bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Abstract A016: Companion Diagnostics (CDx) to identify hallmarks of Alternative Lengthening of Telomeres (ALT)
Authors: Kadamur Ganesh , Tarantino Dalia , Grogono Freddie , Von Morgen Patrick , Tammaccaro Salvina , Zatreanu Diana , Canova Donata Federici , Wolf Jana , van den Kieboom Corne , Chapman Katie , Schuurmans Joris , Moll Jurgen
Published: June 2024

Maintenance of telomeres in the absence of telomerase is known as Alternative Lengthening of Telomeres (ALT), which is prevalent in 10-15% of all cancers. Tessellate BIO targets ALT mechanisms to drive cell death by synthetic lethality. To identify patients who will benefit from our therapy, we are developing companion diagnostics (CDx). In this study, established hallmarks of ALT are investigated as CDx target in tissue-derived samples. In fresh and FFPE tumor tissue, presence and abundance of different ALT hallmarks were measured, including RPA phosphorylation, C-circles and telomeric single stranded DNA. While not all markers pass the stringent requirements of a CDx, C-circles prove to be a reliable biomarker. To measure C-circles, a robust and scalable PCR-based protocol was developed, facilitating easy implementation in the clinic. Utilizing this protocol, C-circles were successfully measured across different tissue types. Further, the protocol allowed for C-circle quantification in cell lines, showcasing its utility across matrices of varying complexity. Successful development of the C-circle CDx enables patients selection based on ALT mechanisms herewith improving the response rate of targeted therapies in patients and accelerating new discoveries in the ALT space.

Citation Format: Ganesh Kadamur, Dalia Tarantino, Freddie Grogono, Patrick Von Morgen, Salvina Tammaccaro, Diana Zatreanu, Donata Federici Canova, Jana Wolf, Corne van den Kieboom, Katie Chapman, Joris Schuurmans, Jurgen Moll. Companion Diagnostics (CDx) to identify hallmarks of Alternative Lengthening of Telomeres (ALT) [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the AACR Special Conference in Cancer Research: Expanding and Translating Cancer Synthetic Vulnerabilities; 2024 Jun 10-13; Montreal, Quebec, Canada. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Mol Cancer Ther 2024;23(6 Suppl):Abstract nr A016.
Abstract A026: Single-cell landscape deciphering cancer Single-cell landscape deciphering cancer cell-of-origin and cellular heterogeneity in malignant transformation of 13 major tissues
Authors: Luo Ruihan
Published: June 2024

Deciphering disease progression and the sophisticated tumor ecosystems is imperative for exploring tumorigenesis mechanisms and developing novel prevention strategies. Here, we dissected heterogeneous tissue microenvironments during malignant transitions by leveraging data from 4,972,145 single cells in 1396 samples from 62 datasets spanning 13 major tissue types. Within transitional stem-like subpopulations highly enriched in precancerous lesions and cancers, we identified 30 recurring cellular states, including hypoxia and epithelial senescence, revealing a high degree of plasticity in epithelial stem cells. By characterizing the dynamics of stem-cell crosstalk with the microenvironment along the pseudotime axis, we uncovered distinct roles of ANXA1 at different stages of tumor development. ANXA1 expression levels in stem cells were decreased from the healthy to the precancerous stages, which promoted inflammatory responses by recruiting neutrophils and regulating monocyte differentiation towards M1 macrophages. In contrast, during malignant progression, upregulated ANXA1 fostered M2 macrophage polarization and cancer-associated fibroblast transformation. Our spatiotemporal analysis further provided insights into mechanisms responsible for immunosuppression. Collectively, this study provided a systematic view of cancer origins, and suggested that restoring and maintaining the balance of inflammation and their mediators (e.g., AnxA1/FPRs signaling) may represent a novel approach to control the evolution of precancerous lesions and mitigate the risk for cancer development.

Citation Format: Ruihan Luo. Single-cell landscape deciphering cancer cell-of-origin and cellular heterogeneity in malignant transformation of 13 major tissues [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the AACR Special Conference in Cancer Research: Expanding and Translating Cancer Synthetic Vulnerabilities; 2024 Jun 10-13; Montreal, Quebec, Canada. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Mol Cancer Ther 2024;23(6 Suppl):Abstract nr A026.
Abstract B023: Nimbolide targets RNF114 to induce the trapping of PARP1 and synthetic lethality in BRCA-mutated cancer
Authors: Li Peng , Zhen Yuanli , Kim Chiho , Liu Zhengshuai , Hao Jianwei , Deng Heping , Deng Hejun , Zhou Min , Wang Xu-Dong , Qin Tian , Yu Yonghao
Published: June 2024

This abstract is being presented as a short talk in the scientific program. A full abstract is printed in the Proffered Abstracts section (PR002) of the Conference Program/Proceedings.

