bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Human Prior Knowledge Estimation from Movement Cues for Information-Based Control of Mobile Robots during Search
Authors: Krzysiak Rafal , Butail Sachit
Published: November 2024

Robotic search often involves teleoperating vehicles into unknown environments. In such scenarios, prior knowledge of target location or environmental map may be a viable resource to tap into and control other autonomous robots in the vicinity towards an improved search performance. In this article, we test the hypothesis that despite having the same skill, prior knowledge of target or environment affects teleoperator actions, and such knowledge can therefore be inferred through robot movement. To investigate whether prior knowledge can improve human-robot team performance, we next evaluate an adaptive mutual-information blending strategy that admits a time-dependent weighting for steering autonomous robots. Human-subject experiments show that several features including distance travelled by the teleoperated robot, time spent staying still, speed, and turn rate, all depend on the level of prior knowledge and that absence of prior knowledge increased workload. Building on these results, we identified distance travelled and time spent staying still as movement cues that can be used to robustly infer prior knowledge. Simulations where an autonomous robot accompanied a human teleoperated robot revealed that whereas time to find the target was similar across all information-based search strategies, adaptive strategies that acted on movement cues found the target sooner more often than a single human teleoperator compared to non-adaptive strategies. This gain is diluted with number of robots, likely due to the limited size of the search environment. Results from this work set the stage for developing knowledge-aware control algorithms for autonomous robots in collaborative human-robot teams.
Applying Conformal Prediction to a Deep Learning Model for Intracranial Hemorrhage Detection to Improve Trustworthiness
Authors: Gamble Cooper , Faghani Shahriar , Erickson Bradley J.
Published: November 2024

“Just Accepted” papers have undergone full peer review and have been accepted for publication in Radiology: Artificial Intelligence. This article will undergo copyediting, layout, and proof review before it is published in its final version. Please note that during production of the final copyedited article, errors may be discovered which could affect the content. Purpose To apply conformal prediction to a deep learning (DL) model for intracranial hemorrhage (ICH) detection and evaluate model performance in detection as well as model accuracy in identifying challenging cases. Materials and Methods This was a retrospective (November 2017 through December 2017) study of 491 noncontrast head CT volumes from the CQ500 dataset in which three senior radiologists annotated sections containing ICH. The dataset was split into definite and challenging (uncertain) subsets, where challenging images were defined as those in which there was disagreement among readers. A DL model was trained on 146 patients (mean age = 45.7, 70 females, 76 males) from the definite data (training dataset) to perform ICH localization and classification into five classes. To develop an uncertainty-aware DL model, 1,546 sections of the definite data (calibration dataset) was used for Mondrian conformal prediction (MCP). The uncertainty-aware DL model was tested on 8,401 definite and challenging sections to assess its ability to identify challenging sections. The difference in predictive performance ( P value) and ability to identify challenging sections (accuracy) were reported. Results After the MCP procedure, the model achieved an F1 score of 0.920 for ICH classification on the test dataset. Additionally, it correctly identified 6,837 of the 6,856 total challenging sections as challenging (99.7% accuracy). It did not incorrectly label any definite sections as challenging. Conclusion The uncertainty-aware MCP-augmented DL model achieved high performance in ICH detection and high accuracy in identifying challenging sections, suggesting its usefulness in automated ICH detection and potential to increase trustworthiness of DL models in radiology. ©RSNA, 2024
Experimental Study on Carbon Fiber Constrained Corrosion Damage of Reinforced Concrete Columns in Saline Soil Environment of Hexi
Authors: Cai Mingxi , Shao Lijun , Zhang Jiawei , Liu Shengwei , Pei Yunqing
Published: November 2024

This study aims to explore the mechanical properties of reinforced concrete cylinders subjected to CFRP‐constrained deterioration damage in the saline soil environment of Hexi. Simulating the saline soil environment in Hexi through continuous semi‐immersion of indoor sulfate–chloride salts, experiments were conducted on two conditions: ordinary RC columns and CFRP‐confined corroded RC columns. Building upon these experimental investigations, strength retention rate and steel corrosion rate were introduced as quantifiable damage metrics. By conducting regression analysis on the stress and strain of reinforced concrete subjected to corrosion damage constrained by CFRP in an erosive environment, an ultimate strength model and an ultimate strain model suitable for CFRP‐constrained damaged reinforced concrete columns subjected to continuous semi‐immersion in sulfate–chloride salt were established. The findings indicate that, as the erosion age progresses, both types of specimens demonstrate an initial increase followed by a decrease in strength and strain, albeit with varying rates of deterioration. The data suggest that the expansive damage caused by stirrup corrosion is a key factor in the degradation of RC. Therefore, when reinforcing concrete columns with CFRP in composite salt erosive environments, it is essential to consider the initial damage to the RC.
Single-Cell Transcriptome Sequencing and Analysis Provide a New Approach for the Treatment of Small Cell Neuroendocrine Carcinoma of the Cervix
Authors: He Lewei , Wu Yuling , Lv Mingyi , Jiang Jiyang , Li Yifei , Guo Tao , Fan Zhenxin
Published: November 2024

