bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Career self-efficacy as a mediator between career-specific parental behaviors and school career support on career doubt
Authors: Cheung Francis
Published: January 2024

This study evaluates whether career-specific parental behaviors and school career supports predict career doubt via the mediation of career self-efficacy. 227 participants aged between 18 and 25 completed an online questionnaire. Structural equation model (SEM) analysis showed that school career support was significantly related to career doubt via the mediation of career self-efficacy. However, the hypothesized mediation of career self-efficacy between career-specific parental behaviors and career doubt was not supported. Limitation and implications are discussed.
The genomic alterations in glioblastoma influence the levels of CSF metabolites
Authors: Wang Daniel H. , Fujita Yoko , Dono Antonio , Rodriguez Armendariz Ana G. , Shah Mauli , Putluri Nagireddy , Pichardo-Rojas Pavel S. , Patel Chirag B. , Zhu Jay-Jiguang , Huse Jason T. , Parker Kerrigan Brittany C. , Lang Frederick F. , Esquenazi Yoshua , Ballester Leomar Y.
Published: January 2024

Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) analysis is underutilized in patients with glioblastoma (GBM), partly due to a lack of studies demonstrating the clinical utility of CSF biomarkers. While some studies show the utility of CSF cell-free DNA analysis, studies analyzing CSF metabolites in patients with glioblastoma are limited. Diffuse gliomas have altered cellular metabolism. For example, mutations in isocitrate dehydrogenase enzymes (e.g., IDH1 and IDH2) are common in diffuse gliomas and lead to increased levels of D-2-hydroxyglutarate in CSF. However, there is a poor understanding of changes CSF metabolites in GBM patients. In this study, we performed targeted metabolomic analysis of CSF from n = 31 patients with GBM and n = 13 individuals with non-neoplastic conditions (controls), by mass spectrometry. Hierarchical clustering and sparse partial least square-discriminant analysis (sPLS-DA) revealed differences in CSF metabolites between GBM and control CSF, including metabolites associated with fatty acid oxidation and the gut microbiome (i.e., carnitine, 2-methylbutyrylcarnitine, shikimate, aminobutanal, uridine, N-acetylputrescine, and farnesyl diphosphate). In addition, we identified differences in CSF metabolites in GBM patients based on the presence/absence of TP53 or PTEN mutations, consistent with the idea that different mutations have different effects on tumor metabolism. In summary, our results increase the understanding of CSF metabolites in patients with diffuse gliomas and highlight several metabolites that could be informative biomarkers in patients with GBM.
Ionospheric response to the 2020 Samos earthquake and tsunami
Authors: Alfonsi Lucilla , Cesaroni Claudio , Hernandez-Pajares Manuel , Astafyeva Elvira , Bufféral Simon , Elias Panagiotis , Belehaki Anna , Ioanna Tsagouri , Yang Heng , Guerra Marco
Published: January 2024

On 30 October 2020 at 11:51 UT, a magnitude 7.0 earthquake occurred in the Dodecanese sea (37.84°N, 26.81°E, 10 km depth) and generated a tsunami with an observed run-up of more than 1 m on the Turkish coasts. Both the earthquake and the tsunami produced acoustic and gravity waves that propagated upward, triggering co-seismic and co-tsunamic ionospheric disturbances. This paper presents a multi-instrumental study of the ionospheric impact of the earthquake and related tsunami based on ionosonde data, ground-based Global Navigation Satellite Systems (GNSS) data and data from DORIS beacons received by Jason3 in the Mediterranean region. Our study focuses on the Total Electron Content to describe the propagation of co-seismic and co-tsunami ionospheric disturbances (CSID, CTID), possibly related to gravity waves triggered by the earthquake and tsunami. We use simultaneous vertical ionosonde soundings to study the interactions between the upper and lower atmosphere, highlighting the detection of acoustic waves generated by the seismic Rayleigh waves reaching the ionosonde locations and propagating vertically up to the ionosphere. The results of this study provide a detailed picture of the Lithosphere-Atmosphere–Ionosphere coupling in the scarcely investigated Mediterranean region and for a relatively weak earthquake.

Graphical abstract
The Connection Between Resistance Training, Climbing Performance, and Injury Prevention
Authors: Saeterbakken Atle Hole , Stien Nicolay , Pedersen Helene , Langer Kaja , Scott Suzanne , Michailov Michail Lubomirov , Gronhaug Gudmund , Baláš Jiří , Solstad Tom Erik Jorung , Andersen Vidar
Published: January 2024

Background

Climbing is an intricate sport composed of various disciplines, holds, styles, distances between holds, and levels of difficulty. In highly skilled climbers the potential for further strength-specific adaptations to increase performance may be marginal in elite climbers. With an eye on the upcoming 2024 Paris Olympics, more climbers are trying to maximize performance and improve training strategies. The relationships between muscular strength and climbing performance, as well as the role of strength in injury prevention, remain to be fully elucidated. This narrative review seeks to discuss the current literature regarding the effect of resistance training in improving maximal strength, muscle hypertrophy, muscular power, and local muscular endurance on climbing performance, and as a strategy to prevent injuries.

