bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Stress appraisal and emotion regulation mediate the association between mindfulness and affect in cancer patients: Differential mechanisms for positive and negative affect
Authors: Tungtong Puttichai , Ranchor Adelita V. , Schroevers Maya J.
Published: August 2023

Objective

Cancer patients are at an increased risk for affective problems, including feelings of anxiety and depression. Mindfulness has been linked to an array of benefits for affective functioning in various populations including cancer patients, but the mechanisms underlying this relationship are still poorly understood. Based on emotion‐regulation and stress‐coping models, this study examined the potential mediating role of stress appraisal and coping strategies in the associations between mindfulness and cancer patients' positive and negative affect.

Methods

For this cross‐sectional study, 245 cancer patients completed self‐report questionnaires measuring mindfulness (FFMQ), positive and negative affect (PANAS), stress appraisal (SPSI‐R:S), coping through positive reappraisal and positive refocusing (CERQ), rumination (RRQ), and distraction (COPE). Serial mediation analyses were conducted using the regression‐based bootstrapping method.

Results

Higher levels of mindfulness were associated with higher levels of positive affect; this relationship was mediated via stress appraisal and positive reappraisal. We also found an indirect effect from mindfulness directly via positive reappraisal to positive affect. In addition, higher levels of mindfulness were negatively associated with negative affect; this relationship was mediated via stress appraisal and rumination, with also an indirect effect from mindfulness directly via stress appraisal to negative affect.

Conclusions

Results suggest that stress appraisal and distinct coping strategies mediate the relationship between mindfulness and affect. Mindfulness may provide benefits for cancer patients' affect by allowing adaptive stress appraisal and ways of coping through more positive and less negative thinking.
Particle Swarm Optimization with Average Individuals Distance‐Incorporated Exploitation
Authors: Sui Qingya , Zhong Lin , Yu Jiatianyi , Li Haotian , Lei Zhenyu , Gao Shangce
Published: August 2023

Particle swarm optimization (PSO) is a popular optimization technique known for its simplicity and effectiveness. This paper introduces a variant that achieves a better balance between exploration and exploitation, named DiPSO. DiPSO incorporates a novel strategy based on trends in mean distance between individuals for local exploitation control. Experiments on 29 benchmark functions demonstrate that DiPSO consistently outperforms the state‐of‐the‐art variant of PSO. Convergence analysis reveals that DiPSO achieves faster convergence and superior solutions. These results highlight the effectiveness of DiPSO in solving optimization problems. © 2023 Institute of Electrical Engineer of Japan and Wiley Periodicals LLC.
On Western and Eastern Media Systems: Continuities and Discontinuities
Authors: Miconi Andrea , Papathanassopoulos Stylianos
Published: August 2023

This chapter aims to discuss the relevant literature related to Mancini and Hallin’s comparative media systems model, taking into account the case of the Eastern European media as well. It is tried to draw the main features of the so-called post-Socialist media markets. After a brief discussion on how media systems change across time and vary across space, the chapter explores to what extent we can add a “post-communist” cluster to the initial Hallin and Mancini’s classification. It is assumed that the post-Socialist transition has deeply changed the social and economic tissue of all ex-Eastern European countries. As the case of media in Eastern Europe reveals even in countries with a shared social political past, there is still ground for specificities to be flourished that eventually will lead to different paths of media market development. It is argued that even if we witness the triumph of certain general tendencies of what is described as the consolidation of media market globalization, this process could not be understood in its full potentials, without taking into consideration how the political, cultural, and economic “legacy” of each European member state.
MRI‐based torsion measurement of the lower limb is a reliable and valid alternative for CT measurement: a prospective study
Authors: Grünwald Leonard , Histing Tina , Springer Fabian , Keller Gabriel
Published: August 2023

Purpose

The aim of this study was to compare MRI‐based torsion measurements of the lower limb to a well‐established CT‐based assessment in a prospective inter‐ and intraindividual approach.

Methods

A total of 26 patients (age 28.8 years ± 11.0) were enrolled beginning in January 2021 until August 2022. Inclusion criteria were the clinical indication for torsion measurement of the lower limb. CT and MRI imaging were performed with a standard operating procedure, to ensure that all patients were examined in a standardized position. The examinations were planned on a coronal scout view based on prominent anatomical landmarks. Femoral and tibial torsion were measured individually. Torsion measurements were analysed twice: immediately after examination and after 3 weeks. Subsequently, intra‐rater and parallel test reliability was calculated accordingly.

Results

High significant results for CT and MRI measurements for both tibia (MRI: r = 0.961; p ≤ 0.001; CT: r = 0.963; p ≤ 0.001) and femur (MRI: r = 0.980; p ≤ 0.001; CT: r = 0.979; p ≤ 0.001) were obtained by calculated intra‐rater reliability, showing that measurements were highly consistent for MRI and CT, respectively. Parallel test reliability for time point 1 as well as time point 2 was also highly significant and ranged from r = 0.947 to r = 0.972 (all with p ≤ 0.001, respectively) for both tibia and femur, showing a high concordance between the two measurements.

Conclusion

Measurement of tibial as well as femoral torsion was comparable for CT and MRI measurement. Therefore, this study supports MRI measurement as an equivalent alternative for CT measurement concerning torsional malalignment to reduce exposure to radiation.

