bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Can results-based prizes to private sector incentivize technology adoption by farmers? Evidence from the AgResults Nigeria project that uses prizes to incentivize adoption of AflasafeTM
Authors: Narayan Tulika A. , Geyer Judy
Published: June 2022

Background

The AgResults initiative tests the efficacy of results-based prizes to scale-up smallholder technology adoption. In Nigeria the project awarded a $18.75/ton prize for private sector actors who aggregated maize from smallholders that was treated by Aflasafe—a biocontrol that addresses liver cancer-causing aflatoxin contamination in maize. This paper examines the impact of AgResults initiative on smallholder farmers.

Methods

This evaluation estimates the causal effect of the AgResults program on farmer outcomes by comparing survey data from AgResults farmers to survey data from a matched comparison group of farmers. To improve balance, we use propensity score weights. In considering inestimable selection bias, we describe several key considerations, including the inclusion of comparison areas for treatment post-evaluation.

Results

The project increased Aflasafe adoption by 56% points, farmers earned 16% more net maize income on average. However, the majority of farmers in villages engaged by the project did not know about Aflasafe’s health benefits. This suggests that complimentary donor-directed efforts may still be needed to generate general awareness about the technologies whose benefit is not immediately visible to the smallholders. With the prize focused on aggregation, private sector actors may have reduced incentive to raise awareness about Aflasafe’s health benefits in case farmers held back Aflasafe-treated maize for consumption.

Conclusions

This paper highlights the potential of results-based prizes to engage the private sector in solving development problems. However, it also equally highlights the gaps that such an approach may have, arguing for the need for having complimentary efforts to address those gaps. This is particularly the case when the technology’s benefits are not perceived by the consumer (aflatoxins are not visible to the eye, and the health benefits are not immediate), or when the technology results in positive externalities (final consumers of Aflasafe-treated maize also benefit). Broader consumer awareness needs to be raised to promote continued development of the market for Aflasafe-treated maize, aflatoxin standards need to be enforced, and aflatoxin testing needs to be more easily available.
Performance of αSynuclein RT-QuIC in relation to neuropathological staging of Lewy body disease
Authors: Hall Sara , Orrù Christina D. , Serrano Geidy E. , Galasko Douglas , Hughson Andrew G. , Groveman Bradley R. , Adler Charles H. , Beach Thomas G. , Caughey Byron , Hansson Oskar
Published: June 2022

Currently, there is a need for diagnostic markers in Lewy body disorders (LBD). α-synuclein (αSyn) RT-QuIC has emerged as a promising assay to detect misfolded αSyn in clinically or neuropathologically established patients with various synucleinopathies. In this study, αSyn RT-QuIC was used to analyze lumbar CSF in a clinical cohort from the Swedish BioFINDER study and postmortem ventricular CSF in a neuropathological cohort from the Arizona Study of Aging and Neurodegenerative Disorders/Brain and Body Donation Program (AZSAND/BBDP). The BioFINDER cohort included 64 PD/PDD, 15 MSA, 15 PSP, 47 controls and two controls who later converted to PD/DLB. The neuropathological cohort included 101 cases with different brain disorders, including LBD and controls. In the BioFINDER cohort αSyn RT-QuIC identified LBD (i.e. PD, PDD and converters) vs. controls with a sensitivity of 95% and a specificity of 83%. The two controls that converted to LBD were αSyn RT-QuIC positive. Within the AZSAND/BBDP cohort, αSyn RT-QuIC identified neuropathologically verified "standard LBD" (i.e. PD, PD with AD and DLB; n = 25) vs. no LB pathology (n = 53) with high sensitivity (100%) and specificity (94%). Only 57% were αSyn RT-QuIC positive in the subgroup with "non-standard" LBD (i.e., AD with Lewy Bodies not meeting criteria for DLB or PD, and incidental LBD, n = 23). Furthermore, αSyn RT-QuIC reliably identified cases with LB pathology in the cortex (97% sensitivity) vs. cases with no LBs or LBs present only in the olfactory bulb (93% specificity). However, the sensitivity was low, only 50%, for cases with LB pathology restricted to the brainstem or amygdala, not affecting the allocortex or neocortex. In conclusion, αSyn RT-QuIC of CSF samples is highly sensitive and specific for identifying cases with clinicopathologically-defined Lewy body disorders and shows a lower sensitivity for non-standard LBD or asymptomatic LBD or in cases with modest LB pathology not affecting the cortex.
Loss of glucocorticoid receptor phosphorylation contributes to cognitive and neurocentric damages of the amyloid-β pathway
Authors: Dromard Yann , Arango-Lievano Margarita , Borie Amelie , Dedin Maheva , Fontanaud Pierre , Torrent Joan , Garabedian Michael J. , Ginsberg Stephen D. , Jeanneteau Freddy
Published: June 2022

