bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Sugar- and Artificially-Sweetened Beverages and Cancer Mortality in a Large U.S. Prospective Cohort
Authors: McCullough Marjorie L. , Hodge Rebecca A. , Campbell Peter T. , Guinter Mark A. , Patel Alpa V.
Published: September 2022

Background:

Sugar-sweetened beverage (SSB) consumption may be associated with cancer mortality independent of, or indirectly through, established influences on increased body adiposity.

Methods:

We examined the associations of SSBs and artificially-sweetened beverages (ASB) with mortality from all-cancers combined, obesity-related cancers combined, and 20 cancer types, among men and women in the Cancer Prevention Study-II (CPS-II) prospective cohort. In 1982, 934,777 cancer-free participants provided information on usual SSB and ASB consumption. Deaths were identified through 2016. Multivariable Cox proportional hazards regression models examined associations of beverage types with cancer mortality, without and with BMI adjustment.

Results:

During follow-up, 135,093 CPS-II participants died from cancer. Consumption of ≥2 SSB drinks/day vs. never was not associated with all-cancer mortality, but was associated with increased risk of obesity-related cancers [HR, 1.05; 95% confidence intervals (CI), 1.01–1.08; Ptrend = 0.057], which became null after adjustment for BMI. SSBs were associated with increased mortality from colorectal (HR, 1.09; 95% CI, 1.02–1.17; Ptrend = 0.011), and kidney (HR, 1.17; 95% CI, 1.03–1.34; Ptrend = 0.056) cancers, which remained after BMI adjustment. A positive association of ASB consumption with obesity-related cancers (HR, 1.05; 95% CI, 1.01–1.08; Ptrend = 0.001) was null after controlling for BMI; however, an increased risk of pancreatic cancer was robust to BMI adjustment (HR, 1.11; 95% CI, 1.02–1.20; Ptrend < 0.008).

Conclusions:

SSB consumption was associated with higher mortality from certain cancers, partially mediated through obesity. Associations of ASB consumption and increased pancreatic cancer risk merit further study.

Impact:

Future research should consider the role of BMI in studies of sweetened beverages and cancer risk. These results should inform policy regarding sweetened beverage consumption.
Abstract B004: ATR-CHK1-WEE1 pathway is a critical dependency in the context of DNA damage and replicative stress in osteosarcoma
Authors: Sayles Leanne C. , Martell Henry , Koehne Amanda , Ang Kean-Hooi , Wilson Chris , Arkin Michelle , Sweet-Cordero E. Alejandro
Published: September 2022

Osteosarcoma (OS) is characterized by widespread somatic copy number alterations (SCNAs) and structural variations (SVs) with few recurrent point mutations. We previously demonstrated proof-of-principle for a genome-informed strategy for treatment of OS based on rank-ordering SCNAs within specific oncogenes identified by WGS and RNAseq. Although we identified several potentially effective therapeutic strategies using this approach, it is likely that effective therapy for OS will require use of combination therapies. To identify new combination therapy approaches for OS, we used a panel of PDX-derived cell lines (PDXC) and performed a combination drug screen. We assessed 5 drug backbones against 15 targeted agents in 8 PDXC and 2 established OS cell lines. When we combined Gemcitabine with agents that target the ATR-CHK1-WEE1 pathway, we observed strong synergy across all PDXC tested. These results were validated in a secondary screen using a combination matrix across 10 PDXC. Use of targeted agents inhibiting ATR, CHK1 or WEE1 in combination with Gemcitabine led to decreased proliferation and a marked increase in apoptosis in vitro. In subcutaneous tumor models, we observed that decreased tumor growth with either ATRi or Gemcitabine alone, whereas tumors shrank when treated with the combination. However, when we treated OS774 in vivo, there was no effect on tumor growth for either single agent alone or when in combination. This effect was dependent on the presence of ATR as a PDXC with no ATR detectable by western blotting showed not effect in vivo. In an orthotopic model in which PDXC are implanted along the tibia, this combination therapy effectively decreased tumor growth. In a lung metastasis model, ATRi and Gemcitabine resulted a durable reduction in metastatic lesions over time. In summary, we have identified a susceptibility to the ATR-CHK1-WEE1 pathway when combined with gemcitabine. These studies suggest that further investigation ATR-CHK1-WEE1 and gemcitabine are warranted to address the unmet need for new therapeutic approaches for relapsed and recurrent OS patients.