Level of evidence

Level II.
Untersuchung eines Doppelspitzschlägels aus dem Umfeld der römischen Siedlung Michlhallberg nahe Altaussee (Steiermark, Österreich)
Authors: Modl Daniel , Strobl Susanne , Haubner Roland
Published: August 2023

Ein eiserner Doppelspitzschlägel aus dem Umfeld der römischen Siedlung am Michlhallberg (Steiermark) wurde untersucht, der im Kontext mit einem möglichen römischen Salzabbau an der Südseite des Sandlings bei Altaussee steht. Das Eisen für den Doppelspitzschlägel wurde aus einer Rennfeuerluppe hergestellt. Durch diese Art der Eisengewinnung ist eine Weiterverarbeitung durch Schmieden notwendig. So findet man im Schlägel sowohl Schlacke als auch eine recht ungleichmäßige Kohlenstoffverteilung. Deshalb erfolgte eine Probenentnahme an mehreren Stellen.

Es liegt ein variationsreiches Stahlgefüge vor, bestehend aus unter-, über- und eutektoidem Kohlenstoffgehalt. Von beinahe reinem polygonalem Ferrit über Widmannstättschem, Korngrenzen- und säulenartigem Ferrit treten auch Perlit (unterschiedlicher Feinheit), Zwischenstufe (Bainit), Martensit, sowohl tetragonaler als auch kubischer, und reiner Zementit, langnadelig bzw. an den Korngrenzen, auf.

Es wurde auch die abgebrochene Spitze eines Doppelspitzschlägels untersucht, die möglicherweise mit der Reparatur eines defekten Schlägels zusammenhängt. Regelmäßige Reparaturen an den Gezähen waren notwendig.
Development of a tetra-primer ARMS–PCR for identification of sika and red deer and their hybrids
Authors: Ke-xin Yu , Xiang Chen , Qing-qing Hu , Yi-an Yao , Xiao-ming Wang , Ai-chun Xu , Jian Ge , Feng Guan
Published: August 2023

Accurate identification of deer-derived components is significant in food and drug authenticity. Over the years, several methods have been developed to authenticate these products; however, identifying whether female deer products are hybrids is challenging. In this study, the zinc finger protein X-linked (ZFX) gene sequences of sika deer (Cervus nippon), red deer (Cervus elaphus) and their hybrid offspring were amplified and sequenced, the X221 and X428 species-specific single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNP) loci were verified, and a tetra-primer amplification refractory mutation system (T-ARMS–PCR) assay was developed to identify the parent-of-origin of female sika deer, red deer, and their hybrid deer. The T-ARMS–PCR developed based on the X221 locus could identify sika deer, red deer, and their hybrid offspring according to the presence or absence of PCR product sizes of 486 bp, 352 bp, and 179 bp, respectively, just as X428 locus could identify sika deer, red deer, and their hybrid offspring according to the presence or absence of PCR product sizes of 549 bp, 213 bp, and 383 bp, respectively. Forty products labeled deer-derived ingredients randomly purchased were tested using this assay, and the results showed that the identification results based on the two SNP loci were utterly consistent with the actual sources. In addition, this method was found to be accurate, simple, convenient, and with high specificity, thus providing an essential technical reference for deer product species identification. It is also an important supplement to the identification methods of the original ingredients of existing deer products.

Graphical abstract
Impacts of tidewater glacier advance on iceberg habitat
Authors: Kaluzienski Lynn M. , Amundson Jason M. , Womble Jamie M. , Bliss Andrew K. , Pearson Linnea E.
Published: August 2023

Icebergs in proglacial fjords serve as pupping, resting and molting habitat for some of the largest seasonal aggregations of harbor seals (Phoca vitulina richardii) in Alaska. One of the largest aggregations in Southeast Alaska occurs in Johns Hopkins Inlet, Glacier Bay National Park, where up to 2000 seals use icebergs produced by Johns Hopkins Glacier. Like other advancing tidewater glaciers, the advance of Johns Hopkins Glacier over the past century has been facilitated by the growth and continual redistribution of a submarine end moraine, which has limited mass losses from iceberg calving and submarine melting and enabled glacier thickening by providing flow resistance. A 15-year record of aerial surveys reveals (i) a decline in iceberg concentrations concurrent with moraine growth and (ii) that the iceberg size distributions can be approximated as power law distributions, with relatively little variability and no clear trends in the power law exponent despite large changes in ice fluxes over seasonal and interannual timescales. Together, these observations suggest that sustained tidewater glacier advance should typically be associated with reductions in the number of large, habitable icebergs, which may have implications for harbor seals relying on iceberg habitat for critical life-history events.
Creeping up on the Roman Provincial
Authors: Wiedemann Ben
Published: August 2023

