bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Classifying cGAS-STING Activity Links Chromosomal Instability with Immunotherapy Response in Metastatic Bladder Cancer
Authors: Sokač Mateo , Ahrenfeldt Johanne , Litchfield Kevin , Watkins Thomas B.K. , Knudsen Michael , Dyrskjøt Lars , Jakobsen Martin R. , Birkbak Nicolai J.
Published: July 2022

The cGAS-STING pathway serves a critical role in anticancer therapy. Particularly, response to immunotherapy is likely driven by both active cGAS-STING signaling that attracts immune cells, and by the presence of cancer neoantigens that presents as targets for cytotoxic T cells. Chromosomal instability (CIN) is a hallmark of cancer, but also leads to an accumulation of cytosolic DNA that in turn results in increased cGAS-STING signaling. To avoid triggering the cGAS-STING pathway, it is commonly disrupted by cancer cells, either through mutations in the pathway or through transcriptional silencing. Given its effect on the immune system, determining the cGAS-STING activation status prior to treatment initiation is likely of clinical relevance. Here, we used combined expression data from 2,307 tumors from five cancer types from The Cancer Genome Atlas to define a novel cGAS-STING activity score based on eight genes with a known role in the pathway. Using unsupervised clustering, four distinct categories of cGAS-STING activation were identified. In multivariate models, the cGAS-STING active tumors show improved prognosis. Importantly, in an independent bladder cancer immunotherapy-treated cohort, patients with low cGAS-STING expression showed limited response to treatment, while patients with high expression showed improved response and prognosis, particularly among patients with high CIN and more neoantigens. In a multivariate model, a significant interaction was observed between CIN, neoantigens, and cGAS-STING activation. Together, this suggests a potential role of cGAS-STING activity as a predictive biomarker for the application of immunotherapy.

Significance:

The cGAS-STING pathway is induced by CIN, triggers inflammation and is often deficient in cancer. We provide a tool to evaluate cGAS-STING activity and demonstrate clinical significance in immunotherapy response.
Can the Use of Continuous Glucose Monitoring Improve Glycemic Control in Patients with Type 1 and 2 Diabetes Receiving Dialysis?
Authors: Bomholt Tobias , Kofod Dea , Nørgaard Kirsten , Rossing Peter , Feldt-Rasmussen Bo , Hornum Mads
Published: July 2022

Background: Hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) is an unreliable glycemic marker in the dialysis population, and alternative methods of glycemic monitoring should be considered. Continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) measures interstitial glucose, an indirect measure of plasma glucose, and allows for estimating mean sensor glucose, glucose variability, and time in ranges. Thus, CGM provides a more nuanced picture of glycemic variables than HbA1c, which only informs about average glucose and not variation in glucose or hypoglycemia. Summary: In non-dialysis patients with type 1 and type 2 diabetes, CGM metrics are increasingly used to estimate glycemic control and are associated with improvements in glucose levels. Although a clear link has not yet been established between some CGM variables and the development of late diabetic complications, CGM use could be an important step forward in improving glycemic control in patients receiving dialysis. The ability to detect and prevent hypoglycemia while optimizing glucose levels could be particularly valuable. However, long-term CGM use has not been evaluated in the dialysis population, and the practical burden and cost associated with CGM use may be a limitation. We discuss the strengths and limitations of using CGM in the dialysis population with type 1 and type 2 diabetes. Key Messages:CGM circumvents the pitfalls of HbA1c in dialysis patients and provides detailed measures of the mean sensor glucose, glucose variability, and time in ranges. Guidelines recommend a minimum of 50% time spent in the target range (3.9–10.0 mmol/L) and less than 1% below range (<3.9 mmol/L) for patients receiving dialysis but remain to be evaluated in the dialysis population. CGM can be a valuable tool in reducing overall glucose levels and variations while detecting hypoglycemia, but the practical burden of CGM use and cost may be a limitation.
Playing with the Ancients: The Cosmology of Gilles Personne de Roberval
Authors: Babeş Ovidiu
Published: July 2022

This contribution explores Gilles Personne de Roberval’s 1644 Aristarchi Samii de mundi systemate, partibus, & motibus eiusdem, libellus. I focus on the complex circumstances of publication, the intellectual context of the polemics of Copernicanism within the scientific community, as well as the natural philosophy of the treatise. Roberval’s strategy of publication provides a very sophisticated example of authorship in early modern natural philosophy. The strategy lies at the conflux of certain specific motivations. I contextualize these motivations by accounting for the delicate debates around the motion of the Earth in mid-seventeenth century Europe, the institutional communities of the Collège Royal and Mersenne’s circle, and the disciplinary bounds of Roberval’s professional authority. Weighing in all the elements, I argue that Roberval’s publication is an interesting intellectual game, playing with the notion of ancient authority and humanistic recovery. By this somewhat libertine attitude, Roberval takes a stance in a complicated debate around heliocentrism and the status of hypothetical cosmology. Roberval’s position is supported by his natural philosophical speculations, which I situate in the contemporary debates of the community. Roberval borrows from many philosophers, but he aims at achieving a highly systematic speculative cosmology. One of the functions of this system is to confirm Copernicanism, while maintaining a very pessimistic attitude on the prospects of precise astronomical knowledge and, among others, prognostication issues.
‘Our Three Selves:’ Radclyffe Hall and Mabel Batten’s Lived Catholicism
Authors: Lamontagne Kathryn G.
Published: July 2022