Citation Format: Leanne C. Sayles, Henry Martell, Amanda Koehne, Kean-Hooi Ang, Chris Wilson, Michelle Arkin, E. Alejandro Sweet-Cordero. ATR-CHK1-WEE1 pathway is a critical dependency in the context of DNA damage and replicative stress in osteosarcoma [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the AACR Special Conference: Sarcomas; 2022 May 9-12; Montreal, QC, Canada. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Clin Cancer Res 2022;28(18_Suppl):Abstract nr B004.
Relationship between Blastocystis spp. with Accompanying Food Hypersensitivity and Chronic Spontaneous Urticaria
Authors: Tuzer Can , Yegit Ozan , Ozturk Nese Sonmez , Demir Semra , Demirpek Ugur , Boral Ozden Buyukbaba , Buyukozturk Suna , Gelincik Aslı , Colakoglu Bahauddin
Published: September 2022

Introduction: The relationship between Blastocystis spp. and chronic spontaneous urticaria (CSU) is unclear. The aim of this study was to evaluate the role of this parasitic infection on CSU and to search for risky groups in CSU patients with this parasite. Methods: Seventy adult CSU patients with Blastocystis spp. in their stool samples forming Group A and 70 CSU patients without any parasite as Group B were prospectively compared regarding urticaria activity score-7 (UAS7), medication scores (MS), and laboratory parameters. All patients received CSU treatment, and additionally, those in group A received an antiparasitic antibiotic. Eight months later, the same parameters were compared between the ones in remission (group A1) and those still having CSU symptoms (group A2) in group A. Results: UAS7 and MS were lower in group A than in group B (p: 0.007, p < 0.001) 8 months later, while the initial scores were similar. The presence of food hypersensitivity reactions (FHRs) was higher in group A than in group B (p < 0.001) and was detected as a significant risk factor in the presence of Blastocystis spp. infection (p: 0.002, OR [CI] = 0.151 [0.045–0.502]). In group A, UAS7, MS, serum total IgE levels, and blood eosinophil counts decreased 8 months later (p < 0.001, p < 0.001, p: 0.003, p: 0.004, respectively). Additionally, total IgE levels and eosinophil counts decreased in group A1 (p: 0.033, p: 0.002) while they did not change in group A2. Discussion/Conclusion: The eradication of Blastocystis spp. can improve the disease activity in CSU and the presence of FHRs seems to be risky in CSU patients with Blastocystis spp.
Vaginal Delivery Is Associated with Neurochemical Evidence of Increased Neuroaxonal Remodelling in Infants from the KUNO-Kids Health Study: Cross-Sectional Analysis
Authors: Kürner Katja , Goeral Katharina , Atkinson Andrew , Brandstetter Susanne , Toncheva Antoaneta A. , Kabesch Michael , Apfelbacher Christian , Melter Michael , Seelbach-Göbel Birgit , Berger Angelika , Kuhle Jens , Wellmann Sven ,   KUNO-Kids study group
Published: September 2022

Aim: Little is known about neonatal brain plasticity or the impact of birth mode on neurointegrity. As a reflection of neuroaxonal damage, the neuronal structural protein neurofilament light chain (NfL) has emerged as a highly specific biomarker. Our purpose was to test the hypothesis that vaginal delivery is associated with increased NfL in neonates. Methods: NfL concentrations were measured using single-molecule array immunoassay in umbilical cord serum from healthy term neonates enrolled in the prospective KUNO-Kids Health Study. NfL values were investigated for independent influencing factors using linear and logistic models, followed by post hoc propensity score-matching. Results: Of 665 neonates, n = 470 (70.7%) were delivered vaginally and n = 195 (29.3%) by cesarean section. Median serum NfL was significantly higher after vaginal delivery 14.4 pg/mL (11.6–18.5) compared to primary 7.5 pg/mL (6.1–8.9) and secondary cesarean delivery 9.3 pg/mL (7.5–12.0). Multivariable logistic regression models showed delivery mode and gestational age to be independently associated with NfL. Propensity score-matching analysis confirmed that assisted vaginal delivery generated higher NfL compared to vaginal (non-assisted), while lowest levels were associated with cesarean section. Interpretation: Our data confirm the significant impact of birth mode on neonatal NfL levels. The persistence of these differences and their potential long-term impact have yet to be investigated.
Metarhachotropis parva, a new genus and species of Eusiridae (Crustacea: Amphipoda) from Sagami Bay, central Japan
Authors: ARIYAMA HIROYUKI , KOHTSUKA HISANORI
Published: September 2022

The monotypic genus Metarhachotropis (Crustacea: Amphipoda: Eusiridae) is erected with M. parva sp. nov. from Sagami Bay, central Japan, as its type species. This new genus is characterized by the massive head with large rostrum, the very short coxae and the strongly produced coxa 1. Metarhachotropis resembles Eusirella Chevreux, 1908 and Rhachotropis Smith, 1883; however, it can be distinguished from Eusirella by the ordinary length of the maxilla 1 palp, and from Rhachotropis by the smooth body.
Rural Livelihood Diversification Among Tribal Communities of North-Eastern Region of India: A Systematic Review
Authors: Bora Debakshi , Mahanta Amarjyoti
Published: September 2022

This article is furnished with a comprehensive review of nature and extent of rural livelihood diversification with special focus on North-Eastern region of India. This study reveals that the tribal communities of this region adopt livelihood diversification as a strategy of coping with risk due to persistent low agricultural productivity and population pressure. Despite this fact, the extent of diversification is low. Agriculture and land still occupies main source of income. It is evident from this article that this region has great potentialities of diversification towards multiple income sources. But difficult terrain and geographical isolation of this region make these resources yet to be properly utilised. The aim of this review article is to point out some issues related to livelihood diversification of North-Eastern region for further research and also try to attract the eyes of policy makers towards the potentialities of livelihood options available in this region.
Mussel-Inspired Hydrogels for Fluoride Delivery and Caries Prevention
Authors: Zhen L. , Liang K. , Luo J. , Ke X. , Tao S. , Zhang M. , Yuan H. , He L. , Bidlack F.B. , Yang J. , Li J.
Published: September 2022

