bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The emotional landscape of social class in English education
Authors: Reay Diane
Published: December 2024

The last ten years has seen increasing concern about the wellbeing of children and young people in schools across the globe. Growing evidence of anxiety and stress have accompanied falling levels of life satisfaction among school children. This article adopts a Bourdieusian analysis, working with concepts of habitus, field and symbolic violence to understand the affective consequences of class inequalities in education. As the article tries to show through a focus on schooling in England, there are different types of class thinking and feeling that characterise different social class positions within the field of education.
Dyadic loneliness and kidney functioning among older couples in Europe
Authors: Stokes Jeffrey E. , Jessee Lisa , Luchetti Martina , Sutin Angelina R.
Published: December 2024

Loneliness is a growing public health concern among the ageing population. Increasingly, scholars have recognised that even married and partnered persons experience loneliness and that loneliness is associated with the health and wellbeing of both partners. Prior research has linked individual loneliness with impaired kidney functioning, but to date no study has explored dyadic associations of both one’s own and a partner’s loneliness with biological measures of kidney function. This study uses dyadic data from the 2015 wave of the Survey of Health, Ageing and Retirement in Europe (SHARE; n = 10,139 individuals from 5,290 couples) to examine associations of both partners’ loneliness with Cystatin C, a blood-based biomarker of kidney function, in a large sample of midlife and older couples in Europe. Multilevel models analysed dyadic data, wherein individuals were nested within couples. Results indicated that both individuals’ own reports of loneliness and their partners’ reports of loneliness were uniquely associated with higher Cystatin C levels. This extends prior research on dyadic loneliness and cardiovascular biomeasures, suggesting Cystatin C may be a physiological pathway for long-term health effects of loneliness – for oneself and a partner. These findings suggest that both being lonely and having a lonely partner may be risk factors for poorer kidney function, which could have implications for the overall health of both partners. We discuss implications of these findings for theory and future research and suggest Cystatin C as a potential biological pathway for harmful effects of dyadic loneliness on health among ageing couples.
Violencia obstétrica, del concepto a la construcción de normatividades en Argentina, Chile, México y Venezuela
Authors: Tiburcio Kevin Sander , Jaramillo Martha Cecilia
Published: December 2024

La normatividad para reconocer la violencia obstétrica debería partir de una construcción conceptual que enmarque de manera amplia las características de la problemática. Este artículo analizará la integración conceptual de la violencia obstétrica, con una mirada comparada de cuatro normativas nacionales que han firmado documentos vinculantes para reconocerla (Argentina, Chile, México y Venezuela). El punto central de esta investigación parte de diversas aportaciones conceptuales de la violencia obstétrica que se abordan desde dos perspectivas: la primera, desde el ámbito de ocurrencia o lugar donde se presenta, y la segunda, desde los derechos humanos, para presentar una definición amplia que permita dar una propuesta de abordaje normativo. Las normatividades que se presentan pertenecen a los países antes mencionados, considerando que fueron los primeros de Latinoamérica en adquirir compromiso para la integración normativa del fenómeno. Sin embargo, estos compromisos no se han cumplido en su totalidad, reflejando las falencias conceptuales que se tienen en relación con este tipo de violencia.
Flexible PTFE hollow dielectric waveguides for terahertz applications: analysis and experimental study
Authors: Li Hao , Zhang Dehai
Published: December 2024

In recent years, terahertz technology has developed rapidly, and one of the important topics is low-loss, flexible, and low-cost terahertz waveguides. In this paper, PTFE tubes are used as hollow terahertz dielectric waveguides with an operating frequency of up to 500 GHz. Using numerical analysis and simulation, transmission properties such as transmission loss and bending loss are discussed. In particular, special attention is given to the impact of deformation caused by compression during use on transmission performance. To validate our analysis, we fabricated PTFE tubes with an inner diameter of 0.3 mm and an outer diameter of 0.6 mm as well as the corresponding mode converters, which were measured in the 325–500 GHz frequency range. The measured transmission loss was less than 16.6 dB/m, and the bending loss was less than 2 dB/Turn.
Optic-electronic-optic (OEO) interferometer enabling coherent optical add-drop multiplexing
Authors: Mahmud Md Salek , Matalla Patrick , Dittmer Joel , Koos Christian , Randel Sebastian
Published: December 2024

We present the first experimental demonstration of an optic-electronic-optic (OEO) interferometer, relying on coherent detection, real-time digital signal processing (DSP), and electro-optic in-phase/quadrature (I/Q) remodulation in one of the interferometer paths. We experimentally quantify the performance of our system and demonstrate the add-drop functionality of an optical quadrature phase-shift keying (QPSK) signal. Long-term stable operation is achieved by implementing an endless active phase stabilization into the DSP.
Programmable time-frequency mode-sorting of single photons with a multi-output quantum pulse gate
Authors: Serino L. , Eigner C. , Brecht B. , Silberhorn C.
Published: December 2024

