bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Traces of Herd Behaviour Over a Decade in Indian Stock Markets
Authors: Marisetty Nagendra , Kumar Kompalli Sasi
Published: December 2024

This study investigates herd behaviour in the Indian Stock Market from 2011 to 2020, analysing daily returns of stocks listed in the S&P BSE 500 index. By employing the Chang, Cheng and Khorana model, the research assesses the presence and impact of herding behaviour across various market conditions, industry sectors and timeframes. The findings reveal nuanced patterns of investor behaviour, with evidence of herd behaviour particularly pronounced during down-market conditions, as indicated by negative and statistically significant coefficients of cross-sectional absolute dispersion returns. Sector-specific analysis unveils varying degrees of herd behaviour, with strong evidence observed in the capital goods and IT sectors, while banking displays a propensity for independent decision-making. The study identifies market capitalization and year-wise variations in herd behaviour, highlighting the dynamic nature of investor sentiment and its implications for market functioning and stability. This comprehensive empirical analysis contributes to a deeper understanding of herd behaviour in the Indian Stock Market, offering valuable insights for investors, policymakers and market participants. The study underscores the importance of considering contextual factors, such as market conditions and industry dynamics, in analysing investor behaviour and its impact on market dynamics. The findings have practical implications for informed decision-making and regulatory interventions aimed at promoting market efficiency and resilience. By elucidating the drivers and consequences of herd behaviour across different dimensions, this research enhances our knowledge of investor behaviour and lays the groundwork for further studies in this area, emphasizing the need for ongoing research to navigate the complexities of financial markets and ensure their stability and integrity.
Elotuzumab in combination with pomalidomide, bortezomib, and dexamethasone in relapsed and refractory multiple myeloma
Authors: Yee Andrew J. , Laubach Jacob P , Campagnaro Erica L. , Lipe Brea C. , Nadeem Omar , Friedman Robb S , Cole Craig E. , O'Donnell Elizabeth , Bianchi Giada , Branagan Andrew R. , Schlossman Robert L. , Shaprio Samantha J. , Harrington Cynthia C. , Burke Jill N. , Gammon Marilyn T. , Lively Kathleen J. , Reimonn Cassandra A. , Andrade Danielle X. , Redd Robert A , Lohr Jens G. , Anderson Kenneth C. , Richardson Paul G. , Raje Noopur S.
Published: December 2024

Elotuzumab is an approved monoclonal antibody targeting SLAMF7 on plasma and NK cells that enhances the activity of lenalidomide, pomalidomide, and bortezomib in multiple myeloma (MM). The OPTIMISMM study showed improved outcomes with the combination of pomalidomide, bortezomib, and dexamethasone (PVd) in relapsed/refractory MM. We therefore studied adding elotuzumab to PVd (elo-PVd) in relapsed/refractory MM in a multicenter phase 2 trial. The primary objective was to determine the overall response rate (ORR). Patients with relapsed/refractory disease and ≥1 prior line of treatment (including lenalidomide and a proteasome inhibitor) were eligible. For each 28 day cycle, elotuzumab was weekly for the first 2 cycles and then every other week; pomalidomide was on days 1-21; bortezomib was on days 1, 8, 15; and dexamethasone was weekly. The trial completed accrual in September 2018 with 48 patients receiving treatment. The median age was 64 (range 40-80) and the median number of prior lines was 3 (range 1-9); 25% had high risk FISH. Prior therapies included: pomalidomide (33%), daratumumab (25%), and isatuximab (4%). Best ORR was 56.3% and median PFS was 10 months. In patients with 1 prior line of therapy, ORR was 73.7% and median PFS was 23.4 months. Common grade ≥3 adverse events were neutropenia (33%); infections, any (33%); lung infection (27%); hypophosphatemia (19%); and thrombocytopenia (15%). Elo-PVd is one of the first trials of a quadruplet regimen in relapsed/refractory MM incorporating a monoclonal antibody to show efficacy across diverse prior treatments, including triple class exposed with prior anti-CD38 monoclonal antibody.
Degradation of logs installed underground for a half century and the microbial communities involved
Authors: Horisawa Sakae , Okano Daiki , Igarashi Chikai , Hara Tadashi , Matsuhashi Toshiaki
Published: December 2024

The use of wood in civil engineering projects is attractive from the perspective of utilizing renewable materials and reducing CO2 emissions. Furthermore, civil engineering presents an appealing opportunity to expand the demand for wood. Wood degradation rates are low in anaerobic environments, such as underground conditions. In this study, the degradation of wood after 55 years in an underground environment was examined by analyzing logs that had been driven underground for a soil stabilization project. Log density was measured and wood cell walls were observed under a microscope to estimate the degree of degradation, and the bacterial and fungal communities living in the sapwood of the logs were examined using a metagenomic approach. The results showed that the wood density was hardly reduced, and that anaerobic cellulolytic bacteria were dominant in the microbial communities in the wood. The degree of wood degradation over 55 years was low, indicating that these logs retained their ground improvement function for at least half a century.
Evolving research themes in six selected wood science journals: insights from text mining and latent dirichlet allocation
Authors: Hwang Sung-Wook , Lee Won-Hee
Published: December 2024