Introduction: Small cell neuroendocrine carcinoma of the cervix (SCNECC) is a rare gynecologic malignant tumor, which has lack of systematic research. In order to investigate its molecular characteristics, origin, and pathogenesis, single-cell transcriptome sequencing (scRNA-Seq) of SCNECC was performed for the first time, the cellular and molecular landscape was revealed, and the key genes for clinical prognosis were screened. Methods: This article initially performed the scRNA-Seq on a tumor tissue sample from an SCNECC patient, combined with scRNA-Seq data from a healthy cervical tissue sample downloaded from a public database; the single-cell transcriptome landscape was constructed. Then, we investigated the cell types, intratumoral heterogeneity, characteristics of tumor microenvironment, and potential predictive markers of SCNECC. Results: We identified two malignant cell populations, tumor stem cells and malignant carcinoma cells, and revealed two tumor progression pathways of SCNECC. By analyzing gene expression levels in the pathophysiology of SCNECC, we found that the expression levels of ERBB4 and NRG1, as well as the expression profile of mTOR signaling pathway mediated by them, were significantly upregulated in malignant carcinoma cells. In addition, we also found that carcinoma cells were able to stimulate malignant cell proliferation through the FN1 signaling pathway. The immune cells were in a stress state, with T-cell depletion, macrophage polarization, and mast cell glycolysis. These results suggested that carcinoma cells could interfere with immune response and promote tumor escape through MIF, TGFb, and other immunosuppressive-related signaling pathways. Conclusion: This study revealed the mechanism of genesis and progression in SCNECC and the related important signaling pathways, such as mTOR, and provided new insights into the treatment of SCNECC.
Multi-Ethnic Colonial Forces in China: The Hong Kong Volunteer Defence Corps Field Ambulance, 1939–1945
Authors: Ho Justin Ching , Kwong Chi Man
Published: November 2024

This article examines the experiences of multi-ethnic colonial forces in China during the twentieth century, using the Field Ambulance unit of the Hong Kong Volunteer Defence Corps (HKVDC) as an example. Formed in the early 1900s, this medical company, comprising mainly expatriate medical professionals and local Chinese, played a crucial role in sustaining the garrison’s medical system during the Japanese invasion of Hong Kong in December 1941. Using various sources, this article looks at the wartime experience of its members and discusses the broader implications of their service, challenging simplifications about colonial distrust and showcasing how military necessity and resource constraints, rather than ethnic or cultural considerations, dictated recruitment and deployment. The study contributes to understanding the complex interplay of identity, loyalty, and colonial military structures in East Asia, offering insights into the adaptability of British colonial forces in accommodating diversity and complexity within their ranks.
Diplomacy in the Villages
Authors: Hägerdal Hans
Published: November 2024

The aim of the article is to analyse how colonial diplomacy worked on a local level in a supposedly ‘marginal’ area, in an early modern setting. The VOC created a comprehensive diplomatic network which also involved the people of the Aru Islands in Southeastern Maluku, who were approached by the VOC after 1623 and who exported a range of valuable sea and forest products, such as birds of paradise, lorises, turtle-shell, pearl shells, trepang, and sagu. The efforts to create stable alliances with the villages were complicated by several factors, including the dualism between the Ulisiwa-Ulilima moieties; the rivalry between the VOC-influenced western and the fiercely autonomous eastern villages; the existence of pela alliances with other Malukan groups; and practical difficulties in maintaining VOC commercial monopolies. The article discusses the inception of diplomatic relations; the violent conflict that arose in the early phase of VOC domination; and the efforts to maintain stability using local negotiatory practices, which finally broke down in the 1780s.
Rolling in Modernity
Authors: Veering Arjan
Published: November 2024

This article addresses the development of General Motors’ assembly plant in the port of Tanjung Priok in Batavia/Jakarta, Indonesia. The American multinational operated the plant—its first production line in Southeast Asia—between 1927 and 1955. General Motors gave impetus to Tanjung Priok’s economic importance, and it became a key element in the port’s ‘social-economic fabric’. Car manufacturing was considered a new phenomenon within the colonial economy of the Netherlands Indies, which had previously been largely agricultural/plantation-based. The company brought along new technologies and ways of organizing; it also advertised—for instance, via the company magazine GM World—the idea of free trade and actively tried to distinguish itself from the colonial establishment. However, this critical stance should not be overstated; as this article shows, General Motors was introducing alternative corporate perspectives and modern industrial elements in the Netherlands Indies but also became part of the Western colonial system.
Between Oppa and Borahae
Authors: Yannuar Nurenzia , Nazarudin
Published: November 2024

