ray observations are particularly effective for plasma studies since major atomic transitions appear as spectral features in the X-ray band. High-resolution spectroscopy enables us to probe a wide variety of astrophysical plasmas, which are not obtainable from ground experiments, regarding their temperature, density, magnetic field, gravity, and velocity. In this review, we describe what are the X-ray emitting plasmas in the Universe, along with basic plasma diagnostics, and depict historical development of the techniques used for the X-ray spectroscopy. We outline the X-ray microcalorimeter instrument, soft X-ray spectrometer (SXS), onboard the ASTRO-H satellite. Despite the short lifetime of the satellite in orbit for about a month, observations with the SXS have shown the remarkable power of high-resolution spectroscopy in X-ray astronomy. Observed spectrum of the hot plasma in the core region of the Perseus cluster showed He-like Fe K-line to be clearly resolved into resonance, forbidden and intercombination lines for the first time. The line width indicates that the turbulent pressure amounts to only 4% of the thermal pressure of the plasma. We also describe new findings and constraints obtained from the superb spectrum of the Perseus cluster, which all indicate a great potential of X-ray spectroscopy. The recovery of the spectroscopy science of ASTRO-H is aimed at with XRISM, a Japanese mission planned for launch in early 2020s. In further future, Athena will expand the rich science with its high sensitivity and spectral resolution in early 2030s.
Population genetic variation analysis of bitter gourd wilt caused by Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. momordicae in China using inter simple sequence repeats (ISSR) molecular markers
Authors: Zang Rui , Zhao Ying , Guo Kangdi , Hong Kunqi , Xi Huijun , Wen Caiyi
Published: June 2021

Bitter gourd wilt caused by Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. momordicae (FOM) is a devastating crop disease in China. A total of 173 isolates characteristic of typical Fusarium oxysporum with abundant microconidia and macroconidia on white or ruby colonies were obtained from diseased plant tissues. BLASTn analysis of the rDNA-ITS of the isolates showed 99% identity with F. oxysporum species. Among the tested isolates, three were infectious toward tower gourd and five were pathogenic to bottle gourd. However, all of the isolates were pathogenic to bitter gourd. For genetic differences analysis, 40 ISSR primers were screened and 11 primers were used for ISSR-PCR amplification. In total, 127 loci were detected, of which 76 were polymorphic at a rate of 59.84%. POPGENE analysis showed that Nei’s gene diversity index (H) and Shannon’s information index (I) were 0.09 and 0.15, respectively, which indicated that the genetic diversity of the 173 isolates was low. The coefficient of gene differentiation (Gst = 0.33 > 0.15) indicated that genetic differentiation was mainly among populations. The strength of gene flow (Nm = 1.01 > 1.0) was weak, indicating that the population differentiation caused by gene drift was blocked to some degree. The dendrogram based on ISSR markers showed that the nine geographical populations were clustered into two groups at the threshold of genetic similarity coefficient of 0.96. The Shandong and Henan populations were clustered into Group I, while the Guangdong, Hainan, Guangxi, Fujian, Jiangxi, and Hubei populations constituted Group II. Results of the genetic variation analysis showed that the Hunan and Guangxi populations had the highest degree of genetic differentiation, while the Hubei population had the lowest genetic differentiation. Our findings enrich the knowledge of the genetic variation characteristics of FOM populations with the goal of developing effective disease-management programs and resistance breeding programs.
Effective but fragile? Responses to repeated nudge-based messages for preventing the spread of COVID-19 infection
Authors: Sasaki Shusaku , Kurokawa Hirofumi , Ohtake Fumio
Published: June 2021

Nudge-based messages have been employed in various countries to encourage voluntary contact-avoidance and infection-prevention behaviors to control the spread of COVID-19. People have been repeatedly exposed to such messages; however, whether the messages keep exerting a significant impact over time remains unclear. From April to August 2020, we conducted a four-wave online survey experiment to examine how five types of nudge-based messages influence Japanese people’s self-reported preventive behaviors. In particular, we investigate how their behaviors are affected by repeated displays over time. The analysis with 4241 participants finds that only a gain-framed altruistic message, emphasizing their behavioral adherence would protect the lives of people close to them, reduces their frequency of going out and contacting others. We do not find similar behavioral changes in messages that contain an altruistic element but emphasize it in a loss-frame or describe their behavioral adherence as protecting both one’s own and others’ lives. Furthermore, the behavioral change effect of the gain-framed altruistic message disappears in the third and fourth waves, although its impact of reinforcing intentions remains. This message has even an adverse effect of worsening the compliance level of infection-prevention behaviors for the subgroup who went out less frequently before the experiment. The study’s results imply that when using nudge-based messages as a countermeasure for COVID-19, policymakers and practitioners need to carefully scrutinize the message elements and wording and examine to whom and how the messages should be delivered while considering their potential adverse and side effects.
The Varieties of Instantiation
Authors: SETHI UMRAO
Published: June 2021