This study analyzes the status, trends, and future directions in wood science research using text-mining techniques. We applied these techniques to a textual dataset constructed from metadata of six major wood science journals, covering the period from 2002 to 2024. The research explores publication trends, international collaborations, keywords, and research networks, and it employs topic modeling using the Latent Dirichlet Allocation model. The descriptive analysis reveals a consistent increase in publication volume throughout the study period, unaffected by the COVID-19 pandemic. In contrast, international collaboration declined after 2020, likely due to the pandemic. In addition, a network analysis identified key research areas, including surface treatments, structural composites, and high-performance wood products, with lignin, mechanical properties, and moisture content emerging as central keywords. Topic modeling reveals a growing interest in wood modification technologies and an increased focus on studying wood as a sustainable material. The study confirms a shift of the field towards sustainable innovations while also highlighting the enduring relevance of traditional research areas. Future research should adapt to these evolving trends and address emerging challenges to maximize the potential of wood for carbon neutrality and sustainable development. This analysis provides a concise overview of current research trends and future directions in wood science.
Acid-sensing ion channel-1 contributes to the failure of myelin sheath regeneration following spinal cord injury by transcellular delivery of PGE2
Authors: Wu Zuomeng , Han Tianyu , Dong Yixiang , Ying Wang , Fang Huang , Liu Yunlei , Song Peiwen , Shen Cailiang
Published: December 2024

Background

Traumatic injuries to spinal cord lead to severe motor, sensory, and autonomic dysfunction. The accumulation of inhibitory compounds plays a pivotal role in the secondary damage to sparing neural tissue and the failure of axonal regeneration and remyelination. Acid-sensing ion channel-1(ASIC1A) is widely activated following neurotrauma, including spinal cord injury (SCI). However, its role in SCI remains elusive.

Methods

The effects of acidic environment on the differentiation and genes changes of neural stem cells (NSCs) were assessed by immunofluorescence staining and RNA-sequencing analysis, respectively. The expression of ASIC1A and prostaglandin endoperoxide synthase 2 (PTGS2) were detected by western blot and immunofluorescence staining. The concentration of prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) within NSC-derived extracellular vesicles were evaluated by ELISA. Small-interfering RNAs (siRNAs) were used to knock down Asic1a and Ptgs2 expression in NSCs. The myelin sheath regeneration and axonal remyelination in rats and Asic1a-KO mice were assessed by immunofluorescence staining.

Results

Following injury to the spinal cord, ASIC1A was found to be colocalized and upregulated in NSCs. ASIC1A activation prevents the differentiation of NSCs into oligodendrocytes by upregulating PTGS2, which leads to increased production and release of PGE2 within extracellular vesicles (EVs). ASIC1A or PTGS2 deficiency in NSCs counters the ASIC1A-related effects on mediating NSC differentiation by reducing PGE2 expression within NSC-derived EVs. Furthermore, intervention in ASIC1A signaling by administration of ASIC1A inhibitors or genetic deletion of ASIC1A demonstrated a pronounced advantage in enhancing myelin sheath regeneration and axonal remyelination.

Conclusions

The activation of ASIC1A prevents NSC differentiation into oligodendrocytes via the transcellular NSC-to-NSC delivery of PGE2, resulting in the failure of myelin sheath regeneration and axonal remyelination following SCI. The inhibition of ASIC1A presents a promising therapeutic strategy for the treatment of SCI.

Graphical Abstract
Changing patterns of family formation among internally displaced populations in Yemen: evidence from cross-sectional surveys
Authors: Elnakib Shatha , Zimmerman Linnea A. , Attal Bothaina , Alkebsi Tareq , Aldaram Aisha , Al Kaff Abdullah , Mieth Kate , Robinson Court
Published: December 2024

Introduction

: Yemen has one of the highest rates of child marriage in the Middle East and North Africa region and is home to one of the world’s worst humanitarian crises. How the conflict and resulting displacement have impacted family formation patterns is not entirely clear. In this study, we investigate the impact of displacement on child marriage and early childbearing by comparing time-to-first-marriage and time-to-first-birth among displaced and non-displaced girls.

Methods

We used data collected through cross-sectional multistage stratified cluster household surveys in three governorates in Yemen with high concentrations of internally displaced persons (IDPs). Employing an analytic sample 1,861 girls aged 15–24, we compared entry into first marriage and time to first birth between IDPs and non-displaced persons using Kaplan Meier curves and Cox regressions.

Results

We found high rates of child marriage in this population, with 37.8% and 34.5% of ever-displaced and never-displaced girls aged 20–24 married before age 18. Overall, those who were displaced had 30% higher hazard of overall marriage compared to their host counterparts (95% CI 1.16–1.47), and 23% increased hazard of child marriage (95%CI 1.01–1.51). Stratification by governorate revealed heterogeneity across governorates, with displaced populations at higher hazard of marriage in Aden and Maarib but not in Hadramout. We found that child brides and displaced participants were more likely to initiate earlier childbearing compared to non-child brides (HR = 3.44; 95% CI 2.94 4.0) and host counterparts (HR 1.35; 95% CI 1.15–1.58). Despite generally having lower age at first birth, child brides experienced a 19% lower hazard of first birth after marriage compared to those married over 18, indicating that child brides tended to wait longer before first birth (95% CI 0.72–0.92). We did not find a significant association between displacement status and marriage to birth interval after adjusting for child marriage status.

