bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Bolzanos Konzeption bloß möglicher Gegenstände
Authors: Beyer Christian
Published: December 2022

In Section 1, the author argues that Bolzano does not have a Meinongian view of merely possible objects, not even in the context of his theory of intentionality. In section 2, it is argued that Williamson’s necessitist conception, according to which there is a merely possible golden mountain, was not anticipated by Bolzano. An eternalist reconstruction is rejected as well. The argument takes recourse to Bolzano’s semantics of temporal statements, which also underlies his argument for the eternity of substances and makes it plausible to assume that Bolzano had a perdurantist view, according to which there are merely possible objects just in case there are actual objects whose generation is to be metaphysically explained, in terms of grounding, by recourse to a merely possible object’s being replaced by an actual object. Furthermore, it is argued that merely possible objects à la Bolzano are not substances, in his narrow sense of the term, and that his case for such objects in connection with his view of generation is less than convincing. However, section 3 argues that Bolzano’s conception combines with his view of substance to yield an interesting perdurantist conception of personal identity.
Acceptance and Managerial Doxastic Agency
Authors: Buckareff Andrei A.
Published: December 2022

Managerial doxastic agency is one species of indirect doxastic agency. In this article, the author builds on some earlier work and sketches an account of managerial doxastic agency. In particular, he argues that fairly robust doxastic agency can be exercised by performing metamental actions of non-doxastically accepting propositions as true as part of a general strategy involving various means of mental control. That the sort of control counts as a form of internal control and, hence, as a form of genuine doxastic agency is defended against an objection.
The Causal Role of Consciousness in a Physical World
Authors: Pereira Roberto Horácio de Sá
Published: December 2022

According to Papineau’s qualitative view, experiences instantiate both representational and phenomenal properties. The instantiation of phenomenal properties is people undergoing the relevant experience. In contrast, the instantiation of representational properties relies on changing relationships between the person and the environment in which the person is embedded. The upshot is that phenomenal and representational properties are only contingently related: phenomenal properties are neither identical to, nor supervene on, representational properties. In this article, the author gives a detailed criticism of Papineau’s qualitative view. Papineau’s qualitative view left unexplained the relevant causal role of consciousness in accounting for actions—assuming that a mental state only becomes conscious when it is poised to make a direct difference to what the subject believes and later remembers, how the subject reasons, what decisions the subject makes, and what rational actions the subject performs. The author argues that the same reasons that support Papineau’s complaint that it is hard to see how distal particulars and properties make their way into the realm of consciousness—namely some traditional arguments against representationalism—also show that it is hard to see how phenomenal consciousness makes its way back into the outside world in explaining the rational control of actions.
Bringing Bayes and Shannon to the Study of Behavioural and Neurobiological Timing and Associative Learning
Authors: Gallistel C. Randy , Latham Peter E.
Published: December 2022

Bayesian parameter estimation and Shannon’s theory of information provide tools for analysing and understanding data from behavioural and neurobiological experiments on interval timing—and from experiments on Pavlovian and operant conditioning, because timing plays a fundamental role in associative learning. In this tutorial, we explain basic concepts behind these tools and show how to apply them to estimating, on a trial-by-trial, reinforcement-by-reinforcement and response-by-response basis, important parameters of timing behaviour and of the neurobiological manifestations of timing in the brain. These tools enable quantification of relevant variables in the trade-off between acting as an ideal observer should act and acting as an ideal agent should act, which is also known as the trade-off between exploration (information gathering) and exploitation (information utilization) in reinforcement learning. They enable comparing the strength of the evidence for a measurable association to the strength of the behavioural evidence that the association has been perceived. A GitHub site and an OSF site give public access to well-documented Matlab and Python code and to raw data to which these tools have been applied.
Between the White Eagle and the Crescent: Polish Go-Betweens in the Ottoman Empire in the Early Modern and Modern Eras
Authors: Dominik Paulina
Published: December 2022

Between the White Eagle and the Crescent: Polish Go-Betweens in the Ottoman Empire in the Early Modern and Modern ErasThis article is a review of the study entitled Ludzie dwóch kultur. Wybrane przypadki transgresji kulturowej Polaków w Imperium Osmańskim w XVII, XVIII i XIX wieku [The People of Two Cultures: Selected cases of cultural transgression of Poles in the Ottoman Empire (17th–19th c.)], authored by Agnieszka Ayşen Kaim (Warszawa: Instytut Slawistyki PAN, 2020, pp. 318). Między Białym Orłem a Półksiężycem – polscy pośrednicy w Imperium Osmańskim w epoce nowożytnejRecenzja monografii naukowej Ludzie dwóch kultur. Wybrane przypadki transgresji kulturowej Polaków w Imperium Osmańskim w XVII, XVIII i XIX wieku autorstwa Agnieszki Ayşen Kaim (Warszawa: Instytut Slawistyki PAN, 2020, 318 ss.).
The Role of Literature in the Processes of Destereotyping (Through Examples from Macedonian Literature)
Authors: Gjorgjieva Dimova Marija
Published: December 2022

