bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
VirtualLoc: Large-scale Visual Localization Using Virtual Images
Authors: Xiong Yuan , Wang Jingru , Zhou Zhong
Published: September 2023

Robust and accurate camera pose estimation is fundamental in computer vision. Learning-based regression approaches acquire six-degree-of-freedom camera parameters accurately from visual cues of an input image. However, most are trained on street-view and landmark datasets. These approaches can hardly be generalized to overlooking use cases, such as the calibration of the surveillance camera and unmanned aerial vehicle. Besides, reference images captured from the real world are rare and expensive, and their diversity is not guaranteed. In this article, we address the problem of using alternative virtual images for visual localization training. This work has the following principle contributions: First, we present a new challenging localization dataset containing six reconstructed large-scale three-dimensional scenes, 10,594 calibrated photographs with condition changes, and 300k virtual images with pixelwise labeled depth, relative surface normal, and semantic segmentation. Second, we present a flexible multi-feature fusion network trained on virtual image datasets for robust image retrieval. Third, we propose an end-to-end confidence map prediction network for feature filtering and pose estimation. We demonstrate that large-scale rendered virtual images are beneficial to visual localization. Using virtual images can solve the diversity problem of real images and leverage labeled multi-feature data for deep learning. Experimental results show that our method achieves remarkable performance surpassing state-of-the-art approaches. To foster research on improvement for visual localization using synthetic images, we release our benchmark at
https://github.com/YuanXiong/contributions
.
ROCK1 is a multifunctional factor maintaining the primordial follicle reserve and follicular development in mice
Authors: Zhang Tuo , Lin Huan , Ren Tianhe , He Meina , Zheng Wenying , Tong Yuntong , Jin Bangming , Xie Kaiyun , Deng Ankang , Liu Shiyu , Chen Yuqian , Xu Guoqiang , Chen Tengxiang , Pan Wei , Xiao Ziwen
Published: September 2023

ROCK1, one of the Rho GTPases, plays an important role in primordial follicle reserve and follicular development. ROCK1 was primarily expressed in the cytoplasm of oocytes and granulosa cell in mice. Inhibition of ROCK1 significantly reduced the primordial follicle reserve and delayed growing follicle development. ROCK1 regulates primordial follicular reserve and follicle development through the HIPPO signaling pathway. These findings shed new lights on the physiology of sustaining female reproduction.
Aloperine protects pulmonary hypertension via triggering PPARγ signaling and inhibiting calcium regulatory pathway in pulmonary arterial smooth muscle cells
Authors: Shan Xiaoqian , Gegentuya  , Wang Jing , Feng Huazhuo , Zhang Zizhou , Zheng Qiuyu , Zhang Qing , Yang Kai , Wang Jian , Xu Lei
Published: September 2023

Aloperine attenuates monocrotaline-induced pulmonary hypertension (MCT-PH) in rats by inhibiting the pulmonary vascular remodeling and proliferation of pulmonary arterial smooth muscle cells (PASMCs). In mechanism, Aloperine not only exerts a transient KCNQ-dependent vasodilation in precontracted pulmonary arteries (PAs) from both control and MCT-PH rats but also activates PPARγ nuclear translocation and signaling transduction in PASMCs, which chronically inhibits the calcium regulatory pathway and proliferation of PASMCs.
Alignment, cross linking, and beyond: a collagen architect’s guide to the skeletal muscle extracellular matrix
Authors: Wohlgemuth Ross P. , Brashear Sarah E. , Smith Lucas R.
Published: September 2023

The muscle extracellular matrix (ECM) forms a complex network of collagens, proteoglycans, and other proteins that produce a favorable environment for muscle regeneration, protect the sarcolemma from contraction-induced damage, and provide a pathway for the lateral transmission of contractile force. In each of these functions, the structure and organization of the muscle ECM play an important role. Many aspects of collagen architecture, including collagen alignment, cross linking, and packing density affect the regenerative capacity, passive mechanical properties, and contractile force transmission pathways of skeletal muscle. The balance between fortifying the muscle ECM and maintaining ECM turnover and compliance is highly dependent on the integrated organization, or architecture, of the muscle matrix, especially related to collagen. While muscle ECM remodeling patterns in response to exercise and disease are similar, in that collagen synthesis can increase in both cases, one outcome leads to a stronger muscle and the other leads to fibrosis. In this review, we provide a comprehensive analysis of the architectural features of each layer of muscle ECM: epimysium, perimysium, and endomysium. Further, we detail the importance of muscle ECM architecture to biomechanical function in the context of exercise or fibrosis, including disease, injury, and aging. We describe how collagen architecture is linked to active and passive muscle biomechanics and which architectural features are acutely dynamic and adapt over time. Future studies should investigate the significance of collagen architecture in muscle stiffness, ECM turnover, and lateral force transmission in the context of health and fibrosis.
The effect of gradual ovarian failure on dynamic muscle function and the role of high-intensity interval training on mitigating impairments
Authors: Hubbard Emma F. , Mashouri Parastoo , Pyle W. Glen , Power Geoffrey A.
Published: September 2023

