bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Decreased immune functions of blood cells following mobilization with granulocyte colony-stimulating factor: association with donor characteristics
Authors: Joshi Shantaram S. , Lynch James C. , Pavletic Steve Z. , Tarantolo Stefano R. , Pirruccello Samuel J. , Kessinger Anne , Bishop Michael R.
Published: July 2002

In this study, mononuclear cells (MNCs) from granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF)–mobilized blood stem cell (BSC) harvests from 104 healthy donors were analyzed for their immunological functions and compared with MNCs from 28 steady-state nonmobilized donors. The relationships between donor characteristics (age, gender, weight, and HLA type) and immune functions of the harvests were also analyzed. There was a significant (P < .01) decrease in natural killer and lymphokine-activated killer (LAK) cell–mediated cytotoxicity for G-CSF–mobilized effector cells compared with nonmobilized cells. Similarly, there was a significant (P < .005) decrease in both T-cell and B-cell mitogen response in G-CSF–mobilized cells compared with nonmobilized cells. There was dose-dependent inhibition of LAK cell–mediated cytotoxicity, but this effect was not seen with other immune function assays. Changes in immune function did not appear to be determined by frequency of cellular phenotypes or expression of effector function genes seen in a reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction. There was a significant relationship between expression of certain HLA alleles (A1, A3, A24, B44, B62, DR15, DR17; allP < .01) and increased immune function, such as cytotoxicity and/or mitogen response. A decrease in immune function with the HLA-DR13 expression was also observed (P < .01). Since the G-CSF increases the number of MNCs, the increase in effector cells might compensate for decreased immune functions of these cells in vivo when transplanted into patients. These results suggest a decreased immune function in G-CSF–mobilized BSC harvests and warrant further studies to correlate these data with clinical outcome.
Regulation of polymorphonuclear leukocyte degranulation and oxidant production by ceramide through inhibition of phospholipase D
Authors: Mansfield Pamela J. , Hinkovska-Galcheva Vania , Carey Shannon S. , Shayman James A. , Boxer Laurence A.
Published: July 2002

Exogenous C2-ceramide has been shown to inhibit polymorphonuclear leukocyte (PMN) phagocytosis through inhibition of phospholipase D (PLD) and downstream events, including activation of extracellular signal–regulated kinases 1 and 2, leading to the hyphothesis that the sphingomyelinase pathway is involved in termination of phagocytosis. Here it is postulated that increased PLD activity generating phosphatidic acid and diacylglycerol (DAG) is essential for superoxide release and degranulation and that ceramide, previously shown to be generated during PMN activation, inhibits PLD activation, thereby leading to inhibition of PMN function. When PMNs were primed with granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF) and then activated with N-formyl-methionyl-leucyl-phenylalanine (FMLP), C2-ceramide (10 μM) completely inhibited release of superoxide, lactoferrin, and gelatinase; the DAG analog sn-1,2-didecanoylglycerol (DiC10) (10 μM) restored oxidase activation and degranulation in the ceramide-treated cells. Similarly, C2-ceramide inhibited oxidase activity and degranulation of PMNs treated with cytochalasin B followed by FMLP, and DiC10 restored function. In contrast, C2-ceramide did not inhibit phosphorylation of p47phox or p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase, or translocation of p47phox, PLD-containing organelles, adenosine diphosphate–ribosylation factor 1, RhoA, protein kinase C (PKC)–β or PKC-α to the plasma membrane in G-CSF or cytochalasin B–treated, FMLP-activated PMNs. PLD activity increased by 3-fold in G-CSF–primed PMNs stimulated by FMLP and by 30-fold in cytochalasin B–treated PMNs stimulated by FMLP. Both PLD activities were completely inhibited by 10 μM C2-ceramide. In conclusion, superoxide, gelatinase, and lactoferrin release require activation of the PLD pathway in primed PMNs and cytochalasin B–treated PMNs. Ceramide may affect protein interactions with PLD in the plasma membrane, thereby attenuating PMN activation.
Complete genome assemblies and antibiograms of 22 Staphylococcus capitis isolates
Authors: Wan Yu , Pike Rachel , Harley Alessandra , Mumin Zaynab , Potterill Isabelle , Meunier Danièle , Ganner Mark , Getino Maria , Coelho Juliana , Jauneikaite Elita , Moganeradj Kartyk , Brown Colin S. , Holmes Alison H. , Demirjian Alicia , Hopkins Katie L. , Pichon Bruno
Published: February 2025

Objective

Staphylococcus capitis is part of the human microbiome and an opportunistic pathogen known to cause catheter-associated bacteraemia, prosthetic joint infections, skin and wound infections, among others. Detection of S. capitis in normally sterile body sites saw an increase over the last decade in England, where a multidrug-resistant clone, NRCS-A, was widely identified in blood samples from infants in neonatal intensive care units. To address a lack of complete genomes and antibiograms of S. capitis in public databases, we performed long- and short-read whole-genome sequencing, hybrid genome assembly, and antimicrobial susceptibility testing of 22 diverse isolates.