For British Catholic women, conversion was an empowering choice for oneself, rather than a path towards gaining institutionalized power. Lay female converts at the turn of the century were generally privileged, with a worldly understanding of the role of women in British society. Many converts drew on the spirit of female independence at the end of the 19th century to contest their place in British society. For some, their social and financial capital offered an additional position of power from which to push on notions of traditional Britishness and femininity. To have the freedom to choose conversion at all exemplifies this feeling of bodily and mental autonomy rarely exhibited by many women during the late 19th century and early 20th century. This article sheds new light on the expansiveness of the lived, lay Catholic experience in Britain in the late 19th and early 20th centuries through the examples of Mabel Batten (1857–1916) and Radclyffe Hall (1880–1943).
The Lived Contestations of Adivasi Catholic Identity-Making
Authors: D’Souza Rinald
Published: July 2022

In the mid-nineteenth century movement towards Christianity in Chotanagpur in central India, the missionary Constant Lievens (1856–1893) played a pioneering role in the establishment of the Catholic Mission among the Adivasis (indigenous peoples). Through Lievens’ legal advocacy, Adivasis not only adopted a faith, but also began to reclaim their lands and their indigeneity. Drawing on ethnographic research around the intercessory prayer for the beatification of Lievens, this paper analyses the present-day lived contestations of Adivasi Catholic identity-making. The paper argues that Adivasi Catholic identities are lived in contestation and continuous negotiation with their present realities, while also borrowing from the legacies of their own past struggles and their intermediaries.
Beyond Algorithmic Control: Ordering and Delivery Platforms Labor Process in the Chilean Retail Production Network
Authors: Boccardo Giorgio , Castillo Alejandro , Ojeda-Pereira Iván
Published: July 2022

This article describes and analyzes the labor process of Rappi, one of the main ordering and delivery platforms (odp) in Latin America. An exploratory qualitative case study was carried out and the results are based on the content analysis of 20 semi-structured interviews to platform workers as well as ethnographic work done in 2019–2020 in Santiago de Chile. This article contributes to, first, describe and analyze labor processes organized by an odp whose property and operation is managed in the Global South; second, it enables to explore the role played by Rappi within the Chilean retail production network; third, it connects diverse labor processes organized by odp s further on the ‘pick-up and deliver’ orders task; finally, it analyzes different control mechanisms executed by Rappi beyond algorithmic control, together with individual and collective resistance practices adopted by shoppers and riders.
24/7 Digital Work-Based Spy: The Effects of Technological Panopticism on Workers in the Digital Age
Authors: Duke Benjamin
Published: July 2022

This paper is delivered from a conceptual theoretical review of grey literature: identifying key concepts and pragmatic policy interventions, which are required to address various aspects of the digital workforce. The main objective and purpose of this study is to analyze then articulate how technological panopticism, digital surveillance has changed the world of work. The study alerts us to the significant changes in work relations, which have been imposed by the digital age. At a nascent level society is asked to consider; how prepared are we to address the effects of technological panopticism on the mental (and physical) wellbeing of digital workers. On a nuanced basis the study fulfils another societal role: acting to introduce consideration of the digital surveillance aspects of how interaction with artificial intelligence and/or the internet of things could develop in the 2020s.
Joseph’s Hyper-Assimilation: A Fourth Generation’s Hidden Memory of Collapse
Authors: Ahn John
Published: July 2022

This essay, compromised of six parts, discusses: (1) migration and generation consciousness, (2) the framing of Gen 12–50 and Exodus to 2 Kings through the socio-canonical cadre of four generations, (3) the theological nature of the Southern Kingdom’s fall—sin, a first generation exilic construct, (4) the third generation in Jacob, (5) the fourth generation Joseph and its most telling subject matter of a hidden cultural memory, and (6) the conclusion comparing the third and fourth generations respectively, for further scholastic engagement. Seminal subject matters from Elephantine are also discussed.
Rethinking the Parables of Luke 15: A Case for the Fourth Parable
Authors: Melbourne Bertram
Published: July 2022

This article explores separating the two sections that make up the third parable to explore whether the second of the two could constitute a fourth parable that has its own unique message and therefore could stand alone. Moreover, all four parables are compared to see whether or not there are common features and/or patterns that could exhibit the intent of the storyteller. My thesis is that Luke 15 has four parables. This notion is supported structurally, thematically and is consistent with Jesus’ teaching methodology and his theology. I propose that when we limit it to three, we inadvertently legitimize the thoughts, actions, and feelings of the elder brother, weaken the contrast and thereby dullen the message Jesus sought to convey to his hearers.
Establishing a Just Society through a Qur’anic Lens
Authors: Alwani Zainab
Published: July 2022

This article examines the methods and strategies introduced by the Qur’an for establishing a just society. More specifically, it argues that the opening verse of Surat al-Nisa (the fourth chapter of the Qur’an) serves as a roadmap for humanity on how to achieve true peace, establish authentic justice and maintain sustainable security in every aspect of life. In doing so, the article addresses the following questions: What does the Qur’an mean when it states that humanity is one family?