We used the VCD model of menopause to investigate the effects of gradual ovarian failure on skeletal muscle contractile function and whether high-intensity interval training (HIIT) can mitigate impairments. Our findings indicate that ovarian failure impairs dynamic contractile function—likely through a combination of lower force-generating capacity and slower shortening velocity—and that HIIT may be insufficient to completely counteract the deleterious effects of menopause at the cellular level.
Omics-driven investigation of the biology underlying intrinsic submaximal working capacity and its trainability
Authors: Hota Monalisa , Barber Jacob L. , Ruiz-Ramie Jonathan J. , Schwartz Charles S. , Lam Do Thuy Uyen Ha , Rao Prashant , Mi Michael Y. , Katz Daniel H. , Robbins Jeremy M. , Clish Clary B. , Gerszten Robert E. , Sarzynski Mark A. , Ghosh Sujoy , Bouchard Claude
Published: September 2023

Multi-omics and in silico explorations of the genes and underlying biology of submaximal exercise capacity and its response to 20 wk of endurance training were undertaken. Prioritized genes were identified: 13 genes for variation in submaximal exercise capacity in the sedentary state and 5 genes for the response level to endurance training, with no overlap between them. Genes and pathways associated with submaximal exercise capacity in the sedentary state are different from those underlying trainability.
Detection of Leishmania DNA in Phlebotomine Sand Flies in Tsatee, a Community in the Volta Region, Ghana
Authors: Addo Seth Offei , Amoako Emmanuel Kwame , Bentil Ronald Essah , Agbodzi Bright , Mosore Mba-tihssommah , Yeboah Clara , Attram Naiki , Larbi John Asiedu , Kwakye-Nuako Godwin , de Souza Dziedzom K. , Wilson Michael David , Boakye Daniel Adjei
Published: September 2023

Leishmania parasites, which are spread by infected female sand flies, are the cause of the disease leishmaniasis. Although cutaneous leishmaniasis has been found to occur in the Volta Region, there is limited data on vector species and reservoirs. This study focused on the Tsatee community, in the South Dayi District of the Volta Region, and is aimed at identifying the sand fly fauna and detecting the presence of Leishmania DNA by the use of primers that target the conserved region of Leishmania spp. minicircle DNA of the parasite kinetoplast. The miniature light traps and hand aspirators provided by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) were used to collect outdoor and indoor sand flies for five months in a guinea woodland and semideciduous forest area. From the collections, 4,580 phlebotomine sand flies were obtained and identified, and females were examined for Leishmania DNA using PCR. The male flies were 1,202 (26.24%), non‐blood‐fed females were 3,321 (72.51%), and 57 (1.25%) were blood‐fed females. It was observed that Sergentomyia species constituted 99.91% of the total collected sand flies with S. africana (76.77%) as the predominant species. Phlebotomus rodhaini (0.09%) was the only Phlebotomus species identified from the study area. From 283 non‐blood‐fed sand fly pools and 57 individual blood‐fed species screened, Leishmania DNA was detected in 12 (4.24%) pools and 8 (14.04%) individuals, respectively. It was observed that Leishmania DNA was detected in all the sand fly species identified except S. collarti. This study reports the first detection of Leishmania DNA in P. rodhaini in Ghana, with an infection rate of 33.33% (95% CI, 1.23‐88.32). The findings suggest that the role of Phlebotomus in disease transmission in the study area cannot be discounted. Future studies should include continuous surveillance, blood meal preferences, and vector competence of the various infected phlebotomine sand flies to create effective control measures.
A Normative Approach to Privacy‐Preserving Recommender Systems: Integrating Matrix Factorization and Genetic Algorithms
Authors: He Ming , Hu Sheng
Published: September 2023

As recommendation systems heavily depend on user data, these systems are susceptible to potential privacy breaches. To mitigate this issue, differential privacy (DP) protection techniques have been developed to offer robust privacy safeguards. Nevertheless, a majority of the extant DP‐based recommendation algorithms tend to introduce excessive noise, consequently impairing the quality of recommendations. In response, this study presents a novel DP‐preserving recommendation algorithm that integrates matrix factorization (MF) and a genetic algorithm (GA). Initially, the MF problem is transformed into two interrelated optimization problems, namely, the user‐hidden factor and the item‐hidden factor. Subsequently, GA is employed to address these optimization issues. An enhancement index mechanism is incorporated into the individual selection of GA, while the variation process of GA is devised based on identifying crucial hidden factors. Utilizing the enhancement index mechanism aids in minimizing the algorithm’s perturbation level, thereby achieving an optimal balance between privacy protection and algorithm utility. Experimental analyses, encompassing recommendation accuracy, efficiency, and parameter variation effects, are conducted on Last.fm and Flixster datasets. The findings corroborate that the proposed system outperforms existing alternatives under stringent privacy constraints, thereby attesting to its efficacy.
A Study of Professional Quality of Life and Environmental Factors among Pediatric Registered Nurses
Authors: Balakhdar Kholoud O. , Alharbi Manal F.
Published: September 2023

