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Stimuli-responsive hydrogels from liquid–liquid phase separations of FUS-derived peptides
Get PDFDefining soft biomaterials, including stimuli-responsive hydrogels, is essential for advancing applications such as targeted drug delivery, biosensing, and tissue engineering due to their ability to respond to environmental triggers dynamically. In this study, we characterized phase-separating peptides and elucidated the principles governing their self-assembly into hydrogels. Low-complexity aromatic-rich kinked segments (LARKS) were employed as building blocks to generate stimuli-responsive materials. By analyzing the properties of various multi-LARKS peptides, we developed a model informing the rational design of point mutations to modulate the mechanical properties and temperature stability of LARKS-based hydrogels, resulting in stimuli-responsive matrices. Our findings were further supported by demonstrating that these hydrogels effectively act as reservoir matrices capable of releasing drugs efficiently at 40 °C, highlighting their potential for biotechnological and medical applications
Hidden catalysts: exploring the mediating paths between SES and academic performance of Chinese migrant children
No full textIn China’s urbanisation process, over 71.09 million migrant children aged 0-17 have moved with their
families from rural to urban areas. However, the household registration (Hukou) system restricts their
access to quality education and social services, making their academic performance a significant concern
in urban contexts. This study investigates how socioeconomic status (SES) influences the academic
achievement of migrant children in Chinese urban public schools. Using Structural Equation Modeling
(SEM), it analyses longitudinal data from the China Education Panel Survey (CEPS 2013-2014), with a
nationally representative sample of 2,799 lower secondary migrant students in Grades 7 and 9. The
findings challenge traditional assumptions of the family investment model regarding the effectiveness of
educational support, revealing complex chained mediation effects between SES and academic
performance in Chinese migrant families. SES shows no significant direct effect on migrant children’s
academic performance; however, SES indirectly influences academic performance through cognitive
ability and a dual-path paradox in parental engagement (parental communication and parental enrichment
activities). Notably, parental communication positively affects academic achievement without enhancing
cognitive skills. Conversely, parental enrichment activities have contradictory effects: they negatively
correlate directly with migrant children’s academic performance, but indirectly positively via cognitive
abilities. This research reveals an original contribution by uncovering a dual-path paradox in parental
engagement for Chinese migrant families. The findings carry significant theoretical insights into the role
of SES in marginalised groups and provide valuable comparative perspectives for international studies
on migrants or low-SES families. Practically, they inform targeted policies such as subsidised enrichment
programs, school-based cognitive support, and community-driven parental workshops, which aim to
mitigate structural educational inequalities prevalent in China’s rapid urban transformation
From waste to resource: a review on advancing whey permeate valorization through anaerobic digestion
Get PDFThe increasing demand for whey protein has led to a significant production of whey permeate as the byproduct.
It is characterized by its high organic load, mostly in the form of lactose, but low in other nutrients. This represents
both environmental risk and resource with high valorization potential. Despite of this, valorization of
whey permeate is still less common when compared with other forms of wastewaters from the dairy industry.
Among several methods to valorize the byproduct, anaerobic digestion (AD) has emerged as an attractive solution
by offering simultaneous bioresource recovery and organic load removal. This review synthesizes current
knowledge on whey permeate valorization through AD. First, whey permeate production, composition and
current findings on direct and indirect utilizations of whey permeate are outlined. It is highlighted that while
current utilization methods offer add value, many of whey permeate utilizations remain constrained by limitations
(e.g., consumer acceptance, lactose crystallization, limited processing capacity and complexities for large
volumes, and generation of secondary waste) that can be tackled through AD. The theoretical foundation of AD is
then presented, with focus on process stages and key factors influencing AD performance. Published studies on
whey permeate AD are critically reviewed, highlighting experimental designs, AD performance, and methodological
limitations. This review identifies strengths in current approaches while underscoring persisting challenges
such in effective optimization strategies. Finally, future research perspectives are discussed, pointing
towards standardization of terminology to enhance reproducibility, process optimization, and viable route for
advancing whey permeate AD
Of other spaces: the implications for the artist using an alter ego
No full textThis thesis explores the implications for an artist using an alter ego as a space, physically,
virtually, conceptually and psychologically, to trial alternative versions of self, creativity and
‘personal’ narrative as a mechanism to produce new artworks.
My PhD studio experiments and the creation of three alter egos resulted in a joint exhibition
and the development of a substantial body of artwork. My use of alter egos tapped into
autobiographical stories that enabled new perspectives and experimentation with my past
narrative, which framed the thesis. This was informed by multi-disciplinary research into
artists and writers who use an alter ego from art history and theory to identify relevant
artistic practices, including Cindy Sherman; Jimmie Durham; Laura Albert; Marcel Duchamp;
David Bowie; Grayson Perry; Juliana Huxtable; Johnny Vegas and Cao Fei and Michel
Foucault’s conceptual model of heterotopic space. This research was supported by
interviews with practising artists who utilise an alter ego.
