bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Effects of Omalizumab on Serum Levels of Substance P, Calcitonin Gene-Related Peptide, Neuropeptide Y, and Interleukin-31 in Patients with Chronic Spontaneous Urticaria
Authors: Boyvadoglu Cagdas , Ulusal Hasan , Taysı Seyithan , Ozaydin-Yavuz Goknur , Yavuz Ibrahim Halil , Korkmaz Pınar , Inaloz Huseyin Serhat
Published: September 2023

The mechanism of action of omalizumab in urticaria is still not literally known. This study examines the serum values of substance P (SP), calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP), neuropeptide Y (NPY), and interleukin-31 (IL-31) in patients using omalizumab. In this study, 30 patients with chronic spontaneous urticaria (CSU) who were going to be treated with omalizumab and 20 healthy volunteers took part. Demographic data, clinical data, and disease activity scores were noted. For serum SP, CGRP, NPY, and IL-31 values, 10 mL of blood were taken from the patients before starting the treatment, 3 months after the treatment, at the end of the 6th month, and from healthy volunteers all at once. The change in values measured at baseline, 3rd month, and 6th month was analyzed by the Friedman Test. The Mann–Whitney U test was used to compare the parameters obtained from the patients and control groups. The significance level was set at

p
=
0.05

. SP, CGRP, NPY, and IL-31 values were all statistically significantly lower in the CSU patient group compared to the control group. After treatment, the levels of SP and CGRP in the serum went up, and the levels of serum IL-31 went down. These changes were statistically significant. This study supports the view that omalizumab does not only affect IgE receptors but also affects mast cells through other mechanisms. According to our knowledge, this is the first study to show that omalizumab therapy and serum CGRP levels are related.
Spatial and Temporal Mapping of Breast Cancer Lung Metastases Identify TREM2 Macrophages as Regulators of the Metastatic Boundary
Authors: Yofe Ido , Shami Tamar , Cohen Noam , Landsberger Tomer , Sheban Fadi , Stoler-Barak Liat , Yalin Adam , Phan Truong San , Li Baoguo , Monteran Lea , Scharff Ye'ela , Giladi Amir , Elbaz Miriam , David Eyal , Gurevich-Shapiro Anna , Gur Chamutal , Shulman Ziv , Erez Neta , Amit Ido
Published: September 2023

Cancer mortality primarily stems from metastatic recurrence, emphasizing the urgent need for developing effective metastasis-targeted immunotherapies. To better understand the cellular and molecular events shaping metastatic niches, we used a spontaneous breast cancer lung metastasis model to create a single-cell atlas spanning different metastatic stages and regions. We found that premetastatic lungs are infiltrated by inflammatory neutrophils and monocytes, followed by the accumulation of suppressive macrophages with the emergence of metastases. Spatial profiling revealed that metastasis-associated immune cells were present in the metastasis core, with the exception of TREM2+ regulatory macrophages uniquely enriched at the metastatic invasive margin, consistent across both murine models and human patient samples. These regulatory macrophages (Mreg) contribute to the formation of an immune-suppressive niche, cloaking tumor cells from immune surveillance. Our study provides a compendium of immune cell dynamics across metastatic stages and niches, informing the development of metastasis-targeting immunotherapies.

Significance:

Temporal and spatial single-cell analysis of metastasis stages revealed new players in modulating immune surveillance and suppression. Our study highlights distinct populations of TREM2 macrophages as modulators of the microenvironment in metastasis, and as the key immune determinant defining metastatic niches, pointing to myeloid checkpoints to improve therapeutic strategies.

This article is featured in Selected Articles from This Issue, p. 2489
TABLE 1 from Effects and Eradication of Mycoplasma Contamination on Patient-derived Colorectal Cancer Organoid Cultures
Authors: Dayanidhi Divya L. , Watlington Wylie K. , Mantyh John B. , Rupprecht Gabrielle , Hsu David S.
Published: September 2023

Protocol for eliminating Mycoplasma contamination from PDO lines
TABLE 2 from Fusobacterium nucleatum Load Correlates with KRAS Mutation and Sessile Serrated Pathogenesis in Colorectal Adenocarcinoma
Authors: Takeda Koki , Koi Minoru , Okita Yoshiki , Sajibu Sija , Keku Temitope O. , Carethers John M.
Published: September 2023

Association of Fn infection with genomic/clinicopathologic factors (multivariate analysis)
TABLE 1 from Fusobacterium nucleatum Load Correlates with KRAS Mutation and Sessile Serrated Pathogenesis in Colorectal Adenocarcinoma
Authors: Takeda Koki , Koi Minoru , Okita Yoshiki , Sajibu Sija , Keku Temitope O. , Carethers John M.
Published: September 2023

Association of Fn infection and genomic/clinicopathologic factors in 304 cases of colorectal cancers
FIGURE 2 from Effects and Eradication of Mycoplasma Contamination on Patient-derived Colorectal Cancer Organoid Cultures
Authors: Dayanidhi Divya L. , Watlington Wylie K. , Mantyh John B. , Rupprecht Gabrielle , Hsu David S.
Published: September 2023