We demonstrate a high-dimensional mode-sorter for single photons based on a multi-output quantum pulse gate, which we can program to switch between different temporal-mode encodings including pulse modes, frequency bins, time bins, and their superpositions. This device can facilitate practical realizations of quantum information applications such as high-dimensional quantum key distribution and thus enables secure communication with enhanced information capacity. We characterize the mode-sorter through a detector tomography in 3 and 5 dimensions and find a fidelity up to 0.958 ± 0.030 at the single-photon level.
Broadband photothermal spectroscopy with a mid-infrared quantum cascade laser frequency comb
Authors: Huang Baichuan , Gomółka Grzegorz , Mikkonen Tommi , Wysocki Gerard
Published: December 2024

We demonstrate a broadband photothermal spectroscopy in the mid-infrared region using a quantum cascade laser frequency comb operating between ∼7.7 and ∼8.2 µm covering a frequency range of ∼70 cm-1. The photothermal spectroscopy technique employs a Mach-Zehnder interferometer operating in a pump-probe configuration, where the mid-infrared pump beam is modulated by a Fourier transform spectrometer. A 76-m Herriott-type multipass cell is used for signal enhancement. As a proof-of-concept, we have measured the photothermal spectra of nitrous oxide that show good agreement with the HITRAN database. A minimum detection limit of 83 ppb of nitrous oxide in nitrogen is estimated from a broadband photothermal spectrum with 9.9 GHz spectral point spacing and acquired over 78 minutes. This detection scheme also provides over three orders of magnitude of photothermal signal linearity with gas concentration. This spectroscopic method combines the functionality of high sensitivity and background-free detection of photothermal spectroscopy as well as broadband mid-infrared operation of quantum cascade laser frequency comb, which could find applications in trace gas sensing systems that benefit from these features.
AWGR-based all-optical switching network for distributed machine learning
Authors: Guo Yuanzhi , Xue Xuwei , Guo Bingli , Dang Daohang , Shen Shikui , Zhao Yisong , Wei Buzheng , Yang Changsheng , Wang Guangquan , Huang Shanguo
Published: December 2024

With the increase sizes of training datasets and models, the bottleneck in distributed machine learning (DML) training has shifted from computation to communication. To address this bottleneck, we propose an all-optical switching network architecture for accelerating the communication phase of DML training. Experimental results validate packets with error-free and 385 ns server-to-server low-latency communication at traffic load of 0.9. Small-scale DML training experiment deployed in the proposed architecture shows that Resnet50, Resnet101, and Vgg19 can be accelerated by 1.16x to 1.48x compared to electrical switching network. The proposed architecture demonstrates a 58.9% enhancement in cost efficiency and a 60.9% improvement in power efficiency compared to the 3-tier fat-tree architecture.
Exploring electron density and terahertz polarization characteristics in inductively coupled plasmas by terahertz spectroscopy and polarimetry
Authors: Tao Haitao , Hu Susu , Liu Haiqing , Fang Ming , Jie Yinxian , Zhou Chun , Fang Shaobo
Published: December 2024

As a noninvasive optical method, terahertz time-domain spectroscopy (THz-TDS) has been applied to diagnose the plasma parameters. Previous reports mainly focused on the phase and amplitude changes of THz waves induced by the plasma, while the terahertz polarization characteristics were rarely reported. In this paper, in addition to the plasma electron density and terahertz transmittance, we further applied the terahertz time-domain polarimetry (THz-TDP) method to diagnose the terahertz polarization rotation angles induced by an argon inductively coupled plasma (ICP). The experiment results and theoretical analysis further extend the ability of terahertz techniques for plasma diagnostics and show that the gas plasma-like ICP has the potential to become a tunable THz modulator.
Displacement measurement with CCD Moiré method considering the relative rotation of gratings
Authors: Shangguan Zhihao , Gui Chen , Sun Jiaming , Zhuang Shuge , Zhou Shichao , Ma Shaopeng
Published: December 2024

Utilizing the periodic pixel configuration of the CCD/CMOS imaging sensor as the reference grating and the image of the real grating formed by the lens as the specimen grating, the CCD Moiré method directly outputs amplified Moiré fringes, facilitating high-resolution, full-field deformation measurement. Due to the amplification effect of CCD Moiré, even minor relative rotations of the two gratings can significantly affect Moiré imaging and introduce measurable errors. This paper mainly addresses the imaging and measurement challenges of in-plane rotation in the CCD Moiré method. Firstly, through theoretical analysis, simulations, and experimental studies, the imaging characteristics of CCD Moiré under various rotation conditions were systematically summarized and an optimal rotation angle range for accurate measurements was proposed. Secondly, the correlation between the deformation phase and displacement in rotated CCD Moiré was corrected, with the accuracy of the correction equation confirmed through simulation and experimental validation. Finally, an extensive multi-point deflection deformation measurement conducted on a large bridge further validates the proposed correction method. The measurement results showed that in the presence of rotation in the specimen grating and the camera, the correction method proposed in this paper can effectively reduce the measurement error by 3-4 times.
Lasing in a femtosecond-laser-written single-scan waveguide fabricated in Tm-doped BGG glass
Authors: Dupont Albert , Leonov Stanislav , Guérineau Théo , Messaddeq Younès , Lapointe Jerome , Vallée Réal
Published: December 2024

