bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
HPV test as a primary screening test in the prevention of cervical carcinoma in the Republic of Croatia
Authors: Vraneš Jasmina
Published: October 2022

The knowledge that persistent infection with the human papillomavirus (HPV) is a necessary cause of cervical cancer has led to changes in strategies for the prevention and early detection of this cancer, with aim to eradicate it. Primary prevention through the use of vaccines that prevent HPV infection has been implemented since 2006, while secondary prevention of cervical cancer has been significantly improved by the introduction of the HPV test, either as the only method of primary screening or in combination with the Pap test. Screening based on the Pap smear has been unquestionably successful in reducing incidence and mortality in the last century. More recently, there have been gradual changes in the use of the HPV test, from its use as a reflex test after the detection of mild cytological abnormalities, through co-testing, to the use of the HPV test as the only test in primary screening thanks to the evidence gathered from the use of large, randomized research and meta-analysis. The advantages of using the HPV test over the Pap test include a higher sensitivity in detecting premalignant lesions, a higher negative predictive value of the test, and a safe extension of the time interval between screenings. However, the introduction of the HPV test as a primary screening test is not so simple and requires strict testing quality control and elaborate guidelines to ensure an optimal strategy and prevent additional burden on the healthcare system. This review presents the national cervical cancer screening program in the Republic of Croatia, the problems that prevented the start of a pilot project in one Croatian county selected for the introduction of the HPV test as a primary screening test in the prevention of cervical carcinoma, and the tasks ahead in the next period which would ensure the smooth implementation of the pilot project and implement the HPV test as the primary screening test in Croatia. Based on the results of the pilot project, it is necessary to precisely define: the age at which primary HPV testing should start and stop in the cervical cancer screening program, the examination interval after a negative primary HPV test, further procedures with women with a positive primary HPV test, the procedures for conducting reflex cytological testing and further treatment of the patient in accordance with the findings, the possibilities and justification of introducing self-sampling as part of the cervical cancer screening program based on the HPV test as the primary screening test, and finally the type of HPV test that is most suitable for the primary screening in Croatia.
HPV virus genotyping by RT-PCR method
Authors: Gospodinović Hristina , Grego Edita , Pavlović Ljiljana , Obradović Marija , Čukić Ivan , Jovanović Verica , Jovanović Sofija
Published: October 2022

Cervical cancer is the second most common type of cancer of the female reproductive organs i.e., the third most common malignant tumor among women globally. The significance of HPV genotyping, a method used to identify specific HPV genotypes, has been recognized in recent decades as an important tool for the early detection of cervical cancer risk. In recent years, great progress has been made in understanding HPV molecular biology, a large number of tests have been developed, and there is ongoing research on the association between their diagnostic and therapeutic use. In the conducted research, a diagnostic kit manufactured by Sansure Biotech was used for HPV genotyping. This test comprises pairs of specific primers and specific fluorescent probes for genotyping 15 high-risk HPV genotypes (HPV 16, 18, 31, 33, 35, 39, 45, 51, 52, 53, 56, 58, 59, 66, 68). Out of a total of 41 cervical swabs analyzed, 17 were detected positive for 13 specific high-risk HPV genotypes. HPV 18 and HPV 52 genotypes were not detected in any analyzed sample, while HPV 16 (14%) and HPV 31 (17%) were detected with the highest frequency of occurrence. Although the results were obtained on a small number of samples, they have certainly indicated the importance of the application of the mentioned method for detecting oncogenic HPV variants that suggest an increased risk of cervical cancer in women in HPV screening programs in the wider population.
Organized cervical cancer screening in the "Novi Sad" Health Centre
Authors: Popov Ljerka
Published: October 2022

Cervical cancer can be prevented and cured by early detection. Yet, it is the fourth most common type of cancer among women worldwide. According to data from the Cancer Registry of the Institute of Public Health of Serbia "Dr. Milan Jovanović Batut," 1044 newly diagnosed cases were registered among women and 438 women died from this malignant localization in 2019. Human papillomavirus infection (hereinafter referred to as: HPV) is the most important risk factor for the development of cervical cancer. Thanks to the natural course of HPV infection and the biological behaviour of premalignant changes in the cervix, cervical cancer prevention can be carried out at the primary, secondary and tertiary prevention levels. Secondary prevention involves screening (early detection of asymptomatic forms of the disease) and represents an organized mass invitation of the target population of women (aged between 25 and 64 years) for testing and interpretation of test results, followed by quality assurance control and reporting. Organized screening is done at threeyear intervals in the healthy population and allows for detecting not only malignant disease but also precancerous changes whose removal prevents the occurrence of malignant diseases. The methodology used in this paper included the monitoring of screening results performed at the "Novi Sad" Health Centre in the period from 2013 to 2022. The documentation of the institution's regular reporting on screening results, which contains depersonalized aggregated data, was used as a data source. In the statistical data analysis, descriptive statistics was used and the data have been presented in tabular form. The Women's Health Care Service with its Cytology laboratory has been the implementer of the organized cervical cancer screening program at the "Novi Sad" Health Centre since 2013 (covering a population of 110,067 women aged 25 to 64 for the territory of the municipality of Novi Sad and the municipality of Sremski Karlovci). The gynaecology service of the "Novi Sad" Health Centre was highly commended by the Cervical Cancer Screening Office for the results achieved in terms of the highest coverage of the target population and the largest number of Pap smear tests performed. In the period from March 2013 to July 2022, a total of 210,410 swabs, of which 9,469 (4.5%) showed atypia, were taken for screening purposes at the "Novi Sad" Health Centre. The aim of the paper was to show the organization of the "Novi Sad" Health Centre as well as the results achieved in organized cervical cancer screening, as a secondary prevention measure that can contribute to the reduction in cervical cancer incidence and mortality rates among women.
Flash Flood Disaster Mitigation Through Environmental Education
Authors: Prasetyo Ketut
Published: October 2022