Mycoplasma can be successfully cleared from PDO lines by in vivo passaging through immunodeficient mice. A,Mycoplasma test for organoid lines before (+) and after (−) in vivo passaging. Representative positive and negative control PCR products are included within lanes 1 and 2 of the gel on the left. The top band may not appear if the original sample contained a high amount of Mycoplasma. B, Growth comparison of Mycoplasma-positive and -negative lines over 12 days. Images on top compare PDO growth between positive and negative lines on days 0 and 12. Graphs on the bottom show CTG fluorescence of the PDO taken every other day for 12 days.
FIGURE 1 from Effects and Eradication of Mycoplasma Contamination on Patient-derived Colorectal Cancer Organoid Cultures
Authors: Dayanidhi Divya L. , Watlington Wylie K. , Mantyh John B. , Rupprecht Gabrielle , Hsu David S.
Published: September 2023

Plasmocin cannot reliably clear Mycoplasma from PDO lines. A,Mycoplasma testing of Mycoplasma-positive lines treated with Plasmocin for 2 weeks according to the manufacturer's protocol. The top bands are a negative control for the PCR. The bottom bands are indicative of the presence of Mycoplasma (lanes 1 and 2). The top band may not appear if the original sample contained a high amount of Mycoplasma. All four lines were tested in triplicate. B, Growth rate of PDO4 after Plasmocin treatment over 14 days. Graphs on the left show CTG fluorescence of the PDO taken over the course of 14 days. Images on right compare PDO growth on days 0 and 14.
Supplementary Table S3 from Fusobacterium nucleatum Load Correlates with KRAS Mutation and Sessile Serrated Pathogenesis in Colorectal Adenocarcinoma
Authors: Takeda Koki , Koi Minoru , Okita Yoshiki , Sajibu Sija , Keku Temitope O. , Carethers John M.
Published: September 2023

Table S3 shows relationship between Fn copy number and genetic pathway in colorectal cancers
Supplementary Fig S2 from Fusobacterium nucleatum Load Correlates with KRAS Mutation and Sessile Serrated Pathogenesis in Colorectal Adenocarcinoma
Authors: Takeda Koki , Koi Minoru , Okita Yoshiki , Sajibu Sija , Keku Temitope O. , Carethers John M.
Published: September 2023

Fig S2 shows the distribution of Fn infection in colorectal cancers
FIGURE 1 from Fusobacterium nucleatum Load Correlates with KRAS Mutation and Sessile Serrated Pathogenesis in Colorectal Adenocarcinoma
Authors: Takeda Koki , Koi Minoru , Okita Yoshiki , Sajibu Sija , Keku Temitope O. , Carethers John M.
Published: September 2023

A, Comparison of Fn loads among subgroups of colorectal cancers. Copy number of Fn per nanogram of tumor DNA (log) among L/E-CRC (n = 129), MSS-CRC (n = 137), MSI-H-CRC (n = 38) and non-MSI-H-CRC (n = 266), MLH1 hypermethylated-CRC (n = 25) and non-MLH1 hypermethylated-CRC (n = 279), BRAF V600E-CRC (n = 25) and non-BRAFV600E-CRC (n = 279) and KRAS mutated-CRC (n = 101) and non-KRAS mutated-CRC (n = 203) were compared. Data are depicted in each boxplot. The thick horizontal line within each box represents the median copy number of Fn. Dots in each column represent maximum (top), mean (middle), and minimum (bottom) copy number of Fn. Dots in MSS, non-MSI-H, non-MLH1 hypermethylated, non-BRAFV600E, and non-KRAS mutated-CRC column represent outliers. B, Comparison of Fn loads among subgroups of colorectal cancer that were infected with Fn. Fn DNA content between Fn-infected L/E (n = 52), MSS-CRC (n = 34), MSI-H-CRC (n = 23), non-MSI-H-CRC (n = 86), MLH1 hypermethylated-CRC (n = 15), non-MLH1-hypermethylated-CRC (n = 94), BRAFV600E (n = 14) and non-BRAFV600E (n = 95) and KRAS mutated-CRC (n = 45) and non-KRAS mutated-CRC (n = 64) were compared using Kruskal–Wallis test. Each number represents the P value for each comparison. A P value that is less than 0.05 is considered significant.
DNA2 Nuclease Inhibition Confers Synthetic Lethality in Cancers with Mutant p53 and Synergizes with PARP Inhibitors
Authors: Folly-Kossi Helena , Graves Joshua D. , Garan Lidija A. Wilhelms , Lin Fang-Tsyr , Lin Weei-Chin
Published: September 2023

The tumor suppressor p53 promotes tumor-suppressive activities including cell-cycle inhibition, apoptosis, senescence, autophagy, and DNA repair. However, somatic mutations in the TP53 gene are one of the most common alterations in human cancers. We previously showed that mutant p53 (mutp53) can bind TopBP1, an ATR activator, to attenuate its ATR-activating function. A partially defective ATR function caused by mutp53 makes cancer cells more vulnerable to inhibitors of other TopBP1-independent ATR activators, such as DNA2. DNA2 plays a role in homologous recombination (HR) repair by resecting DNA ends in double-strand breaks and preparing them for invasion of homologous duplex. Here we identify a new DNA2 inhibitor, namely d16, and show that d16 exhibits anticancer activities and overcomes chemotherapy resistance in mutp53-bearing cancers. Similar to DNA2 depletion, d16 treatment results in cell-cycle arrest mainly at S-phase. Moreover, reexpression of mutp53 in a p53-null cancer cell line makes cells more vulnerable to d16-mediated inhibition of ATR activity. As d16 also inhibits HR, a combination of d16 and PARP inhibitors displays synergistic induction of cell death. DNA2 is often overexpressed in cancer, particularly in cancer cells harboring mutp53. Overexpression of DNA2 is associated with poor outcome in ovarian cancer. Overall, our results provide a rationale to target DNA2 as a new synthetic lethality approach in mutp53-bearing cancers, and further extend the benefit of PARP inhibitors beyond BRCA-mutated cancers.

