bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
English reading performance by Spanish speaking children: A phonologically or semantically mediated pathway?
Authors: Suárez-Coalla Paz , Castejón Luis , Vega-Harwood Marina , Martínez-García Cristina
Published: December 2023

Reading acquisition involves connections between the spoken language and the writing system. The English-language writing system holds an inconsistent alphabetic system, thus encouraging readers to develop representations between the grapheme and the word. Reading in English as a Foreign language supposes a challenge, especially when the reader’s native language is consistent and learners live in a monolingual context, as is the case in Spain. This may cause difficulties in learning the grapheme-phoneme-conversion-rules and using different grain size units. The aim of this study was to address the reading strategies that Spanish children use when reading in English. We considered the influence of word length, lexical frequency, orthographic consistency (in onset, nucleus, coda, and rime), and semantic knowledge on word reading. We analyzed speed and accuracy in a reading aloud task of English words from 94 Spanish-speaking children (fourth, fifth and sixth grade). Participants also completed a translation task into Spanish taken from the previous English ones. Results showed the influence of word length in accuracy, as well as that of children's grade, onset consistency, and semantic knowledge on both accuracy and reading speed. Regarding sublexical units, onset reading accuracy was determined by onset consistency in all grades; nucleus accuracy was determined by rime consistency only in the sixth grade and coda accuracy by rime consistency in the fifth and sixth grades. The present study demonstrates the relevance of Spanish children's semantic knowledge when reading in English. Despite this, and in line with the statistical learning perspective, some regularities are used in correlation with greater reading experience in English.
How do investor characteristics of business angels and venture capitalists predict the occurrence of co-investments?
Authors: Maus Christoph , Greven Andrea , Kurth Niklas , Brettel Malte
Published: December 2023

Business angels (BAs) and venture capitalists (VCs) play major roles in the early funding stages of a venture. Although a significant proportion of venture funding rounds results from multiple investor types, most existing research takes an isolated view of either BAs or VCs. Research on the conditions and reasons for the formation of co-investments by BAs and VCs remains scarce. This study closes this gap by considering the impact of investor characteristics of BAs and VCs on the likelihood of co-investment. We focus on investor reputation, prior investment ties, and geographic proximity between the new venture and the investor. We address the questions of how these investor characteristics predict the probability of a co-investment between BAs and VCs in the first funding round of a new venture. Relying on the resource-based view and agency theory, we examine conditions that are in place when the two types of investors co-invest. Using a large-scale dataset with more than 7300 funding rounds of US-based ventures between the years 2005 and 2017, we find support for our hypotheses that investor reputation, prior investment ties, and geographical proximity impact the likelihood of co-investment and that these associations differ depending on the investor type.
Identifying mindsets for urban sustainability transformation: insights from Urban Labs
Authors: Guerra Flávia , Syed M. Danial
Published: December 2023

Increasing calls for transformation to address climate change and related challenges underscore the societal imperative to shift from mindsets that drive environmentally unsustainable and socially unjust processes to mindsets that enable urban sustainability transformations. However, it is not always clear what such mindsets comprise, if and how they can be shifted and under which conditions. Fragmented understandings of the concept of mindsets across disciplines and limited empirical analysis beyond Europe and North America have hindered progress in this field. To address these gaps, this article proposes a novel conceptual and analytical framework for identifying mindsets. The framework is applied to data collected from an exploratory survey involving over 150 participants from five Urban Labs in Argentina, Brazil and Mexico. Through cluster analysis, three distinct personas are identified: the Skeptical Activist, the Optimist Technocrat and the Bystander with Mixed Feelings. These are fictional characters that represent groups of individuals with defining mindsets, demographic characteristics, capacities, trust levels and network features. Results offer valuable insights into the emotions, beliefs, values, perceptions, attitudes and worldviews that guide the behavior of diverse stakeholders, from policymakers to often marginalized community groups, in urban climate governance. Despite its limitations, namely the relative homogeneity of our non-randomized sample, the article advances the understanding of the human dimension of climate change and its interlinkages with urban development goals. It also proposes social innovation strategies to trigger mindset shifts, foster climate action and accelerate urban sustainability transformations.
Validation of a design orientation scale in the trade and tourism sectors and assessment of its impact on firms’ performance
Authors: Cantó-Primo Mónica , Gil-Saura Irene , Frasquet-Deltoro Marta
Published: December 2023

The aim of this paper is to validate a multidimensional measurement of design orientation and test its links with marketing design integration and competitive advantage in trade and tourism companies. Structural equations modelling was used to analyse data from 421 service firms. The results show that design orientation helps firms to achieve a competitive advantage and thus improve their relationship with service users and their business effectiveness. This study provides trade and tourism firms with an instrument to accomplish design orientation by assessing its constituent dimensions.
Study on Phase Electromigration and Segregation Behavior of Cu-Cored Sn-58Bi Solder Interconnects under Electric Current Stressing
Authors: Liang Shuibao , Jiang Han , Huang Jiaqiang
Published: December 2023

