Breast Cancer Treatment (Mastectomy Experiences) May Initiate Individuation Process That Redefines Identities: A Systematic Review

This systematic literature review examines the impact of breast cancer treatment experiences, with a focus on mastectomy, on the psychosocial well-being of women. While previous studies have shown that mastectomy is associated with negative psychological outcomes such as anxiety, depression, and a loss of femininity, a new body of literature suggests that it can also be a catalyst for post-traumatic growth and personal transformation. The article argues that mastectomy experiences can initiate an individuation process that leads to a more empowered sense of self and a higher quality of life. The review identified 25 studies that employed qualitative methods and analyzed data from interviews, focus groups, and surveys. The article discusses the application of Jung’s individuation theory to categorize the experiences of women with breast cancer and links breast cancer diagnosis and treatment to the death-experience stage of the theory. The content highlights the importance of movement, contemplation, and spirituality in the healing process, and how they can help women connect with their bodies and develop a new sense of identity. Additionally, the content discusses the role of spirituality in enhancing growth and healing among indigenous native women patients with breast cancer. Overall, this article provides insights into how breast cancer treatment experiences can shape women’s identity, enhance resilience, and provide opportunities for personal growth and transformation.

Individuation and the Feminine Soul: Study of Feminine Archetypal Images Carried out on Surgical Patients

This article is the result of a research carried out in a private hospital of Belo Horizonte, Brazil. The patient care model of the Mastology Department includes an interdisciplinary staff that aims for the comprehensive treatment of these surgical patients. The research is based on clinical approach, under the framework of Analytical Psychology. Feminine archetypal images are symbolically represented by the Main Goddesses of the Olympus. It is natural for one of these expressions to prevail throughout a woman’s life, or even in specific moments of her life, but it is important to recognize that all of them are part of the feminine soul. We can, therefore, define and understand the Goddesses from Greek Mythology symbolically as being representative of the various feminine psychogenic forces that are projected. In reality, they are internal images that can be used to help know and understand personal issues and changes that are necessary in a woman’s life, enabling personal growth and the possibility to identify herself with the more authentic elements of her being. In this work experience, the feminine force showed itself to be a force of creation, of expression and of overcoming.

Brief Analysis of Sinclair’s Individuation in Demian Based on Archetypal Approaches

Demian:The Story of Emil Sinclair’s Youth is one of Hesse’s most representative works,which tells the story of the protagonist Sinclair’s arduous journey to find his inner self.Greatly influenced by C.G.Jung,a famous 20th century psychologist and the founder of archetypal approaches,Hesse integrated the knowledge and experience gained from psychoanalysis into his literary creations.Based on archetypal approaches such as shadow and anima,this paper will analyze the protagonist Sinclair’s individuation,or self-growth in other words,so as to prove that people can find more ways to get out of spiritual dilemma for themselves in modern times,and also realize the unity of self-worth and social value.

Individuation: an Analysis of Passing Based on Jung`s Archetypes

This paper tries to interpreter Passing on the basis of Jungian archetypes. First this paper gives a brief introduction to Jung`s concept of individuation, then it analyses the archetypes: shadow, anima/animus, and persona of the individual respectively so that it shows that the individual has been through the process of individuation and finds her real self at last.

First Light Curve Analysis of NSVS 8294044,V1023 Her,and V1397 Her Contact Binary Systems

The first photometric light curve investigation of the NSVS 8294044,V1023 Her,and V1397 Her binary systems is presented.We used ground-based observations for the NSVS 8294044 system and Transiting Exoplanet Survey Satellite data for V1023 Her and V1397 Her.The primary and secondary times of minima were extracted from al the data,and,by collecting the literature,a new ephemeris was computed for each system.Linear fits for the O-C diagrams were conducted using the Markov Chain Monte Carlo (MCMC) method.Light curve solutions were performed using the PHysics Of Eclipsing BinariEs Python code and the MCMC approach.The systems were found to be contact binary stars based on the fillout factor and mass ratio.V1023 Her showed the O’Connell effect and a cold starspot on the secondary component was required for the light curve solution.The absolute parameters of the system were estimated based on an empirical relationship between orbital period and mass.We presented a new T–M equation based on a sample of 428 contact binary systems and found that our three target systems were in good agreement with the fit.The positions of the systems were also depicted on the M–L,M–R,q–L_(ratio),and M_(tot)–J_(0)diagrams in the logarithmic scales.