Citation Format: Peng Li, Yuanli Zhen, Chiho Kim, Zhengshuai Liu, Jianwei Hao, Heping Deng, Hejun Deng, Min Zhou, Xu-Dong Wang, Tian Qin, Yonghao Yu. Nimbolide targets RNF114 to induce the trapping of PARP1 and synthetic lethality in BRCA-mutated cancer [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the AACR Special Conference in Cancer Research: Expanding and Translating Cancer Synthetic Vulnerabilities; 2024 Jun 10-13; Montreal, Quebec, Canada. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Mol Cancer Ther 2024;23(6 Suppl):Abstract nr B023.
Abstract B030: Expression patterns of miR181a and miR30d in patients with breast cancer
Authors: Tavakolpournegari Alireza , Hashemi Mehrdad , Matinahmadi Arash , Moosavi Seyedeh Safoora , Bidooki Seyed Hesamoddin
Published: June 2024

Background: One of the important molecular pathways in breast cancer is the PTEN-PI3K-AKT pathway. Any change in the activity of the PTEN gene can alter the PI3K-AKT pathway. Moreover, there are subsets of genes and pathways their expression changes by post-transcriptional regulations. For instance, gene regulation alters by non-coding RNAs such as micro-RNAs as post-transcriptional regulators that prevent the expression of the target transcript. Therefore, it is essential to assess the related alterations in micro-RNA expression patterns to find out the possible causes of conversions in related transcripts and pathways such as the PTENPI3K-AKT pathway in breast cancer. Methods: To determine the expression level of miR-181a and miR-30d in 30 breast tumor samples and 30 adjacent normal samples, the RNA extraction, and cDNA synthesis was performed by RiboEx (GeneAll, Korea). Finally, the Real-Time PCR method was used for quantitative analysis of the expression levels of these miRNAs. all the experimental part of the project in done at Islamic Azad University in 2017. Results: After analyzing comparisons in the expression level of miR-181a and miR-30d in tumor and normal tissues, there was a significant increase in the expression level of miR-181a in tumor samples compared with normal samples. Moreover, the expression level of miR-30d in tumor samples reported a significant decrease in comparison with normal samples (P<0.05). Conclusion: Upregulation of miR-181a may affect the transcription of the PTEN gene resulting in the cell progress to cancer. The Downregulation of miR-30d may also lead to cancer cell growth, due to a reduction in the affecting on the CREB gene transcript.

Citation Format: Alireza Tavakolpournegari, Mehrdad Hashemi, Arash Matinahmadi, Seyedeh Safoora Moosavi, Seyed Hesamoddin Bidooki. Expression patterns of miR181a and miR30d in patients with breast cancer [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the AACR Special Conference in Cancer Research: Expanding and Translating Cancer Synthetic Vulnerabilities; 2024 Jun 10-13; Montreal, Quebec, Canada. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Mol Cancer Ther 2024;23(6 Suppl):Abstract nr B030.
Abstract IA012: Generation and Mining of a Pediatric-focused Cancer Cell Line Atlas to Define Druggable Genetic Interactions in Childhood Malignancies
Authors: Firestein Ron
Published: June 2024

Pediatric solid and central nervous system tumors are the primary cause of cancer-related fatalities in children. Discovering novel targeted therapies requires utilizing pediatric cancer models that accurately mirror the patient's illness. However, the creation and evaluation of these models have significantly trailed adult cancer research, emphasizing the pressing demand for pediatric-centric cell line repositories. Here, we establish a centralized collection of over 450 childhood cancer cell lines. We subjected over 250 of these cell lines to comprehensive multi-omics analyses (including DNA sequencing, RNA sequencing, and DNA methylation analysis), while concurrently conducting pharmacological screenings and genetic CRISPR-Cas9 loss-of-function assays to unveil pediatric-specific treatment avenues and biomarkers. Machine learning approaches were then applied to uncover genotype-phenotype relationships and synthetic lethal interactions. Our endeavor sheds light on the specific vulnerabilities of pathways in molecularly characterized pediatric tumor subclasses and reveals clinically relevant therapeutic opportunities linked with biomarkers. We offer access to the cell line data and resources through an open-access portal.

Citation Format: Ron Firestein. Generation and Mining of a Pediatric-focused Cancer Cell Line Atlas to Define Druggable Genetic Interactions in Childhood Malignancies [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the AACR Special Conference in Cancer Research: Expanding and Translating Cancer Synthetic Vulnerabilities; 2024 Jun 10-13; Montreal, Quebec, Canada. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Mol Cancer Ther 2024;23(6 Suppl):Abstract nr IA012.
Abstract IA015: Identifying and targeting synthetic lethalities of aneuploid (cancer) cells
Authors: Ben-David Uri
Published: June 2024

Aneuploidy, an imbalanced number of chromosomes or chromosome arms, is a genetic hallmark of cancer cells, yet aneuploidy remains a biological enigma and a missed opportunity for cancer therapy. Aneuploid cells must cope with several types of cellular stresses, potentially creating synthetic lethalities that can be used to target aneuploid cancer cells. Here, I will describe our efforts to identify synthetic lethalities of the aneuploid state (in contrast to synthetic lethalities of specific recurrent aneuploidies. Specifically, I will focus on three recent unpublished studies, where we report that: (1) Aneuploid cells are preferentially sensitive to perturbation of the spindle assembly checkpoint (SAC) and its regulator KIF18A; the expression and activity of CDC20 determine the sensitivity to SAC inhibition. (2) Aneuploid cells depend on MAPK signaling for overcoming aneuploidy-induced DNA damage; targeting MAPK signaling can sensitize aneuploid cells to DNA damage inducing agents and to PARP inhibitors. (3) Aneuploid cells depend on RNA and protein degradation mechanisms to attenuate the cellular consequence of extra chromosomes; this renders aneuploid cells more sensitive to inhibition of nonsense-mediate decay, miRNA-mediated gene silencing, and the proteasome complex.