Cu-cored solder interconnects have been demonstrated to increase the performance of interconnect structures, while the quantitative understanding of the effect of the Cu-cored structure on microstructure evolution and atomic migration in solder interconnects is still limited. In this work, the effect of the Cu-cored structure on phase migration and segregation behavior of Sn-58Bi solder interconnects under electric current stressing is quantitatively studied using a developed phase field model. Severe phase segregation and redistribution of Bi-rich phase are observed in the Cu-cored Sn-58Bi interconnects due to the more pronounced current crowding effect near the Cu core periphery. The average current density and temperature gradient in Sn-rich phase and Bi-rich phase decrease with an increase in the diameter of the Cu core. The temperature gradient caused by Joule heating is significantly reduced owing to the presence of the Cu core. Embedding of the Cu core in the solder matrix could weaken the directional diffusion flux of Bi atoms, so that the enrichment and segregation of the Bi phase towards the anode side are significantly reduced. Furthermore, the voltage across the solder interconnects is correspondingly changed due to the phase migration and redistribution.
Wie geeignet ist der Strafvollzug für die Aufnahme psychisch kranker Rechtsbrecher?
Authors: Konrad Norbert
Published: December 2023

Die Umsetzung des von der DGSP e. V. in Auftrag gegebenen Positionspapiers mit Abschaffung der Schuldfähigkeitsbestimmungen (§§ 20, 21 StGB) und der psychiatrischen Maßregeln (§§ 63, 64 StGB) würde in Deutschland zur Folge haben, dass die weit überwiegende Mehrzahl psychisch kranker Rechtsbrecher aufgrund der Schwere des Anlassdelikts nun mit Freiheitsstrafen in Strafvollzugsinstitutionen untergebracht würde. Dort bestehen zwar Erfahrungen im Umgang mit psychisch Kranken, die jedoch im Justizvollzug aus verschiedenen Gründen eine schlechtere Versorgungsqualität und insbesondere geringere Rehabilitationschancen zu befürchten hätten. Aus Sicht des Autors sollte statt einer Abschaffung der psychiatrischen Maßregeln eine Flexibilisierung geschaffen werden, und auch zur Entlastung der psychiatrischen Krankenhäuser eine Revitalisierung der nie in Kraft getretenen Maßregel der Unterbringung in einer sozialtherapeutischen Anstalt, wodurch die Maßregel der Sicherungsverwahrung abgeschafft werden könnte.
Homology of the pronilpotent completion and cotorsion groups
Authors: Basok Mikhail , Ivanov Sergei O. , Mikhailov Roman
Published: December 2023

For a non-cyclic free group F, the second homology of its pronilpotent completion $${H_2}(\widehat F)$$

H
2

(

F
^

)
is not a cotorsion group.
Evaluating the Role of N-Acetyl-L-Tryptophan in the Aβ 1-42-Induced Neuroinflammation and Cognitive Decline in Alzheimer’s Disease
Authors: Satarker Sairaj , Gurram Prasada Chowdari , Nassar Ajmal , Manandhar Suman , Vibhavari RJA , Yarlagadda Dani Lakshman , Mudgal Jayesh , Lewis Shaila , Arora Devinder , Nampoothiri Madhavan
Published: December 2023

Alzheimer’s disease (AD), a neurodegenerative condition previously known to affect the older population, is also now seen in younger individuals. AD is often associated with cognitive decline and neuroinflammation elevation primarily due to amyloid β (Aβ) accumulation. Multiple pathological complications in AD call for therapies with a wide range of neuroprotection. Our study aims to evaluate the effect of N-acetyl-L-tryptophan (NAT) in ameliorating the cognitive decline and neuroinflammation induced by Aβ 1-42 oligomers and to determine the therapeutic concentration of NAT in the brain. We administered Aβ 1-42 oligomers in rats via intracerebroventricular (i.c.v.) injection to induce AD-like conditions. The NAT-treated animals lowered the cognitive decline in the Morris water maze characterized by shorter escape latency and increased path efficiency and platform entries. Interestingly, the hippocampus and frontal cortex showed downregulation of tumor necrosis factor, interleukin-6, and substance P levels. NAT treatment also reduced acetylcholinesterase activity and total and phosphorylated nuclear factor kappa B and Tau levels. Lastly, we observed upregulation of cAMP response element-binding protein 1 (CREB1) signaling. Surprisingly, our HPLC method was not sensitive enough to detect the therapeutic levels of NAT in the brain, possibly due to NAT concentrations being below the lowest limit of quantification of our validated method. To summarize, the administration of NAT significantly lowered cognitive decline, neuroinflammatory pathways, and Tau protein and triggered the upregulation of CREB1 signaling, suggesting its neuroprotective role in AD-like conditions.
Person-organization fit in Japan: A longitudinal study of the effects of clan culture and interdependence on employee well-being
Authors: Watanabe Y. , Takemura K. , Nakayama M. , Gobel M. S. , Domae H. , Uchida Y.
Published: December 2023

Studies of person-organization fit (P-O fit) have shown that a fit between the values of the individual and the values of the organization leads to higher job satisfaction. Here, we extended past research by investigating P-O fit on employees’ well-being. We tested what characteristics of the person and the organization contributed to an effective P-O fit in Japan. Specifically, we examined the role of employees’ levels of interdependence and perceptions of their organizational contexts as clan culture or market culture. This allowed us to test what type of organizational culture formed an effective P-O fit for employees with highly interdependent cultural values in Japan. A longitudinal survey of 456 workers in Japan conducted in 2021 and 2022 revealed that clan culture—organizational culture emphasizing interpersonal harmony—was positively related to employees’ well-being, and the effects were stronger for employees with high levels of interdependence. Conversely, market culture—organizational culture emphasizing competition and achievement—was unrelated to employees’ well-being. In fact, it was negatively related to those employees’ well-being who scored high on interdependence. Taken together, these results showed that the effects of organizational culture on employees’ well-being depended on the levels of their interdependence. It seems that interdependence (P) and clan culture (O) provide an ideal P-O fit for Japanese companies.
Who are the Happy Girls? Gender Comparison Using a Biopsychosocial Approach: Health Behavior School-Aged Children Study in Portugal During Covid-Pandemic
Authors: Gaspar Tania , Carvalho Marina , Guedes Fábio Botelho , Cerqueira Ana , de Matos Margarida Gaspar
Published: December 2023