Value of multiple models of diffusion-weighted imaging to predict hepatic lymph node metastases in colorectal liver metastases patients

BACKGROUND About 10%-31% of colorectal liver metastases(CRLM)patients would concomitantly show hepatic lymph node metastases(LNM),which was considered as sign of poor biological behavior and a relative contraindication for liver resection.Up to now,there’s still lack of reliable preoperative methods to assess the status of hepatic lymph nodes in patients with CRLM,except for pathology examination of lymph node after resection.AIM To compare the ability of mono-exponential,bi-exponential,and stretchedexponential diffusion-weighted imaging(DWI)models in distinguishing between benign and malignant hepatic lymph nodes in patients with CRLM who received neoadjuvant chemotherapy prior to surgery.METHODS In this retrospective study,97 CRLM patients with pathologically confirmed hepatic lymph node status underwent magnetic resonance imaging,including DWI with ten b values before and after chemotherapy.Various parameters,such as the apparent diffusion coefficient from the mono-exponential model,and the true diffusion coefficient,the pseudo-diffusion coefficient,and the perfusion fraction derived from the intravoxel incoherent motion model,along with distributed diffusion coefficient(DDC)andαfrom the stretched-exponential model(SEM),were measured.The parameters before and after chemotherapy were compared between positive and negative hepatic lymph node groups.A nomogram was constructed to predict the hepatic lymph node status.The reliability and agreement of the measurements were assessed using the coefficient of variation and intraclass correlation coefficient.RESULTS Multivariate analysis revealed that the pre-treatment DDC value and the short diameter of the largest lymph node after treatment were independent predictors of metastatic hepatic lymph nodes.A nomogram combining these two factors demonstrated excellent performance in distinguishing between benign and malignant lymph nodes in CRLM patients,with an area under the curve of 0.873.Furthermore,parameters from SEM showed substantial repeatability.CONCLUSION The developed nomogram,incorporating the pre-treatment DDC and the short axis of the largest lymph node,can be used to predict the presence of hepatic LNM in CRLM patients undergoing chemotherapy before surgery.This nomogram was proven to be more valuable,exhibiting superior diagnostic performance compared to quantitative parameters derived from multiple b values of DWI.The nomogram can serve as a preoperative assessment tool for determining the status of hepatic lymph nodes and aiding in the decision-making process for surgical treatment in CRLM patients.

Gait Recognition Under Different Clothing Conditions Via Deterministic Learning

Dear Editor,This letter deals with the robustness problem of gait recognition method against maximum number of clothing conditions.By selecting four kinds of time-varying silhouette features,gait dynamics underlying different individuals’gait features is effectively modeled by radial basis function(RBF)neural networks through deterministic learning.This kind of dynamics information has little sensitivity to the variance between gait patterns under different clothing conditions.In order to eliminate the effect of clothing differences,the training patterns under different clothing conditions further constitute a uniform training dataset,containing all kinds of gait dynamics under different clothing conditions.A rapid recognition scheme is presented on published gait databases.Extensive experiments demonstrate the efficacy of the proposed method.