Conclusion

Our results highlight the impact of forced displacement on time-to-first-marriage and suggest that those who are displaced are more vulnerable to child marriage. We did not find compelling evidence for child marriage driving an increase in early childbearing. Nonetheless, our findings highlight the need for interventions that focus on prevention and mitigation of child marriage in this setting, particularly among IDPs who are at increased vulnerability.
Modern anatomical locking plates are associated with increased postoperative wound complications and unplanned surgical revisions compared to standard tubular plates in the management of unstable ankle fractures: a comparative cohort study in 595 patients
Authors: Gahr Patrick , Matthis Manuel , Schleese Lennart , Fischer Dagmar-C. , Mittlmeier Thomas
Published: December 2024

Background

The clinical benefit of locking plates in distal fibula fractures has not yet been proven. In addition, the risk of wound complications appears to be higher than with conventional tubular plates. We hypothesize that the benefits of locking plates in terms of biomechanical properties are outweighed by a higher risk of wound complications.

Methods

We conducted a retrospective review of fibula fractures treated by osteosynthesis with either a conventional one-third tubular plate or an anatomically shaped locking plate from January 1, 2015 to December 31, 2021. We recorded baseline data and relevant comorbidities and defined the need for revision surgery due to wound-related or mechanical complications as primary endpoints.

Results

A total of 595 out of 727 patients were eligible for our study. Of these 595 fractures, 526 were fixed with a one-third tubular plate, 69 with a locking plate. Revision surgery was required in 54 patients, in 51 cases due to wound complications. Three patients required revision surgery for mechanical reasons and all of them were younger than 40 years of age, have not been diagnosed with osteoporosis, but experienced complex fracture types. As the third tubular plate and locking plate groups differed in terms of age and comorbidities, we performed a 2:1 matching based on age and gender, leaving data from 138 patients receiving a third tubular plate. While the two groups were comparable in many aspects, the rate of wound complications was significantly higher in the locking plate group. Although the locking plate group had a higher percentage of diabetes mellitus, there was no correlation between this comorbidity and the higher revision rate in this group.

Conclusions

Our data do not support the general use of locking plates in the treatment of distal fibular fractures. The risk of mechanical complications in osteoporotic ankle fractures seems to be overrated, as there were no mechanical revisions in the osteoporotic subgroup. The rate of wound-related revision surgery was significantly higher after the use of locking plates. This might be attributed to the greater thickness of locking plates.
Necroptosis contributes to deoxynivalenol-induced liver injury and inflammation in weaned piglets
Authors: Xu Qilong , Gong Hanqiu , Zhou Mohan , Guo Junjie , Chen Shaokui , Xiao Kan , Liu Yulan
Published: December 2024

Background

The aim of this study was to investigate the role of necroptosis in deoxynivalenol (DON)-induced liver injury and inflammation in weaned piglets.

Methods

In Exp. 1, 12 weaned piglets were divided into 2 groups including pigs fed basal diet and pigs fed diet contaminated with 4 mg/kg DON for 21 d. In Exp. 2, 12 weaned piglets were divided into 2 groups including control piglets and piglets given a gavage of 2 mg/kg body weight (BW) DON. In Exp. 3, 24 weaned piglets were used in a 2 × 2 factorial design and the main factors including necrostatin-1 (Nec-1) (DMSO or 0.5 mg/kg BW Nec-1) and DON challenge (saline or 2 mg/kg BW DON gavage). On 21 d in Exp. 1, or at 6 h post DON gavage in Exp. 2 and 3, pigs were killed for blood samples and liver tissues. Liver histology, blood biochemical indicators, and liver inflammation and necroptosis signals were tested.

Results

Dietary or oral gavage with DON caused liver morphological damage in piglets. Dietary DON led to hepatocyte damage indicated by increased aspartate transaminase (AST) activity and AST/alanine aminotransferase (ALT) ratio, and DON gavage also caused hepatocyte damage and cholestasis indicated by increased AST and alkaline phosphatase (AKP) activities. Dietary DON caused liver necroptosis indicated by increased protein abundance of total receptor interacting protein kinase 3 (t-RIP3) and total mixed lineage kinase domain-like protein (t-MLKL). Moreover, DON gavage increased mRNA expression of interleukin (IL)-6 and IL-1β in liver. DON gavage also induced liver necroptosis demonstrated by increased protein abundance of t-RIP3, phosphorylated-RIP3 (p-RIP3), t-MLKL and p-MLKL. However, pretreatment with Nec-1, a specific inhibitor of necroptosis, inhibited liver necroptosis indicated by decreased protein expression of t-RIP3, p-RIP3, t-MLKL and p-MLKL. Nec-1 pretreatment reduced liver morphological damage after DON gavage. Pretreatment with Nec-1 also attenuated liver damage induced by DON indicated by decreased activities of AST and AKP. Furthermore, Nec-1 pretreatment inhibited liver mRNA expression of IL-6 and IL-1β after DON challenge.

