bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Formation of Extended Tubular Plasma in Argon at Low Pressure and in a Weak Longitudinal Magnetic Field
Authors: Akishev Yu. S. , Bakhtin V. P. , Buleyko A. B. , Loza O. T. , Petryakov A. V. , Ravaev A. A. , Fefelova E. A.
Published: April 2024

The results of experimental studies on the formation and subsequent evolution of extended (l = 300 mm) and thin-walled (Δr ≈ 10 mm) tubular (2r ≈ 110 mm) plasma in a weak longitudinal magnetic field (B = 175 G) without the use of a thermionic cathode are presented. The cylindrical chamber in which the tubular plasma was formed was pumped with high purity argon (99.998%) at an average velocity of about 1 m/s at a pressure of P = 10–3–10–2 Torr. Two methods of creating seed electrons initiating the development of ionization avalanches were used. The difference inherent to these methods has been established in the dynamics of breakdown, completing in the formation of a tubular discharge. In the first of them, a pulsed discharge preceding the high voltage supply of the main discharge created gas preionization in a small area around the sectioned cathodes. In the second method, seed electrons were created in the entire working area of the discharge chamber by an RF discharge with a frequency of 85 kHz and duration of about 1 s. High-speed shooting with a 4-frame ICCD camera allowed us to establish the dynamics of tubular discharge formation at all its stages. Measurements of the longitudinal and radial discharge current were carried out. The results we obtained showed the possibility of spatial isolation of an extended tubular plasma from the close located metal wall of the discharge chamber by using a weak longitudinal magnetic field.
Grading recommendations for enhanced patient safety in sentinel event analysis: the recommendation improvement matrix
Authors: Bos Kelly , van der Laan Maarten J , Groeneweg Jop , Kamps Gert Jan , Legemate Dink A , Leistikow Ian , Dongelmans Dave A
Published: April 2024

Objectives

The goal of sentinel event (SE) analysis is to prevent recurrence. However, the rate of SEs has remained constant over the past years. Research suggests this is in part due to the quality of recommendations. Currently, standards for the selection of recommendations are lacking. Developing a method to grade recommendations could help in both designing and selecting interventions most likely to improve patient safety. The aim of this study was to (1) develop a user-friendly method to grade recommendations and (2) assess its applicability in a large series of Dutch perioperative SE analysis reports.

Methods

Based on two grading methods, we developed the recommendation improvement matrix (RIM). Applicability was assessed by analysing all Dutch perioperative SE reports over a 12-month period. After which interobserver agreement was studied.

Results

In the RIM, two elements are crucial: whether the recommendation intervenes before or after an SE and whether it eliminates or controls the hazard. Applicability was evaluated in 115 analysis reports, encompassing 161 recommendations. Recommendation quality varied from the highest, category A, to the lowest, category D, with category A accounting for 44%, category B for 35%, category C for 2% and category D for 19% of recommendations. There was a fair interobserver agreement.

Conclusion

The RIM can be used to grade recommendations in SE analysis and could possibly help in both designing and selecting interventions. It is relatively simple, user-friendly and has the potential to improve patient safety. The RIM can help formulate effective and sustainable recommendations, a second key objective of the RIM is to foster and facilitate constructive dialogue among those responsible for patient safety.
Effects of tropical cyclone Freddy on the social determinants of health: the narrative review of the experience in Malawi
Authors: Braka Fiona , Daniel Ebenezer Obi , Okeibunor Joseph , Rusibamayila Neema Kimambo , Conteh Ishata Nannie , Ramadan Otim Patrick Cossy , Byakika-Tusiime Jayne , Yur Chol Thabo , Ochien Emmanuel Maurice , Kagoli Mathew , Chauma-Mwale Annie , Chamla Dick , Gueye Abdou Salam
Published: April 2024

Malawi—one of the low-income countries in Africa—has witnessed a series of flood-related disasters in many years. The recent tropical cyclone Freddy (TCF) has indispensable effects on the unequal distribution of the social determinants of health with tendencies for increased disease outbreaks across the districts of the country. This narrative study aimed at unravelling the consequences of the TCF and its possible relationship with the already existing cholera epidemic in the fourteen affected districts. Additionally, it aimed to document the immediate humanitarian responses in the acute phase of the disaster. We identified, used and extracted information and data from relevant documents available from the government records, WHO and other multiagency documents, which were summarised along with the humanitarian actions and the associated implications of the entire event. Areas of TCF’s main effects included health, shelter, education, nutrition, water sanitation and hygiene, agriculture and livelihood, transport and logistics including food security. The notable immediate humanitarian responses are donations, camp creation for accommodations, emergency life-saving response and essential healthcare services. Nsanje and Chikwawa districts experienced an increase in cholera cases and deaths post-TCF. The highest proportion of the disaster-impacted and intervention beneficiaries were women and children. The effects of the TCF on the social determinants of health in the affected districts and the associated negative impacts should be considered by the government and disaster management experts in evidence-based policy-making towards disaster risk reduction in the flood-prone districts using an all-hazard approach. This step might be useful in improving the vulnerable population’s standard of living and achievement of related Sustainable Development Goals in Malawi.
Perspectives of healthcare providers and persons with type 2 diabetes mellitus on improving glycaemic control in Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of the Congo: a qualitative study
Authors: Fina Lubaki Jean-Pierre , Francis Joel M , Omole Olufemi Babatunde
Published: April 2024

Introduction

Glycaemic control remains suboptimal in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Defining interventions to improve glycaemic control requires a clear knowledge of factors driving poor glycaemic control. Qualitative studies exploring the perspectives of key stakeholders on this issue are lacking in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. This study aimed to explore the perspectives of persons with type 2 diabetes and healthcare providers on ways to improve glycaemic control in Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of the Congo.