What should be done to affirm every person’s dignity and respect is preserved? How can we secure justice and establish peace for all people? What are the measures that should be considered to evaluate our success or failure strategies? The article engages with these critical issues through the lens of the Quran, applying the methodology of reading the Qur’an intratextually as one structural unity (al-wihda al-binaʾiyya lil-Qur’an). This holistic method reads the Qur’an as a unified text by cross-examining and integrating its linguistic, structural, and conceptual elements. The article highlights the Qur’anic model to prevent injustice and promote peace through justice and mercy by being individually accountable to each other.
Cone and Cannon: Black Theology and Visions of Society
Authors: James Leslie R.
Published: July 2022

This essay inspired by the memory of James H. Cone (1938–2018) and Katie G. Cannon (1950–2018), explores the contributions of both scholars to the academy, society, and the public space. Drawing on selected publications, it argues that the recent “passing over” of these two liberationist theologians to other shores of existence warrant significant reflection on their legacies in combating social and other forms of death, reimagining black historical, communal, and eschatological existence, and visions of liberation, justice, and peace for all. They articulated an idea or vision of American society that ran counter to and sought to transcend the dominant construction or ethos of American society.
Chewing lice of the Brueelia-complex (Phthiraptera: Ischnocera) parasitic on members of the Campephagidae (Aves: Passeriformes), with description of a new subgenus and 14 new species
Authors: GUSTAFSSON DANIEL R. , BUSH SARAH E.
Published: July 2022

Fourteen new species of chewing lice in the Brueelia-complex are described, from hosts in the Campephagidae. In addition, Malardifax a new subgenus of Guimaraesiella Eichler, 1949 is described for the species occurring on minivets (Campephagidae: Pericrocotus). The new species and their hosts are: Guimaraesiella (Guimaraesiella) nouankaoensis n. sp. from Coracina caledonica seiuncta Mayr & Ripley, 1941 and C. caledonica thilenii (Neumann, 1915); Guimaraesiella (Guimaraesiella) sphagmotica n. sp. from Coracina caeruleogrisea strenua (Schlegel, 1871) and C. caeruleogrisea adamsoni Mayr & Rand, 1936; Indoceoplanetes (Capnodella) kamphaengphetensis n. sp. from Lalage melaschistos avensis (Blyth, 1852); Indoceoplanetes (Capnodella) saucia n. sp. from Edolisoma montanum montanum (Meyer, 1874); Indoceoplanetes (Capnodella) subarcens n. sp. from Edolisoma melas melas (Lesson, 1828); Indoceoplanetes (Indoceoplanetes) cinitemnina n. sp. from Edolisoma melas melas (Lesson, 1828); Indoceoplanetes (Indoceoplanetes) ephippiformis n. sp. from Edolisoma montanum montanum (Meyer, 1874); Indoceoplanetes (Indoceoplanetes) fodincana n. sp. from Coracina papuensis oriomo Mayr & Rand, 1936, C. papuensis angustifrons (Salvadori, 1876), and C. papuensis elegans (Ramsay, 1881); Indoceoplanetes (Indoceoplanetes) incisoma n. sp. from Coracina macei siamensis (Baker, 1918) and C. macei rexpineti (Swinhoe, 1863); Indoceoplanetes (Indoceoplanetes) microgenitalis n. sp. from Coracina caeruleogrisea strenua (Schlegel, 1871); Indoceoplanetes (Indoceoplanetes) pterophora n. sp. from Coracina macei nipalensis (Hodgson, 1836); Indoceoplanetes (Indoceoplanetes) saburrata n. sp. from Coracina lineata ombriosa (Rothschild & Hartert, 1905); Indoceoplanetes (Indoceoplanetes) wandoensis n. sp. from Coracina novaehollandiae melanops (Latham, 1802); and Indoceoplanetes (Indoceoplanetes) zambica n. sp. from Coracina pectoralis (Jardine & Selby, 1828). Checklists and keys to the louse species of the Brueelia-complex parasitic on campephagid hosts are provided.
Contribution to the Erebidae fauna of the Great Nicobar Island, India with description of two new species (Lepidoptera: Noctuoidea)
Authors: SINGH NAVNEET , AHMAD JALIL , RAHA ANGSHUMAN
Published: July 2022

In the present paper, we describe two new species, Garudinia shompen sp. nov. (Arctiinae) and Plusiodonta nicobarensis sp. nov. (Calpinae) and report five new species records for India: Nishada sambara (Moore, 1859), Teulisna chiloides Walker, 1862 (Arctiinae), Tamba cosmoloma Prout, 1928, T. occidinawa Holloway, 2005 (Boletobiinae) and Anoba rigida (Swinhoe, 1895) (Anobinae), collected from the Great Nicobar Island. Except Garudinia, all the other taxa studied herein are documented for the first time from the Great Nicobar Island. Detailed description of new species, diagnoses of all the included species with similar congeners along with habitus images and genitalia illustrations and their distributional notes are provided.
A new species of conger eel, Ariosoma (Congridae: Bathymyrinae), from the Bay of Bengal, India
Authors: RAY DIPANJAN , ACHARYA SMRUTIREKHA , KHATUA TAPAN , ROY DEBNARAYAN , MOHAPATRA ANIL , MISHRA SUBHRENDU SEKHAR
Published: July 2022