Around the year 1200, the court of the Roman pope produced a list of all the bishops – and hence of all the cities – in the Christian world. For the next three centuries this text was copied and updated by kings, priests, lawyers and academics across Europe. The numerous surviving manuscripts of this text – the so–called ‘Roman provincial’ – have received some attention from scholars, but the sheer number of manuscripts has meant that any attempt to catalogue and study them en masse is all but destined to fail. This article suggests a different approach: that the most interesting feature of the provincial manuscripts is their differences; the ways in which copyists changed the ecclesiastical and political geography of Europe to meet their own preferences and expectations. Political geographers and modern historians have long been aware of ‘contested cartographies’ and battles over borders on maps; by studying the Roman provincial we can apply such lenses to the medieval world too. Thirteenth-century kings were quite as aware as we are that maps and lists constitute, rather than just describe, political realities.
Digital Platform Employment in Kazakhstan: Can New Technologies Solve Old Problems in the Labor Market?
Authors: Insebayeva Sabina , Beyssembayev Serik
Published: August 2023

Recent years have witnessed an upsurge of interest in the “sharing,” “gig,” or “on-demand” economy, which has been changing the relationships between customers, workers, and companies. While literature on the gig economy in the Western context abounds, few studies have focused on “digitalized” labor relations in the Central Asian context.

Drawing on qualitative field research in Kazakhstan in 2016 and 2021, supplemented by quantitative data, this article contributes to debates about labor relations and the digitalized “gig” economy in a non-Western context. It provides a novel, in-depth, multisource account of the structure of platform-based business and work experiences in the digitally enabled Kazakh gig economy. Using ethnographic evidence, we offer a detailed analysis of labor conditions from the perspective of platform-based companies and gig workers, identifying resistance and “survival” strategies used to navigate and even challenge the existing system characterized by “algorithmic management” or “algorithm-based” labor relations.
A divide-and-conquer control strategy with decentralized control barrier function for luggage trolley transportation by collaborative robots
Authors: Gao Xuheng , Luan Hao , Xia Bingyi , Zhao Ziqi , Wang Jiankun , Meng Max Q.-H.
Published: August 2023

This article focuses on the luggage trolley transportation problem, an essential part of robotic autonomous luggage trolley collection. To efficiently address the nonholonomic constraints derived from the formation of two collaborative robots and a queue of luggage trolleys, we propose a comprehensive framework consisting of a global planning method and a real-time divide-and-conquer control strategy. The popular Hybrid A* algorithm generates a feasible path as the global planner. A model predictive controller is designed to track this path stably and in real time. To maintain the formation so that the whole queue of robots and luggage trolleys does not split, a safety filter that consists of a discrete-time control Lyapunov function and a decentralized control barrier function is implemented in the transportation process. Finally, we conduct real-world experiments to verify the effectiveness of the proposed method on three representative paths, and the results show that our approach can achieve robust performance. The demonstration video can be found at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iPiT8BfLIpU.
Capturing Impact Messages in Parent–Child	Interactions
Authors: Dippel Nele , Zimmermann Johannes , Brakemeier Eva-Lotta , Christiansen Hanna
Published: August 2023

Abstract: The interpersonal circumplex (IPC) is an established model to describe individual and dyadic interpersonal phenomena along the orthogonal dimensions of control and affiliation. This study aims to adapt and validate the Impact Message Inventory (IMI) to assess impact messages (perceptions of and covert reactions to interpersonal styles) in parents and children according to the IPC. We adapted the German IMI ( Caspar et al., 2016 ) for a young age. Overall, 531 parents and 162 children completed the IMI@YoungAge (IMI@YA). We investigated the reliability and circumplex structure of the octant scales. We also examined the complementarity of impact messages of parents and children and associations with health-related constructs. Most IMI@YA scales demonstrated acceptable internal consistency. The expected circumplex structure could not be replicated. When using factor scores based on exploratory factor analysis, we were able to confirm the complementarity hypothesis in terms of affiliation, but not control. We detected low-to-moderate correlations with health-related constructs. The IMI@YA aims to assess the impact messages of parents and children, but the lack of circumplex structure implies that the items and scales need to be adjusted. We discuss the IPC’s potential for investigating parent-child interaction.
Do Just Trainer Behaviors Matter?
Authors: Roch Sylvia G. , Zhuang Wei , Park Jane , Jin Fanshu , Brooks Ricardo R.
Published: August 2023

Abstract: We explore whether justice-related trainer behaviors can contribute to positive training outcomes, with just behaviors defined according to the organizational justice literature. We also explore possible psychological mechanisms that may explain why just trainer behaviors matter, focusing on positive affect and felt obligation. The importance of just world beliefs is also investigated. In 100 individual training sessions, we manipulated trainer behaviors, just or unjust, and primed trainees with a message regarding whether the world is just. Just trainer behaviors related directly to increased trainee transfer motivation and indirectly to both transfer self-efficacy (via positive affect) and training performance (via general justice perceptions). Belief in a just world played no significant role.
Electrical Conductivity of Clinochlore Dehydration and Implications for High‐Conductivity Anomalies and the Melting in the Mantle Wedge
Authors: Shen Kewei , Wang Duojun , Wang Libing , Yi Li , Zhang Zhiqing , Cao Chunjie
Published: August 2023