New HⅠObservations Toward the NGC 5055 Galaxy Group with FAST

We report a new high-sensitivity HⅠmapping observation of the NGC 5055 galaxy group over an area of 1°.5×0°.75 with the Five-hundred-meter Aperture Spherical radio Telescope(FAST).Our observation reveals that the warped HⅠdisk of NGC 5055 is more extended than what was previously observed by WSRT,out to239(61.7 kpc).The total HⅠmass of NGC 5055 is determined to be~1.1×10^(10)M_Θ.We identified three HⅠclouds with HⅠmasses of the order of~10^(7)M_Θat the southeastern edge of the HⅠdisk,as well as a candidate high-velocity cloud with an HⅠmass of(1.2±0.5)×10^(6)M_Θto the north of NGC 5055.The HⅠcontent of UGCA337 is robustly detected for the first time by the FAST observations.It has a narrow HⅠlinewidth of W_(50)=17.4±3.8 km s^(-1)with a total HⅠmass of(3.5±0.3)×10^(6)M_Θ.Comparing the gas content and g-r color of UGCA 337 with typical low-mass dwarf galaxies,UGCA 337 appears relatively gas-poor despite its blue color.This suggests that UGCA 337 may have undergone gas stripping in the past.We also analyzed the possible origin of the diffuse HⅠclouds located at the outskirts of NGC 5055,and speculate that they might be the remnant features of a merger event in the past.

Comparing the efficacy and safety of low,medium,and high dosages of selexipag for treating pulmonary hypertension:A systematic review and meta-analysis

Background:The maintenance dosage of selexipag is categorized as low,medium or high.In order to assess the efficacy and safety of different dosages of selexipag for the risk stratification of pulmonary arterial hypertension(PAH),we performed a sys-tematic review and meta-analysis.Methods:Studies assessing PAH risk stratification indices,such as the World Health Organization functional class(WHO-FC),six-minute walk distance(6MWD),N-terminal pro-B-type natriuretic peptide(NT-proBNP)level,right atrial pressure(RAP),cardiac index(CI)and mixed venous oxygen saturation(SvO2),were included.Results:Thirteen studies were included.Selexipag led to improvements in the 6MWD(MD:24.20 m,95%CI:10.74-37.67),NT-proBNP(SMD:-0.41,95%CI:-0.79-0.04),CI(MD:0.47 L/min/m^(2),95%CI:0.17-0.77)and WHO-FC(OR:0.564,95%CI:0.457-0.697).Subgroup analysis demonstrated that all three dosages improved the 6MWD.A moderate dosage led to improvements in the CI(MD:0.30 L/min/m^(2),95%CI:0.15-0.46)and WHO-FC(OR:0.589,95%CI:0.376-0.922).Within 6 months of treatment,only the WHO-FC and CI were significantly improved(OR:0.614,95%CI:0.380-0.993;MD:0.30 L/min/m^(2),95%CI:0.16-0.45,respectively).More than 6 months of treatment significantly improved the 6MWD,WHO-FC and NT-proBNP(MD:40.87 m,95%CI:10.97-70.77;OR:0.557,95%CI:0.440-0.705;SMD:-0.61,95%CI:-1.17-0.05,respectively).Conclusions:Low,medium,and high dosages of selexipag all exhibited good effects.When treatment lasted for more than 6 months,selexipag exerted obvious effects,even in the low-dosage group.This finding is important for guiding individualized treatments.

Opinion consensus incorporating higher-order interactions in individual-collective networks

In the current information society, the dissemination mechanisms and evolution laws of individual or collective opinions and their behaviors are the research hot topics in the field of opinion dynamics. First, in this paper, a two-layer network consisting of an individual-opinion layer and a collective-opinion layer is constructed, and a dissemination model of opinions incorporating higher-order interactions(i.e. OIHOI dissemination model) is proposed. Furthermore, the dynamic equations of opinion dissemination for both individuals and groups are presented. Using Lyapunov's first method,two equilibrium points, including the negative consensus point and positive consensus point, and the dynamic equations obtained for opinion dissemination, are analyzed theoretically. In addition, for individual opinions and collective opinions,some conditions for reaching negative consensus and positive consensus as well as the theoretical expression for the dissemination threshold are put forward. Numerical simulations are carried to verify the feasibility and effectiveness of the proposed theoretical results, as well as the influence of the intra-structure, inter-connections, and higher-order interactions on the dissemination and evolution of individual opinions. The main results are as follows.(i) When the intra-structure of the collective-opinion layer meets certain characteristics, then a negative or positive consensus is easier to reach for individuals.(ii) Both negative consensus and positive consensus perform best in mixed type of inter-connections in the two-layer network.(iii) Higher-order interactions can quickly eliminate differences in individual opinions, thereby enabling individuals to reach consensus faster.

