Classical Studies Research Articles

The Emerging Potential of Apolipoprotein C-III Inhibition for ASCVD Prevention: A State-of-the-Art Review.

Multiple agents are being developed that inhibit apolipoprotein (apo) C-III. This state-of-the-art review examines their potential for atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD) risk reduction. Apo C-III, an apolipoprotein on the surface of triglyceride-rich lipoproteins (TRLs), impairs clearance of TRLs through both lipoprotein lipase dependent and independent pathways, thereby resulting in increased concentrations of triglycerides. Apo C-III has also been shown to have pro-atherogenic effects when bound to high-density lipoprotein (HDL) particles. Classical and genetic epidemiology studies provide support for the concept that apo C-III is associated with an increased risk of ASCVD events. Drug efficacy of agents that silence APOC3 mRNA has been studied in populations with varying hypertriglyceridemia severity, including those with familial chylomicronemia syndrome, multifactorial chylomicronemia syndrome/severe hypertriglyceridemia, and mixed hyperlipidemia. Randomized controlled trials have reported significant reductions in TG and non-HDL cholesterol levels among these patients treated with APOC3 inhibitors. Upcoming clinical outcomes trials seek to establish a role for APOC3 inhibitors to reduce risk of ASCVD.

THE FUTURE WAR AND THE STRATEGIC ENVIRONMENT OF THE SOUTH ATLANTIC: AN ANALYSIS FOR THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE BRAZILIAN DEFENSE INDUSTRIAL BASE

This work aims to analyze the Future War, focusing on a scenario extending to 2039, and Brazil's interstate relations, with emphasis on the strategic environment of the South Atlantic, while observing classical geopolitical studies. Considering that the stability of the South Atlantic fundamentally depends on processes occurring on the western coast of Africa, this explains why Brazil's strategic environment extends to the other side of the Atlantic. This perspective also clarifies why Brazil contributes to the development of the African countries bordering the Atlantic Ocean. The study further extends its analysis to the Rio Grande Elevation Project. The entire context will serve as a foundation to examine the impacts on the development of the Brazilian Defense Industrial Base (BID). To carry out the research, the methodological approach is mixed: a qualitative perspective based on existing academic literature and field research, along with a quantitative structure, measuring data related to the BID and assessing the impacts of interstate relations on it. The direct result intended by this study is to produce new knowledge (scientific, doctrinal, and technological) in the field of defense through high-quality research, contributing to state policy. Indirectly, it aims to generate insights into Defense Studies and improve the decision-making process associated with the use of force, particularly as it relates to the BID.

Assessment of Classical Force-Fields for Graphene Mechanics

The unique properties of graphene have attracted the interest of researchers from various fields, and the discovery of graphene has sparked a revolution in materials science, specifically in the field of two-dimensional materials. However, graphene synthesis’s costly and complex process significantly impairs researchers’ endeavors to explore its properties and structure experimentally. Molecular dynamics simulation is a well-established and useful tool for investigating graphene’s atomic structure and dynamic behavior at the nanoscale without requiring expensive and complex experiments. The accuracy of the molecular dynamics simulation depends on the potential functions. This work assesses the performance of various potential functions available for graphene in mechanical properties prediction. The following two cases are considered: pristine graphene and pre-cracked graphene. The most popular fifteen potentials have been assessed. Our results suggest that diverse potentials are suitable for various applications. REBO and Tersoff potentials are the best for simulating monolayer pristine graphene, and the MEAM and the AIREBO-m potentials are recommended for those with crack defects because of their respective utilization of the electron density and inclusion of the long-range interaction. We recommend the AIREBO-m potential for a general case of classical molecular dynamics study. This work might help to guide the selection of potentials for graphene simulations and the development of further advanced interatomic potentials.