Main Body

Since sport climbing requires exerting forces against gravity to maintain grip and move the body along the route, it is generally accepted that a climber`s absolute and relative muscular strength are important for climbing performance. Performance characteristics of forearm flexor muscles (hang-time on ledge, force output, rate of force development, and oxidative capacity) discriminate between climbing performance level, climbing styles, and between climbers and non-climbers. Strength of the hand and wrist flexors, shoulders and upper limbs has gained much attention in the scientific literature, and it has been suggested that both general and specific strength training should be part of a climber`s training program. Furthermore, the ability to generate sub-maximal force in different work-rest ratios has proved useful, in examining finger flexor endurance capacity while trying to mimic real-world climbing demands. Importantly, fingers and shoulders are the most frequent injury locations in climbing. Due to the high mechanical stress and load on the finger flexors, fingerboard and campus board training should be limited in lower-graded climbers. Coaches should address, acknowledge, and screen for amenorrhea and disordered eating in climbers.

Conclusion

Structured low-volume high-resistance training, twice per week hanging from small ledges or a fingerboard, is a feasible approach for climbers. The current injury prevention training aims to increase the level of performance through building tolerance to performance-relevant load exposure and promoting this approach in the climbing field.
Protocol for evaluation of the feasibility and preliminary efficacy of a targeted transition readiness workshop intervention for pediatric brain tumor survivors
Authors: Bonanno Marco , Desjardins Leandra , Lugasi Tziona , Carrier Julie , Labonté Nathalie , Sultan Serge , Coltin Hallie , Perrault Sébastien , Provost Carole , Laverdière Caroline , Cloutier Nancy , Saragosti Andrea , Régnier-Trudeau Émilie , Koukoui Benedicte
Published: January 2024

Background

Pediatric brain tumor survivors (PBTS) are at risk of physical, cognitive, and psychosocial challenges related to their diagnosis and treatment. Routine follow-up care as adults is therefore essential to their long-term health and quality of life. In order to successfully navigate to adult healthcare, it is recommended that youth develop transition readiness skills. Existing transition readiness interventions often focus on disease management. However, PBTS are also at risk of social competence and cognitive functioning challenges. In this paper, we describe the protocol of this pilot study and the methodology that will be used for the evaluation of the feasibility, acceptability, and preliminary efficacy testing of the first targeted transition intervention workshops specifically designed to meet the needs of PBTS and their caregivers.

Methods

This study will use a mixed method to evaluate three 1 ½-h workshops targeted for dyads (N = 40) of PBTS (14 years or older) and their parents. Dyads will be recruited via a community pediatric cancer organization and the long-term follow-up clinic of a large pediatric hospital. Participants will complete an online survey which includes the Transition Readiness Assessment Questionnaire (TRAQ) before and after the workshops.

Each workshop will cover a specific topic related to PBTS transition readiness: disease management, social competence, and cognitive functioning. Workshops will follow the same structure: topic presentation, discussion by a post-transfer survivor or parent, teaching two strategies, and workshop evaluation. Workshops will be co-led by healthcare specialists and patient partners.

Feasibility and acceptability will be assessed via recruitment, attendance, retention, and Likert scales, and they will be analyzed by describing and comparing rates. Satisfaction will be measured using satisfaction surveys and audio-recorded focus groups. Qualitative data will be described through thematic content analysis. In order to test the preliminary efficacy of this study, we will compare transition readiness skills pre- and post-workshops using paired samples T test and ANCOVA to examine the impact of workshop on TRAQ skills.

Discussion

Results of the study will inform refinement and future broader implementation of targeted transition readiness workshops for the specific needs of pediatric brain tumor survivors.
Delayed prescription of antibiotics and the capabilities of herbal medicine when used in respiratory infections
Authors: Popovych V. I. , Koshel I. V.
Published: January 2024

Background

Excessive and improper use of antibiotics in respiratory infections is still an urgent issue. In most cases of ARS and AT, antibiotics can be considered excessive treatment, since they are a completely inappropriate solution for viral infections. An important issue is negative changes to the microbiome in the patient’s body, which cause a negative impact on health, and abnormal changes can last longer and be more severe than the disease itself. Misuse of antibiotics can be harmful, especially in children, because the long-term effects of antibiotics on the macroorganism and microbiome can cause the disease to recur in adulthood.

Main part

Sinupret® in the strategy of delayed prescription of antibiotics in ARS patients as part of a controlled study helps reduce prescription of antibacterials by 1.81 times and by 15.5 times (53% to 3.4%) versus statistics. Imupret® in patients with severe acute tonsillitis when employing the approach of delayed antibiotics prescription reduces the need for antibacterial therapy by 43.7% or 2.3 times, and by 11 times (72% to 10.1%) versus the average statistical level of prescription. Unlike antibiotics, herbal medicines positively affect the patient’s microbiome and have a favourable safety profile.

It is imperative to increase knowledge and awareness, as well as provide appropriate training and communication strategies among physicians to prevent overuse and misuse of antibiotics.