The Role of Literature in the Processes of Destereotyping (Through Examples from Macedonian Literature)Considering the imagological conceptions of the Other by Daniel-Henri Pageau and Gordana Đerić, this text analyses the role of literature in the deconstruction of stereotypes that circulate in communication between Balkan neighbours. In the focus of our interpretation are three novels of contemporary Macedonian literature (Luan Starova’s Balkanvavilonci, Dragi Mihajlovski’s Mojot Skenderbej and Blazhe Minevski’s Nishan), which are paradigmatic in two ways: 1. they refer to historical events and figures, thus confirming that history is the basic mechanism for the argumentation of stereotypical images; 2. they depict processes of destereotyping both thematically and structurally, but also by their appearance in a particular sociohistorical context, with the aim of promoting supranational, universal, human, civilizational, and cultural values such as love, empathy, forgiveness, dialogue, tolerance, education, love of books, optimism, humaneness, all of which are usually treated as originally European values. Literature, by articulating the processes of destereotyping through the narrative strategies in the works, confirms that it holds the potential to act correctively on systems where different forms of power are based on discrimination and submission. Rola literatury w procesach destereotypizacji (na przykładach z literatury macedońskiej)Przedmiotem tekstu jest analiza roli literatury w dekonstrukcji stereotypów krążących w komunikacji między bałkańskimi sąsiadami z perspektywy imagologicznych koncepcji Innego autorstwa Daniela-Henri Pageau i Gordany Đerić. W centrum uwagi znajdują się trzy powieści zaliczane do współczesnej literatury macedońskiej (Balkanvavilonci Luany Starovy, Mojot Skenderbej Dragiego Mihajlovskiego, Nishan Blaže Minevskiego). Są one paradygmatyczne z dwóch względów: 1. odwołują się do wydarzeń i postaci historycznych, czym potwierdzają, że historia jest podstawowym mechanizmem argumentacji obrazów o charakterze stereotypowym; 2. ujawniają procesy destereotypizacji zarówno pod względem tematycznym, jak i strukturalnym, a też przez zaktualizowanie określonego kontekstu społeczno-historycznego, co służy promowaniu wartości ponadnarodowych, uniwersalnych, ludzkich, cywilizacyjnych i kulturowych, takich jak miłość, empatia, przebaczenie, dialog, tolerancja, edukacja, miłość do książek, optymizm, humanitaryzm, traktowanych jako wartości fundamentalnie europejskie. Potwierdza to, że artykułując procesy desterotypizacji przez strategie narracyjne, literatura ma potencjał do działania korygującego w systemach, w których różne formy władzy oparte są na dyskryminacji i uległości.
The Humanities at a Crossroads: Challenges and Prospects in the (Post-)COVID-19 World
Authors: Todorić Milićević Teodora
Published: December 2022

The Humanities at a Crossroads: Challenges and Prospects in the (Post-)COVID-19 WorldThe widespread social and political changes at the end of the 20th century influenced and reshaped higher education and, consequently, research in and the position of the humanities at universities around the world. This paper examines the much-debated crisis in the humanities and poses questions on its course in the light of the global COVID-19 pandemic. It argues that the COVID-19 pandemic might be an opportunity for reflections that may lead to changes in higher education that aim to revive humanistic research, which provides people with tools such as critical thinking, which has proved to be crucial in times of crisis, like pandemics. We consider the example of the Faculty of Philology at the University of Belgrade, the most prominent place for language, culture and literature research in Serbia, as this is an institution that faces many challenges, primarily a decline in enrolment in certain programmes. Finally, we analyse this Faculty’s strategies to cope with both internal and external problems and to revitalize the interest of prospective students in philological studies.Nauki humanistyczne na rozdrożu – wyzwania i perspektywy w świecie po pandemii COVID-19Szeroko zakrojone zmiany społeczne i polityczne pod koniec XX wieku przekształciły szkolnictwo wyższe, a co za tym idzie, badania i pozycję nauk humanistycznych na uniwersytetach na całym świecie. W niniejszym artykule analizie poddany został szeroko dyskutowany kryzys w humanistyce oraz postawiono pytania o jego przebieg w świetle globalnej pandemii COVID-19. Autorka przekonuje, że pandemia COVID-19 może być okazją do refleksji prowadzącej do zmian w szkolnictwie wyższym, które mają na celu ożywienie badań humanistycznych, dostarczających ludziom narzędzi, takich jak krytyczne myślenie, będące kluczowym w czasach kryzysu (np. pandemii). Analizie poddany został przykład Wydziału Filologicznego Uniwersytetu w Belgradzie, najwybitniejszego miejsca badań nad językiem, kulturą i literaturą w Serbii. Wybór ten został podyktowany faktem, iż jest to instytucja, która stoi przed wieloma wyzwaniami, przede wszystkim związanymi ze spadkiem liczby zapisów na niektóre kierunki. Na koniec analizuję strategie tego Wydziału w zakresie radzenia sobie zarówno z problemami wewnętrznymi, jak i zewnętrznymi oraz ożywienia zainteresowania przyszłych studentów studiami filologicznymi.
Not Buying It: Opting out, Vaccination and Morality
Authors: Dinić Rastislav
Published: December 2022