Conclusions

Our data demonstrate for the first time that necroptosis contributes to DON-induced liver injury and inflammation in piglets.
The differential role of AI-operated WCF in L2 students’ noticing of errors and its impact on writing scores
Authors: ElEbyary Khaled , Shabara Ramy , Boraie Deena
Published: December 2024

Despite the plethora of studies on the role of noticing in second language learning, little is known about the role of AI-operated feedback in noticing errors and uptake during and after writing. To address this gap, this study primarily aimed to investigate the impact of feedback modes and timing on L2 students’ noticing of errors and writing scores. In pursuit of this objective, a quasi-experimental design was adopted in which 75 university undergraduate EFL participants were randomly distributed into four groups representing four feedback conditions. These included receiving feedback (a) from Grammarly while composing, (b) from E-rater after composing, (c) from the teacher after composing, and (d) a no feedback condition. Three argumentative prompts taken from IELTS task 2 were used as writing tasks and Noticing Sheets (NSs) were employed in recording and analyzing participants’ noticing. The findings generally demonstrate that participants exhibited increased noticing with teacher input compared to AI-operated feedback from Grammarly and E-rater, yet they still noticed errors when using the AI systems during and after writing. The results also show that noticing occurred in all feedback conditions, including the fourth one which involved no feedback from any source. This suggests that feedback is not an absolute prerequisite for noticing, but the source and timing of such corrective feedback can influence students’ noticing focus and intensity. The study provides further insights into the role of noticing in L2 learning and offers practical implications for teachers seeking to optimize conventional and automated feedback strategies for enhanced language learning.
What is the clinical utility of acoustic and vibrational analyses in uncemented total hip arthroplasty?
Authors: Patel Shlok , Hecht Christian J. , Homma Yasuhiro , Kamath Atul F.
Published: December 2024

Background

Despite recent developments in THA, a more objective method is needed to assist orthopedic surgeons in identifying the insertion endpoint of the broaching procedure. Therefore, this systematic review evaluated the in-vivo efficacy of various acoustic and vibration analyses in detecting proper implant seating, identifying intraoperative complications, and quantifying the accuracy of predictive modeling using acoustics.

Methods

Four electronic databases were searched on July 23rd, 2023, to retrieve articles evaluating the use of acoustic analysis during THA. The search identified 835 unique articles, which were subsequently screened by two independent reviewers as per our inclusion and exclusion criteria. In total, 12 studies evaluating 580 THAs were found to satisfy our criteria and were included in this review.

Results

Methodologically, analyses have suggested stopping broaching when consecutive blows emit similar acoustic profiles (maximum peak frequency ± 0.5 kHz), which indicates proper implant seating in terms of stability and mitigates subsidence. Also, abrupt large deviations from the typical progression of acoustic signals while broaching are indicative of an intraoperative fracture. Since height, weight, femoral morphological parameters, and implant type have been shown to alter acoustic emissions while hammering, incorporating these factors into models to predict subsidence or intraoperative fracture yielded virtually 100% accuracy in identifying these adverse events.

Conclusion

These findings support that acoustic analyses during THA show promise as an accurate, objective, and non-invasive method to predict and detect proper implant fixation as well as to identify intraoperative fractures.

Trial registration

PROSPERO registration of the study protocol: CRD42023447889, 23 July 2023.
The value of misoprostol administration before intrauterine contraceptive device insertion: a systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Maged Ahmed M. , El-Goly Nour A. , Bassiouny Nehal , El-Demiry Nihal , AbdelAziz Suzi
Published: December 2024

Objectives

To assess the value of misoprostol administration before IUD insertion.

Search strategy

Screening of PubMed, Scopus, Web Of Science, ScienceDirect, and clinical trials registry till April 2024 using the keywords misoprostol, prostaglandin E1 analogue, IUD, IUCD, intrauterine device, IUD insertion, and their MeSH terms.

Selection criteria

All RCTs that included misoprostol administration before IUD insertion. All doses, routes, and times of administration of misoprostol compared to placebo, analgesics, or other prostaglandins were included. This review included 19 RCTs including 2743 women (1333 had misoprostol administration and 1410 comparators (1281 received placebo, 16 received diclofenac, 43 received dinoglandin, and 70 received lignocaine).

Data collection and analysis

The extracted data included location setting, number of participants randomized and analyzed, participants selection criteria, the exact intervention details (including misoprostol dose, route and timing of administration, the comparator group details, and type of IUD inserted), primary and secondary outcomes of the trial ( including pain score, easiness of insertion score, the need for analgesics, the need for additional measures as cervical dilatation, failure of insertion, complications of the insertions process, and drug side effects), risk of bias of the included studies, and trial registration number and site.

Main results

Failure of IUD insertion was evaluated in 9 studies with 1350 participants and revealed an odd ratio (OR) of 0.87 with 0.39–1.98 95% CI, P value = 0.75, and I2 score = 45%.

The easiness score of insertion was evaluated in 7 studies with 780 participants and revealed an OR of − 1.12 with − 1.73 to 0.52 95% CI, P value < 0.001, and I2 score = 87%.

The pain VAS was evaluated in 13 studies with 1776 participants and revealed a mean difference (MD) of − 0.23 with − 0.77 to 0.31 95% CI, P value = 0.41, and I2 score = 90%.

The participants satisfaction score was evaluated in 3 studies with 366 participants and revealed a MD of 1.64 with 0.68–2.60 95% CI, P value < 0.001, and I2 score = 91%.