Methods

This qualitative study used face-to-face, semistructured interviews on 26 purposively sampled participants: 10 persons with type 2 diabetes and 16 healthcare providers. The study used deductive, constructionist and thematic analyses. Themes were organised and integrated using the WHO Innovative Care for Chronic Conditions Framework.

Results

The healthcare providers recommended better preparation of the healthcare system for better care of diabetes. This is achieved through training of healthcare providers, equipping healthcare structures and organising a reliable drug delivery system. Healthcare providers must also act to ensure that patients get adequate support from their surroundings and the community by providing adequate information about diabetes. The policy environment must create conditions for alleviating the cost of care and prevention of diabetes. In addition, patients with diabetes identified three needs: need mainly for financial support to overcome the cost of diabetes, knowledge for better self-management of the illness and support from healthcare providers to succeed in self-management.

Conclusion

Improving glycaemic control in persons with type 2 diabetes requires multidimensional strategies, with particular focus on empowering patients and their families for efficient self-management, strengthening the healthcare system for diabetes care and greater involvement of the government in terms of funding and adopting positive policies. To be efficient, these interventions need to be integrated into the chronic diseases management framework.
A DQN-based traffic classification method for mobile application recommendation with continual learning
Authors: Wang ZiXuan , Wang Pan , Sun ZhiXin , Chen Lu , Fu MengYi , Liu MinYao , Zhang Ze
Published: April 2024

With the popularity and development of smartphones, many mobile applications of various types have emerged. How to recommend mobile applications that match the user’s preferences and usage habits among the massive applications is a problem that needs to be solved. Traditional mobile application recommendation methods cannot dynamically track user behavior and preference changes in time and cannot timely correct the recommendation model, resulting in poor recommendation effects. The continual update of mobile applications will also invalidate the recommendation model based on traffic classification. To solve these problems, this paper proposes A Deep Q-Network (DQN) based traffic classification method for mobile application recommendation with continual learning, which embeds a DQN-based traffic classification model in the mobile terminal and sets up a reward and punishment mechanism to achieve self-supervised learning. By continuously adjusting and optimizing the model, the effectiveness of the traffic classification model is ensured, and the recommendation model is provided with accurate and reliable user behavior data support. Experiments on the ISCX and private datasets show that the proposed method performs better and can effectively guarantee the accuracy of the classification model.
Discovering Personalized Semantics for Soft Attributes in Recommender Systems Using Concept Activation Vectors
Authors: Göpfert Christina , Haig Alex , Hsu Chih-Wei , Chow Yinlam , Vendrov Ivan , Lu Tyler , Ramachandran Deepak , Pham Hubert , Ghavamzadeh Mohammad , Boutilier Craig
Published: April 2024

Interactive
recommender systems
have emerged as a promising paradigm to overcome the limitations of the primitive user feedback used by traditional recommender systems (e.g., clicks, item consumption, ratings). They allow users to express intent, preferences, constraints, and contexts in a richer fashion, often using natural language (including faceted search and dialogue). Yet more research is needed to find the most effective ways to use this feedback. One challenge is
inferring a user’s semantic intent
from the open-ended terms or attributes often used to describe a desired item. This is critical for recommender systems that wish to support users in their everyday, intuitive use of natural language to refine recommendation results. Leveraging
concept activation vectors (CAVs)
[
26
], a recently developed approach for model interpretability in machine learning, we develop a framework to learn a representation that captures the semantics of such attributes and connects them to user preferences and behaviors in recommender systems. One novel feature of our approach is its ability to distinguish objective and
subjective
attributes (both subjectivity of
degree
and of
sense
) and associate
different senses
of subjective attributes with different users. We demonstrate on both synthetic and real-world datasets that our CAV representation not only accurately interprets users’ subjective semantics but also can be used to improve recommendations through
interactive item critiquing
.
A Photothermal Modelling Approach for Micro-LED Arrays in Wireless Optogenetics
Authors: Ji Yanping , Liu Chuanzhen , Li Jiawei , Wang Wensi , Zheng Mengyi
Published: April 2024

Implantable LED light sources have received a lot of attention in the field of optogenetic neuromodulation. This type of light modulation enables effective stimulation of neurons. However, as optogenetics moves towards clinical trials, combinatorial photostimulation based on arrays of LED light sources has emerged. This approach inevitably brings about a large increase in transient temperature, resulting in the inability to achieve precise stimulation of cells. We designed a wireless optogenetic hardware system to realize the control of the stimulation mode and temperature of the light source array. At the same time, a set of combined photothermal physical model was established to simulate the photothermal response of the whole experiment. The physical model can effectively guide the wireless optogenetic hardware circuits to perform effective stimulation within a controlled temperature range. Our model provides a new technical approach for photothermal studies in optogenetic clinical trials.
Groundwater Quality and Suitability Assessment in Tirupur Region, Tamil Nadu, India
Authors: G. Kumar , Kothandaraman Saravanan , Karuppanan Kathiresan , Hussain Sajjad
Published: April 2024