Citation Format: Uri Ben-David. Identifying and targeting synthetic lethalities of aneuploid (cancer) cells [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the AACR Special Conference in Cancer Research: Expanding and Translating Cancer Synthetic Vulnerabilities; 2024 Jun 10-13; Montreal, Quebec, Canada. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Mol Cancer Ther 2024;23(6 Suppl):Abstract nr IA015.
Data from Multi-omics Analysis of a Fecal Microbiota Transplantation Trial Identifies Novel Aspects of Acute GVHD Pathogenesis
Authors: Rashidi Armin , Ebadi Maryam , Rehman Tauseef U. , Elhusseini Heba , Kazadi David , Halaweish Hossam , Khan Mohammad H. , Hoeschen Andrea , Cao Qing , Luo Xianghua , Kabage Amanda J. , Lopez Sharon , Ramamoorthy Sivapriya , Holtan Shernan G. , Weisdorf Daniel J. , Khoruts Alexander , Staley Christopher
Published: June 2024

Abstract
Acute GVHD (aGVHD) is a major complication of allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplantation (alloHCT) associated with gut microbiota disruptions. However, whether therapeutic microbiota modulation prevents aGVHD is unknown. We conducted a randomized, placebo-controlled trial of third-party fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT) administered at the peak of microbiota injury in 100 patients with acute myeloid leukemia receiving induction chemotherapy and alloHCT recipients. Despite improvements in microbiome diversity, expansion of commensals, and shrinkage of potential pathogens, aGVHD occurred more frequently after FMT than placebo. Although this unexpected finding could be explained by clinical differences between the two arms, we asked whether a microbiota explanation might be also present. To this end, we performed multi-omics analysis of preintervention and postintervention gut microbiome and serum metabolome. We found that postintervention expansion of Faecalibacterium, a commensal genus with gut-protective and anti-inflammatory properties under homeostatic conditions, predicted a higher risk for aGVHD. Faecalibacterium expansion occurred predominantly after FMT and was due to engraftment of unique donor taxa, suggesting that donor Faecalibacterium-derived antigens might have stimulated allogeneic immune cells. Faecalibacterium and ursodeoxycholic acid (an anti-inflammatory secondary bile acid) were negatively correlated, offering an alternative mechanistic explanation. In conclusion, we demonstrate context dependence of microbiota effects where a normally beneficial bacteria may become detrimental in disease. While FMT is a broad, community-level intervention, it may need precision engineering in ecologically complex settings where multiple perturbations (e.g., antibiotics, intestinal damage, alloimmunity) are concurrently in effect.
Significance:
Post-FMT expansion of Faecalibacterium, associated with donor microbiota engraftment, predicted a higher risk for aGVHD in alloHCT recipients. Although Faecalibacterium is a commensal genus with gut-protective and anti-inflammatory properties under homeostatic conditions, our findings suggest that it may become pathogenic in the setting of FMT after alloHCT. Our results support a future trial with precision engineering of the FMT product used as GVHD prophylaxis after alloHCT.
Emergências médicas em voos comerciais: uma revisão de literatura
Authors: Castillo Vanessa Dina Palomino , Medeiros Clarissa Mari de
Published: June 2024

Considerando o ambiente de cabine em voos comerciais como potencial cenário de emergências médicas, e conhecendo o crescente número de passageiros no Brasil e no mundo, torna-se importante o estudo a respeito de repercussões deste ambiente em indivíduos com morbidades comumente encontradas na população e reportadas nos atendimentos durante o voo. O objetivo foi observar a prevalência de registro das principais complicações das enfermidades mais comuns na população geral durante viagens em voos comerciais. A busca foi realizada por meio dos descritores “inflight medical emergencies” e emergências médicas a bordo, no banco de dados da BVS, que resultou em 62 artigos, PubMed, 17 artigos, UpToDate, 5 artigos, Infraero, 11 resultados, SBC, 1 resultado. Também foram realizadas buscas nos bancos de dados disponibilizados pela ANAC, ICAO, ASMA. Focou-se em desordens respiratórias, cardiovasculares, gastrointestinais, não havendo consenso de porcentagens para as respectivas incidências na literatura, porém essas pertencendo ao rol das comumente reportadas. Outros aspectos peculiares do atendimento nesse microambiente foram citados, como protocolo de procedimento de comunicação de emergência durante o voo e registro de atendimento dos mesmos. Observou-se a falta de estudos mais extensos e quantitativamente robustos para os aspectos abordados, estando essa assertiva presente em todos os artigos encontrados. Com o exposto, concluiu-se pela necessidade desses estudos, bem como por maior divulgação de informações acerca desses atendimentos pelas companhias aéreas e órgãos regulamentadores.
Integrating Clinical Phenotype With Multiomics Analyses of Human Cardiac Tissue Unveils Divergent Metabolic Remodeling in Genotype-Positive and Genotype-Negative Patients With Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy
Authors: Nollet Edgar E. , Schuldt Maike , Sequeira Vasco , Binek Aleksandra , Pham Thang V. , Schoonvelde Stephan A.C. , Jansen Mark , Schomakers Bauke V. , van Weeghel Michel , Vaz Fred M. , Houtkooper Riekelt H. , Van Eyk Jennifer E. , Jimenez Connie R. , Michels Michelle , Bedi Kenneth C. , Margulies Kenneth B. , dos Remedios Cristobal G. , Kuster Diederik W.D. , van der Velden Jolanda
Published: June 2024

BACKGROUND:

Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) is caused by sarcomere gene mutations (genotype-positive HCM) in ≈50% of patients and occurs in the absence of mutations (genotype-negative HCM) in the other half of patients. We explored how alterations in the metabolomic and lipidomic landscape are involved in cardiac remodeling in both patient groups.