Conclusion

Herbal medicinal products BNO1016 (Sinupret®) and BNO1030 (Imupret®) can be considered as an alternative to antibiotics for the treatment of uncomplicated forms of acute rhinosinusitis and acute tonsillitis. Evidence shows that herbal medicines are effective and have a favourable safety profile. However, herbal medicinal products cannot replace antibiotics in all the cases, so delayed prescription of antibiotics with pre-treatment using herbal products can help reduce excessive and unjustified use of antibiotics.
A meta systematic review of artificial intelligence in higher education: a call for increased ethics, collaboration, and rigour
Authors: Bond Melissa , Khosravi Hassan , De Laat Maarten , Bergdahl Nina , Negrea Violeta , Oxley Emily , Pham Phuong , Chong Sin Wang , Siemens George
Published: January 2024

Although the field of Artificial Intelligence in Education (AIEd) has a substantial history as a research domain, never before has the rapid evolution of AI applications in education sparked such prominent public discourse. Given the already rapidly growing AIEd literature base in higher education, now is the time to ensure that the field has a solid research and conceptual grounding. This review of reviews is the first comprehensive meta review to explore the scope and nature of AIEd in higher education (AIHEd) research, by synthesising secondary research (e.g., systematic reviews), indexed in the Web of Science, Scopus, ERIC, EBSCOHost, IEEE Xplore, ScienceDirect and ACM Digital Library, or captured through snowballing in OpenAlex, ResearchGate and Google Scholar. Reviews were included if they synthesised applications of AI solely in formal higher or continuing education, were published in English between 2018 and July 2023, were journal articles or full conference papers, and if they had a method section 66 publications were included for data extraction and synthesis in EPPI Reviewer, which were predominantly systematic reviews (66.7%), published by authors from North America (27.3%), conducted in teams (89.4%) in mostly domestic-only collaborations (71.2%). Findings show that these reviews mostly focused on AIHEd generally (47.0%) or Profiling and Prediction (28.8%) as thematic foci, however key findings indicated a predominance of the use of Adaptive Systems and Personalisation in higher education. Research gaps identified suggest a need for greater ethical, methodological, and contextual considerations within future research, alongside interdisciplinary approaches to AIHEd application. Suggestions are provided to guide future primary and secondary research.
MRI for risk stratification of muscle invasion by upper tract urothelial carcinoma: a feasibility study
Authors: Messina Emanuele , Proietti Flavia , Laschena Ludovica , Flammia Rocco Simone , Pecoraro Martina , Cipollari Stefano , Simone Giuseppe , Catalano Carlo , Leonardo Costantino , Panebianco Valeria
Published: January 2024

Background

Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is recommended in patients with upper tract urothelial carcinoma (UTUC) only when computed tomography (CT) is contraindicated. However, CT does not allow distinguishing ureter wall layers, making impossible to assess muscle invasion, a factor contributing to differentiate high- from low-risk UTUCs, which require different therapeutic approaches. We investigated the feasibility of MRI assessment of UTUC muscle invasion.

Methods

From June 2022 to March 2023, we prospectively enrolled patients suspected of UTUC, i.e., with positive urinary tract ultrasound and/or ureteroscopy, or positive urinary cytology and/or hematuria but negative cystoscopy and bladder ultrasound at two Italian centers. They underwent CT followed by MRI (≤ 24 h apart), independently reported by two experienced radiologists, blinded from histopathology results. After imaging confirmation, they all underwent nephroureterectomy and histopathology analysis. Sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value (PPV), negative predictive value (NPV), accuracy, and area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC) were calculated.

Results

Thirty-nine lesions were detected in 30 patients on both CT and MRI. Muscle-invasive UTUC prevalence was 81% (21/26) among patients with MRI suspicion and 8% (1/13) among those without MRI suspicion (p < 0.001). Considering the assessment of muscle-layer invasion, the more experienced reader achieved 95% sensitivity (95% confidence interval 82−100), 71% specificity (47−88), 81% PPV (63−93), 92% NPV (70−100), 85% accuracy (67−96), and 0.84 AUC (0.70−0.98). Inter-reader agreement was substantial (κ = 0.73).

Conclusions

MRI showed a promising diagnostic performance for the assessment of UTUC risk of muscle invasion.

Relevance statement

Resulting feasible both in technical and clinical terms, MRI could be helpful for upper tract urothelial carcinomas pre-operative risk stratification, to allow a personalized patients’ management. These results play in favor of promoting preoperative MRI for UTUC, as already proven for bladder cancer.

Key points

• Muscle invasion is a crucial information for tailored treatments of upper tract urothelial carcinomas.

• CT does not distinguish ureter wall layers, making muscle invasion risk assessment not feasible.

• MRI was shown to reliably diagnose muscle-layer invasion by upper tract urothelial carcinomas (sensitivity 95%, specificity 71%).

Graphical Abstract
Air quality and health impacts of the 2020 wildfires in California
Authors: Carreras-Sospedra Marc , Zhu Shupeng , MacKinnon Michael , Lassman William , Mirocha Jeffrey D. , Barbato Michele , Dabdub Donald
Published: January 2024

Background

Wildfires in 2020 ravaged California to set the annual record of area burned to date. Clusters of wildfires in Northern California surrounded the Bay Area covering the skies with smoke and raising the air pollutant concentrations to hazardous levels. This study uses the Fire Inventory from the National Center for Atmospheric Research database and the Community Multiscale Air Quality model to estimate the effects of wildfire emissions on air quality during the period from August 16 to October 28 of 2020. In addition, low-cost sensor data for fine particulate matter (PM2.5) from the PurpleAir network is used to enhance modeled PM2.5 concentrations. The resulting impacts on ozone and PM2.5 are used to quantify the health impacts caused by wildfires using the Benefits Mapping and Analysis Program – Community Edition.

Results

Wildfire activity significantly increased direct PM2.5 emissions and emissions of PM2.5 and ozone precursors. Direct PM2.5 emissions surged up to 38 times compared to an average day. Modeling results indicated that wildfires alone led to a rise in ozone daily maximum 8-h average by up to 10 ppb and exceeded PM2.5 air quality standards in numerous locations by up to 10 times. While modeled PM2.5 concentrations were lower than measurements, correcting these with PurpleAir data improved the accuracy. The correction using PurpleAir data increased estimates of wildfire-induced mortality due to PM2.5 exposure by up to 16%.