Aberrant cortisol and activation of the glucocorticoid receptor (GR) play an essential role in age-related progression of Alzheimer's disease (AD). However, the GR pathways required for influencing the pathobiology of AD dementia remain unknown. To address this, we studied an early phase of AD-like progression in the well-established APP/PS1 mouse model combined with targeted mutations in the BDNF-dependent GR phosphorylation sites (serines 134/267) using molecular, behavioral and neuroimaging approaches. We found that disrupting GR phosphorylation (S134A/S267A) in mice exacerbated the deleterious effects of the APP/PS1 genotype on mortality, neuroplasticity and cognition, without affecting either amyloid-β deposition or vascular pathology. The dynamics, maturation and retention of task-induced new dendritic spines of cortical excitatory neurons required GR phosphorylation at the BDNF-dependent sites that amyloid-β compromised. Parallel studies in postmortem human prefrontal cortex revealed AD subjects had downregulated BDNF signaling and concomitant upregulated cortisol pathway activation, which correlated with cognitive decline. These results provide key evidence that the loss of neurotrophin-mediated GR phosphorylation pathway promotes the detrimental effects of the brain cortisol response that contributes to the onset and/or progression of AD dementia. These findings have important translational implications as they provide a novel approach to treating AD dementia by identifying drugs that increase GR phosphorylation selectively at the neurotrophic sites to improve memory and cognition.
Emergency transanal total mesorectal excision for perforated rectal cancer: a two-case series
Authors: Enomoto Hiroya , Suwa Katsuhito , Takeuchi Nana , Tsukazaki Yuhei , Ushigome Takuro , Okamoto Tomoyoshi , Eto Ken
Published: June 2022

Background

Surgery for perforated rectal cancer is technically difficult because of paralytic dilatation due to generalized fecal peritonitis, the presence of a bulky tumor, and fecal retention due to obstruction. Transanal total mesorectal excision (TaTME) is the latest minimally invasive transanal technique pioneered to facilitate difficult pelvic dissections. It can provide a good surgical field linearly from the perineal side and reduce manipulations from the intraabdominal side. Here, we present two cases of emergency TaTME performed for perforated rectal cancer.

Case presentation

The patients were a 38-year-old female and a 75-year-old male. They were diagnosed with perforated rectal cancer and were in a state of septic shock. Emergency Hartmann’s procedure was performed in both cases. Intraoperative findings showed fecal contamination of the entire abdomen and dilated intestines and bulky tumors with perforation. The female patient had multiple uterine fibroids, and the male patient had an enlarged prostate. For both patients, dissection of the mesorectum to the anal side of the tumor and transection of the rectum on the anal side of the tumor via a linear stapler were considered difficult because of the insufficient surgical field of view into the pelvis. Therefore, a two-team approach with TaTME was adopted. En bloc resection of the rectum was completed by collaboration of the abdominal team and the transanal team, and the autonomic nerves were successfully preserved. Finally, the specimens were resected, and the anal edge of the rectum was closed with a purse-string suture by the transanal team. Although these two cases were emergency surgeries in difficult situations, the cancer lesions were successfully and safely removed without involvement of the resection margin.

Conclusions

This is the first report of emergency TaTME. Although these cases were emergency operations in a situation where it was difficult to pursue radical resection—and often times in these situations, the operation may end with only stoma creation—the specimens were safely resected. Emergency TaTME is a useful procedure for treatment of perforated rectal cancer.
Endophytic bacteria from Euphorbia antiquorum L. protect Solanum lycopersicum L. against bacterial wilt caused by Ralstonia solanacearum
Authors: Youmbi Diane Yimta , Eke Pierre , Kouokap Lanvin Rochal Kepngop , Dinango Vanessa Nya , Tamghe Gilbert Ghomsi , Wakam Louise Nana , Boyom Fabrice Fekam
Published: June 2022

Background

Bacterial wilt caused by Ralstonia solanacearum (syn. Pseudomonas solanacearum) is the most devastating bacterial disease of tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.) occurring in tropical zones with consequential substantial yield losses in production fields. Currently, microbial technology in cropping systems has directed investigations toward biological control agents (BCAs), emphasizing the use of plant endophytes, including bacteria. The present work aimed to evaluate the potential of endophytic bacteria from Euphorbia antiquorum L. to suppress bacterial wilt incited by R. solanacearum in plants.

Results

Of the 10 endophytic species screened in vitro for their antagonistic activity, 6 exhibited promising potency with minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) values ranging from 62.50 to 7.81 µg/ml. These species also produced cell wall-degrading enzymes (amylase, protease and cellulase), ammonia, siderophores, indole acetic acid and salicylic acid. The 3 most potent species (B. amyloliquefaciens CBa_RA37, B. velezensis CBv_BE1 and B. amyloliquefaciens CBa_BFL2) enhanced the germination of tomato seeds and protected young tomato plantlets from the devastating effects caused by R. solanacearum infection.

Conclusions

This investigation demonstrated that these endophytic bacteria from E. antiquorum L. endowed with the ability to improve the growth and protection of tomato plants could be further developed as potential biopesticides to help mitigating the effect of bacterial wilt in tomato farms. Further investigation will set the baseline for formulation and evaluation of their efficacy in the open field.
Transfemoral recanalization of occluded TIPS
Authors: Dell Tatjana , Attenberger Ulrike , Jansen Christian , Luetkens Julian A. , Praktiknjo Michael , Kütting Daniel , Meyer Carsten
Published: June 2022

Purpose

To report the safety and efficacy of percutaneous transfemoral venous recanalization of occluded intrahepatic portosystemic stents (TIPS) in cases where the transjugular approach is not feasible.

Materials and Methods

Between 2000 and 2020, 8 patients with occluded TIPS underwent recanalization via a percutaneous transfemoral venous access. Prior recanalization via a typical transjugular approach was attempted in all cases. Primary technical success was defined as successful crossing of the occlusion. Secondary technical success was defined as the rate of successful TIPS recanalization. Periprocedural complications were evaluated to assess procedural safety.