The study aims to understand the hydrochemical characteristics and groundwater suitability for agricultural and drinking purposes. For this purpose, 21 groundwater samples were collected, and major physicochemical parameters such as pH, EC, TDS, temp, salinity, Ca2+, Mg2+, Na+, K+, HCO3−, Cl−, and SO42− were analyzed, followed by the standard analytical procedures. Different groundwater quality graphical representations were constructed by using Aqua Chem software. The results indicate groundwater samples were alkaline with fresh to moderate saline in nature, sixty-eight percent of the samples were suitable for drinking in accordance with WHO, and thirty-two percent of the samples were unsuitable due to the excess amount of different ionic concentrations derived from natural and various anthropogenic sources. Irrigation water quality parameters such as SAR, EC, PI, Na %, RSBC, MR, and KR were used to understand the irrigation suitability. The US salinity diagram exemplifies that most groundwater samples fall in the C3S1 category with high salinity hazard and low alkali hazard. The Wilcox plot reveals that 80% of the samples were found under very good to permissible limits, and few samples fall with doubtful to unsuitable quality due to the excess amount of alkali and salinity. Permeability index values show that groundwater is suitable for irrigation. Three major hydrochemical facies were identified with the dominance order of mixed CaMgCl, NaCl, and CaCl. Gibb’s plot suggests that evaporation and rock-water interaction are the dominant natural mechanisms controlling the groundwater chemistry in the present study area.
Evaluation of the Quality of Life in Moroccan Patients Diagnosed with Hypoparathyroidism
Authors: Essafi Mohammed-Amine , Handa Samira , Aynaou Hayat , Salhi Houda
Published: April 2024

Objective. Hypoparathyroidism (HPt) is a rare endocrine disorder often of postsurgical origin, resulting in hypocalcaemia. Several complications have been described including impairment of quality of life (QoL). Our study aims to evaluate the effect of hypoparathyroidism on the QoL of patients diagnosed with HPt. Methods. A cross-sectional study was conducted in the Department of Endocrinology, Diabetology, Metabolic Diseases and Nutrition of the Hassan II University Hospital of Fez. We included in our study all patients followed for chronic HPt. Well-being was assessed using the WHO 5 index, and QoL was assessed by the SF-36 questionnaire in its validated Arabic version. Data were entered into Excel and analysed using SPSS 26. Multiple linear regression was utilized to ascertain the variables linked to the QoL in individuals diagnosed with HPt. Results. A total of 143 patients with HPt were included in the study, 86.7% of whom were female. The mean age of the patients was 44.6 ± 17.3 years. 89.9% were of postsurgical etiology. The assessment of well-being by the WHO 5 index showed a low score (<50), meaning poor well-being in 44.8%. Regarding the QoL, the assessment showed low scores in the areas of general health (41.7), limitations due to physical condition (40.5), vitality (41.4), and limitations due to psychological condition (42.6). The multiple linear regression model revealed a noteworthy association between low SF-36 score and advanced age (β = −5.91; p<0.001), surgical etiology (β = 8.71; p<0.001), low education level (β = −10.1; p<0.001), and poor compliance with medication (β = −11.3; p<0.001). However, the relationship between impaired QoL and achievement of normocalcemia was nonsignificant (p=0.69). Conclusions. Our work objective is that patients with HPt have a reduced and multifactorial QoL. Despite normocalcemia, it is hypothesized that parathyroid hormone directly influences QoL. These results could serve as a basis for future research.
Carbon Market Efficiency and Economic Policy Uncertainty: Evidence from a TVP‐VAR Model
Authors: Liu Min , Huang Rong , Lu Yang
Published: April 2024

This paper examines the dynamic linkages among economic policy uncertainty (EPU), the green bond market, the carbon market, and the macroeconomy using the time‐varying parameter vector autoregressive (TVP‐VAR) model with monthly data spanning from January 2016 to December 2021. Additionally, it assesses the robustness and accuracy of the empirical results through the Bayesian vector autoregressive (BVAR) model. The findings indicate that EPU negatively affects the green bond market in the short term but has a positive impact in the medium and long term. Conversely, EPU has a positive impact on the carbon market in the short term but a negative impact in the medium and long term. Furthermore, the green bond market negatively influences the carbon market in both the short and medium to long term. These results suggest that emerging markets, such as the green bond and carbon markets, are influenced by EPU. The adverse impact of the green bond market on the carbon market, however, contributes to expediting China’s attainment of its low‐carbon objectives. Appropriate economic policies can play a vital role in accelerating the transition to a low‐carbon economy. The study also reveals that the US‐China trade war has expedited the development of green capital markets in China, despite its impact on the green economic transition in the country. These findings provide insights for the government and investors to formulate suitable strategies for risk mitigation.
FIGURE 4 from Proteasome Inhibition Reprograms Chromatin Landscape in Breast Cancer
Authors: Kinyamu H. Karimi , Bennett Brian D. , Ward James M. , Archer Trevor K.
Published: April 2024