K-pop fans in Indonesia use social media extensively to interact and form connections. The platforms of X (previously Twitter) and Instagram are used to create a community of speech that is characterized by multilingualism. This research focuses on how K-pop fans communicate by using a mix of colloquial Indonesian, local languages such as Javanese and Sundanese, and foreign languages such as Korean and English. Our study collected tweets, posts, and comments that were created by popular K-pop fans from 2021 to 2023. These primary data were then transcribed, coded, and analysed thematically. The result of the study demonstrates that Indonesia’s K-pop community performs translanguaging as they swiftly transition between several linguistic codes. It was also found that in the digital space, K-pop culture has intersected with the fans’ religious and cultural identities.
Is Qurʾān Sūra 4:157–158 an Islamic Kalima-Like Christological Reading of the Crucifixion? A Textual Investigation beyond Polemics
Authors: Awad Najib George
Published: November 2024

It is believed to be a fact that the Qurʾān takes a rejective and antagonistic stance to Christian Christology and the belief in the crucifixion. However, is this conviction unquestionable or hard to re-consider? This article demonstrates that opting for revision and reconciliation, rather than antagonism and rejection, may be a considerable stance characteristic of how the Qurʾān approaches Jesus’s crucifixion in Sūra 4:157–158. The article offers an analysis of these verses, demonstrating that the Qurʾān’s concern about the crucifixion neither implements heterodox Christian views that deny it happened, nor does it negatively respond to the orthodox Christian insistence on the truthfulness of the cross. Rather, this article proposes that the Qurʾān attempts to develop an Islamic theological approach that resonates with a particular Christological trend, but was also adopted by the Qurʾān as it was a more appropriate revised interpretation of the fate of “Allah’s Word and Spirit from Him.” Discerning the revisionary, propositional, and reconciliatory characteristics of the Qurʾānic attestations on the crucifixion not only invites observers to realize the serious dialogical, interlocutional, and connectional – and not just the apologetic – nature of the Qurʾān. It also unravels the fascinating development of the Qurʾān’s complex, multi-phased and multi-faceted theology, which amounts to more than a simple call to monotheism.
An Islamic Approach to the Veil of Ignorance and the Original Position
Authors: Ponezhev Azret
Published: November 2024

One critique of John Rawls’ theory of justice is the inconceivability of the “original position,” as it is impossible to conceive of a self without all particular features. When this problem is considered, we try to imagine the position of contracting parties with no definite idea of the good, helping us understand the correspondence between the conditions of the original position and the contracting parties’ ideas of the good. This article focuses on the unacceptability of the conditions of the original position, with its implicit veil of ignorance, as it is related to Islam. Islamic thought cannot accept Ralws’ conditions due to Islam’s universal command to follow the dictates of God and specific religious norms. Alternatively, the international original position presented in The Law of Peoples, with access to particular types of the good, is more appropriate for the Islamic context, exemplified through the idea of Kazanistan, with its Islamic form of government and membership in the Society of Peoples.
Platform for Aldehyde and Ketone Quantitation Using Surface-Enhanced Raman Spectroscopy
Authors: Benhabib Merwan , Peterman Mark C.
Published: November 2024

Colorimetric methods for aldehyde and ketone analyses are plagued by interferences. Each aldehyde or ketone generates a blue color, but with a different reaction coefficient. It is, therefore, not possible to differentiate these compounds from a single test. By using surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy, we demonstrate unique fingerprints for each reaction product, enabling aldehyde and ketone speciation. With the further addition of an isotopologue internal standard, we demonstrate aldehyde and ketone quantification at levels lower than those possible with colorimetric techniques. This method paves the way for a powerful and practical tool for analyzing these crucial chemical building blocks.
Searching for evidence-based practice: A qualitative metasynthesis of the research on Reggio Emilia practices in Australian early years settings
Authors: Guo Karen , Rouse Elizabeth
Published: November 2024

The Reggio Emilia Approach (REA) to early years education has attracted considerable attention over the past decades, with a growing interest in its adoption internationally. Despite a substantial body of qualitative research in the field, there remains a gap in understanding how the REA has influenced teaching pedagogies beyond the REA context. This study presents a metasynthesis of qualitative studies on Reggio-inspired practices in Australia, examining 23 articles published over the last two decades. Findings confirm the significant impact of the REA on research, teaching and learning, cementing its status as a promising avenue. Yet integrating it into Australian early years education poses challenges, necessitating proactive measures such as educator and policy maker involvement, professional development, resource support, and a rethink of conventional teaching methods.
Fatigue life prediction of hybrid carbon-flax-epoxy laminates using progressive failure analysis and cohesive zone model
Authors: Kolasangiani Kamal , Hoekstra Braedon , Oguamanam Donatus C.D. , Bougherara Habiba
Published: November 2024

A 3D progressive fatigue damage model was incorporated into ABAQUS software to predict the fatigue life of hybrid carbon-flax-epoxy composites. A cohesive zone method was employed to simulate delamination damage at carbon/flax interface. To evaluate the accuracy of the finite element model, two different layups, namely, unidirectional [0–90C2/0 F6]S (UD) and angle-ply [0–90C2/(±45) F6]S (AP), consisting of 12 flax fibers layers (F) sandwiched between four woven carbon fibers layers (C) were created using hand lay-up technique and then placed in compression molding. There is a good agreement between experimental and predicted fatigue life. It was observed that the predicted fatigue life is reduced by about 14% by changing the void content from 0.38% to 3.83%. The finite element analysis revealed that the matrix in the flax region of the AP layup failed at 12% of fatigue life, followed by delamination at the carbon/flax interface, consistent with SEM results.
Selecting Diversity: Ethnicity, Party Strategies and Candidate Selection in New Zealand Elections, 1996–2020
Authors: Barker Fiona , Crawley Sam
Published: November 2024

