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Verdonschot R.G.; Wal, G.J. van der; Ashley, L.; Knudsen, B.; Grebmer zu Wolfsthurn, S. von; Schiller, N.O.; Hagoort, P. 2024

Information structure in Makhuwa: electrophysiological evidence for a universal processing account

Article / Letter to editor

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There is evidence from both behavior and brain activity that the way information is structured, through the use of focus, can up-regulate processing of focused constituents, likely to give... Show moreThere is evidence from both behavior and brain activity that the way information is structured, through the use of focus, can up-regulate processing of focused constituents, likely to give prominence to the relevant aspects of the input. This is hypothesized to be universal, regardless of the different ways in which languages encode focus. In order to test this universalist hypothesis, we need to go beyond the more familiar linguistic strategies for marking focus, such as by means of intonation or specific syntactic structures (e.g., it-clefts). Therefore, in this study, we examine Makhuwa-Enahara, a Bantu language spoken in northern Mozambique, which uniquely marks focus through verbal conjugation. The participants were presented with sentences that consisted of either a semantically anomalous constituent or a semantically nonanomalous constituent. Moreover, focus on this particular constituent could be either present or absent. We observed a consistent pattern: Focused information generated a more negative N400 response than the same information in nonfocus position. This demonstrates that regardless of how focus is marked, its consequence seems to result in an upregulation of processing of information that is in focus.Gravitation Grant 024.001.006 of the Language in Interaction Consortium from the Netherlands Organization for Scientific Research (NWO) Show less

Wang, H.; Wang, P.; Zhang, X.; Chen, W.-Q.; Tzachor, A.; Fishman, T.; ... ; Zhu, Y.-G. 2024

Substantial increase in China’s manufactured sand supply since 2010

Article / Letter to editor

under embargo until 2025-01-20

As the world’s second most consumed resource, sand is being depleted at an alarming rate. China accounted for nearly half of the world’s sand consumption in 2012. Here we present a material flow... Show moreAs the world’s second most consumed resource, sand is being depleted at an alarming rate. China accounted for nearly half of the world’s sand consumption in 2012. Here we present a material flow analysis of sand from 1995 to 2020 that shows China’s overall sand supply surged by approximately 400% over the study period, yet the proportion of natural sand dropped from ~80% to ~21% due to the increasing use of manufactured sand. From 2010 to 2020, China’s natural sand supply nearly halved due to the strict policies on natural sand mining and the promotion of manufactured sand. This shift demonstrates a possibility for mitigating impacts on natural sand resources during industrialization and urbanization. Show less

Collado, S.; Staats, H.J.A.M. 2024

The moral characteristics of environmental sustainability in young people's lives

Part of book or chapter of book

under embargo until 2025-01-18

In this chapter, we frame Pro-environmental behaviors (PEB) as a moral issue and describe the need to understand the development of environmental morality in young populations. We then specify... Show moreIn this chapter, we frame Pro-environmental behaviors (PEB) as a moral issue and describe the need to understand the development of environmental morality in young populations. We then specify factors associated with children’s and adolescents’ environmental morality and their relation with PEB, including young populations’ moral judgments of environmentally harmful actions, their sense of personal obligation to protect nature, and the role of moral environmental emotions. Next, we focus on developmental differences found in environmental morality. We end up by providing suggestions of how formative experiences, especially those organized in contact with nature, may instill a moral stance toward nature in youth. Show less

Akkerman, N.N.W.; Langman, P.F.; Lipscomb, S. 2024

Spycraft: from the Elizabethans to the Restoration

Sound

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The 16th and 17th centuries were a crucial time for spycraft, full of political intrigue and diplomatic subterfuge. Walsingham was known as a 'Spy Master', but there were many, all vying for... Show moreThe 16th and 17th centuries were a crucial time for spycraft, full of political intrigue and diplomatic subterfuge. Walsingham was known as a 'Spy Master', but there were many, all vying for attention from the Crown.But how did they and their spies operate? Professor Suzannah Lipscomb welcomes Pete Langman and Professor Nadine Akkerman to delve into the practices of espionage and reveal how the line between spy and criminal was easily blurred depending on who was in favour, and who was betrayed.Presented by Professor Suzannah Lipscomb. Show less

Shamaprasad, P.; Nadaban, A.; Iacovella, C.R.; Gooris, G.S.; Bunge, A.L.; Bouwstra, J.A.; McCabe, C. 2024

The phase behavior of skin-barrier lipids: a combined approach of experiments and simulations