Aim. This research study aims to investigate the professional quality of life (ProQOL) among pediatric registered nurses. Background. Professional quality of life encapsulates two fundamental components, namely, compassion satisfaction and compassion fatigue, which comprises burnout and secondary traumatic stress. Methods. A descriptive cross-sectional design was used in this study, which included 217 pediatric registered nurses. Self-administered questionnaires compiled sociodemographic and occupational characteristics before measuring Professional quality of life (Version 5) items were used to collect data. Results. Most respondents were 30 to 35 years of age (65%), female (99%), and hold a diploma certificate (63%). The ProQOL scores for compassion satisfaction was 35.9 (SD = 9.7), compassion fatigue (burnout) was 21.8 (SD = 9.64), and compassion fatigue (secondary traumatic stress) was 23.5 (SD = 9.7). A significant mean difference (

p
<
0.001

) were found in the ProQOL level based on environmental factors related to pediatrics and family. Conclusion. The results of this study show a moderate compassion satisfaction level, a low burnout level, and a moderate secondary traumatic stress level among pediatric registered nurses. Different related environmental factors that can impact the professional quality of life of pediatric registered nurses. Implications for Nursing Management. Pediatric nurses will benefit from a supportive work environment, which fosters collaboration and respect among nurses and their pediatric patients’ families to improve the health outcomes of pediatric patients. Hospitals should offer specialized training programs that address the unique needs of pediatric nursing, encompassing areas such as child development, communication techniques with children, and age-specific healthcare interventions. This will equip nurses with the necessary skills and knowledge to provide optimal care for pediatric patients. Also, the following support systems, such as regular debriefing sessions and counseling services, are established to help nurses cope with the emotional challenges they may encounter in their work and to foster a collaborative work environment that encourages effective teamwork among nurses and promotes positive relationships between nurses and the families of pediatric patients. This can be achieved by implementing interdisciplinary team approaches, regular team meetings, and open communication channels. In addition, to ensure that pediatric nurses have access to the necessary resources, such as up-to-date medical literature, technological tools, and equipment, to provide the best care possible. Adequate staffing levels should also be maintained to prevent excessive workloads, which can contribute to burnout and decreased job satisfaction.
The Use of Oxygen/Air Blender during Transoral Laser Microsurgery with Supraglottic Manual Jet Ventilation: A Safe Approach
Authors: Abu-Ghanem Sara , Cochran James
Published: September 2023

Background. Surgical fires are known, preventable, and devastating complications of transoral microlaryngeal laser surgery. Several guidelines have recommended maintaining the fraction of inspired oxygen concentration (FiO2) at or below 30% for open delivery cases. We hereby present our experience utilizing an air/oxygen gas mixing device (blender) attached to a supraglottic manual jet ventilator during transoral laser microlaryngeal surgery in three cases to control oxygen levels. Methods. Retrospective chart review of three cases and literature review. Results. Three patients underwent microlaryngeal laser surgery and balloon dilation for the management of subglottic stenosis. All three patients were successfully ventilated throughout the procedures, and no major complications occurred intraoperatively. Two of three patients demonstrated symptomatic and clinical improvement at the first follow-up. Conclusions. This report demonstrates the successful use of an oxygen/air blender to reduce FiO2 to fire-safe levels of less than 30% during laser surgery of the airway using jet ventilation.
Antibacterial Effect of Ethanolic Extracts of Dodonaea viscosa L. Jacq. and Mammea americana L. against Staphylococci Isolated from Skin Lesions
Authors: Pérez-Narváez Oscar Alberto , Castillo Hernández S Sandra Loruhama , Leos-Rivas Catalina , Pérez-Hernández Raymundo Alejandro , Chávez-Montes Abelardo , Verduzco-Martínez Jorge Armando , Sánchez-García Eduardo
Published: September 2023

Background. The resistance to antibiotics shown by some dermatological pathogenic microorganisms has increased the interest of pharmaceutical and cosmetic industries in developing natural products that possess different biological activities, including antimicrobial effects. Methods. In the present investigation, the antibacterial activity of ethanolic extracts of Dodonaea viscosa aerial part and Mammea americana leaves and seed was evaluated against resistant strains of Staphylococcus isolated from skin lesions and against S. aureus ATCC 25923 (reference strain). Column chromatography (CC) and preparative thin‐layer chromatography (PTLC) were used to obtain separate fractions of the seed extract of M. americana. We also determined the antimicrobial resistance of the strains against antibiotics using the agar disc diffusion assay. In addition, phytochemical screening was performed by colorimetric standard techniques. Results. M. americana seed extract showed the highest antibacterial activity with MBC from 2.3 μg/mL to 19.5 μg/mL without differences with gentamicin (p = 0.998). The isolated strain S. epidermidis I showed the highest antimicrobial resistance against the tested antibiotics. PTLC‐fractions of M. americana seed extract showed MBC from 3.2 μg/mL to 40.7 μg/mL against S. epidermidis I and S. aureus 25923 (reference), respectively, which suggests a synergistic effect of the secondary metabolites present in the crude ethanolic extract compared to its active PTLC‐fractions, where only coumarins and compounds with lactone groups were detected in the phytochemical screening. Conclusion. M. americana seed extract has promising effects that should be considered in further studies as an alternative or adjuvant in treating skin infections caused by staphylococci.
Fast and Selective Adsorption of Au (III) from the Waste Printed Circuit Boards Using a Low-Cost Adsorbent: Optimization by Central Composite Design Based on Response Surface Methodology
Authors: Zandi-Darehgharibi Farideh , Haddadi Hedayat , Asfaram Arash
Published: September 2023