Evaluating the relative importance of predictors in Generalized Additive Models using the gam.hp R package

Generalized Additive Models(GAMs)are widely employed in ecological research,serving as a powerful tool for ecologists to explore complex nonlinear relationships between a response variable and predictors.Nevertheless,evaluating the relative importance of predictors with concurvity(analogous to collinearity)on response variables in GAMs remains a challenge.To address this challenge,we developed an R package named gam.hp.gam.hp calculates individual R^(2) values for predictors,based on the concept of'average shared variance',a method previously introduced for multiple regression and canonical analyses.Through these individual R^(2)s,which add up to the overall R^(2),researchers can evaluate the relative importance of each predictor within GAMs.We illustrate the utility of the gam.hp package by evaluating the relative importance of emission sources and meteorological factors in explaining ozone concentration variability in air quality data from London,UK.We believe that the gam.hp package will improve the interpretation of results obtained from GAMs.

Impact of asymptomatic infected individuals on epidemic transmission dynamics in multiplex networks with partial coupling

The theory of network science has attracted great interest of many researchers in the realm of biomathematics and public health,and numerous valuable epidemic models have been developed.In previous studies,it is common to set up a one-to-one correspondence between the nodes of a multi-layer network,ignoring the more complex situations in reality.In the present work,we explore this situation by setting up a partially coupled model of a two-layer network and investigating the impact of asymptomatic infected individuals on epidemics.We propose a self-discovery mechanism for asymptomatic infected individuals,taking into account situations such as nucleic acid testing in the community and individuals performing self-antigen testing during the epidemic.Considering these factors together,through the microscopic Markov chain approach(MMCA)and extensive Monte Carlo(MC)numerical simulations,we find that the greater the coupling between the networks,the more information dissemination is facilitated.In order to control the epidemics,more asymptomatic infected individuals should be made aware of their infection.Massive adoption of nucleic acid testing and individual adoption of antigenic self-testing can help to contain epidemic outbreaks.Meanwhile,the epidemic threshold of the proposed model is derived,and then miscellaneous factors affecting the epidemic threshold are also discussed.Current results are conducive to devising the prevention and control policies of pandemics.

Study of Type-B QPOs Observed in Black Hole X-Ray Binary Swift J1728.9-3613

We report the detection of type-B quasi-periodic oscillation(QPO)of the black hole X-ray binary Swift J1728.9-3613 observed by NICER during the 2019 outburst.A type-B QPO was observed for the first two days and it disappeared as flux increased,but again appeared at∼7.70 Hz when flux was dramatically decreased.The source was found in the soft intermediate state during these observations.We further studied the energy dependence of the QPO.We found that QPO was observed only for a higher energy range implying that the origin of QPO is possibly due to the corona emitting higher energy photons by the inverse Compton process.The variation of spectral parameters can be explained with the disk truncation model.The fractional rms was found to be monotonically increased with energy.The phase lag spectrum followed the“U-shaped”curve.The rms and phase lag spectrum are modeled and explained with the single-component Comptonization model vkompthdk.

Detection of Increasingγ-Ray Emissions from 4FGL J1718.5+4237 with Fermi-LAT

We report a gradual brighteningγ-ray source,4FGL J1718.5+4237,in 0.1-500.0 GeV,which may be associated with a blazar NVSS J171822+423948 with a redshift of~2.7.We analyzed 15.25 yr ofγ-ray data recorded by the Large Area Telescope on board the Fermi Gamma-ray Space Telescope and detected significantγ-ray emissions in the direction of the blazar with a test statistic(TS)of~135.Based on timing analysis using a 1 yr time bin,we have observed a gradual brightening inγ-ray emissions from the target.In our analysis,we categorize them into two states:Quiet(TS~0)and Loud(TS~226)states,with the distinction occurring in 2016 August(MJD57602.69).From the Quiet state to the brightest period(the last data point),theγ-ray flux in 0.1-500.0 GeV increased by more than 12-fold from<0.2×10^(-8)photons cm^(-1)s^(-1)to 2.6×10^(-8)photons cm^(-1)s^(-1).Additionally,we studied the spectral properties in detail for the Loud state and the overall data.While no significant variation was detected,both exhibited a spectral indexΓof~2.6.The origin of the brighteningγ-ray emissions from the target is not yet clear.Future long-term multi-wavelength observations and studies will provide insight into the astrophysical mechanisms of the target.