Candidate selection shapes descriptive representation in important ways; you cannot be elected without first being selected. Unravelling opaque candidate selection processes is therefore critical to understanding descriptive representation and political parties’ electoral strategies. Drawing on a new dataset of New Zealand candidacies from 1996 to 2020, we demonstrate variation in candidacy patterns across parties, ethnic groups, and time. We show that both the centre-left (Labour) and centre-right (National) have increased the ethnic diversity of their candidate slates over time, although Labour’s overall share of non-majority candidates is higher than National’s. Both parties have primarily used the party list, not district candidacies, to achieve diversification. This approach leads to some volatility in representative diversity, in part due to list composition practices that prioritise incumbents and cluster ‘ethnic’ candidates. Thus, while New Zealand candidate slates show notably high diversity by international comparison, non-majority candidates can nonetheless find themselves in electorally vulnerable positions.
Digitalisation, neighbourhood change and urban social processes: Conceptual framework and introduction to the Special Issue
Authors: Galster George C , Üblacker Jan
Published: November 2024

Neighbourhoods are salient for many dimensions of individuals’ social and economic well-being, yet the impacts of rapidly emerging digital information and communication technologies (DICTs) on neighbourhoods and the social processes within them are understudied. This gap motivates this Special Issue, the themes of which we introduce here. We provide an overarching conceptual framework within which the topics, conceptualisations and empirical results of the 11 constituent research papers can be placed. Our framework posits multiple, mutually causal interrelationships between each element in the triad of neighbourhoods, individual residents’ characteristics and individual residents’ actions. In each element we focus on the role(s) of DICTs and their interplay with social processes. These technologies alter traditional housing search patterns, sometimes reinforcing existing segregation, but they also present opportunities for greater access to information and potential social integration. The issue’s 11 research papers, contributed by scholars from various global contexts, explore diverse aspects of these themes. They examine how DICTs mediate neighbourhood change by influencing local housing choices, amplifying or mitigating neighbourhood stigma and transforming social cohesion. By offering a rich empirical and conceptual exploration, this special issue aims to deepen our understanding of the transformative role that DICTs play in neighbourhoods, urging further research into their implications for neighbourhood change and urban social processes.
Association Between Serum Vitamin D Level and Uncontrolled Chronic Rhinosinusitis With Nasal Polyposis
Authors: Magboul Nasir A. , Alotaibi Mohammed , Aldokhayel Fares , Almazyad Laith Mazyad , Alkwai Khalid , Almutawa Naif , Alotaibi Metib , Alyousef Mohammed Y. , Alsaleh Saad , Alroqi Ahmad
Published: November 2024

Objective: Chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyposis (CRSwNP) is characterized by type 2 inflammation, and studies have shown that conventional therapy usually yields unsatisfactory results. While recent studies have indicated the potential effect of vitamin D on allergic and inflammatory diseases, including CRSwNP. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate the relationship between serum vitamin D levels and the severity of CRSwNP using endoscopic evaluations, imaging, patient-reported outcome measures, absolute eosinophilic count, and serum vitamin D levels and determine the prevalence of vitamin D deficiency in patients with CRSwNP. Methods: Serum vitamin D levels were measured in 104 patients with uncontrolled CRSwNP, who failed maximum medical management and were scheduled for functional endoscopic sinus surgery. Vitamin D levels were compared between patients using the Lund- Mackay (LM) score, Sinonasal Outcome Test-22 (SNOT-22), total nasal polyp scores, and absolute eosinophil counts. Results: The 104 included patients had an average age of 42.09 ± 13.3 years, and 63.5% of them were male. Mean value of vitamin D was 57.9 ± 31.2 nmol/L. The average SNOT-22 score was 65.49 ± 21.3. The mean LM score was 14.48 ± 6.64. The total nasal polyp score was 4.3 ± 2.08. Vitamin D levels were negatively correlated with LM score ( r = −.210, P = .032) and polyp grade ( r = −.264, P = .007), but did not correlate with other variables. Conclusions: Our study indicates that vitamin D deficiency or insufficiency is common in patients with CRSwNP. We found that low serum vitamin D levels were negatively correlated with the Lund-Mackay score and the total nasal polyp score, providing additional support for an association between low vitamin D levels and a greater severity of CRSwNP.
A comparison of kinematic and kinetic characteristics of intrinsic flexor muscles of the foot exercises: Effect on the medial longitudinal arch of the foot
Authors: Umezaki Yasuyuki , Kawamura Daichi , Sugawara Riku , Haba Toshihiro , Shinohara Hiroshi
Published: November 2024

Background

Standing toe curl (STC) has an immediate effect on muscle activity, but the kinematics of the exercise and its effect on the medial longitudinal arch of the foot are unknown.