METHODS:

We performed proteomics, metabolomics, and lipidomics on myectomy samples (genotype-positive N=19; genotype-negative N=22; and genotype unknown N=6) from clinically well-phenotyped patients with HCM and on cardiac tissue samples from sex- and age-matched and body mass index–matched nonfailing donors (N=20). These data sets were integrated to comprehensively map changes in lipid-handling and energy metabolism pathways. By linking metabolomic and lipidomic data to variability in clinical data, we explored patient group–specific associations between cardiac and metabolic remodeling.

RESULTS:

HCM myectomy samples exhibited (1) increased glucose and glycogen metabolism, (2) downregulation of fatty acid oxidation, and (3) reduced ceramide formation and lipid storage. In genotype-negative patients, septal hypertrophy and diastolic dysfunction correlated with lowering of acylcarnitines, redox metabolites, amino acids, pentose phosphate pathway intermediates, purines, and pyrimidines. In contrast, redox metabolites, amino acids, pentose phosphate pathway intermediates, purines, and pyrimidines were positively associated with septal hypertrophy and diastolic impairment in genotype-positive patients.

CONCLUSIONS:

We provide novel insights into both general and genotype-specific metabolic changes in HCM. Distinct metabolic alterations underlie cardiac disease progression in genotype-negative and genotype-positive patients with HCM.
Chemogenetic inhibition of dopaminergic neurons reduces stimulus-induced dopamine release, thereby altering the hemodynamic response function in the prefrontal cortex
Authors: Helbing Cornelia , Brocka Marta , Arboit Alberto , Lippert Michael T. , Angenstein Frank
Published: June 2024

To investigate the effect of endogenously released dopamine on the stimulus-induced blood oxygen level–dependent (BOLD) responses, we used rats expressing inhibitory designer receptors exclusively activated by designer drugs (DREADDs) in neurons of the ventral tegmental area (VTA) and electrically stimulated the fimbria/fornix. This stimulation activates multiple components of the mesolimbic dopamine system, as demonstrated by the BOLD signal changes during functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) and dopamine release in the nucleus accumbens (NAcc) as detected by in vivo fast-scan cyclic voltammetry. Activation of inhibitory DREADDs by clozapine N-oxide (CNO) significantly reduced stimulus-induced dopamine release and the BOLD response in the NAcc. In contrast, the concurrently induced BOLD response in the medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC) was not significantly reduced after CNO administration, but the hemodynamic response was shifted to the left. Specifically, the Granger causality test showed that the temporal relationship between the BOLD signal changes in the hippocampus and the mPFC, changed. Under control conditions (i.e., in the absence of CNO), the BOLD signal changes in the mPFC and NAcc clearly preceded the BOLD signal changes in the right hippocampus, whereas in the presence of CNO this was only the case for the BOLD signal changes in the NAcc. In the control rats, that is, the rats that received a control virus and thus did not express DREADDs in the VTA, this CNO-mediated effect was not present. Our results indicate that activation of the endogenous dopaminergic system has region-specific effects on the stimulus-induced BOLD responses, so there is no generally applicable fMRI parameter that clearly indicates increased activity of the dopaminergic system.
Evolution of modes of nutrient absorption in entomoparasitic nematodes of the order Tylenchida revealed by structural and phylogenetic analysis
Authors: Takahashi Ayumi , Fujimori Yuta , Kanzaki Natsumi , Shinya Ryoji , Ekino Taisuke
Published: June 2024

Adult female entomoparasitic nematodes of the order Tylenchida have degenerate digestive organs and body surfaces that lack cuticles and are covered with microvilli. These morphologic features indicate that tylenchids absorb nutrients via the integument. A previous study hypothesised that the nutrient intake of entomoparasitic tylenchids evolved from oral to transdermal in a step-by-step manner, and this evolutionary process is reflected in the development of the integument ultrastructure of these species. However, the evolution of the nutrient absorption of entomoparasitic tylenchids remains unclear. This evolution has not been phylogenetically examined because of a lack of information on the integument structure associated with phylogenetic relationships. In the present study, we examined the integument ultrastructure and molecular sequence of four entomoparasitic tylenchids: Bradynema sp., Contortylenchus sp., C. genitalicola and Deladenus sp. The body surface of Bradynema sp. was covered with microvilli, suggesting that Bradynema sp. absorbs nutrients via the integument. By contrast, the body surfaces of Contortylenchus sp., C. genitalicola and Deladenus sp. were covered with a thin cuticle-like layer and well-developed epidermis without microvilli, suggesting that these species absorb nutrients only partially via the integument. We also classified the nutrient absorption mode based on the integument ultrastructure and molecular phylogenetic analysis of entomoparasitic tylenchids in previous studies. Our maximum parsimony analysis supported the step-by-step evolution hypothesised in the previous study. However, the parsimony analysis also generated new evolutionary processes in which atavism and/or saltation occur instead of stepwise evolution.
Ricoeur, ideology critique, and genetic phenomenology
Authors: Hui Ka-yu
Published: June 2024