Photometric Analysis for Asteroid(81)Terpsichore using Convex Inversion and Phase Function Fitting Methods

The shapes and rotation states(periods and pole orientations)of main-belt asteroids are important for understanding their formation and evolution.In order to obtain sufficient photometric data covering different apparitions for asteroid(81)Terpsichore,ground-based photometric observations in 2020 and 2021 were carried out.By combining published and newly obtained photometric data,we calculated the shape and spin parameters for(81)Terpsichore using the convex inversion method.With this method,we have derived a best fitted pole orientation—(22.2±_(3.1)^(3.3°),17.5±_(5.5)^(10.8°))with a spin period of 10.94±_(0.01)^(0.01)h.Based on the derived convex shape of(81)Terpsichore,we have fitted the H,G+1,G_(2)phase function using the calibrated TESS data and Gaia data after accounting for the lightcurve amplitude correction.As a result,we have derived its absolute magnitude H=8.68±_(0.19)^(0.22)mag with corresponding phase function parameters G_(1)=0.82±_(0.10)^(0.09)and G_(2)=0.02±_(0.02)^(0.03).

Observation of Complex Organic Molecules Containing Peptide-like Bonds Toward Hot Core G358.93-0.03 MM1

In star formation regions,the complex organic molecules(COMs)that contain peptide bonds(-NH-C(=O)-)play a major role in the metabolic process because-NH-C(=O)-is connected to amino acids(R-CHNH_2-COOH).Over the past few decades,many COMs containing peptide-like bonds have been detected in hot molecular cores(HMCs),hot corinos,and cold molecular clouds,however,their prebiotic chemistry is poorly understood.We present the first detection of the rotational emission lines of formamide(NH_2CHO)and isocyanic acid(HNCO),which contain peptide-like bonds toward the chemically rich HMC G358.93-0.03 MM1,using high-resolution and high-sensitivity Atacama Large Millimeter/submillimeter Array bands 6 and 7.We estimate that the column densities of NH_2CHO and HNCO toward G358.93-0.03 MM1 are(2.80±0.29)×10~(15)cm~(-2)and(1.80±0.42)×10~(16)cm~(-2)with excitation temperatures of 165±21 K and 170±32 K,respectively.The fractional abundances of NH_2CHO and HNCO toward G358.93-0.03 MM1 are(9.03±1.44)×10~(-10)and(5.80±2.09)×10^(-9).We compare the estimated abundances of NH_2CHO and HNCO with the existing threephase warm-up chemical model abundance values and notice that the observed and modeled abundances are very close.We conclude that NH_2CHO is produced by the reaction of NH_2and H_2CO in the gas phase toward G358.93-0.03 MM1.Likewise,HNCO is produced on the surface of grains by the reaction of NH and CO toward G358.93-0.03 MM1.We also find that NH_2CHO and HNCO are chemically linked toward G358.93-0.03 MM1.

A Possible γ-Ray Pulsation from PSR J1740-5340B in the Globular Cluster NGC 6397

Recently, a new radio millisecond pulsar(MSP) J1740-5340B, hosted in the globular cluster(GC) NGC 6397,was reported with a 5.78 ms spin period in an eclipsing binary system with a 1.97 days orbital period. Based on a modified radio ephemeris updated by tool tempo2, we analyze the ~15 yr γ-ray data obtained from the Large Area Telescope on board the Fermi Gamma-ray Space Telescope and detect PSR J1740-5340B's γ-ray pulsation at a confidence level of ~4σ with a weighted H-test value of ~26. By performing a phase-resolved analysis, the γ-ray luminosity in on-pulse interval of PSR J1740-5340B is L_(γ)~ 3.8 × 10^(33) erg s^(-1) using NGC 6397's distance of 2.48 kpc. And γ-rays from the on-pulse part of PSR J1740-5340B contribute ~90% of the total observed γ-ray emissions from NGC 6397. No significant γ-ray pulsation of another MSP J1740-5340A in the GC is detected.Considering that the previous four cases of MSPs in GCs, more data in γ-ray, X-ray, and radio are encouraged to finally confirm the γ-ray emissions from MSP J1740-5340B, especially starving for a precise ephemeris.