A low-cost new green adsorbent (GA) was synthesized by tannin-rich pomegranate peel powder and formaldehyde for the fast and selective recovery of Au (III). It was characterized by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), Brunauer–Emmett–Teller (BET), elemental analysis (CHN), field emission scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM), and energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS) (FE-SEM-EDS-mapping). The optimal values of influential factors were defined using a central composite design based on the response surface methodology (CCD-RSM). Adsorption properties were investigated by the kinetic, isotherm, thermodynamic, and interference of coexisting metal ions at optimum conditions. The experimental adsorption percentage with three repetitions under the optimized conditions such as pH = 2, adsorbent mass = 23 mg, Au (III) concentration = 32 

m
g
 
L

−
1

, and contact time = 30 min was 97% and the highest adsorption capacity of the GA was 315.450 

m
g
 
g

−
1

. The adsorption isotherm and kinetic were clarified by the Freundlich (R2 = 0.952) and pseudo-second-order (R2 = 0.998) models. The thermodynamic study (∆S° > 0, ∆H° > 0, and ∆G° < 0) revealed that Au (III) adsorption via GA was a facile, endothermic, and spontaneous process. The adsorption mechanism could be an electrostatic interaction and reductive adsorption. A small amount of GA (23 mg) adsorbed gold selectively and rapidly (30 min) from coexisting metals present in the waste printed circuit board (PCB) such as Ag, Al, Si, Zn, Pb, Ba, Ni, Ca, Mo, Co, Cr, Mn, Cu, Mg, Fe, and W. These results confirm the use of low-cost and high-efficiency GA to fast and selectively recover gold from waste PCBs.
Unintended Pregnancy and Associated Factors among Pregnant Women Attending Antenatal Care Unit in Public Health Facilities of Dire Dawa City, Eastern Ethiopia, 2021
Authors: Ayele Andinet , Abdurashid Neil , Hailu Mickiale , Tefera Bereket
Published: September 2023

Background. Unintended pregnancy refers to a pregnancy that is either mistimed or unwanted. Unintended pregnancy has been a troubling public health and reproductive health issue, which imposes appreciable adverse consequences on the mother, child, and the public in general. Globally 121 million unplanned pregnancies occurred from 2015 to 2019. A significant proportion (61%) of these pregnancies ended in abortions each year. In Ethiopia, the challenges of unintended pregnancy and its related complications still exist because of the high rate of unmet need for contraceptives. In addition, no research has been conducted on unintended pregnancy among pregnant women in Dire Dawa city administration. Objective. To determine the prevalence of unintended pregnancy and associated factors among pregnant women attending antenatal care public health facilities in Dire Dawa in 2021. Methods. A facility-based cross-sectional study was conducted. After being chosen randomly, 382 pregnant women were interviewed at 9 urban public health facilities. A pretested questionnaire was used to collect data, entered into Epi Info 7, and exported into SPSS version 25 for analysis. The variables, which were significant at

P
≤
0.25

in bivariate analysis, were included in multivariable analysis. Statistical significance was declared at a

P

value <0.05 and a 95% CI. Results. In this study, the prevalence of unintended pregnancy was 23.8% at 95% CI (19.8–28.3). The following factors were associated with unintended pregnancy: single women (AOR = 10.93, 95% CI 3.65–32.74), low family income (2000 ETB) (AOR = 4.01, 95% CI 1.73–9.28), parity 3 (AOR = 10.3, 95% CI 4.07–25.84), no history of family planning use (AOR = 5.91, 95% CI 2.46–14.21), and husband decision-making role on reproductive health (AOR = 2.956, 95% CI 1.048–8.340). Conclusion and Recommendations. The prevalence of unintended pregnancy was relatively high in this study. Efforts should be made to scale up women’s decision-making power on family planning services and give support to empower women economically. There is the need to promote family planning services to minimize unintended pregnancy and to decrease parity and family size.
Erratum: Coca, L.F., Gómez Gómez, S., Guzmán Guillermo, J., Trujillo Trujillo, E., Clavijo, L., Zuluaga, A., Dal Forno, M. & Lumbsch, H.T. (2023) Sulzbacheromyces leucodontium (Basidiomycota, Lepidostromataceae), a new species of basidiolichen widely distributed in the Neotropics. Phytotaxa 597 (2): 153–164.
Authors: COCA LUIS FERNANDO , GÓMEZ SALOMÉ GÓMEZ , GUILLERMO JORGE GUZMÁN , TRUJILLO EDWIN TRUJILLO , CLAVIJO LAURA , ZULUAGA ALEJANDRO , FORNO MANUELA DAL , LUMBSCH H. THORSTEN
Published: September 2023

N/A
Critical review of “Monograph of Ceratozamia (Zamiaceae, Cycadales): an endangered genus” published in PhytoKeys 208: 1–102 (2022)
Authors: HAYNES JODY L.
Published: September 2023