Results

In 8/8 patients transfemoral venous TIPS recanalization was successful. No procedure-related complications were observed.

Conclusions

The transfemoral venous approach is a safe and efficient alternative for TIPS recanalization in cases where the transjugular approach is not feasible.
Molecular sieving through 'layer-by-layer' self-assembly of polyelectrolytes and highly crosslinked graphene oxide
Authors: Maiti Subhasish , Bose Suryasarathi
Published: June 2022

Lack of access to potable water and abating levels of ground water level demands the reuse of unconventional water sources after remediating it in a sustainable way. In this context, purifying brackish, land and sea water seems a feasible solution to the ever-growing population.

In this work, a novel composite membrane was fabricated by 'layer-by-layer' self-assembly of poly-dopamine (PDA) and polystyrene sulfonate (PSS) supported on a highly crosslinked graphene oxide (GO) membrane to sieve ions to purify contaminated water as well as enhance the resistance towards chlorine. This GO membrane was sandwiched between layers of various nanoporous polyvinylidene difluoride (PVDF) membranes obtained by selectively etching out the PMMA component from the demixed blends. The blend membranes were designed following the melt-extrusion process and subsequent quenching to facilitate confined crystallization of PVDF and selective etching of PMMA. The membranes with different pore sizes were tuned on varying the composition in blends and a gradient in microstructure was achieved by stitching the membranes. Pure water flux, salt rejection, dye removal, and antibacterial activity were performed to study the membrane's efficiency. The GO membrane was chemically crosslinked with methylenediamine to impart dimensional stability and to enhance rejection efficiency through the nanoslits that GO offers. Besides effective rejection, the sandwiched membrane was modified with ‘layer-by-layer’ self-assembly of polyelectrolytes on the surface to improve the chlorine tolerance performance. This strategy resulted in an excellent salt (about 95% and 97% for monovalent and divalent ion, respectively) and dye rejection (100% for both cationic and anionic dye), besides facilitating excellent chlorine tolerance performance. Moreover, this modified membrane showed superior antifouling properties (flux recovery ratio is more than 90%) and excellent antibacterial performance (near about 3 log reduction).

Thus the concept of using layer-by-layer self-assembly of polycations (PDA) and polyanions (PSS) onto a hierarchical chemically modified GO sandwiched PVDF membrane proved to be a productive strategy to purify contaminated water. Thus the membrane can be a potential candidate for domestic as well as industrial application.
Correlation between vitamin D level and severity of prognostic markers in Egyptian COVID-19 patients: a cohort study
Authors: Ramadan Hala , Shennawy Ahmed Mohammed
Published: June 2022

The outbreak of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), which is caused by the highly contagious severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), was announced a pandemic in March 2020 by the World Health Organization. The disease can be diagnosed on the basis of clinical symptoms, polymerase chain reaction positivity, and the presence of ground-glass opacities on computed tomography (CT) scans.

Recent studies have focused on the role of serum inflammatory markers that predict COVID-19, such as lymphocyte counts and C-reactive protein (CRP), homocysteine, and D-dimer levels. Vitamin D is thought to reduce the risk of viral infections through several mechanisms.

Our aim was to evaluate the correlation between serum vitamin D level and inflammatory markers and severity in Egyptian patients with COVID-19 infection. Serum vitamin D level had a positive correlation with hemoglobin level and lymphocytes.

As results, serum vitamin D had a negative correlation with serum ferritin, CRP, and D-dimer and was not correlated with CORAD scoring in the CT chest.

In conclusion, serum vitamin D was inversely correlated with inflammatory markers (ferritin, CRP, and D-dimer) which mean that participants with symptoms of COVID-19 had a high level of inflammatory markers and a low level of vitamin D.

Participants without symptoms of COVID-19 had normal inflammatory markers and normal vitamin D level.
Joint Final Report of EORTC 26951 and RTOG 9402: Phase III Trials With Procarbazine, Lomustine, and Vincristine Chemotherapy for Anaplastic Oligodendroglial Tumors
Authors: Lassman Andrew B. , Hoang-Xuan Khê , Polley Mei-Yin C. , Brandes Alba A. , Cairncross J. Gregory , Kros Johan M. , Ashby Lynn S. , Taphoorn Martin J.B. , Souhami Luis , Dinjens Winand N.M. , Laack Nadia N. , Kouwenhoven Mathilde C.M. , Fink Karen L. , French Pim J. , Macdonald David R. , Lacombe Denis , Won Minhee , Gorlia Thierry , Mehta Minesh P. , van den Bent Martin J.
Published: June 2022

Clinical trials frequently include multiple end points that mature at different times. The initial report, typically based on the basis of the primary end point, may be published when key planned co-primary or secondary analyses are not yet available. Clinical Trial Updates provide an opportunity to disseminate additional results from studies, published in JCO or elsewhere, for which the primary end point has already been reported.

