Introduction: Silences that Speak

This chapter provides a critical overview and a theoretical introduction to Narratives of the Unspoken in Contemporary Irish Fiction: Silences that Speak. Drawing on a wide range of perspectives and considerations on silence through a broad diversity of themes and functions, this introductory essay reclaims an unprecedented attentiveness to the unspoken in today’s Irish fiction. The chapter argues that in Irish contemporary writing silence features as multivalent and multifaceted: it can function as a form of resistance, a strategy of defiance, empowerment and emancipation, but also a way of covering up stories which remain untold and invisible, thus distorting or directly concealing inconvenient truths from the public eye. Ultimately, as the book itself demonstrates, for contemporary Irish writers, the unspoken is not just a constraint but a productive site of enquiry, a silence that “speaks”.The research for this chapter was funded by the Spanish Ministry of Science and Innovation, the European Regional Development Fund and the Spanish Research Agency through the Research Projects “INTRUTHS Inconvenient Truths: Cultural Practices of Silence in Contemporary Irish Fiction” FFI2017-84619-P AEI/FEDER, UE and “INTRUTHS 2: Articulations of Individual and Communal Vulnerabilities in Contemporary Irish Writing” PID2020-114776GB-I00 MCIN/AEI

Effective models of quantum gravity induced by Planck scale modifications in the covariant quantum algebra

In this paper we introduce a modified covariant quantum algebra based in the so-called Quesne-Tkachuk algebra. By means of a deformation procedure we arrive at a class of higher derivative models of gravity. The study of the particle spectra of these models reveals an equivalence with the physical content of the well-known renormalizable and super-renormalizable higher derivative gravities. The particle spectrum exhibits the presence of spurious complex ghosts and, in light of this problem, we suggest an interesting interpretation in the context of minimal length theories. Also, a discussion regarding the non-relativistic potential energy is proposed.Comment: Small corrections were made; improved figures; results unchanged; published versio

Spanish adaptation of the Stroke and Aphasia Quality of Life Scale-39 (SAQOL-39)

[Abstract] Aim. The stroke and aphasia quality of life scale-39 is an interviewer administered questionnaire that has been developed and validated in the United Kingdom to be applied to patients with chronic aphasia as a consequence of a stroke. The objective of this article was to translate the Stroke and Aphasia Quality of Life-39 Scale (SAQOL-39) into Spanish language, and evaluate its acceptability and reliability. Methods. The cross-cultural adaptation of the SAQOL- 39 into Spanish was carried out by following the translation and back-translation method. Twenty three patients with long-term aphasia due to stroke were tested. The patients were interviewed twice in a period from 2 to 12 days. The acceptability of the Spanish SAQOL- 39 was evaluated by examining the floor/ceiling effects and the missing data. The reliability was assessed by Cronbach’s alpha (internal consistence) and intraclass correlation coefficients (test-retest reliability) for the overall scale and its subdomains. Results. There were no difficulties to translate the original version into Spanish. There was good acceptability demonstrated by minimal missing data and floor/ceiling effects. Test-retest reliability for the overall score, and the subscales scores was 0.949 (0.854-0.944). Internal consistency analysis by Cronbach’s α was 0.950 (0.851-0.900). Conclusion. This small scale study provided preliminary evidence for the acceptability and reliability of the Spanish version of the SAQOL-39. Further testing in larger samples is needed to evaluate the validity of the scale, its sensitivity to change and to confirm its reliability

Collagen Fiber Regulation in Human Pediatric Aortic Valve Development and Disease

Congenital aortic valve stenosis (CAVS) affects up to 10% of the world population without medical therapies to treat the disease. New molecular targets are continually being sought that can halt CAVS progression. Collagen deregulation is a hallmark of CAVS yet remains mostly undefined. Here, histological studies were paired with high resolution accurate mass (HRAM) collagen-targeting proteomics to investigate collagen fiber production with collagen regulation associated with human AV development and pediatric end-stage CAVS (pCAVS). Histological studies identified collagen fiber realignment and unique regions of high-density collagen in pCAVS. Proteomic analysis reported specific collagen peptides are modified by hydroxylated prolines (HYP), a post-translational modification critical to stabilizing the collagen triple helix. Quantitative data analysis reported significant regulation of collagen HYP sites across patient categories. Non-collagen type ECM proteins identified (26 of the 44 total proteins) have direct interactions in collagen synthesis, regulation, or modification. Network analysis identified BAMBI (BMP and Activin Membrane Bound Inhibitor) as a potential upstream regulator of the collagen interactome. This is the first study to detail the collagen types and HYP modifications associated with human AV development and pCAVS. We anticipate that this study will inform new therapeutic avenues that inhibit valvular degradation in pCAVS and engineered options for valve replacement

Ulysses at 100

The year 2022 marked the 100th anniversary of the publication of Ulysses. The following reflections express different sentiments and thoughts about the novel that gave T. S. Eliot “all the surprise, delight, and terror that I can require.