Not Buying It: Opting out, Vaccination and MoralityThe paper starts with describing the problem of “naive” or “freshman” relativism that is typically encountered by ethics teachers in introductory ethics classes. I then go on to show that this well-known problem, described and thoroughly analysed by several authors, might have obscured the emergence of a new and different problem – opting out – and that this has become particularly obvious during the COVID-19 pandemic. Drawing on authors such as Albert O. Hirschman, Wendy Brown and especially Bonnie Honig, I go on to argue that this new phenomenon is best thought of as a symptom of neoliberal rationality “colonizing” the domain of morality. I further suggest that we should view morality as what Bonnie Honig defines as a public thing, and I briefly consider some implications of this proposal. Finally, I suggest some possible ways of dealing with the problem of opting out of morality.Ja tego nie kupuję. Wycofanie, szczepienia i moralnośćAtykuł rozpoczyna się od opisania problemu relatywizmu naiwnego, charakterystycznego dla studentów pierwszego roku, z którym zwykle spotykają się nauczyciele etyki na zajęciach wprowadzających. Pokazuję, że ten dobrze znany, opisany i dokładnie przeanalizowany problem mógł przesłonić pojawienie się innego problemu – wycofania – oraz że stało się to szczególnie widoczne podczas pandemii COVID-19. Nawiązując do takich autorów, jak Albert O. Hirschman, Wendy Brown, a zwłaszcza Bonnie Honig, przekonuję, że to nowe zjawisko najlepiej traktować jako symptom neoliberalnej racjonalności „kolonizującej” domenę moralności. Dalej sugeruję, że powinniśmy postrzegać moralność jako to, co Bonnie Honig nazywa rzeczą publiczną, i pokrótce rozważam pewne implikacje tej propozycji. Na koniec proponuję kilka możliwych sposobów radzenia sobie z problemem wycofania z moralności.
AsiaPEX: Challenges and Prospects in Asian Precipitation Research
Authors: Terao Toru , Kanae Shinjiro , Fujinami Hatsuki , Das Someshwar , Dimri A. P. , Dutta Subashisa , Fujita Koji , Fukushima Azusa , Ha Kyung-Ja , Hirose Masafumi , Hong Jinkyu , Kamimera Hideyuki , Kayastha Rijan Bhakta , Kiguchi Masashi , Kikuchi Kazuyoshi , Kim Hyun Mee , Kitoh Akio , Kubota Hisayuki , Ma Weiqiang , Ma Yaoming , Mujumdar Milind , Nodzu Masato I. , Sato Tomonori , Su Z. , Sugimoto Shiori , Takahashi Hiroshi G. , Takaya Yuhei , Wang Shuyu , Yang Kun , Yokoi Satoru , van Oevelen, Peter , Matsumoto Jun
Published: December 2022

The Asian Precipitation Experiment (AsiaPEX) was initiated in 2019 to understand terrestrial precipitation over diverse hydroclimatological conditions for improved predictions, disaster reduction, and sustainable development across Asia under the framework of the Global Hydroclimatology Panel (GHP)/Global Energy and Water Exchanges (GEWEX). AsiaPEX is the successor to GEWEX Asian Monsoon Experiment (GAME; 1995–2005) and Monsoon Asian Hydro-Atmosphere Scientific Research and Prediction Initiative (MAHASRI; 2006–16). While retaining the key objectives of the aforementioned projects, the scientific targets of AsiaPEX focus on land–atmosphere coupling and improvements to the predictability of the Asian hydroclimatological system. AsiaPEX was designed for both fine-scale hydroclimatological processes occurring at the land surface and the integrated Asian hydroclimatological system characterized by multiscale interactions. We adopt six approaches including observation, process studies, scale interactions, high-resolution hydrological modeling, field campaigns, and climate projection, which bridge gaps in research activities conducted in different regions. Collaboration with mesoscale and global modeling researchers is one of the core methods in AsiaPEX. We review these strategies based on the literature and our initial outcomes. These include the estimation and validation of high-resolution satellite precipitation, investigations of extreme rainfall mechanisms, field campaigns over the Maritime Continent and Tibetan Plateau, areas of significant impact on the entire AsiaPEX region, process studies on diurnal- to interdecadal-scale interactions, and evaluation of the predictabilities of climate models for long-term variabilities. We will conduct integrated observational and modeling initiative, the Asian Monsoon Year (AMY)-II around 2025–28, whose strategies are the subregional observation platforms and integrated global analysis.
Hesitancy in the Home: The Relationship between Family Communication Patterns and Willingness to Converse about Covid-19 Vaccination
Authors: Moss Chelsea E. , Waddell T. Franklin , Thomas Shelby
Published: December 2022

While family communication has repeatedly been found to be related to health decisions and outcomes, the role of family communication within the study of Covid-19 vaccine hesitancy has not received adequate attention. The present study ( N = 1,005) assesses the relationship between family communication patterns and willingness to converse about the Covid-19 vaccine with a family member, while also considering trust in government as a moderator. Findings revealed that individuals coming from high conversation-oriented homes who are also younger, unvaccinated, and imagining the vaccine conversation with their mother or father (as opposed to other family members) were more willing to converse with a family member about the Covid-19 vaccine. Conformity orientation only negatively predicted such willingness to converse when moderated by age. Surprisingly, trust in government was not found to moderate the relationship between either family communication pattern orientation and willingness to converse about the Covid-19 vaccine. Theoretical implications relevant for family and health communication scholars and healthcare professionals designing vaccine messaging are discussed.
Occupational Therapy for Improving Occupational Performance in COPD Patients: A Scoping Review
Authors: Goubeau Grégoire , Mandigout Stéphane , Sombardier Thierry , Borel Benoit
Published: December 2022