Fluoride agents hold promise for the repair and prevention of caries lesions, but their interaction with enamel is often hampered and diminished because of the dynamic wet environment in the oral cavity, which affects the efficacy of fluoride delivery and limits treatment success. We herein developed a mussel-inspired wet adhesive fluoride system (denoted TS@NaF) fabricated by the self-assembly of tannic acid (TA), silk fibroin (SF), and sodium fluoride (NaF). TS@NaF demonstrated remarkable biological stability and biocompatibility, showed reliable wet adhesion, released fluoride ions (F−) topically, and induced significant deposition of calcium fluoride (CaF2) onto enamel in vitro. Furthermore, TS@NaF provided an anticaries effect in vitro and induced a detectable increase in enamel mineral density. Advanced fluoride-releasing bioadhesives are therefore promising candidates for caries prevention and highlight the great potential of mussel-inspired dental materials in clinical applications.
A Meta-Analysis of Social Ecological Correlates of Physical Activity Among Koreans
Authors: Lee Jonghwa , Kim Youngho
Published: September 2022

From the viewpoint of behavioral medicine, analyzing various factors that determine physical activity (PA) is necessary to promote PA participation. In this study we aimed to identify the impact of constructs within the social ecological model (SEM) on PA within the Korean population. We reviewed journal articles and dissertations published between February 2012 and May 2022 in this meta-analysis. We searched the Korean Education Research Information Service (KERIS), Korean Information Service System (KISS), National Digital Library (NDL), PubMed Central (PMC), SCOPUS, and Web of Sciences; and we located 13 studies to include in this review. Collectively, these studies indicated that most SEM constructs were significantly correlated with PA. Self-efficacy was most strongly correlated (0.67), followed by perceived benefits (0.48), quality of exercise facilities (0.37), accessibility of exercise facilities (0.33), friend support (0.29), and family support (0.23). These data provide practical information for basing a PA promotion strategy on SEM to enhance community health through behavioral psychology.
Back to School: CEOs’ Pre-Career Exposure to Religion, Firm's Risk-Taking, and Innovation
Authors: Chen Guoli , Luo Shuqing , Tang Yi , Tong Jamie Y.
Published: September 2022

Recent research has shown that a CEO's personal experiences in his or her early days have an influence on his or her decision-making as an executive later on. Our study extends this emerging stream of research by examining how CEOs’ pre-career exposure to religion affects their firms’ risk-taking and subsequent innovation performance. Drawing upon developmental psychology research and imprinting theory, we argue that CEOs who have attended a religious college are more likely to develop or reinforce their risk-averse mentality. This carries over to their professional life when they are in a top management position, and it leads to less risk-taking behavior in their firms and ultimately a lower level of firm innovation. Using a large sample of U.S. publicly listed companies, we find strong support on our hypotheses: Firms managed by CEOs who attended a religious college tend to be less risk-taking; this effect is stronger when the firm has more board members with pre-career exposure to religion; in addition, the firm's risk-taking behavior mediates the negative relationship between CEO pre-career religious exposure and firm innovation. We discuss the implications of our study for the strategic leadership literature, firm's risk-taking, and innovation research.
At Work in a Pandemic: Black Workers’ Experiences of Safety on the Job
Authors: Hammonds Clare , Kerrissey Jasmine
Published: September 2022

Race and labor scholars have argued that precarious, dangerous work, along with the work of social reproduction, has long been disproportionately placed on Black workers. This research examines how the COVID-19 pandemic impacted essential in-person workers differently by race. Using data collected from approximately 8,000 respondents in five survey waves, we find that Black essential and in-person workers were far more likely to experience safety concerns on the job than white workers, from inadequate sick leave and protective gear in the early pandemic to customers who refused to mask in later months. This pattern extended to stress off the job, where Black workers were more likely to have experienced food, childcare, and housing insecurities. Black workers were also more likely to be interested in unionization. These findings point to distinct ways in which the COVID-19 pandemic has collided with Black workers’ struggle for economic inequality and amplified existing patterns of labor market inequality.
How Do Employers Respond to a Policy Reform of Parental Leave? A Focus on Fathers and Companies From Economy Sectors With Traditionally Lower Take-Up Rates
Authors: Amjahad Anissa , Valentova Marie , Maas Roland
Published: September 2022

The paper explores the perceptions and management practices regarding parental leave among a specific group of employers: those likely to have low parental leave take-up among staff. We conducted qualitative interviews with employers in 18 Luxembourg-based companies of sizes and economy sectors where low take-up is most prevalent. We explored how leave requests, employees’ absences and their return after parental leave are managed and how employers deal with the recent reform of parental leave policy. The results show that employers try to minimize the cost of fathers’ absence from work by negotiating over the timing of take-up and the form of leave to be taken. Parental leave is preferred over other work–life balance measures because it is perceived as a short-term and timely arrangement during a career. In this particular group of employers, parental leave is also viewed as more compatible with work and organization processes than other measures.
Strain self-sensing capability of a tidal turbine blade fabricated of PU-foam/glass fiber/epoxy composites using MWCNTs
Authors: Rubio-González Carlos , José-Trujillo Eduardo , Alejandro Rodríguez-González Julio , Espinoza-Hernández Jaime , Manzo-Preciado José Alfredo
Published: September 2022