Do Executive Functions Predict Binge-Drinking Patterns? Evidence from a Longitudinal Study in Young Adulthood

Background: Impairments in executive functions (EFs) are related to binge drinking in young adulthood, but research on how EFs influence future binge drinking is lacking. The aim of the current report is therefore to investigate the association between various EFs and later severity of, and change in, binge drinking over a prolonged period during young adulthood. Methods: At baseline, 121 students reported on their alcohol habits (Alcohol use disorder identification test; Alcohol use questionnaire). Concurrently, EFs [working memory, reversal, set-shifting, response inhibition, response monitoring and decisionmaking (with ambiguity and implicit risk)] were assessed. Eighteen months later, information on alcohol habits for 103 of the participants were gathered. Data were analyzed by means of multilevel regression modeling. Results: Future severity of binge drinking was uniquely predicted by performance on the Information sampling task, assessing risky decision-making (β = −1.86, 95% CI: −3.69, −0.04). None of the study variables predicted severity or change in binge drinking. Conclusion: Future severity of binge drinking was associated with making risky decisions in the prospect for gain, suggesting reward hypersensitivity. Future studies should aim at clarifying whether there is a causal association between decision-making style and binge drinking. Performance on all executive tasks was unrelated to change in binge drinking patterns; however, the finding was limited by overall small changes, and needs to be confirmed with longer follow-up periods

Human Astrocytes Exhibit Tumor Microenvironment-, Age-, and Sex-Related Transcriptomic Signatures

: Astrocytes are critical for the development and function of synapses. There are notable species differences between human astrocytes and commonly used animal models. Yet, it is unclear whether astrocytic genes involved in synaptic function are stable or exhibit dynamic changes associated with disease states and age in humans, which is a barrier in understanding human astrocyte biology and its potential involvement in neurological diseases. To better understand the properties of human astrocytes, we acutely purified astrocytes from the cerebral cortices of over 40 humans across various ages, sexes, and disease states. We performed RNA sequencing to generate transcriptomic profiles of these astrocytes and identified genes associated with these biological variables. We found that human astrocytes in tumor-surrounding regions downregulate genes involved in synaptic function and sensing of signals in the microenvironment, suggesting involvement of peri-tumor astrocytes in tumor-associated neural circuit dysfunction. In aging, we also found downregulation of synaptic regulators and upregulation of markers of cytokine signaling, while in maturation we identified changes in ionic transport with implications for calcium signaling. In addition, we identified subtle sexual dimorphism in human cortical astrocytes, which has implications for observed sex differences across many neurological disorders. Overall, genes involved in synaptic function exhibit dynamic changes in the peritumor microenvironment and aging. This data provides powerful new insights into human astrocyte biology in several biologically relevant states, that will aid in generating novel testable hypotheses about homeostatic and reactive astrocytes in humans.SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENTAstrocytes are an abundant class of cells playing integral roles at synapses. Astrocyte dysfunction is implicated in a variety of human neurological diseases. Yet our knowledge of astrocytes is largely based on mouse studies. Direct knowledge of human astrocyte biology remains limited. Here, we present transcriptomic profiles of human cortical astrocytes, and we identified molecular differences associated with age, sex, and disease state. We found that peritumor and aging astrocytes downregulate genes involved in astrocyte-synapse interactions. These data provide necessary insight into human astrocyte biology that will improve our understanding of human disease

Quality of life after stroke: Evaluation of the Greek SAQOL-39g

Background/Aims: Stroke and aphasia rehabilitation aims to improve people’s quality of life. Yet, scales for measuring health-related quality of life in stroke typically exclude people with aphasia. They are also primarily available in English. An exception is the Stroke and Aphasia Quality of Life scale (SAQOL-39g). This scale has been tested with people with aphasia; it has been adapted for use in many countries including Greece. The aim of this study was to examine the psychometric properties of the Greek SAQOL-39g. Methods: An interview-based psychometric study was carried out. Participants completed: receptive sub-tests of Frenchay Aphasia Screening Test, Greek SAQOL-39g, General Health Questionnaire-12, Frenchay Activities Index, Montreal Cognitive Assessment and Barthel Index. Results: 86 people took part; 26 provided test-retest reliability data. The Greek SAQOL-39g demonstrated excellent acceptability (minimal missing data; no floor/ceiling effects), test-retest reliability (ICC= 0.96 scale, 0.83-0.99 domains) and internal consistency (Cronbach’s alpha 0.96 scale, 0.92-0.96 domains). There was strong evidence for convergent (r=0.53-0.80 scale; 0.54-0.89 domains) and discriminant validity (r=0.52 scale; 0.04-0.48 domains). Conclusion: The Greek SAQOL-39g is a valid and reliable scale. It is a promising measure for use in stroke and aphasia treatment prioritization, outcome measurement and service evaluation