Conclusions

The increased hospital admissions and premature mortality attributed to wildfires were found to be comparable to the health impacts avoided by strategies aimed at meeting ozone and PM2.5 air quality standards. This suggests that widespread wildfire emissions can negate years of efforts dedicated to controlling air pollution. The integration of low-cost sensor data proved invaluable in refining the estimates of health impacts from PM2.5 resulting from wildfires.
Evaluation of the psychometric properties and convergent validity of the Alcohol, Smoking and Substance Involvement Screening Test (ASSIST) questionnaire in Brazilian young adults
Authors: Neto Aristides Fernandes , Paviani Letícia , Sirtoli Rafaela , Guidoni Camilo M. , Girotto Edmarlon , Mesas Arthur Eumann , Rodrigues Renne
Published: January 2024

Background

This cross-sectional study aims to evaluate the psychometric properties and the convergent validity of the Alcohol, Smoking and Substance Involvement Screening Test (ASSIST). Confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) and linear regression adjusted for confounding factors were performed to obtain the adjusted beta value (βadj) for sleep quality (Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index), burnout (Copenhagen Burnout Inventory), and depressive symptoms (Patient Health Questionnaire-9).

Results

The study population consisted of 3187 young adult university students. The CFA indicated adequate fits for the one- and two-factor structure of the ASSIST, with better indices for the two-factor model. Convergent validity results confirmed the best fit of the one-factor model (version 3.1), in which individuals classified as “suggestive of dependence” showed a greater effect on worse sleep quality (βadj 2.16, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.48–2.84), burnout (βadj 12.25, 95% CI 8.43–16.06), and depressive symptoms (βadj 6.69, 95% CI 5.37–8.00).

Conclusions

The results and the literature review indicated that the one-factor presents an adequate factor structure and better convergent validity.
Ectopic upper third molar embedded in a dentigerous cyst of the maxillary sinus: a case report and literature review
Authors: Al-Ani Raid M. , Aldelaimi Tahrir N. , Khalil Afrah A. , Abdulkareem Suzan M.
Published: January 2024

Background

Dentigerous cysts are the second most common form of a developmental cyst. These cysts might be the cause of ectopic teeth. Dentigerous cysts associated with ectopic teeth in the maxillary sinus are seldom seen in clinical practice.

Case presentation

We reported a 23-year-old woman who presented with nasal obstruction and facial pain on the left side 4 months ago. Three courses of antibiotics and analgesia were prescribed for her without improving the presenting features. Furthermore, extraction of the left upper second premolar and second molar, but the condition persisted. An orthopantogram and computerized tomography scan revealed the ectopic position of the left third upper molar tooth, which was embedded in a cystic lesion occupying the whole maxillary sinus. Removal of the cystic lesion with the ectopic tooth was performed with a Caldwell-Luc procedure. The histopathological evaluation confirmed the diagnosis of a dentigerous cyst. The presenting symptoms were resolved following surgery with no intra- or postoperative complications.

Conclusion

We are reporting another case of a dentigerous cyst occupying the whole left maxillary sinus with an ectopic left third upper molar tooth. Reporting such a case will enrich the literature regarding this rare clinical entity.
Evaluation of location of cosmetic customization in public buildings in South-West Nigeria
Authors: Adedayo Olatunde Folaranmi , Ale Ayomide Taiwo , Yahaya-Loko Nasir Muhammad , Adekunle Victor Samuel
Published: January 2024

The categorization of public buildings is such that it covers all buildings that are accessible to the public; however, many public buildings that are either fully or partially privately owned usually undergo some form of cosmetic customization in an attempt to communicate the aspirations of the owners or occupants of the building or the space within the building to the users. This paper aims to examine the location and aspects of the buildings that are affected by cosmetic customization as they relate to the occupants and owners of the buildings. The study adopted mixed methods of qualitative and quantitative research approach, it used both a questionnaire and observation checklist to obtain data from the selected buildings and the respondents. Eleven public categories of public buildings were selected and 30 copies of the questionnaire were administered to each category. The data was analyzed using descriptive statistics from SPSS software and the results are presented in tables and charts. It was observed that a high percentage of the customization was undertaken within the building and the ceiling aspect of the interior was the most modified part of the building. The study concluded that cosmetic customization was undertaken in all of the public buildings examined, and this action helped project the image the owners wanted to put forward as their form of brand identity using the building.
Atom-profile updating dictionary learning with nucleus sampling attention mechanism sparse coding for audio magnetotelluric denoising
Authors: Li Jin , Luo Yucheng , Li Guang , Liu Yecheng , Tang Jingtian
Published: January 2024