This paper elucidates Ricoeur’s use of genetic phenomenology in his analysis of ideology and utopia, and how genetic phenomenology contributes to ideology critique. I argue that Ricoeur’s analysis, examined through the lens of genetic phenomenology, unveils the genesis of the experience of ideology. I propose a model of ideology critique emphasizing the liberation of individuals from ideological delusion without proclaiming an ideology-free position. Additionally, I explore the strategic use of utopian imagination to incite liberating experiences. In conclusion, I underscore the role of social identity constitution as an implicit counterforce to ideology critique.
Ethnic Reading of ‘The Jews’ in John 8:31–59 Through Durkheimian and Barthian Sociological Lenses
Authors: Josine Hymelong Douanla
Published: June 2024

This study undertakes an ethnic analysis of ‘the Jews’ in John 8:31−59, using Durkheimian and Barthian sociological lenses. What social roles are associated with ‘the Jews’ ethnic markers, and how do they shape their collective behavior or distinguish them from Jesus? Informed by Emile Durkheim’s functionalist approach to social facts and Frederick Barth’s theory of social organization and ethnic boundaries, the paper proposes that in John 8:31−59, the ethnic criteria of ‘the Jews’ operate both as external forces uniting them as a collective and as norms dictating their hostile behavior against Jesus. These markers create boundaries between Jesus and ‘the Jews,’ shaping their interactions within the narrative. Furthermore, by presenting these ethnic indicators as social facts and ethnic boundaries, the study portrays ‘the Jews’ as a social entity beyond mere ethnicity. The paper enhances understanding of identity formation and intergroup dynamics globally.
Surveillance Work in (and) Teaching Technical Writing with AI
Authors: Pflugfelder Ehren Helmut , Reeves Joshua
Published: June 2024

The use of generative artificial intelligence (GAI) large language models has increased in both professional and classroom technical writing settings. One common response to student use of GAI is to increase surveillance, incorporating plagiarism detection services or banning certain composing activities from the classroom. This paper argues such measures are harmful and instead proposes a “CARE” framework: critical, authorial, rhetorical, and educational—a nuanced approach emphasizing ethical and contextual AI use in technical writing classrooms. This framework aligns with plagiarism best practices, initially devised from when rhetoric and composition scholars considered the pedagogical implications of the Internet.
Avenues for Engagement? Testing the Democratic Nature of Library Book Challenge Processes
Authors: Callahan Pamela Catherine , Miller Joel D.
Published: June 2024

Background or Context:

Public school library book challenges have garnered ample media attention in recent years as many school districts and advocacy organizations have reported record numbers of book challenges. Book challenges are not a new phenomenon, historically speaking, but they have often illuminated values clashes in communities and raise questions about the rights and freedoms of public school students. Judicial rulings and school district policies that address book challenges could provide insights for many members of school communities (including, but not limited to, school board members, students, parents, and teachers) as they experience challenges, but these aspects of the legal record and their influence on responses to book challenges remains underexamined in scholarship.

Purpose, Objective, Research Question, or Focus of Study:

The 1982 Supreme Court case Island Trees School District v. Pico remains the lasting judicial precedent for interpreting public school students’ First Amendment rights as they interact with school library books. We examine the extent to which school district book challenge policies align with court precedent set in Pico (1982) and the implications for students’ rights and democratic participation during book challenges.

Research Design:

Drawing on elements of the law and society framework as well as political analysis categories, this study uses qualitative methods to illuminate specific elements of district policies that govern book challenges. Specifically, we examine 29 policies in school districts that experienced a publicly reported book challenge between 2017 and 2021 to understand relationships between school district book challenge policies and the Pico (1982) precedent.

Conclusions or Recommendations:

Our findings reveal ample space between judicial rulings and school district policies we examine. In fact, we find a broader array of relevant actors in book challenge processes than conceived by the courts and raise implications for students’ constitutional rights and protections related to who policies indicate may or must be involved in these processes, the settings in which book challenge decisions are made, and the limited roles for public involvement during school library book challenges.
Investigation on hot deformation behavior and microstructure evolution of superaustenitic stainless steel S31254 during elevated temperature compression testing
Authors: Cao Zhu , Liao Luhai , Zhang Xinghai , Li Wang , Li Jingyuan
Published: June 2024