Anaplastic oligodendroglial tumors (AOTs) are chemotherapy-sensitive brain tumors. We report the final very long-term survival results from European Organization for the Research and Treatment of Cancer 26951 and Radiation Therapy Oncology Group 9402 phase III trials initiated in 1990s, which both studied radiotherapy with/without neo/adjuvant procarbazine, lomustine, and vincristine (PCV) for newly diagnosed anaplastic oligodendroglial tumors. The median follow-up duration in both was 18-19 years. For European Organization for the Research and Treatment of Cancer 26951, median, 14-year, and probable 20-year overall survival rates without versus with PCV were 2.6 years, 13.4%, and 10.1% versus 3.5 years, 25.1%, and 16.8% (N = 368 overall; hazard ratio [HR] 0.78; 95% CI, 0.63 to 0.98; P = .033), with 1p19q codeletion 9.3 years, 26.2%, and 13.6% versus 14.2 years, 51.0%, and 37.1% (n = 80; HR 0.60; 95% CI, 0.35 to 1.03; P = .063), respectively. For Radiation Therapy Oncology Group 9402, analogous results were 4.8 years, 16.5%, and 11.2% versus 4.8 years, 29.1%, and 24.6% (N = 289 overall; HR 0.79; 95% CI, 0.61 to 1.03; P = .08), with codeletion 7.3 years, 25.0%, and 14.9% versus 13.2 years, 46.1%, and 37% (n = 125; HR 0.61; 95% CI, 0.40 to 0.94; P = .02), respectively. With that, the studies show similar long-term survival even without tumor recurrence in a significant proportion of patients after first-line treatment with radiotherapy/PCV.
Clinical Benefit and Expedited Approval of Cancer Drugs in the United States, European Union, Switzerland, Japan, Canada, and Australia
Authors: Hwang Thomas J. , Kesselheim Aaron S. , Tibau Ariadna , Lee ChangWon C. , Vokinger Kerstin N.
Published: June 2022

PURPOSE:

Regulatory agencies have sought to speed up the review of new cancer medicines and reduce delays in approval between countries. We examined trends in regulatory review times and association with clinical benefit for new cancer medicines in six jurisdictions: United States (Food and Drug Administration [FDA]), European Union (European Medicines Agency [EMA]), Switzerland (Swissmedic), Japan (Pharmaceuticals and Medical Devices Agency [PMDA]), Canada (Health Canada), and Australia (Therapeutic Goods Administration).

METHODS:

We studied all new cancer drugs approved in the six aforementioned jurisdictions from 2007 to 2020. We extracted all applicable expedited programs, total regulatory review times, and, for drugs first approved by the FDA, times to subsequent regulatory approval. Clinical benefit was assessed using the European Society for Medical Oncology-Magnitude of Clinical Benefit Scale value framework and ASCO-Cancer Research Committee's targets. Nonparametric Kruskal-Wallis test was used to compare total review times for high versus low clinical benefit drugs.

RESULTS:

One hundred and twenty eight drugs received initial approval in at least one of the six included jurisdictions. Most drugs approved by the FDA (91%) and Health Canada (59%) qualified for at least one expedited program within those jurisdictions, compared with 46% of EMA approvals and 18% of PMDA approvals. The FDA was the first regulator to approve 102 (80%) drugs. Delays in submission accounted for a median of 20.2% (EMA) to 83.8% (PMDA) of the time to subsequent approval. There was no association between high clinical benefit and shorter total review times.

CONCLUSION:

Most new cancer therapies were approved first by the FDA, and delays in submission of regulatory applications accounted for substantial delays in approving cancer drugs in other countries. Regulators should prioritize faster review for drugs with high clinical benefit.
Clinical and Genomic Characterization of Bladder Carcinomas With Glandular Phenotype
Authors: Almassi Nima , Whiting Karissa , Toubaji Antoun , Lenis Andrew T. , Jordan Emmet J. , Won Helen , Regazzi Ashley M. , Chen Ying-Bei , Gopalan Anuradha , Sirintrapun Sahussapont J. , Fine Samson W. , Tickoo Satish K. , Ostrovnaya Irina , Pietzak Eugene J. , Cha Eugene K. , Goh Alvin C. , Donahue Timothy F. , Herr Harry W. , Donat S. Machele , Dalbagni Guido , Bochner Bernard H. , Teo Min Yuen , Funt Samuel A. , Rosenberg Jonathan E. , Reuter Victor E. , Bajorin Dean F. , Solit David B. , Al-Ahmadie Hikmat , Iyer Gopa
Published: June 2022

PURPOSE

To compare oncologic outcomes and genomic alteration profiles in patients with bladder and urachal adenocarcinoma, urothelial carcinoma (UC) with glandular differentiation, and UC, not otherwise specified (NOS) undergoing surgical resection, with emphasis on response to systemic therapy.

METHODS

We identified patients with bladder cancer with glandular variants who underwent surgical resection at Memorial Sloan Kettering from 1995 to 2018 (surgical cohort) and/or patients who had tumor sequencing using a targeted next-generation sequencing platform (genomics cohort). Pathologic complete and partial response rates to neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NAC) and recurrence-free and cancer-specific survival were measured. Alteration frequencies between histologic subtypes were compared.

RESULTS

Thirty-seven patients with bladder adenocarcinoma, 46 with urachal adenocarcinoma, 84 with UC with glandular differentiation, and 1,049 with UC, NOS comprised the surgical cohort. Despite more advanced disease in patients with bladder and urachal adenocarcinoma, no significant differences in recurrence or cancer-specific survival by histology were observed after adjusting for stage. In patients with UC with glandular differentiation, NAC resulted in partial (≤ pT1N0) and complete (pT0N0) responses in 28% and 17%, respectively. Bladder and urachal adenocarcinoma genomic profiles resembled colorectal adenocarcinoma with frequent TP53, KRAS, and PIK3CA alterations while the genomic profile of UC with glandular differentiation more closely resembled UC, NOS. Limitations include retrospective nature of analysis and small numbers of nonurothelial histology specimens.