Data description

We present complete genome assemblies of two S. capitis type strains (subspecies capitis: DSM 20326; subspecies urealyticus: DSM 6717) and 20 clinical isolates (NRCS-A: 10) from England. Each genome is accompanied by minimum inhibitory concentrations of 13 antimicrobials including vancomycin, teicoplanin, daptomycin, linezolid, and clindamycin. These 22 genomes were 2.4–2.7 Mbp in length and had a GC content of 33%. Plasmids were identified in 20 isolates. Resistance to teicoplanin, daptomycin, gentamicin, fusidic acid, rifampicin, ciprofloxacin, clindamycin, and erythromycin was seen in 1–10 isolates. Our data are a resource for future studies on genomics, evolution, and antimicrobial resistance of S. capitis.
Prevalence and characterization of class I integrons in multidrug-resistant Escherichia coli isolates from humans and food-producing animals in Zhejiang Province, China
Authors: Jiang Han , Ran Meijuan , Wang Xinyuan , Chen Qi , Wang Jing , Ruan Zhi , Wang Jingwen , Tang Biao , Fang Jiehong
Published: February 2025

Class I integrons have garnered significant attention due to pivotal roles in the dissemination of antimicrobial resistance genes (ARGs), which impose risks to public health and food safety. Here, the prevalence and characteristics of class I integrons in Escherichia coli isolates derived from food-producing animals and human patients were assessed. Of 721 E. coli isolates collected from human patients (113), pigs (298), and poultry (310), 93 (12.90%) carried the class I integrase gene (intI1). Multilocus sequence typing identified 39 sequence types from 93 intI1-postive isolates, including three novel types. Sequence analysis revealed that 59 classical class I integrons encompassed six distinct gene cassettes arrangements [dfrA17-aadA5, dfrA12-aadA2, dfrA1-aadA1, dfrA7, aac(6’)-Ib, and aadA1-aac(3)-VIa]. Six insertion sequences (IS1, IS6, IS21, IS91, IS110, and IS256) and one transposon (Tn3) were harbored in proximity to the integrons. A comparison with sequences retrieved from the National Center for Biotechnology Information database demonstrated that E. coli isolates with integron sequences were detected in various food-producing animals and human hosts in environmental niches across Asia, Europe, and North America. These findings indicate the potential risk of ARG transmission between food-producing animals and humans by bacteria populations and provide useful baseline data for monitoring of ARGs.
Assessing the quality and integrating the evidence and strength of recommendations in the guidelines for gastric precancerous lesions
Authors: Ou Jia-yin , Liu Yang , Zhang Lang , Luo Tian-qi , Li Jia-yu , Lu Li-ming , Wang Lin , He Qiu-rong , Liu Xin , Pan Hua-feng
Published: February 2025

Background

Clinical practice guidelines (CPGs) are intended to offer appropriate recommendations for clinical practice based on the available evidence while acknowledging existing gaps and uncertainties. The quality of CPGs for gastric precancerous lesions (GPL), distribution of evidence quality, and strength of recommendations are unknown.

Objective

Systematically evaluate the quality of CPGs for GPL and identify areas for improvement in the development process.

Methods

PubMed, Embase, Cochrane Library, Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature, and six online CPG repositories were systematically searched for CPGs related to GPL. Three researchers independently assessed the methodological quality of the included CPGs by using the AGREE II tool. The reporting and recommendation quality of the CPGs were evaluated using the RIGHT and AGREE-REX tools through consensus. Evidence-based CPGs were analyzed using the Grading of Recommendation Assessment, Development, and Evaluation system to determine the distribution of quality of evidence and strength of recommendations.

Results

A total of 4046 records were identified; nine CPGs met the eligibility criteria for this study. The mean overall score for the methodological quality of the CPGs was 46.22%. Among the six domains, the mean score for clarity of presentation was the highest (71.67%), while the mean score for applicability was the lowest (24.56%). Among the nine CPGs, only one was considered high quality. Regarding reporting quality, domains 1, 3, and 4 had mean reporting rates equal to or higher than 60%. The mean overall score for the recommendation quality was 19.11%. In total, 235 recommendations were identified through the screening process, of which 64.4% were classified as strong. However, only 17.5% of the strong recommendations were supported by high-quality evidence.

Conclusion

The overall quality of CPGs for GPL was poor, with uneven quality across domains. In addition, the consistency between the strength of recommendations and the quality of evidence was poor.
Clinical internship experience of African undergraduate nursing students in China: a descriptive qualitative study
Authors: Chen Lingxi , Xu Chao , Zhou Yunxian
Published: February 2025

Background

Clinical internships are crucial in nursing education; however, they often present challenges that can elicit negative emotions among students, especially among international nursing undergraduates. Despite its importance, there is a lack of research on the experiences of African nursing undergraduates during clinical internships in China.

Aim

To explore the clinical internship experiences of African undergraduate nursing students within the Chinese healthcare system.