Flash flood disasters often hit many areas in Indonesia and can generate various losses. These conditions are exacerbated by people’s low knowledge and interest in their environment. Therefore, if people’s environmental education increases, especially their flood disaster mitigation knowledge, they can be prepared and better protect themselves from such disasters. People’s environmental education must start from determining the reason of the flood disaster in their environment to discovering how to avoid the disaster. This research design is a one-group post-test design. The collected data in this research is a written test result about knowledge in flash flood disaster mitigation materials as an implementation in environmental education in the community. The research data results were analyzed by means of simple regression, logistics regression, and correlation. Based on this research, environmental education with disaster mitigation materials has a high understanding level. In the disaster step, the highest understanding is before it happens. The correlation between educational strata and gender on environmental education and disaster mitigation materials is low. Finally, the role of women in disaster mitigation needs to improve because they have a higher understanding than males of disaster mitigation materials.
Terrien, a metabolite made by Aspergillus terreus, has activity against Cryptococcus neoformans
Authors: Cadelis Melissa , Grey Alex , van de Pas Shara , Geese Soeren , Weir Bevan S. , Copp Brent , Wiles Siouxsie
Published: October 2022

Antimicrobial compounds, including antibiotics, have been a cornerstone of modern medicine being able to both treat infections and prevent infections in at-risk people, including those who are immune-compromised and those undergoing routine surgical procedures. Their intense use, including in people, animals, and plants, has led to an increase in the incidence of resistant bacteria and fungi, resulting in a desperate need for novel antimicrobial compounds with new mechanisms of action. Many antimicrobial compounds in current use originate from microbial sources, such as penicillin from the fungus Penicillium chrysogenum (renamed by some as P. rubens). Through a collaboration with Aotearoa New Zealand Crown Research Institute Manaaki Whenua–Landcare Research we have access to a collection of thousands of fungal cultures known as the International Collection of Microorganisms from Plants (ICMP). The ICMP contains both known and novel species which have not been extensively tested for their antimicrobial activity. Initial screening of ICMP isolates for activity against Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus directed our interest towards ICMP 477, an isolate of the soil-inhabiting fungus, Aspergillus terreus. In our investigation of the secondary metabolites of A. terreus, through extraction, fractionation, and purification, we isolated nine known natural products. We evaluated the biological activity of selected compounds against various bacteria and fungi and discovered that terrein (1) has potent activity against the important human pathogen Cryptococcus neoformans.
Farmer Producer Organisations in Maharashtra: Prospects and Challenges
Authors: Rashtrapal Bagde Rajratna , Mathur Aditi , Beniwal Anubhav
Published: October 2022

The aim of Farmer Producer Organisations is to ensure better income for the producers through an organization of their own. This study has included Ahmednagar, Aurangabad, Jalgaon, and Pune districts of the state of Maharashtra, India because of their highest frequency of FPOs.  It was found that the majority of the FPOs selected were engaged in the production and marketing of the crops and the maximum share of the FPOs was promoted by NABARD, World Bank scheme. The majority of FPOs members were in the range of 101-500, while the majority of FPOs were established between 7-8 years. Inadequate contribution by the members exists because of the poor economy and inadequate finance, lack of transport, distance of the market, storage facility, and lack of access to office buildings.
Michael Sandel’s Conception of Community
Authors: Lien Mai Thi Hong , Son Ngo Khac , Giang Nguyen Thi Linh , Vuong Nguyen Hung
Published: October 2022

Community is the basis for the reasonings of Western communitarianism, without the community, there is no communitarianism. As representative of contemporary Western communitarianism, Michael Sandel is the first to introduce his unique concept of community, and on such foundation, built a theory about political community. So, what does “community” in Sandel’s notion mean? Such concept not only undergoes constant changes, but also is virtually ambiguous. In “Democracy’s Discontent”, Sandel argues that the discontents of contemporary American people are expressed in two points: First, either individually or collectively, they are losing their control on their lives. Second, all the moral constructs of the community surrounds them like family, neighborhood or nation are virtually dissolved. Sandel summarized these two ideas as “the loss of self-government” and “the erosion of community”, and those are becoming the common concerns of our time.
Evaluation of Phenotypic Stability for Grain Yield in Rice (Oryza sativa L.) Genotypes Using AMMI and GGE Biplot Models
Authors: Chandra B. Satish , Devi K. Rukmini , Lingaiah N. , Hari Y. , Prasad K. Rajendra
Published: October 2022