CONCLUSION

The genomic profile of bladder adenocarcinomas resembled colorectal adenocarcinomas, whereas UC with glandular differentiation more closely resembled UC, NOS. Differences in outcomes among patients with glandular bladder cancer variants undergoing surgical resection were largely driven by differences in stage. Cisplatin-based NAC demonstrated activity in UC with glandular differentiation, suggesting NAC should be considered for this histologic variant.
Programmatic Efforts Increase Adoption of Genomic Precision Medicine in Cancer Care in a Community Cancer Center
Authors: Darabi Sourat , Braxton David , Homer Jeanne , Brodie Taylor , Holnagel Dori , Eisenberg Burton , Demeure Michael J.
Published: June 2022

PURPOSE

The adoption of precision medicine (PMed) depends on the critical curation of data and interpretation of genomic results. Herein, we sought to study the effect of a coordinated multidisciplinary program to assess results in a community cancer center clinic.

METHODS

In a retrospective review from July 2018 to July 2021, we analyzed the implementation of a multidisciplinary PMed program in a tertiary referral community cancer center. Germline genetics test results have been reviewed since 2017.

RESULTS

A total of 3,131 tumor samples were analyzed by large panel somatic genomic testing through commercial laboratories during the study period. The number of reviewed cases rose from 661 in the first year to 1,532 in year 3. Additional recommendations beyond what was reported by the commercial laboratory were made in 42.9% of cases. Referrals to the hereditary cancer program for germline testing increased by 32% from the 2017 baseline. Process improvement efforts reduced the rate of DNA quantity nonsufficient for testing to 3.3% compared with a national average of 4.89%. The average time from receipt of orders to issuing of a report of the somatic panel was 15.5 days, compared with 19.1 days for other institutions using the same laboratory. The PMed team has been critical in support of clinical research by assisting in trial procurement and feasibility assessment to the identification of patients for clinical trials.

Conclusion

The use of somatic genomic testing is increasing at our cancer center. Education and in-depth analysis of the data are valued by cancer physicians. The development and implementation of a PMed program has demonstrated improved physicians' understanding of molecular testing, resulting in improved outcomes for patients.
The Role of Kinship in Racial Differences in Exposure to Unemployment
Authors: Song Xi , Caswell Hal
Published: June 2022

Most studies on unemployment have assessed its individual-level costs. However, beyond its effects on individuals, unemployment incurs costs for their immediate families and extended kin. Close kin provide the majority of social support for unemployed adults. Applying demographic and statistical techniques to official statistics and using COVID-19 survey data on kinship and labor force experience, we assess the unemployment level and exposure to unemployment in the United States from a kinship perspective. The results indicate dramatic racial disparities in the number of unemployed kin and the number of kin affected by an unemployed person. Specifically, during the pandemic-induced recession, Black Americans had 1.7 unemployed people in their extended family compared with 1.2 among Whites. Further, every job loss in a Black extended family affected approximately 23 related members of the family through kinship ties, compared with approximately 20 among Whites. The racial gap in the number of unemployed kin is evident in all age-groups and escalates with age. This study's findings highlight the need to understand unemployment and its demographic implications, which are stratified by race.
Screening Anti-Asian Racism
Authors: Joubin Alexa Alice
Published: June 2022

The global pandemic of COVID-19 has exacerbated anti-Asian racism—the demonization of the Asian American and Pacific Islander communities as viral origins—in the United States. Offering strategies for inclusion and for identifying tacit forms of misogynistic racism, this article analyzes the manifestation of the ideas of yellow peril and yellow fever in recent films and television series. The spectatorial aspect of racism has both fetishized Asian bodies and erased Asianness from content creators' visual landscapes. These case studies reveal that racialized thinking is institutionalized as power relations in the cultural and political life, take the form of political marginalization of minority groups, and cause emotional distress and physical harm within and beyond the fictional universe.
“And This Is What He Did”
Authors: Teng Emma J.
Published: June 2022

This article asks how the category of “mixed race” can help us think through the recent spate of violence against Asian Americans, culminating in the Atlanta mass shootings of March 2021. It further reflects on a tension within mixed-race studies: whereas mixed-race theory, in its embrace of anti-essentialism and hybridity, bespeaks a certain hope and optimism, mixed race as a lens through which to view history brings us inescapably to violence. Tracing how the concept of mixed race threads through a history of violence in this country, the article demonstrates how misogyny and racial hatred toward Asians have long been intertwined. Recent anti-Asian hate crimes surface the continuities in the targeting of Asians as a source of pollution and contagion, and in representations of Asian women as a source of sexual “temptation” that must be restricted, prohibited, or eliminated. Finally, it is argued that the turn away from the post-racialism of the Obama era and the rise of a new white nationalism call our attention to a fundamental flaw in the very premise of mixed-race theory: that is, the category of “mixed race” simultaneously unlocks the liberatory potential of nonbinary identities and reifies the problematic category of race itself.
Certified Exercise Physiologists
Authors: Cooper Stephanie L. , Ward-Ritacco Christie L. , Maloney Tony , Collins P. Blaise
Published: June 2022

Apply It!