Audio magnetotellurics (AMT), as a commonly used passive geophysical technique, provides outstanding metal ore exploration capabilities based on the resistivity structure of the earth. However, the accuracy of AMT in translating geoelectrical structures decreases when the data collected in mining areas are of poor quality and contain complex anthropogenic noise, leading to distorted apparent resistivity-phase curves and posing significant challenges for mineral exploration. To effectively denoise AMT data, we develop a new denoising method that combines atom-profile updating dictionary learning (APrU) with the nucleus sampling attention mechanism (NSAM) sparse coding. First, we use APrU to accurately learn the characteristics of the noise in the AMT data; then, we apply the updated dictionary to perform sparse coding on the AMT data by NSAM to obtain the noise; finally, we subtract the noise from the original AMT data to obtain the denoised data. Our experimental results suggest that the proposed method can learn an overcomplete dictionary via the to-be-processed AMT data, thereby enabling the sparse representation of the noise within the learned dictionary. We also demonstrate the efficacy of this method with a set of field data collected from the Lu-Zong mining area, and the attained denoised data faithfully restore the geoelectrical structures with heightened accuracy. The findings confirm that the proposed method realizes the unsupervised learning of the AMT data and allows us to achieve precise denoising performance.
Communication Strategies of Transplant Hematologists in High-Risk Decision-Making Conversations
Authors: Rodenbach Rachel A. , Thordardottir Thorunn , Brauer Markus , Hall Aric C. , Ward Earlise , Smith Cardinale B. , Campbell Toby C.
Published: January 2024

PURPOSE

Shared decision making (SDM) is essential to empower patients with blood cancers to make goal-concordant decisions about allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplantation. This study characterizes communication strategies used by hematologists to discuss treatment options and facilitate SDM with patients in this high-risk, high-reward setting.

METHODS AND MATERIALS

We recruited US hematologists who routinely perform allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplant through email. Participants conducted up to an hour-long video-recorded encounter with an actor portraying a 67-year-old man with recently diagnosed high-risk myelodysplastic syndrome. We transcribed and qualitatively analyzed video-recorded data.

RESULTS

The mean age of participants (N = 37) was 44 years, 65% male, and 68% White. Many hematologists included similar key points in this initial consultation, although varied in how much detail they provided. Their discussion of treatment options included transplant and chemotherapy and less commonly supportive care or clinical trials. They often emphasized transplant's potential for cure, discussed transplant chronologically from pretransplant considerations through the post-transplant course, and outlined risks, complications, and major outcomes. Hematologists referred to several elements that formed the basis of treatment decision making. The strength of their treatment recommendations ranged from strong recommendations for transplant or chemotherapy to deferrals pending more information. Hematologists also varied in the extent to which they indicated the decision was physician-driven, patient-led, or shared.

CONCLUSION

The transplant decision-making discussion is complex. Identification of similar content areas used by hematologists can be used as the basis for a communication tool to help hematologists discuss allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplant with patients.
Negative-temperature pressure in black holes
Authors: Norte Richard A.
Published: January 2024

The concept of negative temperature

is unique to quantum physics and describes systems that are hotter than any positive-temperature system. For decades, negative temperatures have been shown in a number of spin systems, but experiments only recently demonstrated atomic ensembles with negative temperatures in their motional degrees of freedom. An observed behavior of such negative-temperature ensembles is that despite highly attractive forces between an arbitrary number of particles, there is a self-stabilization against collapse. Negative temperatures are only possible in quantum systems because there exists upper bounds on the energy of particles —a property not found in classical physics. Here we consider whether event horizons set up similar upper limits within black holes, giving rise to negative-temperature systems just within event horizons. Combining black-hole thermodynamics with experimentally observed negative-temperature effects could imply a quantum-based outward pressure in black holes.
Microglia Promote Inhibitory Synapse Phagocytosis in the Spinal Cord Dorsal Horn and Modulate Pain-Like Behaviors in a Murine Cancer-Induced Bone Pain Model
Authors: Zhang Zuoxia , Mao Yanting , Huang Simin , Xu Rui , Huang Yulin , Li Shuming , Sun Yu’e , Gu Xiaoping , Ma Zhengliang
Published: January 2024

BACKGROUND:

The microglial activation has been implicated in cancer-induced bone pain. Recent studies have revealed that microglia mediate synaptic pruning in the central nervous system, where the cluster of differentiation 47-signal regulatory protein α (CD47-SIRPα) axis creates a “don’t eat me” signal and elicits an antiphagocytic effect to protect synapses against elimination. To date, the synaptic phagocytosis in microglia has never been investigated in the murine cancer-induced bone pain model. The present experiments sought to explore whether microglia phagocytize synapses in mice with bone cancer pain as well as the possible mechanisms.

METHODS:

Male C3H/HeN mice were used to induce bone cancer pain. Minocycline and S-ketamine were injected into D14. The number of spontaneous flinches (NSF) and paw withdrawal mechanical thresholds (PWMT) were measured on D0, D4, D7, D10, D14, D21, and D28. Hematoxylin and eosin staining presented bone lesions. Western blotting examined the Gephyrin, CD47, and SIRPα expression. Flow cytometry evaluated the proportion of SIRPα+ cells in the spine. Immunofluorescence and 3-dimensional reconstruction showed the Gephyrin puncta inside microglial lysosomes.

RESULTS:

Mice embedded with tumor cells induced persistent spontaneous pain and mechanical hyperalgesia. Hematoxylin and eosin staining revealed bone destruction and tumor infiltration in marrow cavities. Microglia underwent a responsive and proliferative burst (t = −16.831, P < .001). Western blotting manifested lowered Gephyrin expression in the tumor group (D4, D7, D10, D14, D21, and D28: P < .001). Immunofluorescence and 3-dimensional reconstruction showed larger volumes of Gephyrin puncta inside microglial lysosomes (t = −23.273, P < .001; t = −27.997, P < .001). Treatment with minocycline or S-ketamine exhibited pain relief and antiphagocytic effects (t = −6.191, P < .001, t = −7.083, P < .001; t = −20.767, P < .001, t = −17.080, P < .001; t = 11.789, P < .001, t = 16.777, P < .001; t = 8.868, P < .001, t = 21.319, P < .001). Last but not least, the levels of CD47 and SIRPα proteins were downregulated (D10: P = .004, D14, D21, and D28: P < .001; D10, D14, D21, and D28: P < .001). Flow cytometry and immunofluorescence substantiated reduced microglial SIRPα (t = 11.311, P < .001; t = 12.189, P < .001).