We report lasing action in a femtosecond-laser-inscribed waveguide in thulium-doped barium-gallium-germanium oxide (BGG) glass. A laser cavity was assembled with this waveguide that provided a single-mode output of 62 mW when pumped at 1.6 µm. The waveguide was fabricated using a single laser scan to create a near-circular cross section with a positive refractive index change of approximately 3.5 × 10−3. Analysis of the laser-modified region was performed using electron-probe microanalysis and Raman spectroscopy. These findings establish BGG glass as a promising platform for the fabrication of mid-infrared integrated photonic devices.
New immunomodulatory treatment protocol for canine leishmaniosis reduces parasitemia and proteinuria
Authors: Miró Guadalupe , Segarra Sergi , Cerón José Joaquín , Ferrer Lluís , Solano-Gallego Laia , Montell Laia , Costa Ester , Teichenne Joan , Mariné-Casadó Roger ,   GALILEI trial Group, Roura Xavier
Published: December 2024

The current standard treatment for canine leishmaniosis (CanL), N-methylglucamine antimoniate (MGA) given with allopurinol, is not fully effective and may cause adverse effects and drug resistance. In vitro and in vivo studies have shown that nucleotides, administered alone or with AHCC, offer benefits in the treatment of CanL. This study examines the effects of a new immunomodulatory treatment protocol in which dietary nucleotides and AHCC are added to the recommended standard treatment. Out of 160 sick dogs with naturally occurring clinical leishmaniosis recruited, 97 were randomized to a supplement (n = 47) or control (n = 50) group. All dogs received an initial 28-day course of MGA and 365-day course of allopurinol. From day 0 to day 730, dogs in the control group additionally received a placebo, while dogs in the supplement group received Impromune (Bioiberica S.A.U., Esplugues de Llobregat, Spain), an oral supplement providing 32 mg/kg nucleotides and 17 mg/kg AHCC daily. After 2 years, five dogs had relapsed in the supplement group (18.5%) while seven did so in the control group (22.6%). Over time, animals in both groups showed significant improvements in body weight, LeishVet clinical stage, clinical score, and anti-Leishmania antibodies. Adding the supplement to the standard protocol resulted in further significant improvements, namely in reducing the parasite load and urinary protein/creatinine ratio, improving IRIS stage, lowering serum creatinine levels on day 30, deceasing urine turbidity on day 365, and improving weight gain on day 545. The daily intake of the supplement over two years proved safe and well tolerated. Our study confirms the efficacy of the recommended standard treatment for CanL, but also reveals that by adding Impromune additional benefits are obtained, especially reduced parasitemia and improved renal function.
Health-Related Quality of Life due to malaria in the Brazilian Amazon using EQ-5D-3L
Authors: Andrade Mônica Viegas , de Souza Noronha Kenya Valeria Micaela , Guedes Gilvan Ramalho , Julião Nayara Abreu , de Carvalho Lucas Resende , de Souza Aline , Silva Valéria Andrade , Motta-Santos Andre Soares , Bracarense Henrique , Peterka Cássio , Castro Marcia C.
Published: December 2024

Malaria is a mosquito-borne infectious disease caused by protozoa of the genus Plasmodium. Despite of the progress in malaria control in the last decades, malaria remains a major public health problem, contributing to increased morbidity and mortality in tropical and subtropical countries. Among American countries, Bolivia, Venezuela, and Brazil account for 73% of the cases. In Brazil, the majority of malaria cases is concentrated in Amazon region. This study estimated health-related quality of life (HRQoL) losses due to malaria in endemic areas of the Brazilian Amazon using the EQ-5D-3L instrument. We collected data from a convenience sample of 1,179 individuals aged 18 years or older. To measure the HRQoL loss, we matched individuals from the treatment group (with recent malaria) to those from the control group (without recent malaria) using Propensity Score Matching (PSM) and compared the difference in mean health utility between the groups. The results show a significant loss of HRQoL due to malaria. The mean utility was 0.69 and 0.83 for the treatment and control groups, respectively, representing a loss of quality of life of approximately 16.3% for individuals with recent malaria episodes. These findings underscore the importance of effective malaria prevention and treatment strategies, especially in areas where adverse socioeconomic conditions and a challenging epidemiological context exacerbate the impact of the disease. Continued investment in malaria control programs and improved access to health services are essential to mitigate the negative impact of this disease on the quality of life of affected populations.
Progression of the leprosy reaction and nerve damage: A prospective cohort study in children with leprosy from the Brazilian Amazon
Authors: Bandeira Sabrina Sampaio , dos Anjos Andressa Bocalon , Pires Carla Avelar , Quaresma Juarez Antonio Simões
Published: December 2024

Introduction

Leprosy reactions being closely related to damage to peripheral nerves and physical disabilities associated with disease progression. Disabilities in childhood can have a devastating effect with impaired children’s cognitive, emotional, social, and educational development. We followed up the progression of leprosy reactions in children identifying associated factors with the emergence and/or worsening of nerve damage.

Materials and methods

A prospective longitudinal cohort study was performed in patients under 15 years of age affected by leprosy reactions diagnosed at the Leprosy referral unit in the Amazon region of Brazil. The follow-up time was a cohort for 2 years from diagnosis. A clinical evaluation and the simplified neurological were performed at diagnosis and every 6 months, until the end of the follow-up period.