The need for analgesics and additional measures as cervical dilatation were evaluated in 7 and 4 studies with 813 and 295 participants respectively. The reported OR (95% CI), P values, and I2 scores were 0.58 (0.32–1.03) and 0.79 (0.33–1.92), 0.06 and 0.61, and 48% and 35% respectively.

Conclusion

Misoprostol administration before IUD insertion was associated with higher easiness score, higher women satisfaction score, and higher side effects named nausea, vomiting, cramps, shivering, headache, and fever compared to placebo administration.

Registration number

CRD42022364291.
The technological shift towards embedded payments: an examination of young consumers’ intention
Authors: Demir Ecenur , Özsoy Seren , Saygılı Metin
Published: December 2024

The surge in digital payment technologies and the swift transition to a cashless society have propelled the adoption of embedded payment systems, marking a significant shift in the payments landscape. Despite its increasing prevalence, the factors influencing the intention to use embedded payment systems remain underexplored in the academic literature. This study addresses this gap by analyzing the factors affecting young people’s intention to use embedded payment systems in Türkiye. Through a questionnaire survey of 807 respondents, the data was analyzed using Structural Equation Modeling. The findings reveal that lifestyle compatibility, social influence, personal innovativeness, hedonic motivation, and perceived trust collectively account for 72.6% of the variation in the intention to use embedded payment systems. However, the statistical insignificance of perceived ease of use and facilitating conditions suggests that other factors may significantly influence the intention to use these systems. This empirical study is the first of its kind on embedded payment systems, providing valuable insights into digital payments literature and guiding private sector professionals in devising effective strategies to promote widespread adoption of this payment method in Türkiye.
Accelerating the convergence of physics-informed neural networks for seismic wave simulation
Authors: Zou Jingbo , Liu Cai , Wang Yanghua , Song Chao , Waheed Umair bin , Zhao Pengfei
Published: December 2024

Physics-informed neural networks (PINNs) use physical principles (wave equations) to improve their predictive capability in detecting the features of seismic waves. However, in practice, PINNs face difficulties in determining an approximate optimization direction, resulting in slower convergence, especially in the early stages of network training. This limitation arises from the utilization of automatic differentiation (AD) in evaluating the derivative terms embedded in the wave equation. We develop a hybrid method that combines finite difference (FD) and AD. In the initial stage, FD is used to evaluate derivative terms in the wave equation. AD is used for the rest of the iterations to refine the accuracy in calculating partial derivatives. This approach yields faster convergence with fewer iterations by mitigating AD’s sensitivity to the random initialization in the early stages of training, thereby enhancing the accuracy of seismic wave simulation.
Evolution of Rapid Clonal Dynamics and Non–Cross-Resistance in Response to Alternating Targeted Therapy and Chemotherapy in BRAF-V600E-Mutant Colon Cancer
Authors: Simhadri Srilatha , Carrick Jillian N. , Murphy Susan , Kothari Om A. , Al-Hraishami Husam , Kulkarni Atul , Jalloul Nahed , Stefanik Katarina , Bandari Manisha , Chettur Kavya , Yao Ming , Ginjala Vasudeva , Groisberg Roman , Hochster Howard , Mehnert Janice , Riedlinger Gregory , Khiabanian Hossein , Verzi Michael P. , Tong Kevin , Ganesan Shridar
Published: December 2024

PURPOSE

Combined BRAF, MEK, and EGFR inhibition can induce clinical responses in BRAF-V600E-mutant colon cancer, but rapid resistance often occurs.

METHODS

We use serial monitoring of circulating tumor DNA cell-free plasma DNA (cfDNA) in a patient case study in addition to organoids derived from mouse models of BRAF-V600E-mutant intestinal cancer, which emulated the patient's mutational profile to assess drug treatment efficacy.

RESULTS

We demonstrate dynamic evolution of resistance to combined EGFR/BRAF/MEK inhibition in a pediatric patient with metastatic BRAF-V600E-mutant, mismatch repair-stable colon cancer. Initial resistance to targeted therapy was associated with development of MET amplification. Sequential treatment with chemotherapy and targeted therapy resulted in clearing of the resistant MET-amplified clone. Rechallenge with combined BRAF/EGFR inhibition resulted in clinical and radiographic response, demonstrating these treatments may be non–cross-resistant. Tumor organoids were used to model clinical findings and demonstrated effectiveness of combined targeted therapy and chemotherapy.

CONCLUSION

These findings suggest rational strategies for combining sequential chemotherapy and BRAF-/EGFR-directed therapy in BRAF-V600E-mutant colon cancer to prevent resistance and improve outcome. The data demonstrate rapid clonal dynamics in response to effective therapies in BRAF-V600E-mutant colon cancer that can be monitored by serial cfDNA analysis. Moreover, in mismatch repair-proficient BRAF-V600E-mutant colon cancers, combined EGFR and BRAF/MEK therapy is not cross-resistant with standard chemotherapy, suggesting new rational combination treatment strategies.
The Longevity Benefits of Homeownership: Evidence From Early Twentieth-Century U.S. Male Birth Cohorts
Authors: Breen Casey F.
Published: December 2024