Method

A descriptive qualitative study design was adopted. Thirteen African undergraduate nursing students with over three months of clinical internship experience in China were recruited through purposive sampling. Semi-structured interviews were conducted to collect data on their experiences. Conventional content analysis was used for data analysis.

Results

Five categories and twelve subcategories were identified through the analysis: multiple challenges (language is an issue, identity embarrassment, peer pressure); accepting challenges (having to accept, being able to accept); making personal efforts (self-image managing, self-reflecting and improving); being not alone (preceptors are strong backings, mutual assistance among fellow students, patients provide trust and warmth); and growing up as a real nurse (increasing nursing knowledge and skills, enhancing nursing professional quality).

Conclusions

The findings offer nursing colleges and hospitals a deeper understanding of the specific challenges encountered by African undergraduate nursing students during their clinical internships in China. This study also highlights the students’ handling of complex issues and the subsequent positive changes they experienced.
Use of individual Google Location History data to identify consumer encounters with food outlets
Authors: Oje Olufunso , Amram Ofer , Hystad Perry , Gebremedhin Assefaw , Monsivais Pablo
Published: February 2025

Background

Addressing key behavioral risk factors for chronic diseases, such as diet, requires innovative methods to objectively measure dietary patterns and their upstream determinants, notably the food environment. Although GIS techniques have pushed the boundaries by mapping food outlet availability, they often simplify food access dynamics to the vicinity of home addresses, possibly misclassifying neighborhood effects. Leveraging Google Location History Timeline (GLH) data offers a novel approach to assess long-term patterns of food outlet utilization at an individual level, providing insights into the relationship between food environment interactions, diet quality, and health outcomes.

Methods

We leveraged GLH data previously collected from a sub-set of participants in the Washington State Twin Registry (WSTR). GLH included more than 287 million location records from 357 participants. We developed methods to identify visits to food outlets using outlet-specific buffer zones applied to the InfoUSA data on food outlet locations. This methodology involved the application of minimum and maximum stay durations, along with revisit intervals. We calculated metrics from the GLH data to detect frequency of visits to different food outlet classifications (e.g. grocery stores, fast food, convenience stores) important to health. Several sensitivity analyses were conducted to examine the robustness of our food outlet metrics and to examine visits occurring within 1 and 2.5 km of residential locations.

Results

We identified 156,405 specific food outlet visits for the 357 study participants. 60% were full-service restaurants, 15% limited-service restaurants, and 16% supermarkets. Mean visits per person per month to any food outlet was 12.795. Only 8, 10 and 11% of full-service restaurants, limited-service restaurants, and supermarkets, respectively, occurred within 1 km of residential locations.

Conclusions

GLH data presents a novel method to assess individual-level food utilization behaviors.
Remission of low-grade lymphomatoid granulomatosis with extensive pulmonary involvement following immune restoration via antiretroviral therapy in a newly diagnosed HIV patient
Authors: Kogan Maria , Alviano Antonio Maria , Catalano Martina , Casiraghi Alessandra , Ghilardi Giulia , Rindone Giovanni , Verga Luisa , L’Imperio Vincenzo , Passerini Carlo Gambacorti , Bonfanti Paolo , Lapadula Giuseppe , Cocito Federica , Soria Alessandro
Published: February 2025

Lymphomatoid granulomatosis (LYG) is a rare Epstein-Barr virus (EBV)-driven lymphoproliferative disease that usually arises in the context of reduced immunological surveillance. Based on histology, two forms of the disease are recognized, namely low-grade and high-grade LYG. Clinically, LYG universally involves the lungs and, frequently, also the skin, central nervous system, liver, and kidneys. Here, we present the case of a 55-year-old woman with a difficult-to-diagnose low-grade LYG with symptomatic lung involvement, who concomitantly was newly diagnosed with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection. Rapid immune recovery achieved through antiretroviral therapy led to a complete and sustained clinical and radiological remission of LYG.
Potential use of DNA methylation in cervical swabs for early ovarian cancer diagnosis
Authors: Biskup Edyta , Lopacinska-Jørgensen Joanna , Høgdall Claus , Høgdall Estrid V.
Published: February 2025

Introduction

Early diagnosis of ovarian cancer, using cost-effective and non-invasive methods remains an unmet medical need, largely due to unspecific symptoms of the disease.

Objective

Our goal was to identify differentially methylated CpG loci between cervical swabs obtained from patients diagnosed with benign ovarian disease and with malignant pelvic mass.

Methodology

Using Infinium EPICv2 array, we interrogated methylation profiles of 77 cervical swabs. The study cohort was then divided into a training and testing set to develop a diagnostic signature. We applied several strategies to pinpoint CpG sites able to differentiate cervical swabs obtained from ovarian cancer patients and patients with benign ovarian disease.

Results and conclusions

None of the statistical methods applied identified CpG loci capable of diagnosing ovarian cancer with sufficient specificity and sensitivity. We conclude that methylation differences observed do not adequately distinguish between benign and malignant ovarian disease. The variations attributable to clinical conditions are likely obscured by the differences in cell composition, which is the primary source of sample heterogeneity. Therefore, we suggest that diagnostic tools should not rely on local methylation profile of the cervix but rather focus on detecting cancer-specific sequences transferred from the tumor site and present in cervical swabs.