Objective

The purpose of this study was to examine the differences in kinematic and kinetic changes during toe flexion while performing towel curl (TC) in a standing position and STC.

Methods

Ten healthy adults with normal feet (18 limbs) participated in this study. Using a three-dimensional motion analysis system, we calculated the toe flexion angle, medial longitudinal arch (MLA) angle, MLA height, MLA length, ankle joint angle, center of foot pressure, and center position of the hip joint during toe flexion using TC and STC exercises.

Results

The TC exercise resulted in a decrease in the MLA due to the backward shift in the center of pressure and ankle dorsiflexion. On the other hand, STC did not demonstrate any significant difference in the position of the center of pressure or ankle joint angle, allowing the toes to flex while maintaining a standing posture and resulting in an increase in the MLA.

Conclusions

STC was suggested to be effective in maintaining MLA for weight support.
Long-term effects of functional recovery based on emergency and late repair with Achilles tendon rupture: A retrospective study
Authors: Chu Hyunsik , Choi Yongchul , Kim Yonghwan , Park Yoonjung
Published: November 2024

Background

Repair for total Achilles tendon ruptures is sometimes delayed, despite the recommendation for early repair.

Objective

To investigate patient recovery scores, and ankle strength and function according to the timing of Achilles tendon rupture repair.

Methods

We conducted a retrospective analysis by categorizing repair: emergency (ER, n = 38), late (LR, n = 16), and very late (VLR, n = 13). Patients were evaluated based on the Achilles Tendon Total Rupture Score (ATRS), dorsiflexion range of motion, ankle strength, hop tests, and balance.

Results

All groups showed consistent improvement in the ATRS, heel-raise, plantarflexion strength, hop tests, and balance up to 6 and 9 months post-surgery. At 3 months, the ER and LR groups had significantly better values in the ATRS, heel raise, plantarflexion strength, and single-hop test compared with the VLR group (p < 0.05); by 12 months, there were no significant between-group differences (p > 0.05). The ER group outperformed the VLR group in the crossover hop test, and in posteromedial and lateral balance at 12 months (p < 0.05).

Conclusion

Twelve months after Achilles tendon rupture repair, VLR induced similar improvement in the ATRS, and ankle strength and function compared to ER and LR. Therefore, despite being very late, the repair was significantly effective in improving ankle function.
Breaking down barriers and building bridges: Social outreach and engagement in audio-visual heritage at the National Library of Scotland’s Moving Image Archive
Authors: Robertson Vhari , Innocenti Perla
Published: November 2024

Social outreach and engagement in UK-based audio-visual archives are under-researched areas worthy of further investigation, particularly considering the naturally immersive quality of audio-visual content and its potential to draw in, educate and engage audiences. This qualitative study explores three interconnected foci: challenges and opportunities currently faced by the National Library of Scotland’s Moving Image Archive with regards to preserving and making publicly accessible born-digital and analogue audio-visual materials; the impact of these challenges and opportunities upon the Moving Image Archive’s levels of social outreach and engagement; and ways to elevate the Moving Image Archive’s social outreach and engagement. Our findings indicate that, from a National Library of Scotland’s staff perspective, addressing issues related to copyright law and rights clearance processes, as well as supporting engagement in local areas and providing educational programmes on caring for materials, would be beneficial in increasing social outreach and engagement. The research findings informed recommendations, including increased staff resource and dedicated training in rights clearance processes, extending outreach and engagement beyond Scotland’s central belt, addressing the physical limitations of the archive’s public space and promoting the usability and creative re-use of archival material, as well as addressing gaps within the collection. Recommendations based on this study may contribute to further aligning the needs of the Moving Image Archive with the National Library of Scotland’s Reaching People: Library Strategy 2020–2025.
Global Dominance and Local Innovation: Exploring Non-linear Ties in India’s Pharma Sector
Authors: Dhanora Madan , Danish Mohd Shadab , Jain Akriti
Published: November 2024

Most studies highlight an ambiguous link between competitive dynamics and innovation in India, an exciting observation reflecting the issue’s complexity. This study explores the non-linear nexus between competition and innovation by considering foreign and domestic competition separately in Indian domestic pharmaceutical firms for 2000–2019. The Herfindahl–Hirschman index of market concentration is used to measure competitiveness, whereas R&D expenditure is used to measure innovation. The findings of this study indicate a U-shaped relationship between R&D and foreign market concentration. However, for neck-and-neck firms, this U-shaped relationship is presented by domestic concentration. This study suggests the significance of adopting a holistic approach to competition and investment promotion policies prioritizing innovation, collaboration and balanced competition in the Indian pharmaceutical industry.
Revolutionizing Emerging Market Equity Investments: The Role of Smart Beta Strategies
Authors: Gupta Hemendra , Chaudhary Rashmi
Published: November 2024