The experimens were carried out under four seasons with 9 rice genotypes at Regional Agricultural Research Station, Warangal, Telangana State, India during kharif season (July to November) 2019 (E1), rabi season (December to April) 2019-20 (E2), kharif season (July to November) 2020 (E3) and rabi season (December to April) 2020-21 (E4). The objective of the study was to assess the stability and adaptability of 9 rice genotypes over four seasons. Analysis of variance clearly showed that environments contributed the highest (69.66%) in the total sum of squares followed by genotypes×environments (12.66%) indicating a very greater role played by environments and their interactions in realizing final grain yield. AMMI 1 analysis revealed that rice genotypes viz., G4 (WGL 1367), G3 (WGL 1362), and G6 (WGL 1370) recorded higher mean grain yield with positive IPCA1 scores. AMMI 2 revealed that the genotypes, G6 (WGL 1370) and G3 (WGL 1362) were plotted near to zero IPCA1 axis indicating that these genotypes are relatively more stable across locations. GGE bi-plot genotype view depicts that the genotypes G4 (WGL 1367) and G3 (WGL 1362) were fell in the second concentric circle and found to be more stable across environments. GGE bi-plot environment view showed that rabi season of 2020-21 (E4) was the most ideal environment. However, rabi season of 2019-20 (E2) and kharif season 2020 (E3) were poor and most discriminating. What-won-where biplot indicated that four environments fell into two mega environments. Hence the genotype G4 (WGL 1367) was the winning genotype in the mega environment 1 viz., rabi season of 2019-20 (E2), rabi season of 2020-21 (E4) and kharif season of 2019 (E1). Whereas the genotype G9 (KNM 118) was the winner in the mega environment 2 i.e., Kharif, season of 2020 (E3).
Detection of Xanthomonas oryzae pv oryzae in BLB Paddy Seed Samples from Endemic Regions of Telangana State, India
Authors: Kiranmayi P. , Madhavi M. , Sujatha P. , Babu T. Kiran
Published: October 2022

Bacterial Leaf Blight disease (BLB) in rice caused by Xanthomonas oryzae pv oryzae (Xoo), is one of the most economically important diseases causing epidemics globally, resulting in severe crop losses of 50% in addition to affecting the seed quality in Asia. In the present study, ten BLB affected paddy seed samples were collected during Kharif, 2021-22 from the farmer's fields of major BLB endemic districts viz., Nizamabad and Khammam of Telangana state. The collected BLB seed samples were subjected to different standard seed health tests (ISTA, 1996) for detection and isolation of Xoo. Among the different methods evaluated, the detection of Xoo from BLB affected seed samples was high in the Agar plate method followed by the test tube water agar method. However, the component plating method revealed that, of the different seed components, the per cent recovery of Xoo was high from the embryo followed by lemma, palea and endosperm indicating the systemic type of infection of Xoo. Further, the results of the paper towel method stated that of the ten BLB affected paddy seed samples collected, the seed samples of Govuru village (Nizamabad district) and Rejarla village (Khammam district) have recorded below Indian Minimum Seed Certification Standards i.e 77.00% and 79.25% of per cent seed germination compared to the seed samples of other locations.
Effect of Sun Drying on Osmotic Dehydration of Beetroot (Beta vulgaris L.)
Authors: Vasantrao Patil Madhavsinha , Topno Samir E. , Kerketta Anita
Published: October 2022

An Experiment was conducted at the Postharvest laboratory, Department of Horticulture entitled with “Effect of osmotic dehydration of beetroot (Beta vulgaris L.) under sun drying” during the year 2021-2022 to determine the effect of sun drying on osmotic dehydration of beetroot slices for its evaluation of physio-chemical contents, shelf life, and sensory evaluation during total 60 days of storage period and to work out on the economics In this study, 10 treatments with varying amounts of salt, honey, sugar, and K2S2O5 were used, with 4 replications (10 days, 30 days, 45 days, and 60 days) of storage periods at ambient temperature. On the basis of results obtained during the investigation the best osmotic agent for drying of beetroot slice was  T7 Treated beetroot slices  (Sugar 200g/Kg + K2S2O5 0.5%) + Sun drying of beetroot slices) with pH (6.30), TSS (11.46), fat content (0.28), Protein content (2.41), weight (92.5g). T7 (Treated beetroot slices (Sugar 200g/Kg + K2S2O5 0.5%) + Sun drying of beetroot slices) was found to have the highest value for reducing sugar content, Flavour and Taste score, and overall acceptability. Treatment T7 also had the highest benefit-cost ratio (1.94).
Efficacy of Selected Chemical Insecticides against Shoot and Fruitborer [Earias vittella (Fabricius)] on Okra [Abelmoschus esculentus (L.) Moench.]
Authors: Naik Vankadavath Anil Kumar , Tayde Anoorag R. , Sakharam Chandra Ashok
Published: October 2022