Significance:

This study identifies a new DNA2 inhibitor as a synthetic lethal targeted therapy for mutp53-harboring cancers, and provides a new therapeutic strategy by combining DNA2 inhibitors with PARP inhibitors for these cancers.
Contribution of Lipoprotein(a) to Polygenic Risk Prediction of Coronary Artery Disease: A Prospective UK Biobank Analysis
Authors: Manikpurage Hasanga D. , Paulin Audrey , Girard Arnaud , Eslami Aida , Mathieu Patrick , Thériault Sébastien , Arsenault Benoit J.
Published: September 2023

Background:

Lp(a) (lipoprotein[a]) is a highly atherogenic lipoprotein subfraction that may contribute to polygenic risk of coronary artery disease (CAD), but the extent of this contribution is unknown. Our objective was to estimate the contribution of Lp(a) to polygenic risk of CAD and to evaluate the respective contributions of Lp(a) and a CAD polygenic risk score (PRS) to CAD.

Methods:

A total of 372 385 UK Biobank participants of European ancestry free of CAD at baseline were included. Plasma Lp(a) levels were measured and a CAD-PRS was calculated using the LDpred2 algorithm. Over the median follow-up of 12.6 years, 13 538 participants had incident CAD (myocardial infarction, coronary artery bypass grafting, or coronary angioplasty).

Results:

The
LPA
region contribution to the CAD-PRS-mediated CAD risk was modest (7.2% [95% CI, 6.1–8.3]). Lp(a) levels significantly increased the predictive performance of a CAD-PRS including age and sex in Cox regression (C statistic 0.751 versus 0.746, difference, 0.005 [95% CI, 0.004–0.006]). Compared with participants in the bottom CAD-PRS quintile with Lp(a) levels <25 nmol/L (CAD event rate, 1.4%), the hazard ratio for incident CAD in participants in the top CAD-PRS quintile with Lp(a) levels ≥125 nmol/L was 5.45 (95% CI, 4.93–6.03;
P
=9.35×10
-242
, CAD event rate 6.6%).

Conclusions:

Compared with individuals with a low genetic risk of CAD (low CAD-PRS and low Lp[a] levels), those with a high genetic risk (high CAD-PRS and high Lp[a] levels) had a 5-fold higher CAD risk. These results highlight a substantial contribution of genetic risk factors to CAD and that accurate estimation of genetic risk of CAD may need to consider blood levels of Lp(a).
Indigenous Peoples in International Investment Law: Time for a New Dispute Resolution Procedure
Authors: Polonskaya Ksenia
Published: September 2023

This article examines the role of indigenous communities in international investment law. It concludes that indigenous communities have only limited agency in the context of investment law-making and adjudication. Such limitations continue the colonial legacy of international law. If international investment law aspires to achieve legitimacy, the departure from the exclusionary practices is necessary. In this context, the article recommends carving out the investment disputes that involve indigenous peoples and/or impact their livelihoods from the traditional model of investor-State dispute settlement. It further argues for reframing investment rules to account for indigenous laws and practices.
Spanish and English Verbal Humour: A Comparative Study of Late-night Talk Show Monologues
Authors: Mir Montserrat , Laskurain-Ibarluzea Patxi
Published: September 2023

The goal of this paper is to establish a cross-linguistic comparison between Peninsular Spanish and American English verbal humour as displayed in televised humorous monologues in late-night talk shows. While humour research is abundant across different languages, only a small number of studies investigating cross-cultural differences in verbal humour exist. An analysis of verbal humour in monologues from four current late-night TV talk shows in Spain and the United States revealed similar use of linguistic resources such as analogies, colloquialisms, cultural references to deliver humour but with different degrees of preference. Additionally, English monologues were mostly on political satire, while Spanish humour referenced a wider variety of topics including taboo-like themes and language such as sex, drugs, or religion. Spanish monologues were also more conversational and informal in their delivery.
The first description of the female of Tritonaclia kefersteinii (Butler, 1882)(Lepidoptera: Erebidae: Arctiinae: Syntomini), the type species of its genus
Authors: PRZYBYŁOWICZ ŁUKASZ , WIOREK MARCIN
Published: September 2023

The previously unknown female of Tritonaclia kefersteinii (Butler, 1882), the type species of the genus Tritonaclia Hamspon, 1898 is described for the first time, based on a specimen from Marojejy National Park (North-east Madagascar). The female genitalia are described in detail and illustrated. The taxonomic affiliation of the newly discovered female and its conspecificity with the male are confirmed by both morphological and molecular characters. For the first time, clear diagnostic characters of the male genitalia are also provided and illustrated. Comments on the known distribution of the species are provided. The new findings allow the genus to be properly characterized as a contribution to the taxonomy of Madagascar Syntomini.
3. One & All!
Authors: Farmer Paul
Published: September 2023

The conditions of Thatcher’s 1980s exposes those on the Left to government attack. The miners, organised in the National Union of Mineworkers with Arthur Scargill as President, are perceived by Thatcher’s cabal as a primary enemy to be destroyed. The strike provoked by the government exposes divisions and hypocrisy in the UK Labour Movement.