A novel marine composite structure (experimental tidal turbine blade) made up of a polyurethane (PU) foam/glass fiber/epoxy resin composite with multiwall carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) is proposed herein to self-sense its strain under a structural test scenario. To achieve this, MWCNTs were deposited onto glass fiber fabric by spray-coating technique in order to form an effective electrical percolation network onto the external skin surface of the tidal turbine blade which enables piezoresistive capability. After MWCNT deposition, the blade was manufactured by means of one-shot resin transfer molding (RTM) in a closed and heated metallic mold specially designed with a blade geometry of 67 cm length. The results confirm that the spray coating technique is a viable method to deposit MWCNTs onto glass fiber surface and form electrical networks into the blade at a relatively low MWCNT concentration. Finite element analysis (FEA) predicted a suitable structural blade design with a maximum failure index value of 0.9 attained in the blade shear web. The measured longitudinal strains of the tidal turbine blade were in good agreement with the numerical strain values predicted with FEA. Electromechanical tests carried out on a structural test rig designed and instrumented for tidal turbine blades showed that the electrical resistance change response of carbon nanotube (CNT) network integrated into the blade was capable of following the mechanical curve response up to the blade limit load, confirming its ability to self-sense its strain in real time.
Filial Caregiving and Chinese Adults’ Depressive Symptoms: Do Early-Life Parent-Child Relationships Matter?
Authors: Qin Yue , Kong Jooyoung , Moorman Sara
Published: September 2022

This study investigated the association between caregiving time and depressive symptoms among Chinese adult children aged 45 and above, and whether early-life relationships with parents moderated the association. We used data from the 2011, 2013, and 2018 waves of China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Study (CHARLS) and the 2014 CHARLS Life History Survey, which included 4781 respondents with living mothers and 2710 respondents with living fathers. Results from multilevel models showed that caregiving time for mothers or fathers was not significantly associated with adults’ depressive symptoms in general. However, more caregiving time for mothers was significantly associated with more depressive symptoms among respondents experiencing more frequent maternal childhood physical abuse. Altogether, childhood maltreatment may affect levels of caregiving stress decades later. Filial caregivers with a history of childhood physical abuse may require support.
Psychosocial Effects of Remote Reading with Telephone Support versus In-Person Health Education for Diverse, Older Adults
Authors: Shah Anjali R. , Ni Liang , Bay Allison A. , Hart Ariel R. , Perkins Molly M. , Hackney Madeleine E.
Published: September 2022

This study evaluated initial information about psychosocial differences of 130 diverse, older adults ( M age: 70.8 ± 9.2 years) who received a “low-tech” remote (independent reading with telephone support) or in-person education through DREAMS ( Developing a Research Participation Enhancement and Advocacy Training Program for Diverse Seniors) health seminar series. Outcomes on measures of depression, quality of life, and spatial extent of lifestyle of 115 completers were analyzed at baseline, immediately post-intervention, and 8-week follow-up. Adjusted at baseline, psychosocial outcomes were compared between groups at post-test and 8-week follow-up using adjusted mean differences. Post-participation, compared to remote participants, in-person participants had significantly lower depression on Beck Depression Inventory-II, Geriatric Depression Scale, and significantly higher mental quality of life on Short Form-12. This study links knowledge acquisition via in-person learning with decreased stress, depression, and increased quality of life among seniors. Identifying effective educational delivery methods may increase clinical research involvement for aging communities.
Are cosmetics based on alpha hydroxy acids safe to use when purchased over the internet?
Authors: Krstonošić Veljko , Ćirin Dejan
Published: September 2022

Alpha hydroxy acids (AHAs) are used in dermatology for topical treatment of skin disorders. Some regulatory bodies, including Food and Drug Administration (FDA), recommended labeling cosmetic products with sunburn alerts and proposed limitations regarding concentrations of AHAs in cosmetic products. In addition, The Cosmetic Ingredient Review (CIR) Expert Panel recommended 10% of AHAs in products as the maximal safe concentration. With a rapidly increasing trend of online purchasing of cosmetic products, it is important that their labels convey the necessary warnings and that they be harmonized with regulatory bodies regarding the recommended concentrations of AHAs. The aim of this report was to investigate whether or not the sunburn alert, as well as AHA recommendations mostly used for exfoliating cosmetic products, was visible to consumers during the online purchasing. The compliance with FDA and CIR Expert Panel standards was analyzed in the first 50 cosmetic products obtained after the conducted investigation on the Amazon.com e-commerce company website using the search term “AHA anti-aging.” It was found that exfoliating cosmetic products contained AHAs in a broad range of concentrations, from 2.5 up to 70%. Nineteen out of 50 products contained a concentration of AHAs greater than recommended. Twelve products did not contain any data at all regarding the concentration of AHAs. Sunburn alerts were present in 16 out of 50 analyzed product pages. In conclusion, more efforts should be made in providing users with information and the necessity of protection from potential complications after topical AHAs product treatments
Effect of sintering routes on CIP/EIP – Al2O3 composite magnetic abrasive for chemo-mechanical magneto-rheological finishing of aluminium 6061
Authors: Kumar Yogendra , Singh Harpreet
Published: September 2022