A field trail was conducted at Central Research Farm (CRF), Naini, Prayagraj during Kharif from July to November 2021 in Randomized Block Design (RBD) with three replications. Eight treatments were evaluated against Earias vittella i.e., Flubendiamide @480% SC, Indoxacarb @ 14.5% SC, Spinosad @ 45% SC, Chlorantraniliprole 18.5% EC, Neem oil @ 2%, Emamectin benzoate @ 5% SG, Cypermethrin @ 25% EC and untreated Control.Results revealed that, among the different treatments lowest per cent infestation of okra shoot and fruitborer was recorded in Chlorantraniliprole 18.5% EC (8.02%,5.15%). Emamectin benzoate 5% SG (9.26%, 6.75%) was found to be the next best treatment followed by Flubendiamide@480% SC (10.29%, 7.48%), Cypermethrin@25%EC (11.41%,9.24), Indoxacarb @14.5% SC (12.32%,10.00%), Spinosad @ 45% SC (13.13%, 11.53%) whereas Neem oil @ 2% (14.25%,12.70) was found to be least effective against this pest. Among the treatments,  Chlorantraniliprole 18.5% EC gave the highest marketing yield and cost benefit ratio (188 q/ha and 1:8.41) followed by Emamectin benzoate 5% SG (176 q/ha and 1:8.41), Flubendiamide @ 480% SC (152q/ha and1:7.18), Cypermethrin @ 25% EC (135q/ha and1:6.22), Indoxacarb @ 14.5% SC (121.2q/ha and1:5.74), Spinosad @ 45% SC (114.6 q/ha and 1:5.29) and Neem oil @ 2% (102.4 q/ha and 1:4.80) as compared to control plot (87.2 q/ha and 1:4.2).
Serum Level of Calprotectin in Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis and Its Correlation with Disease Activity Clinicaland Ultrasonographic
Authors: Elfeky Ghada Marouf Mahmoud , Mohamed Riham Abdel Moneim , Hussein Manal Shawky , Hussein Mervat Ismail
Published: October 2022

Background: Calprotectin is an essential proinflammatory component of the innate immune system. Musculoskeletal ultrasound (MSUS) was shown to be a relevant and accurate evaluation method for people with chronic inflammatory arthropathies. Therefore, it has been deemed promising for assessing the joints of children with Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis (JIA). This research aims to determine the blood level of calprotectin in patients with juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA) and its connection with activity measures and ultrasonographically identified synovitis.

Methods: This study was carried out on 30 JIA patients, and 30 apparentlyhealthy children as controlsof matching age and sex. All patients were subjected to the following: history taking, complete clinical examination,disease activity assessment, full laboratory investigations, Ultrasound examination and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) to assay the level of calprotectin in serum samples.

Results: Oligoarticular was the most common type of JIA.Methotrexate was the most common DMARD used either alone or with systemic corticosteroids.There was significant difference between JIA patients and controls as regard haemoglobin, ESRand CRP. JIA patients had significantly higher serumcalprotectin levels when compared to controls.Systemic subtype was founded to have higher serum calprotectin levels. There was significant positive correlation between serum calprotectin and clinical parameters of disease activity (JADAS 27), CRP, ESR, serum ferritin and ultrasound score (EULAR-OMERACT combined scoring system for grading synovitis).There was insignificant correlation between serum calprotectin levels and RF, ANA and AntiCCP in patients’ group.Therewas positive significant correlation between ultrasound score (EULAR-OMERACT combined scoring system for grading synovitis) and disease activity (JADAS 27).

Conclusion: Our research demonstrates a substantial correlation between serum calprotectin levels and clinical, laboratory, and ultrasound measures of joint inflammation. Serum In ordinary clinical practise, calprotectin is a helpful biomarker that, together with other indicators such as CRP and ESR and our clinical judgement, helps us make treatment choices. Indeed, this protein is very stable and readily detectable in serum.
Exponential Model for Adsorption Kinetics
Authors: Amah V. E. , Agunwamba J. C.
Published: October 2022

Adsorption is one of the most widely applied techniques for the removal of contaminants from the environment. The effectiveness of an adsorbent is dependent on its kinetics. There are lots of studies on adsorption kinetics, and several mathematical models have been developed to describe this process based on certain perceived underlying mechanism. However, most models which have been used to fit the kinetic data have shown a moderate level of correlation or no fit at all. This is mainly because of error in assuming the governing equation and erroneous assumptions when finding solutions to the governing equations. In this research an exponential model is proposed. It is believed that adsorption of an adsorbate onto an adsorbent follows essentially two stages. There is a rapid stage that tends towards a first phase pseudo-equilibrium (Qr(0)) at a rate of kr and transits at a time ‘tr’ and rate ktr to a slow stage which tends towards a second phase pseudo-equilibrium (Qs(0)) at a rate of ka which marks the climax of the process. Mathematical equations were used to describe this process and solved analytically to obtain the new exponential model. The model was used to estimate kinetic data and compared with the first and second order equations with an R2 of 0.994, 0.999 and 0.998 respectively. The new adsorption parameters Qr(0) , Qs(0), kr, ks, ktr and tr  were also extracted from the calibrated model.
Particles in Loop Quantum Gravity Formalism: A Thermodynamical Description
Authors: Araújo Filho A. A.
Published: October 2022