Non-technical summary

Ovarian cancer is difficult to detect early, and we aimed to explore whether DNA methylation in cervical swabs could serve as a diagnostic tool. However, our study found that methylation patterns in these samples do not reliably distinguish between benign and malignant conditions, likely due to variations in cell composition. We recommend future research focus on detecting tumor-specific DNA sequences in cervical swabs instead.
Federated learning-driven IoT system for automated freshness monitoring in resource-constrained vending carts
Authors: Stephan Thompson , Paramana Padma Priya Dharishini , Lin Chia-Chen , Agarwal Saurabh , Verma Rajan
Published: February 2025

Street vendors in developing regions often lack access to portable and affordable cold storage, leading to accelerated food spoilage, financial losses, and health risks. Traditional refrigeration solutions are bulky and costly, while manual freshness assessment is error-prone. This study proposes a smart vending cart integrating IoT sensors and federated learning (FL) to address these challenges, offering real-time environmental monitoring, freshness classification, and privacy-preserving data handling. The smart vending cart incorporates IoT sensors to monitor temperature, humidity, and gas emissions. A Peltier cooling module and a humidifier maintain optimal conditions. Machine learning models classify food freshness, while federated learning ensures vendor privacy by training models locally on each cart. The study explores nine federated learning approaches to train machine learning models across multiple carts without sharing raw data, thus preserving vendor privacy. The Stacking Ensemble approach outperformed all other methods, achieving the highest accuracy, F1-Score, and Cohen’s Kappa (0.99964), with the lowest log loss (0.0022). MetaLearning and Weighted Aggregation also demonstrated high performance but with marginally higher log loss values. Personalized models performed well in heterogeneous data environments but were less effective than ensemble methods. The developed smart vending cart system effectively reduces food spoilage and enhances vendor profitability through automated freshness classification and real-time environmental control. The integration of federated learning ensures privacy, while ensemble techniques improve robustness in resource-constrained settings, offering a scalable solution for street vendors.
The Role of Thyroid Hormone across Avian Development Spectrum: Investigations on Systemic Development, Metabolism and Ontogeny of Endothermy
Authors:   , Sirsat Tushar Saoji
Published: February 2025

Achievement of endothernic capacity is vital for independence from ambient temperature changes, sustained activity, optimal biochemical reactions and optimization of parental care. During early avian development, the core tenets of transition from ectothermy to endothermy are development of metabolic capacity (oxygen consumption, mitochondrial bioenergetics), enhanced cardiovascular function (heart rate and cardiac output), pulmonary ventilation and thermogenic capacity. Thyroid hormones, particularly T3, are key metabolic regulators of basal metabolism, thermogenesis, pulmonary ventilation and mitochondrial respiration. Thyroid hormone fluctuation patterns during both precocial and altricial avian endothermic transition suggest a prominent role in maturation of endothermy, cardiovascular, respiratory and skeletal muscle physiology. This body of work explores effects of T3 manipulations in two avian species: the precocial Pekin duck and the altricial Red-winged Blackbird. Increased plasma T3 during late incubation resulted in increased cardiac mass, elevated resting and intrinsic heart rate, intrinsic mean arterial pressure, increased cholinergic tone and blunted alpha-adrenergic tone in the precocial Pekin duck. In both Pekin duck and Red-winged blackbird, plasma T3 levels correlated with changes in the trajectory of endothermic ontogeny, systemic oxygen consumption, thermogenesis, maturation of pulmonary ventilatory function, altered growth and effects on skeletal and cardiac mitochondrial bioenergetics. These observations support the role of thyroid hormones as metabolic and developmental regulators at the time of attainment of endothermy during the perinatal period in precocial and altricial avian species. Insights into the role of thyroid hormone as a metabolic and development regulator at the time of avian endothermic attainment provide a more thorough understanding of metabolic and physical transitions a hatchling bird must undergo to reach the adult endothermic phenotype. Such insights also deepen understanding of the complex role thyroid hormones play in homeostasis and offer implications about the evolutionary history of endothermic capacity.
Size Framing: Conceptualization and Applications in Consumer Behavior
Authors:   , Ketron Seth
Published: February 2025

Size information is vital in many consumer contexts, but currently, no central framework or conceptual model exists for a thorough understanding of the underlying process of how consumers interpret size information and form size judgments. Thus, the purpose of this three-paper dissertation is to introduce such a framework, discuss future research directions based on that framework, and pursue a few of these directions in the second and third papers, both of which focus on a vanity sizing context. The resulting work and findings illustrate the process through which consumers go in forming size judgments and collectively present both scholars and practitioners with a common basis for future study and implementation of findings in contexts in which size information is salient.
The Role Humor Plays in Facilitating Rapport, Engagement, and Motivation in Graduate Online Learning Environments
Authors:   , Steele James L.
Published: February 2025