The research proposed that alter egos offer the artist the opportunity for self-knowledge by
testing alternative versions of self, perspectives, and narrative. They offer a protective mask
that distances the artist, enabling the exploration of conflicting issues. They may restrict the
artist’s practice, be time-consuming, and confuse the viewer and art market, which seeks
clear definitions of the artist’s ‘back story’ and context. Using an alter ego may be
problematic for payment, obtaining grants, entering open calls, or being interviewed and is
ethically complex.
The alter ego is a heterotopic space operating simultaneously as the raw material, the
process, the art form, the curator, and the creator. This ‘space’ is not frictionless or cut off
from ‘reality’ but allows the artist to play with spaces such as life stages and time, to re-enact past experiences from a different perspective and test alternative methods of
performing and production. My research journey evolved into alter egos that changed from
passive and controlled by me to becoming active, creative drivers whose narratives were
formed from autofiction, garnered from my past, which created unexpected creativity that
is different to my art practice
Targeting fears, prejudices, and differing values: identity and hybrid threats
No full textDemocratic societies and states rely on trust – both between civilians and their governing authorities, as well as between civilians themselves, as neighbours and fellow-members of society. Formenting division between people by targeting existing vulnerabilities and weaknesses in society has increasingly become standard practice for state and non-state actors interested in weakening a state without resorting to traditional military means and the use of force. Identity markers like gender and gender identification, class, race, ethnicity, age, and sexual orientation are targeted in multiple ways, both to cause harm to marginalized groups who do not conform to traditional and/or dominant group identity markes, but also to increase anger, hate, fear, and disgust among those who harbour existing uncertainties and/or prejudices towards certain segments of the population. This chapter addresses the ways in which identity is used, particularly in disinformation campaigns, in attempts to impact and fragment democratic societies. It also examines the role of civilians in resisting such campaigns as a part of civilian resilience
The first European record of Anthrenus (Anthrenus) corona (Coleoptera: Dermestidae: Megatominae) and a comparison with Anthrenus isabellinus
No full textOnly one specimen of Anthrenus (Anthrenus) corona has been found and described to date, the holotype male from Turkey. Here we report on the discovery of two specimens of A. corona, a male and a female from Romania. Not only does this discovery allow a consideration of female A. corona, but it also extends the confirmed distribution of A. corona into Europe. Images of habiti, male genitalia and antenna are presented. Anthrenus corona is large and is therefore compared with A. isabellinus, which also occurs in Romania and can also be relatively large
Descriptions of Anthrenus (Anthrenodes) pica and Anthrenus (Anthrenodes) translucens (Coleoptera: Dermestidae: Megatominae), two new species from Yemen and Oman
Get PDFTwo new species, Anthrenus (Anthrenodes) pica Holloway and Herrmann and Anthrenus translucens Holloway and Herrmann (Coleoptera: Dermestidae: Megatominae) from Oman and Yemen are
described and compared with A. malkini Mroczkowski, 1980, the most likely confounding species because of geographical overlap and internal similarity. Images of the habitus, ventrites, antenna, aedeagus, and sternite IX are presented. Nine species of the subgenus Anthrenodes Chobaut are now known from the southern Arabian Peninsula
Auditory and semantic processing of speech-in-noise in autism: a behavioural and EEG study
Get PDFAutistic individuals often struggle to recognize speech in noisy environments, but the neural mechanisms behind these challenges remain unclear. Effective speech-in-noise (SiN) processing relies on auditory processing, which tracks target sounds amidst noise, and semantic processing, which further integrates relevant acoustic information to derive meaning. This study examined these two processes in autism. Thirty-one autistic and 31 non-autistic adults completed a sentence judgment task under three conditions: quiet, babble noise, and competing speech. Auditory processing was measured using EEG-derived temporal response functions (TRFs), which tracked how the brain follows speech sounds, while semantic processing was assessed via behavioral accuracy and the N400 component, a neural marker of semantic processing. Autistic participants showed reduced TRF responses and delayed N400 onset, indicating less efficient auditory processing and slower semantic processing, despite similar N400 amplitude and behavioral performance. Moreover, non-autistic participants demonstrated a trade-off between auditory and semantic processing resources. In the competing speech condition, they showed enhanced semantic integration but reduced neural tracking of auditory information when managing linguistic competition introduced by intelligible speech noise. In contrast, the autistic group showed no modulation of neural responses, suggesting reduced flexibility in adjusting auditory and semantic demands. These findings highlight distinct neural processing patterns in autistic individuals during SiN tasks, providing new insights into how atypical auditory and semantic processing shape SiN perception in autism