In magnetorheological fluid-based finishing processes, the lower gripping of abrasives in between ferromagnetic particle’s chain structure limits its finishing speed, resulting in a lower material removal rate and desired surface standard. In addition, tool ageing has significantly impacted these finishing processes at a higher speed. To improve the efficiency of finishing processes, composite magnetic abrasives are fabricated by using powder metallurgy techniques via both microwave and conventional processing (sintering) routes. Comparison studies were performed on these samples based on ferromagnetic materials (CIPs and EIPs) used and sintering at 950°C under fixed element composition. A newly advanced chemo-mechanical magneto-rheological finishing (CMMRF) process for aluminium alloy surface polishing was also proposed, combining mechanical abrasion and chemical action for the performance evaluation of composite magnetic abrasives. Most notably, the microwave processed composite magnetic abrasive outperformed conventionally processed samples in terms of magnetic and rheological properties. The composite magnetic abrasives significantly increased the rate of material removal from the metal surface while reducing the tool ageing effect. The surface profile and observation show that a nearly defect-free surface was produced at higher speeds using these composite magnetic abrasives compared to simply mixed abrasives based results.
Contact pressure distribution of Multi-cone friction pair considering capsizing moment and stress singularity at the interface end
Authors: Wang Yanzhong , Dou Delong
Published: September 2022

Contact characteristics of friction pair play a crucial role in the torque transmission capacity and temperature rise prediction of automotive clutches. In this study, a Multi-cone friction pair used in wet clutches has been proposed. Each pair of conical contact is considered as the contact between a finite stiffness punch and an elastic half-plane, and 2D finite element (FE) models are developed to calculate the contact load assignments. Considering the capsizing moment and stress singularity at the end of the contact interface, an analytic model is established to obtain the contact pressure distribution on each conical contact interface based on the results of contact load assignments. Finally, the numerical examples are given, and the influences of axial load, mating material characteristics, friction coefficient, and cone angle on contact pressure distribution have been discussed in detail, which supplies the guidance of parameters design for Multi-cone friction pair.
Influence of traffic complexity on railway gravity hump classification yard performance and capacity
Authors: Dick C. Tyler
Published: September 2022

An optimal freight train plan requires practitioners to find a balance between mainline and yard efficiencies by adjusting the complexity of the yard operation and evaluating trade-offs between the throughput volume, number of blocks and number of trains handled at a given classification (marshalling) yard. To increase knowledge of these trade-offs, YardSYM is used to model the Belt Railway Company of Chicago (BRC) Clearing Yard, a major gravity hump classification yard that processes approximately 3000 railcars per day. The experimental design specifies traffic patterns of varying complexity designed to determine the fundamental relationship between yard throughput volume, the total number of blocks assembled in the yard, and the level of service. Simulation results indicate that yard performance decreases as railcar volume increases and as the number of blocks increases. The simulation results also demonstrate the challenge of two diametrically opposed objectives for yard operators: maximizing railcar connections to outbound trains while departing outbound trains on schedule. Improved knowledge of these relationships can be implemented to advance network, traffic assignment, and blocking models, and allow practitioners to make more informed hump yard operating decisions that improve the efficiency of carload traffic and manifest train operations.
Analysis of barriers affecting the adoption of community solar from consumer's perspective: A hybrid ISM-DEMATEL approach
Authors: Thakur Pragya , Wilson Vincent Herald
Published: September 2022

Community solar has the capability to broaden solar accessibility and convalesce financial feasibility in comparison to conventional and commercial solar options and holds the potential to be part of the energy mix. Community solar avails ingress and affordability to solar power for those who may not be able to exploit it either due to financial or location constraints. Parallelly, it solves the issues related to electrification, fossil fuel crisis and greenhouse gas emission, contributes to sustainable development goals (SDG 7 and SDG 11), and realization of net-zero goals, however, the presence of barriers makes the adoption or scaling of community solar difficult. This research work intends to identify twelve crucial barriers for the adoption of community solar on the basis of the literature review and the perception of experts in the energy system. In this paper, we adopted hybrid Interpretive Structural Modeling (ISM) - Decision Ma king Trail and Evaluation Laboratory (DEMATEL) approach for comprehension of the causal and hierarchical relationships among barriers for community solar adoption. The result suggested that lack of consumer awareness, lack of regulations and policies addressing community solar and lack of business model are the most influential barriers as depicted in ISM-DEMATEL based methodology. With the presented novel method, policy-makers, utilities and communities can liaise, coordinate and practice the system-wide advantages of community energy projects. It can also aid the public sector in comprehending the barriers and requirements of people.
Output feedback adaptive controller of a autonomous skid-steering mobile vehicle based on sequential super-twisting differentiators
Authors: Fuentes-Alvarez Ruben , Chairez Isaac , Adams Kim , Salazar Sergio , Lopez-Gutierrez Ricardo
Published: September 2022