In this work, the thermodynamical behavior of massive and massless particles is analyzed within loop quantum gravity formalism. A modified dispersion relation is investigated which suffices to derive all the results of interest in an analytical manner. Initially, the massive case is studied where, in essence, it is examined how the mass modifies the thermodynamical properties of the system. On the other hand, to the massless case, the thermodynamical system turns out to depend only on a specific thermal state quantity, the temperature. More so, the analysis of the spectral radiation, the equation of states, the mean energy, the entropy, and the heat capacity are provided as well for both cases. Finally, the thermodynamical properties of the particles under consideration depends on the Riemann zeta function .
Two pediatric oncologic cases of hypereosinophilic syndrome and review of the literature
Authors: Voeller Julie , DeNapoli Thomas , Griffin Timothy C.
Published: October 2022

Background

Persistent peripheral blood hypereosinophilia may cause tissue damage, leading to hypereosinophilic syndrome (HES) with end‐organ dysfunction. Here we discuss two unique pediatric cases of primary hypereosinophilic syndrome with oncologic etiologies to highlight the importance of early recognition, workup and treatment of HES.

Case 1

A previously healthy 7‐year‐old male presented with acute myocardial infarction and transient ischemic attack and found to have significant hyperleukocytosis with a total white blood count of 131 000 and hypereosinophilia with an absolute eosinophil count of 99 560. He was ultimately diagnosed with precursor B‐cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia with immunoglobulin heavy chain gene rearrangement. He completed standard treatment without significant complications and remains in remission at about 2 years off therapy. He is in overall good health and has normal cardiac function.

Case 2

A 13‐year‐old female was referred for iron deficiency and reported a history of severe anxiety, shortness of breath and anorexia. She had experienced fatigue and dizziness associated with frequent panic attacks and shortness of breath with strenuous activity since the age of five. Serial laboratory investigations revealed persistent hypereosinophilia (AEC 4000‐6000/μl). Additional workup revealed elevated vitamin B12 (>2000 pg/ml; normal range: 243–894) and tryptase (16.4 ng/ml; normal range: ≤10.9). The FIP1L1‐PDGFRA gene fusion was detected by fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) on peripheral blood, diagnostic for myeloid/lymphoid neoplasm with eosinophilia. Evaluation for end‐organ damage associated with persistent hypereosinophilia included an echocardiogram which revealed severe restrictive cardiomyopathy with pulmonary hypertension. Monotherapy with imatinib was initiated, after which she achieved a rapid hematologic response and remains in molecular remission, though she continues to have persistent asymptomatic severe pulmonary hypertension in the setting of severe diastolic dysfunction.

Conclusion

Persistent hyperosinophilia can be a silent cause of significant and often irreversible tissue damage and should therefore always prompt workup for both primary and secondary causes.
Synergetic effect of high dose rate radiations (10× FFF/2400 MU/min/10 MV x‐rays) and paclitaxel selectively eliminates melanoma cells
Authors: Lodhi Niraj , Nagpal Poonam , Sarojini Sreeja , Keck Michaela , Chiu Yuk Ming , Parvez Zeenath , Adrianzen Laura , Suh K. Stephen
Published: October 2022

Background

Melanoma is one of the most aggressive cancers, with 1.6% of total cancer deaths in the United States. In recent years treatment options for metastatic melanoma have been improved by the FDA approval of new therapeutic agents. However, these inhibitors‐based therapies are non‐specific and have severe toxicities, including hyperkeratosis, photosensitivity, hepatitis, arthralgia, and fatigue.

Aims

The aim of this study is to determine the synthetic lethal effect (paclitaxel and radiations) on melanoma cells and reduce the total radiation doses by increasing the dose rates up to 2400 MU/min.

Methods and Results

We previously reported a radiation treatment (10 MV x‐rays, 10X‐FFF, dose rate 2400MU/min, low total dose 0.5 Gy) that kills melanoma cells with 80% survival of normal HEM in vitro. In this study, we extended the radiation cycle up to four and included paclitaxel treatment to study the synthetic lethal effect on melanoma and two other normal primary cells, HDF and HEK. Cells were treated with paclitaxel prior to the radiation at a dose rate of 400 and 2400 MU/min with a total radiation dose of only 0.5 Gy. Mitochondrial respiration assay, DNA damage assay, and colony formation assays were performed to study apoptosis and cell death induction. Four days of consequent radiation treatment with paclitaxel significantly reduces the survival of melanoma cells by inducing apoptosis and mitochondrial damage. After treatment, excessive DNA damage in melanoma cells leads to an increase in the expression of pro‐apoptotic genes (Caspase‐3) and a decrease in the expression of DNA repair gene (PARP1) and anti‐apoptotic gene (Bcl‐2) to activate the apoptosis pathway. The combination of paclitaxel and radiation reduces the survival of melanoma cells colonies compared to radiation alone.