Article / Letter to editor

open access

Skin barrier function is localized in its outermost layer, the stratum corneum (SC), which is comprised of corneocyte cells embedded in an extracellular lipid matrix containing ceramides (CERs),... Show moreSkin barrier function is localized in its outermost layer, the stratum corneum (SC), which is comprised of corneocyte cells embedded in an extracellular lipid matrix containing ceramides (CERs), cholesterol (CHOL), and free fatty acids (FFAs). The unique structure and composition of this lipid matrix are important for skin barrier function. In this study, experiments and molecular dynamics simulation were combined to investigate the structural properties and phase behavior of mixtures containing nonhydroxy sphingosine CER (CER NS), CHOL, and FFA. X-ray scattering for mixtures with varying CHOL levels revealed the presence of the 5.4 nm short periodicity phase in the presence of CHOL. Bilayers in coarse-grained multilayer simulations of the same compositions contained domains with thicknesses of approximately 5.3 and 5.8 nm that are associated with elevated levels, respectively, of CER sphingosine chains with CHOL, and CER acyl chains with FFA chains. The prevalence of the thicker domain increased with decreasing CHOL content. This might correspond to a phase with ∼5.8 nm spacing observed by x-rays (other details unknown) in mixtures with lower CHOL content. Scissoring and stretching frequencies from Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) also indicate interaction between FFA and CER acyl chains and little interaction between CER acyl and CER sphingosine chains, which requires CER molecules to adopt a predominantly extended conformation. In the simulated systems, neighbor preferences of extended CER chains align more closely with the FTIR observations than those of CERs with hairpin ceramide chains. Both FTIR and atomistic simulations of reverse mapped multilayer membranes detect a hexagonal to fluid phase transition between 65 and 80°C. These results demonstrate the utility of a collaborative experimental and simulation effort in gaining a more comprehensive understanding of SC lipid membranes. Show less

Munar-Palmer M.; Santamaría-Hernando S.; Liedtke J.; Ortega D.R.; López-Torrejón G.; Rodríguez-Herva J.J.; ... ; López-Solanilla E. 2024

Chemosensory systems interact to shape relevant traits for bacterial plant pathogenesis

Article / Letter to editor

open access

Kamdem, S.; Ojongnkpot, C.; Pinxteren, L.M.C. van 2024

Decolonizing Cameroon’s language policies: a critical assessment

Article / Letter to editor

open access

Due to its colonial history and prevalent multilingualism, Cameroon is a country where language policies have profoundly impacted socioeconomic and political life. Cameroon has 273 local languages... Show moreDue to its colonial history and prevalent multilingualism, Cameroon is a country where language policies have profoundly impacted socioeconomic and political life. Cameroon has 273 local languages and two official languages, English and French. The two official languages have been a crystallization point for discontent and civil unrest, leading to secessionist sentiments and violence. In this paper, we assess Cameroon’s language policies, firstly by providing a brief historical and legal overview based in the literature. We then present a new decolonial analytical framework, building on but extending existing theoretical frameworks. Our new analysis shows that a transition to using indigenous languages in formal education and other domains is not necessary at present. However, we argue that such a transition will become unavoidable in future. We show that it will be practically possible to use a limited number of indigenous languages as mediums of instruction, building on existing bilingualisms in the country. We believe these languages should be chosen using rational criteria and we introduce an approximate assessment of which languages are easy to learn and teach, and for speakers of which other languages. The transition we foresee requires planning and preparation. A different approach to Cameroon’s languages may help in building national unity and healing national wounds in the areas of sociolinguistic power-sharing and interregional cohabitation. We expect that our approach also holds benefits for other African countries. Show less

Wolff, S.C.A.; Zardo, F. 2024

The role of sub-national actors in coordinative Europeanisation: insights from the digitalisation of asylum services

Article / Letter to editor

open access

Coordinative Europeanisation is a powerful frame to explain the rapid response of EU institutions in times of permanent emergency. So far, though, little is known about sub-national actors’ role in... Show moreCoordinative Europeanisation is a powerful frame to explain the rapid response of EU institutions in times of permanent emergency. So far, though, little is known about sub-national actors’ role in this process. Moving away from a state-centric approach, this article investigates the role of sub-national actors through the case study of the digital provision of services to asylum seekers. Given the field’s high salience and state-centric nature, this article elucidates the critical role of European sub-national actors, particularly at the municipality level, to accelerate the digital provision of services to refugees. Comparing 3 European cities (Paris, Palermo and Malaga), we argue that sub-national actors can play a role in coordinative Europeanisation and that 2 main mechanisms may enable it. In the cases observed, discursive coordination around humanitarian duty facilitated the emergence of similar digital solutions across countries. Subsequently, horizontal and vertical networking was used by sub-national actors to legitimise their actions and enhance their anchoring in processes of coordinative Europeanisation Show less