DOCR-associated TF motifs involve chromatin dynamics and cell fate. A, Heat map showing the degree of enrichment for top TFs binding motifs identified as enriched in each DOCR category. Each row corresponds to a TF. Each column corresponds to the DOCR genomic category and the heat map is split into DOCR class, Left (GAIN) and Right (LOST). B, Relative mRNA expression of TFs enriched at DOCRs, showing RNA-seq read counts in control (CTL) and 24H treated cells. C, Volcano plot showing the degree of differential binding and the statistical significance of the difference for all TF motifs queried. TF motifs with significant differential binding are colored red (increase) and blue (decrease). D, Relative mRNA expression of TFs identified by TOBIAS, showing RNA-seq read counts in control (CTL) and 24H treated cells. E, Dot plot showing the degree of enrichment for gene lists enriched with genes closest to DOCRs split by category. Dot size represents the number of genes in each Gene Ontology (GO) biological processes.
FIGURE 1 from Proteasome Inhibition Reprograms Chromatin Landscape in Breast Cancer
Authors: Kinyamu H. Karimi , Bennett Brian D. , Ward James M. , Archer Trevor K.
Published: April 2024

Proteasome inhibition reprograms accessible chromatin. A, Heat maps showing differential (MG treated minus untreated) signal for DNA accessibility (ATAC, nucleosome-free reads <100 bp), H3K27ac (K27ac), H3K4me1 (Kme1), and H3K4me3 (K4me3) at DOCRs that increase (GAIN) accessibility after 24H treatment compared with untreated. B, Heat maps as in A at DOCRs that decrease (LOST) accessibility. Signal spans ±1 kb from the center of the defined DOCR regions and is ranked on the basis of the degree of change in accessibility, where regions at the top have the most change in accessibility. The color scale shows an increase (red) or decrease (blue) in differential signal. Side by side heat maps show differential signal at the 4H and 24H time points. DOCRs are split by genomic category into PROMOTER, GENIC, and INTERGENIC. N is the number of DOCRs in each genomic category. C, Metaplots for ATAC signal and ChIP-seq binding signals of K27ac, K4me1, and K4me3 at GAIN DOCRs. D, Metaplots as in C, LOST DOCRs. Signal includes the untreated state (0) and after 4H and 24H of treatment. Line color density reflects treatment conditions [light (0) to darkest 24H)]. E, Pie charts showing the proportion of DOCRs assigned to various chromatin states using Epilogos https://epilogos.altius.org/. N is the number of DOCRs in each category.
Proteasome Inhibition Reprograms Chromatin Landscape in Breast Cancer
Authors: Kinyamu H. Karimi , Bennett Brian D. , Ward James M. , Archer Trevor K.
Published: April 2024

The 26S proteasome is the major protein degradation machinery in cells. Cancer cells use the proteasome to modulate gene expression networks that promote tumor growth. Proteasome inhibitors have emerged as effective cancer therapeutics, but how they work mechanistically remains unclear. Here, using integrative genomic analysis, we discovered unexpected reprogramming of the chromatin landscape and RNA polymerase II (RNAPII) transcription initiation in breast cancer cells treated with the proteasome inhibitor MG132. The cells acquired dynamic changes in chromatin accessibility at specific genomic loci termed differentially open chromatin regions (DOCR). DOCRs with decreased accessibility were promoter proximal and exhibited unique chromatin architecture associated with divergent RNAPII transcription. Conversely, DOCRs with increased accessibility were primarily distal to transcription start sites and enriched in oncogenic superenhancers predominantly accessible in non-basal breast tumor subtypes. These findings describe the mechanisms by which the proteasome modulates the expression of gene networks intrinsic to breast cancer biology.

Significance:

Our study provides a strong basis for understanding the mechanisms by which proteasome inhibitors exert anticancer effects. We find open chromatin regions that change during proteasome inhibition, are typically accessible in non-basal breast cancers.
Soluble and insoluble fibre sources in weaning piglets’ diets
Authors: Spagnol Rafaela Santos , Medeiros Janaina Martins de , Borba Anderson , Schneider Luciane Inês , Klein Daniela Regina , Quadros Arlei Rodrigues Bonet de , Gewehr Clóvis Eliseu , Oliveira Vladimir de
Published: April 2024