Background. Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a multisystemic chronic condition which may induce significant consequences in daily life activities. Preserving activities of daily living in COPD is therefore a common treatment goal among people living with COPD, which leaves ample opportunity for occupational therapy interventions to comprise part of their rehabilitation. However, the question of how exactly occupational therapists can and do contribute to pulmonary rehabilitation remains underexplored. Purpose. To reveal the contribution of occupational therapy intervention in the pulmonary rehabilitation on improving the occupational performance of patients with COPD. Method. A scoping review was performed by selecting articles focusing on occupational therapy in pulmonary rehabilitation for patients with COPD. A total of four databases were surveyed for article selection. Findings. Among nine studies selected, seven studies reported a significant improvement in the occupational performance of patients with occupational therapy. However, two studies did not observe differences between the groups regarding occupational performance. Implications. Occupational therapy in pulmonary rehabilitation seems to contribute to the improvement of occupational performances of patients with COPD. Nevertheless, research focused on this field needs to be further developed to support the positive impact of occupational therapy in COPD management.
It’s (a) Shame: Why Poverty Leads to Support for Authoritarianism
Authors: Neerdaels Jasper , Tröster Christian , Van Quaquebeke Niels
Published: December 2022

The literature has widely discussed and supported the relationship between poverty and support for authoritarian leaders and regimes. However, there are different claims about the mediating mechanism and a lack of empirical tests. We hypothesize that the effect of poverty on support for authoritarianism is mediated by shame: People living in poverty frequently experience social exclusion and devaluation, which is reflected in feelings of shame. Such shame, in turn, is likely to increase support for authoritarianism, mainly due to the promise of social re-inclusion. We support our hypothesis in two controlled experiments and a large-scale field study while empirically ruling out the two main alternative explanations offered in the literature: stress and anxiety. Finally, we discuss how the present findings can support policymakers in efficiently addressing the negative political consequences of poverty.
Toward sustainable environment in Italy: The role of trade globalization, human capital, and renewable energy consumption
Authors: Zhang Min , Adebayo Tomiwa Sunday , Awosusi Abraham Ayobamiji , Ramzan Muhammad , Otrakçı Caner , Kirikkaleli Dervis
Published: December 2022

The current study evaluates the effect of financial development (FD), economic growth (GDP), trade globalization (TGLO), renewable energy consumption (REC), and human capital (HC) on ecological footprint (ECF) in Italy using data between 1985 and 2018. We further assess the combined impact of trade globalisation and human capital on ecological footprint as well as the combined effect of trade globalisation and human capital on ecological footprint. In order to explore these associations, the present research utilizes autoregressive distributed lag (ARDL) to catch both long and short-run associations between ecological footprint and its drivers. Furthermore, we use dynamic OLS (DOLS) and fully modified OLS (FMOLS) long-run estimators as robustness checks. Lastly, causality at different frequencies is captured using the frequency domain causality test. The outcomes of the ARDL estimator disclose that (a) a surge in ecological footprint is attributed to an increase in economic growth; (b) a decrease in ecological footprint is attributed to an increase in renewable energy, trade globalisation, and human capital; (c) the combined impact of human capital and trade globalisation lessen ecological footprint, and (d) combined effect of trade globalisation and human capital mitigate ecological footprint in Italy. Furthermore, the outcomes of the causality test revealed that all the exogenous variables can significantly predict ecological footprint in the long run with the exemption of financial development. Based on the study's findings, an SDG-focused policy framework is advocated.
Skill in Indian Labour Market: Current Trends and Estimating Future Gaps
Authors: De Sanjukta , Mukherjee Dipa , Ray Jhilam
Published: December 2022

Countries with a higher proportion of the working age population can achieve higher growth rate if this labour force is employed optimally and productively. India is going through this stage of demographic transition but the recent macroeconomic trend does not indicate that India is reaping any demographic dividend. A large mass of manpower is not engaged productively and both unemployment and underemployment are increasing. A mismatch between labour demand and labour supply both in terms of quantity and quality is observed. In this context, this article tries to forecast the future labour market situation in India across different industries, occupations and skill groups. Results indicate surplus labour for lower skill categories and shortages for higher skill categories soon. The new economy is expected to be more dependent on machines and skilled workers conversant with them. With the fourth industrial revolution looming large, demand for skilled professionals would increase further, while a huge surplus of low-skilled labour force released by the primary sectors would coexist. A twin strategy of targeted employment expansion programs and up-skilling labour force to fit the demands of the new economy is called for. Otherwise, a demographic disaster would explode in our faces.

JEL: E24, J6, J10, J11, J23, J24
Feminine negotiations and patriarchal bargains: Contradictory resistance in women's flat track roller derby
Authors: Khonach Torisha
Published: December 2022

Women in contact sports must negotiate hegemonic gender norms and expectations encoded with sexism and homophobia. Previous research has not fully taken into account the way roller derby athletes resist notions of hegemonic femininity while simultaneously reinforcing gendered hierarchies. Using ethnographic data and 15 in-depth, semi-structured interviews, I seek to make sense of the complex gender negotiations in one roller derby league. I find that skaters offer not only unique resistance by defying gendered expectations of femininity but also risk reaffirming gender hierarchies. Skaters also negotiate and embody characteristics of masculinity and alternative femininities to conform to expectations of sporting legitimacy. This study indicates that, even within progressive spaces, hegemonic expectations of masculinity and femininity can hinder resistance efforts by imposing the competing goals of women's empowerment and masculine norms of athleticism.
How Mindfulness Strategies Can Support Social and Emotional Learning Skill Development for Elementary Grade Students With Emotional and Behavioral Disorders
Authors: Lee Erica O. , Anson Lauren E. , Tindol Katie V. , Chirimwami Vincent
Published: December 2022