Nevertheless, the miners’ struggle constitutes a defence of communities and ways of life and there is huge support for them among socialists and large sections of the general public. To participate in this support is what our work is for. The aim is ‘efficacy’, an effect on the world beyond the theatre.

Now we have to find our audience, amongst whom we could assume no prior knowledge of the social event of theatre. Our work will be for Cornish communities and will also be a working-class voice. Hard rock metal mining is a part of Cornwall—a fundamental aspect of how the Cornish see themselves. We will create a show to support the Miners’ Strike through the story of Cornish mining, in a form we call ‘cabaret documentary’.

A39 will be a permanent research process. Part of the experiment is to find what we are as performers. We write and start rehearsing One & All! in the Crypt Unemployed and Community Centre in early 1985.
4. Street Theatre and Cabaret
Authors: Farmer Paul
Published: September 2023

Street theatre is another core activity of A39 and has a strong influence on our developing performance style. We use the same material and attitude to develop a cabaret act. Political and satirical songs are interspersed with more avant garde performance pieces.

A39’s earnings through street performances are vitally necessary. We have no money and no financial support. Funding officers see A39 as at best an inconvenient irrelevance, at worst a threat to a carefully rationalised status quo. We reject many of their assumptions, including what we perceive as the Thatcherite privileging of production values. Unable to afford a van, we must use props and set that can share Lucy’s car with us.

On 3 March 1985, the great Miners’ Strike ends and the miners go back to work without a deal. The winter has been hard. Soon the pit closures will begin, and will continue till there is all but nothing left to close. A39 feels a burning need to avenge; and we carry on working towards the debut of One & All!
5. Touring One & All!
Authors: Farmer Paul
Published: September 2023

The first performance of One & All! is at the Crypt Centre in Truro at the end of March 1985 before a small audience of members and friends. Then we set out on tour to other community initiatives, local Labour groups, and anyone else who might arrange a show. We decide we need to carry our own theatre lighting, but the cost is prohibitive so we come to an ingenious if slightly dangerous arrangement. The show evolves. Political theatre and cabaret turn out to work well in Cornwall–you can say anything you liked as long as you are entertaining.

An important part of A39 is its ‘hinterland’, its links to groups outside theatre. Initially this is composed of socialist and community groups, but it comes increasingly to include the Cornish cultural movement, a celebration and defence of communities, of the Cornish people’s relationships with work and with their part of the planet. These are too the causes for which the Miners’ Strike has been fought, so our commitment to this movement continues the struggle for which A39 was formed.

A report for the ‘Regional Arts Association’, South West Arts (SWA), that functions as an agency of the Arts Council, dismisses A39’s work, and A39 is never to form a working relationship with SWA. Instead we participate in the Enterprise Allowance Scheme that will give us each an income and A39 prepares to go–international!
6. A39 International
Authors: Farmer Paul
Published: September 2023

Our European tour is radically different to A39’s barnstorming round Cornwall. We set off in Lucy’s battered Renault 12, the four of us packed inside with our clothes, costumes, instruments, two tents and camping gear. We take the ferry from Dover to Ostend and perform hit-and-run street theatre in cities on a path leading eastwards and southwards through Belgium, Germany, and Austria towards the Iron Curtain where western capitalism confronts Eastern Bloc. Each night we camp in the Rastplätze of the Autobahns.

The nominal terminus on our outward journey is Budapest in Hungary, not because we have any illusions about the nature of the Soviet satellite system, but because we want to see it for ourselves.

We learn a great deal about performance, about creativity and about A39. Besides performing in Budapest, we take the opportunity of secure accommodation to create new material before setting back on the road. Once more we pay our way through street performances to return to Cornwall to work on a new touring play; an intention we find ourselves forced to postpone….
7. A39 and the Tin Crisis
Authors: Farmer Paul
Published: September 2023

On 24 October 1985, the tin market collapses after the buffer stock manager of the International Tin Council runs out of money and can no longer buy tin on the London Metal Exchange to maintain the high price that keeps Cornish mines viable. This event threatens the absolute end of thousands of years of Cornish mining, the industry that provides Cornwall with its image of itself.

We decide to take One & All! back on the road with a new ending in the old Blue Blouse theatre form of the Living Newspaper. We also present this new crisis section of the show live on Radio Cornwall to explain what is happening.

Thatcher’s government eventually agrees to support South Crofty with loans for capital improvement that allow it to stagger on for a while. The other mines close. In the spring, almost exactly a year after its first performance, we present One & All! at the miners’ social club at Geevor in Pendeen. This is probably the fulfilment of all A39 had set out to achieve by building a voice into events to represent and speak with the Cornish working class. But it doesn’t feel like success. Just a few days later, productive mining at Geevor will cease.
10. ‘How much easier it is to honour the dead than to value the living’—The Tale of Trevithick’s Tower
Authors: Farmer Paul
Published: September 2023

A key concept for the new show is ‘levels of pretence’—the principle derived from McGrath’s observations on the sophistication of popular engagement with issues of identity in the performance of pantomime. In One & All!, for example, who were we being when we were narrating? We could push the new show up one ‘layer of pretence’ and remove any implied authority figures: rather than ask audiences to take anyone on trust, we could insist they distrusted everybody.