Ariosoma bengalense sp. nov. is described on the basis of two specimens having total length (TL) 216–304 mm, collected from the northern part of the Bay of Bengal, India. The new species is characterized by the dorsal-fin origin positioned above the gill-opening margin and above the 9th lateral-line pores, supratemporal pore absent, 9–10 predorsal vertebrae; 46–49 preanal vertebrae and 146–149 total vertebrae. The new species most closely resembles the Indian species Ariosoma gnanadossi, the new species differs from A. gnanadossi having the snout length (SL) longer than eye diameter (snout length 1.4–2.0 in eye diameter) vs. snout length almost equal to the eye diameter in A. gnanadossi. Further, the new species has translucent pectoral fins vs. black pectoral fins in Ariosoma gnanadossi. The new species differs from four of the seven species reported from India: Ariosoma majus, A. melanospilos, A. maurostigma and A. indicum with absence of supratemporal pores vs. three in all the species mentioned.
Improved Wavelet Filter Bank Selection for Effective Feature Extraction in Alzheimer Classification
Authors: Revathi M. , Singaravel G.
Published: July 2022

Background: Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is the primary reason for health problem. Motivation: Being degenerative and progressive with brain cells that can be intervened by health professionals in case of early recognition. Feature extraction is a technique employed
for reduction of dimensionality. The features are generated for a image. The extraction of features has to be done accurately without any loss of information. Methods: In this work, a Cuckoo Search (CS) based Wavelet Filter Bank Selection algorithm for classification of Alzheimer’s
has been proposed. The Ada Boost classifier, Random Forest (RF), and Classification and Regression Tree (CART) were used for the identification of the affected patient with Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI). Results: From results it can be found that proposed CS-based technique is used
in classifying AD compared to conventional techniques.
Making Semi-Automatic Segmentation Method to be Automatic Using Deep Learning for Biventricular Segmentation
Authors: Ciyamala Kushbu S. , Inbamalar T. M.
Published: July 2022

Ventricular Segmentation or Delineation of Cardiac Magnetic Resonance Imaging (CMRI) is significant in obtaining the cardiac contractile function, which in turn is taken as input for diagnosing Cardio Vascular Diseases (CVD). Many automatic and semi-automatic methods were evolved to
meet the constraints of diagnosing CVDs. Among these, semi-automatic methods require user intervention for delineation of ventricles, which consumes time and leads to intra and inter-observability, as with manual delineation. Thus, the automatic method is suggested by most of the researchers
to address the above-stated problem. We proposed Saliency-based Active contour U-Net (SACU-Net) for automatic bi-ventricular segmentation which is found to surpass the existing highest developed methods regarding closeness to the gold standard. Three schemes are used by our proposed algorithm,
namely 1. Saliency Detection Scheme for Region of Interest (ROI) Localization to concentrate only on Object of Interest, 2. Drop-out embedded U-net for Initial Contour evolution that performs initial segmentation and 3. Local-Global-based Regional active Contour (LGRAC) to fine-tune and avoid
leaking, merging of ventricles during Delineation. We used three datasets namely Automatic Cardiac Diagnosing Challenge (ACDC) of MICCAI 2017, Right Ventricular Segmentation Challenge (RVSC) of MICCAI 2012, and Sunny Brook (SB) of MICCAI 2009 dataset to test the adaptability nature of our
algorithm over different scanner resolutions and protocols. 100 and 50 CMRI Images of ACDC were used for training and testing respectively which obtained average Dice Coefficient (DC) metric of 0.963, 0.934, and 0.948 for Left Ventricular Cavity (LVC), Left Ventricular Myocardium (LVM), and
Right Ventricular Cavity (RVC) respectively. 32 and 16 CMRI Images of RVSC are used for preparing and experimenting respectively, which obtained an average DC metric of 0.95 for RVC.30 and 15 CMRI Images of SB are used for preparing and experimenting respectively, which obtained average DC
metric of 0.96 and 0.97 for LVC and LVM, respectively. Hausdorff Distance (HD) Metrics are also calculated to learn the distance of proposed delineated ventricles to reach the gold standard. The above resultant metrics show the robustness of our proposed SACU-Net in the segmentation of ventricles
of CMRI than previous methods.
A Novel Approach for Identification of Biomakers in Diabetic Retinopathy Recognition
Authors: Rayavel P. , Murukesh C.
Published: July 2022

In the emergence of anti-Antivascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) drugs such as ranibizumab and bevacizumab, it has become obvious that the presence of outer retinal and subretinal fluid is the primary signal of the need for anti-VEGF therapy, and used to identify disease activity
and assist diabetic retinopathy treatment. Despite advancements in diabetic retinopathy (DR) treatments, early detection is critical for DR management and remains a significant barrier. Clinical DR can be distinguished from non proliferative DR without visible vision loss and vision-threatening
consequences such as macular edoema and proliferative retinopathy by retinal alterations in diabetes. The proposed method aggrandize the process of accurate detection of biomakers responsible for higher risk of diabetic retinopathy development in color fundus images. Furthermore, the proposed
approach could be employed to quantify these lesions and their distributions efficientively as evident in the experimentation results.
Radar Retrieval Evaluation and Investigation of Dendritic Growth Layer Polarimetric Signatures in a Winter Storm
Authors: Dunnavan Edwin L. , Carlin Jacob T. , Hu Jiaxi , Bukovčić Petar , Ryzhkov Alexander V. , McFarquhar Greg M. , Finlon Joseph A. , Matrosov Sergey Y. , Delene David J.
Published: July 2022