The dehydration of clinochlore may supply water for the creation of high‐conductivity anomalies and melting beneath volcanic arc. However, this process has not yet been constrained even though it is critical to understanding water cycling processes during subduction. The electrical conductivity of clinochlore was measured at pressures of 1.0–4.0 GPa and temperatures of up to 1273 K. The pressure weakly affected the electrical conductivity of clinochlore. In contrast, the electrical conductivity was significantly enhanced when the clinochlore was heated to temperatures beyond 1048 K, which was accompanied by decomposition into spinel, forsterite, enstatite and aqueous fluids. The elevated conductivity associated with the high activation energy may reflect the migration of Mg2+ and Al3+ during dehydration. We suggested that the aqueous fluids were released from both talc‐like and brucite‐like layer in the clinochlore, and the volumes of fluids released by samples post mortem determined using X‐ray computed tomography were 7.9–11.5 vol.%. Our results indicate that the dehydration of clinochlore results in a significant increase in conductivity of up to ∼1 S/m due to the interconnected network formed by the fluids. Combined with the geothermal gradient, the experimental data were used to interpret the high‐conductivity anomalies observed at depths of 75–120 km in hot subduction zones and 150–200 km in cold subduction zones. The updip migration of aqueous liquids liberated by clinochlore may act as a major water source for the melting at depths of 110 ± 20 km above the descending slab beneath a volcanic arc.
Hillslope‐Channel Transitions and the Role of Water Tracks in a Changing Permafrost Landscape
Authors: Del Vecchio Joanmarie , Zwieback Simon , Rowland Joel C. , DiBiase Roman A. , Palucis Marisa C.
Published: August 2023

The Arctic is experiencing rapid climate change, and the effect on hydrologic processes and resulting geomorphic changes to hillslopes and channels is unclear because we lack quantitative models and theory for rapid changes resulting from thawing permafrost. The presence of permafrost modulates water flow and the stability of soil‐mantled slopes, implying that there should be a signature of permafrost processes, including warming‐driven disturbance, in channel network extent. To inform understanding of hillslope‐channel dynamics under changing climates, we examined soil‐mantled hillslopes within a ∼300 km2 area of the Seward Peninsula, western Alaska, where discontinuous permafrost is particularly susceptible to thaw and rapid landscape change. In this study, we pair high‐resolution topographic and satellite data to multi‐annual observations of InSAR‐derived surface displacement over a 5‐year period to quantify spatial variations in topographic change across an upland landscape. We find that neither the basin slope nor the presence of knickzones controls the magnitude of recent surface displacements within the study basin, as may be expected under conceptual models of temperate hillslope evolution. Rather, the highest displacement magnitudes tended to occur at the broad hillslope‐channel transition zone. In this study area, this zone is occupied by water tracks, which are zero‐order ecogeomorphic features that concentrate surface and subsurface flow paths. Our results suggest that water tracks, which appear to occupy hillslope positions between saturation and incision thresholds, are vulnerable to warming‐induced subsidence and incision. We hypothesize that gullying within water tracks will outpace infilling by hillslope processes, resulting in the growth of the channel network under future warming.
C16orf72/HAPSTR1/TAPR1 functions with BRCA1/Senataxin to modulate replication-associated R-loops and confer resistance to PARP disruption
Authors: Sharma Abhishek Bharadwaj , Ramlee Muhammad Khairul , Kosmin Joel , Higgs Martin R. , Wolstenholme Amy , Ronson George E. , Jones Dylan , Ebner Daniel , Shamkhi Noor , Sims David , Wijnhoven Paul W. G. , Forment Josep V. , Gibbs-Seymour Ian , Lakin Nicholas D.
Published: August 2023

While the toxicity of PARP inhibitors to cells with defects in homologous recombination (HR) is well established, other synthetic lethal interactions with PARP1/PARP2 disruption are poorly defined. To inform on these mechanisms we conducted a genome-wide screen for genes that are synthetic lethal with PARP1/2 gene disruption and identified C16orf72/HAPSTR1/TAPR1 as a novel modulator of replication-associated R-loops. C16orf72 is critical to facilitate replication fork restart, suppress DNA damage and maintain genome stability in response to replication stress. Importantly, C16orf72 and PARP1/2 function in parallel pathways to suppress DNA:RNA hybrids that accumulate at stalled replication forks. Mechanistically, this is achieved through an interaction of C16orf72 with BRCA1 and the RNA/DNA helicase Senataxin to facilitate their recruitment to RNA:DNA hybrids and confer resistance to PARP inhibitors. Together, this identifies a C16orf72/Senataxin/BRCA1-dependent pathway to suppress replication-associated R-loop accumulation, maintain genome stability and confer resistance to PARP inhibitors.
Reduced body cell mass and functions in lower extremities are associated with mild cognitive impairment and Alzheimer’s dementia
Authors: Doan Dieu Ni Thi , Kim Kahye , Ku Boncho , Lee Kun Ho , Kim Jaeuk U.
Published: August 2023