This study evaluated the effect of diets containing low levels of soluble and insoluble fiber sources on performance, diarrhea score, chemical and physical characteristics of feces, and behavior in weaning piglets. Thirty-six weaned piglets of 30 days of age with an initial body weight of 8.8 kg were distributed in 36 pens using a completely randomized design in an experimental period of 21 days. The experimental treatments were the Control diet (CONT), the Control diet + 1% beet pulp inclusion (SBP), and the Control diet + 1% lignocellulose inclusion (LCE, Arbocel®). Feed and water were available ad libitum. Body weight and feed intake were measured weekly to calculate the average daily intake, weight gain, and feed conversion ratio. The fecal consistency was determined visually twice daily, classifying feces according to three scores. To determine fecal pH and concentration of fecal short-chain fatty acids (SCFA), samples of fresh feces were collected two weeks after weaning and measured by a digital pH meter and gas chromatography, respectively. The behavior of piglets was observed once a week, using four animals per treatment, from 14:00 to 16:00, every 12 min. Fibre sources had no effect (P>0.05) on performance, except in the period 15 to 21 days after weaning, which was a tendency (P=0.061) of feed intake decrease in SBP and LCE diets. Fiber sources did not affect the fecal consistency score (P>0.05). However, piglets fed SBP and LCE showed a tendency (P<0.10) to have less diarrhea incidence 15 to 21 days post-weaning and in the entire experimental period. Fecal pH and SCFA concentration were not influenced by fiber source (P>0.05), with acetic, propionic, and butyric acids representing around 71%, 19%, and 10% of the total, respectively. Fiber sources did not influence the social and feeding behavior of weaning piglets (P>0.05). Diets containing 1% fiber sources did not alter performance, diarrhea score, fecal pH, fecal SCFA concentration, or feeding and social behavior of weaned piglets.
A influência de John Hughlings Jackson na obra sobre a concepção das afasias de Sigmund Freud
Authors: Kurcgant Daniela , Machline Vera Cecília
Published: April 2024

O lançamento em 2013 da obra – até então inédita no Brasil – Sobre a concepção das afasias: Um estudo crítico disponibilizou pela primeira vez em português o texto integral de um estudo ainda pouco conhecido de Sigmund Freud (1856-1939). Entre outros assuntos, essa obra traz certas idéias de Freud acerca do sistema nervoso que posteriormente se provaram crucias para o surgimento da Psicanálise. Como será visto aqui, no estudo em questão, Freud realiza uma transição importante ao se opor às doutrinas “localizacionistas” então hegemônicas. Mais precisamente, partindo de uma explicação localizacionista para a afasia, na qual a linguagem supostamente seria regulada por uma estrutura única do sistema nervoso, Freud chega a uma compreensão mais ampla desse distúrbio ao introduzir o conceito de afasia central. A grande novidade é que Freud passa a contar com a mediação de um sistema nervoso globalizado, com centros nervosos hierarquizados mas interconectados, o que contribuíra para uma nova compreensão da mente humana. O modelo de sistema nervoso adotado por Freud foi claramente influenciado pelo médico e neurologista inglês John Hughlings Jackson (1835-1911). Este, por sua vez, baseado nas idéias evolucionistas da época, propôs novas teorias sobre o funcionamento do sistema nervoso, assim como explicações inauditas para afasias, epilepsias e outras doenças neurológicas.
Arqueologia, craniometria e inteligência: notas a partir das escavações no Brasil dos oitocentos
Authors: Calazans Marília Oliveira
Published: April 2024

Neste artigo, propomos investigar como estas teorias gerais da ciência ocidental influenciaram e refletiram em um contexto bastante específico: as escavações arqueológicas realizadas no Brasil entre as décadas de 1840 e 1890, conduzidas por investigadores brasileiros e estrangeiros, vinculados a instituições diversas. As publicações destas pesquisas compuseram uma ideia do que seria o homem préhistórico brasileiro, em sua antiguidade, modo de vida e características raciais e intelectuais. Estas últimas seriam inferidas a partir do entrecruzamento de quatro dados fundamentais, a saber: (i) capacidade craniana; (ii) produção artefatual associada aos esqueletos; (iii) dados etnográficos e – arrisque-se – (iv) uma preconcepção do que deveria ser este homem pré-histórico.
Neurociência (s): a divulgação científica entre a utopia e a distopia
Authors: Couto Rita C. C. M.
Published: April 2024

O texto tece considerações sobre a divulgação e a apropriação histórico-social do resultado das pesquisas em Neurociência, que é plural por englobar distintas áreas do conhecimento. Ao discorrer sobre seu o papel, enquanto prática científica, o aspecto utópico da visão entorno da mesma é salientado, ao mesmo tempo em que a distopia mostra-se como contraponto da utopia. O aspecto distópico apresentado é o “fantasma” da Eugenia, que para ser evitado demanda constantes discussões sobre Neuroética, como defende o neurocientista e divulgador brasileiro Roberto Lent, para o qual a ciência deve ser divulgada e discutida, pois a sociedade é responsável por ela.
Notas sobre o conceito de consicência em Sartre
Authors: Ferreira Francisco R. Monte
Published: April 2024

O objetivo do presente texto é examinar a construção do conceito de consciência na obra de Jean-Paul Sartre (1905-1980). Partiremos da definição fenomenológica de consciência inaugurada por Edmund G. A. Husserl (1859-1938), bem como, a definição de consciência irrefletida e consciência reflexionante proposta por Sartre, no intuito de demonstrar o caminho percorrido pelo filósofo francês na constituição da noção de consciência mostrando que não há necessidade de um Eu na estrutura da atividade da consciência de segundo grau. Incluímos em nossa análise a caracterização de dubitabilidade dos estados, ações e qualidades, e conseqüentemente, a dubitabilidade do ego transcendente e uma nova resignificação para o cogito cartesiano.
Hobbes, Locke, and the Christian Commonwealth
Authors: Stanton Timothy , Stuart-Buttle Tim
Published: April 2024