Alcantara-Rodriguez, M.; Andel, T.R. van; Françozo, M. 2024

Nature portrayed in images in Dutch Brazil: tracing the sources of the plant woodcuts in the Historia Naturalis Brasiliae (1648)

Article / Letter to editor

open access

Andreeva, V.D.; Regeni, I.; Yang, T.; Elmanova, A.; Presselt, M.; Dietzek-Ivansic, B.; Bonnet, S.A. 2024

Red-to-blue triplet: triplet annihilation upconversion for calcium sensing

Article / Letter to editor

open access

Triplet-triplet annihilation upconversion is a bimolecular process converting low-energy photons into high-energy photons. Here, we report a calcium-sensing system working via triplet-triplet... Show moreTriplet-triplet annihilation upconversion is a bimolecular process converting low-energy photons into high-energy photons. Here, we report a calcium-sensing system working via triplet-triplet annihilation (TTA) upconverted emission. The probe itself was obtained by covalent conjugation of a blue emitter, perylene, with a calcium-chelating moiety, and it was sensitized by the red-light-absorbing photosensitizer palladium(II) tetraphenyltetrabenzoporphyrin (PdTPTBP). Sensing was selective for Ca2+ and occurred in the micromolar domain. In deoxygenated conditions, the TTA upconverted luminescence gradually appeared upon adding an increasing concentration of calcium ions, to reach a maximum upconversion quantum yield of 0.0020. Show less

Marciello, M.; Cusati, V.; Nicolosi, F.; Saavedra-Rubio, K.; Pierrat, E.; Thonemann, N.; Laurent, A. 2024

Evaluating the economic landscape of hybrid-electric regional aircraft: a cost analysis across three time horizons

Article / Letter to editor

under embargo until 2025-01-16

This article presents the results of a prospective cost analysis of future regional aviation solutions, specifically focusing on hybrid-electric regional aircraft for 50 passengers. The study spans three time horizons (short term, medium term, long term) and employs a validated workflow to estimate costs for various solutions, including conventional, hybrid-electric, and hydrogen-based architectures. A specialized cost model is introduced to assess the electric components of the powertrain, emphasizing maintenance expenses and energy costs. Despite the environmental promise of hybrid and electric solutions, the results reveal significantly higher direct operating costs (up to 69.8%) compared to conventional options. The study highlights the importance of targeted policies to incentivize sustainable alternatives, suggesting potential solutions such as discouraging kerosene-based aircraft and promoting sustainable aviation fuel. These insights provide valuable guidance for industry stakeholders navigating the path toward a more sustainable and economically viable aviation future.

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Groen, R.A.; Barbero, F.L.; Fischer, S.E.; Dijkman, P.R.M. van; Bax, J.J.; Tushuizen, M.E.; ... ; Graaf, M.A. de 2024

Coronary artery calcium assessment on non-gated chest CT to optimize pre-operative cardiac screening in liver transplantation

Article / Letter to editor

open access

BackgroundGuidelines recommend standard pre-operative cardiac screening in all liver transplantation (LT) recipients, despite the relatively low prevalence of obstructive coronary artery disease.... Show moreBackgroundGuidelines recommend standard pre-operative cardiac screening in all liver transplantation (LT) recipients, despite the relatively low prevalence of obstructive coronary artery disease. Most LT recipients often have non-gated computed tomography (CT) performed of the chest and abdomen. This study evaluated the ability of coronary artery calcification (CAC) assessment on consecutively available scans, to identify a selection of low-risk patients, in whom further cardiac imaging can be safely withheld.MethodsLT recipients with prior non-gated CT chest-abdomen were included. CAC was visually scored on a semi-quantitative ordinal scale. Stress myocardial perfusion, coronary CT angiography (CCTA) and invasive coronary angiography (ICA) were used as golden standard. The sensitivity and specificity of CAC to exclude and predict obstructive CAD were assessed. In addition, peri- and postoperative mortality and cardiac events were analyzed.Results149 LT recipients (ranged 31–71 years) were included. In 75% of patients, no CAC and mild CAC could rule out obstructive CAD on CCTA and ICA with 100% certainty. The threshold of mild CAC had a sensitivity of 100% for both CCTA and ICA and a specificity of 91% and 68%, respectively. None of the patients with no or mild calcifications experienced peri- and post-operative cardiac events or died of cardiac causes.ConclusionVisual evaluation of CAC on prior non-gated CT can accurately and safely exclude obstructive CAD in LT recipients. Incorporation of these already available data can optimize cardiac screening, by safely withholding or correctly allocating dedicated cardiac imaging in LT recipients. Thereby, reducing patients' test burden and save health care expenses. Show less