This study examined the alterations of segmental body composition in individuals with Alzheimer’s pathology (AD), including mild cognitive impairment (MCI) and dementia. A multifrequency bioimpedance analysis (BIA) was used to provide segmental water and impedance variables from 365 cognitively normal (CN), 123 MCI due to AD, and 30 AD dementia participants. We compared the BIA variables between the three groups, examined their correlations with neuropsychological screening test scores, and illustrate their 95% confidence RXc graphs. AD dementia participants were older, more depressive, and had worse cognitive abilities than MCI due to AD and CN participants. Although the BIA variables showed weak partial correlations with the cognitive test scores, we found patterns of an increasing water content in lean mass, increasing extra to intracellular water ratio, and decreasing reactance and phase angle in the lower extremities with effect sizes ranging from 0.26 to 0.51 in the groups of MCI and dementia due to AD compared with CN individuals. The RXc graphs upheld the findings with a significant displacement downward and toward the right, dominantly in the lower extremities. Individuals with AD pathology exhibit a reduced body cell mass or cell strength, an abnormal cellular water distribution, and an overhydration status in lean mass, especially in the lower extremities.
Mediation effect of emotional self-regulation in the relationship between physical activity and subjective well-being in Chilean adolescents
Authors: Fuentealba-Urra Sergio , Rubio Andrés , González-Carrasco Mònica , Oyanedel Juan Carlos , Céspedes-Carreno Cristian
Published: August 2023

Adolescents' subjective well-being and physical activity have been found to be correlated in previous studies. However, the underlying mechanisms of this relationship, especially the potential contribution of emotional self-regulation, have received little attention. This study aims to investigate the extent to which emotional self-regulation mediates the association between adolescent physical activity habits and their subjective well-being. The study involved 9585 adolescents who completed a cross-sectional survey. Participants were aged between 10 and 19 years old and attended primary and secondary schools in all 16 regions of Chile. The survey utilized a self-report questionnaire to measure physical activity habits, subjective well-being, and emotional self-regulation. Sociodemographic variables, such as age, gender, and socioeconomic level, were also considered in the analysis. The results showed that physical activity habits, emotional regulation, and subjective well-being were positively correlated. Among these factors, the strongest association was found between subjective well-being and emotional self-regulation. The mediation analysis revealed a partial mediation effect of emotional self-regulation between physical activity habits and subjective well-being. In other words, physical activity habits affect subjective well-being to the extent that these habits affect emotional self-regulation. These findings provide valuable insights into the mechanisms underlying the link between physical activity habits and subjective well-being among adolescents. They also offer useful information for the development of public programs and policies aimed at promoting physical activity habits and subjective well-being in young people.
Influence of the asthenosphere on earth dynamics and evolution
Authors: Cathles Lawrence , Fjeldskar Willy , Lenardic Adrian , Romanowicz Barbara , Seales Johnny , Richards Mark
Published: August 2023

The existence of a thin, weak asthenospheric layer beneath Earth’s lithospheric plates is consistent with existing geological and geophysical constraints, including Pleistocene glacio-isostatic adjustment, modeling of gravity anomalies, studies of seismic anisotropy, and post-seismic rebound. Mantle convection models suggest that a pronounced weak zone beneath the upper thermal boundary layer (lithosphere) may be essential to the plate tectonic style of convection found on Earth. The asthenosphere is likely related to partial melting and the presence of water in the sub-lithospheric mantle, further implying that the long-term evolution of the Earth may be controlled by thermal regulation and volatile recycling that maintain a geotherm that approaches the wet mantle solidus at asthenospheric depths.
Aptamer-based assay for rapid detection, surveillance, and screening of pathogenic Leptospira in water samples
Authors: Vishwakarma Archana , Meganathan Yogesan , Ramya Mohandass
Published: August 2023

Leptospirosis is a potentially fatal waterborne infection caused by Leptospira interrogans, impacting both humans and animals in tropical regions. However, current diagnostic methods for detecting pathogenic Leptospira have sensitivity, cost, and time limitations. Therefore, there is a critical need for a rapid, sensitive, and cost-effective detection method. This study presents the development of an aptamer-based assay for pathogenic Leptospira detection. Aptamers targeting Leptospira were generated using the SELEX method and screened for binding affinity with major Leptospiral outer membrane proteins through in silico analysis. The aptamer with the highest binding affinity was selected for further evaluation. To enable visual detection, the aptamer was conjugated to gold nanoparticles (AuNPs), resulting in a colorimetric response in the presence of L. interrogans. The aptamer-AuNP-based colorimetric assay exhibited a detection limit of 57 CFU/mL and demonstrated high specificity and reproducibility in detecting pathogenic Leptospira in water samples. This aptamer-based assay represents a significant advancement in leptospirosis diagnostics, offering a rapid, sensitive, and cost-effective approach for detecting pathogenic Leptospira. Its potential for epidemiological applications, such as outbreak source identification and improved prevention, diagnosis, and treatment, particularly in resource-limited settings, highlights its importance in addressing the challenges associated with leptospirosis.
Developing multitarget coumarin based anti-breast cancer agents: synthesis and molecular modeling study
Authors: Takla Fiby N. , Bayoumi Waleed A. , El-Messery Shahenda M. , Nasr Magda N. A.
Published: August 2023