Owning a home has long been touted as a key component of the idealized “American Dream.” Homeownership is associated with greater wealth and better health, but the causal impact of homeownership on health remains unclear. Using linked complete-count census and Social Security mortality records, I document Black–White disparities in homeownership rates and produce the first U.S.-based estimates of the association between homeownership in early adulthood and longevity. I then use a sibling-based identification strategy to estimate the causal effect of homeownership on longevity for cohorts born in the first two decades of the twentieth century. The results indicate that homeownership has a significant positive impact on longevity, which I estimate at approximately 4 months.
Effect of cigarette smoke on the proliferation, viability, gene expression, and cellular functions of adipose-derived mesenchymal stem cells from smoking and non-smoking donors
Authors: Salah Bareqa , Shahin Diana , Sarhan Momen , Al-Karmi Joud , Al-Kurdi Ban , Al-Atoom Renata , Ismail Mohammad A. , Hammad Nouran , Jafar Hanan , Awidi Abdalla , Ababneh Nidaa A.
Published: December 2024

Cigarette smoking negatively impacts mesenchymal stem cell functionality, including proliferation, viability, and differentiation potential. Adipose-derived mesenchymal stem cells (ADMSCs) are increasingly used for therapeutic purposes, but the specific effects of smoking in vivo on these cells are poorly understood. This study investigates the effects of cigarette smoke on the proliferation, viability, gene expression, and cellular functions of ADMSCs from smoking and non-smoking donors. In this study, ADMSCs were isolated from healthy smokers and non-smokers, and cell proliferation was assessed using the MTT assay, viability with apoptosis assays, mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP), and gene expression related to oxidative stress and cellular functions. Cell cycle analysis was also conducted. Our findings reveal a significant decrease in the proliferation of ADMSCs from smokers. Apoptosis assays showed reduced viable cells in smokers without a significant change in MMP, suggesting alternative pathways contributing to decreased viability. Gene expression analysis indicated the upregulation of genes associated with oxidative stress response and cellular defense mechanisms and the downregulation of genes related to inflammatory signaling, detoxification, and cellular metabolism. Cell cycle analysis indicates cycle arrest or delay in smokers, possibly due to stress and potential DNA damage. Smoking negatively affects ADMSCs’ proliferation, viability, and function through oxidative stress and gene expression alterations. These findings highlight the importance of considering smoking status in ADMSC therapies and the need for further research to mitigate the effect of smoking on stem cells.
El derecho fundamental de protección de datos de los trabajadores y el impacto de las nuevas tecnologías en el ámbito laboral en España
Authors: Martínez Cristóbal Daniel
Published: December 2024

Objetivos: El objetivo de este trabajo es analizar los requisitos que ha de cumplir la empresa y los límites que tiene a la hora de ejercer su facultad de control a través de medios tecnológicos de acuerdo con la legislación y los criterios que ha establecido la jurisprudencia para tal fin, de manera que se respeten los derechos y garantías de los trabajadores.
Metodología: Se estudiarán las garantías del trabajador en relación con la implantación de las nuevas tecnologías en el ámbito laboral, y se delimitará la facultad de control y poder de dirección del empresario reconocida en el artículo 20 del Texto Refundido del Estatuto de los Trabajadores en lo referente a la protección de datos personales en el uso de nuevas tecnologías y dispositivos electrónicos en relación con el derecho a la intimidad.
Resultados: En el escenario actual de innovación tecnológica se ha producido un aumento de la manipulación y distribución de datos personales que se recaban a través del uso de dispositivos electrónicos y de internet, dando lugar a fenómenos como el Big Data, lo cual puede llevar a importantes problemas de privacidad.
Conclusiones: La aprobación del Reglamento General de Protección de Datos se traslada al ordenamiento jurídico español con la Ley Orgánica 3/2018 de Protección de Datos personales y Garantías de los Derechos Digitales, que desarrolla el artículo 18 de la Constitución Española y cuya incorporación más relevante es la salvaguarda de los derechos fundamentales a la intimidad y la protección de datos de los trabajadores en la aplicación de técnicas de control y vigilancia empresarial mediante nuevas tecnologías, para que de esta forma sea lícito el tratamiento de datos de los trabajadores.
The genome sequence of Berberis vulgaris L.
Authors: Ruhsam Markus ,   Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh Genome Acquisition Lab,   Darwin Tree of Life Barcoding collective,   Plant Genome Sizing collective,   Wellcome Sanger Institute Tree of Life Management, Samples and Laboratory team,   Wellcome Sanger Institute Scientific Operations: Sequencing Operations,   Wellcome Sanger Institute Tree of Life Core Informatics team,   Tree of Life Core Informatics collective,   Darwin Tree of Life Consortium
Published: December 2024

We present a genome assembly from an individual Berberis vulgaris (Streptophyta; Magnoliopsida; Ranunculales; Berberidaceae). The genome sequence has a total length of 1,297.50 megabases. Most of the assembly is scaffolded into 14 chromosomal pseudomolecules. The mitochondrial and plastid genome assemblies have lengths of 786.62 kilobases and 166.26 kilobases, respectively.
The Notion of Litigation Capacity in Polish Civil Proceedings Against the Background of Comparative Law
Authors: Rawczyński Paweł
Published: December 2024