So we formulate the new show not as a play, but as a public meeting. In the real world the plan is afoot to take over Truro City Hall and turn it into a prestigious theatre. Our public meeting is part of a fictional campaign to demolish the City Hall to build the tower Trevithick designed in 1833 to commemorate the passing of the Reform Laws. Having pushed the execution of the play away from ourselves and into movement between the onion skins of ‘layers of pretence’, we use three bizarre contemporary characters to implicitly critique contemporary society and government.

The Tale of Trevithick’s Tower premieres on Camborne Trevithick Day 1986 and tours Cornwall.
Radiative Impacts of Californian Marine Low Clouds on North Pacific Climate in a Global Climate Model
Authors: Miyamoto Ayumu , Nakamura Hisashi , Xie Shang-Ping , Miyasaka Takafumi , Kosaka Yu
Published: September 2023

The northeastern Pacific climate system features an extensive low-cloud deck off California on the southeastern flank of the subtropical high that accompanies intense northeasterly trades and relatively low sea surface temperatures (SSTs). This study assesses climatological impacts of the low-cloud deck and their seasonal differences by regionally turning on and off the low-cloud radiative effect in a fully coupled atmosphere–ocean model. The simulations demonstrate that the cloud radiative effect causes a local SST decrease of up to 3°C on an annual average with the response extending southwestward with intensified trade winds, indicative of the wind–evaporation–SST (WES) feedback. This nonlocal wind response is strong in summer, when the SST decrease peaks due to increased shortwave cooling, and persists into autumn. In these seasons when the background SST is high, the lowered SST suppresses deep-convective precipitation that would otherwise occur in the absence of the low-cloud deck. The resultant anomalous diabatic cooling induces a surface anticyclonic response with the intensified trades that promote the WES feedback. Such seasonal enhancement of the atmospheric response does not occur without air–sea couplings. The enhanced trades accompany intensified upper-tropospheric westerlies, strengthening the vertical wind shear that, together with the lowered SST, acts to shield Hawaii from powerful hurricanes. On the basin scale, the anticyclonic surface wind response accelerates the North Pacific subtropical ocean gyre to speed up the Kuroshio by as much as 30%. SST thereby increases along the Kuroshio and its extension, intensifying upward turbulent heat fluxes from the ocean to increase precipitation.
Mid-Infrared Variable Selection for Soil Organic Matter Fractions Based on Soil Model Systems and Permutation Importance Algorithm
Authors: Jović Branislav , Panić Marko , Pavlović Aleksandra , Kordić Branko , Ćirić Vladimir
Published: September 2023

In this research, an attempt was made to classify soil samples according to the different fractions of soil organic matter (SOM) using model systems in which the ratio of the fractions of SOM is chemically mimicked. A mixture of starch and nicotinamide was used for the labile organic matter model, while a standard of humic acid was used for the stabile organic matter. Changing the threshold value in the selected ranges after a permutation importance algorithm is conducted using train models and test data set, a list of selected important wavelengths and their importance scores were obtained. Three regions for the classification of soil fractions within the estimated probability density function are most prominent: 800–1200 cm–1, 0.48–0.55; 1800–2000 cm–1, 0.52–0.62; and 2500–3200 cm–1, 0.48–0.62, where the first component represents the spectral range while the second component covers the range of the importance score. Obtained wavelength ranges indicate the importance of the aliphatic stretching and bending vibration region, as well as the total soil reflectance (mineral content) for the characterization of organic matter fractions. A comparative evaluation with literature data found that the obtained wavelengths have a potential for application in methods of proximal and remote detection/calibration of existing and development of new sensors for Advanced Spaceborne Thermal Emission and Reflection Radiometer satellites, specifically in the shortwave infrared and thermal infrared ranges.
Public Opinion Toward Diverse Types of Police Reform Post-2020: The Impact of Perceptions, Experiences, and Racial Resentment
Authors: Mancini Christina , Metcalfe Christi , Lehmann Robert Bradford
Published: September 2023

Prior scholarship has tapped public preferences toward policing policy. Still, there is a need to continue to monitor public opinion given recent events. Post George Floyd, several reforms have been proposed: accountability and oversight initiatives (e.g., citizen boards, mandatory reviews), diversion of funds away from policing, and/or greater funding for police. Theory and research suggest that sentiments regarding these reforms are likely divided and vary based on perceptions of and experiences with police, as well as racial resentment. Drawing on a 2021 national poll, this study examined public support for several diverse reforms. Broad approval was evident for most reforms. However, support was contingent on perceptions of and experiences with the police, racial resentment, and socio-demographic factors. Implications are discussed.
Thomas Greening, PhD: A Forefather to Humanistic Existential Psychology
Authors: Kellogg Constance
Published: September 2023

A student’s memories of Dr. Thomas Greening, a giant in a nascent field of Existential Humanistic Psychology; lessons learned through leadership and demonstrated through example.
Preparing the Expert Novice: Preservice Teacher Thinking and Efficacy in Inquiry Design
Authors: Brugar Kristy A. , Allen Amy , Roberts Kathryn L. , Ratcliff Kamrin , Capps Caitlin
Published: September 2023