From an ecological perspective, this study aimed to understand and characterize the similarities and differences between girls and boys regarding the perception of happiness. This paper is based on the Health Behaviour in School-aged Children (HBSC) 2022 study. 5809 students from 6th (29.6%), 8th (33.5%), and 10th (37%) grades responded, of whom 50.9% were female, with a mean age of 14.09 years (SD = 1.82). The results allow us to study and identify similarities and differences between four groups from an ecological perspective: happy girls, happy boys, unhappy girls, and unhappy boys. For both boys and girls, quality of life, low psychological symptoms, and body image best explain their well-being. Among unhappy girls, the mother's job, life satisfaction, health literacy, communication with the father, and relationship with teachers explain their well-being. In the case of unhappy boys, in addition to these variables, the father's job and the relationship with the family also explain their well-being.. Mental health factors, such as life satisfaction, quality of life, and low psychological symptoms, explain well-being in both boys and girls. For happy girls, age, mother's job, stress management, health literacy, and liking school explain their well-being. Happy boys report that not being so sad that they cannot stand it, not having worries, having a good relationship with teachers, and feeling safe in their living area contribute to their well-being. We conclude that unhappy adolescents are the ones who report more socioeconomic and family relationship difficulties, especially in communication with their fathers. Girls have weaker psychological health indicators and a more negative body image.
School-Based Screening of Social Determinants of Health: A Scoping Review
Authors: Koslouski Jessica B. , Chafouleas Sandra M. , Briesch Amy M. , Caemmerer Jacqueline M. , Perry Hannah Y. , Oas Julia , Xiong Scarlett S. , Charamut Natalie R.
Published: December 2023

School-based screening instruments have traditionally focused on assessing within-child factors, such as a student’s academic, social, emotional, behavioral, or physical development. This emphasis in school-based screening may be a missed opportunity to assess and ameliorate contextual factors (i.e., social determinants of health) influencing child development. In this scoping review, we aim to describe the current landscape of screening for social determinants of health (SDOH) in school settings. Following established practices for scoping reviews, we searched PsycInfo, ERIC, and CINAHL Plus in December 2022 for articles describing the development or use of an SDOH measure in a school setting. From each eligible article, two coders independently extracted (1) study characteristics, (2) measure characteristics, (3) available psychometric or usability information, and (4) reported outcomes of measure implementation. Descriptive and content analyses were used to examine data. We identified six articles describing the development or use of SDOH measures in elementary, high school, or university settings. These articles yielded six unique SDOH measures, intended for either adolescent or young adult self-report, caregiver proxy-report, or both. Measures included 6–25 SDOH items, with additional items assessing demographics, health behaviors, or mental health (e.g., depression). Reported outcomes included increased referrals to services and implementation of school-based supports to reduce social risk (e.g., school food pantry). We discuss next steps for research evaluating the feasibility and social consequences of school-based SDOH screening.
Superior antibody and membrane protein-specific T-cell responses to CoronaVac by intradermal versus intramuscular routes in adolescents
Authors: Rosa Duque Jaime S. , Cheng Samuel M. S. , Cohen Carolyn A. , Leung Daniel , Wang Xiwei , Mu Xiaofeng , Chung Yuet , Lau Tsun Ming , Wang Manni , Zhang Wenyue , Zhang Yanmei , Wong Howard H. W. , Tsang Leo C. H. , Chaothai Sara , Kwan Tsz Chun , Li John K. C. , Chan Karl C. K. , Luk Leo L. H. , Ho Jenson C. H. , Li Wing Yan , Lee Amos M. T. , Lam Jennifer H. Y. , Chan Sau Man , Wong Wilfred H. S. , Tam Issan Y. S. , Mori Masashi , Valkenburg Sophie A. , Peiris Malik , Tu Wenwei , Lau Yu Lung
Published: December 2023

Background

Optimising the immunogenicity of COVID-19 vaccines to improve their protection against disease is necessary. Fractional dosing by intradermal (ID) administration has been shown to be equally immunogenic as intramuscular (IM) administration for several vaccines, but the immunogenicity of ID inactivated whole severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) at the full dose is unknown. This study (NCT04800133) investigated the superiority of antibody and T-cell responses of full-dose CoronaVac by ID over IM administration in adolescents.

Methods

Participants aged 11–17 years received two doses of IM or ID vaccine, followed by the 3rd dose 13–42 days later. Humoral and cellular immunogenicity outcomes were measured post-dose 2 (IM-CC versus ID-CC) and post-dose 3 (IM-CCC versus ID-CCC). Doses 2 and 3 were administered to 173 and 104 adolescents, respectively.