After reading this article, the health and fitness professional should be able to

 1) understand the knowledge and skills that certified exercise physiologists possess as a result of their educational background and ACSM Exercise Physiologist (EP) certification;

 2) describe employment opportunities and common tasks for EPs;

 3) identify the various populations that seek guidance from EPs; and

 4) acknowledge the lack of representation of EPs in health care provider (HCP) networks.
The Use of Limb Blood Flow Occlusion for Rehabilitation and Performance
Authors: Rider Brian C. , Ditzenberger Grace L. , Cox Benjamin A. , Montoye Alexander H.K.
Published: June 2022

Apply it!

• Gain a better understanding of the purpose of occlusion training, how to properly utilize it, and when to use it with your clients.

• Understand the contraindications to occlusion training and know some of the possible health risks associated with it.
Mapping of PET/CT-based regional nodes distribution of recurrent/advanced breast cancer and comparison with current delineation atlas
Authors: Zhang Maochen , Cao Lu , Chen Jiayi , Li Biao , Huang Xinyun , Cai Gang , Xu Cheng
Published: June 2022

Objective:

To localize the distribution of regional nodes in recurrent/advanced breast cancer patients based on 18-fludeoxyglucose (FDG) positron emission tomography/CT (PET/CT) images and validate the coverage of clinical target volumes (CTVs) for regional nodes with current contouring guidelines.

Methods:

We enrolled 154 recurrent/advanced breast cancer patients with FDG-avid regional nodes who underwent PET/CT between January 2018 and June 2020. Involvement of lymph node regions including axillary lymph node level I-III (ALN-I, ALN-II, ALN-III), Rotter’s nodes (RN), medial supraclavicular (SC-M), lateral supraclavicular (SC-L) and internal mammary nodes (IMN) was recorded respectively. Coverage of the CTVs in different atlases and the locations of out-of-field were evaluated.

Results:

A total of 348 lymph node regions containing disease were identified, including ALN-I 109, ALN-II 46, ALN-III 36, RN 17, SC-M 68, SC-L 36 and IMN 36. Recurrent ALNs mainly located cranially and ventrally to the axillary vein (AV). Ipsilateral cervical nodes were simultaneously affected in 33/76 SC positive patients. RADCOMP (306/348) and RUIJIN (291/348) guidelines had higher coverage compared with RTOG (205/348) and ESTRO (202/348) guidelines (p < 0.001, respectively). In primary non-metastastic and recurrent patients, major missings located in SC-L (7/7, 17/17) and IMN (7/10, 15/19) for RTOG guideline while SC-L (7/7, 17/17) for ESTRO guideline (p < 0.001, respectively). Among recurrent patients, SC-M (22/31) was another major missing area for ESTRO guideline (p < 0.001).

Conclusion:

The current guidelines effectively cover most regional nodes in postoperative breast cancer patients. SC-L and IMN were the major missing regions. Recurrent ALNs were most often seen in cranial and ventral to the AV. The CTV of patients with clinically positive SC was recommended to extend up to the hyoid level. The CTVs should be adjusted based on risks of recurrence individually.

Advances in knowledge:

The difference of regional nodes delineation between current guidelines mainly located in SC and IMN regions. High axilla including subclavicular nodes and the RN above AV for recurrent patients and the region between cricoid and hyoid for positive SC patients should be meticulously contoured.
Deep learning-based identification of mesiodens using automatic maxillary anterior region estimation in panoramic radiography of children
Authors: Kim Jihoon , Hwang Jae Joon , Jeong Taesung , Cho Bong-Hae , Shin Jonghyun
Published: June 2022

Objectives:

The purpose of this study is to develop and evaluate the performance of a model that automatically sets a region of interest (ROI) and diagnoses mesiodens in panoramic radiographs of growing children using deep learning technology.

Methods:

Out of 988 panoramic radiographs, 489 patients with mesiodens were classified as an experimental group, and 499 patients without mesiodens were classified as a control group. This study consists of two networks. The first network (DeeplabV3plus) is a segmentation model that uses the posterior molar space to set the ROI in the maxillary anterior region with the mesiodens in the panoramic radiograph. The second network (Inception-resnet-v2) is a classification model that uses cropped maxillary anterior teeth to determine the presence of mesiodens. The data were divided into five groups and cross-validated. Deep learning model were created and trained using Inception-ResNet-v2. The performance of the segmentation network was evaluated using accuracy, Intersection over Union (IoU), and MeanBFscore. The overall network performance was evaluated using accuracy, precision, recall, and F1-score.

Results:

Segmentation performance using posterior molar space in panoramic radiographs was 0.839, IoU 0.762, and MeanBFscore 0.907. The mean values of accuracy, precision, recall, F1-score, and area under the curve for the diagnosis of mesiodens using automatic segmentation were 0.971, 0.971, 0.971, 0.971, and 0.971, respectively.