The recent publication of a monograph on Ceratozamia promised greater taxonomic understanding in the genus. Instead, the plethora of inaccuracies and inconsistencies therein undermined taxonomic cohesiveness. This review critically evaluates the Ceratozamia monograph of Martínez-Domínguez et al. (2022), systematically correcting the inaccuracies and clarifying the inconsistencies therein. Notably, the proposed lectotypification of C. mirandae is invalidated, the proposed specific status of C. osbornei is questioned, the proposed synonymy of C. dominguezii under C. subroseophylla is rejected, the proposed recircumscriptions of C. sancheziae and C. zoquorum are refuted, and a lectotype and isolectotype for C. whitelockiana are designated. Additionally, evidence is provided for phenotypic and ontogenetic plasticity of cone color, ovulate cone apex shape, megasporophyll horn shape and orientation, megasporophyll distal face prominence, and microsporophyll distal face topology. Finally, within Ceratozamia, ‘mucronate’ is standardized over ‘apiculate’, ‘conspicuous’ is standardized for leaflet vein light transmission, and ‘prominent’ is standardized for vein protrusion from the leaflet surface; in addition, ‘vernation’ is standardized over ‘ptyxis’ across the Cycadales.
Lectotypifications in Micrargeria and Striga (Orobanchaceae)
Authors: ARUNRAJ PARAPPURAKKAL THAZHE , SANJAI VISWANATHAMANDIRAM NATARAJAKAIMAL
Published: September 2023

Here we discuss the lectotypification of two names in Micrargeria viz. M. barteri Skan and M. wightii Bentham using the specimens housed at K and two names in Striga viz. S. junodii Schinz and S. welwitschii Engler using the specimens housed at Z and BM respectively. Detailed notes are provided.
Lectotypification of four names in the genus Senecio L. (Asteraceae)
Authors: KANAKAMBIKA GOVINDAN , PRABHUKUMAR KONICKAL MAMBETTA , MAYA CHANDRASHEKARAN NAIR
Published: September 2023

N/A
Mastering medical terminology with ChatGPT and Termbot
Authors: Hsu Mei-Hua
Published: September 2023

Objective:

This study intended to examine whether the utilization of ChatGPT and Termbot enhances students’ understanding of medical terminology.

Method:

ChatGPT, developed by OpenAI, is an AI chatbot designed to generate human-like text responses. Termbot is a chatbot-based learning model focused on improving the acquisition of medical terminology through gamified learning methods. A total of 60 participants participated in this exploratory study, with 40 nursing students assigned to the experimental group and 20 nursing students assigned to the control group. In the experimental group, participants were further divided into two groups of 20, one of which was trained with ChatGPT and the other with Termbot. The participants in the experimental group engaged with the assigned tools for a minimum of 2 hours per week following classroom instruction. The control group used a traditional textbook as their primary learning resource. The study lasted 2 months, after which participants’ learning outcomes were evaluated using an online medical terminology exam post-test.

Results:

The study found that participants in the experimental group had significantly improved learning outcomes compared to participants in the control group. The results showed a substantial increase in post-test scores for both ChatGPT and Termbot groups, indicating that using these tools as learning assistants can assist students in the learning process.

Conclusion:

The study has important implications for educators and educational institutions, as it provides evidence for the potential benefits of using ChatGPT and Termbot as tools to improve students’ learning outcomes. The findings intensifyt the importance of embracing new technologies in education and using them to supplement traditional teaching methods.
Learning From Collaborative Action Research in Three Organizations: How Purpose Activates Change Agency
Authors: Pregmark Johanna E. , Fredberg Tobias , Berggren Rita , Frössevi Björn
Published: September 2023

Based on a 2-year collaborative study, this paper explores purpose as an enabler for change agency during the integration of new organizational concepts. We followed three organizations that attempted to actively use purpose to motivate and negotiate innovation-based change initiatives in their respective organizations. Data were gathered through a set of interviews and collaborative inquiry workshops, conducted individually with each organization and collectively with all three. Based on the data, the paper systematically analyzes five ways of how purpose may activate change agency. Moreover, the paper suggests that activation of distributed change agency can support the management of contextual ambidexterity. This study also points toward how other organizations can use the acquired knowledge, both from the study and the collaborative inquiry process.
Inefficiently mapping extinction: A research-creation, practice-led approach to visualising biodiversity loss
Authors: Knight Linda
Published: September 2023

We are living climate change. The unchecked acceleration of globalisation, colonisation, and extractivism create a world in dire need of change if we are to survive. Crucial now, are critical, geopolitical, and biopolitical discussion and an urgent need for diverse methodologic and pedagogic strategies for action across micro to macro scales. Research-creation, practice-led approaches to action, that work across and with artistic practice, scientific data, and critical and cultural theory can spark activist pedagogic experiences for change. The effective potential of such methodologies is explored via inefficient mapping; a counter-mapping, methodologic protocol, and its use in ‘Mapping Extinction’, a project into the catastrophic biodiversity loss due to the 2019/2020 Australian bushfires. The protocols and visual works produced facilitate discussion on creative practice as educational research into the real impacts of climate change.
Liberal democracies and asylum: legal transformation and implementation challenges
Authors: Kent Jonathan
Published: September 2023