The problems of this paper refer to comparative law considerations related to the notion of litigation capacity in civil proceedings in selected European legal systems so as to establish in an evaluative way the identities, differences and similarities, occurring between them. This research serves primarily to find new solutions aimed to improve Polish legal provisions with regard to litigation capacity. Thus, the legal definitions of the notion of litigation capacity formulated on the ground of German, Austrian, Swiss, Norwegian, Hungarian, Italian, Ukrainian, Czech, French and Polish systems of civil proceedings have been presented in the paper. Many attempts at defining the notion of litigation capacity in civil proceedings have been also undertaken in the legal theory of these states, which have been also presented in the necessary scope for the needs of this paper, the more so that there have occurred numerous divergences how this notion is to be understood. In this area, there is a particular need to resolve the issue whether litigation capacity shall be understood as a category of a type of feature or qualification or else as a subjective right.
Land: Governance, Digitization and Human Rights – a Comparative Study
Authors: Kavuri Sudha , Ramanathan Anjana
Published: December 2024

The digitization of land records is being promoted by the World Bank at scale, especially in developing countries. Efficiently maintaining land records can improve tenure safety and food security, reduce poverty, and aid democratic urbanization. While the 2030 Agenda for sustainable development encourages the use of new technology to administer land, it also forewarns that such initiatives ought to factor in digital divide. These evolving processes tend to have a detrimental impact on the tenure rights of marginalized people who are devoid of both access and understanding of such modernization efforts. Through this paper, we examine digitization and associated land governance processes from a human rights perspective. To bring them to light, we compare digitization initiatives in both India and South Africa and draw lessons from them to address issues of equity, inclusion, and good governance in an increasingly digital world.
Student Q&A: Children's rights
Authors: Maguire Dearbháil Niamh
Published: December 2024

We caught up with Dearbháil Niamh Maguire, who won Early Childhood Graduate of the Year at the Nursery World Awards this year. She discusses her journey to becoming an early years development worker in a Sure Start Centre in Belfast
Safeguarding care home residents and staff against infectious disease outbreaks: development of a new toolkit
Authors: McSherry Robert , Blain Jan , Kumah Elizabeth
Published: December 2024

Robert McSherry, Jan Blain and Elizabeth Kumah discuss a new toolkit that has been developed for care home staff to use to safeguard against infectious disease outbreaks.
Writerly Sisters and Maternal Absence in Contemporary Young Adult Fiction
Authors: Norbury Katherine
Published: December 2024

Abstract: The subject of sister relationships in contemporary young adult fiction has been all but ignored in the critical literature, glossed over in favor of a protagonist's relationship with her parents, closest friend, or boyfriend. Nevertheless, the topic of sisters in the context of family relationships has an ongoing relevance to contemporary young adult readers, particularly in the face of adolescent adversity and sisters who replace mothers who are physically absent. The bond between sister pairs in these coming-of-age narratives is represented as a positive one of deep intimacy, connection, friendship and profound significance which may well enable the sisters to overcome challenges that have arisen during childhood and that re-emerge in late adolescence. The literary sister relationship is examined in the context of absent parents in Joanne Horniman's Secret Scribbled Notebooks (2004) and My Candlelight Novel (2008), Jandy Nelson's The Sky Is Everywhere (2010) and Rainbow Rowell's Fangirl (2013).
Popular Lexicography: Users' Influence in Updating the First Edition of the Oxford English Dictionary and its Children
Authors: McCulloch Beverley
Published: December 2024

ABSTRACT: Much has been written about the compilation of the first edition of the Oxford English Dictionary ( OED ), completed in 1928 with a supplementary volume in 1933, but less so about the period immediately afterwards. This paper concentrates on the phase between the completion of the first edition and its supplementary volume and the start of the project to create the four-volume Supplement to the OED published in the 1970s–1980s. The paper focuses on the dual relationship between editor and user with regard to dictionary content and is evidenced by the archives of the OED , held at Oxford University Press. Within the archive are five boxes of correspondence files known as the revision files, largely covering the first half of the twentieth century; these were compiled with a view to producing a revised version of OED1 . The correspondence includes comment on and suggestions for the first edition of the OED , the first Supplement , and various other Oxford dictionaries. The files were ultimately used as reference material for the production of the second Supplement to the OED . This paper highlights the vital role played by users of Oxford dictionaries in shaping future revisions.
Rumblings in Rangoon: Labor, Race, and Nationalism in the Dockworker Riot of May 1930
Authors: Scott Alfred , Gill Rory
Published: December 2024

Abstract: For five days in late May 1930, urban life ground to a halt as Rangoon was engulfed by the largest riots in living memory. Beginning as a localized complaint over employment in the docks between Indian and Burmese laborers, violence rapidly spiraled out of control and spread over the whole city, pitting Burmese against Indian, with the British authorities either powerless or reluctant to intervene. In English-language works, the story of this riot and its significance to wider Burmese history has received little attention and is often referred to only in passing. Sitting at a crossroads in modern Burmese history, the riot is of paramount importance. Beginning as a localized conflict over employment opportunities on the Rangoon docks, over its course it came to embody the crisis in perceived economic, political, and cultural competition between Burmese and Indian immigrants in Burma’s urban centers. Moreover, drawing largely on this, the way that this riot was used and interpreted also marked a shift in Burmese nationalism, moving toward a view of Burmese identity that combined cultural homogeneity with anti-Indian economic nationalism. In the short run, the riot reinforced contemporary struggles for separation from India; in the long run, it helped crystallize a new conception of the Burmese nation that was to pervade well into the latter half of the twentieth century.
Music as an Element of Contemporary Courtship in Burma/Myanmar
Authors: MacLachlan Heather
Published: December 2024