Conclusions:

The diagnostic performance of the deep learning system using posterior molar space on the panoramic radiograph was sufficiently useful. The results of the deep learning system confirmed the possibility of complete automation of the classification of mesiodens.
Deep supervised hashing for gait retrieval
Authors: Sayeed Shohel , Min Pa Pa , Ong Thian Song
Published: June 2022

Background: Gait recognition is perceived as the most promising biometric approach for future decades especially because of its efficient applicability in surveillance systems. Due to recent growth in the use of gait biometrics across surveillance systems, the ability to rapidly search for the required data has become an emerging need. Therefore, we addressed the gait retrieval problem, which retrieves people with gaits similar to a query subject from a large-scale dataset.

Methods: This paper presents the deep gait retrieval hashing (DGRH) model to address the gait retrieval problem for large-scale datasets. Our proposed method is based on a supervised hashing method with a deep convolutional network. We use the ability of the convolutional neural network (CNN) to capture the semantic gait features for feature representation and learn the compact hash codes with the compatible hash function. Therefore, our DGRH model combines gait feature learning with binary hash codes. In addition, the learning loss is designed with a classification loss function that learns to preserve similarity and a quantization loss function that controls the quality of the hash codes

Results: The proposed method was evaluated against the CASIA-B, OUISIR-LP, and OUISIR-MVLP benchmark datasets and received the promising result for gait retrieval tasks.

Conclusions: The end-to-end deep supervised hashing model is able to learn discriminative gait features and is efficient in terms of the storage memory and speed for gait retrieval.
Overtraining syndrome - what we already know
Authors: Bryliński Łukasz , Woliński Filip , Duda Piotr , Drożak Paulina , Kostelecka Katarzyna , Baj Jacek
Published: June 2022

Introduction: Overtraining syndrome (OTS) is a state of excess sportsmen's overload caused by too high an intensity of training. The main cause of OTS is too big a training load. Also, they are other risk factors like restrictive diets, inordinate stress, and inflated expectations of a family and a coach.

Description of the state of knowledge: despite numerous hypotheses like dysregulation of hypothalamus and pituitary, inflammatory hypothesis, and glycogen hypothesis the exact cause of OTS is not fully understood. None of these hypotheses explains completely all of the symptoms. In diagnosis, several laboratory tests are required to exclude other diseases. After it, because of possible systemic character diagnostic process of OTS is still problematic. One of the diagnostic methods relies on the measurement of hormone levels. Another potential diagnostic method is the measurement of saliva immunoglobulins and other anti-viral proteins. Also, the measurement of serum cell-free DNA can be used. After the onset of OTS, the most important treatment method is rest, which should last for 6-12 weeks or longer. Nowadays, treatment options are looking for shortenings this time. These options are anti-inflammatory drugs and repeated hypoxia-hyperoxia exposure combined with low-intensity training. Since the only well-established treatment method is prolonged rest, prevention is the most important aspect of OTS management. Adequate education of young athletes and their parents is also important.

Summary: Overtraining syndrome is a serious problem that concerns many athletes. This problem not only affects results and careers but also sportsmen’s life. Because of the wide scope of symptoms, which can be often nonspecific making the correct diagnosis can be difficult.
Zakaz pokrywania deficytu budżetowego w centralnym banku państwa a sytuacje kryzysowe
Authors: Rybski Robert
Published: June 2022

The SARS-CoV-2 pandemic, which started in 2020, caused a public health crisis that also threatened public finances. This is a good opportunity to return to the discussion on the essence and boundaries formulated in Art. 220 sec. 2 of the Constitution, i.e., the ban on covering the budget deficit by incurring liabilities with the central bank of the state. The categorical nature of the ban leaves no space in the course of the on-going work on the state budget to even consider incurring any liabilities with the central bank of the state to cover the budget deficit. The article aims to answer the question whether, to what extent and under what conditions the prohibition under Art. 220 sec. 2 of the Constitution covers crisis situations in general. The text analyses three types of such situations that threaten the existence of the state, in the event of which the officials of public authorities could consider violating the prohibition under Art. 220 sec. 2 of the Constitution: 1) involvement of the state in war; 2) a global public health crisis which takes the form of exceptional and extraordinary circumstances posing a threat to both the state and society; 3) the climate crisis.
The Horned Horse in the Coinage of Seleucus I Nicator
Authors: Wójcikowski Robert S.
Published: June 2022

The motif of the horned horse on the coins of Seleucus I is characteristic for the coinage of the first Seleucid king. Its meaning is still unclear in spite of many attempts to interpret it. The horned horse is associated with Dionysos, or Alexander the Great. Most of the coins featuring this motif were minted in the Iranian part of the empire of Seleucus I and this fact suggests that it should be interpreted in the context of Iranian culture in which a horse featured significantly and could symbolize royal power and authority. Horns as an iconographic element were characteristic of Babylon and were typical attributes of gods and kings in their representations. This publication focuses on the interpretation of the motif of the horned horse and horseman within the context of the Iranian religion and Achaemenid royal tradition and its influence on Seleucus’ ideology of power.
Gallic Amphorae in Rome (and Ostia) during the Middle Imperial Age: Data Revision and Reflections from the Finds at the ‘Terme Di Elagabalo’ in Rome
Authors: Radaelli Edoardo
Published: June 2022

Starting from the unpublished amphorae discovered in the Middle Imperial contexts (dating 2nd-early 3rd centuries AD) found in the building known as the ‘Terme di Elagabalo’ in Rome, this paper analyses the presence of Gallic containers in Rome and Ostia. The finds from that site will be combined with the ones deriving from several published contexts in Rome with similar dating and compared with those discovered in Ostia (the traditional comparison for the Capital) in order to update the data about their presence in both cities during the chosen chronological period. This paper will also analyse ancient sources that mention Gallic products in order to reflect not only upon their quality, but also their purchasers and consumers, with brief considerations derived from theories in social sciences.
Every Choice Function Is Pro-Con Rationalizable
Authors: Dogan Serhat , Yildiz Kemal
Published: June 2022