CONCLUSIONS:

Microglia-mediated GABAergic synapse pruning in the spinal cord dorsal horn in bone cancer pain mice, which might be associated with the declined CD47-SIRPα signal. Our research uncovered an innovative mechanism that highlighted microglia-mediated synaptic phagocytosis in a murine cancer-induced bone pain model.
Physiognomy and Visual Judgment in Medieval and Early Modern Europe
Authors: Martin John Jeffries , Bragagnolo Manuela
Published: January 2024

From the late Middle Ages through the eighteenth century, the science of physiognomy played a central role in the intellectual life of what we might call “the long Renaissance.” Indeed, it did much to shape both the portrayal and the understanding of personality in the visual and literary arts of the period. But nowhere was its influence greater than in the practice of criminal law. This special issue explores the varied ways that jurists and judges drew on theories—ancient and modern—of how to read the human body, the face especially, in order to help determine whether or not a suspect was guilty or innocent. The articles offer insights into the various ways in which Renaissance thinkers not only drew on ancient and medieval sources for their understanding of human psychology but also continued to elaborate new theories in order to develop what they viewed as a more scientific jurisprudence.
Visual Judgment: Physiognomy, Law, Medicine, and Art in Sixteenth-Century Venice
Authors: Bragagnolo Manuela
Published: January 2024

Sixteenth-century Venice was a creative lab in which physiognomy was undergoing major transformation. The development of art theory, especially the theory of proportions, as well as a new attention to direct observation, parallel to developments in anatomy, decisively enriched physiognomic knowledge and practice, thus defining more refined criteria for reading the external, bodily “signs of nature in man”—as reads the title of Antonio Pellegrini's 1545 physiognomic dialogue. In this framework, the particularities of criminal physiognomies entered into physiognomists’ scope of interest, and the direct observation, description, and explanation of bodily signs that could reveal an inclination to crime naturally took on a decided importance in physiognomic treatises. This interest in criminals went hand in hand with the special attention that jurists and judges gave to physiognomy. As an aspect of judicial procedure, physiognomy supplied a critical tool that allowed jurists and judges in court to ground their judgment of a defendant's body when assessing the likelihood of whether the accused committed a crime.
Credibility, Certainty, and Belief in Legal Thought and Moral Theology, or On the Afterlife of Augustine's Credulitas
Authors: Tutino Stefania
Published: January 2024

Examining the intellectual, cultural, and social implications of reading visual and bodily manifestations as signs of guilt and innocence means grappling with the relationship between what is true and what is credible, and consequently with the problem of how to make judgments when lacking absolute certainty. This essay explores this problem by focusing on the afterlife of Augustine's notion of credulitas, or “belief,” in two parallel but intertwined areas: moral theology and legal thought. In both cases, absolute certainty was the gold standard against which moral actions and legal judgments were traditionally held. Yet moral theologians and legal scholars knew that sometimes absolute certainty was impossible to reach, so how could they form decisions that were both epistemologically correct and morally safe? The answers that theologians and jurists gave were different, and yet they were linked with and responded to each other in complex and interesting ways.
The Extinction Image
Authors: Norton Bryan
Published: January 2024

This essay explores the artist Gregory Chatonsky's development of a new type of image—the extinction image. Emerging as a by-product of new technologies such as deep learning and neural nets, this nonoperative image is typified by a painstaking attempt to come to grips with the current threat of human extinction. It arises as a symptom of numerous crises endemic to the Anthropocene, providing a speculative tool for planetary thinking to develop alternatives in and through what has been called postcinema by scholars such as Steve Shaviro and Shane Denson. For Chatonsky, the Earth itself must now be imagined as a disarticulate user of postcinematic media, producing images that display a stunning indifference to the presence or absence of the human species. Close examination of Chatonsky's work will reveal a radical ecopolitics defined by a concern for what Alexander Galloway has called whatever being. Urging us to think carefully about the planetary emergency presented by climate change and geopolitical unrest, the extinction image serves as a reminder that the future of life on Earth is not a foregone conclusion.
Extraocular muscle stem cells exhibit distinct cellular properties associated with non-muscle molecular signatures
Authors: Girolamo Daniela Di , Benavente-Diaz Maria , Murolo Melania , Grimaldi Alexandre , Lopes Priscilla Thomas , Evano Brendan , Kuriki Mao , Gioftsidi Stamatia , Laville Vincent , Tinevez Jean-Yves , Letort Gaëlle , Mella Sebastian , Tajbakhsh Shahragim , Comai Glenda
Published: January 2024

