Review
Rheumatology
Valeria Carnazzo, Serena Redi, Valerio Basile, Patrizia Natali, Francesca Gulli, Francesco Equitani, Mariapaola Marino, Umberto Basile
Summary: Calprotectin (CLP) is a calcium-binding protein produced by neutrophils and monocytes in inflammation. Recent studies have focused on circulating CLP, which can be measured in different biological fluids using various methods. This review highlights the correlation between high levels of circulating CLP and specific autoantibodies in major autoimmune diseases, suggesting CLP measurement as a potential biomarker for monitoring disease outcome.
Review
Immunology
Justyna Sakowska, Lukasz Arcimowicz, Martyna Jankowiak, Ines Papak, Aleksandra Markiewicz, Katarzyna Dziubek, Malgorzata Kurkowiak, Sachin Kote, Karolina Kazmierczak-Siedlecka, Karol Polom, Natalia Marek-Trzonkowska, Piotr Trzonkowski
Summary: Autoimmune diseases and cancer have traditionally been seen as separate fields of research, but recent studies have shown that studying autoimmune diseases can be beneficial in the development of anti-cancer drugs. This review discusses the role of regulatory cell populations, effector molecules, genetic predisposition, and environmental factors in the loss of self-tolerance in autoimmunity and tolerance induction in cancer.
FRONTIERS IN IMMUNOLOGY
(2022)
Review
Ecology
Christos C. Ioannou, Kate L. Laskowski
Summary: Variation between individuals is an important component of evolutionary change. Social interactions can either make behavior more similar (conformity) or divergent (differentiation) between individuals. This study argues that conformity and differentiation can be integrated onto a single scale, where conformity reduces within-group variance and differentiation increases it. Placing conformity and differentiation on a single scale allows for a deeper understanding of the relationship between social interactions and interindividual variation.
TRENDS IN ECOLOGY & EVOLUTION
(2023)
Review
Cell Biology
Gathsaurie Neelika Malavige, Chandima Jeewandara, Graham S. Ogg
Summary: There are similarities between dengue and COVID-19 infections in terms of clinical presentations and immunopathogenesis, including shared symptoms and common risk factors for severe illness. Studying the similarities between these two infections is crucial for the development of more effective therapeutic interventions.
JOURNAL OF BIOMEDICAL SCIENCE
(2022)
Review
Medicine, General & Internal
Paneez Khoury, Praveen Akuthota, Namhee Kwon, Jonathan Steinfeld, Florence Roufosse
Summary: Elevated eosinophil counts are associated with various diseases, including severe eosinophilic asthma, hypereosinophilic syndrome (HES), and eosinophilic granulomatosis with polyangiitis (EGPA). Patients with these diseases have a high risk of morbidity and mortality. A comprehensive workup is essential for symptomatic patients, although differential diagnosis between HES and EGPA can be challenging. Treatment options vary for different variants of HES and EGPA, with oral corticosteroids being the first line of treatment. Novel eosinophil-depleting therapies show promise in reducing blood eosinophil counts and disease flares. This review provides a practical guide for diagnosing and managing systemic hypereosinophilic disorders.
MAYO CLINIC PROCEEDINGS
(2023)
Review
Physiology
Lindsay Sawyer
Summary: The two lipocalins, beta-lactoglobulin and glycodelin, are closely related members of the lipocalin family, but they have substantially different functions. While glycodelin has well defined biological functions, the function of beta-lactoglobulin remains elusive. Glycodelin is associated with reproduction while beta-lactoglobulin's function is unclear.
FRONTIERS IN PHYSIOLOGY
(2021)
Review
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Annarita Ricciardelli, Antonino Pollio, Maria Costantini, Valerio Zupo
Summary: Cyanotoxins, harmful agents produced by cyanobacteria, have been extensively studied and reviewed. Traditionally classified based on their toxic effects on mammals into neurotoxins, hepatotoxins and dermatotoxins, cyanotoxins can be further subdivided into eight distinct classes based on their molecular structures, biosynthesis and modes of action. This review discusses the biotechnological potential of cyanotoxins as anticancer, antimicrobial, and biocidal agents, and explores their unique bioactivities such as local anesthetics, antithrombotics, neuroplasticity promoters, immunomodulating agents and antifouling agents. The aim is to stimulate interdisciplinary research and facilitate the discovery of innovative biotechnologies.
BIOTECHNOLOGY ADVANCES
(2023)
Article
Medicine, General & Internal
Katie J. Lee, Monika Janda, Mitchell S. Stark, Richard A. Sturm, H. Peter Soyer
Summary: Benign naevi are closely linked to melanoma, sharing genetic and environmental influences, yet they exhibit different local and systemic behavior. Research is ongoing to unravel the contributors and predictors of naevi and melanoma, in order to develop personalized prevention and treatment strategies. This involves a range of strategies including risk-adjusted counseling, lesion imaging technologies, artificial intelligence, genetics research, and understanding the interplay between genes, phenotype, and the environment.