Results

Spike protein (S) immunoglobulin G (IgG), S-receptor-binding domain (RBD) IgG, S IgG Fcγ receptor IIIa (FcγRIIIa)-binding, SNM [sum of individual (S), nucleocapsid protein (N), and membrane protein (M) peptide pool]-specific interleukin-2 (IL-2)+CD4+, SNM-specific IL-2+CD8+, S-specific IL-2+CD8+, N-specific IL-2+CD4+, N-specific IL-2+CD8+ and M-specific IL-2+CD4+ responses fulfilled the superior and non-inferior criteria for ID-CC compared to IM-CC, whereas IgG avidity was inferior. For ID-CCC, S-RBD IgG, surrogate virus neutralisation test, 90% plaque reduction neutralisation titre (PRNT90), PRNT50, S IgG avidity, S IgG FcγRIIIa-binding, M-specific IL-2+CD4+, interferon-γ+CD8+ and IL-2+CD8+ responses were superior and non-inferior to IM-CCC. The estimated vaccine efficacies were 49%, 52%, 66% and 79% for IM-CC, ID-CC, IM-CCC and ID-CCC, respectively. The ID groups reported more local, mild adverse reactions.

Conclusion

This is the first study to demonstrate superior antibody and M-specific T-cell responses by ID inactivated SARS-CoV-2 vaccination and serves as the basis for future research to improve the immunogenicity of inactivated vaccines.

Graphical abstract
Examining the Links Between Positive Mental Health and Mindful Parenting During COVID-19 Pandemic in a Sample of Portuguese New Mothers: The Mediating Role of Parenting Stress
Authors: Oliveira Mariana , Chorão Ana L. , Canavarro Maria C. , Pires Raquel
Published: December 2023

Objectives

This study aimed to explore the association between positive mental health and mindful parenting among Portuguese new mothers by analyzing the mediating role of parenting stress. The moderating role of the perceived impact of COVID-19 on this association was also explored.

Method

Sample collection occurred between November 2020 and March 2021. Data from 142 women with a child aged up to 2 years old were collected online through self-report measures. Simple mediation and moderated mediation models were employed while controlling for maternal sociodemographic and health-related data.

Results

After controlling for the number of children and clinically significant symptoms of anxiety and depression, lower levels of maternal positive mental health were associated with lower levels of mindful parenting through higher levels of parenting stress. The association between positive mental health and parenting stress was more pronounced when mothers perceived the impact of COVID-19 as negative.

Conclusions

Our results suggest the relevance of positive dimensions of maternal mental health during early parenting. These appear to contribute to parenting stress, especially under stressful perceived circumstances such as those related to the COVID-19 pandemic, and to maternal mindful parenting skills. It seems important to assess and intervene early in women’s positive mental health and parenting stress, even in the absence of psychopathology, so that new mothers are more likely to adopt adaptive parenting approaches, such as mindful parenting.

Preregistration

This study is not preregistered.
Ultra-micro instrument in laparoscopic transabdominal preperitoneal (TAPP) hernioplasty
Authors: Fan Xinqi , Ding Yongyong , Sun Nianfeng , Chen Yigang
Published: December 2023

This study aimed to explore the feasibility of ultra-micro instruments in the laparoscopic repair of inguinal indirect hernia. This retrospective study included 83 patients with an indirect inguinal hernia who underwent elective surgery from January 2020 to December 2021. All patients were divided into the traditional laparoscopic group and ultra-micro laparoscopic group. The data on operation time, blood loss, ventilation time, hospital stays, complication, postoperative pain degree was collected and compared between the two groups. Of these 83 patients, 25 assigned to the ultra-micro group used ultra-micro instruments while 58 were assigned to the traditional group. The traditional group had a lower mean operation time (57.07 min) than the ultra-micro group (69.60 min) p < 0.05, while ultra-micro group patients had a shorter hospital stay (2 days) than the traditional group (3 days) p < 0.05. The ultra-micro group experienced significantly less pain for 6 h, 1 day, and 2 days postoperatively (2, 1, 0 points) compared to the traditional group (4, 2, 1 points) p < 0.05. There was no significant difference in blood loss, ventilation time, or complication between the two groups. Using ultra-micro instruments is safe and feasible. Patients have less postoperative pain and a smaller incision than the traditional laparoscopic instrument. It is worthy of clinical promotion.
ApoE—functionalization of nanoparticles for targeted brain delivery—a feasible method for polyplexes?
Authors: Hartl Natascha , Gabold Bettina , Uhl Philipp , Kromer Adrian , Xiao Ximian , Fricker Gert , Mier Walter , Liu Runhui , Merkel Olivia M.
Published: December 2023

The blood–brain barrier (BBB) poses a major obstacle in the treatment of all types of central nervous system (CNS) diseases. Small interfering RNA (siRNA) offers in principle a promising therapeutic approach by downregulating disease-related genes via RNA interference. However, the BBB is a formidable barrier for macromolecules such as nucleic acids. In an effort to develop a brain-targeted strategy for siRNA delivery systems formed by electrostatic interactions with cationic polymers (polyplexes (PXs)), we investigated the suitability of the well-known surfactant-based approach for Apolipoprotein E (ApoE)-functionalization of nanoparticles (NPs). The aim of this present work was to investigate if ApoE coating of siRNA PXs formed with cationic branched 25-kDa poly(ethyleneimine) (b-PEI) and nylon-3 polymers without or after precoating with polysorbate 80 (PS 80) would promote successful delivery across the BBB. We utilized highly hydrophobic NM0.2/CP0.8 nylon-3 polymers to evaluate the effects of hydrophobic cyclopentyl (CP) subunits on ApoE binding efficacy and observed successful ApoE binding with and without PS 80 precoating to the nylon-3 but not the PEI polyplexes. Accordingly, ApoE-coated nylon-3 polyplexes showed significantly increased uptake and gene silencing in U87 glioma cells but no benefit in vivo. In conclusion, further optimization of ApoE-functionalized polyplexes and more sophisticated in vitro models are required to achieve more successful in vitro-in vivo translation in future approaches.