Female specific interactions of serotonin and testosterone in the rostral ventromedial medulla after activity-induced muscle pain

Classical preclinical studies show that serotonin (5-HT) injected into the rostral ventromedial medulla (RVM) produces analgesia that is blocked by 5-HT2 receptor antagonists. One key modulator of 5-HT activity is the serotonin transporter (SERT) which reduces serotonergic signaling through reuptake into the presynaptic terminal. In the activity-induced muscle pain model, females show widespread pain and increased SERT expression in the RVM whereas males show localized pain and no changes in SERT expression. Since prior studies show testosterone protects from the development of widespread pain, and females have widespread pain in the activity-induced pain model, we hypothesized that testosterone modulates serotonin signaling to enhance analgesia in female mice with widespread pain. We showed that testosterone reduced the enhanced SERT protein expression and increased 5-HT2A receptor mRNA expression in the RVM normally observed in the activity-induced pain model in females, but not males. Inhibition of SERT in the RVM was analgesic in both female and male mice; this analgesia was blocked by co-administration of 5-HT2A antagonist. Next, using in situ hybridization, we demonstrated co-expression of SERT, 5-HT2A receptor, and androgen receptor mRNA in cells within the RVM in female mice. Lastly, activation of androgen receptors using dihydrotestosterone reduced hyperalgesia in female mice. These data therefore show for the first time expression of androgen receptors in the RVM in female mice, that activation of androgen receptors reduces nociceptive behaviors, and endogenous testosterone modulates SERT and 5-HT2 receptor expression. Thus, we show a sex-specific role for how testosterone modulates analgesia in female mice. PerspectiveThis article presents novel mechanisms testosterone’s protection against muscle pain in female mice showing modulation of the serotonin system in the rostral ventromedial medulla. Understanding the relationship between testosterone and serotonin could lead to better treatment of individuals with muscle pain.

Molecular-Level Investigation of Binary Fluid Droplets Impacting Surfaces

Droplets impacting with surfaces are commonly encountered processes in the field of protective coatings. The behavior of a colliding binary liquid droplet is sensitive to the impact velocity, surface wetting properties, and the droplet composition. Modeling molecular dynamics and classical density functional theory studies of impacting droplets as well as interfacial-surface free energies was reported on. The presence of two components in the liquid drop makes the surface collision a complicated problem. During the collision the kinetic energy of the drop is converted into heat. Thus, the temperature varies during the collision and throughout the droplet. Two extreme situations were captured by performing both adiabatic and isothermal simulations. Molecular dynamics and classical density functional theory were used to explore the effects of the mixing parameter on the phase diagram of the binary AB mixed droplets. The location of liquid–vapor and liquid–liquid phase separation was determined. In addition, the value of the interfacial tensions of all interfaces was computed. These can be used to predict when an A-rich and B-rich droplet will stay attached and when it will detach.

The Tomba Åström and the 1969 excavations at San Giovenale

In June 1969, Paul Åström and a group of students from the Swedish Institute of Classical Studies in Rome conducted a small series of excavations at San Giovenale, an Etruscan site in the inland between Cerveteri and Tarquinia. The material was unpublished until now, but a study of the finds and archival material suggests that it primarily comes from a chamber tomb constructed in the second half of the 7th century BC, in the late Orientalizing period, and probably used for several burials.

The mechanical journey of primordial germ cells.

Primordial germ cells (PGCs) are the earliest progenitors of germline cells of the gonads in animals. The tissues that arise from primordial germ cells give rise to the male as well as female gametes and are thus responsible for transmitting genetic information to subsequent generations. Their development from single cells to fully formed tissues has thus been of great importance. In most higher animals, PGCs are initially specified at a site away from the gonads. They then migrate across multiple tissue contexts to reach a mesodermal mass of cells called the genital ridge, where they associate with somatic cells to form the sex-specific reproductive organs. This migratory behavior has been studied extensively to identify the various tissues PGCs interact with and how this might affect their development. A crucial point overlooked by classical studies has been the physical environment experienced by PGCs as they migrate and the mechanical challenges they might encounter. It has long been understood that migrating cells can sense and adapt to physical forces around them via a variety of mechanisms. Studies have also shown that these mechanical signals can guide stem cell fate. In this review, we summarize the mechanical microenvironment of migrating PGCs in different organisms. We describe how cells can adapt to this environment and how this adaptation can influence cell fate. We propose that mechanical signals play a crucial role in normal development of the germline and shed light on this unexplored area of developmental biology.