The study thoroughly investigated the hot deformation behavior and microstructure evolution of superaustenitic stainless steel S31254. Hot compression tests were conducted at temperatures ranging from 950 °C to 1200 °C and strain rates of 0.01–10 s−1. The flow behavior of S31254 is influenced by adiabatic heating, particularly at high strain rates. The critical conditions of dynamic recrystallization for various deformation conditions were calculated based on the “double differential method.” An rise in deformation temperature or a reduction in strain rate reduces critical stress. Using the Arrhenius equation and Zener-Hollomon parameter to represent the deformation parameters, a linear connection between peak stress and dynamic recrystallization critical conditions was determined. Electron backscattering diffraction and transmission electron microscopy were used to characterize the microstructure under various deformation conditions. The dynamic softening of superaustenitic stainless steel is mainly achieved through dynamic recrystallization. The recrystallized grains are driven by distorted energy to nucleate preferentially at high-angle grain boundaries and grow towards high misorientations. Discontinuous dynamic recrystallization characterized by grain boundary bowing out is the main recrystallization mechanism in S31254. However, at high temperatures and low strain rates (1200 °C, 0.01 s−1), the dynamic recrystallization process shifts from discontinuous to continuous, with subgrain coalescence serving as the nucleating mode.
Correlation between the parameters of material transfer and granulation indexes in mixtures with varying ratios of concentrate to iron ore fines
Authors: Nyembwe Alain
Published: June 2024

The production of high-grade fine material or concentrate continues to increase due to the depletion of high-grade ore deposits. In iron ore granulation, fine materials are involved in producing granules through the coalescence process and auto-layering around coarse particles. The effectiveness of granulation depends on the role of each size fraction of the ore mixture and the level of material transfer between size fractions, and it is measured by different granulation indexes, including maximum permeability, granulation effectiveness (x0.5) and mass fraction of fine material or concentrate. This study focused on the correlation between the level of material transfer between size fractions in granulated mixtures and different granulation indexes. Regular iron ore fines were replaced with 10%, 20%, 30% and 40% concentrate, respectively, to produce granules with an optimum moisture content, determined by the maximum permeability from a pilot-scale JPU (Japanese Permeability Unit) pot. The results indicated that the level of material transfer between size fractions can be used as an alternative index to evaluate the granulation effectiveness of ore mixtures. Adding more concentrate increased the formation of mini-granules that grow slowly, which is associated with a sluggish level of material transfer between size fractions. The growth of large granules was also delayed, leading to a small mean size of granules, low bed permeability and low granulation effectiveness or partition coefficient, x0.5. The coefficients of variance for the material transfer level and maximum permeability were comparable, providing an opportunity to replace the commonly maximum permeability with the level of material transfer in the measurement of the granulation effectiveness.
Recent research on the so-called Life of Joseph also known as In pulcherrimum Ioseph
Authors: Standhartinger Angela
Published: June 2024

In pulcherrimum Ioseph (IpJ), a retelling of the life of “the most beautiful Joseph,” appears among the Greek writings of the Syriac Church Father Ephraem and is preserved in at least seven languages: Greek, Latin, Coptic, Armenian, Arabic, Slavonic, and Georgian. Most scholars agree that The Life of Joseph/In pulcherrimum Ioseph was neither written by Ephraem nor in Syriac but was originally written in Greek. Some find, however, a substantial overlap with the Syriac Joseph traditions. A Greek papyrus from the sixth to seventh century provides the earliest material evidence. Beyond the first 120 lines of the Joseph-Christ typology, the retelling of the Joseph story contains no unambiguous Christian features. This article argues that the text is likely a composition of three different parts. After introducing IpJ and its characteristics, I present an overview of manuscripts and editions to illustrate its extraordinary popularity and several Sitz im Leben of this particular Joseph story. Finally, I will return to the question of provenance and place this specific retelling of Gen 37–46 within Jewish and Christian debates on the biblical Joseph.
Influencing Primary Care Antibiotic Prescription Behavior Using Financial Incentives
Authors: Ghamat Salar , Araghi Mojtaba , Cipriano Lauren E , Silverman Michael
Published: June 2024

Antibiotic resistance is an ongoing public health crisis fueled by overuse and misuse of antibiotics. The goal of this article is to examine the impact of action-based incentive payments on reducing inappropriate antibiotic prescriptions in primary care, where 30%–50% of antibiotic prescriptions are inappropriate. Various financial incentive programs to reduce the rate of inappropriate antibiotic prescriptions have been implemented and studied empirically. However, there have not been analytical studies to evaluate payment model contract design features and the potential for payment models to impact diagnosis decision making. We develop a stylized physician compensation model to study the interaction between a payer and a provider. The payer offers a payment contract, with a bonus tied to the prescription, to maximize social welfare, considering total costs of providing care and social harm from antibiotic resistance. Given the contract offered and their own opportunity cost associated with factors such as fear of misdiagnosis and time spent explaining to patients why antibiotics are not indicated, the provider chooses whether or not to prescribe antibiotics to patients for whom antibiotics are not clinically indicated. We consider four cases: when diagnostic accuracy relies on symptom presentation versus additional diagnostic testing and when the opportunity cost of not prescribing antibiotics is public versus private information of the provider. When there is no information asymmetry, an action-based incentive payment can co-ordinate care and achieve the first-best policy, decreasing the rate of inappropriate prescribing, even when incentive payments can affect the diagnosis behavior. However, when the diagnosis depends on additional testing, the first-best policy results in fewer inappropriate antibiotic prescriptions, when the test has high specificity. Therefore, when an accurate technical diagnostic is available, a simple to implement action-based incentive payment can be effective in reducing inappropriate antibiotic prescribing. In the realistic setting where the provider’s opportunity cost is private information, an action-based incentive payment cannot eliminate inappropriate antibiotic prescribing. In these settings, the introduction of point of care diagnostics to aid in objective diagnostic criteria will reduce the unintended consequences of the contract.
Barriers Encountered by Chinese Manufacturing SMEs in Pursuing High-Quality Development Under Environmental Objective Constraints
Authors: Luo Ying , Li Xiaoping , Gong Xinya , Jie Xiaowen
Published: June 2024