Graphical abstract
Spatio-temporal analysis of georeferenced time-series applied to structural monitoring
Authors: Barazzetti Luigi
Published: December 2023

Spatio-temporal (S-T) analysis is not typical in structural monitoring applications of buildings and infrastructure. However, monitoring always includes the temporal component, and observations are often captured in specific locations. In other words, a monitoring dataset could also be considered a spatio-temporal archive, notwithstanding that not all monitoring applications can benefit from S-T processing methods. The paper discusses spatio-temporal analysis using the structural monitoring dataset of the Cathedral of Milan, which has an archive of vertical settlements collected from more than 50 years of measurements. The proposed methods can be adapted and extended for other structural monitoring applications, including single buildings, infrastructure, and the environmental level. The cases of pure temporal (T) and spatial (S) analyses are also discussed, comparing the different approaches, illustrating the pros and cons, and describing the opportunities of the S-T combined workflow. The paper specifically focuses on different typologies of S-T processing: data visualization and exploration techniques, clustering, change detection, prediction, and forecasting. The proposed algorithms were all implemented within the open-source programming language. They can be replicated (and adapted) for other structural monitoring datasets featuring spatio-temporal correlation.
The nationalization of the large-scale copper mines in Chile: successful investment or financial failure?
Authors: González Andrés , Sánchez Felipe , Castillo Emilio
Published: December 2023

Between 1967 and 1971, the Chilean government nationalized its large-scale copper mining industry. While this process is widely considered successful given the demonstrated long-term state capacity to profitably operate the assets, the discussion on its net financial convenience has usually been disregarded. Aiming to improve the understanding of this case of resource nationalism, this paper follows two complementary approaches. First, we provide a systematic review of the historical background, development, and short-term impact of the Chilean nationalization, consolidating at the same time the available financial data on fiscal inflows and outflows as part of this process. Secondly, we perform an ex-post NPV assessment using a 10% discount rate over the annual cash flows that the government has perceived from the nationalized mining operations from 1967 to 2022 and compare it with a hypothetical counterfactual scenario in which these mines would have remained privately owned. This yields a higher NPV of the Nationalization compared to the counterfactual. Considering that discount rates above 11.1% or operational cost reductions by 4.5% indicate a net financial loss, the results suggest that, purely from a financial perspective, the nationalization process was marginally positive for the government. We expect that this analysis provides support for a thoughtful mineral policy that contributes to sustainable human and economic development in resource-rich countries.
Tissue-specific populations from amniotic fluid-derived mesenchymal stem cells manifest variant in vitro and in vivo properties
Authors: Liu Nengqing , Cheng Yi , Wang Ding , Guan Hongmei , Chen Diyu , Zeng Juan , Lu Dian , Li Yuanshuai , Yang Yinghong , Luo Qian , Zhu Lifen , Jiang Bin , Sun Xiaofang , Song Bing
Published: December 2023

Amniotic fluid derived mesenchymal stem cells (AFMSCs), shed along the fetal development, exhibit superior multipotency and immunomodulatory properties compared to MSCs derived from other somatic tissues (e.g., bone marrow and fat). However, AFMSCs display heterogeneity due to source ambiguity, making them an underutilized stem cells source for translational clinical trials. Consequently, there is an urgent need to identify a method to purify the AFMSCs for clinical use. We found that the AFMSCs can be categorized into three distinct groups: kidney-specific AFMSCs (AFMSCs-K), lung-specific AFMSCs (AFMSCs-L), and AFMSCs with an undefined tissue source (AFMSCs-X). This classification was based on tissue-specific gene expression pattern of single cell colony. Additionally, we observed that AFMSCs-X, a minority population within the AFMSCs, exhibited the highest multipotency, proliferation, resistance to senescence and immuno-modulation. Our results showed that AFMSCs-X significantly improved survival rates and reduced bacterial colony forming units (CFU) in cecal ligation and puncture (CLP)-induced septic mice. Therefore, our study introduces a novel classification method to enhance the consistency and efficacy of AFMSCs. These subpopulations, originating from different tissue source, may offer a valuable and innovative resource of cells for regenerative medicine purposes.
Recommendations for Women in Mountain Sports and Hypoxia Training/Conditioning
Authors: Burtscher Johannes , Raberin Antoine , Brocherie Franck , Malatesta Davide , Manferdelli Giorgio , Citherlet Tom , Krumm Bastien , Bourdillon Nicolas , Antero Juliana , Rasica Letizia , Burtscher Martin , Millet Grégoire P.
Published: December 2023