The main purpose of this work is to develop an output state-dependent controller that solves the path-tracking deviation error for a skid-steering autonomous vehicle. The controller takes advantage of a nonlinear diffeomorphism that transforms skid-steering autonomous vehicle into a multi-input multi-output chain of integrators. This research assumes that available skid-steering autonomous vehicle variables are its position and its orientation. This in fact motivates the development of a modified super-twisting algorithm operating as a sequential step-by-step differentiator that estimates traslational velocity and acceleration of the studied autonomous vehicle in a finite time, which were used as part of the controller implementation. Based on the estimated states by the step-by-step multi-variable differentiator, an adaptive control design enforces the asymptotic convergence of the tracking trajectories for the skid-steering autonomous vehicle to the origin. The explicit form of the controller gains is derived using a class of control Lyapunov function including the deviation corresponding to the tracking error and a term that defines a matrix norm associated with control gains. Numerical results confirm the workability of the proposed controller considering the reduced norm of tracking error obtained with the proposed controller. Experimental evaluations compared the adaptive control introduced in this study and a state-feedback form justifying the control proposal. The adaptive form enforced smaller tracking errors using the estimated states forced by the step-by-step differentiator and the information obtained from a multi-camera video high-frequency acquisition system.
Down Syndrome Detection Through Graphical Analysis of Facial Dysmorphic Features in Newborn Children With Ethnicity/Racial Slicing: An AI/ML-Based Approach
Authors: Mehra Saanvi , Shah Binoy , Sethi Ankur , Puri Ratna , Nimbalkar Somashekhar
Published: September 2022

Background

Down syndrome (DS) is associated with high mortality in India, due to nondiagnosis/late-diagnosis caused by unavailability of qualified doctors and/or lack of access to expensive medical/diagnostic facilities, especially in rural India. Using artificial intelligence/machine learning graphical pattern recognition tools, relevant facial points can be extracted from children’s photographs, facial anomalies can be identified, and probability of DS affliction can be predicted.

Methods:

Trained Google’s Cloud Vision AutoML Image Classification model was employed with ~2,000 photographs of DS positive children and ~3,000 photographs of DS negative children. A subset of 300 images, 100 each of Asian, Caucasian, and Other-Race children, was used to train and test 3 race-specific models. These results were compared against a unified model trained and tested with same 300 images.

Results:

The CloudML model trained with ~5,000 images initially achieved: Sensitivity—94.6%, specificity—96.9%, and accuracy—96.0%. Upon optimizing confidence threshold to 0.1, model maximized sensitivity at 99.6%, specificity dropped to 93.8%, and accuracy maintained at 96.0%. Each of the race-specific models trained with 100 images each, after optimization, yielded perfect scores on sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy of 100% each. Against this, the unified model with 300 images yielded overall accuracy of 98% (100% sensitivity, 83% specificity for Caucasian children, and 100% sensitivity, 100% specificity for Asian/Other children).

Conclusions:

Post optimization, this model can be used as an effective postnatal screening tool for DS detection. Preliminary results indicate that race-specific models can achieve even higher accuracy, sensitivity, and specificity.
Literature Review on Regulatory Frameworks for Addressing Discrimination in Clinical Supervision
Authors: Howard Stephenie , Alston Sharon , Brown Michelle , Bost Angela
Published: September 2022

Purpose: The purpose of this study is to explore existing frameworks and practices for addressing discrimination in supervision as well as patterns of discriminatory treatment in supervision identified in social work and related fields. Methods: The project employed a rapid review guided by the methods of Search, Appraisal, Synthesize, and Analysis (SALSA) and Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta Analysis (PRISMA). Results: The authors found evidence that discrimination in supervision is a documented problem that occurs in related fields. It revealed a range of social identities that have been the target of discrimination. It also found opportunities for social work to build on existing regulatory frameworks to address critical gaps. Conclusions: It is critical that social work take steps to fill the gap in social work professional standards and regulations and ensure that social workers from disadvantaged backgrounds have equal opportunity and access to training and licensure.
An Improved Nomogram to Reduce False-Positive Biopsy Rates of Breast Imaging Reporting and Data System Ultrasonography Category 4A Lesions
Authors: Hai Linyue , Feng Youqin , Zhao Jingjing , Tang Qiang , Wang Xuefei , Cao Xuchen , Xiao Chunhua
Published: September 2022

Background:

The NCCN clinical guidelines recommended core needle biopsy for breast lesions classified as Breast Imaging Reporting and Data System (BI-RADS) 4, while category 4A lesions are only 2-10% likely to be malignant. Thus, a large number of biopsies of BI-RADS 4A lesions were ultimately determined to be benign, and those unnecessary biopsies may incur additional costs and pains. However, it is important to emphasize that the current risk prediction model focuses primarily on the details and complex risk features of US or MG findings, which may be difficult to apply in order to benefit from the model. To stratify and manage BI-RADS 4A lesions effectively and efficiently, a more effective and practical predictive model must be developed.