Skeletal muscle stem cells (MuSCs) are recognised as functionally heterogeneous. Cranial MuSCs are reported to have greater proliferative and regenerative capacity when compared with those in the limb. A comprehensive understanding of the mechanisms underlying this functional heterogeneity is lacking. Here, we have used clonal analysis, live imaging and single cell transcriptomic analysis to identify crucial features that distinguish extraocular muscle (EOM) from limb muscle stem cell populations. A MyogeninntdTom reporter showed that the increased proliferation capacity of EOM MuSCs correlates with deferred differentiation and lower expression of the myogenic commitment gene Myod. Unexpectedly, EOM MuSCs activated in vitro expressed a large array of extracellular matrix components typical of mesenchymal non-muscle cells. Computational analysis underscored a distinct co-regulatory module, which is absent in limb MuSCs, as driver of these features. The EOM transcription factor network, with Foxc1 as key player, appears to be hardwired to EOM identity as it persists during growth, disease and in vitro after several passages. Our findings shed light on how high-performing MuSCs regulate myogenic commitment by remodelling their local environment and adopting properties not generally associated with myogenic cells.
Achilles Tendon Loading during Running Estimated Via Shear Wave Tensiometry: A Step Toward Wearable Kinetic Analysis
Authors: REITER ALEX J. , MARTIN JACK A. , KNURR KEITH A. , ADAMCZYK PETER G. , THELEN DARRYL G.
Published: January 2024

Purpose

Understanding muscle–tendon forces (e.g., triceps surae and Achilles tendon) during locomotion may aid in the assessment of human performance, injury risk, and rehabilitation progress. Shear wave tensiometry is a noninvasive technique for assessing in vivo tendon forces that has been recently adapted to a wearable technology. However, previous laboratory-based and outdoor tensiometry studies have not evaluated running. This study was undertaken to assess the capacity for shear wave tensiometry to produce valid measures of Achilles tendon loading during running at a range of speeds.

Methods

Participants walked (1.34 m·s−1) and ran (2.68, 3.35, and 4.47 m·s−1) on an instrumented treadmill while shear wave tensiometers recorded Achilles tendon wave speeds simultaneously with whole-body kinematic and ground reaction force data. A simple isometric task allowed for the participant-specific conversion of Achilles tendon wave speeds to forces. Achilles tendon forces were compared with ankle torque measures obtained independently via inverse dynamics analyses. Differences in Achilles tendon wave speed, Achilles tendon force, and ankle torque across walking and running speeds were analyzed with linear mixed-effects models.

Results

Achilles tendon wave speed, Achilles tendon force, and ankle torque exhibited similar temporal patterns across the stance phase of walking and running. Significant monotonic increases in peak Achilles tendon wave speed (56.0–83.8 m·s−1), Achilles tendon force (44.0–98.7 N·kg−1), and ankle torque (1.72–3.68 N·m·(kg−1)) were observed with increasing locomotion speed (1.34–4.47 m·s−1). Tensiometry estimates of peak Achilles tendon force during running (8.2–10.1 body weights) were within the range of those estimated previously via indirect methods.

Conclusions

These results set the stage for using tensiometry to evaluate Achilles tendon loading during unobstructed athletic movements, such as running, performed in the field.
Явление греческого субстрата в деривационных моделях словосложения
Authors: Ουρουμίδου Βικτώρια
Published: January 2024

Όπως και σε οποιαδήποτε εθνική γλώσσα, στην ρωσική γλώσσα, μαζί με τα γηγενή γλωσσικά στοιχεία εμφανίζονται ευρέως ξενόγλωσσες μονάδες, οι οποίες χρησιμοποιούνται για τη δημιουργία νέων ονομάτων. Στο λεξιλόγιο και στην γραμματική της ρωσικής γλώσσας η εμφάνιση και η διείσδυση των ελληνικών δανείων καθορίστηκε από την μακρά διάρκεια των ελληνο-ρωσικών επαφών, αποτέλεσμα των οποίων ήταν το φαινόμενο του υποστρώματος της ελληνικής γλώσσας σε διάφορα επίπεδα του συστήματος της ρωσικής γλώσσας. Σε επίπεδο σχηματισμού λέξεων στα παράγωγα των ουσιαστικών ονομάτων το ελληνικό γλωσσικό υπόστρωμα διαφαίνεται με την μορφή του σύνθετου στοιχείου της σύνθετης λέξης, του επονομαζόμενου νεοκλασικού σχηματιστικού στοιχείου (μορφήματος). Στην γλωσσολογική θεωρία ως νεοκλασικά μορφήματα έχει επικρατήσει να ονομάζονται τα μορφήματα των κλασικών γλωσσών, της ελληνικής ή της λατινικής, τα οποία αποτελούν το θέμα και λειτουργούν ως κύριομέσο στην υλοποίηση των ονοματικών διαδικασιών (διαδικασιών απόδοσης ονομασιών), που συνδέονται με την δημιουργία νέων όρων στους τομείς της επιστήμης και τεχνολογίας, καθώς καιστο κοινό λεξιλόγιο.
Social structure and relations in fourteenth century Byzantium
Authors: Μαλατράς Χρήστος
Published: January 2024