Principal findings

Of the 77 children monitored, 38 had reactions and were recruited. Only 23.7% (9/38) of patients improved their initial neurological impairment and 42.1% (16/38) had progression of the leprosy reaction with worsening of the initial nerve damage. Two or more reaction episodes, nerve damage and two or more nerves affected at diagnosis, isolated neuritis, silent neuritis and low educational level of caregiver had a significant association with the emergence and/or worsening of neural damage.

Conclusions

A high proportion of children had progression of the leprosy reaction with worsening neural damage. The absence of warning signs of inflammation, such as pain and exacerbation of skin lesions, appears to contribute to the worse prognosis of reactions. Early diagnosis, systematic monitoring especially of neural function, beyond the educate caregivers to recognize the reactional episode early and to helping with children’s self-care are very important measures to minimize the emergence or worsening of neural damage resulting from leprosy reactions.
The RNA-binding protein Modulo promotes neural stem cell maintenance in Drosophila
Authors: Parra Amalia S. , Johnston Christopher A.
Published: December 2024

A small population of stem cells in the developing Drosophila central nervous system generates the large number of different cell types that make up the adult brain. To achieve this, these neural stem cells (neuroblasts, NBs) divide asymmetrically to produce non-identical daughter cells. The balance between stem cell self-renewal and neural differentiation is regulated by various cellular machinery, including transcription factors, chromatin remodelers, and RNA-binding proteins. The list of these components remains incomplete, and the mechanisms regulating their function are not fully understood, however. Here, we identify a role for the RNA-binding protein Modulo (Mod; nucleolin in humans) in NB maintenance. We employ transcriptomic analyses to identify RNA targets of Mod and assess changes in global gene expression following its knockdown, results of which suggest a link with notable proneural genes and those essential for neurogenesis. Mod is expressed in larval brains and its loss leads to a significant decrease in the number of central brain NBs. Stem cells that remain lack expression of key NB identity factors and exhibit cell proliferation defects. Mechanistically, our analysis suggests these deficiencies arise at least in part from altered cell cycle progression, with a proportion of NBs arresting prior to mitosis. Overall, our data show that Mod function is essential for neural stem cell maintenance during neurogenesis.
In vivo imaging and pharmacokinetics of percutaneously injected ultrasound and X-ray imageable thermosensitive hydrogel loaded with doxorubicin versus free drug in swine
Authors: Delgado Jose F. , Negussie Ayele H. , Varble Nicole A. , Mikhail Andrew S. , Arrichiello Antonio , Borde Tabea , Saccenti Laetitia , Bakhutashvili Ivane , Owen Joshua W. , Morhard Robert , Karanian John W. , Pritchard William F. , Wood Bradford J.
Published: December 2024

Intratumoral injections often lack visibility, leading to unpredictable outcomes such as incomplete tumor coverage, off-target drug delivery and systemic toxicities. This study investigated an ultrasound (US) and x-ray imageable thermosensitive hydrogel based on poloxamer 407 (POL) percutaneously delivered in a healthy swine model. The primary objective was to assess the 2D and 3D distribution of the hydrogel within tissue across three different needle devices and injection sites: liver, kidney, and intercostal muscle region. Secondly, pharmacokinetics of POL loaded with doxorubicin (POLDOX) were evaluated and compared to free doxorubicin injection (DOXSoln) with a Single End Hole Needle. Utilizing 2D and 3D morphometrics from US and x-ray imaging techniques such as Computed Tomography (CT) and Cone Beam CT (CBCT), we monitored the localization and leakage of POLDOX over time. Relative iodine concentrations measured with CBCT following incorporation of an iodinated contrast agent in POL indicated potential drug diffusion and advection transport. Furthermore, US imaging revealed temporal changes, suggesting variations in acoustic intensity, heterogeneity, and echotextures. Notably, 3D reconstruction of the distribution of POL and POLDOX from 2D ultrasound frames was achieved and morphometric data obtained. Pharmacokinetic analysis revealed lower systemic exposure of the drug in various organs with POLDOX formulation compared to DOXSoln formulation. This was demonstrated by a lower area under the curve (852.1 ± 409.1 ng/mL·h vs 2283.4 ± 377.2 ng/mL·h) in the plasma profile, suggesting a potential reduction in systemic toxicity. Overall, the use of POL formulation offers a promising strategy for precise and localized drug delivery, that may minimize adverse effects. Dual modality POL imaging enabled analysis of patterns of gel distribution and morphology, alongside of pharmacokinetics of local delivery. Incorporating hydrogels into drug delivery systems holds significant promise for improving the predictability of the delivered drug and enhancing spatial conformability. These advancements can potentially enhance the safety and precision of anticancer therapy.
Connectome-based prediction of functional impairment in experimental stroke models
Authors: Schmitt Oliver , Eipert Peter , Wang Yonggang , Kanoke Atsushi , Rabiller Gratianne , Liu Jialing
Published: December 2024