Over the last 30 years, liberal democracies of the Global North have increasingly restricted access to their in-country asylum systems shifting many asylum and migration practices extraterritorially and prompting concern about the status of the universal human right to seek asylum. Most observers explain the trend as liberal states exerting national power and self-interest to ‘externalize’ asylum, ‘evading’ but not breaching international law. This piece adopts a different approach blending research on dynamic legal norms with Brunnée and Toope’s use of Lon Fuller’s criteria of legality. In contrast to explanations based on self-interest and power, I describe how the legal norm governing asylum has evolved over time alongside the shifting asylum and migration practices of liberal states through three phases. First, liberal democracies traditionally practiced an exclusively in-country approach to asylum prior to the late 1990s which only tentatively adhered to the criteria of legality. Second, the legal norm governing asylum shifted during the late 1990s and early 2000s creating new doctrine and legal practices at the multilateral level for reasons that resonated with the criteria of legality. Following contestation, however, liberal states have so far failed to implement the new substantive and procedural guidance despite the availability of more appropriate asylum practices. This account provides a significant qualification to the work on externalization and legal norm evasion, allows for the development of a typology containing three modes of asylum, and points to more legalistic asylum practices than what currently prevail among liberal states.
Cancer-Related Symptom Frameworks Using a Biopsychosocial-Spiritual Perspective: A Scoping Review
Authors: Miller Megan , Vachon Eric , Kwekkeboom Kristine
Published: September 2023

Background:

Research to understand and manage cancer-related symptoms continues to advance, yet work that more fully adopts a biopsychosocial-spiritual view of symptoms is needed.

Objective:

The purpose of this article is to review existing frameworks that have the potential to guide research on cancer-related symptoms, to explore the characteristics of each framework, and to appraise each using a biopsychosocial-spiritual lens.

Methods:

A scoping review was conducted to identify available frameworks that could be applied to guide cancer-related symptom research and to assess their characteristics. Research questions and criteria were formulated at the outset, followed by identifying relevant publications detailing novel frameworks, charting data, and collating results. Upon identification of available frameworks, each was appraised for alignment with a standard definition of “biopsychosocial-spiritual.”

Results:

Eleven frameworks were identified to guide cancer-related symptom research. All were developed in the United States, led by nurse scientists, including symptom experiences as well as their antecedents and outcomes, and could be applied to one or more concurrent cancer-related symptoms. While all 11 frameworks included biopsychosocial dimensions, only 4 included spirituality.

Conclusions:

Four biopsychosocial-spiritual frameworks offer unique insight to support advancement of cancer-related symptom research and practice from a holistic perspective. This foundational work could lead to development and validation of new frameworks and modification of existing frameworks to more closely align with a biopsychosocial-spiritual view of cancer-related symptoms. This review offers a starting point to carefully and explicitly adopt frameworks in research and practice with increased emphasis on considering spiritual dimensions of symptoms.
Prognostic value of computed tomography associated body composition measurement changes in metastatic colorectal cancer patients
Authors: Sevgilioglu Zekai Emre , Evrimler Sehnaz , Iscan Gokce , Kayikcioglu Erkan , Sengul Sevim Sureyya , Cetin Bulent
Published: September 2023

Background

Sarcopenia is associated with poor prognosis in metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC) patients.

Purpose

To investigate the prognostic value of body composition measurement changes measured by computed tomography (CT) in mCRC patients.

Material and Methods

The abdominal skeletal muscle density (SMD) and skeletal muscle (SMI) indices, as well as the visceral (VATI) and subcutaneous fat tissue (SATI) indices, were calculated by automatic segmentation method on the abdominal CT images obtained before (n = 71) and after chemotherapy (n = 52). Skeletal muscle gauge (SMG = SMD × SMI) was calculated. We calculated the percentage change of body composition measurements with respect to the first measurements. The cutoff value for the change in SMG was calculated by receiver operating characteristic analysis. Kaplan–Meier and Cox regression analyses were performed to calculate the prognostic value of age, gender, tumor location, metastasis site and carcinoembriogenic antigen (CEA) elevation, hypoalbuminemia, body mass index classification, presence of sarcopenia and SMG changes in terms of overall survival.

Results

There was a significant association between SMG change and mortality ( P = 0.037). According to survival analyses, highly decreased SMG, hypoalbuminemia and CEA variables of the patients were the significant factors ( P < 0.001, P = 0.015 and P = 0.019, respectively). According to multivariate regression analysis, hypoalbuminemia ( P = 0.004, hazard ratio = 3.60) and highly decreased SMG ( P < 0.001, hazard ratio = 14.98) were found to be significant prognostic factors together.

Conclusion

In mCRC patients, hypoalbuminemia and highly decreased SMG are significant prognostic factors for overall survival. Therefore, we suggest that the change in SMG calculated in follow-up images should also be evaluated in the prognosis estimation of this patient group.
Marginal characters: A strategy of persuasion in 1–2 Samuel
Authors: Chike Julian C.
Published: September 2023

Over the past two decades, there has been a renewed interest in the analysis of character and characterization in the Hebrew Bible. Many studies have focused on the major characters and their company. However, insufficient attention has been given to characters on the margins of the narrative I identify as ‘marginal characters’. In this paper, I investigate the narratological function of these characters through an examination of select marginal characters in 1–2 Samuel. Drawing upon a conceptual framework for analyzing anonymous characters in Greek Tragedy, I propose two functions for these marginal characters: 1) they serve as a reflection of the narrator’s disposition toward the complex characters of Saul and David; 2) they serve as manifestations of divine providence. These functions are not mutually exclusive. In both cases, however, the marginal characters contribute to a strategy of narrative persuasion, leading the audience to certain ideological and theological conclusions.
The design and analysis of a novel lapping loading device using a compliant mechanism
Authors: Geng Kun , He Chunlei , Chen Guang , Ren Chengzu
Published: September 2023