The best social and emotional learning (SEL) curriculum can be difficult to implement when students with or at risk for emotional and behavioral disorders (EBD) are unregulated and unprepared to engage in instruction. Daily mindfulness practices can help students with and at risk for EBD regulate their emotions and behaviors and be prepared for instruction. In this article, we provide examples and models of how informal mindfulness strategies can be incorporated into the elementary classroom to support student SEL growth. We also address how SEL instruction can be intensified using explicit mindfulness intervention programs to help meet the needs of students with EBD.
Object Lessons at 10: a conversation
Authors: Wiegman Robyn , Nash Jennifer C.
Published: December 2022

This conversation returns to Robyn Wiegman's field-defining Object Lessons, reflecting on the book's travels, resonances, and continued importance a decade after its publication.
Cerebral Adaptation Associated with Peripheral Nerve Recovery in Neuralgic Amyotrophy: A Randomized Controlled Trial
Authors: Lustenhouwer Renee , Cameron Ian G.M. , van Alfen Nens , Toni Ivan , Geurts Alexander C.H. , van Engelen Baziel G.M. , Groothuis Jan T. , Helmich Rick C.
Published: December 2022

Background:

Neuralgic amyotrophy (NA) is a common peripheral nerve disorder caused by auto-immune inflammation of nerves in the brachial plexus territory, characterized by acute pain and weakness of the shoulder muscles, followed by motor impairment. Recent work has confirmed that NA patients with residual motor dysfunction have abnormal cerebral sensorimotor representations of their affected upper extremity.

Objective:

To determine whether abnormal cerebral sensorimotor representations associated with NA can be altered by specialized, multidisciplinary outpatient rehabilitation focused on relearning motor control.

Methods:

27 NA patients with residual lateralized symptoms in the right upper extremity participated in a randomized controlled trial, comparing 17 weeks of multidisciplinary rehabilitation ( n = 16) to usual care ( n = 11). We used task-based functional MRI and a hand laterality judgment task, which involves motor imagery and is sensitive to altered cerebral sensorimotor representations of the upper extremity.

Results:

Change in task performance and related brain activity did not differ significantly between the multidisciplinary rehabilitation and usual care groups, whereas the multidisciplinary rehabilitation group showed significantly greater clinical improvement on the Shoulder Rating Questionnaire. Both groups, however, showed a significant improvement in task performance from baseline to follow-up, and significantly increased activity in visuomotor occipito-parietal brain areas, both specific to their affected upper extremity.

Conclusions:

Abnormal cerebral sensorimotor representations of the upper extremity after peripheral nerve damage in NA can recover toward normality. As adaptations occurred in visuomotor brain areas, multidisciplinary rehabilitation after peripheral nerve damage may be further optimized by applying visuomotor strategies. This study is registered at ClinicalTrials.gov (NCT03441347).
Experiential knowledge of expert coaches on the critical performance factors of the taekwondo roundhouse kick
Authors: Bercades Luigi T. , Oldham Anthony R.H. , Lorimer Anna , Lenetsky Seth , Millar Sarah Kate , Sheerin Kelly
Published: December 2022

The primary aim of this study was to capture expert taekwondo coaches’ experiential knowledge regarding critical factors that underpin the roundhouse kick. The secondary aim was to explore the coaching–biomechanics interface and translate the coaches’ knowledge into observable biomechanical variables for future investigation. The final aim was to elicit further expert knowledge to assess the usefulness of the resulting variables. Six higher themes emerged from interviews involving four coaches: (1) hip flexibility, (2) balance, (3) control/coordination, (4) distance, (5) footwork and (6) speed. These were supported by several sub-themes. The authors translated each theme and sub-themes into biomechanical variables: (1) front knee height, (2) support foot balance, (3) foot velocity, (4) interpersonal distance and (5) cut-kick transition speed. Two separate expert coaches appraised these variables in terms of understanding, importance, coachability and differences in expertise. In attempting to translate expert knowledge to biomechanical variables, we supported the need for a common conceptualisation of knowledge between scientists and coaches.
Biomimetic Total Synthesis of ( + )-Ranuncoside, a Unique Tricyclic Spiroacetal Glycoside of Christmas Rose (Helleborus niger L.)
Authors: Cuny Eckehard , Fohrer Jörg , Klingler Franz-Dietrich
Published: December 2022