Experimental rat models of stroke and hemorrhage are important tools to investigate cerebrovascular disease pathophysiology mechanisms, yet how significant patterns of functional impairment induced in various models of stroke are related to changes in connectivity at the level of neuronal populations and mesoscopic parcellations of rat brains remain unresolved. To address this gap in knowledge, we employed two middle cerebral artery occlusion models and one intracerebral hemorrhage model with variant extent and location of neuronal dysfunction. Motor and spatial memory function was assessed and the level of hippocampal activation via Fos immunohistochemistry. Contribution of connectivity change to functional impairment was analyzed for connection similarities, graph distances and spatial distances as well as the importance of regions in terms of network architecture based on the neuroVIISAS rat connectome. We found that functional impairment correlated with not only the extent but also the locations of the injury among the models. In addition, via coactivation analysis in dynamic rat brain models, we found that lesioned regions led to stronger coactivations with motor function and spatial learning regions than with other unaffected regions of the connectome. Dynamic modeling with the weighted bilateral connectome detected changes in signal propagation in the remote hippocampus in all 3 stroke types, predicting the extent of hippocampal hypoactivation and impairment in spatial learning and memory function. Our study provides a comprehensive analytical framework in predictive identification of remote regions not directly altered by stroke events and their functional implication.
A comprehensive scoping review of intergenerational dance programmes for cohorts with a generational gap
Authors: O’Reilly Siobhán , Ní Bhriain Orfhlaith , Dillon Sarah , Clifford Amanda M.
Published: December 2024

Introduction

Loneliness and physical inactivity are issues that affect both young people and older adults. This can have negative health outcomes and well as high costs on health services. Physical activity can positively influence both physical and psychosocial health outcomes, however enjoyment is necessary for adherence. Combining exercise with arts-based activities can improve enjoyment for older adults and young people. Dance has been found to be a safe and enjoyable form of physical activity that can be equally or more effective than conventional exercise options. Intergenerational interventions can improve relationships between generations. The aim of this scoping review was to collate and map the available evidence for intergenerational dance.

Methods

This scoping review followed the guidance outlined by the Joanna Briggs Institute. A systematic search of nine multidisciplinary databases and four repositories was conducted. Inclusion criteria were intergenerational dance or movement to music programmes. Exclusion criteria included dance movement therapy or groups with less than one generational gap. Data were extracted and summarised using narrative synthesis and research papers were appraised using the Mixed Methods Appraisal Tool.

Results

The search identified eleven research studies, seven expert opinion/practice expertise and 13 sources from the grey literature. Dance classes were typically 11–12 weeks long. Genres varied with some programmes including co-creation through choreography. Experiences and social outcomes were the most assessed outcomes, with a lack of studies examining physical outcomes. Participants reported enjoying the programmes stating they felt proud for taking part and looked forward to sessions. The term intergenerational was not defined in any paper.

Conclusions

Intergenerational dance is an emerging area of research. Many programmes run in communities but are not researched, therefore several gaps remain. More large-scale trials are needed around intergenerational dance. Definitions and descriptions of dance and intergenerational activity should be considered in future studies to ensure consistency.
The CXCR4 antagonist R54 targets epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) in human ovarian cancer cells
Authors: Russo Daniela , Spina Anna , Portella Luigi , Bello Anna Maria , Galdiero Francesca , Trotta Anna Maria , Ieranò Caterina , Rea Giuseppina , Cecere Sabrina Chiara , Coppola Elisabetta , Di Maro Salvatore , Pignata Sandro , Califano Daniela , Scala Stefania
Published: December 2024

The axis CXCL12-CXCR4 is highly expressed in ovarian cancer where contributes to disease progression. Aim of the work was to evaluate the effect of the newly developed CXCR4 antagonist R54 on human ovarian cancer cells aggressiveness. CXCL12-CXCR4 axis was evaluated in human ovarian cancer cells through proliferation, migration and signaling CXCL12-dependents. Epithelial to mesenchymal transition (EMT) was analyzed through E-CADHERIN, N-CADHERIN, VIMENTIN, SNAIL1 and ΒETA-CATENIN by qRT-PCR, immunofluorescence and immunoblotting. R54 inhibited ovarian cancer cells proliferation and migration CXCL12-induced. Moreover, R54 inhibited CXCL12 dependent pERK1/2 and pAKT and reversed the CXCL12 induced EMT in ovarian cancer cells. Targeting CXCR4 with the new antagonist R54 consistently reverted the mesenchymal transition in human ovarian cancer cells reducing migratory and chemoresistance features.
From Ridge 2 Reef: An interdisciplinary model for training the next generation of environmental problem solvers
Authors: Hill Raechel J. , Djokic Matea A. , Anderson Andrea , Barbour Kristin , Coleman Amanda M. , Guerra Alexis D. , Hunt Courtney , Jolly Amber , Long Jennifer J. , Manley Kyle T. , Montoya Jonathan L. , Norlen Carl A. , Nugent-Suratt Andie , Washburn Kameko , Weber Samuel , Welch Allison , Wong Cynthia , Allison Steven D.
Published: December 2024