A new series of 7-substituted coumarin scaffolds containing a methyl ester moiety at the C4-position were synthesized and tested for their in vitro anti-proliferative activity against MCF-7 and MDA-MB-231 breast cancer cell lines using Doxorubicin (DOX) as reference. Compounds 2 and 8 showed noticeable selectivity against MCF-7 with IC50 = 6.0 and 5.8 µM, respectively compared to DOX with IC50 = 5.6 µM. Compounds 10, 12, and 14 exhibited considerable selectivity against Estrogen Negative cells with IC50 = 2.3, 3.5, and 1.9 µM, respectively) compared to DOX with (IC50 = 7.3 µM). The most promising compounds were tested as epidermal growth factor receptor and aromatase (ARO) enzymes inhibitors using erlotinib and exemestane (EXM) as standards, respectively. Results proved that compound 8 elicited the highest inhibitory activity (94.73% of the potency of EXM), while compounds 10 and 12 displayed 97.67% and 81.92% of the potency of Erlotinib, respectively. Further investigation showed that the promising candidates 8, 10, and 12 caused cell cycle arrest at G0–G1 and S phases and induced apoptosis. The mechanistic pathway was confirmed by elevating caspases-9 and Bax/Bcl-2 ratio. A set of in silico methods was also performed including docking, bioavailability ADMET screening and QSAR study
The role of sense of presence in expressing cognitive abilities in a virtual reality task: an initial validation study
Authors: Palombi Tommaso , Galli Federica , Giancamilli Francesco , D’Amico Monica , Alivernini Fabio , Gallo Luigi , Neroni Pietro , Predazzi Marco , De Pietro Giuseppe , Lucidi Fabio , Giordano Antonio , Chirico Andrea
Published: August 2023

There is a raised interest in literature to use Virtual Reality (VR) technology as an assessment tool for cognitive domains. One of the essential advantages of transforming tests in an immersive virtual environment is the possibility of automatically calculating the test’s score, a time-consuming process under natural conditions. Although the characteristics of VR can deliver different degrees of immersion in a virtual environment, the sense of presence could jeopardize the evolution of these practices. The sense of presence results from a complex interaction between human, contextual factors, and the VR environment. The present study has two aims: firstly, it contributes to the validation of a virtual version of the naturalistic action test (i.e., virtual reality action test); second, it aims to evaluate the role of sense of presence as a critical booster of the expression of cognitive abilities during virtual reality tasks. The study relies on healthy adults tested in virtual and real conditions in a cross-over research design. The study’s results support the validity of the virtual reality action test. Furthermore, two structural equation models are tested to comprehend the role of sense of presence as a moderator in the relationship between cognitive abilities and virtual task performance.
Computational modeling and minimization of unintended neuronal excitation in a LIFU stimulation
Authors: Fan Boqiang , Goodman Wayne , Cho Raymond Y. , Sheth Sameer A. , Bouchard Richard R. , Aazhang Behnaam
Published: August 2023

The neuromodulation effect of low-intensity focused ultrasound (LIFU) is highly target-specific. Unintended off-target neuronal excitation can be elicited when the beam focusing accuracy and resolution are limited, whereas the resulted side effect has not been evaluated quantitatively. There is also a lack of methods addressing the minimization of such side effects. Therefore, this work introduces a computational model of unintended neuronal excitation during LIFU neuromodulation, which evaluates the off-target activation area (OTAA) by integrating an ultrasound field model with the neuronal spiking model. In addition, a phased array beam focusing scheme called constrained optimal resolution beamforming (CORB) is proposed to minimize the off-target neuronal excitation area while ensuring effective stimulation in the target brain region. A lower bound of the OTAA is analytically approximated in a simplified homogeneous medium, which could guide the selection of transducer parameters such as aperture size and operating frequency. Simulations in a human head model using three transducer setups show that CORB markedly reduces the OTAA compared with two benchmark beam focusing methods. The high neuromodulation resolution demonstrates the capability of LIFU to effectively limit the side effects during neuromodulation, allowing future clinical applications such as treatment of neuropsychiatric disorders.
Experimental solubility of aripiprazole in supercritical carbon dioxide and modeling
Authors: Ansari Eslam , Honarvar Bizhan , Sajadian Seyed Ali , Aboosadi Zahra Arab , Azizi Mehdi
Published: August 2023

The solubility of compounds in supercritical carbon dioxide (SC-$${\mathrm{CO}}_{2}$$

CO
2

) has found crucial significance in the fabrication of micro/nano-scaled drugs. In this research, the solubility of Aripiprazole was measured in SC-$${\mathrm{CO}}_{2}$$

CO
2

at various temperatures (308–338 K) and pressures (12–30 MPa). Moreover, the experimental solubility results were correlated with several semi-empirical models (Chrastil, Bartle et al., Kumar & Johnston, Menden-Santiago & Teja, Sodeifian et al., and Jouyban et al.) as well as the modified Wilson model. The molar fraction of the drug in SC-$${\mathrm{CO}}_{2}$$

CO
2

varied in the range of $$1.830\times {10}^{-6}$$

1.830
×

10

-
6

to $$1.036\times {10}^{-5}$$

1.036
×

10

-
5

. The solubility highly depended on the operating pressure and temperature. The Chrastil (0.994), Jouyban et al. (0.993) and Sodeifian et al. (0.992) models showed the highest consistency with the obtained values. Furthermore, self-consistency tests were performed on the solubility of Aripiprazole in SC-$${\mathrm{CO}}_{2}$$