Systematic review of the Health Literacy Questionnaire (HLQ) for global health literacy development

Abstract Background The Health Literacy Questionnaire (HLQ) is used to inform programs and policies in more than 80 countries. It is a key needs assessment in the Ophelia (Optimising Health Literacy and Access) process, a codesign process to build effective interventions. Ophelia is applied in the European Commission Joint Action on Cardiovascular Diseases and Diabetes initiative (25 projects/13 countries). Given growing demand, an Ophelia digital platform is being developed, and confirmation of robust HLQ psychometric evidence is needed for user confidence in the interpretation and use of HLQ scores in their contexts. This study is a review of the HLQ. Methods Developed in Australia in 2013, the HLQ measures nine health literacy domains and is translated to 40 languages. A March 2024 PRISMA systematic search (PROSPERO CRD42022361966) identified 257 articles, which were screened for evidence about internal structure and reliability. Results Across 15 countries/languages, 22 articles were included. Study samples included diverse groups, settings and contexts. Out of the 18 studies that used factor analysis, three used the Bayesian approach. All 15 classical factor analysis studies reported satisfactory fit indices in restricted 9-factor models (range CFI=0.841 to 0.995, TLI=0.826 to 0.969, RMSEA=0.048 to 0.084), except two required correlated residuals for acceptable fit indices. Factor loadings were significant except for five items across five studies (range .20 to .99). Three studies used Rasch modelling and found all domains had unidimensionality except for Domain 9 in one study. Most studies reported Cronbach’s alpha (range .57 to .95) across all domains, with only three studies reporting α<.7. Conclusions The HLQ has exceptional robust psychometric properties across cultures and languages, paving the way for users to have confidence in HLQ psychometric validity evidence on the upcoming Digital Ophelia platform to support scaling up of health literacy development. Key messages • The HLQ has robust psychometric properties across countries and languages. • The HLQ 9-domain profiles can inform intervention development for equitable health outcomes.

A classical study on parliamentary procedure. Conceptions of parliament in Josef Redlich’s Recht und Technik des Englischen Parlamentarismus (1905)

ABSTRACT In this article I analyse the intellectual contribution of Josef Redlich’s Recht und Technik des Englischen Parlamentarismus, a classical study on the Westminster parliamentary procedure from 1905. Redlich presents the origins of the procedural literature and the revision of British parliamentary procedure in the second half of the nineteenth century, the extended post-reform parliamentary agenda as well as the Irish members’ obstruction campaign. He emphasizes parliament’s measures for dealing with the scarce time threatening to paralyze its activities. His perspective is that of guaranteeing an efficient parliamentary government in the age of democratizing representation and extending legislation, which was realized at the cost of thorough debates deliberating pro et contra. With later scholarship, we could emphasize the continuous presence of deliberative procedure and rhetoric at Westminster.

The Relaxed Tutorial Project: distance learning and anxiety in Classical Studies

Abstract ‘Relaxed’ events are now common across the public Arts and Heritage sectors. Although designed with the needs of autistic children and their families in mind, they suit people with a range of access needs. Our project at The Open University asked: what would a ‘relaxed tutorial’ look like, and who might benefit from it? Across two years (2021–2023), tutors in the Department of Classical Studies at The Open University trialled a set of autism-friendly accessibility adjustments to live online tutorials for distance learners on a Roman History module. We found that relaxed tutorials were welcomed by students with anxiety disorders, caring responsibilities, chronic conditions and low confidence, as well as by autistic students. Since the project was concluded in 2023, relaxed tutorials have been rolled out across further Classical Studies modules at The Open University. Their principles and structure offer a new way of looking at accessibility adjustments which could be adapted to other teaching contexts and levels.

A polar diatomic molecule under a high-frequency laser field: classical analytical solution

AbstractDynamics of a polar diatomic molecule (represented as the oscillating rotator model) under external fields is the most fundamental problem and the testbed in molecular physics—analogously to the dynamics of hydrogenic atom (represented as the model of an electron in the Coulomb field) under external fields being the most fundamental problem and the testbed in atomic physics. We present the classical analytical study of the dynamical Stark effect in the oscillating rotator under a high-frequency laser field. We obtain the analytical results by using the method of effective potentials. We demonstrate that under the laser field, the rotation frequency increases, while the oscillation frequency decreases, and the amplitude of the oscillations increases. More significantly, the laser field causes the generation of the second harmonic in the oscillations of this system. This is an important, counterintuitive result in studying this fundamental physical system. We also drew attention to some flaws in the literature on this subject.