The (patho-)physiological responses to hypoxia are highly heterogeneous between individuals. In this review, we focused on the roles of sex differences, which emerge as important factors in the regulation of the body’s reaction to hypoxia. Several aspects should be considered for future research on hypoxia-related sex differences, particularly altitude training and clinical applications of hypoxia, as these will affect the selection of the optimal dose regarding safety and efficiency. There are several implications, but there are no practical recommendations if/how women should behave differently from men to optimise the benefits or minimise the risks of these hypoxia-related practices. Here, we evaluate the scarce scientific evidence of distinct (patho)physiological responses and adaptations to high altitude/hypoxia, biomechanical/anatomical differences in uphill/downhill locomotion, which is highly relevant for exercising in mountainous environments, and potentially differential effects of altitude training in women. Based on these factors, we derive sex-specific recommendations for mountain sports and intermittent hypoxia conditioning: (1) Although higher vulnerabilities of women to acute mountain sickness have not been unambiguously shown, sex-dependent physiological reactions to hypoxia may contribute to an increased acute mountain sickness vulnerability in some women. Adequate acclimatisation, slow ascent speed and/or preventive medication (e.g. acetazolamide) are solutions. (2) Targeted training of the respiratory musculature could be a valuable preparation for altitude training in women. (3) Sex hormones influence hypoxia responses and hormonal-cycle and/or menstrual-cycle phases therefore may be factors in acclimatisation to altitude and efficiency of altitude training. As many of the recommendations or observations of the present work remain partly speculative, we join previous calls for further quality research on female athletes in sports to be extended to the field of altitude and hypoxia.
Genome wide association study of Ethiopian barley for terminal drought stress tolerance under field and climate chamber conditions
Authors: Teklemariam Surafel Shibru , Bayissa Kefyalew Negisho , Matros Andrea , Pillen Klaus , Ordon Frank , Wehner Gwendolin
Published: December 2023

In order to detect markers for drought stress tolerance, field experiments in Ethiopia were conducted for three years at two naturally drought-prone locations and two optimum moisture locations using 239 Ethiopian barley landraces and 21 barley breeding lines. Furthermore, a climate chamber experiment applying drought stress at different water regimes (70% soil water capacity (WC) for control and 20% WC for drought stress conditions) after flowering was conducted for selected 196 accessions. Results revealed reduced grain biomass by 47% and 80% under field and climate chamber conditions, respectively, as well as significantly (p < 0.05) reduced days to maturity and plant height, in both experimental designs. Based on 10,644 SNP markers, GWAS was conducted to identify marker trait associations (MTA) for drought stress tolerance. For days to maturity, relative chlorophyll content, plant height, number of seeds per spike, thousand kernel weight, and harvest index under field and climate chamber drought stress treatments, 58 significant MTAs were identified. In total, 41.4% of the MTAs were located on chromosome 2H, of which one is very close to the Ppd-H1 flowering locus. These findings underpin the importance of this genome region for drought tolerance. Another MTA on chromosome 1H was detected for days to maturity under field drought stress treatment in the vicinity of the known flowering time ELF3 gene. Additionally, 13 and 3 Ethiopian landraces that tolerate severe and moderate drought stress in climate chamber and field experiments were identified, respectively, using drought indices. The results highlight the tolerance of Ethiopian landraces to different levels of drought stress as well as their potential to be considered in future barley improvement programs.
Protective effect of cilostazol on vascular injury in rats with acute ischemic stroke complicated with chronic renal failure
Authors: Sun Ru , Gu Qun , Zhang Xufeng , Zeng Ruiqi , Chen Dan , Yao Jingjing , Min Jingjing
Published: December 2023

Chronic renal failure (CRF) resulting in vascular calcification, which does damage to blood vessels and endothelium, is an independent risk factor for stroke. It has been reported that cilostazol has a protective effect on the focal cerebral ischemic infarct. However, its impact on vascular injury in CRF combined stroke and its molecular protection mechanism have not been investigated. In this study, we carried out the effect of cilostazol on CRF combined stroke rats, and the results confirmed that it improved the neurobehavior, renal function as well as pathologic changes in both the kidney and brain. In addition, the inflammation and oxidative stress factors in the kidney and brain were suppressed. Moreover, the rates of brain edema and infarction were decreased. The injured brain-blood barrier (BBB) was recovered with less Evans blue extravasation and more expressions of zonula occludens-1(ZO-1) and occludin. More cerebral blood flow (CBF) in the ipsilateral hemisphere and more expression of CD31 and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) in brain and kidney were found in the cilostazol group. Furthermore, cell apoptosis and cell autophagy became less, on the contrary, proteins of vascular endothelial growth factor receptor 2 (VEGFR2) after the cilostazol treatment were increased. More importantly, this protective effect is related to the pathway of Janus Kinase (JAK)/signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3), mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR), and the hypoxia inducible factor-1α (HIF-1α). In conclusion, our results confirmed that cilostazol exerted a protective effect on the brain and kidney function, specifically in vascular injury, oxidative stress, cell apoptosis, cell autophagy, and inflammation response in CRF combined with stroke rats which were related to the upregulation of JAK/STAT3/mTOR signal pathway.
Anterolaterale Instabilität – Anatomie, Biomechanik und Therapiemöglichkeiten
Authors: Peez Christian , Herbst Elmar , Deichsel Adrian , Raschke Michael J. , Briese Thorben , Glasbrenner Johannes , Kittl Christoph
Published: December 2023