This study seeks to explore, using an interpretivist phenomenological approach, how humor may impact rapport, engagement, and motivation in graduate online learning environments. Through detailed qualitative analysis of semi-structured interviews, direct observation, and demographic survey data, emergent themes were identified that support the use of appropriate humor to create a positive online environment in which learning can take place. Evidence indicates that humor, when used purposefully and appropriately, is a valuable tool for promoting rapport and engagement amongst course members through community-building and enhanced interpersonal connections. The results of this study reveal the importance of finding common ground and shared experiences to improve the overall social and communicative culture of an online course. The results also support the idea that online instructors should make a great effort in connecting with students in online courses and must make a greater effort to appropriately engage in their online courses. Appropriate recommendations are made for practical application of humor to support pedagogy, as well as recommendations for future research on humor in educational environments.
Nightmare Disorder Prevalence as Defined by the DSM-5 in a College Sample
Authors:   , Estevez Rosemary
Published: February 2025

The nightmare prevalence literature to date has largely focused on nightmare episode severity (i.e. frequency), with 8%-87% of individuals reporting these events in the past week to year. While this has helped to determine the prevalence of these events, focus on the episode severity alone is problematic because it means little is known about the actual prevalence of nightmare disorder. Moreover, focus on episode severity likely overestimates the actual prevalence of clinically significant nightmares while also obscuring clinically significant consequences of the disorder. Understanding the prevalence of nightmare disorder can help guide treatment planning and interventions. The present study recruited UNT undergraduates (N = 372; 351 analyzed) and managed all participant data using Research Electronic Data Capture (REDCap). The present study aimed to determine the prevalence of nightmare disorder, as stated in the DSM-5, to facilitate accurate characterization of the disorder. Additionally, as part of the secondary aim the influence of gender on nightmare disorder status and psychological wellbeing as measured by psychological and sleep outcome variables was examined. Finally, comparisons of individuals with DSM-5-defined nightmare disorder to those without the disorder were conducted on previously examined correlates (e.g., trauma symptoms, depression).
Extended String Techniques and Special Effects in Arnold Schoenberg's String Quartet No. 1 and Its Significance in Chamber Music Literature
Authors:   , Greenfield Leah
Published: February 2025

Arnold Schoenberg's String Quartet No. 1, Op. 7 stands out as being the first chamber music piece to use a vast number and variety of extended string techniques within one composition. This paper examines a brief history of extended string techniques in chamber music, analyses the unique ways in which Schoenberg applied extended string techniques to manipulate motives in his Op. 7 quartet, and ultimately shows that Schoenberg's use of extended string techniques influenced future composers to employ even more extended techniques and special effects in their own twentieth-century chamber music.
A Classification of the Homogeneity of Countable Products of Subsets of Real Numbers
Authors:   , Allen Cristian G.
Published: February 2025

Spaces such as the closed interval [0, 1] do not have the property of being homogeneous, strongly locally homogeneous (SLH) or countable dense homogeneous (CDH), but the Hilbert cube has all three properties. We investigate subsets X of real numbers to determine when their countable product is homogeneous, SLH, or CDH. We give necessary and sufficient conditions for the product to be homogeneous. We also prove that the product is SLH if and only if X is zero-dimensional or an interval. And finally we show that for a Borel subset X of real numbers the product is CDH iff X is a G-delta zero-dimensional set or an interval.
Electrochemical Deposition of Nickel Nanocomposites in Acidic Solution for Increased Corrosion Resistance
Authors:   , Daugherty Ryan E.
Published: February 2025

The optimal conditions for deposition of nickel coating and Ni-layered double hydroxide metal matrix composite coatings onto stainless steel discs in a modified all-sulfate solutions have been examined. Nickel films provide good general corrosion resistance and mechanical properties as a protective layer on many metallic substrates. In recent years, there has been interest in incorporation nano-dimensional ceramic materials, such as montemorillonite, into the metal matrices to improve upon the corrosion and mechanical properties. Layered double hydroxides have been used as corrosion enhancer in polymer coatings by increasing mechanical strength and lowering the corrosion rate but until now, have not been incorporated in a metal matrix by any means. Layered double hydroxides can be easily synthesized in a variety of elemental compositions and sizes but typically require the use of non-polar solvents to delaminate into nanodimensional colloidal suspensions. The synthesis of a Zn-Al LDH has been studied and characterized. The effects of the non-polar solvents dimethylformamide and n-butanol on the deposition and corrosion resistance of nickel coatings from a borate electrolyte bath have been studied, a nickel-LDH nanocomposite coating has been synthesized by electrochemical deposition and the corrosion resistance has been studied. Results indicate an improvement in corrosion resistance for the coatings with minimal change in the nickel matrix's internal strain and crystallite size.
Dynamic Screening via Intense Laser Radiation and Its Effects on Bulk and Surface Plasma Dispersion Relations
Authors:   , Lanier Steven
Published: February 2025