Khalil, S.S.; Tawfik, N.S.; Spruit M. 2024

Federated learning for privacy-preserving depression detection with multilingual language models in social media posts

Article / Letter to editor

open access

Grasseni, C. 2024

Re-territorialising skills? Insights from ethnography on solidarity-economy food activism

Article / Letter to editor

open access

Assadi, H.; Alabed, S.; Li, R.; Matthews, G.; Karunasaagarar, K.; Kasmai, B.; ... ; Garg, P. 2024

Development and validation of AI-derived segmentation of four-chamber cine cardiac magnetic resonance

Article / Letter to editor

open access

Background Cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) in the four-chamber plane ofers comprehensive insight into the volumetrics of the heart. We aimed to develop an artifcial intelligence (AI) model of time... Show moreBackground Cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) in the four-chamber plane ofers comprehensive insight into the volumetrics of the heart. We aimed to develop an artifcial intelligence (AI) model of time-resolved segmenta‑ tion using the four-chamber cine. Methods A fully automated deep learning algorithm was trained using retrospective multicentre and multivendor data of 814 subjects. Validation, reproducibility, and mortality prediction were evaluated on an independent cohort of 101 subjects. Results The mean age of the validation cohort was 54 years, and 66 (65%) were males. Left and right heart parame‑ ters demonstrated strong correlations between automated and manual analysis, with a ρ of 0.91−0.98 and 0.89−0.98, respectively, with minimal bias. All AI four-chamber volumetrics in repeatability analysis demonstrated high correla‑ tion (ρ=0.99−1.00) and no bias. Automated four-chamber analysis underestimated both left ventricular (LV) and right ventricular (RV) volumes compared to ground-truth short-axis cine analysis. Two correction factors for LV and RV four-chamber analysis were proposed based on systematic bias. After applying the correction factors, a strong correlation and minimal bias for LV volumetrics were observed. During a mean follow-up period of 6.75 years, 16 patients died. On stepwise multivariable analysis, left atrial ejection fraction demonstrated an independent association with death in both manual (hazard ratio (HR)=0.96, p=0.003) and AI analyses (HR=0.96, p<0.001). Conclusion Fully automated four-chamber CMR is feasible, reproducible, and has the same real-world prognostic value as manual analysis. LV volumes by four-chamber segmentation were comparable to short-axis volumetric assessment. Show less

Jara, H.X.; Mideros Mora, A.; Palacio Ludeña, M.G. 2024

Política social, pobreza y desigualdad en el Ecuador: 1980-2021

Book editorial

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El libro analiza la política social en el Ecuador y sus transformaciones a lo largo de las últimas cuatro décadas, explorando cómo las relaciones sociales y los sistemas institucionales han...

El libro analiza la política social en el Ecuador y sus transformaciones a lo largo de las últimas cuatro décadas, explorando cómo las relaciones sociales y los sistemas institucionales han impulsado o limitado las nociones de bienestar, las políticas implementadas y los resultados obtenidos. Se toma como área de estudio una perspectiva amplia de la política social, desde los procesos que afectan las condiciones de la vida humana, los sistemas de políticas sociales desde lo público (el Estado) y sus instituciones, pero también las acciones de otros actores. El libro aborda el sistema tributario ecuatoriano, los programas de asistencia social, la seguridad social, los sistemas de salud y educación, la protección de niños, niñas y adolescentes, la incidencia de las reformas de impuestos directos y transferencias monetarias, y la evolución del bienestar desde una perspectiva multidimensional. De esta manera se logra un análisis amplio del proceso de construcción de un sistema de protección social o régimen de bienestar aún en desarrollo y disputa.

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Izurieta, G.; Palacio Ludeña, M.G. 2024

Transformaciones y desafíos de la asistencia social en Ecuador: 1980-2021

Part of book or chapter of book

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Pirie, M.D.; Bellstedt, D.U.; Bouman, R.W.; Fagúndez, J.; Gehrke, B.; Kandziora, M.; ... ; Forest, F. 2024

Spatial decoupling of taxon richness, phylogenetic diversity and threat status in the megagenus Erica (Ericaceae)