Investors are exploring new ways to navigate the constantly changing equity markets in emerging economies. Smart beta strategies, which use rule-based algorithms to boost returns and manage risk, are emerging as a promising solution. This research investigates how effective smart beta strategies are for retail investors. In contrast to a benchmark index, the study evaluates various smart beta strategies, including high alpha, beta, low volatility, value, growth, quality, momentum investing and combination strategies that consist of more than one factor. Based on the daily data from 1 October 2009 to 31 March 2023 of these strategic indices, the findings reveal that all strategies excluding the beta factor strategy consistently outperform benchmark index on various risk-adjusted return metrics. Notably, the momentum strategy closely followed by the alpha strategy is the best-performing approach for medium- and long-term horizons. Based on the data, these smart beta strategies have a greater downside beta than an upward beta, which suggests that they are more sensitive to declining markets. Comparatively, the combination strategies exhibit reduced sensitivity to declining markets, highlighting the safety and benefits of diversification among smart beta strategies. Furthermore, many of these techniques regularly outperform market returns and show effective market timing. These insightful observations help investors understand how smart beta strategies can be beneficial and strategically used in volatile market environments.
Curcuma Longa Phytocompounds: An in Silico Analysis Aimed at Targeting the EGFR Protein as a Potential Anti-cancer Agent
Authors: Mishra Hara Prasad , Suvvari Tarun Kumar , Grover Shubhima , Mohapatra Chinmaya , Patra Pratap Kumar
Published: November 2024

>Background:

Curcumin, a well-known phytocompound in turmeric, has demonstrated anti-cancer properties. However, its therapeutic efficacy is often limited. Additionally, Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor (EGFR) is frequently overexpressed in various cancers, making it a promising target for novel drug development. This study aims to utilise in silico analysis to identify potential anti-cancer agents within the phytocompounds of Curcuma longa (turmeric) that target the EGFR protein. The objective of this research is to investigate the binding interactions between curcumin and other Curcuma longa phytocompounds with the EGFR protein through computational modelling.

Methods:

Curcumin and paclitaxel (standard drug) were chosen as ligands and retrieved from PubChem. The researchers obtained the 3D structure of the EGFR protein from the Protein Data Bank (PDB) and prepared it for docking simulations. To assess curcumin’s drug-likeness and potential safety profile, online tools were utilised: SWISSADME analysed its ADMET (absorption, distribution, metabolism, excretion, and toxicity) properties, and ProTox-II evaluated its predicted toxicity. Finally, molecular docking simulations using Pyrx software were performed to predict how curcumin interacts with the EGFR protein. This computational approach helps predict how well a small molecule (ligand) like curcumin binds to a larger molecule (protein) like the EGFR receptor.

Results:

In silico analysis predicted favourable drug-like properties and a potentially safer profile for curcumin compared to paclitaxel. Curcumin exhibited high gastrointestinal absorption, adhered to Lipinski’s rule, and lacked predicted hepatotoxicity or carcinogenicity. The molecular docking binding energy for curcumin was –5.64 as compared to –3.85 for paclitaxel.

Conclusion:

This in silico investigation identified the potential for curcumin to target the EGFR protein, a promising strategy for cancer treatment. Curcumin displayed favourable drug-like properties and a potentially safer profile compared to the reference drug paclitaxel. However, in-vitro and in-vivo experiments are crucial to validate these findings and assess curcumin’s efficacy as a potential anti-cancer agent.
A Case of Foetus-in-Fetu
Authors: Vamshitha B. , Badurunisha M. , Karthick M. P. , Gokulan T. , Prabhuraj A. , Anurekha V. , Kanimozhi P. , Kumaravel K. S. , Manikanthan P. , Sampathkumar D.
Published: November 2024

Background:

A foetus-in-fetu (FIF) is a very rare congenital abnormality (incidence of 1 in 5.00,000 live births) in which a mass of tissue, a malformed foetus grows within the body of the foetus. It is an unusual cause of the abdominal mass in neonates. We here report a case of FIF in a newborn male for its rarity and interest in its evolution.

Case report:

A one-day-old male term neonate was referred for evaluation of abdominal mass. Antenatal ultrasonogram at 32 weeks of gestational age revealed a complex multi-septated cystic lesion with internal echogenic components. Clinical examination revealed a distended abdomen with an ill-defined mass filling the entire abdominal cavity. Plain X-ray abdomen revealed a mass on the right side of the abdomen with few long bone-like densities and few vertebrae. An ultrasonogram showed ill-defined hetero echoic lesions, measuring 10.9 × 11.1 Centimeters, with solid and cystic components and few calcifications in the mass. The CT scan of the abdomen showed an ill-defined mass lesion on the right side of the abdomen, measuring 11.3 × 6.6 × 9.9 Centimeters, with internal soft tissue, distorted long bones, and few vertebrae in the subhepatic region of the right hypochondrium. The 3-dimensional reconstruction of the CT scan confirmed the diagnosis of FIF. On laparotomy, the mass had a covering membrane attached to the adjacent abdominal wall and was connected by a cord-like structure with vessels. Excision of the mass was done in toto and the post-operative period was uneventful.