Trotz einer anatomischen Rekonstruktion des vorderen Kreuzbands werden unverändert hohe Versagensraten sowie persistierende anterolaterale Instabilitäten beobachtet, sodass die anterolaterale Rotationsinstabilität vermehrt in den wissenschaftlichen und klinischen Fokus rückte. Für die Sicherung der anterolateralen Rotationsinstabilität ist der Tractus iliotibialis mit seinen tiefen Strukturen entscheidend, wobei auch knöcherne Faktoren zur Pathogenese der anterolateralen Instabilität beitragen. Entsprechend wird die Rekonstruktion des vorderen Kreuzbands im klinischen Alltag zunehmend durch zusätzliche anterolaterale extraartikuläre Rekonstruktionen ergänzt, was trotz des Risikos einer unphysiologischen Gelenkkinematik in den guten klinischen Kurzzeitergebnissen begründet ist. Mögliche Indikationen stellen Revisionsfälle oder Hochrisikokonstellationen dar, wobei die Langzeitfolgen dieser Prozeduren noch nicht abgeschätzt werden können.
Chihuahuan Desert Shrine Caves: Refining Chronologies of Religious Iconography and Social Histories for the Jornada and Mimbres Mogollon Regions of the North American Southwest
Authors: Miller Myles R. , Creel Darrell G. , Geib Phil R.
Published: December 2023

This article presents radiocarbon dates on 29 perishable objects deposited in shrine caves in the Jornada and Mimbres Mogollon regions of far west Texas and southern New Mexico. The dated objects include tablita fragments, effigies, prayer sticks, hafted projectile point foreshafts, and flat curved sticks. Analysis of the dates reveals three significant trends: a particular set of Indigenous ritual practices involving shrine caves in the North American Southwest was of extraordinary temporal depth and continuity; the meanings and material culture associated with shrine caves changed through time; and a signature iconographic expression of Jornada and Mimbres origin cosmologies, the Goggle-eye or “Tlaloc” entity, is older than previously understood. The dating of shrine caves and iconographic motifs provides new insights on early eras of religious expression in the southern Southwest, clarifying both the nature and time depth of foundational cosmologies and providing a deep time perspective for interpretations of how such cosmologies and their material and iconographic expressions changed through time.
Chronological Hygiene and Bayesian Modeling of Poverty Point Sites in the Lower Mississippi Valley, circa 4200 to 3200 cal BP
Authors: Kidder Tristram R. , Grooms Seth B.
Published: December 2023

Developments in radiocarbon dating and analysis provide new opportunities to develop high-resolution chronologies to explore changes through time. We explore the temporality of what has been called the Poverty Point culture of the lower Mississippi Valley circa 4200 to 3200 cal BP, especially the chronology of the type site, Poverty Point. Because of its complicated material culture elaboration without evidence of agriculture, Poverty Point has been identified as the political and economic center of a complex archaeological culture. The duration of site occupation and the historical relationship between the type site and those assumed to be contemporary are critical variables for explaining the emergence of complexity at this time. Most interpretations require political or evolutionary processes that accumulate gradually over hundreds of years. Our data show, however, that there is no temporal coherence among so-called Poverty Point culture sites; among such sites, Poverty Point was occupied for a relatively short period, and it is younger than many sites thought to be derived from it. Using explicit radiometric hygiene and Bayesian analyses of dates, we reject the idea of a unified Poverty Point culture and argue instead that the Poverty Point site earthworks developed through rapid, punctuated events occurring circa 3300 to 3200 cal BP.
New Dynamics of the “Post-COVID-19 Era”: A Legal Conundrum
Authors: Vedaschi Arianna , Graziani Chiara
Published: December 2023

In this Article we analyze whether and how the legal reactions to COVID-19 brought permanent changes to three main areas that are at the very basis of the study of comparative constitutional law: the horizontal separation of powers in different forms of government; the vertical separation of powers and its effects on forms of state; and the reviewability of limitations to human rights and personal freedoms by bodies exercising constitutional review. Rather than just examining and categorizing the reactions, we search for the political, institutional, factual, and sometimes even cultural rationales at the basis of each trend. Our claim is that COVID-19 was a driving force for relevant changes in the three analyzed areas, but we also recognize that these changes did not come “out of the blue,” as they were already “latent” in considered legal systems. The analysis demonstrates that the traditional categories we use to classify the forms of government, forms of state, and the mechanisms of constitutional review, although being useful paradigms to study these topics, have in themselves the potential to be “stretched,” and even unhinged, when global and long-lasting emergencies, as COVID-19, are in place.
Toward an Agential Conception of Hermeneutical Injustice: Isolation and Domestic Violence
Authors: Dougherty Emma C.
Published: December 2023

Miranda Fricker's definition of hermeneutical injustice entails that hermeneutical injustice is always structural and never agential, but I argue that hermeneutical injustice has an agential dimension that is evident in cases of domestic violence. This dimension becomes especially apparent when examining the experiences of knowers who are multiply nondominant. Centering this intersectional approach, I focus on domestic violence perpetrators who intentionally isolate their victims, preventing them from accessing the necessary conceptual resources to understand their experience as one of domestic violence. Recognizing the agential dimension not only has implications for our understanding of the range of harms suffered by victims of domestic violence but also invites further reflection on cases of hermeneutical injustice where the injustice is the direct result of an agent's actions or is even intentionally inflicted.
The impact of a blood-culture diagnostic stewardship intervention on utilization rates and antimicrobial stewardship
Authors: Wang Melinda C. , Zhou Kelvin J. , Shay Sabra L. , Herlihy James P. , Siddique Muhammad A. , Trevino Castillo Sergio , Lasco Todd M. , Barrett Miriam , Al Mohajer Mayar
Published: December 2023