Regional and global environmental challenges have become increasingly complex and require broader solutions than a single discipline can provide. Although there is a growing need for interdisciplinary research, many graduate education programs still train students within the confines of a particular discipline or specialty. The Ridge 2 Reef research traineeship program at the University of California, Irvine, aimed to provide transferable and interdisciplinary skill training to prepare graduate students from different disciplines to address current and future environmental challenges. The program achieved its goals through a ‘culture of improvement’ that ensured trainee needs shaped program management and curriculum. Due to trainee feedback and leaders dedicated to program improvement, there was a complete course overhaul during the first two years of the program, resulting in a final curriculum structure that was more effective and aligned with revised program goals. Program evaluations suggest that the flexibility of the program, diversity of training, overhauled courses offered, and partnership-focused opportunities contributed to more confident graduate students who were more broadly trained and better prepared in their chosen environmental career paths. Based on evaluation surveys, graduate students reported significant gains in scientific, technical, and career knowledge as well as transferrable skills in communication, data analysis, leadership, mentoring, and interdisciplinary collaboration. The structure and evolution of the Ridge 2 Reef traineeship can provide a framework for other graduate education programs to better incorporate interdisciplinary training and student feedback, ultimately improving programs and preparing scientists for the 21st century workforce.
Advancing inclusive research calculator for oncology disease areas: A resource to support the development of enrollment targets in diversity action plans for industry sponsors
Authors: Press David J. , James Spencer L. , Jolain Bruno , Richie Nicole
Published: December 2024

Background

The Food and Drug Omnibus Report Act, signed into law in 2022, requires industry sponsors to include diversity action plans in clinical study protocols. Defining reliable methodology for measures and benchmarks is critical to ensuring adequate and consistent representation of historically underrepresented patient populations in clinical trials.

Methods

We provide an Advancing Inclusive Research (AIR) Calculator, summary tables, and data query bank to support target setting for the development of diversity action plans and to take steps toward defining enrollment standards. The AIR Calculator uses data from the US Cancer Statistics database, which covers 100% of the US population. The database provides descriptive statistics for people diagnosed with 26 different cancers from 2015–2019 by cancer site, age at diagnosis, sex, and race and ethnicity, all stratified by stage at diagnosis (early, de novo metastatic, and combined). Descriptive characteristics include frequency counts, age-adjusted incidence rates, incidence rate ratios, and 95% CIs. Robustness test results are available in the data query bank by year of diagnosis.

Results

This resource offers insights into distributions of cancer in the US. The AIR Calculator allows users to calculate representative clinical study distributions based on the sponsor-designated study size.

Discussion

The AIR Calculator serves as a valuable resource for planning of clinical studies, but additional data analyses are necessary for a comprehensive understanding at the study level. Comprehensive data collection and alignment across industry are essential to ensure consistent, accurate, and transparent benchmarks in historically underrepresented patient populations and to track progress toward the goal of improving their representation in clinical research.
Transcriptomic analysis of male diamondback moth antennae: Response to female semiochemicals and allyl isothiocyanate
Authors: Zheng Yueqin , Liu Qianxia , Tian Houjun , Wei Hui
Published: December 2024

Female semiochemicals and allyl isothiocyanate (AITC) attract moths, and the moths use odorant-degrading enzymes (ODEs) to break down the excess odor. By identifying antennae-specific ODEs, researchers have established the molecular foundation for odorant degradation and signal inactivation in insects. This enables further exploration of new pest control methods. Currently, the degradation of female semiochemicals and AITC has received limited attention, inspiring this study to identify target ODEs in diamondback moths through transcriptome analysis. Sequencing of antennae from male adults (MA) exposed to female adults (FA) and AITC yielded a substantial 54.18 Gb of clean data, revealing 2276 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) between the MA and MA-FA treatments, and 629 DEGs between MA and MA-AITC treatments. The analysis of MAs exposed to FAs and AITC identified 29 and 17 ODEs, respectively, mainly involving aldehyde dehydrogenases (ALDHs), alcohol dehydrogenases (ADs), cytochrome P450s (CYPs), and UDP-glucuronosyltransferases (UGTs). Pathway analysis revealed primary enrichment in glycolysis/gluconeogenesis and fatty acid degradation in female adult treatments. In contrast, AITC treatments showed major enrichment in pathways related to pentose and glucuronate interconversions, retinol metabolism, and ascorbate and aldarate metabolism. Additionally, qRT-PCR analysis validated the expression patterns of 10 ODE genes in response to these treatments, with varying results observed among the genes. These findings indicate significant changes in ODE expression levels, providing a molecular foundation for identifying potential targets for behavioral inhibitors.
Enhancing the color and stress tolerance of cherry shrimp (Neocaridina davidi var. red) using astaxanthin and Bidens Pilosa
Authors: Hou Wei-Wei , Chang Yu-Tzi , Yang Wen-Chin , Gong Hong-Yi , Pan Yen-Ju , Hsu Te-Hua , Huang Chang-Wen
Published: December 2024