Locke refrained from engaging explicitly with Hobbes in any of his writings. Locke’s policy of non-engagement should be interpreted, we argue, neither as evidence of his lack of interest in (or ignorance of) Hobbes’s arguments, nor as an attempt to conceal from the uninitiated Locke’s covert Hobbesian commitments. Locke’s silence reveals rather than conceals. What it reveals is an absolute determination to “distinguish between the business of civil government and that of religion, and to mark the true bounds between them”. Approached in this way, precisely because Locke’s account of the “business of civil government” says nothing about ecclesiastical government, the second of Two Treatises can be read, in its entirety, as a powerful critical response to Hobbes. To see why, it is necessary to grasp that Part iii of Leviathan (“Of a Christian Common-wealth”) is integral to Hobbes’s positive argumentative purposes in the work.
Sedum xunvense, a new species from Southeast China
Authors: CHAI MAO-LIN , WU YA-MENG , ZHANG YANG , PU JIN-BAO , CHEN BIN , XU YUE-LIANG , LI PAN
Published: April 2024

In this paper, Sedum xunvense is described as a new species from Zhejiang, Southeast China. Sedum xunvense is morphologically similar to S. formosanum, but the latter differs in clustered and robust stems (vs. solitary, slender), green or slightly red smooth stems and inflorescence rachises (vs. purple-red and ribbed), thick and succulent leaves (vs. thin), yellow anthers (vs. reddish-brown), erect follicles (vs. oblique), and is found in dry habitats in rock crevices (vs. damp ravines, rocks and mossy thickets). A reconstructed ML phylogeny of Sedum, based on nrITS sequence data, strongly suggests that S. xunvense forms an independent clade that is sister to a larger clade of many species, including S. formosanum.
All Cuban Calycolpus are really Eugenia (Myrtaceae)
Authors: RAMOS ZENIA ACOSTA , GARCÍA-BELTRÁN JOSÉ ANGEL
Published: April 2024

A taxonomically controversial group of Cuban Myrtaceae is that of the species of Calycolpus Berg (1855-1856: 378) as defined by Johannes Bisse (Flickinger et al. 2020). Initially, Bisse (1983) transferred to Calycolpus five species from eastern Cuba, which share axillary, umbelliform inflorescences, 4-6-seeded fruits with soft coverings, and a type of venation observed in the type species of Calycolpus, in which the basal lateral nerves are recurved. Of these species, four were described in Eugenia Linnaeus (1753: 470) [E. cristalensis Urban, E. excisa Urban, E. lucens Alain and E. nipensis Urban] and one in Psidium Linnaeus (1753: 470) [P. reversum Urb.]. With such combinations to Calycolpus, Bisse (1983) elimnated from the extensive listing of Eugenia from the flora of Cuba the species containing more than one seed in each fruit, while considering that he cleared the diffuse concept of this genus as it had been approached by Alain (1953a).
Why Surirella amphioxys is not an Iconella (Bacillariophyceae)
Authors: KUSBER WOLF-HENNING , ROLFING JOSEFA BO , ABARCA NÉLIDA , JAHN REGINE
Published: April 2024

In a floristic paper by Kryvosheia & Kasputin (2019), Iconella amphioxys (W.Sm.) D.Kasputin & Kryvosheia was proposed as a new combination for Surirella amphioxys W.Sm. Aim of our correspondence is a taxonomic evaluation of its identity, classification, as well as an assessment of knowledge gaps by comparing different resources (English 2011, Hofmann et al. 2011, Jahn et al. 2017, Krammer and Lange-Bertalot 1988, Lange-Bertalot et al. 2017, Lange-Bertalot and Krammer 1987, Ruck et al. 2016, Smith 1856).
Level of Satisfaction in Higher Education L&T Based on VLE Functionalities: A COVID-19 Perspective
Authors: Singh Saurabh , Tripathi L. K. , Karia Snehal
Published: April 2024

The problem of the sudden transition from offline to online due to COVID-19 was not easy and may involve significant challenges; faculty members are critical for the success of any university and their satisfaction does matter for online education. The purpose of this research was to determine the factors influencing the satisfaction of the faculty in the virtual learning environment and to focus on the responses of faculty members to the pandemic and their satisfaction levels due to challenges and benefits that faculty members faced during the initial phase of the COVID-19 outbreak. The six factors include flexibility, training, institutional factors, ease of use, technical factors and personal or psychological factors were utilised to understand the satisfaction levels of the instructors concerning the usage of the virtual instructional platforms. The hypothesis testing of the factors was conducted and different tests, that is, regression analysis, analysis of variance (ANOVA) and Cronbach alpha were utilised for analysing the data. Data were collected from 300 academic staff members from varied colleges and universities of Maharashtra and Madhya Pradesh. The results indicated that all the factors have a significant impact on the satisfaction levels of the academic staff members. Moreover, respondents opined about the challenges faced by the instructors in conducting online classes could be eased out via obtaining adequate training in batches from the academic institutions for the smooth conduct of the online sessions without any hindrances.
Weaving Futures: Enhancing Learning and Innovation Capabilities of Rural Women in the MSME Textile Sector
Authors: Mishra Oly
Published: April 2024