Methods:

We retrospectively analyzed 465 patients with BI-RADS ultrasonography (US) category 4A lesions, diagnosed between January 2019 and July 2019 in Tianjin Medical University Cancer Institute and Hospital and National Clinical Research Center for Cancer. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses were conducted to identify risk factors. To stratify and predict the malignancy of BI-RADS 4A lesions, a nomogram combining the risk factors was constructed based on the multivariate logistic regression results. In order to determine the predictive performance of our predictive model, we used the concordance index (C-index), calibration curve, and receiver operating characteristic (ROC), and the decision curve analysis (DCA) to assess the clinical benefits.

Results:

Based on our analysis, 16.3% (76 out of 465) of patients were pathologically diagnosed with malignant lesions, while 83.6% (389 out of 465) were diagnosed with benign lesions. According to univariate and multivariate logistic regression analysis, age (OR = 3.414, 95%CI:1.849-6.303), nipple discharge (OR = .326, 95%CI:0.157-.835), palpable lesions (OR = 1.907, 95%CI:1.004-3.621), uncircumscribed margin (US) (OR = 1.732, 95%CI:1.033-2.905), calcification (mammography, MG) (OR = 2.384, 95%CI:1.366-4.161), BI-RADS(MG) (OR = 5.345, 95%CI:2.934-9.736) were incorporated into the predictive nomogram (C-index = .773). There was good agreement between the predicted risk and the observed probability of recurrence. Furthermore, we determined that 153 was the best cutoff score for distinguishing between patients in the low- and high-risk groups. Malignant lesions were significantly more prevalent in high-risk patients than in low-risk patients.

Conclusion:

Based on clinical, US, and MG features, we present a predictive nomogram to reliably predict the malignancy risk of BI-RADS(US) 4A lesions, which may assist clinicians in the selection of patients at low risk of malignancy and reduce the number of false-positive biopsies.
Me Too? Yes, Me Too! Sexual Harassment of Female Expatriates in China’s Overseas Enterprises
Authors: Gui Tianhan
Published: September 2022

Through in-depth interviews with Chinese female expatriates who have worked in the country's overseas enterprises in developing countries, this study found that female expatriates frequently encountered sexual harassment and other forms of gender-based prejudice from both home and host countries. The lack of organizational gender consciousness and mechanisms to address gender inequality contributes to women's vulnerability to gender-based workplace hostility. Thus, it is necessary for Chinese enterprises to reassess their organizational policies and cultures when expanding their international horizons to create more inclusive workplace environments. Implications to enhance organizational policies and mechanisms against gender discrimination are discussed.
Persistence in Indigenous language work during the COVID-19 pandemic
Authors: Chew Kari AB , McIvor Onowa , Hemlock Kanen’tó:kon , Marinakis Aliki
Published: September 2022

Through the COVID-19 pandemic, Indigenous communities have persisted in Indigenous language revitalization and reclamation efforts. This research utilized a scan of social media, a survey, and interviews, conducted in the summer and fall of 2020 and primarily focused on Canada, to explore: What shifts to support Indigenous language work occurred during the early months of the COVID-19 pandemic? and What were the impacts of these shifts on Indigenous language revitalization and reclamation? This article discusses six cross-cutting themes: (a) shifting and adapting language work to ensure community health and safety, (b) building capacity to make necessary shifts and adaptations, (c) facing challenges in shifting online, (d) promoting Indigenous languages online and in community, (e) creating and sharing language resources as alternative or increased activity, and (f) (re-)envisioning language education and pedagogy in a pandemic time. These themes exemplify Indigenous persistence in Indigenous language revitalization and reclamation work during the pandemic.
Nail Folds Capillaries Abnormalities Associated With Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus Progression and Correlation With Diabetic Retinopathy
Authors: Abd EL-Khalik Dina M , Hafez Eman A , Hassan Hanan E , Mahmoud Asmaa E , Ashour Doaa Maamoun , Morshedy Nashwa A
Published: September 2022

Background:

Diabetic retinopathy (DR) is an important microvascular consequence of long-term type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), and it can lead to blindness if not properly diagnosed and managed. Nailfold video capillaroscopy (NVC) is a non-invasive technique for observing capillary microvasculature.

Aim:

We aimed to evaluate the nail folds capillaroscopic alterations in patients with T2DM by NVC and correlated the results to DR, and their relation to disease duration and hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c).

Methods:

This cross-sectional study enrolled 62 cases with T2DM (as per the American Diabetes Association criteria). All patients were subjected to NVC and ophthalmological assessment.

Results:

NVC revealed that Patients with DR showed significantly higher frequencies of tortuous capillaries, branched capillaries and precapillary edema versus non-DR patients with P < .05. The DR patients with longer disease duration (15-20) years had significantly higher frequencies of branched capillaries, tortuous capillaries, microhemorrhages, and dilated apical capillaries. The frequency of tortuosity and precapillary edema were significantly higher in patients with poor glycemic control. The increased capillary width and branched capillaries were detected as predictors of DR in multivariate analysis.