This study aimed to evaluate the effects of different concentrations of astaxanthin and Bidens Pilosa compound feed additives on the color and hypoxia tolerance of cherry shrimp (Neocaridina davidi var. red). Color parameters were assessed using CIELAB color space, and differential gene expression related to color and stress was analyzed using reverse transcription quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR) to understand the gene regulatory mechanisms affecting color expression and stability. Over a 56-day rearing period, the feed additives AX100 (astaxanthin 100 mg/kg) and AX100+BP (astaxanthin 100 mg/kg + B. pilosa 5 g/kg) significantly reduced the color difference values compared to the standard sample (ΔE*ab), indicating notable color boosting effects. This included a reduction in lightness (L*), a decrease in color hue angle (h*) with AX100, and an increase in redness (a*) and chroma (C*) with AX100+BP. We further designed 22 color-related gene primers, 16 of which amplified the target fragment. Six gene sets exhibited significant differences among all feed treatment groups and were correlated with color expression. After 9 hours of hypoxic stress, body color remained stable in the feed additive groups, especially in the AX100 + BP and AX200 + BP (astaxanthin 200 mg/kg + B. pilosa 5 g/kg) groups, with color differences before and after hypoxic stress remaining below the discernible threshold of the human eye, indicating optimal color stability. Additionally, the CAT gene, among the stress-related genes that successfully amplified, showed significant differences among feed treatment groups and correlated with color stability based on color difference values. In conclusion, the composite addition of 100 mg/kg astaxanthin and 5 g/kg Bidens pilosa (AX100 + BP) was identified as the most effective treatment. This formulation significantly enhanced cherry shrimp color, evidenced by improved parameters such as decreased lightness and increased redness. Moreover, AX100 + BP demonstrated superior color stability under hypoxic conditions, with ΔE*ab values remaining below the discernible threshold of the human eye, highlighting its potential for maintaining optimal color during transportation. Offering a basis for enhancing the commercial value and reducing the sale risks of cherry shrimp.
A Monte-Carlo planning strategy for medical follow-up optimization: Illustration on multiple myeloma data
Authors: de Saporta Benoîte , Thierry d’Argenlieu Aymar , Sabbadin Régis , Cleynen Alice
Published: December 2024

Designing patient-specific follow-up strategies is key to personalized cancer care. Tools to assist doctors in treatment decisions and scheduling follow-ups based on patient preferences and medical data would be highly beneficial. These tools should incorporate realistic models of disease progression under treatment, multi-objective optimization of treatment strategies, and efficient algorithms to personalize follow-ups by considering patient history. We propose modeling cancer evolution using a Piecewise Deterministic Markov Process, where patients alternate between remission and relapse phases, and control the model via long-term cost function optimization. This considers treatment side effects, visit burden, and quality of life, using noisy blood marker measurements for feedback. Instead of discretizing the problem with a discrete Markov Decision Process, we apply the Partially-Observed Monte-Carlo Planning algorithm to solve the continuous-time, continuous-state problem, leveraging the near-deterministic nature of cancer progression. Our approach, tested on multiple myeloma patient data, outperforms exact solutions of the discrete model and allows greater flexibility in cost function modeling, enabling patient-specific follow-ups. This method can also be adapted to other diseases.
Unveiling Cathepsin B inhibition with repurposed drugs for anticancer and anti-Alzheimer’s drug discovery
Authors: Alrouji Mohammed , Yasmin Sabina , Alshammari Mohammed S. , Alhumaydhi Fahad A. , Sharaf Sharaf E. , Shahwan Moyad , Shamsi Anas
Published: December 2024

Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is characterized by the aggregation of amyloid β (Aβ) peptides and the formation of plaques in the brain, primarily derived from the proteolytic degradation of amyloid precursor protein (APP). Cathepsin B (CatB) is a cysteine protease that plays a pivotal role in this process, making it a potential target for the development of anti-Alzheimer’s therapies. Apart from AD, CatB is implicated in various physiological and pathological processes, including cancer. Given the critical role of CatB in these diseases, identifying effective inhibitors is of significant therapeutic interest. In this study, we employed a systematic virtual screening approach using repurposed molecules from the DrugBank database to identify potential CatB inhibitors. Primarily, we focused on binding affinities and selectivity to pinpoint potential hits against CatB. Two repurposed molecules, Lurasidone and Paliperidone, emerged as promising candidates with significant affinity for CatB. These molecules demonstrated favorable drug profiles and exhibited preferential binding to the catalytic pocket of CatB via interacting with functionally significant residues. To further explore the binding mechanism and stability of the CatB-drug complexes, molecular dynamics (MD) simulations were conducted for 500 ns. The results revealed that CatB and Lurasidone, as well as Paliperidone, form stable complexes throughout the simulation. Taken together, the findings suggest that Lurasidone and Paliperidone can act as repurposed CatB inhibitors with potential applications in the development of therapeutics against AD and other CatB-associated diseases after further validation.
Sigmund Freud’s drawings of his early rooms: A prelude to the founding spaces of psychoanalysis
Authors: Subotincic Natalija
Published: December 2024

In Civilization and its Discontents, Sigmund Freud metaphorically transfigures the city of Rome from a physical human habitation into an imagined ‘psychical entity’ with an equally lengthy and substantial history, where everything that would have previously existed continues to remain connected to any further developments. Sigmund Freud’s consulting room and study at Berggasse 19 in Vienna famously contained his remarkable collection of 2300 antiquities and artefacts, all of which he carefully curated and arranged exclusively within these two work spaces. What if we were to imagine these founding spaces of psychoanalysis as ‘a psychical entity with a similarly long and copious past’ where ‘nothing that has once come into existence will have passed away and all the earlier phases of development continue to exist alongside the latest one’. This particular supposition is what initiated the idea for this article, in which I examine seven rooms he either worked in, lived in or dreamt about, prior to the inhabitation of his more famous rooms at Berggasse 19. Specifically, this article focuses on the rooms Sigmund Freud inhabited from 1875 through 1885, during the formative years of his university education and as a medical intern at the Vienna General Hospital when he was 19–29 years old. Abundant evidence shows us that he could be both overt and covert in how he relayed his thoughts, memories and experiences within these habitations. These spaces were recorded and conveyed through a combination of his drawings, written descriptions, memories and imaginings, and are found primarily in his personal letters, as well as various biographies and other documents. I will delve into the emerging spatial and psychical traits found within these spaces, and compare them with each other, to shed light on Sigmund Freud’s growing awareness of his surrounding environments. His behaviours in these early rooms, where he arranged past and present to coexist within the same psychical space, offer a revealing prelude to what he spatially and psychically undertook within his later construction of the famous work rooms at Berggasse 19.
Architectures of varying power
Authors: Murray Shaun
Published: December 2024