A lapping loading device that makes use of a compliant mechanism for a novel ring-type tapered roller lapping method is proposed in this paper. A three-part guide post structure is designed using the new type of tapered roller processing principle. For the purpose of designing and analyzing of the three-part guide post structure, a pseudo-rigid-body model for the mechanism of the three-part guide post is developed. Based on the pseudo-rigid-body model, the loading mechanisms and the mechanical behavior of the three-part guide post structure were discussed in this work simultaneously. The computation model of the lapping force in the machining of the tapered roller lapping was developed and validated through the finite element method and experiment results. This shows that the developed computation model possess high enough accuracy to effectively control the lapping loading force. This research established the viability of using the compliant mechanism in the field of the tapered roller processing technique.
TLR4/ MyD88/NF-κB signaling pathway involved in the protective effect of diacerein against lung fibrosis in rats
Authors: Abdel-Aziz Asmaa Mohamed , Fathy Eman Mahmoud , Hafez Heba M. , Ahmed Amira F. , Mohamed Mervat Z.
Published: September 2023

Purpose

Pulmonary fibrosis (PF) is an inescapable problem. Diacerein, a chondro-protective drug, has antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects. Its effect on PF injury has not yet been fully clarified. Therefore, the current study aimed to detect its protective effect on lung tissue with the explanation of possible underlying mechanisms.

Methods

Adult male albino rats were assigned to four groups: control group, diacerein control group, PF non-treated group, and PF diacerein pretreated group. Lung tissue oxidative stress parameters, inflammatory biomarkers mainly Toll-like receptors-4 (TLR4), and myeloid differentiation factor 88 (MyD88) levels were determined. Histopathological examination of lung tissue and immunohistochemical studies of nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-κB), and transforming growth factor- β (TGF-β) were also done.

Results

Diacerein pretreatment has the ability to restore the PF damaging effect, proved by the reduction of the oxidative stress and lung tissue inflammation via downregulation of TLR4/NF-κB signaling pathway together with the restoration of TGF-β level and improvement of the histopathological and immunohistochemical study findings in the lung tissue.

Conclusion

These results suggested the protective effect of diacerein on PF relies on its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects reducing TLR4/NF-κB signaling pathway.
Ultrasound Detection of Fetal Palate Development in the Early Stages of the Second Trimester and Its Clinical Application
Authors: Liao Ruibi , Liu Danyi , Zhang Yuxia , Chen Rongsen , Su Mingsong , Lin Yuanfeng , Lyu Guorong
Published: September 2023

Objective

To establish normal values of palatal bone growth in fetuses at different gestational weeks in the early stages of the second trimester and to explore the clinical application value of the four-step ultrasound screening method for fetal cleft lip and palate.

Design

A prospective study of prenatal ultrasound screening.

Setting

Secondary maternal and child health institutions.

Patients

300 fetuses of 12 to 20 +6 weeks gestation without cleft lip and/or palate; 8538 fetuses at high risk of cleft lip and palate with malformations or karyotypic abnormalities.

Interventions

None.

Main Outcome Measures

palatomandibular diameter (PMD) and transverse palatal diameter was measured and establish their typical values.

Results

(1) There is a typical “superimposed line” sign in the median sagittal section of the typically developing fetal face from 12 to 20+6 weeks of gestation. (2) The PMD and hard palate transverse diameter of fetuses from 12 to 20+6 weeks of gestation increased linearly with time. (3) Among 8538 high-risk fetuses, 21 cases of cleft lip and palate were diagnosed by the four-step ultrasound screening method in the early stages of the second trimester.

Conclusions

The median sagittal section of the typically developing fetal face in the early stages of the second trimester presents a typical “superimposed line” sign, and the PMD and transverse palatal diameter increase with time. The four-step ultrasound screening method for fetal cleft lip and palate in the early stages of the second trimester has high clinical application value.
College Students With Autism Spectrum Disorder’s Experiences Maintaining Romantic Relationships: Counseling Implications
Authors: Noble Nicole , Bueno Nicholas , Lourenco Miles , Williams Alandra , Stafford Justin , O’Connor Jennifer
Published: September 2023

Individuals with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) encounter unique social challenges. Resulting from these unique challenges, individuals with ASD experience difficultly maintaining social relationships, particularly romantic relationships. This study examines college students with ASD’s experiences maintaining romantic relationships and provides strategies to support counselors assisting this population with sustaining romantic relationships.
Numerical simulation and experimental study on pitting damage of IN625 laser cladding layer
Authors: Li Chang , Deng Shuangjiu , Chen Xinxue , Han Xing
Published: September 2023