Article / Letter to editor

open access

Estimates of the number of vascular plant species currently under threat of extinction are shockingly high, with the highest extinction rates reported for narrow-range, woody plants, especially in... Show moreEstimates of the number of vascular plant species currently under threat of extinction are shockingly high, with the highest extinction rates reported for narrow-range, woody plants, especially in biodiversity hotspots with Mediterranean and tropical climates. The large genus Erica is a prime example, as a large proportion of its 851 species, all shrubs or small trees, are endemic to the Cape Floristic Region (CFR) of South Africa. Almost two hundred are known to be threatened and a further hundred are ‘Data Deficient’. We need to target conservation efforts and research to fill the most problematic knowledge gaps. This can be especially challenging in large genera, such as Erica, with numerous threatened species that are closely related. One approach involves combining knowledge of phylogenetic diversity with that of IUCN threat status to identify the most Evolutionarily Distinct and Globally Endangered (EDGE) species. We present an expanded and improved phylogenetic hypothesis for Erica (representing 65% of described species diversity) and combine this with available threat and distribution data to identify species and geographic areas that could be targeted for conservation effort to maximise preservation of phylogenetic diversity (PD). The resulting 39 EDGE taxa include 35 from the CFR. A further 32 high PD, data deficient taxa are mostly from outside the CFR, reflecting the low proportion of assessed taxa outside South Africa. The most taxon-rich areas are found in the south-western CFR. They are not the most phylogenetically diverse, but do include the most threatened PD. These results can be cross-referenced to existing living and seed-banked ex situ collections and used to target new and updated threat assessments and conservation action. Show less

Mylona, E. 2024

In-between categories: documenting Greek children’s legal belonging in the Suez Canal region

Article / Letter to editor

open access

This paper looks at the complex manner in which children were documented in Ottoman Egypt and their access to citizenship later in postcolonial Egypt. It discusses the making of social and... Show moreThis paper looks at the complex manner in which children were documented in Ottoman Egypt and their access to citizenship later in postcolonial Egypt. It discusses the making of social and political categories, like citizenship and statelessness, and how Greeks moved through those categories. This paper also analyzes how these categories were imposed, first by the Ottoman Empire and then by the Egyptian nation-state. The end of the Ottoman Empire in 1922, and the declaration of the Egyptian Republic in 1953, the Suez Crisis in 1956, the Arab-Israeli Wars in 1967 and 1973, and the new labor laws of the 1950s and 1960s, among other events, impacted Greeks and others who lived in Egypt at that time. The impact among Greeks in Suez Canal cities was particularly evident in the community’s cohesion, as most evacuated the cities in 1967 with almost everyone else following in 1973. These economic and political factors, and the social processes the community underwent, defined Greek children’s relation with the Egyptian postcolonial state. Show less

Nădăban, A.; Frame, C.O.; El Yachioui, D.; Gooris, G.S.; Dalgliesh, R.M.; Malfois, M.; ... ; Bouwstra, J.A. 2024

The sphingosine and phytosphingosine ceramide ratio in lipid models forming the short periodicity phase: an experimental and molecular simulation study

Article / Letter to editor

open access

The lipids located in the outermost layer of the skin, the stratum corneum (SC), play a crucial role in maintaining the skin barrier function. The primary components of the SC lipid matrix are... Show moreThe lipids located in the outermost layer of the skin, the stratum corneum (SC), play a crucial role in maintaining the skin barrier function. The primary components of the SC lipid matrix are ceramides (CERs), cholesterol (CHOL), and free fatty acids (FFAs). They form two crystalline lamellar phases: the long periodicity phase (LPP) and the short periodicity phase (SPP). In inflammatory skin conditions like atopic dermatitis and psoriasis, there are changes in the SC CER composition, such as an increased concentration of a sphingosine-based CER (CER NS) and a reduced concentration of a phytosphingosine-based CER (CER NP). In the present study, a lipid model was created exclusively forming the SPP, to examine whether alterations in the CER NS:CER NP molar ratio would affect the lipid organization. Experimental data were combined with molecular dynamics simulations of lipid models containing CER NS:CER NP at ratios of 1:2 (mimicking a healthy SC ratio) and 2:1 (observed in inflammatory skin diseases), mixed with CHOL and lignoceric acid as the FFA. The experimental findings show that the acyl chains of CER NS and CER NP and the FFA are in close proximity within the SPP unit cell, indicating that CER NS and CER NP adopt a linear conformation, similarly as observed for the LPP. Both the experiments and simulations indicate that the lamellar organization is the same for the two CER NS:CER NP ratios while the SPP NS:NP 1:2 model had a slightly denser hydrogen bonding network than the SPP NS:NP 2:1 model. The simulations show that this might be attributed to intermolecular hydrogen bonding with the additional hydroxide group on the headgroup of CER NP compared with CER NS. Show less

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