Purpose: Industrialization has led to centralized development, urbanization, migration and concentration of people in selected areas, that is, cities. The current model of development is not a sustainable one. While progress has been made through this model, it has also increased social inequalities, damaged health and caused irreversible depletion of the natural environment. The need of the hour is to create a new model of development to achieve sustainable development across rural and semi-urban regions. Objective: The objective of the new development model is to find out the relation between learning and innovation capability on the customer-based performance of a textile-based micro, small and medium enterprise (MSME). The research questions that will be answered are how rural women working in textile MSMEs can improve their learning and innovation capabilities? What is the impact of learning and innovation capabilities on the customer-based performance of the MSMEs? Methodology: The research method used for this study was based on primary data collected from the stakeholders of rural textile-based MSMEs and secondary data. Findings and Suggestions: The paper suggests that localized micro-factories enable people to stay close to their roots. The need of the hour is to train people with the required skill sets. The learning and innovation capability of the MSMEs reflects on their customer-based performance. The implementation of advanced technology will make localized micro-factories profitable. These technologies will provide services to citizens efficiently and equitably. The proposed smart cities will have to create more equitable and symbiotic relationships with the surrounding semi-urban and rural areas. The emphasis should be on learning new techniques of production using locally available resources. Once the new techniques have been learned, the company should be able to implement them innovatively to improve its customer experience.
Vertical distribution characteristics and potential sources of atmospheric pollutants in the North China Plain basing on the MAX-DOAS measurement
Authors: Liu Guohua , Wang Yu
Published: April 2024

The mechanism for the generation of atmospheric pollution sources can be further investigated through the examination of atmospheric evolution and diffusion characteristics. The authors of this study conducted a 3-month MAX-DOAS (multi-axis differential optical absorption spectroscopy) vertical observation in Shijiazhuang City, North China Plain, in the summer of 2020 in response to the long-standing air pollution issues in the region. The vertical distribution profiles of aerosol, NO2, HCHO, and CHOCHO were generated, and the inversion findings showed good agreement with the TROPOMI (tropospheric monitoring instrument) satellite remote sensing validation, demonstrating the validity and accuracy of the observations. The near-surface boundary layer is home to the majority of the NO2, HCHO, and CHOCHO species. The species’ daytime evolution trends varied, with the highest NO2 peaks occurring in the morning and evening commute, the highest HCHO peaks occurring in the morning at 10:00 a.m., and CHOCHO's concentration during the day declined. Two minor aerosol pollution processes took place in Shijiazhuang City during the summer observation period. The elevated concentrations of NO2, CO, and the PM2.5/PM10 ratio during the pollution processes suggest that anthropogenic emissions, particularly biomass burning, were responsible for the large number of fine particles generated during the pollution events. Based on the examination of pollutant concentration profiles and meteorological data, it was determined that local emissions and north wind transport were the primary causes of Shijiazhuang's high NO2 values. Meanwhile, the southern region of Shijiazhuang was primarily responsible for the majority of the potential sources of atmospheric HCHO, and local emissions were also a major factor affecting the high CHOCHO values. Shijiazhuang's local near-surface volatile organic compounds (VOCs) are mostly caused by human emissions, although biomass burning and its regional transportation have a greater influence on the middle and upper boundary layers. This study systematically sorted the evolution characteristics and potential sources of pollutants in Shijiazhuang City during the summer based on the joint observations of various pollutants, including NO2, HCHO, and CHOCHO. These results can be used to support the development of appropriate policies for the prevention and control of pollutants in the Shijiazhuang local area of the North China Plain.
Identification of skewed X chromosome inactivation using exome and transcriptome sequencing in patients with suspected rare genetic disease
Authors: Fadra Numrah , Schultz-Rogers Laura E , Chanana Pritha , Cousin Margot A , Macke Erica L , Ferrer Alejandro , Pinto e Vairo Filippo , Olson Rory J , Oliver Gavin R , Mulvihill Lindsay A , Jenkinson Garrett , Klee Eric W
Published: April 2024

Background

X-chromosome inactivation (XCI) is an epigenetic process that occurs during early development in mammalian females by randomly silencing one of two copies of the X chromosome in each cell. The preferential inactivation of either the maternal or paternal copy of the X chromosome in a majority of cells results in a skewed or non-random pattern of X inactivation and is observed in over 25% of adult females. Identifying skewed X inactivation is of clinical significance in patients with suspected rare genetic diseases due to the possibility of biased expression of disease-causing genes present on the active X chromosome. The current clinical test for the detection of skewed XCI relies on the methylation status of the methylation-sensitive restriction enzyme (Hpall) binding site present in proximity of short tandem polymorphic repeats on the androgen receptor (AR) gene. This approach using one locus results in uninformative or inconclusive data for 10–20% of tests. Further, recent studies have shown inconsistency between methylation of the AR locus and the state of inactivation of the X chromosome. Herein, we develop a method for estimating X inactivation status, using exome and transcriptome sequencing data derived from blood in 227 female samples. We built a reference model for evaluation of XCI in 135 females from the GTEx consortium. We tested and validated the model on 11 female individuals with different types of undiagnosed rare genetic disorders who were clinically tested for X-skew using the AR gene assay and compared results to our outlier-based analysis technique.

