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This study set out to investigate whether US Heritage Spanish features a more streamlined verbal paradigm in psych verb constructions compared to standard varieties of Spanish, where HS speakers find an invariable third-person singular form acceptable with both singular and plural grammatical subjects. In standard Spanish, the semantic subjects of psych verbs are typically pre-verbal experiencers cast as oblique arguments in inverse predicates such as in me encantan los buhos ‘I love owls’. The translation of this sentence shows that equivalent English predicates are typically direct constructions. The data were gathered using an acceptability judgement questionnaire that was distributed to participants that fit into one of three groups: early bilingual heritage speakers of Spanish from California, advanced Spanish as L2 speakers, and non-bilingual native speakers of Spanish who had learnt English as an L2 as adults. The Heritage Spanish speakers in this group often patterned differently from both other groups, who surprisingly patterned together. We argue that this is due to L2 speakers’ mode of acquisition (formal and subject to prescriptive grammar), in comparison with Heritage Spanish speakers’ naturalistic acquisition. Specifically, we find evidence for a streamlining of the Spanish verbal paradigm not immediately attributed to English interference, and that in psych verb constructions, Heritage Spanish speakers more readily accept a third-person singular invariable verbal form. This differentiation of the verbal paradigm from standard Spanish use should be considered a bona fide linguistic change, but not proof of either incomplete acquisition or language attrition. Since Heritage Spanish speakers are, after all, native speakers of Spanish, this study shows that Heritage Spanish should be considered and studied as any other dialect of Spanish, with its distinctive grammatical features, and subject to variability and change.

Apatite fission track (AFT) and U‐Th/He analyses (AHe) of detrital minerals from Eocene to Pliocene siliciclastic deposits in the Northern Apennines were here applied to constrain the tectono‐thermal history of the wedge‐top Epiligurian Marzabotto Basin (EMB). Detrital AFT age populations from Eocene to Miocene strata cluster between ~71 and ~58 Ma. AHe ages show a quite variable single grain age distribution ranging from ~104 to ~7 Ma indicating some degree of post‐depositional thermal resetting. Thermal modelling of AFT and AHe data indicates that the EMB experienced a maximum temperature of ~90° prior to Oligocene‐to‐Pliocene cooling. We interpret the Oligocene‐Early Miocene cooling signal to represent rock uplift associated with growth of the Apennines orogenic wedge and the late Miocene‐Quaternary cooling to track frontal accretion in the orogenic wedge concomitant with rollback‐driven extension. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The preservation of cultural diversity and issues of prestige are considered in underlining the importance of translating dialects.

This study explores the use of YouTube in self-education in the United Arab Emirates. Digital platforms and social media provide users with multiple opportunities to interact and access various information and services. However, due to the diverse interests of users and the various reasons for using these platforms, there is a variation in the extent of benefiting from them. One example of this is the use of YouTube as a platform to acquire and learn skills and experiences. In light of that, the study aims at discovering the reasons and motivations that lead users to adopt YouTube as a tool for self-education. It also explores the benefits that have been gained from that process and reveals the challenges that may limit its effectiveness. The study aims at describing the users’ interests and the types of self-education they are targeting. Data from 175 respondents were analyzed after conducting an online survey form. Results indicate that users prefer using YouTube as it facilitates the self-education process by developing skills and generating solutions for daily life concerns. Results also indicate that YouTube is preferred as a self-education tool because of its ease of use and presenting visual content via different devices. Seeking knowledge and developing personal skills motivate users to use the platform. By measuring the correlation and regression among variables the results suggest that users intend to use YouTube as a self-education tool in a variety of fields such as technology, personal daily practices, and professional skills.

Abstract Background Thyroid cancer (TC) is the most common endocrine malignancy. Nowadays, undifferentiated thyroid cancers (UTCs) are still lethal, mostly due to the insurgence of therapy resistance and disease relapse. These events are believed to be caused by a subpopulation of cancer cells with stem-like phenotype and specific tumor-initiating abilities, known as tumor-initiating cells (TICs). A comprehensive understanding of how to isolate and target these cells is necessary. Here we provide insights into the role that the protein Epithelial Cell Adhesion Molecule (EpCAM), a known TICs marker for other solid tumors, may have in TC biology, thus considering EpCAM a potential marker of thyroid TICs in UTCs. Methods The characterization of EpCAM was accomplished through Western Blot and Immunofluorescence on patient-derived tissue samples, adherent cell cultures, and 3D sphere cultures of poorly differentiated thyroid cancer (PDTC) and anaplastic thyroid cancer (ATC) cell lines. The frequency of tumor cells with putative tumor-initiating ability within the 3D cultures was assessed through extreme limiting dilution analysis (ELDA). EpCAM proteolytic cleavages were studied through treatments with different cleavages’ inhibitors. To evaluate the involvement of EpCAM in inducing drug resistance, Vemurafenib (PLX-4032) treatments were assessed through MTT assay. Results Variable EpCAM expression pattern was observed in TC tissue samples, with increased cleavage in the more UTC. We demonstrated that EpCAM is subjected to an intense cleavage process in ATC-derived 3D tumor spheres and that the 3D model faithfully mimics what was observed in patient’s samples. We also proved that the integrity of the protein appears to be crucial for the generation of 3D spheres, and its expression and cleavage in a 3D system could contribute to drug resistance in thyroid TICs. Conclusions Our data provide novel information on the role of EpCAM expression and cleavage in the biology of thyroid TICs, and our 3D model reflects the variability of EpCAM cleavage observed in tissue samples. EpCAM evaluation could play a role in clinical decisions regarding patient therapy since its expression and cleavage may have a fundamental role in the switch to a drug-resistant phenotype of UTC cells.

IntroductionThe significance of mental health and its impact on overall well-being is increasingly acknowledged across various sectors, including higher education. However, despite this growing recognition, the stigma associated with mental health issues and related help-seeking, particularly within certain cultural groups and socio-economic contexts, continues to pose a formidable barrier to effective care, especially among university students. Addressing these challenges, this study explores the intricate interplay of factors affecting mental health awareness and stigma, including help-seeking behaviors among Albanian university students in three Western Balkan countries: Kosovo, North Macedonia, and Albania. By dissecting these multi-layered influences, this study aims to develop targeted interventions to enhance mental well-being and dismantle barriers to care in these regions.MethodsThis qualitative study involved 60 Albanian university students from Kosovo, North Macedonia, and Albania, using focus groups to gather data. The discussions were structured around the socio-ecological model, facilitating a comprehensive exploration of the individual, interpersonal, organizational, and societal factors influencing mental health awareness, stigma, and help-seeking behaviors.ResultsFindings from the study indicate a moderate awareness of mental health issues among students. Familial and cultural stigma among Albanians in the Balkans hinder open discussions and access to professional help. There is a notable lack of support from higher education institutions, with only 20% of students reporting that their mental health needs are met. These needs include affordable and confidential counseling, empathetic faculty interactions, and a supportive campus environment. Additionally, there is a lack of continuous and professional help within the community. Societal attitudes deeply rooted in Albanian cultural norms and traditional beliefs perpetuate stigma, limiting effective health care and help-seeking behavior.DiscussionThe results emphasize the need for a culturally sensitive and holistic approach to mental health interventions that integrates strategies across multiple levels of the socio-ecological model. Enhancing mental health literacy, reducing stigma, and advocating for supportive legislation and policies in the Western Balkan region are critical. Moreover, the study highlights the urgent necessity for universities in particular to improve their mental health services, which will significantly enhance both the academic success and personal development of students.