Working with the assumption that properties depend for their instantiation on substances, I argue against a unitary analysis of instantiation. On the standard view, a property is instantiated just in case there is a substance that serves as the bearer of the property. But this view cannot make sense of how properties that are mind-dependent depend for their instantiation on minds. I consider two classes of properties that philosophers often take to be mind-dependent: sensible qualities like color and bodily sensations like itches. Given that the mind is never itself literally red or itchy, we cannot explain the instantiation of these qualities as a matter of their having a mental bearer. Appealing to insights from Berkeley, I defend a view on which a property can be instantiated not in virtue of having a bearer—mental or material—but rather in virtue of being the object of a conscious act of perception. In the second half of the paper, I suggest that the best account of sensible qualities and bodily sensations ultimately makes use of both varieties of instantiation.
Simultaneously vanishing higher derived limits
Authors: Bergfalk Jeffrey , Lambie-Hanson Chris
Published: June 2021

In 1988, Sibe Mardešić and Andrei Prasolov isolated an inverse system$\textbf {A}$with the property that the additivity of strong homology on any class of spaces which includes the closed subsets of Euclidean space would entail that$\lim ^n\textbf {A}$(thenth derived limit of$\textbf {A}$) vanishes for every$n>0$. Since that time, the question of whether it is consistent with the$\mathsf {ZFC}$axioms that$\lim ^n \textbf {A}=0$for every$n>0$has remained open. It remains possible as well that this condition in fact implies that strong homology is additive on the category of metric spaces.

We show that assuming the existence of a weakly compact cardinal, it is indeed consistent with the$\mathsf {ZFC}$axioms that$\lim ^n \textbf {A}=0$for all$n>0$. We show this via a finite-support iteration of Hechler forcings which is of weakly compact length. More precisely, we show that in any forcing extension by this iteration, a condition equivalent to$\lim ^n\textbf {A}=0$will hold for each$n>0$. This condition is of interest in its own right; namely, it is the triviality of every coherentn-dimensional family of certain specified sorts of partial functions$\mathbb {N}^2\to \mathbb {Z}$which are indexed in turn byn-tuples of functions$f:\mathbb {N}\to \mathbb {N}$. The triviality and coherence in question here generalise the classical and well-studied case of$n=1$.
Fatal Adulteries: Sexual Politics in the English Revolution
Authors: Fullerton Samuel
Published: June 2021

This article argues for a reconsideration of the origins of Restoration sexual politics through a detailed examination of the effusive sexual polemic of the English Revolution (1642–1660). During the early 1640s, unprecedented political upheaval and a novel public culture of participatory print combined to transform explicit sexual libel from a muted element of prewar English political culture into one of its preeminent features. In the process, political leaders at the highest levels of government—including Queen Henrietta Maria, Oliver Cromwell, and King Charles I—were confronted with extensive and graphic debates about their sexual histories in widely disseminated print polemic for the first time in English history. By the early 1650s, monarchical sexuality was a routine topic of scurrilous political commentary. Charles II was thus well acquainted with this novel polemical milieu by the time he assumed the throne in 1660, and his adoption of the “Merry Monarch” persona early in his reign represented a strategic attempt to turn mid-century sexual politics to his advantage, despite unprecedented levels of contemporary criticism. Restoration sexual culture was therefore largely the product of civil war polemical debate rather than the singular invention of a naturally libertine young king.
Determinants of Individual Support for Independence: Evidence from Montenegro
Authors: Kelmendi Pëllumb , Pedraza Christian
Published: June 2021