Blood-culture overutilization is associated with increased cost and excessive antimicrobial use. We implemented an intervention in the adult intensive care unit (ICU), combining education based on the DISTRIBUTE algorithm and restriction to infectious diseases and ICU providers. Our intervention led to reduced blood-culture utilization without affecting safety metrics.
Understanding Shield Laws
Authors: Cohen David S. , Donley Greer , Rebouché Rachel , Aubrun Isabelle
Published: December 2023

In anticipation of extraterritorial application of antiabortion laws, many states have enacted laws that attempt to shield abortion providers, helpers, and patients from civil, professional, or criminal liability associated with legal abortion care. This essay analyzes and compares the statutory schemes of the seven early adopting shield states: California, Connecticut, Delaware, Illinois, Massachusetts, New Jersey, and New York. After describing what the laws do and how they operate, we offer reflections on coming disputes, areas of legal uncertainty, and ways to improve future shield laws.
Providing the Gist of Medical Expertise in the Context of Laws, Rules, and Guidelines: Fuzzy-Trace Theory’s Alternative Approach to Improve Patient Communication
Authors: Edelson Sarah M. , Reyna Valerie F.
Published: December 2023

Current guidelines and regulatory frameworks create a dilemma that threatens the effectiveness of much needed communication between patients and medical providers: How can patients be presented with detailed facts without creating cognitive “overload”? We explain how this is a false dichotomy and illustrate, using three examples, how fuzzy-trace theory offers a third way of informing patients.
Photo age: Temporal preferences for external memory across the lifespan
Authors: Soares Julia S. , Finley Jason R. , Roberts Patricia M.
Published: December 2023

Autobiographical memories show a temporal pattern with relatively many events recalled from the recent past (recency) and from adolescence to early adulthood (reminiscence bump), and very few events recalled from the first few years of life (childhood amnesia). The current study examined a temporal pattern for external memory – information stored outside of one's brain. Three survey studies asked participants to choose which age(s) in their life they would most want to keep photos from, supposing they had many photos from every year. Participants chose 1 year of photos in Study 1, which sampled undergraduates (N= 499, median age = 19), and in Study 2, which sampled online participants using stratified age brackets (N= 252, age range 18–82). Participants chose 3 years of photos in Study 3, which sampled online participants over 40 using stratified age brackets (N= 240, age range 40–93). Participants’ choices largely showed preferences for time periods likely to be well remembered (recency and the reminiscence bump). Qualitative coding of participants’ reasons for their choices showed common themes, such as positive emotions, connections to other people and pets, life milestones, personal growth, and school. Results suggest that in the case of photos, external memory served to mostly enhance or enrich internal memory and less often to compensate for internal memory.
PREPARATION AND HANDLING OF METHANE FOR RADIOCARBON ANALYSIS AT COLOGNEAMS
Authors: Melchert Jan Olaf , Gwozdz Martina , Gierga Merle , Wacker Lukas , Mücher Dennis , Rethemeyer Janet
Published: December 2023

CH4 is the second most important anthropogenic greenhouse gas and originates from different sources. The use of radiocarbon (14C) analysis of CH4 opens up the possibility to differentiate geological and agricultural origin. At the CologneAMS facility, the demand for 14C analysis of CH4 required the development of a sample handling routine and a vacuum system that converts CH4 to CO2 for direct injection of CO2 into the AMS. We evaluated the processing of CH4 using several series of gas mixtures of 14C-free and modern standards as well as biogas with sample sizes ranging from 10 to 50 µg C. The results revealed a CH4 to CO2 conversion efficiency of 94–97% and blank values comparable to blank values achieved with our routinely used vacuum system for processing CO2 samples. The tests with a near modern CH4:CO2 biogas mixture gave reproducible results with a near modern 14C content of 0.967–1.000 F14C, after applying the background correction.
A UNIVERSAL GAS INTERFACE FOR SIMULTANEOUS 14C AND δ13C MEASUREMENTS
Authors: Wertnik Melina , Wacker Lukas , Bernasconi Stefano M. , Haghipour Negar , Eglinton Timothy I , Welte Caroline
Published: December 2023

While simultaneous radiocarbon and δ13C measurements have been available for organic materials (by accelerator mass spectrometry, AMS, and isotope ratio mass spectrometry, IRMS, respectively), this has not been possible for carbonates until now. Using an existing interface for gas ion source AMS measurements, we developed a prototype for a universal gas interface that allows simultaneous measurement of both carbon isotope ratios from potentially any source of CO2. First results obtained from reference materials (IAEA-C6, OxaII, PhA, IAEA-C1, IAEA-C2, ETH-4) show that for both organic as well as carbonate samples, the precision of radiocarbon measurements in the coupled mode is comparable to routine standalone AMS measurements. For IRMS δ13C measurements, the performance for different materials shows more variation with precisions ranging from 0.07‰ to 0.47‰. However, both organic materials and carbonates can achieve precisions as good as 0.13‰. Once fully automated, the method shows potential for filling the gap of simultaneous carbon isotope measurements for non-organic materials.