Conclusion:

FIF is considered a benign condition that causes mass effects on the adjoining organs and should be considered a differential diagnosis in neonates with abdominal distension.
India’s Deep Integration with South Korea and Japan: A Trade Analysis
Authors: Kumari Madhuri , Bharti Nalin
Published: November 2024

India has negotiated comprehensive economic partnership agreements (CEPAs) with highly industrialized giants, Japan and South Korea, aiming to unlock significant trade potential. However, a crucial question remains: How significantly have these regional trade agreements advanced after a decade of enforcement, and what impact are they having on global economies? To address this, we conducted a detailed analysis at the aggregate and sectoral levels, comparing the India–Japan and India–Korea deep integrations by evaluating the trade creation and diversion effects. Our research uses a structural gravity model for a panel of 205 exporting countries between 1988 and 2021. At the aggregate level, the findings reveal a modestly greater increase in intra-regional trade due to the India–Japan CEPA and greater export diversion effects of the India–Korea CEPA. However, the effects of import diversion on the India–Japan CEPA remain indeterminate. At the sectoral level, India’s trade with Japan has an advantage in more sectors than Korea, though the extent varies. The findings emphasize that sector-specific measures will notably nudge the strategies of competing trade partners.
Drawing on borders: a large-scale framing analysis of coronavirus in early UK news maps
Authors: Meyer Johanna , Barnett Julie , Stanton Fraser Danaë
Published: November 2024

Maps are a unique means of combining visual and textual communication, and have been ubiquitous in Covid-19 reporting. This article presents a framing analysis of 4,398 coronavirus-related news maps published across six UK news outlets during the early stages of the pandemic. The authors identified 10 frames: coronavirus was characterized as (1) a national problem; (2) a regional problem; (3) associated with China; (4) an undefined threat; (5) medical; (6) containable; (7) an economic problem; (8) an environmental problem; (9) datafiable; and (10) identifiable. Maps drawing on national boundaries for organizing space were common, often in conjunction with datafication and appeals to the threat posed by the virus. The findings are discussed in the context of representations of infectious disease and of maps as a distinct form of news visuals.
A novel technique for the production of sustainable cotton/flax blended yarn and their quality analysis
Authors: Hossain Asif , Mahmud Md Sultan , Islam Md Reajul
Published: November 2024

Cotton linen blended yarn especially a higher percentage of flax in blend ratio is challenging and complex to run with conventional system of machinery. In this study a newly developed separator was implemented in the finisher draw frame and mechanical compact system used for the production of sustainable cotton/flax (40/60) blended yarn. It was observed that innovative separator with double apron in the finisher draw frame prevents the lapping effect and smooth running of slivers through the drafting system. The test results explored that IPI values of blended yarn reduced by 31% and CSP and tenacity increased by 20% and 15% respectively after using a separator and magnetic compact device in the process of spinning. The research findings indicated that the utilization of a separator and compactor resulted in the lowest hairiness value of 4.56 compared with the other three different types of process. All the test results were measured numerically and evaluated statistically with a one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA). Blender software was used for the development of separator design and finally produced in a local workshop.
Psychological interventions for parents of children with intellectual disabilities to enhance child behavioral outcomes or parental well-being: A systematic review, content analysis and effects
Authors: Ranta Kati , Saarimäki Heini , Gummerus Johanna , Virtanen Jael , Peltomäki Satu , Kontu Elina
Published: November 2024

The aim of this review was to identify the type, content, and effectiveness of psychological parenting interventions for parents of children with intellectual disabilities to enhance child behavior and/or parental well-being. A systematic search yielded 21 studies involving 1825 participants. Studies were evaluated according to intervention content, pre- and post-treatment and follow-up effect sizes, and risk of bias. We categorized the interventions into those targeting ‘Child or interaction’ (child behavior, interaction and learning, understanding disability), and those targeting ‘Parent’ (parental well-being) or both themes. All these interventions had positive effects on parental well-being or child behavior. Parental outcomes were improved by interventions targeting ‘Parental well-being’, as well as ‘Child or interaction’. Child behavior showed improvements in programs focusing on ‘Child or interaction’, and in a mindfulness-based parental well-being program. During follow-up, most effects were sustained or further increased, but some studies showed no improvements over the control group.
Enduring flows: The transit of drugs in contemporary Honduras
Authors: Ziosi Emilia
Published: November 2024