Conclusion

Our study indicates that radiations with paclitaxel have a potential synthetic lethal effect on melanoma cells and can be developed as a melanoma therapy without toxicities or harmful effects on normal primary skin cells.
First‐Principles Study of the Properties of Pmn21‐B1−xAlxAs
Authors: Yang Ruike , Yue Xilin , Wu Fuping , Wei Qun , Zhou Ye , Xue Minhua
Published: October 2022

A class of structures, Pmn21‐B1−xAlxAs (x = 0, 0.25, 0.5, 0.75) is predicted and its mechanical, electronic and optical properties are calculated by first‐principles calculations. The ground‐state structural stability of Pmn21‐B1−xAlxAs at 0 and 100 GPa pressure is confirmed by analyzing the obtained binding energies, enthalpy of formation, and phonon spectra. The calculated elastic constants, Poisson's ratio, shear modulus, and bulk modulus indicate that B0.75Al0.25As and BAs exhibit brittleness, and B0.25Al0.75As and B0.5Al0.5As exhibit ductility. The energy band structures of Pmn21‐B1−xAlxAs (x = 0, 0.25, 0.5, 0.75, 1) calculated by the HSE06 mixing function are direct band gaps, and the band gaps are 1.833, 0.868, 1.498, 1.630 and 2.372 eV. The optical properties of Pmn21‐B1−xAlxAs (x = 0, 0.25, 0.5, 0.75) are analyzed. For these four Pmn21‐B1−xxAlxAs (x = 0, 0.25,0.5, 0.75), the static refractive indices n(0) are 2.53, 2.52, 2.52 and 3.11, and the peak reflection coefficients are 13.1, 12.5, 11.8 and 11.5 eV, respectively. The absorption spectrum is mainly in the range of 0 eV–18 eV, and the absorption spectrum maxima of Pmn21‐B1−xAlxAs are located at 7.15, 6.7, 6.2 and 5.2 eV. The maximum real parts of conductivity of Pmn21‐B1−xAlxAs (x = 0, 0.25, 0.5, 0.75) are located at 6.38, 6.1, 5.48 and 4.7 eV, respectively.
Deterministic Preparation of a Hyper‐Entangled Three‐Photon Asymmetric W State Assisted by the Single‐Sided QD‐Cavity System
Authors: Dong Li , Lv Liu , Yang Zi‐Long , Liu Si‐Tong , Wang Xin‐Ying , Geng Xue , Ren Yuan‐Peng , Ji Yan‐Qiang , Xiu Xiao‐Ming
Published: October 2022

Hyper‐entangled states that encode qubits in multiple degrees of freedom of a quantum system can provide a decisive advantage in quantum information processing, such as improving the capacity of communication and speeding up the computation. Assisted by quantum dots in single‐sided optical microcavities, nonlinear interaction of optical circular polarizations is induced and a deterministic scheme for preparing a three‐photon hyper‐entangled asymmetric W state with polarization degree of freedom and spatial degree of freedom is proposed. The preparing process is composed of three steps: the preparation of a three‐photon polarization entangled asymmetric W state; the preparation of a three‐photon spatial entangled asymmetric W state; the preparation of a three‐photon hyper‐entangled asymmetric W state. It can be generalized to generate a three‐photon general W state according to practical requirement.
Matching Students to Text: The Targeted Reader
Authors: Stenner A. Jackson
Published: October 2022

Teachers make use of these two premises to match readers to text. Knowing a lot about text is helpful because “text matters” (Hiebert, 1998). But ordering or leveling text is only half the equation. We must also assess the level of the readers. These two activities are necessary so that the right books can be matched to the right reader at the right time. When teachers achieve this match intuitively, they are rewarded with students choosing to read more.
From Model to Measurement with Dichotomous Items
Authors: Burdick Don , Stenner A. Jackson , Kyngdon Andrew
Published: October 2022

Psychometric models typically represent encounters between persons and dichotomous items as a random variable with two possible outcomes, one of which can be labeled success. For a given item, the stipulation that each person has a probability of success defines a construct on persons. This model specification defines the construct, but measurement is not yet achieved. The path to measurement must involve replication; unlike coin-tossing, this cannot be attained by repeating the encounter between the same person and the same item. Such replication can only be achieved with more items whose features are included in the model specifications. That is, the model must incorporate multiple items. This chapter examines multi-item model specifications that support the goal of measurement. The objective is to select the model that best facilitates the development of reliable measuring instruments. From this perspective, the Rasch model has important features compared to other models.
How to Model and Test for the Mechanisms That Make Measurement Systems Tick
Authors: Stenner A. Jackson , Stone Mark , Burdick Donald
Published: October 2022

One must provide information about the conditions under which [the measurement outcome] would change or be different. It follows that the generalizations that figure in explanations [of measurement outcomes] must be change-relating… Both explainers [e.g., person parameters and item parameters] and what is explained [measurement outcomes] must be capable of change, and such changes must be connected in the right way (Woodward, 2003). Rasch’s unidimensional models for measurement tell us how to connect object measures, instrument calibrations, and measurement outcomes. Substantive theory tells us what interventions or changes to the instrument must offset a change to the measure for an object of measurement to hold the measurement outcome constant. Integrating a Rasch model with a substantive theory dictates the form and substance of permissible conjoint interventions. Rasch analysis absent construct theory and an associated specification equation is a black box in which understanding may be more illusory than not. The mere availability of numbers to analyze and statistics to report is often accepted as methodologically satisfactory in the social sciences, but falls far short of what is needed for a science.
Metrology for the Social, Behavioral, and Economic Sciences
Authors: Fisher William P. , Stenner A. Jackson
Published: October 2022