Tyramine as a Prolific Coformer in Crystal Engineering: Insights from Classical Crystal Structure Analysis and Electron Density Studies

Tyramine as a Prolific Coformer in Crystal Engineering: Insights from Classical Crystal Structure Analysis and Electron Density Studies

Evaluating the influence of the initial high molecular weight level on monoclonal antibody particle formation kinetics using a short-term chemical stress study

Protein formulations may form proteinaceous particles that vary in size from nanometers to millimeters. Monitoring the kinetics of protein particle formation, e.g., through accelerated degradation studies, is an attempt to understand and assess the rate and progression of particle populations. Little is known about whether the initial level of high molecular weight (HMW) species, or initial HMW level (IHL), of a protein solution influences the propagation of protein particle formation, and thus affects the storage stability of proteins.In this study, we have established a method to generate protein solutions of different IHLs by thermal stress. We have evaluated a 16-week thermal stability study at 40 °C of two monoclonal antibodies (mAb-A and mAb-B) at different IHLs using size exclusion chromatography (SEC) and sub-visible particle analysis. We have performed an isothermal stress study with guanidinium hydrochloride (GuaHCl) at room temperature for 300-min to evaluate the formation of HMWs analysed by SEC. The application of the Finke-Watzky (F-W) two-step nucleation model allowed us to mathematically describe the kinetics of HMW formation and to extract kinetic parameters of this process.For mAb-A, the IHLs had a marginal influence on the loss of monomer rate; instead, mAb-A exhibited fragmentation at 40 °C, which was independent of the IHL. Nevertheless, above a threshold of ≥ 7 % IHL, existing trimers/tetramers undergo conversion into higher-order oligomers at 40 °C, which is not observed at lower IHLs. In contrast, mAb-B exhibited an increased HMW formation rate above a threshold of ≥ 4 % IHL, which was reflected in the monomer decay rates at 40 °C and the F-W kinetic parameters of the chemical stress study.This case study shows that the initial level of HMWs exerts a differential influence on the progression of HMW formation. In one instance, there is a discernible acceleration in the formation of HMWs with rising IHLs. Conversely, in another example, the IHL exerts only a slight influence on HMW formation. Moreover, the results of our short-term chemical stress study are in accordance with those of a classical storage stability study conducted at 40 °C, which evaluated different IHLs. The analysis of HMW formation kinetics will enhance our understanding of the protein particle formation process and facilitate the formulation development of biotherapeutics.

Latin Challenges: Perceptions, Policy and Curriculum for Excellence. Barriers to Teaching Latin in Scottish Schools

Over the last decade, the number of Scottish learners presented for National Qualification exams in Latin has declined. There are a number of factors contributing to this decline. Some of these relate to the study of Classics generally, such as perceptions around the subject being socially and academically elitist, while others are specific to the study of Latin and the challenges arising from it being a language. Some factors are relevant to the situation of Latin internationally, for example the desire for education which is more explicitly relevant to the demands of modern societies, while others relate to specific features of the Scottish education system. Examination of the impact of Scotland’s Curriculum for Excellence (CfE) and of the Scottish Language Learning policy on education will give context to the current position of Latin within primary and secondary schools. Significant institutional support for the learning of Gaelic and Mandarin and the challenges currently facing all language learning in Scotland in the senior phase of formal schooling must also be considered in any discussion of the barriers to the provision of Latin. The decision of the Scottish Qualifications Authority (SQA), the body responsible for the accreditation of educational awards in Scotland, to cease offering a National Qualification in Ancient Greek in 2015 was based on low uptake of the subject, making the provision of external assessment no longer viable. It is, therefore, crucial to examine the current status of Latin within Scottish education and to determine the reasons for its decline in order to better understand how to address those issues, where possible, so as to secure the sustainability of the subject in the curriculum as well as its accreditation through National Qualifications.