This study evaluates ice particle size distribution and aspect ratio φ Multi-Radar Multi-Sensor (MRMS) dual-polarization radar retrievals through a direct comparison with two legs of observational aircraft data obtained during a winter storm case from the Investigation of Microphysics and Precipitation for Atlantic Coast-Threatening Snowstorms (IMPACTS) campaign. In situ cloud probes, satellite, and MRMS observations illustrate that the often-observed Kdp and ZDR enhancement regions in the dendritic growth layer can either indicate a local number concentration increase of dry ice particles or the presence of ice particles mixed with a significant number of supercooled liquid droplets. Relative to in situ measurements, MRMS retrievals on average underestimated mean volume diameters by 50% and overestimated number concentrations by over 100%. IWC retrievals using ZDR and Kdp within the dendritic growth layer were minimally biased relative to in situ calculations where retrievals yielded −2% median relative error for the entire aircraft leg. Incorporating φ retrievals decreased both the magnitude and spread of polarimetric retrievals below the dendritic growth layer. While φ radar retrievals suggest that observed dendritic growth layer particles were nonspherical (0.1 ≤ φ ≤ 0.2), in situ projected aspect ratios, idealized numerical simulations, and habit classifications from cloud probe images suggest that the population mean φ was generally much higher. Coordinated aircraft radar reflectivity with in situ observations suggests that the MRMS systematically underestimated reflectivity and could not resolve local peaks in mean volume diameter sizes. These results highlight the need to consider particle assumptions and radar limitations when performing retrievals.

significance statement

Developing snow is often detectable using weather radars. Meteorologists combine these radar measurements with mathematical equations to study how snow forms in order to determine how much snow will fall. This study evaluates current methods for estimating the total number and mass, sizes, and shapes of snowflakes from radar using images of individual snowflakes taken during two aircraft legs. Radar estimates of snowflake properties were most consistent with aircraft data inside regions with prominent radar signatures. However, radar estimates of snowflake shapes were not consistent with observed shapes estimated from the snowflake images. Although additional research is needed, these results bolster understanding of snow-growth physics and uncertainties between radar measurements and snow production that can improve future snowfall forecasting.
Newly Developed Multiparameter Bulk Cloud Schemes. Part I: A New Triple-Moment Condensation Scheme and Tests
Authors: Zhang Jun , Sun Jiming , Deng Wei , Ma Yuxia
Published: July 2022

Double-moment schemes cannot accurately describe the evolution of the cloud droplet spectrum during condensation. Hence, a new triple-moment condensation scheme is developed to describe the evolution of cloud droplet spectra. In this scheme, a three-parameter gamma distribution function of the cloud droplet mass is adopted, and the prognostic equations of the spectral shape parameter and slope parameter are derived by means of the number concentration, cloud water content, and reflectivity factor of cloud droplets. The new parameterization scheme is compared with high-resolution Lagrangian and Eulerian bin schemes, double-moment schemes, and existing triple-moment schemes by performing simulations under different supersaturation values. The new scheme can reduce the cloud spectral error in the cloud water content and reflectivity factor caused by the fixed shape parameter in some bulk schemes. The spectra simulated with the new scheme match the Lagrangian analytical solutions well, with errors within approximately 1% in the cloud water content and reflectivity factor. The effects of curvature and solution on condensation growth are also tested using the new scheme, and a method of using multiple gamma distribution functions to characterize the multimodal spectrum of cloud droplets is proposed in the new condensation scheme. Ultimately, the formation of rain embryos from giant aerosols can be simulated via the new scheme.
Predicting the Likelihood of Colorectal Cancer with Artificial Intelligence Tools Using Fourier Transform Infrared Signals Obtained from Tumor Samples
Authors: Villamanca John Jerald , Hermogino Lemuel John , Ong Katherine Denise , Paguia Brian , Abanilla Lorenzo , Lim Antonio , Angeles Lara Mae , Espiritu Bernadette , Isais Maura , Tomas Rock Christian , Albano Pia Marie
Published: July 2022