FRONTIERS IN MEDICINE
(2021)
Article
Psychology, Multidisciplinary
Gijs Van Houwelingen, Marius Van Dijke, Niek Hoogervorst, Lucas Meijs, David De Cremer
Summary: This article investigates punishment and forgiveness within organizations, arguing that both are rooted in self-regulatory processes. The authors suggest that intentional transgressions are more likely to be punished, while unintentional transgressions are more likely to be forgiven, especially among actors for whom moral identity is central.
FRONTIERS IN PSYCHOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Business, Finance
Olivier Armantier, Jerome Foncel, Nicolas Treich
Summary: We study the determinants and frictions of insurance and portfolio decisions using household level data, and find key differences between the two decisions. Contrary to economic intuition, risky asset holding and insurance coverage increase with wealth. This can be explained by a behavioral pattern where the poor invest too conservatively and the rich over-insure, driven by regret avoidance and nonperformance risk.
JOURNAL OF FINANCIAL ECONOMICS
(2023)
Article
Business
Jonathan P. Doh
Summary: This article discusses the significance of distance in International Business/International Management research, as well as the role of diversity in complementing or substituting for it, which has implications for broader assumptions and principles in the IB/IM literature.
JOURNAL OF MANAGEMENT STUDIES
(2021)
Article
Economics
Giuseppe Di Vita
Summary: The study found that high levels of legislative complexity, similar to political corruption, constrain economic growth, reduce welfare levels, and result in income redistribution favoring politicians.
STRUCTURAL CHANGE AND ECONOMIC DYNAMICS
(2021)
Review
Clinical Neurology
Eleonora Aronica, Emilio Ciusani, Antonietta Coppola, Cinzia Costa, Emilio Russo, Andrea Salmaggi, Fabio Perversi, Marta Maschio
Summary: Epilepsy is a common symptom in brain tumor patients. Understanding the shared mechanisms between tumors and epilepsy can help develop targeted therapies. Currently, anti-seizure medications show potential efficacy, but more high-quality clinical trials are needed to confirm their use in practice.
JOURNAL OF THE NEUROLOGICAL SCIENCES
(2023)
Review
Medicine, General & Internal
Denise Nemeth, Enke Baldini, Salvatore Sorrenti, Vito D'Andrea, Maria Irene Bellini
Summary: Cancer and ischemic tissues share common metabolic pathways, and studying these similarities can improve outcomes of transplanted organs.
JOURNAL OF CLINICAL MEDICINE
(2022)
Article
Medicine, General & Internal
Matteo Gelardi, Rossana Giancaspro, Michele Cassano, Domenico Ribatti
Summary: Knowledge of chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyps (CRSwNP) has been rapidly increasing, but the study of the histological features of nasal polyps has not received much attention. Nasal cytology has shown that CRSwNP is characterized by eosinophilic and mast cell inflammation, with the most severe cases exhibiting a mixed eosinophilic-mast cell inflammation. Mast cells cannot be visualized by histology, but immunohistochemistry has recently shown their presence in almost all types of polyps. However, immunohistochemistry is not commonly performed due to cost and time constraints. Nasal cytology, on the other hand, is a convenient and cost-effective diagnostic tool that can fill the gap between histology and immunohistochemistry. The correlation between mast cell intraepithelial infiltrate and CRSwNP severity opens up new therapeutic possibilities.
FRONTIERS IN MEDICINE
(2023)
Article
Engineering, Mechanical
Saideh Khatami, Ehsan Bolhasani, Matjaz Perc, Alireza Valizadeh
Summary: This study investigates the impact of collective oscillations in brain networks on dynamic interactions and information transfer. The results show that the phase difference between oscillatory activities determines the transmission of neural signals. By adjusting the phase difference, the patterns of information transfer can be changed.
NONLINEAR DYNAMICS
(2023)
Article
Mathematics, Applied
Attila Szolnoki, Matjaz Perc
Summary: The self-protection of alliances is crucial for maintaining biodiversity in the face of natural selection. Two-species alliances can either defeat each other or exchange positions through inner dynamics. The four-species model shows diverse behaviors depending on the characteristics of inner invasions and the intensity of site exchanges. In cases where the inner invasion is biased, three-member rock-scissors-paper-type solutions emerge. Interestingly, if the oppressed species engage in more intensive site exchanges, they can become a winning pair and dominate the parameter space.