High-quality development under environmental objective constraints represents a paradigm shift from perceiving environmental constraints as mere external pressures to embracing them as endogenous catalysts for progress. This shift, however, mandates considerable technological advancements, resource reallocations, and managerial overhauls, all requiring substantial capital investments. Chinese manufacturing SMEs, despite their efforts to adapt, often face challenges that hinder this transformation. To effectively facilitate this transition, it is crucial to pinpoint the barriers and craft tailored strategies to mitigate their inhibitory effects. Through a combination of theoretical deductions and on-the-ground research, this study not only identifies these barriers but also employs the ISM-MICMAC methodology to unpack their hierarchical and influential nature. Remarkably, the findings highlight that overcome technological and political barriers loom large, while the often-discussed economic and organizational barriers seem comparatively less formidable.
Designing with sense: A critical review and proposal for enhanced design space exploration in generative design
Authors: Abuzuraiq Ahmed M. , Erhan Halil
Published: June 2024

Designers in the built-environment disciplines increasingly solve problems using generative design methods, which promise novel and performant solutions to design problems but produce large design spaces that are challenging to explore. Design Space Exploration (DSE) interfaces have been used to understand, refine and narrow design spaces. Still, a critical analysis of current DSE interfaces shows a gap between their features and how designers explore and make decisions. We conducted a design study with domain experts to develop a DSE interface (DesignSense) that tightly integrates and adds to several features found separately in current DSE systems. We present a formative focus group evaluation, which suggested more areas for improvement and highlighted the need to distinguish designers from scientists as two user groups of DSE systems with varying needs, amongst other findings.
Effects of yarn count and twist multiplier on the properties of knitted fabrics made from naturally colored sustainable cotton
Authors: Hassan Syeda Hafsa , Hussain Tanveer , Awais Habib , Ali Zulfiqar
Published: June 2024

This study explores the integration of sustainable practices in the textile industry through the use of naturally colored cotton, which offers significant environmental advantages by eliminating the need for chemical bleaching and dyeing, thereby conserving water, chemicals, and energy. We examined the impact of yarn count and twist multiplier (TM) on the quality parameters of knitted fabrics tailored for winter cotton sweaters, utilizing a flatbed knitting machine to create a rib-cum-interlock structure. Our analysis aimed at optimizing thermal resistance, pilling resistance, and bursting strength, while reducing air permeability and fabric shrinkage. The findings indicated that thermal resistance peaked at 2.33 × 10−3 m2K/W for yarns with a 20/2 Ne count and a 4.5 TM. Furthermore, coarser yarns demonstrated enhanced bursting strength, with the highest at 276.8 kPa for a 16/2 Ne count and 4.25 TM, and an increase in yarn count improved pilling resistance. Air permeability was lowest at 103 mm/s for 16/2 Ne yarns. Interestingly, a rise in yarn count led to negative lengthwise shrinkage but positive widthwise shrinkage. The 20/2 Ne yarn count with a 4.50 twist multiplier emerged as optimal across considered properties, underscoring the potential of naturally colored cotton as a sustainable alternative in textile manufacturing. These findings provide valuable insights into the potential of naturally colored sustainable cotton as a viable alternative to conventional cotton in the textile industry.
The Onto-Epistemology of Writing Qualitatively
Authors: Carlson David Lee , Vasquez Ananí M. , Romero Anna
Published: June 2024

The introduction to this special issue argues that the manuscripts reveal how qualitative research occurs in the writing. The variety of articles in the special issue demonstrate the multifaceted ways that qualitative research can be done. Qualitative research is never neutral and thus writing precedes the research process and plays a crucial role in the constructing the research itself.
Surgery combined with photodynamic therapy for the case of perifolliculitis capitis abscedens et suffodiens: A case report
Authors: Yu Shunxing , He Yizhen , He Wei , Wu Wenyuan
Published: June 2024

Perifolliculitis capitis abscedens et suffodiens, also known as dissecting cellulitis of the scalp, is a rare, chronic suppurative, inflammatory head hair follicle disease, which seriously affects the patient’s quality of life. Clearly, clinical treatment varies widely and is somewhat challenging. We report a case of a 19-year-old male patient who had good results through surgery combined with photodynamic therapy. Surgery combined with photodynamic therapy for perifolliculitis capitis abscedens et suffodiens is effective and safe, especially for patients with poor responses to previous traditional treatments.
Selections From the ABC 2023 Annual Conference, Denver, Colorado, USA: Classroom Innovations That Soar Like an Eagle in Flight
Authors: Whalen D. Joel , Drehmer Charles , Cavanaugh Andrew
Published: June 2024

This collection of 10 My Favorite Assignments (MFA) was first presented at the 2023 Association for Business Communication Annual International Conference held Denver, Colorado, USA. Instructors can see innovative ideas for teaching current social issues, oral communication techniques, and methods to lead students to greater personal and professional development.
Coordinating public intentions and predicted trend in regulatory decisions: A method for demarcation of UGBs
Authors: Chen Zhu , Xu Hengzhou
Published: June 2024