Since the 2000s, Honduras has expanded its role as a transit hub for international cocaine trafficking, with tonnes of cocaine passing through the country every year. Nevertheless, research on illicit drug flows in the country – and more generally across transit areas – remains limited. This resides in a tendency within both academic and institutional discourses to depict illicit flows as detached from societal structures, with little implications for the realities they touch. Drawing on the qualitative analysis of publicly available official US court documents on drug trafficking in Honduras and semi-structured interviews with experts on the country’s drug economy, this article addresses this gap by exploring the movement of US-bound cocaine shipments across Honduras. It explores whether, and how, transient activities such as illicit drug flows become embedded in the territories they traverse. The discussion shows the extent to which the drug trade has become embedded within Honduras’ political and territorial realities, concluding that drugs do not merely pass through transit spaces but become integrated into them. Drug traffickers rely on relationships they establish with both legal and extra-legal actors – including other drug traffickers and state officials – to receive and move drugs across the country. These relationships allow them to obtain access to ‘points of passage’ such as clandestine airstrips, security checkpoints and road networks – all of which are crucial infrastructures for facilitating the transit of drugs. Furthermore, the article reveals both legal and extra-legal actors’ role in exerting control over these logistics infrastructures and therefore in enabling the transnational flow of illicit goods. These insights contribute to broader debates on illicit flows, organised crime and the control of passage points along trade routes, while also shedding light on the often-overlooked role of transit countries like Honduras in the transnational cocaine trade.
Effect of an educational intervention based on the Health Belief Model on prevention and fear of falling among older people
Authors: Mohammadkhah Fatemeh , Razmjouie Fatemeh , Alinejad Navid , Afzali Harsini Pooyan , Khani Jeihooni Ali
Published: November 2024

Fall-related injuries are the leading cause of injury, death and disability among older adults, and their health care costs are high. Therefore, the present study aimed to determine the effect of an educational intervention, based on the health belief model, on the prevention and fear of falling among older people. We conducted this experimental study on 140 older people in Fasa city, Fars Province, Iran, in 2023. We selected the subjects using a simple sampling method. The educational intervention for the experimental group included three 30-min sessions. We analyzed the data using SPSS 22 software, employing chi-square, independent t-tests and paired t-tests. The results showed that before the educational intervention, there was no significant difference between the experimental and control groups in terms of knowledge, perceived sensitivity, perceived intensity, perceived benefits, perceived barriers, self-efficacy, cues to action, and performance; however, three months after the educational intervention, the experimental group showed a significant increase in each of the mentioned variables except the perceived barriers. Additionally, after the educational intervention, the mean score of fear of falling in the experimental group showed a statistically significant decrease. This study demonstrated the effectiveness of an educational intervention based on the health belief model in preventing falls and reducing the fear of falls in older people. Therefore, we suggest using training based on this model to prevent and reduce falls among older people.
The 1971 Revision of the Thai Bible
Authors: Liao Doug
Published: November 2024

The 1971 Thai Bible was a revision of earlier Thai translations that took almost twenty years to complete. It was used by the majority of Thai Protestants for forty years before it was further revised and published in 2011 as the Thai Standard Version. This article examines the 1971 revision, looking at its background, the people and processes involved in the translation, and the obstacles it faced. Being primarily a description of the translation process, this paper does not attempt to evaluate the quality of the 1971 translation (or the translation choices made by the translators) but concludes with a brief examination of the legacy of this translation which shaped a generation of Thai Christians.
Never Mess With the “Memers”: How Meme Creators Are Redefining Contemporary Politics
Authors: Mihăilescu Mihaela-Georgiana
Published: November 2024

In the ever-evolving landscape of online communication, memes have emerged as potent tools for influencing public opinion. This qualitative study explores the motivations, intentions, and strategic approaches of six meme creators through semi-structured in-depth interviews. It analyses how meme creators perceive and recognize their evolving roles as political actors, challenging traditional communication paradigms, resonating with audiences, driving conversations, and democratizing political engagement. The results reveal meme creators’ nuanced understanding of their content’s educational potential and ability to sway and influence perceptions. Meme creators view themselves as agents of change and perceive their role as crucial in the landscape of contemporary political communication, where they can shape public discourse and influence collective attitudes. They strategically frame political messages and set agendas, viewing their work as a continuation of political satire’s rich tradition. This study highlights their awareness of the ethical complexities involved and analyses how these meme creators turned into modern political actors and grapple with concerns around the monetization of memes and the spread of misinformation. Overall, this research offers a rare glimpse into the world of meme creators as it sheds light on their innovative strategies, their role in democratizing media, and their ability to transform the way we engage with politics. It underscores the transformative potential of memes and highlights that the meme creators’ work is not just about humor, but about making a significant impact on political engagement and public discourse.
Organizational Culture and Business-IT Alignment: A Compositional Study
Authors: Sieber Marcel R.
Published: November 2024

In the digital age, the role of information technology (IT) management in organizations is fundamentally changing, especially in aligning business and IT. This study examines the relationship between organizational culture and business-IT alignment. It juxtaposes two four-component models in a novel way and presents a sound methodology for dealing with multiplicative ipsative rating scales of a questionnaire. Such measures have in common that the items’ alternatives relate to each other or the whole and need corresponding compositional data analysis. Linear regression and the resulting log-ratio coefficients reveal a culture/alignment combination of hierarchy with service- and adhocracy with investment orientation. This study claims to be one of the first papers to successfully employ the established compositional methodology on a composition-to-composition model in IT management research.