As buildings need bodies, architectural design needs new modalities in unpacking space making and habitation. Space making and habitation have often been studied whole in space but never whole in time, while spaces adapt best when constantly refined and reshaped by their occupants.

This issue of Design Ecologies (DES) will focus on how bodies change spaces physically and mentally through our relationships with them, through them and from them. Particular concerns will focus on how revisiting the same space multiple times can change our understanding and can be recorded as an architecture of varying power. What we touch, we edit the space and leave a residue in the actual space. Architecture could be viewed as the relationship between the amateur and professional in space-making and habitation from who instructs whom to who informs whom. Do we have the methods to communicate the modalities of multiple habitants in one space over an extended period of time? Could we view an architecture of varying power as a layering of knowledge and our relationship of space over time? This issue on ‘Architectures of Varying Power’ will focus on articles.
Ken Loach: una longeva trayectoria y algunas apreciaciones en torno a la edad
Authors: Herrería Bolado Manuel
Published: December 2024

Desde que en 1964 comenzara dirigiendo algunos episodios para series de la BBC como Teletales, Z Cars, o The Wednesday Play, pasando por sus primeros largometrajes en los años setenta y algunos documentales durante el Thatcherismo más agresivo de los años ochenta ‒lo cual le aca-rreó problemas con la censura e incluso el destierro de la industria cinematográfica durante más de una década‒, hasta su resurgimiento con Agenda oculta en 1990, Ken Loach ha dirigido veintiocho largometrajes (sin contar más de veinte episodios para TV y otros tantos documentales). Atender a una carrera tan longeva desde la perspectiva de la edad, nos ha llevado a la determina-ción de enfrentarlo desde dos ángulos; el primero referido a un marco general, donde el factor biográfico nos ha ido desvelando las diferentes etapas a lo largo de su carrera; el segundo, inda-gando sobre las relaciones intergeneracionales que se dan entre los personajes de sus ficciones: Family Life (1971) y Yo, Daniel Blake (2016).
(IN)APLICAÇÃO DA LEI Nº. 8078/90 NAS RELAÇÕES ASSOCIATIVAS QUANDO HÁ NOS BENEFÍCIOS A PROTEÇÃO VEICULAR:
Authors: De Souza Netto João Maurício
Published: December 2024

O presente artigo estuda a possibilidade – ou não – da aplicação do Código de Defesa do Consumidor na relação entre associação e associado no sistema mutualista. O método aplicado, quanto ao nível, foi exploratório. Ao que concerne ao procedimento de coleta de dados, usou-se o bibliográfico e o documental. A abordagem foi qualitativa e quantitativa, sendo estruturada em quatro seções: a primeira é a introdução, em que se explica a pertinência temática e a metodologia; a segunda se trata da pessoa jurídica, na qual se enfatizam os critérios formais para a criação de uma pessoa jurídica, a diferença entre sociedade e associação e a implicação da relação de consumo; a terceira se trata da associação com sua formação e sistema mutualista bem como o tabelamento jurisprudencial; a quarta a conclusão; e, por fim, as referências. O resultado da pesquisa confirma a hipótese: pela não aplicação da relação de consumo na dinâmica entre associado e associação seja por critérios materiais e formais, seja por entendimentos jurisprudenciais recentes do Tribunal de Justiça de Santa Catarina. Conclui-se, assim, que, apesar da orientação jurisprudencial, não há tese firmada em repetitivo ou outro método processual que privilegie a segurança jurídica.
‘It opened my eyes’: reflecting with stakeholders on the personal impact of a participatory research project
Authors: Holme Caitlin , Angsten Clark Anne
Published: December 2024

In this practice case study, we explore the personal impact of a participatory research project in the UK on community and university researchers. We discuss the key themes that emerged from a reflective discussion with community researchers and the partner organisation at the end of the project: the importance of building and strengthening relationships throughout the project; the opportunity that the project provided all stakeholders to develop new skills and self-confidence; and the balance between giving back to the community through research while also navigating research as insiders. Our experience underscores the importance of self-reflection throughout participatory research projects. This needs to come with the flexibility to adapt research designs, to ensure that all stakeholders are comfortable with their role in the project. Our discussion also highlights the potential for positive personal impacts as a result of participatory research, particularly the opportunity for researchers to acquire new skills and build confidence. These positive effects may be maximised by embedding opportunities for skill consolidation into the research project from the start.