This article investigates the determinants of individual support for independence in Montenegro. We outline five theoretically distinct groups of factors covered by the literature and evaluate their impact on individual preference for independence. Using observational data obtained from a nationally representative survey conducted in Montenegro in 2003–2004, we find support for several hypotheses, showing that identity, income, and partisanship significantly impact individual opinion about independence. We also investigate and discuss the relative effect size of different factors associated with preference for independence. Additionally, we test variables with hitherto unexplored implications for opinions on independence, including the impact of support for EU membership, as well as support for democratic principles. Our logistic regression analyses reveal that attitudes towards EU integration and minority rights are strongly associated with support for independence. By systematically analyzing existing and new hypotheses with data from an understudied case, our findings contribute to the nascent literature on individual preferences for independence.
Effects of Icelandic yogurt consumption and resistance training in healthy untrained older males
Authors: Bagheri Reza , Hooshmand Moghadam Babak , Candow Darren G. , Elliott Bradley T. , Wong Alexei , Ashtary-Larky Damoon , Forbes Scott C. , Rashidlamir Amir
Published: June 2021

Due to the important roles of resistance training and protein consumption in the prevention and treatment of sarcopenia, we assessed the efficacy of post-exercise Icelandic yogurt consumption on lean mass, strength and skeletal muscle regulatory factors in healthy untrained older males. Thirty healthy untrained older males (age = 68 ± 4 years) were randomly assigned to Icelandic yogurt (IR; n 15, 18 g of protein) or an iso-energetic placebo (PR; n 15, 0 g protein) immediately following resistance training (3×/week) for 8 weeks. Before and after training, lean mass, strength and skeletal muscle regulatory factors (insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1), transforming growth factor-beta 1 (TGF-β1), growth differentiation factor 15 (GDF15), Activin A, myostatin (MST) and follistatin (FST)) were assessed. There were group × time interactions (P < 0·05) for body mass (IR: Δ 1, PR: Δ 0·7 kg), BMI (IR: Δ 0·3, PR: Δ 0·2 kg/m2), lean mass (IR: Δ 1·3, PR: Δ 0·6 kg), bench press (IR: Δ 4, PR: 2·3 kg), leg press (IR: Δ 4·2, PR: Δ 2·5 kg), IGF-1 (IR: Δ 0·5, Δ PR: 0·1 ng/ml), TGF-β (IR: Δ − 0·2, PR: Δ − 0·1 ng/ml), GDF15 (IR: Δ − 10·3, PR: Δ − 4·8 pg/ml), Activin A (IR: Δ − 9·8, PR: Δ − 2·9 pg/ml), MST (IR: Δ − 0·1, PR: Δ − 0·04 ng/ml) and FST (IR: Δ 0·09, PR: Δ 0·03 ng/ml), with Icelandic yogurt consumption resulting in greater changes compared with placebo. The addition of Icelandic yogurt consumption to a resistance training programme improved lean mass, strength and altered skeletal muscle regulatory factors in healthy untrained older males compared with placebo. Therefore, Icelandic yogurt as a nutrient-dense source and cost-effective supplement enhances muscular gains mediated by resistance training and consequently may be used as a strategy for the prevention of sarcopenia.
NUMA AND JUPITER: WHOSE SMILE IS IT, ANYWAY?
Authors: Driediger-Murphy Lindsay G.
Published: June 2021

This article examines the Roman tradition that Numa once negotiated with Jupiter about human sacrifice. Complete versions of the myth survive in Ovid, Plutarch and Arnobius (citing Valerius Antias). Previous studies of this tradition have proposed four main interpretations of it, which have done important service in modern reconstructions of the character of Roman religion. These scholarly treatments raise several questions. First, are they actually supported by, or the most convincing way of reading, the surviving ancient sources? If so, have they been correctly attributed? Why might a specific ancient author present the myth of Numa and Jupiter in a manner which suggests one interpretation rather than another? What ideological and theological work does the story do for Ovid, for Plutarch and for Arnobius? Finally, can this myth, in whatever version, support the weight of the implications put on it for the character of Roman religion? This article seeks to enhance our understanding of this myth in its surviving versions, not just by analysing the evidence for each of the modern interpretations, but also by considering why ancient authors tell the myth of Numa and Jupiter the way they do. It is argued that their choices illustrate best not one meaning of the myth nor one Roman way of piety but the richness and diversity of religious reflection in antiquity.