A metrological infrastructure for the social, behavioral, and economic sciences has foundational and transformative potentials relating to education, health care, human and natural resource management, organizational performance assessment, and the economy at large. The traceability of universally uniform metrics to reference standard metrics is a taken-for-granted essential component of the infrastructure of the natural sciences and engineering. Advanced measurement methods and models capable of supporting similar metrics, standards, and traceability for intangible forms of capital have been available for decades but have yet to be implemented in ways that take full advantage of their capacities. The economy, education, health care reform, and the environment are all now top national priorities. There is nothing more essential to succeeding in these efforts than the quality of the measures we develop and deploy. Even so, few, if any, of these efforts are taking systematic advantage of longstanding, proven measurement technologies that may be crucial to the scientific and economic successes we seek. Bringing these technologies to the attention of the academic and business communities for use, further testing, and development in new directions is an area of critical national need.
Causal Rasch Models
Authors: Stenner A. Jackson , Fisher William P. , Stone Mark H. , Burdick Donald
Published: October 2022

Rasch’s unidimensional models for measurement show how to connect object measures (e.g., reader abilities), measurement mechanisms (e.g., machine-generated cloze reading items), and observational outcomes (e.g., counts correct on reading instruments). Substantive theory shows what interventions or manipulations to the measurement mechanism can be traded off against a change to the object measure to hold the observed outcome constant. A Rasch model integrated with a substantive theory dictates the form and substance of permissible interventions. Rasch analysis, absent construct theory and an associated specification equation, is a black box in which understanding may be more illusory than not. Finally, the quantitative hypothesis can be tested by comparing theory-based trade-off relations with observed trade-off relations. Only quantitative variables (as measured) support such trade-offs. Note that to test the quantitative hypothesis requires more than manipulation of the algebraic equivalencies in the Rasch model or descriptively fitting data to the model. A causal Rasch model involves experimental intervention/manipulation on either reader ability or text complexity or a conjoint intervention on both simultaneously to yield a successful prediction of the resultant observed outcome (count correct). We conjecture that when this type of manipulation is introduced for individual reader text encounters and model predictions are consistent with observations, the quantitative hypothesis is sustained.
Comparison Is Key
Authors: Stone Mark H. , Stenner A. Jackson
Published: October 2022

Several concepts from Georg Rasch's last papers are discussed. The key one is comparison because Rasch considered the method of comparison fundamental to science. From the role of comparison stems scientific inference made operational by a properly developed frame of reference producing specific objectivity. The exact specifications Rasch outlined for making comparisons are explicated from quotes, and the role of causality derived from making comparisons is also examined. Understanding causality has implications for what can and cannot be produced via Rasch measurement. His simple examples were instructive, but the implications are far reaching upon first establishing the key role of comparison.
Construct Definition Methodology and Generalizability Theory Applied to Career Education Measurement
Authors: Stenner A. Jackson , Rohlf Richard J.
Published: October 2022

The field of career education measurement is in disarray. Evidence mounts that today’s career education instruments are verbal ability measures in disguise. A plethora of trait names such as career maturity, career development, career planning, career awareness, and career decision making have, in the last decade, appeared as labels to scales comprised of multiple choice items. Many of these scales appear to be measuring similar underlying traits and certainly the labels have a similar sound or “jingle” to them. Other scale names are attached to clusters of items that appear to measure different traits and at first glance appear deserving of their unique trait names, e.g., occupational information, resources for exploration, work conditions, personal economics. The items of these scales look different and the labels correspondingly are dissimilar or have a different “jangle” to them.
Theory-Based Metrological Traceability in Education: A Reading Measurement Network
Authors: Fisher William P. , Stenner A. Jackson
Published: October 2022

Huge resources are invested in metrology and standards in the natural sciences, engineering, and across a wide range of commercial technologies. Significant positive returns of human, social, environmental, and economic value on these investments have been sustained for decades. Proven methods for calibrating test and survey instruments in linear units are readily available, as are data- and theory-based methods for equating those instruments to a shared unit. Using these methods, metrological traceability is obtained in a variety of commercially available elementary and secondary English and Spanish language reading education programs in the U.S., Canada, Mexico, and Australia. Given established historical patterns, widespread routine reproduction of predicted text-based and instructional effects expressed in a common language and shared frame of reference may lead to significant developments in theory and practice. Opportunities for systematic implementations of teacher-driven lean thinking and continuous quality improvement methods may be of particular interest and value.
Towards an Alignment of Engineering and Psychometric Approaches to Uncertainty in Measurement: Consequences for the Future
Authors: Fisher William P. , Stenner A. Jackson
Published: October 2022