Pnictogen-Assisted Self-Assembly as a Means to Study Mediated Thiol/Disulfide Exchange in Supramolecular Dynamic Covalent Assemblies.

Thiol-disulfide interchange has been a large field of study for both biochemists and physical organic chemists alike due to its prevalence within biological systems and fundamentally interesting dynamic nature. More recently, efforts have been made to harness the power of this reversible reaction to make self-assembling systems of macrocyclic molecules. However, less effort has focused on the fundamental work of isolating these assemblies and studying the factors that control the assembly and sorting of these emerging cyclic systems. A more complete fundamental understanding of factors controlling such self-assembly could also improve understanding of the complex systems biology of thiol exchange while also aiding in the design of dynamic thiol assembly to enable applications ranging from drug delivery and biosensing to new materials synthesis. We have shown previously that pnictogen-assisted self-assembly enables formation of discrete disulfide macrocycles and cages without competition from polymer formation for a wide variety of alkyl thiols. In this study, we report the expansion of pnictogen-assisted self-assembly methods to form disulfide bearing macrocycles from aryl thiol containing ligands, allowing access to previously unreported molecules. These studies complement classical physical organic and chemical biology studies on the rates and products of aryl thiol oxidation to disulfides, and we show that this self-assembly method revises some prevailing wisdom from these key classical studies by providing new product distributions and new isolable products in cyclic disulfide formation.

Position of Persia on the problem of «Russian transit» in the XVI–XVII centuries: a plot about Shirvan cities

The article attempts to consider the position of the Persian Safavid state on the question of using the territory of the Muscovy empire for the development of the European-Asian relations in the period of the XVI–XVII centuries with the use of the method of diachronic analysis and historical periodization. The aforementioned problem is studied as a separate aspect of scientific topics related to the place of the then Russia in the process of the European expansion into the countries of the East. The object of the analysis is the practical activities of the Persian administrations, which had both a direct and indirect relationship to the conventional topic of «Russian transit». Nowadays the experience of the comprehensive and conceptual study of this issue is absent not only in the domestic, but also in the foreign historical science. The specific subject of the study is related to the repeated promises of official Iran to transfer control over the largest centers of the historical region of Shirvan to the Russian tsars. The source base for this work was an array of diplomatic documents on the history of Russian-Persian interstate relations of the XVI–XVII centuries. These materials, in particular, reflected Moscow’s reaction to the Safavid proposals for territorial concessions. The scientific works of Russian-speaking and foreign specialists, including the largest representatives of classical and modern historical Iranian studies, were also used. The analysis made it possible to fit the diplomatic issue about the fate of the Shirvan cities into the context of the general problem of «Russian transit». It is hypothesized that the Persian government deliberately initiated this discussion taking into account the economic potential of the Volga-Caspian trade route. It is concluded that if the appropriate agreements between the two states were reached, the Russian empire could in the future produce a certain revolution in the intercontinental trade, especially in the silk market.

Geography of research networks in the Big South of Russia

The geography of research and innovation activity is a traditional topic of research in human geography. Classical studies of the clustering and diffusion of innovation in the 1960s and 70s received a new impetus in the 21st century with the understanding of the openness of innovation and the importance of interregional collaborative networks. Digitalization has played an important role, providing access to new sources of large geocoded data on the movement of key elements of the knowledge economy, including publications as a formalized outcome of scientific activity. The purpose of the article is to identify the center-periphery research ties of one of the largest macroregions of Russia – the Big South of Russia. The aim was to assess the territorial patterns of interregional research networks with the identification of gravity poles and interconnections at the local and national levels. The study uses the method of spatial scientometrics. Geocoded data on publications from the Scopus bibliographic database were used. In the course of the study the hypotheses of “Moscow-centricity” and “St. Petersburg-centricity” of the knowledge domain of the macroregion are tested, the influence of the factor of geographical proximity and the role of the diversity of interregional ties are evaluated, and the “heights-lowlands” of the landscape are revealed. The results of the research have shown a high degree of connectivity between the regions of the Big South of Russia in the research area. The hypothesis about the presence of several centers of gravity of scientific activity in the macroregion was confirmed. First of all, the peaks of the “scientific ridge” of the Big South form Rostov oblast with the largest urban agglomeration in the south of the country, the Rostov urban agglomeration, as well as the Krasnodar krai and Volgograd oblast. The hypothesis of the existence of several centers of scientific activity in the macroregion was confirmed. The influence of the factor of territorial proximity in the formation of research ties is not high and is manifested mainly in the southern Russian regions with relatively low indicators of research output (primarily, it is typical for national republics). Interregional research cooperation between advanced regions is not limited to immediate geographical proximity but is due to a combination of non-territorial factors. The “Moscow-centricity” of the scientific agenda of the regions of the Big South of Russia is true for most of the southern regions of the Russian Federation, which is particularly pronounced in regions with low internal scientific potential and in new regions undergoing a period of transformation of their scientific systems.