Analysis of metabolic characteristics of metabolic syndrome in elderly patients with gastric cancer by non-targeted metabolomics

BACKGROUND The relationship between metabolic syndrome(MetS)and gastric cancer(GC),which is a common metabolic disease,has attracted much attention.However,the specific metabolic characteristics of MetS in elderly patients with GC remain unclear.AIM To investigate the differentially abundant metabolites and metabolic pathways between preoperative frailty and MetS in elderly patients with GC based on nontargeted metabolomics techniques.METHODS In this study,125 patients with nonfrail nonmeal GC were selected as the control group,and 50 patients with GC in the frail group were selected as the frail group.Sixty-five patients with GC combined with MetS alone were included in the MetS group,and 50 patients with GC combined with MetS were included in the MetS group.Nontargeted metabolomics techniques were used to measure plasma metabolite levels by ultrahigh-performance liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry.Multivariate statistical analysis was performed by principal component analysis,orthogonal partial least squares,pattern recognition analysis,cluster analysis,and metabolic pathway annotation.RESULTS A total of 125 different metabolites,including amino acids,glycerophospholipids,sphingolipids,fatty acids,sugars,nucleosides and nucleotides,and acidic compounds,were identified via nontargeted metabolomics techniques.Compared with those in the control group,there were 41,32,and 52 different metabolites in the MetS group,the debilitated group,and the combined group,respectively.Lipid metabolites were significantly increased in the MetS group.In the weak group,amino acids and most glycerol phospholipid metabolites decreased significantly,and fatty acids and sphingosine increased significantly.The combined group was characterized by significantly increased levels of nucleotide metabolites and acidic compounds.The alanine,aspartic acid,and glutamate metabolic pathways were obviously enriched in the asthenic group,and the glycerol and phospholipid metabolic pathways were obviously enriched in the combined group.CONCLUSION Elderly GC patients with simple frailty,simple combined MetS,and frailty combined with MetS have different metabolic characteristics,among which amino acid and glycerophospholipid metabolite levels are significantly lower in frail elderly GC patients,and comprehensive supplementation of fat and protein should be considered.Many kinds of metabolites,such as amino acids,lipids,nucleotides,and acidic compounds,are abnormally abundant in patients with MetS combined with fthenia,which may be related to tumor-related metabolic disorders.

Long Term X-Ray Spectral Variations of the Seyfert-1 Galaxy Mrk 279

We present the results from a long term X-ray analysis of Mrk 279 during the period 2018–2020.We use data from multiple missions–AstroSat,NuSTAR and XMM-Newton,for the purpose.The X-ray spectrum can be modeled as a double Comptonization along with the presence of neutral Fe Kαline emission,at all epochs.We determined the source’s X-ray flux and luminosity at these different epochs.We find significant variations in the source’s flux state.We also investigate the variations in the source’s spectral components during the observation period.We find that the photon index and hence the spectral shape follow the variations only over longer time periods.We probe the correlations between fluxes of different bands and their photon indices,and found no significant correlations between the parameters.

Gut microbiota modulating therapy for diabetes mellitus should be individualized

In this editorial,we commented on two articles published online in August and September 2024 in the World Journal of Diabetes,which focused on modifying the gut microbiota(GM)to prevent or delay the progression of diabetes mellitus(DM)and DM-related complications.Numerous studies,many of which are animal studies,have indicated the potential role of GM in the pathogenesis of DM.However,the detailed causality and mechanisms between GM and DM have not been fully clarified.Although there have been some reports of a potential role of modifying the GM in treating DM,most lack long-term observations and are not mechanistic.Additionally,the GM and its role in DM might vary among individuals;therefore,GM-targeted interventions should be individualized to realize their therapeutic potential.