The early and accurate detection of colorectal cancer (CRC) significantly affects its prognosis and clinical management. However, current standard diagnostic procedures for CRC often lack sensitivity and specificity since most rely on visual examination. Hence, there is a need to develop more accurate methods for its diagnosis. Support vector machine (SVM) and feedforward neural network (FNN) models were designed using the Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) spectral data of several colorectal tissues that were unanimously identified as either benign or malignant by different unrelated pathologists. The set of samples in which the pathologists had discordant readings were then analyzed using the AI models described above. Between the SVM and NN models, the NN model was able to outperform the SVM model based on their prediction confidence scores. Using the spectral data of the concordant samples as training set, the FNN was able to predict the histologically diagnosed malignant tissues ( n = 118) at 59.9–99.9% confidence (average = 93.5%). Of the 118 samples, 84 (71.18%) were classified with an above average confidence score, 34 (28.81%) classified below the average confidence score, and none was misclassified. Moreover, it was able to correctly identify the histologically confirmed benign samples ( n = 83) at 51.5–99.7% confidence (average = 91.64%). Of the 83 samples, 60 (72.29%) were classified with an above average confidence score, 22 (26.51%) classified below the average confidence score, and only 1 sample (1.20%) was misclassified. The study provides additional proof of the ability of attenuated total reflection (ATR) FT-IR enhanced by AI tools to predict the likelihood of CRC without dependence on morphological changes in tissues.
Comparison of two primer-probe sets of Fusobacterium nucleatum using droplet digital polymerase chain reaction for the detection of colorectal neoplasia from faecal samples
Authors: Yamaoka Yuko , Sasai Mai , Suehiro Yutaka , Hashimoto Shinichi , Goto Atsushi , Yamamoto Naoki , Suzuki Nobuaki , Higaki Shingo , Fujii Ikuei , Suzuki Chieko , Matsumoto Toshihiko , Hoshida Tomomi , Koga Michiko , Tsutsumi Takeya , Lim Lay A , Matsubara Yasuo , Tomochika Shinobu , Yoshida Shin , Hazama Shoichi , Yotsuyanagi Hiroshi , Nagano Hiroaki , Sakaida Isao , Takami Taro , Yamasaki Takahiro
Published: July 2022

Background:

Although faecal DNA testing of Fusobacterium nucleatum ( Fn) is expected to be useful for colorectal neoplasia detection, there is no standardized quantification method of Fn. We performed this study to establish a possible standardized method.

Methods:

In this study, 322 participants including 71 subjects without colorectal neoplasia (control group), 31 patients with non-advanced colorectal adenoma, 93 patients with advanced colorectal adenoma, and 127 patients with colorectal cancer were enrolled. Faecal Fn were quantified by droplet digital PCR (ddPCR) using two PCR primer-probe sets reported previously that are tentatively named Fn1 and Fn2. Fn1 has been used in ddPCR by us and Fn2 has been widely used in quantitative real-time PCR.

Results:

The Fn copy number using Fn1 was five times higher than that using Fn2, with a linear relationship shown between them. Receiver operating characteristic curve analysis showed the area under the curve (AUC) to be almost the same between Fn1 and Fn2 in discriminating between the control group and the colorectal cancer group (AUC = 0.81 and 0.81, respectively), and between the control/non-advanced colorectal adenoma group and the advanced colorectal adenoma/colorectal cancer group (AUC = 0.74 and 0.74, respectively).

Conclusions:

As the diagnostic performance was quite similar between Fn1 and Fn2, ddPCR-based Fn testing using Fn1 and Fn2 could be a possible standardized method for a colorectal neoplasia screening test, considering that Fn levels quantified by Fn1 are about five times higher than those by Fn2.
Heparin Resistance in SARS-CoV-2 Infected Patients with Venous Thromboembolism
Authors: Chau Terence , Joseph Merlyn , Solomon Diana M. , Lee Bryan , Igneri Lauren A.
Published: July 2022

Introduction: Heparin resistance has been reported in coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) patients receiving intravenous unfractionated heparin (IV UFH). Anti-Xa monitoring of IV UFH has been suggested over activated partial thromboplastin times due to laboratory interference from elevated factor VIII and fibrinogen levels in COVID-19 patients. Information on heparin resistance with anti-Xa monitoring in COVID-19 patients with confirmed venous thromboembolism (VTE) is lacking. Methods: In this retrospective cohort study of patients with radiographically confirmed VTE, IV UFH dosage requirements in COVID-19 positive patients were compared with COVID-19 negative patients. The primary endpoint was the IV UFH dose needed to achieve a therapeutic anti-Xa level. Secondary endpoints included time to therapeutic anti-Xa, number of dose adjustments to achieve therapeutic anti-Xa, and bleeding. Results: Sixty-four patients with confirmed VTE were included (20 patients COVID-19 positive, 44 patients COVID-19 negative). Eighty-five percent (17 of 20) of COVID-19 positive patients achieved anti-Xa ≥ 0.3 units/mL with the first anti-Xa level drawn post-IV UFH infusion initiation. The median UFH dose needed to achieve first therapeutic anti-Xa was similar between COVID-19 positive and COVID-19 negative patients (median [IQR]: 18 units/kg/hour [18-18] vs 18 units/kg/hour [18-18], P = .423). The median number of dose adjustments and time to achieve therapeutic anti-Xa were also similar between the 2 groups. The frequency of patients receiving IV UFH of more 35 000 units/day did not differ between the 2 groups. Two cases of clinically significant heparin resistance in the COVID-19 positive group were identified. Conclusions: During the first wave of COVID-19, heparin dose and time to therapeutic anticoagulation appeared to be similar between COVID-19 positive and COVID-19 negative patients monitored by anti-Xa at our institution. More studies are required to evaluate clinically significant heparin resistance in the context of the wide range of viral variants which developed, and beyond the population observed in this single center retrospective study.
Mental Health Facilitators and Barriers during Covid-19 in Nigeria
Authors: Armiya’u Aishatu Yusha’u , Yıldırım Murat , Muhammad Asiya , Tanhan Ahmet , Young J. Scott
Published: July 2022