The International Vocabulary of Measurement (VIM) and the Guide to Uncertainty in Measurement (GUM) shift the terms and concepts of measurement information quality away from an Error Approach toward a model-based Uncertainty Approach. An analogous shift has taken place in psychometrics with the decreasing use of True Score Theory and increasing attention to probabilistic models for unidimensional measurement. These corresponding shifts emerge from shared roots in cognitive processes common across the sciences and they point toward new opportunities for an art and science of living complex adaptive systems. The psychology of model-based reasoning sets the stage for not just a new consensus on measurement and uncertainty, and not just for a new valuation of the scientific status of psychology and the social sciences, but for an appreciation of how to harness the energy of self-organizing processes in ways that harmonize human relationships.
The Unreasonable Effectiveness of Theory Based Instrument Calibration in the Natural Sciences: What Can the Social Sciences Learn?
Authors: Stenner A. Jackson , Stone Mark H. , Fisher William P.
Published: October 2022

In his classic paper entitled “The Unreasonable Effectiveness of Mathematics in the Natural Sciences,” Eugene Wigner addresses the question of why the language of Mathematics should prove so remarkably effective in the physical [natural] sciences. He marvels that “the enormous usefulness of mathematics in the natural sciences is something bordering on the mysterious and that there is no rational explanation for it.” We have been similarly struck by the outsized benefits that theory based instrument calibrations convey on the natural sciences, in contrast with the almost universal practice in the social sciences of using data to calibrate instrumentation.
On the Complex Geometry of Individuality and Growth: Cook’s 1914 “Curves of Life” and Reading Measurement
Authors: Fisher William P. , Stenner A. Jackson
Published: October 2022

Growth in reading ability varies across individuals in terms of starting points, velocities, and decelerations. Reading assessments vary in the texts they include, the questions asked about those texts, and in the way responses are scored. Complex conceptual and operational challenges must be addressed if we are to coherently assess reading ability, so that learning outcomes are comparable within students over time, across classrooms, and across formative, interim, and accountability assessments. A philosophical and historical context in which to situate the problems emerges via analogies from scientific, aesthetic, and democratic values. In a work now over 100 years old, Cook's study of the geometry of proportions in art, architecture, and nature focuses more on individual variation than on average general patterns. Cook anticipates the point made by Kuhn and Rasch that the goal of research is the discovery of anomalies—not the discovery of scientific laws. Bluecher extends Cook’s points by drawing an analogy between the beauty of individual variations in the Parthenon’s pillars and the democratic resilience of unique citizen soldiers in Pericles’ Athenian army. Lessons for how to approach reading measurement follow from the beauty and strength of stochastically integrated variations and uniformities in architectural, natural, and democratic principles.
Toward a Theory of Construct Definition
Authors: Stenner A. Jackson , Smith Malbert , Burdick Donald S.
Published: October 2022

The process of ascribing meaning to scores produced by a measurement procedure is generally recognized as the most important task in developing an educational or psychological measure, be it an achievement test, interest inventory, or personality scale. This process, which is commonly referred to as construct validation (Cronbach, 1971; Cronbach & Meehl, 1955; ETS, 1979; Messick, 1975, 1980), involves a family of methods and procedures for assessing the degree to which a test measures a trait or theoretical construct.
Most Comprehension Tests Do Measure Reading Comprehension: A Response to McLean and Goldstein
Authors: Stenner A. Jackson , Horabin Ivan , Smith Dean R. , Smith Malbert
Published: October 2022

There is nothing wrong with the NAEP reading exercises, the sampling design, or the NAEP Reading Proficiency Scale, these authors maintain. But adding a rich criterion-based frame of reference to the scale should yield an even more useful tool for shaping U.S. educational policy.
Feedbacks between fast brittle faulting, hydrothermal fluid flow, and metal transport within carbonated ultramafics (Ligurian Western Alps, Italy)
Authors: Garofalo Paolo S. , Scarsi Marco , Gundlach-Graham Alexander , Schwarz Gunnar , Günther Detlef
Published: October 2022

The Bisciarelle fault is a brittle thrust crosscutting lherzolite of the Voltri Massif (Italy) and is similar to the historical gold veins of the area. This is a 16-m-thick fault showing a large damage zone and a 4-m-wide hydrothermal alteration halo. Its fault rocks interacted with a hydrothermal fluid and host peculiar Au-bearing zones made of concentric and circular dolomite aggregates, which we call spherulites, and chalcedony. To constrain spherulite genesis, we quantify fluid-fault interactions at Bisciarelle combining field and microtextural data, mass transfer calculations, and a multi-technique analytical dataset including element imaging by laser ablation-inductively coupled plasma-time-of-flight mass spectrometry. We show that faulting was coupled with significant transfer of H2O, CO2, Ca, Sb, and W from the fault fluid to the protolith, and variable transfers of SiO2 and some trace elements from the protolith to the fluid. This process deposited Au within the spherulites, caused serpentinization and carbonation of the protolith, and weakened the fault localizing subsequent shearing events and providing components for the growth of spherulites and the other fault rocks.

We interpret Bisciarelle as a permeable epizonal orogenic vein, which formed fast as a result of dilation and top-to-NE shearing. This fault developed via cycles of fluid pressure build-up, opening, fluid effervescence, and mineral precipitation from a H2O-CO2 hydrothermal fluid. The fluid transported and deposited a suite of metals including Au and interacted with the protolith. A similar mechanism of faulting and reactive fluid flow could have generated the other Au deposits of the area.