Christmas Rose ( Helleborus niger L.) is an alpine plant belonging to the Ranunculaceae family. Typical for this popular ornamental plant are white flowers that appear during winter. Root extracts contain numerous medicinally active ingredients and potent cardiac glycosides. Recent findings indicate that Helleborus root extracts possess the potential for cancer treatment and inhibit the proliferation of tumor cells. In 2022, we published a practical extraction method of ( + )-ranucoside 1 from the dried leaves of H niger L. Here, we describe for the first time the total synthesis of 1. Starting from 5-hydroxylevulinic acid methyl ester 8 and acetobromo-α-D-glucose 13, the β-glycoside 14 is formed stereoselectively on the application of Koenigs-Knorr conditions. Subsequent cleavage of the acetyl-protecting groups and saponification of the ester function yields the pyrano dioxane derivative 17. Its lactonization gives ( + )-ranuncoside 1. The presented synthesis is practical and very efficient, consisting of 6 steps from D-glucose and giving 22% overall yield. Furthermore, it is biomimetic due to its concordance with the biosynthesis of ( + )-ranuncoside 1 in H foetidus.
Conducting Research with Marginalized Populations: Methodological, Ethical, and IRB Considerations
Authors: Castañeda Ernesto , Smith Curtis
Published: December 2022

Marginalized populations, such as people experiencing homelessness and immigrants, are seen as among the most challenging populations to study, both methodologically and ethically. Although there are basic guidelines on how to conduct research with majority populations, the relative lack of published guidelines on how to conduct ethical and scientifically rigorous research with marginalized populations can make researchers apprehensive about seemingly unending questions from grant reviewers and institutional review boards (IRBs) concerning research ethics and the safety of human subjects. As a result, there is a persisting gap in research conducting large-scale studies on these populations outside of community organizations and clinical and institutional settings. We emphasize the calls of prior research to streamline IRB processes further to study vulnerable groups. In this paper, we focus on the study of people experiencing homelessness, yet we have used related methods to study immigrants, including those who may be undocumented. We provide guidelines derived from successful social scientific studies on homelessness and immigrants, which can be used to help ease IRB approval for other researchers to gather important data. The benefits of social science research on hard-to-reach populations often outweigh possible risk. By helping to increase research on hidden populations, we can improve the scientific rigor of all research and make important contributions to knowledge.
A database of ground motion recordings, site profiles, and amplification factors from the Groningen gas field in the Netherlands
Authors: Ntinalexis Michail , Kruiver Pauline P , Bommer Julian J , Ruigrok Elmer , Rodriguez-Marek Adrian , Edwards Ben , Pinho Rui , Spetzler Jesper , Hernandez Edwin Obando , Pefkos Manos , Bahrampouri Mahdi , van Onselen Erik P , Dost Bernard , van Elk Jan
Published: December 2022

A comprehensive database that has been used to develop ground motion models for induced earthquakes in the Groningen gas field is provided in a freely accessible online repository. The database includes more than 8500 processed ground motion recordings from 87 earthquakes of local magnitude ML between 1.8 and 3.6, obtained from a large network of surface accelerographs and borehole geophones placed at 50 m depth intervals to a depth of 200 m. The 5%-damped pseudo-acceleration spectra and Fourier amplitude spectra of the records are also provided. Measured shear-wave velocity (VS) profiles, obtained primarily from seismic Cone Penetration Tests (CPTs), are provided for 80 of the ∼100 recording stations. A model representing the regional dynamic soil properties is presented for the entire gas field plus a 5 km onshore buffer zone, specifying lithology, VS, and damping for all layers above the reference baserock horizon located at about 800 m depth. Transfer functions and frequency-dependent amplification factors from the reference rock horizon to the surface for the locations of the recording stations are also included. The database provides a valuable resource for further refinement of induced seismic hazard and risk modeling in Groningen as well as for generic research in site response of thick, soft soil deposits and the characteristics of ground motions from small-magnitude, shallow-focus induced earthquakes.
Positive memory increases cataplexy-like behaviors in narcolepsy mice as revealed using conditioned place preference test
Authors: Yoshida Mayuko , Yamamoto Koki , Kuwaki Tomoyuki
Published: December 2022

Background

Cataplexy is a loss of muscle tone that can lead to postural collapse, disturbing the daily life of narcolepsy patients; it is often triggered by positive emotions such as laughter in human patients. Narcolepsy model mice also show cataplexy, and its incidence increases in response to positive emotion-inducing stimuli such as chocolate and female courtship. Although such observation indicates a positive emotion-related nature of cataplexy in narcolepsy mice, they also show cataplexy without any apparent triggering stimulus ~ (spontaneous cataplexy). Therefore, we hypothesized that some spontaneous cataplexy in narcoleptic mice might indicate the remembering of happy moments.

Results

To test our hypothesis, we did a conditioned place preference test on orexin/hypocretin neuron-ablated (ORX-AB) mice, one of the animal models of human narcolepsy, and counted the number of cataplexy-like behaviors. ORX-AB mice successfully remembered the chocolate-associated chamber, and the number of cataplexy-like behaviors significantly increased in the chocolate-associated chamber but not in the control chamber. In addition, ORX-AB mice remembered the aversive odor-associated chamber and avoided entering without affecting the number of cataplexy-like behaviors. Finally, similar activation of the nucleus accumbens, a positive emotion-related nucleus, was observed during both spontaneous and chocolate-induced cataplexy behaviors.

Conclusions

These results support our hypothesis and will promote the usefulness of a narcolepsy mice model in emotion research and serve as a basis for a better understanding of cataplexy in narcolepsy patients.
A systematical genome-wide analysis and screening of WRKY transcription factor family engaged in abiotic stress response in sweetpotato
Authors: Liu Siyuan , Zhang Chengbin , Guo Fen , Sun Qing , Yu Jing , Dong Tingting , Wang Xin , Song Weihan , Li Zongyun , Meng Xiaoqing , Zhu Mingku
Published: December 2022

Background

WRKY transcription factors play pivotal roles in regulating plant multiple abiotic stress tolerance, however, a genome-wide systematical analysis of WRKY genes in sweetpotato is still missing.