Urban growth boundaries (UGBs) are commonly used for governance of urban growth. For demarcation of UGBs, the prediction models are prized for their automation and high efficiency in spatial data processing. However, public intentions, which cannot be predicted by prediction models, are ignored. This ignorance affects the performance of UGBs and urban development. From the perspective of regulatory tools, this article proposes public intentions and predicted trend as the two decisive elements for demarcation of UGBs. Following this thought, the study develops a method for coordination of their conflicts by providing a decision criteria for policy makers based on estimation of the cost to intervene predicted trend. This method is incorporated into a process of demarcation of UGBs and applied in the case of Tianjin, China. Results show that firstly, policy makers of UGBs should consider conflicts between public intentions and predicted trend and coordinate them for land development. Secondly, in the method for coordination, the decision criteria based on intervention costs can be used to make choice between public intentions and predicted trend and to choose suitable strategies for two types of conflicts. Thirdly, combined with the method for coordination, the process of demarcation is improved with multiple perspectives and methods for providing sufficient reference. Lastly in the case of Tianjin, China, it is verified that the decisions of land development and UGBs are made differently from the considerations of individual or public interests. To optimize the UGBs based on the method for coordination, four categories of strategies are matched with those conflict areas, and supporting measures are proposed correspondingly.
Quorum sensing gene lasR promotes phage vB_Pae_PLY infection in Pseudomonas aeruginosa
Authors: Liu Yan , Yao Zhuocheng , Mao Zhenzhi , Tang Miran , Chen Huanchang , Qian Changrui , Zeng Weiliang , Zhou Tieli , Wu Qing
Published: June 2024

Background

Quorum sensing (QS) is a cell density-based intercellular communication system that controls virulence gene expression and biofilm formation. In Pseudomonas aeruginosa (P. aeruginosa), the LasR system sits at the top of the QS hierarchy and coordinates the expression of a series of important traits. However, the role of lasR in phage infection remains unclear. This study aims to investigate the role of lasR QS in phage infection.

Methods

The P. aeruginosa phage was isolated from sewage, and its biological characteristics and whole genome were analyzed. The adsorption receptor was identified via a phage adsorption assay. Following lasR gene knockout, the adsorption rate and bactericidal activity of phage were analyzed. Finally, real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR) was conducted to explore how lasR promoting phage infection.

Results

The lytic phage vB_Pae_PLY was isolated and lipopolysaccharide (LPS) was identified as its adsorption receptor. The adsorption rate and bactericidal activity of vB_Pae_PLY were reduced after lasR knockout. RT-qPCR results showed that the expression of galU, a key gene involved in LPS synthesis, was down-regulated, and several genes related to type IV pili (T4P) were also down-regulated in the lasR mutant PaΔlasR.

Conclusions

The study showed that QS lasR may promote phage vB_Pae_PLY infection by involving in the synthesis of LPS and T4P. This study provides an example of QS in promoting phage infection and deepens the understanding of phage-bacteria interactions.
Determinants of mortality in hypertensive patients admitted with COVID-19: a single-centre retrospective study at a tertiary hospital in South Africa
Authors: Ikram Ahmed Sameer , Pillay Somasundram
Published: June 2024

Background

The Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has significantly impacted global health, with successive outbreaks leading to substantial morbidity and mortality. Hypertension, a leading cause of cardiovascular disease globally, has been identified as a critical comorbidity in patients with severe COVID-19, exacerbating the risk of adverse outcomes. This study aimed to elucidate the impact of hypertension on COVID-19 outcomes within the South African context.

Methods

A retrospective analysis was conducted at King Edward VIII Hospital, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa, encompassing patients aged 13 years and above admitted with laboratory-confirmed SARS-CoV-2 infection between June 2020 and December 2021. The study investigated the association between hypertension and COVID-19 outcomes, analysing demographic, clinical, and laboratory data. Statistical analysis involved univariate and multivariate logistic regression to identify predictors of mortality among the hypertensive cohort.

Results

The study included 420 participants—encompassing 205 with hypertension. Hypertensive patients demonstrated significantly greater requirements for oxygen and steroid therapy (p < 0.001), as well as higher mortality rates (44.88%, p < 0.001)) compared to their non-hypertensive counterparts. Key findings demonstrated that a lower oxygen saturation (adjusted odds ratio (aOR) 0.934, p = 0.006), higher pulse pressure (aOR 1.046, p = 0.021), elevated CRP (aOR 1.007, p = 0.004) and the necessity for mechanical ventilation (aOR 5.165, p = 0.004) were independent risk factors for mortality in hypertensive COVID-19 patients. Notably, the study highlighted the pronounced impact of hypertension-mediated organ damage (HMOD) on patient outcomes, with ischemic heart disease being significantly associated with increased mortality (aOR 8.712, p = 0.033).

Conclusion

Hypertension significantly exacerbates the severity and mortality risk of COVID-19 in the South African setting, underscoring the need for early identification and targeted management of hypertensive patients. This study contributes to the understanding of the interplay between hypertension and COVID-19 outcomes, emphasising the importance of considering comorbidities in the management and treatment strategies for COVID-19. Enhanced pandemic preparedness and healthcare resource allocation are crucial to mitigate the compounded risk presented by these concurrent health crises.