Abstract: Music plays an important, and heretofore unrecognized, role in contemporary Burmese courtship. This article lays out the pattern of courtship adhered to by middle-class city dwellers in Burma/Myanmar. It also provides an analysis of the music that is implicated in courtship. Burmese men sing pop songs to women, songs that men and women generally refer to as “love songs.” I argue that these courtship songs are rightly understood as love songs because the words of the songs reflect the attributes of romantic love identified by scholars of romance who have done research in other parts of the world. The article therefore contributes to the literature on Burmese popular music, on music and courtship in Southeast Asia, and on romantic discourse around the world.
The Proof Is in the Adminicula : The Judicial Work of Evaluating the Proofs
Authors: Lagges Patrick R.
Published: December 2024

ABSTRACT: The Code of Canon Law lists six sources of proofs in contentious trials (cc. 1526–1586): the declaration of the parties, documents, witnesses and testimonies, experts, judicial examination and inspection, and presumptions. But there are also four other sources of proof contained in the law: indicia, adminicula , circumstances of persons and things, and the knowledge and conscience of the judge. This article examines the above-mentioned sources of proof and indicate how the judge might be assisted by the four latter sources. Indicia look forward and assist the judge in areas which need further exploration. Adminicula look at what has already been presented in order to confirm certain points of the case. The circumstances of things and persons allows the judge to take a more wholistic view of the matter. The knowledge and conscience of the judge ensures that a decision will have moral integrity, be fair, impartial, and just. The article concludes with a description of the dialog that must take place between the judge and the various proofs that are presented, particularly with regard to issues related to memory, to the examination of documents, and to the evaluation of expert testimony.
The Note Gestis verbisque : Canonical Observations and Commentary
Authors: Bradley James
Published: December 2024

ABSTRACT: In light of recent abuses and well-publicized instances of the invalid celebration of the sacraments, the Note Gestis verbisque of the Dicastery for the Doctrine of the Faith reasserts the Church's perennial teaching and liturgical-sacramental discipline on the words and gestures that together guarantee the validity of the sacraments. In addition to its presentation of the necessity of the sacramental form, the document also considers other elements of the liturgical celebration, underscoring that the prescribed rites are to be observed in all their richness in order to ensure the just and fitting offering of the liturgical-sacramental rite, thereby guaranteeing the authentically ecclesial nature of the Church's worship and safeguarding the rights of the Christian faithful in respect of such worship. This article offers a commentary on Gestis verbisque from a specifically canonical-legal perspective, observing how the liturgical and sacramental discipline of the Church conforms both to given theological realities and to maintenance and promotion of justice in the ecclesial society.
Der bon sens des versammelten Volks: Revolution – Theater – Gemeinwille, 1789
Authors: Moser Christian
Published: December 2024

Abstract: Starting from the famous night session of the Assemblée nationale on August 4/5, 1789, my article examines the intertwining of political representation, theatrical representation and bon sens or sens commun , as it becomes apparent in journalistic texts from the first phase of the French Revolution. The following questions will be discussed: 1) To what extent does the theater audience function as a paradigm of the public sphere in revolutionary society? How and by what means can the audience gallery of the assembly hall be extended into the media public sphere? 2) If the public sphere of the revolutionary society is to be conceived according to the model of the theater audience, what contribution can it make to the formation of national will and the activation of the public spirit? Is there perhaps a latent sensus non-communis hidden behind the ostensibly propagated sensus communis ? And finally: 3) Does the introduction of the theater paradigm for the public sphere have anything to do with a new time economy of political and communicative action, i.e. with the strong acceleration of political decision-making processes on the one hand, and mass media communication on the other?
Neuanfang und Gemeinsinn
Authors: Liska Vivian
Published: December 2024

Abstract: When Hannah Arendt's concept of common sense is considered in conjunction with her reflections on new beginnings, a notion of the sense of community emerges that no longer unifies, but produces the plurality of appearances and their perception. The analysis of the specific relationship between the two terms focuses primarily on their seemingly contradictory properties. In doing so, it is made clear how the common sense associated with stability and the new beginning, which presupposes interruption and change, enter into an alliance in Arendt's thought that has philosophical as well as political consequences. Arendt's elaboration of an alternative sensus communis , correlating with the new beginning, takes place in critical dialogue with Heidegger's thought and underpins Arendt's pluralistic universalism.
The Political Romanticism of the Common
Authors: Emden Christian J.
Published: December 2024

Abstract: Across the humanities, "the common" is regarded as a quasi-revolutionary space in which struggles of resistance can take place over the future of democratic life. This essay questions the critical potential attributed to "the common." Focusing on Michael Hardt and Antonio Negri, I will argue that appeals to the common resemble what Carl Schmitt once called "political romanticism." The political romanticism of the common withdraws from the real demands of democracy by foregrounding desire and nostalgia over normative justification. As such, theories of the common play into the hands of the exact opposite of democracy.