Recent experimentation with excitation of surface plasmons on a gold film in the Kretschmann configuration have shown what appears to be a superconductive effect. Researchers claimed to see the existence of electron pairing during scattering as well as magnetic field repulsion while twisting the polarization of the laser. In an attempt to explain this, they pointed to a combination of electron-electron scattering in external fields as well as dynamic screening via intense laser radiation. This paper expands upon the latter, taking a look at the properties of a dynamic polarization function, its effects on bulk and surface plasmon dispersion relations, and its various consequences.
Evolution of Precipitates and Their Influence on the Mechanical Properties of β-Titanium Alloys
Authors:   , Mantri Srinivas Aditya
Published: February 2025

Over the last few decades, body-centered-cubic (bcc) beta (β) titanium alloys have largely been exploited as structural alloys owing to the richness in their microstructural features. These features, which lead to a unique combination of high specific strength and ductility, excellent hardenability, good fatigue performance, and corrosion resistance, make these alloys viable candidates for many applications, including aerospace, automobile, and orthopedic implants. The mechanical properties of these alloys strongly depend on the various phases present; which can be controlled by thermomechanical treatments and/or alloy design. The two most important and studied phases are the metastable ω phase and the stable α phase. The present study focuses on the microstructural evolution and the mechanical behavior of these two phases in a model β-Ti alloy, binary Ti-12wt. %Mo alloy, and a commercial β-Ti alloy, β-21S. Microstructures containing athermal and isothermal ω phases in the binary Ti-12wt. %Mo alloy are obtained under specific accurate temperature controlled heat treatments. The formation and the evolution of the ω-phase based microstructures are investigated in detail via various characterization techniques such as SEM, TEM, and 3D atom probe tomography. The mechanical behavior was investigated via quasi-static tensile loading; at room and elevated temperatures. The effect of β phase stability on the deformation behavior is then discussed. Similar to the Ti-12wt. %Mo, the formation and the evolution of the athermal and isothermal ω phases in the commercial β-21S alloy was studied under controlled heat treatments. The structural and compositional changes were tracked using SEM, TEM, HR-STEM, and 3D atom probe tomography (3D-APT). The presence of additional elements in the commercial alloy were noted to make a considerable difference in the evolution and morphology of the ω phase and also the mechanical behavior of the alloys. The Portevin-Le Chatelier (PLC) like effect was observed in iii this alloy at elevated temperature and this has been attributed to the shearing of the ω precipitates and the dynamic precipitation of the α phase within these channels. The formation of the stable α phase in the commercial β-21S alloy due to the influence of precursor phases, like the metastable ω phase, is investigated. It is evident from the microstructural characterization, using SEM, TEM, HR-STEM, and 3D-APT, that the ω phase does play a role on the fine scale α precipitation. The mechanical behavior of the β+α microstructure, investigated via tensile testing, shows that these alloys are ideal candidate for precipitation hardening. The exceptional strength values obtained in this alloy have been attributed to a combination of several factors.
Tone Parallels in Music for Film: The Compositional Works of Terence Blanchard in the Diegetic Universe and a New Work for Studio Orchestra by Brian Horton
Authors:   , Horton Brian
Published: February 2025

This research investigates the culturally programmatic symbolism of jazz music in film. I explore this concept through critical analysis of composer Terence Blanchard's original score for Malcolm X directed by Spike Lee (1992). I view Blanchard's music as representing a non-diegetic tone parallel that musically narrates several authentic characteristics of African-American life, culture, and the human condition as depicted in Lee's film. Blanchard's score embodies a broad spectrum of musical influences that reshape Hollywood's historically limited, and often misappropiated perceptions of jazz music within African-American culture. By combining stylistic traits of jazz and classical idioms, Blanchard reinvents the sonic soundscape in which musical expression and the black experience are represented on the big screen. My new work––Black Magic––is a musical response to the research found within this study. The through-composed piece is written in three movements for a studio orchestra. It is an homage to the musical, cultural, and entertainment contributions of African-Americans in the magical realm of Hollywood cinema.
A Preliminary Evaluation of an Indirect Assessment of Sensitivity to Aversive Stimulation
Authors:   , Hope Mariah L.
Published: February 2025

Aversive tasks and activities are commonly encountered in the everyday routines of most individuals. For individuals with intellectual disabilities, a means to assess individual sensitivities to aversive stimulation could allow caregivers to avoid unnecessary contact with aversive events, teach appropriate ways to avoid or escape aversive situations, and condition tolerance to unavoidable aversive tasks and activities. The current study, conducted at a large, state-operated residential facility for adults with intellectual disabilities, used an anecdotal assessment, the Sensitivities to Aversive Stimulation Survey (SASS), to evaluate the relative aversiveness of an array of commonly encountered tasks and activities for each participant. Five caregivers complete the 25-question assessment, using Likert-type scales to rate individual participants' affect, compliance or tolerance, and severity of problem behavior related to each item. The mean scores of the raters were used to estimate the aversiveness of each task, condition, or activity. The outcomes from the SASS were then compared with outcomes of an experimental analysis in which participants could emit responses to escape situations that were ranked either high or low using the SASS. Relative aversiveness was evaluated by comparing the percentage of trials with escape behavior and duration of exposure for each stimulus. Preliminary results indicate that the SASS may be useful in identifying aversive tasks and stimuli.
Among the Voices Voiceless: Setting the Words of Samuel Beckett
Authors:   , Lyszczarz Joseph E.
Published: February 2025