Results

In comparison to the AR clinical test for identification of X inactivation, our method was concordant with the AR method in 9 samples, discordant in 1, and provided a measure of X inactivation in 1 sample with uninformative clinical results. We applied this method on an additional 81 females presenting to the clinic with phenotypes consistent with different hereditary disorders without a known genetic diagnosis.

Conclusions

This study presents the use of transcriptome and exome sequencing data to provide an accurate and complete estimation of X-inactivation and skew status in a cohort of female patients with different types of suspected rare genetic disease.
Integrated analysis of metabolome, transcriptome, and bioclimatic factors of Acer truncatum seeds reveals key candidate genes related to unsaturated fatty acid biosynthesis, and potentially optimal production area
Authors: Li Yang , Kong Fan , Wu Shangwei , Song Wenjin , Shao Yang , Kang Min , Chen Tiantian , Peng Liping , Shu Qingyan
Published: April 2024

Background

Lipids found in plant seeds are essential for controlling seed dormancy, dispersal, and defenses against biotic and abiotic stress. Additionally, these lipids provide nutrition and energy and are therefore important to the human diet as edible oils. Acer truncatum, which belongs to the Aceaceae family, is widely cultivated around the world for its ornamental value. Further because its seed oil is rich in unsaturated fatty acids (UFAs)- i.e. α-linolenic acid (ALA) and nervonic acid (NA)- and because it has been validated as a new food resource in China, the importance of A. truncatum has greatly risen. However, it remains unknown how UFAs are biosynthesized during the growth season, to what extent environmental factors impact their content, and what areas are potentially optimal for their production.

Results

In this study, transcriptome and metabolome of A. truncatum seeds at three representative developmental stages was used to find the accumulation patterns of all major FAs. Cumulatively, 966 metabolites and 87,343 unigenes were detected; the differential expressed unigenes and metabolites were compared between stages as follows: stage 1 vs. 2, stage 1 vs. 3, and stage 2 vs. 3 seeds, respectively. Moreover, 13 fatty acid desaturases (FADs) and 20 β-ketoacyl-CoA synthases (KCSs) were identified, among which the expression level of FAD3 (Cluster-7222.41455) and KCS20 (Cluster-7222.40643) were consistent with the metabolic results of ALA and NA, respectively. Upon analysis of the geographical origin-affected diversity from 17 various locations, we found significant variation in phenotypes and UFA content. Notably, in this study we found that 7 bioclimatic variables showed considerable influence on FAs contents in A. truncatum seeds oil, suggesting their significance as critical environmental parameters. Ultimately, we developed a model for potentially ecological suitable regions in China.

Conclusion

This study provides a comprehensive understanding of the relationship between metabolome and transcriptome in A. truncatum at various developmental stages of seeds and a new strategy to enhance seed FA content, especially ALA and NA. This is particularly significant in meeting the increasing demands for high-quality edible oil for human consumption. The study offers a scientific basis for A. truncatum’s novel utilization as a woody vegetable oil rather than an ornamental plant, potentially expanding its cultivation worldwide.
Regular transient limb ischemia improves endothelial function and inhibits endothelial cell apoptosis to prevent atherosclerosis in rabbit
Authors: Zhang Nan-rong , Wen Yi , Li Jing , Zheng Wan-jun , Jin San-qing
Published: April 2024

Aims

Regular transient limb ischemia (RTLI) can prevent atherosclerosis (AS) progression in hypercholesterolemic rabbits. This study aimed to investigate the minimum effective intensity and possible mechanisms of RTLI for preventing atherosclerosis.

Methods

Eighty rabbits were divided into eight groups: normal (N), high cholesterol (H), three RTLI [three RTLI cycles every other day (R3qod), three RTLI cycles daily (R3qd), and six RTLI cycles daily (R6qd), each cycle of RTLI included 5 min of limb ischemia followed by 5 min limb reperfusion], and three correlated sham RTLI [sham ischemia for 30 min once every other day (S3qod), sham ischemia for 30 min once daily (S3qd), and sham ischemia for 60 min once daily (S6qd)]. Rabbits in group N were kept normally, while the others were fed 1% cholesterol diet for 12 weeks. The RTLI and sham RTLI groups were received RTLI or sham RTLI procedure, respectively. The plaque area in the thoracic aorta was determined by oil red O staining, and quantifying the ratio of plaque area to intimal area (PA/IA). Endothelium-dependent and -independent relaxation were also determined. Endothelial cell were isolated from abdominal aorta of rabbits, and the apoptosis ratio was detected using flow cytometry.

Results

The PA/IA and early apoptotic cell ratio was significantly lower as well as the endothelium-dependent relaxation response was higher in group R6qd than those in groups H and S6qd, while those in the R3qod group was not significantly different from those in groups H and S3qod, as well as those in the R3qd group showed no significant difference compared to those in groups H and S3qd.

Conclusions

Six cycles of RTLI daily was the optimal effective intensity to prevent AS progression in rabbits. Endothelial function improvement and apoptosis inhibition might contribute to the anti-AS effects.