We investigated the most important mental health facilitators and barriers for a Nigerian sample during the COVID-19 pandemic. We collected data from 122 participants (72% females) using Online Photovoice (OPV) method. We used Online Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis (OIPA) approach and found nine facilitator themes. The four most reported facilitators were social support (34%); hobbies (26%); creating space for or experiencing enjoyable feelings, bodily sensations, and comfort (25%); and spirituality/religiosity (9%). Nine main barrier themes emerged (e.g. unenjoyable feelings, 53%; COVID-19 restrictions, 30%; inadequate social interaction, 19%; and financial issues, poverty, 18%). We discussed the implication and limitations of the findings.
Paralanguage Classifier (PARA): An Algorithm for Automatic Coding of Paralinguistic Nonverbal Parts of Speech in Text
Authors: Luangrath Andrea Webb , Xu Yixiang , Wang Tong
Published: July 2022

Brands and consumers alike have become creators and distributors of digital words, thus generating increasing interest in insights to be gained from text-based content. This work develops an algorithm to identify textual paralanguage, defined as nonverbal parts of speech expressed in online communication. The authors develop and validate a paralanguage classifier (called PARA) using social media data from Twitter, YouTube, and Instagram (N = 1,241,489 posts). Using auditory, tactile, and visual properties of text, PARA detects nonverbal communication cues, aspects of text often neglected by other word-based sentiment lexica. This work is the first to reveal the importance of textual paralanguage as a critical indicator of sentiment valence and intensity. The authors further demonstrate that automatically detected textual paralanguage can predict consumer engagement above and beyond existing text analytics tools. The algorithm is designed for researchers, scholars, and practitioners seeking to optimize marketing communications and offers a methodological advancement to quantify the importance of not only what is said verbally but how it is said nonverbally.
Dark Tourism and Social Mobilization: Transforming Travelers After Visiting a Holocaust Museum
Authors: Soulard Joelle , Stewart William , Larson Marcy , Samson Eve
Published: July 2022

A critical gap in the dark tourism literature concerns the possibility of social mobilization outcomes after taking part in dark tourism experiences. While a crucial driver behind the creation of museums focusing on war and genocide is to prevent their reoccurrence by socially mobilizing travelers, few studies look at whether travelers can become socially mobilized and take actions for human rights. We apply the Framing Theory of Social Action to investigate whether travelers employ framings in their discourse to reveal social mobilization outcomes after visiting exhibits at a Holocaust Museum. Travelers engage in photo-elicitation and in-depth interviews about their post-experience of visiting exhibits that are focusing on the Holocaust, women’s rights, and apartheid at Illinois Holocaust Museum & Education Center (IHMEC). Travelers suggest they engage in the main form of social mobilization outcomes: feeling empowered, pursuing remembrance and education, and identifying societal issues that warrant mobilization.
When the Future is Now: An Experimental Study on the Role of Future Thinking and Affective Forecasting in Accommodation Decision-Making
Authors: Karl Marion , Kock Florian , Bauer Alexander , Ritchie Brent W. , Assaf A. George
Published: July 2022

When people make travel decisions, they consult their imagination, considering how they would feel in the respective travel situation. Both, researchers who examine this phenomenon and practitioners executing it, commonly hold the vague assumption of an evaluative cognitive process that enables tourists to factor such information into their decision-making process. The nature and functioning of such a process is largely unknown. The authors suggest that travelers, often subconsciously, mentally simulate future hotel stays and predict future feelings to inform their decision-making, a process referred to as affective forecasting. Executing an experimental design, the authors show that actively engaging in episodic future thinking to trigger affective forecasting increases travelers’ intentions toward holiday accommodations. This effect is mediated by hotel trust and risk perception, demonstrating that affective forecasting is an effective way for regaining tourists’ trust and reducing their perceived risk during a pandemic. Contributions to theory and practical implications are discussed.
For Aging Research and Equity: Lessons Learned in Undergraduate Research Education
Authors: Roberts Lindsay R , Ririe Criss J , Myers Marcella J , Guggenheimer Joshua D , Campbell Katherine A
Published: July 2022

Mentoring underrepresented students in aging research during the COVID-19 pandemic affords many opportunities for innovation and learning, for both students and program leaders. Here, we describe lessons learned from an Advancing Diversity in Aging Research (ADAR) program at a women-centered, minority-serving undergraduate institution. We share program elements and assessment results related to scholars’ education in aging, support through community-building and mentorship, and research experiences in gerosciences. Notably, we highlight lessons learned for retaining and training undergraduate students as graduate school-ready researchers: 1) draw students into a community focused on social justice, 2) show students that geroscience is inclusive and integrative, 3) model professionalism with flexibility, 4) keep open lines of communication, and 5) build a team of mentors around each scholar. By sharing insights from our community of practice in geroscience research and education, we hope to model best practices for URM student support in aging research.
Improving Student Wellbeing: Evidence From a Mixed Effects Design and Comparison to Normative Data
Authors: Kemp Andrew H. , Mead Jessica , Fisher Zoe
Published: July 2022

Background

The wellbeing of university students is deteriorating, highlighting a critical role for institutions to better support student wellbeing.