In this study, we share the understandings and the reflections of preservice teachers as they engage in focus group interviews about inquiry in social studies, generally, and their reactions to publicly available Inquiry Design Model blueprints. These preservice teachers first discussed their understanding of inquiry, which was rooted in their university coursework. They then described their self-efficacy for implementing inquiry, generally, and the IDM blueprint, specifically, in their current field placements and future classrooms. This envisioned implementation often involved adaptations of the blueprints. Our goal in this research was to reconsider how preservice teachers experience and learn about social studies inquiry and, as a result of these experiences, whether and how they see themselves implementing social studies inquiry with students. This study can inform teacher educators to proactively address common barriers and better support preservice teachers.
Modeling and analysis of the equivalent convex mandrel of the three-dimensional braiding carbon fiber composite robotic arm
Authors: Meng Zhuo , Zhang Rongtao , Cai Gaowei , Zhang Yujing
Published: September 2023

The third robotic arm (drive housing) of a six-axis industrial robot often has a vertical inwardly concave surface to facilitate the installation of spatially vertical drive motors. With the inwardly concave surface of the robotic arm it is difficult to realize three-dimensional (3D) braiding directly, and based on this problem, an equivalent convex mandrel is added to the concave mandrel. The mathematical model of the concave mandrel is established, and the mathematical expression of the concave mandrel is obtained. In any cross-section perpendicular to the x-axis, the equivalent outwardly convex cross-sectional line is obtained according to the condition that the length of the outwardly convex and concave mandrel cross-sectional line is equal. All outwardly convex cross-sectional lines form a smooth surface of the equivalent convex mandrel. By the numerical calculation method, the braiding trajectory and the downward pressure trajectory are predicted for various take-up speeds. The length error of the braiding trajectory and the downward pressure trajectory are within 5%, which verifies the accuracy of the convex mandrel. The variation pattern of the braiding angle is smooth, verifying the braidability of the convex mandrel. The experimental results show that the outwardly convex carbon fiber fabric can be pressed down to fit the surface of the concave mandrel. Therefore, a carbon fiber composite arm with an inwardly concave surface can be manufactured by 3D braiding with the addition of an equivalent convex mandrel.
Simulation of fiber configuration in the sliver with the straightness and separation degree
Authors: Sun Na , Wang Liping , Liu Meina , Gao Xiaoyan , Jiang Mengzhen , Wang Xiao
Published: September 2023

The fiber straightness and separation degree have the important influences on sliver properties. In this work, an innovative model of the fiber configuration considering straightness was presented and optimized by taking the fiber separation degree into account. The new developed model could simulate fiber assemblies and all kinds of separated fibers, including hooked fibers and straight fibers. Furthermore, some thin and thick segments were presented in the optimized simulated sliver with consideration of the fiber separation degree, and the simulated sliver irregularities were close to the actual ones. The relative errors between tested sliver irregularities and simulated ones were reduced from around 80% to less than 30%. Besides, the influence of each fiber parameter on the sliver irregularity could be drawn from the novel model of fiber configuration in the sliver, which verified the necessity of the applications of the straightness and separation degree. Therefore, it could be concluded that the introduction of the fiber straightness and the consideration of the fiber separation degree made more accurate and reasonable simulation of the fiber configuration in the sliver. Moreover, the straightening process of the hooked fibers and the random combination between thick fragments and thin fragments during the drawing simulation could be realized based on this model in the future.
Recreational Cannabis Legalization and Adolescent Sexual Risk Behaviors
Authors: Grafft Natalie , Mendez-Campos Barbara , Walker Danielle T. , Hawkins Summer Sherburne
Published: September 2023

Little is known about the implications of cannabis legalization on adolescent health behaviors. This study sought to examine the relationship between recreational cannabis legalization and adolescent sexual risk behaviors. Data on 371,487 respondents who have ever had sexual intercourse from 41 states in the 2005 to 2019 Youth Risk Behavior Survey was linked with data on state-level cannabis policies. Difference-in-differences logistic regression models were conducted. Recreational cannabis legalization was associated with a reduced likelihood of respondents having 2+ sexual partners (adjusted OR [aOR] 0.63, 95% CI [0.47, 0.84]), but had no association with condom use (aOR 0.94, 95% CI [0.80, 1.11]). Changing social norms around cannabis is a potential pathway linking cannabis legalization to a reduction in sexual risk behaviors.
After Sovereignty: From a Hegemonic to Agonistic Islamic Political Thought
Authors: March Andrew F.
Published: September 2023

The phenomenon of “Muslim Democracy” has been analyzed by scholars for a number of years, at least since the mid-1990s. The standard view about Muslim Democracy is that (perhaps like its European counterpart Christian Democracy) it represents a nonideological, or postideological, pragmatic approach to electoral politics. The purpose of this article is to advance two primary arguments. The first is that the turn to Muslim Democracy as an ideology and practice should first be understood as a way of thinking about politics that breaks with the sovereigntist imaginary that dominated modern Islamic political thought. Second, Muslim Democrats do not forswear the use of democratic means to advance goals derived from religious commitment as part of their recognition of pluralism and constitutional democracy. Their attitude toward politics should thus be seen as a form of agonistic pluralism. This article thus proposes an interpretation of Muslim Democracy as post-sovereigntist agonistic political Islam.
Lost in Translation: Information Asymmetry as a Barrier to Accrual of Transfer Student Capital
Authors: Grote Dustin M. , Richardson Amy J. , Lee Walter C. , Knight David B. , Hill Kaylynn , Glisson Hannah , Watford Bevlee A.
Published: September 2023