Conclusion:

NVC is a cost-effective, quick, safe, simple, non-invasive, and newly emerging tool to assess the capillaroscopic alterations in diabetic patients as an indicator of severity of DR.
Partisanship and science advice: Do the right prefer economists and the left social scientists?
Authors: Hesstvedt Stine
Published: September 2022

It is often claimed that parties on the left and right have different preferences for scholarly knowledge. However, little research has addressed whether partisanship actually matters for science advice preferences, particularly in the European setting. Drawing on original data on governmental appointments of academic scholars to more than 1400 public advisory commissions in Norway between 1969 and 2020, this article examines whether the left–right divide matters for cabinets’ consultation of economists and social scientists. The findings reveal that left-wing governments in Norway have consulted scholars of social science—such as sociologists and political scientists—more frequently than right-wing governments. In contrast, partisanship seem to matter less for the consultation of economic scholars, as economists have been extensively used as advisors by both blocs in the period studied. Overall, the article contributes theoretical and empirical knowledge to the politics of science advice.
Using digital technology to enhance youth participatory evaluation
Authors: Liu Tze-Chang
Published: September 2022

The aim of this study is to demonstrate the challenges encountered in youth participatory evaluation and how digital technology may assist in overcoming these challenges. The study explores the meaning of youth participatory evaluation and examines the challenges faced in utilizing the approach. We argue that using digital technology can help overcome many challenges of youth participatory evaluations, with the added benefit that such technology may also attract and influence young people to engage more fully with evaluation processes. These findings show that digital technology helps decrease adultism, increase adults’ capacity to engage with youth, and respond to and empower youth. Some practical guidelines and challenges are also discussed.
Anthropological face casts: Towards an ethical processing of their histories and difficult legacies of intimacy and ambiguity
Authors: Isaac Gwyneira , Colebank Sadie
Published: September 2022

Anthropologically informed plaster face casts were created and collected in the 19th and 20th centuries as part of an effort to develop human typologies, and to acquire data on what were perceived to be the morphological attributes of race. Their subsequent affective, politically sensitive, promiscuously mobile, and precarious qualities have resulted in them occupying highly charged territories within collections, as well as between museums and descendant communities. They are objects with inherent ambiguities due to how they exist at the intersections of art and science, merging individual, cultural, political, and colonialized bodies. Casts also provide tangible traces of unwanted physical intimacy resulting from how colonized peoples often had no choice in being cast or handled by strangers. In recent years, however, they have also been used by descendent communities as memorials of family members. This article explores this potent intersection of ambiguity and intimacy that these casts occupy, arguing for ethical protocol for their treatment that acknowledges their history, colonial contexts, and the processes behind their creation, as well as their current re-socialization through renewed relationships with descendant communities.
Examining non-task language effect on production-based language switching: Evidence from Tibetan-Chinese-English trilinguals
Authors: Chen Jianlin , Wang Junzhao , Cairang Zhaxi , Xiong Yanyan , Zhang Congxia
Published: September 2022

Aims and objectives/purpose/research questions:

This study examined the non-task language effect in production-based language switching tasks by trilinguals using two of their languages. Non-task language refers to one of the languages of the trilinguals that is not used in a two-language switching task.

Design/methodology/approach:

Tibetan-Chinese-English participants (11th-grade high school students with a median age of 17) were recruited to perform picture naming tasks in three experiments, each with a different language pair of the trilinguals’ three languages (i.e., L1–L2, L2–L3, L1–L3). For each experiment, there were two groups of participants (30 for each group) with comparable proficiency in the two task languages but with significantly contrasted proficiency levels of the non-task language.

Data and analysis:

Each participant performed 216 trials and all together over 10,000 trials were used in the analysis of either the response times or the error rates in each experiment. Data of response times were analysed using linear mixed-effect models and data of error rates were analysed using logistic mixed models.

Findings/conclusions:

The response times and the error rates data across the three experiments revealed no main effect of non-task language proficiency, indicating a null effect of the non-task language. We proposed that a proactive language control mechanism might be used to overcome the interference from the non-task language.

Originality:

The non-task language effect in trilingual language switching is a rarely discussed topic.

Significance/implications:

This study is meaningful in evaluating the degree of generalizability of previous studies and can help gain insight into the underlying mechanisms of trilinguals’ language control.
Critical theory, Peirce and the theory of society
Authors: O’Mahony Patrick
Published: September 2022

The second-generation critical theory of Apel and Habermas was substantially built on the semiotic pragmatism of Charles Peirce. Along with critical theory generally, this variation requires a theory of society in which to embed its wide-ranging normative commitments. The article proposes re-orienting Habermas’s decades-old theory of communicative action, which contained essential pointers to a critical theory of society that has never been adequately taken up in either the critical social sciences or critical theory proper. Revising Habermas, Peirce is drawn upon to crystallize the preferred critical semiotic realist theory of society. Asemiotic social ontology of the necessary range and scope is accordingly put forward that centres on inferential communal reasoning within the wider contexts of social perception and social actuality. The resulting approach, overcoming established dichotomies, is realist and processual as well as substantive, critical as well as hermeneutic and phenomenological, transcendent as well as immanent, realist as well as idealist, a priori as well as a posteriori, cognitive as well as normative, macro as well as micro, individual as well as collective and creative as well as habitual.