Research on the restorative effects and perception of privacy driven activities in Chinese classical gardens-Case studies of three Suzhou gardens.

The need for privacy, recognized as a fundamental psychological requirement, has garnered increasing attention as researchers explore the restorative effects of privacy driven activities (PDA). This study employs quantitative experiments and analyses to assess the restorative benefits of PDA within three classical Chinese gardens, demonstrating their superiority over conventional leisure activities in promoting emotional recovery, reducing stress, and restoring attention. The experiment quantifies the restorative effects of PDA versus standard leisure activities using a classic restorative scale and physiological indicators reflecting emotional relief. Regression analyses then identify five key factors influencing the occurrence of PDA, derived from preferred locations and behavioral tendencies observed in the three gardens. Further analyses reveal significant differences in the impacts of these five environmental feature dimensions on the evaluation indicators of "preference for privacy-oriented activities" and "restorative effects". Among these dimensions, "spatial scale and accessibility" has the greatest impact on the "preference for privacy-oriented environments", while "spatial atmosphere" and "activity facilities" have the most significant impact on "restorative effects". The findings suggest that behavioral activities mediate the relationship between environmental factors and restorative effects, highlighting the potential of PDA as a mediating variable for a comprehensive investigation into the pathways and mechanisms influencing restorative environments in research and design.

GeoEntity-type constrained knowledge graph embedding for predicting natural-language spatial relations

Natural-language spatial relations between geographic entities (geoentities) reflect diverse perceptions influenced by factors like location, culture, and linguistic conventions. These relations play a crucial role in supporting geospatial tasks, such as question answering and cognitive reasoning. While prior studies focused on a limited set of human-selected spatial terms and geometric attributes, they often overlooked essential semantic attributes. To overcome this limitation, we developed a Spatial Relation-based Knowledge Graph Embedding framework, SR-KGE, with new KG fusion functions to predict spatial relation terms among distinct geoentities. This method not only considers graph structures and the diversity of natural language expressions in the embedding and learning process, but also incorporates geoentity types as a constraint to capture spatial and semantic relations more accurately. Our experiments on two knowledge graph datasets, one small-scale and one large-scale, have both shown its superior performance in spatial relation inference compared to popular KGE models, including TransE, RotatE, and HAKE. We hope our research will advance the classic study of natural language described spatial relations in a more automated and intelligent way.

FISABILILLAH ERA KONTEMPORER DALAM PERSPEKTIF RASYID RIDHA

This research discusses Muhammad Rasyid Ridho's views on fisabilillah in the contemporary era, where in classical jurisprudence studies and tafsir asnaf fisabilillah is interpreted as a person who strives or fights to defend the religion of Allah, apart from that his zakat funds may only be intended for these people (asnab eight) and may not be allocated to others. This research is a library research type using qualitative methods. In his book Tafsir Al-manar volume 10, Rasyid Ridho explains that fisabilillah is for the benefit of Muslims, through which all sharia and daulah activities run, not for individual interests. In this way, everything related to the benefit of the Muslims can be used from this stock, if there is no such asnab, then it may be allocated to another asnab. What is the basis of his views in this case is based on the situation of Muslims which is increasingly sad at the moment, both in terms of religion, society and educational backwardness.