Results

Herein, 84 putative IbWRKYs with WRKY element sequence variants were identified in sweetpotato reference genomes. Fragment duplications, rather than tandem duplications, were shown to play prominent roles in IbWRKY gene expansion. The collinearity analysis between IbWRKYs and the related orthologs from other plants further depicted evolutionary insights into IbWRKYs. Phylogenetic relationships displayed that IbWRKYs were divided into three main groups (I, II and III), with the support of the characteristics of exon-intron structures and conserved protein motifs. The IbWRKY genes, mainly from the group Ib, displayed remarkable and diverse expression profiles under multiple abiotic stress (NaCl, PEG6000, cold and heat) and hormone (ABA, ACC, JA and SA) treatments, which were determined by RNA-seq and qRT-PCR assays, suggesting their potential roles in mediating particular stress responses. Moreover, IbWRKY58L could interact with IbWRKY82 as revealed by yeast two-hybrid based on the protein interaction network screening. And abiotic stress-remarkably induced IbWRKY21L and IbWRKY51 were shown to be localized in the nucleus and had no transactivation activities.

Conclusion

These results provide valuable insights into sweetpotato IbWRKYs and will lay a foundation for further exploring functions and possible regulatory mechanisms of IbWRKYs in abiotic stress tolerance.
Genetic control of tolerance to drought stress in soybean
Authors: Saleem Aamir , Roldán-Ruiz Isabel , Aper Jonas , Muylle Hilde
Published: December 2022

Background

Drought stress limits the production of soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merr.], which is the most grown high-value legume crop worldwide. Breeding for drought tolerance is a difficult endeavor and understanding the genetic basis of drought tolerance in soybean is therefore crucial for harnessing the genomic regions involved in the tolerance mechanisms. A genome-wide association study (GWAS) analysis was applied in a soybean germplasm collection (the EUCLEG collection) of 359 accessions relevant for breeding in Europe, to identify genomic regions and candidate genes involved in the response to short duration and long duration drought stress (SDS and LDS respectively) in soybean.

Results

The phenotypic response to drought was stronger in the long duration drought (LDS) than in the short duration drought (SDS) experiment. Over the four traits considered (canopy wilting, leaf senescence, maximum absolute growth rate and maximum plant height) the variation was in the range of 8.4−25.2% in the SDS, and 14.7−29.7% in the LDS experiments. The GWAS analysis identified a total of 17 and 22 significant marker-trait associations for four traits in the SDS and LDS experiments, respectively. In the genomic regions delimited by these markers we identified a total of 12 and 16 genes with putative functions that are of particular relevance for drought stress responses including stomatal movement, root formation, photosynthesis, ABA signaling, cellular protection and cellular repair mechanisms. Some of these genomic regions co-localized with previously known QTLs for drought tolerance traits including water use efficiency, chlorophyll content and photosynthesis.

Conclusion

Our results indicate that the mechanism of slow wilting in the SDS might be associated with the characteristics of the root system, whereas in the LDS, slow wilting could be due to low stomatal conductance and transpiration rates enabling a high WUE. Drought-induced leaf senescence was found to be associated to ABA and ROS responses. The QTLs related to WUE contributed to growth rate and canopy height maintenance under drought stress. Co-localization of several previously known QTLs for multiple agronomic traits with the SNPs identified in this study, highlights the importance of the identified genomic regions for the improvement of agronomic performance in addition to drought tolerance in the EUCLEG collection.
Integrated transcriptome and methylome analyses reveal the molecular regulation of drought stress in wild strawberry (Fragaria nilgerrensis)
Authors: Cao Qiang , Huang Lin , Li Jiamin , Qu Peng , Tao Pang , Crabbe M. James C. , Zhang Ticao , Qiao Qin
Published: December 2022

Background

Fragaria nilgerrensis, which is a diploid wild strawberry with excellent drought-resistance, would provide useful candidate genes for improving drought resistance of cultivated strawberry. So far, its molecular regulatory networks involved in drought stress are unclear. We therefore investigated the drought response regulatory networks ofF. nilgerrensisbased on the integrated analysis of DNA methylation, transcriptome and physiological traits during four time points under drought stress. 

Results

The most differentially expressed genes and the physiological changes were found at 8 days (T8) compared with 0 day (T0, control). Methylome analysis revealed slight dynamic changes in genome-wide mC levels under drought conditions, while the most hypomethylated and hypermethylated regions were identified at T4 and T8. Association analysis of the methylome and transcriptome revealed that unexpressed genes exhibited expected hypermethylation levels in mCHG and mCHH contexts, and highly expressed genes exhibited corresponding hypomethylation levels in the gene body, but mCG contexts showed the opposite trend. Then, 835 differentially methylated and expressed genes were identified and grouped into four clustering patterns to characterize their functions. The genes with either negative or positive correlation between methylation and gene expression were mainly associated with kinases, Reactive Oxygen Species (ROS) synthesis, scavenging, and the abscisic acid (ABA) signal pathway. Consistently, weighted gene co-expression network analysis (WGCNA) revealed Hub genes includingNCED,CYP707A2,PP2Csand others that play important roles in the ABA signaling pathway.