CO
2

. The approximate total enthalpy ($${\mathrm{\Delta H}}_{\mathrm{total}}$$

Δ
H

total

), vaporization enthalpy ($${\mathrm{\Delta H}}_{\mathrm{vap}}$$

Δ
H

vap

), and solubility enthalpy ($${\mathrm{\Delta H}}_{\mathrm{sol}}$$

Δ
H

sol

) were also calculated.
Spatio-temporal process and influencing factors of polluting enterprises' migration: an empirical study based on the Yangtze River Delta
Authors: Lin Bingquan
Published: August 2023

The migration of polluting enterprises (MPE) is a crucial subject within the fields of Environmental Economic Geography and Enterprise Geography. An analysis was conducted on the temporal-spatial evolution and influencing factors of the MPE by employing the full-sample enterprises data from the "Qichacha" system. The main findings were obtained: (1) The polluting enterprises in the Yangtze River Delta have undergone an evolutionary process of proximity migration, intra-provincial proximity to intra-provincial long distance migration, with intra-provincial migration being the main focus supplemented by inter-provincial migration, and coexisting intra-provincial and inter-provincial migration. (2) The estimation results, based on the panel negative-binomial model, reveal that the variables having a greater impact on the MPE encompass environmental regulation, industrial upgrading policies, cost factors, geographical distance, coastal and inter-provincial boundaries, etc. These influencing factors display time heterogeneity and industry heterogeneity. (3) By taking the Nijiaxiang Group, which was involved in the 321 Explosion Accident in Xiangshui, as an example, it was discovered that insufficient inheritance of environmental protection concepts, corruption of officials, and social governance problems have resulted in shortcomings in the area. This has led to a lowered level of local environmental regulation, transforming the local area into a haven for polluting enterprises such as the Nijiaxiang Group. The contribution of this study lies in observing the MPE from the perspective of "inter-regional association," and within the group enterprises. It addresses the deficiencies of existing research that mainly examines the evolution of industrial geographic patterns and statically observes polluting enterprises' entry and exit behavior. Moreover, this study demonstrates that the Pollution Shelter Hypothesis is not universal and has an impact in the Yangtze River Delta region after 2012.
The identification of genes associated T-cell exhaustion and construction of prognostic signature to predict immunotherapy response in lung adenocarcinoma
Authors: Wu Yahua , Du Bin , Lin Mingqiang , Ji Xiaohui , Lv Chengliu , Lai Jinhuo
Published: August 2023

T-cell exhaustion (Tex) is considered to be a reason for immunotherapy resistance and poor prognosis in lung adenocarcinoma. Therefore, we used weighted correlation network analysis to identify Tex-related genes in the cancer genome atlas (TCGA). Unsupervised clustering approach based on Tex-related genes divided patients into cluster 1 and cluster 2. Then, we utilized random forest and the least absolute shrinkage and selection operator to identify nine key genes to construct a riskscore. Patients were classified as low or high-risk groups. The multivariate cox analysis showed the riskscore was an independent prognostic factor in TCGA and GSE72094 cohorts. Moreover, patients in cluster 2 with high riskscore had the worst prognosis. The immune response prediction analysis showed the low-risk group had higher immune, stromal, estimate scores, higher immunophenscore (IPS), and lower tumor immune dysfunction and exclusion score which suggested a better response to immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) therapy in the low-risk group. In the meantime, we included two independent immunotherapy cohorts that also confirmed a better response to ICIs treatment in the low-risk group. Besides, we discovered differences in chemotherapy and targeted drug sensitivity between two groups. Finally, a nomogram was built to facilitate clinical decision making.
Fuzhuan brick tea ameliorates hepatic steatosis and steatohepatitis through gut microbiota-derived aryl hydrocarbon receptor ligands in high-fat diet-induced obese mice
Authors: Liu Dongmin , Wang Siyu , Liu Yaqing , Luo Yong , Wen Beibei , Wu Wenliang , Zeng Hongliang , Huang Jianan , Liu Zhonghua
Published: August 2023

High-fat diet (HFD) induced hepatic steatosis and steatohepatitis were ameliorated by Fuzhuan brick tea (FBT) via AhR-ligand producing microbiota and their tryptophan metabolism.
A sustainable protocol for selective alcohols oxidation using a novel iron-based metal organic framework (MOF-BASU1)
Authors: Yaghubzadeh Mahtab , Alavinia Sedigheh , Ghorbani-Vaghei Ramin
Published: August 2023

The selective oxidation of active and inactive alcohol substrates is a highly versatile conversion that poses a challenge in controlling the functionality and adjustments on MOFs.
Virtual Patients: Impact of Computer Simulation on Audiology Learning and Practice
Authors: de Araújo Deuzimar Pires , Duarte Josilene Luciene , Araújo Eliene Silva
Published: August 2023

Purpose:

The purpose of this study was to verify users' satisfaction with the interface of an audiometric simulator and self-perception of the computer simulation impact on practical acting in audiology, allowing the identification of problems and possibilities for improvement.

Method:

A prospective, observational study was divided into two phases: The first is evaluating the student's satisfaction, using the simulator in the theoretical and practical learning of audiology, and the second one is assessing the self-perception of the simulator's impact on the practical performance of audiology. The sample comprised 35 students from two Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology courses, in Brazil, selected by convenience, who answered the questionnaire after completing the theoretical module, using Google Forms, without any identification.