The IN625 laser cladding is extensively utilized in the sectors of aviation, navigation, petroleum, and chemical engineering, among others. When the cladding layer is exposed to harsh environments for extended periods, it is prone to fatigue delamination, pitting corrosion, and other detrimental effects, which jeopardize the performance of the workpiece. Quantitatively elucidating the corrosion failure mechanisms of the cladding layer can provide essential insights for enhancing its service life. This study focuses on investigating the evolution mechanism of pitting corrosion pits on the surface of the cladding layer in a corrosive environment. A numerical model for pitting corrosion in the IN625 cladding layer is established to reveal the transient variations in corrosion rate and electrode potential. The results indicate that the concentration changes of Cl−, Na+, and Ni2+ in the corrosion pits follow the sequence of Cl−> Ni2+> Na + . The pH value in the corrosion pits gradually decreases from the top to the bottom, while the corrosion rate at the top of the pits exhibits minimal variation. As the corrosion rate increases, the pits continue to deepen. Based on electrochemical corrosion experiments conducted on the CS310 M electrochemical workstation between the substrate and the cladding layer, it is determined that the corrosion current density of the IN625 cladding layer is reduced by two orders of magnitude compared to the QT600 substrate, resulting in a 395.5-fold decrease in the corrosion rate. The IN625 cladding layer significantly enhances the corrosion resistance of the substrate.
Investigation of micro-vibration reduction method based on dynamic performance analysis of aerostatic bearing
Authors: Li Yifei
Published: September 2023

The present work is dedicated to investigating both characteristics of the vortex-induced excitation and the displacement impedance and also weakening the micro-vibration for the aerostatic bearing with orifice type restrictor. Firstly, the numerical simulation is conducted to study the characteristics of the vortex flow in the frequency domain. Further, the displacement impedance is investigated based on an approximate model; the effects of bearing parameters on displacement impedance are also discussed. It is found that the vortex-induced excitation is the dynamic load acting on the floating device, while the displacement impedance reflects the capability of the bearing to withstand the dynamic load. Hence, it is necessary to enhance the displacement impedance for micro-vibration reduction in the bearing. Moreover, the design problem corresponding to the micro-vibration reduction is formulated, and the design optimization is carried out under several given bearing loads. Optimization results show that the micro-vibration can be reduced by increasing the displacement impedance and decreasing the Reynolds number in the flow field. The optimization process can provide an efficient way for reducing the micro-vibration in engineering application.
Structural Change, Services Sector and Intergenerational Occupational Mobility in India: Some Exploratory Evidence
Authors: Ganguly Suparna , Roy Saikat Sinha
Published: September 2023

This study investigates into intergenerational occupational mobility of Indian workers towards and within service sectors during globalization. In particular, such mobility of workers is observed in the presence of structural shift of the economy towards service industry, especially towards service trade, and explores whether there is intergenerational mobility towards services and more ­skill-oriented occupations in India during 1999–2011. The Altham measure of relative mobility is applied on the National Sample Survey Organization employment–unemployment survey database to measure the degree of association between occupational choice of fathers and co-resident sons in urban India. An upward mobility among sons is observed between 1999–2000 and 2011–2012.

JEL Codes: F14, F16, J62, L80, C46
Anti-oppression as praxis in the research field: Implementing emancipatory approaches for researchers and community partners
Authors: Rodney Ruth , Hinds Marsha , Bonilla-Damptey Jessica , Boissoneau Danielle , Khan Aaliya , Forde Anika
Published: September 2023

Equity, diversity, and inclusion (EDI) and anti-oppression (AO) policies are implemented in research to address intersecting systemic barriers for marginalized populations. Grant applications now include questions about EDI to ensure researchers have considered how research designs perpetuate discriminatory practices. However, complying with these measures may not mean that researchers have engaged with AO as praxis. Three central points emerged from our work as a women's research collective committed to embedding AO practices within the research methodology of our community-based study. First, research ideas must be connected to larger pursuits of AO in and across marginalized communities. Secondly, AO as praxis in the research design is an exercise in centering cultural knowledge and pragmatic research preparation and response that honours the collective. Lastly, AO approaches are not prescriptive. They must shift, adapt, and change based on the research project and team, creating space for transformative resistance and emancipation of racialized researchers and community workers.
Learning from each other’s lives: First-generation college students of color engaging with diversity course content
Authors: Delima Dianne G
Published: September 2023

To explore the ways in which the learning and understanding of diversity course subject matter happen, this manuscript interviews and observed the experiences of 10 first-generation college students of color and their teachers from two diversity courses. Findings show that participants drew from their classmates’ prior knowledge and experiences to engage with the course content, as classmates’ lives offered examples of new ways of thinking about diversity issues and concepts.
Race and the space in between: Practitioner reflections on anti-racist practice in one Froebelian early years setting
Authors: Bamsey Victoria , McNair Lynn J , Campbell Hattie , Vašinová Miss Isabella
Published: September 2023

The rise of ‘Black Lives Matters’ has brought to the fore a need to unsettle early years praxis that positions race as separate from the individual, as a problem to be solved through the tokenistic provisioning of resources. In this paper, we explore how a team of early years practitioners were able to bridge the space between themselves and the multicultural community in which they worked. An interpretative onto-epistemology supported the crafting of the research design as a case study that provided insight into multiple meanings through participants’ narratives during weekly informal anti-racist reflective meetings, focus group discussions and individual interviews. “Political correctness”, social justice and children’s rights emerged that highlighted the importance of intra-actions arising between practitioners, their history, society and the environment. Consequently, new conceptualisations of race and anti-racist praxis emerged that transformed their practice and their way of being in the world.