Conclusion

F. nilgerrensisdrought is dominated by ABA-dependent pathways, possibly accompanied by ABA-independent crosstalk. DNA methylation may affect gene expression, but their correlation was more subtle and multiple types of association exist. Maintaining the balance between ROS regeneration and scavenging is an important factor in drought resistance inF. nilgerrensis. These results deepen our understanding of drought resistance and its application in breeding in strawberry plants.
Erector spinae plane block versus paravertebral block in breast surgeries
Authors: Sethuraman Raghuraman M.
Published: December 2022

This article (Correspondence) is in response to the recently published study by Elewa et al. in BMC Anesthesiology that compared the erector spinae plane block (ESPB) versus paravertebral block (PVB) regarding postoperative analgesic consumption following breast surgeries. I greatly appreciate the authors for publishing this study which is one among a very few studies available on this topic. I wish to present my reflections on this article as well as add a few more points on this topic.
The correlation study between blood urea nitrogen to serum albumin ratio and prognosis of patients with sepsis during hospitalization
Authors: Min Jie , Lu Jianhong , Zhong Lei , Yuan Meng , Xu Yin
Published: December 2022

Background

Sepsis is a common critical illness in intensive care unit (ICU) and seriously threatens the life of patients. Therefore, to identify a simple and effective clinical indicator to determine prognosis is essential for the management of sepsis patients. This study was mainly based on blood urea nitrogen to albumin ratio (B/A), a comprehensive index, to explore its correlation with the prognosis of sepsis patients during hospitalization.

Methods

Totally, adult patients in ICU who were diagnosed with sepsis in Medical Information Mart for Intensive Care IV(MIMIC-IV) database from 2008 to 2019 were involved in this study. The study population were divided into survivors group and non-survivors group based on the prognosis during hospitalization. Restricted cubic spline (RCS) was utilized to analyze the association between B/A level and the risk of ICU all-cause mortality in patients with sepsis and determine the optimal cut-off value of B/A. The study population was divided into low B/A group and high B/A group based on the optimal cut-off value. The survival curve of ICU cumulative survival rate was draw through Kaplan–Meier method. The correlation between B/A and the prognosis of patients was conducted by multivariate Cox regression analysis. Furthermore, we performed sensitivity analyses to assess the robustness of the results.

Results

A total of 10,578 patients with sepsis were enrolled, and the ICU all-cause mortality was 15.89%. The patients in the non-survivors group had higher B/A values and more comorbidities than those in the survivors group. RCS showed that the risk of ICU all-cause mortality increased with the B/A level, showing a non-linear trend (χ2 = 66.82, p < 0.001). The mortality rate in the high B/A group was significantly higher than that in the low B/A group (p < 0.001). Kaplan–Meier curves revealed that compared with the low B/A group, the ICU cumulative survival rate of patients with sepsis was significantly lower in the high B/A group (log-rank test, χ2 = 148.620, p < 0.001). Further analysis of multivariate Cox proportional hazards regression showed that an elevated B/A (≥ 7.93) was an independent factor associated with ICU mortality among patients with sepsis.

Conclusions

An elevated B/A might be a useful prognostic indicator in patients with sepsis. This study could offer a deeper insight into treating sepsis.
Survival outcomes of patients with concomitant acute variceal bleeding and acute coronary syndrome, and the role of antiplatelet agents: an institutional experience from a lower middle-income Country
Authors: Shafqat Shameel , Lohana Ajeet Kumar , Bansari Rajesh Kumar , Parkash Om
Published: December 2022

Background

There is strong evidence demonstrating the incidence of Acute Coronary Syndrome (ACS) among patients with cirrhosis, with the initiation of antiplatelet therapy being subject to debate due to an increased risk of bleeding. This study aimed to determine mortality among patients presenting with concomitant Acute Variceal Bleeding (AVB) and ACS at Index admission. Furthermore, the recurrence of AVB and ACS among patients discharged with or without antiplatelet therapy was determined.

Methods

This retrospective study was conducted at the Aga Khan University Hospital, Karachi, Pakistan on patients ≥ 18 years of age admitted to our ER with concomitant ACS and AVB between January 2002 to December 2017. Follow-up for 6 months or till death (if < 6 months), was observed, to help determine the incidence of recurrent AVB and ACS. The incidence of AVB and ACS was then compared amongst patient groups based on the usage of anti-platelet drugs on discharge.

Results

A total of 29 patients were included, with a mean age of 58.7 ± 11.0 years. Seven patients died on admission, having worse underlying liver disease. No mortality was reported among the remaining 22 patients. All 22 patients underwent surveillance endoscopy with variceal band ligation until obliteration, as needed. Only 7 patients from the surviving cohort received antiplatelet therapy. After 6.05 ± 1.1 months of follow-up, 1/22 (4.5%) developed recurrent AVB and 2/22 (9.1%) developed cardiovascular events. Importantly, there was no significant difference in the incidence of recurrent AVB (P = 1.000) and ACS (P = 0.091), depending on the use of antiplatelet therapy.

Conclusion

Concomitant AVB and ACS is a severe disorder with increased mortality among cirrhotic patients at presentation. The incidence of AVB does not seem to exacerbate with the use of antiplatelet agents, provided successful obliteration of varices is achieved using elective band ligation.