Among the Voices Voiceless is a composition for flute (doubling piccolo), clarinet (doubling bass clarinet), viola, cello, percussion, piano, and electronics, based on the poem "What would I do without this world faceless incurious" by Samuel Beckett. The piece is a setting for disembodied voice: the vocal part exists solely in the electronics. Having no physical body, the voice is obscured as the point of empathy for the audience. In addition, instrumental solos compete for focus during the work's twenty minute duration. In passages including a soloist, the soloist functions simultaneously as antagonist and avatar to the disembodied voice. Spoken word recordings and electronic manipulation of instrumental material provides further layers of ambiguity. The companion critical essay "Among the Voices Voiceless": Setting the Words of Samuel Beckett proposes the distillation of Beckett's style into the elements of prosaicness, repetition, fragmentation, ambiguity, and symmetry. Discussions of Beckett's works such as Waiting for Godot and Molloy demonstrate these elements in his practice. This framework informs the examination of two other musical settings of Beckett's poetry: Neither by Morton Feldman and Odyssey by Roger Reynolds. Finally, these elements are used to analyze and elucidate the compositional decisions made in Among the Voices Voiceless.
Comparison of the Méthode Pour La Guitare by Fernando Sor with the Méthode Complète Pour La Guitare Par Ferdinand Sor, Rédigée Et Augmentée De Nombreux Exemples Et Leçons Suivis D'une Notice Sur La 7e Corde by Napoléon Coste
Authors:   , Rodriguez Sergio
Published: February 2025

The nineteenth century presents a great increase in publications of guitar methods. Most authors of the time published several versions of their works. Fernando Sor, perhaps the most prominent guitar composers of the time—whose Méthode is regarded today as the most important of the period—only published one edition. However, Napoleon Coste took on the task to do a second account. The literature reviewed shows substantial existing information regarding background, type of text, tone, and contents of Sor's work, but comparisons to date are not substantial. Therefore, there is a need to compare these two texts side by side to yield a complete view of their pairing. The existing negative views of Coste's edition hinder the importance of Coste's work as reference to Segovia's publication of Sor studies, and as a clearer pedagogical application of many of Sor's concepts which are sidetracked by his response to criticism and his elaborations in matters beyond his main subject matter. I provide a comprehensive review of Sor's method, an outline and a consideration of his concepts. Then I offer a complete English translation of Coste's method which is inexistent until now. The comparison follows pointing at differences and similarities. Results show that Coste clarifies and complements many of the principles in less text and simpler language. He modifies certain others either to approach Sor's practice or to depart to a newer standard. He offers his own lessons and sections to apply Sor's concepts. Coste's text heads towards a pedagogical synthesis of Sor's method, but it is incomplete because he omits some concepts without leading the readers to consult Sor. Coste's pedagogical and practical relevance is fundamental for modern standard techniques.
Music With and Without Lyrics Increases Motivation, Affect, and Arousal during Moderate-Intensity Cycling
Authors:   , Marshall Daniel N.
Published: February 2025

Music is used to distract, energize, and entertain during exercise by producing positive psychological and physiological responses. Specifically, listening to music during exercise enhances performance, increases motivation, improves affect, and optimizes arousal. Researchers have identified several elements of music that may moderate this relationship, including lyrics. However, few studies to date have examined the influence of motivational lyrics on psychological and physiological states during exercise. Thus, the primary purpose was to investigate the effects of lyrics in music on motivation, affect, arousal, and perceived exertion during moderate intensity cycling. Thirty (Mage = 21.0 ± 2.9 years old) college-aged individuals performed three, 8-min acute bouts of moderate-intensity exercise on a cycle ergometer during music with lyrics (ML), music without lyrics (MNL), and no music control (MC) conditions. Measures of motivation, affect, arousal, and perceived exertion were taken before and after a 6-min warm-up, every 2-min during the exercise bout, and following a 2-min cool-down. For ML and MNL conditions, participants reported higher motivation, affect, and arousal during exercise relative to the MC condition. As expected, RPE increased throughout the exercise period, with no condition differences observed. Additionally, there were no differences in responses between the ML and MNL conditions. Collectively, these results suggest that music, regardless of lyrical content, can enhance psychological responses during exercise. The current findings may help address common exercise barriers and inform exercise practitioners on music selection to improve exercise adherence.
The Role of Cultural Self-Construal and Autonomy on Athlete Preference for Intervention
Authors:   , Yu Alexander Brian
Published: February 2025