Objective: Transfer student capital (TSC) helps community college students realize the potential for the transfer pathway to serve as a lower-cost option to a bachelor’s degree. However, students’ accrual of TSC depends on the quality and quantity of information networks and infrastructure; information asymmetry in these networks can impede students’ transfer progress. Methods: Using interview data from stakeholders who support engineering transfer students at one research university and two community college partners, we apply a methodology that combines qualitative coding techniques (i.e., descriptive, process, and evaluative coding) with network and pathway analyses to explore an information network for coursework transfer in engineering. Results: Our findings illustrate the disjointed and complex web of information sources that transfer students may use to accrue TSC. We highlight pathways fraught with information asymmetry as well as information sources and processes that give promise to students’ ability to accrue TSC and successfully navigate transfer of coursework vertically. Conclusions: An abundance of information sources and paths does not equate to a better transfer system. Utilizing network analysis to visualize and evaluate information sources and processes provides an additional method for evaluating information systems for transfer. Consolidating information sources or improving processes linking information sources could improve inefficiencies in transfer students’ transitions.
The COVID-19 pandemic and the electoral performance of governing parties in electoral democracies
Authors: Su Yen-Pin , Rashkova Ekaterina R
Published: September 2023

The COVID-19 pandemic has had tremendous impacts on political, economic and social developments across the globe. Although some studies show that voters tend to hold incumbent parties accountable for managing the pandemic, the results of others suggest that the rally-round-the-flag strategy might be at plan. We contend that voters tend to hold the incumbent party accountable, even during an exogenous shock, such as the COVID-19 pandemic. We hypothesize that more stringent government responses to tackle the pandemic and more COVID-19 casualties tend to decrease the electoral support for incumbent parties. Using original data from 67 national elections in 56 electoral democracies from mid-March 2020 to May 2022, the empirical results support our hypothesis.
Pediatric presacral tumors with intraspinal extension: a rare entity with diagnostic challenges
Authors: A Ebinesh , Prakash Anjali , Ashta Aanchal , Garg Anju , Verma Abhishek , Padaliya Prerna
Published: September 2023

The presacral space is a potential space located between the rectum and the lumbosacral spine. It contains various primitive germ cell types that serve as the origin for a range of tumors. Imaging is crucial in characterizing, assessing the extent of and evaluating the treatment response to these tumors. We report a series of six cases of pediatric presacral tumors with intraspinal extension, including an immature sacrococcygeal teratoma (Altman type II), a malignant sacrococcygeal teratoma (Altman type IV), a neuroblastoma, a rhabdomyosarcoma, a clear cell sarcoma and an Ewing's sarcoma of the ilium. These tumors can be broadly categorized as tumors of germ cell, neuroblastic, mesenchymal and osteogenic origin. Despite overlapping imaging features, a review of the existing literature and careful retrospective observation revealed several distinctive features that aid in the optimal characterization of tumors. These include the tumor's epicenter, the pattern and degree of bone involvement, the status of sacral foramina and neural elements, and internal tumor characteristics such as the presence of fat, calcification, hemorrhage and necrosis.
A case of Smith–Magenis syndrome with skin manifestations caused by a novel locus mutation in the RAI1 gene
Authors: Wu Xiaobin , Zhang Li , Chen Sisi , Li Yanxi
Published: September 2023

We report the clinical features and genetic testing of a child with Smith–Magenis syndrome (SMS) to improve the understanding of this disease. The clinical data and molecular genetic test results of a child with SMS caused by a novel mutation in the retinoic acid-induced-1 (RAI1) gene were reviewed. A female patient aged 12 years and 9 months presented to the clinic because her mental and motor development was lagging behind that of her peers. The child had learning difficulties, poor motor coordination, temper tantrums, and self-injurious behaviors, such as skin scratching. She had a peculiar facial appearance, dry skin with scattered eczema, low hairline, wide forehead, flat face, collapsed nasal bridge, turned out upper lip, and deep palmar lines on the right hand through the palm. Wechsler’s IQ test score was 48. Her electroencephalogram was normal. The diagnosis of SMS was confirmed by a heterozygous mutation in exon 3 of the RAI1 gene on chromosome chr-1717696650 at locus c.388C>T (P.Q130X). In addition, this patient had severe eczema on the skin. The RAI1 mutation c.388C>T (P.Q130X) is a newly reported variant that will help in the clinical identification of SMS and the precise localization of more phenotypically related genes.
The Affective Economies of Sovereignty: Desire and Identification
Authors: Chaudhary Shah Zeb
Published: September 2023

Khoja-Moolji’s analysis of sovereignty in a cultural-affective register from a postcolonial perspective contributes to the developing study of the affective economies of sovereignty. This literature has two central concepts that we have to think carefully about: desire and identification. I explore sovereign desires in the context of fantasy and history, and think about identification as connecting sovereigns to citizens. I consider how an emphasis on affect helps us understand how sovereignty becomes worthy of so much affective and political investment.
Enrolling the body as active agent in cancer treatment: Tracing immunotherapy metaphors and materialities
Authors: Swallow Julia
Published: September 2023