APPLIED MATHEMATICS AND COMPUTATION
(2023)
Article
Biophysics
Marko Sterk, Jurij Dolensek, Masa Skelin Klemen, Lidija Krizancic Bombek, Eva Paradiz Leitgeb, Jasmina Kercmar, Matjaz Perc, Marjan Slak Rupnik, Andraz Stozer, Marko Gosak
Summary: Islets of Langerhans are multicellular networks where hundreds of β cells work together to produce insulin. Recent studies have identified two subpopulations of β cells, called "hubs" and "wave-initiator cells," which play important roles in the collective dynamics of the islets. Hubs facilitate communication between cells and spread intercellular Ca2+ waves, while wave-initiator cells trigger intercellular signals. Understanding the characteristics and functions of these subpopulations is crucial for understanding diabetes.
BIOPHYSICAL JOURNAL
(2023)
Article
Engineering, Multidisciplinary
Ziwei Dong, Shuai Mao, Matjaz Perc, Wei Du, Yang Tang
Summary: With the rapid development of distributed energy resources, communication resources are becoming more and more important for implementing distributed algorithms. In order to reduce the communication burden required to solve the economic dispatch problem, this study considers the amount of information exchanged per broadcast, the broadcast frequency per iteration, and the number of iterations needed to achieve a certain accuracy. The proposed primal-dual based algorithm, integrated with a discrete dynamic event-triggered scheme, shows significant advantages in all three aspects. The algorithm is proven to converge to the optimal point at a linear convergence rate for suitable operating parameters and for cost functions that are strongly convex and smooth. Simulation experiments confirm the effectiveness and advantages of the approach.
IEEE TRANSACTIONS ON NETWORK SCIENCE AND ENGINEERING
(2023)
Article
Mathematics, Applied
Luo-Luo Jiang, Zhi Chen, Matjaz Perc, Zhen Wang, Jurgen Kurths, Yamir Moreno
Summary: Collective risk social dilemmas, such as climate change mitigation and overuse of natural resources, are pressing global challenges. Previous research has examined this problem as a public goods game (PGG) where a dilemma arises between short-term interests and long-term sustainability. This study explores the effectiveness of costly punishment in enforcing cooperation through human experiments and finds that the underestimation of the risk of being punished plays a crucial role. Additionally, it discovers that high fines not only deter free riders but also demotivate generous altruists.
Article
Mathematics, Applied
Uros Barac, Matjaz Perc, Marko Gosak
Summary: We investigate collective failures in biologically realistic networks with coupled excitable units using the FitzHugh-Nagumo model. We examine different factors such as coupling strength, bifurcation distances, and aging scenarios that contribute to collective failure. Our findings show that targeting high-degree nodes for inactivation leads to the longest global activity in the network, consistent with previous results. However, we also demonstrate that the most efficient strategy for collective failure depends on both coupling strength and the distance from the bifurcation point to oscillatory behavior.
Article
Mathematics, Interdisciplinary Applications
Tugba Palabas, Joaquin J. Torres, Matjaz Perc, Muhammet Uzuntarla
Summary: An increasing amount of evidence suggests that astrocytes, an abundant type of glial cells in the nervous system, not only support neurons structurally and metabolically, but also modulate neuronal and synaptic functions. However, their role in information processing, especially in the presence of noise, remains unclear. This study investigates the phenomenon of stochastic resonance in neuronal dynamics and shows that astrocytes can enhance the detection of weak signals in the presence of noise, indicating their potential role in noisy neuronal information processing.
CHAOS SOLITONS & FRACTALS
(2023)
Review
Physics, Multidisciplinary
Peng Ji, Jiachen Ye, Yu Mu, Wei Lin, Yang Tian, Chittaranjan Hens, Matjaz Perc, Yang Tang, Jie Sun, Jurgen Kurths
Summary: Signal propagation in complex networks has significant implications in various fields, including epidemiology, social dynamics, neuroscience, engineering, and robotics. The geometry of signal propagation is determined by the network topology and diverse forms of nonlinear interactions. This comprehensive review explores different models and types of complex networks, network time series analysis techniques, and applications. It aims to provide an up-to-date understanding of signal propagation complexities for innovative applications and future research.
PHYSICS REPORTS-REVIEW SECTION OF PHYSICS LETTERS
(2023)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Atefeh Ahmadi, Sourav Roy, Mahtab Mehrabbeik, Dibakar Ghosh, Sajad Jafari, Matjaz Perc
Summary: This paragraph discusses the duopoly Stackelberg model in game theory, where a leader and a follower firm compete in the market to maximize profit. Real-world markets can exhibit chaotic behaviors and unpredictable changes. Taking into account the heterogeneity of the firms, a Stackelberg model with heterogeneous players and marginal costs is proposed. The equilibrium points, including the Nash equilibrium, are calculated and their stability is analyzed. Different parameters are explored to understand the dynamics through bifurcation diagrams, Lyapunov exponents spectra, and Kaplan-Yorke dimension. By combining state feedback and parameter adjustment methods, the chaotic solutions of the model are tamed and it converges to the Nash equilibrium.