Dogan and Yildiz introduce and analyze the pro-con model that is inspired by Franklin’s prudential algebra. Consider an agent who is endowed with two sets of orderings: pro- and con-orderings. For each choice set, if an alternative is the top-ranked by a pro-ordering (con-ordering), then this is a pro (con) for choosing that alternative. The alternative with more pros than cons is chosen from each choice set. Each ordering may have a weight reflecting its salience. In this case, the probability that an alternative is chosen equals the difference between the total weights of its pros and cons. Although, this is an additive model similar to the random utility model with structurally invariant primitives, authors show that every (random) choice function is (random) pro-con rational. Their technique requires a generalization of Ford-Fulkerson theorem. The connection between the random model and its deterministic counterpart demonstrates a fruitful use of classical integer programming techniques in choice theory.
Novice Teachers’ Professional Identity Reconstruction
Authors: Lap Trinh Quoc , Ngoc Tran Duyen , Thao Le Thanh
Published: June 2022

A transition from pre-service training programs to teaching is a dramatic and somehow painful experience for novice teachers. The question is what difficulties novice teachers face and how they negotiate their professional identity to cope with difficulties and find joys in their career. This study is aimed to investigate novice teachers’ professional identity reconstruction, from their imaged-identities to their practiced identities. The use of semi-structured interviews collected data from four Vietnamese English as a foreign language (EFL) novice teachers. According to the data, cue-based was the most common type of novice teachers’ imagined identity. Regarding the practiced identities, the interviewees reported different professional identity reconstructions in the first five years of teaching practice. The participants’ excerpts enlisted some challenges that the novices faced such as students’ learning attitudes, working environments, or unorganized colleagues. Based on the research findings, some solutions were proposed in order to help novice teachers get through their difficult times at the very beginning of their career.
Positive linear maps and spreads of normal matrices
Authors: Sharma Rajesh , Pal Manish
Published: June 2022

We obtain some inequalities involving positive linear maps on matrix algebra. The special cases provide bounds for the spreads of normal matrices.
Towards Inline Prediction of Color Development for Wood Stained with Chemical Stains Using Near-Infrared Spectroscopy
Authors: Kropat Marcel , Laleicke Paul Frederik , Acosta Juan Jose
Published: June 2022

The chemical composition of wood determines the color development when applying chemical stains to the surface of wood. However, different species and individuals from the same species can show variations in the chemical composition, resulting in the risk of nonuniform color development in industrial staining processes between different batches of wood. In the present study, near-infrared (NIR) models were developed to predict wood specimen color development after applying three different concentrations of the chemical stains iron acetate and sodium bicarbonate. The modeling dataset included the NIR spectra of the untreated wood, stain treatment, concentration, and the International Commission on Illumination (CIE) L*a*b* color value before stain application for 210 specimens from five commercial wood species, including red oak (Quercus rubra), white oak (Quercus alba), yellow poplar (Liriodendron tulipifera), southern yellow pine (Pinus spp.), and western red cedar (Thuja plicata). The models were developed by partial least squares regression (PLSR), using 13 different mathematical transformations on the NIR spectra as well as the raw spectral data. Models with single stains and global-species/stain models were developed and compared. The models for iron acetate showed promising results in predicting the color development with the coefficient of determination for cross-validation ( ≥ 0.92), while the models for sodium bicarbonate showed acceptable results with of 0.71 to 0.89. However, a global model including both stains resulted in an unsatisfying prediction of the CIE L*a*b* color values, with of 0.46 to 0.76. The NIR models can be useful for online predictions of color development in industrial staining processes of wood with chemical stains.
Islamophobia as a Phenotypical Racism: The Case of the Islamic Style of Clothing in Turkey
Authors: Yel Ali Murat
Published: June 2022

There are many more debates about Islamophobia’s racist dispositions in a Muslim-majority society, but the way these dispositions are exercised would be better studied if the fundamental causes were addressed first. Any form of racism can be defined as premeditated acts of degradation, humiliation, and hatred that occur in the context of everyday or regular actions. In previous centuries, racism was limited to phenotypic characteristics such as skin color, hair color, and eye color, but in today’s age of image, phenotypes have been transformed into body extensions such as clothing, resulting in a new type of “racial bias” directed at those who appear to be different from the rest of society. Turkey stands out above many other Muslim countries in terms of culture, traditions, and history, as one of the few superpowers to have ruled over a vast territory without being colonized at any point in its history. The transition from the Ottoman Empire to the Turkish Republic, the social fabric was forced to transform into a new pattern. By showing, representing, and projecting Islam as a specter of reactionary forces, it was alleged it may be eradicated from people’s daily lives. Islam was labelled a public enemy, along with anything that reminded people of it; women were singled out for their outer clothing standards. The self-proclaimed emancipators were able to save and free women from their oppressors by portraying them as meek and backward. Some people in Muslim-majority nations may be treated differently solely because of their phenotypical physical distinctions, which could be termed racism and eventually lead to Islamophobia.