Results:

In the first phase of the study, students positively evaluated the use of the simulator as an auxiliary tool for audiology learning, and in the second one, they also positively assessed the impact of training with the simulator in audiological practice.

Conclusion:

The analyzed audiometric simulator proved to be an interactive system with high acceptability, level of satisfaction, and potential impact on practical performance in audiology.

Supplemental Material:

https://doi.org/10.23641/asha.23876325
Partnering With Latino/a Caregivers and Community Stakeholders to Understand Priorities and Needs Prior to Implementing an Early Literacy Program
Authors: Mendez Adriana I. , Guerra Karen , Yohannes Millena , Reid Nina , Corea Mario , Pickard Katherine
Published: August 2023

Purpose:

Latino/a children disproportionately experience academic vulnerabilities, including in reading. Caregiver-mediated interventions can be leveraged to support the bilingual language development of young Latino/a children to prevent these well-documented disparities in reading. However, in leveraging these programs, it is important to weigh Latino cultural values surrounding education, family connection, and learning alongside the barriers and inequities experienced by Latino families. In response to this need, this study used a community-partnered approach to (a) understand caregivers' needs related to the language and literacy development of their young children and (b) understand perspectives for how best to implement a culturally adapted and culturally responsive caregiver-mediated program.

Method:

A total of 101 caregivers completed a needs assessment of sociodemographic information, child development and needs, and family needs. Subsequently, nonprofit staff and caregivers completed semistructured interviews or focus groups about the development and implementation of a birth-to-5 program supporting early language development.

Results:

Thirty-five percent of families reported having at least one child with delayed language. Furthermore, 60.3% of respondents reported desiring strategies to support their child's early reading. Deductive content analysis revealed that both staff and caregivers desired a birth-to-5, caregiver-mediated program. Staff described family-level characteristics to consider for an early language program, community strengths, specific inequities faced by Latino families, and suggestions about culturally responsive early language and literacy program content and structure. Caregivers described barriers and inequities that they have faced related to their children's learning and development and how a birth-to-5 program could be responsive to their needs and values.

Conclusions:

Staff and caregiver emphasized the resilience of Latino families and their strong values surrounding educational involvement. At the same time, participants also reported barriers and inequities rooted in systemic racism that have prevented families from being involved in certain aspects of the children's education. Together, these results revealed the importance of an early literacy program that is responsive to the structural inequities experienced by families.
Lexical–Semantic Organization as Measured by Repeated Word Association in Children Who Are Deaf and Hard of Hearing Who Use Spoken Language
Authors: Rush Olivia , Werfel Krystal L. , Lund Emily
Published: August 2023

Purpose:

This study compares responses of children who are deaf and hard of hearing (DHH) who use spoken language with responses of children who have typical hearing on a repeated word association task to evaluate lexical–semantic organization.

Method:

This study included 109 participants in early kindergarten or who had completed first grade. The younger group included 30 children with typical hearing, 22 with hearing aids, and 21 with cochlear implants. The older group included 16 children with typical hearing, nine with hearing aids, and 11 with cochlear implants. Children were asked to give a word associated with 24 stimuli words. Responses were coded according to their relation to the target.

Results:

An analysis of variance revealed that older children, regardless of hearing status, produced more semantically related responses to prompts than younger children. Children in the younger DHH group differed from children with typical hearing in their production of non–semantically related responses: They produced errored responses at higher rates.

Conclusion:

This preliminary data may indicate an early deficit in recognition of semantic relations between words for children who are DHH and provides a basis for continued longitudinal study of changes in lexical–semantic organization.
Speech, Language, and Hearing in the 21st Century: A Bibliometric Review of
JSLHR
From 2001 to 2021
Authors: Vitevitch Michael S.
Published: August 2023

Purpose:

A bibliometric analysis was performed for articles published in the
Journal of Speech, Language, and Hearing Research
(
JSLHR
) from 2001 to 2021 to examine changes to and emerging trends in the speech, language, and hearing sciences in the 21st century.

Method:

Quantitative analyses using JASP were performed on the publication rate and number of authors in articles published in
JSLHR
for each year from 2001 to 2021. VOSviewer was used to analyze and visualize networks of co-occurring Keyword Plus terms extracted from the articles published in
JSLHR
for several representative years from 2001 to 2021.

Results:

Although the number of publications and number of authors published in
JSLHR
increased from 2001 to 2021, that growth was consistent with the growth found in science in general and with changes in publication policies and practices. The number and range of countries other than the United States published in
JSLHR
increased from 2001 to 2021. A consistent set of institutions published frequently in
JSLHR
across the years examined. The analysis of Keyword Plus terms showed an increase in the range of populations, disorders, and languages that were the subject of research from 2001 to 2021, as well as influences from other fields on speech, language, and hearing sciences.

Conclusion:

The science of science approach and the tools of network science are useful for assessing how changes in editorial policy affect diversity, for monitoring research topics that are growing (or declining), for identifying institutions that lead the field, and for inviting discussions among various interested parties related to the growth and development of a discipline.