Article
Information Science & Library Science
Mahsa Keshavarz-Fathi, Niloufar Yazdanpanah, Sajad Kolahchi, Heliya Ziaei, Gary L. Darmstadt, Tommaso Dorigo, Filip Dochy, Lisa Levin, Visith Thongboonkerd, Shuji Ogino, Wei-Hsin Chen, Matjaz Perc, Mark S. Tremblay, Bolajoko O. Olusanya, Idupulapati M. Rao, Nikos Hatziargyriou, Maziar Moradi-Lakeh, Federico Bella, Laszlo Rosivall, Amir H. Gandomi, Armin Sorooshian, Manoj Gupta, Ciprian Gal, Andres M. Lozano, Connie Weaver, Michael Tanzer, Alessandro Poggi, Sadaf G. Sepanlou, Ralf Weiskirchen, Anet Rezek Jambrak, Pedro J. Torres, Esra Capanoglu, Francisco J. Barba, Chua Kian Jon Ernest, Mariano Sigman, Stefano Pluchino, Gevork B. Gharehpetian, Seyed-Mohammad Fereshtehnejad, Muh-Hwa Yang, Sabu Thomas, Wenju Cai, Elisabetta Comini, Neil J. Scolding, Paul S. Myles, Juan J. Nieto, George Perry, Constantine Sedikides, Nima Rezaeia
Summary: Scientometrics and bibliometrics are subfields of library and information science that study the quantity and quality of research outputs. The h-index is the most well-known scientometric index, but it relies on the count of highly cited publications. To address this limitation, we developed a new index called the Universal Research Index (UR-Index) that considers the impact of every single publication. We incorporated additional variables such as publication type, leading role, co-author count, and source metrics into the UR-Index. However, we recognize that unconscious biases in these variables may disadvantage research from specific groups, and encourage efforts to improve equitable scholarly impact in science and academia.
JOURNAL OF ACADEMIC LIBRARIANSHIP
(2023)
Article
Mathematics, Interdisciplinary Applications
Haroldo Ribeiro, Diego D. Lopes, Arthur A. B. Pessa, Alvaro F. Martins, Bruno R. da Cunha, Sebastian Goncalves, Ervin K. Lenzi, Quentin S. Hanley, Matjaz Perc
Summary: Recent advances in deep learning have allowed researchers to develop algorithms for analyzing and modeling complex networks. This study explores the potential of graph convolutional networks in predicting various properties of criminal networks, and shows impressive accuracy in recovering missing partnerships, distinguishing types of associations, predicting monetary exchanges, and anticipating partnerships and recidivism in corruption networks. The deep learning models outperform shallow learning approaches and provide high-quality embeddings for node and edge properties. Additionally, the models inherit the advantages of the GraphSAGE framework, including generalization to unseen nodes and scalability for large graph structures.
CHAOS SOLITONS & FRACTALS
(2023)
Article
Green & Sustainable Science & Technology
Kristijan Brglez, Matjaz Perc, Rebeka Kovacic Lukman
Summary: Cities are crucial for sustainable development, and decision-makers need help in developing city transformation plans. A content analysis using concept mapping revealed that city models are evolving by adopting beneficial solutions from competitors, with a strong focus on sustainable development. The study also identified and validated 24 research areas essential for implementing a circular city and developed a conceptual model for it. Testing the model highlighted challenges in monitoring the transition towards circularity. This research enhances understanding of city models and their evolution towards sustainability, providing valuable insights for decision-makers and urban planners.
CLEAN TECHNOLOGIES AND ENVIRONMENTAL POLICY
(2023)
Article
Mathematics, Applied
Li-Feng Hou, Gui-Quan Sun, Matjaz Perc
Summary: The spatiotemporal heterogeneity of human activities plays a significant role in vegetation patterns, enhancing diversity and preventing vegetation desertification.
COMMUNICATIONS IN NONLINEAR SCIENCE AND NUMERICAL SIMULATION
(2023)
Review
Biology
Chengyi Xia, Juan Wang, Matjaz Perc, Zhen Wang
Summary: Reputation and reciprocity are crucial mechanisms in promoting prosocial behavior in human societies. Recent research at the intersection of physics and evolutionary game theory has examined these mechanisms, focusing on image scoring and different forms of reciprocity. The study explores the dynamics of reputation and reciprocity and their impact on cooperation. It considers various models and experimental evidence to understand the evolution of cooperation. The review concludes with promising directions for future research in this field.
PHYSICS OF LIFE REVIEWS
(2023)
Editorial Material
Biology
Marko Gosak, Marko Milojevic, Maja Duh, Kristijan Skok, Matjaz Perc
PHYSICS OF LIFE REVIEWS
(2023)