Self-construal (SC) refers to the way people perceive their identities in relation to self and others (Markus & Kitayama, 1991b). It has been found in the literature to influence thinking, decision-making, and preferences (e.g., Sung, Choi, & Tinkham, 2012) which suggests that a person's SC may affect her/his preference on psychological interventions. However, no empirical studies can be located that examined this relationship. The study examined the effects of independent SC, interdependent SC, general autonomy (GA), and sport autonomy (SA) on athletes' preferences and desire to use the interventions in the future, especially how these relations might vary as a function of the type of intervention. It was hypothesized that the relationship between each of the predictors and preference for and desire to use intervention would be moderated by the type of intervention received. Four hundred and thirty-one current and former athletes were recruited to participate in this study. Participants completed a questionnaire that measured SC, GA, and SA and were then randomly assigned to receive one of two self-talk interventions, representing either a self- or other-focused intervention. Participants were asked to rate their preference for and desire to use the given intervention in the future. Results found positive significant relationships with all predictors and intervention preference, in both self- and other-focused groups. Initial hierarchical multiple and logistic regression analyses did not support a significant moderation effect of intervention type on the relationships between the independent and dependent variables. However, a post-hoc analysis that conducted a hierarchical multiple regression with participants separated by gender found a significant moderation effect of intervention type on the relationship between independent SC and preference for intervention for females only. Additional post-hoc analyses were conducted to replicate Sung et al.'s (2012) analysis procedures in which the SC continuous variables were transformed into categorical ones, and a 2x2 ANOVA and Pearson chi-square analyses were conducted. Post-hoc analyses revealed significant interaction effects of intervention type and participants' dominant self-construal type on their desire to use intervention. Limitations, implications for counseling/consulting, and future research directions are discussed.
Place-Based and Intergenerational Art Education
Authors:   , Langdon Elizabeth Ann
Published: February 2025

This qualitative inquiry explored how art educators might broaden their views of place through critical encounters with art, local visual culture, and working with older artists. I combined place-based (PB) education and intergenerational (IG) learning as the focus of an art education curriculum writing initiative with in-service art educators within a museum setting to produce PBIG art education. This study engaged art educators in cooperative action research using a multi-modal approach, including identifying and interviewing local artists to construct new understandings about local place and art to share with students and community. I used critical reflection in our cooperative action research by troubling paradoxes in local visual culture, which formed views of place including Indigenous cultures. Using Deleuze's Logic of Sense (LOS) theories of sense and event, enabled concept development through embracing the paradoxes of this research as sense producing. LOS theory of duration complements IG learning by clarifying the contributions of place and time to memory and experience. Duration suggests that place locates the virtual past, which is actualized through memories--one of the shared experiences of IG learning. Rethinking IG relationships as a sharing of experience and memory while positioning place as a commonality, dismantles ageist notions by offering alternatives to binary thinking about old and young. By triangulating participant data based on the extended epistemology of cooperative action research and Deleuze's pure event, I assess the credibility of participant learning. Critical reflection in cooperative action research combined with LOS theory is significant because the reflective aspect of action research aligns with Deleuze's pure event. Vital curricula and teacher praxes resulted when participants integrated localized experiences of place through older artists' memories and art.
A Case Study of Mathematics Teachers' Use of Short-Cycle Formative Assessment Strategies
Authors:   , Davis Adreana Andrus
Published: February 2025

A single case study was used to examine two middle grades mathematics teachers' use of short-cycle formative assessment strategies. Data was collected using multiple sources to provide a description of this single case. Participant change in knowledge of short-cycle formative assessment strategies was collected and analyzed through participant pre- and post-interviews and targeted instructional support was provided through professional development sessions designed to meet diverse needs of participants. Participant change in use of short-cycle formative assessment strategies was collected and analyzed through classroom observations using Assess Today observation protocol and targeted instructional support was provided through post-observation conferences with written feedback. Findings from the study verified that changes in teachers' use of short-cycle formative assessment strategies were positively influenced by the targeted instructional support provided to each participant during the study. The study further indicated that an assessment of teacher's present knowledge and use of short-cycle formative assessment strategies should be considered before providing targeted instructional support to maximize the learning potential for each teacher. Future research is needed regarding the importance of building student self-efficacy through teacher use of short-cycle formative assessment, as well as the importance of involving students in the formative assessment process.
Numerical Values of the Hausdorff and Packing Measures for Limit Sets of Iterated Function Systems
Authors:   , Reid James Edward
Published: February 2025

In the context of fractal geometry, the natural extension of volume in Euclidean space is given by Hausdorff and packing measures. These measures arise naturally in the context of iterated function systems (IFS). For example, if the IFS is finite and conformal, then the Hausdorff and packing dimensions of the limit sets agree and the corresponding Hausdorff and packing measures are positive and finite. Moreover, the map which takes the IFS to its dimension is continuous. Developing on previous work, we show that the map which takes a finite conformal IFS to the numerical value of its packing measure is continuous. In the context of self-similar sets, we introduce the super separation condition. We then combine this condition with known density theorems to get a better handle on finding balls of maximum density. This allows us to extend the work of others and give exact formulas for the numerical value of packing measure for classes of Cantor sets, Sierpinski N-gons, and Sierpinski simplexes.