Objective

The goal of this work is to determine whether a final-year undergraduate wellbeing science module, inspired by recent theoretical developments, improved wellbeing during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Method

Participants ( N = 128) completed a brief online questionnaire including the Warwick-Edinburgh Mental Well-being Scale across baseline and follow-up assessments. Analysis involved 2 group (intervention, control) × 2 time (baseline T1, follow-up T2) mixed-effects analysis of variance (ANOVA) and one-sample t-tests to compare the intervention group with population-based norms for adults aged 16–75+.

Results

A significant interaction effect was observed , reflecting an increase in wellbeing in the intervention group in T2 relative to T1. Comparisons with published norms, further highlighted the beneficial impact of the module.

Conclusion

Encouraging connection to self, others and nature has beneficial impacts on wellbeing, consistent with a modern science of wellbeing.

Teaching Implications

Students learn the latest wellbeing theory, spanning the individual to the planet, and engage with opportunities to improve wellbeing, broadly defined. Teaching materials are made freely available for instructors wishing to develop a similar module or adapt materials for other purposes.
Prompted Self-Explanations Improve Learning in Statistics but Not Retention
Authors: Ryan Robert S. , Koppenhofer James A.
Published: July 2022

Background

College students often do not retain what they learn in Statistics in order to apply it in Experimental Psychology. Self-explanation, that is, elaborating on what one is trying to learn by asking questions, making inferences, etc., improves learning and may improve retention.

Objective

The purpose of this study was to determine whether self-explanation was superior to students’ usual study methods specifically for learning some basic concepts in statistics, and, if so, if it was similarly useful for retention a semester after the initial learning.

Method

We used 199 college students as participants in a randomized, between participant, two-part experiment examining the effects of training by prompting self-explanations as a potential solution to this applied problem.

Results

The self-explanations that we elicited improved initial learning and were superior to students’ usual study methods, but did not benefit retention.

Conclusions

Future research on improving the quality of the self-explanations and training with spaced retrieval practice, in order to benefit retention, is suggested.

Teaching Implication

Self-explanation should be implemented for teaching statistics in order to benefit initial learning. However, teachers should explore other methods to accomplish retention.
A Pilot Investigation of a Job Development App with Transition Teachers and Job Coaches
Authors: Baker Joshua N. , Stanger Carol , Katz-Flotte Sarah , Garza Tiberio
Published: July 2022

This 2-year pilot study aimed to investigate the effects of a job coaching application (i.e., Job Coaching on Demand) on the knowledge and competencies of teachers and job coaches that work with young adults with developmental disabilities. Due to the global pandemic, this research was conducted virtually over a 2-year period. During the first year, a one-group formative pretest/posttest design with key informants was used to pilot the app with three teachers and five job coaches. The anecdotal findings from this pilot year were then used to further develop the application. The intent of the application was to provide professional development support to teachers and job coaches across the categories of (a) exploring careers, (b) ready for work, (c) part of the team, and (d) advocacy. In Year 2, a total of 31 teachers and job coaches were recruited, and a pretest/posttest was conducted to compare the differences in gained competencies between the two groups. The results show that those in the treatment group showed a larger increase in gains compared to the control group. The overall results of the 2 years of data, the current application development, and practical implications of the technology are further discussed.
Survey on the Effects of Work in Covid-19 Clinics on Anxiety-Depression and Family-Work Conflicts
Authors: Şişman Hamide , Gökçe Esma , Akpolat Refiye , Alptekin Dudu , Gezer Derya , Arslan Sevban
Published: July 2022

This research was conducted to examine the effect of working in Covid clinics on anxiety-depression and family-work conflict of healthcare professionals. In a study conducted with 103 health personnel, a positive and significant relationship was found between work-family conflict scale scores and depression and anxiety scale scores (1* = 481, p < .01, 1 = 483, p < .01, respectively). As a result, employees in the Covid-19 clinic are faced with problems such as fear of transmitting the infection to their families, difficulty in carrying the burden of their children, increased levels of anxiety and depression, and social and family life being affected.
Comparison of social intelligence among adolescents with visual impairment regarding varying demographic factors
Authors: Majid Shaista , Noor Hina , Mahmud Shamaila , Shaheen Saima
Published: July 2022

Social intelligence (SI) helps the visually impaired adolescents (VIAs) to adjust in social environment by maintaining healthy interpersonal relationship. The purpose of the study was to explore differences in SI of VIAs and varying demographic factors. For this purpose, sample of 385 VIAs (204 males, 181 females) of age range 11 to 19 years, was taken from two divisions of Punjab, that is, Rawalpindi and Lahore, Pakistan. Translated Urdu version of Tromso Social Intelligence Scale (TSIS) containing 21 items was used to get responses on Likert-type scale from 1 ( describes me extremely poorly) to 7 ( describes me extremely well). The tool was found to be reliable for the given population as alpha reliability of Urdu-translated TSIS was 0.91 and test–retest reliability was 0.748. Mean, frequencies, and percentages were used to summarize the results. Multiple comparison analysis was computed to assess significant differences regarding gender, socioeconomic status (SES), education, and SI of VIAs. Results revealed that there was no significant difference in SI among VIAs across gender. In addition, significant difference was indicated in SI among VIAs belonging to different SES. VIAs belonging to high SES revealed to have high level of SI. Furthermore, there was significant difference in parents’ education and SI of VIAs. It was recommended that social intervention training programs might help to create awareness and development of skills and capabilities related to SI.