Immunotherapy is heralded as the ‘fifth pillar’ of cancer therapy, after surgery, radiotherapy, chemotherapy and genomic medicine. It involves ‘harnessing’ patients’ own immune system T-cells to treat cancer. In this article, I draw on qualitative interviews with practitioners working in oncology and patients in the UK, to trace metaphorical and discursive framing around immunotherapy. Immunotherapy aims to restore the functioning of the immune system to detect cancer (non-self), working with the self/non-self model that pervades immunology discourse more widely. Practitioners draw on metaphors that cement this self/non-self model, and that tend to depict the relationship between cancer and the immune system as an internal battle. Yet the discursive framing around immunotherapy also involves shifts that emphasize the body’s own capacity to heal, where it is framed as ‘gentle’ or ‘tolerable’ on the body. Through this discursive shift, immunotherapy refigures the antagonism associated with the self/non-self model in the context of cancer. Analysing patients’ embodied experiences of treatment, this article attends to the material realities and tensions provoked by this shift in discursive framing. This article contributes to feminist STS analyses of immunology discourse, and extends this literature by arguing that it is critical to address the material stakes of these discursive shifts by paying attention to patients’ day-to-day experiences of treatment. The discursive framing of immunotherapy brings into being new forms of embodied patienthood in the context of cancer.
Implementing a Recovery Capital Model Into Therapeutic Courts: Case Study and Lessons Learned
Authors: Hennessy Emily A. , Krasnoff Paige , Best David
Published: September 2023

Recovery capital is a strengths-based and multi-level model for examining the process and outputs of recovery and desistance. Recovery capital posits that the more positive resources one accrues, the better the chances of recovery. Oftentimes growth of one’s recovery capital must be initiated through identifying programs in the community to create supportive scaffolding: this may be especially true for individuals involved in the justice system who may experience additional barriers to accessing programming. This manuscript presents the results of a pilot evaluation of the REC-CAP, a recovery-capital oriented system of measurement, planning, and engagement in two drug treatment courts. We include a description of the implementation process and results from surveys and focus groups with the court staff. Results suggests that the trainings were useful and that court staff meaningfully engaged with the REC-CAP system. Court staff felt the REC-CAP provided important information about court clients’ strengths and barriers and suggested next steps for staff to take to guide their clients. Future work should explore how the REC-CAP score profile may change with client progress through the court phases as well as how to incorporate more system level supports for a REC-CAP orientation among probation officers and other court staff.
The endocrine disrupting effects of nanoplastic exposure: A systematic review
Authors: Leso Veruscka , Battistini Beatrice , Vetrani Ilaria , Reppuccia Liberata , Fedele Mauro , Ruggieri Flavia , Bocca Beatrice , Iavicoli Ivo
Published: September 2023

Good mechanical properties and low costs have led to a global expansion of plastic production and use. Unfortunately, much of this material can be released into the environment as a waste product and cleaved into micro- and nanoplastics (NPs) whose impact on the environment and human health is still largely unknown. Considering the growing worldwide awareness on exposure to chemicals that can act as endocrine disruptors, a systematic review was performed to assess the impact of NPs on the endocrine function of in vitro and in vivo models. Although a limited number of investigations is currently available, retrieved findings showed that NPs may induce changes in endocrine system functionality, with evident alterations in reproductive and thyroid hormones and gene expression patterns, also with a trans-generational impact. Nanoplastic size, concentration, and the co-exposure to other endocrine disrupting pollutants may have an influencing role on these effects. Overall, although it is still too early to draw conclusions regarding the human health risks derived from NPs, these preliminary results support the need for further studies employing a wider range of plastic polymer types, concentrations, and time points as well as species and life stages to address a great variety of endocrine outcomes and to achieve a broader and shared consensus on the role of NPs as endocrine disruptors.
Fabrication of Ni-TiN nanocomposite coatings by ultrasonic assisted jet electrodeposition
Authors: Chen Yuanlong , Li Huigui , Zhu Jiachen , Fang Cheng , Li Zhongquan , Jiang Wei
Published: September 2023

Ni-TiN composite coating is widely used as a protective coating due to its good mechanical properties and corrosion resistance. In this study, Ni-TiN nanocomposite coatings were prepared by ultrasonic-assisted jet electrodeposition. The growth mechanism and properties of the composite coatings in ultrasonic-assisted jet electrodeposition were studied. It was found that the surface morphology of the composite coating changed significantly with the increase in the concentration of nano TiN particles. Ultrasonic affects the selective orientation of the coating, and both lead to grain refinement. The addition of ultrasonic promotes the growth of (111) crystalline surfaces of the coating. Ultrasonic-assisted jet electrodeposition reduced tip discharge and nanoparticle agglomeration, and the surface quality, physical and chemical properties of the nanocomposite coating were significantly improved. The microhardness of the Ni-TiN composite coating was as high as 622.4 HV, the maximum adhesion was 27.2 N, and the corrosion resistance was the best with the corrosion current density at 1.898 μA cm−2, when the amount of nano TiN was 10 g/L. This method will provide a reference for improving the growth uniformity of jet electrodeposition.