H Βυζαντινή κοινωνία ήταν αρκετά ιεραρχημένη το δεκατοτέταρτο αιώνα. Οι Βυζαντινοί αντιλαμβάνονταν ότι η βασική διάκριση της κοινωνίας τους ήταν αυτή μεταξύ των πλουσίων και των φτωχών, ή αλλιώς των "αρχόντων" και του "δήμου". Η διάκριση αυτή αντανακλούσε τόσο τις ανισότητες στο κοινωνικό στάτους των ανθρώπων, όσο και στον καταμερισμό του υλικού πλούτου και της πολιτικής ισχύος στην κοινωνία. Άλλα κοινωνικά στοιχεία, όπως η μεσαία τάξη, φυσικά υπήρχαν εκτός αυτού του δυαδικού μοντέλου, αλλά δεν μπορούσαν να ενταχτούν σε αυτό. Η κοινωνική ανισότητα μπορούσε να εκφραστεί μέσω μίας σειράς από χειρονομίες και την επίδειξη σεβασμού προς τον κοινωνικά ισχυρό, ο οποίος με τη σειρά του επεδείκνυε τον κοινωνικό του σνομπισμό. Στη Βυζαντινή κοινωνία επίσης υπήρχαν πολλά κοινωνικά δίκτυα διαφόρων ειδών. Το πιο σημαντικό είδος, το σύστημα πελατειακών κοινωνικών σχέσεων, κυριαρχούσε στη βυζαντινή κοινωνία και εμπόδισε σημαντικά τη διαμόρφωση άλλων οριζόντιων κοινωνικών ομαδοποίησεων, συμπεριλαμβανομένης της κοινωνικής τάξης και συνείδησης. Το πελατειακό σύστημα θεωρείται πως συνέβαλε αποφασιστικά στην έλλειψη κατεύθυνσης της βυζαντινής κοινωνίας. Η εξέταση της βυζαντινής κοινωνίας συμπληρώνεται από τρεις ειδικές μελέτες περίπτωσης: α) μία αναλυτική εξέταση της κοινωνικής δομής και των σχέσεων σε μία επαρχιακή κοινωνία, συγκεκριμένα στην περιοχή των Σερρών, β) την ανάλυση δύο κοινωνικών δικτύων, τα στρατόπεδα του δευτέρου εμφυλίου πολέμου, έχοντας ως κύριο ερώτημα το μέγεθος της κοινωνικής αυτοσυνείδησης στη βυζαντινή κοινωνία, γ) την ανάλυση της κοινωνικής δομής και των σχέσεων στην πολιορκούμενη Κωνσταντινούπολη στο τέλος του 14ου αι.
Examining the systemic realities of India in the US-backed Indo-Pacific Strategy
Authors: Shah Apekshya , Karki Shweta
Published: January 2024

This paper examines India's role in the U.S. Indo-Pacific Strategy (IPS). The first section discusses China's rise and the threat perceptions that led the U.S. to adopt the IPS. The main objectives of the IPS are discussed, along with the growing partnership between the U.S. and India, studying the strategic shift from Asia-Pacific to Indo-Pacific. India-China rivalry in South Asia is then discussed, followed by US-India differences and India-China convergence. The systemic reality of India, as well as the consequences of its policy of strategic autonomy on the smaller South Asian states, is also examined. The paper thereafter concludes with the idea that even though India is unquestionably at the centre of any meaningful Indo-Pacific concept, it is not wise to assume that it will choose to intensify its security rivalry with China or become overly dependent on the United States. As the U.S. hopes to play a more meaningful role in establishing and maintaining an Indo-Pacific order, it remains to be determined as to how it will deal with Delhi. Further research into the developing Asian system and its systemic effects on small power behaviour in the Indo-Pacific region would be beneficial.
The securitization of the COVID-19 pandemic in Europe, Asia, and Oceania: Mixes of imbalanced securitizing narratives and measures
Authors: Stivas Dionysios , Sliwinski Krzysztof
Published: January 2024

Governments across the world resorted to different forms of narratives and measures to manage the COVID-19 pandemic. This study observed the responses of six administrations (China, Sweden, UK, Hong Kong, Taiwan, and New Zealand) through the lenses of the securitization theory as complemented with tailor-made methodological tools. Introducing the concept of the ‘securitization gap’ between the securitizing narratives’ intensity and the securitizing measures’ stringency this study argues that a consistency between the rhetoric’s intensity and measures’ severity did not impact the governments’ capacity to manage the COVID-19 outbreak. Further, this study finds a relation between the stringency of the securitizing measures and the management of COVID-19. Administrations that resorted to severe forms of securitization managed to spare more lives from the virus than administrations that did not enforce stringent securitizing tactics. Lastly, this study argues that the agreement of the general public with the securitizing narratives and the securitizing measures did not drastically influence the COVID-19 fatalities in the concerned case studies.
Do Credit Rating Agencies Learn from the Options Market?
Authors: Brockman Paul , Subasi Musa , Wang Jeff , Zhang Eliza
Published: January 2024

Do credit rating agencies (CRAs) learn from the options market? We examine this question by exploring the relation between options trading activity and credit rating accuracy. We find that as options trading volume increases, credit ratings become more responsive to expected credit risk and exhibit greater ability to predict future defaults. We also find that CRAs rely more on the options market as a source of ratings-related information when firm default risk is higher, options trading is more informative, manager-provided information is of lower quality, and firm uncertainty is higher. Our results are robust to a number of sensitivity tests, including alternative measures of options trading and credit rating accuracy. We reach similar inferences using various approaches to address endogeneity issues, including difference-in-difference analyses and an instrumental variables approach. Overall, our findings are consistent with the view that CRAs incorporate unique information from the options market into their rating decisions which, in turn, improves credit rating accuracy.

This paper was accepted by Brian Bushee, accounting.

Supplemental Material: The online appendix and data files are available at https://doi.org/10.1287/mnsc.2023.4980 .